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Town of Smithtown awarded $200,000 for Emergency Operations Center upgrades

by Press Release - December 7, 2024

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Screenshot — The Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety employees. Photo courtesy Town of Smithtown

The Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety has been awarded $200,000 through the Federal Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) Grant Program provided by FEMA to enhance the town’s emergency preparedness. Announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the funding will allow Smithtown to upgrade its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) facilities, improving coordination and response during crises.

“Effective communication during a disaster is the cornerstone of emergency management. We’re especially grateful to Gov. Hochul for this funding, which will allow the Town of Smithtown to enhance our local emergency operations facilities, ensuring we are well-equipped to protect our residents and coordinate response efforts during emergencies,” said Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim (R.)

“I am pleased to see that we have been awarded the grant to update and improve our Emergency Operations Center. With these funds we will reconfigure the EOC, replace antiquated equipment and enhance our interoperability with partner police and fire agencies. This center is staffed 24/7 and our dispatchers will now have all the resources they need at their disposal, greatly enhancing our ability to serve residents not only during disasters but daily, ensuring we operate at the highest capabilities. I’d like to commend Deputy Director Caillat for her work on this project and securing this award,” said the director of public safety, Thomas Lohmann.

The EOC Grant Program supports projects that equip, upgrade and construct emergency operations centers, ensuring municipalities are ready to respond effectively to disasters. These improvements are key to a comprehensive national emergency management system enabling communication and collaboration among emergency organizations across multiple jurisdictions and hazards.

The Town of Smithtown remains steadfast in its commitment to public safety and emergency preparedness. This grant will enhance the town’s ability to respond efficiently to emergencies, supporting a unified approach to disaster management while safeguarding the community.

About the Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) Grant Program

The FEMA EOC Grant Program provides financial assistance to local, state and tribal governments to enhance emergency management capabilities. The program focuses on equipping, upgrading and constructing emergency operations centers to ensure communities are prepared for all-hazard events.

About the Town of Smithtown Emergency Management Unit

The Department of Public Safety serves as the town’s emergency management office and is actively involved in all phases of preparedness for natural and human-made disasters. To plan for disasters, the department coordinates drills with local fire departments, police and other emergency agencies. During actual emergencies, the department integrates activities from its own divisions and local, state and federal agencies. The department also maintains a townwide communications center, which serves as the hub of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies.

‘Sweet Memories’ art installation arrives at the Stony Brook Train Station

by Press Release - December 7, 2024

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Members of the Three Village community traveled back in time on Monday, December 2nd to visit an imaginative old-fashion pushcart of newspapers, candy and treats at the Stony Brook Train Station. The pushcart, and a host of other turn of the century items, are all part of a new holiday art exhibit titled Sweet Memories created by the talented Michael Rosengard.

The Three Village Community Trust hosted the artist reception as part of its ongoing Stony Brook Train Station Beautification Project. Located outside the front entrance of the historic Stony Brook Station House, Sweet Memories is meant to create a sense of nostalgia for those visiting or passing by the station. It highlights a simpler time in America, as well as the importance of the Long Island Rail Road in bringing families together this time of year.

By the size of the turnout for the reception, and the enthusiasm of the crowd, the installation is an instant “holiday classic.” The community’s renowned art institutions were represented by Lois Reboli, President of the Reboli Center for Art and History, and Ned Puchner, Executive Director of Gallery North. Also attending the reception were Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright and Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, as well as key members of the Three Village Historical Society, the Three Village Civic Association and the Stony Brook School

The response to the display certainly thrilled artist Michael Rosengard, who noted, “I’m passionate about improving our community. This project is meant to promote the sense of joy and pride so many of us feel for the Three Villages! I’m thrilled to see so many people here today with smiles on their faces. This is such a great way to bring the community together for the holidays. I hope everyone tells their family and friends to visit the display and take photographs.”

Herb Mones, president of the Three Village Community Trust observed, “All of Michael’s work enriches the cultural and social fabric of our North Shore community. His art installation demonstrates the vibrant, creative, and giving spirit of so many of our residents. The Three Village Community Trust and its partners in the Station Beautification Project are proud to facilitate Sweet Memories.”

Over the past three years, the Three Village Community Trust, along with the Three Village Civic Association, the North Suffolk Garden Club, the Three Village Chamber of Commerce, the Three Village Rotary, the Three Village Historical Society, and students and faculty at the Stony Brook School have engaged in the Beautification Project at the Stony Brook Train Station.

