The Town of Smithtown Horizons Counseling and Education Center will mark September as Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Recovery Month with a Family Fun Wellness Event for the community. This free event that all ages can enjoy will be held on Friday, September 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Branch Plaza Parking Lot (LA Fitness Shopping Center) on Main Street in Smithtown. All are welcome to attend to have fun with the community, get trained on the use of Narcan, and to hear about the drug and alcohol treatment and prevention services that Horizons provides.
The Family Fun Wellness Event will feature games, food trucks, face painting, a DJ, and much more. Horizons resource tables will be set up, filled with information about recovery services, the outpatient program, and substance misuse prevention education. Additionally, Horizons staff will provide Narcan training. Narcan training kits will be provided for free. Smithtown Public Safety will hold a Medicine Take Back Collection to encourage residents to safely dispose of unused medications.
“We at Horizons are excited to offer an event for Recovery Month to be a fun evening out for families of this community. Our Family Fun Wellness Fair will be an opportunity for families to meet community resources and local businesses, and dispose of medications that may be a risk for children and pets to ingest, all while kids get their face painted, listen to music played by the DJ and grab a bite to eat from a local food truck. Being a Recovery Month event, Horizons will be providing Narcan training as an offering to any who are interested. Narcan is a simple and easy to administer method to save the life of a person experiencing an opioid overdose. Recovery is a process of returning to a normal state of being and we know that can mean many things to different people in their individual situations and circumstances. Come down and experience what our resources have to offer and have a good time out in your local neighborhood,” said Joe Bieniewicz, Director of Drug and Alcohol Counseling Services
The rain date for this event is Sunday, September 9th from 4 to 7 p.m..
About Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Recovery Month:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.
Join Stony Brook University for a CancerWise Cafe at the Charles B. Wang Center, 100 Circle Road, Stony Brook on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cancer Center experts will discuss the latest advances in screening, prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of several types of cancer, including breast, lung, blood, head and neck, gastrointestinal, gynecological and skin.
Attendees can also eat, learn and chat with Cancer Center healthcare staff, view educational displays and visit the community organization resource tables. Free lunch is included.
FREE parking is available in the Administration Parking lot, across from the Charles B. Wang Center.
Watch from Home!
This event will also be LIVESTREAMED.
You can click on this link on
Saturday, Sept. 9 at 9 am. stonybrook.edu/live
Register for the in-person event at stonybrook.info/cancertalk. Questions? Call 631-444-4263 or email [email protected]. If you need a disability-related accommodation, call (631) 444-4000.
For the month of September, the Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook Village is showcasing the incredible work of ceramist Russel Spillmann.
Spillmann has worked in ceramics for more than 50 years, during which time he has participated in many fine craft shows and exhibited at numerous galleries. His work is included in many corporate, private, and public collections. As a former resident of the Three Village area, he is thrilled to be the Reboli Center’s September Artisan. Lois Reboli, president and a founder of The Center said, “Russel’s ceramics are just amazing and the colors so magnificent that we are pleased to have an affiliation with him.”
Pottery by Russel Spillmann
“I work with porcelain for its purity and translucence. It allows one to look into and through the pot, not merely at it. Through my work, I attempt to resolve function and beauty into a presence; for it is through presence that beauty suspends the soul in timelessness, and it is here the soul expands to sense more than itself,” said Spillmann.
The artist has fond memories of growing up in the area, riding his bike past what is now the Reboli Center and going to the local beaches, where a parade of porpoises would entertain the onlookers. He relocated to upstate New York where he earned his Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland. There he became interested in ceramics as he was inspired by his teacher, John Jessiman, who was instrumental in getting him accepted into the School of Ceramics at Alfred University. At Alfred, he had the opportunity to study under the esteemed pottery teachers, Val Cushing and Daniel Rogers.
The Reboli Center for Art and History is located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please call 631-751-7707.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison will distribute reflective vests to pedestrians and bicyclists as part of the department’s ongoing roadway safety programs during a press conference in Patchogue in front of 116 East Main Street in Patchogue on September 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Home Depot donated reflective vests to the department that will be available, while supplies last, at Suffolk County Police Headquarters in Yaphank. Community Relations Bureau and COPE officers will also distribute the vests as well as reflective stickers for children’s bicycles.
