Dear Quogue Residents,

With the summer solstice behind us, summer has officially arrived! The weather is tracking last year almost to the day as we experienced a heat wave in late June following a rather miserable spring. Fire up the grills as July 4^th is around the corner!

On the subject of grills, at the request of our Fire Department, I would like to remind you to perform basic grill maintenance and safety checks. All residents should have a dry-chem extinguisher in their kitchen as well as one handy near the outdoor grill. Every year our Fire Department responds to numerous outdoor fires caused by grills. As demonstrated by the massive brush fires this past March, we cannot exercise too much caution when grilling or otherwise “playing” with fire outdoors.

I was at Schmidt’s yesterday (where you can find me almost every day) and am happy to report that the Local Provisions “pop-up” summer location in Quogue is set to open this coming weekend. Please check out their offering of healthy and sweet treats: https://www.localprovisionswhb.com/

It has been a while since I last reported on the long-awaited (overdue?) FIMP beach nourishment project. This is because I have had nothing new to report. That being said, the long-delayed appraisal process is finally moving forward. I have asked for a target date to complete this step by summer’s end. This would enable the Town to send the easement “Offer Packages” to the 99 oceanfront homeowners in the project area, of which approximately half are located in Quogue. Once the easements have been recorded with the Suffolk County Clerk’s Office, the Army Corps of Engineers then puts the project out to bid; their current schedule is aiming to take this step next spring/summer, which would lead to “sand on the beach” beginning in the fall/winter of 2026-2027. I will continue to provide updates when/if I have news to report.

The Village held its elections last Friday. Randy Cardo and Ted Necarsulmer were reelected for a two-year term as Trustees. In addition, I am pleased to report that the referendum approving an increase to the long-term incentive reward program for our volunteer firefighters was adopted. On a negative front, the voter turnout was truly disappointing with only 47 residents making their way to the polls to exercise their civic duty – this out of approximately 1,350 registered voters in the Village. We can do better!

The Village Beach opens seven days a week beginning this Saturday, June 28^th. The beach concession run by Zach Schmidt will now be open seven days a week from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. Zach asked me to highlight that he will now be offering breakfast every day with fresh coffee from Hampton Coffee. He has also set up an ice cream stand. Here is a link to the current menu: Schmidt’s Beach Café Menu

I add a public safety reminder brought to you from Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES). Last year in Suffolk County, there were 27 patients treated by Suffolk County Emergency Medical Services or brought to emergency rooms who experienced near drowning, and there were 24 deaths attributed to drowning. Many of the patients/deaths were young children. Please teach your children how to swim and never leave a child unattended near a pool or near the water. Here is a link to a FRES memo setting forth a series of common sense and practical water safety recommendations. Let’s all have a safe and enjoyable summer as we enjoy our waterfront community!

A reminder that the Village’s property tax bills which were mailed on June 1^st are payable without penalty by July 1^st.

And now for some upcoming events:

The Gallery at the Quogue Library is opening a new exhibit tomorrow with works by Iodine Duke, an East Hampton based artist who produces immersive and vibrant watercolors of observations both real and imagined. The exhibit will be on display through July 31^st, with an Artist Reception this Sunday, June 29^th, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

The Library’s Third Annual Family Summer Kick-Off is Saturday, July 5^th, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The event is a must for all in the Village with live music, crafts, presentations too many to list, and a visit back in time with Schoolmistress Miss Lizabeth Griffing to a 19^th Century School Day in Quogue’s Historic 1822 One-Room Schoolhouse.

