Water Damage Restoration in East Hampton, NY

"This program is one way we can start to reverse the troubling trend of people being priced out of the very community they serve."

EAST HAMPTON, NY — East Hampton town officials have just announced the reopening of a program that paves the way to first-time homeownership.

The East Hampton Town Office of Housing and Community Development has reopened its First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program for 2025.

The program offers interest-free loans of up to $30,000 to qualifying first-time homebuyers, town officials said. The loans, which require no monthly payments, are repayable in full upon the future sale of the property and are secured through a lien.

Funded by the East Hampton Town Community Housing Fund, established through a 0.5 percent real estate transfer tax approved by voters in 2022, the program underscores the town's commitment to supporting affordable housing opportunities for its residents. The fund has collected $16,444,975.66 so far.

"This program is one way we can start to reverse the troubling trend of people being priced out ofthe very community they serve," said East Hampton Town Councilman Ian Calder-Piedmonte. "Whether you're a teacher, healthcare worker, or small business employee, we want you to be able to put down roots here and call East Hampton home."

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"Buying your first home can be exciting, stressful, and overwhelming all at once for a lot of people in our community," said East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. "This program is about helping folks who live and work here with closing costs or down payment assistance. It’s about more than buying a house, it’s about giving folks the chance to put down roots, and be part of the place they love."

Key program details:

Prospective applicants can apply for the program before selecting a property. Approved individuals will receive a purchaser certificate, valid for one year, verifying the availability of funds.

For additional information, including program guidelines and application forms, click here.

The world we were born into has changed. It changes every day in so many ways. This offers opportunities and also throws up roadblocks. Old time Long Islanders can tick off major changes easily. The one they usually leave out is how they themselves have changed.

The question is was life simpler or were we simpler in approaching life. It’s as if the older we get the more we realize there is so much more we will never know.

The first thing that comes to mind these days is the constant growing cost of everything on Long Island. It’s almost like five dollars cost twenty dollars these days! The memory of $.33 a gallon gasoline and seven miles per gallon cars are dying daily. What never changes is the feeling of standing on the shore line of a Long Island beach in the summer. The mighty ocean itself has been a constant, perhaps for thousands of years.

Going to the supermarkets has truly changed. Remember once there were 10 brands of things like ketchup in various sizes, now we get to choose from maybe two. Yet, in the supermarket are literally thousands of items not available when were young stuffing the groceries in brown bags, that would sometimes rip and have the items burst out all over the place before we arrived back home to our kitchens.

Of course for old folks on fixed incomes or locked into 1970’s pay salaries the new economy is slowly burying us like a living graveyard. But, we now have News 12 and google, and ability to photograph anything at anytime! For us old folks no selfies of our youth, in fact almost no “candid” photos at all of that time.

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The great outdoors was our apps, games, internet, and Amazon Prime. $5 large Pizza’s instead of $5 slices and $3.50 pitchers of draft beer were the fuels of our Saturday nights. All night diner meals of things from burgers to pancakes or eggs and muffins were always an option on weekend nights that went sideways. Now the world closes down by 11 PM! On weekends!

In my lifetime there were $15,000 and $20,000 homes that now sell for over a million dollars. Reports claim there are no homes under $1M east of the Shinnecock canal on the east end. Yes in real estate things are massively changing upward. Now car insurance payments over five years are more than the cars is worth in five years.

However, the medical situation changed for the better as some old folks are practically living forever on Long Island. Do you remember your folks ever talking about the “blood work?” But those old school $100 or less doctor visits to the home were gold!

Long Island roads were never paved with gold but what we dreamed on those restless drives were golden. Potential love, jobs, problems and joyous hopeful outcomes made up so much of our times. To many, long gas lines have never been experienced, waiting an hour or more on an odd or even day to buy 10 gallons never happened. To some of us they did all over Long Island and the U.S.A.

Yes now things change from day to night but we role with it. The one thing that has not changed is that if you are living on island, you feel it, you like it and you rather be successful here than anywhere else, but the daily increases of the cost is driving us crazier than we already are!

Equinox’s hottest seasonal location, Equinox x Hamptons delivers all the benefits of Equinox in the comfort and charm of a Hamptons setting. Expect to find amenities such as signature group fitness classes in outdoor settings, strength training and conditioning both indoors and outdoors, a selection of juices and complimentary cold brew and unlimited group classes with special guest talent. 204 Butter Lane, Bridgehampton

Between the adorable merch and effective workout, New York Pilates is one of our favorite low-impact workouts. The studio offers a limited number of reformer machines, providing the perfect group workout sans overcrowding. Both group classes, such as the Abs Arms Ass reformer class, and private sessions are available. P.S. The brand opened its eighth location last summer in Bridgehampton! This spacious location houses 24 reformer machines and a retail selection. Multiple locations

An acronym for Strengthen (your core), Lengthen (your limits), Tone (your body), SLT is all about controlled movements, slow-twitch muscle fibers and counter-resistance. The workout focuses on activating slow-twitch fibers for burning movements that result in long, lean muscle development. The SLT Essentials class is the perfect place to start, giving newcomers time to adjust through a slower pace and detailed descriptions. Multiple locations

