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Village Times Herald

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Fischetti site excavations during the summer of 1981. Three Village Historical Society photo

By Beverly C. Tyler

For over 8,000 years, indigenous people, Long Island’s original settlers, have lived here. Today Native Americans still live in Brookhaven, where their ancestors settled in coastal villages.

Setalcott Indigenous People village, Vance Locke mural at the Setauket School.
Courtesy of TVHS

According to what we know today, the first settlers reached North America at least 13,200 years ago, possibly coming across the land bridge from Asia to Alaska; these Asiatic people were the first humans on the continent. However, there are now a few other sites in North and South America, including one near Pittsburgh, PA that indicate that humans were here earlier. 

Some of the earliest North Americans are called Clovis people. Clovis refers to the Clovis Point that was used as a spear point to hunt and kill the elephant-like Mammoths and Mastodons that populated North America at that time. The Clovis point is unique to North America. It, apparently, was not developed until humans crossed into North America. During a 300 year period Clovis people spread all over North America, including Long Island, and hunted the Mastodon and Mammoth to extinction. The Clovis culture existed from about 13,200 to 12,900 BP (Before Present), coming to an end at the same time that the last Mammoth disappeared from North America. A number of Clovis points have been found on Long Island.

There are three recognized periods of Native American culture. The earliest is Paleo-lndian culture. Paleo means “of ancient origin” (Webster’s New International Dictionary). This period extends from about 12,500 to 8,000 BP. The second period is called  Archaic culture. This is the hunting & gathering period which extends from about 8,000 to 3,000 BP. The third period is called Woodland Culture, the period when Native Americans first practiced agriculture and provided the first indication of the use of clay pottery.This period extends from about 3,000 to 1,000 BP.

The period that ended the isolation of Long Island Indians is called Late Woodland culture. This second part of the Woodland period extends from about 1,000 to the calendar year 1600. Native Americans reached their highest level of art and culture during this period, which also includes the first contact with European explorers, hunters, trappers and settlers.

First residents

We don’t know all the details about life on Long Island before the Europeans came because the people living here did not leave us a written or photographic record of their lives.

Fischetti site artifact – clay pot sherd. Three Village Historical Society collection/photo

Archaeological excavations have given us most of the details of how people lived in this area as early as 5,000 years ago. One of the most famous sites in New York State was a shell midden, along Aunt Amy’s Creek, named The Stony Brook Site, excavated by State Archaeologist William Richie, in 1955. From archaeological digs by Richie and others, we know that between 5,000 to 3,000 years ago, the native people were hunters and gatherers, dependent upon hunting local animals and gathering plants, stones and clay for food, shelter, tools, clothes and medicines.

The Fischetti Site is a prehistoric Native American site that was discovered during a cultural resource investigation (evaluating the building sites to see what, if anything, is there that might be of cultural/historical significance) of a proposed residential development in November of 1980. Salvage excavations (a more intensive archaeological dig because of the press of time) continued through October of 1981.

Artifacts from the Fischetti site in Setauket, along West Meadow Creek, are from what appears to have been a site for manufacturing stone tools and spear points. 

Fischetti site artifact – stone tool. Three Village Historical Society collection/photo

The site was probably selected by the Native Americans due to the availability of drinking water and food and shelter from the elements. It was occupied by Algonquin Indians about (circa) 3300-1000 B.P. We know the Algonquian used this location then because of the type of arrow and spear points and blades recovered. The major activity here, on the edge of Stony Brook creek, was making stone tools. We know this by the large quantities of stone flakes and roughed-out stones. Although native Long Island quartz was utilized, some flints (darker, almost black in color) from upper New York State and Connecticut were recovered, indicating some trading with other native groups.

The almost total absence of food remains at the site shows that this was not the location of a village. However, a village site–The Stony Brook site–existed approximately 700 meters (765 yards) to the south, along what is now known as Aunt Amy’s Creek, during the same time period.

