Sixty-Something: The New Roaring 20’s

One hundred years ago, just after both World War I and a deadly pandemic actually worse than COVID-19, came the Roaring 20s. It was a crazy time of high energy parties, cool dances like the Charleston, and even something called “bathtub gin!” Lots of new mansions were built, and a guy named Carl Fisher came to Montauk and built things like the Montauk, Manor, the Montauk Yacht Club, Montauk Downs Golf Course, and even connected the Montauk Lake to the Block Island Sound via the now famous jetty. It was a time when new millionaires celebrated their new wealth wildly with parties, and it only ended with the infamous Black Tuesday, causing the Stock Market Crash of 1929.

One can’t help but feel the wonderful new energy of the country, if not the world emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, especially out on the East End of Long Island. It’s an emerging reopening. A sign of good times is always when new large homes are being built and businesses such as restaurants, bars and theaters are legally increasing their capacities and hours. There is no doubt now the whole country has begun the process of establishing new norms and is establishing a new safer way of life.

A prime example of this is Buongiorno on the Harbor, the new name of the restaurant venue that many folks just call East Hampton Point, a name the location had for many years. Last year due to COVD-19, this large terraced bar/restaurant/ catering hall was completely closed down. Passing it from Three Mile Harbor, going out to sail in Gardiner’s Bay and coming back in at sunset was very depressing. Seeing this place filled with everyone on three large deck levels celebrating the sunset and so much more was always such a nice feeling. This year it’s all back. You can hear the buzz of everyone having a great time, and if the wind is blowing just right, you can smell the food while sailing by.

Perhaps the U.S.A. is now entering a “New Roaring 20s” era. New large houses are going up so fast there is a lumber shortage. Homes are being sold and bought so fast on the East End the inventory is not what it was just perhaps 16 months ago. People are obviously having a great time getting out and being free again post most taking the COVID-19 vaccine. On the roads last year, traveling was almost non-existence. It seemed like every Hamptons part-time home owner was full-time living in their safe homes. Now, once again, big airliners can been seen very high in the sky flying full planes of passengers to places to see folks, cities, or do business that just wasn’t doable or safe just a year ago.

This last weekend I was finally able to safely see my granddaughter, who was born and lives in England, for the first time. She is now 13-months-old. A long wait, but a safe wait.

The same is happening all over the country. Local businesses are happily planning to expand their capacities and protocols loosening many of the mandatory measures put in place during the height of the pandemic.

It is only natural to feel better that we have survived the COVID-19 pandemic. It is only natural to book those vacations we canceled last year. It’s only reasonable to realize there are now more party invitations on weekends, and yes, we all now have the option to go attend live theater, live music venues and concerts, along with just going to safely see a movie on a big screen movie theater.

Yes, indeed there is a general euphoria in getting back freedoms like to assembly safely, freedom to move and travel safely. It’s a pleasure to not have to take out food and to be able to actually eat indoors on a rainy evening pleasantly without the wind blowing stuff off the tables.

I noticed at the end of live theater shows I reviewed, the enthusiastic applause was perhaps both for the actors and for the fact our way of life was coming back. We are entering a new “Roaring 20’s” and it’s only 2021! That means we have almost a full decade to celebrate. Salute!