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The Setauket branch of Investors Bank will close in February. Photo by Rita J. Egan

Many Investors Bank customers will soon find an empty building where they once traveled to take care of their financial matters.

Last year, Citizens Bank, headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, acquired New Jersey-based Investors Bank. While Investors’ doors remained open to customers, the process of the merger began in August as investmentaccounts transferred to Citizens, and in October, mortgage loan services transitioned from Investors to Citizens.

According to the Citizens website, the merger will “offer Investors’ customers an expanded set of products and services, enhanced online and mobile banking capabilities, and more branch locations, along with a continued commitment to making a difference in our local communities.”

While the East Northport location on Larkfield Road will remain open doing business under the Citizens name, the Investors Commack location on Jericho Turnpike will close Feb. 14. The Huntington branch on Main Street and the Setauket location on Route 25A will close their doors for the last time Feb. 15. All three due-to-be closed branches have Citizens operating nearby.

Nuno Dos Santos, retail director of Citizens, said the banks located in Commack, Huntington and East Setauket are less than 2 miles away from the Investors branches that are closing.

“As we continue to integrate Investors with Citizens, we have been reviewing customer patterns and branch locations to ensure we are serving customers when, where and how they prefer,” Dos Santos said. “As a result of this review, we will close the Investors branch locations in Commack, Huntington and Setauket.”

Current Investors employees have been encouraged to apply for positions at Citizens, according to a company spokesperson.

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Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo courtesy Greg Catalano
Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo courtesy Kathianne Snaden
Photo courtesy Greg Catalano
Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo courtesy Greg Catalano
Photo courtesy Greg Catalano
Photo courtesy Greg Catalano
Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo courtesy Greg Catalano
Photo courtesy Greg Catalano
Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo courtesy Greg Catalano
Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo courtesy Greg Catalano
Photo courtesy Greg Catalano
Photo courtesy Kathianne Snaden
Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo by Raymond Janis
Photo by Raymond Janis

Despite the chiseled blocks of ice stationed around the village, downtown Port Jefferson was red hot last weekend during the 4th annual Port Jefferson Ice Festival, hosted by the village’s Business Improvement District.

This two-day celebration took place on Jan. 28 and 29, bringing together several local institutions, dozens of small businesses and a whole lot of ice. Roger Rutherford, Port Jefferson BID president and general manager of Roger’s Frigate, summarized the boost the festival brought to storefronts.

“This is the slowest time of the year for the business community,” he said. “This is our fourth annual, and it has really taken off and turned into something spectacular.”

Making the festivities possible required significant organizational collaboration between the BID and its partners. The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce assisted by facilitating a mac ’n’ cheese crawl. 

With 12 participating restaurants, the crawl offered festivalgoers a chance to taste various cuisines from food establishments around the village. 

“This is the second year they asked us to be the administrators for the mac ’n’ cheese crawl,” said chamber executive director Barbara Ransome. “They go to 12 places. It’s four ounces of mac ’n’ cheese [per stop], so you’re talking three pounds [in all].” She added, “It’s a lot of mac ’n’ cheese.”

Thousands flocked to the village to partake in the fun, including trustee Stan Loucks who projected the weekend as one of the highest local turnouts on record.

“I have never seen so many people in our village,” he said. “The merchants were extremely happy with the crowd. They did very well this weekend, and I think it was terrific to see that many people walking around our village.”

James Luciano, owner of PJ Lobster House, reacted to the festival’s success in stimulating small businesses.

“This festival brings in a lot of business for us,” he said. “This time of year, you’re lucky to get a couple of tables for lunch and a couple of bar customers.” But, he added, “We’ve been full since we opened the door.”

Meltdown

‘The businesses were thriving, the restaurants were full.’

— Kathianne Snaden

The sizable show gave much-needed relief to storefront owners still recovering from the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost three years ago, the world and nation were shocked by the outbreak of the pandemic, leaving downtowns such as Port Jeff’s in disarray.

Indu Kaur is the owner of the Curry Club at SāGhar in Port Jefferson, an establishment that opened in February 2020, just weeks before the lockdowns. 

“We took over the business and had no idea that we were going to be shut down,” Kaur said, describing the impact of the pandemic on her business as “a huge tragedy.”

