Vanderbilt Cup Races

Mr. DeStefani…..Thanks for drawing the sketch of The Petite Trianon. You growing up literally right down the street from the Inn and your memories are better than any old aerial or photo can provide.

I’ll be 50 at the end of the month, so I have to rely on aerial maps, etc. I guess the Inn was completed demolished sometime after 1966?

Our family grew up in Brentwood/Central Islip. We used to go to the Islip side of the lake to swim,etc. ( I’m guessing it was safe to be in the lake then? ). I now live in Lake Ronkonkoma with my family. There’s all kinds of warning signs not to swim in the lake.

From Femenias' Findings:Finding Petit Trianon, the Annex & the Petit Trianon's Lake Stairway Updated 3/12

Ah, the ol’ chimney trick. You’ve got me this time, but I’ll be back! ‘Till we meet again…....

From Mystery Snowy Foto #10 Solved: The Great Neck Lodge in Lake Success Circa 1940 Update:3/14/17

That’s a big Twinkie!

From VanderbiltCupRaces.com Exclusive: A Motor Parkway Treasure Chest Found in Malverne

Dean, If you want me to send you some information I noted in my comments you can contact me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  One other piece that you may consider that could be worked back into the “rich are different” theme was an article by Robert Caro about RM in the the New Yorker (1-5-98) about how Otto Kahn, a wealthy landowner on the gold coast secretly paid for his own $10,000 Northern Parkway alignment survey, (and RM accepted it) to avoid a private golf course that Kahn had just constructed. This lead in part to the southern shift in the alignment that resulted.  Hope to attend the next LIMP meeting. If you are going to attend let me know I can bring the big stuff that is too large to scan. All the best, Bob
__________________________________________

Howard Kroplick

Here is a link to a 2014 New York Times article by author Robert Caro “The Power Broker, 40 Years Later”

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/books/review/the-power-broker-40-years-later.html?_r=0

From Screen Test Request: Film "Green Light: The Story Behind the Long Island Motor Parkway"

From Al Velocci:

The Great Neck Lodge in Lake Success circa 1939-1940

From Mystery Snowy Foto #10 Solved: The Great Neck Lodge in Lake Success Circa 1940 Update:3/14/17

It looks like the Great Neck lodge off Lakeville Road constructed by John Russell Pope after it was used as a private residence with a vehicle parked in the portico, about 1940.

From Mystery Snowy Foto #10 Solved: The Great Neck Lodge in Lake Success Circa 1940 Update:3/14/17

-Identify the lodge. Provide a rationale.
One of the original lodges, Great Neck lodge built in 1909. Recognizable by the portico and chimney positions.

-Who was the architect for the lodge?
John Russell Pope

What is the approximate date of the photo? Provide a rationale.
1940- already in use as a private home and the car under the portico.

From Mystery Snowy Foto #10 Solved: The Great Neck Lodge in Lake Success Circa 1940 Update:3/14/17

Dean,

Overall I really loved the video and thought it was very well done. I enjoyed the historic narrative (very well written) and the pics / video that went along with your words. Well done!

Constructive criticism portion: I feel like you were your own worst enemy as far as “professionalism” and the attempts at humor and interjections. You would have wonderfully long sections of factual and well written information interrupted by attempts at humor like the “Jesus H Christ” splurge, my son looked at me funny when you did that - like it made no sense to him! All of the attempts at humor were not good—just remove them…this is not a comedy, it’s a professional presentation about LI history and a very good one. The imaginary land transaction exchange was not funny either - at all, nor was your head popping from side to side on that one section, and being a historical movie you focused way too much on your personal Ronkonkoma story….if you are making this for your own use then that’s great, but if this is meant to be shown/distributed in any way take that all out.

But that’s it….the idea/narrative/pics/words, everything was great except for these little lapses that could be easily fixed/edited. Sammy and I were both very into it and were mad when there was no PART IV to see so that is a great sign, you had us both into it! I loved the Robert Moses discussion you present, I disagree with Bob’s critique above on that.

And like others I’ll volunteer my services if you need/want: I have pics of anything/everything LIMP related in terms of what things look like NOW. Nothing old, just now stuff if you need anything Howard knows how to get me.

Let us all know when Part IV is ready!

From Screen Test Request: Film "Green Light: The Story Behind the Long Island Motor Parkway"

Again, thanks to everyone for their feedback.  I apologize for being a little potty mouthed, but I can assure you that I’ve already taken out parts that were even more profane.  My wife and daughter don’t like when I swear either, so I try to keep that to a minimum.  Howard, thanks for using your keen eye to point out factual inconsistencies which I will certainly get to work on fixing.  Frank, the song you’re referring to is “Gymnopedie No 1” by Erik Satie, a popular piece of music that’s been used in movies before.  Bob I appreciate your candor and will certainly take your suggestions into consideration.  Going forward, I’m planning on attending the next meeting of the LIMP Preservation society, and I hope to meet some of you there.  Thanks again.

