Over the last several years I have gained a bit of weight. For example, when I joined the Islip Fire Department in June 1985, I was about 135 pounds. While that was 33 years ago as of May 2018, I am now about 183 pounds and a lot of clothes no longer fit. Then I learned that my 28 year old daughter Eileen is a bit heavy now - up to 149 pounds. While neither of us are obese, we want to get down to maybe 130 for Eileen and maybe 150 for me. In addition, before my mom passed away in October 2015, I promised her that I would lose weight.
Since I am a member of the local fire department, I have access to a treadmill at the firehouse, as well as facilities at Gold's Gym at the northern end of town. But to maybe improve father-daughter relationships, Eileen and I have taken to walking at least a mile on a weekend day. If the weather cooperates, we try and do a walk on both Saturday and Sunday. Here are some of the places that we have walked to:
Boardwalks
On weekends Eileen and my wife Ellen have walked the Boardwalk on Jones Beach from the Field 6 Parking lot to the East Bathhouse. A round trip is over a mile. They have also walked the Boardwalk at the North Shore's Sunken Meadow State Park. I have joined then on occasion. Twice during February 2017 Eileen and I went for a walk along the Jones Beach Boardwalk. On Presidents Day we walked from Field 6 to the West Bathhouse and back - over a mile. We returned two days later on the 21st but this time we only went from Field 6 to the Mall. Then on April 17, 2017, she and I went from Field 6 to the East Bath House and back. But then on the way home we stopped at the All American Burger in Massapequa for lunch before heading back to Islip. We did a few more walks during 2017 along the Jones Beach Boardwalk, including on October 16 while I was off to watch Eileen while Ellen went to the myopathy specialist. But Ellen did join us on November 17 when we did a nice walk on the Jones Beach Boardwalk. Eileen and I returned to Jones Beach on December 19, 2017 and this time we got to photograph two antique cars - a 1936 Plymouth and a 1938 Oldsmobile - the Field 6 Parking Lot. We got in over a mile since we went to the Mall, in line with the Water Tower where Wantagh Parkway begins. Over the Thanksgiving Weekend, we took a nice walk along the Sunken Meadow Boardwalk, for a little change of scenery. This walk was well over a mile, since it was from one end of the Boardwalk to the other. We would return to the North Shore Boardwalk two months later to retrace our steps. Eileen and I returned there on January 21, 2018 to walk on the Sunken Meadow Boardwalk, going about a mile like we did in November. Our next 2018 Boardwalk visit was on October 17, at Jones Beach. Eileen and I went to Field 6 and walked to the Boardwalk Cafe and back, for a total of 1.2 miles.
While it is fun to walk along the boardwalks and you do get spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Long Island Sound, I find it more interesting to walk through a town, as you can see interesting houses and shops, have a snack, and get to talk with people. The following are some of the villages and towns that we have walked through since 2017.
Islip/East Islip
Since that is where we live, we have done quite a lot of trekking through our home town. Eileen and I usually walk from the Islip Fire Department parking lot to places like the library, or along Main Street to St. Mark's Church on the eastern end of town. And while the library is less than a block from the firehouse, to get some mileage in we often go a round about way to Willow Avenue and then to Raymond Street and then to the library. Just before Christmas 2017 we did about a half mile each way to my American Legion post to confirm that the post's Christmas party was on for the evening (it was). And after the Post's St. Patrick's Day party on March 18, 2018, while Ellen drove home, Eileen and I walked from the Post to the house to hopefully walk off some of the pounds we may have gained. We often have lunch or buy snacks at the Islip Starbucks, and on February 17, 2018 we went to Starbucks where we bought a cake pop, potato chips, and a sandwich. Since a large number of St. John the Baptist girls were there, we decided to eat in the firehouse ready room. After our snack we went to the library and after hitting the computers and checking out what we wanted, we walked from the firehouse to Islip Avenue and then up to Little Shop of Shamrocks, just across the LIRR tracks. We bought some white chocolate Dairy Buttons, and then walked back to the firehouse, stopping at Sugared Up where Eileen got herself a Hello Kitty zipper pull. On April 28 we walked from the house into town, going a bit off from our street to get some more mileage in, and to explore some other streets in Islip. We had lunch at Bubba's Burrito Bar and then stopped at the firehouse for water and iced tea before going to the library. After we checked out the