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Yearly Archives: 2016

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Some ideas or lessons stick with us through the decades. Religions offer plenty: We should treat others the way we want to be treated and we should respect our elders, to name two.

From my grammar school world, the Venn diagram is one concept that offers such a wonderful visual image that I think about it or rely on it with some regularity.

Do you remember the Venn diagram? It has two adjoining circles with a varying amount of overlap in the middle, and the theory can be applied to almost any circumstance.

Let’s start with sports, where passions are high, but the consequences of any single event or season are, relatively speaking, much lower.

Red Sox and Yankee fans would seem to have almost nothing in common, with two circles drawn as far away on a page as humanly possible. But each year there is at least one game where a Red Sox fan might root for a Yankee and a Yankee might root for a member of the Red Sox. Yes, think about it. The all-star game determines the home field advantage for the World Series. If the result of the all-star game was on the line and a member of the Red Sox could win the game with a home run, wouldn’t a Yankee fan begrudgingly cheer for that player in the hope that if our team made it to a seventh game of the World Series, the game would be at Yankee Stadium? There, we might get to see our team win a title instead of in a National League park.

From the passion of sports to the passions in our lives, a Venn diagram can also be useful in affairs of the heart. Let’s say you’re dating and you’re exploring similarities in your partner. Do you like the same food, books and movies? Do you have the same view on the importance of family, the role you might play in a community or the value of vacation time?

While all of these questions might lead to a better understanding of where you have common ground, marriage counselors or even dating services might suggest that circles with a perfect overlap might not create a perfect couple. After all, some differences or nonoverlapping spaces might make for a refreshing extension of our own circles. Maybe, as part of these relationships, we look for ways to expand the circles that define what we know and have experienced.

Even relationships that have ended can help shape ways to find common ground with someone else.

Then there’s politics. We will need to pick a president in November. Do any of the candidates overlap with your circle? Maybe, instead of looking at the breadth of their campaigns, you can consider the depth or importance of any one issue, extending that middle ground into a three-dimensional space. Maybe your vote will reflect whatever common ground you can find on a single issue, while rolling your eyes at the differences on so many other topics.

Ultimately, it seems that the most effective politician might not be someone who wants to fight for us, as Hillary Clinton suggests in her campaign mantra. And it might not be someone who wants to make America great again, as Donald Trump urges. Instead, it might be someone who can find the greatest common ground with other politicians and with other Americans.

We know that the best policies for Iowa likely won’t be the best for New York, but there must be ways to get New Yorkers and Iowans to find a national leader who can represent all of us — and not just those who are part of our inner circle.

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This is in the nature of a small confession. Until this past Tuesday, I have never, to my best recollection, voted in a primary. So I guess this time offered the most exciting possibilities that drew me to the voting booth. And for that injection of enthusiasm into what has traditionally been an overlong and boring presidential election process, I guess that we ought to thank Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. They have presented us with some real options instead of the usual Tweedledum and Tweedledee candidates.

Whatever happens from this point on, New York state has uncharacteristically played a significant part in this election. Until April, by the time we here have our primaries, the dust has usually cleared and our outcomes haven’t particularly registered on the political Richter scale. This time was different.

Yes, advance polling had projected Trump and Hillary Clinton victories. But the wide margin for both was a major additional factor. With just a few precincts to report, Trump had won 60 percent of the vote in a three-way race; and Clinton won 58 percent against Sanders, holding together a wide coalition of voters more typical of the national voter profile. Some other interesting points: John Kasich came in a solid second with 25 percent; the only district Trump lost was Manhattan, his home, which went to Kasich; and Ted Cruz was a distant third which was predictable, if for no other reason than after his “New York values” comment earlier in the contest.

I have often thought that the race for president goes on far too long but I read an article recently in The New York Times that gave me a different perspective. The writer suggested that the contest could be compared to a job interview, in this case the most powerful job in the world, and that we were the employers, which as voters I guess we are.

