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Photo courtesy of LIGMC

This December, the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus (LIGMC) invites its audience to join with them as they “Make a Joyful Noise” to celebrate their love of singing and the spirit of the holiday season.

During concerts set for 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington village; 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13 at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 1692 Bellmore Ave., North Bellmore; and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket, LIGMC will fire up the musical sleigh for a first half dedicated to the joy of singing and a rollicking second half filled with holiday favorites and surprises. Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase at the door or online at https://www.ligmc.org/concerts.

“The joy of singing is what brings these men together season after season, and the camaraderie and musicianship that grows from this bond is certainly something to celebrate!” said LIGMC Artistic Director and Accompanist Jeanette Cooper. “As showtime draws closer, I just know that the hard work of every single one of our choristers is going to give you something to remember and cherish.”

Earlier this season, LIGMC’s 19 singers hosted its “Heroes and Villains” cabaret brunch at VFW Post 433 in Sayville. Earlier in the fall, members sang the National Anthem at the Village of Manorhaven Sept. 11 memorial ceremony for the second consecutive year. Looking ahead, LIGMC members are set to make the trek to Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 18 to perform in the lobby of the InterContinental Barclay New York, continuing a longstanding holiday tradition of spreading holiday cheer in the Big Apple.

“This season, we have had the pleasure of welcoming five new singers to LIGMC’s ranks – each of whom has quickly made their own mark on our brotherhood of song,” said Bill McCarthy, President of LIGMC’s Board of Directors. “We have found each other through the universal language of song – and this holiday season, we are looking forward to celebrating the season and sharing our unifying love of music with all of you.” 

About the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus (LIGMC) 

The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus is a volunteer, not-for-profit, community-based organization that provides diverse audiences with high-quality choral performances and musical experiences. LIGMC uses music to unite the LGBTQ+ community, fight prejudice and discrimination, foster a welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individuals to be their authentic selves and explore their diversified interests, and affirm the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the region’s cultural life.

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Volunteer Mary Reid, with her grandsons, Robert and Nicholas Parisi helping in the food pantry. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Families shopping for household items. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Helping Hands Rescue Mission President, Kim Gaine-Gambino shows a rendering of the new Community Kitchen. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli

By Jennifer Donatelli

While many people enjoy a day off work or school to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, others are struggling just to put food on the table each day. With the aid of Helping Hands Rescue Mission, a nonprofit organization based in Huntington Station, hundreds of families will have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.

The mission introduced a program called Fill a Box, Feed a Family in 2021 that collects food donations for Thanksgiving. Donors pick up a box at the outreach center, fill it with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal and return the box by Nov. 22 to Huntington Assembly of God in Huntington Station. Some people fill one box, others fill multiple boxes.

With a mission rooted in compassion and community support, Helping Hands Rescue Mission seeks to alleviate some of the burdens faced by the underprivileged, offering both immediate relief and long-term hope. Through the generosity of donors and the tireless efforts of 125 volunteers, they work to ensure no one goes without the essentials for survival and dignity.

The mission was founded in 1965 by newlyweds Rev. J.A. Gaines, his wife, Rev. Rose Marie Gaines and her mother Florence E. Meringola, after witnessing local poverty firsthand. The couple returned from their honeymoon and used their wedding money to start the mission with the viewpoint that if they could help even one person, it was worth the investment.

The foundation’s work continues 59 years later under the direction of their daughter, Rev. Kim Gaines-Gambino, who functions as the president and pastor of the nonprofit. “My parents were the best ambassadors of what it means to love, serve and give,” said Gaines-Gambino. “Those were the core values of their mission, and we continue to do that today.”

When asked about what it means to run the mission on a daily basis, Gaines-Gambino said it means so much to her because she grew up with the mission and doesn’t know what life is like without it. “Serving the community has always been a part of my life,” she said.

Working with Food Rescue U.S., a nonprofit that transfers fresh food from restaurants, grocers and other food industry sources, the mission is able to provide prepared meals for the more than 250 people they serve each week.

One of the oldest members of the organization is Huntington resident Kay Jahn, who, at 90 has been volunteering since the mission first opened. She described her work as “a gift from God.”

Mary Reid of East Northport has been volunteering in the food pantry for seven years. This week was special because her grandsons, Nicholas and Robert Parisi, ages 9 and 7, visited from South Carolina during their school break to work with her in the food pantry. “We get to help people, and it feels good when you can see people be happy for one day,” said Nicholas.

