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SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - THE BEACHES OF LONG ISLAND
Someone recently told me they never go the beaches on Long Island because the water is dirty. They obviously didn't grow up here. Long Island has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and growing up here was like a dream. People come from all over the world to visit our beautiful beaches. Go ahead, dive in.
Buon Estate! Happy Summer!
Montauk Point
Long Island boasts over 100 beaches along its national seashore. From Rockaway to Montauk, and everything in between, there are plenty of beaches to choose from. Long Island beaches are world-renowned for their fine white sand, spectacular waves, miles of boardwalks, beach trails, shore-side restaurants, public picnic areas, and beautiful sunrises & sunsets. Life here is a beach.
Sunset at Jones Beach
Of all the different activities in Long Island, spending a day on a stunning beach is at the top of the list. Favorites include Jones Beach State Park—One of Long Island’s beaches within an hour from New York City—Montauk, Fire Island (Kismet is a favorite), Robert Moses State Park (Field 5 has the lighthouse), and Orient State Park on the East End. Two Long Island beaches, Coopers Beach in Southampton and Main Beach in East Hampton, are consistently named in the annual top ten beaches in the world. But all of the beaches on Long Island are winners.
Visit www.discoverlongisland.com/things-to-do/beaches for a more in-depth look at what discovering Long Island beaches is all about.
Cooper's Beach in Southampton
Main Beach in East Hampton
I basically grew up on the beach. My parents are from Rockaway Beach, and my Dad was a lifeguard when he was a teenager. I'm one of eight children. Four of my siblings were born in Rockaway, and four of us, including myself, were born in Bay Shore. My parents settled there after buying a house on the GI bill.
Every weekend, my parents would pack our beach bags, and we'd head to Robert Moses or take the one-hour car ride to Rockaway Beach to visit their parents who both lived two blocks from the ocean. I always got car sick on the way. My mother's parents neighbor, Ida, would be outside waiting for our arrival with Alka Seltzer.
Summer is a happy time for me. It always evokes great memories of my childhood. I can still smell the stale water from the outdoor shower at my grandparent's homes. Rockaway is a beach town. Everyone had an outdoor shower.
My mom was from Hamels in Far Rockaway, and my dad was from Belle Harbor. My dad's brother still lives in the house they grew up in. Several blocks in my mom's neighborhood were lined with bungalows that provided a cozy and relaxing escape from the hot city in the summer. Original Rockaway Beach bungalows were modest, affordable, wooden vacation homes built around 1920 for Jewish immigrants. These communities once housed over 7,000 bungalows. Today, only a few hundred remain, with the largest cluster located on Beach 24th, 25th, and 26th Streets just south of Seagirt Avenue, one of the main roads there. Many bungalows have been renovated with modern features while preserving original details like boardwalk wood or cedar shakes.
One memory that stands out the most for me is while walking to the beach one evening with my siblings, we passed by a bungalow where a man was sitting outside in a wife-beater A-shirt watching his TV that was plugged into an extension cord. There wasn't any cable then, just "rabbit ears." "Rabbit ears" is a colloquial term for an indoor television antenna consisting of two adjustable rods that swivel apart at a V-shaped angle. They are designed to receive over-the-air (OTA) television signals, allowing users to watch free broadcast channels without cable or satellite. While often associated with older technology, they can still be effective for receiving local channels, especially with the advent of digital television. I remember our rabbit ears as a child. Sometimes we'd put tin foil on the tips for better reception. It worked.
The term "wife beater" was coined in 1947 after a man named James Hartford Jr. beat his wife to death. A picture of Hartford wearing a sleeveless white undershirt swept the nation, captioned “The Wife–Beater”. Newspapers published his arrest photo, which showed him wearing a blood-stained A-shirt, another name for T-shirt. It was captioned it “The Wife Beater”.
Marlon Brando in a wife-beater
The Original Bungalows of Rockaway Beach
A Renovated Bungalow (I could live here)
Some New Development of the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk and Apartment Buildings
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Rockaway is becoming an escape from the city once again. With rising rents and crowded neighborhoods, Rockaway offers a respite from hectic city life. Its close proximity offers a short subway ride to work in the big city. Development is currently focused on revitalization and affordable housing projects. Recent initiatives include the completion of the Beach 21st Street project, which created 224 affordable housing units and retail space. Additionally, the Rockaway Village development is adding thousands of affordable homes, community facilities, and retail space. There are also plans for a large-scale development with 11 buildings and over 2,000 affordable homes, along with retail and community spaces. Here's a more detailed look at the current development landscape
Downtown Far Rockaway Revitalization:
- Comprehensive Plan: The Downtown Far Rockaway Roadmap for Action, a comprehensive plan, outlines strategies for rezoning, affordable housing, public space improvements, and bolstering the local economy.
