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The Silly Sorcery Showcase heads to Theatre Three July 21

by Press Release - July 18, 2024

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Join Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson for The Silly Sorcery Showcase, a magical event for the whole family, on July 21 at 2 p.m. Hosted by Mike Maione aka The Silly Magician, the fun-filled afternoon will feature performances by juggler Keith Leaf and celebrated magician Magic Al.

Meet the magicians:

Magic Al

Magic Al Garber is a celebrated magician whose vibrant performances have enchanted audiences for years. With a career rooted in the art of illusion and sleight of hand, comedy, and improv, Magic Al has established himself as a beloved figure in the world of magic. His shows are a delightful blend of mystifying tricks, comedic elements, and engaging storytelling, making them a hit for audiences of all ages. From private parties and school events to corporate gatherings and public festivals, Magic Al’s versatile performances have made him a sought-after entertainer who can adapt to any audience and occasion.

One of the pinnacles of Magic Al’s illustrious career is his successful Off-Broadway show, “It’s a Magic-Al World.” This show brought his mesmerizing tricks and charismatic stage presence to one of the most prestigious platforms in the entertainment industry. “Magic Al Live!” was met with rave reviews, drawing large crowds and solidifying his status as a top-tier magician. His ability to captivate audiences in such a competitive environment speaks volumes about his talent and showmanship. New York magazine recognized this excellence by naming him “Best Kids Magician in New York”, a testament to his skill and the joy he brings to his audiences.

A hallmark of Magic Al’s performances is his ability to create a sense of wonder and excitement, leaving spectators in awe with his impressive array of tricks and illusions. Whether making objects disappear, pulling rabbits out of hats, or reading minds, Magic Al’s acts are executed with precision and flair. Through his performances and educational efforts, Magic Al entertains and inspires, fostering a new generation of magicians who share his enthusiasm and dedication to the art of illusion.

Magic Al’s mom is still disappointed that he didn’t become a doctor.

Keith Leaf

Keith Leaf is an award-winning juggler who has captivated audiences worldwide with his dynamic shows and exceptional skill. Over his extensive career, Keith has become a prominent figure in the juggling community, known for his ability to blend technical expertise with engaging showmanship. His performances are a high-energy mix of intricate juggling routines, comedic elements, and audience interaction, making each show a unique and memorable experience. From local festivals to international events, Keith’s versatile acts have earned him a reputation as a top-tier entertainer who can connect with audiences of all ages.

Keith Leaf’s performances are characterized by his use of diverse props, such as balls, clubs, rings, and even flaming torches, which showcase his extensive juggling abilities. His passion for juggling extends beyond entertaining; he is also a dedicated teacher, often conducting workshops to inspire and mentor aspiring jugglers, thereby reinforcing his commitment to the art form and its future. Keith’s client list is extensive, and he has appeared at numerous prestigious venues like New Year’s Eve in Times Square, the Metropolitan Opera House, and America’s Got Talent.

Mike Maione

Mike Maione, affectionately known as the Silly Magician, will host the show. Mike is a beloved entertainer known for his unique blend of comedy and magic. With a knack for making audiences laugh while simultaneously leaving them spellbound, Mike has carved out a niche for himself in the world of family entertainment. His performances are characterized by playful humor, clever illusions, and a lively interaction with his audience. Whether performing strolling magic in small, intimate settings or on stage, Mike’s engaging style and infectious energy ensure that his shows are memorable experiences for children and adults alike.

Mike also teaches magic, offering workshops and classes to aspiring magicians. Mike is a member of the prestigious 4F. He has performed at Smoke and Mirrors Magic Theatre in Pennsylvania, The Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, The Dickens Parlour Theatre in Delaware, and on stage at the Magic Circle in London. Mike is a lecturer and magic reviewer with a large following. He is also a magic creator who designs and creates magic for other magicians.

Tickets are $20. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

See preview here.

To purchase tickets, click here.

D. None of the Above: In a role reversal, we ask our kids for the kind of help we used to give them

by Daniel Dunaief - July 17, 2024

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AdultChildHands2HC1209_source — METRO photo

By Daniel Dunaief

When our children were young, our first, primary and most important mission was to make sure they were safe and healthy.

We didn’t sit down at the beach because each of them had a tendency, like me I suppose, to head directly into the water. Sometimes, they weren’t on board with our efforts to protect them.

We would put them in a car seat and, almost instantly, they would arch their backs so far that it was impossible to strap them in.

