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Prepared by the Russell Family

Amy Hope Russell passed away peacefully Jan. 29, in the comfort of her own home, embraced in the arms of her loving family. She was born 96 years ago, July 19, 1927, on Maiden Lane, Port Jefferson. She had a great love of music, played guitar, piano, keyboard and viola. She played piano for the First United Methodist Church of Port Jefferson.

Amy loved animals, sewing, camping, cooking, gardening and birdwatching. During World War II she took the bus out to Camp Upton to dance with the soldiers and help with their entertainment. She traveled with her husband to Hawaii while he served in the U.S. Navy and she worked in the base offices, where she learned to drive a double clutch.

Amy is predeceased by her husband, Hon. Woodrow Russell USN Ret., sisters Florence Kennedy, Ruth Lucas, Evelyn Lucas, a brother Joseph B. Lucas Jr. and her parents, Joseph B. Lucas Sr. and Maude E. Lucas.

Amy is survived by her five children Darryl B. Russell, Nancy C. Rose, Kathleen L. Cash, Harry W. Russell and Carol A. Russell, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life for Amy Hope Russell will be held on Tuesday, April 16, at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson, with the services as follows:

10 to 11 a.m.: Pastor Chuck Van Houten officiating.

11 a.m. to 12 noon: Light luncheon/refreshments served on site.

12:30 to 1 p.m.: Interment at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Port Jefferson.

2 to 2:30 p.m.: Full military service at Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton.

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Rocky Point varsity cheer team. Photo courtesy RPSD.

The Rocky Point varsity cheerleading team placed first in Small Division II at the Universal Cheer Association National High School Cheerleading Championships on Feb. 9-12 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. 

Throughout the weekend the team competed against over 90 teams. Competing three times with zero deductions in their routine. Rocky Point also won this award in 2020. 

Congratulations to the team members and coaches Samantha Ferrara and Jessica Fleischer, both winning a national championship in their first season. Coach Ferrara was a seventh grader on the Rocky Point varsity team when they won their third national title in 2014 under the tutelage of coach Anna Spallina. She is in an elite group of cheer coaches who have won a national championship as both a cheerleader and a coach.

Winning team members are Ariana Amato, Kaylee Gallino, Abby Rae Hughes, Samantha Morelli, Sophia Musraca, Caiden Palank, Alexis Polaski, Ella Reisinger, Reese Rogers, Alison Rubinetti, Callie Russell, Edie Sternkopf, Adrianna Tavolaro, Ella Velazquez, Avery Ward and Scarlett Ward. 

“This team continually displays tremendous effort and sets high standards for winning,” Rocky Point athletic director Jonathon Rufa said. “The girls began the year knowing that a national championship was possible for Rocky Point and they continued to gain confidence, power and focus throughout the season to achieve one of their championship goals.”

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Newfield’s Farrah Khatoun, Ben Rasmussen and Corey Giles with their Tournament Skills Champion trophy. Photo courtesy MCCSD

The Newfield High School robotics team, the Roverines, recently displayed their skill and dedication at the VEX Over Under Robotics Competition in Farmingdale. The Roverines earned the Tournament Skills Champion trophy while reaching the finals of the tournament. 

Newfield High School principal, Scott Graviano, was duly impressed with the work of the Roverines.

 “Their dedication, hard work and passion displayed were truly inspiring,” Graviano said. “To reach the finals of a tournament as competitive as the VEX Over Under Competition is a testament to the Roverines’ talent and commitment to excellence. We are thrilled to have them represent Newfield High School at the upcoming New York State championship.” 

The Roverines robotics team left no room for doubt about their abilities as they scored an impressive 257 points in the skills portion of the tournament. Their performance earned them the Tournament Skills title and set a new standard for excellence in the competition. The second-place robot trailed behind by 72 points, scoring 185 points. The performance earned the Roverines a well-deserved invitation to the highly prestigious VEX Robotics New York State Championship Tournament, which will take place Sunday, March 3, in Katonah. There, the Roverines will compete against other top-notch teams from across the state. 

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

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Photo from Deposit Photos

By Daniel Dunaief

In a nod to the herd immunity from a combination of illnesses and vaccinations in the population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is widely expected to reduce the recommended number of days of isolation after a positive test to one day from five days.

Even as most of the population has returned to a normal life after the pandemic — toughing through colds with relatively mild symptoms at work and staying home, for the most part, when symptoms become severe — the CDC had urged Americans to remain isolated for five days.

“Covid has diminished as a real threat for the majority of people,” said Dr. Sharon Nachman, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. “The responsiveness between vaccinations and multiple events [such as infections] is reasonable to prevent hospitalization and death in most people.”

