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The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police:

Centereach

■ A resident on Oxhead Road in Centereach reported that someone cut battery cables and removed a battery from his car on May 7.

■ Walgreens on Middle Country Road in Centereach reported a shoplifter on May 9. A man allegedly stole three cases of beer valued at $53.

Commack

■ Marshall’s on Henry Street in Commack reported that two women allegedly stole 20 assorted children’s clothing worth approximately $250 on May 13.

Hauppauge

■ A resident on Cardinal Lane in Hauppauge reported that someone entered his unlocked vehicle on May 9 and removed a wallet containing cash, credit cards and a drivers license. A Ring camera captured three unknown men around the car.

■ Copper piping worth approximately $2,000 was stolen from a construction site on Motor Parkway in Hauppauge on May 12.

Huntington Station.

■ Target on East Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station reported a shoplifter on May 9. A man allegedly stole a Westinghouse TV worth $270 and an air fryer worth $120.

■ Target on East Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station called the police on May 11 to report a shoplifter. A woman went to pay at the self checkout register and allegedly paid for some clothing items but not for others. The stolen merchandise was valued at approximately $100.

■ Ulta Beauty on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station called the police on May 10 to report that an unknown person allegedly stole 17 fragrances valued at $1628.

Lake Grove

■ Barnes & Noble at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove reported a shoplifter on May 13. A man allegedly place 7 CDs in a tote bag and walked out of the store without paying for them. The merchandise was valued at $90.

■ Macy’s at the Smith Haven Mall called the police on May 14 to report a petit larceny. A man and a woman allegedly stole a Michael Kors backpack worth $498, a Michael Kors handbag worth $328 and a Rhea zip backpack valued at $155. They concealed the merchandise in a baby stroller and walked out without paying.

Melville

■ Dick’s Sporting Goods on Walt Whitman Road in Melville reported a grand larceny on May 11. Four women entered the store and allegedly stole assorted Nike clothing worth $1260. 

■ Mystique Boutique on Walt Whitman Road in Melville reported a petit larceny on May 13. Two women entered the store, grabbed five items of clothing and fled in a getaway car driven by a man. The merchandise was valued at approximately $300.

■ A woman called the police from Costco on Broadhollow Road in Melville on May 12 to report that someone stole her purse containing cash and credit cards from the passenger seat of her car while she was unloading groceries in the trunk.

Mount Sinai

■ A resident on Gotham Court in Mount Sinai reported that his car was stolen from the driveway on May 9. The unlocked vehicle, a 2021 BMW X7 M series, was worth $120,000. The owner stated that the key fob may have been inside a jacket pocket left in the vehicle.

■ A woman reported that her purse containing cash and credit cards was stolen from her unlocked vehicle while she was at Cedar Beach on Harbor Beach Road in Mount Sinai on May 10.

Port Jefferson

■ An employee at East End Shirt Company on Mill Creek Road in Port Jefferson Village called the police on May 9 to report that two people snatched two sweatshirts from a rack outside the store and headed toward Main Street. When confronted, they threw the sweatshirts at the employee and walked away.

Port Jefferson Station

■ A resident on Junard Blvd. in Port Jefferson Station reported that someone entered his unlocked vehicle on May 8 and stole numerous tools including power drills valued at approximately $1,000.

■ A box truck parked on Echo Lane in Port Jefferson Station was broken into on May 13. 25 boxes of assorted Pepperidge Farm cookies valued at $900 were stolen.

Rocky Point

■ Kohl’s on Route 25A in Rocky Point reported a shoplifter on May 8. A man allegedly stole 7 pairs of Timberland boots valued at $1,125.

South Setauket

■ Target on Pond Path in South Setauket reported a petit larceny on May 9. A man allegedly stole a Graco baby car seat worth $220.

Stony Brook

■ A shoplifter was reported at Lowe’s on Nesconset Highway in Stony Brook on May 11. A man allegedly loaded a cart with Romex copper wire valued at $1497 and walked out the garden center entrance without paying.

