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Yearly Archives: 2023

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A Queer Art Workshop. Photo courtesy of the Art League of Long Island

In a significant show of support for the LGBTQIA+ community and their artistic endeavors, TD Bank has generously donated $25,000 to the Art League of Long Island (ALLI). The funds will be directed towards the expansion of ALLI’s Queer Art Initiatives, aimed at promoting equal rights, inclusion, and creative expression within the visual art community. The LGBTQIA+ community has long been at the forefront of the fight for equality, and ALLI is proud to celebrate and champion queer artists and artwork. By fostering a safe and inclusive space, ALLI aims to uplift and embrace the LGBTQIA+ community in their artistic journey. TD Bank will make a formal announcement of the donation at the reception for our recent Queer Art Workshops on June 22nd at 6:30pm all are welcome to attend. 

As part of the Queer Art Initiatives, ALLI recently organized a series of three workshops, conducted by queer artist Liv Cocozza,exploring LGBTQIA+ art and literature from the past to the future. These workshops culminate with an exhibition of the artworks created during the program, which will be on display in the Art League’s Strolling Gallery from June 17 to July 29, 2023. The artist received support through a grant from the Huntington Arts Council, while ALLI provided various in-kind services such as marketing, web hosting, facilities, exhibition supplies, and preparator fees.

To commemorate the participants’ achievements and celebrate their artwork, an exhibition reception will be held on June 22, 2023. TD Bank will make a formal announcement of their support at this reception. This event will bring together the instructor, participants, and the wider ALLI community to engage in conversations with the artists and instructor, and to appreciate the creative expressions on display. Notably, Newsday has expressed their intention to cover the final workshop and exhibition, further amplifying the visibility of ALLI’s Queer Art Initiatives.

With the generous support of TD Bank, the Art League plans to expand and scale this project throughout the remainder of 2023 and 2024. The expansion will encompass three distinct programs designed to empower and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community:

1. LGBTQIA+ Create Nights: ALLI will organize a series of free monthly two-hour workshops, providing youth, teens, and young adults with a safe space to gather and create art. By offering these workshops free of charge, the Bank enables equal accessibility to art education for this previously marginalized community. Participants will be given prompts for new artwork or have the opportunity to work on existing pieces under the guidance of the instructor. The artworks created during these sessions will be showcased in an exhibition at ALLI’s Strolling Gallery from June to August 2024.

2. Queer Youth Mentorship Program: ALLI will launch a mentorship program aimed at four qualified high school students. This program will enable the selected students to develop their artistic skills, voice, narrative, and the impact of their art in relation to their identities. A qualified mentor from the LGBTQIA+ community will lead the program, facilitating skill-building and engaging in constructive conversations surrounding LGBTQ themes. In collaboration with the Art League, one student will also receive a scholarship to access specific mediums not available in their school. The culmination of the program will be a group exhibition showcasing the students’ portfolios at the ALLI Strolling Gallery from June to August 2024.

3. Pride Month Festival: ALLI proposes to host a day-long Pride Festival in June 2024, celebrating Long Island’s queer visual art community. The festival will feature three free artist workshops, music, and entertainment. ALLI has partnered with Colored Colors for previous cultural festivals and will collaborate once again to combine art, music, and community. Workshops on silkscreen or linocut printmaking, videography, and fiber arts crafts will be offered, allowing participants to explore queer activism, storytelling through videos, and discuss identities and togetherness through loom-based crafts. The exhibition of artwork created during the Create Nights and the Mentorship Program in the Strolling Gallery will serve as the focal point of a reception during the festival.

The impact of TD Bank’s generous funding is immense. It empowers queer youth from Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens by providing them with a safe space to create art, collaborate with professional artists and mentors, receive unencumbered support from the artistic community, and exhibit their artwork in a professional setting. While there are numerous nonprofit organizations providing social services to the queer community, there are none on Long Island that provide this type of safe and supportive artistic outlet and expression. By providing an opportunity to celebrate this community, the ALLI will poise itself as the leading artistic center on Long Island, raising awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues, fostering community support, and encouraging acceptance through various artistic outlets.

For more information about ALLI’s Queer Art Initiatives and their upcoming events, please visit www.artleagueli.org

 

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Steve Salerno

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook kicks off summer with a Guitar in the Garden concert  on Wednesday, June 21. Enjoy an evening of guitar performances, a glass of wine and a chance to take in the beautiful Count Basie Garden. The performance starts at 6 p.m. Friends Circle members get the first drink on the house!

