The Independent 050620 by The Independent Newspaper

May 6, 2020

Arts & Entertainment

Mother-daughter duo host children’s

podcast Schoolsreading Won’t Reopen Doors This Academic Year

FIVE TOWNS ONE NEWSPAPER

The Independent’s Cutest Pet Contest Results

Julie’s Library: Mother-Daughter Duo Host Podcast

By Bridget LeRoy and Georgia Warner bridget@indyeastend.com It seems only fitting, for Mother’s Day, to profile one of the area’s — and the world’s — most famous mother-daughter duos, Dame Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. Since they are both such a part of the fabric of the East End, it’s sometimes hard to remember that those threads extend worldwide. Andrews holds a special place in the hearts of children — and children at heart — all across the globe; and not only because of her Muppet-centric Netflix series (“Julie’s Greenroom”), her familiar voice performances in cartoons like “Shrek” and “Despicable Me,” and her famous portrayals of the world’s most lovable nannies (that would be Maria Von Trapp and Mary Poppins, for those who were born yesterday). Many children hold Andrews so dear because for more than a decade, the best-selling author has partnered with her daughter, award-winning writer and educator Walton Hamilton, to co-author more than 30 whimsical children’s books, which they have loved writing nearly as much as tots and teens have loved reading. Now, the two will continue to share their passion for literature through “Julie’s Library,” a new weekly podcast produced by American Public Media, featuring Andrews and Walton Hamilton, along with special guests (including kids), reading some of their own favorite children’s books aloud to young listeners and their families. Although the podcast wasn’t slated to launch until later this year, Andrews and Walton Hamilton released the first six episodes via Apple Podcasts on April 29, in the hopes of providing comfort to those families stuck at home due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Julie’s Library

COVID-19 Construction Quandary

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Emma Walton Hamilton and Dame Julie Andrews, Sag Harbor’s mother-daughter dynamic duo. Independent/David Rodgers

As of April 30 — one day after the debut, mind you — the podcast had claimed the number one spot on iTunes under Kids and Family, and was number 15 overall. The Independent sat down to pick the extremely well-read brains of the “Julie’s Library” twosome.

You are both true and total book-lovers, so how do you pick which books you’ll read on the show? Julie Andrews: We work very closely with the team at American Public Media in the book selection process. Our goal is to provide as broad a range of stories as possible, addressing diverse themes and topics. We particularly respond to books with heart, humor, and/ or a strong social/emotional theme. Emma Walton Hamilton: The challenge is that we are reading picture books, which tend to be dependent on the illustrations to tell as much of the story as the text does. We have to focus on stories that stand alone and don’t rely on the illustrations to understand any of the action or narrative. We augment the readings with sound effects and music to convey as much of the action and imagery as pos-

sible, and of course, we always recommend that listeners pick up the actual book at their local library or bookstore to enjoy the illustrations. We also feature sample illustrations from each book in our weekly newsletter and on our website.

And the guest hosts, and the children? How do you decide who to bring on? EWH: The guest readers are also a joint decision with APM. Sometimes we choose a guest reader because the book calls out for specific character voicing. Sometimes we invite the author to read their own book — particularly if it’s rooted in a culture different from ours. JA: We rely on APM for the children’s voices. Because they produce several other kids’ podcasts, like “Brains On!” and “Smash, Boom, Best,” they have relationships with schools and youth groups around the world and they are able to draw on those relationships to engage and invite kids to contribute ideas, answer questions, and share favorite words for the show.

What are some of the themes of upcoming episodes that families can look forward to?

COVID-19 Construction Quandary

EWH: We also have book selections that speak to gender fluidity, being on the autism spectrum, and cultural identity.

How celebrated builders are facing the abrupt stoppage of what is the cornerstone of the Hamptons economy

You rolled this out early because of COVID-19. How did you pivot, and how has it changed any of the choices you may have made? JA: We’ve been simply awed by American Public Media’s ability to fast-track the launch of the podcast without compromising any of the integrity or quality of the content, and all within the limitations of the current lockdown. EWH: Days have been much fuller and busier than they might otherwise have been, given the amount of work to do to bring everything forward — book research, permissions requests, script generation and approval, website design, newsletter design, promotional efforts, sponsorship recruitment, and more — not to mention recording, editing, and creating sound design for each Continued On Page B3.

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May 6, 2020

Ways to Avoid Ticks While you are out in our parks and nature preserves, remember that ticks aren’t adhering to CDC and Department of Health guidelines for “social distancing.” It has been a very mild winter and the ticks are out there looking for their first blood meal of the season. Our “help line” nurse and physicians have already seen an increase in tick bites this year. We don’t want any co-infections with COVID-19 and Lyme disease! Get the facts. Protect yourself and your family.

Keep off the grass! Stay on the asphalt or pavement. Walk in the center of the path, avoid tall grass, or avoid the woods all together.

Tick checks twice a day. Do a thorough check at night, and then again the following morning. Check the kids and your pets, too. And check for ticks all year long, Ticks are often alive and well after the first frost.

Tuck and cover. Tuck your pants into your socks and spray your skin and clothing with repellent. (Preferably ones with DEET, permethrin or picaridin.) Most ticks get access to you on your shoes and socks, so don’t forget to spray them, too. Spray shoes outdoors with permethrin on the first of the month during tick season (April through August).

No pets in the bed. Ever! You love your cats and your dogs. So do ticks. So don’t sleep with your pets, don’t even invite them up on the couch. They’ll forgive you (especially if you give them treats).

Dry your clothes, before you wash them! When you come in from the outdoors, put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 15 minutes. Don’t wash them first! Ticks survive, and even thrive, in a water bath.

Regional Tick-Borne Disease Resource Center Visit EastEndTickResource.org or call our helpline at (631) 726-TICK Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is an equal opportunity employer.

The Independent

Letters

Publisher & GM James J. Mackin Executive Editor & Associate Publisher Jessica Mackin-Cipro Executive Editor Rick Murphy

The Independent accepts exclusive letters of 500 words or less, submitted digitally by Friday at 4 PM. The Independent reserves the right to not publish letters deemed slanderous, libelous, or otherwise questionable. Letters can be sent to news@indyeastend.com.

Missing Dear Mr. Murphy, It was so nice to read the very kind letter by Mr. Anthony DeAntonis about my missing paintings and his offer to return what he thinks might be one of the “missing works” mentioned in your article titled “Local Painter Wins Judgment” in your April 15, 2020 issue. Mr. DeAntonis described the painting in his possession which is signed by me as a “nude sitting on a stool turned to the left and dated 1979.” However, the painting he describes is not one of the missing works referred to in the article. I will have to forego the writer’s very kind offer to return the work to me. Even if it were one of the missing paintings, I would not accept it back as Mr. DeAntonis had nothing to do with the story and the fact that it is not at all one of the missing works referred to in the article. Enjoy your watercolor of the nude, Mr. DeAntonis.

Tully’s View

However, if anybody out there has any information about any missing works of mine, I would very much appreciate their contacting me at mdougenis@ verizon.net. Thank you. Sincerely, Miriam (Molly) Dougenis

Reverse Hey Rick, Hope you’re staying safe. Saw your piece on the Discover LI Call. Trying to get an audio of the call to pull the exact transcript, but the 74 percent, 90 percent numbers below are reversed. “Some of the smaller institutions did a tremendous job,” processing applications for emergency funding, he said, and banks were successful dispensing 74 percent of loans for under $1 million and 90 percent for loans under $150,000. Should be the opposite. Katie Vincentz, w/ Rep. Lee Zeldin Continued On Page 41.

Associate Editor & Web Editor Taylor K. Vecsey Managing & Sports Editor Desirée Keegan Features Editor Bridget LeRoy Senior Writer T.E. McMorrow Copy Editor Lisa Cowley Writers/ Columnists / Contributors Denis Hamill Nicole Teitler Zachary Weiss Dominic Annacone Joe Cipro Karen Fredericks Isa Goldberg Vincent Pica Bob Bubka Gianna Volpe Heather Buchanan Vanessa Gordon Joan Baum Jenna Mackin Vay David Georgia Warner Brittany Ineson Ernest Hutton Head Of Sales Daniel Schock Advertising Media Sales Director Joanna Froschl Sales Manager BT Sneed Account Managers Tim Smith Sheldon Kawer Annemarie Davin John Wyche Art Director Jessica Mackin-Cipro Advertising Production Manager John Laudando

Independent/Irene Tully

Director of Business Development/ Branding Amy Kalaczynski Director of Marketing & Real Estate Ty Wenzel Graphic Designer Lianne Alcon Contributing Photographers Nanette Shaw Kaitlin Froschl Richard Lewin Gordon M. Grant Rob Rich Jenna Mackin Lisa Tamburini Irene Tully Ty Wenzel Justin Meinken Tom Kochie Jan Mackin Bookkeeper Sondra Lenz Office Administrator & Classified Manager Tammy Dill-Flores Delivery Managers Charlie Burge Eric Supinsky Louis Evangelista Published weekly by: East Hampton Media Holdings LLC Subscriptions by 1st Class Mail: $91 yearly The Independent Newspaper 74 Montauk Highway Suite #19 East Hampton, NY 11937 P 631 324 2500 F 631 324 2544 www.indyeastend.com Follow : @indyeastend Email : news@indyeastend.com ©2020 Entire Contents Copyrighted Financial responsibility for errors in all advertising printed in The Independent is strictly limited to actual amount paid for the ad.

May 6, 2020

The Independent

News & Opinion

East Hampton students receive belongings from lockers. Independent/Gordon M. Grant

New York Schools Won’t Reopen Doors COVID-19 keeps 4.2 million out of classrooms, learning remotely By Taylor K. Vecsey taylor@indyeastend.com

Schools and colleges across New York will remain closed for the rest of the academic year thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Friday, May 1. “We must protect our children,” he said of the decision to “err on the side of caution,” by continuing to keep 4.2 million students out of classrooms in kindergarten through 12th grades, as well as colleges. Distance learning and meal programs will continue, and a decision on summer school programming will be announced at the end of May. “Nobody can predict what the situation is going to be three, four weeks from now,” the governor said. The state is still seeing slightly fewer than 1000 new COVID-19 cases per day. While the number appears to be declining, it is not falling at a fastenough rate, Cuomo said this week. County Executive Steve Bellone said he knows the decision wasn’t an easy one, but believes it was the right

one for Suffolk County. “I applaud Governor Cuomo for taking this measured and decisive action that is in the best interest of our school children, teachers, faculty, and all families that call Suffolk County home,” he said. “While there certainly has not been a school year that ends quite like this one, my office remains in constant contact with the School Superintendents Association and I would like to thank each of our school superintendents and all of our teachers who have found innovative ways to continue school instruction through remote learning. This effort has been a herculean undertaking between government and our teachers, school administrators, parents, and even the children who have bought into this coordinated approach and our hope is that the 2020-21 school year will be the best one yet.” When asked if school would reopen in the fall, Cuomo said he would not speculate, “because fall is a very

long time away,” he said. However, the governor opined there would need to be a drop in a stabilization in the infection rate for a period of time, “because kids are going to be kids,” and possibly ignore social distancing rules that schools will try to put in place. Education centers need to start preparing for how they will protect students and staff when they do eventually reopen, the governor said. “How does a school socially distance?” Cuomo asked. “How many more rooms would you need to do this? How many more buses do you need to socially distance on a bus? How about a cafeteria? How about a dorm room?” Locally, school districts are working to figure out their next steps. In an email sent to students before the school closure announcement was made, Adam Fine, the principal at East Hampton High School, said he was trying to figure out a way to create a graduation that adheres to social distancing guidelines and was awaiting approval from town and police officials. “I am trying to avoid any type of virtual ceremony as I believe you deserve better than that type of event,” he wrote, although it’s unclear now if that can happen. “Our event will have speeches and you receiving your diploma in cap and gown.” He did not respond to a request for comment. Mike Miller, the principal of the Bridgehampton School, said no decision has been made yet on graduation. “We are looking into the feasibility of social distancing and still having graduation this summer with our students,” he said Monday morning.

Education centers need to start preparing for how they will protect students and staff when they do eventually reopen. Sag Harbor and Westhampton Beach school districts also said graduation plans are being developed. Shawn Petretti, the Mattituck Junior-Senior High School principal, posted a letter to the Class of 2020 on the school’s Facebook page. “I want you to know that Mr. [David] Smith and I have plans for graduation, for the yearbook dedication, the viewing of the senior video yearbook, as well as some other events,” he said, speaking for himself and the school’s assistant principal. “With all that we do, it will be different, but know that Mr. Smith and I will do whatever we can to make sure that anything we plan has that Tucker flair that we all know and love. I encourage any and all of you to reach out to us with any ideas you may have.”

News & Opinion

May 6, 2020

Sights & Scenes Across The East End Here are some sights and scenes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit www.indyeastend.com as we continue to add images from across the East End.

On May 2 and 3, the NewTown Party’s free face mask handout was held outside Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center in East Hampton. The center’s new Executive Director Katy Graves helped East Hampton Village Board candidates Jerry Larsen, Sandra Melendez, and Chris Minardi, all wearing personal protective gear, give away face masks to occupants in vehicles that lined up in front. Independent/Richard Lewin

A crowded Main Street in the Village of Sag Harbor on Saturday, May 2. Independent/Lisa Tamburini

Overflowing garbage pails at the South Edison Street beach access area in Montauk proved to be a seagull’s delight early Sunday morning, May 3. Independent/T.E. McMorrow

Physical therapist Dr. Susan Roman started the fundraiser “Pedal for PPE.” Her GoFundMe campaign raised over $6000 for personal protective equipment. The final component of her efforts was a 100-mile solo bike ride she took on Saturday, May 2, from Calverton to Orient Point, Greenport, Shelter Island, and Sag Harbor, ending at Montauk Lighthouse. Independent/Richard Lewin

While those in groups gathered on the beach in downtown Montauk Saturday weren’t social-distancing, the groups themselves did seem to be about six feet apart from each other. Independent/T.E. McMorrow

The Independent

New York Plans For Contact Tracing Governor says proposal requires an army By Taylor K. Vecsey taylor@indyeastend.com

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg laid out the state’s plan for tracing who COVID-19-positive patients have been in contact with so that those people can be encouraged to quarantine and prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus. Testing, tracing, and isolating are key to monitoring and controlling the infection rate, officials said, especially as the economy plans to reopen. Bloomberg, who owns a home in Southampton, is leading the program’s effort, the firstever of its magnitude. “When social distancing is relaxing, contact tracing is our best hope for isolating the virus when it appears, and to keep it isolated,” Bloomberg said, speaking by video April 30. “The faster you trace the better,” Cuomo said during his daily press con-

ference on April 30, adding it will require “an army.” Last Wednesday, the day prior to the press conference, 4681 people tested positive for COVID-19. “How do you now communicate with 4681 people, trace back all the people they’ve been in contact with over 14 days — close contact — and contact those people?” the governor asked. “That is an overwhelming scale to an operation that has never existed before.” The estimate is that 30 contact tracers will be needed for every 100,000 people, Cuomo announced. That means 6400 to 17,000 people will need to be trained as tracers for projected cases. Cuomo said New York will work with its tri-state neighbors to launch the program. “It’s not rocket science to do it on an individual basis,” he said. “The problem

Mental Health Help State, county offer support to those who are struggling By Taylor K. Vecsey taylor@indyeastend.com

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo delivers his daily press briefing on COVID-19, including a Zoom video call with Michael Bloomberg and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Independent/Darren McGee, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office

is the scale we have to do this.” Bloomberg Philanthropies, which encompasses all of the charitable giving from Bloomberg, is helping create and implement the system. With Johns Hopkins University, it will handle recruitment and training in consultation with the New York State Department of Health. The groups will train existing employees of health departments from throughout the state and pull in other government employees who may be at home, not working but getting paid, and marshal them as tracers. They are working with the City University of New York and State University of New York systems to identify potential job applicants as well. Johns Hopkins is developing a train-

ing curriculum and final exam that can be taken remotely, Bloomberg said. His team is working with other nonprofits, like Vital Strategies and Resolve to Save Lives, and three smartphone apps are being developed. One will help tracers find information quickly, a second will help the public provide information to health departments, and the third will be for those in quarantine to report symptoms. Vital Strategies is also helping to develop “a comprehensive playbook” of protocols that will be released publicly, so that other states and countries can use them. “We’ve been through a lot together,” Bloomberg said. “And we are going to get through this together, again.”

Now seven weeks into the shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, government officials are anticipating an increase in mental health needs. “When you’re in the middle of the crisis, you’re reacting, you’re doing, you’re helping,” Suffolk County Executive Bellone said during his daily press briefing May 1. “It’s when you start to slow down a little bit

and move away from the crisis, that’s when what you’ve encountered and what you’ve faced can really manifest itself.” Suffolk launched an online program aimed at mental health, initially for county employees, to the public. The behavioral health wellness campaign brings daily messages of hope, Continued On Page 41.

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May 6, 2020

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The Independent

Seeing The Pandemic Through Their Eyes Frontline nurses detail daily actions, fears, and forward thinking By Desirée Keegan desiree@indyeastend.com This isn’t a jog, a sprint, a mile run. The fight against COVID-19 is a marathon. “And this isn’t just a marathon for us as staff, but for families and our patients,” said Stony Brook Medicine associate director of nursing Alison Rowe. “This isn’t over in a day, a week, a month. We’re going to be doing this for months, which means our patients are going to be coming in for months and our families are going to be impacted by this pandemic for months. I think that’s probably the most challenging thing about this.” Preparing for battle, especially in her Department of Emergency and Cardiology Services, includes nurses having their temperature taken before entering the building, and washing their hands and changing out personal protective equipment such as masks, face shields, gloves, and gowns throughout the day. “There’s a fear we’ll get sick. It’s real. That is a big hurdle,” Rowe said. “Thankfully, our numbers have been incredibly good, our PPE is incredibly strong, and we’ve done very well as a hospital.” She and a couple of her colleagues appeared on Stony Brook University’s podcast “Beyond the Expected: The Coronavirus Effect,” hosted by interim Stony Brook University president Michael Bernstein, to discuss the challenges nurses are facing ahead of National Nurses Week — May 6 through 12 — along with some new initiatives. On April 29, the day recording took place, it had been 59 days since clinical and academic re-

sponse to the novel coronavirus began. Up until that Wednesday, 2000 inpatients at Stony Brook University Hospital displayed suspicious symptoms, with more than half being diagnosed with COVID-19. “They’re frontline superheroes,” Bernstein said of the nurses. “They are not just battling the overwhelming effects of this pandemic by providing patient care, managing teams, and leading new and innovative projects to address this emergency. They’ve also developed creative solutions that are helping to comfort patients, save lives, and keep themselves and their colleagues healthy, strong, and energized.” Department of Regulatory Affairs nursing policy coordinator Cindyann Beck began several initiatives to connect patients and nurses. The most personal to her is the My Story Project, which began after her brother was diagnosed with COVID-19. Beck’s brother was on a ventilator with pneumonia. “There are many strange things about it. You’re separated, and you don’t see what your loved one looks like, you don’t see what the nurses who are taking care of your loved one look like, you don’t get to interact with them very much. But what I didn’t like at the time is that I couldn’t communicate to them very easily what he was like — he was just a body with a tube sticking out of it. And they were wonderful, taking great care of him, but I was trying to

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personalize it.” She said the crisis environment, much like the novel coronavirus itself, is unlike anything ever seen before. “After suggesting limiting visitation and potentially shutting it down altogether, there was a gasp in the room,” she said. “People couldn’t even imagine it.” Her initiative involves redeployed nurses proactively calling families to find out things like nicknames, names of other family members, hobbies or interests, and taste in music. The nurses put together an information sheet hung on the patient’s door and inside his or her room. “They haven’t been turned down yet,” Beck said. “Family members can send in pictures, too. It’s a way to help tell the story of the patient.” Bernstein said it’s helping make the care team part of the family. Beck said it does that and more. “When a patient does get off the ventilator, it’s important to know what that patient’s baseline is, not just the physical, but the things they are interested in, because those things can be used to draw them out,” she said. “I saw that literally happen with my brother.” She also kickstarted the Face Behind the Mask initiative. After dealing with some patients with dementia who were diagnosed with COVID-19, she realized how scary it was, particularly for them, to be communicating with doctors and nurses you can’t tell the difference between. “Caregivers in full PPE going in to care for a COVID patient, you don’t see anything but their two eyes behind a couple of layers of plastic, a shield, and goggles,” Beck said. “It can be frightening. You can’t tell what the person looks like, you can’t see a smile, no distinguishing features.” Through the project, nurses print large pictures of themselves smiling with a few pieces of information about them that’s attached to their gowns to help patients put a face to the name.

Prepared For This Rowe said over her 19 years with the hospital, many disaster drills have been conducted. They’ve included dealing with incidents from major plane crashes to epidemics and pandemics like this. Ebola is the most recent outbreak hospital staff can draw from. “Screening patients, understanding typical signs and symptoms, isolating them early, using PPE — it’s all things we’ve practiced,” she said. One thing that’s helped is the hospitals’ incident command structure, known as HICS, which delineates roles and responsibilities so it’s clear who is in charge of what and how decisions are being made. “Things are changing rapidly at Stony Brook, and we need to make sure there’s a top-down approach,” she said. “The top needs to understand what the bottom needs, and we need to make sure the issue goes up the chain of command.” The casualty care unit helps lead it. Its job early on is to identify symptoms like fever and cough, find out if a patient in triage has traveled, and ensure separation through the hospital’s split-flow model. A new space in a tent placed in the hospital’s parking lot is now used for emergency department patients, while the hospital’s standard emergency department is now used to treat COVID-19 patients. The rapid response team, which predates the novel coronavirus, has also been heavily utilized during the crisis. Unfortunately, Lowe said, patients can deteriorate rather quickly, and could find themselves in need of immediate care. The team, led by Barbara Mills, assesses a patient, moving him or her to a better environment to meet his or her needs, or tells staff a patient can be safely managed maybe by adjusting oxygen levels or changing medication. Continued On Page 42.