Significant progress has been made removing debris, weeds, and invasive plants from the landscaped beds. Now, a wide variety of Long Island native plants have been added to the landscaped beds. The art installation of Sweet Memories is another part of the beautification project.

Those attending the reception enjoyed a variety of old fashion candies and treats provided by the artist. Hot chocolate, coffee, and lunch was generously donated by Bagel Express. Sweet Memories is now on display at the Stony Brook Train Station until Dec. 20th.

2024 Mt. Sinai Turkey Trot 5K brings together community over the holiday weekend

by Bill Landon - December 6, 2024

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By Bill Landon

The Mount Sinai 13th annual Turkey Trot kicked off Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8:30 a.m. under brilliant sunshine and a cold steady breeze, with a fun run for kids followed by the 5k run a half hour later at Mt. Sinai High School.

Proceeds of the fundraising event went to Holiday Magic which is a nonprofit organization that dedicates itself to making the holidays special for less fortunate children and their families.

Timing and scoring was courtesy of Strong Island Running Club. Results of the 5K event can be viewed online at runsignup.com/race/results.

Port Jefferson’s Steam Room provides compassion this holiday season with a free Thanksgiving meal

by Toni-Elena Gallo - December 6, 2024

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By Toni-Elena Gallo

The Steam Room restaurant provided a free Thanksgiving Day meal Thursday, Nov. 28, with all welcome. Whether the person who dined at the restaurant was financially struggling, alone for the holidays or simply in the neighborhood, no one was expected to pay for the feast, which was provided by DiCarlo Food Service.

“When we started this three years ago, we did it for those in need. But what happened was, not a lot of people came,” said Vinny Seiter, general manager of The Steam Room. “I think a lot of people felt that they did not need the meal as much as somebody else, and had the feeling they were taking away a meal from someone who might need it even more.”

So the restaurant opened it up to everyone. “Even if someone comes down in their fancy jewelry and nice car, so be it,” Seiter laughed.

The manager explained that the initiative came about when Welcome Friends Soup Kitchen, located in Port Jefferson, shared with him that they did not have people to help on Thanksgiving Day and were not able to serve. “That is what inspired us to do this,” he said.

Seiter estimates that about 200 people partook in this year’s event, which saw them seated throughout the front dining area as well as in the large dining room in the back of the restaurant.

In addition to Thanksgiving Day’s free meal, a discounted menu was available all weekend long.

The Steam Room is located at 4 East Broadway in Port Jefferson.

Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame celebrates 20th anniversary

by Steven Zaitz - December 6, 2024

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limehof sun — Ernie and the Band perform on Dec. 1 at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook. Photo by Steven Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) held a jam-packed, two-day 20th Anniversary Holiday Celebration Party, on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, at its museum in the back section of Stony Brook Village.

The event featured continuous Long Island-connected entertainment giants, including Mark Newman and his band, Kerry Kearney, DMC, with Johnny Juice, Stanton Anderson, Ernie & the Band and American Idol contestant Christian Padavan. During the two-day event, music videos of LIMEHOF inductees played on the wall-sized screens throughout the museum, as visits from Santa Claus took place. The gala also did its part in community support by organizing a Christmas Toy Drive in partnership with Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church’s Gerald J. Ryan Outreach Center, supporting 1,500 children in need on Long Island during this season of giving.

From left to right: LIMEHOF board of director members Norm Prusslin, Jim Faith, Tom Needham, Jeffrey James and Ernie Canadeo discuss the evolution of Long Island music scene with the crowd. Photo by Steven Zaitz

On the first day, LIMEHOF board of director members, including Chairman of the Board Ernie Canadeo, Norm Prusslin, Tom Needham, Jeffrey James and Jim Faith waxed nostalgic about the origins of the organization, its trials and tribulations throughout the years, how it established its current home in Stony Brook and its association with Long Island music legends like Billy Joel, Twisted Sister, Mariah Carey and Blue Öyster Cult.

“Long Island, the people in the area, and the artists of the area were so happy that we have established this organization and this place,” said Faith. “In the 1970’s and 1980’s musicians were told to say that they were from New York City, because the perception was that Long Island wasn’t “cool.” No musician has to say that anymore. They can say they are from Long Island because we helped change the perspective of music on the Island.”

