Welcoming 2025 can mean many different things to different people. Do people still believe in setting goals for the new year, or has this practice become outdated, with goal-setting becoming more or less infrequent?
TBR News Media took to the streets to ask Long Islanders about their New Year’s resolutions to understand this phenomenon across different groups.
Jake Schwarzbard
Jake Schwarzbard, East Setauket
The Ward Melville High School senior is looking forward to the warmer weather, which will help him stick to his New Year’s resolution of “being on my phone less. “I feel like it is taking up too much of my day. I would like to try doing more activities, like golfing.”
Cara Macedonio
Cara Macedonio, Stony Brook
The Emma Clark Library clerk discussed a few of her resolutions: “Go to the gym is basic, but that was one of them. My resolution is to find a fun job that I like.”
Claire Sloniewsky, Old Field
The senior at Ward Melville shared some of her “several” resolutions, which she wrote down on her phone to remember throughout the year: “One of my main resolutions was to spend more time outside, whether on a daily walk or something more high-impact, like going on a run or looking at nature. I feel more grounded when I do that, and it’s pretty isolating and tiring when I’m inside. Another was to read more. I’m already a pretty big reader, but I want to prioritize it this year.”
Angie Zang
Angie Zang, Coram
The elementary school student shared her goal for the year while roasting a marshmallow outside of The Frigate, “I would like to get better at ballet.”
Lindsay Day
Lindsay Day, Three Village
Another Emma Clark Library clerk shared her goal: “My New Year’s resolution is to make more meals at home instead of dining out.”
Spencer Edelbaum
Spencer Edelbaum, Three Village
A local Druther’s Coffee frequenter shared his New Year’s resolution, which he states is his permanent goal: “I have a nonprofit called The Spot. I do a lot of helping; I just love a lot of people. I would just continue loving into people’s lives.”
The Northport-East Northport Union Free School District Board of Education voted to opt out of regionalization at its Jan. 9 meeting.
According to the New York State Education Department, “The Regionalization Initiative is a collaborative regional planning approach for local districts to communicate what they need in order to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all students, leveraging the state’s existing capabilities, talent, and infrastructure.”
Before voting on the matter, the board first opened the discussion to parents and members of the community to consider the public opinion. To summarize, the majority concluded that philosophically it was an excellent idea, but it was far from practical and would be difficult to properly execute.
“We are paying a lot more and we are not getting a lot back,” one constituent said. “I hope you opt out.”
“I understand why the governor might have wanted to level foundation aid … but at the same time when I look at that amount of school districts, 125 school districts across Long Island, there is a reason for regionalization and shared services,” trustee Allison Noonan said.
The board voted to opt out of regionalization on the basis that a lack of data has proved the program’s efficiency and tax dollars should remain within the district.
“The Northport-East Northport Union Free School District strongly opposes any initiative that jeopardizes local control of our schools, or redistributes taxpayer dollars and resources to other jurisdictions,” the school district’s resolution reads.
Other buisness
Students from East Northport Middle School delivered speeches about their school. Students Gabriel Afatato, Emma Origo, Jameson Hand and Emily Smith described their appreciation for the diverse variety of clubs, supportive teachers and counselors and incredible opportunities. Opportunities such as seeing “The Outsiders” on Broadway and performing a realistic mock trial have made learning a fun, hands-on experience. They expressed their gratitude for the sense of belonging and community they feel at their school.
Following the ENMS presentation, physical education teacher Dan Twano discussed improvement in the physical education department based on curriculum research.
After highlighting alignment to New York State learning standards, Twano explained the development process they’ve examined over the months. Twano noted that utilizing collaboration periods, implementing annual curriculum review processes and facilitating partnerships between elementary and physical education staff could significantly impact the advancement of the curriculum.
Next, the board heard from the special education directors from elementary, secondary and student sport services.
The goals for the upcoming year consist of strengthening inclusive, high-quality instruction for all students, fostering a supportive and inclusive school environment, strengthening family communication and enhancing family involvement to support student success and community engagement.