Or we would try to apply sunscreen and they would wiggle away and giggle, as we dropped a glob of white cream on the floor or sprayed it into the air.

We made them hold our hands even when they didn’t want to touch us. Anyone who read last week’s column can understand why my children, in particular, might not want to hold my intolerably sweaty hand during the heat of the summer.

We also urged them to wear bike helmets, even though they weren’t cool, to wear mittens or gloves in the winter and to get enough sleep so they could function the next day at school or at their numerous basketball/baseball/softball/volleyball/music practices over the weekend or in the evening after a long day of listening to adults talk at them.

One day, after a particularly exciting and challenging basketball game for our son, one of his friends asked if he could bring him to a movie with his family.

“Uh, I guess so,” I shrugged, as I counted the basketballs I shoved into a mesh bag to make sure I had exactly the number the league had given me. “What movie?”

“Hunger Games,” my son’s friend said.

I looked at my wife. I’d heard that the movie was particularly violent and knew that our son, who was under nine, might struggle to make it through a PG-13 movie, particularly one that involved violence among children.

“Are you sure you want to go?” I whispered to our son, hoping that I could encourage him to do something else that evening that might not cost him and, perhaps, us some sleep.

“Daaaaddd,” he said, giving me the can’t-you-be-a-fun-dad-just-this-once look.

My wife and I locked eyes, trying to figure out if either of us should step in and suggest that we’d rather he didn’t go.

We rolled the dice, holding our breath as he jogged away from us across the gym.

We considered taking a nap before he came home, just to prepare ourselves for a restless night.

When he finally returned, he had a broad grin on his face.

“You gotta see the movie, it’s amazing,” he said.

We weren’t sure whether he was just being tough in front of his friend or if he really liked it. Each of the next eight times we asked, he never changed his answer or wavered.

That night, all of us slept well.

Fast forward to today. Our kids are watching and streaming whatever appeals to them. Somehow, one of them asked if we had seen the series “Black Mirror,” suggesting it was a modern version of “The Twilight Zone.”

The first episode, with Salma Hayek, was clever and amusing at the same time. Playing herself, Hayek was particularly funny. Psychologically, it was what we thought and expected.

Then, we watched a few more episodes that became darker and more unnerving. Both of us lost some sleep after watching scenes that exceeded our gore threshold.

We started a text chain with our children, letting them know that we liked the first one and then felt as if the program did a bait-and-switch on us, taking us in a different direction from the psychological into the painful and gory.

They instantly offered their thoughts on different episodes and what they advised was appropriate for mom and dad to watch.

Our kids sent messages like “this one is not scary” and “I think it’s safe to watch.”

At least as far as some TV programs, we’ve come full circle. We are no longer trying to offer them parental guidance, at least where movies are concerned. Maybe they can help establish a new film rating system for sensitive parents.

Between You and Me: Compare 1920s vs. 2020s — There are remarkable parallels

by Leah Dunaief - July 17, 2024

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smithsonian-2501720_1280 — Pixabay photo

By Leah S. Dunaief

In some ways, the 2020s appear to be similar to the 1920s. We humans like to look for historical parallels, I think, in hopes of using the past to predict the future, futile as that might be. Call them coincidences between the two centuries, if you will, but let’s look at them and judge if history is repeating itself.

The most obvious is the raging coronavirus pandemic of this century and its resemblance to the Spanish Flu that began in 1918 and lasted into the early 1920s.The flu killed some 50 million people worldwide, with 675,000 being Americans. Covid killed 6.5 million, including 1.1 million in the United States.

And although no plans existed for coping with a pandemic in 1918, individual cities did implement school closings, banned public gatherings, issued quarantines and encouraged social isolation. Public health and medical advances have made huge strides, which account for the global change, although the world population has quadrupled in the last 100 years.

We can compare cultural shifts, too. Liberal views toward equality of women and minorities, drug use and sexuality blossomed then, as well as backlashes to these ideas, setting us up for issues that have followed. Marijuana became popular in what was termed “The Jazz Age,” especially among musicians and those in show business. These themes, along with their inherent tensions, are prominently with us today, even if we consider that we have made significant progress in some ways.

Geographically, more of the population began to live in cities than on farms then, and that holds true for our cities and suburbs now. But the divide today is not so much physical as generational. Social media and video games are the provenance of the young, while older Americans still read, watch TV and film.

