Honoring a promise made to the late Quogue Village Historian and keeper of the flame Pat Shuttleworth, At Quaquanantuck is happy to share once again—even if it’s not in newsprint that can be put up on the refrigerator anymore—its annual reflection on just a few of the many things for which all of us who are lucky enough to spend time in this blessed community can be truly grateful.
With so many challenges continuing to dog us as we attempt to navigate our way out of the pandemic and get past seemingly intractable political divides in order to address the burgeoning threats to our democracy and the very future of our planet, it is more important than ever that we understand just how fortunate we are to be living in Quogue, so that we might better show compassion and generosity to those who are not so blessed.
With beachfront erosion a constant threat even under the best of circumstances, we can all be extremely thankful that 2022 was another off year for hurricanes making a direct hit on the eastern seaboard. Still, we must always honor the lessons of the past by remaining vigilant, heeding evacuation warnings, and following safety protocols when a major storm has the East End even tangentially in its sights. And always bear in mind that it’s not a question of if another major storm will hit Long Island, only when.
We can be thankful for, and humbled by, the courage and community spirit of the members of the Quogue Volunteer Fire Department and all first responders, ready to make whatever sacrifices are called for to ensure the safety and protect the property of all residents.
And, emerging with some caution from the Covid and variants pandemic, we can be grateful for the fire department continuing to give fire safety lessons to Quogue School students and resuming all the activities and programs that help give our village its identity: a full fledged Halloween Ghost Parade, support services for Santa’s visit to our village (a possible sighting is predicted on Friday, December 9, at the 5:30 p.m. tree lighting on the Village Green), the Easter Egg hunt, and, this weekend, bringing back the traditional pancake breakfast at the firehouse, on Sunday, November 27, from 8 a.m. to noon.
Another example of our Volunteer Fire Department bringing the community together in a beautiful way, Sunday’s breakfast—replete with raffles and a silent auction to complement the delicious fare—is the principal fundraiser for the Fire Department’s Benevolent Association. All are invited, and encouraged, to stop by and greet friends and neighbors while supporting our faithful volunteers.
Likewise we can be thankful that we are blessed with the talented teams of people who work for the Village of Quogue and serve in village government, in the Village Office and Building Department, on the police force, and out on the roads and bays: their efficient management of affairs of state, their dedication to helping us all keep safe through the pandemic, and their community spirit translate into the best possible quality of life for all of us.
And don’t forget that the fine folks of the Village Highway Department will continue to graciously pick up leaves piled at the roadside through December 15. Check the village website, www.villageofquogueny.gov, for parameters and restrictions.
We can be grateful that our beautiful Community Hall has been, and will continue to be, a center for the performing arts on eastern Long Island. Home to the Quogue Junior Theater Troupe and the Hampton Theatre Company as well as the Quogue Chamber Music series and occasional special Westhampton Garden Club programs, the Community Hall is a thriving cultural hub only because of, first, the support of the fine folks in Village Hall, donors, subscribers and volunteers, and, second, the efforts of the creative people dedicated to making live theatre and presentations of the highest quality to honor this support.
Coming up next at the Community Hall, the Hampton Theatre Company will present a limited run of the family friendly “It’s a Wonderful Life Live Radio Play” December 16, 17 and 18. All tickets are $10 and complimentary cider, hot chocolate and cookies will be served prior to the 45-minute production. For tickets or more information, visit hamptontheatre.org.
We can give thanks that the Quogue School has been certified as something we in the community already knew it to be: one of the best schools on the East End—and in all of New York State—courtesy of the caring and committed teachers, administrators, support staff and the Parent Teacher Association all working together to create a truly superlative and nurturing educational experience, all while meeting or exceeding the highest standards of elementary school education.
In cataloguing our gratitude, it bears mentioning that the Quogue School District has the lowest tax rate by far when compared to neighboring districts in East Quogue, Hampton Bays, Westhampton Beach, and Remsenburg-Speonk.
Our village is blessed, too, with the fantastic Quogue Library, following through beautifully on all the promise of its beautifully renovated, restored and expanded headquarters on Quogue Street.
Give credit for the vast array of in-person and virtual programs there to an enthusiastic and thoroughly engaged board of directors and an accomplished and helpful staff, all of whom understand the vital role the library has in binding our community together, across generations, different viewpoints and disciplines.
