This week in Huntington newsletter: Knicks Fever brings 1,000 to Heckscher Park
A crowd of about 1,000 gathered at Heckscher Park on Monday night for Game 3 of NBA Finals. Credit: Kathy M Helgeson
How about those Knicks!
If you haven’t caught Knicks fever, come along. Just about everyone I speak to has it. Town officials have it so bad that in a week’s time, they put together a viewing party for Monday's Game 3 of the Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals at Heckscher Park. By tipoff time at 8:30 p.m., about 1,000 people had showed up in front of the Chapin Rainbow Stage to watch the action, televised on a screen from the stage.
Town Supervisor Ed Smyth credited town employees Kevin Thorbourne and Walter Edwards for coordinating the effort with the support of multiple town departments. “This was a great event that was put on in short notice and yet, to the public, it was seamless — something we always endeavor to do here in the town,” Smyth told me in an email. “The choreography that goes on behind the scenes, those details that the public rarely gets to see ... [were] amazing to watch.”
The Knicks let us down Monday, but boy, did they come back in a historic Game 4! They can clinch the NBA title Saturday in Game 5 in San Antonio. As of Thursday, it had yet to be decided whether the town would put on another viewing party. Watch the town’s Facebook page here for information.
Are you a longtime Knicks fan or just jumping on the bandwagon? Let me know at deborah.morris@newsday.com.
Movie theater update
The AMC theater in Huntington was closed due to a septic system problem earlier this month. Credit: Rick Kopstein
What seemed to be a short-term problem for the AMC movie theater on Wall Street appeared to be a bigger and longer-term issue. The theater, which was closed earlier this month reportedly because of a septic system issue, remained closed this week.
Town spokeswoman Christine Geed on Thursday said she did not have any updated information. A representative from the movie chain did not immediately respond to my email seeking an update.
My colleague Tracy Tullis had reported that a notice on the building dated June 6 said, "This structure is unsafe and its occupancy has been prohibited by the Bureau of Fire Prevention of the Town of Huntington."
The theater previously was closed earlier this year for what a theater employee said were plumbing repairs, but it's not known if this closure is linked to that one.
Elsewhere in town
This tiny home in Huntington went on the market earlier this year. Credit: Request Tours/Chuck Danas
- In the high-priced Long Island housing market, smaller houses offer both sellers and buyers benefits. Newsday real estate reporter Rachel Weiss took a look at how. Read her story here and see recent small-home sales, including in Huntington.
- My colleagues Sandra Peddie, Bahar Ostadan and Belisa Morillo wrote a compelling investigative story on prostitution that's occurring at foot and massage spas across Long Island, including in Huntington. Read about it here.
Readers speak out
McDonald's plans to build a restaurant at this site, near Pulaski Road and Park Avenue. Credit: Newsday/Drew Singh
Last week I posed a question about development in Huntington after reporting on big changes planned for Melville, notably a medical school and hospital as well as 400 units of housing. I also mentioned an intersection at the border of Greenlawn and Huntington Station that's suddenly getting a lot of interest with a proposed McDonald's, and as an updated site for the Huntington African American Museum.
Jon Ball was among those who shared his thoughts: "It is absolutely an issue. Traffic on Park Avenue and Pulaski Rd intersection is already very congested," he wrote, noting the intersection has a higher rate of accidents than similar ones in the state. "How much more development does the town board intend to ram down the throats of residential communities surrounding this intersection?"
He added that "The concept of adding a museum has never been discussed with area residents."
How do you feel about the two recent development plans at this intersection? Let me know at deborah.morris@newsday.com.
Things to do
Check out these fun and interesting things to do around town in the coming week.
The LGBT Network leads off the Huntington Pride Parade last June. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
Long Island Pride Parade and Celebration
When: Sunday, June 14, noon
What: 36th Annual Long Island Pride Parade marches through downtown Huntington.
Where: Parade starts at Clinton Avenue and Main Street, ends at Main Street and Prime Avenue. A celebration is planned afterward in Heckscher Park.
Information: For more details, go to the Long Island Pride website.
Pride Craft Celebration
When: Saturday, June 13, noon-4 p.m.
What: A crafting event to create rainbow charms, bandannas, or bracelets, parade signs, posters and banners for the parade.
Where: Huntington Arts Council, 213 Main St., Huntington
Information: Free and open to the public. Registration requested.
Historic Cemetery Restoration
When: Saturday, June 13
What: Volunteers will help clean and maintain Revolutionary War burial sites at two historic cemeteries.
Where: Carman Cemetery, Half Hollow Road in Huntington, from 10 a.m. to noon, and Ketcham Cemetery, 105 Old Country Rd. in Melville, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Information: Tools are supplied. Go to the Facebook page of town board member Theresa Mari for more details.
Find more things to do at newsday.com/lifestyle.
Deborah Morris is a native Long Islander and covers the town of Huntington.
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