Oysterponds News: Donate artificial Christmas trees

Have you reset all your clocks yet? Somehow I always miss one and discover it sometime in January. At least with this week’s time change you will be early. 

The Oysterponds Historical Society is seeking donations of artificial Christmas trees (and, a la the three bears, not too big and not too small). The plan is to have them decorated by “local celebrities” and then auction them off at the winter benefit. If you have one of these gems, please get in touch at oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org or 323-2480.

Greenport High School’s DECA Club will sponsor a french toast breakfast at the Townsend Manor this Sunday, Nov. 9, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children under 12. Proceeds will help defray the cost of transportation for competitions and career education field trips. For more info, call Martha Tuthill at 323-2763.

In honor of Veterans Day, this Sunday, Nov. 9, Orient United Methodist and Orient Congregational churches will celebrate services together at the Methodist church. They will follow a long tradition of inviting the Southold NJROTC unit to participate and a special anthem will be sung. All are invited.

Speaking of the Congregational Church, the Rev. Ann Van Cleef and husband, Bob, have embraced the concept of gypsy and are taking full advantage of Ann’s sabbatical. They recently returned from a two-week adventure in Morocco, where they slept in tents under the stars, rode camels and thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of the first country that acknowledged the United States. One thing that stood out for them were the exceptionally vibrant and fresh vegetables for sale at the outdoor markets. They were here long enough for Ann to write a few more pages on her thesis and then took off again for more fun experiences. Travel safe, friends.

St. Agnes Church has “reset” Sunday Mass to the winter schedule of 8 and 10 a.m. Take note so you aren’t an hour early or an hour late.

The East Marion Community Association will hold a “Story Saturday” on Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon (coffee and goodies at 9:30) where stories that help define the hamlet’s history will be shared. George Koch, son of a St. Thomas Home camper, will talk about how summers in East Marion influenced his family and his career choices. He will be followed by George Giannaris, a descendant of Greek immigrants, with “Ferry Tales” about renting cottages and establishing the well-known and popular Hellenic Restaurant. All are welcome.

There’s still time to sign up for San Simeon’s fundraising trip to either Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun casino on Monday, Nov. 17. Tickets are $30. To reserve, call Paula Thorp at 477-2392 or San Simeon at 477-2110.

Floyd Memorial Library in Greenport will host a book launch and talk Friday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m., with the author of “Get Paused,” a survival story with photographs. Sounds like another great program at a facility we’re all grateful to have. Check the website at Floydmemoriallibrary.org. It will be worth the visit.

Prayers for Jennifer Woznick, East Marion “kid” and OPU graduate, now of Joshua, Tex., who is hopefully on the mend after some very serious recent surgery. Mom Anna did what mothers do and flew south to administer lots of TLC to her firstborn. Oysterponds wishes her a speedy recovery.

Emily Halligan reported in on Halloween from Billings, Mont., and bragged that gas there was $3.09 a gallon. That got me observing and inquiring. The cheapest gas down here in the Sunshine State was $2.53 at a Sam’s Club. Can you top that? It’s encouraging to see the prices drop. I’ll try to bring some cheap gas and sunshine when I return in a few weeks. Until then, keep warm.

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