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Village Times Herald

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'Journey' by Markee Sullivan will be on view from Nov. 14 to Dec. 21.

In perfect tandem with the season of giving, Gallery North in Setauket presents Deck the Halls, its annual group exhibition of small original works for the holidays, from Nov. 14 to Dec. 21. The community is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 pm. 

Enjoy artworks by over 50 local and regional artists in a range of media, including painting, printmaking, works on paper, sculpture, glassware, and more. 

The exhibition offers an excellent opportunity to support local artists, and features a diverse selection of affordable, exciting, original artworks for everyone on your list. 

In addition, Gallery North also features a large assortment of artisan-created jewelry, handmade crafts, and decorations within the Shop at Gallery North, as well as clothing and artist-made greeting cards produced in the Studio at Gallery North. They also offer the gift of an art class or workshop to an aspiring artist, child, or adult. 

As a complement to the exhibition, Gallery North will also host a Holiday Gift Bazaar inside the Gallery and the Studio on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

The purpose of the Holiday Gift Bazaar is to provide the community with a way to “buy local” this holiday season instead of shopping in malls and shopping centers. 

The Holiday Gift Bazaar will offer an excellent opportunity to support local artists and businesses, complete with warm beverages and treats from LevelUp Kitchen.

Shoppers will find a diverse selection of affordable, exciting, original paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, pottery, woodwork, glassware, artisan created jewelry, handmade crafts, decorations, and clothing — perfect gifts for everyone on your list. ‘Tis the season to shop local!

The Deck the Halls exhibition is generously sponsored by WFC Architects, The Field Family, Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Planning and Development, and Jefferson’s Ferry. 

Located at 90 North Country Road in Setauket, Gallery North is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 631-751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.

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By Katherine Kelton

Daylight saving time ended on Sunday, Nov. 3, giving Americans an extra hour to enjoy — except in Hawaii and most of Arizona.

On Long Island, this meant an earlier sunrise and saying goodbye to sunsets after 6 p.m. The next day in Port Jefferson, people enjoyed quintessential fall weather on the ferry to Connecticut. TBR News Media asked these passengers: How did you enjoy your extra hour?

Mary Rose and Alan Goldberg, East Setauket

Mary Rose and her husband Alan were in Massachusetts when the “fall back” happened. The pair were visiting their daughter. Even though the two had a “very long conversation the night about falling back and getting that extra hour,” they forgot the day off until they were about to leave their hotel. For them, the extra hour meant time to “sit around and chat, visit our daughter, hang out and be together.”

Monica Landivar, Stamford, Conn.

Monica Landivar, on left, from Stamford, Connecticut, on a day trip to Port Jefferson, shared the practical benefits she enjoyed from daylight saving time: “To be totally and completely honest, it was relaxing. And also, the good thing was that I had extra time to do some work around the house.”

Alenna Lin

Alenna Lin, Stony Brook University

Alenna Lin, a freshman at Stony Brook University, enjoyed the extra hour to reorientate her schedule. “I spend many hours studying for all my classes, so my sleep schedule naturally gets destroyed, especially after two back-to-back midterms last week,” she said. She could “go to bed an hour early, wake up at a reasonable time and be more awake during lectures.”

Amal Sani, South Setauket

A senior at Ward Melville High School, Amal Sani shared details of her three-day weekend, saying, “I had Monday off for senior skip day, so I had an extra hour and an extra day to do work.” She was sitting in Local’s Cafe in Port Jefferson doing college applications and school work, which she said she has been very occupied with. “Daylight savings was much needed,” she added.

 

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Ward Melville field hockey vs. Northport 11/02/24. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Ward Melville field hockey vs. Northport 11/02/24. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Ward Melville field hockey vs. Northport 11/02/24. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Ward Melville field hockey vs. Northport 11/02/24. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Ward Melville field hockey vs. Northport 11/02/24. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Ward Melville field hockey vs. Northport 11/02/24. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Ward Melville field hockey vs. Northport 11/02/24. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Ward Melville field hockey vs. Northport 11/02/24. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Ward Melville field hockey vs. Northport 11/02/24. Photo by Steve Zaitz
Caeley Monez battles Ward Melville’s Ava Simonton. Photo by Steve Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

The Ward Melville field hockey team defeated Northport 1-0 on Saturday in the Suffolk County semifinals, ending the storied career of Lady Tigers coach Gina Walling.

