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METRO photo

By Heidi Sutton

Easter is right around the corner! Celebrate early at one of the following pancake breakfasts with a visit from the Easter Bunny. Don’t forget your camera!

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Selden Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary & Jr. Company will be hosting their annual breakfast with the Easter Bunny, at Engine #1, 44 Woodmere Place, Selden from 8 a.m. to noon with pancakes, raffles to win some Easter Basket goodies, and pictures with the Easter Bunny. $12 per person at the door. Children under the age of 3 are free. 631-732-1234

Pancakes with the Easter Bunny

Mt. Sinai Fire Department Company 1, 746 Mt. Sinai Coram Road, Mt. Sinai hosts its 15th annual Pancakes with the Easter Bunny from 8 a.m. to noon. Come out and eat some pancakes, see the Easter Bunny and take a chance on a raffle. Admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children, children under age 4 are free at the door. For more information, call 631-530-3820.

Pancake Breakfast w/Easter Bunny

The Polish American Independent Ladies Auxiliary presents a Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Polish American Independent Club, 35 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station with seatings at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Enjoy pancakes, sausage and fruit served with orange juice, coffee and tea, free photo booth and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny! Tickets are $20 adults, $10 children ages 6 to 17, $2 ages 5 and under at the door. Call 516-383-3456 for more information.

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Kellie Wehrheim of Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve. Photo from Town of Smithtown
A bat house. Photo from Town of Smithtown
An owl house. Photo from Town of Smithtown
A bird house. Photo from Town of Smithtown

Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve in Commack has launched an inspiring new project to support local wildlife and ecosystem health throughout the Town of Smithtown’s parks and beaches.

With a deep commitment to conservation and environmental education, the preserve has introduced 26 handcrafted wooden homes for bluebirds, wrens, bats, and Eastern screech owls, all designed and built by Hoyt Farm Groundskeeper, Kellie Wehrheim.

“Kellie has always had a deep love for birds and wildlife, and her fearless nature when it comes to caring for and protecting them is truly inspiring. From a young age, she’s never hesitated to lend a hand to an animal in need, and today, that same tenacity and work ethic shines through in her work at Hoyt Farm. Her commitment to conservation and stewardship—especially in creating safe habitats for native birds and bats that play a crucial role in our ecosystem—makes me incredibly proud. Smithtown is lucky to have her making such a meaningful impact, and as her dad, I couldn’t be prouder.,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

The initiative aims to provide safe nesting habitats while also encouraging public engagement with nature. The newly constructed homes include six bluebird boxes, six wren boxes, six screech owl boxes, and eight bat houses. These boxes will be installed at optimal locations and heights within Smithtown’s parks and beaches, ensuring they benefit local wildlife populations.

“This project is not only about providing a safe habitat for our native wildlife but also about promoting education and environmental awareness… Each box will be clearly labeled to identify which species it was designed for. We hope this initiative inspires the residents of Smithtown to get outdoors, explore nature, and share in our mission to protect the wildlife that lives among us,” added Hoyt Farm Preserve Manager Jeff Gurmin and Park Interpretive Specialist Sheryl Brook.

The Importance of Supporting Native Wildlife

Providing safe, dedicated spaces for these species has a lasting environmental impact:

  • Birdhouses help birds thrive by offering protection and nesting opportunities. In return, birds contribute to weed and insect control, pollination, soil fertilization, seed dispersal, and biodiversity.
  • Bat houses provide critical roosting and breeding sites, helping declining bat populations while offering natural mosquito and pest control, reducing the need for pesticides.
  • Screech owl boxes provide safe nesting spots for these nocturnal predators, supporting natural rodent and insect control and encouraging local biodiversity.

Beyond their ecological benefits, these bird and bat houses serve as an educational tool—offering a unique opportunity for residents, students, and nature enthusiasts to observe and learn about native wildlife up close.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to keep an eye out for these beautifully crafted homes at Smithtown parks and beaches. Whether taking a stroll at Hoyt Farm, Paul T. Given Park, or the Nissequogue River Headwaters, nature lovers will soon spot these new additions, offering shelter to local birds, bats, and owls.

