Volume 3, Issue 11
November 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 the our parent organization – The Three Village Community Trust.
Enjoyed the Greenway all-year-long? Want to ‘pay it forward,’ as the kids say. Would you like to help preserve and protect our beautiful trail! Well, the best thing you can do is attend this year’s Three Village Community Trust’s Fall Gala! Read on ….
Support the Greenway! Get Your Tickets, Today!!
Limited Ticket Availability
The Three Village Community Trust’s 19th Annual Fall Gala
Wednesday, November 15th at 7:00 pm at the Old Field Club.
Basket Raffles, Art Auction, Live Music, Light Buffet, and much, much more
The Annual Fall Gala of the Three Village Community Trust is its most important source of funding to “Protect the Places You Love.” As an all-volunteer and a not for profit organization, the Trust depends on the Gala to support its many projects throughout 2024. Every Trust site benefits by this event: Patriots Rock Historic Site, The Immigrant Factory Worker Houses, The Hawkins Homestead, the Smith/deZafra House, the Tyler House, The Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway, the Steven D. Matthews Preserve and the Bruce House. Additionally, this event helps fund the Dr. Robert deZafra Acquisition Fund – helping the Trust to purchase additional historical properties in the future.
Our special guest for the evening is former Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn. For the past twelve years, Kara has served our community as one of the most respected and influential voices for the preservation of open space and public access to parkland. She spearheaded safeguarding our environment, advocating for victims of domestic violence and advancing consumer protection measures. A thoughtful, compassionate, and fearless public servant, Kara is now Long Island Deputy Director for State Parks.
Join Us!
Tickets are $75 a person.
Purchase tickets here
Need more information? Call 631-689-0225
Score one for our Turtles!
We received notification from the regional NYS-DOT that they will curb their mowing program in the Lawrence Aviation area. They will also post signage to alert every one of the new mowing restrictions. All of this is in response to our letter to the agency about our concern for Eastern Box Turtles in the area. We thank the DOT for their partnership with us!! What a TEAM!!
Sierra Club at the Greenway
We are deeply appreciative of the recent Greenway cleanup that was conducted by the Long Island Chapter of the Sierra Club. Meeting on a Thursday afternoon in October, Jane Fasullo of the Sierra Club, with one of our lead Trail Stewards -Susan Colatosti, and others – scoured the trail for litter and debris. Joining the effort was our local New York State Assemblyman Ed Flood and his Chief of Staff Stephanie Stafford! A big shout out, also, hard working Steve Thompson of Public Lands, the outdoor apparel and equipment store (a subsidiary of Dick’s Sporting Goods.) Ben Brehl anchored the crew and gave The Trail Mix some great reporting about the afternoon. As the sun was beginning to set, the intrepid crew had collected litter both big and small. A job well done!!
Above: Assemblyman Ed Flood, Jane Facullo, Susan Colatosti, Ben Brehl, Steven Thompson
Above: A lot of trash collected from the wooded edges of the Greenway! Thank you, Ben Brehl.
NYS DOT To the Rescue
A large tree branch came down on the trail in October. We are appreciative of the NYS-DOT’s super-fast response to remove the debris!
And, Sometimes, Debris Appears From …Nowhere!
Somehow, a couch appeared on the trail. And it seemed to move from place to place before we could get it removed. Finally, we were able to pin down the location of the ‘traveling furniture’ and used the help of Assemblyman Ed Flood to get it carted away! Thank you, Assemblyman!
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, 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 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!
Editor in Chief – Herb Mones
