Summer and salads are synonymous. All those fresh veggies and fruits just waiting to be cut up and tossed in a bowl.No cooking. No cleanup. The perfect accompaniment to something just off the grill. But wait a minute! Who says summer salads have to be accompaniments? Why not make them, with the addition of some protein, the actual meal? What follow are just a few of my favorite go-to main dish salads, but scores of them are only as far away as your pantry or fridge.
Chick Pea Salad
YIELD: Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
One 14-ounce can chick peas, rinsed and drained
One medium red onion, diced
2 celery ribs diced
1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 head Romaine lettuce, sliced horizontally
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
2/3 cup pitted black olives, halved
1/3 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, toss together the chick peas, onion, celery, cucumber, bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, oregano, thyme, oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Half an hour before serving, remove from fridge and let sit at room temperature. Add Romaine and tomatoes and tosslightly to combine; transfer to serving bowl or platter and top with feta, olives and parsley. Serve with pita bread and tzatziki sauce.
Prosciutto, Parmesan and Cantaloupe Salad
YIELD: Makes 8 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2-3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 ounces fresh arugula
3 ounces frisee
1/2medium Vidalia onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
8 cups diced fresh cantaloupe
8 ounces small Parmigiano Reggiano shards
1/4 pound prosciutto, torn into bite-size pieces
DIRECTIONS:
In jar of electric blender combine oil, lime zest and juice, vinegar, honey, mustard, salt and pepper and cilantro; pulse until completely emulsified.In a large bowl, toss the arugula, frisee, onion, mint and basil with about one-third of the emulsion. In a large bowl (preferably clear glass), place a layer or the arugula mixture, then the cantaloupe, next the Parmigiano and finally the prosciutto; repeat until all ingredients have been used. Serve with remaining dressing and warm foccaccia.
Seafood Salad
YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes
Freshly grated zest of one lemon
Freshly squeezed juice of two lemons
Freshly grated zest of one orange
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup dry white wine
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled, deveined, boiled and refrigerated
1 pound cooked sea scallops, halved crosswise, boiled and refrigerated
1 pound fresh calamari, cleaned, cut into half-inch rings, boiled and refrigerated
1 head Bibb lettuce, leaves separated
1 small fennel bulb, trimmed and diced
1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
3 medium tomatoes, diced
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, garlic, oregano, pepper flakes, lemon zest and juice, orange zest and juice, wine and salt and pepper; add seafood and toss thoroughly to combine; cover and refrigerate at least three hours or up to twelve. When ready to serve line a platter or salad bowl with lettuce leaves, drain liquid from seafood mixture and transfer to lettuce- lined bowl.Top with fennel, parsley, and tomatoesand serve cold with crusty Italian bread and a chilled Sancerre wine.
The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police:
Centereach
■ Walgreens on Middle Country Road in Centereach reported a shoplifter on June 16. A woman allegedly stole miscellaneous cleaning items valued at approximately $50. When a store employee attempted to stop her, the woman threw detergent in the employee’s eyes before fleeing the scene.
Commack
Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack reported a shoplifter on June 18. A man allegedly stole a basketball hoop valued at $180.
Dix Hills
■ A car was reported stolen from the driveway of a residence on Burnham Lane in Dix Hills on June 14. The vehicle, a 2013 Mercedes Benz CLS 550, was worth $30,000.
East Setauket
■ Walmart on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket reported a shoplifter on June 15. A woman allegedly stole 22 items of clothing, assorted jewelry, beauty items and household items valued at $550.
Hauppauge
■ Clean Globe Environmental on Cain Drive in Hauppauge reported that someone stole a catalytic convertor off their company vehicle, a 2015 Ford F-250, on June 17. The item was worth $900.
Huntington Station
■ Ulta Beauty on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington called the police on June 13 to report that a man allegedly stole assorted fragrance gift sets valued at $428.
Lake Grove
■ AT&T Store at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove reported that a man entered the store on June 18 and allegedly cut the wire off of the store’s model iPhone 13 Pro Max and fled. The cell phone was valued at $1100.
■ Macy’s at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove called the police on June 17 to report that three men allegedly stole 35 items of men’s clothing worth $3043. Security followed the men outside and recovered the stolen items.
Melville
■ Dick’s Sporting Goods on Walt Whitman Road in Melville called the police on June 16 to report that two men allegedly stole $640 worth of miscellaneous clothing.
Port Jefferson Station
■ A resident on Ontario Street in Port Jefferson Station reported that someone broke the rear passenger side window of her car on June 12 and stole a purse containing credit cards and cash.
St. James
■ A resident on Howell Drive in St. James reported that someone broke the passenger front side window of her car and stole a makeup bag on June 18. Cash was stolen from a vehicle parked on Arthur Drive in St. James on the same day.
