Village Times Herald

Three Village Historical Society’s Director of Education Donna Smith and historian Beverly C. Tyler. Photo from TVHS

The Three Village Historical Society has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. The grant will be used to create and install Digital Tapestry, an augmented reality experience created by the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. Digital Tapestry will focus on core members of the Setauket based Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolution and will incorporate technology that can be experienced through an app utilized on smartphones.

The exhibit is scheduled to open late Spring 2022 at The Three Village Historical Society History Center in Setauket. Digital Tapestry is an innovative, interactive, virtual experience that will use archival imagery that will guide the user through the exhibit. While using the app inside the exhibit, guests will meet key members of the Culper Spy Ring, who lived and operated out of the Setauket area, including Abraham Woodhull, Benjamin Tallmadge and Anna Smith Strong, to name a few of the narrators.

For more information, call 631-751-3730 or visit www.tvhs.org.

From left, John Lessard, CEO, DDI; Philip Veneziano, his son Christopher, and his wife Linda; and Monique Diaz, Residential Manager, DDI. Photo by Anekwe Noel (DDI)

Thanks to a $25,000 donation, residents of a group home for adults with developmental disabilities in Setauket will have guaranteed power for the continuity of critical systems, including life-sustaining medical devices, in the event of a power outage. Funding for the whole-house backup generator was provided by Linda and Philip Veneziano.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the installation of the whole-house backup generator was recently held at the home, operated by Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), where the Veneziano’s adult son, Christopher, resides. Mr. Veneziano is VP of Finance for Broadridge Financial Solutions and presently serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors at DDI.

“The addition of whole-house generators to our residences greatly enhances the lives of people with autism and other developmental disabilities, as well as the staff that care for them, by ensuring that their lives are not disrupted by power outages and that their health and safety are not jeopardized during emergencies,” explained John Lessard, CEO, DDI. “The generator will help ensure the continuity of electrical power and critical systems in the event of a power failure; we are thankful for this wonderful gift.”

The following incidents have been reported by the Suffolk County Police:

Centereach

A resident on Continental Drive in Centereach called the police to report a man had allegedly taken a delivery package off of his front porch valued at approximately $400 on Jan. 23.

■ A petit larceny was reported at Walmart on Middle Country Road in Centereach on Jan. 22. A woman allegedly stole a blender, two mixers, and one juicer with a total value of $650.

7-11 on Mark Tree Road in Centereach reported that someone allegedly stole two preloaded Vanilla Visa gift cards with a value of $500 each on Jan. 23.

A petit larceny was reported at Carters on Middle Country Road in Centereach on Jan. 28. Four women allegedly stole assorted children’s clothing with a value of approximately $200.

A resident on Bellwood Avenue in Centereach reported that a catalytic converter had been stolen from a 2002 Ford F250 on Jan. 23. Approximate value was $800.

Commack

A shoplifter at Home Depot on Jericho Turnpike in Commack was arrested on Jan. 24 for allegedly trying to steal 9 packages of electrical wire valued at approximately $1400.

■ A resident on Fairfield Way in Commack reported that someone stole their vehicle, a 2006 Hyundai Sonata, from the parking lot on Jan. 27. The keys had been left inside the car which was valued at $5000.

■ RX Express Pharmacy on Jericho Turnpike in Commack reported a burglary on Jan. 27. Two men allegedly broke a window, took assorted prescription drugs and fled the scene.

■ Walmart on Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack reported that a man allegedly stole a Hart chainsaw, Goodyear air compressor, clothing and more on Jan. 23. The value of the stolen items was $315.

Dix Hills

A resident on Ibsen Court in Dix Hills reported the theft of a catalytic converter from a 2009 Toyota Prius parked in the driveway on Jan. 23. The value was approximately $800.

Stop & Shop on East Jericho Turnpike in Dix Hills reported that a woman allegedly stole approximately $450 of assorted groceries on Jan. 23.

