CLOSE
Community

by -
0 1022
Photo from Town of Smithtown
1 of 5
Photo from Town of Smithtown
Photo from Town of Smithtown
Photo from Town of Smithtown
Photo from Town of Smithtown
Photo from Town of Smithtown

The Town of Smithtown saw heavy rains and flash flooding last night, enduring approximately ten inches in total, as the storm regenerated across Suffolk County throughout the night and early morning. The Town of Smithtown has compiled a detailed assessment of damage, flooding, and areas of concern in addition to providing important information regarding storm cleanup, and contact information for those in need of further assistance.

“We were fortunate in comparison to surrounding areas, much in part due to proactive measures and recent upgrades made to infrastructure, elevated roadways, and state-of-the-art engineering at Smithtown’s most vulnerable areas. I want to commend our crews working throughout the night. Public Safety, Parks, and Highway teams have been working around the clock to clear, assess and repair the damage, in the wake of the storm, which was unpredicted by meteorologists. I also want to commend our volunteer Fire Departments, FRES, our Office of Emergency Management, and Fire Marshals who were out in these dangerous conditions overnight, performing water rescues, extracting stranded drivers, responding to emergency calls and assisting our neighbors in Stony Brook,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

“Public Safety even used their Drone to assist the Smithtown Fire Department boat to rescue two individuals who were stranded from a home. The level of communication, bravery and teamwork over these past 24 hours has been extraordinary. I would also like to commend our County Executive, Ed Romaine for leaping into action immediately to declare a State of Emergency for the area. Finally, I’d recommend that everyone access the Town of Smithtown Mobile App for notifications regarding road detours, areas to avoid and updates on the storm cleanup. We will not stop until flooding concerns have been addressed, the roads are clear, and our residents can safely resume daily routines,” added Supervisor Wehrheim.

Town Damage Assessment:

The headwaters of the Nissequogue have crested at Paul T. Given Park. Councilman Tom Lohmann, Superintendent Robert Murphy and our emergency response teams are currently on scene together with Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) and our Planning Department to alleviate water conditions, in hopes of preventing the river from cresting over NYS Route 25a. The basement of the building next to the park (formerly the Oasis) has flooded up to the first floor. Smithtown’s Parks Department is currently on scene and is going to remove accumulated debris under the culdesac to alleviate rising waters. This will also allow the MTA to get into their property to inspect the train trestle. Currently, train service is suspended between Port Jefferson and Kings Park in both directions due to flooding from the Nissequogue River west of Smithtown.

Maple Avenue at Millers Pond (Wildwood Ln to Darling Ave) is closed due to overflow conditions. The Smithtown Highway Department, alongwith Deputy Superintendent Jim Duetch are currently on scene with Suffolk County Parks to mitigate flooding and ensure the culvert remains stable.  Both of these areas (Paul T Given Park & Millers Pond) are of critical importance to address as more rainfall is predicted for this afternoon.

The Smithtown Parks Department has been operating the cleanup at Town Hall, which took in close to four feet of water in the basement and is currently operating on backup power. The Parks Department building in Kings Park sustained flooding damage to the shop area and vehicles were badly flooded.

As of this morning, we’ve estimated approximately 50 town trees (in the town right of way) were either uprooted or down. Highway crews are currently working to remove these trees from the roadways.

Parks & Beaches:

Landing Country & Golf Club sustained washouts and drainage issues in addition to damage on the 9th hole of the course. Parks crews have been dispatched and are currently working on repairs.

Boaters with vessels in slips and the town mooring fields should ensure that lines are secured. There have been a few instances where boats have come loose.

The bathroom area at Whitman Hollow sustained some flooding issues. Parks Crews have already been dispatched to handle cleanup.

Callahan’s Beach only sustained a few down trees as of this morning. The incredible state of the art engineering of the rebuild had its first real test and aced with flying colors.

The elevation of Long Beach Road also handled extreme rain without incident. No flooding was reported.

LIRR Train Service: LIRR Train service is suspended from Port Jefferson to Kings Park until further notice.

