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Paving the way: Smithtown Highway teams begin paving season with new equipment

by Press Release - April 25, 2022

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The Town of Smithtown Highway Department began the paving season last week, equipped with new machinery geared at saving tax dollars and executing projects at a much more efficient pace. The new BOMAG milling and Cimline pothole repair machines were approved for purchase by the Town Board last Summer (July 2021) and acquired by the Highway Department early this year. On Tuesday, April 12th, Highway crews used the new milling machine to remove old asphalt along Brooksite Drive. The paving of Brooksite Drive from New Mill Road to Jericho Turnpike was completed within two days. Additionally, the Highway Department did not have to seek private contractors to perform the work, which results in significant savings for the taxpayers.

“Milling work has been farmed out to private contractors in the past. When you look at the big picture, all the roads that are paved inside of one season, adding to that, the cost of inflation, this machine will save a noteworthy amount of tax dollars this year and in the years to come. Additionally, both the milling machine and the pothole repair machine give our road crews an edge to complete high quality work more efficiently, which translates to less traffic, safer roads and happier residents, myself included,” said Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

In addition to the recent work on Brooksite Drive, Highway crews have begun the final phase of work in a three year road reconstruction project for the Forestwood area. This initiative was a community collaboration between the Highway Department and the Forestwood Civic Association. The project involved repairing or replacing damaged concrete, sidewalks and curb cuts, and paving New Mill Road, Flamingo Drive, Larkspur Drive, Cygnet Drive, Teal Lane, Dove Lane, and Mark Drive. This week, the Smithtown Highway Department began the last of the concrete curb and driveway apron work along Cygnet Drive. Final asphalt paving will commence upon the completion of the Cygnet Drive effort.

“We can’t just go in and pave over already damaged roads. When concrete is broken, water gets in and that badly damages the roads. Performing road reconstruction projects such as the one in the Forestwood area will sustain the infrastructure for upwards of 20-30 years. That results in fewer resources required to maintain the Town’s 470 miles of roads, which in turn nets a major savings for Smithtown Taxpayers. This course of action is the responsible thing to do. But we’re also building safer streets for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers, preventing costly motor vehicle repairs, and preventing dangerous and costly flooding from occurring. In conclusion, rebuilding infrastructure with this path forward addresses everyone’s interests, needs, wallets and future,” said Robert Murphy, Superintendent of Highways

Highway crews have begun a similar concrete and road program in the Mills Pond Estates this week. The work is being done in house and will include the replacement of curbing, aprons (where applicable) and curb cuts throughout the subdivision roads. Temporary patch work is currently underway along Meadow Road, while school is out for the Spring break. The Town is actively working with Congressman Zeldin’s office to secure additional federal grant funds to replace the drainage infrastructure and to permanently repair Meadow Road. Additionally, materials required to begin pothole repairs, with the newly acquired machine, are expected to arrive within the next two weeks. Work will begin immediately following. Residents can download the Town of Smithtown Mobile App for real time updates regarding roadwork, detours and potential travel delays.

Realty company founded in Huntington celebrates centennial birthday

by Rita J. Egan - April 22, 2022

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Daniel and Jean in front of Huntington Hotel resized — Founder Daniel Gale, above, and his assistant Miss Jean Wallice — the future Mrs. Kent Gale — in front of the Daniel Gale Huntington office, circa 1940. Photo from Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty

Not many companies make it to 100 years in business, but Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty did just that this year.

Below, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty’s President and CEO Patricia Petersen poses in front of the Cold Spring office around 1990. Photo from Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Daniel Gale founded the company on Feb. 9, 1922, and chose Main Street in Huntington for his real estate and insurance agency. When he picked the spot, the founder was encouraged by the fact that the town was a stop on one of the Long Island Rail Road lines. A century later, the company remains family owned. Through the decades the founder’s son Kent, until his passing in 2014, grandson Stan, and Kent Gale’s protégé current chairperson and president Patricia Petersen have continued to head up the company along with CEO Deirdre O’Connell.