This stone tool manufacturing site (Fischetti Site) was an area separated from the village, since the making of stone implements involved the hazardous work of chipping stone, resulting in flakes of sharp stone pieces flying all over the area. This area was still in use by Woodland Native Americans (circa 3000 B.P . To 1600) as pieces of clay pottery appear in the upper layers of the site. (From a report by Edward J. Johannemann and Laurie S. Billadello-Long Island Archaeological Project)

The artifacts taken from the Fischetti Site are part of the collection of the Three Village Historical Society. Artifacts from the Richie Site are a part of the collection of the New York State Museum.

Fischetti site artifacts – projectile point. Three Village Historical Society collection/photo

For thousands of years the Indians used natural resources, wood, stone and animals, to make their housing, tools and clothing. About 3,000 years ago, their way of life changed with the introduction of three things: pottery, the bow and arrow and horticulture. Like the earlier American Indians, the Woodland Indians continued to rely on natural resources.

Vance Locke pictures a Setalcott village along the shoreline of Setauket in what archaeologists call the Late Woodland Period from about 1,000 years ago to about the year 1600. 

There is a hunter, a woman making wampum and women grinding corn. Men are smoking fish and spearing fish from a trap. There are many other details in this scene that can be observed. The Setalcotts relied on the use of local trees and plants in their daily lives. Many of the native trees and plants can be found along the nature trails in the Frank Melville Memorial Park and Sanctuary in Setauket. Many are listed in the book Native and Near Native by Albert Hostek.

It is important for me (personally) to say, “I wish to acknowledge that I am sitting on the land of the Setalcott Indigenous people in Setauket and I pay respect to the Setalcott people whose land is where I live.” 

Beverly C. 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. WWW.TVHS.org 

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Left to right: Stephanie D’Auria, Susan Peretti, Myrna Gordon and Tom Lyon. Bill McNulty sits in front. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa 

At a bus station in Setauket along Route 25A, Bill McNulty, Susan Peretti and Myrna Gordon will often set up flags representing Ireland, Ukraine, Mexico and various other countries. Between the flags there is a sign that reads “HONK FOR PEACE.”

Myrna Gordon of the North Shore Peace Group. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

Among frequent honks and occasional shouts, both in derision and support, the three stand by their message and engage passersby in conversation. Other residents, inspired by their pacifist and “unpolitical” approach, will often join them.

In addition to the “HONK FOR PEACE” sign that McNulty has been using since the 1960s, the group set up a sign that reads “THE ‘TROUBLES’ THEN AND NOW.”  An Irishman, McNulty originally started sitting at the bench at the bus stop with only an Irish flag. The small act of solidarity was intended to acknowledge the “violent times” the Irish have had; however, the call for peace can now be applied to “any political movement.”

“We don’t subscribe to violence,” McNulty said. “We try to disarm the angry.”

Although the three have been involved in the North Shore Peace Group for years, it wasn’t until three years ago in the days leading up to St. Patrick’s Day that McNulty and others decided to amplify their message to Setauket at the bus stop that has become their signature place to organize. 

McNulty has been an activist for decades, once having fasted for 10 days as a protest. He opposed British involvement in Ireland and various other political movements; but the congregation of flags and call for peace is unspecific in some ways. The flags signify inclusion, the call for peace a statement with which most can agree. 

He said his intention is “not to fight them [those who disagree with his views] but to appeal to the mind.” 

“I want them to weep when they see the children. I want them to weep when they see what is happening in Ukraine,” he said.

Stephanie D’Auria joined the group after seeing them at the bus station several weeks before. Another resident Tom Lyon  arrived with a sign featuring the flags of several African countries. McNulty and Peretti said they would like to add even more. 

Lyon, incensed by civilian deaths falling under the category of “collateral damage” in the context of war, said he has been involved with advocacy since 1968.

While standing together on the afternoon of Friday, March 28, a driver called out, “Where is the American flag?” Indeed, the American flag was absent from the collection. 

“We’ve always had the American flag in our hearts and minds,” Gordon said. 

Further, Peretti argued that their group “stand here for years not because we hate the country but because we want the country to be better.”

“There is nothing more patriotic than realizing that your country was founded on self-determination. Defending this is patriotic,” McNulty said. “Democracy is compromise.”

