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From left, Kayleigh Smith and Kimberly Phyfe of the Three Village Historical Society. Photo from TVHS

By Kimberly Phyfe

The Three Village Historical Society & Museum (TVHS) recently received an Award of Excellence from the Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN).

For 2025, Chicken Hill: A Community Lost to Time was recognized as Exhibit of the Year — the first time a completely digital museum exhibit has received this award.

The Landmark Preservation Society partnered with GHHN to present these awards on May 7 in Poughkeepsie. Representing TVHS were Research Fellow and Public Programs Coordinator, Kayleigh Smith and Community Engagement Manager, Kimberly Phyfe.

From left, Kayleigh Smith and Kimberly Phyfe of the Three Village Historical Society. Photo from TVHS

There, TVHS received the GHHN Award for Excellence for their new online exhibit, Chicken Hill — A Community Lost to Time. These awards recognize and commend exceptional efforts among museums throughout New York State. They are presented to projects that exemplify creativity and professional vision, contributing to the preservation and interpretation of the historic landscape, material culture, and the diversity of the region.

Smith and TVHS Visitor Services Associate Jack Maloney finalized the project in March of 2025 after months of cataloging, researching, and compiling information about the exhibit. By digitizing this exhibit, the TVHS brings more public awareness to the importance of local history by breathing new life into it via the online platform.

The Three Village Historical Society & Museum is grateful to be recognized for this innovative way they transformed a permanent exhibit of thirteen years into a multi-media interactive website, contributing to understanding not only our local history, but broader state and national narratives, and preserving our shared cultural heritage.

Chicken Hill’s story isn’t the first of its kind. It is reflective of many multiethnic communities born from industries of labor across the United States. This interactive, multi-media approach can open doors to meaningful conversations of the importance of marginalized communities in local history.

“The online exhibit features the section Conflict and Turmoil which was not part of the physical display,” said Mari Irizarry, Society Director. “After many years of continuous engagement with local community, and new perspectives being brought to light, the society made sure to include these stories never before seen. By adding this section, we hope to further collective understanding, to highlight additional perspectives excluded from the original curation, and demonstrate a nuanced interpretation of a community that no longer exists physically but whose story helps us connect to the people who built this community.”

Chicken Hill: A Community Lost to Time can be experienced online at any time by visiting tvhs.org.

Author Kimberly Phyfe is the Community Engagement Manager at the Three Village Historical Society & Museum headquartered at 93 North Country Road in Setauket.

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Artist Angela Stratton at a previous Wet Paint Festival. Photo courtesy of Gallery North

By Tara Mae

The scent of paint permeates the promise of potential during Gallery North’s 21st annual Wet Paint Festival on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Approximately 50 artists working in diverse mediums — acrylics, oils, pastels, mixed media — will demonstrate the utterly unique experience of en plein air painting, the act of painting outdoors.

“It is a special event and loads of fun for everyone,” Gallery North Executive Director Ned Puchner said. 

Artist Laura DiLeone at a previous Wet Paint Festival. Photo courtesy of Gallery North

Children’s art activities will be offered by Gallery North. Members of the Four Harbors Audubon Society will give guided nature walks. History walks will be led by members of the Three Village Dads Foundation on Saturday and Margo Arceri of Tri-Spy Tours on Sunday. Food from Level Up Kitchen will be available for purchase.

With WUSB 90.1 fm/107.3 fm radio, Gallery North will have live music by The Fox Hill Chamber Consortium playing classical and baroque music on Saturday and singer-songwriter Kane Daily performing rock music on Sunday. 

“This is a celebration of our local artists and history of plain air painting — outdoor painting capturing beauty of a location — as well as art, history, and music,” Gallery North Director of Development Erin Smith said. 

Held this year on the verdant properties of the historic 9-acre Merritt Hawkins Homestead (c. 1774) and adjacent Nassakeag Elementary School at 490 Pond Path in Setauket, the event invites artists to dare to paint plein air in a location resplendent with authentic ambiance and natural beauty. 

Participants will set up in places of their choosing on the estate — all other activities will be held on the school grounds. Visitors will be able to observe them in action as they share an esteem of the environment. 

