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.
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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.
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.
East Islip Elementary Students Treated To Summer Enrichment Program
TheEast Islip School District ran its annual Summer Innovation and Enrichment Academy for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, held during two one-week sessions in July and August at East Islip Middle School. Students were treated to a three-hour block each day of exciting lesson plans created and designed by a team of elementary, music, art and Spanish teachers, supported by a dedicated staff of teaching assistants, paraprofessionals and youth assistants and led by instructional coordinator Melissa Henderson. Students participated in theme weeks designed around the Summer Olympics and ocean adventures.
“The East Islip Summer Innovation and Enrichment Academy was a tremendous
opportunity provided by the district to the community for our elementary students who wanted to keep the learning and exploring going over the summer,” East Islip High School Assistant Principal Michael Thorley said. “We had over 260 students sign up for the program and we were pleased to be able to provide a spot for everyone. It was a joy to the see the young faces as they eagerly arrived each morning and left with big smiles as they greeted their families at dismissal with stories and projects to share. We look forward to hopefully continuing this valuable program in the summers that follow.”
Photo courtesy of East Islip School District
—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.
Fresh & Fun Facts About Autumn
Thecool, crisp days of autumn have arrived. As fall foliage creates a colorful display and kids frolic in leaf piles on the lawn, you may want to pay some mind to a few lesser known facts about this beloved time of year. Autumn may call to mind Halloween and the return of school, but there are other factors that make this season unique.
1. The first day of autumn is known as the autumnal equinox. On this day, the number of hours of daylight and darkness are equal. This is because the sun is aligned with the center of the Earth between the north and south of the planet. The other equinox occurs in the spring, which arrives in the third week of March in the Northern hemisphere.
2. In Greek mythology, autumn was a time when Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, was abducted by Hades, the god-king of the underworld. During this time, Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, was distraught, and the ground grew sparse and cold. When Persephone returned in the springtime, plants and life bloomed anew because of Demeter’s happiness.
3. Those who live closest to the equator, which is the center of the planet, never experience the season of autumn. Around the equator, the temperature remains consistently warm.
4. Yellow, orange and variations thereof always reside in the pigmentation of tree leaves, but they are just overpowered by the abundance of green from the chlorophyll in the leaves. Come autumn, however, when the sun weakens and days grow shorter, the amount of chlorophyll in leaves diminishes, allowing the other pigments in the leaves to show through.
5. Red and purple leaves are actually caused by the presence of sugars from sap that is trapped inside of the leaves.
6. Fall is a peak migration time for many species of birds.
During autumn, birds will fly to other areas as they seek more hospitable climates. The Arctic tern journeys about 11,000 miles each way for its annual migration. That is like going all the way across the United States about three and a half times
7. Contrary to popular belief, squirrels who have spent the entire autumn collecting acorns and other foods do not hibernate for the winter. Rather, they spend the majority of their time in nests they built to shelter them from harsh weather. When squirrels do come out in winter, they are usually tunneling under the snow to find the food they buried during the fall.
8. Several cultures have ancient traditions that coincide with autumn. For example, the Chinese celebrate the Moon Festival to give thanks for a successful summer harvest.
9. Halloween is a large part of autumn. The concept of wearing masks and costumes hails from ancient Celtic tradition. The Celts believed ghosts roamed on Halloween, and people wore disguises to hide from the spirits.
10. You’re bound to see pumpkins as part of autumn decor. The pumpkin was first named by the Greeks. They called this edible orange item “pepon,” which means “large melon.”
11. Evergreen trees will not lose their leaves like deciduous trees. Their leaves, also called needles, are covered with a thick wax. This wax protects the inner components of the needles, preventing them from freezing.
12. Autumn also signals another colorful spectacle apart from the tree leaves. The aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, tends to be visible this time of year. This is because geomagnetic storms are about twice as likely to occur during the fall thanks to cool evening weather.
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.
IslipTown Supervisor Angie Carpenter and the Islip Town Board honored Chief Lifeguard Daniel Gschwind and Lifeguards Caden Teirney and Teague Nolan at the August Town Board Meeting for rescuing sailors whose sunfish sailboat had recently capsized in the Great South Bay.
On Thursday, August 5th, the lifeguards, who were stationed at Islip Town Beach, saw a sunfish sailboat in distress in the water just off the swimming area. At the direction of Chief Lifeguard Dan Gschwind, Caden Teirney and Teague Nolan swam out on their kayak and rescue board to aid the young sailors as their vessel capsized.
Caden and Teague, both 16 years-old and in their first year on duty, were selected
by Chief Lifeguard Gschwind due to their outstanding performance in training exercises during the season.
“The Town Board and I are proud to commend our Town of Islip Lifeguards for their exceptional service and bravery, as demonstrated in the heroic rescue on August 5th. This incident emphasizes the vital role our lifeguards play in ensuring the safety of our community. Their quick and courageous response not only highlights their training and dedication, but also reflects the high standards of lifeguarding at Islip Town beaches and pools. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and proud of their exemplary service,” said Supervisor Angie Carpenter.
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.
Fall And Winter Skincare Tips
Assummer transitions to fall, many changes take place. In addition to changing landscapes, men and women may need to adapt their health and wellness habits to ensure that they stay healthy and happy. Part of that daily regimen includes how to care for skin as the seasons change. Just as skin requires certain protection from the sun and heat in the summer, skin has special needs in the fall and winter. Fall and winter are often characterized by cold, dry weather, which can
make these times of year particularly challenging for people with dry or sensitive skin.
