Gustavo

We met Gus a couple of months ago following his return from Texas, and on rebound from a paralyzing stroke suffered one year earlier. He is a young man and this was obviously an atypical medical event. Life threatening at inception, it became a spiritual watershed. After months of pain and therapy he could reach, grasp and eventually walk again, but not drive. He has related an earlier separation from fellowship and a dramatic return after the personal cataclysm . The fear and physical dependence of his injury awakened acute spiritual need. He described the encouraging embrace of his Heavenly Father during this critical time and his growing love for the Savior.




The Sister missionaries visited his apartment and invited Gus to the singles branch. As we say in our New York, New York South Mission Statement:

The TEMPLE is the goal. 
The MEMBERS are the key. (recited in eight languages including creole and ASL at every mission gathering).

So the temple became his goal. He attended meetings faithfully and has added rich perspective to our institute discussions.

Gus works professionally as a videographer, particularly with local rap and hip-hop bands. He is also developing still photography skills. We enjoy discussing different types of photographic and editing equipment.

He asked me to ordain him as a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood and shortly thereafter, a temple trip was scheduled. President Nulty, the Branch president, tries to take the branch to the Manhattan temple once each month. This was one of the circumstances where the missionary sisters were allowed to attend.

Gus later sent me one of his photographs from the outing: Central Park, Upper West Side, the sisters and a few friends.  Beautiful.

"Let's Go Fly a Kite"

Finding a suitable place for kite flight is a challenge. Consistent with my Henderson habits I thought I could enjoy the breeze at any local island park. To my mind, kite flying is a self-evident freedom of park usage. 

Not so. 

Master-planner Robert Moses embedded many parks in the Island landscape, but there are myriad rules associated with their use. In fact, most of the parks are activity specific. Some pastimes even require written permits. (Forms conveniently provided online) 

Permits are required for: Fishing, Artifical Turf Use, Metal Detector, Surfing, Film, Photography, Sound Recording, Diving, Geo-Cache & Star Gazing. 

the Piping Plover Kite Plight

Kite-flying is even more restricted. Less than half of the 26 state parks allow kites, and then only in certain areas. 9 NYCRR, Part 377 (g) Regulated Activities. Enthusiasts are further asked to, "Please avoid flying kites during April 1 through August 30, in the appropriately marked areas, to help keep," the Piping Plover (an endangered species) undisturbed and safe. "Unfortunately, kites can be threatening to our nesting adults and chicks, and are seen as predators, which could then scare the birds off of their nests." KiteFlyingLocations.pdf  

(Yes, there is a specific publication on the subject) 

Our closest option is the Bethpage Park Picnic area playfields. "Note shaded kite area in in official diagram." They are a reasonable bike distance from our apartment. Kite flying is approved when the playfields, "are not in use." However, the field is always in use. Particularly in the spring and fall. 

Next closest kite allowable area: The favorable winds of the Robert Moses State Park on Fire Island. (Kiting allowed Field 3 & 4, east and west of bathing area. Field 2 & 5, west of bathing area, AUGUST 31ST-MARCH 31ST ONLY.) 

Fire Island is one of the barrier strips along the south shore - variably 31 miles long and two to five football-fields wide. Chelsea and Oliver have described an adventure weekend there during their "Manhattan" summer a few years back. 

On warm days the local population of 300 swells to thousands as residents of The City jam the Southern Parkway conduit. An entrance fee of $8.00-10.00 is charged during popular seasons. The approved kite season comes much later. 

So there it is. Only a 30 minute drive and an average seasonal temperature of 40 degrees, but hey, no fee, and . . .  

how do you say no to this guy?

 Move Over for the Plover Mr. Banks 

Brunching on the Southfork

- or -



Mainstreet looking toward the bay.
Southampton. 
Autumn day.
elevenish . . . 




Hi, I'm Frank Mansuetto

I'm a Mormon, Vietnam Veteran, and Italian Brooklynite  

"We are in a very unusual area of the world where Mormons might as well be an endangered species. There isn't too many of us. I've served in the church when I first was baptised after my military service on a mission in France for two years, as a Branch President in Queens and a million other callings Young Mens President and scouting to the High Counsel. I did it all, but so do most Mormons in this part of the world. I serve because I'm asked to and I also love to help people. I have been given lots and share it when I can." 
_________________________________________________ 
 We met a new counselor in the branch: Frank Mansuetto. The sisters told us about his Mormon Ad. Frank shared an engaging testimony Sunday morning, describing his journey to the LDS faith. It was half an hour of personal insights and humorous anecdotes. "The missionaries only told me about tithing as I emerged from the baptismal waters: 'Oh yeah Frank, and we need one-tenth of your money."