Peyton Phillips scored on a rare penalty stroke with two and a half minutes remaining in the game, securing the game’s only goal and sending the Lady Patriots to the county final against Sachem East on Tuesday. 

Ward Melville goalkeeper Olivia Zummo held Northport scoreless, making four saves and extending her 2024 shutout streak against the Tigers to seven consecutive quarters. The teams previously met on Oct. 22, with the game ending in a 0-0 tie as officials called it due to darkness midway through the fourth quarter.

This time, bright skies lit the field on Saturday afternoon. Both teams struggled to generate scoring chances despite a healthy number of penalty corners awarded, with much of the game contested at midfield.

With 2:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, Phillips was brought down in front of Northport goalkeeper Mariselle Camillone, earning the rare penalty stroke. The two had been in this situation before: on Oct. 16, 2023, Phillips attempted a penalty stroke but was denied by Camillone. That game marked the end of Northport’s 68-game winning streak, which lasted nearly 1,000 days. 

Ward Melville won that matchup 3-0, despite Camillone’s save.

This time, Phillips placed the shot — taken from only seven yards out — between Camillone’s leg pad and left blocker glove, sending it into the net. She was immediately mobbed by her teammates, a celebration that would repeat two and a half minutes later when the final whistle secured Ward Melville’s playoff victory. The Patriots had finally overcome Northport, which had eliminated them the past four years.

The game marked the final regular-season contest for longtime Northport Coach Walling, who has led the Lady Tigers for 17 years, winning multiple Coach of the Year awards, Suffolk County titles, and New York state championships in 2021 and 2022.

Ward Melville lost to Sachem East 1-0 on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in the Suffolk County Championship game. Sachem East completed their undefeated season in Section XI play with a 17-0 record.  They will play the winner of Massapequa and East Meadow for the Long Island championship game on Sunday.

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Trees, bushes and grass are dying from lack of rainfall on Long Island including this dogwood tree in a Farmingville backyard. Photo by Heidi Sutton

A fall drought has driven Suffolk County water demand to record-breaking levels, typically seen only during peak summer months. The Suffolk County Water Authority reports that it pumped approximately 7 billion gallons of water in October, about 1.5 billion gallons more than usual for the month, following one of the driest months of September and October on record.

While SCWA’s system is currently meeting demand, the prolonged high-water usage is complicating routine seasonal shutdowns of certain wells. These wells are typically taken offline in colder months to prevent freeze-related damage, as they lack winterized structures. If they must remain operational into the winter, this could present infrastructure risks and potential costs for repairs.

“This fall surge in water demand is certainly concerning,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz in a press release. “It isn’t putting immediate strain on the system as a summer drought might, but it does complicate our winter preparations. Demand levels are resembling those seen in late spring and early summer.”

SCWA attributes the higher water usage to increased outdoor irrigation, with customers running sprinklers later into the season to maintain lawns during the dry spell. SCWA has long promoted an odd/even lawn watering schedule as an effective measure for managing demand. Under this schedule, homes with odd-numbered addresses water on odd-numbered days, while even-numbered addresses water on even days.

This conservation measure has successfully reduced strain on SCWA’s systems over the summer and is part of SCWA’s broader strategy to ensure the reliability of Suffolk County’s water infrastructure.

About SCWA:

The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.

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Rabbi Joshua Gray. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

By Toni-Elena Gallo

Joshua Gray may be the youngest rabbi at Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t lived. Since joining the temple in July of 2023, he has brought his personal experiences and unique flairs to Isaiah’s congregants.

The 37-year-old grew up in Glens Falls, New York, and was raised Jewish, but didn’t feel a particularly strong connection to his faith. In fact, he grew up wanting to be a performer.

“It’s what I wanted to do when I graduated high school. I went to the Boston Conservatory of Music and then lived in New York City, pursuing that for many years,” Gray said.

“I did a lot of theater. I was trained in opera. So, it was not a direct path to becoming a rabbi, but it all made sense once everything came together,” he laughed.

After meeting his wife in the theater, Gray started thinking about other career options. He had been working in the mental health field, while acting, for years and felt he was being pulled in different directions.

“That was really in my family, that profession. My mom was a psychiatric nurse that ran an outpatient mental health clinic,” Gray said.

