“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series

 

 

 

In response to the cataclysmic and unforeseen effects of the Covid 19 Panademic, OHS debuted its “Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series in the first quarter of 2020, regularly delivering absorbing East End content direct to living rooms via Zoom video conferencing.

 

Viewers tuned in from all over the country and, indeed, the world: Ireland; Spain; Argentina; Austin, TX; Laguna Beach, CA; Charleston, SC; Brunswick, ME; Hawaii; Jacksonville, FL; Fairfield Glade, TN; McLean VA; Prescott Valley, AZ; and Chapel Hill, NC; among many other locales, as well as our own backyard of East Marion and Orient.

 

Most of the lectures were recorded and you’ll find links to those recordings, wherever available, below.

 

 

 

Oysterponds People: Captain W.W. Stephenson & Private John Henry Young

 

John Holzapfel’s presentation, complement to an OHS exhibition in Village House, focuses on two celebrated native-son veterans of the Civil War: one officer–Col. William Wilson Stephenson, and one enlisted man–Private John Henry Young. Both of the men experienced compelling Civil War years, and lived interesting Oysterponds lives. Of special interest are photographs of Stephenson, a recruitment poster with his name, a diary, a sketch of his camp, his trunk, and more. Equally absorbing are Young’s extensive Civil War diaries and photographs of Young taken both during the war and decades after at memorial events.

 

link for “Two Native-Son Civil War Veterans”  VIDEO

 

 

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture – “A Studio Visit with Artist Alan Bull”

 

Join artist Alan Bull in his studio as he discusses his work and shares some of his recent paintings and works-in-progress. Alan studied at the Philadelphia College of Art and was Artist-in-Residence at the William Steeple Davis House in 1996. Over the past 30 years he has created numerous paintings of the North Fork, New England and locales throughout the US and Europe. More recently he has won awards for his plein air painting at festivals in Nova Scotia and has been a visiting artist and juror for the Bisbee (AZ) Plein Air Festival.

 

His first illustrated children’s book about Orient, Augustus and Me, was published in 2019 in collaboration with author Jan Rose. Alan is currently working on a series of life-sized portraits of prominent songwriters and musicians for charity. For more information visit alanbull.com or on Instagram @abullstudio.

 

link for “Artist Alan Bull” VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture –  “Night Boats to New England: When Splendor Sailed Long Island Sound”

 

Presented by John Henry. Well into the 20th century passenger steamers left New York City every night of the year heading eastward on the Sound bound for New London, Newport, Providence and Boston. Grandest of all were the magnificently appointed ships of the Fall River Line, which operated from 1847 to 1937 between New York, Newport and Fall River. Renowned for the opulence of their interiors, the dependability of their service, and their pedigreed passengers, they made the line a beloved American institution.

 

link for “Night Boats to New England” VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture – “Long Island Migrant Labor Camps: Dust for Blood”

 

Author Mark Torres’ valuable book, Long Island Migrant Labor Camps: Dust for Blood (The History Press), tells the riveting, comprehensive, and never-before-told true story about the migrant labor camps in Suffolk County—from their inception during World War II, through their heyday in 1960, and culminating with their steady decline towards the end of the 20th century.

 

Torres describes this dark history including the human suffering of the camps’ inhabitants; the cause and effect of these camps; and the factors which led to their eventual decline. Mark Torres, a labor and employment attorney as well as novelist, has a law degree from Fordham University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in history from New York University.

 

We’re sorry, we do not have a video record of this lecture.

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture – “Farming on the East End: A Granddaughter’s Story”

 

Presented by Mary Foster Morgan. As a community, the East End has often come together to protect the natural treasures left us by our forebears. Starting in 1974, when the Suffolk County Farmland Preservation Program made the first purchase of development rights in the nation, the East End has been a leader in protecting farmland.

 

Again in 1998, the Peconic Bay Region Community Preservation Fund (CPF)—established by voter referendum–approved a new real estate transfer tax of 2% to fund the purchase of undeveloped parcels. While there have been undeniable successes to date, there is undoubtedly much more work to be done to protect, sustain, and regenerate what we love.

