Owner Of Iconic Modern Snack Bar Dubbed 'Mayor Of North Fork' By Animal Rescue Organization

AQUEBOGUE, NY — There's a new mayor in town — and he's got the top hat to prove it.

Recently, the Rescue Vixens and The North Fork Country Kids: Animal Rescue & Preservation Through Pedagogy organization set out to honor Otto Wittmeier, co-owner of the Modern Snack Bar with his brother John.

"Otto is the 'Mayor of the North Fork,'" said Virginia Scudder, founder of the North Fork Country Kids.

"The Rescue Vixens pinup group and the North Fork Country Kids Animal Rescue proudly presented Otto with the Mayoral Top Hat, among patrons, staff and friends," Scudder said.

Scudder has incorporated the Modern Snack Bar into numerous photo shoots for the Rescue Vixens pinup calendars, a fundraising effort for the animal rescue. And, she said, Otto has been critical to the success of the initiative.

When asked about her reasons for choosing him for the honor, Scudder smiled: "Why Otto? Because, for more than 13 years, Otto has been a steadfast supporter, friend, and cheerleader for our mission. Known far and wide throughout the North Fork as 'the mayor,' Otto's humor, generosity, and heart have touched countless lives."

Otto, Scudder said, will be officially celebrated at the rescue organization's annual award ceremony, which will be held this year on December 6 in Port Jefferson. Details about the event are coming soon.

Scudder said Otto has a rich legacy in the community; he is known for genuine desire to help and his caring heart: "He has been there for us and so many in the community — he deserves the honor, and we are lucky to have him as a friend and supporter."

Speaking with Patch, Otto reflected on being dubbed "Mayor of the North Fork": "Wow! That's all I can say," he said. "I was extremely surprised and humbled. These are just things I do, and get involved with — I never expected to be honored."

In fact, Otto, 85, said Scudder deserves to be feted, as do the members of the rescue group, who work tirelessly to help animals in need. "She's a great person," he said. "And all these people in her group, who are featured in the calendar, are volunteers. I don't think there's a professional model in the group. They all have jobs. But these calendars, they're beautiful."

And, Otto said, the calendars have become a highly-sought-after item. "They're in demand," he said. "People are starting to recognize how beautiful they are and last year, we sold out."

Of his honor, Otto added: "I was overwhelmed. I'm just an ordinary guy — making a living by running a restaurant."

That restaurant has become woven into the fabric of the lives of generations who've come to feel the Modern Snack Bar symbolizes home. The Modern Snack Bar, located on Main Road in Aquebogue, is currently celebrating its 75th year.

When the doors of the Modern Snack Bar were first opened in 1950, the restaurant had only six stools and a hamburger cost 25 cents, Otto told Patch in a previous interview. His parents, John and Wanda, had a winning recipe for home-cooked food and a warm family atmosphere that has kept customers coming back for 75 years.

Today, the restaurant seats 125, and a menu featuring mashed turnips, lemon meringue pie, roast duckling, sauerbraten, roast turkey, pork, and lobster salad is a beloved tradition for scores of diners, hundreds of whom place orders for the turnips and stand on long lines to purchase dessert from a wide selection of pies every Thanksgiving.

Both John and Otto Wittmeier agree that customers and staff, many of whom have been employed for years, have given The Modern Snack Bar unique flavor and heart.

And it's that heart that Scudder said has been the hallmark of all Otto's efforts to give back to her rescue organization.

North Fork Country Kids is a small not-for-profit, volunteer only organization on the North Fork, she said. "We are made up of educators, students, activists, long time rescuers and local residents that strive to protect and assist the feral cat population through TNR (trap, neuter, return). Likewise, we focus our attention to cat rehabilitation and assist dogs that need placement when we are called to help. Among our efforts are educating those around us about the feral cat population and helping Long Islanders protect and preserve Long Island's North Fork land and wildlife."

Scudder added: "Our mission extends to advocacy and educating the very young to the very young at heart about animal health and safety. Volunteers help to promote our love of animals. We assist when we can and however possible. We show compassion to all and are a cross curricular/cross generational group that fosters altruism and tenacity through our junior volunteer and Rescue Vixens programs."

And now, Scudder is proud to honor a man who's been steadfast in supporting that mission.

"Let's raise a glass — and a hat — to our mayor, Otto," she said. "Because communities shine brighter when led by people with kindness at their core."