Longwood Alliance

“Just Sixties” to Headline Third Final Free Concert & America 250 Event on Saturday, August 22nd at MIFD

admin — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:31:15 +0000

Get out your best tie dye tees and love beads for our final summer concert at the MIFD HQ picnic area on Saturday, August 22. Gates will open at 4:30 pm for some America 250 events and giveaways, and then Just Sixties will take the stage from 6-8pm. Learn about the Battle of LI in 1776 and Benjamin Tallmadge’s raid on the Manor St George in Mastic and Coram hay burning in 1780. Then enjoy the music of the longest running Sixties tribute band in the United States! Bring your friends, family, neighbors, lawn chairs and dancing shoes. Sponsored by SC Legislator Chad Lennon and staff via the SC Omnibus grant program, the Longwood Alliance and our hosts, the Middle Island Fire Department!

Second Summer Concert Features Declaration Reading & The Police Cover Band Synchronicity

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 18:09:43 +0000

Our second free community concert of the summer was held at MIFD on Saturday, July 11th and featured some wonderful America250 events and the music of The Police/Sting cover band Synchronicity. Attendees heard young Patriot Fynn Grills read aloud the Declaration of Independence, voted for their favorite signer and had the opportunity to sign a copy of the Declaration– if they dared. And many did!

Callyn Gropper hung the historic flags, Fynn led the crowd in the Pledge, Quentin Palifka sang the National Anthem and Gail Lynch-Bailey introduced the band, who played The Police & Sting’s greatest hits for two hours nonstop! Maria Cordaro’s team from Surge/Quantum provided popcorn and giveaways and Middle Island Civic the red, white and blue momentos and pocket Declaration/Constitutions.

The weather was perfect on this evening made possible via the Suffolk County Omnibus Grant Program. Many thanks to our co sponsors SC Legislator Chad Lennon and staff, and our wonderful hosts the Middle Island Fire Department and District. Mark your calendars for our final concert coming up on Saturday, August 22nd.

Free “Synchronicity” Community Concert & America 250 Events this Saturday!

admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:16:34 +0000

Middle Island’s second free community concert, this time featuring The Police/Sting cover band Synchronicity, is set for this Saturday, July 11th at the MIFD HQ rear picnic area.

Special America 250 pre-concert events: hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud by young Patriot Fynn Grills, decide: are you a Patriot or Loyalist, vote for your favorite of the 56 original Declaration signers, and then add your signature to theirs — IF YOU DARE!

Gates open at 4:30pm, concert from 6-8pm. Bring your lawn chair, family, friends and neighbors. Complimentary popcorn and giveaways from Surge/Quantum Rehabilitation; pocket size Declaration/US Constitutions and red, white & blue goodies from Middle Island Civic.

This event made possible via the SC Omnibus Grant program, sponsored by SC Legislator Chad Lennon, The Longwood Alliance and our wonderful hosts, the Middle Island Fire Department & District.

Betsy Ross, Eagle River Band Rock Flag Day Eve Concert at MIFD

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:40:14 +0000

Perfect weather greeted the more than 100 concert goers on Saturday, June 13 at the MIFD HQ rear picnic area. Attendees got to meet Betsy Ross, vote on “Which Flag was First?” and “Chose Your Iconic Flag Moment” before enjoying the music of the Eagle River Band. Guitarist Paul Graf treated listeners to a George Cohan medley of “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “Over There” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy” before the band joined him in “God Bless the USA.” Then The Eagles and Don Henley songbooks were beautifully covered. Betsy Ross’ five-cornered star flag easily beat John Hulbert’s six-cornered star flag, 16-3, for First Flag. And ‘The Raising of the Flag at Ground Zero’ was chosen as most iconic flag moment, over the ‘Flag at Iwo Jima,’ which took second and ‘Moon Landing Flag’ which placed third. Many thanks to Legislator Chad Lennon and the SC Omnibus Grant program and our wonderful hosts, the Middle Island Fire Department and District.

Free America 250 Concerts at MIFD Start June 13th!

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 19:14:11 +0000

Save these dates: Come celebrate America 250 with us and hear some great music –for FREE!

Each show will be preceded by semiquincentennial events; all are at the MIFD HQ on RT25 at 31 Arnold Dr in Middle Island, gates open at 4:30pm, concerts are from 6-8pm, and admission is free!

Sat, June 13th: The Eagle River Band – Celebrate Old Glory on Flag Day Eve! Meet Betsy Ross – Walk the Avenue of Flags

Sat, July 11: Synchronicity ( The Police & Sting) – Loyalist or Patriot? Hear the Declaration of Independence & Sign – If You Dare!

Sat, August 22: Just Sixties – Show Your Rebel Spirit – Wear Your Best Tie Dyes – Learn About the British Occupation of LI & Benjamin Tallmadge’s Daring 1780 Raid!

These concerts made possible by the SC Omnibus Grant Program. Many thanks to SC Legislator Chad Lennon and our hosts the Middle Island Fire Department.

