Long Islanders enjoyed food, rides and games at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station, an annual event hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption.
The festival ran from Aug. 20 to Aug. 23. Before finding their way to the food, rides and games, people who attended the four-day event could pick up raffle tickets for Sunday’s raffle drawing, buy toys and jewelry and other things from the vendors. Those who entered the drawing could win prizes like a car, various electronics and cash, among other prizes. Visitors could dance or watch a group of dancers perform several traditional Greek dances and many viewed the 30-minute fireworks display on two of the festival evenings before returning to their games and rides or going home for the night.
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Long Islanders could enjoy rides, games, popcorn and cotton candy at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Fireworks went off at 9:30 p.m. at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
James Amir, left, of J & E AirBrush Tattoos, airbrush tattoo a girl at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Community members at the festival could order grape leaves stuffed with seasoned rice and other types of Greek food at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Dancers perform some Greek dances at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug 21 and Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Small fish were placed in bowls for a festival game at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Fireworks went off at 9:30 p.m. at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Kids enjoy one of the kid-friendly rides at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
A little boy and girl pick out a toy at the Fish Til You Win game at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Dancers perform some Greek dances at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug 21 and Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Father John Phillips of East Setauket holds his son Hunter, right, as he goes down the slide alongside his other children Chase, center, and daughter Peyton at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Jewelry vendors sells their creations at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Fireworks went off at 9:30 p.m. at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Candy and caramel covered apples were served at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Community members gather around various vendors near the entrance of the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Two women dressed as Elsa from Frozen and Ariel from the Little Mermaid, pose for a photo with a little girl at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Giselle Barkley
A little boy gets his face painted at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
DJ Tony Entertainment group, which specializes in Greek and American music, performs at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Two girls ride the Ferris wheel at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Community members and their kids could win prizes at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley.
This diffusion tensor imaging shows the patient’s nerve, brain and other tissue matter surrounding the white mass, which makes it easier for surgeons to diagnose and treat their patients. Photo from Ericca Ardito
When Jean Noschese’s left hand started to go numb, she didn’t expect her doctor’s visit to lead to brain surgery at Huntington Hospital, where she met Dr. Robert Kerr, a neurosurgeon who had a new way of operating on the brain.
On Oct. 16, 2013, Noschese experienced a head-on collision while driving in Hauppauge. The car accident left her in need of several surgeries, including ones to repair her rotator cuff and replace her hip. But it was when she started losing sensation in her left hand, in 2014, that she went to a specialist. Noschese, who initially wondered if her issue with her hand was related to her crash, was rushed to the hospital after her hand specialist thought Noschese was experiencing a stroke.
But instead of a stroke, the doctors found a three-by-four-centimeter lesion on the right side of her brain that caused paralysis on the left side of her body. Her lesion wasn’t caused by the crash, but from Noschese’s breast cancer that had metastasized to her brain. Noschese was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005.
Doctors wanted to perform brain surgery the following day, on Dec. 22, 2014, according to Noschese,
“It’s overwhelming to hear that you need brain surgery,” she said.
A large mass is located in the left hemisphere of the brain prior to the operation where Dr. Robert Kerr used Synaptive Medical’s BrightMatter Plan. Photo from Ericca Ardito
But Kerr, who met with Noschese when she entered the hospital, reassured her and reviewed the procedure with her. A new brain-mapping technique, using the Synaptive Medical’s BrightMatter Plan product, involves several new tools, including a highly engineered tube that splits brain tissue fibers and allows neurosurgeons to access difficult and deep parts of the brain easily. The procedure also utilizes a fiber optic, high definition telescope that creates a “cone of visualization” that allows surgeons to clearly view all planes of the brain they are working on.
The technique also features a procedure called the myriad, which uses a blunt suction device that peels off tumors from dangerous or sensitive areas without damaging surrounding areas in the brain.
“Traditionally, surgeries for deeper regions actually involve destroying a certain amount of tissue to get to the target area,” Kerr said.
According to Kerr, in traditional brain surgeries, metal retractors are used to create a pathway so surgeons can access target areas of the brain. Doctors use the retractors to pull the edges of the brain apart and create a pathway.
Kerr said the issue with this technique is that, regardless of how careful a surgeon is, he or she may still push on these retractors, which widens the pathway the surgeon created from surface of the brain to the target area. As a result, the patient is left with a hole in part of the brain, which means the patient will take longer to recover from the surgery.
