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Northport wrestlers win in court and then on the mat

by Steven Zaitz - February 13, 2025

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By Steven Zaitz

On Wednesday, Feb. 5, Northport High School wrestler Kingston Strouse was playing his saxophone in 9th period band class when the senior was asked to report to Athletic Director Mark Dantuono’s office.

When he arrived, he found his coach of four years, Thad Alberti, sitting in that office stone-faced and glum.

Alberti informed Strouse, who is ranked first in his weight class in Suffolk County, that due to an administrative error, he, along with five of his teammates, were ruled ineligible for post-season competition. There would be no League Championships, which was just days away, for Strouse and his mates.

That was the first domino — without Leagues, there was no path to Suffolk County or State championship tournaments.

As per New York State Public High School Athletic Association policy, a wrestler who exceeds the maximum number of tournaments, which is six, is ineligible for the remainder of the season and the coach of the wrestler is suspended from the team’s next two scheduled competitions. The reason for the rule is that wrestlers accumulate points over the course of the season and a wrestler who participates in extra matches will have potentially gained more points than his competitors.

“When I was first told the news, I remember being shocked, but I don’t think I had a single ounce of hate or a single ounce of regret for anything that had happened,” Strouse said. “I just remember feeling bad for my coach because he was sitting there and he just looked devastated. I was more concerned about how other people were feeling about the situation and I thought that if we really were together, we could get it overturned. I knew we were going to put up a fight about this.”

His teammates were more concerned about Strouse.

“Kingston is our leader and being that he’s a senior, I really felt terrible for him,” said teammate Peyton Hamada, who was one of the six also suspended. “I was more upset for him than I was for myself.”

As of Wednesday night, the season was over for Strouse, juniors Hamada and Lucas Rivera, sophomores Sebastian Stabile and Tyler Naughton and freshman Ryan Muller.

But it was Strouse– because of his top ranking in Suffolk County at 152 pounds, his stature on the team and his storied four-year career as a Northport wrestler –who became the face of this soon-to-be exploding media frenzy. The other kids will wrestle for Northport next year. Strouse will not.

The story was first reported by Newsday’s Gregg Sarra, who is the editor of the paper’s high school sports section. As of Feb. 6, he reported that the ‘Northport Six’ were disqualified, and as per Section XI Chief Tom Combs, the rule was clear-cut and the matter was now closed.

But the matter was not closed.

As social media became ablaze with the news, opinions for and against these Northport athletes being allowed to compete were split. Some were compassionate, not wishing the boys to be punished for a mistake that they themselves did not make.

But others were unsympathetic, posting that Northport has to play by the rules like everybody else. One post on X read “typical Northport athletics, always breaking the rules and never paying for it. Mistake my (foot)”.

As the Long Island wrestling world debated, the guys on the team, the booster club and the Northport and wrestling communities banded together with a plan of action. They set up a GoFundMe page that raised nearly $9,000 to retain a legal team to fight this in the courts. Attorneys Anthony Camisa and James Pascarella, both former Long Islanders wrestlers, were brought in.

The group, including the six wrestlers and some of their parents, travelled to the courthouses in Riverhead on Friday and were able to appear before Suffolk County Justice of the Supreme Court Peter R. McGreevy on an emergency basis. The League III championships were going to start — with or without these guys — in less than 24 hours.

“I told the kids and the parents that all I can do is get you guys before a judge and once that occurs, nobody knows what will happen,” said Camisa, who was a wrestler at Longwood and University of Albany before he passed the bar exam. “In this case, the kids did nothing wrong and not being able to wrestle would have caused them irreparable harm. I think that was the part of our argument that got us our stay.”

Strouse, who had been fighting a nasty cold all week, was ecstatic at the favorable result.

“When we got down there, it really seemed like we weren’t going to win the case and be able to wrestle,” said Strouse. “Everything was kind of stacked against us, so I can’t even put into words how grateful I am to the lawyers that were able to get this done. But I’m also grateful to the Northport community and the wrestling community as well. It’s a lot smaller than other sports and wrestlers back each other up. A lot of my friends from other schools on Long Island were reaching out to me, being supportive, and sending out our GoFundMe link. There are a lot of people to thank for this.”

