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Edwin Rivera with his family and Legislator Sanin. Photo courtesy Legislator Rebecca Sanin’s office

Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington) recently recognized Edwin Rivera, Co-Founder and CEO of New York Fitness and Boxing (NYFB), for his transformative contributions to health, wellness, and inclusion in the Huntington community. 

For over 15 years, Rivera has led NYFB with a powerful mission: to make fitness accessible and meaningful for individuals of all ages and abilities. NYFB, founded on the principle that “anyone can box,” offers cardio-boxing classes designed to meet diverse needs while fostering a culture of encouragement and empowerment. 

Among its most impactful initiatives is The Box Fitness Experience—a groundbreaking boxing and fitness program specifically designed for individuals with special needs. Co-founded by Rivera’s daughter, Alexia, who has Down syndrome, the program was inspired by her journey and is a testament to the Rivera family’s commitment to inclusion. 

NYFB also offers specialized programming for individuals battling Parkinson’s disease and provides free fitness classes to those undergoing cancer treatment, underscoring the gym’s deep commitment to wellness for all. 

“Edwin Rivera is not only a dynamic entrepreneur, but a compassionate leader who has made it his mission to lift others up through fitness, innovation and inclusion,” said Legislator Sanin. 

“Thanks to his vision, NYFB has become a beacon of strength and community in Suffolk County—and a place where every individual is welcomed, valued and empowered.” 

Beyond his work at NYFB, Rivera is co-inventor of the Aqua Training Bag, a water-based heavy bag used worldwide by professional fighters and fitness enthusiasts. Developed with business partner William Ryder, the Aqua Bag offers a low-impact, high-performance workout and has become a global innovation in the fitness industry. 

Rivera also owns Harbor Paint, a commercial painting company based in Huntington Station, and previously worked as a regulatory compliance officer on Wall Street. Raised in Brooklyn, Rivera’s passion for boxing began in his youth and has since evolved into a lifelong dedication to community-building through sport and entrepreneurship. 

Legislator Sanin presented Rivera with a County proclamation in recognition of his exceptional leadership, joined by community members and Rivera’s family, including his wife, Alexandria, and daughter, Alexia. 

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Setauket Neighborhood House. File photo

New location! Emma Clark Library has moved the Ellen Bogolub Chamber Music Concert to the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket on Sunday, May18 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Join them for an afternoon of Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Florence Price’s “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” performed by a  string quartet from Long Island Chamber Music. No registration required. Questions? Email [email protected]

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Joseph Lloyd Manor garden. Courtesy of Preservation Long Island.

The Caribbean American Poetry Association (CAPA) and Preservation Long Island (PLI) invite students in Grades 6-12 across Long Island to share original poems as part of the 2025 Caribbean American Heritage Month/ Juneteenth Poetry Celebration on Thursday, June 19 in Lloyd Harbor. This event will pay homage to Jupiter Hammon (1711–c. 1806), recognized as the first published Black American poet. The event will take place at Joseph Lloyd Manor where Hammon authored his most significant works about the moral conflicts of slavery and freedom in the early United States while enslaved on Long Island.

In honor of Hammon’s legacy, CAPA and PLI invite students to submit their original poetry for the open-mic segment of the Juneteenth event. Students are encouraged to share verses on themes of liberty, resistance, and the power of writing, all of which resonate deeply with Hammon’s work. Entries will be accepted from students in Grades 6 through 12. Those who wish to participate must submit their original poetry on or before June 1, 2025. Poems should be no more than 40 lines long. Click HERE for details and guidelines for teachers and students. Poetry submissions are due by June 1, 2025.

The student open-mic will follow performances by featured poets, Dr. Lindamichelle Baron, Keisha-Gay Anderson, and Yasmin Morais. The program will begin with tours of Joseph Lloyd Manor and live Caribbean music. It will also include a dramatic historical hip-hopera by award-winning playwright, author, and poet Marsha M. Nelson, and a Taste of the Caribbean Table featuring signature dishes donated by local Caribbean eateries. The event is free; however, guests are encouraged to RSVP.

Support

The Juneteenth Poetic Tribute to Jupiter Hammon is funded in part by Poets & Writers with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to participate in The Taste of the Caribbean Table, please contact CAPA at: [email protected].

About CAPA

The Caribbean American Poetry Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Caribbean poetry in the United States, promoting the work of Caribbean American poets, and bringing Caribbean American poetry to the widest possible audiences.