Roadway safety is an issue that impacts everyone in Suffolk County and the department has focused on enforcement efforts to discourage reckless behavior on our roads. These donations are aimed at improving visibility and provide a level of protection against potential injuries.
Mark your calendars! Culper Spy Day returns on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.(rain date is Sept. 10). Presented by the Three Village Historical Society (TVHS) and Tri-Spy Tours in collaboration with more than 30 local historical and cultural organizations, the day will feature activities related to the Culper Spy Ring which was founded by Benjamin Tallmadge, George Washington’s chief intelligence officer during the Revolutionary War.
Now in its 9th year, the annual event is the brainchild of Margo Arceri, who first heard about Washington’s Setauket spies (including her favorite spy Anna Smith Strong) from her Strong’s Neck neighbor and local historian, Kate W. Strong, in the early 1970s.
“My love of history grew from there,” said Arceri who today runs Tri-Spy Tours offering walking, bike and kayak tours of the Setauket area. “Everywhere you turn in the Three Villages you are looking at an artifact, and as the historical society believes, the community is our museum and I would really love to put that on the forefront of people’s minds. History is constantly evolving and new information is being discovered everyday. We don’t know what is waiting to be unearthed next and that fills me with excitement.”
Participants will have the opportunity to visit 9 locations in Setauket, Stony Brook and Port Jefferson (see list below) to learn about Long Island’s brave Patriot spy ring. Admission to all locations, with the exception of the Sherwood-Jayne House tour and the Spies! exhibit tour at the TVHS, is free.
“Guests at Culper Spy Day can expect to learn about American Revolutionary history in their own backyard. The hometown heroes who risked their lives and turned the tide of the war lived here on Long Island, working with George Washington right under the noses of their British neighbors. Through re-enactors, storytellers, demonstrations, and self-guided and docent-led tours, visitors at Culper Spy Day will enjoy information and inspiration at all of our historic sites,” said Mari Irizarry, Director at the TVHS.
According to Irizarry, several new exciting events have been added to the roster this year. “We’re proud to host George Washington, Martha Washington and their Squire in his field tent / oval office on the grounds of the historical society; we have partnered with Preservation Long Island to create a deluxe scavenger hunt across all sites for excited clue seekers to learn along the way; and Drowned Meadow Cottage Museum will present their new exhibit, Privateers: Pirates with Permission with guided tours, privateers re-enacting the plundering of the Roe family and colonial-themed storytelling for children.”
Colonial cooking demonstrations by Diane Schwindt from the Ketcham Inn will feature an authentic recipe from Mary Floyd Tallmadge, who was the wife of Benjamin Tallmadge and daughter to William Floyd, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Visitors may sample the food and take home the recipe.
In addition, The Long Island Museum will have the recently discovered Culper Spy letter on display throughout the day. “The handwritten letter dated November 8, 1779 from Benjamin Tallmadge (using his alias, John Bolton) to Robert Townsend (alias, Samuel Culper Jr.) is the only known surviving letter between the two,” said Arceri.
The event also marks the launch of the Three Village Historical Society’s brand new 1776 Augmented Reality app through the generous donation of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation.
If you don’t have time to visit all the locations, Arceri recommends visiting the Sherwood Jayne Farm and the Drowned Meadow Cottage as they are not open to the public very frequently “so it is a treat to step back in time and visit these sites” as well as the Caroline Church of Brookhaven and the Setauket Presbyterian Church and their historical cemeteries.
Arceri is looking forward to welcoming new visitors to Culper Spy Day. “Last year was such a huge success — we had over 1100 people visit ‘Culper Country’ and we expect to have those numbers grow as more and more of the mainstream are getting Culper fever,” she said. “Setauket has really become a tourist destination and Culper Spy Day is certainly a highlight for these visitors as they are able to see many of the sites and visit with many of the organizations that make up our Revolutionary story.”
Irizarry agrees and is committed to continuing this event for years to come.
“At the Three Village Historical Society, our mission is to preserve our shared history. The Culper Spy Ring is an essential part of how we won the Revolutionary War and became a country — that’s a history we can ALL share! Culper Spy Day is a celebration like no other, and we love seeing history come to life year after year. As more sites and organizations get involved, this incredible event gets better and better.”
