Community

Jazz

Welcome to the 29th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home.

Jazz

Meet Jazz

This cool customer is Jazz, a twelve year old Yorkie mix up for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. While some may consider him a senior, he’s still lively and has plenty of dance moves to accompany any music you choose, whether it’s swing, big band, easy listening or the jive. Lighthearted, as well as light on his feet, he is the most delightful sidekick and companion. Chatty and charismatic, he’ll soon have you convinced to let him move in, share your blanket, and make him pancakes for breakfast! If our boy Jazz sounds like the one for you, do the hustle over to Little Shelter, sign on the dotted line, and waltz away with your new best friend! 631-368-8770, ext. 21

Meowy

Meet Meowy

This special senior has the staff at the Smithtown Animal Shelter all by the heartstrings. Estimated to be around 14 years old, this black and white tuxedo gets along with dogs, children and other cats. Found as a stray with a severe abscess on her hind end, Meowy is all healed up, but it left a little weakness in her sphincter giving her occassional fecal incontinence where she sleeps. We know that this is not ideal, but there is a home out there that will love her despite this. She loves to be petted , eats up any attention you will give her, and will sit on your lap for hours. She is a good girl for grooming and vet visits. This love muffin would make a great addition to any home. 631-360-757

Peanut Butter

Meet Peanut Butter

Peanut Butter is as delicious as her name…This adorable female, tan Dachshund mix is approximately ten years young and by all definitions, is absolutely perfect. This poor baby was surrendered to the Smithtown Animal Shelter through no fault of her own.  She adores being in the company of people and will not hesitate to greet new friends with hopes of receiving a good petting in return. This sweet girl has a fondness for snuggles and has a lot of unconditional love to give one lucky family.

Peanut Butter’s ideal home can include a calm doggie sibling, possibly cats and kids preferably over the age of twelve. Little Peanut Butter deserves to have the happy ever after she was cheated out of. Let’s all help share Peanut Butter’s story, in hopes of giving her the very best life imaginable.

If you are interested in meeting Peanut Butter please schedule a date/time to properly interact in a domestic setting, which includes a Meet and Greet Room, the dog runs, and a Dog Walk trail. 631-360-7575

Licorice

Meet Licorice

A six-year-old Labrador/Collie mix at Little Shelter in Huntington, this handsome, likable fellow is Licorice. Looking for an active family where he can be the only four-legged member, he’s hoping for a big backyard and endless games of fetch. Intelligent and adventurous, he’ll inspire you to try new things….the sky’s the limit with this one by your side! Possessing a strong work ethic, he’ll strive to become your best friend and most loyal companion, simply asking for the same in return. An added bonus? Licorice is known to have health benefits and acts as an antioxidant…we call this a win-win! 631-368-8770, ext. 2

Free Rabies Vaccinations

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services and the Town of Brookhaven will offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets on Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter located at 300 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven. The clinic is available to all county residents, however, the quantity of vaccine is limited and available only while supplies last. All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and ferrets must be in carriers. 631-451-6953

Adopt & Rescue Event

Save the date! Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center, 33 Warner Road, Huntington will host Anna & Raven’s Adopt & Rescue event on Saturday, June 22 from noon to 5 p.m. There will be numerous dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens up for adoption. Enjoy live music, raffle baskets and more! For more information, call 631-368-8770, ext. 21 or visit wwww.annaandraven.com/anna-raven-adopt-rescue.

Rescue is a lifestyle. Adopt, don’t shop.

Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of June 27.

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

 

Early learning educators and faculty at the Day Without Childcare Rally in Mt Sinai. Photo by Aidan Johnson

By Aidan Johnson 

Early learning educators on Long Island took part May 13 in a rally for a Day Without Child Care, a movement centered around affordable child care and fair wages for teachers who work in child care.

The demonstration took place near the Paper Planes Early Learning Center in Mount Sinai, and was attended by staff along with teachers from other early learning facilities in Suffolk County.

“Child care is paid solely out of the pockets of the parents — there’s no funding for child care unless you’re getting a subsidy,” explained Maria Ahrens, owner of PPELC. She further described how everything, including the teachers payroll, supplies and the building itself, is paid for by the parents out of pocket.

“And so when you have ratios to follow, such as one-to-four infants [per teacher], there’s almost no profit margin,” Ahrens said.

She stressed the importance of early learning education, as 90% of a child’s brain develops during their first five years.

