Villages

From an 1898 labor shortage in a building boom, to the day 50 years later when a 40-foot gondola was trundled down Main Street, this was East Hampton.

There is something creepy about cormorants. From most distances, they look black, with long thick necks, tails, and wings. In flight, they appear like black crosses. Against a cormorant, fish have no hope; the tip of their orange bill is hook-shaped, a perfect tool to capture over 250 species of fish. Soon those single black crosses will join to form sky-wide, shape-shifting patterns as they migrate away.

One C. Schenck cleans his gutters in 1898, and other public spiritedness from The Star of yesteryear.

With its last effort at creating affordable housing legislation struck down by the New York State Supreme Court in April, the Sag Harbor Village Board introduced a new affordable housing initiative at last week’s board meeting, “just to start the conversation,” said Mayor Tom Gardella.

This receipt, dated Oct. 21, 1703, records the first annual payment by East Hampton settlers to the Montaukett people. The payment amounted to a rental fee for the use of grazing lands on the Montauk peninsula.

It had been at least 30 years, likely more, since the Wainscott Sewing Society did any actual sewing. That changed earlier this year, when eight members of the group, all with multigenerational ties to the hamlet, took up scissors, needles, and thread once more.

Thirty-three years ago, Theo Landi’s sister-in-law Geri Sanicola said to her, “This town needs a party shop.” Mrs. Landi replied, “You find a spot and maybe we’ll do it.” The Party Shoppe has been helping to make birthday parties and holidays complete ever since.

At a short but sweet East Hampton Village Board work session on Oct. 5, the village dedicated the Pantigo Mill behind the Home, Sweet Home Museum to Hugh King, the village historian.

After 22 years at Amagansett Square, Mandala Yoga Center for Healing Arts will soon move to Scoville Hall on Meeting House Lane, not far from its existing location. Scoville Hall has served as a satellite space for Mandala’s yoga classes since 2021.

The Wainscott Citizens Advisory Committee was enthusiastic about a proposal to transform Wainscott Green and connect past, present, and future with the creation of a “celebratory memorial” to the Swamp and the Annex, the nightclub and restaurant that stood for many years on the site.

From the gruesome, watery death of a bootlegger in 1923 to East Hampton’s spirited 350th anniversary celebration parade 75 years later, we offer you a choice tour of past Star reportage.

After months of planning and one postponement due to inclement weather, East Hampton Town will celebrate its 375th anniversary on Saturday, weather permitting.