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Pictured from left, Manager of Marketing & Communications Lisa DeVerna; Head Teen Services Librarian Emily Ostrander; Librarian Jennifer Mullen; Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Library Director Ted Gutmann; and Town of Brookhaven and Environmental Educator Nicole Pocchiare. Photo from Emma Clark Library
From left, Building Manager Jim Krause and Manager of Information & Technology Bob Johnson build the new little free library. Photo from Emma Clark Library
Beachgoer with Library Director Ted Gutmann. Photo from Emma Clark Library
TIME TO READ: The new Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach. Photo from Emma Clark Library

Due to popular demand, the Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach hosted by Emma Clark Library was installed before the usual time so that beachgoers may enjoy books even longer. Its official opening was Thursday, May 9.

A literary summer tradition, the Little Free Library at the beach has been going strong since its inception in 2016. After close to ten years, the structure itself had taken quite a beating; therefore, library employees have built a replacement cabinet, once again constructed from recycled materials. You might recognize the sides of the structure, which were assembled from end caps of previous library shelving units. The legs of the cabinet were made from an old library chair. 

This “Take a Book or Leave a Book” concept inspires beachgoers to read, share, and reuse and encourages lifelong reading. It is located under the pavilion at the beach. Visitors are encouraged to grab a book and/or donate one. The books are all donated by the public and cater to all ages. This little library is possible thanks in part to many generous booklovers (books are not curated or owned by Emma Clark — don’t return your library books here!). Library teen volunteers “adopt” the library each week to ensure that it is neat, undamaged, and well-stocked. There is no need to live in Three Village to participate, as long as you are a visitor to the beach. The Town of Brookhaven and Environmental Educator Nicole Pocchiare have once again graciously given their consent for Emma Clark to host the Little Free Library at the beach. 

“I was happy to take part in the installation of the Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach again this year,” remarked Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich. “The dedication of Emma Clark Library to providing access to books and knowledge for the community, especially younger readers, is truly commendable. I see the positive impact this resource has on the residents of our town. Thank you to all involved for continuing this project for nine consecutive years.”

Little Free Libraries have become an international phenomenon since their inception in 2010, and Little Free Library was established as a nonprofit organization in 2012 in Wisconsin. According to the official Little Free Library website, there are over 150,000 registered book-sharing boxes across the United States and 120 countries worldwide. Emma Clark’s Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach is registered on www.littlefreelibrary.org and can be found on the site’s official map of all Little Free Libraries. 

Emma Clark Library is delighted to increase access to books for all ages and promote the exchange of books within the community, enhancing a day at the beloved West Meadow Beach.

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Photo from Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook Facebook

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

Speaking in a front of a receptive, appreciative and celebratory audience of 125 graduates of the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University who gave him a standing ovation before and after his commencement address, Dr Anthony Fauci, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, shared some thoughts on the hard lessons learned from the last four years.

“I speak not only of lessons we have learned that can help us prepare for the next public health challenge, but, more importantly, of lessons that will apply to your future professional and personal experiences that are far removed from pandemic outbreaks,” Fauci said, after complimenting the class on persevering in their training despite the challenges and losses.

To start with, he suggested these new doctors expect the unexpected. In the early phase of the pandemic, the virus revealed multiple secrets, “some of which caught us somewhat by surprise,” Fauci said. “As well prepared as we thought we were, we learned that SARS-Cov2 is often transmitted from people who are infected but have no symptoms.”

Additionally, the virus continually mutated, forming more transmissable variants that caused illness even in those who had already contracted the virus.

“Each revelation not only humbled us, but served as a stark reminder that, when facing novel and unanticipated challenges in life, as you all will I promise, any predictions we might make about what will happen next or how the situation will unfold must always be provisional,” Fauci said.

Dealing with these challenges requires being open-minded and flexible in assessing situations as new information emerges.

He cautioned the new doctors and scientists to beware of the insidious nature of anti science.

Even as doctors have used data and evidence learning to gain new insights and as the stepping stones of science, anti science became “louder and more entrenched over time. This phenomenon is deeply disturbing” as it undermines evidence-based medicine and sends the foundation of the social order down a slippery slope.