This initiative reflects the Town of Smithtown’s continued dedication to environmental stewardship, ensuring that our wildlife, parks, and natural habitats thrive for generations to come.

Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve is located at 200 New Highway, Commack.

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Stony Brook Biomedical Engineer Gábor Balázsi, PhD. Photo by Lynn Spinnato

Gábor Balázsi, PhD, the Henry Laufer Professor of Physical and Quantitative Biology in the Laufer Center at Stony Brook University, has been named a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE).

Balázsi took part in a formal induction ceremony in Arlington, Virginia, on March 31, for AIMBE’s 2025 Class of College Fellows, which includes 171 leading international scientists.

AIMBE Fellows are among the most distinguished medical and biological engineers. Fellows include four Nobel Prize laureates and 27 Presidential Medal of Science and/or Technology and Innovation awardees. Additionally, 233 Fellows have been inducted to the National Academy of Engineering, 120 into to the National Academy of Medicine, and 51 inducted to the National Academy of Sciences.

Balázsi, also a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and an affiliate member of the Stony Brook University Cancer Center, was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and members of the AIMBE College of Fellows “for pioneering contributions to apply engineering principles to design protein-level tuning synthetic gene circuits, and to identify mechanisms for their evolution.”

A professor and researcher at Stony Brook since 2014, Balázsi’s work centers on developing and evolving synthetic gene circuits. The core of the research is to enable a predictive, quantitative understanding and control of biological processes such as cellular decision-making and the survival and evolution of cell populations, such as in metastatic progression and chemoresistance in cancer.

His findings have led to published papers in approximately 50 journals, including Nature Communications, Nature Chemical Biology, PNAS, Cell, and Cell Chemical Biology.

The East Setauket resident is a member of the American Physical Society, the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 

AIMBE’s College of Fellows is comprised of almost 3,000 individuals who have made significant contributions to the medical and biological engineering community in academia, industry, government, and education that have transformed the world. Most AIMBE Fellows are from the United States but many hail from all over the word and represent more than 30 countries.

 

 

 

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This year’s distinguished honoree is Julia Poli Pecora.

The Daniel Gale Foundation, the philanthropic division of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, will be holding its Third Annual Outing on Monday, June 9 at the Huntington Country Club. The outing will offer a day of golf, tennis, and pickleball in support of the Foundation’s mission to benefit charitable causes across Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, the North Fork and the Hamptons. Last year’s event achieved 110 percent of its goal, with more than $110,000 earmarked for multiple Long Island charitable organizations. 

This year’s distinguished honoree is Julia Poli Pecora, a Huntington native and Vice President of Partnerships at UBS Arena and the New York Islanders. Now in her sixth season with the team, Julia has played a pivotal role in the franchise, leading numerous revenue generating sales efforts. Julia’s work, which was pivotal to the successful opening of UBS Arena in November of 2021, continues to greatly benefit the organization. Most notably, Julia recently secured a long-term partnership with JetBlue Airways. 

A seasoned sports industry executive with 17 years of experience, Julia has held key roles  as an executive with the National Football League, Under Armour, and FOX Sports prior to joining the NY Islanders. 

“With heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors and attendees who made our first two events a success, we anticipate another opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our neighbors in need,” said Deirdre O’Connell, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty Chief Executive Officer and President of the Daniel Gale Foundation. “Our commitment remains steadfast – to support the communities we serve across Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island.” 

Co-chairing this year’s event for the Daniel Gale Foundation are two of its board members, Melissa Stark, Sales Manager for Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty’s Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington and Northport offices and Abby Sheeline, Senior Media & Communications Strategist in the corporate office. 

To register for or to sponsor the outing please visit 3rd Annual Daniel Gale Foundation Golf Outing.  

About the Daniel Gale Foundation

The Daniel Gale Foundation was established in 2022 as part of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty’s celebration of its centennial year. Charitable donations and community outreach have been integral to the fabric of the Daniel Gale organization throughout its history through donations totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours.

