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Heckscher Museum of Art

The $250,000 Prize Will Focus on 2025 LGBTQ+ Exhibitions and Programs

The Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington has been awarded a significant grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through The Museums for America program. The $250,000 grant for The Heckscher Museum, the largest amount available, is one of 115 projects nationwide which garnered IMLS support, and was selected from hundreds of submissions nationally. 

“IMLS remains committed to serving the museum field and furthering the goals of the American public,” said IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum. “The Museums for America program encourages applicants to be creative in their response to challenges, and to envision a bold future for their institution.”

“We are honored to accept this grant from IMLS,” said Museum Executive Director and CEO Heather Arnet.  “It further solidifies our commitment to serving our community and showcasing diverse artists and stories. As we look to 2025, we are excited to engage youth and intergenerational community members in a robust year of exhibitions and programming highlighting and celebrating LGBTQ+ history and artists.”

The focus for the year was inspired by the tenth anniversary of Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), the historic Supreme Court case recognizing same-sex couples’ right to marry, as well as by the Museum’s ongoing partnerships with active community and cultural organizations and artists.

“We are excited about the Museum’s 2025 Exhibition year, and its capacity to shine a light on LGBTQ+ artists,” shared Robert Vitelli, CEO, LGBT Network. “This exhibition year also provides an opportunity to highlight the important role that New York and Long Island have played in LGBT history and the contributions our community has made to the arts and to advancing civil rights for all people.” 

Thanks to the IMLS grant, The Heckscher Museum of Art will center community members in a collaborative effort to develop exhibitions and public programming highlighting major works by LGBTQ+ artists, including Berenice Abbott, Marsden Hartley, Betty Parsons, the PaJaMa collective (Paul Cadmus, Jared French, and Margaret French), Alice Rahon, Robert Rauschenberg and many more. The year will also mark the first-ever solo exhibition of American neoclassical sculptor Emma Stebbins (1815–1882). The grant allows the Museum to elevate and interpret experiences of LGBTQ+ figures in American Art, past and present, to deepen and expand relationships in the community, and to engage community members in exhibition and programming development.

Additional 2025 Partners

“My work as Guest Curator on the exhibition planned at The Heckscher for the summer of 2025, will fill the entire Museum with pieces from the Museum’s collection connected to the LGBTQ+ community. I look forward to collaborating with curatorial, education, and outreach staff and members of the Museum’s LGBTQ+ Youth Advisory Board and Community Advisory Board throughout this process,” shared Victoria Munro, Executive Director, Alice Austen House.

“This project represents a logical progression and continuation of the Museum’s strategic goals and mission to connect with and engage community,” said Evangeline J. Knell, Owner / Creative Director Identity Digital Inc. “I have had the pleasure of collaborating with The Heckscher Museum of Art, developing community-driven exhibition content, engaging middle school girls from Girls Inc. Long Island to create a Soundwalk, creating story-telling video interviews with diverse members of the Huntington community, and interviewing Executive Director, Heather Arnet, for our goinglocal.tv program for Huntington Pride. I am honored to have been asked to be a member of the Community Advisory Board who will work on this project.”

About The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. The Museum for America program supports museums of all sizes and disciplines in strategic, project-based efforts to serve the public through exhibitions, educational/interpretive programs, digital learning resources, professional development, community debate and dialogue, audience-focused studies, and collections.

To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About The Heckscher Museum of Art
The Heckscher Museum of Art is in its second century as a source of art and inspiration on Long Island. Founded by philanthropists Anna and August Heckscher in 1920, the Museum’s collection comprises 2,300 artworks spanning the nineteenth century to the present. The Museum is committed to growing the collection to develop public awareness for the artists whose careers and life experiences can broaden our understanding of the past, foster community connections to the present, and create diverse possibilities for the future. Located in scenic Heckscher Park in Huntington, NY, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Continuing the legacy of the founders, free admission to the Museum for 2025 is supported through a generous grant from Bank of America.  Heckscher.org

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Shipwreck Diner owner Denis Beyersdorf (left) is gifted a painting of the interior of the diner by artist Nancy Hendrick. Tim Otto (right) whose family owned the diner for more than 50 years joined about 200 others in the Aug. 15th celebration of the diner’s 100th anniversary. - Photo by Steven Zaitz Photo by Steven Zaitz
Bob Hendrick (center) and his wife Nancy unveil the painting they created for the Shipwreck’s 100th anniversary commemoration. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Denis Beyersdorf accepts the Century Award from Northport Historical Society’s Teri Reid. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Shipwreck Diner owner Denis Beyersdorf at the celebration. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from the Shipwreck Diner's 100th celebration. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from the Shipwreck Diner's 100th celebration. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Former waitress Virginia Sheehan (left) and longtime Shipwreck regular Barbara Blair enjoy the celebration. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from the Shipwreck Diner's 100th celebration. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Scene from the Shipwreck Diner's 100th celebration. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Shipwreck Diner owner Denis Beyersdorf addresses the crowd at the celebration. Photo by Steven Zaitz
The interior of the Shipwreck Diner. Photo by Steven Zaitz
The front of the Shipwreck Diner. Photo by Steven Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

Townspeople know that crossing Main Street in historic Northport Village means stepping back and forth over history.

