August is over; long live Septober! It’s not just the prevailing idyllic weather, the warm ocean temperature, the improved ease of getting around—on foot, on bikes, or in automobiles—that make this time of year so special. As much as anything else, it’s the quiet.
In some respects, it’s simple physics: reduce the population, there’s less noise. Fewer people in cars; fewer people on the sidewalk, talking to or texting fewer people on their cell phones; fewer people claiming their spots on the beach; fewer people out in their boats or on their JetSkis; fewer people throwing parties or going to them; and so on.
And it’s not just the volume in terms of decibels that gets turned down; it’s the psychic noise that’s generated by too many people power vacationing: scrambling to do too many things in a too-short season in a too-small space. Sure, there will always be construction, apparently, but that’s a year-round rhythm. And, yes, the cursed braying of the leaf blowers is not far in the future. But for now, it’s quiet. There’s more white space on the calendar, more space to move around in. Or not. Stillness is accessible in ways and places the summer does not allow for.
Every season bears its own beautiful gifts. It’s our happy responsibility to recognize and to honor them all.
It’s our responsibility, too, to show compassion for all those whose lives have been upended by devastating storms, even as we feel grateful to have been spared ourselves. Steeped in the serenity of this time of the year on eastern Long Island, it can be hard to imagine what the impact of a storm like Dorian would be on our shore. Meteorologists and historians often point cautionary fingers to the Hurricane of ’38 and the loss of life and property from that horrific storm. But there were far fewer people and far fewer houses and businesses here at that time.
Better to look, with trepidation, at Andrew’s impact on south Florida; Katrina on New Orleans; Sandy on western Long Island and New York; Maria on Puerto Rico; Dorian on the Bahamas. Winds of 185 mph and the associated storm surge making a direct hit on the East End, and then settling over us for 16 hours or more, would leave very little behind. Look at the wreckage on Abaco and Grand Bahama and try to transpose those images onto our barrier beach and bayside communities.
At Quaquanantuck urges support for any and all relief efforts for the victims of storms, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes—any type of natural disaster—whenever or wherever they may strike. No matter our differences in race, religion, ideology, or geography, we are all in this together and there is no telling if or when we will be the ones in need of help.
State of the Town Outlined on Saturday, September 7
Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman will deliver the annual State of the Town speech at the Quogue Association’s annual meeting on Saturday, September 7, at the Quogue Village Hall at 10 a.m.
The Supervisor will address some of the many issues facing the Town of Southampton, including: town finances; assessments; water quality; and affordable housing, among other topics. All residents are encouraged to attend; membership in the Quogue Association is not required.
Verona Quartet Concert at Community Hall September 7
For the second concert of its 10th anniversary season, Quogue Chamber Music will present the Verona Quartet performing a program of Ravel, Beethoven and Mendelssohn on Saturday, September 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Quogue Community Hall. A post-concert reception will be held at a nearby Quogue home.
Tickets are $110 for the concert and the celebration immediately following the performance; $50 for the concert only; and $5 for students (concert only). It’s too late to obtain tickets by mail, but they may be purchased online by clicking here; by visiting the QCM website, www.quoguechambermusic.org; or at the box office on the night of the concert. The box office opens at 6:30.
Hailed by The New York Times as an “outstanding ensemble,” the Verona Quartet has established itself as one of the most sought after string quartets currently playing, delighting audiences at venues worldwide. Since winning the 2015 Concert Artists Guild competition, the Verona Quartet has continued its progressive approach to collaboration and programming, including numerous cross-cultural and interdisciplinary enterprises.
The musicians of the Verona Quartet believe that the essence of storytelling transcends genre, and so the name “Verona” pays tribute to William Shakespeare, one of the greatest storytellers of all time. The program being performed for Quogue Chamber Music on Saturday will include Ravel String Quartet in F Major, Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 4 in E Minor and Beethoven String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, op. 135.
Volleyball Tourney, Party at Starr Boggs Benefit Dana Barrett
Community members who would like to support Dana Barrett are reminded that a benefit volleyball tournament will be held on Sunday, September 8, at Tiana Beach, and a special benefit party will be held at Starr Boggs on Monday, September 9.
On June 30, Dana, an East Quogue native, suffered a severe spinal injury. After she was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, it was determined she suffered a C2 fracture, resulting in paralysis from the neck down and the inability to breathe on her own.