This lack of funding does not leave room for high wages, benefits or health care for the teachers, helping contribute to the turnover rate of teachers in private pay age 0-5 learning centers.

Some teachers in the Day Without Child Care rallies are fighting for universal child care, which would be supported by taxes in the same fashion as public K-12 education. However, Ahrens also saw a voucher program that isn’t reliant on one’s income and can help families choose a quality child care facility as a starting point.

Ahrens said that support has been received from state legislators from both sides of the aisle, including Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead) and Sen. Jabari Brisport (D-Brooklyn). 

A bill was introduced by Brisport and Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn) that would have allowed social service districts to provide child care assistance to parents during more than just the hours they spend in work or education. This was aimed to help parents and caretakers who have uncertain work hours or other big responsibilities outside of work and school. 

While Bill S5327A passed both the Assembly and Senate, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) vetoed it last December.

In a statement Brisport said, “Governor Hochul knows exactly how bad tying child care to employment is for families, for child care providers and for the economy as a whole. It’s remarkable to see how consistently this governor will publicly claim to support universal child care while quietly moving New York in the opposite direction.”

“She’s a governor who chooses her words based on the needs of voters, but her actions based almost exclusively on the interests of her ultra-rich campaign donors,” he added.

Despite Hochul’s veto of Bill S5327A, Brisport is pushing again for improved child care services by sponsoring Bill S8152A, which is currently being reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee.  

“All of us love [teaching] because it’s our passion,” Ahrens said. “We love children. We want to educate them, but the pay isn’t enough to survive on.”

Port Jefferson Station/Terryville civic association president, Ira Costell and vice president, Carolyn Sagliocca at the May 28 meeting. Photo by Samantha Rutt

By Samantha Rutt

Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association held its monthly meeting at the Comsewogue Public Library on Tuesday, May 28, where members discussed various projects and concerns surrounding the community.

Headlining the meeting, civic president, Ira Costell addressed the current status of the Train Car Park located off Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson Station. 

The park has recently undergone a remodeling project after a car accident displaced the preexisting park. The renovated park will be unveiled July 3 with a celebratory free concert for the community and a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Community members interested can purchase a custom-inscribed brick to be placed in the park. All proceeds will go toward the local chamber of commerce to restore the flagpole damaged from the accident.

Following mention of the Train Car Park project, Costell shared the winners of the civic association’s scholarship — awarded to two Comsewogue High School students who have displayed remarkable community service. The winners will be announced and given their respective scholarships in June.

Concerns addressed

Ongoing concerns in the community also had a place at the table on May 28. Residents and civic members shared disquiet over the few homeless individuals frequently found sleeping near the Train Car Park. 

One resident recalled a woman and a man allegedly engaging in “inappropriate activities” and soliciting money from drivers along the roadway. Costell and civic association vice president, Carolyn Sagliocca, plan to coordinate with the Suffolk County COPE and mental health services to help mitigate this issue.

“We have been communicating extensively with Officer Berry — a Suffolk County COPE officer. Berry just wrote a letter because it’s not only at the Train Car Park, we had an encampment that was right outside the library across the street.” Costell said.

Another concern addressed was that of the proposed Staller development — an ongoing issue in this community. At the last meeting, the civic addressed the Town of Brookhaven in a letter asking for a comprehensive traffic study for the area surrounding the proposed development. [See story “Port Jefferson Station/Terryville civic requests traffic study,” TBR News Media website, May 3.] 

Since the submission of the letter, the civic has not heard from the town or any other respective members. 

“I’m planning on going up to the Town Board at the next meeting to remind them that we would like a seat at the table. We’re entitled — with this kind of development facing us — to have a voice, and we want that heard and respected beyond just the public hearing, for not just that development but multiple developments,” Costell said.

Guest presentations

Irene Michalos and Carol Carter spoke before the civic association about their respective organizations — both seeking to provide a better life for children and families in need.

Michalos heads the Agape Meals for Kids program which provides meals for food-insecure children. 

“There are over 70,000 children on Long Island who are experiencing food insecurity,” Michalos said.

The Agape program provides backpacks with kid-friendly food for children and subsequently delivers the packed bags to partnering school districts each Friday during the school year. 

Contrarily, Carol Carter began her support campaign with a goal to help those experiencing substance use and abuse with a focus on adolescents. Her program, Sunshine Alternative Education & Prevention Center, uses a variety of prevention and education programs to help build drug-free and violence-free communities.

