Yearly Archives: 2025

Summer is the perfect time to read a book and who better to ask for suggestions than our local librarians? From love stories to thrillers and everything in between, these newly released books are the top picks to add to your list. A special thanks to all of the libraries that participated in our survey.

For Adults

Atmosphere: A Love Story 

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

“From the bestselling author of Daisy Jones & the Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, comes this engrossing tale to kick off the summer.  Following female astronauts in the 1980s, her characters wrestle with sexism, identity, and forbidden romance in the fast-paced world of the space program.  If you enjoy stories with both action and emotional depth you can’t go wrong adding this to your TBR list!”

— Christine Parker-Morales, Adult Services Librarian, Comsewogue Public Library

The Tenant 

by Freida McFadden

“McFadden’s books are perfect beach reads if you like a thriller with a twist. The Tenant is the best selling author’s latest book that is sure to have you on the edge of your seat.”

— Erin Schaarschmidt, Head of Adult Services at Port Jefferson Free Library

Not Quite Dead Yet 

by Holly Jackson 

“Holly Jackson’s adult debut is a twisty thriller where a woman has to solve her own murder.” 

— Elizabeth M., Librarian, Middle Country Public Library 

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

“[This book] is a whirlwind of fun. It’s entertaining, smart and funny. The perfect summer read.”

— Rallyn Tucker, Adult Reference Librarian, Emma Clark Library

One Italian Summer 

by Rebecca Serle

“This novel blends grief, self-discovery, and magical realism in the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Katy, devastated by the death of her mother and best friend, Carol, embarks alone on a trip they had planned to take together to Positano, Italy. It is there that Katy meets her mother — not as she knew her, but as a vibrant 30-year-old woman. This reunion forces Katy to see her mother in a new light and reevaluate the course of her own life.  It is a moving novel that lets you reflect on love, family, and finding oneself after loss.”

— Amanda Lentino, Adult Reference Coordinator, The Smithtown Library

For Teens/Tweens

Honeysuckle and Bone 

by Trisha Tobias 

“[This book] is a modern gothic thriller, reminiscent of the classic novella, “The Turn of the Screw,” crossed with modern YA mystery tropes. It’s set in a lushly detailed environment that screams for a film adaptation. This new YA book is not to miss!”

  Emily Ostrander, Head Librarian of the Teen & Tween Services Department, Emma Clark Library

Sunrise on the Reaping 

by Suzanne Collins

Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. 

  Kristine T., Librarian, Middle Country Public Library

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King 

by Harry Trevaldwyn 

— Sal Filosa, Head of Teen and Technical Services at Port Jefferson Free Library

After Life 

by Gayle Forman 

[This book] is an emotional and thought-provoking story that explores grief, identity, and the importance of second chances. The characters feel relatable, making it easy to connect with their struggles and growth. The book’s heartfelt message and compelling storytelling make it hard to put down.  

— Colleen Navins, Teen Services Coordinator, The Smithtown Library

For Children

Cincinnati Lee, Curse Breaker

by Heidi Heilig

“Children will love reading this book for its fast-paced adventure, clever twists, and a hero they can root for. With a mysterious curse to unravel, magical secrets around every corner, and the excitement of travel and exploration without ever leaving home, it’s the perfect page-turner to spark imaginations. Young readers will be hooked from the first chapter!”

— Marcela Lenihan, Children’s Librarian, Emma Clark Library

Other recommendations include:

“Sylvia Doe and the 100-Year Flood” by Robert Beatty (8-12 Years) — Kimberly Manise, Head of Children’s Services, Port Jefferson Free Library

“Don’t Trust Fish” by Neil Sharpson (3-6 year-olds) — Cassidy O., Middle Country Public Library

“Will the Pigeon Graduate?” by Mo Willems — Maggie Moloney, Children’s Services Coordinator, The Smithtown Library

“Swimming into Trouble” by Angela Ahn (1st through 3rd grades) — By Tracy L., Librarian, Middle Country Public Library

“Will the Pigeon Graduate?” by Mo Willems — Maggie Moloney, Children’s Services Coordinator, The Smithtown Library

“Monster Locker” by Jorge Augusto Aguirre (4th through 6th grades) — Kristen T., Middle Country Public Library

“Nothing Bad Happens Here” by Rachel Ekstrom-Courage — Jenny Cammarano, Library, Comsewogue Public Library

This article originally appeared in TBR News Media’s Summer Times supplement on June 19.