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

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

 

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Above, a Killdeer sits on its nest at Heckscher State Park in East Islip. Photo by Raina Angelier/Twin Roses Photography

By Cayla Rosenhagen

Cayla Rosenhagen

The Killdeer is a large, migratory plover that tends to nest in odd places around Long Island, such as school ballfields, golf courses, grass strips next to shopping malls, and even in parking lots! 

These locations are heavily trafficked by people and therefore extremely hazardous to the parent birds and their eggs or chicks. Frequently, Killdeer eggs are unintentionally run over by lawnmowers, cars, or trampled by human feet. 

However, this doesn’t have to happen. With the help of the Four Harbors Audubon Society’s newly-launched Killdeer Protection Program, you can contribute to a Killdeer success story!

First, where, and how can you spot a Killdeer; and secondly, how would you know it’s in trouble?  

Keep an eye out for Killdeer here from mid-March to August, their breeding season. The Killdeer we see journeyed from their winter foraging grounds in Central and South America to build nests and raise their chicks here. These birds will spend most of their time on the ground in grassy areas laden with their favorite foods, like worms, grasshoppers, and other insects. 

Unlike other plover species, Killdeer do not necessarily live by the water, and so you may frequently spot them inland. Both males and females are about the size of a blue jay, sporting mostly brown and white feathers with two distinctive black bands on their breast. Listen to them closely, and you may hear their high-pitched namesake call: “Kill-deer!” 

A Killdeer searches for insects at Frank Melville Memorial Park in Setauket. Photo by Raina Angelier/Twin Roses Photography

Like other shorebirds, Killdeer nests are shallow depressions in the ground called “scrapes.” Here, they lay 4 to 6 eggs per clutch, twice in the season. The tan and brown speckled eggs are well-camouflaged and can easily be mistaken for rocks. Although this camouflage adaptation helps hide the eggs from predators such as crows and raccoons, it also makes it difficult for people to notice them, or to avoid interfering with the nest site. 

What should you do if you find a nest in danger? 

If you happen upon a nest, you are likely to see one of the Killdeer parents feigning a broken wing, luring you further and further away from the nest and its eggs. This “broken-wing dance” is a clear sign you have approached a Killdeer nest too closely. Make a note of the location, place a marker nearby if possible, and reach out as soon as possible to the 4HAS’s Killdeer Protection Program by email:  [email protected]. 

Do not attempt to move the nest yourself. Since the Killdeer is a native migratory bird species, it is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is, therefore, illegal to disrupt the active nest in any way without a permit. 

The members and volunteers of the 4HAS Killdeer Protection Program will work fast to make sure the nest is secured by roping it off, by bringing awareness to the site via signs and colorful pylons, and by making contact with the landowners for access. Once the Killdeer chicks fledge or become independent from their parents, members of the program will remove the barriers from the location. 

For more information about this remarkable bird, visit https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Killdeer. Thank you for looking after our feathered friends in need! 

Thank you so much to my fellow Killdeer Protection Program team members Elaine Maas, Patrice Domeischel, and Georgia Turner for their contributions to this article.

Cayla Rosenhagen is a local high school student who enjoys capturing the unique charm of the community through photography and journalism. She serves on the board of directors for the Four Harbors Audubon Society and Brookhaven’s Youth Board, and is the founder and coordinator of Beach Bucket Brigade, a community outreach program dedicated to environmental awareness, engagement, and education. She is also an avid birder, hiker, and artist who is concurrently enrolled in college.

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Pixabay photo

Across the TBR News Media coverage area, on the minds of many board of education candidates running for trustee this election cycle has been the need for greater access to mental health services for students.

In general, the topic of mental health continues to come up more and more as the number of people suffering from this affliction increases. Americans are feeling the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns and of the isolation and loss of control that have followed. The news of more shootings nationwide has brought the issue and its repercussions to the forefront.

