Loading...
May 28, 1992 - A Natural Paradise Just off the LIE4A • The Suffolk Timos 4 May '28,' 1992 A Natural Paradise Just off the LIE By Paul Stoutenburgh It is surprising how a monotonous trip back from the city can be changed into a delightful bypass if you take the oppor- tunity and try something different. We were never too excited about trav- Focus eling along the Expressway with on Nature its whizzing traffic and hodgepodge of commercialized bric- a -brac you find the farther west you go. Then we hit on the idea of taking along a talking -book tape, which changes the whole complex- ion of the trip. We'd picked up a tape at our local library, "Sage of a Wayward Sailor," and it made all the difference in the world on the trip in and partially out. The problem is, it ended before we had completed our trip and so we looked for another diversion. Heckscher State Park filled that void as we found ourselves at the end of Southern State Parkway in one of the largest state parks on Long Island. We couldn't believe the size of it and its seaside playground — for playground it turned out to be. There were huge parking lots everywhere, beau- tiful protected bathing beaches with bath- rooms, boat ramps, boat trailer parking, picnic areas under the trees and even a campground in a nice shaded area that we checked over. `Here was Throughout the park the grounds what Long were well kept Island once and mowed with deep woods all looked about. There was like.' even a beach with no swimming for those who just wanted to lounge in the sun and enjoy the southwest breeze off this extreme end of Great South Bay. Laughing Gulls Overhead At the campground there is a registra- tion fee of $1.50 and then the cost of stay- ing overnight of $11. We'd put this place on our list of stopovers in the future. We were amazed to see the number of Laugh- ing Gulls flying about with their black heads. We're seeing more and more of these southern gulls in our local waters and they've already started to nest in the western part of our island. I wonder when the first will be sighted nesting on our off- shore islands of Gardiners and Plum. Not far from here was the Bayard Cut- ting Arboretum, a place where you can walk and see trees from all over the world along with gardens and trails for you to explore. We had hoped to stop in here but took the wrong exit and found ourselves being swept eastward along the Sunrise Highway with its bustling traffic. No mat- ter, we'd pass up the arboretum for anoth- er time and stop at Connetquot River State Park Preserve. I'd been here years ago and knew it to be one of Long Island's out- standing natural areas and always wanted to stop in again. So, here within a short distance of Heckscher State Park, was this Diabetes and You RIVERHEAD —Local internist Dr. Michael Perlmutter will give a talk entitled, "Diabetes and You From the Doctor's Viewpoint," at Centtal Suffolk Hospital on Wednesday, June 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. in meeting room A. Call Edna Sinnott at 548 -6455 for more information. Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh CONNETQUOT RIVER STATE PARK PRESERVE —It's hard to believe you are on Long Island when you see trout fishermen along a sparkling, clear river. A jewel among the thorns of our western hodgepodge. freshwater estuary waiting to be explored. Originally this 3,400 -acre preserve was called the South Side Sportsmen's Club of Long Island and hosted a distinguished group of "good fellows" and guests. Incorporated in 1866, the club was dedi- cated to maintaining the lands and waters for the protection and propagation of game birds, fish and animals. One of the main buildings on the property includes Snedecors, a stagecoach stop on the Old South Country Road that dates back to the early 1800s. A grist mill on the preserve dates back to around 1700 when William Nicoll built it and owned the area we now call Islip. The buildings of the preserve are fas- cinating but what really lured the likes of me was the natural diversity that hasn't changed that much since those early days of the Sportsmen's Club. Imagine if you can a freshwater river some 30 to 50 feet wide, crystal clear with waving green plants swirling in the swift running water banked by lush green lowlands. Huge trees hang over and along its mossy banks. Here and there working his fly rod would be a fisherman, seemingly just out of Abercrombie and Fitch with his tackle box and net, plying his trade in the sparkling waters that flowed southward to the bay. Along this unbelievable river we'd see almost hidden numbers designat- ing fishing spots that had been assigned through a first -come, first- served basis. There were 32 in all. Warbler Country We walked in the warm sun and drank