“Each year, the gallery picks a new location, or rotates between locations — a spot artists may not find when looking for places to paint — a place with historical significance, a different vantage point and view, in order to increase community’s awareness of the area,” Gallery North curator Kate Schwarting said.

Settings are chosen for their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance. Selecting these sites cultivates a camaraderie among participants and observers while they engross themselves in local lush landscapes, perhaps for the first time. The Wet Paint Festival is a singular opportunity for audience and artists to enjoy an inspiring scene at the same time. 

Artist Stuart Friedman paints at Frank Melville Memorial Park during a previous Wet Paint Festival. Photo courtesy of Gallery North

“We want to bring artists together, celebrate the art of plain air painting, and teach people what it is and how it is different from painting in studio. Art generally tends to be a solitary practice; the festival is a way for artists to get together and celebrate each other,” Schwarting said. 

Participating artists also appreciate this distinctive approach and how it differs from their regular artistic practices as well as other festivals. 

“I just love the adventure of it — the chance to paint outside and feel part of a community with other artists. There’s something really special about the energy of everyone out there together, each of us trying to find something interesting to paint while working through the challenges of our own pieces,” participant William Low said. With Steve Behler, another regional artist, he will be offering guided tours on plein air painting. 

Plein air art incorporates a component of excitement unlike other forms. Artists are at the mercy of the outdoors’ whims. Rather than painting from pre-conceived concepts, they commit to encapsulating a part of their world as it exists and even changes around them.

“It is a race to produce the work before weather and elements change. Artists never know what final piece will be. It’s about looking and being mindful, a very meditative practice — [as an artist] you have to be all there, you cannot be overthinking things,” Schwarting said. “It is a great exercise to be immersed in nature, environment, and location.”

For artists and attendees alike, the festival is an occasion to engage all their senses as they celebrate not only their art, but how the process of creation is a means of connection and communication.

‘’The Wet Paint Festival is such a welcoming and inspiring event, not just for the artists, but for anyone who loves seeing creativity in action. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a festival that celebrates all kinds of expression, and I hope people leave feeling inspired to make something of their own,” participant Loretta Oberheim said. 

Sponsored by the Village Art Collective, Bryant Funeral Home, Tasty Frosty, and Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Planning, the Wet Paint Festival goes on rain or shine. All works created at the event will be featured in an art exhibit at The Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook from July 8 to July 13 with a reception on July 12. 

Both the Wet Paint Festival and subsequent exhibit at the Reboli Center are free and open to the public. 

For more information, call 631-751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org. 

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Summer Swap series at The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook returns on June 3.

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook Village, in partnership with Stony Brook University, Stony Brook Medicine and community businesses, will be presenting the 2025 Summer Stage With A Purpose (Summer SWAP), on a series of Tuesday evenings throughout the summer. The events are FREE to the community.

Summer SWAP will offer visitors a relaxing and scenic outdoor venue on the front lawn of The Jazz Loft to listen to an impressive lineup of performers.

“This series was born from the desire to have the Jazz Loft collaborate with Stony Brook University, and Stony Book Medicine as a way to invest in the community and especially to nurture cultural development,” said The Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel.

“This summer concert series was born from the desire to give back to our community, to offer high quality performances to everyone without charge, and also to expand our collaborative projects with Stony Brook University, and Stony Book Medicine,” said Manuel. “Summer SWAP is the perfect way to invest in our community and an especially real and genuine way to nurture cultural development. It’s exciting to see how this collaborative concert series has become such a special part of our community tradition.”

“We’re proud to sponsor Summer SWAP and to continue our partnership with The Jazz Loft,” said Heather Banoub, Assistant Vice President of University and Medicine Community Relations. “Bringing people together through music and culture reflects our commitment to enriching the lives of those in our community.”

The Jazz Loft will be offering a variety of refreshments for sale in the Basie Garden which is adjacent to The Jazz Loft. Attendees are welcome to bring their own chairs and blankets to set up on the lawn.

