Yearly Archives: 2021

David Conklin Farmhouse

The weather looks lovely this weekend so the Huntington Historical Society will be offering tours of two of their historic properties!

The David Conklin Farmhouse, 2 High Street, Huntington will be open on Sunday, April 11 from 1 to 4 p.m.

​This farmhouse was built c. 1750 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally the home of David and Sybel Conklin, the house was occupied by the Conklin family for over one-hundred and fifty years.

A volunteer docent will lead you through the original rooms of the house where Sybel Conklin and her children lived and worked while her husband, David, was held prisoner by the British in 1777. You will also see rooms decorated to reflect the Federal and Victorian periods.  Stop by to get a spring dose of local history! Admission is a suggested donation of $4 per person. Parking is available on site. Masks are required.

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Soldiers and Sailors Building

Soldiers and Sailors BuildingThe Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St., Huntington will be open on April 11 as well from 1 to 4 p.m. (free admission). The building was completed in 1892 as a memorial to the 40 townsmen who died in the Civil War.

The idea for a memorial was first proposed in 1865.  Huntington’s leading citizens joined together to create The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Association in 1886 and fundraising efforts finally bore fruit when the building was completed in 1892. It is the first of several monumental civic structures built in Huntington in the two decades surrounding the turn of the twentieth century.

This building, which you see before you as you leave downtown Huntington going east, was used as the town library. After the library moved to its current location at the other end of Main Street in 1958, the building was used by the Huntington school district. From 1969 on it became home to the Town Historian. In 2000, the Association donated the building to the Huntington Historical Society. The Society undertook an ambitious eight year restoration project and re-opened it as a museum in 2008.

Today, the building houses the Society’s History and Decorative Arts Museum and features changing exhibits from the Historical Society’s collection. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and as part of Old Town Hall National Register Historic District.

Parking is available on site and masks are required.

April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month and the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Information and Referral Center at St Catherine of Siena Wellness Center in Suffolk Count is hard at work to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease (PD), deliver vital programs and services in the community, and help local residents get involved and support a cause that is important to them. The APDA Information and Referral Center has a full roster of activities planned for the month (and beyond) and many ways for people to get involved. (For the safety of all involved, all events and programs are held virtually.)

The extensive health concerns and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic have been challenging for everyone, but for people with PD and their care partners who were already tackling the daily challenges of life with PD, the impact has been significant. Now more than ever, it is critical to support, engage and inform the PD community and raise awareness about this disease, and Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month is a great time to shine a spotlight on this issue.

Over the past year, APDA has created extensive virtual programming to make sure that people living with PD have what they need during this difficult time. From online exercise programs to help keep people moving when they can’t get to their in-person fitness classes to educational webinars where they can ask PD experts their questions right from their own living rooms, and even virtual group singing and art programs — APDA has been there for them every step of the way.

For the month of April, the APDA Information and Referral Center at St Catherine of Siena Wellness Center will hold a Parkinson Disease Seminar, Loud and Lyrical Therapeutic Singing Group, APDA Press Program for those diagnosed 5 years or under, and Support groups for both those with Parkinson Disease and their Care-partners as well.

“Every nine minutes there is a new diagnosis of PD, which means that in April alone nearly 5,000 people in this country will learn they have PD,” states Julie Garofalo, RN Coordinator of APDA’s Information and Referral Center at St Catherine’s. “Here in Suffolk County, New York we are the boots on the ground – we are in the communities, providing the support, education, programs, and services people need to live their best lives. We’ve been able to maintain this support despite the pandemic thanks to virtual opportunities, and we look forward to seeing our PD community in person as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The support of the general public is crucial, and April is the perfect time to take action that can help the more than one million people in the United States coping with this chronic neurological movement disorder, and also fund research that will lead us to better treatments and ultimately, a cure. Visit www.apdaparkinson.org to learn more.

For more information about APDA programs, services and support in Suffolk County NY, contact the APDA Information and Referral Center at St Catherine of Siena Wellness Center at 631-862-3560 or [email protected]

About the American Parkinson Disease Association:

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is the largest grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) and works tirelessly to help the more than 1 million Americans with PD live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $207 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease. To join us in the fight against Parkinson’s disease and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally through our network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, as well as our national Research Program and Centers for Advanced Research, please visit us at www.apdaparkinson.org.

'Golden Meadow' by Daniel Pollera
Artist Daniel Pollera at work on his easel on ‘Clearing Skies’

Join the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook for a captivating live Zoom conversation with Long Island artist Daniel Pollera, a painter who has built a successful career capturing the coastal environments and architecture he knows intimately with great, soulful precision, on Sunday, April 11 at 2 p.m.

Pollera has work in the collections of the Parrish Art Museum, Guild Hall, and the Long Island Museum. He regularly shows his oil paintings in several East End Long Island galleries and at Sorelle Gallery, in Connecticut. He has had decades of national success in publishing and distributing prints of his work with Fairfield Art Publishing, LLC. Most recently, his painting The Goodwin Bay House (2017) is a featured work displayed in LIM’s Twin Peeks exhibition.

Speaking live from his studio, Pollera will talk with LIM’s Chief Curator and Deputy Director Joshua Ruff about his techniques, materials, and his process of creation

To reserve your place, please email: [email protected]
You will receive an email within 48 hours to confirm your spot and a Zoom link before the event.

 

 

The Comsewogue Warriors at 0-2 this season looked to notch its first win when it hosted the Eastport South Manor Sharks at home in a League V conference matchup in a rare Monday night game April 5. Comsewogue’s first win would have to wait as they fell to ESM 20-8. 

