Fall is my favorite season.
The air crisps, the leaves on the trees begin their golden transition and on the North Fork there are pumpkins and scarecrows and all manner of good-natured “spookiness” scattered across the region’s vast fields and farms. And I have to admit, as a lifelong lover of all things scary, Halloween is my favorite holiday.
But don’t worry — this issue isn’t filled with horror. While I may live for a scary movie marathon, I also acknowledge that not everyone has the stomach for the darker things in life. Besides, Halloween is but a small part of fall fun, especially on the North Fork, which is filled with activities suited to an array of interests.
Take, for example, our journey through the cosmos at the Custer Institute. Times Review associate editor Angela Colangelo is a self-proclaimed night sky nerd (her words, not mine!) and spent time at the Southold observatory, where she learned a great deal about the organization’s history and the unique activities on offer. You don’t have to identify as a “nerd” to admire the stars, or the mysteries they hold.
If, like me, you have a ton of seemingly useless knowledge floating around in your head, you’re in good company! I love going with a group of friends to the many trivia nights around the East End. Years ago, I met quiz master Paul Johnson at one of his high-energy, rollicking trivia nights at Townline BBQ in Sagaponack, and I caught up with him — and other trivia hosts on both Forks — to talk about the trivia trend.
We tasked our outdoorsy contributor, Sal Vaglica, with finding some of the most beautiful and interesting hiking trails on the North Fork, just in time for the cooler weather. Most of these hikes are great for families and not too physically taxing, so check out what Sal came up with — and learn some vital information about tick safety.
Have you heard the legend of the Sea Queen? Chances are you haven’t heard of this sea queen. Regina Migdalski is a highly skilled and experienced commercial fisherman who told her fascinating story to contributor and “The Fisherman’s Wife” cookbook author Stephanie Villani. Photographer Jeremy Garretson even went out on Migdalski’s boat, capturing her work at sea.
Of course, I couldn’t resist putting a little bit of spooky shenanigans in this issue. Victoria Caruso found some atmospheric and informative historical “haunted” tours of graveyards and other ghostly spots coming up throughout the month.
If you decide to take a drive through the fall foliage, perhaps you’ll be compelled to stop at one of the many cool antique shops on the North Fork. Doug Young explores some thrifty finds.
Times Review Media Group lifestyle editor-in-chief Amy Zavatto gets in on the fall fabulousness, too — check out her shopping trip to quirky Greenport boutique Kessie (complete with a skull decanter).
As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, I hope you’ll bask in the fall season on the North Fork as much as you can.
