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Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Smithtown Township Arts Council presents Between Artist, Artwork and Audience — Emotional Connections in Art at the Mills Pond Gallery in St. James from May 3 to May 31. 

Have you ever wondered about what is going on in a painting? For the viewer, art can be a doorway into the soul, passion, conflict, or love that is woven into each artwork. The artist’s creations sometimes reveal unspoken personal struggles or achievements, which cause the viewer to connect with a familiar experience in their life or inspire a new way of seeing the world. How we see art is uniquely affected by the lives we have lived. 

In this latest exhibit, artists were asked to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in their artwork and 96 artists from 48 Long Island communities as well as Brooklyn, Queens, Irvington and Larchmont  NY, NJ, OH, MA and NV answered the call. 

Works were created using acrylic, charcoal, conte, gouache, watercolor, acrylic, colored ink, oil, graphite, ink, mixed media, monotype print, oil, pastel, pencil, watercolor, and woodcut.

All of the artists have all shared brief personal connection statements which will be available to gallery visitors.

A statement by one of the exhibiting artists Joseph Gattulli helps to define the essence of this exhibit … “My art is not just about visual aesthetics; it is an invitation to engage with the deeper, often unspoken aspects of our emotional lives. I hope that viewers find a sense of connection and empathy, recognizing their own journeys within the narrative of my art.”

“We hope the exhibited work will touch our viewers whether they are intrigued, nostalgic, uplifted, calmed, hopeful or otherwise,” said Allison Cruz, Executive Director of the Smithtown Township Arts Council and Mills Pond Gallery.

Exhibiting artists include Debra Baker, Brenda L. Bechtel, Ron Becker, Kusuma Bheemineni, Kyle Blumenthal, Joyce Bressler, Kathy Brown, Renee Caine, Al Candia, Linda Ann Catucci, Carol Ceraso, Bernice Corbin, Jane Corrarino, Trisha biSha Danesi, Karen B Davis, Jennifer DeMory, Bernadette Denyse, Thomas DiCicco, William Drost, Paul Farinacci, Ellen Ferrigno, Bernadette Fox, Stuart  Friedman, Peter Galasso, Joseph Gattulli, Joan Genchi, Arlene Gernon, Michele Gonzalez, Meghan Goparaju, Rhoda Gordon, Susan Guihan Guasp, Alexandra Guma, Regina Halliday, Christopher L. Hanson, David Herman, Tyler Hughes, Heather Jablon, Julia Jenkins, George Junker, Sally Anne Keller, James Kelson, Angelica  Kempa, Mary Kiernan, Catherine Knight, Myungja Anna Koh, Sara Kohrt, Scott Lawson, Matthew Lombardo, Tracy Mahler, John Mansueto, Jeanette Martone, Adriena Masi, Liz Jorg Masi, Kathleen McArdle, Avrel Menkes, Romalia Mitchell, John Morris, Diane Motroni, Judith Musaro, Mary Nagin, Judy Pagano, Maureen Palmieri, Patti Peterson, Vanessa Pineda Fox, Denis Ponsot, Jeff Potter, Kelly Powell, Nicole Pray, Josephine Puccio, Bernice Rausch, William Reed, Robert Roehrig, Lori Scarlatos, Adriana Serban, Kendra Singh, Gisela Skoglund, Lynn Staiano, Mike Stanko, Maddy Stare, Judy Stone, Amanda Szczurowski, Gia Dianna Taylor, Joanne Teets, Ashley Thorbjornsen, Andrea Tonty, Robert Tuska, Diane Van Velsor, Robert Wallkam, Joseph Weinreb, Marie Winn, Marie Winn, Nina Wood, Patty Yantz, and Theodora Zavala.

The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, May 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work.

The Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in St. James. Regular gallery hours are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 am. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the gallery is always free. For more information, call 631-862-6575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

Photo courtesy of TOB
On April 29, Brookhaven Town Clerk Kevin LaValle (standing) was a guest speaker at the Centereach Senior Club monthly meeting held at the New Village Recreation Center. He discussed the role of the Town Clerk’s office and how it can help Brookhaven Town residents. He also spoke about service improvements by the Town Clerk’s office, engaged with civic members, and touched upon senior scams to be aware of.
Town Clerk LaValle said, “Thank you to the members of the Centereach Senior Club for having me. I enjoyed answering questions about the services we provide and the projects I’m working on to enhance those services.”
The Town Clerk’s office is located at Brookhaven Town Hall, One Independence Hill in Farmingville. For more information, office hours, and services, call 631-451-9101 or go to www.BrookhavenNY.gov.

Motorcycle deaths increase in the summer. METRO photo

AAA urges increased vigilance during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

As warm weather finally blankets the Northeast, road users are getting out more — including motorcyclists. Unfortunately, this brings a sharp increase in fatal crashes involving motorcycles. An analysis by AAA Northeast of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data from the last decade found that almost 60% of motorcyclist fatalities occur between May and September.

Motorcyclist fatalities in the U.S. continue to trend dangerously upward. There were 6,335 motorcyclists killed in 2023, representing 15% of all traffic fatalities, according to NHTSA. This came despite motorcycles making up only one percent of all the miles traveled in the U.S. This was the highest number of motorcyclists killed since 1975, the earliest year of available data.

“The continued increase in motorcyclist fatalities is especially troubling given that most categories of traffic fatalities decreased from 2022 to 2023, while motorcyclist deaths continued their dangerous climb,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “As we all take to the roads more frequently during warmer weather, drivers must keep in mind that staying alert and aware is critical to improving safety, especially as motorcycles can be more difficult to see because of their size.”

NY: In New York, there were 188 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in 2023, according to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research.

NJ: In New Jersey, there were 76 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in 2023, according to Numetric’s crash data repository.

CT: In Connecticut, there were 55 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in 2023, according to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository.

AAA offers the following tips for drivers:

  • Increase following distance and take extra care when driving behind a motorcycle, especially when stopping or accelerating.
  • Carefully check mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles, which are less visible than other vehicles on the road.
  • If a motorcyclist has their turn signal on, wait to make sure they actually turn before passing them. The turn signals on many motorcycles do not turn off automatically, so there’s a chance they could be activated from an earlier maneuver.
  • Never drive distracted. At 55 mph, taking your eyes off the road for just 5 seconds is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded.

AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing nearly 6.8 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.

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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

The Defendant Left the Toddler in Critical Condition that Required Emergency Surgery

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on May 1 that a Huntington Station man, 33, was sentenced to 23 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision after a jury found him guilty of Assault in the First Degree and related charges for beating his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter, causing life-threatening injuries.

“Suffolk will not tolerate violence against children,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I thank the jury for holding the defendant accountable for this vicious beating of a toddler.”

The evidence at trial established that, between February 17, 2024, and February 19, 2024, the defendant was babysitting his girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter while she went to work and ran errands. Upon returning home on February 18, 2024, the child’s mother noticed significant bruises on the child’s body, and on February 19, 2024, she noticed that her child had a new, significant bruise on her face, that her child was vomiting profusely, and that her child was unable to stand or respond to her. The mother brought her child to the emergency room at Huntington Hospital, where it was determined that the child was in critical condition.

The District Attorney’s Office is not naming the defendant in order to avoid identifying the child victim.

page1image23330816The child was then transferred to Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where she received emergency surgery to repair a life-threatening injury to her small intestine, which was caused by significant blunt force trauma.

On February 28, 2025, the defendant was convicted after a jury trial heard before Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei for Assault in the First Degree, a Class B violent felony; two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor.

On May 1, the defendant was sentenced to 23 years in prison followed by 5 years of post- release supervision. He was represented by Matthew Tuohy, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Katherine Flinchum and Kirsten Reilly of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Christopher Albanese of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Special Victims Section.

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Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Riverhead Town Police are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a woman who allegedly stole from a Riverhead store in April. A woman stole $354 worth of merchandise from TJ Maxx, located at 1791 Old Country Road, at approximately 1:50 p.m. on April 11.