Gaines-Gambino explained the town has been very generous to them over the years. “Whole Foods in South Huntington gave us a $10,000 donation and delivers food to us three times a week,” she said. The mission also receives donations from Trader Joe’s, Starbucks and Lidl, to name a few.

In addition to the outreach program, Helping Hands Rescue Mission introduced a monthly program in 2017 they call Baby Blessings. “We were running out of diapers in different sizes for the moms who came to the outreach,” Gaines-Gambino said, “so we set aside one special day a month where we can do outreach just for moms and their babies.”

Held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Huntington Assembly of God in Huntington Station, Baby Blessings provides more than 160 underprivileged families in the community with diapers, baby clothes, baby supplies, toys and a warm breakfast and coffee donated by Starbucks. Shoppers can also take home formula, baby food, strollers, car seats and bassinets.

Registration is necessary to participate in the program, and all moms must be residents of Huntington, with some referrals accepted.

Claudia Gaffoor, a referral from Flushing, experienced poverty firsthand when she was laid off from her job as a crossing guard and couldn’t afford to pay her rent or buy food for her family. A single mom of two boys, Gaffoor has been coming to Baby Blessings since her 3-year-old was born. “I fell on some hard times,” Gaffoor said. “I can’t afford to buy my son clothes.”

Through a partnership with the Allied Foundation, a nonprofit comprised of pediatricians from Long Island, Baby Blessings is able to meet their diaper needs each month.

Liz Sturm from Commack, a retired doctor and longtime volunteer, comes every Monday to unload the truck. “My parents came from Poland after the war. We didn’t have anything like this to help us,” Sturm said. “So I like to help others as much as I can.”

Baby Blessings, run by Donna Fortmeyer of Hauppauge along with a team of volunteers, sorts, folds and pre-packs bags of donated clothes by size, making sure each bag has matching outfits along with pajamas, sweaters, pants and shoes. “It’s a great feeling knowing how many families we can help and how happy we can make them,” said Fortmeyer.

Ann Macchia, from Huntington, volunteers each week and even takes clothes home with her to fold and sort. “It gives me a great feeling to help other people and see the smiles on their faces,” she said. “At the end of the day, this is what it’s all about.”

Through fundraising and generous donations from the community, the mission is in its final stages of building a house they call The Community Kitchen — a homelike space that will provide fresh, nutritious meals to food-insecure families, veterans and the homeless on a daily basis.

The mission opens its outreach center to the Huntington community every Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. People can come to the pantry once every 15 days to get household items, clothing and food.

“Every person is deserving of love and compassion, regardless of their circumstances,” Gaines-Gambino said. “By offering a helping hand to those in need, we hope to spread the message of God’s unconditional love.” For more information visit www.helpinghandsrescuemission.org.

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Photo courtesy of Huntington Hospital

Huntington Hospital recently renovated its two cardiac catheterization labs and unveiled new state-of-the-art diagnostic technology. The renovated labs are a combined 1,200 square feet and cost approximately $5 million. 

In addition to the labs which each have a control room, there is a third-floor suite that includes nine beds and a holding area where patients are treated pre-and post-operatively.

“With the renovation of our labs, we continue to be able to provide our community with the highest level of cardiovascular care right here at home,” said Gaurav Rao, MD, director of interventional cardiology at Huntington Hospital. “This means faster diagnoses, efficient treatments, and ultimately, better outcomes for our patients. Having access to such advanced care close to home is not just a convenience, it’s a critical factor in saving lives and improving the overall health of our community.”

The new labs leverage this technology with integrated Coroflow Cardiovascular System to diagnose coronary microvascular dysfunction and coronary spasm, which was made possible through an anonymous donation. Computer-generated coronary physiology maps are utilized to diagnose coronary artery disease and guide interventions. Complex coronary interventions are routinely performed using coherence tomography (OCT), an advanced coronary imaging tool that allows precise plaque characterization to inform optimal calcium modification and tailored stent implant strategies.

“By incorporating cutting-edge technology, we are elevating the standard of cardiac care available in our community,” said Nick Fitterman, MD, president, Huntington Hospital. “This is a testament to our commitment to advancing health care and meeting the needs of our community with the highest level of excellence.”