History

In a recent phone interview, Petersen and O’Connell discussed the company’s history. Over the hundred years, Daniel Gale has grown from a business with one office to 30 locations not only on Suffolk County’s North Shore but across the Island. In 2014, the brokerage company opened offices in Queens and this year Brooklyn.

Petersen said she believes one of the company’s assets is that it has been family owned. She learned the benefits of this early on when she started in real estate in 1975 in the Cold Spring Harbor location, which was the company’s second office. Petersen said as a mother, she was hoping to work part-time but quickly found out it was difficult to become a successful real estate agent with limited hours. She said Jean Gale, the wife of the founder’s son Kent, would help get her children off the nursery school bus, give them lunch and then get them to day care.

“Somehow we cobbled it together and made it work,” Petersen said. “It’s kind of how we run the company. Whatever the agents need, Deidre and I figure out a way to provide it.”

Petersen went from agent to office sales manager, company general manager and relocation director through the years. She credits Kent Gale with recognizing she had potential. In the early ’90s, she began buying the company with Kent’s son Stan Gale and became president and CEO.

Kent Gale, son of founder Daniel Gale. Photo from Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

In turn, one of the talents Petersen recognized was O’Connell. The latter said her career in real estate began with another company in 1991. She opened her own office in Manhasset and her second one in Cutchogue. Daniel Gale then bought her offices, and she became part of the company in 2007. O’Connell helped the brokerage expand to the North Fork. She went on to become a regional manager then general manager of the company, and became CEO four years ago.

Both said they appreciate the history of Daniel Gale. As the centennial celebrations began, Petersen said, it was a reminder of everything the company had been through since its founding. The ups and downs of the current pandemic, she added, can be likened to founder Daniel Gale’s early days.

“Daniel Gale went through the Depression and went through the [second] World War,” she said. “In fact, he started the company right after the first World War, and then he had to go through the second World War. We have had our own challenging times over the years, but certainly that’s not new to us. We’ve always been able to not just survive but thrive in really any kind of market.”

O’Connell said she believes the company thriving goes back to its foundation.

“Certainly, in times of crisis we use that as an opportunity to assess the crisis and to utilize that and to come out of it as a growth opportunity, because after every crisis comes opportunity,” she said. “We’ve always been able to seize those moments.”

As for the pandemic, O’Connell said the company realized the importance of pivoting early on during the shutdowns by going virtual. Within a month, she said, Daniel Gale had an open house with 150 homes virtually showcased.

“Yes, everyone could do it eventually, but we seized the moment to once again help our agents help their customers and clients in providing them the service and marketing of the moment,” O’Connell said.

Petersen and O’Connell also recognize the importance of marketing in the real estate field. An early marketing tactic of founder Daniel Gale in the 1920s, Petersen said, was buying a tract of land along with two investors. One lot had a miniature model house buried in the ground. Petersen said whoever bought the plot would win a house built for them. She added that the person turned out to be a builder, so he was given two more lots instead of having a house built for him and the win spearheaded his own business in the area.

Sotheby’s International

Another milestone in Daniel Gale’s history was when the company became affiliated with Sotheby’s in the 1970s. The auction house needed an outlet for its clientele. After Sotheby’s International Realty was created, Daniel Gale became affiliated with it on Long Island and went on to become its No. 1 affiliate in the world.

O’Connell called the move a game-changer which allows Daniel Gale agents to bring their properties around the world but still have representation on Long Island.

“Larger firms that are represented, even here on Long Island, their decisions during hard times aren’t made here locally,” she said. “They’re made maybe in New York City or across the country somewhere. We live and we work, we do everything with our people first in mind.”

She gave the example that during the Great Recession of the 2000s, while big corporations laid off people, “Pat Petersen put personal money into the company to make sure that we didn’t have to cut our people.”

Keeping employees in place is something the company was able to do during the pandemic, too.

“We kept everyone on the payroll because we could make that decision,” O’Connell said.

