Note to listeners, this episode contains graphic depictions of events on September 11th, 2001, and one offensive word.
Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-18th L.D.) proudly honored Linda Oristano as the Suffolk County Woman of Distinction for the 18th District, during a celebration luncheon at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on March 4.
A Northport resident for over 20 years, Linda Oristano serves as the Executive Director of the Northport/East Northport Community Drug & Alcohol Task Force. Her dedication to community service and advocacy has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of Long Island’s Top 50 Women, the Humanitarian Award from the Special Olympics, and the Soroptimist Award for Making a Difference for Women.
With extensive experience in counseling, advocacy, mentoring, and education, Oristano has devoted her time to supporting the elderly, individuals facing personal challenges, and those seeking spiritual guidance. She is a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach, a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate, M.A.T. trained, a CASAC-T, an Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and a Credentialed Spiritual Director. Her career spans over 30 years in social services, community service, training, and healthcare.
“Linda’s dedication to improving the lives of so many in our community is truly inspiring. Her work has made a lasting impact on our local families, and she is incredibly deserving of this honor,” said Legislator Bontempi.
By Heidi Sutton
Beginning in May, Long Islanders will have even more options to fly the friendly skies.
Avelo Airlines announced on March 11 that the Houston-based airline will begin offering non-stop flights from Islip’s MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma to Charlotte, North Carolina (Concord-Padgett Regional Airport) beginning May 22; and to Wilmington, North Carolina (Coastal Carolina Wilmington International Airport) beginning June 12 with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays.
The airline also announced that it will offer non-stop flights from MacArthur Airport to Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland, Florida starting June 12 also with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays.
One-way introductory fares start at $59*, according to the press release. Avelo will operate these routes utilizing Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircrafts. Travelers can book at AveloAir.com.
“We are so excited to welcome Avelo Airlines and value their focus on serving smaller, more convenient airports like Islip’s Long Island MacArthur Airport,” said Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter in a statement. “Avelo will fly from hassle-free ISP to other easy airport alternatives in Charlotte, Central Florida, and Wilmington, NC. Long Island residents love the convenience of their hometown airport and now they will enjoy a similar customer experience traveling on Avelo to popular destinations while skipping large airports,” she said.
Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said, “We’re excited to bring our reliable, convenient, and affordable service to New York and Long Island. Traveling to Central Florida, Charlotte and Wilmington will never be easier, convenient or more affordable. We also look forward to welcoming travelers from these three popular destinations to the New York-Long Island region. We are very proud of the presence Avelo has established in the Northeast and we are very excited about the addition of ISP to this important region.”
“We’ve been working hard for several years to bring Avelo to Long Island MacArthur Airport as we felt we met their key criteria of providing a smoother, easier, and more enjoyable air travel experience without the crowds, congestion and long waits at larger airports,” said Long Island MacArthur Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken.
Since taking flight in April 2021, Avelo has flown more than 6.3 million Customers on over 50,000 flights. Today Avelo serves 56 cities spanning 23 states and Puerto Rico, as well as four international destinations: Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
With a motto to Inspire Travel by saving travelers time and money, “Avelo has unlocked a new era of convenience, choice, and competition by flying unserved routes to primarily underserved communities across the country. Most Avelo routes have at least one small, easy to use airport. This makes traveling with Avelo a smoother, easier and more enjoyable experience than contending with the crowds, congestion and long walks at larger airports,” read the release.
In 2024, Avelo ranked #1 in on-time performance and achieved the lowest flight cancellation rate in the U.S. airline industry. The airline offers an abundance of advanced seating options. One third of its aircraft seats (Avelo Premium and Premium Economy) offer extra leg room — ranging from 32 inches to more than 36 inches of pitch.
“Customers can also purchase window and aisle seats in advance of their flight. In addition to advance seat assignments, Avelo offers several unbundled travel-enhancing options that give customers the flexibility to pay only for what they value, including priority boarding, checked bags, carry-on overhead bags, and bringing a pet in the cabin. Additionally, families can travel with ease knowing every child 14 and under will be automatically seated with an accompanying adult at no additional cost,” read the release.
