Montauk Sun Winter 2025 by The Montauk Sun

FISHING MONTAUK WITH CAPTAIN SKIP

Well the 2024 Fishing Season is in the record books and it certainly was a good one! For about the third year in a row the Tuna fishing close to shore has been very good and consistent. School Tuna, Mediums, and Giants were all eeding on the numerous shoals o Bunker and Mackerel all along the south shore. South o CIA out to the Butterfish Hole was the areas where they could also be ound. Hordes o Tinker mackerel and halfbeaks were just about everywhere. So much so, that the False Albacore were out there as well, chowing down on the abundant bait. It actually delayed the "Falsies" rom showing up on time around Montauk Point! Keep in mind that the Bluefin Tuna is a highly ederally regulated species, key word "Federal", make absolutely sure you know the size and bag limits be ore you go. As or the giant Tuna you need a HMS Federal Permit and there are closure days that you have to be aware

o ! The Federal fines are no joke, so make sure all your paperwork is in order! Capt. Phil Lewis, the original owner o the ADIOS would say about Regulations and Permits: "Make sure your room is clean"!!! LOL!

Good news on the inshore ront. The Striped Bass regulations are going to remain the same or next season as o now. There was rumors going around that there was going to be a moratorium put into e ect or the 2025 season, but it seems that the powers at be, came to their senses and realized that the biomass o Striped Bass is in pretty darn good shape! Now the authorities need to know that we are doing more damage to the Striped Bass with the current 28 inch to 31 inch slot. I the slot were 28 inch to 35 inch, the Charter Boats would get their limit aster and move on to a di erent species, rather that catching and releasing numerous Striped Bass trying to provide their anglers a fish to

HIGH

TIDE CHART FOR

MONTAUK HARBOR

take home! The Charter Boats should not be in the recreational category, we rely on the health o the species to make a living, so we want to protect our resource, not keep injuring fish to meet an inaccurate slot size! Hope ully the regulators will get this.

Just want to wish everyone All the very best or 2025 & hope everyone's Holiday Season was great! I bet some o you got new fishing Rods & Reels!!! ~ Tight Lines, Captain Skip

www.adiosboat.com

www.facebook.com/adios.charters

www.instagram.com/adios_boat/

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Great School Tuna Fishing

Big Flike, Big Fun!

Joe’s Giant Tuna!

Experience seals in their natural environment! The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that Montauk Point State Park will host a series of hikes to observe wintering seals. Beginning in November 2024 and continuing through April 2025, a State Park naturalist will lead visitors on a scenic beach walk to an area where up to five species of seals can be observed. Along the hike, there will be opportunities to see many winter birds and to explore marine geology. If you’d like, bring binoculars!

Hikers will meet at the Office/Restroom building in the lower parking lot. Please try to arrive 10 minutes before the start time. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather and comfortable shoes for hiking. We will be outdoors for about two hours and the hike is approximately three miles long. Strollers are not recommended. NO dogs allowed. Space is limited and RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED!

To register, call the Montauk Downs at 631-668-5000 (ext. 0). For more information about the hikes, visit Eventbrite.com and search “Montauk Point Seal Hike.”

$4.00 per person (cash only); Children under 3 are FREE! Seal program dates and times are as follows:

January 2025: Saturday 11 11:00 a.m. Sunday 12 12:00 p.m. Saturday 25 10:00 a.m. Sunday 26 10:00 a.m.

February 2025: Saturday 1 2:00 p.m. Saturday 8 9:00 a.m. Sunday 9 10:00 a.m.

22 9:00 a.m.

23 9:00 a.m.

April 2025: Sunday 6 9:00 a.m.

Hampton Doc Fest...

by Sue Giustino

The Hampton Doc Fest was a huge success! Celebrat ing its 17th year, the event ran rom December 5 11, 2024. 32 documentary film screenings were enjoyed by enthu siastic audiences at the Sag Harbor Cinema and the Bay Street Theater. I had the opportunity to see three movies this year all were based on completely di erent topics and were abulous…A New Kind of Wilderness, directed by, Silje Evensmo Jacobsen; The Thinking Game, directed by, Greg Kohs and Zurawski V Texas, directed by Maisie Crow and Abbie Perrault.

In A New Kind of Wilderness, Jacobsen ollows Maria, Nik, and their our children who live on a small arm in Norway surrounded by a fir orest. The amily’s unconven tional choice to grow their own ood, practice homeschool ing, and sleep together is a ulfilment o their dream o a ree and independent li e close to each other and nature.

Through the incredible cinematography and editing, the audience becomes entangled in the day to day wonder o their incredible amily dynamics built around the ree dom to live, explore, and learn with and rom the world and each other. When tragedy strikes, I elt the intensity o seeing the world they knew turn upside down.

Overwhelmed by their new reality, the amily reluc tantly change their li estyle as they must adapt to modern society. Through the eyes and words o the beauti ully in nocent children and their loving parents, the audience ex plores a lovely alternative li estyle.

Continued on Page 15

January 2025

There will be a Full Wolf Moon on Monday, January 13, 2025. This is the first ull moon o win ter. It will light up the winter night sky, and the moon's so t light will create a magical sight you won't orget. The ull moon is named a ter Indigenous and early American traditions when wolves howled outside Native Ameri can villages. This ull moon is important because it happens in the middle o winter. It symbolizes a time o deep thinking and spiritual growth.

There will be a New Snow Moon on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Prepare or the upcoming New Snow Moon, winter's second new moon, and Aquar ius's New Moon. This celestial event promises to bring a sense o renewal and innovation, making it an ideal time to set intentions and embrace new beginnings. It is a time to embrace new ideas and set intentions or personal growth and change. The Snow New Moon o ers an opportunity to reflect on the past and plan or

the uture, making it a power ul and trans ormative time or many people.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 20) — Happy birthday Capricorn! While you can plan only to a cer tain extent, you are ready to get your hands dirty and start working. Every experience teaches you some thing about yoursel . You have many people to con vince, but you can achieve what you set your mind to. Always remember to give credit where it's due. The great things you have hoped or may not happen as ex pected, but remember, your legendary patience will serve you well as events un old. Stay patient and in control.

Aquarius (January 21 – February 19) — I you're eel ing spontaneous, it's best to do so privately or away rom your usual routine. Laughter will be a great source o com ort today. Instead o relying solely on your intellect or the next ew days, you may experi ence good luck.

Pisces (February 20 – March 20) — Your words and ideas travel at light speed, strongly impacting wher ever they go. Embrace the sense o adventure and spend time exploring the countryside with riends. Hit the road in search o inspiration and excitement.

Aries (March 21 – April 20) — You tend to be overly critical o yoursel , while others may not be as scruti nous o your imper ections. It's advisable to re rain rom micromanaging those in your immediate circle. This period presents opportunities or advancement or those who have diligently worked toward it. Any changes implemented now are likely to have a lasting impact.

Taurus (April 21 – May 21) — Your idea o un is getting into trouble and getting yoursel out. Today, your care ree and spirited nature is being overshadowed by financial worries. While these concerns may seem daunting, re member you have the skills and resources to overcome them.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21) — When aced with a critical decision, giving it your ull at tention is essential. The current business sce nario involves introducing new individuals, making understanding their strengths and weaknesses crucial. Instead o simply going through the motions o your daily routine, try to approach each moment mind ully.

Cancer (June 22 – July 22) — Opportunities open up. It is a time to celebrate the people around you and show them how much they mean to you. Friends and amily are your best source o entertainment. Your avorite way o doing things may be impractical at this point.

Leo (July 23 – August 23) — You can vacation once this demanding period ends. It's best to complete all current tasks and obligations be ore allowing yoursel to relax. Avoid dwelling on what you might miss out on, and remember that there will always be more enjoyable op portunities.

Virgo (August 24 – September 22) — Others are drawn to your positive energy. Expect to have meaning ul experiences. You are deeply engaged in everything around you, sometimes influencing outcomes. The next ew days will be memorable. Be open to others i you want your week to run smoothly. Former opponents wish to make amends.

Libra (September 23 – October 22) — You are the only person who can determine i your time is being wasted. Remember that you can change your mood i you wake up eeling melancholic. You might find that you no longer eel burdened by any problems. You seem to have a positive e ect on everything you han dle. Treat yoursel to good ood and set aside time or your avorite hobby.

Continued on Page 14

In This Issue:

Fishing Montauk with Captain Skip............................................................Page 4

2025 Montauk Point Seal Hike Schedule....................................................Page 5

Fishing Fun Aboard the Ebb Tide II............................................................Page 5

Montauk & The Hamptons

Publisher: Ken Giustino Editor & Art Director: Stefan Lonce

Contributors: Capt. Skip Rudolph, Sue Giustino, Ken Giustino, Stefan Lonce, Evelyn J. Mocbeichel, Debra Rose, Lawrence Spiro, Debbie Tuma, Ingrid Lemme-Chalut, Francine Tesler, Richard Lewin, Patria Baradi Pacis, Paul Snyder, Don Intonato, Willow DuBrovin, Ethan Bell

Call us at 631-668-5077 info@montauksun.com

Write to us at PO Box 2196, Montauk, NY 11954

We welcome your comments and submissions!

COMING UP AT THE MONTAUK LIBRARY

For all programs and special events, go to: www.montauklibrary.org/calendar

Friday Classic Film Series

JANUARY THEME: Horse Racing

Friday, January 17, 5 7pm: THE BLACK STALLION (1979): Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr. Shipwrecked with a magnificent horse o the coast o A rica in the 1940s, a boy bonds with the stallion, and trains him to race a ter they are rescued. 1 hr 58 min. Rated G. Director Carroll Ballard.

Friday, January 24, 5 7:15pm: HIDALGO 2024 : Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif, Zuleikha Robinson. In 1890, an American cowboy risks everything to enter a 3000 mile horse race across the Saudi desert or a $10,000 prize. 2 hr 16 min. Rated PG 13. Director Joe Johnston.

Friday, January 31, 5 7:20pm: SEABISCUIT 2003 : Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Elizabeth Banks. Based on the true story o the undersized Depression era race horse whose victories li ted the spirits o the nation. 2 hr 20 min. Rated PG 13. Director Gary Ross.

FEBRUARY THEME: Love in the Gilded Age

Friday, February 7, 5 7:45pm: A PASSAGE TO INDIA 1984 : Judy Davis, Victor Banerjee, Peggy Ashcroft. Set in the 1920s during the period o the British Raj, the film tells the story o the interactions o several characters in the fictional city o Chandra pore. The film explores themes o racism, imperial ism, religion, and the nature o relationships.. 2 hr 44 min. Rated PG. Director David Lean.

Friday, February 14, 5 7pm: A ROOM WITH A VIEW 1985 : Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Simon Cal low, Helena Bonham Carter, Julian Sands, Daniel Day Lewis. An acclaimed romance set in England and Italy,

a young woman resists the restrictions o Ed wardian English society and alls in love with a ree spirit. 1 hr 57 min. Not Rated. Director James Ivory.

Hampton Doc Fest......................................................................................Page 6

Insightful Impressions...Astrology Outlook with Francine

Friday, February 21, 5 7:30pm: HOWARDS END 1992 : Emma Thompson, Anthony Hop kins, Helena Bonham Carter, Vanessa Red grave. The film's narra tive explores class relations in turn o the 20th century Britain, through events in the lives o the Schlegel sisters. 2 hr 22 min. Rated PG 13. Director James Ivory.

Friday, February 28, 5 7:15pm: REMAINS OF THE DAY 1993 : Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, James Fox, Christopher Reeve, Hugh Grant. When the ormer owner o an estate passes away, his ormer butler returns and recalls the events that took place there in the 1930s. 2 hr 14 min. Rated R. Director James Ivory.

A MUSIC LEGACY! Three Centuries of Music from the African Diaspora

DATE: Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025

TIME: 3:30 4:30pm

LOCATION: MONTAUK LIBRARY 871 Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY

GUEST ARTIST: Alexander A. Wu, pianist & arranger COST: Free and Open to the Public REGISTRATION: www.montauklibrary.org/events

At the Montauk Library on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 3:30, in honor o Black History Month, Pianist Alexander Wu will present a solo concert o A MUSIC LEGACY! Three Centuries of Music from the African Di

aspora. Please join us or a celebration o the beauty, diversity and enduring impact o the legacy o A rican diasporic music and culture.

Music of the African Diaspora showcases music composed by A ricans and descendants o A rican slaves. Pianist and music arranger, Alexander Wu re turns to the Montauk Library to per orm and introduce works by notable composers such as Harry T. Burleigh, Florence B. Price, Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, Modesta Bor, Mary Lou Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, R. Nathanile Dett, Tania León, William Grant Still, Herbie Hancock, Nina Simone, Sam Cooke and others.

The discography o Yamaha Per orming Artist, Al exander Wu, includes Bach to the Future: Classical & Jazz Piano, Rhythm Road Across the Americas, Four Hand Band, ZigZag Quartet and the much acclaimed George Gershwin — An American Original Cali ornia native, Alexander A. Wu makes his home in Manhattan. He has per ormed on international stages as a soloist with or chestras and a chamber player with renowned artists in the clas sical, Latin and jazz worlds. He teaches privately in Manhattan and at City Col lege at C.U.N.Y. In 2010, he joined the elite roster o Yamaha Per orming Art ists. As a guest artist and speaker he has given numerous concerts and master classes at libraries, concert halls and schools. Currently, Mr. Wu is on the piano aculty at Third Street Music School Settlement in the East Village and he is the artistic director and co ounder o the Millennium Chamber Players in NYC.

NYS Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations

Regulations as of June 12, 2024. Subject to change at any time. https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/saltwater-fishing/recreational-fishing-regulations

Atlantic Cod

Monkfish (Goose Fish)

Black Sea Bass

23 - Aug 31* Sept 1 - Dec 31**

Bluefish (Including

“Snappers”) SIZE

*Anglers on board federally permitted party or charter vessels may possess 5 Bluefish, consistent with federal rules.

FOUND/CAUGHT: At the bottom of ledges. Sometimes found above bass by drifting or trolling WHEN: Moving water in the summer

BAIT: Drifting: Flounder, live eels, bergauls, black fish, clams, squid, Porgies, fluke LURES/HOOKS: Trolling: lures, umbrella rigs, bunker spoon, large parachute, hopkins, jigs, plugs, buck tails, Carlisle, long shan 4/0 5/0 6/0 7/0 8/0. Snappers: Bridgeport, snapper hook 1/0 1,2,3

Haddock

SIZE LIMITS....................................................18” DAILY LIMITS..........................................No

Pollock

Striped Bass

SIZE LIMITS............................................28” - 31”

DAILY LIMITS......................................................1

OPEN SEASONS........................Apr 15 - Dec 15

FOUND/CAUGHT: At the bottom of ledges or holes / By drifting, trolling, anchoring chumming WHEN: Moving water, moon tides, full moon BAIT: Drifting: Flounder, live eels, porgies, fluke LURES/HOOKS: Trolling: lures, umbrella rigs, bunker spoon, large plugs, buck tails, parachute, hopkins, jigs, bergauls, black fish, clams squid

Summer Flounder (Fluke)

SIZE LIMITS......................................19”* 19.5”**

DAILY LIMITS......................................................3

Red Drum

LIMITS........................................................

