July 23, 2024

Dear Quogue Residents,

The Quogue Association’s Annual Duck Race was a big success this past Friday, and there was a great turnout at the Village Dock. Those of you who made it there may have noticed that the Village now has two “Flupsy” oyster nurturing floats. As a reminder, a Flupsy is a “floating upwelling system” that houses hundreds of thousands of baby oysters (“spat”) that are then seeded throughout our bays to help clean the water. I am pleased to report that the Village received a significant grant from the Community Preservation Fund to finance the second Flupsy and subsidize the operating expenses for the next five years.  The Village will continue to work with the Moriches Bay Project (www.morichesbayproject.org) and the Cornell Cooperative Extension (https://ccesuffolk.org/marine) on the Flupsy operations.  The CCE Marine’s Back to the Bays Program has also installed an “Oyster Restoration Float” under the Post Lane bridge with support from the Quogue Association, Hampton Jitney, the Village and the County. This new project will grow “spat-on-shell” oysters which will then be deployed to a newly established reef in the Quogue Canal.  Please consult  https://backtothebays.org/quogue to learn more about how you can help support this exciting initiative.

With the continuing hot weather, the Suffolk County Water Authority has renewed its water advisory and is emphasizing the need to conserve water usage throughout the County.  Please adopt the alternating odd/even lawn watering mandate. Please also consult the SCWA website to learn more about water conservation measures: https://www.scwa.com/conservation/

This month’s safety message comes from the Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) along with Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, who are highlighting the critical importance of drowning prevention and the lifesaving role of CPR. Last year FRES received 27 drowning related calls.  This year they have already received 21 calls and we are only half way through the summer. Always watch your children and never leave them unattended by a pool. Please take a moment to read the linked press release from Ed Romaine: Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine Press Release and consult this water safety check list:  Click Here 

You may notice that a new traffic camera was recently installed on Jessup Avenue near the intersection of Suess Path. I have been informed by the New York State Department of Transportation that the camera will be there for one week for the purpose of collecting traffic volume data in the Village per Federal requirements.  The camera may then be moved to other locations in the Village. It is not a speed trap.

I wrote last summer about concerns regarding the growing use of electric bicycles in the Village.  These concerns have only heightened as we are experiencing an increasing number of e-bikes speeding around the Village, many being ridden by teenagers (or younger), and, more often than I would like, helmetless. E-bikes are regulated by NY State and are not authorized to be used by children under the age of 16.  Helmets are required for 16 and 17 year-olds, and frankly should be worn by all riders at all times (for all types of bicycles).  E-bikes are only allowed on streets with speed limits no greater than 30 mph, meaning that they should not be used on Montauk Highway or Route 104.  I do not believe these resident letters are being read by the teenagers in our Village. Parents, please educate your kids and do not provide underage teens with e-bikes!

And now for some upcoming events:

The Gallery at the Quogue Library is currently presenting Rachel Sard: Albeit, on display through August 7^th, with an Artist’s Reception on Friday, July 26^th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. From August 10^th to September 4^th, the Gallery will present Francesca Anderson: Botanical Artist with an Artist’s Talk and Reception on Wednesday, August 21^st from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The Library’s Quogue Authors in Conversation Series continues on Sunday, July 28^th at 5:00 pm with Christopher Beha in conversation with Clare Sestanovich, with another scheduled for Sunday, August 4^th at the same time with Genevieve Sly Crane in conversation with Vanessa Cuti, and another set for Monday, August 12^th at 3:00 pm with Annabel Monaghan in conversation with Susi Orman Schnall.

The next session of this season’s Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program will be held on Saturday, August 10^th at 5:00 pm on the topic of NATO’s Future.  Participants can join by zoom or attend in person.

The Library will be screening “A Five & Dime Story” documentary with Earl Potter this coming Saturday, July 27^th from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

On Sunday, August 11^th from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm, the Library will be screening “Renee Fleming’s Cities That Sing: Paris” with a talkback with Producer Tripp Hornick.

As always, consult the Library’s well-packed calendar to register for any of the foregoing events and to learn more about their rich offering of movies and programs of all types:  https://quogue.librarycalendar.com/events/month

The Quogue Historical Society has been hosting a series of “Thursday Talks” at the Pond House Museum with Julie Greene, QHS Curator and Southampton Town Historian.  The third and final talk is scheduled for this coming Thursday, July 25^th, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

The 58^th Annual Art Show and Sale to benefit the Quogue Historical Society will be held on the Village Green on Saturday, August 3^rd, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The prior evening, Friday, August 2^nd from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the QHS is hosting an Art Talk and Benefit with sculptor Ned Smyth.  Tickets are available at www.quoguehistory.org.

The Quogue Volunteer Fire Department is holding their Annual Open House on Sunday, August 4^th, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  Please come and bring your families in support of our wonderful volunteers, while having fun, eating treats, and learning about fire safety.

