NOVEMBER 2017 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Kathleen Bresnan
United States v. Windsor [Docket No. 12-307], 2013. It was a landmark civil rights case in which the United States Supreme Court held that restricting the U.S. federal interpretation of “marriage” and “spouse” to apply only to opposite-sex unions was unconstitutional. This decision has been life changing for so many in our community and across the country. The plaintiff in this case was Edith Windsor, a friend to the NFWFWF [indeed the first person to register for the Jan Swanson benefit auction this year] and a dear friend to many of our members, passed away this fall at the age of 88.
I was really pleased that many of our members were able to attend our tribute to Edith Windsor by the beach in New Suffolk in early October. For those who could not be present I would like to tell you a bit about our celebration of a remarkable lady. A clear evening with a steady on-shore breeze. Stories recounted by friends and by Edie’s widow Judith Kasen. An a cappella version of “Somewhere over the Rainbow” sung in unison by a crowd as the sun set. It was meaningful. I recently came across this wonderful video of Edie; if you have a few moments take a look at it, I think it will make you smile: ediewindsor.com/video.html
Our annual Oyster/Pizza event in Greenport was great fun and another financial success despite the cloudy skies. A variety of pizzas from the 1943 Pizza Bar, all you can eat local oysters, and a diverse sample of our members and their friends, a wonderful combination in any weather.
I am aware that many think the iconic symbol of the North Fork in fall is a traffic jam created by the fact that Main Road is the only place to buy a pumpkin in North America. But really, it is not true! Together with the local grape harvest and crush, there is nothing that symbolizes the North Fork fall more than early November and the start to Peconic Bay scallop season. I have read reports that the harvest has been abundant so far this year. Larger hauls by local fisher-people will keep the prices lower for you, perhaps as much 40% lower than last year. I hope that this much improved price point means that everyone who wants to will be able to indulge in some of our local bivalves and that they will taste just a little more delicious.
Don’t postpone joy!
Kathleen Bresnan
NFWFWF President