The stock market and the financial world are strikingly similar while a century apart. Stocks are roaring today, much as they did in the Roaring Twenties. America’s wealth more than doubled in the decade of the 1920s. But it was a time of immense economic prosperity for upper-class white American men. Most Americans, with minimal wages, only experienced income inequality. It was also a time of the one percent owning a widely disproportionate share of that wealth, some 23.9 percent.

Sound familiar? And because the wages of the working class were not brought along with that of the wealthy, as consumers, they could not keep up their vital role. Consumers are responsible for as much as 70 percent of the economy. Depression followed. Again, today the top one percent own some 26 percent, and again income inequality is rampant.

Then there was Prohibition. In 1920, the 18th Amendment banned the making and selling of alcohol. But alcohol didn’t simply go away. It went underground, making petty gangs who transported and sold liquor into powerful forces in the country. Fast forward 100 years and we have drug lords with the same sort of influence over society as a result of similar incredible profits. The legalization of pot is clearly an attempt to learn from the century-old Temperance Movement. The turnaround in policy toward cannabis has provided a big economic boon, as the product has made its way into fiber, food and medicine.

Technology in the 1920s was dramatic and had a profound effect on people’s lives. Fridges, vacuums, telephones, radios, electricity and automobiles changed daily living. Again, major technological innovations, coming along at an exponentially faster pace, are transforming lives today. Consider internet expansion, 5G connectivity, 3D printing and artificial intelligence among most recent debuts. A few people are amassing unprecedented wealth with these marvels. Here we go again with an ever-increasing wealth gap. Plus, both centuries saw workers worried for their job, first with industrialization and now with knowledge. Advancing technology provides miracles and threats. It is also a crucible for social unrest in both centuries.

And then there is transportation. Lindbergh crossed the ocean in 1927. We are on course to fly to Mars in 10 years. Both centuries’ 20s hosted marvels. But the 1920s set the stage for WWII.

Are we learning from history?

SUNY names former Rutgers president Richard McCormick as interim SBU president

by Daniel Dunaief - July 17, 2024

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By Daniel Dunaief

The State University of New York Board of Trustees has named former Rutgers President Richard McCormick, 76, interim president of Stony Brook University as the school continues its search for a seventh president.

McCormick, who will take over the reigns at the downstate flagship SUNY school on August 1st, replaces Maurie McInnis, who left Stony Brook after four years to become the president of Yale University on July 1.

Dr. Bill Wertheim, Executive Vice President for Stony Brook Medicine, has been serving as Officer-in-Charge and Stony Brook University Hospital’s Governing Body since July 1.

McCormick, who was president of Rutgers from 2002 to 2012 and has taught and studied United States political history in the 19th and 20th centuries, has over four decades of experience in higher education, including leading several highly ranked public universities.

McCormick will oversee Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine and will serve as part of the management team of Brookhaven National Laboratory.

“Each step we take in this leadership transition is important, and we welcome Dr. McCormick,” John King, Jr, SUNY Chancellor said in a statement. “His vast higher education experience will continue to move this esteemed university forward as the campus conducts a national search for its new president.”

McCormick welcomed the chance to lead Stony Brook during this transition period.

Stony Brook “has achieved national stature yet remains fully engaged with its Long Island community, for which it is an economic engine,” McCormick said in a statement. “My thanks to the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chancellor King and the Stony Brook Council for this opportunity.”

As an interim president, McCormick will not be a candidate to become the next permanent president.

In addition to his tenure at Rutgers, which started in 1976 when he joined the history department, McCormick also was vice chancellor and provost at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1992 to 1995 and was president of the University of Washington from 1995 to 2002.

The incoming interim Stony Brook president earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College in American Studies and his PhD in history from Yale in 1976, 20 years before McInnis also earned her PhD in the History of Art from the New Haven-based Ivy league school she now leads.

McCormick started his academic career at Rutgers, where he was a member of the history faculty from 1976 to 1992. He was also Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

McCormick is the son of Richard Patrick McCormick, a former Rutgers professor and Katheryne Levis, a former Rutgers administrator.

McCormick and his father co-taught an American history course.

An author of several books, McCormick is writing a book on the history of American political corruption from the 17th century to the present.

Rutgers achievements

McCormick, who earned his high school diploma from Piscataway Township High School in Piscataway, New Jersey, orchestrated constructive changes in his hometown university during his presidency.

