Sunday, November 16, 2008

Martha Clara Thanksgiving Day.. how you can help!

A Thanksgiving dinner for 100 folks that are orphans or in foster care at Martha Clara on Thanksgiving Day. This is a new tradition for our family - the past gazillion years have been spent around our own family thanksgiving table, so we are all looking forward to this new tradition helping these children, some with major disabilities, and some who just have the misfortune of being born to the wrong parents who all reside in Riverhead at an orphanage run by the state called Little Flower. If you are like me, I did not even know an orphanage and foster care place existed in Riverhead.

There is also a battered womens shelter in Long Island - and I just found out about 14 will be attending from there - which makes this even more touching.

So my sister owns a party rental place in the hamptons, and has spent countless hours working with people she works with on a daily basis like caterers and florists. So many have graciously
donated services - thus far they have 20 turkeys donated and numerous side dishes - she will be providing the tables and Claire Bean (who by the way does beautiful work if you ever need florals - www.clairebean.com) will make the room beautiful - Martha Clara also donated the space...........and Barbara and Pindar/Nicky don't know this yet but they are donating the wine for the volunteers (aka Leslie and Sarah) ......... so it's amazing how many people have reached out to help.

So here is where you come in..............

First, we are still short four 20 pound turkeys - so if anyone can make a turkey and donate it that would great - the turkeys need to be cooked without stuffing (health department requirement).
In addition, any side dishes that are kid friendly would be appreciated - Briemehr has donated some pies as have some of the south side places - however, Thanksgiving type of cookies/cupcakes etc. would be more than welcome as the kids would most likely love those - an ice cream bar has also been donated. Obviously you don't have to donate mashed potatoes for 130 people but a large quantity of anything will be fine as many folks are donating stuff. Alot of the set up will be done on Wednesday - and we will begin setting up and final prep on Thanksgiving day at noon - so you can either drop off anything you want to donate at the winery on Wed. afternoon or Thursday after noon - or call me and I will pick it up either Wednesday or Thursday morning. Here is what is confirmed to date food wise:



Dinner will be served to the kids at 4:30. Universal Studios has donated a movie that will be shown after the dinner - however clean up for a dinner like this is alot. If for some reason
your dinner ends by 5 or 6pm and you want to work off some of those calories - please stop by Martha Clara to help us clean up - that would be really appreciated.

NOW MOST IMPORTANTLY - The kids have all put together a list of a present that they would like - I should have that later today but I understand the list is heartbreaking - it brought my niece to tears - many asked for a walkman (if you can believe it) .......things like a puzzle - a 12 year old girl asked for a cookbook - the gifts are already taken care of HOWEVER - we are looking for a boy to dress up as Santa to hand out the gifts.................we have a Santa Suit.. I would do it but when was the last time you saw a female Santa? So that is a big one ..........any takers? Timing would be around 7PM.

Finally, if you are cc'd above and are not local - you can overnight any donations to me @ 3320 Oregon Road, Mattituck, NY 11952 ..........we will take anything that would enhance the experience for the kids - ages 7 to 16 and something as simple as a couple of dozen homemade cookies will help make this a great experience - ................and if you cannot work it out to help this time around, there is always the next time - and THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

PS ......................imagine how good you will feel doing this !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PSS Please feel free to pass this on to other North Forkers who may want to help ..............

Sunday, November 2, 2008

North Fork Audubon Society "Green" Christmas Yard Sale

FIRST annual "Green" Christmas Yard Sale and Bazaar.
It's going to be at The Red House at Inlet Pond Park on Saturday, November 15th, from 9-3.
We're looking for people who would like to sell nature-related items, hand made objects and/or recycled items (meaning second-hand,yard-sale type items) or other objects of integrity that would be suitable for holiday gifts.
To reserve a table, all we want from you is a $25 tax-deductible donation to the North Fork Audubon Society.

Call 765-9432 to reserve a spot.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Dec. 4th at Blue Iris Bed & Breakfast

We are very excited to let you know that Blue Iris is hosting our next event.
Thursday, Dec. 4th.
5:00 - 8:00pm
If you are interesting in participating as a vendor please let us know.