So in this long interviewing process, we get a chance to see how the candidates react when in friendly domains, when under pressure from unfriendly spectators and when they are in an adversarial role, attacking each other. These are all simulations of the job they are after, and their reactions are revealing. We also get to judge how well they manage a complex campaign over a considerable period of time. Few would disagree that the stark contrast between the campaigns of Obama and Clinton contributed to Clinton’s loss in 2008. Besides being president and commander in chief, the winner had darn well be a good manager. Although he won the election in 1976 against Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter will go down in history as one of the U.S. presidents’ worst managers who tried in vain to micromanage throughout his four years. Ronald Reagan handily beat him in 1980 and could be known as the delegator in chief for the way he managed his administration until he became ill.

Trump and Clinton, if they wind up going head-to-head in November, also offer stark contrasts. Regardless of whom one intends to vote for, few would deny that Clinton has the most experience in government and Trump has the least. This is the great advantage for Clinton and paradoxically the great advantage for Trump. People who are dissatisfied with the direction our country is headed — or their own lives — or look at government in Washington as abdication of responsibility, see Trump as an unsullied outsider capable of shaking out the deadwood and turning things around. He continually refers to himself as a “deal maker,” capable of making the United States great again. And Russian President Putin likes him, another first for an American presidential election.

Clinton has the problem of being “old goods,” familiar as the paintings on the wall that go unappreciated with time. And for various reasons, people profess not to like her, as if that is a criterion for the highest office. Do they have to like her? In fact I have met her half-a-dozen times and unlike the public face she presents from the podium, she struck me as not only likeable but also delightful and quite human. On the other hand, do people trust her to reflect their values and do the right thing when under great stress? That is the biggest voter question, and in New York state Tuesday the answer came back a resounding “yes.”

Stay tuned.

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Huntington High School. File photo.

Huntington is investing in their students with a $123.1 million budget that the school board adopted at its meeting on Monday night.

The 2016-17 budget total is 2.25 percent higher than the current year’s budget, with the most significant cost increases coming from instruction and curriculum-related programs.

Superintendent Jim Polansky said the district is dedicated to offering the most effective tools it can for students.

“[Members of the board and community] don’t get a chance to compare what we have here and what is available in other districts, but I’ve had the privilege of working in, [for] over 26 years, more than one school district and I can tell you, what we do here is we pay for student interests and needs,” Polansky added. “We try to put something in place that will appeal to every student that goes to school in Huntington.”

Some of the expenses being added for 2016-17 include improvements to computer-assisted instruction, through equipment upgrades and repairs; programs for students with disabilities; additional funding for the district’s robotics program; and a new Advanced Placement research course.

“This works more like a process-oriented course,” Polansky said of the program. “We feel that this … program is going to add a dimension that we have not touched upon until now.”

Some of the budget increase can also be attributed to contracted salary raises and additional social security and health care costs.

However, even with those cost increases, the district will stay within the state-imposed cap on tax levy increases — the schools will only collect 1.61 percent more in taxes next year.

Polansky said throughout the budget process that the administration’s goal was to adopt a budget below that cap, and as a result residents will again receive a rebate check from New York State — if voters approve the adopted budget — under a state incentive program that encourages municipalities to comply with the cap in exchange for the tax rebates.

Apart from taxes, the district is funding its additional expenditures through additional state aid.

After years of deducting aid funds from school districts around New York through a cut called the Gap Elimination Adjustment, which was designed to balance the state budget, legislators this year restored the aid dollars — giving Long Island school districts a $3 billion boost, when added to other increases in state aid. Huntington received nearly $2 million in additional state funding for the upcoming school year thanks to that restoration.

Residents will vote on the budget on May 17, as well as a second proposition that would release money from the district’s capital reserves to fund upgrades across the district to make buildings compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

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Pairing the perfect wine with a delicious meal is something of a family business. For almost 10 years I sold wine, and my father and grandfather did the same (for much longer), which allowed me to amass a decent knowledge of everything from the basics to some slightly more advanced, winemaking process related facts.