News & Opinion

May 6, 2020

Having And Caring For Babies Amid A Pandemic Parents wonder how COVID-19 will shape their newborns’ childhood By Taylor K. Vecsey taylor@indyeastend.com

Giving birth comes with many uncertainties, but giving birth during a pandemic has brought anxieties new parents experience to a whole new level. Mallory Ibarra of Springs, already a mother of two, firmly believes she went into labor five weeks early on April 23 because she was so anxious about COVID-19. As her due date approached and the novel coronavirus’ spread ramped up, so did her nerves. “I had many sleepless nights thinking about it,” she said, “which I think also caused prodromal labor, or false labor,” two weeks before delivery. The possibility of exposing a newborn and herself at the hospital was concerning, and she was even more alarmed by the idea of having to give birth without family in the room. “The thought of delivering a baby without my husband there to support me was not easy for me to process,” she said. As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s PAUSE order went into effect in mid-March, her visits to the doctor’s office changed as well. She had to wait outside in the car, get screened before walking into the office, and wear a mask throughout the appointment. “It really set off a sense of uncertainty and panic,” she said. Ibarra began looking into having a home birth, but since she was so far along in her pregnancy — and midwives had received so many calls, she said — she was turned down. “I was very anxious to the point where I contacted some local first responders,” she said — friends she hoped would help her deliver at home if necessary, adding her two sons came quickly once her water broke. When the time finally came on April 23, she and her husband chose to go to Stony Brook University Hospital. It seemed like “pure mayhem,” she said. “Lots of people with masks and Lysol in hand.” They had to be screened outside of labor and delivery, where their temperatures were taken. She said they

also had to sign a form attesting that they had not been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Forty-six minutes later, she gave birth wearing an N95 mask — hard to breathe in regularly, she said. “Imagine while in labor,” she said. “It’s difficult to breathe.” Her husband was by her side, donning a mask and gloves. Their third son, Román Mateo Ibarra, weighed a healthy six pounds, eight ounces at birth, but he lost 14 percent of his body weight the first day home and his parents brought him back to the hospital. He could not maintain his own body temperature and was becoming hypothermic. He is home now, after spending one week in Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. Ibarra stayed in the room with him and her vital signs were checked twice a day to monitor her for the virus. She said she felt well protected thanks to security checkpoints and lots of screening.

First-Time Struggles For a new mother especially, not having family around in the way one normally would was difficult. Erica Daunt gave birth to her first child, Mila, on April 20. “The hardest part now is not being able to share her with all of them, and they are 10 minutes away,” she said. Mila is the first grandchild on both sides of the family and they have not even been able to hold her yet. They worked out a system where they can see her in-person, from a safe distance, while wearing masks and gloves. In fact, when the new parents brought her home from the hospital, they were sure to send a photo of her in the car seat. They arrived at their house in Springs to find family members waiting, just to catch their first glimpse of her in the car seat from six feet away. “It was really sweet, but at the same time, it was so sad,” Daunt said. “They were so close.” Her experience at Stony Brook

Christine and Derek Browe have used Portal from Facebook a few times a week to connect their newborn twins to their grandparents, who have not been able to see them since they were born. Independent/Courtesy Christine and Derek Browe

Mallory Ibarra gave birth to Román Mateo Ibarra wearing a mask and had to keep one on while in the hospital. Independent/Courtesy Mallory Ibarra

None of Mila Daunt’s family have been able to hold her yet, but they have been visiting her from six feet away. Linda Silich visited her first grandchild and her daughter, Erica Daunt, at their Springs home last week. Independent/Courtesy Mila Daunt

Southampton Hospital was a good one, despite having to have an unexpected caesarean section when the labor was not progressing as they hoped. “Everyone was so amazing there, very comforting. I definitely felt support — all the labor nurses and postpartum nurses,” she said. Her husband, Anthony Daunt, did not leave the hospital for the three days his wife and newborn were there. While she thinks he would have been able

to return if he did, he did not want to chance it, and they did not even need to. Some other Suffolk County hospitals do not allow the father to come back if he does in fact exit the building. “We packed so much stuff, a bunch of food,” she said with a laugh. While the first-time parents have not had any hands-on help, they said their families has been supportive from afar, dropping off food and giving adContinued On Page 42.

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The Independent

Similar Symptons With Lyme Disease, COVID-19 Experts warn of future complications in wake of national awareness month By Desirée Keegan desiree@indyeastend.com

Independent/File

A friendly reminder to those who are going stir-crazy self-isolating during the COVID-19 pandemic and going for walks, runs, and bike rides: it was a mild winter, which leads to the early emergence of ticks looking for their first meal since fall. What compounds the problem, especially approaching national Lyme Disease Awareness Month in May, is that the novel coronavirus and the tick-borne illness result in similar flu-like symptoms. “That’s adding another dimension to this whole thing,” said Brian Kelly, owner of East End Tick & Mosquito Control. “People think, do I have COVID-19? Do I have Lyme disease? That will be another problem for the doctors to figure out. People need to remember to do tick checks and to use a tick repellent. You need to be vigilant about it.” Most people who contract a tickborne disease do so in May because nymph deer ticks are out. “They’re really, really small. They’re hard to see, and people don’t even know they’ve even been bitten,” Kelly said. “And ticks are being found everywhere right now — they’re not practicing social distancing.” There was no winter overkill due to the warmer-than-usual season.

This means a tick-abundant forecast is imminent. To protect against these insects, since they’re found low down on the body, spraying clothes and body from the waist down, including your shoes, with a tick repellant is a good place to start. Tucking pants into socks also helps. “They don’t jump out of trees. They don’t fly. They don’t hop. They crawl very slow and they always crawl up,” Kelly said. “We find ticks like to bite places where there are creases, so under your armpits, your crotch, your belly button, behind your ear — ticks tend to prefer those spots, but I’ve also had one in the middle of my back, so it’s important to check everywhere.” They’re found in beach grass near local waters, including Long Beach in Sag Harbor, in the large swath of grass between the parking lot and the sand, which Kelly calls a “major tickcollector,” and dune crossovers near the ocean. Deer ticks, dog ticks, and Lonestar ticks are all out right now. Deer ticks, from which a person can contract Lyme disease, are usually found along the perimeter of a yard and in shrub beds. They’ll climb up sticks or

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leaves of grass and wait for something to pass by. Lonestar ticks may found in the middle of the yard and labelled more aggressive because they come crawling, fairly fast, toward their meal. Kelly said the insects are attracted to the carbon dioxide bodies emit. “The lone stars are hardier than the deer ticks,” Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Administrative Director of Regional Tick-Borne Disease Resource Center, Karen Wulffraat. “They hang out in the same places as deer ticks, but they can also withstand heat and less humidity better — so you might find them in the grass in the, or on your deck, but you will definitely also find them in the same places as deer ticks.” Other ways to defend against ticks include spraying property monthly from April through October, putting a fence around a yard to keep deer and other animals out, keeping pets within property boundaries, educating children about the dangers of going into the woods, keeping the grass cut short, eliminating tick habitat by raking and removing leaves that have blown into the yard edges and under shady vegetation, and even throwing clothes into the dryer for at least 15 minutes after coming in from outdoors. If bitten, a tick usually remains on a body anywhere from 24 to 36 hours. The removal of a tick is crucial, and determines whether you get sick or not. Always use a pair of tweezers and grab a tick by its head, pulling straight up. The bug will pull a little by doing this, but never squeeze its body because it can regurgitate organisms. There’s no need to run to the doctor, especially because an infection won’t show on a test for four to six weeks, which is when a person develops antibodies, but a bullseye rash is also a common sign of being bitten by a deer tick. Identifying which type of tick you were bit by will determine a course of action. You can keep it in

a plastic bag and bring it to your doctor. Also, be sure to clean the bitten area with soap and water after tick removal. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital nurse Rebecca Young, RN, BSN monitors the hospital’s Regional Tick-Borne Disease Resource Center hotline — 631-726-TICK (8425) — which also provides identification cards with free tick removal kits. Young said she’s already been receiving phone calls, but added there haven’t been any cases of someone with both Lyme and COVID-19 just yet. It’s still a little too early to tell what the result of that might be. “The last thing we want is a coinfection, but we haven’t seen one yet,” Young said. “Usually with coinfection you’re sicker, but if you have flu-like symptoms with a fever right now you’ll definitely be taking a COVID-19 test first.” COVID-19 tests can be done immediately utilizing PCR — polymerase chain reaction, which is the most sensitive of the rapid methods to detect microbial pathogens. “The calls are starting to come — people have been bitten especially in the past week — but everything is really COVID-19-focused right now,” Young said. “Some are trying to determine the difference between the symptoms of each just to be sure.” Young also warned the issue could come up again in the fall, when the novel coronavirus may make a second appearance. Ticks will still be prevalent at that time. Determining the results of a potential coinfection and monitoring the differences between each illness now will help the hospital be prepared later. While the medical center is not currently conducting educational outreach due to COVID-19, additional information and informative videos can be found at southampton. stonybrookmedicine.edu/services/ tick-borne-disease-resource-center.

News & Opinion

May 6, 2020

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The Independent

Meeting House Lane Offers Telehealth System Stony Brook Southampton Hospital hosts virtual caregiver groups By Desirée Keegan desiree@indyeastend.com Patients on the East End now have access to their provider from the safety and privacy of their own homes. The Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Meeting House Lane Medical Practice has implemented a telehealth system to help address local needs during the COVID-19 health care crisis. “The offering has already been a success,” the hospital said in a statement about the program, called OTTO. “It gives patients one-on-one time with their physicians without having to travel.” To schedule an appointment, patients simply call their Meeting House

Lane physician. Most locations are providing telehealth, with the exception of specialty needs that require in-office visits. The provider’s office will send a confirming email or text with a link to join the OTTO platform. The patient is asked to complete pre-visit information before connecting with the doctor. Telehealth visits can be held on almost all computers, laptops, Android mobile phones, and Apple mobile devices, including iPhones and iPads. Patients experiencing life-threatening symptoms or requiring emergency care should immediately go to the nearest emergency room. Stony Brook

Southampton Hospital separates nonCOVID-19 patients from those who are confirmed or suspected of having contracted the novel coronavirus. Time is especially critical in treating a heart attack or stroke. The hospital continues to provide necessary medical procedures.

Virtual Caregiver Groups If you are a family member or caregiver of a hospitalized or at-home patient diagnosed with COVID-19, there’s resources and support. The Southampton hospital is offering Zoom caregiver group sessions Wednesdays at 10 AM. For information and to register, contact the hospital’s Palliative Care Community Outreach Manager Dorothy Raniolo or The Phillips Family Cancer Center social worker Lauren Richard-Holt. Raniolo can be reached by calling 631-740-1761 or sending an email to dorothy.raniolo@stonybrookmedicine.edu. Richard-Holt can be contacted at 631-638-7771 or by email at lauren.richardholt@stonybrookmedicine.edu. Invitations to Zoom virtual meetings are sent by email the day before the scheduled group session. A general bereavement group is

also held virtually, Thursdays at 12:30 PM. Contact Raniolo for more information or to register.

Stony Brook Medicine Before the pandemic hit, Stony Brook Medicine’s interdisciplinary telehealth workgroup consisting of a cross-section of executive leaders; clinical, academic and technical experts; researchers; educators; and marketers already had several telehealth initiatives up and running. Multiple angles were approached, including piloting the software programs, purchasing hardware, and establishing workflow — all with an eye on sustainability and immediate expansion. Early-adopter champions led the way in telepsychiatry; Long Island’s first and only mobile stroke unit program; teleneurology consultations; Suffolk County’s first pediatric telemedicine transport program; and a remote patient monitoring study. For more on the telehealth practices in place at Stony Brook, visit stonybrooktelehealth.com. Learn more on procedures in place at Stony Brook University Hospital due to COVID-19 at www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/patientcare/coronavirus.

Suffolk Launches Small Business Initiative County plan boasts five programs aimed at hardest-hit industries By Taylor K. Vecsey taylor@indyeastend.com

Independent/File

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced the creation of Suffolk Forward, a new initiative to support small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. Five integrated programs, created in conjunction with the Stony Brook University College of Business, will help local businesses acclimate to current economic conditions, and, the hope is, rebound. “While industries have been forced to adapt their operations, it has also exposed how many lack the technology capabilities to transition to virtual or online services,” Bellone said. Struggling small business owners will

have access to expertise and resources they might not otherwise have, as well as information technology infrastructure. “An important role for Stony Brook’s College of Business is to do all we can to support economic development on Long Island,” the dean of the college, Dr. Manuel London, said in a statement. “This is particularly critical now.” A needs assessment survey is being sent to the top three most impacted sectors, identified as the restaurant, retail, and construction industries. Stony Brook University will review the re-

sponses and help deliver services being requested and track results. The first initiative, Suffolk Forward’s gift card platform, provides “a one-stop-shop” for Suffolk County residents to pre-purchase goods and services to support local retail and services businesses during the pandemic, the county said. The Huntington-based technology company eGifter created the platform, which is free for businesses to use. Those who wish to purchase gift cards online, or to have a company listed, can log on to local.egifter.com/ county/new-york/suffolk-county. The Suffolk Forward job board

will provide residents with access to regional job opportunities, while providing owners with a pool of applicants. More information on that will be released soon. The three others initiatives — a technology enhancement program, Suffolk Forward “pandemic shift” business workshops, and a virtual expert network — will provide small businesses with support and educational services. More information and a survey can be found on the county’s Business Recovery Unit page at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/bru.

News & Opinion

May 6, 2020

Swarmy Weather

use to feed baby bees. A honeybee swarm is a survival method, a way of reproducing as a species.” She said new beekeepers might not understand what’s going on in the hive, or know it’s swarm time, and that the bees are going to leave. “They’re not looking to attack anyone, they’re looking for a new home,” Klughers said. “Don’t call pest control. They will exterminate the bees.” That’s where the Long Island Beekeepers Club can help. The website provides a list of beekeepers who can remove swarms on Long Island, sometimes resorting to a construction cut-out if necessary — it’s not always simple to remove one that’s decided your walls are a nice place to raise the kids. “They don’t bore holes, but they can take advantage of a situation and get in,” said Klughers, who added if it’s an easily-accessible swarm, she and others will rehome the bees at no cost. Third is providing resources every animal needs — water and food. “Pollen is sticky,” Klughers said. “Bees need water to convert pollen and nectar into honey.” A bird bath with rocks and stones for bees to perch on while they sip is ideal. Planting flowering fruit trees for pollen and nectar is ideal.

How to help our most prolific pollinators By Bridget LeRoy bridget@indyeastend.com

Part IV of a series on homesteading; growing and preserving your own food, raising animals for wool and milk, foraging, and more. According to Albert Einstein, “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.” So, if you think of it that way, bees are at the very top of the food chain. Our lives dangle from their tiny, busy legs. And you would have to live in a box not to know that the world’s honeybee population — our most prolific pollinators on the East End — has been declining for years. According to master beekeeper Deborah Klughers of Bonac Bees, there’s three simple things people can

do to ensure the bees’ survival. Perhaps the easiest and most important way to help bees continue to profligate instead is to use less chemicals when doing lawn and garden maintenance, preferably using organic products only. (In another article, we’ll cover the importance of weeds like dandelions, mullein, burdock, garlic mustard, common plantain — all of which could be growing outside your window right now.) Second are the swarms, which sound, and may seem scary, but are really when a bee is at its most vulnerable. It’s homeless and discombobulated, looking for a place to rest. Sometimes that place may be your attic, or a tree on your property. Around this time of year, “honeybees start to swarm,” Klughers said. “They’re being cued by nature, by the pollen coming in, which is what they

A bird bath made with rocks and stones for bees to perch on while they sip. Independent/Deb Klughers

“One tree can provide hundreds, thousands of times the pollen of a flower garden,” Klughers said. Finally, if you have a chemicalfree property on the East End, Klughers, along with other “beeks” — the affectionate nickname beekeepers give themselves — can create an apiary, a place where bees are kept, and check up on it for you. Bonac Bees will also help those interested in creating their own apiary, ensuring the honeybee population for years to come. For more information, visit www. bonacbees.com. The Long Island Beekeepers Club can be found at www.longislandbeekeepers.org. To learn more about becoming a beekeeper yourself, “Beekeeping for Dummies” is available online and at local bookstores.

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East Hampton, Southampton Talk Reopening Supervisors looking to help locals through safe measures By T. E. McMorrow t.e@indyeastend.com

Southampton’s Town Supervisor, Jay Schneiderman and East Hampton’s Town Supervisor, Peter Van Scoyoc. Independent/Justin Meinken

After meeting with their town boards last week, then teleconferencing with fellow supervisors from across Long Island, East Hampton’s Peter Van Scoyoc and Southampton’s Jay Schneiderman addressed the challenges of reopening parks and beaches after the PAUSE period mandated by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo expires. The pair also spoke about the hotel industry, and the challenges those owners face. Both supervisors have similar views on some aspects of reopening. Schneiderman spoke to The Independent on May 3. He would like to open Southampton’s town beaches by Memorial Day weekend, though he acknowledged that such an opening would hinge upon directives issued by the governor and the choices made by his fellow Suffolk County supervisors. “If my beaches are going to be the only beaches open Memorial Day on Long Island, I am concerned about that,” he said. Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar told her fellow supervisors during Friday’s teleconference she would not be bringing lifeguards on until the beginning of June at the earliest. Van Scoyoc would not rule out Memorial Day weekend staffing, but added, “I don’t think I can commit to a timeline just yet.” On Monday, Cuomo laid out a series of metrics each region must meet before reopening. Long Island came up short on several, such as an increase in the surge capacity of hospitals. Schneiderman said he has been monitoring the groups that have been gathering on local beaches the past couple of weekends. “There wasn’t a problem,” he said. “People were social distancing. The beaches were crowded, but there were no issues.” “We are currently discussing staffing and managing separation and social distancing at access points and on our beaches,” Van Scoyoc said May 4. “We

are going to have to figure out a way to get people on and off the beaches. We are not trying to dissuade people from coming out to the East End.” For many visitors, “Montauk is their happy place,” he said, adding each beach access location poses its own unique set of challenges. “We are preparing to meet those.” One of those unique locations is Montauk. Van Scoyoc told East Hampton Town Board members last week they should be open to new ideas and approaches in dealing with reopening. “Downtown Montauk was laid out to be one-way streets,” the supervisor said. He believes a new-old approach could work, particularly south of Main Street. Areas south could be reserved for pedestrian use only, possibly even returning to the concept of one-way streets. This could create space for visitors to enjoy themselves while social distancing, but requires temporary zoning law changes. Both supervisors agreed that wearing masks remains important in the fight against COVID-19. Schneiderman suggested making foot traffic at pedestrian access point paths one-way as well. He noted Southampton has 300 miles of coastline. “A lot of the beaches are very expansive,” he said, adding there is plenty of room, he believes, for beach goers to safely spread out walking away from the access points. He also has the idea of reserving an area of beach near an access point for seniors and those immobile. Schneiderman believes that by temporarily using some town Trustee roads, more remote areas of beach could be accessed to ensure social distancing. “We need to be able to make adjustments in real time,” Schneiderman said. “Say Sagg Main Beach’s parking lot is half full, but we feel that we can’t maintain social distancing — I want to

be able to say, ‘No more cars right now,’ and turn people away. I would need somebody at each facility with the authority to do that. There would have to be physical obstructions that we can install.” How will the town do this without angering people who have driven a long way to visit to a specific beach? The creation of a new app might do the trick, Schneiderman said, one that would inform the user when a beach is full and when it’s not. Both supervisors are also crafting plans to keep restrooms safe from the novel coronavirus.

Businesses Need Help While some restaurants remain open by offering takeout options, a reality likely to continue, hotels are also in need of help. “Our local business owners, they live here,” Van Scoyoc said. “They have kids in the schools.” His office has been meeting with different hotel groups, some of which are still unsure on how to proceed. There is great concern about liability, Van Scoyoc said. He added Airbnb is recommending fully disinfecting rental units and waiting 24 hours. Schneiderman himself owns the boutique motel Breakers Montauk. It was opened many years ago by the supervisor's parents. Keeping a room vacant for 24 hours after someone checks out could be the difference between gains and losses. Schneiderman said there are two months in a resort-town like Montauk to turn a profit, July and August. “Those work on short-term rentals — two, three days at a time,” he said. “You could lose a third of the days.” Schneiderman said he has been exploring ultraviolet disinfecting techniques. “They have great products out

“If my beaches are going to be the only beaches open Memorial Day on Long Island, I am concerned about that.” —Jay Schneiderman there that kill viruses,” the supervisor said. What to do about swimming pools and protecting the health of staff are also concerns hotel owners have expressed. The subject of parking permits for non-residents is currently a rub between the two supervisors. East Hampton Town is currently not issuing such permits, which are for summer renters. “I have been asking that they reconsider,” Schneiderman said, offering a hypothetical example. Say a rentor in Wainscott is paying $150,000 for the season. Paying that kind of money, they are going to want to go to the beach. “That puts pressure on my beaches,” he said. “They are going to try to go to Sagg Main or Gypsum Beach. Not everybody lives within walking distance of the beach.” Van Scoyoc said while the town is not currently issuing non-residential parking passes, it is a matter being worked on.

May 6, 2020

News & Opinion

PAUSE Order Will Expire May 15 Reopening may begin on region-by-region basis New York Governor Andrew Cuomo provides a coronavirus update during a press conference in Rochester May 4. Independent/Mike Groll, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office

By Taylor K. Vecsey taylor@indyeastend.com Governor Andrew Cuomo is going to let his New York on PAUSE executive order expire on May 15, leaving it to each region to look at where it stands on the battle against COVID-19. During his May 4 press conference, Cuomo provided seven new criteria that the 10 state regions, Long Island being one of them, will need to meet to begin reopening the economy, which he outlined would happen in phases. “Reopening is more complicated than closing down,” he said. “This is not a sustainable situation.” But a statewide reopening is simply not going to happen, the governor said. “Rather than wait for the whole state to be ready, reopen on a regional basis,” he said. “If upstate has to wait for downstate to be ready, they are going to be waiting a long time.”

