Letters

Over the years, so many of us have counted on the New Moon Café in East Quogue to be our home away from home. When many places close up for the offseason, the New Moon Café has always been there for us, just as the owners, Ron and Shana Campsey, have always been there for the entire community.

Ron Campsey is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, having served in the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry of the 1st Infantry Division. Upon moving to East Quogue, Ron became one of the earliest members of the East Quogue Civic Association and was instrumental in the planting of the trees along Main Street.

COVID hit many businesses very hard, including the New Moon Café. Since that time, Ron has continued to battle Parkinson’s disease, and Shana went through major surgery and a difficult recovery process. All of these unfortunate events have now put our little community gem in a bad way — and we need to step up and help out.

On Sunday, June 30 (with a rain date of July 7), join us at the Moon for the “Back in the Saddle Jamboree BBQ,” to raise funds to keep our establishment going. In addition, a GoFundMe account has been set up and can be accessed at: gofund.me/f27636a3.

Let me list a few of the things the Campseys have done for others over the years: free Thanksgiving dinners for veterans and senior citizens for more than 25 years; during the pandemic, donated gift cards and provided hot meals for individuals in East Quogue and prepared food and donated it to the staff in the emergency rooms at the hospitals in Southampton and Riverhead; food donations for the Warrior Ranch Horse Therapy Program for Veterans, the East Quogue Fire Department’s Seafood Party, and the Rob Long Family Fun Day; hot Easter meals provided to low-income elementary school families; assisted with sponsorship of the East Quogue Beautification Committee’s Holiday House Tour; and hosted multiple reunions for Ron’s fellow infantrymen and commanding officers.

This is just a sampling of the kindness displayed over the years by Shana and Ron.

The New Moon Café is an integral part of our community, and they need us right now. Join us on June 30 for what will inevitably be an event to remember.

Watch for information regarding ticket sales, as well as information regarding packages that allow businesses to reserve an entire table. Whether or not you are able to attend, we are hopeful everyone will consider making a contribution, however big or small.

Just think what life in East Quogue would be like without our “Home Away From Home” and show your appreciation if you can.

Beth Albert

East Quogue