The series performers will include:

Tuesday, June 3 — Jason Marshall Organ Trio

Tuesday, June 17 — Birsa Chatterjee Quartet

Tuesday, July 1 — Kevin Blanca Big Band

Tuesday, July 22 — Dal Segno Trio w/Tom Manuel & Georgia Heers

All performances are from 6 to 8 p.m.

For more information contact the Jazz Loft at: 631-751-1895 or visit https://www.thejazzloft.org

  

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Pixabay photo

Beaches and rivers are signature settings of a fun Long Island summer and one of its most attractive features. Water is always within a 40-minute drive, tempting overheated residents with a swim. 

Plunging into the crashing waves and relazing in the cool, refreshing water is wonderfully restorative, but includes some dangers we can’t ignore. The ocean and the Long Island Sound are not pools–there isn’t a shallow floor to stand on when we tire or side walls to cling to for a break. 

Last week, tragedy struck our community after a man drowned in the Nissequogue River by the Kings Park Bluff. Unable to combat the converging waters and powerful waves, the swimmer tired and was overtaken. 

When tides become too strong, Smith Point Chief of Lifeguards Kevin Kolar urges us to lie on our backs and swim parallel to the shore. This strategy is essential in both a river or the ocean. The challenge, however, is staying calm during the adrenaline rush of fear after we realize we are further than we intended. 

“When [swimmers] are panicked and see themselves moving away from shore, they want to go from point A to B. They don’t want to waste their energy going around,” he said, adding that resisting the urge to try to push ahead and swim against the tide pulling you out is like stepping into a punch. Instincuntually, we want to return to safety as soon as possible. 

Many swimmers think we can swim in and through the ripe tide if we use enough power. This will just tire us out. Ripe tides take the form of a mushroom cloud–the current is drawn from the shore in a narrow stem before billowing out for about 30 yards. Lying on our back and gently swimming toward the shore at an angle is key to preventing exhaustion. We should not assume a vertical position, which will cause us to sink “like a needle through skin”, as Kolar said. Floating horizontally will prevent us from expending energy simply trying to stay above water. 

We need to know our capabilities. Even experienced swimmers are no match for a relentless current. Enjoy the beaches. Have fun in the water, but be prepared, look out for potential rip currents which can be identified by an area with fewer breaking waves or a visible line of seaweed leading outwards. Keep an eye out for others in distress, and swim safely this summer. 

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METRO photo

By Jonathan Sharp

The long history of the U.S. military’s heavy reliance on asbestos — a naturally occurring mineral — has unfortunately left a lasting effect on the health of veterans, especially those in New York. Although the use of this material in the military setting has already been discontinued, former service members still deal with the severe and often delayed impacts of exposure, including mesothelioma — a rare yet aggressive form of cancer. The problem, however, is not just the diagnosis of this lethal disease but the failure to respond to it promptly because of the frequent misdiagnosis. A national mesothelioma registry could address this issue as this targeted data-driven approach would track and screen at-risk veterans to make sure those affected receive accurate diagnoses and immediate care.

Detrimental impact of mesothelioma on veterans

Mesothelioma is a cancer attacking the protective covering of the lungs, abdomen or heart. It is caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos — a natural mineral once extensively utilized in construction, shipbuilding and military equipment because of its heat and chemical resistance. Even though most use of this mineral was banned since July 1989, it remains a persistent threat to veterans working in contaminated environments.

New York is one of the many states severely affected by this issue. A map by the Asbestos Nation shows that between 1999 and 2017, the state logged 15,205 asbestos-related deaths, of which 2,830 were mesothelioma cases. Suffolk County, in particular, reported 1,386 fatalities. And while mesothelioma poses hazards to anyone exposed, veterans remain among the most vulnerable populations.

True to this, the Purple Heart Foundation revealed that 30% of the nearly 3,000 Americans diagnosed with this disease yearly are former service members. Such a danger is mainly attributed to the extensive use of asbestos on military bases like Suffolk County Air Force Base and Francis S. Gabreski Airport. Such a crisis calls for continued attention and support for those directly impacted.

