A scene from the 'Goals for Giving' fundraiser at Newfield High School. Photo courtesy of MCSD
A scene from the 'Goals for Giving' fundraiser at Newfield High School. Photo courtesy of MCSD
A scene from the 'Goals for Giving' fundraiser at Newfield High School. Photo courtesy of MCSD
A scene from the 'Goals for Giving' fundraiser at Newfield High School. Photo courtesy of MCSD
A scene from the 'Goals for Giving' fundraiser at Newfield High School. Photo courtesy of MCSD
A scene from the 'Goals for Giving' fundraiser at Newfield High School. Photo courtesy of MCSD
A scene from the 'Goals for Giving' fundraiser at Newfield High School. Photo courtesy of MCSD
The Middle Country School District Boys Lacrosse team recently hosted its annual “Goals for Giving” fundraiser at Newfield High School, marking another successful year of community spirit and charitable giving. Organized by Regina Giambone, the event rallied widespread support from the district’s athletic department, administration, students, parents, and teams.
“We are incredibly proud of the boys lacrosse team and the entire district community for coming together in support of such a meaningful cause,” said Newfield High School Principal Scott Graviano. “It was great seeing the enthusiasm and joy in the air as everyone represented their teams, schools and Middle Country with pride.”
Funds raised during the event will directly benefit the Middle Country School District’s Special Education Program, with this year’s contributions earmarked for enhancing sensory rooms across the District’s schools by adding new, adaptive equipment.
Supporters showed their enthusiasm and solidarity by purchasing and proudly wearing event T-shirts featuring the official “Goals for Giving” logo, both during the school day and at the evening game. The event also featured a spirited 50/50 raffle and a variety of gift baskets, generously donated by local businesses and community members.
The district extends its heartfelt thanks to all who participated, contributed, and made this event possible.
For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.
Most Americans consume far too much sodium — an average of 3400 mg per day, which is well over the 2300 mg per day recommended upper limit for teens and adults (1). It’s become such an issue that the FDA is working with food manufacturers and restaurants to drive these numbers down (2).
If you don’t have hypertension, what difference does it make? Sodium can have a dramatic effect on your health, regardless of your blood pressure.
It’s hard to avoid, with sodium hiding even in foods that don’t taste salty, like bread products and salad dressings. Other foods with substantial amounts of sodium include cold cuts and cured meats, cheeses, poultry, soups, pasta, sauces and, of course, snack foods. Packaged foods and restaurant meals are where most of our consumption occurs.
In contrast, only about two percent of people consume enough potassium in their diets (3). According to the National Institutes of Health, target potassium intake is between 2600 mg and 3400 mg for adult women and men, respectively.
How are sodium and potassium related?
A high sodium-to-potassium ratio increases your cardiovascular disease risk by 46 percent, according to a 15-year study of more than 12,000 participants (4).
A more recent analysis of over 10,000 participants followed for almost nine years tested sodium and potassium excretion, a more reliable measure of intake, and found that higher sodium excretion, lower potassium excretion, and a higher sodium-to-potassium ratio were all associated with a higher cardiovascular risk (5). Each daily incremental increase of 1000 mg in sodium excretion was associated with an 18 percent increase in cardiovascular risk.
To improve your overall health, you might need to shift your sodium-to-potassium balance so that you consume more potassium and less sodium. And if you struggle with — or are at risk for — high blood pressure, this approach could help.
Why lower your sodium consumption?
Two studies illuminate the benefits of reducing sodium in high and normal blood pressure patients, ultimately preventing cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke.
The first was a meta-analysis that evaluated data from 34 randomized clinical trials, totaling more than 3,200 participants. It demonstrated that salt reduction from 9-to-12 grams per day to 5-to-6 grams per day had a dramatic effect. Blood pressure in both normotensive and hypertensive participants was reduced by a significant mean of −4.18 mm Hg systolic (top number) and −2.06 mm Hg diastolic (bottom number) (6).
