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A scene of destruction in Western North Carolina after Tropical Storm Helene. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/NCDOTcommunications

By Kurt Johnsen  

On August 19, 2024, a “thousand-year” rain event breached Harbor Road and drained the Stony Brook Mill Pond. TBR News Media published my memoir of my personal relationship with the pond and my deep sorrow of its loss on Aug. 29.

I live in Asheville, North Carolina and on September 28, I awoke to a Natural Disaster that was beyond my comprehension. Tropical storm Helene had scourged our beloved Western North Carolina.  I’ll first note that my wife and I were fine, and our home only suffered minor damage. I stepped outside and began to witness what was soon to be apparent destruction of “biblical” proportion.

Overnight, 40 to 100 miles-per-hour winds had ravaged our region. Asheville received 14 inches of rain, much of Western North Carolina received two feet of rain and even up to 30 inches, all in the previous two days. Trees were downed everywhere and with them thousands of power lines cutting off electricity and making even simple travel down the road impossible. Soon, the magnitude of the destruction started to become evident. 

Close to 900,000 acres of forest were downed or damaged, thousands of homes were destroyed and 150,000 people were displaced. If you haven’t yet, you can go on YouTube and watch the hundreds of videos showing events that, before this, we only witnessed from afar often in third world countries. Two miles from our house  Biltmore Village was flooded and EVERY business was gutted or ripped down. Eighty percent of our beloved River Arts District was destroyed. The torrents caused massive mudslides. Across the region, houses were torn apart and floated  like balsa wood along powerful rivers that, two days prior, were small streams and brooks. 

There are 104 verified storm-related deaths. It is Incredulous this number isn’t higher. Vehicles, homes, businesses were piled like matchsticks. People’s lives were upended and, for many, will never be the same. Even now, as you drive out to smaller towns that were virtually destroyed,  you proceed through a “tunnel” of the hulks of demolished cars, trucks, houses and other flotsam.

The main Pipeline from the reservoir that supplies most of Asheville with water was shattered and under 28 feet of thick muck! Water immediately ceased flowing out of the tap for, in most cases, months and even longer to become potable. Asheville’s unemployment rate jumped from three to 9 percent overnight. The lack of affordable housing, already a crisis for service industry employees in our tourist-based economy, was extraordinarily exacerbated overnight.

Stop reading for a minute and imagine the all-too-real picture I have painted above. Now, let me put this in perspective. The Mill Pond is approximately 11 acres in size. That is 0.001 percent of the area that was impacted in WNC from Helene. And now, much of Los Angeles looks like Dresden after the firebombing. I will not go far out on a limb to say we have reached the “tipping point”; climate change is now ravaging our planet.  James Taylor sang “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain.” He had no idea how prophetic his prose would become. 

Author Kurt Johnsen, who grew up in idyllic Stony Brook,  now resides in  Asheville, North Carolina.

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2024 Temple Isaiah Menorah Lighting. Photo by Donna Newman
2024 Temple Isaiah Menorah Lighting. Photo by Donna Newman

By Donna Newman

Taking advantage of the concurrence of Christmas and the first night of Chanukah, Rabbi Joshua Gray opened Temple Isaiah’s Menorah Lighting to the entire Stony Brook community on Dec. 25.

Approximately 130 people RSVPed and the turnout delighted congregants and guests alike. Christians, Jews and Muslims all similarly celebrate Festivals of Light at this dark time of year – with special foods and the singing of songs. Inviting people to partake in a happy holiday tradition highlights the similarities of our faiths. Sharing our religious and ethnic customs brings us closer together.

Said Rabbi Gray, “As we light the menorah, we recognize that each individual candle creates one unified light. We add our light to the world, and pray that its warm glow finds its way to any in the world who need it.”

 

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Ernie Canadeo, Chairman, LIMEHOF. Photo by Barbara Anne Kirshner

By Steven Zaitz

If you have not been to the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook Village, you might not know just how many musical giants are from around here. 

