Authors Posts by Kimberly Brown

Kimberly Brown

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By Kimberly Brown

History comes alive this Sunday in Huntington as the Order of the Ancient and Honorable Huntington Militia hosts a Colonial Market Fair on the grounds of the Arsenal museum on Park Avenue from noon to 5 p.m.

While the Arsenal remains closed for tours, families can enjoy outdoor Colonial demonstrations that will focus on civilian crafts such as leather and horn work, silversmithing, sewing, weaving, papermaking, and cooking, accompanied by 18th century music. 

“You’ll be able to see people doing these trades to make different crafts and then also be able to purchase the items that they basically made right in front of you,” said Patrick Mantle, Commander of the Huntington Militia. “These will be really unique items and there’s really nowhere else around here where you can get that experience.” 

Visitors can also walk across the street to the Village Green to watch artillerymen demonstrate the loading and firing of a full-scale reproduction 18th century field cannon while Men at Arms drill and fire 18th Century muskets throughout the day. 

Having a passion for history from a young age, Mantle always admired the Huntington Militia since he first saw them at a St. Patrick’s Day parade when he was four years old. Always wanting to be a significant part of the organization, Mantle’s dream was accomplished when he was promoted to Commander in 2016, only three years after joining.

“I was always the kid on the block who was marching around in a tricorne hat, wearing my father’s high socks and carrying my toy musket to emulate what a soldier would’ve looked like,” Mantle said. “Everyone would say ‘There goes Patrick again’ as I marched down the street with a flag.”

Since fourth grade Mantle knew he wanted to pursue a career in history, specifically studying the Revolutionary War. Taking a program focused on Revolutionary Era Studies while attending Siena College in Loudonville, New York aided Mantle in his knowledge when directing the reenactments. 

“For all of us, it’s a hobby but anyone that you’ll meet that’s a reenactor will say it’s a passion because we wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t love it,” he said.

Seeing the reactions to the reenactments from families is one of Mantle’s favorite parts of the event, as seeing history come to life opens up a new world for visitors interested in learning about the history of America and Long Island.

“Even the adults who attend our events, listen to me talk, and see our demonstration will come up to me later to say they just learned more in 30 minutes than they did in all their years of school,” Mantle said.

The Huntington Militia’s Colonial Market Fair will be held at The Arsenal, 425 Park Avenue, Huntington on Sunday, July 11 from noon to 5 p.m. Admission to the event is free. In case of rain, the event will be held on July 18. 

The Huntington Militia will also be holding a virtual event on July 24 to discuss and celebrate Huntington’s Independence Day. Visit www.huntingtonmilitia.com or call 631-223-8017 for further details.

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Photo from Kathianne Snaden

The high school prom — a tradition that has been alive for over 55 years — has finally made a comeback after a difficult year of dealing with the pandemic. 

Parents of the Port Jefferson Prom Planning Committee have spent months trying to configure an ideal prom for the students in spite of the continually changing COVID-19 guidelines New York was enforcing.

Although the prom took place at The Meadow Club in Port Jefferson Station rather than at the high school, the committee was still able to go above and beyond while staying consistent with their selected carnival theme. 

“I feel like this has been a bright light at the end of a long tunnel, and to be able to give the kids and the community a chance to get together to make this happen has just been a gift,” said Kim Muffly, a member of the prom planning committee. “It really has been an incredible experience.” 

Since 1958, Port Jefferson has held their prom at the high school and has been fully orchestrated by the parents who rely on funding from donors and sponsors, as well as countless volunteer hours. 

Each year the prom has a different theme, each one lavishly decorated by the parents to make the students feel fully immersed in their prom experience. The first prom in 1958 was themed “April in Paris” and this year the committee decided on a carnival theme.

Stilt walkers, tarot card readers, jugglers, contortionists, caricature artists, clowns, carnival games, and smokey Moroccan-themed areas with couches were set up inside, and outside the venue. All topped off with a striped carnival tent to make students feel as if they were really at the circus. 