The mission of providing mental health assistance or increasing that aid to children and adolescents makes sense and the reasons to do so are countless. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six U.S. children aged 2–8 years has been diagnosed with a mental, behavioral or developmental disorder. During the period of 2018-19, among adolescents aged 12-17 responding to a study, approximately 15% had a major depressive episode and nearly 37% had persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. 

Adolescents today are also having more violent thoughts than they had in the past. It’s now increasingly vital to sit down with young people and get to the root causes of violent ideation. What is triggering such thoughts and how can we address them adequately?

Before the pandemic, mental health problems were already rising, exacerbated by people, especially young ones, sitting in front of computer screens and smartphones, comparing their lives to others. For many, COVID-19 shutdowns only compounded their miseries with more quiet time to sit with their feelings yet without opportunities to express their thoughts in a safe place.

While many therapists offer virtual appointments through Zoom and other platforms, sometimes a patient, especially an adolescent, can feel even more isolated in such a forum as it can be difficult for some to connect with another through a screen.

This general disconnect from society can be detrimental to anyone, especially a child who is just starting to figure out what life is all about and the part he or she plays in it.

Our nation is in the midst of Mental Health Awareness Month, which has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Now more than ever, it’s important to educate ourselves on the signs of mental health problems and how we can all help. Sometimes it’s as simple as letting those whom we love and who look to us for guidance know they are not alone. People who are struggling need to know they have someone to talk to so that they don’t feel alone and desperate.

At other times, we need to identify the proper balance between keeping one’s secrets and asking for help, even if it means reaching out to a parent, teacher or professional.

Discussions on how to provide our children the best mental health services need to continue past budget votes and BOE elections. Reach out to your board of ed, attend school board meetings and ensure that providing students the help they need is not a talking point but a priority.

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METRO photo

By Michael E. Russell

Michael E. Russell

It has been a tumultuous 90 days. Investors are currently on the path to seeing one of the worst years in stock market history. This statement was made by several strategists at Goldman Sachs on CNBC.

This could be considered a reasonable position to take, but why? Well, to point out the obvious, stocks and bonds are off to a horrible start, while consumer prices continue to increase. Also, no baby formula!

If you extrapolate this bad news to the end of the year-even though we are barely halfway through Spring, diversified investors may see the potential for significant losses after inflation.

I take a less dire view. Big stock downturns are normal. Over the last 72 years, the S&P Index has fallen more than 20% from its high on ten different occasions.

There are many differences about this decline. The current decline is approximately 18% from the January high. The major difference is that the current decline has occurred after a market that never seemed to stop going up.

Another interesting point is that during the career of Warren Buffett, the average Bear market has taken about two years to go back to even, while a few have stretched to four years or more.

How about this statistic: the NASDAQ has been positive every year since 2008 UNTIL this year!

My take is that expectations need to change. Crypto currencies have fallen off a cliff. Some investors think it wise to buy in at these lower prices. I disagree. Until Crypto currencies are regulated, losses could be devastating. A case in point is Crypto exchange Coinbase Global which totally missed earnings estimates. The company stated that customers could lose their assets if it were to declare bankruptcy.  Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong tweeted a clarification, saying “we have no risk of bankruptcy.” 

Unfortunately, I remember the same statements made by the CEO of ENRON.

METRO photo

A Georgetown law professor recently spoke of crypto bankruptcy risks. His point was that even though the contracts say you own the currency, you have the potential of being a general unsecured creditor if there is a bankruptcy.

For those with strong stomachs, there are plenty of companies with strong cash flow, good growth potentials and decent dividends. Never flee the market. Historically, the stock market outperforms most other asset classes. Domestic stocks represent the businesses that keep America strong.

An interesting point was advanced by Vanguard. They recently calculated that since 1935, U.S. stocks have lost ground to inflation during 31% of one year time periods, but only 11% of ten-year cycles.

I believe investors could begin to add to their portfolios shortly, with the caveat that this market may still have some downside risk. However, keep in mind that the S&P was trading at a P/E of more than 21x in January while currently trading at 17x earnings. Some technical analysts believe that the bottom line may be 15x.