Billy Joel, Mariah Carey, Eddie Money, Twisted Sister and the Stray Cats are just a few of the household names who grew up on Long Island, and made it big in the industry. They are now inductees in the hallowed halls of the LIMEHOF, which just this month celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Another musical giant, who is not on this list and will probably never sell out Madison Square Garden or make a platinum record, is Ernie Canadeo. Canadeo has been the Chairman of LIMEHOF for 10 years, and was the driving force behind transforming it from a rolling exhibit in a Winnebago, to the state-of-the-art 8,800-square-foot facility it is today.

Canadeo, who grew up in Westbury and now lives in Glen Cove, is the founder and Chairman of EGC Group, one of the largest advertising and digital marketing firms on Long Island. Last month, Canadeo was inducted into the Long Island Business Hall of Fame for not only his work at EGC, but also his membership on the board of directors for many Long Island non-profit organizations. Additionally, he is on the Executive Committee of the Long Island Association, which is the foremost business and commerce organization on the Island. 

Canadeo has also spearheaded and supported many philanthropic endeavors, such as TeachRock, which promotes music in the classroom, and the National Stuttering Association.

Despite these achievements in the hyper-competitive digital marketing industry, Ernie is renowned for maintaining a sweet touch and sense of family with everyone in his orbit — business associates and loved ones alike. 

“Ernie is huge on family,” said his wife Catherine Canadeo, who is the CEO of her own Corporate Wellness Advisory firm. “Everything he does focuses on that zest, that love of life, of food and friends and family, and of course, music.”

His experience in the music industry began in the 1970s when he worked as an advertising exec and promoter at RCA, A&M and Arista Records. Ernie promoted acts such as Hall & Oates, The Police, Diana Ross, The Kinks and R.E.M during the punk, glam and early disco eras of the ‘70s and ‘80s, until he founded the EGC Group in 1985. After landing some big accounts like Blockbuster Video and Häagen-Dazs ice cream, EGC established itself as a major national player in the advertising world, despite not having an office overlooking Madison Avenue.

“LIMEHOF was founded primarily by musicians and educators,” said Canadeo, who is a Stony Brook and Fordham University alum. “But in 2006, they asked me to be on the board because there wasn’t really a business person on it. I was happy to lend my expertise, and a few years later, I was named chairman.”

Fellow board member and LIMEHOF founding father Jim Faith recalled the early days of Ernie’s tenure. “Money was always a problem for us in the beginning, and with Ernie’s vision, we have been able to take a huge leap,” said Faith. “He’s a great businessman who also happens to be a great lover of music. Getting that deal for the Stony Brook building was so important to us and has enabled us to do so many other things.”

One of Canadeo’s first orders of business as chairman was to establish a permanent home for LIMEHOF. “We tried over the years to have a real hall of fame, and a great mobile museum, but what we really wanted was a home,” Canadeo said. “In 2022, I got a call from Gloria Rocchio, a real estate broker in Stony Brook, who asked me if we were still looking. So I went up there and fell in love with the place, but told her we could never afford this. She said, ‘Yes, you can,’” he continued.

For 85 years, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization has preserved historic properties donated by Ward Melville, to support non-profits that promote culture and education through history, art and music. And this just so happens to be LIMEHOF’s exact mission.

Canadeo ends the story with this wonderful fact: “We signed a 25-year lease for a grand total of one dollar a year and moved in a few months later.”

Since taking over the facility on the northeast corner of Stony Brook Village, LIMEHOF has showcased a fascinating collection of artifacts, from concert-used instruments and outfits to memorabilia spanning decades — from Broadway legend George M. Cohan to doo-wop icons like Little Anthony and the Imperials, and even rap megastars Run-D.M.C. The space was conceptualized by famed artist and designer Kevin O’Callaghan, and there is a steady stream of homegrown music emanating from the concert area every weekend of the year. This past Thanksgiving weekend, the organization celebrated its anniversary with two days filled with live performances from over a dozen bands — all with Long Island ties.

Across the hall, an entire wing of the museum houses the “Billy Joel – My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey” exhibit, which is filled with over 50 years’ worth of memorabilia — much of which came from the Piano Man’s personal collection. The exhibit opened to the public in November of 2023 and has been seen by more than 10,000 people.