 

link for “Farming on the East End” VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture: “What to Read This Winter”

 

Local book publishing professionals discuss what they’ve been reading and working on, and the compelling books they’re looking forward to curling up with this winter.

 

Our panel includes Tom Dyja, author of New York, New York, New York: Four Decades of Success, Excess, and Transformation and 2014’s critically acclaimed The Third Coast, leading a discussion with Scott Raulsome (owner, Burton’s Bookstore), Andrea Schulz (Editor in Chief, Viking Books), and Craig Young (Deputy Publisher, Little, Brown & Co.).

 

All recommended books will be available for purchase at Burton’s Bookstore in Greenport (43 Front Street).

 

link for “Winter Books” VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture: “The History of the Wharf at Oysterponds”

 

This talk begins with the history of the first wharf built “somewhere near 1740” and continues up to the present day. John Holzapfel’s presentation tells the compelling story of the wharf using the pictures and documents of the Oysterponds Historical Society, the words of Augustus Griffin, and the works of William Steeple Davis.

 

link for “Wharf at Oysterponds” VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture: Winter Wellness with Plant Medicine

 

Dawn Petter, founder and owner of Petalune Herbals (www.petaluneherbals.com), shares a fascinating and fun introduction to the world of herbalism, tips on winter wellness, and ways to use some easily-foraged and kitchen cabinet herbs for remedies to lift the spirits and support immune health.

 

Dawn Petter is a clinical herbalist and flower essence practitioner based in New York City.  She is a graduate of Arbor Vitae School of Traditional Herbalism and is trained as a flower essence practitioner with Delta Gardens and Findhorn Essences. Dawn offers in-depth health consults by appointment and teaches classes and retreats at corporations and institutions including the NY and Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and The NY Open Center to name a few.

 

link for “Winter Wellness with Plant Medicine” VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: A History of Orient Beach State Park

 

John Holzapfel’s compelling presentation begins before the Revolutionary War and tells the fascinating story of the historical origins of Orient Beach State Park. The subject at hand encompasses a lot of disparate—but somehow related—components, including salt hay and firewood harvesting; a large menhaden (bunker) processing plant; women’s suffrage rights; Franklin Delano Roosevelt; and Robert Moses. John also expounds on present-day activities and the outstanding and diverse natural environment found in the Park’s 300+ acres.

 

link for “History of Orient Beach State Park” VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: Be Prepared: How to Assemble a Go-Bag

 

Douglas Gray, 2nd lieutenant in the Orient Fire Dept. Rescue Squad, discusses how to be more prepared in anticipation of dealing with emergencies of the most common sort.

 

A well-thought-out “Go Bag” or emergency supply kit filled with essential items provides peace of mind.  Everyone should keep a knapsack or shoulder bag by the door, ready to grab the moment disaster strikes. Douglas describes the different types of “Go Bags” and suggest contents based on government Community Emergency Response Team, Medical Reserve Corps, and FEMA recommendations—as well as common sense.

 

link for “Go Bag” VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: Fingerstyle Guitar & Mandolin w/ Bob Doherty – A Casual Recital

 

This presentation in OHS’s celebrated “Alone Together” Virtual Lecture series isn’t a lecture at all—it’s a musical performance. Bob Doherty has been playing fingerstyle guitar and mandolin for the past 45 years, having studied with Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna fame, among others. He’s now retired after a lengthy career with NBCUniversal; he and his wife Carol split their time between Greenwich Village, NYC and Shelter Island.

 

link for “Fingerstyle Guitar & Mandolin”  VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: The Story of Two Oysterponds Naturalists

 

Roy Latham (right, above) and George Rowsom (left, above) spent many years of their lives examining the natural world of Oysterponds and John Holzapfel’s virtual lecture tells part of that engrossing story.