I’m not a sommelier, but I’m an enthusiastic wine consumer and I love finding the perfect pairing of wine and food. My experience and the important standing wine has always held in my extended and immediate family has taken me to many of the great wineries Long Island has to offer, and I’ve sampled wines from many of the places I haven’t visited. With that, I thought I would offer a list of my three favorite Long Island wineries, in no particular order, that can be used as a guideline for any fellow Long Islander interested in trying great food and wine in a beautiful setting this spring and summer.

wine-bottlewPalmer Vineyards, 5120 Sound Avenue, Riverhead

The draw to Palmer Vineyards is amazing quality wines, maybe as good as it gets on Long Island. Winemaker Miguel Martin is renowned for his buttery, oaky chardonnay; full-bodied, robust cabernet franc; and other lighter summery selections like his refreshing Sunrise Sunset Blush. Experienced wine drinkers with serious palates would be satisfied with their hearty reds and dryer whites, while beginners will find enjoyment in selections like Palmer Rosé of Merlot, or their Lighthouse Red and Lighthouse White blends, which are easy and approachable.

Palmer’s vineyard experience is fitting of its great wines. Martin conducts winemaker tours regularly where he leads guests through their vast barrel rooms and gets in-depth about his winemaking process. He even offers tastes directly from barrels. When the tour is over, there is outdoor and indoor seating space to occupy while enjoying samples.

Must try: Palmer Cabernet Franc 2012

Vineyard 48, 18910 Route 48, Cutchogue

If you enjoy wine and you are looking for a party atmosphere on a Saturday or Sunday, then Vineyard 48 should be your destination. Their wines and tasting room scream “summer.” The tasting room has a dance floor, large windows that let in sunlight and a live DJ on weekends. Vineyard 48 caters to limos and buses that drop off large parties. They offer the obligatory traditional wine selections like a fruit-forward merlot, and an acidic yet crisp sauvignon blanc, but the atmosphere pairs perfectly with their NOFO Peach wine or their NOFO Sangria, which come chilled and quench the thirst after some intense dancing.

Must try: Vineyard 48 NOFO Peach

Martha Clara Vineyards, 6025 Sound Ave, Riverhead

Martha Clara has become the event destination of the North Fork. They have a special event for almost every day of the week featuring some or all of food trucks, live music, wine classes, multi-course winemaker dinners, dog-walking events and many more over the course of the summer. Their wines range from easy-drinking like their Glaciers End series of red, white and rose to steak-dinner-worthy like their Northville red blend, which holds up to the heartiest of meals. Martha Clara wines have become some of the most popular selections in Long Island wines during their history, which dates back to the 1970s. They are owned by the same family that owns Entenmann’s baked goods, though the experience at Martha Clara can’t be contained to a case at the end of the aisle.

Must try: Martha Clara Estate Reserve Gewurztraminer 2014

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A new school policy regarding transgender students includes information about bathroom accommodations. File photo

By Elana Glowatz

One school district is standardizing the way it serves transgender students.

A new school policy regarding transgender students includes information about bathroom accommodations. File photo
A new school policy regarding transgender students includes information about bathroom accommodations. File photo

Port Jefferson school board members approved a policy at their meeting a week ago that puts rules on the books for how district officials should interact with and accommodate transgender students, including on the way those students are referenced in school records and what bathroom and locker room facilities they can use.

The Gay-Straight Alliance student club helped the board of education’s policy committee craft the policy proposal, which was first introduced to the public in March before being approved on April 12.

For students who want to be identified by a gender other than the one associated with their sex at birth now have a right, under the new school district rules, to meet with their principal to discuss names, pronouns and designations in their school records; restroom and locker room access; and participation in sports, among other topics. They could change those gender designations in their records if they provide two official forms of identification indicating the new gender and legal proof of a change in name or gender.

Other school districts on the North Shore have attempted to make rules for transgender students in recent years, but faced backlash from the community. In Port Jefferson, however, the policy was presented and approved at two meetings without much fanfare and with no dissent. Superintendent Ken Bossert said in March that he attributed the quiet to Port Jefferson officials using community input to create the policy and to the policy committee starting the effort on its own, rather than as a response to the needs of a specific student.

“That can be very sensitive when the community is fully aware of children who are involved in the discussion and that’s what I really wanted to avoid here,” he said.

The new policy, in fact, dictates that a student’s transgender status should be kept as private as possible, apart from necessary communication to staffers “so they may respond effectively and appropriately to issues arising in the school.”

What’s changing with new transgender policy

• Transgender or gender nonconforming students can request a meeting with their principal to talk about their needs
• Gender designations can be changed in school records if documentation is provided
• Port Jefferson school officials must accept the gender identity of any student
• Students’ transgender status must be kept as private as possible

It also requires the district to accept any student’s gender identity.