Trying to time the bottom line is futile.  Keep in mind that the average annual return for the S&P since 1988 is 10.6%; 34 years of growth.

The view espoused at Morgan Stanley is that there may be a little more downside risk. But Lisa Shalett, Chief Investment Officer, states that segments of the market are priced. For upside surprises, these include financials, energy, healthcare, industrials and consumer service companies.

We still must be concerned about Russia/Ukraine and China/Taiwan.

In my next article I will mention some stocks with good growth potential. Hoping for a market bottom soon!

Until then, enjoy the rest of Spring and stay healthy.

Michael E. Russell retired after 40 years working for various Wall Street firms. All recommendations being made here are not guaranteed and may incur a loss of principal. The opinions and investment recommendations expressed in the column are the author’s own. TBR News Media does not endorse any specific investment advice and urges investors to consult with their financial advisor. 

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Pixabay photo

By Warren Strugatch

Warren Strugatch

The gorilla suit is gone, but three small tents and a whole bunch of unique carnival games remain, including a giant polar bear hula hoop toss. It’s all up for sale.

Martin G. Greenstein, better known as Uncle Marty, explains:

“The gorilla suit we sold 11 years ago. We had maybe 800 costumes in all. The gorilla was my favorite. We hired helpers to wear the costumes and entertain, do a little magic, things like that. There were lots of interactive games that are still in our basement.”

Here’s the back story. In the 80s, Uncle Marty helmed a go-go business, Event Pros Group, that served clients all over New York and New Jersey. In peak season, Uncle Marty juggled several corporate events at a time plus any number of weddings and bar mitzvahs. He employed dozens of people. His personal style was a mix of easy optimism and unguarded fun; P.T. Barnum meets Walter Mitty.

Tastes change. Entertainers in gorilla suits and polar bear hula hoops fell out of style. Uncle Marty and his beloved wife Dianna, who handles business operations, eventually sold off the costume collection. As they approached their 40th anniversary in the business, the couple began planning their own retirement. They wrote a succession plan but a family dispute got in the way. With no one in line to inherit the business, the Greensteins packed up their inventory and brought everything home to Lake Ronkonkoma.

With big gatherings down because of Covid, Uncle Marty has free time on his hands. He has time now to hone plenty of magic tricks, a long-time hobby. He also wrote a book called “How to Sell the Brooklyn Bridge…, and Other Stuff,” self-published in 2015.

Mr. Greenstein never anticipated a career in events, having dropped out of high school to work. After a stint helping his father at his catering business in his 20s, he saved up and bought a taxi medallion. With his hardcore Brooklyn accent and extroverted manner, he became the quintessential Nu Yawk cab driver. A casting director in the passenger seat took note, leading to a series of small roles in TV commercials.

Remember the Aleve Santa Claus spot? One year, Santa was Marty.

After a few years driving a cab, Marty sold the medallion and used the money to open a coffee shop inside Baron’s Department Store in Smithtown. When Baron’s unexpectedly closed, the Greensteins took their pots and pans and started a catering business. With the embedded instincts of a Catskills tummler, Uncle Marty became a professional smile generator, hosting thousands of social and corporate gatherings across greater New York. He hired young helpers to do interactive games, some of which are now stored in his basement awaiting new owners. 

Uncle Marty is 85 now. These days he pours his creative energy into wood sculpting, creating artworks he sells at outdoor shows. Many of his pieces are inspired by traditional Jewish themes. He’s still out there entertaining and doing events every chance he gets. 

“Making people feel good, that’s what inspires me,” he says.

With a deck of playing cards in his pocket, and a resilient bounce in his step, Uncle Marty continues to meet his daily smile quota. As for the tents and the other stuff in the basement: “I’m gonna sell ’em. I’m still busy and I’ll stay busy. Just not with tents.” 

Retirement? Not yet. Who has time for that?