“I tried to think of a theme that would be a little more flexible because we weren’t sure what the COVID restrictions would be like,” Muffly said. “No matter where we had the prom we could keep the carnival theme, even if it was outside in the football field.”

Since a fire damaged in The Meadow Club banquet hall in 2018, inevitably shutting the building down for a few years, the venue has since revamped its space with brand new reconstruction and an elegant design.

According to Kiran Wadhwa, owner of the Meadow Club, the senior prom is just one of a few recent events the venue has taken pleasure in working with. The members of the Port Jefferson prom planning committee and the students were extremely grateful for the venue’s support and welcoming atmosphere. 

“I don’t think I realized what a big deal this was until guests just kept coming up to me consistently saying thank you, thank you, thank you,” Wadhwa said. “I thought it was such a beautiful thing to see how the community really comes together.”

 

Elected officials and family members were on hand for the unveiling of the park’s new name. Photo by Kimberly Brown

Coming together to celebrate Huntington’s first and only woman town supervisor, Antonia “Toni” Rettaliata-Tepe (R) — popularly known as Toni Tepe — the Town of Huntington officially renamed Dix Hills Park after the supervisor together with her beloved veteran husband, Philip Tepe, who served as a Dix Hills Fire Department commissioner and ex-chief.

Town Clerk Andrew Raia remembers working with Toni Tepe at the June 27 dedication. Photo by Kimberly Brown

In April of 2020, Rettaliata-Tepe lost her battle to cancer, just 19 days after her husband unexpectedly passed away in March 2020. However, the couple’s legacy lives on through the town’s park renaming ceremony.

Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci (R) recalled his time with Rettaliata-Tepe and credited her for his involvement in public service.

“Toni was someone who was very near and dear to my heart, and she was an integral part of my life for more than two decades,” Lupinacci said. “She generously shared with me her knowledge and insight on the inner workings of the government. However, it was her love for the Huntington community that inspired me to continue to do good works through public service.”

After serving two years from 1988-89 as the elected Town of Huntington supervisor, Rettaliata-Tepe accomplished a substantial amount of work for the community, such as forming the Town of Huntington Veterans Advisory Board.

Before becoming supervisor, Rettaliata-Tepe served as Huntington’s state assemblywoman. She became the third and last woman to date from the town to hold this office, from 1979-87.

As assemblywoman, Rettaliata-Tepe was able to secure $31,000 in funding that enabled former Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia (R) to establish the award-winning and historical town clerk archives and records center.

“My whole life I’ve known Toni, and when I was young stuffing envelopes, she showed me how to seal them and everything else as a little kid,” said Andrew Raia (R), current town clerk and Jo-Ann’s son. “When I ran for the Assembly 19 years ago, she took me under her wing and really taught me everything I needed to know to survive. You could always count on Toni.”

The Tepes’ niece Jessica Van Bladel thanks the Town of Huntington and attendees. Photo by Kimberly Brown

When Rettaliata-Tepe remarried in 2000 to Philip Tepe, they became an unstoppable team that would help the Huntington community prosper. In 2006, she became chairwoman of the Huntington Republican Committee and served as its leader until her death.

Her husband was a Vietnam veteran, a member of the town’s Veterans Advisory Board and commander of Nathan Hale VFW Post 1469. Besides an active role in the Dix Hills Fire District, he served also as a Suffolk County deputy fire coordinator and a Town of Huntington fire marshal.

Both Rettaliata-Tepe and her husband were respected members of the community who were each eager to lend a helping hand to whoever needed it.

“My Aunt Toni and Uncle Phil have left an everlasting impression on me to be the best version of myself, and I know that many of you can say the same about them,” said Rettaliata-Tepe’s niece Jessica Van Bladel. “So, from the bottom of my heart, I’d like to thank the Town of Huntington for this honor, and everyone here today for the love and support to our family. We are very grateful for everyone.”   

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Photo from SWRSD

Graduating from Shoreham-Wading River High School, Mika Misawa will be leaving with the honor of being named valedictorian and a 103.7 weighted GPA. 

She will be part of the incoming freshman class at Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences this fall. 