ROAD CLOSURES/DETOURS: 

  • Maple Ave is closed due to road flooding from Wildwood Ln to Darling Ave. Use an alternative route.
  • North Country Road from Mills Pond road all the way up north, is closed and impassable due to flooding. Use an alternative route.
  • West Main St Smithtown from Maple Ave to Edgewood Ave Closed due to Flooding. Use an alternate Route.

Residents can stay informed about the storm and get up to the minute updates via the Town of Smithtown Mobile App, which is free to download on Google Play and the App Store.

Safety Reminders: Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road. Turn around and go another way. DID YOU KNOW? Six inches of fast moving flood water can knock you off your feet. A depth of two feet of water will float your car. Never try to walk, swim or drive through such swift water.

Keep children from playing in floodwaters or near culverts and storm drains.

Resident Safety Post Storm:

Residents should attempt to keep all brush, tree branches and storm debris clear from blocking fire hydrants and storm drains.

Public Safety and Smithtown Fire Marshals would like to remind residents using generators to take a moment to confirm that the exhaust is facing outwards and at least 20’ away from a building, to prevent CO poisoning and fires caused by incorrectly positioned generators.

Highway crews are working with PSEG to clear the roads of any remaining trees safely, and have begun hauling debris/brush today. The Highway Department led by Superintendent Robert Murphy, has cleanup crews assigned to every hamlet.

NOTE: Fallen trees can hide downed cables or entangled power lines, even if the power is out.

Power: 

As of this morning, there are less than 20 homes within the township who are without power.

To report and receive status updates on an outage Text OUT to PSEGLI (773454) or to report an outage online visitwww.psegliny.com

To register, have your account number available and text REG to PSEGLI (773454)

Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything contacting the wire. To report a downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number: 1-800-490-0075

Stranded Vehicles: If there is an emergency, please dial 9-11 immediately. All non life-threatening calls can be directed to the Department of Public Safety by calling (631) 360-7553

Report Gas Outages or Emergencies: If you smell gas anywhere, including in your home, go outside and call National Grid 24 hour hotline at 1-800-490-0045 or dial 911 immediately.

LIRR Commuter Travel Information: For information regarding delays or travel questions, contact the LIRR 24 hour travel information center at 718-217-5477

Local Fire & Police Phone Numbers: In an emergency dial 9-1-1

  • Suffolk County Police Department: For non-emergencies, contact 631-852-COPS (2677). Dial 9-1-1 ONLY for life-threatening emergencies.
  • Smithtown Fire Rescue Communications: 631-265-1500 for fire and EMS emergencies in the Smithtown, Kings Park, and Hauppauge Fire Districts.
  • Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services: Dial 911 for fire and EMS emergencies in the St. James, Nesconset, and Nissequogue Fire Districts.
  • Commack Fire Department: 631-499-5777 for fire emergencies in the Commack Fire District.

To Report Flooding or Road Concerns: To report flooding, drainage issues, and other storm related conditions along the roads, please contact the Highway Department at (631) 360-7500. NOTE: Flooding in basements are the

Downed Street Trees: Trees within the town’s right of way (alongside a town road) are in general the responsibility of the Highway Department. Residents with down trees on property lines can call the Department of Environment and Waterways (DEW) at (631) 360-7514 to inspect the tree and determine the best course of action. Trees that are not in the town’s right of way are the responsibility of the resident.

Elderly Neighbors & Special Needs individuals: Always check on your neighbors living with disabilities, special needs or senior citizens. Make sure they have an emergency phone, plenty of water, food and blankets. Ask if they have someone to call in the event of an emergency. If further intervention is required please contact the Senior Citizens Department at (631) 360-7616 or the Office for People with Disabilities at (631) 360-7642

Wildlife Rescue & Lost Pets:

Smithtown Animal Control Officers are ready to respond to calls for wildlife in distress or to report lost pets. Animals in distress, strays or other loose domestic or wild animals can be reported to the Smithtown Animal Shelter and Animal Control at (631) 360-7575

Suffolk 311: Suffolk County 311 is a central call center available to residents who do not know which number to call for any non-emergency. Residents can reach the 311 line Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or leave messages after hours.

