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Top scams to watch out for this tax season

by TBR Staff - February 4, 2025

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The days of filing paper tax returns are gone, and criminals are taking advantage. With taxpayers managing their sensitive information online, thieves are finding new ways to scam victims. In 2023 alone, the IRS reported $5.5 billion lost to tax fraud schemes. And the increased prevalence of artificial intelligence means tax scams this year will likely be more sophisticated than ever.

Scammers have an arsenal of weapons, but no matter their tactics, the goal is the same – to have you give them money or access to it. Here are scams to look out for this tax season:

Tax avoidance scams. These scams often promise rewards too good to be true. Scammers claim to have specialized knowledge on exploiting loopholes to avoid taxes or maximize returns. High-income filers are heavily targeted through offers of seemingly legitimate annuities or tax shelters.

Refund scams. In this scam, a criminal will claim to be someone official notifying of an unclaimed or incorrectly calculated refund, prompting the victim to share information – and possibly bank account numbers – to claim it.

Violation scams. This is a fear-based scam, where the criminal poses as an IRS official threatening some punitive action, claiming the victim committed a violation and needs to contact them to resolve the situation.

Filing support scams. Similar to tech support scams, criminals offer to help create IRS accounts to assist with the online filing process. Frequently posing as tax preparers, scammers will go through the motions of gathering the victim’s personal information for tax forms they never intend to file.

Social media scams. Social media serves as a great place for criminals to find potential victims and carry out tax scams, fraudulently claiming to offer different types of services or possessing unique knowledge or access.

Recovery scams. Once a victim is scammed, criminals will try to strike again – believing the victim is gullible. Exploiting a time of vulnerability, they’ll contact the victim with promises of helping them recover their losses and will leverage this as an opening to commit additional crimes.

While it is not always easy to pick out a scam, here are indicators to watch for:

• Promise of a big pay-out. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Request for your account information. The IRS will never ask for your credit or debit account information over the phone.

• Random contact. The IRS contacts taxpayers by mail first and will never contact via random phone calls or digital means. The IRS will not leave prerecorded, urgent, or threatening voicemails.

• Demands or threats. The IRS can’t revoke your driver’s license, business licenses or immigration status and cannot threaten to immediately bring in local law enforcement. Taxpayers are allowed an appeals process, so any message of “now or else” won’t come from an official channel.

• Request for you to click a weblink. Odd or misspelled web links can take you to harmful sites instead of IRS.gov.

The IRS recommends these best practices to protect against tax fraud:

• Get an early start. File early so criminals have less time to impersonate you.

• Set up a verified account. Set up your own IRS account before someone else can and use an Identity Protection PIN – a six-digit number known only to you and the IRS.

• Wait for written notice. Do not respond to any supposed communications from the IRS if you haven’t first received official notification through U.S. mail. If you get a call from someone claiming to be the IRS, hang up and call the official number on the website before engaging. Further, never click a link sent digitally as initial contact.

Apply good cyber hygiene. Do not use public Wi-Fi when filing your tax returns. Do use strong passwords, secured network connections and multi-factor authentication. Run all software updates and keep systems current.

If you fall victim to a tax scam, report it to the IRS. For more scam protection tips, visit PNC’s Security & Privacy Center at pnc.com.

One wrong click can cause tremendous damage that ends up earning bad guys a windfall. However, a little caution can go a long way in helping you avoid a costly tax scam. (StatePoint)

Medical Compass: Understanding chronic ED

by David Dunaief - February 4, 2025

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Lifestyle modifications including diet can help

By David Dunaief, M.D.

In my practice, many patients have resisted telling me they suffered from erectile dysfunction (ED). However, it’s a common problem. Because it can indicate other medical issues, it’s important that you share this information with your doctor.

ED affects about 24 percent of men, on average. If it occurs less than 20 percent of the time, it is considered normal; however, if it occurs more than 50 percent of the time, you should seek help (1).