Cost of misdiagnosis and delayed treatment

Among the most critical concerns in addressing mesothelioma in veterans is the high rate of misdiagnosis. Recent statistics posted by Mesothelioma Guide indicate that 80.8% of stage 1 cases were inaccurate, while 69.5% of stage 2 diagnoses were wrong. Similarly, 35.4% of stage 3 patients and 12.8% of those at stage 4 also received erroneous findings. These missteps often lead to delayed treatments, which can significantly reduce the chances of patients’ survival.

One primary reason for these misdiagnoses is the slow development of mesothelioma. Often, its symptoms — such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, fever and unintentional weight loss — do not appear until the disease has reached an advanced stage, which makes treatment and recovery both challenging. In addition, the delay in recording new mesothelioma cases, which may take up to two years per the Federal Register, contributes to the problem. Such a reality calls for a systemic approach aiming for early detection and better patient outcomes.

Systemic approach to combat misdiagnosis

A national mesothelioma registry could be the key to reversing the trends of misdiagnosis — being a centralized database that allows health care providers to monitor susceptible individuals and invite them for screenings for early diagnoses and appropriate treatments.

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense already have the structure to materialize this initiative as they already maintain registries for diseases linked to burn pits and Agent Orange. What they need now is to collaborate with vital stakeholders to get additional expertise and insights that could help the federal government integrate a national mesothelioma registry into the existing health care system. Such an endeavor would likewise be beneficial to researchers intending to track disease progression to lower the misdiagnosis rate and develop more effective treatments.

The impact of mesothelioma on veterans is a long-standing concern that has yet to be fully addressed. A national mesothelioma registry could nevertheless tackle this health crisis proactively — seeing to it that those who served our country are correctly diagnosed and benefit from timely care.

Jonathan Sharp serves as the CFO of the Environmental Litigation Group P.C., a firm in Birmingham, AL, assisting victims with environmental toxic exposure cases.

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Lake House guests on froint porch ca. 1913. Photo courtesy Beverly C. Tyler
Catboat Setauket rigged with a canopy and engine to take Lakeside House guests on excursions. Sailing made some of the guests nervous, so Capt. Tyler did both sailing and motoring. Photos courtesy Bev Tyler
Catboat Setauket circa 1913. Photo courtesy Beverly C. Tyler
Beverly S. Tyler and Edith Griffin Tyler in 1912
Lake House Setauket ca. 1902. Photo courtesy Beverly C. Tyler
Shore Acres after last expansion ca. 1925. Photo courtesy Barbara Russell

By Beverly C. Tyler

As the shipbuilding era was ending in Stony Brook and East Setauket in the 1870s, the Long Island Railroad was completing the North Shore Line to Port Jefferson. The coming of the railroad made it possible for people and products to travel quickly overland and opened the Three Village area to tourism, especially from New York City 

Until the railroad came, most travel and commerce to and from Long Island ports was conducted by ship. As the railroad became more efficient and reliable, tourism began to increase, especially during the summer months. Hotels, tourist homes and summer cottages opened in Stony Brook and Setauket, as they did throughout Long Island, to accommodate the influx of visitors. 

By 1902, there were six hotels or tourist homes in Stony Brook and ten in Setauket-East Setauket which offered weekly rates. In Stony Brook, the Pine View House, run by Israel Hawkins, advertised as a family recreation summer boarding house with accommodations for 25 guests. Guests at the Pine View had the use of a beach house at West Meadow Beach.

In East Setauket, Shore Acres was a large boarding house overlooking Setauket Harbor. Shore Acres was run by Mr. and Mrs. William D. Oakes and had 30 rooms and one bathroom with a wash basin in each room. “In the large dining room on Sundays, the meal was usually chicken, slaughtered on Saturday evening, fresh garden vegetables and homemade ice cream.” (Long Island Museum 1981 exhibit Summer at the Shore). Boating and bathing were popular activities during these summers and Shore Acres had its own docks and boats for the use of guests. As noted by Barbara Russell, “Later, Mr. Oakes had a motorboat and would take boarders over to Whitehall Beach to spend afternoons.” (Down the Ways – The Wooden Ship Era) 

In Setauket, the Lakeside House, now the Setauket Neighborhood House, had accommodations for 25 guests at $6.00 to $8.00 per week. The Lakeside House was run by my grandfather Captain Beverly Swift Tyler.

