Winter Newsletter 2009
DECEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Thomas has been director of music at the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton since 2000. He also leads the Music at the Old Town Church series and is also the accompanist for the Choral Society of the Hamptons. He is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music, and has composed for organ, choir, and handbells.
Membership Chair Patti Ferrin also introduced four new members at the meeting. Katharine Flack, sponsored by Barbara Rotholtz and Suzanne Goell, works in Books and the Annex, and is a member of the Program and Hospitality Committees. Marsha McBride, sponsored by Sandra Conklin and Regina Foley, works in Bargain Box, serves on the House Committee, and makes it a point to attend every monthly membership meeting. Nancy Isakson, sponsored by Sandra Cantey and Marilyn Lukashok, works in Bargain Box’s Annex and braves the cash register in Bargain Box. Amy Zachary, sponsored by Henrika Conner and Mary Braverman, works in Books and with the Nature Trail and Sunken Garden Committees.
The December meeting also provided an opportunity for members to donate to the East Hampton Community Council, which has been helping local families in need since 1943.
In the 1920’s the LVIS fought long and hard to restrict signage in the village, to the extent that East Hampton soon became known as a “signless town.”
The ladies would be chagrined to see the many new signs that have cropped up almost overnight on Main Street and Newtown Lane, installed by the state Department of Transportation (DOT). Many of them are neon-like in color and indicate pedestrian crossings. The repetitive nature of the directional signs on the Village Green are also of concern.
There are two basic issues: the signs are unsightly, too numerous, and, in the view of many, including village officials, unnecessary; and some of them are installed in the tree enclosures maintained by the LVIS, presenting a possible danger to the roots of our beautiful village trees.
To illustrate the unnecessary nature of the signs, three bright yellow signs now mar the vista of the Hook Mill Green, indicating a curve in the road that is quite obvious without the aid of warning signs. As to damage to the roots, as Tree Chair Olivia Brooks points out, the damage would be long term, not immediately visible.
Below are possible talking points for letters and faxes:
* the large number of unsightly, unnecessary signs
* the possible damage to the roots of tree enclosures in which signs have been installed
* East Hampton’s reputation as one of “America’s most beautiful villages” and its place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Send letters to:
Mr. Frank Pearson
NY Dept. of Transportation
State Office Building
250 Veterans Memorial Highway
Hauppauge, NY
(Fax: 631-9526029)
Or send them to the village with a copy to Frank Pearson:
The Honorable Paul E. Rickenbach, Mayor
Village of East Hampton
86 Main Street
East Hampton NY 11937
VERBATIM
Treasurer Jola Marcario speaking about opening numerous LVIS bank accounts in different
“These trees are starting to look old, like us all.”
Grounds Chair Ann Roarick, presenting her budget at the Finance meeting.
“The Historical Society’s Director Richard Barons is hiding upstairs. I can’t say I blame him.”
Program Chair Nancy Andrews at the start of November’s membership meeting at Clinton
Academy.
“It was an eccentric space filled with exotic objects.”
Gary Tinterow, speaking of the Thomas Moran House at the Landmarks Luncheon.
“We don’t anticipate doing a major project like we did last year.”
House Chair Eileen McCabe, presenting her budget to the Finance meeting.
“I’d like to thank Patty Durkan, who did a bang-up job on the Halloween Open House. Everyone was very pleased.”
President Joan Ehren at the November meeting.
As Second Vice President, the current Chair of Programs and the Board’s Oversight Committee, and a volunteer in Bargain Box, Nancy Andrews spends lots of time at LVIS. This is a particularly busy time of year for Nancy, as she also chairs the Holiday Party.
Prior to settling in East Hampton, Nancy lived in various parts of the U.S. As a result of numerous moves initiated by her husband’s corporate employment, Nancy was introduced to many different people whose culture, intellect and competitive spirit gave her great insight into how to work and get along with others in a variety of settings.
Wherever she lived, she involved herself in her community through historic preservation, social work and church work. While in Charleston, she served on the board of an historic neighborhood, where she learned a great deal about historic preservation and also had fun being part of such an endeavor.
Living in NYC also presented some wonderful opportunities. Nancy worked as a receptionist at the Whitney Museum, and her church volunteer work with women in crisis eventually led to a position as a social worker with the Bowery Mission Women’s Center. She also worked as a patient representative for the Abigail Rockefeller Recreation Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
For a number of years Nancy and her husband divided their time between Arizona and East Hampton, but with children and grandchildren on Long Island, and her fondness for our beautiful community, she made East Hampton her permanent home.
When Nancy is not involved with her LVIS work, she may be found at the Presbyterian Church where she sings in the choir, serves on the Missions Committee and the Prayer Shawl ministry. She also makes time for the Ramblers and her beloved sailing trips with her husband.
Nancy has put her background and experience to work at the LVIS. Discovering hidden talents and realizing how her organizational skills can be put to work has been inspiring and fun for her, and for that we are all thankful.
* The Board’s Oversight committee will begin meeting with committee chairs in small groups in January to allow them to share information and concerns.
* Susan Burke of Beechtree Capitol, Inc. has been hired as a financial adviser to LVIS.
* The Board is delighted to announce that Courtney Wingate will be the 2010 LVIS Fair Chair, assisted by Sarah Minardi as Vice-Chair. A Fair Committee has already been appointed.
* Policy statements regarding confidentiality, conflict of interest, diversification of investments and whistle-blowing are being prepared.
* The revised Bylaws were accepted by a majority of the members present and therefore adopted at the November 9 membership meeting. One amendment was proposed by Kathy Walsh and accepted by the membership. Added to the requirements for bid-seeking by committee chairs, the additional wording states: “If three (3) bids are not possible, a written explanation must be provided to the Board of Directors and the final decision will be made by the Board of Directors.”
HALLOWEEN FUN
Patricia Durkan chaired the October 31 Open House for neighborhood youngsters and their families. Pictured from left: Margaret Farrell, Karol Puglisi, Susan Gilmer, Patricia Durkan and Joan Denny.
LANDMARKS LUNCHEON
Landmarks Chair Ann Roberts pictured with Gary Tinterow, who spoke about the Thomas Moran House at the annual Landmarks Luncheon in November.
Newsletter Committee: Colleen Rando, Chair. Joyce Tuttle Rickenbach, Patti Ferrin photos.
LVIS / 95 Main Street / East Hampton NY 11937 / P: 631.324.1220 / email: info@lvis.org