From Screen Test Request: Film "Green Light: The Story Behind the Long Island Motor Parkway"

GREAT GIVE US MORE

From Screen Test Request: Film "Green Light: The Story Behind the Long Island Motor Parkway"

Quite an œuvre, Dean!  I’d be happy to help from inception of Motor Parkway Panel to Howard’s formation of LIMPPS or in any other way I might.  See http://sbiii.com/limtrpwy.html, et seq., if you’re not familiar with it.  I agree that you should clean the film up a bit, though; a nicer tone wouldn’t hurt acceptance - I don’t think I’m a prig but I must admit I was put off a bit.  Sam, III

From Screen Test Request: Film "Green Light: The Story Behind the Long Island Motor Parkway"

What a nice film!  Some of it was material that I am familiar with and some was new to me.  In any case, most enjoyable.  I live in Dix Hills near the intersection of Deer Park Avenue and Motor Parkway, so I often drive on it.  When I was young and in the boy scouts, we sometimes hiked on local stretch of the parkway that was accessible from Hicksville Road (north of Hempstead Turnpike).  Keep up the good work. 
Ken Harris

From Screen Test Request: Film "Green Light: The Story Behind the Long Island Motor Parkway"

Dean – Great video in progress, and loaded with information. I learned a thing or two myself and enjoyed the comedy in between.

Question: What is the name of the song at 21:08?

A few suggestions:

Turn down a notch at 2:42, especially if the video is intended for wide audiences of different age groups.

Use more, if possible, the video clips showing the early auto’s windshield view, driving down the wooded country roads (12:25 and 17:26). Not only rare, they are most entertaining to watch, especially when a location can be identified. 

Sound track suggestions:

Freeway Jam – Jeff Beck (highway traffic)
Breezin’ – George Benson
Fun, Fun, Fun – Beach Boys
Drive My Car - Beatles
Beck’s Bolero – Jeff Beck (congested traffic)

Good luck and looking forward to more!

From Screen Test Request: Film "Green Light: The Story Behind the Long Island Motor Parkway"

Another great film,what a history behind this and you are part of it,what’s going to be next for you,you’ll never know until it happens,something will come along and you’ll make history again,it’s never ending with you,is it?,you’re a magnet for making history

From The Dream of the Tucker Torpedo Concept Car Is Becoming A Reality

Dean, quite an effort , I hope you find these comments constructive and have a bit of a thick skin:
The start is a bit of a snoozer, flows like a bad Chamber of Commerce film needs heavy edits and loose the “humor” and vulgarity “. You missed two early local race events, 1901 on Coney Island and 1902 Staten Island. They ( particularly the 1902 race) play into the Cup races and VMP. I have some info and images from these two races if you are interested contact me. Music with lyrics over a narrative does not work for me. Save the “stories for another day” for another movie. Sorry, but I don’t really care about your early family history. Although I am sure it would make another lovely movie.  The parkway and the V Cup races seem to confused and conflated, need a clearer distinction between the V M P vs the course used for the V Cup races. If you want to continue the Vanderbilt auto racing thread on LI ( this time George)  you should cover the track races in Mineola in 1936 and 1937 , some good info on this in “Racing the Silver Arrows” by Chris Nixon, A bit too much on RM, with not much focus , not really clear what you are trying to communicate, what he built on LI ?, if so, show it more clearly. That he was not nice? I don’t really care about his personal life. Contact me, I have a large LI Parkway map from the 1930’s that could help to illustrate the RM parkway system. Hope you find this helpful. Warm regards ,Bob

From Screen Test Request: Film "Green Light: The Story Behind the Long Island Motor Parkway"

...a little bit James Bond… a little bit NYC 50’s taxi… a little bit Art Deco… a little bit Grandmas’s shiny, new Olds in her Brooklyn driveway… and, Voila!

From The Dream of the Tucker Torpedo Concept Car Is Becoming A Reality

Very much enjoyed this film.  I’ve lived on Long Island all my life and learned things through this film that I was totally unaware of. Mr Romano’s historical presentation is right on and very well presented.  The rich never cease to amaze me as to how they spend their money.  But what must be said in so doing, Mr. Romano shows how their money created history and at the same time preserved it for future generations.  One side story, in early 195i, I was a busboy at Shor’s in Rockville Centre, NY when Robert Moses and his group came in for frankfurters and hamburgers. It was my job to place them on his table.  Even then, I thought he was cold and a very pretentious person.  Never smiling and not cordial at all. I’ll give Mr. Romano an A.

From Screen Test Request: Film "Green Light: The Story Behind the Long Island Motor Parkway"

LOved it !!!  Can’t wait to see part IV…..

From Screen Test Request: Film "Green Light: The Story Behind the Long Island Motor Parkway"

Hi all,

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who watched the movie and for offering feedback.  A special thank you to Howard, not only for agreeing to post the movie on his excellent website but for graciously allowing me to use photos from his books and website.  He is truly the foremost authority on all things Parkway related, and the movie would not be possible if not for his exhaustive research.  I’ll keep you all posted on the progress of the movie as I bring it to completion, but your kind words have provided me with a great source of encouragement.  Thank you all, again.

From Screen Test Request: Film "Green Light: The Story Behind the Long Island Motor Parkway"

I will send sketch’s, as Dave Spencer suggested starting Tuesday or Wednesday this coming week.  I already sent Frank Femnias an overhead sketch and advised him that he can share it on this site and I also asked Howard if he can repost my walk through of the Petit Trianon that was sent up in March 2015.

Bob
____________________________________________________
Howard Kroplick

Bob, I will continue the series next week.

From Femenias' Findings:Finding Petit Trianon, the Annex & the Petit Trianon's Lake Stairway Updated 3/12