Heckscher's Buffalo Trophy Fetches $800

A buffalo head trophy deaccessioned by the Heckscher Museum. was bought at auction by a local bidder for $800.

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

Recently deaccessioned as a way to raise funds and increase storage space, a buffalo head trophy owned by August Heckscher and previously on display at the Heckscher Museum, has been sold at auction.

The relic comes from the museum’s founding days in the 1920s when the trophy was displayed as a part of their museum’s collection. But since the town acquired the museum, the focus of the collection has shifted to fine art, highlighting American and European artists. The trophy was collecting dust in the museum’s storage facilities in Farmingdale, according to museum officials. The Huntington town board approved a plan to sell the artifact with the money raised to be dedicated to the museum’s budget.

The piece was sold by South Bay Auctions as a part of their Fine Art, Antiques and Sporting Auction on Sept. 22. The gavel price was $800, paid by a local family who learned about the sale through the news and were “very excited” to acquire it, a spokesperson for the auction house said. The piece went on the block with an estimate of $300-500 and the auction began with an opening bid of $550. A bidding war ensued with people on the floor, telephone phone bidders and online bidders competing.

Iceland Drive Renamed To Honor Officer

Mayra Natale unveils a street sign dedicating Iceland Drive to honoring the memory of her late husband, Mark.

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

A street dedication ceremony was held in Huntington to honor NYPD Officer Mark J. Natale who recently died from 9/11-related brain cancer.

The ceremony took place on Iceland Drive on Sept. 14, which would have been Natale’s 56th birthday. Natale will be remembered for his service during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, where he helped people fleeing across bridges to Brooklyn and onto ferries to New Jersey. The days after 9/11, Natale stood guard at the gates around Ground Zero.

“Friends and former colleagues contributed pieces of police uniform apparel so that retired Officer Natale would be buried in dress uniform; the South Huntington School District lowered flags to half-staff district-wide, issued a service award posthumously and inducted Mark, a district employee during his retirement from the NYPD, into their Hall of Fame,” Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci said. “Comments came pouring in on the Town’s social media channels upon hearing news of this street dedication, with beautiful praise for Mark as a wonderful person, a gentleman, and words of comfort for the Natale family.”

The ceremony began with the presentation of the colors by the NYPD Honor Guard. NYPD Police Officer Makiah Brown sang the National Anthem, and an invocation was delivered by NYPD Chaplain Deputy Chief Monsignor David Cassato. Natale’s family, friends and colleagues were in attendance along with elected officials, and a contingent from the 94th Precinct in Brooklyn where Natale worked.

“NYPD Officer Mark J. Natale represents the best of humanity on a day we witnessed the worst. He is a hero, sacrificing his life protecting strangers. For the family, no words can ease their pain but we want them to know through this small gesture that they have the unending support of all of us,” State Senator Carl Marcellino said.

Officer Natale lost his battle to cancer on May 4, 2018 at home in Huntington. His cancer was a result of exposure at Ground Zero following the terror attacks.

94th Precinct officers with NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Benjamin B. Tucker stand with the Natale family in front of the sign dedicating Iceland Drive in honor of NYPD Officer Mark Natale.

“As we mark the 17th anniversary of the horrific events of September 11, 2001, it is important to continue to recall not only those who perished on that day, but also to remember the uniformed and non-uniformed responders who answered the call to help. These individuals assisted in rescue and recovery efforts in the days, weeks and months that followed and, sadly as a result, many suffered from 9/11 cancers and other illnesses and lost their lives,” Legislator Tom Donnelly said.

More than 70,000 first responders and survivors are currently enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program, which was established by the CDC to monitor and provide health care to those exposed to toxic dust and smoke at Ground Zero. The program reports nearly 10,000 people have suffered cancers caused by inhalation of toxic dust and smoke at Ground Zero.

“9/11, as we are reminded more and more each day, is the tragedy that keeps on taking,” Councilwoman Joan Cergol said. “We share in the Natale family’s grief and hope they will take comfort and pride each time they pass this street sign that is our way of making sure Mark’s service, heroism and sacrifice is held high for all to know and never be forgotten.”

Natale’s widow, Mayra Natale was supported by her children Dominick, Catherine and Lauren and Natale’s sisters Denise Pileggi and Debra Diem. She thanked those who brought this dedication to fruition and those who were in attendance to show their respect.