In attendance on Saturday was Larry “Duck” Dunn. Dunn was a disk jockey at WLIR, a station which introduced “New Wave” bands like Long Island’s Stray Cats, INXS, The B52’s and Depeche Mode, to area listeners in the 1980’s. He sat and listened as the LIMEHOF board of directors spoke of the past, present and future of the music scene on Long Island.

Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music Hall of Fame is an organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage being an important resource, which should be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Brooklyn, was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music and entertainment in all its forms. In 2022, LIMEHOF opened its first Hall of Fame building location in Stony Brook Village. To date, the organization has inducted more than 120 musicians and music industry executives, and offers education programs, scholarships and awards to Long Island students and educators.

Since 2004, the not-for-profit organization will now be able to be recognized in a permanent home. The space — covering 8,800 square feet — features a large exhibition area, theater, gift shop and an official “Hall of Fame Museum.”

“We always wanted a permanent home, but for a long time the organization never had enough money,” said LIMEHOF Canadeo. “We were using a 1998 Winnebago as a mobile museum for many years and now we are lucky enough to have this beautiful facility.”

Aside from original concert posters and promotional material that adorn the walls on both levels of the building — much of which is related to Hicksville-raised Billy Joel — the museum features artifacts, such as musical instruments, famous awards, apparel and other memorabilia from many of Long Island’s favorite artists. The wide variety of talent represented by the 120 inductees includes names like Joel, KISS, LL Cool J, Debbie Gibson, Louis Armstrong, Vanilla Fudge, Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond and Run-DMC, among many others.

LIMEHOF is also proud to partner with Steven Van Zandt’s TeachRock.

Launched by Van Zandt, who is not only Bruce Springsteen’s longtime guitarist, but also starred in the HBO hit series the Sopranos, created TeachRock, along with Bono, Jackson Browne, Martin Scorsese and Springsteen, to provide free, standards-aligned resources, which use music to help K-12 students succeed in science, math, social studies and language arts.

TeachRock improves students’ lives by filling every classroom with the sound, stories and science of music.

It aspires to keep the arts in the DNA of school systems, empower teachers with a methodology to engage a generation with the internet in their pocket, create inclusive spaces through the arts by providing teachers well researched, abundance-framed classroom resources, which feature positive representations of all Americans. This is done in the hopes of increasing graduation rates.

The Long Island Museum celebrates 85 years with the 11th Annual LIMarts Members’ exhibition: Milestones

by Press Release - December 6, 2024

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The Long Island Museum (LIM), 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook and LIMarts are delighted to announce the opening of the 11th Annual Members’ Exhibition, Milestones. This year’s exhibition holds special significance as the museum celebrates its 85th anniversary, reflecting on its legacy as a cultural cornerstone in the community.

On view hrough December 22 in the LIM History Museum, Milestones brings together the creative visions of over 100 LIMarts members. Each piece represents a unique interpretation of personal and collective milestones, highlighting moments of growth, change, and reflection through art.

‘Fam*ly of Humans – THEY ARE US!,’ mixed media installation by Linda Louis

Embracing the goal of enhancing and supporting Long Island’s rich artistic talent, LIM established LIMarts: a collaborative arts group for visual artists. LIMarts provides its members with opportunities to exhibit and sell artwork, participate in programming events and lectures, and engage with both fellow artists and the public. Designed to foster a creative forum within the cultural community, LIMarts has become an essential resource for the region’s artists.

In addition to showcasing exceptional artwork, Milestones offers art enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire pieces from some of Long Island’s finest artists. Most works on display are available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds benefiting LIM’s ongoing programs and initiatives. All purchased pieces will remain on view for the duration of the exhibition.

“The annual LIMarts exhibition is one of the most exciting highlights of the year,” said Alexandria D’Auria, Director of Development. “With its eclectic group of talented artists, Milestones showcases the creative spirit of our members while offering an opportunity for the community to support and connect with local artists. This year’s exhibition is a testament to the power of art to inspire, celebrate milestones, and bring people together.”

The exhibition is generously supported by: Robert W. Baird Incorporated, The Carol & Arnold Wolowitz Foundation, The Smithtown Community Trust.

For more information about Milestones or to become an LIMArts member please visit longislandmuseum.org

Three Village Historical Society welcomes new Research Fellow

by TBR Staff - December 6, 2024

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By Kimberly Phyfe

The Three Village Historical Society (TVHS) is proud to announce Kayleigh Smith as their 2024 Research Fellow.

