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Yearly Archives: 2021

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Plans are underway to divide the old Waldbaum’s in East Setauket into two tenant spaces. Photo by Rita J. Egan

A former supermarket site is about to get a makeover.

Plans are in the works for the old Waldbaum’s building, occupying 8.91 acres in the Suffolk Plaza shopping center at 4054 Nesconset Highway in East Setauket, to be divided into two different spaces for future tenants after being vacant for nearly six years. The changes were approved at a Town of Brookhaven Planning Board virtual meeting Feb. 8.

Peggy Kelly, of Kelly’s Expediting of Ronkonkoma, representing property owner Heritage SPE 2 LLC, said that before the pandemic 24 Hour Fitness originally had secured building permits for the space and had substantial construction complete before COVID-19 hit and caused unforseen circumstances that prevented going forward.

Kelly said the new plans include dividing the store, which is zoned J2 Business, into two tenant spaces. The changes will also include a facade change and the center being painted a gray graphite color. Other plans include the addition of more ADA parking spaces in front and two electric vehicle chargers, she said.

“We’re also redoing the dumpster enclosures in the back of the new facility, and hopefully, upgrading this center so that future tenants will find it acceptable and wish to go in here,” Kelly said.

A loading dock that is currently severing a smaller space, she added, with the new construction will be redesigned so the loading dock can be part of  the larger new space

Richard Smith, of the Planning Board, asked if there were any definite businesses lined up.

Kelly said there were interested parties but no one has signed a lease yet.

She added that she had letters from the Three Village Civic Association, Three Village Chamber of Commerce and Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association. None of the groups objected to the changes.

Charlie Lefkowitz, president of the chamber, said in a phone interview the group reviewed the changes.

“Any time a building owner makes substantial upgrades and improvements to their commercial property, it’s a win for both the property owner and the community,” he said.

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Northport Forward Dylan McNaughton at the foul line. He was elbowed in the face in 1s Quarter against Brentwood on Sunday, but immediately re-entered the game at the next whistle. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport's Robbie Kennedy looks to pass against Brentwood in Suffolk County Championship game on Sunday. Northport won 58-56. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport's Patrick Healy skies to the rim against Brentwood in Suffolk County Championship game on Sunday. Northport won 58-56. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Pat Healy (Left) and Robbie Kennedy celebrate the Northport Tigers' Suffolk County Division I title. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport Tigers celebrate their Suffolk County Division I title. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport Tigers celebrate their Suffolk County Division I title. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport's Patrick Healy skies to the rim against Brentwood in Suffolk County Championship game on Sunday. Northport won 58-56. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport's Dylan McNaughton going through defenders against Brentwood in Suffolk County Championship game on Sunday. Northport won 58-56. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport's Robbie Kennedy drives past defenders against Brentwood in Suffolk County Championship game on Sunday. Northport won 58-56. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport's Dylan McDermott and Andrew Miller defend against Brentwood's Jordan Riley in Suffolk County Championship game on Sunday. Northport won 58-56. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport's Patrick Healy drives to the hoop against Brentwood in Suffolk County Championship game on Sunday. Northport won 58-56. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport Tigers celebrate their Suffolk County Division I title. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Stylianus Politidis (Left) and J.J. Ahlstrand celebrate the Northport Tigers' Suffolk County Division I title. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport Tigers celebrate their Suffolk County Division I title. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport's Patrick Healy drives to the basket against Ward Melville in semi-final game of Suffolk County Championships on Saturday. Northport won 45-32. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Northport's Patrick Healy looks for space against Ward Melville in semi-final game of Suffolk County Championships on Saturday. Northport won 45-32. Photo by Steven Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

The inside of the Brentwood High School gymnasium is wallpapered with a half-century’s worth of championship basketball banners. 

League titles, Suffolk County and Long Island crowns are all on display, as the facade behind the north basket at Stan Kellner Fieldhouse holds a rich hoops history.

The most recent decoration behind that basket is a Suffolk County Class AA Championship placard that the Indians earned when they scalped Northport Tigers by 27 points, right before the pandemic struck a year ago. They were Suffolk County champs in 2019 as well.

