The Jericho Gazette      March 18th 2012

Local News

Falcon's Ridge Estate- A sordid past and a brighter future.   The manor at Falcon's Ridge was built in 1966 as a love nest for an eccentric famous director and his beautiful Indian starlet muse. It was named for a family of falcons that had made their home in the trees overlooking the private pond at the foot of the rock face. The director was reclusive, preferring to live an obscure country life. His paramour found it to be a bit too quiet and it made the national tabloids when she left him for the leading man in her most recent Bollywood musical before the manor was completed. The paparazzi hunted the jilted lover mercilessly for weeks after. One day the poor fellow just up and disappeared, leaving locals to speculate that he'd drown himself to escape his sorrow. The police went so far as to drag the pond, to no avail. Many locals believed he haunted the grounds and for years only a very few brave or foolish souls would dare break the quiet of the brooding land. Never having been lived in, the estate sat empty, a lonely sentinel on the hill overlooking the ocean and local inhabitants. In 1974 the director surfaced again after having been found living a peaceful hermits life in Malaysia. Other than allowing a local group to begin holding an annual Renaissance Fair on site (1982 to present), the property has remained empty for more than four decades. No roadway was ever made to connect it to society and nature has long since reclaimed the dirt track used for the construction of the home site. The only way in is by foot or horse back (motorcycles are strictly forbidden off road on the island) which was as the original owner intended.The manor was placed on the local real estate market to sell this past spring. After so many years of neglect and vandalism it had fallen into disrepair and was nearly condemned. We are pleased to say that one Hayato Arakida and his fiance Sharra Perry have purchased the estate and have begun restoring this landmark building to it's former glory. It's since been learned that the ambitious couple plan to run a training facility for show jumping which should please the local equestrians. Ms. Perry tells us she comes from a long line of Irish Travelers. Although her family have been settled in permanent homes for a few generations now, many traditions remain strong. A growing number of her clan have recently returned to the nomadic life. Her father renovates the old style and modern caravans for traveler and country folk alike. Shara and Hayato are living in a caravan while the house is renovated and she has stated that they are enjoying life on wheels so much they may not want to move into the house! The couple have plans to establish a herd of registered Gypsy Vanners in the near future and are awaiting the arrival of their foundation stock this week. Have no fear lords and ladies, they have stated an intent to continue to host the yearly Renaissance Fair and look forward to participating once renovations are completed. At last, new hope and life begins again at Falcon's Ridge and perhaps this time the story will have a happy ending.            

~~~~ written by Tilly Nosegay community historian and senior gossip authority.