Selden
■ Walgreens on Middle Country Road in Selden reported a shoplifter on June 18. A man allegedly entered the store, filled his reusable shopping bag with store merchandise and left without paying. The items were valued at $144.
■ Bob’s Stores on Middle Country Road in Selden called the police on June 15 to report that three women allegedly stole assorting clothing valued at approximately $500.
■ A petit larceny was reported at Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden on June 13. A man and a woman allegedly stole copper wire valued at $980.
Setauket
■ A resident on Lemark Court in Setauket called the police on June 17 to report that someone had entered his unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway and removed a wallet containing credit cards and cash.
■ A resident on Cinderella Lane in Setauket reported that someone entered his unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway on June 17 and stole a wallet containing credit cards which were later attempted to be used at a few local businesses.
Smithtown
■ Stop & Shop on Main Street in Smithtown reported a shoplifter on June 13. A woman allegedly tried to steal a shopping cart full of assorted grocery items valued at $1018. When confronted by security, she left the shopping cart on the sidewalk and fled.
South Setauket
■ A petit larceny was reported at Home Depot on Pond Path in South Setauket on June 13. A man allegedly stole a spool of electrical wire worth $659.
Stony Brook
■ A resident on Millstream Lane in Stony Brook reported that someone entered his unlocked vehicle on June 18 and stole his wallet containing credit cards. The suspect attempted to use the credit cards shortly after but they were declined.
■ A car was reported stolen on Shadetree Lane in Stony Brook on June 12. The key fob had been left in the center console. The vehicle, a 2022 Acura MDX, was valued at $50,000.
■ A resident on Sycamore Circle in Stony Brook reported that someone entered his unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway on June 12 and stole a wallet with cash inside. A resident on Saywood Lane in Stony Brook reported a pocketbook stolen from an unlocked vehicle that same day.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.
Major Jonas Hawkins, son of Major Eleazer and Ruth (Mills) Hawkins, was born in Stony Brook, Long Island, on April 28, 1752, in what is now known as the Hawkins-Mount House at the intersection of 25A and Stony Brook Road. Jonas married Ruth Mills on Jan. 1, 1775, a little more than three months before the first shots were fired at Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts on April 18 and 19, 1775, dates that marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
Jonas was one of 73 men who signed the Association on June 8, 1775. The men who signed pledged themselves to protect against British tyranny. The list also included Selah Strong, Jonathan and Samuel Thompson, who supplied intelligence to General Washington in 1777 before becoming refugees in Connecticut after their spying was discovered.
It appears that during the entire Revolutionary War, Jonas and Ruth remained at their home and farm in Stony Brook as six of their children were born there between 1776 and 1783. It is also known that Jonas made several trips into New York City to gather information that he supplied to General George Washington through the Setauket-based Culper Spy Ring. Hawkins also needed to make trips to New York City to purchase dry goods and other items he needed for the general store and ordinary he ran out of his home in Stony Brook.
A view of the Hawkins-Mount House, on the corner of Route 25A and Stony Brook Road. Photo by Beverly C. Tyler
Major Hawkins’ home was built in 1757, and the loading door on the third-story gable end still reads “Jonas Hawkins Store and Ordinary.” We don’t know exactly when the general store was started, but by 1780, and probably by the end of 1778, it was in full operation with Hawkins making frequent trips to New York City.
The bill of credit below, part of the Three Village Historical Society’s Local History Collection, is one of a number of handwritten bills that indicate the range of products that rural general store merchants stocked and had available. Bills of Credit for Jonas Hawkins from 1780 through 1784 indicate that he also made purchases from a number of wholesalers such as “Elijah & Isaac Cock,” “Woodhull and Dickinson,” “Pearsall Glover” and “Willet Seaman.”
“Bought of Peter Smith & co .. Brooklyn, N.Y., Nov 17th 1780
5 Razors at l/9 … 8 .. 9 (8 shillings, 9 pence)
1 gross sleeve buttons 19..
1 Bladder Snuff 4/6 18..7
6 u(units) pepper @ 3/6. 1. .. 1 (1 pound, 1
shilling)
Mr. Jonas Hawkins”
The range of items Jonas purchased is quite extensive and indicates that local residents, especially after the Revolutionary War (1775-1783), had a wide range of goods available from the country general store. Jonas Hawkins, bought quantities of “Callico” (imported’ cotton textile), “Linnen,” “Superfine cloth” (finely woven linen), “Durant” (A variety of worsted wool),” “Cambruk” (cambric, linen or fine white cotton glazed on one side), “gause, thread, narrow Blk binding, cordarry” (corduroy) (and) calimmink” (calimanco-a European woolen cloth of satin weave in an imitation of camel’s hair).
