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Setauket Seafood on Main Street in Setauket. Photo by Samantha Rutt

By Peter Sloniewsky

After 42 years of continuity, Setauket Seafood has been sold to new ownership. This long-standing establishment, best known for its high-quality seafood and impressive longevity, will enter its newest chapter under the ownership of Alan Blanco. A chef at Savino’s Hideaway in Mount Sinai, Blanco has 12 years of experience in culinary arts.

Savino’s Hideaway “has always bought their fish from Setauket Seafood,” Blanco said. “Earlier this year, [owner Eddie Lee] asked me if I was interested in buying the store.” While it is Blanco’s first business venture, he was encouraged by both the store’s local relevance and his own connection to the Setauket area to accept the offer.

The store’s previous owner, Lee, plans to retire but will stay on temporarily to assist in the transition. Blanco made it clear that Lee would ensure that standards are maintained and that the change in ownership would be smooth.

Setauket Seafood has garnered a widely positive reputation for freshness, variety and quality, corroborated by its online reviews and the store’s sustained success over the past four decades. Blanco described the previous ownership as having “the best reputation around,” and made it clear that he plans to uphold the same standards throughout his tenure.

Blanco’s infectious enthusiasm for his new venture is an encouraging start to a new chapter for the popular seafood store. “I used to come to Setauket and always loved this town. All the people are very friendly, and it will be a great adventure to serve this community,” he said. 

Blanco’s commitment to the community and the store’s legacy promises to bring a bright future for Setauket Seafood, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another.

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From left, Bryan Hynes, executive creative director at Austin Williams; Rick Chiorando, chief creative officer for Austin Williams. Photo courtesy of Austin Williams

Leading advertising and public relations agency Austin Williams (AW) announced that its HOPE makes it happen campaign for Hope Credit Union (HOPE) won 13 awards, including four gold, three silver, and six bronze at the 45th Annual Telly Awards, honoring excellence in video and television across all screens.

Most notably, HOPE makes it happen won the People’s Telly Gold Award, where the public can vote for their favorite entries, underscoring its impact and widespread audience acclaim. The campaign seeks to empower individuals and business owners in unbanked and underserved communities and has won awards in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Social Impact, Branding, Art Direction, and other categories.

“A Telly Award is the top prize in our industry, and we’re so proud of our work for HOPE makes it happen,” said Rick Chiorando, chief executive officer for Austin Williams. “Everyone who worked on this campaign – from research to production, knew this would be special. Of course, none of this would be possible without Hope Credit Union, and the work truly reflects the transformational change HOPE’s mission provides.”

Since 1994, Hope Credit Union of Jackson, MS, has provided critical financial resources to more than 2 million people across the Deep South in some of the nation’s most economically distressed regions. With 23 branches throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, HOPE gives neighbors and businesses access to affordable financial services, personal support, and life-changing economic opportunities they may not otherwise have access to.

Launched in August 2023, HOPE makes it happen is a multichannel marketing campaign that brings the credit union’s mission to life and shares it with those who can benefit from it most. AW partnered with award-winning director Abraham Felix and New Orleans’ video production company Elephant Quilt to create the campaign, featuring five cinematic commercials that highlight how HOPE makes it happen as a catalyst for good in the lives of its members.

Within just five months of its launch, HOPE makes it happen has generated 5,800 new leads, 4,300 new members, and $16.7 million in new member deposits, making this campaign the most successful one the credit union has produced in its 30-year history.

“After hearing real stories from members, it was so easy to fall in love with HOPE’s mission of bringing financial tools, knowledge, and resources to communities across the Deep South that have been ignored or marginalized by traditional institutions,” said Bryan Hynes, executive creative director at Austin Williams. “For our hard work on HOPE makes it happen to be recognized by the Telly Awards is truly an honor.”

Established in 1979, The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work created in television and video for all screens. Over 12,000 entries were received globally from six continents and all 50 states, and the winners represent work from some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies, and publishers worldwide.