McCormick helped raise $650 million while he was president.

Four years after becoming president, the university reorganized the undergraduate colleges on the New Brunswick campus into a School of Arts and Sciences and School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

The reorganization included a comprehensive new curriculum at the School of Arts and Sciences, first year seminars, signature courses, expansion opportunities for undergraduate research and honors programs and support for top undergraduates competing for highly competitive scholarships and awards.

In the final years of his tenure, he merged Rutgers with the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and divisions of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. The New Jersey Legislature passed a bill to integrate almost all units of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey into Rutgers.

“Dr. McCormick’s notable accomplishments as president of Rutgers from 2002 until 2012 included reinvigorating undergraduate education, elevating its standing in the top tier of public research universities, realizing a longstanding goal of returning medical education to the university’s portfolio, and improving and strengthening connections with important partners, including alumni and local communities,” Wertheim said in a statement. “He is the ideal leader to help Stony Brook sustain its momentum as New York’s flagship university.”

The former Rutgers president led the school when it installed 40,000 high-efficiency solar panels over two large surface parking lots on the Livingston campus, producing over eight megawatts of power, which, at the time, was the largest renewable energy system built on a college campus in the country. Rutgers has continued to add solar panels.

Stony Brook momentum

McCormick’s experience with solar energy dovetails with some of Stony Brook’s recent environmental initiatives and successes.

With the support of the Simons Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies, Stony Brook University won the competitive process as the lead institution to create a climate solutions center on Governors Island. The New York Climate Exchange will develop and deploy dynamic solutions to the global climate crisis, will provide educational and research opportunities and will serve as a place for New Yorkers to benefit from the green economy.

The Climate Solutions Center will include 400,000 square feet of green-designed building space, including research labs, classroom space, exhibits, greenhouses, mitigation technologies and housing facilities.

McCormick takes over as interim president at a time when Stony Brook has achieved some important financial and academic victories.

A year ago, the Simons Foundation made a $500 million endowment gift to Stony Brook. The gift, which will be spread out over seven years, was the largest unrestricted donation to an institution of higher education in United States history.

The Foundation gift, which the state will match on a 1:2 program, and other philanthropic contributions are expected to increase the endowment by as much as $1 billion.

Stony Brook recently climbed 19 spots in the rankings of colleges from US News and World Report, ranking 58th in the rankings. That’s the highest ever rank for a State University of New York institution. The school also placed 12th among national universities for social mobility rank.

“Stony Brook is a world-class institution, moving on an upward trajectory, educating the next generation of leaders and thinkers and bettering our society through research and economic development,” Stony Brook Council Kevin Law said in a statement. “I am pleased to welcome Dr. McCormick, whose accomplishments and vision in higher-education leadership are nothing short of extraordinary, as our interim president, and to begin the search for our next permanent president.”

Challenges ahead

McCormick will likely face the same some of the same challenges other university presidents, interim or not, have dealt with as protestors have expressed their frustrations over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

At numerous universities, protests disrupted exams, classes and graduation ceremonies.

College presidents have tried to balance between the rights of students to assemble and express themselves and the university’s need to protect various groups of students from intimidation, bullying, or threats.

Local politicians welcomed McCormick. “I look forward to getting to know Dr. McCormick and collaborating with him to ensure that Stony Brook remains a premier institution of higher learning, providing a safe environment for students of all religions,” said Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY1).

Editorial: Sun safety is no joke

by TBR Staff - July 15, 2024

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We look forward to it all year. Your kids can’t wait to be free from school and you can’t wait to sip a cool drink by the pool.

But, the sun is a powerful entity. While it is clinically proven to lift your mood and regulate your circadian rhythm, the sun is chiefly responsible for one-in-five Americans developing skin cancer by the time they are 70 — and just five sunburns can double your chances of melanoma.

So, what can we do to continue enjoying the warmth of summer, while also remaining protected? First, let’s break down the forms of skin cancer most caused by sun overexposure.

Melanoma: The most dangerous of skin cancers, it can present itself anywhere on the body. If you are seeing large brown spots with dark speckles, moles that change in color, size or feel, moles with irregular borders and portions that appear black or blue, itching and burning or dark spots on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, you should seek out a medical professional.