in the bursting greenery about us. Thrush- es sang their never- to -be- forgotten soft songs in the bushes nearby. We walked with hushed footsteps in a pine needle path along the water's edge. This was their area. A Black- and -white Warbler told us it was May, the time to see these UllmVlm UAAL Q.,AL 78 Years Ago May 30, 1914 LIRR Adjusts Wages: After conferences between General Manager McCrea of the Long Island Rail Road and a committee of railroad conductors, general settlement was made with the employees on all the eastern trunk lines. On both steam and electric lines conductors will be paid $4.50 per day, 45 cents per hour overtime and 2 9/10 cents per mile of runs. The mileage for one day shall be 122 miles on steam and 132 miles on electric. Greenport and Orient Win: The spectators got their money's worth when it came to hits at the Greenport- Shelter Island baseball game at the Island last Saturday. Greenport got 20 hits and Shelter Island got 12. At the end of the fifth inning, the score was 13 to 2 in Greenpon's favor, so the Greenport team let up a bit with the result that Shelter Island got a few more runs over the plate. Orient won over Riverhead, 7 to 1. It was a better game than the score would indicate. 50 Years Ago May 28, 1942 Airport Approved: At the meeting of the County Board of Supervisors at Riverhead on Monday, steps were taken to acquire land for a huge airport in the county. This warbler bits of color as they pass through our island on their incredible migration northward. Later we'd see the Blackbur- nian Warbler along with the Common Yellowthroat that will probably nest right in that area. Bluebird boxes were sprin- kled along the trail. Here is one place you can usually see this wonder bird — the official bird of New York State. The fid- dler heads of cinnamon ferns were just unfolding and within a few weeks would be growing to their three- and four -foot heights giving the area an almost tropical look. A little above the wet spots was the delicate wood anemone blossoming, its last white flowers telling us that spring was turning to summer. At the water's edge were yellow and blue violets seem- ingly with their feet in the water below. Here was what Long Island once looked like. In my mind I had to con- gratulate those who had kept this jewel so well preserved among the thorns of the outside world. Perhaps the need to obtain a permit by writing in before you enter has something to do with it or perhaps this type of place only attracts a certain kind of person. Whatever it is, Con - netquot River State Park Preserve proba- bly ranks at the top of Long Island's many natural areas. The philosophy here is so different from the average public area. There are no trash pails for the rule is what you bring in you take out. It must work for we saw no litter. Thousands of Trout Even the fish hatchery that hosts many school groups and visitors was well kept. We were fascinated here to see thousands of young trout being reared to a size large enough to be released in the river that flows through the preserve. Few places can equal the charm and uniqueness of Connetquot particularly when you con- sider where it's located. No sooner do you leave the entrance than you are caught up in a multitude of whirling traf- fic zooming by its doors and again the hodgepodge of commercialism that lines the Sunrise Highway. You must see it to believe it but remember you must obtain a permit before you can go in. It's not a place where you can just drive in and walk around. project is of vital importance not only as a contribution to the country's war effort in the defense of New York City and Long Island, but after the war Suffolk County will have a modern airport. The new airport will be located on the Quogue plains south of Riverhead. The 1,001 -acre site will be made available for immediate military use and eventual- ly for commercial aviation. 25 Years Ago June 2, 1967 Cartoons by Capt. Lawson: The Suffolk Weekly Times during the boating season is featuring "Boating Safe- ty Tips" by Capt. Fred E. Lawton, the author of Capt. Fred's Log. Capt. Lawton is a former resident of the Village of Greenport. He served as professional sailing master of the America's Cup championship yacht Columbia in 1958. He will be pleased to answer any seamanship or navigation questions readers may ask. 'For the Hostess' by Joan Crawford: Some- one once said, "Wine is a bride who brings a great dowry to the man who woos her persistently and gently." It's certain- ly been my experience that wine can make a good meal bet- ter and a better one superb. One problem is how to accom- modate the non - drinker. Be a considerate hostess and have substitutes. I always have a chilled pitcher of Pepsi -Cola and another of ice water.