This year, Austin Williams took home:

  • Gold Winner: Regional TV – People’s Telly
  • Gold Winner: Branded Content – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Gold Winner: Regional TV – Products & Services
  • Gold Winner: Regional TV – Branding
  • Silver Winner: Campaign – Social Impact
  • Silver Winner: General – B2C: Business-to-Consumer
  • Silver Winner: General – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Bronze Winner: Campaign – B2C: Business-to-Consumer
  • Bronze Winner: Campaign – Products & Services
  • Bronze Winner: Campaign – Commercials
  • Bronze Winner: Campaign – Branding
  • Bronze Winner: Craft – Art Direction
  • Bronze Winner: General – Bank

To watch the video spots and behind-the-scenes footage, visit this link: austinwilliams.com/case-study/hope-credit-union

About Austin Williams

Austin Williams is a full-service advertising, marketing, digital, and public relations firm that creates ideas that inspire action for clients in the healthcare, higher education, financial services, and professional services industries. Certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) by the State of New York, the Long Island-based firm was founded in 1992 and was named one of the 100 fastest-growing agencies in the nation. In 2023, it was listed as “Best Advertising Agency” by Long Island Business News in their “Reader Ranking Awards,” and in 2020 was named a Newsday “Top Places to Work.”

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Pixabay photo

Day of Golf, Tennis and Pickleball Supports Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens Not-for-Profits

The Daniel Gale Foundation, the charitable arm of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty will hold its 2nd Annual Outing at the Huntington Country Club, 483 Main Street, Huntington on Monday, June 24 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The outing will offer a day of golf, tennis, and pickleball in support of the Foundation’s mission to benefit charitable causes across Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and the East End. Proceeds from tennis and pickleball will benefit the Drew Hassenbein Foundation.

Paul F. Amoruso

This year’s honoree is Paul F. Amoruso, managing member and founder of Oxford & Simpson Realty Services, which develops shopping centers and office buildings, and Oxford Hospitality, which specializes in the management and development of upscale hotels. Oxford’s hotels on Long Island include Roslyn’s Hilton Garden Inn and two Hiltons in Melville.  A new hotel in Farmingdale will be ready to serve the 2025 Ryder Cup and a boutique hotel is in development for Jericho.  Paul is the co-founder of the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society and serves on the board of the Association for a Better Long Island. He is a longtime close friend and supporter of the Daniel Gale family.

The planning for this year’s event is once again in the hands of the advisory board of the Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty Young Professionals Network (YPN). Led by Kathleen McCarthy, a real estate advisor from the organization’s Garden City office and Melissa Stark, Sales Manager for Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty’s Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington and Northport offices, this fabulous team is brimming with the ideas and execution skills to make a memorable and fun event. YPN is a group of approximately 80 real estate advisors who meet regularly to share business and personal growth opportunities through networking, mentoring and community outreach. This most recent event is one of several annual fundraisers YPN holds in support of the Foundation.

To register for or to sponsor the outing visit 2nd Annual Daniel Gale Foundation Golf Outing.

The Daniel Gale Foundation was launched in 2022, as part of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty’s celebration of its centennial year. The Foundation was formed to consolidate and organize the ongoing charitable giving and outreach efforts of the organization’s management, staff and real estate advisors to make a greater impact. In the two years since its formation, the Foundation has donated the equivalent of 100,000 meals to Island Harvest and City Harvest food banks during Hunger Action Month®, supported Pink Aid in its fight against breast cancer, and raised more than $150,000 for local charitable organizations from Brooklyn to the North Fork and the Hamptons.

Throughout its history, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty has made it a priority to make a difference in the communities through donations totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours.

About Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Consistently achieving among the highest average sales prices nationwide, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty is based on Long Island, N.Y. with close to 950 real estate advisors serving New York City’s metropolitan area with 30 sales offices in Brooklyn, Queens,  Nassau and Suffolk counties, the North Fork of Long Island, and Westhampton Beach.  Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty is committed to marketing and showing homes in a way that gives prospective buyers and sellers the flexibility and convenience of online 3-D and regular video tours of many listed properties, floor plans, and photography, as well as virtual smart phone tours by request.   Our other services include a full Relocation/Referrals Division, a Rental Division, DGNY Commercial, and Ambassador Abstract Title company. The Sotheby’s International Realty® affiliate for Long Island and Queens since 1976, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s has gained national and international recognition, including top honors for sales, marketing and technology worldwide. For more information, visit danielgale.com.

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Photo courtesy of Urban Air Lake Grove
Photo courtesy of Urban Air Lake Grove
Photo courtesy of Urban Air Lake Grove
Photo courtesy of Urban Air Lake Grove
Photo courtesy of Urban Air Lake Grove

Day of fun for kids supports blood cancer research at Stony Brook Cancer Center

Urban Air Lake Grove raised more than $10,000 at the first annual David Wolmetz Memorial Fundraiser honoring the late co-founder of the popular indoor adventure park on the first anniversary of his passing, June 11.

Admission to the park for kids of all ages included access to the most popular attractions including the 30-foot tall Sky Rider zipline, Climbing Walls, Bumper Cars, and more. Local vendors were also on hand for face painting, balloon animals, temporary tattoos and more.

Proceeds from the event will support blood cancer research at the Stony Brook Cancer Center, where Wolmetz received treatment from 2019 to 2023.

“Dave was dedicated to Urban Air Lake Grove and giving back to his community, and he really loved the second family at Stony Brook Cancer Center that took care of him over the last four years,” said Keith Handler, Co-Founder of Urban Air Lake Grove. “Dave was a force of nature. When he set his mind to something you could not stop him. We miss him greatly.”

In October of 2018, Dave was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He was admitted to Stony Brook Hospital’s 19th floor, where his treatment started immediately. The wonderful staff at the Cancer Center and hospital treated him throughout his cancer journey, COVID, and subsequently several hospitalizations over the years due to his compromised immune system. Dave never lost hope and trusted his entire Stony Brook Cancer team immensely. Unfortunately, Dave lost his battle on June 9, 2023.

“He loved this place so much,” said Carrie Wolmetz, wife of Dave Wolmetz. “Even in the days that he was physically unable to walk around, he would come here. He never gave up. He focused on the positive and the people he was grateful for. The people in his life who meant a lot to him gave him strength.”

Donations to Stony Brook Cancer Center can be made here.

About Urban Air Lake Grove

With 50,000 sq. ft. of active play space, Urban Air Lake Grove is home to the popular Sky Rider, a zip-line style attraction with a winding track that carries young thrill-seekers flying along 30 feet in the air, the tallest on Long Island. Urban Air Lake Grove also offers a High Ropes obstacle course, Spin Zone bumper cars, and a full set of rock-climbing walls, wall-to-wall trampoline adventures, and Urban Air’s exclusive Urban Warrior Course™ and Battle Beam.  Urban Air Lake Grove is located at 3147 Middle Country Road, Lake Grove, NY 11755. Phone: (631) 861-4125.

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Photo from TOB

Special guest speaker was Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner 

On June 4, Councilwoman Janer Bonner served as the Keynote Speaker at the Decision, Women in Commerce and the Professions Installation of Officers and 45th Anniversary Dinner. The event was held at the Meadow Club in Port Jefferson Station.

Pictured left to right are Celeste Siemsen, President; Marion McNulty, First Vice President; Councilwoman Jane Bonner; Kiran Wadhwa, Second Vice President; Kerry Baardsen, Treasurer; Leslie Mitchel, Corresponding Secretary and Kathryn Krejci, Recording Secretary

Decision, Women in Commerce and the Professions is an organization that has been serving the women of Brookhaven for the past 45 years. Membership includes women who are professionals and those who are administrators or who own their own businesses.  In addition to providing education and networking opportunities, Decision has been dedicated to making charitable donations for women’s causes in the community.  Over $300,000 has been shared with recipients as diverse as Good Samaritan Hospice, Mather Hospital, the Flag Fund at the corner of 112 and 347 in Port Jefferson Station and AGAPE, serving lunches in school districts where there are children with “food insecurity.” 

