Holiday Caroling

On Saturday, December 17th we  conducted our annual holiday caroling as part of the visit by Santa and the Kings Park fire department to the IGA shopping center. Linda Henninger again arranged for an early visit by Donner and Blitzen to share in the festivities while Paul Graf, Kevin Byrne and Nanette Dezendorf led us in song with a repertoire of our favorite holiday melodies. Village Deli provided hot chocolate and in addition to the traditional refreshments, IGA treated us to an endless supply of Boars Head hot dogs with all the trimmings. As seen in the picture these were quickly wolfed down as friends and neighbors waited to welcome Santa and a caravan of accompanying fire trucks, all decked out with the Christmas spirit 

Thanks to Chris Thomas for organizing it, to Paul Graf for the great music and Dick Costello who provided song books and directed traffic. A special thanks to IGA for their continued support of our community and your Fort Salonga organization.

 ANNUAL  MEETING  AT 
FORT  SALONGA  SCHOOL 

As required by our charter each year, the FSA holds an annual meeting to elect officers to serve for the following year. This is also an opportunity for residents to get updated on issues of concern to our community and the actions your volunteer board is pursuing on your behalf. This year's meeting was held on November 17th in the school library and was hosted by President Paul Graf. Our guest speaker was James Ryan who shared with us a fascinating prescription for a happy life and concluded by entertaining us with a musical summary of the positive lessons life can offer us. Each director then presented a brief summary of community issues they are dealing with in their respective areas. 

After serving for three years as President (after a prior multi year term) Paul Graf is stepping down and will assume the position of Director of Smithtown Affairs. We are much indebted to Paul for his multidimensional support over the years. As discussed in our newsletters, Paul has been in the forefront on many issues from road repaving to downzoning. He nevertheless found time to be Big Bunny at our Spring egg hunts and leads us in song at our annual holiday caroling. With his responsibilities increased as Principal of Smithtown Elementary he felt unable to continue as President but will assume directorship responsibilities for Smithtown Affairs.  In recognition of his exceptional service the board presented him with an engraved mantle clock. 

Paul's duties will be assumed by Ken Kraska who joined our board several years ago and has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining our web site and e mail data base. This is an invaluable tool in letting our area residents know of pending issues that can have major impact on our community. Community turnout at town meetings is the most direct way to let our town officials know of our concerns. We therefore encourage you to assist Ken in his efforts by providing us your e mail address. Included is a brief bio of Ken as well as of our newest Director Rich Adamow. 

At meeting's end residents joined the directors in refreshments and a delicious and patriotic layer cake generously provided by the IGA Fort Salonga Market.

MIDDLEVILLE  CEMETERY  RESTORATION

On November 19th the McGill University NY Alumni had another work day in the restoration of Middleville Cemetery. During the course of the day we had a total of 21 volunteers show up to help.  

The following was accomplished:  

Finally the entire front swath of the cemetery facing Middleville Road has been cleared of brush and briars, now allowing for the installation of a fence and gates. All the old rusting fence remnants have been removed. Discussions were held with Town Historian Bob Hughes on fence selection. Further discussion is required, and a funding proposal needs to go to Susan Berlan, Town Council Woman.- 99 trash bags of twigs, leaves and branches were filled, along with a truck load of logs and briars. The Town Highway Department has since removed this rubbish. Litter was picked up from all corners of the site.

 -Town Historian Bob Hughes confirmed that Middleville Cemetery is now included in the Town maintenance budget and plan, and that the grass will be cut routinely. It is now the plan to create mowable space in as much of the cemetery as possible to facilitate easy and perpetual maintenance. Only a small portion of the front area will be kept in myrtle/ivy/periwinkle. This area will be staked off to protect it from mowing. The maintenance crew will be instructed to mow everything else. Future work plans will be to level out any holes/bumps to facilitate mowing.

-Some of the children planted 40 additional daffodil bulbs in the front myrtle area, supplementing bulbs planted in previous years. Six more large red azaleas were planted along the eastern boundary and front fence, bringing the total number now to 21. Cemetery neighbor Brent Marshall has been watering these plantings this past summer during the hot and dry weather.  Brent has also removed most of the branches at the very back of the cemetery, and created a chipping pile.  

-A number of fallen trees and larger tree limbs were chain sawed and piled up for removal. Subsequent to the work day 10 smaller dead trees and saplings were identified for cutting. Frank Konop from the Ft. Salonga Association returned and cut down these additional trees. They will be stacked near the road for removal.