The present and future

Later this year, Daniel Gale plans to open a new office in Huntington located cata-cornered where the original 1922 building was on Main Street. The company also recently launched the Daniel Gale Foundation to enable the company, which has donated tens of thousands in the past, to make a bigger impact.

O’Connell said Daniel Gale offices have always been involved with their communities “through a wide range of community service initiatives and donations.” With the new foundation, offices will choose a few events each year to work on with the whole company.

“The Daniel Gale Foundation will enable us to make an even greater impact with our giving by consolidating our giving efforts across the Island from Brooklyn to Shelter Island and make them even more impactful,” O’Connell said. “The foundation is about more than giving dollars, it is having the Daniel Gale family roll up their sleeves, put on their sneakers or pick up their shovels to work in our communities as a team.”

The two said it’s important to be proud of the past but it’s also essential to keep an eye on the future. Currently, like other realty companies, Daniel Gale is keeping up with the current seller’s market. O’Connell said while inventory is low, sales are high.

“We get 10 houses on the market, or an office has five houses on the market in a weekend, and they’re all gone by Monday,” O’Connell said, adding she believes the market will normalize in the near future.

Petersen added the importance of pricing correctly in any market.

“Part of our job is to be good counselors,” she said.

As they look toward the future, Petersen and O’Connell said the ways of communicating continue to change with social media platforms, but the key is to maintain high quality just like they do in ads and online.

“You have to be true to yourself, and I’m very proud of what we’ve done in the last 100 years,” Petersen said. “Not that I had much to do with the first 50, but I am very proud of what we’ve accomplished and what is still yet to accomplish.”

Synthetic turf sports fields at Gaynor and Moriches parks

by Rita J. Egan - April 22, 2022

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default — Drone footage of Gaynor Park in St. James. Drone footage from Town of Smithtown, Planning Department

The Town of Smithtown Parks Department is scheduled to complete the main Little League field at Gaynor Park in the coming week for local, young athletes and their families to enjoy in time for the season.

In addition to this renovation, construction of the new synthetic field at the largest softball field at Moriches Park is expected to be completed in a month’s time. These improvements are the result of a partnership with the St James Smithtown Little League for field improvements to both increase the amount of field time, as well as enhance the safety and overall experience for local youth.

“There is really nothing like building a park that our young residents get to enjoy and build lifelong memories on,” said Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R). “I want to express my gratitude to the St. James Smithtown Little League for this collaboration between parents, coaches and our team here. Secondly, I need to really shed light on our parks team for an outstanding job well done. Every member of the Parks Department genuinely comes to work, loving what they do each day for our community. Like me, they live for the smiles on the faces of our kids enjoying the game, the camaraderie and soon, the new fields.”

The ball field at Moriches Park and the little league field at Gaynor Park have been resurfaced with a 90-foot synthetic turf infield. Both synthetic fields feature new upgrades for safety, including raising the fencing to upwards of 10 feet, to protect spectators and vehicles from fly balls.

At Gaynor Park, brick walkways surround a tinted concrete sidewalk. The darker concrete will extend the appeal and overall aesthetics of the areas frequented by spectators. This addition to the facility at Gaynor will complement the previous renovation work, which included new Basketball, and Tennis courts in addition to a new state-of-the-art playground.

At Moriches Park, the Parks Department will be rebuilding a new dugout, backstop and added fencing as part of the field restoration. The synthetic field replacement compliments previous park renovations including the artificial turf field replacement at the Moriches Park Soccer Complex, which was completed last April. Additional renovations completed at Moriches Park include the new soft splash pad at the waterpark, state-of-the-art playground, interactive playhouse, new fencing surrounding the play areas, concrete sidewalks, LED user-friendly crosswalk and landscaping.

ACLD partners with HELPSY to divert unwanted textiles from landfill

by Press Release - April 22, 2022

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Just in time for Earth Day (April 22) Adults and Children with Learning & Developmental Disabilities, Inc., (ACLD) recently partnered with HELPSY, the largest clothing collection company on the east coast to place clothing collection bins throughout Long Island.