Even as science was under attack, so, too, were scientists. “During the past four years, we have witnessed an alarming increase in the mischaracterization, distortion and even vilification of solid evidence-based findings and even of scientists themselves,” Fauci continued.

Mixing with these anti science notions were conspiracy theories, which created public confusion and eroded trust in evidence-based public health principals.

“This became crystal clear as we fought to overcome false rumors about the mRNA Covid vaccines during the roll out” of vaccines which Dr. Peter Igarashi, Dean of the Renaissance School of Medicine estimated in his introduction for Dr. Fauci saved more than 20 million lives in their first year of availability.

“I can confirm today that Bill Gates [the former CEO of Microsoft] and I did not put chips in the Covid vaccines,” Fauci said. “And, no, Covid vaccines are not responsible for more deaths than Covid.”

The worldwide disparagement of scientific evidence is threatening other aspects of public health, he said, as parents are opting out of immunizing their children, which is leading to the recent clusters of measles cases, he added.

Elements of society are “driven by a cacophony of falsehoods, lies and conspiracy theories that get repeated often enough that after a while, they become unchallenged,” he said. That leads to what he described as a “normalization of untruths.”

Fauci sees this happening on a daily basis, propagated by information platforms, social media and enterprises passing themselves off as news organizations. With doctors entering a field in which evidence and data-driven conclusions inform their decisions, they need to “push back on these distortions of truth and reality.”

He appealed to the graduates to accept a collective responsibility not to accept the normalization of untruths passively, which enables propaganda and the core principals of a just social order to begin to erode.

Fauci exhorted students to “seek and listen to opinions that differ from your own” and to analyze information which they have learned to do in medical school.

“Our collective future truly is in your hands,” Fauci said.

Fauci also urged these doctors and scientists to take care of their patients and to advance knowledge for the “good of humankind.”

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Pictured above, from left to right: Simons Foundation President David Spergel, Jim and Marilyn Simon, Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis and Governor Kathy Hochul. Photo by John Griffin/Stony Brook University

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

“What can I do? I’m only one person.”

How many times have we heard that lament? People excuse themselves from doing what they could, since everyone has some skills, to rectify a situation or help a cause by falling back on that one-liner. Elsewhere in these papers, we tell you about one man (and woman) who made an enormous difference in the world. Of course, it helps if you are a genius. 

Jim Simons was a genius. I knew him a little. He lived in Old Field and was a self-deprecating genius, except for the time he referred to himself during a talk he was giving to a small group as “Midas.” And he was right; he turned his understanding of mathematics into investments that made unprecedented amounts of money in much the same way King Midas, in Greek mythology, turned everything he touched into pure gold.

I remember, years ago, when I was traveling in Australia and I walked by a newsstand. Some magazines were propped up with their front pages displayed. I had to stop and stare for a moment because there was Jim’s face above the headline, “Highest income earner in the world” that year. It seems he had grossed four billion dollars, if I recall correctly. That was after he founded Renaissance Technologies in, of all places, beautiful downtown East Setauket.

If you want to make the world a better place, it helps to be a genius and to have fabulous sums of money. But that’s just the beginning of the story. 

As Jim once said, “It’s really hard giving away money…well.” He spent the last third of his adult life figuring out how and to whom he and his wife, Marilyn, should be donating funds.

The philanthropy I am most familiar with is Math for America. Being a mathematician, it’s not a surprise Jim was most concerned early on about how math was taught in the schools. Data revealed that the answer was “not very well,” or at least, not as well as it could be taught.

How to proceed?

Jim got his arms around the problem by starting with math teachers. He founded a nonprofit organization to support NYC public school teachers that eventually turned into a four-year fellowship program to increase math and science teachers’ skills.

“MfA’s role is valuing excellence in teaching and doing everything we can to keep great teachers in the classroom,” Jim explained. Part of the problem was the low pay. Math teachers often got hired away by business and industry, leaving a void in the classrooms.

He outlined the five core beliefs of his organization.

First was that teaching is a true profession, giving teachers enormous respect and financing.

Second was that great teachers are always learning. They strive to improve their depth of content knowledge, their expertise in teaching, and their ability to teach to the strengths of every student in their classroom.

Third is the necessity for deep collaboration within  a community of fellow experts to achieve ongoing growth.