The trolley tracks tattooed into the pavement no longer serve to carry Northporters through town for a day of shopping or a night bounding between speakeasies. They are only a reminder of how things were – not much remains from that time.

But some things do.

As nouveau restaurants, tap rooms, art galleries and boutiques dot the path from Church Street to the water, one particular edifice has stood at 46 Main St. since 1924 – the Shipwreck Diner.

The luncheonette-style eatery, originally called the Northport Diner and carved out of an early 20th century trolley car, celebrated its 100th birthday last Thursday, Aug. 15, with a gala buffet dinner in the outdoor space behind the restaurant. About 200 of its regular customers along with past and present staff ate, drank, laughed and reminisced as new owner Denis Beyersdorf accepted the rare and prestigious Century Award from Northport Historical Society board member Teri Reid.

“On this spot tonight with family, friends and neighbors, we gather together just like the people of Northport did decades ago, feeling as comfortable as we do when we are at home,” said Reid, addressing the celebrants. “The Shipwreck is a special place and yes just like Cheers, when you’re here, everybody knows your name.”

Beyersdorf was choking back tears as he accepted the award.

“I’m so thankful for the Century Award and it will be in the diner forever,” said Beyersdorf, who like many of his guests and staff, sported a brightly colored 100th anniversary Shipwreck T-shirt. “I have to thank our customers and the town of Northport because without your love and support, none of this could ever happen.”

Beyersdorf, who was born in Huntington but has lived in Northport for close to two decades, worked in the financial services industry until 2021 and had no experience in the restaurant business until purchasing the diner with partners Ed McCallister and Jeffrey Wang from Tim Hess. Hess’s father Otto purchased it in 1972 and named the place Otto’s Shipwreck Diner. Tim took it over in 1996 and it became Tim’s Shipwreck Diner.

Beyersdorf, who exudes a neighborly humble charm especially for a guy who worked on Wall Street for decades, does not feel he has yet earned his stripes as a restaurateur to put his name in neon. Thus, the place is now simply called Shipwreck Diner.

“This place would not be the place it is today without the work of Timmy Hess,” Beyersdorf said. “He passed the torch and all I’m doing is following his lead and carrying that torch. I’m blessed because there’s a line at that door every Saturday and Sunday and the place is a staple. There is a group of people that really like this place and as long as I don’t mess that up and give them the Shipwreck experience they’ve come to expect, then I’ve done my job.”

As a boy, he dreamed of going to cooking school after high school but instead chose to pursue a degree in economics. After a long career in finance, he was laid off from his job in 2021. After a conversation – or three – with golfing buddies McCallister and Wang, they collectively decided to help Denis realize his dream.

Ever since the trio purchased the establishment from Hess on Dec. 20, 2022, Beyersdorf has gone all-in as the face of the operation. He has studied the time-honored techniques of the Shipwreck chefs so when it was time to tie on his own apron, he could replicate the dishes seamlessly. His longtime customers appreciate that.

“This place means so much to me and the town of Northport,” said Barbara Blair of East Northport who has been coming to the diner nearly every day for some 30 years. “Denis has done a great job making friends with the regular customers and keeping the atmosphere and the food the same.”

Blair has the same dish every time she comes in.

“Oatmeal with fresh fruit and two cups of coffee. I don’t even have to order it. They ask me if I’m ready, I say yes and it appears,” she said.

Virginia Sheehan, a lifelong Northporter, was a waitress at Shipwreck from the mid-’70s to 1999 when she had to retire due to health issues. She was sitting with Blair and playfully corrected her former client.

“You used to have the French toast occasionally,” Sheehan reminded her friend Blair, as the two ladies laughed and enjoyed a cocktail. Blair conceded that Sheehan was correct.

“And that French toast was the best I’ve ever had,” she said.

“I wanted to give the place back to Northport and I didn’t know anything about the food business so I didn’t feel right putting my name on it,” Beyersdorf said, as he flipped over a giant mound of home fries with his shovel-sized spatula. “For the past 22 months, I have lived and breathed this place, slept here and sacrificed time with my family trying to learn everything I could.”

