These photos were taken at Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Oakdale, NY. Fall has arrived and the leaves are turning.
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(If you "Left Click" any photo a larger photo will appear.)
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===================================This photo was taken at the Site of Hollywood Beach, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY.
The pavilion has been taken down and replaced with a parking lot and utility building.
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I can still recall the many stairs that we had to climb, in order to get to the main pavilion level. Upon arriving at the top I can still visualize the picnic style tables, the wooden dance floor, the Bar, and the stairs that went to the beach. Many things have changed and the Pavilion has been torn down!
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From my current vantage point in time, I look back Fifty Years to the wonderful days that I spent at Lake Ronkonkoma. In spite of the demolition, my mental picture of the Hollywood Pavilion, remains absolutely clear! So!!!!!!! Nothing has really changed after all.
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TWENTY THREE COMMENTS SO FAR! Read On!
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LEFT CLICK "COMMENTS" BELOW TO VIEW ALUMNI COMMENTARY.
Also! Our Thanks to the "Gang," at Blogger for designing this program!
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TWENTY THREE COMMENTS SO FAR! Read On!
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LEFT CLICK "COMMENTS" BELOW TO VIEW ALUMNI COMMENTARY.
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ONCE THERE, LEFT CLICK "HOME," AT THE BOTTOM, TO RETURN TO BLOG.>
I remember well the summers I spent working as a locker boy then as a Life guard at Raynor's Beach on the Lake It was Two Pavillions down from Hollywood and next door to Green Pavillion. I worked there from 1958 to 1962
ReplyDeleteThe stories I can tell....
Tony Perna
I remember you there Tony.
ReplyDeleteLots of good times at Lake Ronkonkoma.
It is not the same anymore.
I haven't gone there in over 40yrs it is too dirty.
Love,
Carol Nelson-Brooke
Carol
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't dirty when I took the Photo! I do not recall the lake turning green recently; they must have solved the storm drain problem.
Ben Vitale
WHEN WE WERE REALLY YOUNG, MOM AND DAD TOOK US TO YERK'S EVERY YEAR. I GRADUATED TO HOLLYWOOD AND GREENS ETC. WHEN I WAS OLD ENOUGH TO GO BY MYSELF. MUCH MORE FUN!!! PATTY PERKINS D'ALLEVA
ReplyDeleteNot Only did I work at Raynor's Beach and earned money from the Lake, I enjoyed a wonderful happy teenage life on that lake! In the winter when the lake froze, a freind of mine, Bobby Morachia, and myself built a DN class ice boat and would keep it at D'Gennaros beach . We had a blast sailing that thing all over the Ice. Then there were the Summer:
ReplyDeleteWally Gagal the science teacher rented the Suffolk House beach and Don Wooly was the life guard. All the kids went there and danced and flirted and had a great time. Then the summer before my sophmore year, Virgina beach next to the Bavarian Inn, held nightly dances downstairs and kids from Patchogue came and also from other towns. Who can Forget the infamous " Tavern On The Lake" Wow many a night I left there and slept in my car so I would be at work at Raynors beach on time. When I was younger, I think summer before 9th grade, I would go watch live bands at the Hollywood Pavillion. the place was Rockin!!!! I wonder ,How many of us would take our girls down to the lake and submarine race watch? Ah the memories of Lake Ronknkoma,,,We made our own Legends!!
Tony
I almost drowned in Lake Ronkonkoma when I was a kid. Luckily, my dad was out on the raft and heard me screaming. There really is an underground current that can pull you down.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt in my mind; you had an encounter with the Wicked Witch of Lake Ronkonkoma! The lake does not have a tidal current.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember when Turner's park was on the lake? It was an amusement Park up the beach from the Bavarian Inn, Kinda behind what was later a trailer park. It had a ferris wheel,,A merry go round, other rides and pinball machines.
ReplyDeleteTony P
Ah, Do I remember Lake Ronkonkoma--it was forbidden fruit for much of my youth. My parents thought it was much too rowdy, I remember cutting school in late spring with Dave St Louis, heading for the Lake, and skinny dipping. Man, was that water COLD! Anyone remember the old Club Claire(sic)? What a clip joint but what memories of feeling sooooo sophisticated and cool. Richard Williams
ReplyDeleteYes, Club Claire, Izzy the dish washer and of course we can't forget those "Lifeguard" dances. It was a great life on the lake! Pat Prince-Rath
ReplyDeleteHi Ben, I recognized the arboretum immediately as I am there so much. I'll be there tomorrow A.M. also to help decorate the mansion for the holidays. This is one of our most beautiful places on L.I. If anyone has company from out of state, it's a great place to take them, not only for the natural beauty but the great cafe in the mansion. I am impressed by the class of '60, and the efforts to maintain contact with classmates. I don't see many from my class of'61 though. enjoy what is left of Fall !