The first Summer of 2023 Guitar in the Garden will feature Steve Salerno.  Salerno is an active performer of Jazz and Classical music. He has performed in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, China, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Cuba, Haiti, Russia and throughout the United States. He is a member of the Ray Anderson Organic Quartet (with Gary Versace and Tommy Campbell), Paul Smoker 4-Tet (with Drew Gress and Phil Haynes), Mala Waldron Quartet (with Miriam Sullivan and Michael T.A. Thompson), Blue Pipa Trio (with Min Xiao-Fen & Dean Johnson) a duo with the MET’s lyric soprano, Susanna Phillips, a duo with NY Philharmonic’s principal percussionist, Christopher Lamb and leads a variety of groups, including his Jazz quartet, Exiles.

The event is free; no registration required.

For more information contact the Jazz Loft at: 631-751-1895 or visit https://www.thejazzloft.org

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD
Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who allegedly stole a pocketbook from a shopping cart in Commack last month.

A man allegedly stole a pocketbook, containing a credit card and cash, from a shopping cart at Walmart, located at 85 Crooked Hill Road, on May 11 at 9:50 p.m.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who allegedly stole from a Commack store in May.

A man allegedly stole headphones and pre-paid cell phones from Target, located at 98 Veterans Memorial Highway, at 6:13 p.m. on May 17. The merchandise was valued at approximately $770.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Michael J. Winfield Sr. Photo from Marquis Who’s Who
By Aidan Johnson

Being a teacher can mean more than just helping kids learn arithmetic and reading. Teachers have the power to leave a lasting impression on the lives of their students. Such is the case with Michael J. Winfield Sr.

Winfield, who has been an educator for over 25 years, with teaching and administrative posts at Shoreham-Wading River, Riverhead and South Country school districts, among others across Long Island, currently serves as a sociology instructor at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip.

Though an accomplished educator and administrator, he did not originally intend to go into that field.

“I kind of backed into it,” Winfield said in an interview. “I was transitioning from my business … and I went back to school, and I was going to stay in security.”

While Winfield was working in the security sector, he wanted to get his master’s in sociology. However, after a deal for the security company to pay for his master’s did not pan out, he left and began working as a substitute teacher.

Although substitute teaching was supposed to be only temporary, he found himself enjoying the work.

Teaching was “something that I just kind of warmed up to,” Winfield said. “Before you know it, I was in my master’s program, and I was taking additional courses to get my teacher’s certificate.”

As an educator, Winfield knew it wasn’t just his job to know what to teach kids; he also needed to understand how to teach them. He described how if his students needed help understanding a particular subject or concept, he wouldn’t automatically fault them. Instead, he would ask himself what he could do better to help register with them.

“I think the students appreciated that because they needed those opportunities, those extra looks at things,” Winfield said. “I always learn from them how I can be a better teacher [and a] better person.”

While students may forget their teachers are still humans, they can still make mistakes. Winfield never felt afraid to admit or apologize to his students if he was having a lousy day.

But Winfield’s efforts continue beyond the classroom. While at Spring Valley High School, his supervisor tasked him with creating a Black History Month program that also included all members of the community.

To achieve this, Winfield focused the celebration on community member Edmund Gordon, a well-known psychologist and mentee of W.E.B Du Bois (an American sociologist, socialist, historian and Pan-American civil rights activist), and created a community service award for him and his wife, Susan Gordan.

Winfield also partnered with community-based organizations to bring his diverse community full of different ethnic backgrounds together during a single event.

“We just had so many different people that all came and participated, and really that’s the goal: to share the history with everyone,” he said.

While these types of celebrations can help expand a community’s knowledge of Black history in America, Winfield still feels that the U.S. slipped in instructing what Black people have contributed to American history. 

“There are some periods of history, as you must be aware, that were not so good,” he said. “But we have to learn from them. We can’t hide them.”

“I think there are some people in the educational world that feel as though these things are divisive, and they’re not divisive,” he added. “They help us learn from it, and they help us grow because history is instructive.”

Winfield’s dedication to his career shows in his continued advocacy work. He still has students reach out to him and give him updates on their lives.

“I had a couple of students this year that sent me cards, and in one card, the student said that she thanked me for creating a safe space to learn,” he said.

Winfield, who has authored “Mentoring Matters: A Practical Approach to Fostering Reflective Practices,” a book that advises teachers in their formative years, among other books, has successfully left his mark on the community around him. For that, he is invaluable.