In the face of hardship, Kaur and her staff continued operations by donating meals, then reopened in the fall of that year. With a historic turnout villagewide, Kaur regarded the resurgence of the downtown businesses with delight.

“It’s so exciting to see everyone walking around, enjoying our village, enjoying the new restaurants, the new shows and our ice sculptures,” she said.

Outside Kaur’s restaurant lay a decorative ice sculpture depicting Ganesha, a Hindu deity tying into the theme of local renaissance. “Lord Ganesha is the statue that we all have faith brings prosperity, happiness and peace,” she said.

Icebreaker

Ganesha was just one of a few dozen ice sculptures displayed throughout the village. Many visitors stood and posed with the ice, which was often interactive. Some sculptures depicted animals, others tied in with the businesses for which they were custom made. 

Rich Daly, president and owner of Ice Memories, has created sculptures during each of the festival’s four iterations. He discussed the considerable effort and material that made it all possible.

“We do live carvings and have about 90,000 pounds worth of ice set up throughout town,” supplied by Riverhead-based Long Island Ice, Daly said. “Every year, we add more ice and more activities for everybody to do.”

Daly got interested in ice sculpting during culinary school, where he first received an ice carving assignment. “Once they put a chainsaw in my hands, I just never let it go,” he said.

Given how a sculpture shapeshifts and reforms during the different melting stages, the temporality and mutability of the ice medium offer both challenge and opportunity for creative expression.

“It’s a temporary art form, which makes it unique,” Daly said. “Especially on a day like today or a weekend like this, Mother Nature just doesn’t want the ice to be around,” adding, “As it melts, it just kind of changes and transforms, and it’s pretty cool.”

Daly said the process is relatively straightforward for those interested in carving ice. Blocks of ice, he said, can be acquired at most ice plants on Long Island. “It doesn’t take a crazy amount of money to buy tools,” he said. “Just have at it. Start [carving] whatever inspires you.”

Tip of the iceberg

Spring-like temperatures and melting points played a prominent role throughout the festival, with some environmentalists ringing the alarm about the threat of climate change. 

Posted along Main, a small group of protesters lined the sidewalks with signs that read: “There is no planet ‘B’” and “Be nice, save the ice.” Holly Fils-Aime, president of the local environmental group EcoLeague, discussed how the melting sculptures signal a dangerous trend. 

“The fact that these sculptures didn’t last the day because it’s so warm out here in January is a great teaching device,” Fils-Aime said.

Picketing alongside Fils-Aime was village resident Myrna Gordon, who stressed the importance of local government in identifying environmental problems and implementing science-based solutions. 

“In my own village here in Port Jefferson, I think that a lot more has to be done with environmental issues,” she said. “Having an ice festival is wonderful — bringing people to the village, helping the businesses. But we also need to focus on very, very serious issues that are happening here.”

Frozen in time

Through the ice fest, scores of people interacted with the various facets of the community. While there wasn’t an ice sculpture outside the Bayles Boat Shop, boat builders continued their work on the Resolution whaleboat project. 

“We’re in the finalizing stages of lofting,” said John Janicek, treasurer of the boat shop. After that, the buildout of the keel and stem can commence.

As the whaleboat enters a pivotal moment in its buildout process, the village is undergoing a transition of its own, moving into the post-pandemic era. With downtown thriving once again, Deputy Mayor Kathianne Snaden gave her thoughts on these positive developments.

“It was incredible to see so many people enjoy the village this time of year,” she said. “The businesses were thriving, the restaurants were full. There were shoppers and diners, and it was great to see the comeback.”

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Leg. Nick Caracappa (in blue) with new Caffe Amici owner Joseph Pullara on left and former owner Salvatore Cacciato on right at Saturday's event. Photo from Leg. Caracappa's office

Caffe Amici, 353 Middle Country Road, Selden celebrated its 30th anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony. one dollar slices, a DJ and giveaways on Jan. 19.  

The event was attended by Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa, restaurant staff, customers, family and friends.

Founded in 1992, the current owner, Joseph Pullara, started as a busboy and eventually bought the local restaurant from Salvatore Cacciato. 