LIMEHOF founder and board member Norm Presslin, a Stony Brook University professor of media, who has also been in radio for close to half a century, first got to know Ernie decades ago when the ad man guest spoke in the professor’s classroom, discussing the topics of music marketing and business. Presslin was impressed with Ernie’s ability to communicate, with warmth, the vagaries of challenging industries. 

“I’ve observed many people in the advertising and marketing world, and many of them never adjusted to the rapid changes,” said Presslin. “Ernie’s ability to adapt has served him well and has served LIMEHOF well. Essentially, what he has done is create a home for Long Island musicians and people who love music that they never had before.”

While Ernie holds the title of chairman at his namesake EGC agency, his current CEO, Nicole Penn, handles much of the day-to-day operations. She has worked with Ernie for 20 years and has ridden shotgun with him as the industry transformed from traditional newspaper and television ad campaigns to the current digital-heavy, social media-driven model it is today. 

“In the 21st century, no other industry has changed as much as ours,” Penn said. “Ernie has always been a great sounding board and mentor. He’s caring, but also astute and has a great lens at looking at a problem from different angles. If it’s a client challenge we are trying to solve, he always seems to have relevant experience and the right instincts. What he has done at LIMEHOF  is a by-product of this and it is so great because music has always been his passion,” she added.

Music and passion. For someone who loves to cook Italian food as much as Ernie does, these two ingredients are like the white wine and garlic in his famous Chicken Scarpariello. So much so that when it came to professing his love for Catherine on their wedding day five years ago, Ernie sang an original composition called ‘10,000 Kisses,’ just for the occasion. He performed it in front of 100 guests at their home. On keyboards was pianist Christopher Clark of the band Brand X, and on sax was Lords of 52nd Street saxophonist Richie Cannata, who played with Billy Joel for decades.

“To see him with that microphone, I was completely blown away,” Catherine said. “We have parties here at our house, and sometimes we have musicians come over, but I had no idea that Ernie was actually going to sing. When he did that, my heart was so full, so overwhelmed with admiration and fondness for his sweetness.”

“To do that in front of all of our friends, singing just to me — he was singing to my heart, and that showed his love on so many different levels,” she continued.

Ernie and Richie have been friends for many years, and it was Cannata’s then-girlfriend who introduced them. “Ernie and Cathy are a match made in music heaven, and I couldn’t be happier for both of them,” said Cannata, who was inducted into the LIMEHOF in 2014. “I’ve known Cathy for a long time, and it’s a beautiful thing for all of us — way bigger than words.”

That night, as a party favor, Ernie handed out a CD OF ‘10,000 Kisses’ to all of his guests — a fitting metaphor for all Ernie has given to Long Island, the local music community and everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him.

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Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook women’s basketball team secured a 54-40 victory over Cornell to close out non-conference play on Dec. 22 on the Island.

Stony Brook was paced by Zaida Gonzalez who led the Seawolves with 20 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Shamarla King tacked on 14 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Breauna Ware chipped in with nine points from the bench.

Stony Brook grabbed 39 rebounds compared to Cornell’s 34, led by Gonzalez’s seven boards. The Seawolves’ defense held the Big Red to only zero percent shooting from beyond the arc and 35.2 percent from the field.

After falling behind 2-0, Stony Brook went on a hot 9-0 run with 8:07 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from King, to take a 9-2 lead. The Seawolves then lost some of that lead but still entered the quarter break with an 11-6 advantage. Stony Brook did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 11 points close to the basket. Gonzalez, King, and Janay Brantley accounted for the offensive spark.

The Seawolves used the second period to increase their lead and entered halftime with a 19-12 edge. It was a low scoring half as the Seawolves held their opponent to less than 10 points each quarter through one half… the first time since last season on Feb. 18 against Elon.

After intermission, Stony Brook held on to its advantage and owned a 35-29 lead, showcasing a team effort coming from Gonzalez, King, Brantley, Ware, and Devyn Scott tallying 16 points.

Stony Brook kept widening its lead, expanding it to 44-35 before going on a 10-0 run, finished off by a Gonzalez jumper, to grow the lead to 54-35 with 2:13 to go in the contest. The Big Red narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Seawolves still cruised the rest of the way for the 54-40 win.

