Yes, it was the Pine Lodge.
I lived on the Estate 1975-1976 academic year when attending Stony Brook, in a different house...in Chandler building #3 on the map above.
I knew Mrs Chandler and am sorry to hear just now that she has passed.
Have more to post, but on a smart phone now and will post more later at home from my iPad
In 1975/76 the place was run down a bit, but clean, and perfect for us guys.
In our house we had 4 large bedrooms upstairs, and 3 bedrooms downstairs.
We had a collection of guys with different backgrounds in this bachelor pad.
Three of us (me included), had motorcycles, that we parked in the inside of the front porch. Three were graduate students at Stony Brook (history; marine sciences; sociology); three were undergraduates (including me, that had studied so hard, had essentially finished a semester early...more about that later); one was a painter (no, not artist in this case, a house painter!).
The marine sciences graduate student was a very accomplished musician, and had a fantastic band of Crosby, Stills, Nash type music, that I would not infrequently wake up to, and go to their gigs.
There were the normal activities that go on with a group of bachelors, but not for discussion now...there are more interesting things to discuss.
But first a little about the Main House, and Mrs Chandler on the next post.
Last edited by Ed K; 09-25-2011 at 08:59 PM.
Mrs Chandler was a very nice woman, strong, but aging even in 1975.
She ran the place entirely on her own after her husband passed away.
The Main House was very large. It had huge fireplace, that was so big, it was rarely used.
Mrs Chandler was always kind to us, but we were good to her; for example we always paid on time, and did not cause any trouble.
She lived in the Main House, which had seen better times, and clearly was magical in it's hey-day.
The main house had all the bedrooms on the second floor, and there were lots of them...I don't recall exactly how many since I did not live there, but about 6 or 7 (?) or so.
We always went to visit Mrs Chandler in her Master Bedroom on the second floor, which essentially was her only private place that was also her "office". She was always cheerful, but business like. I don't recall ever having a personal discussion with her, nor ever seeing any visitors or family.
Back to our house, I recall the tennis, basketball courts useable then, but worn. Both were very close to our house, and we used the tennis courts some times.
My room was in the front of the house, pointed north toward the water, although it could not be seen from there with too many trees and distance.
I had an avid interest in astronomy then and took some classes at Stony Brook. In 1975, this was the perfect place to look atmthe heavens! It was completely dark. I had no curtains on my room (why? There was no one anywhere outside) and my room had a main section, and a little adjoining pallor, that i put my bed. I could see the stars from there in all it's splendor. What a beautiful sight!
My interest in astronomy grew, and I was somewhat of an expert in the positions of stars, planets, deep sky objects, constellations, etc. Essentially, I knew exactly what I was looking at, and where to find celestial objects.
Also, I was a 3.7/4.0 student at the time when they did not give extra points for taking advanced classes. Your GPA was your GPA, no matter what classes you took.
So, I had studied fairly extensively about the universe, and was a disciplined bright student that had just been accepted to an outstanding graduate school (that I later attended, and graduated from, and to this day continue with a successful career).
I say this not to brag, but to establish a foundation of who I was at the time in the context of what I will say next. I was an ambitious, disciplined, smart young guy, with pretty extensive knowledge of observable astronomy. And no, I did not do drugs. Had a few drinks now and then, and very occasionally a little pot, but very rarely. I was very interested in knowledge, and to the maximum degree absorbed everything I could from Stony Brook.
During the winter of 75/76 at the Chandler Estate, I had completed my course work early, and the the first time, had some free time. I was wrestling with conflicting issues, that I won't elaborate on here, but became very depressed...despondent. And since I completed my studies early, and was in the middle of nowhere at that time, I did not have to do or see much of anyone.
As i took walks at night alone in the pitch black night sky of the Estate to look at the sky, it started to become more to me than just observations.
I was very troubled, and with all of my considerable brain power, could not solve some personal issues.
One late evening, I walked alone into the wood of the Estate, dropped to my knees, looked up to the night sky I studied and knew like the back of my hand, and from the very depth of my soul, cried out for help.
There was nothing left of me...what little there was, I focused into this plea for help. I was in mental anguish.
At that moment, a star grew brighter, somehow "touched" me, immediately put me a peace, and I immediately knew I was touched by God. He saved me. I don't know how, or why, but a moment before I was in mental anguish, a second later I felt a complete peace that I have never felt again, and was absolutely certai it was God. There was no doubt in my mind.
That event changed my life. It was not like after thateverything was easy. It was extremely difficult, but i now had hope, and that was enough to propel me.
I did not tell the guys in the house about this, nor anyone for about 10 years. Now there are only you reading this and four others that I have told face to face.
Wow very interesting stuff. I have never been to the Estate but would love to visit it someday. Welcome aboard.
Curly and I did a little metal detecting yesterday, I found a small gold earing in the parking lot and we found a few other things. the old abandoned house and shed we explored 2 years ago are gone.
Aluminum foil pipe we found buried about 6 inches deep.
some of the loot we found (14 cents, pull tabs, christmas ornaments ...)
cheese knife "1874 rogers bro" stamped on one side, not sure if its silver or plated. Researched it and was made in 1924 in ancestral pattern.
Was good to get out and get some fresh air...
Cool knife! That place still has to be holding some treasures.
Just having fun is what its all about!
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