items we wanted we started back home, but first we visited Sugared Up so Eileen could buy a new Beanie Baby. But I will also include East Islip here, and on April 18 when I was off as Ellen went to the myopathy specialist with her brother, Eileen came with me while I was at my dentist's office at the eastern end of East Islip. After the appointment, I had to get lottery tickets, so Eileen and I walked over to the stationery store next to Stanley’s Bakery and back to my dentist's office– a 1.4-mile round trip before going back to the firehouse and the library. Over the Memorial Day weekend of 2018 we got in some walks to the Veterans' Memorial Parks in the two hamlets. We got in a nice walk from St. Mary's Church to the East Islip park, and the next day a brisk walk from the the Islip Memorial from the firehouse. On June 3 we walked to the house to Main Street and the semi annual street fair. We got about two miles of walking in, and visited several of the tables for some freebies, and also bought a rabbit ballerina stuffed animal from the Dance Connection table. Six days later we walked through Islip again, this time from the firehouse to Little Shop of Shamrocks at Islip Avenue and Moffitt Boulevard. After treating ourselves to a bag of Dairy Buttons, we headed back towards the firehouse, but first stopping at Nook & Cranny to buy a small Irish teddy bear - green with shamrock patterns on it. We both wanted to see Incredibles 2, so on Saturday June 16 we both walked from the house to the Islip Movie House and enjoyed a fantastic Pixar movie. Then we walked back to the house after the movie. We were back in both villages on July 7th. We walked from the Islip firehouse to the Veterans Memorial by Town Hall and back, and then later in East Islip between St. Mary's Church and the property by Brookwood Hall, where a Fireman's Fair was in progress. Later we headed to Babylon, and details of that walk are under the Babylon heading. On August 4, 2018 Eileen and I went to the Islip firehouse where I parked the car and we went to the Islip Hardware store to buy 2 globe lights, then to the bank to deposit a check. Then we walked to Willow Avenue and down to Raymond Street and then to the library, going the long roundabout way. While there Eileen renewed her library card, we both used the computers, and borrowed some items. We walked again through Islip Village on August 19th, to return things in the library's drop box, and then walk to Raymond Street to Church and then to the firehouse where the car was parked. Eileen and I attended Islip High School's Homecoming events on September 22nd, and after the parade, we walked from the firehouse to the high school grounds to enjoy a carnival and then the football game. We also walked back to the firehouse (Islip won, 42-14). We walked to the semi annual street fair on October 13th, and stopped at Coyle's before heading home. And we did Islip hamlet again, on October 17th, by walking from the Islip firehouse to the high school and back. 8 days later we walked from the firehouse to Oconee Diner to take photos of the life sized skeletons posed as landscapers. Then we walked to the Islip Library to use the computers before walking back to the firehouse to get the car and drive home. On November 23, 2018 Eileen and I decided to visit one of our favorite small stores, Little Shop of Shamrocks, to get an anniversary gift for the next day (and get some Dairy Buttons to enjoy). We walked from the house through Greenview Village to the store at Moffitt and Islip Avenue. But we went home a different way - up Islip Avenue to Oak Street and through the Wing Elementary School ground to the house. The next day, November 24th, Eileen and I headed into Islip village to visit a few places: post office, firehouse, library (only to drop off a DVD), Sugared Up (we got Beanie Baby #39, a dog named Duke), and Chase Bank, where I paid my Visa bill. On December 2nd we were back, walking from the firehouse to South Bay Avenue, visiting Sugared up (and getting Beanie Baby #40, a parrot named Diva) and dripping in on Nook & Cranny and saying hi to the owner. 6 days later we decided to walk from the firehouse to the Islip High School campus and back for a walk of around a mile. The next day, December 9th, we walked from the house to Main Street and to Sugared Up, and Eileen got herself another Beanie Baby, Gene, who is #41 in her collection. And since the 9th was the date of my American Legion Post's Christmas, after we left Sugared Up and then visited Chase Bank, we walked to Nassau Avenue and then up the street to the Post where we met Ellen and then enjoyed a nice Christmas dinner with the other Legionnaires and their families. On Sunday April 14th we went to the firehouse parking lot and from there walked down Main Street almost to the Viking Pub, where we took photos at an estate tag sale. After we walked back to the parking lot we came home to relax and watch TV.