After the holiday break and new year, the team will return to the court for the start of CAA conference play on Jan. 3 at Northeastern. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. Coverage will be be available on FloCollege.

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Florence Aghomo

Stony Brook University has announced that doctoral student Florence Aghomo won the Young Women in Conservation Biology (YWCB) Award from the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) Africa Region. Aghomo is a doctoral student in the Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences (IDPAS) and a member of the Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments (ICTE) under the supervision of State University of New York (SUNY) and Stony Brook Distinguished Service Professor Patricia C. Wright.

This annual award presented to a woman aims to recognize and applaud contributions to conservation. Aghomo was selected for her:

  • evidence of leadership, creativity, self-motivation, and enthusiasm in the execution of conservation work;
  • evidence of service to conservation biology; and
  • ability to work with others across gender, social class, and ethnicity to achieve concrete conservation outcomes.
Florence Aghomo

Since June 2019, Florence is the coordinator of the Red Colobus Conservation Network project under the Primates Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN/SSC/PSG), Re:wild and the African Primatological Society (APS). Under this project, she is technically and administratively coordinating the implementation of the Red colobus Conservation Action Plan (ReCAP) and an international network (more than 300 primatologists). She is responsible for sourcing collaboration with conservation partners and organizations, fundraising and reviewing members’ proposals. She is also responsible for hosting, organizing, and steering meetings with international partners and members, sustaining digital platforms, monitoring and evaluating achievements, and supporting youth professional growth through training and mentorships.

Before this position, Aghomo’s research/work involved studying the behavior and ecology of endangered Red colobus monkey as well as establishing practices to ensure their protection and safety in the Korup National Park in Cameroon. Her work takes her into dense forests where these monkeys live and she explores the canopies of trees looking for these large primates.

“They [Red colobus monkeys] are so special because they are very beautiful, unique, and perfect indicators of ecosystem health or habitat change since they are usually the first group of primates to leave a habitat when any disturbances or degradation occur,” said Aghomo. “Moreover, their diversity reflects the various bioregions of the African forested areas at large.”

Passionate for primate well-being and conservation, in 2020, Aghomo facilitated the creation and legalization of the Cameroon Primatological Society (CPS) and organized the 1st and the 2nd General Assemblies with the support of Re:wild. In Madagascar, she created a Language and Environmental Center in Ranomafana under her foundation “Flor’Afrique” to support education and conservation in this part of the world, which is home to a high biodiversity (Biodiversity hotspot) and the world’s second leader in primate diversity.

“Florence is a conservation hero, who has already made an incredible difference in saving wildlife in Africa,” said Professor Wright. “I am pleased to see her apply her skills to Madagascar and to graduate school here at Stony Brook. We are looking forward to sharing in her future accomplishments. She is a winner!”

The YWCB Working Group was established in 2005 by the Africa Region of the SCB, based on the need to fill the gap created by the limited numbers of women professionals in the field of conservation science in Africa. It was further mandated to act as a platform for early career African conservation biologists to share experiences (albeit with a major emphasis on women), generating incentives and mentorship opportunities to strengthen female conservation biologists in their careers.

Aghomo currently resides in Stony Brook while studying at Stony Brook University.

 

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Photo of Gould General Store taken circa 1890. Photo courtesy of Three Village Historical Society.

By Beverly C. Tyler

The post office in Stony Brook has a long history of service to the community. Until the 20th century, the postmaster was the only person authorized to handle letters and write money orders. Each rural post office had one representative of the postal system, the postmaster, who was appointed by the president of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate.

A postal system existed in Massachusetts as early as 1639. In 1672, New York Gov. Lovelace established service between New York and Boston along the future Boston Post Road. Benjamin Franklin was appointed Postmaster General for the British Colonies in America in 1753 and served until 1774, when he was dismissed by the Crown. He was reappointed by the Continental Congress in 1775 and served for 15 months, establishing a sound postal system. The U.S. postal system was created when Samuel Osgood was appointed the first Postmaster General on Sept. 26, 1789.