The 9th annual Culper Spy Day is made possible by the generous support of Heritage Spy Ring Golf Club. For more information, call 631-751-3730 or visit www.culperspyday.com
Visit the grave of Culper Spy Abraham Woodhull in the Setauket Presbyterian Church cemetery. Photo by Heidi Sutton
PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS:
1. THREE VILLAGE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 93 North Country Road, Setauket. Located in the circa 1800 Bayles-Swezey House. Here you can take part in outdoor events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. including “building” a timber frame house with Abraham Woodhull; children’s story hour; colonial crafts; an invisible ink demonstration;; Culper Spy-themed authors and book signings; Anna Smith Strong’s famed clothesline, a colonial cooking demonstration; 23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welch Fusiliers in America) and Huntington Militia encampment; and much more. Docent led tours of the Spies! exhibit will be held every 30 minutes at $10 per person. Food trucks will be on site. 631-751-3730.
2. SETAUKET NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE, 95 Main St., Setauket. The original part of the house, where the central chimney is located, was built in the early 1700s. In 1820 it was moved to its present location from its original site on Setauket (Conscience) Bay by Dr. John Elderkin. The building has served as an inn, and has housed a general store, post office, bank and a Franklin Library. Docents will give tours of the historic home from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 631-751-6208.
3. PATRIOTS ROCK HISTORIC SITE, Main Street, Setauket (across from the Setauket Post Office). This glacial erratic boulder is said to be the location of the Battle of Setauket on Aug. 22, 1777. Stop here between 10 a.m. and2 p.m. to meet representatives from the Three Village Community Trust who will discuss the importance of Patriots Rock and its local and environmental history. 631-689-0225.
4. CAROLINE CHURCH AND CEMETERY, 1 Dyke Road, Setauket. Built in 1729, this timber frame building has maintained its Colonial appearance. Now an Episcopal church, during the Revolutionary War the Caroline Church was Anglican and a Colonial extension of the Church of England. The graveyard contains the remains of six Patriot soldiers as well as soldiers from World War I and II.The inside of the church will be open for guided tours from noon to 4 p.m. and tour the cemetery your leisure with a docent present for questions.631-941-4245.
5. SETAUKET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND CEMETERY, 5 Caroline Ave., Setauket. The previous church (1714–1811) was a part of British fortifications during 1777. The fort was under the command of Loyalist commander Col. Richard Hewlett. The present building dates from 1812. Come tour the interior of the church from 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and then tour the cemetery with the grave of Abraham Woodhull ofWashington’s spy ring at your leisure. 631-941-4271
6. EMMA S. CLARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY, 120 Main St., Setauket. The library (circa 1892)will display Revolutionary War soldiers’ equipment in the lobby, enjoy live music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and kids can enjoy an outdoor craft from noon to 3 p.m. 631-941-4080
7. SHERWOOD-JAYNE HOUSE, 55 Old Post Road, East Setauket. Originally built around 1730 as a lean-to saltbox dwelling, the house and farm were maintained as an operational farmstead for over 150 years by members of the Jayne family.Visit with Big Bill the Tory aka William Jayne III, who will explain the noble intentions and virtuosities of King George III and tells you the TRUTH about Washington’s pesky band of renegade spies! Tours run continuously from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5 per person. 631-692-4664
8. THE LONG ISLAND MUSEUM, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook. The museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate with permanent and changing exhibitions on American history and art, along with the finest collection of horse-drawn carriages in the country, some of which belonged to Revolutionary War heroes. Visit the History Museum between noon and 5 p.m. to view the newly uncovered Culper Spy Ring letter by Benjamin Tallmadge to Robert Townsend. Tour the museum’s galleries and grounds for free. 631-751-0066
9. DROWNED MEADOW COTTAGE MUSEUM, corner of West Broadway and Barnum Avenue, Port Jefferson. The Revolutionary War-era Roe House was originally constructed circa 1755 and Phillips Roe, a member of the Culper Spy Ring along with his brother Nathaniel and cousin Austin, was known to have lived there.Visit the Revolutionary War-era Roe House between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. with a new exhibit, Privateers: Pirates with Permission, tours, privateers re-enacting the plundering of the Roe family and colonial-themed storytelling for children. 631-473-4724
* Please note: Public restrooms are located in the Setauket Neighborhood House and Emma S. Clark Memorial Library.
