-------- With Heartfelt Appreciation -------- Celebrating Memorial Day

Yes, there will be picnics and BBQs, visits to the beaches and parks, but sometimes we forget the reason we have this three day weekend that marks the beginning of the summer season.

Memorial Day was originally celebrated on May 30th. It was known as a day of mourning for those members of the armed forces who paid the ultimate price to insure our freedom. Many businesses closed for the day and people would go to the cemetery and put fresh flowers and flags on the graves of fallen soldiers to honor their sacrifice. There were parades and prayer services. Back then, Memorial Day was celebrated with respect and reverance, honoring the memory of those who paid with their lives. It was not a three day weekend unless the date fell on a Friday or Monday. Then a bill was introduced changing Memorial Day to the last Monday in May-and lo and behold our three day welcome-to-summer began.

Today, Memorial Day has become more about picnics and BBQs and the rememberance part is all but forgotten. For the past two years, I had the honor of accompanying groups to Calverton cemetery to place flags at all of the graves of the veterans buried there. It is an amazing sight to see and a sobering reminder of that freedom is not free.

This year, this Memorial Day, please take some time out of your day and away from your celebration to remember and pray for those who fought and died for our freedom and for those who are currently out there protecting our freedom. May God Bless Them.

The Ever-Expanding Village of Smith Point

There has been much excitement over the past few weeks and months regarding various people and committees working to create the Incorporated Village of Smith Point. Unfortunately, it seems there is conflict and confusion when it comes to defining: Smith Point.

Interestingly enough, the original Smith Point Beach Property Owners Association used to hand out a pamphlet from the Manor of St. George which outlined the boundaries that were used for their organization starting at the tip of the peninsula and heading north to Goldengate and Havenwood, west to Smith Rd. and east to Johns Neck Creek. This was considered the Smith Point boundary - the Smith Point community.

Of course things have changed over the past few years and as the new regime from Woodland Estates and North Shirley took over the SPBPOA and formed their village incorporation group, the boundaries of both the association (SPBPOA) and the potential village (Village committee) have moved considerably north and excluded parts of the southern peninsula. Some people who attended the village exploration meetings were disappointed when they discovered their neighborhoods were not included in the village boundaries. Ultimately, this led not only to some of the peninsula neighborhoods moved into the Mastic Beach village boundaries, but to the formation of a second village committee, the Smith Point Village Exploratory committee, interested in incorporating all of the 11967 area south of Sunrise Highway. The idea behind this is to include all south Shirley residents and businesses.

Of course all of these ideas were designed to improve the area overall, but is it realistic to believe that two groups can simultaneously work at village incorporation for the same area with differing boundaries? Will it be a "race to the finish" situation? Or will it cause further dissention among the people of the community these villages hope to serve?

Smith Point Peninsula Homeowners Association has not taken a stand with either of these committees. We have strong concerns about this village endeavor and worry that it may end up thwarting rather than promoting an improved community. At this time we remain focused on our beautification and quality of life projects for the peninsula community and leave it up to each of you to decide where you stand on this issue.

No Fireworks Show for Smith Point

As a child, I recall celebrating the Fourth of July with neighborhood barbeques, bicycle parades, swimming, music and of course fireworks. We used to decorate our bikes with red, white and blue streamers, wear red, white or blue clothes, buy 'punks' from the local candy store and light sparklers or firecrackers. Fireworks were always part of any Independence Day celebration. It was a tradition.

While my kids were growing up, fireworks were off limits in the backyard, but our friends and family would often camp at Smith Point County Park during the summer. We loved to reserve a campsite for Fourth of July because there is nothing better that sitting by your camper at Smith Point, looking north over the Great South Bay and watching the beautiful display of fireworks from the "mainland". It was a tradition.

In years past, when the Carnival and Fireworks shows were held at the Park, it was a treat to be able to walk to the show from the campground. When we didn't have a camping reservation, we'd simply walk out to the parkway and down to the bridge to see the fireworks or hear the music from the concerts. It was always a great way to celebrate Independence Day and although it brought some issues for the homeowners along the canal streets and along William Floyd Parkway, it also brought a sense of pride being the only community in Suffolk County to host the big Independence Day celebration. For several years, it was the tradition.