Caffe Amici has been a vital asset to so many as they are tremendous community supporters, from their annual scholarships for high school graduates, to feeding those in need, as well as supplying meals for large community fundraisers, NYSMAA, local Fire Departments as well as a multitude of other memorable events. 

“The owner, Joseph Pullara, and the entire staff, it is because of their continued commitment to their quality dining experience, that they are truly a gem in the heart of our community,” said Legislator Caracappa.    

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Mather Hospital

Port Jefferson’s Mather Hospital is one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2023, according to new research released by Healthgrades, the leading marketplace connecting doctors and patients. This achievement puts Mather Hospital in the top five percent of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance across the most common conditions and procedures. 

“We are honored by this major recognition by Healthgrades of Mather Hospital’s record of  clinical excellence” said Mather Hospital Executive Director Kevin McGeachy. “Given the challenges of the last few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, distinctions such as these demonstrate our ongoing commitment to quality patient care.”

 Mather Hospital also received the 2023 America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Surgery Award™, the 2023 Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award™, the 2023 Gastrointestinal Surgery Excellence Award™, the 2023 Critical Care Excellence Award™.  Mather Hospital also received the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ for an 8th consecutive year (2016-2023) and the Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award™ for a fifth year in a row (2019-2023).  In 2022, Mather Hospital was also recognized with the Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ and was among the Top 5 percent of hospitals in the nation for  patient experience. 

Healthgrades evaluated patient mortality and complication rates for 31 of the most common conditions and procedures at nearly 4,500 hospitals across the country to identify the top-performing hospitals. This year’s analysis revealed significant variation between America’s Best 250 Hospitals and hospitals that did not receive the distinction. In fact, if all hospitals performed similarly to America’s 250 Best, over 160,000 lives could have been saved.* Patients treated at one of the 2023 America’s 250 Best Hospitals have, on average, a 28.7 percent lower risk of dying than if they were treated at a hospital that did not receive the America’s 250 Best Hospitals award.*

Mather Hospital also ranks third in gastrointestinal surgery and fourth for critical care in New York according to a new analysis released by Healthgrades. Mather also received the 2023 America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Surgery Award™ and the Critical Care Excellence Award™. To determine this year’s State Ranking recipients, Healthgrades evaluated clinical performance for nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide focusing on 18 key specialties across a mix of chronic, urgent, and surgical specialty areas.  

“Excellence in health care and patient safety are built into the culture at Mather Hospital,” said Chief Medical Officer and Senior VP Joan Faro, MD. “All team members are focused on supporting the practices of a highly reliable organization to achieve our goals. I congratulate our physicians, nurses and all our team members for this prestigious award.”  

Mather in 2022 received its third Magnet® Recognition for quality patient care and nursing excellence and was one of only 29 hospitals nationwide to receive the Emergency Nurses Association Lantern Award for demonstrating exceptional and innovative performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research. Mather also received a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence for its Critical Care team from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

“We’re proud to recognize Mather Hospital as one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2023,” said Brad Bowman MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Data Science at Healthgrades. “As one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals, Mather Hospital consistently delivers better-than-expected outcomes for the patients in their community and is setting a high national standard for clinical excellence.”

Visit Healthgrades.com/quality/americas-best-hospitals for an in-depth look at Mather Hospital’s performance and profile to explore the highest quality care in Port Jefferson today. Consumers can also visit Healthgrades.com for more information on how Healthgrades measures hospital quality, and access the complete methodology here. A patient-friendly overview of the complete methodology is available here. 

*Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2019 through 2021 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. 

# # #

About Mather Hospital

Mather Hospital is an accredited 248-bed, non-profit community teaching hospital dedicated to providing a wide spectrum of high-quality health care services to Suffolk County residents, showing compassion, respect and treating each patient in the manner we would wish for our loved ones. Mather has earned the prestigious Magnet® recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which recognizes healthcare organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Our Graduate Medical Education program prepares physicians for future careers through Internal Medicine, Transitional Year, Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology, and Psychiatry residency programs and gastroenterology and hematology/oncology fellowships. Mather was 

rated high performing by U.S. News & World Report hospital rankings in heart failure, geriatrics, kidney failure, orthopedics, hip fracture, COPD, and urology. For information about Mather Hospital, visit matherhospital.org or follow us @MatherHospital on Facebook.