HELPSY and ACLD partner to place clothing collection bins throughout Long Island.

Collection bins offer an alternative disposal method for textiles to Long Island residents, addressing the abundance of unneeded and unwanted clothing ending up in landfills. This is the first non-profit collaboration on Long Island for HELPSY. With the goal to reuse, re-wear or recycle to extend the useful life of textiles, items will be sold into thrift or other secondhand markets and raise funds to support ACLD’s RewearAble Program which employs adults with developmental disabilities.

The first eight collection bins have been placed in five different locations including St. James Star Inc., 889 Middle Country Road, St. James; BP Gas Station, 6077 Jericho Turnpike, Commack; BP gas station, 566 Northern Blvd, North Hempstead; Citgo, 1560 Islip Road, Brentwood; and Cortorreal Auto Repair, 1714 New York Ave, Huntington Station.

“This is the first such partnership for HELPSY on Long Island,” said Dan Green, CEO and co-Founder of HELPSY. “We are thrilled that an organization that does such good work as ACLD should benefit from items that otherwise would be thrown away. Textile waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the United States and 95% of the textiles that fill landfills could have been reused or recycled. How wonderful that not only will the environment benefit, but also an organization that serves such an important and needed role in the lives of Long Island disabled children and adults.”

According to the EPA, since the beginning of the millennium, the amount of clothing manufactured has more than doubled (approximately 6 million tons in 2000 to 16 million tons in 2020). The business of creating trendy items at low cost, known as “fast fashion,” creates greater profits for the fashion industry and instant gratification to consumers. But unfortunately, this trend also leads to a shorter shelf life for clothing items and adds to a disposable mentality that creates a surplus of unwanted clothing.

The fashion industry is well documented as one of the most polluting in the world, responsible for 8-10% of total greenhouse gas emissions according to the UN and contributing to tons of microplastics found in the ocean- shredded from washed synthetic fibers used to make low-cost clothing.

Through a combination of clothing drives, home pick-ups and clothing collection bins in 10 states, HELPSY diverts nearly 30 million pounds of textiles from landfills every year. By partnering with organizations such as ACLD to collect these unwanted clothing and other textiles, HELPSY has helped to raise millions for non-profits and other organizations while helping to extend the life of clothing and reducing the impact on the environment from overproduction.

“HELPSY is dedicated to changing the way people think about clothing recycling while adhering to the highest level of social and environmental performance,” said Green.

The Company’s efforts have earned it a Certified B Corporation designation, using business as a force of good ™. HELPSY is the only textile collection company certified as a B-Corp and Public Benefit Corporation, demonstrating the value the company places on workers, partner organizations, the environment, and the community.

“We are excited about this collaboration with HELPSY,” said Robert Ciatto, Executive Director of ACLD. “We are pleased that HELPSY has selected ACLD to be the first non-profit partner on Long Island and we look forward to the support of ACLD’s RewearAble Program.”

For additional information about HELPSY or to join in the company’s environmental preservation efforts or to host an ACLD bin, contact [email protected].

Autism Awareness Month championed by small businesses

by TBR Staff - April 21, 2022

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Bean's Bagels_Rainbow Bagel — Businesses across Suffolk County are donating proceeds from the sale of food items to raise money for Autism Awareness. Businesses include Bean Bagels in St. James with its rainbow bagels. Photo from Joe Conlon

By Chris Melllides

Spring is upon us and in times like these the importance of community is paramount. April is National Autism Awareness Month and with it Long Island’s small businesses are partnering to benefit Catholic Health and St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson in helping to brighten the lives of children and adults living with autism.

Spearheaded by Joe Conlon businesses across Suffolk County are donating proceeds from the sale of food items to raise money for Autism Awareness. Photo from Joe Conlon

An estimated 5,437,988 or 2.21% of adults and 1 in 44 children in the United States have autism and are somewhere on the spectrum, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The condition can be debilitating, though this is rare and otherwise manageable. Autism occurs in children when they are between 12-to-18 months of age and in adolescents. Despite its commonality, experts say that individuals with autism and their families can sometimes deal with stigma. It’s important to recognize this and move forward with a sense of solidarity within our local communities.