Criteria to reopen includes links to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, such as a 14-day decline in hospitalizations, or fewer than 15 hospitalizations a day, and a 14-day decline in virus-related hospital deaths, or under five a day. The rate for new hospitalizations must stay below two per 100,000 residents per day, and hospital-bed and intensive care unit-bed vacancies must be at least 30 percent. Lastly, regions must have 30 virus tests available per 1000 residents per month and there must be at least 30 contract tracers per 100,000 residents. While central New York and the Finger Lakes are well on the way to meeting the criteria, Long Island has only met two of the seven metrics, the least in the state, according to data detailed during the briefing. On Long Island, there has

been a 14-day decline in hospitalizations and the number of tests needed to available has been met. Nassau and Suffolk counties are even behind New York City, which has also met the decline in hospital deaths. In Suffolk, there was a small increase in hospitalizations — four — on Sunday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced in his daily briefing on Monday. Bellone said that because Cuomo’s matrix is a three-day rolling average, he is confident it will not impact the overall figures too much. Cuomo said local leaders should be working on their reopening plans now. Once the criteria are met, the region may move forward in opening in phases, the first of which the governor said last week would be construction, manufacturing, and limiting retail with curbside pickup. On Monday, the other three phases

were detailed — professional services, administrative support, retail, and real estate would open, followed by restaurants and hotels, Cuomo said, although hotels and places of accommodation are on New York's list of essential businesses. Any businesses having to do with arts, entertainment, and recreation would reopen last. “Businesses must reimagine their operations to be safe and in compliance with standards,” Cuomo said. “You reopen unintelligently and you can have an immediate backlash.” He pointed to other countries that have seen COVID-19 numbers rebound after reopening. Cuomo also said that every hospital must have 90 days of personal protective equipment stockpiled. “We cannot have another mad scramble where nurses and doctors don’t have gowns and masks, etc.,” he said.

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The Independent

Pop-Up COVID-19 Testing Site Hamptons Health Society raises $20,000 in local donations to make it happen By Desirée Keegan desiree@indyeastend.com Southampton Village Mayor Jesse Warren, Hamptons Health Society founder Dr. Peter Michalos, and U.S. Congressman Lee Zeldin outside the new pop-up COVID-19 testing site at the Southampton Village Hudson River Health Care center. Independent/Gianna Volpe

A pop-up COVID-19 testing facility opened April 30 at the Hudson River Health Care Kraus Family Health Center in Southampton. The nonprofit Hamptons Health Society raised $20,000 in local donations to help fund the operation and provide free testing to any uninsured resident in need of financial assistance. HRHCare is testing at most of its health centers throughout Suffolk County, including Southampton and Riverhead, and is operating 12 pop-up testing sites throughout its network. “We are pleased to bring pop-up testing to Southampton,” said Anne Kauffman Nolon, MPH, chief executive officer of HRHCare. “Pop-up testing is a critical part of our community response against COVID-19 and is important for the added protection of patients and staff. We will continue expanding our response to the COVID-19 pandemic until we prevail, for the sake of our patients and our communities.” HRHCare is a federally-qualified health center that manages all of Suffolk County’s community health centers. When Southampton Village Mayor

Jesse Warren learned that an additional site could open at the Southampton HRHCare if funds were made available, he reached out to the Hamptons Health Society for help. Dr. Peter Michalos, the nonprofit’s founder and a Southamptonbased ophthalmologist, answered the call. He and Warren recently worked together to raise money to procure ventilators for the hospital and acquire personal protective equipment for local health care workers. “This team effort is making it possible for those without means to get tested for free,” Warren said. “I am grateful for the generous financial support from the community and the advocacy of all the South Fork elected leaders that helped make this local testing facility a reality.” “Anyone who may have the virus needs to know as soon as possible so they can protect themselves and others,” Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said. “That is why it is so important to have a local site. Lacking financial resources should not be a barrier to testing, and thanks to the generosity of the Hamptons Health Society it won’t be. I am also thankful to Mayor Warren for

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helping get this off the ground.” The location is adjacent to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. For many weeks, South Fork residents and government officials have been advocating for increased availability of testing in the region, which includes East Hampton and Southampton towns. “Limited access to testing has been a concern for South Fork officials and residents alike,” East Hampton Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said. “Having convenient and cost-free testing for those of limited means is particularly important. I am so grateful to our generous friends and neighbors who have come together to make this happen.” Testing will be done every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 AM to 3 PM by appointment only. Anyone with shortness of breath, a persistent cough, or temperature above 100.5 degrees, or who has been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, should call 845-553-8030. The site is also supported by several other local entities. The property is owned by Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, and traffic control and security are being conducted by the Southampton Village Police Department. Suffolk County will be distributing educational materials. “This public-private partnership will allow health officials to continue to expand testing, which is so critical to containing the virus and reopening the economy,” said Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming. HRHCare Southampton is located at 330 Meeting House Lane in Southampton Village. No one will be turned away due to insurance or immigration status, and the center is also providing information and referrals on COVID-19. “The establishment of a drivethrough site in Southampton is another

step forward as we continue to ramp up the necessary testing required to protect public health and to re-open our economy,” state Assemblyman Fred Thiele said. “My thanks to the Hamptons Health Society for again providing generous support to improve health care in our community.” The location will continue offering telemedicine, with extended hours available. These appointments can be made by calling 1-844-HRH-CARE (474-2273), texting “telemed” to 21000, or by visiting www.hrhcare.org. Telemedicine visits can be through video chat or a regular phone call. New patients are welcome. Current patients can schedule telemedicine visits with their regular doctor.

Operation Give Back

North Fork Event Company Inc., the production company that started the North Meets South Farms, Food & Drink Festival, launched Operation Give Back, an initiative that promotes and provides financial assistance to small, local businesses effected by COVID-19. It also aims to showcase appreciation for first responders currently on the front lines of the global pandemic. Operation Give Back is a country-wide effort executed on a localized level — think big, act small. Sales from custom-made apparel honoring frontline heroes goes toward purchasing gift cards from small businesses and then given to first responder agencies in the area. The trickle-down system works to boost economic development and financial stability. Shirt sales start at $20. To purchase, visit www.northforkevent.com. NT

News & Opinion

May 6, 2020

SAND IN MY SHOES By Denis Hamill

Unless You Have It, Stop Complaining I have way more to be thankful for than to curse denishamill@gmail.com Like everyone else in lockdown, quarantine, solitary confinement, I was bitching last week because the damn internet went down and the TV was on the fritz. And in that moment, I thought about a family I’d read about that morning in which four people had contracted the novel coronavirus. I felt sudden shame. They were no longer here in this wonderful thing called life to complain about the internet being down. I felt like an ingrate, a spoiled idiot to be complaining about something called Wifi, which didn’t even exist for the first two thirds of my life. And which now in too many was controlling my life and made me think life without it was somehow unlivable. As tens of thousands of people had died from COVID-19. The shame fades fast, of course, as later in the day I found it impossible to get through to unemployment as my main job had been shut down. Ten minutes on the phone stretched to 26 and 40 and 60 and 88 before I was disconnected. I was tempted to smash my $800 iPhone off the wall as a solution to my aggravation over a $500 check. And then, because the internet was back, I read about poor souls who had waited that long for an ambulance in this pandemic as their loved one gasped with this insidious virus that is consuming the best of us like a bad science fiction movie out of the 1950s. I had to stop again to count my blessings in this time of Last Rites mumbled to the dying through masks. Lady Luck is blowing on your dice, Hamill, I said to myself. You have a brother out in a southern California desert who survived Vietnam in the 173 Airborne during the Tet Offensive who also beat the side effects of PTSD and Agent Orange and who now saw the national COVID-19 dead exceed those killed in Nam. He phoned the night before to say not only did he and family test negative for COVID-19, but they just survived an Eight Count of a damned

earthquake and seven aftershocks that turned their home into a fun house. I made myself a cup of green tea, binge-watched “Bosch” on Amazon till the sun came up, turning my clock upside down amid the serpentine plotlines of serial killers, kidnappings, and sex trafficking from the brilliant pen of Michael Connelly (who learned his writing craft as a police reporter in the daily newspaper business.) I realized one simple truth in the Age of the Plague: Unless you have the virus, stop complaining.

Real Horror Stories On Facebook and Twitter, across social media and in news stories, people moaned of the horrors of being sequestered like a mob jury. Religious groups in Brooklyn openly defied social distancing to attend the funerals of religious leaders who had died from — this is the killer — COVID-19. I read of funeral parlors stacking COVID-19 fallen cadavers in U-Haul trucks. "And those right-wing loonies with semi-automatic rifles stormed the state house in Michigan should be allowed to go out and kill each other with high-caliber COVID-19, which sounds like a new gun-fetish rifle. One nursing home in Brooklyn took out 55 coronavirus corpses, men and women who’d survived the Great Depression, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, both Gulf Wars, Polio, and AIDS. Now they were carried out of this faceless human warehouse, a waiting room for eternity, because of a virus that should have been stopped much earlier except for political arrogance and incompetence starting at the top. My rage bubbled. I ran out of Fwords as fast as supermarkets were running out of another F-word called food. Then my sister-in-law of my oldest brother texted me to remind me that five years ago, after a major health scare, my brother had been sent to that same hell hole nursing home by a doctor from a Manhattan hospital. After one visit to this dump, we had

my brother delivered home in an ambulette. I realized in that moment that I had way more to be thankful for than to curse. If you don’t have the bug, don’t complain. The real horror stories come in torrents. There was one about a Holocaust survivor who had lost her family in the Nazi camps who made it to New York where she married another Holocaust survivor and started a beautiful family and a successful real estate business and made a life on Earth after a childhood in Hell. Then she broke a hip, wound up in a rehab center, and the little girl who had survived the clacking echoes of Nazi jack boots was taken when a silent killer virus crept into aging lungs. So, when I got pissed off that the check I was expecting didn’t arrive in the morning mail, I felt shame. When I heard that the family of a childhood pal named Philly McNiff, a burly Local 40 iron worker and union officer had received news that he had succumbed to COVID-19 at 65 just as Philly was discovering that the third act of life called grand-parenting took you to greater heights than connecting the crazy high iron on the skyscrapers of Manhattan. And here I was complaining that I ran out of coffee.

Rage Against Loneliness On that same day I heard from all four of my kids and three of my grandkids and all of them were virus free in the beautiful boredom of hibernation. In these days of lockdown, people bicker and fight, rage against loneliness, pace the floor or jog the rooftops, or do pushups and drink beer and text with separated lovers and make the highlight of their day viewing the fireside chats of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who brings a rare dose of sobering truth, facts, and guarded hope into the lives of otherwise rudderless New Yorkers. You feel good for an hour. And then you realize you are out of

soup, tuna, and paper towels, and you curse circumstance and providence and your inner spoiled brat feels sorry for yourself. Then you hear the story of the selfless ER Dr. Lorna Breen who worked her heart out to save the lives of strangers in the scourge, every fading heartbeat, every last gasp of patients taking a piece of her with them to the makeshift morgues. Dr. Breen caught COVID-19, fought it like a samurai, beat it, and regained her physical health. And went for a rematch in the ER until other doctors realized that the virus had also infected her soul. Dr. Breen had taken too much punishment, seen too much human suffering, and was sent home. She drove south to the home of her parents where she took her own life. And here I am, healthy in lockdown, complaining that the heroic meal delivery guy from the struggling pizzeria is late? For shame. If you don’t have the virus, stop complaining. Every single member of my immediate family was healthy, even my 85-year-old brother who left his house three times a week to receive dialysis — because the alternative would be formaldehyde — in a hospital filled with COVID-19 patients. And my 80-year-old recently widowed sister who has a great son, daughter-in-law, and two terrific grandkids to love and live and laugh for. How the hell can you complain about anything if you and your family are healthy? Especially when you think of the families of the 37,000 people in Suffolk County alone who have contracted this lethal virus? Yes, being locked up is a colossal pain in the butt. But thousands are still sick with COVID-19, and hundreds more are still dying every day. So, I keep reminding myself that if you don’t have the coronavirus, stop complaining. And count your damned blessings.

The Independent

Police Due Process Rights Suspended In NY State? Man charged with felony sex abuse never indicted or released By T. E. McMorrow t.e@indyeastend.com Independent/T.E. McMorrow

FR EE

IN SP W EC HO TI LE ON H –C O AL USE LT OD AY

A man who had been living in a group home when he was arrested March 29 on a felony sex abuse charge has been in jail since then. Antoine Chappell, 24, would normally have been released after 120 hours when not indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury under criminal procedure law designed to protect the due process rights of those being held on felony charges. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting virtual shutdown of the courts, there are no grand juries currently active in New York. It is the position of the district attorney’s office that, due to the suspension by the state of all nonessential court procedures, that 180-80 law is not binding. “That is considered part of the

executive order,” said Sheila Kelly, spokesperson for District Attorney Tim Sini, on May 4, “that it is on hold.” There are similar cases throughout the state. Thus far, with various district attorneys taking a similar view to Sini’s regarding the law, the courts have not stepped in. A justice in Poughkeepsie, William Hayes, denied an application to have a defendant, Jason Hood, released because he was never indicted. Hood was unable to post the $50,000 bail set on March 30 on a felony weapons possession charge. According to the written decision by Hayes, Thomas Angell, a Dutchess County public defender, argued that a “defendant who is in custody has a constitutional right to

a prompt review and probable cause determination of the felony complaint that has been filed against him.” In Hayes’ decision, he found the arraignment itself covered that constitutional requirement, and that, even if it did not, because “unprecedented times call for unprecedented action, the chief judge has limited statewide court operations to only those essential matters which so urgently require immediate attention.” The question in Chappell’s case became moot on April 30, when, during a teleconference between his attorney from the Legal Aid Society, East Hampton Town Justice Lisa Rana, and the district attorney’s office, Chappell’s attorney agreed to waive his client’s right to be released.

“A defendant who is in custody has a constitutional right to a prompt review.” — Thomas Angell He is due back in court in East Hampton on June 11.

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Police

May 6, 2020

East Hampton Town Police Department Sergeant Kenneth Alversa delivers N95 masks. Independent/Courtesy Stony Brook Southampton Hospital

Masks Donated

Jeff Alt is a member of the Flanders Northampton Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Independent/Courtesy Chief Mark Dunleavy

COVID-19 Sends Paramedic To ICU GoFundMe created for Flanders ambulance employee on ventilator By Taylor K. Vecsey taylor@indyeastend.com

A paramedic who works for the Flanders Northampton Volunteer Ambulance Corps is fighting for his life after catching COVID-19. Jeff Alt’s friends and co-workers from across Suffolk County, where he has volunteered and worked in emergency medical services for the last 20 years, are raising

money for him and his family since bills are piling up. The 40-year-old has been on a ventilator for five days as of Monday morning, May 4. He developed double pneumonia and diabetic ketoacidosis due to the novel coronavirus, according to ambulance chief Mark Dun-

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leavy. Alt has worked there full-time for the past two years while also giving his time to Center Moriches, Westhampton, and Gordon Heights. He has a long list of ambulance agencies he has been affiliated with over the years. “Jeff is an asset to the Flanders ambulance and the community of Flanders, Riverside, and Northampton,” Dunleavy said. “We pray for a speedy recovery for him, and we stand ready to assist the family in any needs.” Alt lives in Mastic with his wife and young daughter. He is an ex-captain with the Middle Island Fire Department, where he once volunteered. An online fundraiser was set up by Tina Roberts last week, just as Alt was placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit at Stony Brook University Hospital. In four days, the GoFundMe campaign raised more than $18,000, well surpassing the initial $10,000 goal, and donations were

Sergeant Kenneth Alversa of the East Hampton Town Police Department delivered over 1000 N95 masks to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. East Hampton Town Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Bruce Bates arranged for the presentation of the masks, given to the town by an anonymous donor. “This is a great contribution,” said Fred Weinbaum, MD, CMO, and COO at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. “We are grateful for the donor’s generosity and to East Hampton Town and the police department for their support in delivering these to us.” DK

still coming in as of press time. “While we remain optimistic and hopeful for a full, speedy recovery,” Roberts wrote, “we have to be realistic that this is a long road ahead for him and his family.” “Jeff is a wonderful person, great friend, excellent paramedic to work with,” Richard Petracca wrote with his donation. “I love him and his family.” “Jeff is a person this world needs,” Donald Quinn wrote, “right now and forever.” Donations can be made at www. gofundme.com/f/help-for-jeff-alt.

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The Independent

Editorial Let’s Make Nice

JUST ASKING

By Karen Fredericks

How have you been shopping for food during the lockdown? George Grofik My wife and I are vegan, and we use a food service called Purple Carrot. The company delivers groceries with recipes for full meals that we prepare five days of the week. For the other two days, we sometimes go to Stop & Shop.

Dani Perodin I shop where I work — at Stop & Shop. Memorial Day weekend is three weeks away. In another time, in another world, most of the East End towns would be preparing for “the season” with both trepidation and anticipation. No one likes the traffic and noise at night, on the streets or in the air. But most of us understand we are part resort community, and the summer visitors are our lifeblood — the difference between boarded up Main Streets and prosperity. There are jobs as well, for ourselves and for our family; in fact, the second-home market fuels the economy. Most important, it is a chance to showcase anew the world-class beaches and abundance of nature’s gifts. Who among us doesn’t lavish the opulence of the local farms and waterways? Imagine a table set with the freshest goods, and the gilded guest list of authors, writers, composers, and the like. This is the image we have cultivated, and the life we live. Those of us who are locals are blessed to call this paradise home. But we’ve reached a slippery slope. People pay millions to come here and buy one of our ancestors’ homes so their little ones can have the same chance we had — to grow up here, at least part-time. How unwelcoming we must sound to turn away well-meaning day-trippers who wanted just a few hours in the sun. Blame it on the pandemic. We are afraid, and that is certainly borne out by the statistics — there is a much higher infection rate to the west and that’s where we’d prefer to keep it. We don’t want a closed airport, closed nightclubs, and stringent regulations. These are reasons to stop coming here. We don’t want ghost-like teenagers wandering desolate streets, or a generation of able tradesmen with no jobs to offer. We want our lives back. All of us. So, to get there, what we need is communication and understanding, not incendiary remarks that make neighbors recoil from one another. Summer is coming. It’s a dance we do every year. Let’s not let this novel coronavirus stop the music.

Is it just me? Scientific research shows that cursing provides significant health benefits. It relieves stress and helps lower blood pressure.

Jane Baringer I work with Share the Harvest Farm, a non-profit farm that grows food to donate to ease food insecurity in our community. We have a Bag-a-Week program of home delivery of fresh produce, so that's where most of our food comes from.

Jim Baringer Their fresh produce is terrific, and they deliver between Amagansett and Wainscott. It's been working out very well for us.

Say two curse words and call me in the morning.

© Karen Fredericks Karen was chosen Best Cartoonist by the New York Press Association in 2017 and again in 2019. She’s the recipient of multiple awards for her illustration of the international bestseller How To Build Your Own Country, including the prestigious Silver Birch Award. Her work is part of the permanent artist’s book collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

May 6, 2020

Arts & Entertainment Julie’s Library Mother-daughter duo host children’s reading podcast By Bridget LeRoy and Georgia Warner bridget@indyeastend.com It seems only fitting, for Mother’s Day, to profile one of the area’s — and the world’s — most famous mother-daughter duos, Dame Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. Since they are both such a part of the fabric of the East End, it’s sometimes hard to remember that those threads extend worldwide. Andrews holds a special place in the hearts of children — and children at heart — all across the globe; and not only because of her Muppet-centric Netflix series (“Julie’s Greenroom”), her familiar voice performances in cartoons like “Shrek” and “Despicable Me,” and her famous portrayals of the world’s most lovable nannies (that would be Maria Von Trapp and Mary Poppins, for those who were born yesterday). Many children hold Andrews so dear because for more than a decade, the best-selling author has partnered with her daughter, award-winning writer and educator Walton Hamilton, to co-author more than 30 whimsical children’s books, which they have loved writing nearly as much as tots and teens have loved reading. Now, the two will continue to share their passion for literature through “Julie’s Library,” a new weekly podcast produced by American Public Media, featuring Andrews and Walton Hamilton, along with special guests (including kids), reading some of their own favorite children’s books aloud to young listeners and their families. Although the podcast wasn’t slated to launch until later this year, Andrews and Walton Hamilton released the first six episodes via Apple Podcasts on April 29, in the hopes of providing comfort to those families stuck at home due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Emma Walton Hamilton and Dame Julie Andrews, Sag Harbor’s mother-daughter dynamic duo. Independent/David Rodgers

What are some of the themes of upcoming episodes that families can look forward to?

JA: Some of the themes we’ll be exploring in the books we’ve chosen so far are growing up, overcoming fear, individuality/being oneself, creativity, the night sky, family relationships, and helping others. EWH: We also have book selections that speak to gender fluidity, being on the autism spectrum, and cultural identity.

Lighting The Way For Small Businesses

The Independent

Independent/ Courtesy Brittany Torres

Brittany Torres starts GoFundMe campaign By Nicole Teitler nicole@indyeastend.com Living on the East End comes at the cost of high rents, and for business owners that means both residential and commercial. During the winter, many live off of their savings from the busier summer months, with the occasional rise in business on celebratory weekends. Now, compiled with a loss of income due to closed doors, proprietors are struggling on an unprecedented level. Brittany Torres, owner of Hamptons Handpoured, a local candle company, has altruistically created a GoFundMe page to raise money for year-round local small business owners, with a goal of $10,000. Selected recipients will each receive $500 grants, distributed in the form of gift cards, in two waves— the first consisting of single person proprietorships and a second going to COVID-19 shuttered storefronts. Torres and her longtime significant other, Jason Lucas, who owns Sag Harbor Cycle, are both proud entrepreneurs accustomed to uncertainties — it comes with owning a business. Lucas, who was used to conducting business in person with customers, is adapting to the new normal. They represent two ends of the local business spectrum. “I can’t fall back on the wholesale business relationships that I have built over the years because they are in the same boat as me,” she said. Researching ways to assist her in her financial crisis, Torres combed through dozens of opportunities. She looked into grants, small business association loans, national organizations, and even turned to Facebook. Many avenues she didn’t qualify for and others stopped accepting applications altogether. The small business community continuously checks in on one another, conversing about finding monetary assistance, or where leads only led to dead

ends. She decided to help others going through the same experience. “I’m just trying to help in my own way and support a group of small businesses who have absolutely become like family to me.” Hamptons Handpoured has lost roughly 75 percent of business, greatly due to wholesale accounts forced to close doors. The next ongoing battle is the reliance on customized orders for events — such as galas, weddings, store pop-ups — which have all been canceled or pushed back amid social distancing. To have an upper hand on her competition through online retail, Hamptons Handpoured offers free shipping, but even that eats away at profits. Despite some support through her website through a loyal customer base, mortgage and other monthly expenses continue to pile up. Amid all the struggle, there is a guiding light of hope. Torres said there was an anonymous $5000 donation that was made to the GoFundMe page. “There are a lot of wonderful, generous people out here and some who just happen to have the resources to contribute in a big way. But to actually pull the trigger and be so generous with people they may not even know and may never meet, is on another level of human compassion in my book. It helps this place we love so much and there is immeasurable value in giving people real hope. I am in awe

Independent/ Courtesy Brittany Torres

of this person and thank them for their big heart,” she said. In addition to her wholesale business, Torres’s company has long been known for creating customized candles for those in need — such as Sag Harbor Cinema, the LUNGevity Foundation, Puerto Rico disaster relief, and the Moriches Bay Project, to name a few. Right now, Torres is focused on partnering with organizations raising funds for COVID-19 relief, while attracting new customers through delivery. Candles have a way to brighten a room and provide a sense of calm during stressful times and that’s exactly what Torres aims to do, both figura-

tively and literally. “I light candles. I really do. I try to make the effort to relax and keep my home cozy. But, the most important thing I do is to keep thinking of better times ahead and making the most of our current world while remaining safe and mindful of others. Helping others brings me so much happiness and honestly can be such a major goal for many who feel lost right now.” To recommend a business that needs support, email hello@hamptonshandpoured.com. Find the GoFundMe link on Instagram @hamptonshandpoured and be sure to visit the website at www.hamptonshandpoured.com.

