Smithtown was my home once. I remember summer days walking with my friends down Mt. Pleasant road toward Village Center off of route 111. We would always take the back way. Down the old overgrown road with the bridge just big enough for people to walk on. There would always be a few things floating in the small stream or an old moped lying in the brush. We would continue on and grab a slice of pizza at La Primavera (now La Cucina) before getting gum at Genovese and comics at Fourth World. We would then make our way back chewing gum, talking, and being completely oblivious to the outside world. The world outside of Smithtown. We were just enjoying being kids.
I have lived most of my post-college life in Connecticut. I went to Sacred Heart University in Fairfield where I got a degree in computer science. I worked in SHU’s IT department until last year. Smithtown is my home once again and I look at all that remains. I also see all that has faded into just a memory of childhood. Something’s are the same like the little footbridge that brought me to the pizza shop, and some things have gone like Yellow Top Farms and all the green that used to surround my neighborhood. I find the same in myself. Some things have changed since those days and some things you just can’t shake. I hope to explore my town and get to know it again. Who knows what surprises I may find!
PS - Some background on the Old Route 111
