Community

Oysterponds: Lessons and Carols at OCC Dec. 18

It sure was an amazing weekend in Oysterponds. The weather was perfect for this time of year, adding to the success of all events.

A special event Saturday, Dec. 17, at 4 p.m. in Poquatuck Hall is a concert by award-winning pianist Alexandria Le with flutist Ray Furuta, violinist Dina Nesterenko, cellist Ismar Gomes and violinist Eren Tuncer. Oysterponds is so fortunate to be able to attract such globally renowned talent. There is no charge, but a freewill donation is suggested to benefit the Poquatuck Hall restoration fund.

Speaking of Poquatuck Hall, kick off 2012 there on Sunday, Jan. 1, 8 a.m. to noon, by enjoying an amazing brunch to benefit Jake Thorp’s Eagle Scout project, which will benefit Poquatuck Hall. Jake will be restoring the handicapped ramp, once again making access to our historic gathering place safe and easy. The tickets are $10 for adults; $6 for children under 12; under 4 free. Call Jake at 477-6382 or scoutmaster Robbie Walden at 276-3706 for advance tickets or get them at the door. If you can’t “eat” and just want to support the effort, you can send a check to Jake Thorp, Eagle Scout Project c/o Troop 51, P.O. Box 14, Greenport, NY 11944.

Speaking of events, Ryane Hoeffling and husband, Sean, had a blessed one Dec. 7 at Peconic Bay Medical Center when they welcomed Parker James Hoeffling — seven pounds, nine ounces and 19 inches long — into their family. The proud grandparents are Orienteers Rosie and Jeff Rogers, Mary and Andy Mitchell of Riverhead and James Hoeffling of Florida. And, of course, we can’t leave out big sister Maddie. Congratulations all around. What a wonderful Christmas present.

If you’re a Dune Grass ‘groupie,’ you can catch Orienteer Sandra Chapin and her bluegrass band this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Cutchogue New Suffolk Library’s holiday party.

My mysterious missing soccer mom e-mail came from Debra Kusa, sharing that Xavier and Jacob (Kusa) Kahn of Oysterponds, Ben Webb of Mattituck and Bryce Grathwohl (former Orienteer) received awards as members of the Mattituck Soccer Club U11 and were cited as the B1 NY Cup Group B Champions. They look forward to some great things in the spring. Congratulations, all.

Save the date, Feb. 4, for the annual poetry reading night at Poquatuck Hall. The plans that were shared are exciting to say the least. Really makes me want to stay around to be there. (OK, that’s a lie.) But if you’re an “I like the cold weather” person, it’s a must-attend event.

St. Agnes Church in Greenport will light its Christmas tree Sunday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m. in the church garden.

I had my Florida houseguest Cathy Victor with me last weekend when we ran into Linda Apostle at church. Of course, the “you must be cold” conversation started and Cathy said she was originally from Michigan. Linda was delighted, as she also hails from Michigan, but both were astonished that they’d lived across the lake from each other in the same town. Linda kept saying small world. Raise your hand if you’re surprised. Thought so; never surprised at anything here.

This Sunday’s OCC service promises to be special. Going back to the custom of years ago, the Lessons and Carols will be read by different people from the community representing OFD, OCA, OHS etc. The 10:30 a.m. service is open to all.

Country store proprietor Miriam Foster thought someone was playing a bad joke on her last week when she arrived to find the cash register and all the previous day’s receipts missing. Apparently it was not a joke, so friends and neighbors, keep an eye out for any suspicious activity around our Village. Incidents like this are thankfully rare, but scary nonetheless.

Next week is my last column until Jan. 12. Please share what you need to before then.