Devon Patel is this year’s valedictorian at Centereach High School. Photo by Talia Amorosano
Centereach High School student, Devon Patel, is no stranger to working hard and balancing a busy schedule.
During his senior year, the co-captain of the math team successfully juggled commitments to his school’s National and Spanish Honor Societies with his fourth year on the Varsity Tennis team, and still managed to achieve a cumulative GPA of 97.4. As if this were not enough, he also took on the leadership role of layout editor for his school newspaper and headed an effort to create a website to serve as an online option for reading and viewing articles.
Based on Patel’s commitment to his personal education and his high school as a whole, it is no surprise that he has been named Centereach High School’s class of 2015 valedictorian, a title that signifies academic excellence and — in his case — outstanding leadership skills and conscientiousness within his school community.
Patel plans to attend Binghamton University this fall and looks forward to majoring in biochemistry, a field that promises to fuse and further knowledge he gained from his two favorite high-school classes: biology and chemistry. Currently, he hopes to complete Binghamton’s premed program, go on to become a doctor, and possibly specialize in orthopedic surgery.
When asked what the biggest factor that contributed to his academic success in high school was, Patel noted that his parents influenced him to stay motivated and that his teachers often carried similar encouragement into the classroom. He stressed the importance of hard work and said that his experience at Centereach High School has taught him that, “you can’t get anything without working.”
Our nation suffered yet another tragedy last week when an avowed racist allegedly murdered nine people at the famous Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina, and it didn’t take long for the debates to start.
Should the Confederate flag still be flown? Does institutional racism still exist? Should the suspected shooter, Dylann Roof, be labeled as a terrorist?
The correct answer depends on whom you are speaking to. Most people already have an opinion and are sticking to it, which really doesn’t solve any of the important issues this most recent incident brings to light. Nine innocent people are still dead.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the number of hate groups nationwide has increased by 30 percent since 2000. In addition, antigovernment groups rose from 149 in 2008 to 874 in 2014 — numbers that jumped following the financial downturn and the election of President Barack Obama. The center also cited an influx of nonwhite immigrants as another factor.
“This growth in extremism has been aided by mainstream media figures and politicians who have used their platforms to legitimize false propaganda about immigrants and other minorities and spread the kind of paranoid conspiracy theories on which militia groups thrive,” the center said on its website.
We are lucky to live in a country that values freedom of speech and there are countless platforms to voice our opinions today as the Internet continues to connect us. But, it also gives individuals a space to spread their message with like-minded people. Our nation has a serious case of confirmation bias — the tendency to read, listen and seek out information that we agree with — and it is a big issue.
Those who condemn the killings but continue to spew vitriol are fueling a fire. The effects of the South Carolina shooting rippled throughout the country because they could happen in any community, including our own. In fact, one of the victims was a blood relative of a family from Port Jefferson.
The chilling notion that hatred and racism still persist in modern American society should not be ignored. Our freedoms come with responsibility and those who preach hatred against any group of people are wrong. As a society we need to be kinder, or at least remember the lessons we learned as children.
Let’s think before we speak, and if we don’t have anything nice to say, let’s not say it at all.
From left, Exhortation Speaker Brittany Rinaldi, Valedictorian Lauren McBrearty and Salutatorian Joseph Niver. Photo from Rocky Point school district
By Rachel Siford
Three of Rocky Point High School’s finest are at the helm of Rocky Point’s graduating class of 2015.
Lauren McBrearty
Lauren McBrearty came in on top as the Rocky Point’s valedictorian. She will attend Cornell University in the fall, but is undecided about her major.
She kept herself busy throughout her high school career with jazz band, pit orchestra, chorus, mock trial, varsity soccer, National Honor Society and the New York State Math Honor Society. McBrearty was also co-editor in chief of her yearbook and a rank and section leader in marching band.
The busy student has taken 19 Advanced Placement classes and is an AP Scholar with Honors and a National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student.
McBrearty said she got to where she is today with a lot of hard work and self motivation.
