Home Times of Smithtown

Bellone, Kornreich visit veterans home for Memorial Day service

by Raymond Janis - June 4, 2022

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Public officials gathered before a room of vets at the Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University for a Memorial Day service Friday, May 27.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D) gave the keynote address for the event. He continued the theme raised during his State of the County address a week earlier, invoking the example of the Greatest Generation as a model for Americans today.

“I can’t help but think that it’s just at the moment when we see our World War II veterans unfortunately slowly, but inevitably, fade into history, that 80 years later we now see war raging in Europe,” he said. “It’s so important that we never forget what they did.”

For Bellone, American veterans should be honored not only for their service abroad but for the work they perform for communities after they return from the battlefield.

“It’s what veterans always do — they come home after fighting for our country and they build and they strengthen our community,” the county executive said, adding, “To all our veterans who have served, you all have picked up the baton of service. From the Revolutionary War right up to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, American veterans have served and have sacrificed.”

Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) was also in attendance. Saying that he was inspired by Bellone’s address, the councilmember commented on the need for policymakers to temper their power to wage war and monitor their decisions that threaten peace.

Without memory of the great global conflicts of the 20th century, leaders today may be less cautious in their use of force.

“Maybe people now who are making decisions, who didn’t live through it, maybe they don’t have the same reluctance to engage in war and the same urgency to avoid it,” Kornreich said. “Especially right now, with all of the conflicts that are going on, that’s a very good lesson. I can’t think of a better way to honor the memory of those who have died in war than to try to fight for peace.”

— Photos courtesy of Long Island State Veterans Home

TBR News Media Police Blotter for issue of June 2, 2022

by Heidi Sutton - June 3, 2022

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The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police:

Commack

■ Pristine Mitsubishi on Jericho Turnpike in Commack reported the theft of four wheels and tires off of a 2018 Mercedes on May 28. The stolen items were valued at $4,000.

■ Homegoods on Henry Street in Commack called the police on May 20 to report that a man and a woman allegedly stole assorted bedding items valued at $410.

Dix Hills

■ A resident on Ingold Drive in Dix Hills reported that his 2020 Land Rover was stolen from his driveway on May 25. The key fob had been left inside. Security footage showed three unknown men with hoodies entering the car and driving off.

East Setauket

■ Walmart on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket reported that two women entered the store on May 28 and allegedly stole miscellaneous clothing items valued at approximately $150.

■ BJ’s Wholesale Club on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket called the police on May 23 to report that a woman allegedly stole 5 packages of Canadian Snow Crabs and two packages of Bubba Burgers valued at $265.

Hauppauge

■ United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island on Marcus Boulevard in Hauppauge called the police on May 20 to report that catalytic converters were stolen from five commercial vehicles parked in the parking lot. The parts were valued at $3,000.

Holtsville

■ A catalytic converter was stolen from a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe parked at the Jesus is Lord Church on Long Island Avenue in Holtsville on May 26. The item was valued at $800.

Huntington Station

■ LensCrafters on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station reported that two women allegedly stole 17 eyeglass frames on May 27. The items were valued at $5700.

Lake Grove

■ Selected Hype at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove reported a shoplifter on May 26. A woman allegedly stole six designer t-shirts valued at $900.

■ Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove called the police on May 20 to report a petit larceny. Two people entered the store, chose assorted Nike clothing, removed the sensors and allegedly walked out without paying. The clothing was valued at $880.

■ T-Mobile on New Moriches Road in Lake Grove reported a grand larceny on May 26. A man entered the store, allegedly cut the security cord from an iPhone 13 Pro Max on display and fled. The cellphone was valued at valued at $1100.

Melville

■ A resident on Hemingway Drive in Melville reported that someone entered his vehicle on May 24 and stole a gold Cartier bracelet and Rolex Daytona watch from the glove compartment of his Rolls Royce.

■ A woman shopping at Marshall’s on Walt Whitman Road in Melville on May 28 reported that someone stole her cellphone case containing her iPhone 11, credit cards, debit cards, driver’s license, etc. One of the cards was later used multiple times at a local Kohl’s department store.

Miller Place

■ A woman hiking at Cordwood Landing County Park in Miller Place on May 27 returned to her car in the parking lot to find that someone had stolen a backpack containing her wallet from her unlocked car.

Mount Sinai

■ A woman called the police on May 28 to report that while visiting Heritage Park on Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mount Sinai someone entered her car and stole a diaper bag containing cash and credit cards. The credit cards were later used at a local Walmart.