“So…I worked in inpatient behavioral units, starting when I was 18, being really into [that sort of thing] and got my psych degree from Penn State, eventually,” he continued.

When Gray and his wife were looking to start a family, he felt he should do something more community-based. Gray explained that he had been doing “independent rabbinical work, and serving on High Holy Days, in the Catskills, at a Reform temple, for about five years.”

“I didn’t want to travel anymore … and it was kind of like beshert, falling into this line of work,” Gray said, using the Yiddish word for fate. “I would peek into doing this full-time every once in a while, but I wasn’t necessarily looking for a pulpit.”

After fully committing himself to becoming a rabbi, Gray found an opening at Temple Isaiah, which he felt was “just a perfect fit for my background, values and family.”

“We had actually just bought a house upstate when I got hired here, and we had to sell it after living in it for only a year to move to Long Island,” he reminisced.

Gray said Temple Isaiah, a Reform Jewish temple, appealed to him because of its inclusivity, welcoming people of all races, sexualities, gender identities and faiths. He was also drawn to the temple’s embrace of modern practices, as a post-denominational rabbi.

When asked what he especially appreciates about Temple Isaiah, he said he values its “different viewpoints and ways of looking at Judaism.” The environment reminded him of his work in the private sector, where he supported people of various spiritual backgrounds, including those who identified as spiritual but not religious.

“I created an 18-week introduction to Judaism course at the temple, which saw people looking to convert, reconnect with the faith they may not have practiced for years, or have interfaith discussions, which I really enjoy.”

Gray is passionate about incorporating community elements into his work and unifying surrounding areas through increased programs. He has organized events with the Bethel AME Church of Setauket and other Christian churches. Gray has developed a mental health and wellness program for people of all ages and has utilized his musical talents to establish an expanded choir — in which his wife is heavily involved — as well. Additionally, he is proud of his work with Abraham’s Table of Long Island, where he has participated in two panels representing the Jewish perspective among a group of Christians and Muslims. During the discussions, each faith leader explains how God speaks to them “in today’s world.”

“I really want us to be the place where people feel like you can find your thing, you know? There’s no particular person you have to be here,” Gray said.

For more information about Temple Isaiah, its programs and upcoming events, visit www.tisbny.org. They will be holding their 2nd annual 3 Village Interfaith Thanksgiving service, at 7:00pm on Nov. 26.

Correction: Rabbi Gray was referred to as a non-denominational rabbi in print, when the correct term is post-denominational. He also was hired by a board at the temple.

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Louis Jordan

By John Broven 

The Jazz Loft at Stony Brook will be presenting an illuminating doubleheader on Friday, Nov. 15.

The main event will be the “Louis Jordan Tribute” starting at 7 p.m. Danny Bacher, also a soprano saxophonist, will be singing many of Jordan’s hits of the 1940s including “Caledonia,” “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie,” “G.I. Jive” and “Let The Good Times Roll,” accompanied by an all-star group of musicians.

In effect, Jordan introduced the small swing combos which took over from the big bands, popularized the saxophone as a lead instrument and made music fun.

Initially, at 6 p.m., music author John Broven of East Setauket will give a presentation entitled “Who Is Louis Jordan?” Included will be a video outlining Jordan’s impactful history, featuring film clips and excerpts from the artist’s key recordings, prepared by Debbi Scott of Stony Brook.

The evening will bring into focus the influential music of Louis Jordan, an all-time American great and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

Tickets to the 6 p.m. event are $10 per person. Tickets to the 7 p.m. event are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, and $15 children ages 6 and up at www.thejazzloft.org.

The Jazz Loft, which features a Louis Jordan exhibit in its museum, is located at 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook. For more information, call 631-751-1895.

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Above, one of the many public discussions on energy storage systems held in recent months. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

Savion Energy representatives stood before the Three Village Civic Association membership Monday, Nov. 4, to present their proposed battery storage facilities in East Setauket. Savion is a Shell Group portfolio company that develops utility-scale solar and energy storage projects. 

One project is proposed for a lot off Sheep Pasture Road, while another location would be between Parsonage Road and Old Town Road. 

Environmental benefits 

These proposals arrive in the midst of a statewide effort to increase green energy sources and transition away from fossil fuels. In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) doubled the state’s energy storage goal. Further, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) in 2019, aims for 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040. 

