On Feb. 7, Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich announced that the Town has relocated the glass recycling bins from the parking lot across from the Three Village Inn in Stony Brook to the Setauket Fire Department at 394 Nicolls Road in East Setauket.
This new location will offer greater convenience for Town of Brookhaven residents to recycle their glass. Only glass bottles and jars are accepted and they do not need to be separated by color. Glass collected from the Town’s twelve drop-off locations is crushed and used to replace sand in construction, saving natural resources and reducing waste.
“This project was completed thanks to the efficient teamwork of both the Setauket Fire Department and the Waste Management Team from the Town of Brookhaven. Thank you to everyone involved in making our community cleaner and greener,” said Councilmember Kornreich. “I encourage everyone to make full use of this resource for the well-being of both our community and the environment.
Other Town of Brookhaven glass recycling bins are located at:
If you have prediabetes, you can take control and reduce your risk of developing diabetes. St. Charles Hospital, 200 Belle Terre Road, Port Jefferson will be conducting a free Diabetes Prevention series starting Tuesday, March 8 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. The program will provide atrained lifestyle coach, CDC approved curriculum and group support during the course of the year. Pre-registration is required by calling 631-853-2928.
Local residents gathered at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge to protest the continuation of the mask mandate in New York schools. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Local residents gathered at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge to protest the continuation of the mask mandate in New York schools. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Local residents gathered at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge to protest the continuation of the mask mandate in New York schools. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Local residents gathered at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge to protest the continuation of the mask mandate in New York schools. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Local residents gathered at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge to protest the continuation of the mask mandate in New York schools. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Local residents gathered at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge to protest the continuation of the mask mandate in New York schools. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Local residents gathered at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge to protest the continuation of the mask mandate in New York schools. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Local residents gathered at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge to protest the continuation of the mask mandate in New York schools. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Local residents gathered at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge to protest the continuation of the mask mandate in New York schools. Photo by Rita J. Egan
The front lawn of the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge was a sea of signs and flags Friday, Feb. 11.
Hundreds of parents took their children out of school to protest the face mask mandate remaining in New York state for school districts after Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) lifted the mandate for public places Feb. 10.
About 1,000 local protesters joined others across New York in cities such as Buffalo, Syracuse, White Plains and more for a statewide sit-out. An online flyer promoting the event encouraged parents to “empower your kids to go to school without a mask and refuse to wear a mask from Feb. 7-Feb. 10.”
During the Hauppauge protest, parents and children held signs that read “Unmask our kids,” “Free the children,” “No masks. We can’t breathe,” and “No one has seen my smile since kindergarten … that was two years ago. Let me smile.” Drivers passing the rally on Route 347, including sanitation men and a postal worker, honked their horns to show solidarity with the protesters.
Adrianne Stanton, of East Northport, said she brought her children, who are in first grade and pre-K, to the rally along with her nieces. All of them held signs that they made themselves.
“We want our children to have a normal childhood, to be able to go to school and to have the memories that we did growing up,” the mother said. “ And, to fight for, as parents, to be able to choose what is best for our kids.”
Casey Austin, of Northport, said one of her daughters told her students aren’t even able to drink water when they’re thirsty and have to wait for water breaks.
“I have five little ones that have been living in this pandemic for the last two years of their lives, and it’s got to change now,” she said. “Three of them suffer from learning delays and speech impediments because they are not allowed to even articulate their words correctly. And it’s time for everyone to wake up and stand up and fight for them — and be done with this.”
Douglas Cerrato, of Kings Park, attended the rally and was one of the speakers. He recently declared his intention to run for the board of education in the Kings Park school district. In a phone interview after the rally, Cerrato said while it has been difficult for his kids to wear the masks, he has found the teachers in Park View Elementary, where his children attend, to be fantastic with working with the students.
Cerrato said it’s important to give parents a choice, adding while more people have been speaking up at school board meetings, some have still been hesitant. The rally was encouraging to Cerrato, who stressed he’s not anti-mask but for choice.
