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With the holiday season upon us, we’re taking the legwork out of shopping for décor. We’ve hand-selected the perfect blend of mid-century and rustic items to decorate your home and prepare you for stylish entertaining throughout the holidays. And, the best thing is, all of these items can be purchased within one block. Now how’s that for convenience? (more…)
Summer is here on the North Fork, and we’ve never been happier to spend the days outdoors. While it’s time to trade in the jeans and sneakers for shorts and sandals, there are a few things you need to know about keeping your family and pets safe from tiny, harmful predators — ticks. East End Tick and Mosquito Control has you covered with these three tips.
Protect Your Yard
Whether working in your summer garden or hosting an afternoon barbecue, there are plenty of occasions you will be spending time in your yard. Ticks thrive in warm, humid areas, making the East End a popular spot for these insects. They prefer wooded areas, leaves and shaded areas such as those near fences, sheds and other areas surrounding your yard. Keep these areas clean. Don’t let brush pile up throughout the year. Animals such as deer, birds and mice can carry ticks, so it’s important keep an environment that does not attract these animals by using fencing, limiting bird feeders and setting traps for rodents. Another way to keep your yard safe is low-toxicity tick spraying once per month.
Treating Pets
Sometimes there’s no telling where your family pet has gone off to. They can spend hours playing in the yard. We want to keep our pets safe just as with every member of the family. Get in the habit of treating your pets once per month with a tick-repelling spot treatment, and searching them for ticks before they come back into the house. Run your fingers slowly over your pet’s body, and feel for any lumps where a tick may have burrowed in. While cats in particular are great for keeping rodents out of the yard, the rodents do tend to bring in ticks with them. Check around the paws, face and ears for these insects. If you spot a tick, quickly pull it off with a pair of tweezers. Save the tick and try to identify it as well.
The Lone Star Tick
There are three kinds of ticks that are most commonly found on Long Island, all of which can transmit disease; the deer tick, dog tick, and the lone star tick. The lone star tick is a very aggressive tick that can be found just about anywhere these days. The females are a tannish-red with a light colored spot on the center of their back that resembles a star, hence the name. While they have been suspected of transmitting Lyme disease, these ticks are known for southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI). After a bite, a circular rash may form that is similar to the rash of early Lyme disease. A bite from this tick may cause an allergy called Alpha-gal, which can cause an allergic reaction to meat and dairy. If you do spot this or any other tick, quickly and carefully remove it with a pair of sharp tweezers and identify it. If you experience any flu-like symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Tick bites can cause a number of illnesses in people and their pets. Keeping your yard clean and free of wildlife, treating pets, and scanning yourself and family members for ticks after spending time outdoors can help prevent these bites and transmission of diseases. Spraying your yard is one of the most effective ways to prevent ticks on your property. Low-toxicity sprays keep your family and pets safe and control the problem at the source.
East End Tick and Mosquito Control can keep these pests away, and ensure your backyard is safe to enjoy all summer long.
A summer day on the North Fork is best spent out on the water. Taking a cruise around the picturesque bays with family is a highlight for East End living. Miles of beaches, restaurants boasting local seafood and produce, and an easy, breezy vibe are just some of the reasons people love to vacation — or even staycation — on the North Fork.
When it comes to boating safety, East End Insurance Agency has you covered. The Southold company knows of some great spots and tips for boating family fun. Here are just a few places to try:
Greenport Village
This seaside village offers a number of restaurants, shops and parks with special events all summer long. Dock in Mitchell Park Marina for easy access to all of these family-friendly activities. Enjoy a casual seafood lunch at Claudio’s Clam Bar before cooling off with an ice cream cone from Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices on Front Street. Riding the antique carousel is a must, especially when visiting Greenport with children. Plan to spend some time in the park itself — soaking up some sun or playing in the lush grass bordering the marina.
Shelter Island
Drop anchor and spend some time off Sunset Beach on Shelter Island. A short swim takes you to the sandy shores where you can relax in the sun or play volleyball with the children. For non-picky eaters, Sunset Beach Restaurant offers an eclectic lunch menu with local seafood to complement an afternoon of sunbathing. For a more casual evening, take your boat to The Pridwin’s Wednesday Night Cookouts, starting in July for all-you-can-eat barbecue favorites, and, of course, local seafood. End a relaxing night with live music and watching the sunset with family.
New Suffolk
The calm waters in the Peconic Bay make for great boating. It’s the perfect spot for tubing, waterskiing, fishing and beaching. When you’re hungry, there are two restaurants in New Suffolk you can take your boat to for afternoon or early evening dining. Legends Restaurant has been around for more than 20 years and has an extensive menu everyone can enjoy. While the sports bar is equipped with several televisions, the dining side of the restaurant offers a quieter environment to enjoy your meal. Case’s Place, a newcomer just across the way, boasts waterfront views from every seat. New Suffolk Beach is also nearby if you want to spend more time with your toes in the sand.
These are just a few North Fork places to enjoy by boat.
Set your mind at ease while sailing around by knowing your boat is safe on and off the water with a comprehensive boat insurance policy. East End Insurance Agency works to customize each plan to meet your needs, so you and your family can spend more time enjoying the waves.
Now that you know where to go, get out there and enjoy summer the North Fork way!
Moving to a new home can be a tedious experience, but it can also be one of the most exciting. This is a chance at a fresh start, and an opportunity to make your new abode the place you are happy to call home. Decorating possibilities are endless when you start with a clean slate, no matter the size of your living spaces. Make your new humble home yours with these tips on brightening and expanding the different areas in your new house.