A portion from the 1873 Atlas from Beers, Comstock & Cline, showing Stony Brook Village. Photo courtesy of Three Village Historical Society.

The first Stony Brook postmaster was Nathaniel Hallock. According to National Archives records, he was appointed on March 21, 1826, and served until June 24, 1836. Little is known about Hallock or his post office, but it was likely part of a general store, as was typical of post offices on Long Island in the 19th century.

The cost of posting a letter weighing less than 1 ounce was six cents until 1847, when stamps were first issued. Letters were single sheets of paper folded, addressed, and delivered for six cents within 30 miles. Beyond 30 miles or for heavier letters, the cost increased slightly, with a maximum charge of 25 cents for a letter traveling more than 400 miles. For example, a letter sent to “Mr. William S. Mount – Stony Brook – Long Island – N.Y.” in 1841 from Monticello, Georgia, was marked, folded, sealed, and addressed in the customary manner of the time.

The second Stony Brook postmaster was James N. Gould, who was appointed in 1836 and served until 1861. He was reappointed on March 29, 1867, and served until 1870. Gould owned and operated a general store, which was located just north of where the Reboli Center now stands. The store was demolished before 1900, as was Gould’s home, which stood just north of the store. Both were removed to make way for the village improvements in the 1940s by Ward Melville.

According to local lore, it was said to be impossible to ask for any item James Gould didn’t have in his store. On a bet, a customer once asked for a pulpit, and Gould amazed everyone by producing one from the store’s attic.

The third postmaster, Edward Oakes, began his service in 1861 as the Civil War began at Fort Sumter. He served until 1867, when James Gould resumed the position. During this period, the post office introduced the money order system in 1864 to allow soldiers to send money home. Only the postmaster could process money orders, as he was the sole postal employee.

Oakes’ general store was located north of Gould’s store and home, on the west side of the business triangle along what was then Main Street. Residents recalled a long horse block in front of the store where men gathered for evening chats. Oakes served as postmaster again from 1870 to 1885. During this time, the store was known as “Oakes and Topping,” later “Topping and Smith,” and eventually, around 1901, “E.E. Topping.”

William O. Gould succeeded Oakes as postmaster in 1885, taking over his father’s general store. He served until 1889, during which time the post office expanded its services. In 1885, the special delivery service was introduced, allowing for prompt mail delivery, which marked a shift from the rural post office’s general store model to independent operations.

From 1889 through the end of the century, Stony Brook had five postmasters. John W. Copley was appointed in 1889, followed by David R. Rayner in 1892. Charles J. Williamson succeeded Rayner on Aug. 4 of that year. William O. Gould returned as postmaster in 1893. On May 1, 1895, Nellie E. Smith became Stony Brook’s first female postmaster. In 1898, Daniel W. Arnold became postmaster, serving for less than two years.

The turn of the century brought stability to the post office as it continued to grow and adapt to the needs of the community.

Beverly C. Tyler is the Three Village Historical Society historian and the author of books available from the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket. Tel: 631-751-3730.

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The Long Island Museum (LIM), 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook and LIMarts are delighted to announce the opening of the 11th Annual Members’ Exhibition, Milestones. This year’s exhibition holds special significance as the museum celebrates its 85th anniversary, reflecting on its legacy as a cultural cornerstone in the community.

On view hrough December 22 in the LIM History Museum, Milestones brings together the creative visions of over 100 LIMarts members. Each piece represents a unique interpretation of personal and collective milestones, highlighting moments of growth, change, and reflection through art.

‘Fam*ly of Humans – THEY ARE US!,’ mixed media installation by Linda Louis

Embracing the goal of enhancing and supporting Long Island’s rich artistic talent, LIM established LIMarts: a collaborative arts group for visual artists. LIMarts provides its members with opportunities to exhibit and sell artwork, participate in programming events and lectures, and engage with both fellow artists and the public. Designed to foster a creative forum within the cultural community, LIMarts has become an essential resource for the region’s artists.

In addition to showcasing exceptional artwork, Milestones offers art enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire pieces from some of Long Island’s finest artists. Most works on display are available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds benefiting LIM’s ongoing programs and initiatives. All purchased pieces will remain on view for the duration of the exhibition.