TVHS embarked on the ambitious Historical House Marker program earlier this year, expanding well beyond the original scope of the first markers by the Society at its founding. Six decades on, this new iteration of the program re-imagined the parameters for what qualifies as a historic home in our community.

So how could they pull off researching the 60+ homes that applied to see which would receive a marker? That’s where Kayleigh Smith comes in.

Smith recently graduated from Stony Brook University where her “major in anthropology has fueled my aspiration to work in an environment that both preserves historical heritage and actively engages and inspires the public. The Three Village Historical Society exemplifies this mission, making it an ideal environment for applying my skills and furthering my professional growth.”

Always eager to dive deeply into the rich tapestry of cultural diversity, Smith was seeking a meaningful volunteer opportunity in the TVHS archives. Exhibits & Collections Coordinator, Scott Ferrara, recognized what a talented researcher Smith is, and recommended an extended project for her.

“Kayleigh’s work with archival management and research has been profound,” said Ferrara. “She quickly picked up on local historical geography and the many genealogical connections between families in the Three Village community. Kayleigh’s efforts particularly shined through the organization of the Society’s archival collections and the navigation of our extensive collections in support of the Historic House Marker Program. Going forward, the lessons learned from Kayleigh’s efforts and the successes she’s had will lay the framework for future historical house research,” he said.

The Historic House Marker program has been years in the making and six long months of in depth compilation of more than fifty research packets for approved home owners. The binders are full to the brim of deed histories, genealogy, newspaper articles, photographs, drawings, and anything Smith could find related to each property and the generations of residents.

“While my research is deeply fulfilling, it is the opportunity to connect with people and share my findings that truly underscores the value of my work,” Smith shared.

Special events such as Culper Spy Day, the Spirits Graveyard Tour, and the Candlelight House Tour have given Smith additional insight into why TVHS is treasured by the community.

“Participating in these events and engaging with the community on a personal level instills deep reverence for the significance of this research,” she said.

Funding for this new position was made possible by the generous support of long-time Society Member, Fred Bryant. In 2023, the Three Village Historical Society renamed one of their annual awards in his honor. The newly titled Fred E. Bryant Community Award is “in appreciation of valuable contributions to the advancement of the quality of life in the Three Villages and the fostering of pride in the rich historical heritage of our homes and lands.”

For 2024, the first recipients of the Bryant Community Award were Joe and Laura Troffa. Bryant graciously attached a significant donation to his new award, to be made in honor of the Troffas. Thus, the Bryant/Troffa Research Fellowship was created, and the Society is able to bring on exceptional talent such as Smith to fill the role.

“It was an incredible honor and complete surprise to be awarded the first Fred Bryant Community Service Award” stated Laura Troffa. “Joe and I, like Fred, share a mutual passion for preserving the history of this amazing community.”

Smith said that she is “grateful for the Bryant/Troffa Fellowship because it represents the next stepping stone in my career path. I have long aspired to work in a museum setting — curating exhibits and making meaningful discoveries that resonate with people. This Fellowship has validated that my skills transcend the confines of the classroom and can be effectively utilized in dynamic settings, where I engage with historical, community, and personal narratives on a daily basis.”

The Troffas moved to Setauket in the 1970’s and “we knew it was a very special place,” said Laura.

“We became avid supporters of the TVHS to learn more about the historical buildings and the events that took place in our community dating back to the Revolutionary War. From that day forward, we’ve had the pleasure of sponsoring the Annual Candlelight Tour, as well as contributing to various projects that helped preserve and enrich many of the Society’s historical buildings that we all cherish!”

The Troffas “are so excited to hear Kayleigh’s hard work has been instrumental in the success of the upcoming Historic House Marker celebration! Our collections and archives are so important and integral to promoting education within our community!”

Author Kimberly Phyfe is the Community Engagement Manager at the Three Village Historical Society in Setauket.

Setauket Harbor gains 16,000 oysters to aid water quality

by Mallie Jane Kim - December 6, 2024

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Scientists, clean-water advocates, elected officials and Setauket marina owners pose with buckets of shells stocked with larval oysters. Photo by Mallie Jane Kim

By Mallie Jane Kim

In the thick mud of low tide at Setauket’s Shore Road Marina, volunteers and scientists in knee-high rubber boots dumped out a jumble of shells along the shoreline — each with larval oysters attached, ready to grow and help eventually filter the water.

This Nov. 25 “oyster planting” was part of a partnership between volunteer organization Setauket Harbor Task Force, which monitors area water quality, and the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s marine program. The planting of about 16,000 larval oysters was funded as part of an $80,000 water quality grant secured in 2022 through the effort of Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) during his time in the state assembly.