Limit forless than 27”. Greater than 27” shall not be possessed.

Scup (Porgy)

PARTY/CHARTER BOATS

SIZE LIMITS....................................................11”

DAILY LIMITS....................................................40

OPEN SEASONS..........................Sept 1 - Oct 31

ALL OTHER ANGLERS SIZE LIMITS....................................................9.5”

DAILY LIMITS....................................................30

OPEN SEASONS..........................May 1 - Dec 31

FOUND/CAUGHT: By rocks or wrecks

WHEN: Summer BAIT: Clams, blood or sand worms, squid LURES/HOOKS: Sproat 1,2,3,4; Carlisle 1,2,3,4

Surfing Montauk with Debra Rose

Cross Training

This chilly winter has left a lot of surfers less motivated to paddle out, especially with a lack luster forecast so far for waves. While many will travel to surf, others will tough it out here in their 5/4 suits, booties, and gloves. No matter where you go and what you do, it is always op timal to cross train and vary your it ness, and winter is a great time to do so.

Surf travel automatically allows you to change it up. Maybe you rent a new board, surf a unique break, choose a place with additional activities along with sur ing. Try to take advantage of wherever you are; hiking, biking, or something new outdoors that you can add to your surf sessions. Chances are you are traveling to a warm environ ment that offers plenty of options.

Lifting weights, adding more yoga or Pilates for strength and lexibility will always bene it your sur ing. The repeti tion of the paddling and pressure on your lower back from popping up will take a toll if you are not building muscle and varying your itness. Maybe as you start now, the habit will stick as the months grow warmer. Always be sure to stretch at home before you head to the beach. Your body and the onlookers will thank you.

Let’s be honest, sur ing is physical and builds strength but not exactly car dio itness unless you are in serious con ditions for hours at a time. Do what you need to boost your cardiovascular func tioning; running, hiking challenging ter rain, biking, whatever is available to you. You want your body strong in all directions and modalities, and just surf ing is not enough. If you want to keep sur ing, keep yourself it overall.

Take up a new activity where you are back in the seat of beginner. If you have been sur ing for a while it may be nice to be humbled, frustrated and ex cited when you make progress. It can remind you of when you started sur ing and how your skills are now so auto matic. It can remind us that we are never too old to learn, never too young to have all the time in the world. Happy sur ing!

OPEN SEASONS........................* May 4 - Aug 1 **Aug 2 - Oct 15

FOUND/CAUGHT: On the edges of channels and drop offs / By drifting with bait in summer smelt

WHEN: Moving water (tide change) in the summer BAIT: Squid, sand eels, killies, shiners, smelt LURES/HOOKS: Buck tails, fins, rubber grubs. Carlisle 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0

Tautog (Blackfish)

SIZE LIMITS....................................................16”

DAILY LIMITS................................................2*, 3*

OPEN SEASONS........................* Apr 1 - Apr 30 **Oct 11 - Dec 9

FOUND/CAUGHT: By rocks, wharves or wrecks / By anchoring over rocks or near bottom structures

WHEN: Spring, Summer, Fall

BAIT: Crabs, clams, worms, Fresh hermit crabs

LURES/HOOKS: Virginia 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Winter Flounder

SIZE LIMITS....................................................12”

DAILY LIMITS......................................................2

SEASONS..........................Apr 1 - May 30

FOUND/CAUGHT: On the edges of channels (in spring) and drop offs / By anchoring or chumming WHEN: Moving water (tide change) in the spring

BAIT: Mussels, blood or sand worms, clam strips

LURES/HOOKS: Small spoons, spinner or feather. Chestertown 7, 8, 9, 10. 11, 12 (better smaller)

Weakfish (Tide Runners)

FOUND/CAUGHT: In deep holes/Anchor or drifting WHEN: Moving water in spring/early summer BAIT: Squid, sand or blood worms (whole), crabs, killfish, butter fish

LURES/HOOKS: Drift: buck tails, rubber bait; Top: Sproat 2, 3, 4; Bottom: Carlisle 1/0 2/0 3/0 4/0 5/0 6/0.

ABOUT OUR COVER…“A SECRET SPOT IN MONTAUK”

PHOTOGRAPH BY ADRIAN MARTIN

Story by Sue Giustino

Adrian Martin grew up on Long Island. As a child, she spent time in Montauk with her family as they refurbished an old lobster boat. Always loving her time here, while in college during the late 70’s, she made her way out to work for the summers. Near and deep in her heart, she ultimately returned to Montauk again in 1990.

Adrian has a Bachelor’s of Fine Art De gree in photography and realizing she couldn’t make a living as an artist, in 1984, she ventured into ilm. Her work has mostly been in commercials, but in the 90’s she worked on a documentary for PBS, NYTV By The People Who Made It, for which she pro duced interviews of numerous well known actors, directors and producers who started their ca reers in NY. Her work earned her 2 Emmy Awards a noteworthy recognition.

Photography has always been her hidden pas sion, Adrian told me. She’s been thinking a lot more about photography in the recent years and always had an eye for the lens.

Fortunate for us, she continues to take beautiful shots like the one on this month’s cover.

At The Senior Center

by Patria Baradi Pacis

Happy New Year! So far, except for some snow lurries measuring to an inch or two, and a couple of cloudy days and rain, Montauk has been blessed with a mild winter. The Center, located at the Playhouse was closed for the holidays and the seniors are glad to be back. Ev eryone looks forward in being served a delicious and well, balanced meal, thanks to Chef Don, Assistant Kaleb and the hard working volunteers.

Decorations have come down from the walls and off the two Christmas trees that were generously do nated by the former White’s Department Store in town. Director Anna Ostroff and the rest of the group have decided to keep the trees up and decorate it for the next holiday in order keep the happy feeling throughout the year. Valentines should be fun.

Last year, the seniors were entertained by tal ented local musicians and singers such as Lori Hub bard, Cliff Muoio and Lydia Shaternik. Hopefully, they will come often to get the seniors singing to forget what ails them, even for just a little while. Laughter is the best medicine!

December babies were Aster Stein and Kaleb Fisher. This time, the cake was made of chocolate and vanilla ice cream decorated with tiny, red roses on white background with blue letterings of "De cember Babies." Happy Birthday Aster and Kaleb, may you have more to come.

If you are 60 and over, come and join this fun loving group. The Center is open from Monday to Friday at 10am to 2pm. For $3.00 you can make reservations and call 631 668 1023 or e mail mtksenctr@gmail.com at least 24 hours in advance. You will be served lunch on real china and silverware. There are also many activities after lunch. See you there!

The Montauk Sun ~ Winter 2025 ~ 9

Montauk Fire Department Corner

Photos by Richard Lewin Professional Photography (soniboy@aol.com)

Good day and Happy New Year to all. I hope everyone had a safe and fun Holiday season with friends and family. I hope that all of us who are staying in Montauk during the winter have made sure that your safety equipment in your home is working properly (smoke de tectors, ire extinguishers, etc.) so that we all enjoy a quiet winter safely in Montauk.

This is my irst time writing this article for The Montauk Sun, so irst I’d like to thank Ken Giustino, Stefan Lonce and the entire team at The Montauk Sun for their continued support and for giving the Montauk Fire Department an opportunity to let people know what’s happening with us.

Secondly please let me introduce myself. My name is Peter Joyce Jr. I recently had the great honor of being elected to the rank of Chief of the Montauk Fire Department. The Department is special to me as the Joyce family has been involved in the Montauk Fire Department since its beginnings when my great uncle Tom Joyce was sworn in as a charter member in 1939. So, as you can imagine I have had the opportunity to be around the Department since I was young. I became actively involved when I joined the Junior Fire Department in 2006. I was of icially voted into the Department and have been a member of Company No.2 from the beginning. I am proud to say that I have fol lowed my grandfather, Former Chief Sam Joyce Sr., my father, Peter Joyce Sr. into the ranks of Chief of the Department which has historical signi icance as this is the irst time this has happened in the Montauk Fire Department. I am excited to serve my De

partment and Community from my new position as Chief and I am looking forward to working with my fellow Chiefs, Of icers, men and women of the MFD in 2025. Having said that, let me introduce you to the new slate of Of icers for 2025. All were of icially sworn in on New Year’s Day 2025.

CHIEF: PETER JOYCE, JR. 1ST ASST CHIEF: KEN GLOGGSECRETARY: JEANINE MIEDZWIECKI 2ND ASST CHIEF: JOE MCDONALDTREASURER: DICK WHITE, JR.

COMPANY 1

CAPTAIN MIKE GROEN LIEUTENANT SAL TERMINI

COMPANY 2

CAPTAIN PETER JOYCE, SR. LIEUTENANT DAWSON LENAHAN

COMPANY 3

CAPTAIN ED SCHNELL LIEUTENANT WILL FIELDS

COMPANY 4

CAPTAIN ELLEN COOKE LIEUTENANT SUE FARNHAM LIEUTENANT AGGIE CINDRICH

COMPANY 5

CAPTAIN ALEX ERRICO LIEUTENANT JOHN RUTKOWSKI

COMPANY 6

CAPTAIN ED ECKER, JR. LIEUTENANT DICK WHITE, JR.

Continued

I would like to take this time to thank all of the folks who were so gen erous with your donations of toys to the Department’s annual Christmas Red Box Toy Drive. Chairman, ire ighter Denis O’Reilly has informed me that this was the best year ever for donations for this event. Thank you for your generosity and thank you, Denis for putting this all together for us every year.

On Sunday, December 8, 2024 the Montauk Fire Department, along with co hosts the Montauk Point Lions Club, held the annual Senior Citizens Holiday Dinner at the irehouse. As always it was a fun time for all. We served approx imately 150 people with ine food, drink, and entertainment by Sara Conway. I’m also happy to say that we delivered another 150 meals to the homes of folks who could not attend and also handed out another 150 meals through our drive up at the ire house. Thank you to all the De partment members and Montauk Lions who worked hard to irst raise the funds for the cost of the dinner and then to participate in the actual put ting on the dinner. A special thank you to Chef Joan Fran zone, who has overseen the preparation of this meal for many years and her staff, in cluding Chefs Sam Joyce and Ed Lightcap.

That’s it for this Montauk Fire Department Corner. I hope everyone has a safe and fun Martin Luther King holiday weekend, and I look forward to further to keeping you up to date with information concerning the department in future editions.

~ Peter Joyce, Jr., Chief, Montauk Fire Department www.montauk iredistrict.org

DARK ELEGY

For years, Artist Suse Lowenstein has opened her lovely secluded home and sculpture garden each day, right here in Montauk, for visitors to experience her very personal work of art DARK ELEGY. Inspired by the loss of her eldest son, Alexander, in the tragedy of Pan Am light 103, from London to NY that went down over Lockerbie, Scotland in an act of terrorism, killing 270 people; this exhibit is a memorial to all those who have lost their lives to terrorism.

11 East Lake Dr., Montauk Open Daily: 10am 12pm

The Montauk Sun ~ Winter

Joe Bloecker Named 63rd Friends of Erin Grand Marshal

by Sue Giustino

The Montauk Friends of Erin have announced their Grand Marshal for the 63rd Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade to be held on Sunday March 30, 2025. Congratulations to Joe Bloecker, the 63rd Grand Marshal!

As usual this year’s festivities will begin March 22nd with the corned beef and cabbage dinner fundraiser. The Grand Marshal’s Luncheon will be on Friday March 28th, followed by the An nual Cocktail Party on Saturday. Stay tuned for additional information: https://montaukfriendsoferin.org/ .

“The O’Bloecker, O’Nigro and O’Ecker families are over the moon with excite ment that this year’s Grand Marshal is himself, Joey Bloecker.

Thank you, Montauk Friends of Erin.

Let the shenanigans begin!!!”

Joe grew up in Babylon Village and at tended catholic school for 12 years. He graduated from St. John the Baptist in 1976, after which he and a group of his friends celebrated by heading to Mon tauk. He found that Montauk had “Ev erything he wanted” and he never left. His irst job here was working for Lester Behan [who was a Grand Mar shal in 1975] for a year on the Peconic Queen. Then he bought a boat and started pinhooking. Eventually he be came a Commercial Fisherman on the Mystic Way, which he did until 1985. After that, he got into construction and also began waiting tables at night.

Eventually he opened his own Home Improvement Company and con tinued with that for 35 years. During this time, he met Cheryl Ecker and they were married on October 12, 1991 and welcomed their beautiful daughter Fal lon on May 30, 1993. “I am so proud of my dad for this incredible honor. He’s put so much work into the town and making it better since as long as I can remember. He coached little league for generations, he helped run the friends of Erin, he was a town trustee, and there is so much more. One thing I have

Continued on Next Page

Montauk Chemists... Opening Early February 2025!

by Sue Giustino

Pharmacist Frank Calvo, of the former Whites Drug Store in Mon tauk, is open ing a new Full Service Pharmacy on Main Street, next to John’s Pancake House.

I spoke brie ly to Frank while he was working on getting Montauk Chemists ready and he told me that the theme of the store will be Health Care Driven. In addition to the full service pharmacy, there will be vacci nations, surgical supplies, vi tamins, pharmaceutical consults, a nurse practitioner, nutritionist, Home Delivery, bath and body works, and of course some souvenirs. Due to regulations, he can’t apply to take insurance until they open. However, he did say that some drugs offer a lower cash cost, and if not and your insurance isn’t available right away, they can transfer it out until he gets all inal ap provals.

844 668 RXRX

www.montaukchemists.com

Joe Bloecker Joe presents the plaque to 51st Grand Marshal, Jack Perna

Joe Bloecker

always known to be true about my dad is when he does some thing he does it with his whole heart and he is always doing it for the betterment of others.

I’m so grateful to the Friends of Erin for this incredible honor and dad I am over the moon for you. Congratulations!!”

In addition to his work and family responsibilities Joe has been involved in numerous groups, events and committees in the town. In 1985 Joe started coaching for Little League and with the exception of a few seasons off, he only retired from that 2 years ago. He was a EH Town Trustee for three terms, Vice Chair man of the EH Republican Commit tee, founding member of the Nature Preserve Committee…they created nature preserve areas that were then off limits to building, and co chairman of the EH Town Cancer Task Force investigating a cancer cluster in the EHHS.

In 1994 Joe joined the Mon tauk Friends of Erin where he be came actively involved in the club and serving as President for 10 years. Spending much time as a proli ic fund raiser for both the FOE and the East Hampton Kiwa nis Club, including starting the

Raf le.