Sayville:
Sayville is several miles east of Islip, and in the past Ellen, Eileen and I patronized several stores on Main Street, such as Boomer’s Toy Store, the Stride Rite shoe store, and a good French bakery. It has that village felling, even if it is not incorporated. On Christmas Eve 2017, Eileen wanted to go for a walk, so this time we decided to check out Sayville. Since it can be a problem trying to parallel park on Main Street, we parked in the Sayville Fire Department main house lot and walked along Main Street (Montauk Highway) past several restaurants and stores. We walked along Montauk Highway from the firehouse to near the Methodist Church and Capital One Bank and on the way back to the car we stopped at Irish Crossroads, an Irish gift shop similar to Little Shop of Shamrocks here in Islip. We ended up buying coloring book of Celtic patterns that we can all enjoy. Then we walked back to the firehouse and drove home. About 2½ months later (March 10, 2018) we returned to Sayville, parked in the Sayville Fire Department lot and walked from the firehouse to the Irish Exit pub, and then along Montauk Highway to the traffic light by the Methodist Church and back to the firehouse – around a mile. And on May 12th, we returned and this time we parked on Main Street and walked to a strip mall off of Railroad Avenue to have lunch at Texas Taco (a burrito for each of us) and then we walked it off by heading west on Main Street to St. Lawrence the Martyr Church before getting back into the car. But on Main Street near Railroad Avenue there is a store called the Puppy Emporium and we walked past a demonstration by animal rights activists protesting puppy mills and that shops like this treat dogs like merchandise. They feel that it is better to get a dog from the pound, to save it from being euthanized (a good point). We were back in Sayville on July 22nd to see Mamma Mia 2 at the movie house on Railroad Avenue, and after the movie we walked along Main Street from Railroad Avenue to the Methodist Church, and back, visiting a few shops along the way.
Kings Park:
Ellen and I almost lived in Kings Park. In 1982 we were looking for a house after 3 years in an apartment house in Oceanside. We had an engineer inspect the house and were ready to proceed when Ellen learned that her company was moving from Midtown to Stamford. The commute from Kings Park would be prohibitive. So we had to back down. And even if her firm did not move, my company had plans for me – and in early 1983 after being told that I was getting a transfer to data processing, I got the pink slip. So we never moved there. Moving forward to 2018, on April 22nd, Eileen and I went up to Kings Park for a nice walk. After parking on Main Street, we walked a short way to the Kings Park Fire Department for some photo taking and down Indian Head Road to the development that has the house on Balboa Drive that Ellen and I almost bought in 1982. I wanted to walk to it, but I was not certain of the street layout and my various map apps on my cell phone would not open. But we did walk from our spot on Main Street to Hudson Drive & 1st Avenue and then back – a total of 1.4 miles. On the way home we did drive past the house on Balboa Drive but did not take a photo since people were out in the driveway.
East Northport
On April 14th, 2018, I considered a nice walk in Huntington Village, since it has some great shops and eateries, and is quite historic. We headed up the Sagtikos/Sunken Meadow to the LIE and then to New York 231. To get to Huntington, you have to exit left onto Suffolk County Route 35, the left fork, where NY 231 ends. I did not know that it was only the left lane, so I took the right fork (County 66) to Jericho Turnpike and then to Larkfield Road. We opted on East Northport. There are many memories in that hamlet with my late aunt & uncle, and cousins so I figured it is worth a trip down Memory Lane. First, we had to have lunch, and when we saw a list of business in a strip mall on the southern end of town with one being a Greek restaurant – Athens Square – we decided that Athens Square is the place as Eileen did not mind going Greek. I ordered a lamb gyro and Eileen ordered crab cakes. When our orders came, she was not fond of her crab cakes, so I ate them and gave her some of the lamb from my gyro. When we were done we headed north towards Pulaski Road and we drove onto Diane Court where my late cousin and her family lived back in the 1980’s and 1990’s. That is where we parked and then we walked past the Hewitt Square shopping center at Larkfield & Pulaski Roads (back in the 1960’s I patronized the hobby shop that was there). Pat’s Marketplace has a store in the center now. Then we headed towards the LIRR station. After some photos we headed back to the car. This time we turned on Kew Avenue onto a dead end (University Place) that led to little league baseball fields – the home of the Larkfield Little League. While I never played for the league, my cousin did, and his dad (my late uncle) coached, and I got to watch many games. We continued to walk back to the car and then drove east on Pulaski Road to the Sunken Meadow and home. Once home I decided to head to the firehouse for coffee again.
