BBP Heritage Association

All of us at the BBPHA wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year! We had a busy, productive year and managed to accomplish a great deal to support our mission of preserving the rich history of our wonderful hamlets. Of course we could not do any of this without the support of our community; both families, friends and local businesses!

We thank all of you who came out to celebrate Christmas at Meadow Croft, held the first weekend of December. It was a very successful event, even though the weather on Saturday was raining. There are so many people to thank for their help and support. See below for the many individuals and groups who helped make this weekend a great success. Thank you!! We thank you all for a wonderful 2022 and we look forward to new adventures in 2023!

Christmas at Meadow Croft is a labor of love and takes months of planning and organization. Special thanks go to our chairperson Leanne Berg who once again created a wonderful festive experience for our friends and neighbors. Thank you!

A note from Leanne: I personally would like to thank everyone who stepped in, under the direction of Mary Bailey, who pulled it all together in my illness and absence. I'm honored to work with such amazing people! I apologize if I forgot a name or two, so many people come together to make it all happen. Thank you!

Thank you to the Suffolk County Parks Department for leveling the driveway and clearing the leaves from the property for this event. Your support is much appreciated!

Many volunteers give selflessly of their time and talents to clean & decorate Meadow Croft for this event. Many thanks go to Rose Colan, Lucy Olivia, Stacey Balsam, Jeanne Fischer, Linda Villano, Brenda Kershenhiem, Angela Stelling, Bayport Homemakers, Sayville Garden Club, Karl Auwaerter of Bayport Flower Houses, and Erich Haesche. Also to our favorite wood carver, Joe Novak.

Thank you to those generous businesses who donated items for our raffles. Doug Cibuls from Lake Liquor who donated an engraved champagne bottle with a gift card. Thank you to Mademoiselle's Patisserie who donated a $20.00 gift card. The lucky winner of that BIG BEER basket can thank Lenore Preziosi & her husband Mike. Thank you to attorney Annette Lanteri who donated a Will Preparation gift card worth $1500.00, and of course the generous Auwaerter Family from Bayport Flower Houses.

With so many visitors and only one driveway for both entrance and exit, we needed a dedicated parking crew to help everyone get in and out safely. Thanks to the men who weathered the weekend outside as directed by John Amato: Dennis Fagan, Charlie Colan, Charlie Iden, David Ort, Craig Clare, Stephan Jones, Dave Harenberg and the local Boy Scout Troop.

Volunteers are needed to act as docents or man each of the many rooms in the Roosevelt estate for this event. Special thanks go to: Jerry McCluskey, Mary Lou Cohalan, Beth LaMarca, Mary Bailey, Baylee Browning-Atkinson, Denise Corsica, Jen Economos, Anna Dugan, Frank Giebfried, Laura Amato, Sandra Iden, Lynn Clarke, Erich Haesche, Joe Novak, Lenore Ringer Prezioso, Linda Loker, Sean McCluskey, Aileen McCluskey, Angel Johnson, & Kathy Young.

A a BIG thanks to Steve Birkeland who takes all the photographs in the carriage house with St. Nicholas. Speaking of St. Nicholas, thank you to Tom Maher Jr. for dressing up and posing for all of those pictures. Also to Katie Maher & John Maher for acting as Santa's helpers. And a BIG shout out to Lenore Ringer Prezioso from M & T Bank for not only helping serve but donating the hot cocoa and cookies to our guests in the carriage house. Thank you to Jennifer Economos for the many culinary delights she prepared for our special Saturday Night event. Delish!

The Roosevelt estate really had the Christmas spirit floating through the air and that is in part due to the many musicians who donate their time and talents to play holiday music on the Roosevelt piano during the weekend. Many thanks goes to: John Hodge, Bill Bailey, Mary Latini, Maurice Kemp, Sophia Bertsch and Serena & Grace Buono. It was amazing!

Thank you to those who donated so many items to our raffle baskets and the many "elves" who helped in wrapping and organizing all of the items. MUCH APPRECIATED!

Unraveling Yarns About The First Ladies

The BBPHA will host its next general membership meeting on February 19, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 at the BBP Library. Debra Scala Giokas, a local resident and recent presenter at the Herbert Hoover Library celebrates the needle work of 18 first ladies including Edith and Eleanor Roosevelt. Inspirational stories will give a glimpse into the minds and hearts of these historic women and an appreciation of craft, creativity, patience, perseverance, sacrifice and service.

All are welcome! Light refreshments are served.

As of January 1, 2023, our treasurer, John Amato, will be stepping down from his duties. John has served on the Heritage's board for many years. While he will still be involved in many of the events and activities the Heritage Association is involved with, John will be spending more time at the Maritime Museum where he is the Crew Coordinator and one of the Captains of the Priscilla, the 1888 Oyster Sloop.

John's replacement will be Craig Clare, a Bayport resident who was a financial advisor prior to his retirement. John and Craig have been working together to assure a smooth transition for this important position. We wish Craig a heartfelt WELCOME and wish him the best of luck in his new position. We also thank John for his many years of service and can be comforted by the fact: The bills are paid and we are solvent!

The nominating committee is developing a slate of members for the 2023 board. There are open seats; including directors. Any current paid BBPHA member may serve on the board. It requires only one meeting per month. If you would be willing to serve for the 2023 year, please contact us at bbphistorical@gmail.com

We are also looking for members to serve on various committees throughout the year. You can work from home! If you have a particular skill or interest (house tour, special events, light clerical and organization) please contact us at BBPhistorical@gmail.com.

These articles were first printed in the Bayport Blue-Point Gazette and were written by Gene Horton. They are reprinted here with permission.

January 2004

"Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow..."

The building in the background of this old Blue Point winter photo is today's "Firehouse Deli." In the 1930's, when this snapshot was taken, that same building housed "Rocky Moore's General Store." In this photo, a car is practically buried in snow on the driveway that runs alongside the store. The driveway is still there but the old barn, seen behind the store, is gone today. Somehow, winters seemed to be harsher in the days gone-by, at least according to many old-timers, and, who knows, maybe they were!

A Happy Healthy New Year to all!

Email: bbphistorical@gmail.com
Website: www.BayportBluePointHeritage.org
Location: Meadow Croft Estate, Middle Road, Sayville, NY, USA
Phone: 631-472-4625
Facebook: facebook.com/BayportBluePointHeritageAssociation
Twitter: @BayportHistory