“The annual LIMarts exhibition is one of the most exciting highlights of the year,” said Alexandria D’Auria, Director of Development. “With its eclectic group of talented artists, Milestones showcases the creative spirit of our members while offering an opportunity for the community to support and connect with local artists. This year’s exhibition is a testament to the power of art to inspire, celebrate milestones, and bring people together.”

The exhibition is generously supported by: Robert W. Baird Incorporated, The Carol & Arnold Wolowitz Foundation, The Smithtown Community Trust.

For more information about Milestones or to become an LIMArts member please visit longislandmuseum.org 

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Santa will arrive at the Stony Brook Post Office at 2 p.m. Photo couertesy of WMHO

Join the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) for a magical day as its 45th Annual Holiday Festival returns to the Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main St., Stony Brook on Sunday, Dec. 8, from noon to 6 p.m. Free and open to all, this community celebration will bring music, performances, and heartwarming holiday cheer.

Festivalgoers can look forward to the WMHO Youth Corps’ Santa Fund Scavenger Hunt, where participants compete for Stony Brook Village Center gift certificates and other prizes, with all proceeds supporting local families in need through the Santa Fund.

The festivities will kick off with a performance by The School of Rock Rock n’ Roll Choir at 1 p.m. The St. James Junior Choir will perform at the Stony Brook Post Office at 1:30 p.m., setting a festive tone for Santa’s grand arrival. At 2 p.m., Santa will arrive on an antique firetruck to greet children and will be available for photos until 4:45 p.m. 

The festival’s signature Legends & Spies Puppet Procession will begin at 2:15 p.m., parading through Stony Brook Village and led by the Ward Melville High School Marching Band. The procession will be followed by a holiday performance from Roseland Dance Studio at 3pm. WALK 97.5 will be in Inner Court from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., where holiday music will play alongside the Steppin’ Out Ponies petting zoo, who will be in Inner Court from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Throughout the day, visitors can explore the Holiday Tree Festival, casting votes for their favorite decorated trees. Ballots are available in all village shops and establishments. Visitors can also enjoy the festive holiday train display in the window of Wiggs Opticians.

The Celestial Singers Holiday Carolers will perform throughout the village from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. After 4 p.m, they will perform at the Holiday tree until 5 p.m.

The festival will close with a performance by the Bethel AME Choir, leading into the grand tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Santa will return on a festive float, joined by local children, to light the holiday tree on the Village Green.

This year’s Holiday Festival is sponsored by ACM Wealth, Damianos Realty Group, GSE Dynamics, Renewal by Andersen, BUDCO Enterprises, Amazon Fresh, Optimum, Three Village Dads Foundation, Three Village Chamber of Commerce, PWR Financial Group, and TEB North Country Car Care.

For more information , call 631-751-2244

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Participants from last year's concert. Photo from Daniel Kerr/All Souls Church

Historic All Souls Church at 61 Main Street, Stony Brook invites the community to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas as it joins with thirteen other faith communities to present its annual Lessons & Carols concert on Saturday, December 7.  

The concert will feature Stony Brook University soprano Heidi Schneider and tell the story of the Nativity in scripture and song. Schneider’s solos will include “Ave Maria,” “Silent Night,” and “Away in the Manger.” 

Setauket guitarist Bill Clark and his Brave Trio will also perform “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Halleluiah,” and “What Child Is This?” Miriam and Lexi Salerno from St. James RC Church will sing “Breath of Heaven,” “In the Bleak Midwinter” and “Noel”. 

All attending will be invited to sing “Come All Ye Faithful” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” as All Souls organist Dan Kinney plays the church’s 1855 Tracker Organ. The readings will be done by clergy and lay people from The Stony Brook School, Caroline Church, Bethel AME Church, Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stony Brook Community Church, Three Village Church, Religious Society of Friends-Quakers in St. James, Little Church of Smithtown Landing, St. James RC Church, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, Mt. Sanai Congregational Church, Setauket Methodist Church, and St. James Episcopal Church. 

There will be a 15-minute intermission and refreshments will be served. The program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. 