The Stony Brook volleyball team ended their weekend at the Saint Francis Tournament in Loreto, PA with a straight-set victory over Manhattan, followed by a defeat in the five-set thriller to Saint Francis (PA) on Sept. 2.
Setter Torri Henry was garnished to the All-Tournament Team for the 2023 Red Flash Classic after finishing her weekend with 133 assists (49,33,51), 22 digs, eight kills, and four aces in three matches.
In their first set of the afternoon, the Seawolves came out firing from the service line by tallying five aces to ultimately take the set. After trailing 15-12, Stony Brook stormed back to score 9 of the next points to take the 21-16 lead. Madison Cigna notched two assists and Leoni Kunz and Abby Campbell each tallied two kills to push the run. Ashleigh Woodruff ended the set with a kill to secure the 25-22 first set victory.
Stony Brook wasted no time in the second set as they jumped out to a 5-1 lead after the Seawolves tallied four consecutive kills, including two by Abby Stanwood. The Jaspers did cut the deficit to 7-6, but the squad tallied 12 of the next 16 points to ultimately take the second set, 25-15.
To complete the sweep, Stony Brook leaped to a 10-3 lead to begin the set and did not look back. The Seawolves ended the set by claiming its biggest lead, 12 points, to close out the Jaspers, 25-13, and finish off the sweep.
Looking to bounce back following the 25-20 defeat in the opening set against the Friars, Stony Brook led by as many as nine points at 15-6 before finishing off the second set with a 25-20 victory, totaling 15 kills in the process. Stony Brook’s front row led by Campbell, Henry, and Moore had a spectacular defensive performance, blocking four Saint Francis (PA) attacks in the stanza.
Stony Brook built on that second-set success with a 25-11 win in set number three to open up a lead at two sets to one. The Seawolves led from the first point on to secure the 25-11 victory. The squad claimed its biggest lead, 14 points, to close out the set after recording five blocks and three aces during the stretch.
Following the 25-20 defeat in the fourth set to force a deciding fifth set, the Seawolves took an early 4-3 lead after Moore tallied one of her team-high 24 kills. Saint Francis (PA) and Stony Brook went back-and-forth to force a 15-15 tie, but the Friars would tally three of the final four points to take the set 18-16 and ultimately the match in five sets.
Stony Brook served up five aces on the way to a first-set victory.
Stony Brook never trailed in the second or third set.
Stanwood had a match-high and new career-high 14 kills for Stony Brook.
Stony Brook got a match-high five digs from Moore.
Stony Brook attackers were helped by a match-high 33 assists from Henry.
Stony Brook is now 9-6 all-time against Manhattan.
MATCH 2: STONY BROOK 2 – , SAINT FRANCIS (PA) – 3 (20-25, 25-20, 25-11, 20-25, 16-18)
Stony Brook had three players in double figures in digs (Patsos, Henry, and Moore)
Henry had a match-high three aces in the loss.
Moore registered a double-double with 24 kills and 10 digs. It was the most kills by any Seawolf this season and a new career-best for the sophomore.
Stony Brook never trailed on the way to winning the third set 25-11.
Stony Brook got a match-high 17 digs from Julia Patsos. She now has 10 or more digs in four of the six matches this season.
Stony Brook attackers were helped by a match-high and season-high 51 assists from Henry. It was her most since she had 53 against Fordham on August 28, 2022.
The Seawolves are now 7-1 all-time against Saint Francis.
Tonight marks the first time this season that the Seawolves played five sets.
“While the results from this weekend aren’t fully what we wanted, I am seeing good growth in our group, especially as we’re still tinkering with the lineup. It was great to bounce back and get a sweep of Manhattan. I’m happy with our group’s fight in the second match of the day but we need to play a cleaner game to finish the job. We are excited to compete in front of our home crowd on Wednesday and look forward to a packed Pritchard,” said head coach Kristin Belzung.
NEXT UP Stony Brook will return to the court on Wednesday as they host Columbia University inside Pritchard Gymnasium for their first home match of the season. The Seawolves are looking to continue their success against the Lions, as they are 6-2 all-time against the Ivy League opponent. The matchup is set to begin at 6:31 p.m. and can be streamed on FloSports!