Fourth is that regular evaluation of teachers is required to advance the profession.

And finally, fifth is by honoring greatness in the profession. That is achieved by celebrating, promoting and advocating for the best teachers, which raises prestige and attracts the best possible candidates to a career in the classroom.

Here are some impressive numbers that have resulted from that single organization, Math for America, founded 2004.

There are 1078 total teachers that have participated across NYC. Some 125 professional development courses have been offered by MfA in 2022-2023 that are focused on topics of equity and inclusion in the classrooms.

82 percent of MfA teachers have led professional development for their school colleagues.

400+ high quality STEM-focused courses have resulted each semester of which 75 percent have been led by MfA teachers.

60 percent of MfA teachers in NYC said they might have left teaching during 2022-2023 if not for their fellowships.

MfA has been recognized by the legislature of NYS and the U.S.Congress.

Thank you, Jim Simons.

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Michelle Ballan, center, received the Building Knowledge Through Research Award at a ceremony during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon, left, and Kristina Rose, Office for Victims of Crime Director, presented her with the award. Photo from Office for Victims of Crime

Dr. Michelle Ballan recognized for research related to intimate partner violence against those with disabilities

Michelle Ballan, PhD, MSW, Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook University, has received the Building Knowledge Through Research Award from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), a program of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Ballan is among only 8 individuals or organizations honored nationally by the DOJ for their outstanding work as crime victim service professionals during the 2024 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

The Building Knowledge Through Research Award recognizes individual researchers or research teams that made a significant contribution to the nation’s understanding of crime victim issues. Through her individual and collaborative research projects, Ballan centers her investigations on the identification and amelioration of barriers impacting the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities and their families. Her pioneering research explores intimate partner violence, a public health concern that disproportionately impacts individuals with disabilities.

“Receiving this award from the Office for Victims of Crime is a high honor, and I am happy to have been selected along with other professionals who are doing such important work around the country to benefit people who are victims of crimes and injustices,” said Ballan, also a Professor of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM); Research Director for the Stony Brook Early Childhood Clinic; and Director of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) Center at Stony Brook University.

Ballan and the other awardees were recognized during a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week ceremony in Washington, D.C, in late April. Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon and Office for Victims of Crime Director Kristina Rose presented the 2024 winners with their awards.

“Since 1981, the Nation has formally honored victim service providers and allied professionals, many of whom were driven to this work because of trauma they experienced personally,” said Kristina Rose, Director of the OVC. “It is an honor to recognize these individuals and organizations for dedicating themselves not only to making a difference to victims and survivors of crime, but to entire communities and society as a whole.”

The awardees were selected from public nominations in multiple categories, including allied professionals, research, victim services, survivor voices, and tomorrow’s leaders.

At Stony Brook, Ballan pursues research alongside colleagues with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who she has trained and supported in their role as research team members. She mentors professors across different schools and numerous predoctoral and postdoctoral LEND trainees in 10 healthcare disciplines, in addition to families and self-advocates. She also works with outside practitioners and nonprofit organizations to better understand the needs of their clients with disabilities.

Her collaborative work and ongoing research have yielded insight into the factors motivating people with disabilities to seek assistance from domestic violence agencies and has highlighted the societal need for increased interdependence and self-efficacy to enable individuals to find alternatives to violent relationships.

For more about the award, Ballan’s research focus, how it impacts victims of crime, and collaborative work at Stony Brook University, see this OVC webpage and video.

 

 

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Stony Brook University Hospital

Practice Greenhealth has once again recognized Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) as a national leader in environmental sustainability in the health care sector. As a result of SBUH’s leadership, ingenuity and hard work through its sustainability efforts and initiatives, the hospital has earned this year’s Greenhealth Emerald Award. This honor recognizes the hospital, as part of the top 20 percent, for its ongoing commitment to improving its environmental performance and efforts to build sustainability and resiliency into the operations and culture of the institution.

“At Stony Brook University Hospital, we know sustainability is essential to better care for our patients, communities and planet,” said Carol Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, Chief Executive Officer, Stony Brook University Hospital. “I am extremely proud of all our Stony Brook Medicine faculty and staff for their ongoing commitment and efforts toward environmental excellence in healthcare.”