It was now time to focus on wrestling

Strouse, still not at 100% strength due to his cold, now had to get ready for the match. He prowled around the Smithtown East gym with a hoody over his head, waiting for his turn.

When it came time, he beat both Andrew Schwartz of Newfield and John Zummo of Smithtown East handily but it would be close to three hours before his final match against North Babylon’s Jack Miller. He waited. He listened to his music. He took a nap in the bleachers until the match with Miller arrived.

Ahead in points for most of the contest, a sudden scramble at the beginning of the third period against Miller caused an awkward twist of Strouse’s left knee. As he lay face down on the mat, writhing in pain, it looked for sure that Strouse’s roller coaster week wouldn’t quite make it to its final turn. His day seemed done.

With his coach, Chris Posillico, who filled in for the suspended Alberti, and Strouse’s worried mom Lori looking on matside, Strouse rose to his feet.

After a few flexes of his leg and a swig of water, the match continued.

“Yeah, it was bad,” Strouse said. “But it wasn’t structural, so it was just a matter of dealing with the amount of pain that we sometimes have to deal with in this sport.”

Strouse powered through, won the match 14-5, and this long, grueling, but ultimately satisfying week was finally done. However, his journey is not. Despite his lingering illness and the issue with his knee, Strouse will compete for a county championship this weekend at Stony Brook University.

“Everything I did on the mat today just didn’t feel right,” said Strouse. “Every shot I took wasn’t fast. My decision making wasn’t on. I just felt so foggy and weak. Plus, I couldn’t breathe out of my nose. It seemed like everything was just stacked against me, but I got the job done, so I guess that’s all that matters.”

Yes, Strouse did his job on the mat, but without his eclectic crew of 11th-hour partners from all across Long Island, there would never have been a job for him to do.

Letters to the Editor: February 13, 2025

by TBR Staff - February 13, 2025

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letters_page-scaled-1-700x467-1-1-1 — File photo by Raymond Janis

Relocate the PJ country club, stop the project

I appreciated Lynn Hallarman’s February 6 article, “Report finds no maintenance or repairs carried out on Port Jeff East Beach Bluff project”. It provides a great recap of how the village got to where we are in relation to the Bluff/Country Club.

Near the end of the article, we learn that the Mayor said, in a written email to the paper, that an open forum will be held where GEI will present the Phase 2 project design and path forward for Phase 1 remediation and restoration. “

It appears to me that this presentation will not provide options for residents to consider or gather input on how the residents would like to move forward but, instead, it will tell us what’s going to happen and how much we will pay via our property taxes.

I believe that this will not be the end of this nightmare. There will be other multi-million dollar work that needs to be done after Phase II is completed. This includes millions for a drainage system to prevent more damage to the campus, the restoration of Phase I project that partially failed, ongoing expensive upkeep including DEC-required yearly inspections, and a grandiose plan for a future sports complex (tennis courts, pickleball courts and more). When will the spending stop? Enough is enough and remember this is just a temporary fix. Nature will eventually win. All we will accomplish is postponing the inevitable and pushing the problem into the future.

We need to remember that the main purpose of this project was to protect the Country Club building from falling off the cliff since it provides a major income to the Village. Yet, I hear that the current tenant has not paid their rent in months. Maybe this is a sign that we need to stop, retreat and build a new smaller facility in a safer location that would serve not only this generation but future generations.

Robert Grimm,

Port Jefferson Village

BESS facilities are inefficient

In battery energy storage systems (BESS) fabricated using lithium-ion storage cells, the possibility of an uncontrollable thermal runaway fire, such as the recent event in Moss Landing, California, is a serious problem. However, there is another problem, which may cause even greater concern. This is the possibility of prolonged blackouts, due to an insufficient number of BESS installations, brought about by the occurrence of several consecutive days of overcast weather, during which little or no solar energy will be provided by the sun.