Short season or not, Brentwood seemed to be on a mission to roll right through anybody that stood in their way in 2021. They had been putting up massive scoring numbers and were winning by 40, 50 or 60 points every night, just for fun. Newsday’s top ranked player for Long Island, senior forward Jordan Riley, who has committed to Georgetown University, averaged an astounding 33 points a game, and he hit that exact mark in Brentwood’s first round win over Commack on Saturday, an 83-49 rout. This Indians team was seemingly an unstoppable force.

Insert immovable object here.

“We didn’t care about any of that,” said Northport junior power forward Dylan McNaughton.  “Once the whistle blows, it’s their five guys versus our five guys. We are Northport.”

In one of the biggest upsets in recent high school basketball memory, the Tigers slipped past the Brentwood Indians, 58-56, on Sunday, to win the Suffolk County Conference I championship in a defensive yet thrilling contest that came right down to the wire.

“Our guys believed in the plan,” said an elated but exhausted Andrew D’Eloia, head coach of Northport. “We played a great brand of help defense, we rebounded well and we limited our turnovers. We have good players, we executed and we believed in each other. That’s the only way to beat a team like that.”

Senior guard and team captain Patrick Healy led the Tigers with 19 points.  He and backcourt mate senior Robbie Kennedy, who had 10, poked and prodded at the Brentwood defense, exploiting small cracks and getting to the rim.

“They didn’t want to give us the ‘3’,” Healy said. “Robbie and I took what they were willing to give us.”

The Tigers only made five 3-point shots on eight attempts, both statistics well below their average.

“Our goal is to get a good shot on every possession,” D’Eloia said. “Patrick and Robbie did an excellent job of running the offense, sharing the basketball and when they had an opportunity to take an open driving lane, they did.”

Going strong to the basket against Brentwood is not for the faint of heart, especially for Kennedy who gave away significant height to the men who were guarding him.

“It’s like that every game I’ve ever played,” said Kennedy, who is listed at 5 feet 9 inches. “I’m always the shortest guy on the floor but I make up for it with confidence in myself.”

He had enough confidence to make what would be the final and decisive bucket of the game with less than a minute to go, and the score tied at 54-54. He drove to the basket against Brentwood’s Marquese Dennis and Billy Lucate, slid between them with a semi-Euro step and banked it in with a right-handed scoop.

“It feels amazing,” said Kennedy on his winning shot. “I’ve been here for four years and this is a great way to end my high school career.”

To get the opportunity to play in this historic title bout, Northport had to beat a game Ward Melville team on Feb. 27. They did that with a 45-32 win in a contest that took place at Northport High School. Healy led the team with 15 points and forward Jake Santamaria posted 10.

Although the final margin was 13, the game was tight for three quarters and the Patriots even enjoyed a four-point lead at halftime. That enjoyment was short-lived as the Tigers blitzed Ward Melville, 24-9 in the fourth quarter.

Santamaria had all 10 of his points in that decisive quarter, and McNaughton grabbed six rebounds and had 11 total boards for the game. In the two games, McNaughton, who also plays linebacker and quarterback for the Tiger football team, had 21 points and 22 rebounds.

“Dylan is a smart, skilled player with a great basketball demeanor,” D’Eloia said. “He’s a three-sport kid, and he competes hard.”

Against Brentwood, McNaughton caught an elbow in the face in the first quarter and played with a bloody nose plug for the rest of the game, a fitting metaphor for the hard-scrabble style that propelled the Tigers to victory and will now give them the opportunity to redecorate the walls of their gym.

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Photo from the Middle Country Library

Amongst the Middle Country Public Library’s many historical artifacts are a few that explain just how far the area has come from its pastoral routes. The pictures and story below comes courtesy of a collaborative effort among the librarian staff.

For over 40 years, Aggie’s Bar and Grill (also known as Aggie’s Steakhouse), located on Middle Country Road in Selden, was the “local watering hole” for area residents. 

Aggie’s opened its doors in 1927 and was owned and operated by Agnes O’Hagan, who moved to the United States at age three from Calabria, Italy. Events at Aggie’s and their contributions to community life were a mainstay in Selden during these years. Celebrations like wedding showers, birthday parties, costume balls, amateur nights, card nights and St. Patrick’s Day parties were held there. The staff even formed a shuffleboard team, which participated in local competitions with neighboring teams in the area.  