United under one cause, seven Long Island businesses are helping to combat the stigma associated with autism. The observance of Autism Awareness this month shows strength in community, with proceeds from the sale of food items going directly toward benefiting Catholic Health and St. Charles Hospital.

“The movement right now is shifting from autism awareness month to autism acceptance month,” Virtual Therapy for Kids founder Joe Conlon said. “I wanted to be part of that change, I wanted to help shift the movement to acceptance. So, I thought the best way to do it was to get the community involved — and people love these businesses.”

Conlon has been credited with spearheading the month-long fundraiser and those businesses involved are thrilled to help in making this money-raising and morale-boosting movement a reality.

Located in Northport, Robke’s Italian eatery is among the seven participating eateries.

Owner Louis Selvaggio Jr.’s sister, Mia, was approached by Conlon with the idea for the fundraising effort. She said that because she works with “a lot of local brands and businesses,” she was able to help Conlon realize his goal of spreading autism awareness and building a campaign to ultimately raise funds for the pediatric rehabilitation program at St. Charles Hospital.

“So basically, him and I had a couple of conversations, like how we can bring awareness and acceptance to this topic,” Selvaggio said. To do their part, Robke’s has created a unique rainbow mojito to sell to its patrons — 10% from each drink sold will be going toward benefiting the fundraiser.

“A lot of people think of it as autism awareness month but it’s actually autism awareness and acceptance,” she said. “Instead of the color just being blue, it’s blue and rainbow, which a lot of people aren’t aware of until Joe explained this to me.”

Selvaggio has a jewelry business that she said will also be helping the pediatric rehabilitation program.

Bean’s Bagels owner, Michael Budani, who started working in the bagel business since he was an enterprising 15-year-old shop employee, was glad to help Conlon in realizing the fundraising mission — and it all came to fruition with just one Instagram direct message.

“We’re very involved on social media with our crazy bagels and rainbow bagels,” Budani said. “I told [Conlon] I think it would be a great idea because what we’re all about is helping the kids.”

Businesses across Suffolk County are donating proceeds from the sale of food items to raise money for Autism Awareness. Businesses include Robkes in Northport with specially-made mojitos. Photo from Joe Conlon

Bean’s Bagels has only been in operation for four months in St. James, according to the owner, but has already made a significant impact in the community by supporting children’s baseball and softball games.

“When we caught wind of [the fundraiser] we thought it was awesome, it’s a great opportunity to get our name out there and, most importantly, do a good deed for people,” Budani said.

Dr. Ben Birney, a resident physician at St Charles Rehabilitation Center in Port Jefferson, said that he and Conlon were inseparable after becoming best friends in high school. Birney works in the rehabilitation unit doing clinical rotations with patients, among them children with neurological diseases.

Birney’s nephew has autism and so this fundraiser means a lot to him and his family. He acknowledges that there is indeed a stigma associated with autism and that Conlon’s idea to benefit the community and St. Charles Hospital was a good decision.

Speaking of the fundraiser, Birney said, “I think that is huge. It gives people even a couple of seconds out of their day to think about autism awareness.”

The local businesses involved in the community fundraiser, with Robke’s Northport and Bean’s Bagels, are My Olive Oil Cake, ExoticsnacksLI, ENP Nutrition, Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cake Co. and Cosenza NYC.

Editorial: Much needed makeover on 347

by TBR Staff - April 21, 2022

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Work will begin once again on New York State Route 347, and North Shore residents couldn’t be happier.

Drivers navigating the roadway from Gibbs Pond Road in Nesconset to Hallock Road in Stony Brook have noticed construction cones beginning to appear. The upcoming work is part of a $71 million state Department of Transportation project, which continues the roadway improvements made to Route 347 years ago in the Smithtown area. Future plans include changes on the state road as far east as Port Jefferson Station.