SBU Men's Cross Country Team 2023. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics
The Stony Brook University men’s cross country team started the 2023 season on a high note, finishing first in the Stony Brook Season Opener on Sept. 2. As a unit, Stony Brook collected 17 points and took first in the 6K race with four individual runners finishing inside the top-six.
Shane Henderson was Stony Brook’s top performer, winning the 6K event with a time of 18:42.8, nearly seven seconds faster than second place. Evan Brennan (18:50.2) finished third, one second behind the second-place finisher; Carlos Santos Jr. followed behind Brennan, taking fourth while freshman Collin Gilstrap raced to a sixth-place finish in his first collegiate event.
Henderson started his senior year with a first-place finish. He posted an average mile of 4:51.7 to lead the pack.
Brennan grabbed third place, posting an average mile time of 4:53.6. Brennan joined Henderson and LIU’s Elyas Ayyoub as one of three runners in the field to finish in less than 19 minutes.
Santos (4th) and Gilstrap (6th) rounded out Stony Brook’s top-10 performers.
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SBU Women’s Cross Country Team 2023. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics
The Stony Brook University women’s cross country team finished in second place at the Stony Brook Season Opener on Sept.2 . Junior Grace Weigele finished first individually in the 4K to pace the Seawolves as a squad.
Quinnipiac won the Stony Brook Season Opener, finishing with a team total of 33 points, seeing five runners finish in the top 10. Weigele led the way for Stony Brook, pacing the entire field with a time of 13:58.9 and an average mile time of 5:29.0. Three more Seawolves finished inside the top-15: Nicole Garcia (6th), Grace Sisson (11th) and Niamh Durcan (12th).
Amelie Guzman was Stony Brook’s only other top-20 performer, clocking in at 14:52.0 in the 4K event. Rebecca Clackett (41st), Ava Carlsey (44th), Logan Barsalow (58th) and Julia Samuelson (61st) rounded out the field for the Seawolves.
HIGHLIGHTS
Weigele was the individual winner in the 4K event, leading the pack with the only sub-14 minute race of the event. Her 13:58.9 clocking was nearly 10 seconds faster than second place.
Garcia’s 14:20.5 time was good for sixth place. Sisson (11th) and Durcan (12th) were Stony Brook’s other top performers.
“Good opener for both teams, the goal today was just to get some of the rust off and get the season underway,” head coach Andy Ronan noted.
What dreams may come from revelatory reflection? A spark of imagination need not always ignite a blazing inferno; a steady, bright flame may sustain the psyche and soul.
The serenity of memory and tranquility of nature are inherent in Terra Bella, artist Nicholas Nappi’s newest exhibit at North Shore Public Library in Shoreham.
On display from September 9 to October 30, Nappi’s third show at the library includes approximately 18 paintings, many of them mixed media of ink, watercolor, and acrylics.
Moments of deceptive depth and exacting nuance are imbued with a welcoming warmth that draws the onlooker into the ambient action. The dynamic combination of textures and color is reminiscent of the often overlooked, bountiful allure of Long Island.
“I am trying to communicate with people about the beauty of Long Island…I do not think a lot of people realize how pretty it is, which why I am calling [the exhibit] Bella Terra, which means ‘beautiful earth’ in Italian,” Nappi, of Rocky Point, said in an interview.
This appreciation speaks through bright colors filtered in soft focus, idyllic settings, and people included as part of nature as well as the landscape, not in opposition of them.
Immersed in this internal world, they entice the audience to become participants in these nostalgic scenes of environmental equanimity. As though experienced via the romantic haze of memory, pictorial conversations with the past invite dialogue in the present.
“Mr. Nappi’s work is colorful and atmospheric and draws the viewer into daily life,” said North Shore Public Library’s Adult Reference Librarian/Adult Program Coordinator Lorena Doherty, who organized the exhibit. “There is such a beautiful sense of light and softness, love and memory in these pieces. When a story, a performance, an image…walks with you, it has power.”
Utilizing art as a means of communication with the public has been an integral element of Nappi’s professional and personal perspective. While a vice president and award-winning art director for Serino, Coyne, & Nappi, a theatrical ad agency, he designed and art directed logos and posters for Broadway mega hits like A Chorus Line, Les Miserables, and Phantom of the Opera.