Hawkins also purchased tea, nutmegs, clover seed, barrels of sugar, raisins, rum, gin, wine, and tobacco. From another supplier, he received “twist” (mottled woolens), buttons, bibles, pins, writing paper, shoe bindings and sewing silk as well as other cloths called “blue Tabareen” (Tabbinet-an Irish-made poplin), “Blue Morine” (Moreen:-a stout ,water- embossed finished fabric of wool or wool and cotton), and “black Tafaty” (taffeta-a rich thin silk). From yet another supplier, he received sickles, scythes, pen knives, tobacco boxes, and something listed as “1 doz Tomatum.” From Andrew Van Tuyh he received over 100 yards of green, brown and “mixt German Sarge” (serge) as well as metal buttons and 1 doz silver spurs. Locally, “Mr. Hawkins bought of Edward Dayton — 8 paire of shoes at 7s (shillings a) pair.”
Before the Revolutionary War, the seemingly inexhaustible supply of American lumber and timbers, plus a few manufactured items such as barrels went from U.S. ports to the West Indies where they were traded for rum, molasses and sugar. This island produce was then shipped to England to be traded for manufactured goods; clothing, glass, china, and tea, to name just a few. This movement of goods was known as a “Triangle Trade.”
After the Revolutionary War, this Triangle Trade, was extended to other European countries and to China as American ships began to bring their own tea, spices and other commodities back to the United States from all corners of the world. This increased trade brought the country general store into its own as an institution. It was an original American idea, an outgrowth of independence, an example of Yankee know-how and frontier enterprise at its best.
In large part, no money changed hands between the country general store owner and the importer or between the merchant and the local seller of eggs and bacon. Bills of credit were commonly given by the importers and continued to be the general practice until late in the 19th century. The country merchant’s major asset was the produce that he collected by barter. The general store owner was in contact with the large general stores in New York City, which sold both wholesale and retail, as well as, with the coast-wise schooner captains, freight shippers, money brokers and various jobbing houses.
The country general store was a natural gathering place for residents of the community, especially in the cold winter months, when many farmers, farmhands and seaman had nothing better to do. There was often a bench in the store, placed outside in the warmer months, called the liar’s bench. In the colder weather, the men who came to the store would find places close by the stove, which often sat in the open near the middle of the room. It was here that stories were told, tall tales were spun, and the latest information on the state of the nation and the world was discussed. It was often the store owner who had the latest newspaper from New York City or there was a ship captain who had just arrived with fresh news from one of the major ports.
Benjamin Franklin Thompson (his father called him Franklin) was just 16 years old in 1801. He was a hard, if not willing, worker on his father’s farm in Setauket, and he was often sent to “Jonas Hawkins Store and Ordinary” for a variety of items. “November 18, 1800 – Tuesday … Franklin rides to Major Hawkins to carry 36 yards of cloth, gets half a pound paper of tobacco at 0/9 (0 shillings/9 pence) carries 2 bushels of wheat to mill (Stony Brook Grist Mill) and fetches it home.”
About half the entries in Samuel Thompson’s diary, which detail trips to the general stores in Setauket and Stony Brook, indicate that Samuel went himself. “July 23, 1800 – Wednesday . . . Ride to Major Hawkins yesterday fetch 2 gall Rum pay 17/. Buye six yards of callonnick for my wife a pettecoat pay 24/ for it.”
It was usual for Samuel Thompson to visit the home and store of Jonas Hawkins since he was one of the few doctors in the community, and the general store was a vital source of news about local residents, as well as being the source of many of Dr. Thompson’s medicines. “October 9, 1800 – Thursday . . . I ride to see Betsey Kelly then to Major Hawkins in the afternoon pay 10/ for a gallon of rum get 10 oz common Peruvian Bark pay 3/11.” Dr. Thompson also listed Senna, Quaccuim and white viltrol as medicines that he purchased during the year 1800 from Major Hawkins Store.
The country general store owners were usually a fairly easy-going lot, and they put up with a great deal of tomfoolery from the bench warmers. They were also a very no-nonsense breed who recognized a good product or a good worker. One general store owner, the story goes, was sweeping out his store under the watchful eye of an early morning customer. “Where’s Benny? Sick today?” asked the small, thin woman as she reached across the counter to inspect the latest calico. “Gone two days,” the merchant said. The lady, seemingly absorbed in her inspection, added, “Anyone you considering to fill the vacancy?” The store owner went on with his sweeping and, without pausing to reflect on the question, replied, “Not expecting to, Benny didn’t leave no vacancy.”
