From left, Suffolk County Police Officer Matt Spilotros, Eagle Scout Alexander Tafone and Leg. Rob Trotta. Photo courtesy of Leg. Trotta's office
Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta attended the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Troop 539’s Alexander Jude Tafone on April 6 at Travis Hall at St. Joseph’s Church in Kings Park.
For his community service project, Alex organized a 5K Fun Run/Walk to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. Approximately 150 people participated in the event and Alex was able to donate over $10,000 to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“This is a wonderful honor for Alex, and he certainly earned it. I know his parents, family, friends, troop leaders and fellow scouts must be extremely proud of him. What is so special about this award is that you obtained it while still a teenager. This recognition will stay with you for the rest of your life,” said Legislator Trotta.
Suffolk County
Legislator Rob Trotta and his honoree Susan Benjes. Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Legislature
In 2019, the Suffolk County Legislature passed a resolution requesting each Legislator to select an “Irish American Person of Distinction” who resides in his or her district to be honored at the Irish American Heritage Celebration in Hauppauge during the month of March.
On March 26, a celebration was held at the Dennison Building in Hauppauge to recognize each legislator’s honoree. Several Irish singers and the Suffolk County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band entertained the honorees and their families, as well as various county officials.
Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (D-Setauket) named Susan Benjes, a resident of Kings Park, as Irish American of Distinction for the County’s 13th Legislative District.
Benjes is a proud Irish American as her grandfather came to the United States for a better life and eventually found one in Kings Park. She grew up in Kings Park and graduated from Kings Park High School. She worked at Kings Park Psychiatric Hospital and earned a nursing degree. She transferred to Pilgram State Hospital where she worked until her retirement. She was honored to be this year’s Grand Marshal.
Legislator Trotta said, “I have known Sue for years and she is so involved in the community – volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul’s Food Pantry at St. Joseph’s Church in Kings Park, organizing class reunions, collecting donations for people in need and serving on the Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.”
Kings Park girl's lacrosse vs. Port Jefferson 04/01/25. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park freshman Kelly Addison passes in a road game against Port Jefferson. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior Emily Clemens wins the draw in a road game against Port Jefferson. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park girl's lacrosse vs. Port Jefferson 04/01/25. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff goalie Emma Batter clears the ball in the Royals home opener against Kings Park. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park girl's lacrosse vs. Port Jefferson 04/01/25. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior midfielder Cessarina Buehler fires at the cage for the Royals. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park girl's lacrosse vs. Port Jefferson 04/01/25. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park attack Samantha Van Gelder fires at the cage. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park girl's lacrosse vs. Port Jefferson 04/01/25. Photo by Bill Landon
Kings Park girl's lacrosse vs. Port Jefferson 04/01/25. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
It was Port Jefferson’s girl’s lacrosse home opener against perennial powerhouse Kings Park where the Royals had their hands full, from the opening draw to the final buzzer. Kings Park, having defeated Great Neck South in a non-league season opener three days before, peppered the scoreboard easily winning their first league game of the season 17-4 on April 1.
Senior attack Emily Clemens led the way for Kings Park with four goals and two assists along with teammate Emily Hnis who inked four assists and two goals.
Port Jeff senior Emma Batter had a busy afternoon in net with 9 saves.
The Royals having defeated Brentwood in convincing fashion last week look to get back to their winning ways with a road game against Harborfields on April 3.
Kings Park is also back in action on April 3 with a road game against Miller Place. Both games are slated for a 4 p.m. start.
The Main Street Pub in Kings Park had a fire on Feb. 25. Photo from GoFundMe page.
By Sabrina Artusa
At around 10:40 p.m. Feb 25, Scott McKinnon, owner of Main Street Pub in Kings Park, received a call that a fire had emerged. He immediately drove to the bar he took over from his father decades before from his home 20 minutes away. Fire was visible above the building.
“I was driving up and light was coming out of the roof,” McKinnon said.
Scott McKinnon stands with Lori, Ellen, Krista and Evelyn at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Kings Park. Photo by Rita Egan
According to McKinnon, the fire started outside in an alleyway between the pub and the neighboring Euro Barber Shop. The fire department extinguished it swiftly and with no casualties, but the bar has endured tremendous damage; about 30-40% of the pub that has been in operation for about three decades was severely damaged, Mckinnon estimates.
“The firefighters did a great job extinguishing the fire but there is a lot of damage from the smoke,” McKinnon said. There is also water damage.
