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TBR News Media covers everything happening on the North Shore of Suffolk County from Cold Spring Harbor to Wading River.

Mustang Kellachan shuts down SWR for conference championship

by TBR Staff - June 23, 2021

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By Steven Zaitz

Mount Sinai senior pitcher Dan Kellachan has a long memory.

When head baseball coach Eric Reichenbach handed Kellachan the ball to pitch against archrival Shoreham Wading River for the Conference V title, the fireballing righty had a single thought — revenge.

Back on May 14, the 6’1”, 200-pounder was uncharacteristically shelled by SWR for four runs in four innings, including two home runs, in his only loss of the season.

“Since then, that game has been the only thing on my mind, and I wouldn’t have wanted to face any other team to win the championship,” Kellachan said. “I knew I could have done better against them last time. I was happy I got the chance to prove myself.”

He did exactly that, as the Mustangs defeated the Wildcats 4-1 on Friday afternoon and advanced to the Long Island Championship game against Nassau County’s Island Trees. Kellachan, mixing a fastball in the low 90s with a knuckle curve, struck out four in 5 2/3 innings, escaped some serious basepath traffic, and got big-time help from his defense and bullpen.

“With a championship on the line, there is nobody else I’d rather have out on that mound than Dan,” Reichenbach said. “His outing against these guys in May did not worry me at all. Dan has the mental make-up just for this type of situation — and he proved it tonight.”

From very early on, Kellachan would call upon that mental make-up, as the Wildcats were prowling around the bases and looking to strike.

“I got out of a couple of tough spots there and I had a lot of help from my defense,” the Ithaca-bound senior said.

In the 2nd inning, the Wildcats put runners on second and third to start the frame. Kellachan struck out Jacob Bacenet and Joey Marchese and then got Kyle Engmann to ground out to end the threat. Kellachan pumped his fist with delight on his way back to the dugout. It would be one of many fist pumps on the afternoon.

In the 5th, Mustang center fielder Joe Valenti made a fine shoestring grab and right fielder JT Caruso made a diving catch to end the inning with the bases loaded. In the 6th, with Mount Sinai nursing a three run lead, Matt Fauvell, who replaced Caruso in right, made a twisting catch of a wind-blown ball with two outs and the bases again loaded.

If that ball gets past Fauvell, the game would have likely been tied.

“We’ve been playing great defense all year,” Reichenbach said. “Our offense has come and gone at times during the season, but we’re all about pitching and defense, and those two parts of our team showed up today.”

SWR starting pitcher Billy Steele wasn’t as fortunate. Two errors in the third inning led to three unearned runs for the Mustangs and first basemen Matt Galli, who would relieve Kellachan and finish the game, knocked in L.J. Bohne and Matthew Carrera with a single to center. Mount Sinai would eventually take a 4-1 lead into the seventh.

Galli pitched 1 1/3 innings for the save, giving up two walks and a hit. Despite the baserunners, not to mention his unorthodox style of having his baseball cap fly off his head after every pitch, he negotiated the final four outs, fittingly sent Kellachan off to college as a winning pitcher — and his team to a championship.

Upon the final putout, there was a sea of white and red bedlam in the middle of the diamond — with Kellachan on the bottom of the pile.

“There’s no better way to go out,” said Kellachan, who acknowledged the adoring home crowd with a tip of the cap when he was relieved in the sixth. “We have such a great team and we’ve had such a great season. I’m glad I could get this win. Now, we have one more win to get.”

The Mustangs would indeed get that win, beating Island Trees to win the Conference V Long Island Championship on Father’s Day.

They blew a three-run lead in the fifth inning as the Bulldogs tied the score at 5. But an RBI double by catcher Derek Mennechino gave Mount Sinai a 6-5 lead. He would score on a sacrifice fly later in the inning, but only after the umpires discussed the tag up rule for nearly 30 minutes. They would allow Mennechino’s run to stand.

The final score was 8-6 and it gave Mount Sinai its first-ever Long Island baseball title. They finished the year with 19-2 record, which is the best in school history. Relief pitcher Chris Batuyious pitch the final three innings and was credited with the win.

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Editorial: Never forget

by TBR Staff - June 20, 2021

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Transit-workers-covid-memorial-Bridget-Fleming_061221_ritajegan5 — On June 12, Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming led a memorial event for public transit workers who lost their lives to COVID-19. Photo by Rita J. Egan

This past Saturday at a memorial honoring the Suffolk and Nassau transportation workers who lost their lives to COVID-19, speakers touched on the idea that our definition of what makes a worker essential has evolved over the past 15 months.