“There is no medical or mental health diagnosis or treatment threshold that students must meet in order to have their gender identity recognized and respected,” the policy reads. “Every effort should be made to use the preferred names and pronouns consistent with a student’s gender identity. While inadvertent slips or honest mistakes may occur, the intentional and persistent refusal to respect a student’s gender identity is a violation of school district policy.”

When the policy was proposed in March, Gay-Straight Alliance President Emma Martin said the policy “could be the difference between whether a student feels safe in the school, whether their learning is hindered or it’s enriched, whether they graduate high school or even if their life could be saved.”

The high school senior expressed appreciation that the policy would be in place after she graduates and school board Trustee Adam DeWitt, head of the policy committee, called her club’s help crucial to the process.

“Your contributions and the students’ contributions as well as the staff were critical in the wording … so your legacy and the legacy of the students and the staff that helped us create this will live on for a long time.”

Accommodation for transgender people has been an issue on the national stage in recent days, as North Carolina faces backlash for its own new set of rules that, among other provisions, blocks people from using a public restroom designated for a different sex, regardless of their gender identity.

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Above, Aaron Feltman’s ‘How You See Me Vs. How I See Me,’ mixed media

Long Island’s Best: Young Artists at The Heckscher Museum opened on April 9 to rave reviews. The number of entries to this year’s competition was record-setting with 357 student works of art submitted from 53 high schools in Suffolk and Nassau Counties. The juried selection narrowed the field to works of art created by 83 students representing 44 schools. The exhibit is on view through May 15.

Scholarships and prizes were awarded to a number of young artists at the Long Island’s Best opening reception held on April 16. Nicole Noel of Valley Stream Central High School (teacher, Mario Bakalov) received the Celebrate Achievement Best in Show Award for a pencil drawing titled “Another Pity.” Huntington High School student Aaron Feltman (teacher, Kristin Singer) was awarded the second-place Judith Sposato Memorial Prize for the mixed media piece “How You See Me Vs. How I See Me.”

Nina Miller of Long Beach High School (teacher, Eric Fox) and Huntington Fine Arts received the third-place Hadley Prize for her sculpture “Reach with No Escape,” and Cory Levy of Sayville High School (teacher, Evan Hammer) received the fourth-place award for the drawing “The Future.”

“The quality of work we receive is exceptional. It is very difficult to narrow the entries to around 80 works for the exhibition,” said Joy Weiner, The Heckscher Museum’s director of education and public programs, in a recent press release. “The Long Island’s Best curriculum is built upon inter-disciplinary learning concepts, and enhances New York State Core Learning Standards for the Arts, Career Development, English Language Arts, and Social Studies. For example, there is a literary component to the program which requires each student to write an ‘artist statement/ to thoughtfully explain their artwork and their experience creating it.”

Nicole Noel won the “Celebrate Achievement Best in Show Award” for a pencil drawing titled “Another Pity.”
Nicole Noel won the “Celebrate Achievement Best in Show Award” for a pencil drawing titled “Another Pity.”

Now in its 20th consecutive year, Long Island’s Best is a hallmark of The Heckscher Museum’s education programs. During the school year, high school students and their teachers visit the museum for in-depth study of, and discussions about, the works of art in the galleries. Students select an “inspirational artwork” to stimulate the creation of an original work back in the classroom. Hundreds of student works are then submitted to the museum’s juried competition. A full-color exhibition catalog is published to accompany the month-long exhibition. The Heckscher Museum’s juried exhibition is the only one of its kind that provides Long Island high school students with the unparalleled opportunity to professionally present their work in a museum setting.

Alongside the Long Island’s Best exhibit will be a companion exhibition titled Celebrating 20 Years: Long Island’s Best Alumni Exhibition, which features a selection of 42 works by past Long Island’s Best artists. Over 4,500 students from Suffolk and Nassau Counties have entered Long Island’s Best prestigious juried exhibition since its inception.

“I was accepted into The Heckscher Museum’s Long Island’s Best exhibitions in both 2004 and 2005, and won awards both times. They were the first shows I ever participated in outside of an academic setting, and the feelings of validation and recognition were — frankly — intoxicating. I truly believe that each of those shows were instrumental in helping me realize that my voice as an artist — even at that young age — was unique, was substantive, and was potentially important,” said Andrew Brischler, Brooklyn-based contemporary artist and former student at Smithtown High School. “I just knew, because of my experiences at the Heckscher, that making art and having people see it was what I was meant to do,” he added. The exhibit will remain on view through May 8.