“I think you have a lot of people that were on the fence about being vocal becoming vocal,” he said.
Meet Stella the Cow at Hallockville Museum Farm's Winter on the Farm program.
Photo courtesy of Hallockville Museum Farm
By Tara Mae
Suffolk County families looking to give their children engaging educational opportunities during February break have a number of options from which to choose. Local organizations, such as the Huntington Historical Society, the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, Sweetbriar Nature Center and Hallockville Museum Farm are offering wonderful programs this year.
Huntington Historical Society
The Huntington Historical Society will host a Winter Break Camp for children in grades 2 to 6 on February 22 and February 23 at the David Conklin Farmhouse, 2 High St., Huntington from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn about local history through activities, play and crafts, according to Education Coordinator Ivy Van Wickler.
“During our February camp, kids will participate in a variety of hands-on history activities, including learning traditional weaving techniques on our shaft looms, as well as fun President’s Day crafts and games. The children will have the opportunity to handle historical artifacts, including toys. We will play games and there will be a different craft each day with the focus on the only two sitting presidents [George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt] who visited Huntington,” said Van Wickler.
The cost is $35 per child per day, $30 members. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 18. A snack for the children will be included each day. Masks are mandatory and social distancing will be observed. Call 631-427-7045 ext 404 or visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will offer two winter workshops for children in grades K through 4 on Feb. 21 and 23 from 10 a.m. to noon.
On Feb. 21 children will tap into their inner artists with a workshop titled Portraits & Mixed Media Collage “Selfie.” Partcipants will tour the historic mansion and examine Vanderbilt family portraits. Using the images as inspiration, they will then employ paint, paper, yarn, clay, and other materials to create individual self-portraits, according to Associate Director of Education Beth Laxer-Limmer.
Bulb Botany and Winter Blooms on Feb. 23 will also provide interactive engagement for attendees, encouraging them to familiarize themselves with the grounds and exhibits while studying flora and fauna.
“In the wildlife dioramas, we will discuss what animals eat and how they get their food, then walk around the mansion gardens looking for plants and winter-blooming bulbs and discuss photosynthesis. Children will create a forcing vase out of a repurposed plastic water bottle,” Laxer-Limmer said.
Tickets are $20 per child and all participants must be masked. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org or call 631-854-5579.
Sweetbriar Nature Center
Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown will host Winter Discovery Days from Feb. 21 to Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Designed for children ages 5 to 11, each day of the program incorporates a different natural science theme, with time spent both indoors at the headquarters and barn or outside on the grounds. The activities are curated to encourage awareness and appreciation of the environment.
Meet Turnip the Screech Owl during Winter Discovery Days at Sweebriar. Photo by Veronic Sayers.
“Kids generally don’t spend a lot of time outside in the winter; we help them discover nature in the winter. For the parents, many of whom may not be off of work, we have the kids during school hours,” said Program Coordinator Veronica Sayers .
Featuring 54 acres of garden, woodland, wetland, and field habitats on the Nissequogue River, Sweetbriar’s winter camp facilitates its mission to offer natural science education and native wildlife rehabilitation.
Ambassador animals, which are wild animals who are generally unable to be rereleased into the wild and include owls, squirrels, hedgehogs, etc., will visit with the campers. “The kids will do at least one craft a day. Sometimes we’ll have them interacting with the animals or playing games, doing scavenger hunts and exploring with their senses,” Sayers added.
Children may be registered for one, two, three, four, or all five days of Winter Discovery Days. Masks will be worn indoors. The cost is $75 per day or $325 per week for members; $85 per day or $375 per week for nonmembers. For more information, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org or call 631-979-6344.
Hallockville Museum Farm
Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead a non-profit educational farm, and Farm Hands, a program created to enable hands-on outdoor learning opportunities for young people, have collaborated for Winter on the Farm, a program tailored for children ages 5 to 10 from Feb. 21 to 25 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Through a tour of the farm and experiential learning, the students will learn about Long Island agriculture as it was hundreds of years ago and as it is today.
