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Eye on the street: How did you meet your partner?

by TBR Staff - February 14, 2025

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By Luciana Hayes

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about love, it’s also about stories. But are stories really like the ones we see in movies and read in books?

This Valentine’s Day TBR News Media chose to ask the people of Long Island about the moment they fell in love and took a better look at the movies of peoples’ lives

Pamela and Vincent Giglio of Northport

Pamela and Vincent met in August, 1977 at a club called the Penrod in East Meadow when “disco was really big”. After parting ways, they then ran into each other again three weeks later at another club and the rest is history. They will be celebrating their 45th anniversary this summer and will be spending this Valentine’s day with their new grandchild.

Brian and Josette Lebowitz of East Setauket

Josette and Brian met on a blind date that was set up by a mutual friend. They married in October of 2019 and will be spending the upcoming holiday with their family.

Taly D. and Leron D. of South Setauket

Taly and Leron met on a Jewish dating website called JDate. The two plan to celebrate this Valentine’s day early and casually.

Mary and Pete Mantia of Patchogue

Mary and Pete met in a supermarket just after Pete had finished serving in Vietnam. They will be spending this Valentine’s day in the city with their family and friends.

Diane and Jeremy Flint of East Setauket

Diane and Jeremy met in the sunshine state of Florida while playing in an adult coed soccer team. They later married in Iceland before moving to Long Island to start a family. They plan on spending Valentine’s day as a family by making heart-shaped pizzas and sweet treats.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Times Beacon Record News Media!

Stony Brook University hosts Valentine’s Day Craft Fair

by TBR Staff - February 14, 2025

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On Feb. 8 and Feb. 9, Island Fairs held a Be My Valentine Craft Fair at Stony Brook University. Vendors sold crafts, art and treats: perfect gifts for that special person.

— Photos by Michael Scro of Media Origin Inc.

History Close at Hand: A sentimental Valentine’s Day

by Beverly C. Tyler - February 14, 2025

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IMG_20250125_0003 — Vintage Valentine’s Day cards. Photo courtesy of Beverly C.Tyler

By Beverly C. Tyler

“I was very happy to hear from you and to hear that you hadn’t forgot me and thought enough of me to send me a Valentine.” (Mary Bayles to Nichols Hawkins February 16, 1840)

The celebration of Feb. 14 began as an ancient Roman ceremony called the Feast of the Lupercalia. It was on the eve of the Feast of the Lupercalia in the year 270 that Valentinus, a Roman priest, was executed. According to an article in the Nuremberg Chronicle, published in December 1493, “Valentinus was said to have performed valiant service in assisting Christian Martyrs during their persecution under Emperor Claudius II. Giving aid and comfort to Christians at that time was considered a crime, and for his actions Valentinus was clubbed, stoned and beheaded.”

It is thought that when the early Christian church reorganized the calendar of festivals they substituted the names of Christian saints for the pagan names and allocated February 14 to St. Valentine.

The tradition of sending messages, gifts and expressions of love on Valentine’s Day goes back to at least the 15th century. In 1477, in Britain, John Paston wrote to his future wife, “Unto my ryght wele belovyd Voluntyn – John Paston Squyer.”

By the 17th century, Valentine’s Day was well established as an occasion for sending cards, notes or drawings to loved ones. An early British valentine dated 1684 was signed by Edward Sangon, Tower Hill, London. “Good morrow Vallentine, God send you ever to keep your promise and bee constant ever.”

Vintage Valentine’s Day cards. Photo courtesy of Beverly C.Tyler

In America the earliest known valentines date to the middle of the 18th century. These hand-made greetings were often very artistically done and included a heart or a lover’s knot. They were folded, sealed and addressed without the use of an envelope. Until the 1840’s, the postal rate was determined by the distance to be traveled and the number of sheets included, so an envelope would have doubled the cost.

In 1840, Nichols Smith Hawkins, age 25, of Stony Brook sent a valentine to his paternal first cousin Mary Cordelia Bayles, age 18. The original does not exist, but her reply, written two days after Valentine’s Day, says a great deal. “Much Esteemed Friend – I now take this opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know that I received your letter last evening. I was very happy to hear from you and to hear that you hadent forgot me and thought enough of me to send me a Valentine. I havent got anything now to present to you but I will not forget you as quick, as I can make it conveinant I will get something for you to remember me by.