Upcoming meetings will be held Thursday, Jan. 23, and Thursday, Feb. 13.
An outside look at the Town of Huntington Senior Center. Photo from Facebook
In anticipation of the arctic temperatures that are forecasted to cover Long Island and the northeast next week, Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth and the Huntington Town Board will be opening a warming center beginning Tuesday, January 21 to Friday, January 24. Depending on the forecast, the center hours may be extended beyond those dates. The warming center location is:
John J. Flanagan Huntington Senior Center
423 Park Ave, Huntington
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Many libraries within the Town are also opening their facilities as warming centers during this weather emergency. Each library should be contacted directly for operating hours. The following is the list of participating libraries and contact information:
It is important to note that Town and library facilities do not offer medical, support, or social services. These warming centers are open to provide those in need the opportunity to get adequate shelter from the cold, use restroom facilities and charge cell phones.
All other services can be obtained by contacting any one of the following agencies or organizations:
Emergency Services – Suffolk County Department of Social Services (DSS) Emergency Services Unit at 631-854-9100. This number is available after 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and on weekends and holidays.
Heating Assistance/HEAP – For those who are out of fuel to heat their homes or need an emergency burner repair, the Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as “HEAP,” can be reached 8 am to 4:30 pm by calling 631-853-8820.
Project Warmth – Heat assistance is also available through Project Warmth. Those in need can dial 211 or call the United Way at 888-774-7633.
Temporary Housing Assistance – Those in need of housing can contact the DSS Temporary Housing Assistance Unit by contacting 631-854-9547 from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Additional information can be obtained by calling Suffolk County’s non-emergency number at 311.
The past two years in Suffolk County had the warmest average mean temperature and the warmest average low temperature of any two consecutive years on record.
According to data recorded by the Southeast Regional Climate Center (SERCC), January 2023 to January 2025 were the hottest 730 days of the past 42 years.
The data, recorded at a station in Islip, reported the area’s average mean temperature as 55.1 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the third warmest year following 2023 and 2012, which both experienced an average mean temperature of 55.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
The average low temperature was 47.1 degrees Fahrenheit, tying with 2012 as the warmest average low temperature, followed by 2023 with an average low temp of 47.0, only .1 degrees cooler.
The years 2023 and 2024 rank high in most of the temperature charts, although 2024 was not among the top five highest average temperatures.
Long Island’s higher than normal temperatures are not unique; according to data obtained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the average temperature of the continental U.S. was the warmest to date.
Compared to the baseline–the temperature from 1900 to 2000– the average temp of the U.S. in 2024 was almost 3 degrees Fahrenheit warmer. The base is 52.01 degrees Fahrenheit while 2024 experienced an average of 54.94.
Dr. Elizabeth Watson, an associate professor at Stony Brook University’s Department of Ecology and Evolution, specializes in climate change and its effects on coastal environments.
According to Watson, global warming is generally felt more intensely in the winter months. As greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane continue to trap heat within our atmosphere, the Earth isn’t releasing heat as rapidly as it has in the past.
The warming Earth doesn’t reach freezing temperatures as often, resulting in less snow to reflect the solar energy away from the Earth’s surface.
“Snow affects the seasonal energy balance, so if you have more snow it reflects the light,” Watson said.
This positive feedback loop has exacerbated warming and explains why there is such a noticeable change of temperature in winter months.
The temperature increase is an indication of a change that is impacting Long Island weather and ecology. Extreme weather events like storm surges impose a threat not only to the coastal environment, but also infrastructure.
In December 2023 and January 2024, Long Island experienced a storm surge–when a storm pushes water inland. Watson observed its effects in Patchogue, as water flowed out from the drains, blocks away from the Patchogue Bay.
“When I think about climate change in this area I think about flooding and high sea levels,” Watson said. “If you have high temperatures that lead to more energetic storms that can lead to more storm surges.” She emphasized the danger flooding would have on Long Island communities, especially coastal towns like Port Jefferson, Northport, and Huntington.
David Ansel, the vice president of the center for water protection at Save the Sound, interpreted the data in the context of what it means for the Long Island Sound.
