The Stony Brook women’s basketball team fell to Monmouth, 63-56, on March 2 at home. Breauna Ware notched a game-high 23 points and team-best eight rebounds for the Seawolves.
Along with a dominant performance from Ware, Zaida Gonzalez added 16 points and three steals as Shamarla King helped out with nine points and six rebounds.
The Stony Brook defense caused its share of mistakes in Sunday’s game, forcing 13 Monmouth turnovers. On the glass, the squad pulled down 29 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Stony Brook kept it close in the first quarter, only trailing by one through the opening frame.
The Seawolves then outscored the Hawks 15-14 in the second quarter, to bring the game even at 25. Ware, Gonzalez, and King accounted for Stony Brook’s buckets.
The contest remained level after halftime before Stony Brook went on a last second 6-0 run with a pair of treys from King and Ware. Stony Brook knocked down six three-pointers in the quarter to score 18 of its 22 total points to take a 47-41 lead into the fourth.
Monmouth then erased the lead, outscoring the Seawolves 22 to 9 for a 63-56 comeback win as Stony Brook lost their fifth straight.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
Next up, the team will head to Hofstra for the Battle of Long Island on March 6. This will be the 17th all-time meeting between the Seawolves and Pride in program history, the second time this season. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. with coverage available on MSG Networks and FloCollege.
It could be a text from a co-worker, addressing you by name and asking for a favor: Could you please go pick up a gift card for them? They will pay you back. It is urgent, the unknown sender will tell you, using the name of a trusted friend, boss or co-worker.
Using information online, “smishing” scams, a play on the acronyn SMS and the word “phishing”, can exploit existing workplace relationships and take advantage of the anonymity afforded by technology to potentially scam you out of hundreds of dollars.
Scammers targeting workplace relationships attempt to take advantage of a person’s sense of occupational duty and responsibility to coerce them into making decisions they otherwise would have been skeptical of. For instance, an employee here at TBR News Media recently got a suspicious text, ostensibly from a coworker who works remotely. The text was urgent — the coworker was in a meeting and couldn’t talk on the phone, but needed, for some reason, a gift card.
This type of request is odd, but under the right circumstances, it is tempting to ignore the alarm bells ringing in our head and to simply comply. It is natural to want to be helpful, especially in work-matters and the texts, hectic, confusing and vague, puts pressure on the receiver to assent.
This type of smishing scam preys especially on new employees—they are unfamiliar with the customs of the company and more likely to excuse bizarre behavior, they may be hesitant to turn down their boss or coworker as they want to make a good impression, and they don’t yet have the contact information of their coworkers, so the impersonation may not be detected immediately.
The older generation, less versed in technology, may have a harder time discerning what is a “normal” text and what is abnormal. Younger generations that grew up with technology are more adjusted to its customs and still fall prey to scammers. Older generations are at a disadvantage, making them especially vulnerable.
Luckily, there are a series of measures we can take to safeguard both our personal information and our finances.
•Do not click on any unknown links you receive from an unknown sender. The link could be corrupt.
•Do not respond.
•Verify the identity of the sender by contacting them in an alternate way.
•Delete the texts.
•Trust our instincts. If something seems strange, we should hold off on responding.
Dr. Christopher Gobler, a professor in the School of Marine and Atmosphere Sciences (SoMAS) at the State University of New York at Stony Brook’s Southampton campus, will be honored by the Sierra Club’s Long Island group for his outstanding environmental contributions at a buffet luncheon at Seatuck (in the Scully estate), 550 SouthBay Ave.,Islip on March 15 at 1 pm.
Gobler has been a professor at SoMAS since 2005. He has been Director of Academic Programs, Associate Dean of Research, and is now co-Director of the Center for Clean Water Technology (CCWT).
He has been recognized by the Sierra Club’s Long Island group as a recipient of their 2024 Outstanding Environmentalist award for educating not only the students at the University, but the public as well about the state of our waters, the need for them to be cleaned up, and how to go about it. He’s also being recognized for his work and research toward a better understand our surrounding waters.
Stony Brook University’s website says “The major research focus within his group is investigating how anthropogenic activities such as climate change, eutrophication, and the over-harvesting of fisheries alters the natural biogeochemical and/or ecological functioning of coastal ecosystems. Within this realm, major research efforts include the study of harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by multiple classes of phytoplankton in diverse ecosystems as well as the effects of coastal ocean acidification on marine life.”