When looking solely at hypertensive patients, the reduction was even greater, with a systolic blood pressure reduction of −5.39 mm Hg and a diastolic reduction of −2.82 mm Hg.
The researchers believe that the more we reduce salt intake, the greater the blood pressure reduction. The authors recommend further reduction to 3 grams per day as a long-term target and hypothesize that the effects on blood pressure will most likely result in a decrease in cardiovascular disease.
In the second study, a meta-analysis of 42 clinical trials including both adults and children, there was a similarly significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures (7). Both demographics experienced a blood pressure reduction, although the effect was greater in adults. Interestingly, an increase in sodium caused a 24 percent increased risk of stroke incidence but, more importantly, a 63 percent increased risk of stroke mortality. The risk of mortality from heart disease increased by 32 percent alongside an increase in sodium.
Isn’t too little sodium a risk?
Some experts warn that sodium levels that are too low can be a problem. While this is true, it’s very rare, unless you have a health condition or take medication that depletes sodium. Since sodium is hiding everywhere, even if you don’t add salt to your food, you’re probably consuming more than the recommended amount of sodium.
Why focus on potassium consumption?
In a meta-analysis involving 32 studies, results showed that as the amount of potassium was increased, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (8). When high blood pressure patients consumed foods containing 3.5 to 4.7 grams of potassium, they experienced an impressive −7.16 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure. Anything more than this amount of potassium did not provide additional benefit. Increased potassium intake also reduced stroke risk by 24 percent.
Blood pressure reduction was greater with increased potassium consumption than with sodium restriction, although this was not a head-to-head comparison. The good news is that it’s easy to increase your potassium intake; it’s found in many whole foods and is richest in fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes.
So, what’s the bottom line? Decrease your sodium intake and increase your potassium intake from foods to strike a better sodium-to-potassium balance. As you reduce your sodium intake, give yourself a brief period to adapt; it takes about six weeks to retrain your taste buds.
References:
(1) Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2019 Mar. (2) fda.gov. (3) nih.gov. (4) Arch Intern Med. 2011;171(13):1183-1191. (5) N Engl J Med 2022;386:252-263. (6) BMJ. 2013 Apr 3;346:f1325. (7) BMJ. 2013 Apr 3;346:f1326. (8) BMJ. 2013; 346:f1378.
Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.
A multivehicle crash involving a Suffolk County police vehicle on May 16 in Farmingville left four people injured, according to a press release.
Responding to a call with its lights and sirens activated, a police vehicle was traveling westbound on Horseblock Road in Farmingville, when a vehicle attempted to turn right at the intersection of Old Medford Avenue and the vehicles crashed on May 16 at 5:08 p.m. The civilian vehicle then crashed into a pole and another vehicle. Debris from the crash struck a fourth vehicle, shattering a window and damaging the hood.
Drivers of all four vehicles were transported to local hospitals for treatment of injuries. Their identities were not released.
Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a two-vehicle crash that critically
injured a teen in Mastic Beach on May 18.
John Dolezal was driving a 2013 Hyundai southbound on West Riviera Drive when the vehicle struck an
eastbound 2014 Toyota at the intersection of Neighborhood Road at 1:42 a.m. The Hyundai then struck
a tree.
Robert Ball, 18, of Mastic Beach, who was in the rear seat of the Hyundai, was transported to Stony
Brook University Hospital in critical condition. The driver of the Toyota, Cruz Hernandez, 25, of Mastic Beach, who was alone in his vehicle, was treated at and released from a local hospital. Dolezal, 19, of Mastic Beach, and Coby Huggins, 16, of Mastic Beach, the front seat passenger in the Hyundai, were treated for minor injuries.
Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-
8752.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who used a stolen credit card at several stores in May.
A man reported his wallet was stolen from a locker at Gold’s Gym, located at 1 Larkfield Road in East Northport, on the morning of May 10. Later that day, an unknown man used the credit card at several locations, including at Home Depot in Huntington Station.
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.
Jillian Scully, state record-holder in discus. Photo courtesy Debbie Scully
ByDaniel Dunaief
Goal set. Goal accomplished.
