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Alex Sutton died of a heroin/fentanyl overdose on April 8, 2018. That year he was one of nearly 600 people on Long Island whose death was caused by a fatal overdose. This year statistics are no better, in fact Suffolk County has the MOST O.D. deaths of any county in New York State, with more than 500 deaths so far.

Alex’s mother, Carole Trottere, is hosting an event to mark what would have been his 35th birthday by giving out a FREE slice of pizza and a drink at her son’s favorite pizza place, Station Pizza, located at 1099 N. Country Road in Stony Brook on Saturday, Oct. 29 from noon to 5 p.m. The offer is for the first 100 customers. The Suffolk County Police Department will also be present to give out Narcan, with training instruction. Trottere hopes this will help raise awareness of the fentanyl epidemic. And help save lives.

“Every death from overdose affects so many people…parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, and colleagues. It’s like a spider web of grief for those left behind,” said Trottere. “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug to ever hit the streets and is responsible for nearly 70% of nationwide drug deaths. I want to plead with anyone thinking about it to not spin that Roulette wheel. Don’t take a chance. It may sound silly to say that death is permanent, but it’s the truth. There’s no do-over.” For more information call 631-275-5277.

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Frank Melville Memorial Park. Photo by Gene Sprouse

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief

Last week I wrote about the pleasure of getting away, even for a day, and enjoying the foliage season in lower New England. This time I want to wax rhapsodic (well, in a manner of speaking) about the special places we love here in the neighborhood. 

Do you have such a special place? By which, I mean a place you go when you want to enjoy the beauty of the area, where you can sit and relax and let concerns just melt away for a few minutes. Or where you can go to think out troubles peacefully, deciding what to do next. Or maybe, you just want a bucolic walk.

One such location for me is the Frank Melville Memorial Park, not far from 25A and my office in Setauket, but nicely hidden from view. Opened in 1937 as a memorial to Frank Melville Jr., it was the brainchild of his wife, Jennie MacConnell Melville, and his son, Ward Melville. While it is privately owned, the park is open for the pleasure of the public every day from sunrise to sunset.

So who was Frank Melville, you might ask, and how did it happen that a park is dedicated to him?

Frank Melville Jr. started by selling shoes to the residents from his sailboat on a fixed schedule, as he and his family of wife and small children circumnavigated Long Island. Eventually, he founded the Thom McAn brand with J. Franklin McElwain, a New Hampshire shoe manufacturer, exactly one hundred years ago. Their first retail shoe store in New York, selling a few simple styles at a low fixed price, then expanded to hundreds of stores across the US, becoming the largest footwear retailer in the country with 1400 stores. The brand name was eventually bought by Sears 86 years later. 

As they grew wealthy, the Melvilles, who lived in Manhattan, bought a second home for themselves in Old Field, and became increasingly philanthropic, donating local land for community benefit, including what is now the campus for Stony Brook University. And it was Ward Melville, who visualized and created Stony Brook Village in 1941, the first outdoor mall in the country, and to this day, a fun daytime destination.

When I walk through the park, which surrounds the duck pond with leafy and varied greenery now changing colors, I marvel at the generosity and vision of the Melville family in fashioning such a jewel for anyone who wishes to enjoy its paved path, picture postcard views and many benches. It is such a place of respite for those of us who work just around the corner and those who come with their dogs from farther away. 

Dogs are welcome, as long as their owners pick up after them. We sat on one of the benches last Saturday and called out, “Hello, Dog,” to the various pooches as they walked by with their owners. The dogs immediately veered over for a pat, and sometimes the owners lingered for a chat. 

It was quite a social affair on a beautiful fall afternoon for dogs and people.

One of the people we met as we strolled along was Anita Lago, an energetic woman from Stony Brook who discovered the pond and the park eight years ago and has been coming over to enjoy the swans regularly since then. When she was found cleaning out the stray fishing lines and other detritus that might enmesh the fowl, she was offered a pail and a rake by the foundation that oversees the park and invited to be official. And so, she can be found at water’s edge, when she is not at her full-time job, a hard-working volunteer helping to keep the pond clean and the swans and other fowl safe.

The Frank Melville Memorial Park is supported by donations from a grateful public. It’s that kind of place, one that brings out the best in all of us as it gifts to us all year round.

