Books have always surrounded Cutchogue native Rosemary Winters. As executive director of the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library (27550 Main Road, Cutchogue, 631-734-6360) for the past six years, her love of the printed page foreshadowed a career in covers. Indeed, Winters worked at her hometown library throughout high school and during college breaks. After earning a library science degree, she returned to work there under then-library director Jennifer Fowler.
“She was a great mentor and really fostered my growth,” says Winters. “I love working here because it’s very creative and I can try new things — the community is always looking for something new.”
Living on the North Fork feels right for Winters, who resides in Cutchogue with her husband, Tim, and their two young daughters. “My family is here,” she says, “and my husband is from out here as well. It’s where we want to be.”
Here are a few of Winters’ favorite things:
Favorite author Jane Austen. I love that time period. People would pack up their entire lives to go on a journey to visit someone 10 miles away and stay for months.
Favorite library service that most people don’t know about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. If anyone in our district has kids from birth to age five, they should sign up. The kids get free books once a month. Dolly Parton pays for half and the Friends of the Library pay for the other half. It’s a fantastic program.
Favorite library dream project It’s happening! The library purchased 27700 Main Road, the property adjacent to the library, to address the need for more space for programs and services and to improve parking.
Favorite old-school North Fork business I like the local restaurants that have been around a while, like Legends (835 First St., New Suffolk, 631-734-5123) and Touch of Venice (28350 Main Road, Cutchogue, 631-298-5851). I also like Bagel Lovers (673 Osborn Ave., Riverhead, 631-727-5080). It’s no frills and consistent — it’s just a great place.
Favorite beach I have a few. We go as a family to Duck Pond Road (end of Duck Pond Road, Cutchogue) and walk on the beach. We love Pequash (Dave Allison Park, end of Pequash Avenue, Cutchogue) too for the kids to play on the playground. And New Suffolk Beach (2650 Jackson St., New Suffolk, 631-734-6646) is great for swimming and sunbathing.
Favorite place to see a show The library! We have wonderful regular concerts of every kind coordinated by Dawn Manwaring — classical, jazz, rock. We have an annual outdoor concert in the lower parking lot facing the Village Green; it’s our kickoff for summer reading. This year SouthBound played and we had line-dancing lessons. Outside of that, my husband and I like to go to the brewery (Greenport Harbor Brewing Company, 42155 Main Road, Peconic, 631-477-1100) to see live music.
Favorite local ingredient It has to be Peconic Bay scallops. My husband scallops and always gets a few pounds, which we have over pasta. I also love the local apples, particularly the ones from Woodside Orchards (729 Main Road, Aquebogue, 631-722-5770). We make applesauce — my husband peels them, and I run them through the food mill and cook them down. The kids love it.
Favorite park Tasker Park (Peconic Lane, Peconic, 631-765-1800). It’s a special place. There’s a real community pulse there. They have pickleball leagues and the tennis courts are always full. Like the library, you see people you know, and feel part of the community.