In 2024, Long Island MacArthur Airport, which is already home to Southwest, JetBlue, Breeze Airways and Frontier Airlines, enjoyed significant growth. Through July 2025, ISP seats are scheduled to grow 14% versus 2024, indicating how carriers are investing in ISP and its customers.
“The year 2025 is shaping up to be even better,” said Deputy Airport Commissioner Rob Schneider. “Our terminal, airfield, and team provide a faster and friendlier experience than NYC airports, and we look forward to continuing our work in the year ahead as we extend a warm “Hello!” to Avelo and their customers.”
At the March 4 General Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, Kathy Albrecht, Legislator Rob Trotta’s nominee for the 2025 Woman of Distinction was announced as the person chosen by the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Committee as the overall county wide 2025 Woman of Distinction. Each legislator selects one woman from their district as their Woman of Distinction who is then considered for this overall recognition.
Kathy was recognized for her commitment to and involvement with her family, friends and community. “She has been a role model for her two daughters and other women, as well as an inspiration to all,” said Legislator Rob Trotta.
She grew up in Westbury and then the family moved to Setauket where she graduated from Ward Melville High School. She enlisted in the Army where she served as a helicopter medic from 1980-1984. She met her husband, Dave, a marine, while in the service.
Kathy and Dave have lived in Smithtown for more than 40 years. She is Chief of Staff for New York State Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick and writes a column, Around Smithtown, for The Smithtown News. She is extremely involved in the community volunteering as a Sunday school teacher and director of Hospitality at the Grace Church in Smithtown, serves on the board of the Greater Smithtown Chamber of Commerce and is the treasurer, a trustee with the Smithtown Cemetery Association, a member of the American Legion Post 833, former trustee at the Smithtown Historical Society and active with many other organizations.
“Kathy is an integral member of her community, and she is passionate about the town and the people who live there,” said Legislator Trotta. “In fact, several years ago she donated one of her kidneys to a young woman whom she did not know but read about her need in The Smithtown News and saw it on News 12. Kathy volunteered to be tested as a match and was pleased when she found that she was compatible with the woman. Since that time, she has been an advocate for organ donations,” added Trotta.
She has been recognized by the Smithtown Children’s Foundation with its Courage Award, New York State Medal of Honor for The Gift of Life, named the Times of Smithtown Woman of the Year 2012 and the Smithtown Business & Professional Women’s “Network of Example.”
Legislator Trotta said, “I have known Kathy a long time and she is most deserving of this recognition. She shares her time and talent with many individuals and organizations helping to make the community a great place for all to live and work.”
For the seventh year in a row, a survey of Jefferson’s Ferry residents and their families in South Setauket has affirmed the excellence of the care residents of the Life Plan Community’s skilled nursing care receive. Their feedback places Jefferson’s Ferry’s Vincent Bove Health Center among the top 15% in the nation, providing “Best in Class” service to its residents. In recognition of this distinction, Jefferson’s Ferry received the Activated Insights Customer Experience Award (formerly Pinnacle Quality Insight) for outstanding resident satisfaction and overall achievement in skilled nursing care.
The Activated Insights Award process closely examined skilled nursing care at the Health Center over a 12-month period of study by surveying residents and their families about the quality of 14 target areas: Nursing care, activities, dining services/food quality, cleanliness, laundry services, therapy services, response to problems, dignity and respect, individual needs, would they recommend to others, the overall customer experience, and satisfaction by residents or family members.
“Since Jefferson’s Ferry opened its doors nearly 25 years ago as Long Island’s first Life Plan Retirement Community, we have upheld the highest standards to deliver extraordinary care,” said Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield. “The Activated Insights Award affirms the outstanding work that our staff performs on a daily basis and is a vote of confidence that all of us take very seriously. Our goal is always to provide residents with the peace of mind to live their best life here. We are deeply grateful to our residents and their families for their trust and support. It’s the people who live and work here that make Jefferson’s Ferry such a special and vibrant community.”