As a member of the varsity girls tennis team, Journalism Club, President of the Global Awareness club, editor-in-chief of the Global Awareness Club’s monthly newsletter, co-president of Women in Science and Engineering, Mathletes and the Tri-M Music honor society, Mika has always had an immense involvement in her school and community.

In her high school career, Mika took 13 AP courses, four honors courses and a college level course through Stony Brook University. 

Photo from SWRSD

As a brilliant mathematics student, Mika was also named a Long Island Young Scholar of Mathematics by the Institute of Creative Problem Solving for Gifted and Talented Students.

Her enthusiasm for succeeding in school translated into her music career as well, as she was selected for the National Association for Music Education All-Eastern Honors Ensemble Orchestra and the New York State School Music Association All-State Festival. 

Alongside Mika, valedictorian Owen Beran will be graduating also with a weighted GPA of 103.7.

As the team captain of the golf team and a member of the lacrosse team, Owen was able to be successful in all realms of his high school career. He has taken nine AP courses, four honors courses, and is the vice president of the National Honor Society.

However, his involvement doesn’t stop there. He was also the class of 2021 treasurer and a member of the Mathletes, Natural Helpers, the Robotics Club and the Student Advisory group. 

Not only was Owen heavily involved with his school, but his community as well. His community involvement includes volunteering for St. John’s Church Gathering Inn, Thomas Cutinella Memorial Patriot Run, Lax Out Cancer, Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue, and Nexus-Animal Outreach.

With a passion for helping his community and furthering himself academically, Owen plans to attend the United States Naval Academy, where he will be majoring in nuclear engineering. 

Daniel Julian has been named salutatorian, graduating with a weighted GPA of 103.4. 

Photo from SWRSD

Discovering his passion for science and mathematics in tenth grade after taking an AP chemistry course, Daniel knew Stony Brook University’s STEM program would be his first-choice college.

“I chose chemistry as my major as a result of my love and ability for the subject and my love for science and mathematics as a whole,” he said. 

In the near future, Julian aspires to become an educator or researcher in the field of nuclear science and plans on pursuing graduate work in the sciences or science education. 

Additionally, the high school gave Daniel an opportunity to pursue his other passion, music. As a skilled jazz player, Julian played in the high school instrumental jazz ensemble in grades 9-12 for SCMEA All-County.

He was also selected as the baritone sax player and an alternate alto sax player with the NYSSMA All-State Instrumental Jazz Ensemble.

“For me, school concerts and other musical performances were special to me as playing in the Shoreham-Wading River High School’s bands gave me opportunities to contribute to my community through music and express myself artistically,” Daniel said. 

Photo from SWRSD

Some of his special experiences At Shoreham-Wading River included working on a research project involving epigenetics with one of his most influential AP biology teachers, Dr. Neff. 

Looking forward to his fall semester in Stony Brook to study chemistry, he is excited to focus on the subjects he is most passionate about on a more advanced level. 

“I enjoyed my time in high school taking multiple classes in various subjects, but I am looking forward to having a more specific focus on math and science as they are where my passion lies,” Daniel said.

Milo from Paws of War was ready to make new friends in Smithtown. Photo by Kimberly Brown

Nesconset-based Paws of War reopened its first pet therapy session last Wednesday, June 23, at the Smithtown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care. The residents at the facility happily looked forward to meeting the trained therapy animals as it’s been over a year since the nonprofit’s team was able to host any sessions.

A Smithtown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care visitor waits for a visit from Paws of War. Photo by Kimberly Brown

To start off the program, Paws of War will be returning to the rehab center at a minimum of once a month. The program will prioritize areas on Long Island that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19, and are actively reaching out to other facilities, such as camps and schools, that would like to use their services.

“We just want to bring some kindness and some human connection back,” said Kelli Porti, veteran and community outreach liaison. “It’s amazing what happens when you pet a dog, it brings you a warm fuzzy feeling, and that’s what we’re trying to accomplish, is bringing some happiness and smiles.”

Since 2014, Paws of War has been training and placing shelter dogs to serve and provide for U.S. military veterans and first responders who suffer from the emotional effects of war.

