once again, it’s a great pleasure to publish another spectacular house designed by Jay Sears.

His work has elevated the quality of this publication to a status beyond what is normally expected in a regional magazine. Recorded beautifully by writer Joan Tyor Carlson, the feature captures the spirit of Jay’s sense of design, his direction and the “Zen-like” feeling of creation. Jay’s work is everywhere on the East End and we are better for it.

Also in this issue, we’ve added an array of house tours in a half-dozen communities of Long Island. These house tours undertaken from late June to mid-September reflect the quality of life for many of our readers. Almost single-handedly, our writer and photographer Margaret Johnson accomplished the task of collecting and writing the 16-pages devoted to the house tours. We believe it is the first time a publication has undertaken trying to bring the public a project like this. There are so many examples of gorgeous and exciting houses throughout the Island and in this issue that we couldn’t dare to single out one. Just take a tour and enjoy. They are all for worthy causes.
Akin to those ideas is our coverage of “Saving Irish Houses.” I was asked to become involved because of my Irish parents and how this publication might assist the Irish Georgian Society in raising funds to save some of those structures that are badly in need of being restored. Once again, Margaret Johnson became involved. While on assignment in Ireland, Margaret visited the Knight of Glin, Desmond FitzGerald, in his office in Dublin. Not only did Margaret get the story on the Society, but she also came up with a feature on FitzGerald’s “bed and breakfast” in Limerick. She’s already a “Hildy” award winner and what’s next?

This issue is also loaded with other features encompassing ideas for design and architecture, including a fabulous house designed by architect Sandy Berger. It’s been a while since we’ve seen his work but it is worth the wait. In addition, T.J.Costello, an architect and certified kitchen designer, is pleased to show selections of several of his projects.

On the decorating side, this issue focuses on the work of diSalvo, Linda Correia and Country-Tique. Thank goodness there are so many creative people at work on Long Island.

Finally, although Michael Amante is somewhat out of the editorial scope of this magazine’s venue he has become a veritable treasure for Long Island. We met him in conjunction with an event to promote the Long Island Philharmonic and he gave a performance that was memorable. The writer Christine Giordano did the classic “Hildy” interview.

Last but not least, welcome cartoonist O’Glass.