Damage Self-Reporting Tool: Homes & Businesses: In collaboration with affected counties, New York State has developed an online form allowing residents to self-report damages to their homes and/or businesses. The purpose of this form is solely to collect information that may help State and local officials identify supplemental damages to develop and augment potential requests for available federal assistance programs. NOTE: Reporting damage is a voluntary activity and is not a substitute for reporting damage to your insurance agency, nor does it guarantee disaster relief assistance. (Do not use this form to report immediate, life-threatening needs. Call 911)

LINK TO FORM:  Smithtownny.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2879

by -
0 1076
Michelle Schindler receiving the proclamation, from Supervisor Dan Panico. Screenshot

By Katherine Kelton

At the Aug. 8 Brookhaven Town Board meeting, council members officially recognized Aug. 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day. They also dedicated the month of September as National Recovery Month. Councilmember Johnathon Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) spoke briefly about the Brookhaven Goes Purple initiative that began in the 1st Council District he represents.

He introduced the co-founder of the initiative, Michelle Schindler, who also delivered an address. She said, “Our aim is to unite the community to achieve a safe, healthy and drug-free environment.” She also works as a prevention director for YMCA family services, where evidence-based prevention is key.

Schindler claimed, “Research nationally and locally on Long Island demonstrates communities with active prevention coalitions experience a lower rate of substance use compared to those without such coalitions.”

She was presented with a proclamation by Supervisor Dan Panico (R) and the council members.

Town board business

Before the ceremony of dedication, many resolutions were passed. One such resolution involved the application of a Sephora in Port Jefferson Station on Route 112 replacing a former CVS. The popular makeup store will now be brought to the Port Plaza as the plans for application were passed.

In East Setauket, a proposed change of use application was passed for Setauket Law, located on South Jersey Avenue. The space was labeled as vacant, however, Setauket Law has been running from the office space. The firm also applied for a variance of parking, which was also passed.

A vacant space in the South Jersey Avenue office complex is looking for a new tenant as well. The available space, which used to be a day care, is looking for either a new day care proprietor or something the community needs.

The owner of the building, Shimon Ohana, revealed that a playground structure for the previous day care was removed before he came into ownership of the space, which was turned into about 65 parking spots.

Kornreich asked Ohana about the limited parking and how that could affect what type of business takes the vacant space.

Ohana stated that he has a few daycares, looking at the space, which would be ideal for parking: “The majority of people coming to the day care are children, so they obviously don’t drive. It would primarily be staff and parent drop-off.”

The next meeting is Aug. 21 at Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville, and will be a zoning board meeting.

by -
0 1010
Enjoy traditional Hellenic dancing at this year's event. File photo by Giselle Barkley/TBR News Media

By Heidi Sutton

Traditional Greek food, music and dancing will take center stage as the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson hosts its 63rd annual Greek Festival on church grounds on Thursday, Aug. 22 from 5 to 10 p.m.,  Friday, Aug. 23 from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24 from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 25 from noon to 9 p.m. 

A celebration of Greek culture, the four-day event will feature a variety of vendors, fireworks, church tours, live Greek music and dancing, games of chance and carnival rides by Newton Shows. Pay-one-price bracelets for the rides may be purchased in advance at www.newtonshows.com.

Authentic mouth-watering foods such as gyros, tyropita (cheese pie), moussaka, souvlaki, and spanakopita (spinach pie) will be served up, along with sweet desserts such as galaktoboureko, koulourakia, baklava and hot loukoumades, a fried dough pastry favorite.

One of the main attractions at the festival is the over-the-top raffle that the church holds every year. This year 200 prizes will be awarded from cars — a 2024 Mercedes Benz GLB 250 SUV or $35,000 cash is first prize — to a laptop, X-box, espresso machine, outdoor fire pit, 32″ LG Smart TV, Coach bag, cash prizes and more. Tickets for the sweepstakes are $100 each and are limited to 3,999 tickets. The drawing will be held on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.

