Archive for: October 2007

October 31, 2007

Visiting the Schmitt’s Family Farm for Halloween

Filed under: Long Island Living — Jennifer_S @ 3:21 pm

Sunday, October 28, 2007 7:30pm

The lack of space for parking didn’t stop the masses from arriving at the Schmitt farm as soon as the gates opened at 7:00pm. Accompanied by friends, we made our way to the forming line to purchase our combo tickets (that includes the haunted house & corn maze). It was a good hour before we made it to the ticket stand, but it didn’t seem like an hour with ongoing conversation and some side entertainment. While creeping up the line, the Ghost Busters theme song faintly grew nearer, forcing the crowd to turn out of curiosity. A Honda Element drove up, all decked out in the Ghost Buster décor with three young men dressed in costumes as Peter, Egon, & Raymond (for those of you 1984 movie buffs). The three played their parts well, letting the costumers take pictures and join in on the ghostly fun.

Once we made it to the haunted mansion, there was more standing in line for about 30 minutes. But when the time finally arrived it was fortunately worth the wait. The key to a good haunted house is the spook factor. Anyone can put on a scary mask, but how you utilize the costume is what counts. And for the Schmitt haunted mansion, they had this part perfected. Without ruining the surprise, I will simply say the illusion rooms were my favorite. One room’s illusions literally made you feel like you were doing cartwheels, while in reality you’re holding onto the railings to walk straight. But my most favorite illusion was the checkered room. Check it out. There’s no explaining what it does to your eyes and sensory reactions.

After the mansion, we made our way to the haunted corn maze. There was another wait, but it only took about 10 minutes. The best part of the maze was the 8-foot tall corn and the ¾ harvest moon sitting on the tips of the corn ears, which gave the extra spookiness it needed. The beginning of the maze was what was to be expected. We continued to be startled by the people hiding in the dark behind the corn. Most had chainsaws (without the blades) and others had costumes that camouflaged them. Unfortunately there was some disappointment towards the end of the corn maze when the young employees decided that socializing and taking smoke breaks (while still dressed in their costumes) was more important than scaring the guests that paid $20 a person to be entertained.

However, at the end of the night it seemed to all of us that it was still worth our time and money to partake in a little Halloween tradition at the farm.

The farm also offers children’s events and pumpkin picking. Next year be sure to join in on the Halloween festivities at the Schmitt’s Family Farm.

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October 9, 2007

Home heating bills to rise in northeast this winter

Filed under: Long Island Homes, Long Island Issues — admin @ 12:41 pm

The price of heating your home with oil heat this year is expected to go up by 22 percent. This estimate was annouced today by the federal Energy Information Administration. It is widely covered in the print, radio, tv and online media today. The offical EIA press release is titled “Short-term energy and winter fuels outlook“. The report notes that 32 percent of the homes in the northeast use oil heat for winter fuel. The estimate of a 22% increase couldbe quite a shock to the local economy on Long Island for the first quater of 2008. So far Long Island and the metro New York City area have not suffered as much as many regions from the economic impact of the sub-prime lending crisis. But the difficulties in the local housing market are starting to hit now. Sub-prime mortgages with variable interest rates are kicking in and many new home owners will feel double dsitress from raising monthly mortage payments and higher home heating costs this winter.

The EIA report states that natural gas prices will increase by about 10% nationwide. Part of the expected cost increases for home heating this winter is due to overall demand going up. The winter season is expected to be about 4% colder than last year.

But it is important to note that part of the impact on your personal budget depends on the home energy saving steps you take in the next two months. It is not too late to do simple home improvement and repair projects to winterize your home. In the past few weeks we have update the business listings and information on our local Long Isalnd directroy category for home heating energy saving tips. You will find information there for county programs and New York State programs that help Many of these resources will aslo refer you to LIPA’s web resource for Energy Saving Tools so that is a good site to visit first.

The LIPA web interactive tools ask you questions about your home, heating types, appliances and other basic questions. The top ways to save on energy costs are provided in the areas of weatherization, water heating, lighting and appliances. Once you have evaluated your home you can plan the home improvement or repair projects that will best help you save money this winter. You can find other helpful resources and businesses in these related categories in our yellow pages style online directory:
Long Island home heating systems
Long Island home heating oil
Long Island natural gas
Long island solar heating
Long Island wood stoves
Long Island home improvement contractors

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October 1, 2007

East End Arts Council Expanding Holiday Market

Filed under: Hamptons NY, Long Island Holidays — admin @ 1:25 pm

The East End Arts Council runs an enjoyable and successful market each holiday season in Riverhead NY. Its a perfect place to visit if you are going to the Tanger Outlet center for holiday shopping. The East End Arts Council (EEAC) annoucned today that the Holiday Market in Riverhead will expand this year. The market is a fine arts and crafts fair event that presents the work of local artists.

The Annual Holiday Market will be held from November 30th to December 23rd.

Artists are invited to a meeting on October 16th at 5:30 at 121 East Main Street, Riverhead to discuss the opportunity to participant in the Holiday Market. Artists can obtain an Holiday market 2007 application form on the EEAC website. For more information call 631-727-0900.

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After the Fall Long Island Home Show

Filed under: Long Island Living, Long Island Homes — admin @ 12:48 pm

Hopefully you made it to the Fall Home Show on Long Island this weekend. There were a great many vendors, offering the latest home products. The subprime mortgage crisis starting to take its toll on the Long Island housing market. Demand for homes is slowing only because of the tighter credit markets. There are still a vast number of people who want to own a home here but the credit crunch has led to less buyers in the market. It is still important for homeowners who want to maintain the value of their home investment to plan home improvement projects that can fit the family budget.

The following list shows the exhibitor categories at the Long Island Fall Home Show We match the exhibitor categories to the corresponding categories in our online directory of Long Island businesses. You’ll find the most complete lists of contractors, suppliers, and independent professionals for any home project you are considering.