“Erase the stigma. This is something that we need to talk about because everyone has been touched by someone who might have an issue,” Carter shared. “It doesn’t have to be a family member, but a friend who has a problem, maybe related to substance use and abuse.” 

For those in need or interested in more information about these programs visit the websites www.agapemealsforkids.org and sunshinepreventionctr.org.

The next Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association meeting will be held on June 20 at the Comsewogue Public Library.

The Town of Huntington hosted a Wreath Laying Ceremony on May 26 at Veterans Plaza on the front lawn of Town Hall on May 26 in commemoration of Memorial Day.  Wreaths were placed to honor fallen service members from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Women Veterans, and the Middle East; Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. 

The ceremony included live patriotic music featuring the Huntington Men’s Chorus, Veteran Color Guard, a Rifle Salute, Taps played on bugle, and Amazing Grace played with Pipe & Drum.  Gold Star Mother Constance Mangano was in attendance, in memory of her son, New York National Guard Spec. Anthony L. Mangano.  

Photos by Michael Scro/Media Origin

 

 

Martha Stansbury. Photo by Chelsea McKenna,  Finishing Touch

Stony Brook University’s Economic Development Office has named Martha Stansbury director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Stony Brook. It was announced by Peter Donnelly, Associate Vice President for Technology Partnerships, Economic Development. Stansbury has worked with SBDC at Stony Brook as the center administrator since 2017 developing budgets as well as managing operations. She will report to Donnelly in her new role.

Stansbury will oversee a team of eight at SBDC at Stony Brook. The Center is located at the university’s Research and Development Park (Building 17) in Stony Brook, New York.

SBDC at Stony Brook provides free, one-on-one, confidential business advising in areas including business planning, marketing, fiscal management, access to capital and technology transfer. The Center will help  assist entrepreneurs, business and industry leaders to solve  their problems and  increase productivity and profitability.

“Martha will bring a wealth of experience, passion and vision to SBDC at Stony Brook in her new role,” said Donnelly. “Martha’s commitment to community engagement is also evident through her many external roles including as a member of the Women Economic Developers of Long Island serving in the roles as vice president and president. Martha has also been a trustee of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce and was voted in 2020 to her present role as treasurer. Last year, Martha received the Chamber’s Roy Dragoda Award for 15 years of community service with the Chamber and voted as the 2024 Member of the Year for her contributions to the Chamber’s financial management system.”

The New York Small Business Development Center (NY SBDC) comprises 20 campus-based centers and outreach offices (including the SBDC at Stony Brook) across New York State. NY SBDC  is overseen by the State University of New York (SUNY) System Administration. Since 1984, NY SBDC has helped 582,806 state residents. $8.7B has been used so far to start or expand businesses with 263,997 jobs created/saved. It is part of the US Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), which funds the NY SBDC.

“I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the Small Business Development Center at Stony Brook as the New York State-wide network embarks on its 40th year, “ said Stansbury. “Together with the Center’s experienced NYS Certified Business Advisors and support from Economic Development, I will endeavor to increase the economic impact our Center has in the small-to-medium-size enterprise arena throughout Suffolk County.”

Previous to her present position, the East Setauket resident has also served as a management consultant where she provided facility management of Stony Brook University’s Business Incubator and Agriculture Consumer Center. She also served as a business manager for Gallery North; a management consultant,  accounting systems manager for an international LCD distributor ; assistant to the director of development at Boston College; and a Commercial Real Estate Analyst for the Bank of New England. Stansbury  earned her MBA from Fordham Gabelli School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and teaching from Boston College.

Art is in full bloom at the Smithtown Township Arts Council’s Mills Pond Gallery in St. James with its latest exhibit, Flower Power. The unique show, which runs from June 1 to 29, flows through four gallery rooms and the center hall gallery on the first floor of the historic 1838 Greek Revival mansion.

Artists were invited to submit art that reflects the beauty and uniqueness of flowers — whether represented in realism, impressionism or even abstraction — and to celebrate their colors, textures, shapes, and the emotions they evoke.

Using acrylic, fiber, ceramic, colored pencil, gouache, ink, mixed media, mosaic, oil, pastel, torn paper and watercolor, 83 artists from 46 Long Island communities as well as NYC, Ohio and Virginia accepted the challenge to produce a beautiful bouquet of original floral-themed works. 

