Helping those in need right here on Long Island

The volunteers at Christmas Magic along with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) are gearing up for the 10^th annual Backpack Pirates Summer Festival that will take place on August 25 in Riverhead. For over a decade the LICH has organized  the “SOS: Supply Our Students” back to school drive, and the festival provides the perfect opportunity for children in need to not only receive school supplies and clothing but also to enjoy a day full of fun and exciting activities.

According to Greta Guarton of the LICH, 425 – 450 children benefit from the Backpack Pirates event every year and an additional 4,500 through SOS. At any given time you can count 7,000 children on Long Island who are homeless, and the yearly total can add up to 10,000.

Charlie Russo of the law firm Russo, Karl, Widmaier & Cordano, PLLC is the founder of Christmas Magic. The attorney said the non-profit started working on the festival along with the organization Every Child’s Dream 10 years ago and then joined forces with the coalition. He said the approximately 100 volunteers on hand each year at the event, as well as everyone who plays a part in the planning and preparation, make the day a success.

“Any time that you can reach out and help somebody like this, it’s a feel good moment. It’s a great, great moment in time. To see these kids just having a phenomenal day like this, and to be part of it in any way whether you’re making a donation, or you’re donating new clothing or new sneakers, you’re going to be part of it. You don’t necessarily have to be at the event,” Charlie said.

For several years, the Backpack Pirates festivals were held on Fire Island. Both Greta and Charlie said the children would be thrilled to take the ferry over to the island as many were never on a boat of any kind in their lifetime. However, in 2013 the event was moved to Riverhead due to the number of children that needed to be transported, and in case of stormy weather, the lack of shelter on Fire Island.

Before the August event, volunteers reach out to various businesses to raise money. Different company sponsorships levels are available, and participating businesses are recognized on the event t-shirts. Companies also set up boxes at their places of business to collect school supplies, and volunteers approach stores to see if they can stand outside with a collection box.

In addition to receiving backpacks filled with supplies and clothing, the children attending the Backpack Pirates event can enjoy various crafts and games and spend time at the beach. Last year the organization reached out to the public for swimwear for the children and all the participants received bathing suits and towels. Greta said another highlight of the day is the participation of Story Pirates, a group of professional actors. The storytellers improvise stories with the help of props and suggestions from their young audience.

At the end of the day, after receiving their filled backpacks, the children pick out clothing for themselves and any siblings who are unable to attend. Charlie is dedicated to making sure that each child has new clothing and shoes and reaches out to various organizations for donations. The lawyer feels every child should start off the school year just like their fellow classmates with new additions to their wardrobe. 

 “It’s just another way of giving them a better start to the school year,” the lawyer said.

Greta said one obstacle they encounter is finding bathing suits and clothing for the older kids. The children attending the event range from ages 6 to 18, with some of the older kids wearing adult sizes. Greta said in addition to children’s clothing, the organization can use donations of new adult garments or swimwear up to 4 XL. And when it comes to filling up the backpacks, donations of any school supplies are welcomed but Greta said they are usually short on scissors, erasers, rulers, loose leaf paper and dividers.

Cynthia and Charlie McKenna of Keller Williams Realty Homes & Estates in Hauppauge, who have volunteered for the event in the past, said they carry with them many touching moments from Backpack Pirates that Charlie McKenna described as life altering for him.

Cynthia said her fellow Keller Williams agents, who have volunteered at the event in the past, come back overwhelmed with emotion, especially when they realize the children are only a small percentage of those in need.

“You’re standing there with 400 children, and you’re saying, ‘How could this be? How? How could there be more than this in this day and age?’” Cynthia said.

The volunteer said many times she has had to choke back tears while helping at the event. One year it was a girl’s birthday and at the end of the day she started crying. When Cynthia asked her what was wrong, she told the volunteer that it was her best birthday ever, and she didn’t want to leave.

Charlie McKenna remembers a young girl picking out clothing; however for boys. When he asked if she needed any help, she told him that she was looking for clothes for her brother who only owned one pair of shorts and was unable to attend that day. The girl asked if the shorts in her hand would fit a 16-year old. The real estate agent realized that the only thing she had in her hands were things for her brother and nothing for herself.  Greta said that many times volunteers will find children picking out clothing for their siblings, and the kids are even happier to find something for a brother or sister than they are with getting something for themselves.

During the day, the participants enjoy two meals and ice cream, and before they leave, can pick out healthy snacks to bring with them. One year Charlie McKenna witnessed two boys in the snack tent stuffing their backpacks with as many pieces of fruit, granola bars and whatever else could fit. They couldn’t believe they could take whatever they wanted and were planning to share the goodies with their family members back at the shelter, which was a hotel room with no kitchen. As the volunteer pointed out, “We take it for granted that we can get up from our couch and go to the cupboard or refrigerator for a snack anytime we wish.”

Another encounter that stands out for the real estate agent was when a dozen or so children were crying as they were leaving. They explained to him that if felt like Christmas in the summer. While Charlie McKenna claims to not usually be emotional, he said on this day, “I felt that knot in the back of my throat. I felt the heat building in the edges of my eyes. I put my head down and prayed. I asked God to help these children. I thanked God for putting me in that place, at that time.”

Greta said anyone interested in volunteering at the Backpack Pirates Summer Festival must attend the volunteer orientation that will be held on Saturday, August 15 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at 600 Albany Avenue in Amityville. The event will take place on August 25 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm in Riverhead, and the rain date is scheduled for August 27. Those interested in volunteering must be 18 years or older.

“It’s a long day. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a life changing experience for the volunteers as much as it is for the kids,” Greta said.

A Sort and Pack Day will also be held at the Amityville location on Saturday, August 15 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. For more information on volunteering, contact Mike Giuffrida at 631-464-4314 x 111 or mgiuffrida@addressthehomeless.org.

To make a monetary donation, visit gofundme.com/BackpackPirates or holidaymagicli.org.

Smithtown, A History: A Local Treasure Lost

Hauppauge Village Hall becomes a casualty of the expansion of Route 347.

Hauppauge Village Hall sign. Photo courtesy of Paul Borowski.

