Greenport Community Association Shares Food, Plans At Potluck

GREENPORT, NY — Carrying platters and casserole dishes of delicious fare, a crowd turned out Saturday for the new Greenport Community Association's March meeting, a community potluck, held at Holy Trinity Church.

A "joyous crowd" of between 120 and 130 turned out, said one of the civic group's founders Penelope Rudder, who added that the first priority at the event was to engage together and keep building the relationships in the broader community.

"By having the potluck relaxed and open, we also hope the conversation expands to hear and listen to what a more diverse group looks for and wants to help work on to make life better here," she said.

(Penelope Rudder)

Common interests expressed by members of the group thus far that have emerged include connecting neighbors and opening communication, educating residents on various quality of life concerns and issues — and how civic involvement and partnerships, she said.

Also on everyone's mind, Rudder said, are issues including protecting the environment, the area's water and green spaces, helping vulnerable neighbors, and keeping Greenport affordable.

"One goal we have is to see how we can help each other by sharing skills," Rudder said. "Many communities do that, have a 'skills swap directory' of a sort," she said.

Rudder said another issue on many minds is the proposed capital improvement plan for the Greenport school district.

At the event, Rudder said she jumped right in to the fun and fellowship and was at first, counting the number of attendees: "I saw a noodle kugel placed on the table and then, forget about it! I decided to follow 'the agenda' — pick up a fork, a plate and go meet and eat," she said. "People had overwhelmingly asked for this chance to come together and just 'be,' to share food — so delicious — and time with each other. I saw very few if any cell phones and instead lots of talking, laughter, meeting people and eating!" Rudder said.

(Penelope Rudder)

The tables had craft paper and a beautiful Gerbera daisies on each donated by newly elected Greenport Village Trustee Peter Clarke, Rudder said.

The tables were kept simple, as a "blank page with a joyous center so that the fellowship, food and fun filled out the rest," she said.

"Fr. Roger Joslin's friendship and generous outreach to the community provided the community room at Holy Trinity once again as the perfect hostess," she said. "There was a beautiful North Fork Evensong mass with jazz music by Dennis Raffelock before the potluck that many attended. A lovely evening for our Greenport Community to welcome each other into spring."

(Penelope Rudder)

Rudder thanked the many who worked tirelessly to put together the event including Debra Riva, Pam Ferrari, Lisa Feuerherm and Margaret de Cruz, as well as the civic's co-founder Randy Wade and the church staff.

"Sharing information and offering education on community issues are goals of ours so that we are all better aware of what's going on in our hometown," Rudder said. With a simple agenda and many expressions of thanks, Rudder said, "the community took hold of the evening and made it their own."

Upcoming events include a tour through Greenport Schools on Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m. with Superintendent David Gamberg. "This hands-on tour will give the Greenport community an opportunity to see what problems exist and what improvements are hoped for in the school bond proposal," Rudder said. "It's a terrific chance to ask questions and gather more understanding for themselves."

The next Greenport Community Association meeting will take place on Monday, April 29 at 6 p.m. at Floyd Memorial Library.

(Penelope Rudder)