Jones Beach Bandshell Concert

A no-brainer destination for any Friday evening during the summer is the Jones Beach Boardwalk Bandshell, field 4, to listen to garage bands. On August 14th, a perfect evening for a concert, Brothers of the Road, (click for my space link,) an Allman Brothers tribute cover band, played.Drive over the bridges to the barrier island known as Jones Beach, which is in Nassau County. The iconic Tower, patterned after Italian monuments that the visionary Robert Moses saw in Europe, under construction this year, is the first symbol of Jones Beach that you see after the bridges.Everyone walks through the tunnel, making the required noises inside, that everyone growing up in Nassau County made, thenyou come to the boardwalk. With the flag poles and special details, the boardwalk looks like the deck of a huge ocean liner. As kids we were treated to a cruise without the expense, and a vacation on one of the most beautiful and largest public beaches in the world.Millions of people came to this beach in the 50's & 60's, with their children, the boomer generation. Parents went to the Marine Theater and danced on the concrete after the main performance, as Guy Lombardo played in the Bandshell, on the boardwalk. Now with trendy concert lighting, and sound systems the Art Deco building is the home of the free summer concert series.People sit on the bleachers, but with the advent of the collapsable sling chair, they collect on the concrete dance floor to watch the bands. With the classic orange, back, green, & brick striped canvas awning, the snack bar remains eternal. As the sun went down on the boardwalk, people gathered to listen to the band.When things were quiet, we got to talk with one of the two drummers, Chris Pagano.My brother put his new recording device in order to get the best available portable sound. A DJ from a Long Island radio station made the intros and gave away tickets to upcoming concerts.
All the elements were there, concert dog,concert tee shirts,fancy cars,lights.Turned out to be a wonderful night filled with memories, and the sounds of a Long Island band.

The Suydam Homestead Centerport, L.I., N.Y.

Today was a day for volunteering at the Suydam Homestead in Centerport, Long Island.This historic property is managed and maintained by the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association. Click on the highlighted letters for more info about GCHA.This home dates from c.1750 and was occupied by members of the Suydam family from the late 18th century until 1957.In 1989 the Association purchased the house, and has restored it to its late 18th century appearance.The keeping room has the original deep fireplace, crane, and
beehive oven.
There is a display of local crocks, and a very interesting postcard display showing the many resorts and places of summer fun located in Centerport.Enlargements of vintage postcards are cleverly exhibited on a series of paneled doors.The display is rather like a maze, as one follows the postcards around the space inside the Suydam Homestead.Interesting small artifacts, local maps, ephemera,ironware, pottery, and a tombstone, can be discovered at this interesting small house museum.Find this very sweet hand drawn and colored world map by Gertrude, a Suydam family member. She reversed the names of the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.This is a wonderful place to spend an hour or two on a Sunday. If the sign says "Open" better stop by and visit.
The annual Pickle Festival will be held at the other property managed by the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association, the John Gardiner Farm, on Saturday September 26th, 2009.

Woolly Bears & Mint Tea

Every year fuzzy Woolly Bears pop up in the Jarvis House Garden. Are they amazingly correct predictors of winter weather? This year a Woolly Bear was clinging to a Yew bush and looked brown all over. In the past they were colored black on both ends, or showed up completely black. Can the colorations of Woolly Bears indicate the coming temperatures?A brown Woolly Bear forecasts a mild winter, while a completely black Woolly Bear foretells a cold winter. Black bands on either end of the caterpillar predict changing temperatures. It might not be science but this sort of folk prophesy is fun to think about, especially if you are lucky enough to find a Woolly Bear in the garden. Meanwhile, another brown critter was feasting on clover in the driveway.Except for an occasional spraying of Poison Ivy, the Jarvis Garden is organic. Rabbits love clover in the lawn, and especially the stems of Dandelions. Some people spend a lot of time trying to eradicate these plants from their lawns, but if you want happy Rabbits, they should be allowed to grow naturally.Mint Iced Tea is a staple in the Jarvis House kitchen all summer long.Snip long stems of Mint and wash them in cold tap water. Cut them down into short lengths and put in a pottery bowl with lots of water. Put the bowl into the microwave and nuke for about 8-10 minutes. On a hot day, boiling the water on the stove top makes the kitchen really warm. Carefully remove the bowl with potholders and add tea bags. If your teabags do not have paper tags, strings, and staples you can add them while in the microwave. Otherwise just remove the paper tags and push them into the hot Minty water with a wooden spoon.Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate for a refreshing drink. Take time out on a hot day to hydrate, while you are outside gardening. The Brewing Mint Tea gives a nice aroma to the house on muggy afternoons, when company is expected.