“You wrote that you wanted me to make you happy by becoming yourn. I should like to comfort you but I must say that I cannot for particular reasons. It isn’t because I don’t respect you nor do I think that I ever shall find anyone that will do any better by me. I sincerely think that you will do as well by me as anyone. I am very sorry to hear that it would make you the most miserable wretch on earth if I refused you for I cannot give you any encouragement. I beg to be excused for keeping you in suspense so long and then deny you. Believe me my friend I wouldn’t if I thought of denying you of my heart and hand. I think just as much of you now as ever I did. I cannot forget a one that I do so highly respect. You will think it very strange then why I do refuse you. I will tell you although I am very sorry to say so it is on the account of the family. They do oppose me very much. They say so much that I half to refuse you. It is all on their account that I do refuse so good an offer. I sincerely hope that it will be for the best.”

We don’t know the members of Mary’s family who opposed her marriage to Nichols. Was it her parents who had died in 1836 and 1838 respectively, or the family members that Mary lived with when she became an orphan at age 16 or 17? Whatever the circumstances, their love for each other continued to bloom.

Four days after replying to the Valentine letter, Mary again replied to a letter from Nichols. “Dear Cousin – I received your letter yesterday morning. I was very sorry to hear that you was so troubled in mind. I don’t doubt but what you do feel very bad for I think that I can judge you by my own feelings but we must get reconciled to our fate…Keep your mind from it as much as you can and be cheerful for I must tell you as I have told you before that I cannot relieve you by becoming your bride, therefore I beg and entreat on you not to think of me anymore as a companion through life for if you make yourself unhappy by it, you will make me the most miserable creature in the world to think that I made you so unhappy…I must now close my letter with my love to you. – This is from your most unhappy cousin M__________________ ”

At least two other letters, written the following year, were sent to Nichols from Mary. The letters continued to express the friendship that existed between them. The story does not end there.

On Feb. 11, 1849, Nichols Smith Hawkins, age 34, married Mary Cordelia Bayles, age 27. Coincidentally, Nichols’ parents, William Hawkins and Mary Nichols were married on Valentine’s Day in 1813. Nichols and Mary raised three children who lived beyond childhood (two others died in 1865). Nichols was a farmer and the family lived in Stony Brook. Mary died Jan. 30, 1888 at the age of 66 and Nichols died Feb. 10, 1903, at the age of 88. They are buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Stony Brook. Mary’s letters are in the Three Village Historical Society archive collection.

Valentines became fancier and more elaborate through the second half of the 19th century. After 1850, the valentine slowly became a more general greeting rather than a message sent to just one special person. The advent of the picture postal card in 1907, which allowed messages to be written on one half of the side reserved for the address, started a national craze that saw every holiday become a reason for sending a postcard and Valentine’s Day the occasion for a flood of one-cent expressions of love.

Beverly Tyler is Three Village Historical Society historian and author of books available from the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Rd., Setauket, NY 11733. Tel: 631-751-3730. WWW.TVHS.org

Valentine’s Day fundraiser at Save-A-Pet will be a dog gone fun time

by Julianne Mosher - February 13, 2025

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By Julianne Mosher

Who needs a box of chocolates when you can adopt a puppy this Valentine’s Day?

Save-A-Pet Animal Shelter will be hosting its first annual Valentine’s Day Yappy Hour on Feb. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at its Port Jefferson Station location for a special holiday fundraiser.

According to Dori Scofield, president of Save a Pet, the Yappy Hour will feature wine, charcuterie boards and desserts inside the adoption center, which they are transforming into a romantic setting for a purr-fect night out.

“We’ll have tables set up with candlelight and roses for the women,” she said. “It’s going to be a really fun night.”

Proceeds from the event will go towards helping dogs who need orthopedic surgeries, including Teddy, above. Photo courtesy of Dori Scofield

Just this month, the shelter, which is already home to several dozen cats and dogs up for adoption, received 30 puppies from Georgia and Puerto Rico.

“The shelters there are just too overcrowded,” said Scofield.

Those little loves, who will be joining you for your date night roaming the room, are up for adoption and the $25 ticket price will come off the adoption fee, Scofield added.

Proceeds from the event will go to continue support for the adoption center and also help care for three special cases; dogs who need orthopedic surgeries. One dog, Teddy, who is not for adoption, was unfortunately hit by a car and thanks to his latest procedure will be at Yappy Hour sporting his new cast and overseeing the night’s schedule.

If you’re looking for a lovable cat or dog who might be a little older, all the other animals available will be adoptable, too.

Those animals come from all different situations, Scofield said. “We have strays, animals who were abandoned, left in the woods, left in the streets… abandoned, abused and neglected.”

And you won’t need Cupid to shoot an arrow through your heart to fall in love with one of them.

