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When we think of autumn we think of fresh apple cider, picking pumpkins from the vine and tastefully decorating our homes for the season, and for Halloween! Long Island is an unforgettable place for enjoying all fall has to offer and we've got you covered with a list of upcoming events you don't want to miss. Plus, read on for East End destinations the whole family can enjoy, a seasonal recipe and so much more.
Cleaning Up Leaves
Removingleaves from the yard is a task that homeowners must perform each fall. Thousands upon thousands of leaves can drop from a single tree. Multiply that by the number of trees on a property, and it’s no surprise the task of leaf cleanup can seem so daunting. Furthermore, not all leaves are shed at the same time, so several cleanup sessions may be necessary before the last leaf is banished from the yard. Just like removing snow, leaf cleanup can be a taxing job if done by hand. For people unaccustomed to exercise, cleaning up leaves can turn into quite a workout. According to the Discovery Health Calorie Counter, raking leaves for one hour can burn nearly 292 calories. Raking leaves is considered moderate physical activity, similar to brisk walking. Those who find themselves straining or out of breath should take a break, and these tips also make the job safer and easier.
• Wear layers when cleaning up leaves. It may be cool at first, but it’s easy to work up a sweat after raking for awhile. Layers can be peeled off so as not
to get overheated or risk hypothermia from sweating in chilly temps.
• Pay attention to your posture while raking. James Weinstein, chairman of the Department of Orthopedics at Dartmouth Medical School, recommends forming a wide base with the feet and holding the rake slightly toward the end of the handle with one hand three-quarters of the way down the handle from the other. Do not twist the spine; move your entire body. Switch sides periodically.
• Do not try to rake or blow leaves on windy days. Wind will only make the task that much more difficult, which could lead to overworking oneself.
• Avoid overfilling bags. For those who plan to mulch and bag leaves, remember that compressed leaves can get heavy pretty quickly. Do not over-fill bags, as they can be hard to move or bring to a recycling center.
Apple & Pumpkin Picking Tips
Although scores of people cite summer as their favorite time of year, autumn also is a beloved season. Cool breezes and crisp air seem tailor-made for afternoons spent enjoying the great outdoors. The pleasant autumn weather and awe-inspiring foliage may be the reason so many festivals and outdoor events are scheduled this time of year. Apple- and pumpkin-picking are popular fall pastimes. Neighborhood orchards open their doors to the public, allowing men, women and children to scour their fields and trees for the perfect finds. Heed these picking tips to make the experience even more of a success.
APPLES
Many orchards that have open picking seasons plant dwarf apple trees to make the picking process easier, particularly for young children, so there’s no need to bring along a ladder. You should be able to find plenty of apples close to the ground.
A good farmer will know when certain varieties of apples are ripe, and he or she will likely cordon off trees that are not ready for picking. Ripe apples will be crisp and firm. Keep in mind that apples ripen from the outside of the tree inward. Those are the ones usually picked first, anyway.
Try to get to an orchard earlier in the season. If you wait too long, the trees may be picked of most of the best fruit. Depending on where you live, apple-picking season may begin in mid-September and continue into mid-October.
Apples can bruise, so don’t toss them into baskets when picking. Also, wait to wash apples until right before eating to prevent moisture-related spoilage. Apples keep best in a cool location.
PUMPKINS
Pumpkin patches are often found in close proximity to apple orchards. Picking pumpkins to eat or decorate the home is a
popular autumn activity, one that families often enjoy together.
When visiting a pumpkin patch, dress accordingly. That means wearing shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, as the patch may be muddy. Layer clothing in case it is a chilly day. Breezes are more pronounced in open fields.
Pumpkins are “long-keepers,” which means if they are uncut or not damaged, they can last for several weeks. This means you can pick pumpkins at the same time as apples. When selecting a pumpkin, look for one that is completely orange. After picking, a green or yellow pumpkin may never ripen to orange.
Bring along a small wagon and knife so that you can cut the vine, if necessary. Pumpkins are heavy, and a wagon will come in handy, especially with youngsters in tow.
Ripe pumpkins should not dent easily. Examine your pumpkin for holes or insects, which could indicate internal rot that greatly reduces the shelf life of the pumpkin. Remember, carving the pumpkin reduces its life expectancy, so be sure to reserve that task until close to Halloween.
If you desire a pumpkin to turn into a baked treat or other dish, you will need a type of small, sweet cooking pumpkin known as a “sugar pumpkin.” The meat of this pumpkin is much less stringy and more smooth than decorative pumpkin varieties.