METRO image

TBR News Media sent a Q&A to local salutatorians and valedictorians, asking about the strategies that helped them become their school’s top performers. Here are the scholars leading Centereach High School’s Class of 2025 in the Middle Country Central School District.

Centereach High School Valedictorian Shawn Edbert

Shawn Edbert: Valedictorian

•GPA:  102.39.

•Activities: Robotics Club, Captain of the Varsity Golf Team, National Honor Society & National Technical Honor Society, French Horn. 

•Attending University of Pennsylvania

Ben Taciak: Salutatorian

•GPA: 102.0

•Activities: General Organization President (Student Body President), National Honor Society President, Environmental E-STEM Secretary, Math Team, Science Olympiad, Varsity Golf, Varsity Wrestling

•Attending SUNY Binghamton

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?

 Edbert: My biggest advice would probably be to try new things. Get involved around you and figure out what you actually want to do. From there, you can weed out the activities you don’t like and really put all your effort and talents into the things you enjoy. Another tip is don’t do extracurricular activities just to have them. Do them because you actually enjoy what they offer whether it be a sport, club, etc.

 Taciak: I would recommend that freshmen get as involved as they can in whatever activities the school offers. They should try things outside of their comfort zone to find their passions, then ceaselessly work to further pursue those passions throughout the rest of their high school career.

Centereach High School Salutatorian Ben Taciak

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?

 Edbert: I like to plan out the work I need to do each day so I don’t have an entire worksheet or assignment to do at the end of the week. I also prioritized having a good work-life balance. I always find it hard to just grind out school work without giving myself some fun in between. Hanging out with friends, watching a movie or show were both ways I enjoyed some time outside the classroom. Getting sleep at night was also important for me. I would never do work past 9:30 p.m. to ensure I get enough sleep and can continue my days with full energy.

 Taciak: I set small goals for myself (ex: study for 15 minutes today) so I wouldn’t be daunted by the larger tasks ahead of me. This helped me stay diligently focused on my larger goals like getting into college while minimizing burnout. I also emphasized the importance of having a work/life balance, making sure I spent time with my friends instead of solely focusing on my studies.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.

 Edbert: For the majority of my studying, I actually liked listening to noise in the background. I’ve actually put on shows in the background just to get me through all of the work I need to complete. I also like to work with other people. Teaching other peers the work I am learning helps me learn the material significantly more thoroughly.

 Taciak: For me, studying has always been difficult. I was never able to focus for long periods of time using all of the famous strategies and thus, I would work inefficiently. I felt like this for years until my brother gave me a valuable piece of advice: “Not every car works best using the same oil; you can’t expect the strategies that work for others to always work for you.” This changed my perspective and taught me to seek out what made me work as best as I could. For me, this is to go to a place like a library, use noise-canceling headphones, and play white noise while taking 5-minute rest intervals every 30 minutes.

What are your goals or career aspirations?

 Edbert: I am planning to try and get a dual degree in business and engineering. I want to try and startup my own company in the future focusing on the defense segment.

 Taciak: I hope to get a dual degree in Finance and Data Science and then work in the buy side of Private Equity.

METRO image

TBR News Media sent a Q&A to local salutatorians and valedictorians, asking about the strategies that helped them become their school’s top performers. Here are the scholars leading Ward Melville High School’s Class of 2025 in the Three Village Central School District.

