What a week, this weekend we took advantage of the good weather and drove out to North Fork New York and visit several vineyards. It is always lovely to be able to unwind and enjoy our time off out of the city.When we took some time off, we also like to put our phone away so we can actually enjoy the scenery and give our brains a break.The vineyard was very nice, all the grapes have came in and we are ready for the FALL Harvest.Hope your weekend was productive! 09/23/2012

  There is the most beautiful garden shop in Greenport.  The selection of plants and flowers were just so healthy and beautiful.  They also have such a different assortment of gift.  You can find the usual but what really stands out is the unusual and tasteful gifts. Clarke'sGarden is located at 416 Main Street in Greenport, NY.  You can call for more information at 631-477-6770 or visit their website at www.clarkesgarden.com Greenport is a pretty town on the North Fork of Suffolk County in Long Island.  You can catch the ferry to Shelter Island in Greenport. 09/01/2012

This memorial Day Weekend (May26-27 and 28) the maritime village of Greenport is hosting the Tall Ships Challenge 2012! Although many ships van be viewed from adjoining docks and waterfront areas - the village sells tickets to truly participate in the event The TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Race is a series of sailing races, cruises, crew rallies and maritime festivals organized by Tall Ships America in conjunction with US and Canadian ports on the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America and in the Great Lakes. Traditionally-rigged sailing vessels from Canada, the US and other countries are crewed by youth (either civilians or cadets) ages 13 - 25 who are engaged in sail training programs under the supervision of captains and professional crewmembers. Maritime festivals in each host port ... 05/16/2012

Authored by: Sean Stark September 11th, 2008 I want to help promote this great effort by a great few in celebrating and taking part in this local sailing event. As you may or may not know, we are avid sailors here in our local waters of Eastern Long Island and the Peconics. So it is of great interest to see something from former sailing generations being polished up for us today. The Brooklyn Ocean Challenge Cup, 2008. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Chinese Y.C. and Old Cove Y.C. to host centennial Brooklyn Ocean Challenge Cup – October 3rd, 2008 Greenport, New York, September 8th, 2008 – The Chinese Y.C. and Old Cove Y.C. will host the centennial Brooklyn Ocean Challenge Cup on October 3, 2008. The race originating in Greenport Harbor and around Block Island will revive the historic CYC perpet... 09/10/2008

Authored by: Laurie MindnichAugust 4th, 2008 I read with interest the following article, published by The New York Times on June 18, 1989. The author was Barbara Klaus. Link to the article below. The Talk of the North Fork; Past Riverhead, Suburbia Looms Ever Closer "At the Hargrave Vineyard here, Abigail Bakker is packaging newly bottled wine. As on other weekdays on Long Island's North Fork, it's quiet. The grapes are swelling on the vines and the roads are all but empty. Now in her 20's, she remembers how it was when she moved here as a child."   While there has certainly been growth in the years between 1989 and 2008, the North Fork of Long Island retains much of the charm that was present when the "locals" expressed a bit of dismay over the changing landscape. "On Saturdays between... 08/04/2008

What’s A Grandma To Do? Authored by: Laurie MindnichJune 29th, 2008 As a very recent member of the gramma "club", I've been searching out activities for children (grandchildren) on the North Fork of Long Island. Whether you live on the North Fork, simply vacation here, or are like many, considering retirement here, my new perspective on this area is full of possibilities. Quite frankly, short of owning a property in an amusement park, this is truly a spectacular place in which to enjoy the experiences offered to our beloved "little ones." As people who love sailing, Callie's first visit (OK- she'll need to be more than the day old that she currently is) will be to the Southold sailing club for kids. Learning to handle a boat, and all of the safety rules, will be imperative for her when... 06/29/2008

Authored by: Laurie MindnichDecember 16th, 2007  With just a few weeks to do holiday shopping, the motivation kicked in, and I headed to the Tanger Outlet in Riverhead, New York. The home of such fabulous outlet stores such as Coach, Ralph Lauren, J Crew, Ann Taylor, and a host of others, it seemed the logical gift-giving locale. For some items, it worked. For other more unique items, however, I found myself delighted with the Greenport, New York opportunities. Greenport, having experienced its own magical rejuvenation, offers gifts that TALK. I don’t mean whisper- I mean figuratively reach out and scream, “I’M THE ONE”! While Tanger offers great buys on quality merchandise, it is (perhaps due to the onslaught of catalogues this time of year) somewhat generic. Or, perhaps I just arrived... 12/16/2007

As the holiday season kicks in for 2007 the snow is falling across the North Fork.  Greenport has the light poles emblazened with mermaids and sailing ships made of twinkling lights. As I walk the village streets at night looking into the window displays I notice the holiday music waifing out of Barbeque Bills.  Southold village has the holiday lights on the trees and I made a mental note to start my day early to take pictures with the fresh blanket of snow.  My best find so far is a tractor at the farm stand with a red light glowing on the front like Rudolf.  On my way through Jamesport this afternoon I stopped at the Glass Greenhouse to pick up fresh flowers for a friends dinner party and made a quick appearance at our Jamesport offices holiday party. What a great day!  12/13/2007

Despite the incredibly cold weather, we were teased by spring yesterday in the North Fork.  While it's certainly premature to seek out budding trees and flowers, the warmer weather has made it all seem so PROMISING...another summer in our little vineyard laden, water encompassed enclave...the activities will soon begin!  Topping the list of many will be the presence of our  boats (some big!) that now remain snug in their wrap- but seemingly, a bit restless.  The temptation to get into the season prematurely begins with this first taste of spring...but we'll wait out the inevitable blast of winter's final exhale- hoping against hope that it is that last of this weather! 02/22/2007