Autumn is the season for apple and pumpkin-picking. This is a great way to spend an afternoon with the family. If possible, visit an orchard on a weekday, when the crowds will be much smaller than weekends.
Suffolk County Girl Scout Awarded
TheGirl Scouts of Suffolk County today announced that Morgan Bissell, 19, of Sayville, has been awarded a $5,000 Gold Award scholarship from the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) for her project helping Long Island teens struggling with mental health issues find local counseling resources. The GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship recognizes one outstanding Gold Award Girl Scout per council whose project exemplifies leadership and sustainable impact and addresses an issue of national or global significance.
could help people who were looking for it,” said Morgan. “These resources are also meant to help families and loved ones of the people who are struggling. My family, especially my mom, a social worker, has always been super supportive.”
The Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouting. Close to 3,000 Girl Scouts –including 42 on Long Island – in the 2024 Gold Award Class found meaningful ways to address some of the most pressing issues facing their communities, acted on issues they are passionate about, and discovered they have the power to create the future they want.
Morgan, who will be a sophomore at the University of Albany this fall, hopes her resources will serve as a guide
own local directory of mental health resources.
“We’re so proud of Morgan not just for her work but for how well she represents everyone who is part of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County,” said Tammy Severino, CEO of GSSC. “Girls who earn this recognition set themselves apart from their peers through their perseverance and grit.”
The Gold Award class of 2024 contributed more than a quarter of a million hours and invested over $1.6M toward creating long-term solutions to community issues they’re passionate about. Gold Award Girl Scouts across the world completed Gold Award projects focused on education, children’s issues, health, environment and sustainability,
As part of the project, Morgan created a website that includes links to local
organizations and services, definitions of a crisis, good habits for mental health and her personal reflections on her own journey with diagnosed depression. She also created a printed brochure that has been placed in schools and libraries in her Sayville community. The project, which took two years to complete, was created in coordination with a mental health professional.
I struggled with my own mental health issues a lot, because when I needed it, I didn’t know where to look for help. There was a lack of resources available to me. Nobody knew about them, and I created this hoping I
—John Pawluk, Twisted Cow Distillery, East Northport
Infusing local ingredients into distilled spirits. This has been John Pawluk’s dream since he opened Twisted Cow Distillery in East Northport. Through programs like our Main Street Revitalization and Vacant Space Revival, John qualified for more than $35,000 in incentives.*
How can we help support your small business? psegliny.com/EcoDev
*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.
Chowder Ideal For An Autumn Afternoon
Thearrival of autumn signifies many changes, and cuisine is no exception. Some foods just match up with certain seasons. Such is the case with the following recipe for "Corn Chowder with Chiles and Monterey Jack" from "The Culinary Institute of America Book of Soups" (Lebhar-Friedman). Though it works year-round, this recipe is ideal for that first brisk autum afternoon.
Directions:
Cut the corn kernels from the cobs with a sharp knife, capturing as much juice as possible. Reserve 3/4 cup corn kernels. Puree the remaining corn, along with the heavy cream, in a food processor or blender. Set aside.
Cook the bacon in a soup pot over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Add the onion, pepper, celery, and garlic. Cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the broth, potatoes and tomatoes, including their juices. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Skim any fat from the surface of the soup and discard.
Add the pureed corn and cream, reserved corn kernels and chiles and
Corn Chowder With Chiles And Monterey Jack
Serves 8
6 ears corn, shucked
1 cup heavy cream
2 slices bacon, minced
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 red bell pepper, minced
1 celery stalk, finely diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 quarts chicken broth
3 yellow or white potatoes, peeled and diced
3 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped, juices reserved
1 4-ounce can green chiles, drained and chopped
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup corn tortilla strips, toasted, optional Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Tabasco sauce, to taste
cheese. Warm the soup. Season with salt, pepper and Tabasco. Serve in heated bowls, garnished with tortilla strips, if using.
Smoked Corn and Chile Chowder With Monterey Jack
Do not try this smoking process unless you have a well-ventilated kitchen. Turn the exhaust fan on high and monitor constantly.
Substitute 2 fresh poblano chiles for the canned green chiles. Core and remove the seeds from the poblanos and red bell pepper. Cut into large flat pieces, approximately 4-inches square.
To smoke the corn and peppers, place fine wood chips in a disposable aluminum roasting pan fitted with a wire rack (if your rack does not have feet, use balls of aluminum foil to raise the rack a few inches above the wood
chips). Use only wood chips that are specifically meant for smoking food. Have ready a fitted cover or aluminum foil large enough to cover the pan. Heat the roasting pan over high heat until the wood chips begin to smolder and smoke. Place the corn and pepper sections on the wire rack over the smoking chips. If the chips are smoldering and creating sufficient smoke, remove the pan from the heat. Otherwise, reduce the heat to low. The idea is to keep the chips smoldering, but to keep them from catching fire. Cover tightly with the lid or aluminum foil and allow the vegetables to smoke for about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the foil and allow the vegetables to cool. Dice the sections of red pepper and poblano chile.
