Yearly Archives: 2024

Dr. James Bruno

Neurologist and sleep disorders specialist Dr. James Bruno has been selected as a Fellow of the American Epilepsy Society (FAES). This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Bruno’s professional accomplishments and unwavering dedication to the field of epilepsy.

As a board-certified neurologist with expertise in epilepsy and sleep disorders, Dr. Bruno brings knowledge and experience to his practice at Three Village Neurology, 4511 Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson Station (www.threevillageneurology.com) which offers a range of specialized services, including the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, sleep apnea, and other individuals affected by neurological disorders using the latest technologies to diagnose and treat these conditions including Polysomnography and Electroencephalography.

In addition to his private practice, Dr. Bruno is a clinical associate professor of neurology at SUNY Stony Brook, co-directs the St. Charles Hospital Epilepsy Center and sits on the Professional Advisory Board at Long Island Island’s Epilepsy Foundation.

By Rita J. Egan

The cold weather on Saturday, March 9, couldn’t keep St. James residents from the hamlet’s 40th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Former Suffolk County Deputy Executive Peter Scully, nicknamed the water czar for his work in improving the county’s water quality, headed up the parade as grand marshal. Scully, who lives in neighboring Stony Brook, grew up in St. James. Former County Executive Steve Bellone was on hand to cheer on Scully, holding a sign that read, “Suffolk is lucky to have Scully.”

Hundreds of attendees lined up along Lake Avenue to cheer on the elected officials, volunteer firefighters, Scouts and representatives from local organizations and businesses who marched along the street from Woodlawn Avenue to the Long Island Rail Road train station.

by -
0 945
Stock photo

Dr. Alfred Ekstrom of Woodstock, Georgia, and formerly of Port Jefferson passed away on Feb. 15 at Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center. At the time of his passing, Alfred was surrounded by his loving family. He was 89 years old.

Alfred was born in Guatemala in 1934 to Oliver and Bessie Ekstrom. He came to the United States after the death of his parents at the age of 11. After attending Washington & Jefferson College, he went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Alfred was a general practitioner, serving Port Jefferson and surrounding towns for over 45 years. He retired in 2006.

Alfred is survived by his son Geoffrey and daughter-in-law Donna, daughter Amy and son-in-law Keith; grandchildren Jamieson and wife Sophie, Karissa, Kelsey and Aubrey; and great-grandchildren Josephine and Oliver.

Ward Melville High School. File photo

By Mallie Jane Kim

After weeks of advocacy, Three Village Central School District is planning its budget as though proposed drastic cuts in state funding won’t happen. 

Administration officials expressed optimism during a preliminary budget discussion at a March 6 Board of Education meeting, stating they plan to create the 2024-25 school year budget based roughly on current state aid numbers, as opposed to incorporating the nearly $9 million in cuts the district would receive under Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) state budget proposal. 

“I’m fairly confident we’re going to get [funding] restored,” said Superintendent of Schools Kevin Scanlon while sharing that he had just returned from a few days lobbying in Albany. “Whether or not we get an increase, that stands to be seen. Until we receive confirmation of that, I think we should proceed cautiously.”

Deputy Superintendent Jeffrey Carlson agreed, adding, “That does not mean we don’t plan for that kind of thing going forward, whether it be next year, the year after, the year after that.” 

Part of Hochul’s rationale in presenting the budget was realigning state school funding to reflect declining enrollment in certain districts. Affected districts pointed to extreme inflation in recent years, and also said it would be an overwhelming burden to force school districts to absorb in one year cuts based on a decade’s worth of enrollment decline.

Freshmen board members Karen Roughley and David McKinnon, who ran for the board in part to push for more advanced budget planning, both encouraged the district to consider options to fundamentally make district spending more sustainable, such as repurposing a school.

“Infrastructure costs money,” McKinnon said, explaining that district costs are rising faster than its income. “It’s one of the first things businesses do — we’re going to have to cut down on how much infrastructure we’re trying to maintain. There’s no way around that.”

Roughley agreed. “We need to make sure that we are preparing for things to be reduced every single year, because it’s going to happen,” she said. 