In addition, Covid treatments, such as Pfizer’s Paxlovid, have become effective in reducing the severity and duration of symptoms.

The CDC likely couldn’t have provided such guidance a year ago, but, for most people, the consequence of contracting the virus that altered the course of life for people for several years, has been less problematic for their health, doctors said.

Despite ongoing illnesses and symptoms, people have become less likely to test for Covid.

“Insurance companies used to pay for eight per month, but now, people just buy one [test box] at a time,” said Michael DeAngelis, the owner of Village Chemist in Setauket.

Dr. Sunil Dhuper, chief medical officer at Port Jefferson’s St. Charles Hospital, understood the CDC’s decision, with an important warning.

“The rationale behind changing the timing of isolation guidelines is based on looking at the evolving severity of cases,” Dhuper said.

“People who are younger get more mild levels of illness and recover,” he added.

Concerns for the elderly

“The disease is beginning to behave more and more like other respiratory viruses, but we are not there yet,” Dr. Dhuper cautioned, particularly for those who are over 65.

Hospitalization for people who contract Covid is 11.2 per 100,000 for people over 65, compared with 6.9 per 100,000 in the week ending Feb. 10, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The mortality for those over 65 from Covid is higher than for the flu, Dr. Dhuper said.

“We have to be a little cautious, sending a message to the community that you can continue to do what you want to do,” Dr. Dhuper said. “When they are around the elderly” people, particularly those who might have symptoms even if they haven’t been tested, should consider wearing masks or keeping their distance.

The incidence of Covid, among other illnesses, climbed after the December holidays and the start of 2024, as people traveled to visit with family or on vacations. Those numbers have come down, although the upcoming spring break from secondary schools and colleges raises the possibility that illnesses could climb again, doctors predicted.

Be careful of grandkids

While the public may not want to hear it, Dr. Dhuper expected that it might take another five years before Covid reaches a comparable level of potential risk to the elderly as the flu, which could also present a risk to people’s health.

Dr. Dhuper urged those who have symptoms to test themselves for Covid. Even if they don’t isolate themselves for more than 24 hours, they should be cautious around vulnerable groups.

Dr. Dhuper’s advice to grandparents is to “be careful when you’re around your grandkids, because they are like petri dishes, harboring tons of infections.”

While for many people in the community, Covid has become like white noise, it’s still causing medical problems and leading to some hospitalizations, the St. Charles doctor added.

Any change in isolation guidance from the CDC should come with an asterisk that “yes, we are changing the guidelines, but people should still exercise precautions,” Dr. Dhuper said.

Vaccination research

Amid discussions related to vaccines, Dr. Nachman added that several compelling papers have demonstrated that people who are up to date on their vaccines, including flu, are at lower risk for dementia.

The link between vaccinations and overall brain health is unclear, and it is possible that people who receive vaccines also have a lifestyle that reduces the risk of developing dementia.

“We have an aging population in New York, particularly on Long Island,” said Dr. Nachmman. “If we want to keep them healthier longer, getting appropriate medical care, including vaccines, is probably helpful.”

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Fifth graders tested their filtration systems by pouring dirt mixed with water through the top, yielding cleaner water after passing through the filter. Photo courtesy of TVCSD
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Fifth graders tested their filtration systems by pouring dirt mixed with water through the top, yielding cleaner water after passing through the filter. Photo courtesy of TVCSD
Fifth graders tested their filtration systems by pouring dirt mixed with water through the top, yielding cleaner water after passing through the filter. Photo courtesy of TVCSD
Fifth graders tested their filtration systems by pouring dirt mixed with water through the top, yielding cleaner water after passing through the filter. Photo courtesy of TVCSD
Fifth graders tested their filtration systems by pouring dirt mixed with water through the top, yielding cleaner water after passing through the filter. Photo courtesy of TVCSD
Fifth graders tested their filtration systems by pouring dirt mixed with water through the top, yielding cleaner water after passing through the filter. Photo courtesy of TVCSD

Fifth graders at Arrowhead Elementary School turned environmental engineers during a recent science lab with Ms. Lukralle. Students learned about how people can protect earth’s systems and were tasked with building their own water filters.

Students were given several materials to design a filter including a sponge, cotton balls, gravel, rocks, sand and a coffee filter. They examined the materials and noted the properties of each before drawing a diagram of what their filter would look like. Next, they constructed their filters inside of a plastic water bottle.

The fifth graders put their filters to the test by mixing soil and water together, then pouring them over their filtration systems. For many students, cleaner water dripped into a cup underneath, showing the effectiveness of their filters. 