SoulCycle

No matter where you reside in the Hamptons, SoulCycle has you covered with Bridgehampton, East Hampton and Montauk locations. This full-body workout packs a punch, delivering intense cardio in a 45-minute session (expect to burn 500-700 calories). The bumping music and rhythmic movements will have you fully addicted within minutes. Multiple locations

Tracy Anderson

There’s a reason the Tracy Anderson method has taken the fitness world by storm, and both the Water Mill and Sag Harbor studios bring the heat. Tracy Anderson’s wellness offerings extend beyond just workouts, including customized prescriptions for members’ total health, focusing on fitness, nutrition and overall wellness. Workouts include classes such as muscular structure and dance cardio fitness classes conducted in classrooms heated to 95 degrees with 75 % humidity, with personal training also available. Multiple locations

LIFTED Studio

Beloved celebrity personal trainer Holly Rilinger opened a wellness studio in East Hampton called LIFTED Studio. LIFTED is home to classes appropriate for all fitness levels, including Rilinger’s signature meditation-infused workouts such as strength, HIIT, metabolic conditioning and yoga-based mobility classes, as well as barre, pilates and dance. 65 Montauk Highway, East Hampton

Shadowbox Pilates

Shadowbox Pilates in Water Mill offers a fresh and fun take on fitness, mixing reformer Pilates with shadowboxing for a workout that’s both energizing and effective. Founder Amanda Duckstein keeps things entertaining with small group sessions, private training and even outdoor classes at beaches and vineyards. 670 Montauk Highway, C1, Water Mill

Elements Barre Fit

Harness the power of barre at Elements Barre Fit, a studio offering multiple class types to tone, strengthen, sweat and stretch for a stronger, more flexible version of yourself. With four different class types available, you can choose the method that best serves your body and your goals, whether you’re looking for cardio, conditioning or strength training! 68 Newtown Lane, East Hampton

The Formula X Meredith

Meredith Shumway brings 15 years of fitness training and coaching experience in the Hamptons to Curio at Project Hamptons through The Formula x Meredith, a 60-minute workout designed with the athlete in mind. Expect an intense combination of HIIT, pilates, functional training and barre methods that will get your blood pumping and your sweat flowing. 2183 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton

Tremble

Discover Tremble in Bridgehampton, the ultimate destination for high-energy fitness enthusiasts. Here, you'll experience a heart-pounding, body-trembling workout that expertly blends elements of pilates, strength training and cardio into a seamless and invigorating session. Conveniently located in The Barn, double down on workouts and prepare to feel the burn, break a sweat and leave empowered. 264 Butter Lane, Bridgehampton

Forward Space

Forward Space in the Hamptons turns your workout into a dance party, with high-energy cardio classes set to fun playlists and club-style lighting. Whether you're a dancer or just looking to let loose, the vibe is welcoming, uplifting and seriously fun. It's all about sweating with joy, building strength and feeling good in your body. Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton

CoreBarreFit

Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp offer barre classes that seamlessly combine ballet-inspired movements, pilates and strength training for a full-body workout that sculpts and tones. Each session is meticulously designed to enhance flexibility, build core strength and refine muscle definition. The supportive and inspiring environment helps you achieve your fitness goals with poise and power, whether it's in-studio or under the sun at the Wölffer Estate Vineyard. 2429 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton

Truth Training

Truth Training is a fitness center in East Hampton offering a variety of classes that will help you look and feel your best. Each session is crafted to optimize performance and build resilience. If you're a fitness enthusiast looking for a transformative challenge, the expert trainers provide the motivation and support you need to conquer every workout. From the Truth HIIT class to the Ultra Conditioning class, Truth Training is truly a workout center not to miss! 289 Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton

Carpe Diem Fitness

Seize the day at Carpe Diem Fitness in Southampton! Offering group or private training sessions, Carpe Diem has it all. Their TRX class, which leverages gravity and body weight, and their low-impact class, designed to renew energy levels, prove that they really have something for everyone. 375 County Road 39, Southampton

Sculpt by Emily Tyson

Emily Tyson in Hampton Bays offers a variety of classes. Her signature Sculpt class is a 65-minute blend of dance, pilates, yoga and light weights that will boost serotonin and crush calories. The Sculpt class is also offered as an express 45-minute session for those in a crunch. 130 E. Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays

Kevyn Zeller Pilates

Kevyn Zeller Pilates, where personalized excellence intertwines with holistic wellness in the heart of East Hampton. With over 20 years of expertise, Kevyn Zeller brings a unique approach to Pilates, offering private sessions that cater to your individual needs and fitness goals. The workouts are crafted to enhance core strength, improve posture and increase flexibility through precise and mindful movements. Whether you’re looking to rehabilitate, strengthen or transform your body, Kevyn’s expert guidance ensures each session is both challenging and deeply rewarding. 7 Muchmore Lane Suite #5, East Hampton

Whether you're chasing that post-cardio high or sinking deep into your most relaxing savasana, the Hamptons fitness scene delivers. From sweat-dripping spin sessions to soul-reviving yoga flows, these amazing classes are here to keep you strong, centered, and glowing all summer long. Ready, set, sweat!