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Photo by Jason Leung/Unsplash

By Lisa Scott

Since 2015, Christians, Jews and Muslims have come together in dialogue as Abraham’s Table of Long Island, seeking understanding, solidarity and common purpose. Recently 100 people attended “If You See Something, Say Something …  Confronting Hate on Long Island Today.”

Speakers shared personal stories of how hatred is on the rise, intensifying and escalating here on Long Island. League of Women Voters representatives shared a table with Catholic nuns and Protestant clergy, and we met many social justice group members as well as  concerned individuals. 

The Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center and the Turkish Cultural Center provided an Iftar dinner breaking the Muslim Ramadan fast for all attending. The speakers reflected this diversity, teaching us that hate knows no bounds and will continue to grow unless each of us takes responsibility and speaks out. Whether or not you identify with an organized religion, the words and experiences shared that evening should move each of us to connect, speak, witness, protest and advocate. 

There were calls to action regarding rising hate against Jewish, Black, Latinx, Muslim, Asian and LGBTQ+ people in our communities. Eric Post, LI Director of the American Jewish Committee, noted that Jews are two percent of the American population yet (according to the Suffolk County Police) 61% of hate incidents overall were anti-Semitic and 93.5% of religious hate crimes were anti-Semitic in nature. He then introduced a young Jewish man who suffered a violent assault in Manhattan who spoke of the attack and subsequent trauma.  

Tracey Edwards, Long Island Regional Director of the NAACP NYS Conference, said that Long Island has two problems. “Residents are reluctant to report hate crimes, and when they do the police departments and district attorneys make a predetermination of intent before they do a proper investigation and charge a hate crime.” Thus hate crime data is reported as down or not counted on Long Island while national data shows an increase across the country. “We cannot fix the problem if we don’t acknowledge that we have a problem.”

On a personal level, David Kilmnick of the LGBT Network of Long Island reported a decade of hate letters and threats to the police for investigation, but the FBI was kept unaware during those years. Jocelo Lucero, who has presented programs to thousands of Long Island students, spoke against hate crimes and for tolerance. He is the brother of Ecuadorean immigrant Marcelo Lucero who in 2008 was fatally stabbed in Patchogue after he and a friend were surrounded by seven teenagers who had gone out looking to attack Latinos; a bias crime that drew national attention to Suffolk County. 

Also presenting were Dr. Isma Chaudhry of the Islamic Center of Long Island and Soh Young Lee-Segredo of the Asian Pacific American Council of Educators.

Hate is real and hate crimes are growing whether we hear about them or not, yet all of us are to some degree complicit in “tolerating” a climate of hate in our communities. Passivity and words and racist jokes have been seeds of violence and even genocide through the centuries.  Social conditions give rise to hate, such as the need to scapegoat or blame “the other”— people who look or speak or worship or think or act different — for our social and personal troubles. 

Economic downturns and inflation;  COVID’s myriad effects on health, emotional well-being, and family cohesion; massive migrations of people fleeing violence all over the world; misinformation and magnification of perceived threats to long-held beliefs and values; a personal sense of danger due to increased crime and the prevalence of gun violence; falling status and insecurity leading to feelings of less “worthy’ people taking our place; all are contributing factors to the rise of hate in 2022. Silence is not an option. 

Connect with a “stranger”; teach and live diversity, equity and inclusion in your families, schools, congregations, workplaces and communities; speak up when you hear hateful speech; report acts of hate to school officials or police; demand that government enact laws and policies to stop hate; support organizations that work against hate; participate in public vigils and rallies to protest hate and write letters to the editor that condemn acts of hate on Long Island.

Thanks to Richard Koubek, Chair of Abraham’s Table of LI, www.abrahamstableli.org, and to his Steering Committee and program presenters for guidance, inspiration, witness and work. Let’s all actively combat hate now — the next generation deserves no less.

Lisa Scott is president of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, visit https://my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county or call 631-862-6860.

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Checklist. Pixabay photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

Some people live from one list to another, checking off boxes only to create new tasks and new goals.

Some of the things on the list are manageable, like picking up medicine from the drug store, shopping for the ingredients to cook dinner, or bringing a friend to or from the airport.