Farmingdale
The bank that gave Ellen and me our mortgage back in 1984 (we finally did get to buy a house 2 years after the aborted deal in Kings Park) was Sunrise Federal Savings & Loan whose main office was located in Farmingdale. Ellen and I returned there in 1987 to re-finance our mortgage to a much lower interest rate. These days I pass through the village each morning on the Long Island Railroad. On May 5th, 2018, Eileen and I went to Farmingdale Village to get some exercise. I parked the car in a municipal lot just north of the train tracks on Main Street and we proceeded to walk south. With all of the interesting restaurants on Main Street I concluded that this is another foodie’s mecca, and we decided to have lunch at the Grecian Grill at the corner of Main & Conklin Streets. Eileen enjoyed a lamb gyro, and I am convinced that she does like lamb. I had to be different and ordered a chicken gyro. We then walked south to the village hall and the Farmingdale Fire Department Headquarters and then back north to Conklin Street where we turned east and headed to St. Killian’s Church, before heading back up on Elizabeth Street to a street that parallels the tracks and then back to the car. We got in about 1 mile of walking. We returned to the area on August 12, 2018, but instead of the village we visited the Farmingdale State College campus. It had rained while we were en route so several campus streets and parking lots were flooded. But we did walk around the numerous campus buildings and got about a mile in.
Huntington
We had planned to visit Huntington Village on April 14th, but when I drove up New York 231 to its northern terminus where it divides into Suffolk County Route 35 (towards Huntington) and Route 66 (towards Commack) and when Eileen and I arrived at the fork, I was in the right lane and did not know that it was left turn only for Route 35 and Huntington. Rather than cause an accident, I took Route 66 to Jericho Turnpike and headed to East Northport. We would not get to Huntington for another two weeks. And on the 29th we headed to Huntington, but this time I took Northern State Parkway to Exit 42 and then crossed the road to County Route 35 onward to Route 25A. Once on Main Street/25A we drove to the Chase Bank branch next to St. Patrick’s School and parked there. Eileen and I then walked along Main to the library, where we took some pictures, and then more pictures in front of the Greystone St. John’s Episcopal Church, which is down the street. We then trekked to New York Avenue/NY 110 to the Paramount Theater and up to the next corner (Carver Street), before heading back to Main Street. While heading back to Main Street we stopped in a novelty store (but did not buy anything). Once on Main Street we then headed over to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building with its 19th century cannon that I was always afraid of 65 years ago when we went to my aunt and uncle’s house in Northport (there was no Long Island Expressway back then). While there was a Starbucks, Eileen and I stopped for iced tea (her) and coffee (me) at the Book Revue Café on New York Avenue. Then it was back to the car but not before I took a photo of Eileen next to a sandwich board that had a quote from Coco Chanel on it: “in order to be irreplaceable one must be different”. True: I think that I am different even when I tried to be like everyone else. And I have not been replaced at my house yet. We got in about 2 miles of walking before we drove home. Then at around 6 PM we headed to H2O in East Islip. Ellen and I ordered from the Prix Fixe menu: flounder for her, scallops with crispy rice for me. I had a Raphael’s Cabernet Franc wine. It came to $145 for the 3 of us, but we each had great meals and did not leave hungry. We were back in Huntington on July 8th. Ellen wanted to be certain that Central Presbyterian Church was handicapped accessible, and also Halesite Fire Department. So Eileen and I headed up to the North Shore to the Halesite firehouse - at the end of NY Route 110 (always wondered where the end was). A Halesite FD member showed us where the elevator is, and that we would have to park in the rear, and in the town parking lot (just like guests at Islip FD functions). I then asked Eileen to take my picture by the department’s neon sign, when we heard screeching and I turned around to see two vehicles (a pickup and a sedan) sideswipe each other just past the firehouse property . The sedan was almost totaled, and a passenger may have hit the windshield. I walked over there to be certain everyone got out (they did) and called 911. A medic from Halesite FD walked over with a PCR and a medic bag to see if anyone needed medical help. It did not look like they did, but psychological first aid was needed. The chief came by and called for the heavy rescue truck, to apply speedy dry. Eileen and I stayed around for a little while to see if the police wanted to ask us any questions (they didn’t). Soon we got into the car and headed down Route 110 to Huntington Village to do some walking. I parked the car in Lot #49 not far from the Book Revue Café, and then we walked to Main Street (25A) and up to St. Patrick’s Church to take some photos. Then we walked east to Ben & Jerry’s to share a cup of ice cream before walking over to the Central Presbyterian Church to check the entrances. There are two steps in the front, and with a parking lot in the rear, should be ADA accessible. They we walked back to the car and drove home to Islip. We were back in Huntington Village on September 9th, after lunch. We parked on Wall Street and then walked past the traffic circle in front of the post office to Main Street (25A) and along Main Street to St. Patrick’s School, and then back to the car. It was drizzling out, so we did not walk that much, and Eileen wanted to get back home