May 6, 2020

Arts & Entertainment

Albright Kicks Off BookHampton Series

Madeleine Albright

Former Secretary Of State joins via Zoom By Jessica Mackin-Cipro jessica@indyeastend.com BookHampton in East Hampton is starting a series of virtual events via Zoom, starting Friday, May 8. “I’m delighted to announce that BookHampton is launching an exciting lineup of virtual author events,” said owner Carolyn Brody in an email. “We’re working hard to bring you another exciting summer events schedule. In fact, virtual events allow for the opportunity to host authors who may not have otherwise traveled to East

Hampton.” The series will begin on Friday at 7 PM with Madeleine Albright, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and former Secretary of State. Albright will be joined in conversation with Bob Barnett. The two will discuss Albright’s latest book “Hell and Other Destinations,” a revealing and inspiring memoir. For tickets and more information about upcoming virtual events, visit www.bookhampton.com.

WHBPAC Has New Executive Director Julienne Penza-Boone promoted to the position By Jessica Mackin-Cipro jessica@indyeastend.com The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center has promoted Julienne Penza-Boone to executive director. The Massachusetts native joined the WHB-

PAC team in 2008 as its Arts Education Program Manager. “I am so honored to be named executive director of an institution

Julie’s Library

podcast encourages togetherness by providing family listening pleasure, and that it inspires listeners to enrich reading experiences with related activities and meaningful conversations.

Continued From Page B1.

episode, and arranging for guest readers to record as well. One way in which we pivoted was that APM sent recording equipment to our homes, allowing us to continue doing pickups and new recordings while under lockdown. JA: We both have rather impressive recording set-ups in our closets! We miss being in the studio together, but it gets the job done.

What is the core message in “Julie’s Library” that you want families and children to get right now? JA: First and foremost, the joy of reading, of course! EWH: Of course! And the power of good stories as “mirrors, windows, and doors” with which to learn about ourselves and the world. We also hope the

After all this time working together, what advice do you have for other mothers and daughters who may be thinking of starting a business together? Triumphs and pitfalls? JA: Three things come to mind, and they apply to any family partnerships. First, identify your individual strengths. Our partnership works well because we’re good at different things. Because we know and respect this about each other, it makes it easy to lean into those strengths and let the other person do what they do best. Second, keep your eye on the big picture — the shared goal. It’s not about whose idea it was, or who gets credit for what. It’s about the end result. We have a mantra when-

that I cherish and feel so passionately about,” said Penza-Boone. “The current times are certainly strange and uncertain, but I am so confident in our community and steadfastly believe that WHBPAC’s best days are ahead. Our goal is to make the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center the premier performing arts venue and arts education center on Long Island, while remaining firmly rooted in our community-based values.” Penza-Boone was also responsible for instituting the after-school theatre program. She has developed summer educational offerings and was the co-

creator of WHBPAC’s creative aging program, Melodies and Memories, a music and theater program for older adults. In 2014, she was named education director. Most recently, her educational efforts have focused on adult arts education. “Julienne has shown great leadership and wonderful commitment to the theater over the past 10 years. She was our only choice to lead us through the next evolution for the theater. Her poise in leading her very loyal staff through this difficult time has been extraordinary,” said James Kuhn, WHBPAC’s chairman of the board. For more info, visit www.whbpac.org.

ever we’re brainstorming a solution to a problem: “The best idea wins.”

too, and we’re grateful to live in this beautiful part of the world and have gardens that we can spend time in for a dose of fresh air and beauty.

EWH: And always be respectful of one another. Just because we’re related doesn’t give us license to speak to each other or behave any differently than we would with a non-family-member business partner. Framing any disagreements with respectful language and behavior is essential to the ongoing strength of the partnership.

What keeps you strong right now? How are you holding up through all this? EWH: We’re hanging in there, hunkering down at home like everyone else! Having creative work that we can still do from home helps a great deal. Even though we live five minutes away from each other, we’re social distancing and doing all our work remotely, but we talk or get online together every day. Having regular Zoom calls or FaceTimes with family and friends helps

JA: We try to balance staying current on the latest news from trusted sources with looking for good news wherever we can. We subscribe to several different “good news” newsletters and such, and it really helps to balance the more frightening stuff each day with a dose of optimism. And we’re following all the guidelines and recommendations and doing our part to stay safe and not put others at risk. What helps most is focusing on gratitude — for all those who are out there on the frontlines battling this virus, for those who are making it possible for us to stay home by bringing the world to us in various forms, and for the opportunity to continue working and trying to bring some joy to others during these challenging times. To listen to — or learn more about — “Julie’s Library,” visit www.julieslibraryshow.org.

The Independent

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Arts & Entertainment

May 6, 2020

HAMPTON DAZE By Jessica Mackin-Cipro

The Greatest Party That Never Was And RGNY wines and wellness Zooms jessica@indyeastend.com @hamptondaze

Due to COVID-19, nonprofit organizations on the East End have had to cancel fundraising events, which are normally a major source of income, and some are getting creative. The Southampton Animal Shelter hosted The Greatest Party That Never Was on Thursday, April 30, and I was happy to attend after being asked to not show up, to forget the Uber, and to definitely not get my hair done. It was a very fake event for a very real cause that had to be missed. After donating the ticket price on www.southamptonanimalshelter.com, I was sent an email with instructions. I was to send a photo — I chose one of myself, my husband, Joe, and Clementine, our senior rescue from SASF — to an email address at the shelter. On Thursday, April 30, we were invited to watch on Facebook and Instagram to see who else didn’t show. A poster was created of all images and each submission was tagged on social media. The event raised more than $5000 and it was wonderful to know that it helped provide homeless pets with care and support. And speaking of pets, this week

The Independent announced the winners of its Cutest Pet Contest. Flip to the center of this issue to see the winners, or head to our IGTV to see a video with all of the announcements. Clementine helped me announce the winner of best outfit and accessory, and by helped, I mean looked at me with confusion and immediately and removed her accessory (a bow I made out of ribbon I found in an old sewing kit). She’s very camera shy! Joe and I celebrated our anniversary this week and while we would normally go to a restaurant or take a little trip, we had a quarantined celebration. I ordered us a wine tasting and creating kit from RGNY Vineyard in Riverhead where you can blend your own wine. The kit comes with bottles of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Petit Verdot. It also came with two glasses, a wine opener, a beaker, placemats, and instructions. We swirled, sipped, and laughed as we tried to create the perfect blend. It turns out the perfect blend is the one that RGNY came up for its 2018 Tinto (also included in the kit), so we recreated that with our ingredients. If you’re

The Greatest Party That Never Was for the Southampton Animal Shelter.

looking for a fun at-home activity, I would highly recommend. On Sunday, I joined a Zoom session for the rescheduled “Rise Into Wellness” series of mini-retreats cohosted by Tia Greene of Savour TV and nutritionist Charlotte LaGuardia of Thrive East that was scheduled to take place at SEVEN bed and breakfast on Shelter Island. The in-person series has been postponed until fall. This Sunday’s meeting was to focus on “soul.” LaGuardia started us off with a much-needed guided meditation. Following the meditation, special guest Jill Paitchel from Find Home Harmony discussed ways to improve our living spaces. I chose our bedroom because it’s a blank slate that I haven’t done much with — I blame my old life’s usual hectic schedule. Now that I’m spending more time here, my goal, although small, is to add more good-

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The Independent

RICK’S SPACE By Rick Murphy

Who Was That Masked Man? Kissing will never be the same rmurphy@indyeastend.com

Remember kissing? Smooching, as we used to call it. In the movie theater balcony, or the back seat of your uncle’s car. Thousands of songs have been written about kissing, yet it is quite possible that the word — and the practice — may become obsolete courtesy of the coronavirus. The phrase “don’t give me no lip” takes on a whole new meaning. We’ll have to redefine what a masked man is. These used to be the

bank robbers or home burglars. “Hey, are you robbing my house?” “No, I’m your brother. I live here.” “Ok. Don’t steal the silverware.” Lifetime unions used to begin with a kiss. Romances that moved mountains. Kissing is an act of intimacy, a moment of vulnerability where rejection could scar you forever. Many of us remember going for a passionate kiss and be-

ing turned away, shunned because our would-be partner didn’t share the passion. Karen did that to me on our honeymoon and the rejection still stings. It’s the thing we dreamed about most, even more than sex, because long before the sex begins there is kissing, and after it ends there is more. Their roles are actually reversing:

Masks will give the next generation a fresh outlook on life. Consider being a high school senior. You might have dreamt of being the Prom Queen, but you were dismissed out of hand even though you were the most qualified. “Can I be the queen of the prom?” “No.” “Why?” “You have a face like an aardvark.” “Can I be the class pet?”

Boy: Want to meet behind the bleachers and kiss? Girl: I’m not that kind of girl. Want to have wild sex for three hours? Boy: Naw. We’ve been kissing since we can recall. “OK, give Grandpa a kiss goodbye. He came all the way here just to visit you in reform school.” “Give Mrs. Kane a kiss and tell her you are sorry you ran on her flower garden.” “Kiss your sister and tell her you are sorry you wore her dress.” Ah the memories.

Things will be wacky in Catholic Confessional booths. “Father, I took the lord’s name in vain, I lied to my dad, and I stole a nickel from my mom’s pocketbook.” “God forgives you.” “And I had sex with Mary Jane Brown.” “You’ll say three Hail Mary’s.” “And I took my mask off to blow my nose.” “WHAT???? YOU ARE DOOMED TO HELL YOU LITTLE SAVAGE!!!!”

“I’ll never forget you.” “Nor I you.” “Will I see you again?” “Yes, I will be in the park tomorrow. I’ll have a white mask on just like this one. In fact, it will be this one because the government only gave me one.” “Will you be there?” “Yes, I’ll be the one in the white mask.”

I’m getting in the spirit. I have a tie dye mask. With sprinkles on it. And a matching bandana. There is a part of me that wonders if, we did our childhoods all over again, this time with our faces covered; we might have been appreciated more. Who knows, maybe I would have been the Prom Queen.

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Arts & Entertainment

KISS & TELL By Heather Buchanan

Friends In A Pandemic Don’t Let Friends . . . kissandtellhb@gmail.com

I think the anxiety is causing me to make some poor choices so before I act, I might need to ask a friend. Should you grow out your bangs or trim them with nail clippers? Toss back a couple of vodka and V8 juices (found in the pantry which probably date to the ’80s) and call every ex to ask what he thought of you? Then ask if he would like to know what you thought of him. Feel bad that your juicer has not been used once but the Bundt pan is in constant rotation. Put up that hilarious selfie using a

bra cup for a face mask. Ingest bleach to cure the coronavirus or make you more blond. Use a sewing needle and potato to re-pierce your ears because it’s been so long since you have put on earrings. Accidentally confuse your home bikini wax with honey for your tea. Admit that your new anonymous bandit mask makes you feel kinda sexy and want to rob a bank at the same time. Maybe one giving emergency small business loans to big business. Get into a heated argument over the use of the Oxford comma when

people are worried if they will live or die. Think boxer shorts paired with a blazer is acceptable business attire. Offer to buy dental floss off your sister for $20 so you don’t have to go to the pharmacy. Start an Etsy site with adorable lip gloss painted Q-tip fairies. Use a picture of the bar at the American Hotel for your Zoom virtual background for next business meeting. (Actually, I kind like that idea.) Consider sheltering a rescue dog knowing when you give it back it will break your heart. And telling you that keeping it might just be amazing. Alphabetize your spices. Agonizing if Cream of Tartar is under C or T. And then trying to remember what the hell you use it for anyway. Use a pair of fishnet stockings as an exercise band. Decide it is a good idea to start raising some chickens. They will be fine in the spare bedroom. Start up an online romance with a German kick boxing instructor you found on a YouTube video under “Free workouts for American wealthy woman.” Use nail polish to paint your bathroom trim because Sugar Daddy is just sitting there going to waste.

Apply for a job as a call center operator for customer complaints at a mattress company. Think this an appropriate time to re-read “The Bell Jar.” Consider burying all the wine bottles in the back yard rather than face the shame at the recycling center and the steady stream of crashing glass. (maybe no one will recognize you with your mask on.) Not speak your truth. Because sometimes the ones pretending to be strong are the most terrified inside.

Feel bad that your juicer has not been used once but the Bundt pan is in constant rotation.

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The Independent

Gallery Events Compiled by Jessica Mackin-Cipro jessica@indyeastend.com

Drive-By-Art Drive-By-Art is an outdoor public art exhibition that can be experienced from the safety of one’s own car while social distancing, across the South Fork. About 50 painters, sculptors, photographers, performance artists, film and video makers, poets, and musicians are involved. The exhibit can be viewed on May 9 and 10 from noon to 5 PM. Artists currently living and working on the South Fork will install and display artworks related to this moment of social distancing on their properties, near roads, or on highways. Drive-By-Art is organized by American artist and theorist Warren Neidich. Participants include Suzanne Anker, Brianna Ashe, Elena Bajo, Monica Banks, Dianne Blell, Joe Brondo, Philippe Cheng, Kelly Darr, Jeremy Dennis, Eric Dever, Sally Egbert, Esly E. Escobar, Eva Faye, Eric Fischl, Saskia Friedrich, Robin Gianis, Frank Gillette,

Sabra Moon Elliot's "Big Sky" at Tripoli Gallery.

Janet Goleas, Carly Haffner, Hiroyuki Hamada, Barry Holden, Alice Hope, Soren Hope, Erica-Lynn Huberty, Bryan Hunt, Joan Jonas, Eileen O’Kane Kornreich, Laurie Lambrecht, Steve Miller, Jill Musnicki, Cassi Namoda, Stephen Neidich, Joel Perlman, Toni Ross and Sara Salaway, Matthew Satz, Bastienne Schmidt, Christine Sciulli, Barry Schwabsky, Bruce M. Sherman, Keith Sonnier, Sabina Streeter, Carol Szymanski, Evan Thomas, Susan Vecsey, Ryan Wallace, Lucy Winton, Nina Yankowitz, Darius Yektai, and Almond Zigmund. A full map is available at www. drive-by-art.org.

virtual opening reception for the artist will be held on Saturday, May 9, from 6 to 8 PM via Instagram Live on both the gallery and artist’s accounts: @TripoliGallery and @SabraMoon. “Space” defines a moment in the artist’s ongoing exploration into the illusions of geometry, pattern, and movement. Elliot explores the distinctive spaces that make up the greater concept of space: outer space, inner space, compositional space, spaces we occupy, and spaces of the mind. Like optical studies or experiments, her works search for a balance between these spaces.

Sabra Moon Elliot

Carl Bretzke

Tripoli Gallery presents “Space,” a solo exhibition with Sabra Moon Elliot. Featuring a series of new ceramics and paintings, the exhibition will be on view online, and by private appointment through June 1 in Wainscott. A

Carl Bretzke’s second annual solo show at the Grenning Gallery in Sag Harbor will open on Saturday, May 9. A virtual opening reception will take place from 5:30 to 7 PM. The first half hour is exclusive for VIP clients, and then opens

to the public from 6 to 7 PM. The Zoom meeting ID is 876-0437-7831, password 842-568. Bretzke’s work effectively blurs the line between feelings of intimacy and remoteness through his choice of subject matter: humans, animals, and structures, existing within desolate settings. The mood of each painting is expertly conveyed through the use of both natural and artificial light sources.

Color My World The Amagansett Library is holding the “Color My World Painting Workshop” with Joyce Raimondo on Wednesday, May 13, at 5 PM. The class will be held via Zoom. Raimondo, an artist and education coordinator at the PollockKrasner House, guides a creative exploration during this live interactive video chat art session. Email Lauren at director@amagansettlibrary.org to register.

Meals for

Heroes providing high quality meals to the brave ﬁrst responders that are working to keep our community safe and healthy.

Help lessen the burden on our ﬁrst responders. Gift them a restaurantquality meal for $35, vouchers will be issued to our local heroes at EMT stations, East Hampton Police department and Southampton Hospital. These vouchers will not expire and can be used on or off duty, to provide a great take away meal anytime they like.

Meals can be contributed by phone: 631-527-5372 website: highwayrestaurant.com or direct message through their Instagram: @HighwayHamptons

Please consider a meal donation.Together we will keep the community strong People and companies who donate will be recognized in The Independent newspaper.

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The Independentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Cutest Pet Contest

Grand Prize Winner: Sandy

The Independent

The Independent’s Cutest Pet Contest It was no easy task to pick the finalists of our annual Cutest Pet Contest. But going through the submissions of over 250 pets truly melted our hearts. And we hope that these photos bring joy during these troubling times. All pets are cute, and we thank each and every pet owner who participated. In The Independent’s Cutest Pet Contest, everyone is a winner, and that’s why we’ve included all of the submissions on pages C4 through C6. It was so wonderful to see how many of the pets had been adopted from local animal shelters. Owners proudly stated in many of the submissions which foundation their pet had been rescued from. We are so lucky on the East End to have so many animal shelters — our partner in this contest the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, as well as Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation and North Fork Animal Welfare League — giving FURever homes to animals in need. We are lucky to have a community that cares so deeply for animals. And the Grand Prize winner for most photogenic is . . . Sandy! For our overall winner, Sandy received the most votes from the Indy Staff. Sandy’s photos were professional and really showed personality. Sandy is from East Hampton, and was submitted by owners Will

Kearns and Julia Nunez. Our Cutest Outfit prize went to Griffin from Southampton. The Cutest Cat was Tygra from Aquebogue. Our Cutest Duo went to Peanut & Benny from East Hampton. Scooter from Great River won for Funniest. LookA-Like winner was Sandy and owner John Papaleo from Montauk. And Grumpiest went to Regine from Brooklyn. Congratulations to all of our winners! Don’t forget to check out some of our honorable mentions throughout this section, as well as our video announcing the winners on Instagram. We'd also like to thank our partners ARF and Harbor Pets. And thank you to those who helped announce our winners on social media: ARF's Jamie Berger, Joey Wölffer of Wölffer, Southampton Village Mayor Jesse Warren, East Hampton Fire Department Chief Gerry Turza, Alan Fruitstone of Harbor Pets, and Indy's Nicole Teitler and Amy Kalaczynski. And a big thanks to Carol Saxe of www. saxestudio.com and Liz and Arie Pavlou from Bistro Ete for gifting our winners. Jessica Mackin-Cipro Executive Editor, The Independent

Sandy and her feline roommate, Pepper.

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Cutest Pet Contest

May 6, 2020

Cutest Cat

Cutest Duo

Tygra from Aquebogue

Peanut and Benny from East Hampton

Funniest

Grumpiest

Scooter from Great River

Regine from Brooklyn

The Independent

Cutest Pet Contest

May 6, 2020

The Independent

Cutest Pet Contest

May 6, 2020

Look-A-Like

Best Outfit

Sandy and John Papaleo from Montauk

Griffin from Southampton

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The Independent

Honorable Mention

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Honorable Mention

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May 6, 2020

Arts & Entertainment

READING OUR REGION By Joan Baum

Investigating ‘Cold War Secrets’ Pitcoff ’s self-published memoir examines political family ties Paul Pitcoff ’s memoir “Cold War Secrets,” is well worth reading, informative about when Communist witchhunts dominated politics and ruined lives, a time Arthur Miller once called, along with The Great Depression, one of the two most frightening events in mid-20th Century America. But “Cold War Secrets” is also a moving, sharply observed, sensitive remembrance of childhood, adolescence, and early manhood that defies easy expectations. A charmingly self-deprecating account of growing up in the Bronx, the book features Pitcoff as the only child of an intelligent couple whose often mysterious, contradictory behavior and odd advice confuse him, though he knows he’s loved. A short prologue sets the stage for what follows. Young Paul is getting ready to play stickball when the doorbell rings. Two large, identically dressed men, flash badges, and ask for his father. It’s the FBI. His father,

Robert, isn’t home, and his wary mother, smoking her way through nervousness, tells Paul that they just “dropped by” because “they happened to be in the neighborhood.” End of explanation. And inquiry. Paul intuits a “don’t ask, don’t tell” way of life in his home, but, with age and acuity, he becomes increasingly aware of secrets in his parents’ lives and, just as significant, of being somehow complicit by not pushing to find out. His Russian-born father, he knows, had been a Communist but wound up a fanatical anti-Communist, even, to Paul’s chagrin, testifying before HUAC (The House UnAmerican Activities Committee). An Eisenhower Republican, his father nonetheless sent Paul to schools and camps associated with the labor-movement left, and all his life acted vigorously on behalf of equality and social justice. Paul’s mother, who “dumped” him

Virtual Entertainment Compiled by Nicole Teitler nicole@indyeastend.com gharborcinema.org.

Feeling feline? Southampton Animal Shelter has a live, 24-7 cat camera in the shelter. Pet’s lives are always more amusing when they think no one’s watching. Visit www.southamptonanimalshelter.com.