Basal-cell carcinoma: The most common type of skin cancer, usually found on areas of the body most exposed to the sun. This form typically grows slowly and rarely spreads (metastasizes). However, if left untreated, it can invade nearby tissues and cause disfigurement. It often appears as a flesh-colored, scar-like or pearl-like bump and is often shiny or waxy. The edges of the lesion are typically smooth and may have a rolled border. It bleeds easily when scratched.

Squamous-cell carcinoma: This form presents slightly differently from melanoma and basal-cell carcinoma. Squamous-cell carcinoma occurs on sun-exposed areas as a firm, red nodule or a flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface.

Merkel-cell carcinoma: This type presents as a painless, firm bump or nodule on the skin that grows fast as a red, scaly or ulcerated area on the skin and/or a new mole that changes in size, color or shape.

Sebaceous gland carcinoma: This is a very rare but aggressive form of skin cancer that begins in the body’s oil-producing, sebaceous gland. It can often be mistaken for pink eye, as it usually starts on the eyelid, and can cause growths to ooze fluid. The cancer can also develop in hairy areas of the body due to the fact that sebum is released by the hair follicle.

Luckily, there are many ways to avoid the risks of the beating sun. Here are some tips to stay safe this year. According to Harvard Health Publishing, at Harvard Medical School:

1. Always wear sunscreen, applying it at least every two hours but do not rely on it alone. Seek shade often and whenever available. SPF 30 and up is recommended, with SPF 30 protecting against 97% of ultraviolet B rays.

2. Wear sun-protective clothing, preferably made of polyester, nylon, wool and silk, to block the UV rays.

3. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

4. Be aware that some medicines and skin care products can increase your skin’s risk of UV damage. These include certain antibiotics, as well as some prescription medicines that are used to treat mental health disorders, high blood pressure, heart failure, acne and allergies. If you are taking prescription medication, and you normally spend a great deal of time outdoors, ask your health care professional whether you should take any special precautions to avoid sun exposure.

5. Early detection is key, with survival rates up to 99%, when caught. If something seems abnormal, have it checked ASAP.

Now that you are armed with all this information, get out in the sun and have a safe but great summer.

Independence Day Parade in Port Jefferson Village

by TBR Staff - July 14, 2024

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By TBR Staff

Port Jefferson residents enjoyed a day of American patriotism, which included a procession of community members, festively dressed families with red, white and blue-adorned pets and more for their annual 4th of July parade. The parade began on Main Street at 10 a.m. and was held by the Port Jefferson Fire Department.

– Photos by Bill Landon

Newly-elected Port Jefferson village trustees sworn in at July meeting

by TBR Staff - July 14, 2024

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Newly-elected village trustees celebrate being sworn into office, from left, Kyle Hill, Mayor Lauren Sheprow, Bob Juliano and Xena Ugrinsky. Photo by Julianne Mosher

By Peter Sloniewsky

The Village of Port Jefferson Board of Trustees held its annual organizational meeting July 2, officially appointing new trustees alongside the announcement of commissioner appointments.

Two new trustees were officially instated on the board: Kyle Hill and Xena Ugrinsky. Both Hill and Uginsky defeated Port Jefferson resident Marie Parziale in June.

Hill, a Stony Brook University graduate, based his campaign largely on environmental issues and on the role of his relative youth in local politics. His background is in public policy, wherein he previously worked for U.S. Rep. Steve Israel (NY 2/3) in the Capitol. He is also a volunteer EMT in Port Jefferson. Hill was initially a Democratic candidate for the House seat in NY-1, but dropped out several months before the primary in June to run for the trustee position.

Ugrinsky, a Russian immigrant, previously worked in the software and technology fields before transitioning to management consulting roles for national utilities companies including Con Edison and National Grid. She previously sat on the village’s Budget and Finance Committee and based much of her campaign on the future of the Port Jefferson power plant as well as fiscal responsibility and transparency. In an interview, with regard to the power plant, Ugrinsky said that her “goal was to figure out a way that I could help the village be involved in the broader conversation,” claiming that she believes “we have a moment in time where we have the opportunity to be in the forefront of what is happening in energy.”

The two new trustees were elected following the departure of Deputy Mayor Rebecca Kassay to run for New York State Assembly District 4 and the end of trustee Drew Biondo’s term.

Kassay advanced from the Democratic Primary June 25 to challenge incumbent Assemblyman Ed Flood (R-Port Jefferson) in November.

Biondo, a communications professional, was appointed to replace Lauren Sheprow when she became mayor last year. In Biondo’s departing statement, he highlighted the importance of the newly-formed Ethics Committee, whose members were sworn in later in the meeting.