When I asked him about how he feels about this honor, he said, “Being Grand Marshal is absolutely phenomenal…a lifetime achievement award that only one person can receive each year. It feels like a giant Thank You from Montauk.” Congratulations Joe Bloecker. Enjoy your year and all that comes along with it.

Grand Slam Fishing Tournament and the Pot of Gold

Joe performing his presidential duties presenting the sash to Terry Watson, the 53rd Grand Marshal

Joe and Cheryl Bloecker with their daughter, Fallon Nigro and grandsons Joseph Nigro, age 4, and Patrick Nigro, age 2. [missing from the photo is son in law Jimmy Nigro]

with Lawrence Spiro

The following suite of poetry describes our jour ney into winter. Quid pro quo best describes living in the Northeast part of this great country. We enjoy the other seasons so much that when winter blows into town we accept it as payment due.

Becoming Winter

Between summer’s damp driplet haze and winter’s swell before dimming days she puts on airs of spring and sways towards him; he comes near. His gaze is cold and severe.

Winter

Night walks from dusk toward a shivering star. The stroll is slow and long with crisp snap of broken ice and clawing clutching wind. Darkness drip, seep, freeze dragging slow to retired dawn reeling to awake.

Red blaze ignite the leeting day where second seem like minute, minute seem like hour. Grey skyblank the evanescent light. Night walks from dusk toward a shivering star.

A Plea to the Mirror by Willow DuBrovin

I swear I hear them speak. The mirrors…

They whisper slowly as I pass, and even if I silently sneak, they catch me and murmur delicate with subtle class but with the shrill of poison gas.

I swear I hear them speak. The mirrors… The people behind the glass I try to catch them in the act, yet every time I’m left abase starting at the eyes abstract of my lonely, solemn face.

I know I hear them speak. The mirrors…

Their voices grow louder and with it cold they breathe my future so they’ve told. I refuse to listen to the uncontrolled. And as I lutter through my halls, they followed behind with taunting calls, only hissing for me to listen to the history of their fall.

I know I hear them speak. The mirrors…

They love to laugh at my pain, since they know that I know no one else can hear their reign. Unfortunately, as for me, I suffer amongst their vain as my old bones start to wither with age.

ASTROLOLOGY

Continued from Page 6

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) — Your emotions regarding a relationship will in luence its trajectory. After carefully considering unsatis factory options, you are presented with the pos sibility of a natural choice. The important people in your life are content with your decision.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 22) — Your persistence will eventually lead to success, especially in collaborative efforts where others begin to understand your ideas. Watch for ro mantic opportunities, as someone may start showing interest in you. Be mindful of managing your expectations as new opportunities arise, and only take on what you can handle.

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FrancineTesler@FrancineTesler.com Psychic Business Match Maker!

I no longer hear them speak. The mirrors…

Since I’ve passed some time ago I’ve wished for someone to call to me so.

Even if their voice a horri ic whisper I would love to even hear the distinct lisper as I roam my old silent halls. But oh! A person… to see me so? Living, breathing, speaking?

Interrupt

The wind roars and shrills blasting through the quaking sill.

She shifts her sheets and moves slowly from a half dead sleep towards the darkened light. barely dreaming, slightly seeing the grey night shrouded in vitreous white.

Pale ingers press her face against the rigid pane. Her dreams sift through frigid lace and options, identity wain.

Shivering breathes fog the view. Here and now, near and soon fading silhouettes against glass, demur to the static moving past.

A beautiful glow?

I graze the tips of my ingers against the gentle mirror as I whisper for the foreign stranger to linger a little longer…

Yet they turn away, retreating fast, silence vast, as my pleas remain unheard. But my voice carries a wonderful glisten! Doesn't it?

If only someone would stay to goddamn listen.

Clouds and Stars – By Ethan Bell

A normal day to fall in a cloud I shot for the stars, but fell in a cloud of expectations Soft, but honest to my limitation’s dreams ill the room with a warm embrace Working towards a forever change to feel the growth like roots are the veins lowing like a stream into my beautiful lake

Commercial Characters...Test Your Knowledge!

by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel

A recent television commercial highlighted that Smokey the Bear just turned 80 years old! Many of us grew up easily recog nizing Smokey as the sym bol of ire safety and the important of protecting our trees and wildlife. It was the U.S. Forest Service that used Smokey to educate the pub lic about ire safety in its Wild ire Prevention Cam paign. Started in 1944, it is one of the longest running public service announce ment campaign in the United States. We remember his deep voice saying “Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires” as we saw him in a forest rangers hat. Speaking of voices, Smokey has been narrated over the years by a long list of celebrities and other noteworthy people. This includes actor Sam Elliott who voiced Smokey from 2008 thru 2023, Jeff Foxworthy and Al Roker, to name only a few. So popular was Smokey back in the 1970’s and 80’s, often a traveling bear (not a real one) made appearances in large garden centers to promote his message. Back then we drove to a nearby town on a Sun day afternoon with our four year old to visit Smokey, shake his hand and have a photo taken with him. The line was long, attesting to this iconic television character’s commer cial message and recognition.

Companies selling a product pay huge sums of money to advertising agencies to come up with logos, jingles and characters to represent their product. The character has to be likeable, memorable and if a catchy jingle or phrase is devised, all the better. Children’s cereals and other products they use are typically the most famous of all. See how many you recall from your childhood that may no longer be used, yet you know the image or can recite the jingle.

Questions:

1) Can you name the three Rice Krispies elves?

2) What was the name of the tuna representing Starkist?

3) Who was the bald man with muscles that would “save the day” helping the distressed housewife clean?

4) What animal was the symbol for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes and what did he say about them?

5) What character represented Alka Seltzer and had a tablet for a hat that depicted fast results for your pain?

6) What soup boasted it was “mm, mm good”?

7) A basset hound was the mascot for what shoe style?

8) What cartoon character walked around in a top hat, car ried a cane and wore a monocle to represent a snack com pany?

9) What washing ma chine company claimed it was so good that the re pairman was lonely and never had repair calls?

10) Back in 1984 a little old lady named Clara Peller asked the question, “Where’s the beef ?” as she made a purchase at a fast food restaurant. What company made this commercial showing that their burgers were larger in size?

Answers: 1)

Snap, Crackle and Pop; 2) Charlie; 3) Mr. Clean; 4) Tony the Tiger, who said “They’re Grrreat!”

Speedy; 6) Campbell’s Soup; 7) Hush Puppies;

Mr. Peanut; 9) Maytag; 10) Wendy’s

Winter Weather… Be Prepared!

by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel

As much as we dislike admitting it, once daylight savings time has passed, so does the nice autumn weather. It is time to turn our thoughts about what we have to look orward to, the dreaded winter season. Un less you are someone that skis and loves snow, then like the rest o us, this weather means work, o ten di ficulty in commuting, higher uel bills and possible electrical outages. With these thoughts in mind, now is the time to prepare, “just in case” o high winds or ice that cause many communities to lose power. Even or a short period o time, these events can be very disturbing and unset tling. The best way to survive these ordeals with a mini mum o stress is to be prepared the best you can. The steps to do so are simple, not expensive and worth the time and e ort now to have them in place.

Most important is to have enough light to maneuver in case your house is dark because o a power outage and you have to go rom room to room. Buy a ew portable sel powered lights, battery powered flashlights or gas powered lanterns. We have one o those old ashioned camping lanterns and it throws enough light to illumi nate a whole room and bright enough to read by or those long evenings without a television or computer to enter tain. Candles can be on hand, too, but be cautious i young children are in the home. Or perhaps you have pets that can jump on a so a and accidently bump into a candle on an end or co ee table. Don’t orget to stock up on packages o AA, C, D, 6 or 9 volt batteries that you made need or your lanterns or flash lights. It’s best to keep your batteries next to or in a close cabinet o your flashlights. Why put them in two locations, especially in a darkened basement where you would have to search or them in the dark? Be sure to test your equipment requently throughout the winter. Portable, sel powered radios are a must to keep abreast o what the weather, road conditions and what emergency in ormation is being dispersed by your community or surrounding areas. A weather radio is also a good thing to have to keep in ormed about storm updates, wind and tide heights and other in ormation that pertains to your locale. Some in ormation might be important enough to warrant evac uation o your home. Be sure to tell all amily members where these emergency supplies are located, too. In case the power outage lasts or a ew days, like during Hurricane Sandy, this could mean the loss o all re rigerated items. Meat and veggies that were de rosted need to be cooked first, that is i you have a gas range or access to a grill. Our neighbor uses his grill on his deck evening during winter and during that storm we dined together, when I gave him some o our more expensive cuts o meat to cook that were de rosting. However, i there is snow on the ground, much o the ood can be sa ely salvaged by storing outside in picnic ice chests or large plastic storage containers. In the past, we packed them ull with snow and put ood items in plastic bags and either pushed them into the snow to keep rozen or put them on top o the snow to keep cold. Containers o milk, juice cartons, butter and other items did fine using this method. This kept the items resh or several days. A portable generator can be purchased that will provide energy or light and preserving ood. This smaller one is less expensive than one that would power the whole house. Budget and amily needs dictate which is best or your household.

Hampton Doc Fest...

Continued from Page 6

The Thinking Game is a first hand look into Deep Mind, one o the world's leading AI labs. The film en ables the audience to explore the inner workings o experimentation and exploration as scientist Demis Hassabis and his team venture to solve the enigma o artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Incredible insight into this world o technological advancement is revealed. The filming takes place over five years, capturing the moment when Hassabis and his team make history with AlphaFold, a groundbreak ing program that solved a 50 year grand challenge in biology. Through this eye opening film I was able to ex pand my own personal knowledge o the topic o AI, as well as leave with questions and a ew concerns about its uture implications or our society,

Zurawski V Texas is a timely film that was inspired by the likely possibility that Roe v. Wade would be over turned. The Directors had the insight to explore how they could cover the repercussions o that decision as they un olded. A ter meeting with attorney Molly Duane through the Center or Reproductive Rights, they chose the case being filed or Amanda Zurawski and our other women with the hope it ‘would enable them to show the trauma along with some degree o hope’.

Amanda Zurawski, who was denied an abortion under Texas’ ambiguous and un orgiving abortion bans, band together with our other women under the guid ance o their earless attorney Molly Duane, to sue Texas. These women share their personal tragedies at the expense o their own emotional and mental well being. The revealing and reliving o their aw ul experi ences while battling in multiple courts against the state and its immovable Attorney General, is obviously trau

matic and overwhelming. I was brought to tears as I journeyed along with these strong, inspiring, and cou rageous women as they ‘wrestled to regain their repro ductive utures and set a precedent or millions o other women and amilies.’

Congratulations to the event coordinators and all o the participating film makers. Once again, the chosen films awed, entertained, inspired, and educated their audiences.

2024 BROWN HARRIS STEVENS AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER:

“MUSICA!”

Jacqui Lo aro, ounder and executive director o Hamptons Doc Fest, has announced that the winner o the 2024 Brown Harris Stevens Audience Award or Best Documentary Feature is the upli ting film “Mú sica!,” which was the first film to play on opening day, December 5.

“There’s always a bit o intrigue in guessing what film will win the Audience Award,” says Jacqui Lo aro, “but when the tallies are in, we all say ‘o course that was the one.’ This year’s film program o 32 films was star studded, so I congratulate directors Rob Epstein and Je rey Friedman on their outstanding documen tary and well deserved award. And we thank Brown Harris Stevens or their continuing support o our mis sion and documentary film estival.”

The film had also been selected as the recipient o the Hamptons Doc Fest’s 2024 Art & Inspiration Award, sponsored by the Tee & Charles Addams Foundation. Full o music, it ollows several passionate young Cuban musicians, including a pianist, a double bass player and a trumpeter, as they work to find success and ulfill ment, whether in Cuba or abroad.

The directors, who both attended the estival and the Q&A at the Sag Harbor Cinema, had earlier won an

Continued on Page 21

PAUL SNYDER’S WINTER HOOPS JOURNAL

My December hoop coverage started with the Ma roon Tournament at Arlington High School December 6 & 7. The 178 mile drive to Poughkeepsie on Friday the 6th was eye opening. A ter crossing the Throgs Neck Bridge at 1pm I took the Bronx River parkway to the Sprain Brook to the Taconic Parkway and realized that snow had recently blanketed the area while Mon tauk had been spared. I got to Arlington or the 5pm tip against Ossining HS. Ossining is the birthplace o two NBA playing brothers, Jacob & Obi Toppin. Jacob, 24 is with the Knicks and Obi, 26 is with the Pacers. Jacob was not highly recruited and played or Ossining be ore finishing his high school career at Woodstock Academy in CT. His older brother Obi lists our high schools (Her itage, FL Melbourne Central, FL Ossining & Mt Zion Prep in Baltimore). Luckily, Mount Vernon has a rich history o keeping local talent. Kids grow up dreaming o playing or the High School at 100 Cali ornia Road.

I’m sure there’s plenty o Catholic & Prep Schools that would love to cherry pick the best players rom the 12 time NY Public HS Athletic Association champions. Mount Vernon has a legendary Head Coach. As we go to press Mt. Vernon’s Head Coach Bob Cimmino has 610 career wins. The Knights beat Ossining 70 51. The next day Mount Vernon got an early season wake up call when the tournament’s home team, Arlington beat the Knights or the first time in Arlington’s history, 49 45. At times it elt like MV was playing against more than five players with the re erees consistently making bad calls against them. I’ve watched this happen throughout the years. Regardless, the Knights needed to move on. It’s well known that the Knights have tar gets on their backs because o their consistent success.

Three days later on Tuesday December 10th I was blessed to cover the Jimmy V Classic at the world’s most amous arena, Madison Square Garden. James Thomas Anthony Valvano was born in Queens in 1946, he played point guard or Rutgers rom 1964 67. He was an assistant at Rutgers rom’67 ‘69 became Head coach o Johns Hopkins ‘69 ‘70 was an assistant or UCONN ‘70 ‘72. He finished up as head coach or Bucknell (‘72

75), Iona (‘75 ‘80) & NC State (‘80 ‘90) be ore he succumbed to glandular cancer in 1993. Jimmy V’s cancer was diagnosed in June 1992. In basketball his biggest coaching moment was winning the NCAA Championship in 1983 at NC State.

On the 10 year anniversary o the 1983 champion ship he gave a speech at NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum on February 21, 1993. During the speech about hope, love and persistence he included “don’t give up, don’t ever give up”. Eleven days later he gave his most amous speech at MSG at ESPN’s first ESPY awards on March 4, 1993 while accepting the inaugural Arthur Ashe Cou rage and Humanitarian Award. On April 28, 1993 he lost his battle with cancer at 47 years old. It indeed was spe cial to cover the doubleheader at the Garden on the sec ond Tuesday o December 2024. First game was Miami vs no.1 ranked Tennessee. TN came into the game 8 0. Miami was 3 6. The game started ast with both teams connecting on 3 pointers. In the first eleven minutes they both hit 6 threes. Miami was 6 12. TN was 6 11. Miami took their only lead o the first hal at 25 24 with 7:57 le t. TN ran o 14 straight points and led at hal 38 25. A ter hal TN inflated their lead to eighteen 53 35 with 13:04 to go. With 5:39 to go I tweeted about Divine Ugochukwu hitting both o his ree throws to get Miami to 63 57. This would be the closest they got los ing 75 62 a ter Tennessee outscored them 12 5 in the last 5:39.