Stony Brook Medicine Neurosurgeon Dr. David Chesler said Synaptive Medical’s BrightMatter Plan procedure is only appropriate under certain circumstances.
“Tumors that come right to the surface, where they’re easily approachable, I don’t think there’s any benefit to using this technique, because the tumor is right there,” Chesler said. Chesler took a course for the procedure about two years ago. While he thinks the technique is beneficial, he does not think it is a be-all and end-all procedure for brain surgery.
While the procedure is minimally invasive, may decrease the chance of injuring the patient during the operation and allows surgeons to approach lesions or blood clots, Chesler said there are some downsides to the technique. He said that the technology of this technique is not new, but simply creates a new system that makes it easier for surgeons to implement.
Additionally, minimally invasive procedures double or triple the length of an operation, depending on the surgeon and the nature of the surgery. Surgeons who may not be very experienced may leave parts of lesions or tumors and blood clots behind because of limited visualization.
A large mass is located in the left hemisphere of the brain has been removed with the use of Synaptive Medical’s BrightMatter Plan. Photo from Ericca Ardito
Surgeons can only see what is at the end of the tube, which is around the diameter of a dime.
Kerr said this procedure will decrease patients’ recovery time. Patients are usually tired following the surgery and require extensive amounts of rest before they are discharged from the hospital. Noschese, however, was alert and speaking two hours after the surgery. Not only did she regain sensation in her hand, but she was also able to grab and hold onto a variety of objects.
Chesler, like Kerr, said patients who receive traditional surgeries for deep-seated lesions or blood clots can do well. He said his patients’ deficits were more related to the “structures involved with the tumor,” as opposed to the approach used. Chesler has seen both good and bad outcomes from this technique
According to Kerr, few surgeons are using this technique.
“Neurosurgeons are skeptics and slow adopters and I think that’s appropriate,” Kerr said, explaining why more surgeons may stick to traditional brain surgery practices.
While Chesler said the procedure should be used for the right case and with an experienced surgeon, he said staff are looking to adopt this technique at Stony Brook University Hospital. Chesler, who does both pediatric and adult neurosurgery, said he is simply looking for the right case. Recently he hasn’t come across a case that calls for the technique.
Doctors must demonstrate the procedure and illustrate its benefits when introducing the technique to the hospital. Hospitals need to invest in the procedure for a surgeon to officially implement it.
Although Chesler said there are other systems that surgeons can use to reach a similar goal, Kerr said the technique is a glimpse into the future of this type of surgery.
“I think this technology reflects the future of neurosurgery and accessing deep-seated lesions in a kinder, gentler, more precise way,” Kerr said. “I think this is representing a future paradigm shift in the way that brain surgery is done, and I think that we will see many more adopting this in a very short period of time.”
Stony Brook’s 100,000th baby Luca Michael Picarella cries in his mother’s arms at Stony Brook University Hospital. Photo By Giselle Barkley
It’s a boy. It’s also a major milestone.
Katie Picarella of Rocky Point was wheeled into the room with her new bundle of joy and her husband Mike and daughter Gianna, 5, to celebrate the birth of Stony Brook Hospital’s 100,000th baby, Luca Michael Picarella on Thursday, Aug. 20. And by the time she was wheeled out, she had much more than a new member to her family.
The hospital presented blue cupcakes surrounded several pink cupcakes that spelled “100K,” in the Stony Brook University Hospital’s lobby in celebration of the event.
Todd Griffin, chair of the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive medicine, said he expected Katie Picarella to give birth near the end of August, and he was right. Attending OB/GYN and former Stony Brook student Julie Welischar delivered Luca the morning of Monday, Aug. 17.
Until a week ago the Picarella family was unaware of the news that Stony Brook was expecting its 100,000th birth.
Members of the hospital arranged blue and pink cupcakes to celebrate the 100,00th birth at the Stony Brook University Hospital. Photo By Giselle Barkley
“A friend of ours told us [that they] had been following this,” Mike Picarella said. “I started looking at it and [the friend] said, ‘you guys are getting close. It’d be funny if you guys are the couple.’”
But the expecting father said he was still surprised when the doctors informed him that his newborn son was the 100,000th baby.
