Town of Brookhaven

Photo from Town of Brookhaven

Brookhaven Town Highway Superintendent Daniel P. Losquadro, Supervisor Ed Romaine and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich joined with residents and community members for the ribbon-cutting of a new sidewalk installed along West Meadow Road and Trustees Road from Mt Grey Road to the entrance of West Meadow Beach. Funding for this project, which cost approximately $283,000, was fully covered by a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

“This half-mile stretch of roadway is heavily traversed with traffic to and from the beach,” said Superintendent Losquadro. “Pedestrians, bicyclists, lifeguards, and residents can now feel safer accessing West Meadow Beach along the new sidewalk.”

Supervisor Romaine said, “West Meadow Beach is a popular destination for pedestrians all year round and now a walk down Trustees Road is much safer than before. I thank Superintendent Losquadro and the men and women of the Highway Department for making the improvements to our infrastructure that will have a lasting impact for years to come.”

Councilmember Kornreich said, “It was truly an honor to be able to take part in making our community a safer place for our residents. I am so thankful to those who were able to contribute their time and effort to this project. My team and I will continue to work hard to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents. I would like to encourage everyone to take a walk down Trustees Road toward West Meadow Beach to have an opportunity to relax and appreciate the value in our community.”

Annemarie Waugh of Sidewalks for Safety said, “A huge thanks to Edward Romaine, Daniel Losquadro, and Jonathan Kornreich for taking a critical step in making Setauket a safer place for pedestrian safety and healthy lifestyles. As a result of their efforts, this highly-trafficked section of West Meadow Road now allows walkers and runners to safely access West Meadow Beach and Trustees Road.”

Photo from Town of Brookhaven

On Dec. 4, Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) and Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point) celebrated the 37th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Rocky Point. 

The event was held at the corner of Broadway and Prince Road where residents were treated to holiday carols performed by local Girl and Boy Scout troops and holiday musical selections performed by the Rocky Point Eighth Grade orchestra, Middle School Brass Ensemble and the Rocky Point High School Jazz Band.

To the delight of the crowd, Santa arrived with the Rocky Point Fire Department and greeted the crowd with a hearty “Ho, ho, ho!”

“It is so much fun to attend our traditional holiday events in the community,” Bonner said. “Thank you to everyone who made it all possible and to Santa for taking the time to visit with the children at this festive holiday celebration.”

On Dec. 4, Town of Brookhaven Councilman Michael Loguercio was at historic Longwood Estate in Ridge to welcome Santa Claus to the Town’s annual “Santa, Trains, Old Fashion Sleigh Ride and Hot Cocoa” celebration. The traditional holiday event included a meet and greet with Santa for the children and their families, along with a holiday trains display, sleigh rides, popcorn and chestnuts that were “roasted on an open fire.” Hundreds of children and their families attended the celebration as Santa accepted the handwritten letters from each of the kids who took the time to share what they wanted for Christmas this year. Santa arrived in a Ridge Fire Department Fire Police Van driven by his favorite Elf, Councilman Loguercio. Mrs. Claus was in attendance, along with three more of Santa’s elves.

Pictured left to right are Councilman Loguercio; Longwood High School student, Brianna Colon; Santa Claus; Longwood High School student Karah Molloy; Mrs. Claus and Councilman Loguercio’s Chief of Staff, Victoria Molloy.

“I am always honored to host events that provide children and their families some old fashion family fun. As a special helper elf to Santa, the overwhelming happiness of the kids that day really make this so worthwhile year after year. Thank you to Santa, Mrs. Claus and all the other elves that took the day to help Santa and thank you to all the amazing men and women in our Parks Department for all their help in the preparation of this day,” said Councilman Loguercio.

Photos from Town of Brookhaven

The 25th annual Charles Dickens Festival drew in hundreds with Port Jefferson village transforming into the Dickensian era last weekend.

After a halt in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the community was able to travel back in time (again) decked out in their most festive attire. 

“It’s just such a wonderful destination for the holidays,” said County Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket). “It’s unique, it’s special and it’s great thing for businesses.”

Characters like the dusty chimney sweeps, Father Christmas, Dickens Mayor, the Town Crier and of course, Scrooge, performed on the village streets and posed for photo ops with visitors and residents, alike. 

The festivities began on Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. with a parade down East Main Street, headed by village officials and former mayor Jeanne Garant and concluded Sunday night.

“We are so proud and grateful that we can bring back this great tradition to the village,” said Mayor Margot Garant. “Not only does it bring an economic boost to our merchants and kick off the holiday season, but it brings good will and merriment to all. I am proud to carry on this tradition and keep it alive in hearts for all near and far.”