Additionally, Sheprow announced new commissioner appointments at the meeting. Trustee Robert Juliano, elected in June 2023, was reappointed as commissioner of Public Works and Parks. He was also appointed to the position of deputy mayor, replacing Kassay. Juliano, who was previously village clerk, has spent a long career in municipal government and worked in banking.

Sheprow said, “Bob has earnestly demonstrated his dedication and interest in good government, and he always has the best interests of the residents at heart,” describing him as “humble and kind” as well as “a great trustee.”

Newly-elected trustees Hill and Ugrinsky were appointed as commissioners. Sheprow noted that Ugrinsky’s experience in finance and data analytics, along with her focus on the Budget and Finance Committee and Power Plant Working Group, suited her for the role of commissioner of Finance. Hill will replace Sheprow as commissioner of Public Safety-Court/Code.

Lastly, trustee Stan Loucks was appointed as commissioner of Recreation anLoucks is in his fifth term as a trustee, and previously worked as an athletic director in the Plainview school district. Faulknor is a former trustee and has been harbor commissioner previously.

In addition to new appointments, the Board of Trustees received a report from police on instances of crime in the last year, including specific statistics regarding exact types of criminal activity.

The meeting concluded with a public question-and-answer session.

Pickleball, a uniquely American sport, is taking over the Town of Brookhaven

by TBR Staff - July 12, 2024

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asphalt-tennis-court-5354328_640 — Pickleball court. Photo by Pixabay

By Toni-Elena Gallo

It has a funny name and it was not something most of us grew up with. Now pickleball has gained the “likes” of the world.

A sport developed to happily pass the summer days has become an international phenomenon. Despite its similarities to tennis and ping-pong, pickleball has a rule set all its own. Time has seen the creation of the International Federation of Pickleball as well as the World Pickleball Federation, and there has even been talk of it becoming an Olympic sport.

Long Island is no stranger to this relatively new sport’s growing influence. The Town of Brookhaven installed its first 11 outdoor pickleball courts at Centereach Park over the last two years and has recently brought that number up to 22.

When asked if pickleball has become a trend among Brookhaven residents, town Supervisor Dan Panico (R), simply replied, “It is.”

Origins of pickleball

Pickleball originated on Bainbridge Island, Washington, in the summer of 1965. Joel Pritchard, a Washington State legislator and future congressman, with his close friend, Bill Bell, stumbled upon Joel’s 13-year-old, Frank, in a very annoyed mood.

He told the two men that he was bored on his vacation and had nothing to do. When he sarcastically told his father to “go make up a game” for everyone to play, his father took the words to heart.

Pritchard, Bell and their friend Barney McCallum, developed pickleball out of a rag-tag assortment of ping-pong paddles, the perforated, plastic ball of a kid’s bat-and-ball set and a badminton net. The name was coined by Pritchard’s wife, Joan, in reference to the mish mosh of people delegated to the sport of rowing’s “pickle boats.”

And, so was the beginning of pickleball, a game that since its infancy has been all about family and community.

Pickleball in Brookhaven

“Around the town, there has been an impetus to install more pickleball courts, because the popularity of the sport has exploded,” Panico said. “The existing courts were so heavily utilized that we put additional monies in the budgewt to double the number of courts townwide.”

He added that three existing courts, located at the Brookhaven Aquatic Center in Mastic Beach, will be resurfaced.

Panico said that the sport’s popularity is not only talked about, but visible: “When I left my house this morning, I went past the Moriches Athletic Complex, and I was pleased to see that the courts were full. And that was early in the morning, so people are utilizing them and that’s what we want them to do. We try to meet the needs of our residents to the best of our ability.”

There are new courts at the Moriches Athletic Complex, Sylvan Avenue Park in Miller Place and the Medford Athletic Complex. “So, you have South Shore, the middle of the town and the North Shore [covered],” Panico said.

The mass popularity of the game has caused courts to pop up throughout Long Island, including at Port Jefferson, Smithtown and Huntington.

Earl L. Vandermeulen prom plunges ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’

by Press Release - July 12, 2024

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Port Jefferson made waves this prom season with an extraordinary event — one that just may redefine high school celebrations across Long Island.

This year’s Earl L. Vandermeulen High School prom, themed “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and held Monday, July 1, was not just an event, but a testament to the creativity, dedication and community spirit of Port Jefferson.