Of course, there are oral medications for ED. You’ve probably seen the ads for approved medications, including sildenafil (Viagra, or the “little blue pill”), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), and avanafil (Stendra). They work by causing vasodilation, or enlargement of blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the penis. Unfortunately, this does not solve the medical problem, but it does provide a short-term solution for those who are good treatment candidates.

ED’s prevalence generally increases with age. An analysis of the 2021 National Survey of Sexual Wellbeing found that ED affected 12.7 percent of 35-44-year-olds, increased to 25.3 percent of 45-54- year-olds, 33.9 percent of those aged 55-64, 48 percent of those aged 65-74, and 52.2 percent of those aged 75 and older (2).

So, what contributes to the increase as we age? Disease processes and drug therapies.

What is the connection between medical conditions and ED?

Chronic diseases can contribute significantly to ED. ED might also be an indicator of disease. Typical contributors include metabolic syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and obesity. In the Look AHEAD trial, ED had a greater than two-fold association with hypertension and a three-fold association with metabolic syndrome (3). In another study, ED was associated with a 2.5-times increase in cardiovascular disease (4).

Patients with ED had significantly more calcification, or atherosclerosis, in their arteries when compared to a control group in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) (5). They were also more than three times as likely to have severe calcification. In addition, they had more inflammation, measured by C-reactive protein.

Which medications contribute to ED?

About 25 percent of ED cases are thought to be associated with medications, such antidepressants, NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen and naproxen sodium), and hypertension medications. Unfortunately, the most common antidepressant medications, SSRIs, have significant impacts on ED.

The California Men’s Health Study, with over 80,000 participants, showed that there was an association between NSAIDs and ED, with a 38 percent increase in ED in patients who use NSAIDs on a regular basis (6). The authors warn that patients should not stop taking NSAIDs without consulting their physicians.

Also, high blood pressure drugs have a reputation for causing ED. A meta-analysis of 42 studies showed that beta blockers have a small effect, but thiazide diuretics (water pills) more than doubled ED, compared to placebo (7).

How can diet affect ED?

The Mediterranean-type diet has been shown to treat and prevent ED. It’s a green leafy alternative to the little blue pill. Foods are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and high in monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, as well as fiber. Components include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, walnuts, and olive oil.

In two RCTs lasting two years, those who followed a Mediterranean-type diet experienced improvements in their endothelial functioning (8, 9). They also experienced both lower inflammation and lower insulin resistance.

In another study, those who had the highest compliance with a Mediterranean-type diet were significantly less likely to have ED, compared to those with the lowest compliance (10). Even more impressive was that the group with the highest compliance had a 37 percent reduction in severe ED versus the low-compliance group.

A study of participants in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study looked closely at both the Mediterranean-type diet and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 diet, which emphasized consuming vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and fish or other sources of long-chain fats, as well as avoiding red and processed meats (11). At this point, it probably won’t surprise you to hear that the greater participants’ compliance with either of these diets, the less likely they were to experience ED.

References:

(1) clevelandclinic.org. (2) J Sex Med. 2024;21(4): 296–303. (3) J Sex Med. 2009;6(5):1414-22. (4) Int J Androl. 2010;33(6):853-60. (5) J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;46(8):1503. (6) Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Jul;97(28):e11367. (7) JAMA. 2002;288(3):351. (8) Int J Impot Res. 2006;18(4):405-10. (9) JAMA. 2004;292(12):1440-6. (10) J Sex Med. 2010 May;7(5):1911-7. (11) JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2021701.

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.

Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center named to America’s Best Nursing Homes list

by Press Release - February 4, 2025

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Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center has been named one of America’s Best Nursing Homes 2025 in Newsweek magazine’s annual list of top skilled nursing facilities in the U.S. The annual ranking serves as a guide for patients and their families in their search for high-quality, long-term and post-acute care options.

“We are honored to be recognized by Newsweek once again in their prestigious America’s Best Nursing Homes rankings,” said Stuart B. Almer, President and CEO of Gurwin Healthcare System. “This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication of our staff, whose compassion and expertise create a warm, safe and supportive environment for the more than 400 residents who turn to Gurwin each day for care.”