“I couldn’t not try to do well,” she said. “It’s just not in my nature.”
Joseph Niver
Joseph Niver is this year’s salutatorian and will attend Vassar College to study political science.
He was involved with the track team, cross country team, National Honor Society and the New York State Math Honor Society. He was also the president of the Science Club. Niver took 19 AP classes in high school and is an AP Scholar with Honors. He was named a 2015 NMSP Commended Student.
He attributes his success in school to hard work and luck, and reminisced about going to Relay for Life every year and attending football games.
Brittany Rinaldi
Brittany Rinaldi is number three in her class and this year’s exhortation speaker. She is going to the United States Military Academy at West Point in the fall, where she’ll play lacrosse.
She was inspired to go to West Point after the school’s lacrosse coach contacted her. She said she fell in love with the school when she visited.
During high school, she was part of Athletes Helping Athletes, National Honor Society and New York State Math Honor Society. Rinaldi was also vice president of the Leaders Club and captain of both her varsity basketball and lacrosse teams.
She said she achieved her goals by continuously keeping herself busy with sports and clubs, and also constantly studying.
Max Scandale maintains possession with an opponent on his hip in a game this season. File photo by Desirée Keegan
The Port Jefferson boys’ lacrosse team capped off its inaugural season with some prestigious individual and team honors.
Three players, Max Scandale, Brian Mark and Connor Fitterer, were selected as members to the League IV All-League team.
Scandale also made the All-County team, and Mark was selected as the League IV “Rookie of the Year.”
As a team, the Royals were the recipient of the “Crosse Award,” for which a team is nominated by the Suffolk County Lacrosse Coaches Association as being the most improved squad from the beginning to the end of the season.
“I really could not be more proud of what this team accomplished this past season,” Port Jefferson head coach Taylor Forstell said. “Being a first-year varsity lacrosse program in Suffolk County is hard enough. To make it to the playoffs in our first season is a true testament of this program’s growth and progression.”
Senior Jake Myhre was also recognized by the Port Jefferson Village Lacrosse Association as being the first recipient of the “Stick With A Goal” scholarship at the annual Booster Club Dinner.
This scholarship, a $1,000 prize, recognizes a college-bound senior for their hard work, dedication and commitment to their team.
“When approached about this scholarship, I knew right away we had a perfect match,” Forstell. “Jake is a three-sport athlete that commits countless hours to improving his craft in all three sports. It has been an honor to coach him the past three years and we all wish him the best of luck next year at the University of Pittsburgh.”
Looking ahead, Forstell is excited for the next season with his athletes.
“Our journey has just begun,” he said. “We look forward to continued success in the coming years through hard work and commitment to the lacrosse family.”
“Strength is what appeals mostly to me in art. The work can be any medium, style, subject or size; however, in the end, the work must have power.” These words were spoken by David H. Reuss, an experienced illustrator, fine artist, comic artist, and writer — all occupations which have made him more than qualified to serve as juror for the Smithtown Township Arts Council’s upcoming 37th Annual Juried Fine Art Exhibition at the Mills Pond House in St. James, appropriately entitled “Power and Strength in Art.”
Reuss’s emphasis on powerful art may be connected to his admiration for the late comic book artist, John Buscema, well known not only for depicting physically strong Marvel comic book characters like Thor and Conan the Barbarian, but for his punchy, bold, and romanticized visual style. Regarding what he learned from taking art classes taught by Buscema at the Mills Pond House, Reuss said, “the infusion of power and strength in my work is the most consistent lesson I was taught by [Buscema] and it was what I was seeking in the works that I juried for this show.”
‘Lovers in 5th Avenue’ by Cesar Delos Santos
Reuss did not have to look far to find powerful artwork, as among the 40 artists whose work will be featured in the show, 28 are from Long Island and 5 are from New York City. However, this particular show does shine a wider light on American art, as six of the featured artists hail from places throughout the country as wide-ranging as Florida (Linda Trope) and California (Tonya Amyrin Rice). According to Executive Director of STAC, Allison Cruz, this national sphere allows local artists to “get their work under different eyes” and gives national artists the opportunity to exhibit in a desirable place. “The epitome of being in the contemporary art world is to exhibit in New York,” Cruz said.