The survey sampling of Vincent Bove Health Center residents and their families is conducted by monthly telephone interviews that ask the participants open-ended questions to rate their experiences in each specific category. Jefferson’s Ferry staff receive that feedback each month to gain a better understanding of emerging resident needs and make improvements when necessary.
“With its basis in direct feedback from our residents and their loved ones, the Activated Insights Award is especially meaningful to our caregivers and other staff,” explained Anthony Comerford, Vice President of Health Service at Jefferson’s Ferry. “The staff and residents form close relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and quality care. It is both important and immensely satisfying to all of us to know that we are consistently hitting the mark, meeting or exceeding the best standards or practices within our industry.”
Activated Insights is a customer satisfaction measurement firm with more than 26 years of experience in post‐acute healthcare. Pinnacle conducts over 112,000 phone surveys each year working with 1,800 care providers in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
For more information visit www.jeffersonsferry.org
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will present three exhilarating dance performances this season, showcasing diverse styles and cultural expressions. From the powerful sisterhood of Syncopated Ladies to the vibrant celebration of South Asian dance in Rhythm India: Bollywood and Beyond to the innovative artistry of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, this season offers an exceptional opportunity to experience some of the world’s most innovative dance performances yet.
On March 14, the groundbreaking Syncopated Ladies take the Main Stage. Led by Emmy Award-nominated choreographer Chloé Arnold, Syncopated Ladies is the most viewed female tap group in history, having amassed over 100 million views online. With a background of notable collaborations—including Beyoncé, who shared their work with her fans and invited them to perform internationally—the Syncopated Ladies have quickly become a global sensation. In this upcoming performance, Syncopated Ladies combine bold choreography with personal stories, empowering audience members of all ages to pursue their dreams with courage. From their viral success to their acclaimed performances on Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more, this dynamic group continues to inspire the next generation of artists.
Chloe Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies: Live!
On March 21, get ready for “A feast for the eyes, ears, and heart!” (Cultural Explorer) with Rhythm India: Bollywood & Beyond. Under the direction of Joya Kazi, a World Choreography Award nominee and Telly Award-winning choreographer, this performance celebrates the spirited traditions of South Asian dance, from classical forms to Bollywood hits. Dazzling costumes, dynamic music, and energetic rhythms resonate from the palaces of ancient India to the bustling streets of its modern cities. Rhythm India invites audiences to step into the rich cultural tapestry of India with the talented dancers from Joya Kazi Unlimited.
DINNER & A SHOW: Enhance your experience by bundling your ticket with an authentic three-course Indian dinner at the Curry Club at SaGhar. For just $95 (adult package), or $68.50 for kids 12 and under, you’ll enjoy a flavorful meal, soft drinks, and coffee, along with tax and gratuity included. This package combines the best of South Asian cuisine with an evening of exceptional dance.
Dancers from Joya Kazi Unlimited in Rhythm India: Bollywood & Beyond
Closing out the Spring Season is an international leader in modern dance: Paul Taylor Dance Company returns to Staller on May 3rd. Since its founding in 1954, the Paul Taylor Dance Company has been at the forefront of contemporary dance, offering audiences new perspectives on the human experience through the joy, pain, humor, and tragedy that bind us all together. Under the artistic direction of Michael Novak, a longtime company member appointed by founder Paul Taylor himself, the company has evolved while maintaining the core values and that Taylor instilled. With a repertoire that spans over six decades, the company’s performances have touched audiences in over 600 cities across 66 countries, showcasing the transformative power of dance. This is a rare opportunity to experience some of the world’s finest dancers performing in one of the most prestigious dance companies. “One of the most exciting, innovative, and delightful dance companies in the entire world.” (The New York Times).
Paul Taylor Dance Company performs Esplanade.
For tickets, information, and to see all of the upcoming programs at Staller Center, visit stallercenter.com.
