East End Notebook: Church Merger, Shelter Closing & More

NORTH FORK

Hulling Night 2013: Hundreds of People, Thousands of Strawberries

Ominous skies and strong winds had nothing on the high-spirited crowd of hundreds who turned out Thursday for Hulling Night, the official kick-off to the 59th annual Mattituck Lions Strawberry Festival.

Crowds gathered under a white tent at Strawberry Field on Route 48 in Mattituck Thursday night and shared stories of an event that spans generations and celebrates the deep ties of community.

RIVERHEAD

Second Tragic Suicide of Aquarium Exec Reported

In a grisly and tragic twist, the second suicide of a high-ranking Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center executive has been reported in Riverhead Thursday.

According to Riverhead Local, Robert Lanieri, the food services director for the Long Island Aquarium, was found dead Thursday at his Jamesport home, the victim of an apparent suicide, police reportedly said.

WESTHAMPTON-HAMPTON BAYS

Hampton Bays Homeless Shelter to Close

A long-hated homeless shelter at the Hidden Cove motel in Hampton Bays will finally shut on September 30, the county announced on Monday

The news came in a joint statement sent to the media on Monday night from Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst and Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman, both of whom vying for re-election this fall.

According to Schneiderman, the decision was made to close the shelter after the legislature adopted a new policy that aims to keep homeless children living within their own school districts and after the county opened two large shelters in Western Suffolk.

SOUTHAMPTON

Bridgehampton, Southampton Methodist Churches to Merge

The nearly two-century-old Bridgehampton United Methodist Church, which has had a dwindling congregation in recent years, will merge at the end of the month with the Southampton UMC, creating a new entity aimed at increased ministry in both areas. 

The Rev. Leslie Duroseau, who is currently the pastor in Southampton, will lead the new Hamptons United Methodist Church, while the Rev. Joanne Utley will leave Bridgehampton to begin her next appointment July 1 in the Catskills.

Duroseau said the prospect of merging the churches has been discussed for a couple years, as Bridgehampton's aging congregation was getting smaller and efforts to bring in new members were not successful.

EAST HAMPTON

Bowling Alley To Roll Last Frame

East Hampton Bowl in East Hampton Village is shutting its doors at the end of June, which will not only mean there won't be a bowling alley anywhere on the South Fork, but also that East Hampton High School will likely lose its bowling team. Shannon Wethy, who has worked there for one year, said the lanes will shut down on June 27. The last karaoke/dance party at Star Lounge, the alley's bar, has been scheduled for June 22 at 9 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. 

Wethy said she was sad not only to lose her job, but also for the community. "What else are we all going to do when it's raining?," she said.