Boldly Go
The West Islip Kindness Project began in a small village on Long Island during the summer of ’52. The baby boom had been detonated and several friends gathered in the home of Bob Keeshan to discuss the fallout. They didn’t realize it at the time, but this great generation was forming the nucleus of our country’s soul in a post-war world.
The Concord Village
Boom
1952
Launch Pad
1955
Countdown
Bob Keeshan jumps at the chance to become “Captain Kangaroo.” Pat Cleary sewed his prototype jacket (Simplicity Pattern 4107)
Without Bob Keeshan:
AN EDITORIAL
Someone said it must be a lot like learning to swim: all the other times, the instructor was right there holding your head above water. Then you make your first strokes unaided and he’s gone. You’re on your own.
Bob Keeshan was more than the Concordian staff’s instructor: he was the glue that held it together, the gasoline that set it into motion, and the wings on which it flew into being. Now, because there are only 24 hours in every day, because he has a family, a tremendous job with WABC-TV and other civic responsibilities, Bob has resigned.
It would be innocuous to say we’re sorry to see him go. We’re a little awed at the prospect of a CONCORDIAN future without him and tremendously aware that we now face a challenge almost as intense as the one Bob himself must have faced when he first conceived the notion of this community newspaper.
To a man, the CONCORDIAN staff wish Bob Keeshan and his family the very best of everything. But we will not say farewell, or anything nearly so final. We still expect to hear from Bob, frequently, and we want him to know that we’ll always be listening.
[Trish’s note: …to a man??]
1962
Lift Off
Lawrence Elliott pens “A Little Girl’s Gift” and joins the editorial staff of Reader’s Digest.
1976
Studio 54 & Beyond
The Captain has left the building, and the famed TV studio became Studio 54.
Concord Village West Islip
MORE GOOD NEIGHBORS
Village Person
Jeff olson
Jeff Olson, the Cowboy in the Village People, lived next door to the Cleary’s on Alwick Avenue in Concord Village. Jeff and Peg Cleary were playmates. In fact, they were so close that they strung two tin cans between their bedroom windows to keep in touch. Jeff is credited with saving Peg’s life the day she fell asleep in a pipe at a construction site. Peg, in turn, didn’t tattle on Jeff when he removed the pegs from the lobster claws at the fish market. Jeff got caught in his own net, anyway, when mom found the pegs in his pockets on laundry day.
It was a true case of puppy love. So much so that when the Olson’s Boxer mix gave birth, the Cleary’s got pick of the litter. In turn, Tige, the puppy, had his pick of retainers. He started with Kathie’s.
We’re not sure what happened to Tige, but we all know what became of the boy next door. He’s on retainer.
The Man
Richard Kiley
With six kids in the family, the Kileys always had a full house. The best seats, however, were in the painted station wagons circling the block. Open windows, summer nights and a view of Richard getting ready for his next roll was the stuff of impossible dreams. The ladies behind the wheels loved to hear Richard Kiley narrate their stories. They spared no expense.
A Condensed Gift
LARRY ELLIOT
With three girls in each family at the time, the Elliotts and the Cleary’s formed a formidable flock of females. Barbara and Ellen quickly paired up and were inseparable for the first nine years of their lives.
Larry Elliott, already the recipient of the Freedoms Foundation award, went on to author several biographies of inspiring people. As an editor at Reader’s Digest, he wrote A Little Girl’s Gift, a touching, true story of a child whose courage changed thousands of lives.
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CORNEA
Since 1961, nearly one million corneal transplants have restored sight to men, women, and children.
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BABY KANGAROO
Kangaroo tastes like a cross between venison and buffalo. The texture of the meat is not quite as dry as deer but it’s leaner than buffalo.
Warning: Consuming overcooked kangaroo meat may result in feelings of guilt.
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FULL TILT
Ho, there, foul monster! Cease the knocking at thy craven knees and prepare to do battle!
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