Situated on 23 acres, nineteen historic houses, outbuildings, and barns are preserved on the land; cows, chickens, and other farm animals reside at Hallockville.
Farm tours will include equipment, outbuildings, and the Hallock Homestead and the Hallock Barn, structures that are more than 250 years old. Camp activities will highlight 19th century farm chores and entertainment, like collecting maple sap for syrup, churning butter, and playing historic instruments and games.
“The age-appropriate activities are based on the children’s abilities and designed to capitalize on the physical and historic resources at the museum farm. Activities will develop an appreciation of farming and local history while creating lasting memories for each camper. Campers will feed the farm animals, collect eggs, and get the farm ready for spring,” said Director and Head Teacher of Farm Hands Jessica de Vera Wells said.
Proof of negative COVID tests will be required prior to arrival on the first day of camp and temperature checks and screening questions will be administered daily. Masks are required for all indoor activities. Prices is $300/week, $75 per day for drop-in if available, $25 discount for additional sibling for full week only. To register, visit www.hallockville.org or call 631-298-5292.
A paper published this week in Immunity, a leading research journal highlighting discoveries in immunology by Cell Press, lays the groundwork to better understand and treat Crohn’s disease, a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Beneficial interactions among intestinal cell types limit the harmful effects of a dysregulated gut microbiota, which is comprised of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. These cell-cell interactions are essential to maintain a healthy gut and dysregulation of this cellular “crosstalk” can predispose the development of IBD.
Pawan Kumar
Led by Pawan Kumar, BVSc, PhD, of the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, the research identified a new role for Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), an immune cell-derived cytokine, in promoting selective epithelial cell development as well as limiting inflammation during colitis.Although drugs that target IL-17A are highly effective against psoriasis, an autoimmune condition, the same drugs result in adverse effects when used to treat the inflammatory responses of Crohn’s. While targeting IL-17A may reduce the pathogenesis of certain inflammatory responses, it is unclear why these treatments had opposing effects in Crohn’s patients. The research team has addressed this underlying question.
“We identified a new role for IL-17A in the intestinal inflammatory process by regulating a type of stem cell (Lgr5+) and progenitor cell function,” said Kumar, Senior Author and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. “We found that IL-17A acts on intestinal stem cells to promote secretory cell lineage commitment. In addition, impaired IL-17A signaling to secretory cells (ATOH1+) exacerbates colitis.
”The research team tested their findings in different murine models. Upon collaborating with Ken Cadwell of New York University, they confirmed their results in human organoids. They found that IL-17A stimulated secretory cell differentiation in cystic human intestinal organoids.“Our data suggest that there is a ‘cross talk’ between immune cells and stem cells that regulates secretory cell lineage commitment and the integrity of the mucosa,” summarizes Kumar.
The authors believe their findings will help further research and lay the groundwork for future clinical studies that investigate the therapeutic potential of IL-17A and/or its downstream effector proteins.This research is supported in part by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, the SUNY Research Foundation and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.
The Town of Smithtown successfully distributed over 2000 at-home Covid test kits to the most vulnerable population within the township. On Wednesday, Feb. 9, Town staff picked up 2,552 test kits from Suffolk County at the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services. On Thursday, Feb. 10, Smithtown Officials delivered approximately 2000 tests to seniors and at-risk individuals within the community, and at the Senior Center. On Monday morning, Feb. 14, the Department of Public Safety orchestrated a distribution event, where residents could collect their at-home tests outside of the Maple Avenue building.
“I’m extremely grateful to our partners in government at Suffolk County for arranging the much needed supply to be distributed to our residents, especially those who need it most. Our community members who are retired or living on a fixed income have certainly felt the cost of inflation, and this pandemic, in ways that have severely reduced quality of life. No one should have to sacrifice nutrition or grocery budgets to purchase PPE like face masks and covid tests. We owe it to our most vulnerable to provide the resources necessary to keep everyone healthy. While I hope the latest wave of the omicron variant was the last peak of Covid-19; these test kits will go a long way towards keeping people safe while cases are on the decline,” said Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.