We have always recognized the heroic acts of people such as firefighters and police officers who save and protect us when we are in danger. We respect the work that health professionals and EMT workers and volunteers provide when we or loved ones are sick or injured. However, the pandemic brought to the forefront many we have overlooked previously in our everyday lives.

To think, for more than a year, truckers and grocery store employees have gone out every workday, taking the chance that they may be exposed to a virus that could hospitalize or even kill them or their loved ones, just to make sure we had food on our tables.

Then there were the home health care professionals, who continued to care for their patients inside their homes, despite the risks, and our utility workers who kept the lights on and the water flowing.

Journalists continued to be there to keep everybody abreast of what was going on in the world, whether about the virus, restrictions, politics and so much more, some even standing in the middle of protests.

And of course, the public transportation workers were there to make sure that those professionals and so many others who were unable to work from home were able to get to their offices and stores every day. When one doesn’t have a car, a train or bus can make the difference between getting a paycheck or not.

How many people in their everyday lives can remember on occasion rushing around and maybe not showing such workers the respect they deserve. Maybe it was being short tempered with a cashier because the line was long or an item was missing a price tag or driving too fast as workers were repairing a road thereby putting them in danger.

Adversity can bring with it many lessons, appreciating those who make our day a bit easier is one we hope all will remember as our country continues on the road to normalcy. It’s essential for everyone to have some sort of income to afford the necessities of life, but there are some whose work is essential in keeping us alive and healthy beyond the roles we once recognized.

We salute them all.

Fun ways to celebrate Father’s Day this year

by TBR Staff - June 19, 2021

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Father’s Day presents an opportunity for people to honor the special men in their lives. These include not only dads, but father figures and other influential men who offer care and guidance to the people they love. Many celebrations continue to look different than they were prior to the pandemic, and Father’s Day festivities may still require some modifications this year, even if celebrations are not governed by the same restrictions as in 2020. The following are some ways to show dads they are appreciated.

Backyard bash

Restrictions on outdoor gatherings have eased up considerably in many areas. Outdoor parties are some of the safer ways to bring people together, particularly if attendees maintain their distance. Weather permitting, families can host barbecues and enlist someone other than Dad to man the grill. Serve foods buffet-style and space out tables so people can safely celebrate.

Plan a sports outing

Professional sports teams are once again welcoming fans to stadiums and other venues, albeit with reduced capacities to maintain safety. It may be possible to purchase tickets to an upcoming game and surprise Dad or Grandpa with tickets on Father’s Day. Make Father’s Day festivities sports-centric, with coordinated decorations and themed foods to set the scene.

Plan a game day

Whether your father likes board games, video games or crossword puzzles, gear Father’s Day around fun and games. Let Dad lead the way and choose the activity, and then everyone can step away from their screens and come together at the table over jigsaw puzzles or trivia questions.

Host a beer tasting

If Dad is a beer lover, organize a trip to a local craft brewery to sample their offerings. If establishments are closed or still restricting indoor seating, pick up beers from a few different breweries and create a flight at home.

Set up an outdoor movie night

Perfect for a father who is a movie buff, borrow or purchase a projector and show a movie on an outdoor screen or against a blank outdoor wall. Select one of Dad’s favorite movies to watch and invite friends and family to join in on the fun. Make sure there are refreshments at the ready and plenty of hot popcorn. Celebrating Father’s Day this year may require some ingenuity, but there is still fun to be had.

Happy Father’s Day from Times Beacon Record News Media!

PJS/T Chamber of Commerce spotlight: Sunburst Tree Experts

by TBR Staff - June 19, 2021

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pjstc spotlight 2, joan nickeson — Photo from Joan Nickeson

By Joan Nickeson

After speaking with Dave Jenkins, owner of Sunburst Tree Experts, I recalled a quote. It may have been Teddy Roosevelt who said, “To exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, and to live as a people, we must have trees.”

Providing professional tree care and educating his clients on the many benefits of trees, are part of the calling for Jenkins.

He explained recently how he is, “saving as many trees as he can” on every job. Jenkins is also a generous individual; he participated in the Great Brookhaven Clean up, donating his time, talent and truck, chipping lots of deadwood around the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce Train Car.

The staff of Sunburst Tree Experts are dedicated to staying one step ahead of the game and have been, since 1974.

Whether you need expert pruning, tree evaluation and removal, installation, or storm cleanup you’ll always have a certified, licensed and insured arborist on site.

Jenkins requires his employees to complete ongoing continuing education classes.

“It is necessary to know the latest technology and information, to maintain the health of trees not only for our clients but the greater community,” he said.

In addition to being a loyal member and volunteering with the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce, he pruned back all the dead branches at the American Legion Hall in Port Jefferson Station for free.