■ A pocketbook containing cash and credit cards was stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked at Cedar Beach on Harbor Beach Road in Mount Sinai on May 27.

Selden

■ A resident on Pamela Lane in Selden reported that an unidentified man stole a large package valued at $250 from their porch on May 24. The porch pirate was captured on a Ring camera.

■ A resident on Galaxie Lane in Selden called the police on May 27 to report that she heard her car alarm go off at 5 a.m. and found that someone broke the passenger front side window of her vehicle and stole her purse and AirPods.

Setauket

■ Assorted tools were reported stolen from a residence on Strongs Lane in Setauket on May 27. The items, which included a nail gun and circular saw, were valued at $2,700.

Sound Beach

■ A 2013 Honda Accord was stolen from the driveway of a residence on Long Beach Drive in Sound Beach on May 27. The vehicle, which according to the owner was locked, was valued at $9,000.

South Setauket

■ Stop & Shop on Pond Path in South Setauket reported a shoplifter on May 28. A woman allegedly stole miscellaneous grocery items valued at $350.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

Northport boys lacrosse moves on to Long Island championship

by TBR Staff - June 3, 2022

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By Steven Zaitz

Northport defeated Smithtown East, 16-13, in the Suffolk County Class A Boys Lacrosse Championship game in a game that took place over the course of two days.

After a flash lightning storm struck at East Islip on June 1, the game was delayed for 30 minutes with Northport leading, 6-5. After the officials restarted the game, Northport would outscore the Bulls, 7-2, but the weather would force yet another stoppage. The game resumed June 2 with seven and a half minutes remaining, and despite a furious flurry of goals by the Red Bulls, Northport would hang on to win their second consecutive Suffolk County title.

Marcus Wertheim scored four goals and Brandon Marz three goals for Smithtown East. Michael Meyer and Jacob Starcke scored four each for the Tigers, and Jack Deliberti would net three. The Tigers take on Port Washington for the Class A title on Saturday at Hofstra.

Comsewogue Warriors corral Bulls in Suffolk Class B title game

by Bill Landon - June 3, 2022

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It took the Comsewogue Warriors four minutes into the fourth quarter to take the first lead of the game only to have the Bulls of Smithtown West retie the game at 6-6 on the ensuing possession.

With 4 minutes, 5 seconds left on the clock, James Krieg stretched the net to edge ahead by one when Michael Katz on a defensive take away scored the insurance goal a minute later to win the Suffolk Class B boy’s lacrosse final, 8-6, at East Islip High School June 1.

Katz scored three goals in the victory, Dylan Rocchio had two goals and an assist and teammates Brayden Arias, Thomas Kennedy and James Krieg each scored. Adam Wachholder had back-to-back saves in the closing minute for seven stops on the day.

The win propels the Warriors to the Long Island Championship round where they’ll face Garden City at Hofstra University June 4 with a 3 p.m. start.

Teen arrested for Commack school threat

by TBR Staff - June 3, 2022

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Suffolk County Police on June 3 arrested a teenager after he made a threat on social media regarding a school in Commack.

A 15-year-old made a threat on Instagram Live on May 31 threatening violence at Commack Middle School, located at 700 Vanderbilt Parkway.

Following an investigation, Second Squad detectives, with assistance from Second Precinct Crime Section officers, arrested the teen at the Second Precinct in Huntington.

The 15-year-old, who was not a student at the school, was charged with Making a Terrorist Threat and Aggravated Harassment 2^nd Degree. He was scheduled for arraignment at Family Court today.

Member Artist Showcase opens at Mills Pond Gallery June 4

by Press Release - June 2, 2022

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Tina Anthony-My Kitchen Floral Arrangement with Green Vase-Watercolor-- — 'My Kitchen Floral Arrangement with Green Vase,' watercolor, by Tina Anthony will be on view through July 10. Image courtesy of STAC

The Smithtown Township Arts Council showcases the annual Member Artist Showcase at the Mills Pond Gallery in St. James from June 4 to July 10. The public is invited to an opening reception Saturday June 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work.

The exhibit features the work of 73 member artists from 40 Long Island communities, NYC and North Carolina. Works were created using a wide variety of mediums including acrylic, beads and mosaic (sculpture), colored pencil, digital, gouache, graphite, ink, mixed media, oil, pastel, photography, torn paper (collage), water mixable oil and watercolor.

