In her famous Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery wrote “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
There is something undeniably radiant about this month perhaps everywhere but especially here on the North Fork. From robust fall produce to water that’s still warm enough to go for a swim, this is the month that shines brightest on the Fork for those who look to feel its rays.
It’s news to no one that the shift to harvest brings thousands flocking to the region for wine, pumpkins, and pies but I’d argue that the magnetic pull is about more than that. This is the season that feels most celebratory on the North Fork radiating through our hamlets with a calm, warm buzz deeply rooted in nostalgia.
For farmers, October invites reflection on a long growing season with feelings of fulfillment and lessons learned. For business owners, it marks the survival of the summer high as they fully exhale for the first time since MDW. For visitors and locals alike, we savor each golden day that gives way to sharply orange skies, squirreling away seashells and rocks in our pockets to serve as reminders of time well spent. All these moments are celebrations within their own rights.
In this issue, you’ll find stories that celebrate the harvest season in ways you may not have considered before. Take monkfish for example, this overlooked fish gets the spotlight that it so well deserves albeit a tiny bit scary to look at. You’ll read about Nancy DePas who has celebrated her family’s heritage through the tradition of saving seeds. You’ll find three recipes that perfectly capture the essence of the harvest season begging you to make them far into first frost. And you’ll also learn about one of the last legacy potato farmers on the East End, and certainly, on the North Fork, the challenges they face, and why the dwindling industry deserves to be celebrated. These stories and more radiate harvest on the North Fork.
Sure, there’s traffic, and turns west on Sound Avenue are daunting but let’s collectively look past that. The harvest season is here, and all are welcome to celebrate it.
Michelina Da Fonte
Content Director
