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Kings Park Town
"The Second Wave"-
1964-1969
Kings
Park's Rapid Expansion!
During the mid to late 1960's Kings Park experienced a
period of unprecedented rapid growth which was fueled by
the Aerospace Industry, Defense Contractors and the
Kings Park State Hospital.
This
film documents the changes which occurred during that
time period, including the building of the Kings Park
High School, Park View Elementary School and the many
housing developments including Old Bridge Estates,
Wilshire, Crestwood, Gramercy Towne, Miller Homes,
Flower Hill, Hillside Terrace and Lawrence Manner.
Also
included are clips from the last year of RJO School when
the historic building served as both the Jr. and Sr.
High School, including Mr. Bowman's Archery Club, the
Baseball Team, Track Team and a very rare clip of
William T. Rogers, after whom the current middle school
is named.
Click Here to View Video!
Photo
Gallery:
Click Image above
to View!
Video restored/prepared for the Internet and article
written by Steve Weber, Historic References from Miles
Borden, "History of Kings Park" Published by the Kings
Park Heritage Museum. Special thanks to Mrs. Gardner who
had Charlie finally clean out the basement and found
these historic films!
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Russ Savatt Park - Main Street Kings Park
Who
is Russ Savatt?
Russ Savatt after who
Savatt Park on Main Street is named, was a true old
school Kings Parker in every sense of the word. Russ
was a Marine Corps Judo Instructor in World War II,
member of the American Legion, founded the Kings
Park Boys Athletic Club which focused on Boxing, was
an active member of the Kings Park Volunteer Fire
Department and owned and operated a barber shop for
the better park of 40 years, just footsteps away
from the park which now bears his name.
"Russ was the kindest, folksy person you would ever
want to meet. You could walk by the shop, sit down
and he would talk to you for hours, never losing
that smile for a second. Russ was a very strong man
although he only stood about 5 foot 4; In many ways
he was one of the tallest men I have ever had the
pleasure meeting. He was originally from
Pennsylvania and although he never totally lost that
Mill-Town accent, he was a true Kings Parker in
everyway."
-
King Pedlar, Kings Park Historian
Russ
Savatt Picture Gallery - Click Image to View
Russ Savatt Park:
Click Here to Read Details on Park Expansion!
Click HERE to Read News Paper Coverage!
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Kings Park Heritage Museum
Jazz Clinic at the Mills Pond House
The Historic Mill Pond House in
Smithtown was the scene for the Ranny
Reeve “Jazz in the Living Room” Clinic.
This clinic partners seasoned, working
jazz musicians with young students of
jazz. “There are no children here!”,
proclaims the ever ornery octogenarian
Ranny Reeve wielding his walking cane
like Dartanian does his sword, “Only
Jazz Musicians.”
“I have lost many paying gigs because I
insist on having students play with my
band.” Explains Jazz Great Ranny Reeve,
“Playing and teaching jazz go hand in
hand.”
Mr. Reeve has been teaching the area’s
young people for the past 60 years and
some of his past students include such
working jazz musicians as Dwayne Kerr,
Gary Picard, Molly Reeve Morrison, Bruce
Dropkin, Rob Reddy, Rob Vuono, The
Scarpulla Brothers and Andy Squillacioti.
All are welcomed at these popular
clinics, both musician and audience
member alike. The musicians sit in a
circle around Ranny who selects the
music, then points to each musician when
it their turn to solo. Newcomers receive
a round of applause after their first
solo. “It takes lots of guts to do an
improvisational solo in front of a group
of talented musicians, but you are with
friends here.” explains the maestro.
Ranny Reeve will be playing at the
Second Annual Kings Park Jazz Festival
hosted by the Kings Park Heritage Museum
on February 27th, 2009 at the
RJO School Auditorium, Kings Park.
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Click Links Below to Watch Jazz Videos!
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Percy Brice Jams at December '08 Session
Entire December '08 Session!