Unfortunately the controversy surrounding the Smith Point Park July 4th Carnival and Fireworks show outweighed the positive community pride - and so they were no more.

Last year, however, the Montauk Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce secured a grant and applied to once again to hold this great summer event at Smith Point County Park. Meetings were held, the pros and cons discussed, details worked out, but ultimately it could not be ironed out in time and again there was no show.

This year, the Carnival and Fireworks show was proposed for Smith Point but once again the details could not be ironed out. The approvals were received to hold a Carnival at Smith Point Park, but without the Fireworks show. While some might say a carnival is better than nothing, it short changes the community of an event as American as apple pie - Fourth of July fireworks. There is no better place to hold a fireworks show than the beach. If all of the County departments were willing to do their share in support of this once-a-year event, it could have brought some revenue to local businesses, gave families a fun holiday weekend destination during these hard economic times and helped to restore a more positive image of our community. It's a shame that the voices of those community advocates speaking in support of a Fireworks show fell on deaf ears or were drowned out by the few who opposed it.

As of this writing, the plans for the Fourth of July celebration at Smith Point are off the table. I guess the 'tradition' of a July 4th fireworks show will be left to some other community.

But hey, there's always next year!

Looking Ahead - 2009

Smith Point Peninsula Homeowners held their first meeting of 2009 this past week. The focus of the meeting was reviewing our 2008 accomplishments and setting the agenda for the coming year. As always, our primary goal is community beautification. Community clean-ups, plantings, stewardship of Shirley Beach and neighborhood watch will again be the priority. In addition, we will be scheduling Sunset Night and other social events bringing Smith Point residents together for some positive interaction. Special guest speakers for this year's meetings will be announced on our website, so tune in regularly for the updated information. As always, we welcome your input and suggestions so feel free to email or call.

Contact information: smptpha@aol.com or 516-971-2073.

Happy New Year

And so 2008 has come to an end and we face 2009 with the hope that our community can weather this economic storm, and with faith that our commitment to our neighborhood will inspire others to join with us and work to improve our quality of life.

2009 can be a turning point for the Smith Point community if we are diligent in being aware of what goes on in our own community. This year, make it a point to know what's going in your neighborhood. Pay attention to your street, your neighbors, the abandoned houses or wooded areas and report any problems to your homeowner's association.

Smith Point Peninsula Homeowners has been instrumental in addressing many of our litter and graffiti problems, boarding or cleaning up various properties, reporting neglect by absentee landlords, problem tenants or uncaring homeowners and much more. They have also participated in community clean-ups and beautification projects all around the Smith Point area.

Perhaps you would like to be a part of this movement to improve the community where you live. Why not make 2009 the year that YOU get involved!

Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward Men....

Saturday, December 6th was the Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at Smith Point. Although minor conflict clouded the days leading up to it, the night was ultimately a gathering of friends, neighbors and the community spirit that abounds when people come together for a common good. Both Smith Point organizations celebrated the season of hope, illuminating the night with festive decorations, holiday music, and the bright smiles of children as they greeted Santa Claus.

Later that same evening, Pattersquash Creek Civic Association and Mastic Beach Property Owners Association held a joint celebration at their Christmas Tree Lighting. Hundreds of residents turned out at the newly decorated gazebo on Neighborhood Road bringing good cheer and community pride to welcome in this holiday season. It was a wonderful evening for all.

The Smith Point Peninsula Homeowner's Association wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanza or whatever holiday you and your family may be celebrating. Blessings and good tidings to all!

Smith Point Bridge Dressed for the Holidays

Members of Smith Point Peninsula Homeowners Association have donated two lighted wreaths to decorate the Smith Point Bridge. After applying for all of the proper permits, Mike Trotta, Vinny Albino and Frank Lombardo designed and created the wreaths, and hung them on the north and south walls of the bridge house. They certainly add that festive touch as cars and campers travel over the bridge.

Special thanks to Suffolk County Department of Public Works and the William Floyd Community Summit and members Debra and Richard Hagan for their cooperative efforts with Smith Point Peninsula Homeowners in bringing this idea "to light".