East Northport

A resident on 10th Avenue in East Northport called the police on Jan. 27 to report that a Tumi briefcase containing a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 was stolen from an unlocked vehicle. The items were valued at $850.

A resident on Cherry Street in East Northport was the victim of a scam on Jan. 26. A woman called the home posing as the victim’s daughter and said she had been arrested and needed bail money. A man arrived at the home and collected $8100.

East Setauket

■ Walmart on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket called police on Jan. 27 to report a man allegedly stole a Samsung 55” LED Smart TV worth approximately $500.

■ Store security at Walmart on Nesconset Highway in East Setauket called the police on Jan. 27 to report that a man had allegedly stolen 6 cases of Modelo beer from the store worth $180.

Fort Salonga

A home on Chestnut Stump Road in Fort Salonga was burglarized on Jan. 23. A suspect entered through an unlocked laundry room window and stole jewelry.

Hauppauge

■ A man called police on Jan. 27 to report his car had been stolen from the parking lot of QuickChek on Motor Parkway in Hauppauge. The man stated he left his 2000 Toyota Solara running while he went in to the store. When he came back out the car, valued at $1500, was gone.

Huntington Station

Macy’s on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station  reported a grand larceny on Jan. 28. A person allegedly stole 8 coats with an approximate value of $1500.

A male shoplifter was arrested at Saks Fifth Avenue on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station on Jan. 26 for allegedly stealing two dress shirts and jeans valued at $2400.

Lake Grove

■ A catalytic converter was reported stolen from a 2002 Ford F250 parked on Olive Street in Lake Grove on Jan. 22. The stolen item was valued at approximately $650.

■ A woman shopping at Trader Joe’s in Lake Grove on Jan. 27 left her pocketbook unattended in her shopping cart. When she returned her wallet containing credit cards and cash was missing.

■ Sephora at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove reported that a woman allegedly stole three Daisy by Marc Jacobs fragrances on Jan. 28. The items were valued at $340.

H&M at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove reported a petit larceny on Jan. 28. A woman allegedly stole assorted clothing valued at about $200.

Miller Place

A resident on Henearly Drive in Miller Place reported that someone stole a chainsaw worth $300 from his backyard shed on Jan. 24.

Mount Sinai

A resident on Barnsley Cres in Mount Sinai reported that his car had been broken into on Jan. 22 and a debit card was stolen. Over $1000 in purchases were subsequently made with the stolen card.

Port Jefferson

A resident on Longacre Court in Port Jefferson called police to report that cash was taken out of two unlocked vehicles parked in the driveway on Jan. 23.

A resident on Owasco Drive in Port Jefferson reported a car parked on their property was ransacked and cash stolen on Jan. 23.

Rocky Point

■ A burglary was reported at a vacant home on Garland Road in Rocky Point on Jan. 21. Suspects entered the home through a rear window and unlocked a sliding glass door before removing copper piping.

St. James

A petit larceny was reported at K&T Foot Spa on Lake Avenue in St. James on Jan. 24. A person entered the store, picked up the cash register containing cash and fled on foot.

Selden

■ Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden reported that a man allegedly stole $350 worth of car batteries from the store on Jan. 26 and fled in a Ford Edge.

A resident on Fulton Avenue in Smithtown reported that someone drove up to their mailbox and stole their mail on Jan. 25.

■ A resident on Alpine Court in Smithtown called police on Jan. 24 to report that someone stole his credit card and made $2600 worth of purchases at Brothers Wine, Walmart and two different Target Stores.

South Setauket

Target on Pond Path in South Setauket reported two shoplifters on Jan. 26. A man and a woman allegedly concealed 17 videos and 1 calculator in their jackets and walked out of the store.

Target on Pond Path in South Setauket reported a petit larceny on Jan. 26. A man allegedly stole a Dyson V8 Animal Vacuum valued at $400.