We have been told that climate change is an existential problem, and that all emissions of carbon dioxide must be eliminated. One apparent solution, which is apparently under serious consideration, would be to replace our existing power plants with solar arrays, with BESS installations to be charged with energy when sunlight is available, and will then provide power to the grid during times when the sun’s rays are not present, such as at night or during periods of overcast skies. This raises the question: in the worst case, how much energy must be stored, and how many BESS units will be required to make this energy available to prevent a blackout?

The reported annual electrical energy consumption for Suffolk County is approximately 10,800,000 MWh/year, or 1233 MWh/hour. A large BESS facility can provide 1400 MWh, from a full charge. This is the energy required by Suffolk County for 1.135 hours. During a normal winter day, let us assume that we have 8 hours of sunlight to charge the batteries, followed by 16 hours of darkness. Thus, under ideal conditions, each 16-hour period would require the stored energy of 14 fully charged BESS stations. Now let us consider the effect of one or more overcast days, during which we would lose the ability to charge the BESS batteries on those days. In this case, for one lost day, the fully charged batteries would need to provide power for 16 + 24 hours, or 40 hours. This would require a total of 35 BESS stations, an increase of 21 stations. In a similar manner, for each additional consecutive day lost, an additional 21 stations will be required, if we are to avoid a blackout, with no electrical power. For example, to maintain power with 2 overcast days, we will need 35 + 21 = 56 BESS stations For 3 days, 77 stations will be required. And so on.

These projections are based on our present level of energy usage, which is a mere 10,800,000 MWh/year. If recent predictions are to be believed, this may be a precursor to very large increases in the near future. These will be due to AI memory storage requirements, widespread (possibly mandatory) use of EV’s, electrification of the LIRR (as championed by the prolific Larry Penner) and alternative methodologies for home cooking and heating, to name but a few.

Should these applications eventuate, we will, of course, need to increase the number of BESS installations accordingly.

George Altemose

Setauket

Cancer prevention month

February is National Cancer Prevention Month. Did you know that almost half of all cancer cases are preventable? The Cancer Prevention in Action program at Stony Brook Cancer Center wants to share how you can prevent cancer for yourself and your loved ones.

Vaccinate: The HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine can reduce your child’s risk of six types of cancer later in life. HPV is a common virus, responsible for about 36,000 cancer cases annually in the U.S. These cancers include cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal–cancers of the mouth and throat. The HPV vaccine can prevent 90% of these cancers by preventing the virus that causes them. If your child is nine or older, talk to your child’s healthcare provider to schedule. For those who were not vaccinated in childhood, you can still get your HPV vaccine through age 45. Talk to your healthcare provider about your vaccination needs, or get vaccinated at your local pharmacy if you are 18 or older.

Get screened: Cancers such as breast, cervical and colorectal cancers can be detected early through screening tests. These three cancers account for one out of four of all cancer deaths in New York State. Finding cancers early can save lives, as treatment is more likely to be successful. Some cancer screenings can even identify and remove pre-cancerous cells before they develop into full-blown cancer. Examples of cancer screenings are mammograms, pap smears, fecal tests and colonoscopies. Talk to your healthcare provider about what screenings are recommended for your age and risk factors, and how often you should be screened.

Sun safely: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and indoor tanning beds is the primary cause of all skin cancers. The use of indoor tanning beds has been linked to increased rates of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and should be avoided. Protecting your skin from the sun when outdoors, even in the winter months, can also help reduce your skin cancer risk. Precautions to take include wearing sunscreen daily, reapplying every two hours when outdoors, covering up with wide-brimmed hats, UV sunglasses, long-sleeved clothing, and seeking shade, especially during the midday sun are all proven ways to reduce risks.

Live healthy: Having a healthy lifestyle is a way to lower your cancer risk. Quitting smoking and vaping, reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy body weight, and staying physically active are all forms of cancer prevention. Health coverage enrollment has also been shown to reduce cancer risk by improving your access to preventive care.

In New York State, nearly one in four deaths is due to cancer. The CPiA program at Stony Brook Cancer Center is working to change this by educating the community on cancer prevention, mobilizing communities to take action against cancer, and supporting local organizations, businesses, and municipalities to implement policies that prevent cancer.