The luncheon is open to the public. Contact Ann Aurelio, [email protected] by March 10th for more information or to register to attend. There is a suggested donation of $25.
About The Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s oldest volunteer directed environmental organization. It was created in 1892 in California. It now has over 700,000 members nationwide. It is nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization with three million members and supporters.
Participants on a Holi cruise that sailed out of Pier 36 in New York City last year. Photo courtesy Indu Kaur
By Sabrina Artusa
As spring brings blue skies, blooming flowers of violets and yellows and flourishing green vegetation, Indian Americans look forward to Holi — the festival of colors — which falls on the first full moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna.
Indu Kaur on a Holi cruise that sailed out of Pier 36 in New York City last year. Photo courtesy Indu Kaur
The holiday celebrates the coming of spring and the overall triumph of good, love and light over darkness and evil. On the day of the full moon, March 14 of this year, people in India play in the street, coloring each other’s faces with powder and water; children throw water balloons, sometimes at strangers, all in the good fun and light-hearted troublemaking of the holiday.
“Holi Hai” is the predominant saying, meaning It’s Holi. In India, neighborhoods celebrate the holiday, drinking, eating fried pastries and throwing colored powder. Here, on Long Island, celebrations are more intimate.
“Over in India, everybody in every neighborhood is celebrating,“ said Arvind Vora, who moved to Long Island 55 years ago at the age of 24. “There was no need to travel or make all sorts of arrangements/planning.”
When he arrived, he wrote in an email, there were hardly 10 families that celebrated in the area. By the mid-1970s, he said, he started celebrating again to bring the cheer of the holiday to the children of the family.
Indu Kaur, owner of the Curry Club at SaGhar in Port Jefferson and the Meadow Club in Port Jefferson Station, has hosted these gatherings in the past, treating friends and family to “gujiya,” a deep-fried pastry and plenty of color.
“Holi in India is an all-encompassing celebration — it’s loud, vibrant and spills onto the streets with massive crowds throwing colors, dancing to dhol beats and sharing sweets with neighbors, friends, and even strangers,” Kaur said. “While the essence of joy and color remains the same [on Long Island], the scale is usually smaller, and people are mindful of space, weather and local regulations.”
Baldeep Singh, a friend of Kaur’s, was invited to one of Kaur’s “all-out” Holi celebrations. He also lived in India for 10 years. While whole neighborhoods get involved in the celebration like a “huge party,” Singh said that he enjoyed celebrating with friends and family.
“Everyone’s in a great mood, everyone’s happy,” he said. “It is a representation of spring when flowers are in bloom. Everything is starting afresh and everyone is together having a great time. It is a lot of people really just living it up and being grateful.”
Generally, people use organic, biodegradable materials for the colors, but some people use permanent colors that won’t come off easily. Singh remembers going to work after Holi, and some people showed up with purple faces and skin sore from scrubbing, although “no one really judges you.”
Indu Kaur on a Holi cruise that sailed out of Pier 36 in New York City last year. Photo courtesy Indu Kaur
“Holi reminds us to embrace playfulness, throw colors at each other, laugh out loud, indulge in sweets, dance freely and bond with family. It’s a time to heal our souls, connect with loved ones and share pure happiness,” Kaur said.
Holi has two different mythological origins. According to one legend that is central to the celebration of Holi in Barsana and Mathura, the mischievous Krishna fell in love with Radha, a fair-skinned milk maid. Self-conscious about his darker skin, he applied colors to Radha’s face. Today, their love story is re-created in some areas of India and honored through Holi.
For larger celebrations comparable to those in India, some people travel either to New York City or even down south to Georgia.
“It would be fun if the U.S. starts recognizing Holi,” Singh said. “I could really see a lot of people just having fun.”
Non-Hindus in India celebrate the holiday as well, including Vora, who said he celebrates in the same way non-Christians celebrate Christmas.
This Holi, Kaur will dress in a white Indian outfit with a colorful scarf, known as a dupatta, Punjabi jutti shoes and silver earrings. Together with her friends and family, she will usher in the new season “dancing freely, throwing colors and indulging in sweets, bringing a rare sense of carefree happiness.”
A Column Promoting a More Earth-Friendly Lifestyle
By John L. Turner
John Turner
Like other types of plastic such as milk cartons and apple cider containers, plastic film products are everywhere and have become a ubiquitous part of the lives of shoppers and consumers. What are some examples of these products?
