"Community" is priceless

Long Island is probably thought of as a sprawling suburb of Manhattan by most of the world. Those of us that make our homes here know better. We are instead a group of “small towns” located within commuting distance of the greatest metropolis in the world.

I am witness to this feeling everyday as I go about my life here on the south shore. It is especially strong for me on this Saturday afternoon. I just came from the 14th annual East Islip alumni lacrosse game. It is held every year in memory of a 1981 graduate who played for East Islip. His name was Craig Kohlhepp and he was taken from us by a brain tumor shortly after graduation. This game is organized by Joe Ancona, the varsity coach at East Islip High School. He was a player almost 30 years ago when the program was in it’s infancy and came back to lead the team into the upper echelons of the game here on Long Island. The game is always a great time, but more than that it is an opportunity for the alumni to get together and remember what a fine community we are all a part of.

These types of events go on all over Long Island for all kinds of reasons. It seems that each town has at it’s core a sense of community usually associated with “small towns”
Whether it be a sick child, a local project, a sports program, a music program, or any number of causes, each town comes together as a community to take care of their own.


Property value is so much more than a number on a page. The value of a strong community is priceless. That is why while it may be relatively expensive to stay here on the Island it is well worth it to most of it’s inhabitants.

Right now is the time that can open the chance for many of our young people to invest in a home and enjoy all that each community has to offer it’s residents. The time is ripe to enter the housing market and invest in the positive future that is Long Island.