2023-2025
Annual Tag Sales at Big Duck Ranch
Benefits Two Local Charities
For the last three years, Friends of The Big Duck and Flanders Village Historical Society, both local non-profit organizations, have teamed up to welcome the arrival of East End summer with the Annual Tag Sale at Big Duck Ranch, 1012 Flanders Road (Route 24), Flanders. The grass field behind The Big Duck was filled with tables of gently used household items, home décor, small furniture, antiques and collectibles. All the proceeds from the sales benefitted Friends of The Big Duck and Flanders Village Historical Society. FVHS President Tim Ganetis chaired the successful events and baked duck-shaped cookies for the cause.
FVHS President and Event Chair Tim Ganetis
Volunteers Rich Catena, Patty Hopkins and Barbara Swislosky behind a table of blue and white collectibles.
Merchandise spread in front of the Duck Brooder Barn.
Stella Orfanitopoulos, Mary Cunningham and President of the FOBD, Neil Young, enjoy the shade.
A community member greets Mary Cunningham.
A shopper and her four-legged friend peruse the jewelry and handbags.
Seasonal items were also available for purchase.
It was a beautiful day for a tag sale at Big Duck Ranch.
FOBD President Neil Young also offered branded merchandise for sale.
There were many donated books available among the treasures.
2020
New Historic Roadside Marker
Commemorates Original Site of The Big Duck
The Flanders Village Historical Society on behalf of the Friends of The Big Duck was awarded a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation for a historic roadside marker. The official unveiling took place on November 12, 2020. The bright blue and yellow marker is located just east of 1058 West Main Street, Riverhead, on the north side of the road in the state right of way. It commemorates pioneer duck rancher George Pugsley’s early twentieth century Pekin duck farm and the original site of The Big Duck (1931-1936), before The Big Duck was moved to Flanders.
Friends of The Big Duck President Neil Young stands proudly by the new historic marker.
The Bruno Duck Farm was the last duck farm on this site, where The Big Duck stood from 1931-1936.
Looking North
The first home of The Big Duck was near this house in Riverhead.
Looking South
There is still a brooder barn in the yard.