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.

Police car. Stock photo

Suffolk County Police arrested a man following a road rage incident involving a handgun in Kings Park on April 30.

Christopher Tartaglia was driving a 2015 BMW X5 eastbound on Cortez Drive, just east of Indian Head Road, when he began tailgating the vehicle in front of him while honking his horn repeatedly at approximately 6 p.m.

The other vehicle pulled to the side of the road to allow Tartaglia to pass. Tartaglia pulled alongside the stopped vehicle and threatened the driver while pointing a handgun in his direction before driving away. The victim called 911 to report the incident.

Fourth Precinct Patrol officers, along with members of the Community Support Unit, located and arrested Tartaglia at his residence a short time later. A Ruger LCP Max was recovered as well as another firearm and a legally owned rifle.

Fourth Squad detectives charged Tartaglia, 57, of Smithtown, with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree and Menacing 2nd Degree. He will be held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and was scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on May 1.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854- 8542.

The Town of Smithtown Department of Environment and Waterways, in coordination with the Municipal Services Facility, collected over 37 tons of hazardous waste during the annual Earth Day Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event on Saturday, April 26. A total of 651 households safely disposed of thousands of pounds of toxic materials that cannot be placed in regular curbside pickup—making this one of the most successful collection events to date.

“As we marked Earth Day last week, it was truly uplifting to witness our community unite in record numbers for the first of three Household Hazardous Waste Disposal events this year. Thanks to the dedication of our environmentally conscious residents—and the exceptional teamwork of the MSF staff, Public Safety Fire Marshals, DEW crew, Reworld (formerly Covanta), and our trusted contractor Radiac—we are actively protecting Smithtown’s drinking water, parks, air, and treasured waterways for future generations… These free events, held three times a year, give every resident the opportunity to make a meaningful impact—and this year, Smithtown rose to the occasion like never before,” said Town of Smithtown Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim.

“I want to personally recognize our outstanding department leaders, including Solid Waste Coordinator Mike Englemann, Environmental Director David Barnes, MSF Director Matt Laux, DEW Senior Analyst Rich Kitt, MSF Foreman Tommy Passariello, Environmental Technician Brooke Ferreira, and our dedicated partner at Reworld, Brian Aerne. Their commitment ensures a safe, efficient, and even enjoyable experience for all who participate… Beyond collection day, these initiatives help foster a culture of sustainability and responsibility throughout our community. Together, we’re preserving the natural beauty and quality of life that make Smithtown such an extraordinary place to live,” added Wehrheim.

This year’s event was made possible through the tremendous collaboration and support of the Town’s Department of Public Safety Fire Marshals, DEW staff, and Reworld (formerly Covanta). Their efforts supplemented the work of Radiac Environmental Services, the Town’s licensed HHW contractor, to ensure a safe, efficient, and seamless experience for all residents.

Additionally, the Town saw record participation in a targeted waste diversion initiative focused on propane tanks, lithium-ion batteries, and mercury-containing devices, demonstrating a growing community commitment to environmental safety and sustainability.

“The 2025 Earth Day Hazardous Household Waste collection event was a great success. The rain didn’t stop hundreds of residents from responsibly disposing of potentially hazardous chemicals and products. Participating in the Town’s Hazardous Household Waste collection events profoundly impacts protecting our drinking water, air, and natural resources while enabling the Town to maintain high-quality parks, recreational facilities, roads, and waterways for all residents to enjoy.  Special thanks to Supervisor Ed Wehrheim for his support and leadership on environmental initiatives such as these, MSF staff, Public Safety Fire Marshals, DEW staff, and Reworld staff (formerly Covanta) for supplementing the work of Radiac (HHW contractor) and providing safe and efficient service to all residents. We continue to encourage residents to consider using environmentally friendly alternatives for in and around the home,” said Michael P. Engelmann, P.G. Solid Waste Coordinator for the Town of Smithtown.