“As it is getting warmer and warmer, that is negatively impacting a number of things,” Ansel said.”One is water pollution and also the actual warming of the water itself, which makes the water less healthy for biodiversity and plant life.”
A warming climate correlates with severe single-day precipitation events, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Heavy rainfall in itself is cause for alarm–it can erode land and damage crops–but the potential for it to cause flooding is among the most detrimental to our community.
Currently, Watson is studying the causes of forest dieback–a condition that leads trees and plants to weaken or die. Watson said. “Episodic storms seem to play a role. It seems [forest dieback] has accelerated a lot more in the past 10 years. It is not something that has started with Hurricane Sandy.”
Long Island infrastructure is ill-suited to deal with the mass amount of rainfall that data shows is becoming increasingly common as temperature rises. The data secured from SERCC did not reveal abnormal rain in recent years, but national studies suggest an increase.
“When it rains a lot in a short amount of time it overwhelms water treatment and for communities,” said Ansel, who is advocating for the replacement of outdated septic tanks and more efficient wastewater facilities.
The Central and Western Basins of the Long Island Sound are healthy, according to a study released by Save the Sound in 2023 that tested the dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll levels, dissolved organic carbon, and water quality. Port Jefferson, Stony Brook, Old Field, and Nissequogue neighbor border this portion of the sound
The Eastern Narrows, which extend from New York City to Eaton’s Neck, is rated lower.
Increasingly, town officials are approaching Ansel for advice on how to improve their stormwater management and prepare for flooding.
Suffolk County’s red-light camera program officially ceased on Dec. 1.
The program generated hundreds of millions of dollars in fines and fees since its inception 14 years ago.
“The intent for it was to make things safer for our roads,” Suffolk County Legislator Robert Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) said.
However, despite the original intent, the program’s effectiveness has been a frequently contentious issue. Supporters emphasize a decline in severe accidents and fatalities as proof of its success. Conversely, detractors argue it has led to an uptick in rear-end collisions due to individuals stopping suddenly to avoid camera detection. Critics also label it a “cash grab” for the county, which reported earning approximately $13 million from the program in 2023.
In a recent CBS News report, county data showed an 11.3% drop in accidents with injuries and an 8.6% overall increase in crashes.
“The data showed that the rear-end accidents skyrocketed in those intersections [where the cameras were placed],” Trotta said.
According to Newsday, while Suffolk County had independently decided to terminate its red-light camera program, the decision swiftly followed a recent appellate court ruling invalidating Nassau County’s $100 surcharge on top of the standard $50 red-light camera ticket. The court found that Nassau County’s surcharge violates state law. It is worth noting that Suffolk County also previously collected a similar surcharge until 2023.
“If I saw road improvements or it went back to the school system, it would make me feel better about paying for these tickets,” said Nicholas Harding of East Patchogue in a CBS News interview.
Nassau County intends to challenge the recent court ruling that invalidated the county’s ability to levy surcharges on red-light camera tickets. Notably, the county’s red-light camera program remains operational during this appeal process.
However, according to a Fox News report, the recent appellate court ruling regarding the collection fees from these red-light cameras could potentially entitle drivers to “hundreds of millions of dollars,” although the exact amount remains uncertain.
“The purpose of the lawsuit is to get back every dime that was paid in excess of the statutory amount of $50 and $25 in Suffolk. In Nassau, it was even worse. It was an extra $100,” attorney David Raimondo said in a recent statement. “I’m hoping the residents of Nassau and Suffolk have some sense of justice … let’s hope they’re happy when they get their refunds.”
So, if the recent ruling is not directly related to the ending of the red-light camera program in Suffolk County, why else is the program ending?
According to Newsday, although former Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. (D-Sag Harbor) sponsored an extension bill in the state assembly, no member of Suffolk’s senate delegation, comprised of four Republicans and one Democrat, introduced a corresponding extension bill prior to the adjournment of the last legislative session in June.
Additionally, according to Newsday, extending the program in Suffolk County would have required approval from both the county and state legislatures, a process that would have occurred during an election year, potentially increasing complexity and political considerations.