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OH GASTON! Only two more chances to see 'Beauty and the Beast Jr.' at the Engeman Theater. The show closes on Oct. 30. Photo from John W. Engeman Theater

PROGRAMS

Trick or Treat at the Heckscher

Families are invited to celebrate Halloween at the Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington on Oct. 27 to Oct. 30 from noon to 5 p.m. Create a spooktacular art activity, make a haunted Digital Action painting, and take home a festive treat! 380-3230, www.heckscher.org

Haunted House workshop 

Boo! A new kid’s weekend workshop is haunting The Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield, Suite 6 and 9, St. James on Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon. Join Miss Linda in some Halloween fun as she teaches you how to paint this cute haunted house painting just in time for Halloween! $50 per child includes an 11×14″ canvas and art supplies. To register, visit www.theatelieratflowerfield.org. For more info, call 250-9009.

Fall Fishing

Join the staff at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve,581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown for a morning of Fall Fishing on Oct. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Discover the different types of fishing poles, tackle, and bait, and which is best to use in a freshwater pond. View casting demonstrations and a lesson on the different types of fish that make Willow Pond their home. Then stay for some catch and release fishing! Poles, tackle, and bait will be provided. For children ages 6 to 15. Advance reservations required by calling 265-1054.

Haunted Hatchery

Calling all ghosts and goblins, spiders and bones … Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor will host a Halloween event on Oct. 29 from 2 to 5 p.m. Families are welcome to join them for a not-so-scary Haunted Hatchery. Trick-or-Treat your way through their outdoor grounds. Admission fee is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. 516-692-6768, www.cshfishhatchery.org

Trick or Treat Trail

Join the Farmingville Historical Society on Oct. 29 for a Trick or Treat Trail at Farmingville Hills County Park, 503 Horseblock Road, Farmingville from noon to 3 p.m. Come in costume and trick or treat along a trail while learning about the history of candy. Fill your bag with real, full-size candy treats. The entry fee is $12 per trick or treater. Parents are welcome to escort their children without paying. Please note this is not a haunted trail. Rain date is Oct. 30. All Trick or Treaters must pre-register at www.farmingvillehistoricalsociety.org.

Lil Monster Halloween workshop

Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, E. Setauket hosts a Lil Monster Halloween Workshop on Oct. 29 and 30 from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. Make a tye-dye craft, a cookie decorating craft, a lil’ monster or bat craft, and end the day with a tour of the farm with a tractor ride. Come in costume if you like. For ages 3 to 7. $40 per child. To register, call 689-8172.

Halloween Festival and Parade

Community Association of Greater St. James will host a free Halloween Festival & Costume Parade for children ages 2 to 12 at Celebrate Park on Lake Avenue in St. James from noon to 2 p.m. on Oct. 30. 

Storytime Under the Stars

See your favorite Halloween storybooks come to life during Storytime Under the Stars at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport on Oct. 30 from 6 to 7 p.m. Children are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and bring their favorite stuffed animal. $8 per person. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. 

Thankful Thursday at the Vanderbilt

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its Thankful Thursdays series on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. Join them for a family-friendly planetarium show titled Dynamic Earth: Exploring Earth’s Climate Energy followed by a look through a telescope at the night sky (weather permitting). Free but registration is required by visiting www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. For more info, call 854-5579.

Patriots & Poultices

Save the date! Ward Melville Heritage Organization presents a family fun experience at the Thompson House (1709), 91 North Country Road, Setauket on Nov. 5. Can you help Dr. Thompason find clues, elude the British, create authentic cures and escape to Connecticut? Interact with artifacts, explore the history of the American Revolution and the power of medicine while helping Dr. Thompson treat his most ailing patients. Sessions will be held at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. $10 per person, $7 per child 12 and under. Registration is required by calling 751-2244.

THEATER

‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’

John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its children’s theater season with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. through Oct. 30. This Disney love story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the hideous Beast, a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved the curse will end. If he does not learn his lesson before the last enchanted rose petal falls, he and his household of enchanted objects will be doomed for all eternity. All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

FILM

‘Hotel Transylvania’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids series with a screening of Hotel Transylvania on Oct. 30 at noon.  One special weekend, Dracula (Adam Sandler) has invited all his best friends — Frankenstein and his wife, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the Werewolf family, and more — to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis’s (Selena Gomez) 118th birthday. For Dracula catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem but the party really starts when one ordinary guy stumbles into the hotel and changes everything! Rated PG. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children ages 12 and under. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

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Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook volleyball team fought hard in a back-and-forth battle, but ultimately fell to CAA foe Northeastern in five sets in Boston on Oct. 23. The team started out strong, claiming the first set, 26-24. With the match tied at 20-20, the Seawolves and the Huskies engaged in a back-and-forth contest that saw the Seawolves victorious. 

