Cluck Yeah! Cluckman’s Turns One—and Pizza Pizza Is the Cheesy Surprise We Didn’t Know We Needed
Let’s get one thing straight: Cluckman’s is THAT place.
You know, the spot where teens hang out, locals line up, and even the pickiest visitors walk away licking their fingers. It’s that good.
Located right in the heart of Sag Harbor, Cluckman’s has been serving up crispy chicken tenders, juicy smashburgers, Sag Sauce (yes, it’s a thing), fresh lemonade, and old-school milkshakes for a whole year now.
And just when we thought we couldn’t love them more—they hit us with a twist: Pizza Pizza.
Run by Hamptons food legends Michael & Lila Gluckman, this place isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a vibe. Fast, friendly, family-approved. Take your food to go and picnic in Steinbeck Park. Trust us, it’s a summer mood.
🍔 Smashburger? ✔️
🍗 Chicken tenders? ✔️
🍕 Pizza slice the size of your head? ✔️
💛Local hangout you’ll return to all season long? DOUBLE ✔️
Cluckman’s is open daily, 12–9PM at 24 Long Island Ave, Sag Harbor. Eat in, take out, or grab a slice and go live your best park life.
Brunch, Purpose & Power: Thurgood Marshall College Fund Returns to Sag Harbor This Summer. Last summer, I had the incredible honor of attending the inaugural Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Brunch in the Hamptons, hosted by powerhouse Racquel Oden, Chair of the TMCF Board of Directors. Let me tell you—it was one of those events. Thoughtful. Inspiring. Beautifully curated. And filled with people who are truly invested in the next generation of Black leaders.
I’m beyond excited to be attending again this summer, when the brunch returns to Sag Harbor on Sunday, July 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., once again held at Racquel’s beautiful private home.
This isn’t just brunch—it’s a moment. A celebration of nearly 40 years of TMCF’s unwavering commitment to students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), historically Black community colleges (HBCCs) and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs). And it’s also a gathering of hearts and minds that believe in real investment—financial and otherwise—in the future of Black excellence.
Why it matters:
The event is about more than mimosas and music (though there will be music, thanks to The Rakiem Walker Project 🎶). It’s about supporting students like Chelsea Grant, a standout TMCF scholar and participant in the Hennessy Fellows Program, who will be sharing her story. It’s about hearing directly from TMCF President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams and connecting with board members from Google, the NBA, Breakthru Beverage Group, and GCM Grosvenor—leaders helping shape the pipeline for tomorrow’s changemakers.
As Racquel said:
“Last year was a success and we will build on that momentum this year. It’s an incredible opportunity to invest in the impact and success of our students while helping chart the course for the next 40 years.”
🎟️Tickets are $200, with suggested donation levels of $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000—and every dollar helps expand opportunities for Black college students.
So there’s been a lot of talk lately about “no tax on tips act” If you work in a restaurant, bar, salon, spa, or anywhere you get tipped—you might be thinking finally!
Well… here’s what’s really going on.
What Just Happened
Congress passed a huge new bill (like, trillions of dollars big), and tucked inside it was something called the No Tax on Tips Act.
It means this:
👉 You won’t have to pay federal income tax on up to $25,000 in tips each year.
👉But you still have to report your tips and still pay Social Security and Medicare taxes (those come out of your paycheck like always).
👉 It only counts for cash tips that you report to your boss.
👉This is good for 2025 through 2028 — after that, it might go away unless Congress brings it back.
Who This Helps
If you work in:
• Restaurants 🍔
• Bars 🍸
• Hair or nail salons 💅
• Spas or hotels
• Any job where you get tipped in cash…
This law could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year on your taxes.
But Read the Fine Print before you go celebrating too hard:
• You must report your tips to get this benefit. If you’ve been keeping tips off the books, you won’t qualify.
• You’ll still pay payroll taxes like Social Security and Medicare. That part didn’t change.
• If you make over $150,000 a year, you don’t qualify.
• It’s temporary. This is only good through 2028 (for now).
So Is This a Big Deal?
Yes, for a lot of workers, this is a big help.
You work hard, and tips are your livelihood. This law lets you keep more of the money you’ve already earned. That’s real money in your pocket—especially when rent, groceries, and gas prices keep going up.
But it doesn’t help everyone. People who work behind the scenes—like dishwashers or cooks—don’t get tips and won’t benefit at all.
And it’s not a total tax break—you still have to follow the rules, report your income, and pay some taxes.
Bottom Line
If you make tips, report them, and earn under $150K—you win.
This new law gives you a tax break on up to $25,000 in cash tips per year. That means more money stays with you.
Just keep track of your tips, report them the right way, and be smart when filing your taxes.
Got questions about how this works for you personally? Ask a tax pro or drop a comment on our social media post. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @Sagharbor @Hamptonsmp
Harriette Cole is a storyteller, a coach, a media powerhouse—and someone who finds peace and purpose right here in Sag Harbor.
Over the years, she’s inspired countless people to find their voice, step into their truth, and embrace their power. From her work at Ebony magazine to founding her own platform, Dreamleapers, Harriette has dedicated her life to helping others rise with intention.
Recently, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Harriette in her happy place in Sag Harbor to talk about creativity, purpose, and the power of words. In our conversation, we touched on topics that are close to her heart—and ours.