As variable as the homes of the artists are the mediums which they use — acrylic, watercolor, oil, pencil, pastel, and ink are just some of the mediums highlighted in this show. Cruz said, “[Reuss] has selected a very wide variety of art. There’s no central theme except for strength of the piece, that it could just draw the viewer in. Whether you loved it or you hated it, you looked at it.” Though different mediums and styles make each artist’s work unique, each piece exhibited does have an essence of strength. How this strength is achieved and depicted, however, varies.
Some artwork, like David Herman’s acrylic painting, “Revolt, Seyithemba” and Eleanor Himel’s oil painting, “Morning Walk,” showcase vibrant contrasting colors contained by bold, solid shapes, while other pieces, like Cesar Delos Santos’ oil painting, “Lovers in 5th Avenue,” and Emilie Lee’s oil painting, “Fortitude,” dramatically display subjects with emotion-wrought facial expressions. Still other pieces carry a subtler power. Eric Chimon’s watercolor landscape, “Chesapeake Bay Boat,” uses a color scheme of muted blues and grays and elicits a quiet sense of dread, evocative of the calm before a storm.
Regarding the artists, Cruz said, “We have a lot of new artists in this show who I’m not familiar with, and to me, that’s the best thing. It’s always nice for local artists to be able to associate with artists who have never been here before. I think it’s good for Suffolk County, good for Long Island, and good for the artists. It’s a win-win-win.”
“Power and Strength in Art” will be on view at the Mills Pond House Gallery, 660 Route 25A, St. James, from June 27 to July 22. The gallery is open Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. (closed on July 4 and 5). The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, June 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. to meet the artists. For more information, call 631-862-6575 or visit www.stacarts.org.
From left, Lou Goold, Margaret Foster, Serena Brooks and Joan Wormell. Photo by Rita Egan
By Rita J. Egan
During the evening of the first night of the week, while many are wrapping up their weekends, the Sunday Nite Folk Dancers are kicking up their heels at the Smithtown Historical Society’s Frank Brush Barn. The welcoming group continues the teachings of leading 20th century folk dance teachers Mary Ann and Michael Herman as well as celebrates a tradition that has brought communities together for centuries.
Long-time member Lou Goold, who has been dancing with the group since 1985, said the members follow the folk dance program that the Hermans debuted at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. The couple started Folk Dance House in Manhattan, and in the 1970s, after the group changed locations a couple of times in the city, they moved to North Babylon. The Hermans began leading their folk dance classes in Bay Shore and West Islip. After the passing of the couple in the mid-90s, and several years of the dancers meeting in Bay Shore, the group brought their love for folk dancing to Smithtown.
Goold said there are approximately a dozen or more members on any Sunday night who are more than happy to help newcomers learn the 15 or 20 dances a night. He said dance leader Ching-Hui Wu teaches twice a month. On other nights, called co-ops, the members take turns showing their fellow dancers their favorite numbers. “That’s a lot of fun, because we have cooperation. If one person forgets a dance or something like that, somebody else will help them out. So, it’s a very friendly group,” Goold said.
Margaret Foster, a member since the 90s, said she has enjoyed the variety of teachers throughout the years who have shared their specialties. Besides dances from America, there are also pieces from Scotland, Scandinavia, Israel, Bulgaria and other countries. “We enjoy learning something about the dances and the culture of the different places,” Foster said.
Goold said that helping people understand other ethnic groups through dance was a mission of the Hermans. Their motto was: “You can’t hate people when you’re doing their dances.”
Juanita Wetherell, who joined the group about 20 years ago, said she took a few years off to take care of family members. When she returned to the group, she was looking forward to dancing again but was doubtful she could remember the steps.
