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Long-term PPI use increases serious risks. Stock photo
PPIs may increase your fracture risk

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

After a meal, do you sometimes have “reflux” or “heartburn?” Many of us experience these symptoms occasionally. When it happens more frequently, it could be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Between 18.1 and 27.8 percent of U.S. adults have GERD, according to estimates; however, since many people self-treat with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, the real numbers could be higher (1).

If you take OTC proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), you could be among the uncounted. Familiar brands include Prilosec (omeprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), and Prevacid (lansoprazole), among others. They are also available by prescription.

PPIs are not intended for long-term use, because of their robust potential side effects. Currently, the FDA suggests that OTC PPIs should be taken for no more than a 14-day treatment once every four months. Prescription PPIs should be taken for 4 to 8 weeks (2).

Unfortunately, many take them too long or too often, and some experience reflux rebound effects when they try to discontinue PPIs without physician oversight.

Among potential associations with long-term use are chronic kidney disease, dementia, bone fractures, increased cardiac and vascular risks, vitamin malabsorption issues and Clostridium difficile (C. diff), a bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract.

PPIs can also interfere with other drugs you are taking, such as Plavix (clopidogrel).

PPIs and chronic kidney disease

Two separate studies showed that there was an increase in chronic kidney disease with prolonged PPI use (3). All patients started the study with normal kidney function, assessed by measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study showed a 50 percent increased risk of chronic kidney disease, while the Geisinger Health System cohort study found there was a 17 percent increased risk.

The medications were used on a chronic basis for years: the first study had a 13-year duration, and the second had about a six-year duration. Both demonstrated modest, but statistically significant, increased risk of chronic kidney disease. In an accompanying editorial to these published studies, the author suggests that there is overuse of the medications or that they are used beyond the resolution of symptoms and suggests starting with diet and lifestyle modifications and a milder drug class, H2 blockers (4).

PPIs and dementia risk

A German study looked at health records from a large public insurer and found a 44 percent increased risk of dementia in those aged 75 or older who were using PPIs, compared to those who were not (5). The authors surmise that PPIs may cross the blood-brain barrier and potentially increase beta-amyloid levels, markers for dementia. With occasional use, meaning once every 18 months for a few weeks to a few months, there was a much lower, 16 percent, increased risk.

The researchers also suggested that PPIs may be significantly overprescribed in the elderly. The research was not perfect, however. Researchers did not consider high blood pressure, excessive alcohol use or family history of dementia, all of which can influence dementia occurrence.

PPIs and fracture risk

In a meta-analysis of 18 observational studies, results showed that PPIs can increase the risk of hip fractures, spine fractures and any-site fractures (6). With bone fractures, it did not make a difference whether patients were taking PPIs for more or less than a year.

They found increased fracture risks of 58, 26 and 33 percent for spine, hip, and any-site, respectively. It is not clear what may potentially increase the risk; however, it has been proposed that it may have to do with calcium absorption. PPIs reduce acid, which may be needed to absorb insoluble calcium salts. In another study, seven days of PPIs were shown to lower the absorption of calcium carbonate supplements when taken without food (7).

PPIs and vitamin absorption

In addition to calcium absorption issues, PPIs may lower absorption of magnesium and B12. In one observational study, PPIs combined with diuretics caused a 73 percent increased risk of hospitalization due to low magnesium (8). Diuretics are commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, heart failure and swelling.

Another study’s results showed use of over two years increased vitamin B12 deficiency risk by 65 percent (9).

Takeaways

Before taking OTC PPIs, consult with your physician. A milder medication, such as an H2 blocker (Zantac, Pepcid), might be a better option.

Even better, start with lifestyle changes. Try to avoid eating later at night, raising the head of the bed, losing weight and stopping smoking, if needed, before you try medications (10).

If you do need medication, recognize that PPIs don’t provide immediate relief and should only be taken for a short duration to minimize their side effects.