Local exhibiting artists include Marsha Abrams (Stony Brook), Eugene Adamowicz (Holbrook), Lucia Alberti (Smithtown), Tina Anthony (Northport), Ross Barbera (Ronkonkoma), Shain Bard (Huntington Station), Barbara Ann Bilotta (Sound Beach), Renee Blank (Holbrook), Joyce Bressler (Commack), Renee Caine (Holtsville), Linda Ann Catucci (St James), Karen Celella (Coram), Carol Ceraso (Hauppauge), Lou Deutsch (Stony Brook), Patricia DiGiovanni (Nesconset), Beth Drucker (St. James), JoAnne Dumas (Wading River), and Karin Dutra (Port Jefferson), Paul Jay Edelson (Poquott), Deidre Elzer-Lento (Asharoken), Ellen Ferrigno (Port Jefferson), Donna Gabusi (Smithtown), Vivian Gattuso (Lake Ronkonkoma), Maureen Ginipro (Smithtown), Rhoda Gordon (Port Jefferson Station), Jan Guarino (East Northport), John Hunt (St. James), David Jaycox, Jr. (Northport), James Kelson (Stony Brook), Lynn Kinsella (Brookhaven), Myungja Anna Koh (Stony Brook), Frank Loehr (Ronkonkoma), Jeanette Martone Kathleen Massi (East Setauket), Sebastian McLaughlin (Smithtown), Frederic Mendelsohn (Port Jefferson), Diane Oliva (Middle Island), Eileen Palmer (St. James), Sean Pollock (Stony Brook), Catherine Rezin (Nesconset), Robert Roehrig (East Setauket), Roberta Rogers (Port Jefferson), Oscar Santiago (Selden), Lori Scarlatos (Saint James), Anita Schnirman (Kings Park), Hillary Serota Needle (Dix Hills), Kathleen Shaff Kelson (Stony Brook), Anita Simmons (Commack), Gisela Skoglund (Kings Park), Silvia Soares Boyer (NYC), Lynn Staiano (Smithtown), Madeline Stare (Smithtown), Angela Stratton (Selden), Daniel Van Benthuysen (Huntington), Mary Ann Vetter (St. James), Mary Waka (Ronkonkoma), Pamela Waldroup (Kings Park), and Robert Wallkam (Port Jefferson).

The Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A, St. James. Gallery hours are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. (closed July 3, 4, 5). For information or directions visit millspondgallery.org or call 631-862-6575.

Hadassah Suffolk celebrates member’s 100th birthday with fundraiser

by Rita J. Egan - June 2, 2022

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There are many ways to celebrate a milestone birthday. When it comes to Three Village resident Claire Baer’s 100th birthday in June, Hadassah Suffolk based in Commack has decided to mark the special occasion in a unique way.

JoAnne Shapiro, president of Hadassah Suffolk, said the organization is raising funds in Baer’s honor to buy several “Bear Hugger” Patient Warming Systems for Hadassah Hospital in Israel.

Shapiro said Hadassah Suffolk has more than 3,000 members, and it has been spreading the word via postcards and social media.

“We kicked the fundraiser off last November because we wanted to give people the opportunity to recognize Claire well before her actual birthday,” she said

Shapiro added that enough money has been raised so far to purchase two warming systems. Hadassah Suffolk has raised more than $5,500 of the $6,600 goal as of June 1.

The warming system helps patients maintain their temperature before, during and after surgery, and Shapiro said they picked the piece of medical equipment due to Baer’s last name. The two hospitals in Jerusalem which will benefit from the fundraiser were built by Hadassah Medical Organization.

Shapiro described Baer as “a vastly influential leader in the Hadassah community.” The soon-to-be centenarian was president of Hadassah Suffolk from 1979 to 1982. She served on the national board from 1982 to 2003 and then went on to become president of Hadassah Suffolk’s Sea-Port chapter.

Baer’s daughter Ivy thought the fundraiser was a lovely gesture to celebrate her mother’s 100th birthday on June 18.

She said her mother, who grew up in the Bronx, became a Baer when she married her husband, Paul, in 1950. They celebrated 62 years of marriage before his passing at the age of 90.

According to their daughter, the Baers became Three Village residents when they moved to Stony Brook in 1972. Paul Baer’s job brought them to the area when he accepted a position at Stony Brook University’s dental school. Ivy Baer said the family lived in Maryland, and her father worked at the National Institutes of Health. After her dad retired from NIH, he accepted a job at SBU’s dental school, excited about the opportunity to teach at the new school. He would go on to be the founding chair of the Department of Periodontology.

“My parents really enjoyed being part of the university community,” she said. “There was just this whole group of really interesting people who came there around that time.”