The celebration on Thursday night was a metaphor for the support for Denis, the diner and the residents and customers who as Northporters fiercely protect and value their storied town’s history.

As the party rolled on into the evening, Beyersdorf was presented with yet another gift. Local artists Bob and Nancy Hendrick, who run the Trinity Community Art Center a few doors down from the Shipwreck, unveiled a 24-by-30 inch rendering of the interior of the former train car turned restaurant. The Edward Hopper-inspired painting depicted Denis cleaning the counter on one side, afternoon sun streaks peeking through the middle front windows and a lonely coffee-drinking patron dressed in early 20th century garb hunched over in a booth.

“We wanted to capture both eras in this painting and show that Denis represents the present and future of this very important place,” said Bob Hendrick. “Nancy and I, representing Trinity Community Art Center, warmly embrace our community and we celebrate the vibrant spirit Denis and the diner have kindled within us. It was destiny for this painting to be created and shared at that precise moment and it fills our hearts with humility and gratitude for both Denis and the community’s outpouring of appreciation toward it.”

As the evening wore on and shrimp cocktail and mussels became scarce, Beyersdorf along with his guests and staff posed for pictures, shook hands and embraced. They knew that Thursday’s party would eventually become Friday’s rush – a rush that would usher in the next 100 years of Shipwreck serving its customers, acting as their kitchen and dining room away from home and providing a living breathing part of their proud town’s history.

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Mike Kilano. Courtesy Paws of War

By Lauren Feldman

Mike Kilano, a United States Marine veteran, veteran advocate and crisis coordinator for Paws of War, will participate in the 22 PAC PTSD Awareness Challenge Aug. 30. This event aims to raise awareness for PTSD and veteran suicides, and to bring together over 20 veteran-related nonprofits.

Kilano, a North Babylon resident, will kayak 22 miles with others across Long Island Sound, starting in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and ending in Port Jefferson.

Kayaks will leave Bridgeport at 10:30 a.m. and are due to arrive in Port Jeff at 5:30 p.m. There will be a reception party, open to the public, at the Village Center with free food, drinks and a band from 4 to 8 p.m.

For Kilano, the challenge is a way to support his fellow servicemen and women. It symbolizes the 22 veterans who tragically take their lives each day.

Kilano understands the profound impact of combat-derived PTSD. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1999 to 2003 and was deployed to the Middle East shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, participating in Operation Enduring Freedom.

His service left him with deep scars. After just three months of deployment, Kilano began to notice how the sights, sounds and experiences of war were affecting his mental health.

Upon returning home, his struggles intensified. “I couldn’t sleep, tried to go to school, couldn’t focus … my anger took control, I got into some pretty reckless behaviors,” he said. “My isolation was so bad for two or three years, and I had a family. So you can imagine my kids and my wife having secondary PTSD because their father — her husband — had all these issues we didn’t even know about.”

Helped by Paws of War

Veteran Mike Kilano demonstrates kayak skills at Steers Beach, in Northport, in advance of the 22 PAC challenge. Courtesy of Paws of War

After nearly 20 years, Kilano was diagnosed with combat-related PTSD and began receiving services through the VA. He has slowly found ways to manage his PTSD, greatly aided by his service dog, Nova, who was paired with him through Paws of War. Nova is not only a fully trained service dog but also a beloved family member.

Paws of War, located in Nesconset, trains and places shelter dogs to serve and provide independence to U.S. military veterans who suffer from the emotional effects of war.

Inspired by Paws of War, Nova and the positive changes in his life, Kilano now works full time with the organization, helping other veterans navigate their struggles. “For a lot of veterans, their animals are their lifeline. If I can make them aware of the help of a service dog, I feel like I’m making a difference,” he said.

“As tough as things get, I know there’s a community of veterans like me,” he added. “If I can be that voice or that encouragement to my brothers or sisters, then it makes my mission away from the mission in combat worthwhile. I can sleep better because I’m helping someone out.”

Kilano is excited about participating in the 22 PAC challenge. “I love kayaking,” he said. The activity provides him with an outlet and forces him to slow down and focus: “As I start training, I’m out in the open water, I’m able to breathe, no one’s around. You’re able to focus on your breathing, your muscles. You have to get that energy out. You can’t have much negative energy when you’re in the middle of the ocean.”

Mike Kilano. Courtesy Paws of War

In preparation for the challenge, Kilano conducted kayak training at Steers Beach, Northport, Aug. 16 and spoke about his experiences with PTSD and the support he has received. “As a veteran advocate, I think it’s important to showcase groups like 22 PAC and what they’re about so that others get encouraged,” he said.