Oliver Wu: Valedictorian
 • GPA: 105.36
 • Activities: Kaleidoscope Newspaper (Editor), Tri-M Music Honor Society (President), Long Island Youth Development Music Club, Bluegrass Club, DECA
 • Attending Princeton University to study Public & International Affairs

Alexander Song: Salutatorian
 • GPA: 104.84
 • Activities: Ward Melville Iron Patriots, Manhattan School of Music Precollege Program, SchoolNova TA, Tri-M Music Honor Society
 • Attending UCLA to study Computer Science

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?
 Wu: The path to “success” is often circuitous. Not everything you do has to (or should) directly or immediately contribute to a goal you have. Be a good person, care for yourself and others, keep space for what you love — these things all have so much value. It shouldn’t be an expectation for you to hollow yourself out in the name of “success.”
 Song: Get enough sleep!

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?

 Wu: Nothing like Lorde’s “The Louvre” playing in the background on repeat as I stare at a question I don’t understand (yet). A lot of people say they give 110% in everything they do. I’m gonna echo Michelle Zauner’s mother and say: give 90%, always save 10% of yourself.
 Song: I pursued what I truly cared about, which gave me the motivation to keep going forward.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.
 Wu: Everyone’s saying this, but I need to repeat it: we all underestimate the extent to which our technology has wrecked our brains and destroyed our ability to think with clarity. Keep reading things you enjoy! It makes focusing when you need to study so much more manageable.
 Song: I study with my friends, I use active recall, and I create practice problems for myself.

What are your goals or career aspirations?
 Wu: Something in government or government-adjacent as a policymaker.
 Song: I’m interested in robotics and computer vision.

Citizens Commission on Erosion members and Port Jeff Mayor Lauren Sheprow (front left, leaning) examine a blueprint of the PJ Country Club on Feb. 20. Photo by Lynn Hallarman

By Lynn Hallarman

A newly-released interim report from the Port Jefferson Citizens Commission on Erosion offers a candid appraisal of mounting risks and financial pressures surrounding the East Beach Bluff Stabilization.

The report cites worsening erosion, persistent drainage challenges and the likelihood of rising construction costs as factors that could drive up the long-term expenses of Phase 2. In light of these concerns, the commission urges officials to conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis of alternative strategies before moving forward.

The planned wall of Phase 2 will be constructed seaward of the club building, which sits near the edge of East Beach Bluff on the municipally-owned Port Jefferson Country Club property. According to officials, Phase 2 construction is tentatively scheduled for the fall of this year.

Any strategy moving forward, the commission argues, should recognize that the club building — perched dangerously close to the bluff’s crest — will ultimately need to be moved in the wake of rising sea levels, increasing storms and accelerated global erosion of Long Island’s shoreline.

“The report outlines multiple pathways forward,” Village Trustee Kyle Hill said on his Facebook page. “But each underscores a shared reality — we must begin planning for a strategic retreat [of the club building].”

Overview of the project

In 2017, the village hired GEI Consultants, an engineering firm based in Huntington Station, to develop a plan designed at curbing the rapid erosion of the East Beach Bluff. In recent years, wind, surf and storms have scoured the bluff of vegetation and steadily eaten away at its edge, ultimately leading to the collapse of the club’s gazebo and a section of the tennis courts that once were set perilously close to the brink. 

Phase 1, completed in June of 2023, included the construction of a reinforced steel and cement wall at the base of the East Beach Bluff, along with a series of terraces and native vegetation planted along its slope. 

Destruction of costly Phase 1 work of the bluff face vegetation in the wake of a series of severe storms late in 2023 and early 2024 complicated the overall cost and timelines of the project. [For further information about Phase 1 see TBR News Media website, “Report finds no maintenance or repairs carried out on Port Jeff East Beach Project,” Feb. 6.]

Phase 2, includes the installation of a second wall landward of the bluff crest with the intention of preventing the building from collapsing onto the shoreline below.

The design of Phase 2 is currently being revised to address drainage issues complicating the wall build, according to GEI Consultants’ 2024 Annual Bluff Monitoring Report, submitted to the village this May.

As of yet, the village has not received the updated engineering plans, trustee Bob Juliano confirmed during a recent commission meeting. 

