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Professor Jennifer Cano. John Griffin/Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy Jennifer Cano was named a Chancellor’s Horizon Award for Faculty Research and Scholarship. This inaugural award from the State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John B. King, honors early career tenured and tenure track faculty whose scholarly or creative activities have already achieved significant recognition and crucially, hold strong promise for field-defining impact in the future. This award was given to 10 professors throughout the SUNY system.

Professor Cano is a theoretical physicist whose research focuses on the emergent properties of quantum materials; specifically, topological phases of matter. This includes study of the fundamental principles such as classification, as well as predicting new material platforms to realize exotic quantum phases. Professor Cano developed the theory of topological quantum chemistry, which combines group theory, topology and chemistry, to predict new topological materials.

“I am so pleased to see Professor Cano and her work recognized as one of the top early-career researchers in the SUNY system,” said Carl W. Lejuez, executive vice president and provost. “Professor Cano’s ongoing research is a critical part to building a quantum future, and I am proud to say that many of our Stony Brook faculty, across disciplines, are part of this significant ongoing effort to uncover the secrets and possibilities of quantum technologies.”

“While I am exceptionally delighted that Jen is recognized by the SUNY Chancellor’s Horizon Award for her outstanding work in condensed matter physics, I am not surprised by the recognition,” said Chang Kee Jung, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “Jen’s brilliance is so evident that I fully expected she would receive this award. Her work is already shaping and leading her research field and I have no doubt that it will continue doing so. Jen also excels in teaching, mentoring and her presentation at the Stony Brook  Discovery Prize competition was one of the best academic presentations I have ever seen. It is truly a pleasure to have Jen as a colleague and she is an inspiration for all.”

Candidates’ portfolios were reviewed by Distinguished Academy faculty who made recommendations to the SUNY Provost. Going forward, up to 10 awards will be conferred each year.

Professor Cano was also the winner of the Stony Brook University’s Discovery Prize 2025 for her research proposal, “Theoretical Framework for the Discovery of Topological Moiré Materials.” The Discovery Prize is an early-career faculty prize given to those at Stony Brook pursuing innovative and potentially groundbreaking scientific research. It was established and is funded by the Stony Brook Foundation.

The East Setauket resident earned her PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2015. She subsequently was a postdoctoral fellow at the Princeton Center for Theoretical Science. She came to Stony Brook in 2018 as an assistant professor and holds a visiting scholar appointment at the Flatiron Institute.

 

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Tony Saunders, on left, has been designated a Certified Home Watch Professional by the National Home Watch Association

Three Village Home Watch has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association for the third year. The NHWA was formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for Home Watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada (www.nationalhomewatchassociation.org).

Home Watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues, which means that it is a service that “keeps an eye on things” at your vacation or primary home while you are not in residence. All principals of NHWA Accredited Member companies are background-checked, insured, and bonded.

After decades of success in the electronic security monitoring industry, Tony Saunders wanted to spend more time in the field and less time behind a desk. This led him to launch Three Village Home Watch, which provides Home Watch and concierge services to busy professionals, frequent travelers, and homeowners with multiple residences, including “snowbirds” who travel to their residences in the South each winter. The company is bonded and insured specifically for Home Watch services.

Saunders graduated from the NHWA’s Home Watch Boot Camp and has earned the designation of Certified Home Watch Professional (CHWP), placing him among the industry’s elite Home Watch providers. The CHWP designation and Boot Camp training exemplify Tony’s commitment to Home Watch excellence.

Three Village Home Watch serves the Three Village area on Suffolk County’s North Shore, including Belle Terre, Crane Neck, East Setauket, Head of the Harbor, Nissequogue, Old Field, Old Field South, Poquot, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Setauket, South Setauket, St. James, Stony Brook, Stony Brook Shores, Strongs Neck, and Terryville. For more information, call 631-689-5683 or at [email protected]. Learn more from his website, at https://threevillagehomewatch.com.

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“Adopting Local Law No. -2025, A Local Law to Further Protect Animals from Persons Convicted of an Animal Abuse Crime" is signed into law on May 7.
Legislator Stephanie Bontempi with Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Chief Roy Gross of the Suffolk County SPCA, Suffolk County DA Ray Tierney’s BEAST UNIT, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, and legislative colleagues at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge.
From left, Suffolk County Leg. Stephanie Bontempi, Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross, and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.

