Wading River Column: Tesla event was quite a show

Michael Dobrolski and Susan Nenos of My Butcher in Wading River were envious to learn of my plan to attend the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe event on Oct. 25. From 1 to 4 p.m., Tesla car owners from as far away as Virginia gathered to show their Tesla models to all those in attendance. 

Presentations by Jane Alcorn, president of Friends of Science East, and several guests were held where the 187-foot Tesla tower once stood — now considered environmentally safe and historically hallowed ground. To view the presentations, videotaped by Shoreham resident and media person Kevin Wood, visit RememberTesla.com.

Tesla’s dream was to use his tower and laboratory to transmit electricity and information wirelessly through the earth. This inventor/genius/visionary ended up with more than 300 patents and many credits to his legacy (AC Induction motor, the basis for our modern power grid, fluorescent lighting, neon signs, remote control, the speedometer, the tachometer, the Tesla Turbine, the Tesla Coil, radio, radar, lasers and X-rays), but after his career declined he ended up turning the deed of his 200-acre site over to the owner of the Waldorf-Astoria. Tesla died, impoverished, in 1943.

There were two models of Tesla vehicles present: the Roadster, of which only 2,500 were sold, a two-seater, low-to-the-ground, futuristic model that Michael Dobrolski spotted in public, distinct and unique to car model fans. Also present was the Model S, a family sedan that offers a 17-inch computer screen with all the bells and whistles, including satellite navigation, priced from $80K to over $100K. A representative from Tesla Motors spoke of the less-expensive models arriving in the future — the Model W, the Model 3 and the Model X. Tesla Motors has donated $1 million to the TSC and promises to build a supercharging station on the property within three years, free to use for all Tesla car owners.

To learn more, visit TeslaScienceCenter.org (see Friends of Science East); write to P.O. Box 552, Shoreham, NY 11786; visit TSC on Facebook at Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe; Twitter: @teslascience; or call 631-886-2632.

• Congratulations to great Wading River guys: Mike Wiwczar, longtime Wading River resident, former teacher at Rocky Point High School and Wading River Fire Department member, and Donald Wiwczar, his son and a former Rocky Point schoolmate of mine. Mike and Donald are now a great-grandfather and grandfather, respectively. Don’s daughter, Jessica, and her husband, Randy Specht, had a baby boy, Elliott, in August. The proud Wiwczar lineage continues, making four generations of fine people.

• Happy birthday to Linda Green on Oct. 29; her son, Brian Green, Oct. 30; and my friend and former admiral Donald Wiwczar, Nov. 1.

• Have a great two weeks, everyone. Enjoy the lovely weather.