Port Jefferson Country Club prior to collapse of gazebo and edge of tennis courts, undated photograph. Courtesy of PJ Village website

Financial questions linger

In 2021, village trustees projected the initial cost at around $10 million for the Phase 1 and 2 wall build and bluff restoration. This figure assumes at least three decades of structural stability to justify the investment. However, these cost estimates now appear to be outdated with recent inflation spikes and unaccounted expenditure, including a large drainage project, bluff repair and long-term maintenance costs.

The commission report calls for an updated cost analysis factoring these additional projects as well as costs related to potential supply chain uncertainty and tariffs on critical construction materials such as steel. 

Phase 2 is supported in part by FEMA money. The commission expressed concern that this funding may be rescinded in the current political climate, leaving local taxpayers to make up the difference.

“The commission is concerned over the reliability of FEMA funding and whether those funds could be withdrawn,” the report states.

Despite calls for a cost analysis of all options, village officials have not yet initiated a publicly vetted fiscal plan for relocating the facility or other options — something that the commission deems a critical omission in its findings.

GEI report warns of new damage

The recently-released 2024 Bluff Monitoring Report in May, paints a mixed picture. Conducted by GEI, the monitoring period covers from February 2024 to this March.

While the lower bluff wall — reinforced with a steel bulkhead, stone armor and vegetative plantings — has held up, the upper slope is showing new signs of distress, according to the report.

Three storm events in 2024 exacerbated erosion along the western slope. Further displacement of coir logs and terracing, expansion of gully formation, vegetation destruction and signs of internal sediment movement were all documented in the report’s inspections. GEI notes that drainage remains a major vulnerability.

Recommendations include temporary seeding and erosion control matting over denuded areas of the bluff face, sand backfill in certain sections of the lower wall, repairing cracks in the lower wall, inspection and maintenance of the lower wall, replacement of the displaced coir logs and a soil boring analysis at the bluff crest to help define drainage issues.

The report emphasizes the need for permanent drainage landward of the club building and reconfiguration of the current building drainage system southward.

A drainage plan and long-term maintenance plan were not part of the initial design or cost analysis for the entire project — Phase 1 and 2 — according to the commission research on the history of the project.

CCE’s concerns

The commission reviewed the recent GEI report in detail at the June 19 meeting held at the club building. Members appreciated the comprehensive summary and visual timeline of project work but had many concerns about the recommendations.

“What is this [GEI] report trying to accomplish besides complying with the state?” one member asked. “The report should help the village identify problems but also guide the corrective action.”

Members point to vague directives without clear implementation plans, missing details in technical specifications for reconstituting bluff damage, and unexplained rationales for root causes of problems such as why the gullies formed in the first place and are now expanding. One member wants to see a priority ranking of potentially costly recommendations made in the report.

“Does it even make sense to do all these recommendations? Or are we just shoveling against the tide?” another member said.

Bluff base west of the concrete Phase 1 lower wall showing destroyed coir logs, as at March this year. Photograph from the commission’s report

The commission plans to submit questions to GEI and the village board of trustees about the report recommendations, requesting a priority list, cost estimates and a clear funding plan.

Long-term outlook

Trustee Juliano, at a recent Meet the Candidates night, said: “We don’t even know how much the next phase [Phase 2] will cost, and the loss of long-term revenue from the catering facility [that runs private events at the clubhouse] should be taken into account when weighing the monetary pros and cons.”

However, some longtime residents express frustration over the use of millions in taxpayer dollars to subsidize a building that is underutilized by the broader community, with little evidence that it generates sufficient revenue to justify the expense of the stabilization project.

Over the years, many residents say they have seen the club building evolve from a vibrant municipal community center hosting local activities to a catering hall primarily serving private events. There is currently no restaurant at the clubhouse.

“Sadly, this valuable piece of public parkland continues to be underused by our village residents,” resident Myrna Gordon said. She has repeatedly called for a reimagining of the site where the clubhouse sits, including rebuilding inland to protect the bluff and the long-term viability of a club facility as a community asset.   

The village board, under newly reelected Mayor Lauren Sheprow, appears to be moving forward with plans for Phase 2 construction to install an upper wall.

“Protecting public assets and ensuring our approach is sustainable — not just structurally, but economically and environmentally,” Sheprow said at a recent public meeting.