Fireworks will be held on Friday and Saturday nights at 9:15 p.m., weather permitting. 

Free shuttle buses will pick up attendees from Ward Melville High School, 380 Old Town Road, East Setauket to transport them to festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. Parking is also available at BASF Corporation across the street from the church at 361 Sheep Pasture Road ($20 fee) and at Head Start at 400 Sheep Pasture Road (free). Handicapped parking is available at the church at no charge. Admission to the festival is $2 per person; children under 12 can attend for free.

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption is located at 430 Sheep Pasture Road in Port Jefferson. For more information, call the church office at 631-473-0894 or visit www.portjeffgreekfest.com.

by -
0 1187
The original book cover, showing Fats Domino, and the 1970s New Orleans skyline. Courtesy John Broven

By John Broven

My first book, “Walking to New Orleans: The Story of New Orleans Rhythm and Blues,” was published Aug. 9, 1974. That’s 50 long years ago. The anniversary has triggered memories of my original research, the book’s impact and my subsequent journey from England to live in the United States.

The title was inspired by Fats Domino’s big 1960 hit — although his most famous record was “Blueberry Hill.”

An Englishman walking to New Orleans? It had a nice surreal ring.

Importantly, I discovered early on there was an untold story ready to be documented, namely the rise and fall of New Orleans R&B in the rock ‘n’ roll era (1945-70). The city’s vibrant R&B scene was a successor to its proud jazz heritage. My coverage extended beyond the artists, to include record people, session men, disc jockeys, distributors, jukebox operators, clubs and the musicians’ union, to give a rounded picture of the local music industry.

With the passing of time, very few of the original interviewees are still alive, which makes the preservation of their stories even more satisfying. The interview tapes and associated files are now lodged with my record collection, at the Library of Congress.

I had made my magical debut journey to the United States in April 1970, when transatlantic travel was an expensive luxury. Mike Leadbitter, my mentor and co-founder of Blues Unlimited — the first international blues magazine — and Robin Gosden, of Flyright Records, completed our small party.

We started out in New Orleans, then traveled through south Louisiana, up to Shreveport, Louisiana, across to Jackson, Mississippi, and then north, to Memphis, Chicago and New York. All locations had strong blues, (and more,) connections, as we observed the cultural and social conditions, firsthand. It was the time of good old-fashioned, shoe-leather journalism, when pen and notebook ruled.

Writing the book

On our return home, Leadbitter inquired pointedly if I was going to write a book. After asking on what subject, he retorted, “You’ve just been to New Orleans, haven’t you?”

The fuse had been lit.

And so, in the early 1970s I began assembling material for a first draft while, still, working full time in bank management. With the notable exception of Charlie Gillett’s seminal, “The Sound of the City,” there were few books covering any genre of rock ’n’ roll at the time.

The big breakthrough came in 1972, when Leadbitter arranged an interview in London for us with Dr. John, then making waves as the “Night Tripper” of voodoo rock.

The good doctor proved to be a walking encyclopedia of New Orleans R&B, much preferring to shed light on forgotten artists and musicians, as well as discussing hallowed sessions at Cosimo Matassa’s recording studios, than promote his own career.

With the first draft completed, I made another trip to New Orleans, for further interviews, to consolidate my initial research. It was spring 1973, just when the Nixon Watergate scandal was brewing.

In the introduction to the first edition, I recorded my excitement at approaching New Orleans by plane and thinking, “Could it be down there, that Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Huey Smith, Allen Toussaint, Earl King, Ernie K-Doe, Lee Dorsey and a whole host of talented musicians, made their names and actually live?”

Pre-Hurricane Katrina, most original, New Orleans R&B performers were still living in town so it was relatively easy to track them down — aided by my New Orleans friend and driver, James La Rocca, of course. The interviewees willingly told their rich stories into what was a, comparatively, new invention — a tape recorder.

Publication

On my return, I set about transcribing the interviews, and incorporating the best bits into the existing draft.