Proceed with the master recipe, adding the poblanos along with the red pepper.
Autumn Yard Work Gone
Green
Autumnmarks the time to transition from the hot days of summer to the chilly weather of winter. As people remove sweaters and long pants from storage, cleaning up their yards also may be on their minds. Fall is a season of beautiful foliage, but once that magical color show is over, thousands of leaves have fallen to the ground, necessitating a few weekends’ worth of yard work. Some homeowners may be on the lookout for environmentally friendly ways to handle autumn yard work, and thankfully there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to tackle such tasks.
LEAVES
The tallest task with regard to fall yard work is collecting the leaves that fall to the ground. Some homeowners prefer to wait until all of the leaves have fallen before starting the collection process, while others handle the task in stages to make it
You won’t need to dispose of all the leaves you collect. Shred some to use as mulch, which can prevent soil erosion during the winter. Some leaves can be added to compost piles or used as a soil ammendment in planting beds.
COMPOST
Autumn is an ideal time of year to get started on building a compost bin. Take advantage of the cooler temperatures to make outdoor work more comfortable.
When choosing a location for your compost bins, be sure to place them a good distance away from the house but near enough to garden beds. Most yard waste and food debris can be added to the compost pile. Just avoid animal products, which can produce harmful bacteria.
more manageable. Regardless of your timing, skip the noisy gas- or electric-powered leaf blower in favor of a reliable rake. Raking not only collects the leaves but also helps men and women burn calories while ensuring they are not creating any noise or air pollution.
Invest in a durable, ergonomic rake to get the job done quickly and without injury. Innovators are constantly reinventing the rake, and now there are designs that do not trap leaves, saving homeowners from the time-consuming tasks of cleaning the rake’s teeth. Rake on a calm day so the wind isn’t thwarting your efforts.
When it comes time to bag the leaves, use biodegradable paper bags or look for mesh-like bags that are made from cornstarch. These are more eco-friendly than plastic bags, which can take much longer to decompose.
According to the Audubon Society, American yards generate two tons of clippings each year. A lot of that waste ends up being bagged and thrown away. Instead of producing waste, compost leaves and grass trimmings to use as valuable fertilizer come the spring planting season.
Keep the compost damp and turn it periodically to facilitate the decomposition process. Soak finished compost in water to create “compost tea.” This liquid mixture can be sprayed on lawns in the fall to give the yard a nutrient boost that promotes healthy regrowth when the warmer weather returns.
Happy Raking!
AUTUMN HAPPENINGS
There’s plenty to do on Long Island, but we’ve gathered information on just a few upcoming events that will surely be a good time!
CEDAR BEACH BLUES ON THE HARBOR FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 21 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM & 22 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM • 101A EAST BROADWAY, PORT JEFFERSON
The Port Jefferson Arts Council and Doc Blues in cooperation with Long Island Blues Society and WUSB 90.1FM presents Cedar Beach Blues on the Harbor. For the second year, this iconic festival will be held at Harborfront Park and will feature talented blues musicians.
LONG ISLAND FALL HOME SHOW
SEPTEMBER 28 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM & SUNDAY 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM • 1255 HEMPSTEAD TPKE., UNIONDALE
Head to the Long Island Fall Home Show to be inspired, motivated and excited for your upcoming home improvement project. This event is designed for homeowners who are in all stages of remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes. Guests can enjoy exhibits with product demonstrations, expert advice and more.
FISH HATCHERY FALL FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 28 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM • 1660 ROUTE 25A COLD SPRING HARBOR
The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium will be holding a Fall Festival and Fundraiser on September 28, with a rain date of October 5. This event will be fun for the whole family, offering music, games, live animal encounters, food, kids fishing and environmental exhibitors.
LONG ISLAND BREW FEST
OCTOBER 5 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM • 152 THE ARCHES CIRCLE, DEER PARK
Tanger Outlets Deer Park will be hosting this event on October 5th. In the spirit of Oktoberfest, a traditional German celebration of beer and countrymen will be held with over 150 styles of craft beer featuring many NY Breweries! Guests will enjoy unlimited craft beer samples, along with live entertainment, food and interactive games.