References: 

(1) nih.gov. (2) fda.gov. (3) JAMA Intern Med. 2016;176(2). (4) JAMA Intern Med. 2016;176(2):172-174. (5) JAMA Neurol. online Feb 15, 2016. (6) Osteoporos Int. online Oct 13, 2015. (7) Am J Med. 118:778-781. (8) PLoS Med. 2014;11(9):e1001736. (9) Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2018 Feb;93(2):240-246. (10) Am J Gastroenterol 2015; 110:393–400.

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.

METRO photo

By Fr. Francis Pizzarelli

Fr. Francis Pizzarelli

In the first week of June, I was honored to lead a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. There were 65 of us, including the HIMS and Her, a very talented music group from Hope House Ministries.

The purpose of this pilgrimage was to celebrate the jubilee year of hope. It is also Hope House Ministries’ 45th anniversary. I wanted to give thanks for the countless blessings and amazing support we have received over the past four decades, especially since we’ve never taken government grants to help sustain us.

On our third day in Rome, we went to Saint Peter’s Basilica for an audience with Pope Leo the 14th. We were among more than 150,000 other people from around the world. It was quite powerful; due to a connection that I have in Rome, we were able to sit in the front section, front row, just right of the Pope. It was amazing experience; his message was amazing; being among people from around the world was amazing.

As we were leaving, the HIMS and Her sang their anthem “Go Light Your World,” which is a song about hope.

Before we left Rome, we visited the tomb of Pope Francis. It was overwhelmingly powerful. His prophetic voice continues to inspire me to just stay the course.

On Day 6, we traveled to Assisi, which is very holy ground. We visited the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi. We saw the home where he was born and we walked in his footsteps.

Every night after a lot of walking, a lot of visiting and dinner, we had an optional meeting for people to share what touched them on that particular day. After the sharing, we’d have a traditional American sing along; singing America’s best — “Sweet Caroline-” — the Italians didn’t know what hit them.

At our last get together, I asked my co- pilgrims what was most striking about our time together. Almost everyone spoke of the powerful masses and music. However, the other striking comment was about us as a group, how strangers from all over the country came together and built community and new friendships, friendships that they believe will last forever.

As the leader, I too was profoundly touched by how a group of strangers became vulnerable brothers and sisters, friends and a community despite the polarizing times we live in.

By the time you read this column, our seniors in high school will have graduated.

A few words for the class of 2025: Don’t be blinded by those who tend to use shame, blame, guilt and religion to shackle people down and divide them. Set people free with your commitment to respect and being non-judgmental of all.

May your moral compass guide you on a path that is committed to working for peace and social justice. As Gandhi once said. “BE THE CHANGE YOU HOPE FOR.”

Congratulations class of 2025. Thank you for making the world a little bit better, a little brighter and a little more hopeful!

Father Francis Pizzarelli, SMM, LCSW-R, ACSW, DCSW, is the director of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.

Lemon Ricotta Cake

By Heidi Sutton

Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries aka fruits of the forest can all be found near perfect ripeness at grocery stores or farmer’s markets and farmstands during the warm summer months. Or pick your own at the many farms on the North Shore and use as a delicious decorative cake topping.

This lemon ricotta cake with berry topping is a delightful and refreshing dessert, perfect for any occasion. The ricotta cheese makes this brightly-flavored cake very moist. Serve small wedges of the rich cake topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit and escape to the summer oasis of your dreams.

Lemon Ricotta Cake

Recipe by Marcia Stanley

YIELD: Makes 12 servings

INGREDIENTS:  

Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups cheese, Ricotta – low-fat or whole

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup butter, unsalted

1 cup granulated sugar

3 eggs

4 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Topping

4 cups fresh blueberries, raspberries and blackberries

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 cup whole

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Lightly coat bottom and sides of 9-inch round springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350°F.

In medium bowl stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In another bowl stir together ricotta cheese and lemon juice. Set aside.