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Ward Melville High School. File photo by Greg Catalano

By William Stieglitz

Over a hundred people attended the March 26 Board meeting for Three Village Central School District, where reported incidents of antisemitism were discussed. The week before, Superintendent Scanlon had sent out a letter saying the incidents were part of “a larger issue occurring that we need to address” and that the district “is planning immediate and long-term, systemic methods to address antisemitism, racism and hate speech.” The meeting’s high attendance required the use of two overflow rooms, where community members watched the meeting down the hall via livestream.

Scanlon said the incidents “occurred at our middle level” and “most incurred speech and insensitive acts or remarks,” though there were no acts of violence or threats. Under state regulations, he could not comment on the specifics as a matter of protecting students’ privacy, though the public comments from community members, along with the district’s proposed solutions, did provide context.

Community member Shelly Samson thanked Scanlon for the letter following what she described as “the antisemitism incident that occurred at Gelinas Junior High School… in a social studies class after viewing a film on the Holocaust,” expressing concern for the “very insensitive remark.” According to Scanlon, the board had met with the Westchester Holocaust Center following the incidents and Christina Cone, the director of social studies, will be bringing in a Holocaust survivor on April 9 for 10th grade students to meet. Additionally, he announced they have been communicating with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Jewish Partisan Educations Foundation (JPEF), and that the board will be looking at training for teachers and reviewing the current curriculum. “It doesn’t matter if it was 1 or 41,” he said regarding the incidents. “One is enough.”

Everyone who made public comments on the incidents thanked or praised the board for their handling of the matter thus far. Community member and parent Galia Lahav said she’d like to see education on implicit antisemitism in addition to the “very explicit antisemitism” of the recent incidents. Rabbi Aaron Benson from the North Shore Jewish Center spoke on the number of antisemitic incidents nationwide, saying there were 3,697 reported in 2022, then 3,291 from the time of the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel to the end of the year alone. Deborah Peretz, from the Israel advocacy group Stand With Us, asked for learning related to current issues, in addition to Holocaust education. “The Jewish people are living through history right now…. There’s a 23-year-old,” she said, referring to Israeli American solider Omer Neutra, who was reported killed during the October 7 attack. “He’s dead but he’s in the Gaza tunnels right now. He’s from Plainview. It’s 30 minutes away.”

Rabbi Josh Gray from Temple Isaiah did not speak during the public comment portion, but said afterward that he had met with Scanlon that week and is grateful the district is being proactive. Speaking on what actions community members can take to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination he said, “the best thing to do is to speak up when something is said… Call out hate wherever we see it. Be an ally to marginalized communities, and don’t let it slide. I think if we all stick together and stick up for each other we can create a community of communities, which is the ultimate goal.”

The other matters discussed at the Board meeting included the questions of whether to arm school guards and whether to take money from the emergency reserves to fund the budget. “The district is bankrupt in the sense that we can’t make payroll,” said trustee Dr. David McKinnon, who added they are currently projected to lose about 80 employees. The proposed budget is set to be adopted on April 9 with the community vote on May 20.

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Brian Crowe and Leilani Garcia on their trip. Photo courtesy Leilani Garcia

By Sabrina Artusa

Leilani Garcia and Brian Crowe learned a lot over their five-day, 80-mile hike from Robert Moses State Park in Babylon to the Montauk Lighthouse. They learned that short breaks every hour help them tackle their long 20-plus-mile days and how to adjust their 50-lb backpacks, crammed with food and fresh water, to better disperse the weight. They learned where the best beach camp spots are and how to follow the tides. Over the course of five days, they endured wind and rain, high tides and high mileage not just to reach their destination, Montauk, but to raise awareness for colon cancer. 

Crowe, a Huntington native, was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago in its late stages. Experiencing intense pain in his side, he went to see his gastroenterologist for the first time. A CAT scan revealed a tumor in his large intestine. The severity of the growth, which grew from seven centimeters to nine over the course of a week, was removed with the assistance of Crowe’s friend and surgeon Joesph Vazzana in in a 12-hour life-saving surgery. The 9-month recovery was “exasperating” for Crowe, who said he couldn’t walk or eat immediately after the operation.

“I was miserable,” Crowe said. “But he saved my life.” 

Throughout their hike, Crowe and Garcia spread their mission and succeeded in reminding people of the importance of getting a colonoscopy. 