With her spinal cord permanently damaged, doctors have said there is still hope but she will need extensive rehabilitation, with early cost estimates at thousands of dollars per day.
Now 28, Dana lost her father when she was 16 and her mother when she was 21. She has continued to amaze friends and family with her strength and selflessness despite the many challenges she has faced. At this point, she needs whatever help members of the community can give to assist with her mounting medical expenses.
Volley for Dana September 8 at Tiana Beach
A volleyball tournament to benefit Dana will be held on Sunday, September 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tiana Beach on Dune Road. The current weather forecast suggests it will be an awesome beach day.
There will be food, raffles and more at this day-long event organized in partnership with the East End Volleyball League. Registration deadline for teams was September 1, but spectators are encouraged to attend to root for their favorite players and show their support for Dana.
All proceeds will go toward defraying Dana’s medical costs. For more information, visit danastrong.ticketleap.com/volleyball, or contact Lauren at dbvolleyball2019@gmail.com.
Starr Boggs Benefit for Dana September 9
A special benefit for Dana Barrett will be held on Monday, September 9, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Starr Boggs at 6 Parlato Drive in Westhampton Beach. Cost is $75 per person, which includes generous hors d’oeuvres, buffet, raw bar and live music by Local Motion. There will be a 50/50 raffle, along with Chinese, Live and Silent Auctions and T-shirts for sale.
All those who want to attend are urged to get over to Starr Boggs and purchase tickets in advance. Organizers are only able to sell 300 tickets, and as of last Thursday, they had already sold more than 150.
Sponsorships are still available at different levels: Music Sponsors, $250; Raw Bar Sponsors, $500; T-Shirt Sponsors, $1,000; and Event Sponsors, $2,000. Make checks payable to The Dana Barrett Supplemental Needs Trust. All proceeds go to benefit Dana Barrett’s future healthcare needs in her recovery. For more information email: samanthamiano@gmail.com or call Emily at 631-747-1377.
For more information on Dana’s story, visit www.gofundme.com/danabarrettstrong.
Take a Vet Fishing on September 15
Hampton Watercraft and Marine is calling all captains and veterans to come out for the third annual Take a Vet Fishing Tournament on Sunday, September 15. During this event volunteers from the community will take local veterans fishing for the day.
Registration is now open for both captains and veterans. Anyone who would like to volunteer boats, fishing equipment and/or time and any veterans who would like to participate should contact Ronnie Kelly at 631-728-8200 or by email at Ronnie.Kelly@hamptonwatercraft.com. The fishing will be followed by a BBQ lunch at Hampton Watercraft and Marine marina in Hampton Bays.
Thanks to the Quogue Association for passing along the information about this wonderful program. At Quaquanantuck joins the Association in hoping that everyone will support the event, and that the word will be spread to all veterans about this opportunity.
Foreign Policy Association Looks at “Cyber Conflict and Geopolitics”
The Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions Discussion program, sponsored by the Quogue Library and moderated by Susan Perkins and David Rowe, will meet at the QFD firehouse on Jessup Avenue at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, to explore the topic of “Cyber Conflict and Geopolitics.” Always a good idea to register early for these programs by calling 631-653-4224.
Cyber conflict is a new and continually developing threat, which can include foreign interference in elections, industrial sabotage and attacks on infrastructure. Federal investigations have demonstrated extensive Russian interference via hacking and social media in the 2016 presidential election in the United States, and China is committed to using cyber tactics as a tool of national policy. Dealing with cyber conflict will require new ways of looking at 21st century warfare. Is the United States prepared to respond to such threats?
The Foreign Policy Association Great Decisions Discussion program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year, serving as the focal text for discussion groups across the country. For more information, visit www.greatdecisions.org.
“Susan Vecsey: Painting” at Quogue Gallery
“Susan Vecsey: Painting” is the current solo exhibition on view at the Quogue Gallery. Featuring a number of paintings and works on paper by the East Hampton and New York City based artist, the exhibition will be on view through October 2, 2019.
A painter interested in creating lyrical and poetic themes, Vecsey explores iconic imagery derived from nature. References to representational imagery are a starting point, a vehicle to convey a certain emotion and to explore color, form, and shape. Vecsey’s oil-stained linen and paper works carry on color field and minimalist traditions in a contemporary context.
For more information, visit quoguegallery.com.
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At Quaquanantuck 
I wish I were there so you could take me fishing on the 15th!
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