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Martha Stansbury. Photo by Chelsea McKenna,  Finishing Touch

Stony Brook University’s Economic Development Office has named Martha Stansbury director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Stony Brook. It was announced by Peter Donnelly, Associate Vice President for Technology Partnerships, Economic Development. Stansbury has worked with SBDC at Stony Brook as the center administrator since 2017 developing budgets as well as managing operations. She will report to Donnelly in her new role.

Stansbury will oversee a team of eight at SBDC at Stony Brook. The Center is located at the university’s Research and Development Park (Building 17) in Stony Brook, New York.

SBDC at Stony Brook provides free, one-on-one, confidential business advising in areas including business planning, marketing, fiscal management, access to capital and technology transfer. The Center will help  assist entrepreneurs, business and industry leaders to solve  their problems and  increase productivity and profitability.

“Martha will bring a wealth of experience, passion and vision to SBDC at Stony Brook in her new role,” said Donnelly. “Martha’s commitment to community engagement is also evident through her many external roles including as a member of the Women Economic Developers of Long Island serving in the roles as vice president and president. Martha has also been a trustee of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce and was voted in 2020 to her present role as treasurer. Last year, Martha received the Chamber’s Roy Dragoda Award for 15 years of community service with the Chamber and voted as the 2024 Member of the Year for her contributions to the Chamber’s financial management system.”

The New York Small Business Development Center (NY SBDC) comprises 20 campus-based centers and outreach offices (including the SBDC at Stony Brook) across New York State. NY SBDC  is overseen by the State University of New York (SUNY) System Administration. Since 1984, NY SBDC has helped 582,806 state residents. $8.7B has been used so far to start or expand businesses with 263,997 jobs created/saved. It is part of the US Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), which funds the NY SBDC.

“I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the Small Business Development Center at Stony Brook as the New York State-wide network embarks on its 40th year, “ said Stansbury. “Together with the Center’s experienced NYS Certified Business Advisors and support from Economic Development, I will endeavor to increase the economic impact our Center has in the small-to-medium-size enterprise arena throughout Suffolk County.”

Previous to her present position, the East Setauket resident has also served as a management consultant where she provided facility management of Stony Brook University’s Business Incubator and Agriculture Consumer Center. She also served as a business manager for Gallery North; a management consultant,  accounting systems manager for an international LCD distributor ; assistant to the director of development at Boston College; and a Commercial Real Estate Analyst for the Bank of New England. Stansbury  earned her MBA from Fordham Gabelli School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and teaching from Boston College.

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Michael Epifania, DO Photo by Jeanne Neville/Stony Brook Medicine

Michael Epifania, DO, and his practice at 280 Union Avenue in Holbrook have joined Stony Brook Medicine Community Medical Group, Stony Brook Medicine’s expanding network of community practices.  

“We are excited to welcome Michael Epifania, DO, to our growing network of community practices,” said Dara Brener, MD, Clinical Quality Director of Stony Brook Medicine Community Medical Group. “We continue to grow our primary care practices, as we feel it is important to have a good foundation of care in each community and this starts with your primary care physician.”

Dr. Epifania is a family medicine physician who provides primary care to patients in Holbrook and the surrounding communities. “I look forward to bringing my expertise, intellect, and passion to Stony Brook Medicine, fostering strong connections with patients and families, and furthering my commitment to holistic care and community well-being,” he said. For more information, call 631-216-9253.

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A Thankful Sign: King Kullen Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Initiatives Tracey Cullen (top) stands alongside the new King Kullen Place street sign. Joining Cullen are, from left, Long Island Cares/Harry Chapin Food Bank CEO Paule T. Pachter; King Kullen VP of Perishables Richard Conger; Wild by Nature President Michael Infantolino; and LI Cares VP for Development & Communications Katherine Fritz.