The Quogue Junior Theater Troupe is beginning its summer program celebrating their 46^th year. The QJTT Annual Benefit is this Friday, July 26^th, with a performance at 7:00 pm at the Community Hall followed by a cocktail reception at the Quogue Field Club. They will be producing The Addams Family on July 30^th – 31^st and August 1^st – 2^nd for the Senior Troupe, and Peter Pan Jr. on August 20^th – 23^rd for their Junior Troupe members. Tickets to the Benefit and for the performances can be purchased at www.qjtt.org.

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge’s next full moon hike is slated for August 20^th from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm.  Please register at www.quoguewildliferefuge.org.

Please note that the Quogue Association’s Annual Summer Beach Party is scheduled for Friday, August 23^rd at the Village Beach from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Robert Treuhold

Mayor, Village of Quogue

 

 

June 26, 2024

Dear Quogue Residents,

Summer has officially arrived and memories of the cool and wet spring weather are fading into the past with the current heat wave.  Preparations for the July 4^th celebrations are in full swing!

Today’s safety messages come from the Chief of the Quogue Fire Department who asked me to remind our residents that they should yield to vehicles that are displaying flashing green or blue “courtesy” lights. When you see flashing lights, this signifies that an emergency responder is either heading to the fire house or is responding directly to an accident and/or fire alarm.  Similarly, if you come upon Fire Department or police activity, please strictly follow the directions of the officers who are working the scene.  Do not enter the area or otherwise get in the way.

With the arrival of summer, residents are firing up their outdoor grills and kitchens. Every year our Fire Department responds to several grill-related fire calls, some requiring significantly more than a simple fire extinguisher.  Please remember to perform basic grill maintenance and safety checks; for example, grease trays need to be checked regularly. All residents should have a dry-chem extinguisher in their kitchen as well as one handy near the outdoor grill.  While stand alone portable grills are made of non-combustible materials, many outdoor kitchens are not.  Grease fires can create enough heat in an outdoor kitchen to transfer through wood framing spreading into a main house.

I am including an additional reminder to enroll in the Town of Southampton’s automated “Notify Me” system to receive email alerts of emergency or hazardous situations. To enroll, please go to the Town of Southampton website (https://www.southamptontownny.gov/) and click on the “Notify Me” icon on the home page.  Then follow the instructions to be added to their notification system.  You will need to scroll down to the “Alert Center” heading to elect to receive notifications relating to “Village of Quogue Residents” and “Dune Road Closures/Emergencies”.  It is also possible to receive text messages through the Suffolk County Alert Portal, which is tied into the “Smart911” system.  To sign up, please go to their website: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=NotifySuffolk

The Village held its election last Friday.  Sally Beatty and Tom Mullen were reelected for a two-year term as Trustees, and I was reelected to an additional two-year term as Mayor.

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 Village Beach opens seven days a week beginning tomorrow, June 27^th. The beach concession run by Beth’s Café will now be open six days a week (weather permitting) from 11:00 am until 3:30 pm, closing on Tuesdays.

The third annual Concert on the Village Green will be held this coming Friday, June 28^th, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks return to Quogue. Bring your chairs and a blanket and kick-off your Quogue summer with family and friends. Beer, wine and free ice cream is on offer to members of the Quogue Association.  Never too late to join! https://quogueassociation.org/

The East End Hospice is holding their annual gala on Saturday evening, June 29^th.  Information is available on their website: https://www.eeh.org/

The Library Gallery is currently showing works by longtime Quogue resident Pieter Greeff whose oils and watercolors will be on display through July 10^th.  The Library will be hosting an author talk tomorrow afternoon from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm with Diana McLain Smith, author of Remaking the Space Between Us. She will discuss how citizens can work together to build a better future. The Library’s Second Annual Family Summer Kick-Off is Saturday, July 6^th, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The Library’s Quogue Authors in Conversation Series begins Sunday, July 14^th at 5:00 pm with a wine and cheese reception. The next session of this season’s Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program will be held on Saturday, July 13^th, at 5:00 pm on the topic of Mideast Realignment.  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: https://quogue.librarycalendar.com/events/month

The Quogue Historical Society is hosting a series of three “Thursday Talks” at the Pond House Museum with Julie Greene, QHS Curator and Southampton Town Historian.  The talks are scheduled on Thursday, July 11^th, 18^th, and 25^th, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Please save the date for the 58^th Annual Art Show and Sale to benefit the QHS which will be held on the Village Green on Saturday, August 3^rd, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is celebrating their 90^th anniversary on Saturday, July 13^th, with their Wild Night for Wildlife Summer Gala.  www.quoguewildliferefuge.org

Please note that the annual Duck Race at the Village Dock has been rescheduled to Friday, July 19^th

The Quogue Junior Theater Troupe is beginning their summer program celebrating their 46^th year. They will be producing The Addams Family on July 30^th – 31^st and August 1^st – 2^nd  for the Senior Troupe, and Peter Pan Jr. on August 20^th – 23^rd for their Junior Troupe members.

Wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July!

Robert Treuhold

Mayor, Village of Quogue