In large mixer bowl beat butter on medium speed of electric mixer about 30 seconds or until butter is softened. Add 1 cup granulated sugar. Continue beating until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon peel and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

Add flour mixture and ricotta mixture alternately, beating until just combined after each addition. Spread in prepared pan. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Let cake cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes.

Loosen sides of pan. Cool completely.

For topping, in medium bowl toss together berries and 3 tablespoons sugar. Let stand at least 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in chilled mixing bowl beat cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla on medium speed of electric mixer until firm peaks form.

To serve, cut cake into wedges. Spoon whipped cream and berries on each wedge. Serve immediately. Cover and refrigerate any leftover cake.

By Daniel Dunaief

Monday, June 23, marked the beginning of a new and exciting frontier. Using the largest digital camera ever built for astronomy, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory shared its first images after a journey from conception to reality that lasted over two decades.

Located in the Cerro Pachón mountaintop in Chile because the area is dry, high and dark, the telescope and camera started its 10-year mission to share images of the sky.

Viewers at over 350 watch parties in the United States and around the world awaited these pictures, including with gatherings at Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

The state-of-the-art camera did not disappoint.

The Rubin Observatory, which can take images with a field of view of the sky that are the equivalent of 40 moons, discovered 2,400 asteroids that no one has ever seen before. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. By the time the Observatory has collected all the data the public can view, the camera is expected to find over five million asteroids.

“Most of the asteroids are too faint to have been found” with previous technology, said Paul O’Connor, senior physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory who has been working on the camera since 2002.

Simon Birrer, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Stony Brook University, attended a watch event at the university with some 50 to 60 other excited members of the college community.

“Knowing that the instrument is capable and what it was promised to do and seeing it all coming together, sharing the excitement with so many other people is very exciting,” said Birrer.

By looking at the night sky over the course of just a few days, the observatory was able to offer a time lapse view of the movement of these asteroids.

“You can look and see the trail of thousands of things that are completely new,” said Birrer.

Indeed, in addition to seeing asteroids and other objects both near and far, the Rubin Observatory can study dark matter and dark energy, map the Milky Way, and observe transient events.

“We’re entering a golden age of American science,” Harriet Kung, acting director of the DOE’s Office of Science, said in a statement. “NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory reflects what’s possible when the federal government backs world-class engineers and scientists with the tools to lead.”

The first images generated considerable excitement in the scientific community and on campuses around the world.

“It’s a new frontier for sure,” said O’Connor. “We’ve been working on this project for all these years. It was easy to get students interested.”

Anja von der Linden, Associate Professor in Physics and Astronomy at Stony Brook and a member of the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration since its inception in 2012, viewed the images from Germany, where she is visiting her parents on vacation with her young daughter.

She works on clusters of galaxies and was delighted to see the Virgo cluster online.

“The image is so large and [viewers] can also see much more distant galaxies,” said von der Linden. Viewers are able to scroll around and zoom in and out to see details in these “beautiful images.”

Von der Linden echoed the sentiment from one of the officials who shared the first images, suggesting that the data and information from the observatory are available for astronomers and scientists, but also for the public, helping them explore the night sky.

“It’s quite remarkable,” she said. “I look forward to seeing how the public engages.”

The Rubin Observatory will see “everything that changes, explodes, and moves,” said von der Linden.

A little bit of pride

In addition to scientists like O’Connor and Anže Slosar, group leader of the Cosmology & Astrophysics Group, BNL recruited close to two dozen interns to help with the work.

“There’s a lot of inherent curiosity about the cosmos,” O’Connor said. “When people hear that they could participate in doing research that could lead to lead to a better understanding of it, we had to turn interns away.”

O’Connor worked with the charge-coupled device modules, which are the digital film of the camera. The Rubin Observatory, with its 3.2 gigapixel focal plane, relies on 189 custom-designed CCD sensors to achieve its resolution.

“I feel a little bit of pride,” said O’Connor, who didn’t expect to be working on astronomical instruments when he came to BNL. “I was a tiny, little part of a giant team that’s worked so long. When you see the final project, it’s a good feeling.”