As its sphere of influence has grown, so has the reach of its community giveback. The Foundation was formed to consolidate and organize the considerable charitable giving and outreach efforts of the organization’s management, staff and real estate advisors to make an even greater impact. In the three years since its formation, the Foundation has donated the equivalent of 150,000 meals to Island Harvest and City Harvest food banks during Hunger Action Month®, supported Pink Aid in its fight against breast cancer, and raised more than $300,000 for local charitable organizations from Brooklyn to the North Fork and the Hamptons.

To learn more about the Daniel Gale Foundation or make a donation, please visit www.danielgalefoundation.org.

 

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Kings Park Central School District's Superintendent’s Council visited Smithtown Town Hall on April 2. Photo from Town of Smithtown

On April 2nd, student leaders from RJO Intermediate School, in the Kings Park Central School District’s Superintendent’s Council visited Smithtown Town Hall for a unique, behind-the-scenes look at how local government serves the community.

Accompanied by Superintendent Dr. Timothy Eagan and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Cartisano, the students were welcomed by Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim and representatives from several Town departments for a special presentation on the inner workings of municipal government.

The Superintendent’s Council is composed of student leaders in grades 4 through 12 from R.J.O. Intermediate School, William T. Rogers Middle School, and Kings Park High School. Throughout the school year, the council meets monthly to explore leadership, service, and civic engagement. This year, the students focused on gaining a deeper understanding of local government functions and community service.

Kings Park Central School District’s Superintendent’s Council visited Smithtown Town Hall on April 2. Photo from Town of Smithtown

“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome such a fantastic group of students from Kings Park to Town Hall. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and thoughtful questions truly impressed all of us. This is a remarkable group of young leaders, and it was inspiring to see their genuine interest in how local government works and serves the community. I want to sincerely thank Superintendent Dr. Timothy Eagan and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ralph Cartisano for encouraging these future leaders to engage in public service and civic education. We’re proud to support programs like this that help shape tomorrow’s community leaders,” said Supervisor Wehrheim.

The students participated in presentations from five Town of Smithtown departments, each offering a detailed look at the services they provide and their impact on the community. Presenters included: Simone Freeman, Assistant Town Attorney; David Barnes, Director, Department of Environment and Waterways (DEW);  Peter Hans, Director, Planning and Engineering; Liam Trotta, Environmental Planner; Bill White, Director, Building Department; Leigh Wixson, Director, Smithtown Animal Shelter; and Denise Vibal, Animal Control Officer.

Each speaker offered valuable insight into their department’s role and responsibilities, shared advice for students interested in public service careers, and discussed academic pathways, internships, and volunteer opportunities within the Town.

Kings Park Central School District’s Superintendent’s Council visited Smithtown Town Hall on April 2. Photo from Town of Smithtown

“Our instructional theme this year in Kings Park is, ‘Learning and Preparing for My Future.’ I was both delighted and thankful that our student-leaders had the opportunity to learn about the functions of various town departments and future employment and/or volunteer opportunities. It is my hope that Kings Park’s best and brightest youth remain informed and committed to our town’s future. A special thank you to Supervisor Wehrheim and his staff for making this special event happen!” said Dr. Tim Eagan, Superintendent, Kings Park Central School District

Students who participated are members of the Superintendent’s Council, a group of student leaders in grades 4-12 who meet monthly over the school year. Every fall, two students are nominated to join the council by their peers in 4th grade, and they continue their participation through graduation. The students provide essential insight and a perspective on a wide range of topics. This year, the group focused on learning about local government, specifically the various town departments and their functions. In preparation for their visit to Town Hall, the students performed some internet research on specific departments and then shared what they found with the rest of the group.

The Town of Smithtown looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Kings Park Central School District and encourages students to remain active participants in their community’s future.

 

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From left, Suffolk County Police Officer Matt Spilotros, Eagle Scout Alexander Tafone and Leg. Rob Trotta. Photo courtesy of Leg. Trotta's office

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta attended the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Troop 539’s Alexander Jude Tafone on April 6 at Travis Hall at St. Joseph’s Church in Kings Park.