Samuel Thompson recorded in his diary an average of one trip a month to the general store of Major Jonas Hawkins. His purchases for 10 months included 12 gallons of rum, (Dr. Thompson had a 200-acre farm and at least 5 farmhands, most of whom were slaves) 1½ gallons of [gugg], plus small quantities of sherry, gin and brandy. He also records the purchase of earthen cups, pipes, a pitcher and pins.
As the 19th century began, the country general store began to change and grow. In 1805, Artemas Kennedy of Arlington, Massachusetts, (near Boston) started the Kennedy Biscuit Company. The first “sea biscuits” were supplied to clipper ships as a staple for sailors on the long voyages around the horn to California. The sea biscuit or cracker soon became popular on land as well as at sea, and the cracker barrel soon became a standard item in the country stores.
Beverly C. Tyler is a Three Village Historical Society historian and author of books available from the society at 93 North Country Road, Setauket. For more information, call 631-751-3730. or visit www.tvhs.org.
A government is only as democratic as the freedom and fairness of its electoral process.
Right now, the legislative and executive branches of the Suffolk County government are at odds over what constitutes a free and fair election. At a press conference last week, County Executive Steve Bellone (D) defended a 2017 law that created a public campaign finance fund. He said this program, which is set to take effect during the 2023 county election cycle, will restore “the people’s faith and trust in government.”
At the same time, the Republican majority intends to repeal the law, arguing the program undermines trust in government as public funds will inevitably be used to finance campaigns that some voters do not endorse. Instead, it favors using that money to strengthen public safety initiatives around the county.
While the political branches battle it out, it is worth noting that this program is not supported by tax revenue. Rather, it is supported by revenues generated by Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel, which was acquired last year by Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting. The question that no one has asked is how OTB factors into this equation.
For eons, societies have struggled to root out vice and promote virtue among their people. It seems a fact of human nature that we are created with various flaws and foibles. Gambling, boozing and prostitution are nasty habits that will be among us regardless of the system of government that we put in place.
Using gambling revenues to finance grassroots campaigns seems to be a noble end. This is not much different from a real estate developer contributing monetarily to a community to compensate for the potential losses incurred during the buildout. Attaching a just cause to an activity like gambling appears to be a worthwhile undertaking. Bellone himself said, “I can’t think of a better way that we can utilize those dollars.”
However, if we are going to stake our democracy and the integrity of our elections on this public campaign finance program, we must demand much greater transparency from the institution that will be supporting it, Suffolk OTB. As recently as March, a local activist referred to OTB as “a known patronage mill.”
There are still far too many questions yet to be answered by OTB. What percentage of its revenue will be used to finance elections? What is the leadership hierarchy? How many people are employed? What is the process for securing employment there? How does the power source of our democracy still not have an “about” page on its website?
It is a giant leap of faith on the part of voters to expect a gaming parlor to act in the best interests of the people. Attempting to power democracy through gambling is a high-risk maneuver that requires much stricter oversight on the part of the administration. The only way this can be possible is through frequent hearings, press conferences and financial disclosures from OTB.
The fact that there is friction between the political branches in Suffolk is a good thing. As the county executive and Legislature quarrel over the future of public campaign finance, there are important questions that the public needs answered. For any of this to work, we the people need to be constantly briefed about OTB’s various dealings. This is a basic principle of democracy.
Breads and rolls are loaded with sodium. METRO photo
Sauces, breads and soups are hidden sources of salt
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
All of us should be concerned about salt or, more specifically, our sodium intake, even if we don’t have high blood pressure. About 90 percent of Americans consume too much sodium (1).
Why does it matter?
We most often hear that excessive sodium in our diets increases the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension), which has consequences like stroke and heart disease.
Now comes the interesting part. Sodium also has a nefarious effect on the kidneys. In the Nurses’ Health Study, approximately 3,200 women were evaluated in terms of kidney function, looking at the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as related to sodium intake (2). Over 14 years, those with a sodium intake of 2,300 mg had a much greater chance of an at least 30 percent reduction in kidney function, compared to those who consumed 1,700 mg per day.
Kidneys are an important part of our systems for removing toxins and waste. The kidneys are where many initial high blood pressure medications work, including ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril; ARBs, such as Diovan or Cozaar; and diuretics (water pills). If the kidney loses function, it can be harder to treat high blood pressure. Worse, it could lead to chronic kidney disease and dialysis. Once someone has reached dialysis, most blood pressure medications are not very effective.
How much is too much?
Ironically, the current recommended maximum sodium intake is 2,300 mg per day, or one teaspoon, the same level that led to negative effects in the study. However, Americans’ mean intake is twice that level.
If we reduced our consumption by even a modest 20 percent, we could reduce the incidence of heart disease dramatically. Current recommendations from the American Heart Association indicate an upper limit of 2,300 mg per day, with an “ideal” limit of no more than 1,500 mg per day (3).
