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December 08, 1982 - Reflections on Another EraPage 18 The NevwS- Review. December 8,1983• . • ON �;.- .. pry SANTA IS .a GIVING AWAY $4,000 MAIN STREET IN ,RIVERHEAD! BETWEEN DEC. 5th AND DEC. 16th FROM 6:30 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M. SANTA WILL BE STROLLING ON MAIN STREET... GIVING GOODIES TO THE KIDS AND $4,000 WORTH OF STORE GIFT CERTIFICATES TO THE ADULTS. L, . ;. &PIrtol;1M F-111 THERE r WILL BE LOTS OF WINNERS! Santa's Workshop will be at the Carriage House behind East End Arts Building 3:30 - 5:30, Dec. 5th - Dec. 16th.. , SCAUP - -This painting of a female and male Lesser Scaup (front) and a male Greater Scaup was done by Raymond Donahue when a junior in .117 high school. SPONSORED BY THE MERCHANTS DIVISION OF THE RIVERHEAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Reflections on Another Era By PAUL STOUTENBURGH Another storm this weekend. This time out of the southeast. Again it gave me an opportunity to catch up on paper work and reading. Some time ago my wife and I bumped into an old school mate of hers. There were the usual greetings " followed by, "Where is he ?" and "What is she doing now ?" In the course of the conversation the name of her brother, who had drowned while ice skating, was brought up. Seems he had the same interests in the outdoors that I have and had kept notebooks of records showing what he and others had seen in the field. She kept these notebooks all these years in hopes that some day they would prove of interest to someone. Needless to say, I showed the interest in the old records and within a few weeks they arrived from the West End for me to look over. Sunday I finally had a chance to get into the books of this young boy, then a junior in Southold High School. All through life I'm sure many of us know examples of tragedy that have struck someone young and wiped out his hopes and dreams in one great swoop. Barbara remembers this young person as a genius and after looking over his meticulous notes and drawings I could well see why. Though my years in school were before his; I only wish that I had known him better for we surely would have gotten along well. For those who knew Roy Latham, the great naturalist of Orient, I liken this young man to him in his early years. There were probably some who never understood his ramblings in the fields, his long walks to see the old squaws in the bay or his lonely treks through the hot dunes in mid August along the Sound in hopes of seeing some new and exciting bird. Great Pond Favorite Spot Many of his notes refer to the great natural lake along the Sound in Southold called Great Pond. Today the county has acquired land on the East End where young people come by the hundreds each summer to spend a week and while there learn to appreciate the world around them. I'm sure some of the same bird species, the same flowers and the same trees that this young man saw back in the forties are still there today. He lived on one of the well known farms along the north road and because of its location near the pond that was one of his favorite spots. I'm sure he knew every nook and cranny along its shores. Here he'd flush the woodcock, the Wilson's snipe, or creep up on a pair of wood ducks feeding ftQgpD) @0t] EE-3QMTq along the edge and in his ramblings I'm sure he'd find the hidden nest of a black duck. He speaks of finding a killdeer nest in a strawberry patch, which reminds me of my younger years when I photographed one in a strawberry patch here in Cutchogue. Then in the potato fields in the farm in back of the house he speaks of finding a pheasant's nest with 11 eggs. Like all birders he looked forward to the days of May when the tiny warblers from the south would pass through in their gaudy colors. On the 8th of May he ran up a list of 58 species of birds, some seen for the first time. How excited he must have been. Speaking of new birds, last year a very good friend of mine found a field sparrow's nest in the dune area along the Sound in the general area that this young boy roamed. I was delighted, for in all my years I'd never found these birds nesting on the North Fork. Yet sure enough when I was taken to the spot off the bird flew from her neatly woven nest in a bush just a few feet off the ground. In reading I found this was nothing unusual to our young naturalist for he reported field sparrows nesting on June 4, 1943, in the same dune area. Common Terns on Island He speaks of common terns on an island at Cedar Beach, but doesn't mention least terns. Today we have least terns nesting there, but no common terns. The osprey that I usually count on arriving around the 21st of March each year, he showed a sighting as early as the 14th. All through his records and writings I can visualize this young excited naturalist in his pursuit of knowledge. How rare it is today to find young people so dedicated to the outdoors. Perhaps in those days there were not as many temptations and attractions to lure them away. Among the yellowed pages of the old two - ringed school notebook are some water colors he painted. They are good and quite true to life. His records only span two years before his life was cut short. But in those two years he crowded his life with the interests of the world ( continued on next page) December 8, f983 The News- Review Page 19 Focus... (continued from previous page) around him. Since I read his notes, I've spoken to some of the people who knew him well. "Yes, he was probably one of the brightest kids that ever went to Southold High." "Yes, he was a genius in his own sense." "What a shame his life was cut short before it truly blossomed." To those who knew him well he will always be held dear. To me, who never had the chance to know him, I ponder as I lay back in my chair with my eyes closed and imagine that I am with him on one of his field trips. We've walked up to the cliffs overlooking Hortons Point and from that high point we watch and marvel as the white - winged, the commons and surf scoters beat by us in long strings. A tattered notebook comes out of his pocket and the numbers and species are recorded. Then a bird flies by with its long neck outstretched, its whitish belly reflecting in the water's edge. It is large and has rapid wing beats. The common loon is recorded. Around the rocks below shelldrakes dive for food. He'll record these as red - breasted mergansers, the more scientific name. Both of us would be stimulated by the wonders around us. Forty years ago this January, Raymond Donahue was only a junior in high school when he drowned ice skating on his beloved Great Pond. It is said that in one of the open spots of water on the pond he saw an interesting duck that he wanted to identify and went closer. Ironically the constant search for knowledge had shortened his life that was just unfolding. The natural world we live in is sometimes difficult to understand. Computer Forum RIVERHEAD -- "Computers: What's All the Fuss About ?" is the title of a forum to be held by Aaron Patterson at the Riverhead Free Library Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. The forum is aimed at new computer owners and those who are considering computerizing. With an eye toward Riverhead Schools' new computer literacy requirement, the library is forming a users group to help in computer studies. For information, call 727 -3228. Tree Sale Underway RIVERHEAD - -St. Johns Parent Home - school Association will hold a Christmas tree and wreath sale at the corner of Roanoke Avenue and Northville Turn- pike from now until Christmas. The sale will be open every Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. �IIDDL� MAY srioP a,�5�9 MAIN RD. SOUTHOLD L.I. 516-765-162 �Jo4G�0 s V� Trsk IN NEW MENNEN=_ SPEAKERS FROM ADS. Digital recordings, quality pressings and Compact Discs have arrived. To get the most from them you need very good speakers. So ADS has taken its very good speakers and made them very much better. Seven brand new precision instruments for listening, whose excellence lies not just in new technology and materials but in the very high tolerances to which they are built. Tweeter magnet gaps, for example, are about twice as narrow as in ordinary tweeters New, long -voice coil woofers move air more precisely (and reduce distortion) in part because they are 'driven' throughout the length of their back - and -forth excursion. These refinements (and a host of others) do a lot of good things for sound reproduction. Mostly they make these seven new speakers even more accurate, even more musical. We invite you to stop by and hear why we're so enthusiastic about the new ADS speakers. CHAROSSOUND INC. 28 Cameron St., Just off Main St. Southampton, NY 283 -4428 STORE HOURS: 10 - 6 Daily Closed Sundays TAKE YOUR PICK, APPLES OR ORANGES THE BEATLES BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN THE WHO ROLLING STONES MOODY BLUES BILLY JOEL THE DOORS THE POLICE PINK FLOYD STEELY DAN MEN AT WORK SANTANA - AND MORE - 24 HOURS A DAY W. r �; u Jd V/ JUDY GARLAND GLENN MILLER PEGGY LEE NAT KING COLE ELLA FITZGERALD MEL TORME LES BROWN ARTIE SHAW PATTI PAG E FRANK SINATRA HARRY JAMES DINAH SHORE - AND MORE - SUNRISE TO SUNSET WUND 1570 AN Page 12A +4- v i `SANTA IS GIVING AWAY WOW $4.000 ON MAIN STREET IN %h&,RIVERHEADI./ The Suffolk Times )t w� n BETWEEN DEC. 5th AND DEC. 16th FROM 6:30 P.M. T08:OOP.M. SANTA WILL BE STROLLING ON MAIN STREET ... - °� GIVING GOODIES TO t THE KIDS AND $4,000 WORTH OF STORE GIFT CERTIFICATES TO THE ADULTS. THERE f WILL BE LOTS OF WINNERS! Santa's Workshop will be at the Carriage House behind East End Arts Building 3:30 - 5:30, Dec. 5th - Dec. 16th. ---- "A - l an SPONSORED BY THE MERCHANTS 61/ISION OF THE RIVERHEAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. December 8,1983 FYI Reflections on. Another Era By PAULSTOUTENBURGH Another storm this weekend. This time )ut of the southeast. Again it gave me an opportunity to catch up on paper work and reading. Some time ago my wife and I bumped into an old school mate of hers. There were the usual greetings followed by, "Where is he ?" and "What is she doing now ?" In the course of the conversation the name of her brother, who had drowned while ice skating, was brought up. Seems he had the same interests in the outdoors that have and had kept notebooks of records showing what he and others had seen in the field. She kept these notebooks all these years in hopes that some day they would prove of interest to someone. Needless to say, I showed the interest in the old records and within a few weeks they arrived from