A common theme emerged this year as school districts went through their routine audits: The Covid-19 pandemic has motivated some to hold on to more surplus funds than in past years, despite a state law limiting the amount of money a district can retain.

For those seeking to shop locally this holiday season, the Village True Value Hardware Store in East Hampton now has a special section of locally made products.

Moooove over, chickens. At the Bridgehampton School, which welcomed a flock of barred Holland hens earlier this year, kindergartners have "adopted" a calf through a Discover Dairy adopt-a-cow program, the school recently announced.