Where does sodium lurk?
Most of our sodium intake comes from processed foods, packaged foods and restaurants, not the salt shaker at home. There is nothing wrong with eating out or ordering in on occasion, but you can’t control how much salt goes into your food. My wife is a great barometer of restaurant salt use. If food from the night before was salty, she complains of her clothes and rings being tight.
Do you want to lose 5 to 10 pounds quickly? Decrease your salt intake. Excess sodium causes the body to retain fluids.
One approach is to choose products that have 200 mg or fewer per serving indicated on the label. Foods labeled “low sodium” have fewer than 140 mg of sodium, but foods labeled “reduced sodium” have 25 percent less than the full-sodium version, which doesn’t necessarily mean much. Soy sauce has 1,000 mg of sodium per tablespoon, but low-sodium soy sauce still has about 600 mg per tablespoon.
Salad dressings and other condiments, where serving sizes are small, add up very quickly. Mustard has 120 mg per teaspoon. Most of us use far more than one teaspoon of mustard. Make sure to read the labels on all packaged foods and sauces very carefully, checking for sodium and for serving size.
Breads and rolls are another hidden source. Most contain a decent amount of sodium. I have seen a single slice of whole wheat bread include up to 200 mg. of sodium.
Soups are also notoriously high in sodium. There are a few packaged soups on the market that have no sodium, such as some Health Valley soups. Then, you can add your own seasonings.
If you are working to decrease your sodium intake, become an avid label reader. Sodium hides in all kinds of foods that don’t necessarily taste salty, such as breads, soups, cheeses, sweet sauces and salad dressings. I recommend putting all sauces and dressings on the side, so you can control how much — if any — you choose to use.
Is sea salt better?
Are fancy sea salts better than table salt? High amounts of salt are harmful, and the type is not important. The only difference between them is slight taste and texture variation. I recommend not buying either. In addition to the health issues, salt tends to dampen your taste buds, masking the flavors of food.
As you reduce your sodium intake, you might be surprised at how quickly your taste buds adjust. In just a few weeks, foods you previously thought didn’t taste salty will seem overwhelmingly so, and you will notice new flavors in unsalted foods.
If you have a salt shaker and don’t know what to do with all the excess salt, don’t despair. There are several uses for salt that are actually beneficial. According to the Mayo Clinic, gargling with ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water significantly reduces symptoms of a sore throat from infectious disease, such as mononucleosis, strep throat and the common cold. Having had mono, I can attest that this works.
When seasoning your food at home, use salt-free seasonings, like Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute or, if you prefer a salty taste, use a salt substitute, like Benson’s Table Tasty.
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.
A view of Shinnecock Bay. Photo by Christopher Paparo/Fish Guy Photos
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A view of Shinnecock Bay. Photo by Christopher Paparo/Fish Guy Photos
Maria Grima holding an invasive European green crab from Shinnecock Bay. Photo by Leeanne Dion
A squid from Shinnecock Bay. Photo by Sara Cernadas-Martin
Konstantine Rounto
Konstantine Rountos with students.
Konstantine Rountos with St. Joseph's University students before going out on a trawl. Photo from Rountos
Brown tide before the restoration on Shinnecock Bay started in 2012. Photo from Chris Gobler
Clearnose skate from Shinnecock Bay. Photo by Sara Cernadas-Martin
Maria Grima. Photo by Sara Cernadas-Martin
Ellen Pikitch with sea horses from Shinnecock Bay. Photo from SBU
A summer flounder. Photo by Christopher Paparo/Fish Guy Photos
By Daniel Dunaief
The Galapagos Islands, the Great Barrier Reef, Little Cayman and … Shinnecock Bay? Yes, that’s correct, the 40 square kilometer bay located on the southern end of Long Island recently joined a distinguished list of celebrated marine locations identified by Mission Blue, a non-profit international organization led by famed marine biologist Sylvia Earle.
Mission Blue named Shinnecock Bay a Hope Spot, one of 132 such locations in the world that it considers critical to the health of the ocean.
Shinnecock Bay has the distinction of being the only Hope Spot in New York State, the only one near a major city and one of three on the Eastern Seaboard.
“The idea that you could have a Hope Spot so close to a major metropolitan area is pretty significant,” said Ellen Pikitch, Endowed Professor of Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University and the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and Director of the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science.
The designation by Mission Blue not only puts Shinnecock Bay in elite environmental company, but it also completes a comeback story driven by scientists, their students, numerous volunteers, and other supportive groups.
“The point of Mission Blue designating this place a Hope Spot isn’t only to bring more people and attention to Shinnecock Bay,” said Pikitch, but is also to “send the message of hope that we can turn things around.”
