Grind

It's not too early to stock up on treats for the December holidays, right? Right. The Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons will kick off its annual bake sale and holiday market on Saturday, featuring traditional pastries and gifts.

Two local institutions have begun collecting toys for children in need — the first of what are sure to be many to come this holiday season.

The Amagansett Library is hosting a toy drive through Dec. 7. New toys, games, puzzles, and art supplies for children can be taken to the library, with all donations given to Hamptons Community Outreach for distribution. More information can be had by emailing [email protected]. 

Charity-minded residents have an opportunity over the next month to contribute to the Retreat's annual Adopt-a-Family program, which collects gifts and gift cards for families in need during the holiday season.

Starting Monday, the Southampton Town Police Department and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital will be collecting donations of winter coats, gloves, hats, and scarves to help provide warmth to those in need.

The Bridgehampton Museum will host a reading called "Ocean Road: The Story of the Circassian," involving new research by Peter Walsh, a museum trustee, on Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Springs Presbyterian Church's annual Chowdah Chowdown, a fund-raiser for the Springs Food Pantry, will happen at the church on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each $40 ticket feeds two people and includes two 16-ounce portions of hot chowder selected from a offerings made by long roster of local chefs, a 16-ounce beer from Springs Brewery, and crackers, utensils, and napkins.

The Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt will be taking a full frost moon hike through the field behind the South Fork Natural History Museum on Wednesday at 5:20 p.m.

The first of five free community dinners at the East Hampton Firehouse will be held Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Volunteers are needed by the East Hampton Library to help transcribe old, scanned East Hampton Town records and other documents, its director, Dennis Fabiszak, asked us to announce.

A community effort to revive Montauk's Boy Scout programs is underway, with a meeting planned for Thursday, Nov. 3, at 7:15 p.m. for interested parents of kids in sixth grade and up.

Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day, an initiative to help people safely dispose of unneeded medications, with collection sites planned in East Hampton and Southampton Towns.

The Y.M.C.A. East Hampton RECenter has asked its members who happen to be veterans to share photos of themselves while on active duty with the Y. The photos will be displayed in the lobby in recognition of Veterans Day, which falls on Friday, Nov. 11, this year.