Suffolk County Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R – 18th L.D.) joined Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, the Suffolk County SPCA, Suffolk County DA Ray Tierney’s BEAST Unit, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina, and legislative colleagues to officially sign into law “Adopting Local Law No. -2025, A Local Law to Further Protect Animals from Persons Convicted of an Animal Abuse Crime” on May 7.

This legislation was unanimously passed at the Suffolk County Legislature’s General Meeting on April 8th at the Legislature.

This local law amends the Suffolk County Code to establish a misdemeanor penalty for individuals on the convicted animal abuser registry who are found to be owning animals in violation of Suffolk County Code Sec. 229-28(F). 

In 2010, the Suffolk County Legislature enacted legislation to create the animal abuse registry, one of the first of its kind in the United States. Any Suffolk County resident aged 18 or older who is convicted of animal abuse is required to register their name, address, and photo with the registry. The registry is maintained on the Suffolk County Police website. Individuals must remain on the registry for 10 years and are prohibited from owning animals during this period.

The Suffolk County SPCA approached Legislator Bontempi to request this code amendment, highlighting a loophole in the current County code. The code did not impose any penalties on individuals listed on the Animal Abuse Registry, who were found to possess animals in violation of the County code. By passing this local law to strengthen the code, any individual who is required to register and is found to possess an animal in violation of section 229-28(F) will be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and will face penalties associated with that class of crime.

“I would like to thank Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross and his entire staff of volunteers for bringing this important issue to our attention, as well as County Executive Ed Romaine, my colleagues at the Legislature, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney, and Police Commissioner Catalina for their unwavering support. Together, we are finally able to close this loophole and further protect our animals,” stated Legislator Bontempi. “In Suffolk County, we will not tolerate the abuse or neglect of animals. By closing this loophole, we will ensure that those offenders who disregard the will law face consequences.”

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Photo from Stony Brook University Athletics
For the 12th season in a row, the No, 18 Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team is headed to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after a 11-8 victory over No. 17 Loyola Maryland on May 9 in Chestnut Hill, Mass.. The Seawolves improved to 10-0 all-time in the first round of the NCAA Tournament with the win.
Stony Brook was paed by three goal scorers in Courtney Maclay, Isabella Caporuscio, and Alexandra Fusco. Maclay led all scorers with a career and game-high six goals, as Caporuscio notched a hat trick, and Fusco recorded a pair for the Seawolves.

It was a complete team effort on the defensive end as Avery Hines, Allie Masera, Abby Sabella, and Alexa Constant ran a tight ship, causing 14 turnovers and collecting 15 ground balls. Natalia Altebrando made eight saves in the cage, earning her 13th win of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Through the first nine minutes of play, the Seawolves and Greyhounds traded shots but were unable to score. Stony Brook then opened scoring at 5:11 as Maclay notched her first of the day. Loyola responded with two of their own before the Seawolves’ found the back of the net, twice, with 15 seconds remaining in the quarter to take a 3-2 lead.

It was a quiet third quarter as Loyola scored a pair to start the half and Maclay got the Seawolves’ lone goal with 11 seconds to go, holding a 7-8 lead heading into the fourth.

Momentum was on Stony Brook’s side, scoring three more goals from Caporuscio, Maclay, and Fusco as the Greyhounds scored the final goal of the contest and the Seawolves went on to win, 11-8.

QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES

Up next, the team  advances to the NCAA Tournament Second Round to face No. 3 seed and host, Boston College, on Sunday, May 11 at noon. The game will be played at Alumni Stadium and air on ESPN+. This marks just the sixth time in program history that the Seawolves and Eagles will go head-to-head. The teams last met in the 2018 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals where Boston College emerged victorious 12-11 in overtime.

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Emma Clark is now a Family Place Library. Photo from Emma Clark Library
Emma Clark is now a Family Place Library. Photo from Emma Clark Library
Emma Clark is now a Family Place Library. Photo from Emma Clark Library
Emma Clark is now a Family Place Library. Photo from Emma Clark Library
Emma Clark is now a Family Place Library. Photo from Emma Clark Library
Emma Clark is now a Family Place Library. Photo from Emma Clark Library

Emma S. Clark Memorial Library in Setauket has announced that it has been formally approved as part of The Family Place Libraries™ national network, which emphasizes play-based learning as an essential tool to early childhood development, particularly for those families with young children ages one to three years old.