Simon Napier, the other co-founder of Blues Unlimited, suggested that the magazine should publish “Walking to New Orleans.”

We ordered an optimistic 3,000 copies, including 500 hardbacks, from the magazine’s professional printer. Our marketing strategy — if it could be described as such — was that Blues Unlimited had just over 2,000 subscribers, who were so interested in Black music, that half of them would buy the book to cover the outlay.

Amazingly, it worked.

John Broven at a book signing. Photo by Diane Wattekamps.

We sold a thousand copies by November 1974 and easily recouped our investment. That was the month Mike Leadbitter, such a visionary blues researcher, died of meningitis, at the tragically young age of 32.

The book’s reviews were universally favorable, (almost).

For promotion, I was a guest on two BBC radio shows, including “Honky Tonk,” hosted by Charlie Gillett, on Aug. 4, 1974. I nervously asked Gillett what his first question was going to be, to which he replied, “I don’t know, whatever comes to my head.” Luckily, the New Orleans records we played spoke for themselves.

A year or so later, out of the blue, Milburn Calhoun, owner of Pelican Publishing Co., in Gretna, Louisiana, asked if he could license the book for the U.S. We knew he would be able to hit markets that we ourselves could not possibly touch, such as the New Orleans tourist shops, and the Louisiana educational system.

But Calhoun insisted that the title be changed in spite of the self-explanatory subtitle — to my regret.

He said that “Americans” would not understand the title, “Walking to New Orleans.” And so the book became the simplistic “Rhythm and Blues in New Orleans” (1978.) In the pre-internet era, it wasn’t a problem, but over time, there was modest confusion about the same book having different titles.

The great thing is that Pelican has kept the book in print until now. Its reception was good enough for Pelican to commission another book, “South to Louisiana: The Music of the Cajun Bayous” (1983,) detailing the local Cajun, zydeco, swamp blues, hillbilly and swamp pop music scenes.

In 2016, Pelican published an updated third edition of “Rhythm and Blues in New Orleans,” and followed with an updated “South to Louisiana,” which won a 2020 ARSC award for “Best History in Recorded Country, Folk, or Roots Music.”

Oh, and yes. “Walking to New Orleans” was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2011, as a Classic of Blues Literature. The various editions of the book have sold in excess of 25,000 copies.

The book’s legacy

It is hard for me to be objective about the legacy of “Walking to New Orleans.” What I can say is that by documenting and preserving stories, it brought a spotlight on many overlooked artists and musicians. Quite a few enjoyed resurrected careers. With the record reissue market in its infancy, the book helped to open up a back catalog of New Orleans R&B recordings on LP, and then, compact disc.

Remember, this was decades before music was just click away on Apple, Spotify, YouTube and the like.   

I was delighted when local researchers Tad Jones, Jeff Hannusch and Rick Coleman, took up the challenge to explore the New Orleans R&B scene, in even greater depth, with their later books.

Further support in the city came from Wavelength, and then Offbeat magazines, not to mention Radio WWOZ, the Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Ponderosa Stomp.

“Walking to New Orleans” and “South to Louisiana” led me to write many liner notes for record companies — first for LPs, then for CDs. The books served as calling cards that led to my commission as a compilation consultant for Ace Records in London, from 1991 to 2006.

This experience paved the way for writing “Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of the Independent Rock ’n’ Roll Pioneers,” (University of Illinois Press, 2009), where I interviewed influential record men and women, who launched the indie record business in the post-World War II years. Again, almost all the interviewees are dead, but oh what stories they had to tell.

Over the years, I have spoken at conferences from New Orleans to Los Angeles, and even the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The cherry on the cake was meeting my wife, Shelley, through the Ace Records connection — her father owned Golden Crest Records, out of Huntington Station — and starting a new life on Long Island.

I was living the English Dream and American Dream at the same time. What a journey it has been — and to think, it all started 50 years ago!

