Arts & Entertainment

More than 630 runners turned out for the second annual St. James/Head of the Harbor Certified 5 Mile Challenge and 5K Fun Run on May 10, raising more than $86,000 for the construction of the new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, scheduled to begin construction this year.

“This house is for us here in Suffolk County,” said Cynthia Lippe, Co-Chair, Suffolk County Ronald McDonald House Committee and Race Organizer. “It will support Stony Brook Children’s, which is the only children’s hospital we have, and the only level 1 pediatric trauma center we have.”

This will be the first Ronald McDonald House located in Suffolk County, and only the second on Long Island. The other Ronald McDonald House is in New Hyde Park on the border of Queens, located adjacent to Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

The 3-story, 60,000 sq. ft. building will include 30 private bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms for families, outdoor playgrounds, interactive playrooms, homeschooling spaces, and workspaces. It will also include three community kitchens providing free meals made by volunteers and fully stocked pantries, a fitness center, a wellness center, and laundry facilities.

A block party-style celebration followed the race and included music, 50/50 raffle, beer garden, kids’ games and activities, food trucks, vendor row, and more.

 

 

Ward Melville’s Claudine Weiner was named a recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award from Stony Brook University. Photo courtesy of The Three Village Central School District

The Three Village Central School District recently congratulated Claudine Weiner of Ward Melville High School on being named a recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award from Stony Brook University.

Mrs. Weiner has long been a valued member of the Three Village school community, serving with distinction as both a science teacher and athletic trainer. Her unwavering commitment to students and athletes has earned her the admiration and respect of colleagues, families and the broader school community, according to a press release.

From the classroom to the athletic fields, Mrs. Weiner’s dedication, compassion and expertise have left a meaningful and lasting impact. Her recognition by Stony Brook University is a testament to the remarkable contributions she has made in education and athletic training.

“The district proudly celebrates this honor and extends sincere thanks to Mrs. Weiner for her continued service and excellence,” read the release.

 

Anissa Abi-Dargham, MD. Photo by Jeanne Neville, Stony Brook Medicine

Anissa Abi-Dargham, MD, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Radiology, and the Lourie Endowed Chair of the Department Psychiatry and Behavioral Health in the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) at Stony Brook University, will receive the 2025 Award for Research in Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

According to the APA, the Award for Research in Psychiatry recognizes a single distinguished contribution, a body of work, or a lifetime contribution that has had a major impact on the field and/or altered the practice of psychiatry.

Dr. Abi-Dargham is being recognized by the APA with the Award for Research in Psychiatry for her distinguished contributions over her career to schizophrenia research, which has had a major impact on the field. She will receive the award at the APA’s annual meeting on May 19 in Los Angeles.

“I am very honored and grateful to receive this award and be able to present the work of many trainees and collaborators I have had the privilege to work with over the course of my career,” says Dr. Abi-Dargham, also Associate Dean and Associate Vice President for Clinical and Translational Science at the RSOM.

“It is a pleasure to work with such talented and dedicated scientists and to contribute to the discovery process,” she adds. “This award is very meaningful, particularly at a time when research is facing many challenges.”

At Stony Brook since 2016, Dr. Abi-Dargham’s clinical and research expertise is in molecular imaging, pharmacology, schizophrenia, and addiction. The broad focus of her research within the RSOM is to advance the understanding of the neurobiology of severe mental illness, with one approach being investigation of molecular markers and their functional significance as measured with multi-modal imaging approaches.

The Setauket resident also oversees a multidisciplinary team with expertise in several types of neuroimaging techniques used in tandem to address important questions about brain mechanisms and schizophrenia.

During the APA annual meeting, Dr. Abi-Dargham will deliver a lecture to the nation’s APA members titled “Misfiring signals: Dopamine Dysfunction in Schizophrenia – From Neural Pathways to Behavioral Manifestations.”

 

 

 

Pictured with Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (right) are from left, St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center’s President Chris Nelson, Chief Nursing Officer Karen T. Fasano, and Assistant Vice President of Nursing Elizabeth McNulty.

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta recently recognized the nurses at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown during Nurses Week.