Miller Place High School senior and track star Jillian Scully wanted to set a new record in the discus in her final season.
She accomplished her goal this past weekend at the Glenn D. Loucks Memorial Games in White Plains, breaking the 33-year old state record by over two feet when she threw the discus 174 feet, 2 inches away.
At the same time, Scully, 18, now owns the furthest throw by a high school girl in the country.
“I read 174, turned around, looked at my friends, said, ‘I broke the state record,’ jumped around a little bit, had our fun, took a couple of pictures, went home and made myself some cupcakes,” said the typically understated Scully.
Scully also won the MVP award for the tournament, which reflects both on her remarkable throw and on her willingness to help tournament officials and other competitors.
Scully helped the referees retrieve the discuses and the shot put, a competition she also won on Friday, for other competitors.
An official told her that “you’re not only a good athlete, you’re a good person. This trophy is for special people like you,” Scully said.
After her record setting throw, Scully learned that NASF Nike wanted to provide her with merchandise and funding to support her when she goes to the sneaker and apparel sponsored event in Oregon.
“I’m very excited” about the support, as it is “my first offer of anything,” she said.
Jillian Scully, state record-holder in discus. Photo courtesy Debbie Scully
Scully’s father James shed a few tears when his daughter broke the record.
“It was pretty amazing, to be a parent watching it,” he said. “She’s pretty determined to do what she wants to do. She had it in her head.”
Indeed, Scully said his daughter has been itching to break the record for a while.
“We knew it was coming,” said Jillian’s mother Despina “Debbie” Scully. “She was throwing 170 in practice. We were waiting with bated breath.”
Jillian’s mother was so excited for her daughter that the family “couldn’t form sentences. It didn’t really settle in until we got home.”
That night, Scully returned home and baked the confetti cupcakes she had been saving for the day she claimed the state record.
The weekend wasn’t complete without Scully heading to a field and working with another athlete.
The day after the games, a discus thrower from Mount Sinai reached out to Scully to ask if she’d train with him.
She got up at 8 am, throwing with him for over two hours.
“She loves helping people,” her mother said.
A sunny day, some early fouls
Like many other Saturdays when she has competitions, Scully and her family woke up in a hotel on the day of the record-breaking throw and had an early breakfast.
She arrived at the meet early to watch her teammate compete in the pole vault. She then stood by the track and watched the boys’ discus throw.
One of the competitors threw a personal best, which gave Scully the sense that the conditions might be ripe for her and others.
“A bunch of people” had a personal record, said Scully. “People were up and happy.”
It didn’t hurt that the sun, which was hidden behind rain clouds during the previous day’s soggy shot put competition, was out.
She had a feeling Saturday would be the day for her to reach her goal.
In the preliminary rounds, Scully fouled on her first two throws. She walked over to her parents and told them she wasn’t even going to spin in the circle, minimizing the chance that she’d foul. She knew she’d throw far enough to make it to the next round.
Even without a spin, her deliberate throw was 145 feet, which was further than the second place finisher for the day.
In the finals, her clean throw not only put her in the record books for the state, but also has her ranked 81 in the country, including college students and Olympic athletes. This is the first time Scully has cracked the top 100.
After her record, she reached out to several coaches and to her brother Jimmy, who is a police officer in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Bill Hiney, Sully’s personal coach, sent her an image of an Olympic medal.
Hiney, the Assistant Track and Field Coach during the winter and spring seasons for Southold High School, attributed the record to the work she’s put in, to her passion and dedication to the sport, and to her athletic frame.
“I’ve been doing this for 36 years,” said Hiney. “Jillian is just on another planet.”
Ready for more
While Scully is pleased that she met one of her goals, she sees room for improvement in her form.
If she has her way, her current record may not stand for 33 days, as she hopes to use her 6 foot, 1 and 3/4 inch height, to reach or exceed 180 feet.
“I could fix some of the things I messed up,” she said about her throwing technique.