Others are much broader and appear on the list almost daily, even if we take small steps to get closer to them, like getting a job, losing weight, or moving to a new apartment or a new city.

Those bigger goals, while important, can make these lists cumbersome and, seemingly, never-ending. Perhaps we need a few easily achievable tasks that reflect the reality of our lives. To that end, how about a few items from the practical, the mundane and the absurd:

— Walk into a room, forget what you needed, stand in the room for a moment, shrug and walk out. While that doesn’t happen every day, it has certainly happened to me. I’ve also seen it happen to others. Somehow, putting it on a list makes it seem like an accomplishment, rather than a reflection of the distracted state in which we live.

— Pet an animal while working from home instead of finishing an assignment. While deadlines help us accomplish our goals, petting our dogs and cats, or staring at our fish, lowers our blood pressure and soothes us. Take a moment to enjoy the fur of a pet who will likely appreciate the attention.

— Turn off the light in a room when no one is there. Yes, this is small, but it lowers the electricity bill. Checking off this box should be easy and it increases our checked off list. The devilish among us might “accidentally” turn the light off when someone is in the room.

— Take a power nap. Instead of feeling guilty about walking away from your desk or your dog, feel good about the few minutes you get closing your eyes to restore your peace of mind.

— Use a new word, like feckless as often as possible. Feckless sounds kind of angry and frustrated, which can reflect the frustrations of a feckless manager.

— Throw something. Try not to break anything or cause any damage, but the sheer pleasure of throwing something like a football, baseball or even a balled-up piece of paper at a garbage can offer a satisfying outlet and a way to offset the figurative paper cuts we endure each day.

— Stop at a yellow light. I know we’re all in a hurry, but if we put this one on the list, we can feel good about stopping when the light is about to turn red.

— Smile at someone. This one is so easy, and yet it’s worth putting on a list because we might make someone feel better during the day or offer support in an important moment.

— Be grateful. Anger is everywhere around us, particularly on TV, where talking heads share the latest outrage from here, from there, from everywhere. Be grateful for the person who stocks the shelves at the grocery store, the person who takes your insurance information at the doctor’s office, or for the emergency workers who stand by ready to help the rest of us.

— Watch nature do something cool. Enjoy the sight of a wave on the beach, the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves, the parade of ants climbing a tree, or the shades of yellow and orange light that the sun casts on trees and the sides of buildings as it sets at the end of the day and as you’re checking off your list of manageable achievements.

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Frank Melville Memorial Park. Photo by Heidi Sutton

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief

“Did you hear? Ted has come down with COVID and is in the ICU.” 

The words hit me in the gut.

This gentleman, with whom I serve on the board of directors of a local community group, has now been admitted to the local hospital. I sat next to him at the monthly meeting a couple of weeks ago. We exchanged pleasantries and made small talk. Neither of us wore masks. (Ted is probably in his 70s. I have not used his real name.)

Just when we think our virus-riven world may be returning to some semblance of normal, the pathogen acts up again. We seem to be going two steps forward and one step back as weeks and months go by. Yes, we have the vaccines, the boosters, the antiviral mediations and plenty of test kits now. But the contagion is not over, not even close, no matter how much we would like it to be and pretend it is. Neither is the fear that rises and falls. Those of us who have been spared thus far really don’t want to catch the disease, and those who have fallen ill don’t want to be the virus’s victim yet again.

It’s spring. Finally, spring, with the flowers and leaves, the emerald green and the birdsong. The comfortable temperatures allow us to sit out on our patios and back decks. Once again we can feel the joy spring brings. But it is also the third spring we are living under the black cloud of a pandemic.

Yes, we have learned a lot as a result. We have become more aware of the tiny miracles, the blossoming of each flower on the azalea bushes along the roadside as we walk, the warbling of the mockingbird stationed on the top of the tree beside our garage. The pace of life has slowed as a result of COVID, allowing us to become more appreciative, more mindful of our existence from moment to moment. Many of us have embraced remote work habits and thrive with more at-home time. These are silver linings.