Rain Ends in Time for Memorial Day Ceremony at Bartlett

admin — Fri, 29 May 2026 18:45:35 +0000

A very rainy Memorial Day weekend ended on a high note as showers ended and the sun almost peeked though the clouds at Bartlett Pond Park on Monday, May 25 at 11am. Organizers of the 18th Annual Longwood Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony had thought an abbreviated session might be needed, but the full program was conducted with the exception of participation by the local Scout troops and the LHS Choralions. These youth groups were asked to stay home when the forecast called for possible thunder — safety first, always. Smaller flags and pre-recorded music stood in for the young people, who will be welcomed back next year with open arms.

Thanks to the sound truck manned by Matt Gropper, the ceremony featured remarks by US Congressman Nick LaLota, SC Legislators Nick Caracappa and Chad Lennon’s rep Quentin Palifka, Brookhaven Councilman Mike Loquercio and crowd favorite Marine Veteran Stewart “Gunny” Rubin. The Presidential Proclamation was read by MI Civic VP Rich Kollar. Kevin Mann, Jim Dowling and Tom Bove read the Peace Prayer, Opening Prayer and Closing Prayer respectively. BOE VP Dan Tomaszewski, Yaphank FD Chief Don Schaaf, Coram FD Commissioner Van Johnson and MICA President Gail Lynch-Bailey paid tribute to recently passed leaders, Veterans and volunteers including Bill Miller, Maureen Silvestri, Patti Butler, Ron Hoffman, Deacon Monte Naylor, John and JoAnn Hoeffner and Paul Spillett. Frank Bailey read aloud the Names of the Fallen and Lydia Fusco rang the MIFD bell after each of the 25 names– these names are marked with a star on the Longwood Veterans memorials.

Wreaths were placed at all eight stones by members of the Middle Island, Coram and Yaphank FDs, many of whom had honored their own departmental departed earlier over the weekend. As is our tradition, all Veterans, active military and family reps were invited to come forward, share their service and receive deserved thanks from the crowd. This year in particular a number of regular attendees came forward for the first time to say the names of their departed Veteran family members. The somber, sweet and essential ceremony ended with God Bless America. Many thanks to all who made this happen and to everyone who didn’t let a little rain keep them home.

Successful Plant-In at Bartlett & Artist Lake in Time for Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25th, 11am at BPP

admin — Sat, 23 May 2026 21:07:41 +0000

Many thanks to the Town of Brookhaven Parks Department and our MI Civic planting group for the red, white and blue flowers at Bartlett Pond Park and Artist Lake. Kathy Stuck, Judy Cumiskey, Lydia Fusco and Gail Lynch-Bailey got all 18 pots planted on Friday! Check things out at our 18^th Annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony on Monday, 11am at Bartlett Pond Park.

Pearl Harbor Day Remembered in Middle Island

admin — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 23:58:51 +0000

Many thanks to all who attended our 13th annual Pearl Harbor Day Patriotic Tree Lighting Ceremony at Bartlett Pond Park on Sunday, December 7th, 2025, the 84th anniversary of the Date which will Live in Infamy. We displayed Jim Eagle’s burial flag – Jim’s story of surviving Pearl Harbor, as told to Longwood students a few years before he passed, was the impetus for the Longwood Veterans Project and Monuments at Bartlett. We were honored to have Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay speak and turn on the red, white and blue lights on our Remembrance Tree. Middle Island Fire Department volunteers placed wreaths at all eight monuments. Local Veterans in attendance were introduced and applauded by the crowd. To mark the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Pole Initiative, stones inscribed with the names of Longwood CSD’s most recent military enlistees were placed around the Peace Pole base near the entrance to the native walking trail of the park. May Peace Prevail on Earth, and may we never forget the sacrifices of Pearl Harbor and all our Veterans.

Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony & Patriotic Tree Lighting Set for Sun, Dec 7th, 12:30pm at Bartlett Pond Park

admin — Sat, 29 Nov 2025 04:11:25 +0000

Please join us on Sunday, December 7th, 2025 at Bartlett Pond Park for our 13th Annual Pearl Harbor Day Patriotic Holiday Tree Lighting. Start time is 12:30pm.

We will recount the Day of Infamy and how the story of one man’s survival inspired the Longwood Veterans Project. That man is Jim Eagle; his burial flag will be displayed for the first time at this ceremony.

Holiday wreaths will be placed at each of our eight granite monuments by our Scouts and MIFD volunteers. Hand decorated stones, bearing names of recent LHS military enlistees, will be placed around the Peace Pole.

Our growing tree will be decorated in a patriotic theme and we will turn on the red, white and blue lights. Refreshments will be served and attendees may take a peak inside the 1835 School House. ALL WELCOME!

Snow Doesn’t Chill Veterans Day Turnout

admin — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:26:50 +0000

Many thanks to all who braved the wind, chill and SNOW to participate in our 2025 Veterans Day Ceremony at Bartlett Pond Park on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Scout Troops 560 and 433 presented the colors, LHS HS Seal of Civics students explained and hoisted the SAR flag procured by MICA, our FD members placed wreaths, LHS Buglers played the TAPS Echo and our BOE and elected officials thanked Veterans and families in attendance for their service and sacrifice. LMS 6th Grader Bella-Capri Rostron sang the Star Spangled Banner and lead us in God Bless America as the snow flakes swirled around us.