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Michael Scro

100 years of valor: Kings Park pays homage during Veterans Day parade

by TBR Staff - November 17, 2023

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By Michael Scro

The Kings Park Veterans Day parade and memorial ceremony took place on Saturday, Nov. 11, where local veterans, first responders, Scouts, Kings Park High School performers, community groups and residents gathered to honor all who have served in the military.

Originally named Armistice Day to commemorate the ending of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954, passed by Congress and signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower (R). Each year, it is held to honor military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The parade began at the R.J.O. Intermediate School. It concluded at Veterans Plaza in front of the Kings Park Library and 1 Church St. Well over 100 participated during a comfortably crisp, sunny November morning.

The memorial ceremony was held immediately afterward, featuring a moment of remembrance and wreath laying. Speakers included VFW Kings Park 5796 Cmdr. Eric Burnett, American Legion Post 944 Cmdr. Hans Richter, American Legion Post 944 member Phil Barczak and Superintendent of Kings Park Central School District Timothy Eagen.

Burnett acknowledged the branches of the U.S. military, giving a brief historical background of each, and paid tribute as members of some branches in attendance cheered when they were mentioned.

Richter pointed out that this year marks the 100th anniversary of their American Legion Post and spoke about Donald C. Munro, a veteran of World War I for whom the post is named.

“He was a Kings Park resident, served the community as a plumber, and when his nation called for his service in World War I, he answered, and that’s where he died,” Richter said. “Veterans run deep in Kings Park. We have names on our memorial in the plaza going back to the Revolutionary War — it is very humbling.”

Barczak said it is the veterans who have given America its freedom of religion, speech, the press, a right to a fair trial, the right to vote, and it is the veteran “who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and has given us the freedom to proudly wave our flag.”

Eagen spoke about how Kings Park schools teach their youth “the importance of service, and the history and significance of Veterans Day,” where students honor local veterans with meals, letters, hugs, handshakes and saying, “Thank you for your service.”

The wreaths were laid beside the memorial stone at Veterans Plaza, which states, “This monument is dedicated to those who made the supreme sacrifice and to others of our community who served honorably in our country’s wars.”

In the spirit of service, Greenlawn remembers and honors its veterans

by TBR Staff - November 17, 2023

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By Michael Scro

Greenlawn celebrated Veterans Day with a wreath-laying ceremony at Greenlawn Memorial Park on Saturday, Nov. 11, where a large crowd of local veterans, residents, law enforcement, Scouts and other community groups gathered at 11 a.m. to support the holiday’s tradition.

Originally named Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954, passed by Congress and signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower (R). Each year, it is held to honor military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Hosted by American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244 on a comfortably crisp and sunny November morning, post Cmdr. Trisha Northover said, “To serve is to give, it is to find access to joy.”

“There are many things that come to mind,” Northover added. “We are struggling through conflict, and a new generation will be called up to honor and serve the country. Each person that puts on the uniform knows they can give up their life — it is simply the most honorable thing that one can do.”

1st Vice Cmdr. Carlo Giordano spoke about the programs the American Legion supports, such as the Boys and Girls State, where high school juniors spend a week in July at a college upstate to participate and learn about democratic government and gain leadership experience. Over the course of 15 years, Giordano said Post 1244 has sent over 200 students. The organization also supports Operation Enduring Care, which assists veterans who require assistance due to illness or homelessness.

Giordano concluded by saying, “I am proud to be a veteran, and especially proud to be part of the American Legion.”

The wreaths were laid beside a monument stone at Greenlawn Memorial Park, which has a plaque for American Legion Post 1244 and states, “Dedicated to those who made the supreme sacrifice — Village of Greenlawn 1960.”

The ceremony concluded with the playing of taps.

Heckscher Park transforms into an autumnal wonderland for Long Island Fall Festival

by TBR Staff - October 12, 2023

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10-8-23 - LI Fall Festival 0033 — Scene from the 2023 Long Island Fall Festival. Photo by Media Origin

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By Steven Zaitz and Michael Scro

The 29th annual Long Island Fall Festival returned to Heckscher Park in Huntington for the Columbus Day weekend.

Held from Oct. 6 through 9 and hosted by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Huntington, hundreds flocked to enjoy fall-themed entertainment, vendors from local businesses, live music and an array of rides, food and wine and lively demonstrations for families.

Despite the inclement weather during most of Saturday, Long Islanders were treated to entertainment at the Harry Chapin Stage, a carnival, a variety of food vendors, including a craft beer and wine tent, as well as games and rides for young and old alike.

Performances by the Fat Nicky and the Snacks, Rusty Spur Band, Fleetwood Macked, The Electric Dudes and The Day Trippers — a Beatles tribute band — headlined the weekend. Many youth and high school-aged acts graced the stage, too, including from the Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts, Munro Music of East Northport and Laura’s Dance & Fitness Studio of Huntington.

