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File photo by Raymond Janis

Clarifying roles: Code officers don’t need firearms

The recent decision by the Village of Port Jefferson board to disarm code officers is a commendable step toward responsible governance and a more precise understanding of law enforcement roles in our community. This move has sparked important public discussions, highlighting a critical misconception: the idea that firearms equate to authority.

It’s important to emphasize that code officers, whose duties involve upholding local ordinances and ensuring quality of life, operate within a well-defined legal framework. New York State law does not permit these officers to carry firearms. The belief that a weapon enhances their authority is not only incorrect but also potentially hazardous.

Arming code officers unnecessarily escalates risk, creating a false sense of power that could lead to confrontations. Instead, de-escalation tactics, conflict resolution and proactive community engagement are far more effective tools for achieving the goals of code enforcement.

The Village board’s decision rightly prioritizes these approaches, fostering a safer environment for both residents and officers. By removing firearms from the equation, the board promotes a less adversarial and more collaborative method of code enforcement. This shift builds trust and mutual respect — essential ingredients for a thriving community.

Drew Biondo

Former Port Jefferson Trustee

Missing the boat: A rebuttal to the Three Village start-time debate

In the Nov. 21 issue of The Village Times Herald [“Not an experiment” ],  John Hover made a lackluster attempt at rebutting my very valid point regarding the waste of time and money that has been, and will be, spent on the inane changes to the district’s start times. He spouted the same nonsense about the “less than 1% of the budget” that it will cost and the overwhelming effects it will have on attendance, grades, performance etc.

Amusingly enough, he admits that the Three Village plan falls far short of the so-called recommendations and lacks any “well-documented evidence” with respect to the impact the whopping 30-minute change the district’s budget contingency plan will have. He also misses the boat in his comprehension of all that may be lost when the millions of dollars this change requires are reallocated elsewhere.

But again, who cares about electives, class sizes, extra-curricular activities etc. that may fall by the wayside when high school kids will have more time for their at-home endeavors with 30 extra minutes of “sleep”? It is indeed a fantasy that students will sleep longer, particularly if they have parents who refuse to set strict guidelines at home.

I am not willing to sacrifice all that may be lost for some half-cocked plan based on “research” that does not support what these parent “experts” love to spew and I am most certainly not in the minority.

Stefanie Werner

East Setauket

Keep diners dishing: Support your local classics

This holiday season, between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, if you are too tired to cook, why not consider sharing a meal with neighbors, friends or family and patronize your local diner or restaurant? I have enjoyed many excellent meals for decades at various local diners.

Diners have been part of my life from teenage years to today. Eating out is a periodic ritual with either friends or family. Portions are generous. Who hasn’t taken a doggie bag home with leftovers to eat the next day? Between the customary soup, salad, rolls, coleslaw and pickles along with the main course, dinner could satisfy the heartiest appetite. Many times, we bagged our desserts to go.

Many neighborhoods have seen changes over time. New immigrant groups sometimes favor their own ethnic foods and restaurants. Diners have also lost customers over time to numerous fast-food restaurants. Many fast-food menus now include breakfast items and a greater variety of options for lunch or dinner.

Remember, these people are our neighbors. Local entrepreneurs who own and operate diners continue to invest in our community, creating new jobs without the assistance of federally funded taxpayer stimulus dollars. They work long hours, pay taxes and provide local employment. If we don’t patronize our local restaurants, they don’t eat either.

Why not honor the fond memories of our favorite diners, which have come and gone, by continuing to patronize the ones we still have? Here’s hoping the remaining diners don’t go the way of the dinosaurs into permanent extinction.

  Larry Penner

 Great Neck

Corrections for last week’s article entitled “Stony Brook begins road repairs 90 days after August storm

1. Nov. 18 was a Monday, not a Tuesday. Also, work did not begin until Nov. 20, which was a Wednesday.

2. The construction is on Mill Creek Road, which is owned by The Ward Melville Heritage Organization, not Harbor Road, which is owned by the Town of Brookhaven.

3. Avalon Nature’s Mill Pond is not correct. The Stony Brook Mill Pond is owned by The Ward Melville Heritage Organization, not Avalon.

