April 2025 – Volume 2 Issue 4

We know you’re busy, so rather than sending you a newsletter with a lot of text, please take a look at our latest ‘Photo-Letter’ – a ‘snapshot’ of happenings to keep you informed and up-to-date on the Trust.

Our Annual Membership Meeting

Wow! A great time was had by all at our 2025 Annual Membership Meeting on Wednesday, March 12th. Scroll through some of our highlights:

Great food, beverages and dessert was provided by David Prestia and Bagel Express.

There was a wonderful display of Native American artifacts – by artist Michael Rosengard

Trust President Peter Legakis, renowned author, lecturer and historian Bev Tyler, and past President Herb Mones

Three outstanding community leaders -Nancy Goroff, Amani Kahn and Maria Nardiello – received Trust awards and Town proclamations at the meeting. That’s Councilman Jonathan Kornreich on the right, Trust President Peter Legakis on the left. (See the end notes of this Photo-letter to learn more about each of the awardees!)

President Peter Legakis announced the Trust’s latest acquisition – the historic ‘Little Red House’ at 70 Thompson Hay Path, Setauket. (See next photo)

Photo by Robert Reuter
The early 19th century Little Red House- “Protecting the Places You Love.”

Discover Long Island’s Legislative Breakfast

Two of our ‘locals’ were at Discover Long Island’s networking event in March. Discover Long Island is the leader in promoting and publicizing our island as a “must see” tourist destination! Yes, that is New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay with the Trust’s Herb Mones.

Hello, Neighbor!

Photo by Emily Murphy

Small world isn’t it. Yes, the Trust’s Headquarters are located directly across the street from our newly elected Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay. Trust members dropped by to say hello and presented the Assemblywoman a Greenway snazzy Greenway hat and some Trust literature.

Pictured above: Robert Reuter (Trust’s Chair of Building and Grounds,) NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, Herb Mones (Trust’s Secretary,) Ann Robitsek (Trust’s Chair of Outreach and Volunteer Services) and Peter Legakis (Trust President)

Faith, Hope, and Love

As you know, the Trust is holding an Annual Ukrainian Relief Drive to benefit the women, children and families impacted by the war with Russia. The backstory of our fundraiser is connected to our three Factory Worker Houses and the Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who fled pogroms and persecution in the 1800’s, eventually arriving in Setauket to find factory work. The young Jewish community founded a synagogue named Agudas Achim on Main Street, which today is II Acts Thrift Store, owned by the Setauket United Methodist Church. We want to share a touching letter we recently received from the popular II Acts Thrift Store in Setauket. As you read this letter, you can’t help but think of the uplifting spirit that is part in this little building – both yesterday and today:

The Hawkins House

Yes, we continue to work on the interior of the Hawkins House Hawkins House on Christian Avenue.

The photo above shows the third floor of the house where planks have temporarily been removed to accommodate the ongoing electrical work.

As mentioned earlier in this Photo-Newsletter, awards, recognition and special proclamations went to Nancy Goroff, Amani Kahn, and Maria Nardiello at the Three Village Community Trust’s Annual Membership Meeting. The Trust expressed a deep appreciation of the honoree’s unique contributions to the community:

Maria Nardiello

Maria Nardiello was recognized for her special role in the life of Three Villages and community affairs:

  • An Inn Keeper of distinction
  • Long time innkeeper and resident manager of the Setauket Neighborhood House.
  • 25 years of providing welcoming and friendly hospitality and service to the Three Village Community.
  • Over the years, her friendly professionalism has made the Neighborhood House THE place for all community events.
  • Providing a welcoming meeting place for all residents
  • An enthusiastic booster of our Three Village community
  • Always ready to assist in planning family and community events at the Setauket Neighborhood House
  • Widely known as a caring, gracious, calming voice in every interaction with residents
  • A steady, dependable and welcoming presence at the Neighborhood House
  • A very likely ‘person of history’ in the story of the Three Villages for her remarkable role at the Inn

Amani Khan

Amani Khan was honored for her help and support to the residents of Council District 1:

  • Longtime senior Legislative Aide for Council District 1
  • A beloved and respected staff member at the Town and to the entire District 1 community
  • Known for her outstanding, dependable and efficient constituent service
  • Recognized for her ability to easily navigate the complexities of the Town’s many different offices, departments, codes and regulations
  • Acknowledged as an expert in all issues impacting the Three Village community
  • Engaged in all issues of the Three Village community, and the surrounding area
  • Well-known to residents for her honesty, integrity, and steadiness in all things ‘Brookhaven’
  • An unrivaled ability to use grace and understanding in all situations and at all times

Nancy Goroff

Nancy Goroff was recognized for her advancements in education, art, culture and science:

  • President of the Board of Gallery North, the largest non-profit art gallery on Long Island
  • Treasurer and Co-Founder, Long Island Strong Schools Alliances
  • Founding Board Member of the Institute for Digital Media and Child Development
  • Past Chair of the Chemistry Department at Stony Brook University – a recognized leader in chemistry, materials science, and higher education
  • Gifted public servant with a track record of accomplishment as a leader, scientist, and communicator.
  • A history of building and managing diverse teams in a variety of disciplines. Demonstrating a longstanding commitment to community service and nonprofit organizations.
  • Lifelong advocate for good government
  • Outspoken leader in civic affairs
  • A champion of rights for woman, children, the underserved and disenfranchised
  • A fierce defender of the principles of fairness and compassion for all