Amityville Community

Arts in the Park, Village of Amityville - May 16th

2009-05-14T14:20:00.004-04:00

presents

ARTS IN THE PARK
at
Nautical Park

Merrick Road & Ocean Avenue

Village of Amityville

Saturday, May 16, 2009, 10am-4pm
(Rain date Sunday, May 17th)

Local Artists - Affordable Original Art Work

Amityville Artists Circle P. O. Box 543 Amityville, N.Y. 11701-0543

Email: amityartists@aol.com Irene-(631)598-2182
Registered with N Y Charities and 501(c) tax exempt status

Living in Amityville, L.I. - NYTimes Article and Photo Series

2008-07-21T10:04:00.008-04:00

The Real Estate Section of the NYTimes (Sunday 7/20/08) includes a nice write-up on the Village of Amityville: Nothing Cookie-Cutter About It.

Here's an excerpt and a link to an accompanying photo series:

Unlike many South Shore communities, Amityville is free of a cookie-cutter quality. As part of the town of Babylon, between the Nassau County border and the [Hamlet] of Copiague, it is a potpourri of Victorians, colonials, Capes, cedar-sided contemporaries and small ranch homes built over generations.

“It wasn’t like a Levittown where you had a development,” Mr. [Mayor Peter] Imbert said. Lots vary in size but are ample, many 100-by-100 feet or more, with large setbacks and a thick canopy of trees.

PHOTO: The Amityville Beach Complex on the Southern end of Bayview Avenue on the Great South Bay is free and open to residents only. G. Paul Burnett/The New York Times

Living in Amityville, L.I.

The COAST - Paintings by Doug Zider at the Lauder Museum

2008-04-28T20:08:00.005-04:00

The Amityville Historical Society presents an exhibit of Doug Zider's latest work at the Lauder Museum on Sunday the 4th of May.

“The Coast” includes original oils (and limited edition giclee prints) of both contemporary and historical points of interest.

* The Titles *

The Way to Gilgo
The Inlet
Harbour Lights
The Gold Coast
The Silver Moon
The Explorer
Sand Island
Carolina Calm
The Rumrunners of Montauk
At River’s End
Kayaker
Round The Horn

Please support The Amityville Historical Society
and The Amityville Artists Circle.

Bellissimo Ristorante Italiano

2008-02-18T10:54:00.005-05:00

“…A Tuscan villa setting ‘west of Tuscany.’”

“The dish I’d go back for is the chicken scarpariello served on the bone, paired with chunks of homemade sausage and a white wine sauce loaded with sliced garlic. At meal’s end, a plate of crisply fried strips of pastry sprinkled with powdered sugar was presented- a farewell that left diners smiling.” ~Joanne Starkey, NY Times

Bellissimo Ristorante Italiano
330 Merrick Road
Amityville, New York 11701
631.598.2229

Amityville Artists Circle's Poetry Contest

2008-02-15T20:00:00.004-05:00

The Amityville Artists Circle (AAC) is sponsoring a poetry contest open to poets 18 and older. Proceeds benefit the Shirley Ilsley Malone Incentive Award of the AAC which is given each year to an Amityville High School graduating senior based on artistic talent.

There is an entry fee of $10.00 for members and $15.00 for non-members; limit of two poems per submission. The deadline is February 28, 2008. Click here for instructions and an entry form.

Benefit Concert for Wyandanch Church

2008-02-04T15:33:00.001-05:00

The Bob Morris Irish Band will perform a second benefit concert for Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church in Wyandanch on Wednesday, February 27, at the Nag's Head Ale House in Huntington.

A free-will offering will be received to help rebuild the outreach center, which serves 1,000 needy residents each month on a nonsectarian basis in a community which is more than 75% black and nearly 20% Hispanic. Both the outreach center and rectory were devastated by an arson attack a few weeks ago.

The band’s first benefit concert, on January 23, generated more than $10,000 from a standing-room-only crowd of more than 200. Fr. Bill Brisotti, pastor of the Wyandanch parish, has been lead banjoist with the Bob Morris Irish Band for many years.

For further information, contact Bob Walsh at rdw727@hotmail.com or 631-239-5162.

Nag’s Head
396 New York Avenue
Huntington Village, NY 11743
(631) 673-6247

Our Lady of Miraculous Medal
1434 Straight Path
Wyandanch, NY 11798
(631) 643-7568

2008-02-02T22:57:00.000-05:00

Yes, We Can.