“We’re making the harbor clean today,” Englebright quipped during the event. “We’re taking the credit, but the oysters are doing all the work.”

Oysters filter feed, removing nitrogen and other harmful elements from the water, either consuming them or binding them into the mud. An adult oyster can filter as much as 50 gallons of water a day, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The larval oysters planted in Setauket Harbor are about six months old and were procured by researchers from the Cornell Cooperative. The hope is that the shellfish will grow and spawn, eventually creating an oyster reef with critical mass that can help improve water quality. Marina owners Seth Walker and Mallory Guerin, who opened their shoreline to welcome this project, are also allowing the group to set up an oyster garden on a floating dock in 2025.

“This is a really important educational thing for the community,” said Matt Sclafani, the Cornell Cooperative senior extension resource educator. “When you get a community invested in it, then that increases ownership, and you get more people lobbying for things. Then you can have a bigger plan to improve the water quality.”

But oysters are only one step in the process of cleaning water.

Sclafani explained that a comprehensive water quality improvement plan must include reducing stormwater runoff as well as improving sanitation systems over the currently prevalent cesspools.

“The oysters can’t do it on their own,” Sclafani said. “It’s a big picture, it’s a complex picture, but it starts here.”

New York voters in November approved a proposition to add a .125% sales tax increase toward funding new sewers and replacing aging cesspools. According to the proposition, there are currently 209,000 cesspools in “environmentally sensitive areas” of Suffolk County. Additionally, the Town of Brookhaven in 2023 installed a drainage system along Route 25A in Setauket to help decrease the stormwater that was previously running straight into the harbor.

The town was also instrumental in the oyster-planting process. Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) led the council in designating the area as a management district, allowing the initiative to move forward with minimal bureaucracy since the work is intended to improve environmental conditions.

Setauket Harbor has long been restricted from shellfish harvesting because of unhealthy water quality and bacteria.

“This is one piece of a bigger puzzle for us, basically just trying to be stewards of these waters,” Kornreich said at the event. “It’s a full spectrum approach to trying to improve water quality, and shellfish mariculture is a really important piece of it.”

Editorial: Good news, everyone — this week’s paper is full of good news

by TBR Staff - December 6, 2024

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News can be one of the most important and constant aspects of every American’s life. It can permeate our every waking moment, from the televisions in waiting rooms, our phones’ constant push notifications and the reposting of articles all over our social media feeds.

Unfortunately, many Americans are discouraged by the negative news which surrounds us. They feel the polarization of the political parties, constant coverage of crime and oftentimes dark undercurrents that are aspects of the news. Some try to hide from current events for the sake of their own wellbeing. In fact, up to 43% of Americans avoid the news, in some form, according to this year’s Reuters Institute Digital News Report.

That is why we are pleased to share that this week’s newspaper is full of good news — something most people will happily welcome. It is always wonderful to revel in the holiday season and all of its elements, and that is precisely why happy news can be especially satisfying this time of year.

From the honoring of our Suffolk County veterans, to The Steam Room restaurant’s philanthropy this Thanksgiving, to wonderful spectacles of holiday cheer out of Huntington and Port Jeff, our communities have come together to provide each other with bits of joy, in our complicated world.

TBR brings the spirit of community to our readers’ doorsteps every week, and will always share with you the merry, along with the hard-hitting. We are proud of our communities and enjoy showing them off during this complex political climate.

Thank you for your readership and support.

Port Jefferson becomes a winter wonderland for annual Santa Parade

by Julianne Mosher - December 5, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

To prepare for the Christmas season, Santa Claus made his way down Main St. in Port Jefferson to ring in some holiday cheer.

On Sunday, Dec. 1, dancers from nearby schools dressed in their favorite holiday gear while they twirled, spun and danced to some favorite Christmas songs like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and marched from the Port Jefferson Rail Road up to the Village Center, for the annual Port Jefferson Santa Parade.

Brought in by a horse-drawn carriage at the end of the show, Santa was accompanied by local businesses, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Mayor Lauren Sheprow, who also marched down Main St. Special guests included Disney princesses, Donald Duck and Goofy, who pranced through the streets, waving to all the good little boys and girls, who eagerly anticipated the man in red.

The parade also included characters from the upcoming Dickens Festival, which is scheduled for next weekend, Dec. 7-8.

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