Small particles from the raging wildfires in Los Angeles that have killed residents, destroyed homes and businesses and have caused massive evacuations have crossed the country, reaching Long Island.
Arthur Sedlacek, III Aerosol Processes Group leader at Brookhaven National Laboratory
“Our instruments are picking up evidence detecting California wildfires already,” said Arthur Sedlacek, III, Aerosol Processes Group leader in the Environmental & Climate Sciences Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory. “What’s happening 3,000 miles away can impact us” just like the fires in Quebec did.
The amount and concentration of particles on Long Island from these particles doesn’t present a health risk to many people in the population.
“For those who are sensitive to inhalation irritation, it opens up the possibility” of developing breathing difficulties or adding particles that could irritate their lungs, Sedlacek continued.
To be sure, the majority of people on Long Island and the east coast may not react to levels of particulates that are considerably lower than for residents of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
Local doctors suggested that these particles can trigger a range of health problems for those who are closer to the flames and smoke.
“The general rule is the larger the exposure, the greater the effect,” said Dr. Norman Edelman, apulmonologist at Stony Brook Medicine.
Researchers have shown that the exposure doesn’t have to be especially high to affect health.
‘We more we look, the more we see that lower and lower doses will have negative effects,” said Edelman.
If and when particulates build in the air where patients with lung challenges live, pulmonologists urge residents to take several steps to protect themselves.
First, they can adjust their medication to respond to a greater health threat.
In addition, they can wear a particle mask, which is not an ordinary surgical mask.
Over time, continued exposure to particulates through pollution, wildfires or other emissions may have a cumulative health effect.
Dr. Norman Edelman. Photo courtesy of SBU
In the South Bronx, about 40 percent of children have asthma, compared with closer to 10 percent for the rest of the country. While genetics may contribute to that level, “we believe it’s because they are exposed to intense, continuous air pollution from motor vehicle traffic,” said Edelman, as cars and trucks on the Cross Bronx Expressway pollute the air in nearby neighborhoods.
The cumulative effect on people with existing disease is more pronounced.
Even when exposure and a lung reaction end, people “don’t quite come back to where [they] started,” said Edelman. “They lose a little bit of lung function.”
Particulates not only can cause damage for people who have chronic lung issues, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but can also cause problems for people who have other medical challenges.
“We do know that this kind of pollution generates heart attacks in people with heart disease,” said Edelman. “That’s relatively new knowledge.”
A heating cycle
The ongoing fires, which started on Jan. 7 and were exacerbated by the Santa Ana winds of 70 miles per hour, have been consuming everything in their path, throwing a range of particles into the air.
These can include organic particles, black particles, which is akin to something that comes out of the tailpipe of a school bus and all sorts of particles in between, Sedlacek said.
These particles can form condensation nuclei for clouds and water droplets and they can absorb solar radiation and light.
Heating the upper troposphere with particles that absorb radiation alters the typical convention dynamic, in which hot air usually rises and cool air sinks
These changes in convection, which can occur with each of these major wildfires, can affect local air currents and even, in the longer term, broader air circulation patterns.
Sedlacek suggested that some areas in California and in the west may have reduced the use of controlled burns, in part because of the potential for those fires to blaze out of control.
“With the absence of range management and controlled burns to clear out the understory, you don’t have those natural fire breaks that would otherwise exist,” said Sedlacek. “In my opinion, you have to do controlled burns.”
Wildfires, Sedlacek added, are a “natural part of the ecosystem,” returning nutrients that might otherwise be inaccessible to the soil.
Without wildfires or controlled burns, areas can have a build up of understory that grows over the course of decades and that are potentially more dangerous amid a warming planet caused by climate change.
Indeed, recent reports from the Copernicus Climate Change Service indicate that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with temperatures reaching 1.6 degrees Celsius above the average in pre-industrial revolution levels. The Paris Climate Accord aimed to keep the increase from the late 19th century to well below 2 degrees, with an emphasis on a 1.5 degree limit.