***This article was originally published on the website Smithtown Patch in October of 2010. 

Residents of the Smithtown/Hauppauge area found Hauppauge Village Hall a sight as welcoming as their own home. On October 1, the building, located at the intersection of Routes 347 and 454, was demolished due to the 347 widening project.

Paul Borowski, who headed up attempts to save the structure, pointed out, "It wasn't an elaborate place, but it was the place."

Since 1977 the hall was owned by the St. Thomas More’s Knights of Columbus. Besides serving as a meeting spot for the organization and local Boy Scout troops, it was a popular location for birthday and christening parties.

Built in 1887, the building was originally owned by the Smith family and in earlier days was used by the Perseverance Lodge of Good Templars. It was 1931 when it was purchased by the Hauppauge Village Hall Association. According to local historian Noel Gish, it was even used as a school for a short period in the 20s.

Gish said, “It served the community very well.”

From the mid 1940s to the 1980s, the Mr. and Mrs. Club of Hauppauge used the hall as a meeting place. The community and social club was responsible for many of the improvements made to the structure. When the group first started meeting there, there was only a coal stove, no running water and the bathroom was outdoors.  

Gish said in 1959 Lee Koppelman met with residents at the hall to discuss the master plans for Hauppauge. Here plans unfolded for the community’s schools, fire department and the industrial park.

When the Knights sold the building to the state in the end of last year, Borowski and Gish approached the state about saving the hall and enlisted the help of Suffolk County Legislator John M. Kennedy and Senator Brian Foley. The state was willing to donate the building if a location could be found for it by June 1.

There was hope that the Hauppauge School District would be able to place the building on school property. While the district was open to the idea, state regulations inhibited the move.

There was also an interest in moving it to Blydenburgh Park or Sayville. However, despite private engineers claiming the building was stable enough to move, Suffolk County engineers deemed it unstable.

Borowski and Gish were able to save around 200 bricks from the hall as well as the Hauppauge Village sign. The plan is for the pieces to be displayed at Hauppauge High School.

Now Hauppauge Village Hall, once an example of our rich local history, is an example of how we can lose a bit of our past.

Hauppauge Village Hall in 2010 before it was demolished. Photo courtesy of Paul Borowski.

***This article was originally published on the website Smithtown Patch in October of 2010. 

Former Smithtown Resident Shares a Piece of the Pie with the Less Fortunate

A few weeks ago I decided to write about some great people from Smithtown for this blog—those who still live here and those who grew up here and still carry our town in their hearts.

Living in Smithtown for over 35 years, and a graduate of Hauppauge High School who is very active on Facebook, I easily listed a dozen or so people I wanted to blog about. As for the first person, I knew it had to be my former schoolmate Lorraine Gryniewich.

A few months ago, Lorraine, a member of Hauppauge High School’s Class of ’87, experienced a turning point in her life and found her calling. While others were gathered around the table on Thanksgiving Day catching up on family members and friends, or posting photos on Facebook, this wife and mother of two was having a more meaningful interaction. A conversation with her twin sister Laura on that day would be one that would positively change her life as well as the lives of many of the less fortunate in her area.

Lorraine was incredulous when Laura, who is a social worker, explained that the people she served would not receive their usual food baskets during the holidays due to policy changes. After hearing of her sister’s frustrations, Lorraine said to her, “I’ll do it. I don’t know how, but I will do it.”

And she did it! Getting the word out to her friends on Facebook that she was organizing a food drive, the philanthropist was able to collect 1,867 pounds of food and hand deliver complete meals to over 50 families in time for Christmas. Lorraine said food and money donations came from all over the country with the great majority of the donations coming from former Hauppauge High School classmates—many who she hasn’t seen in almost 30 years.

Some of the food collected during Lorraine's holiday food drive in 2013.

Turns out the holiday food drive wasn’t just a feel good project to get into the spirit of the season for Lorraine. She couldn’t get over the feeling that she just dropped off baskets of food to some families that didn’t even have electricity or running water. Knowing that Lorraine felt the desire to help others in need even further, one of her friends suggested she visit an underserved school in West Virginia. After a trip to the school in a rural and isolated area, she was struck by the urgent need for basics such as food and clothing. She knew she needed to do something to help out the students as well as their families.

Her calling to be the voice of the less fortunate led to the birth of the nonprofit organization Piece of the Pie (POP). The mission is simple: to help families and seniors in need living in the DC metro, Maryland, Northern Virginia and West Virginia areas. In addition, if she can assist in some way in other places, she is more than happy to help. 

Lorraine has adopted the West Virginia school and has visited the faculty and students, as well as the homes in the surrounding area, numerous times. She has helped to bring coats, sneakers, early readers, classroom books, copy paper and more to the children and their families. With a recent clothing and materials drive, she once again has been touched by the generosity of those she has connected with on Facebook. Long-time friends and acquaintances not only have donated to the cause, but have also volunteered their homes to be drop-off sites for donated items.

Mimi Wright, who has known Lorraine since their days together at Forest Brook Elementary School, wasn’t surprised when she heard her former classmate was starting a non-profit and how quickly everything came together.

“There was no question in my mind that this was her calling—finding the local need and getting people to fix it! She has the heart to want to do it; the organizational skills to get it done. The attitude to make sure she gets the right help, or send people on their way, and the personality to do it with such grace that people want to help over and over again,” Mimi said.

It’s also no surprise that Lorraine has been touched so deeply by the needs of the children attending the West Virginia school. Before becoming a stay-at-home mother 9 years ago, she was a teacher for 15 years. Lorraine knows that students need the basics in and outside of the classroom to receive a proper education and that all children deserve to be educated. The former educator explained that most of the children live in remote areas that are only passable with a four-wheel drive even on a good day—the type of vehicles that poor families can’t afford. And even if they do a have a car, many of the parents can’t afford to buy gas. With stores a 20 minute drive away, even when there is money to buy groceries, without a car it can be extremely difficult to pick up food and other necessities. She said that at times the visits to the children’s homes can leave her feeling frustrated and wondering if she is doing enough for them.

