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

Arbor Day Proclamation

Earth Day Proclamation

Dear Quogue Residents,

The past month has certainly been chilly and windy! While we have had some spring showers, Suffolk County continues to warn of an elevated risk of fire. The statewide ban on outdoor fires remains in effect through May 14th. I repeat the recommendation to examine closely your property and clear out any dead or dying trees.

With the arrival of spring, the Village is becoming busier. The Quogue Shop and Quogue Flower Shop are now open, and Homespun will be reopening soon. As always, please support all our merchants!

As part of your Spring Cleaning exercise at this time of year, I would encourage you all to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Please also check your fire extinguishers to make sure they are still charged. If not already the case, please be sure to have fire extinguishers handy in your kitchens and by outdoor grills.

This coming Tuesday, April 22nd, is the 55th anniversary of Earth Day which has been celebrated every year since 1970.  I will not repeat the history of the Earth Day movement (see my April 2024 resident letter), but I encourage you to visit their website to learn more. https://www.earthday.org/  In honor of Earth Day, I have issued a proclamation declaring Friday, April 25^th as Arbor Day in the Village of Quogue. The first Arbor Day was observed in Nebraska in 1872 with the planting of more than a million trees in that state. It is now observed throughout the nation and the world.  I urge all Quogue residents to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands. HERE is a link to the proclamation.

Next week, the Village will begin installing the drainage improvements on Dune Road to the east of the bridge that I mentioned in last month’s letter.  We anticipate that this work will be completed by mid-May at which point that stretch of Dune Road will be repaved, as will the stretch to the west of the bridge that was disturbed by the Suffolk County Water Authority’s work last year.

With summer approaching, I encourage you all to become members of the Quogue Association. For over 100 years, the Quogue Association has been dedicated to preserving and enhancing the unique character of our Village. Their support plays a key role in maintaining the charm and vitality of Quogue.

The Quogue Association has contributed to numerous projects over the years, including the Meditation Garden on the Village Green, the historic anchor restoration at the Quogue Library, and various beautification initiatives. They have also funded the rocking chairs at the Quogue Village Beach, improvements to the walkway at the Wetlands Preserve on Dune Road, and the Quogue Bridge oyster project.

This year, they will be making landscaping improvements in front of the Post Office, upgrading the Wi-Fi and installing a surf webcam at the Village Beach, and continuing improvements at the Wetlands Preserve and other locations. Beyond these projects, they organize certain beloved community events (with this year’s dates indicated in parentheses), including the Mayor’s State of the Village Address (May 24^th), the Concert on the Green (June 20^th), the Village Beach Party (July 18^th), and the Annual Duck Race (August 8^th). The Quogue Association also recognizes outstanding community contributions through awards and scholarships. They also distribute a regular newsletter.

I strongly encourage you to support this great organization that helps make our Village so special. For more information or to join, visit www.quogueassociation.org or contact them at quogueassociation@gmail.com.

Some repeat information – distilled…

BEACH STICKERS:

Applications – https://villageofquogueny.gov/

PLEASE USE THE ON-LINE SYSTEM: https://app.govoutreach.com/quoguevillageny/public/permits

Processing time – up to five business days

Weekday sticker pick-up Fridays ONLY – starting April 25^th – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Weekend pick-up – Saturdays – May 17^th, May 24^th and May 31^st – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Stickers can also be mailed to you – contact the Village office

LEAF PICK UP PROTOCOL REMINDER:

Pick up from April 15^th to May 15^th

Place leaves on street shoulders – NOT around hydrants and utilities or in the street

No plastic bags – No brush or cuttings

LEAF BLOWER AND SUSTAINABILITY REMINDERS

Restrictions on the use of gas-powered blowers back in effect on May 15^th

Off-hour complaints? Contact Village Police

Complaints during business hours? You can also call the Building Department

Watering ONLY on odd/even days (your street #)

No watering 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Please cut down on the use of lawn chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers

Plant native plants!

And now for a few upcoming events:

There will be three Easter Egg Hunts this weekend, all on Saturday. First, at 10:00 am, the Quogue Volunteer Fire Department is organizing an Egg Hunt in front of the Fire House.  Then, from 10:30 am to 12:15 pm, the Wildlife Refuge is organizing an Egg Hunt for toddlers. Please register HERE for the Refuge event as there are two sessions. And to keep the fun going, at 12:00 pm, the Quogue Shop is organizing an Egg Hunt on the Village Green and by the Village Pond.

Also, this Saturday, April 19^th, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the Quogue Library is hosting “Pinstripes and Tales: Curious Stories the Yankees Told Me”.  Bill Schulman, lifelong Yankee fan and author of Pinstripes and Tales, will share anecdotes told to him by Yankee stars from the 1950s through the 1980s.

Next Wednesday, April 23^rd, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, a Suffolk County Southern Pine Beetle Symposium will be held at the Suffolk County Community College Riverhead Campus. The Symposium will include information on the following topics related to the southern pine beetle: public safety, fire prevention and mitigation, forest management efforts, beetle biology homeowner education and more. For more information click HERE

Next Saturday, April 26^th, a group of Quogue residents has organized a Food Drive in support of Heart of the Hamptons. They will be hosting a table in front of the post office from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm. Please bring non-perishable food for people or animals, and/or checks/money. Helping support food pantries is now more important than ever given federal spending cuts. For more on this, please read the linked article from this week’s Southampton Press: HERE

The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is celebrating Earth Day on Saturday, April 26^th, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, with lots of fun activities and environmental exhibitions.  The event is being co-sponsored by the Eastern Long Island Audubon Society and the Refuge. There will be a recycling collection area for old electronics.

On Saturday, May 3^rd, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the Library will welcome Mariah Whitmore, Master Gardener and owner of Whitmore’s Nursery, who will make a presentation on creating and encouraging gardens and landscapes which serve pollinators, birds and other Long Island wildlife.

On Saturday, May 10^th, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, the Library has organized a Boater Safety course being given by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla.  As I reminded residents in last month’s letter, effective January 1^st of this year, New York State now requires that all vessel operators must possess a Safe Boating Certificate.

The Art Gallery at the Quogue Library’s current exhibit “The Collage Show” is continuing through May 1^st, featuring the works of five local artists, Pamela Bell, Stephanie Blank, Lulie Morissey, Patti Robinson and Susan Saunders. Beginning May 2^nd and running through May 29^th, the Gallery will be presenting “The Flower Art Show”, celebrating FLOWERS in art, photography and real life, and featuring works by Marissa Bridge, Margot Carr, Susie Gilbert, Saira Kathpalia, Shobhita Kathpalia, Robin Koffler, Adam Lowenbein, Donna Levy, Judy McDermott, Melanie Tolan, and Laurie Torpey.  All are welcome to an Artist Reception on Saturday, May 3^rd, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

The next of the new season’s Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions discussion program is scheduled for 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. https://quogue.librarycalendar.com/events/month.

The vote on the Quogue School and Quogue Library annual budgets and to elect three members of the Board of Education will take place on Tuesday, May 20^th, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Quogue School. There will be a presentation of the proposed budgets on Tuesday, May 13^th, at 7:15 pm, also at the Quogue School.

The Hampton Theatre Company’s 2024-2025 season concludes with Edward Albee’s stage masterpiece   Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.  Performances begin on May 22^nd and run through June 8^th.  Tickets can be purchased at www.hamptontheatre.org.

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

Robert Treuhold
Mayor, Village of Quogue