4. The Ward Melville Heritage Organization does not oversee the Village of Stony Brook, we oversee the Stony Brook Village Center, which is owned by one of Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s subsidiaries.

5. Restoring the village to its former state – we would like to restore the Stony Brook Mill Pond to its former state.

Gloria Rocchio

President of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization

Ed Note: We regret these errors and apologize for any confusion caused

 

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The staff at TBR News Media wishes you and your family a wonderful holiday filled with the warmth and happiness of the season! The office will be closed for the holidays on Nov. 28  and 29. We will reopen on Monday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Pixabay photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

The federal government? Yeah, of course. Heavy eye roll, shake of the head, shrug of the shoulders, palms to the sky and deep sigh. Oh, I almost forgot: quick puff of air directed upwards that lifts any hair hanging near a forehead.

No doubt the powerful tandem of Tesla creator Elon Musk and primary disruptor and climate change minimizer Vivek Ramaswamy will find plenty of ways to increase the efficiency and cut the budget from the federal government. I’m sure they will to trim redundant functions, shrink bureaucracy and cut costs, turning the behemoth into a well-oiled machine, filled with productive, engaged and excited workers and a smooth outward-facing electronic interface that enables quick and effective engagement between the people and their government.

But, hey, after the two weeks it takes to fix everything — okay, maybe it’ll take a bit longer — the tandem may be looking for other outlets for their efficiency efforts. I have a few suggestions.

Now, for the list:

— The DMV. I have interacted with some amazingly efficient and even accommodating workers at the DMV. Still, any time I go there, I recognize that I might spend several hours or more only to have to return again.

— Doctor’s offices. Regardless of whether the Affordable Care Act changes, is revised or becomes something new, doctor’s offices are also not brimming with efficiency, particularly regarding time. These visits are not predictable exchanges, in which doctors know exactly how long each diagnosis will take. Still, waiting for a doctor can take the good part of a morning or afternoon.

— Airlines: It’s hard to come up with just one area that could use help here. Just try getting an actual person on the phone. But it seems especially aggravating when the airport doesn’t have available gates when we land. We have sat on tarmacs for close to an hour while pilots apologize to those people with connecting flights. How could the plane’s arrival be that much of a surprise? Didn’t the airline share the list of flights and approximate landing times? 

— Shopping. Here’s some inefficiency. We put everything in a cart, to take it out so we can pay, and then put it back in the cart. Wouldn’t it be easier if solar powered smart carts auto scanned products that we put in the cart and then wheeled directly to our cars? 

— Trimming movies. Let’s face it: some of these movies are good, but just don’t hold our attention for the entire film. After the EV treatment, they could cut these films from over two hours to under an hour and a half or even under an hour. Maybe artificial intelligence could help determine which scenes become tedious and nonessential to the plot. The Liam Neeson film “Taken,” for example, is a 93-minute film that packs quite a few punches without dragging.

— Awards shows. Pick an award show, any show. It’s typically too long. Emcees of these shows often lengthen the shows by talking about how long they are or how far behind they’ve fallen. The EV treatment could turn the Academy Awards into a tidy 90 minutes or less. We might miss a few of the oddball sketches or interviews, but speeding things up could get the guests to their after parties more quickly and could help people determine whose predictions were the most accurate.

— Breaking up. Yes, it’s hard to do, but with the EV approach, they might go beyond the “it’s-not-you-it’s-me” routine to something truly special and reassuring that also doesn’t take too much time or emotional effort. Surely they can turn the process of the on-again, off-again relationship into an opportunity for both people to move on and live their lives.

— Fall leaves. Every year, leaves fall on yards, creating work for homeowners, superintendents and landscapers. Perhaps the efficiency tandem could create a leaf attractant system that pulls the leaves into a pile. Then again, the mix of orange, yellow, red and brown on the ground offers an artistic, pleasing and unique array of colors. Maybe not everything needs greater efficiency.

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By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

According to several articles in the media, including in The New York Times, the election of Donald Trump as President is viewed by many women as a setback to the efforts toward gender equality, and they are angry, even distraught.

