“Mark Twain’s Tales of the Macabre & Mysterious” Edited by R. Kent Rasmussen Fiction Lyons Press   I was curious about how Samuel Clemens came up with Mark Twain as his pen name, so I did some internet sleuthing. “Mark Twain” is a nautical term (twain means two) for a measured river depth of two […]

Whispers of Fire Island Lighthouse being haunted are a longstanding fixture of Long Island lore, but is there any truth to these haunting rumors? On the freezing night of Friday, January 7, 2022, seven paranormal investigators convened at the lighthouse, drawn like moths to the glow of its ghostly reputation. The frankly spooky videos and […]

Pumpkin and Apple Picking is about enjoying the crisp autumn air as friends and families gather to celebrate the harvest may be one of the most blissful experiences about living on the South Shore. It is also a destination, as we receive visitors from other regions who come to enjoy a little of what we […]

Art Crawl Bay Shore was a collaborative effort between South Shore Arts and Islip Arts Council. On Saturday, October 12, it transformed Bay Shore’s Main Street. Street vendors, musicians, poets, and local businesses participated. Author Jean Derespina, a friend of our publication, and our own Jessica Suarino of GSBN were vendors. Musicians included Christine Sweeney […]

George Martin’s Strip Steak 60 River Road Great River, NY 11739  (631) 650-6777 georgemartinsstripsteak.com Hours: Wednesday-Sunday. 5-9 p.m. Reservations suggested. Private event dining is available.   “Strip Steak” is a fitting name for this particular branch of the George Martin Group family of restaurants, as it is on the bustling main strip of Great River—let’s […]

Sagtikos Manor is cozily nestled right next to Montauk Highway, and is one of the oldest buildings in Suffolk County. Many Islip Town residents will recall a memory with the 332-year-old estate, whether that’s going on a tour inside the former residence, attending the various events hosted on the house’s grounds, or writing a school […]

My earliest memory of boating on the Great South Bay was in the early 1960s. I grew up in Copiague, south of Merrick Road, close to Tanner Park. My first experience owning a boat was with my friend Dennis. I was 10 years old when he was 11. It wasn’t the fastest boat, but it […]

The C/2023 A3 (Tsachinshan-ATLAS) Comet, visible in Long Island and Tri-State skies after October 10, has generated much interest, and rightfully so. It is the brightest comet to pass through in over a decade. Here are some basics to understand the phenomenon, what to expect, and the best chances to view success.   WHAT IS […]

For best breast health, self-awareness, rather than self-examination, is the new name of the game when it comes to breast cancer screening. For many years, breast cancer experts advised women to do monthly breast self-exams at home to check for lumps or other abnormalities that could signal cancer. We used to think it was one […]

What’s the local rap on Raptors? On a crisp, bright October morning years ago, I helped lead a group of families on a nature walk at Robert Moses State Park. As we moved through the dunes on the boardwalk, some participants noticed a few deer browsing on the brush. They jostled for position along the […]

John Cochrane’s legacy of community service has made him a beloved figure in South Shore Island. In addition to being a former Islip Town Councilman and President of Cochrane Insurance Company, as a retired U.S. Navy Captain, his long list of service decorations includes Gold Stars in the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service, and Navy […]

Town of Islip’s Sixth Annual Sea Fest, held at Bay Shore Marina, celebrated summer’s send-off with over a dozen food and beverage vendors ranging from Caribbean, Spanish, and American, with no shortage of the dozen local craft and clothing kiosks while rocking out to the live performance of the band 70’s Rock Parade. I treated […]