A portion of the wastes collected for manifested disposal include: mercury, waste oil based paints/ flammable paints, gasoline, paint thinners, waste gases, petroleum distillates, flammable solids, oxidizers liquids and solids, sodium/potassium nitrates, acids, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, misc. toxic liquids (i.e. Chlordane, etc.) and solids, lacquers, lithium batteries, battery acids and various other toxic compounds.

Reworld (formerly Covanta) distributed over 150  $5 Home Depot gift cards to residents for recycling potentially dangerous lithium-ion and other batteries, propane tanks and mercury containing devices thereby preventing these harmful items from curbside disposal.  112 propane tanks were recovered at the event.  Record participation with these hazardous waste diversions.

Additionally, eco-friendly reusable coffee k-cups were also provided by DEW to interested residents.

The next household hazardous waste collection events are scheduled for July 12th & October 4th, 2025. Hazardous Household Waste collection events are for Smithtown Township residents only. Proof of residency will be confirmed upon entry.

DID YOU KNOW?: 

Residents can also dispose of electronic waste, free of charge, at the Town Recycling Center located at 85 Old Northport Road. Electronic waste, such as computers, printers, TV’s, monitors, automotive and household batteries, can be dropped off during regular hours for proper recycling.

FREE MULCH: Mulch is also available free of charge to residents. Smithtown residents can line up for pre-packaged bags of mulch with a maximum of 10 bags per visit. We offer free loading of loose mulch into your pick-up or dump truck. A cover is required.

The Smithtown Municipal Services Facility is located at 85 Old Northport Road in Kings Park, NY.

Regular Operating Hours: Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Legislator Kennedy (third from right) alongside the paving crew from Rosemar Construction. Photo courtesy Legislator Kennedy’s office

On Thursday, April 24, Leslie Kennedy  (R-Nesconset) visited a Rosemar Construction paving crew while they were repaving the Blydenburgh County Park South Entrance Way. The section of road spans from the entrance on Veterans Memorial Highway in Hauppauge all the way to the Dog Park at Blydenburgh Park. This paving was funded through a 2025 Capital Project grant filed by the Legislator last spring.

“This project has really been 30 years overdue. Blydenburgh has been through a lot in the past year, and this is just one of the many projects we’re working on to make Blydenburgh the park it deserves to be,” said Legislator Kennedy.

Not only is the park actively used for canine recreation, but it is home to a number of camping sites, an interactive playground, numerous hiking trails used by the Long Island Green Belt Trail Group, but it also became home to the Hauppauge Vietnam Veterans Memorial last summer.

When the Stump Pond Dam is re-constructed, once again boating, canoeing, kayaking and freshwater fishing will be restored.

The road paving is just one of many Capital Projects Legislator Kennedy submitted last year. Some of the highlights of last year’s capital projects from the office of the 12th legislative district include but are not limited to silt remediation across the twelfth legislative district, funding for sidewalks in Smithtown and Brookhaven, $2.5 million in funds to repair and replace the weir and sluice way at Miller’s Pond, and $6.5 million to repair and replace the dam at Stump Pond in Blydenburgh County Park.

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Steven Musgrove

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced on May 1that Steven Musgrove, 29, of Selden, was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree for possessing a loaded and defaced firearm.

“We will not tolerate felons illegally carrying firearms in our community,” said District Attorney Tierney. “This repeat offender’s history of violent criminality mandates his removal from our streets. We commend the alert bartender and responding officers whose quick actions led to this conviction.”

The evidence at trial established that, on March 22, 2024, Musgrove entered Shakers Pub in Oakdale just before it closed for the night and began having a conversation with the bartender. When a Suffolk County Police Department Sergeant entered Shakers Pub to conduct a routine check of the bar’s liquor license, Musgrove went to the other end of the bar and placed a loaded handgun in the trash before exiting the building. After Musgrove left, the bartender looked into the garbage can, saw the firearm, and alerted the Sergeant.

Law enforcement recovered a loaded and defaced black handgun with an extended magazine from inside the trash can. Video surveillance from the bar showed Musgrove placing the handgun in the trash can. DNA testing also revealed the presence of Musgrove’s DNA on the firearm, the magazine, and an ammunition cartridge.