Pikitch, Christopher Gobler, Endowed Chair of Coastal Ecology and Conservation at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, and Bradley Peterson, Associate Professor at Somas, led the efforts at the bay.
The scientists created clam sanctuaries in the Western Shinnecock Bay with strict no take rules for people, which helped jump start the restoration. The clams helped meet natural filtration goals.
The researchers also helped restore eelgrass, also called seagrass, which is a more effective natural way to sequester carbon per square inch than the rainforest.
Between 1930 and the start of the project in 2012, New York State had lost about 90 percent of its eelgrass. A task force projected that eelgrass would be extinct in the Empire State by 2030. The bay now has about 100 more acres of eelgrass than it had in 2012.
These efforts have created a “huge leap in the number of forage fish” including bay anchovies and menhaden, said Pikitch, who studies forage fish. “The bay is in a much healthier place now that it was when we started,” she added.
Tough beginnings
Indeed, in 2012, parts or all of the bay had to close because of brown or red tides. The tides sometimes “looked like coffee spilled across the entire bay,” Pikitch said.
The steps the researchers took to improve water quality took some time. “Harmful algal blooms didn’t disappear right away,” Pikitch said. “As the study progressed, the amount of time brown tides occurred got shorter and shorter. Ultimately we stopped seeing brown tides several years ago.”
Red tides, which can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning that could be fatal to people, had also been a problem in Shinnecock Bay. Nearly half the bay was closed to shellfishing in 2011, 2014, and 2015. In 2017 and 2028, about 1/4 of the bay was closed due to red tides. Since 2019, however, red tides haven’t threatened the bay.
On the water
Throughout the restoration process, scientists in training and volunteers contributed to various efforts. Konstantine Rountos, Associate Professor of Biology at St. Joseph’s University in New York, earned his Master’s and PhD and conducted his post doctoral research at Stony Brook University. He also served as the lead research scientist for the Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program trawl survey from 2012 to 2016.
Rountos called the designation “remarkable and extremely exciting.” When he started working on the bay in 2005 as a Master’s candidate, he saw stressors such as eelgrass declines.
“Not only was the ecosystem showing signs of collapse (decreased seagrass, decreased hard clams, increased harmful algal blooms), but the Bay was supporting fewer and fewer baymen,” he said. The Long Island “cultural identity of ‘living off the bay’ was in serious danger.”
Rountos believes people often overlook the significant ecological importance of this area, driving past these environmental and ecological treasures without appreciating their importance.
Amid his many Bay memories, he recalls catching a seven-foot long roughtail stingray. “It was very surprising to pull that up by hand in our trawl net,” he said.
A veteran of the bay since 2016, Maria Grima spent time on Shinnecok as an undergraduate at Stony Brook and more recently for her Master’s training, which she hopes to complete this August.
Grima has been studying the invasive European green crab that shreds eelgrass and consumes shellfish such as clams, oysters and mussels. In a preliminary analysis, the population of this crab has declined. Grima noted that it’s difficult to prove cause and effect for the reduction in the number of these crabs.
Rather than pursue a potential career in medicine, which was her initial focus when she arrived at Stony Brook, Grima decided to focus on “fixing the environmental issues that cause human health problems.”
She is “really proud that Shinnecock Bay” achieved the Hope Spot designation.
One of her favorite Bay memories involves seeing an ocean sunfish, which is a distinctive and large fish that propels itself through water with its dorsal and ventral fins and is the world’s largest bony fish. Seeing the biodiversity on a bay that has had historically poor water quality “gives you hope when you’re on the boat,” Grima said.
When friends and volunteers have joined her on the Bay, she has delighted in watching them interact with seahorses, which “wrap their little tail around your finger.”
Looking toward the future
While Pikitch is pleased with the designation, she said the work of maintaining it continues.
“We can’t rest on our laurels,” she said. “Continued construction on Long Island’s East End and the growing threat of climate change may require additional restoration work. We need to keep a close eye on what is happening in Shinnecock Bay and be ready to take action if necessary.”
It has been found that training, play and exercise play a key role in slowing the decline of aging pets. METRO photo
By Matthew Kearns, DVM
Dr. Matthew Kearns
People often ask me of their aging pets, “do dogs and cats get Alzheimer’s disease or dementia?” The answer is both no and yes. Although the terms Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia are not used in veterinary medicine, pets can have behavioral changes similar to that as their brain ages.
MRI’s on aging pets have revealed that the brains of dogs and cats both decrease in size and develop pathologic changes. Pathologists have also evaluated the brain tissue on deceased pets and found changes within the tissue itself such as a degeneration of cells and buildup of something called amyloid plaques. The disorder is called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, or CDS for short.