-Town Historian Bob Hughes had arranged for a pro bono re-setting of the knocked over head stones in the Longbothum enclosure . This has been completed. Bob will work on having a preservationist reset some of the other stones (e.g. Zophar Platt) in need of protection. Bob is also arranging (with agreement from the Longbothum family) to restore the fence for the Longbothum enclosure. The fence was heavily damaged by the falling of a massive oak tree during a storm.  

The next organized work day will be in April of 2006. The goals for the next workday include: 1) installing a front fence, gate, 2) cutting down several medium size dead conifers, 3) cleaning the western side of the cemetery to mowable form , half the way north, 4) planting azaleas completely across the front fence line, 5) finding a sponsor for a flag pole and installing it, 6) obtaining guidance from the Quakers on the appropriateness of restoration of the wooden crosses, 7) making as much of the terrain mowable as possible, 8) removing as many saplings as possible.

All in all it was a very successful day! ...but we still have a ways to go!

Thank you everyone!

FORT SALONGA RESIDENTS HELP RAISE $ 191,000

TO FIGHT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

 On September 18, 2005 eight Fort Salonga residents joined 450 bike riders in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Tour for a Cure.  Your neighbors were all members  of a team named The Long G’Island Express.  The team raised over $17,000 and the tour as a whole raised $191,000.  Some of the funds raised will help the local National MS Society office provide services and support for the 7,000 Long Islanders afflicted with MS.  The money will also help to continue funding cutting edge research into the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis. This research has developed five therapies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. 

The MS Bike Tour had routes of 20, 50, 75, and 100 miles.  The Long G’Island Express had riders on every route.  Other local residents worked as volunteers and marshals on the tour.  Next year, on September 16 & 17, 2006 the team will be riding in the MS 150, a two day, one hundred fifty mile tour of Long Island’s Twin Forks.  For more information, please call the Long Island Chapter of the National MS Society at 631-864-8337.

Back Row (left to right) Ed Anastasio, Paul Langer, Charlie Pellegrino, Warren Smith, Paul Graf, Dave DeRoia  Front Row (left to right) Andrea Kantor, Mindy Alpert, Rhonda Castano, Yvonne Langer, Linda Levins, Katy Anastasio, Dina Deroia, Janeth Kennedy, Kathy Graf, Ed Kennedy.

This past Spring Fort Salonga saw the passing of Phil Suriano, a thirty year resident and active FSA director for most of those years. While Phil was most  involved in the environment and issues affecting Huntington as our Huntington Affairs Director, he will be most remembered for his tireless and successful efforts to preserve the eleven acre wetlands adjacent to North Fork Bank. Enlisting both legal and environmental experts, his efforts  greatly contributed to Suffolk County's acquisition of these wetlands to be kept in a forever wild state. We are dedicating this issue to Phil's memory and are sharing with the community individual recollections of your board,  paying  tribute to a friend and colleague whose humor, friendship and community spirit will be greatly missed. 

Frank Konop always associates Phil with the Village Deli where he acquired the moniker " Mr. Coffee". Phil insisted his coffee had to look the color of peanut butter. Since none of the counter boys could get it quite right, whenever Phil came in they quickly put the coffee pot on the counter along with the cream so Phil could  achieve his exact peanut butter blend. When Phil's distinctive red truck was parked in the shopping center, Phil would be in the Deli enjoying his fried fish sandwich and his peanut butter coffee and Frank would join him for a discussion of Phil's philosophy of life. This same red truck was heavily utilized by the FSA for transporting supplies to our various events. Dick Costello recalls Phil's last big move at our 2004  Square Dance when Richters Orchard had donated a giant pumpkin and several gallons of their fresh apple cider. Dick volunteered to pick these donations up, until he was informed the pumpkin weighed over 330 pounds! Phil again volunteered his truck whereupon we  loaded the munificent pumpkin into the back of his truck and delivered  it to the school, dragging it through the halls on Phil's blue tarp. This was a big deal for Dick and Frank but as a former marine engineer working on diesel engines, Phil's only comment was "Come on you guys, this is nothing compared to hauling an engine or an anchor. That is how Dick remembers Phil -" Come on you guys, 330 pounds is nothing".