the West End for me to look over. Sunday I finally had a chance to get into the books of this young boy, then a junior in Southold High School. All through life I'm sure many of us know examples of tragedy that have struck someone young and wiped out his hopes and dreams in one great swoop. Barbara remembers this young person as a genius and after looking over his meticulous notes and drawings I could well see why. Though my years in school were before his; I only wish that I had known him better for we surely would have gotten along well. For those who knew Roy Latham, the great naturalist of Orient, I liken this young man to him in his early years. There were probably some who never understood his ramblings in the fields, his long walks to see the old squaws in the bay or his lonely treks through the hot dunes in mid August along the Sound in hopes of seeing some new and exciting bird. Great Pond Favorite Spot Many of his notes refer to the great natural lake along the Sound in Southold called Great Pond. Today the county has acquired land on the East End where young people come by the hundreds each summer to spend a week and while there learn to appreciate the world around them. I'm sure some of the same bird species, the same flowers and the same trees that this young man saw back in the forties are still there today. He lived on one of the well known farms along the north road and because of its location near the pond that was one of his favorite spots. I'm sure he knew every nook and cranny along its shores. Here he'd flush the woodcock, the Wilson's snipe, or creep up on a pair of wood ducks feeding along the edge and in his ramblings I'm sure he'd find the hidden nest of a black duck. He speaks of finding a killdeer nest in a strawberry patch, which reminds me of my younger years when I photographed one in a strawberry patch here in Cutchogue. Then in the potato fields in the farm in back of the house he speaks of finding a pheasant's nest with 11 eggs. Like all birders he looked forward to the days of May when the tiny warblers from the south would pass through in their gaudy colors. On the 8th of May he ran up a list of 58 species of birds, some seen for the first time. How excited he must have been. Speaking of new birds, last year a very good friend of mine found a field sparrow's nest in the dune area along the Sound in the general area that this young boy roamed. I was delighted, for in all my years I'd never found these birds nesting on the North Fork. Yet sure enough when I was taken to the spot off the bird flew from her neatly woven nest in a bush just a few feet off the ground. In reading I found this was nothing unusual to our young naturalist for he reported field sparrows nesting on June 4, 1943, in the same dune area. Common Terns on Island He speaks of common terns on an island at Cedar Beach, but doesn't mention least terns. Today we have least terns nesting there, but no common terns. The osprey that I usually count on arriving around the 21st of March each year, he showed a sighting as early as the 14th. All through his records and writings I can visualize this young excited naturalist in his pursuit of knowledge. How rare it is today to find young people so dedicated to the outdoors. Perhaps in those days there were not as many temptations and attractions to lure them away. Among the yellowed pages of the old two- ringed school notebook are some water colors he painted. They are good and quite true to life. His records only span two years before his life was cut short. But in those two years he crowded his life with the interests of the world (continued on page 14A) Page 14A The Suffolk Times December 8,1983 Let's Look Back . 75 Years Ago December 5, 1908 East Marion School Dedication: In the month of February, 1908, the voters of East Marion School District were called together to discuss changes in the school building. It was the unanimous decision of the voters that repairs should be made, but just what should be done was a difference of opinion. The trustees were instructed to have places and specifications drawn for a two story building but the Department of Education objected to a two - story, two apartment building. The trustee, Mr. Charles Gardiner, again called a special meeting and after due deliberation, plans were selected for an addition on the east side and the plans were approved. The building has just been completed and on Monday, November 30th, 1908, at 2 p.m. the building was dedicated. The exercises commenced promptly at 2 o'clock and occupied about 2 hours. The events of the day were the addresses by H. deW. de Groat, inspector of schools of the Department of Education; Commissioner Charles H. Howell of Riverhead; and Supervising Principal Seward S. Travis, of Greenport. Miss Velora Wightman also entertained with a reading which was appreciated very much. Church Notice: "What has Christ and the church to say concerning the liquor question ?" This will be the sermon theme at the Presbyterian Church Sunday morning. The pastor will answer this question from the moral standpoint. All men especially invited. The morning subject will be: "The Latent Resources of Christian Life." Both topics are extremely practical. A cordial invitation is extended to everybody. Sabbath School and Men's League at 