The Town of Smithtown Building Department has officially launched an online system to make life easier for residents and their contractors. This major step forward in modernizing online services will allow for homeowners to now apply for building permits online for a variety of home repairs and improvements, making the process faster, more efficient, and more convenient than ever before.
“This marks the beginning of our next major step in digitizing town services, making it easier for residents to access permits, registrations, and records without disrupting their busy schedules. Home renovations and essential improvements can be stressful, and our goal with this new online permit system—available to both homeowners and contractors—is to simplify the process and save valuable time. We’re excited to continue expanding our digital services in the coming weeks, bringing even more convenience to our community,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim.
This new digital application system allows residents to easily submit permit requests, track their status, schedule inspections, and manage their permits—all from the comfort of home.
“Smithtown’s new online permitting system is a game-changer for homeowners and contractors—cutting red tape, saving time, and making home improvements easier. This is just the beginning of our push to digitize town services, giving residents quick, hassle-free access to permits and records. We’re excited to keep expanding digital services and bringing even more convenience to our community!” said Councilman Tom McCarthy, Liaison to the Building Department.
“This new online permitting system gives a cutting edge advantage to Smithtown homeowners and contractors. We’re committed to streamlining processes, reducing red tape, and making home improvements easier and more accessible for our residents,” added William White, Buildings Department Director.
Residential Projects Now Available for Online Permit Applications:
Residents and contractors can begin the application process by visiting https://citysquared.com/#/app/
First-time users will be prompted to register for an account. It is recommended to use the formal name and contact information on file with the Township to ensure a smooth process.
Once a permit has been issued, users can:
Individuals may still visit the Town of Smithtown Building Department for their permitting needs. The new online system is merely an addition to help save time, energy and streamline efforts to fast-track the paperwork necessary to file for the building permits, required by law. For assistance with the online application process, residents and contractors can contact: Theresa Mahon at [email protected]
For more information, call 631-257-6080
Stay tuned for future updates as the Town of Smithtown continues working toward bringing all residential and commercial applications online.
Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin proudly recognized Leslie Bellissimo as District 16’s Woman of Distinction at the annual Suffolk County Women of Distinction Luncheon, celebrating her lifelong dedication to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and driving meaningful change.
For over 35 years, Leslie has been a champion for families across Long Island and the New York Metro region, currently serving as the Long Island-New York Metro Regional Director at Friends of Karen. In this role, she leads efforts to support families facing the unimaginable challenge of a child’s life-threatening illness, ensuring they receive financial assistance, emotional support, and advocacy throughout their journey.
Prior to her work with Friends of Karen, Leslie played a pivotal role at the American Heart Association, where she helped secure major funding for lifesaving initiatives and spearheaded key Long Island fundraising events. A lifelong resident of Huntington, Leslie’s dedication to service extends beyond her professional career—she has volunteered tirelessly for local charities, organized community drives, and educated others in lifesaving skills like hands-only CPR.
“Leslie Bellissimo embodies the very essence of this recognition,” said Legislator Sanin. “Her commitment to uplifting others, whether through her work, her advocacy, or her community engagement, is truly extraordinary. Suffolk County is a better place because of leaders like her.”
The annual Suffolk County Women of Distinction Luncheon recognizes women across the county who have demonstrated leadership, service, and a commitment to making a difference in their communities.
At a luncheon held at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on March 4, all 18 Suffolk County Legislators honored the county’s Women of Distinction for 2025. The county’s Department of Women’s Services asked each legislator to choose an impressive female constituent from their district who volunteers their time to make their community a better place. Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) named nonprofit founder Johanna Kosak as the Fifth Legislative District’s Woman of Distinction.
Kosak founded the Comsewogue Music and Arts Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in September 2023 after her daughter noticed a lack of music and arts scholarships in the Comsewogue School District. The nonprofit organization assists students pursuing creative paths.
“It’s impressive that Ms. Kosak found a need in her children’s school district and took matters in her own hands to do something about it,” Englebright said. “Music and other creative pursuits are vital for the collective good of our society.”
