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Gristmill: Dumping Grounds

A simple question for the sellers on those social media marketplaces hereabouts . . .

Point of View: Any Gnus?

Yes, Virginia, even 82-year-olds can freak out.

Guestwords: Our Obsession With Winning

Trump’s actions with respect to losing the election, while extreme, is hardly new. Winning is a supreme value in American culture.

The Way It Was for December 15, 2022

From an 1897 issue of The Star: “Who says this is a slow town?”

Recorded Deeds 12.15.22

It might be the shortest tally of South Fork real estate transactions ever.

The Beauty and Science of Whales

A new book of stunning underwater photographs by the Montauk scientist and explorer Gaelin Rosenwaks is a fascinating portrait of sperm whales, nature's largest predator and the inspiration for "Moby-Dick."

'Sr.': Not Like Anything Else

"Sr." is an offbeat and fascinating portrait of Robert Downey, who emerged as an iconoclastic underground filmmaker in the 1960s, and his complex relationship with his son, the actor Robert Downey Jr.

Teachers Weigh In on Marsden Street Purchase

The Teachers Association of Sag Harbor has thrown its support behind the potential joint school-and-town purchase of five lots on Marsden Street for an athletic field near Pierson Middle and High School, citing the academic benefits the plan would bring.

A de Kooning Theft Comes to Film

"The Thief Collector" is a documentary about a de Kooning painting stolen in 1985, its discovery and restoration more than 30 years later, and the apparently unassuming thieves, a married couple who lived in a small New Mexico town.

Montauk Fire Commissioner Race Heats Up

The race for a seat on Montauk Fire District's board of commissioners is contested this year, with two experienced first responders facing off for a five-year term. Voting is Tuesday from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Fire Department headquarters on Flamingo Avenue. All registered voters in Montauk are eligible to cast ballots; the commissioner's election is not limited to fire department members.

Robert Caro's Doc Takes Audience Award

A documentary about the writer Robert Caro and his editor, Robert Gottlieb, won the Hamptons Doc Fest Audience Award.

Dead Whale in Amagansett Had No Signs of Trauma

A dead humpback whale, originally spotted off Southampton Village beaches on Dec. 3, finally washed up near Indian Wells beach in Amagansett last Tuesday. The 31-foot female did not appear to have been the victim of a vessel strike or entanglement.

Judy Carmichael Back in Stride in Sag Harbor

Judy Carmichael and her trio will bring a concert of swing music to Bay Street Theater.

Bits and Pieces 12.15.22

A short film brings new friends to The Church, filmed drama at East Hampton Library, saxophone virtuoso at the Parrish, "It's a Wonderful Life" radio plays on both forks, and the Watermill Center now accepting residency applications.

The Art Scene 12.15.22

Kiki Smith print to benefit Pollock-Krasner House, new art in the Leiber Sculpture Garden, closing reception for "A Celebration of Trees," solo shows in Southampton, and Conceptual Art revisited in TriBeCa

Local Cooks and Their Books

Claudia Fleming dives into the sweet and savory, Ina Garten leans into no-fuss cooking, and Katie Lee Biegel counts on creative twists to shake up simple recipes in recent cookbooks.

Feasts for the Festival of Lights

If it's Hanukkah, there must be potato latkes, brisket, and doughnuts, and Rowdy Hall, Nick and Toni's, and L&W Market are offering those specials and many more.

News for Foodies 12.15.22

The special holiday feasts, both to go and on site, just keep coming, this week from Nick and Toni's, Lulu Kitchen and Bar, Rowdy Hall, Almond, Townline BBQ, the Cookery, and L&W Market.

OVERHEARD: Beulah Says

Beulah Pollock tells marvelous stories of a childhood in the English countryside, her acting days, the good times she had with her late husband. But when asked what kind of advice she has to offer younger generations, she gets a bit shy and denies having any. In describing a life lived to the fullest, though, some tidbits of unintentional wisdom revealed themselves.

I Capture the Castle

As a weird cheating scandal rocks the game at its highest levels, kids take to chess in increasing numbers. Tom Gogola reports on opportunities for the next generation of players.