Farmingdale, NY

I call them "Earth Angels." Jo, I believe, calls them "Angels Walking." They are the same thing. People who appear in your life and help you out far above and beyond and just as quickly are gone again. They come for all different reasons and in all different seasons but they surely are around.

I had the pleasure today of meeting one. As I do every year and wrote about It last year, I go to the Memorial Show in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York every year. Although I love seeing the old planes and watching some incredible take-offs, landings and air flight shows, I go mainly to honor my farther. An air force man who would have never missed it if he were alive.

He served in World War 11 and was in the 8^th Air Force, 351^st group and was in and stationed with Clark Gable with whom he and many others became friends with. He always spoke so highly of him and I have several old pictures of the two of them. And remember some of his stories of the war. His philosophy after the war was "When your time is up, it's up." He saw so many fellow "brothers" lost that he was amazed he made it through alive although he'd taken a few bullets.

His secret to having made it through the war was that he became engaged to my mother shortly before leaving. He would not marry her in case he didn't come home, he didn't want to leave her as a young widow. So he took the engagement ring he was going to give her and had a secret pocket built into it....which he used on all missions. When he came home, he was able to give her the ring-it was his "good luck" charm.

I went to ask a man a question about what time the planes might be flying. He didn't know but was curious, I think, what I was doing there with Laura. It's they type of thing that many men come out to see but not a lot of women. I mentioned that my father had been in the Air Force and I came every year. He knew of my father, it turns out.....and proceeded to take me into the museum where he ended up giving Laura and I a personal tour, pointing out things I never would have noticed or known what they meant.

He introduced me to others that worked there and spent a good two hours telling both Laura and I stores and facts that I had never heard from my dad. Many people, he believes, have lost the meaning of Memorial Day....he said it came down to two things: Sales at the stores and Barbeques; he may be right. I didn't learn his name and he doesn't know mine but I truly consider this person who took so much time today to give me knowledge and information I never would have know to be one of those "Earth Angels" ---Sent from my dad without a doubt.

*The Air Show runs through Monday and is located at the Republic Air Base, Farmingdale, Long Island, New York

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island providing on site Feng Shui Consultations for New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. Carole also provides Lectures and Workshops on Feng Shui Principles.

Farmingdale, Long Island, New York---Then and Now

**The OLD days of Long Island....Wide Open Spaces, here a Nursery

As a 30 year resident of this town, I've been here longer then our new Mayor...For anyone familiar with Long Island, I moved all the way from Wantagh (The Gateway to Jones Beach) to arrive at what I consider the exact middle of Long Island...Farmingdale.  We are neither the prestigious North Shore nor the trendy South Shore but are right in the middle, bordering two Counties, Nassau and Suffolk.

**Our Columbus Day Fair, Main Street and Conklin, Farmingdale, Long Island, 2007

My personal facts that I know is that Farmingdale used to be called the Town of Hardscrabble.   It was purchased from land already acquired in our neighboring town of Bethpage, New York (some may remember a post I did there about the US Open returning to Bethpage next year).  My "block" had exactly TWO houses on it originally, mine and the one right next door and the rest were-potato fields - and Pickle Farms.  At one time Farmingdale and it's surrounding towns were home to more then 30 pickle farms!    One of the "Owners" of our blocks, of Dutch Decent, is actually buried with his family on the block. 

The style of homes varies here quite a bit from the older "cottages" of which I own one to the newer and very expensive new homes that go up all over town.   The land is now allowed to be constantly sub-divided and with the possible exception of my home, there are no longer "starter" homes available in our lovely town. The wide open spaces, for the most part are gone by the ongoing construction of new homes and businesses.  Some of the homes in "early" Farmingdale were built together-Queens type style as they were attached.  It is the way people were used to living.  That's the unofficial version of Farmingdale.

**Farmingdale Memorial in Farmingdale Village

 Here's the historical facts:  Once known as Hardscrabble (although no one knows exactly why), a man named Thomas Powell purchased 15 square miles of land from three native American tribes in 1687.  Wise move.  These became the areas of Farmingdale, Bethpage, Old Bethpage, Melville, N. Massapequa and Plainview.  Our potato farms are long gone although we have some interesting facts about Farmingdale.  These areas of Long Island really became popular when the Long Island Rail Road included a stop here in 1841.  Little by little the potato fields and pickle factories that filled the area began to go and in 1902 they built a large Agricultural Collage, now SUNY Farmingdale University.

