Grandchildren fill Kathy's summer home

All six of Kathy's grandchildren were on Eastern Long Island in July, making for some lively times in her summer home.

Liam carefully constructs, then	deconstructs, a block tower.

The gathering happened as Kathy's daughter Vivien, son-in-law CJ, and their three boys - Charlie, Austin and Oliver - were just back in the USA after more than three years in London. They would soon be settling into their new home in White Plains.

Dan and Julie visited for a few days, staying at Ye Olde Fair Play Cottage, and joined the crowd at Kathy's Place for a Friday evening pizza party. Above: D&J with Kathy, Robert, Genevieve and Vivien. (Both John and CJ were at work in NYC that day.) Photo by Beatrice. 

Below: D&J with (back row) Charlie, Liam, Genevieve, (front L to R) Bea, Kathy, Jack, Austin, Vivien. (Oliver was asleep at this point in the evening.) Photo by Robert.

All this against the backdrop of another glorious sunset over the water behind the house.

Late-summer days on Long Island

Current London residents Vivien, CJ, Charlie and Austin were able to spend August back in the States, mostly on Long Island. They enjoyed time visiting with Vivien's sister, Genevieve; their mom, Kathy; plus John, Bea, Jack and Robert. Dan and Julie were able to join the crowd for a couple of days in late August. This photo captures a rare moment when everyone was awake and in the same spot.

Dan and Kathy were able to take a sail on Loridan, along with Robert. As previously reported, the venerable sailboat is ship-shape again after a few years out of service. Dan and Kathy were last aboard together back in 2016, on a cruise that exposed its need of repair. "It's great to have it back in its home port," says Dan.

Midway through summer season on Eastern LI

Your faithful reporter, Dan, paid a quick visit to Noyac this week along with Brien, staying at Fair Play and visiting with Kathy, Robert, Genevieve, John, Bea and Jack.  

Loridan has returned to Kathy's dock on Mill Creek, after some needed refurbishing. The intrepid vessel has been in the family for over 50 years.

Dan and Brien arrived Sunday evening, at the end of a long stretch of 90-degree-plus days. Monday was windy as a cold front approached, but threatened thunderstorms never hit, so they were able to check out the area beaches - including the oceanfront in Bridgehampton, where the surf was churned up by the winds.

Tuesday saw pleasant weather, and Genevieve brought the kids to Kathy's house to play in the yard and then talk a walk to the "back beach."

Later, Kathy, Dan and Brien enjoyed paddling kayaks around Mill Creek before Dan and Brien headed back to the city.

Charlie celebrates third birthday

Vivien posted these photos of Charlie, celebrating on Sunday at Grandma Kathy's summer house in Noyac. "So proud of our big kid! Happy 3rd Birthday to Charlie!"

A Midsummer gathering at the bay

The last days of July brought beautiful weather to the east end of Long Island, and this flock of family members was lucky enough to all be there to enjoy it.

Dan and Julie rolled out from New Jersey for a five-day stay at Fair Play. Vivien, CJ, Charlie and Austin joined Kathy at her summer home. And Genevieve, John, Bea and Jack spent the weekend at their cottage.

Family friend Robert was also in Noyac, mooring his sailboat off Mill Creek. He and Kathy treated Dan and Julie to a sail around Noyac Bay, something they hadn't had a chance to enjoy in the past few years.

The weekend was the first opportunity for Dan and Julie to meet their new grand-nephew Austin, born last September in the midst of pandemic precautions. They were captivated by his near-constant smile.

It was the first visit of the season for Dan and Julie, and they made the most of the good weather with a hike on Jessup's Neck, a visit to a North Fork winery, and a day in Montauk, where they enjoyed the beach at Hither Hills State Park, a walk on a wooded trail and an evening concert on the village green.

Here are some photos Dan took of wildlife on Jessup's and Montauk Light at sunset.

Enjoying late summer on Eastern Long Island

Dan writes: For as long as I can remember, I have spent at least part of every August in Noyac on Eastern Long Island. And even in this very strange year, I was able to keep that tradition going.