As fall weather settles in, the celebration proves each year to be a highlight for Huntington and Long Island, ushering in the crisp weather and keeping spirits alive and well to kick off the 2023 holiday season.

From lassoing to live music, Smithtown’s Heritage Country Fair had it all

by TBR Staff - October 12, 2023

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By Michael Scro

The Smithtown Historical Society presented its Heritage Country Fair on Sunday, Oct. 8, on 20 acres of preserved land within the Village of the Branch Historic District.

The afternoon featured a festive fall atmosphere of live music, children’s activities such as a petting zoo and face painting, demonstrations of spinning and blacksmithing, historical reenactments of old-time baseball and lassoing, fire trucks and army trucks, hayrides and a variety of vendors from local businesses.

The LITMA Contra Band performed lively and friendly music inside the Frank Brush Barn as attendees danced up and down the barn’s charming antique interior. Hayrides were given along the acres of property, lined with local businesses’ vendor tents selling fall decor and fall-themed treats and gifts. Local historic homes were open to the public for touring.

Demonstrations of lassoing a mock bull were set up for children to watch and practice themselves, as well as players who donned 19th-century-era baseball uniforms and equipment from those days and invited kids to join in.

Live music was also heard in other corners of the property, such as individual acoustic guitars and a three-piece band. Families were entertained with petting animals from the farm, spinning and blacksmithing demonstrations, vintage cars, face painting and painting pumpkins.

The historical society has served the Smithtown community since 1955, and the Heritage County Fair is its grandest event of the year.

Kings Park lights up with Irish song and dance

by TBR Staff - September 28, 2023

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By Michael Scro

The Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum held its Irish Night 2023 on Friday, Sept. 22, at the RJO Middle School auditorium, featuring a lively performance by musician Ed Ryan and Irish step dancing by the Mulvihill-Lynch Irish Dancers.

Hosted by Kevin Johnston, chair of Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and representative of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, he welcomed the audience of about 40 to 50 people — many donning Irish clothing.

Ryan played a powerful and entertaining set of Irish songs from “Whisky In The Jar,” “The Black Velvet Band,” “When New York Was Irish,” “Big Strong Man To The Town I Love So Well,” “Danny Boy” and “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra (That’s An Irish Lullaby).”

Between songs, he told a variety of age-old Irish jokes, bringing about laughter from the audience and also gave historical background and reference to many of the songs he belted out with his acoustic guitar.

The Mulvihill-Lynch dancers provided a precise and professional level of dancing that wowed the audience from start to finish. Clapping along to the Irish music, the crowd cheered loudly after each dance.

Johnston thanked Ryan and the dancers, and noted that the dance studio was started about 40 years ago by Gerry Mulvihill. Among those in attendance were Debbie Lynch-Webber who ran the dance group and was a student of the founder, as well as Maureen Hanley who was also a former student.

Veterans honored during moving ceremony at Greenlawn Memorial Park

by TBR Staff - November 19, 2022

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By Michael Scro

A Veteran’s Day ceremony was held at Greenlawn Memorial Park this past Veterans Day on November 11th at 11 a.m., where attendees participated in the honoring of veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

Hosted by American Legion Post 1244, it featured neighboring American Legion members, Greenlawn Fire Department members, as well as community groups, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and family/friends of veterans.

Donna Boyle, commander of American Legion Post 1244, noted it is the only ceremony in the Town of Huntington that is held on Veteran’s Day, and said the ceremony notes all six branches of the United States Military: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force.

“America has been an all volunteer force since before 1978, which is when I joined the service,” Boyle said. “Approximately one percent of Americans have assumed the responsibility for ensuring that America’s ideals continue, and we owe these veterans a large thank you.”

Father John Carr, Chapin of American Legion Post 1244, read aloud a prayer to honor veterans, followed by the wreath presentations around the memorial statues and monuments at the park. Wreaths were presented by American Legion 1244, Greenlawn Fire Department, Greenlawn Civic Association, Greenlawn Lions Club, Girl Scout Troop 706 and 519 and Boy Scout Troop 2255 and 32.

“We thank everyone for coming out today, and we thank our young children for coming to learn respect for American — it is very important,” Boyle said.

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Michael Scro

100 years of valor: Kings Park pays homage during Veterans Day parade

In the spirit of service, Greenlawn remembers and honors its veterans

Heckscher Park transforms into an autumnal wonderland for Long Island Fall Festival

From lassoing to live music, Smithtown’s Heritage Country Fair had it all

Kings Park lights up with Irish song and dance

Veterans honored during moving ceremony at Greenlawn Memorial Park

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