Additionally, SBUH received Practice Greenhealth’s Greening the OR Recognition Award. The accolade honors facilities that have made substantial progress in reducing the impact of the surgical environment and improving environmental performance in the operating room.

“In a shifting health care landscape, a focus on sustainability can help build resilience while better protecting the health of patients and the community,” said Gary Cohen, Practice Greenhealth founder. “Stony Brook University Hospital demonstrates the kind of leadership, innovation, and performance that can drive the entire health sector toward more environmentally responsible practices.”

SBUH continues to lead the way in tackling emissions and is already working to achieve climate resilience through a number of initiatives, including:

This past April, SBUH was recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for its public commitments to decarbonizing its operations and improving resilience in the face of climate change. As part of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), HHS shared that SBUH was one of more than 130 organizations that have joined the White House-HHS Health Sector climate pledge, committing to align with the Biden administration’s goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

To learn more about Stony Brook Medicine’s sustainability efforts, visit stonybrookmedicine.edu/sustainability.

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Photo courtesy of Gallery North
Photo courtesy of Gallery North
Photo courtesy of Gallery North

Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket presents its annual Winner’s Circle exhibition  celebrating the award-winning artists of the 2023 Outdoor Art Show and Music Festival from May 16 to June 23. An opening reception will be held Thursday, May 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. 

The exhibition features recipients of the Best in Show award and best in categories including mixed media, fiber art, glass art, jewelry, painting, photography, and pottery at the 2023 Outdoor Art Show and Music Festival hosted by Gallery North. 

The 2023 festival judges, Tasha Boehm, Director of the Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook, Julianna Kirk, a Long Island jeweler, multimedia artist, and educator, and contemporary artist Loretta Oberheim evaluated over 50 exhibitors to present the 13 available awards.

The Winner’s Circle exhibition includes artists Melanie Wulforst, Denise Aneke, Renee Brown, Jane Irvine, Flo Kemp, Joanne Liff, Susan Nagel, Lori Rosen, Paul Speh, Marlene Weinstein, Ally Liff, Dan McCarthy, and artists of the Brick Studio. These artists are all exceptional representatives of Long Island’s creative community and are an essential part of the Outdoor Art Show and Music Festival’s importance to the cultural offerings of the region. 

“Gallery North is proud to celebrate their significant achievements within their respective mediums,” read the press release.

This exhibition is generously sponsored by Jefferson’s Ferry and Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Planning. The exhibition and reception will be free and open to the public. For more information, call 631-751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.

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Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine stands alongside county legislators on May 7. Photo by Samantha Rutt

By Samantha Rutt

In his inaugural State of the County Address, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) outlined a comprehensive four-year plan to revitalize and fortify Suffolk County, emphasizing key priorities such as fiscal responsibility, public safety, infrastructure enhancement and social services reform. 

“I am extremely hopeful about the future of this county and there are 18 reasons for that and they all sit around me,” the executive said of his Legislature. “I have watched this Legislature for many years. I was part of this Legislature for many years and I am so impressed with the dedication and commitment of these people,” Romaine said as he stood before the podium. 

Addressing an audience May 7 at the William H. Rogers Building in Hauppauge, Romaine outlined his administration’s achievements within its first 100 days while charting a course for the county’s future. 

“Let me start off by saying that the state of the county is good — but it can be improved,” Romaine said. “I am going to be working with the 18 people behind me, men and women of goodwill. Men and women of intellect. Men and women to lead this county forward, because I believe our best days are ahead.” 

Fiscal strength and accountability

Romaine heralded significant strides in Suffolk County’s financial standing, citing a notable upgrade in the county’s credit rating by S&P Global Ratings.

“One thing I’ve learned over a long life is all issues of government are issues of money,” he emphasized. “Right now our general obligation bonds are rated ‘AA-’. I am happy to say that we got our first upgrade this quarter and we are now ‘A+’.”

With an upgraded rating and a stable outlook, the county seeks fiscal stability and enhanced access to capital markets. 

Additionally, Romaine announced initiatives to ensure budgeting practices, including a commitment to adhere to the state-mandated 2% property tax cap and the establishment of a centralized grants office to maximize state and federal funding opportunities.

