Howdy Long Islanders...
by Cathy Brookhart Cartier
High Five on Fire Island
I was born and raised in West Islip. Spent lots of days (too many) cutting out of school and hitching over to Fire Island. I can just smell the coppertone and remember getting burnt to a crisp summer after summer.
I now live in Missouri on a lake, have a boat, sail all summer long, but it's not the same. I miss you... Carvel how I miss you, and the Mary Jane bakery... Oh to have one of your jelly donuts... Mike's pizzeria, Long River Chinese.
Geeze, who could forget a bagel from the Bagel Bin with tons of cream cheese. One time I rode my bike about 5 miles there to savor a bagel (salt) They don't have those in Missouri. It sure was worth it.
Hopping on the train to the city and walking around all day with nowhere to go. Volunteering at Good Samaritan Hospital when it was so much smaller. Now I can't even recognize Montauk Highway.
Times are changing, were getting older, but I will be back.
Editor's note: Cathy did indeed come back, but just for a short visit. She sent a picture (above) and had this to say:
Bill,
Love your website....went to LI the north fork in October for a wedding... It was so great to be on the water there.
Visited Fire Island, cried the whole way over the bridge, visited the light house. Even brought back a little sand.
You had been having such great weather that all the foliage looked so nice. I didn't remember the landscaping to be so beautiful. I guess I appreciate it now that I have a house of my own.
Here's a pic from my trip there. (my kids). Have a great day... Keep on posting photos. I love looking at them and listening to the wind and water on the videos.
Cathy Cartier
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There's No PLace Like Home
by Jessica
After two years in California, I can truly say that Long Island will always be my home. It is a timeless place with pristine beauty like no other.
People may think I'm crazy since I'm living in the Golden State now, which is notorious for its natural wonders. However, California does not even come close to Long Island in character. Long Island has the beauty of the West Coast with the charm and warmth of the East Coast.
The people, the food, the weather, and the scenery make Long Island's atmosphere diverse and enchanting. People who live there definitely take their surroundings for granted. I know I did.
I read Newsday everyday online just to get my taste of Long Island. I look at pictures on the internet of its white sandy beaches and breathtaking sunsets.
Now I'm wishing and hoping for a future that includes moving back to Long Island or Manhattan. They truly are my favorite places to visit, even if they are technically home.
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Love the Hudson Valley...But Miss Long Island
by Chris L.
(Middletown, NY)
I grew up off St. Mark's Lane, in Islip and have a great affection for my childhood on Long Island.
I have since moved to the mid-Hudson Valley in order to own a larger home with some actual property (something few can afford on LI anymore).
While I would not trade where I live now for any place in the world, I do admit that I miss the water - both the ocean and the Long Island sound.
There is NOTHING like taking a boat ride on a hot summer night under a star-speckled sky with the warm salt-air blowing in your face.
Those are memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Even when they were happening, I KNEW at the time that they were some very special times that would be forever etched in my memory.
Thanks for letting me remember some great times.