Kilano plans to continue his advocacy beyond the 22 PAC challenge. Readers interested in donating to the fundraiser and learning more about Paws of War can visit the websites 22pac.org and pawsofwar.org.

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Pink lights shine bright on Theatre Three's marquis at last year's event. Photo by Heidi Sutton

This past Monday’s storm decimated chunks of Suffolk’s North Shore. From Stony Brook, to Rocky Point, and so many towns in between, roads have collapsed, trees have fallen and homes have become boats in the street.

TBR offers our heartfelt sympathies to any person affected by this storm, in any way, and wishes to give you a beautiful example of the type of visceral human kindness that often pops up when tragedy strikes — but is never short of poignant.

Theatre Three, a beloved staple of the Port Jefferson community, was devastatingly hit by this storm that, seemingly, came out of nowhere. It was, bizarrely, not even connected to Hurricane Ernesto, which made its way along the coast.

Vivian Koutrakos, managing director of Theatre Three, said that throughout her 45-year tenure with the playhouse, she has witnessed it struck by 10 severe floods, with the worst having been in the past 10 years.

Due to this alarming trend, the basement, which has been frequently flooded, has “flood protocol” in place, like a raised washer and dryer, and items of that nature.

Well after Monday, that was all for nothing.

Chairs and tables literally floated away, and tools, machinery and cherished costumes from the playhouse’s production of “A Christmas Carol,” were drowned.

The situation looked bleak. When speaking to Koutrakos, she half-heartedly joked that she always says “she doesn’t have another flood in her.” But, with the unwavering support of empathetic neighbors, it certainly makes the load easier to bear.

In just 48 hours, locals teamed up and raised $20,000 and counting. Volunteers, actors and just concerned people, who’d heard of the theatre’s dire state, showed up with mops, and just started cleaning. And, one woman — in a display of utter compassion — who works in Queens and lives in Huntington, took the LIRR train to offer any help she could provide. Koutrakos had never seen her before.

So, while the tragic nature of this storm may leave you feeling down, disheartened and disappointed, remember the example of these local, good Samaritans, who decided to turn their heartache into a helping hand.

In the words of patriot Patrick Henry, “United we stand, divided we fall.” Remember, together we can overcome anything and everything. And the show must go on.

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File photo

New York State Police have reported that a nine-year-old boy from Centerport was killed in a crash on the morning of Aug. 22 after his mother drove the wrong way allegedly while under the influence on the Southern State Parkway in Bay Shore.

Kerri A. Bedrick, 32, of Centerport, driving a black 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, caused a four-car collision that killed her son, Eli D. Henrys.

State troopers and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a crash, which happened around eastbound exit 42, and observed Bedrick standing outside of her car and found Eli in the backseat with a seat belt fastened, police said. Troopers and the sheriff’s deputies performed CPR on Eli in an effort to save his life, but he later died of his injuries.

The drivers of the other involved vehicles were Haydee R Meyer,  29, of Center Moriches,  who was operating a 2018 Mercedes Benz; David C. Picard, 24, of Brentwood, who was operating a 2011 Honda and John Rotondi, 64 of Brooklyn who was operating a 2019 Chevrolet Pickup. Both Meyer and Picard were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Rotondi was uninjured.

Bedrick was charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation; operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs: first offense; aggravated DWI: with a child-passenger less than 16: first offense; endangering the welfare of a child; and criminal possession of a stimulant.

Numerous units of the New York State Police (NYSP) responded to assist with this investigation which included the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU), Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Unit, along with NYSP command staff from uniform and BCI. The NYSP thanks the New York State Department of Transportation and Suffolk County Police Department officers who assisted the NYSP with traffic control. Brentwood Fire Department, Brentwood Ambulance Service, Exchange Ambulance Service responded to transport the victims. Southside Hospital in Bay Shore and Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, provided medical attention to those involved in the collision.

This incident is still under investigation and the State Police is asking for anyone who witnessed the crash or anyone with information to call 631-756-3300.

 

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File photo by Raymond Janis

A haiku for your consideration

August

South Shore cousins want

tough soles negotiating

Pretty sound beaches

Joan Nickeson

Terryville

Thank you, Father Pizzarelli

It warmed my heart to read Father Francis Pizzarelli’s moving tribute honoring Father Gerald Fitzsimmons, who passed away in July [“Plain Talk: The loss of a bridge builder,” Aug. 8, Arts & Lifestyles, TBR News Media]. Father Fitz, as he was known, was our pastor at St. Mary Gate of Heaven R.C. Church and grade school in Ozone Park, Queens, during my childhood. He was known to be kind and understanding. Years later, he performed our wedding ceremony there in 1986 and, coincidentally, passed away on our anniversary.