Friday Flashback

Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center has screenings available on its website for a fee through May 31; “The Woman Who Loves Giraffes” and “Corpus Christi.” Available through June 15 is “The Whistlers,” and through June 16 is “Once Were Brothers.” Go to www.whbpac.org.

Sag Cinema At Home Sag Harbor Cinema now has first-run films and newly restored classics on its website to purchase for rental and watch online. See all films at www.sa-

Library will have a 5 PM author talk with Susan Merrell via Zoom. RSVP by emailing director@amagansettlibrary. org.

Friday Nights Live

Cat Cam

WHBPAC Movies

onto various mentors to pursue a career in social work, was “formidable.” Among her many strong-arm achievements was getting Paul into Stuyvesant High School, even though he failed the entrance exam. But then she continued to ignore him as he made his tentative way among the toughs in the neighborhood. It’s his father, though, who particularly fascinates him — missing from an early family photograph, an autodidact intellectual, and a master of many trades. What engages the reader throughout, as scenes change and the years go by, is the author’s modest, bumbling attempts to live according to his father’s mantra: Don’t trust authority, find out for yourself. It meant for young Paul taking risks, some of them dangerously adventurous, such as when, barely 20, he volunteers to go to Arctic Finland to help farmers homestead, a harsh time during which he somehow gets himself a lovely girlfriend. What he does not (yet) appreciate are the risks that his parents took in living the way they did, including having him. Or how, beneath a sometimes-comedic rendering of tense family meal times or argumentative hours spent with his parents’ political friends, his father and mother in their lackadaisical guidance did, by default, lay out a path for him, albeit an unguided and often unprotected one. He learned confidence. But he always remained ambivalent about his own “diverse careers, friends, and experiences.” Was he an idealist, pragmatist, participant, ob-

Every Friday, HamptonsFilm will have a new film you can find on online streaming platforms, and at the same time share a YouTube video of one of its conversations related to the film. It will also have links to its Now Showing series available every Monday. On May 11 will be “And Then We Danced” directed by Levan Akin. Visit www. hamptonsfilmfest.org.

Live From Guild Hall

On Friday nights the Parrish Art Museum presents new live-streamed, partially pre-recorded programs of talks and tours. Head to www.parrishart. org.

The Hurricane Of 1938 On Saturday, May 9, at 2 PM, Oysterponds Historical Society in Orient presents a virtual lecture via Zoom with John Holzapfel on “The Long Island Express: The Hurricane of 1938.” Visit www.oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org.

Virtual Moment

Guild Hall in East Hampton will be posting new content every day taking a look back at some of the great moments in its history of arts and education programming. Go to www.guildhall.org.

Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center welcomes a virtual moment with Flatiron 27 Interiors on Tuesday, May 12, at 4 PM. Register at www.whbpac.org.

Susan Merrell

Seasoned Actor Workshop

On Wednesday, May 6, the Amagansett

Now through May 28, Georgia Warner

server? He had been a documentary filmmaker, an academic who started the Department of Communications at Adelphi University, an attorney, a program developer for teens in foster care. In his 60s, he was still asking himself what he wanted to do when he grew up. His sense of being “enveloped with uncertainty,” though it enabled him to avoid the “trap of dogmatism,” also extended to his writing a memoir. A challenge to document what he had begun to learn about his father led him to dig for more. He concludes: “After years of ponderings and research I have come to believe that my parents wanted their story told, but didn’t know how to break through some inner conflict. Thus, they left me only a trail of bread crumbs.” In “Cold War Secrets,” Pitcoff tracks those crumbs to their surprising source, and perhaps (unintentionally?) leaves some of his own. is hosting a personalized audition-prep workshop for actors. The four-week course is only $200 and runs Tuesdays or Thursdays from 5 to 8 PM. Register online at www.theseasonedactor.com.

Sip And Sing Every Friday at 5 PM, Bay Street Theater will host a virtual sing-along broadcasting via Zoom right to the comfort of your own home. To receive the Zoom link, go to www.baystreet. org and sign up for the newsletter.

Virtual Songwriting Beginning Tuesday, May 12, and going through May 26, Fred Raimondo is hosting a virtual songwriting circle from 7 to 9 PM, in connection with the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. Register at www.whbpac.org.

The Black Panthers Available Wednesday, May 6, on Hamptons Doc Fest’s website and continuing thereafter, will be Stanley Nelson’s “The Black Panthers: Van-guard of the Revolution.” Visit www.hamptonsdocfest.com.

B10

The Independent

Dining A Good Day For Sundae Donuts A new Montauk sweet shoppe delivers DIY decorating kits By Nicole Teitler nicole@indyeastend.com In July, Sundae Donuts plans to safely open its doors for the first time on Montauk Highway in Montauk, serving customers through takeout and curbside pickup. The name speaks for itself, a sweet shoppe filled with ice cream sundaes and cake donuts, oftentimes infusing the two together. Set your sights on signature flavors such as a vanilla ice cream cinnamon sugar donut with caramel, Boston cream ice cream, and donut Funfetti. In the meantime, Sundae Donuts owner Michelle Ferraro has created an alternative business method, home delivered DIY donut decorating kits. They currently come in two variations, chocolate or rainbow, with palm sized, mini cake donuts in either 25 or 50 count. The contents also include two icing colors, four toppings, two mini spoons, and a rainbow stencil for col-

Independent/Sundae Donuts

oring in and continuing the fun. Unlike store-bought ingredients, the donuts have a purer flavor, with a hint of cinnamon. Upon a single bite, one might be tempted to pop a mini donut in their mouth, topping free. Even the icing has a smoother texture. “I’m a mom and many of my friends are moms at home with their kids, trying to keep things fun and positive at home in the middle of such a difficult time. I have had so many mothers reach out to say how the kits have brought the family together and it’s been such a fun and delicious thing to do,” said Ferraro.

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Her family has been longtime summer residents in Montauk. Her parents own Plaza Sports, in business for over 45 years. “Spending so much time out here, and now starting a family of my own, I wanted to create a place to bring my daughter and create new memories with her,” she said. Decorating the donuts is both a fun pastime and creatively therapeutic. It gives children and adults a chance to escape to a colorfully delicious world, one of Candyland dreams and Willy Wonka songs, unleashing the inner child in all ages. “The magic of donuts is seeing the joy in the faces of

my customers,” Ferraro said. She recommends, for the 21 and over crowd, pairing a simple glazed donut with chardonnay, strawberry glaze with rosé, chocolate frosted with Baileys on the rocks, or a cookies and cream icing with a glass of red wine. The kits ship nationwide. Use discount code ILOVENY for free shipping on Long Island and in New York City. She plans to offer the kits long after social distancing has ended, including for birthday parties and catering. The storefront will be located at 716 Montauk Highway in Montauk. Stay up to date by visiting www.sundaedonuts.com.

Dining

May 6, 2020

B11

Independent/Courtesy The Highway Restaurant

Kit Shop On The Highway Restaurant offers complete to-go and ready-to-assemble meals By Hannah Selinger Justin Finney has been busier than ever, even though the restaurant where he helms the ship, East Hampton’s The Highway Restaurant and Bar, has been pick-up only since late March. Open for dinner until 9 PM six days a week (closed on Wednesdays), the restaurant has adapted its menu to suit the current dining climate. “You gotta try these cookies I am making,” he told me enthusiastically the other day. The Instagram photos told me all I needed to know anyway: triple-chocolate chip sea salt cookies, sold by the half dozen? Consider me a willing test subject. The Highway has adapted to a changing marketplace with some fun and interesting ideas. It has imple-

mented online ordering, so the telephone-averse can do it all by computer or smart phone. You can place an order in advance if, say, you want to choose your Saturday night meal on a Saturday morning. Some of the restaurant’s greatest hits make an appearance on the menu. You’ll find a traditional Caesar salad, and a kale salad, too, but you’ll also find chef Finney’s wonton soup, an ode to his popular Asian Nights, which used to take place once a month, on Thursdays. This iteration includes chicken- and shrimp-filled wontons, mushrooms, and spinach. The menu boasts two pastas (penne with tomato and basil, rigatoni with a Bolognese sauce), and six

comfort-oriented entrees. Choose from a cheeseburger, a miso-glazed salmon with lo mein and baby bok choy, a spit-roasted chicken with stuffing, prosciutto and fennel sausage meatballs, a chicken pot-pie, and eggplant parm. The chicken and eggplant are also available in large-format preparations (they serve two to four people), as are the Caesar, kale, and farro salads. Finney has also added three meal kits to his repertoire, for those who want to cook, but not quite. Let The Highway do most of the work for you. Kits include a “Make at Home Spaghetti and Meatballs Kit,” with meatballs, pasta, basil, sauce, cheese, a Caesar salad, biscotti, and instructions included; a “Make at Home Beef Tacos Kit,” with ground beef, pico de gallo, avocado, lettuce, chocolate chip cookies, cheese, taco spice blend, and tortillas; and a “Make at Home Classic Cheeseburgers Kit,” with four cheeseburger patties, two types of cheese, buns, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, ketchup, aioli, coleslaw, and chocolate chip cookies. Hungry (and thirsty) diners can also order a “Make at Home Cocktail Kit,” choosing between the Hot on the Highway (tequila, mezcal, Lillet, lime juice, agave, and jalapeño), the Shad-

18 Park Place East Hampton 324-5400 Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Take Out Orders

dock (gin, Aperol, St. Germain, lime juice, and a lime twist), and the Bourbon Storm (bourbon, lemon juice, ginger syrup, and a lemon twist). If those cocktails don’t entirely float your boat, the restaurant’s excellent curated wine list is also available for takeaway. I was curious if chef Finney planned to revive his ever-popular Asian Nights, a massive undertaking, given the current climate. While a full menu of his popular meals won’t currently be available, he did give me some words of assurance. “I am going to do Asian specials on Thursdays,” he said. For the Asian Night devotees out there, who can no longer hit up their favorite once-monthly feast, this news will likely come as a happy bit of encouragement to keep on eating. A bit more bright news in somewhat dark times: The Highway has established an online system for purchasing meals for first-responders (The Independent has partnered on this initiative). You can purchase one, five, or 10 meals, at the cost of $35 per meal. Vouchers will be delivered to EMT stations and the East Hampton Village Police Station and Southampton Hospital, so that those responding to the crisis can know the weight of our gratitude.

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B12

The Independent

Guest-Worthy Recipe: Greg Rales Choco Toffee Cookies By Zachary Weiss

Who Greg Rales, owner, founder, and chef at Red Gate Bakery

Instagram @RedGateBakery

Chef Rales’s Guest-Worthy Recipe Choco Toffee Cookies

Why? “The chocolate chip cookie is everyone’s favorite comfort food, and making them allows you to use those pantry staples you have around from your last baking adventure. Turn the volume all the way up with chunks of toffee and gooey bits of chopped chocolate for a decadent treat. The hardest part will, of course, be waiting for them to cool before you dive in. With kids home from

school, too, we imagine people are looking for a project, and these cookies are easy to make and even more fun to eat.”

Ingredients 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 c brown sugar, packed 1/4 c granulated sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature 2 c all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp kosher salt 1/2 c chocolate-covered toffee bar (Trader Joe’s makes a great candy), chopped 1 c chopped bittersweet chocolate Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Food & Beverage News By Jessica Mackin-Cipro jessica@indyeastend.com

Hampton Coffee Reopens Hampton Coffee Company announced on April 30 that it would start reopening its neighborhood cafes. The Water Mill and Westhampton Beach stores reopened last weekend while the other three cafes will open this week. “At this point we feel we can start re-opening our cafes while keeping our staff and community safe,” said an email from owners Jason and Theresa Belkin. The email assured that staff members are healthy and having their temperatures checked before every shift, as well as wearing gloves and masks at all times. They ask customers to wear masks as well and to download the HCC PERKS app for a contactless experience. Hampton Coffee also delivers coffee beans, muffins, scones, and much more to your home through the mail; visit the Hampton Coffee website www.hamptoncoffeecompany.com.

Green Hill Kitchen Green Hill Kitchen & Que in Greenport

is offering delivery and take-out specials on Sunday, May 10, in celebration of Mother’s Day. Cost is $40 per person and all orders must by placed by noon on Friday, May 8. Delivery and takeout will be available on Sunday, May 10, only and will be available across the East End. Items include the likes of smoked ham with charred pineapple, herb-rubbed leg of lamb, potato gratin, brownie bites, and more. You can also order $15 house bottles of wine, $20 pints of Matty’s margaritas, and $3 cans of beer. Orders can be placed by calling the restaurant directly at 631477-4900. Green Hill will also host Taco & Tunes on Saturday, May 9, at 7 PM. The evening will feature Instagram live performances by Hopefully Forgiven and Jon Divello and the performances will be showcased on the Green Hill Kitchen & Que Instagram page beginning at 7 PM. Special taco platters and alcoholic beverages will be available for delivery

Independent/Courtesy Red Gate Bakery

Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Cream together both sugars with the butter until light and fluffy, about three to five minutes. Your arms will thank you if you don’t have an electric mixer! You’re looking for a noticeably lighter, creamy result, where sugar has nearly dissolved. Add eggs, one at a time, making sure to scrape down the sides between each addition. Add all of the dry ingredients

and mix just to combine. Fold in both chopped toffee and chocolate. Using a four-ounce scoop, scoop mounds of dough onto a baking tray, at least two inches apart. Sprinkle with flaky salt. Bake for 15 minutes, rotating pan top to bottom and front to back halfway through. If you, like me, are into crinkly edges, rap the pan against the rack in the oven during rotation to deflate the centers and create ripples toward the edge of each cookie. Let cool.

and guests are encouraged to feast on their platters while they watch the performances. Delivery will be available to all points east of Baiting Hollow, from the North Fork to Westhampton and the South Fork. Orders can be placed by calling the restaurant directly at or by visiting https://bit.ly/3eYf1Oy.

tizer and entrée. From 4:30 to 8 PM, the nightly take-out menu returns. Rozzi’s menus may be enjoyed with selections from The 1770 House’s 250-bottle Wine Spectator awardwinning list overseen by wine director Michael Cohen. Specials include 25 percent off the entire wine list or house selections at $20 for one bottle and $50 for three bottles. For those seeking a Mother’s Day gift on the day, copies of “Dinner with Jackson Pollock” by Robyn Lea are available for $45 along with dining gift cards for The 1770 House and sisterrestaurant Cittanuova. Orders may be placed in advance with credit card payment only by calling 631-324-1770.

Lulu Kitchen Lulu Kitchen and Bar in Sag Harbor will celebrate moms this Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, by offering a special to-go package. Orders can be placed up until day of and can be made by calling the restaurant directly at 631725-0900. If you are adding a floral arrangement, orders must be placed by Saturday, May 9. The package cost is $225 and feeds three to four people. It includes a starter, entree, sides, and molten chocolate cake. It also includes a bottle of sparkling rosé wine and an option to add a flower arrangement from Arthur Golabek Flowers.

1770 House The 1770 House Restaurant & Inn in East Hampton opens its doors from noon on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, with a celebration brunch menu togo, followed by nightly dinner menu, by chef Michael Rozzi. From noon to 4:30 PM, a $45 two-course prix fixe includes appe-

Halal Cart Saturdays Almond in Bridgehampton is continuing its Corona Days project and has announced the newest addition, Halal Cart Saturday. Pre-order online by Friday at 6 PM, or before they run out. Pick up on Saturday at Almond is between 5 and 6 PM. Each order serves two to three people, depending on hunger level. The cost is $60. The menu includes items like chicken or lamb Shawarma kebabs, Moroccan spiced carrots with pomegranate molasses, Jay’s pamp yogurt, and more. Visit www. almondrestaurant.com.

Dining

May 6, 2020

B13

RECIPE OF THE WEEK Chef Joe Cipro

Pan-Roasted Striped Bass With clams, fennel, and ramps

Ingredients (Serves 4) 4 6-oz pieces of Striped Bass (skin removed) 2 bulbs of fennel (cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices) 1 dozen littleneck clams (cleaned and rinsed) 1/2 c white wine 1/4 c ramps (cleaned and sliced thin) 1 clove of garlic (sliced thin) 1/2 shallot (sliced thin) 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp fresh parsley (washed and chopped) 1 Tbsp fresh tarragon (washed and chopped)

1 Tbsp fresh chives (washed and chopped) 3 Tbsp olive oil 2 1/2 oz butter Season to your liking with kosher salt

Directions Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Lay the sliced fennel on a sheet tray, drizzle with an ounce of olive oil, and cook for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a large sauté pan over a high flame while you season the flesh of your striped bass. When the pan is hot and the fish is seasoned, add two ounces of olive oil to the pan and sear the fish until you have

OPEN FOR TAKE OUT LIMITED MENU

• PIZZA • SALADS • WOODFIRED CHICKEN

11:30 ‘TIL 8PM 103 MAIN ST, SAG HARBOR, NY 11963

631.725.3167

a nice golden-brown crust. Now remove the fish from the pan. Add the garlic, shallots, clams, and halfounce of butter to the pan. Sauté until the garlic and shallots are slightly toasted. Now deglaze the pan with the white wine and seasoning, return the fish to the pan, seared side up. Cover the sauté pan with its lid and cook at 375 for five minutes. At five minutes, put the fennel

and the ramps in the sauté pan with the rest of the dish, cover with the lid, and cook at 375 for another eight minutes. Remove the dish from the oven and return to the stove top over medium heat. Add in the butter and lemon juice, season accordingly and stir in the butter until you’ve created a nice buttery pan sauce. Finish the dish with the chopped herbs. Enjoy!

B14

The Independent

Camps & Recreation Please double check with camps for closures related to COVID-19.

East Hampton Sports Camp @ Sportime 631-267-CAMP (2267) www.sportimeny.com/summercamps/ ehsc 320 Abrahams Path, East Hampton East Hampton Sports Camp @ SPORTIME offers children between the ages of 3 and 13 an exciting program of sports and games including tennis, baseball, swimming, basketball, soccer, dodgeball, capture-the-flag, and more. Experienced art and music teachers also provide campers with a variety of creative activities, special events, and themed days.

The Country School Summer Camp 631-537-2255 www.countryschooleasthampton.org 7 Industrial Road, Wainscott

The Country School Summer Camp is for kids ages 3-and-a-half through 7. There is a full range of activities to choose from, including art, science, music, gymnastics, jewelry-making, team sports, swimming, and more. Call for dates and rates.

YMCA East Hampton RECenter 631-329-6884 www.ymcali.org 2 Gingerbread Lane, East Hampton At the YMCA Summer Day Camp, children learn leadership skills and develop self-confidence in a safe, accepting, and stimulating environment. Flexible programs are designed to accommodate all families across Long Island and catered to meet your child’s interests and abilities. If your child can dream it, they can do it at the YMCA Summer Day Camp. Weekly sessions begin June 29 and run through September

4. YMCA membership is required, and space is limited. Visit the YMCA’s website for more information.

Summer Camp @ ROSS 631-907-5555 www.ross.org/programs/summer 18 Goodfriend Drive, East Hampton Summer Camp @ Ross offers a variety of programs across the arts and athletics. There’s also an innovation lab, media, performing arts, music, and movement for campers between the ages of 6 and 15. Early childhood programming for children 6 and younger includes music and movement, creative exploration, and sports exploration. The camp’s majors and minors programming give campers the opportunity to explore their two favorite areas. Weekly sessions begin June 29 and run through August 21.

Camp Blue Bay 631-604-2201 www.gsnc.org/en/camp/CO/camp-bluebay.html 103 Flaggy Hole Road, East Hampton Located on 179 acres in East Hampton, Camp Blue Bay sleepaway camp is the perfect place for girls in third to 11th grade to have fun while discovering new things. Camp programs are available in one or two-week sessions or a special four-to-five-day mini-session for girls entering first to sixth grade. Camp Blue Bay offers troop house camping and outdoor tent camping. Throughout the week, girls will enjoy swimming in Gardiners Bay, learn to shoot arrows on the archery course, make crafts, and roast marshmallows over a campfire. Other camp activities include boating at Hog Creek, learning about nature and outdoor survival skills, team-building, sailing, games, and sports. Sessions begin July 9 and run through August 20.

Summer Reading Club At East Hampton Library 631-324-0222 www.easthamptonlibrary.org 159 Main Street, East Hampton Registration for East Hampton Library’s summer reading clubs, which have the theme “Imagine Your Story,” begin May 23. This summer, there will be three groups: read-to-me readers (ages two-and-a-half to kindergarten); independent readers (entering first

through fifth grade); and young teens (entering sixth through eighth grade.) Prizes will be awarded. The program ends on August 29.

iGrow Summer Learning Lab www.projectmost.org iGrow Summer Learning Lab by Project Most takes place during the summer season, from June 29 to August 28, Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 5 PM. This program is for children ages 5 to 13. Visit www.projectmost.org for more info.

Future Stars Camp 631-287-6707 www.fscamps.com 1370A Majors Path, Southampton Future Stars Camps is offering summer camps focusing on things from tennis to chessboards, and kayaks to baseball fields. There will be activities for those age 1-and-a-half to 16. Future Stars Southampton, LLC, which operates the 46,000-square-foot state-of-theart indoor complex on Majors Path, is an affiliate of Future Stars Tennis, LLC, one of New York’s largest sports management companies. Programs operate from June 8 through August 28.

Time Travelers 631-749-0025 w w w. s h e l te r i s l a n d h i s to r i c a l .o r g / timetravelers 16 South Ferry Road, Shelter Island The Shelter Island Historical Society hosts a weeklong, half-day summer program for children ages 6 to 12. Participants will journey back in time to explore Shelter Island’s story through music, art, performance, crafts, gardening, and games. The camp runs from July 27 through July 31 from 9 AM until noon in the Havens Barn. Registration is now open.

SoFo Camp 631-537-9735 www.sofo.org 377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton South Fork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton will have one-week marine and coastal maritime explorations. Children will be fully engaged in studies where they learn about marine and coastal ecosystems that are found only on the East End of Long Island. Each

Camps & Recreation

program is adapted to its particular age group to provide optimal hands-on learning activities and adventures. The peanut bunker is for children 6 to 8, entering first, second, or third grades, and begins July 20. The sea bass group is for children 9 to 11, entering fourth, fifth, or sixth grade, and starts July 27. The fish hawks group is for children 12 to 14, entering seventh, eighth, or ninth grades, and begins August 3.