The Sharks set the tone early when on their opening drive consumed nearly 7 minutes off the clock to punch in on a touchdown pass to take the early lead. Comsewogue struggled to get traction and after a blocked punt gave the Sharks another scoring opportunity with 9:06 left in the half for a 13-0 lead. 

With less than a minute left in the 3rd the Sharks found the endzone again to take a 20-0 lead. The Warriors took the egg off the scoreboard in the final 2 minutes and were able to convert for two more but it was too little too late and that elusive victory will have to wait.

The Warriors conclude their COVID shortened season with a road game against West Babylon April 10. Kickoff is at 2:00 p.m. 

Photos by Bill Landon 

It was Rocky Point quarterback Cody Miller who provided the spark for the Eagles in a League VI matchup at home where the senior found the endzone three times, one of which was an interception for a 73-yard return. But it was Kings Park running back Nico Laviano who countered with a pair of short yardage runs and a 29 yarder for the 42-31 victory April 3.

Kings Park quarterback Jonathan Borkowski, a junior, found the endzone twice, and Scott McConville, a sophomore, punched in for the opening score on a five-yard run.

Rocky Point senior Charles Gerace covered 62 yards on a pass reception from Miller, and teammate Devin Cline scored from 10 yards out.

The loss drops the Eagles to 1-2 in their division, and the Kingsmen notched their first win (1-2) of this COVID-shortened season.

The Eagles retake the field April 10 in a road game against Harborfields at 1 p.m. Kings Park is back in action at home April 9 against Hills West with a 6 p.m. start.

Stock photo

Senator Mario R. Mattera will host a blood drive at the Smith Haven Mall, Moriches Road, Lake Grove on Thursday, April 8 from noon to 6 p.m. at the mall’s Center Court. “Due to the ongoing crisis, it is crucial that we all join together to help the New York Blood Center replenish their supply,” he said. 

Donors with O-negative blood type, or “universal donors,” are especially encouraged to donate, as their blood is essential in emergency situations. A single donation can save up to three lives. 

To schedule an appointment or for more information, visit mattera.nysenate.gov and click on the link on the home page or call 800-933-2566.

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Scoreless after 40 minutes of play, Ward Melville senior co-captain Aidan Long broke the ice in the opening minute of the second half ripping a shot that found the left side of the net to put the Patriots boys soccer out front in a League I matchup against visiting Pat-Med April 3.

Pat-Med answered midway through the second half to even the score which stood until time expired for the 1-1 draw. Ward Melville goalie Jack Jesperson had 5 saves at net.

The Patriots didn’t need a win to move up a position in the League I standings courtesy of Brentwood’s defeat of Walt Whitman and Commack’s unblemished record with a win over Longwood. Ward Melville at 5-3-1 moves up to third place with two games remaining before post season play begins.

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The Smithtown Historical Society opened its grounds for a few Easter egg hunts Saturday, April 3.

Partnering with the Smithtown Center for the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, the historical society offered socially-distanced visits with the Easter Bunny, opportunities to pet the animals on the grounds, creating holiday treats with Myra Naseem from Elegant Eating and more.

Activists attend a rally for police reform in Hauppauge March 15. File photo by Julianne Mosher

By Harry To

Suffolk County Legislator Sam Gonzalez (D-Brentwood) was the lone vote against the reform plan for the Suffolk County Police Department. The reform plan passed 16-1 in the county Legislature earlier this month.

“The passage of this plan today is truly a historic moment in Suffolk County, and I am grateful to all those who came to the table and everyone who took part in the reform process to tackle the toughest of challenges,” said County Executive Steve Bellone (D) in a press release.

In a statement, Gonzalez said that he voted “no” on the reform plan because independent oversight of police conduct was not included, leaving the plan “insufficient.”

“This reform plan is about our future; not only will it affect residents today, but it will also impact generations of residents long after us,” Gonzalez said. “The plan is insufficient and will not be effective unless there is serious discipline for wrongful actions. Clearly, there is a crisis of mistrust and for change to be successful — there must be accountability.”

Progressive groups across the country have advocated for police reform.

Indeed, many Long Island advocates share Gonzalez’s gripes with current reform plans. As a result, they drew up “The People’s Plan,” which includes civilian oversight for police misconduct and the creation of unarmed traffic enforcement.

“The plan that was released by Suffolk County in response to Governor Cuomo’s (D) executive order falls short of the transformative changes to the way we conceive of public safety that this moment in our community members are demanding,” said Jackie Burbridge, co-founder of the Long Island Black Alliance.

On the other side of the aisle, state Republicans attacked the reform bill for different reasons. Some cited the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes as a reason for opposing the reforms, such as state Sen. Alexis Weik (R-Sayville).

“One-party control in Albany has led to laws that have immediately released violent criminals, the repeal of 50-a, and an overall disdain for the men and women of law enforcement,” she said in a press release. “In light of the rising violence we see day in and day out on the news, particularly recent acts of violence against the Asian American community, we must shift course to a focus on restoring safety and accountability to the policies coming out of Albany.”

Still, the 1,000-page Suffolk County Police Reform and Reinvention Task Force Report received overwhelming bipartisan support from county legislators March 30.

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For two days in a row, Benner’s Farm in East Setauket was filled with holiday joy.

On April 3 and 4, the farm was filled with socially-distanced egg hunts spread out throughout the two days. Children were able to take photos with the Easter Bunny, who sat in a wagon while children sat a few feet in front of him to keep everyone safe.

Benner’s also had vendors on hand at the annual event, and families were able to visit with the farm’s animals.