Community Columns

Oysterponds News: East Marion F.D. breakfast Sunday

Fried Eggs Bacon and Sausages on a Plate

East Marion Fire Department’s 12th annual breakfast buffet will be this Sunday, April 13, at the firehouse from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 3 and up. It’s always yummy. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. 

Oysterponds extends sympathy to Helen, Kurt, Kenneth, Kristine and Jennifer on the passing of their mom, Marie Meklenburg, last week. Marie was quiet and unassuming but very devoted to Orient and Orient Congregational Church, where she polished what needed polishing and straightened what needed straightening. She was a fixture at Orient Beach State Park and a valued employee. May all of you be comforted with great memories.

Another loss to Oysterponds was also a quiet woman, East Marioneer Mary Botto, who died March 26, her 81st birthday. She was often seen in the pews and raising her hand to help at St. Agnes Church. We all extend our sympathy to Rosane, Hunter and Roger and their families. May she rest in peace.

The Congregational church council has launched an ambitious and admirable effort to restore and protect their irreplaceable stained glass windows. This does not come without a hefty price tag: The effort will cost approximately $70,000. This very historic building is the oldest Congregational Church in New York State. Why not stop in when the light is shining through these incredible works of art? When I was an OCC trustee 25 years ago, I remember sitting with an insurance man who declared the windows priceless and speculated that they might be made with Tiffany glass. Members of the committee working to preserve them are Priscilla Bull, Anne Hopkins, Robert Hulsmann, Robert VanCleef and Colin Van Tuyl. The church’s number is 323-2665 and you can find brochures in the church.

The iconic OCA Easter egg hunt will take place April 19 at 9 a.m. at Poquatuck Park, rain or shine. It’s open to all Oysterponds children in grades four or younger. Bring your own basket. On a special note, donations will be greatly welcomed and appreciated. Call Holly Mastrangelo at 323-2311 with any questions.

Oysterponds Community Activities could really use your help. As you know, it juggles all the expenses to maintain Poquatuck Hall and all the monuments. Its coffers are very low and really need an injection of funds. The board has identified many projects, like converting the antiquated heating system, but now money is needed just for everyday repairs. Oysterponds is so lucky to have this special meeting hall. Please support it. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 34, Orient, NY 11957. Thanks in advance.

An exhibit called “The North Fork: People, Places and Produce,” featuring paintings and drawings by Pat and Eli Ruiz, opens at Floyd Memorial Library in Greenport this Saturday, April 12, with a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. All are welcome.

Save the date — May 10 — for the return of the Missoula Children’s Theater, which will once again transform Oysterponds School students into excited young thespians and create a completed production in less than a week. This year’s play is “Robinson Crusoe.” Call Lynette Crowley at 323-8008 for more details.

Birds have always played a big role in this space. Maureen Dacimo of Narrow River Road called in her causeway osprey sighting after my last deadline. As she said, spring is here. Let’s hope. After Sarah Bellesheim, who was soaking up Florida sunshine, caught up on my column asking for snowy owl sightings, she sent me a picture of one perched on her backyard stairs leading to the beach. Although it was taken Dec. 22, it was still a thrill. Get in touch if you’d like to see it and, with Sarah’s permission, I’ll share it.

Happy Easter to all. I’ll be making a cameo appearance on the North Fork next week and have reserved some sunshine to bring north. See you then.

Gillooly, CarolContact Oysterponds columnist Carol Gillooly at 323-3899 or [email protected].