The At-Home Covid-19 Antigen test kit (made in the USA) which includes two tests per box, were delivered to senior living communities throughout the township, at the Senior Center and at Public Safety. Supervisor Wehrheim’s office worked alongside Legislators Kennedy and Trotta to ensure locations were not replicated with the Legislators drop off locations and distribution events, to maximize the reach. When supplies ran out late on Monday morning at Public Safety, Legislator Robert Trotta generously allotted additional kits for the remaining residents.
Suffolk County will continue to work with the Town of Smithtown to provide additional Covid-19 related resources & PPE supplies for anyone in need. Residents who may be homebound, or are unable to obtain at-home test kits may email the Supervisors office at [email protected] with requests. For additional information on future at-home test kit distribution events within the township, residents can download the Town of Smithtown Mobile App, available for free on Google Play and the App Store.
Did You Know?
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of four (4) free at-home tests through the US Postal Service. You can obtain a free at-home test kit by visiting covidtests.gov or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Tom Caruso spied this female cardinal on a Bittersweet vine during a recent visit to Arthur Kunz County Park in his hometown of Smithtown. He writes, ‘I found the bird sitting on a branch looking at the barren trees around her as if she was reluctantly resigned to the cold, unforgiving months of winter to come. Although the park is small, it has a lot to offer as far as wildlife and scenery.
The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police:
Centereach
■ Harbor Freight on Middle Country Road in Centereach reported the theft of two Predator 1400 generators from the store on Feb. 1. The value of the items was $450 each.
Commack
■ A resident on Huntsman Lane in Commack reported that a catalytic converter was stolen from a 2004 Honda on Feb. 2.
■ A resident on Atlas Way in Commack reported that his car was broken into on Feb. 1 and a ski jacket, ski goggles and speakers were stolen. The value of the items was approximately $850.
■ A resident on Tamarack Street in Commack called police on Feb. 1 to report that his 2020 Acura MDX valued at approximately $40,000 was stolen from the driveway.
■ Three men entered Home Depot on Crooked Hill Road in Commack on Feb. 3 and allegedly stole spools of yellow Rolex wire and white Rolex wire valued at approximately $2350.
■ A resident on Tamarack Street in Commack reported that his 2019 Acura ILX was stolen from his property on Feb. 1. The vehicle was valued at $30,000.
■ A resident on Buhl Lane in Commack reported that a pocketbook was stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked in front of their home on Feb. 1. An unidentified man was seen running away from the driveway.
■ Ulta Beauty on Veterans Highway in Commack reported a shoplifter on Feb. 4. A man allegedly stole women’s perfume valued at approximately $1200.
■ A woman shopping at Shoprite on Garet Place in Commack reported that a man allegedly stole a wallet out of her purse on Jan. 31.
■ A resident on Essex Place in Commack called police on Feb. 2 to report that someone had stolen both license plates off of his car.
■ Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack reported a shoplifter on Jan. 31. A man allegedly stole a Nintendo Switch and a set of earbuds. The total value of the items was $550.
■ Home Depot on Jericho Turnpike in Commack reported that a man allegedly stole approximately $945 worth of electrical wire on Feb. 4.
Dix Hills
■ A resident on Wildwood Drive in Dix Hills reported that various items including clothing and toys were stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Feb. 1.
■ A resident on Truxton Road in Dix Hills called police on Jan. 28 to report a wallet stolen from an unlocked vehicle on their property.
Elwood
■ Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are investigating a robbery that occurred at an Elwood bank on Feb. 4. A man entered TD Bank, located at 1941 Jericho Turnpike, at approximately 3:55 p.m., and verbally demanded money from the teller. The teller complied and the man fled the bank on foot. The man was described as white, wearing a knit cap, dark jacket, light pants and a face covering.
Greenlawn
■ A resident on Jamaica Avenue in Greenlawn called police on Feb. 2 to report that a catalytic converter had been stolen from his 2005 Honda Accord.
Huntington Station
■ Macy’s at the Walt Whitman Mall in Huntington Station called police on Feb. 2 to report that a man allegedly stole a necklace valued at approximately $4100.
