Lake Ronkonkoma in History and Legend, The Princess Curse and Other Stories: A Lifeguard’s View
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The History and Legends of Lake Ronkonkoma, the Princess Curse and Other Stories; A Lifeguard’s View, discusses the history and the folklore of Long Island’s largest lake. It builds a strong case for the Princess legend, not just as a ghost who dwells in or near Lake Ronkonkoma, but as an evil presence that has drowned numerous victims for many years. The author consulted professional opinions, of paranormal experts, who generally believe curses are real, not superstition. He also consulted many sources on Lake Ronkonkoma, to focus in on the fact that a young male has drowned almost every year, and that few females have died in the Lake. In fact it remains, after studying all the sources on Lake Ronkonkoma, that possibly only one female lost her life. Her official cause of death was kidney failure, caused by secondary drowning. The volume also chronicles the lifeguard career of the author, David S. Igneri. His lifeguards at the lake and his other beaches were, in general gifted athletes. However, to lifeguard Lake Ronkonkoma they needed specific training that was not covered in their regular lifeguard preparation. At first, Igneri himself, eighteen years of age when he became head lifeguard at the lake, did not totally understand the task before him. However, he sought advice from older lifeguards, and read everything he could about Ronkonkoma, and formulated a program. In his early years he did not believe in the Princess Curse at all, and believed it was only superstition. His experiences during that time at the lake made him re-think his views. Gradually he realized that some force or entity was causing, or helped causing the many deaths. During Igneri’s thirty-two years as a lake lifeguard, approximately thirty drownings occurred, and only one was a female. David Igneri began to change his policies at Lake Ronkonkoma on July 5, 1965. He totally believes that the spirits told him what to do. The last chapters of this volume discuss his transformation into a scientific lifeguard. His goal became to protect and save all of the people, all of the time, and stop the legend. After reading this volume, you will have to decide for yourself how much success he had in this endeavor.
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About the Book
The History and Legends of Lake Ronkonkoma, the Princess Curse and Other Stories; A Lifeguard’s View, discusses the history and the folklore of Long Island’s largest lake. It builds a strong case for the Princess legend. The author consulted professional opinions, of paranormal experts, who generally believe curses are real, not superstition. He also consulted many sources on Lake Ronkonkoma, to focus in on the fact that a young male has drowned almost every year, and that few females have died in the Lake. In fact it remains, that possibly only one female lost her life. Her official cause of death was kidney failure, caused by secondary drowning. The volume also chronicles the lifeguard career of the author, David S. Igneri. His lifeguards at the lake and his other beaches were, in general gifted athletes. However, to lifeguard Lake Ronkonkoma they needed specific training that was not covered in their regular lifeguard preparation. At first, Igneri himself, did not totally understand the task before him. However, he sought advice from older lifeguards, and read everything he could about Ronkonkoma, and formulated a program. In his early years he did not believe in the Princess Curse at all, and believed it was only superstition. His experiences during that time, made him re-think his views. Gradually he realized that some force or entity was causing, or helped causing the many deaths. David Igneri began to change his policies at Lake Ronkonkoma on July 5, 1965. He totally believes that the spirits told him what to do. His goal became to protect and save all of the people, all of the time, and stop the legend. After reading this volume, you will have to decide for yourself, how much success he had in this endeavor.
About the Author
David S. Igneri is a “born on the fourth of July,” Italian American. Although Brooklyn, New York was his birthplace in 1944, the Igneri family moved to Patchogue, Long Island, when he was very young. After completing high school in Patchogue, he attended college at Brockport State University, where he received his B.S. in Education in 1966. He taught public school for thirty years, retiring in 1998. Always fascinated by history, he continued his education, receiving a number of graduate degrees. He received his Ph.D. in Colonial American History from the Union Institute in 1992. He taught American and European history, as an adjunct professor, at Dowling College and Long Island University, from 1999-2004. He came out of retirement to teach American History at Briarcliffe College from 2009-2010. During his summers from 1961-1994, David S. Igneri was an ocean-lake lifeguard on Long Island’s south shore. He was head lifeguard at Lake Ronkonkoma on Long Island for thirty-two summers. He was involved in numerous rescues and learned of the many legends of the lake during that time. The father of two children, David S. Igneri lives in Patchogue with his wife Elizabeth. The History and Legends of Lake Ronkonkoma, the Princess Curse and Other Stories; A Lifeguard’s View is his third history book, and his fifth book. Many more are planned for the future.