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From left, Jason Furnari, Robbie Torres and Veronica Fox. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from Theatre Three's 'tick, tick...BOOM!' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

By Julianne Mosher

Before there was Rent, playwright Jonathan Larson had a one-man show drafted on several pieces of paper. A semi-autobiographical account of what it is like to be turning 30 and not having it all figured out, Theatre Three’s latest production is a story of friendship, growth and love in the years leading up to a mid-life crisis.

Beautifully directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, tick, tick… BOOM! features just three actors, but all of whom have a combined talent of a full theatrical ensemble. 

Larson, who is famed for creating Rent, tragically died just before the rock opera show’s opening night at age 35. tick, tick… BOOM! is the show Larson created before Rent was even a thought in the young artists’ mind. 

Originally penned in 1990, the initial production for tick, tick… BOOM! was performed by Larson as a solo show, but after his death in 1996, it was revamped by playwright David Auburn as a three-piece ensemble and premiered off-Broadway in 2001. A film adaptation directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and starring Andrew Garfield as Jon was released by Netflix in 2021. Garfield won an Academy Award for his performance.

Based on Larson’s own life, the show starts off with Jon (Robbie Torres), an aspiring composer, who lives in New York City in 1990. Similar to Larson, he had been trying to make a name for himself in theater since the early 80s and he voices worry that he is turning 30 with no solid future in sight. He lives with his childhood friend, Michael (Jason Furnari), who is a marketing executive — and former actor before he “sold out” — in an apartment in SoHo. Susan (Veronica Fox) is Jon’s girlfriend who is a dancer who “teaches ballet to wealthy and untalented children.”

For years, Jon has been workshopping a musical he wrote called Superbia (which was a real unpublished play written by Larson discovered after his death) and he is nervous about how critics might take it. Susan starts to ask Jon if he’s willing to leave the city as she begins to dream of marriage, kids and Cape Cod. Meanwhile Michael knows Jon needs more stability and helps him snag an interview at his marketing firm. We see Jon’s day-to-day working at the Moondance Diner, catering to annoying tourists and customers as he just tries to finish his shift so he can go back home and continue writing.

Throughout the show, we begin to see the changes in his friends lives while Jon continues to feel stagnant as his 30th birthday nears closer and closer. The anxiety he feels penetrates in his chest and mind going “tick, tick… BOOM!.”

In typical Larson fashion, the set, designed by Randall Parsons, is minimal, but shows the grungy aesthetic that these starving artists were living in during the early 1990s. The cast is able to add furniture in certain scenes to give the appearance of different settings, and as a special treat, the band, which at Theatre Three is typically set off to the side, sits on stage with the cast and is part of the show. 

But what stands out the most are the performances of Torres, Furnari and Fox who work together in such harmony that you’d think the parts they are playing are real life. 

A music-heavy show with no intermission, Torres, Furnari and Fox do an excellent job of memorizing the words of Larson whose lyrics tend to be fast-paced and thought-provoking. A hit number of the night that had the audience applauding was “Therapy,” which features Fox and Torres “arguing” as a couple with two separate choruses intertwined together in a fast-paced rhythm. 

During the show’s opening night, the entire audience gave the cast a standing ovation which will undoubtedly happen again and again for all the upcoming shows. Don’t miss this one.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents tick, tick… BOOM! through March 16. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children (ages 5 to 12) and Wednesday matinees. The Mainstage season continues with Murder on the Orient Express from April 6 to May 4, and The Producers from May 18 to June 22. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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George Washington and Martha Custis - Sent from Setauket to Brooklyn on Feb. 1, 1908, to Miss Edith Griffin, age 28. The message, probably from her future mother-in-law Eliza Tyler, said, “Love from Mrs. Tyler.” Eliza’s son, Beverly Swift Tyler married Edith Griffin in 1912. It is interesting that the card featured George Washington and his future wife. Image courtesy of Beverly C. Tyler
President Wilson’s War Message - Sent in East Setauket on Feb. 22, 1919 to Miss Muriel West to celebrate her 18th birthday on Feb. 24, from her Aunt Edna Van Brunt, “Dear Muriel, here is a check to wish you a Happy Birthday & many of them. Love from Aunt Edna”. As the post card is postmarked, the check could not have been included. However, they both lived on Dyer’s Neck in East Setauket within a short walking distance. Image courtesy of Beverly C. Tyler
Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation centennial 1809-1909. The proclamation was issued on Jan. 1, 1863, as America was into the third year of the Civil War. Image courtesy of Beverly C. Tyler
Washington resigning his Commission at Annapolis State Capitol on Dec. 23, 1783. The image is from a color engraving in the Maryland state capitol. Image courtesy of Beverly C. Tyler
Tracing communication milestones from diaries to postcards

By Beverly C. Tyler

Celebrating holidays and other special days was and still is an important milestone in people’s lives. Diaries, journals and letters provide some of the earliest records of seasonal activity and how people connected with each other to mark occasions. In America, before the telephone became a standard household item, family members and friends stayed in touch through the U.S. Postal Service.     