The America’s Best Nursing Homes ranking lists the nation’s leading nursing homes in the 25 unique states with the highest number of facilities according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Compiled by Newsweek and Statista Inc., a statistics portal and industry-ranking provider, the annual ranking is based on performance data scores for health inspections, staffing and quality measures; recommendations of medical professionals; accreditations; and resident satisfaction scores. Gurwin was ranked on the 2025 national list of America’s Best Nursing Homes, as well as New York’s list, both in the category of 150+ certified beds.

To view the full list, please see here.

Living Lightly: Junk the junk mail

by John Turner - February 3, 2025

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A Column Promoting a More Earth-Friendly Lifestyle

By John L. Turner

If you’re like most homeowners much of the mail you receive is unsolicited and of no interest, what we typically refer to as junk mail. Not surprisingly, much of it is never opened or read (about 44% according to one website) and gets tossed — hopefully in the recycling bin. Americans receive, and dispose of, about 3 million tons of junk mail every year. Especially notorious are catalogs offering various products — gifts, clothing, etc. — since they use much more paper than what is contained in a mere solicitation letter offering you a new product you don’t want.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive such as services which eliminate or reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive. Some charge a small fee to process your request. One such service highlighted by the United States Postal Service is: DMAchoice, Consumer Preferences, P.O. Box 900, Cos Cob, CT 06807.

If you want to opt out of unsolicited credit card and insurance company offers, call toll free 1-888-567-8688 or visit optoutprescreen.com. Also, if you don’t want Valpak coupons go to valpak.com/remove-address to unsubscribe. Lastly, download the phone app PaperKarma that helps you to unsubscribe from unwanted mail.

A resident of Setauket, author John L. Turner is a naturalist, conservation co-chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, and Conservation Policy Advocate for the Seatuck Environmental Association.

Can’t help falling in love with the Engeman Theater’s ‘Heartbreak Hotel’

by Rita J. Egan - February 3, 2025

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Press Photo 6 — Joe Caskey (Elvis Presley) in a scene from 'Heartbreak Hotel,' Photo courtesy of The John W. Engeman Theater

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By Rita J. Egan

Ninety years after Elvis’s birth, his music still resonates with rock ‘n’ roll fans. Currently, at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport, the cast of the biographical musical Heartbreak Hotel are presenting a production overflowing with talent to celebrate the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s legacy and music.

With book by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti, Heartbreak Hotel is based on a concept by Floyd Mutrux, one of the co-writers of Million Dollar Quartet. The musical shares Elvis’s journey from his younger days to the singer’s comeback television special in 1968. The production offers nostalgia for older fans and a bit of rock ‘n’ roll history for younger audiences.

The fast-paced production, which has been performed in regional theaters across the United States but never on Broadway, encompasses more than 40 of the singer’s hits, including “That’s All Right,” “All Shook Up,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Blue Suede Shoes.” For the Northport stage, Engeman’s director and choreographer, Paul Stancato, has created an energetic and engaging show.

As the musical opens, we see Elvis Presley mentally preparing for The Comeback Special in 1968. He receives a visit from his younger self, who advises that maybe the answers aren’t in the future but in the past. Throughout the musical, the audience witnesses the singer’s rise to fame and flashbacks to his younger days and humble beginnings. His love for Gospel music and the sounds of Beale Street in Memphis, where his family moved to from Tupelo, Mississippi, when he was a young teen, are beautifully commemorated.

When touching on the singer’s setbacks, the production handles it gracefully by giving enough details but not diving too deep, keeping the musical as upbeat as possible despite some of the downsides of his career.

Joe Caskey, as Elvis, understands the assignment. He embraces the confidence, moves and voice of the King without coming across as a campy impersonator. His vocals are strong, whether belting out “Jailhouse Rock” or serenading baby daughter Lisa Marie with a tearjerking “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Caskey’s acting abilities are center stage during Act II, especially earlier in the act when it’s apparent that the weight of Elvis’s career and the responsibilities that come with it — including keeping his staff employed — are weighing heavily on him.