All Souls Church collects food each week to feed the hungry at the St Gerard Majella’s food pantry. Please bring a can of food to donate (“Lend a hand, bring a can”). Call 631-655-7798 for more information.

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Postcard photo, circa 1935, showing the view up Christian Ave, from Main Street. The second Stony Brook Post Office is pictured to the left of the firehouse. Photo from Beverly C. Tyler

By Beverly C. Tyler

As detailed in my article on Nov. 7, 2024, the first Stony Brook Post Office built specifically for postal use was located on Main Street, a few hundred feet north of where the Reboli Center stands today.

As World War I approached, Stony Brook saw a new postmaster. Nellie E. Lempfert began serving the community on Jan. 24, 1913. According to Olga Reboli, she was a very nice person and a good postmaster.

Mrs. Reboli also recalled that Nellie Lempfert had an ice cream parlor before becoming postmaster. It was next to the big building on the corner near Mr. Rogers’ plumbing shop.

In 1913, Mrs. Reboli, then 12 years old, and her sisters would occasionally spend a nickel on ice cream at Mrs. Lempfert’s store. “We didn’t have a nickel to spend very often,” she said, “but it was always a special time to remember.”

The first Stony Brook Post Office, now located at 44 Cedar Street. Photo by Beverly C. Tyler

The Stony Brook Post Office was also remembered by Orietta Peterman, who shared her vivid recollections of working there.

“Mrs. Lempfert was the postmaster, and I went to work there in October 1913,” Ms. Peterman explained. “I was married in 1917, and my husband went off to World War I. He left in 1919.” (Note: Charles C. Peterman was inducted into the U.S. Army in December 1917 and served in Europe from March 1918 until his discharge on Feb. 2, 1919.)

When Ms. Peterman started at the post office, there were only two workers, and only one person worked at a time. “On Mondays, I had to be in by 6 o’clock to get the morning mail off, all by myself,” she said. “If anyone came in to buy stamps, I did that. If someone wanted a money order, I did that too. We didn’t even have a safe until a year or two later. When the post office started growing, they finally bought a safe to keep the money in.”

She described her postmaster’s schedule, explaining that Mrs. Lempfert would probably arrive around 8 o’clock. She stayed to help with the morning mail before heading home. “I was there most of the time, earning $5 a week for a 14-hour day,” she said.

The space itself was challenging to work in. Ms. Peterman remembered that the post office wasn’t used very long and was already outgrowing its capacity. “Two people were always in the way. There were no facilities, no water. If we needed water, I had to fetch it from a spring near the Sherry house. For hot water, we used a kerosene space heater with a tea kettle on top,” she explained.

“In winter, there was a coal stove that needed tending daily,” she added. “I handled all the cleaning, and since there was no electricity, I cleaned lamp chimneys and filled the lamps.”

Parade in Stony Brook marking the end of WWI. Percy W. Smith driving the Ford with his son, Percy Roger Smith, about 2 ½ sitting on his right. Photo courtesy of Three Village Historical Society

Reflecting on her experience, Ms. Peterman said she did everything under heaven. “I never had a coffee break in my life. I worked there for seven or eight years, with no vacation and no paid days off. Even on the day I got married, I was docked. That’s how liberal they were.”

On April 29, 1922, Louise E. Wells was appointed the next postmaster of Stony Brook, operating from the same building. Miss Wells married Charlie Williamson in 1926 and remained postmaster until mid-1932. Olga Reboli remembered her fondly and said Mrs. Williamson was also a very nice person. The couple had two daughters, Louise and Madeline.

In the early 1930s, a new post office was built next to the old firehouse on Christian Avenue. Though not much larger, it offered more modern facilities.

The old post office wasn’t forgotten. By 1922, it became a butcher shop for Percy W. Smith and later served as the office for L.C. Clarke Co. In 1925, Olga Reboli worked for L.C. Clarke Real Estate and was photographed in front of the building.

The venerable old structure was eventually moved in the 1940s and repurposed as a home. It now resides at 44 Cedar St. in Stony Brook, just north of Hollow Road.

Beverly C. Tyler is an author and historian with the Three Village Historical Society. For more information, visit www.tvhs.org.

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