Ocean breeze

Julie and I headed out Aug. 26 to the Birch Street cottage that's been in the family for 35 years. The next day I stopped in a lawyers' office to sign the papers selling the property to Genevieve and John (see previous article). Then (as guests of the gracious new landlords) we spent the remainder of August and the very beginning of September enjoying the nearby beaches, parks and villages in very relaxed fashion.

Long Beach

Although limited by the need for social distancing, we were able to spend time visiting Genevieve, John, Bea and Jack, as well as Kathy and Robert, in outdoor settings. And Andy and Wren drove down from Upstate New York to join us for a few days. Fortunately, they were able to adjust their schedule to avoid some rain and enjoy beautiful sunny-and-warm-but-not-hot weather.

Of course, we took the nature walk on Jessup's Neck to feed the chickadees (and, increasingly, other species such as tufted titmouse and nuthatch) and check out the other wildlife.

We happened to be on Long Wharf in Sag Harbor just as the setting sun put on a spectacular show.

Here's hoping we can spend more time, see more family - and do without the masks - next summer.

Historic cottage changes hands, stays in family

Fair Play, circa 1968

The Birch Street cottage where many of our family members have spent summer days for more than six decades was purchased Aug. 27 by Genevieve and John from Dan, Kathy, Brien and Kevin.

The property has held a special place in the family's collective heart since Daniel and Lorraine rented it for summer vacations with their children in 1961-1965, and acquired it in the fall of '85. 

In her autobiography, Lorraine wrote that when a cottage up the street that they had rented in 1959-60 was unavailable in '61, "we chose an adorable red-and-white cottage down the street, one we had admired the year before, called 'Fair Play.' It had a nice big sandy yard, four rooms, a screened porch, and all paneled in knotty pine. We loved it more than the other cottage, and the kids thought it was like sleeping in a log cabin."

That description is still mostly accurate. The screened porch was later enclosed and other improvements were made over the years, but its original configuration and rustic charm remain.

2013 photo

Over the years, in addition to Daniel, Lorraine and their children, the little house has hosted friends, spouses and grandchildren. Love of its setting, in a quiet neighborhood near Noyac Bay, Sag Harbor and the other attractions of Long Island's East End, also inspired Kathy and later Genevieve and John to buy their own houses close by.

2001 photo

Dan, Kathy, Brien and Kevin jointly inherited the property from their parents. Now, it passes to third-generation owners who share in the emotional attachment to the cottage. Genevieve and John plan to use it as a rental for visiting family and friends. "We are excited, and looking forward to many many more years of family memories out here," Genevieve said.

Jack celebrates first birthday

Jack celebrated his first birthday with Mom (Genevieve) Dad (John) and big sister (Beatrice) at their summer home in Noyac on July 16.

A few days earlier, Uncle Dan and Aunt Julie made a quick weekend trip to Noyac, and were able to spend a little time seeing Jack, Bea, Genevieve and Kathy at Long Beach - while keeping several feet of "social distancing" between them.

A quick visit to 'the island' for Dan & Julie

Dan and Julie got their first taste of Long Island Summer on the weekend of July 11-12. With concessions to the ongoing health crisis - avoiding crowds, getting takeout dinner - they were able to enjoy a bit of beaching and visiting family.

The previous day saw a tropical storm pass by, so they checked out the waves at the ocean beach in Bridgehampton, where a couple of young guys were attempting to ride the surf.

They arrived on their luxury yacht checked out the luxury yachts docked in Sag Harbor and strolled along Main Street - which was less crowded than on a summer weekend in normal, non-pandemic times, but still active. They and many other people (though not all) were wearing masks. Dan and Julie stayed outdoors except for a brief stop for tradition's sake at the Wharf Shop.

They later met Kathy, Genevieve, Bea and Jack at Long Beach - carefully maintaining social distance but managing to converse and enjoy the beautiful day together. The water was warm and the breeze was just right to be cooling but not chilling.

Genevieve, John and their children have been living full-time at their summer house, and Kathy at hers, and working remotely since the pandemic hit the New York area in the spring.