“New York State has a 2% tax cap, inflation is running a lot higher than 2%,” Romaine explained. “I will submit a budget this September for next year that will not exceed the 2% property tax cap. We cannot afford to do that.”

Investment in public safety

Recognizing the importance of public safety, Romaine announced key appointments within the Suffolk County Police Department and outlined plans to expand law enforcement capabilities. 

“Public safety is a concern — we have new leadership in our department,” Romaine said. “As I promised, I’ve hired more detectives, and we have more cops on the street. It’s important because two things that I’ve heard from the voters and residents of Suffolk County is we need the county to be safe and we need it to be affordable.” 

Investments in new personnel, equipment and technologies aim to uplift public safety efforts and address emerging challenges. Notably, Romaine emphasized the significance of fair and efficient operations within the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency, a growing concern among residents across the county.

Infrastructure revitalization

Romaine touched on the imperative to modernize and maintain county facilities, highlighting initiatives to renovate and upgrade critical infrastructure. With a focus on improving constituent affairs and enhancing employee morale, the administration plans to address long-standing deficiencies in county facilities, including the Suffolk County Police headquarters and the Medical Examiner’s Office building. 

Additionally, plans to reacquire the former John J. Foley nursing home property in Yaphank signals a strategic approach to meet evolving community needs while realizing significant cost savings.

Cybersecurity preparedness

Reflecting on the cyberattack of 2022 and acknowledging the enduring threat posed by cyberattacks, Romaine outlined measures to reinforce the county’s cybersecurity infrastructure. Through comprehensive audits, strategic hiring and resource allocation, the administration shifts its aim to mitigate vulnerabilities and safeguard sensitive data.

Social services reform and environmental preservation

“Now I come to the Department of Social Services, a department that needs a little bit of attention,” Romaine shared. “When I came into office and I read the Newsday article that Suffolk County was one of the worst in the state at processing SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] applications and that we were way behind in processing social service applications … that is going to change. We are going to put staffing in, we are going to be on top of things.”

Additionally, Romaine reaffirmed the county’s commitment to environmental preservation — just like preservation was a staple of Romaine’s time as Brookhaven Town supervisor — citing investments in farmland preservation and open-space conservation as critical components of sustainable development. The county executive recently appropriated $15 million to preserve farmland across the county. Since taking office, nearly 100 acres of farmland and open space throughout the county has been preserved with additional acquisitions planned later in the year.

Looking ahead

“I believe working together, investing in our infrastructure and rebuilding what is needed in this county as our best days are ahead,” the county executive remarked.

In concluding his address, Romaine articulated a vision of optimism and collaboration, emphasizing the collective efforts needed to propel Suffolk County forward. With a dedicated team and a commitment to transparency and accountability, he expressed confidence in the county’s ability to overcome challenges and realize its full potential. 

“Let’s step up to the plate, we have a lot of challenges ahead,” Romaine concluded.

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Marilyn Simons, left, and Jim Simons, third from left, toast the announcement of a $500 million contribution to Stony Brook University’s endowment with SBU President Maurie McInnis and Simons Foundation President David Spergel. File photo from John Griffin/ Stony Brook University

By Daniel Dunaeif

James Simons, the founder of Renaissance Technologies and the former Mathematics chair at Stony Brook University whose foundation gave a record-breaking $500 million unrestricted gift to SBU last year, died today at the age of 86, the Simons Foundation announced.

“It is with great sadness that the Simons Foundation announces the death of its co-founder and chair emeritus, James Harris Simons,” the Foundation announced on its web site.

Simons founded what would become Renaissance Technologies in 1978, which developed an incredibly profitable quantitative trading platform that built his personal net worth to over $31 billion, making him the 55th richest person in the world, according to Forbes.

Simons and his wife Marilyn, who co-founded the Simons Foundation and earned her undergraduate and PhD degrees in economics from Stony Brook University, founded the Simons Foundation in 1994. The Foundation has given billions of dollars to hundreds of philanthropic causes, focusing on math and science research and education.

Simons, who was known as “Jim” to colleagues, was “an exceptional leader who did transformative work in mathematics and developed a world-leading investment company,” David Spergel, Simons Foundation president, said in a statement. With his wife, the current Simons Foundation board chair, Simons “created an organization that has already had an enormous impact in mathematics, basic science and our understanding of autism. The Simons Foundation, an in-perpetuity foundation, will carry their vision for philanthropy into the future.”