In 1873, a new phenomenon began when the United States Postal Service issued the first penny postcards. During the first six months they sold 60 million. With the postcard, brevity was essential due to the small space provided. Long descriptive phrases and lengthy expressions of affection, which then were commonly used in letter-writing, gave way to short greetings. 

The postcard was an easy and pleasant way to send a message. A postcard sent from one town in the morning or afternoon would usually arrive in a nearby town that afternoon or evening. A postcard sent from another state would not take much longer.

As the telephone became more widely used, the postcard became less and less important as a means of daily communications. However, it provided us with a view of the early years of the twentieth century that became a permanent record of contacts between family members and friends.

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Wend Wellness Chiropractic
Dr. Shane Wend of Wend Wellness Chiropractic. Photo from WMHO

Stony Brook Village is home to a new chiropractic practice. 

Wend Wellness Chiropractic, located at 21 Main Street, opened its doors in January. Led by Dr. Shane Wend, the office offers comprehensive initial evaluations, chiropractic adjustments, free nutrition plans, natural supplementation recommendations for specific issues and pathological implications, fitness plans, and all-natural supplements (Super U), which provides focus, smooth energy, and mental clarity, according to a press release.

Super U is a proprietary blend of nutrients created and tested over 3 years by Dr. Wend. It is available only through Wend Wellness Chiropractic.

A native of Northport and current resident of Head of the Harbor, Dr. Wend developed an early passion for the intricacies of the human body and a genuine desire to enhance people’s well-being and health. He graduated from Saint Anthony’s High School in 2009 and pursued a degree in biology at Stony Brook University. Later, he studied at the Palmer College of Chiropractic and, since 2020, has been practicing chiropractic care while sharing informative tips on nutrition, health, and wellness through his website and social media pages.

Wend Wellness Chiropractic is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. by appointment, closed on Tuesdays and on weekends. For  more information, call 631-485-3643 or visit www.wendwellness.com.

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Greg Philipps

Last week, the Three Village Historical Society (TVHS) celebrated the inauguration of its 2024 board of trustees with a swearing-in ceremony. The event, held on Tuesday, February 13th, marked the official introduction of the newly appointed leadership team.

Bob Lauto

Greg Philipps, assuming the role of president, and Bob Lauto, taking on the position of vice president, were both sworn in during the ceremony. The honor of administering the oath fell to Fred Bryant, a respected longtime member and former trustee of the Society.

Mari Irizarry, Director of the society, expressed enthusiasm for the new trustees, citing their diverse backgrounds and wealth of experience. She underscored their capacity to provide strong leadership and varied perspectives crucial for addressing the significant challenges and opportunities facing the organization in the coming year.

“As we welcome Greg Philipps and Bob Lauto to their respective roles, we are invigorated by the fresh energy and expertise they bring to our board,” remarked Irizarry. “Their appointment enhances our ability to navigate the complex landscape ahead, ensuring that we uphold our commitment to excellence in education and community-based programming.”

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Pictured from left, Medical Staff Vice Chairman John Yu, MD; Emergency Department Medical Director and Medical Staff member board Adam Wos, MD; Medical Staff Secretary/Treasurer Maritza Groth, MD; Medical Director Joseph Ng, MD; Medical Staff President Mohammad Bilal, MD; Executive Director Kevin McGeachy; JTM Foundation Chairman James Danowski; and JTM Foundation Vice Chairman Donald Lippencott. Photo courtesy of Mather Hospital

Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson recently received a $50,000 gift from its medical staff for the construction of a new Emergency Department.

“In making this donation to the Legacy Campaign, the Medical Staff is committed to supporting the future Frey Family Emergency Department, which will provide the surrounding population with a local state-of-the-art facility where the best care can be delivered by active members of the Mather Hospital medical community,” said Mohammad Bilal, MD, President of Mather’s medical staff. 

The new $52 million, 26,000-square-foot Frey Family Emergency Department currently under construction will double the size of the current Emergency Department and will re-envision emergency care for the community. The new design will maximize patient privacy and caregiver support, increase process efficiencies, and incorporate the best practices for patient safety. 

It is scheduled to open in 2025.

Located on the north side of the hospital campus, the new Emergency Department will feature individual private rooms and use a split-flow design that has proven to accelerate treatment and discharge of patients with lower-acuity conditions and speed hospital admissions for patients with higher-acuity conditions. 

The facility will include imaging services including X-ray, ultrasound, and CT technology; isolation rooms for infectious disease control; and a dedicated treatment area for those experiencing a mental health crisis.

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