“What keeps me going is the hope that maybe one little one will remember a kind act and will feel worthy of a better life,” she said.

Lorraine said it’s her father who has inspired her most in life, and it’s he who set the example of helping others. The former Hauppauge track team member said she remembers her dad buying coffee for a man with special needs who bagged groceries in Grand Union. He also would buy lunch for the autistic man who was in charge of gassing up the trucks at work. While Lorraine moved to Maryland after graduating from the University of Buffalo and now calls Virginia home, she still travels to our town often to visit her father as well as her mother, brother and grandmother.

The founder of Piece of the Pie has not only changed the lives of those she has helped, but also those who have been inspired to do better after witnessing what she has accomplished in such a short time. Former classmate Francine Silverman was so touched by Lorraine’s work that she coordinated a clothing drive in her New Jersey neighborhood for Piece of the Pie. In addition to the clothing she gathered, she also found an eye doctor to donate a box of frames and prescription glasses and a dentist to contribute 250 toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Lorraine is currently collecting non-perishable foods for the families in the West Virginia area and also organizing a back-to-school supplies and clothing drive for the students. If you are inspired by this former Smithtown resident’s mission, you can donate non-perishable foods, gently-used clothing and outwear for children and adults, gently-used books, games, puzzles or small toys to Piece of the Pie. Simply contact Lorraine at rain@shareapieceofthepie.org. Monetary donations are also accepted and can be sent to: PO Box 214, Hamilton, Virginia 20158.

For more information about Piece of the Pie, visit http://shareapieceofthepie.org .

The results of a recent Piece of the Pie clothing drive. 

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Author Claire Nicolas White Shares the Stories of the Smith Family

Every once in a while I get a chance to take a step back in time…well, at least feel like it. Today was one of those days for me as I headed over to the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s (WMHO) Educational and Cultural Center in Stony Brook.

With the front of the venue’s main room set up like an old-fashioned sitting room, the organization presented author Claire Nicolas White’s new book The Land of the Smiths: A Collection of Personal Memoirs. White, who was married to a descendant of both Smithtown’s town founder and architect Stanford White, was fortunate to read many of the writings of Smith family members. She also was able to enjoy a few years with her husband’s grandmother, Bessie White, who was the daughter of a Smith and married to Stanford. Bessie grew up in Judge Lawrence Smith’s house that still stands today on the property of the Smithtown Historical Society.

Today’s reception began with the over 100 attendees mingling while enjoying free refreshments and buying the new history book. WMHO President Gloria D. Rocchio gave a brief introduction and thanked sponsors Lessing’s, The Smithtown News and Damianos Realty Group.

The trip back in time began as pianist Richard Foley and violinist Ryan Foley played a medley of Stephen Foster songs including “Oh! Susanna" and “Camptown Races”. The brief musical performance was followed by a vignette called “A Visit with Miss Smith” written by Ms. White and performed by local actress Jean Linzee. The old-fashioned sitting room was the perfect backdrop for this peek into the life of one of Judge Lawrence Smith’s daughters and Bessie White’s sister. Not only did Linzee transport the audience back in time to the days of Ella’s youth, but also let us in on what life was like for a young Smith in the late 1800s.  Ella reminded guests that there was a time when Main Street was filled with Smiths and the town’s train station was a new addition. However, the most touching part of the monologue is when we find that Ella had fallen in love with her cousin on her mother’s side, James Clinch. While many Smiths married cousins, her father didn’t approve. To keep her away from her crush, the judge locked Ella in a cage in the attic for a month! And while the punishment was uncalled for, and your heart may break for the young girl, Ella did move on to marry Devereux Emmet, a wealthy golf course designer and realtor. The Emmet’s became the proud owners of the house Sherrewogue on Harbor Road in Head of the Harbor.

When it was Ms. White’s turned to speak, she was very modest and after a few sentences joked that the audience would probably prefer if she just signed books. However, she did graciously answer a few questions. With a half a dozen or so Smiths on hand, including Nissequogue Mayor Richard Smith, many wanted to know if Ms. White had ever been familiar with this Smith or that Smith. At one point, the conversation turned to town founder, Richard Smythe, acquiring the land known as Smithtown from his friend Lion Gardiner and not by riding a bull. Ms. White reminded us that not many places have such a charming story attached to it.   

Since I just bought the book today, I can’t write a review of it just yet. However, thumbing through the pages, I can tell you the Holland-born author came to Long Island looking for “a sense of place to complete my identity”. After today’s reception, it’s seems as if she not only found that, but with her book will provide many more Smithtown residents with a sense of place and appreciation of its town’s wonderful history.

For more information on The Land of the Smiths: A Collection of Personal Memoirs call the Ward Melville Heritage Organization at 631-751-2244.

 

Jean Linzee as Ella Smith.

 

Ms. White signing books at the end of the presentation.

Welcome to Commack

I was exchanging emails with someone the other day, and I mentioned how I blogged. After looking at this page, I may have been exaggerating a bit. It sure has been a while.

You know how it is…life gets in the way sometimes. A recent move has kept me busy lately, but at the same time has inspired me to blog again.  You see I may have moved, but I’m still in Smithtown. It’s just a different part of the township that’s all.

I’m in Commack now on the Smithtown side. What can I say here on Long Island a few of our hamlets have split personalities. The fact that Commack is divided between the townships of Huntington and Smithtown can be credited to Smithtown founder Richard Smythe.

When I was writing for Commack Patch, my former social studies teacher Noel Gish explained that like most land disputes on the island it began over confusion over who was given land from Native Americans. Nessaquakes, Matinecocks and Secatogues once lived in and around what we now know as Commack.  The land from Cow Harbor in Northport to west of the Nissequogue River was granted to Jonas Woods, William Rogers and Thomas Wilkes of Huntington in 1656. This territory was given to them by the Sachem Asharoken of the Matinecocks. Around the same time Richard Smythe acquired the land that would become Smithtown from his friend Lion Gardiner. The Sachem Wyandanch presented Gardiner this area which he believed extended to the west of the Nissequogue. The overlapped area of these two claims is now the Smithtown part of Commack.