Spencer Chase is impressive as a young Elvis Presley. Like Caskey, the teenager has a confidence that one can imagine even young Elvis having. At the same time, he possesses the enthusiasm of a boy falling in love with music.

Pamela Bob, as Gladys Presley, is ideal as the loving mother, and her and Chase’s singing of “Peace in the Valley” is heartwarming.

Michel Vasquez plays Priscilla Presley and seamlessly transitions from the young woman exuding enthusiasm for her new love to the frustrated wife vying for his attention as he is distracted by other women.

Sara Rose is delightful as Elvis’s first girlfriend, Dixie. The actress shines even more later in the musical when she plays actress, singer and dancer Ann-Margaret. Rose’s powerful dance moves also take center stage during other numbers.

William Thomas Evans, as Col. Tom Parker, captures the sleaziness of Elvis’s manager. Matthew Schatz is perfect as Sam Phillips, demonstrating the record producer’s stress earlier in the musical and later his enthusiasm in promoting Elvis’s music to DJs. Playing another Phillips is Jeff Gallup, who as DJ Dewy Phillips captures the era’s energy. Hailey Aviva, as Sam Philips’ secretary, Marion Keisker, also adds to the vibrancy of the production. Matt Allen plays both Vernon Presley and Frank Sinatra and is fun to watch playing Sinatra, emulating the crooner’s mannerisms and accent.

Audiences should be prepared for toe-tapping even before the Elvis hits begin with “Welcome to Beale St.” sung by Troy Valjean Rucker, Tarik Ziegler, Lena Richard, Danielle McKnight, Chase and the ensemble. A few scenes later, Ziegler is a scene stealer as Reverend Brewster during the number “This Train is Bound for Glory.”

What makes this musical so unique is the actors playing instruments right on stage instead of an orchestra. The technique makes one feel as if they are actually at a live performance, especially during the closing act, when Caskey is in full concert mode. While several of the actors play instruments, Noah Berry, Chris Coffey and Luke Surretsky, as Elvis’s band members, are on stage most of the show and easily juggle acting and playing instruments.

The show’s cast and crew have gone above and beyond to produce a show that honors the musical legacy that Elvis left behind. During the cold, dark winter months, the Engeman’s Heartbreak Hotel is a shining star, just like the legend the musical honors.

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main Street, Northport, presents Heartbreak Hotel through March 2. Tickets start at $82. For more information, call 631-261-2900 or visit engemantheater.com.

Free health screenings, flu vaccinations offered at St. Catherine of Siena Feb. 7

by Press Release - February 2, 2025

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St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, 50 Route 25A, Smithtown will have the Catholic Health Community Health and Outreach Mobile Bus in its main parking lot on Friday, Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to offer free health screenings and flu vaccinations for adults 18 years and older.

Each screening will include a brief cardiac history, blood pressure screening, BMI screening, simple blood test for cholesterol and glucose, health education, referrals as needed, resources for those without insurance and a free flu vaccination (senior dose available.) For more information, please call 631-469-0989.

LIMEHOF honors 2024 ‘Educator of Note’ Craig Knapp at awards ceremony

by Press Release - February 2, 2025

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Alumni and current students perform and pack the house to celebrate popular Rocky Point Music Teacher

Students, former students, colleagues, friends and family of Rocky Point Elementary Music Teacher and Department Chairperson Craig Knapp packed the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEOHF) recently to honor the 2024 ‘Educator of Note’ winner. The ceremony was held at LIMEHOF’s museum location in Stony Brook at 97 Main Street. The event featured three musical performances by current and former students, live and video recorded speeches from colleagues and students, a video presentation about Knapp’s career and a special citation presentation by New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio.

“The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame is thrilled to honor Craig Knapp with the ‘Educator of Note’ Award and to recognize his extraordinary dedication, innovation, and profound impact on countless students and on music education in our community,” said LIMEHOF Vice Chairman Tom Needham, who manages LIMEHOF’s education programs.

