Flanders Column: Bluegrass at Big Duck this weekend
Hello, friends and neighbors. I’m not liking this cooler weather, are you? Actually, I don’t mind the cooler weather at night but during the day, no way! I wish it could stay summer for 11 months out of the year. I think winter should only occur in December for the holidays — snow for Christmas and then 80 degrees the rest of the year. My perfect weather calendar.
With the cooler weather comes the festivals and events that only fall on eastern Long Island can bring. This Saturday is the Bluegrass Festival at the Big Duck Ranch starting at noon. Joining them again this year will be Caroline Doctorow and the Steamrollers; Boot Scoot Boogie, featuring Shai Yeomans and her winning song entry, “Ode to the Big Duck”; Ron Rothman; Job Potter and more! Food and beverages will be available for purchase and a selection of vendors will be offering crafts, jewelry and other fine items. Donation is $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Everyone is invited. Bring a friend!
Flanders Fire Department is hosting an open house Sunday, Sept. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be live fire and rescue demonstrations, a fire prevention trailer and raffles. All are invited to attend. Stop on down and meet our local volunteers and don’t forget to say “thank you” for being there for us.
RHS’s Class of 1961 held its 50th reunion this past weekend and I can tell you they all had a wonderful time. Friday night saw a meet-and-greet at Digger’s in Riverhead. On Saturday alums went to the “old” high school (now Pulaski Street School) for a tour and photo op, where they reminisced about all the good times they had. Saturday’s event at Calverton Links/Eagles Landing went off without a hitch and they had a blast.
Thanks to Starr for organizing the event. I know my dad, a graduate, had a great time. I’ll admit it was a little weird hanging out with my dad and his buddies at Digger’s Friday but, then again, it was kind of neat. Many of them told me they read my column every week so I’d like to send a shout-out to all the members of the Class of 1961 who now know me as “Jimmy’s daughter who writes the column.”
Congratulations to Gregg and Linda Wallace, both teachers in the Riverhead School District, on the birth of their son Shane Samuel Wallace, who was born Aug. 30 weighing a whopping 9-plus pounds. Baby Shane and his mom are doing very well. Congratulations to the entire family, especially big brother Camden, who adores his baby brother. I adore him, too. I was able to hold him twice and each time was heaven. It’s been way too long since I held a little baby like that and I really enjoyed my “baby fix.”
That is all for this week. I hope everyone enjoys their weekend. Drive safely and don’t text while driving. It’s just way too dangerous. Pull over if it can’t wait. I have an idea! Let’s pretend it’s the ’80s, when if you wanted to talk to someone you had to call them at home and wait for them to call you back if they weren’t there. Remember those days? Call or email me with any news you’d like to share. Take care.