“When I first came back, I was thinking, ‘I haven’t danced in so long. I’m not going to remember any of the steps. I’m going to be the newbie all over again.’ Yet, I remembered somebody saying, ‘you listen to the music and your feet are going to know what to do’. And, you know, that’s pretty much what happened. The music tells you,” Wetherell said.
Her return reminded the dancer of her early days, when she was confused about rhythms and patterns.
Wetherell said Goold’s wife Kathy, a former dance leader, would sit her down next to her and just show her the footwork. The dancer said learning the steps first while sitting made it easier once she joined other dancers on the floor.
Foster said the leaders go over the sequences, so those who have never folk danced before can easily learn.
“You can come and learn as you go, and you’ll enjoy doing what you can and then you’ll learn more. You’ll start getting used to it next time. It’s the sort of thing that grows on you,” the group member said.
Ziggie Wielunski, a former dance leader, and his wife Alice have been dancing since 1947 and have been members of the Sunday Nite Folk Dancers since the group started meeting on the South Shore. Ziggie explained that folk dances are not that intricate, so anyone interested should come to the barn and try out the dances. Alice added, “The important thing is not to give up after the first time, but to come for a number of times, and you’ll find each time it’s easier and easier.”
The Sunday Nite Folk Dancers meet every Sunday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., except the third Sunday of July and the month of August, at the Smithtown Historical Society Frank Brush Barn located at 211 Main Street in Smithtown. The fee is $8 and no partner is needed. All ages and dance levels are welcomed. For more information, call 516-781-3552 or 631-589-4203.
June is the month to celebrate so many wonderful connections. We celebrate the beginning of summer, various graduations and the gift of our fathers.
For many of us, our fathers were our first role models for hard work, compassion and unconditional love. For many, our dads taught us how to love and forgive by the power of their words and example.
As the summer unfolds, many of us shift gears to better appreciate this season. We are profoundly reminded of the many achievements of our young people. Kindergarten graduations, moving-up ceremonies, junior high and high school graduations — each are life moments that mark significant achievements in the lives of our young people.
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart,” said Helen Keller. This year, our schools have been in crisis because of the conflict around the common core, teacher evaluations and empowering students to learn not just academic lessons but also life lessons.
An extraordinary group of young men and women have graduated from our high schools. Our communities are better and brighter because these young men and women have spent time in our schools. They are our future leaders and hopefully they will continue their educational journey with passion and energy, believing that they can make a difference in our world.
Seniors, as you graduate from high school, always look to discover enough goodness in others to believe in a world of peace; be willing to work for peace grounded in justice. May a kind word, a reassuring touch and a warm smile be yours, every day of your life. Remember the sunshine when the storm seems unending. Teach love to those who only know hate and let the love embrace you as you continue your journey in the world.
Think positive and make positive choices. Choice, not chance determines one’s destiny. You may make a living by what you get, but make a life by what you give. Give generously of your heart, your time, your talents and your treasure. The autograph you leave will make a tremendous difference in our world.
Don’t judge a book by its’ cover, or stop at the introduction! Read it through; see the meaning and message it offers for life. Everyone’s life is sacred, even those who are different from you or you do not like are important.
Be more inclusive than exclusive. Don’t be blinded by those who tend to use shame, blame, guilt and religion to shackle and divide people. Set people free with your respect and your nonjudgmental way.
May you never become too concerned with material things, but instead place an immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart and in the hearts of others. Find time each day to see beauty and love in the world around you. Realize you have limitless opportunities and possibilities.
May you have enough inner strength to determine your own worth and not be dependent on another’s judgment of your accomplishments. Get up every day and be grateful for what you have. See every life experience and human encounter as a learning experience, as an opportunity to grow and become more than you are now.
So, graduates, as you take leave and begin a new chapter in your lives, what is your purpose? What is your mission? Your life will be what you create today. No one can take that life from you. There is no blackboard in the sky that has your life outlined for you. You get to fill the blackboard of your life with whatever you feel is important. If you have filled it with junk in the past, wipe it clean. Erase all the hurt and pain that has blocked you from living and loving; be grateful that you are now in a place where you have meaning and the opportunity for new beginnings.