National Nurses Week began May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday, which celebrates all nurses and the important work they do in our community. The theme this year was “The Power of Nurses.” The theme emphasized the incredible impact that nurses have and their essential role in health care.

St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center held a special “nurses flag raising” ceremony at its main entrance to the hospital and will do so each year as an annual event. Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta presented officials from St. Catherine of Siena with a proclamation and thanked all the nurses for their tireless dedication, compassion and outstanding patient care.

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AAA projects 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period (Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26). This year’s domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year, and sets a new Memorial Day weekend record.

“Despite concerns over rising prices, many Americans are planning to take advantage of the holiday, even if the trips are closer to home,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “Long holiday weekend getaways don’t have to be extravagant, and having a day off from work and school allows many families to take a much-anticipated road trip.”

Memorial Day Travelers by Mode of Transportation

By Car: Road trips are driving the numbers this Memorial Day, with 87 percent of travelers choosing to drive. AAA projects 39.4 million people will travel by vehicle over the holiday weekend, an additional 1 million travelers compared to last year. Road trippers are benefiting from cheaper gas prices this year, with the average pump price in New York City down 68 cents from last year.

For drivers who are renting cars over Memorial Day weekend, AAA car rental partner Hertz says Friday, May 23 is expected to be the busiest day for pickup.

By Air: AAA projects 3.61 million domestic air passengers, a nearly two percent increase over last year when 3.55 million travelers took to the skies. AAA booking data shows domestic flights are two percent more expensive compared to last year, based on what travelers paid when booking Memorial Day weekend flights.

By Other Modes: Travel by other modes continues to steadily rise post-pandemic. AAA projects 2.08 million people will travel by train, bus or cruise over Memorial Day weekend, an 8.5 percent increase over last year. This category is now surpassing pre-pandemic numbers from 2018 and 2019 as cruising continues to boom; it doesn’t reach the record numbers of the early 2000s though, when many travelers opted for trains and buses rather than air travel.

Best and Worst Times to Drive 

Travelers hoping to avoid the heaviest traffic over the Memorial Day weekend should hit the road in the morning, according to transportation data provider INRIX. Boston/New York is among the metros that can expect the heaviest traffic.

Best and Worst Times to Travel by Car
Date Worst Travel Time Best Travel Time
Thursday, May 22 1-9 p.m. Before 12 p.m.
Friday, May 23 12-8 p.m. Before 11 a.m.
Saturday, May 24 2-6 p.m. Before 12 p.m.
Sunday, May 25 1-5 p.m. Before 1 p.m.
(Memorial Day)

Monday, May 26

4-7 p.m. Before 2 p.m.

AAA’s Top Memorial Day Weekend Destinations

The top holiday destinations listed below are based on AAA booking data for trips between Thursday, May 22 and Monday, May 26. Orlando, Florida, tops the domestic list thanks to its popular theme parks and nearby cruise port, Port Canaveral. Cruising is also the reason Seattle and Anchorage, Alaska, made the top 10 list, since Memorial Day kicks off peak Alaska cruise season. Vancouver is also popular because of its cruise port. Internationally, Rome is the number one destination.

DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL
Orlando, Florida Rome, Italy
Seattle Vancouver, British Columbia
New York City Paris, France
Las Vegas London, England
Miami Athens, Greece
San Francisco Dublin, Ireland
Anchorage, Alaska Barcelona, Spain
Chicago Southampton, England
Denver Amsterdam, Netherlands
Boston Edinburgh, Scotland

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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Photo courtesy George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Facebook

At the White House on May 8, the U.S. Postal Service revealed the artwork of a commemorative Forever stamp to celebrate the centennial year of former first lady Barbara Bush’s birth.

The stamp design was unveiled by first lady Melania Trump; Dorothy “Doro” Bush Koch, daughter of Barbara Bush; Alice Yates, CEO of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation; and Judy de Torok, vice president of Corporate Affairs at the Postal Service, according to a press release.

The dedication ceremony for the Barbara Bush stamp will be held June 10 in honor of the 100th anniversary of the former first lady’s birth and the culmination of her centennial year. The event will take place at Ganny’s Garden in Kennebunkport, ME.

“Today we recognize Mrs. Bush not only as a beloved first lady, but as a remarkable American in her own right,” said Doug Tulino, acting postmaster general of the Postal Service. “She charted a legacy for herself, and did it with conviction, determination, and compassion.”