Examples include the plastic bag your dry cleaning garments came in, cereal bags, shrink and bubble wrap, the bag your newspaper was delivered in, zip-top food storage bags (they need to be clean), the plastic bag your bread came in as well as the plastic film that covers bulk paper products like paper towels and toilet paper.
The good news is that due to a provision in the New York State Environmental Conservation Law, many retailers, such as supermarkets and home improvement stores, are required to establish an in-store recycling program which typically involves the placement of a bin typically near the store’s entry for the placement of your plastic film products.
One good thing about plastic wrap products isthey are easy to store — I cram all the plastic film material I’ve acquired into a plastic bag until it can hold no more and bring it with me to the store for disposal in the bin. Given this law, plastic film recycling is pretty painless so if you want to reduce your contribution to plastic pollution remember to bring your plastic film bag crammed with other plastic film materials to the store so it may be recycled!
You should not put plastic film in your curbside recycling bin. The town doesn’t have the equipment to sort it from other recyclable materials.
A resident of Setauket, author John L. Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.
Tempura, a Japanese specialty, consists of pieces of seafood, vegetables, or occasionally chicken, that are lightly battered, then deep-fried to a golden color. The batter, which must be light and thin, is made of flour (traditionally wheat), eggs, and ice water.
It is believed that Portuguese Jesuits introduced this deep-frying cooking technique to the Japanese in the sixteenth century in Nagasaki. Some believe the word tempura derived from the Latin word tempora, referring to the Christian “fast days” when people couldn’t eat meat.
The deep-fried pieces of seafood or vegetables are then dipped into a sauce using a base of soy sauce with mirin (sweet rice wine) and dashi. It’s also quite common to add grated ginger or grated Japanese daikon radish into the dipping sauce. Tempura should never be greasy or heavy and is often accompanied by a dish of steamed rice, udon, or soba noodles.
Some common foods used in tempura are seafood — shrimp (tail-on), crab, scallops, and squid; and Vegetables — Bell pepper, broccoli, carrots, daikon radish, eggplant, green beans, lotus root, mushrooms, onions, pumpkin, and sweet potato.
Here are four dry white wines that will pair with a dish of hot, deep-fried tempura.
2021 Gebeshuber “Zierfandler,” Ried Modler, Gumpoldskirchen, Thermenregion, Austria. A biodynamic, single-vineyard wine. (Aged 8 months in oak barrels). Full aroma of nuts, lemon-lime, pineapple, and spices. Flavors of coconut, apple, and peach with a smoky aftertaste.
2022 Heidi Schröck & Söhne “Furmint,” Rust, Burgenland, Austria. (Aged in stainless steel and acacia barrels.) Yellow with greenish tones. Bouquet and flavor of anise, yellow apple, honeysuckle, and peach. Hints of grapefruit, chamomile, spices, and tobacco. Very dry with a citrus aftertaste.
2022 Coppo “Monteriolo” Chardonnay DOC, Piedmont, Italy. The winery has been making Chardonnay since 1984. This wine was aged for 9 months in French oak barrels. Bright straw yellow with a fresh bouquet and flavor of apple, pear, lemon, butter, and vanilla with hints of pineapple, chamomile, and toast. Very complex wine with an aftertaste of tangerine. It reminds me of a well-made premier cru Chablis.
2022 Te Mata “Chardonnay,” Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. (100% Chardonnay). Aged for a short time in oak barrels.) Bright yellow with a medium-full bouquet and flavor of peach, citrus, buttered toast, and tropical fruit. Hints of melon, macadamia nuts, and vanilla, with a touch of salinity. Smooth finish and a long aftertaste of grilled pineapple.
Other wines that pair with tempura are Albariño, Catarratto, and sparkling wines (brut), along with Junmai sake (chilled), and cold beer.
Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He consults and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR [email protected].
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on Feb. 28 that James Carr, 35, of Lake Grove, was found guilty after a jury trial of assault and drug possession charges, for the near-fatal overdose of his infant child. Co-defendant Robert Mauro, 33, of Miller Place, previously pleaded guilty to numerous crimes related to the fatal overdose of a 33-year-old adult female in January 2024.
“My office is determined and dedicated to fight the fentanyl crisis, and this conviction represents another step in the right direction,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This is the first time in New York that fentanyl has been deemed a dangerous instrument. We will continue our commitment to hold drug dealers accountable for selling this poison. My office will continue to fight to make sure we keep our children safe from fentanyl, and we will continue to seek justice for all victims of the fentanyl crisis.”
