The Kings Education Foundation held the First Annual "Sunset by the Sound" Luau Honoring Kim Mcginley and Mike Franchi on September 5th, at the Lessings Pavilion at Sunken Meadow State Park.

Pictured Above with former Lacrosse All-American from New England College and fellow Kings Park High School Physical Education Teacher Peter Thompson, Kim Mcginley, appeared to be both honored and yet uncomfortable with the recognition for her years of community service.

Pictured above with her colleagues from the Kings Park Teachers Association, Kim is not letting her splinted foot slow her down. Currently Kim is a coach, an advisor to the senior class and is quite involved in many charitable organizations. She organized several events that help many local families in need, some of her efforts are public, but most are not. "If it wasn't for her being paged constantly on the school's public address system, you wouldn't know how involved she really is!", remarked Pete Thompson while making the award presentation to Mrs. McGinley.

Pictured above with Ed Cunningham and Tony Tanzi, Mike Franchi from Anderson's Deli, was also honored by the Kings Park Education Foundation for his service to the community. Mike is well known and loved though out the Kings Park Community and his business Anderson's Deli located on Indian Road sponsors the majority of the local charity events.

New York State Assembly Member Mike Fitzpatrick, Kings Park Central School District Superintendent, Dr. Susan Arguso and Kings Park Heritage Museum Director Leo Ostebo used the festive opportunity to discuss educational objectives for the new school year.

Image Gallery!

Click Image Below to View Online

Click HERE to Download 80+ Images of Luau!

Click Here to View Pictures in Slide Show!

Kings Park Education Foundation
Questions and Answers!

What is the Kings Park Education Foundation?

The Kings park Education Foundation is a non-profit, Tax-exempt entity with a Board of Trustees committed to attracting, managing and distributing monies and resources to implement educational programs and projects. The Board of Trustees includes community members, the PTA and school district staff.

How does the Foundation help students of the Kings Park School District?

The state's rising educational standards have created a need for additional resources for students in Kings Park. The Foundation will allow the provision of enriching and enhancing academic, recreational and cultural experiences for our students without affecting taxes.

How will the funds be used?

The funds raised by the foundation will be used solely for educational activities and infrastructure enhancements within the Kings Park Central School District. Donations will help fund projects and programs that would not have been possible with the school's annual budget.

How can you become involved with the Foundation?

Anyone can participate in the Foundation's initiatives. Those interested are asked to volunteer time, talent, and resources to support the programs that are sponsored by the Foundation throughout the year. We invite students, parents, community members, teachers, administrators and staff to help us. Contributions are tax deductible.

To Contact the Kings Park Education Foundation Click Here!

 Partially funded with a grant from Suffolk County, the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce has installed several historical markers along the Smithtown Hike and Bike Trail. This recreational trail is located in the Nissequogue River State Park and runs along the old coal train tracks which at one time brought coal and other supplies to the Kings Park Psychiatric Center. Above Jack Hessel of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce stands next the the plague which tells the history of Building 93. Jack recalls "This building was the landmark which we used to guide us back to the river when we were out boating on the sound".

"Twenty Years from now a lot of us will be gone, these historic trail markers really give you a sense of what was here. At lease people will know that at one time there once were over 10,000 patients being attended to by 5,000 employees; Its hard to believe that now when you see the empty buildings and open spaces. This state hospital was once a thriving community, a community within a community, hopefully these plaques and the Kings Park Heritage Museum will help to keep this history alive."

In addition to the Historic Plaques made possible by the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce, the Smithtown Hike and Bike Trail on which the markers are placed is also a project conceived, funded and built under the direction of the Kings Park Chamber of Commence, which has a long history of putting actions behind the words to help make Kings Park a better place to live and work.

Jack Hessel explains that the Hike and Bike Trail was partially funded by a grant called "Rails to Trails" which provided funding to convert old train tracks over to Hike and Bike Trails. The Historic Plaques and Park Benches are part of that over all plan which many hope in the future will include an extension of the popular trail from Main Street in Kings Park all the way down to the Nissequogue River.

Great Afternoon of Good Food and Old Friends!

There may have been some initial concern that thunder and lightning earlier in the day may have kept a very few away from our favorite end of the summer BBQ, but these concerns were put to rest as the soon to be standing room only event was filled to capacity.

 

Many of our elected representatives were in attendance including the Hard Working Smithtown Town Clerk, Vinny Puleo and the Honorable Smithtown Town Supervisor Patrick Vecchio.
 

 

Current Smithtown Town Council Member and former President of the League of Women Voters, Pat Biancaniello and the Sisters Flynn caught up on town happenings, sampled the BBQ and just enjoyed having an afternoon out.

Pictured Above with his very elegant wife,  lifelong Kings Park Townie and Current Smithtown Highway Superintendent Dan Ryan enjoys a date with his wife.

Pictured above NYS Assembly Member Mike Fitzpatrick and Miles Boren, former President of the Kings Park Fire Department and Kings Park Historian.

Mr Borden, author of the currently sold out book published by the Kings Park Heritage Museum: "Kings Park in Words and Pictures"; Reminds us all that the "Paul Fitzpatrick - Smithtown Landing Golf and Country Club" is named after our current NYS Assembly Member Mike Fitzpatrick's late father Paul Fitzpatrick, the well respected former Smithtown Town Supervisor.

Pictured Below Right Paul Fitzpatrick with representatives of the Kings Park Fire Department in this historic photograph from the photo archives of the Kings Park Fire Department.

Our Special Thanks to the hard working staff at
Lessing's of Smithtown Landing!

... and our sponsors who make these events possible!

THE KETCHAM GROUP – Toby Carlson

CLAYTON FUNERAL HOME - McElhone Family

BUTLER-HUGHES FUNERAL HOME – Bill Butler

LETERI WASTE MANAGEMENT - Anthony Leteri

VESTED BUSINESS BROKERS – Nate & Marie Goldstein

ASTORIA FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK – Jen Arculeo

BBQ Picture Gallery!

Click In Image Above To View!

Click Here to Download Additional Pictures to Your Computer!

Click Link Below to View Newspaper Coverage on BBQ!

(Article and Photos by Steve Weber)

New Member Spotlight!

Kings Park Chamber of Commerce welcomes new members at the 2008 End of Summer BBQ!

Pictured above: Chamber Director, Mike Hanley, Merl & Hanley, CPA's - Doug Dennison, All Island Media  - Maria Piscatell, Little Fish Design Studio (Advertising) and Chamber Director, Ed McElhone, Jr., Clayton Funeral Home.