In 1879, he was master and 3/8 owner of the “Willow Harp”. She was a coastal schooner and carried coal from New Jersey to East Setauket. Beginning about the turn of the century, Captain Tyler, who then spent much of his time running the Lakeside House, would take guests on sailing outings on his catboat “Madeline” which was anchored in Setauket Harbor.

After he married my grandmother Edith Griffin in 1912, who first came to Setauket to stay a week at the Lakeside House with her sister Carolyn, she became the Lakeside hostess and manager of the kitchen and boarding house staff. Lucy Hart Keyes, born 1900, commented that she worked at the Lakeside house as a young girl and that Mrs. Tyler was “an easy person to work for.”  

In 1906, my grandfather built the catboat “Setauket” in an area behind the Lakeside House. The “Setauket” was the second boat he built, the first being the “Madeline,” which, according to Roger Tyler, Captain Tyler’s nephew, “was built with the comments and help of friends and neighbors whose advice he took and later regretted. When the ‘Setauket’ was being built and comments were again offered, Captain Tyler this time pointed out that the ‘Madeline’ was their community boat and that he was building the ‘Setauket’ by himself.”

Sailboats and the harbors and inlets of the Three Village area were part of the attractiveness of the community at the turn of the century. Captain Tyler used the “Setauket” to take guests on excursions on the Sound and around Setauket and Port Jefferson Harbors. The “Setauket” was also built to race in local competitions in Port Jefferson Harbor. When the “Setauket” was built, Captain Tyler sold the “Madeline,” which was a fairly good racing catboat. Roger Tyler said that the “Setauket” was raced in Port Jefferson and was a consistent winner against all competition including the “Madeline.” Tyler commented that, “it got to be so that they wouldn’t tell Bev when a race was to be run and a few times he found out about them only just and hour or so before the race, but raced and won anyway.”

The tourism era in Setauket and Stony Brook continued strong until World War I. Captain Tyler sold the Lakeside House to Eversley Childs in 1918. Childs, who – the story goes  –  only wanted the tourist home for its liquor license, which he transferred to the St. George Golf and Country Club gave the Lakeside House to the community for its use. A number of other tourist homes in the Three Village area continued into the 1930s.  

Beverly Tyler is Three Village Historical Society historian and author of books available from the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Rd., Setauket, NY 11733. Tel: 631-751-3730. http://www.TVHS.org

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David Ansel, vice president for the Center for Water Protection, presenting the report’s results at a press conference on May 20. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

On May 20, Save the Sound, an environmental organization that analyzes the water quality of the Long Island Sound, compiled data revealing updated scores of beaches along Long Island’s coastline. The biennial report focuses on beach water quality, bacteria levels and swimming safety. 

The report was launched at a conference at Centerport Beach, with Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth (R) and Cornell Cooperative representatives present as Save the Sound Vice President of the Center for Water Protection David Ansel presented the grades, challenges and solutions for the Long Island Sound water quality. 

Using data collected by the departments of health that conduct the beach monitoring,  the beach report department of health, the beach report revealed an increase in wet weather that led to a decline in water quality. Consistently, samples collected within 48 hours of a quarter-inch or more of rainfall revealed diminished water quality. Indeed, there was an overall increase in samples that failed to meet state standards for bacteria concentration (including beaches in Connecticut). 

The grades, ranging from an F to an A+, are determined based on the presence of enterococcus bacteria. Swimmers can become sick if they swim in waters with unsafe concentrations of this fecal indicator bacteria. A failing sample contains 104 colony forming units per 100 ml. 

New York City and other areas surrounding the part of the Long Island Sound known as “the narrows” continue to receive low grades as the water is less often flushed out as opposed to beaches in eastern Suffolk County. 

Samples taken after precipitation contained higher levels of the bacteria suggest that pollutants are getting washed into the water. Ansel said “green infrastructure” can help. Paved areas do not allow for storm water absorption, instead leading runoff, and all the pollutants like oil and debris it picks up on the way, to run straight to the water. 

“We have seen high incidents of wet weather in the last number of years and we believe it is having a negative effect on the scores for the beaches. In our last beach report 78% of the beaches received As and Bs. In this year’s report 72% of the beaches are receiving As and Bs,” Ansel said, adding that we are coming off the wettest two-year stretch with 44 inches of rain. 

