Jim Lubetkin, an Amagansett resident, received eight awards in the baking competition at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, which concluded on Sept. 2. 

Bill Akin is a writer and raconteur whose life has been intimately entwined with the culture of Montauk as a fisherman, environmental activist, writer, surfer, and founder of Music for Montauk.

Dan Koontz, an East Hampton musician and composer, has written “The Free Life,” a rock opera about the ill-fated hot- air balloon that took off from Springs 53 years ago in hopes of making the first trans-Atlantic balloon flight.

Keith Sonnier’s artful interpretations in neon and on paper of herd animals, inspired by his travels abroad and visits to the Museum of Natural History in New York, are at the Madoo Conservancy in Sagaponack for two more days.