 

Roy Latham’s interests spanned the entire natural world which was reflected in his collection of over 10,000 birds, mammals, and fish along and with over 100,000 botanical specimens. Along the way, he discovered and named two previously unknown species. George Rowsom spent almost twenty years identifying, measuring, and banding breeding birds in Moore’s Woods in Greenport and then Ruth Oliva Preserve at Dam Pond in East Marion.

 

link for “Two Oysterponds Naturalists”  VIDEO

 

 

 

Heritage Day 2020 Virtual Celebration

 

The Heritage Day 2020 Virtual Celebration featured a parade led by the Orient Fire Department as Grand Marshal; readings by community stalwarts of the Declaration of Independence; the singing of God Bless America; the Pledge of Allegiance (all newly recorded!), and much more.

 

Scores of Oysterponds families tuned in via Zoom and enjoyed the red, white and blue festivities. For those of you who were unable to watch it “live” and for those of you who would like to experience it all over again, here’s a link to a great aural and visual keepsake of a Heritage Day that succeeded in spite of the current, daunting challenges.

 

 

link for “Heritage Day 2020 Virtual Celebration”  VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: The Glaciers That Formed Long Island

 

Professor Gilbert Hanson describes how 23,000 years ago an advancing continental ice sheet (glacier) pushed sediments in front of it formed the Ronkonkoma and Harbor Hill moraines, thus creating the undulating, east-west ridges of Long Island and the South and North Forks and leaving behind such features as kettle holes, tunnel valleys, and outwash plains. Gilbert Hanson, Ph.D., was on the faculty of Stony Brook University, retiring from the Department of Geosciences in 2020. He has been studying, teaching, and doing research on the glacial geology of Long Island for the last 20+ years.

 

link for “Glaciers” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: The U.S. Mail Steamer Georgia

 

This presentation tells the tale of the Mail Ship Georgia and its beautifully crafted seven-foot model. The story will weave together the shipyard of Smith and Dimon on the lower East River, the delivery of mail to the West Coast of the United States via the Panama route, the success of a local Oysterponds man and the donation and exhibition of the 1848 model to the Oysterponds Historical Society. Presented by John Hozapfel.

 

link for “Georgia” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: What to Read This Summer

 

Join local book publishing professionals as they discuss what they’ve been reading and working on, and what they’re looking forward to this summer. Our panel includes author Tom Dyja (The Third Coast) leading a discussion with Scott Raulsome (owner, Burton’s Bookstore), Andrea Schulz (Editor in Chief, Viking Books), and Craig Young (Deputy Publisher, Little, Brown & Co.). All recommended books will be available for purchase at Burton’s Bookstore in Greenport. [The beginning of the video for this talk (link below) was accidentally cut off; our apologies!]

 

link for “What to Read” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Lyon and Marrichjen Gardiner and the True Love, c. 1624-1638”

 

Mary Morgan presents the fascinating story of Gardiner’s Island scion Lyon Gardiner and his wife Marrichjen Duercant—how they met, how they came to the New World, and how they ended up on Gardiner’s Island

 

link for “Lyon & Marrichjen Gardiner” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Architect Richard Gluckman”

 

Please join Richard Gluckman, founding partner of NYC-based Gluckman Tang Architects and a North Fork resident for 40 years, as he presents a virtual lecture reflecting on his firms’ focus on cultural, educational and hospitality projects across the globe, including the Museo Picasso Malaga in Spain and the Zhejiang Museum in Shanghai. Gluckman has left an impression on the East End as well, having designed the award-winning Walter De Maria and Isamu Noguchi pavilions in Bridgehampton and numerous residences on both Forks. Gluckman Tang Architects completed the 2021 Masterplan Study for the Oysterponds Historical Society in 2016.

 

link for “Richard Gluckman” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Learn to Do One Thing Well and It Will Open a World of New Possibilities”

 

Join Ned Baldwin, author and Chef/owner of Houseman Restaurant in NYC, as he describes how his recently-published book, How to Dress an Egg, came about and how the book works. Then he’ll take a closer look at a few recipes that make staying at home on the North Fork during COVID-19 a little easier. If Chef Baldwin—former Seattleite and a part-time resident of Orient—is not cooking, he’s with his family, fishing or building something.