Holiday Jazz Party at Paul's House
For more information contact:
Steve Weber 631-269-3305 or
info@kingsparkmuseum.com
Read Press
Coverage:
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Kings Park Heritage
Museum
Mentoring with Special Guest
Lauren Kuehn
Pictured above with American Legion Members, Carl
Peterson and Kingsley Pedlar, New York State Student
Governor Lauren Kuehn appeared before Girl Scout
Troup 48 and gave advice on dealing with “Clicks,
Negative Peer Pressure and Bullying”.
“Excellence
is not an Act, it’s a Behavior”
As a member of Kings Park High School SADD Chapter,
Lauren explains that SADD was originally called
“Students Against Drunk Driving” and later was
renamed to “Students Against Destructive Decisions”.
Lauren believes that the name change was essential.
“We needed to broaden the goal of the organization
to reflect the many challenges facing our young
people today.”
Pictured above with the Girl Scouts from Troop 48
and the much loved and respected principal of RJO
Intermediate School Rudy Massimo, Ms. Kuehn recalls
her election to the post of New York State Student
Governor. “My slogan was “Small but Mighty!”, I’m
four foot ten inches tall; Sometimes your perceived
weaknesses are your greatest strengths. That is my
message to these young ladies. Everyone has
something special to offer, take your time and
discover how you truly are special, then celebrate
it.”
Pictured above, lifelong educator Carl Peterson
puts an exclamation point on the very insightful
words of inspiration and motivation provided by
Laruen Kuehn.
The Kings Park Heritage Museum Mentoring Program is
a community based effort to help the young ladies of
Kings Park and Greater Smithtown develop a healthy
self image and help them learn and grow in an ever
complicated world. By introducing these soon to be
leaders to women of the community who have excelled
in their lives, overcome obstacles and negative
stereotypes the Kings Park Heritage Museum hopes to
help these young ladies on their journey.
For more information on the Mentoring Program
contact:
Program Director Steve Weber
Email:
info@kingsparkmuseum.com
Read
Local Press Coverage:
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2008 Veterans Plaza
Flag Dedication
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The Ancient
Order of Hibernians donated the flags for
this year's Memorial Day Parade. The
dedication ceremony for the flags were held
Saturday May 17th, at Veteran's Plaza.
New York State
Assembly Member Mike Fitzpatrick, Suffolk
County Legislator John M. Kennedy, Smithtown
Town Council Member Robert Creighton,
Smithtown Highway Supervisor Dan Ryan, Kings
Park Chamber of Commerce President Charlie
Gardner joined with the Ancient Order of
Hibernians and all the people of Kings Park
to dedicate this year's Veteran Plaza Flags
and celebrate the contribution of all our
Military Men and Woman, past and present to
insure our liberty.
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Click Here to Download Video
or
Click Here to View Video on YouTube
Kings Park Lacrosse
1994 Alumni Game
In
1968 Leo Ostebo formed the first Kings Park Lacrosse
Team. Leo had played lacrosse as a student at New
England College and by his own words, "I wasn't that
good, third string at best, but I enjoyed being part of
the game". In addition to being a highly physical sport
requiring extreme athletic conditioning, Lacrosse was
and is an excellent scholarship opportunity for many
students.
"We
had no funding at all, we begged and borrowed our
equipment. There we times we had 10 different colored
helmets on the fields at one time." Pictured above, Leo
went on to say..."The then Athletic Director for the
high school wouldn't let us practice on the school
field, so we mowed the field across the street and held
our practices and games there."
"I
remember all the athletes who played on the Lacrosse
Teams, but some stick out more than others." Leo recalls
Mike Quigley, who now is the Assistant Superintendent
for Financial and Administrative Services for the School
District. "Mike was a great Athlete, he ran like deer
and had an excellent work ethic, but that's not why I
remember him", Leo said with a grin. "He would organize
team bowling tournaments the night before a game, that
way he would be sure that all his teammates would be
ready to play in the morning and not nursing a
hangover!"
Pete
Thompson, the current Kings Park Lacrosse Coach went to
New England College on a full athletic scholarship for
Lacrosse. "That was a thrill in and of itself, but the
night I received the phone call from Pete saying that he
was selected to be an "All American", well lets just
say, if ever there was a tear in my eye, that was the
night", Leo recalled as his voice cracked a bit.
