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Helen S. Rattray, Longtime Star Editor and Publisher, Dies at 90

Fri, 04/18/2025 - 14:45

Helen S. Rattray, the former longtime editor and publisher of The East Hampton Star, died early Wednesday morning at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport.

Ms. Rattray, who was 90, became associate editor of the paper in 1976 and took over as editor in chief in 1980. Her "Connections" column appeared in The Star for 43 years, until 2020. 

A memorial gathering and celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, April 27, at 11 a.m. at Ashawagh Hall in Springs, with a potluck lunch to follow.

Villages

A Success by Any Standard

Donovan Solis, the owner of Georgica Services, an auto shop known for its high-end, rare, and classic cars, started working there as a teenager — washing windshields at the gas pumps — and at first, he wasn’t even getting paid to do it.

Feb 26, 2026

Corner Bar Open by July 4? Maybe

Kelly and John Piccinnini, the new co-owners and sole operators of 1 Main Street in Sag Harbor — more familiarly known as the Corner Bar — spoke this week about the future of the community staple and meeting place.

Feb 26, 2026

Item of the Week: The Final Voyage of the Elmiranda

Much to the chagrin of her captain, the bark Elmiranda never stood a chance once she was caught in one of our area’s thick fogs in April 1894.

Feb 26, 2026

 

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