— All photos by Julianne Mosher

Photo from Town of Brookhaven

Kick off the holiday season at the Town of Brookhaven’s annual tree lighting at the Holtsville Ecology Site, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville on Friday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. The event will feature costumed characters, complimentary candy canes, musical entertainment and a special appearance by Santa Claus who will arrive by helicopter and then assist with the countdown to light the tree. Event sponsors include Texas Roadhouse, Eastern Helicopters, WALK 97.5, WBLI, WBAB and My Country 96.1. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need. For more information, call 631-451-6100 or visit www.brookhavenny.gov

Community members and elected officials during the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony in Port Jefferson Dec. 4. Photo from Kara Hahn

People gathered in Port Jefferson early Sunday morning to remember and pay tribute to the fallen on the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. 

On Dec. 4, members from American Legion Wilson Ritch Post 432 of Port Jefferson Station joined elected officials including village trustee Bruce Miller, state Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket), Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket) and Town of Brookhaven Councilman Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) nearly eight decades to the date of one of the worst terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

Each year on or around the anniversary of the day, ceremonies are held across the United States to honor all those who lost their lives when the U.S. Naval Base in Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941. 

More than 3,500 Americans lost their lives or were wounded on that solemn day.

At the monuments for all American wars, wreaths were laid by American Legion Posts 1941, 417, Setauket VFW Post 3054 and the Ward Melville H.S. Patriot League Club.

Historic Longwood Estate, Longwood Road and Smith Road, Ridge,  presents a special holiday program, Old-Fashioned Sleigh Rides & Hot Cocoa, for children ages 12 and under on Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Explore the grounds of the estate with an old fashioned sleigh ride, view two large train displays and enjoy roasted chestnuts and popcorn on an open fire. Children can visit with Santa (don’t forget your letter!) and have family members take photos. The Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children in need through their INTERFACE program. $5 per child. To register, call 631-924-1820.

Click here for a here sneak peak of the train display: IMG_8101

The Robert E. Reid, Sr. Recreation Center, Defense Hill Road & Route 25A, Shoreham will host a DIY Paint Party on Thursday, Dec. 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join them for a fun evening out with The Crafty Bean Boutique and make q beautiful mini Christmas tree sign set. All supplies needed are included to make this unique sign and can be painted in 25 different color options.

Measurements Include:
Larger Tree – 10″ tall
Small Trees 9.5” tall
Merry Christmas banner 13” wide

$40.00 per participant 

*Call 631-744-2601 to register by Monday, Nov. 29.

Photo by Julianne Mosher

It was certainly not an “unbearable” day.

On Sunday, Nov. 21, the Town of Brookhaven teamed up with the Red Knights Motorcycle Club NY Chapter 26 for its annual “Teddy Bear Run.”

Each year, the club holds the event to collect donations of new Teddy Bears for thousands of needy children through the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau INTERFACE program. 

Bikers from across the Island then ride together from the North to South shores for a participation fee and toy donation.

Stuffed animals of all shapes and sizes were donated at the Terryville Fire Department Headquarters in Port Jefferson Station where hundreds of riders met before heading to their final stop — Painter’s restaurant in Brookhaven.

“I want to thank the Red Knights Motorcycle Club for their generosity and continued support of this program,” said Supervisor Ed Romaine (R). “These contributions will make it possible for so many children in need to experience the joy of opening a gift this holiday season.”

The Red Knights are an international firefighters motorcycle club and have been co-sponsoring the Teddy Bear run for nearly two decades. 

“These guys, their day job is being heroes,” said Councilman Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook). “They spend their off-time getting involved in good causes like this and we really appreciate these guys so much.”

— All photos by Julianne Mosher 

12th annual Polar Plunge: Freezin for a Reason at Mt. Sinai’s Cedar Beach Nov 20. Bill Landon photo

Freezin’ for a reason.

The Town of Brookhaven held its 12th annual Polar Plunge at Cedar Beach this past weekend, where 544 people stripped down and hit the chilled water of the Long Island Sound all for a good cause. 

On Saturday, Nov. 20, volunteers gathered at the beach in their swimsuits and shorts to benefit the Special Olympics which raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics New York athletes in the Long Island region. This year a collective $131,033 was raised. 

“The Polar Plunge is a great opportunity for the community to make a difference in the lives of the Special Olympics athletes,” said Supervisor Ed Romaine (R). “I thank all the volunteers, Town employees, police, fire and ambulance staff who work so hard to support the Special Olympics athletes every year.”

Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 51,000 registered athletes and unified partners across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition and health screenings. 

The organization also partners with about 250 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports, where students with and without disabilities compete as teammates. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families and caregivers. 

 — Photos by Bill Landon