The best time to take action against cancer is before it starts.

To learn more cancer prevention or to get involved with CPiA at Stony Brook Cancer Center, go to www.takeactionagainstcancer.com or contact us at 631-444-4263 or at [email protected].

CPiA is supported with funds from Health Research, Inc. and New York State.

Annalea Trask, Program Coordinator, Cancer Prevention In Action

Stony Brook Cancer Center

D. None of the Above: For Sam McGee, and others, it can never be too hot

by Daniel Dunaief - February 13, 2025

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By Daniel Dunaief

We recognize and register the temperature as soon as we leave our climate controlled house, car or office and step foot outside.

Cold, windy air might cause us to raise our shoulders, protecting our necks the way frightened turtles might pull back towards the shell when they sense a threat.

We have developed a real feel temperature or a “it feels like” temperature. Yes, it’s 28 degrees, but it feels like 12, which, to some, is more like negative 20.

How people experience temperature varies widely. An 85 degree day, with bright sunshine, could make one person feel as if he’s ready to conquer the world and is absorbing the sun’s energy.

Another person, say me, for example, might step out into that same temperature and instinctively search for shade, an air conditioner or a place near the water.

Many of us have friends, coworkers, spouses, children or roommates who prefer temperatures that are diametrically opposed to our own heat or cold sensitivity.

If my house were, say, 66 degrees, I would likely feel comfortable, while my wife would probably come into my home office wearing a sweater, gloves and a frown.

Taking out the financial part of the equation, people can and often do battle for control of the thermostat.

Differences between the sexes can explain some of this temperature disconnect.

Beyond describing the different cultures, expectations, communications and score keeping between men and women, the metaphor from the book “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” also might aptly capture the temperature differences, as Venus, with its gaseous carbon dioxide atmosphere, is the hottest planet and Mars is the fourth hottest. Neptune, incidentally, is the coldest.

While the gender generalization may apply in some cases, that’s never been my family’s reality. My daughter and I tend to run hotter, while my wife and son are cooler and prefer some heat as a counterbalance.

During the extremes of either season, half of the family is comfortable while the other half is either looking to dive into a pool of ice water or is eager to sit with a book near a roaring fire.

Many years ago, my wife and I attended a spectacularly hot college reunion. Well, it was incredibly hot for me. My wife left my side for a moment and returned with some ice cubes. She dumped them down my back and was shocked when I didn’t arch my back or pull my shirt out of my waist to dump the ice on the floor. The ice provided welcome relief.

The moderate middle tends to keep the family happy, as no one is complaining about uncomfortable extremes.

Given temperature sensitivities in our house, we all tend to be closest to our temperature best in the fall and spring.

Of course, as with everything else in life, different stages bring different temperature sensitivities.

When my wife was pregnant with each of our children, her body ran much hotter. We took winter walks that would have been almost inconceivable, so to speak, before we conceived.

The passage of decades, however, has changed how I experience temperature. I have become much more comfortable sitting in a warm baseball stadium and am not so tough when confronted with single digit temperatures.

To be sure, I’m still not able to wallow in a jacuzzi or an unusually hot pool for any length of time without feeling as if my skin is starting to boil.

Recognizing that what constitutes comfortable temperatures varies, I wonder why people so often imagine hell as a place with fire and brimstone.

The poet Robert Service wrote a wonderful and lengthy poem about Sam McGee, which a bus driver recited from memory when my wife and I took a trip to Alaska. With beluga whales we could see surfacing in the distance as we drove along the coast, she shared “The Cremation of Sam McGee” about someone who left Tennessee to search for gold in the Arctic only to discover that the cold was much easier to find than gold.

Sam is so spectacularly cold that he delights in the idea of being cremated when he inevitably dies.

For Sam, and perhaps many others, heat might be far preferable to a frigid afterlife.

Between You and Me: What each of us brings to a marriage

by Leah Dunaief - February 13, 2025

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By Leah S Dunaief

What happens when opposites attract? Are those the most successful marriages? It is sometimes said that we subconsciously supply missing strengths to our partners when we select a mate. Do we really? Or is it just chemistry? Or possibly both?