But I can’t help mourning the loss of our before-virus lives. We haven’t been to a Broadway play in three spring seasons now. We have dropped our opera subscription. Contemplating a performance of Carmen at Lincoln Center, preceded by a scrumptious dinner in a Manhattan restaurant, makes me feel a bit dizzy with desire. 

I am still not relaxed enough, even with a mask, to indulge in my former existence. If we have been fortunate enough not to have lost a loved one to the disease, nonetheless, the virus has stolen from our lives, stolen not only events and spectacles but more painfully, time with family members and friends at those events. Time missed with those we are closest to, as we live our lives, cannot be made up. Our dear ones don’t live forever. Sometimes loved ones die, from the infection or other causes, and the hours we would have spent with them are lost to us forever.

Recently, researchers have interviewed thousands to answer the question, “How many close friends can one have?” The answer, the mean average and not counting family, is 3-6. Those friends are irreplaceable. When one dies, there isn’t another to step forward and take his or her place because such friendships take years to develop. I know. When I read that study, I immediately fell to counting my closest friends and came up with four. It would have been six but two have died, though not from COVID. I want to spend as much time with those who remain as possible, and I deeply resent the virus for getting in the way.

Friendship, we know, is important for good health. The opposite, isolation and loneliness, often the by-products of COVID, can be as harmful to us physically as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, according to Psychology Professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad, at Brigham Young University.

We must make every effort to stay connected to our family and friends.  

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Ophelia

Welcome to the fifth edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home!

 

Keesha

 

Meet Keesha

This adorable and sweet girl is Keesha. She was surrendered to the Brookhaven Animal Shelter because her family was no longer able to care for her. Keesha is a gentle soul who has to start over at the age of 10. She is as sweet as could be, she knows sit but is always checking out her surroundings to see who is available to get some pets from. She is looking for a family to love, a door to look out of and get her daily dose of sunshine and a bed to curl up in. She is a delight to walk, she is housebroken and would love the opportunity to show you what she is made of. She can be a little shy at first but then the happy go lucky girl comes out and she is giving kisses and looking for all of your attention. She would do best with kids over the age of 10, no dogs and she is fine with cats. Call 631-286-4940.

Snowflake

Meet Snowflake

Snowflake is a young adult, female, short-hair currently waiting at Little Shelter for her furever home. This patient, sweet girl that had been at the shelter since 2018. She gets overlooked because she likes to snuggle into cubbies. Laser toys are a great way to get her out and about! Call 631-368-8770.

Chelsea

Meet Chelsea

An eight-year-old Min Pin mix, this clever little lady is Chelsea, currently up for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. Subscribing to the adage that all you need is “a snack and a snuggle,” she’s the perfect one to share your couch with…and just about everything else! A breed that has been described as “tiny but mighty,” they have an outgoing personality and tenacious spirit. With her current mission being to find her forever home, Chelsea is ready to screen potential adopters, hoping to find her the perfect family. Energetic and self-possessed, she’s not about to let age slow her down. If you’re looking for a loyal, life-long friend with a good sense of humor, the search is over…just ask for Chelsea. Call 631-368-8770.

Ophelia

Meet Ophelia

“Hi, I’m Ofie from Kent Animal Shelter. It’s going to take a little while for you and me to become best friends and trust each other. But, I promise you that when we do, you will be showered with more love, affection and loyalty than you can imagine. There is nothing more that I love than hugs, kisses and belly rubs
just ask the kind people who work here at the shelter. But sometimes, new people make me nervous, and I get a little scared and I feel I need to protect myself because I am not sure yet who you are. You see, I came to America from the streets and meat markets of Thailand., and some people there were going to do really bad things to me. That’s why it may take a little while for you and me to become best friends
.but I promise it can happen if you give me a chance. Thank you for reading a little about me. I hope to see you soon. Oh and I love treats! Love, Ofie.” Ophelia needs to be the only pet in the house. Call 631-727-5731, ext. 1.

