Eileen Aliani Knows Oyster Bay
Eileen Aliani, secretary of the Committee for the Beautification of Oyster Bay identified the mystery picture in the Sept. 22 issue of the Enterprise Pilot and said, “It’s taken at the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony in Oyster Bay. I saw all those feet and everybody in suits and I knew.”
Calling from the Summit Street Deli, Colleen Bagan put her answer a little differently, saying, “Is that the firemen at the Memorial?” “Perfect,” we said.
“Dee-lightful” Belle Santora said, “It’s just a guess. It looks like firemen’s feet. I think it would be at the Memorial down at the waterfront.” When she found out she was correct, she said, “I thought so but I wasn’t sure. And everyone of the shoes are spit polished. I’m so proud of them.
“My husband was a fireman with the Atlantic Steamer Fire Company. He was their secretary for about 10 years. When we moved to East Norwich he didn’t feel right about joining the East Norwich Fire Company although they asked him. But he was working in the city and had to get up early. He was a loyal fireman even though he had to get up at 2 a.m. in the morning to get to work on time.
“He got smoke poisoning at the fire at Jakes. He fought at the fire at a Roosevelt estate.”
She too knew about the passing of Nick LaBella, who was her cousin. “It was such a shock,” she said.
Billy Minicozzi, too, recognized the men wearing their dress shoes. He is looking forward to the World Series.
John Taylor called to identify the mystery picture from the Sept. 15 issue. He said, “It’s Beekman Beach.” He added, “I know the artist. It’s Kirk Larsen of Hicksville and I called him and asked where he was painting in the photo. He said, “It’s obviously winter and it was at Beekman Beach.” Now there is resourcefulness at its best. Thank you to everyone for answering the Mystery Picture and getting another glimpse into Oyster Bay.
– DFK.
