Volume 5, Issue 1

January 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!

Happy New Year!

Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway Clean Up Schedule

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

Update on the MTA and NYSDOT

You may remember, it wasn’t too long ago that our intrepid Trail Mix editor wrote to Newsday about the acquisition of a parcel of land near the Greenway:

Your recent article “MTA delays buying Port Jeff Station site” is a stark reminder of the inertia and lethargy of so many of our government agencies and officials to truly ‘serve the people.’

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 – an unrealized dream 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.

Where is Governor Hochul? Wouldn’t this be a great opportunity for the Gov to kick some butt and get ‘everyone on board?’

Subsequently, Suffolk County’s Executive Ed Romaine spoke to Governor Kathy Hochul about the Lawrence Aviation acquisition for a new railyard while she was visiting in Suffolk County. The County Executive stated that he told the governor of his concerns about the stalled negotiations between the MTA and the NYS-DOT but did not get a definitive response from her.

Well, we are happy to report that Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine has weighed in with a strong letter to the governor. Wouldn’t be something if more of our elected officials wrote to the governor? Please read Executive Romaine’s letter!

And we just learned as we were going to press – the ‘stall’ continues. There is still no deal between the MTA and the NYS-DOT.

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.

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