For twenty years a debate continued as to whether the Huntington group or Smythe owned the land. The founder of Smithtown persisted in Dutch courts and then English courts and won his claim in the late 1670s.

Basically it’s the reason why Commack residents west of Townline and Commack Roads have trouble getting permission to park at Hoyt Farm, and those east of the roads can’t borrow books from the Commack branch of the Huntington Library. I guess back in the old days they didn’t foresee these little annoyances. :)

Even the name Commack has two pronunciations. While you’ll hear most people say Ko-mack nowadays, you’ll still find some old-timers who say Kom-mack, which kind of sounds like “comic”. There’s a reason for this. The area was originally called Winnecomac, and when the name was shortened, Comac was initially used. The spelling was changed to Commack to avoid being confused with Coram. Apparently there were some mail mix-ups back in the old days.

So here I am Commack and here I am readers. Let’s continue this journey through the township of Smithtown real soon!

Remembering the Local Victims of 9/11

Eleven years later we remember those who lost their lives due to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Yesterday I decided to visit a few memorials in the township of Smithtown to pay my respects to local victims.

Gardens of Remembrance

Just a few minutes away from my home is the H. Lee Dennison Building. Located on Route 454, the building features their Armed Forces Plaza which includes the Gardens of Remembrance. A memorial to 9/11 victims who once resided in Suffolk County, the structure is a large square of glass panels with a garden on the inside. While the garden is inaccessible, it creates a beautiful background for the panels. Each is etched with information about a different victim including their name, age at the time, occupation and town they resided in. The memorial is breathtaking any time of day, but when lit up at night, it becomes even more so.

 

Smithtown 9/11 Memorial

Right on Main Street in Smithtown is a memorial dedicated to residents of the town who lost their life that day. Next to the Cactus Day Salon residents will find a serene waterfall surrounded by a low wall. On the front of the wall a series of plaques display the names of the Smithtown victims and benches are located across from the waterfall for visitors to take in the simple yet beautiful dedication.

Responders Remembered Memorial Park
 

To honor the first responders in Suffolk County who lost their lives after 9/11, a memorial can be found on the corner of Smithtown Boulevard and Gibbs Pond Road in Nesconset. Many first responders have been diagnosed with different types of cancer throughout the last decade, and the marble walls are currently etched with 118 names. Members of the committee for the Responders Remembered Memorial Park are currently working on adding more names to ensure that all of the deceased responders from our county are honored.

Providing spots for locals to reflect on 9/11 on any day they choose, each of these memorials is beautifully designed to honor the victims so they will never be forgotten.  

Smithtown 9/11 Memorial
 

 

Long Island Kids Style

For the past few years, every summer I get the chance to discover Long Island through the eyes of a child. Well, at least for a few days when my cousin's son and/or daughter come to visit. While both of them have spent a few days with me the last few years, this year Samantha visited on her own.  Being 13 now, Brandon has a very busy schedule with baseball, friends and girlfriends. You know how it is!

Of course, being a 10-year-old girl there was a visit to Justice at the Smith Haven Mall, and one night we met up with cousins at Chuck E Cheese, but fortunately there was more to the vacation then shopping and games.

This summer we had the chance to visit Atlantis Marine World again. Or as they call it now, Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center. It's been two years since our last visit, and while they have added the exhibition with the butterflies and birds, I must admit we skipped it. Passing by the shark tank we did see someone taking part in the shark experience where you are lowered into the water in a cage to get a closer look at the sharks. And while it sounds kind of cool, I don't know about sharing water with sharks!

I must admit the highlights for me are still the penguins and sea lions. Samantha and I caught the sea lion show and were amazed at what they can do.  Or course, overall, it was just relaxing walking around checking out the aquatic animals. Even though I only seem to make it here when the kids are visiting, I think it's a great place for all ages to visit, even perfect for a date.

One night, to the relief of my friends and Facebook buddies who I kept asking about this place, I brought Samantha and my landlords' daughter to Boomers out by Exit 65 on the Expressway. There's an arcade, kiddie rides, bumper boats and  miniature golf, but I would have to say the best part of this small park are the go karts. The other attractions at Boomers are nice to take a break in between riding the go karts, but they probably won't hold the attention of anyone out of elementary school for long. However, as far as the go karts, I did feel we got more time on the track than we did at Karts in Ronkonkoma last year, so it was definitely worth the $24.99 P.O.P. And besides getting enough time on the track each time, we went four or five times!

Both the aquarium and Boomers have rock walls, which is great. However, while you don't pay extra for the one at the aquarium, you do pay $6 more for the one at Boomers. Not quite sure I would pay extra again. The kids get three tries, but considering we had to find someone to come help, I really don't think the $6 is justified.

One afternoon we were able to pay a quick visit to Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown. The park is one of those gems that exist because of the generosity of former residents. While the house is filled with educational material on animals and nature, and the outside hosts animals and birds that have been injured, the main draw is the butterfly vivarium. One of the girls working in the vivarium told me there were approximately 200 butterflies this year, and the day we were there they were fluttering around in full force in an array of colors. We kept trying to get photos of the blue ones, but they were too quick for us.

Of course, a trip to the island wouldn't be complete without stopping by Adventureland. The one thing I love about this place is that if you don't go on any rides you don't have to pay. I just paid $3 to go on the train around the park and that was it. As for Samantha and my landlord's daughter, they got the $23.99 P.O.P. bracelets, and considering we were there for over four hours, I still feel like I got my money's worth at Adventureland.  Granted it may not be as huge as a Six Flags park, and the rides may not be as scary, but it's definitely an easy way to have a few hours of fun on Long Island.

Now next year we'll have to make it to the glow-in-the-dark miniature golf in Deer Park or Medford. The kids definitely can have too much fun on this island!

Reunited and It Feels So Good: Hauppauge High School Class of '87's 25th Reunion

Hauppauge school spirit invaded Port Jefferson on Saturday, June 23 with members of Hauppauge High School's Class of 1987 holding an informal 25th reunion at Rowland Photography / The Gallery.

