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A Fall Wedding at St. Therese

A Fall Wedding at St. Therese

By
Star Staff

    Keri Lynne Marino and Leland Edwards Winslow were married on Sept. 9 at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Montauk by the Rev. Michael Rieder. They celebrated with a reception afterward at East by Northeast restaurant in Montauk.

    The bride is a daughter of Joyce and Carmine Marino of Montauk. A music teacher at Crossroads Music, she graduated from East Hampton High School in 2004 and from Molloy College in Rockville Centre in 2008.

    Mr. Winslow also graduated from East Hampton High School in 2004, then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y., and now runs L.W.W. Painting. His parents are Marjorie and Leland Winslow of Amagansett.

    The couple were friends in high school and reunited after college.

    The maid of honor was the bride’s sister, Laura Marino of Montauk. Her bridesmaids were the bridegroom’s sister, Melissa Winslow of Amagansett, Kristen Grabowski, also of Amagansett, and Haliegh Schellinger of Shelter Island. Mr. Winslow’s best man was Robert Wood of Amagansett. His ushers were Phillip Marino of Montauk, the bride’s brother, Christopher Wood of Amagansett, and Christopher Hand of East Hampton. There were readings by the bride’s father, the bridegroom’s mother, and Tom Kostura.

    The couple took a wedding trip to Rincon, Puerto Rico. They live in Springs.

Musicians Play for Gregg

Musicians Play for Gregg

By
Christopher Walsh

    The life of Gregg Rickards, a musically gifted graduate of East Hampton High School who died last August at age 23, was celebrated at a fund-raiser held on Friday night at the high school.

    The event launched the endowment of a scholarship in Mr. Rickards’s honor and featured a wealth of local musical talent, nearly all of it with a connection to the high school. Performing were the school’s jazz ensemble; the Peter Weiss Trio (Mr. Weiss was a teacher of Mr. Rickards); Little Head Thinks, which includes Josh Brussel, a teacher, and Matt Dauch, a graduate; Casanova Frankenstein, featuring Dylan Sanacola, a recent graduate, and Mamalee Rose and Friends, featuring Arlethia (Mamalee) Lawler, a retired teacher.

    Also appearing were the Far East Fiddle Club; the school’s music theory class; Your Mother, featuring Troy Grindle, a teacher, and his son; MonkFish, featuring Steven and Jackson Clark, a graduate and student, respectively; the Jet Set Renegades, featuring Thomas Bennett, a graduate, and students; Third Estate; and Tree Top Thieves, also made up of graduates.

    An electric guitar and amplifier, donated by Crossroads Music and customized by Tom Bono, was raffled to raise additional money for the cause.

    More than $6,000 was raised, according to Michael Clark, proprietor of Crossroads Music, which also provided sound equipment for the show. “There was a great energy in the room all night,” Mr. Clark said. “Not one performer was asked to play; every single one of them volunteered, which is really indicative of the musical community here. Whenever there’s a need, bands jump up and do it. It was a real good showing. There was a lot of community support, as usual.”

    The initial idea for the scholarship was to award $500 to a graduating senior going into the field of music, said Mr. Rickards’s aunt, Patty Collins Sales. That may be broadened to include a larger award, multiple scholarships, or purchase of supplies for the high school’s music department, she said, though a decision has yet to be made. “The students were phenomenal,” Ms. Sales told The Star. “There was a whole lot of talent there. It was neat to see them on the stage with other local bands that you see all over town. It was a really good mix.”

    Donations are still being accepted, Ms. Sales said, and can be made to the Greater East Hampton Education Foundation. Interested parties can send a check to East Hampton High School, 2 Long Lane, East Hampton 11937, to the attention of Marilyn Von Scoyoc, Music Department coordinator. “Gregg Rickards Scholarship” should be entered on the memo line.

    “The vibe was unbelievable,” Ms. Sales said of the evening. “People were thanking us for letting them perform. It was truly nice, doing something positive. Hopefully we will be able to keep doing it, to keep something good going.”

    “Make sure the readers know how appreciative my family is for everything,” she said.

Visa Briefing In the Capital

Visa Briefing In the Capital

By
Janis Hewitt

    A briefing for Congressional staffers on the H-2B visa program, which allows employers to hire a temporary foreign work staff, will be held in Washington, D.C., on Monday at 3 p.m. Members of the Montauk Chamber of Commerce are urging business owners to attend the meeting and lend support.

    “As you know, this program is very important to the seasonal employees in Montauk,” wrote Laraine Creegan, the chamber’s executive director.

    Shawn McBurney, the senior vice president of government affairs for the American Hotel and Lodging Association, is rallying support for the program. “We anticipate a tough fight this year,” he said in an e-mail.

