By: Lauren Jahoda
Nassau County includes a population of 1,352,146, 43 7-Elevens, 14 hospitals, 10 colleges/universities, 8 shopping malls, 8 dog parks, but only 1 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, known as The Restoration Farm in Old Bethpage, NY (www.restorationfarm.com). The way a CSA works is:
You become a member of the farm for an annual fee, and when those fresh foods are harvested, you’ll receive seasonal food straight from the farm. CSAs give members access to produce from local farms, and it helps the farmers with their initial farming expenses.
CSAs are a perfect choice for those who want to enjoy local, fresh fruits and vegetables and who also wish to help the environment because this type of farm-to-buyer plan doesn’t require shipping produce long distances. There’s no need for trucks to transport fruits and vegetables cross-country and it results in less pollution and use of fuel.
(Linda Tagliaferro, About Travel)
The seven-acre farm was founded 7 years ago by Daniel Holmes and Caroline Fanning, who lease the land from Nassau County at the unique Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Approximately a year ago, when the farm was provided with a large tin structure intended for equipment and machinery storage, a new kind of produce emerged from an already diversified supply — Tin House Concert Series. Holmes explained that an intimate concert series had always been a thought since his attending get-togethers several years back at a friend’s home, during which they would have local talent stop-in and perform in a close, comfortable atmosphere. Holmes stressed that this casual listening space was especially influential to him because the performances opened his heart and ears to a variety of music he hadn’t absorbed before — that of folk, bluegrass, Americana, blues and country. With the arrival of the “tin house,” all of his vision fell into place. In regards to his initial feelings about bringing music to the space once the tin house had arrived, Holmes described the revelation as: “It even has a bathroom. This could actually work.”
And it did.
Tin House’s inaugural concert took place on May 4th to kick off the summer season. Other acts followed, including The Live Cultures, The Carrie McQuade Trio, Long Island Bluegrass Quartet and Kerry Kearney this past Sunday. Sunday’s setting included children in overalls, wagons and wheel barrels. and a crowd surrounded by picnic tables, fresh produce, two bonfires and an amazingly addicting homemade mint water refreshment.
Kerry Kearney was preceded by a young man who swore in the audience, playing the Star-Spangled Banner beautifully on his violin, followed by their own MC, who performed his own summer camp-like farewell version of the traditional folk song “House of the Rising Sun” (made popular by The Animals). Next up was Bill Scorzari, with two of his Raddle Chains & Straw Walkers members Bill Herman (of Paradiddle Records) on percussion and Steve Cohen on bass, who captivated the audience during an intimate performance of his new original songs “Shelter From the Wind,” “It’s Time,” “Patience and Time” and “A Brand New Deal” (www.billscorzari.com).
Kerry Kearney, along with Mario Staiano (drums) and Gerry Sorrentino (bass), headlined the afternoon show with his slide guitar and what he dubs, “Psychedelta” — “an upbeat mix of American Blues & Roots,” which he has developed over the past 40 years. From the baiting slide guitar licks and riffs I heard on Sunday, it comes as no surprise that in 1988, Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane/Starship heard Kerry play and asked if he’d be interested in joining his band for a 3 month tour. Kerry accepted and 3 months turned into 5 great years (www.kerrykearneyofficial.com).
We’re very excited here at Heartstrings for Tin House’s season two and want to extend an enormous thank you to Daniel, Caroline and Susan (and their families) for their effort and commitment to what is truly a unique haven within our community.
Take some time to look at our photographs of the beautiful day we had on Sunday, as well as the dirt roads and breathtaking landscapes that are The Restoration Farm.