Seeing the invisible

At the same time that the Rubin Observatory can find asteroids that had previously gone undetected, it can also help detect dark energy and dark matter.

Only five percent of the universe comes from visible matter, with about 70 percent coming from dark energy and 25 percent coming from dark matter.

Dark energy describes why the universe continues to expand after the Big Bang, rather than slowing down, the way a ball thrown into the air does before it falls, von der Linden explained. Researchers study dark matter, meanwhile, by observing the way light from distant galaxies bends when it travels towards Earth, as the gravitational force of the matter affects it on its path.

Von der Linden said she has already started using some of the commissioning data to test Rubin’s capabilities to do weak gravitational lensing. Weak gravitational lensing involves slight shifts in images caused by the gravitational influence of other matter that require many galaxies to detect.

“The work we’re doing now is very much a test case, which we will then take and apply to a much larger data set,” she said.

Inspiring future scientists

The images and the data, which the US, the UK and France will process, has the potential not only to answer scientific questions, but also to encourage and inspire future researchers.

The Rubin Observatory has a “very comprehensive education and public outreach component,” von der Linden said. “From the beginning, it has been built with the intention that the public is suppose to interact with the data and be part of the scientific story.”

If teachers use this in the classroom to show students the beautiful and intriguing night sky, “I would think this will lead some students to consider pursuing” careers in these sciences. “I hope that we’re going to get more junior scientists who will be part of Rubin.”

To see images from the observatory, visit https://rubinobservatory.org.

Sprinkle candles for sale from Pink Zebra. Photo by Heidi Sutton

By Heidi Sutton

Want to be part of the action at this year’s fairs and festivals? Do you have unique merchandise, crafts, yard sale items or food and beverages to sell? Here are a list of vendors wanted for upcoming community events on the North Shore. The list will be updated weekly.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 270 Main Street, Northport seeks vendors for its Summer Craft Fair on July 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 631-261-0804 to obtain a registration form. 

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River is acceptiong local hand crafted vendors for its Craft Fair Weekends on July 12 & 13, August 2 & 3, September 6 & 7, October 4 & 5 and November 1 & 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10′ by 10′ spaces for one day is $75 and $100 for both days. Call 631-846-2372 or visit eastwindlongisland.com.

Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook is looking for vendors to participate in an outdoor Summer Craft Fair on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Online application can be found at www.sachemlibrary.org. 631-588-5024.

The Spirit of Huntington, 2 Melville Road, Huntington Station seeks vendors for its annual Spirit of Summer Art Festival on July 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain date is July 27. Visit www.spiritofhuntington.com for an application or call 631-470-9620.

Northport Arts Coalition is accepting applications for craft artists for its annual Art in the Park event at Northport Village Park on Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 10′ by 10′ space for $100, $80 NAC members. Rain date is Aug. 17. Deadline to apply is July 15. www.northportarts.org.

Village of Lake Grove seeks arts & crafts, food and community vendors for its annual Summer Fest on Aug. 17 at the Gazebo and Memorial Park, 980 Hawkins Ave., Lake Grove from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For an application, visit www.lakegroveny.gov or call 631-585-2000.

The Port Jefferson Lions Club will hold their 4th annual Car Show at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville on Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Interested vendors can call 631-258-6156.

Messiah Lutheran Church, 465 Pond Path, East Setauket is seeking craft vendors and food trucks for their Spooktacular Trunk or Treat & Vendor Fair fair which will be held Oct. 25 from noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Spots are $35. Vendor and food truck forms can be found at www.messiahny.org

Send your vendors wanted listings to [email protected].

A scene from 'The Court Jester'

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

My uncle was mad and probably a bit disappointed with the rest of the family. He had gallantly, I suppose in his mind, volunteered to drive our family from the funeral home to the cemetery where my father was going to be buried.

There my brothers and I were, laughing in the back as if we were on a normal family retreat. No, scratch that, we were probably laughing even more forcefully. It was our coping mechanism, which my uncle, who spent little time with us growing up and, in particular, during my father’s illness, wouldn’t and didn’t understand.