Saturday nights would find considerable crowds enjoying 45 cent spaghetti and meat sauce, square dancing and other specialty dances with music provided by Aggie’s Brown Jug Mountaineers. An advertisement for a Gala New Year’s Eve Party was placed in the Patchogue Advance of Dec. 25, 1936 to publicize the event, which featured noisemakers, hats and souvenirs, music and entertainment, and a seven-course turkey dinner. Tickets cost $1.00 for this specially licensed nightlong event, which concluded at 8 a.m.  

In the summer of 1939, Aggie’s showed appreciation to their summer patrons by announcing “a surprise” for them on a Saturday night from 10 p.m. until midnight. 

The festivities included dancing to the music of Leonardi and his Club orchestra, and listening to the pride of Harlem, “Singing Sam” and Aggie’s customary entertainer, Eddy Kane. Earlier that summer, Aggie’s advertised their official Ham and Cabbage Summer Opening for the night of July 22 in the July 19, 1939 edition of The Mid-Island Mail. Performers included Don Ritchie and his Rhythm Masters as well as Eddy Kane and Virginia Servidio. 

These are just a few examples of the central role that Aggie’s Steakhouse played in Selden’s social world, bonding its residents in family, friendship and community for more than four decades. 

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Jan Tozzo
Art by Jan Tozzo
Art by Jan Tozzo

Gallery North’s March featured Artist is Jan Tozzo. Working out of her Cold Spring Harbor studio, Tozzo creates unique, brightly colored glass works, often reminiscent of sea coral or flowers.

She uses a layering process with various powders that produces stunning forms. Each of her artworks is at once sculptural and functional, and will add color to any home.

Learn more about Jan and her available works in The Shop at Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket,  in person or online! For more information, call 631-751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.

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Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci unveils the street sign bearing Dr. Agnes Hiller’s name at East 10th Street and New York Avenue in Huntington Station
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci unveils the street sign bearing Dr. Agnes Hiller’s name at East 10th Street and New York Avenue in Huntington Station
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci leads the street dedication ceremony inside Mt. Calvary Holy Church of Huntington due to the inclement weather
Dr Agnes Hiller

Huntington Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, Receiver of Taxes Jillian Guthman and Highway Superintendent Kevin S. Orelli were joined by Legislator Tom Donnelly, Rev. Bernadette Watkins, pastors and members of Mt. Calvary Holy Church of Huntington and family of the late Rev. Mother Agnes Hiller for a street dedication ceremony in Mother Hiller’s honor at the corner of East 10th Street and New York Avenue in Huntington Station on February 22. 

 “There is no one more deserving of such an honor than Dr. Agnes Hiller and the personal sacrifices and immeasurable contributions she made to the Huntington Station and greater community throughout her life, in service of God and the greater good,” said Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, who likened the snow and rain outside, moving the occasion indoors, to holy water sent from “Mother” Hiller to bless the ceremony. 

“Naming E 10th street in honor of Dr. Agnes Amelia Hiller is a fitting tribute to a great woman whose work touched so many lives in our community. Thank you to Rev. Bernadette Watkins for working together with the Town to make this happen,” said Councilman Mark Cuthbertson.

“Mother Hiller was a remarkable human being.  Her generous heart impacted many.  Her commitment to helping others will be remembered for generations to come,” said Receiver of Taxes Jillian Guthman. “The renaming of East 10th Street, Huntington Station is a fitting acknowledgement of a woman who prioritized helping others in crisis and whose legacy will live on in all of those that she prayed for, mentored, cared for as well as those who had the privilege of observing her acts of love and generosity.” 

 “It was wonderful to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Dr./Reverend Mother Agnes Hiller at the Mt. Calvary Holy Church of Huntington during Black History Month.  I was honored to have the Highway Department play a small part of Dr. Agnes Hiller’s ceremony and provide the street signs for this heartfelt dedication,” stated Highway Superintendent Kevin Orelli. 