I met Father Pizzarelli in junior high school when he was still “Brother Frank” at SMGH. My grade made our holy confirmation under his guidance where we forged unbreakable bonds between our classmates. We were challenged to “dare to be different” as we make our way through life, and we all took that very seriously. 

I’m happy to know that these two extraordinarily compassionate faith leaders were able to spend many years working and supporting each other. Their work has been a blessing to those in need and an inspiration to many more.

Father Fitz will be missed and I feel fortunate to have known him.

Joan Loscalzo Dickinson

Lake Grove

Setting the record straight: the real story behind West Meadow Beach cottages

I would like to address John Hover’s response to my letter to the editor regarding the West Meadow Beach cottages [“Gratitude not complaints,” Aug. 8, The Village Times Herald].

While Mr. Hover is entitled to his perspective, his characterization of the cottage community as one of privilege and exclusivity is not only inaccurate but also deeply unfair to the families who cherished this place for generations.

The cottages at West Meadow Beach were not the domain of the privileged or politically connected. They were a special place for ordinary families who built memories and passed down traditions. To dismiss their attachment as mere privilege is to overlook the genuine love and dedication these families had for West Meadow Beach, whose loss is profound and personal. What’s truly strange and sad is the lack of appreciation, compassion and sensibility toward the pain caused by an extreme and unnecessary legislative action led by political activists, contrary to the narrative used to justify their actions. More troubling is the fact that these people are still doing victory laps two decades later, without any appreciation for the history.

Originally private property, the land at West Meadow Beach was settled in the 17th century as part of the larger Setauket settlement, one of the earliest communities on Long Island. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, West Meadow Beach had become a popular area for summer cottages, where families built seasonal homes and enjoyed the natural beauty of Long Island. Over time, the Town of Brookhaven began acquiring this land, and by the mid-20th century the cottages were on town-owned land leased to families under long-term agreements.

However, starting in the 1960s and 1970s, legal battles emerged over the ownership and use of the land, often framed as environmental concerns. While some pushed for expanded public beach access, which could have been a reasonable compromise, the political activists were not satisfied. They pursued the complete removal of the cottages, pushing for the land to be reclassified as public parkland, which paved the way for the destruction of the cottages. This reclassification was achieved in 1996, when the New York State Legislature passed legislation under the guise of environmental preservation.

However, the true intent of these activists was not to protect the environment but, in fact, to destroy the cottages. This represents a clear case of political lawfare and abuse of office as the actions taken were not for the public good but to satisfy their political agenda. This counters the narrative that the cottages were occupied by a well-connected elite when, in fact, it was the well-connected activists who orchestrated this outcome. Yet somehow, Mr. Hover suggests that those who lived in the cottages should be “quietly grateful” for the time until their land was seized.

The scarcity of these cottages should not be mistaken for exclusivity. Anyone who was interested was eligible to secure a cottage for a modest price. This was not a community of elites but of everyday people who found solace and joy in a simple, beautiful place.

It’s important to remember that the value of heritage and tradition cannot be easily quantified. The families who occupied these cottages did not view them merely as their property but as a legacy, a connection to the past that is increasingly rare in today’s transient, Airbnb-driven culture. The cottages, unlike the opulent mansions in neighboring Old Field, were humble homes that provided a retreat for everyday people. The families who occupied the cottages were stewards of this land, not exploiters of it. Contrary to the false narratives used to justify the actions taken, it’s about more than land — it’s about losing a place that held the stories of their lives. The loss was not because they felt entitled to it, but because a beloved piece of their history was taken from them.

The cottages were rare and precious, and the people who loved them were not motivated by privilege, but by a deep connection to the community and their family heritage.

Jen Schaedel

Stony Brook

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From left to right: County Legislator Robert Trotta, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, TOB Supervisor Dan Panico, TOB Superintendent of Highways Daniel Losquadro, Representative from the Governor's, office Thalia Olaya, and in front, Gloria Rocchio, Ward Melville Heritage Organization President, at a Stony Brook Village press conference. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

By Toni-Elena Gallo with contributions by Lynn Hallarman and John Broven

Photo gallery to come.

According to the New York State Weather Risk Communication Center, Stony Brook recorded 9.4 inches of rain, in the 24 hours between Sunday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 19, amounting to a rainfall that is not just a once in a lifetime event —but a one-in-a-thousand year-event.

At a Monday press conference, County Executive Ed Romaine (R) spoke about the shock many Long Islanders experienced.

“This storm was not predicted for northern Suffolk,” he said. “This storm was over Connecticut and probably traveled south. When you get almost 10 inches of rain, that’s a once [in a lifetime event]. Unfortunately, these once-in-a-lifetime events seem to be coming more than that. I don’t think we’re going to have to wait another hundred years for another storm like this.”