May you build bridges, not walls. Live a balanced life. Learn a little, think a little, dance, play and have a great sense of humor. But most of all, be aware of wonder.
We live in a world that is very deceptive. Don’t let the corrupt political rhetoric of our time blind your seeing, impair your hearing or shackle your dreaming. As you graduate, the social landscape you must navigate is treacherous. Be prepared to sail stormy waters, but don’t lose heart; draw on the goodness that lives within and on the goodness of others to stay the course.
May your moral compass be grounded in respect for all human beings, no matter what their color, race, creed or sexual orientation. May this compass guide you on a path that is committed to working for peace and social justice. As Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Congratulations graduates of 2015. Thanks for making the world a little richer, a little brighter and a better place to be!
Fr. Pizzarelli is the director of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.
The memorial park on Port Jefferson Harbor was fluffier than usual on Saturday, during Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue and Adoption Center’s annual Hounds on the Sound event. Tails were wagging and tongues were licking at the event until rain started to fall.
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Lacey, a pink poodle from Port Jefferson, has a fun time at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20. Photo by Bob Savage
Patrick Mango, a 7-month-old Selden resident, visits with Persy at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20. Photo by Bob Savage
Animals were up for adoption at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson 2015. Photo by Bob Savage
Lisa and Leo Demino are all smiles with Ellie, a dog from Last Chance Animal Rescue, at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20. Photo by Bob Savage
Vendors sell dog products at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20. Photo by Bob Savage
Melissa Lynch, of Nesconset, hangs out with foster dog Kelly at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20. Photo by Bob Savage
Harley and Indy pant it up with Coram's Michelle Martens and Selden's Will Zeidler at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20. Photo by Bob Savage
Ladies look at dogs up for adoption at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20. Photo by Bob Savage
A woman talks with her dog at a vendor's tent at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20. Photo by Bob Savage
Karen and Ken Johnson, Setauket residents, chill with Tucker at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20. Photo by Bob Savage
Alanna Becker from Shoreham hugs rescue puppy Ebony at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20. Photo by Bob Savage
Miller Place's Kristen Corbett poses with Red, from the Special Needs Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation, at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20. Photo by Bob Savage
A vendor's table at Save-A-Pet's Hounds on the Sound event in Port Jefferson on June 20 is full of dogs. Photo by Bob Savage
Lacrosse standout will take his talents to the next level
Middle Country's Zach Harned changes direction to move around an East Islip player in a game this past season. File photo by Bill Landon
By Clayton Collier
When Middle Country’s Zach Harned headed to the locker room following his final career high school game, a 17-1 first-round loss to the No. 1-seeded Northport, the senior attack could take solace in the fact that his lacrosse career would not end that afternoon.
Harned will continue playing when he attends the University of Tampa this fall, competing for the Spartans at the Division II level. The Middle Country captain said he has had his eye on Tampa for some time.
“Ever since I was in tenth grade I had my eye on Tampa because I knew they were an upcoming team who was going to competitively compete at the Division II level,” he said. “Once I talked to the coaches and got to know them it made everything so much easier. I feel I could grow even more as a player there and hopefully help them compete for a national championship.”
The 2015 All-County selectee’s achievements go beyond the playing field. Harned was named an Academic All-American and was awarded the Eric Sopracasa Memorial Scholarship, awarded to an athlete who “through determination and character serves as a role model and inspiration to fellow athletes.” The scholarship is given in memory of Sopracasa, who died after being struck in the chest by a lacrosse ball during practice in 1999.
“He’s the epitome of a Middle Country athlete,” athletic director Joseph Mercado said of Harned. “He’s a hard worker and truly dedicated in everything he does on and off the field.”
Middle Country boys’ lacrosse head coach Ken Budd echoed Mercado’s sentiments.
“He plays bigger than he is,” Budd said. “He’s not very big in stature, but definitely presents himself bigger on the field. He’s a two-year captain; he’s a leader on and off the field. He definitely draws the best defensemen, he’s our quarterback on offense and we’re definitely going to miss him.”