The evidence at Carr’s trial, and Mauro’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution, established that on January 13, 2024, members of the Suffolk County Police Department and the Ronkonkoma Fire Department responded to a 911 call reporting a non-responsive infant on Colmar Avenue in Lake Grove.
When they arrived, “John Doe,” an 11-month-old infant, had turned blue, his eyes were rolled toward the back of his head, and he was having extreme difficulty breathing.
Due to his serious condition, the ambulance that was transporting the boy to the hospital had to pull over during the transit so a MedCat Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) could board the ambulance to provide additional lifesaving care to the infant. The child had stopped breathing for an extended period of time on the way to Stony Brook University Hospital and had been unresponsive for approximately 40 minutes. The medics inside the ambulance determined that the symptoms the child was exhibiting were from opiate poisoning. They quickly acted and provided the baby with a quantity of Narcan in each nostril. Five minutes after the administration of Narcan, he took a full breath on his own and began to cry.
Once at the hospital, the 11-month-old child was diagnosed with acute fentanyl poisoning, hypoxia, and respiratory failure and required additional doses of Narcan in the Pediatric Emergency Room. After his admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the infant was placed on a Narcan drip in order to prevent recurrent respiratory failure due to the opioid poisoning. James Carr, the child’s father, was arrested on the same day.
A search of the Lake Grove residence was conducted by the Suffolk County Police Department, and investigators recovered a straw containing cocaine, 4-ANPP (a precursor to fentanyl), heroin, and fentanyl residue, a digital scale containing cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl residue, and a plastic bag containing cocaine residue.
A review of phone data recovered from Carr’s phone revealed that on January 4, 2024, and January 5, 2024, he was in contact with Mauro where they discussed a sale of narcotics where Mauro offered to sell narcotics to Carr. Mauro knew that the narcotics that he intended to sell Carr had caused an overdose previously and advertised the drugs to Carr as an “oz of fire that some kid od’d off of.” Over the next few days, Carr actively sought out the drugs from Mauro. On January 9, 2024, Mauro sold the drug to Carr, just four days before the infant ingested a near-fatal dose of fentanyl.
On January 29, 2024, while Suffolk County Police Department Fourth Squad detectives were conducting their investigation into Carr and Mauro, Homicide Squad detectives responded to a fatal overdose that occurred at a home in Patchogue. At that location, law enforcement recovered from the scene the 31-year-old victim’s1 cell phone, and a quantity of fentanyl/4-ANPP.
A review of the victim’s phone data showed that she too had purchased narcotics from Mauro. This sale occurred on January 28, 2024. A further review of the data showed that on January 26, 2024, the victim texted Mauro that she had not used heroin in over a year and was concerned about the substance she was going to buy.
She texted, “I’m not trying to drop dead,” and asked, “is it really strong? Should I be concerned?” Mauro responded that “lol u will b fine” and that he would sell her a “non-fenty” mix, meaning narcotics without any fentanyl. That same day Mauro told an unidentified purchaser that his product was so strong that it put him “out” for a couple of hours.
An autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that the female victim’s cause of death was acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, fluro fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, methoxyacytal fentanyl, xylazine, and buprenorphine.
Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative, commonly used by veterinarians to tranquilize large livestock, and is increasingly used by drug dealers as a “cutting agent” to increase their profits on their sale of drugs. Despite legislative efforts championed by District Attorney Tierney, Xylazine is still currently legal to possess and sell in New York State.
On February 20, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Mauro’s home in Miller Place. During the execution of the warrant, Mauro attempted to destroy evidence by throwing a digital scale and a quantity of fentanyl/4-ANPP out of his bedroom window into the snow, but those items were recovered by law enforcement, as well as suboxone pills and Mauro’s cellphone.
A review of the digital evidence recovered from Mauro’s phone showed that he was aware of how deadly his narcotics were. He told one contact that he was afraid to use it alone, texting, “I have Narcan but I’m alone so I gotta wait and see wut these kids say.” On January 26, 2024, the same day he reassured the victim before her fatal overdose, he had a separate conversation with an unidentified purchaser where Mauro mentioned how potent the drug was after he tried it.
On October 17, 2024, Mauro pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, a Class B felony, before County Court Judge Philip Goglas.
On January 28, 2025, Mauro was sentenced to five to fifteen years in prison, which is the maximum sentence allowable under the law, and which will be followed by a period of two years post-release supervision once he is released. He was represented by Matthew Tuohy, Esq.