Navy veteran Paul Baran, who served in the Hauppauge Fire Department for over 40 years, was ecstatic to see the therapy dogs. He has owned animals his entire life and is eagerly anticipating the next time the charitable organization will return to the rehab center.

“I’m definitely an animal lover,” Baran said, while gently petting one of the therapy dogs.

The trainers at Paws of War take pride in preparing their animals for therapeutic use, and the number of participating animals has risen from single digits to triple digits in the past four and a half years.

Facility training at the nonprofit’s location has reverted to in-person training, where veterans, their friends and their animals can safely come together again.

A trainer and employee, Rebecca Stromski, explained how exciting it’s been to get back to in-person training. Currently, the facility is holding outdoor training to ensure safe practices, but it dually benefits the dogs and veterans since there are more distractions outside.

“It’s incredible to see the change between the dogs and the people and watching them both light up,” Stromski said. “I love watching that light bulb click.”

A Paws of War dog is ready to make new friends at Smithtown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care. Photo by Kimberly Brown

As a military spouse herself, she began volunteering for Paws of War in her free time while her husband was deployed. Fast forward to a few years later, and she has become an essential employee to the organization’s team and veterans.

She even adopted a service dog for her husband once he returned home from his deployment.

“He’s been home for two and a half years now, and it’s nice that I can really see how the training works at home too,” Stromski said, while pointing to her bulldog Boba.

Korean War veteran, Andrew Caputo, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years, has always had dogs in his life and was equally as thrilled to see the animals.

While petting the dogs, Caputo reflected back on his life as a serviceman and explained how greatly he wanted to join the military at the young age of 18.

“Being in the Corps was the best experience of my life,” Caputo said. “When the war broke out [in 1950] I wanted to volunteer, but they said I was too young, so I joined the reserves.”

Having uncles and grandparents serve in past wars influenced Caputo to join the Marine Corps at such a young age. After serving with the reserves for two years, Caputo went fully active for the next four years, ending his duty by being honorably discharged.

With the help of Paws of War being able to resume its monthly pet therapy sessions, veterans such as Baran and Caputo can lighten up the room with smiles once again.

“We love our veterans and first responders,” Porti said. “They’re all welcome into our facility. We love when they come in. It’s like a second home to them so we’re happy to open back up and have that again.”

File photo

In the wake of the June 17 stabbing of 39-year-old Benjamin Flores-Mendez, who was found dead in Port Jefferson Station on the Greenway Trail, new precautions are being taken to help make residents feel safer when exercising alone.

To make the Greenway Trail safer, Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket) requested cameras on the trail, bike patrols during the day and sector car patrols at night. As a result of Hahn’s push for better safety, cameras and new patrols are already in place

“As a Suffolk County resident, parent and legislator, public safety is always top of mind, and if I’m sent to Congress, that will continue,” Hahn said. “I’m proud of my work to keep our communities safe, like investing in security cameras and additional patrols in crime-prone areas and would welcome any new opportunities to expand on those efforts.”

As part of a women’s running group herself, Hahn advocates running with a partner and recommends using trails during daylight hours. 

According to Herb Mones, chair of the Three Village Civic Association land use committee, the Greenway Trail is the most used recreational area in the community.

Although this is the first reported incident of this type, Mones was still disheartened to learn the news. 

“Being part of the trail’s initial planning, and still active in its stewardship, I was shocked to see violence occur on the trail,” Mones said. “This corridor is a place for people to enjoy, and it is sad to see a loss of life on this path.”

Suffolk County police have stepped up their patrols on the trail and, with Hahn’s support, the implementation of security cameras will help deter any suspicious activity. 

“It is important for trail users to report any suspicious behavior, and refrain from being out on the trail at nighttime when there is less likelihood to observe your surroundings,” Hahn said, adding that it is illegal to be on the trail between dusk and dawn. 

Elected officials and ancestors of Pickle King Samuel Bollton, above, were on hand for a street sign unveiling June 16. Photo by Kimberly Brown

To honor Greenlawn’s famous historical resident, Samuel Ballton, also known as the Pickle King, the Town of Huntington renamed Boulevard Avenue after the former slave on Wednesday, June 16, ahead of the Juneteenth holiday.