Administration officials previously estimated the cost savings of $1.1 million for repurposing one of the district’s five elementary schools, but during the public comment section of the board meeting, resident Carmine Inserra questioned that figure. “I feel it’s probably more than that if you include the benefit of combining programs at less schools, which offers efficiencies at dividing students among teachers, rooms and transportation,” said Inserra, who leads the Residents for Responsible Spending group in the district. “It’s far more savings than just turning down the heat.”

Inserra also called out the district administration and board for “ignoring” declining enrollment for years and for neglecting to give enough information and authority to its Budget Advisory Committee, a group of stakeholders that advises the board on the budget plan. 

“The BAC meetings have turned into sales presentations from the district admins on what their departments do and the successes they’ve had,” said Inserra, who served on the BAC a few years ago and said he watches the meetings even though he was not selected this year. “Have you given them any projected expenses and income for the coming years? Have you explained to them how expenses are affected by contractual [teacher] salary and benefit increases?”

For his part, Carlson defended the BAC presentations, saying he felt the committee would be more equipped to make good recommendations if they understand where the money is going, rather than looking at a line item on a page. 

Scanlon noted that much of the district’s rising costs are out of the administration’s control, such as increases in transportation contract costs and unfunded mandates from the state, like the one to switch to electric school buses by 2035. But the district is still watching for ways to be more cost-effective, he said, and pointed to one expected area of savings — teacher retirements. More than half the district’s teachers are “very senior” with about 26 years of experience, according to Scanlon, who anticipates 117 teacher retirements over the next four years. 

“That is a significant brain drain to our community,” he said. “We’re going to lose a lot of highly-qualified teachers, but at the same time it’s going to be a cost savings.”

Carlson, who heads up the budget planning process and presented the preliminary 2024-25 budget, said that the district can make reductions in next year’s plan as needed once real state aid numbers come in, to stay within the district’s tax cap. 

The state’s budget is due by April 1, though last year it didn’t land until May. That timing makes it hard for school districts, which need to have budgets ready for public review between April 30 and May 7. In Three Village school district’s timeline, that means the board needs to adopt its budget at the April 3 meeting. 

Photos by Greg Catalano

 

by -
0 801
Valerie ‘Val’ Rose Kratochvil

Valerie Rose Kratochvil, age 16, suddenly passed away on March 4. Valerie is survived in heartfelt memories by her parents Margaret and Kenneth and her twin sister Laurie. Valerie is also survived by her Aunt Susan, Uncle Scott Sedacca and cousins David and Kristen Sedacca; Uncle Ken Fee and cousin Kerry Fee; Uncle Peter Fee; Aunt Anne and Ray Redeman and cousins Jessica and Kaitlyn Redeman; Uncle Anthony and Aunt Donna Termini and cousins Bella, Joey and Lucy Termini; Aunt Mildred and Uncle Phil Musco. She was predeceased by her grandparents Marilyn and Kenneth Kratochvil, Ann and Matthew Fee, and her great-grandfather Vincent Petrolino.

Valerie was born Nov. 8, 2007, and she brought light into the world instantly. She was 2 minutes older than her twin sister Laurie — and she never let her forget it! 

Valerie was a junior at Smithtown High School East. She was warm, loving, compassionate and the best friend a person could want. Valerie was a brilliant girl; she kept herself to a standard of straight As that she worked incredibly hard to keep in order to pursue her goal of becoming a pharmacist one day. 

She was a member of the Music, French and Social Studies honor societies. She was also on track to be a part of the National Honor Society. 

Valerie had a love for singing that was unmatched. She was also involved in the choir program at her school. She participated in NYSSMA for three years and was in the All-County Choir for two years. 

The high school junior was not only an incredible student and singer but she was an athlete as well. She was on varsity winter and spring track teams, varsity field hockey, Long Island field hockey and other Long Island field hockey club teams. She participated in the Athletes Helping Athletes Club at her school that showcased her dedication to sharing her love of sports with others.

Many friends and family members called her Val. Outside of school Val was an avid reader who adored going to the store to get her next book to read. She had a passion for cooking and baking as well. Val was fashionable and loved to shop for clothes, curl her hair and do makeup. Val was an avid skier and went on many vacations with her family, skiing in Vermont and Lake Tahoe, traveled to the Caribbean and several times to Disney World. 