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Thoracic surgeon Dr. Andrea Carollo in front of the ION robot. Photo courtesy Lee Weissman

By Daniel Dunaief

Early and prompt detection of any cancer can and often does lead to better patient outcomes. With that in mind, Huntington Hospital recently added a new ION Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy to identify and perform biopsies on lung nodules. The robotic system, which the hospital has used on 25 patients, can trim the time for a diagnosis to as little as two to four weeks from as much as 70 days.

“We felt it would be an appropriate investment for the patient population so they wouldn’t have to travel to get a diagnosis in a timely manner,” said thoracic surgeon Dr. Andrea Carollo.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer in Suffolk County, according to Dr. Nick Fitterman, Executive Director of Huntington Hospital. On top of that, two out of three lung cancers are in the outer third of the lungs, which the ION Robot specializes in sampling. Prior to the introduction of this system, patients either traveled to South Shore Hospital or would receive more extensive surgery to sample nodules.

For 90 percent of the patients, these nodules are benign. Not every nodule warrants a biopsy. Doctors use standard guidelines to monitor nodules and perform a procedure when these nodules require further investigation. With the ION Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy, these patients, who are under general anesthesia during the analysis, can go home the same day.

Get screened

Huntington Hospital. File photo

Doctors typically recommend further evaluation when nodules come up on a CAT scan. While many residents receive screenings for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer, few take the time to receive a lung screen, even among those who would benefit from initial and ongoing surveillance. About 79 percent of people eligible for a mammography get one. Of the people eligible for lung cancer screening, however, only about 6 percent receive them, Fitterman added.

“We are woefully, woefully deficient in lung cancer screening,” Fitterman said. “There’s an effective screening tool out there that is widely under utilized.”

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that high risk patients between 50 and 80 receive lung cancer screening. High risk patients include those who have smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years and are either current smokers or have quit smoking within the last 15 years.

“If you are a smoker, you should definitely get involved in lung cancer screening,” said Carollo.

By screening more patients, the hospital can offer immediate services, including surgery and various treatment regimes such as chemotherapy.

Options

Once a CAT scan reveals a nodule that warrants further imaging, doctors have three potential surgical options.

They can use trans-thoracic biopsy if the nodule is of a good size, is in a favorable location and the interventional radiologist performing the procedure thinks it is technically possible.

The overall risk of a collapsed lung is about 10 percent with this approach, but much higher in patients with central lesions and  considerable emphysema. The risk is lower in patients with peripheral nodules and no emphysema. If a pneumothorax occurs, sometimes the patient requires a chest tube and hospital stay for as long as one to seven days.

With ION, the procedure is done through a breathing tube in the mouth and into the airways. The risk of a collapsed lung is less than one percent.

If there is a high suspicion of cancer, doctors can also go straight to surgery, which could be the case for a 50 year-old smoker with a 0.7 centimeter nodule that grew to one centimeter and shows activity on a PET scan.

In that case, the nodule and a portion of the lung are removed and sent to pathology, which evaluates it on site and, in about 20 minutes, can indicate whether it’s cancer. From there, doctors can take more lung tissue and lymph nodes for completion of a cancer operation. They review the tissue samples, which takes about 7 to 10 days to get a full answer of the type of cancer and stage if any mutations occurred.

The ION procedure, which has been available for over five years, decreases the risk of a collapsed lung and bleeding and provides an analysis of the nodule more rapidly. The complication rate is lower than with trans thoracic surgery.

At this point, Carollo is doing the majority of these ION-assisted biopsies, while pulmonologist, Dr. Nazir Lone, is doing some, as well.

In the ION procedure, doctors use a roller ball and a wheel that requires eye-hand coordination.

The company provides training to get certified and it takes about 10 to 15 of these procedures for a surgeon to feel comfortable doing them on his or her own, Carollo said.

Huntington Hospital ensures that doctors have sufficient training before allowing them to treat or diagnose patients. “Whenever we adopt any new technology or procedure, we have significant quality guardrails,” said Fitterman.

“We make sure that anyone operating on a machine first is proctored by someone else who is facile with it. They sign off and say, ‘Yes, you now met competencies. You can do it.’”

The speed of the analysis has important implications for patients. “If we can get this done in 30 days from the time we find something to treatment, that’s huge,” Carollo said. “Patients tend to have better outcomes. They live longer,” he continued. Delays over 50 days lead to decreased one and five year survival.

