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Grandma's on the North Fork of Long Island, New York

By
Home Builder

What’s A Grandma To Do?

As a very recent member of the gramma "club", I've been searching out activities for children (grandchildren) on the North Fork of Long Island.

Whether you live on the North Fork, simply vacation here, or are like many, considering retirement here, my new perspective on this area is full of possibilities. Quite frankly, short of owning a property in an amusement park, this is truly a spectacular place in which to enjoy the experiences offered to our beloved "little ones."

As people who love sailing, Callie's first visit (OK- she'll need to be more than the day old that she currently is) will be to the Southold sailing club for kids. Learning to handle a boat, and all of the safety rules, will be imperative for her when she's old enough to participate, and the Southold Yacht Club offers just such an experience.

The Southold Indian Museum, located on Main Bayview recently offered a "crafts for kids" afternoon, and often has events specifically tailored for the younger crowd. 631-765-5577. www.southoldindianmuseum.org will provide details.

Located immediately across the street is a fascinating building offering views of the stars- when events occur at the Custer Institute, parking gets crazy, so arrive early. For star gazers, this is a top notch experience for all ages. www.custerobservatory.org will provide you with scheduled events.

If the kids are a bit older, the water park located in Calverton called Splish Splash provides the "juice" that some kids crave- the website provides details at www.splishsplashlongisland.com. I hope, when Callie reaches an age that permits a trip to the park, that I'm still nimble enough to make it up (and down) that HUGE water slide!

This is a very small offering of activities for kids on the North Fork- the bustling farm stands, with offers of strawberry picking, roasted corn, and the occasional quartet fill many afternoons for our visitors. Once corn season is really here, you'll find that the crowds are full of little faces, with butter dripping, enjoying the magic of the North Fork.

Really- as a Gramma now, living here is exactly the type of location that I relish sharing with my new little granddaughter- what a fantastic place to be!

Now, if I can just convince my daughter and her husband to MOVE HERE...

All Photos & Content Copyright 2008 - Options Realty

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Ohhhhh she is soooo sweet!  You must be the proud gramma Laurie...congratulations and hugs for the little one :)

Jun 29, 2008 04:02 PM
Linda Flack
Realty Executives in The Villages - The Villages, FL
The Villages is where you retire with attitude

Congratulations!  It is like everyone says, a love like no other.  I have two little granddaughters that are now 3 and 6 and all they truly treasure is time spent with Gran who unwaveringly sits on the floor and "plays toys".  That is what the 3 year old calls anything she dreams up for us to do together. We have tea parties, dress up, make up, playdo time, water color time, read a book time.  I just don't want these days to ever disappear.  The six year old and I have long discussions about her friends and we shop together and do crafts together and bake cakes together.  We love getting messy and Grans just don't care about getting messy.

Unfortunately they do not live near to me either.  I call alot, send pictures and see them at least every 3 months.

Enjoy the thrill!

Jun 29, 2008 04:16 PM
Teresa Harris
Lake Real Estate, LLC - Denver, NC
Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte

She is cute! Congratulations Laurie, enjoy every minute with her because as you know they grow-up fast.........

Jun 29, 2008 04:20 PM
Lisa Hill
Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Beach Real Estate

First of all, congratulations =). Second, LOL at you planning activities when your grand daughter is only a day old. =P  Thirs, what a great idea to provide a list of activities for children in your area!

Jun 29, 2008 04:46 PM
Miriam Bernstei
Rochester, NY

congratulations Laurie, she is just adorable.  This is what is important, not the crapola out on the island with real estate.

Jun 29, 2008 09:34 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Laurie, CONGRATULATIONS, SHE IS A BEAUTY!!   I am absolutely thrilled for you and your whole family.  I wouldn't at all be surprised if your daughter moved back to Long Island, I grew up here and it's a special place to be.  I love some of those activities and thought of a bunch more...a ferry ride to New London and Mystic, CT and when it's time to shop, you have Tangers Outlets....I love the East End....and your Grandaughter!

Jun 30, 2008 01:42 AM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO

WOW!!!  I'm in Denver, but had written this before I left NY- I'm so grateful to hear your best wishes!! I've just figured out my daughter's computer, so will be checking in as Callie sleeps- THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of your thoughts- except, Miriam, the "crapola" is still on my mind- there's no escaping our jobs in real estate, but a happy event is always welcomed by all of us!

Jun 30, 2008 04:11 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Congratulations again...just keep sending your daughter your Localism posts...you know...drip,drip,drip. You may convince her?

Jun 30, 2008 08:55 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Very cute!  It is one of those times where it is hard to not smile, grin and laugh...it is very special as you are finding out.  Your post was great and you'll find plenty to do. Laurie, thanks for sharing.

Jun 30, 2008 11:42 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Laurie, Your grand daughter is absolutely beautiful!!!! You must be so proud. All I know to do with then is fill them up on sugar and then send them home. I'm not allowed to touch the real little ones. I might break them:)

We just found out we are having our 6th in December!!!

Jul 02, 2008 12:22 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Oh Man Laurie...

To say I am happy for you would of course be an understatement. I am ecstatic for you. Welcome to "The Grandma Club". You're gonna LOVE...LOVE...LOVE...It. Did I say you're gonna LOVE IT? :)

She it so beautiful. Don't let Blog Boy any where near her...His hands are bigger than the babies. It scares the crap out me when he gets anywhere near something as small and breakable as a new born :)

Good luck talking the Kids into moving. Maybe you'll get lucky and realize they really do need help :)

P.S. Becoming a Grandma is a Universal gift. It's what we get in return for all the crap our kids put us through.  We get to sit back hold the babe while thinking to ourselves...Life is Good...Then we get to hand the baby back and let Mom know she needs a new diaper :)

TLW...ROAR!

Jul 02, 2008 12:38 AM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO

Gary, THANK YOU- I'M THRILLED!

BB and TLW, I would trust either of you with my little granddaughter in a HEARTBEAT (besides, if you gave her too much sugar, she goes right back to "mommy"- heh heh). The Grandma club is the coolest ever, and I thank you for the congrats! I figured all of BB's posts get a bit sidetracked, so what was one more? :)))

I am SO tempted to just put a little ice cream on her tongue, but her mom would kill me, so I'm refraining! Maybe by the time my sixth arrives (you must be thrilled, too!) I'll just bite the bullet and do what I want...but for now, Callie's mom rules! Although her dad and I offered to clean the house, get Andy food, wash her car, etc. if she'd just change what sounded like a VERY stinky diaper last night...

Jul 02, 2008 05:53 AM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

She's so adorable.  So cute...and you are already filling the calandar with activities!  That's great....

Jul 02, 2008 06:58 PM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO

Thank you Ruthmarie- our area is an absolute goldmine for activities for G-mas (my son-in-law's name for me)- when Calli (I misspelled, per her Mom) turns teen, it might be a tad too...quiet here!

Joan, I'm going to eat her up. In one big gobble!

Jul 03, 2008 03:48 AM
Eugene Jones
Weichert Realtors - Somerville, NJ

Congratulations on your induction into the Grandma Club. She's beautiful. North Fork sounds like a wonderful place, good luck convincing your daughter & son-in-law.

Jul 12, 2008 12:44 AM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO

Thanks, Eugene- unfortunately, the kids also have a cool gramma in Colorado, so it could be a tough "sell"!

Jul 12, 2008 12:49 AM