Community Columns

Oysterponds News: Orient Fire Department Pig Roast

More than 100 descendants of Samuel King, who made his way to Orient in 1661, comprised the group that were the “grand” grand marshals for the annual Heritage Day Parade. Folks from half a dozen states paraded down Village Lane proudly announcing they were represented by folks from the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th generations. All were excited to be back in Oysterponds for this very special July Fourth event.

This weekend is the grand opening of the William Steeple Davis exhibit at the Jan Swanson Gallery at Oysterponds Historical Society, which will be on display through October. Frederica Wachsberger has researched and written a book called “In Her Own Name,” about Jane Hubbard, the grandmother of William Steeple Davis. Frederica will sell and autograph her book at a members-only reception launching the exhibit this Friday, July 10, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The fourth annual OFD Pig Roast will be held Saturday, July 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the firehouse. Tickets, $35 ($30 in advance), include all the beer/wine/soda you can enjoy. Children ages 8-12 are $15. There will be music by Mixed Nutz. Snag your tickets from any OFD member, the Orient Country Store or Orient by the Sea.

As you wind down at the firehouse, work your way over to Poquatuck Hall for an outstanding concert at 7:30 p.m. by Rick Sacks, a percussionist who has toured globally spreading his talents. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door.

There’s still time to sign up for the second annual ELIH Ladies’ Day on the Links on July 20 at Island’s End Golf and Country Club in Greenport. The $125 fee includes a buffet lunch, cash bar and lots of fun prizes. Call Barbara Koch at 477-0975 or Bill Fish at 477-0777 to sign on.

The East Marion Community Association reminds you to participate in its eighth annual membership drive and all-you-can-eat ice cream social Saturday, July 11, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the East Marion firehouse. All are invited.

If you drove through East Marion this weekend, I have one word that will get a rise out of you: LAVENDER. I made multiple trips through the area and was stunned by the amount of people who were stopped in the middle of the road trying to access the beautiful fields.

Congratulations to East Marioneer Joe Cherepowich, who just celebrated his 30-year milestone as a Greenport Rotarian. That club has always performed amazing services for our community.

With the apple not falling far from the tree, congratulations to Joe’s daughter Heather Cherepowich Walker, who was awarded the Rotarian of the Year for Greenport Rotary, a much-deserved achievement. WTG, Heather.

Speaking of the Rotary, Martha and John Tuthill are sad to be bidding farewell to their Rotary exchange student, Adeline Haugen, who will be returning to Belgium on the 17th. Adeline has been with the Tuthill family since February. Before that, she spent five months with the Creedons in Greenport. She attended Greenport High School and was on the volleyball and track teams. She was also part of the cast of the high school’s musical “Once Upon a Mattress.” How wonderful is it that our small town sponsors such a global gift.

Momma Sue Utz was thrilled to have son Marc and daughter-in-law, Kelly, home in Orient two weeks ago. The “Floridians” were thrilled to be back on the North Fork and were happy to catch up with their siblings, who all worked their way back to Oysterponds. Their brother Dr. Joe Papa will be starting with the “full court press” in preparation for the annual OCC fair July 25. Call him at 323-2537 to donate items for all fair categories and perhaps volunteer to man a table.

It was fun volunteering for Tall Ships this past weekend and one highlight was meeting a whole new set of volunteers. I often refer to rounding up “my usual suspects” when a job needs to get done. I met two new (to me) Orient folks who snuck past my radar screen and are living in Greenacres. WTG, Kit Liset, who “ran the show” at Tall Ships and remained completely unflustered. Her husband, Jack Fahey, who refers to himself as “Kit’s husband,” also seamlessly coordinated and fielded any curve balls thrown his way.

I have a scanner that picks up emergency calls within a reasonable radius. As you can well imagine, it never stopped last weekend. This is a reminder that we should all thank our vamps/EMTs for their tireless dedication. They certainly earned jewels for their heavenly crowns this week.

See you back here on the 23rd.