For his community service project, Alex organized a 5K Fun Run/Walk to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. Approximately 150 people participated in the event and Alex was able to donate over $10,000 to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

“This is a wonderful honor for Alex, and he certainly earned it. I know his parents, family, friends, troop leaders and fellow scouts must be extremely proud of him. What is so special about this award is that you obtained it while still a teenager. This recognition will stay with you for the rest of your life,” said Legislator Trotta.

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Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta and his honoree Susan Benjes. Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Legislature

In 2019, the Suffolk County Legislature passed a resolution requesting each Legislator to select an “Irish American Person of Distinction” who resides in his or her district to be honored at the Irish American Heritage Celebration in Hauppauge during the month of March.

On March 26, a celebration was held at the Dennison Building in Hauppauge to recognize each legislator’s honoree. Several Irish singers and the Suffolk County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band entertained the honorees and their families, as well as various county officials.

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (D-Setauket) named Susan Benjes, a resident of Kings Park, as Irish American of Distinction for the County’s 13th Legislative District.

Benjes is a proud Irish American as her grandfather came to the United States for a better life and eventually found one in Kings Park. She grew up in Kings Park and graduated from Kings Park High School. She worked at Kings Park Psychiatric Hospital and earned a nursing degree. She transferred to Pilgram State Hospital where she worked until her retirement. She was honored to be this year’s Grand Marshal.

Legislator Trotta said, “I have known Sue for years and she is so involved in the community – volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul’s Food Pantry at St. Joseph’s Church in Kings Park, organizing class reunions, collecting donations for people in need and serving on the Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.”

 

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Ribbon cutting at CVC on April 4, 2025.
Ribbon cutting at CVC on April 4, 2025.

The Crime Victims Center, CVC,  announced the official opening of its Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) and Rape Crisis Response Training Program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their Ronkonkoma training site on April 4. This groundbreaking initiative brings renewed hope and vital essential resources to Suffolk County and the surrounding region, addressing  a critical gap in care for sexual assault survivors caused by a lack of trained forensic examiners. 

The event was attended and supported by Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Deputy County  Executive Dr. Sylvia A. Diaz, PhD, LMSW, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina,  NYS Senators Monica R. Martinez and Dean Murray, Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy,  Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy, Suffolk County Legislators Jim Mazzarella and Jason A.  Richberg, along with representatives from the Suffolk County Police Department, and Sheriff’s Office.  Additional support came from federal, state, and county lawmakers with staff in attendance, including  US Senator Charles E. Schumer, US Congressman Nick Lalota, NYS Senator Alexis Weik,  Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, and Suffolk Legislators Sam Gonzalez, Chad Lennon, and Nick Caracappa.  

The unveiling of the training site marks a significant step forward in building capacity in Suffolk  County and the region. The CVC SAFE Program offers specialized training for medical professionals,  ensuring that sexual assault survivors receive timely medical, forensic, and trauma-informed care. The  Program is approved by the International Association of Forensic Nursing (IAFN) – an accredited  approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Commission on accreditation. 

The launch of the SAFE Training Program demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the CVC,  policymakers, lawmakers, and community stakeholders to advocate for survivors, provide  compassionate care, and drive systemic change in responding to sexual violence. The first training  starts on April 7, 2025.  

For more information about the SAFE Training Program or to join CVC’s mission to support survivors,  please contact (631) 689-2672. 

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The CVC is a NYS DOH Certified Rape Crisis Program, and NYS Office of Children and Family  Services (OCFS) Domestic Violence Services Provider and SCPD’s Crime Victims Center, providing  trauma-informed support and services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, human  trafficking, and all victims of violent crime.  

Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, and every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. Sadly, 70%  of sexual assaults are not reported to the police. Join us in our efforts to raise awareness during SAAM.



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METRO photo

To mark National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, AAA Northeast is urging drivers to ditch the distractions to help combat the staggering number of distracted driving fatalities in the United States.

In 2022, 3,308 people were killed and 289,310 people were injured in U.S. traffic crashes involving a distracted driver, according to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The number of fatal crashes involving distraction (3,047) accounted for 8% of all fatal traffic crashes (39,221) in 2022.

