Dan's Papers - July 3, 2009 -

One of the many gems that make up the historic fabric of Sag Harbor is the picturesque Whaling Museum. The former Masonic Temple, located at 200 Main Street, across from the Library, will host a free exhibition on July 11, entitled "Whaling Museum Energy Fair." Entrance to the Whaling Museum will be half price, which means costs will be $2.50 and lower. The exhibit and the museum will open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The juxtaposition of current approaches to energy with countless artifacts from the era when whale oil was the primary source of lighting and heating fuel will be visual and dramatic. Seeing state of the art technologies next to harpoons and other whaling paraphernalia, once the signature of Sag Harbor's very existence going back to the late 1600s, it will be a triple treat to see what was, what is and what can be all under one historic roof. The excitement is building as the central sponsors, the Town of Southampton and the Village of Sag Harbor, gear up to show presentations by the Riverhead Foundation, Peconic Land Trust, the Sierra Club, Clean Cities Coalition, 725 Green, and the fleet of very cool, electric cars, leased to the Village under a pilot program to introduce that technology titled RELI. A number of these non-profits will present their messages about alternative fuels and choices. Attendees can also ride for free in a Hamptons Jitney mini bus to tour a new state of the art energy efficient home in Sagaponack.

The tour will take two hours according to Zack Studenroth, the Director of the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum. Studenroth is so excited about this exhibit, he has put all of his talent and energy into promoting it. He also emphasized the relevance of the current exhibit "NEXT?" which looks at what happened to whale oil in the 19th century and compares it to what's happening to petroleum (the alternative fuel that put whaling out of business a century ago). He noted that there are some very funny cartoons in the show, including some from the New Yorker Magazine, with an alternative energy message. They are not to be missed.

This exhibit is a great way to spend family time, or even a cheap date, because it will be a treat just to enter one of Sag Harbor's premier museums. It is always fascinating to see the past of the Village so tangibly preserved with displays of an industry no longer practiced in this country. When I walk around the museum, I can feel Melville's words describing whaling and the process of turning whale blubber into oil. His prose comes to life within the Museum's walls. On top of this, to see energy options for the future and the escape route from the present energy quagmire will make a visit on July 11 so worthwhile.

On the subject of new energy and green living, Sag Harbor Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele was proud to be part of the New York State Assembly's passage of the "Green Jobs/Green New York Act" of 2009. (The State Senate has yet to vote on it due to problems with deciding who's in control at the moment.) This program, according to information from the Assemblyman's office, will create thousands of jobs throughout the state by attempting to make around a million homes, non-profits and businesses more energy efficient in the next five years. Thiele's office in Sag Harbor will have information on how New York State and the Energy Research and Development Department will help make it more affordable for the average home owner and business owner.

In phone conversations Thiele has stressed how important it is to focus on getting assistance to the payer for new, green technology. He explained how difficult it is for the average business or home owner to pay directly out of pocket in these challenging times for the total cost of going green. As an expression of his belief in the need to shine the bright lights of the future on going green, the passage of this bill is another feather in Thiele's legislative cap. The creation of incentives for citizens to invest in green energy alternatives has been one of Thiele's primary goals for the last five years. It's good to see the rest of the Assembly agreeing with his vision.

Visit the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum Saturday, July 11, and see what's happening in the world of going green, being green, and support the concept of going green. For more information, call 631-725-0770.