Vittorio’s Restaurant and Wine Bar

2008-01-31T00:41:00.000-05:00

Vittorio's Restaurant and Wine Bar
184 Broadway (Rte 110)
Village of Amityville, NY
(631) 264-3333
www.vittorios.biz

Vittorio’s Restaurant and Wine Bar offers dining with a unique blend of American specialties and classic Italian dishes. Owner Michael Vittorio Esposito grew up working in his father’s pizzeria, located just across the street from Vittorio’s in Amityville Village, with dreams of one day starting his own restaurant.

On Valentine’s Day of 2002, Esposito fulfilled his lifelong dream. In the process of opening Vittorio’s, named in honor of his father, he also pioneered the facelift of the Broadway area. He returned a landmark 1880s building, once a pharmacy at the center of the community, to its former prominence. Today, Vittorio’s is an established member of Long Island’s fine dining community.

Executive Chef John Ringle, a Culinary Institute of America trained chef with over 20 years of experience, leads in the kitchen with an authentic Italian menu infused with international flavors.

Village Police Funding

2008-01-30T22:39:00.000-05:00

Suffolk County legislators Jay Schneiderman (R-Sag Harbor) and Ed Romaine (R-Riverhead) filed a lawsuit against the county last week on behalf of five villages - Southampton, East Hampton, Westhampton Beach, Amityville, Head of the Harbor and Asharoken - charging that they are not receiving their fair share of county sales tax revenue for their individual police departments.

Suffolk Life: Are E. End Villages Getting Shortchanged?

Roberta Paul's Teddy Bears for Children with Cancer

2008-01-30T13:34:00.001-05:00

Amityville woman brings comfort to sick kids with NASCAR Teddy Bears

Amityville Village resident Roberta Paul has managed to combine her passion for NASCAR with a promise to help make sick children's lives a little better. She's sewn and shipped dozens of Teddy Bears to a camp for children with cancer established by the family of the late Adam Petty, a NASCAR driver who was killed at a track in New Hampshire.

More

Video Policing?

2008-01-29T11:06:00.000-05:00

The Village of Lindenhurst has installed three surveillance cameras in its downtown area in hopes of deterring teenage vandals and graffiti artists. Three more cameras--purchased with your Town of Babylon tax dollars--are in the pipeline.

However, not everyone is happy with Lindy's new surveillance strategy. It's too "1984" for some.

"The village is keeping an eye on its citizens. The government is recording the private conduct of its citizens reading and having lunch in the Village Square. Seth Muraskin, executive director, Suffolk County chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union.

Should Amityville do like Lindy and install surveillance cameras? What do you think?

Newsday Article: Lindenhurst Village installs public video cameras

Massapequa

2008-01-25T23:24:00.001-05:00

Massapequa demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

Massapequa Park

2008-01-25T23:23:00.000-05:00

Massapequa Park demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

North Massapequa

2008-01-25T23:22:00.000-05:00

North Massapequa demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

South Farmingdale

2008-01-25T23:21:00.000-05:00

South Farmingdale demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

Farmingdale

2008-01-25T23:17:00.000-05:00

Farmingdale demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

East Farmingdale

2008-01-25T23:16:00.000-05:00

East Farmingdale demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

North Babylon

2008-01-25T23:07:00.000-05:00

North Babylon demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

Wyandanch

2008-01-25T23:06:00.000-05:00

Wyandanch demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

North Lindenhurst

2008-01-25T23:05:00.000-05:00

North Lindenhurst demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

West Babylon

2008-01-25T23:03:00.000-05:00

West Babylon demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

Babylon Village

2008-01-25T23:02:00.000-05:00

Babylon demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

Lindenhurst Village

2008-01-25T22:54:00.000-05:00

Lindenhurst demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

East Massapequa

2008-01-25T22:52:00.000-05:00

East Massapequa demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

Copiague

2008-01-25T22:50:00.000-05:00

Copiague demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

Amityville Village

2008-01-25T22:46:00.000-05:00

Amityville demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

North Amityville

2008-01-25T22:43:00.000-05:00

North Amityville demographics as per CityTownInfo.com.