Camp Shakespeare 631-267-0105 www.hamptons-shakespeare.org 486 Montauk Highway, Amagansett Camp Shakespeare is a fun, creative, and welcoming place for kids and teens ages 8 to 15. Activities involve acting, improvisation, movement, voice, and theatrical arts and crafts, and are led by trained theater educators in an atmosphere of discovery and cooperation. Each weeklong session culminates in a performance for family and friends. Camp Shakespeare is held on the expansive grounds of and inside St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Amagansett.

Bulldog Ball Club 212-472-8344 www.bulldogballclub.com/summercamps

May 6, 2020

2 Long Lane, East Hampton Based at East Hampton High School for the summer, the multisport camp for children 6 to 13 is now open for registration. Weekly sessions run from July 6 through August 21 and from 9 AM to 3 PM daily. The camp programs are designed to improve children’s knowledge and skills for beginners and experienced players alike. Camp offerings include soccer, flag football, and basketball. Transportation is available from Bridgehampton and Water Mill.

The Art Farm 631-537-1634 www.theartfarmhamptons.org 46A Old Country Road, Westhampton The Art Farm offers small groups and tailored schedules that meet the desires of each camper to create a unique experience for kids ages 5 to 12. Campers spend their morning on the water and the afternoon on The Art Farm in the Hamptons’ organic, sustainable farm. Mornings are about being active, challenged, informed, and fulfilled while exploring. Afternoons add a chance for creativity, time spent nurturing the animals, teamwork, and fun, always combined with composting, reducing, reusing, and recycling. The program runs June 29 through September 4. A

Scholarships Sponsored by The Independent Newspaper

full day is 9 AM to 3 PM.

Camp Invention 1-800-968-4332 www.campinvention.org 3 Gingerbread Lane, East Hampton Camp Invention is where big ideas become the next big thing. Local educators lead a week of hands-on activities created especially for children entering kindergarten through sixth grades. Camp Invention’s new program “elevate” is a high-energy, hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) camp that gives boys and girls the opportunity to dream, build, and make discoveries. They will have a chance to examine science and technology concepts during team-building exercises. Camp Invention will be offered at John Marshall Elementary School from 8 AM to 4 PM August 10 through August 13.

East Hampton Indoor Tennis 631-537-8012 www.ehit.club 175 Daniels Hole Road, East Hampton The Davis Cup Tennis Program provides top summer tennis instruction on a daily, weekly, or seasonal basis on one of 26 courts. Players of all skill levels are welcome to attend and each camper is placed into an appropriate group.

B15

Dates run June 15 through September 7 for those age 7 to 16.

Peconic Dunes 4-H Camp 631-852-8629 www.ccesuffolk.org/peconic-dunes-4-hcamp 6375 Soundview Avenue, Southold The Cornell Cooperative Extension sponsors a sleepaway and day camp for youngsters. It includes training in outdoor survival, marine science, and forest, pond, and woodlands study. Call for more information. Weeklong overnight camp is for children entering third to 10th grade and runs June 28 through August 22. Day camps are available for children ages 6 to 12, and sessions run June 29 through August 21. The company also offer counselorin-training programs for those entering 11th grade (need to be at least 16 years old by June 10). That program runs in two sessions: June 28 through July 25 and July 26 through August 22.

Junior Knicks Summer Camp 212-465-4100 www.nyknicks.com/camp The Junior Knicks Summer Camp will be held at The Ross School in East Hampton August 29 to 30 and September 2 to 4.

B16

The Independent

2020 HOME & Garden Print and Digital Special Section

MEMORIAL DAY ISSUE WEDNESDAY, MAY 20TH Deadline: Wednesday, May 13th

The special section will cover Interior Designers, Architects, Home Furnishings, Landscapers, Housewares, Builders, Pool Companies and other home design businesses. This is an opportunity to let your customers know you are OPEN FOR BUSINESS and announce any changes or updates to your operations: • Store Hours • Online Services • Pick Up and Delivery Options • In-Store Rules • Special Offers for Health Workers and any other ways that you are operating to address the current business environment.

DIGITAL SPECS: Online Home & Garden Directory will include logo, link to website, address and 30 words of copy. Indyeastend.com now has over 30,000 user visits per week.

Contact our advertising department for more information: dan@indyeastend.com, 631-324-2500 Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!

Real Realty

May 6, 2020

Real Realty COVID-19 Construction Quandary How celebrated builders are facing the abrupt stoppage of what is the cornerstone of the Hamptons economy

Michael Davis/Ty Wenzel

24 C-4

The Independent

COVID-19 Construction Quandary How celebrated builders are facing the abrupt work stoppage By Ty Wenzel ty@indyeastend.com

n March 27, Governor Andrew Cuomo shut down all nonessential construction in the state by executive order following many complaints to both Southampton and East Hampton town supervisors, Jay Schneiderman and Peter Van Scoyoc. Van Scoyoc had written him a letter requesting immediate action just one day before. Contractors and homeowners cited for violating the new rule face up to $10,000 per violation. Van Scoyoc had stated, “We have a large number of workers, traveling together in work trucks and vans, coming into East Hampton each day from other towns. On job sites, they are working in groups, side by side, in close proximity without protective gear.” It has caused a hailstorm of frustration and anger within the industry that officially is not considered essential. According to Cuomo's executive order “All non-essential construction must safely shut down, except emergency construction, (e.g. a project necessary to protect health and safety of the occupants, or to continue a project if it would be unsafe to allow to remain undone, but only to the point that it is safe to suspend work).” The governor announced last week that once criteria for opening has been met, construction will be included in the first phase of opening. When questioning if building or improving one’s home is essential, we learned that builders were ready to leverage their standing in a community where construction is one of the region’s most important sectors. Construction accounts for thousands of jobs and branches of economies such as the trades, real estate, and mortgage brokerages. The state has declared which are essential and which aren’t, citing disappointment in the local government’s inability to defend one

of its most profitable and most job-producing markets. Brothers Frank and Roy Dalene are equal partners in Telemark, one of the most omnipresent building forces on the East End, both starting their careers as laborers and carpenters. Roy, chief operations officer, holds a civil engineering degree, and was recently invited to the East Hampton Advisory committee formed to help re-open businesses post-COVID-19. The brothers submitted what may be the standard for the construction industry, a combination of OSHA Regulations and CDC Guidelines. Frank runs the day-to-day operations and spoke with The Independent about what his company was going through. “It was devastating to me, who founded our business over 41 years ago,” said Frank Dalene, taking the halt-order as a direct hit. “Let’s make this personal. Imagine if one day your government told you that you, as an individual, were nonessential? How would that make you feel? Worse than that, your friend the next block over was determined to be essential. Imagine if what determined you to be nonessential and your friend is essential was irrational? Wasn’t based on science or fact? It was seemingly arbitrary. How would that make you feel? Imagine when you were declared nonessential, your government took no responsibility for your well-being?” Dalene took it further. “Businesses are individuals. They have life and they can die. After working through three major economic cycles, due to no fault of our own, we found ourselves fighting for our lives. Who in our government has the right to determine what businesses live and what businesses die without a rational reason? Those people who make those decisions are mediocre people at best, who we elected, who got far too much power, they got drunk on that power. We need to make certain this can never happen again.”

Frank Dalene. Independent/ Courtesy Telemark

His frustration is palpable across

“Imagine when you were declared nonessential, your government took no responsibility for your wellbeing?” — Frank Dalene the tradesmen first.”

the board of high-end builders who

Dalene’s words were published

support thousands of people through

in the National Association Of Home

jobs and health benefits. Michael Da-

Builders on March 28. He stated that

vis, one the most celebrated builders on

those who brought COVID-19 to the

the East End, echoed Dalene’s feelings

Hamptons were from “ground zero,

about our local leadership. “We are not

partied like drunken sailors, filled every

hearing anything from town supervi-

restaurant, stripped all grocery store

sors on what they’re doing on our be-

shelves, hoarded everything imaginable.

half of the building industry. We’re in a

We were in their homes, we are eyewit-

state of suspended animation.”

nesses. The demands they made on our

“Construction is the lifeblood of

business was unbelievable, like they

the Hamptons economy,” Davis said.

were here in high season, having parties

“Frustration is growing when certain

and not isolating themselves whatsoev-

trades, such as window cleaning, are

er. The order for a 14-day quarantine for

considered essential, yet we are not al-

everyone who came from NYC was two

lowed to build new homes in a more

weeks too late. ”

controlled environment.”

He suggested what many are think-

Where the opinions differ is that

ing in the industry, that during pandem-

Davis believes that the construction

ics such as COVID-19, everyone quar-

firms that refused to follow state guide-

antine in their primary residence. “It al-

lines brought about the halt-order in

lows us to do our job without them here

one fell swoop. “We understood the

stressing our infrastructure and making

need to stop work and pause. It’s unfor-

senseless demands on us. The opposite

tunate not all businesses followed the

happened now, and has strained all in-

direction of our governor. Perhaps now

frastructure, even causing class war-

we are getting counted with those in

fare,” he continued. “The infrastruc-

much worse affected areas. Even in New

ture around their primary residence is

York City some construction is back at

better prepared to address their needs,

work.”

not that of a resort community. All re-

“It is perfectly possible to conduct

sort communities are suffering, Rhode

social distancing in construction, par-

Island is telling every car with a NYS

ticularly at this time of year when you

license plate to go back home."

can have windows open,” continued

At the beginning of the outbreak,

Davis. “If you’re working inside, you

Rhode Island Governor Gina Riamondo

can easily limit the number of people

asked all New Yorkers coming to the

to rooms. Outside work shouldn’t be a

state to quarantine themselves for 14

problem either, and should be the first

days. They could risk a fine or arrest if

scope that should be allowed to return

orders were not followed.

to work. Everyone can wear masks and gloves. We could easily install hand-

To learn more about Michael Da-

washing stations on job sites. It’s up to

vis, visit www.michaeldavis.com or to

the entire construction industry to con-

learn more about Telemark, visit www.

tinue to put the health and wellbeing of

telemarkinc.com.

Real Realty

May 6, 2020

Virus Stops Sales Momentum

port said, but in mid-March, “market awareness of coronavirus occurred.” It’s not just the loss of jobs, the masks, or the New York City residents migrating East, either, wrote attorney Christopher Kelley, whose firm, Twomey, Latham, Shea, Kelley, Dubin & Quartararo, LLP has handled more than a few deals over the years. “The new way of doing business in real estate has affected other aspects of the transaction,” Kelley said. “Although New York has allowed remote notarization of documents, the social distancing makes it more difficult to complete closings, home inspections, and title searches.” Among the trends identified in the Elliman Report, a sudden and shocking drop in listing inventory, which fell sharply year-over-year by almost 30 percent, to 8337 units. However, sales numbers were on the improve in the Hamptons for most of the quarter. The median sales price jumped 16 percent to $990,000, and the number of sales in the Hamptons, 343, represented a 15.5 percent increase from this time last year, which admittedly was not a banner year for the industry. The North Fork market, as could be expected, suffered the same fate. For the first quarter, the median sales price rose 0.4 percent to $608,425; the aver-

Although it originally looked like the market was taking off By Rick Murphy rmurphy@indyeastend.com

Real Estate brokers are by nature an overly-optimistic bunch, and we tend to read the numbers like a gypsy reads tea leaves — the future is always bright (for the right price!) In this case, though, there were some signs that the real estate market was lifting from a decade-long morose. Not enough to start speculating, mind you, but enough to switch some of that stock market money over to the real estate sector. Typical of our luck, we’d run smack into a pandemic. “Sales of previously-owned U.S. homes sank 8.5 percent in March just

as the coronavirus pandemic began to shut down large parts of the economy and throw the real estate market into disarray,” Jeffrey Bartash wrote for Dow Jones last week. “The decline is likely to be a lot sharper in April.” The quarterly reports are in, and the novel coronavirus didn’t spare the rod on the East End. The Elliman Report, for example, noted, “noticeably stronger results in the first two-anda-half months” of the year when compared to the same time frame a year earlier. In fact, “the number of sales rose sharply from the year ago quarter for the second straight time,” the re-

The quarterly reports are in, and the novel coronavirus didn’t spare the rod on the East End. The Elliman Report noted “noticeably stronger results in the first two-anda-half months” of the year. age sales price jumped 10.1 percent, to $815,886; and number of sales increased 3 percent, to 114.

8 PINE ISLAND $12,000,000

13 GOOSE POND CIRCLE $2,700,000

1 RICE GATE CIRCLE $2,775,000

5 COPP LANDING $5,950,000

Bedrooms: 4 / Baths: 4 / Half Baths: 1

Bedrooms: 4 / Baths: 5 / Half Baths: 1

Bedrooms: 4 / Baths: 4 / Half Baths: 2

Bedrooms: 6 / Baths: 5 / Half Baths: 3

This sophisticated 56-acre estate lies on a private island offering expansive views of the salt marshes and is connected by a causeway to Spring Island. Its unique architecture seamlessly blends Lowcountry vernacular with Japanese influences. It’s a true work of art.

Sitting on 3.33 acres, this “Story Book House” captures remarkable views of the Colleton River and offers easy enjoyment with a dock already in place. The main residence provides a gracious, open floorplan and details the luxury of quality and craftsmanship.

This inspired Lowcountry contemporary home overlooking the Colleton River is filled with light and warmth. Dramatic windows and sight lines create a special environment assembled with the finest materials and attention to detail.

Overlooking the Colleton River, this might be the most perfect Lowcountry retreat ever created. Live oaks, Spanish moss, and water views greet you from the outside, while beamed, vaulted ceilings, antique heart pine floors, and warm paneled walls inside make you feel at home.

Located in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, embraced by the Colleton and Chechessee Rivers, Spring Island’s architecture and amenities are woven carefully into a landscape of breathtaking natural beauty. We invite you to see what’s possible at Spring Island.

S P R I NG I S L A N D.C O M 843.987.2200

26 C-2

The Independent

Deeds

Min Date =4/4/2020 Max Date = 4/10/2020

Source: Suffolk Research Service, Inc., Hampton Bays, NY 11946

Featured For Sale 462 Main Street

Amagansett (Land)

$1,150,000

Web Id: elliman.com/H102785

Timothy Kelly

Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker

631-725-0200 917-856-2367 timothy.kelly@ elliman.com

Martha Gundersen Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker

631-537-6535 631-405-8436

martha.gundersen@ elliman.com

Area

Buy

Sell

AMAGANSETT

Fischer, K & Cohen, R

Beach House Realty

13,500,000

249 Marine Blvd

CALVERTON

Biaggi, M & N

Andersen, H by Exr

370,500

808 Bluffs Dr N

CUTCHOGUE

Chumas, C & Hagen, D

Harbes, P

705,000

455 Beebe Dr

Rousso, N & S

Green Leg Farms LLC

385,000*

Alvahs Ln

Leopold, J & A

Zucker, P & DeMartino, C

965,000

82 Manor Ln S

Deinema, T & M

Kain, S

960,000

63 Edwards Hole Rd

EAST MARION

Myers, D & N

Bennardo, S

679,000

510 The Crescent

EAST QUOGUE

Collins III, J & S

Merker, M

990,000

11 Lacebark Ln

HAMPTON BAYS

Canavan, K

Reiss, P & R

1,100,000

48 Douglas Ct

Bennett Properties

Brzescinski, S by Adm

475,000

7 Wood View Way

Guevara, V

Savarese, A & C

499,000

62 A Bellows Terr

Altamirano Leon & Campo

Resling, J by Admr

390,000

60 Wakeman Rd

MONTAUK

Dachis, J & J

Slocum, J

1,950,000

138 Laurel Dr

REMSENBURG

Jacobowitz, G & M

Jasper Jones LLC

770,000*

3 Bob White Ln

RIVERHEAD

Diaz, J & A

Mickaliger Jr, C

159,000

1 Youngs St

Turner, R & A

Jasinski, L & Swislosky

315,000

254 Fishel Ave

EAST HAMPTON

Price

Location

Real Realty

May 6, 2020

C-3 27

Deeds Featured For Sale 27 Tredwell Lane Sag Harbor

$1,795,000

Web ID: elliman.com/H346248

Barbara Lobosco Lic. R.E. Salesperson

631-725-0200 631-546-8215

barbara.lobosco@ elliman.com

Robert Evjen

Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker

631-725-0200 516-885-3038 robert.evjen@ elliiman.com

Area

Buy

Sell

Price

Location

Fall Bay Securities

Saretta, S by Admr

156,750

80 Quogue Ave

SAG HARBOR

Insource East Prprts

LMFMD Land LLC

1,136,000

2888 Deerfield Rd

SHELTER ISLAND

Meere, J

Heimann, R & C

945,000

22 St. Mary’s Rd

SOUTHAMPTON

Oliver, F & A

O’Neill, J & Y

1,050,000

31 Highland Rd

WADING RIVER

Criollo, S & L & B & Puma

Anthony, V & M

648,500

20 St Andrews Path

WATER MILL

Gonzalez, I & T

Guldi, T

610,000

163 Old Sag Harbor Rd

* Vacant Land

The Independent

Candidates Voice Visions For Future Tackling The Village Preservation Society questionnaire By Karen Fredericks karen@indyeastend.com The election for mayor is one of the most contentious in the history of East Hampton Village. It follows a nearly three-decade incumbency of previous mayor Paul Rickenbach, Jr., who retired on December 31. His style of governing — preservation of tradition — left some feeling he was not in touch with the times. Known for not being business friendly, East Hampton earned it the nickname “The Village of ‘No.’” Even Rickenbach’s retirement created controversy, as some voiced concerns that his exit, six months shy of his term’s official end, was announced to sway the result of the upcoming election. The candidates vying for his seat are Deputy Mayor Barbara Borsack, current Trustee Arthur Graham, and the ex-police chief Jerry Larsen.

East Hampton’s priceless heritage, and giving voice to village residents.” With several months before to the election, with voting delayed until September through New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive order, The Independent is beginning a series breaking down this 45-page document into bitesized bits. We also plan adding some questions, and hope readers will chime in, too.

Which path will the voters choose?

Residential neighborhoods feel the impact of frequent short-term rentals via Airbnb, VRBO, and other social media outlets. Village code regulates single-family residence shortterm rentals to two two-week periods in any year. Would you use this provision to regulate Airbnb and VRBO? If not, why? If so, how would you enforce this regulation?

National Geographic magazine dubbed East Hampton “America’s most beautiful village.” Many believe that’s the result of the love of tradition that guided Rickenbach’s administration. To help clarify the issues, The Village Preservation Society posted a 15-question list to all eight candidates, the three running for mayor and five for trustee. The organization was founded in 1982 as a “catalytic force in protecting

Borsack: I am also concerned about this trend, which is basically turning our residential neighborhoods into hotel zoning. I support the creation of a new position in the code enforcement department, which would be focused on scanning shortterm rental sites online to find residences that are being used for this purpose. I also support creating an inter-municipal agreement with the town’s rental registry,

Independent/Karen Fredericks

which would give us yet another tool for compliance, and I have been researching how other communities are dealing with the short-term rental issue. I was recently in Savannah and did some studying there about the process. We are not alone in trying to deal with this issue. I am going to try to find some new approaches to take to our planning and zoning committee to see what else we can do to combat this new trend. Graham: Protecting the character of our neighborhoods and the peace and quiet of our residents deserve is one of my highest priorities. In May of 2019 I gave the village administrator a list of properties advertised for short-term rent in the Village of East Hampton with the understanding that the homeowners would be sent a letter reiterating the village code on short-term rentals. If we do not regulate this activity, it will only increase, which negatively impacts the residential character of our neighborhoods. I have proposed “tiering” the type of rental and regulating them separately. For example, I would loosen the regulations on owneroccupied and owner-present properties

Hampton Bays Boy Scout Food Drive

On Saturday, May 9, from 11 AM to 3 PM, Hampton Bays Boy Scout Troop 483 will be mobilizing to support the East End food pantry located at St. Rosalie’s Catholic Church. The drive-thru canned food collection in the church’s parking lot will provide a safe, no-contact way for the community to help the food pantry during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. Boy Scout Troop 483 has been helping support the pantry for many years. Last year, the Scouts collected 12,300 pounds — over six tons — of non-perishable food for the pantry. This year, due to novel coronavirus complications, the troop has finally found a socially-distant way to help. “We have researched what Scout troops from around the U. S. have been doing to run food drives, and setting up drive-through collection points has been very successful,” Scoutmaster Allen Schneider said. “The East End food pantry is supported by all the churches in Hampton Bays as the central location for food distribution to those in need. This year, the food pantry is under tremendous pressure as it tries to help families in need. The Scouts’ drive-through canned food drive will allow us to safely provide much-needed help.” DK

Independent/Courtesy Boy Scout Troop 483

to a limited number of one-week minimum stays, and the owner non-resident properties would have to adhere to the current code. I would also suggest that we piggyback on the town’s rental registry, and have code enforcement inspect the properties at least annually. Larsen: I am not in favor of allowing short-term rentals. I believe the village code of no less than a 30-day rental, except for two two-week rentals in a year, is acceptable. However, I will raise the fines for these types of violations as a deterrent. Short-term rentals may be disruptive to the neighbors, negatively affect local inns and bed and breakfasts, and negatively affect the local real estate business. I will also be creating an office of tourism and business that will work as a liaison with our local business community. This office will also work with our code enforcement and law enforcement to educate homeowners and locate violators. Next week, the candidates answer a question on updating the village’s comprehensive plan. Thoughts? Follow ups? Questions of your own? Send them to karen@indyeastend.com.