Hiney, who watched a video of her performance, said she didn’t drive all the way through the throw.
“Her right hip was prematurely stopped, when she could have continued putting more energy into the throw,” Hiney said. He believes it won’t be long before she sets another record.
Scully, who is committed to attending LSU in the fall, plans to compete in six more meets before she graduates, including counties, states, state qualifiers and nationals.
Still, even as she looks to build on this throw, Scully has learned to savor and enjoy the moment.
“I try to acknowledge the fact that I accomplished a goal before I start setting the next one,” she said. “I have a tendency to jump from one goal to the next, with nothing in the middle.”
Scully’s current and future achievements are a product of consistent hard work and sacrifice.
Practicing on a field she makes sure is clear in the landing zone of onlookers drawn to the sports of discus and shot put, Scully works on her form over and over again, videotaping as many as 80 throws in a day and critiquing her form.
All the work means that she “misses out on a lot of things,” said Debbie Scully, which includes the athletic awards dinner at school, the last day of school, and the senior class trip, to name a few.
“This is her passion and this is what she wants,” her mother said.
Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed two
people in Manorville on May 17.
A 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt was traveling eastbound on the Long Island Expressway, near Exit 70, when it
left the roadway, crashed into the woods, and caught fire at approximately 10:05 p.m.
The driver was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet
been confirmed by police. A passenger was found dead in the vehicle after the fire was extinguished.
Their identity is pending confirmation by personnel from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical
Examiner.
Detectives are asking anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact the Seventh Squad at 631-852-
8752.
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza, who turns 100 on June 19, was celebrated by her Smithtown Central School District colleagues for her upcoming milestone birthday. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD
Hella Rezza loves to knit and crochet. She loves it so much that she has taught the skill to thousands of yearning learners for more than 25 years in Smithtown. So it was only fitting that her adult students celebrate her upcoming 100th birthday with a surprise party before her adult ed class at the Smithtown administration building on May 12. She turns 100 on June 19.
Smithtown Central School District Superintendent, Dr. Mark Secaur shared a letter with Rezza congratulating her accomplishments. The letter read in part, “Your hands have crafted far more than scarves and sweaters….Through your lessons, we’ve learned to slow down, to create with purpose, and to find joy in the quiet rhythm of our craft…you have made a lasting difference in the lives of so many.”
Rezza emigrated to the United States from Germany more than 70 years ago. She settled on Long Island and began teaching knitting and crocheting classes at Sears Roebuck Department Store in 1969. Since then, Rezza has taught the adult education class in seven school districts and at a community center throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
For her efforts, Rezza received a proclamation from Suffolk County Executive, Ed Romaine, and Town of Smithtown Supervisor, Ed Werheim.
This Mother’s Day, locals reflected on therole their mothers have played in their lives; from attending sports games to dispensing unforgettable advice, these matriarchs shaped who their children are today.
TBR News Media asked community members, “What is your favorite memory with your mother?
Laurel and Dylan Gallo
Laurel and Dylan Gallo, Centereach
Laurel remembers going to Cedar Beach with her mother, people-watching and shopping together. Her son
Dylan recalled recently going to see Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats at Madison Square Garden withher, sipping margaritas together in their booth. “We got to hear all our favorite songs that we grew up listening to together, and I don’t think I’m ever gonna forget it.”
Alex Andre
Alex Andre, Hempstead
Alex’s fondest memory of his mother was going out for food together before he went to Germany for the Army.
Thomas and Flynn
Thomas and Flynn,St. James
Flynn’s favorite memory was going to Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor water park, together with his mom. His brother Thomas also shared his favorite memory: “probably the day when I was born!”
Nekki Lang
Nekki Lang, Southbury, Conn.
This former Long Islander’s favorite memory with her mother was trekking up to Vermont to visit after her mother had moved off of Long Island.
Jace Mas
Jace Mas, Port Jefferson Station
While checking people out at The Frigate, Jace shared his favorite memory: coming off the mat at his wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu matches and seeing his mom cheering him on.