We all know different couples and can notice who brings what to each pair. But of course, we don’t truly know about any marriage except our own, and to some extent, that of our parents.

Speaking for my own marriage, I can attest to the fact that differences make for an interesting life. The first example that comes to mind was our view toward vacations. Here is a typical scenario.

He: “Let’s go on vacation next month.”

She: “Oh, I couldn’t leave work next month. We have two new supplements due and not enough staff to finish them.”

He: “You always say that.”

She: “Besides, where would we go?”

He: “How about white water canoeing in the Adirondacks?”

She: “With the children?”

He: “Yes. We can all learn how to canoe. And we can bring the dog.”

She: “How would that work?”

He: Pulling out from his inner suit jacket pocket an envelope stuffed with tickets, “I have reservations for a cabin, four canoes and an instructor for five days.”

You probably guessed. We went. We had a wonderful time. My mother and sister came too, which was critical since our third son was too young to join us on the water. He had a good time back at the cabin, and we did indeed learn how to white water canoe, although I have probably forgotten by now.

I also thrived on the break in my work routine, and the competent staff back at the office handled the workload just fine.

Since my husband died, I have had to set a date deliberately for each vacation, and it’s a fight I have with myself because I don’t think I should leave the office. But I also know that I will function much better if I take a rest, and thanks to him, I have become a big believer in the restorative power of vacations.

So what did I bring to the relationship?

Here is another true life adventure story. The children were a bit older, and we were going to learn to ski in Vermont.

He: “I’ll do some research and make the reservations.”

She: “OK, I’ll pack.”

We got a late start and didn’t arrive at the motel until well after dark. Exhausted, we fell asleep despite uncomfortable beds. The morning light revealed an unmanageable scene. The five of us, along with our suitcases, boots, heavy ski pants, sweaters and jackets, hats and gloves, could barely fit into the room. I had brought a toaster oven with the thought of making Eggos for breakfast and then getting an early start on the slopes. When I plugged it in, a fuse blew with a nasty zap. The bathroom left a great deal to be desired and there were no closets.

She: “Why did you select this motel? Are we near the lifts?”

He: “It was the most reasonable one. The slopes are only ten miles away.”

She: “C’mon kids, pack up. We are going to find another place to stay.”

And we did. It was more expensive, a half a mile from the entrance, and we did become a skiing family. It was also a bit of a turning point. My husband and I agreed that henceforth, we would spend enough money to be comfortable on our two weeks of annual vacation, and upon our return home, we would resume our normally frugal lives.

After that, even our children noticed the difference.

‘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.

Tractor trailer driver arrested for alleged DWI after crash in Dix Hills

by Press Release - February 11, 2025

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Suffolk County Police have arrested a man for allegedly driving while intoxicated following a tractor trailer crash on the westbound Long Island Expressway in Dix Hills on February 10.

Timothy Murray was driving a 2016 Freightliner tractor that was pulling a trailer westbound on the Long Island Expressway, when the vehicle left the roadway at the right shoulder, crashed into the guardrail, and came to a stop east of the Exit 50 off ramp, at 7:48 p.m. Several hundred feet of guardrail and two streetlamps came down in the crash. Another vehicle struck debris in the roadway and became disabled.

Two lanes of the westbound Long Island Expressway were closed for over six hours to remove the vehicles and clear the roadway, including clean-up of motor oil and approximately 50 gallons of spilled diesel fuel. Suffolk County Motor Carrier Safety Section responded and completed a post-crash inspection and NYDEC Hazmat Spill Response was on scene for the diesel fuel spill.

Murray, 64, of Mastic, was charged with Driving While Intoxicated. He was held overnight in the Third Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on February 11.

Editorial: ‘More learning, less scrolling’

by TBR Staff - February 9, 2025

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Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced her intention to ban cell phones during the school day. The state-wide initiative became more palpable when Hochul announced the 2025 budget plan, and she set aside $13.5 million in state funding to make it a reality.