    For those who cannot attend, Mr. McBurney has suggested they write in favor of the program to Representative Tim Bishop, 306 Cannon H.O.B., Washington, D.C. 20515. Mr. McBurney can be e-mailed for more information at [email protected].

Dr. King Is Praised in Word and Song

Dr. King Is Praised in Word and Song

The Rev. Michael Jackson and the Triune Baptist Church Choir brought their voices and song to the Calvary Baptist Church’s celebration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life in East Hampton on Monday.
The Rev. Michael Jackson and the Triune Baptist Church Choir brought their voices and song to the Calvary Baptist Church’s celebration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life in East Hampton on Monday.
Morgan McGivern
By
Carrie Ann Salvi

The ideas of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were honored at Calvary Baptist Church in East Hampton on Monday, with the Rev. Michael Jackson of Triune Baptist Church in Sag Harbor as keynote speaker and that church’s choir joining in the celebration.

    “We will praise you for the rest of our days,” sung members of the Calvary Youth Choir. Young speakers including Jacarra Stephens read Scripture with words such as “thinkest no evil.”

    “Love never fails,” exclaimed Sharlene Hartwell, a minister who spoke of unity and forgiveness.

    “Martin Luther King Jr. was concerned about all mankind, regardless of creed or political affiliation,” Henry Haney, a deacon at Calvary Baptist, said. “We are all in this together . . . this is what East Hampton is about.”

    Gloria Moore performed a dramatic and colorful flag ministry to the tune of “Change.”

    Among those gathered were church members, politicians, and school officials. Quotes from Dr. King that were part of the service included “We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”

    “My door is always open,” said Richard J. Burns, the superintendent of the East Hampton School District. He asked for help in giving each student a promise for the future. He said he seeks a partnership that includes participation by parents with regard to homework and attendance. On his end, he said, “You call me on it” if something is not happening as it should.

    Mr. Jackson expressed gratitude for the help his congregation has received. The congregation is “trying to build our own temple . . . there is so much more work to be done.” He then introduced the Triune Baptist Church Choir, which sang about speaking blessings into the atmosphere and seeing the best in people.

    Dr. King blessed humanity with a profound purpose, Mr. Jackson said, and “the works must go on. . . . In order to make it, black, white, Jew, and gentile must live as one people . . . we have so much more in common,” he said, “than what is trying to separate us.”

Okay for Two-House Law

Okay for Two-House Law

By
Christopher Walsh

    The owners of historic timber-frame houses in East Hampton Village will get a zoning bonus that will allow them to build or expand second dwellings on their property following the village board’s adoption on Friday of zoning code amendments designed to encourage preservation of those landmark structures.

    The law, after modifications requested by the owners of some of the houses in question were implemented, allows some of the maximum permitted gross floor area allowed in a main house to be allocated to a second dwelling on the same lot in order to preserve the historic integrity of the timber-frame buildings. A related law, also adopted, provides for criteria and guidelines for the design review board’s review of an application for a second house on a property that includes a designated a timber-frame landmark.

    Later in the meeting, the board continued a discussion on a separate zoning code amendment that would repeal a limited exception allowing a second house on a lot large enough to be subdivided, provided the second house was for “domestic employees or members of the household of the occupant of the single family residence.”

    The board’s original proposal would have deleted the section of the code allowing a second house when the above conditions were met, said Larry Cantwell, the village administrator. An amended version of the law discussed Friday “specifically excludes any property for which a zoning determination has been made prior to the adoption of this.”

    The application that sparked the code revision — John and Suzanne Cartier’s plan to move their existing house to the rear of the property at 105 Main Street, add 182 square feet to it, and build a second house of similar size — would then be exempt from the code change.

    “This amended version was not acted upon,” Mr. Cantwell said, “but could be at the next board meeting. The board is going to change the law so that in the future two houses on one lot won’t be able to be created, as the Z.B.A. is allowing to happen in this case.”

    Last year, the Cartiers applied to the zoning board for variances to carry out their plan, but the zoning board, after four months of review, determined the variances were unnecessary because the proposed houses would both conform to zoning code requirements if the property were divided in two.

    The village board has since tried to stop the Cartiers’ development plans, claiming that a scenic easement granted to the village in 1975 prohibits construction of the second house. Last month, the village sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the Cartiers from proceeding with construction. That was denied in court.

    The village, said Mr. Cantwell, will continue to pursue enforcement of the scenic easement, but sees that as “a separate issue,” he said. “From the board’s perspective, it’s the scenic easement that is in court.”

Conservators to Hear From Baldwin

Conservators to Hear From Baldwin

    The actor Alec Baldwin, who has long taken an interest in politics of a regional and national nature, will speak about issues of importance to East Hampton Town residents at the East Hampton Conservators’ winter gathering at the Huntting Inn on Main Street on Feb. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be supplied.