Valerie brought happiness every single day to those she encountered. She touched the hearts of everyone. Valerie loved life and had the brightest future. Our family is heartbroken and we know Valerie will be with us always. Heaven has gained a beautiful angel. Valerie, we will miss you forever and will remember all of the wonderful memories that you have given us every day for the rest of our lives. We love you, Valerie!

Since Valerie’s passing, loved ones, friends, teammates and community members have offered support to the Kratochvil family. Teammate and friend, Hannah Honor, started a Meal Train for the family, asking for donations and contributions to a meal calendar — providing meals for the family — extending through April. 

Offering additional support Mallory Guerin, director of Long Island Field Hockey, created a GoFundMe page asking for support for Valerie’s family. All donations will go directly to the Kratochvil family to help pay for funeral expenses, meals and any other expenses while they are out of work. To donate visit GoFundMe and search for the Kratochvil family. 

by -
0 799
Elisabeth ‘Betsy' Palmedo

Elisabeth Palmedo led a long, adventurous and charmed life, and experienced a very peaceful death on Feb. 20.

Her mother, Maria Williams Sheerin, was from a Richmond family which preceded the Founding Fathers of Virginia. Betsy was proud to be a “direct descendent of George Washington’s sister.” Betsy’s father, the Rev. Charles Sheerin, was an Episcopal minister born in Pittsburgh to an Irish family that had recently immigrated from Scotland. Her father was loved by everyone and known for joyously playing Irish songs on the piano’s black keys.

Betsy was the youngest child of three, born Feb. 25, 1935. Her brother Charles came first, then her sister Maria. Betsy arrived six years later. When Betsy was only 13 years old, her father’s life was cut short by a heart attack at age 50. 

She began cultivating her talent in singing, especially classical operatic music. She graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston in 1960 and met her future husband, Phil Palmedo, during her time there. They married in 1961 and would live in Paris, then on Long Island with sons Chris and Lawrence, in Shoreham, later Setauket and finally Head of the Harbor.

In 1976 Elisabeth dazzled a Carnegie Recital Hall audience with her New York debut. She performed a challenging program by Purcell, Schubert, Duparc and others. The New York Times called out the “clear, pure top” of her voice and noted that “the more a song asked of her the more she brought to it.” 

Thanks to her husband, Betsy was able to travel the world, which she embraced with enthusiasm. This included adventures in Indonesia, Peru, South Africa and Kenya, where the family found itself in the middle of a military coup in Nairobi. Her harrowing account was later published in an interview with the Three Village Herald.

In the early 1980s, she and a group of classically trained musicians launched the North Shore Pro Musica. As her close friend and collaborator Olga Zilboorg commented in a newspaper profile: ‘’People used to think that just because artists were local they had to be something less than first-class professionals.’’ But the Pro Musica dispelled that misconception by putting on world-class concerts throughout its 40-year run. Along with being the co-founder, Betsy served as president, treasurer and whatever else needed done. 

She performed in many other ensembles, such as the Galatia Trio, which staged a landmark concert at the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park in New Hampshire. More recently, Elisabeth enjoyed working with the Lark Trio, with her dear friends Bonnie Thivierge and Ann Jupp. 

Elisabeth was dedicated to promoting modern and contemporary composers, especially her friends Jack Lessard and Willard Roosevelt. These works were challenging, but she successfully dedicated herself to interpreting and performing serious classical music with eagerness and enthusiasm.

Her multitude of students have included young talents on their way to conservatory, gray-haired professionals seeking to master show tunes and all personalities in between. Her recitals featured a range of artistic expression and were always joyous occasions.

Betsy spent great effort ensuring that the musicians she worked with were well paid. She also would not hesitate to offer visiting artists dinner and a room to sleep overnight. She certainly enjoyed planning and hosting parties, including summer jazz soirees that featured her grandson Tree on trumpet.

She was blessed with bountiful friends, some of her closest being her niece Maria and “sister cousins” Penelope and Mary Page. Also, her Liberal Ladies Luncheon group, the Nissequogue Beach Club community, friends from the North Suffolk Garden Club, her chums from Boston and over the decades a steady stream of wild and crazy musicians who helped underscore the undeniable fact that Elisabeth was an artist at her heart and soul.

 Her final days were spent in the company of Phil, her beloved husband of 63 years, her infinitely loyal hound dog Brogan and her invaluable caretaker Sol Starcic.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 7, at 4 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 490 N. Country Road, St. James. Reception to follow.