 

Jack Jack

Meet Jack Jack

“A dog so nice, he was named him twice!” Jack Jack, a 1.5-year-old Doxy mix, arrived at Little Shelter hoping for a second chance at happiness. Though nearly blind, he is quickly acclimating to his surroundings, sniffing out new friendships and hearing all the applause celebrating his progress. Playing with abandon despite his disability, he’ll teach you to grab life by the tail, take chances, and savor every moment. Smart, affectionate and loyal, Jack Jack is the perfect reminder that “a house is not a home without paw prints.” Stop by to meet him today! Call 631-368-8770.

Kitty Free-Fur-All

May is Kitty Free-Fur-All Month at the The Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, 300 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven. Fees will be waived for cat adoptions for the entire month. For more information, call 631-451-6955 or visit www.brookhavenny.gov/animalshelter

Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of June 9.

Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.

 

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Fresh Pea Soup

By Barbara Beltrami

I warned you  a couple of weeks ago that you shouldn’t be surprised to find yet another column with recipes for spring. How can I do otherwise with the world in bloom at my doorstep? The split pea soup has given way to a creamy fresh pea soup, an artichoke frittata seems just the thing for a Sunday brunch or light lunch, and the sorrel in my herb garden is begging to be cut for a sorrel sauce for salmon. 

Fresh Pea Soup

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 medium onion, minced

1 leek, trimmed, washed and thinly sliced

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

2 tablespoons flour

4 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 pounds fresh or frozen  peas

1/2 cup heavy cream

DIRECTIONS:

In a large saucepan melt butter over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and add onions, leeks, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. 

Add flour and stirring with a whisk, cook for two minutes; slowly add broth and still stirring with whisk over medium heat, bring to a simmer. Add peas and simmer for 7 to 9 minutes. Let cool 10 to15 minutes, then puree in blender or food processor until smooth. Return to saucepan, add cream, and stirring frequently, bring to a brief simmer over medium heat. Serve hot or warm with croissants.

Artichoke Frittata

YIELD: Makes 6 to 8  servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 pound fresh baby artichokes, trimmed

8 large eggs

2 tablespoons half and half

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 shallot minced

1/4 cup minced fennel, bulb and fronds

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Steam or boil artichokes in salt water until tender, then drain and rinse with cold water and cut into quarters. In a medium bowl, vigorously beat the eggs, then add half and half and salt and pepper. In a nonstick skillet with a metal handle heat oil over medium-high heat; add shallot and fennel and cook, stirring frequently, until they soften, about 3 to 5 minutes. 

Add artichokes and cook, stirring frequently, until they just begin to brown; pour in egg mixture and swirl pan to distribute mixture and veggies evenly over surface; tilt pan and gently lift edges of cooked egg mixture as you swirl in order for liquid to run underneath cooked part. Reduce heat to low, cover pan and cook another 6 to 8 minutes occasionally shaking pan back and forth so frittata doesn’t stick to bottom of pan but just starts to brown. 

Meanwhile preheat broiler. Leaving the oven door slightly ajar, place skillet under broiler for a minute or two to finish off center of frittata which will still be runny. Be vigilant! Using a potholder for the metal handle, remove from oven, flip onto serving plate and sprinkle with grated cheese. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature with a mesclun salad.

Salmon with Sorrel Sauce

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

Four 1/2 pound salmon filets

1/4 cup unsalted butter

2 cups fresh sorrel leaves, chopped 

1/4 cup chervil, finely chopped

1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

1/2 cup chives, snipped

1/2 cup heavy cream

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Chive flowers for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Poach or broil salmon until just starting to turn light pink in center; set aside to keep warm. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter until golden brown. Lower heat to medium and add sorrel, chervil, parsley and chives, stir just until they’re wilted, then add cream, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and continue to cook, stirring frequently,  until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Spoon sauce over salmon. Garnish with chive flowers. Serve hot or warm with fresh asparagus and boiled new potatoes.

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