Rev. Bernadette Watkins, overwhelmed by the honor and tribute to Mother Hiller, quoted the late Bishop Brumfield Johnson, founder of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church of Huntington, saying, “It’s nice to be nice,” a quote Mother Hiller often repeated. 

Pastor Emerita Gloria J. Mixon, Mt. Calvary Holy Church of Huntington, said, “The Mt. Calvary Holy Church of Huntington was honored that Mother Hiller received this recognition. She never made an excuse for not doing something. Mother use to say this all the time, and I quote, ‘An excuse is just a reason wrapped in a lie.’” 

Dr. Agnes Hiller’s daughter, Rene Sykes, stated, “The family of Mother Hiller was pleased to have this loving Woman of God honored. She loved everyone and would always say, ‘I may not like what you do but I will always love you!’” 

 In addition to the Supervisor and Town officials, the Town was also represented at the ceremony by Town Historian Robert Hughes and Irene Moore, Chairperson, African American Historic Designation Council.  

 Pastors in attendance included Rev. Bernadette Watkins, Huntington Outreach Ministries; Apostle LaRuth Henry, Phebe World Ministry, Central Islip; Bishop-Elect Van Campbell, Lakewood Church For All People, Jamaica; Sr. Pastor Dawn Mixon and Pastor Emerita Gloria J. Mixon, who were joined by leadership and members of the Mt. Calvary Holy Church of Huntington, the site of the street dedication. 

 Four generations of Rev. Dr. Agnes Hiller’s family attended: daughter Rene Sykes; grandchildren Francois Frazier, Laura Spivey, Kim Kahn, Jeff Brewster, and Jacob Watkins; niece Margaret Meyer; great-granddaughter Jeannette Frazier; and great, great-grandchildren Joshua Andrew Brewster and Jasmia Agnes Brewster. 

 Rev. Bernadette Watkins met with Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci in the summer of 2019 to discuss honoring the late Reverend Mother Agnes Hiller, known to some as the “Mother Theresa of Huntington Station,” and her contributions to the Huntington Station community. Mother Hiller, as she came to be known, dedicated her life to serving the Huntington Station community by taking in dozens of children and organizing various programs to address issues of hunger, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and families in need. 

 At their September 2019 meeting, the Town Board officially recognized Mother Hiller’s untiring work to improve the lives of residents of the Huntington Station community by renaming the block of East 10th Street, from New York Avenue to First Avenue, in Huntington Station as East 10th Street/Dr. Agnes Hiller Way. A street dedication ceremony was planned for May 2020 but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event’s postponement. 

 Agnes Hiller was born in 1904. As a young woman in 1932, she became one of the first members of the newly formed Mt. Calvary Holy Church of Huntington. She later became assistant pastor and then was named pastor of Mt. Calvary Holy Church soon after the church relocated to its present location at East 10th Street. She served as pastor until she retired in 1994 at the age of 90.  

See the video of the event here:

[VIDEO: https://huntingtonny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=2439] 

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UPDATED MARCH 1, 2021
The Walt Whitman Birthplace Association has announced the 2021 and 2022 Long Island Poets of the Year. Congratulations to Cliff Bleidner (2021) and Matt Pasca (2022)!
“The excellence of their poetry works, their active role as supporters and promoters for the Long Island poetry community, and their outstanding awards and recognition contribute to their honor,” said the WWBA in a press release.
Cliff Bleidner will offer a virtual poetry reading in April 2021.
Matt Pasca will offer a poetry reading in April 2022. 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Walt Whitman Birthplace Association in Huntington Station is seeking nominations for its 2021 Long Island Poet of the Year award. This award is given annually by the WWBA to a Long Island poet recognized regionally for the excellence of his or her work and who is active in supporting and promoting poetry on Long Island.
The nomination should consist of a brief bio/CV, including publications, artistic engagements, and community activities, and a two page sample of the poet‘s work.
This material should be submitted by email attachment to [email protected], or by mail to:
Executive Director, Walt Whitman Birthplace Association
246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, New York 11746-4148.
Nominations must be received by February 19th. Self-nominations are not accepted. The WWBA Board of Trustees Program Committee will choose the awardee by March 12th. The award will be presented at a reception-reading in April.