For a free estimate from a friendly tree expert, you can contact Dave at Sunburst Tree Experts at 631-744-1577.

Joan Nickeson is an active member of the PJS/Terryville community and community liaison to the PJS/T Chamber of Commerce.

Huntington Blue Devils hunt down Northport Tigers

by TBR Staff - June 19, 2021

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Number 1 seed advances to conference finals against Bay Shore

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By Steven Zaitz

The Huntington High School Baseball team rode a nine run first inning and cruise to a 13-6 victory over Northport on Wednesday. They will face Bay Shore in the finals Friday for the Conference II championship.

Dylan Schnitzer, who was four for five on the day, hit an opposite field, two run homer in that first inning and lefty starting pitcher Palmer O’Beirne was rock solid going 4 1/3 innings striking out seven.

Tiger third basement Owen Johansen hit a grand slam homer late in the game, but it was not enough as the Blue Devils improved their record to 17-2.

Mills Pond Gallery’s annual Member Artist Showcase opens June 19

by TBR Staff - June 18, 2021

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Cheryl+Cass-Zampiva,++Feeling+Blue-Acrylic — 'Feeling Blue,' acrylic, by Cheryl Cass-Zampiva Image courtesy of Mills Pond Gallery

Smithtown Township Arts Council’s Mills Pond Gallery highlights the talents of 67 of its artist members with its annual Member Artist Showcase exhibit of original fine art for sale from June 19 through July 18. Exhibiting artists hail from 40 communities across Long Island as well as New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina and Florida.

A wide variety of media is represented including acrylic, digital art, ink etching, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, plaster & found objects, silk dyes on silk, solar plate etching, torn paper collage, and watercolor.

‘Christmas Cactus’
Photograph
By Kathee Shaff Kelson, Stony Brook
Image courtesy of Mills Pond Gallery

“The Member Artist Showcase is an important show to me. We have such an abundance of talent in our membership,” said Allison Cruz, Executive Director of the Mills Pond Gallery. “I love to give artists the opportunity to choose a piece of their work to exhibit. I know artists are usually under many constraints of Juried Exhibits due to requirements of style or medium or size. It is great to give them an opportunity to show something that maybe they haven’t had the opportunity to exhibit due to those constraints or maybe something they have created using a new medium or style. I am always excited to see what they enter!”

This year’s juror is freelance art consultant and curator Pam J. Brown, the Director and Curator of The Anthony Giordano Gallery at Dowling College for 16 years. Brown will choose four winning artists to participate in a future Winners Exhibit at the gallery.

Participating artists include Marsha Abrams, Lucia Alberti, Tina Anthony, Ross Barbera, Shain Bard, Ron Becker, Renee Blank, Kyle Blumenthal, Joyce Bressler, Alberto Jorge Carol, Cheryl Cass-Zampiva, Linda Ann Catucci, Carol Ceraso, Rocco Citeno, Donna Corvi, Teresa Cromwell, Tania Degen, Julie Doczi, Beth Drucker, JoAnne Dumas, Karin Dutra, Paul Edelson, Ellen Ferrigno, Donna Gabusi, Vivian Gattuso, Maureen Ginipro, Jan Guarino, Margaret Henning, David Herman, David Jaycox, Jr., Modern Fossils: Judith Marchand & David P. Horowitz, James Kelson, Kathee Shaff Kelson, Myungja Anna Koh, Susan Kozodoy Silkowitz, Ann Legere, Frank Loehr, Terence McManus, Paul Mele, Margaret Minardi, Karen George Mortimore, Annette Napolitano, Diane Oliva, Catherine Rezin, Robin Roberts, Robert Roehrig, Lori Scarlatos, Gia Schifano, Anita G. Schnirman, Joan Schwartzman, Kenneth Schwartzman, Hillary Serota Needle, Faith Skelos, Gisela Skoglund, Mike Stanko, Madeline Stare, John Taylor, Tracy Tekverk, Oxana Uryasev, Nicholas Valentino, Daniel van Benthuysen, Mary Ann Vetter, Pamela Waldroup, Don Weber, M. Ellen Winter, Patty Yantz, and Theodora Zavala.

“This show is about celebrating the talents of our artist members and I feel it does just that,” said Cruz.

The Mills Pond Gallery, 660 Route 25A, St. James presents its Member Artist Showcase from June 19 to July 18. The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, June 19 from noon to 2 p.m. or 2 to 4 p.m. (reservations are required) to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work. Admission to the gallery is always free. The gallery is open Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The gallery is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and July 3 and 4. Please call 631-862-6575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org for more information.

