Volume 5, Issue 4

April 2025

The Trail Mix is the monthly newsletter of The Friends of the Greenway. We established this bulletin to keep you current on some of the “goings- on” regarding our Trail and to dispense a mix of bits and bytes of flavorful information. Hopefully, The Trail Mix will help to enlighten, inform, and entertain our readers.

The Friends of the Greenway is part of The Three Village Community Trust. The Trust was established more than twenty years ago to “Protect the Places You Love.” Support the Greenway today by joining the Trust today!

Congratulations Bill Negra – Trail Steward of the Year

Photo by Patty Schindler

You may have heard that Bill Negra, one of our most hard-working and dependable Trail Stewards, has been ill, lately. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his wife Mary, and their family. Recently, Herb Mones, representing the Three Village Community Trust and the Friends of the Greenway, presented Mary a special award certificate (See next page) and a bag of candy Kisses. Above: Mary and Herb.

2024 Trail Steward of the Year Award
Presented in Grateful Appreciation to

Bill Negra

Advisor, Teacher, Advocate, Steward and Friend

The Three Village Community Trust recognizes the selfless contributions made over the many years by Bill Negra to the Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway.

Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?

From: It’s a Wonderful Life

Spring/Summer/Fall 2025

Spring

Saturday, April 19th at 9am, An Earth Day Clean Up Event – Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.
Saturday, May 17th at 9am (Date subject to change) To be held in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven’s 2022 Great Annual Clean Up – Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.

Summer/Fall

Saturday, June 21st at 9am, Starting Location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead. (Trail Stewards Breakfast Meet Up at 8:30pm)
Saturday, July 19th at 8:30am, Starting locations: The Port Jefferson Station and Setauket Trailhead.
Saturday, August 16th at 8:30am, Starting locations: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.
Saturday, September 20th at 9am, Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.
(Trail Stewards Breakfast Meet Up at 8:30pm)

Need more information? Want to become a Trail Steward? Wish to Donate to the Greenway? Want to be on the Friends of the Greenway’s email list?

Email Herb at HJMones@gmail.com or Charlie at cfmcateer@gmail.com

Mark your Calendar!

On Saturday, April 19th at 9am we will have an Earth Day Clean Up Event – Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead

Here is a shout out to the Chair of the Friends of the Greenway – Charlie McAteer! He has been a steady and dependable ‘Champion of the Greenway’ for more than twenty-five years. As we enter a new season of Clean-ups, Trail Steward meet-ups, Eagle Scout projects and other Greenway activities, let’s be sure to say Attaboy to Charlie.

Holden Cone is #1

At the Annual Membership Meeting of the Three Village Community Trust, Holden Cone delivered a remarkable talk about his experiences as a Trail Steward. We think his insights and experiences are so special, we are going to wait on publishing his speech in order to make them the main feature in the May issue of the Trail Mix!

Our Special Friends

Keep in mind, these special friends of the Greenway who support our efforts throughout the year! Please consider giving them your business, and mention you saw them in The Trail Mix.

Shown above is Dave Prestia, owner/operator, of Bagel Express

Bagel Express at 15-5 Bennetts Road in Setauket. Owned and operated by David Prestia, Bagel Express generously donates the catering of our Trail Steward breakfasts. Delicious bagels, hot, steaming coffee – sooo good! For the third year in a row, The Trail Mix has voted Bagel Express #1 for breakfast and lunch, and all of your catering needs. Call 631-675-2770 or check website at Bagel Express – New York | View our menu, reviews & Order food online (bagelexpressli.com)

Emily Riley Design631-512-3330 emilyrileydesign.com

Emily Riley of Emily Riley Design knows plants and landscaping. Using the latest understanding of natural, native and sustainable landscaping methods, Emily can transform your yard into a magical setting that lasts for years and years. As a landscape designer, Emily has been a generous donor of both time, energy and materials to a host of Trust projects!

A Big Friend of the Trust is Swan Cove Landscaping. Swan Cove does a whole line of services – lawn maintenance, pruning, stone walls, firewood. Dave Fortuna has recently retired, but his longtime employee Wander Aleman is now the new and capable owner/operator. Swan Cove donates many, many of services to the Trust. The result – our properties always look great! Thank you, Dave! Call 631-689-8089.

Emerald Magic Lawn Care’s horticultural consultant, Craig den Hartog has been providing flower bulbs for the Greenway over many years at “no cost.” We planted a big bulk of these bulbs at the kiosk on Gnarled Hollow Road, Setauket. Craig generosity is part of his beautification effort known as Old Town Blooms.Why not support Emerald Magic, who supports us! Call 631-286-4600, 631-804-9205.

Steve Antos – He can do it all!

For your yard’s beautification look to Setauket Landscape and Design. Steve Antos can help you plan and design the unique surroundings to make your property the envy of your neighborhood. His company has helped us with many large and small projects on the Trust’s historic properties. Call 631-882-7190.

And lots of thanks to Bove Industries and Skyline Industries for their generous support of the Trust’s projects – they have been instrumental in our grounds restorations at the Smith/deZafra House! Bove Industries and Skyline Industries are leaders in producing materials for roads and construction products.

Randall Brothers Tree Service is always a big help and big hearted in helping the Trust! Call 631-862-9291. Marty is the Man!

Jos. M. Troffa Materials Corporation at 70 Comsewogue Road in Setauket is a very special friend. The company has every conceivable item to beautify your yard. Mulch – they got it. Grass seed – yes! Soil, gravel, shovel, – everything. Forget the big box stores – You gotta go to Troffa!

Maeder Landscaping and Snow, Ltd. is a really great choice for your all of your yard’s needs. Rest your back, spend more time with your friends and family – give them a call at 631-988-9211.

Editor in Chief – Herb Mones