This is the second Harned in as many years to move on to collegiate lacrosse. Zach’s brother Dylan recently completed his freshman season as a member of the LIU Post lacrosse program.
“Dylan set a good example for his brother to follow,” Budd said. “Having back-to-back years of Harneds is a good thing. It’s a blessing.”
Zach Harned maintains possession for Middle Country. File photo by Bill Landon
Harned will play for NCAA lacrosse Division II’s winningest coach, Rory Whipple. Having previous coaching stints at Clarkson University, Hartwick College, Bryant University and University of South Florida, dating back to 1980, Whipple became the Spartans’ first head coach in 2012. Through the program’s first four years of existence, Whipple has led Tampa to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons.
Whipple has high praise for Harned as both an athlete and a student.
“We’re really excited about him,” he said. “I like his character. We try to recruit kids of strong character that are strong in the classroom. He’s got great athletic ability and he’s got a great work ethic. I think he’ll be a strong Division II player for us.”
Middle Country lacrosse already has strong ties to the Tampa lacrosse program. Assistant coach Mike Massari, who played for Whipple at Hartwick in 1998, facilitated the recruiting efforts for Harned.
This will mark Tampa’s second recruit from Middle Country. Face-off specialist Trevor Calleja, who just completed his final season with the Spartans, said Harned is going to love it.
“Playing for coach Whipple was awesome,” he said. “Although he was very tough on the field, off the field he was very funny. I’ll never forget my time at Tampa and would go back and do it all again.”
It might not be long until Harned makes an impact on the Spartans squad, as Whipple said that there is a strong possibility that the Middle Country standout could start right away.
Harned’s mother, Marie, said she is thrilled for her son.
“He’s wanted this since tenth grade,” she said. “He can’t wait to go. We’re just so proud of him.”
Spider Bite’s founder and brewmaster Larry Goldstein says his beer has developed a loyal following.
By Steve Mosco
Personality goes a long way, even in beer. Far removed from the stale sameness of big-name beer companies, micro- and nanobreweries throughout Long Island are offering unique options to the brew drinker who craves more than watered-down sips from cold-activated, color-changing cans.
It’s no secret that Long Island is overflowing with craft breweries. What craft beer devotees may not know is how much work — and ingredients — go into keeping breweries afloat and churning out dynamic, foamy goodness. It’s more than just the expected barley, hops, water and yeast. Brewmasters must employ peppery grains and floral bouquets, enlivening fruits and balancing bitterness along with equal measures of patience, flexibility and plenty of capital.
Born in basements and garages, with and without spousal approval, homespun ale artistry on the Island often froths forward from conversations over really bad beer. Those initial beer-side chats about the betterment of the drinker’s experience sometimes morph into a far grander dream of bringing beer brewed with care to the masses.
Port Jeff Brewing Company has grown an enthusiastic following, especially on the local level. Beer drinkers in Port Jefferson hoist the brewery’s offerings with a healthy dose of local pride, and crowd the brewery’s tasting room, open daily from noon to 8 p.m., along with brew followers from beyond town limits. The brewery also hosts free tours every Saturday at 4 p.m., where visitors learn about the brewing process for popular Port Jeff beers like Schooner Pale Ale, Port Jeff Porter and more.
The Port Jeff Brewing Company has many different beers to choose from. Photo by M. Furman
“For the first few years, it was just a hobby that was cool,” said Michael Philbrick, who went from 10-year home brewing hobbyist to head brewmaster at Port Jeff Brewing Company in 2011. “When we first opened, there were no breweries even close to here. Now there seems to be another five every few years.”
All of these breweries are proving to be a financial boon to New York State. According to a report released in April by the New York State Brewers Association and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, the craft beer industry in the state grew 59 percent from 2013 to 2014 — with a total economic impact estimated at $3.5 billion.
But even with those growing numbers and the industry’s popularity with imbibers, Philbrick said the craft beer industry only accounts for a small shred of the market share on Long Island — domestic juggernauts and foreign imports still rule the cooler.
