Folks come to the Hamptons on trains, planes, cars, buses, and boats. Others have always lived here, while many wish they did. Its spectacular natural beauty amplifies the essence of being able to appreciate beaches, sunrises, sunsets, full moons, and billions of night stars. It’s just a place people long to be and a place where some have always been.
The ocean breezes soothe while the occasional rains replenish. Folks in the media are talking, writing, and wishing about a world going green, whereas the Hamptons have always been plush green with a huge blue sky as its ceiling. Whether it is your workplace or your playground, the east end delivers. It’s not just a destination; it’s a landing zone, a home port, and for many, a dream that has come true. There are modern challenges to stay pristine, unique yet vibrant; however, at the present time, there are no real unsolvable problems.
At a recent talk among Bonac family members who have roots in Springs for uncountable generations at the “East Hampton Farm Museum,” was enlightening. Eventually, the talk turned to the times before electricity, phone service, with very long walks to and from school. Then the conversation shifted to the role the ocean beaches played in their life. Everyone had a personal story, some about young love, or memories of friends or special days, in important times of their lives. Often they spoke of working at fourteen, in fields, in the bays, or around the farm. It was a rural way of life, at the beginning of their lifetime.
They have watched the changes roll in both like pleasant weather and menacing storms. Although they have all financially benefited hugely from the popularity and value their hometown has achieved, they all mentioned a time when folks shopped on Main Street and everyone greeted each other with a polite hello. They understand that their home beaches are rated the best in the world and the towns of the east end are rated the best to live in. Yet they explained, nothing is gained if something is not lost. One audience member mentioned quite poetically, “… the fields that once raised potatoes and corn now raise home prices.” What is lost is gone but this group realizes what also has been gained is the desire to preserve and maintain the magic that the east end has always contained.
Native Americans, settlers, farmers, fishermen, and tradesmen have had the pleasure of existing on the east end for their whole lifetimes. The discussion at East Hampton Farm Museum focused on a period before Jitneys, train service, highways, and airports. When the outside world stayed outside the East End and it wasn’t called the Hamptons. They acknowledged that as the old ways slowly fade away, a new generation is taking hold and staking claim to the future of the east end. Change does that. They hope eventually when the new folks learn the storied history of the east end, the newcomers will respect it equally as much as these old families do.
The spirit and souls of those who preceded are forever locked in the skies that blanket the present. The folks in that room at the East Hampton Farm Museum talked about family members in the local cemeteries some going back 18 generations. They remember the stories of who built this or that. They understand soul and spirit. They all agreed one thing is for certain, that is, the east end has lots of soul and spirit.
There is a reason why smart people these days procure huge dollar amounts to be able to tap into the peace and tranquility of waking up not but a mile or four from the Atlantic Ocean. A place where access comes only from the west. When being out east, especially at or near the Atlantic Ocean, the sunrises get to you just a little bit earlier than most other places and many of the sunsets are works of art no mortal can ever create.