Kosak works alongside school district mothers Secretary Michele Provenzale and Treasurer Yoon Choi-Perrone, as well as the nonprofit’s student volunteers, her daughter, Annmarie; Perrone’s son, James; and Provenzale’s son, Michael.
The volunteers organize and host 20 to 30 fundraisers annually and have raised $12,000 since September 2023. The nonprofit is present at every school concert and drama production to sell flowers and snacks, hold raffles and request donations.
The nonprofit raises funds for scholarships for Comsewogue High School seniors who plan to enroll in college music, arts, marketing, business and architecture programs. CMAC also provides opportunities for art students to promote their artwork at the nonprofit’s craft fair. Last year, the sale of artwork supplied funds for CMAC and the Arts Honor Society.
Additionally, the CMAC supports teachers by providing grants for educators to invite professional musicians and artists for workshops and career development sessions. CMAC also raises funds to reduce costs for families in financial need who wish to send younger children to music or drama programs during the summer vacation.
The nonprofit’s work includes supporting the Comsewogue High School Business Department by providing learning and collaboration opportunities for students interested in digital art marketing.
In addition to her volunteer work with CMAC, the mother of four works fulltime and volunteers with her husband at Infant Jesus Roman Catholic Church. Her husband serves as the organist, while she plays keyboard. A former instructor at Suffolk County Community College, Kosak also volunteered with the Suffolk Piano Teachers Foundation, serving in roles such as president, vice-president and competition coordinator.
Kosak said she was honored and humbled to be honored and credited her fellow volunteers and the community for making CMAC a success.
“This recognition was not only for me but for our entire community and a great encouragement to continue,” Kosak said.
Upon waking up in the morning, the first thing most of us do is open the weather app, reservedly hopeful. It feels as if winter should be over as we enter March, but as the weather for the day appears on our screens or televisions, we are greeted with a little cloud icon. Again.
Despite lengthening daylight hours and sporadic days of sunshine, Long Island enters March under cold and cloudy conditions. The low temperatures keep many inside clutching a hot beverage. In the summer, there would still be plenty of daylight hours to still take advantage of: a comparison that we can’t help but indulge in.
There are some days where our only outdoor time involves walking from the car to the front door; this lack of exposure to the sun as well the inability to pursue hobbies such as hiking, playing sports, swimming or gardening can cause seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
SAD is characterized by oversleeping, overeating and social withdrawal in addition to decreased energy, loss of pleasure in hobbies and difficulty concentrating or making decisions, to name a few.
While many don’t experience the impacts of the season drastically enough to have a SAD diagnosis, the lack of time outdoors and under the sun undoubtedly has an effect on our behavior and outlook.
On a chemical level, researchers theorize that vitamin D, which we produce when we are exposed to sun, plays a role in the production of serotonin, otherwise known as the “happy chemical.” According to the National Institute of Mental Heath, the lower levels of vitamin D are common in people who suffer from SAD.
Furthermore, fewer daylight hours can cause the body to begin producing melatonin earlier, leading to oversleeping.
The uncomfortable weather understandably keeps us indoors, away from our hobbies, leaving us feeling unfulfilled. The days seem to pass faster without activities to break up the monotony of being indoors.
Luckily, we can take vitamin D supplements to compensate for our lack of sunlight exposure. While this can abate the chemical impacts, it is important to pay attention to how the season changes our lifestyle choices and to try to mitigate that or supplement it with something else.
Perhaps, instead of gardening outside, we decide to devote ourselves to a collection of houseplants. We can invest in some hand-warmers and warm weather clothing to continue hiking and walking without becoming uncomfortably cold. Or, we can take up a new engaging hobby like painting, knitting, or rock-climbing. Moving our body in some capacity is also important to make sure we stay in shape and boost our endorphins, which can decrease symptoms of depression, stabilize our mood, and help us manage stress.
As we enter the home-stretch of cold-weather, we should check in with our personal and physical needs.
Prev