On Saturday, July 19^th, at 3:00 pm, join Quogue resident Hillary Huber (Wilson), award-winning narrator of over 800 titles, who will discuss the art and process of audiobook creation. The Library’s Summer Series of Authors in Conversation begins Sunday, July 20^th at 5:00 pm with Quogue resident Andrew Botsford in conversation with Charlie Stanton, author of How the Jester Became King. The next session of this season’s Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program will be held on Saturday, July 12^th, at 5:00 pm on the topic of AI and American National Security.  As always, consult the Library’s well-packed calendar to learn more about and sign up for their rich offering of programs of all types: quogue.librarycalendar.com/events/month

The Quogue Historical Society’s Pond House Museum is opening this Saturday, June 28^th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.  The Museum will be opening a new Exhibit on Thursday, July 10^th: HOUSE PROUD! Quogue’s Iconic Summer “Cottages” 1880-1910. Please join the exhibit’s opening reception that evening from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm with a talk by Julie Greene, QHS Curator and Southampton Town Historian. QHS is again hosting a series of “Quogue History Talks” at the Pond House Museum with Julie Greene. The talks are scheduled on Thursday, July 17^th and 24^th, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

Please save the date for the 59^th Annual Art Show and Sale to benefit the QHS which will be held on the Village Green on Saturday, August 9^th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. QHS is also hosting an Art Celebration with cocktails and an Art Talk that Friday evening, August 8^th, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on the Village Green. More information and tickets are available on the QHS website: Quogue Historical Society

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is celebrating their 17^th annual Summer Benefit on Saturday, July 12^th, with their Wild Night for Wildlife Summer Gala. It is a great party and important fund raiser to support the Refuge. Tickets for the Gala and details of the Refuge’s many programs can be found at: https://quoguewildliferefuge.org/

Following on the hugely successful Concert on the Village Green this past Friday, the Quogue Association is gearing up for their Annual Beach Party scheduled for Friday, July 18^th, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Please also mark your calendars for this year’s Duck Race, scheduled for Friday, August 8^th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Details on these events and how to join the Quogue Association can be found through this link: https://quogueassociation.org/

The Quogue Junior Theater Troupe is gearing up for their summer program celebrating their 47^th year. They will be producing SHREK – The Musical on July 29^th – 31^st and August 1^st for the Senior Troupe, and The Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition on August 20^th – 22^rd for their Junior Troupe members. Please also note that the QJTT Annual Benefit is slated for Friday, July 25^th, with a performance and reception beginning at 7:00 pm. Details and tickets can be obtained at QJTT.org.

Please save the date for this summer’s “must attend” Open House at the Quogue Firehouse scheduled for Sunday, August 3^rd, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July!

Robert Treuhold

Mayor, Village of Quogue

May 22, 2025

Dear Quogue Residents,

Memorial Day Weekend has arrived! While the weather is not promising for the weekend, the summer season is kicking off with lots of activities, and the Village has been busy getting ready.

One benefit of the deluge we are currently experiencing has been to provide a true test of the new drainage improvements the Village recently completed on Dune Road. I am pleased to report that the system of swales and “french drains” has significantly reduced flooding in the area from the bridge heading east to 146 Dune Road.  That stretch of Dune Road has now been repaved, as has the stretch heading west from the bridge to the Surf Club.

Heading further east on Dune Road, you may have noticed that the Suffolk County Water Authority has been digging up the road to replace the old water main from approximately 160 Dune Road to the border of East Quogue. Over the coming weeks/months, SCWA will be completing all of the individual hookups to that stretch of homes. While this will lead to temporary disruption and some rough patches (sorry cyclists!), we can look forward to having that entire stretch of road repaved when the SCWA’s work is completed. The Village intends to extend additional flood mitigation and drainage work along this stretch before the road is repaved.

An exciting development for beach lovers is the introduction of a Village Beach Camera that provides 24/7 real-time views of the surf at the Village Beach.  This can be accessed on the home page of the Village’s website HERE. It is also streamed on the Quogue Association’s website HERE.  The Village would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Quogue Association for their generous contribution towards the installation of the Beach Cam. In addition, the Quogue Association also subsidized the roll out of WiFi at the Village Beach this summer.