■ Management at Walt Whitman Mall reported a man allegedly stole a Caterpillar Skid Steer from the parking lot in the back of the mall on Jan. 31. The loader was valued at approximately $60,000.
■ Target on East Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station called police on Jan. 31 to report that a man allegedly stole two KitchenAid stand mixers valued at approximately $860.
■ Home Depot on New York Ave. in Huntington Station reported a petit larceny on Jan. 29. Two men allegedly stole $965 worth of electrical wire.
Port Jefferson Station
■ Two snowblowers were stolen from the back of a truck parked on South Columbia Street in Port Jefferson Station on Jan. 31. Total value of the items was $600.
■ A petit larceny was reported at Markay’s Wine & Liquor on Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson Station on Feb. 3. A man allegedly stole a bottle of whiskey valued at $35.
Selden
■ Bob’s Stores on Middle Country Road in Selden called police to report a shoplifter on Feb. 4. A man allegedly loaded a shopping cart with items of clothing, stuffed the items into a backpack in a dressing room and walked out of the store. The value of the items was approximately $250.
St. James
■ A resident on Northern Blvd. in St. James reported the theft of tools from his property on Jan. 30. Assorted tools, including a screw gun, drills, and a sawzall were taken with a value of approximately $2500.
Smithtown
■ Two pair of sunglasses valued at $400 were stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked on Hallock Avenue in Smithtown on Jan. 31.
West Hills
■ A resident on Sparrow Lane in West Hills reported that a car pulled up in front of their home at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 and the driver stole assorted mail from their mailbox. A resident on Sheridan Street in West Hills called police at 3:45 p.m. on Feb. 2 to report the same crime.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppersto submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.
When people look back to spring 2020, they remember how the COVID-19 pandemic shut things down. Zoom became a regular form of communication, visits to grandparents were done in a drive-thru fashion and many people anxiously awaited their stimulus checks.
While those checks from the U.S. government were sent, some people needed the money more than others.
Many people lost their jobs, their businesses and their livelihoods. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in February 2020 — just before the pandemic hit the States — unemployment was at 3.5%. Just two months later, as the virus began to spread rapidly, unemployment rates skyrocketed to nearly 15%.
But what many people might not realize is how impacted the local arts were during this time.
We as a society leaned on our first responders out in the trenches. We listened to our elected officials on the news every day hoping to hear something good. We shopped locally to help our business-owning neighbors.
However, something that we all enjoy one way or another — the arts — was shattered and not much was being done to help our local artists, performers and creators.
According to Johns Hopkins University research, as of December 2021, the percentage of job losses at nonprofit arts organizations remained more than three times worse than the average of all nonprofits.
Artists/creatives were — and remain — among the most severely affected segment of the nation’s workforce. The arts are a formidable industry in the U.S. — $919.7 billion (pre-COVID) that supported 5.2 million jobs and represented 4.3% of the nation’s economy.
And now, nearing two years since the 2020 shutdowns, artists on Long Island are voicing how it felt. Many believe that significant relief funding was not given to the arts and related nonprofits despite the impact they have on Long Island’s economy.
Think about it. How many of us love to see a show at the local theater? How many of us hang artwork from nearby artists on our walls? How many of us enjoy live music as we dine at our favorite eateries?
Those people had jobs, too.
Sometimes we forget that the people working after a typical 9-to-5 shift are working, too. What some may call a hobby is a way of life for thousands of people.
We still have a way to go, and unfortunately COVID will haunt us for a very long time in more ways than one. But the next time you’re out to dinner with a friend, drop a tip in the guitar player’s case. Splurge on a drawing from a local artist and support your neighborhood theater.
The arts helped us during the pandemic. We found solace in other people’s creations. Now it’s time to pay back the artists and show them how much they are needed, wanted and loved.
Every year Hoover the Goat at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown picks the winner of the Super Bowl and for the last 4 years he has predicted correctly! This year Hoover chose the Los Angeles Rams — Lets see if he gets it right again! Place your bets!
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