A ter the game I got to ask legendary Miami head coach Jim Larranaga my final question. I asked about Di vine. I heard NBA & NCAA legend Hakeem Olajuwon was Divine’s God ather. The 75 year old coach rom the Bronx took over two minutes answering my question about the final 5:39 and Divine’s per ormance and re cruitment. Jim Larranaga stepped down rom coaching the Hurricanes December 26, 2024. Jim sited the pro essionalism o his sport in the NIL era. The name, image and likeness era o college basketball has become the Wild West. Jim just couldn’t deal with it anymore.

Continued on Page 29

ESCAPE FROM PARADISE

with Ingrid Lemme Chalut

Caribbean Dreams Cabo Rojo, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Aruba!

As golden sunlight painted Florida's highways, we drove from Palm Coast to Fort Lauderdale, brimming with anticipation. After weeks of planning, we settled into our nicely furnished and newly renovated pre cruise accommodations at Fair ield Inn & Suites, our car tucked safely away for the duration of our adventure. The next day would launch our 10 day Caribbean journey aboard Holland America Line's ms Eurodam, a re ined Signature class vessel that had already charmed us on previous voyages. Our capable captain was Captain Jeroen van Donselaar, an extraordinary professional who provided a seamless experience.

Embarkation lowed effortlessly, and we nestled into our suite, secured through a paid upgrade, under the attentive care of our ever present stewards, Kadek and Frans. Excitement bubbled up at the prospect of exploring ive distinct Caribbean destinations, four of which we would visit for the irst time. Our loating home would guide us through

an enticing itinerary: Half Moon Cay, Cabo Rojo, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Aruba.

Paradise welcomed us irst at Half Moon Cay, Hol land America's private Bahamian retreat. This pristine sanctuary has dominated Porthole Cruise Magazine's Best Private Island awards for two decades, though MSC's Ocean Cay island now offers fresh competition. We spent a couple of blissful hours on powder soft beaches caressed by crys tal waters, setting an im pressive standard for the adventures ahead.

Our irst couple of sea days on board allowed us to explore the ship's amenities and embrace the rhythm of cruise life, though with an amusing early morning lesson.

After dutifully hanging our room service breakfast order before 2 AM, Yusuf arrived promptly at 6 AM. My husband, still deep in slumber, was less than pleased to discover we'd overlooked the time zone change. I couldn't help but grin at our minor miscalculation.

Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, unveiled our next adventure. This gleaming new cruise port showcases the country's lourishing tourism development since gaining independence in 1844. During our visit, I encountered two German students who were contributing to local tourism initiatives in exchange for room, board, and pocket money, which was an unex pected glimpse into sustain able tourism practices.

Continued on Page 24

We will be closing February 10th, after Super Bowl LIX and re-opening on March 14th. We’ll see you then!

APPETIZERS

Baked Clams

Montauk’s traditional chopped baked clams

Blackened Scallops*

Served with an original dipping sauce

Blackened Seared Rare Tuna* .

Fresh local tuna served over sesame ginger dressed greens

SOUPS & SALADS

Soup of The Day

Ask your server Point Chili

Hot and spicy, topped with melted cheddar jack cheese

House Salad

Mescullin greens with fresh vegetables

.12

.16

. .14

Buffalo Shrimp

SUNDAY M Y ARY S SUPERBOWL LIX! FEBRUARY 9TH

SERVING LUNCH AND DINNER DAILY! KID S MENU AVAILABLE!

Jumbo shrimp deep-fried and tossed in buffalo or Jamaican jerk sauce

Cajun Calamari

Crispy calamari dusted with cajun spice, banana peppers, pico de gallo and sweet chili sauce

Fried Calamari

Served with The Point’s house marinara

SUNDAY...BLOODY MARY SPECIALS ASK ABOUT OUR LATE NIGHT MENU!

.15

.14

.12

Add grilled chicken breast .......................6

Add grilled shrimp ..................................8

Classic Caesar Salad

Crisp romaine lettuce, croutons dressed with a creamy Caesar dressing

Add grilled chicken breast .......................6

.12

Add grilled shrimp ..................................8 BLT Wedge Salad

.12

Iceburg lettuce topped with apple wood bacon bits, cherry tomatoes, blue cheese dressing & fried onions

Add grilled chicken breast .......................6

Add grilled shrimp ..................................8

Southwestern Chicken Salad . . . . .18

Fried chicken, bacon, spicy bean medley, tomatoes, onions, shredded cheddar jack cheese, roasted corn & a side of chipotle ranch

Seared Tuna Salad* .

.18

Rare blackened tuna over mesclun greens, with tomatoes, red onions, carrots, sesame ginger dressing

Shrimp Cobb Salad

Sautéed shrimp over romaine lettuce, avocado, roasted southwestern corn, grape tomatoes, and red onions served with champagne dressing

SANDWICHES & BURGERS

All burgers served with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and french fries

Add bacon or cheese $1

The Point Burger .

Our signature burger

Buffalo Burger

98% lean bison

Turkey Burger

Grilled seasoned ground turkey

Rowdy Reuben Burger

Topped with coleslaw, thousand island dressing & swiss cheese served on Texas toast

Stuffed Burger

Stuffed with jack cheese & bacon, topped with BBQ sauce

Blue Cheese Burger

Topped with onion rings & blue cheese

Breakfast Burger

.16

.18

Topped with a fried egg & applewood smoked bacon

Steakhouse Burger

Mozzarella cheese, onion rings & black pepper steak sauce

Cajun Burger

Cajun spiced ground sirloin, topped with pepperjack cheese, pico de gallo & spicy mayo

Tex Mex Burger

Topped with guacamole, sautéed onions & bacon

Worcestershire Burger

Topped with worcestershire sauce, sautéed mushrooms & mozzarella cheese

Fajita Burger

.18

Topped with pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole & jack cheese, wrapped in a flour tortilla

Veggie Burger

.18

and our creamy house mashed potatoes

Diced vegetables, topped with avocado & swiss cheese

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

Crispy deep fried Buffalo chicken strips wrapped in a tortilla with bacon, lettuce, tomato & blue cheese dressing

Sesame Rare Tuna Steak*

.18

.16

Quesadilla . . .

.20

Fresh lobster, shredded cheddar jack cheese, scallions served with sour cream and pico de gallo

Point Crab Cakes

Two Maryland style crab cakes served with tartar sauce

Shrimp Cocktail . . .

Four jumbo shrimp served with cocktail sauce

Steamed Mussels

.14

. . .15

.15

Garlic butter & white wine sauce OR house marinara sauce sprinkled with parmesan cheese

Crispy Chef Rolls

Your choice of southwest chicken, served with chipotle ranch OR philly cheese steak served with BBQ sauce

Nachos .

Tortilla chips topped with jack cheddar, jalapeños, point chili, sour cream and pico de gallo

Potato Skins

Topped with melted cheddar cheese, bacon bits & sour cream

Chicken Quesadilla

Choice of grilled or Buffalo style with cheddar jack cheese, served with pico de gallo & sour cream Point Combo

Five Point wings, two sliders & fries

Grilled Chicken BLT . .

.12

.15

.12

.14

.16

. .16

Grilled chicken breast on a bun with bacon, lettuce, tomato, american cheese & chipolte mayo

Monterey Chicken Sandwich . . . . .16

Grilled chicken breast on a bun with bacon, melted cheddar jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion & side of 1000 island dressing

Fish Reuben

Local catch of the day deep fried topped with melted swiss cheese & coleslaw on white toast

TACOS

Fish

Blackened local fish, spicy coleslaw, pico de gallo, jack cheese, drizzled with chipolte mayo

Shrimp

Deep fried shrimp tossed in sweet chili sauce with bacon, jack cheese, and spicy coleslaw

Steak .

Seasoned sirloin, topped with street corn and cojita cheese

PASTAS

Local mussels, shrimp, and calamari tossed in our house marinara sauce, served over linguini and topped off with parmesan cheese

Creamy Seafood Pasta . .

.16

Catch of the Day . . .

.20

. .29

Lobster, shrimp, and scallops sauteéd in a lobster bisque over farfalle topped with scallions and shredded parmesan

. . . . .16

Fresh local fish, cooked pan fried or blackened, with lettuce, tomato, onion & side of tartar sauce

Philly Cheese Steak .

Shaved Delmonico steak with sautéed onions, peppers & shredded jack cheese on a garlic bread hogie

Steak Sandwich

NY Strip steak sliced, served on garlic bread with fried onons & a side of our creamy steak sauce

Seared Tuna

Blackened rare tuna sliced with fresh guacamole, pico de gallo, drizzled with cucumber wasabi dressing

Chicken

Avocado

.16

.19

.20

Blackened grilled chicken, guacamole, pico de gallo, cojita cheese, drizzled with chipotle ranch

.20

chicken breast covered in tomato sauce and mozzarella served over linguini Lobster Ravioli

Light lemon and garlic cream sauce topped with scallions and parmesan cheese

.30

Lobster

Deep fried avocado, melted jack cheese, pico de gallo, drizzled with chipotle ranch

The 14th Annual Montauk Music Festival

Presented by Montauk Sun Main Stage Location to be determined a percentage of the proceeds will Benefit Lucia's Angels & Coalition for Women’s Cancers May 15 to 18, 2025

A 4 day long showcase of Musicians performing original music. 45 different venues in Montauk, NY. Also a 2-day open air stage concert with two stages Featuring Rock, Pop, Americana Alternative, Reggae, Blues, Jazz, Flamenco, Country... For info www montaukmusicfestival com

Montauk Sun’s

Photo Booth Fun

Halfway to Summer Party at the MONTAUKET

Sat. February 8th • 7pm Start • No Cover 7 to 8pm complimentary sponsor drinks

Herradura Tequlia • Nightowl Martini

Montauk Brewing Beer • Hula Hut Spirits • Jack Daniel’s

Hors d’oeuvres by the Shagwong • Live music by the Realm

Live music by the Realm Live music by the Realm

Come celebrate Montauk Sun’s 25th season & 14th Montauk Music Festival

Hors d’oeuvres

Compliments of the Shagwong

Lynn’s Hula Hut will be returning to Montauk this summer at The Cove Marina, 364 Westlake Drive! They will be featuring their awesome culinary cock tails, a fresh dockside menu, & as usual, amazing live entertainment.

This magical slice of paradise was founded in 2012 by Lynn Calvo. Lynn, a lobsterman’s daughter and bartender, would travel to exotic tropical locals in the winter, but, in 2010, returned and worked hard to get Lynn’s Hula Hut off the ground so that she could share her love of the tropics with you. The success of Lynn’s Hula Hut and her world famous

cocktails have been featured in Forbes, People, and Condé Nast. Known for their unique tropical cocktails made with the freshest ingredients, the locals know just one sip and you’ll be hooked on their Hula Juice! “I feel so blessed to have had such an amazing clien tele and staff for the past 12 years!! It takes a village, so thank you!”

The tropical and laid back vibe is what it’s all about. “Our clientele are everyone from Fisherman to Surfers to Teachers to Wall Streeters. Everyone is treated equally and that’s what makes the Hula Hut so special!” After publishing her irst Cocktail book, TIKI With A Twist, she founded Hula Hut Spirits, based on her liquor infusions at the bar that locals wait all year for, like the be loved Hula Juice Spiced Coconut Rum. This line of tropically inspired and infused spirits are now available direct to your door in 35 states and at local retailers. Lynn’s second book, TIKI with a Twist Volume II is also available online and features a quote from actor Bryan Cranston on the cover!

Lynn’s Hula Hut will be open for the Montauk Music Festival this May! Patrons can look forward to the infamous “Bloody Paradise” Bloody Mary Bar every Saturday & Sun day from 12 3pm, and special musical guests throughout the year.

To learn more about hours of operations, see this summer’s live music lineup, or to book your next event in Paradise, visit www.Lynnshulahut.net or follow along on social media. We hope to see you all there!

Lynn’s second book, “TIKI with a Twist Volume II” is also available online and features a quote from actor Bryan Cranston on the back cover!

Hampton Doc Fest...

Continued from Page 15

Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature with the ilm “Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt,” and Bob Epstein had also won an Oscar for “The Times of Harvey Milk.” They had also won a Grammy for Best Music Film for “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice.”

“It’s been a joy to see how ‘Música!' resonates with audiences,” said Epstein and Friedman. “Receiv ing the Hamptons Documentary Festival Audience Award is a wonderful af irmation of that connection.”

Robert Nelson, Executive Managing Director of Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons added: “We ex tend our heartfelt congratulations to the directors of ‘Música!’ and everyone at Hamptons Doc Fest for another sensational season of documentary ilms. It’s an honor to continue our tradition of supporting the arts in our local Hamptons communities through the Brown Harris Stevens Audience Award.”

For those interested in seeing the Q&A where An drew Botsford interviews the directors, all of the Q&A’s from Hamptons Doc Fest’s 17th festival can be viewed on the website at www.hamptonsdocfest.com

TWO HAMPTONS DOC FEST AWARD FILMS NAMED TO OSCAR DOCUMENTARY SHORTLIST

Hamptons Doc Fest executive director Jacqui Lo faro and artistic director Karen Arikian announced that two of the feature ilms screened at this year’s 17th annual Hamptons Doc Fest, were named to the Oscars Shortlist of 15 ilms in the Documentary Fea ture Film category by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. They are “Daughters” and “Union,” which were both Hamptons Doc Fest awards ilms.

“Daughters,” directed by Angela Patton and Nata lie Rae, who both appeared at the Sag Harbor Cinema on December 8 for their Q&A after the ilm, received the Hamptons Doc Fest’s prescient new award this year—the irst Breakthrough Director Award—pre sented by the ilm’s co presenters, Hamptons Doc Fest executive director Jacqui Lofaro and New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) CEO Cynthia Lopez.

The ilm, which took eight years to make, follows four young girls as they prepare for a special Daddy Daughter Dance with their fathers who were incarcer ated in a Washington D.C. jail, some for 20 year sen tences, where they’re not allowed to touch or hug their children. Speaking to the program’s success rate, ninety ive percent of the participants in this 12 week “Date with Dad” program that now exists in a dozen prisons never returned to jail after being paroled.

The ilm, available globally on Net lix, premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and also won two awards there in the U.S. Documentary Competition— Festival Favorite and Audience Choice.

