Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed a motorcyclist in Farmingville on June 1.
Thomas Biglow was driving a 2018 Ford Explorer southbound on Blue Point Road when he attempted to make a left turn onto Pinedale Avenue, colliding with a 2018 Kawasaki Ninja being driven northbound on Blue Point Road at 1:17 p.m.
The operator of the Kawasaki, Brenda Ingraham, 28, of Farmingville, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Biglow, 38, of Patchogue, was transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries. There were no other injuries reported.
Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks. Anyone with information on this crash is asked to contact Sixth Squad detectives at 631-854-8652.
From left, Dr. Suzanne Velazquez, Director Anna Smith Strong Chapter NSDAR; teacher Mrs. Gina Schwarz; Lindsey Steward-Goldberg, Education Coordinator Three Village Historical Society; and Nancy Dorney, Regent, Anna Smith Strong Chapter NSDAR. Photo by Patricia Broderick, Vice Regent, Anna Smith Strong Chapter NSDAR
Lindsey Steward-Goldberg, Education Coordinator Three Village Historical Society and Owen Kulick, 4th grade student at Arrowhead Elementary School. Photo by Patricia Broderick
The Anna Smith Strong Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently presented the first annual Lillian Walker Bowman Scholarship to Mrs. Gina Schwarz, a fourth-grade teacher at Arrowhead Elementary School in East Setauket, according to a press release.
The scholarship was established in loving memory of Anna Smith Strong Chapter NSDAR member Lillian Elizabeth Walker Bowman, a dedicated teacher, devoted community member, and passionate supporter for learning and history.
The scholarship included a presentation titled “Long Island Spies of the American Revolution” to the entire fourth grade class by Lindsey Steward-Goldberg, Education Coordinator of the Three Village Historical Society.
“The presentation was very timely since the Anna Smith Strong Chapter has kicked off America 250 with this and other events. This topic is also part of the fourth-grade curriculum. The Anna Smith Strong Chapter NSDAR would like to congratulate Mrs. Gina Schwarz and to thank the Three Village Historical Society and Three Village School District for collaborating with us,” read the release.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on May 30 that the manager of a Melville-based company was indicted on charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
Tony Ream, 33, of Greenville, S.C. was a credit supervisor for a worldwide distributor of medical and dental supplies with its principal place of business in Melville, New York. Over the course of four years, Ream, Ream, also known as “Tony Ream-Hendley” and “Tony Moul Ream,” allegedly sent wire transfers totaling approximately $1.6 million from the Company’s bank account to a bank account that he controlled.
“As alleged, Ream is a thief who abused his authority and betrayed his employer to fund his lifestyle, including paying for the renovations of a restaurant he opened, footing the bill for his own wedding, and traveling around the world, all on the company’s dime,” stated United States Attorney Nocella in a press release. “Embezzling company funds is a serious crime and my Office will vigorously prosecute this case to ensure Ream is held accountable for his brazen scheme.”
“Tony Ream allegedly embezzled over one million dollars from his former company by diverting corporate funds to his personal account and deceiving his subordinates into perpetuating this theft,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “Ream allegedly abused his position and stole from his former company to fund his extravagant expenses. The FBI remains committed to investigating any individual who orchestrates a scheme to exploit their company to finance personal wish lists.”
As set forth in court filings and statements made in court, Ream was hired by the Melville company in 2019 to work in their credit department. Starting in 2020 as a credit supervisor, Ream stole corporate funds from customer refund accounts and diverted the funds to his own accounts. Additionally, while in his role as supervisor, it is alleged that Ream deceived employees whom he supervised into taking steps that assisted him in carrying out his fraudulent scheme. Ream spent tens of thousands of dollars of the proceeds of his fraud on his wedding, hundreds of thousands on a failed restaurant venture in South Carolina, and tens of thousands on luxury international vacations.
If convicted, Ream faces up to 20 years in prison.
A scene from Smithtown Festival Day 2023. Photo by Daniel Febrizio/TBR News Media
The Suffolk County Police Department is advising motorists of a road closure for the Smithtown Day
Festival on Sunday, June 1.