Robert Phillips, Classical Guitarist

2008-01-25T19:40:00.000-05:00

Robert Phillips

Mike James, NBA Star & Philanthropist

2008-01-25T19:28:00.001-05:00

Mike James

Chronological History of Amityville

2008-01-24T14:13:00.000-05:00

The following is a chronological history of Amityville by Village Historian William T. Lauder and the Amityville Historical Society:

1653 Huntington settlers traveled to the south shore for salt hay

1658 1st deed to Amityville south of Merrick Road obtained from Chief Wyandance

1664 King Charles II gave our area to his brother, James, Duke of York

1692 Further deeds obtained by Ketcham, Platt, Chichester and Conklin

1776 General Washington lost battle of Long Island, and we fell under British military rule with foraging parties and hunts for deserters covering the area

1784 First Methodist Church organized and opened on Kings Highway/Merrick Rd.

1790 President George Washington visited and had dinner at Zebulon Ketcham's.

1812 During the war, our school district No. 23 was created

1816 First Public School building erected in Village, on Merrick Road

1836 There were 75 homes, two general stores, two mills, a blacksmith, one shoe shop, a stage stop, tavern, school, a church, and 117 school age children

1840 Our area was called Huntington West Neck South or West Neck South, and the Post Office was at Carmen's Lane and Main Street (Merrick Road)

1846 Name changed to Amityville after a noisy public meeting

1850 A Post Office designated Amityville opened NE corner, Main and Broadway

1854 A new school house was built on west side of Broadway, north of Wanser Pl.

1856 Col. Richard J. Cornelius, former School Board Clerk and Town Assessor, was our NY State Assemblyman, one of two from Suffolk County

1860 Our population reached 1000

1861 Company E of the 127th Infantry Regiment recruited here for war

1867 The South Side Railway (LIRR) began operations in Amityville

1869 Simpson Methodist Church established on North Broadway

1872 We become part of the new Town of Babylon formed out of Huntington; a new school built on Park Avenue, and District 23, became number 6

1881 John Louden opened the L. I. Home for Nervous Invalids

1884 Amityville experienced an earthquake which cracked building walls

1886 St. Mary's Episcopal Parish established; Louden Hall opened

1886 First real Fire House was built; now located on north side of Ireland Place

1887 Brunswick Home, later Hospital, opened

1888 First woman ran for school board: Phoebe E. Ketcham received one vote.

1889 The newspaper, Dispatch, published; The Chronical also circulated 1890; the Jewish community commenced organized worship

1891 The Bank of Amityville opened as the first bank in the Town of Babylon

1892 Ireland Place and Greene Avenue opened; The Triangle Building and The Lyceum built; Albertson's Drug Store opened

1893 New Point Hotel built; seven students graduated from grammar school; population, 1800; air temperature fell to one degree above zero

1894 Village incorporated [March 3rd]; Charles Wood, first President (Mayor); new red brick school house built on Park Avenue; diphtheria epidemic

1895 New school opened and integrated; free books furnished the following year.

1897 St. Martin's Catholic Church opened

1897 New York State's first Social Club, The Amityville Club founded

1898 First High School class graduated; lightning struck school bell tower; Teddy Roosevelt visited

1900 Unqua Corinthian Yacht Club opened on land donated by J. E. Ireland

1904 Henry deLanguillette, founder and owner of Dispatch, sold newspaper to Charles F. Delano, who renamed it the Record and owned it until he died

1906 Tramp Steamer Bodo, known as the Banana Boat, ran aground off Amityville

1907 First National Bank & Trust Co. opened; extension to school approved; William Skinner elected first president of Library Board

1908 School bell tower hit again by lightning and caught fire; Steamship Roda ran aground off Amityville

1909 Bank of Amityville opened new building, now Lauder Museum; trolley to Halesite opened with Assemblyman Al Smith, guest speaker

1910 Hathaway Inn and Hotel opened on the bay

1911 Amityville Sun, later the Long Island Sun, founded by Paul Bailey

1914 First kindergarten class began; there was a shortage of coal due to war

1916 Lawrence Sperry launched first unmanned guided missile from Amityville; School bell tower torn down, Ireland Mill closed down

