Talk:Ditch Witch (food truck)

Chop-socky Edit to be reverted.
While the article was long, the paragraphs that explained the etymology of the name, the town board rows over over-regulation; the attempts to close Ditch Witch by members of the TB and the Facebook campaign to retain it; the version of burning man that takes place at the beach site of one of the 'Gay' motels near the hedonistic beach and dunes; and the fact that while the East Deck was still in business in the beaches' early surfer heyday and tethered to the food truck by utilities via a lease between the founder and motel management - was not even in the article, and the fact that if you stayed there and wanted to walk to the lighthouse, breakfast was in the other direction in town, so the Ditch Witch was essentially, the on-site cafeteria for the East Deck Motel cabins. Removing the Indian name, That's where the cleanup crossed the line.Fine, the tone was not encyclopedic, but removing the founders name, just what kind of hack job was that? Cites were there for every item, but removed as irrelevant. So, it will be redone. CaptJayRuffins (talk) 14:33, 19 January 2024 (UTC)
 * The founder's name was previously unsourced (see WP:VERIFY), but I've found a reliable source and re-added it. The etymology was also unsourced but, as noted below, is also slightly off-topic as it's the name of the beach where the food truck stands, not the food truck itself. Writing a separate article about the beach sounds like a fine idea though. Wikishovel (talk) 15:26, 19 January 2024 (UTC)
 * The article is about the beach, mayby you should move it to "DITCH PLAINS BEACH" instead of wacking 90% of the article and then rewriting it in your image... CaptJayRuffins (talk) 15:47, 19 January 2024 (UTC)
 * Moving the article would be fine too. Please go ahead and move it, or I'm happy to move it if you prefer. Wikishovel (talk) 15:51, 19 January 2024 (UTC)
 * The article is about the truck, the etymology is the place where it sits, the ditch which floods when Lake Montauk overflows, as it has for centuries. That's why it's called 'DITCH'. The 2 mile long beach is the plain... CaptJayRuffins (talk) 16:03, 19 January 2024 (UTC)

Etymology
What is the origin of the unique name "Ditch Plains"? To uncover more details, we consulted Henry Osmers, the historian at Montauk Lighthouse. Osmers explains that a 1676 deed features the term "Choppaughshapaughhausuck," which translates to "the place where the brook opens; the ditch or outlet of Great Pond to the south," with Great Pond referring to what is now known as Lake Montauk. Over time, Montauk has transformed significantly from a quiet surf haven populated by artists and fishermen into a bustling hotspot resembling the West Village during summer weekends. CaptJayRuffins (talk) 14:42, 19 January 2024 (UTC)


 * This article is about the food truck, so if you want to write about the beach (etymology, local politics etc), that should go in a separate article. Thanks, Wikishovel (talk) 14:44, 19 January 2024 (UTC)


 * Say the name. Choppaughshapaughhausuck CaptJayRuffins (talk) 15:13, 19 January 2024 (UTC)

Clown Town
Burning man events happen all over and around the world. The entrance to the beach, just like at all the famous beaches on the west coast, attracts the artists, the Avant-garde, the mopery of nihilism and the extravagance of exhibitionists. This is the 'Clown Show' the NYTimes referenced in this article. Ditch Plains Beach stands as Montauk's surfing hub, a two-mile expanse where dunes meet the ocean at Long Island's East End, flanked by sand cliffs on both sides. Here, on summer weekends, a mix of long-standing locals and holidaymakers converge to indulge in drinks, marijuana, frisbee games, and dancing until nightfall, creating a vibe reminiscent of a smaller-scale Burning Man event. This particular section of the beach is known colloquially as "Clown Town." This gathering of surf enthusiasts and party-goers is a throwback to the Montauk of over twenty years ago, a time before the arrival of private equity magnates, social media influencers, and other affluent individuals who have redefined this once unpolished fishing locale with its modest bars and bait shops. Long-time residents who witnessed the area's transformation from its humble beginnings now mourn the loss of the raw charm Montauk once held. "Ditch Plains Beach is the heart of the surf scene in Montauk, a two-mile stretch of dunes and sea at the tip of Long Island’s East End with views of sand cliffs to the east and west. It is also where, on summer weekends, a group of longtime Montauk residents and vacationers gather to drink, smoke pot, toss Frisbees and dance till dark, as if staging their own mini Burning Man festival. The patch of beach where they congregate has a nickname among locals: Clown Town. With its surfers and revelers, the scene recalls Montauk as it was more than two decades ago, before private equity executives, social media stars and other moneyed newcomers put their stamp on this formerly rustic beach town of dive bars and tackle shops. Those who settled in the area before real estate prices shot skyward now lament the passing of the scruffy outpost they used to know." CaptJayRuffins (talk) 14:51, 19 January 2024 (UTC)