Exhibiting artists include Alacia Stubbs, Angela Stratton, Ashley Thorbjornsen, Bernice Corbin, Carissa Millett, Carmela Taliercio Cohn, Carol Ceraso, Carolanne Goff, Caryn Coville, Catherine Rezin, Christine Verga Maday, Christine Woodring, Christopher Krauss, Dale Luongo, David Herman, Debra Baker, Dominique Treboux, Donna Corvi, Eileen Baumeister McIntyre, Eileen Shaloum, Ellen Ferrigno, Felecia Montfort, Gabriella Grama, Gretchen Smith, James Kelson, Jan Guarino, Jessica Rybak, Joan Gould, Joanne Teets, John Mansueto, Joseph Weinreb, Joyce Bressler, Judith Caseley, Judith Musaro, Judy Stone, Julie Doczi, Karen McClendon, Kathee Shaff Kelson, Kathleen Bart, Kathleen McArdle, Khrystyne Robillard-Smith, Kyle Blumenthal, Linda Ann Catucci, Linda Hartman, Lisa Stanko, Liz Jorg Masi, Lori Scarlatos, Lou Charnon Deutsch, Lynn Kinsella, Maddy Stare, Marcie Serber, Margaret Farr, Mark Levine, Marsha Abrams, Mary Ann Hart, Mary Kiernan, Mary Lor, Mary Waka, Maureen Ginipro, Maureen Palmieri, Myungja Anna Koh, Patricia A. Morrison, Patricia Blasius, Patricia Luppino, Patti Peterson, Paula Sherman, Peter Galasso, Renee Caine, Rima Potter, Robert Roehrig, Sally Anne Keller, Samantha Kenny, Scott Hartman, Sean Pollock, Sharon Pearsall, Sheniqua Young, Stefani Jarrett, Stephen Shannon, Theodora Zavala, Tianzhao Zhao, Tina Anthony, Tracey Alemaghides, and Veronica Lawlor.

The public is invited to an opening reception for Flower Power on Saturday, June 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work.

The Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in Saint James. Hours of operation are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. (closed June 16). Admission to the gallery is always free. For more information, call 631-862-6575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

Two Mather Hospital nurses in Port Jefferson were recognized during the recent Nurses Week with DAISY Awards®, a special honor given to extraordinary nurses for the compassionate contributions they make every day going above and beyond expectations in science and sensitivity.

Catherine Castro, BSN, RN-BC received the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. “Catherine sets the stage through role modeling and is an exemplar in establishing a unit where she creates trust, compassion, and mutual respect with her team and members of the interprofessional team. She is easily accessible and is seen caring for patients and rounding on the unit to support the staff and to care for the patients,” according to her nomination by her peers.   

“Catherine works with many disciplines to ensure patient outcomes are not only met, but exceeded, and has an innovative approach to how care is  provided. She collaborated with her team and Justin Stroker, Patient & Customer Experience Director to create a gaming platform to improve medication education on 2 South. She then met with Information Services and Pharmacy to identify the most common medications on 2 South to create quizzes for the patients to test their knowledge of their medications.”

Christopher Albano, BSN, RN received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse. “My recent experience under Chrisopher Albano’s care was not only medically exceptional, but also deeply humanizing during one of the most vulnerable times of my life. Upon my arrival at the Emergency Room with severe abdominal pain, I was anxious and fearful; uncertain of what was happening to me. It was Christopher who first greeted me with a warmth and professionalism that immediately offered comfort. He displayed an extraordinary level of expertise and attentiveness as he quickly assessed my condition,” wrote a patient who nominated him.

“His actions were pivotal when it was discovered that I was in life-threatening heart block, necessitating the urgent placement of a pacemaker. What set Christopher apart was not just his clinical skills, which were undoubtedly exceptional, but his unparalleled compassion and empathy. He made me feel seen, heard, and valued. He provided not just medical care but emotional support, explaining every procedure with patience and ensuring I understood my condition and the necessary interventions. Remarkably, after I was admitted and recovering from the pacemaker procedure, Christopher went above and beyond his duties by visiting me.”

The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award® was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died of complications from an autoimmune disease at the age of 33. During Pat’s hospitalization, his family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided for him and everyone in his family. 

Port Jefferson village trustee candidate Kyle Hill. Photo courtesy Kyle Hill

By Aidan Johnson

Port Jefferson resident Kyle Hill has entered the race for village trustee.

Hill, who announced his bid on June 16, was originally a Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District, but suspended his campaign on Feb. 28, stating, “I will never be able to fully put into words my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the warm reception and excitement I received all across the district.”