1917 US at war, and 171 joined up; school extension finally completed

1919 Prohibition; local bayman became Rum Runners; Al Capone summered here.

1920 Children first bussed to school; Clock at Triangle dedicated to World War I vets

1923 New High School (Park South) built and dedicated in 1924

1924 New Village Hall, Fire House & Police Station built at 16 Greene Avenue

1925 Electric trains came to Amityville

1927 New Library building built on west side of Broadway, opposite Avon Place

1929 First National Bank moved to new building, corner of Greene and Broadway.

1930 St. Paul's Lutheran Church opened

1930 School completed condemnation and removal of old cemetery on Park Ave.

1932 Sunrise Highway extended through Amityville, Park Central School built.

1938 A hurricane hit Amityville causing extensive damage

1940 Village Beach opened on land formerly of Alfred G. Vanderbilt estate; population, 5058 in Village and 24,297 in Town

1941 Pearl Harbor and US at war; 650+ from Amityville area in military service.

1950 Memorial High School built on Merrick Road

1955 Oak Street extended west; Eisenhower, President; Korean War ended

1959 Broadway widened through Village, wiping out most of the east-side businesses.

1960s Bank takeovers and failures; Columbia Savings Bank opened

1962 Middle School built; later named in memory of teacher, Edmund Miles

1968 President Richard M. Nixon and Governor Nelson Rockefeller visited.

1969 Village 75 years old; Amityville Historical Society formed

1971 New Library built on Oak Street; Mount Clear Baptist Church opened

1972 Lauder Museum opened by Amityville Historical Society

1973 LIRR tracks elevated over Broadway; business district refurbished

1977 New fire house built on Oak Street, west of John Street

1978 16 Greene Avenue Police Headquarters refurbished with separate courtroom

1986 Amityville Theater closed and converted into office space

1988 Gazebo installed at Triangle; clock rededicated to all military veterans

1994 Triangle designated Memorial Triangle to all who have served the Village; Clock rededicated to D-Day 1944; time capsule buried at school; Municipal Building renamed William J. Kay Memorial Building; a year-long celebration of 100th anniversary of incorporation of Village

Frederick Ruther's Amityville - 1909

2008-01-24T14:07:00.000-05:00

Amityville, Photos from "Long Island To-day" by Frederick Ruther, 1909

Amityville: Al Capone Was in the Lineup

2008-01-24T13:44:00.000-05:00

Amityville: Al Capone Was in the Lineup

Amityville beginnings: When the Carmans family built their mill at Carmans Lane around 1700, the area was known as Huntington West Neck South. Salt hay sprouting from the region's marshy wetlands and harvested for animal feed was the big draw for settlers who carved up the one-time Indian tribal land into small farms.

From its beginnings, Amityville was a commercial center. The earliest mills, such as Ireland's mill, which operated until 1915, soon expanded into other ventures. The Irelands, another founding family, opted for a tavern and bakery. Carman's was a general store and post office for a time. Even as late as the turn of the century, neighbors from Massapequa and Copiague came to Amityville to do their shopping.

Turning Point: Like other South Shore communities in the early 1900s, Amityville evolved into a swinging summer playground, where the rich and famous built homes, rented cottages or relaxed in several seaside hotels. Annie Oakley of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show often visited the homes of Fred Stone, a popular vaudevillian, on Clocks Boulevard and comedian and satirist Will Rogers, who rented across the street. There was also the infamous gangster Al Capone, whose tenure in Amityville was marked by nothing more sensational than an occasional vacation baseball game on his lawn.

Washington Ate Here: On his historic post-revolutionary trip across Long Island in 1790, the first president dined at the East Amityville home of Zebulon Ketcham, whose home had recently been an inn and a tavern. In his diary Washington recalled Capt. Ketcham's home as being a ``very neat and decent one.''

How It Got Its Name: Tired of the cumbersome name of Huntington West Neck South, residents met in 1846 to decide on a name for the post office. According to one version, the meeting soon turned into bedlam, causing one participant to exclaim, ``What this meeting needs is some amity.'' Another version has Samuel Ireland, the prominent mill owner and largest landowner in town, standing up and declaring that they should name the village after his boat. Its name was Amity.

Where to Find More: ``Amityville History Revisited,'' by William T. Lauder, at the Amityville Historical Society

Kevin R. Kregel, Astronaut

2008-01-24T13:12:00.000-05:00

Colonel Kevin R. Kregel