Residents are encouraged to review the interim commission report and the GEI Bluff Monitoring Report, which are publicly available on the village website, and to share their input with the board of trustees. To view the CCE report, visit the village website and search for “Citizens Commission on Erosion.” To view the GEI 2024 Annual Monitoring Report search for “East Beach Bluff.”

“This is a moment for long-term thinking,” Hill said. “It’s a chance not just to respond to erosion — but to reimagine how this space can better serve the entire community.”

METRO image

TBR News Media sent a Q&A to local salutatorians and valedictorians, asking about the strategies that helped them become their school’s top performers. In Smithtown Central School District, an honor speaker is chosen by the graduating class of each high school instead of prescribing to the valedictorian and salutatorian distincion. Rabia Chattha is the honor speaker for Smithtown High School East. At Hauppague High School, Sara Conquet was valedictorian and Ayaan Shah was salutatorian.

Rabia Chattha
 • GPA: 4.45
 • Activities: President of Science Olympiad, President of National Honor Society, member of multiple honor societies, Varsity Track and Cross Country Teams, Volunteer Ambulance Corps, co-founder of Game4AC
 • Attending Stony Brook University to study Biochemistry on the Pre-Med track

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?
Try everything from class to clubs, even if it isn’t your first choice, because you never know what you’ll end up liking. I’ve learned that high school is the perfect time to explore new interests and step outside your comfort zone.

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?
Rather than only focusing on one long-term goal, I set many short-term ones as stepping stones. Whether it’s aiming to get a good grade on a test coming up in a week or working toward my dream of becoming a physician, these goals keep me focused.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.
My biggest study habit that has helped me is time management. I use planners and to-do lists to stay organized. After each class, if there is an upcoming test, I rewrite all of my notes, and if I notice a flaw, I practice a lot to better my weaknesses in that subject.

What are your goals or career aspirations?
In the future, I aspire to become a physician. It has been my dream since I was young to help others through medicine and to truly make a difference in people’s lives.

—————-

Sara Conquet: Valedictorian
 • GPA: 103.23
 • Activities: Chamber Orchestra, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, English Honor Society, History Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Quiz Bowl
 • Attending Vassar College to study Neuroscience

Ayaan Shah: Salutatorian
 • GPA: 102.92
 • Activities: Science Olympiad, Quiz Bowl, Science Bowl, Coding Club, Chamber Orchestra (cello), Varsity Tennis, National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, German Honor Society, English Honor Society
 • Attending Georgia Institute of Technology to study Electrical Engineering

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?
 Conquet: Don’t just focus on grades, even when it seems like school encompasses every part of your life. Try to enjoy your classes, especially classes with content that you enjoy learning about — this may even help you figure out what you want to do after high school. Also remember that school isn’t just about schoolwork, even if most of the time it seems like it’s just about classes and grades. Remember the people — the friends, the teachers, the coaches — that motivate you to get through the day and give you reasons to smile. Thank them, spend time with them, and remind them how important they are to you.
 Shah: My best advice for freshmen would be to take in everything. It is easy to say that a certain subject or class is useless, but you never know what you are interested in if you do not stay open to learning. The second part to this is to try everything. You are at the optimal part of your life where you can learn new hobbies and build lifelong interests, and now is the time to start. Join new clubs, participate in sports, explore new subjects, and do not let any opportunity pass you by.

How did you stay motivated throughout your studies?
 Conquet: I always reminded myself of my goals and of how maintaining good grades would allow me to get into a better college and have a more successful future. I also often engaged in friendly competition with some of my peers, and trying to get grades as high as or higher than theirs helped motivate me.
 Shah: One of the most important aspects of my life that allowed me to focus on my future goals has been my parents. They always supported my academics, pushed me toward perfection, and aided me when I was unsure exactly what I wanted to do as a career.

