North Fork Inspires Photographer to Create New Line of Notecards, Just Because

NORTH FORK, NY - A lifetime of summers on the North Fork has inspired Lisa Glover to pursue her dream.

Glover created her own line of notecards, "just because notes", which will available on the North Fork after Memorial Day weekend at the Love Lane Sweet Shoppe and at other locations.

A publicist in New York by day, Glover designs the cards at night, notes for the "just because moments," she said.

"As someone who still sees value in sending a handwritten note, and who still loves the surprise of seeing a letter in the mail, this business was birthed from the notion of traditional print still being relevant in a world that's driven by digital," she said.

Her focus is on simple; the cards, blank inside, feature her photography of North Fork scenes.

Glover, who spent most of her childhood summers on the North Fork, said the beauty of the area inspired her artistic sensibilities.

And there's no nicer way to communicate than with a handwritten note, she said.

"In today's digitally-driven world, communicating with someone has never been easier. From text messages to emails, phone calls to FaceTime, technology has fueled our ability to get in touch with someone almost instantaneously. For me, I think there's something charming and nostalgic about taking in mail and seeing an envelope with your name on it in handwritten penmanship. I love that feeling of knowing someone could have easily sent me a text, but took the extra step to send me a card. It demonstrates sentimental value."

Glover, who graduated from Garden City High School in 2008, lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where she work full time as a senior account executive at Laura Davidson Public Relations.

"Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have friends with summer homes on the North Fork and most of my summers were spent being shuffled by parents to and from the East End, until we became teenagers and could drive ourselves. I'm lucky enough to still go back home quite often, and the North Fork is usually where my steering wheel leads me," she said.

Her aunt and uncle, Anthony and Carole Macaluso, own a home in Southold where she spent most of my summers, and still does.

"I'd like to think that the warmth and hospitality that they welcome their guests with has rubbed off on me, allowing everyone who walks through their door to feel like they are at home," she said.

North Fork feeds the soul

The North Fork speaks to a place in Glover's heart.

"From as early as I can remember, I've always had a craving for the North Fork," she said.

Summers were spent running barefoot, waking with the sound of the waves and falling asleep to the sound of crickets outside, she said.

"There's nothing more indescribable than the feeling that comes from those salty air, sunset drives home after a weekend in Southold filled with barbecues, laughter, and sweet Briermere pie."

Her photos have long been of the light falling on North Fork waters, or of berries, in their mint green boxes at the local farm stands. "I like capturing moments that evoke a feeling," she said.

The North Fork was the perfect launch to her new, and first, business, she said. "It's my hidden gem in the world. It's the place I drive to when I need to clear my head, or when I'm seeking inspiration it's the place I turn to. There's something so freeing and calm about that area — something that makes you want to pick berries in a field and go for long drives with Billy Joel tunes on the radio."

Notecards, meanwhile, have been a part of Glover's life since childhood. "My parents raised me to be grateful for everything. I remember my friend's parents taking me to their beach club one summer and coming home to write them a thank you note at the age of seven. It stuck with me. As some people can spend hours in libraries, I could spend hours in card shops."

Ironically, Glover said she's the type of person who never remembers to send a birthday or anniversary card on time. "For the most part, it's because I feel like those are so generic, and usually end up getting tossed after a few weeks. However, my friends, family, and even colleagues have come to know that I'm someone who will always send a 'just because' card to their house, or leave an unexpected note on their desk."

Three years ago, Glover's best friend was applying to law school internships and was having a bit of a tough time, despite being at the top of her class.

"I remember going to three stores trying to find her a 'pick-me-up' card, leaving each one feeling discouraged. There is no category for 'just because,' that doesn't have a cheesy poem inside of it.'

On that day, a dream was born, to launch 'just because notes LLC' while she was 25.

She reached her goal just three weeks shy of her birthday.

Reflecting, Glover remembered the best notecard she's ever received. "As a junior at Marist College, the month leading up to my study abroad semester in Florence, my boyfriend and I broke up. As with most first loves, it tore me apart. My aunt gave me a card, which has been displayed everywhere from my apartment in Florence to the four apartments I've lived in in New York City. It reads, 'Study, and Eat, and Pray in Florence. The love part is at home with us.' Those words clung to me like no words ever have, and in the most challenging of times serve as a reminder that at the end of the day, family will be there. Everything else will work itself out. And it always has."