The family didn’t just leave with their new baby boy, they also left with a gift basket, which awarded the Picarella family with $10,000 scholarship from the Island Federal Credit Union, a $2,500 scholarship toward tuition at the North Shore Montessori School, a $500 shopping spree among other gifts for the parents and their newborn.
Luca’s older sister Gianna, who was also delivered at Stony Brook, was also awarded with a brand new American Girl doll.
“Truly from the bottom of our hearts and all of our family’s hearts, we greatly appreciate it,” Mike Picarella said.
The entire Picarella family said they were thankful for the gifts and shocked by the news that they were the couple who birthed the 100,000th baby.
“Stuff like this doesn’t happen to us,” Katie Picarella said when speaking to the media. According to Picarella, the birth was scheduled for Friday after doctors realized Picarella’s baby would come before the end of August. But Picarella rescheduled the C-section delivery date because she wanted to have enough time to recover in order to attend her daughter’s Kindergarten screening.
The family of four also had the opportunity of meeting Jeff Solomon, who was the first baby born at Stony brook University Hospital on May 28, 1980 at 8:15 a.m. Solomon’s father Bob Solomon and step-mother Hope also attended the conference and met the family.
Before the family prepared to go home, Griffin highlighted the importance of the birth.
“For years the number of births on long island have been going down,” Griffin said. “We’re actually starting to see in the last year or two that the births have been going up.”
Supervisor Ed Romaine breaks ground where the two homes are being built for returning veterans. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Local officials joined Mark Baisch, president of Landmark Properties in Rocky Point, and Joe Cognitore, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6249, to celebrate the groundbreaking of two homes Baisch is building for returning veterans and their families.
Supervisor Ed Romaine (R), Councilwoman Jane Bonner (C-Rocky Point) and Councilman Dan Panico (R-Manorville) attended the groundbreaking event, which took place on Aug. 20 in front of the property on Tyler Avenue in Sound Beach.
“We as a nation — we as a country, as a state, as a county, as a town owe them our thanks,” Romaine said.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Commander Joe Cognitore, Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Supervisor Ed Romaine and Councilman Dan Panico pose for a photo before tying a ribbon around the oak tree that will rest between two homes being built and given to returning veterans. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Bonner also commended Baisch for his efforts.
“Kudos to Mark for having the creative brain to come up with an idea and push the envelope, as you will, to create an opportunity to build houses for veterans,” Bonner said.
Baisch purchased the property two years ago and wanted to give back to the veterans by building two homes. These are Baisch’s ninth and tenth homes for returning veterans. The first home he built was also in Sound Beach, and was given to a veteran who earned a Purple Heart for his services.
“This is not something for the faint of heart,” Baisch said during the press conference.
Cognitore joined Baisch to help him execute his idea. As Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he took on the responsibility of selecting candidates for the two $249,000 homes.
In order for the veterans to qualify for the homes, they must be first-time homebuyers making less than $200,000 to $300,000 annually. The amount of time a vet served in either the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the size of the vet’s family and whether they received awards for their service are determining factors in deciding which applicants will receive the homes.
It is still unknown which veterans and their families will receive the homes.
“If you all go away with one thing, I want you to go and find me two veterans for these houses,” Baisch said. “That’s the most important thing.”
Joseph Volavka, far left, stood alongside Dolan Family Health Center and Pink Aid members to celebrate the $25,000 grant. Photo from Dolan Family Health Center
Woman can receive free mammograms, sonograms and breast biopsies at Huntington Hospital’s Women’s Center and the Charles and Helen Reichert Imaging Center at Huntington with the help of a new grant.
On Friday, Aug. 7, Pink Aid, an organization that aims to help women receive and survive breast cancer treatment, gave the Dolan Family Health Center a one-year, $25,000 grant.
According to Joseph Volavka, senior administrative director of the Dolan Family Health Center, around 23 percent of the center’s patients pay out of pocket for their regular appointment. The purpose of the grant is to encourage women who may not have health insurance to receive free breast screenings, which can be costly. Most patients usually have enough money to pay for their regular appointments, so the grant gives more women the opportunity to get additional health care than they would otherwise receive due to financial limitations.
“We are very grateful for this grant, which will help so many women to get the medical care that they need, and it will also help their families.” Kathy Giffuni, RN, nurse manager of the Dolan Family Health Center, said in a press release.
