Argo, the new movie - Review by Sandy Trehy

Argo, the new movie from actor-director Ben Affleck, I’m sure will be getting great reviews, and I for one also thought it was good. The audience in the theater I was in clapped and cheered at the end as the credits rolled.

I vividly remember that from Nov 4, 1979 through it’s conclusion when the hostages were released on January 20, 1981, the news was always about the hostages in our Embassy in Iran.  It was an awful time, and each day was ticked off until on day 444 they were brought home.  This movie is “based on the true story” of six U. S. Embassy staff members who made it out of the embassy without being captured, and the efforts of those who were to help them make it to safety.  So spoiling the ending is not an issue here… but asking those who see it to do a little fact checking is.  Whether you fact check before or after the movie, please just do it.

As I said, I really liked this movie… but, why can’t they make a movie without distorting the facts? This was a larger than life real story… And obviously making the ending an “edge of your seat” experience was more entertaining then the “smooth as silk” ex-filtration that it was…  But why not give credit where credit is due?   From what I can learn, the Carter administration did not pull the plug on the operation at the last minute… And the Canadians were the real heroes jeopardizing their lives and masterminding and implementing most of the operations to get our citizens to safety.   If we can get all excited following the role of “007” as a British spy, why wouldn’t that work for a movie about our neighbors to the north?  After viewing the movie last night, I feel like it would have been a great story on it’s own without the hollywood enhancements. 

Enjoy the movie… and thanks Canada.

Audubon Photographer Richard Speiser At Caleb Smith Park Preserve

By Carole Paquette

Audubon photographer Richard Speiser leads a group on a birding trip through the fields of Caleb Smith Park Preserve in Smithtown The program “A Year in the Life of a Bird Photographer” presented by Audubon photographer Richard Speiser at the Caleb Smith Park Preserve in Smithtown on Saturday turned out to be not only informative with his beautiful photos of birds, local and other-worldy, but filled with charming anecdotes. Approximately forty people attended the Saturday morning event sponsored by the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve. 

Mr. Speier regaled his audience with plenty of good photography tips. For those with a simple point-and-shoot camera, he said: “Go for composition, focus on the landscape with a bird in it.” For the serious photographer with the more technologically advanced camera with faster shutter speed, he suggested: “Shoot in the bright light as you can’t use a flash with birds as it causes a sheen.” He added, “If you don’t have a tripod for stability, turn yourself into one, then hold your camera steady, smush it into your eye and control your breathing.” Other tips for photographing birds included wearing neutral colors and when sneaking up on them, stop once the bird starts “twitching”.

Mr. Speiser presented his slide show, according to seasons, noting that we are in the midst of the Fall migration and the chill is good for seeing migrating birds. He first  took his audience through the Fall season of hawks, warblers, hummingbirds and finches; then the Winter of owls, waterfowl, ravens, bluejays and the Great Blue Heron. “Marshes are a great place to go in the winter,” he said.

Getting into Spring, “the breeding time when the birds really belt out their songs”, he presented shots of sparrows, warblers and vireos. In between, he snuck in a photo of a roadrunner from a jaunt to Texas. Then came the Summer series, including a variety of shorebirds, kestrals, and indigo buntings.

Following the slide presentation Mr. Speier took the audience, armed with their cameras, out for a nature walk through the Preserve’s meadows and trails.

Gail Hessel - KP Resident, Retired Teacher And Author Of "Obadiah Smith House"

Gail Hessel

“When the new Brooklyn County Farm (later to become the Kings Park Psychiatric Center) came to the area in 1885, James saw an opportunity to sell them something they needed, which was water and ice from his pond.” The Obadiah Smith House by Gail Hessel

Have you ever driven down St. Johnland Road in Kings Park and wondered about the old house with the sign indicating that it is a historic location? Kings Park resident Gail Hessel drives past the house all the time and admits to not really seeing “it” for a very long time.  The house, according to Gail, was “simply part of the road.” Yet something compelled her to learn more about the Obadiah Smith House and after doing research she realized, “I learned that this house is the beginning and the foundation, if you will, of the hamlet of Kings Park.”

