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Sag Harbor Express

News / Sag Harbor Express / 2017928

Unsung Volunteer Honored At Annual Community Block Party In Sag Harbor

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As they do every year, children from 3 to college age, take part in races along Ninevah Place. The distance is extended for each age group. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

As they do every year, children from 3 to college age, take part in races along Ninevah Place. The distance is extended for each age group. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

As they do every year, children from 3 to college age, take part in races along Ninevah Place. The distance is extended for each age group. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

As they do every year, children from 3 to college age, take part in races along Ninevah Place. The distance is extended for each age group. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

As they do every year, children from 3 to college age, take part in races along Ninevah Place. The distance is extended for each age group. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

As they do every year, children from 3 to college age, take part in races along Ninevah Place. The distance is extended for each age group. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

Carlton Holmes, center with plaque, was honored by residents of Sag Harbor Hills for having organized Labor Day basketball tournaments for Sag Harbor children for many years. He was joined by many of the tournaments' participants. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

Carlton Holmes, center with plaque, was honored by residents of Sag Harbor Hills for having organized Labor Day basketball tournaments for Sag Harbor children for many years. He was joined by many of the tournaments' participants. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

Photographer John Pinderhughes had the unenviable task of trying to organize for a group photo the hundreds of people who showed up for the annual Sag Harbor Hills Labor Day block party. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

Photographer John Pinderhughes had the unenviable task of trying to organize for a group photo the hundreds of people who showed up for the annual Sag Harbor Hills Labor Day block party. STEPHEN J. KOTZ

authorStephen J. Kotz on Sep 6, 2022

Saturday’s gathering on Ninevah Place for the annual Sag Harbor Hills Labor Day block party drew hundreds of people, who came to enjoy grilled food, ice cream, and other treats, watch their children and grandchildren take part in a series of footraces, and gather for an annual photo.

But this year, another event was added to the schedule.

Carlton Holmes, a longtime resident and former property owners association president, was honored for his volunteer work as the “commissioner” of a three-on-three basketball tournament that was held from 1999 to 2016.

“This is a total surprise, it really is,” Holmes said, when he was presented with a plaque that included squares cut out from some of the many team T-shirts that were donated over the years by sponsors Schiavoni’s Market and B. Smith restaurant. “I enjoyed it just as much as all the kids did.”

Before posing for a group photo with more than a dozen former players, Holmes said he had received plenty of help over the years, citing Milton Benjamin, who he said served as “co-commissioner.”

Ed Dudley, another longtime Sag Harbor Hills resident, said the basketball tournament had its origins in a contest in which fathers were tasked with completing a free throw, while their sons or daughters were asked to complete a layup. That eventually morphed into a three-on-three basketball tournament because, despite their continuing popularity, not all kids wanted to take part in the short springs in front of a cheering crowd of parents and other onlookers.

Holmes said the basketball tournament also quickly expanded from just kids from Sag Harbor Hills to include teams from the greater Sag Harbor community. The school district gave permission to use the Pierson High School gym, and the one-day tournament, teams of all different age groups, became an annual fixture.

“Over the years, the thing that has made Sag Harbor a beautiful place to be is those individuals who step up and unselfishly volunteer to do things for our community,” said Gary Giscombe, who organized the tribute to Holmes. “Nobody ever said thank you to Carlton. He put in the time, got the medals, T-shirts and sponsorships.”

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