Drummer Mike Sorrento of Big Shot does a drum roll for the audience at the Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot concert for the final performance of the 2015 Rocky Point Concert series on Aug. 18. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Community members applaud the band’s performance at the Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot concert for the 2015 Rocky Point Concert series on Aug. 18. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Bass player Nick Dimichino of Big Shot performs at the Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot concert for the 2015 Rocky Point Concert series on Aug. 18. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Guitar player Kem Cino looks toward the audience at the Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot concert for the final performance of the 2015 Rocky Point Concert series on Aug. 18. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Lead Mike DelGuidice sings and plays the piano at the Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot concert for the 2015 Rocky Point Concert series. File hoto by Giselle Barkley
A mother holds her sleeping son as she sways to the music at the Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot concert for the final performance of the 2015 Rocky Point Concert series on Aug. 18. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Sax player Mark Fineberg performs at the Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot concert for the 2015 Rocky Point Concert series on Aug. 18. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Guitarist Kem Cino plays his guitar during one of the first few songs at the Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot concert for the 2015 Rocky Point Concert series on Aug. 18. Photo by Giselle Barkley
A little girl eats an oreo at the Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot concert for the last performance of the 2015 Rocky Point Concert series on Aug. 18. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Long Islanders and their friends and family members gathered on Tuesday for the Rocky Point concert series’ last performance of the year.
Community members danced, sang and cried during the Mark DelGuidice & Big Shot: The Ultimate Billy Joel Tribute, which began at 7 p.m The band’s performance wrapped up this year’s Rocky Point Summer Concert series, which began in early July.
The North Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce alongside members of the Veterans of Foreign War were two of the organizations that attended the concert.
During an intermission period, the Veterans of Foreign War were invited on stage for the audience to pay tribute to their service. Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) was also among the crowd. Anker, who announced the schedule for the Rocky point concert series, joined the veterans on stage as Joe Cognitore, commander of the Veterans of Foreign War, waved the American flag.
The audience members remained at the concert until late in the evening as they enjoyed the tribute, which feature Billy Joel songs as well as songs by Elton John and other artists.
Town and state officials oppose plans to continue dumping dredge waste into the Long Island Sound. File photo
Town and state officials gathered at Cedar Beach on Monday in opposition to the plan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to continue dumping dredge waste into the Long Island Sound.
The organizations were dumping dredge spoils into the Connecticut River, which spills into the Sound. According to Sen. Ken LaValle spokesman Greg Blower, town and state officials are not sure what chemicals or sediments were disposed of in the river, especially with the variety of manufacturing facilities around that area.
Ten years ago, the organizations were asked to create a plan that would propose an alternative area where they could dump the waste. Officials including Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R), Councilwoman Jane Bonner (C-Rocky Point), Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) and LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) received the plan at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to Anthony Graves, the town’s chief environmental analyst.
Originally, the officials only had seven days to make public comment on the 1,300-page plan, but after Romaine brought this into question, the date was altered, allowing people to make their comments until Oct. 5.
Graves said the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA were told in 2005 to create this report, which didn’t address the concerns of town and state officials. According to Bonner, those organizations recommended continuing to deposit the waste in the Sound.
Bonner said, “We have better technology now and we know dredge spoils can be repurposed for capping landfills.”
While there are alternative dumping sites, such as abandoned mines and landfills, Romaine said the organizations opted for a cheaper way.
“The only reason why the Army Corps of Engineers is recommending it is because it’s the cheapest method,” Romaine said. “Shame on them.”
Romaine said the spoils have compromised marine life, including a decline in the fish and shellfish population. He added that the spoils are most heavily contributing to the lobster die-off in the water. Even though the dumping of the waste is from Connecticut, Romaine said, “water bodies like the Sound don’t respect state boundary lines.”
According to Graves, around $1.7 million was spent cleaning the Sound. LaValle said these efforts were a waste of money because the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA continued to dump dredge waste in the water during the cleanup.
“The two measures really don’t make sense and we have spent 10 years and all that money,” LaValle said. “[It] shows lack of common sense. I think the only thing it did was keep some researchers occupied for 10 years.”
There are two local public hearings, one on Monday, Aug. 24, in Port Jefferson’s Village Center and the other on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale. There will also be hearings in Connecticut.
Registration is required to attend the meetings, and comments can be forwarded no later than Oct. 5.