The fires themselves have become a part of the climate change cycle, contributing particulates and greenhouse gases to processes that have made each of these events that much worse.
“These fires generate greenhouse gases and aerosol particles in the atmosphere that can then further increase or contribute to a warming of the globe,” said Sedlacek. “We have this positive feedback loop.”
In the climate change community, researchers discuss feedback, which can be positive, pushing an event or trend further in the same direction, or negative, which alters a process.
Sedlacek likens this to driving in a car that’s heading to the right towards the shoulder. In negative feedback, a driver steers the car in the other direction while positive feedback pushes the car further from the road.
Wildfires, which contribute and exacerbate global warming, can push the car towards a ditch, Sedlacek said.
Some scientists have urged efforts to engage in geoengineering, in which researchers propose blocking the sun, which would cause negative feedback.
“That might be a great idea on paper, but I don’t know if you want to play chemistry on a global scale,” said Sedlacek. Considering efforts to reduce solar radiation has merit, he suggested, but requires a closer analysis under controlled circumstances to understand it.
“I sincerely hope that the powers that be will appreciate the importance of what we do to understand” these processes, Sedlacek said. Understanding the models researchers have created can inform decisions.
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Over 11,500 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2025. However, almost all of these cases are preventable. Through cervical cancer screening and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, we have the power to prevent cervical cancer.
Stony Brook Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention in Action (CPiA) program is here to help you and your loved ones reduce your risk of cervical cancer with these prevention tips:
Schedule your screening: Cervical cancer screening tests can find cells that lead to cancer so that they can be removed before cancer grows. In addition to the Pap test, testing for HPV cells within the cervix is now recommended as a primary screening method. The American Cancer Society recommends routine cervical cancer screening for people with a cervix starting at age 25 through 65.
Get vaccinated: Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. The HPV vaccine prevents cervical, and five other types of cancer, by preventing the virus that causes them. HPV vaccination is recommended for children of all genders beginning at age 9. It is also recommended for adults not vaccinated in childhood through age 26. With over 135 million doses administered in the United States in the last two decades, the HPV vaccine has proven to be extremely safe and effective in preventing HPV cancers.
Raise awareness: Cervical cancer is preventable. Raise awareness amongst your family, friends, and community that cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination and screening. Consider organizing an awareness event or education session for your workplace, organization, PTA, or other community setting with Stony Brook Cancer Center’s CPiA program.
The CPiA program works to increase HPV vaccination and reduce cancer rates on Long Island. CPiA educates people of all ages in a variety of community settings about cancer prevention and healthy living.
To learn more about cervical cancer prevention or to get involved with CPiA at Stony Brook Cancer Center, go to www.takeactionagainstcancer.com or contact us at 631-444-4263 or at [email protected].
Stony Brook Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention in Action
The implications of the R-word
Dear anyone who uses the R-word,
As the father of a young man with Down syndrome and the leader of a business where more than half of our colleagues have differing abilities, I feel compelled to address leaders who have used the R-word.
There is no denying your place in the world. That power and influence comes with a greater sense of obligation. Your statements matter. Your words matter. There was a time when using that term was acceptable. Yet in those times that word dehumanized people with differing abilities, people like my son John. That term denied people a sense of dignity and a place in our society.
That word gained prominence during a period when people with intellectual development disabilities were often shunned, relegated to institutions, denied an education, barred from employment and rejected by society. They were treated as sub-human.
Thankfully, times have changed. People with differing abilities have become full members of our society, many playing a prominent role. My son John is an entrepreneur like you and has co-founded the world’s largest sock store. And John is only one of a growing number of entrepreneurs, business leaders, artists, actors, athletes, and political activists with a differing ability. At our business, more than half our colleagues have a differing ability, and we succeed because of the excellent work they do.
People with differing abilities have been patient waiting for the rest of us to catch up, to recognize their strengths and ability to contribute to our society. We need them. We need them in our schools, our businesses and our communities. Terms like the R-word have faded away as people learn how much it hurts, see the negative impact it has and, most importantly, how wrong-headed the description is.