“Union,” which won a Grand Jury Prize at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, and Best Documentary Fea ture at several other ilm festivals, was sold out at its screening at the Sag Harbor Cinema on December 6. It was preceded by a presentation of this year’s Hamp tons Doc Fest Impact Award to the Ford Foundation’s JustFilms Program Of icer Paulina Suarez by PBS American Masters founder Susan Lacy, for its 75 years of funding social impact ilms like “Union.” After the screening, both directors Brett Story and Stephen Maing appeared live for their Q&A. The ilm chronicles the story of a group of warehouse workers as they launched a grassroots campaign at an Amazon ful ill ment center on Staten Island to start the American Labor Union.

Stay tuned on January 17, when the smaller list of ive “nominees” in each Oscar category will be an nounced, with the ultimate winner receiving the Oscar at the Academy Award ceremony on March 2.

At Hamptons Doc Fest on December 5 at Sag Harbor Cinema, Hamptons Doc Fest artistic director Karen Arikian, left, and ex ecutive director Jacqui Lofaro, fourth left, gathered with “Música!” directors Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein and other ilm produc tion leaders. At festival’s end, the ilm went on to win the coveted 2024 Brown Harris Stevens Audience Award. Photo by Jim Lennon.

On December 8, Cynthia Lopez, left, CEO of NYWIFT (NY Women in Film & Television) and Hamptons Doc Fest executive director Jacqui Lofaro, right, had presented the festival’s irst Breakthrough Direc tor Award to Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, directors of the ilm “Daughters,” which screened at the Sag Harbor Cinema and is now shortlisted for an Oscar.

The Montauk Sun ~ Winter 2025

PARTY BOATS

Easy Breeze Cruises .

.(631) 644-1125

462 W. Lake Dr., Montauk www.easybreezecruises.com

Ebb Tide (formerly Marlin V) .

Montauk Harbor

Lazybones

474 West Lake Dr., Montauk Harbor

Miss Montauk

www.missmontauk.com

Viking Fishing Fleet

462 West Lake Dr., Montauk www.vikingfleet.com

AUTOMOTIVE CARE

Automotive Solutions

63 Navy Rd., Montauk

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B & B Auto Service . . .Night: (631) 668-2217 Day: (631) 668-1195

213 Edgemere St., Montauk, next to LIRR Station

Marshall & Sons Exxon Station

.(631) 668-2990 / 2136 Montauk Hwy., Montauk

BANKS

Bridgehampton National Bank

#1 The Plaza, Montauk

Chase Bank

Montauk Hwy., Montauk

Suffolk County National Bank

On the Plaza, Montauk www.scrib.com

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Chabad of Montauk

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16 N. Gravesend Ave., Montauk www.jewishmontauk.com

Chabad of The Hamptons

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13 Woods Lane, East Hampton www.jewishhamptons.com

East Hampton Urgent Care Center

470 Pantigo Rd., East Hampton

Montauk Community Church (Protestant)

Montauk Hwy., Montauk

Montauk Chamber of Commerce

Montauk Historical Society

Montauk Library

Montauk Medical Center

Main St., Montauk

Montauk School

St. Therese of Lisieux (Roman Catholic)

Essex St., Montauk

Signs and Wonders Church of God

So. Emerson and So. Edgemere, Montauk

U.S. Coast Guard - Montauk

.(631) 329-5900

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668-3377

668-3705

668-2474

668-2200

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668-2773

GROCERS / MARKETS / TAKE-OUT / WINE & LIQUOR

Finest Kind Wines & Liquors

.(631) 668-WINE (9463)

552 West Lake Dr., Montauk ~Free Delivery~ ~Open All Year~

Goldberg’s Famous Bagels, Flagels & Deli

28 S. Etna Ave., Montauk

Gosman’s Fish Shop

.(631) 238-5976

.(631) 668-2447 West Lake Dr., Montauk

Hampton Coffee Company - Montauk

668-8206

732 Montauk Hwy., Montauk www.hamptoncoffeecompany.com

Herb’s Montauk Market

.(631) 668-2335 ~Open All Year~

IGA Supermarket

.(631) 668-4929 Montauk Hwy., Montauk ~Open All Year~

Joni’s Kitchen

34 S. Etna Plaza #9, Montauk Left Hand Coffee

83 S. Elmwood Ave., Montauk

M&R Deli

728 Montauk Hwy., Montauk

Montauk Beverage Works

Lighthouse Marina

.(631) 722-3400

229 Meetinghouse Crk. Rd., Aquebogue www.lighthousemarina.com

Montauk Angler’s Club

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467 East Lake Dr., Montauk www.montaukanglersclub.com

Montauk Marine Basin .

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426 West Lake Dr., Montauk www.marinebasin.com

Montauk Sportsmans Dock

414 West Lake Dr., Montauk

Montauk Yacht Club Resort Marina

32 Star Island Rd., Montauk

Offshore Sports Marina

408 West Lake Dr., Montauk

Rick’s Crabby Cowboy Cafe & Marina

435 East Lake Dr., Montauk

Snug Harbor Resort & Marina

3 Star Island Rd., Montauk

Star Island Yacht Club and Marina

Star Island Rd., Montauk www.starislandyc.com

Uihlein’s Marina & Boat Rental

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Montauk Harbor www.hamptonsweb.com/uihleins

West Lake Fishing Lodge

352 West Lake Dr., Montauk

REAL ESTATE

Compass Real Estate

37 The Plaza B, Montauk www.compass.com

Corcoran Group Real Estate

729D Montauk Hwy., Montauk www.corcoran.com

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

752 Montauk Hwy., Montauk

Halstead Real Estate www.halstead.com

Martha Greene Real Estate

6 South Etna Ave., Montauk

Saunders & Associates

.(631) 668-5600

.(631) 668-2000

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.(631) 668-2811

.(631) 668-2211

764 Montauk Hwy. #4, Montauk www.saunders.com

Town & Country Real Estate

Main St., Montauk

RECREATION

Depot Gallery

.(631) 668-0500

.(631) 668-0897

Edgemere & Flamingo Roads, in the old Montauk train station

Hither Hills State Park

.(631) 668-2461 (Camping) Old Montauk Hwy.

Montauk Downs State Park

.(631) 668-5000 (Golf, Camping & Hiking)

Montauk Downs State Park Tennis

.(631) 238-5126 (court rentals, private lessons, clinics) tennisatthedowns@gmail.com

Montauk Point Lighthouse

Montauk Hwy.

Puff & Putt Family Fun Center

Montauk Hwy., Montauk

Theodore Roosevelt County Park

Star Island Yacht Club & Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(631) 668-5052

Star Island, Montauk

Strawberry Fields .

697 Montauk Hwy., Montauk

Sunset SurfShack .

.(631) 668-MARY

.(631) 668-2495

76 South Elmwood, Montauk www.SunsetSurfShack.com

The 8th Drifter

Corner of S. Edison and Main St., Montauk

Vintage Pink

.(631) 668-8200

787B Montauk Hwy., Montauk (Behind Montauk Clothing Co.) Wave Boutique

.(631) 238-5001 18 S. Etna Ave., Montauk White’s Drug & Dept. Store

.(631) 668-2994 The Plaza, Montauk ~Open All Year~ Winick Fine Jewelry

771 Montauk Hwy., Montauk

SERVICES

East End Waterproofing

.(631) 749-5900 www.mildewbusters.com

East Hampton Fuel Corp.

.(631) 324-2420 22 Central Ave., East Hampton Elementary Tudor - Sue

668-5880 South Edison, Montauk HAIRTAUK

668-8075

.(631) 238-9333 Serving Montauk www.hardyplumbing.com

Henry’s Hair Design

.(631) 324-1233 East Hampton, NY www.DWILawyerMontauk.com

Lucas & Weiss HandyMen, Corp.

.(631) 668-6665 283 Flamingo Road, Montauk Montauk Laundromat

668-4349 So. Elmwood Ave., Montauk ~Open All Year~ Montauk Plumbing & Heating

.(631) 668-8499 www.montaukplumbing.net

Montauk Sports

Montauk Tent Kompany (MTK)

668-2544

668-4473

852-7879 (Camping, Hiking & Museum Information)

RETAIL SHOPS: BAIT/GIFTS/CLOTHING/PHARMACY/VIDEO

Air & Speed Surf Shop

Main St., Montauk

Blacksheep MTK

3 Carl Fisher Plaza, Montauk www.blacksheepmtk.com

The Embassy Market

Spanish Market Embassy & Euclid Sts., Montauk East End Naturals

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.(631) 668-7007

.(631) 668-8600

626-8127 www.montaukbev.com

Montauk General Store

669 Montauk Hwy., Montauk

Naturally Good Foods & Cafe

38 S. Etna Ave., Montauk

Tony’s Meat Market

541 W. Lake Dr., Montauk www.tonysmtk.com

White’s Liquors

.(631) 668-0900

.(631) 668-9030

.(631) 483-5040

.(631) 668-2426 Main St., Montauk ~Free Delivery~ ~Open All Year~

HARDWARE, LUMBER & HOME IMPROVEMENT

Becker Home Center

775 Montauk Hwy., Montauk

Bistrian Materials, Inc.

86 Industrial Rd., Montauk

Riverhead Building Supply

94 Industrial Rd., Montauk

INSURANCE

Nationwide Insurance

MARINAS

Diamond Cove Marina

364 West Lake Dr., Montauk

.(631) 668-2368

.(631) 668-7950

.(631) 668-6800

.(631) 608-4240

.(631) 668-6592

668-0356

668-4364

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604-5212

345 Montauk Hwy., Wainscott www.eastendnaturals.com Endz Salon

S. Etna, Montauk indy home montauk

668-6887

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71 South Elmwood Ave. www.indyhomemontauk.com Kai-Kai Sandals

Main St., Montauk kai lani

Main St., Montauk www.shopkailani.com

Kathryn Nadeau Custom Framing

S. Etna Ave., Montauk kellyb

41 The Plaza, Montauk www.kellybmtk.com

Key West Aloe of Montauk

Main St., Montauk

Martell’s

Main St., Montauk

MOMTAUK

.(631) 668-4499

.(631) 668-1518

.(631) 668-6383

238-5659

.(631) 668-6000

.(631) 668-1248

.(631) 461-3984

131 S. Emerson Ave., Unit 3, Montauk www.momtauk.com

Montauk Bike Shop

Montauk Clothing Co.

Main St., Montauk ~Open All Year~

Montauk Corner Store

Main St., Montauk

Montauk Daisies

Main St., Montauk

Montauk Surf & Sports

Main St., Montauk ~Open All Year~

Montauk Sweatshirt Co.

Gosman/Duryea Dock Area

Nibi MTK

88 S. Euclid Ave., Montauk www.nibimtk.com

Paulie’s Bait and Tackle

South Edgemere St., Montauk

.(631) 668-8975

.(631) 668-1281

.(631) 668-6081

.(631) 668-6000

.(631) 668-9300

.(631) 668-9503

.(631) 371-3039

.(631) 668-5520

.(631) 668-5988 Ray Serva Cesspool Service

John B. Ward, Jr. Plumbing & Heating . . .

SPAS / PAIN MANAGEMENT

Body Tech

.(631) 668-1220

.(631) 668-4399

.(631) 238-5311

240 Edgemere St., Montauk www.bodytechclub.com

Deborah Thompson Day Spa

. .(631) 668-4815

37 The Plaza, Montauk www.deborahthompsondayspa.com

DeVa Spa Services

EH Physical Therapy

.(631) 377-9312

.(631) 668-7600

6 So. Elmwood, Montauk www.easthamptonhysicaltherapy.com

Montauk Bliss Spa

.(631) 238-5510

552 West Lake Dr., Montauk www.instagram.com/blissmontauk

The Seawater Spa at Gurney’s Montauk .

. . . .(631) 668-2509

290 Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk www.gurneysresorts.com/montauk

THEATRES

Montauk Playhouse/Community Center . . . . . . . . . . .(631) 668-1612

240 Edgemere St., Montauk

TRANSPORTATION

Cross Sound Ferry Services, Inc. . .(631) 323-2525 / (860) 443-5281

Ditch Plains Taxi

Hampton Jitney

800 936-0440 www.hamptonjitney.com

Long Island Railroad

MOKO Taxi

Montauk Airport

Montauk Taxi

New England Airlines

Blue Point Brewing Company

.(631) 668-5716

.(631) 283-4600

.822-5477

.(631) 668-7070

.(631) 668-3738

.(631) 668-2468

.(631) 475-6944

161 River Avenue, Patchogue www.bluepointbrewing.com

Duck Walk Vineyards

Montauk Hwy., Watermill

Greenport Harbor Brewing Company

.(631) 726-7555

.(631) 477-681

234 Carpenter Street, Greenport www.harborbrewing.com

Montauk Brewing Company

.(631) 668-8471

62 S. Erie Ave., Montauk www.montaukbrewingco.com

Pindar Winery .

37645 NY-25, Peconic, NY www.pindar.net

Southampton Publick House

.(631) 734-6200

.(631) 283-2800

40 Bowden Square, Southampton ~Open All Year~ Sparkling Pointe

.(631) 765-0200

39750 County Road 48, Southold www.sparklingpointe.com The Montauk Sun ~ Winter 2025 ~ 23

ESCAPE FROM PARADISE...

Continued from Page 16

Our excursion whisked us to Laguna de Oviedo, a vast saltwater lagoon within Jaragua National Park's UN ESCO Biosphere Reserve. Our guide, Wellinton Valdez Rubio, navigated smaller passenger boats through shal low, limestone tinted waters to one of 24 small islands. Here, on the only island accessible to tourists, we fed en dangered Rhinoceros Iguanas bananas. The thrill of being surrounded by several of these mini dragons was unforgettable. We approached as close as possible to pink Flamingos feeding in the shallow waters until they majestically rose in light. Our guide explained that over a hundred bird species inhabit the area, including Roseate Spoonbills and White Ibises. Nothing beats watching these graceful birds in their natural habitat. The return journey turned adventurous when our antiquated bus's failed air conditioning caused an impromptu sauna experience, some thing we could laugh about after reviving our selves with cold showers back on board.

The ABC Islands, irst spotted by Spanish ex plorer Alonso de Ojeda in 1499, revealed their rich Dutch heritage next. Bonaire welcomed us with its characteristic warmth as we cruised its celebrated waterfront aboard the Sea Breeze double decker power catamaran. We passed huge white mountains of salt while our guide explained the salt production process. The catamaran approached the uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire through the famous Bonaire Marine Park. Its protected reef makes it a divers' par adise. Here, grateful for every cloud, we sunbathed on Bonaire's most attractive white sand beach. Later that afternoon, after a nice lunch on board, we walked the town and had a great iced coffee at 'Oh! Berry'.