Gail Hessel has penned a book, “The Obadiah Smith House” in which she gives an in depth look at the Obadiah Smith home and the people who have lived there. The Obadiah house was continuously occupied for 300 years with 232 years being occupied by the descendants of Smithtown’s founder, Richard Smythe. Imagine its history and its significance to Kings Park and all of Smithtown.  In addition to the Obadiah home, the book includes the history of what we call “Harrison Pond”.

Gail has written this 35-page book to raise awareness to the significance of the Obadiah house as part of Smithtown’s history.  A second goal is to raise funds to maintain the Obadiah Smith House which is deteriorating and needs many repairs and regular maintenance. The Smithtown Historical Society, in an attempt to preserve the home, took ownership of the house in 1960 but maintaining the property has been a challenge.  The Society is hoping to preserve the house and to someday open it to the public and school groups.

You can be a part of preserving Kings Park’s history by purchasing “The Obadiah Smith House” through the Smithtown Historical Society. The book, which was published by the Historical Society, sells for six dollars. You can contact Gail through the Smithtown Historical Society at info@smithtownhistorical.org. 

Never Empty in Smithtown - What's Cookin'? - Smithtown

What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown

By Nancy Vallarella

What makes Smithtown attractive? Earlier this year I responded, “The people who live here and their commitment to community.” I feel the same way today. I felt this way shortly after moving to Smithtown nearly twelve years ago. Smithtown has and I am most certain, will always be, full of heart. It does a great job keeping tummies full too.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Taking the lead back on September 15^th, Yogurtini of Smithtown Yogurtini Smithtown (44 East Main Street) hosted their grand opening with a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. They donated three hours of free frozen yogurt with balloons and face painting for the kids.  Town of Smithtown resident and co-owner Ellen Benziner states why she selected the breast cancer cure cause; “There is no six degrees of separation with incidents of breast cancer on Long Island.” An estimated five hundred Smithtown residents attended the event. In turn they were treated to Yogurtini’s classic frozen yogurt flavors and the more adventurous birthday cake batter, red velvet, peach cobbler, cinnamon bun swirl and pumpkin flavors. Non-dairy and no sugar added yogurt options were available as well as a wide variety of toppings.

In addition to all of the yummy goodness, Yogurtini is dedicated to helping the Smithtown community. They will enthusiastically host your group in their store. If you are looking to raise funds for a non-profit organization, contact Ellen at 631-656-5955 or reference www.yogurtini.com/fundraising.

The Smithtown Children’s Foundation is hosting their 1^st Annual Clothing and Food Drive. Stop by the Rinx (660 Terry Road, Hauppauge) on Monday October 8^th between 9:00am and 4:00pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 9^th – 11^th between 11:00am and 4:00pm to drop off clothing and food donations. The food donations will provide Smithtown families in need with Thanksgiving meals. They will be accepting the following non-perishable food items: canned corn, boxed potatoes, yams, stuffing, hot cocoa, marshmallows, apple cider, apple juice, canned green beans and turkey VOUCHERS.

Thursday, October 25^th, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm the Senior Resource Center of Long Island will host the 7^th annual Taste of Smithtown. This event will be held at Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown’s temporary location (587 Middle Country Road, Saint James) while their showroom is under reconstruction. Last year’s event was a smorgasboard of almost thirty of Smithtown’s culinary establishments providing small plate tastings of their best products. Isles of raffle prizes and the company of dedicated community people make this one of the best fundraising social events Smithtown has to offer. Tickets are $25 per person and sponsorship opportunities are still available. At this year’s event attendees will make their checks out to one of three charities being honored; Gift of Life, Smithtown Children’s Foundation and Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry. Contact SRLI at 631-544-6500 or www.srli.info to purchase tickets in advance or inquire about sponsorship opportunities. Food donations for the Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry will also be collected at this event.

There are several food pantries in and near Smithtown. In addition to the Thanksgiving items listed for the Smithtown Children’s Foundations Food Drive, here is a list of staples food pantries are always in need of: dried rice and pasta, canned or dried beans and peas, canned fruits and vegetables, cereals and oatmeal, milk in shelf-stable forms, fruit juices, jellies, peanut butter, tomato based sauces and CASH.

This Sunday, October 7^th until November 28^th from 9:00am – 2:00pm the Kings Park Farmer’s Market conducts a bi-weekly collection of fresh and canned food donations for the St. Joseph’s Church Food Pantry. The KPFM is located in the municipal parking lot across from the Kings Park Fire Department on Rt. 25A.

