Ben Amato is a retired English and Film teacher and is currently writing for Patch.com and a few other Long Island publications.  He has written for Dan's Paper, the Montauk Pioneer, On the Jitney and the Hampton Luxury Liner Magazine.  He created the Newsday In Education Multimedia Program and just created the Student Voices Program for the Power To Learn, the educational department of Cablevision. 
During the warmer months, Ben sails the East End of Long Island aboard his 32ft. catamaran, the BlownAway Too.  He is working on a novel and non-fiction book about Gardiner's Island and its historical place in our early American history. Ben is a 50-something Baby Boomer who refuses to act his age.  Besides writing, his new passion is web design, videography and graphic design.  Ben is currently a founding member of Frosae Wine Sorbae, LLc. This corporation is introducing a new frozen dessert which is a sorbet that contains real wine, alcohol and all. Frosae Wine Sorbae will soon be available everywhere. Check in on my blog for details.