Jeb Ladouceur's Novel Asks - Was It Truman Capote Or Harper Lee?

LADOUCEUR UNVEILS NEW NOVEL AT SMITHTOWN LIBRARY

His 11th Gripping Book Probes the Truman Capote/Harper Lee Relationship

Smithtown novelist Jeb Ladouceur takes the podium to introduce his 11th book, ‘The Ghostwriters’ on Monday, Nov. 9th at the Smithtown libraryJeb Ladouceur appeared before a capacity crowd of book lovers on Monday night, November 9^th, and introduced the eleventh novel he’s created in ten years, ‘The Ghostwriters.’ Venue for the book signing was the Main Branch of the magnificent new Smithtown Library at Main Street and Route 111.

The 332-page book is written in Truman Capote’s ‘Faction’ style, and its premise is centered on Harper Lee’s questionable authorship of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ Much to the surprise of Ladouceur’s audience, moreover, the Smithtown novelist’s book boldly advances the theory that not only did Truman Capote write Harper Lee’s Pulitzer prize winning novel … she, in turn, actually created Capote’s magnum opus, ‘In Cold Blood.’

The large crowd filled the handsome meeting room in the library’s main branch on Main Street at Route 111The theory is one that the 50-year Smithtown resident has harbored since meeting Capote at the famed author’s favorite Bridgehampton haunt … Bobby Van’s Restaurant and Bar … in 1981. In his half-hour book-signing talk, Ladouceur cited compelling evidence to support his twin suppositions concerning two of America’s bestselling novels.

Truman Capote died in Los Angeles, at the home of Johnny Carson’s ex-wife, in 1984 without ever directly addressing the authorship issue … and Nelle Harper Lee, now 90, has persistently declined to discuss the matter. Lee lives a reclusive existence in Monroeville, Alabama, the small town where she and Truman grew up as next door neighbors.

Jeb Ladouceur was finally convinced to write the story he’s long felt needed telling, when Harper Lee’s draft of ‘Mockingbird’ was discovered and published in July of this year. The dissimilarity between that work, ‘Go Set a Watchman’ … still atop all sales charts after four months … and the iconic ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is undeniable according to the Smithtown novelist.

Many in the large audience last Monday came away accepting the collaboration premise that Ladouceur says involved, “…the most unlikely liaison since Hemingway and Gertrude Stein picked one another’s brains in the 1920s.” Ms. Lee steadfastly refuses to be interviewed by Smithtown’s favorite novelist.

For more information, interested parties are invited to visit www.jebsbooks.com.

Photos by Debbie Lange Fifer

"Salute To Smithtown Veterans" Exhibit Well Worth A Visit

Did you know that the federal government implemented a shoe rationing program in 1943? Did you know that in 1917 men were called for examination (draft) with a notification placed in their local newspaper? Did you know that exemptions from the draft were issued to married men, except those who recently married and that notification was printed in the local newspaper as were denials of exemptions. Did you know that in 1942 many towns on Long Island relaxed their zoning laws to encourage people to raise chickens for personal use. Did you know that Brindley Field was a WWI airfield that operated in Commack and that on August 16, 1918 there was a plane crash in a hayfield on Havermeyer’s farm and that a plaque commemorating that event is located on Havermeyer Lane? 

 1943 - Long Island Faces Shoe Rationing

“On February 7, 1943, the federal government announced that shoe rationing was going into effect nationwide starting at 3:00 p.m. that day. Because the announcement was made on Sunday, Long Island shoppers had no chance to stock up. Even Nassau County Rationing Administrator told Newsday he didn’t know about the new policy until he heard about it on the radio. However beginning Tuesday, February 9, sutures who could produce  a particular coupon, No. 17, from their Sugar-Coffee-Shoe ration book were allowed to buy shoes - although their next pair could not be purchased until June 15. And manufacturers were only permitted to make shoes in “essential” colors: white, black, town brown, and Army russet and in styles which used little or no leather.” It Happened on Long Island, Newsday April 23, 2004. (The military required the leather for shoes, military boots and flight jackets.)

