The Trail Mix
Volume 4, Issue 8, 2024
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!
You may have seen last month’s headline in Newsday –
Surge in LI Traffic Deaths.
The article written about this headline noted that fatal motor crashes increased almost 26% statewide between 2019 and 2022, reaching the highest level in a decade. And Suffolk and Nassau County ranked at the top in New York State in motor vehicle fatalities every year since 2008. In 2022, Suffolk County led the surge in traffic fatalities. Grim news.
And soon after these statistics were reported in Newsday, there was another headline in Newsday about a disastrous crash in Deer Park – a driver slammed his SUV into a nail salon, killing four people, including an off duty police officer. The daily carnage on our roads is almost mind numbing.
There has never been a greater need for more dedicated greenways for both pedestrians and bicyclists. Our roadways have become far too dangerous to think there can be ‘shared roadways.’. If just a fraction of our town, county and state transportation budgets were used to build greenways, we would be well on our way to improving the health and safety of the general public.
Ps: The other day, a bicyclist was observed stopping on a sidewalk he was using that ran adjacent to NYS Route 25A. He used a clipper to cut back branches protruding onto the walkway so he could continue on his way. Obviously, the bicyclist recognized that bicyclist and pedestrian pathways are on the lowest priority for both construction and maintenance by our transportation authorities.
Lawrence Aviation in the News
A recent article appeared on Page 2 of Newsday titled “MTA delays buying Port Jeff Station site.”
The story was a stark reminder of the inertia and lethargy of so many of our government agencies and officials to truly ‘serve the people.’
As many of you know from past articles in The Trail Mix, the MTA has a unique opportunity to purchase 40 acres of the old Lawrence Aviation property in Port Jefferson Station. This once-in-a-lifetime acquisition is essential for plans to electrify the LIRR’s North Shore train line and eliminate the NYS Route 112 grade crossing – unrealized dreams of generations of commuters. Yet, even at the bargain price of $10, the MTA is seemingly unable to navigate the roadblocks erected by other government agencies at this time and has postponed the deal.
We need some bold leadership from our elected officials to prevent a ‘train wreck’ to the plans to electrify the Port Jefferson Train line. We’ll even give the 10 bucks to buy the 40 acres.
Trash Can and Rocks That Put a Smile on Your Face –
A Photo Essay By David Wang
David Wang is one of the stalwarts our Trail Steward team. Hard working, dedicated and always smiling, Dave is always helping to make the Greenway a truly unique ‘linear park’ for the public. Recently, David sent us some fun photos from his trail experience. Enjoy!
Eagle Scouts – A Greenway’s Best Friend
Nicholas Comito – Eagle Scout candidate from Miller Place Troop 204 – recently replaced damaged reflectors on the Greenway’s bollards at each street crossing. The new reflectors help to improve safety for trail users, and at the same time, gives the Greenway a well -maintained look! Thank you, Nick.
Additionally, his team added a concrete pad at one of the trail’s benches. Wow!! Great work, Nick.
Greenway Users – Join Us in this Important Fundraiser
The Ninth Annual Chicken Hill Country Picnic and Chicken Hill
It’s a fun family event that celebrates a forgotten part of the history of the Three Villages!
The Three Village Community Trust’s Annual Chicken Hill Country Picnic will be held on the lawn of the Factory Worker Houses located at 148 Main Street in Setauket on Saturday, August 17th from 4pm -7pm.
At one time, the area surrounding the Three Village Community Trust’s Headquarters, and the Factory Houses, at 148 Main Street was known as Chicken Hill. Extending a half mile in each direction, Chicken Hill was a diverse, multi-cultural neighborhood that became an important foundation for today’s Three Village community! Many of the people living in Chicken Hill in the 1800’s and early 1900’s were southern and Eastern European immigrants, Irish immigrants, Native Americans and African Americans – all who worked at the local Setauket Rubber Factory. The ‘Immigrant Factory Houses’ at 148 Main Street are a visible reminder of a bygone era.
This year’s Chicken Hill BBQ has an expanded menu with: Pulled Pork, BBQ Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Hot dogs, Hamburgers, Sausage and Peppers, Watermelon and more! There will be live music, house tours and talks on the history of the Three Villages. There will also be Art Raffle tickets for sale, Raffle Baskets, auction items and much, more. Everyone is invited.
All proceeds from the event will go to the ongoing restoration of the Factory Worker Houses, and the other historical properties of the Trust, as well as the upkeep of the Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway.
All are welcome! It’s an outdoor fun event for an important cause!
Date: Saturday, August 17th, 2024
Site: 148 Main Street, Setauket
Time: Grounds open at 4pm with live music by the Rum Dogs
Tickets: $30 per person, $40 at the door, Kids 5-12 $10, Under 5 free
Online sales at: threevillagecommunitytrust.org or mail your check to TVCT, PO Box 2596, Setauket, NY 11733
Benefit: To Help Maintain the Greenway and Help Restoration Projects of the Trust.
Bring: BYOB
Need more info? Call H. Mones at 631-942-4558, or write to HJMones@gmail.com, or tvcommtrust@optonline.net
And Some Interesting Background to Chicken Hill:
The three Factory Worker Houses at 148 Main Street in Setauket were built in the late 1800’s and represent an important part of the American immigrant experience.
Near this site, the Setauket Rubber Factory operated as Long Island’s leading producer of domestic goods. Hundreds of workers helped manufacture such items as shoes, boots, belts, tires and rain gear.
Immigrants arriving in New York City from Eastern Europe and Russia were promised steady work and inexpensive housing. These new Americans came to this area in the hopes of a better life, although the work was difficult, conditions poor and the pay low.
Housing was provided by the factory owners in the form of small “factory houses” located throughout the community. Each of the “company houses” has essentially two rooms – one room on the first floor and one on the second floor. Several families would crowd into the houses to afford the monthly rent payments. The area surrounding the three factory houses at 148 Main Street (a half mile in each direction) – was known as “Chicken Hill.” The factory houses at this site still maintain their original interior and exterior – allowing visitors a look ‘back in time.’
Despite the poor working and living conditions, the immigrants helped build a vibrant community. By 1881, there were enough Irish-Catholics in Setauket to hold a St. Patrick’s Day Parade and build the community’s first Catholic Church on Main Street. The Jewish population, recruited from Ellis Island, was large enough to support a synagogue – the first on Long Island outside of Brooklyn and Queens – called Agudas Achim or “Good Fellowship.
Saved from demolition due to the efforts of former NYS Assemblyman Steven Englebright, the Three Village Community Trust and dedicated community volunteers, the “Immigrant Worker Factory Houses” were moved to the Trust’s headquarters for the purpose of preservation, restoration, and education.
Today, these small, rustic houses are a visual reminder of the hopes, dreams and struggles of so many of our nation’s immigrants. And, every year, the Chicken Hill Country Picnic keeps the memory of ‘a community lost in time’ alive!
Join Us on August 17th.
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)
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. And Craig was a driving force behind the recent Great Daffodil Dash benefiting the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville community! Why not support Emerald Magic who supports us! Call 631-286-4600, 631-804-9205.
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!
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