We enjoy many branch activities on the timbered hillside that forms part of their East Northport property. Toasting marshmallows on the back decking, hickory smoke drawing gently through the crisp air, enclosed in youthful conversations, guest cottage glow drifting down the rise. They say that Autumn is the best New York season. Tonight, we easily agree. 

The Ronkonkoma Express

The Chelsea Hotel

Took the train to Penn Station today where we visited Madison Square Garden, Manhattan Mall (Gimbels), Macy's (an entire level - just purses), and the 86th floor of the Empire State building. Then we walked south into Chelsea proper to see where Sid Vicious killed Nancy Spungen, not to mention the numerous books, plays, films, music and lives that have been made there. What a history this place has. It is currently in its second year of remodel.

Much of Chelsea is quaintly old-world. We enjoyed the tree-lined walks, but decided to save the High Line Park for a later visit, returning to Penn Station. It was rush hour so there was a travel up-charge. I purchased our "peak" one-ways back to Farmingdale Station. That particular line is named Ronkonkoma after the city at its terminus. I got the right tickets, the right line and the right track and was feeling a smug confidence as we boarded. "This is the train to Ronkonkoma?" I asked two young passengers near the door. "Yes it is," they responded. After we sat down, the train began to move, I heard the loudspeaker announce the first stop: "Wyandanch."

Moroni in Manhattan

When President Hinckley announced a "New York" temple during a 2002 regional conference, attendees mistakenly assumed he was talking about an area 22 miles north of the upper west side. But the Manhattan temple was dedicated two years later. White Plains is still waiting.

Branch attendees with sister missionaries

Our first temple sighting was on July 4th. One month later we are escorting a group of young adults back via the Queensboro Bridge and Central Park. The temple has its own parking. It is not free, but offers a significant patron discount.

Following Plainview Branch custom, we first strolled around the park, watching vendors, horse-buggies, pedicarts, cyclists and pedestrians. I thought I saw Lennie Brisco crime scenes around every corner. 

Eventually we came upon the Strawberry Fields memorial.

The "Imagine" mosaic offered an abrupt contrast to our religious purposes. The Dakota, scene of Mr. Lennon's murder, is immediately across the street. Both are situated only a few blocks from the temple - a place of spiritual hope for those beyond the veil.  I studied the mosaic and remembered a part of the song:



Ayrton "Gary" Ferreria dos Santos Jr.

The "Mayor" of Strawberry Fields

"Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
. . . .
And no religion too"

 

 

 

__________________

The entrance is unassuming, but Manhattan's high-rise temple offers a sharp spiritual divide. 

As a "stacked" temple there is an economc use of space. Unique sound-proofing is incorporated into the design. Door hardware displays a Statue of Liberty motif. I appreciated the paintings near the font commemorating baptisms in the Jordan and Susquehanna rivers. We hope to return soon. The temple president offered to buy lunch next time if the youth each bring a family name.

We're in!

81 Secatogue

Apartment 44






August 1st - Moved in to our new apartment. The Hawkes picked this one out months ago, but left for home before the lease was signed. They were tired of the traffic noise coming off Fulton Street at the prior location. This one is probably the best Senior Couple apartment on Long Island. This time we are able to fully unpack.
It is walking distance to the Old Bethpage Park and has easy access to the Long Island Railway through a private gate.

The Secatogue were indigenous people living to the east, now Bay Shore, where we teach our Friday evening class.

View from our balcony looking toward Main Street



Train Station through front window

Even though we teach five to six days each week, CES is less than half of our responsibilities. One of our instructors at the MTC joked that CES stands for "cooking every second." Humorous, but accurate. Stefanie is using all of her temple recipes and culinary training. Classroom and kitchen aside, we chauffeur, transport, coach, counsel, network, and do a fair amount of proselyting with the young missionaries. We enjoy large autonomy to follow spiritual inclinations. We particularly appreciate our conversations with investigators and less-active members. We will probably pick up a weekly shift in the Manhattan temple.

In our first interview with President Calderwood we asked for his vision of our mission role. He said that we should support the members in any way necessary to the work of salvation. We value this trust in us.

We have maps, a wall, post it notes and markers. We have committed young missionaries in our district, and . . .

we have a plan.

Plainview Stake Young Single Adults