Blogger Debut: Charting A New Course

Life has a way of offering us new paths, just as we think we have our course set.

In my voyage through life, my different adventures have produced many life-long passions. Some have been in the classrooms where I have taught for over 30 years. Others have been on the waters of Long Island, where in my 40 years I have explored many bays, inlets and oceans.

Lately, the allure of the East End's vineyards have intoxicated my palate and curiosity. These three passions will dominate the topics I will cover in my blog:

1. Education: As a retired educator, I am still keenly aware of the challenges associated with public education. Advances in technology offer new vehicles for learning but it still comes down to reaching out to students to ignite a burning desire to learn, grow and achieve.

2. Sailing: The North and South Forks of Long Island are a fantastic playground for boaters, with historic harbor towns, breathtaking vista and enticing destinations. You can see it all on Google Earth, but being there satisfies a deep-seated desire to explore. Whether you are landlocked or cruising the waterways, my blogs will be guides to the adventures we all can have along the coasts of our island.

3. Wine: The vineyards of our East End offer year-round excitement, one glass at a time. This winter I have had the pleasure to visit many and my blogs will cover some of the excitement I have found when cruising through the tasting rooms and barrels that dot the East End of Long Island.

Blogs can be informative, entertaining and in my case, wonderful guides to some interesting nearby places to enjoy. It all comes down to learning and having a life-long desire to experience the best that our island home offers.

— Ben Amato