Another bit of good news is the introduction of a new health food option at Schmidt’s Country Market. I do not have all the details but understand from Dan Schmidt that he is partnering with Local Provisions in Westhampton Beach to have a “pop-up” summer location in Quogue this summer. I understand that gelato and frozen yogurt will be on offer in addition to healthy smoothies and juices. https://localprovisionswhb.com/

Today’s safety message comes from the Quogue Police Department who have asked me to alert our residents that there is a national “Click it or Ticket” high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort running from May 20^th to June 2^nd, coinciding with the Memorial Day holiday. Approximately 50% of traffic fatalities are of “unrestrained” passengers. Since 2020, the obligation to wear a seat belt extends to all passengers, including those in the back seat. Seat belts save lives. Please consult the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website to learn more. https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/click-it-or-ticket

With the annual summer increase in traffic, please always exercise caution when walking, running, or cycling in the Village.  Wear bright clothing and stay to the side of the road. For cyclists, please always wear helmets and use headlights and rear lights, especially when riding in the evening. Needless to say, please remind your children of the importance of these safety measures. Please also remember that e-bikes are especially dangerous! It is against New York State law for anyone under the age of 16 to ride an e-bike.

An unpleasant reminder that the second installment of the Town’s property taxes is payable without penalty by May 31^st. The Village’s property tax bills will be mailed on or about June 1^st (and posted on the Village website on that day). They are payable without penalty by July 1^st.

And now for some upcoming events:

This evening is the opening night for the Hampton Theatre Company’s 2024-2025 season finale: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, by Edward Albee and directed by George Loizides. Performances run from this evening, May 22^nd, through June 8^th. Tickets can be purchased at www.hamptontheatre.org.

On Saturday, May 24^th, at 10:00 am, I will be giving the State of the Village address. The event will be held in front of the Quogue Fire Department; hopefully it will be dry by then.

This Saturday, May 24^th, at 2:00 pm, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is organizing a celebration for the annual World Turtle Day. Participants will learn all about Long Island’s turtles, and what you can do to help our local species.  On Thursday, June 5^th, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, the Refuge is organizing a program on Bats on the Beach, Bay, and Beyond to learn more about the distribution and habitat of bats in our area. Register for these events at www.quoguewildliferefuge.org.

Saturday, May 24^th, also marks the official opening of the Village Beach’s summer season.  The hours are 10:00 am until 6:00 pm.  The beach will only be open on weekends until June 28^th when it opens seven days a week. The beach concession is now open and, as previously announced, will be run this summer by Zachary Schmidt. As of May 15^th, beach permits are now required – last year’s permits remain valid through May 31^st. With the summer season’s arrival, a reminder that dogs are no longer allowed on the Village Beach.

The Library Gallery’s current exhibit “The Flower Art Show” is on display through May 29^th. The Gallery’s next exhibit opens on May 31^st with works by Patricia Udell on the theme of “Virtual Breath”, with an Artist Reception on Saturday, May 31^st, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

The next session of this season’s Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program will be held at the Library this Saturday, May 24^th, at 5:00 pm on the topic of India: Between China, the West, and the Global South. Participants can join by zoom or attend in person.

As always, consult the Library’s well-packed calendar to sign up for their rich offering of movies and programs of all types: quogue.librarycalendar.com/events/month

The annual Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 am on Monday, May 26^th, in front of the Fire Department. I encourage you to attend as we honor all of our service members for their past and ongoing sacrifices for our security and freedom.

On Saturday, June 14^th, at 7:30 pm, Quogue Chamber Music’s first concert of the season will be held at the Quogue Community Hall with the Goldstein-Peled-Fiterstein Trio performing works by Bach, Beethoven, Pouldenc, Chopin, and Stutschewsky. Tickets can be purchased online: www.quoguechambermusic.org.

A few save the dates for events later this summer: Village elections will take place on Friday, June 20^th. On Friday, June 13^th, the Quogue School is hosting their annual chicken dinner from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm to raise funds for the PTA. The annual Concert on the Village Green will be held on Friday, June 20^th; the annual Village Beach Party will be on Friday, July 18^th; and the annual Duck Race at the Village Dock will be on Friday, August 8^th.  All of these events are organized by the Quogue Association and more details will follow.

The East End Hospice is holding their annual gala on Saturday, June 28^th, and the Wildlife Refuge is celebrating their 17^th annual Wild Night for Wildlife Summer Gala on Saturday, July 12^th.

Wishing everyone a great Memorial Day Weekend!

Robert Treuhold
Mayor, Village of Quogue