Natural Ways To Fight Fall Allergies
Asthe days become shorter and the weather cools down, a new crop of allergy symptoms can arise, turning the autumn season into one marked by sneezing, scratchy throats and itchy eyes. Medications can alleviate such symptoms, but allergy sufferers may want to investigate some natural ways to beat allergies. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, ragweed is one of the more common triggers of autumnal allergies. Ragweed contributes to “hay fever,” which is a term to describe allergic rhinitis that occurs as a symptom of ragweed pollen in the air. Ragweed releases pollen in mid-August, and it can continue to be problematic until a deep freeze arrives. Other sources of fall allergies include leaf mold and pollen that is present on fallen leaves. This gets circulated when people begin to rake or blow fallen leaves. Classroom pets and chalk dust in schools (although chalkboards are largely a thing of the past) are other autumn allergens.
The good news is that many natural remedies work just as effectively as over-the-counter medications in regard to combatting ragweed and pollen problems. Here’s how to beat the fall allergy blues.
• Stay Away From Pollen. Stay away from pollen and prevent it from being tracked indoors. Remove shoes when walking through the door. Take off clothes worn outside and launder
them promptly, showering to wash pollen off of the body. Use an air conditioner or keep windows closed when the pollen count is high.
• Increase Omega-3 Fatty Acids. It is well documented that fatty acids are good for brain health and cardiovascular well-being, but these acids also may help with allergies. A German study linked foods high in omega-3 fatty acids with the ability to fight inflammation, which is a hallmark of allergy suffering. Foods that are high in fatty acids include walnuts, flax, eggs, and coldwater fatty fish.
• Rinse Off Pollen. Use a mild cleanser to rinse the eyelids and eyelashes of pollen, as this is where it tends to congregate after being outdoors. Use saline spray to clear nasal passages of excess pollen as well.
• Take Natural Supplements. A study published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy found participants who used tablets of the herb butterbar showed significant allergy relief after only one week. Select herbs from reputable manufacturers who certify them.
• Use Eucalyptus Oil. This oil is great to have in the house to help clear up sinuses and provide nasal congestion relief. Mix a small amount with coconut oil and rub onto the chest. There also is some evidence that adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to cleansing products can help kill dust mites around the house.
• Wear A Mask. When doing housework or yard work, wear a mask to reduce the inhalation of specific allergens.
K. Thompson Foods Cuts Ribbon on Long Island’s First The Fresh
Grocer
TheFresh Grocer celebrated the grand opening of its newest store – its first on Long Island – in Oakdale, NY on August 23.
Located at 885 Montauk Highway in Lighthouse Commons, the 26,000-square-foot store offers fresh prepared foods, groceries and produce in a full-service supermarket format. The store is owned and operated by K. Thompson Foods, the familyrun company operated by Ken Thompson, Sr. as well as his son, Ken Thompson Jr.; grandson, Ken Thompson III; and sister Danielle Johnston. The family also runs ShopRite stores in Deer Park, Uniondale and Riverhead, NY.
“We are proud to expand our family business and offer our Long Island customers a new shopping experience with our latest store, The Fresh Grocer in Oakdale,” said Ken Thompson Jr., chief operating officer of K. Thompson Foods. “This new store continues to showcase our commitment to offer incredible value, quality and service, along with the convenience of a smaller format grocery store.”
The Fresh Grocer banner is part of the retailer-owned cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. and an accomplished supermarket specializing in high quality, fresh prepared foods that meet the needs, tastes and traditions of the
communities in which the stores are located.
The Fresh Grocer in Oakdale features a fromscratch bakery with special occasion cakes, pastries and freshly made bread; a meat department where trained butchers custom cut meat for customers; a full-service seafood department with daily, fresh-catch deliveries; a deli featuring made-toorder sandwiches; a fresh prepared foods department with grab-and-go items; and catering services. The Fresh Grocer store also offers a wide selection of international products and cheeses, sushi and frozen, dairy and floral departments.
The Thompson family’s new store continues to offer a wide variety of highquality fresh groceries and restaurant-quality take home meals with best-in-market pricing, as well as awardwinning Bowl & Basket, Wholesome Pantry and Paperbird private label products that are also found in ShopRite. Online shopping
services are available on TheFreshGrocer.com, or on TheFreshGrocer mobile app.
The new store is outfitted with the latest energy-saving and sustainable technologies, including LED lighting and environmentally friendly refrigerant systems.