The event organized by Christine Weber Livingston and Jason Feinman drew approximately 25 former classmates. The two posted the event on Facebook in hopes of an informal, inexpensive and cozy event, and Kathy Kane Rowland made it possible by offering her photo gallery as the venue.

Old friends from the local area as well as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida gathered that night to catch up and take a stroll down memory lane. The reunion kicked off at 6:00 p.m. with plenty of hugs and warm hellos as people arrived. Chris Lynch and Jill Rossi were enthusiastically greeted everywhere they turned the second they entered the party. The two who met at an alumni happy hour three years ago became engaged a few months ago and everyone was looking forward to congratulating them.

Being in the village reminded Lorraine Gryniewich and Mary McCormick Ippolito of younger days when they would drive around Port Jefferson. David Juan remembered Jason taking care of a bully during their school years. One day Jason, who was a little guy, had enough of being picked on and swung his book bag at a fellow classmate slamming the guy into the lockers. It was definitely an incident that many remember to this day!

Nicole DeDominicis McBride traveled from Florida for the reunion and like many couldn’t believe 25 years had passed already. She had a great time catching up with everyone that showed up, but said as a nostalgic and sentimental person there were countless of others she would have loved to have seen.

And while many weren’t able to make the trip, others were there virtually for a short time thanks to Skype. People at the reunion got a chance to chat with Mimi Wright and John Taylor thanks to Kathy having a computer at the gallery.

Jason thought everyone looked great and loved hearing about the accomplishments of the mostly female attendees. He was impressed by Tracey Donehower’s volunteer work, and the mothers who juggle their children’s schedules, as well as their own interests and careers. He loved hearing about the wide range of professions from Colleen’s artistic career to Christine’s stint as a police officer.

Christine, who traveled from North Carolina, was blown away by her classmates. She posted on one of the Hauppauge alumni Facebook walls, "so current kids take a look at what you can accomplish by taking a good look at us." She's grateful for Facebook that not only made this reunion possible, but the 40th birthday party bash that was held a couple of years ago as well as the alumni happy hours that many from this class have attended over the past few years.

Everyone had so much fun that after 9:00 they headed over to the bar at Ruvo's, while others lingered over good-byes at the gallery. These former classmates definitely needed more than three hours to share their memories and lives.

I graduated a year before everyone, but always had friends from the Class of 1987. There are those like Denise and David Juan who I have remained friends with through the years and others who I reconnected with on Facebook. Many will agree that Hauppauge people are good people, and I have to say this group is an exceptionally great group. The Class of ’87 has always held a special place in my heart with my own class, and I am happy to say that many of them are still part of my life.

It’s nights like this one that remind us where we came from, and the good, solid foundation it provided in our lives. Here’s to more wonderful reunions in the decades to come!

Growing Up in Forest Brook Acres

My first home on Long Island was in the Forest Brook Acres section of Smithtown. Granted I never knew it was called Forest Brook Acres until later years, even though the school in the area was Forest Brook. One day I found my grandparents’ deed that called it that, and then I heard people looking for a house calling the area by that name.

I moved in with my grandparents when I was nine years old after my parents separated. All of a sudden the place I once visited on vacations was now my home. Moving from Queens to the suburbs left me a bit shell-shocked, but Smithtown turned out to be a great place to grow up.

I grew up on Brook Lane a dead end street off of Brooksite Drive. Many of the streets along Brooksite are dead ends, and they all had, and I believe still have, an opening at the end of the street that leads into Blydenburgh Park. My grandparents used to tell me not to go into the park without an adult, but of course I did. There was one time I went in there with the other kids from the neighborhood and had a snowball fight, and I got hit with one right in the ear. Then there was the other time my friend Nancy and I went into the park with her brother Frankie and his friends. Somehow during our adventure we walked over a log that crossed a muddy stream. Of course, a couple of the kids and I fell off the log, and I went straight to Nancy’s to hose off. Thank goodness when I got home my grandparents were sitting in the screen house, and I sneaked inside to shower off and change before they noticed what a mess I was.

Of course, living on a dead end street is perfect when you’re a kid. When you live on a dead end, drivers, well most, drive slower. Also, there’s less people coming and going. We walked to each other’s houses whenever we wanted, rode our bikes, roller skated and more. Our street was our playground and all the neighborhood kids were friends. I still remember Jessica who was about 10 years younger than us following Nancy and I around everywhere. Back then, her mother didn’t have to worry. She was having fun, and she was safe. The biggest danger for us was Frankie and our friend Jay trying to run over the back of our flip flops with their bikes. Why do boys do things like that? LOL!

It turns out my old neighborhood is more than a place filled with childhood memories, it is also a prime example of post World War II development in Smithtown. A couple of years ago, Smithtown Historian Brad Harris dedicated one of his Smithtown News articles to Forest Brook Acres. Like a number of the homes in my current neighborhood The Pines, a large number of houses in the Brooksite Area were built by the company Dawn Estates. The land development company was run by a lawyer named Bernard Kaplan, and his office, a Dawn Estates model home, sat near the corner of Edgewood Avenue and Jericho Turnpike where Dunkin Donuts is located today.

According to the historian’s article, there was once a large forest from Edgewood Avenue to Town Line Road in Hauppauge. Kaplan acquired 300 acres in this area after World War II, and the Dawn Estate Developers cut a street thought the woods that followed the course of a brook. This was the road that became Brooksite Drive.

The brochures for the neighborhood advertised it as “where peace and contentment dwell”. It was also “where nature made the country beautiful, filling it with vitamins, pure air and other health-giving qualities.’

It’s hard to imagine now, but according to the article there was once a shallow swimming hole that ran along the east side of Brooksite Drive. It’s the area where we find the end of Juniper Avenue today, and a scoop dredge was used to create the hole that even had a sandy little beach. The other day I was talking to a couple of long-time residents, and they said it was so shallow that you would probably call it more a fishing hole than a swimming hole.