The Huskies took control of the next two sets, with the second set ending in a close finish, 25-21, and the third in a dominating 25-9 win. The Seawolves then bounced back with a gritty effort to take the fourth, 27-25. Stony Brook was unable to keep the momentum rolling as Northeastern secured the final set, 15-9. 

The Seawolves were led offensively by junior outside hitter Leoni Kunz, who tallied a game-high 16 kills, and sophomore outside hitter Erin Garr, who totaled 10. 

“Northeastern does a lot of things to make you uncomfortable and they did that with their serving and tempo today. We were trailing the play too often and that forced us to make decisions under stress. That said, I thought our fight was good and that we bounced back after a tough third and start to the fourth set. We need to make some adjustments tomorrow, but we mostly need to manage the serve-and-pass game better and stop Northeastern from going on runs,” said head coach Kristin Belzung. 

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Metro photo

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Theatre Three will host a holiday food drive on Sunday, Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. Please help those in need during these difficult times. Items will be collected at the Infant Jesus Church food pantry, 110 Hawkins St. (off Myrtle Ave.) in Port Jefferson Village. 

While all non-perishable items are gladly accepted, the pantry is in special need of turkey or grocery store gift cards/vouchers, turkey gravy, stuffing, yams, canned fruit and vegetables, cranberry sauce, juice, coffee, tea, shelf stable milk and butter. Other food and personal care items in short supply include cereal, complete pancake mix, pancake syrup, oil, Maseca corn flour, healthy snacks, shampoo, conditioner and baby wipes. Cash is also gratefully accepted.

For more information, please call 631-938-6464.

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Photo courtesy of HHS

Old Burying Ground tour

Join the Huntington Historical Society for an Old Burying Ground walking tour oOldn Saturday, Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. Established soon after the Town’s 1653 founding, Huntington’s earliest public burying ground features stunning folk art and beautiful epitaphs honoring Huntington’s residents and rich history. Tour begins at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St., Huntington. Tickets are $15 adults, $5 children. For reservations, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

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Pixabay photo

The St. James R.C. Church’s Parish Bereavement Ministry, 429 Route 25A, East Setauket offers a free peer support group for adults who are grieving the loss of a loved one. In order to participate, your loss must have occurred prior to July 1, 2022. This group is non-loss-specific and is open to men and women of all faith traditions. Meetings will be held on Saturday mornings this Fall; exact dates to be determined based on group needs. As seating is limited, registration is required. For additional information and to register, call the rectory office at: 631-941-4141 x 341 and leave a message.

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Shoreham-Wading River quarterback Dylan Zahn plows his way through a hole dragging a defender. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai wide receiver Shea Mullahey on kickoff return. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai wide receiver Shea Mullahey shakes off a defender. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai wide receiver Drew Feinstein makes the catch. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai quarterback Jaden Rotella powers his way upfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai senior running back Brett Spallina turns upfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Friday night. Photo by Bill Landon
Friday night. Photo by Bill Landon
Timeout: Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Timeout: Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai wide receiver Drew Feinstein goes up for the pass. Photo by Bill Landon
Timeout: Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River wide receiver Michael Casey makes the sideline catch, keeping his feet inbounds. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcat cheer. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai quarterback Jaden Rotella breaks free. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai wide receiver Shea Mullahey jets upfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai quarterback Jaden Rotella fires over the middle. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River wide receiver Liam Kershis looks for an opening. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River wide receiver Liam Kershis sprints to the endzone for the score. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai quarterback Jaden Rotella fires over the middle. Photo by Bill Landon
Timeout: Wildcats. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai wide receiver Shea Mullahey eludes a defender. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Ryan Herr in on the tackle. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai quarterback Jaden Rotella takes the snap for the point after kick. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River wide receiver Liam Kershis finds the endzone. Photo by Bill Landon
Mt. Sinai wide receiver Drew Feinstein makes the catch. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River quarterback Dylan Zahn follows the lead block. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River wide receiver Liam Kershis finds the endzone. Photo by Bill Landon

After a deadlocked score at halftime, the Shoreham-Wading River Wildcats rattled off three unanswered scores in the third quarter, surging ahead at home against the Mustangs of Mount Sinai on Friday, Oct. 21. 

Senior quarterback Dylan Zahn hit wide receiver Kieran Clifford on a 63-yard pass for the touchdown at the 8:27 mark. Zahn then connected with Liam Kershis for the 33-yard play that went the distance for the score six minutes later. 

