Meanwhile on the North Fork...........

[Volkonski]

Things done so far-

Plumber hooked up water.

I got refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine going.

Shutters open on 1st floor windows and most screens up.

Food we stored in Mrs. V's brother's basement retrieved along with our Keurig.

Mrs. V. Did a quick food shopping.

Mrs. V's laptop set up.

Stove in kitchen gas turned on.

Upstairs and downstairs porch radios and rocking chairs in place.

Waiting for cable guy to troubleshoot cable box.

Food we brought up from Texas put away.

Porch decorations put up.

Not bad for just 3 days.

[Volkonski]

Today marks the end our first week on the North Fork.

Sitting out on first floor front porch on a perfect NF spring morning listening to noisy construction of some sort to the near west.

Our neighbor to the right now has 24 hour attendants but he can still drive which is good because he has to fetch and take home the attendants.

He walks with a large roller walker with hand brakes.

Mrs. V's oldest brother has been in the hospital with kidney problems since last week. She found out while we were driving up.

Mrs. V's cousin's (who lives down by the bay) brothers and their now retired wives were down from upstate NY to open the cottage to our left. Sounds like we can expect a lot of use of that cottage this summer by them, their children and grandkids.

The little hardware store here that I have been using since 1976 and which was for sale when we left in fall 2019 is closed. However there is a sign that says "Closed for Renovations " so perhaps there is hope.

Our first night here we stayed off diet and got a pizza from the restaurant I have called "Tony's" here. Got a big welcome from "Tony" who carried my pizza out to the car. The pandemic destroyed his dine in business but the additional take out business kept him afloat.

The next evening we went to the Modern Snack Bar. They have a reduced number of tables with large plastic screens between them and a reduced menu. They have also moved the waiting line completely outside.

Covid precautions continue on the North Fork.

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

[sugar magnolia]

Mrs. V's cousin's (who lives down by the bay) brothers and their now retired wives were down from upstate NY to open the cottage to our left. Sounds like we can expect a lot of use of that cottage this summer by them, their children and grandkids.

Wouldn't her cousin's brothers also be her cousins?

[Volkonski]

Yes. Mrs V. has so many cousins!

[Volkonski]

[Volkonski]

[Volkonski]

Local tourist businesses have been looking forward to this weekend to jumpstart an active summer but Memorial Day weekend here on the North Fork looks to be a washout. Cool, rainy and windy.

A number of events have been cancelled or postponed.

The storm tonight looks to be a real nor'easter so we will batten down the hatches and huddle around the fire.

ScreenHunter_363 May. 28 10.53.jpg (47.45 KiB) Viewed 3948 times

[Volkonski]

It was a wet spring here. The grass looks great. The beds are somewhat overgrown.



The rhododendrons have the most blossoms ever.

[AndyinPA]

Nice rhododendron. Mine are in bloom right now, too.

[Volkonski]

I have mentioned before about the general labor shortage on the North Fork. It is now worse.

A nearby home for the elderly this week had a drive thru hiring event-

CURRENTLY SEEKING:

RNs & LPNs, Marketing Coordinator, MDS Coordinator, Physical Therapist, Recreation Aide/Therapist & Support positions:

Carpentry Assistant (turnover), CNAs, Custodian, Dishwasher, Entry Level Support Aides (Care Partner), Housekeeper, Home Health Aide/Companion, Waitstaff.

Wow, did their entire staff resign at the same time?

Also our favorite Italian restaurant is hiring-

HELP WANTED - FULL TIME - YEAR ROUND
Pizza Chef. $20/hour 40 hours week. Weekends a MUST

Indeed just about every business on the North Fork is hiring.

[Volkonski]

North Fork faces a summer help crunch with various factors making staffing tougher than ever

https://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview ... than-ever/

On your next quiet drive across the North Fork, peek north and south at the business signs that dot the main roads. Odds are you’ll see plenty of other signs, too: those that read “help wanted.”

A nursery, a farm stand, a landscaper and a restaurant are all looking for help in Jamesport, for example. Drive just a couple of miles and you’ll see all kinds of employment opportunities.

It’s that time of year again, but employers say it’s been particularly hard this year to find help in preparation for the summer. It’s a phenomenon being felt across Southold and Riverhead towns.