Gloria Steinem, the feminist activist who is now 90, doesn’t see the defeat of Kamala Harris as a result of her gender. “We don’t know what’s in the heart of each woman” who voted for Mr. Trump, she is quoted in The Times as saying. She goes on to point out the huge gains that women have made over the last half century. 

“It is within my memory that it was not possible in many states to get a prescription for birth control unless you were married and had the written permission of your husband, and not possible to have an abortion without some access to an illegal network. Those are huge [advances].” 

Looking back to the 1960s and 1970s, few women were decision makers in government, boardrooms or families, according to The Times. “Women had trouble getting a driver’s license or passport or registering to vote, unless they took their husband’s last name. Marital rape was legal. Most could not open credit cards in their own names until the mid-1970s.”

The election has revealed a divide among women. Exit polls indicate that 45 percent of women voted for Trump, including far more white women than black women. For some of those female voters, that suggests ”liberation from feminism.” Others blame those women for  betraying the sisterhood by voting for a man who makes sexist and also racist remarks.

All agree. Womanhood in the United States has fractured. Or perhaps the idea that women stick together because of gender is a myth. There have always been women who argued against the right of women to vote and  legalization of abortion. Pop culture, personified by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift celebrating the advances of women, apparently does not translate to political culture. The “tradwives” movement on social media, advancing the return of women to submissive wives, has apparently picked up steam. 

Perhaps what we can all agree on is the right to choose and live a self-actualized life.

What some women have chosen is an interesting individual choice: to sideline men from their lives. 

The Times points out that there has been an explosion in the number of women that say they are deleting dating apps, taking vows of celibacy, identifying as “self-partnered,” writing divorce memoirs and expressing profound disillusionment with heterosexual marriage and “decentering men” to focus on self-improvement and platonic relationships.

South Korea’s 4B movement, which “encourages women to reject dating, marrying, having sex with and having children with men,” as explained in The Times, has attracted attention among women who didn’t vote for Trump. “Online women are exhorting one another to abandon men as self-protection; [to] buying a vibrator; or even a gun.”

“Disappointed by the defeat of another female nominee, some feel numb resignation, while others—particularly young women online—are channeling their disappointment into anger against men as a whole.”

Almost sounds like a movie plot, doesn’t it? Except, as Times’ reporter, Marie Solis, states, “Peering into the vast gulf between the political views of men and women, the latter group isn’t so sure it has much in common with the former.” That doesn’t make for a good society in which to live. One book on the subject: “The End of Men,” subtitled “And the Rise of Women” by Hanna Rosin.

Steinem offered a bit of advice as a coda. ‘Focus on equality in the workplace, and treat daughters the same as sons,” to which she added, “The lesson is less in the national and world atmosphere and more in the home and employment atmosphere in which we have some control. We shouldn’t give up the power we have.” 

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Circa 1908

In light of this week’s article about Helping Hands and their phenomenal humanitarian work in our Long Island communities, it is difficult not to be moved by an organization like this, as we approach Thanksgiving.

Every last Thursday of November, we look forward to passing around cranberry sauce, crunchy stuffing and gravy-soaked turkey with the ones we love. Most people catch up with family they haven’t seen since the previous holiday, laugh about those age-old anecdotes relatives have been retelling for decades and maybe lounge around the TV in a “food-coma,” watching AMC’s yearly “Godfather” marathon.

But, as we anticipate Thursday’s day of rest, it is important to remember that the first part of the word Thanksgiving is “thanks.” Yes, many peoples’ families may cook year after year, but we shouldn’t come to accept it blindly. It is not something we should take for granted. Cooking for the ones we love is one of the kindest, most unifying acts we can bestow, and it is not as simple as putting a turkey into the oven.

With every hour of preparation cooks put into their Thanksgiving meals, they are not just putting in an hour of labor — they are putting in an hour of love, appreciation and devotion, for everyone they are cooking for. Appreciate them. Say thank you.

And while we should be cognizant of our loved ones on Thanksgiving, we must also think of those less fortunate. If we take the time to show gratitude for our family, we are one step closer to being able to show gratitude to strangers in need. To following the second part of the word.

According to Long Island Care’s website, over 220 thousand Long Islanders are food insecure, which is defined as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.” That is a startling number, and proves that more help is needed in serving these individuals.