Evelyn Wood, McKinnon’s partner, said the last week has been “kind of like a rollercoaster.” The fire was devastating; however, at the Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the community showed their support.
“We are learning emotions we didn’t know we had and just trying to get through each one together,” Wood said. “It has been very overwhelming to [Scott]. This is everything. It has put a roof over his kids’ heads and helped them grow up and go to school and everything.”
The pub’s employees organized a booth on a side street next to the pub. They gave out food and raised money to supplement the income that the 80 employees have now lost. They chatted with regulars and tried to preserve the pub’s presence in the community.
“It was nice to see the people that we always take care of and we always serve are taking care of us now,” Wood said. The pub’s employees, some who have been working at the pub for decades, are spearheading promotional fundraisers while McKinnon works with insurance companies and the town to navigate rebuilding.
McKinnon described the bar as an “old-time” institution with regulars who spent “most of their time” there, drinking and talking.
“Regardless if you were an employee or customer, everyone knows everyone, cares for everyone. . . watches each other’s backs, it was just a tight knit place to be in,” Wood said.
McKinnon, eager to get the bar back up and running, has had to wait for the insurance company to file the damages. He cannot touch or alter anything while this process continues, something McKinnon said is “impossible”.
During Covid, when the bar had to shut down, McKinnon supplemented the loss with his savings and income, ensuring the bar would get through the financial strain of extended closure.
“All the means I had I had to put into the business,” McKinnon said. Now, he has to navigate town ordinances and insurance dealings before he can get the bar back to the state it was. He approximates the bar will be back in three to four months.
McKinnon said he might consider making some changes when the bar eventually reopens.
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
By Rita J. Egan
Spring-like weather provided a “great day for the Irish” in Kings Park on Saturday, March 1.
A few thousand people lined up along the hamlet’s main thoroughfares to cheer on participants in the 15th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Grand Marshal Susan Benjes led the procession and was joined by Scouts, fire department members, elected officials, Irish step dancers and more. Parade participants marched up Lou Avenue and Pulaski Road and continued on Main Street before turning north on Church Street and stopping at William T. Rogers Middle School.
Many spectators, who in the past would visit Main Street Pub for a drink during the parade, stopped by nearby tents to donate to the establishment this year. A few days before the parade, the fire left the bar and Euro Barber Shop with extensive fire, heat and smoke damage. Main Street Pub owner Scott McKinnon and his employees were on hand Saturday to thank those who donated by handing out refreshments.
The Suffolk County Police Department is advising motorists of road closures for the Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 1 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Pulaski Road will be closed from Cedar Street to Route 25A. Lou Avenue will be closed from Cedar Street to Pulaski Road. Route 25A will be closed from Country Lane Drive to Lawrence Road. Church Street will be closed from Meadow Road to Hilden Street. Old Dock Road will be closed from Route 25A to Flynn Road.
Irish eyes will be smiling as the 15th annual Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off on Saturday, March 1 at noon featuringnumerous bagpipe bands, floats and hundreds of marching community organizations. It is the first of more than two dozen St. Patrick’s Day parades on Long Island in the coming weeks.
This year’s Grand Marshal Susan Benjes, who has made great contributions to the Kings Park community, will lead the festivities.
The parade steps off at the corner of Lou Avenue and Pulaski Road, continues down Main Street, turns onto Church Street, and ends down Old Dock Road at the William T. Rogers Middle School.
Irish pride continues on the North Shore with a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Huntington Village on Sunday, March 9; on Saturday, March 15 in St. James; on Sunday March 16 in Rocky Point/Miller Place and Farmingdale; and on Sunday, March 23 in Ronkonkoma.
A slide displaying some proposed improvements (right). Photo by Sabrina Artusa
By Sabrina Artusa
The Smithtown Town Board held the last public hearing Jan. 23 on the Kings Park Downtown Revitalization Plan before the window for public comments closes and it can be voted on for approval by the town board.
The plan includes pedestrian-focused amenities and infrastructure, updated parking and wider sidewalks. It has been developed over the course of nine years. In 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul (D) awarded Kings Park and Smithtown a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant. Further, updated and expanded sewer systems were necessary to make the plan possible.
“Communities like St. James, Commack and Smithtown can’t afford to stand still,” Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Smithtown) said. “I have no problem with below ground parking…we are not going to turn Smithtown into Queens,” he said, responding to the common worry among critics that the increased floor maximum and below-ground parking represent a step toward further urbanization.
Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) addresses the Smithtown Town Board. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
The maximum height of 3 floors and 40 feet in the core downtown district, an increase, and the permittance of apartment buildings in the area were causes for criticism among some, including Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga).
“I am not against building…I do not want overdevelopment of the town,” Trotta said. “When I think of underground parking, I think of Queens. We are setting a precedent.”
State Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James) said, “What this board has done is commendable…Kings Park is in dire straits for development, for the right development.”
The majority of residents and business owners who spoke were in support of the “long overdue” plan. Kevin Smith, a member of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce, had a store front in Kings Park. “I was living my dream. It was the American dream. I had a shop front on Main Street and I had to close down,” he said.
Smith reminisced on his own youth spent in Kings Park and how to have fun he would often visit other towns such as Patchogue or Babylon. He hoped that the return of a bustling downtown would keep the younger generation in Kings Park.
Some speakers, including Trotta, used their time before the board to protest the proposed 50-unit apartment building at the corner of Meadow Road and Indian Head Road. The adoption of the Kings Park revitalization plan would change the zoning of the area to transit-oriented development.
Mike Rosato of Kings Park said, “Building height should be limited to no more than 2.5 stories to preserve the historical and suburban character of the community…this project along with others, if allowed to proceed, significantly alters the character of Kings Park, overwhelms local infrastructure, and negatively impacts our residential quality of life.”
Another speaker said, “I think you guys should go forward with this project. It will give these young people an opportunity to afford a home.”
For more information, visit the Smithtown website: www.smithtownny.gov.
The Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum, 101 Church St., Kings Park.invites the community to enjoy a night of American-style swing and jazz music on Friday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.
Come experience the upbeat Big Band-style jazz sound popularized in the decade following Prohibition, as interpreted by Long Island’s Gold Coast Jazz Band! The Gold Coast Jazz Band performs the popular music of America in early 20th century, from Ragtime to the dawn of the Swing era, a period of incredible musical creativity when the Golden Age of American Popular Song met the Jazz Age.
Robert Levey II
Then hear an awe-inspiring performance by up-and-coming young singer, musician and actor, Robert Levey II.Robert Levey II started his entertainment career at the age of five and has played many lead and supporting roles. He has a singing voice described as “angelic.” Mr. Levey has amassed a huge social media following, and continues to inspire others with his energy and passion.
The venue will be open at 6 p.m. if you’d like to explore the Kings Park Heritage Museum exhibits early. All ages are welcome!
Admission is free. Donations are gladly accepted.
The Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum has been working to educate and enlighten students and the community about the long and storied history of Kings Park and its residents for over 25 years. It was founded by retired KPHS English/History teacher Leo P. Ostebo, along with dedicated members of the community, the school district and students, and it is the only school/community managed museum in the United States. The museum has received many awards that attest to its commitment to the community and is thankful to all the volunteers and donors who have kept it going. Visit KPHeritageMuseum.net for more information.
Juan Rodriguez, a US Army veteran who served his country with distinction during the Korean War while assigned to the “Borinqueneers” the 65th Infantry Regiment, was recognized for his distinguished service at a celebration at the VFW Post 5796 in Kings Park on January 11.
During the Korean War, often referred to as the “Forgotten War,” the men of the 65th Infantry Regiment earned 10 Distinguished Service Crosses, 256 Silver Stars, and 596 Bronze Stars. In addition, on June 10, 2014, the Regiment was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Then in 2021 Congress designated April 13 as “National Borinqueneers Day.”The 65th Regiment was the first segregated Hispanic military unit from Puerto Rico and the first unit of the Korean War to receive such distinction.
After the war, Mr. Rodriguez enrolled in the School of Commercial Arts and upon graduating he worked in advertising and then started his own Hot Press business in Manhattan. With the advent of computers, he closed his business and worked out his home for a couple of years and then secured a position as a custodian for the Kings Park School District.
During the program, Legislator Trotta related a story about his father who joined the marines during the Korean War as he did not want to go to college. In boot camp, his superiors gave him a test and he did so well that they sent him to college, and he was stationed in Puerto Rico during the Korean War. “I am extremely proud to be here today and thank you for your service to our country,” added Trotta.
Pictured at the celebration are from left to right Nick Cipolla, representing US Congressman Nick LaLota, NYS Senator Mario Mattera, Korean War Veteran Juan Rodriguez and Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.
