Before we write about the special people in real estate that you submit, I have to tell about someone I found accidentally.

I went to Amagansett on a cold morning recently to drop my grandson off at Vinny's for a haircut. He preferred that I not go inside; after all he is a sophomore at East Hampton High. Vinny's was busy and there was a long wait. I decided to take a walk, but I was not dressed warm enough. Shivering, I noticed a real estate office on my way back to the car. I figured I could drop in, warm up, and sit down.

Property listed with The Corcoran Group.

And there at The Corcoran Group office in Amagansett, I found administrator supreme, Arlene Wiseman, who couldn't have been more gracious, competent, more able to calmly handle five things at once, including brokers with stress on their faces and urgency in their voices.

Having moved permanently to Amagansett in 1978, marrying 'Gansett's own Tom Wiseman, Arlene left a computer career in New York City (when computers were in the class of brain surgery: Don't Touch – You'll Lose Everything), and found work in real estate sales - it was one of the few jobs available out east - probably because real estate firms pay only when you make the money.

Finding that sales were not her thing, nor was the timing - interest rates hovered between 14 percent and 21 percent at that time - Wiseman went into administration. She worked for Ed Pospisil, Jack Douglas, Allan Schneider, and now by osmosis: The Corcoran Group.

The Corcoran Group made her Employee of the Month for January. To my mind she could be employee of the generation and administer the whole organization. So thank you, Arlene Wiseman, especially for being so nice to a stranger.

This commendation comes from Kimberley Terry, Office Manager, Town & Country Real Estate, North Fork Offices: "We have a new agent at Town and Country Real Estate's Mattituck office. It is Thea Cohen who previously owned Island East Realty. She has been in the business over nine years selling commercial and residential real estate, as well as buying and selling her own investment properties. Her business has spanned from Hampton Bays to the North Fork as well as Florida."

"Thea began selling real estate in Hampton Bays, after which she spent three years buying, selling and renovating investment properties in Florida. After starting her Riverhead firm, however, Thea decided to focus on sales instead of the administration, and chose to join the Town and Country family. She said she wanted the multi-office exposure without the corporate environment," she continued.

"For her community effort in Riverhead fighting against crime and street gangs, Thea Cohen was recently inducted into the Council for Unity, an organization helping troubled youth find positive direction for their lives."

Recently elected, Southampton Town Justice, the Honorable Edward Burke, Sr., after years as New York State Court of Claims Judge and Acting Supreme Court Judge, has returned to the practice of law with Burke and Sullivan, offices in Southampton, Riverhead and Amagansett. Real Estate law is just one of their specialties. Congratulations again Judge! It was good talking with you after a hard fought campaign.

A realtor story, from Charlene C. Cheshire, Town & Country Real Estate, Manager and Broker in the Westhampton Beach office:

Property for rent with Town & Country Real Estate.

"I have Donna Andersen, starting work here at Town and Country who was a contestant on 'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.' Of 200 people given a pre-audition test, Donna was one of 15 selected. She said, 'they look for people with interesting backgrounds or hobbies. I think I made it because I have a pet pig!' She did not win the million. At the $25,000 mark, asked 'the term "vitriol" is a synonym for which substance: turpentine, lye, sulfuric acid, or chlorine bleach?' Donna chose lye. Wrong!"

"Donna lives in Westhampton Beach with her husband and two children, 12 and 14. Eleven years ago she started buying and selling real estate as an investment. Not long after, Donna realized that real estate would be a great career for a woman with small children who needed a flexible schedule. Now, with a decade in the business, Donna Andersen brings personal experience and expertise to our office."

(What's the matter with the rest of you guys out there? Don't you want to promote your associates with free recognition? It is more interesting than writing about foreclosures, reduced home median prices, collapsing mortgage banks and housing crises, don't you think)?

Most of us can't win it, so we work for it. And East End real estate, though a very strange business, isn't a bad place to try.