Beautiful late-summer days on Long Island

Dan writes: For the first time in a few years, Julie, Christine, Andy and I were all available to spend more than a couple of days at a time in Noyac. And by great good fortune, the weather was exceptionally beautiful for every minute of our five-day visit. So we made the most of it.

We spent an afternoon watching horses and riders compete in various events at the Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton.


That evening, we met Nanette for a nice dinner at a Noyac restaurant.


We strolled around Sag Harbor during the early part of the next day. Then we headed over to Cameron Beach on the ocean, where Christine and Andy showed they haven't forgotten how to enjoy the surf.

The following day, we drove out to Montauk Point to visit the lighthouse.

Christine, Andy and I climbed the long spiral staircase to take a quick look from the top. And we all explored the museum that now fills the former lighthouse-keeper's quarters.

The exhibits have grown over the years. They include the original commissioning document signed by President George Washington and other historical items and information. There's also an exhibit about the successful efforts of Georgina Reed, Dan Rattiner and others in the late 1960s and early 1970s to raise funds and build a system of terraces that saved the lighthouse from erosion, which threatened to topple it into the sea. I well remember the articles in Dan's Papers reporting on the problem and Georgina's solution.

As many times as I've seen it, I'm not sure this view of the light has ever been as picture-postcard-perfect as it was on this occasion.

We then enjoyed a seafood dinner at Gosman's Dock, arriving just before the rush to get a good table (as if we'd planned it that way). And we topped off the evening with dessert at another iconic establishment, Big Olaf's ice cream shop.

On Friday we returned to Jessup's Neck, one of our favorite spots, to commune with the wildlife and take a dip in Peconic Bay.

Chickadees and white-breasted nuthatches took sunflower seeds from our hands, wild turkeys sauntered by, a family of swans swam in the pond and an osprey surveyed the beach from a treetop.

That evening we joined Kathy, Vivien and CJ for a cookout dinner at Kathy's house, against the backdrop of the sunset. A fine finish to a wonderful late-summer week.

Postcards from summer travels

Several family members have traveled far and wide this summer, and while we don't have much information about their trips, we have collected some photos they posted on Facebook.

In August, Kathy visited Switzerland:

Chermignon d'en Bas

Feeding 6-month-old calves

Hiking above the tree line, 6,200 feet

In late July, Genevieve, John and five-month-old Beatrice vacationed on Nantucket:

At Dionis Beach

In June, Vivien and CJ were in England's Cotswolds:

The Roman Baths in Bath, England

Whatley Manor

What are we missing? Tell us about your travels or other summer activities!

It's Band-Camp time for Stephanie

This congregation of clarinets, with Stephanie at top center, is one section of the Hilliard Darby Panthers Marching Band, which is in the midst of summer Band Camp.

Last week was "home band camp" at the high school. Then on Sunday, the band boarded buses for a week of "away band camp."

The band will spend the week in intensive learning and rehearsals at Heartland Conference Center, finishing up with the annual Ice Cream Social.

Scenes of Summer 2015 (so far)

Glass half-full. By Kathy.

This still-life photo taken by Kathy in the back yard of her Noyac house is just a terrific evocation of the joys of summer.

Here are few other idyllic scenes captured on Long Island this season. Please share your summer scenes!

Cameron Beach. By Dan.

Shelter Island. By Courtney.

Ferry dock, Shelter Island. By Courtney.

Sunset July 4. By Dan.

Enjoying some Shelter Island summertime

Courtney has been enjoying a beautiful summer week on Shelter Island, visiting her "favorite lady" -- her mom, Nanette.

The Florida resident calls Shelter Island her home-away-from-home.

"The beauty and charm of this island is enough to brighten anyone's day," she wrote on Facebook. "I just can't get enough!"

Gerrit & Angela have a baby boy!

Gerrit and Angela welcomed their son, Nolan, into the world this morning.


A happy Grandpa Owen shared these photos of the joyous occasion. Nolan arrived at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, weighing in at 6 pounds 2 ounces.

