Everything we love about East Hampton, the bell obsessed small town
Lake Pocotopaug is where it’s at
If you grew up in East Hampton, chances are you’ve experienced the unsatisfiable desire to buy a gallon of milk at Stop and Shop without bumping into three people you know. At times, you probably wished to be able to tell someone your hometown – without explaining you’re from Connecticut, not New York.
A commonality among the East Hampton born and raised is the desire to leave for bigger, more exciting things. But once you leave, you crave the familiar quirks of the town that will always be home.
There are literally bells everywhere
When you’re a teenager, you roll your eyes at the town’s obsession with bells, of all things to be proud of. But in reality, you can’t help but appreciate the charm of people who will do anything and everything to “keep the bells in Belltown”.
Even though “Bellringer” is probably not the most fierce mascot, it’s fun to have something so unique to the town. And besides, without our bells what other claim to fame would we have?
Ugly schools, beautiful town
It’s evident from the outdated science labs and mismatched floor tiles that our schools have yet to see the light of the 21st century. But even spending all day in the same ambience as your parents can’t mask the of serenity of Lake Pocotopaug in the winter, or the gorgeous red hues of fall on the Airline Trail.
It’s a small business heaven
While East Hampton has traces of big corporations, particularly fast food restaurants, we have a respect for local businesses unmatched by any other town.
Nowhere else would the people be passionate enough to try to save their local IGA by passing a law about the proximity of chain supermarkets to lakes. Nowhere else will you find such a love for local businesses – from open mic nights at the coffee shop to buying prom dresses at Red Door, to knowing that Loco Perro is correct – never perro loco.
Leave for the anonymity, come back for the tradition
Pumpkin people decorate the stretch of 66 next to Paul’s and Sandy’s each October. Crazy volunteers jump into the freezing lake water each November to help feed the people of our town. Epic Christmas light competition ensues in front of Memorial School each year.
People of East Hampton don’t find any holiday worthy of celebrating with a parade and carnival – except for Old Homes Day. Teachers at Center School say goodbye to their students with bubbles at the start of summer.
The kids of East Hampton leave for a change in pace, but we’ll always come back to the same neighbors and traditions we’ve known as home.