About Preservation Long Island

Preservation Long Island is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate and preserve Long Island’s diverse cultural and architectural heritage through advocacy, education, and the stewardship of historic sites and collections. http://preservationlongisland.org

About Joseph Lloyd Manor

Located in the Town of Huntington, Joseph Lloyd Manor (c.1767) is one of Preservation Long Island’s historic houses and a site that enslaved generations of people of African descent. The house was designated as a National Literary Landmark™ in 2020 by the United for Libraries and Empire State Center for the Book in honor of writer Jupiter Hammon’s literary achievements. https://preservationlongisland.org/joseph-lloyd-manor/

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Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt Museum

As the weather warms on Long Island, the popular Architecture and Collections Tour returns to the picturesque Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, in Centerport.  

Take an intriguing walking tour of the Vanderbilt Estate with knowledgeable Museum educators. Learn about the history of the Eagle’s Nest estate; Warren & Wetmore’s design and exterior architectural details of the 24-room Spanish Revival mansion; and the striking ironwork of Samuel Yellin, considered the greatest iron artisan of the early 20th century, and visit the marine, natural history, and cultural artifact collections.

William K. Vanderbilt II (1878-1944) spent summers at his Eagle’s Nest estate and mansion on Northport Bay between 1910 and 1944. He and his wife, Rosamond, hosted intimate gatherings and entertained well-known guests, such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Pierre Cartier, Conde Nast, Charles Lindbergh, and the Tiffanys. Eagle’s Nest is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Created by the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum Education Department, the 2025 season will begin on Saturday, May 17, with tours offered at noon and 1:15 p.m. Other dates include June 21, July 25, August 15, September 27 and October 19.

“The grounds are beautiful this time of year and the walking tour is a perfect way to be introduced to the history of the estate. There is an abundance of beauty in the eclectic architecture and the unique details that reflect William Vanderbilt’s interests,” said Beth Laxer-Limmer, Director of Education.

Tickets are $16 adults; $15 seniors and students $15; $14 children ages 5 to 17. Free for members. To purchase tickets, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

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Stony Brook, NY; Stony Brook University: Science on Stage member Heather Lynch

The League of Women Voters of Brookhaven will welcome renowned Stony Brook University scientist Heather Lynch to speak at their monthly meeting at Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station on Friday, May 16 at 1 p.m.

Many of the medicines and products that we rely on have been created by scientists working on research grants from the federal or state government.

Lynch, a quantitative ecologist and a professor at Stony Brook University, will speak on “The role of grants to universities: How are they selected and monitored?” and “How will current changes to grant funding impact our scientific competitiveness?”

Dr. Lynch is the Institute for Advanced Computational Sciences Endowed Chair for Ecology and Evolution and leads the Collaborative for the Earth, which facilitates university-wide research, education, and public policy engagement around global environmental crises. Her research is dedicated to the population dynamics of Antarctic wildlife, with a particular focus on penguins and other seabirds.

Dr. Lynch’s research in Antarctica has been funded by a range of federal and non-governmental organizations, including through a National Science Foundation Career award—the most prestigious NSF award that supports early career faculty. Dr. Lynch was the first ecologist ever to win the Blavatnik National Medal for Life Sciences, the world’s largest unrestricted prize for young scientists.

All are welcome to attend this event. No reservations necessary. For more information, call 631-928-1212.

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The police at the Kings Park Bluff after a 911 call was placed.

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man found in Kings Park on May 14.

Marine Bureau officers responded to a 911 call reporting a man in distress in the Nissequogue River on May 12 at 7:49 p.m. A witness at the scene said he waded into the water before being swept away from the shore. He began waving his hands, signaling distress.

The witness said a man jumped in to help, but the victim was too far. “It was just horrible,” the witness said.

“I looked for a life ring to throw him. It wouldn’t have reached him anyway,”  the witness said. “You couldn’t do anything.”

During a search of the area, an adult male was found deceased today in the Nissequogue River, near Old Dock Road, at approximately 6:40 p.m.

The man was pronounced at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Following a preliminary investigation, detectives believe the cause of death to be non-criminal in nature. The man’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

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Join Northport Public Library, 154 Laurel Ave., Northport for a Senior Information Fair on Wednesday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. Speak with representatives from local organizations who will share information about programs they offer. No registration required.

Attendees include:

  • AARP Tax-Aide
  • Aetna Better Health of NY
  • All Metro Health Care
  • American Parkinson Disease Association
  • Andrew Heiskell Braille & Talking Book Library
  • CN Guidance
  • Family Service League & SeniorNet
  • New York State Funeral Directors Association PrePlan Services
  • Northwell Family Health Center at Huntington
  • Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation
  • PSEG
  • RSVP Suffolk
  • Suffolk County Dept. of Health Services
  • Suffolk County Office of the Aging
  • Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office (Medical ID Cards & Yellow Dot program)
  • Touro Law Senior Citizens Law Program
  • Town of Huntington, Senior Division
  • VISIONS: Services for the Blind
  • Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk, INC.