Please share some study habits you employ that helped you maintain high grades.
 Conquet: Actively taking notes while the teacher is instructing (in lecture-type classes), taking practice tests in a quiet environment and treating them as if they were the actual test (then grading the tests and assessing my weaknesses and strengths), prioritizing subjects based on difficulty and the dates of the exams.
 Shah: One of the best study habits has been to really focus during class and take detailed notes. Even just taking your own notes on blank paper is really helpful to memorize content. Another important point is to remember everything. A school year is not very long, so you should keep everything in mind and not let anything go.

What are your goals or career aspirations?
 Conquet: I would like to eventually conduct professional scientific research and pursue a professional degree. I would like to participate in or lead significant research which could possibly benefit the lives of others and contribute to advancements in medicine and science.
 Shah: I am going to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering. I intend to particularly focus on computer hardware. As a part of this, I hope to participate in various scientific research projects to expand my knowledge and engineering skills.

METRO photo

By Fr. Francis Pizzarelli

Fr. Francis Pizzarelli

In the first week of June, I was honored to lead a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. There were 65 of us, including the HIMS and Her, a very talented music group from Hope House Ministries.

The purpose of this pilgrimage was to celebrate the jubilee year of hope. It is also Hope House Ministries’ 45th anniversary. I wanted to give thanks for the countless blessings and amazing support we have received over the past four decades, especially since we’ve never taken government grants to help sustain us.

On our third day in Rome, we went to Saint Peter’s Basilica for an audience with Pope Leo the 14th. We were among more than 150,000 other people from around the world. It was quite powerful; due to a connection that I have in Rome, we were able to sit in the front section, front row, just right of the Pope. It was amazing experience; his message was amazing; being among people from around the world was amazing.

As we were leaving, the HIMS and Her sang their anthem “Go Light Your World,” which is a song about hope.

Before we left Rome, we visited the tomb of Pope Francis. It was overwhelmingly powerful. His prophetic voice continues to inspire me to just stay the course.

On Day 6, we traveled to Assisi, which is very holy ground. We visited the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi. We saw the home where he was born and we walked in his footsteps.

Every night after a lot of walking, a lot of visiting and dinner, we had an optional meeting for people to share what touched them on that particular day. After the sharing, we’d have a traditional American sing along; singing America’s best — “Sweet Caroline-” — the Italians didn’t know what hit them.

At our last get together, I asked my co- pilgrims what was most striking about our time together. Almost everyone spoke of the powerful masses and music. However, the other striking comment was about us as a group, how strangers from all over the country came together and built community and new friendships, friendships that they believe will last forever.

As the leader, I too was profoundly touched by how a group of strangers became vulnerable brothers and sisters, friends and a community despite the polarizing times we live in.

By the time you read this column, our seniors in high school will have graduated.

A few words for the class of 2025: Don’t be blinded by those who tend to use shame, blame, guilt and religion to shackle people down and divide them. Set people free with your commitment to respect and being non-judgmental of all.

May your moral compass guide you on a path that is committed to working for peace and social justice. As Gandhi once said. “BE THE CHANGE YOU HOPE FOR.”

Congratulations class of 2025. Thank you for making the world a little bit better, a little brighter and a little more hopeful!

Father Francis Pizzarelli, SMM, LCSW-R, ACSW, DCSW, is the director of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.

METRO photo

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven will offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. Although the clinic is available to all Suffolk County residents, the quantity of vaccine is limited and available only while supplies last. All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and ferrets must be in carriers.

New York State and Suffolk County laws require that all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating pets not only provides protection for the animals but also acts as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people.

“Take the time to protect your beloved pets against rabies. They give us so much joy and love and deserve to be kept safe,” said County Executive Ed Romaine. For more information, call 631-451-6950.

Lemon Ricotta Cake

By Heidi Sutton

Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries aka fruits of the forest can all be found near perfect ripeness at grocery stores or farmer’s markets and farmstands during the warm summer months. Or pick your own at the many farms on the North Shore and use as a delicious decorative cake topping.

This lemon ricotta cake with berry topping is a delightful and refreshing dessert, perfect for any occasion. The ricotta cheese makes this brightly-flavored cake very moist. Serve small wedges of the rich cake topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit and escape to the summer oasis of your dreams.