She said her parents would attend the Bach festival that SBU’s Department of Music would organize, and the couple would host musicians who performed there from time to time. Always one to keep herself busy, Claire Baer had finished her college education when she lived in Maryland, and when she moved to the Three Village area, she looked for things to do, according to her daughter.

Claire Baer joined Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook, a house of worship where she remains a member and, in turn, became involved with Hadassah. She started the local Sea-Port chapter of the organization, eventually becoming chapter president. When she joined the national board, Ivy Baer said her mother would travel to Manhattan to the main headquarters of Hadassah regularly.

“She’d go down to the train station at the crack of dawn several days a week, and she would take the train into the city,” Ivy Baer said.

Baer, sitting, celebrated her 99th birthday with her daughter Ivy, center standing, and granddaughters Sara Short and Leslie Rothenberg. Photos from Ivy Baer

During the 20 years she was on the national board, Claire Baer made nearly 30 trips to Israel, according to her daughter. One of the programs she worked on involved planning month-long trips to Israel for women and children.

“Sometimes people would ask her what she did, and she would say, ‘I’m a professional volunteer,’” Ivy Baer said.

The daughter said her mother enjoyed helping the organization and Israel because it was something she believed in, and she felt she was making a difference.

Shapiro said the members of Hadassah Suffolk wished they could plan a large celebration for Baer’s 100th birthday, but they will keep it low-key due to COVID-19 by having just a few members present her with a certificate to mark her 100th birthday.

“If it was ‘our old normal,’ we would have had a very large and festive luncheon in Claire’s honor, showering her with well-deserved accolades,” Shapiro said.

Ivy Baer said the entire family including grandson-in-law Daniel and great-grandson Paul plan to be with Claire to celebrate her birthday.

To donate visit tinyurl.com/clairebaerbday online or mail donation to Hadassah Metro, 300 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052. “Claire Baer’s 100th birthday” should be written in the check’s memo line.

A hero of ‘The Greatest Generation’ passes on, James ‘Red’ Dowling, 99

by TBR Staff - June 2, 2022

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Screen-Shot-2022-05-31-at-10.14.15-PM — Screen shot from the "Faces of War" video

By James B. Teese

A leader in all aspects of his life, James Edward Dowling, called ‘Red’ by those close to him, lived a life worthy of countless honors and adjectives, inspiring fellow veterans, citizens and officials along the way. He helped save a world from tyranny and helped build a better community.

James Dowling and his wife, Dorothy, in a family photo.

Red Dowling passed away last week at the age of 99 — a husband, father, grandfather, WWII veteran and prisoner of war, community leader, public servant, and — as many have declared in similar terms — a good man with a heart of gold.

From drafted teenager to hero

Dowling played football and ran track for Smithtown High School before being drafted in 1943. He became a bombardier/navigator for the 703rd Squadron, 445th Bomb Group in the 8th Army Air Corps, where his flight leader was the famous actor Jimmy Stewart.

He went on to earn the rank of 2nd lieutenant and fly several missions. On the fateful day of September 27, 1944, during his 11th mission on a bombing run over Kassel, Germany, his plane was shot down and he was taken as a prisoner of war. He survived to return home as a decorated WWII veteran. His tale is featured in the “Faces of War” video series. Further, he has an entire chapter written about him in Tom Brokaw’s book — “The Greatest Generation.”

“We lost one of the greatest individuals in Smithtown history,” said Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, a Vietnam veteran. “[He] left his mark on the world in ways that will echo throughout future generations in the most prolific of ways. His stories from the battlefield have been etched in books and TV interviews, so that we will never forget the definition and true meaning of a hero.”

“As a veteran of the Vietnam War,” said veterans’ advocate Kevin O’Hare, of Kings Park, “I looked up to Jim Dowling as a true war hero who served in WWll. Here is a man who not only served his country, but also was a POW. It was my honor to be part of the veteran video for the Town of Smithtown this past November and to be interviewed alongside my hero.”

When POW Lt. Dowling returned home, simply settling down to enjoy life was not good enough. Keeping a promise, he made before going to war, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy, fathered eight children and continued to be the shining example of service and sacrifice for his own burgeoning family, and also the children of the community.

He started the St. James Little League for kids in the neighborhood and served in the capacity of president for nearly two decades.

To provide for his family, on his return home, he began a construction business and started Red’s Seafood. He delivered clams all over the tri-state area including Fulton Fish Market in downtown Manhattan.

