Max Moran was recently named "Best Artist - North Fork" by Dan's Papers

What is it about lists? We just can't help but find them fascinating. Who of you out there have picked up Hamptons magazine and not read "The List"? Are we hoping to find ourselves on it even as we pretend that we don't care? Well, yeah.

Dan's Papers annual Best of the Best contest is no exception. This contest has been a part of the paper for years and every year the responses take longer and longer to tally as more of you send in ballots. This year, Dan even postponed posting the results for an extra week so that the staff would have more time to chart the entries. And it's not really surprising. I mean, who doesn't want to know where to find the best pasta dish, the best wines, the best cocktails, the best music, the best art, and the best golf? Who doesn't want to know who's hot and what's new? And who, more importantly, doesn't want to offer his opinion?

Every year the North Fork welcomes new businesses and offers opportunities to those who have lived here all their lives. And that fact is reflected in the ballots cast for institutions new and old.

In a world seemingly gone crazy with daily global threats, it's comforting to know that, at least in small ways, we still get to choose what we value and exercise our democratic right to vote for things we believe in. And though those things may seem minor in light of larger issues, it's still the small things, the day-to-day things, that really make up our quality of life here on the East End. So enjoy our list and if your name is there, it's because you deserve it and somebody noticed.

-Susan Whitney Simm, Dan's North Fork Editor.