Center Moriches

Belle Bernstein talks about the family duck farm.

Sixty two years ago, my grandparents were wandering the halls of CenterMorichesHigh School, just as I am today…But, there were a few differences. CenterMorichesHigh School has not miraculously stayed in its tip top shape for sixty two years. A new school was built, and needless to say my grandmother was not attending classes in it. Catherine C. Rooney graduated on June 23^rd, 1947, with forty three of her peers among her, one including my grandfather, Richard E. Ringhoff. Before they graduated the class did get to participate in the events, just as our seniors will be doing this year. Meaning, that they got to go on a class trip, and attend a prom. On April 7^th, 1947, the graduating class traveled down to Washington, D.C. They stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel, which still exists today.

A significant memory for many of Center Moriches' older citizens is the 1938 hurricane.  This hurricane will never be forgotten because of the significant damage that it caused to the town and the experiences people had during it.  Some saw the first huge wave come over the beach and destroy buildings that were in its way, including the three story Clear View Hotel.  The water flooded roads all the way up to Main Street. This hurricane caused a lot of chaos and excitement in the Center Moriches area.
 

~By Jordan Markle
~From an interview with Artie Rumph