Gifts. I’ve been stockpiling ‘em since July. It doesn’t always work out every year, but I do try to pick up items as I see them that make me think of family and friends, instead of a big push close to Christmas, the holiday I celebrate. I know I’m not alone here (some of you begin a full year ahead — my sister, Linda, is one of those!). And for those of you rolling your eyes because you haven’t even started, hey, you do you! That’s the beauty of living in a democracy, right? Choices and individual freedoms and the protection of them. If that’s not a gift, I don’t know what is.
But gifts come in lots of forms, don’t they? In kindness, in discovery, in surprise. When contributor Lauren Parker pitched me her story on gratitude journals (p. 58), it really resonated. You’re going to love reading about some of your favorite local folks who take the time to just appreciate what’s around them each day, that act of recording it with pen and paper (and sometimes paints) its own form of therapy.
Speaking of, I don’t know why the smell of pine catches me off guard in the best way every year, but it does. There’s nothing like a beautiful scent to bring you right into the present moment and forget all your troubles for a sec. If you need a shot of winter’s unique perfume, hit up any of the farms and garden centers rounded up by Stephanie Villani on page 30. It’ll give you a little mood boost (and maybe you’ll leave with something for your home, too). Speaking of delicious smells, Doug Young caught up with Cutchogue author and baker Lauren Chattman (p. 107) for her sure-fire recipe for buttery, cream-cheesy, golden pinwheel cookies. Filled with the jam of your choice (like local preserve maven Laura Klahre’s Blossom Meadow), even the most challenged baker can whip up a fool-proof batch and make the whole house smell cookie-licious.
If you’re one of the not-stockpiling kind of gift givers, don’t worry — we’ve got you. Check out our dive into the Outpost by TouchGoods in Jamesport, a new-to-Main-Road shop this year that’s got unique gifts that’ll delight the most hard-to-give person on your Christmas or Hanukkah list (p. 22).
If local artisans are more your gift bag, hop on a ferry to Shelter Island and go visit the thoroughly lovely Mary Lou Eichorn at Cornucopia Gift Shop (p. 112). At 90 years old, this community-minded business owner works seven days a week and has a store chock-a-block with the wares of local knitters, jewelry makers, authors and artists. Full disclosure: I’ve known Mary Lou and, before he passed, her sweet husband, Jordan, since I was 12. They moved to Shelter Island and opened their first incarnation of Cornucopia next door to my dad’s butcher/grocery shop. I’ve been a big fan ever since.
And for all those parties or weekend stays you’ve been invited to? This year, we took a bit of a different approach to our usual annual ode to presents. On p. 88, feast your eyes on our Great Guest Gift Guide — you’ll never have to panic about what to bring to someone’s house again.
A gift that I’m deliriously happy about this season: the return of 18 Bay restaurant, Adam Kopels’ and Elizabeth Ronzetti’s ode to serious local-ingredient love. This is the fourth spot to house their irresistible talents, but this one? It’s permanent. The couple purchased the former Dimon Estate and have transformed it into a cozy, fine-dining spot with enough room to feed their long list of fans. Check out the story of their journey to Jamesport on p. 42.
If seven fish are on your mind, check out Stephanie Villani’s excellent piece on Peeko Oysters’ innovative approach to upping the ante on local oyster farming (p. 72), and I cannot overstate that Pindar’s 2020 Cuvée Rare (p. 24) makes a pretty darned amazing accompaniment to a plate of bivalves.
Whatever gifts you give or get, I hope the season is full of all those good small wonders and happy moments with family and friends. That’s what it’s all about, right?
Happy, happy holidays, friends.
Amy Zavatto
Editor-in-Chief