The Children’s Department at Emma Clark began the process to become certified as a Family Place Library in late 2024, which included extended training for librarians beyond their library schooling. These workshops were taught by child development experts and Family Place Trainers and served as a good refresher regarding building pre-reading skills and helped to spark new ideas for learning through play. The training also focused on supporting parents and caregivers by connecting them with resources and professionals, as well as providing engaging programming opportunities.

“I am excited to be a part of the Family Place initiative which provides a framework for expanding my role as a librarian in connecting with young children, parents and caregivers and facilitating the support they need,” said Marcela Lenihan, one of the children’s librarians who attended the training.

Although Emma Clark already had many of the initiatives in place such as board and picture books, puzzles, a train table, and a coloring spot, in the past year they added more imaginative toys to the Children’s Library, such as dramatic play items (kitchen, market, dress-up clothes, etc.). Looking ahead, Brian Debus, the Head Children’s Librarian, is hoping to add more toys geared towards infants, as well as more comfortable seating for parents, grandparents, and caregivers.

“By joining this initiative, we’re investing in early learning, parent engagement, and community connection, ensuring every child and family gets the best possible start in life,” said Debus. 

Furthermore, the children’s librarians are working to fine-tune the already well-established Parent/Toddler Workshop by including community resource professionals at the program on a regular basis. This weekly workshop for children ages 18 months to 3.5 years old and their caregivers has always focused on open play, sharing, and connections with other parents and caregivers. 

It will now include specialists — such as pediatric nutritionists, speech pathologists, social workers, and child development experts —  so that parents and caregivers may speak one-on-one with professionals and ask questions in a comfortable, informal setting. This program not only aids in the child’s development, but it helps parents and caregivers to feel less isolated and gives them an increased sense of community belonging. 

The librarians also plan on offering more handouts from reputable organizations on parenting and childhood development, making the information easily accessible to patrons.

The Family Place Libraries™ model is now in over 500 libraries in 32 states serving thousands of young children and their parents/caregivers. 

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Three Village Civic Association during the planning meeting. Photo courtesy George Hoffman
Three Village Civic Association during the planning meeting. Photo courtesy George Hoffman

In a recent meeting at Studio 268 in East Setauket, around two dozen community activists began planning for a new expanded park in the downtown area, which many hope will help Main Street become a place where residents can stroll, take in views of the harbor and learn about Setauket’s local history.

Organized by the Three Village Civic Association, headed by Charlie Tramontana,  the participants included Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook), Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) and members of the Thre Village Chamber of Commerce, the Three Village Rotary Club and the Setalcott Nation, among others.

The working group will be meeting over the next several months to develop a plan that will then be incorporated into the Town of Brookhaven’s park project plan.

Charlie Tramontana said, “today was the first meeting of the working and planning group where we walked the park and discussed features that we hope to incorporate into the eventual plan for the park.”

The Three Village Civic Association plans to take the ideas and incorporate them into a computer generated site plan that will be created by Joseph Betz, a professor of architecture at Farmingdale College and member of the civic association.

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Island Harvest Food Bank, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), and the United States Postal Service (USPS) are once again in a united front for the annual Stamp Out Hunger® food drive, the nation’s most extensive single-day food collection campaign on Saturday, May 10.

At a recent kickoff rally at Island Harvest’s Melville headquarters before a group of postal union workers, corporate sponsors, and food bank staff and supporters, Samantha Morales, founder of Branches Long Island, a Middle Island-based social services organization that helps people in need, relayed a story about a first-time client coming in for food assistance.

“A woman named Maria came in holding a baby in one arm and a grocery list in the other. Her husband had been laid off, and their savings were completely gone. She looked exhausted yet determined and said, ‘I never thought I’d need help like this, but my baby needs to eat.’” Ms. Morales said that because of food donations from efforts like Stamp Out Hunger, Maria wasn’t turned away in her time of need, and she was given fresh produce, canned goods, and formula for her baby. As Maria left, she hugged a volunteer, broke down and said, “You gave me a lifeline today.” In concluding her remarks, Ms. Morales stated, “Every can, every box and every bag collected during this campaign helps real people right here on Long Island.”