“We live on an island,” Romaine said. “Many of the waterways on our island are already impacted. We don’t need any more impaired waterways. We need to start improving the Long Island Sound.”
Firefighters tighten the hose to the fire hydrant in the New York State Motorized Drill competition. Photo by Giselle Barkley
A member of the East Farmingdale Hares rolls the fire hose during the New York State Motorized Drill competition. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Community members who attended the New York State Motorized Drill competition could climb up and down a ladder for fun. Photo by Giselle Barkley
New York State Motorized Drill competition participants and officials clean the ground of excess water before the next drill team competes. Photo by Giselle Barkley
The Levittown Rebels drill team sprint toward their target as the hose fills with water during the New York State Motorized Drill competition. Photo by Giselle Barkley
One of the 50 New York State Motorized Drill competition teams aims at the target. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Members of the East Islip Guzzlers team tighten the hose to the fire hydrant as the first step of the challenge in the New York State Motorized Drill competition. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Community members and members of several drill teams stood on the sidelines and watched the New York State Motorized Drill competition. Photo by Giselle Barkley
The Lindenhurst Snails attempt to hit the target for the hose challenge in the New York State Motorized Drill competition. Photo by Giselle Barkley
A member of one of the firemen drill teams at the New York State Motorized Drill competition holds onto the hose after the water shoots out toward the target. Photo by Giselle Barkley
A car is painted in support of the Central Islip Hoboes at the New York State Motorized Drill competition. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Community members who attended the New York State Motorized Drill competition could climb up and down a ladder for fun. Photo by Giselle Barkley
The Central Islip Hoboes take off from the start line with an empty fire hose in hand during the New York State Motorized Drill competition. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Fire department teams that place within the New York State Motorized Drill competition earn a trophy for their accomplishment. Photo by Giselle Barkley
The Central Islip Hoboes celebrate, as they took first for the hose event in the New York State Motorized Drill competition. Photo by Giselle Barkley
The Selden team takes off at the New York State Motorized Drill competition. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Suffolk and Nassau County fire departments tried to smoke their competition on Saturday, Aug. 15, at New York State’s annual Motorized Drill, at Fireman’s Memorial Park in Ridge.
Fifty drill teams competed to earn the title of state champion at the event, which featured eight challenges including the 3 Man Ladder; the Motor Hook and Ladder class B and C contests; the Motor Hose class B and C contests; Efficiency; Motor Pump and Buckets.
While two teams, the Central Islip Hoboes and the West Sayville Flying Dutchmen, were crowned co-champions, the Miller Place Extinguishers didn’t place in the competition. Other local teams like the Selden Slowpokes competed in the event, but they also didn’t place in the competition. The Rocky Point Rum Raiders didn’t attend the event.
The Extinguishers placed sixth in the 3 Man Ladder challenge, but took the 23rd place in the B Ladder challenge. They then came in 29th place for the B Hose and Efficiency challenge. The team didn’t participate in the C Ladder and C Hose challenges, but they came in 14th for the Motor Pump and 28th for the Buckets portions of the competition.
According to Michael Heller of the New York State Drill Teams organization that helps plan the event, the eight obstacles in the competition are similar to those used to train firefighters. Although the competition is entertaining, Heller and Chief Michael Matteo of the Selden Fire Department said that the event helps with teamwork and relationship building.
“When you join a team — a competition team — everyone has their role to play, so they all work together as a team to accomplish the goal,” Heller said. “Firefighters on a team are used to working well with each other, and understand working with each other. Teamwork is critical when you’re in a fire to understand what a person is doing and what to do next.”
These competitions began in the 1800s, according to Heller and Matteo, but Matteo added that there are few places where 40 or more groups of people in New York State can get together, compete and congratulate their fellow competitors for their participation in the event.
On September 6, 1872 the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York was established in Auburn, which led to more organized competitions among the fire departments.
“They started with only the old fashion where it was all pull carts and steam engines and things like that, and then they moved into the motorized,” Matteo said.
The competition was the biggest event that the Selden Fire Department hosted thus far. They have held smaller events for the fire departments in the past, like the Selden Invitational Firefighter’s Drill.
