Dan's Papers - April 3, 2009 -

I know seeing is believing, but when was this underground railway system built? Was it over a period of a decade?

I've been going out to Montauk off and on, since my dad took mom and me for a summer vacation trip back in 1957. That's when my Crayola crayons melted in a pencil case (Yes, a case complete with zipper) on the rear package shelf of our 1955 Mercury Monterey! We stayed in Montauk for two nights, ate at the Shagwong and played games in the game room across the street from where we stayed.

I keep reading stories in your paper about a subway and never knew it existed. Am I out of touch?

It was built in the 1930s. I was one of the workers. - DR

Glad you liked the Mohonk photo. We were there for a week and 25 years ago with our family. Did the rock-climbing scene then. After a bad ankle break in '91, I am thankful I can walk now.

I met you at the Lodge book signing. We talked about both being at the "Free Life" take-off from the Miller property.

Just moved last week permanently to our home in East Hampton after living for 30 years in Montville, New Jersey and coming here part-time for over 50 years. My dad bought the first house on the left, after the culvert on Gerard Drive in the early '50s. We had a nice beach then, but unfortunately it eroded and now water goes under the house. It has been in the papers lately.

Then we built the second house on the left on Gann Road in the '80s. We have been on the Circle for 10 years and it's great to be able to walk to everything (especially in the summer).

I enjoyed In the Hamptons and am looking forward to your next book.

It's out next week. Look for One Year on the Hampton Subway at Bookhampton. - DR

Seems to me that the Scotch Mist Inn was more across the street from the True Blue Motel than the Indian Reservation. I watched the surrounding grass, scrub oak and pine burn around the old Inn, and then the large pine trees adjacent to the Inn caught fire. Smoke from the eaves began to issue and suddenly the whole building burst into flames, reminiscent of a film documenting the destruction of a nuclear bomb. I was awestruck. The next day only a huge metal sculpture of a spider remained; in the basement people were picking up stacks of dinnerware that neatly dropped and survived the holocaust. I found one souvenir, a bronze lion's head from a fountain.

I still live on the ocean, only further south.

While thinking about my families summer visit to Mattituck, this popped into my head.

With the recession, and everyone cutting back, will the helicopter traffic be drastically reduced? I hope so. A quiet visit and summer for every one else in the flight path will be a welcome change.

As far as loss of revenue to the air taxi services, maybe they can offer low altitude tours of the rich and infamous homes. Special Saturday Sunday rates.

Nobody would be in them. It would work. - DR

Bernie Madoff's $50 billion Ponzi scheme put many non-profits, civic organizations and community organizations out of business. The rippling effects of Bernie Madoff's deceptive actions will have consequences to charities for years to come.

Unfortunately, charities have other potential threats lurking in the shadows that we all must be aware of. During these difficult economic times some local individuals have misrepresented themselves by holding unauthorized fundraisers, have collected money on behalf of charities, only to thus far pocket the money for their own financial gain. Who has the most to lose when this occurs? The people most in need of these vital services that the non-profit charities actually provide services for. In these unprecedented economic times, a time where local, state and federal funds are rapidly shrinking and drying up, donations are a critical ingredient for the survival of local non-profits.

I am putting out a call to action to our community. Before you give any money to a charity, please do your homework. Make sure the person collecting for the charity is reputable. If there is any doubt, simply mail your donation directly to the charity to ensure the 100% of the donated money helps the individuals you intended it to. Also, and just as importantly, if you suspect fraudulent activity occurring please contact the charity immediately. This will allow us to take the necessary and appropriate actions to put a stop to fraudulent behavior and to try to recoup monies that were donated as being intended for our cause.

As the Executive Director of the only Domestic Violence service provider in our community, The Retreat, I want to assure that monies donated to our agency reach us. So do my colleagues.

Furthermore, you should ask the representative who is collecting money on behalf of the charity what percentage of the monies they are collecting are going to the charity. You may be surprised. If it is a low percentage, you might be better off making the donation directly to a charity to ensure that 100% of the money you are donating reaches our most needy citizens.

If we all work together, we will ensure the preservation of these vital services to the people you intended to help. As the need for services continues to rise because of the times we are living in, I want to thank you for your generous efforts and contributions. It is your generosity that continues to allow us to do the good work that is necessary to keep our community healthy and safe.