“I am absolutely honored to be inducted into the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame as the 2024 recipient of their ‘Educator of Note,’ said Knapp. “To be included on the list of past honorees—many of whom I have worked with collaboratively in a variety of music education organizations, committees, conferences, and initiatives—is both gratifying and humbling. I am very proud that I carved out a successful career in a rather unconventional and unique way.”

The event was emceed by LIMEHOF Educational Committee Member Mike Rodgers who is also director of music and performing arts in the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District. Live speakers included Music Department Chair from Rocky Point School District Amy Schecher, 5^th Grade Student Emma Wurm, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York (MYO) Dr. Anthea Jackson, New York State Assemblywomen Jodi Giglio. There were also recorded messages from colleagues including MYO Concert Choir Director Dr. Doreen Fryling.

“I thought today’s event was absolutely beautiful particularly the students were the highlight of it,” said Rodgers. “Not only to see the work that was done but the reflection from the students themselves.”

Current and former students honored Knapp with special musical performances. Rocky Point Students Serena Carley and Olna Carley, MYO Treble Choir students Nate Drinkwater and Andrew Nagle. Former student now Deer Park Music Teacher Grace Donofrio sang Georges Bizet’s Carmen accompanied by pianist Sara Ruggerio.

“Mr. Knapp is one of the most inspiring people and most deserving people of this kind of award,” said Donofrio. “He inspires me to be a music teacher, and I hope that I can be half of him one day as I learn and grow and continue in my career.”

Former student Julia Brandow traveled in from out of town, driving for over five hours to honor Knapp.

“Once he told me this was happening, I had to come… it was like no question, Brandow said. “He has done so much for us. The least I could do was be here today for him. Music is the biggest thing in my life and he 100% is the foundation for that.”

Music Teacher Desiree DeMelfi (herself a 2019 LIMEHOF Scholarship recipient) also spoke. She had nominated Craig and was mentored by him when she started her music teaching career.

“Craig has always wanted me to be the best music teacher and course director I could be,” said DeMelfi. “The impact of a true educator and mentor is evident from my story alone. Craig saw an opportunity to guide a young student from the same town he grew up in. He acted as a leader and decided to give me the best student teaching experience possible.”

With an impressive career that spans 27 years on Long Island, Craig Knapp is the 18th music teacher to be recognized by LIMEHOF since the ‘Educator of Note’ Award was established in 2007. This award recognizes exceptional teachers who demonstrate a commitment to music education, play an active role in the community, and have a significant influence on the lives of music students of all backgrounds and abilities.

Craig Knapp is the director of the Nassau and Suffolk Treble Choirs of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York, Elementary Classroom Music Specialist and Choral Director in the Rocky Point Public School District, former Adjunct Assistant Professor at Hofstra University, former Director of the Early Childhood Community Music Program at Stony Brook University, music educator, guest conductor, clinician, folk dance leader and author. He says of all his accomplishments, the most significant honor to him is the lasting influence he has had on his students.

“I have the luckiest job in the world as I get to wake up every Monday morning and make music with incredible children,” Knapp said. “Of all that I have achieved—more important than any accolades I could receive, books I could publish, guest conducting opportunities I could receive, invitations to present at professional development conferences, or performances I direct—my greatest accomplishment, and what I’m most proud of, is that students still come to visit me decades later to tell me that I was their favorite teacher and to thank me for the positive impact I had on their life. What could be better than that?”

For more information about the LIMEHOF ‘Educator of Note’ Award, visit https://www.limusichalloffame.org/educator-of-note/

Artist Josephine Puccio to be featured at Apple Bank exhibition in Smithtown

by Press Release - February 1, 2025

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Smithtown Township Arts Council has announced that the works of Saint James artist Josephine Puccio will be on view at Apple Bank of Smithtown, 91 Route 111, Smithtown from Feb. 5 to April 3.

From a very young age, Puccio loved art. Growing up in Brooklyn, her family would visit her grandparents in the country (now known as Howard Beach). The artist fell in love with the beauty of the trees, flowers and natural landscape and at age 7 she begged her parents to buy her crayons and paper so she could draw what she saw.

