Dan's Papers - July 11, 2008 - "Crafted In The Country: North Fork Artisans and Objects"

The Southold Historical Society Brings An Exhibit
That Offers Some Pretty Amazing Stuff

I was outside weeding when the mail came. No, the government's rebate check wasn't there. I've been waiting for that. Instead, an envelope, return address Southold Historical Society. What could those folks want? Not my house. It's only 25 years old. Maybe my car. Almost an antique.

I was wrong on both counts. The Southold Historical Society has a brand new summer exhibition. It's called "Crafted in the Country: North Fork Artisans and Objects." And the society was inviting me to the opening reception. That's because I do a bit of quilting/crafting and like to use North Forky fabric. Horses, sailboats, grapes - even fish. I'd put a few things in the exhibition and then put it out of my mind.

But here was this invitation. Or course I'd go. For years I'd seen announcements of receptions for artists and authors. Many on the North Fork, more on the South Fork. Pretty sophisticated stuff, I thought. I ran to tell my husband and ask him if he'd like to go, too. He said yes - but he wasn't going to search for his tie. He wore it once in 2006 to my brother's retirement party and then packed it away.

Anyway, we found our way to the reception at the Ann Currie-Bell House (part of the SHS complex) on Maple Lane in Southold. How lovely the home looked in the late afternoon sun, hydrangea blossoms, blue, pink, and white, tumbling from bushes surrounding the home. Ann Currie-Bell was the society's first president back in the 1960s. The Victorian-architecture house named for her was built by her father in 1900.

Past the front porch wicker furniture we went and entered a world of beauty that dispelled talk of politics, fuel costs, tainted tomatoes. Where to start? Well, to my right was the "food" room. I checked that out first. Deviled eggs, small sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fruit, cookies, cake, and punch. Just checking, you understand. I certainly wouldn't go into the room on the left, the exhibition room, carrying a plate of food. But I did accept a glass of red wine a very pleasant gentleman offered me. I'd get some of those cookies later. Now to the exhibition.

I picked up a program at the entrance to the exhibition room. Wow! About 85 items were listed (I'll tell you about some later on) and it seemed almost 85 people were in the room already. Well, maybe not that many. Some were still out at the food table. Guess they hadn't eaten lunch.

I'll be honest. I looked for my stuff first. There it was in the display case. I hovered around a little, hoping to hear some comments from viewers. One couple did admire my pillow but then the headed towards someone else's hooked rug. Can't say I blamed them. It was a beauty.

And so I decided to start with item number one and work my way through 85. Impossible. At least not in an hour. There was just so much talent and beauty. I'd have to come back.

Cutchogue's Barbara Ringewold is a weaver whose scarves and shawls evoke sighs of approval and delight. Bob Hamill hails from Southold and his glass kaleidoscopes are joyous. Beautiful, yes, a constantly changing beauty. Also from Southold is Dave Starwood. Check out what he does with driftwood "beaten by the surf and bleached by the sun." And these are just three of the 27 North Fork artisans at this exhibition running through August 31. Call 631-765-5550 for hours.

Incidentally, my husband didn't wear a tie. The guys were dressed informally and the women were, too. Though most wore earrings. I noticed.

If you want to have a good time on the North Fork The Southold Historical Society is a great place to check out. The history of the North Fork is so rich and wonderful and being at a place like the Southold Historical Society reminds you of tat richness. So much today revolves around the future, but there are few things more pleasent then admiring our past and seeing where we all came from. It gives us a good idea of where we are going, or at least I'd like to think that.

So get to Southold Historical Society one day this summer for some things of beauty that are joys forever.