In New York, between 2020 and 2024, there were more than 441,000 crashes involving a distracted driver, according to state crash data. Over 115,000 of the crashes resulted in an injury and nearly 600 were fatal.

NHTSA reports cellphone use — including texting, talking and social media use — is the most common form of distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

AAA research shows 93% of drivers surveyed in a recent study perceive texting, emailing and reading on a cellphone as extremely or very dangerous. However, many drivers still acknowledged engaging in the following risky behaviors in the prior 30 days:

  • Typing or sending a text or email: 27%
  • Reading a text or email: 37%
  • Holding and talking on a cellphone: 36%

“Any activity that takes your eyes off the road is a potential distraction and increases your risk of a crash,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “It’s imperative to give driving your full attention and ditch the distractions — because it could save a life.”

For teen drivers, AAA research has found talking or attending to other passengers in the vehicle is a top contributor to crashes.

AAA offers the following tips to keep drivers alert:

  • Avoid texting, emailing or scrolling through apps while driving, put your cellphone in the glove box, back seat or trunk of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.
  • If you need to send a text immediately, pull over and park your car in a safe location.
  • Designate your passenger as your “designated texter” to respond to calls or messages.
  • If your driver is texting or otherwise distracted, call out their behavior. Remind them it’s unsafe and encourage them to focus on the road.

AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 6.5 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.

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Photo courtesy of PSEG Long Island

April is National Safe Digging Month, and PSEG Long Island reminds customers, contractors and excavators that the law requires them to call 811 before digging to ensure underground pipelines, conduits, wires and cables are properly marked out.

Striking an underground electrical line can cause serious injury and outages, resulting in repair costs and fines. Every digging project, even planting a tree or building a deck, requires a call to 811. The call is free and the mark-out service is free. The call must be made whether the job is being performed by a professional or a do-it-yourselfer.

“April’s warmer temperatures mark the time of year when people on Long Island and in the Rockaways begin outdoor improvements to their homes and businesses. Calling 811 ahead of time is essential for protecting underground utility lines and, most importantly, the safety of anyone digging,” said Michael Sullivan, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Electric Operations. “We thank customers for heeding our message. Last year there were nearly 195,000 mark-out requests in our service area, and so far this year, there have been more than 40,000 requests to 811.”

According to Common Ground Alliance, a member-driven association of nearly 1,800 individuals and 250 member companies in every facet of the underground utility industry, 40% of active diggers in North America do not call 811 because they think their project is too shallow to require it. All digging projects require a call to 811.

A free call to 811 in the service area automatically connects the caller to the local New York one-call center, which collects information about digging projects. The one-call center then provides the information to the utility companies, which send representatives to mark the locations of nearby underground lines with flags, paint or both. Once lines have been properly marked and confirmation from all of the utility owners is received, projects may proceed as long as caution is used around the marked areas.

Here’s important information to consider:

  • Underground gas and electric lines are everywhere, even on private properties. These facilities can be easily damaged if dug into, with the potential to cause serious injuries. Digging into these lines can also disrupt vital utility services, resulting in costly delays, expensive repairs and environmental or property damage.
  • Whether the job is a major home improvement project or something as simple as a fence or mailbox post, a call to 811 must be placed beforehand to determine where it’s safe to dig.
  • Call 811 at least two business days before the commencement of each job to have underground pipes, wires and equipment located. Each facility owner must respond by providing the excavator with a positive confirmation indicating that marks are in place where utility lines are buried or that there are no existing facilities in the area of the proposed work. This service is free of charge.
  • Be sure to wait until all of the utilities have responded. Don’t dig until lines have been marked or you have received confirmation that the area is clear of facilities.
  • Property owners must maintain and respect the marks. Always hand dig within 2 feet of marked lines to find the existing facilities before using mechanized equipment.
  • If gas lines are damaged or there is a gas smell when excavating, call 911 immediately from a safe area.

Calling before you dig is more than a good idea − it’s the law. Additional information, including a booklet on safe excavating practices and the protection of underground facilities, can be found on the PSEG Long Island website.

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