Dan's Papers - May 6, 2008 -

QUILTING LECTURE- At 7:30 p.m. check out a 'Let's Talk Quilting Designs' program hosted by Eastern Long Island Quilters' Guild at Southold Town Recreation Center, Peconic. Carol Blevins discusses how to select a design, create your own patterns, how to make designs fit into specific areas and more. Nonmembers: $5. 631-866-1354.

KNIGHT AT THE RACES- At 6 p.m. check out Knight at the Races at Knights of Columbus Hall, Cutchogue; includes 6 races and buffet dinner. Donation: $8. 631-734-7338.

CONCERT- At 7:30 p.m. check out a concert by The Recorder Orchestra of New York at Mattituck Presbyterian Church, sponsored by Friends of Mattituck-Laurel Library. Unique orchestra performs Renaissance, Baroque and contemporary music on a variety of recorders. Free. 631-298-4134.

GARDEN CONSERVANCY- From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. check out Garden Conservancy's Open Days program featuring self-guided tour of Manfred and Roberta Lee's 2.5-acre garden in Cutchogue, which includes Victorian house and outbuildings, 1000 blooming tulips and spectacular old redbud. Fee: $5; pay on site by cash or check; children under 12, free. No RSVP. Rain or shine. 1-888-842-2442, www.opendaysprogram.org.

NORTH FORK LITTLE LEAGUE- At 11:15 a.m. the North Fork Little League opening day program at Southold Town Recreation Center, Peconic. All players report in uniform; parade to Tasker Park for opening day party begins at noon. Event includes live music, food, baseball and softball. www.northforklittleleague.org.

DERBY DAY- Derby Day in Greenport, old-fashioned village celebration of renovation of horse-watering fountain on Adams Street, sponsored by Greenport BID and Greenport Merchants' Association. Noon-Opening trumpet call and re-dedication of fountain. 2 p.m.-Best derby hat contest; first prize $500 Greenport Greenbacks, courtesy of BID. All day-Mint juleps at local ice cream shops and restaurants, live horses, pony rides, carousel rides, period costumes and more. 1-4 p.m.-Museums open to visitors. 631-477-0371.

GREENPORT CLEAN-UP- From 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: North Street cleanup sponsored by Group for the East End in cooperation with Greenport Village, Southold Town and Suffolk County, part of restoration of Silver Lake area to healthy, natural setting. Plans include walking and bike trails, educational signs and habitat restoration. Pick up bottles, cans and other litter; collection bags provided. Bring gloves. RSVP: 631-537-1400, ext. 12.

ANNUAL BEACH CLEAN-UP- From 8 a.m.-noon: Annual beach cleanup sponsored by Riverhead Town/East End Surf Fishing Club; rain date May 4. Call Town of Riverhead Parks & Recreation Department at 631-727-5744 to pick up trash bags, or Ken Densieski at 631-727-5468 or 516-527-9603. All welcome.

PECONIC RIVER PADDLE- From noon-5 p.m.: Peconic River paddle hosted by Group for the East End; learn about Long Island River Otter project and view alewife fish ladder while paddling down Long Island's longest river. Canoe and kayak rentals available. Dinner afterwards in Riverhead optional. RSVP: 631-267-5228, mike@peconic.org.

BLESSING OF THE PETS- From 1-3 p.m. is the Blessing of the Pets, ecumenical gathering of local clergy and North Fork Animal Welfare League, front lawn at Cutchogue United Methodist Church. Bring dogs cats, turtles, birds and other creatures who share your home. 631-734-6033.

ACTING AND STAGE WORKSHOP- From 6-9:30 p.m.: Workshop hosted by Northeast Stage prior to auditions for summer production of William Shakespeare's 'The Comedy of Errors' in Community Center at Peconic Landing, 1500 Brecknock Rd., Greenport. Led by director Michael Disher; includes textual readings and character interpretation and development. dishermichael@hotmail.com, northeasststage@optonline.net.

SATURDAY MAY 10, SUNDAY MAY 11, LIEB CELLARS PRESENTS- Lieb Cellars Presents Mothers Day Weekend Wine and Chocolate Pairing. The boutique winery on the North Fork, and Bon Bon Chocolatier, a gourmet chocolate shop in Huntington, have teamed up, once again, for a very special Mother's Day weekend wine and chocolate pairing. Lieb Cellars will feature five wines, including the last of the 2006 Bridge Lane Rosé, as well as, the Bridge Lane Bubbly Sparkling wine. Five special, handmade chocolates will then be selected to pair with each wine. The pairing costs $15 a person ($12 for Lieb Cellars Wine Club Members). The complete line of Lieb Cellars wines will also be available for tastings. The event runs from 1-4 p.m. Saturday May 10 and Sunday May 11 in the Lieb Cellars Tasting Room. If you wish to attend this event please RSVP, as space is limited. Call 631-734-1100.

THE NORTH FORK AUDUBON SOCIETY- At 8 a.m. on Tuesdays with Tom; visit various local birding "hot spots" including Dune Road on South Fork, with Tom Damiani, in search of wintering birds; dress appropriately for weather. Meet for carpooling at Red House, Inlet Pond County Park, Greenport. Nonmembers, $5. 631-275-3202, birdspeak@aol.com.

WEIGHT LOSS - The second Tuesday of every month, Dr. RussL'HommeDieu, a physical therapist holds a free weight management lecture & discussion session for people fighting similar weight loss problems. The discussion is moderated by Dr. Russ, who has upheld a 200-pound weight loss himself. Space is limited. For more information contact New Life at 888-446-7764.

REIKI CIRCLES- Reiki Circles Monday Nights @ Grace Episcopal Church Last Monday of the month, meetings are held at Peconic Bay Medical Center. (631) 727-2072.

SKATEBOARDING - Great skate park in Greenport offering ramps and a half pipe. Call 631-477-2385 for hours.

INDIAN MUSEUM - In Southold, open Sundays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 631-765-5577.

CAROUSEL - The Greenport Village carousel in Mitchell Park is open Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info for all facilities at the park including the ice rink and camera obsura can be found by calling 631-477-2200.

CUSTER OBSERVATORY- Weather permitting Custer staff will be on hand to assist visitors in observing the night sky using their telescopes. From sunset until midnight in Southold. Call 631-765-2626.