Larry Flynn was born and raised in Kings Park as was his father John J. Flynn. Graduating from St. Joseph’s elementary school in 1955, he chose to commute by steam engine into Brooklyn to Bishop Loughlin High School for two years before transferring to Kings Park High School, graduating in 1959. During Larry’s teenage years, his summers were spent working at Sunken Meadow State Park. After graduating from New England College in 1963 he began working for the Hartford Insurance company as an underwriter in Manhattan.  On September 12, 1964 Larry and Maryann Gallo were married at St. Josephs Roman Catholic Church in Kings Park. The Flynns lived in Brooklyn Heights and after several years with Hartford Insurance decided it was time to move on and start working with Larry’s dad at the John J. Flynn Insurance and Real Estate Agency in Kings Park. Upon the passing of Larry’s grandmother in 1966 the Flynns purchased the Flynn Homestead on Church St. where together Larry and Maryann raised their four children.  Maryann Gallo Flynn moved from Brooklyn to Fort Salonga in 1956.  She graduated from the Kings Park Central School (now RJO).   Maryann then attended C.W. Post College and went on to work for BOCES Three in Dix Hills. During the years her children were growing up, Maryann was very active in what was originally the PTO for over 20 years and during that time was elected to the Kings Park School Board from 1974 – 77.  During this term, she fought to keep KP district owned buses and won. She remained an activist for various causes arising in Kings Park (e.g., Preventing the sale of the RJO school building, they fought hard and won; preventing the sale of the school property that is now Fireplace Drive, they fought hard and lost)!  Ironically, her daughter Elizabeth is living there with her family and is within walking distance of the Flynn homestead.  In 1985, Maryann was campaign treasurer for Michael Sullivan who was elected a Councilman on the Town Board.  Maryann began working at the Flynn Agency, taking over Larry’s Mom’s job, in 1982. She has remained active in the KP Chamber of Commerce as well as other organizations.  Most recently she has been involved in helping the Kings Park Heritage Museum and the Food Pantry at St. Joseph’s Church.  But what delights her most is being a grandmother. Recently, Larry has had the privilege of restoring two historic buildings in the downtown area. One is his own home which was constructed by his grandfather in 1906. The other was the Carlson building at 44 Main St. Through the years Larry has been an active member of many organizations: KP Chamber of Commerce - Director 33 Years; Commack/Kings Park Rotary Club, Member and director; Smithtown Industrial Committee Director; Kings Park task force in 1996 titled “KPPC study in 1996” (review of the hospital property); Knights of Columbus, Financial Treasurer; Independent Insurance Agent Association Director; CYO; Kings Park Yacht Club; and the Long Island MacArthur transportation center advisory committee. Larry and Maryann still reside on Church St.  All four Flynn children are graduates of the Kings Park Schools.  Although they all went away to college they have all settled back in Kings Park to raise their families.  Larry and Maryann have 4 granddaughters, 3 grandsons and one step grandson. Their grandchildren represent the 5th generation of Flynns living in Kings Park.

Patricia Hughes
Kings Park Chamber of Commerce
2005 Humanitarian Award

  Pat Hughes’ service as a Humanitarian extends well beyond the borders of Kings Park. She has responded and helped those in need around the state, the nation and, yes, around the world. Pat is the past owner and funeral director of the Hughes Funeral Home of Kings Park, now the Butler-Hughes Funeral Home. Pat graduated from nursing school in 1965, going to work in the emergency room at St. Joseph's Hospital in Yonkers. She married Thomas B. Hughes in 1967 and began a career in the operating room at University Hospital in Manhattan and Mercy Hospital in Rockville Center before coming to Kings Park in 1970 with Tom and their son, Scott. Pat went to work in the OR at Smithtown General Hospital in Smithtown until it was closed when she transferred to St. John's Hospital, now St. Catherine’s. She retired from St. Catherine's after 26 years in 2003. Pat attended Farmingdale University to obtain a degree in Mortuary Science, graduating in 1980. She and Tom purchased the Sullivan Funeral home on Indian Head Road in 1982. Pat retired from the funeral home in 2003. During her years in Kings Park, she became involved with many local organizations. She was also the secretary for the Nassau-Suffolk Funeral Directors Association, comprised of 150 funeral firms and she is still on its Board of Directors. Pat is also on the Advisory Board for the Nassau Community College Mortuary Science Department. It was during her time as a funeral director that Pat became involved with the New York State disaster team. It was organized by N.Y. funeral service professionals to respond to large disasters should the State of New York have need. The federal government then formed a similar team called DMORT - Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team - which Pat became a part of as well as joining an additional disaster team called Kenyon. Over the years since, Pat has been deployed to the Air Egypt plane crash in Rhode Island; Flight 800 in Moriches Bay; our own 911 where she was privileged to be one of the first responders of the group in New York City at 12 PM on Sept. 11th thanks to our Kings Park fire department who drove her to the office of the medical examiner; Flight 534 in Queens; the tsunami in Phuket, Thailand; and most recently in Louisiana for Hurricane Katrina. Pat was there for 6 weeks in Sept/Oct. and 4 weeks in Nov/Dec. Pat feels that these deployments have been some of the most rewarding experiences she has ever had. The assistance she was able to provide families in recovering, identifying and returning lost love ones brings a reward that she says is very hard to explain. In Pat’s own words, “I have been privileged to serve our community at a time when our families are dealing with the saddest times of their lives and to be able to assist others when their lives are torn apart - this is truly a double blessing. Some people think I am special to do this kind of work. I think I am only doing the job I do best for those who need help and someday I or my family may need assistance and I would hope all the wonderful people I have met and served over the years would be there for me and my family. Most of all, I have to give all the credit in the world to my family. To my beloved Tom who passed away on Oct. 18th of this year and my son Scott and his fiancé, Ali, who kept everything running smooth at home so I could go off to assist others when the call came. They really are the heroes. They allowed me to go to places most others were fleeing from and I know how concerned they were but they never asked me not to respond. In turn, I think I made them proud that our family, and my involvement, was contributing something that not many could do. I hope I will never have to respond to any other disaster but if the time comes I will be there and I know my family will be behind me.” All of Kings Park is just as proud of Pat as her family is. 