- Affordable Housing: Several projects are underway to create new affordable housing units, including the Beach 21st Street development and Rockaway Village.
- Infrastructure Improvements: The revitalization includes streetscape redesigns, pedestrian plazas, and infrastructure upgrades.
- Community Engagement: The City is working with the community, local stakeholders, and agencies to ensure the revitalization efforts align with the community's vision.
- Multi-Phase Development:This project involves five phases and will bring eight buildings with a mix of residential, retail, and community facilities.
- Affordable Housing Focus:A significant number of the units will be affordable, addressing the need for housing options in the area.
- Large-Scale Development: This project includes 11 towers with over 2,000 affordable homes, retail, community space, and healthcare facilities.
- Mixed-Income Housing: The development aims to serve a range of income levels, from extremely low to moderate incomes.
- Mixed-Use Development:A new 8-story mixed-use building is planned for Rockaway Park, featuring both residential and commercial spaces.
- Resiliency Focus:The city is also working on strategies to improve transportation, enhance coastal access, and ensure the resiliency of the area.
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Anywhere you go, the ocean beaches of LI have it all. They cater to your every mood and offer a variety of amenities. Whether you want tranquility or you're ready to party, there are a lot of places to choose from. All of LI beaches are pristine. Spending a day at the beach is one of the best ways to pass time even if you don't want to dive in.
Peace and Love,
Skylark
At 60 and Beyond, the beach is always a great place to relax, unwind, and recharge. Andiamo in Spiaggia! Let's go to the beach!
Rimini in the heart of the Romagna Riviera in Italy
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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK
My cousin, Kathleen DiResta, is a jewelry designer and has had her own shop in Sea Cliff called K DiResta Collective for 13 years. She has decided to begin a new chapter, and her current location will become a beloved record shop. This Saturday, June 28, is her last day there. She'll be selling her jewelry at Salon Solis nearby as well as on her website at www.kdirestadesign.com. She will also meet with you by appointment. If you have jewelry that you want to reimagine, Kathleen is your gal. Come on out to 212 Sea Cliff Avenue in Sea Cliff this Saturday from 12-4 to shop and reminisce or to just say hello and wish Kathleen well on her new journey.
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SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Summer is in full swing!
SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK
SKYLARK'S ITALIAN PHRASE OF THE WEEK
Oggi faceva molto caldo. It was very hot today.
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SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Dear God,
Please keep us living in peace and love. Amen.
SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK
What is your favorite beach on Long Island?
Please put your answer in the Comment section under this post. I'd love to hear from you.
SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - ON THE BEACH by CHRIS REA
LYRICS
Between the eyes of love I call your name
Behind the guarded walls I used to go
Upon a summer wind there's a certain melody
Takes me back to the place that I know
On the beach, yeah, yeah
Down on the beach
The secrets of the summer I will keep
The sands of time will blow a mystery
No-one but you and I
Underneath that moonlit sky
Take me back to the place that I know
On the beach, yeah, yeah
Down on the beach
Yeah, down on the beach
On the beach, yeah, yeah
Forever in my dreams my heart will be
Hanging on to this sweet memory
A day of strange desire
And a night that burned like fire
Take me back to the place that I know
On the beach, yeah, yeah
Down on the beach
Yeah, down on the beach
On the beach, yeah, yeah
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ABOUT MY BRAND, SKYLARK LIVE
My brand, Skylark Live, began when I turned 60 and noticed a profound shift. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in mature aging through knowledge and self-awareness. Andiamo! Let's go!
Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. I throw in Italian words, too, because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe: For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!
Monthly Vlog - My first Monday-of-the month vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, is a recap of what I've written about in my newsletters throughout the previous month. Then I introduce a new topic. My vlog is live on my YouTube channel, Skylark Live, and you can view it at any time. Just click the link to subscribe: (736) Skylark Live - YouTube
HOW TO SUPPORT ME
Patreon - This is where you can financially support my brand. It enables me to write my newsletters and create my vlogs to share with you. Just click the link to contribute: www.patreon.com/SkylarkLive
Social Media - Follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live.
Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day. Saluti!