The Simons Foundation’s contributions have made discoveries possible in autism, the origins of the universe, cell biology, and computational science, according to the Foundation.

Simons has supported numerous philanthropic efforts, including the Simons Foundation, Simons Foundation International, Math for America, among others.

Simons is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren, and a great grandchild.

“From his role as chairman of the math department to his years of leadership on the Stony Brook Foundation Board of Trustees, to his transformational generosity, Jim forever impacted Stony Brook,” Maurie McInnis, President of Stony Brook University, wrote in a note to the school community. “Our university is infinitely better because of Jim, and his passing leaves an enormous hole in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know him.”

Stony Brook plans to celebrate Simons’s impact in the coming months.

In recent years, in addition to the largest ever unrestricted gift to a higher education institution in American history, the Simons Foundation announced a $100 million contribution to the university’s successful bid to develop Governor’s Island into a climate solutions center.

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ASCE Metropolitan Student Symposium at SBU. Photo by Rigoberto Burgueno

Stony Brook University’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) hosted its 2024 ASCE Metropolitan Student Symposium from April 12 to 14.

Attendees from New Jersey and New York included approximately 270 students from 13 universities who convened over a weekend of design events. In addition to a myriad of design competitions, the symposium also hosted several pop-up workshops facilitated by ASCE professional members and a networking event with donors.

The Stony Brook University ASCE Chapter competed in five competitions: taking first place in the Land Surveying competition; second place in the Construction Institute competition; and third place in the Steel Bridge competition. In addition, the Stony Brook University ASCE chapter took home an honorable mention for the New York State Council 2023 ASCE Student Chapter Award.

Read more and see a photo gallery from the symposium at the Stony Brook University Department of Civil Engineering website.

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Photo by Raymond Janis

At SBU’s Staller Center on protest night

Last Wednesday evening, May 1, my wife and I, along with our teenage grandson, went to the campus of Stony Brook University to enjoy a wonderful concert given by the Stony Brook Wind Ensemble of the Department of Music. 

Imagine our surprise, as we walked to the front door of the Staller Center and found the adjacent grassy area to be hosting a large group of pro-Palestine protesters. We had no problem telling who they were, because they were echoing chants provided by a person wielding a megaphone, most were wearing masks, the grass was covered with small tents and sheets of blue plastic, and many were holding poles flying the flags of Palestine. There were also quite a few signs and posters, carrying messages such as “From the River to the Sea,” “Globalize the Intifada” and “By Any Means Necessary.” We found the whole operation to be interesting and educational, and we approached the assemblage to observe and take pictures with our cellphone cameras. If we had any thoughts that we might be welcome, these were quickly dispelled by a young lady in the group who told us where to go (not to the Staller Center), and provided visible reinforcement by flipping us the bird, which we dutifully recorded on my grandson’s camera.

The concert featured around 65 wonderfully talented musicians, all of them students at the university, one of whom happens to be another grandson — and we enjoyed it immensely. The concert ended around 9:30 p.m., and we went outside to find the protesters still in place, practicing their chants and carrying their Palestine flags. By this time, however, they had been joined by two dozen or so uniformed members of the New York State Police, who were standing in a group and watching them. 

Everything appeared to be under control, so my grandson and I went over to the officers and started a conversation with one of them, who happened to be a sergeant. He was very pleasant and accommodating, told us who they were and why they were there, and seemed to really enjoy talking with my grandson, who is a big fan of the police. The sergeant told us that there was a deadline of 11 p.m., and the protesters would be vacating around then. That was a little late for us, since the next day was a school day, so we wished them luck and went home.

The next day, we tuned in to News 12, and we learned that the protesters were indeed gone, with 29 of them having been arrested. I was thinking about revisiting the grassy area, to see if the protesters have returned, like the swallows in Capistrano. If they have, I was thinking of giving them a few tubes of Super Glue, so that they could glue themselves together, as other protesters have found helpful. This would present a more challenging dilemma for the police officers, but I think they could figure it out.

George Altemose

Setauket

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