"Angela, the baby and Gerrit are all doing well," Owen reports.

Marie, Brian, Xander visit NJ, NY & Panem

Up from Virginia for the weekend, Marie, Brian and Xander visited with Brian's parents and Marie's dad and trekked into Manhattan to see the Hunger Games Exhibition.

Above, after a cookout dinner Saturday, they enjoyed a midsummer's night in the backyard at Birch Street Headquarters with Dan, Julie, Christine, Andy and Andy's girlfriend, Shannon.

Note the image of the Moon on Xander's t-shirt. Earlier that day, he posed in front of a green screen for a photo with the flaming Hunger Games logo superimposed. The greenish tint of the Moon image caused the logo to show right through him!

The exhibit of costumes, props and interactive displays based on the "Hunger Games" movies is running this summer and fall at Discovery New York, in Times Square.

Gerrit & "28" play at Cape Cod's Sand Bar

Gerrit (center) and his bandmates in "28" rocked the Sand Bar in Dennis, Mass., on July 11. Word has it they have a couple more shows planned in August.

Below is a video a friend put together of highlights of the show. The sound quality is poor, but it sure looks like everyone's having fun!


28 at the Sand Bar 7/11/15 on Vimeo.

Glimpses of our family's festivities on the Fourth

These two cuties, Brooklyn Rae and Brennan Alexander, were dressed in style for the Fourth of July at home in Broadalbin, N.Y. The daughter and son of Brennan and Shauna-Rae are growing quickly! Young Brennan will have his first birthday later this month (July 22) and Brooklyn is three-and-a-half.


And speaking of growing quickly -- Beatrice Kathleen turned four months old on the Fourth! Here's a great shot of her with her mom, Genevieve.

As previously reported, a dozen family members gathered at Kathy's summer house in Noyac and watched from her back yard as fireworks went off in all directions. Here's a look at the younger half of the crowd.

While Nanette joined that party, her daughter, Courtney, got together with friends at Sailfish Point Country Club, not far from her Florida home.

Courtney posted the photo below of fireworks, which looks like it was taken from a boat. Great view!

Likewise, this photo posted by Gerrit in Cape Cod looks like a view over the transom of a boat. He has a video clip, too, on his Facebook page.


Shanna and Rick spent the holiday weekend in upstate New York. Among other stops, they visited the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown -- because, Shanna posted, "What is more American than baseball?"

In another part of Upstate New York, Doug and Lisa and daughter Rebecca joined members of Lisa's family at Conesus Lake for the annual "Ring of Fire." By tradition, residents and visitors gather along the lake shore on the night of July 3 and light torches, ringing the late with fire. Fireworks follow.


Meanwhile, Doug and Lisa's other daughter, Liz, "missed" the Fourth by being out of the country. In fact, she was visiting friends in London.



As a huge Harry Potter fan, Liz had a great time at the "Making of Harry Potter" exhibit at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.

How did you celebrate the Fourth? Let us know!

A Fourth of July get-together on LI

A goodly number of family members gathered at Kathy's house in Noyac for a Fourth of July barbecue. Vivien and CJ, Patrick and Christina were visiting; Dan, Julie, Christine and Andy were spending the weekend at the family cottage a few blocks away; and Nanette, Emory and Robin came over from Shelter Island. From Kathy's yard, the group saw fireworks going off in all directions -- official shows in towns all around the bays, plus some very impressive unofficial displays right nearby!

We'll be rounding up pics from other family members' holiday activities, so check back soon!

Happy Independence Day in the USA

Summer at the Village Green, by Tish

Know that feel, Calvin

Lizzie to spend fall semester in Ireland

We hear from Owen that his daughter, Lizzie, will be heading to Ireland this fall for a study-abroad semester.

Lizzie is currently back home on Cape Cod after completing her sophomore year at Elon University in North Carolina. Owen is making plans to visit her in Dublin at Thanksgiving time.