I urge you to consider how your words and actions might advance this progress rather than hinder it. Language has the power to uplift or harm, to unite or divide. You have the opportunity to champion a vision of inclusion, where every person—regardless of their abilities—is treated with respect and celebrated for their unique gifts.
I invite you to visit our business, John’s Crazy Socks. Come meet John and our colleagues with differing abilities. Come see first-hand the potential and humanity that outdated stereotypes obscure. As someone who has defied expectations and pushed boundaries, you have the ability to model a future that leaves no one behind.
This moment can be a turning point. By choosing compassion, understanding, and inclusion, you can inspire others to do the same and help build a world where dignity and opportunity are extended to all.
Will you join us in this mission? Your voice could be a powerful catalyst for change.
Regards,
Mark X. Cronin
Father, Advocate, and Co-Founder of John’s Crazy Socks
More details needed about lithium-ion batteries
We have under consideration at least two large lithium-ion battery installations in our local neighborhoods. One, according to Ira Costell, the president of the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association, will be an 8-10 MW system, to be provided by New Leaf Energy. The other, also according to Mr. Costell, will be a mammoth 350 MW facility from Savion, although the Renewables Now website lists this as having a rated power of only 110 MW.
In any case, if we are to understand the capabilities and limitations of these installations, a more complete definition of their energy storage capabilities is required.
This must include not only a power rating, e.g., 10 MW, but also the length of time for which the power can be delivered by the battery. For example, if a battery can provide 10 MW of power for 5 hours, its energy rating is 50 MWh (megawatt hours). Thus, if we know the energy rating of a battery, and we also know the load power, we can calculate the time for which the power will be supplied. For example, a 50 MWh battery can provide 1 MW for 50 hours, or 5 MW for 10 hours, and so forth. At the end of these periods, the battery becomes fully discharged, and must be recharged for further use.
The energy capacities of these batteries are important, because of the intermittent and unpredictable nature of the mandated future energy sources, which will be solar arrays and windmills. When these sources are generating their full rated power, they will be both powering the commercial customers and charging the batteries. As an example, let us assume we have 2,000 houses, each with a load of 1,000 W (1 kW), or 2 MW total. A 50 MWh battery can therefore provide the required power (2 MW) for 25 hours. When the solar/wind power is available, it powers the customer houses and also charges the battery. When the solar/wind input power stops, the load power is provided by the battery, for up to 25 hours. If the input power outage exceeds 25 hours, the 2,000 customers will be without power until the input power becomes available.
The key point is that the energy (MWh) capability of the battery must be sufficient to provide the required power for at least the longest possible down time of the primary power source. If this condition is not met, prolonged power outages and blackouts will be the inevitable result.
If we are to understand and evaluate the capabilities of these proposed battery facilities, it would be most helpful to have New Leaf Energy and Savion provide the energy specifications to us, rather than simply some undefined power numbers, which leave us in the dark with regard to the time for which the power will be available.
President Joe Biden walks to the Oval Office with President-elect Donald Trump, Wednesday, November 13, 2024. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) Wikimedia Commons Public Domain
By Daniel Dunaief
Daniel Dunaief
Here we are, teetering on the precipice of the transition from Joseph Biden back to Donald Trump at the White House.
What better time than now to ponder some random facts, such as birth order, about the presidency? I used a Potus Presidential Facts website that included siblings and half-siblings for the first part of this column and a host of other websites, including Wikipedia for the second part.
For starters, none of the men (it’s a men’s only club so far) who were the commander in chief were only children. Three presidents, meanwhile, had only one sibling. That list includes Calvin Coolidge, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan.
Now, I figured that more presidents were first children than subsequent children, in part because first children often rule the roost, as primogeniture would suggest. But I was wrong.
Yes, first children are well represented, as 11 presidents were the oldest in their families.
First born children who would go on to become president started with John Adams and James Madison and included Lyndon Baines Johnson, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush (43) and the soon-to be ex-president Joseph Biden, among others.
Second children, however, constituted the greatest number of presidents. After a lifetime of being described as number two, I now realize what a compliment such a designation is, at least in terms of presidential history, where number two is number one.