Photo of the Week

by TBR Staff - June 17, 2021

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SUNRISE ECLIPSE

Jay Gao of Stony Brook snapped this incredible image at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai on the morning of June 10 with a Nikon D750 camera

Send your Photo of the Week to [email protected]

Northport lacrosse doubles its pleasure

by TBR Staff - June 17, 2021

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Northport boys, girls win Suffolk County Titles at home on same day

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By Steven Zaitz

The Northport Tigers boys lacrosse team joined their female counterparts by winning the Suffolk County championship on Wednesday, June 16. They beat Ward Melville by a score of 8-6

Casey Fortunato, Mike Meyer and Dylan McNaughton all scored two goals apiece as the Tigers overcame an early three goal deficit. They will play Syosset on Saturday, July 19, in Bethpage for the Long Island High School Championship.

Earlier that same afternoon, the Northport Lady Tigers beat Smithtown East in a 9-8 thriller. Emma Demarco scored the winning goal with less than three minutes to go in the game. They will face the Nassau County champion Massapequa on Saturday as well.

Editorial: Leading Ladies

by TBR Staff - June 17, 2021

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Trustee Kathianne Snaden with her three daughters at the Unity Party victory party June 15. Photo by Julianne Mosher

Over the last few weeks of covering the Port Jefferson Village election, we’ve been fortunate enough to see things in person again.

Restrictions have been lifted and people are vaccinated — the world is slowly getting back to normal.

Last week, we attended the candidates’ debate at the Village Center. While sitting in the front row of the packed-out venue, we looked around at the people in the crowd.

Sitting a few seats away were trustee Kathianne Snaden’s children — three girls, ages 11, 12 and 18.

As their mother debated, answering tough and controversial questions village residents asked, they looked at her with awe. That was their mom up there, taking the initiative to try and make a difference in their community.

It was inspiring. Sure, we see strong women everywhere nowadays. There are doctors, lawyers, politicians, business owners, inventors — women do great things. But what we don’t always see is the impact this is leaving on our children. Young girls looking up to superstars who have multiple jobs — that include packing their lunches, driving them to school and doing their laundry.

And it isn’t just that trustee. Candidate Suzanne Velazquez has a daughter who’s graduating high school. That’s another young person with an idol right in her own home.

A few days later, the Unity Party held an election-result event at Saghar restaurant. Music was playing, food was being served and people danced together to celebrate another two years of the current administration.

Mayor Margot Garant’s mother, Jeanne Garant, was there. She, too, was mayor of our village years ago, and during her acceptance speech, Margot thanked — and jokingly blamed — her mom for her inspiration to become mayor. Now seven terms later, that family name is a staple in the village, and it all started with Jeanne putting her name on the ballot.

What if Jeanne hadn’t run for mayor all those moons ago? Would Margot have decided to run? Maybe having that strong matriarch setting an example to her as a kid is what planted the seed in having her eventually try it out.

Maybe Velazquez’s daughter will run one day. Maybe Snaden’s will, too.

But the fact that four out of five candidates this year were all women is spectacular and should be applauded.

Port Jeff Rotary beautifies Mount Sinai park

by TBR Staff - June 17, 2021

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kimberly brown estate 4 — Photo by Kimberly Brown

By Kimberly Brown

Locals recreationally use Chandler Estate Preserve trails on a daily basis.

Whether if it’s for exercise, walking the dog, or taking in the beautiful views, maintenance has become an integral part of keeping the trails useable.

For that reason, Port Jefferson Rotarian Pat Sabo, has created and inspired the Port Jefferson Rotary Club to take on the beautification of Chandler Estate Preserve in Mount Sinai.

“It used to be more open with a lot of fields and trails, but over the years it just all grew in so we maintain it now to clear it up again,” he said. “People won’t use it if they have to go through the brush so that’s why we want to open it back up.”

The members are currently focusing on the beautification of Chandler Estate Preserve due to its tremendous size of 44-acres.

With the club’s hard work, they have successfully cleared two-thirds of the land so far.

“This preserve is overwhelming,” Sabo said. “Maintaining this park could be a full-time job for some.”

Club members have mostly been working throughout the winter to help clean up the preserve by cutting down hazardous branches, clearing the trails and removing any garbage that has been dumped.

“It’s nice to help people connect with the land because with work and dedication this land is going to continue to be preserved and not become just houses along the road,” Club member and village Trustee Rebecca Kassay said.

One of the club’s goals is to mount trail marker signs. Although the locals who use the trail daily know where to go, Sabo says there are a lot of new people who come to the park every day who may get lost, so putting up markers could be helpful.

The club happily welcomes anyone who would like to help participate in their projects.

For more information about the Chandler Estate Preserve to assist in clean up and attend walk-around meetings, visit portjeffrotary.org.

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