Note to listeners, this episode contains graphic depictions of events on September 11th, 2001, and one offensive word.
Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-18th L.D.) proudly honored Linda Oristano as the Suffolk County Woman of Distinction for the 18th District, during a celebration luncheon at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on March 4.
A Northport resident for over 20 years, Linda Oristano serves as the Executive Director of the Northport/East Northport Community Drug & Alcohol Task Force. Her dedication to community service and advocacy has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of Long Island’s Top 50 Women, the Humanitarian Award from the Special Olympics, and the Soroptimist Award for Making a Difference for Women.
With extensive experience in counseling, advocacy, mentoring, and education, Oristano has devoted her time to supporting the elderly, individuals facing personal challenges, and those seeking spiritual guidance. She is a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach, a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate, M.A.T. trained, a CASAC-T, an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and a Credentialed Spiritual Director. Her career spans over 30 years in social services, community service, training, and healthcare.
“Linda’s dedication to improving the lives of so many in our community is truly inspiring. Her work has made a lasting impact on our local families, and she is incredibly deserving of this honor,” said Legislator Bontempi.
By Heidi Sutton
Beginning in May, Long Islanders will have even more options to fly the friendly skies.
Avelo Airlines announced on March 11 that the Houston-based airline will begin offering non-stop flights from Islip’s MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma to Charlotte, North Carolina (Concord-Padgett Regional Airport) beginning May 22; and to Wilmington, North Carolina (Coastal Carolina Wilmington International Airport) beginning June 12 with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays.
The airline also announced that it will offer non-stop flights from MacArthur Airport to Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland, Florida starting June 12 also with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays.
One-way introductory fares start at $59*, according to the press release. Avelo will operate these routes utilizing Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircrafts. Travelers can book at AveloAir.com.
“We are so excited to welcome Avelo Airlines and value their focus on serving smaller, more convenient airports like Islip’s Long Island MacArthur Airport,” said Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter in a statement. “Avelo will fly from hassle-free ISP to other easy airport alternatives in Charlotte, Central Florida, and Wilmington, NC. Long Island residents love the convenience of their hometown airport and now they will enjoy a similar customer experience traveling on Avelo to popular destinations while skipping large airports,” she said.
Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said, “We’re excited to bring our reliable, convenient, and affordable service to New York and Long Island. Traveling to Central Florida, Charlotte and Wilmington will never be easier, convenient or more affordable. We also look forward to welcoming travelers from these three popular destinations to the New York-Long Island region. We are very proud of the presence Avelo has established in the Northeast and we are very excited about the addition of ISP to this important region.”
“We’ve been working hard for several years to bring Avelo to Long Island MacArthur Airport as we felt we met their key criteria of providing a smoother, easier, and more enjoyable air travel experience without the crowds, congestion and long waits at larger airports,” said Long Island MacArthur Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken.
Since taking flight in April 2021, Avelo has flown more than 6.3 million Customers on over 50,000 flights. Today Avelo serves 56 cities spanning 23 states and Puerto Rico, as well as four international destinations: Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
With a motto to Inspire Travel by saving travelers time and money, “Avelo has unlocked a new era of convenience, choice, and competition by flying unserved routes to primarily underserved communities across the country. Most Avelo routes have at least one small, easy to use airport. This makes traveling with Avelo a smoother, easier and more enjoyable experience than contending with the crowds, congestion and long walks at larger airports,” read the release.
In 2024, Avelo ranked #1 in on-time performance and achieved the lowest flight cancellation rate in the U.S. airline industry. The airline offers an abundance of advanced seating options. One third of its aircraft seats (Avelo Premium and Premium Economy) offer extra leg room — ranging from 32 inches to more than 36 inches of pitch.
“Customers can also purchase window and aisle seats in advance of their flight. In addition to advance seat assignments, Avelo offers several unbundled travel-enhancing options that give customers the flexibility to pay only for what they value, including priority boarding, checked bags, carry-on overhead bags, and bringing a pet in the cabin. Additionally, families can travel with ease knowing every child 14 and under will be automatically seated with an accompanying adult at no additional cost,” read the release.
In 2024, Long Island MacArthur Airport, which is already home to Southwest, JetBlue, Breeze Airways and Frontier Airlines, enjoyed significant growth. Through July 2025, ISP seats are scheduled to grow 14% versus 2024, indicating how carriers are investing in ISP and its customers.
“The year 2025 is shaping up to be even better,” said Deputy Airport Commissioner Rob Schneider. “Our terminal, airfield, and team provide a faster and friendlier experience than NYC airports, and we look forward to continuing our work in the year ahead as we extend a warm “Hello!” to Avelo and their customers.”
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole merchandise from a Medford store.
The man pictured above allegedly stole approximately $100 worth of sports trading cards from Target, located at 2975 Horseblock Road, on February 28 at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.
At the March 4 General Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, Kathy Albrecht, Legislator Rob Trotta’s nominee for the 2025 Woman of Distinction was announced as the person chosen by the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Committee as the overall county wide 2025 Woman of Distinction. Each legislator selects one woman from their district as their Woman of Distinction who is then considered for this overall recognition.