One of the many things that we observed and shared with each other from the back of that vehicle of loss was the impressive collection of fancy cars that were trailing behind us.

Our father was a big fan of test driving cars but not as much of a fan of buying them. We’re pretty sure there were car salesman who went on break immediately as soon as they saw him turn into their lot, desperate to get away from the bearded guy who seemed so earnest and excited about the cars, but almost never did anything other than ask about them, drive them, and return to his aging Buick LeSabre, promising to “think about it.”

We were amazed at the Jaguars, the Mercedes and the host of other cars that people who wanted to pay their respects drove to his funeral.

“Oooh, there’s a BMW,” one of us said. “Wow, dad would love that car, but maybe not in that color.”

My uncle shook his head slightly and frowned at us in the mirror. I guess he wanted us to behave more properly or respectfully during this somber moment.

But laughter is not only the best medicine, as it turned out for us, but has been a way my family connects with each other and with many of the people in our lives.

I must have watched the movie “The Court Jester” starring Danny Kaye at least a dozen times with my father. Each time, I knew when the dialog that made him laugh so hard was coming. His breath came in high pitched squeals as he bent over double trying to get air into lungs that were too busy laughing spasmodically. 

“The pellet with the poison is in the vessel from the pestle. The chalice from the palace has the brew that is true,” Kaye would say.

Those lines, and the bumbled repetition with nonsense word variations, always hit their mark, forcing him to find a tissue to wipe the tears from his cheeks.

I remember the laughter, and what triggered it, from friends and family members who have either passed or with whom I have had little contact over the years.

Shared laughter, as sitcom producers understand, creates a positive and encouraging atmosphere, telling us that we can return and enjoy these light-hearted and peaceful moments with unseen strangers or with others in the room.

The hit show M*A*S*H combined macabre humor in the midst of a war zone with antics that helped talented but stir crazy doctors manage through difficult circumstances.

My aunt Maxine used to find it both surprisingly annoying and oddly funny when I rolled my sleeves up into strange positions or turned parts of my collar inside out.

“Don’t be silly!” she’d laugh, which, of course, only encouraged me. “What are you doing, Daniel?”

She’d come over and, with the soft small fingers of someone who had Down syndrome, would unfurl the sleeves of my shirt and would adjust my collar.

My grandmother, meanwhile, giggled at the absurdity of her grandchildren.

My brothers and I would sometimes say or do something unusual and, rather than get upset, she would find our behavior so ridiculous as to be laughable. When she giggled, her entire upper body shook, as those quaking motions had an epicenter around her stomach. Her laughter made her seem so much younger.

My wife and I recently attended a live musical show that poked fun at everyone from politicians to sports figures to crazy neighborhood text messages.

The show not only hit home for many, but it also caused people to chuckle so hard that their laughter became a part of the show.

These days, with uncertainty around the world and hovering heat and humidity squeezing sweat out of us like a dish rag, the laughter of those we know or have known can serve as a soothing salve. Life is messy and frustrating and seemingly beyond our ability to control. Laughter may be just what we need, offering the kind of cooling shade that dials down the temperature.

Photo by Josh Willink/Pexels

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

Whew! That was blistering heat we just endured for the last few days. When it gets that hot, I have two reactions. I need some ice cream, preferably a cone filled with coffee ice cream dotted with chocolate chips. And I have to switch to wearing shorts.

So it gave me a chuckle to read an inquiry by a reader of the New York Times Style Questions column asking about wearing shorts to work. Now I’m supposing that she works in a large city office, where there is a formal or informal dress code, and like me, she wants to beat the heat by donning shorts. 

Her question amuses me because it reminds me of how far wearing shorts has come, and also how lucky we are.

First the shorts evolution. It must have been a slow news day back in 1960, when The New York Times ran a front page story about Barnard students wearing Bermuda shorts as they meandered through the Columbia campus. Imagine the scandal. It seems President Grayson Kirk of Columbia was offended by the casual dress and asked Barnard President Millicent McIntosh to clamp down on her students. Only skirts were to be worn, came the directive, with some sort of appropriate blouse.