As a print advertisement is meant to appeal to the eye and ensnare interest, Nappi’s independent works also contain the essence of a narrative. Each piece reveals its own enrapturing tale, conveying charisma and character. With his paintings, he seeks to educate, beguile, and entreat viewers into both recognizing and revering the resplendent nature that surrounds them as island dwellers.
“The growth, the bushes, the trees, the flowers, it is just a gorgeous place, but [Long Islanders] are so used it they do not pay attention to it too much. They really should,” Nappi said.
Terra Bella encompasses paintings Nappi created specifically for the exhibit, using it as an opportunity to express his scenic thesis. Invoking emotional resonance, he invites people to learn this visual language, simultaneously communing with those already attuned to his paintings and their presence.
After the conclusion of his second show at the library, Color is Song in 2017, patrons and staff missed the ruminating reprieve his art provides, according to Doherty. So when he sent her examples of his recent paintings, she was enamored with the selection and eager to put it up in a space that hosts community and international artists alike.
“Many months ago, Mr. Nappi sent an email with the images of his new body of work. I viewed them several times and was delighted to have this new show at North Shore Public Library,” Doherty said.
“Several days passed and I found myself thinking of these paintings. The paintings were walking with me and telling a story, their story.”
At its heart, the tale Nappi tells is that of individual insights predicated on the notion of universal understanding. The show allows him to convey his feelings and entrust others with their messages.
“I try to put a piece of myself in each painting. I hope people feel what I feel. If that happens, I am very, very happy. Painting is a very, very personal thing; I forget everything but what I am working on. When you paint, you start with a blank piece of paper, and it is up to you to make it special to anyone who looks at it. I hope I do,” Nappi said.
The community is invited to an artist reception for Nicholas Nappi hosted by the Friends of the Library on Saturday, September 9, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. North Shore Public Library is located at 250 Route 25A, Shoreham. The exhibit may be viewed during library hours — Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 631-929-4488 or visit www.northshorepubliclibrary.org.
In our last column, we outlined the criteria for eligibility to seek compensation or monetary damages for injuries you sustained in an automobile accident due to another driver’s negligence. We also explained the initial steps necessary to make such a claim. Now it is time to discuss how to evaluate your claim and negotiate with the insurance company insuring the at-fault party who caused the accident.
Indeed, the first question we, and other lawyers, are often asked is, “How much is my case worth?” Although cliché, the answer is virtually always “It depends.” The truth is that there is no simple or easy answer to this inquiry, nor is there a tried-and-true method to develop a reasonable value for a given case. There are simply no established valuations for any particular injury, no charts to refer to, or answers even Siri can provide you. Among the many criteria for estimating a case’s value are the following:
• The severity of the injury itself
• Permanent disability due to the injury
• Age and occupation of the injured person
• If employed, time missed from work
• Ability to perform functions for daily life in the future (i.e., household chores)
• Ability to enjoy recreational activities,such as sports, that you participated inprior to the accident
• Expenses not paid by your No-Faultinsurance carrier.
Several additional factors are considered when evaluating a particular claim; however, those enumerated above are the most important. For example, if the injured person is a construction worker who hurts his or her back in a motor vehicle accident, the effect may be a long period of time out of work. A computer operator who suffers a fractured hand or wrist and develops carpal tunnel syndrome may be disabled for longer than someone in a different position. The same goes for a doctor, electrician, or many other professions. In conjunction with these issues, the pain and suffering caused by the injury leads claimant’s attorneys and insurance companies to come up with monetary damage ranges and amounts.
While this is clearly far from an exact science, lawyers who handle personal injury automobile accident cases have many references they can utilize to evaluate these cases. These include publications reporting recent jury verdicts around the state for particular injuries or even significant settlements. Thus, the personal injury practitioner can get a sense of how much a claimant may expect to receive for a particular injury in each county in New York State, or what an insurance company would be willing to pay for such injuries.
However, the exact amount your case may be worth is highly subjective and unique to your specific circumstances. Therefore, the claimant and their attorney must discuss the above criteria applicable to the case and start negotiating with the insurance carrier.
It must be understood that insurance companies are under no legal obligation to pay a claim, although if they do negotiate, they must do so in good faith. This basically means that the insurance company runs certain risks if it makes woefully inadequate offers to settle your claim.
Our next column will answer more often-asked questions, like “Why do I need so much automobile coverage, if I have homeowners’ insurance or an umbrella policy?”