• Don’t Skip The Sunscreen. Sunscreen is not a summer-only requirement. UV rays can damage the skin any time of year, even if the rays are not as strong as during the summer. UV radiation accelerates and increases the risk of skin cancer. It also can lead to premature aging. Utilize a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day.
• Invest In A Humidifier. Dry, cold temperatures can rob the skin of essential moisture, even indoors. Dermatologists suggest using a humidifier at home to boost the amount of moisture in the air. This can make skin more comfortable and can have other health benefits as well.
• Skip Hot Showers. It can be tempting to sit under a hot stream of water to warm up. However, hot water dries out the skin by depleting its stores of natural oils, says Glacier Med Spa. Take warm showers instead and don’t stay in for longer than 15 minutes.
• Limit Exfoliation. While exfoliation can remove dead skin, overdoing it can make already sensitive skin more raw. Increase the time between exfoliation treatments. Consult with a dermatologist for more advice about dealing with flaky skin.
• Don’t Forget Your Lips. Using a thicker moisturizer on the body and face can help add and retain moisture, but pay attention to your lips and eyes as well. Something as simple as petroleum jelly on the lips can help prevent chapping.
Long Island's Largest Car Show To Be Held September 22
Long Island’s largest and most premier car show experience returns to TOBAY Beach on Sunday, September 22nd, from 11am to 4pm. “Car Show Long Island” features hundreds of automobiles, trucks, military vehicles, and emergency service vehicles. A live concert performed by Vinyl Revival will take place during the day, followed by trophy presentations. The event is free for spectators. Free shuttle bus service will now also be offered to all Car Show Long Island spectators with convenient pickup and drop-off located at Jones Beach Field 5 from 10am to 5pm.
Supervisor Saladino stated, “Whether you’re a proud classic car owner or you want to see the latest and greatest automobiles in the
world, Car Show Long Island is the place to be! With a diverse range of vehicles showcased, car enthusiasts will have the opportunity to admire and interact with some of the most impressive cars around. This free familyfun event is a perfect way to spend the day, all with the beautiful backdrop of TOBAY Beach. Spectators can check out cool cars, vendors, exhibits and enjoy live music while surrounded by Long Island’s best classic, muscle, antique and exotic cars.”
Car Show Long Island’s 2024 TOBAY Beach Spring Classic features some of the hottest and most classic cars in the tri-state region. While enjoying live music performed by Vinyl Revival and great eats from the Food Truck Corral presented by Eagle Chevy Performance,
thousands of spectators are expected throughout the day to get up close and personal with Long Island’s best classic, muscle, antique and exotic cars. Trophies will be awarded in each class, and children will have a say when deeming which rides are their favorites in the Kids’ Choice Award. Car Show Long Island’s 2024 TOBAY Beach Spring Classic is being presented by: Optimum, Signarama of
Huntington and Whitey’s Tire Services of Brooklyn.
Classic Car enthusiasts and spectators can also grab a bite to eat from the food truck corral, and can also check out numerous vendors and displays. A rain date of September 29th has been arranged. For more information, visit www.carshowli.com, call (516) 797-4121 or e-mail carshowli@oysterbay-ny.gov.
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!
PEAK VIEWING TIMES
Areas of the northern-most latitude will start to show color earlier than more southern areas. Generally, the leaf-viewing season begins in late September and runs through early November for much of North America. Peak times for viewing depend on areas of travel and time of year. The Weather Channel offers maps and charts at www.weather.com/maps/ fall-foliage for tpeak times for many areas of the U.S.
PICK YOUR DESTINATION
Anywhere with deciduous trees provides the opportunity to witness blazing autumn color. During leaf-peeping season, travelers can go coast to coast and see awesome vistas. Some regions are particularly known for their leaf displays. New York’s Catskill and Adirondack regions are prime spots for visitors in the autumn. The travel resource Frommer’s offers more leaf-peeping locales to visit.
PACK THE RIGHT GEAR
Millions of people each year look forward to the magnificent colors on display in autumn. Fall offers irreplaceable views, whether you’re atop a mountain ridge or thick in the folds of a forest. In addition, the crackle of leaves underfoot and the earthy smell of the soil tempts the senses even more. Some advance planning can help make fall foliage trips that much more enjoyable and awe-inspiring.
While most people are not without a smartphone that can capture amazing high-resolution imagery, serious leaf photographers may want to take out their prized camera equipment for leaf-peeping excursions. Also bring along a map or a GPS-enabled device so you can explore back roads and areas off the beaten path more readily. There are plenty of apps that can help with foliage-finding adventures, so a phone is a handy tool. When packing, also bring along hiking boots, comfortable layered clothing and anything for an
the great outdoors.
FallSpend Time In The Yard This Fall
is a great season to spend time in the yard. The Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment at the University of Massachusetts Amherst indicate fall is the ideal time to improve the soil for next season. Amending the soil in the fall allows it to react accordingly over time and reap the benefits in spring. UMass suggests getting an accurate soil test to see what is needed in the garden. Samples should be taken from various areas. Avoid doing so when the soil is very wet. At-home kits can test for nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous and determine the soil’s pH. Gardeners should till the soil and add compost or manure, which will counteract many nutritional deficiencies. Worm castings are good to add, particularly for summer vegetable gardens. Worm castings are high in minerals and effective at holding water — so much so that they even can be used alone in place of potting soil. Crushed egg shells, coffee grounds, and banana peels also can be added in the fall, even if they are not part of a compost pile. The nutrients will break down throughout the fall and winter, and be available just in time for summer plantings.