Well, we students protested, with petitions and rallies, until the ban was rescinded to a “request” to wear a coat or slacks over the shorts when on the Columbia campus, which was across Broadway from Barnard. Think how innocent the uproar when measured against today’s protests on the same campuses.

Clearly President McIntosh wasn’t similarly offended because she advised us during an ensuing assembly of the entire college “to turn over your book covers when you are riding the subway (some two-thirds of students were commuters then) so no one knows you are from Barnard.” And any ban would not take place until September, which was one way of kicking the can-or ban-down the road.

Other women’s colleges treated the issue of showing knees differently. Radcliffe, adjacent to Harvard, only permitted shorts for athletic activities. Vassar College allowed shorts both on campus and in town (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.). Smith College, in Northampton, Mass., allowed shorts on campus and in class, but no shorter than two inches above the knee. All that was researched by The NYT reporter for the 1960 article.

Today’s reporter, Vanessa Friedman, answered the reader this way. “Shorts are often longer than skirts these days and often more conservative. There is no reason a woman shouldn’t wear them to the office.” She goes on to say that any hesitation might stem from the association of shorts with play and summer weekends rather than work. As such they are not considered professional garb.

There is also the question of what kind of shorts, she advises. Very short shorts are not any more acceptable than very short skirts. To professionalize the look, a blazer, a belted T-shirt and conservative shoes — platform shoes or even pumps — might complete the outfit, or an oversize button-up shirt.

So now I come to the point of our being lucky. First, most of us are not in a large city office but rather a suburban environment, which, culturally, is more relaxed. We live in the land of the sweatsuits.

Furthermore, times have so radically changed that no one, for example, expects a doctor or lawyer, the epitome of professional, I guess, to appear in a suit. Not even a tie. A button-up Oxford shirt is pretty dressed up these days, and we often see professionals thusly outfitted: men in golf shirts and trousers, and women in short sun dresses.

Finally, we, as journalists, are allowed to look casually dressed. Few people would expect to be interviewed by someone in a suit. It might even make them nervous. Yippee!

From left, Kate and Goldie. Photo courtesy of Smithtown Animal Shelter
From left, Goldie and Kate. Photo courtesy of Smithtown Animal Shelter

This week’s featured shelter pets are the fabulous mother-daughter duo Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.

These exquisite beauties both boast stunning tabby coats; Goldie’s is white with magnificent shades of brown, and Kate’s is white with stunning hues of gray, giving her a unique and exotic look. Goldie (Mom) is approximately four years old, and her daughter “Kitty Kate” was born less than a year ago.

Upon first introduction, you will quickly learn that Goldie adores people and is incredibly outgoing and friendly. She will not hesitate to approach you enthusiastically, seeking attention and good petting behind her ears. It takes Kate a little longer to warm up. She’ll quietly observe her mom interact for a bit until she decides to approach for some love and affection, too. It is extraordinary to witness the endearing dynamic between this beautiful mother and daughter and how much joy they have to offer one lucky family.

This pair will warm your heart and offer a lifetime of cherished memories to share. They are bonded and need to be adopted together. Both would likely fit purr-fectly in most homes, including those with older children, possibly cats, and calm dogs. Goldie is diabetic and will need a home that can manage that. They both have FIV, which is a minor issue.

If you are interested in meeting Goldie and Kate please fill out an application to schedule time to properly interact with them in a domestic setting, which includes a Meet and Greet Room.The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter, 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575.

Local leaders at the Lawrence Aviation Site on June 2. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

Local stakeholders wait with bated breath as the June 30th deadline for the MTA to close on purchasing 40 acres of the closed Lawrence Aviation site approaches. Each passing day chips away at the possibility of a new railyard that would enable the electrification of the Port Jefferson Rail line. 