Save-A-Pet, 608 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station will hold a Valentine’s Day Yappy Hour on Feb. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. For reservations, visit www.saveapetusa.org. 631-473-6333.

‘Lasting Love’ pre-Valentine’s dinner celebrates Long Island couples married 50+ years

by Press Release - February 12, 2025

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Third Annual Event Hosted by Cona Elder Law honors couples and their secrets to relationship success

Long Island couples who have been married 50 years or more gathered for a pre-Valentine’s celebration at the 3^rd Annual “Lasting Love” Valentine’s Dinner on Feb. 11 to toast their successful relationships.

“This room is full of beautiful people who got it right,” said Jennifer Cona, Founder and Managing Partner of Cona Elder Law. “There are a lot of things older adults can teach us, including the secrets of staying together. Lessons of patience, of compromise. All those things that it takes to stay together for so long.”

Held at Verona Ristorante in Farmingdale, each participating couple feasted on a complimentary traditional Italian dinner including appetizers, dinner and dessert plus a glass of wine or a cocktail.

Couples also had the opportunity to share their stories about how they met and how they have been successful in their marriages and offer advice to younger couples on their own path to relationship success.

“We got married very young and we grew up together,” said Shelley Rudes of Woodbury. She and her husband Jonathan have been together for 51 years. “We never go to bed angry.”

“I think it takes a lot of patience and a sense of humor,” said Diane Powell, of Roslyn. She and her husband Tom have been married 52 years. “You need to keep your relationships with friends and family and be ready to face things you don’t expect. You have to stick together in good times and bad.”

The event was sponsored by Melville-based Cona Elder Law, which concentrates in the areas of elder law, estate planning, estate administration and litigation, and health care law. Cona Elder Law takes a holistic approach to elder law, providing support and resources for older adults and caregivers, and maintains long-term, partnering relationships with clients to provide the best solutions for multiple generations.

Eye on the Street: Love at first sight?

by Jennifer Donatelli - February 9, 2025

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By Jennifer Donatelli

Valentine’s Day often sparks the age-old debate about whether love at first sight is real or just a romantic notion. Some people swear by it, claiming that an instant connection or an inexplicable bond can form in the blink of an eye. For them, it’s more than just attraction — it’s a deep, immediate understanding or a shared energy that can’t be ignored. Others, however, argue that love is something that builds over time, shaped by experiences, conversations and vulnerability. They believe that true love cannot be rushed, and that the initial spark is often mistaken for infatuation or chemistry.

TBR News Media recently asked Long Islanders what they thought about love at first sight.

Lisa Goldfeder from Babylon

“I don’t believe in love at first sight. You have to get to know someone first, spend time with them, be friends, then the love will come. People who say they believe in love at first sight are more like infatuated to me.”

Lonnie Goldfeder from Babylon

“I believe you can fall in love when you first meet someone. You have that feeling that they’re ‘the one’ and everything else follows.”

Frank Borrero from Huntington

“I believe in love at first sight, but not the kind of love that lasts forever. I love women, so every woman I meet is love at first sight to me. A pair and a spare is my motto.”

Neil Clay from Stony Brook

“I believe in love at first sight. It’s how I met my wife. We both went outside to throw our garbage in the dumpster and I knew from that minute I met my soulmate.”

Lucia Trowe from Huntington

“I definitely think you can fall in love with someone when you first meet them. My husband told me seconds after we met that he loved me and asked me to marry him. We were married 40 years.”

Michael Joseph from Huntington

“I don’t believe in love at first sight unless you’re picking a dog. How can you know you love someone from a chance meeting or look?”

History Close at Hand: Valentine’s Day greeting cards reveal a glimpse into the past

by Beverly C. Tyler - February 8, 2025

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By Beverly C. Tyler

“To My Best playmate Blanche GUESS FROM WHO?”

This is the message on a 1925 Valentine’s Day postcard sent to my mother in Port Jefferson. Mom was born in November 1914, so she was ten years old when she received the postcard. The front of the card shows a cherub with pots of heart flowers. The address on the postcard was simply addressed to her at “Port Jefferson, L.I.” This particular postcard was sent from Brooklyn, NY. Mom kept only a few valentine postcards. The majority of the valentine messages she kept were cards in the shape of the figure or image.

In the first three decades of the 20th century, Valentine’s Day figure and image cards were favored over postcards, especially by children. In my mother’s case most of these cards were put in envelopes and hand-delivered to the mailbox on the street or to the front door by their neighborhood friends. This makes it difficult to know what year the cards were sent. The presence of a few postcards with 1920s postmarks helps, especially as my mother kept both the postcards and the cut out cards in the same box.