Mashal Siddiqui
Mashal Siddiqui, Centereach
Mashal recalled going to the beach as a family when her brothers were young. She said the time she spent with her family then was her favorite memory with her mother.
Ryan
Ryan,Mount Sinai
Ryan’s absolute favorite memory with his mom was going to Universal Studios with her. His sister’s favorite memory is a secret.
Jack and Shannon Chant
Jake andShannon Chant,Middle Island
Shannon’s favorite memory with her mother is going on vacation with her and getting one-on-one time together. Her son Jake’s favorite memory, similarly, is visiting the beaches of Nantucket with her.
Port Jefferson High School. File photo by Elana Glowatz
By Sabrina Artusa
Two incumbents and one newcomer are vying for two seats on the Port Jefferson Board of Education. Ellen Boehm, current president, Randi DeWitt, current board member and challenger Jennie Berges attended a PTA-sponsored event to project their positions on district issues.
Berges, a mom of three and the only candidate with children currently in the district, is a mental health counselor who is running to “be a voice” for parents and teachers who want to feel connected to the administration.
Dewitt is a first-grade teacher of 26 years in another district and a lifelong Port Jefferson resident and attended the Port Jefferson School District herself before raising two children who graduated the district. “My platform is to continue to advocate for our students and to continue our district’s reputation for academic excellence,” she said. Her current term as a board member expires this year.
Boehm, current president of the BOE, also graduated from the district and had children who did as well. She has been on the board since 2012 and took on the role of president five years ago.
All three candidates acknowledge diminishing enrollment as an issue, although it is a trend that most schools have experienced post-COVID, according to data from the New York StateEducation Department. Already a small district, the candidates spoke of how it factors in to board decisions.
Berges said it is a draw that the board could potentially build off of the “smaller community feel” and intimate class sizes could be attractive to many families, as they were for hers. “Declining enrollment is a challenge,” she said. “Having a small school shouldn’t be. I think there are ways to work with what we have to work within the integrity of that.”
The district is responding to the trend. Superintendent Jessica Schmettan said that there are fewer classes for certain grades. Programs are continuing strong, and even expanding in some areas such as full-day prekindergarten and a breakfast program.
Addressing taxes, Boehm said she applauds administrators for keeping taxes lower than neighboring districts, but that residents on fixed income, including herself, are “feeling the strain.”
“I think it is really important that as a board and a district…that they stand behind the students and evaluate what is best for the students of Port Jeff. My hope is that it keeps programs intact. Does it mean that every teacher will be here forever? I don’t know.”
2025-2026 budget
The board held their last public hearing on the $49,406,575 budget on May 13 – a 2.89% increase from last years’ budget with a $741,969 increase in the tax levy from last years’ $39,396,316. The district lost around $111,000 in state aid.
The district continues to tackle costs amid the $16.5 million Child Victims Act settlement, which Schmettan said will have no effect on programing or quality of education to the students. WIth $5.1 million already paid, the district is under a one-year borrowing contract with Oppenheimer & Co for the remaining cost while they pursue potential solutions with the state. Around $400,000 from the undesignated reserve will be expended in the 2025-2026 school year to cover the interest.
Now confronted with expenses that were previously shouldered by LIPA’s tax payments, Dewitt and Boehm said they explored the possibility of redefining the district lines, thus including more homes in their area and bringing in more revenue and students, but were unable to appeal to neighboring districts.
On May 20 voters will also weigh in on a proposition pertaining to the renovation of the HVAC system, described as old and “inefficient” by Deputy Superintendent Sean Leister. “The pipes throughout the building are literally crumbling in our hands, he said. “I spent between $165,000 and $200,000 in repairs this year alone.”
The board would like to use up to $3.2 million in capital reserves designated for upgrades and renovations to aid in financing the new system. Leister said that if the system isn’t repaired, the heat could reach unsafe levels by state standards and require the students to be sent home. Currently, they have to choose which rooms to air condition, he added.
Voting will take place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 20 in the Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Cafeteria.