Other new developments

Huntington Hospital has several other new developments in the works.

The hospital is building a new cancer center in Greenlawn as well as expanding its labor and delivery capacity to provide services to more pregnant women.

Ever since St. Catherine of Siena closed its obstetrical unit on Feb. 1, Huntington Hospital has seen an increase in the number of pregnant patients.

The labor and delivery suites will add four beds and will refresh the space the hospital currently uses. The mother-baby units are “beautiful,” but the suites have to “catch up to that,” said Fitterman.

In the third quarter of next year, during the renovation, the labor and delivery areas will move to a place where the old emergency space had been. The improvements are expected to take about three months.

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Photo from Huntington Hospital Facebook

By Daniel Dunaief

A top source for consumers searching for doctors and hospitals, Healthgrades continued to recognize several departments and clinical efforts within Huntington Hospital, while adding others.

Healthgrades named Huntington Hospital one of the 100 best hospitals for Coronary Intervention for the fourth year in a row.

An affiliate of Northwell Health, Huntington Hospital also was ranked fourth in critical care in the state and, among other recognition, received five star distinction for Cranial Neurosurgery, earned the 2025 Pulmonary Care Excellence Award, and was named among the top 10 percent in the nation for overall pulmonary services.

“Healthgrades is one of the more recognizable accolades that hospitals can achieve,” said Dr. Nick Fitterman, Executive Director of Huntington Hospital.

The hospital has hung two banners and plans to celebrate the distinctions with staff on Nov. 6th.

“People want to play for a winner,” said Fitterman. “It really does make the team members, the doctors, nurses and support staff all feel better, knowing that they’re in health care, they’re compassionate people. To see the recognition makes them feel proud.”

Through ongoing and growing recognition of the expertise and services available to patients, word has spread about the quality of care people receive at Huntington Hospital.

“Our doctors that run the Emergency Room are seeing more people from zip codes outside of our usual primary and secondary catchment area as the reputation of the hospital is spreading,” said Fitterman. “I like to think that it’s because of excellent care” as well as people telling friends and family about their experiences.

Patients outside the normal coverage area mostly live to the east and south on Long Island.

Healthgrades also gave ongoing high rankings to the coronary interventional procedures for four years in a row, provided a five-star rating for treatment of stroke for two years in a row, and named the hospital a five-star provider for treatment of pneumonia for seven years in a year.

Huntington earned five stars for its treatment of sepsis for the third consecutive year.

‘We don’t set out to achieve any recognition,” said Fitterman. “The core ideology that I espouse to all team members is that excellence in clinical care is the best business strategy. Provide the best care possible and all this other stuff will fall into place.”

While Huntington received a top five percent recognition for cardiac interventions, which includes stents for people who have heart attacks and pacemakers for those whose conduction system is not working well, the hospital recently completed a $5 million renovation of its cardiac catheterization lab.

The lab, which will have a ceremonial opening in the next few weeks, will implement “some of the most advanced technology,” said Fitterman.

Amid predictions about extended hospital stays as the population ages, Fitterman suggested that Huntington Hospital was focused on improving the way it treats diseases to get patients out of the hospital and return them to their normal lives in a timely fashion.

In addition to enhancements in cardiac care, Huntington Hospital has added new neurosurgeons to the staff and has invested in a Zeiss microscope that has a three dimensional display.

“You’d think you’re seeing a Star Wars movie,” said Fitterman.

Huntington Hospital taps into the Northwell Health network, helping patients benefit from specialists spread throughout the system.

Hospital staff can consult with tumor boards that include hematologists, oncologists, and radiation oncologists spread throughout the Northwell network.

To help patients manage the stresses and strains that come from giving up control when they spend time in a hospital, Huntington converted several years ago to a dining service that allows people to order their meals according to their own schedule.

Patients can call any time of day to place an order. Food is then delivered to their room within 40 minutes, with no set breakfast, lunch and dinner times.

“Food is health,” said Fitterman. “If they were getting the same tasteless food that hospitals are renowned for serving, they would not be contributing to a healthy, therapeutic environment.”

For meetings, the hospital rarely orders from outside caterers, choosing food from the hospital kitchen.