Hochul’s announcement occurs during an international trend of banning cell phones in schools. Countries like Brazil and Italy have passed legislation restricting phone use in schools to varying degrees; now, it is New York’s turn. The ban would prevent phone use throughout the entire school day rather than just in the classroom.

One of the main arguments against the ban is parents’ fear that their children won’t be able to contact them in an emergency. Hochul’s report, published on her website, does not close off the possibility of allowing students access in extenuating situations. The scope of the ban is undefined, and seems to allow room for school modification. For instance, Hochul’s report does not wholly eliminate the use of devices for educational purposes, stating exceptions for, as an example, English-language learners who need the device to help translate.

In many schools across the Island, including the Three Village School District where cell phones are banned except for during lunch periods in the middle and high schools, cell phone use is already restricted.

The COVID-19 pandemic seemed to increase technology’s hold on the attention of students, serving as both their social lifeline and surrogate classroom, and now, back in the classroom, educators are observing the effects through decreased attention. Over 70% of teachers say that cellphones are distracting and problematic, according to Pew Research Center.

Even the mere knowledge that their device is close by, either in their bag or on their desk, can distract students from absorbing information, diminishing retention and memory. In addition, phones can serve as a social crutch, keeping students from truly connecting with their classmates.

The advantages of having a cellphone in school are numerous, including seamless communication in emergencies and access to educational services such as Flip grid and Kahoot, but given the many adverse effects on concentration, mental-health, memory and sociability, a ban seems favorable. The ban would begin at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. It brings to light issues that we should take into consideration, adults and students alike.

Some adults complain of issues retaining information. Could cellphone-use be the culprit, sitting in our peripheral vision and serving as a distraction as we try to read a book or get some work done? Research has shown it has.

A MAGICAL RETURN: First four Harry Potter films head to the big screen

by Heidi Sutton - February 9, 2025

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Great news for all Harry Potter fans! Fathom Events and Warner Bros. Discovery are partnering to bring back the first four films of the quintessential fan favorite Harry Potter film series to select theatres nationwide this February.

Harry with his pet owl Hedwig in a scene from ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.’ Photo courtesy of Fathom Events

The Harry Potter film series will be the first series highlighted in Fathom Fan Favorites, a new theatrical series that will feature films from iconic franchises.

For more than 20 years, the world has been captivated by the magic of the Harry Potter stories from J.K. Rowling and starting February 13, moviegoers will be able to relive, or experience for the first time, the first four films in the wizarding saga on the big screen.

Additionally, starting February 27, fans will be able to experience the films from the series in 4DX motion seats to get the feeling they are in attendance at Hogwarts alongside the Golden Trio.

Also for the first time in the United States, the UK version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, named Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will be presented in 3D and will give fans the chance to see some never-before-seen moments.

Each screening will also include an exclusive introduction by cinema legend Leonard Maltin, sharing unique insights for each film. The complete schedule for the “Fathom Fan Favorites: Harry Potter” series is as follows:

— Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on Feb. 13 , Feb. 20 and Feb. 27

— Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (UK version) on Feb. 13, Feb. 20 and Feb. 27 in 3D

— Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on Feb. 14, Feb. 21 and Feb. 28

— Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on Feb. 15, Feb. 22 and March 1

— Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 20th Anniversary on Feb.16, Feb. 23 and March 2.

Locally, the films will be screened at AMC Loews Stony Brook 17, Island 16 Cinema de lux in Holtsville, AMC Huntington Square 12 in East Northport, Showcase Cinema de lux in Farmingdale, and Regal Cinemas in Deer Park. Tickets are available at www.fathomevents.com or at participating theatre box offices.

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?”

Fashion trends in the news — ‘a-dressing’ the issues

by Sabrina Artusa - February 9, 2025

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By Sabrina Artusa

A dress made of TBR News Media newspapers is displayed in the window of Chocology in Stony Brook. Customers and Stony Brook University students played a role in creating the dress. This dress is part of Chocology’s Valentine’s collection.

“We want to capture the essence of each holiday through a unique chocolate-inspired creation,” said Linda Johnson, founder of Chocology. “I was especially inspired by the TBR 2024 People of the Year, which stands out as a celebration of creativity and community.”

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