This Thanksgiving, enjoy the turkey, but consider stopping by a local food pantry with a donation, as well. It could be the difference between a day of sorrow and a day of joy for a family in need. And sometimes gratitude most rewards the giver.

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Museum Director Sal Iraci and Media Director Joe Piacentino next to a 1929 Ford Model, featuring a rumble seat. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli

By Jennifer Donatelli

The Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum, located inside Ralph J. Osgood Intermediate School (RJO) in Kings Park, offers visitors a rare glimpse into the everyday lives, struggles and technological advances that shaped the 20th century.

Nestled in a quiet corner of town, the museum boasts an impressive collection of vintage items spanning key historical periods. From the late 1800s to the rise of modern appliances, iconic cars and the enduring appeal of typewriters, cameras and electronics, it provides a fascinating gateway to history.

The museum’s creation was inspired by the closing of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center, one of the country’s largest, oldest and most medically significant mental hospitals. Retired Kings Park High School history and English teacher Leo Ostebo, along with two other townspeople and a group of high school students, opened what remains the only school community-managed museum in the United States.

Developed, maintained and cultivated for educational purposes, the museum’s mission is to preserve the town’s rich historic past and educate youth, the community and the public.

The 6,000-square-foot museum features nine rooms, each with a distinct theme. One of its most captivating rooms pays tribute to wars fought and soldiers who died for the country. The collection includes military uniforms, helmets, ration cards and other artifacts, offering a powerful glimpse into the lives of soldiers and civilians during turbulent times. Military equipment such as tools, gas masks and communication devices is displayed alongside personal items like photographs, providing an intimate perspective on history.

“Grandma’s Kingdom,” another themed room, showcases the evolution of domestic life, highlighting kitchen appliances such as 1940s refrigerators and iceboxes alongside hand-powered washers and dryers from the late 1800s. The exhibit offers a nostalgic look at innovations that shaped family life in the early 20th century. Visitors can also marvel at dolls, wooden strollers and bassinets from pre-World War I, and period clothing and furniture.

For car enthusiasts, the museum’s collection of vintage automobiles is a standout. Highlights include a 1923 Ford Model T, owned by Gary Richards, founder of P.C. Richard & Son, and a 1931 Plymouth that cost $535 at the time and features a rumble seat. These vehicles showcase the evolution of automotive design and the golden age of engineering.

The electronics room celebrates the typewriter, an invention that revolutionized communication and office work. Rows of vintage typewriters, from early models to more modern versions, illustrate the evolution of writing technology.

What sets the Kings Park Heritage Museum apart is its ability to connect the past to the present. Unlike many museums with static displays, it offers an immersive experience, inviting visitors to engage with artifacts. Guests can try a vintage typewriter or explore a classic car up close. Educational programs, workshops and events delve deeper into the cultural, technological and social changes reflected in the museum’s collection.

New donations arrive weekly, ensuring visitors always discover something new. The museum serves as a testament to the ingenuity, resilience and creativity of the 20th century, preserving the past for future generations. Whether you’re a history buff, a vintage enthusiast or simply curious about the past, the Kings Park Heritage Museum promises an unforgettable journey through time.

Museum Director Sal Iraci encapsulates its charm: “You could work here seven days a week for 10 hours a day and still find something new each time you come in.”

The Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum, the only school community-managed museum in the U.S., is independently run by donations and volunteers, without funding from the Kings Park school district. It is open for tours during school days until 4 p.m. or by appointment. For more information on upcoming events, visit kpheritagemuseum.net.

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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R), District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) and Department of Social Services (DSS) officials have unveiled sweeping reforms to the county’s Child Protective Services (CPS) system in response to the tragic Thomas Valva case.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. File photo

Under Romaine’s leadership, Suffolk County DSS has implemented measures aimed at improving services, enhancing interagency collaboration and focusing on the needs of vulnerable populations. The changes also promote open communication among stakeholders involved in social services.

“We took swift and significant action to reform the Suffolk County Department of Social Services to ensure that children in CPS are truly protected,” Romaine said. “We’ve allocated funds to fill vacancies, improve services, reform processes and ensure better training. These efforts will help prevent tragedies like the one experienced by Thomas Valva.”