A. Craig Purcell, Esq. is a partner at the law firm of Glynn Mercep Purcell and Morrison LLP in Setauket and is a former President of the Suffolk County Bar Association and Vice President of the New York State Bar Association.
Runners take off from the starting line on Main Street in Stony Brook Village at last year's race.
Photo from Dan Kerr
Registration underway for SOLES for All Souls Race
By Daniel Kerr
Historic All Souls Church has stood on the hill at the entrance to Stony Brook Village since 1896. Although much has changed in the village since then, the simple beauty of the building and the interior have remained true to Stanford White’s vision.
Interestingly, life expectancy back then in the United States was less than 50 years, and accessibility for the elderly or handicapped was not part of the design. On Sunday, October 1st, the 15th SOLES for All Souls 5K Race/2K Walk will celebrate the role of the National Landmark chapel in the community and raise funds to make it accessible to all.
Episcopal Bishop of Long Island Lawrence Provenzano stated, “Accessibility is an integral part of welcoming everyone in our communities into our parishes and we are proud to support this fantastic event with its goal to make All Souls a place that can truly serve everyone.”
Three of the winners from last year’s race. Photo from Dan Kerr
Herb Mones, an All Souls Church member, and both president of the Three Village Community Trust and Land Use Chair for the Three Village Civic Association,recently observed “SOLES for All Souls is vital to raising the necessary funds for our accessibility project. I am hoping that the entire running and walking community turns out to support our efforts.”
Richard Bronson, MD, former Suffolk County Poet Laureate, remarks, “How many times have I entered All Souls Church, felt its sanctity, marveled at its quiet beauty while listening to recited verse at the Second Saturday Poetry Reading? How can one not wish to participate in the SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk, an event that will raise funds to make this treasure accessible to all…and it is good for one’s health.”
SOLES For All Souls is perhaps the most inclusive race/walk on Long Island.Serious runners compete for gold, bronze, and silver medals in age groups from under 13 to over 80 and receive their hard-won medals in an Olympic-style awards ceremony. Dogs are welcome to accompany their masters and students from Stony Brook University and others often come in costume. Senior citizens with walking sticks line up at the starting line along with parents pushing their kids in strollers.
Looking back on last year’s race, East Patchogue resident and Overall Winner Adam Lindsey commented, “I love the opportunity to run in Stony Brook Village. The hills are the right amount of challenging yet very fun with lovely scenery. All Souls is such an integral part of Stony Brook Village, and it is a joy to run in a race to support them.”
Port Jefferson Station resident Margaret Kennedy shared, “I look forward to this race every year, eager to see familiar faces and the creative costumes. The matched pair of peanut butter and jelly comes to mind. It is the camaraderie and fellowship that keeps us coming back to collect a new color in our t-shirt rainbow. Everyone is welcome, whether running up the challenging hill or walking with a team. This race is truly a labor of love.”
The event is also a food drive for St. Gerard Majella’s food pantry. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine encourages runners and walkers to feed the hungry: “I am proud to support the SOLES for All Souls and I urge everyone to donate to the ‘Lend a Hand, Bring a Can’ food drive. There are so many of our less fortunate neighbors who experience food insecurity and they rely on donations to feed themselves and their families. If we all chip in and do our part, we can help so many people in need and make a real difference in our community.”
Registration for SOLES for All Souls 5K Run/2K Walk is through the ACTIVE.COM website (Search: SOLES for All Souls) or register on Race Day at the Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.; the race/walk begins at 9 a.m. Complimentary pre and post event stretching will be provided by Progressive Personal Training.Local musician Bill Clark will perform throughout the morning.
Please call 631-655-7798 for more information on the event or if you would like to be a sponsor. Donations dedicated to Handicap Accessibility Project can be mailed to All Souls Race, P.O. Box 548, Stony Brook, NY 11790.
Daniel Kerr is the Director of SOLES for All Souls Race/Walk.
“My love of history grew from there,” said Arceri who today runs Tri-Spy Tours offering walking, bike and kayak tours of the Setauket area. “Everywhere you turn in the Three Villages you are looking at an artifact, and as the historical society believes, the community is our museum and I would really love to put that on the forefront of people’s minds. History is constantly evolving and new information is being discovered everyday. We don’t know what is waiting to be unearthed next and that fills me with excitement.”
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