Transforming the high school gymnasium into a magical undersea kingdom, the prom committee created an immersive experience for its peers. With vignettes, professional and theatrical-level lighting and stage constructions, Port Jefferson high school’s prom theme transported students to an enchanting world beneath the waves. As the seniors entered the festivities, they walked a red carpet and were given star-level treatment.

The school’s prom has long been anticipated as a highlight of the academic year, showcasing the talent and dedication of Port Jefferson’s community members. This school set a new standard for high school celebrations, not only in terms of creativity and design but also in fostering a sense of pride and camaraderie among students and residents alike.

For more information regarding the Port Jefferson School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the district’s website, www.portjeffschools.org, and follow its Facebook page.

Obituary: Remembering Kathy O’Sullivan

by TBR Staff - July 12, 2024

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PREPARED BY THE O’SULLIVAN FAMILY

Kathy O’Sullivan of Port Jefferson, a longtime writer and contributor to Times Beacon Record Newspapers, passed away April 19 after a life well lived. For the past eight years, Alzheimer’s slowly took over her body, consuming her memories one by one, but never diminishing her spirit. Until her last breath she still retained her marvelous sparkle and familiar, irrepressible sweetness.

Born Kathleen Allen in 1936, she spent her early years traveling the globe with her family. As a child in Burma, she lived among elephants and golden pagodas. Some of the last memories she held onto were of hiding in a drain ditch when the Japanese bombed Rangoon. Despite, or perhaps because of growing up in a land torn by war, Kathy had an uncommonly optimistic view of any situation. Every hardship she met in life was approached like a joyful game. She could find reason to smile in any challenge, and her enthusiasm was contagious.

Kathy wandered wide-eyed from country to country wearing many different hats. She attended Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Paris and traveled the world sharing her culinary genius with countless dignitaries. She could always be counted on to surprise you with anecdotes of random princes and movie stars she knew. She lived in Gandhi’s India, spent years in Europe becoming fluent in foreign languages, traveled the Silk Road through Central Asia and even approached a trip to the grocery store with a sense of worldly wonder.

As a journalist, Kathy delighted in writing profiles on ordinary people she encountered. It was her belief that any person you meet had at least one fascinating story to tell, and Kathy was determined to find it. She loved to ride in cabs and interview the drivers, or turn to the person next in line in a store and unearth some captivating piece of information from them. If you asked her how her day went, she never said, “Oh, fine.” She would always answer with some variation of “I just met the most fascinating person!”

A voracious learner, Kathy had a constant tower of books beside her bed. She could be counted on to give informed and nuanced opinions on a vast array of topics and maintained an uncommonly open mind to keep learning. Not only was she an encyclopedia of history and philosophy, but she gave the most insightful and comforting advice. The phone was always ringing from people who wanted her wisdom.

Her life was a kaleidoscope of the people she met, and it never ceased to give her joy. Her children joked that you never knew you would come home to Mom having tea with — it might be a festooned Maasia warrior, a Shaolin monk, a Harlem Globetrotter or the cashier from 7-Eleven.

For over 50 years, Kathy made Port Jefferson her home with her husband Desmond. Though her adventures never stopped, she lovingly raised her three kids and filled the house with a constant stream of international travelers.

Kathy spent her later decades devoted to the village of Port Jefferson. She was involved in the Dickens Festival, as well as the creation of Harborfront Park and the construction of the Bayles Boat Shop. There was rarely a day that she was not fluttering about, tirelessly attending meetings, baking brownies, writing grants and weaving people together in service of her town.

As a passionate marine conservationist, Kathy organized beach cleanups and environmental education classes. Her passion project was to work with Coastal Steward Long Island to restore the oyster population in Mount Sinai Harbor. If you are ever walking on the beach there and find an oyster shell in the sand, that is one of her babies.

She was never the sort of person who craved applause or recognition. There are no buildings with her name on them or tales of her in the history books. But in a hundred years there will be oyster shells on the beach, and knowing Kathy, that would be the most satisfying legacy she could hope for.

Kathy is survived by her husband Desmond; her children John, Desmond and Kaitlin; big sister Winnie; brother David; as well as two grandchildren, Maggie and T.J.

There will be a celebration of her life July 27 at 4 p.m. at the Port Jeff Village Center. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers or any sort of donation, the best way to honor Kathy would be to smile at a stranger, maybe talk to them and find out something fascinating.

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