Hunting with guns in East Hampton Town is a tradition that dates back to the middle 1600s. Back then, it was a means of survival. Now, it’s a sport, and a popular one, but also a tool for wildlife management.

The first and most important thing to know about the purple sandpiper is that it’s not purple. It’s not even close. For the beginner, the best way to see this bird — the only sandpiper we tend to see here in winter months — is to know where it hangs out, because it absolutely doesn’t stand out.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control released data evaluating the effectiveness of a third dose of an mRNA vaccine in preventing Covid-19. There have been clear indications since before third doses, or “booster” doses, were authorized that vaccine-induced immunity wanes over time. This has become particularly relevant as SARS CoV-2 has continued to mutate and multiply, allowing for the rise of variants such as Delta and Omicron.

The East Hampton Village Board has approved a lease agreement with the East Hampton Historical Society for the Dominy Shops at 73 North Main Street, effective Feb. 1, 2023. A museum is the goal.