About Northwell Health
Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 21 hospitals, about 900 outpatient facilities and more than 12,000 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 83,000 employees – 18,900 nurses and 4,900 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners – are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We’re training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Healthgrades

Healthgrades is dedicated to empowering stronger and more meaningful connections between patients and their healthcare providers. As the #1 platform for finding a doctor and a leader in healthcare transparency, we help millions of consumers each month find and schedule appointments with their healthcare professional of choice and prepare for their appointments with best-in-class, treatment-focused content.

Our health system, large group practice, and life sciences marketing solutions have been helping our partners reach and engage consumers who are on their way to the doctor for over 20 years.

Healthgrades is part of RVO Health, a partnership between Red Ventures and Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group. RVO Health has the largest consumer health and wellness audience online across its brand portfolio including Healthgrades, Healthline, Medical News Today, Greatist, Psych Central, Bezzy and Platejoy which touch every part of the health and wellness journey. Each month, RVO Health helps more than 100 million unique visitors live their strongest and healthiest lives.

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Photo from Pixabay

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) announced on Jan. 18 that it was awarded a $9.1 million grant from the U.S Department of Labor (USDOL) to promote equitable access to New York’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. The equity grant, part of the American Rescue Plan Act, will fund projects designed to break down barriers to UI services. Potential barriers to be addressed specifically include those related to race, ethnicity, language proficiency, literacy, disability status, socioeconomic status, geographic location, or other systemic barriers. The funding will help NYSDOL continue its ongoing effort to make sure all New Yorkers, especially those in underserved communities, are able to tap into critical support and have access to UI benefits.

“I thank the Biden Administration for providing this equity grant to help us ensure that every New Yorker is able to access the services they need during tough economic times,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “This grant will provide critical funding to advance our ongoing efforts to modernize our Unemployment Insurance system and enhance the customer experience to ensure we break down potential barriers to benefits.”

NYSDOL will use the funding to build on its ongoing equity and accessibility projects to make it easier for New Yorkers to discover, learn about, and access UI services. NYSDOL will also review application instructions and simplify language to reduce confusion and prevent improper payments. There will also be a focus on improving access for those who are hearing and visually impaired. NYSDOL continuously strives to be inclusive and accessible for all New Yorkers.

This grant was administered by USDOL’s  Employment and Training Administration and corresponds with USDOL’s August 2021 announcement of the availability of up to $260 million in grants for states to promote equitable access to unemployment insurance benefits. To date, USDOL has announced $166 million in funds awarded to 32 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information, visit USDOL’s Employment and Training Administration webpage.

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Tabu Boutique
Tabu Boutique

The results are in for the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce’s first window decorating contest in the Village of Port Jefferson. The popular contest ran from Dec. 1 to Jan. 2 with 22 businesses taking part. Shoppers voted by scanning the QR code on posters that hung at each participating business.

Third runner-up was Fame & Rebel while second runner-up was The Healing Center @ Port Jeff Salt Cave.

First place winner was Tabu Boutique which featured a Dickens Christmas-themed window in collaboration with The Victorian on Main, the Guzzetta family’s collection of antique clothing, furniture, and toys and a Christmas angel created by the owners. Tabu Boutique received a special plaque for the store and bragging rights for the next full year. Congratulations!

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Gina Marie Bettenhauser

Gina Marie Bettenhauser was installed as the 2023 President of Long Island Board of Realtors (LIBOR) during the Association’s Installation and Awards event at Oheka Castle in Huntington on Jan. 5. The event also included the installation of LIBOR Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and Young Professionals Network for 2023.

Bettenhauser will serve as the 82nd President of LIBOR, a leading regional realtor trade association that serves 30,000 real estate professionals throughout Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties.  She is joined on LIBOR’s Executive Committee by President-Elect, Kevin Leatherman Secretary/Treasurer, Mary Alice Ruppert.