Matteo also said there were around three teams that came back to compete in the Motorized Drill competition, as participants had been lacking in previous years, and few times there were repeat competitors. Additionally, there were around seven teams that could have taken first place after the Buckets challenge, the last part of the competition, but didn’t have as many points as the co-champions, making for a highly-contested day. According to Matteo, this typically doesn’t happen, but said it was nice to see.
“It’s just a great thing for the fire service,” Matteo said of the competition. “Ninty-five percent of firefighters are volunteers, so we’re giving our time when we’re not working one or two jobs. We’re taking away [time] from our families and we’re going out there.”
Catholic Health Services’ Patricia Hulmes lauded for her dedication and positive and caring attitude
Alan Guerci, president and CEO of Catholic Health Services, left, presents Patricia Hulmes, right, with the Living the Mission Award during a small ceremony at Catholic Health Services. Photo from CHS
Charismatic, caring and ambitious, that’s how Patricia “Pattie” Hulmes’ co-workers describe her. Hulmes, of Rocky Point, never thought her positive attitude was anything to fuss over, until she was awarded the Living the Mission Award in early July, by her co-workers at the Catholic Health Services.
As the office manager of revenue cycle at CHS, Hulmes oversees several employees. She joined CHS in 2007 and despite her workload, Hulmes always makes the time to ensure the well-being of those surrounding her and she does it with a smile on her face.
“Even dealing with all her staff and work, she took the time to [ask] ‘Are you okay? What’s going on?’” Paula Palazzo said, recounting a time when she began transitioning into a different position at the company. “She always has a smile on her face and she’s always there to cheer you up.”
Palazzo and Hulmes have known one another for seven years and Palazzo, like other individuals working alongside Hulmes, believe she is the perfect candidate for the award.
CHS created the Living the Mission Award several years ago with the goal of acknowledging employees for exemplifying the company’s values of respect, integrity, justice and excellence.
“I think in the day-to-day working environment, it’s so easy to become drowned in the minutia of the details, and we forget that behind all of those details are people. We’re not running through a field of daisies everyday, so there are things that we become so engrossed with,” Hulmes said. “We forget the people around us are drowning in that same minutia. So it’s important for us to treat each other with respect and to acknowledge people when we pass them in the hall.”
Saying good morning and greeting people throughout the building is second nature for Hulmes, so receiving the award was a shock.
“She’s quite surprised because that’s her way of life, and the sad part is, not everybody is like she is,” Susane Lim said about Hulmes. Lim is one of Hulmes’ system directors at the company. Within the seven months they have known one another, Hulmes is one of Lim’s favorite people at work.
To nominate an employee for this annual award, employees must select one of their peers and discuss why they embody the company’s values on an online application. A small ceremony is held for recipients of the award. CHS President and CEO Alan Guerci presented Hulmes with the award during the ceremony.
Although Hulmes does not deal with CHS patients, she helps patients receive affordable care. CHS helps members of the community that can’t afford traditional health care. The company helps find sources that can offset the cost of an appointment for the patients it serves.
According to Lim, the company has a variety of plans for those who can’t afford health care. The plans also take the individual’s income into consideration.
But working at CHS isn’t the only way Hulmes likes to give back to her community. Hulmes is also a member of St. Anthony’s Parish in Rocky Point. She reads at mass and also teaches religion to children preparing for confirmation. While Hulmes said she tries to “sit back and have things come to [her],” she checks the parish’s bulletin to see where she can help her community. The bulletin has led her to unique experiences like Clown Ministry, where church members or those who work at nursing homes or day care centers dress up like clowns and visit different parts of the community. Hulmes said dressing up can help people who struggle to communicate. The costume may help them relax and be more comfortable.
“We have different layers of relationships in life … but I think once we figure out how to go beyond that and love the community, to love the people we work with, to love the people we don’t know or haven’t met yet, I think that’s when … we can truly grow and evolve and make a difference in the world, and I think that’s what’s most important to me,” Hulmes said.
Hulmes’ attitude has made a difference in the lives of some of her co-workers as well, as she reminds her co-workers to enjoy themselves and that they can count on her if they need anything.
“She helps us remember that we’re all human and that we all need to laugh and we have more important reasons for being here,” Lim said.
