James Smith
James Stephen Smith is a seasoned journalist who transitioned from reporting at Newsday to a more relaxed life as a father and director of media relations at St. John's University. He manages the university’s messaging while also contributing to Mommy Poppins, a site he discovered after his third daughter was born in 2011. Fun fact: James nearly made it on Jeopardy but missed a Final Jeopardy question on art history—only to watch a colleague nail it and become a two-time champion.
Latest posts by James
On the East End of Long Island, the fun never really does end. Vacationers and those new to the area might be surprised to hear that family time does indeed continue here after the calendar turns past Labor Day. The North Fork, in particular, comes alive as farm stands and wineries celebrate the autumn harvest, and fall festivities continue almost uninterrupted until Thanksgiving weekend. After that, it’s time for holiday cheer and the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree.
So take a moment to reflect on another well-spent summer, but consider also what memorable moments await in the autumn. Our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide includes information you can use all year-round and our Long Island Classes Guide will help you plan a visit around the school year.
Labor Day weekend brings an unofficial end to the vacation season on the East End of Long Island. The calendar gave us an extra week to celebrate and Mother Nature blessed us with near-ideal weather all season long. Let’s hope she stays kind for one more final weekend because there’s just too much going on to be stuck inside.
From Friday to Monday, East Enders can enjoy arts festivals, community parties, fishing derbies and, of course, the Shinnecock Pow Wow, Southampton’s annual celebration of the East End's indigenous people.
So get out and enjoy yourself. Take one more look at our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide for the best in East End entertainment and check out our Long Island Classes Guide to help you get ready for the school year. And remember: Memorial Day 2016 is only nine months away!
Few places bring history to life better than the East End of Long Island. And that's not really surprising. Eastern Long Island is, after all, home of the first permanent English settlement in the state. Not to mention two of the nation’s oldest lighthouses, both commissioned by George Washington himself.
Parents eager to indulge their children’s intellectual curiosity will find no shortage of destinations out east. We’ve rounded up a dozen of our favorites that can be visited at limited cost and whose insights are bound to inspire your budding historian.
So check these out, and while you’re at it, enjoy our Long Island Classes Guide for more education fun for the kids. Find more Hamptons and North Fork activities in our local guide to the area for families.
So the countdown to the unofficial end of summer has begun. That doesn’t mean, however, that enterprising parents won’t find plenty to do on the East End of Long Island this weekend.
From car shows to barbecues and cardboard boat racing, late-summer events dot the landscape of the North and South Forks as communities squeeze out that last ounce of vacation before the kids return to school.
And for more exciting events, check out our LI Calendar, as well as our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide.
Your babysitter has bailed and your night out is in jeopardy. Fortunately on the East End of Long Island there are a number of emergency child care options that just might preserve that essential date night. Some are local companies whose sitters are known to other parents in the community, while others are parts of larger national companies with well-earned reputations for reliability and security.
Most require registration on the firm’s website. Be aware that most sitters are independent contractors and not employees of their firms. so company liability varies.
Still, with less than a day’s notice, these services offer experienced sitters with recommendations that can be accessed online or by email. Prices are as of summer 2015 and vary depending on time, distance and services provided. Cancellation policies also vary.
For other information on activities and events in the area, be sure to check out our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.
Eat, play, explore. Those would seem to be themes for the third weekend of August on the East End of Long Island. With just three weeks remaining before the unofficial end of the summer season, there’s still plenty of kid-friendly activity on both forks, especially for community-minded families with an appreciation of the natural world.
This weekend, kids can explore the maritime ecosystem, go on a butterfly hunt and pitch in on essential community projects. Afterward, gather at one of the three community barbecues in the area to share fun, games and, of course, chicken.
What a great weekend to explore East End culture. And as you do, be sure to check out our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide for other inspiring things to do on the East East.
There's nothing quite like dining outside near the sand and surf. And while it’s a must-do for couples, these days outdoor dining isn’t just a dating ritual. More and more, restaurants are opening their (out)doors to families eager to share a meal under the summer sun.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorites from both forks whose menu, location and attractions make them ideal choices for parents with hungry kids. Late summer is the perfect time for outdoor dining and more, so check out our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide for the best in what's happening in the area.
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