In
1994 the Lacrosse Alumni got together for one more
go-round. The video below was created by one of the
teammates to remember the occasion.
Click HERE to View Video!
Kings Park
Relay Walk For Life!
Community Helps to
Fight Cancer
The American Cancer
Society and all the
People of Kings Park
joined together
again the year to
participate in a
"Relay for Life"
which was held on
May 30-31, 2008 at
the Kings Park High
School.
Relay For Life is a
fun-filled overnight
event designed to
celebrate
survivorship and
raise money for
research and
programs of your
American Cancer
Society.
Teams are made up of
families, neighbors,
students, staff,
organizations,
businesses and
community members
working together to
help raise awareness
and get some
exercise as well.
Celebrate. Remember.
Fight Back.
Pictured above Kings
Park Chamber of
Commerce 2007
Lifetime Community
Service Honoree and
Cancer Survivor Inez
O'Conner warms-up
with fellow cancer
survivor at this
year's "Relay for
Life" before heading
out to the Kings
Park High School
Track.
The first lap of the
Relay honors cancer
survivors and the
entire community
becomes a support
group for these
people. The
survivors truly
become the
celebrities of the
Relay for Life.
Leo Ostebo from the
Kings Park Heritage
Museum says of the
event organizer and
past Kings Park
Chamber of Commerce
Person of the Year
Honoree Judy Bishop,
"This is all from
Judy's efforts,
there are lives
being saved right
here today! An
excellent example to
our children on how
to make a positive
difference in our
community."
Cancer deaths
dropped to 553,888
in 2004, down from
556,902 in 2003 and
557,271 in 2002,
according to the
American Cancer
Society. The down
turn trend in cancer
deaths appears to be
accelerating. Early
Detection, Reduced
Cigarette Smoking
Rate and New
Treatment are all
contributing to the
increased survival
rates and events
like the "Relay for
Life" is a critical
component in this
success.
One of the very
special moments in
the Relay is the
Luminary Ceremony
that takes place in
the evening.
Luminary bags are
placed around the
track inscribed with
the names of loved
ones, co-workers,
friends, neighbors
and family members
who have lost their
battle to cancer or
as a way to honor a
cancer survivor. As
darkness falls, the
candles were lit and
a ceremony is
conducted.
Celebrate the lives
of those who have
battled cancer. The
strength of
survivors inspires
others to continue
to fight. Pictured
above, former San
Remo Civic
Association
President and Cancer
Survivor Roy
Conforti walks first
lap with fellow
cancer survivors.
Tributes to loved
ones lost to the
disease were on
display which can
help with the
grieving process and
find healing.
Fight Back! We Relay
because we have been
touched by cancer
and desperately want
to put an end to the
disease. Make a
commitment to save
lives by taking up
the fight.
Click On Image Above
to View
San Remo Elementary School
Video Restored and Edited by Steve Weber
In
January of 1988 the Kings Park District Reorganization
Task Force recommended to the Board of Education that
(1) that Grades 7 - 9 Junior High School be converted to
a Grades 5 - 8 Middle School, (2) that grade 9 be moved
from the Junior High School the the High School, (3)
that San Remo Elementary School be closed and (4) that
the remaining 3 Elementary Schools be converted from
Grades K-6 to K-4.*
Click Here To View Video
To
celebrate the history of the San Remo School and deep
affection which both students and staff alike felt for
the school, the San Remo Follies was organized. The
video below is news coverage of the event by News12 Long
Island.
Click Here To View Video
Ride For
Life!
Help The Kings Park
Beat ALS!
The Event started on
May 4th. A group of ALS patients in their power
wheelchairs set off from Montauk Point on the ALS Ride
for Life's Eleventh Annual Journey of Hope.