On March 26, 2025, Musgrove was found guilty of one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony, one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony, after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz.

Prior to his conviction in this case, Musgrove was previously convicted on Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony in 2014, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony, in 2017.

On April 29, 2025, Musgrove was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison. He was represented by Pierre Bazile, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kieran R. Rogers and Patrick J. Mullen of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective David Leath of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fifth Squad. Significant assistance in the investigation was provided by Jeannie Miller and James Valenti of the Suffolk County Crime Lab and Research Analyst Brooke Baade of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

From Middle Country Public Library

According to the business advocacy organization, Long Island Association, 90% of businesses on Long Island are small businesses. In today’s competitive market, small businesses need every possible advantage to thrive. Membership in the local chamber of commerce is a great way to become a part of the community and networking events like Strictly Business, being held on Tuesday, May 6 at the Middle Country Public Library in Centereach, help get them in front of potential customers and collaborators. 

More than 17 years ago, representatives from the Miller Business Center at the Middle Country Public Library, the Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition and the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce met to brainstorm how they could offer even more opportunities to their members. What could be done to help them meet potential clients and connect with other small businesses and entrepreneurs? Knowing that the cost of big events can be prohibitive, Strictly Business was born! 

It is more than a just a trade show or networking event—it is a catalyst for economic development for local businesses in the area. 

Lenore Paprocky, President of the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce, captures what small businesses mean to the region when she says, “Small businesses are the backbone of Long Island, driving our economy and strengthening our communities. B2B (business to business) networking isn’t just about connections—it’s about collaboration, growth, and building a thriving local community where businesses support each other and succeed together.”

This is the heart of Chamber of Commerce membership. When small businesses join their local chamber, they gain access to a network that is committed to mutual success, advocacy, and shared progress.

That network includes community resources to help with training, mentorship, research and more. The Miller Business Center at the Middle Country Public Library connects with small businesses at the many chamber meetings and events they attend. 

“The Miller Business Center is a part of the local business eco-system,” says Middle Country Public Library director Sophia Serlis-McPhillips. “Not only do we plan and run Strictly Business, we also offer assistance all year with our programming and business research.”  

With Strictly Business, small businesses have a unique opportunity to showcase their offerings directly to potential customers and collaborators. These kinds of opportunities can lead to long-term business relationships, client growth, and community recognition. The event also serves as a powerful reminder of the shared mission among local businesses. 

Barbara Ransome, President of the Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition and a small business owner explains that, “The original intention for creating a Strictly Business event was to support our small business communities; that remains the same. This trade show provides a cohesive platform for our Chambers of Commerce partners to participate in networking with one another. They are brought together to share in a unified voice common goals and concerns as well as creating NEW business opportunities and finding that there is strength in numbers.”

This “strength in numbers” idea is a driving force behind the Chamber of Commerce model. When businesses stand together, they amplify their influence. Returning Strictly Business exhibitor, Carmine Inserra, CEO of ProSysCon Computer Technologies, Inc., says, “It’s always advantageous for business owners to be around others who are working on their businesses and Strictly Business is a great way to connect and to have so many successful businesses in one place.” This sentiment underscores the importance of shared energy and collaboration. 

Sponsorship from major institutions like TD Bank shows just how much the broader community values these events. Maryellen Ferretti, TD Bank Retail Market Manager, S.V.P. shared that it is “committed to empowering local businesses and fostering economic growth. Strictly Business is a great way to show this commitment as the event offers valuable networking opportunities and resources for entrepreneurs and professionals in the community.” The involvement of such stakeholders is a testament to the real economic impact that local businesses have—and how vital it is to invest in their success.

In the end, the Strictly Business trade show is more than just a day of networking— it is an introduction to the larger economic environment of Long Island. 

The 17th annual Strictly Business trade show will take place on Tuesday, May 6 at the Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees have the opportunity to enter a raffle for the chance to win a $250 gift card. Admission is free and there is ample free parking. For more information, call 631-585-9393 x216.