For more information, call 631-261-6930.

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Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly stole merchandise from a Selden store.

A woman allegedly stole $370 worth of health and beauty products from Target, located at 307 Independence Plaza, on May 10 at approximately 6:20 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 cannbe 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.

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Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (far right) celebrates Assembly District 4 Women of Distinction Honorees including Angeline Judex who is pictured here second from right with her colleagues from the Long Island Explorium.
 On Saturday, May 3rd, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay hosted the 2025 Assembly District 4 Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony at the New Village Recreation Center in Centereach. The event brought together Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright, Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, and more than 100 community members, friends, families, and local leaders to honor the leadership and community impact of the exemplary women who live in Assembly District 4.

“The room was filled with warmth, wisdom, and gratitude as we reflected on the power of leadership, service, and compassion. From heartfelt stories to new connections, this event reminded us of the importance of recognizing the women who quietly and boldly make a difference every day,” said Assemblywoman Kassay. “Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and helped make this day and every day brighter.”

Residents, businesses and other members of the community were invited to nominate women residing in Assembly District 4 to be considered for the 2025 Assembly District 4 Women of Distinction Award in the categories of Business, Community Volunteer, Education, Government, Healthcare, Law Enforcement/First Responder, Non-Profit, Science, and Veteran. Over the course of 2 months, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay’s office received over 30 nominations. Of those 30, one honoree was selected from each category:

2025 Assembly District 4 Women of Distinction Honorees:

Melissa Negrin-Wiener – Business

Dr. Yanping Yu – Community Volunteer

Gretchen Oldrin Mones – Education

Hon. Valerie M. Cartright – Government

Erika Detto – Healthcare

Kerry Schneider – Law Enforcement / First Responder

Dana Callender – Non-Profit

Angeline Judex – Science

Melanie Corinne – Veteran

Nominees Recognized for Their Contributions:

Business:

Maryann Deriso

McKayla De La Pena

Maria Nardiello

Julie Vitrano

Betty Diaz

Community Volunteer:

Shoshana Hershkowitz

Alice Rose Damico

Lisa Perry

Patricia Schindler

Education:

Kristen Hoffman

Ellen Boehm

Government:

Lillian Clayman

Vivian Viloria-Fisher

Healthcare:

Dr. Michele Kaider-Alstodt

Dr. Lynda Loudon Sheppard

Law Enforcement / First Responder:

Elicia Murphy

Non-Profit:

Sarah Abruzzi

Amy Tuttle

Makai Ballo

Shaorui Li

Lisa Jaeger

During the event, the honorees and nominees were invited to say a few words and were presented with proclamations and certificates to thank them for their contributions to the community. This event marks the first Assembly District 4 Women of Distinction Awards, which will be hosted annually by the office of Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay. Beginning January 2026, members of the community are invited and encouraged to submit nominees for next year’s awards.

For more information about this and any other program or concern, please call Assemblywoman Kassay’s office at 631-751-3094.

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From left, members of VFW Post 4927 - Post Quartermaster Cameron Clawson, Mike Costarelli, and Paulie LaRocco with Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay

On Sunday, May 4, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay co-hosted a community blood drive with local VFW Post 4927 in Port Jefferson Station and the New York Blood Center. Throughout the day, donors came from across the district to donate blood, visit the VFW, and enjoy some of the homemade treats that were personally baked by Assemblywoman Kassay and her team, and take home a box of Girl Scout cookies that were provided by the New York Blood Center.

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay said, “Hats off to everyone who showed up and participated in Sunday’s Blood Drive—you are all life-savers! Every donation made has the potential to help save the life of someone experiencing surgery, chronic illness, or life-threatening conditions. Each single unit can save up to three lives, meaning the donations at our drive will potentially impact 81 people. Community efforts like this remind us of the power we have to support one another—and that even one donation can make a world of difference. And every event is made sweeter with homemade cupcakes and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies– all baked with love! Many thanks to our partners at VFW Post 4927 for hosting the drive and tapping their members, and the New York Blood Center for sending an incredible team of professionals.”

This event marks the first blood drive event that will be hosted annually through Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay’s office with the VFW Post 4927.

For more information about the blood drive or future events, please call Assemblywoman Kassay’s office at 631-751-3094.

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