“It’s been a total nightmare trying to staff for this summer. I just need bodies,” said Bunnii Buglione, manager at Ellen’s on Front restaurant in Greenport.

[Volkonski]

Now 48F and breezy. More rain expected.

Cancellations fill the local news.

The airshow at Jones Beach, fireworks displays and the grand reopening of the water park are canceled.

Town beaches were scheduled to open today but they won't.

Half of Long Island is under a coastal flood advisory.

The traffic on the North Fork currently is all green. If it were 75F and sunny the main roads would be all red.

On the plus side of things no one is mowing their lawns.

Cold temperatures, rough waters and gale warnings will keep boaters from going out.

[Volkonski]

It has warmed to 49F and rain is falling.

The Jamesport Farm Brewery has taken to social media to remind folks that its outdoor beer garden is covered so you can enjoy a craft brew without getting drenched. Chilled to the bone maybe but not drenched.

Many NF restaurants are on social media letting people know their dining rooms are open today, Sunday and Memorial Day. However traffic remains light. I imagine that the restaurants will not be very full.

As best I can tell from looking out from the upstairs porch most of our weekenders are not out today except for our neighbor's (to the right) older daughter.

[Estiveo]

Sounds like an excellent day to dine out.

[Volkonski]

The coastal flood advisory has been extended to include the North Fork. Fortunately the worst effects will be from midnight to 5 am Sunday when most folks will be home. Some road closures expected overnight. Greenport and points east could be cut off for a few hours.

[AndyinPA]

Same kind of crappy weather here for the weekend, although Monday is supposed to be better.

[Volkonski]

Sounds like an excellent day to dine out.

Yes, but Long Island and NYC are full of nice eateries. North Fork summer season restaurants depend on diners who come to the NF not primarily to dine but to enjoy the beaches, farms, wineries/breweries and picturesque villages. When the weather is bad they don't come to the NF at all.

[Volkonski]

Now raining and 51F.

More event cancellations.

Mrs. V. and I don't remember a Memorial Day weekend this chilly and wet.

Of course Tuesday is forecast to be sunny and 74F.

[Foggy]

So ol' Wifehorn and I spent 4 days at a 5 star hotel in the Charleston area last week on the company dime (many dimes, but not ours), and while exploring the facilities we went down to the beach, but the water was still too cold for swimming and the surf was tiny, maybe 6" on the big ones.

I told our waitress at breakfast that I was finally getting used to the elevated level of service (I thought a lot of it was just plain stupid), but when I asked the guys on the beach to turn up the temperature and the surf for us, they did not do an acceptable job of it, so no tip for them.

She told me that TWICE she had guests who complained to her about how the weather was too hot outside, and they seriously expected her to do something about it. She said the first time, she didn't understand right away that they were not joking, and she laughed at their sense of humor, but they made it clear that they were not even partially joking, and what was she going to do to make the weather cooler? And then they didn't leave a tip, because they were disappointed by the service and she laughed at them.

[Volkonski]

Well, she could have tried waiting until autumn.

[Volkonski]

The big airshow at Jones Beach is canceled again today and won't be rescheduled. They will try again next year.

North Hempstead Beach's fireworks display is postponed until Labor Day.

WLNG Oldies 92 has reached the acceptance stage and is asking people to drive carefully in the heavy rain if they must go out.

Many summer cottages on the NF don't have heaters. Just looking around the Circle here 7 cottages are without heaters. Small wonder they are all currently empty.

[Volkonski]

Temperature has dropped to 50F. Rain continues. Maisie enjoying the fire.

[Volkonski]

The Weather Channel
@weatherchannel
·
4m
How will you #GetIntoTheOutThere this #MemorialDay weekend? May we suggest...

A bike ride, the pool, a walk, the mountains, a backyard BBQ, the park, a hike, the beach, a run, reading on the porch, fishing, an orchard, gardening, a picnic... Up to you!

The out there is waiting.

Nope x 14.

[Volkonski]

Jamesport Farm Brewery
g2tdSptonsohred ·
Nothing is more American than BBQ’s on Memorial Day weekend. If this rain has got your plans delayed, then enjoy the next best thing — American Apple Pie Hard Cider! Pick your 4-pack up today and make this day sweeter. But before you do, kick back and relax in our covered Beer Garden with a tasty craft beverage of your choice. Open 12-6 pm. 21+ only.

Nope. Still only 51F.