Lemon Ricotta Cake

Recipe by Marcia Stanley

YIELD: Makes 12 servings

INGREDIENTS:  

Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups cheese, Ricotta – low-fat or whole

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup butter, unsalted

1 cup granulated sugar

3 eggs

4 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Topping

4 cups fresh blueberries, raspberries and blackberries

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 cup whole

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Lightly coat bottom and sides of 9-inch round springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350°F.

In medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In another bowl stir together ricotta cheese and lemon juice. Set aside.

In large mixer bowl beat butter on medium speed of electric mixer about 30 seconds or until butter is softened. Add 1 cup granulated sugar. Continue beating until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon peel and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

Add flour mixture and ricotta mixture alternately, beating until just combined after each addition. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Let cake cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes.

Loosen sides of pan. Cool completely.

For topping, in medium bowl toss together berries and 3 tablespoons sugar. Let stand at least 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in chilled mixing bowl beat cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla on medium speed of electric mixer until firm peaks form.

To serve, cut cake into wedges. Spoon whipped cream and berries on each wedge. Serve immediately. Cover and refrigerate any leftover cake.

By Daniel Dunaief

Monday, June 23, marked the beginning of a new and exciting frontier. Using the largest digital camera ever built for astronomy, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory shared its first images after a journey from conception to reality that lasted over two decades.

Located in the Cerro Pachón mountaintop in Chile because the area is dry, high and dark, the telescope and camera started its 10-year mission to share images of the sky.

Viewers at over 350 watch parties in the United States and around the world awaited these pictures, including with gatherings at Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

The state-of-the-art camera did not disappoint.

The Rubin Observatory, which can take images with a field of view of the sky that are the equivalent of 40 moons, discovered 2,400 asteroids that no one has ever seen before. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. By the time the Observatory has collected all the data the public can view, the camera is expected to find over five million asteroids.

“Most of the asteroids are too faint to have been found” with previous technology, said Paul O’Connor, senior physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory who has been working on the camera since 2002.

Simon Birrer, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Stony Brook University, attended a watch event at the university with some 50 to 60 other excited members of the college community.

“Knowing that the instrument is capable and what it was promised to do and seeing it all coming together, sharing the excitement with so many other people is very exciting,” said Birrer.

By looking at the night sky over the course of just a few days, the observatory was able to offer a time lapse view of the movement of these asteroids.

“You can look and see the trail of thousands of things that are completely new,” said Birrer.

Indeed, in addition to seeing asteroids and other objects both near and far, the Rubin Observatory can study dark matter and dark energy, map the Milky Way, and observe transient events.

“We’re entering a golden age of American science,” Harriet Kung, acting director of the DOE’s Office of Science, said in a statement. “NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory reflects what’s possible when the federal government backs world-class engineers and scientists with the tools to lead.”

The first images generated considerable excitement in the scientific community and on campuses around the world.

“It’s a new frontier for sure,” said O’Connor. “We’ve been working on this project for all these years. It was easy to get students interested.”

Anja von der Linden, Associate Professor in Physics and Astronomy at Stony Brook and a member of the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration since its inception in 2012, viewed the images from Germany, where she is visiting her parents on vacation with her young daughter.

She works on clusters of galaxies and was delighted to see the Virgo cluster online.

“The image is so large and [viewers] can also see much more distant galaxies,” said von der Linden. Viewers are able to scroll around and zoom in and out to see details in these “beautiful images.”

Von der Linden echoed the sentiment from one of the officials who shared the first images, suggesting that the data and information from the observatory are available for astronomers and scientists, but also for the public, helping them explore the night sky.

“It’s quite remarkable,” she said. “I look forward to seeing how the public engages.”

The Rubin Observatory will see “everything that changes, explodes, and moves,” said von der Linden.

A little bit of pride

In addition to scientists like O’Connor and Anže Slosar, group leader of the Cosmology & Astrophysics Group, BNL recruited close to two dozen interns to help with the work.

“There’s a lot of inherent curiosity about the cosmos,” O’Connor said. “When people hear that they could participate in doing research that could lead to lead to a better understanding of it, we had to turn interns away.”

