A wonderful day planned and coordinated by Suzala
Oyster Bay is a charming fishing village from the 1800s located on the North Shore of Long Island. It has 30 sites on the Historic Preservation List, all accessible in a one-mile loop. You can sketch views of ships moored in the harbor, palatial estates on a peninsula across the water, and a main street with a New England small-town vibe, conveniently located less than a block from the LIRR Station. Theodore Roosevelt had his office right on that main drag. The waterfront is a block away in the other direction, with beautiful views of Oyster Bay Harbor on the Long Island Sound.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND HISTORY:
Named “Oyster Bay” by the Dutch for its abundance of shellfish, many of the bay’s European settlers became shell fishermen. By the 1800s, oysters had become the main source of protein for New Yorkers, more so than beef. Oyster carts replaced hot dog carts and the poor fed their families with heaping buckets of shellfish that they gathered from beaches themselves. While still a prosperous source for oysters, the sound is also home to many large, beautiful estates and if you know where to look, you can see Billy Joel's as-of-yet-to-be-sold compound directly across the way.
DETAILS:
When: Approximately 10:00 AM
Getting there: Take the train to Oyster Bay from either Penn Station or Grand Central on the Long Island Railroad. Pro tip: It’s less expensive if your purchase a round-trip ticket before you board the train. The train leaves from Grand Central at 8:10 AM and from Penn Station at 8:17 AM and arrives in Oyster Bay at 9:43 AM. (Please note: Trains leave every two hours, so the next train won’t be leaving NYC until 10:10 AM.)
Where: We’ll meet at the Gazebo in Audrey Avenue Park, located on Audrey Avenue and Shore Avenue in Oyster Bay. If you make the train that arrives at 9:43 AM, Suzala’s husband, Rick will be at the station (white beard and red glasses) to direct sketchers. Look for other sketchers on the platform, as well. It'll be a short walk to the meeting place.
Lunch: 12:15: Meet back at the gazebo. Bring your own or rely on the local stores and restaurants. “Do NOT leave town without a visit to the Bonanza Ices Stand,” advises Suzala. Besides serving legendary Italian Ices for 5 generations, it’s a down-and-dirty place for hot dogs and steak fries; wooden picnic tables are located in the rear. Also recommended is South Down, a coffee shop on the South side of Shore Avenue known for locally roasted beans: great coffee and a bathroom! Other options include a Chinese takeout joint on South, a Peruvian restaurant, and a Mexican establishment. Tabbys on Shore Ave is also good for diner food or a burger.
Afternoon: 1:00: Back to sketching.
Show and Tell: time to be determined Meet back at the Gazebo.
Getting home: Return trains leave the Oyster Bay station at 2:37, 4:37 , 6:37 for Grand Central and Penn Station
Host:
Suzala (516) 238-0220
About NYC Urban Sketchers Events:
All are welcome–no fee, no registration. Just look for folks with sketchbooks at the meeting spot and say hello. If you have trouble finding us, contact the host; their contact info is in the NYC Urban Sketchers blog post for this event. in the NYC Urban Sketchers blog post for this event. #nycurbansketchers