Northport Village
On April 7th Eileen and I headed up to Northport village for a walk. We had not been there is a while (the last time being to go to the Engemann Theater). To get to Northport we took the Sagtikos/Sunken Meadow Parkway to Route 25A and then headed to Vernon Valley Road and where the village’s Main Street ends (and where Pumpernickel’s German restaurant is) and then got onto Main Street to head into downtown. I decided to park on the Northport Fire Department grounds since I am a member of another fire department. Then we walked down Main Street towards the harbor. There were numerous boutiques and restaurants, even a couple of barber shops. It was a trip down Memory Lane for me, since I can remember coning to the village when I visited my late aunt and uncle, and also when their late daughter got married in 1970 at St. Philip Neri Church. When we got close to the harbor I saw Tim’s Shipwreck Diner at #46 Main Street and decided we can stop for lunch there. It was crowded but Eileen and I got a table by the door and front window. Since I did not have a lot of cash, and it was a cash only business, we ordered cheap: a cheese burger for me and fish & chips for Eileen, and water for both of us. But I was able to pay the bill ($28.13) and leave a decent tip ($4.50). We then continued our walk into the harbor park where Main Street ends (or begins), and then headed back up Main towards where we started. I was amazed at the houses with their foundations built right into the hills (Main Street is in a valley). Nothing like that is on the South Shore. We stopped at the Northport Historical Society and I checked out the history of the LIRR in Northport (not there any longer, but only in East Northport), the military uniforms, and the model of downtown Northport from around 1910. The we took a photo of the American Legion post building (#694) and then went up to the Methodist church before turning and going back to the firehouse to get the car. When we got to the firehouse I stopped to talk with the houseman and a department member about their district, and a deceased member whose son performed with my late cousin in The Music Man at Northport High School back in 1963. We then got into the car and headed back to Islip. I continued to admire the architecture of the houses in the village and kept remembering the good times I had there over the years.
Stony Brook University
On January 20, I was planning to go for a walk with Eileen at the St. Joseph College campus in Patchogue, but as we were heading out east on Sunrise Highway, I saw the exit for Nicholls Road and thought about Stony Brook University (SBU), and that is where we headed. First, we stopped at McDonalds in Centereach (I remember patronizing it at least once back in the Long Island Savings Bank days from 1987 through 1989) for the 2 for $5 deal -fish sandwich and a Big Mac along with iced tea and McFlurry. After lunch we continued up Nicholls Road and finally arrived in the campus. After we parked the car, we walked past the Charles Wang Center, and then towards the library, and saw the mascot Wolfie (Stony Brook’s teams are called the Sea Wolves) coming from the other way, so we took time to get our pictures taken with him (a lady took them for us). Next it was the Red Shop West and Eileen got a new Stony Brook University baseball cap, and a stuffed cat in SBU logo. We continued to walk around the campus and took more photos, including a few by rocks that fraternities or sororities painted in their colors (I have to say that the greeks are pretty adept with paint brushes). I also took a photo of the fine arts building that has the University’s slogan (Far Beyond) on its side, showing that SBU is active and helping in Madagascar. Then we got into the car, but I made a wrong turn and did not exit onto Nicholls Road, but looped around the campus and finally ended up on the Nesconset Highway (NY 347) and then we headed to NY 111 and home. It looks as if I now have new football and basketball teams to root for now. Let’s go Sea Wolves!! We were back on October 26, 2018. After lunch at the Hilton Garden Inn's coffee shop, we parked in the visitors lot and walked past the residential village to the West Bookstore where I picked out my birthday gift (a red Stony Brook hoodie) and a stuffed elephant mascot for Eileen. We then walked to the Activities Center and checked out what was inside, and then kind of retraced our steps of January 20 and walked to the car to head home.
