—————————— The Peconic Bay Shopper • Preserving Local History • DECEMBER 2015 ——————————2

publisher/editor — Michael P. Hagerman art department — Rita M. Hagerman (rita.academy@gmail.com sales — Kristin Ulmet, 631.466.8363 regular contributors — Antonia Booth, Southold Town Historian Daniel McCarthy, Jeffrey Walden, Jerry Matovcik, Bob Kaelin, Gail F. Horton, Paul Hunter

A division of Academy Printing Services, Inc.42 Horton Lane - POB 848, Southold NY 11971www.academyprintingservices.com

The Peconic Bay Shopper is published monthly, excluding January.

Have you looked at a copy of “Trawling My Town” by Southold Town Historian Antonia Booth? 100% of the sales is donated to help the homeless through “John’s Place” or “Maureen’s Haven” $20.Available at Academy Printing. Stop in and flip through it.

On the Cover:

Share your photos!!1950’s - 60’s - 70’s!

HOT RODS • RACING • BOATINGSPORTS • PARTIES • BUDDIES

Yes! ...they’re old enough to be in print!631.765.3346 or rita.academy@gmail.com

This auto insurance is designed exclusively for AARP members – and is now available through your local Hartford independent agent!

Call Today for your FREE, no-obligation quote:

107293 4th Rev

The AARP Automobile Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford CT 06155. CA license number 5152. In Washington, the Program is underwritten by Trumbull Insurance Company. AARP does not employ or endorse agents or brokers. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states. Applicants are individually underwritten and some may not qualify. Specific features, credits, and discounts may vary and may not be available in all states in accordance with state filings and applicable law. You have the option of purchasing a policy directly from The Hartford. Your price, however, could vary, and you will not have the advice, counsel or services of your independent agent.

“Ask me about theAARP Auto Insurance Programfrom The Hartford.” Now available in your area!

631-722-3500

David FujitaNEEFUS STYPE AGENCY INC.

54985 Main RoadSouthold, NY 11971dfujita@nsainsure.comwww.nsainsure.com

David FujitaNEEFUS STYPE AGENCY INC.

The story on page 2 is one of the many Peconic Bay Shopperstories that are reprinted in the North Fork Nostalgia book by Becky Terry. It is a great Christmas gift for any North Forker:

A snowy view of Main Road, Southold, circa 1930. Courtesy of Barbara Gleason.

To our Readers and our Contributors: Thank you for being part of the Peconic Bay Shopper family!We remind you that there is no January issue and we will publish again in February. Our plans for 2016 is to present more photos from the 1960s through the 1990s. Look through your albums or boxes of photos and see if you have something to share! We can scan while you wait so you don’t need to leave your photos.

—————————— The Peconic Bay Shopper • Preserving Local History • DECEMBER 2015 —————————— 3

Christmas NostalgiaAs Christmas 1980 approaches with it electronic games and plastic Santas as well as

the desperate gaiety of office parties and frantic last-minute shop ping, it is good to look at the old-fashioned Christmas, a sentimental time of simple celebration. The following memories date from the 1890’s to 1900’s, a nostalgic sharing of childhood experience.Nellie Williams remembers going to bed very early on Christmas Eve and receiving a wonderful doll and car riage - the doll had long hair which could be brushed. The tree was trimmed with imported ornaments from Germany, easy to come by since they were sold in her father’s (William A. Williams) store. She never received a sled, for most girls of her day had to be content to hitch a ride on the sled of a brother or older boy. Carl Vail, like most of those interviewed, remembers the fresh orange, a once-a-year treat. The Vail children had more candy than they could handle the year their father, Floyd W. Vail, took a job selling for the Holmes Confec tionery Co. of Portland, Maine. In 1906, Carl received a Flexible Flier, the fastest sled made. He remembers many coasting parties with Julia Overton Bell, a youth leader of Peconic, whose sled held six people. Mary Conklin, Southold lady, reminisced about the good times in the Methodist Sunday School, under the direc tion of Mr. Benjamin Tuthill, the dedicated Supt. The children’s recitations and songs preceded the main event, receiving a box of hard candy and that orange. Her most memorable gift was a brass bed for her doll, complete with bedding and lace trimmed pillows’ the bed collapsed to be put away after playtime. Roast goose, raised on the farm, was a holiday treat ending with suet pudding.Joseph B. Hartranft remembers cutting a cedar tree behind the Simon home on Boisseau Ave. and pulling it back by sled on a snowy day. It was trimmed with string of cranberries and popcorn, a Jesus ornament on top. The candles were left unlighted for safety. Gray home-knit stockings were hung by the fireplace; a bowl of apples and thin-shelled hickory nuts from Orange Co., N.Y. were on the table. A hobby horse was Mr. Hartranft’s favorite gift. He loved that horse, and later cared for a real horse which pulled his doctor father’s buggy. Wear ing long curls and a holiday kilt at the age of five, he sang a duet with Florence Van Duzen at

Thirty-five years ago the following story, written by Becky Terry, was printed in the December 1980 Peconic Bay Shopper. Some of our readers will recognize the locals that shared their memories with Becky. Today many people do so much on line — banking, paying bills, catalog shopping, ordering grocery deliveries, and even working from home. There should be more free time to learn a craft, read a book, play an instrument or have family conversations. Instead, everything spins at a faster pace. These memories from “days gone by” remind us of a simpler time. Appreciate and enjoy modern tech-nology, but make time to slow down and smell the roses!