John Broven of East Setauket is a copyeditor with TBR News Media. In celebration of the book’s 50th anniversary, Jasmine Records in the U.K. has released a double CD “Walking to New Orleans: An Aural Accompaniment” (available on Amazon).

by -
0 1945
Downtown Kings Park. File photo

By Sabrina Artusa

Cornerstone Kings Park, a 50-unit luxury apartment building proposed for the corner of Meadow Road and Indian Head Road in Kings Park, was discussed at the Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing on Aug. 6.

The 44,883-square-foot project would sit outside of the LIRR train station and would be part of the Kings Park downtown revitalization effort.

The proposed project necessitates a special exception as the surrounding area is currently zoned as commercial-business & industrial. A vacant restaurant pad site would need to be demolished if the project is to be built.

In order to progress and be considered by the Smithtown Town Board, the Smithtown Zoning Board of Appeals must approve the special exception.

The zoning board doesn’t anticipate making a recommendation to the Town Board until the Smithtown Comprehensive Master Plan is adopted, which would change the zoning of the area to transit oriented development (TOD). Further, the zoning board expressed dissatisfaction with several setbacks, which they deemed deficient even if the plan is adopted. The zoning change to transit oriented development would alter the minimum requirement for a setback.

Smithtown Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on Aug. 6. Photo courtesy of Smithtownny.gov

Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) spoke at the public hearing. “I am all for building something on this property,” he said. “Make no mistake about it. But 50 units in the parking lot of a shopping center is ridiculous.”

Trotta went on to suggest making a portion of the units co-ops or condominiums, an idea he has integrated in a resolution he designed to increase home ownership. The resolution was shot down in a Suffolk County Economic Development, Planning & Housing Committee meeting.

The size and magnitude of the project is one of the chief factors of concern for many. One constituent said, “I used to work in Queens and I like to come home to a backyard and a different style of life … it will kind of diminish and ruin what we are trying to have here. This kind of deviates from that kind of thinking.”

Another member of the community was eager for the project to provide more housing opportunities for the aging generation and to economically boost the downtown area.

Indeed, the developers market the project as a step towards fulfilling the goals listed in the Revitalizing Downtown Kings Park Action Plan which was developed by The Kings Park Chamber of Commerce and Kings Park Civic Association in 2016.

“Utilizing the Revitalizing Downtown Kings Park Action Plan, Terwillliger Bartone, with the Cornerstone Kings Park project, fills an important role of meeting the desires of the plan, from parking to transit oriented development to design and more” the Cornerstone Kings Park website reads.

After receiving criticism from citizens, the developers, Tanzi Properties LLC and Terwilliger & Bartone Properties, made several adjustments to the proposal, including decreasing the stories from four to three and supplementing above ground parking with an underground garage.

The developers expect the project to bring in $2 million annually in discretionary spending. Furthermore, their traffic study indicated that “it is the perfect complement to what is already existing in the area,” said the lawyer for the developers, Garrett Gray of Weber Law Group.

Gray said in his presentation that at peak hours, the parking is not expected to exceed 77% capacity.

Cornerstone Kings Park is one of the projects being considered for the $10 million Smithtown-Kings Park has received from the state for its downtown revitalization.

The application is still under review; the Zoning Board will more seriously consider making a recommendation once the Smithtown Comprehensive Master Plan is adopted, which is expected to occur within the coming months.

by -
0 781
1 of 15
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
Scene from the 6th annual Big Rig Show. Photos by Bill Landon
COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON

By Bill Landon

The Long Island Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society hosted the 6th annual Big Rig Show at the Long Island Antique Power Association showgrounds in Riverhead under a brilliant blue sky Sunday Aug. 11. Both new and antique big-rig vehicles, collectables and novelties were front and center for all to see.

by -
0 928
The crew of 'Go Bananas,' Jason Dank and Ryan Matheson. Photo by Lynn Hallarman

By Lynn Hallarman

The reigning champion boat, Go Bananas, crewed by Jason Dank and Ryan Matheson, was soundly defeated by Doug Santo and Chris Voorhis in their seaworthy vessel, Yacht Rock, during the 13th annual Sikaflex “Quick & Dirty” Boat Build Competition held on Sunday, Aug. 11, at Harborfront Park in Port Jefferson.