Photo by Kimberly Brown

Members of the town’s African-American Historic Designation Council and ancestors of Ballton gathered with town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci (R) and others to commemorate the contributions made by Ballton that aided in the development of the hamlet in the 19th century.

“He was a self-made man,” said Councilwoman Joan Cergol (D). “He represented entrepreneurship, skill and goodness, all during a time when the odds were stacked against him.”

As the crowd counted down from 19 to pay tribute to Juneteenth, Carl Ballton — Samuel Ballton’s great-great-grandchild — pulled off a cover to reveal the new street sign for the road that will now be known as Samuel Ballton Way.

Despite being born into slavery on a Virginia plantation in 1838, Ballton was able to flee from his confinement and rescue his wife, Rebecca, making his way up to Greenlawn in 1873.

“The first thing that impressed me about Sam was the love he had for his wife Rebecca,” Carl Ballton said. “It was a love that caused him to risk his life to free her from slavery. He was a great family man.”

After he arrived in the Huntington area, Samuel Ballton worked as a tenant farmer for Alexander Gardiner, a wealthy landowner who farmed cucumbers.

With Gardiner’s help, Ballton was able to save up enough money to purchase his own farmland, where he would eventually become one of Huntington’s most influential cucumber farmers.

Growing over a million and a half cucumbers for pickling in one year, Ballton rightfully earned his unofficial title as the Pickle King.

“We often get asked, why pickles?” said Town Clerk Andrew Raia (R). “Well, back in the day, the largest farmers market was in Queens and thin-skinned vegetables could not survive the two-to-three-day carriage ride in the hot sun. So, Sam and others came up with the idea of pickling their produce.”

Pickled cucumbers were the main reason why Ballton’s produce stood out when brought to market. His produce had the capability to last months, instead of going bad in just a few days.

Sadly, a blight soon attacked Huntington’s farms, ruining the town’s crops, but Ballton was able to find a variety that was resistant to it and shared it with his community.

“In today’s day and age, I’m sure that scientists would make you pay a lot of money to get that strain, but not Sam,” Raia said. “Sam gladly showed other farmers how to plant their crops. For Sam, it was always about community.”

Even today, Huntington is still known for its pickles and cabbages. Every September, Greenlawn hosts a pickle festival to educate residents about the history of farming in Huntington.

Photo from MPSD

Graduating with the class of 2021 of Miller Place High School, Kyla Bruno will be leaving as valedictorian, finishing at the top of her class with a weighted GPA of 102.34. Kyla plans to attend college at Northwestern University and will be majoring in mathematics, with a minor or double major in music. 

Photo from MPSD

Throughout her high school career, Kyla has accomplished a tremendous amount academically. She was awarded AP Scholar with Honors, Performing Arts Teeny Award for Outstanding Instrumentalist, and was recognized by the College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program.

Consistently achieving honor roll while enrolled in all AP and honors courses, Kyla has also received Special Recognition of Excellence in language arts, geometry, Spanish, and orchestra. She was additionally named an All-State Musician. 

Not only is Kyla academically gifted, but is a very active athlete as well, earning the Scholar-Athlete Award for tennis and track. She is a member of both the spring and winter track teams and was recognized as All-League and All-County on her tennis team.

Leaving with a 101.30, the second-highest GPA in the Class of 2021, Jason Cirrito was named salutatorian at Miller Place high school.

Jason was notably awarded for his academic excellence, but also had a big involvement in his community. He achieved High Honor Roll for every marking period since 9th grade and received awards for Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors and the Geometry Honors Award.

He was also given the Outstanding Acts of Kindness Award for helping his classmates and community members without expecting anything in return. 

Spending his time at the Port Jefferson Library, Jason helped coordinate events and also served as the assistant coach for the Miller Place Parent Teacher Organization basketball team. 

To add to his stellar academic and community service achievements, Jason was known as an involved student-athlete. He was a member of the cross-country team, soccer team, and the winter and spring track teams. 