Joined by caregivers,
family, friends and supporters, these patients will
travel for 7 days through communities in Suffolk,
Nassau, Queens and finally into Manhattan to create
awareness and to raise funds for a cure for ALS, also
known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
On Wednesday, May
7th there was a breakfast at the Kings Park High School
sponsored by the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce
to send the riders off to continue their journey of
their efforts to raise funs to help the cure for ALS
(Lou Gerhig's Disease).
Click HERE to View Video
ALS Ride for Life at the Kings Park High
School!
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Support the
Troops!
2008 - Rally in
Smithtown!
The Memorial Weekend
Celebration started off with the "Support
The Troops" Rally in Veterans Plaza,
Smithtown on Saturday May 24th, 2008. There
were none of the usual political statements,
just Americans coming together to show our
fighting men and women in harm's way that we
love them, appreciate their service and pray
for their safe return.
Smithtown Town Council
Member Pat Biancaniello put aside her
prepared remarks to read the "Veteran's
Prayer" which was written by an anonymous
soldier and engraved into the granite
monument which stands in Veterans Plaza,
Smithtown.
"Do not stand at my
grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die,
as long as I am in the memory of
those who love me still
for my legacy to you
is to enjoy freedom true
that is my only will."
Congressman Tim Bishop
reminded all that it's importation to
support our troops while they are in
deployed overseas, but we must also remember
to support our troops when they come home.
Many of our soldiers suffer catastrophic
injury and post traumatic stress which will
require treatment over many years.
Suffolk County
Legislator Lynne Nowick speaks with a
Honored Veteran and offers words of
appreciation and support for this soldier's
sacrifice. The soldier explained that he is
getting adjusted back to life back home but
admits that sometimes its difficult and
explains that seeing the people come
together like this to support the troops
makes the adjustment easier.
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Mentoring at the
Museum
with Lynne Nowick and
Lisa Scott
"Women
In Politics"
Suffolk County Legislator Lynne Nowick and
Smithtown League Of Women Voters Vice
President Lisa Scott toured the Kings Park
Heritage Museum with members of the Young
Lady Hibernians, SADD - Students Against
Destructive Decisions, Girl Scouts of
America and Kings Park Heritage Museum's
Youth-In-Action Volunteers.
Pictured above
with Kings Park's Future Leaders, Lynne
Nowick explains that there are 3 women and
15 men in the Suffolk County Legislature,
"You need to be assertive and be a strong
advocate for your district". Legislator
Nowick says that balancing home life and the
matters of government is a challenge, but
one she believes is well worth the effort.
"It's a good example for my children and all
the young women of Smithtown. You can be
tough and still be a lady."
Amanda
Robinson of the Heritage Museum's Youth-In-Action Volunteers said "Mrs. Nowick is from
our neighborhood, that could be me someday!"
"Men and Women are Welcome at The League of
Women Voters"
Explains Lisa Scott, Vice President of the
Smithtown's League Of Women Voters. In
addition to her work at the LWV, Mrs. Scott
is a past president of the Smithtown Book
Club.
The
League was founded in 1920 in Chicago,
Illinois by Carrie Chapman Catt and other
women active in the Suffragette movement,
following the passage of the 19th Amendment
to the United States Constitution, which
guaranteed women the right to vote and was
the subject of a mentoring session earlier
in the year hosted by Smithtown Town Council
Member Pat Biancaniello.
The
League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan,
volunteer organization working to promote
political responsibility through the
informed, active participation of citizens
in government. The League does not support
or oppose any political party or candidate.
It does support or oppose legislation after
serious study and substantial agreement
among its members. Membership is open to
everyone.
Mentoring at the Museum!
The Kings Park Heritage Museum Mentoring Program is
a community based effort to help the young ladies of
Kings Park and Greater Smithtown develop a healthy
self image and help them learn and grow in an ever
complicated world. By introducing these soon to be
leaders to women of the community who have excelled
in their lives, overcome obstacles and negative
stereotypes the Kings Park Heritage Museum hopes to
help these young ladies on their journey.
For more information on the Mentoring Program
contact:
Program Director Steve Weber
Email:
info@kingsparkmuseum.com
Click Link
Above to Read News Article
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