With 0:17 left in the quarter, Kershis punched in on short yardage to put the Wildcats out front 38-17. Shoreham-Wading River kicker Sean Palmer was perfect on the night, splitting the uprights seven times, one of which was a 24-yard field goal attempt. 

Mount Sinai senior running back Jake Spallina answered back, finding the endzone on short yardage to cut the deficit to 38-23 with eight minutes left. Kershis, who rushed for 121 yards on 14 carries, broke free, covering 27 yards for the score to put his team ahead 45-23 with 3 minutes left in regulation. 

Mount Sinai senior quarterback Jaden Rotella threw deep to wide receiver Drew Feinstein for a 73-yard pass for the score. Feinstein then capped off the drive by running it in on the two-point conversion to trail 45-31, which was the final score. 

Zahn completed 22 of 30 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns. 

The win lifts the Wildcats to 4-3 on the season, with postseason play kicking off Friday, Nov. 4.

— Photos by Bill Landon

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Pictured from left, Tasha Boehm, Lois Reboli, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Ned Puchner, and Alex Badalamenti Photo from Assemblyman Engelebright's office

New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright recently presented the Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook and Gallery North in Setauket with grant funding obtained through the New York State Assembly Community Capital Assistance Program. 

Pictured from left, Tasha Boehm, Lois Reboli, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Ned Puchner, and Alex Badalamenti. Photo from Assemblyman Engelebright’s office

Through the efforts of Assemblyman Englebright and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, these two cultural art centers will each receive $150,000 from this funding program to support their organization’s infrastructure improvement projects.

“I am proud to have nominated both Gallery North and the Reboli Center to receive these grant funds,” said Assemblyman Englebright. “Investment into our cultural art centers is essential to cultivating a deeper sense of place and setting our community apart — attracting people to its uniqueness. Artwork helps express a community’s values and creates an elevated sense of awareness for community members and visitors. I would like to thank both organizations for their tremendous work uplifting local artists and empowering our community through art and creativity.”

The two organizations plan to utilize their respective grant funding to maintain, improve and expand their buildings’ public viewing space and areas where educational programing and the actual creation of art occur. The competition of these projects will provide an enhanced experience for families, children and community residents. 

As staples in the community, the Reboli Center and Gallery North host many arts-centered events and programs throughout the year that are available for the public to attend. For more information about these organizations and to learn about upcoming events, visit www.gallerynorth.org and www.rebolicenter.org.

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#12 Quarterback Charlie McKee led to the team to victory on Saturday. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook football team used a dramatic second half comeback to defeat Maine, 28-27, and secured a win on Homecoming, Oct. 22. The Seawolves were led by freshman quarterback Charlie McKee who helped Stony Brook outscore Maine, 21-7, in the second half en route to victory.

The team open the second half by forcing a three and out. On the ensuing drive, the Seawolves marched right down the field and McKee found redshirt sophomore wide receiver RJ Lamarre for a 10-yard touchdown pitch and catch to cut Maine’s lead to 20-14.

#12 Quarterback Charlie McKee led to the team to victory on Saturday. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

The Black Bears responded by punching right back with a touchdown of their own as Elijah Barnwell found the end zone from 12 yards out to put Maine ahead once again by two scores, 27-14. From that point forward, Stony Brook closed the door and went on to score 14 unanswered points to secure the 28-27 win.

After Maine’s score in the third quarter, the Seawolves put together an 11-play, 75-yard drive to punch in their third touchdown of the night. The drive was capped off by McKee finding redshirt junior tight end Tyler Devera from a yard out to make it 27-21.

Stony Brook was knocking on the door, with the momentum shifting in the favor of Long Island’s team following Devera’s touchdown. The Seawolves seized full momentum in the game when they picked up a crucial fourth down stop with 8:32 to play in the contest.

Redshirt junior defensive back Shamel Lazarus and graduate linebacker Reidgee Dimanche stuffed Maine’s Kobay White who caught a pass near the line of scrimmage, the Stony Brook duo blew up the play in the backfield and forced a turnover on downs.

McKee led the Seawolves’ offense right down the field as he orchestrated a seven-play, 68-yard drive that resulted in graduate wide receiver Khalil Newton hauling in what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with a miraculous seven-yard touchdown catch.

Maine had one last crack at it, but the Seawolves’ defense stood strong as they forced Cole Baker to miss what would have been the go-ahead field goal from 46 yards out.

The team is back on the gridiron on Oct. 29, when they travel up north to face UAlbany in the battle for the Golden Apple. 

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