The behavioral changes associated with CDS can be summarized in the acronym DISHA: Disorientation, Altered Interactions with people or other pets, Altered Sleep-wake cycles, House-soiling, and Altered activity levels. Other behavioral changes could also include a decrease in sensitivity to any stimuli and an increase in agitation or anxiety.
Impairment in memory or learning is not as affected in pets as compared to humans with cognitive decline but the ability to adapt to change may be more pronounced in these pets. The symptoms of other diseases such as brain tumors, infections, glandular disease, organ dysfunction, etc. can mimic CDS so testing is as important as a thorough patient history and physical exam.
The gold standard of diagnosing CDS is using an MRI but most people just are not able to pursue an MRI (MRI’s are both expensive, as well as only available at referral hospitals). However, I recommend some basic diagnostics such as bloodwork, possible X-rays or ultrasound is recommended to rule out underlying diseases before starting treatment.
Treatment includes both cognitive enrichment, as well as medications and diet/supplements. It has been found that training, play and exercise play a key role in slowing the decline of aging pets. Certain medications that increase dopamine levels and/or increase bloodflow to the brain have been found helpful in slowing cognitive decline. Diets that are high in both antioxidants and certain fatty acids also slow the progression of CDS.
If you feel you pet is developing a cognitive decline and are concerned about it make sure to check with your veterinarian.
Dr. Kearns practices veterinary medicine from his Port Jefferson office and is pictured with his son Matthew and his dog Jasmine.
According to Long Island housing statistics, the number of listings taken increased nearly 6% since April 2022. Total homes available is also approaching 10%.
As the number of homes on the market increases, it’s important for those thinking of selling to keep their eyes on the real estate market. Fortunately for sellers, things are still in their favor, and forecasters predict it will remain that way this summer and into the fall.
For buyers, this means more to choose from. If you are selling and haven’t purchased your new home yet, you’ll also benefit from inventory starting to inch up.
While other potential sellers may be contemplating the perfect time to put their home up for sale based on their personal plans, if you base your decision on when it’s right in the market, you’ll come out with a better return on your investment.
Heading toward possible stabilization?
A recent article in The Washington Post states, “while mortgage rates and home prices are not expected to drop, they are anticipated to somewhat stabilize.”
Some may wonder if the market stabilizes, how it will remain a seller’s market this summer. According to Shivani Peters, a mortgage advisor and expert, “We have no reason to believe that home prices will stop appreciating … When you own, it’s a gift.” After two record-breaking years, the slight climbs in mortgage rates and home prices aren’t bad news. Prices will still continue to appreciate through the stabilization.
A reminder
Interest rates continue to inch up to slow inflation — we’re seeing nearly 6% for some 30-year fixed rate mortgages — and savvy buyers want to stay ahead of rising interest rates. For example, a person who bought a home in 2019 valued at $370,000, who put 5% down with an interest rate of 2.87%, would have a mortgage payment of $1,457. Someone who bought a home valued the same in 2022 with interest rates at 5.25%, would now pay $1,940. If they wanted the same type of house that sold for $370,000 in 2019, they would now pay around $500,000 for that home, with 5% down and current interest rates, their mortgage payment is $2,623. Timing is everything!
Real estate and financial experts are keeping a careful eye on The Federal Reserve as the central bank announced a .75% percentage point rate hike on June 15. Jerome Powell, chair of The Federal Reserve, said the Feds may announce a similar rate hike again next month. As I discussed in a past article, just because the rates are going up doesn’t mean they are the highest they have been.
Takeaway
As mortgage rates rise, buyers are less likely to purchase a home at the same price they would have six months ago; mortgage rates are predicted to only continue increasing over the next six. While rates will still be historically low, the best time to sell or buy is now. So … let’s talk.
Michael Ardolino is the Founder/Owner-Broker of Realty Connect USA.
In an ideal world, everyone would be rooting for you. After all, as the leader of the country, your success is our success.
That’s certainly how the late George H.W. Bush (41, not 43) felt when he left a supportive note for Bill Clinton, the politician who defeated him.
We don’t live in that world. People are actively rooting against you, many of them American and many of them eager for power, influence and opportunity. Against that backdrop, I’m sure it’s challenging to get out in front of any story or narrative. You can’t control gas prices, right? You can’t control the weather, the global economy, the war in Ukraine or anything else that’s casting a pall over the nation and the world.
And yet, your job requires a certain level of messaging, communicating and leadership. You might not feel you can do much about the litany of problems you face — Republicans won’t let you, inflation is cutting everyone’s pay, and Covid continues to make people sick.