The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington, is open Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, call 631-351-3250 or visit www.heckscher.org.

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Dominic Pryor scores a goal for Ward Melville through a ton of Smithtown traffic. Photo by Desirée Keegan

Redemption was sweet for the Ward Melville boys’ lacrosse team.

Not only did the Patriots take down the boys of Smithtown East, who knocked them out of the playoffs in the Suffolk County Class A finals last season, but they also handed the Bulls their first loss of this season, 13-12.

Smithtown East was 7-0 coming into the contest, with one of the strongest faceoff kids in the county in senior Gerard Arceri, and two of the leading goal scorers in junior Connor Desimone and senior Dan Rooney. But that didn’t scare Ward Melville.

“We had that loss to West Islip [9-7 on April 8], which was one of our down games, but we knew we had to come back fired up,” Ward Melville goalkeeper D.J. Kellerman said.

“We knew that they were one of the top teams and we really wanted to take them down.”

The Patriots, 7-1, scored three goals in the first seven minutes of play before Rooney, an attack, found the back of the net with 3:09 left in the first quarter to put his team on the board.

“They’re a rival of ours — they’re right across town from us, so obviously intensity and competitiveness is at an all time maximum,” Smithtown East’s Desimone, an attack, said. “Coming out here and not showing up in the first half really killed us, but we’ll get them back.”

Ward Melville's Liam Davenport leads the chase for the ball at midfield. Photo by Desirée Keegan
Ward Melville’s Liam Davenport leads the chase for the ball at midfield. Photo by Desirée Keegan

Rooney followed his goal with his second score of the afternoon, off an assist from junior attack Michael Latini, and junior midfielder Luke Eschbach helped bring the score to 3-3 at the end of the first.

“Obviously Connor Desimone and Dan Rooney, they’re very dangerous, so we did a couple of game-planning strategies for them, but our goalie D.J. Kellerman played outstanding,” Ward Melville head coach Jay Negus said. “We’ve been waiting to play all four quarters all year, and this is the first game that I really feel we did. I don’t like taking my foot off the gas pedal, and that showed today, too. We played quick. I thought we did a good job of managing the game and really dictating the terms to them.”

Despite Arceri winning the opening faceoff of the second stanza, Kellerman still stopped a diving attempt by Desimone in the crease, and Ward Melville senior attack Chris Grillo faked out Smithtown East junior goalkeeper Thomas Harkin and dumped the ball in up top for a 4-3 edge. Kellerman followed with another stop, one of his 14 saves on the day, to keep his team on top.

The Bulls and Patriots traded scores, but Ward Melville senior midfielder Connor Grippe and junior midfielder Dominic Pryor added two goals in the final two minutes to put the Patriots up 7-4 heading into the halftime break.

“We lost to them in the counties last year, so obviously it’s a significant win for us,” Pryor said. “We moved the ball really well and we were very patient. Our defense stood strong with the amount of times they threw the ball in the crease.”

Ward Melville maintained an 11-9 advantage at the end of the third, but Smithtown East wasn’t going to go down that easily.

Latini opened the final quarter with a quick goal less than a minute in, and although Ward Melville countered, junior midfielder Connor Rowan added his second tally of the afternoon to keep it a one-goal game.

Smithtown's Luke Eschbach dives for the ball to beat out Ward Melville players. Photo by Desirée Keegan
Smithtown’s Luke Eschbach dives for the ball to beat out Ward Melville players. Photo by Desirée Keegan

The Bulls gained more time of possession as the game continued, but over the next seven minutes neither team could find the back of the net, as the goalkeepers battled and batted the ball away.

“We won most faceoffs, but couldn’t really take away they’re strong hands on defense, and couldn’t convert on offense,” Desimone said.