Curaçao's colonial legacy unfolded for us when we climbed up to the Hato Caves, where ancient Caiquetio Indian markings date back 1,500 years. Despite the cave's warmth, its limestone formations, including the famous Madonna statue, and the resident fruit bats, cap tivated us. Later, Willemstad's UNESCO listed historic center dazzled us with its iconic merchant houses, their vibrant hues re lecting Dutch Caribbean heritage along the waterfront. The Punda Love Hearts at Handelskade offer a perfect photo opportunity, with three large steel lattice hearts hanging full of intertwined love locks from around the world, situ ated right next to the loating Queen Emma Bridge. Since 1888, this majestic bridge has swung back and forth to allow large ships to

enter the Schottegat port in Willemstad. Stretching 548 feet across the St. Anna Bay, the bridge welcomes both curious travelers and container ships alike.

Aruba, our inal port and the most autonomous ABC island since 1986, greeted us with an unexpected indus trial, maritime view—an oil rig that fascinated Marcus,

Continued on Next Page

showcasing what I playfully dub his 'typical guy' interests. During our HAL bus excur sion, we explored the otherworldly Casibari Rock Formation with its massive tonalite boulders. For such a relatively lat island, these unusual hills and huge monolithic boul ders truly are an enigma. Walking trails and steps through the boulders allowed us to reach the top for breathtaking 360 degree views.

From there, we visited the poignant 'Baby Natural Bridge'. After Aruba's largest and most popular Natural Bridge collapsed in 2005, shocking both locals and visitors alike, this smaller formation became a must see attraction. Its accessibility and nearby tourist amenities, including food, restrooms, and souvenirs, make it particularly ap pealing. We found serenity at Alto Vista Chapel, Aruba's irst Roman Catholic Church, established in 1750 by Caquetio natives and Spanish settlers. The chapel's original con struction, led by Venezuelan missionary Domingo Antonio Silvestre, featured stone walls and a straw roof. It was dedicated to Mother Mary, known as the 'Mother of the Rosary.'

Our journey concluded at the California Lighthouse, traversing arid landscapes dotted with cacti, divi divi trees, and occasional wildlife. Named after the ill fated steamship S.S. California, which met its demise near the island's coast in 1891, the light house was constructed from 1915 1916. Though retired from its navigational duties, it stands as a cherished historical land mark offering visitors spectacular 360 degree island views.

I must mention our outstanding dining experiences aboard Eurodam. The Main Dining Room delivered exceptional service through our waiter Leo, the wonderful Maître d's team (Damian, Noel, Suta, & WahyuWahyu) and the personal attention of Stefan Miles, the handsome Food & Beverage Director. But the Tamarind specialty restaurant hit the jackpot with its creative cuisine by Chef Nur Hadi, and our highly en tertaining waitress Ing Ing and her team.

Until next month from another interesting location.

Yours in travel, Love, Ingrid

Escape From Paradise: www.EscapeFromParadise.net. www.facebook.com/ingrid.lemme #EscapeFromParadise.

Award winning TV Host, Publisher, Travel Writer. Ambassador for www.Seven Stars.com & 15 Emmy awards. www.aTasteofHistory.org www.twitter.com/LemmeEscape www.instagram.com/ingridlemme

WEEKLY SPECIALS

MONDAY

$30 Bottles of wine

TACO TUESDAY

BBQ Pulled Chicken $5 per taco

BBQ Pulled Pork $6 per taco

Grilled Shrimp $6 per taco

WEDNESDAY

Pasta Night served with House Salad $30

THURSDAY

Burgers & Brews

$5 Draft Beer with a Shagwong Cheeseburger

FRIDAY

Prime Rib Night

Served with Mashed Potato and Mixed Vegetables

Queen Cut 22oz $45

King Cut 26oz $52

EARLY BIRD SPECIALS $30

SUNDAY THURSDAY 4pm 6pm

Choice of One Appetizer and One Entree

APPETIZERS

Cup of Chowder

Crab Cake (1) Clams Casino (3) Wings (4)

Edamame House Salad

ENTREES

Fish Tacos

Linguine with Clams Fish and Chips

Chicken Parmesan 1/2 Roasted Lemon Thyme Chicken

The Montauk Sun ~ Winter 2025

Story & Photos by Debbie

With her creative imagination, Riverhead artist Andrea Rhude has always been fascinated by the characters from Lewis Carroll’s famous book, “Alice in Wonderland.” Now she brings them to life in her own style, at her ongoing art ex hibit at “Mugs On Main,” Riverhead’s new coffee shop, cafe and cocktail lounge on Main Street.

“I tend to go with the more fantastical things, like folk lore, fairy tales and surrealism,” she says as she lops down onto one of the plush couches in the back room of this inti mate hangout. “I try to make the fantastic look plausible.”

Her six paintings of “Alice in Wonderland” characters pop with vibrant colors against a dark blue back wall, and draw you in with their separate quirky personalities. And you can almost hear the hippie lyrics of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” resounding in the background, as you see the “Hookah smoking caterpillar” portrayed in a large painting. The blue, cartoon like caterpillar is surrounded by bright or ange swirling smoke as it inhales from an elaborate silver Hookah pipe. And in another painting, there is the white rab bit himself, sitting up and stylishly dressed but looking scared, from when Alice had come looking for him down the rabbit hole.

One dramatic and detailed painting shows the Queen of Hearts, surrounded by white roses and holding a cleaver dripping with red paint, making this artwork appear rather macabre. Rhude explained that the Queen wanted her ser vants (portrayed as playing cards) to plant red roses but they planted white by accident. They were trying to paint the roses red to fool her, and when they were caught, she cut off their heads. The details in this and the other paintings are impeccable.

Then Rhude switches to another painting, called, “Look ing In,” where Alice is supposed to be looking through a doorknob into a lush and beautiful garden. But instead of seeing Alice, we see a single eye staring at red roses in a patchwork quilt of green grass. Another surreal and detailed painting is “Tiger Lillies,” a gorgeous display of these orange lowers, but they are alive with eyes and mouths!

Tuma

When asked why she chose this “Alice in Wonderland” theme, Rhude said it has al ways been one of her favorite stories, and she plans on doing more of these kinds of colorful, unusual paintings. “Author Lewis Carroll has so many surreal aspects,” said Rhude. “He went

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Tom Lake is a lovely story of a family who lives on a cherry farm in Northern Michigan. During the 2020 pandemic, Joe and Lara’s three grown daughter’s return to the farm and the family begins to navigate life together again. The girls work in the cherry ields with their parents, and after persistent begging from her daughters, Lara begins telling them the story of a famous actor, Peter Duke, whom she acted with and dated in her early 20s.

As the story unfolds, their mother’s life experiences eventually lead them to her time on the stage, as well as past romances, eventually landing at a theater company called Tom Lake and her relationship with Peter Duke. Patchett’s storytelling, alternates between the two time periods, effectively engrossing the reader in the tale.

For the girls, who begin examining their own lives as they learn stories about their mother, it becomes both revealing and moving. Learning about their parents lives before they were part of it, is at times confusing and yet also hopeful; fostering a reexamination of their relationship with their mother and each other. Themes of family, growing up, love, and understanding run throughout.

I enjoy reading a good book, although listening to them can also be quite enjoyable. This one, narrated by Meryl Streep, is a perfect listening piece. Her soothing animated voice helps bring the story to life.

Ann Patchett has written many notorious books, including Bel Canto and The Dutch House. Be sure to check her website for more information about her and all of her novels.

https://www.annpatchett.com/

Andrea Rhude with her “Alice in Wonderland” paintings

“Painting The Roses Red”

Ann Patchett

LILAC: Her name might be Lilac, but this gorgeous fiveyear-old kitty is quite the chatty Kathy! The ARF staff has quickly fallen in love with this low-maintenance feline who strikes the perfect balance between sociability and independence. Pay her a visit to enjoy her delightful conversations or catch her at mealtime for a sweet serenade. Adopt Lilac today and bring joy and love into your home!.

WOLFER ESTATE VINEYARDS

MANHATTAN:

NW 52nd/LEXINGTON AVE.

SE 34th/7th AVE. (MACY’S)

NE 34th/7th AVE. (MACY’S)

SW 50th/PARK AVE.

MID NO. 50th/PARK AVE.

NE 46th/PARK AVE.

SW 46th/LEXINGTON AVE.

NW 45th/LEXINGTON AVE.

SE 44th/LEXINGTON AVE.

SW 42nd/LEXINGTON AVE.

NE 41st/LEXINGTON AVE.

NE 39th/MADISON AVE.

NE 42nd/FIFTH AVE.

NE 36th/FIFTH AVE.

NE 35th/FIFTH AVE.

NE 39th/PARK AVE.

NW 40th/PARK AVE.

SW 41st/PARK AVE.

SE 40th/PARK AVE.

MID NO. 42nd/LEXINGTON AVE.

SW 43rd/SECOND AVE.

SE 42nd/SECOND AVE.

SW 42nd/SECOND AVE.

MID SO. 42nd/THIRD AVE.

NW 41st/SECOND AVE.

NW 39th/THIRD AVE.

SW 40th/THIRD AVE.

NW 40th/THIRD AVE.

NE 40th/THIRD AVE.

SE 41st/THIRD AVE.

NW 41st/THIRD AVE.

SE 42nd/THIRD AVE.

NW 42nd/THIRD AVE.

SW 43rd/THIRD AVE.

SE 43rd/THIRD AVE.

SE 44th/THIRD AVE.

SW 47th/THIRD AVE.

NW 53rd/THIRD AVE.

NE 61st/MADISON AVE.

NW 67th/MADISON AVE.

SE 79th/MADISON AVE.

SW 80th/MADISON AVE.

NORTH FORK LOCATIONS:

GALA FRESH SUPERMARKET

795 OLD COUNTRY RD., RIVERHEAD RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOT

2012 OLD COUNTRY RD., RIVERHEAD JAMESPORT VINEYARD 1216 MAIN RD., RIVERHEAD HILTON GARDEN INN

2038 OLD COUNTRY RD., RIVERHEAD HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS 1707 OLD COUNTRY RD., RIVERHEAD HYATT

451 E. MAIN ST., RIVERHEAD RIVERHEAD FREE LIBRARY

330 COURT ST., RIVERHEAD RG/NY WINERY

6025 SOUND AVE., RIVERHEAD INDIGO HOTEL

1830 W. MAIN ST., RIVERHEAD MARTHA CLARA VINEYARDS

6025 SOUND AVE., RIVERHEAD HAMPTON COFFEE COMPANY

272 MAIN RD., AQUEBOGUE LARRYS LIGHTHOUSE MARINA

229 MEETING HOUSE CREEK RD., AQUEBOGUE BAYVIEW FARMS

894 MAIN RD., AQUEBOGUE PECONIC BAY VINEYARDS

31320 MAIN RD., CUTCHOGUE KING KULLEN:

31525 MAIN RD., CUTCHOGUE

25 EASTPORT MANOR RD., EASTPORT 472 LAKE AVE., ST. JAMES 460 COUNTY RD. 111, MANORVILLE PAUMANOK VINEYARDS

1074 MAIN RD., AQUEBOGUE MACARI WINERY

150 BERGEN AVE., MATTITUCK

JAN'S CHINESE REST

10095 MAIN RD., MATTITUCK

RAPHAEL WINERY

39390 MAIN RD., PECONIC PINDAR VINEYARD

39935 MAIN RD., PECONIC

GREENPORT HARBOR BREWERY

42155 MAIN RD., PECONIC

139 SAGG RD., SAGAPONACK IGA SUPERMARKETS:

54560 MAIN RD., SOUTHOLD

SOUTH ST., GREENPORT

MARKET 44 FRONT ST., GREENPORT

LIQUORS 132 FRONT ST., GREENPORT

FERRY 41270 MAIN RD., ORIENT

MENHADEN HOTEL

209 FRONT ST., GREENPORT

SOUTH FORK LOCATIONS:

BEACH BAKERY

112 MAIN ST., WESTHAMPTON BEACH

CVS 87-131 SUNSET AVE., WESTHAMPTON BEACH

BEST MARKET

70 SUNSET AVE., WESTHAMPTON BEACH

DUCKWALK VINEYARD

231 MONTAUK HWY., WATER MILL

STOP & SHOP:

194 W. MONTAUK HWY., HAMPTON BAYS

167 MAIN ST., SOUTHAMPTON

67 NEWTOWN LN., EAST HAMPTON

WILD BY NATURE

252 W. MONTAUK HWY., HAMPTON BAYS

KING KULLEN

52 E. MONTAUK HWY., HAMPTON BAYS

HAMPTON JITNEY

395 CTY. RT. 39, SOUTHAMPTON

SOUTHAMPTON HOSPITAL

240 MEETING HOUSE LN., SOUTHAMPTON

CITARELLAS

20 HAMPTON RD., SOUTHAMPTON

KING KULLEN

2044 MONTAUK HWY., BRIDGEHAMPTON

STARBUCKS COFFEE

2488 MONTAUK HWY., BRIDGEHAMPTON

CITARELLAS

2209 MONTAUK HWY., BRIDGEHAMPTON

EAST HAMPTON LIBRARY

159 MAIN ST., EAST HAMPTON

THE CLUBHOUSE

174 DANIELS HOLE RD., EAST HAMPTON

CORCORAN GROUP, RE

140 MAIN ST., EAST HAMPTON

DIME BANK

8 GINGERBREAD LN., EAST HAMPTON

CHASE BANK

66 MAIN ST., EAST HAMPTON

CORCORAN GROUP, RE

51 MAIN ST., EAST HAMPTON

CITARELLA’S MARKET

2 PANTIGO RE., EAST HAMPTON

GOLDBERG’S BAGELS

100 PANTIGO PL., EAST HAMPTON

IGA

92 MAIN ST., EAST HAMPTON

JOHN PAPA’S CAFE

18 PARK PL., EAST HAMPTON

EAST HAMPTON LIBRARY

159 MAIN ST., EAST HAMPTON

SOTHEBY’S

6 MAIN ST., EAST HAMPTON

IGA SUPMARKET

MONTAUK HWY., AMAGANSETT

SUFFOLK COUNTY (OTHERS):

STOP & SHOP:

351 MERRICK RD., AMITYVILLE 533 MONTAUK HWY., BAYSHORE 3126 JERICHO TPKE., EAST NORTHPORT

400 UNION BLVD., WEST ISLIP

60 WALL ST., HUNTINGTON

1100 EAST JERICHO TPKE., HUNTINGTON 2650 SUNRISE HWY., EAST ISLIP 454 FORT SALONGA RD., NORTHPORT 575 MONTAUK HWY., WEST BABYLON

88 GOLDING AVE., WEST BABYLON

400 UNION BLVD., WEST ISLIP BAGEL BOSS 555 MONTAUK HWY., BAY SHORE SHOPRITE

1960 DEER PARK AVE., DEER PARK KING KULLEN: 25 EASTPORT MANOR RD., EASTPORT

460 COUNTY RT. 111, MANORVILLE

NORTH SHORE FARMS

1235 ROUTE 454, HAUPPAUGE WILD BY NATURE

369 W. MAIN ST., HUNTINGTON KEY FOOD

66 INDIAN HEAD RD., KINGS PARK FERRY TERMINAL

102 W. BROADWAY, PORT JEFFERSON BAGEL FACTORY 615 MONTAUK HWY., WEST BABYLON

FARM 9 UDALL RD., WEST ISLIP WILD BY NATURE 478A UNION AVE., WEST ISLIP

NASSAU COUNTY LOCATIONS:

DAISY: Daisy is an adorable sixyear-old dog with loads of love to give! She recently came to ARF as a surrender and is now looking for a new place to call home. Daisy is very affectionate and loves to give kisses. She is also smart as a whip and is eager to learn more. Daisy does have some anxiety, so she takes her time getting comfortable with new people, but once she knows you're her friend, she's a big mush! Due to her anxiety, a calm home with children over the age of 12 is recommended. Daisy doesn't always want a canine companion around, so a thorough meet and greet is a must. If you're looking for a best friend in a dog, look no further; Daisy is your girl! For more information call 631-537-0400 x203 or email adoptions@arfhamptons.org

ALL ARF ANIMALS ARE VET CHECKED, SPAYED/NEUTERED, MICROCHIPPED AND UP TO DATE ON ALL VACCINES.

