Living

The pandemic has ensured that this year many more stockings will be hung on the East End over the holidays. Whether you're hunkered down for your first East End winter or are an old-timer innovating traditions in light of Covid-19, here's how to make the most of things.

To light a menorah in the window at Hanukkah is to illuminate one's small corner of the world with hope. This year in Sag Harbor, for the first time in quite a while, a highly meaningful menorah will be lighted in the window of the Center for Jewish Life.

You're not really thinking of throwing some big holiday parties this year, are you? No, of course not. However, it's likely that you may be stopping by friends' and families' houses, and maybe expecting some folks and kin yourself, for low-key, safe-distance entertaining.

The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is also a day that many people celebrate as a spiritual holiday, to gather with a small group of close friends or family and welcome back the sun. This year, it will be Monday, Dec. 21, according to the Farmer's Almanac.

The Star's hunter-gatherer, Durell Godfrey, went shopping for "cozies" so that everyone can stay warm against the winter chill. Bundle up for a beach walk, or cuddle after walking the dog. Indoors or out, take these warm wishes, wrap them up, and share them. Remember to shop locally and drive carefully.

Carli Victoria Costello and Brian Francis Allmendinger were married on Oct. 10 in the backyard of the bride's grandfather Gary Richard in Bay Shore.

Waiting for his sweet-and-sour soup by the window of a Chinese takeout a few weeks ago, he had a brief encounter that left him longing for another, an instant connection with a woman who also loved the opera, but her number went missing, so he turned to the classifieds.

Nicholas David Miller and Lisa Mandl were married at home in East Hampton on Oct. 6. East Hampton Town Justice Steven Tekulsky officiated.

Mr. Miller, a son of Mary Cecila Koncelik Miller and Phillip David Miller, grew up in East Hampton and is the vice president of the Miller Building Company here.

The bride holds a bachelor's degree in interpreting and a master's degree in global studies. She is from Austria. Her mother, Karla Mandl, still lives there. Her father is deceased.

As the pandemic continues, temperatures drop, and people prepare to spend more time indoors, East End homeowners are clamoring to upgrade ventilation systems with air filters and purifiers, among other devices to keep their homes as Covid-safe as possible.

Lys Marigold and Dianne Benson of East Hampton Village were married on Saturday in a small ceremony at St. Luke's Episcopal Church by the Very Rev. Denis C. Brunelle, who celebrated the wedding Mass at 5 p.m.

Leila Zhaklin Shahidinia, the daughter of Derakhsh and Habib Shahidinia of Sari, Persia, is to be married to Justin Septimus Osborne, a.k.a. Justin Osborne Hurdel, the son of Darrin Hurdel of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Candace Osborne of East Hampton.

He is the 12th generation of his family to grow up in East Hampton, and is the grandson of Charles J. and Patricia Osborne.

He proposed to Ms. Shahidinia in the middle of the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge, between Nashville and Franklin, Tenn., on April 3. She said yes.

Liz Waller, the daughter of Julie Pospisil Waller of Springs and the late Tom Waller, and Kameron Whitmeyer, the son of Kerry and Paula Whitmeyer of Lafayette, La., became engaged on July 2 at Springs-Fireplace Beach.

The couple met while attending Tulane University and now live and work in New Orleans. Ms. Waller works for the software company Accruent, and Mr. Whitmeyer is an attorney at Scott, Vicknair, Hair & Checki.