Harkin made a save for Smithtown off of Pryor’s initial attempt, but freshman attack Dylan Pallonetti grabbed the rebound in mid air and stuffed it past the keeper for the 13-11 lead. Although the Bulls found themselves down two goals again with minutes remaining, Desimone came through again for his team with another goal off a feed from Latini. Arceri won the final faceoff, but a turnover in the final seconds sealed the Bulls’ fate. The Patriots raced across the field, dropping their sticks and stripping themselves of their gear, and leapt into a pile of victory, smiling from ear to ear.

“We knew that they were going to score goals,” Kellerman said. “We had a feeling it was going to be high scoring, but we scored one more at the end and that’s all that matters. At the faceoff ‘X’ we did a great job neutralizing Gerard Arceri. We weren’t going to win them all, we knew that, but I was confident.”

Ward Melville hosted Riverhead on Wednesday, but results were not available by press time.

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Councilwoman Valerie Cartright poses with, from left, Michele Pacala, Samantha White, Katie Zhao and Nicole Freeley. Photo by Heidi Sutton

This past Sunday the community room at the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library was filled to the brim as the library, along with the family of the late Helen Stein Shack, local elected officials, and representatives from the Three Village Central School District, presented four local teens with the second annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award.

The contest was open to teens in grades 7 to 12 who live in the Three Village school district.

Two $500 scholarships were awarded: one to Katie Zhao for her children’s book, “Good Night, Judy,” about a little girl who is afraid of the dark and the noises at night. The second was awarded to  Michelle Pacala for her children’s book titled “Sal the Sock,” a story told in a sing-song, rhyming tone about a sock who loses his friends in the laundry. Nicole Freeley, author of “Rainbow,” and Samantha White, author of “Honu,” received Honorable Mentions. The four books will be added to the library’s Local Focus Collection.

The grand-prize winners then read their stories to young patrons in the Children’s Department.

“What I really like seeing is the way we’re working with the schools on this,” said Library Director Ted Gutmann, who hosted the event. “We’re all part of this same community, and it’s great in this day and age to see organizations like ours working together and promoting something which is certainly very worthwhile.”

Samantha Kelly and Niva Taylor, granddaughters of the late Helen Stein Shack, shared fond memories of their grandmother and how much she loved the Emma Clark Library. “Our grandma absolutely loved books and loved this library. This was her favorite place to take us in the entire world,” said Kelly in explaining why the family started this competition here.

Paul Hennings, staff member from Senator John Flanagan’s (R-East Northport) office, brought certificates for all of the winners on behalf of the senator. Three Village school district BOE President William Connors, Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich, Assistant Superintendent Kevin Scanlon, Three Village Art Department Chairperson Jennifer Trettner, R.C. Murphy Junior High School English Department Chairperson Cathy Duffy, R.C. Murphy Junior High School Librarian Betsy Knox and Emma Clark board of trustees member Debra Blair were all in attendance to show their support.

Councilwoman Valerie Cartright (D-Port Jefferson Station) presented the winners with certificates from the Town of Brookhaven. “I think this is an amazing way to continue the legacy of Helen Stein Shack. I think that allowing kids to express themselves in an artistic manner — a positive artistic manner — is important,” said Councilwoman Cartright.

“You are the future leaders … keep expressing yourself. In a world today where there are so many negative things going on . . . you need to have outlets —  positive outlets — and these [books] are positive outlets, not only for you, but it puts a smile on the faces of those who actually view it,” she added, saying “I thank the community and of course the parents for encouraging our young ones to continue to do great and positive things in our community.”

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Seasonal allergies can make your life miserable. Stock photo

After winter ends, we look forward to mild temperatures. The days get longer, trees and flowers bud and bloom, and grass becomes lush and green. It seems like heaven. But for people who suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis, hay fever, seasonal allergies or whatever you would like to call it, life can be downright miserable. You probably can rate an allergy season with your own built-in personal barometer, the sneeze factor. How many times are you, your friends or your colleagues sneezing?

Approximately 19.1 million adult Americans have had a diagnosis of seasonal allergies within the past year, about 8 percent of the population, and an additional 6.1 million children have this disorder, or about 8.4 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1). Sadly, considering the number of people it affects, only a paltry amount of research has been published.

The triggers for allergies are diverse. They include pollen from leafy trees and shrubs, the lush grass and the beautiful flowering plants and weeds, with the majority from ragweed (mostly in the fall), as well as fungus (summer and fall) (2).