District Attorney Tierney emphasized the importance of ensuring accountability. “We must never allow a tragedy like Thomas Valva’s to happen again,” he said. “I am proud of the work of the task force, in partnership with the new administration and Legislature, to enact the recommendations from the Grand Jury Report.”

Legislator Bergin echoed these sentiments, noting, “It was critical that the grand jury report not gather dust. We’ve worked diligently to implement necessary changes and ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.”

Key reforms to child protective services:

Quality improvements recognized by New York State

 The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) 2024 Program Quality Improvement Review reported substantial progress in Suffolk County’s CPS, Preventative/Protective Services and Foster Care systems. Many categories achieved a 100% compliance rate, reflecting the county’s renewed commitment to better serve families.

Implementation of blind removal policy

Suffolk County now uses a blind removal policy for CPS cases requiring a child’s removal from their family. This process excludes personal and demographic information about the child and family during decision-making, reducing potential biases.

Relocation of CPS abuse teams

CPS caseworkers investigating child abuse cases will relocate to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Central Islip in December. The move allows caseworkers to collaborate closely with law enforcement and attorneys during investigations.

Interagency training initiatives

Since March 2024, DSS has conducted training sessions on child protection, trauma-informed care, forensic interviewing and multidisciplinary approaches to child abuse investigations. These sessions include participation from CPS staff, Suffolk County Police and legal professionals.

Legal training enhancements

In partnership with the County Attorney’s Office, DSS has improved training for handling sensitive abuse and neglect cases. This initiative strengthens collaboration between caseworkers and legal representatives.

Integration of adult protective services

 In September 2024, Adult Protective Services (APS) was reintegrated into the Family and Children’s Services Division. This change enhances collaboration between APS and CPS, particularly for developmentally disabled youths transitioning to adult services.

Specialized training for disabilities

More than 170 DSS employees have completed training at Daemen College, focusing on understanding and addressing the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Topics included autism, ADHD and other conditions.

Multidisciplinary training

 DSS, in collaboration with state and county partners, is expanding training for frontline workers to better serve children, adults with disabilities and older adults. Training emphasizes skills for investigating, prosecuting and protecting vulnerable populations.

Supervisor training

DSS is enhancing training for supervisory staff to develop a family-centered clinical model. This approach provides middle management with advanced decision-making tools and support for caseworkers.

Improved safety and security

DSS is equipping over 600 employees with a panic button app to instantly connect with emergency services, enhancing staff safety during high-stress situations.

Support for staff wellbeing

To combat burnout and compassion fatigue, DSS is offering additional support services to employees managing trauma from child welfare cases.

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Suffolk County Police arrested a man for stabbing his co-worker at a Nesconset business on Nov. 24.

Paul Albinagorta was involved in a dispute with his 60-year-old co-worker at Gino’s of Nesconset,
located at 248 Smithtown Blvd., when he stabbed the man with a knife at approximately 11:10 a.m.

The victim left the store on foot and was aided outside before being transported via ambulance to Stony
Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Albinagorta, 34, of Central Islip, was not injured. He was charged with Assault 1st Degree, a felony, and
Menacing 2nd Degree, a misdemeanor. He is being held overnight and will be arraigned at First District
Court in Central Islip on November 25.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Fourth Squad detectives at 631-854-
8452.

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Front row, from left, ECLI Co-Founder and Program Development & Education Director Feride Castillo; ECLI Co-Founder and Executive Director Jennifer Hernandez (with scissors); Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr; and Legislator Rebecca Sanin. Photo courtesy of ECLI-VIBES
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Front row, from left, ECLI Co-Founder and Program Development & Education Director Feride Castillo; ECLI Co-Founder and Executive Director Jennifer Hernandez (with scissors); Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr; and Legislator Rebecca Sanin. Photo courtesy of ECLI-VIBES
ECLI-VIBES ribbon cutting on Oct. 24.
ECLI-VIBES ribbon cutting on Oct. 24.
ECLI-VIBES ribbon cutting on Oct. 24.
ECLI-VIBES ribbon cutting on Oct. 24.
ECLI-VIBES ribbon cutting on Oct. 24.
ECLI-VIBES ribbon cutting on Oct. 24.
ECLI-VIBES ribbon cutting on Oct. 24.
ECLI-VIBES ribbon cutting on Oct. 24.