**Old Bethpage/Farmingdale Golf Course

Golf brought class to the area in the Farmingdale/Bethpage area with the building of The Farmingdale Golf Course which already had one US Open here and is scheduled to have another US Open next year.  One of our most treasured residents, Chief Deputy Peter J. Ganci of the FDNY was lost in the tragedy of 2001.

**Peter Ganci, St. Killian's Church, Farmingdale, NY

Still, Santa comes every year with treats for the children and Main Street retains its share of fairs and small town stores and shopping.  We have our fairs and Main Street, just like any little town.  It may be a bit unusual that some of the early settlers are buried with their families on the blocks they lived on...but that was Suburbia long ago.  And here it is today...pictures from around town on "old" and new...Farmingdale, Long Island, New York. 

**The extra special QUIET Residents of Farmingdale :)

 **If Pictures say a thousand words:

**Older Architecture:  Farmingdale Methodist Church

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, providing Feng Shui Consultations on site for New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island.

XX

Come to The US Open in Bethpage, Long Island! The pictures here will tell the story of this lovely place, Bethpage State Park.

It has recently been announced that once again Long Island, New York will host the 2009 US Open at its famed Bethpage Golf Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York. This beautiful and challenging golf course and State Park is so large it extends into both Nassau and Suffolk Counties and borders the towns of Farmingdale, Bethpage, Old Bethpage and Plainview.

We were thrilled to have the US Open held here in 2002 at their famous BLACK COURSE which was designed by architect A. W. Tillinghast and is one of the most challenging courses in the Country with it's narrow fairways, high roughs, well placed borders and small greens. Some consider this his finest work. This historic building was opened in 1932 and in addition to the huge expanse of golf is home to two restaurants, one of which is The Oak Room which has won awards and a wonderful catering facility at which many events are held including weddings (call early to book!). Every year The Bethpage State Park caters an event for all members of the Department of Parks and Recreation at this lovely site. Two years ago they hosted one that was about Wholistic Health and I was included as a presenter along with many other modalities of all natural healing.

They were kind enough to allow me to share these photos of this Bethpage State Park. In addition to golf, they also have picnic facilities, tennis courts, brindle paths, hiking, biking and cross country skiing along with a beautiful nature trail.

Tiger Woods won the 2002 US Open on the very difficult black course and it's no surprise. Tiger says he always wears RED when playing an Open because it provides him with the Energy he needs to WIN (sound familiar?). I just could be that he knows a thing or two about Feng Shui. I'm sure many of us are looking for a win from him again! In addition to several large hotel chains, be advised that some people's homes back up to the course; in 2002 some actually rented out their backyards or parts of their homes to the many visitors from all over the country who attended.

If you'd like information about booking an event or about the US Open, please feel free to call them at (516) 249-0701. Enjoy some of the pictures of this fabulous place. Here's a Tour with the pictures telling the story:

Welcome to Bethpage State Park, built in 1932 in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York

Bethpage State Park also includes Nature Trails, picnicing, bridle paths, Tennis Courts, Hiking, Biking and Cross Country Skiing.

Beautiful Room overlooking the Golf Course at Bethpage State Park used for weddings and other events.

You have been Warned! The Black Course at Bethpage State Park is one of the most challanging in the United States.

The Golf Course and Park are so bit it crosses Round Swamp Road (seen in the distance) and continues on the other side. It is partly in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties and is partly in Bethpage, Farmingdale, Old Bethpage and Plainview, Long Island.

The beautiful Event room. Every year the employees of The Dept. of Parks and Recreation are honored with a special event and I was one of the presenters at a fair with Wholistic Health Methods and Modalities.

Entrance to the Historic Bethpage Clubhouse built in 1932.

A room to rest and restore after a long day of Golf or Sports.

The fabulous Oak Room for dining which has won awards for excellence.

Golf is not your game? Try some Indoor Tennis.

Visit the Bethpage State Park in Summer and Winter and watch for the US Open!

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island with on site Feng Shui Consultations for all of Long Island and New York City Apartments and for those at a distance with personalized phone conversations. For Homes, offices, businesses, corporations, renovations, Real Estate Agents, new construction and all Feng Shui for all New York City Apartments. Always personalized and affordable.