These battery storage facilities is one among many being proposed across Long Island as power plants like the fossil-burning plant in Port Jefferson close. 

Savion’s facilities will consist of containers of lithium-ion batteries that store excess energy during peak hours and discharge electricity as needed. The batteries, which have a life of about 20 years, will be charged and discharged on a daily basis but would be especially useful during increment weather when renewable energy sources are unreliable. 

The batteries would take eight hours to charge and allow Long Island to ease its reliance on nonrenewable energy. The transition is intended to diminish adverse environmental effects by lessening greenhouse gas emissions. 

Location and safety 

The location is one of the major topics of contention. The locations are in close proximity to neighborhoods, making some residents uneasy.

Nicholas Petrakis, senior consultant of consulting firm Energy Safety Response Group, assured civic association members that scrupulous measures were instituted to minimize the chances of thermal runaway. This process occurs when a damaged cell releases heat and gasses, thus triggering the same reaction in nearby cells. 

James McDaniel, senior battery storage engineer at Savion, said their systems are containerized and “designed to burn themselves out” and “fail safely”. The sites will be remotely monitored constantly by a team of experts, Petrakis said, and there is a sensor system that would notify the fire department and shut down the battery if anything is amiss.

Toxic off-gassing is a possibility — one that Petrakis said is a possible effect of most residential fires as well. Many present were apprehensive by this prospect. Further, the water used to counter any fires was a cause for concern, but Sean Flannery, senior director of permitting & environmental at Savion, said that “water runoff has not shown to be an issue” and that it will be contained on the property. 

Residents from across the Island were present at this meeting, hoping to learn more about the battery storage systems that are proposed in their own towns. Many questioned the location, asking why it was necessary to install the facilities in such a dense area. 

“Why would you consider putting something like this in this dense area?” one man asked. “The fact that in your proposed pictures you can see people’s houses doesn’t instill support.” 

Indeed, the buffer wall intended to keep the noise to the 50 decibels allowed in the Town of Brookhaven code is visible in a picture of what Savion expects each site to look like from a surrounding residential area. 

William Miller, managing partner at Clearview Consultants, explained that the project needs to be close to the electrical load it serves. Savion plans to lease the land for both sites. 

County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) and town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) empathized with their constituents. Englebright, who throughout his career has supported environmental initiatives, said the locations have been historically difficult places to fill, given the zoning as light industrial. 

“Something that is environmentally complicated and potentially harmful is not anything new to this area,” he said. Although he said he sympathizes with “all these correct uncertainties,” he added that residents have “to understand the larger context of what’s coming at us” in regards to the changing environment. 

In response to a question of who will bear the financial burden of damages in the case a fire hypothetically causes damage to surrounding properties, Thom Rainwater, director of development at Savion, said, “In the case of an incident the company will be responsible. Full stop.” 

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A scene from last year's ceremony in East Setauket. Photo by Greg Catalano

November 11 marks the annual observance of Veterans Day, a day on which we honor the millions of brave men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. The following communities on the North Shore will pay their respects:

Calverton

Calverton National Cemetery, 210 Princeton Road, Calverton will hold a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. for a Veterans Day Ceremony. 631-727-5410

East Setauket

VFW Post 3054 will host a veterans recognition service at the Memorial Park at the corner of Shore Road and Route 25A in East Setauket on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Residents are invited to join local veterans for a short ceremony that will feature the laying of wreaths from local community groups. 631-406-1938

Farmingdale

Long Island National Cemetery, 2040 Wellwood Ave., in Farmingdale will hold a veterans’ honor ceremony on Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. 516-749-7085

Greenlawn

Hosted by American Legion Post 1244, a Veterans Day ceremony will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Pulaski Road, Greenlawn on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. with neighboring American Legion posts plus many community groups and Scouts. 631-487-4776

Huntington

The public is invited to join Town of Huntington officials, the Veterans Advisory Board and local officials for a Veterans Day Ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m. on Veterans Plaza in front of Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main St., Huntington. 631-351-3012

Kings Park

VFW Post 5796 presents a Veterans Day Parade will be held in Kings Park on Nov. 11. Step off is at RJO Intermediate School, 99 Old Dock Road, Kings Park at 10 a.m. and ends at Veterans Plaza in front of the Kings Park Library and 1 Church St. The parade will be followed by opening prayers, guest speakers, Moment of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony followed by closing prayers. 631-269-6421