Animal waste is a big contributor to the presence of the bacteria in the water. Cleaning garbage, maintaining sewers and planting native plants can help minimize fecal-bacteria contamination. 

Ansel is active in advocating for solutions that would improve the Sound. The same day of the conference, he traveled to Albany to testify that more data is needed regarding algal blooms in saline water. 

“We are hopeful that there will be a conversion of Rikers Island to a water treatment facility that would have a materially positive impact on the Western Narrows of New York City and New York Sound.”

Smyth said the town began harvesting sugar kelp in 2022 and implemented a program for spawning oysters, which help filter the water. Huntington even supplies other municipalities with oysters shell stock to grow. 

“The sugar kelp is native to Long Island and requires little to no effort to grow in Long Island’s bays and harbors. The benefit is it improves water quality by removing harmful nitrogen which causes algae blooms,” Smyth said. 

Deputy Supervisor John McCarron said they harvest the kelp and grind it to a powder, which is then used as fertilizer. 

Although the town has only been harvesting sugar kelp for three years, McCarron said he has noticed  positive growth with marine wildlife diversity, with various species of fish dwelling by the kelp. The presence of wildlife seemed like a good sign. “This means it is doing something to clean up the area,” he said. 

High scoring beaches include Port Jefferson beach and Cedar Beach West, which had an A- and A+ respectively. 

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Photo courtesy SCPD

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina are warning residents of a new scam that has targeted multiple residents.

During these incidents, the victims were contacted by an individual claiming to be a bank representative who convinced them their bank account was compromised. Each victim was convinced to physically turn over their bank card and pin, which were later used to withdraw money from ATMs.

It is important to keep the following tips in mind in an effort for you to protect yourself and your bank account.

— Don’t answer unknown calls.

— Scammers can spoof a number to make it look like a legitimate company is calling. If they start asking for money or making demands, hang up and call the company directly.

— No one from a company is traveling to your home to pick up a bank card. If someone claims your bank accounts have been compromised, hang up and call the number on the back of the card.

— Do not provide personal information, wire money or send gift cards.

Please share this information with friends and family to help others avoid becoming a victim!

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The two-part boating safety course is at the Setauket Fire Department station on Nicolls Road, on April 14-15. File photo

By Sofia Levorchick

This year, New York State put Brianna’s Law into effect, requiring all boaters to possess and carry a New York State-approved boating safety certificate regardless of age. 

Named after Brianna Lieneck, an 11-year-old Long Island girl who was killed in a 2005 boating accident, this law acts as a precautionary measure to teach all boaters safety rules to prevent reckless and dangerous behavior on the water.

Previously, only operators born after Jan. 1, 1978, needed the certificate. Now, all boaters, regardless of age and experience on the water, must obtain the safety certificate.

Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay (D, NY4) sent out an invitation for a course taking place on Saturday, May 31 at the Setauket Fire Department  at 190 Main Street in Setauket. See more information below.

“With our many miles of coastline, my office understands our constituents’ close relationship with our waterways,” Kassay said. “We are grateful to the Setauket Fire Department for offering their facilities for this event, furthering our shared goal of greater public safety.”

Brennen Siele, the senior harbormaster on the North Shore for the Town of Brookhaven, thinks this course requirement is necessary for safe waters. He pointed out that boaters’ most common and preventable mistake is lacking the safety equipment they should have on board. 

“When we come and check them, it’s a surprise to them that they need certain things,” Siele said. “So just from a safety standpoint, it seems important that these people take these classes, even if they’ve been on the water for years.”

Safety certification courses were offered before the law was implemented, and some boaters have already taken them. 

Chris Zenaty, a Stony Brook boater, took a safety course over 25 years ago when he first started boating. He retook the course last year with his son after his original certification expired. He thinks that this new law is essential for ensuring safety on the water.

 “It makes people more aware of their surroundings,” Zenaty said. “Before, you could go out and buy a 50-foot boat with having no experience in boating and cause significant damage to life and property without having any boating training.”