Around 1947/1948, the Dawn Estates homes in Forest Brook Acres started out measuring 20’ x 20’ on a half acre lot with an unfinished interior and costing $3,300, according to Harris’s research. Most families living in the bungalows had a kitchen, living room, bathroom, and one bedroom and created a second bedroom in the attic. The dead end streets on the west side of Brooksite were the first to have houses constructed. The first streets were Sunrise Lane, Brook Lane, Shady Lane, Hickory Lane, Twilight Lane and Sunset Lane. Lanes such as Holly, Larch, Lilac, Rose and Forest were added later as more homes were needed. In the late 50s more homes were sold along Brooksite Drive and were sold for $4,999 for the shell that then measured 20' x 24'. If the buyers wanted it to be finished, it was $11,000.

I remember in 1979 my grandparents bought a new car for $7,000 and said it was the same amount as what they paid for the house in 1954. Our home actually had two bedrooms on the main floor, and my grandfather finished the attic that fit a couple of beds and even a cot or two. While it was great for when family came to visit, we still had to pull down the attic stairs to access it. And from the map I found, it looks like when they bought the house it was by then approximately 34’ x 34’. Today the house that the current owners built is probably about three times that size maybe even four times! It looks huge to me compared to the little cape I grew up in and lived in until 1995.

Nancy’s parents still live on Brook Lane, and I’m always amazed when I drive up the road and see how most of the once former little houses have grown. Yet, the tree lined Brooksite Drive with its dead end streets, especially Brook Lane, will always bring back childhood memories of simpler times for me.

The Pines: A Neighborhood Adventure

Today my blog posts goes real local to my neighborhood in Smithtown, The Pines.

If you live or have lived in the Smithtown/Hauppauge area, you’re probably familiar with The Pines. The area is tucked in between Jericho and Veteran’s Highway with Old Willet’s Path and Wyandanch Boulevard to the east and west.

It’s a neighborhood that I’ve been fortunate to live in for 17 years, and one that I’ve been familiar with since high school when I would visit friends.  When the weather gets nice, and I have some free time, I love to take a walk around the neighborhood.

I’m not poetic enough to describe the natural beauty, but sometimes I feel like Snow White lost in the forest. Each street is lined with trees and other greenery sprinkled with gorgeous flowers planted by its residents. The birds are usually chirping away and sometimes geese wander into the area, and a few years ago, I even spotted a couple of foxes running around one morning.

It’s hard to believe The Pines was actually barren at one time due to forest fires, and the area wasn’t named for the lush greenery we see today, but for the scrub pines that began to grow after those fires.

Of course, there are also the hills. They’re not too fun to drive up when there’s a bit of snow or to walk in general, but they add a bit more charm to the area.  The first time I actually drove down one of them with a group of friends when I was 18, my first impulse was to cover my eyes.

Smithtown Historian Brad Harris explained the layout of The Pines in an April 2010 article of The Smithtown News. The north and south roads cross over ridges and that’s where you’ll find the adventurous hills, while the streets going east and west follow the natural valleys and swales between those ridges.

According to Harris’s research for The Smithtown News article, development didn’t begin in the neighborhood until 1942. A Samuel Kaplan brought his Dawn Estates homes to what was once known as Section 5. It was Kaplan that built the first homes on Winston Drive, McArthur Lane and Churchill Lane, obviously inspired by WWII leaders. These small homes were 400 square feet with a living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, attic and tiny basement.  At the time, the homes that stood on a half an acre of property were just a little over $3,000.

About a year later a real estate developer named Walter Shirley purchased 705 acres that surrounded the Dawn Estates home, and The Pines expanded to what we know the area to be today. Shirley’s Economy Cottages were 24’ x 26’ and had four rooms on the main floor. The name of the developer explains such streets as Walter Court and Shirley Court.

While ranches and high ranches were built throughout the decades and McMansions in recent years, you can still see some of the original capes and cottages that were built decades ago.

So when I take my little walks, a climb up a little hill or two, brings the rewards of connecting with nature. And spotting one of the original homes, takes me back to the beginnings of The Pines.  My little neighborhood can turn a nice, quiet day into quite the adventure.

A Small Journey Around the Labyrinth

Sometimes you need a few hours away from your daily routine. While many may think of Long Island as suburbia filled with homes, malls and shopping centers, the island is also filled with spots where you can get a little escape from your everyday life.

My friend Silvia and I have wanted to check out labyrinths in the area for a couple of years now, and today was the day we finally walked our first one.

My first choice was the one at Avalon Park and Preserve in Stony Brook Village, but the labyrinth was being re-seeded. Silvia got online and searched for “labyrinths on Long Island” and found one for us right in Sayville.

The Peace Labyrinth in Sayville is a simple one in a small park called The Common Ground, and it serves its spiritual purpose. Slowly walking along the path that twists and turns, you may think you may not make it to the center, but you will. It’s always a good idea to go into the labyrinth with a request with something you need help with. When you finally walk out of it, you’ll have your answer. Most likely the answer will be a simple one, but to understand, you need to walk one yourself. The park holds moonlight labyrinth walks on nights of a full moon, and with such a serene feeling after an afternoon walk, I do wonder how I would come out of it on a night when the moon is at its fullest.

Afterwards we headed for downtown Sayville, which like many Main Streets on Long Island is filled with cute little shops and restaurants. Silvia and I were saying we felt like we were on vacation exploring a new place instead of just a short distance from our own homes.

It have been a simple day, but a perfect example of how a short car ride can lead to a small town experience or even a bit of a spiritual one.

K-K-K-Katie's

This past Friday night a couple of friends and I stopped by Katie’s of Smithtown. The bar is a staple in town, and while those unfamiliar with it may think it’s just your everyday bar, others know differently. You see the decades-old structure is haunted. 

The bar’s owner Brian Karppinen is no stranger to his ghostly customers. Through the years, he and his staff have witnessed flying glasses and images in mirror. Featured on the A&E television show “Paranormal State”, the existence of spirits and dark entities has been identified by the experts on the show and psychics. 

Among those floating around Katie’s is a former resident turned mischievous ghost, Charlie. In his research, Karppinen found that Charlie was a bootlegger, bartender and part owner of the former Smithtown Hotel in the 1920s. Unfortunately for Charlie he was arrested for selling a drink to an IRS man right before prohibition ended. With prison time ahead of him, and his wife leaving him, the bartender committed suicide in 1933.  

