A Stately Retreat for Captain and First Mate

PHOTO BY DAVID KORCHINThe Fordham House, a shipbuilder’s gem located in Greenport, reopens with a whole new look and vibe. Conveniently located just on the outskirts of the village this stately home offers its guests not only 3 newly appointed guestrooms that are stately, elegant and fitted for comfort but lots of space, both indoors and out, for relaxing with a good book or engaging in a lively game of croquet out on the sprawling lawn. Get more info.

Sugar or Wafer?

PHOTO BY DAVID KORCHINThe Idle Hour, Orient Village’s charming ice cream parlor scoops up creamy, organic goodness, sourced from Brooklyn based Blue Marble ice cream and good old fashioned Hershey’s. The favorite flaves go to mint chocolate chip, cappuccino crunch, organic cinnamon and cotton candy. Rosy Brown, the owner and operator, also sells T-shirts, aprons, kid’s beach clothes and hand towels, all hand sewn in India with proceeds going to aid India’s needy children… it's all around goodness.

Totable

PHOTO BY DAVID KORCHINThis seasons must have bag is a classic, with no waiting list! What began in 1880 still continues today at Wm. J. Mills & Co. Beautifully constructed and hand-crafted by master sewers who use traditional techniques making the bags strong and long lasting. Working out of the oldest sail loft in America these craftsmen create bags in all shapes, sizes and colors. There’s the Classic Tote and Cargo, designed over 60 years ago and still going strong and the Flight Bag that adds a touch of Roman Holiday to any adventure.  We like their new line of oilcloth bags for their rugged good looks! Located in Greenport or find them online.

A Serendipitous Juncture

PHOTO VIA JEDEDIAH HAWKINSMr Luce, former sous-chef for the White House, named Food and Wine’s Top 10 chefs and a James Beard Foundation award winner, returned to his roots, thankfully, and in 2008 opened Luce & Hawkins, housed in the beautifully restored Jedediah Hawkins Inn in Jamesport. The dining room: elegant yet approachable. The staff: attentive yet unobtrusive. The food: simply amazing. It’s all locally sourced with some coming as far as the kitchen’s own vegetable garden out back. Luce is quoted as reaching a point in his life where integrity, craft and heritage all meet. And we’re happy it’s all happening in Jamesport. Get more info.

Jam-elicious

PHOTO BY DAVID KORCHINOysterponds Farm, started in 2003, is the creation of the Apostle and Stevenson families, mother, father, daughter and son-in-law. All share in the responsibilities of growing, harvesting and stirring up batches of the best jam on the fork. Only using sustainable methods of farming they produce 6 varieties, Blueberry (their newest addition), Red Raspberry, Strawberry, Blackberry, Golden Raspberry and Black Raspberry which all contain just 3 ingredients: berries, sugar and pectin. Pure and simple. Drive by the farm, located in Orient, Monday thru Saturday and pick up a few jars off their charming farm stand just outside the farms gates.

A Bookstore. How Quaint.

PHOTO BY JONI RENTZIf you’re a lover of books, the kind with a cover and pages in-between, then head over to Love Lane in Mattituck where you’ll find the most recent addition to the hood, Book Hampton. It’s comforting to know bookstores like this still exist. Oversized white washed tables proudly showcase the most recent and noteworthy of covers while the stacks house a choice selection ranging from fiction to sci-fi, and everything in between. Put down your e-book and pick up a real book.

67 Steps

PHOTO BY JONI RENTZDon’t let the number of stairs intimidate you from this idyllic beach location on the sound in Greenport. It's the perfect spot for a late afternoon swim or picnic as you watch the sun dip into the water. Tuck in behind one of the giant boulders that line the beach for your own private oasis. And here's a bit of tradition: Leave a stone along the railing at the top of the stairs to commemorate your visit. MAP IT.

Just Peachy

PHOTO BY JONI RENTZJuly is not only time to celebrate our independence but it’s also the time to celebrate the start of peach season here on the North Fork. From Yellow to White, Clingstone to Freestone and even Donut get the very best in peaches at Wickham’s Fruit Farm located on the Main Road in Cutchogue and Davis’ Peach Farm located in Wading River. Here's what else you can look forward to during the summer harvest.

Strawberries: May - June
Beans: June - Sept
Broccoli: June - Nov
Cabbage: June - Nov
Lettuce: June - Oct
Peas: June – July
Squash: June – Oct
Blueberries: July - Sept
Cauliflower: July - Nov
Corn: July - Oct
Cucumbers: July - Sept
Eggplant: July - Oct
Melons: July - Aug
Peaches: July – Sept
Peppers: July – Oct
Raspberries: July - Aug
Tomatoes: July – Oct
Apples: Aug - Oct
Potatoes: Aug - Oct
Pears: Aug - Sept
Plums: Aug - Sept

The North Fork Lights

PHOTO BY DAVID KORCHINEvery night the sky on the North Fork lights up with a dazzling array of stars. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, they put on a show. Here is this years line up of star gazing events. To get an up close look, head to our very own observatory, The Custer Institute, where there are stargazing events every Saturday night, weather permitting, and where you can get your hands on their high powered telescopes.

Sat/April 21: Lyrid Meteor Shower
Sat/April 28: Saturn Appreciation Night (weather permitting)
Sun/May 6: Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
Mon/June 4: Partial lunar eclipse, viewable from midnight until dawn
Thurs/June 7: Arietids Meteor Showers
Sat/July 28: Southern Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower
Sat/Aug 11: Perseid Meteor Shower
Sat/Aug 25: Neptune Appreciation Night (weather permitting)
Fri/Aug 31: Blue moon (when a full moon occurs twice during one month)
Sat/Oct. 20: Orionid Meteor Shower
Sat/Nov 17: Leonid Meteor Shower
Wed/Nov 28: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
Sat/Dec 1: Jupiter Appreciation Night (weather permitting)
Sat/Dec 15: Geminid Meteor Shower