Kathy was recognized for her commitment to and involvement with her family, friends and community. “She has been a role model for her two daughters and other women, as well as an inspiration to all,” said Legislator Rob Trotta.
She grew up in Westbury and then the family moved to Setauket where she graduated from Ward Melville High School. She enlisted in the Army where she served as a helicopter medic from 1980-1984. She met her husband, Dave, a marine, while in the service.
Kathy and Dave have lived in Smithtown for more than 40 years. She is Chief of Staff for New York State Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick and writes a column, Around Smithtown, for The Smithtown News. She is extremely involved in the community volunteering as a Sunday school teacher and director of Hospitality at the Grace Church in Smithtown, serves on the board of the Greater Smithtown Chamber of Commerce and is the treasurer, a trustee with the Smithtown Cemetery Association, a member of the American Legion Post 833, former trustee at the Smithtown Historical Society and active with many other organizations.
“Kathy is an integral member of her community, and she is passionate about the town and the people who live there,” said Legislator Trotta. “In fact, several years ago she donated one of her kidneys to a young woman whom she did not know but read about her need in The Smithtown News and saw it on News 12. Kathy volunteered to be tested as a match and was pleased when she found that she was compatible with the woman. Since that time, she has been an advocate for organ donations,” added Trotta.
She has been recognized by the Smithtown Children’s Foundation with its Courage Award, New York State Medal of Honor for The Gift of Life, named the Times of Smithtown Woman of the Year 2012 and the Smithtown Business & Professional Women’s “Network of Example.”
Legislator Trotta said, “I have known Kathy a long time and she is most deserving of this recognition. She shares her time and talent with many individuals and organizations helping to make the community a great place for all to live and work.”
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate two men who allegedly stole from a Commack store in February.
The two men pictured on right allegedly stole more than 80 Stanley water bottles from Dick’s Sporting Goods, located at 6070 Jericho Turnpike, at 2:07 p.m. on February 4. The merchandise was valued at approximately $3,225.
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.
For the seventh year in a row, a survey of Jefferson’s Ferry residents and their families in South Setauket has affirmed the excellence of the care residents of the Life Plan Community’s skilled nursing care receive. Their feedback places Jefferson’s Ferry’s Vincent Bove Health Center among the top 15% in the nation, providing “Best in Class” service to its residents. In recognition of this distinction, Jefferson’s Ferry received the Activated Insights Customer Experience Award (formerly Pinnacle Quality Insight) for outstanding resident satisfaction and overall achievement in skilled nursing care.
The Activated Insights Award process closely examined skilled nursing care at the Health Center over a 12-month period of study by surveying residents and their families about the quality of 14 target areas: Nursing care, activities, dining services/food quality, cleanliness, laundry services, therapy services, response to problems, dignity and respect, individual needs, would they recommend to others, the overall customer experience, and satisfaction by residents or family members.
“Since Jefferson’s Ferry opened its doors nearly 25 years ago as Long Island’s first Life Plan Retirement Community, we have upheld the highest standards to deliver extraordinary care,” said Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield. “The Activated Insights Award affirms the outstanding work that our staff performs on a daily basis and is a vote of confidence that all of us take very seriously. Our goal is always to provide residents with the peace of mind to live their best life here. We are deeply grateful to our residents and their families for their trust and support. It’s the people who live and work here that make Jefferson’s Ferry such a special and vibrant community.”
The survey sampling of Vincent Bove Health Center residents and their families is conducted by monthly telephone interviews that ask the participants open-ended questions to rate their experiences in each specific category. Jefferson’s Ferry staff receive that feedback each month to gain a better understanding of emerging resident needs and make improvements when necessary.
“With its basis in direct feedback from our residents and their loved ones, the Activated Insights Award is especially meaningful to our caregivers and other staff,” explained Anthony Comerford, Vice President of Health Service at Jefferson’s Ferry. “The staff and residents form close relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and quality care. It is both important and immensely satisfying to all of us to know that we are consistently hitting the mark, meeting or exceeding the best standards or practices within our industry.”
Activated Insights is a customer satisfaction measurement firm with more than 26 years of experience in post‐acute healthcare. Pinnacle conducts over 112,000 phone surveys each year working with 1,800 care providers in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
For more information visit www.jeffersonsferry.org
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly stole merchandise from a Kings Park business last month.
The man pictured allegedly used a stolen credit card to purchase liquor at Kings Park Wine & Liquor, located at 88 Main St., on February 7 at 8:20 p.m. The man fled in a van. The liquor had an approximately value of $2000.
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.
As spring 2025 approaches, gardeners embrace a fresh wave of trends celebrating sustainability, native plants, and striking color palettes. This year, gardening enthusiasts are moving away from manicured perfection, opting for nature-driven designs that support pollinators, reduce maintenance, and enhance biodiversity.