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Shoreham-Wading River senior Tristan Costello goes up and over a Center Moriches defender in the Conference IV finals Feb. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Co-captain Tristan Costello shoots from the baseline in the Conference IV finals on the road against Center Moriches Feb. 28. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River senior Joey Dwyer drains a three-pointer for the Wildcats in the Conference IV championship finals Feb. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Joey Marchese (L) looks for a rebound at the free throw line for the Wildcats in the Conference IV finals Feb. 28. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River senior co-captain Thomas Bell scores for the Wildcats in the Conference IV championship final at Center Moriches High School Feb. 28. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River senior co-captain Thomas Bell goes to the rim for the Wildcats in the Conference IV championship final Feb. 28. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River senior co-captain Thomas Bell scores from the paint in the Conference IV championship final Feb. 28. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River senior co-captain Tristan Costello shoots for two in the Conference IV championship finals at Center Moriches Feb. 28. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River senior Joey Dwyer goes to the rim for the Wildcats in the Conference IV championship finals Feb. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Joey Dwyer goes to the rim for the Wildcats in the Conference IV championship finals Feb. 28. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River junior Aiden Clifford shoots for the Wildcats in the Conference IV championship final at Center Moriches High School Feb. 28. Photo by Bill Landon

Shoreham-Wading River dropped their season opener at home Feb. 11 against Center Moriches falling to the Red Devils by 7 points. 

The Wildcats dusted themselves off and went on a 7-game winning streak that included a semi-final 64-54 victory over Mattituck the day before only to face Center Moriches in the Conference IV finals Feb. 28. Hungry to avenge that season opening loss the Wildcats stayed withing striking distance through 8 minutes of play when the Red Devils stood on the gas and never looked back, to win it 76-61.

The Wildcat seniors led the way from the opening tip off with Joey Dwyer hitting 8 field goals 2 triples and 3 from the line to lead his team with 25 points. Co-Captains Thomas Bell nailed 10 from the floor along with a pair of free throws for 22 and Tristan Costello netted 9.

The Wildcats concluded their abbreviated season at 6-2 for 2nd place in League-VII, 7-2 overall.  Photos by Bill Landon 

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Northport junior Sophia Bica lays up for two in traffic on the road against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport freshman Kennedy Radziul drives the lane for the Tigers in a Conference I playoff game against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport junior Sophia Bica with a reverse lay-up on the road against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport senior Hannah Morawski scores for the Tigers in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport senior Hannah Morawski drives the baseline in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Emma Blanco fights for the rebound for the Tigers in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport junior guard Allison Soule shoots from the top of the key for the Tigers in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport senior Hannah Morawski drives the baseline in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Emma Blanco goes to the rim for the Tigers in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport sophomore Payson Hedges shoots for the Tigers in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport senior Hannah Morawski scores for the Tigers in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Emma Blanco shoots from the paint for the Tigers in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport junior Sophia Yearwood passes to the open shooter on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport junior Sophia Yearwood drives the baseline on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport’s Sophia Bica lays up for two in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport’s Kennedy Radziul a freshman shoots for the Tigers in a Conference I playoff game against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport junior Sophia Yearwood battles in the paint on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport junior Natalia Donofrio shoots from the corner in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Emma Blanco with the rebound for the Tigers in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood Feb. 27.Photo by Bill Landon
Northport junior guard Allison Soule scores for the Tigers in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport junior Sophia Yearwood in traffic on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport senior Hannah Morawski lays up for two in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport junior Alexa Vassallo scores for the Tigers in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport junior Sophia Yearwood shoots for two on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport’s Rachel Mincone battles down low in the semi-final round of the Conference I playoff game on the road against Longwood Feb. 27. Photo by Bill Landon

Northport girls basketball struggled from the opening tip off trailing in the Conference I semi-final playoff game on the road against Longwood until Sophia Yearwood swished a 3-pointer to tie the game at 23 all, late in the second quarter. It would be the only time Northport evened the score as the Longwood Lions stretched their legs clamping down on defense to contain the Tigers the rest of the way for a 55-39 victory Feb. 27 to advance to the final round.

