One indication that it might be time for At Quaquanantuck to sign off would be this scribe’s failure in the last column to remind readers of two events that have historically helped to define summer in our village.
I am referring here, of course, to the Quogue Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Open House, scheduled this year on Sunday, August 7, from 4 to 6 p.m.; and, in the week before the Open House, the Quogue Junior Theater Troupe older cast production of “Chicago Teen Version” at the Quogue Community Hall, Tuesday, August 2 through Friday, August 5, with lights up at 7:30 p.m. for all performances.
This year’s Fire Department Open House will more closely resemble the events of the Before Times, with the perennially popular fire truck rides through the village; hot dogs, roasted corn, clams on the half shell raw bar, ice cream, tunes from DJ “Off the Radar” (could that be the street name of First Assistant Chief Dave Shaffner?), games and demonstrations.
According to the head honcho for this year’s Open House, First Lieutenant, Co. 2 Tommy Otis, while the bouncy castle corner will be missing this year, there will be a focus on the fun side of education. An example would be giving kids, assisted by firefighters, a chance to use a fire hose to shoot water at targets.
Demonstrations will include a “vehicle extrication” using the so-called Jaws of Life; and extinguishing a barbecue fire. There will also be a photo booth with the option to receive images via email.
The annual Open House is the kind of event that has sufficient gravitational heft to pull together the entire community, and one of the few opportunities the rest of us have to show our support for the full-time heroes of our volunteer fire department. Don’t miss it.
It’s Showtime for the QJTT
With “Chicago Teen Version” coming up next week, the Quogue Junior Theater Troupe will get things going with this summer’s benefit evening on Friday, July 29, with a 7 p.m. performance at the Quogue Community Hall and an 8 p.m. cocktail reception at the Quogue Field Club. For ticket information, click here or visit www.qjtt.org/donate.
Meanwhile, for tickets to “Chicago Teen Version” or the younger cast production of “The Little Mermaid,” running August 23 through August 26, click here, or visit https://qjtt.org.
For more information, email boxoffice@qjttonline.org or call 631-996-9392.
Reception August 6 for “Art Gene” at Library Art Gallery
A Quogue Library Art Gallery reception is scheduled on Saturday, August 6, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for “Art Gene: Five Generations of Quogue Artists.”
On view through September 7, the exhibition features works by artists from five generations of one family: Disston, Jones, Larson, Lyman, Peters, and Stabler.
According to the library’s Art Gallery Committee, “this exhibition is about the inspiration, teaching, and passion for art from one generation to another. It is also about the inspiration from, and connection to, a place that is held dear and stores generations of memories.”
At left, first place winner Lucie Benedetti with the winning duck and her prize money. —Stefanie Beck Photo. Right, third place winner Dean Aaron, age 3.
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