The hospital has restructured the workflow to prevent any additional costs for the round-the-clock service.

Fitterman calls the chicken quesadillas “outstanding,” while he said some patients have come back to the cafeteria after they are discharged because of the popularity of the salmon.

Fitterman added that he is always looking out for ways to improve the experience for patient and their families.

“When I walk the halls, I’m still looking at things we can do better,” he said.

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Huntington Hospital's Caregiver Retreat on Oct. 29. Photo from Huntington Hospital
Huntington Hospital's Caregiver Retreat on Oct. 29. Photo from Huntington Hospital
Huntington Hospital's Caregiver Retreat on Oct. 29. Photo from Huntington Hospital
Huntington Hospital's Caregiver Retreat on Oct. 29. Photo from Huntington Hospital
Huntington Hospital's Caregiver Retreat on Oct. 29. Photo from Huntington Hospital

By Jennifer Donatelli

Are you or someone you know caring for a loved one?

In honor of National Caregiver Month, Huntington Hospital hosted its first-ever Caregiver Retreat on Oct. 29 to highlight the critical role support systems play for those caring for ill or disabled loved ones. Nearly one in four households is involved in caregiving for someone age 50 and older.

The event provided resources to ease the stress caregivers face, helping them navigate the complex healthcare system while creating a platform for sharing experiences with others. It emphasized the importance of self-care when another person depends on you.

Hundreds of caregivers attended the daylong event, participating in support and educational groups that provided tools to manage stressful situations.

Caregivers could also attend a Community Caregivers Resource Fair, guided meditation, and receive goody bags filled with giveaways. Most importantly, they were with others who had given up a part of their lives to be caregivers.

Barbara Roiland is one of many caregivers who attend weekly support groups and take advantage of Huntington Hospital’s programs. For the past 10 years, the Huntington resident has been the primary caregiver for her husband, Gary, who is suffering from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a debilitating brain disease.

Once an active couple who loved sailing, the diagnosis forced them to sell their sailboat, and Gary has since lost his ability to walk unaided and speak clearly. Barbara, with no medical background, has taken on the full-time role of his caregiver — a role that’s become overwhelming, isolating, and emotionally draining.

The support groups not only provide Barbara with emotional support but also help her navigate the medical complexities she faces daily, allowing her to keep Gary as healthy as possible at home.

“The diagnosis was devastating — our whole life has changed,” Barbara said. “I’m constantly worried about him falling or coughing.”

Barbara said that being able to ask medical questions and get support from others going through the same experience has been invaluable. “I don’t know what I’d do without it,” she said.

Northport resident Mary Ellen Mendelsohn has also found solace and guidance through the hospital’s caregiver programs. Mary Ellen’s husband, Andy, was diagnosed with prostate cancer several years ago. Despite treatment, the cancer returned, and since 2019, Andy has been in and out of the hospital, now reliant on a wheelchair due to the toll of his illness.

Mendelsohn shared how essential the hospital’s caregiver support has been in managing Andy’s frequent hospitalizations and medical needs.

“The caregivers have been a huge help,” Mendelsohn explained. “They check in every week or two, and those calls make a difference. They answer my questions, and that support has been vital. I miss spending time with my granddaughter, but having that extra help gives me some peace of mind.”

According to Mendelsohn, one nurse went out of her way to show her how to properly irrigate Andy’s catheter, a critical task given his susceptibility to UTIs. From ordering her husband’s supplies to refilling his medications, Mary Ellen has taken on most of his care, but she emphasizes how much it helps to know she’s not alone.

Two years ago, Huntington Hospital completed the Reichert Family Caregiver Center. The 550-square-foot space, located in the main lobby of the hospital, was designed to offer extra care outside the hospital. The center provides a space for caregivers to sit and talk with trained caregiver coaches who can offer resources as they manage the day-to-day demands of caring for a sick loved one.

Nick Fitterman, executive director of Huntington Hospital, said, “This center will be a destination for caregivers in our community to find resources and respite when they need assistance.”

Trained volunteer coaches and a social worker meet with family caregivers one-on-one to provide emotional support, discuss their concerns and needs, and guide them to community resources, said Kacey Farber, LMSW, program manager.

The Reichert Family Caregiver Center is staffed by a social worker and trained volunteer coaches. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It includes a quiet room with a recliner chair, a small meeting room, and a room with three chairs and a computer.