Through the years, it has become more and more apparent that the road built decades ago is over capacity. Called the Smithtown Bypass in its western portion, the roadway initially served as a way to avoid the heavy traffic of downtown Smithtown. Today, drivers use side roads in the town to avoid Route 347.

Rerouting presents various problems. As drivers speed through residential neighborhoods, congestion appears in spots previously unanticipated. Residents who once lived on quiet streets now have trouble just backing out of their driveways or are hesitant to let their children play anywhere near the roadway.

Adding new travel lanes, traffic signals, raised planted medians and crosswalks to 347 will help ease congestion and keep cars on the main thoroughfare instead of traveling through residential areas.

According to NYSDOT, the road work between Gibbs Pond and Hallock roads will be completed by 2024. While that is a two-year span, the benefits will be well worth the wait.

Suffolk County residents are reminded regularly of the importance of building affordable housing and independent living units to keep our young people and retired residents here on the Island.

Accelerated by the pandemic, which prompted rapid urban flight from New York City, we are also facing an increase in population with more people attracted to the North Shore.

As our area experiences population growth, our infrastructure needs to be modernized and expanded. While there is some hesitancy to widen roads, add overpasses and traffic circles — since these changes might attract more development in the area — traffic is here now. With smart planning, our elected officials on town, county and state levels can work together to determine which roadways in our towns and villages could benefit from widening and other improvements. Continuing the roadwork on Route 347 is a step in the right direction. There is also the prospect of federal infrastructure bill monies.

While many don’t want Long Island to become life in the fast lane, it’s time to accept that it’s no longer country roads taking us home. A proper balance needs to be found to make life a little easier for those who live here as they navigate their day on North Shore roadways.

D. None of the Above: The carving knives emerge after the gatherings end

by Daniel Dunaief - April 20, 2022

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By Daniel Dunaief

We all try, more or less, to say the right thing in the moment.

“Wow, so nice to see you again. You look wonderful.”

“How are your children?”

“How’s work? How many days a week are you back in person?”

But after cutting up turkeys, ham and other food, the real carving occurs in the hours and days after gatherings, when we separate into smaller groups and snicker, judge and let loose the parts of our sinister souls for which we seek atonement during religious and other holidays.

Now that family gatherings have restarted in earnest, despite the COVID clouds still hovering over us, we have a chance to turn moments of discomfort into a collage of complaints.

While I’m sure there might be a few people who don’t practice the fine art of conducting post-gathering analysis about friends, family members and loved ones, I have yet to meet them.

We ought to break the process, lighthearted ideally though it may, into various categories.

Clothing: Wardrobe choices are often the subject of discussion. We sometimes marvel at how revealing or tight an outfit was or how casually someone dressed for a larger gathering.

Defensive guests: Sometimes, what people say, or hear, has nothing to do with a question they were asked or even a conversation in which they participated. While I was recently cleaning dishes, another guest walked in and told me everything he had contributed to the confab. His need to share his contribution, or to allay any guilt he might have felt, was revealing.

Conversation interrupters: While many families have long-winded storytellers, some gatherings include a conversation interrupter. They are the people for whom any dialog that doesn’t revolve around them or their opinions is unwelcome and unworthy. They interrupt other people’s stories to interject their views on a topic or, perhaps, on something completely unrelated to the discussion.

Exacerbaters: These are the people for whom conflict is nearly as delicious as the homemade apple pie or fruit cobbler that awaits after dinner. Sensing conflict in a marriage or between siblings, they will figure out how to help build any tension in the moment. When challenged for their role as instigators, they will frequently play the victim card, claiming that making people angry at each other or at them wasn’t their intention and that everyone doesn’t understand how they were really only trying to help and to resolve the conflict.

