Split the difference. It’s not a bad theme for autumn, right? The autumnal equinox is one of two days that happen each year when the 24-hour period is literally equal parts daylight and dark. There’s something super balancing about that thought right about now.
Summer is such an all-in time of year, with days packed from dawn to well after dusk with all the things you try to squish into a morning, afternoon and evening (and beyond). But fall? It’s about taking a breath and admiring the beauty around you. Trying something new for the heck of it. Taking time for longer conversations. Trying out a restaurant or market you keep driving by with curious eyes. It’s about living.
For our September/October Fall Living issue, we’ve got a pretty fun grab-bag of things to try, seek out and consider on the South Fork. I’d been so curious about a little house in my hometown that looks like a ship, and its owner, the inimitable graphic artist, Kiki Boucher. She not only showed me around this ranch re-imagined as the most wonderful dry-docked “boat,” she took the time to tell me how she sailed on over to the United States from France, eventually landing in Shelter Island. Everything in her home has a story, and it all makes me turn around and look my home and think: What are my stories here? How am I telling and showing our history? It’s a funny thing to think about and I’m glad I took the time to listen to Kiki and, in turn, consider what our walls say about us.
On p. 66, Emily Toy writes about the history of Gubbins, the family business that’s supplied sneakers and sports gear to a few generations of us on the East End (myself included). If you’ve never been in, it’s a place not only chock-a-block with great sports gear (supplying local high school students and grown-up athletes for decades) it’s full of great energy, too.
Fall means it’s that final sweet spot for harvest season, and Em also got in on the pepper-pleasing small-farm start-up, the Hoppy Acre, the original source of the most excellent Springs Fireplace Hot Sauces. Check out how husband and wife Greg and Lauren Kessler turned a brew-supplying business into a pepper-packed, fruit preserving, seed-saving boon.
I took an afternoon stroll around Southampton’s Jobs Lane and learned about the exciting little small-business renaissance bubbling up on that historic street. Stephanie Villani talked to local icon Gus Laggis, owner of the 100-year-old Candy Kitchen in Bridgehampton, we picked up some foodie faves at Serene Green, chowed down at Amagansett’s amiable Meeting House, baked pie with the proprietors of Milk Pail and learned about the magic of matcha in cocktails at Westhampton Beach day-to-night hot-spot One Trick Pony. Lana Bortolot peered into the natural inspiration of architect and design team Stelle Lomont Rouhani, whose gorgeous work both reflects its wild surroundings and stands out for its respectful harmony on the East End.
Oh, and my old friend Drew Nieporent gave us a sneak peak at his brand new memoir. Did you know he was part and parcel to creating Della Femina?
Get out there and live, South Forkers. Breathe the air, read a book, rake the leaves, get some sand in your shoes (the beaches are the best right now!), hear some stories. We’ll be right there with you.
Cheers,
Amy Zavatto
