Longwood Alliance

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.

Veterans Day Ceremony Tuesday, 11/11@11 at Bartlett Pond Park

admin — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:28:13 +0000

Please join us for our 17th annual Veterans Day Commemoration on Tuesday, November 11th at 11am at Bartlett Pond Park.

Warm Sunshine for 9/28 Gold Star Families Day Ceremony

admin — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:08:02 +0000

Many thanks to all who participated in our ninth annual Gold Star Families Day Recognition Ceremony on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at Bartlett Pond Park in Middle Island. This is one of the few Gold Star ceremonies held on Long Island. Community members gathered near the Gold Star monument for songs, prayers, readings, remarks, wreath placement, and more. We hope the bright sunshine made what is always an emotional day a tad easier.

Rotarian Kevin Mann read the Peace Prayer, Scout Troop 560 presented the colors, NY6 Blue Star Mothers President Rosemarie Kluepfel led us in The Star Spangled Banner, Longwood BOE Vice President Dan Tomaszewski read the Opening Prayer and Brookhaven Lions President Steve Pastena read The Presidential Proclamation. A dozen Middle Island Fire Department members attended in full dress uniform.

Speakers included NYS Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, NYS Assemblyman Steve Stern, Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon, Colonel Jim Brennan, and American Legion Post 1888 Commander Stewart Rubin. Reps for NYS Senator Dean Murray and SC Legislator Nick Caracappa also attended. Assemblyman Stern presented a framed copy of the NYS Gold Star Mothers and Families Day Proclamation.

Rosemarie Kluepfel spoke eloquently and passionately about the plight of Gold Star Mothers and Families. Longwood Board of Ed members Gina Pozzolano Gebbia and Matthew Gropper presented sunflowers to the Mothers and Veterans seated in the audience. The ceremony concluded with God Bless America, written by Irving Berlin at nearby Camp Upton over 100 years ago. Thanks to the Coram and Middle Island Fire Departments for logistics, chairs, music and audio, and our Brookhaven Town Parks Department for keeping Bartlett in such splendid shape.

SATISFACTION: Streetfighter Concert Worth the Wait!

admin — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 23:10:09 +0000

24 hour rain delay, The Longwood Alliance, Legislator Chad Lennon’s reps Quentin Everett Palifka and Kayla Jayde, and hosts the Middle Island Fire Department welcomed the amazing group Streetfighter to the MIFD HQ on Sunday September 7th. With a creative positioning of the SC show mobile and the roomy fire house bays empty of fire trucks, over 100 people enjoyed two hours’ worth of the Rolling Stones’ greatest hits, despite the weather. And Streetfighter was worth the day’s wait! Everyone present praised their performance. Thanks to Olivia Alkintor for her moving rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and to Maddyn G for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Special thanks to Legislator Lennon and staff for securing the Omnibus Grant that makes these concerts possible. And Extra Special Thanks to MIFD for being such amazing hosts for all three of our Free Community Concerts this summer!

Streetfighter Concert Postponed a Day to Sunday, 9/7

admin — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 13:25:18 +0000

Thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and this evening, so we are postponing the Streetfighter concert until tomorrow, Sunday, September 7th.

Same location and times: MIFD HQ picnic area, gates at 5pm, show from 6-8pm.

See you then!

StreetFighter Concert Set for Sat, September 6th at MIFD HQ

admin — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 17:02:37 +0000

Join us for our next Free Community Concert featuring StreetFighter on Saturday, Sep 6th from 6-8 pm at the Middle Island Fire Department HQ picnic area. Gates open at 5pm. Rain date is Sunday, Sep 7th, same times.

Enjoy all the songs of The Rolling Stones. See if you can tell the difference between StreetFighter’s lead singer and the real Mick Jagger!

Bring a chair, snacks and a non perishable food donation. Summer Concert Series sponsored by SC Legislator Chad Lennon, MIFD and The Longwood Alliance.

August 23rd Eagle River Band Concert a Winner!

admin — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 16:51:33 +0000

The Longwood Alliance, Middle Island Fire Dept and SC Legislator Chad Lennon reps Kayla MacKay and Quentin Palifka welcomed the Eagle River Band to town on Saturday, August 23 at the MIFD HQ park. After a wonderful rendition of our National Anthem by Quentin, Alliance President Gail Lynch-Bailey introduced the debut thusly:

“I Can’t Tell You Why, but I think some of you might have been living Life in the Fast Lane. Maybe you’ve been Taking It to the Limit, or seen too many Tequila Sunrises. Are you feeling like a Desperado or the New Kid in Town or that you’re Already Gone? Is your mind Tiffany Twisted?

No worries, because tonight is One of THESE Nights, when you can Take It Easy and Get a Peaceful Easy Feeling — even if you’ve never stood on a Corner in Winslow Arizona. Here to prove, that along with great music, Love Will Keep Us Alive, please welcome to Middle Island: The Eagle River Band.”

They did not disappoint and played every song referenced in the intro and more. So many members of the 200-plus audience stopped by to praise their performance: “These guys are GREAT!” And they sure were!!

Thanks to Legislator Lennon for the SC Omnibus Grant that makes these concerts possible, and to our wonderful MIFD volunteers for hosting these great community events.

Free Eagle River Band Concert Saturday, Aug 23rd, 6-8pm at MIFD HQ

admin — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 23:14:17 +0000

“I can’t tell you why, but even if you weren’t standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona, you can still get a peaceful easy feeling” at our next Free Community Concert featuring the Eagle River Band-Saturday, Aug 23rd, 6-8 pm at the Middle Island Fire Department HQ picnic area.

Gates open at 5pm. Rain date is Sunday, Aug 24th, same times.

Enjoy all the songs of The Eagles and their solo hits, too.

Bring a chair, snacks and a non perishable food donation.

Summer Concert Series sponsored by SC Legislator Chad Lennon, MIFD and The Longwood Alliance.