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In Sag Harbor

When Everything Is Changing, Sag Harbor Pharmacy Still Feels Like Home

In Sag Harbor 4 Mins Read

Real Talk. Real People. Real Community. If you live in Sag Harbor, you feel it every day. The storefronts change. New businesses arrive. Familiar places disappear. And while growth can be exciting, it can also feel unsettling when the town you love starts to look different. In the middle of all that change, Sag Harbor Pharmacy remains a place that still feels like home.

A Constant in a Town That Keeps Evolving

Sag Harbor is not frozen in time, and no one expects it to be. But there is comfort in knowing that some places still understand the heart of the village. Sag Harbor Pharmacy is one of those places. It serves the people who live here year-round, not just the summer crowds, and that consistency matters more than ever right now.

Built From the Ground Up, Not From a Boardroom

The story behind Sag Harbor Pharmacy is rooted in real work. Owner Tarique Chaudhary did not enter pharmacy through a corporate office. He learned it from the ground up, sweeping floors, stocking shelves, managing inventory, and working every role imaginable alongside his father, a pharmacist. That hands-on experience shaped how he runs Sag Harbor Pharmacy today.

A Thoughtful Decision to Invest in Sag Harbor

Buying Sag Harbor Pharmacy was not a snap decision. It was a careful, intentional choice discussed over time with his wife. Tarique had already spent decades working on the East End and understood the seasonal rhythm of life here. He saw Sag Harbor Pharmacy not as a short-term opportunity, but as a long-term commitment to the community.

Why Owning the Building Was About Stability

Anyone watching Main Street knows how fragile small businesses can be when leases change and rents rise. When the opportunity came to purchase the building that houses the Pharmacy, Tarique did not hesitate. Owning the building was about protecting the pharmacy’s future and ensuring it would not be forced out of the place it has called home for over a century.

Your Pharmacy for Life. Your Pharmacy Year-Round.

One thing sets Sag Harbor Pharmacy apart. It is not built around trends or tourism. It is built around the people who live here all year. Over-the-counter medications, vitamins, household essentials, shampoos, soaps, and everyday needs are stocked with intention. Pricing stays fair and competitive. Sag Harbor Pharmacy is your pharmacy for life, your pharmacy year-round.

Familiar Faces in an Impersonal World

Healthcare is personal, and Sag Harbor Pharmacy treats it that way. Customers are not numbers. They are neighbors. Pharmacists are approachable, questions are welcomed, and service is fast and accurate. In a world of mail-order medicine and long waits, this pharmacy offers something simple and powerful: human connection.

Adapting Without Losing the Soul

Change does not mean losing identity. Sag Harbor Pharmacy is expanding services thoughtfully, including vaccines, clinical care, and a new compounding lab in development for dermatology, hormone therapy, and veterinary medications. These updates allow the pharmacy to meet modern needs while staying deeply rooted in the community.

Modern Updates With a Hometown Feel

Behind the scenes, workflow improvements have already modernized the pharmacy area at Sag Harbor Pharmacy. Next comes a refresh of the front end, with new lighting, shelving, and design elements that brighten the space while preserving its old-school, hometown pharmacy vibe. The goal is not to erase history, but to honor it.

Why Sag Harbor Pharmacy Matters Right Now

As Sag Harbor continues to evolve, places like Sag Harbor Pharmacy remind us what community looks like when it is cared for intentionally. It is steady. It is familiar. It is here in every season. In a town that is changing, this local pharmacy still feels like home.

Your pharmacy for life. Your pharmacy year-round.

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In Beyond the East End Event

Walking Into the Future While Standing in History

In Beyond the East End Event 3 Mins Read

Harlem Fine Arts Show Celebrates Black Creativity, Community, and Legacy

Walking into this show felt like stepping into the future while standing firmly in history. From the moment I entered the space, the Harlem Fine Arts Show revealed itself as more than a traditional exhibition. The energy was alive, immersive, and deeply rooted in Black art and cultural storytelling.

Artist: M. Gasby Brown

The Harlem Fine Arts Show has always been about more than presentation. It is about presence. This year’s exhibition felt intentional and cohesive, blending African Diaspora art with innovation while continuing to elevate contemporary Black artists on a global stage.

When Art Moves Beyond the Frame

New technology played a powerful role in bringing the work to life at the Harlem Fine Arts Show, particularly through installations at O’Bannon Studios. Pieces evolved before your eyes, creating an immersive experience that expanded how Black art is seen and felt.