Family members request nothing more than to reflect on her enthusiasm for life and the arts, but she would most certainly have approved a donation in her memory to the Hudson Peconic chapter of Planned Parenthood Inc. at www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-hudson-peconic.

Photo from Mather Facebook

Mather Hospital invites the community to a HealthyU Spring Semester event at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station on Saturday, March 16 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Take part in a free seminar series and interactive health fair focused on your physical, emotional and financial well-being. Attend a variety of lectures including Know your numbers: a checklist for health after 60, Food, exercise and meditation as medicine, Get to know your gut, Managing diabetes and pre-diabetes, Protecting your healthcare wishes and The health benefits of a good night’s sleep.

To register, visit matherhospital.org/healthyu. For more information, call 631-476-2723.

#2 Nicholas Rizzo from East Islip struck out four players during Saturday's game. Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook men’s baseball team took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 4-3 victory against the Siena Saints on March 9.

Nick Rizzo (2-1) started on the mound and picked up the win for Stony Brook (7-7). The southpaw went seven shutout innings while giving up three hits, allowing one walk and striking out four.

Ty Stout also made an impact on the mound for the Seawolves, throwing 1.1 shutout innings while allowing one hit, with no walks and two strikeouts. Matt Brown-Eiring led the way offensively for the Seawolves, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a double and an RBI. Cam Santerre put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-4 with a double. Erik Paulsen also contributed, going 1-for-4 for Stony Brook with a double and an RBI.

The Seawolves got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Stony Brook plated two runs off of Siena pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of Paulsen.

The Seawolves then held the Saints scoreless before expanding their lead in the fifth inning. Santerre came across to score the lone run of the inning for Stony Brook, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of SBU.

Stony Brook kept Siena without a run before building their lead to 4-0 in the seventh inning. Siena put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Stony Brook still held on for the 4-3 win.

“Anytime you can sweep a series, home or away, it’s always fun,” said Stony Brook head coach Matt Senk. “Despite it being early in the year and the temperatures and weather, we had some really good crowds which helped us get it done… It’s good to see us play this well.”

Up next, the team will return to the diamond on March 15 at Seton Hall in Orange, New Jersey. 

#14 Tyler Stephenson-Moore celebrates the team's victory on Monday night.

Stony Brook men’s basketball continued its storybook run in the 2024 CAA Men’s Basketball Championship, defeating No. 3 seed Hofstra 63-59 on March 11 to earn its spot in the program’s first-ever CAA Championship final.

With the win, the Seawolves advanced to the CAA finals in just their second season in the conference, where they faced No. 1 seed Charleston in the championship game on March 12 at 7 p.m. (Results were not available as of press time.)

Tyler Stephenson-Moore led the Seawolves offensive attack with 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting, while Chris Maidoh added 13 and Aaron Clarke contributed 12.

The Seawolves jumped out to an 8-3 lead on baskets with four different players hitting the scoring column before the under-16 media timeout. Hofstra then responded with an 8-0 run to grab the 11-8 lead at the 14:16 mark. Later in the half, Stony Brook went on a 12-1 run over 2:30, with the final eight points contributed by Stephenson-Moore, to take a 30-23 lead with 5:02 left to play.

Hofstra grabbed seven of the final nine points of the half, cutting the Seawolves’ lead to 32-30 after the first 20 minutes. The Seawolves took a 36-32 lead early in the second half, but Hofstra out-scored Stony Brook 12-5 over a span of 6:40 for a 44-41 Pride advantage with 11:19 to play. Stony Brook tied things three times in the following seven minutes, with Stephenson-Moore draining a three to knot the game at 51 with 4:37 left.

After a 2:03 scoreless stretch, back-to-back buckets by Maidoh and Stephenson-Moore followed by a three from Noll put Stony Brook ahead 58-51 with 57 seconds remaining. Clarke made three free throws to push the lead to 10 at 46 seconds. Hofstra made a late run to get within three at 62-59 with 6.7 seconds to play, but Keenan Fitzmorris split two free throws to ice the game.

“This was a great win for us,” said head coach Geno Ford postgame. “Hofstra has pounded on us for years … so to play them and beat them in such a meaningful game is huge to our players, the program, the community and the University.”