 

link for “Ned Baldwin” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 


“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series “Two Women, Two Chickens & A Sharp Knife”

 

Charity Robey and Jane Lear—two women who know their way around a chicken—present a narrated demonstration of how to break down a chicken—an essential skill for cooks everywhere. Jane narrates the process of spatchcocking a chicken for grilling and how to make an easy-but-delectable marinade as Charity tries not to cut herself. They also illustrate how to cut a whole chicken into ten pieces for frying or grilling.

 

link for “Two Chickens” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Orient Point Lighthouse (The Coffee Pot), From the Inside and Out”

 

Located in Plum Gut, the Coffee Pot (as the Orient Point Lighthouse is known) was constructed in 1899 at a cost of $20,000 and marks the end of Oysterponds Reef. Thousands of sailors, fishermen, ferry passengers pass this lighthouse every year, but few have seen the inside. Two OHS members, Ted Webb and Dick Gillooly, visited the lighthouse with a Coast Guard crew several years ago and took photos of the interior. This presentation shares its fascinating history and photos from the inside and outside.

 

link for “Orient Light” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Hunting the Blue-Eyed Bay Scallop”

 

This visual program will concentrate on the life cycle and natural history of the bay scallop. It will also discuss why the scallop harvests of the North Fork have dramatically fluctuated over the past hundred years including this past year. Presented by John Holzapfel.

 

link for “Scallops” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “The Long Island Express: The Hurricane of 1938”

The Long Island Express, as the ‘38 hurricane is known, was the first major hurricane to strike New England since 1869. It made landfall as a Category 2 or 3 hurricane and was the most powerful, costliest, and deadliest hurricane up to that time. The reasons for its damage and its disastrous effects on the North Fork will be discussed. Presented by John Holzapfel.

 

link for “Hurricane of 1938” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “The Life & Times of Sam Gumpertz – Part 1”

Come one, come all… step right up! Douglas Gray gives the first of a two-part lecture on a fascinating relative. Samuel Wellington Gumpertz (1868- 1952) rode with Buffalo Bill, managed Coney Island’s legendary Luna Park and built Dreamland. And, as if that wasn’t enough, he later took over the Ringling Brothers Circus during the depression. Warning: For accuracy’s sake the presentation contains graphic images of so-called “human oddities” and other distasteful exhibits that were immensely popular at the time.

 

link for “Sam Gumpertz, Part 1” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

“The Life & Times of Sam Gumpertz – Part 2”

 

Douglas Gray continues his compelling presentation of his storied relative, Samuel Wellington Gumpertz (1868- 1952). ​After managing Coney Island’s legendary Luna Park and building Dreamland, Gumpertz managed the circus operations for a long-time friend John Ringling and eventually was given control of all the Ringling Brothers circuses by the feuding Ringling family members. And so much more……

 

link for “Sam Gumpertz, Part 2” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Poquatuck Hall: Oysterponds Community Center For Over 125 Years”

This virtual lecture provides a history of the need, origin, and construction of Poquatuck Hall. It also provides a visual story of the social, historical, and other important events that this essential building has hosted since 1884. Presented by John Holzapfel.

 

link for “Poquatuck Hall” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “You Nice Dirty Farmer: How I Learned to Grow Wine Grapes and Love the North Fork, 1973-1999”

Louisa Hargrave was 24 when she and her then-husband Alex came to Cutchogue to plant European wine grapes on 66 acres of an old potato farm. Join Louisa as she shares some of her experiences as a wine pioneer and her love for the art of wine-making.

 

We’re sorry, we do not have a video record of this lecture.

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Menhaden: The Most Important Fish in the Sea”

This visual presentation will focus on the over 200 year menhaden industry which began right here in Southold. The natural history of the “the most important fish in the world” will be examined along with the fishery and factories that developed on the East End. Presented by John Holzapfel.