“It tells you the impact that climate change is having on our weather,” the county executive added.

Stony Brook

In Stony Brook village, Harbor Road was split in half, and the pond at Avalon Nature Preserve ran off into nearby Stony Brook Harbor, taking dead fish and turtles with it.

“We have put drones up to document the before and after. We believe the damage will [amount to] $25 million, minimum. A minimum, between cleanup that’s required [not just here, but] other parts of the county, like Rocky Point,” Romaine said.

“We will document everything that we do, and all the expenditures that will be made, because we will be seeking some hope of state [and] federal reimbursement, because this is a huge hit on local government, on the town and on the villages along the North Shore,” he added.

At the press conference, Gloria Rocchio, president of The Ward Melville Heritage Organization, expressed her sadness and frustration, but was able to provide a small glint of hope.

“We did have a structural engineer come already, to check the [historic] Grist Mill … and it is, [fortunately] structurally sound. It was built in 1699. In 1750 the dam broke for the first time, and then once again in the 1800s, and the last time it broke was 1910,” she said.

Over at Stony Brook University, Judy Pittigher, an office administrator at the Renaissance School of Medicine, suffered an office full of water damage and a collapsed ceiling, forcing her to work from home for, at least, the remainder of the week.

“The squares of one doctor’s tile roof collapsed; the floor is disgusting, covered in mush. By the time I got there, half the rugs had already been pulled up … anything on them was destroyed, like boxes. One box had this past graduation’s programs, and someone picked it up and put it on my desk, and it was sopping wet,” she said.

Smithtown

In Smithtown, the Nissequogue River dam broke from the nearly 10 inches of rain. Two residents were saved by members of the Smithtown Fire Department, as they were trapped on the second floor of their home.

This is despite the town’s recent stormwater and drain infrastructure upgrades. However, Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) said that Smithtown was lucky, in comparison to the nearby villages, as a result of these proactive measures.

Rocky Point

Rocky Point was extensively impacted, as well.

“I tried to take a tour of most of the damage this morning … and several catchment basins overflowed,” Romaine said. “I went down Hagerman Landing Road, and the tops of all the cars in sight had mud. The mudslide that came down Hagerman Landing Road was, easily, 7 to 9 feet. It left its mark on the trees, and the houses, right up to the windows. We had to rescue someone down there from their rooftop.”

Port Jefferson

At about 3 a.m., Monday, a rush of stormwater cascaded down Main Street, past CVS, affecting local property and flooding the Port Jefferson fire station.

According to Fire Commissioner Thomas Meehan, the flooding rose to about 36 inches in the station, bringing sewage and other debris into the building.

“We were just recovering from the flooding we had three years ago,” he said.

Port Jefferson village officials assisted the fire station in the initial cleanup in the early hours of Monday morning.

Several businesses along the Main Street corridor were impacted, including Theatre Three [see editorial].

Huntington

According to a Town of Huntington press release, “The Highway Department took to the roads at the early onset of the storm. After surveying the town, they reported approximately 10 sink holes and minimal trees down. Flooding, however, was the predominant issue, with the town reporting heavy flooding in a few areas.”

All areas will be rebuilt

The Town of Brookhaven’s superintendent of highways, Dan Losquadro (R), explained how the topography of the North Shore created a disastrous alignment of storm conditions.

“Water picks up velocity, as it travels down into these natural drainage points,” he said. “Many of these areas were built a very long time ago. They just have catch basins, and do not have sumps recharge basins, as we call them. [Even so] recharge basins, optimally, can only store 8 inches of water, and a catch basin, no more than 2 to 3.”

“This exceeded even the capacity of a modern sump. So, we saw our systems completely overwhelmed by this volume of water in such a short period of time,” he elaborated.

As for what’s next, Losquadro said, “We will get into the engineering and estimating phase, throughout the day, and, probably, for days to come. We have, unfortunately, been through this process with FEMA, and the state before, even back to the recovery from [Hurricane] Sandy. We will do our best to secure funding, from the higher levels of government, to ease the burden on our local taxpayers because as the county executive and the supervisor [Dan Panico (R)] rightly pointed out, many of these projects are beyond our ability to fund on a local level.”

“This process will take a great deal of time,” Romaine said. “[This damage behind me] will require permitting, not only from D.C., but from the EPA, and from the Army Corps of Engineers as well.”

Both Losquadro and Romaine expressed that the parts of the county hit by this storm will be built back “stronger and better.”

“We will clean this up, whatever it takes. These are our communities, these are our friends, our neighbors. We’re one county, one people and we will work together,” Romaine said.