The Superfund site has been eradicated of the toxic pollutants that degraded the soil and water and is nearly cleared from the registry. Part of it will be used as a solar farm and part will be preserved as open space. The missing piece is in the hands of the MTA and DOT. 

Despite pressure from local stakeholders and politicians and the near absence of any pushback or even hesitation from the community, the plan stalls. A year ago this month, the DOT and MTA had a deadline for the MTA to purchase the property. Two extensions and 12 months later, little, except for the mounting impatience from the community, has changed.

In order for the MTA to move forward, the DOT, which currently owns a section of the Greenway that would need rerouting before construction can begin, must provide permission.

Business owners, environmentalists, legislators, town, county and state politicians are all rallying for a common cause: the benefit of the Long Island community. 

The delay causes numerous problems: it keeps commuters riding on with an inadequate and dated mode of transportation; it prevents electrification, which would be quieter and reduce pollution and it keeps the frequency of train travel on the current schedule, instead of increasing the number of trips.

The site has been in limbo for a year and is priced at only $10–such is the Suffolk County Landbanks’ desire for a deal. Now, the DOT needs to reach an agreement with the MTA allowing them access to the land that would facilitate the sale and enable the construction of a railyard. Local officials like Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D–Port Jefferson) are advocating with state officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul (D). With her help, perhaps the DOT and MTA can reach an agreement before this opportunity chugs away on an outdated line, in a plume of diesel smoke. 

A Black Racer. Photo by John L. Turner

By John L. Turner

John Turner

I became excited at discovering the four large plywood boards laying in the woods at the edge of a Town of Brookhaven preserve in Coram. While the dumping of the material was a thoughtless and selfish act by some careless individual, I knew the four boards laying haphazardly on top of each other nevertheless provided an opportunity to see what was living beneath, as boards like this create habitat that a number of different animals like to use. I was not to be disappointed.

Lifting up the top board until it was vertical along its long side, I peered down to see a curled up Ring-necked snake. A little more than a foot long and the thickness of your pinky, the ring-necked lives up to its name with a bright yellow ring around its neck matched by a pretty yellow belly. The top of the snake is grey (in other individuals I’ve seen the dorsal or top side is more like a muted mauve color) making for an attractive if diminutive serpent. The snake moved off the board giving me the opportunity to lift the next one — which revealed a few crickets but no snakes. 

A milk snake. Photo by John Turner

I leaned the second board up against the first and slowly turned over the third board — success! Laying there in the middle of the damp board was a slightly curled milk snake.  The milk snake is highly attractive, possessing irregularly shaped burgundy colored splotches on its back and sides which are outlined in black on a base of white. The extent of the splotches makes the white in between look like rings or bands. Milk snakes get their name because they were once common around milking barns or cow sheds where they fed on the small mammals plentiful there. 

Of the seventeen snake species found in New York State, eleven are native to Long Island — besides the two aforementioned species, others are the Northern water snake, smooth green snake, Eastern hognose snake, the Northern brown or DeKay’s snake, Northern redbelly snake, Eastern worm snake, Northern Black Racer, common garter snake, and its cousin — the Eastern ribbon snake. We once had a twelfth snake, a venomous one — the timber rattlesnake but this species has been extirpated from Long Island due to a combination of direct persecution and habitat destruction. 

According to an article on rattlesnakes written by Richard Welch, published in the Long Island Forum: “Between 1869 and 1899, fifty timber rattlesnakes were killed on or near the grounds of the South Side Sportsmen’s Club.” The Club is now Connetquot River State Park. The last known individual was killed around 1912 apparently while sunning itself on the railroad tracks in Oakdale. 

Welch concludes his article: “On fish-shape Paumonauk, the buzz of crotalus’ rattle is only a ghost in the woods,” crotalus being the genus to which the timber rattlesnake belongs.       

