KidMontauk

This transitional day marks an end to the hottest summer on record and a very busy season in Montauk.  Our thoughts as parents are leaning towards the school days ahead but what a great day to stay in the present! Whether  you are at the beach, a pool, on a boat or taking down time somewhere else savor this sunny, gentle day.

www.Surfline.com

Well, we’re hoping that Earl stays 100 miles off the coast of Montauk and if that’s the case, you’ll just need to plan for Rainy Day Activities.  Here’s some things to do:

1-Watch the storm!  Listen to the news to see if it is safe to head outdoors.  The beaches will be wild but stay away during high tides when they’re predicting the water will be at the dunes- Friday 5:20, Saturday 5:41 am and 6:15 pm.  Stay away from heavily wooded areas.

2-Bring the Kids to the Montauk Yacht Club for Surf Craft on Friday from 10-2 and 5-7 pm.  You can schedule a massage, dine or head for the bar.

3- Go to Rick’s Crabby Cowboy Cafe for Rainy Day Bingo in the afternoon.  Call to make sure they’re open.

4- Go to Captain Kid Toys or one of the stores in town for crafts, puzzles, books and games and hunker down inside.

5- Go to the Montauk Community Center to play in the Gym.

6- Spend a little time in the Montauk Library and read up on the history of Montauk.  Make it a game with the kids!

7- If it’s too scary to venture out to a restaurant, get some of your Montauk faves to go and have an indoor Lobster and Clam Bake!

On the Green…instead of Monday.  6 -8 pm- don’t miss it.

This is a tribute to my father, Clifford E. Bowen Jr, who passed away just two days ago after a very long battle with Acute Leukemia.  I had the privilege to be by his side and with him before he embarked on his new journey.  My father was my teacher, confidant and friend.  He gave me more gifts than I would ever expect from a parent.  He was an extraordinary  man but his gift of understanding the human condition and giving good advice and guidance was his strength.  He was also an excellent athlete, cook, manager, lover of the arts and philosophy, world traveler and one of the funniest people I knew.

One of the pearls of wisdom that he gave to me years ago was to “Tend to my garden”.  This was when we were in Italy together passing a beautiful home garden area.  He said “whether its literal or metaphoric, keep focus on the things that nourish you, enrich you and ground you”.   Those words have spoken to me time and time again over the past years and then again this summer as I took it more literally.  Having not been a seasoned gardener, I heard his words as I tried to keep focus on something when I had the distractions of illness and disease right before me.  I was so happy to bring him zucchini and herbs because one of his favorite things to do was cook and eat with his family.  We made it a point up until his last day to eat with him and “break bread together”.
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Photo: Courtesy of Patrick Smith, squarefootagefilms.com.

Have you seen the talent at the Montauk Skate Park? These kids (and adults) are serious about boarding and biking!  It is something to see and maybe try…but bring your helmet, it’s required.  I’d say ages 8 and up but I do know a sassy 5 year old that could burn it up there.
The park is open in season from 10am -10 pm.  Bring your kids, it’s not always crowded.  The park closes when it rains. On South Essex- make a left when driving East on Main Street and go up one block….on the left.

If you are having a birthday party or just company with kids, hire Marianne Ajamy, local artist, for arts and crafts or face painting to add that special touch to any gathering.  My girls spent the afternoon with her at Sole last Sunday and had a great time painting picture frames and lady bug rocks.  When I came back to get them after brunch, they were squealing with delight at their works of art and didn’t want to leave Marianne.  Her warm and loving touch makes children feel special and moms know they are in good hands.  You can reach marianne at marianneajamy@gmail.com or 631.741.7419.

The other day, a friend of mine invited my girls and I to join her family on a dock at the Montauk Lake Club to go “Crabbing”.  I asked how this was done and how the kids could get involved and then her answer was something I had a hard time imagining: “You use chicken legs”…What?

Well I met them on the dock and, low and behold, there the kids were on the dock lowering chicken legs tied onto the end of a string into the water and before I knew it, I heard, “You got one!  Ok, hold on…” as an adult carefully helped the child lure the crab back up and then right into a pail of water!  The kids were squealing with delight at their bucket of crabs.  The best part was that one chicken leg would stay on the string for a while and catch many a crab.   (more…)