Another jewel of our village is the Quogue Historical Society, managing and curating the artifacts and accounts of Quogue’s storied history dating back to the 17th century for the benefit of young and old, today and for generations to come. At Quaquanantuck is particularly grateful to the Society, board member and newly minted Quogue Village Historian Pi Gardiner, and QHS Curator Julie Greene for frequently sharing fascinating tidbits of village history that have immeasurably improved the texture of this column’s postings.
This year’s Quogue Historical Society Holiday House Tour—celebrating the 200th anniversary of Quogue’s one-room schoolhouse—is scheduled for Saturday, December 10, from 2 to 6 p.m., followed by a cocktail party from 6 to 8. Tickets are available at the QHS website, quoguehistory.org/calendar/events-and-exhibitions.
On the northern border of our village sits another reason to be thankful: the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, where—thanks to the Southampton Town Wildfowl Association, the village, the town, and thousands of supporters since 1934—all are welcome to wander and experience and learn about the unspoiled natural beauty of this area, the flora and fauna and hundreds of direct links to the spirit of Quogue’s past. Check the QWR website, quoguewildliferefuge.org, regularly to find out more about this year’s annual appeal as well as all the wonderful programs being offered there year-round.
Although the Westhampton Garden Club doesn’t have our village name in its title, Quogue is clearly ever-present in the hearts and minds of its members. The WGC established and maintains all the public gardens in Quogue, including the flowers and greenery at the Village Green; the historic garden and the pollinator garden at the Quogue Library; and the Butterfly Garden at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, calling attention to “The Pollinators” and threats to the monarch butterfly and bee populations, among others. The WGC has also brought renowned speakers to the village, offering engaging and compelling programs that have packed the Community Hall.
Need more? How about the Quogue Association? Nothing inspires gratitude like the efforts of a group of people who get together to inform, educate, do good works, and throw great parties based on a shared love for the place where they live. It is incumbent upon all of us who care about our village—and is there anyone who doesn’t?—to join or donate to the Quogue Association, or if you are already a member, to renew your membership right away, at quogueassociation.org.
Although At Quaquanantuck is saddened by the closing of Double Rainbow and the (hopefully) temporary closing of the Quogue Country Market, still it is important to be grateful for, and to support, small “downtown” businesses like the Little Q Quogue Shop, Quogue Liquors, Blown Away Dry Bar and Salon, Flowers by Rori and Jen Going Interiors, all of which offer a range of goods and services to delight all ages and tastes.
The beautiful private Quogue Gallery is another jewel in the necklace of our business district. Appropriate for a celebration of our community at this time of year, an opening reception for the “Quogue in Common” group exhibition is scheduled this weekend, on Saturday, November 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. (Visitors who are not vaccinated must wear masks.)
Continue with the checklist: The Post Office, the stalwart Board of Election volunteers, the Village Dock and boat launching ramps, the expanded Village Beach facility and the drawbridge that provides access to it, the Quogue Cemetery Association: all of these places and institutions and the people who work for them and who make them work so well: all contribute essential and cultural services, texture and color to make Quogue truly beautiful, and unique.
At Quaquanantuck is aware that these are the most obvious elements of life in our village that prompt our gratitude. Photos and news items regularly sent in to this column by readers offer a more nuanced picture. Although the column is no longer being posted on a regularly scheduled basis, it is hoped that readers will continue this practice; please send news and social items, comments and observations, and photos (in Large size if taken on a smartphone) to AtQuaq@gmail.com.
On a personal note, At Quaquanantuck is sincerely grateful to all the people who have voiced their appreciation for this column and support for this scribe’s efforts over the past five years since it ceased to be published in The Southampton Press and moved to this online site.
Seeing the health crisis and economic havoc wrought by the pandemic and now the war in Ukraine, in our nation and around the world; seeing so much conflict around the globe and so many forced to flee their homes and struggle, amid horrific circumstances, to make a new start; the meteorological anomalies, natural disasters, and other mounting threats stemming from global warming; and so many challenges facing so much of the world today: may none of us ever take for granted the security of having comfortable shelter and food on our tables, and may we all be ever mindful of all the natural beauty and all of the many blessings we share in this village as we celebrate this holiday of gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!
At Quaquanantuck 
As always, your tribute to PS warms my heart, and I will forward it to the deserving. Also I’m in love with “Gentle Sunset” and was wondering if I could have to share with Margot Carr” painting above our bed.
Best
BH
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