This fall, Jason will be attending Vassar College and plans to major in math education and become a secondary math teacher.

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Ward Melville High School. Photo by Greg Catalano

By Kimberly Brown

At Three Village school district’s board of education meeting Tuesday, one of the agenda items was the Anti-Racism and Social Justice Task Force formed to address diversity, equity and inclusion.

The responsibility of the task force is to work with students, staff and the community to educate, work collaboratively and understand the importance of why a social justice task force, such as their own, is essential.

“Our job in this committee is to recognize our children that walk into our buildings every day and perceive themselves to be not part of the makeup of what could be — and is — a beautiful Three Village school,” said Paul Gold, director of social studies and committee chairperson.

According to Gold, the long-term goal of the task force is to make every child feel included, no matter their race, ethnicity, religion, academic ability, gender or sexuality.

Some parents, as in other school districts, are concerned that the task force applies critical race theory. The academic movement has been criticized for creating divisiveness.

Another concern is that the task force would eventually be consumed by special interest groups.

“I was told there was no CRT in our school district, yet we are hiding it as DEI,” parent Tara Geruso said. “Make no mistake, when you click on the [Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion] link on the Three Village homepage, the resources are all from those who support CRT.”

Several parents such as Shoshana Hershkowitz, who is also a member of the task force, praised Gold for creating “an authentic space” for children to express themselves, as the intention of the task force is to collaborate as a community.

“I have never heard of critical race theory until a few months ago, and I had to Google it as I imagine many people did,” Hershkowitz said. “When I went down that rabbit hole, it never led me to educational websites, it led me to legal ones. So, I want to make the point that this is not a mainstream educational issue.”

Hershkowitz added the CRT debate is a distraction from the real issues that need to be discussed in the district, especially since Long Island is among the top 15 most segregated areas in the country, according to her.

Despite the differences, the parents, task force and board of education plan to work collaboratively to resolve any further issues.

Port Jefferson Earl L. Vandermeulen High School. File photo by Elana Glowatz

With New York state opening back up since the March 2020 shutdown, businesses can now start resuming normal operations again.

However, four local Suffolk County public school superintendents believe schools have been overlooked when it comes to no longer wearing masks, leaving teachers, parents and students confused and frustrated.

A June 10 letter signed by the Comsewogue, Port Jefferson, Miller Place and Rocky Point school superintendents, directed to Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and New York State Department of Health officials, criticized the one-size-fits-all approach to school mask mandates.

“Our communities need our schools to be able to adapt to updated health guidelines that are applicable to our specific areas, yet we as administrators are constrained by inflexible regulations that are not reflective of individual community positivity or vaccination rates,” the letter said.

In order to avoid any further confusion amongst parents and school districts, the schools solution would be to work directly with local health officials rather than the government.

According to Port Jefferson Superintendent Jessica Schmettan, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services has been extremely helpful in aiding the county’s school districts throughout the pandemic.

Working closely with regional data is something Schmettan feels will be a more effective strategy for mitigation of the virus rather than blanket guidelines for the entire state of New York.

“I have great hope that the governor and the NYDOH will consider our request,” Schmettan said. “We are proud of the work our schools have done through this pandemic. We hope to end the year without restrictions just as they have been removed for other businesses across the state.”
Many parents of the students have made it clear they are also dissatisfied with the state’s mask mandates on school districts, and believe it should be a parent’s choice on whether or not their child should wear a mask.

Rocky Point school district superintendent, Scott O’Brien, said although the state’s mask mandates have been overwhelming for all, students have done an excellent job following the guidelines.

“It has been that level of cooperation from students, parents, teachers and staff that have enabled our schools to successfully stay open and deliver in-person instruction throughout this school year,” O’Brien said. “We are grateful to the entire Rocky Point school community for coming together and making this most challenging school year a success.”

The other superintendent signatories to the letter were Jennifer Quinn, Comsewogue, and Marianne Cartisano, Miller Place.

By creating a unified voice to highlight the importance of local control regarding mask mandates, the four county school districts hope the letter to Cuomo will make a difference for their students, even though the final day of school is June 24.