Smooth green snake. Photo by John Turner

My holy grail of Long Island snakes long has been the smooth green snake. This beautiful tropical looking species, lime green with yellow tinges on the lower sides with white on the bottom, is a snake I’ve wanted to see on Long Island for at least 50 years and finally on May 20, 2025 I found one, tipped off to the spot by another  individual interested in snakes! I celebrated with a tasty beer that night. Green snakes were once relatively common on Long Island but has become increasingly rare due to the dual impacts of habitat destruction and pet collecting and is now reported from just a few locations on the island. 

Black Racers live up to their name, being able to move at remarkable rates of speed when pressed, an activity which I’ve seen twice with glossy black serpents looking  supercharged heading off through a thicket of blueberry thickets. They also are able climbers and I once watched a Black Racer climb a multi-flora rose bush in a field in Yaphank in just a few seconds, avoiding thorns as it went, honing in on a bird’s nest to look for eggs or hatchlings — it was out of luck as the nest turned out to be empty, one that was probably used the year before.    

The Eastern hognose snake is another species that has become increasingly rare here. So named because of its upturned snout like a hog, this species is an eater of toads and a dweller of sandy habitats, and often displays a behavior when disturbed that’s right out of a Disney movie. 

When agitated the snake at first may lunge at the object causing the disturbance; this is a bluff as the mouth stays closed. Then often but not always the hognose begins to writhe spasmodically going into its “death throes,” turning belly up and flaying its tongue out of its mouth. Sometimes there’s blood in the corner of its mouth because of capillaries in its mouth lining it can break to spill blood, adding a convincing element to its “death.” But give this “dead” snake a couple of minutes of playing ‘possum and if the coast is clear it will move away. 

I’ve seen this behavior twice — once while co-leading a hike in the Manorville Hills of the Long Island Pine Barrens where we encountered a hognose on the edge of the trail that quickly “died” and the second time while exploring the Albany Pine Bush. I had turned over a large board to find not one but two hognose snakes beneath. 

Displaying opposite behaviors, one quickly shot away while the other remained in place and began its death feign act. I moved a few steps away and watched for several minutes as the snake became active again, darting its tongue out repeatedly to gain sensory information to determine if the “coast was clear.” (This is how snakes “smell” — by pulling in scent molecules and processing them in their Jacobsen’s organ located in their nasal chamber).    

Northern water snakes live up to their name, frequenting wetland areas throughout the central and eastern parts of Suffolk County. The species is an attractive mix of tan, brown, and black, sometimes with patches of grey. They are fond of fish and frogs and can sometimes be seen swimming along the edges of a pond or stream in search of prey. The last one I saw was on the edge of a wetland on the south side of the east-west trail that crosses over Quantuck Creek at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. 

The Brown, Redbelly and Eastern worm snakes are all small species rarely seen since they spend much of their time underground; the Redbelly is very rare on Long Island and the one native species I have not seen.  I remember a field in East Meadow that had an abundance of Brown snakes; it became developed to provide housing for students at Hofstra University.  

The closely related common garter snake and Eastern ribbon snake are quite similar in appearance and can be easily confused. While not absolute, they typically segregate by habitat with the garter found in dry uplands and the ribbon using wetter areas.  Also, ribbon snakes are the thinner of the two, possess a longer tail, and have a diagnostic little white dot in front of their eye that the garter lacks.   

Garter snakes are sometimes mistakenly called “garden snakes,” based on a mishearing of their name. The name garter comes from the longitudinal stripes once found on women’s garter belts, said long stripes being a conspicuous feature on this species. They are the most common snake species on Long Island. 

Many people don’t like snakes and some even fear them, perhaps since a few are venomous, although with the demise of the timber rattlesnake no venomous snakes remain on Long Island. Objectively, there is nothing to fear of snakes and in reality they are unique and fascinating life forms with interesting behaviors and strategies they employ in order to survive. And quite frankly they have much more reason to fear us than us to fear them given the sad, knee jerk reaction by some to kill any snake they see. For readers who like and appreciate snakes enough to have read to the end of this article, I hope you see one of our native species soon perhaps by also becoming a flipper of boards! 

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.