O’Connor worked with the charge-coupled device modules, which are the digital film of the camera. The Rubin Observatory, with its 3.2 gigapixel focal plane, relies on 189 custom-designed CCD sensors to achieve its resolution.

“I feel a little bit of pride,” said O’Connor, who didn’t expect to be working on astronomical instruments when he came to BNL. “I was a tiny, little part of a giant team that’s worked so long. When you see the final project, it’s a good feeling.”

Seeing the invisible

At the same time that the Rubin Observatory can find asteroids that had previously gone undetected, it can also help detect dark energy and dark matter.

Only five percent of the universe comes from visible matter, with about 70 percent coming from dark energy and 25 percent coming from dark matter.

Dark energy describes why the universe continues to expand after the Big Bang, rather than slowing down, the way a ball thrown into the air does before it falls, von der Linden explained. Researchers study dark matter, meanwhile, by observing the way light from distant galaxies bends when it travels towards Earth, as the gravitational force of the matter affects it on its path.

Von der Linden said she has already started using some of the commissioning data to test Rubin’s capabilities to do weak gravitational lensing. Weak gravitational lensing involves slight shifts in images caused by the gravitational influence of other matter that require many galaxies to detect.

“The work we’re doing now is very much a test case, which we will then take and apply to a much larger data set,” she said.

Inspiring future scientists

The images and the data, which the US, the UK and France will process, has the potential not only to answer scientific questions, but also to encourage and inspire future researchers.

The Rubin Observatory has a “very comprehensive education and public outreach component,” von der Linden said. “From the beginning, it has been built with the intention that the public is suppose to interact with the data and be part of the scientific story.”

If teachers use this in the classroom to show students the beautiful and intriguing night sky, “I would think this will lead some students to consider pursuing” careers in these sciences. “I hope that we’re going to get more junior scientists who will be part of Rubin.”

To see images from the observatory, visit https://rubinobservatory.org.

Sprinkle candles for sale from Pink Zebra. Photo by Heidi Sutton

By Heidi Sutton

Want to be part of the action at this year’s fairs and festivals? Do you have unique merchandise, crafts, yard sale items or food and beverages to sell? Here are a list of vendors wanted for upcoming community events on the North Shore. The list will be updated weekly.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 270 Main Street, Northport seeks vendors for its Summer Craft Fair on July 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 631-261-0804 to obtain a registration form. 

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River is acceptiong local hand crafted vendors for its Craft Fair Weekends on July 12 & 13, August 2 & 3, September 6 & 7, October 4 & 5 and November 1 & 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10′ by 10′ spaces for one day is $75 and $100 for both days. Call 631-846-2372 or visit eastwindlongisland.com.

Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook is looking for vendors to participate in an outdoor Summer Craft Fair on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Online application can be found at www.sachemlibrary.org. 631-588-5024.

The Spirit of Huntington, 2 Melville Road, Huntington Station seeks vendors for its annual Spirit of Summer Art Festival on July 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain date is July 27. Visit www.spiritofhuntington.com for an application or call 631-470-9620.

Northport Arts Coalition is accepting applications for craft artists for its annual Art in the Park event at Northport Village Park on Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10′ by 10′ space for $100, $80 NAC members. Rain date is Aug. 17. Deadline to apply is July 15. www.northportarts.org.

Village of Lake Grove seeks arts & crafts, food and community vendors for its annual Summer Fest on Aug. 17 at the Gazebo and Memorial Park, 980 Hawkins Ave., Lake Grove from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For an application, visit www.lakegroveny.gov or call 631-585-2000.

The Port Jefferson Lions Club will hold their 4th annual Car Show at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville on Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Interested vendors can call 631-258-6156.

Messiah Lutheran Church, 465 Pond Path, East Setauket is seeking craft vendors and food trucks for their Spooktacular Trunk or Treat & Vendor Fair fair which will be held Oct. 25 from noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Spots are $35. Vendor and food truck forms can be found at www.messiahny.org

Send your vendors wanted listings to [email protected].