O’Bannon Studios

The 3D artwork by Artbunga LLC was a standout moment at the Harlem Fine Arts Show, stopping viewers in their tracks and challenging traditional gallery norms. The emergence of a young artist from Paloma Hostin reinforced why representation within the Black art community matters at every age.

artist: Paloma Hostin

Texture, Symbolism, and Fearless Color

The Harlem Fine Arts Show also showcased emotional depth through texture and material. The delicate use of lace fabric by M. Gasby Brown felt poetic and intentional, offering a softer yet powerful expression of Black creativity.

Zimbabwean contemporary artist Keith Zenda brought ancestral symbolism to the forefront at the Harlem Fine Arts Show, blending bold color with cultural heritage. His work bridged tradition and modernity, highlighting the global reach of African Diaspora art.

This was Black art in motion at the Harlem Fine Arts Show. Artists were not only creating visually stunning work but also pushing culture forward with purpose, soul, and intention.

Art That Gives Back

What made the Harlem Fine Arts Show especially meaningful was its commitment to community impact. The Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center in Bridgehampton, New York, was a benefactor of the event, reinforcing the connection between art, responsibility, and social good.

Bridgehampton Childcare Center

By supporting a local nonprofit, the Harlem Fine Arts Show demonstrated how cultural institutions can engage with community needs while uplifting Black artists and strengthening the broader Hamptons art scene.

Legacy Meets Hometown

The moment that felt most personal came with the reminder that Dion Clarke, founder and CEO of the Harlem Fine Arts Show, is a Sag Harbor resident. This connection grounds the show in the East End while maintaining its international influence.

This July, Dion Clarke will bring an art show to Sag Harbor, extending the legacy of the Harlem Fine Arts Show into the Sag Harbor art scene and creating a powerful homecoming rooted in Black history and culture.

More Than an Art Show

The Harlem Fine Arts Show is not just an exhibition. It is a vibe, a movement, and a cultural force. It reminds us that Black art is not static or confined to the past but living, evolving, and shaping the present.

Year after year, the Harlem Fine Arts Show proves that when Black artists are centered and celebrated, the result is not only beautiful work but lasting cultural impact felt far beyond the gallery walls.

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In Community News

Here’s a Novel Idea, Suffolk County: Pay Them

In Community News 4 Mins Read

Real Talk. Real People. Real Issues. Suffolk County volunteer firefighters are the backbone of emergency response across the East End, including the Hamptons, and yet the system depends almost entirely on unpaid labor. Firefighters and EMS volunteers are the ones showing up in the middle of the night, during storms, and on the worst day of someone’s life. But while Suffolk County volunteer firefighters are being asked to do more than ever, the conditions that make volunteering possible are disappearing.

According to county officials, Suffolk County volunteer firefighters are facing rising call volumes at the same time their numbers are shrinking. County Executive Ed Romaine reports a 16 percent increase in house fires and a 37 percent rise in fire dispatch calls this year, while active volunteers have dropped to roughly 13,000. That imbalance is not sustainable, and Suffolk County volunteer firefighters are feeling the strain in longer shifts, tighter coverage, and growing burnout.

Now let’s acknowledge the obvious. Saying “pay them” is easier said than done. When the topic of compensating Suffolk County volunteer firefighters comes up, the immediate question is always the same. Where does the funding come from? Budgets are tight. Taxpayers push back. And the volunteer model has long been treated as untouchable. But avoiding the funding conversation has not stopped the problem. It has only delayed solutions.

One of the biggest challenges facing Suffolk County volunteer firefighters in the Hamptons is housing. In Montauk, East Hampton, Sag Harbor, Bridgehampton, and Southampton, many longtime volunteers are aging out of physically demanding roles. At the same time, younger residents who would be most likely to volunteer simply cannot afford to live here. Suffolk County volunteer firefighters cannot respond quickly if they live an hour away or not at all.

Complicating matters further, many homeowners in these hamlets are not full-time residents. They care about the community, but they are not here year-round to answer calls. That leaves Suffolk County volunteer firefighters increasingly drawn from a shrinking pool of year-round residents who are already stretched thin by high housing costs and long work hours.