According to Randi Shubin Dresner, president & CEO of Island Harvest, the need for food assistance on Long Island has never been greater.

“The need among Long Island families is alarming, making your contribution to Stamp Out Hunger more important than ever,” said Shubin Dresner. She highlights that the organization distributed a record 18.3 million pounds of food last year and is forecasted to distribute 20 million pounds this year.

“With increased costs at the grocery store, coupled with the region’s high cost of living and continued economic uncertainty, more Long Islanders urgently need supplemental food support. We are calling on the responsibility and generosity of all Long Islanders to donate what they can by leaving nonperishable food items in a bag next to your mailbox before the regularly scheduled mail delivery on Saturday, May 10 for your letter carrier to pick up and help ensure it gets onto the tables of our Long Island neighbors in need,” she added.

Nonperishable food includes canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices, and shelf-stable milk (no prepared food or food or juices in glass containers). In addition, personal care items such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and disposable diapers are gratefully accepted. All donations collected will help replenish Island Harvest’s network of community-based food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs in communities in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

“Every donation, no matter the size, will help countless Long Islanders who may be struggling to put food on their tables — even a can of soup can be a much-needed meal for people who are hungry,” added Ms. Shubin Dresner, “We’ve always been touched by the generosity of Long Islanders to help their neighbors in need, and we are confident that they will once again step up and support this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive.”

“The National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 6000 and the United States Postal Service are excited to partner with Island Harvest again this year for your 33rd annual Stamp Out Hunger food collection,” said Tom Siesto, Executive Vice President of NALC Branch 6000. “The members of Branch 6000 and the employees of the United States Postal Service often see firsthand the widespread issue of food insecurity on Long Island and are thrilled to take part in this very important campaign and give back to the local communities they serve.”

Since its inception in 1993, the Stamp Out Hunger food drive, held on the second Saturday in May, has collected approximately 1.9 billion pounds of food for those in need across the United States. Input from food banks and pantries suggested that late spring would be the best time because most food banks start running out of the donations received during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays by that point in the year, according to the NALC.

Last year, generous Long Islanders donated 382,175 pounds of food, supplementing 577,000 meals. Island Harvest hopes to exceed 500,000 pounds of food during this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food collection campaign.

This year’s Stamp Out Hunger collection campaign on Long Island is generously supported by presenting sponsor National Grid (lead sponsor), JPMorganChase, Dime Community Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, IPRO Healthcare, Leviton, M&T Bank, Nonna’s Garden, Petro Home Services, and Stop & Shop.

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Photo courtesy of Reboli Center

The Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook will host an exciting and informative talk with two distinguished figures in the world of classic motorcycles, international guest, Hans Keckeisen, and Long Island’s own, Peter Nettesheim on Saturday, May 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Keckeisen and Nettesheim will be discussing the fascinating history of BMW, the iconic Bavarian motor company, and the creation of a truly unique motorcycle that Keckeisen built specifically for Nettesheim’s museum collection. This event is open to the public and free to attend.

Hans Keckeisen

Hans Keckeisen is a master craftsman whose expertise in sheet metalwork, restoration, and reconstruction of classic motorcycles is second to none. Keckeisen specializes in restoring unusual bodywork and racing parts, always with meticulous attention to detail.

Drawing from years of experience and a passion for traditional craftsmanship techniques, Keckeisen is renowned for his work with BMW, Megola, and Windhoff motorcycles, among others. He treats each project with individual care, striving for the greatest possible authenticity and originality. He works with a diverse international clientele, from Austria to the USA, and his work is known for its dedication to preserving the technical cultural heritage of motorcycles.

The talk will also touch on Peter Nettesheim’s incredible contributions to preserving BMW’s legacy. Nettesheim is the owner of Nettesheim Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of BMW motorcycles, based on Long Island. With over 120 motorcycles spanning from 1923 to 1970, as well as 30 additional models from the 1970s onward, Nettesheim’s museum offers a remarkable look into the history and evolution of BMW’s motorcycle line.

The free event coincides with the Center’s current exhibit, Getting There,  which that delves into the artistic exploration of various modes of transportation, such as cars, motorcycles, trains, boats, and beyond.