 

link for “Menhaden” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Studio Visit with Darlene Charneco, current William Steeple Davis Trust Artist-in-Residence”

Darlene Charneco is a mixed-media artist whose 3-dimensional mappings, “memorypalaces,” and tactile “weaves” explore ways of seeing our dwellings, our communities, and our evolving sensory perceptions as part of a larger organism’s growth stage.  Join us on a casual visit to Orient’s historic William Steeple Davis studio and an introduction to some of Darlene’s art, thoughts, and inspirations.

 

link for “Darlene Charneco” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 


“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Magic Carpet Tour of the Offshore Lighthouses of Southold”

There are more offshore lighthouses in Southold Town than any other township in the U.S. This presentation will concentrate on seven remaining lighthouses and the site, north of Gardiner’s Island, referred to locally as “the Ruins.” In addition, fascinating stories told by some of the men who served on the lighthouses bring to life these iconic reminders of our early American history. Presented by Edward “Ted” Webb.

 

link for “Lighthouses” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “A History of the Oyster Industry on the East End”

This program provides a visual presentation of oyster harvesting from Native Americans to the present-day boutique oyster farmers, emphasizing the natural history of the oyster along with the history of the local North Fork oyster industry. Presented by John Holzapfel.

 

link for “Oysters” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Highlights of the OHS Collection”

This talk presents a compelling selection from OHS’s many thousands of documents and objects, dating from the 17th century on. The collection is remarkably rich and has noteworthy depth in many areas – particularly early manuscripts, maritime objects and paintings, textiles, and the decorative arts. Presented by William McNaught, OHS curator.

 

link for “Collection Highlights” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Enjoying the Sugar Arts: Cake Decorating Demonstration”

Cate Shainker is a baker (by hobby more than trade) who creates whimsical custom cakes for celebrations all over Brooklyn and the North Fork. Cate demonstrates a few scrumptious decorating techniques using buttercream, fondant, and chocolate.

 

We’re sorry, we do not have a video record of this lecture.

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Hard Water Sailing – A History of Iceboating”

A short history of iceboating, the concept of ice-sailing, and the local history of iceboating on Hallock’s Bay, with special attention paid to a striking 19th century iceboat named Red Bird, given to OHS by the late Long Island iceboating authority Bob Reeves. Presented by John Holzapfel.

 

link for “Iceboating” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Four Captains of Oysterponds”

Four paintings in the OHS collection-three portraits and one whaling scene- hint at the fascinating stories behind four sea captains. Archival documents and objects, as well as the first-hand observations of preeminent local historian Augustus Griffin(who knew all four men), help provide insight into these four storied denizens of Oysterponds. Presented by William McNaught, OHS curator.

 

We’re sorry, we do not have a video record of this lecture.

 

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “She Went a-Whaling – Diary of a Whaling Captain Wife”

A visualization of the journal of Martha Brown who sailed from Orient, Long Island around the world on the whaling ship Lucy Ann with her husband from August 1847 to July 1849. Pictures, movie clips, and Martha’s own words illustrate her remarkable two-year journey chronicled in her journal. John Holzapfel hosts.

 

link for “She Went a-Whaling” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “History of St. Thomas Home of East Marion”

New York City’s St. Thomas Church operated a summer home for disadvantaged children on the East Marion property now known as Cove Beach Estates. Learn about this fascinating institution and what became of its residents and buildings after it closed. Ruth Ann Bramson, Ellen Zimmerman, and Melanie Cirillo host.

 

link for “St. Thomas Home” virtual lecture  VIDEO

 

 

 

 

“Alone Together” Virtual Lecture Series: “Historic Houses of Oysterponds Historical Society”

OHS hosts the inaugural virtual event in its Alone Together Virtual Lecture Series, presented by John Holzapfel.

 

We’re sorry, we do not have a video record of this lecture.

 

 

 

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