Port Jefferson

American Legion Wilson Ritch Post 432 invites the community to attend a Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on East Broadway in Port Jefferson (across from Village Hall) on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. 631-626-2911

Rocky Point

Join the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6249, 109 King Road, Rocky Point for a Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. 631-744-9106

Smithtown

Smithtown American Legion Post 833, and Smithtown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10870 will hold a Veterans Day Ceremony honoring our nations veterans at Veterans Plaza, Main St., Smithtown on Nov. 11 at 10:45 p.m. 631-724-1804.

Sound Beach

The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold a Veterans Day service at the Sound Beach Veterans Memorial Park on New York Avenue on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Miller Place School District students will provide patriotic music. All are welcome. 631-744-6952 

St. James

Sgt. John W. Cooke VFW Post 395 will host a Veterans Day Parade in St. James on Nov. 11. The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. and heads down Lake Avenue to St. James Elementary School. 516-987-6201

Setauket

Caroline Episcopal Church, 1 Dyke Road, Setauket will host “A Day of Honor,” a service of appreciation and remembrance for those who have served (and currently serve) our country and communities, in the armed forces and as first responders, on Nov. 10 at 9:30 a.m. Join them for a unique service with music, special guests, and prayers for peace. 631-941-4245

—  Compiled by Heidi Sutton

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File photo by Raymond Janis

Turning the tide: Celebrating the guardians of our water

I would like to note a recent report from Save the Sound and highlight the work of some local heroes: George Hoffman and the volunteers of the Setauket Harbor Task Force. Their unwavering commitment to the health of our local waters has helped bend the curve and set our surface waters on a path toward improved health and water quality, as reflected in the latest report from Save the Sound. 

The water quality grade for Setauket Harbor, rising from a “C” in 2022 to a “B+” this year, speaks volumes about the positive impact of their work. The reduction in nitrogen levels by 50% over the last 30 years, thanks to improved stormwater systems and stricter regulations, shows what can be achieved with persistent advocacy for good policy and community engagement. Their leadership in educating boaters about using pump-out services to prevent waste from being dumped into the harbor has also been an essential factor in maintaining water cleanliness. The Setauket Harbor Task Force truly serves as guardians of the harbor, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.

As your councilmember, I am proud to work alongside groups like the Setauket Harbor Task Force, Coastal Steward Long Island and others, supporting initiatives that benefit our environment. One of the projects my office has been engaged with is expanding shellfish agriculture, especially the creation of oyster beds, which help improve water quality through natural filtration. Additionally, we are working to increase awareness and compliance of the use of pump-out boats, a crucial service that ensures boaters are able to dispose of waste responsibly. Cumulatively, and in partnership with groups like the Setauket Harbor Task Force and Coastal Steward, these efforts help contribute to cleaner, healthier harbors for all of us to benefit from.

The health of Port Jefferson and Setauket harbors is essential to the vibrancy of our community, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with local organizations and residents in this important work.

Jonathan Kornreich, 

Brookhaven Town Councilmember

Stony Brook

Unintended consequences: Say a prayer for our community’s small business owners

A number of letters have appeared in your paper in recent weeks about the Town of Brookhaven’s relatively new Commercial Redevelopment District classification for “abandoned, vacant and underutilized shopping centers.”

Essentially, the CRD designation allows for the demolition of existing shopping areas, and a subsequent high density build-out of multilevel apartments with ground level businesses. Some might call this a financial gift or windfall to some developers who claim their center is “underutilized.”

The unintended consequence of the town’s CRD code is that it incentivizes certain commercial property owners to neglect or mismanage their holdings in order to apply for the generous terms afforded by the new zoning. And the best way to create high vacancy rates? Simply jack up the cost of new leases and lease renewals to drive out small shop owners. It couldn’t happen here. Or could it?

   Herb Mones

  Stony Brook

Another Election Day gone, now for the cleanup

Election Day has come and gone. It reminds me of “The Outer Limits,” a 1960s television show. With the end of round-the-clock commercials by politicians, political parties, political action groups and pay-for-play special interest groups, we now return control of your television back to you until the next election cycle. No more telephone robocalls, text messages, candidates campaign mailings clogging mailboxes and weighing down our hard working postal employees. Finally, some peace and quiet! 