“Of all the beers on the Island, you’re looking at a very small share of the market for craft brews,” he says. “Amazingly, there is still room to grow.”
Philbrick believes this produces a healthy amount of camaraderie among brewmasters on Long Island. They all want each other to survive and thrive in this industry.
“We all do the same events and deal with the same people,” he says. “And we all got into this for the same reason: the love of beer. We learn about the business from each other and we do group purchasing of equipment. I ran out of bottles once and the guys at Great South Bay [Brewery] helped me out. And I know they’ll call me for a certain hop or grain.”
Port Jeff has also worked with Spider Bite Beer Company, a fledgling brewery out of Holbrook. Spider Bite’s founder and co-owner, Larry Goldstein, agreed with Philbrick that it makes no sense to undercut other local breweries in order to get ahead. Goldstein routinely works with Barrage Brewing Company in East Farmingdale, participating in tap takeovers at bars together and lending each other equipment.
“We’re only going to survive if we cooperate,” he said. “This business is way too expensive to be selfish.”
When Goldstein first decided to back out of his chiropractic practice in favor of the brew life, he was floored by the sheer amount of operational expenses. But he pushed through, buying equipment fit for a laboratory, kegs and key ingredients to achieve some truly remarkable flavor profiles.
“It’s a huge investment even to just get started,” he says. “You have to buy all the equipment, all the kegs, the ingredients. And everything is expensive. It’s insane.”
The insanely enticing flavors of Goldstein’s Boris the Spider Russian Imperial Stout, Rophenia Belgian Quad and more are available to imbibe at Spider Bite’s Holbrook tasting room, open Thursdays, 4 to 8 p.m.; Fridays, 3 to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m.
Even considering the sky-high cost involved in the production of beer, each brewmaster says they would rather work their fingers to the bone and push their bank accounts to the brink doing what they love than anything else. Obstacles often stand in the way — a busted septic tank here, an uncooperative municipality there — but most brew heads learn to roll with problems in order to get their product to the public.
Michael Philbrick, founder and owner of Port Jeff Brewing Company. Photo by M. Furman
For Jamie Adams, founder of Saint James Brewery, this is no vanity project. There is purpose behind all of this hard work and investment. Established in 2012, Saint James is a New York State farm-certified brewery that creates Belgian-inspired ales in a farm-to-pint initiative. Culling fresh ingredients like apricots, raspberries, barley and select spices from local farms, including Condzella’s Farm in Wading River, Adams and his wife and co-owner Rachel are getting back to the roots of beer making.
“We want the customer to understand and appreciate the value of a locally brewed product,” said Adams. “For us, it’s all about Long Island. Whether it’s fruit farmers on the East End or honey farmers or local barely, the goal is to enlighten people and help appreciate the value of working with local raw materials.”
A former clerk in the New York Stock Exchange, Adams is a self-taught brewer and meticulous worker. Those days on Wall Street are a distant memory, but his worker-bee mentality has remained intact. He now focuses on raising his standards with every batch of farmhouse Belgian ale.
“Chances are when someone is drinking our beer, they are having it for the first time. So each batch we make has to be perfect,” says Adams. “This is a higher calling for me. The agricultural economy is so important to everything we do. And if it grows, it can help this island tremendously. It’s not cost effective for all brewers to use locally grown ingredients, but we want to get to the point where that is the norm.”
Adams wants the emboldening medley of flavors so singular to craft beer to change the mind-set of beer drinkers and distributors. And like his beer-brewing brethren, he wants to pop the cap on the craft industry’s share of the Island’s beer market.
He envisions a time when local craft breweries can claim 20 percent of the market — a monumental task that actually seems achievable when comparing the charisma and personality of craft brew to the demoralizing drudgery of mass-produced beer.
“Our job as brewers is to work together to get bar owners to put more craft beers on tap,” he says. “I believe if you give consumers a local option, they will take it. And that is how we grow this business.”
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