Here are 5 questions we asked:
1. How long have you been coming to Sag Harbor, and what keeps drawing you back?
2. Why is literacy awareness such a vital part of your life and work?
3. You’ve worn so many hats—editor, author, coach, speaker. Which role feels most like home to you right now?
4. Was there a book or early moment that sparked your love of storytelling?
5. For anyone feeling creatively or personally stuck, what’s one small step they can take today to move forward?
Watch our full video interview below to hear Harriette’s thoughts in her own words—and experience the wisdom, calm, and clarity she brings to every conversation.
Want more inspiring voices from the East End and beyond?
Follow us @HamptonsMP and @SagHarbor on Instagram, real talk, real people
If there’s one event I mark on my calendar every summer, it’s Art & Soul: Hamptons. As someone who’s attended this incredible celebration in past years, I can tell you—it’s not just an event, it’s an experience. From the inspiring art to the mouthwatering cuisine (yes, I’m still dreaming about those crab cakes made by Chef Ronica Copes, Five Star Crab Cake—hands down the best I’ve ever tasted), Art & Soul captures the essence of what makes the Hamptons community so rich, so cultured, and so vibrant.
This year, Art & Soul returns on July 18-19, 2025, and it promises to be bigger, bolder, and more beautiful than ever. Hosted in partnership with the Southampton African American Museumand Southampton Arts Center, the weekend is a celebration of BIPOC artists from the Hamptons and beyond—through art, music, food, and storytelling.
🎨 The Artists: Passion. Power. Purpose.
Let’s start with the reason we gather—the art. This year’s featured artists are an incredibly talented group of creatives, each with a unique voice and story to tell:
• Reynoir Lewis brings his limitless energy to Southampton with his bold, abstract paintings and home décor pieces. Reynoir’s art is as vibrant as his personality—he draws from his Caribbean roots, DJ background, and love of storytelling to create pieces that are alive with movement and color. I can’t wait to see what he brings to the WOOD ART EXHIBITION at the Southampton Arts Center.
• Laura R. Gadson is a master of textiles. Her quilt, fiber, and mixed media work is deeply rooted in history, heritage, and heart. If you’ve ever been touched by the texture of a story told through fabric, you’re going to love meeting Laura and experiencing her work up close.
• Suliman Onque is the definition of multi-talented. From murals to comic books to wearable art, his creativity knows no limits. I love that he’s not afraid to explore every medium and tell stories that speak to identity, justice, and culture.
• Shaunt’e Lewis , who will be featured at the Southampton African American Museum, is an illustrator and fiber artist whose bold and colorful work celebrates powerful women and community resilience. Her story—from hairstylist to nationally recognized artist—is a beautiful reminder of the power of purpose and passion.
• And don’t miss the Shinnecock Artist Exhibition at Ma’s House on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation, featuring local Indigenous artists like Jeremy Dennis, Durrell Hunter, and Reebekah Wise. It’s an intimate experience that honors the deep cultural roots of our region.
🍽️ The Culinary Experience: Come Hungry!
Now, let me talk about the food—because y’all, the culinary team at Art & Soul knows how to throw down.
This year’s tastings will be brought to us by:
•Chef Cheryl Grigg of Chara’s Kitchen & Catering (bless her hands with her fried chicken beignets are a spiritual experience),
• and Chef Doug Gee, another culinary star who brings soulful, elevated flavor to every dish.
And for the cocktail lovers, New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery will be serving up award-winning spirits passed down through generations. They’re the first Afro-Puerto Rican-American distillery in the country, and their story is as smooth as their rum.
🎶 Music, Vibes & Magic
As always, Art & Soul delivers on vibes. You’ll be serenaded by the incredible Dwayne Kerr, flutist for Erykah Badu’s band, and transported by Yacouba Sissoko and the SIYA African Band, whose traditional kora music bridges generations of African storytelling.
And yes, the red carpet is back! My favorite photographer (and husband) Kurt Leggard will be capturing the magic, so bring your style and let your soul shine.
🖼️ Beyond the Art: Walk, Learn, and Celebrate
The weekend includes a cultural Art Walk with stops at the Southampton African American Museum, Southampton Arts Center, and Hidden Gem —a luxury home boutique founded by sisters Tanya and Temidra Willock. I love that this event also creates space to support Black-owned businesses right here in the Hamptons.
There’s also a private museum tour of Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio on the Shinnecock Reservation—one of my favorite hidden treasures in Southampton. The work being done there by Indigenous artist Jeremy Dennis is powerful and deeply rooted in legacy and land.
And for the film buffs, don’t miss the screening of Erased, executive produced by Idris Elba, which highlights the forgotten contributions of soldiers of color during WWII. This is the kind of storytelling that changes minds and hearts.
💃 The Afterglow
From the Art After Dark Soirée to the Caribbean cocktail-fueled afterparty with DJ Infmatick, every moment of Art & Soul feels like a love letter to culture, creativity, and connection.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—Art & Soul is one of my favorite events in the Hamptons. It’s a beautiful blend of art, soul food, music, and community. It fills me up and reminds me why I love being a part of this place. If you’re looking for a weekend that inspires, uplifts, and feeds both your soul and your appetite, don’t miss this.