Gentrification
Every part of the Hamptons has found itself under attack by moneyed interests that seek to push out the low income first adopters who came there to get away from the glitz. The truck was originally given it's exclusive to sell on the beach becuz' no-one else was willing to park out by the dunes for the occasional wanderer. Later summer denizens, the Hampton's crowd, went to town board meetings and proposed scrapping the agreement with the truck in exchange for high-end expensive snacks. This only came to a head when Montaco, a Hispanic outfit that only sold Tacos was crowded out- subsequently challenging that by applying for a legal permit. Suddenly, a big bucks firm with rich backers tried to install an oversized truck to sell high priced lobster rolls- jumps in and magically, the Witches' permit is revoked. Huge uproar, as one of the first Facebook campaigns against gentrification occurs. The Montauk colony sought to take over the parking lot as the large mega-mansion was next to the lot, thereby evicting the Witch. Moneyed interests by a nueveau riche, J. Darius Bikoff of Vitamin water. Gentrification writ large. If he succeeded, the wagon would have been a mere historic note, and thats why it's a part of the article.

"The transformation of Montauk's character became unmistakable in 2008 with the debut of the Surf Lodge, a chic hotel that drew the Hamptons' socialites and Brooklyn's trendsetters donning fedoras. Before long, these groups were supplanted by financiers and property developers. The town's relaxed, anti-Hamptons image suffered further in 2013 when the East Deck fetched $15 million in a sale. Led by J. Darius Bikoff, the entrepreneur behind Vitamin Water, the new proprietors aimed to convert this vestige of old Montauk into an exclusive beach club for members." CaptJayRuffins (talk) 15:09, 19 January 2024 (UTC)

Hamptons art scene
Nothing says 'Hamptons' more than artsy types putting a show on. Think Julian Schnabel, Grant Monahans patron. A visit to his website says it all. When the NYTimes covered Grant's one-man show, considering that he did spend a lifetime at the wagon and was himself one of the 'surfer dudes', maybe its not a stretch to include him in the article.

"Monahan, who is pursuing photography, has created his inaugural photo book titled "View From the Window," which captures the clientele he has encountered through the serving hatch of the Ditch Witch. Featured among them is Johan Lindeberg, complete with his signature beach leather jackets. Julian Schnabel, a nearby resident, also makes an appearance. Monahan notes, "I can affirm that 99.9 percent of the individuals in the book are people I've been acquainted with for a summer, or throughout my entire life." CaptJayRuffins (talk) 15:26, 19 January 2024 (UTC)

The main subject, Lili Adams, was sourced.
Lili and Alice, two women at the run down East End Motel, where fishermen and surfers found a home. The acres overlooking the beach was targeted during the pandemic for rezoning by the town board. Two old ladies; whom the town board dominated by summer dwelling A-listers from south of the highway and over the hedges had snootily dismissed; decried their shenanigans, so they had no friends on the board. But, they did have friends, the not so rich people that populated those cabins over the years. They came in their twenties, and returned in their sixties, trying to recapture lost loves, lost hopes, lost dreams. Alice deserves her own article, the stewardess who ran a collection of cabins like an airline.

"Growing up, Alice Houseknecht, born Watson, spent her childhood summers in Montauk with her family. "My father was particularly fond of Hither Hills. Coming from a large family of nine kids, every year he would gather us, along with a massive green army tent, and we'd set up camp," she recalls." CaptJayRuffins (talk) 15:38, 19 January 2024 (UTC)

The windmill house
Built on the cliffs above the beach, now long gone, done in by beach erosion. It was an era, of surfers showing up before dawn to paddle out, kids, who found a mom, Lili Adams, who gave them sustenance while they pursued a wave... Sandpiper Hill House Windmill at Ditch Plains beach. Why is that not the picturesque tableau you would have readers see? CaptJayRuffins (talk) 15:43, 19 January 2024 (UTC)

Coffee is the biggest seller.
Grant recounted the partnership with Hampton Coffee company, it was leveraged as the Un-starbuck link in the story. Details you have dropped in the haste to make it suitable for non-informative content. Everything was sourced, since everything else gets chopped. Coffee is the biggest seller at the food truck. How about dem apples.... CaptJayRuffins (talk) 16:15, 19 January 2024 (UTC)

Finally, the Glacier
What makes the beach, tectonic shifts millions of years ago - it was sourced, but removed. The referenced map shows the path taken by the glacier to form the south and north forks.

"It's a long island with a long history. Want to hear it?" CaptJayRuffins (talk) 16:39, 19 January 2024 (UTC)