James Dowling, left, with state Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick on Memorial Day in 2019. Photo by James Teese

Serving Smithtown

His service to Smithtown continued when he was elected as Smithtown Highway Superintendent, running the department for nearly four decades from 1960 to 1998. By operating the office with military efficiency, he successfully created 250 miles of permanent roads. In addition, he altered the way the municipality dealt with snowstorms by making the department’s response more proactive. In doing so, he helped set the precedent of a system that is implemented nationwide to this day.

“Jim Dowling will be remembered as one of Smithtown’s greatest citizens,” said state Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, who served on the Town Council when Dowling led the highway department.

“Upon his return, he ran for highway superintendent and developed a snow-removal team that was the best in New York State and run with military precision … he was a mentor to me during my years in Town Hall, and I owe him a great debt of gratitude for all the help and guidance he gave me,” Fitzpatrick said.

“As parks director, I worked closely together with Jim,” Wehrheim added. “He was always a gentleman and a consummate professional. He built many of the roads and infrastructure we use each day.”

Family legacy

Dowling is now reunited with his high school sweetheart, the late Dorothy (Owen) Dowling, with whom he became an adored ‘Pop’ of 25 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

He will be remembered as a loving father to James Dowling Jr., Douglas and Jeanne Dowling, Jeffrey and Aniela Dowling, Janet and Brett Weingarten, Jean Dowling, Elizabeth and Robert Elderkin, Gregory and Donna Dowling, and William and Christine Dowling.

He will be further remembered as an avid golfer and “one heck of a Gin Rummy player.” He was a member of St. George’s Golf and Country Club for over 50 years.

As the family noted, “Jim Dowling lived an amazing life and loved every minute of it. He will be
greatly missed.”

“Most of all, Jim was a good man with a heart of gold,” Wehrheim said. “His memory and legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who were blessed to know him.”

“Jim Dowling was, truly, a great human being,” added Fitzpatrick.

So agrees a grateful township and nation. RIP Red Dowling.

Smithtown Historical Society launches Cooking with the Stars

by Press Release - June 1, 2022

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Cooking with the Stars — From left, Nancy Vallarella, Myra Naseem and Priya Kapoor. Photo from SHS

The Smithtown Historical Society is cooking up something new.

Beginning on June 9, the Society will launch a new cooking series titled Cooking with Stars featuring local culinary professionals sharing their tips, techniques and skills while presenting trending foods, recipes and offering a taste to bring the community together.

The cooking classes will be held outside on the property’s outdoor theater (in the case of inclement weather, presentations will be moved indoors in SHS’s Roseneath Cottage) and will run through September.

According to Priya Kapoor, Executive Director of SHS, the series was inspired by the Society’s 2021 series, Interview with the Stars. “One of our most popular interviews was with Chef Marco Pellegrini of Osteria Umbra,” said Kapoor.

Just in time for summer entertaining, the first presentation on Thursday, June 9 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. will be on platters and boards. Myra Naseem, co-owner of Elegant Eating in Smithtown, will be joined by recipe developer and food writer Nancy Vallarella, Long Island Locavore.

“Outdoor entertaining is here. This presentation will cover three themed boards/platters that will require little to no cooking freeing hosts from the kitchen and grill. Elegant Eating has been doing that for over 35 years,” said Vallarella.

Tickets are $20 per person in advance at Eventbrite.com, $30 at the door (cash or check).

The series continues on Tuesday, July 12 when Chef Marco Pellegrini returns to SHS to share his cooking techniques showcasing Italian favorites.

Further cooking classes will be posted on the Smithtown Historical Society’s website, www.smithtownhistorical.org, under Events.

The Smithtown Historical Society is located at 239 E. Main St., Smithtown. For more information, call 631-265-6768.

Smithtown Department of Public Safety to run amnesty program for parking tickets

by Press Release - June 1, 2022

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The Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety will run an amnesty program for all parking tickets issued in the past nine years. Beginning June 1st, 2022 all parking violations issued between January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2021 can be paid off with a 50% reduction on the amount of the outstanding fine. The program will be available from June 1st, 2022 through June 30th, 2022.

HOW TO PAY:

To accept this offer you must pay the amnesty offer amount in full by June 30, 2022. You may pay online at www.parkingticketassist.com/smithtown or you may pay by check or money order to 65 Maple Avenue, Smithtown. If you have pleaded “Not Guilty” to these parking tickets you may change your plea to “Guilty” in order to take advantage of the 50% reduction.

This offer ends on June 30th, 2022 at which time the original fine and full penalty will be reinstated for unpaid summonses.

The amnesty program is applicable to any outstanding summonses issued between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2021. The offer of a 50% reduction in payment of fine will be available through the month of June.

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