Thomas Power Knows Oyster Bay
Thomas Power of Oyster Bay identified the June 25 mystery picture saying, “It is on Spring Street and Audrey Avenue. It looks like a 1929 Model-T Ford. The picture is taken right near Town Hall and Café Al Dente.”
Marg Buffa of Bayville said, “I love the old car. The picture is taken on the corner right by town hall in Oyster Bay, by the gazebo and is the corner of Audrey and Spring. There is Café Al Dente and not far from it, the Bonanza stand, where we love to get our hot dogs and Italian ices. It’s a wonderful area to sit and enjoy.”
Billy Minicozzi said, “It is an antique car going up Spring Street in Oyster Bay at the corner by Café Al Dente.” He added good luck to the Mets.
Mary Dowling said, “It is the corner by Café Al Dente on Spring Street in Oyster Bay.”
Arthur Leuteman too said, the mystery picture is on the corner of Audrey Avenue, right where Café Al Dente is. “I’ve been around Oyster Bay since 1924,” he added.
Dottie Brandt said, “It’s the area by Al Dente and across the way from Town Hall. Joan Adami identified it, too. We looked at it together.”
John Bruckner, Jr. called to say, “Seated in the antique car is John Bruckner senior, and Mike Stallone of Bayville is his passenger.”
“The picture was probably taken right after the Memorial Day parade held in town. It is at the intersection of Audrey and Spring,” said Mr. Bruckner Jr., OBHS famed fencing coach.
“The mystery picture is taken right by Café Al Dente,” said Brendan Rainey.
Belle Santora said, “The car is at the corner of Audrey and Spring, facing Al Dente. Next to Café Al Dente is an old house and I remember many a time my family sat with the family that lived there, the Penucci family. In the old days everybody got together because there were no movies or television. The only music was if a man could play the accordion and there was always one who did.
“In my parent’s house there was a party every weekend – and with an accordion player – and with my mother making dinner in the kitchen.”
Ms. Santora had been invited to take part in the OB-EN graduation this year but she said she wasn’t able to go. She was however, happy to have celebrated her birthday on Saturday, June 20. “I’ve been partying since. I got a million cards and a million phone calls. My son was so impressed. People took Martha and me out for dinner and sometimes they brought it here. Last night a niece came with another niece and took us out to La Pizzetta. And another night they brought in Chinese food and we had a feast here.
“I went to DBSC on Friday, June 19, and they surprised me with a party. It’s probably my last hurrah,” she said. “I was born on June 20, 1911 at 2 a.m. in the morning on Anstice Street. It’s unbelievable that I got this far and still driving until six months ago and they renewed my drivers license. It’s good for eight years. It expires in 2017. They can put it in the coffin with me!” she said laughing.
Of not going to graduation, she said, “It’s my year, but I can’t do it. Mike Rich is very upset. I was in school with his father. We were like brother and sister. I loved his father and he loved me.”
It is easy to love Belle Santora because she loves you first with no holds barred. – DFK