According to both Siele and Kassay, local boaters have generally been reacting positively to the law.

“From conversations around our marinas and neighborhoods, it seems that local boaters are largely on board with this new regulation,” Kassay said. “It teaches newer boaters the maritime rules of the road, which will help to avoid conflicts and collisions.”

However, Siele noted that the surge in demand could make it difficult for boaters to get the safety certificate in time. 

“I think for the first year, it’ll probably be challenging, because a huge influx of people are trying to take these classes right before the boating season,” Siele said. “A lot of these classes are filling up, and people are having a hard time getting into them.”

Because of the demand, there might be an initial grace period for compliance. Harbor Patrol plans to be somewhat lenient initially, as long as boaters can show patrol officers proof that they are registered to take a class and are otherwise in compliance with safety regulations. 

“Boaters need to take the safety on the water a little bit more seriously than they have in the past,” Siele said. “They don’t take into account how many things that can go wrong or the safety equipment that’s necessary when things do go wrong.”

Despite the initial challenges in course availability, officials and long-serving boaters agree that the new law marks a crucial step toward fostering safer waters for all. 

“Even our saltiest sailors and experienced fisherfolk understand that their time on the water is made safer by every motorized vessel operator taking this course,” Kassay said.

—————————————–

New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay is inviting boat, jet ski, and motorized vessel operators to take the required New York State Safe Boating Certification Course at the Setauket Fire Department, 190 Main St., Setauket on Saturday, May 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This 8-hour course covers the basic principles of safe and responsible boating. It reviews nautical “rules of the road”, required safety equipment, special boating activities, and more. Students who complete the course will obtain a NY Safe Boating Certificate. Must be at least 10 years old to participate.
Cost: $85 + $10 permanent card fee
Course materials provided on-site
Can’t make that date? Find more classes across the state: www.register-ed.com/programs/new_york/252

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METRO photo

This Memorial Day the staff at TBR News Media remembers and pays tribute to our brave fallen heroes. The office is closed today but will reopen tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Interesting facts related to Memorial Day:

Memorial Day is celebrated annually on the last Monday of May across the United States. The proximity of Memorial Day to the summer solstice has led many to view the weekend preceding the holiday as the unofficial kickoff to summer. However, Memorial Day is about more than backyard barbecues and weekend getaways. Memorial Day honors service members who died while serving in the United States military.

Though Memorial Day traces its origins to the years following the American Civil War in the mid-nineteenth century, it did not become an official federal holiday until 1971. That’s one of just many interesting facts about Memorial Day that are worth noting as the United States prepares to commemorate the sacrifices of military personnel who died in service of the country.

• Memorial Day began as something of a grass roots movement. According to History.com, by the late 1860s individuals in towns across the war-ravaged United States began holding springtime tributes to soldiers who lost their lives during the American Civil War.

• Among the more notable postwar commemorations was one organized by former slaves in Charleston, South Carolina. That commemoration occurred less than a month after the Confederate forces surrendered in 1865. Despite that, History.com notes that in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the birthplace of Memorial Day.

• Postwar commemorations also were organized by northern veterans of the Civil War. General John A. Logan, who led an organization of Union veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance in May 1868. General Logan referred to the holiday as Declaration Day and chose May 30 because it was not the anniversary of any specific battle and therefore unlikely to be viewed by some as controversial.

• Early commemorations of Decoration Day, which gradually came to be known as Memorial Day, initially honored only those soldiers who died during the American Civil War. However, that changed over time as American servicemen fought in various wars, including both World Wars, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and other conflicts.

• The red poppy has become a symbol of Memorial Day. That red poppy can be traced to a poem by Canadian John McCrae, who served as a Lieutenant Colonel in World War I. “In Flanders Field” notes the red poppies that grew in fields where countless soldiers had been buried in modern-day Belgium. The poem was published in 1915, three years before the war ended. Sadly, McCrae himself was a casualty of the war, succumbing to pneumonia in France in 1918 while still in the service.

Memorial Day honors service personnel who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. The holiday’s inspiration and lengthy history merits consideration as the nation prepares to commemorate countless soldiers’ sacrifices once more.

 

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