—————————— The Peconic Bay Shopper • Preserving Local History • DECEMBER 2015 ——————————4

the Methodist Christmas Eve service. A lighted lantern on the front porch burned all night, and anyone needing his father (Dr. Joseph Hartranft) had only to call. Medical services were often repaid by barter -- a ton of hay for the delivery of a baby. In those days the Christmas spirit glowed year round as neighbor helped neighbor. Gladys Matthews Mott recalls traveling from Flatbush to Brooklyn by trolley to spend Christmas with a large gathering of relatives at Grandpa Matthew’s home. It was fun for the children to sleep on mattresses on the floor (before the era of sleeping bags). She describes the thrill of coming downstairs Christmas morning and glimpsing through the sliding parlor doors the ceiling-high tree alight with candles. Behind the tree were three pails of water, brooms and a sponge. Two of the men kept fire watch during the festivities. Her favorite gift was a new wardrobe for her old and best-loved doll which included a long nightgown. The high point of Christmas dinner was the hard sauce served with the plum pudding. The children had helped with the arduous task of mixing the sauce ahead of time and could finally enjoy their labors.John Charnews remembers his boyhood in Lithuania where his family fasted the day before Christmas. At sundown, the dining table was set; fresh hay was laid on the table, then a tablecloth was placed on top. Nine foods were served including herring, bread, potato soup, nuts, apples, cookies, and cakes. Before the food was eaten, the Christmas wafer was shared by the family. After the meal the family left the table without clearing it. The job of washing dishes was left till the next day, perhaps to give the mother a much-needed break. If there was snow, a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh followed, ending with Midnight Mass. On Christmas Day presents such as wagons, dolls and sleds were received. Oranges were very scarce, but hazel nuts were given by girls to their boyfriends. The feasting and celebrating continued for three days.

Editor’s note: If some of the names ring a bell, you may remember...Nellie William’s store, Vail Brothers automobile dealership, Mary Conklin piano lessons and Joe Hartranft paintings.

S E R V I N G T H E E A S T E N D S I N C E 1 9 2 7

MULLEN MOTORSEast Main Street, SOUTHOLD • 765-3564

www.mullendealsoftheweek.com • www.mullenmotors.com

©2015 LGM creative, LLC/631.775.7844

Great Savings on New 2015 Model Year Dodge, Chrysler, Ram and Jeep Vehicles!

In-Stock Vehicles. Only; Must Finance Through Chrysler Capiital; Restrictions Apply: See Dealer For Details. Must Qualfiy for Financing. Tax, Tags & DMV Extra. Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, SRT and Ram are registered

trademarks of Chrysler Corporation, LLC. Not responsible for Unintended Errors of Omissions.

ZERO % FOR 75 MONTHS!! ALL REMAINING IN-STOCK 2015’s PRICED TO MOVE!

0%APR FINANCING

APR FINANCING

75Special Savings on IN-STOCK CHRYSLER 200’s!NEW 2015 CHRYSLER 200 S2 LEFT - HURRY!STOCK#15238/#15233

MONTHS!FOR UP TO

AVAILABLE ON MOST REMAININGIN-STOCK 2015’s!!!

We Got You ZERO For Christmas!

ZERO

—————————— The Peconic Bay Shopper • Preserving Local History • DECEMBER 2015 —————————— 5

ICE AND SNOW ON THE PECONIC BAY. From the Charles Meredith collection. Date unknown.

—————————— The Peconic Bay Shopper • Preserving Local History • DECEMBER 2015 ——————————6

41

A frozen Peconic Bay. Cars were able to drive across the ice between Greenport and Shelter Island.

—————————— The Peconic Bay Shopper • Preserving Local History • DECEMBER 2015 —————————— 7

—————————— The Peconic Bay Shopper • Preserving Local History • DECEMBER 2015 ——————————8

—————————— The Peconic Bay Shopper • Preserving Local History • DECEMBER 2015 —————————— 9

A snowy view of Main Road, Southold circa 1900.

Courtesy of Barbara Gleason.

—————————— The Peconic Bay Shopper • Preserving Local History • DECEMBER 2015 ——————————10

©2015 LGM creative, LLC/631.775.7844

Cute? Sure, but not exactly what we’d call Dependable...

NEED SERVICE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE(631) 727-2760

www.FlandershVaC.com First!Think

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

Since 1954

Flanders First!Think 24/7/365 (Christmas Too!)

24/7EmergencyService

100% Certified Technicians

ServingALL ofEastern Suffolk

Heating, Coolingand Comfort Since 1954

Days a Year364

Santa’s Elves Work

Home on leave in the winter of 1943, Kenneth Hagerman stands on his front porch on Youngs Avenue in Southold.In the background, by the railroad tracks, is the Van Duzer-Peterson Hardware store.