“Till this day I can sit for hours upon hours and paint what I see in hopes of bringing to everyone the beauty, excitement and love for nature that I feel in my heart!” said Puccio.

The artist moved to Florida for eight years, returning to Long Island in 2022. Before her move, she was an award-winning artist exhibiting her work and winning many prizes at galleries across the island from East Hampton to East Meadow having exhibited at Guild Hall, Suburban Art League, Wet Paints Studio Group among many others. Happy to return to the Art scene on Long Island, Puccio continues to exhibit her art and win prizes!

The exhibition, part of the Arts Council’s Outreach Gallery Program, may be viewed during regular banking hours Monday -Thursday 9 am – 4 pm; Friday 9 am – 6 pm; Saturday 9 am – 1 pm.

Robert Graham Carter retrospective exhibit debuts at The Hecksher Museum

by Tara Mae - February 1, 2025

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'Social Center/Barbershop' by Robert Graham Carter will be on view at The Heckscher Museum through May 25. Image courtesy of Heckscher Museum

By Tara Mae

Heritage, humanity, and hope are explored through works of legacy and lineage in Robert Graham Carter: The Art of Reflection. The exhibit at the Heckscher Museum of Art, from February 2 to May 25, 2025, encapsulates as it illuminates the past six decades of the artist’s career.

“It’s a retrospective—a little glimpse into virtually all the stages and turning points within my art career. It’s interesting for me to see it put together like this—it gives you a perspective that you don’t get working day to day,” said Carter, who is also a long-time art professor at Nassau Community College.

Robert Graham Carter, Proud Queen, Tribute To My Wife, 1995 Wood and acrylic, Robert Graham Carter Family Collection

Featuring 22 artworks and several archival pieces, the show explores three themes central to Graham’s work: charm of childhood; importance of spirituality in his life; and, social inequities, with a concentration on topics that connect to Black experiences.

“Mr. Carter came up with the three messages, or themes, he wanted to have the exhibit explore. We selected the works with that focus,” Heckscher guest curator Sarah Battle said. Battle is affiliated with the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, where Carter is set to have an exhibition in 2027.

Influenced by his youth in Louisville, Kentucky, during Jim Crow, and his adulthood and career on Long Island, the exhibit is an exchange between past and present as well as Carter and the audience.

“It is really special to be able to see some early works in conversation with larger pieces,” Battle said.

Art is the language Carter uses to discuss his individual narrative and how it is a chapter of a larger story. It evokes memories, moments, and imagination.

“All of us wear many masks. For example, I am a father, a husband (before my wife passed), an educator, an artist, a neighbor, a friend, and on and on,” he said. “I found myself responding to the things that were interesting and important to me within these roles. I would end up making a series of works based on one of these masks.”

Robert Graham Carter
If Der Be Angels Then Some Must Look Like Me, c. 2000s,
Wood and acrylic, Robert Graham Carter Family Collection

His examination and meditation on these concepts are expressed through mixed media works from the 1970s-2010s, including pencil or pastels on paper; sketches; multi-scale paintings; and sculptural components. One of Carter’s high-relief sculptural paintings, “Mama Taught Me Piano and Much More,” is part of the Heckscher’s permanent collection.

The versatility of his form underscores the sometimes subtle vibrancy of his scenes, like striking portraits or snippets of everyday life.

“What draws me to them and his art in general is that it works on a couple of different levels; they usually reveal something personal, like a memory or experience of the artist and makes you reflect on your own memories or experiences,” Battle said. “Or, his art acts as commentary for the artist.”

These elements offer insight into both process and progress. Both the singular perspective and the collective understanding are presented as Carter’s art evokes emotional introspection and community celebration through subject and substance.

“This has been a positive experience for me, and I hope that the people who see this exhibit are positively affected also. Basically, I feel that art is a communication process and for me I am hoping visitors have a good response,” Carter said.

Admission to The Heckscher Museum of Art is free. Located at 2 Prime Avenue in Huntington, the museum is open Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 631-380-3230 or visit www.heckscher.org.