After the race, the organization held a raffle drawing for a 12-foot fiddlehead double paddle canoe, custom-built by volunteers. Port Jeff resident Margaret Mansone was the big winner of the hand-built canoe raffle.

This year, six boats competed for the top spot mixed with confidence and trepidation, facing old rivals and hungry newcomers.

“We had a lot to prove,” Santo said in a post-race interview with TBR News Media.

The Long Island Seaport and Eco Center, based at the Bayles Boat Shop at Harborfront Park, hosts the race annually as part of a fundraiser to support its community-based educational activities.

The boat-building competition required teams to design and build a small boat within a five-hour time limit using only materials supplied by LISEC. Teams raced against the clock on Saturday, Aug. 10, to finish seaworthy ships in preparation for Sunday’s race.

Doug Santo and Chris Voorhis with their seaworthy vessel, ‘Yacht Rock.’ Photo by Lynn Hallarman

Prior to the race, judges Mayor Lauren Sheprow, former village trustee Rebecca Kassay, (now Democratic candidate for the state Assembly District 4,) and mother-son team Donna and Michael Antignano scored boat designs based on five criteria: uniqueness, neatness, construction, creative paint design and paddle design.

“We have learned from our past mistakes,” said Peter Charalambous, the captain of Winner II. As the 2019 champions, Charalambous and his fiancée, Sunny, have refined their building technique as they prepared for this year’s event to recapture their past glory.

Sadly, Winner II took on water and sank yards before the finish line.

Capsizing the start line, The Joey Z’s, was manned by Brian Tierney and Joe McNaughton, who “have no regrets.”

Heads held high, Mike DeMacia and Lyle Ross — crew of The Candy — gave it their all to the finish well behind the leaders.

Redeemed, Go Bananas was named the winner for best boat design, sharing top prize with Ken Callirgos and Matt Deveau, of The Wall, a paddleboard-style vessel. While some questioned whether a paddleboard qualifies as a boat, the United States Coast Guard recognizes it as such.

Go Bananas, Yacht Rock and The Wall raced in calm seas with precision and determination. In a surge of strength, Yacht Rock pulled ahead in the final seconds of a close contest for the win as the crowd’s roar reached a fevered pitch.

by -
0 821
Photo courtesy of Long Island Game Farm

The Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability has announced it will host its first Family Fun Day at the Long Island Game Farm, 489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville on Thursday, August 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. [Rain date is Friday, August 23].

The day will feature engaging nature-themed experiences and encourage families to deepen their appreciation for wildlife and the natural environment. Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could will perform.

“The Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability was formed in 2023 to connect people of all ages and abilities to the environment,” shares foundation executive direction Patricia Snyder. “This Family Fun Day encourages families to experience nature and wildlife in a fun, engaging, and informative manner that the Long Island Game Farm isrecognized for.”

The day’s events will include a celebration of the beloved capybaras with a “Happy Capy Day” theme, including games and challenges, a camel meet-and-greet, storytelling by Long Island authors, tortoise talk, interactive sing-a-long with singer songwriter Anne O’Rourke, face painting, scavenger hunt, family holiday photo station, and more.

“We are so excited to round out the summer with this incredible all-day event,” shares game farm president Melinda Novak. “The capybaras have become the top attraction this summer, and we’re looking forward to offering an engaging and educational experience for families to learn more about this fascinating species, as well as other game farm resident animals.”

Tickets for a family of four are available online in advance at wildlifesustainability.org/special-events for $31.25 per person or $37.50 per person at the door. Additional family members are $29 per person in advance, $30 at the door. Ticket sales support the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability and its mission to connect people with wildlife and the natural environment through awareness activities and engaging experiences, and to support the work of the Long Island Game Farm.

by -
0 586
Muccio siblings at their lemonade stand raising funds for school supplies. Courtesy MCCSD

The three Muccio siblings — Isabella, an 11th grader; Michael, a 7th grader; Giavanna, a 5th grader; and Madelyn, a 2nd grader — have exceeded their fundraising goals through a dedicated lemonade stand effort.