For more information on Caregiver Support Programs, visit www.huntington.northwell.edu

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The new ADA playground at Otsego Park. Photo from Town of Huntington
The new ADA playground at Otsego Park. Photo from Town of Huntington
The new ADA playground at Otsego Park. Photo from Town of Huntington
The new pickleball courts at Otsego Park. Photo from Town of Huntington

Six New Pickleball Courts and ADA Compliant Playground for Town’s Southern-most Park in Dix Hills

Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth and the Town of Huntington have officially opened the completely redesigned, all-inclusive playground and six new pickleball courts at the Town’s southern- most Park in Dix Hills, Otsego Park.

“The Town of Huntington has committed tens of millions of dollars upgrading its parks over the past 3 years”, said Town Supervisor Ed Smyth. “This includes over $740,000 for the Otsego Park improvements incorporating ADA compliant play structures and 6 new pickleball courts. These enhancements are a continuation of Huntington’s commitment to maintaining, upgrading, and preserving our public spaces for our residents.”

The new playground & pickleball courts took over a year to complete. The unveiling features a brightly colored, brand-new playground structure, new playground safety surface, walkways, landscaping, and benches. Room has also been designated for a shaded picnic plaza adjacent to the pickleball and tennis courts to be added in the future. The new pickleball courts replace the decades old dek hockey court that had fallen into disrepair. The new courts and playground are located on the south end of the park, closest to the Commack Road entrance.

Otsego Park is one of the town’s most widely used parks with fourteen playing fields for little league, softball, and baseball. The park also includes basketball courts, lighted tennis courts and a convenient comfort station. Plans are underway to upgrade the popular baseball field 9 with a new turf infield playing surface.

Over the past 3 years, Supervisor Ed Smyth and his Parks, Engineering and General Service teams have been chipping away at restoring many of the over 50 active and 90 passive parks throughout the Town. This year, the Town has breathed new life into several parks – many of which were long overdue. Upgraded parks include: Al Walker Park, Crab Meadow Beach Playground, Whitman Park, and the recent unveiling of the state-of-the-art playground at the Town’s crown jewel, Heckscher Park.

Smyth concluded, “We are so proud of the upgrades at Otsego. The popularity of this Park will assuredly climb with these new additions and enhancements. But, projects like this do not happen by themselves. The Town had many partners that help us financially and collaboratively to make many of these projects happen. Once again, we owe a great deal of thanks to EOSPA, the town’s Environmental Open Space Park Fund, for their insight, support, and financial contributions. They are invaluable to this and so many other initiatives throughout the Town. Another Advisory Task Force that we rely on greatly is the Citizens Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities (CAC). As we move to bring our parks and public spaces into the 21st century, we have been reliant on the CAC’s expertise and advocacy on building an inclusive environment. We owe a great deal of gratitude to both EOSPA and the CAC.”

Supervisor Smyth stated that his 2025 budget has plans to upgrade additional parks in the town including: Columbia Street Park, Koster Park, William Burn Park, and phase two of the Crab Meadow Beach Playground.

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Participants from last year's supermarket drive. Photo from Councilman Ferro's office
Participants from last year's supermarket drive. Photo from Councilman Ferro's office
Harborfields Tornadoes Head Coach Rocco Colucci, with Councilman Salvatore Ferro, Director Kevin Thorbourne, Director of Community Development, Angel Cepeda, Suffolk County Second Precinct Police Officer Claudia Delgado.

Huntington Town Councilman Salvatore Ferro has announced the collaboration between his office and Town Director of Minority Affairs Kevin Thorbourne for the third annual Supermarket Food Drive.

This community-driven event will take place for Harborfields, Huntington, and John Glenn high schools on Sunday, October 27 from noon to 4 p.m. and for Northport on Sunday, November 10 from noon to 4 and will bring together local high school football teams to raise hunger awareness and support local food pantries.

The Supermarket Food Drive will feature a friendly competition among several football teams from high schools across the Town of Huntington.