    Mr. Baldwin was the moving force behind the founding of the Conservators, a political action committee that tends to support Democrats in local elections. According to a statement on its Web site, the group is concerned with controlling development, protecting the environment and drinking water, and preserving open space, history, and quality of life in East Hampton Town.

    Those attending will be invited to participate in a discussion of environmental issues, as well as get to know those who share their concerns.

    There is no charge to attend, however, an R.S.V.P. via e-mail to [email protected]  has been asked.

_

   According to organizers, the event was at capacity as of Monday afternoon and no more reservations can be taken.

 

Affordable Now and Forever, Z.B.A. Says

Affordable Now and Forever, Z.B.A. Says

By
Christopher Walsh

    A contractor hoping to convert the second floor of his commercial building on Lumber Lane into two apartments for his sons, returned to the East Hampton Village Zoning Board on Friday with something to celebrate.

    On Jan. 18 the village board had adopted a zoning code amendment that would eliminate one obstacle to his plan — a requirement that anyone who cannot provide the mandated off-street parking pay a $10,000 fee per space into the village’s parking fund. The amendment will allow the zoning board to waive that fee, but only if property owners are creating affordable housing.

    Pat Trunzo, a contractor who owns the building with his brother, Mike Trunzo, wants to create two “affordable” apartments there but needs a number of variances to do so, including one from the village’s off-street parking requirements, which he had not initially requested.

    Now he has, but Linda Riley, the village attorney, cautioned Mr. Trunzo against hastily acting on his plans. “Be advised that the local law is not effective yet,” she told him. It does not become effective until five days after it is filed with the state, “and it hasn’t even been sent yet,” she said. Ms. Riley took the opportunity to clarify the code, which she said is largely misunderstood. The code will require $10,000 for each space if a variance from the off-street parking is granted by the zoning board, she said, “except for a variance granted for affordable housing on the condition that there’s covenants and restrictions, etcetera, that require it to remain affordable housing in perpetuity.”

    Andrew Goldstein, the zoning board’s chairman, told Mr. Trunzo that he must also submit “a program for those apartments whereby the tenants will be restricted to those meeting certain economic limitations.” The board has indicated its support for the parking variance, he said, “but we can’t proceed any further until we see those materials.”

    Mr. Trunzo said he had given Ms. Riley a template of covenants restricting the apartments to people within a certain income range, as well as the rent that could be charged. “With your permission, I’d like to work with the board’s counsel to put those in a form that the village would find appropriate,” he said.

    Lysbeth Marigold, a board member, asked Mr. Trunzo if it was improper for family members to benefit from affordable housing, citing a conversation she’d had with an inspector regarding unrelated, Section 8 housing. “There won’t be a government subsidy,” Mr. Trunzo answered. “Nobody’s subsidizing the rent here. As we’ve indicated before, we’re hoping that my sons go on to bigger and better things, so at some point in time these will be available” to new, qualified occupants, he said.

    Ms. Riley said she would review Mr. Trunzo’s materials and circulate them internally. The code enforcement officer, she said, will determine how many parking spaces are required. “The board needs a determination by the code enforcement officer on what the required parking is, what the required aisle width is. Then we’ll know what we’re dealing with,” she said.

    Mr. Trunzo plans to present the materials the board seeks at the next meeting on Friday, Feb. 8.

    Mr. Goldstein also announced on Friday a determination regarding playground equipment at St. Luke’s Epsicopal Church. The board found that playground equipment on a 2012 survey should have been encompassed in the special permit and permanent variances the board granted for the property in 2004. The board modified the 2004 determination to include the playground equipment, which will allow the church to replace it with new equipment without submitting a new application.

Uihlein and Tsvirka Wed in Montauk

Uihlein and Tsvirka Wed in Montauk

By
Star Staff

    Alena Antonovna Tsvirka, the daughter of Ina and Anton Tsvirka of Gorodeya, Minsk, Belarus, was married to Henry Charles Uihlein of Amagansett on Dec. 22 at the Montauk Community Church. The Rev. Bill Hoffman officiated, and a reception followed at Gurney’s Inn.

    Mr. Uihlein owns Uihlein’s Marina in Montauk and is a former high school athletic director at the Shelter Island School. He attended the Montauk School, East Hampton High School, and the University of Tampa, and then earned a master’s degree in education from New York University. His parents, Charlotte and Henry Uihlein, are deceased.

    The bride studied at the Belarusian State Economic University. She came to Montauk on a seasonal work visa. While walking by Mr. Uihlein’s marina, she heard two women speaking Russian and stopped to talk, then met her future husband.