Customers who frequent or who have “LIKED” the Tic Toc Café in Saint James on Facebook know they give away dozens of bagels when they have excess late in the afternoon. I know this first hand because I walked back to my car on St. James Day with a giant bag of free bagels. They even asked me which ones I’d prefer. Froze some and shared some with my neighbor. Thank you Tic Toc Café!

Good job everyone who makes Smithtown full and never empty!

KPCA - Sewer Proposal Not Good For Kings Park

The idea of bringing a sewer line and its contents from Main Street Smithtown up Rte 25a and connecting them to the sewage treatment plant in Kings Park “stinks”. This seems to be the consensus of the Kings Park Civic Association (KPCA).  At a meeting Thursday evening, members of the association and Kings Park residents gathered to discuss Legislator John Kennedy’s proposal to expand the capacity and upgrade the existing sewage treatment plant in Kings Park.    

According to Kennedy, his proposal to increase sewage capacity for the business areas of Smithtown and Kings Park will help ease restrictions on existing businesses wishing to expand. The proposal will also allow the Town’s downtown areas to favorably compete for businesses not currently located in the Town.  This proppsal is predicted to cost about $80 million.

KPCA is not a newcomer to this issue. At Thursday’s meeting Linda Henninger, chair of the KPCA’s sewer committee, was armed with a file of correspondence regarding the proposal dating back to  2008. She expressed dismay at the lack of information coming out of the Legislator’s office.  “Kennedy doesn’t represent Kings Park and is looking out for his constituents interest, not Kings Park.”stated Henninger.  Members of KPCA would like to have Kings Park’s needs addressed and not be bundled with Smithtown’s needs.  According to both Kennedy and KPCA the cost for Kings Park going it alone would be approximately $20 million.   Listening to residents speak at Thursday’s meeting it is clear they are not pleased with being the recepticle for Smithtown’s sewerage. In addition, KPCA members say they are frustrated that the proposal calls for leeching fields in a designated conservation area.

The trigger for a more active role by the KPCA was learning that the County has invested $1.8 million in its proposal, which includes a study from the engineering firm H2M, giving great detail and credibility to Legislator Kennedy’s proposal.  “Spending that kind of money on a plan that puts leeching fields in a conservation area leads us to believe that this plan is further along and moving faster than we understood.” said Henninger. Association members were unanimous in their call to stop planning and spending money on a plan that they claim is at best “flawed”.  KPCA is calling for the County to review alternative actions that include unbundling the Kings Park Sewer District from the Smithtown Sewer District and finding alternative sites. KPCA Board President Sean Lehman represented the association’s position as being “sewers are good and we want them; however, the proposal to bring Smithtown’s sewage into Kings Park is not in our best interest.  We believe that there are better sites for Smithtown’s sewage than bringing it into Kings Park. The County has not looked for an alternative site even though the Town has a list of twenty one possible sites which they believe and we believe are better.” 

Legislator  Kennedy spoke of his plans at a Kings Park Chamber of Commerce meeting in September.  Kennedy, a passionate supporter of sewering as a way to improve downtown areas in Kings Park and Smithtown, spoke of ongoing negotiations with St. Johnland Nursing Center to establish leeching fields on their property. St. Johnland is planning to increase its footprint on its property creating a continuous care facility and needs to address its waste disposal. This may present an opportunity for the county to access their site.  KPCA is not happy with this proposal and they will fight any proposal to put a leeching field on property that is designated for conservation use. 

Another issue for KPCA is the smell that is associated with the plant. Residents living close to the existing plant complain of horrible smells that reduce the value of their homes. The county has no record of complaints about the existing facility, but stated that there are odor containing structures that could be used to address odor complaints. KPCA  members  expressed a disbelief in the county’s documentation of complaints at the current sewage treatment facility off St. Johnland Road.  At least one resident in the audience, a gentleman, who lives near the facility explained in detail his complaint about the plant and an exchange of emails with Senator Flanagan regarding odors at the site.   A change in his work shift caused him to be home during the day when he noticed a terrible stench.  At first, thinking it was a cesspool problem, he checked his and a neighbor’s cesspool. After talking with the neighbor he realized that this was not an isolated incident the oder was coming from trucks dumping at the plant. 

While both sides are far from agreeing on the sewer proposal they do agree that sewers are the way to go.