To view our adoptable animals, visit: arfhamptons.org NYS Registered Shelter/Rescue #RR035

out of his way to poke fun at social norms and turn them on their heads. What I like about surrealism is that you can take an object, put it into a different time or place, and com pletely change the meaning. I like to make things that look strange, but they could exist in a different world.”

Rhude’s interest in art started long ago, from working alongside her mother, Linda McKnight, who was an artist and actress. Back then her family lived in Wading River, and Rhude went to Riverhead schools and worked with her mother at the family’s business, “The McKnight Music and Craft Barn.” It was

housed in a big red barn, consisting of fabrics, wood items, hobbies, ine art supplies, and musical instruments. Later on, the mother daughter team started a business called “Inte rior Solutions,” consisting of mural paintings, kitchen renovations, color consults, and house painting. Rhude’s father, Warren McKnight, is a well known musician who plays banjo, gui tar and ukulele around his home of Riverhead, and the North Fork. With his full white beard, he has also played Santa Clause on holidays around the East End, and Linda McKnight acted in the area’s community theaters as well. Andrea Rhude graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn where she studied design and il lustration. She is now studying online at the SmArt School, working with big name illus

trators and ine artists. She met her husband, Eric Rhude, a dialysis nurse, at a Medieval Dem onstration at Queens County Farm Museum, which is a working farm. Both shared an interest in medieval life.

Watkins Schaeffer, who owns Mugs on Main with her husband Jeff Schaeffer, said she wanted to showcase local artists. “We collaborate with the East End Arts Council of Riverhead, and we also have artwork on another wall by Frank Cardino, who paints colorful nautical and summer scenes,” she said. “We also have permanent artwork, lowers and still lifes, by my late mother in law, Mary Ann Soda.” Shaeffer added that she wants to make Mugs on Main a fun place for the community to come in, eat, drink and socialize. She has added several community events, including Bingo on Sat urdays, and also Trivia games, Murder and Mystery nights, Speed Dating, and seasonal crafts. For more information, visit Mugs On Main at 33 East Main Street, Riverhead, and visit www.mugsonmain.com

Dominick Peluso

The Peluso family would like to thank everyone in our amazing Montauk community for the unbelievable abundance of love and support of their family during this difficult time.

The family would also like to acknowledge Northwell Health Behavioral Health Care - anyone looking for an avenue of support should consider reaching out to and/or supporting this program at: www.northwell.edu/behavioral-health

Kasandra

“Hookah Smoking Caterpillar”

“Looking In”

WINTER HOOPS JOURNAL

Continued from Page 15

After Miami’s loss it was time for the main event Ar kansas vs Michigan featuring teenagers Boogie Fland(18) and DJ Wagner Jr(19). Boogie’s from the Bronx and played for Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains. DJ played for Camden High School in NJ. DJ played for Kentucky last season before leaving for Arkansas to play for coach John Calipari who had left a lifetime contract at Kentucky for Arkansas. As I said this new era of big time college bas ketball is the wild west. Arkansas rallied from being down 15 in the irst half to get it to 49 45 at halftime led by Boogie’s 13 points. In the second half Arkansas scored the irst 12 points to lead 57 49. They would never trail again. The game came down to a blocked shot at 88 87 with 14.3 seconds left by Arkansas’ Trevon Brazile a 6’10” Jun ior transfer from Missouri. He blocked 7’1” Russian Vla dislav Goldin’s left handed hook shot. Goldin came to

Michigan after playing one season at Texas Tech and three at Florida Atlan tic. He’s a 23 year old graduate stu dent at Michigan. With 3.7 seconds left Michigan had a shot to tie as time ran out when Niagara Falls NY junior Roddy Gayle Jr chased down a bad pass from Danny Wolf a 7 foot junior. Gayle played two seasons for Ohio State before Michigan. Wolf played two at Yale before Michigan. Gayle Jr’s turnaround heave hit the front of the rim before the buzzer sounded. The razorbacks won 89 87.

After the game I asked Danny and Goldin about the block and bad pass. Wolf answered “I don’t think Vlad is ever going to be blocked like that.. I

wouldn’t want any other shot than that and I don’t think the game came down to that.. I think it’s a lot of other things than that” Goldin said, “we have to be more physical.. they played more physically than we did.. that’s strictly on us”. After Michigan left the press conference Calipari walked in holding his cellphone out. It was on speakerphone with Knicks center/forward Karl Anthony Towns Jr speaking. Towns said, “I saw your big man shooting threes.. I don’t know what in the hell must’ve happened.. you must’ve had an epiphany” Calipari answered, “I saw you win a game last night shooting threes.. I’m gonna let these guys shoot threes” Cali pari went on to say, “you couldn’t guard pick and roll defense.. you still can’t.. look you’re bothering me.. you know I love ya you’re the best.” After hanging up with Towns, Calipari told us how cheap the new Knick was. He said they re cently went out to dinner and Calipari had to shame him into picking up the tab by saying, “dude pick up the tab.” They de initely broke the mold on the Arkansas coach. I asked him about Goldin’s comments about Ar kansas’ physicality. I said “they said it was your physi cality” Calipari answered, “who’s physicality?” I answered “your team’s physicality.”He smiled and smirked looking at Boogie and DJ who were sitting on the loor in the press conference room. When Boogie and DJ took the podium I asked them, “what if anything happened at halftime that lit you guys up to come out and play the way you did?” DJ answered, “we spend a lot of time in practice going against each other.. you don’t get any other player better to go against.. when we get in the game it’s time to have fun.” Boogie agreed saying, “like he said.. honestly just having fun.. I feel like second half.. let’s go out and have a blast.. the atmosphere is crazy.. we’ve got all our fans here.. let’s just go out with a bang.”

Continued on Page 30

Hadi Adeyi dunks at St Dominic’s Hadi Adeyi dunks at Chaminade

Coach John Calipari

Jimmy V Classic & HOF Credentials

Former Miami Hurricane Coach Jim Larranaga

Michigan’s Vlad Goldin, Danny Wolf & Coach May

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS

HELP WANTED

REAL ESTATE:

CORCORAN REAL ESTATE GROUP: www.corcoran.com

Montauk Shores Gem in Ditch Plains - Discover a hidden gem in the tranquil north corner of Montauk Shores Condominium park. This exceptional 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit offers unparalleled comfort and style, complete with a hot tub for ultimate relaxation. Every detail has been meticulously upgraded, ensuring a modern and luxurious living experience. The property is being sold furnished, with only a few personal items excluded. Step outside to a spacious deck, perfect for lounging, entertaining, or BBQing. The deck features an electric awning, seamlessly extending your living space into the outdoors. Just a short distance away, you'll find a beautiful ocean cove ideal for swimming or paddling out to a renowned surf break. This unit also boasts ample storage for all your recreational gear, including bikes and surfboards, making it easy to enjoy everything Montauk offers. Embrace the coastal lifestyle in this beautifully appointed home, where every amenity has been thoughtfully considered. Experience the best of Montauk living in this secluded, yet conveniently located, condominium. This has rental income potential as an owner site with low HOA fees of $150/month which are great reasons to invest. In addition, this community offers two pools, a clubhouse, a playground, and a community garden. Showing by appointment only. Contact: Helen Stubbmann. Phone: 631-375-3778. Price: $1,995,000. Web ID# 914145.

New Montauk Beach House with room for Pool. Charming Beach House with 4 bedrooms & 3 full

Bookkeeper

Dock Attendant · Lifeguard

Please apply to: marina@starislandyc.com

baths located just under one mile to Ditch Plains Beach, one mile to town and two blocks to Montauk Downs State Park with tennis, golf and swimming pool. The home is set back for your privacy with decks in the front, side and rear for your relaxing, star gazing or your dining pleasure. The brand-new outdoor shower is perfect for rinsing after a full day not surfing, fishing or playing golf around the corner. This .46 acre lot allows for a pool and even expansion. A full basement is waiting to finish to create even more living space. Call for an appointment. Contact: Betsy Cronley. Phone: 516-220-7901. Price: $1,750,000. Web ID# 916923

Just bring your bathing suit! Immaculate and fully turn-key home, in Montauk's desirable Hither Hills area. This well-maintained home built by one of Montauk's premiere builders, is being offered fully furnished. The welcoming foyer leads to a jr. primary ensuite, two additional guest bedrooms, and an office/den all nicely appointed. The laundry area is conveniently located off the bedrooms. There is plenty of natural light throughout the entire home. The upper level offers a spacious living room with a wood-burning fireplace. The newly added primary ensuite provides privacy yet easy access to the main part of the home. Entertaining is easy with the open layout of the spacious chef’s kitchen, dining, and living areas. French doors lead to two mahogany decks, one off the dining area and one off the living room, both offering limited ocean views. There is a full basement to finish as you wish, perhaps a gym, game room, or wine cellar. A fiveminute stroll gets you to the Hither Hills private ocean beach, only 550 yards away! Keep the windows open and listen to the sound of the waves. Room for a pool. Call to view. Contact: Mary Ann Peluso. Phone: 917-992-2251. Price: $3,550,000. Web ID# 916244

DITCH PLAINS WATERVIEW PERFECTION. This meticulous fully updated 2 story beach home boasts lovely lake views and sunset vistas from both living area and full length upper deck. A 1,942 SF upsidedown design, this sleek retreat comes fully furnished and has all you need for year-round enjoyment. Sun-filled 4 bedrooms, a first level ensuite with wet bar, spacious 2 car garage to store

WINTER HOOPS JOURNAL

Continued from Page 29

Four days later on December 14 I was back at MSG for the Basketball Hall of Fame matchup between no.8 Gonzaga and no.18 UCONN. It was a real coming out moment for UCONN’s 19 year old Freshman Liam McNeeley. Connecticut started fast with a 13 2 run and led 43 40 at halftime behind McNeeley’s 13 irst half points. UCONN started the second half fast again leading 53 44 with 16:47 to go. Gonzaga fought back and tied it at 55 forcing UCONN coach Dan Hurley to call a timeout with 11:51 to play. After the timeout UCONN went on a 10 0 run to lead 65 55 with 10:09 left. Gonzaga got it to 73 70 on a three point play by senior Michael Ajayi. With 59.4 seconds to play Hassan Diarra from Queens, NY found UCONN’s redshirt junior Alex Karaban for a layup to put UCONN up 5. UCONN held Gonzaga to no ield goals in the inal 3:25 to win 77 71. McNeeley led all scorers with 26 points while Queens product Diarra dished out 7 assists with 5 points 3 rebounds and 2 steals.

all your water toys, bikes etc. A .21 acre parcel with no wetlands and generous lawn spaces has room for either a pool or addition. Numerous amenities include electric heat pump, surround sound speaker system, water filtration systems, new fuji Clean septic system, nest thermostat, outdoor shower, low taxes at $6,300 and easy maintenance. Call or text today for a private showing of this wonderful Ditch offering. Contact: Joan Hegner. Phone: 631-6975730. Price: $2,750,000. Web ID# 916174

Year round Montauk bungalow in ocean front gated community. Oceanfront gated community in Ditch Plains with heated pools, community garden, clubhouse, playground and beach access. This 2 bedroom Condo with full expansive deck and new storage shed can be year-round or seasonal. Listen to the waves break from your front deck or enjoy the Atlantic Ocean only two short blocks away. The monthly fee for this lease (not owner) site is $2200 per month with no property taxes. These condos cannot be mortgaged. Personal financing or cash only. Contact: Betsy Cronley. Phone: 516-220-7901. Price: $450,000. Web ID# 916144

SOH COMMERCIAL PARCEL NEAR OCEAN, VILLAGE. Incredible opportunity in the heart of Montauk Village, this 40 x 100 vacant parcel, is a stone's throw from the ocean, and all of the downtown village. The owner is engaging permits, however, not subject to in the sale. Call for details and showings. Contact: Joan Hegner. Phone: 631-6975730. Price: $1,500,000. Web ID# 915470

Oceanfront Beach Life in Montauk. Completely remodeled, this spacious studio comes with a full kitchen, full bath, flat screen TV. Feel the ocean breeze while taking in the magnificent views from your covered balcony. Enjoy the Resort life style and the amenities The Beachcomber has to offer which include Tennis, heated gunite pool, and the gym with a sauna. Each unit/owner has their own laundry and storage area. The complex is only a short distance to town, restaurants and shops. This can be a great rental investment with on site management. Financing is not available. MM - $920.00. (open April -November). Contact: Betsy Cronley. Phone: 516-220-7901. Price: $505,000. Web ID# 912289

Artists Retreat in Springs. Welcome to the historic home and studio of renowned American artist Saul Steinberg, whose iconic work graced the cover of The New Yorker for nearly six decades. This property, nestled in the heart of Springs, is considered a cornerstone of the abstract expressionist movement. The area is also notable for being the residence of one of contemporary music's most influential artists and the acclaimed American fashion designer Judith Leiber, who lived just a few homes away. Steinberg's residence retains much of its original charm, featuring seven bedrooms and four bathrooms. The artist expanded the home mul-

I ended 2024 covering Mt. Vernon High School at the NY Hol iday Invitational at St. Dominic High School in Oyster Bay. MV’s irst game of the two day invitational was against Karl Anthony Towns Jr’s high school, St. Joseph’s from Metuchen, NJ on Satur day December 28. The Knights beat the team coached by Karl Anthony Towns Sr. 79 58. The next day Sunday December 29 Mt. Vernon played 24 time Connecticut state champion James Hill house High School at St. Dominic’s. With 6.1 seconds left MV’s star guard Tavien Tyler ran out the clock chasing down a loose ball and the Knights beat Hillhouse 49 45. Tyler had 48 points in the two wins at St Dominic’s.