It’s not a surprise that Charlie and his fellow ghosts have been drawn to Katie’s. A hotel called Trainor’s was once located closed to the structure and the Smithtown train station. After decades of business, the hotel burned down in 1909, and it’s believed many of the victims have lingered on earth. As for Charlie, he’s probably still trying to tend bar, as it’s believed he’s the cause of the flying glasses. 

The building where locals find Katie’s has maintained its original shape and footprint for decades. While many remember the various bars that have been located there, many older Smithtown residents remember when the location was the spot to purchase soda, candy, cigarettes and newspapers as well as fishing supplies and even typewriters.  

When you stop by Katie’s, make sure you check out the photos and articles along the walls that feature not only the bar but old Smithtown. Oh, and if you see Charlie, tell him I said, “Boo.” 

Sidebar: My main reason for visiting Katie’s Friday night was the band Bitter End. The band covers songs from the 70s and 80s as well as more recent songs. Friday night the members did an excellent job that was enjoyed by those who remember the 70s and 80s and the younger customers.

Walking On Sunshine

I am burning up with spring fever, so I'm not too thrilled with this rainy weekend ahead of us. Every year the warm weather arrives and my list of places to go and take a walk grow, and every year various factors get in the way.

With working full-time, my adventures are limited basically to the weekends. There are days when the weather doesn't cooperate, other weekends that are jam packed with obligations, and then other days where my walking companions are busy. Well, the latter applies more to walking in the parks. I think, "Is wandering around the woods a good idea when you're on your own?" I recently realized if I go to a park on a weekend afternoon, most likely there will be a number of people there, and I will be reasonably safe. That problem solved!

But when it comes to bad weather, there's not much I can do except plan the walks for the sunny and not so sunny days to come in the months ahead. And I am planning!

As always, many of the local parks are topping my list. I am very fortunate to have Smithtown's Blydenburgh County Park and Caleb Smith State Preserve just a few minutes away from me. Both not only offer beautiful trails to enjoy nature but are also steeped in local history. I also plan to visit Avalon Park and Preserve in Stony Brook again. I have only been there once with a friend, and the view is gorgeous and there is even a labyrinth, which always intrigues me. I also hope to finally get to the David Weld Sanctuary in Nissequogue. I didn't even know the sanctuary existed until I started writing my history articles for Smithtown Patch. The Weld family that owned Blydenburgh Park before the county acquired it is also responsible for this wonderful gift to our area.

Of course, there are more places to take a refreshing walk in the area. The last couple of years I have made it down to Sunken Meadow a few times during the summer to take an early evening walk along the boardwalk. There are also all the little villages and towns filled with stores to be discovered and re-discovered. The summer isn't complete without a visit to Port Jefferson, and this year I would like to roam around Northport Village, Huntington Village and more again. And while Smithtown may not be known for its shops, I think I'm going to take a walk along Main Street. In this economy it's important to support our local businesses, and I must admit I barely know what's there anymore.

During my stint writing history articles for Patch, I found myself a few times needing to visit local cemeteries for my stories. One of the things that surprised me was the intrigue and beauty of these local graveyards. You can actually spend a good amount of time at the cemeteries behind Hauppauge Methodist Church or St. James Church or at Smithtown Cemetery. There are the details of the gravestones, the landscape, the serene atmosphere. And if you are familiar with the local history, when you discover some of the stones, you feel like you are visiting an old friend. So yes, with the warm weather here, I may even be visiting a cemetery or two.

Of course, as I visit all these places I plan to blog about them. If anyone has suggestions for other places to enjoy a day of walking, let me know, and I will try my best to get out there and write about it. Seems like I have a lot of writing and walking in my sunny future!

My return to blogging

This blog started off as a Long Islander Discovers Long Island. It was an opportunity for me to discover and write about all the things I encountered on the island that I didn't know about, visit enough or just felt needed to be celebrated.

When I started writing a weekly history column for the website Smithtown Patch, the blog fell to the wayside. My Patch experience found me learning more about this great area I live in, especially right in my own backyard.

I decided to change the name of this blog to From the Town of Smith, because I realized most of my earlier posts were about places that were fairly local to me, basically western Suffolk County. There wasn't much from the rest of Long Island.

Granted with a full-time job, freelance writing and currently looking for a new position, it may not always be easy to take time out to blog, but I would like to get back in the game. Lately I have been inspired by many blogs I have come across and love that we live in a time where people can share their passions so easily.

So I hope you will join me on this journey as I continue to learn about the Town of Smithtown, as well as the surrounding areas. There's plenty of places to go around here, it's filled with so much history, and I'm starting to find out there are even fun places for the over 40 crowd to go and celebrate a night on the town!

So let's explore.....

Port Jefferson

Saturday night my friend Nancy and I headed down to Port Jefferson. The summer is not complete until you spend some time in Port Jefferson especially if you're from the north shore of Suffolk County. The waterside village is perfect for wandering around, and with Saturday being a cool summer night, that's exactly what we did.

Port Jefferson is filled with a variety of stores to pass the time. Most of them are open until 9 or 10 PM so an evening visit can still be filled with shopping. Besides popping in some of the stores we stopped by the Joseph Rowland Photo Gallery (http://www.jrowlandphoto.com) to check out Joseph's awe-inspiring photos and the Thomas Kinkade shop. We also stopped by the Christmas Shoppe that has moved to a smaller location but still has a variety of quaint Christmas decorations that you can buy all year round.

We also peeked in Danford's where the inn houses one of the more upscale bars and restaurants in the town and then watched a boat pulling in at the pier. We ended the night with appetizers and drinks at Tommy's Place. I always thought Tommy's was just a bar, but there's actually a small sitting area for dining in the back and a little patio.

Once a shipbuilding town, Port Jefferson with its variety of stores and restaurants is now one of Long Island's gems and a hot destination. It's also not just for summer, besides the establishments that are open all year round, in December there's the annual Dickens Festival which transforms the village back to the 19th century. It looks like this year it will run from Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 5 so mark your calendars!