“The words expressed by his wife Mayra, captured Mark’s service and heroism. His courageous battle serves as inspiration to those heroes who continue to struggle with 9/11 related illnesses every day” Legislator Spencer said. “The awareness that Mark has brought to this issue will help ensure that our heroes receive the best possible care in the future.”

Birchwood Students Give LIRR A Makeover

A mural painted by students at Birchwood Intermediate School brightens the LIRR underpass in Huntington Station. The mural has gotten tons of positive feedback from the community, showing the children that what they are doing matters.

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

Take a drive down New York Ave. past the Huntington LIRR station and feast your eyes upon the colorful and colossal mural that covers the walls underneath the rumbling trestles.

The mural is close to being completed, with only a few finishing touches left before a ribbon cutting ceremony set for Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. before the start of the Unity Day parade.

This new art installation comes as a gift to the Town of Huntington from Birchwood Intermediate School students who came together with their families and teachers to beautify the walls that are seen by many who are making their way into Huntington or to the train station.  Those working on the project began the first weekend of August and continued to work every weekend after to complete the massive undertaking.

“What was so special about the process, was the outpouring from the community as we were doing it, that was something that will stay with me forever,” Annie Michaelian, former Assistant Principal of Birchwood and one of the coordinators, said. “People would come by and beep and yell out, ‘Thank you! It looks awesome!’”

This project came as a once in a lifetime opportunity for the students grades 3-5 at Birchwood to leave their mark on the community of Huntington, while also learning the gift of service. Students volunteered for shifts on the weekends, where they would spend hours working together to paint the many elements the mural contains.

“When we come out of the classroom walls and do something like this, it teaches them a different kind of lesson,” Michaelian said. “It teaches them about giving back and having love for their community.”

Volunteers who worked on the mural will know they left their mark on Huntington when they pass by.

The idea for the project came from fifth-grade teacher, Barbara Wright, who had done a similar service with her Brownie Troop in Bayport, however not nearly at the same scale. She brought this idea to the SBM team at Birchwood, that is made up of teachers, students, administrators, and parents who work to bring the school and community together, and was immediately supported. This is when her and Michaelian came together to coordinate necessary planning, approvals, and supplies.

The team knew that an art project this massive would require a large amount of supplies and volunteers, but they lucked out with both. When the group contacted Aboff’s in Huntington about donating paint and supplies for the mural, the store was more than willing to help them. The group also needed painters to bring the project to life, so Michaelian set up an online volunteer form on the Birchwood school website where students, families, and staff could sign up. They were delighted to see the outpouring of people signing up from the school. With how many volunteers they had, Michaelian made specific shifts based on grade level that allowed students to work with their classmates.

“That way it was rotating and everyone got a chance to be involved,” Michaelian said. “I’ve never done this before, but it seemed so seamless, it was great.”

One stipulation to a child volunteering was that a parent was required to be with their child during the entire shift, so the coordinators were not responsible for over 20 children at once. But this allowed parents to have a more active role in their child’s project.

“It was so beautiful to see a child and their parent working together on such a beautiful project,” Michaelian said.

The mural’s bright and happy design comes from Huntington itself. When the SBM Team asked students what makes Huntington special, these are the images they created.

“Everything’s that’s on the walls is a child’s drawing from our school,” Michaelian said. “We guided them in terms of telling them, these are the elements of Huntington if they hadn’t known, then they did research on their own. They would visualize it then draw it in their own style.”

The student’s illustrations were then photoshopped by one of Wright’s friends to be scaled to the size of the wall so the group had approximate measurements. While working on the mural, many students would be eager to come back weekend after weekend to help paint.

“It was amazing to see that it was a newfound love for some kids, some that didn’t even realize they were artistic,” Michaelian said. “They didn’t realize they enjoyed this but walked away feeling like, ‘Wow, I want to do this for another project.’”

At the new mural, from left, are former assistant principal at Birchwood Intermediate School Annie Michaelian, Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci and Birchwood teacher Barbara Wright.

Michaelian hopes this project can be a catalyst for an increase in beautification projects from the school and within the community. There is all around good feelings from this project, from the community appreciating the wonderful creation to the students feeling the good can come from service.

“We know that the kids who were involved so much with it, when they pass by this year or ten years from now, when they see it they will be so proud of it,” Michaelian said.