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Scene from the Six Harbors Brewing label release event at their store in Huntington. Photo courtesy the Six Harbor Brewing Company
Scene from the Six Harbors Brewing label release event at their store in Huntington. Photo courtesy the Six Harbor Brewing Company
Scene from the Six Harbors Brewing label release event at their store in Huntington. Photo courtesy the Six Harbor Brewing Company
Scene from the Six Harbors Brewing label release event at their store in Huntington. Photo courtesy the Six Harbor Brewing Company

By Peter Sloniewsky

Six Harbors Brewing Company, located at 243 New York Ave. in Huntington, held a special label release event on Friday, Aug. 16, to raise money for the restoration of the Van Wyck-Lefferts Tide Mill in Lloyd Harbor. 

Built in the late 1790s and owned by a few different people, the mill completely passed in ownership to the Lefferts family by 1850. However, around that time, the mill was forced to reduce its output because of the dramatic changes taking place as a result of the Industrial Revolution on Long Island. The mill was shut down by 1893 because it couldn’t compete with steam roller mills and due to the shift in Long Island agriculture from grain to vegetables. It is described on its website as “a remarkable testament to the craftsmanship and endurance of its past owners and present-day benefactors.”

While the mill is maintained by the nonprofit Van Wyck-Lefferts Tide Mill Sanctuary dedicated to its survival, it has been in need of donations for a myriad of repairs for several years. The mill, located at 255 Southdown Road in Lloyd Harbor, is situated on a dam protecting a waterfowl sanctuary, which also requires repair. Additionally, the nonprofit is dedicated to raising funds for repairs to the foundation, structure, mechanism and roof of the mill. Lastly, the organization hopes to shore up the bulkhead that protects the mill’s stone foundation.

In an interview with Mark Heuwetter, president of the Six Harbors Brewing Company, he made it clear that part of Six Harbors business model is community outreach. Six Harbors has embarked on a number of local beer can releases for a variety of causes in the past.

Heuwetter said that the mill “is a historical site … [Six Harbors] just wanted to make sure that the project wouldn’t fall into disrepair so that we could preserve the history of the community.” He went on to depict the mill as broadly symbolic of Long Island industry and the history of Huntington as a town.

The design of the special can was sourced from a local competition advertised via Instagram, by the mill’s nonprofit, through the Town of Huntington’s website and the Huntington Chamber of Commerce. Heuwetter received around 30 entries, and the finalist was eventually printed as the can’s design.

Heuwetter recognized the event as largely successful, describing it as “well received” with a “couple hundred” attendees. Between attendance revenue, sponsor donations and the portion of proceeds that go directly to the mill, he was confident that the brewery’s event had raised a meaningful amount of money to preserve the mill.

In addition to this event, Six Harbors is no stranger to charity work. In the near future, Heuwetter is planning a number of local can releases. First, the Huntington Young Professionals, an organization looking to recognize upstanding young individuals from the town, is scheduled for another release. Additionally, Six Harbors plans to collaborate with both the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the 1653 Foundation, which “restores, manages, and enhances the parklands and public spaces of the Town of Huntington.” 

Overall, Heuwetter is more than grateful for the support that Six Harbors receives from the Huntington community, describing it as “tight knit” and as willing to support worthy causes. He made clear that the tide mill project could not have been possible without the support of the entire community.

“I would say that it takes a village — it’s not one person that can make everything happen, it takes everybody to make things happen,” he said.

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By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

Fear sells. It’s as true when companies are urging people to buy products to protect themselves, families, homes and cars as it is when politicians are trying to scare you  into voting for them or, just as importantly, voting against their opponent.

Sure, they make some effort to suggest that their policies will help you, but they spend considerably more time showing unnerving images of what might happen if you vote for the other team.

One side suggests that a vote for the other candidate could mean the end of democracy, elections and a host of freedoms, while the other suggests that a vote for the other side could mean an end to the world.

Whatever you believe, we have clearly reached an extreme of brinkmanship. 

On top of that, the news is filled with stories and images of murder and mayhem.

These days, all you need to do is turn on your phone and someone, somewhere, is struggling, threatened, or dying.

On top of that, people are sharing concerns about existential threats to the future, with global warming and declines in the food and water necessary to sustain the population.

Regardless of where people check in with the information of the day, threats lurk around every corner.

It’s no wonder that mental health has declined. The world is a place with dark shadows and horrifying possibilities.

Happily ever after has become the launching pad for fractured fairy tales, where couples can’t find affordable homes and, even if they did, couldn’t carry the mortgage.

This mental health strain and the difficulty of disconnecting from a phone that shares these bad news bulletins in constant alerts may be contributing to the record low fertility rate for the country reported this spring in the National Center for Health Statistics at the CDC. 