What sparks allergies within the body? A chain reaction occurs in seasonal allergy sufferers. When foreign substances such as allergens (pollen in this case) interact with immunoglobulin E (IgE), antibodies that are part of our immune system, it causes mast cells in the body’s tissues to degrade and release inflammatory mediators. These include histamines, leukotrienes and eosinophils in those who are susceptible. In other words, it is an allergic inflammatory response.

The revved up immune system then responds with sneezing; red, itchy and watery eyes; scratchy throat; congestion; sinus headaches; postnasal drip; runny nose; diminished taste and smell; and even coughing (3). Basically, it emulates a cold, but without the virus. If symptoms last more than 10 days and are recurrent, then it is more than likely you have allergies.

Risk factors for seasonal allergies are tied most strongly to family history and to having other personal allergies, such as eczema or food allergies, but also may include cigarette exposure, being male and, possibly, diet (4). If allergic rhinitis is not properly treated, complications such as ear infections, sinusitis, irritated throat, insomnia, chronic fatigue, headaches and even asthma can result (5).

To treat allergic rhinitis, we have a host of medications from classes including intranasal glucocorticoids (steroids), oral antihistamines, allergy shots, decongestants, antihistamine and decongestant eye drops and leukotriene modifiers (second-line only). Let’s look at the evidence.

The best way to treat allergy attacks is to prevent them, but this is an arduous process that can mean closing yourself out from the enjoyment of spring by literally closing the windows, using the air-conditioning, and using recycling vents in your car.

The recent guidelines for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis with medications suggest that intranasal corticosteroids (steroids) should be used when quality of life is affected. If there is itchiness and sneezing, then second-generation oral antihistamines may be appropriate (6). Two well-known inhaled steroids that do not require a prescription are Nasocort (triamcinolone) and Flonase (fluticasone propionate). There does not seem to be a significant difference between them (7). While inhaled steroids are probably most effective in treating and preventing symptoms, they need to be used every day.

Oral antihistamines, on the other hand, can be taken on an as-needed basis. Second-generation antihistamines have less sleepiness as a side effect than first-generation antihistamines. They include loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (Allegra).

Surprisingly good news

Seasonal allergic rhinitis may actually be beneficial for longevity. In a recent study involving more than 200,000 participants, results showed that those who had allergies had a 25 percent reduction in the risk of heart attacks, a 19 percent reduction in strokes, and a whopping 49 percent reduction in mortality (8). Remember two things: this is an observational trial, which means that it is not the best of trials. Don’t wish allergies on yourself. The reason for this effect may be at least partially attributable to the type of white blood cell expressed in the immune system.

In other words, type 2 T helper (Th2) lymphocytes (white blood cells) are elevated with allergies instead of type 1 T helper (Th1) lymphocytes. Why is this important? Th2 is known to decrease cardiovascular disease, while Th1 is known to possibly increase cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about asthma, where cardiovascular events are increased by 36 percent.

Alternative treatments

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus), an herb, may not just be for migraines. There are several small studies that indicate its efficacy in treating hay fever. In fact, in one study, results show that butterbur was as effective as cetirizine (Zyrtec) in treating this disorder (9). This was a small, randomized, controlled trial involving 131 patients.

In another randomized, controlled trial, results showed that high doses of butterbur — 1 tablet given three times a day — was significantly more effective than placebo (10). The side effects were similar in the placebo group and the butterbur group. The researchers used butterbur Ze339 (carbon dioxide extract from the leaves of Petasites hybridus L., 8 mg petasines per tablet) in the trial. The authors concluded that butterbur would be potentially useful for intermittent allergic rhinitis. The duration of treatment for this study was two weeks.

Still another study, this one a post-marketing study done as a follow-up to the previous study, showed that with butterbur Ze339, symptoms improved in 90 percent of patients with allergic rhinitis (11). Interestingly, anti-allergic medications were co-administered in about half of the patient population, with no additional benefit over butterbur alone. There were 580 patients in this study, and the duration was two weeks.

Gastrointestinal upset occurred as the most common side effect in 3.8 percent of the population.

The caveats to the use of butterbur are several. First, the studies were short in duration. Second, the leaf extract used in these studies was free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs); this is very important since PAs may not be safe. Third, the dose was well-measured, which may not be the case with over-the-counter extracts. Fourth, you need to ask about interactions with prescription medications.