Patchogue
Ellen has not stopped pushing Eileen and me to get exercise, and after lunch on Ellen and my anniversary (November 24th, 2017), Eileen and I drove out to Patchogue and parked in the 400 block of East Main Street and walked several blocks west. But we were a bit too far east past Route 112 to enjoy any of the main attractions like the pubs and boutiques. But we did enjoy a nice walk and since I did bring my camera, we managed to take some nice photos along Main Street. Since we kind of parked too far east to really enjoy the main attractions of the village, a week after Stony Brook University we headed back to Patchogue. This time we parked further west on the YMCA property, after driving down Waverly Avenue (County Road 19) and then went around a circle to the YMCA. After parking the car we walked to Main Street and then along the street past the New Village where we took two photos (it is a project with apartments and businesses, located in downtown). We continued from the west side to the east side, noticing the new number of eateries in the village. We were walking back past a sweets shop, similar to Sugared Up, when a possibly homeless or other type started to follow us. If I was alone, I would not care but I was worried since Eileen was with me, so we entered the store and the man followed us inside. It turns out that he was harmless, but I did not want to take any chances. But while in the shop Eileen asked me to buy her a stuffed animal. I said that we will do that in Islip. So we continued walking to the car and drove back. We walked about a mile in Patchogue. And when we arrived in Islip I parked in the firehouse lot and we walked over to South Bay Avenue and crossed Main Street to head back towards the firehouse. We stopped in Nook & Cranny since owner Lori knows us. There were no more Beanie Babies in stock but there were two Gund critters (she has the zebra one, leaving the panda) and ballerina finger puppets. Eileen wanted both but I that she can only have one, so she finally decided on the ballerina. On July 1, 2018 after lunch Eileen and I headed out to Patchogue, not to walk around the village, but to walk around St. Joseph’s College (SJC) campus. I was not certain which exit to get off of Sunrise Highway from, so I got out at Ocean Avenue but drove to Phyllis Drive. It took us to Main Street, but no SJC. I tried to Google SJC on my cell phone, but it took forever. With no street address, GPS was not much help. Using GPS got us to Hagerman. But once I got SJC’s address (155 Roe Blvd West) I entered it into GPS and it got us there in one piece. Once on campus I parked the car in the front lot and we walked to the library and took some pix inside (including a poster of the ‘Van Gogh in Arles’ exhibit that Ellen and I saw at the Met in late 1984). After the photo session at the library we headed towards the soccer field and passed a rock that has a plaque nailed into it. This rock has the names of campus organizations that perform above and beyond the call of duty. After some photos we walked further north to the athletic center (go Golden Eagles). It was not open, since today is Sunday and SJC is a commuter school. So we walked back to the car in the front parking lot and headed back to Islip. We got almost a mile of walking in. We were back in Patchogue Village on August 5th since we had just been in Sayville for the movies, and we walked around Sayville not too long before. We drove out to Patchogue from the Sayville Movie House and parked on Main Street near the Armed Forces Recruiting Center, and walked west along Main Street west to Railroad Avenue and then headed back to the car. We browsed at Sensationally Sweet candy shop (with Beanie Babies) but stopped at Latino Express bodega to buy some plantain chips and then got into the car to head back to Islip. We were back in Patchogue on August 11, 2018. First we visited the St. Joseph College campus again, but instead of going home, we headed to Ocean Avenue (the east/west divider) and into the village. I decided to park by the Patchogue Fire Department headquarters. I had been there in early 1990 for office training, even if I never became a line officer. Then I took photos of memorials to 3 department members killed on 9-11. Since Eileen wanted to have lunch, we walked down to Main Street and decided on Del Fuego Tex Mex (a branch of the one in Babylon). We each had a burrito and iced tea, and when we were done I paid the bill with my Amex card and then we headed to Sensationally Sweet. One reason we stopped here is that there is a nice collection of Beanie Babies that I know that Eileen does not have. When we went inside, she decided on Buddy, a dachshund. We then bought a small bag of M&M’s to have on the way home. Before going back to the parking lot, Eileen took a photo of me at Main & Ocean, where the east, west, north and south streets originate. We were back in Patchogue on October 13, 2018 to walk around and enjoy the Fall Festival. Like the last time, we parked at the Patchogue Fire Department and walked to Main Street for the street fair. We checked out several tables, including a health care one that gave us a free coffee cup, and a couple of others when we got candy, and one selling far products and where we bought a pumpkin. And like last time we went to have lunch at Del Fuego, but this time we shared a burrito. We stopped at Sensationally Sweet and Eileen got another Beanie Baby, a panda named Puck. Our first visit on 2019 was on February 2 when after lunch at the California Diner on Sunrise Highway, we drove to the fire department parking lot and then walked through New Village to Main Street and headed est. Our first stop was the JP Morgan Chase branch and the ATM. Then a bit further east to the post office before heading back westward with a stop at Sensationally Sweet for some Reese's M&M candy and a Beanie Baby (Donatello of the Ninja Turtles fame). Then we kept walking to the Cuban Restaurant and through New Village (posing for pix in the office lobby) before walking to the car to go home.
