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December 9, 2023

Sixty-Something: More Memories of Christmas

T.J. Clementeby T.J. Clemente
in Community, Trending
Home Community
Sixty-Something: More Memories of Christmas

Many folks have favorite Christmas ornaments. Some of my favorites are my various East End lighthouse tree ornaments. I bought them ten years ago from a small company that specializes in Christmas lighthouse ornaments. I purchased miniature figurines of Bug Lighthouse, Orient Point Lighthouse, Montauk Lighthouse, Block Island Lighthouse, and a Plum Island one too! You can’t live on the East End of Long Island and not have a favorite lighthouse.

 

They all have amazing histories going back to a time when maritime trade was most important to the economy and commerce of the area. These lighthouse ornaments hang around our Christmas tree and kitchen. I witnessed the preparation and then inaugural lighting of the Montauk Lighthouse over a decade ago. I would walk my dog at Camp Hero along those beautiful eroding bluffs and watch the crew administer the lights all over the Montauk Lighthouse. No one had a clue how dazzling it would look. The crowded initial fanfare and ceremony included families with excited children and notable older locals alike. Then the lights were turned on, and believe me, it was stunning that first time the lighthouse was lit up. It was like a Hallmark Movie. Afterwards, a nightlong unorganized procession of folks in their cars drove by for hours. If you haven’t done it, you should. I do it every year.

 

The Montauk Lighthouse Christmas lighting is a special gift to the community. I remember the first gift I ever purchased for Christmas and then wrapped. It was a figurine of a noble Frenchwoman that I bought for my mother at John’s Bargain Store located at Westchester Square in the Bronx, very close to my grandparents’ home on Herschel Street. My mother gave my sister some money to take me Christmas shopping. I was very young, I believe four about to be five, as my birthday is just a few days before Christmas. My mother kept it and gave it to me and my wife before she passed away. We display it all year round in a prominent place in our home.

 

Now, 66 years later, I haven’t ever gone a Christmas season without purchasing and wrapping gifts. Ironically, the last year before my mother passed, I bought her an expensive bathrobe from Kelly’s Smith store in East Hampton Village. She wore it constantly her final year before surrendering to her ten-year battle with lung cancer. I assisted in wrapping that gift myself at the store.

 

Being taught to wrap the gifts was a process my older sister taught me. Believe me, that first attempt with that figurine for my mother used way too much Scotch tape. However, over the years, I perfected a technique that used only four or five small pieces of tape, and I still pride myself on not wasting Christmas wrapping paper.

 

There is something special in seeing the family Christmas tree with all the gifts wrapped and neatly piled under the tree with those little cards attached saying to whom from whom. The excitement of watching young children tear up that paper and rejoice in the surprise of their Christmas gifts is something parents never forget. Giving is a tradition of Christmas for centuries.

 

It is in that spirit that I always make sure I donate some canned food to those collecting for the underserved at the supermarkets. I usually buy a few cans of vegetarian chili solely for the purpose of gifting them. Cindi, my wife, personally likes to tip our local garbage men for the great job they do all year round. I learned something years ago about tipping. I know, besides the financial reward aspect, tipping is also a sign of respect to those performing the service.

 

My wife and I still send out personal photo Christmas cards. Yes, I confess I enjoy picking a photo and designing the cards. Cindi, my wife, does the actual sending from her list of those who send them to us. As the days to Christmas tick away for 2023, remember to get to the Montauk Lighthouse to see the lights and to remember it is always better to give than receive, not just at Christmas time, but all year round.

