N. Howells Point circle maintained in honor of Matt Palace

The Bellport Garden Club recently raised over $1,000 to maintain the Circle at N. Howells Point Road, in memory of Matt Palace.

“The Circle, for Matt, always in our hearts and memories,” said garden club president Mary Butler Person. “Please remember Matt, and the Palace family.”

Palace was born and raised in the community and known for helping everyone. He was also instrumental in setting up Boys & Girls Club events.

“Matt was quite gregarious. He loved being around people, his community and working hard. He loved to laugh and laugh often,” his brother Ed Palace recalled of Matt. “I can still hear his laughter. He enjoyed being on the water, golf, the theater, either watching, acting in it or working behind the scenes. Friends and family were most important.”

There are many times, he said, when he went out of his way to help others. But this, Ed said, he would certainly be grateful for, knowing that the village dedicated the circle in his honor.

“Our family is so honored that Matt has been recognized for his community efforts and hard work,” he added. “He is so missed. Thank you all from the Palace family.”

Bellport resident Kathie Dallin also purchased several plants that line the pathway, and plans to plant spring bulbs.

The idea to renovate the circle, Dallin said, originally came after admiring the area and thinking it had potential to become a gathering place.

“I envisioned a walkway, a bench, and a walkway garden,” she said, noting her background as a master gardener. Neighbors, she said, also fondly reminisced how the spruce at the circle used to be lit at the holidays in the 1950s.

“I kept thinking about the history of the circle and asked Matt Palace about the possibility of lighting the tree again,” she said. “We spoke about this many times and his enthusiasm and expertise were invaluable.”
Soon, she and Sherry Binnington, a friend and fellow gardener, attended a village board meeting and presented the proposal. The Bellport Village Program Fund agreed to help financially to light the tree, install a stone bench, a walkway, and purchase initial plants. Dallin then purchased and planted native and pollinator plants and will plant bulbs in the fall. Also, the Village Highway Department helped set up a lamppost, tree lights, and trimming the tree and shrubs. 

The first tree lighting was held in 2022, where many people including Palace, gathered. Palace then died in 2023. When he passed away, Dallin explained, many people suggested naming the circle in his honor.

“It was a huge loss to our village, as he was an active community member and a friend to all,” Dallin said.

The circle was officially dedicated, in his honor, at the second tree lighting and is now known as Palace Circle. 
“People now drive around the Circle on a regular basis; kids have had a lemonade stand there, and passersby sit and rest on the bench,” Dallin said. “The transformation was made possible by neighbors like Coleen Murphy and so many other kind and generous people. It truly does take a village and we know this project exemplifies the giving spirit of Matt Palace.”