May 6, 2020

Districts Hurry To Accommodate New Date Voters asked to only mail in ballots By Rick Murphy rmurphy@indyeastend.com

School board elections will be held June 9 — ready or not. It’s a daunting task, school officials acknowledge. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s decision will have school districts racing the clock to have the necessary materials ready. The special election will be costly, and it will provide a distinct advantage to any incumbent board member running for reelection — name recognition at the forefront. “I think it required a little more thought,” said J.P. Foster, the president of the East Hampton School Board. “It was very poorly done.” Cuomo’s new directive gives candidates little more than a week to sign an application and return it. Foster pointed out once a district ascertains who is running, it has to print and send a ballot to every legal voter — about 7000 in East Hampton — as well as a return envelope with postage, “and we have to get all that to the printer,” Foster added. “My immediate problem is legal notices,” Sag Harbor District Clerk Victoria Handy said. The hope for her is the state will supply more guidance as to the legalese that comes with the budget vote process and having an election on such short notice. “Public health is the paramount concern,” said New York State School Board Association Executive Director Robert Schneider in a news release. “All school board candidates, and es-

pecially those who are at highest risk to contract the coronavirus, would be putting themselves in harm’s way by going door-to-door collecting signatures on their petitions in the midst of a pandemic. Likewise, they would also be putting community members at risk.” Those interested in running for a seat don’t have to request an absentee ballot nor wait for it to arrive, and don’t have to collect filing petitions. “School districts, other than small cities, must determine the names of all candidates duly nominated and the propositions and referenda to be voted for on the ballot by May 12,” which is 28 days before the vote, said Al Marlin, a spokesman for the school board association. Candidates just need to fill out the required form and submit it to the district clerk. School budgets will be adopted in a different manner because of the executive order. Previously, the school board would mull over a draft prepared by the superintendent and for several meetings. The public would get a chance to chime in before the document was finalized. The budget would then formally either pass or fail on election night. Under the Cuomo directive, voters will receive a copy of the budget in the mail and vote yes or no on June 9. Many of the school districts were surprised by Cuomo’s edict. As of Monday, May 4, few even mentioned the deadline on their websites.

In Montauk, School Board President Diane Huasman, who holds one of five seats, is up for reelection. Sag Harbor School District has three expiring terms: Brian DeSesa, Diana Kolhoff, and Alex Kriegsman. “As of today, Diana Kolhoff is the only board member of the three members listed above that has stated that she will not seek re-election,” Handy said. “Brian DeSesa and Alex Kriegsman have not stated their decision to seek re-election.” East Quogue has two spots up — the seats of Kristen Jankowski and Brian Babcock. “Mrs. Jankowski will be seeking re-election,” School Board President Chris Hudson said. “Mr. Babcock is not.” In East Hampton, John Ryan and Jackie Lowey have expiring terms. “I’m running, and I believe Jackie is as well,” Ryan said Monday. His seat holds a three-year term. James McKenna and Anastasia Gavalas have expiring terms in Southampton. Neither returned a request for comment about running again. Brian Mealey holds the only expiring seat among seven in Mattituck, and said "he's excited" to be running again. Suzanne Mensch, the board president in Westhampton Beach, and Joyce Donneson sit in expiring seats.

“Public health is the paramount concern.” — NY State School Board Association Executive Director Robert Schneider The terms of Scott Latham and Brian Tobin in Southold are also up, but both intend to run again, according to District Clerk Patricia DiGregorio. All school board elections and budget votes across New York scheduled for April or May were postponed until at least June 1 by an executive order signed by Cuomo two weeks ago. The date was moved on Saturday, from May 2 to June 9.

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An emergency hospital during the 1918 influenza.

Over 16,000 In NYC Die In A Month October 1918 darkest to-date: Part 4 on 1918-1919 viral pandemic By T. E. McMorrow t.e@indyeastend.com

This is part four of an ongoing series on the H1N1 Influenza A virus that killed 675,000 Americans between 1918 and 1919. We are telling the story, as much as possible, through the words of reporters of the time, from either The New York Times archives or newspapers on the East End, such as The East Hampton Star. “Give my regards to Broadway, Remember me to Herald Square. Tell all the gang at Forty-Second Street That I will soon be there. Whisper of how I’m yearning To mingle with the old time throng Give my regards to old Broadway And say that I’ll be there ere long.” – George M. Cohan-1904

The banner headline on The New York Times on Friday, October 31, 1918 began “Allies Near Decision On Armistice Terms, Giving Definition To Wilson’s Points.” “The War to End Wars,” as H.G. Wells called it, was coming to an end. Germany and Austria, crushed, were about to accept the Allies’ demand for total surrender. On page 13 of The Times that day, a half column was dedicated to the death of one of the most powerful theater owners in America. “A. Paul Keith, President and half owner of the B.F. Keith Vaudeville Circuit, and President of the United Booking Offices, died at 7 o’clock last night of Spanish influenza at the home of E.M. Robinson, a business associate,

at 200 West Fifty-eighth Street.” Three weeks before Keith’s death, The Times had begun running a daily chart, much like a scoreboard, in order to keep track of the new cases and deaths attributed to what is now classified as the H1N1 influenza A virus, each day in the city. The pandemic spanned two years, 1918 and 1919. On October 31, 1918, there were 5349 new cases reported, with 671 deaths. The total number of cases was a spike, due likely to a backlog of unreported cases, Dr. Royal Copeland told The Times. The number of deaths, however, indicated a downward trend. Copeland was New York City’s Health Commissioner. He had the power to shut down the city’s schools, theaters, and businesses, to battle the pandemic. It was a power he never invoked. A little more than a month earlier, on September 28, on page 10, The Times reported 27 deaths in the city from either influenza or the fatal pneumonia the virus frequently brought about. On that day, Copeland was quoted as saying, “We have no intention of closing the schools and theaters, as I believe that the children are better protected in the schools than they would be in the streets.” Two days later, he proclaimed in The Times that the worst of the viral outbreak was over. On October 5, there were 1695

new cases reported of influenza. Instead of shutting the city down, The Times reported on October 5, Copeland took a different approach: “In order to prevent the complete shutdown of industry and amusement in this city to check the spread of Spanish influenza, Health Commissioner Copeland, by proclamation, yesterday ordered a change in the hours for opening stores, theatres, and other places of business.” By staggering start times across the city, Copeland reasoned, the density of rush hour crowds on the city’s subways, El trains, and trolleys would be decreased, slowing the spread of the disease. He also ordered all stores in the city to close each day at 4 PM, except for pharmacies and stores selling food. As the numbers of infections and deaths from the H1N1 influenza A virus began peaking in the city in October 1918, it also was rapidly spreading on the East End of Long Island. The East Hampton Star, a weekly newspaper, came out every Friday in 1918. The October 4 issue of The Star reported six cases of influenza in East Hampton, along with eight more in Sag Harbor, where there also was one death from the disease. One week later, there were 35 cases in East Hampton. On October 18, that number had almost quadrupled to 125. Unlike New York City, East Hampton, along with the other towns and villages across the East End, closed its schools in reaction to the pandemic. Sunday schools were cancelled, as were most public gatherings, The Star reported. The Star also reported on numerous visitors from points west staying on the East End with friends or family in reaction to the epidemic. While The Times chronicled the deaths from the disease of persons of note, The East Hampton Star, being a local newspaper, gave a look at how devastating the 1918 influenza virus was on the local level. On October 11, The Star reported, “Mrs. Chas. Coates, who has been suffering with an attack of this disease, was found dead in her bed. Later on in the morning, son Edward, age sixteen, died of the same disease.” In Washington, President Woodrow Wilson remained silent. Historian Michael Beschloss, author of nine books on the presidency, said last month on MSNBC that Wilson misled the American people about the pandemic because he did not want to undermine the war effort by lowering morale at home. The administration operating Continued On Page 42.

May 6, 2020

North Fork THE

1826

Tractor ‘Drive-By’ Salutes Health Care Workers Peconic Bay Medical Center staff celebrated Health care workers waved to the farmers up in the tractors as they drove by Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead on April 28. Independent/Taylor K. Vecsey

By Taylor K. Vecsey taylor@indyeastend.com Tractors took over the roadway around Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead on the evening of April 28 in a salute to those working on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19. About 60 tractors passed in front of the hospital’s entrance, which was lined with health care workers and support staff waving and cheering as farmers and their families showed their gratitude. Some of the farmers, most of whom are from the North Fork, displayed signs from their rides like, “Paumanok [Vineyards] loves PBMC” and “Stay Safe!” from Schmitt Farms. “We have a longstanding history with Peconic Bay Medical Center, going back to its founding in the 1950s,” said Robert Carpenter, the administrative director of the Long Island Farm Bureau, which organized what he called a tractor “drive-by.” With the help of the Long Island Antique Power Tractor Association, the farm bureau was able get those with older, restored tractors to take part in the 20-minute parade, too. Carpenter opined farmers are heroes as well. “They feed us every day,” Carpenter said prior to the event kickoff. “This is a great opportunity for one group of heroes to salute another group of heroes. It was a natural fit between the two groups, and we’re really happy to do this. All of these people around us are doing such a great job.”

Peconic Bay Medical Center employees were smiling under their face masks as they watched the farmers parade by on Roanoke Avenue. Independent/Taylor K. Vecsey

“We’ve got your back!” was just one of the messages from Paumanok Vineyards, which brought several different types of farming vehicles to the parade. Independent/Taylor K. Vecsey

Children, standing on a trailer hooked to the back of one tractor, displayed messages of thanks. Independent/Taylor K. Vecsey

The Independent

PBMC Buys Old McGann-Mercy Site Town of Riverhead was also interested in land next door to hospital By Rick Murphy rmurphy@indyeastend.com

An on-again, off-again courtship ended in union this week when Peconic Bay Medical Center announced the purchase of the former McGann-Mercy High School property. According to a May 4 published report, the Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation paid the Diocese of Rockville Centre $14 million for the 24-acre site. The hospital, in need of space, was considered the primary suitor when the school closed its doors in 2018. But talks quickly stalled when the Town of Riverhead also expressed interest. Earlier this year, fearing it wouldn’t be able to handle the large influx of COVID-19 patients, hospital management reached out to the diocese to lease some land. Apparently, that led to more fruitful discussions. “In the spirit of ongoing community benefit and investment, the Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation is pleased to have reached an agreement with the Dio-

cese of Rockville Centre for the purchase of the former Bishop McGann-Mercy High School property,” said Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation President and CEO Andrew Mitchell. “The foundation looks forward to working with the medical center and the Town of Riverhead to develop future plans recognizing the growing and diverse health care needs of the East End.” According to published reports, a private group, Friends of East End Catholic Education, was interested in purchasing the property and reviving the high school, but backed away after it learned another entity had made an offer in excess of $10 million. Riverhead Superintendent Dr. Aurelia L. Henriquez and Deputy Superintendent Sam Schneider sent Bishop John Barres and John Renker, the general counsel for the diocese, a letter on May 10, 2018. “We have great interest in acquiring the property,” the pair wrote. “We have the education resources and

Peconic Bay Medical Center reportedly acquired its sought-after neighbor, the former McGann-Mercy High School property. Independent/James J. Mackin

financial need.” One caveat, taxpayers, who recently turned down an expansion bond, would have to approve any purchase deal. Riverhead school officials continued to discuss the purchase until recently. “Since 1956, this property has been devoted to education and service to the community,” said longtime community member Emilie Roy Corey, who is chair of the medical center foundation board. “We are happy to have concluded our negotiations with the Diocese of Rockville Centre so that we may proceed in planning for the continuation of service to the community with much-needed expanded health care services.” Peconic Bay Medical Center’s ongoing expansion of clinical programs and services, including the recent open-

ing of the Corey Critical Care Pavilion and Kanas Regional Heart Center, underscores the hospital’s ongoing need for additional space as it continues to evolve into the regional medical center for the East End. “Knowing that this property, which has been dormant since the school closed, will in the future provide muchneeded health care for the community, will be a great tribute to Saint Catherine McCauley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy,” said Sean Dolan, director of communications for the diocese. The Diocese of Rockville Centre purchased the 24.8-acre site on Ostrander Avenue from the Sisters of Mercy in Brooklyn in January 2006 for $3.76 million, according to public property records.

Zucker Family Foundation Feeds Riverhead $10,000 donation used to purchase food for six local pantries By Desirée Keegan desiree@indyeastend.com

Groceries purchased with a $10,000 Zucker Family Foundation donation are divided up to be taken to Riverhead food pantries. Independent/Courtesy U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin’s office

The Donald and Barbara Zucker Family Foundation recently donated $10,000 to the Town of Riverhead to help with food shortages, which was used to purchase needed food items for local pantries. Congressman Lee Zeldin, a member of the bipartisan White House

Opening Up America Again Congressional Group and Congressional Coronavirus Task Force, partnered with Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo; Riverhead Supervisor Yvette Aguiar; Town Board members Jodi Giglio, Frank Beyrodt, and Catherine Kent; staff; and volun-

teers to distribute the food to six local pantries April 30. “So many incredible organizations have stepped up to help Long Islanders in need, and this generous donation by the Donald and Barbara Zucker Family Foundation will go a long way in help-

ing feed and otherwise sustain Riverhead residents in need of a little extra help,” Zeldin said. “The only way we will emerge on the other side of this outbreak is by working together. Long Islanders and every level of their government continue to lead the way.”

May 6, 2020

Lucia Ibrahim, shown here at Camp Norweska in Northwest Woods, with the cabin she campaigned to rebuild. Independent/T. E. McMorrow

Camp Norweska Cabin Rises Again Montauk Girl Scout makes it happen By T. E. McMorrow t.e@indyeastend.com After spending more than a year-anda-half of going door-to-door to raise funds, holding numerous meeting with East Hampton Town officials, and putting together a construction team after her initial contractor backed out, an East Hampton High School junior has completed her Girl Scout Gold Award project: rebuilding the cabin at Camp Norweska at the scout camp in Northwest Woods. Last week, Lucia Ibrahim, 17, received a certificate of occupancy from the Town of East Hampton’s building department for the structure she practically willed into being. To get a Gold Award, a scout must complete a project involving at least 80 hours of work. Only 5.4 percent of Girl Scouts nationwide achieve the honor. “I’ve been in the Girl Scouts since I was 5 years old,” Ibrahim said. For her final project, she took inspiration from Cheryl Rozzi, her Sag Harbor mentor and aid to Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming. “She is called the uber Girl Scout out here,” Ibrahim said of Rozzi, who had detailed the history of Camp Norweska to the scout. When she began fundraising for her project, Ibrahim put together a factsheet about the site and the cabin.

The 56-acre parcel, which is owned by the town, has been used by the Girl Scouts since the 1950s. Alewife Brook Road is on the site’s southern border, and the long parcel of land is crisscrossed by Old House Landing Road. Rozzi believes it was constructed around the same time the town leased the land to scout troops in 1958. Several years ago, the roof collapsed during a major snowstorm. As with the original, Ibrahim constructed a 20-foot by 30-foot cabin with no electricity and no running water. It’s not be used for sleeping, but rather provide shelter from storms when the Girl Scouts camp in on-site. It is wheelchair accessible, too. Plans began with architectural drawings donated by Bill Chaleff of Chaleff & Rogers Architects in Water Mill. Ibrahim took those plans to Riverhead Building Supply and obtained an estimate on the cost of materials — $14,000. She then started to attend town board meetings. “I presented the project to Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc and the board,” Ibrahim said. “They really wanted to see it happen.” Anne Bell, of the supervisor's office, and Dawn Green, of the town's building

department, guided the Girl Scout on the permitting process, and next came raising the money to make it happen. She started with large organizations, making presentations to each. The Rotary Club of East Hampton donated $1000, the East Hampton Lions Club $2500. Ibrahim then went door-to-door, making her pitch to businesses in Montauk, where she lives, and in East Hampton. Donations — $50 here, $100 there — started piling up. One family that heard about the project contributed $500. But then the estimated cost went up to $17,000, and Ibrahim was $5000 short. She went back to the town board, and in October of last year, the board approved the money needed to finish the job. Ibrahim continued to overcome obstacles. Insurance became an issue, and the contractor lined up for the job backed out. Working with the town, Ibrahim put together a volunteer team of firms, with one doing the footings,

another the framing, and so forth. She wasn’t going to let the bumps in the road stop her in her tracks. In March, a building inspector approved the structure, and on April 30, Ibrahim received a certificate of occupancy. But still, her work was not quite done. While there’s an area rug and some shelves, Ibrahim is hoping local residents will contribute more furnishings and board games for the Girl Scouts to play on rainy days. There is also the matter of the official opening. That date is up in the air, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ibrahim feels she has learned a lot from her experience. “I definitely gained better people skills: interpersonal skills, conversational skills,” she said, adding that she feels comfortable talking to adults. Her goal is to enter a six-year collegiate program en route to becoming a licensed physical therapist.

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Sports

Athletic field scoreboards were lit up with all 20s at 20:20 military time May 1 to honor student-athletes whose spring seasons were canceled. Independent/Courtesy Southampton, Westhampton, and Greenport school districts

Friday Night Lights Lift Seniors’ Spirits Districts honor student-athletes who lost spring sports season By Desirée Keegan desiree@indyeastend.com Bridgehampton Athletic Director Michael DeRosa honors seniors. Independent/Christine Heeren

High school athletic field scoreboards across Long Island lit up in honor of the season that could have been, a season lost. These Friday night lights in the wake of the spring sports season cancelation were somber, but comforting. “It was heartwarming,” said Pierson High School senior Sam Cox. “It was really nice to be able to see these people again after so long, even if it was brief. The support from the Sag Harbor community never fails, and that’s what makes this place so special to a lot of us.” Cox was one of many seniors set to compete this last season before graduation. Although her focus is on volleyball, she was looking forward to representing her district on the softball diamond alongside classmates she’s played with for years. “We’ve grown up playing together since tee-ball,” Cox said. “It’s hard to see the athletes in my grade get this taken away, and I really feel for those who were playing their main sport this season.” The May 1 “Turn on the Lights” initiative took place at 8:20 PM, 20:20 military time, and scoreboards displayed all 20s graduates for 20 minutes as a trib-

ute to student-athletes. Seniors lined up in cars and paraded down streets while school administrators, coaches, teammates, and fans cheered them on. Cox said being a Whaler has been special. “We’re all a big family at Pierson, especially my class,” she said. “I wouldn’t have wanted to grow up anywhere else with anyone else. I’ve learned through this to enjoy every minute with your peers while it lasts. It still hasn’t hit me yet that things are really over, but there is some comfort in knowing that we’re all going through this together.” Southampton Athletic Director Darren Phillips said his seniors spent years positively representing the Mariners. “This recognition is simply to say thank you to our senior athletes for years of great memories,” Phillips said. “I’m disappointed for them, but I think this brings some sort of closure.” Westhampton Beach Athletic Director Kathleen Masterson said she was just happy to do something for those who have meant so much to her and the district. “What these seniors have done for Continued On Next Page.

A family honors their soon-to-be Bridgehampton graduate. Independent/Christine Heeren

The fire department leads a parade in front of Southampton High School. Independent/Southampton Union Free School District

Sports

May 6, 2020

Clockwise from above, Alanah Johnson follows a parade of seniors crossing in front of the Bridgehampton School; sophomore Morgan Wacrous and his father Scott applaud the Class of 2020; and senior student-athlete Olivia Cassone. Independent/Christine Heeren

Friday Night Lights Continued From Previous Page.

this program is something that’s going to live in Westhampton Beach history forever,” she said. “We’ve had some major, major accomplishments, a once-in-a-lifetime athlete in Belle Smith, and not being able to celebrate them the way everyone else has been able to be celebrated is heartbreaking, but what’s happening in the world is bigger than us. Being at the epicenter of this whole pandemic has been trying both physically and emotionally.” “Our seniors mean the world to me,” Masterson continued. “This is my favorite time of year because it’s a time we get to celebrate them, and we will continue to celebrate them.” Smith, who was slated to compete on the girls lacrosse team her sixth and final season, agreed the cancelation has to happen. “I feel my life is hectic right now. Every single person is feeling the same about something else in their own lives, which causes me to be less upset and just more grateful that everyone in my life is happy and healthy,” she said. “We can only control the controllables, so I’m doing everything I can do just enjoy the little things right now and look on the bright side.” Bridgehampton Athletic Director Michael DeRosa, like several others, organized a parade for his district in con-

junction with the fire department. “My reaction was more of an action to get our coaches on board and connect with our students as we move forward adjusting and readjusting to our new normal,” he said. “This parade event is a gesture to celebrate our sense of unity, to honor their hard work and commitment, and reinforce the message that tough times don’t last, but tough people do. We know that our Bridgehampton students have that resiliency. As Bridgehampton is such a tight-knit school community, our senior athletes will have new and different opportunities after we get over this setback.” Senior Olivia Cassone, who played volleyball alongside Cox for the PiersonBridgehampton team, said the acknowledgment quickly grew bigger than sports following New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement earlier that morning that school doors will remain closed and distance learning in effect for the remainder of the academic year. “I couldn’t believe that I was never going to be back in high school with my classmates again,” she said. “We wait all these years to be a senior, work up to this — to walk through those halls or play on that court or on that field just one last time and be recognized not only for being a great player but for being a senior, because you accomplished so much all those years in school. But it was just taken away in the blink of an

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eye. It’s sad to know that we didn’t get to finish our seasons or our school year.” She was moved seeing the fire trucks and lineup of cars circling the front of the school to honor her class. “It was amazing,” Cassone said. “Being isolated for almost the past two months made me appreciate seeing the people in the community cheering us on even more. I could feel their energy — it was uplifting and encouraging. Seeing friends, teachers, coaches, and just the people that live in the community come out in their pajamas and yell ‘Go 2020 grads’ or ‘Bridges 2020’ made me the happiest I could be.” She said it wouldn’t have been possible though if it wasn’t for DeRosa.

“All that he does for his studentsathletes, how much time he has sacrificed for us . . .” Cassone said. “I just want him to know how much we and I truly appreciate him.” Bridgehampton will always be her extended family, and that after the Friday gesture, she said that couldn’t be truer. “We are one big beehive,” Cassone said. “Being a part of Bridgehampton school and athletics has changed my life for the better. This taught me not to take anything for granted, that you have to appreciate what you have. This has also made me realize that you are not in this alone. You work with a team on the court and in life.”