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  • ⁠
When it comes to dining out in the Hamptons, there is no shortage of restaurants to choose from. While there are not many vegan-exclusive establishments, there are still plenty of options for plant-based eating in the Hamptons, with more joining the culinary scene all the time.⁠
⁠
⁠
WESTHAMPTON⁠
🥑 Local Provisions – Smoothies, specialty toast, and local love⁠
🌮 Funchos – Vegan tacos & burritos with outdoor seating⁠
🍝 Baby Moon – Vegan-friendly pastas (get the eggplant!)⁠
🍷 Salt & Loft – Chic setting with salads, pasta, and a Beyond burger⁠
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EAST QUOGUE⁠
🍱 Tony’s Fusion – Top-tier tofu dishes, veggie curry, and sweet potato rolls⁠
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HAMPTON BAYS⁠
🥢 Matsulin – Asian fusion, mock meats & killer peanut sauce⁠
☕ Hampton Coffee Co. – Beyond breakfast sandwich, smoothies, & a “Happy Wrap”⁠
⁠
SOUTHAMPTON⁠
🥪 Four Oaks – All-day vegan eats & organic juices⁠
🍛 Saaz – Authentic Indian with tons of vegan options + lunch buffet!⁠
⁠
BRIDGEHAMPTON & WATER MILL⁠
🍣 Yama Q – Cozy sushi spot with veg rolls and tofu entrees⁠
🇫🇷 Bistro Ete – Fresh vegan zucchini spaghetti⁠
🇬🇷 Elaia Estiatorio – Greek small plates, spreads, and salads⁠
⁠
SAG HARBOR⁠
🥗 Provisions – Café + health market, tons of vegan dishes⁠
🌾 Page at 63 Main – Upscale, with vegan bowls & salads⁠
🌮 Estia’s Little Kitchen – Casual breakfast/lunch, kitchen garden fresh⁠
🍜 Sen – Modern Japanese with rice/noodle dishes & veg sushi⁠
⁠
EAST HAMPTON & AMAGANSETT⁠
🥟 Hampton Chutney Co. – Indian dosas, thali, and oat chai⁠
🍲 Kumiso – Tokyo-inspired ramen & veg izakaya vibes⁠
⁠
 MONTAUK⁠
🥙 Naturally Good Café – Smoothies, juices & vegan breakfast⁠
🍽 Joni’s Kitchen – Tofu scrambles, stir-fry, smoothies & steps from the beach!⁠
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Cover: @locallocalprovisionswhb⁠
⁠
View the complete guide at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#hamptons #dining #vegan #weekend #montauk #westhampton
  • Sushi by Boū will offer just eight seats per table, a truly unique and memorable sushi experience inside Sydney’s “Taylor” Made Cuisine in Westhampton Beach. 

@sushibybou_westhampton 

#sushi #omakase #hamptons #dining #westhampton
  • Who’s excited for the Palm Tree Music Festival! ⁠
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Check out the Top Hamptons Events This Weekend!⁠
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🎶 5th Annual Palm Tree Music Festival⁠
📅 Saturday, June 21st | 🕑 2pm – 11pm⁠
📍 Shinnecock Indian Territory, Southampton⁠
🌴 Iconic music + luxury vibes + brand activations.⁠
📸: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com ©2025⁠
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🛍️ Female Founders Market at The HUB⁠
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👜 Kulson Pop-Up at Sage & Madison⁠
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👜 Hamptons Handbag Festival⁠
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📚 Author Talk: Nellie Sciutto⁠
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#palmtreemusicfestival #hamptons #colinquinn #hub #dolcevita #weekend
  • Hosted in the Hamptons at Calissa, Ja Rule showed off his mixology skills, livin’ it up and serving craft cocktails from Amber & Opal as the premium whiskey brand launched in the Hamptons. 

@jarule 
@calissahamptons 
@amberopalspirits 

#jarule #whiskey #hamptons #calissa #hamptonsweekend #hamptonsevents
  • 24 Saddle Lane, East Hampton, NY 11937⁠
Saunders Exclusive: $2,795,000⁠
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@hamptonsrealestate ⁠
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This stunning contemporary home redefines modern living with its clean lines, dramatic vaulted ceilings, and walls of glass that flood the interior with natural light. ⁠
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Fully renovated in 2016, the open-concept living area seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, creating an entertainer’s paradise.⁠
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Imagine hosting gatherings on the expansive deck overlooking the heated pool and spa, or enjoying more intimate moments in the screened porch.⁠
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Read the full article at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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  • Check out the Top Hamptons Events This Weekend!

🎤 Ja Rule Bar Takeover at Calissa
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📍 Calissa, Water Mill
Hip-hop icon Ja Rule takes over the bar to celebrate the launch of his new whiskey, Amber & Opal.
📸 Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for AVA Resort
#calissahamptons #jarule #amberandopal

🍷 Mavericks Montauk Winemaker Dinner
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📸 Photo Credit: Michelle McSwain
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🎨 Father’s Day Arts & Crafts Fair
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#misspeaches #southamptonanimalshelter #sharkbarmontauk

🛍️ Alice + Olivia Sip & Shop
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Hosted by Sydney Sadick & Sylvia Hemingway to benefit SAC.
#aliceandolivia #sipandshop #southamptonvibes

🩰 Tiler Peck at Guild Hall
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An evening of unforgettable performance and movement.
#tilerpeck #guildhall #easthamptonevents

Check out more events at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)

#hamptonsweekend
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