This is where housing policy and public safety collide. Suffolk County volunteer firefighters are directly affected by traffic congestion, especially along County Road 39. As previously reported by Hamptons Mouthpiece, gridlock on CR 39 delays emergency vehicles and turns minutes into risks. Legislator Sal Formica has warned that even a one-minute delay can feel like ten to someone waiting for help. When Suffolk County volunteer firefighters are short-staffed, those delays become even more dangerous.

To compensate, departments rely more heavily on mutual aid agreements. While necessary, this practice stretches Suffolk County volunteer firefighters across districts, leaving other communities temporarily vulnerable. It is a stopgap, not a solution, and it exposes how fragile the current system has become.

Some county leaders are beginning to connect the dots. Suffolk County Clerk Vinnie Puleo has advocated for modest “pay per call” or “pay per shift” options to help departments staff trucks while preserving the volunteer model. Legislator Steve Flotteron has highlighted down payment assistance programs that could offer up to $50,000 to help Suffolk County volunteer firefighters buy homes in the communities they serve. These ideas recognize a basic truth. You cannot volunteer in a place you cannot afford to live.

This is where the Town of Southampton Housing Authority matters. TSHA’s work is not just about affordability. It is about stability. When housing allows essential workers to stay local, it strengthens emergency response, schools, and infrastructure. Suffolk County volunteer firefighters benefit when housing policy supports the people who keep communities safe.

Prevention is also part of the equation. Officials urge residents to maintain smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, heating systems, and safe fireplace practices. These steps reduce emergencies, but they do not eliminate them. When prevention fails, Suffolk County volunteer firefighters are still the ones who respond.

So where does the funding come from? That is the question leaders must stop dodging. Funding could come from a combination of county allocations, targeted grants, state partnerships, housing-linked incentives, and modest compensation programs tied to service. Paying Suffolk County volunteer firefighters does not mean abandoning the volunteer spirit. It means acknowledging economic reality.

Real talk. Community cannot survive on goodwill alone. If Suffolk County wants to protect its residents, its homes, and its future, it must invest in the people who show up when everything is on the line. Suffolk County volunteer firefighters deserve more than applause. They deserve a system that allows them to live here, serve here, and stay here.

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In Community News

Reading Revival: Why Reading Is Cool Again

In Community News 3 Mins Read

Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton have always been reading towns. We are a community that loves stories, ideas, and conversations that stretch longer than expected. From library corners to beach chairs, reading has always been part of our culture. That is why the Reading Revival it’s a movement feels like a natural fit here.

Somewhere along the way, reading got labeled as homework instead of joy. Kids stopped reading for fun. Adults stopped reading because life got busy. Seniors kept reading because they know better, but even they will tell you it takes intention to stay engaged. That is exactly where Reading Revival comes in. It is not a one-off campaign. It is a movement to bring reading back into everyday life.

Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreation Center is leading Reading Revival on the East End, and their goal is refreshingly simple: make reading feel good again. Reading builds confidence. Reading creates access. Reading opens doors. When someone struggles with reading, it affects far more than school. When someone feels confident as a reader, it changes how they move through the world.

Reading Revival it’s a movement is designed for everyone. Kids, teens, adults, and seniors. The reluctant reader. The audiobook fan. The manga obsessed teen. The parent who stopped reading years ago. The grandparent who still reads the paper every morning because it keeps the mind sharp. This movement does not judge how you read. It just asks that you read.

The Center is encouraging our community to make reading part of daily life again. Not just in classrooms, but at home, at the library, in coffee shops, at the beach, and in waiting rooms. Reading in the wild. Reading before bed. Reading together. Reading Revival it’s a movement is about reconnecting reading to real life.

Here is the real talk. Literacy is not just academic. It affects confidence, independence, and opportunity. Reading is foundational. Communities that invest in literacy build stronger futures for children and help adults and seniors stay engaged and empowered. Reading Revival recognizes that reading is not optional for a healthy community. It is essential.

Reading Revival invites everyone to participate. Share what you are reading. Pass along a book. Read with a child. Visit your local library. Take ten minutes a day to read again, not because you have to, but because it matters, because it connects us, because reading is culture.

Hamptons Mouthpiece is proud to support Bridgehampton Child Care & Recreation Center as Reading Revival unfolds throughout 2026. Expect creativity, community stories, and reminders that books still have power. If you have been waiting for a reason to start reading again, this is it.

Join us – The Reading Revival: It’s a Movement.