No reservations required. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 631-751-7707 or visit www.rebolicenter.org.

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Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Sophie Reed, senior second baseman, hit a grand slam homer. Photo by StevenZaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from Ward Melville softball's charity game on May 3. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Signs dedicated to Gabby Petito adorned the grounds near the Ward Melville softball field. Photo by Steven Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

The Ward Melville softball team held their 5th annual charity game on May 3 for the benefit of the Gabby Petito Foundation and to bring awareness to domestic abuse.

For the past five seasons, the team has chosen a different charity to support and, for 2025, the team selected the Gabby Petito Foundation. 

Petito, who attended Bayport-Blue Point High School, was 22 years old when she was murdered by her fiancé in 2021 during a cross-country road trip. The foundation’s mission is to address the needs of organizations that support locating missing persons and to provide aid to organizations that assist victims of domestic violence situations through education, awareness and prevention strategies.

Purple balloons, bunting and petals of lilac and lavender festooned the grounds near the softball field and, although it was only 10 o’clock in the morning, the strengthening whiff of fire-grilled hot dogs tantalized the taste buds. 

Posters of Petito stood on easels near the backstop and an ice sculpture rested on a purple-and-pink draped table that was protected from the morning sun by a canvas tent. Two banners devoted to Petito and her namesake organization hung on the centerfield fence. 

Dana Powell, mom of senior star player Emerson Powell, who is currently on the injured list, organized much of this event, which has raised more than $10,000 so far. 

“We felt it would be great because this is a team of young ladies to bring awareness to domestic abuse and teach them — and the community — that it does start young. We want everyone to look for the signs,” said Powell, who is the head of the team’s booster club. “The Gabby Petito Foundation is doing amazing things to protect not just young women but also young men and missing persons.”

Members of Petito’s family participated in the pregame service and entered the field through the third-base fence, passing through a welcoming line of players holding their bats in an overhead V formation. The procession was led by Petito’s grandmother, Mary Wickman, and the family of about 10, who were all greeted by warm applause as they took their place near the middle of the diamond. Ward Melville head softball coach Joe Burger addressed the crowd near the third-base bleachers.

“There are times when our athletes need more than coaching,” Burger told the crowd. “They need to be lifted up, be seen, heard and supported. When the pressure of life and the game becomes too heavy, they need to know that we are standing right beside them and that we believe in them.”

Ward Melville players, coaches and most of the parents wore special purple shirts for this game that promoted the event on the front of the shirt and Gabby Petito Foundation. On the back, the phrase Love Doesn’t Hurt was written inside a heart-shaped border. Bellport donned similar shirts, but theirs were mostly white with purple trim. 

Lady Patriots players Isabella Parente, Sara Kropp, Cate Scolaro and Kaitlyn Morales spoke to the crowd about how much they have learned about the many forms of domestic abuse and what can be done to help. 

“I have learned that there are many resources and support available,” said Scolaro, who is an 11th grader. “Hotlines, shelters, counseling services and legal assistance are some of these and it is important to know that you are never alone and there is always help to escape the cycle of abuse and rebuild a safe life.” 

Mary Wickman closed the oratorical portion of the ceremony with a heartfelt thank you to the team, the school and the Three Village community. Petito’s cousin, Bubba Wickman, a middle schooler in the Middle Country Central School District and a grandchild of Mary, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Patriots catcher Haley Mauser, as last-minute hugs were shared on and around the field up until the very last moments before the umpire shouted “Play Ball.” During this time, the team presented Mary Wickman with a bright yellow, glass-encased softball signed by every member of the team, along with a bouquet of pink and white flowers. As she posed for photos and hugged each player, Wickman was awash with emotion.

“Being a team isn’t just about what happens on the field, it’s about fighting for something bigger,” said Mary Wickman. “And these young women have done just that. To the coaches and the players and the school and the community, I say thank you for taking the time, energy as a force for good. For the love of Gabby, keep leading, keep caring and using your voice to make a difference.”

On the field the Lady Patriots certainly made a difference too, as they beat Bellport by a score of 17-5. Senior second baseman Sophie Reed hit a grand-slam home run in the first inning and Ward Melville raced out to a 7-0 lead after just one inning. Starting pitcher Makenna Steinberg struck out 10 Bellport batters for the win.

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