Volume 4, Issue 11

November 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!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble Gobble. The Friends of the Greenway wish you a happy and festive Thanksgiving. A big thanks to our Trail Stewards, our community members helping at our cleanups, our Scouting groups doing special projects, and so many others. You have made the Greenway a treasured place! Enjoy every day as we enter the Holiday Season!

Lessons Learned

As you may remember, we highlighted two stories in the recent issues of the Trail Mix. One, celebrated the Greenway turning 25 this year. Yes, it was back in 1999 that local residents, civic activists and governmental officials first met to discuss the building of a bicycle and pedestrian path on an unused NYS-DOT right-of- way in our area.

The second story, focused on the Newsday headline: “MTA delays buying Port Jeff Station site.” The MTA has a unique opportunity to purchase 40 acres of the old Lawrence Aviation property in Port Jefferson Station to electrify the LIRR’s north shore train line – a long held dream of community leaders, activists, commuters – everyone! Yet, a seemingly ‘roadblock’ is the NYS-DOT’s insistence to hold onto a sliver of land that is part of the Greenway in order to …wait for it … wait for it… to build a bypass highway using the Setauket to Port Jefferson Greenway. Keep in mind, the small section of the Greenway said to be holding up the ‘deal’ could easily be rerouted to accommodate the MTA purchase.

So, could the NYS-DOT tear-up the Greenway and build a bypass to alleviate the traffic on NYS Route 25A between Setauket and Port Jefferson? Absolutely! The NYS-DOT is the owner of the Greenway’s 150 foot corridor and has never transferred ownership to a park authority. While many believe the Greenway is a linear park, it does not actually have the protections afforded under law of a Town, County or State park.

So, this year we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Greenway. The ‘driving’ reason for designing the Greenway was to stop any NYS-DOT plans for a bypass. Yet, the plan for a new highway never seems to go away.

It is important to be mindful that any public park, trail or open space is vulnerable to outside forces that work to repurpose the property.

The Trust’s Fourth Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive is Now in Progress.

Donating is easy – just drop off any non-perishable food items on the front porch of the Bruce House – the Trust’s Headquarters at 148 Main Street, Setauket. We’ll take it from there!! Help make it a Season for All! Happy Thanksgiving!

The Fall brings out the very best of the Greenway!

Support the Friends of the Greenway and the Three Village Community Trust

The Trust’s Annual Fall Gala

Don’t forget! The Three Village Community Trust, the parent organization of the Friends of the Greenway, is hosting its 20th Annual Fall Fundraiser on Wednesday, November 13th at the Old Field Club.

The Fall Fundraising Gala is the Trust’s most important source of funding to “Protect the Places You Love.” As an all-volunteer, not for profit we depend on the Gala to support our projects throughout the upcoming year – including the Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway.

The special guest for the evening is Dr. Heather Lynch of Stony Brook University. Dr. Lynch is an internationally renowned author, researcher and lecturer, who was recently named the Inaugural Director of the Collaboration for the Earth at Stony Brook University. As a recognized captivating speaker, we are thrilled to have Dr. Lynch as our guest.

The Three Village Community Trust’s Fall Gala is THE event that supports our Greenway. The funds raised on this night go a long way in providing the Friends of the Greenway the resources to preserve and protect and enhance the trail. Please sign up – today!

I Want a Gamecock Heirloom Chest

This unique chest was designed and built by master craftsman William Solan using repurposed wood from the iconic Gamecock Cottage at Shipman’s Point in Stony Brook. During the first restoration of the Gamecock cottage more than thirty years ago, Bill was the lead carpenter. Today, Bill is helping with the current renovations of the cottage by handcrafting the detailed moldings for installation on the building’s Swiss-chalet exterior.

The chest is made from quarter-sawn Douglas fir that weathered the elements at Shipman’s Point for more than half a century. Douglas fir is known for its strength and stability, and was likely sourced in Canada, and shipped to Stony Brook from the west coast. The classic box joinery is ‘fitting’ for this remarkable chest. Antique handles complete the overall design.

Measurements: 30”long, 18”wide, 16”high

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a distinctive and functional heirloom for your home.

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