Candidates who claimed they cared about the environment can now do their part. Winners and losers should have their paid campaign staff and volunteers pick up all the thousands of campaign signs that litter our roads and highways to help clean up this waste. They could also use leftover campaign funds to hire homeless or unemployed people to collect this litter. Let some people sentenced by judges to perform community service be assigned this task. If candidates refuse to clean up after themselves, your local village, town or Suffolk County Public Works Division of Highway & Ground Maintenance should do the job and send candidates the bill.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

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The first building in Stony Brook built for exclusive use as a post office. Before then the post office was usually located in a local general store. It was moved to Cedar Street when Ward Melville reorganized the Stony Brook village area. Courtesy Emma S. Clark Library

By Beverly C. Tyler

The first postmaster in Stony Brook in the 20th century was Ralph M. Sammis, appointed on April 16, 1900. He served for 12 years. That same year, Sammis built a home at 77 Hollow Road. According to research by Barbara and Greg Allard, while the house was being built, Sammis and his family rented what is now the Country House Restaurant.

Ralph and Julia Sammis had three children: Anna, Morton, and Mildred. Morton and Mildred were born in the northeast bedroom of the new house on Hollow Road. According to family stories from Anna Sammis, when Morton was born, the family cat gave birth to a litter of kittens under the same bed.

The family’s privy was accessed by a path from the back door, covered by a grape arbor pruned by Julia Sammis each year on Washington’s Birthday. They also maintained a garden with raspberries, blackberries, and grapes, with Ralph planting and Julia tending to the plants. Julia Sammis was known locally for her pickles and preserves.

The Sammis house also played a role in the “Great Stony Brook Post Office Robbery of 1911,” as described in an article by R. Morton Sammis, editor of The Independent Press of Stony Brook, in the Aug. 15, 1952, issue. The post office, then located on Main Street near the current Reboli Center, was situated next to Dr. James A. Squire’s home.

In his article, R. Morton Sammis wrote about his father’s observations during this period, describing how “there was a brick-and-concrete post near the post office windows, and Father noticed someone leaning against it, watching the back room of the post office. From this vantage point, a man could see Father wrapping the money and stamps in a large package we called ‘the bundle.’”

Morton continued, explaining that his father “started home, and the man followed him at a distance… Two days later, a man appeared at our house, wanting to demonstrate furniture polish. He insisted on entering, but once inside, he seemed more interested in observing the layout of the house than his product.”

“That night,” Morton recalled, “Father took ‘the bundle’ home and left it on the table with his coat and vest over it… Later, he took ‘the bundle’ upstairs with him. In the middle of the night, Mother woke him, saying, ‘There is someone in the house!’ Then, we heard the sideboard door squeak, and a flashlight lit the upper hall. Hearing us awake, a loud ‘meow’ came from outside—a signal to the man inside.”

Although the robbers didn’t get “the bundle,” they did steal Dr. Squire’s horse and buggy, later abandoning them in the Islip Cemetery. Following the attempted robbery, Post Office officials issued a stern warning that all money and stamps must remain on post office premises, and Sammis would be held accountable if they were stolen while in his possession. Morton noted that his father, aware of both the rule and the thieves’ interest in “the bundle,” made sure to leave it at the post office.

But that wasn’t the end of the robbers’ attempts. Morton continued in his article, writing, “One morning about a month later, Father arrived to find the safe blown open and its contents gone. Horse blankets belonging to Dr. Squire were wrapped around the safe and soaked, likely at the creek, as one blanket was found too heavy to carry.”

This time, Morton noted, the robbers attempted to escape using Dr. Squire’s early Model T Ford Roadster. However, Dr. F. Duane Squire had turned off the gas line that night due to a leak. “Once again, the robbers resorted to ‘Old Doc’s’ horses, escaping with all the money and stamps,” Morton wrote. “They later abandoned the team on the south side, and Howard E. Dickerson drove Dr. Squire to retrieve it. Later, Post Office officials notified Father that they had captured the culprits.”

Beverly Tyler is a historian with the Three Village Historical Society and author of books available from the society, located at 93 North Country Road, Setauket, N.Y. For more information, visit www.tvhs.org.

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