12 o'clock. C.E. meeting at 6:30 p.m. 50 Years Ago December 8, 1933 Large Barn, Trucks Burned at Orient: The large school bus used to transport the pupils from the Orient School District to the Greenport High School, was among the motor equipment destroyed when the large barn on the farm of Edwin King, near Orient Point, burned to the ground early Monday morning, during a severe northeast gale. Fire apparatus from the Orient, East Marion and Greenport Fire Departments were rushed to the scene of the conflagration and due to the efficient work of the firemen, the fire was prevented from spreading to adjoining buildings. In their battle against the flames the firemen were aided by the fact that the gale was from the East instead of West, the flames and burning embers being blown away from the This Holiday Season, Start An IRA For Someone You Love. Just $25. Almost everyone agrees that Individual Retirement Accounts are a great idea. Afterall, they allow you to save up to $2000 tax -free dollars every year til retirement, plus accumulate high interest towards a retirement nestegg. In fact, the only problem with IRAs is that people never seem to get around to starting them. Well, this holiday season Southold Savings Bank is doing something about it. We're offering a special IRA Gift Plan that allows you to open an Individual Retirement Account for a friend or relative. All you need is $25 and their social security number and you can give a loved one or yourself a giant step towards future financial security. Call your nearest office of Southold Savings for further details. SouthoW S4mrirW BO-SIMU SUFFOI,K'S OLDEST SAVINGS BANK. OVER 300 MILLION DOLLARS IN ASSETS. SOUTHOLD, Main Rd., 765 -2800 PORT JEFFERSON STA., Old Town Rd. at Nesconset Hwy., 473 -7000. BOHEMIA, Sunrise Hwv at Svcamore Ave , 567 -6700 SOUTHAMPTON, 46 Windmill Lane, 283 -8300. Member F.D.I C. nearby buildings. It was nearly seven o'clock when neighbors discovered that the barn was on fire. The blaze started on the East side of the barn and fanned by the Easterly gale, the flames spread rapidly. The fire gained headway with such rapidity that, although the west side of the barn, one of the largest in Orient, was not on fire when the neighbors arrived, so intense was the heat and so dense was the smoke, that it was impossible to save the big bus. The entire contents of the barn including the forty - passenger International school bus, which was only a little over a year old, having been run but about 9,000 miles, a new dump truck, a Ford truck, tractor and other farm equipment including hay and grain, were destroyed. The origin of the fire is a mystery. About a week ago the barn was broken into and the three motor trucks and tractor were drained of gasoline. It is thought that perhaps a similar attempt to steal gasoline from the big bus resulted in a carelessly thrown match starting the blaze which destroyed the barn. The loss estimated at about $15,000, is partly covered by insurance. 25 Years Ago December 5, 1958 Baymen Protest Power Dredging for Scallops: Telegrams were sent last week by the Peconic Baymen's Association to Governor Harriman and Governor -elect Rockefeller protesting the proposed revision of the State Conservation Law that would permit the use of power boats in taking scallops in Peconic and Gardiners Bays. It is expected that the proposed legislation will be introduced in the Legislature in January unless it is abandoned. Petitions are or will be circulated among the baymen and sent to Suffolk's representatives in the State Legislature urging them to oppose the proposed amendment to the law. The proposed amendment would permit scallopers to use power boats during the months of January and February in the two bays. Focus, , ( continued from page 12A) around him. Since I read his notes, I've spoken to some of the people who knew him well. "Yes, he was probably one of the brightest kids that ever went to Southold High." "Yes, he was a genius in his own sense." "What a shame his life was cut short before it truly blossomed." To those who knew him well he will always be held dear. To me, who never had the chance to know him, I ponder as I lay back in my chair with my eyes closed and imagine that I am with him on one of his field trips. We've walked up to the cliffs overlooking Hortons Point and from that high point we watch and marvel as the white - winged, the commons and surf scoters beat by us in long strings. A tattered notebook comes out of his pocket and the numbers and species are recorded. Then a bird flies by with its long neck outstretched, its whitish belly reflecting in the water's edge. It is large and has rapid wing beats. The common loon is recorded. Around the rocks below shelldrakes dive for food. He'll record these as red - breasted mergansers, the more scientific name. Both of us would be stimulated by the wonders around us. Forty years ago this January, Raymond Donahue was only a junior in high school when he drowned ice skating on his beloved Great Pond. It is said that in one of the open spots of water on the pond he saw an interesting duck that he wanted to identify and went closer. Ironically the constant search for knowledge had shortened his life that was just unfolding. The natural world we live in is sometimes difficult to understand.