The 36th annual festival, hosted by the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce, will take place along Main Street in Smithtown from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring local vendors, food, live entertainment and plenty of family fun activities while supporting local businesses.
Main Street/Route 25 will be closed in both directions between Route 111 and Maple Avenue in
Smithtown between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Suffolk County Police have issued a Silver Alert for a missing Miller Place man who suffers from dementia.
Jose Garcia, 82, left his home, located on Henearly Drive, on May 30 at approximately 8 p.m. Garcia was driving a red 2018 Toyota Corolla with New York State license plate BRK8237. His vehicle was seen at southbound Route 110 in Farmingdale. He may have been heading to an apartment complex, located on 53rd Street in Woodside, Queens.
His vehicle was seen crossing into the Bronx from the Henry Hudson Bridge at approximately 2 a.m.
Garcia is white, 5 feet 10 inches tall with gray hair and brown eyes, and uses hearing aids.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on Garcia’s location to call 911 or Sixth Squad detectives at 631-854-8652.
Silver Alert is a program implemented in Suffolk County that allows local law enforcement to share information with media outlets about individuals with special needs who have been reported missing.
The third week of May has been marked as National EMS Week, and this celebration was not lost on Suffolk County’s elected officials. Last year, the Suffolk County Legislature approved a resolution to mark the third week of May as EMS Appreciation Week to coincide with National EMS Week. Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy’s (R-Nesconset) calendar was filled to the brim with events to honor and celebrate Suffolk County’s Emergency Medical Service Community.
The first event Kennedy attended in honor of EMS Appreciation Week was a joint press conference between Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R), the Suffolk County Legislature, and numerous EMS Agencies and Fire Departments from across Suffolk County.
The press conference, which was held on Monday, May 19 at the Suffolk County Fire Academy in Yaphank, served as a kickoff event for Suffolk County’s celebration of EMS Appreciation Week. The county executive and legislators gave remarks on how vital EMS workers are to ensure public safety, and how thankful they are to have such a professional and diligent EMS community.
On Tuesday, May 20, Kennedy, alongside Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), recognized members of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Medical Crisis Action Team, colloquially known as MedCAT. SCPD’s MedCAT team are highly trained police officers who are tasked with providing advanced life support and medical care in critical situations before the arrival of traditional EMS personnel. Both legislators gave certificates of recognition for going above and beyond and getting all the certifications required to be MedCAT certified.
The celebration continued Tuesday with a ceremony held by the Suffolk County Legislature to honor EMS personnel from across the eighteen legislative districts. The twelfth legislative district’s honoree was Brian Roth, an EMS worker from the Nesconset Fire Department. Earlier this year, Roth was recognized as the Nesconset Fire Department’s EMS worker of the year, and as such made him an easy choice to be recognized as the twelfth district’s honoree.
EMS workers are most effective when they have the necessary tools and supplies to respond to crises. Kennedy is in support of approving funds for necessary lifesaving equipment for Suffolk County’s Emergency Medical Services, and supports blood drives. Kennedy capped off EMS appreciation week with a blood drive at the Memorial Day Weekend Hawkins Street fair on Sunday, May 25. This blood drive was extremely successful, with over twenty-five pints of blood donated.
The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus (LIGMC) is getting ready to deliver “one singular sensation” to its audience this June as it presents their “Broadway – Our Way” pride concert series.
Performances are set for Sunday, June 8 (5:30 p.m., immediately following Long Island Pride) at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington; Friday, June 13 (8 p.m.) on Freeport’s Nautical Mile at the Sparkle on Stage Community Arts Center, 195 Woodcleft Avenue, Freeport; and Saturday, June 14 (8 p.m.) at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, Setauket/E. Setauket.
With one month to go until showtime, LIGMC’s members are hard at work on selections from modern favorites like “Wicked,” “Kinky Boots” and “Hairspray” along with standards from “Les Misérables,” “Pippin,” “Annie Get Your Gun” and more.