Welcome to Narnia guests: No party is complete without at least one person who needs to bring everyone into their perspective or their world. These people often see everything through one perspective, whether it’s about saving stray dogs, the challenges of having difficult neighbors, or the difficulty of finding good Thai food in their neighborhood. The discussion could be about the challenges educators faced during the pandemic and, they will say, “Oh yeah? Well, that reminds me of the challenges of finding good Thai food.”

The revisionist historians: Often, some, or even many, of the people in a room spent considerable time with each other. Stories have a way of evolving over time, either because they sound better one way or because the storyteller’s memory has altered some of the facts to suit a better narrative. No, you didn’t invent the yo-yo, no, you didn’t predict the year the Cubs would finally win the World Series, and, no, you didn’t always use the phrase “just do it” before Nike added it to their ad campaign.

Between You and Me: Overheard in a deli — ‘I’ll have what she is having’

by Leah Dunaief - April 20, 2022

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By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief

One of the first things we noticed when we moved from the Bronx to Wichita Falls Texas, where my husband reported for duty on the Air Force base in July 1967, was that the city had no delis. Really, no delis. “Where can we find a deli?” we asked people. “What’s a deli?” was the response.

It was then that we learned that a deli, short for delicatessen, was indigenous to large urban settings generally found on the coasts, that made fresh sandwiches and sold side salads from their display cases and bottled sodas from their glass-front, vertical refrigerators. We explained that they were mighty convenient for a quick take-out lunch. Sometimes a few people ate at the handful of tables, but mostly it was an in-and-out experience and one hoped the line would not be too long. “We have diners,” they offered helpfully. “You could probably take out an order from one of them.”

How to describe the difference between a diner and a deli? I had never thought about delis before. I just knew there was one every couple of blocks in New York. Some of them were quite elegant, with imported products, cured meats and cheeses, and even exotic foods, while others, in the neighborhoods, just sold the usual turkey, bologna or ham and Swiss on a roll or white bread.

Ah, but then there were the kosher delis, the ones with overstuffed pastrami on rye and spicy mustard, with a pickle and a soda, maybe even a potato knish on the side. That’s the classic New York deli sandwich. They were the best, and there were fewer of those but enough to feed the discriminating in all five boroughs. Often kosher delis were part of a restaurant in which diners could sit at tables and be served by wise-cracking waiters. Patrons might slurp up chicken soup before they attacked their fulsome sandwiches.

In fact, there were 1500 kosher delicatessens in New York City in the 1930s, brought here primarily by German-Jewish immigrants in the late 19th century. There were fewer than 15 as of 2015, and I’ll bet there are only a handful today. This is how they started, or so the story goes.

A Lithuanian named Sussman Volk, who arrived in New York in 1880, owned a butcher shop on the lower East Side. He befriended another immigrant, from Romania, and allowed the fellow to store his meat in the shop’s large icebox. To thank him, the friend gave Volk a recipe for pastrami, which then proved so popular with Volk’s customers that he opened a restaurant at 88 Delancey Street and served the meat on rye. The creation was soon repeated in delis and became the city’s iconic sandwich.

Delicatessens originated in Germany during the 18th century, started by a German food company called Dellmayr in 1700 that still exists, and spread to the United States in mid-19th century. They catered to the German immigrants, offering smoked meats, sausages, pickled vegetables, dips, breads and olives. Just in case you are on “Jeopardy!”, the root of the word comes from the Latin, “delicatus,” meaning giving pleasure, delightful, pleasing. After WWII, from about 1948 on, they were simply referred to as “delis.”

Today, even supermarkets have deli sections. There are two delis within walking distance in my village and more up and down the neighboring villages. And they exist in many countries with slight variations on the theme. Australia, Canada, Europe (Milan, Paris, Vienna, London, Munich, Zurich), Ireland, they all have delis. They are different from Subway or Jersey Mike’s, or Wawa, which, too, make sandwiches to order. They are also different from McDonald’s or Wendy’s, who specialize in fast food. Some of them have hot prepared foods as well, and all of them require interaction with a clerk behind the counter as opposed to a more digital ordering process. Those clerks may whip up an egg on a roll with bacon and cheese if you ask. Some delis even have small groceries attached to them.