Starting with James Monroe, that list includes such luminaries as Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy and, well, Richard Nixon. Okay, so, Nixon didn’t exactly cover himself in glory, resigning in disgrace after the Watergate Scandal, but he doesn’t bring all second children down.
First and second children constitute 56 percent of the presidents.
Going to the presidents who had numerous older siblings, the three presidents who were born seventh all shared the same first name: William. The seventh born commanders in chief were William Henry Harrison, William McKinley and William Howard Taft. If history is any guide, that means a seventh born William, assuming somehow your parents didn’t choose the name for any of your older siblings, has a path to the presidency.
Four presidents were born sixth, starting with George Washington. Joining the first president in the number six club are Martin Van Buren, John Tyler and Franklin Pierce.
The fifth born list only has three entrants: James Garfield, Chester A. Arthur and Grover Cleveland, who shares the distinction of being the only president elected in two non-consecutive terms with Trump.
Fourth born presidents also have three members, starting with Zachary Taylor, continuing with Rutherford B. Hayes and going to Trump.
And, finally, seven presidents were born third in their families. The list started with Thomas Jefferson and included Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Woodrow Wilson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Now, seven presidents were the youngest child, including Herbert Hoover, Ronald Reagan, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield and William Henry Harrison.
On average, presidents had a little over five siblings. Biden had three siblings and Trump had four, making him the penultimate child.
James Madison, who served as the fourth president, had the most siblings, at 11.
While similar lists for first ladies are harder to find (at least for me), I did find some interesting factoids about a few first ladies.
During the war of 1812, Dolley Madison, whose first name originally had an “e” then didn’t in historical records and then did again as of 1958, rescued artifacts from the White House before the British burned it down. Frances Cleveland, meanwhile, was the youngest first lady and the only one who got married in the White House. At 21, she wed 49-year old Grover Cleveland.
Helen Taft was the first to ride with her husband in the inaugural parade and the first to ensure staff were treated equally in the White House. She planted the first of 3,000 cherry trees Tokyo had sent as a gift, helping to establish cherry trees as a staple along the Potomac river.
As for pets, Trump, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson were the only White House occupants who didn’t have pets, according to Wikipedia. I’m guessing that some of the Secret Service members bitten by Biden’s dog Commander would have preferred that the incumbent didn’t own a canine.
Teddy Roosevelt had numerous pets when he was president, including snakes, dogs, cats, a badger, birds, and guinea pigs.
Numerous presidents received larger animals that they sent elsewhere. Eisenhower, for example, received a baby Forest Elephant from the French Community of African Republics that he shipped to the National Zoo.
Damage to a home and vehicle from the Eaton Fire in northern Altadena, California in January 2025. Photo from Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain
By Leah S. Dunaief
Leah Dunaief, Publisher
It may have started as a new year filled with hope, but this is a difficult week. The terrible fires in Southern California have burned entire neighborhoods to the ground, from mansions to mobile homes. We already know about the displaced and the deaths, but more destruction may yet come. Weather forecasts from the National Weather Service are predicting fierce winds ahead that may drive the fires into new areas.
The end is not in sight.
While this horror is on the other side of the country, it is not remote. Many of us have friends and relatives who live, work, study or are retired there, driving the tragedy right into our midst and into our hearts in a deeply personal way. These are not only abstract numbers of people and homes about which we would feel a humanitarian empathy. These are our people. These are our forests and our lands. The dreadful irony of it all, remembering the 1972 Albert Hammond song, “It Never Rains in Southern California.”
While there was already a serious homeless population for Los Angeles, the newly displaced are trying to figure out what to do next. The lucky ones have relatives or friends with whom they can seek shelter. It may be long weeks, even months before they can return, if their homes miraculously are still standing. What if they are not? Will the insurance companies hold up to enable rebuilding, or will some of them declare bankruptcy, as they have done in similar cataclysmic situations, like the one in the Caribbean Island St. Croix? Can FEMA bear the entire load?
Private citizens can be counted on to respond generously, as we have with virtually every disaster in the world. With such an enormous catastrophe, the entire national economy could take a hit. How will the new administration respond?