Michael J. Winfield Sr. is also listed in “Marquis Who’s Who.”

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File photo
Do you recognize this couple? Photo from SCPD
Do you recognize this couple? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate two people who allegedly stole from a South Setauket store.

A man and a woman allegedly stole assorted clothing and beauty supplies from Target, located at 255 Pond Path, at approximately 5:20 p.m. on May 23.

For video of this incident, click here.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Baby Sweaters from Margaret Bakos
Jack Domaleski makes a knitted baby hat.
Knitted baby hats by Jack Domaleski
Jack Domaleski with two knitted baby hats.
surgical caps created by volunteers.
An afghan blanket made by a Stony Brook Stitcher volunteer.
Blankets made by volunteers from the Stony Brook Stitchers.

By Melissa Arnold

Spending any amount of time in a hospital setting is bound to be taxing, not just physically but emotionally. Sometimes, a little reminder that you’re being thought of and supported can make all the difference. 

Since 2008, the Stony Brook Stitchers have volunteered their time and skill to knit, crochet and sew gifts for patients that could use a pick-me-up.

Melissa Shampine

In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), families might receive a cute knit cap for their little one. In difficult situations where a baby passes away, a special wrap for the baby can be used to take treasured photos, and parents are given a memory pouch to hold mementos like a lock of hair. Patients in other departments, such as the cancer center or pediatric hospital, might curl up with an afghan, lap blanket or prayer shawl during their stay. Residents at the nearby Long Island State Veterans Home receive donations as well.

The project is a grassroots effort that began with hospital staff who wanted to brighten patients’ days.

Stitchers co-director Melissa Shampine grew up attending a small parochial school in Manhattan, where the boys were taught chess and the girls learned to crochet. 

“Even though it was mandatory, I found that I actually liked it, and eventually learned to knit as well,” she recalled. “I really enjoyed being creative in that way.”

Shampine now works as a teaching hospital staff assistant at Stony Brook University Hospital. One of her former coworkers, Shakeera Thomas, was also a knitter, and together they began to brainstorm ways they could use their talents to benefit patients.

The idea spread through word of mouth, first among hospital staff, then across the street to the university. Nurse directors and health care providers identified patients who might want a gift. Students and employees from both campuses began donating yarn and got to work. Their numbers grew, and over time, even the surrounding communities got involved.

Jan Tassie

While the project is united under the Stitchers title, there are no official members or meetings. Some people work together at their churches, libraries or other small group settings, but countless others simply knit at home when they have the time. 

In 2015, Jan Tassie responded to an email from Shakeera Thomas, inviting hospital employees to learn to crochet. 

“I always wanted to learn to crochet, and someone tried to teach me years ago when I was pregnant with my first son, but it didn’t work out,” said Tassie, who recently retired from the university’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Services. “When I met Shakeera, she promised that when she was done with me, I’d be able to crochet. And at the end of one day, I could.”

Thomas relocated shortly thereafter, and Tassie stepped into the role as co-director for the Stitchers.

“In the hospital and university settings, you always have people who come and go, so the numbers wax and wane. But Jan is motivated — she is the kind of person who will chat up people in the yarn aisle at craft stores, or through networking, so there are always hands to help. Our website is a labor of love for her, too. She’s done so much,” Shampine said.

The Stitchers come from all walks of life and skill levels. Some have been knitting for decades, while others learned recently with the intent of supporting the project.

Among them is Jack Domaleski, a 24-year-old from New Suffolk who took up knitting during the pandemic quarantine.

Jack Domaleski with two knitted baby hats.

“During COVID, I taught myself to knit by watching videos on YouTube because I was bored and looking for something to do. It was easy to learn,” said Domaleski, who works in the restaurant industry. “My mom did it when I was younger, and it’s nice to end up with a finished product that you can share with others. I thought that it would be nice to donate to the hospital in some way, and when I wrote to them, they told me about the Stitchers.”

He was also inspired to knit by his own story. Domaleski was born several months premature, and spent nearly 90 days at Stony Brook’s NICU before he was strong enough to go home.

Today, he knits baby hats while thinking of other families going through similar circumstances.

“It helps me to feel connected to my own story, and anything you take the time to make is especially meaningful for the people that receive it,” he said. 

For information about volunteering or donating yarn or handmade items to the Stony Brook Stitchers, visit www.stonybrookstitchers.com or send an email to Jan Tassie at [email protected].