Empowerment Collaborative of Long Island and Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk (ECLI-VIBES), a Long Island nonprofit organization that helps survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, has taken over the building that once belonged to Flushing Bank at 1707 Veterans Memorial Highway in Islandia. 

This marks a significant milestone in expanding their impact and support of victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The momentous occasion was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the new facilities and light bites on Oct. 24.

“We are in a bigger space now, and it feels unreal how far we have come in the physical and organizational growth ,” said Co-Founder and Executive Director Jennifer Hernandez, “My co-founders and I, who built this organization from the ground up, never could have imagined how big it would become and the impact it would have on Suffolk County and beyond.”

The evening’s guests were able to learn more about the services ECLI VIBES provides, such as its fully stocked food and essentials pantry and counseling services. The move to the new facility left no need unmet, providing dedicated spaces for everything from client services to a centrally located water feature where staff can find reprieve from the heaviness of the work. Flushing Bank sold the property with all of the furnishings, allowing ECLI VIBES to be up and running in the new space quickly with minimal construction and labor.

“We know the challenges our community is facing and are showing individuals who can help us with our cause what we are doing to not only help our survivors but how we can stop domestic violence in our community,” said Co-Founder and Program Development & Education Director Feride Castillo. “We believe that with the continued support and involvement of our community, we can make a significant impact.”

Many Suffolk County community leaders and legislators were in attendance, including Legislator Chad Lennon and Legislator Rebecca Sanin, Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. and Detective Sergeant James Murphy and his team from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Anti Trafficking Unit. Organizations that were represented include Long Island Cares and Long Island Harvest.

To learn more about ECLI VIBES and how you can get involved, please visit www.eclivibes.org.

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A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli
A scene from the 2024 Scandinavian Bazaar in St. James. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli

By Jennifer Donatelli

Calling all Vikings! Whether attendees were Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or simply fans of the Viking spirit, visitors found a warm welcome at the Sons of Norway Loyal Lodge 252’s annual Scandinavian Bazaar. Held Saturday, Nov. 16, at St. James Lutheran Church in St. James, the event ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., drawing crowds eager to immerse themselves in the Nordic culture.

The bazaar, a vibrant mix of heritage and community, featured handcrafted Norwegian items, including intricately designed textile

The day’s culinary offerings were a major highlight. The dining room buzzed with the aroma of fresh waffles, served with lingonberries, while volunteers Reidun Rasmussen and Centoral Stevens enjoyed sharing the simple yet satisfying dish of potatoes, carrots and onions, in broth. “It’s an easy meal and feeds a lot of people,” Stevens said.

Adding to the festive spirit was live accordion music performed by Ellen “The Swedish Meatball” from Bay Ridge, whose cheerful tunes and motto of “good music, good liquor, good friends and good times,” brought smiles to attendees.

Hundreds of attendees from across Long Island gathered for the event, which has been a cornerstone of the lodge’s activities for more than 50 years. While no one could pinpoint the exact start date, members fondly recalled attending as children alongside their parents.

“This event is part of our history,” said incoming lodge president Ben Johnson, who first joined the Sons of Norway in the 1950s as a child.

“It provides me with a connection to my heritage and insight into the culture and history of Scandinavia and my ancestors, who came over through Ellis Island three generations ago,” he continued. 

Stacey Johnson, Ben’s daughter, reminisced about growing up with the lodge’s event. “It’s like one big family. To see all these people come and enjoy the day gives me complete joy,” she said.

Joan Hildebrand of Northport attended after falling in love with Scandinavian culture during a trip to the region, and was drawn to the event because of “the people, the scenery and the [Nordic] style — it’s what brought me here today,” she said.

Proceeds from the bazaar will support the Sons of Norway Loyal Lodge 252, an organization founded in 1924 by 30 immigrants. For nearly 100 years, the lodge has celebrated Norwegian-American heritage through cultural events and programs.

For more information about the Sons of Norway Loyal Lodge 252 or membership opportunities visit their website at loyallodge.org.

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