Diet

While there are no significant studies on diet, there is one review of literature that suggests that a plant-based diet may reduce symptoms of allergies, specifically rhinoconjunctivitis, affecting the nose and eyes, as well as eczema and asthma. This is according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood study in 13- to 14-year-old teens (12). In my clinical practice, I have seen patients who suffer from seasonal allergies improve and even reverse the course of allergies over time with a vegetable-rich, plant-based diet possibly due to an anti-inflammatory effect.

While allergies can be miserable, there are a significant number of over-the-counter and prescription options to help to reduce symptoms. Diet may play a role in the disease process by reducing inflammation, though there are no formal studies. There does seem to be promise with some herbs, especially butterbur. However, alternative supplements and herbs lack large, randomized clinical trials with long durations. Always consult your doctor before starting any supplements, herbs or over-the-counter medications.

References: (1) CDC.gov. (2) acaai.org/allergies/types/pollen-allergy. (3) Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003;112(6):1021-1031. (4) umm.edu. (5) J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010;125(1):16-29. (6) Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. online February 2, 2015. (7) Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2003;129(1):16. (8) AAAAI 2014: Abstract 811. (9) BMJ 2002;324:144. (10) Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004;130(12):1381-1386. (11) Adv Ther. 2006;23(2):373-384. (12) Eur Respir J. 2001;17(3):436-443.

Dr. Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, go to the website www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

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A scene at the 52nd Cold Spring Harbor High School commencement on Sunday, June 14. Photo by Karen Spehler
Robert Fenter, left, is welcomed as the new Superintendent of the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District by board of education President Robert C. Hughes. Photo from Cold Spring Harbor Central School District
Robert Fenter, left, is welcomed as the new Superintendent of the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District by board of education President Robert C. Hughes. Photo from Cold Spring Harbor Central School District

By Victoria Espinoza

Cold Spring Harbor schools have a new superintendent.

Robert Fenter, who comes from Oceanside School District as assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and research, was appointed at a meeting on April 14 to take over for current Superintendent Dr. Judith Wilansky starting July 1.

In a statement, Fenter said his past dealings with various district officials made him happy to be coming aboard.

“The Cold Spring Harbor Central School District is one that is well known for its commitment to excellence,” Fenter. “My interactions with the school leaders, teachers, staff, and parents whom I have met thus far have provided me with a glimpse into the very special place that I will officially become part of in just a few short months. I am grateful to the board of education for providing me with the opportunity to serve in the capacity of superintendent of schools as I will work closely with the entire community to continue the tradition of quality programs, all for the benefit of our students.”

Wilansky will be retiring from her post after eight years as superintendent. She was the first female superintendent Cold Spring Harbor appointed, and served for the second-longest term in the district since her 2000 appointment as a central office administrator.

“I have been most impressed by the board’s efforts to ensure a comprehensive and rigorous search process,” she said in a statement. “I congratulate Mr. Fenter on his successful candidacy and am confident that our schools will continue to flourish under his leadership.”

Cold Spring Harbor Superintendent Judith Wilansky is leaving her position next school year. Photo from Karen Spehler
Cold Spring Harbor Superintendent Judith Wilansky is leaving her position next school year. Photo from Karen Spehler

Board of Education President Robert C. Hughes said Fenter was the obvious choice to replace Wilansky, during the board’s months-long search.

“Throughout the interview process, it was clear that Mr. Fenter possesses those qualifications,” he said in a statement. “Mr. Fenter joins us as an extremely well-respected educator.”

Fenter will be the 10th superintendent for the district. He currently serves as president of the Nassau County Assistant Superintendent’s Organization and has served as the New York State Education Department’s liaison for middle level education, students ages 10 to 15, from 2001 through 2009. He is also a past president of the Nassau County Middle Level Principal’s Association and was a state education department representative for the Schools-to-Watch Visitation team.In a previous interview, Wilansky said she would miss the students the most.

“I’ve been here long enough to see children go through their entire school career,” she said. “I was at the middle school’s winter concert recently and it dawned one me that I would miss their graduation, and that’s what I’ll miss the most — seeing these kids graduate and having the opportunity to watch them grow up.”

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