■ A man was stopped by store security at Home Depot on Middle Country Road in Selden on Jan. 26 for allegedly attempting to steal assorted power tools and wire worth around $2600.

Stony Brook

A resident on William Penn Drive in Stony Brook reported that a purse, credit cards and money were stolen from a vehicle parked on their driveway on Jan. 22. A front window was broken to gain entry.

Terryville

A resident on Terryville Road in Terryville reported a wallet with credit cards was stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Jan. 22.

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

Stock photo

Over the course of the last year, North Shore residents have gotten relaxed or forgetful when it comes to locking their car doors. 

For example, Fred Leute, chief of Port Jefferson’s code enforcement, said that over the past month, village code has been receiving calls about people rummaging through open vehicles.

He said that right now, thanks to Ring camera footage, they have seen three separate people on camera trying to open car doors. 

“They’re looking for loose change or cash,” he said. “They’re checking for open doors — not even looking inside.”

Leute said this can be prevented.

“Lock your doors,” he said. “Double check.”

And while the village experienced these incidents over the last few weeks, he said that this problem isn’t confined to just one area. 

“We’re aware of what’s going on,” Leute said. “It’s happening all over.”

A spokesperson from the Suffolk County Police Department said several North Shore hamlets have reported thefts from motor vehicles. These numbers cannot verify if a car was unlocked or not.

From January 2021 until this Jan. 22, there have been 111 reported thefts from a motor vehicle in Old Field, Poquott, Port Jefferson, Rocky Point, Selden, Setauket and Stony Brook.

Old Field and Poquott had the least amount, with just two each in the fall, while Selden experienced 46 thefts — the most happening in July, August and December of last year. 

Port Jefferson reported 10, 13 for Rocky Point, 17 for Setauket and 21 for Stony Brook.

These numbers also do not include thefts of parts from the vehicle like tires or catalytic converters. 

But along with small thefts from inside easy-to-reach cars, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D) said during a recent press conference that eight cars were stolen across Suffolk County in one week — Dec. 19 through Dec. 23.

“Many victims of vehicle theft not only leave their cars unlocked, but they leave key fobs in plain sight, either on the passenger seat, the driver’s seat or in the cup holder,” Bellone said during the Dec. 23 Hauppauge press event. “This allows car thieves to easily enter the vehicle and take off.”

Stock photo

When foxes are spotted in a neighborhood, residents may wonder if the animal poses any danger to them or their dogs and cats or if they have rabies because they’re out in the daytime. However, experts say seeing foxes out during the day doesn’t necessarily indicate rabies.

Tod the fox is currently recuperating from mange at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown. Photo from Sweetbriar

“Generally, foxes are most active at night or during twilight, however they can be active at other times of day when food demands are higher such as needing to conduct additional foraging to feed young,” according to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officials. “During the winter months, foxes may be more inclined to hunt during the day, so a sighting in daylight hours is often not an indication of a sick animal.”

The DEC added that foxes should be viewed at a distance while they are searching for their necessities.

“If foxes are being sighted near residential homes it is probably because some resource need is being met, i.e., shelter, such as under decks or sheds, access to food, where rodents or other natural forage are located.” 

Janine Bendicksen, curator and director of wildlife rehabilitation for Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown, said sometimes a person may see a fox circling. This is a result of people who feed them, which is not a good idea as they begin to depend on humans for food. Because of this dependency, when a fox sees a person, they begin circling in anticipation of being fed.

“The fox is definitely more afraid of you than you are of it,” she said. “Foxes have what they love to eat. They love to eat mice. They love moles, rats, and won’t necessarily go after your cat or dog. Could they? Absolutely. But chances are they’re going to be more afraid of the dog than it is of them.”

While people don’t have to worry about their dogs and cats if foxes are spotted, they do have to keep an eye on their chickens. Bendicksen said people who find that foxes get into their chicken cages need to house the birds in an enclosure that is completely fox proof because the animal can get to the chicken easily if there are any substantially sized holes.