On February 27, 2025, Carr was found guilty of one count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor, after a jury trial heard before Judge Goglas.
Following the verdict, Carr was remanded into custody. He is due back in court for sentencing on March 31, 2025, and faces up to two to seven years in prison. He is being represented by John Campo Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Danielle Davis and Daniel Fischer of the Narcotics Bureau.
Suffolk County Police Seventh Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a bicyclist in Sound Beach on Feb. 28.
Patrick Kuhnel was driving a 2025 Subaru southbound on Echo Avenue, at New York Avenue, when a northbound bicyclist struck the vehicle, at 6:54 p.m. The bicyclist, James Murrin, 61, of Sound Beach, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Kuhnel, 61, of Sound Beach, was not injured.
The vehicle was impounded for a safety check. Anyone with information is asked to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752.
Thomas Jesaitis proudly standing with his field of corn. Photo courtesy Bev Tyler’s collection
By Beverly C. Tyler
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and particularly to the present government of Russia of whom I have heretofore been a subject; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”Naturalization oath taken by Thomas Jesaitis on May 24, 1919.
Al and his wife Doris Jesaitis in front of their East Setauket home. 1986 photo by Bev Tyler
Alphonse (Al) Jesaitis remembered fondly his parent’s story of their immigration to America in 1904. “He (Thomas Jesaitis) married my mother (Olga)…a Finn.She was at Helsinki and she was a dressmaker. He started to travel to the United States. They went to Germany, then from Germany to Scotland and that’s where Ann (Al’s sister) was born. Then from there they went to Brooklyn.They had to go on a boat and they come on steerage.They didn’t have much money.”
After Thomas arrived in New York in 1904, he went to work as a stevedore on the docks. Ann Hilliard, Thomas’ daughter recalled. “Father came over first.He got a room and when we came here we slept on the floor.” Thomas and Olga Jesaitis’ next three children, Alfonse, Thomas and Olga, were born in Brooklyn between 1905 and 1908.The last two, Val and Anthony, were born in Setauket.
Al Jesaitis remembered those years. “They decided to come to Setauket. Of course, they were talking to some people—to a lot of Lithuanians and Polish and, of course, then they thought they could come out here. He got a job as a groundsman with Tinker (Poquott)… So he worked there for a while and then when Tinker died…he went to the shipyard (in Port Jefferson) because that was the time that they were paying a pretty good salary…That was during World War I. So he worked there for quite a while and he used to get a part-time job at noon time to oil the booms – the top of the booms – the thing that swings around. After he did it for a while he said ‘Gee, I got too big a family, I might fall out and get killed.’So he quit. But he didn’t quit his regular job.
“We bought a place up at Barker’s farm on the end of Old Post Road [now Old Post and Canterbury Blvd.]. When we were there for a while, the main thing he was interested in was becoming a citizen of the United States. So Mrs. Bartow took him to Riverhead in a Model T Ford to get his first papers. Of course to get the second papers and finally become a citizen you had to wait three years…That automatically made my mother a citizen…When he came home he was happy ‘cause he made the first step. So he went out in the woods and he cut a big hickory tree – nice slim tree – trimmed it all up and he said, ‘this is gonna be our flag pole when we become a citizen.’
Al Jesaitis in his fireman’s rig. Photo courtesy Bev Tyler’s collection
“So three years later [on May 24, 1919], Mrs. Bartow took him back, he got his papers and he came back and he was happy, and up went the flag. And when the flag went up, course all the kids went out. And then my sister Ann, she took an enamel dish pan and a big wood spoon – you oughta see that dish pan after she got through – banging, banging, banging, you know. Then we were singing and I forget just what the song was, whether it was ‘My Country T’is of Thee’ or whatever it was, but we all sang it. That was the happy day. That’s why it’s so important about having the flag up there cause it means something to me to have a flag – we always have a flag up.”
Al Jesaitis joined the Setauket Fire Department at the age of 18, eventually serving as chief from 1952-54. During those years Jesaitis started firefighter training. He served in the Navy during WWII and learned how the Navy fought ship fires. He also served as a Setauket school board member. During that time Ward Melville asked him to review properties for new schools. “In only one case did I disagree with Mr. Melville,” he said. “There was this moonshiner set up where the Nassakaeg school was to be built. We didn’t know who they were and I was afraid they would stay in the woods around the school. Of course we went ahead with the school. Charlie [Bickford] and I took the empty moonshine barrels to Randall’s, cut them in half and made planters out of them.” After Setauket’s merger with the Stony Brook School District, Jesaitis left the board to become Three Village School District Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds.