ReplyDeleteSmall world!
ReplyDeleteJudi Weicher Sykes, Sachem class of 61, routinely gives of her time to help decorate the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. My wife and I do indeed go to the arboretum and enjoy the fruits of Judi’s labor. What a wonderful decorating job they do! Every year at Christmas time, Marie and I visit the Mansion and admire the decorations. Wow! For years we have been admiring Judi’s work! This is indeed a small world!
Ben Vitale Class of 59
I remember sneaking over to the "Lake" late at night in the summer and swimming in the dark, dark night!It was forbidingly fun especially being alone. Jerry Schmitt
ReplyDeleteThen there is the "Lake Diner" after a night at the Tavern at the lake, or a day working at the lake,,I would often stop at the lake Diner and get something to eat,,,I remember Late at night or early Morning ,,whichever,,,meeting many a classmate there with the same hunger.. or was that hangover? LOL
ReplyDeleteTony Perna
I do recall Turner's Park. I remember going on the ride that had three rotating cages. I have been looking everywhere for a photo of Turner's Park for use on this Blog, but I cannot find one, anywhere!
ReplyDeleteBen Vitale
It is funny cause I remember going to Turners Park also, but do not have any pictures from there either. I remember the swing ride, I got sick on it. I also remember Tavern on the Lake, that was the place to be, and Yerks was the dancing place...the lake was a great place to grow up. Anyone remember the Lake Rods? I know my brothers were in that group...
ReplyDeleteNancy Bishop Farrell
Nancy
ReplyDeleteGirls always get sick on that ride; you have to be a “real man” to get on that ride and not get sick! Ha! Ha! That ride was a “right of passage” for males! The ride with the three cages was worse!
I hung out at Cedar Grove, and Kappler’s Porch, which was the small real estate building, across the street from Cedar Grove. I also loved to go to the Beverian Inn; I rarely went to Yerk’s or Tavern on the Lake.
Ben Vitale
I worked as a life guard at Yerks and then at Greens. It was the best summer job ever. One year I worked at a private beach north of Greens they had a little snack shop and wooden stairs down to the beach. I got my boss to hire Chris Michaels to be me day off relief, Chris did not know how to swim but he looked good and could row the boat so they hired him.
ReplyDeleteGood times, we had the key to the gate great for a night swim. The life guard dance was the high point of the summer.
Jerry Brandt 61
Wow, this is great chatting about the old days on the lake. I knew alot of the names mentioned here. Davy St.Louis, Nancy Bishop
ReplyDelete( Hi Nancy) Jerry Brandt, Chris Michaels, Judy Weicher( from the Drum and Bugle corp in Holbrook)and Ben ,,,whose Brother was my good friend. The names bring back many memories.
Tony Perna '62
I remember Turner Park and all the rides. They have replaced it with a great park for kids with swings/monkey bars, etc. The Bavarian Inn in under water and soon will be taken down. I also remember Taveran on the Lake. Was a great spot at night and then to Lake Diner, which now is Dunkin Donuts. I am still in L. Ronkonkoma and will be moving to Florida next year.
ReplyDeleteTina Hansen Hyland '60
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ReplyDeleteMy family used to drive to Lake Ronkonkoma from Nassau County and spend the whole day there. We'd picnic and at 5PM the amusement rides opened. That was in the 1950s. So it was called Turner Park? I remember having so much fun there.
ReplyDeleteMy husband, I and two friends of ours thought it would be fun to open a dance club on the Lake at night for kids under 18 and that it might succeed, boy were we wrong, it was great!! Opening night there were over 300 kids lined up outside paying a dollar to get in and we had live bands. We were open on Friday and Saturday nights but it sure as hell was fun for one long summer in the late 60's. My husbands father had rented Raynors Beach for the summer and we came up with the idea while sitting in the empty pavilion with our friends one night. Our dance club was called, "THE PAVILION". Do any of you remember this place?
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