Tod the fox was found outside someone’s back door. Photo from Sweetbriar

Fox population

Bendicksen said there hasn’t been an uptick in the fox population necessarily, but with more people at home during the pandemic, she believes more residents have noticed them than they did in the past. Even the number of calls they have received about injured wildlife, in general, have increased over the last couple of years, she said, as people are spending more time outdoors.

The fox population is a cyclical one. When it’s a good summer and they can get more than adequate amounts of food, she said, in turn, the animals have many pups.

However, this can result in overpopulation and the foxes get mites, which cause the contagious disease known as mange. The foxes can die from the disease. When another good summer comes along, the population can grow again. 

“The population does go up and down based on food and based on the disease that keeps them in check,” Bendicksen said.

Recently, the nature center saved a fox with mange when a resident found him curled up outside their front door.

“He would not have survived the winter,” the wildlife director said. “We literally got him just in the nick of time. His hair just started to fall out. His eyes were just starting to shut. He would have died of secondary infections and starvation had he not come in.”

The fox, named Tod by the staff, will now spend the winter with the nature center and be released in the spring when he is “older and wiser,” according to Bendicksen.

Injured foxes

If a person sees an injured fox, they should contact an animal rescue such as Sweetbriar (631-979-6344, www.sweetbriarnc.org).

Bendicksen said foxes are difficult to catch, and they have to be extremely sick for a person to catch them. She pointed out that people rarely see foxes hit along the road because of their speed and other skills.

“The foxes are truly super intelligent, super shy, super careful, and so to catch a sick fox, they have to be in pretty bad shape,” she said.

Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook University men’s track and field team competed in the Great Dane Classic meet hosted by UAlbany on Jan. 29 at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex.

Senior Robert Becker and junior Shane Henderson led the way for the Seawolves earning first-place finishes in the mile and 5000 meter, respectively. Becker clocked in at 4:07.33 for the mile and Henderson crossed the line in 14:20.63 for the 5000 meter.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Becker earned a first-place finish in the mile with a final time 4:07.33. Aiden Smyth and Conor Malanaphy followed closely behind in third and fourth place with final times of 4:10.19 and 4:10.98, respectively.
  • Henderson took first and set a new personal best in the 5000 meter crossing the line in 14:20.63. Carlos Santos finished closely behind in third-place with a final time of 14:26.36 also setting a new personal best.
  • Richmond Boateng earned a second-place finish and set a new personal best in the 400 meter clocking in at 48.54. Aleks Zdravkovic crossed the line in 49.66 earning an eighth-place finish.
  • Colin Ross finished in second-place and recorded a new personal best in the 3000 meter with a final time of 8:22.80. Ryan Dearie also set a new personal best with a time of 8:31.60 which was good for an 11th place finish.

NEXT UP
The Seawolves are back in action for the Boston University Scarlet & While Invite on Saturday, February 5 in Boston.

Earlette Scott

For the first time in her career, Stony Brook University senior guard Earlette Scott has been named the America East Player of the Week. Scott had a dominant two games as she helped Stony Brook to a 2-0 record on the week.

The senior averaged 16.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Scott shot an efficient 47.4 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 100 percent from the stripe.

Scott filled the stat sheet for the Seawolves on Jan. 26 vs. the Catamounts. She finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and a team-high tying three steals. The guard shot 50.0 percent from the field and converted a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. Her eight made free-throws were the most that she has made in a game while at Stony Brook.

In Jan. 28th’s win over New Hampshire, the guard led the scoring for the Seawolves, recording a team-high 15 points. She also finished with a team-high three made three-pointers and shot 5-of-11 from the field in her 29 minutes of play.

Earlette Scott takes control of the ball during last Friday's game. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

The Seawolves used a second half surge to down New Hampshire, 73-60, on Jan. 28. With the win, the Seawolves extended their winning streak to eight games in a row. The eight-game winning streak marks a season-high and the team’s longest winning streak since they won 22 consecutive games during the 2019-20 season.

