Dan's Papers - August 3, 2007 - The Unbelievable Civic Projects In Montauk

A community defines itself by the way it spends its collective monies. And the hamlet of Montauk has been making bold statements lately. At the Annual Harbor Lights Gala, Gurneys' CEO Paul Monte proclaimed, "Montauk is the little engine that could." In the last few years, while some communities are scaling back libraries Montauk built a new one. When it was decided that the Montauk Public School needed more classroom space, it was provided. Even the new Catholic Church, a project that at first seemed overly ambitious -- it was proposed as twice the size of the old one -- is now completed and in use every Sunday. And when it came time to make a decision on what to do an abandoned indoor tennis court and theater building known as The Playhouse, a bold decision was made to act responsibly for the long-term future of Montauk. It isn't always that people can make these astonishingly civic-minded decisions in a small community and it is refreshing to see that Montauk could and did.

The citizens of Montauk, by spending large sums of money on public projects, sends a strong message about how they feel about their community. The Annual Harbor Lights Gala was, in fact, a gathering of those who have chosen to contribute personal money for the public good. Honoree Ellis French said that he is, "blessed to live and work in Montauk." It seemed like everybody was nodding 'yes.' It was that spirit that made the gala event held last Saturday night again at Montauk Lake Club a success. The other honoree, Paul Monte, closed his remarks by saying how lucky he was to be born, raised and living "in this special community we call Montauk."

So, what is being done? A bold plan to resurrect the Playhouse and to expand the community center, with the benefit of an indoor pool, are all being tackled with the same wisdom and grit that has made Montauk flourish in recent times. The leaders of the town are hardworking, down-to-earth, can-do men and women. At the gala, the renowned playwright and local resident Edward Albee promised to produce and attend cultural events at the Montauk Playhouse, when it is completed. A man not seeking the limelight, Mr. Albee stood in front of the gathering to proclaim $200,000 of contributions. He was lending more than just lip service to this cause. The funds raised at the gala will go to the Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation. Senior day care, child day care, and other services for Montauk, like arts and crafts, are already up and running. The new indoor pool will soon also be in use, but the Playhouse is a cultural statement in itself.

The list of dignitaries who attended and contributed to the success of the evening included the Foundation's President, Joan Lyche, VP Diane Hausman, Treasurer Laraine Creegan and Secretary Jennie Blacums. Burke's Orchestra of Suffolk County provided energy that kept things lively. It seemed that, as the song "Summer Wind" was being performed, the breeze off the lake picked up, soothing the gathering of around 350 swaying to the Frank Sinatra classic. The gala was a collection of neighbors coming together, sipping wines, munching on fine delicacies and most of all, being a community committed to action. Afterwards, Jay Schneiderman of the Suffolk County Legislature and a Montauk resident who played a role in getting all this going years back said, "It was great to see so many friends in one place. I guess we are all proud to be residents of Montauk."

As the evening came to an end, many families and groups of friends gathered on the plush lawn of the Montauk Lake Club. With the Monte family and friends standing near Paul and the French family and friends beside Ellis, the scene was like a gathering of a family -- a family of people who care. With so many complicated and seemingly unsolvable problems in the world, it is refreshing to know that small-town America can still get things done. Yes, Montauk is "the little engine that could." It is a model to other communities. And it is a place where hard work and sacrifice, along with the kind hand of God, has resulted in a wealth that comes in many dimensions beyond money. Sunrises over an ocean, sunsets that paint the sky red, full moons to the sounds of surf crashing to shore and the twinkling light of commercial fishing boats working through the night, stars filling the summer sky and the breeze blowing off the ocean -- these are the ingredients to a good life in Montauk. The Harbor Lights Gala was the proof.