Northport junior Sophia Yearwood led the way for the Tigers with a field goal and three triples for 11 points. Teammates Sohpia Bica banked nine, Emma Blanco netted six and Hannah Morawski added 5.

Northport capped their abbreviated season with a 5-2 League I record and 5-3 overall.

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Artist Mary Jaffe
By Mary Jaffe
Mary Jaffe's tall stripe vase
Mary Jaffe's blue round vase

The Reboli Center for Art & History in Stony Brook is pleased to name Mary Jaffe as its artisan of the month for March. “Mary is known for her handmade functional ceramics. Her pottery has such clean and elegant lines, which are reflective of the landscapes of the east end where Mary lives and works in Bridgehampton. Her work is beautiful and inspiring,” said Lois Reboli, founder of the Reboli Center and wife of the late renowned artist, Joseph Reboli, for whom the center is named.

Artist Mary Jaffe in her studio

Jaffe earned her BFA in Ceramics from Long Island University in Southampton, NY. She did post graduate studies at the Instituto Allende in Mexica, the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, and a five-year apprenticeship at a production pottery studio.  For the past 20 years, she has been teaching children’s pottery workshops in her local community and at the Clay Art Guild in Watermill.

According to Jaffe, “As a studio potter, I am continually experimenting with and exploring the subtle properties and abilities of the material. I specialize in wheel-thrown pottery with inspiration from the horizontal lines of the landscape and natural forms of seashells and gourds. The finished works are reflective of the process, where the softness and fluidity of the raw clay is expressed in shape and texture. On occasion, I explore altered forms in collaboration with my artist husband.”

Mary Jaffe’s pottery is for sale in the Reboli Center’s Design Shop. The Center, located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook, is free, and open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Masks must be worn, and social distancing is required. For more information, please call 631-751-7707.

Lois Reboli, president of the Reboli Center, noted that, “The Center is adhering to CDC, New York State and Suffolk County coronavirus guidelines, which limits the number of attendees at one time and requires all visitors to wear a mask and socially distance. Please be assured that staff and volunteers will wear masks, and do continuous cleaning and sanitizing.”

Photos courtesy of The Reboli Center

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Carol Gomes. Photo from SBU

In the face of an unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the Stony Brook Council has honored and bestowed University Medals for Exemplary Leadership and Service to three members of its Stony Brook University leadership. The Stony Brook Council serves as an oversight and advisory body to the campus and to Stony Brook’s president and senior officers.

These individuals were recognized for their extraordinary service in their areas of oversight, expertise and responsibility in protecting and caring for the Stony Brook community in the hospital system and on the Stony Brook University campuses. Their innovations, contributions and immediate responses to the pandemic were celebrated at a recent Stony Brook Council meeting. The individuals include:

“Our University community has benefited greatly from these individuals who inspire greatness in others, motivate teams to tackle the almost impossible and always place the greater good in front of mind,” said Kevin Law, President of the Stony Brook Council and President and CEO of the Long Island Association.  “We are grateful for their outstanding leadership and public service and recognize their exceptional achievements on behalf of Stony Brook University; Stony Brook Medicine; and our patients, students, faculty and staff.”

Carol Gomes

Carol A. Gomes was recognized for her administrative leadership for the following Stony Brook University Hospital achievements:

  • Development of surge plans to increase hospital capacity;

  • Helped establish a fully staffed field Emergency Room to manage surge in patient volume;

  • Creation of Oxygen Tank Farms prior to height of pandemic;

  • Creative solutions for the provision of Personal Protective Equipment to ensure staff safety;

  • Reprocessing of N95 respirators with Battelle Laboratories;

  • Successful collaboration with Stony Brook University for the manufacture of hand sanitizer, ventilators and 3-D face shields;

  •  Implementation of the “My Story” information boards about patients who were often unable to communicate because of their illness;

  •  Creation of a Respite Lounge to address the mental health needs of staff members and help deal with stress;

  •  Collaboration with SUNY Upstate Medical University to provide additional nursing staff during the height of the pandemic; and

  • Recognizing her steady, can-do spirit that helped the hospital serve as the backbone of the overall response to COVID-19 across Suffolk County.