    For their wedding, which the bride described as “a perfect Christmas wedding,” she wore an ivory Casablanca dress and carried a bouquet of ivory roses and crystal-centered white stephanotis. Janeen DeFina of Montauk was her maid of honor. She was also attended by Bailey Thompson Somero of Montauk and her sister-in-law, Maryia Semianchova of Toronto. They wore black dresses and red shoes and carried bouquets of red roses and white stephanotis.

    Mr. Uihlein’s best man was Thomas Dolan of Montauk and Oyster Bay. His groomsmen were his son by a previous marriage, Henry Christian Uihlein of Amagansett, and the bride’s brother, Victor Tsvirko of Toronto. Also at the wedding was the couple’s 1-year-old son, Alexander Charles Uihlein.

    The reception included a performance by Mr. Dolan, an original song by Lenny DeFina of Montauk, and illusions by Joe Garsetti.

    After a wedding trip to Miami and Key West, the couple are back at home in Amagansett.

Inspector Resigns

Inspector Resigns

By
Christopher Walsh

    Tom Lawrence, a code enforcement officer for East Hampton Village, has resigned effective Feb. 15. At its meeting last Friday, the village board accepted his resignation and authorized payment of $33,066.60 for “unused accumulated time, pursuant to employee agreement.”

    Mr. Lawrence is stepping down after 161/2 years with the village. “If you’re very fortunate, you recognize opportunities and possibilities for change, and that’s basically where we’re at,” Mr. Lawrence told The Star. Mr. Lawrence and his wife are approaching their 29th anniversary, he said, and his youngest child will graduate from college in May. “It’s a really good opportunity for us to refocus. To be sure, I will miss working with the village — absolutely consummate professionals, led by an amazing team of elected officials. They really are top-shelf through and through,” he said.

    Mr. Lawrence described his role with the village as “essentially an expanded building inspector,” addressing coastal erosion, flood management, and beach preservation. In this role, he worked with the village board, the design review board, and the zoning board of appeals. “It never got boring,” he said.

    His salary was approximately $89,000 per year.

    Larry Cantwell, the village administrator, told The Star that the board of trustees is evaluating whether and how to replace Mr. Lawrence, suggesting that a successor could be hired on a full-time, part-time, or seasonal basis

Wolffer Siblings to Carry on Legacy

Wolffer Siblings to Carry on Legacy

Marc and Joey Wolffer, the son and a daughter of the late Christian Wolffer, have announced their purchase of the estate from their siblings. They plan to expand the vineyard that their father began 25 years ago.
Marc and Joey Wolffer, the son and a daughter of the late Christian Wolffer, have announced their purchase of the estate from their siblings. They plan to expand the vineyard that their father began 25 years ago.
Carrie Ann Salvi
By
Carrie Ann Salvi

    Twenty-five years after Christian Wolffer established the Sagaponack vineyard and winery that eventually became Wolffer Estate Vineyard, his daughter Joey Wolffer and son, Marc Wolffer, announced on Monday that they will be the new co-owners of the operation.

    At a press conference held in the Sagaponack tasting room, the two said they look forward to continuing the legacy built by their father, who died four years ago in a swimming accident in Brazil.

    The estate began as Mr. Wolffer’s weekend getaway, before he planted vines over potato fields and eventually began to produce world-class wines. To mark the Tuscan-style winery’s 25th anniversary and the siblings’ takeover of the venture, a number of celebrations are planned and five anniversary wines are to be introduced. Marc Wolffer, who also owns vineyards in Spain and Argentina, managed restaurants in Manhattan and Havana, then became the food and beverage manager at the Sea Life theme park in Hawaii, which his father owned. He said he is especially fond of one of the anniversary wines, Christian’s Cuvee Merlot, named for his father.

    Ms. Wolffer, a jewelry designer, owns a company called Styleliner, described in a release as “a luxury accessories boutique on wheels.” She and her husband split their time between New York and Sag Harbor, with eventual plans to live on the estate.

    Mr. Wolffer will travel between Sagaponack and Palma de Mallorca, Spain, where he lives with his wife and four children, and has opened three restaurants.

    He and his sister purchased the interests from their other two sisters. “It is not their passion,” Ms. Wolffer said on Monday.

    Complimenting the Wolffer Estate management, the siblings assured that the current structure would remain in place. Projects are in the works to expand nationally and internationally, Mr. Wolffer said. Despite poor economic conditions, the vineyard has enjoyed a substantial increase in profits in the last few years, and the demand for its wines, produced under the supervision of the winemaker Roman Roth and vineyard manager, Richie Pisacano, presently exceeds its supply.

    Judy Malone, the vineyard’s marketing and communications director, said she thinks Mr. and Ms. Wolffer’s father would have loved the decision. “It is poignant,” she said, “to carry on the name.”