Nestled between the North and South Forks, Shelter Island is an 8,000-acre natural oasis where about 2,400 people reside year-round.

"The use of the [surrounding] waters is very extensive," said Janalyn Travis-Messer, a 20-year resident and associate broker of Griffing & Collins Real Estate, citing fishing, clamming, scalloping, wind surfing, swimming and boating as popular activities.

Accessible via the North and South Ferries from Greenport and North Haven respectively, Shelter Island has a summer population of about 12,000, according to Travis-Messer.

Mashomack Preserve, which comprises one third of the island, is open to the public and is also used for educational programs and research.

Shelter Island is dotted with quaint shops, galleries, restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts, houses of worship, marinas, beaches and coves. Besides water-related recreational activities, the island offers biking, hiking, tennis, golf and horseback riding.

The Shelter Island Public Library and Shelter Island School, grades kindergarten through 12, are on North Ferry Road. "We have a dedicated fire department and EMS who can whisk us to the hospital" in either Greenport or Southampton - a boat is always ready for an emergency - said David Huschle, a long-time resident and owner of Legend Realty in Shelter Island Heights.

There are several local organizations that offer events year-round, including the Garden Club's daffodil show in the spring and the Historical Society's Harvest Festival.

Shelter Island comprises various communities where deer roam freely. Shelter Island Heights (on the United States and New York State registers of historic places) has vintage Victorians, including Queen Annes, and Colonial revivals feature intricate architectural details such as scalloped shingles, cut-work balustrades and carved friezes.

The tiny village of Dering Harbor has about 30 homes - most of them mansions, Travis-Messer said. In the Silver Beach area, original summer bungalows were converted into year-round houses. Little Ram and Big Ram islands, which jut out to the east, feature large homes on 2 or more acres.

Between 30 to 50 new homes, including those sprung from knock-downs, are constructed each year, according to Travis-Messer.`

The town board recently voted to authorize the purchase of almost 5 acres on North Menantic Road to be subdivided into 1-acre lots for affordable housing.

To learn more about Shelter Island visit www.shelter-island.org and www.shelterislandtown.us.

-Lisa Doll Bruno (9/16/2005)