The Knights were back on Long Island at Chaminade High School in Mineola playing Holy Trinity High School from Hicksville in the Gary Charles Hoop Classic on Sunday January 5, 2025. The Knights were led by 6’5” senior Hadi Ajeyi who had 14 points and won MVP in their 78 50 win. As we go to press Mt. Vernon is 7 2. MV has ten days between their win at Chaminade against Holy Trinity. They play away at New Rochelle High School on January 15th. The two schools are 1.6 miles from each other. It’s the biggest rivalry in downstate public high school basketball and should be a real barnburner. Yes indeed, 2025 is going to be a glorious year for hoops.

tiple times, including the addition of a studio with a vaulted ceiling that floods the space with natural light. This nearly two-acre parcel is bordered on two sides by preserved natural land, ensuring privacy and a serene environment. The property includes two original barn-like garages and a quaint tworoom cottage, offering ample space for creative endeavors or guest accommodations. Recently, a new inground pool with bluestone coping was added to the lush lawn on the south side of the house, providing a perfect spot for relaxation and recreation. This unique home offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of art history in a location rich with cultural significance. The combination of historic charm, modern amenities, and natural beauty makes this property a truly exceptional find. Contact: Peter Moore Sr. Phone: 516-313-0685. Price: $4,100,000. Web ID# 913053

Buildable Shy Acre in Hither Woods. This perfectly shaped 0.94 acre vacant lot is free of any wetlands and even has a Letter Of Buildability from the Town of East Hampton Building Department. No road improvements to pay for and no Natural Resource Permits required. A "clean lot" with no wetlands which is hard to come by these days. A short distance to some of the best beaches in The Hamptons. Be in Montauk, Build in Montauk. Contact: Peter Moore Sr. Phone: 516-313-0685. Price: $1,195,000. Web ID# 912750

Nestled in the prestigious East End Estates area of Montauk, this remarkable home offers a serene and secluded retreat. A long driveway leads you to this elegant oasis, where modernist design and natural elements create a captivating ambiance. As you enter, a tranquil koi pond sets the tone, providing the soothing sound of moving water. The interior boasts high ceilings, with a windowed expansive living area anchored by a beach stone fireplace. From the kitchen, dining, and family room, you can enjoy picturesque views of the beautiful yard and inviting inground pool. Step into the large screened room, an ideal space for entertaining guests, while on the other side of the kitchen area is a Zen-inspired windowed room, perfect for meditation or relaxation. Ascend a short staircase to discover the generously sized primary suite, complete with a private deck offering ultimate privacy. Descend another short staircase to find a comfortable guest bedroom, providing access to a secluded patio or to a large maturely landscaped yard. Adjacent to it, a charming children's bedroom opens up to the outdoor space, both sharing a stunning bath. This exceptional property owned by Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent has been meticulously designed to ensure a feeling of comfort and luxury from the moment you arrive. Don't miss the opportunity to make this extraordinary Montauk residence your own. Contact: Helen Stubbmann. Phone: 631-375-3778. Price: $3,995,000. Web ID# 912898

Recently Built In Sag Harbor Village. This recently built home on "captain's row" in the Village of Sag Harbor is a modern rendition of a vintage barn-style home. With a picturesque setting across from Otter Pond, this 4100 +/- sq. ft., 5 bedroom, 4 full and 2 half bath home features an open plan great room, living room with gas fireplace, dining area, and a custom chef's kitchen with professional appliances and great views of the pond. A wall of sliders open to the outdoor entertainment complex featuring a covered rear porch with a built-in barbecue center, a 14' x 36' heated in-ground salt water gunite pool, and a 385+/- SF sky lit pool house/studio with a beverage refrigerator and icemaker. The second-floor master suite has a vaulted ceiling, a private sun deck, a deluxe master bath with double vanity and walk-in shower, his and hers walk-in closets, and a sitting room/office with pond views that can easily be converted into a 6th bedroom, fully plumbed for an en-suite bath. The fully finished lower level, with its 9-foot ceiling heights, was designed with ample natural light and 2 bedrooms sharing a full bath, a home theater

Continued on Next Page

lounge area, a laundry room, and storage. Among the country's most desirable coastal towns/villages to live in, this quaint old whaling community has modernized and yet retained its old-world charm. Located between Bridgehampton and East Hampton and just 4 miles from ocean beaches you will want Sag Harbor to be your home port. Contact: Peter Moore Sr. Phone: 516-313-0685. Price: $5,250,000. Web ID# 893270

New Traditional Ditch Home with 4 Bedrooms and Pool. Discover your new home in Ditch Plains, just four blocks from the renowned surf breaks. This newly constructed traditional residence spans over 2,200 square feet and features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and a host of modern amenities. Upon entering, the first level welcomes you with three guest bedrooms, including one ensuite, two full bathrooms, a laundry room, and access to both the basement and backyard. Ascend to the second story to find a luxurious primary suite complete with a walk-in closet, double sink vanity, large shower, sauna, and a soaking tub within a stylish wet room. The main living area on the second floor offers an open kitchen, a great room with a wood-burning fireplace, a half bath, and a pantry. Step out onto the wrap-around hardwood deck to enjoy views of the brand-new in-ground swimming pool. The fullheight, walk-out basement provides ample opportunity for future expansion and additional entertainment space. Buyers have the unique opportunity to select some finishing options, making this home truly their own. Be the first to own this exceptional new construction in Ditch Plains. Contact: Helen Stubbmann & Jared Godsell. Phone: 631375-3778 | 516-314-4847. Price: $3,650,000. Web ID# 889343

Fabulous New Modern Ditch Plains 4 Bedroom Home with Pool. Discover your new home in Ditch Plains, just four blocks from the renowned surf breaks. This newly constructed traditional residence spans over 2,200 square feet and features 4 bedrooms,3.5 bathrooms, and a host of modern amenities. Upon entering, the first level welcomes you with three guest bedrooms, including one ensuite, two full bathrooms, a laundry room, and access to both the basement and backyard. Ascend to the second story to find a luxurious primary suite complete with a walk-in closet, double sink vanity, large shower, sauna, and a soaking tub within a stylish wet room. The main living area on the second floor offers an open kitchen, a great room with a wood-burning fireplace, a half bath, and a pantry. Step out onto the wrap-around hardwood deck to

Do You Have a Job to Fill, a Car to Sell, an Apartment to Rent? Place a Classified in The Montauk Sun! Call: 631-668-5077

enjoy views of the brand-new in-ground swimming pool. The full-height, walk-out basement provides ample opportunity for future expansion and additional entertainment space. Buyers have the unique opportunity to select some finishing options, making this home truly their own. Be the first to own this exceptional new construction in Ditch Plains. Contact: Helen Stubbmann & Jared Godsell. Phone: 631-375-3778 | 516-314-4847. Price: $3,850,000. Web ID# 889339

PANORAMA HILLTOP HOME!

- Nestled on a shy three quarters of an acre, this five bedroom, four and a half bath home offers the perfect balance of luxury and comfortable living. This three story property features over 4,000 square feet of thoughtfully designed space, including two levels of wrap around decks. The kitchen includes expansive counter space, a large island with room for five, stainless steel appliances, and a generous walk-in pantry. The adjacent dining room, with a center fireplace, comfortably seats ten and leads to a vaulted ceiling living room, large enough to host two separate lounging areas. French glass doors span the length of the floor and open to the upper deck, where you can enjoy Montauk sunsets. The layout of the bedroom floor ensures privacy and comfort for everyone. Two generously proportioned primary suites, each with access to the lower deck, have custom walk-in closets and beautifully appointed baths. Three additional bedrooms are considerably sized and can accommodate queen, king or bunk beds. All are bright and share a large bath. Bonus rooms on the entry floor offer versatility for multiple design possibilities. With an additional full bath and a good deal of closet space, create a gym/yoga space, wine cellar or home office. Currently configured as a den, office and additional sleeping quarters, this space can easily be adapted to suit your needs. Survey with pool envelope, winter glimpses of the water, and a strong rental history complete this offering! EXCLUSIVE$2,550,000 | WEB# 917500. Karen Hogan, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson (c) 917.750.9492

CONVENIENT TO ALL – Located across the road from the ocean is the Royal Atlantic North. First floor unit features a living/dining area with slider out to balcony overlooking pool, galley kitchen, bedroom and bath. This com-

Brain Waves...

with Debra Rose

Winter Cleaning

Like many things in Montauk, traditions and rituals have a twist. St. Patrick’s Day is busier than Christmas, when the ocean is warmest we could have a snowstorm, and the dead of winter is a time of renewal.

When we think of these next few coldest, darkest months, many on the east end travel for weeks or months at a time, renovate their homes, do construction on their businesses. Winter is a perfect time to ‘spring clean’ and crush your to do lists.

Donate: It is easy to let things go in the summer when the doors are open, and everything is looded with

plex is conveniently located close to ocean beach, restaurants and shops. Call for an appointment to view. EXCLUSIVE - $489,000 | WEB# 908040. Cynthia Ibrahim, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker (c) 631.375.2237. Margaret Harvey, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker (c) 631.433.1382

SPACIOUS HOME WITH POOL Light filled Nantucket style ranch set on a shy acre is smartly sophisticated, incorporating over 3,600 square feet of luxurious living area in its floor plan. It is composed of four bedrooms (and Bonus Room), each with their own walk-in closet and marble & tile en suite bath, a living and dining area that share a grand open expanse, a large eat-in kitchen, a walk-in pantry, laundry room, a powder room and a garage. The living area is accented by a delightful cupola which infuses the area with natural light. The kitchen is state of the art incorporating a six burner Thermador stove with double ovens and a water spout for filling those lobster pots, granite, custom lighting and stainless-steel appliances. The hallways are luxuriantly wide and dotted with wall sconces lighting the way. The Brazilian cherry floors add a richness throughout the gathering areas and, naturally, tile floors are found the in kitchen and baths. Some of the ceilings are cathedral with bead board finishing (kitchen, master) and there are four gas fireplaces (living, kitchen, primary BR and guest). There's an attached garage and a salt water pool which is surrounded on three sides by the U shape of the house and there are even ceiling fans along the finished soffits and a separate poolside powder room. To finish it off, there's a covered front porch, rear covered pool seating and dining area and central air conditioning. Close to all. EXCLUSIVE -Contact Susan Ceslow 631.335.0777 Price: $2,795,000 Web#369143

CULLODEN BEACH HOUSE Montauk beach house consisting of three bedrooms, two full baths, living room with fireplace, kitchen, dining area and laundry room. Nice full basement which is an additional 1,080 sq. ft. and attached garage. Inviting front porch, rear deck, outdoor shower and extra patio space for entertaining. Close to Dock area where you can sit and watch the boats, shop or dine at some of the finest restaurants. Private beach a short distance down from house at end of Tern Drive. A true Montauk gem not to be missed. EXCLUSIVE-Contact Susan Ceslow 631.335.0777 Price $1,495,000 Web#368656

MONTAUK CLOSE TO TOWN & OCEAN - New construction set on .46 acres in Country Club Estates, all underground utilities, approved for 18x36 inground pool. Large sprawling kitchen, dining and

sunlight. Trapped inside for more time allows you to see what can stay and what needs to go. Donate, discard, recycle what no longer serves you and your space will feel better.

Edit: Go through your clothing, surf gear, kitchen cabinets. We have more than we need, excessive of what we use. Make space and keep things that you love and remove the rest.

Renovate: Tackle a project big or small, let your creativity run and all year long you can look at your accomplishments and smile.

living room with crown moldings throughout & raised panel doors. Plenty of room for all consisting of four bedrooms, three full baths, family room/den and additional office which adjoins a full bath. Upstairs primary bedroom has walk in closet and beautifully appointed bath. Large rear deck and front porch, full sized attached garage, cable and data cabling in each room, beautiful white oak floors throughout, Quartzite countertops, stainless steel appliances, Central AC, full attic, and full basement with 8ft ceilings with egress stairs and windows. A true gem waiting for someone to call home. EXCLUSIVE-Contact Susan Ceslow 631.335.0777 Price: $2,795,000 Web#368239

HITHER HILLS BEACH HOUSE WITH POOLHither Hills newly renovated home with pool, spa and all the modern conveniences. Large and light filled open living, gourmet kitchen, floor to ceiling sliders opening up to the great outdoors. Four bedrooms, three full baths, central air conditioning and outdoor shower. Full finished basement. Hither Hills ocean beach rights complete this must-see home. Great investment with amazing rental history! EXCLUSIVE-Contact Susan Ceslow 631.335.0777 Price: $3,950,000 Web#358895

ELEGANT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HOME - New construction 2022-Set in the privacy of Hither Woods, this six bedroom, four and a half bathroom offers contemporary sophistication while staying true to the open and free and environmentally friendly spirit of Montauk. The 5,155 sq. ft. two story home has it all with its 28,000 watt roof mounted solar panels, and high efficiency HVAC. Each room has its own individually controlled zone thermostat for maxim comfort and the house has Low E Anderson windows with heat lock coatings for maximum energy performance whether enjoying this home in summer or winter. Walking through the contemporary styled entrance reveals an open expansive living room with high ceilings, a dining room with a long slate table that seats twelve directly adjacent to a large open, fully appointed, California style kitchen. The living room, dining room and kitchen all have views of the 15x30 pool, hot tub and large yard with excellent privacy. Along the east side of the first floor is a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom leading to the first-floor den and access to an extensive, ready to be finished, basement. The second floor features a primary bedroom with a modern roomy bathroom. This floor also features a large guest bedroom with its own full bathroom. Three remaining bedrooms and another bathroom also adorn the second floor, they all have good storage space, great privacy and views of the amazing area surrounding 19 Elm. Situated near trendy Old Montauk Highway, Gurneys Inn and Hither Hills State Park, 19 Elm captures the classic, open and free spirit of Montauk in a contemporary, modern home. CO-EXCLUSIVE-Contact Susan Ceslow 631.335.0777 Price: $6,500,000 Web#367562

Create: Try new dishes, attempt to cook something that has intimidated you (rolling sushi, baking bread, steaming an artichoke)? We are not at pandemic levels of culinary desperation, but maybe for a dinner party attempt something unusual.

Move: Cleaning can be internal. Incorporate more healthy habits this winter around your itness and food. Maybe start a journal, or a daily appreciation list. Winter is the perfect time to start a new wellness routine when you have the focus and concentrated energy. By spring you will feel brand new, and winter will be over before you know it.

Tranquil

Cottage Rental MONTAUK | MD-LD $42,000

3 BR, 2.5 BA | Thi s wonder f ul home f eatures an open fl oor plan w i th cathedral ce ilings in the main li v ing area.

4BR,

Montauk Shores Condo Rental MONTAUK | MD-LD $50,000

Gated oceanf ront complex o er i ng a heated pool, k i ddi e pool, playground, clubhouse and basketball. Multiple units available. Please inquire for more information. We b # H371455