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From left, Allison McLarty, MD, Marc Goldschmidt, MD, Hal Skopicki, MD, PhD. Photo from Stony Brook Medicine

In 2010, Stony Brook Heart Institute’s Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program was established on Long Island to implant this life saving device. A VAD, also often called a left ventricular assist device or LVAD, is a surgically implanted, battery powered pump that, by supporting the lower left ventricle (the heart’s main pumping chamber), helps a failing heart to do its job more efficiently. The VAD can be used as an intermediary step before heart transplantation or, in patients who, due to advanced age or medical condition are not transplant candidates, as a long-term “destination” device. 

VAD patient Joseph Cerqueira and his wife.

Now 10+ years later, patients, their families and medical staff from the Heart Institute gathered on June 15, to celebrate the anniversary of this life saving heart device and program. (The 10-year event was postponed in 2020 due to Covid-19.) 

“Nobody knew when we began putting in heart pumps 13 years ago that they would be this durable and reliable,” says Allison McLarty, MD, Surgical Director of the VAD program. “This amazing device has revolutionized the management of advanced heart failure.”  

“For the VAD team, there is the immense reward of seeing these extraordinary individuals return to their homes and families with a much better quality of life,” added Marc Goldschmidt, MD, Director, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center and Medical Director, Ventricular Device Program.

“A VAD program at Stony Brook Heart Institute has been a tremendous asset for both the community and the hospital. Patients with the most complex heart conditions have access right here, close to home, to all the state-of-the-art services they need,” said Hal Skopicki, MD, PhD, Co-Director, Stony Brook Heart Institute and Chief of Cardiology.  

Among the patients who attended today’s event was Joseph Cerqueira, 63, who received a VAD in 2017 and a heart transplant the following year. Following his surgery, Joseph returned to his work as a corporate chef. 

“Everybody went the extra mile to make me comfortable and knowledgeable on how to adapt to every aspect of life with a VAD,” said Cerqueira. “Now my quality of life is perfect. I still get tired and I know my limitations, but besides that I do whatever has to be done.”

To learn more about the Ventricular Assist Device Program, visit https://heart.stonybrookmedicine.edu/services/vad.

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File photo

Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed one person and seriously injured another in Manorville on June 18.

Ebony Dandrich was driving a 2022 BMW southbound on Wading River Road when she attempted to make a lefthand turn onto South Street and collided with a 2020 Kawasaki motorcycle that was traveling northbound through the intersection at 11:48 a.m. Both the driver of the motorcycle, Delio Dicuffa, and his passenger, Loraine Dicuffa, were ejected from the vehicle.

Loraine Dicuffa, 49, of East Moriches, was transported in an ambulance to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead where she was pronounced dead. Her husband, Delio Dicuffa, 50, also of East Moriches, was taken via Suffolk County Police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious physical injuries.

Dandrich, 38, of Shirley, was not injured. Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. Anyone with information on this crash is asked to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.

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Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro, Councilwoman Jane Bonner and Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico, with members of the Brookhaven highway department and Alice Steinbrecher’s second grade class. Photo by Aidan Johnson
By Aidan Johnson

Town of Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Daniel Losquardo (R), along with Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Manorville) and Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point), unveiled a historical sign Tuesday, June 13, marking the location where the Shoreham Railroad Station once stood.

The sign had been requested by a Miller Avenue Elementary School second-grade class after taking their inaugural walk on the North Shore Rails to Trail last year, wishing to know more about the lost station.

Losquadro holding up the class letter requesting the Shoreham Railway Station marker. Photo by Aidan Johnson

After receiving a letter from this year’s class, headed by teacher Alice Steinbrecher, Losquadro worked with the Wading River and Shoreham historical societies to collect information about the station, coordinating with the town carpentry shop and East End Sign Design, which printed and donated the marker.

 “The most important thing I think for young people is to know you can make a difference,” Panico told the class during the unveiling ceremony. “By writing to Superintendent Losquadro, you got this done with the help of your teacher.”

Steinbrecher, in an interview with News 12, described how her class was learning about their community’s history and how it changed over time, along with the Rails to Trails project, which created a public path from the former railroad corridors of the Shoreham train station.

“So I had an idea: Let’s walk to where the train station was, and my own children thought I was crazy,” Steinbrecher said. “They said, ‘Mom, you’re walking to nowhere,’” but now, “We have someplace to actually stop and see some of the history.”

The marker is located near Briarcliff Road and North Country Road just south of the current Rails to Trails.

Each class member was given a certificate of congratulations for their civic participation and contribution to chronicling the area’s local history.

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