“As we ‘give our regards to Broadway,’ this pride concert season comes at a time when the healing and unifying power of music is more needed than ever in the world around us,” said Bill McCarthy, President of the LIGMC Board of Directors. “Watching my brothers in song put in the work week after week fills me with tremendous pride, and I know that their efforts will make these concerts ones that won’t soon be forgotten.”
Highlights of LIGMC’s 17th season so far include the sold-out “As Seen on TV” drag brunch at VFW Post 433 in Sayville; LIGMC is also set to march and sing at the 35th annual in Huntington’s Heckscher Park on Sunday, June 8.
“One of the defining traits that the men of LIGMC share is not just that they take their music seriously, but how they have serious fun as they hone their craft – and that is a beautiful thing,” said LIGMC Artistic Director Jeanette Cooper. “I encourage you to come see what I’m talking about for yourself at an upcoming performance this June!”
The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus is a volunteer, not-for-profit, community-based organization that provides diverse audiences with high-quality choral performances and musical experiences. LIGMC uses music to unite the LGBTQ+ community, fight prejudice and discrimination, foster a welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individuals to be their authentic selves and explore their diversified interests, and affirm the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the region’s cultural life.
From left, Kayleigh Smith and Kimberly Phyfe of the Three Village Historical Society. Photo from TVHS
By Kimberly Phyfe
The Three Village Historical Society & Museum (TVHS) recently received an Award of Excellence from the Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN).
For 2025, Chicken Hill: A Community Lost to Time was recognized as Exhibit of the Year — the first time a completely digital museum exhibit has received this award.
The Landmark Preservation Society partnered with GHHN to present these awards on May 7 in Poughkeepsie. Representing TVHS were Research Fellow and Public Programs Coordinator, Kayleigh Smith and Community Engagement Manager, Kimberly Phyfe.
From left, Kayleigh Smith and Kimberly Phyfe of the Three Village Historical Society. Photo from TVHS
There, TVHS received the GHHN Award for Excellence for their new online exhibit, Chicken Hill — A Community Lost to Time. These awards recognize and commend exceptional efforts among museums throughout New York State. They are presented to projects that exemplify creativity and professional vision, contributing to the preservation and interpretation of the historic landscape, material culture, and the diversity of the region.
Smith and TVHS Visitor Services Associate Jack Maloney finalized the project in March of 2025 after months of cataloging, researching, and compiling information about the exhibit. By digitizing this exhibit, the TVHS brings more public awareness to the importance of local history by breathing new life into it via the online platform.
The Three Village Historical Society & Museum is grateful to be recognized for this innovative way they transformed a permanent exhibit of thirteen years into a multi-media interactive website, contributing to understanding not only our local history, but broader state and national narratives, and preserving our shared cultural heritage.
Chicken Hill’s story isn’t the first of its kind. It is reflective of many multiethnic communities born from industries of labor across the United States. This interactive, multi-media approach can open doors to meaningful conversations of the importance of marginalized communities in local history.
“The online exhibit features the section Conflict and Turmoil which was not part of the physical display,” said Mari Irizarry, Society Director. “After many years of continuous engagement with local community, and new perspectives being brought to light, the society made sure to include these stories never before seen. By adding this section, we hope to further collective understanding, to highlight additional perspectives excluded from the original curation, and demonstrate a nuanced interpretation of a community that no longer exists physically but whose story helps us connect to the people who built this community.”
Chicken Hill: A Community Lost to Time can be experienced online at any time by visiting tvhs.org.
Author Kimberly Phyfe is the Community Engagement Manager at the Three Village Historical Society & Museum headquartered at 93 North Country Road in Setauket.
From left, Tim Matejka, Chief Development Officer, Gurwin Jewish Healthcare Foundation; Maureen Fagan, Assistant Director of Corporate Communications, Gurwin Healthcare System; Stu Almer, President & CEO, Gurwin Healthcare System; Jennifer Carpentieri, VP and Administrator, Gurwin Jewish Nursing &Rehabilitation Center; and Nicole Hopper, Director of Therapeutic Recreation, Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Photo courtesy of Gurwin
Gurwin Healthcare Systems’ cutting-edge Immersion Room in Commack recently took home top prize in the Innovation Category in the 13th Annual Long Island Imagine Awards.
