The Trail Mix
A newsletter for and about the Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway
Volume 3, Issue 5 May 2023
The Trail Mix is the monthly newsletter of The Friends of the Greenway. We established this bulletin to keep the Friends and users of the Greenway 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 our parent organization – The Three Village Community Trust.
Trail Steward’s April Meet Up
On Earth Day ‘23 some of our Trail Stewards got together for coffee and bagels. Sooo good!
Green Way Clean Up on Earth Day
We had a big, enthusiastic turnout for our April Clean Up.
Special Thanks
On Earth Day, Emerald Magic Lawn Care’s horticultural, Craig den Hartog, donated trash buckets and trash grabbers to our cleanup efforts. And Dave Prestia at Bagel Express donated our member’s bagels and coffee. Give Craig and Dave a Big Thank You next time you see them!
Our Remaining Spring Summer and Fall Clean Up Schedule
Spring
- Saturday, May 13th To be held in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven’s 2022 Great Annual Clean Up) at 9am, Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.
Summer and Fall
- Saturday, June 17th at 9am (Trail Steward’s Breakfast Meet Up at 8pm) Location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead.
- Saturday, July 15th at 9am, Starting locations: The Port Jefferson Station and Setauket Trailhead.
- Saturday, August 12th at 9am, Starting locations: The Port Jefferson Station and Setauket Trailhead.
- Saturday, September 9th at 9am, Starting location: The Port Jefferson Station Trailhead
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- HJMones@gmail.com or Charlie- cfmcateer@gmail.com
An Important Awareness Campaign
Maria’s No Mow May
Sadly, Maria Hoffman passed away in 2022. Maria was someone who was involved in everything and anything that touched our community – historical preservation, open space protection, and environmental issues. There was no issue too large, or too small that Maria wasn’t part of – and always with a smile on her face. Her involvement was done with a quiet style and grace, and while her voice was soft and light – her influence was great. Anyone who enjoys West Meadow Beach, the Setauket to Port Jefferson Greenway, and the cultural, historical, and art institutions in the area – they all need to give special thanks to Maria’s legacy.
Maria was an avid beekeeper. She loved her bees and maintained a number of hives. Her eyes sparkled whenever she spoke about bees – she marveled at their unique abilities and intelligence. And she was deeply concerned about the declining bee populations across the country.
To honor the legacy of Maria, and to protect the bee, butterfly, and bird population the Three Village Community is kicking off its First Annual Maria’s No Mow May Campaign.
No Mow May is an international movement that first was popularized by Plantlife, an organization based in the United Kingdom. The simple goal of No Mow May is to allow grass to grow during the month of May, creating an important Spring habitat for early-season pollinators. No Mow May is really easy – do nothing! Don’t apply any fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides.
While community residents might not want to leave their entire lawn unmown for the month of May, just allowing a small area to be part of No Mow May will make a difference to the environment.
Join the Three Village Community Trust, your friends, and neighbors in Maria’s No Mow May.
Like Maria, let’s make the world a better place one bee at a time!
And remember – No Bees, No Food!
And, if you have some time on Saturday, May 6th, visit this year’s Tree Fest. The Three Village Community Trust and the Friends of the Greenway will have a booth at this really fun event and will be distributing literature, maps, and guides. If you go this year, you will go back year after year!
Port Jefferson Station Kiosk – We’re Back
You’ll notice the doors were missing on the PJS kiosk at the Greenway Trailhead in March. Not to worry. The doors were undergoing repair and were reinstalled in April. The old plexiglass was replaced, and the door framing was rebuilt.
We thank the NYSDOT for their help in getting these needed repairs completed in time for the warm weather! We give the LI-DEC a five-star rating!
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.
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 – so 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 the website at Bagel Express – New York | View our menu, and 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, and firewood. Dave Fortuna, the owner/operator, donates many, many of his 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 for many years at “no cost.” We planted a big bulk of these bulbs at the kiosk on Gnarled Hollow Road, Setauket. Craig’s 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 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.
Shown above is Dave Prestia, owner/operator, of Bagel Express
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!
Editor in Chief – Herb Mones