Greetings cards became a world-wide phenomenon. This remarkable development was fueled by the postcard’s convenience and cost. The postcard was, before the wide-spread use of the telephone, the quickest means of making contact with a friend, relative or tradesman.

Interestingly, within a century, the personal computer, through the use of the internet, would begin to fill the same need. The only major difference being that, at the end of the 19th century, everyone had mail delivery, whereas at the end of the 20th century personal computers and the internet were not yet in every home.

Many greetings cards such as these were saved and placed in postcard albums. Today they provide us with a glimpse of life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Beverly C. Tyler is Three Village Historical Society historian and author of books available from the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Rd., Setauket, NY 11733. Tel: 631-751-3730. www.TVHS.org

Hundreds celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at annual Brookhaven Town Luncheon

by Press Release - January 31, 2025

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Document — Clockwise from left, Town of Brookhaven Legislative Aide for Councilmember Kornreich, Amani Khan; Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Supervisor Dan Panico; Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig, Councilman Neil Manzella; Councilwoman Jane Bonner; co-host Hon. Valerie Cartright Lorraine Mazza Kuehn; Cheryl Felice; Assemblywoman Rebbeca Kassay; and Town Clerk Kevin LaValle.

A special “Day of Service” luncheon was held January 20 at the Bellport Golf Club to honor the life and memory of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico presided over the annual holiday luncheon, and he thanked co-hosts Hon. Valerie Cartright, a Supreme Court Justice and Marvin Colson, of the Brookhaven Town Branch of the NAACP for their help, as well as Faith Baptist Church and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

Town Supervisor Dan Panico (center) with guests at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. annual luncheon.

Special thanks went to the Community Sponsor “Dare to Dream Community Outreach” in connection with the community service project, and Rho Omega Zeta Chapter for organizing the program, entitled “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365. Entertainment was provided by the Faith Baptist Church Choir led by Rev. Diane Jones.

The event was attended by more than 350 children, teens and adults. There were inspiring readings and liturgical dance performances, as well as musical selections to recognize the vision, courage and unwavering commitment to nonviolence and justice by Dr. King. In partnership with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, the Town of Brookhaven Supervisor and Town Council members assembled care packages for those in need, honoring Dr. King’s belief in the power of service to uplift communities.

USPS honors iconic jazz musician with Black Heritage stamp

by Press Release - January 30, 2025

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475438708_1022832076552261_464749795593735245_n — Photo courtesy of USPS

The U.S. Postal Service on Jan. 30 celebrated the iconic New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint (1938-2015) as the 48th honoree in the Black Heritage stamp series. As a virtuoso pianist, singer, songwriter, composer, arranger and producer, Toussaint played a pivotal role in shaping the unique sound of New Orleans music and introducing it to a global audience.

A dedication ceremony for the stamp was held at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center in New Orleans.

“The United States Postal Service is deeply honored to dedicate a stamp to the incomparable Allen Toussaint,” said Gary Barksdale, the Postal Inspection Service’s chief postal inspector, who served as the dedicating official. “His profound musical contributions have enriched the world with their soulful melodies and vibrant rhythms. The stamp serves as a lasting tribute to his extraordinary talent and enduring legacy.”

Joining Barksdale for the ceremony were Norman Robinson, former journalist and master of ceremonies; Quint Davis, Festival Productions, Inc. CEO; Elvis Costello, singer-songwriter; Irma Thomas, vocalist; and Toussaint’s children, Clarence Toussaint, and Alison Toussaint-LeBeaux.

“His music has touched the hearts and homes of so many, and now, through the release of a commemorative U.S. Postal Service stamp, his image will continue to inspire and connect with those same people in a deeply meaningful way,” said Toussaint-LeBeaux on behalf of the Toussaint family.

Toussaint, a true son of New Orleans, possessed a unique musical talent that transcended genres. His career spanned nearly six decades, during which he collaborated with a diverse range of artists and produced countless hits. His songs — including “Fortune Teller,” “All These Things” and “Southern Nights” — have become timeless classics, covered by numerous artists and featured in films and television shows. He seamlessly blended elements of R&B, funk, soul and jazz, creating a sound that was both deeply rooted in the city’s rich musical heritage and yet undeniably original.

He received numerous accolades throughout his career. In 2013, President Barack Obama recognized Toussaint with the National Medal of Arts. Previous honors included induction into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2012, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2009, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2022, the New Orleans City Council renamed Robert E. Lee Boulevard in honor of Toussaint, who lived on the 4-mile-long thoroughfare during the last years of his life.