After attending graduate school at Stony Brook University, he worked for Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY 2/3) on Capitol Hill. Hill has a background in public policy, with many of his projects extending across the aisle. He is also a volunteer EMT with the Port Jefferson EMS.

He decided to run for trustee after being encouraged to do so by Deputy Mayor Rebecca Kassay in order to “carry on her environmental legacy,” he said.

He stressed flooding as one of his major issues, describing how it is more than just an inconvenience.

“The fire department floods a lot … and it’s wild that we are just letting this happen without a solution coming to the forefront, because if the firehouse is flooded out how can they respond to emergencies, ” Hill said in an interview. 

While Hill was open to considering moving the firehouse, he noted that since the fire station has special district status the village could not tell them to move, and he also stated the importance of acknowledging what the firehouse members wanted.

However, he said that it was important to focus on alleviating the flooding itself, including by preserving open space in the village.

“I think it would be really great if we had a true census on what’s left of open space because if you hardscape everything, the water can’t seep back into the soil — and that’s what causes flooding because the water has no place to go,” Hill said.

Hill is joined by two other candidates, Xena Ugrinsky and Marie Parziale, for the two trustee seats, meaning that two out of the three candidates will be elected. He did not offer an opinion on Parziale as he had not yet met her, but said that he and Ugrinsky had a good working history together as they both worked on the elections task force.

He also advocates for keeping the school district open, adding that it is important for everyone to focus on solutions instead of arguments.

Hill believes that he could give a “young voice perspective” on the board of trustees. 

“I think me being on there would be an important perspective for the future of the village, and just being able to bring folks together and focus on the problems,” he said.

'The Muppet Movie'

Fathom’s Big Screen Classics series continues with the fan-favorite 1979 comedy “The Muppet Movie” returning to select theaters nationwide for its 45th anniversary on June 2 and 3.

Exclusive to the Fathom screenings is an introduction by renowned film historian and critic Leonard Maltin, exploring the lasting legacy of Jim Henson and his beloved creations, which continue to captivate and inspire generations of filmgoers.

They’re irresistible! They’re irrepressible! They’re The Muppets, starring in their first full-length movie! After a fateful meeting with a big-time talent agent in a Southern Swamp, Kermit heads for Hollywood to be a star. Along the way, a cast of lovable Muppet characters, including the dazzling Miss Piggy, the charming Fozzie Bear, and Gonzo the Great, join him to become movie stars, too! Together they rub elbows with some of the biggest names on the silver screen! When the evil Doc Hopper tries to thwart Kermit’s show biz plans and kidnaps Miss Piggy, Kermit rushes to the rescue and falls right into the evil Doc’s trap! Filled with memorable music, this critically acclaimed comedy is a Muppet classic your whole family will enjoy!

In addition to boasting the talents of Muppet mastermind Jim Henson and Frank Oz, the Oscar®-nominated film features appearances by entertainment trailblazers Orson Welles, Mel Brooks, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, Milton Berle, Charles Durning, James Coburn, Bob Hope, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Carol Kane, Elliott Gould, Telly Savalas and John Landis.

Locally the film will be screened at AMC Loews Stony Brook 17 on June 2 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on June 3 at 7 p.m.; Island 16 Cinema de Lux in Holtsville on June 2 at 1 p.m. and June 3 at 7 p.m.; Showcase Cinema de lux Farmingdale on June 1 at 1 p.m. and June 3 at 7 p.m.; Regal UA Farmingdale & IMAX on June 2 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and June 3 at 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com.

See trailer here.

2024 Suffolk County Class A Champions. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

It was the bat of Emily Lopez bat that sparked the Miller Place (No. 3) offense with a two-run homer in the opening inning coupled with some lights-out pitching from Ava Zicchinelli that kept Islip (No. 2) at bay in the Suffolk County Class A championship final Saturday, May 25. Islip answered in the top of the third, but the Panthers plated two more insurance runs to protect a 4-1 lead after six innings of play. 

With Islip’s backs against the wall and down to the last three outs, Zicchinelli kept the Buccaneers on their heels and fanned the final batter for the win at the Martha Avenue sports complex in North Bellport. 

The Panthers will return to Martha Avenue Thursday, May 30, to contest the Long Island championship round where they’ll face the winner of the Wantagh/Seaford game. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at: gofan.co/app/school/NYSPHSAAXI.