Bush Koch spoke on behalf of the Bush family about the stamp and her mother’s lasting commitment to literacy.

“We are deeply honored that the United States Postal Service is paying tribute to our mother with a commemorative Forever stamp,” said Bush Koch. “This special stamp serves as a lasting reminder of Barbara Bush’s enduring love for family and friends, sharp wit and unwavering commitment to solve the problems of today by ensuring that every man, woman and child has the opportunity to read, write and comprehend.”

Barbara Pierce Bush (1925-2018), wife of George H. W. Bush, the 41st president, was first lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993, and mother of George W. Bush, the 43rd president.

Born in New York City, the future first lady grew up in Rye, NY, and attended boarding school in South Carolina. At 16, she met her future husband, George H.W. Bush, at a Christmas dance in Connecticut, where he was on holiday break from a Massachusetts boarding school, and they began corresponding through letters. Eighteen months later, they were engaged.

George and Barbara Bush were married on Jan. 6, 1945. While Mr. Bush was a student at Yale, Mrs. Bush gave birth to their first child, George W., on July 6, 1946. Their second child, daughter Robin, died of leukemia at age 3, devastating the family. Between 1953 and 1959, Mrs. Bush gave birth to four more children: Jeb in 1953, Neil in 1955, Marvin in 1956 and Dorothy in 1959.

The start of her 54 years of campaigning for her family and allies came in 1962 when Mr. Bush ran for chairman of the Harris County, TX, Republican Party. In the following decades, Mr. Bush would go on to become a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, ambassador to the United Nations, chairman of the Republican National Committee, head of the U.S. Liaison Office in the People’s Republic of China, and director of the Central Intelligence Agency before becoming president. In all, the Bushes moved around 30 times as the family followed Mr. Bush’s military, business and political pursuits, with Mrs. Bush always steadfast in support of her husband and children.

After losing the Republican nomination for president in 1980, Mr. Bush was named as Ronald Reagan’s vice presidential running mate. With their victory, Mrs. Bush became second lady. Motivated by her son Neil’s dyslexia, she championed literacy issues. In 1984, Mrs. Bush wrote her first children’s book, “C. Fred’s Story,” told from the perspective of her cocker spaniel, with proceeds going to two national literacy programs.

With Barbara Bush at his side throughout the campaign, Mr. Bush ran for president in 1988, and won the election, becoming president on Jan. 20, 1989.

The Barbara Bush stamp is based on detail from the official 2005 White House portrait, which is part of the White House Collection and appears courtesy of The White House Historical Association. The stamp is being issued in panes of 20. Presale of the Barbara Bush Commemorative stamp began on May 10.

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Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon.

 

Professor Jennifer Cano. John Griffin/Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy Jennifer Cano was named a Chancellor’s Horizon Award for Faculty Research and Scholarship. This inaugural award from the State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John B. King, honors early career tenured and tenure track faculty whose scholarly or creative activities have already achieved significant recognition and crucially, hold strong promise for field-defining impact in the future. This award was given to 10 professors throughout the SUNY system.

Professor Cano is a theoretical physicist whose research focuses on the emergent properties of quantum materials; specifically, topological phases of matter. This includes study of the fundamental principles such as classification, as well as predicting new material platforms to realize exotic quantum phases. Professor Cano developed the theory of topological quantum chemistry, which combines group theory, topology and chemistry, to predict new topological materials.

“I am so pleased to see Professor Cano and her work recognized as one of the top early-career researchers in the SUNY system,” said Carl W. Lejuez, executive vice president and provost. “Professor Cano’s ongoing research is a critical part to building a quantum future, and I am proud to say that many of our Stony Brook faculty, across disciplines, are part of this significant ongoing effort to uncover the secrets and possibilities of quantum technologies.”

“While I am exceptionally delighted that Jen is recognized by the SUNY Chancellor’s Horizon Award for her outstanding work in condensed matter physics, I am not surprised by the recognition,” said Chang Kee Jung, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “Jen’s brilliance is so evident that I fully expected she would receive this award. Her work is already shaping and leading her research field and I have no doubt that it will continue doing so. Jen also excels in teaching, mentoring and her presentation at the Stony Brook  Discovery Prize competition was one of the best academic presentations I have ever seen. It is truly a pleasure to have Jen as a colleague and she is an inspiration for all.”

