No more charged atmosphere, anticipation of star sightings, frenetic activity, crowds and congestion around the houses on Bellows Lane and Manhasset Woods Road, but maybe the camaraderie will linger. There was a fleeting glimpse in mid-August of "days gone by," when neighbors stood around shooting the breeze and had a pretty good time.

Before the last frame was shot on Thursday Aug. 25 and the 200 or so crew, production assistants, stars and extras departed as quickly as they had descended on the village of Munsey Park the atmosphere was still wonderfully chaotic.

Steven Emmett lives directly across the street from the Stempions on Manhasset Woods Road and had an enviable bird's-eye view. No movie was being filmed at his house, but his driveway was a tented commissary with a changeable spread for crew, policemen-anyone involved in the production. On Aug. 25 in the late afternoon the offerings were beverages, fruit, salad, sandwiches and cereal. Emmett said often crew members would arrive at 3 p.m. and greet him with "good morning" because they work late and sleep late. "It's fun," he said with a grin, "it's not a problem."

Emmett explained that before filming began movie personnel, acutely aware of how disruptive filming a movie can be, canvassed the neighborhood and lined up necessary amenities. "They are very professional people," he pronounced. Emmett said they told him they thought the people in the town were great and that they appreciated being allowed to do their job. According to Emmett, there was a full commissary at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Shelter Rock Road as well.

All in all, Emmett was delighted with his role. "I've lived here 25 years and have no children in the schools so I'm meeting tons of people-it's been a lively, ongoing block party for days."

In addition to the commissaries there was food on the set. Joan and Eric Kagan, a mother and son team from Westchester, own Kagan's Way Productions and were hired by the prop master, Russell Bobitt, who explained "anything the actor touches becomes a prop." Bobitt knew Eric professionally in California, and when Bobitt needed someone to prepare historically appropriate meals from the 1930s Eric suggested his mother. Joan Kagan was involved in any scene that required food of the era. "It isn't so easy," she said, "it takes a bit of research." On the last day of production in Manhasset she prepared an evening meal of beef stew, pineapple ring with walnuts, peas and corn, and for dessert prepared chocolate pudding with ladyfingers around the base and a dollop of whipped cream in the middle.

Julie Luehndorf, unit publicist for The Good Shepherd, said "the people have been incredibly welcoming to us" and she expressed yet again how beautiful the neighborhood is. She explained that many New York people are working on the set and that it is a misconception that all employees are from California. Luehndorf elaborated saying the film crew working in Munsey Park numbered around 100, with that number swelling to roughly 200 counting extras and production assistants who work with the police on crowd control. "Most of the crew don't get to see much of the town," she continued, "and they certainly didn't get a chance to sample the local restaurants because they only get a half hour break for lunch. It is the last day for Munsey Park," she said, "but just the beginning for us. Our next stop is Brooklyn."

Joe Spagna, co-owner with his sister of Orlando's Deli on Plandome Road, now counts Rocco Curatolo, DeNiro's chauffeur, as his newest best friend. Rocco wandered into Orlando's, the two struck up a conversation, and suddenly Spagna was delivering food, including fresh mozzarella sandwiches (milky--how DeNiro likes them) to the star's trailer parked at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Rumor spreads quickly on a movie set and soon "Joey from Orlando's is feeding DeNiro," was the buzz. "Well, yes, but not constantly," Spagna confessed.

Spagna said the stars sample local restaurant fare but rarely in house. They order, have it picked up by staff and delivered back to their trailers where they dine. Rocco made such a run from Il Molino, said Spagno, who provided dessert for that meal.

"I spent time there," Spagna said, "once I closed the store at 6:30 p.m. and went to the set. After three days I had no pictures or autographs and was too embarrassed to ask, but my daughter Ariana, 11 years old, longed to have a hat autographed by Angelina Jolie." Rocco got the job done.