These teams will be collecting non-perishable food items outside the following locations:

  • Harborfields Tornadoes Football: Greenlawn Farms, 777 Pulaski Road, Greenlawn
  • Huntington Blue Devils Football: Stop & Shop, 60 Wall Street, Huntington
  • John Glenn Knights Football: Stop & Shop, 3126 Jericho Turnpike, East Northport
  • Northport Tigers Football: Stop & Shop, 454 Fort Salonga Road (25A), Northport

Councilman Ferro emphasized the significance of the different football teams coming together to give back to the community, stating, “The Supermarket Food Drive embodies the strength of our community spirit. I’m proud of our local high school football teams for their commitment to supporting those in need within our community. This event showcases the unity and compassion that define our town.”

Residents are encouraged to join Councilman Ferro, Director Thorbourne, and the high school football participants on Sunday, October 27, for Harborfields, John Glenn, and Huntington Football Teams and on Sunday, November 10 for the Northport Football Team to donate non-perishable food items and help make a positive impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity in Huntington. For more information, call 631-351-3175.

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Scene from the 2024 Huntington Apple Festival. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Scene from the 2024 Huntington Apple Festival. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Scene from the 2024 Huntington Apple Festival. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Scene from the 2024 Huntington Apple Festival. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Jess Seilheimer, Owner of Dahlia and Dreams sells her home-grown flower bouquets. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli

By Jennifer Donatelli

The aroma of fresh-baked pies, hot apple cider and hand-cut flowers filled the autumn air last weekend as families flocked to the Huntington Historical Society’s Apple Festival at the Daniel W. Kissam House Museum.

This free event has grown from a small community gathering 20 years ago into a vibrant celebration of fall that attracts over 1,000 visitors from all over Long Island. The festival featured a variety of activities and hands-on demonstrations designed to educate the community about life during Colonial America.

Heather and Rob of Kings Park brought their children to the festival to celebrate their daughter’s birthday.

“We wanted to do something fun outside for her and this is the perfect place,” Heather said.

The smell of fresh-cut flowers was abundant throughout the day. Jess Seilheimer, owner of Dahlias and Dreams, grows the flowers in her Centerport backyard, and transforms them into beautiful bouquets.

“I love bringing flowers into people’s homes because it makes them joyful and relaxed,” Seilheimer said. “This makes me happy and makes other people happy and that’s exactly what I want to do.”

In addition to the relaxing, music-filled ambiance of the event, attendees dove into American history with tours of the 18th-century Kissam House. The house, built in 1795 by Timothy Jarvis and first occupied by Dr. Daniel Whitehead Kissam and his family, is one of four national register historic properties, maintained by the Huntington Historical Society.

Attendees experienced firsthand what it was like to live in colonial America. Demonstrations throughout the day included traditional folk artisans woodworking, weaving and quilting.

Additionally, activities for the children included a magic show, face painting and pumpkin decorating, among a host of other activities.

One of the most popular demonstrations of the day was rug hooking — an art form where rugs are made by pulling loops of wool through stiff, woven fabric, such as burlap.

Mary, a member of the Rug Hooking Club of Long Island, explained that in colonial times, rug hooking was a craft of necessity. Poor women used scraps from their bags to create homemade floor coverings while girls from wealthy families were sent to school to learn embroidery or quilting. Today, rug hooking is regarded as a fine art.

Donna Waldenburg, a member of the Huntington Historical Society board, said the Apple Festival is a great way to engage younger families and showcase the society’s programs and events.

“We want to educate the community about colonial life… in a way that [engages] everyone,” Waldenburg explained.

Stephanie Gotard, executive director of the Huntington Historical Society, reiterated the uniqueness of this annual event.

Long Island-grown apples were sold by the bag along with other fall favorites like candy apples, apple donuts, apple cider and an assortment of homemade pies and breads from the Jericho Cider Mill and local bakeries.

The Kissam House is open for tours during the week. Visitors can also stop by the Museum Store to shop for collectibles and antiques.

For more information on tours, workshops, programs and events, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

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A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from Huntington's Fall Muster Day 2024. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli

By Jennifer Donatelli

The year is 1775 and there’s been turmoil in all of the colonies. At least, that’s what it felt like for visitors at the Huntington Militia Group’s annual Fall Muster Day last Sunday, Oct. 20, at The Arsenal, part of the Sammis House, at The Village Green in Huntington. 

The Militia Group recreated life in the 18th century with live, hands-on demonstrations through the day of civilian and military life in the 1700s.

Attendees witnessed live musket and cannon drills throughout the day, as well as witnessing them being fired from The Arsenal. This was all part of living history that the Militia Group uses to educate the community of what life was like in Colonial America in Huntington. All volunteers were dressed in period clothing they sewed themselves.  

