I’m a big fan of local chanteuse Nancy Atlas. I mean, who isn’t?! When I heard that she’s back for another season of Fireside Sessions at Bay Street Theater this December—her annual holiday musical throwdown with a cast of ever-amazing musical guest stars—I started plotting my winter shake-a-tail-feather schedule.
But my adoration for her fire-in-the-belly shows is only part of it. What I also dig about Atlas is she’s always got a positive message she’s putting out in the world, even when it’s peppered with some appropriate finger-wagging, as in her Instagram East End Etiquette series.
There’s nothing like the end of the year to make you keenly aware of the state of the world, from your little local one to the big one. From either of those viewpoints, it can leave you wondering: What can I do?
I’m not here to preach, but like many of you, I’m trying to push away some of the bad juju going around these days (without falling into Pollyanna territory) and find the connections instead of the divisiveness. Like Kitty Merrill, the wonderful subject of our My Favorite Things column, does. Like me, she was a journalist for a long time. Two years ago, she pivoted and makes her way working for the East Hampton Food Pantry where, as Emily Toy writes, she uses a “balance of her talents: a razor-sharp wit, penchant for wry, observational comedy, overt self-awareness, and down-to-earth yet careful consideration for others.” That’s got to feel pretty great on a day-to-day basis, even when faced with the stark difficulties people experience right in our own backyard.
There’s certainly joy to be found on these pages—some in the instant-gratification category: Hit up any of the awesome pastry shops in Hannah Selinger’s story and you’ll be smiling in no time, or take a sniffy-sniff of the gorgeous holiday candles Doug Young rounded up on — or, better yet, give one as a gift! Make your neighbors smile with holiday lights or support local artisans with unique gifts from our list of Hamptons holiday markets.
If you’ve never been to Sag Harbor’s Old Whaler’s Church — a beacon of community unity and kindness if there ever was one—we’ve got the down-low on the great acts of community gathering, music and broad programming (often free) that they do in Culture Club, and if you’ve ever wondered about the excellent eye of the owner of nearby Sage & Madison, I got the wonderful story of owner Chris Coffee, a very cool guy indeed, whose shop is just about the loveliest little stop you can make (with delicious coffee, too — he takes that last name seriously!).
Robert Simonson, cocktail expert and all-around excellent journalist, was curious about the new incarnation of NYC’s Donohue’s, and got to know third-generation owner Maureen Donohue-Peters for our story. Her new, welcoming spot has got such a great neighborly feel to it, even at less than a year old, and that’s certainly something we could all use a dose of.
Also in this issue, we tackled an interesting topic that I think you’re going to enjoy digging into: How—and why—to buy art. It’s funny how something that is spawned from the intersections of deep creativity, emotion and studied technique is, quite frankly, commoditized beyond the average person. So what exactly is the definition of value and how do you decide what something is worth to you (which can be asked about a lot of things…)? Emily Toy took on this big question.
And along those lines, whatever is going on outside your door and whatever local or global headlines are giving you agita, take a deep breath. Take a good look around this place you love and the people in it. Do what you can. Be kind. Be helpful. Be a good neighbor. Hit up a holiday market and grab a little surprise token for someone who you think could use a boost. Give to your local food pantry and help someone get a hot meal on the table. Take a chilly stroll with a friend or loved one and take in all those pretty, twinkly lights. You might not be able to alter the course of national and global issues, but you can change someone’s situation right here and now. And you know what? That does make a difference, East Enders.
Happy Holidays to each and every one of you.
Amy Zavatto
Editor-in-Chief, Southforker