These enterprising young individuals worked diligently during their summer vacations to support children in need within the Middle Country Central School District community. Operating their lemonade stand for 18 hours over the course of three days, they amassed a total of $1,317. All proceeds will be used to purchase essential school supplies and backpacks for students in need.

Muccio siblings at Walmart to purchase school supplies. Courtesy MCCSD

On the evening of Aug. 4, the Muccio siblings visited Walmart and Target to purchase supplies and backpacks, and they will continue their shopping in the coming days.

The Muccio family’s initiative received tremendous support from the community, including friends, neighbors, teachers and staff. The Muccio family believes that the collective generosity and enthusiasm played a pivotal role in the success of this fundraiser.

“We are incredibly proud of Isabella, Michael, Giavanna, and Madelyn for their hard work and dedication,” said Roberta Gerold, superintendent of schools. “Their selflessness and commitment to helping others is truly inspiring. We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported their cause and helped make this fundraiser successful.”

Muccio siblings at Target picking up backpacks. Courtesy MCCSD

For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ achievements, please visit the district’s website at www.mccsd.net.

by -
0 1418
Port Jefferson Free Library, where the meeting was held. File photo

By Peter Sloniewsky

Port Jefferson Civic Association met Monday, Aug. 12, to discuss the flooding issue in the area, specifically regarding ongoing projects undertaken by the United States Geological Survey, and, also, by Campani and Schwarting Architects.

First, Kristina Masterson, supervisory hydrologist for the Water Resources Integrated Modeling and Analysis Section in the New York Water Science Center, presented an ongoing study run by the USGS that will help to accurately model floods in the Port Jefferson area.

Kristina Masterson.
Courtesy USGS.gov

The study, titled “Assessment of compound flood risk from the combined effects of sea level rise on storm surge, tidal and groundwater flooding, and stormwater,” specifically examines compound floods. Locally, there are a variety of flood drivers such as the harbor, stormwater runoff from the underlying 2-square-mile watershed and the area’s high groundwater table.

The project will be in two phases. Phase one, set to be completed in this fall, is described as a “spatial analysis of vulnerability to flooding associated with individual and co-occurring flood drivers.” The conclusion of this phase will be an online interactive map which will allow users to check which relevant factors are most pertinent to flooding in any subsection of the mapped area.

In the second phase, planned for a completion date in winter 2025, USGS will create a “compound flood modeling framework” that will help researchers to better simulate the effects of flooding not only in Port Jefferson, but also in other areas which have been mapped in a similar way. With a more generalized compound flooding model, Masterson expressed hope that scientists and policymakers could better plan infrastructure around simulated flood patterns.

This USGS study is a part of the Long Island Sound Study, which was established in 1985 by Congress to focus on water quality. Since then, it has transformed largely into a focused effort toward resiliency. The current study is funded through the Sustainable and Resilient Communities Work Group, representing a state/federal partnership. USGS is nonregulatory, and the data gathered throughout this project will be publicly accessible after its publication.

The second project, presented by Michael Schwarting and Frances Campani, involved modeling the “steep streets” of Port Jefferson which converge on the harbor to better map out the placement of future damage-mitigation infrastructure projects.

The meeting concluded with a question-and-answer segment. One major theme was concerns about the pragmatism of both projects, asking why money was not spent on infrastructure directly.

Masterson explained, “Our study was funded by the Long Island Sound Study and the EPA. We have to follow through with the purview of the study. Second, we’re not design engineers. We’re trying to introduce foundational work, so that folks will be able to take a look at, and better understand, what the flood risks are, in their respective locations.”

Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow clarified at the meeting that the village has grants from both FEMA and the county, and is already in contact with engineering firms to work toward more directly pragmatic endeavors.

The civic association’s next meeting will be held Sept. 9 at the Port Jefferson Free Library.

Prev1...1,000124125126...1,031Next Page 125 of 1,031
TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: [email protected]

Most Viewed

©