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In Hamptons Spotlight

The Ambassador Next Door

In Hamptons Spotlight 5 Mins Read

How Sag Harbor’s Own Suzan Johnson Cook Made History and Still Makes Time for the Beach

Real talk: Some people take on roles that change their lives, and then there are those who take on roles that change the world. Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook, known to many as Ambassador Sujay, belongs to the second category. She made history as the first Black woman and first clergywoman to serve as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. In that role, she advised President Barack Obama and traveled the globe advocating for the rights of people to believe as they choose, free from persecution.

It is an extraordinary responsibility. Yet, here is the beautiful surprise. This global powerhouse also calls Sag Harbor home. Not just any Sag Harbor community, but Azurest, a historic and culturally significant enclave where generations of Black families found refuge and belonging long before the Hamptons became a household name.

When I sat down with Ambassador Sujay, she described her connection to Sag Harbor in a way that felt both poetic and deeply grounded.

“This is a sanctuary where you can pull back, be inspired, and sustain the woman you are becoming,” she said. “Everything that makes me who I am happens here in Azurest.” That truth is woven into every part of her story.

Sag Harbor Roots: Salt Air and Soul Work

For more than three decades, Ambassador Sujay, has been a part of the Azurest community. She raised her two sons here. She swims here. She reflects and restores her spirit here. She has created a life where the peace of this village continues to fuel her purpose.

Diplomacy on the World Stage

During her time in the Obama administration, Ambassador Sujay held responsibility for nearly every nation in the world except the United States. She was tasked with advocating for international religious freedom in 199 countries. Her work required meeting people where they are, across faiths, cultures, and political structures.

One unexpected lesson she shared with me was that the position she held had originally been shaped by and for the conservative religious right. Her presence in that space was not anticipated.

“They were not expecting me, and I was not expecting them,” she said with a smile. “But we learned how to sit at the same table for the sake of humanity.”

Ambassador Sujay also recognized the absence of women’s voices in global policy conversations and founded the first worldwide roundtable for women in religious freedom, which continues today.

There were moments that felt almost surreal, including the experience of sitting in the private prayer room of Pope Benedict. As she described it, she paused, still humbled by the memory. A Baptist girl from the Bronx, sharing a room with the Pope. It was not just history. It was an affirmation of purpose.

Live With SuJay: Amplifying Black Women Leaders

Ambassador Sujay did not limit her leadership to international arenas. She also created space for local voices, particularly Black women leaders on the East End, by launching her television program, “Live with Sujay” on LTV.

What has surprised her most is the depth of talent in this community. Every guest brings something extraordinary. She sees it as her mission to make sure these women are not only doing the work but are also being seen and heard.

Wellness as a Requirement, Not a Reward

Her beloved wellness initiative, Selah by the Sea, has been transforming lives for more than 20 years. She explained that the word “Selah,” used more than 70 times in scripture, means to pause, reflect, and rest.

Black women, she noted, are frequently the ones holding up the world, often without interruption. They are multitaskers, caregivers, executives, leaders, and community builders. Yet the world rarely encourages them to pause.

“Selah by the Sea gives women permission to step away, leave the phone behind, sit by the water, and restore what they have poured out,” she explained.

It is a reminder that taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is a strategy for survival.

Legacy: Preparing the Next Generation to Lead

When discussing legacy, Ambassador Sujay became both reflective and energized. She believes that true legacy requires forward motion.

“We stand on the shoulders of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Dorothy Height, and Coretta Scott King,” she said. “We also stand on the shoulders of our own mothers. The next generation must be able to stand on ours. If our progress dies with us, it becomes history. When it continues, it becomes legacy.”

Her work reflects that belief. Through organizations such as Charisma Speakers, the Global Black Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and Women on the World Stage, she is building ecosystems that strengthen economic empowerment, leadership development, and global sisterhood.

She teaches women not only how to enter rooms of power but how to lead once inside. She believes legacy is about generational wealth, generational wisdom, and generational wellness.

The Ambassador Next Door

What is remarkable about Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook is that she continues to rise to extraordinary heights without ever disconnecting from her foundation. She can meet with presidents and popes and return home to Sag Harbor with the same grace and gratitude.

She is living proof that sanctuary and purpose can coexist. She shows us that leadership does not always begin in a conference room. Sometimes it begins on a quiet walk to the beach.

Ambassador Sujay is still writing her story. The best part is that she continues to help other women write theirs.

Learn More and Stay Connected

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