100 Years Ago This Month: Historical events from February 1925

by TBR Staff - February 1, 2025

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8-frank-james-(gary)-cooper-mhs-15-4-10-1-f2-(004)-2016.jpg — Gary Cooper

The month of February has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in February 1925.

• After a severe depletion of his country’s potato crop due to heavy rainfall the previous summer and fall, Irish President W.T. Cosgrave appeals to the United States for food aid on February 1.

• The small town of Nome, Alaska, is saved from a developing diphtheria epidemic on February 2 upon conclusion of The Serum Run. The run was a transport of diphtheria antitoxin via dog sled that involved 20 mushers and roughly 150 sled dogs. The final leg of the run is led by Gunnar Kaasen and his lead sled dog, Balto, who becomes a canine celebrity as a result of the undertaking.

• Sears, Roebuck, & Co. opens its first department store at its headquarters in Chicago on February 2. The retailer had previously been a catalog-only operation.

• William Burke Miller interviews trapped cave explorer Floyd Collins on February 3. Collins was trapped in a cave in Kentucky on January 30, and Miller was small enough to climb into an opening in the cave and conduct an interview while hanging upside down. Miller ultimately won a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the incident, which unfortunately ended with Collins’ death on February 13.

• Ten people are arrested in Russia on February 5 as part of a plot to assassinate revolutionary and Soviet politician Grigory Zinoviev.

• World heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey marries actress Estelle Taylor on February 7 in San Diego. The two starred alongside one another on screen and on stage, but ultimately divorced in 1931.

• The film “The Lost World” premieres at the Astor Theatre in New York City on February 8. The film is the first production to include special effects.

• Turkish politician Halit Karsialan is shot by fellow politico Ali Çetinkaya during a fight at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on February 9. Karsialan dies from injuries sustained during the skirmish on February 14.

• Ellen Wilkinson, an MP from the Labour Party, defies protocol when she addresses the British House of Commons without wearing a hat on February 11. Conservative MP Reginald Applin asks the Speaker of the House to determine if Wilkinson’s non-compliance with the dress code was in order, but the speaker ultimately rules in Wilkinson’s favor.

• Nikolai Golitsyn, the last Prime Minister of Imperial Russia, is arrested by the Russian secret police on February 12. Golitsyn, who was arrested on suspicion of association with counterrevolutionaries, is convicted and executed five months after his arrest.

• Paavo Nurmi runs a record-breaking two-mile race in Madison Square Garden on February 14. The Finnish runner, nicknamed the “Flying Finn,” completes the race in eight minutes and 58.2 seconds.

• On February 15, the London Zoo announces it will install lights to lift the spirits of the animals during the city’s famed spells of fog.

• Bavaria lifts the ban on the Nazi Party on February 16. The ban was initially implemented after the Beer Hall Putsch, a failed coup d’état orchestrated by Adolf Hitler and others in 1923.

• The Mayflower Hotel opens its doors on February 18. The hotel, located at 1127 Connecticut Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., earns the nickname the “Hotel of Presidents” and remains open today.

• Fifty-one miners are killed in a coal mine explosion in Sullivan, Indiana, on February 20. An additional 70 employees escape or are rescued from the blast.

• American actor Gary Cooper appears in his first film on February 22. Cooper would go on to stardom, even though his appearance in “The Trail Rider” was as an uncredited stunt rider.

• The last emperor of China, Puyi, accepts an offer of protection from the Japanese Empire on February 23. Puyi had been stripped of all of his imperial titles and privileges months earlier.

• The first electrical recording of a phonographic record is made by Art Gillham on February 25. Gillham and his orchestra use microphones to perform “You May Be Lonesome” and “Hesitation Blues.”

• Norwegian carpenter and inventor Thor Bjørklund receives a patent for the cheese slicer on February 27.

• A 6.2 magnitude earthquake strikes in the Canadian province of Quebec on February 28. The epicenter of the earthquake is in the St. Lawrence River near La Malbaie, and no major casualties are reported.

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