Candidates’ portfolios were reviewed by Distinguished Academy faculty who made recommendations to the SUNY Provost. Going forward, up to 10 awards will be conferred each year.

Professor Cano was also the winner of the Stony Brook University’s Discovery Prize 2025 for her research proposal, “Theoretical Framework for the Discovery of Topological Moiré Materials.” The Discovery Prize is an early-career faculty prize given to those at Stony Brook pursuing innovative and potentially groundbreaking scientific research. It was established and is funded by the Stony Brook Foundation.

The East Setauket resident earned her PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2015. She subsequently was a postdoctoral fellow at the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science. She came to Stony Brook in 2018 as an assistant professor and holds a visiting scholar appointment at the Flatiron Institute.

 

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Reducing dairy consumption can decrease inflammation

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Osteoarthritis (OA) can disturb your mobility, mood, and sleep quality, making it difficult to perform daily activities, which can affect your quality of life. Most often, it affects the knees, hips and hands. Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, are common first-line medications to help treat arthritis pain. Unfortunately, they do have side effects, which become more pronounced with long-term use. 

While medications might relieve your immediate pain and inflammation symptoms, they don’t slow osteoarthritis’ progression. However, there are some approaches that can ease your pain without reaching for medications. Some might even help slow your OA’s progression.

The effect of losing weight on OA pain

Weight management is important to any OA pain management strategy. In a study of 112 obese patients, those who lost weight reported that their knee symptoms improved (1). The study authors also observed disease modification in this population, with a reduction in the loss of cartilage volume around the medial tibia.

The relationship was almost one-to-one; for every one percent of weight lost, there was a 1.2 mm3 preservation of medial tibial cartilage volume, while the opposite occurred for study participants who gained weight. A reduction of tibial cartilage is often associated with the need for a knee replacement.

Does vitamin D help ease OA pain?

In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), vitamin D provided no OA symptom relief, nor any disease-modifying effects (2). The two-year study of almost 150 men and women raised blood levels of vitamin D on average to 36 ng/ml, which is considered respectable. Researchers used MRI and X-rays to track their results.

In another study of 769 participants, ages 50-80, researchers found that low vitamin D levels – below 25 nmol/l led to increased OA knee pain over the five-year study period and hip pain over 2.4 years (3). The researchers postulate that supplementing vitamin D might reduce pain for those who are deficient, but that it will likely have no effect on others.

What about dairy?

With dairy, specifically milk, there is conflicting information. Some studies show benefits, while others show that it might contribute to the inflammation that makes osteoarthritis pain feel worse.

In the Osteoarthritis Initiative study, researchers looked specifically at joint space narrowing that occurs in those with affected knee joints (4). Results showed that low-fat (1 percent) and nonfat milk may slow the progression of osteoarthritis in women. Compared to those who did not drink milk, patients who did saw significantly less narrowing of knee joint space over a 48-month period.

The result curve was complicated, though. For those who drank fewer than three glasses a week up to 10 glasses a week, the progression of joint space narrowing slowed. However, for those who drank more than 10 glasses per week, there was less benefit. Men and those who consumed higher fat products, such as cheese or yogurt, saw no benefit.

However, the study had significant flaws. The 2100 patients were only asked about their milk intake at the study’s start and were asked to recall their weekly milk consumption for the previous 12 months – a challenging task.

In a study of almost 39,000 participants from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study researchers found that increases in dairy consumption were associated with increased risk of total hip replacements for men with osteoarthritis (5).

Is diet or exercise better for reducing osteoarthritis pain?

Diet and exercise together actually trumped the effects of diet or exercise alone in a well-designed, 18-month study (7). Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who lost at least 10 percent of their body weight experienced significant functional improvements and a 50 percent pain reduction, as well as inflammation reduction. This was compared to those who lost a lower percent of their body weight.