Three decades later and Middle Country sign language club is thriving
The Middle Country Public Library’s Flashing Fingers club following a performance at Brookhaven Town Hall last month. Photo from Kristin Shankles
For four years, Molloy University senior and music therapy major Anna Delgado, of Selden, fought to make American Sign Language a course that fulfills the university’s language requirement. Now, ASL is offered at her university. But that may not have been the case without her experience with the Middle Country Public Library’s Flashing Fingers and sign language programs.
Delgado, followed by her younger sister, Calli, joined the library’s sign language programs in second grade and advanced to the Flashing Fingers club, which Jennie Sardone created more than three decades ago.
Thirty-three years ago, Sardone entered the Middle Country Public Library and inquired about starting sign language programs there. Today, Sardone’s sign language programs are still thriving.
“We started with only a few children, really seven, and over the last 33 years, we’ve had hundreds of children,” Sardone said.
Mary McLaughlin, Youth Services librarian, said thousands of children went through the programs. McLaughlin, who handles booking events for Flashing Fingers, also said kids must finish Sign Language One, Two and Three before advancing to the Flashing Fingers group.
“In the beginning, the children learn signs, they learn to communicate with deaf adults or other people who are learning sign language,” Sardone said. “So we’ll start easy, with colors, emotions, animals, family, numbers, the alphabet, things like that.”
Sign Language One, Two and Three are held in the fall, winter and spring, during the school year, alongside Flashing Fingers. Once a child registers for the sign language courses, they only need to sign up for the Flashing Fingers club.
McLaughlin said the group performs at around three big events each year, in addition to smaller performances for parents. Tracy LaStella, coordinator of Youth Services at the library, said organizations also request the group to perform at various events.
On Thursday July 16, the group performed at a Town of Brookhaven meeting and had local politicians moving to the music. Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) and members of the town council awarded the group its own day. Now, July 16 is Middle Country Flashing Fingers Club Day in the Town of Brookhaven.
The Flashing Fingers club performs a song. Photo from Tracy LaStella/Middle Country Public Library
The group sang, signed and danced to a variety of new and old songs that followed last academic year’s “happy” theme. Previous themes include disco and Disney.
Around two years ago, the club performed “Fiddler on the Roof,” which was one of Alexandria Gibaldi’s favorite performances. Gibaldi, of Centereach, who is going into her junior year in high school, started the sign language programs as a second-grader. She said “Fiddler on the Roof” was the first play the group performed.
According to LaStella, Sardone and McLaughlin, around 25 of nearly one hundred children in the program attend performances and Gibaldi is always one of the 25.
“I have a lot of stuff going on, but I usually make time for it because I know it’s important,” Gibaldi said. “I know it’s for Ms. Jennie and for the program. So I want to make sure I look good for the library and so I make sure I go.”
The group also performs at Veterans and nursing homes. Gibaldi said giving back to the community by performing for these individuals is one of the reasons she enjoys Flashing Fingers, as seeing people happy also makes her happy.
Jacqueline Schmitt, of Holtsville, is another Flashing Fingers member. She joined the club in the middle of last academic year. In addition to learning sign language, participants can meet kids from several local elementary, middle and high schools.
Thus far, the club’s end of year performance in May was Schmitt’s favorite. The end of year performance let club members show off what they have learned. Twelfth-grade students perform a song of their choice as a way to say goodbye to the club and its instructors at the end of the year.
Since Sardone teaches all children going through the sign language programs, the end of year performance is bittersweet.
“When they are seniors, we … cry,” Sardone said about herself, McLaughlin and LaStella. “We’ve been together for so long and … I’m happy they’re moving on, but I miss them.”
Anna Delgado remembers performing Carrie Underwood’s “Ever Ever After” from the “Enchanted” soundtrack for her final performance as a Flashing Fingers member. She was determined to learn and perform the song on her own.
Calli Delgado, who is entering seventh grade, has yet to perform a solo at the end of year performance, but like her sister, she used what she learned outside the club at school functions and talent shows.
“It was weird because a lot of people didn’t know what I was doing,” Delgado said about her first experience signing for a school event. She also signed at her school’s talent show. With the help of Sardone, Delgado performed her first solo of “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole at a school talent show. Although she doesn’t know if the club has influenced her plans for her future, she loves the program and mentoring younger members.
Anna Delgado said she credits the Flashing Fingers club and her love for ASL to Sardone.
“This kick-started my love for American Sign Language,” she said. “It changed my life; it changed my passion; it changed the direction I wanted to go in my life.”
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