The Smithtown 350 Foundation has put together an exhibit “Salute to Smithtown Veterans” that will open Sunday, November 8 at 77 W Main St at 3pm. The exhibit will run thru November 13. It is filled with information and memorabilia about how our Town and residents have participated in the military. The committee under the leadership of Town Historian Bradley Harris has put together a unique collection for you to enjoy. This event is complimentary and open to the public. For more information

Election Results - Suffolk County Elections Incumbents Win

Suffolk County Board of Election - Unofficial Results

County Executive Steve Bellone wins with 57.15 percent of the vote

Steve Bellone - 99,115 -  57.15% (D-87,225 50.3%, Working Families 4,707 2.71%, Independence 5,794 3.34%, Women’s Equality 1,389 0.8%)

James P O’Connor 74,198 - 42.78% (R-54,363 31.35%, Conservative 18,403 10.61%, Reform 1,432 0.82%)

Legislative District 12 - Leslie A. Kennedy Wins

Leslie A. Kennedy 5,874 70.1% (R-4,108 49.02 %, Conservative 1,425 17%, Independence 289 3.44%, Reform 52 0.62%)

Adam S. Halpern 2,502 29.86% (D-2,502)

Legislative District 13 - Robert Trotta Wins

Robert Trotta - 7,601 70.97% (R-5,446 50.84%, C -1,725 16.1 %,, I- 368 3.43%, Reform -62 0.57%)

Richard S. Macellaro -D 3,105 (-28.99 %)

Unofficial Election Results

Smithtown Receiver of Taxes

Tonight’s winners - Deanna Varricchio Receiver of Taxes,

Town Council - Edward Wehrheim, Lisa Inzerillo 

Margot E. Rosenthal 3,864 27.88% Democratic 

***Deanna Varricchio    9,987 72.08%  ( Republican 7,080 51.1%, Conservative 2,413 17.41%, Independence 421 3.03%, Reform 73 0.52%)

Smithtown Town Council

Larry A. Vetter   Democratic 5,627 21.57%

***Edward R. Wehrheim  8,508 ( Republican 5,087 19.5%, Conservative 2,495 9.56% , Independence 395 1.51%, Reform 81, 0.31% 

***Lisa M. Inzerillo Republican 7,220, 27.68%

Robert J. Creighton 5,160 ( Conservative 4,348 16.67%, Independence 674 2.58%, Reform 138 0.52%)

Write-In 16

Smithtown Town Hall Dedicated To Supervisor Patrick R. Vecchio

Supervisor Vecchio and Mrs. VecchioFew people think of Supervisor Patrick R. Vecchio as a warm and fuzzy type of guy. Most people know him as a  tough, complex guy with extraordinary political acumen that has kept him in office for 38 years. Enemies? He’s made a few. Harsh words? He’s said a few. But that isn’t what brought out the crowd Sunday, November 1, 2015.  People gathered at Town Hall to watch and show respect to Long Island’s longest serving Supervisor. People showed-up to say thank you for thirty-eight years of service to the residents of Smithtown. People showed-up to acknowledge that a person who gets elected thirteen times as both a Democrat and a Republican must be doing something right. 

Three speakers County Executive Bellone, NYS Senator John Flanagan and NYS Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick heaped accolades on the Supervisor with County Exec. Bellone calling him a legend. Council members Thomas McCarthy and Lynne Nowick read the March 3, 2015 resolution dedicating the Town Hall in Supervisor Vecchio’s honor. Town Historian Bradley Harris was the Master of Ceremony calling out the names of the dignataries in the audience and there were many: Judge Sandra Sgroi, Judge Jack Toomey, Legislators Leslie Kennedy and Robert Trotta, County Comptroller John Kennedy and LI Director of Parks Wayne Horsley. Democratic Committee Chairman Ed Maher attended.There were numerous department heads and former department heads. There were friends, family and some who have seen the darker side of the Supervisor.

Noticeably absent were Town Council members Robert Creighton and Edward Wehrheim, Town Clerk Vincent Puleo and Receiver of Taxes Deanna Varricchio. Also absent was Republican Town Leader William Ellis.

Did people show-up because a building was being dedicated? No way one gentleman told me, “the people who are here today recognize what an accomplishment Mr. Vecchio has achieved. We’re here today because you just gotta love the guy.” Was everyone here because the love the guy? No. Everyone had there own reason for coming and not one person said they were sorry they were there.

As for the Supervisor it was an emotional time. His eyes teared up and his voice got a little shaky as he thanked everyone. Then I heard someone whisper, “I think Sinatra’s “My Way” was written for this guy.” 

Photos from dedication ceremony