But here’s the thing: you need to get out in front of something. You need to step up and tell us how things will get better. We want to believe you because everyone wants happier days.
That starts with you. In the midst of some heated tension with the Soviet Union, Ronald Reagan offered the country the kind of reassurance that you haven’t provided. Despite the collection of nuclear missiles pointed at us, Reagan suggested that we were safe and should sleep well.
Look, I get it. People pounce on every syllable you say that might be a bit hard to follow. You’ve had a long history of verbal gaffes. But you can’t let fear of saying the wrong thing keep you from saying anything. Americans see you periodically, but you rarely tell us anything memorable or offer us a digestible helping of hope.
Your administration as a whole seems to be following your lead. No one in your cabinet has given us the sense that things will get better soon or, for lack of a better phrase, “you got this.” You have the largest bully pulpit in the world. The press follows your every move. Use that to your advantage. Seize the narrative. Give us a Project Hope or a positive message. Celebrate Americans doing good for their country.
The talking heads on both sides have given Americans an enormous dose of anger every day. It’s become an outlet for their energy and a way to keep Americans glued to their screens, waiting for the latest outrage and the newest opportunity to be disgusted by the other side.
When you ran for office, you assured us that we would return to normalcy and that you’d bring some measure of civility and decency back to the oval office. Here we are, the clock is ticking, and the anger machines from our two parties are in full gear.
Show the kind of leadership the situations demand. You don’t have to solve everything at the same time, but give us a regular update or an idea of what you know will work.
We need you to show us you have ideas we can support and that you have a plan you’re putting into action.
I understand your plan is to run for office in 2024. Why? How would that help the country? We know Republicans in the house, outraged on behalf of the two impeachments of your predecessor, may launch a host of investigations into you and your son if, as expected, they take the majority in the upcoming midterms.
When that process starts, being angry and outraged will only throw your own fury on the fire. We, and you, need positive and effective leadership now. Talk to Americans, share your plan for a better today and tomorrow. We need you to succeed. While what you’ve done so far might be undervalued and undercovered, we need visible wins. Break this pattern and give us reasons to believe in you and in the future.
Yes, there are miserable things happening that we are accosted with in the daily news briefs: congressional hearings, COVID numbers, climate change, warfare, inflation, gasoline price spikes, and so forth. But there is something magical about summer. Maybe it’s a carryover from our school days, when classes and homework ended and we could think about a trip to the beach or lounging in bed in the mornings, that make us feel the specialness of the season.
Come with me, then, as we do some time travel to my elementary school years, and I tell you what summers were like for me.
From first to fifth grades, my mother would visit my teachers in mid-May and get their lesson plans for the rest of the semester and the beginning of the next. She would then take me out of school, and I would not return until mid-September. We would travel to some rustic shack in the Catskill Mountains, a different one each year, where we would spend sixteen weeks in “the fresh air.”
My parents, you see, did not appreciate urban living in the summer, when I recall it used to get hotter than now. Air conditioning only existed in movie theaters, ice cream could only be purchased in bulk from drug stores with freezers, and to get a breeze, one would have to drive really fast along Manhattan’s East Side Highway with all the windows open—that is if one were lucky enough to get a ride in a car.
My dad grew up in the mountains, my mom in Corona, Queens, which she said was so countrified that there were cows on the road when she walked to public school. They keenly felt the inevitable pollution in the summer air and planned the escape for us children and my mom.
It was lonely for me, fresh air not withstanding I would read a lot. Generally, there would be a farm or two within walking distance, and only occasionally was there a child to play with, only my sister, who was two years younger and had Down Syndrome. But my dad and sometimes my much older brother would come up and stay with us on the weekends, and then the pace of life would pick up.
My dad and I would traipse across meadows and climb hills, for the exercise and just for the fun. Sometimes we would see cows grazing, and they would look at us lazily as we went by. My dad always reminded me to stay alert for the presence of a bull and also to watch out for any snakes that might be sunning themselves at the base of the low stone walls that separated the meadows. Should we see a bull in the distance, we should look to climb a nearby tree.
Often we would find wild blueberry bushes, and we carried containers to bring some back to the rest of the family. We picked the berries in the classical way: one for the pot, two for the mouth, one for the pot, two for the mouth. As we moved around each bush, I enjoyed the warm sun on my back and the smell of wheat and grass carried by the soft breezes that caressed us on their way past.
When it was time to return, I would wait for his suggestion that I lead the way, and it always came. My dad hoped I would develop a good sense of direction, especially when the terrain looked the same all around us. He would show me nature’s clues, like moss growing on the north side of tree trunks, as a help to finding my way.
One time I remember getting up early enough to watch the sun rise from the top of the nearby hill. I had never seen the sun rise before then, but the real treat was just being with my dad.
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