Crowe said that cancer often goes untalked about. After getting it himself, he said he felt there was an “embarrassing” stigma surrounding the disease. “I didn’t want to talk about it and I didn’t want anyone else to talk about it,” he said. 

After finding out he had colon cancer, he discovered that several family members have also had cancer, including three of his aunts.  Now, he realizes that as a survivor, he has an “obligation” to talk about his experience and hopefully encourage others to routinely get a colonoscopy. 

“Reaching out to the community can save lives,” said Garcia, who has had family members affected by cancer.

Garcia and Crowe met at Decker’s Nursery and Florist, where Garcia, tired of her conventional Christmas tree, was perusing other indoor plants to decorate. There she met Crowe, who worked there and suggested the spiky Japanese orange bush Garcia ended up buying. 

When Crowe told Garcia about his longtime aspiration of traveling from Robert Moses to Montauk, Garcia took to the idea and helped bring it to fruition, creating a website to broadcast their mission. 

The trip

While the trip is dedicated toward raising awareness for colon cancer, Garcia and Crowe also went with the mission of reconnecting with nature and themselves.

The pair started their day at sunrise and usually walked until sundown, clocking as many miles as they could while also taking in “how unbelievable Long Island is.” Garcia and Crowe started their mornings by setting their intentions for the day. 

Fueled by Kind bars, dark chocolate and peanut butter, they traversed the coast, sometimes stopping to pick up interesting scallop shells, admire the view or talk to curious beachgoers. 

One man asked them what they were doing. When they told him about their “Mission to Montauk,” he immediately returned to his home, remembering to schedule his own colonoscopy. “It’s like holding the door for someone else,” Crowe said. 

When one of them got tired or discouraged, the other made sure to offer encouragement. Garcia mentioned how during a difficult portion of the hike, where she just wanted to stop and pitch the tent, Crowe encouraged her to sing, something he knows she loves to do. “We were kind of joyful in that chaos,” Garcia said, adding that both she and Crowe, who is also a music producer, have a deep appreciation for music. 

The wind was a challenge, and often required them to cover their faces. “We kind of opened up our minds a little bit going into the sand storm. Respect it, appreciate it, and see what goodness comes out of it.” 

Despite the challenges, Crowe and Garcia look at the experience with appreciation. “I felt so grounded and connected,” Garcia said.” It was meditative. . .it’s just like life. There are some challenges but with each challenge you become stronger [and] resilient.”

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File photo by Raymond Janis

 EPA and media need accountability

Based on a March, New York Times article, Daniel Dunaief expressed concerns the EPA “is exploring the possibility” of laying off over 1,000 scientists.  He urged EPA director, Lee Zeldin (R) to be selective before making any cuts. 

Even before Zeldin was sworn in, Biden EPA adviser, Brent Efron, was caught proudly announcing the agency was spending billions of taxpayer dollars before the Trump administration could stop them.  

“Get the money out as fast as possible before they come in….it’s like we’re on the Titanic and….throwing gold bars off the edge.”

Where’d the dough go?

“Nonprofits, states, tribes. We gave them the money because it was harder, if it was a government-run program, they could take the money away, if Trump won.”

Apparently, nongovernmental organizations  are a great place to stash gold bars because they avoid typical Fed spending “accountability.” So, they can act as weblike pass-throughs to other, politically favored outfits, while making it difficult to track how much money is actually going to “scientists.” 

EPA administrator Zeldin found $20 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, nestled in CitiBank, awaiting distribution. 

It was “awarded to just eight entities, that were then responsible for doling out your money to NGOs and others at their discretion, with far less transparency,” Zeldin explained.

He continued, “Of the eight pass-through entities…. various recipients have shown very little qualification to handle a single dollar, let alone several billions of dollars.”

Here’s just one example of the above-mentioned “web.”  Power Forward Communities Inc. got $2 billion, despite being set up in 2023 and showing only $100 in revenue for that entire year.  That outfit partnered with Rewiring America, where two-time Georgia gubernatorial loser Stacey Abrams (D) works as “corporate counsel.”  