Designed for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, Gurwin’s Immersion Room was lauded for delivering immersive virtual reality experiences that enhance resident quality of life.
The annual Imagine Awards competition was created by Cerini & Associates LLP to showcase the good work being done by Long Island’s nonprofit sector. The region’s top organizations are selected to receive the prestigious recognition in the following competitive categories: Arts & Culture, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA), Innovation, Leadership Excellence, Rising Star and Social Impact.
The Innovation Award, sponsored by Flagstar Private Bank, is given to the nonprofit that has been innovative in adopting new platforms that have led to a significant increase in the organization’s ability to meet its mission.
“We are truly honored to be the recipient of the Flagstar Innovation Award,” said Stuart B. Almer, President and CEO of Gurwin Healthcare System.
“The Gurwin Immersion Room is bringing patient-centric care to a whole new level for our residents, helping to ease dementia symptoms as well as creating new memorable experiences for visiting families and their loved ones. We are literally putting our residents back in the driver’s seat, helping them reconnect with parts of themselves that in some cases have been lost for years. It is our goal to roll out this transformative technology throughout our other communities within the Gurwin Healthcare System,”he said.
Located in the heart of the Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center’s Memory Care Unit, the Gurwin Immersion Room is the first of its kind in long-term care on Long Island, and was made possible through collaboration with Besser Rooms of Amityville, and grant support from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The Immersion Room incorporates state-of-the-art projector technology, custom-made props and immersive experiences with stimulating sights, sounds and scents to engage the senses, mitigate symptoms and stir memories from bygone days. Calming scenes are customized to match resident interests, such as a snowy forest, quiet chair yoga, a lively, hands-on virtual drive, or even a roller coaster experience for thrill-seeking residents.
Details about Long Island Imagine Awards and the list of winners in all categories are available at https://www.imagineawardsli.org/finalist/.
Summer Swap series at The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook returns on June 3.
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook Village, in partnership with Stony Brook University, Stony Brook Medicine and community businesses, will be presenting the 2025 Summer Stage With A Purpose (Summer SWAP), on a series of Tuesday evenings throughout the summer. The events are FREE to the community.
Summer SWAP will offer visitors a relaxing and scenic outdoor venue on the front lawn of The Jazz Loft to listen to an impressive lineup of performers.
“This series was born from the desire to have the Jazz Loft collaborate with Stony Brook University, and Stony Book Medicine as a way to invest in the community and especially to nurture cultural development,” said The Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel.
“This summer concert series was born from the desire to give back to our community, to offer high quality performances to everyone without charge, and also to expand our collaborative projects with Stony Brook University, and Stony Book Medicine,” said Manuel. “Summer SWAP is the perfect way to invest in our community and an especially real and genuine way to nurture cultural development. It’s exciting to see how this collaborative concert series has become such a special part of our community tradition.”
“We’re proud to sponsor Summer SWAP and to continue our partnership with The Jazz Loft,” said Heather Banoub, Assistant Vice President of University and Medicine Community Relations. “Bringing people together through music and culture reflects our commitment to enriching the lives of those in our community.”
The Jazz Loft will be offering a variety of refreshments for sale in the Basie Garden which is adjacent to The Jazz Loft. Attendees are welcome to bring their own chairs and blankets to set up on the lawn.
The series performers will include:
Tuesday, June 3 — Jason Marshall Organ Trio
Tuesday, June 17 — Birsa Chatterjee Quartet
Tuesday, July 1 — Kevin Blanca Big Band
Tuesday, July 22 — Dal Segno Trio w/Tom Manuel & Georgia Heers
Performances are set for Sunday, June 8 (5:30 p.m., immediately following Long Island Pride) at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington; Friday, June 13 (8 p.m.) on Freeport’s Nautical Mile at the Sparkle on Stage Community Arts Center, 195 Woodcleft Avenue, Freeport; and Saturday, June 14 (8 p.m.) at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, Setauket/E. Setauket.
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