About The Fresh Grocer:
The Fresh Grocer, a registered trademark of Wakefern Food Corp., a retailer-owned cooperative based in Keasbey, NJ and the largest supermarket cooperative in the United States, is an accomplished supermarket specializing in providing high quality fresh foods and groceries in urban and suburban neighborhoods. The Fresh Grocer is committed to understanding local needs, tastes and traditions and improving food access for its customers, associates, and communities. For more information, please visit www.thefreshgrocer.com.
East End Destinations To Head To This Fall
Long Island is one of the most desirable places to go pumpkin-picking. You’re able to find several different patches to peruse, many of which also offer hayrides, mazes and more. Read on to learn about some of our favorites, then pack your bags and head out east this fall for a family-friendly day of fun!
FINKS COUNTRY FARM
6242 MIDDLE COUNTRY ROAD, WADING RIVER
Head to Finks Country Farm now through October 31 and on Columbus Day from 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM for their Fall Harvest Festival. In addition to U-Pick-Pumpkins-on-the-vine, they will be offering unlimited hay rides, a corn maze, a tractor pull, live music (from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM), character appearances (11:00 AM - 4:00 PM), a kiddie train, food and beverage, pony rides (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM) and much more.
HARBES FAMILY FARM
1223
NY-25, JAMESPORT
Harbes Family Farm’s Jamesport location features 9-acres of on-the-vine pumpkin picking, with many different varieties of pumpkins and gourds available. While you’re there, you’ll want to try their Robin Hood Corn Maze and take a relaxing hayride tour around their farm. Plus, enjoy their famous roasted super-sweet corn and other delicious treats!
FAIRVIEW FARM AT MECOX
19 HORSEMILL LANE, BRIDGEHAMPTON
Fairview Farm at Mecox is a family-owned business that is home to an eight-acre corn maze, which has a new theme and design every year. This year’s corn maze is open every weekend now through November 3, as well as on Columbus Day. You’ll find two bridges along the paths, where you’ll find spectacular views of surrounding farmland, Mecox Bay and the Atlantic Ocean! While you’re at the farm, don’t forget to pick your own pumpkins, enjoy some food and try their Corn Cannon!
United Way of Long Island’s Young Professionals Network Raises Over $20,000
United Way of Long Island is proud to announce the resounding success of its inaugural Young Professionals Network (YPN) event, a Networking Event and Cornhole Tournament, which took place on August 1, 2024, at Blue Point Brewery, sponsored by Bulovas Restoration. The event saw nearly 200 young professionals from diverse industries across Long Island come together for an evening of fun, networking, and philanthropy.
The event surpassed expectations, raising over $20,000 to support United Way of Long Island’s Stuff-A-Bus program and educational initiatives. This initiative provides essential school supplies to elementaryage children across Long Island, ensuring they are equipped for academic success regardless of their economic background. The generous contributions from attendees, sponsors, and supporters will help make a significant difference in the lives of many young students as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
“We are thrilled with the outcome of our first Young Professionals Network event,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island. She added, “The enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by these young leaders is inspiring, and it is clear that they are dedicated to
making a positive impact in our community. The funds raised will go a long way in supporting the educational success of children, and we are excited about the future of this dynamic network.”
The evening was marked by lively competition during the cornhole tournament, as well as ample opportunities for networking among attendees from sectors including banking, insurance, legal, accounting, and transportation. Participants also enjoyed food, drinks, and raffles, all while contributing to a cause that is close to the heart of the Long Island community.
Brendan Bateman, co-chair of YPN, reflected on the event's success, stating, “The energy and turnout at our first event were incredible. We are proud to see so many young professionals eager to
connect and give back to our community. This is just the beginning of what we can achieve together, and we are looking forward to growing this network and continuing to support United Way’s mission.”
Lauren Grasso, co-chair of YPN, added, “The success of this event underscores the potential of the Young Professionals Network to drive positive change on Long Island. We are excited to build on this momentum and to continue engaging our peers in meaningful ways that make a lasting impact.”
With this successful kickoff, United Way of Long Island’s Young Professionals Network is poised to continue its work in fostering a new generation of leaders committed to community service and philanthropy. The organization encourages all young professionals
interested in making a difference to join the network and participate in future events.
YPN Networking Event & Cornhole Tournament leading Sponsors include: Title Sponsor Bulovas Restoration Inc., Platinum Plus Sponsor Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Platinum Sponsor The Mosquito Guido, Diamond Sponsors Gas Tec Plumbing and Heating and SK Pool Care, Gold Sponsors Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.c., Flushing Bank, and Clear View Building Services, Silver Sponsors Borg Insurance Agency & Associates and G-Rock Handcovers Inc.
For more information about United Way of Long Island’s Young Professionals Network and upcoming events, visit www. unitedwayli.org/YPN.