Toussaint left an indelible mark on the world of music and his legacy continues to inspire.

The stamp features a photograph of Toussaint at the piano, elegantly dressed in black, with a black background set off by purplish lighting, and his name in red lettering at the lower edge.

Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using an existing photograph by Bill Tompkins taken in New York in 2007.

The Allen Toussaint stamp is a Forever stamp issued in panes of 20. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

News about the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #AllenToussaintStamp and #BlackHeritageStamp. A video providing more information and insights into the stamp will be posted on the Postal Service’s Facebook and Twitter pages at facebook.com/USPS and twitter.com/usps.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, First Day of Issue Ceremonies and stamp inspired products can be found at StampsForever.com.

Heckscher Museum hosts Lunar New Year family celebration

by Jennifer Donatelli - January 29, 2025

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By Jennifer Donatelli

Lunar New Year, one of the most significant and widely celebrated holidays in many East and Southeast Asian cultures, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and the arrival of spring. With vibrant festivals, family gatherings and time-honored traditions, it is a joyous occasion that spans several days of celebration. The holiday is celebrated on the day of the first new moon of the year, which fell on Jan. 29.

In honor of Lunar New Year, the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington invited families to ring in the Year of the Snake with a lively and educational celebration that explored the rich cultural traditions of Asia. The free event, which took place Jan. 18, was held in collaboration with the United Asian American Alliance and Town of Huntington Asian-American Task Force and offered attendees the opportunity to engage in a variety of fun, hands-on activities while learning about the customs and art associated with Lunar New Year.

“We’re excited to provide a platform for families to experience the Lunar New Year through the lens of art and culture,” said Joy Weiner, director of education and public programs for the museum.

The museum was transformed into a hub of cultural exploration, featuring crafts, storytelling, music and interactive performances that highlighted the diversity of Asian traditions. Partnering with local cultural groups, the museum presented live shows, including traditional Chinese lion dances, Korean drumming, Japanese folk music and martial arts. The performances brought the energy and excitement of Lunar New Year celebrations to life and offered a unique opportunity for visitors to learn more about the various customs and traditions observed during this time.

Patricia Shih, who performed the lion dance, explained, “These performances not only entertain the visitors, but also teach the younger generation about the rich history and significance of these art forms, sparking a sense of connection to their heritage.”

Young visitors were given a passport book and “traveled” to each country, including China, Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines, to participate in a variety of activities that taught them about each country’s culture and art. Visitors created a string spinner and pinwheel inspired by Korean mandalas, made their own Chinese lantern and learned jewelry making using a Feng Shui coin. Hansen Lee from the Town of Huntington Asian-American Task Force held demonstrations on how to fold your own origami.

Huntington Councilwoman Brooke Lupinacci showed her support for the Asian American community by participating in the event. Lupinacci works with the Asian-American Task Force in the Town of Huntington to formulate and implement plans that strengthen Asian American participation in town affairs, addressing issues regarding the Asian American community and promoting greater cultural understanding. She said, “I’ve been in the public sector my entire career and I always love coming to events like this because it brings the entire Long Island community together to learn and appreciate different cultures and ways of life.”

Shih, who owns a mobile Chinese museum that travels to classrooms on Long Island, brought her own collection of authentic artifacts that showcased the history, art and culture of Chinese traditions. She said, “This event is not only a celebration but also an educational opportunity for the community to learn about the traditions that shape various Asian cultures and how art is integral to those celebrations.”

Guest artist Joan Kim Suzuki used her artwork to express her respect for Asian cultures. Her paintings, she says, are inspired by her upbringing in Seoul, the stories her grandmother told her and the pride of being Asian American instilled in her by her parents. Suzuki says she wants people to look at her artwork and be happy.

Jane Kang, a member of the Asian-American Task Force, gave lessons in Chinese paper cutting, which originated in the sixth century when paper was invented. She explained that people would use paper to decorate their homes to celebrate Chinese New Year or for special occasions. The red paper would welcome good fortune and health. Kang says paper cutting “is an art form that doesn’t get enough exposure and it’s a beautiful method of expression.”

In addition to the activities, families also had the chance to explore the museum’s current exhibits, many of which reflect Asian influences in art. Visitors were able to view works from renowned artists that connect to the theme of Lunar New Year, offering a deeper appreciation for the artistic traditions of the continent.

Weiner explained, “Events bring together the local community and showcase the diversity of culture that we have in our community.” She added, “Art is a way to communicate, even when you don’t understand the language.”

For more information about upcoming programs and exhibits at Heckscher Museum of Art, visit www.heckscher.org.

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