Delis are generally unpretentious eateries that welcome you. For my lunch tastes, you can’t spell delicious without “deli.”

Newfield Wolverines too much for Huntington Blue Devils

by Bill Landon - April 20, 2022

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Newfield’s bats barked early, scoring four runs in the first inning to open the first of a three-game series at Huntington High School in a League III match-up April 18.

The Wolverines were able to keep the Blue Devils at bay stretching their lead to 9-1 after four innings to win the game, 14-1.

Logan Prisco got the win pitching four innings with 10 strikeouts. Joe Hackal went 3-4 from the plate with three RBIs as Stephen Lumme also went 3-4 with two RBIs.

The win lifts Newfield to 6-4 in league, while the loss drops the Blue Devils to 0-6.

TBR News Media Police Blotter for issue of April 14, 2022

by Heidi Sutton - April 19, 2022

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The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police:

Centereach

■ Walmart on Middle Country Road in Centereach reported a shoplifter on April 5. A man allegedly stole a 55 inch TLC 4k Smart TV worth $319.

Centerport

■ A resident on Ridgefield Road in Centerport reported that someone entered their unlocked vehicle on April 8 and removed a laptop, two iPads and a backpack. The stolen items were valued at over $2,000.

■ A resident on Lone Oak Drive in Centerport reported that someone entered their unlocked vehicle on April 8 and stole a wallet containing cash and credit cards.

Commack

■ Home Depot on Crooked Hill Road in Commack reported a shoplifter on April 8. A man allegedly stole BX copper wire valued at $838.

Dix Hills

■ A 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 containing miscellaneous tools, speakers and sunglasses was stolen from a residence on Deer Park Avenue in Dix Hills on April 7. The vehicle was valued at $6,000.

East Setauket

■ Setauket Gourmet Deli on Route 25A in East Setauket was burglarized on April 7. Unknown suspects entered through the roof and stole cash, two metal safes and a DVR.

Halesite

■ Three Dell laptops were stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked on Baywood Place in Halesite on April 7.

Head of the Harbor

■ A resident on Muffins Meadow Road in Head of the Harbor called the police on April 6 to report that someone entered their unlocked vehicle and stole cash and credit cards.

Huntington

■ A 2019 Mercedes Benz G43 was stolen from a residence on Cove Road in Huntington on April 6. The vehicle was valued at $49,000.

Huntington Station

■ Target on East Jericho Turnpike called the police on April 4 to report that two women allegedly stole assorted health and beauty products valued at $1377.

Lake Grove

■ Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove reported a shoplifter on April 6. A man allegedly stole four TaylorMade golf clubs valued at $2,550.

■ Macy’s at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove called the police on April 9 to report that a person entered the store and allegedly stole miscellaneous clothing items worth $230.

Rocky Point

■ Kohl’s on Route 25A in Rocky Point reported a shoplifter on April 5. A woman allegedly stole assorted clothing items valued at $557.

■ Kohl’s on Route 25A in Rocky Point called the police on April 8 to report a man allegedly stole a vacuum worth $217 from the store.

Port Jefferson Station

■ A resident on Viceroy Place in Port Jefferson Station called the police to report that his 2016 Dodge Charger was stolen with the keys inside in front of his home on April 6. The vehicle was valued at $10,000.

Selden

■ CVS on Middle Country Road in Selden reported at shoplifter on April 7. A woman allegedly stole 6 boxes of diapers worth $210 and bath items worth $30.

■ A petit larceny was reported at Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden on April 7. A man allegedly stole a Dewalt table saw worth $640.

■ Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden reported a shoplifter on April 8. A woman allegedly placed 40 GFI outlets and one light fixture in her shopping cart and walked out without paying. The merchandise was valued at $2,000.

Stony Brook

■ A 2017 Mercedes B Model G30 was reported stolen from the driveway of a residence on Spencer Lane in Stony Brook on April 2. The vehicle was valued at $50,000.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

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