By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.
“Tradition: the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way.”
Tradition stories are not merely entertainment; they are the lifeblood of tradition and can carry the wisdom and values of a community forward. Traditions, both the well-rooted and new, provide a sense of continuity, connecting us to our past, present, and future. They help build a shared understanding of who we are as individuals and as a community. All traditions become history as a family repeats the cycle. These memories include culinary traditions, bringing companionship and ideas together and a personal way of bringing loved ones together as they repeat traditions.
Lake Ronkonkoma families hold diversity which has been apparent for multi-generations. Families established themselves when they chose the historic Lake Ronkonkoma area to place roots and start a family.
Over the past few weeks as we visited with our local friends and their families to share a little cheer and a holiday meal, I realized that the traditions each family was celebrating were the same as years prior, that we have spent together, not just the way our friends set the table or prepared the entertainment for the night. Once accepting them as annual family traditions, we were now realizing they are so much more. The awareness that I now hold their traditions in my heart is overwhelming. Because of this, I decided that sharing the traditions would be interesting to the public.
The following are distinct local families, some here for over 350 years, as told by the continuing member of the family that has become the one to keep the traditions going. Just a few lines, but so full of memories. There are many similarities, such as the 5:00p.m. Christmas Eve Celebrations, Christmas feasts, and the food included in each, and family interaction to the widespread traditions. Very much to be suspected, as the cultures have been in existence and intertwining for thousands of years.
Hallock: “According to Hallock family lore, the making of Christmas eggnog dates to the 1640’s in the new land, and prior to that in Suffolk, England. I remember my brother and sister assisting my father in this tradition. Later my turn came. Now it’s Jace David’s turn to help his Papa make the Hallock eggnog.” – Richard Hallock
Okvist: “Motala, Ostergotland Sweden was the origin of the Oquist family preparing glögg, and went back prior as recorded to the 1400’s. Ivar Okvist would begin the preparations, assisted by his brothers, Eric and William. They would cook and store the product, and Elsie, Ivar’s wife, would use the strained fruit for pies. No one was safe, and as the years went by, more friends would look forward to their bottle. Some joke that it should have been banned in Lake Ronkonkoma! Ivar’s death led to his sister Cecil calling the ‘shots’, and those of us who were taught still prepare the glögg in his house today.” – Ellyn Okvist
Embro: “My family follows the tradition with a Christmas Eve celebration of a hearty meal consisting of ham, fresh vegetables, and bread. After exchanging gifts, we would all go out to see the holiday decorations and lights and listen to caroling in the neighborhood. My grandparents would tell stories of the past, and my parents would instill our tradition year after year.” – Eric Embro
Davis (James): “Traditions were brought from England, Wales and Scotland. Each adult woman would bake cookies and would bring them to the Christmas Eve celebration. All the food would land on Grandmas 24-foot table, and it was ‘choose-what-you-wish.’ The coal heated house was warm and decorated. Grandpa James E. Davis, a devout Christian, gave thanks for the food. As gifts were unwrapped, colorful wrapping paper would become a mound in the center of the room.” – Barbara Cook
Winters: “Growing up Catholic, Christmas was always a very holy time for my family. My parents were into ceramics and even had their own kiln. When we were young, my parents made a beautiful nativity set with a manager. (pictured below) Each Christmas it was put out and on Christmas Day we looked forward to placing the baby Jesus in the manger to celebrate His birthday. My parents made me a nativity set when I got engaged and have since gifted it to our daughter, who now puts it out each Christmas, carrying on the same tradition.” – Margaret Winters Bonhote
Paqua: “My Mom and Grandma would cook our wonderful Christmas menu, and like every year they would sip and get tipsy on Uncle Joe’s homemade wine. My Dad would always try to lob a meatball into someone’s wine glass. The day was not complete until I gave my piano recital for the holiday, which many would sing along.” – Suzanna Paqua Carr
Guida: “My mother and aunts were at their best for the holidays, preparing Italian specialties, including my favorites, such as manicotti, zeppole’s, and meatballs. With four of them working together, the bounties were huge. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years were always delicious and full of food. My father is from the Guida Dairy establishment in Italy. He was taught at an early age to make dairy products, and his handmade mozzarella was perfect. The craft was handed down through the ages.” – John Guida
Hethy: “The Hethy family would gather all the dolls in the home, either on display or packed away, and carefully remove all clothing and accessories. My grandmother, mother, and the girls would wash each piece of clothing with a light soap. They would air dry and then be carefully ironed and ready to redress the dolls. Each doll was washed up like new, being careful to maintain its delicate structure. The house was always full of the beautiful dolls.” – Helen Hethy Mulvihill
Mulvihill: “There has always been a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Day at our home. First and foremost, we give thanks and celebrate the birth of Jesus.” -Irene Mulvihill Congdon
Brandi: “Vincenza “Jennie” Brandi (pictured below) lived until 106 years old, and Cleveland St. in Patchogue was named for her. Her kitchen is still exactly the same, and her picture shows her making zeppole’s. She baked cakes, Italian pastries, and authentic Italian food. She could also be found making wedding gowns and dresses for many local brides. She was a proud Italian, but prouder to be an American Citizen. Her family has maintained the traditions and are still introducing them to the newest generation.” – Jessica Brandi Hickey
Kentner: “As a young girl, our mother was given an angel topper for the Christmas tree. This year, it was showing its age, and my brother engaged a seamstress to do an overhaul on the piece. The completed angel topper is ready to provide a century or more of joy. While the repairs were being done, it was discovered that it may be significantly older than originally thought.” – Robert Kentner.
Hawkins Vollgraff: “As kids we always went to my grandparents’ house on Hawkins Ave. My grandparents had 26 grandchildren. This went on for me until I was 18, the others I guess kept going but I went into the Navy on December 8, so when I got out, Christmas was spent with my parents and siblings. Then year by year, we, the siblings, got married and we would do the typical every-other-holiday with the spouses’ families. As for eggnog, my Aunt Margaret had the best I have ever had. My tradition for Christmas now that my parents are gone, we no longer go to Florida as we always host my son, his wife, and our two grandchildren and up until this year, we also had my daughter, her husband and other two grandchildren from them. This year they had moved to Iowa, so we saw them on Christmas Day at the in-laws’ house as we do every Christmas Day since my parents are gone.” – Samuel Hawkins Vollgraff
Establish new traditions for the future. Make it happen with family, friends, a group or club. The traditions we follow are now our history. Share them with everyone.