 Angie and Bob Marketta remember Phil as one of those special people in life that you immediately hit it off with. Maybe it was because they were both "Bronx Boys"growing up near each other and only meeting in Fort Salonga. One of their fondest memories of Phil is the day  the FSA was erecting the Fort, in what was then the Waldbaums shopping center. This Fort was a puzzle that was assembled once a year, by different people, not all  "handy" ( need we say more). After transporting these numerous tinkertoy pieces to the parking lot, there were those of us challenged by the task at hand. Because of Phil's sense of humor, his cherub face, that ever present grin on his face and his" words of wisdom" (Ha, Ha ) the Fort was done, all visitors enjoyed it and the day was another great success.

 Carlton Copp remembers one particular day at the IGA when he came upon Phil  busy filling his shopping cart. He had just finished up a long day on a local "home improvement" job site. He was working for his son and he loved it. He said that his son was very talented and was an expert home remodeller. He held all types of licenses, including plumbing and electrical licenses and  went into a home and handled everything himself. He was a perfectionist and wanted to make sure that everything was done right, so he did it all himself. His son worked exclusively in the Northport/Fort Salonga area and didn't need to advertise, since he got jobs through recommendations. He left Carlton with the feeling that he was the proud father of a son who wanted to do the right thing for his customers.

 Phil volunteered at Huntington hospital where his sense of humor and positive attitude helped innumerable patients face difficult medical situations. Sera Liebowitz recalls Phil's love of God and family and his thanks to God every day he lived. Phil acquired an extensive knowledge of medical issues from his volunteering and his own medical experiences.  Sera always thought of him as  "Dr. Phil" because, after reviewing her medical records, in ten minutes he could provide more common sense medical advise than anything she learned in equivalent time in a doctor's office. Phil had an uncanny knack of turning a chore into an easy, enjoyable, happy and fun time. He always made people happy and kept them laughing. He was a tremendous asset to every one he touched. I know he is now doing the same to those he now resides with. Phil will be sorely missed.

Fort Salonga Elementary School
Receives Donation

We have been most fortunate to use Fort Salonga Elementary as our home base for meetings and events. The Principal. Arlene Mullen and custodial staff are most gracious and cooperation in the scheduling and execution of activities. In February, President Paul Graf, presented the school with a $500 donation to support the purchase of supplemental books for the Guided Reading program. These funds will allow Mrs. Mullen and her staff to select additional “just right “ books to put into the hands of students. We thank the school for their cooperation and look forward to continued partnership in the years to come.
 

SCHOLARSHIPS  AWARDED

Each year the Fort Salonga Association awards a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior from Kings Park and Northport High School to recognize them for service to their community and school. The School Awards Committee selects the winner and the award is announced at the Schools' senior awards ceremonies This year's winner from Kings Park was Lauren Lindros and from Northport, Kristen Viola. The attached picture shows Kristin with her dad on the right and  Lauren with her proud parents. 

Lauren Lindros is a member of the Class of '05 from Kings Park High School. She recently graduated with distinction with an average of 96.4. Lauren participated in Community service as a member of the National Honor Society. She was also active in the Yearbook, Key Club, Astronomy Club, Model Congress and Science Olympiads. On the athletic front she served a Captain of the Varsity Tennis Team in grades 10 and 12. Lauren plans on pursuing a degree in Mathematics Education as she begins her studies at James Madison University in the Fall. 

Kristen Viola  in addition to active involvement in a number of school activities  participated in Landmark Volunteers, a  volunteer program which helps restore national monuments throughout the country and undertook major projects  to battle erosion problems and construct hiking trails. She was recognized in Newsday will be invited back to a dedication ceremony with Barbara Bush. She also helped restore a house in Huntington  through Habitat for Humanity, participated in the Breast Cancer walk, volunteered for the Senior Citizens Prom and helped serve dinners at the Ronald McDonald House. Kristen will be pursuing a dermatology career at Penn State University in the fall.

 We share our community's pride in Lauren's and Kristen's accomplishments and wish them continued success.

 In addition to the awarding of scholarships to two worthy graduates from area public schools we recently contributed to the following community groups.

Kings Park Fire Department... $100 in appreciation for their wonderful visit with Santa and his entourage in December.

Smithtown Historical Society.... $100 in appreciation for the presentation by Brad Harris at our Annual Meeting .

Fort Salonga Elementary.... $500 for the purchase of guided reading books and materials . This donation was made in appreciation for their kindness in using the facility for monthly Board meetings and events.