As a real estate professional for over three decades, Bettenhauser has found the opportunity to join her life’s passions: real estate and advocacy, and has invested in her career and industry by earning a plethora of National Association of Realtors (NAR) designations and certifications. She is currently an Associate Real Estate Broker at Coldwell Banker Distinctive Homes in Shoreham

In the spirit of volunteerism and raising awareness for the real estate industry, Bettenhauser has served as a director at LIBOR. She is an adept leader and possesses a gift for spearheading various committees and task forces. She has served as LIBOR Education Committee Chairperson in 2017 and Grievance Chairperson in 2019 and is a graduate of NYSAR’s Leadership Academy Class of 2022.

Additionally, Bettenhauser is involved in New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR), and NAR, where she advocates for the protection and promotion of the real estate industry through her work with government affairs and RPAC.

Bettenhauser is also extremely vested in her community of Shoreham-Wading River, where she is a member of the Shoreham and Wading River Civic Associations; has served as Chairperson on the school district’s Legislative, and Space and Facilities committees; and is a major donor to the district’s Athletic Booster Club where she currently serves as President.

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Photo from UCP Long Island

The Board of Directors for Long Island Elite (LIE) presented UCP of Long Island (UCP-LI) with a donation of $110,000 at their holiday party in December. 

“This is the largest amount of money we have raised for any organization in a 12-month period in our 20-year history. We are so very proud of our members and their support of UCP-LI’s incredibly important mission,” said Frank Morizio, LIE Board President.

The Long Island Elite was founded in 2002 and is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to fostering the growth and development of local business professionals, and emerging regional leaders. The members of LIE are leaders in the business and non-for-profit sectors who believe in the philosophy of standing together to support each other’s careers and helping those who are less fortunate. In 2014, Long Island Elite started selecting one local non-profit to be their annual charity partner each year. 

“We are honored to have been chosen as Long Island Elite’s 2022 Charity Partner. Thanks to this incredible partnership, their support will help us build an adaptive playground at The Children’s Center at UCP-LI. We value the relationships made and can’t wait to see what the future brings,” said Colleen Crispino, President and CEO of UCP-LI.

For children with disabilities, playgrounds are more than just fun; they support the development of fine and gross motor physical skills, physical stamina, and encourage increased/spontaneous interaction with peers. 

“The adaptive playground will allow the children we serve to play and grow just like other children. Every child deserves to be able to play. This playground will have a wheelchair swing, a sensory play area, as well as wheelchair accessible musical instruments and chimes,” said Ms. Crispino.

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Photo from PJCC

On  Nov. 17 the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce welcomed new chamber member Salon Zarra  to the Village of Port Jefferson with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Salon owner Tom Carlton’s expert experience in hair services is renowned and he has a professional and knowledgeable staff.   

Located at 7 Traders Cove next to Nantucket’s Restaurant, the salon offers custom hair coloring, haircuts for men, women and children with a specialty in barber cuts, blow outs, highlights and more. 

Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed on Sunday and Monday. For more information, call 631-509-0544 or visit www.salonzarra.com.

Above, owner Tom Carlton cuts the celebratory ribbon surrounded by his team and officers of the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.

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Photo from PJCC

The Healing Center @ Port Jeff Salt Cave celebrated their newly expanded space at 320 Main Street in Port Jefferson on Nov. 20. The event was highlighted with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce (PJCC).

Owned and operated by two registered nurses, the Port Jeff Salt Cave at 320 Main St., Port Jefferson is celebrating their 7th year serving the local community. The expansion has enabled them to add more healing services and modalities to their existing wellness center such as a full body red light therapy bed, and a sound healing studio which currently boasts Long Island’s only monochord.

“There is truly something for everyone in this newly expanded space, whether you are looking to just enjoy some relaxation or you are in search of time tested and true adjunct therapies to help you on a healing journey you will find it here,” said co-owner Marcy Guzman.

Pictured at the ribbon cutting, from left, Brian Orlando; Crystal Staley-Phillips, Steven Incarnato, PJCC President Mary Joy Pipe, Marcy Guzman RN, Rich Guzman RN, Melanie Harrell, Justine Waker, and Crystal Hughes.

A listing of their many offerings can be found at www.thehealingcenteratportjeffsaltcave.com. Operating hours are Wednesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

For more information, call 631-938-2102.

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