Jesaitis had a soft, wry sense of humor, and together with his best friend, Charlie Bickford, he could tell amusing and believable stories about the people in Setauket. Jesaitis was asked once about what was done with the chamber pot that was kept under the bed to use on cold nights when going to the outhouse was the last thing on people’s minds. “Well”, he said, “we’d just leave it until morning, it froze, of course. Then we’d take it down to the kitchen and put it on the stove to thaw.”He made it sound so logical that the story was never questioned. Jesaitis and Bickford got a good chuckle out of that.
Al Jesaitisdied on Oct. 1, 1992.He was the proud son of immigrant parents who, along with hundreds of thousands of others, came to America to find a better life and in turn made life better for all of us.
Beverly Tyler is Three Village Historical Society historian and author of books available from the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Rd., Setauket, NY 11733. Tel: 631-751-3730, www.TVHS.org
The month of March has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in March 1925.
• A military committee in France concludes that Germany committed gross violations of the Treaty of Versailles on March 1. The committee, led by Marshal Ferdinand Foch, accuses Germany of violating provisions related to the disarmament of its military.
• Huff Daland Dusters Inc., is founded in Macon, Georgia, on March 2. The company, which began as a drop dusting firm formed to combat a boll weevil infestation of cotton crops, would be sold near the end of 1928, at which time it is renamed Delta Air Service.
• The United States Congress authorizes the Mount Rushmore Memorial Commission on March 3. The initial design for Mount Rushmore initially featured each president depicted from head to waist. But funding for the sculpture dried up in 1941, so only President George Washington’s sculpture features any details below chin level.
• The second inauguration of United States President Calvin Coolidge takes place on March 4. It is the first inauguration to be nationally broadcast on radio.
• Alan Rowe opens the chamber of the tomb of Hetepheres I on March 8 in Egypt. Rowe, who was serving as deputy director of the Harvard-Boston Expedition, is the first person in 4,500 years to open the chamber.
• The state of Bavaria in Germany bans Adolf Hitler from speaking in public for two years on March 9. The ban limits Hitler to speaking only in private, closed meetings.
• Greek football club Olympiacos F.C. is founded in Piraeus on March 10. Olympiacos is now the most successful club in Greek football history, with 47 league titles to its credit.
• Cuba and the United States sign the Hay-Quesada Treaty on March 13. The treaty recognizes that the Isla de Pinos, now known as the Isla de la Juventud, is the territory of Cuba.
• Walter Camp passes away in New York City on March 14 at the age of 65. Camp, a college football coach considered the “Father of American Football,” created the sport’s system of downs and the line of scrimmage.
• An estimated 5,000 people are killed when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake strikes the Chinese province of Yunnan on March 16.
• Edvard Benes of Czechoslovakia proposes a “United States of Europe” on March 17. The proposal is an attempt to secure peace in Europe and includes a western bloc featuring nations including England and France, and an eastern bloc made up of countries including Poland and Austria.
• The Breakers, a luxury hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, burns down on March 18. The cause of the fire is later traced to the wife of Chicago mayor William Hale Thompson, who left an electric curling iron plugged in.
• On March 19, Martha Wise confesses to poisoning 17 members of her family. Wise was connected to the crimes by Medina County, Ohio, sheriff Fred Roshon, who had discovered a day earlier that she had recently purchased a sizable quantity of arsenic from a drug store.
• Clifton R. Wharton begins his diplomatic career on March 20. Wharton would become the first African American admitted to the United States Foreign Service and the first black U.S. envoy to Romania and the first black U.S. ambassador to Norway.
• The Butler Act takes effect in Tennessee on March 21. The act prohibits school teachers from denying the Biblical account of the origins of humanity and remains on the books until 1967.
• The Tokyo Broadcasting Station transmits the first radio broadcast in Japan on March 22. The first broadcast includes a recording of the Beethoven opera “Fidelio.”
• Scottish inventor John Logie Baird publicly demonstrates the transmission of moving silhouette pictures at a London department store on March 25. A contemporary report in Nature magazine characterizes Baird’s design as “television.”
• Fascists and Communists engage in a fistfight within the Italian Chamber of Deputies on March 26. The fisticuffs break out on the day Benito Mussolini returns to the Chamber for the first time in more than a month.
• The Philadelphia Daily News begins publication as a tabloid morning newspaper on March 31.
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