MIDDLEVILLE  CEMETERY  RESTORATION

As part of the ongoing restoration of the historic Middleville Cemetery on Middleville Road, a number of area residents and FSA directors participated in  brush removal on Saturday, April 16th. This cemetery was designated historic in the early 1970's by the Town of Huntington after it fell into disuse. While human activity ceased, nature took over, leaving the cemetery covered in poison ivy, brambles and wild grape. Under the sponsorship of Anton  Angelich, a former Bread and Cheese resident, a restoration effort has been ongoing for the past several years. 

Many of our early settlers are buried here in family plots. Gravestones representing the Griffiths, Ketchams, Longbothums and Carlson  families were observed during the cleanup. There is also an area reserved for early Quakers with some wooden crosses still remaining. Much work remains to be done in future cleanups but almost half of the  half acre cemetery has now been cleared and Anton plans to install an attractive fence to further dignify the resting place of so many of our early residents. The photograph shows Anton and some of his volunteers in front of Leroy Longbothum's gravestone. 

Parade Anyone???

Recently, we took the FSA banner for a walk at the KPPC rally held on April 2nd. That got us to thinking about increasing our presence at local parades. If you have an interest in marching at upcoming Memorial Day, July 4th or the fall Cow Harbor Parade, then we want to hear from you... Local scout groups would be most welcome members of a contingent from our community. If you are interested please contact Tony Geraci at 261-8728. Or send us a note at the website. Planning is crucial if this is to occur. See you at the parade!!!
 

 YET ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL
SPRING EGG HUNT

Rabbit Paul Graf accompanied by Rabid sounding Dick Costello

      The 2005 FSA Spring Egg Hunt was without a doubt one of the best attended we have ever had. Mother Nature changed Her recently snowy mind, and instead smiled upon us. For well over a week the weather forecast ranged from snow showers to rain showers. The ground in Callahan’s Beach Park was snow covered when checked on Thursday morning. two days before the event. We printed up “Rain Date” signs, expecting the worst. Then the sun came out for three days straight, melting the snow and drying the ground. Saturday March 26, 2005 dawned absolutely sunny, dry and clear, albeit braced by a cool nippy March wind.
     Our talented singing Big Bunny. (Paul Graf), added bouncing “Popcorn” balls to his featured attraction. a huge multi-colored parachute and 50 or so hopping, jumping, ball tossing children. This was the most photographed event. Scores of children held on to the rim of the parachute and then tossed it over their heads, which. as any child knows, is an hilarious undertaking.
     Vice President Dick Costello, who organized the event, again used the “park bench guided” single file prize line originated by Emeritus Director Bob Desmond, which greatly simplified the prize awarding. Bob Marketta and Chris Thomas handed out the prizes, after moving around the park benches, aided by Ken Kraska. Cindy and Tom Freeman helped with the “Spring Picture” raffle and Jelly Bean guess contest. The winners of the Jelly Bean (268) contest were Mr. Mark Tolkin (267!), and Miss Randal Cook (255).
     Tony Geraci even signed up 5 or so new members, while Ken Kraska & son tied up all the string guide lines, and Carlton Copp posted the three sets of age group signs. Bob Desmond especially deserves a hearty round of congratulations. He provided almost all the stuffed animals and raffle prizes, and filled over 1,400 plastic Easter eggs with candy and 150 with prize tickets. During the event, Frank Konop took photographs, several of which are appended. Others are exhibited at the IGA Bulletin Board. Over 86 children signed up for the Jelly Bean Guessing contest, and over 30 Spring Pictures were turned in for the raffle, won by Jessica Waszczak, Maegan Wiener, and Haily DeiGiorno (who also won the 2004 big
prize).
     This year the mad rush was almost orderly, compared to last year. But, as in all previous years, the older children outran the younger children, collecting dozens of eggs, while a few of our youngest participants got none. We all tried to make sure that these little ones were smuggled an egg or two. The crowd this year was much larger than in past years, and our 200 Bunny toys and 1,400 Eggs were short by one or two. Our goal is to have every child go home a winner. Next year - 2,006 eggs! Or more.

POLAR BEARS SPOTTED IN FORT SALONGA

At noon on New Year's Day, 2005, three intrepid Fort Salonga residents braved the icy waters of Long Island Sound, cheered on by their family, friends and neighbors. Don Galano, Bob Starr, and Mark Combs (left to right in photo, standing) of the Salonga Shores neighborhood of Smithtown. While celebrating on New Year's Eve they agreed to join together in the first annual Polar Bear swim in Fort Salonga. Cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of family and friends, and by unusually warm air (but not water!) temperatures, the event was a great success. A larger group is expected next year.