Lindenhurst
Lindenhurst is familiar to me thanks to the Long Island Railroad since I pass through it at least once a day on the Long Island Railroad, and twice a day if my morning train is re-routed through Freeport. I also have marched in parades there with the Islip Fire Department. But since we never have walked through the village, on June 10, 2018 we decided to check it out. After we got off of the Sunrise Highway we drove down Wellwood Avenue to the main part of downtown, near Gates Avenue, and parked there. Then Eileen and I walked up Wellwood Avenue, stopping to take pictures, and came upon a Polish festival at the Village Square at Wellwood and Hoffman Avenues. We enjoyed some polish cuisine, and took several photos of the festival, especially a Fiat car imported from Poland. We then walked up a little bit further up Wellwood Avenue and then headed back south, past the car and to Gates Avenue, where we took photos of the Lindenhurst House Museum and an historical marker. We got at least a mile of walking in before we drove home. We started 2019 by doing our first major walk in Lindenhurst. On January 6, we drove over to the village and parked on Wellwood Avenue across Chase Bank. We would have to stop there to visit the ATM, and then walked south past Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Since this was the Feast of the 3 Kings, I took photos of Eileen next to the Nativity set on the lawn (the 3 Kings statues were there). Then we kept walking down Wellwood Avenue to the Lindenhurst Memorial Library, to both check it out and get away from the wind chill Since we are from Islip, I asked the front desk if we can use the computers, and they said OK. We both had time to check out some of our favorite topics or to send e/mails to friends. Once we finished with the Internet, we walked back up Wellwood Avenue to the car to head back home. This walk was maybe a half mile altogether.
Norwood MA
The 3 of us got invited to a baby shower that took place on June 24, 2018 in Norwood MA. That is whee my nephew's wife comes from, and the family held it at the Olde Colonial Cafe next to the Norwood Town Hall. After the luncheon and the showing of the gifts, Eileen and I decided to go for a short walk around the town. We left the Cafe and headed down a main street called Nahatan Street, under the railroad overpass to Lenox Street and through a strip mall We then headed back to Nahatan Street up to VFW Square where we stopped to take pictures at a monument to the various armed forces before walking back to the cafe. This is the first walk that we took that is not on Long Island and from it we got about a mile in.
Amityville
For the 4th of July in 2018 we decided to walk through Amityville, the first community in Suffolk County on NY 27 (Sunrise Highway) and NY 27A (Montauk Highway/Merrick Road). We got there around 12:15 and parked at the Amityville firehouse, not long after their 4th of July parade ended. We then headed east to Broadway to Route 110, and then south to the fork and walked down Park Avenue to Wanser Place and back to Broadway before returning to the firehouse. Since it’s a major holiday, nothing was open, so we drove back to Islip and got a turkey burger wrap from the Long Island Beach Bowls Café that we shared at the Islip firehouse.
Apple Picking in Hopewell Junction
On September 29, 2018 Ellen, Eileen and I joined several of my cousins at Fishkill Farms in Dutchess County to pick apples in the orchards on the grounds. We had to leave the car at a makeshift parking lot, so that meant lots of walking for all of us. Since we visited several of the orchards, we got well over a mile of walking in.
Adelphi University Garden City
I have been interested in both Garden City and Adelphi University since my St. John's University days. I loved to drive through Garden City and when Ellen and I lived nearby in Oceanside, we often shopped there. On December 15th we drove to the Adelphi campus from Islip and even though I don't remember being on the campus since 1983, I had little trouble finding the place. Once we parked the car in a lot, we visited the student center and the bookstore: I got myself a t-shirt; Eileen got a stuffed mascot (panther). Then we walked around the campus to take in the Performing Arts Center, the sports field, Alumnae Hall, residential areas and their "Great Lawn". We enjoyed our visit and it brought back some great memories for me.