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INDY FIT By Nicole Teitler

Consoling During COVID-19 How to be there for someone when you physically can’t nicole@indyeastend.com @NikkiOnTheDaily Mourning a life taken by COVID-19 is a sad reality the world braces itself for. In an otherwise normal time, death brings together family and friends to help ease the pain, as it’s been done for thousands of years — by sixth century BC the ancient Greeks established burial ceremonies where loved ones came to pay respects. But with the current practices of social distancing in place it plunges us into a state of global grief. The inability to gather feels unnatural. There are no shoulders to cry on, no warm embrace. It

feels cruel. Consoling someone experiencing a loss now comes with a new set of challenges. No number of virtual meetings or phone calls can ever replace physical presence. For those grieving, a lack of support system can feel like a secondary loss. So, how can we be there for someone when we can’t actually be with them? The first step is to simply offer support, and then continuously check in. “Try and get someone on the phone, but don’t take it personally if they say

CHIP SHOTS By Bob Bubka

Happy Birthday, John Daly Acknowledging what some thought an unlikely feat bobvoiceofgolf@gmail.com

Golf fans celebrated the 54th birthday of John Daly, one of the most popular professional golfers of all time, on April 26. For most people, turning 54 isn’t a big deal, but many that know Daly would call it remarkable. He was only 25 years old when he won the PGA Championship in what could be referred to as the most unlikely win since Francis Ouimet won the 1913 U.S. Open Championship. By the way, the winning purse for Ouimet that year was $300. By comparison, in 2019, Gary Woodland banked a cool $2.25 million for his victory at Pebble Beach. Daly’s big break took place in 1991. He had only played in 23 PGA Tour events, had made just 12 cuts, and was the

ninth alternate to get in the PGA Championship at Indiana’s Crooked Stick Golf Club. The eight other alternates on the list ahead of Daly weren’t available — it was already Wednesday of championship week. As soon as Daly got the call that he was in the field, he jumped in his car and was on his way. He arrived just hours before his first-round tee time. Luck continued to be on Daly’s side as Nick Price was the last player to withdraw as his wife was in the late stages of her pregnancy. Price knew his caddie, Jeff “Squeaky” Medlin, was available, so he offered Squeaky’s services to Daly. Of course, the caddie was happy to handle a bag for the championship. The rest is history. Long John Daly went on to win

no,” said Angela Byrns, children bereavement coordinator and social work supervisor at East End Hospice. “Keep things open-ended.” Oftentimes, an outpour of condolences come during the initial week of loss, even from those once out of touch. At that time, people oftentimes haven’t yet processed what occurred, and it can leave them feeling overwhelmed at how to respond. “People want to help initially, but then all of a sudden, everyone falls away,” she said. “When you talk to grieving people, everyone cares in the beginning and then two weeks later, it’s like it didn’t happen.” People aren’t the same after a loved one dies — it’s as though a piece of them is gone. He or she is forming a new identity of a life without the deceased, that happens differently for all of us. In the immediate, if going to the store, offer to pick something up, tackle a chore, or maybe even create an inspiring playlist or video. In reaching out weeks and months later, it acknowledges and validates a person who is still grieving. “It’s not that people don’t want to ask for help,” Byrns said. “They just don’t know what kind of help they need.” In explaining a death to children,

less is more. Answer each question rather than trying to give more detail. Then, let them process the answer and revisit it later by asking if they have any other questions. Above all, be honest. A recommended reading for children on how they can fight COVID-19 is “My Hero Is You,” by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, an inter-agency forum of United Nations and nonUnited Nations humanitarian partners founded in 1992 aimed at strengthening humanitarian assistance. To learn more on the bereavement process, visit www.eeh.org. East End Hospice’s camp, Camp Good Grief, is taking registrations for summer camp, which it’s hoping to offer at least virtually. Register at www.eehcampgoodgrief. com.

his first major championship and made a name for himself in the process with his prodigious length off the tee. Little known fact: Squeaky Medlin is the only caddie in history to win backto-back PGA Championships with two different players. The following year, he was on the bag when Price won, in 1992. That achievement earned Medlin a spot in the Caddie Hall of Fame. As it turned out, Squeaky and I became good friends, and we shared some good times out on the Tour. I was heartbroken when he told me he had been diagnosed with leukemia. Medlin reached out to me during his final days. “Bob, you tell everyone I had a good run,” he told me. Jeff passed away the next day. He was 43. At the time, Daly’s 1991 PGA Championship win was considered by most to be a “fluke,” but he silenced all critics four years later by winning The Open Championship on the hallowed grounds of St. Andrews Links in a four-hole playoff with the Italian, Costantino Rocca. In his career, Daly won two major championships and three other PGA Tour events. He is now an active member of the PGA Tour Champions and has one over-50 victory to date. There’s no doubt Daly had an upand-down personal life, but he is a good guy with a big heart. In fact, during that 1991 PGA Championship he won, a fan had been struck by lightning and unfortunately died. When Daly found out about it, he quickly wrote a check for

$30,000, which he gave to the family. It’s been said Daly’s high-octane lifestyle is the main reason he was never chosen to be part of a Ryder Cup team. He is the only two-time American major winner never to wear the red, white, and blue. In fact, many felt that with the lifestyle Daly chose, he had a greater chance of shooting 54 for 18 holes than reaching 54 years old. Daly, who has been married five times, was the poster boy for the theme song “All my exes wear Rolexes.” In casino slang, Daly was known as a high-roller. During one PGA Tour event where he was a star attraction, a rain delay came into play, so we had some spare time. I was enjoying some blackjack at a nearby casino when Daly walked in and took a seat at a $25 slot machine. I watched in amazement as he started playing two $25-machines simultaneously, and didn’t stop for the next four hours. Daly has played in eight Masters Tournaments, with his best finish being a third-place tie in 1993. He played his last Masters in 2002, but remains on the scene each year not on the course, but in the Hooters parking lot. That’s where he parks his RV full of John Daly merchandise. He spends his Master’s week selling and signing hats, T-shirts, and other memorabilia for fans. The next time you hear on television that familiar introduction to the Masters: “It’s a tradition unlike any other,” just think for a moment that 54-year-old John Daly fits that mold exactly.

May 6, 2020

Focus On First District Primary Candidates wonder if walk-in voting will be allowed By Rick Murphy rmurphy@indyeastend.com

For Perry Gershon, Bridget Fleming, and Nancy Goroff, the focus has turned from early COVID-19 worry to their June 23 Democratic primary race for the First Congressional District.

The stakes are high, with a chance to unseat Congressman Lee Zeldin, one of President Donald Trump’s most loyal allies. Yet much is out of their control — Election Day

may change, or it may become an allmail event. Recently, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ruled school board elections must be done entirely by mail, so he may opt to cancel all walk-in voting. The novel coronavirus is a big part of the campaign, acknowledged Mark Guarnaccia, Fleming’s campaign manager. “We’re encouraging people to vote absentee,” he said, adding that although the race against Zeldin was too far away to speculate, “We believe we have the best candidate.” Fleming, currently the incumbent Suffolk County legislator, is confident in her changes regardless of how that vote is tallied, because of the job she’s done and her name recognition. Gershon, a Manhattan-based businessman with a home in East Hampton, nearly beat Zeldin two years ago. But with the pandemic be-

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ing of uppermost importance in these trying times, he said, “Look what happened in Wisconsin. They opened up the voting and people got sick again.” The general election may hinge on COVID-19, too. It may end up even being based on if people are happy with the way Trump handled the country during the crisis. If so, Zeldin is likely to ride his coattails, the candidates acknowledge. “I expect it to be a referendum on Trump,” Gershon said. The president’s penchant for misstating facts will be his undoing, he opined. Goroff has been a professor at Stony Brook University for two decades, most recently as the chair of the chemistry department. “Zeldin has his Trump allies and big corporate donors funding his reelection, but I’m relying on our grassroots network,” she said via email. “Now more than ever, it’s clear that we need scientists leading in Washington.” To Advertise In This Directory, Call The Independent at 631 324 2500 www.indyeastend.com Classiﬁed Deadline: Monday at Noon

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Continued From Page 4.

Go Healthy Dear Editor, Massive slaughterhouse closures are driving U.S. consumers to plant-based meat products, as sick workers pay the price. Tyson Foods, JBS USA, and Smithfield Foods, the largest meat processors, have closed 17 plants, devastating rural communities and threatening the nation’s meat supply. Production is already down by 25 percent. In reaction, U.S. sales of plantbased meats surged by 265 percent, according to consumer data group Nielsen. Shares of Beyond Meat, a prominent plant-based meat brand, rallied by 60 percent. A Washington Post investigation found that coronavirus outbreaks in more than 48 U.S. meat packing plants have sickened at least 300 workers

May 6, 2020

and killed 17. The companies failed to provide adequate protective gear to the workers and forced some with COVID-19 symptoms to keep working. USA Today reports that more than 150 of the U.S.’s largest plants operate in counties with the highest rate of coronavirus infection. In addition to the generally accepted consumer health argument for avoiding animal food products, the pandemic has now added the worker health element. Production of plantbased meats requires much less labor and allows for ample physical distancing. We can all support the switch to healthy food on our next visit to our supermarket. Sincerely, Edwin Horath

Mental Health Help Continued From Page 8.

live Zoom classes, webinars, and oth-

er activities. It can be found at www. suffolkcountyny.gov/wellness. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo directed all insurers to waive deductibles and co-pays for essential workers so they may get the mental health support they need. The state is also partnering with the Kate Spade New York Foundation, a nonprofit that annually contributes to causes that support women’s economic empowerment, access to opportunity, and pathways to mental well-being to underserved communities of women in New York City and beyond, and Crisis Text Line, a global not-forprofit organization providing free confidential crisis intervention via text message, to offer support. “This COVID crisis has caused significant disruption and many unintended consequences and ancillary issues,” Cuomo said. Among them, anxiety, depression, insomnia, loneliness, isolation, and an increase in drug use and alcohol consumption.

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Half of all Americans say their mental health has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Bellone encouraged frontline workers experiencing compassion fatigue and grief amid the novel coronavirus pandemic to take advantage of a 24/7 hotline. The Family Service League, reached by calling 631-9523333, is offering the service free to all medical and human service professionals, first responders, and veterans. The Family Service League is also willing to provide counseling to employees at long-term care facilities hit hard by COVID-19. Residents can also dial 311, the county’s informational call center, to be connected with mental health services. The hotline received 876 calls April 30, the largest daily total so far. The breakdown of what those calls were about was not immediately available. “If you’re feeling these issues,” Cuomo said, “you’re not alone.”

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them feel better, to even hold their hand, talk to them, FaceTime connect them with family.” Pronesti got a call from the public relations department, and she was asked if she had a motto through the crisis. Without hesitation, she said: “In This Together.” A social media hashtag quickly formed. “You see day-in and day-out — we work side-by-side for the good of the patients, for the good of each other,” Pronesti said. “We understand each other’s struggles and strife and fear. We’re fighting to overcome all of this. We’re there for each other. It’s so beautiful to see.” She said personally and professionally it shows no one is alone. “A lot of the time we wonder if we’re alone in feeling a certain way,” Pronesti said. “Know there’s support. Know there’s a place to turn to. We can lean on each other.” She said it helps families know the hands their loved ones are in are caring and devoted. “There’s a heightened sense of awareness — and these patients and their families are so grateful,” Pronesti said. “It’s truly from the heart — they see you. They see through your eyes to your heart and they feel you. With those severe respiratory issues, they are very afraid. It’s the scariest thing, and it’s even fearful for the nurses to see the patients struggling. They’re talking them through it, they’re holding their hand, they’re staying there and giving themselves selflessly with such courage.”

Continued From Page 10.

There have been some staffing puzzle issues, but the hospital has been able to work around them. If a nurse tries to enter the building with a temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, he or she is sent home and the nurses shuffled around, figuring out who can care for whom. Those treating COVID-19-inflicted people, for instance, could not then go care for a non-COVID-19 patient, especially someone with a compromised immune system, such as with multiple sclerosis or lupus. “I said often you need to have some resilience and hope. You can’t dwell too much,” Lowe said. “You need to know when you come to work that you’re doing the best you can for the most people that you can and you need to trust that there’s a sea of people that work with you, around you, behind you, that will pick up where you left off for the day, and that reassures me.” Bernstein said colleagues who came from an upstate medical center in Syracuse to help have already expressed hope to stay once the pandemic subsides. “I think that speaks to something that’s been quite vivid to me and quite vivid today,” he said. “What’s going on at the university hospital and our affiliate hospitals is record-setting, trend-setting. It’s being noticed regionally and nationally. All of the leadership and all of the teams are waging a battle against a fearsome enemy, and having success.”

In This Together Besides patients, families have also struggled with being isolated from their loved ones. Nurses have worked on bridging that gap, too. The care team becomes a surrogate family, and Surgical Oncology Center nurse Lesley Pronesti said she’s seen some heartfelt care. She recalled one instance involving a new nurse out of college and a decompensating COVID-19 patient. The nurse never left his side. “She was all in,” Pronesti said. “He was so afraid. She was writing backward on the glass to get information to us. He knew that she was there for him. She wanted to take care of him. I saw a connection that made my heart just bounce.” Even when the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit, the nurse would frequently check in on him. “The patients are getting dropped off, see triage, meeting people in masks and gowns, seeing the eyes of the health care workers helping them . . . but there’s a sense of loneliness, fear, and anxiety that they don’t have anybody with them,” Pronesti said. “We inevitably become their family, the ones they depend on, the ones they look to for reassurance, to help

Babies In Pandemic Continued From Page 11.

vice over the phone. “This is definitely going to make us stronger parents and have a stronger marriage,” she said. “Even in the last week, we’ve learned so much from each other. In the end, it will be for a reason.”

Concern For Twins Although Christine Browe gave birth to twins ahead of the first known COVID-19 case in the United States, she and her family have still been affected by it. She gave birth to a daughter and a son on January 30 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. On March 15, she took the babies for a walk along the East River when she suddenly realized how difficult it was going to be to keep them away from people as the number of cases quickly rose. “I came home and I was in tears and I said to my husband, ‘We have to get out of here,’” she recalled. They left for their house in Hampton Bays in a matter of hours, and haven’t left in sev-

en weeks. Derek Browe said he was concerned the children would catch the virus, even though it has not affected children as it has adults, though there have been cases. “There is so much unknown,” he said, “so much they don’t know about the virus.” While they love being in Hampton Bays and are thankful to be able to stay there, it has been “a roller-coaster of emotions with some pretty severe isolation feels to start,” Christine Browe said. Portal from Facebook, a handsfree video calling device that her brother gifted them for Christmas in anticipation of the babies’ birth, has been “a godsend,” she said. They have used it to stay in touch with their parents, who have been able to watch the twins, who are changing fast, their parents say. It has left them wondering: Is all this screen time good for newborns? How COVID-19 will affect their childhood remains to be seen. “I think it’s a huge question for every parent,” Browe said. “Becoming a parent for the first time, for me at least, I think for both of us, reinforced importance of family and friends.” While the twins had their first doctor visit in the city, when it was time for their vaccines, their pediatrician recommended not returning to the city. They reached out to Stony Brook Advanced Pediatric Care, which agreed to see the twins at its Center Moriches office. Browe said she gives “major credit” to the doctors for agreeing to take on new patients “in such a time when everyone walking into their office is a risk.” There were precautions in place. “I had to go in alone with the two of them,” Browe said of the visit where each child needed four shots. “We stupidly forgot our stroller, so I’m walking in carrying the two car seats,” she said, laughing. “Of course, we don’t have anything to compare it to.” “The next hurdle will be four months,” she said, when her kids get their next round of shots. “We’ll see where the world is then.”

1918 Flu

Continued From Page 30. underneath Wilson, however, was not silent. Instead, through news reports, it actively misled the American people about the cause and danger of the highly contagious disease. On September 19, on page 11 of The Times, a headline proclaimed: “THINK INFLUENZA CAME IN

U-BOAT,” with a sub-headline that read: “Federal Health Authorities See Possibility of Men from Submarine Spreading Germs.” “WASHINGTON, Sept. 18. — That the outbreaks of Spanish influenza, which have given army official some concern, may have been started by German agents who were put ashore from a submarine, was the belief expressed today by Lieut. Col. Phillip S. Doane, head of the Health and Sanitation Section of the Emergency Fleet Corporation,” The Times read. Right idea, but wrong war. It wasn’t until June 1942, during World War II, four German saboteurs, armed with explosives, were put ashore, via submarine, in Amagansett. The four were soon captured, but not before taking the 6:59 AM Long Island Railroad train to Manhattan. At about the same time, another German submarine dropped four more saboteurs off at Ponte Vedra Beach, near Jacksonville, FL. They, too, were quickly captured. Six of the eight spies were executed. October 31, 1918, the day The Times reported on the death of A. Paul Keith, concluded the darkest month New York City had ever seen. Over 16,000 residents had died from the disease. A few days earlier, Queens Borough President Maurice Connolly had implored Mayor John Francis Hylan to send workers to Queens, where 60 percent of the city’s cemeteries were located, to help bury the 2000 bodies that had accumulated. First responders, such as police officers, experienced a high death rate. The city suddenly had a growing population of orphans it had to deal with. Doctors and nurses had been diverted away to serve the war effort. Trained nurses in particular were in short supply. They worked in 12-hour shifts. On October 14, on page 17, The Times documented the death of one of those nurses. “Her Influenza Work Fatal,” the headline read. “Miss Mary A. McCusker, Superintendent of Fordham Hospital, died yesterday of pneumonia following an attack of Spanish Influenza. The hospital is crowded with patients and short-handed for nursing help. Miss McCusker had worked night and day until a week ago, when she herself was stricken by the disease. Miss McCusker was 28 years old.” Next week: The war is over, but the virus continues to kill: the third wave.

May 6, 2020

THANK YOU ESSENTIAL WORKERS! The Independent would like to thank our

NURSES & DOCTORS

EMTS

MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS PARAMEDICS

PHARMACISTS

DELIVERY EMPLOYEES

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DENTISTS FARMERS

ANIMAL ADVOCATES

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And to everyone who is helping to keep our community flourishing!

The Independent

Wines & Spirits HAMPTON BAYS

Check us Out On Facebook for Coupons & Discounts! FREE DELIVERY due to current conditions … we are still delivering on Wednesdays & Saturdays but ONLY in Hampton Bays. Orders still need to be placed by Thursday by 5. Hampton Bays Town Center • 46 East Montauk Highway • 631.728.8595

Store hours … Monday through Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM (curbside only 9 AM to 11 AM) Friday and Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM Sunday 12 PM to 6

Johnnie Walker RED

Johnnie Walker BLUE

750 ML

185

Titos Handmade Vodka Mag.

32 .

Mag.

35.

Glenﬁddich 12 Year Old

Johnnie Walker Black

Lagavulin 16 Year Old Scotch

750 ml

750ML

49.

Mag.

74.

Bulleit Bourbon

Milagro Silver

59.

Mag.

Grey Goose 750 ML

29. 34.99 $ 55.99 $

750 ML

22.

SvedkaVodka Mag

Mag

1-$21.99 2-$20.99 3-$19.99

Dewar s

Redemption

Liter

12 Year Old

49.

69.

Mag

Bourbon or Rye

20.99

WINE 750 ML Excelsior Cabrnet ................. 3 for 21 Blackstone (all varieties).......3 for 30.00 Ironside Cabernet ................ 2 for 30 Sterling Meritage .......................9.99 Crane Lake .......................2 for 10.00 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cab...........16.99 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling ...9.99 Chateau St. Jean Chard ...............8.99 Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio ...21.99 .......................................240 for case Bogle Chard ...............................8.99 Bogle Cabernet ........................11.99 Bogle Pinot Noir ......................11.99 Bogle Merlot ..............................9.99 Louis Jadot Macon Village ........11.99 St. Francis Cabernet .................19.99

750ML each

Boodles Gin Mag.

29.

Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask

Liter

69 .

Tanqueray

39.

54.

Mag.

34.

Bacardi Mag.

1-$$24.99 2- 42 3-$60

39.

Castle Rock Pinot Noir .....3 for 30.00 Apothic Red ...............................9.99 St. Francis Chardonnay ............13.99 3 Ring Shiraz............................14.99 Secco-Bertani...........................24.99 Dona Paula Cab or Malbec .........9.99 Motto Cabernet ..........................9.99 Belcreme de Lys Chard or Pinot Noir ...................................................9.99 KJ Sauv Blanc ..................3 for 33.00 Siduri Pinot noir ......................19.99 KJ Chard .....................3 for 12.99 ea. Rosemont (all types) ..................8.99 Juggernaut Cab or Pinot Noir ...19.99 Punto Final Malbec 11.99 2 for 20.00 Chateau Tros Fonds Bordeaux.......... ..............................11.99 2 for $20.00

Herradura Silver Liter 99 34. $

2- 60 Knob Creek

36.

59.

Oban

750ML

64 .

39.

Malibu Rum Mag.

30.

Mag.

49.

Kettle One Vodka Mag.

Mag

Makers Mark

Single Malt Whisky

Silver and Reposado

750ML

46.

750ML

1800 Tequila

Mag.

Basil Hayden's Bourbon

Dewars White Label

Mag.

29.

Jameson

Jim Beam White Label

Mag.

Jack Daniels

Skyy Vodka Mag.

23.$

2- 40

Stolichnaya Vodka

32.$ 99

WINE MAGNUMS Lindemans (all varieties) ...........9.99 Frontera (all types) ....6 for 8.49 each Yellowtail (all var) ....6 for 10.99 each Fetzer (all varieties) ...................9.99 Woodbridge ..............6 for10.99 each Barefoot (all types) ..........6 for 60.00 Gekkeikan Sake..........................9.99 Mark West Pinot Noir...............19.99 Santa Marina Pinot Grigio .......10.99 .................................. or 60 for a case Beringer All Types......................9.99 Pindar Winter White ................12.99 Grand Baillard All Types ..........12.99 La Vieille Ferme All Types ........15.99

Mag.

2- 60

Absolut Vodka Mag

29.

Sauza Hornitos Plata and Reposado

Mag.

29.

Don Julio Mag.

84.

Belvedere

or Chopin Vodka

Mag.

49.

Goslings Black Rum Mag. x

32.99 $ 21.99

Liter

Smirnoﬀ Vodka

Mag.

1-$$21.99 2- 20.99 3-$19.99

SPARKLING Cristalino Brut ...........................8.99 Veuve Clicquot .........................43.99 La Marca Prosecco ...................13.99 Prima Perla Prosecco .................9.99 Francois Montand Brut or Rosé ....... ................................12.99 or 2 for 22 Louis Roederer Brut.................40.99 Moet Imperial ..........................39.99 Buena Vista Champagne ..........39.99 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame ................... 159.99 Cristal ....................................229.99 Mionetto Prosecco ...................12.99

Not responsible for typographical errors. Subject to Inventory Depletion. All Prices expire 5/20 /20