Little Cousins' 2010 Long Island Visit

Once again it took a visit from my Cousin Eileen's kids to get me moving on a Long Island adventure. Brandon and Samantha spent a few days with me towards the end of July, and after their visit last year, the number one thing on their list was Adventureland. Their first full day here we planned on meeting up with two of my cousins and their kids in the evening to visit the small amusement park. The earlier part of the day there was a bit of rain, but around dinnertime it finally cleared up. We all decided to go ahead with our plans, and we got there and found out the park was closing at 6:00 PM. Due to reports earlier in the day, the park decided to tell the second shift not to come in that night. What? As you can imagine the kids were extremely disappointed. I believe the comments were, "It's not fair." At 8 and 11 that's the unfairness you experience in the world. LOL! Not that there was anything to worry about though. I promised them that we would make it back before they left the island.

I was happy when my Cousin Diane suggested Heartland miniature golf. I had always seen the place from the Deer Park train station, but never had the opportunity to go there. It actually turned out to be an inexpensive night. It costs $6 for the 18-hole miniature golf park, and we were there for over an hour. Of course, it was because we ladies weren't actually the greatest golfers, but hey it's just for fun! I love how it looks like you're playing through a mountain range. Granted I think the water would be a lot prettier if it looked more like real water instead of Tidy Bowl water, but it's still a pretty place. They also have a driving range, and I was just checking out their Web site and see they have a 9-Hole Par 3 golf course. www.heartlandgolfpark.com

After miniature golf we headed to Coyle's Homemade Ice Cream in Bay Shore. Now ending a summer night with ice cream is always a good idea, but it becomes an even better idea when you go to a place where the ice cream is homemade and the place is set up like an old fashioned ice cream shop. The place was full especially with my family taking up most of the counter stools, and people still kept coming in. They didn't care that the place was packed, they just stood outside. I can't say I blame them as the ice cream was great.

The next day was so hot and humid that we just spent the day by the pool. Nothing beats the heat more than taking a dip and relaxing poolside. In the evening I took Brandon and Samantha as well as my landlords' two children down to Sunken Meadow State Park. Here we got to enjoy a nice breeze and a walk in the sand, plus the kids waded in the water and climbed on the rocks. As you can imagine, the rocks were much more interesting to them than the boardwalk. The girls collected some seashells, and when we got in the car I remembered why you shouldn't bring seashells home. They may be pretty, but they can be stinky!

Sunday we headed out to Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead. We went with my friend Nicole and her two kids, and my Cousin Cathy and her son. With the anticipation of Adventureland, they weren't so excited at first about the aquarium but once they got there they had a great time. The first big hit was the shark tank. It's amazing when they swim by you. You are just awe struck at how large they are, and they're sharing the water with other sea creatures. There was a huge sea turtle in the tank and smaller fish just swimming around minding their own business. Of course there are smaller tanks through the halls of Atlantis, but the shark tank was definitely the favorite. Even though it was a hot and humid day, we managed to enjoy the outside area for awhile. We didn't see the sea lion show, but we saw a quick training with one of the stars. There was also a gator show and afterwards Brandon held a baby alligator. I think that's the biggest draw of places such as Atlantis that children not only have the opportunity to see the creatures up close but also touch them. At one section of the outside area, you can even go snorkeling. We passed up on that, however the kids did get a chance to try out a rock climbing wall added a different twist to the already adventurous day. Of course, before we left, we stopped by Ray Bay. A visit to Atlantis is not the same without petting the stingrays. These guys who are usually feared are actually very friendly especially if you have food, which is available at a nearby cart. They'll come right up to you, and some get so excited they'll splash you with a bit of water. I was happy we made it to Atlantis this time. It's one of those things where the kids have fun and get a bit of education. Even we adults learn a thing or two! http://www.atlantismarineworld.com

After Atlantis we headed towards Snow Flake Ice Cream Shoppe on West Main Street. Now the ice cream the other night was great, but this was even better. I don’t know how I got so lucky to eat so much delicious ice cream during one vacation, but I was enjoying it. Maybe I should write a blog about ice cream places on Long Island! After visiting Atlantis, definitely check out Snow Flake. http://www.snowflakeicecream.com/

Monday was the big day. Yes, we made it to Adventureland! This time we headed out with my landlady and kids. I have to say the thing I like best about Adventureland is that if you don't go on rides, you don't have to pay a thing. If you go on a lot of rides, you get the Pay One Price bracelet. If you only go on a few, you buy some tickets that are a dollar each. Last year I didn't go on anything, but this year I decided to go on a few. I can be a big baby when it comes to rides, but I survived the small Lady Bug coaster and Adventure Falls water ride! My landlady and I also went in the Ghost House which has been renovated, but for the older crew, I can tell you it's not that scary at all. For the kids the favorites were the Hurricane roller coaster and Adventure Falls. Actually the classic Pirate Ship and Wave Swing came in close seconds. We were in the park for almost 4 hours, and since it was a workday afternoon, it wasn't too crowded. There were basically large groups of day campers there that day, which is actually a great idea on the camps part. This amusement park has been around since 1962, and I can't believe I didn't go there until I was in my late teens. It's definitely a great way to spend a day with little ones and pre teens! http://www.adventureland.us

I had wanted to give Brandon and Samantha a better tour of Smithtown when they were here, but I actually would have done that on the Saturday which was the day that was the hottest and most humid. I had in mind Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Sweetbriar Nature Center, a swim in the Nissequogue and maybe even a canoe ride. Well, at least early Friday I gave them a quick tour of Hauppauge which basically meant passing by the high school, middle school and Forest Brook elementary school. Oh, and of course, I had to drive by the house I grew up in which also happened to be their mother's grandparents' house too. It’s always important to know the family history!

It's only been in the last few years that I realized just how much there is to do here on Long Island. There's definitely no reason why houseguests should be bored, especially little ones. There’s always plenty of do, especially in the nice weather. I think I will have to add another day or so to their vacation next year!