St. John's University - Jamaica
On December 20, 2018 after some errands Eileen and I went to visit St. John’s University Jamaica Campus. Once we parked in the south parking lot, we stopped in the St. Thomas Moore Church to make a quick visit and then went across the Quadrangle and past the Celtic Cross. I was planning to visit the food court in Marillac Terrace, when a lady coming out of the admissions office (what once was open space back then) told me that most of the vendors are closed since the University is closed, but Dunkin Donuts was open. So that is where we headed for a light lunch. Then we walked past Bent Hall and to the Carnesecca Arena/Alumni Hall. I wanted to go inside but it must be locked when there are no events, due to security purposes. Then there was a walk past the Taffner Field House and then into the D’Angelo Center. In the lobby there are the 5 core values posted on the wall so we took pictures of them. And since it’s Christmas time, they has a sculpture on huge Christmas balls by Lourdes Hall, and naturally we could not resist a photo op there. Then it was back to the book store where Eileen got a wildcat mascot, and I got an SJU Alumni sweatshirt (the store game me a 10% discount since I am an alumnus). Then we walked back to the car going past St. Johns Hall, and the statue of St. John (another photo op) and past the law school and then the car, to head home. We also took photos by the Celtic Cross, the Nativity scene, the book store, the Marillac Terrace food court, Alumni Hall, and across the street from Bent Hall as well as inside the Hall. Considering it was a weekday, the right home did not take that long. We were back at St. John's on January 12, 2019 to take part in a basketball pep rally at the field house. We enjoyed some BBQ and then played some games sponsored by some financial institutions. We did come home with some decent stuff. I even got to practice shooting some hoops at one of the courts. Eileen soon got a bit restless so we left and walked to the D'Angelo Center and then past Spirit Rock to the Quadrangle and St. Thomas More Church for a quick visit. We continued to walk around the Quadrangle to Newman Hall and then down to the parking lot to get into the car and drive home. We must have gotten a mile of walking in.
Port Jefferson
On December 22, 2018 we had some banking tasks to do, and when they were done, Eileen and I walked back to the firehouse and got into the car to head to Port Jefferson. We went up Route 111 to the end in Smithtown (from the southern terminus to the northern one in one trip) and then along NY 25A to the village. It’s a lot hillier on the North Shore than on the South Shore. Since parking is kind of scarce on the streets, I parked in the Port Jefferson FD parking lot, since I have the Islip FD sticker. Then we walked to the burrito place on Main Street that I had looked up – Salsa-Salsa. It’s counter service, and I ordered chips and a Machado burrito. Since it has scrambled eggs in it, Eileen did not eat that part but managed to eat everything else except the tomatoes. When lunch was over, we walked down towards to water and then to a shopping strip on Mill Creek Road and visited the Soap Box. I wanted to get something to literally put into the Christmas stocking on the piano, so we got a wrapped soap bar with a mini rubber duck. The we walked back up Main Street back to the firehouse and started to drive home. GPS told us to take NY 347, which we did. But with the poorly timed lights, we decided to get off at Nicholls Road and go south on that road to the Sunrise and home.
Smith Haven Mall
I needed some new rugby shirts and have always been fond of L.L. Bean products, and this mall happens to have a Bean store, and is quite large so we can get a nice walk in. On January 19, 2019 we drove up Old Nicholls Road to the mall and after I bought a nice striped and solid rugby shirt at L.L. Bean, we walked to the Wendy's at the food court for lunch. We also looked for the Yankees Clubhouse store which was here the last time I visited Smith Haven. But after we went through all of the arms (aisles) we learned it was not there. On the way out we went past Gadgets and Gizmos and Eileen was able to buy a nice Yankees dog mascot. Then we went back to the car to head home. This outing got us well over a half mile of walking in. We returned for another walk on April 6, 2019 after buying new sneakers at New Balance. While inside the main building we walked past the numerous stores and had lunch at the food court. But unlike the previous time, we did not buy anything at the Mall shops.
Deer Park Tanger Outlet Mall
On April 19th, 2019 I was off and watched Eileen. After a nice lunch at the Paradise Diner in Hauppauge, we headed to the Deer Park Tanger Outlet. We figured that here is a decent place to walk – it’s like a village, and there are stores to stick our noses in. The stores are laid out in walkways that are like streets. We actually stopped in Claire’s Boutique where Eileen got Ty Beanie #48 - a zipper pull striped cat named Piper. We did window shop at a store called It’s Sugar and walked past numerous outlet stores. After we got home and watched TV we decided to go for another walk, this time through Greenview Village to the Little Shop of Shamrocks where we bought an Irish candy bar and then walked back home - this time up Wingham Hauppauge Road to James Street and to our house.