"Our last monitoring year was 2022, so it is exciting to see how many nesting pairs are back now." See how to view osprey nests live.

Lisa Finn, Patch Staff

Posted Fri, Jun 13, 2025 at 5:16 pm ET|

EAST END, NY — A true harbinger of the season is thriving on the East End, as osprey continue to flourish.

The Group for the East End is currently conducting its triennial osprey monitoring program, visiting about 500 osprey nests across the East End.

"Alongside expert birders and volunteers, the Group has documented roughly 200 nesting pairs so far as part of Phase I, which runs from Memorial Day weekend through early June," the Group said.

As part of the first monitoring phase, which began Memorial Day weekend, Group staff, expert birders, and volunteers have been visiting about 500 nesting locations in East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, and Southold, identifying roughly 200 nesting pairs so far.

Beginning July 1, the Group will return to those sites to count the number of fledglings. The data will be compiled and shared with New York State, which keeps track of the local population.

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"Our last monitoring year was 2022, so it is exciting to see how many nesting pairs are back now three years later, and what areas within the East End they congregate in," Group Senior Environmental Specialist Jen Skilbred said. "Visiting their nests is always interesting, as well. The same pair will return to a nest every breeding season adding sticks, grass, and whatever else they can find, so the nests can become quite large. It’s also a good reminder to make sure we don’t litter, or our old fishing line and plastic bags may end up as a dangerous addition to an osprey nest."

For more than 30 years, the Group has monitored local osprey populations, recording crucial information and assisting conservation efforts. As the population began to steadily increase across the East End, the Group formally shifted its conservation efforts from annual counts to focus on hazard and conflict mitigation, with monitoring now taking place every three years, representatives said.

Volunteers are integral to the monitoring process. While birding with her children during the Covid-19 pandemic, Margarette Doyle ran into Group Assistant Director of Environmental Education Anita Wright, who told her about the Group’s osprey monitoring program. Wright asked her if she would be interested in helping out.

"It was something fun for us to do over the summer, and since then I have been hooked,” Doyle, who helps monitor the osprey population on the South Fork, said. "I have always been fascinated with ospreys and their story. I love spotting my first returning osprey of the season — their arrival signals the end of winter and the start of spring, with longer days and warmer weather. And they are fascinating to watch. I once saw an osprey and a bald eagle battle with each other over a fish that the osprey had just caught in Accabonac Harbor. The osprey, although smaller, was too quick and agile for the eagle and eventually outsmarted him. The fish was his. The osprey was king.”

Brian Moldashel has spent countless hours searching and observing local bird species, Group representatives noted. He said that his deep appreciation has inspired a need to protect them, and he was eager to participate in the Group’s monitoring program as a way to give back.

"Although the local osprey population is much healthier than it was several decades ago, the number of threats facing its ongoing success have only continued to increase," Moldsahel said. "Therefore, I think it's important to pay close attention to the small changes in this species' status and distribution through programs such as this survey."

The public can find answers to common questions, including what to do if an osprey nests on a home structure, a nest appears to be in danger, what to do about damaged osprey platforms, and more here.

Individuals can also see live video feeds of osprey nests in Bridgehampton and Oyster Bay, and also follow along on social media for updates on different pairs at @groupfortheeastend.

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"3 generations of Dominy family craftsmen made clocks, watch repairs, furniture, mill parts, and other woodwork on this site," marker says.

Thank you to Heart & Soul Community Counseling, Inc. for supporting the journey toward better health and well-being! To learn more, visit them at heartandsoulcenter.com or call 631-321-7011.

Want to spotlight your business? Sponsoring Patch connects your name to the trusted stories your neighbors love every day. Learn more by contacting Lisa Finn at lisa.finn@patch.com or 917-224-2809.

EAST HAMPTON, NY — History was celebrated in East Hampton recently.

The Dominy Shops Museum on North Main Street in East Hampton was presented with a historical marker in a dedication ceremony on Monday, May 19.

The marker reads: "Three generations of Dominy family craftsmen made clocks, watch repairs, furniture, mill parts, and other woodwork on this site by 1764 until 1850," ."

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The new signage joined several others throughout East Hampton Town that have been sponsored by the Pomeroy Foundation. In addition to the new historical marker, the ceremony celebrated the reinstallation of the American Bicentennial plaque that was placed on the property almost 50 years ago to commemorate the Dominy Shops.

In attendance at the dedication ceremony were Mayor Jerry Larsen, members of the East Hampton Village Board, Historical Society President Debbie Druker and additional members of the Board of Trustees, Town and Village Historian Hugh King, and Dominy Shops Project Director, Bob Hefner.

Founded in 1921, the East Hampton Historical Society’s mission is "to illuminate the past and inspire the community through the preservation and interpretation of East Hampton’s history." To fulfill its mission, the Historical Society preserves and interprets six historic properties, presents an array of exhibits and educational programs, and provides historical perspective on contemporary issues facing the community.