Each month, Long Island Cares distributes over one million pounds of food to Long Islanders in need. The food items are collected, stored, and packaged for distribution at Long Island Cares’ central warehouse in Hauppauge, which now boasts an exciting new addition — a “King Kullen Place” street sign displayed high above a main aisle.

The recognition is part of a unique legacy naming program developed by the Long Island Cares/Harry Chapin Food Bank to further its mission to provide food where and when it’s needed to communities across Long Island.

“King Kullen has been a generous, committed corporate supporter of Long Island Cares for well over 30 years,” stated Long Island Cares/Harry Chapin Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Paule T. Pachter. “Along with its Wild by Nature stores, King Kullen each year raises tens of thousands of dollars for Long Island Cares through its ‘Check Out Hunger’ campaigns and food drives in addition to donating over 300,000 pounds of food. We are honored and delighted to name an aisle King Kullen Place in appreciation of this steadfast partner that has done so much to help Long Island’s food insecure populations.”

According to Tracey Cullen, King Kullen Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Initiatives and the great-granddaughter of King Kullen founder Michael Cullen, the new sign follows a recent donation by King Kullen to Long Island Cares’ “Giving Guitar” naming opportunity, which includes displaying a King Kullen plaque on a Giving Guitar created by Long Island Cares in honor of songwriter Harry Chapin’s mission to end hunger on Long Island.

“Our donation will provide 6,100 meals for Long Islanders in need,” observed Cullen, who serves on the Long Island Cares board of directors. “Fighting hunger on Long Island is a top priority at King Kullen and Wild by Nature. We are committed to making a meaningful difference and thank everyone at Long Island Cares for creating the pathway that makes help possible.”

Headquartered in Hauppauge, King Kullen is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as America’s first supermarket. Also headquartered in Hauppauge, Long Island Cares was founded in 1980 by singer-songwriter and activist, Harry Chapin.

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Mather Hospital. Photo by Jim Lennon

Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson earned its 20th top ‘A’ grade for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group in the current ratings period, the most of any hospital in Suffolk County. The national distinction recognizes the hospital’s commitment to patient safety and achievements in promoting best outcomes. Mather was one of seven Northwell Health hospitals to earn the top grade, according to a report released today by The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2024. 

“This honor is a testament to Northwell’s commitment to raising health and putting patients first,” said Peter Silver, MD, senior vice president, associate chief medical officer and chief quality officer at Northwell Health. “It takes complete dedication at every level to truly prioritize the well-being of those we serve. This recognition reaffirms our mission to deliver the highest standard of care, day in and day out.”

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Photo from Island Federal

Island Federal Credit Union (Island Federal) awarded college scholarships to 11 graduating high school seniors totaling $50,000 on May 21.

“For nearly seven decades, Island Federal has been a trusted financial partner to tens of thousands of Long Island families, helping them to achieve their dreams, from buying their first car to owning a home to affording a college education for their children,” said Craig Booth, Interim President/CEO, Island Federal. “We are thrilled to be able to help make college more affordable through our Island Federal Scholarship Program.”

Kyle Hickam of Oceanside High School , Leah Vanderborgh of Sayville High School, and Megan Young of Bayport-BluePoint High School each received a $10,000 scholarship. 

Wendy Bonilla of Brentwood High School, Christopher Brito of West Babylon High School, Julieanna D’Amato of Rocky Point High School, Haley S. Orehek of Commack High School, Skyla Peltzman of Half Hollow Hills East High School in Dix Hills, Rachel Petri of Bellport High School, Angeli Rubinstein of Division Avenue High School in Levitown and Brian Schoemmell of Ward Melville High School in East Setauket each received a $2,500 scholarship.

Since the inception of the Scholarship program in 1992, Island Federal has awarded scholarships to 375 local high school graduates totaling $910,000.

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