Specifically, the rates declined for women aged 20 to 39, hitting a record low for women between 20 and 24.

There are numerous other reasons people are foregoing the spectacularly rewarding and challenging decision to have children. Yes, men and women are pursuing careers.

And, yes, people may be more confident and comfortable having children later, putting off the life-altering decision until after a set of vacations, a work milestone or other goals.

But to know exactly why any one or group of people are making the decisions they do requires more than statistics or even surveys. When people answer questions in a survey, they sometimes offer the kinds of replies that look good or that the questioner expects.

I spoke anecdotally with a few 50’ish parents and some children around 30 and got a range of responses about the decision to have or not have children.

Both sides suggested that developing careers made it tougher to start a family. Parents, some of whom seemed eager to have grandchildren, expressed some frustration and, perhaps, judgement, about the decisions of their children and step-children.

Some of the younger crowd said their friends didn’t receive much parenting help from their partners, making the task of raising children more difficult and exhausting and dissuading them and their friends.

They also shared concerns about the high cost of raising children.

One of the younger set added that her mother had been dealing with a lifelong illness and that she had caretaking responsibilities from the time she was young. Her mother continues to need medical and family attention, which she said has made caring for a child less appealing.

One of the younger set asked me what I thought about being a parent. It has filled me with unbelievable joy, affection, love, and laughter and has helped me understand my own parents and grandparents better. Of course, we’ve had our share of challenges interspersed with stomach dropping moments.

Not to blame the media entirely, as I work and live inside that profession, but I feel like the nonstop stream of information, stories, videos, and social media shaming has left people feeling vulnerable and exhausted.

Parenting requires energy and optimism. When people lose sleep, they don’t have much energy and, if they look at their phones, they risk losing their hold on optimism. 

If we want to encourage this generation to continue the chain, we should let them know when they’re ready and when they ask, about the amazing and fulfilling moments, large and small, that make parenting the role of a lifetime.

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By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

Maine is a beautiful state. It is also a long drive from my house, as we knew before we started the drive. We were heading to a wedding in the Camden area, and the nice thing about going by car was that we didn’t have to fit all the special clothes into a suitcase. We could just hang them up in the back seat, put a few basics into a small suitcase, and we were off.

This was to be a unique wedding in our experience: no ceremony. We were going to party all weekend with relatives and dear friends and a bride and groom that had married the week before.

Guests came from all over the United States to party. They came from the northwest states, the Rockies, the Midwest and the South to wish this modern couple well and witness a truly modern event.

It began with invitations via email. When you consider that traditional snail mail wedding invitations from save-the-date to breakfast the day after run a couple about to tie the knot an average of $530, this was a clever cost-saving move. It should be said, though, that this couple is not average.

For one, they are 36 years old, late to the party, which averages 29 for the groom and 27 for the bride nationally. So they have learned a thing or two about wedding costs.

Second, she is an event planner and was able to put her considerable experience helping other couples spend their money to saving for a leaner wedding, notwithstanding the guest list of some 140.

While we did not witness the solemn event during which they would pledge their everlasting love, we did hear remarks from the siblings, cousin, mother and father of the groom, mother and father of the bride in a kind of spontaneous fashion rather than according to ritualistic assignments. We didn’t know who was to speak next until they gave their prepared remarks.

The setting along the shore was both bucolic and rustic. Indoor activities, like dancing and hors d’œuvres, were in a barn-like structure that boasted chandeliers. The building was set on a long, grassy lawn that led to the beach, and guests enjoyed walking its length to the water and, since it was early evening, watching the sun set.

Dress, as you might have guessed, was Maine Cocktail. Many of the men wore trousers and sports jackets. Not many of the younger men wore suits. The women‘s attire was varied, from long dresses to cocktail length and pants, mostly adorned with flowered patterns and lots of summer colors.

The food was as varied as the dress. Appetizers included pastrami knishes, egg roll hot dogs and crab Rangoon. The Maine course included a buffet, offering brisket, mac and cheese, BBQ chicken, a vegetarian dish and copious salad —  all happy food.

As original as this wedding may sound, it is something of a trend today. Just as dating apps and zoom weddings have become accepted, so have text message and email invites joined the era of digital romance. It is all part of a post-pandemic culture shift toward more casual gatherings. Some folks like it better. As Vogue magazine wrote, “The non-wedding wedding with less traditional clothing, casual food and spontaneous photography are growing in popularity.” 

And of course, this movement is prompted by increasing wedding costs. This more relaxed type of wedding is more affordable than the traditional highly structured wedding of yore. And a lot of fun.

PS: I thank Jeff Crilley, who publishes digitally “The Rundown” for journalists, for sharing the above observations.

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