Clean Slate
Before you make the big move, give the rooms in your home a clean slate with a fresh coat of paint. Light colors such as off-white, beige, and even subtle grays can open up a space, and offer a neutral backdrop to accommodate various home furnishings. If you’re not in the market to do a complete home makeover, this simple step will allow for your existing furniture to fit in well, and create a bright atmosphere that makes the room feel larger. Cooler shades like blues and greens are other options, and are the perfect shades to complement North Fork living.
Less Is More
Over the years we accumulate precious mementos from our lives. Family photos, heirlooms passed down from parents and grandparents (which we later pass down to our own children and grandchildren), knickknacks, and more serve as fond reminders of days past. While these are things we long to hold onto, they can take up a great deal of space, making rooms feel small and cluttered. Keep spaces open and free by utilizing furniture that can often double as storage. Trunks and ottomans as coffee tables are a great way to tuck away these treasures, along with dressers that can serve as chic TV stands in the living room.
Large Accessories
Adorning the walls in your home with large art prints or mirrors can do wonders to open up a space. Mirrors placed on walls adjacent to windows can brighten up a room and add more natural light, and reflect the cool tones of the painted walls as well. Just a couple of these strategically placed items can make a big statement, so choose one large piece of artwork as opposed to several smaller pieces. Give the illusion of higher ceilings with floor-length curtains regardless of window size. Choose these window fixtures within your light color palette to give the feeling of the easy breezy summer days we love on the North Fork.
New Furniture Style
Modern pieces are trending in interior design, and work well in both large and small spaces. Give your living room an airy look with raised furniture such as accent chairs with longer legs in light colors. Glass dining tables give the appearance of more space than there actually is, and are easy to clean. A good bed frame is multifunctional in that it makes the room look larger the higher off of the floor it is, and will also give you additional storage space. Keep it light and bright here too by sticking with shades of cream, pastels, and other cool colors.
There are an abundance of family-owned antique shops, furniture stores, home improvement options on the East End of Long Island to help you create the cozy home of your dreams. Keep these fun yet simple steps in mind when decorating your new home, and add touches of personality with your favorite accessories and furnishings. Welcome home!
To find out more about Glenwood Village “Design your own home” possibilities click here. Design your own home.
Frequently asked questions:
What is Catholic Schools Week?
Catholic Schools Week is an annual event, celebrated across the country during the last week in January. The week is set aside to celebrate the unique nature of the Catholic schools in each community. In addition to the internal events (teacher and parent recognition events, school ‘spirit’ days, special assemblies, etc) it is also a week where the schools open their doors to the families of the Parish/Parishes they serve, and to the general public who might be considering the benefits of a Catholic education.
As a school family, how do I participate?
Each school publishes a complete list of events and activities taking place in their school during the week. School families are encouraged to visit the web site of their school.
As a family considering a Catholic education, how do I learn more?
Catholic Schools Week features Open Houses at the schools where parents and students can visit the school(s) they think they might be interested in and get a tour of the facility, be introduced to the teachers, meet some of the current families and children and generally learn about the academic, spiritual, social and physical development programs.
As a prospective family, do I have an ‘assigned school’?
One of the first differences you will notice about Catholic school is that you get to select the school that you believe your children will be most successful in. There is no direct ‘assignment’ based on where you live and most school districts provide busing to the school of your choice within a 15-mile radius.
Is there a difference in tuition to attend a different school?
Long Island’s Catholic Elementary schools set their own tuitions, so they vary slightly, but there is no penalty for choosing a school outside of your Parish or town if you are a Parishioner in the Diocese. The system of schools is an asset here on Long Island for all of the families of the Diocese and for all of the families of Long Island.
Are non-Catholics welcome in the schools?
The schools are welcoming places to everyone without regard to race, religion or national origin. A religion class is a requirement, students participate in Liturgies, and faith is an integrated part of daily activities, but many schools have a significant population of students who attend because of the quality of the education alone.
What should parents look for during their visit?
Many parents of current students tell us that their decision was emotional and based on a feeling of warmth and caring they got during their visit. Others are more analytical and make direct comparisons based on the results on standardized test scores and high school admittance history. Regardless of how you make your decision, the schools are ‘open books’ during this week, providing whatever information prospective families desire to support their decision. There is also a series of video interviews on the licatholicelementaryschools.org web site where current parents offer their advice on how to get the most out of your visit.
When parents select Catholic elementary school, what are the most frequently cited reasons?
The reasons that are most frequently mentioned are: academic excellence, the reinforcement of the values lived at home, Catholic religious identity, a safe, nurturing environment for learning, more individualized attention to each student’s learning needs, an outstanding extracurricular program and the level of partnership established with parents.
Will attending Catholic elementary schools help my child get into a prestigious Catholic high school?
Attending a Catholic elementary school isn’t the only way to get into a Catholic high school, but it is still the best way. The Catholic high schools are open to all students and typically have a very significant number of students from a public school background. Students qualify for Catholic high school through a test for 8th graders that is administered in October of each year. Typically the students from Catholic elementary schools are best prepared for the academic rigor, the integrated program of faith and values, and the service orientation of the high schools. Virtually all of the students from Catholic elementary school (99 percent) are admitted to a Catholic high school with the vast majority getting into the school that is their first choice.
How can I learn more or choose the school(s) I would like to visit?
There is a resource for families on the Internet that provides a very complete picture of the Catholic elementary school experience. It features an interactive map that is your guide to each of Long island’s distinctive Catholic schools, and that lets you view the geographic options for your children at http://licatholicelementaryschools.org.
Fall on the North Fork has officially arrived, and there is just as much to see and do as the leaves change and temperatures drop. (more…)
Glenwood Village has taken its place as a prime place to live for the over 55 community. Offering manufactured homes that are cozy and classy, it gives residents a chance to customize the house of their dreams while paying an affordable price. (more…)