After trailing, 29-28, at the halftime break, Stony Brook went on to outscore New Hampshire, 45-31, over the final 20 minutes of the game. Senior guard Earlette Scott led the Seawolves in scoring as she poured in 15 minutes en route to the win. The guard scored 10 of her 15 points and shot a near perfect 3-of-4 from the field in the second half as she fueled Stony Brook’s offensive attack.

Graduate forward India Pagan registered her first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Graduate forward Leighah-Amori Wool joined Scott and Pagan in double figures as she finished the game with 11 points.

Stony Brook’s lead grew to as large as 17 points with 1:00 minute to play in the game. The Seawolves shot an efficient 43.1 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from behind the arc. Stony Brook knocked down 10 threes, its most in a game this season. 

The team returned to the court Feb. 2, when it traveled to Vestal, to take on Binghamton. Results were not available as of press time.

Jahlil Jenkins takes a shot during last Friday's game. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook men’s basketball team (12-7, 5-2 America East) flew out of the gates on Jan. 28, building a 20-point advantage against New Hampshire, and were able to hold on 76-69 at Lundholm Gymnasium in Durham.

Jahlil Jenkins finished the day with a team-high 20 points, while Anthony Roberts and Tyler Stephenson-Moore joined with 17 and 16, respectively. 

After New Hampshire took a 6-4 lead, the Seawolves ripped off an 18-0 run, during which they made all six of their shots from the field and four from beyond the arc. At 22-6, Stony Brook slowly grew the advantage to 38-18 at the 2:55 mark of the period. They would take a 16-point advantage into the break.

The Wildcats were able to bring it as close as four in the second 20 minutes, with the Stony Brook advantage dwindling to 55-51 with 9:20 to go, but the Seawolves quickly responded with nine of the next 10 points to balloon the lead back to double figures.

Stony Brook cemented its position in second place in the America East, going into the weekend at 5-2 in league play.

“That’s an awesome road win for us. They were a team that was 7-0 at home and are a really physical squad we had to face on a short turnaround. We played at a really high level for the entire game. They made some runs in the second half, which good teams do, but we were able to keep a comfortable lead despite them playing really well in the second half. The runs had more to do with how well they were playing, I did not think we played poorly in the second half. Overall, it’s a really good win for us on the road,” said head coach Geno Ford

The team returned home for a SUNY battle with Binghamton on Feb. 2. Results were not available as of press time.

‘76’, photograph by Joseph Reboli

Through March 27, The Reboli Center for Art & History in Stony Brook will for the first time feature the photographs of the late artist Joseph Reboli and several well-known Long Island and New York based photographers including Donna Crinnian, Jeremy Dennis, Vanessa Fischer, Daniel Jones, Jacques LeBlanc, Timothy McCarthy, Jessica Neilson, Patricia Paladines, Matthew Raynor, Paul Scala, Leonid Shishov, Corinne Tousey, Marlene Weinstein, and Jo-Anne Wilson in a new exhibit is titled Through the Lens.

Photo by Jeremy Dennis

In conjunction with the exhibit, the History Room will feature a companion show focusing on the life and work of nature photographer, Howard Eskin, a patron of the arts and dear friend of Joseph Reboli, who also collected many of his paintings.  Eskin concentrated on photographing nature, and many of his pictures were published by the Audubon Society. In addition, there will be a slideshow depicting the evolution of photography from when the first recorded photograph was taken in the early 1800s.

“Just as Joe’s paintings glowed with illuminous light, so do his photographs. Joe was not widely known for his photography, but he really enjoyed it and I am happy to share that side of him. I have known the Eskin family for a longtime, and am very proud to document Howard’s life and work as part of this new exhibit,” said Lois Reboli, a founder and president of the Reboli Center.

The Reboli Center is located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 631-751-7707 or go to www.ReboliCenter.org.