Patrick Mantle, commander of the Huntington Militia, said the event promotes family participation with the live demonstrations and provides a wide range of educational activities. He explained, “It’s like American history textbooks coming alive.” 

In addition to a variety of colonial crafts, visitors learned about silversmithing, paper making, sewing, cooking, embroidery, weaving and even how to load and shoot a musket.

One of the highlights of the day for kids was the Children’s Musket Drill where kids — and adults — were taught to march, drill and fire “practice muskets.” Noah, age 8, from Huntington thought it was “so cool.” His older sister Elyse agreed, saying, “It made me really want to learn more about the history of the colonists.”

Papermaking, silver jewelry, embroidery and muskets 

Patricia Roos, one of the volunteers and a former teacher, talked about the importance of papermaking while she demonstrated the process. She explained that paper was too expensive to buy because it was being imported from England and was heavily taxed by the British. Paper was an important commodity because it was used for writing letters, as cartridges for guns and writing books. 

The colonists wound up teaching themselves how to make paper from natural materials like linen or cotton from their clothes. Roos said, “The colonists would wear out their clothing until it became rags and then sell it to a ragman.” She added, “The ragman would turn around and sell the clothing rags to a factory where they would chop up the fabric into little tiny pieces, put it in a barrel with water to make a pulp.” Using a screen and pressing out the water, the soon-to-be paper would hang to dry for 24 hours. 

Volunteer and silversmith, Michael Goudket, makes silver jewelry from coins — a trade he said the colonists carried out during the early 1700s. He added that Native Americans would trade beaver pellets for silver jewelry. The Native Americans would use the silver crosses as decorative and shiny pieces on their clothing. 

Goudket explained, “Silversmiths were an intricate part of the community because in colonial times, when you brought your money to the bank they charged you to have a man stand with a gun and guard it.” He added, “People would bring their coins to the silversmith who would turn them into plates and tankards writing the owner’s initials on them so they couldn’t be stolen.” 

Goudket said he learned silversmithing while a student at Syracuse University. “It was part of my fine arts curriculum,” he said. “I have been silversmithing ever since.” He explained that a silversmith would take silver coins and hammer them out to make sheets of silver that would be used to trade for beaver pellets, which were needed to make fur hats.” 

Robert and Merrell, a husband-and-wife team who did not wish to disclose their last name, have been volunteering for years with the Huntington Militia Group. Merrell explained the importance of embroidery, while showing visitors how to use the embroidery needles to make dining room chair covers from the 1700s. She said, “Ladies did all the embroidery because it was a luxury that required leisure time and a lot of money.

Robert demonstrated how cord would be used in colonial times in lacing a corset or for a woman to use cord to tie her apron. He said, “It may have been done by the ladies, children or older people in the house to give them something to do.” 

Robert said he learned the art of lucet when he went to visit the Jamestown settlement in Virginia. He observed a woman making cord and said, “When I got home I went to the library and found a book on an 18th-century lucet and began from there.” He has written a reference pamphlet on the subject so the tradition can carry on. 

Attendees got to see first-hand how Revolutionary War soldiers were able to load and shoot a .75 caliber rifle. Artillery volunteer, Vinny DeNardo, explained that a regular rifle only had the capability to shoot 65 to 75 yards but a gun-powdered musket can load in 20 seconds and could shoot across three football fields, instantly killing a British officer with only one shot. 

Huntington Militia

The Ancient and Honorable Huntington Militia is one of the oldest organizations in the United States. It was formed in 1653 by the Town of Huntington to provide an effective defense against the hostile Dutch settlements of New Netherlands and to keep the local Native Americans in awe by holding regular, public training exercises on the Town Common. Huntington was made part of the Colony of New York in 1664 and the Huntington Militia became part of the New York Provincial forces in 1666.

The Huntington Militia was reactivated by The Town of Huntington in 1974, to serve in a ceremonial capacity as its official Colonial Guard and to continue as a permanent, living link with the town’s proud heritage. The militia became a Revolutionary War reenactment unit in 1976 and continues to this day to preserve its heritage and recreate life as it was on Long Island in Colonial America.

For more information on upcoming events, or to volunteer, visit the website www.huntingtonmilitia.com.

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