Researchers used biomarker IL-6 to measure inflammation. The diet and exercise group and the diet-only group lost significantly more weight than the exercise-only group, 23.3 pounds and 19.6 pounds versus 4 pounds. The diet portion consisted of a meal replacement shake for breakfast and lunch and then a vegetable-rich, low-fat dinner. Low-calorie meals replaced the shakes after six months. The exercise regimen included one hour of a combination of weight training and walking “with alacrity” three times a week.

To reduce pain and possibly improve your OA, focus on lifestyle modifications. The best effects shown are with weight loss which is most easily achieved with a vegetable-rich diet and exercise. In terms of low-fat or nonfat milk, the results are controversial, at best. If you don’t eliminate dairy, stay on the low end of consumption, since it can increase inflammation.

References:

(1) Ann Rheum Dis. 2015 Jun;74(6):1024-9. (2) JAMA. 2013;309:155-162. (3) Ann. Rheum. Dis. 2014;73:697–703. (4) Arthritis Care Res online. 2014 April 6. (5) J Rheumatol. 2017 Jul;44(7):1066-1070. (6) Nutrients. 2021 Feb 4;13(2):506. (7) JAMA. 2013;310:1263-1273.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

Megan E. Sheehan

Brightview Senior Living, a Baltimore-based provider in senior living with almost 50 communities along the East Coast, has announced Megan E. Sheehan as Brightview Port Jefferson’s new Executive Director. The facility is located at 1175 Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station.

Sheehan is a healthcare professional with more than a decade of experience in senior healthcare and housing, with a focus on hospitality, resident satisfaction and family engagement. She most recently served as the Executive Director of Marian Woods, Inc. Adult Care Facility, where she oversaw administration and organizational planning of a fifty-bed New York State licensed Adult Care Facility for religious sisters.

“We are thrilled to welcome Megan to the Brightview Port Jefferson team,” said Toni Gozzo, Regional Director of Operations at Brightview Senior Living. “Her deep experience in senior healthcare, commitment to hospitality and passion for creating meaningful experiences make her a perfect fit. Brightview prides itself on vibrant living and exceptional care, and we’re confident Megan’s skills and background will further elevate that mission for our residents, families, and our associates in the greater New York region.”

Sheehan earned a Bachelor of Arts in education from Manhattan College and an Associate of Applied Science in occupational therapy assisting from SUNY Rockland.

“I am thrilled to have joined the Brightview Port Jefferson family. After working for more than 10 years in healthcare, this is more than a job to me – it’s my calling,” said Sheehan. “I thrive working in an environment where no two days are the same and I can make a meaningful difference while growing personally and professionally. It’s truly an honor to build genuine connections with residents and their loved ones, and learn from their stories and wisdom. My goal is to help make this chapter of their lives as joyful and fulfilling as possible.”

For more information about Brightview and its communities, visit BrightviewSeniorLiving.com.  

 

Tony Saunders, on left, has been designated a Certified Home Watch Professional by the National Home Watch Association

Three Village Home Watch has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association for the third year. The NHWA was formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada (www.nationalhomewatchassociation.org).

Home Watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues, which means that it is a service that “keeps an eye on things” at your vacation or primary home while you are not in residence. All principals of NHWA Accredited Member companies are background-checked, insured, and bonded.

After decades of success in the electronic security monitoring industry, Tony Saunders wanted to spend more time in the field and less time behind a desk. This led him to launch Three Village Home Watch, which provides Home Watch and concierge services to busy professionals, frequent travelers, and homeowners with multiple residences, including “snowbirds” who travel to their residences in the South each winter. The company is bonded and insured specifically for Home Watch services.

Saunders graduated from the NHWA’s Home Watch Boot Camp and has earned the designation of Certified Home Watch Professional (CHWP), placing him among the industry’s elite Home Watch providers. The CHWP designation and Boot Camp training exemplify Tony’s commitment to Home Watch excellence.

Three Village Home Watch serves the Three Village area on Suffolk County’s North Shore, including Belle Terre, Crane Neck, East Setauket, Head of the Harbor, Nissequogue, Old Field, Old Field South, Poquot, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Setauket, South Setauket, St. James, Stony Brook, Stony Brook Shores, Strongs Neck, and Terryville. For more information, call 631-689-5683 or at [email protected]. Learn more from his website, at https://threevillagehomewatch.com.