Native Gardening & Pollinator-Friendly Plants
Home gardeners and landscapers increasingly prioritize native plants to create ecosystems that sustain local wildlife. Flowers such as Milkweed, Coneflowers, and Bee Balm dominate garden spaces, drawing in bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds while requiring less water and care. The growing awareness of declining pollinator populations has inspired a movement toward planting species that nourish and shelter these essential creatures.
Bold Colors & Vibrant Blooms
While past years favored soft pastels, 2025 is all about deep reds, electric blues, and golden yellows. Gardeners gravitate toward plants like Red Hot Poker, Cardinal Flower, and Goldenrod to add dramatic contrast and visual interest. Whether in perennial beds or container gardens, this year’s gardens are set to be a celebration of bold expression.
Edible Landscapes & Food Security
The farm-to-table trend has moved beyond the kitchen and into backyard gardens. More homeowners are integrating fruit-bearing trees, berry bushes, and edible perennialsinto traditional landscapes, allowing beauty and function. Blueberry shrubs, fig-trees, and edible flowers like Nasturtiums are making their way into front yards, blurring the line between ornamental and edible gardening.
Moss & Ground Cover for Eco-Friendly Lawns
Traditional lawns are replaced with low-maintenance, eco-friendly alternatives like moss and native ground covers. Homeowners are seeking Creeping Thyme, Pennsylvania Sedge, and Irish Moss to create lush, green carpets that require little water, eliminate the need for mowing, and provide habitat for beneficial insects.
Vertical Gardening & Small Space Solutions
With urban living on the rise, small-space gardening innovations are booming. Living walls, trellis gardens, and hanging planters redefine how people maximize limited areas. Vertical gardening allows city dwellers and suburban homeowners to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers in compact, stylish ways.
As we move into 2025, gardening trends reflect a deeper connection to nature, sustainability, and personal expression,” says Tammy Sons at TN Nursery.“Whether through pollinator-friendly plants, vibrant color choices, or eco-conscious landscaping, this spring is about cultivating gardens that are as purposeful as beautiful.”
TN Nursery has been a leading gardener and nursery industry leader for 66 years, providing high-quality plants, expert advice, and eco-conscious solutions for gardeners of all levels.
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will present three exhilarating dance performances this season, showcasing diverse styles and cultural expressions. From the powerful sisterhood of Syncopated Ladies to the vibrant celebration of South Asian dance in Rhythm India: Bollywood and Beyond to the innovative artistry of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, this season offers an exceptional opportunity to experience some of the world’s most innovative dance performances yet.
On March 14, the groundbreaking Syncopated Ladies take the Main Stage. Led by Emmy Award-nominated choreographer Chloé Arnold, Syncopated Ladies is the most viewed female tap group in history, having amassed over 100 million views online. With a background of notable collaborations—including Beyoncé, who shared their work with her fans and invited them to perform internationally—the Syncopated Ladies have quickly become a global sensation. In this upcoming performance, Syncopated Ladies combine bold choreography with personal stories, empowering audience members of all ages to pursue their dreams with courage. From their viral success to their acclaimed performances on Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more, this dynamic group continues to inspire the next generation of artists.
Chloe Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies: Live!
On March 21, get ready for “A feast for the eyes, ears, and heart!” (Cultural Explorer) with Rhythm India: Bollywood & Beyond. Under the direction of Joya Kazi, a World Choreography Award nominee and Telly Award-winning choreographer, this performance celebrates the spirited traditions of South Asian dance, from classical forms to Bollywood hits. Dazzling costumes, dynamic music, and energetic rhythms resonate from the palaces of ancient India to the bustling streets of its modern cities. Rhythm India invites audiences to step into the rich cultural tapestry of India with the talented dancers from Joya Kazi Unlimited.
DINNER & A SHOW: Enhance your experience by bundling your ticket with an authentic three-course Indian dinner at the Curry Club at SaGhar. For just $95 (adult package), or $68.50 for kids 12 and under, you’ll enjoy a flavorful meal, soft drinks, and coffee, along with tax and gratuity included. This package combines the best of South Asian cuisine with an evening of exceptional dance.
Dancers from Joya Kazi Unlimited in Rhythm India: Bollywood & Beyond
Closing out the Spring Season is an international leader in modern dance: Paul Taylor Dance Company returns to Staller on May 3rd. Since its founding in 1954, the Paul Taylor Dance Company has been at the forefront of contemporary dance, offering audiences new perspectives on the human experience through the joy, pain, humor, and tragedy that bind us all together. Under the artistic direction of Michael Novak, a longtime company member appointed by founder Paul Taylor himself, the company has evolved while maintaining the core values and that Taylor instilled. With a repertoire that spans over six decades, the company’s performances have touched audiences in over 600 cities across 66 countries, showcasing the transformative power of dance. This is a rare opportunity to experience some of the world’s finest dancers performing in one of the most prestigious dance companies. “One of the most exciting, innovative, and delightful dance companies in the entire world.” (The New York Times).
Paul Taylor Dance Company performs Esplanade.
For tickets, information, and to see all of the upcoming programs at Staller Center, visit stallercenter.com.
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