Speaking of the government, we have less than a week before the new administration is sworn into office. The change of political parties may in itself contribute to some emotional reaction this week, regardless of one’s party affiliation.
Many Dems are worried, while many members in the GOP are optimistic. There has been much talk of changes to come, from buying Greenland for its exotic minerals to changing the name from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Perhaps more seriously, there may be a tax cut in the future, some change in immigration policy and new tariffs imposed or at least threatened.
Some good news did emerge this week. There may be a truce in Gaza after 15 months of violence, with some hostages to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and specific movements of Israeli troops. While the atmosphere surrounding the peace talks remains tense, according to media reports, there now seems some hope.
According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the negotiators are only awaiting Hamas’s sign off. Perhaps the imminent changeover of presidents from Biden to Trump in the United States hastened the deal. The governments of Qatar and Egypt have also directly participated in the talks.
Perhaps now the fighting in Ukraine and the fires in Southern California can also be brought to a halt. Then we could return to hope.
Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin drops off clothing donations at Career Couture.
Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin has announced the conclusion of a highly successful clothing drive to give Suffolk County residents the tools to get good-paying jobs. Legislator Sanin spearheaded a community clothing drive to benefit the Suffolk County Department of Labor’s Career Couture Boutique in Hauppauge. This initiative, aimed at providing free professional attire to residents in need, collected an impressive total of over 2,000 individual clothing items thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the 16th Legislative District community.
“Career Couture provides residents with the tools to make a strong first impression during job interviews, empowering them on their path to success,” said Legislator Sanin. “This drive showcased the strength and compassion of our community, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who donated and supported this effort.”
The success of this community-driven initiative was made possible through partnerships with local organizations. Donation drop-off boxes were hosted by the Elwood, Commack, and South Huntington Public Libraries, whose efforts helped ensure widespread participation.
Joanne Albano, Assistant Director of the Commack Public Library, shared her enthusiasm for the collaboration: “The Commack Public Library was proud to participate as a drop-off point for Legislator Sanin’s extremely successful Career Couture Boutique clothing drive. We are always happy to partner with Legislator Sanin and look forward to many more successful events and partnerships.”
Andrew Salomon, Library Director of the Elwood Public Library, echoed these sentiments: “Thank you to Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin and her team for organizing this wonderful clothing drive. Thanks also to the Elwood Public Library staff for helping to implement the drive and the Suffolk County Department of Labor for operating the Career Couture Boutique. Most importantly, thanks to everyone who donated, particularly those within the Elwood Public Library community, for their exceptional generosity. We are so grateful for the opportunity to partner with our local elected officials, neighboring libraries, and local government entities to help better our community.”
Janet Scherer, Director of the South Huntington Public Library, added: “We extend our gratitude to Legislator Sanin for collaborating with the South Huntington Public Library on this impactful clothing drive. Thanks to the generosity of our community, numerous workplace-appropriate items were donated. This initiative is sure to empower many Suffolk County residents, boosting their confidence as they embark on their professional journeys.”
The Career Couture Boutique, operated by the Suffolk County Department of Labor, provides free professional clothing to Suffolk County residents, helping them make great first impressions at job interviews and gain confidence in their career pursuits. This effort is particularly significant as Long Island’s labor market continues to evolve. According to the New York State Department of Labor, Long Island’s private sector added 16,000 jobs over the past year, with significant growth in education and health services (+12,300 jobs) and leisure and hospitality (+6,600 jobs). By offering professional attire to job seekers, the clothing drive is directly supporting residents as they prepare to enter these growing industries and strengthen their career prospects.
Legislator Sanin extends her heartfelt gratitude to all who participated, donated, and supported the drive. This effort reflects the shared commitment of Suffolk County residents to supporting one another and strengthening the community.
For more information about the Career Couture Boutique or other community initiatives, please contact Legislator Sanin’s office at 631-854-5100.
Teddy Roosevelt had numerous pets when he was president, including snakes, dogs, cats, a badger, birds, and guinea pigs.
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