Dr. Margaret McGovern

Dr. Margaret M. McGovern was recognized for her administrative leadership for the following Stony Brook Medicine achievements:

  • Oversight, focused dedication and expert leadership of Stony Brook Medicine’s staff and faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic that demonstrated incredible heroism, innovation, creativity and teamwork;

  • Stony Brook Medicine healthcare system collaborated successfully to manage patients at its four hospitals and across the entire continuum of ambulatory care settings, to make sure COVID-19 patients received the appropriate level of care;

  •  Expansion of telehealth services for outpatients, offered innovative technological solutions at patients’ bedsides to connect inpatients with loved ones during restricted visitation periods;

  • The establishment of a drive-through coronavirus testing site on Stony Brook University’s campus in conjunction with the New York State Department of Health to test thousands of Long Island residents for coronavirus;

  • The development of creative and innovative approaches to solve problems and support its staff, including new training programs and buddy programs, creation of the Respite Room, Team Lavender and the Hope Report;

  • Use of multi-disciplinary teams who were inspired to clear every obstacle to solve the problems that were presented each day allowed Stony Brook Medicine to form the backbone of the overall response to COVID-19 across Suffolk County; and

  • Leading the efforts to immunize staff and faculty and assist in vaccinating Long Island residents through public COVID-19 vaccinations sites.

Lawrence Zacarese

Lawrence M. Zacarese was recognized for his administrative leadership for the following Stony Brook University achievements:

  • Demonstrating compassion, dedication and extraordinary leadership that has been vital to Stony Brook University’s successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic;

  • Using his extensive experience and expert training in emergency management, he helped the campus community to face each challenge during this complex time with grace and keen determination;

  • Developing a comprehensive campus plan, creating a foundation of resiliency and commitment. As a result, Stony Brook was one of the few institutions in New York — and theonly SUNY University Center — to remain open as planned in the fall semester;

  •  Instituting the University’s Return to Research Plan that enabled Stony Brook to fast-track its researchers getting back in their labs, ensuring that the University’s mission to push the boundaries of science;

  •  Oversight of Stony Brook’s Return to Work and Return to Campus plans that provided a foundation for our work and our support for faculty, staff, students and the broader community, which was modeled by others in the SUNY System; and

  • Motivating teams to stay focused while tackling obstacles presented by the pandemic and being good regional partners through the management of COVID-19 public and university testing and vaccination sites.

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About Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University, widely regarded as a SUNY flagship, is going far beyond the expectations of today’s public universities. With more than 26,000 students, 2,700 faculty members, nearly 200,000 alumni, an academic medical center and 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs, it is one of only four University Center campuses in the State University of New York (SUNY) system. The University embraces its mission to provide comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and professional education of the highest quality, and has been ranked among the top 35 public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Fostering a commitment to academic research and intellectual endeavors, Stony Brook’s membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places it among the top 65 research institutions in North America. The University’s distinguished faculty have earned esteemed awards such as the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for animal conservation, Abel Prize and the inaugural Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics. Part of the management team of Brookhaven National Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Stony Brook is one of only eight universities that has a role in running a national laboratory. Providing economic growth for neighboring communities and the wider geographic region, the University totals an impressive $7.23 billion in increased economic output on Long Island. Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/stonybrooku/) and Twitter(@stonybrooku).

About Stony Brook Medicine

Stony Brook Medicine integrates and elevates all of Stony Brook University’s health-related initiatives: education, research and patient care. It includes five Health Sciences schools — Dental Medicine, Health Technology and Management, Medicine, Nursing and Social Welfare — as well as Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and more than 200 community-based healthcare settings throughout Suffolk County. To learn more, visit www.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

About Stony Brook University Hospital

Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) is Long Island’s premier academic medical center. With 624 beds, SBUH serves as the region’s only tertiary care center and Regional Trauma Center, and is home to the Stony Brook University Heart Institute, Stony Brook University Cancer Center, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute. SBUH also encompasses Suffolk County’s only Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center, state-designated AIDS Center, state-designated Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, state-designated Burn Center, the Christopher Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence, and Kidney Transplant Center. It is home of the nation’s first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center. To learn more, visit www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sbuh.

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