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 “Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work we go…”
There will be a limited number of guarded beaches for Memorial Day weekend. But with ocean temperatures still below 60 degrees, I think there will be a limited number of swimmers, too!
 I have confirmed that I am not the only person who associates certain food with summer.Â
 Mack’s Pizza in Stone Harbor posted an “Open May 15th – 5pm” sign on their door several weeks ago. Who would guess that by 5:30 it would be packed?Â
The owner said one of his regular customers was sitting on the steps outside at 4:30pm. The other customers were expressing their appreciation for the return of Mack’s after a long winter! And obviously I know all of this because we were there, too 🙂
http://www.stoneharborroa.com/node/105
Link to the Stone Harbor Realty Owner’s Association web site with a summary of the recent meeting with Mayor Suzanne Walters.  Unfortunately, several major projects (beach replenishment and the removal of the outfall pipes) are delayed until the fall.
 Am I the only person who associates certain foods with summer?  Maybe we can form a support group!
Anyway…Springer’s Ice Cream in Stone Harbor opened today- I know this because I was disappointed to read the sign on their door last night when we walked into town craving ice cream.Â
Kohler’s Bakery in Avalon also opened today.  The 2 block walk from my office does not justify the cream donut…oh well…will work through it with the support group 😉
Avalon– Borough wide yard sale. Pay a little today…or wait until the items are put to the curb tomorrow for bulk trash! Looks like many home owners are participating.  Also, stop by the 30th Street Fire House for their annual flower and hoagie sale.
Stone Harbor– The Garden Club’s annual flower sale on 96th Street.
As of this weekend, plenty of food options.Â
Just saw the banner outside of  Kohler’s Bakery http://www.kohlersbakery.com/ – “Celebrating 60 years in Avalon”. Opening Mother’s Day weekend-  I will be there!
Nemo’s Pizza from Avalon opened an additional restaurant in Stone Harbor- 98th and Third Avenue;  Mack’s Pizza at 83rd Street re-opens on May 15th for the season; and Circle Pizza in Avalon is back open after major renovations, too.
Quahogs on 97th Street was open last weekend- indoor and sheltered patio dining; and on the opposite corner, Black Fish (in the Henny’s location) is freshly painted and ready for their Mother’s Day weekend grand opening.
 Looks better in person- we haven’t seen sun for a few days :(  so the gray exterior just fades into the sky.  The owners are smart- they set the tables and left the interior lights on last weekend for people like me to snoop in the windows!
 Also hearing good things about Fuze- the new restaurant at 79th and Ocean Drive.Â
Can you tell we are ready for the season to begin??
 This is the weekend for the annual Stone Harbor Boat Show & Seafood Festival on 96th Street. The gray skies and drizzle should not stop the true boaters from shopping!
 Seashore double vision- the bay front homes reflecting off of the calm water in the early morning sun.Â
Took advantage of our summer like weather and kayaked for the 1st time this season.   Very peaceful…
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 No boat traffic or bugs…but the bay is still cold. I stay close to the docks in the event of an oops!
What an odd month- record rain fall, freezing temperatures, severe thunderstorms, a nor’easter or 2, and now a heat wave. Â
Celebrate May at the Stone Harbor Boat & Craft Show next weekend. All day Saturday and Sunday along 96th Street- food and music, too.
Save the date: bulk trash pick up is scheduled in Avalon and Stone Harbor for Monday, May 11th. Homeowners are permitted to put items to the curb the weekend prior.
Two ways to enjoy this event- 1) sitting in your house watching others make their selections (fun to guess what they will take); or 2) going out and searching for treasures yourself (best at dark so your neighbors can’t see you!).  This is an earth friendly event- fewer items for the landfill by the time the trucks drive around for the final collection.
I will clean out our storage space…to make room for the “new to us” bicycles that are bound to find their way to our home  🙂
 The Borough of Stone Harbor reported the construction of 2 new bird watching platforms at the point. The first one is easy to find- follow the driveway path off the 123rd Street parking lot. It’s basically a nice sun deck positioned on top of a dune- with exceptional views of the ocean, bay, wetlands, and birds (the official purpose of the site). Â
The 2nd, smaller platform is harder to find. Two choices: from the 1st platform, follow the crushed shell path west (toward the bridge) and look on your right. This one sits lower and closer to the marsh. Or, for a more interesting walk (at low tide only), follow the path at the end of Third Avenue- south of 122nd Street. The bay side of the point gives you a completely different perspective of the end of the island. The path will bring you around to the 2nd platform, and then you can continue your walk around to the beach side.
Tip- take advantage of the spring weather for the marsh walk. Once the warm weather arrives, so will the bugs 🙂