Virginia Schmidt
Kings Park Chamber of Commerce
2005 Lifetime Community Service Award

Virginia Schmidt is a first generation Italian who was born in Brooklyn and brought up in the “City” and Kings Park. Her family owned a small piece of property in the San Remo area and it was there as a young girl that she first became a part of the Kings Park community. She eventually moved here and taught for 34 years in the Kings Park School District. Her life has been a diverse mix of education, community work, helping others and exercising an extreme commitment to the environment. Though very well traveled, Kings Park has always remained the center of her universe. Throughout her teaching career, Virginia would spend summers teaching on Indian reservations, small schools in Italy, schools for the deaf and schools for troubled youth. Deeply enmeshed in environmental issues, especially those pertaining to Smithtown, she has always fought for the preservation of the natural treasures that we possess. She does more than talk about these issues. Her recent collaboration with Suffolk County Legislator Lynne Nowick whereby Virginia donated several acres of pristine land along the Nissequogue, ensuring that this valuable land would never be developed, proves her commitment. Her deeds speak louder than words. Virginia is a member of several educational clubs and civic associations and, until her retirement move to Vermont, she served as the President of the Board of Trustees of the Kings Park Heritage Museum. In that post, Virginia supervised the development, growth and solvency of the Museum such that it is recognized as one of the premier showcases of local history in the State of New York. Virginia’s special cause has always been children – kids of all ages and all types of problems. Whether in school or out of school, wherever she found a child in need, she found something worthwhile in every kid. Often using the principles of “tough love,” she has bonded with generations of Kings Park youth. In so doing, we have all benefited from her presence in ways that we weren’t even aware of. Her caring and commitment to our youth has had a positive effect on Kings Park for years. Even though Virginia has retired to New England, and no matter where else she might go, her mark has been “made” in Kings Park. Thanks to her work with youth, the environment and the community, her presence will always be felt right here.

All will be honored at the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year Dinner Dance to be held Friday, March 10th at the Islandia Marriott Hotel. For information CLICK HERE visit the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce website.

To protect the health care of thousands of seniors, Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District) voted to override Governor George E. Pataki’s veto of legislation that will provide prescription coverage for New York’s most vulnerable. The veto override will protect the prescription drug benefits of eligible New York residents while problems with Medicare Part D are addressed.

In January, Senator Flanagan sponsored the original legislation to help thousands of low-income seniors and disabled residents that are dually eligible for prescription drug coverage under both Medicare and Medicaid.

“The problems associated with Medicare Part D should have no effect on the prescription needs of our seniors. They do not have the luxury of waiting for the implementation and they do not have the opportunity to wait for the federal government to fix the problems. They need help now and they need their prescription drugs,” stated Senator Flanagan. “This veto override will enable our seniors to get the health care they deserve without delay.”     

Senator Stands By Cancellation of Kings Park Psychiatric Center Sale

Senator John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District) today criticized the recent lawsuit filed by The Arker Companies and Cherokee Northeast, LLC against the State of New York in their effort to force Empire State Development (ESD) to close on the sale of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center (KPPC). In a letter to ESD Chairman Charles Gargano, Senator Flanagan formally requested the State and ESD to vigorously defend the Kings Park community against the legal action undertaken by the development team.

    The expansion work  at the Kings Park High School is in progress. This mound of dirt will soon be transformed to the extend the food and cafe area on the eastside of the building.

  Congratulations to Steven Szalay. Steven has been accepted to Notre Dame University and will be attending on a four year Navy R.O.T.C. scholarship. Pictured with Steven is Assistant Superintendent Michael Quigley, a Notre Dame Alumnus and Kings Park High School Principal Thomas Fasano.
 

GREAT WORK STEVEN... YOU MAKE US ALL PROUD!
 

  Congratulations to Anthony DiChiara. Anthony, a tight-end and defensive end on the Kings Park High School Football team has signed a letter of intent to attend C.W. Post University in Greenvale. Pictured above are his coaches, John Bogenshutz, Head Coach Mark O'Brien and Duke Durland. 
 

GREAT WORK TONY.. YOU MAKE US ALL PROUD!
 

Excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family.
Recognizing Mold
You may recognize mold by:
• Sight (Are the walls and ceiling discolored, or do they show signs of mold growth or water damage?)
• Smell (Do you smell a bad odor, such as a musty, earthy smell or a foul stench?)
Safely Preventing Mold
Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building. (See the fact sheet for drying our your house, Reentering Your Flooded Home ( http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/reenter.asp )).
• When in doubt, take it out! Remove all porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. These items can remain a source of mold growth and should be removed from the home. Porous, non-cleanable items include carpeting and carpet padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation material, some clothing, leather, paper, wood and food. Removal and cleaning are important because even dead mold may cause allergic reactions in some people.
• To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water.
• Homeowners may want to temporarily store items outside of the home until insurance claims can be filed. See recommendations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• If you wish to disinfect, refer to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) document, A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home at http://www.epa.gov/iag/molds/images/moldguide.pdf.
If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix any water problem, such as leaks in roofs, walls or plumbing. Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing mold growth.