A Trip Down Memory Lane Vis a Vis Photographs

As all my Patch Article Readers and Facebook Friends know that I do not publish scholastic or academic or scientific treatises. My Articles are intended to be like a casual conversation one might have over a back-yard fence with a neighbor.

They also know how I think my home town of Orangetown is a "Slice Of Heaven". Some of its institutions have incredible histories. Some of them are the Lederle Laboratory/Wyeth/Pfizer Biopharmaceutical Companies campus Middletown Road, the Columbia University Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the New York State Nathan Kline Psychiatric Institute, all of which have impacted our entire world !

And then there are the headquarters of the Sparkill Order of Dominic Nuns' and the the Blauvelt Order of Dominican Nuns' orphanages and Colleges, all of which have impacted the entire New York City Metropolitan Region and all its environs for over 100 plus years and, of course, the New York State's Rockland Psychiatric [adult] Center and its Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center which have impacted over six Counties.

On an smaller scale, I am also blissfully happy in my hamlet home of Pearl River, where I moved to very soon after my Tour of Duty with the Marine Corps ended in 1960. Pearl River 's business zone hosts many great eateries of every possible size and genre from almost every world continent, as well as fanatically great traditional and modern Irish pubs suitable for every age group.

However there is one, called "Uncle Tommys", all the walls of which are covered with photographs of the celebrities of Manhattan of just two generations ago when Manhattan was the brightest unban city in America. I am confident that if you pass by and decide to walk in and see all the photographs of yesterday's famous celebrities that you will be made welcome. It has a bar, a music room and a huge family friendly dining room.

How did this come about ? The Back Story is-

"Uncle Tommy’s Tavern pays homage to Tommy Rowles who was a bartender in The Carlyle Hotel for 53 years. Tommy served Presidents, movie stars and even Royalty. He was a well loved character in Pearl River, the Bronx in the 60’s and his birthplace Dublin, Ireland. In his heyday he was such a warm man who loved entertaining us all with his hilarious stories told with his signature Bottle of Heineken in his hand. Sadly in his last years Tommy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and passed away in 2018. However his legacy of working hard and playing even harder will live on. We invite you to visit us enjoy some fine food and drinks and a few laughs. You may even hear some Tommy Rowles stories of which there are many. "

Uncle Tommy is the reason for the photographs.