As for the New York Times reporting on Zeldin’s EPA, let’s consider the source.  The “Gray Lady” cited House Democrats. Recall, the New York Times joined other major media outlets in losing tons of credibility by selectively censoring some stories (including those on COVID), while parroting Dem pols’ deceitful talking points on major, critical issues.  The most dangerous of which was assuring us that President Joe Biden (D) was cognitively capable of acting as commander in chief and leader of the free world.

We are a people burdened with $36 trillion dollars in debt, and a lack of faith in what is being reported as “news.” So the public needs to demand accountability from both the EPA and media.  Then use common sense and a critical eye to make honest judgments.  

Jim Soviero

East Setauket

Conscience Bay Society of Friends hope county officials protect everyone in spirit of the Constitution

Conscience Bay Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) was established in St. James in 1961. Most of us live in western Suffolk County and have deep ties to the area. On March 9, we met in a meeting for worship with attention to business and considered the circumstances currently faced by immigrants and refugees in our country. After prayerful consideration, we approved the following minute:

Conscience Bay Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends is united in the centuries-old Quaker convictions that every person has that of God/Spirit within them, that all are equal in dignity and worth, that all are deserving of compassion and fair treatment. With this understanding of how we can live together in peace, we have a deep concern for the well-being and rights of all. Therefore, we issue this public call for support and protection, without regard to their immigration status, of all immigrants and refugees in our extended community of Suffolk County, New York. We call upon our county officials to advocate and create policies that protect all individuals from unwarranted arrest, detention or deportation.

We ask that our county police remain in compliance with their central mandate to “Serve and Protect.” In fulfilling that vital and honorable role, there is no justification for our county or local police departments to act as surrogates for federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or associated agencies. We commend the ongoing efforts by individuals, organizations and local governments to provide essential services, advocacy and safety for immigrants and refugees.

It is our hope that you will do all that you can to protect the rights of everyone within your jurisdiction and that you will fulfill the duty of every elected official to live up to the letter and spirit of the Constitution of the United States.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Emerson

Clerk, Conscience Bay Meeting

Disappointing Town Hall

I am in agreement with the March 20 letters of Donna Newman and Robert Marcus regarding the disappointing so-called “Town Hall” meeting by Congressman Nick LaLota [(R—NY1)]. I specifically want to add that LaLota’s claims of asking constituents their opinions was self-serving. To ask whether or not we supported government waste was silly. Everyone objects to waste; but the real question is how much waste is there and is destruction of government agencies an acceptable way to deal with it. LaLota’s questions were only designed to reinforce his own views or rather the views of [President Donald] Trump [(R)], whom he supports in every way.

Respectfully,

Adam Fisher

Port Jefferson Station

Thank you to Three Village Community Trust

I want to thank the Three Village Community Trust and Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) for their recent recognition of the Setauket Neighborhood House as an important community asset and its continuing commitment to provide a warm and friendly meeting and gathering place for the community.

In 1918, local philanthropists Eversley and Minnie Childs gave the Setauket Neighborhood House to the residents of the Stony Brook and Setauket communities as a needed meeting place. For more than 100 years, the Setauket Neighborhood House and its board of dedicated trustees have provided a unique and treasured asset that has been a place for hosting community and family events in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

Thanks to all for recognizing my service as its manager and the importance of the Setauket Neighborhood House as a recognized Three Village community asset.

Maria Nardiello

Manager

Setauket Neighborhood House

Open letter to Congressman Nick LaLota

Prologue: I originally wrote the following letter a week ago. So much has negatively changed in what is happening with Social Security that I found it necessary to add this prologue. Offices have been closed. There is no one to answer the phones or you may have to wait 30 minutes to talk to someone. The Social Security website crashed two or three times last week. If there is an open office near you, the wait time standing in a line can be 4 or 5 hours.

Congressman LaLota (R-NY1), is this what you were elected to support? Do you support all these changes? Do you have anyone in your life that may have to deal with Social Security? I hope you help them.

But now how does someone in your district who may need help get in touch with you?

In the last few weeks it has been reported that the Department of Government Efficiency is now closing some Social Security offices and that phone access will no longer be available. One can only get in touch with the Social Security office online or in person. So, if you are new to Social Security or need to make any changes, you will either have to do it online or go in to an office, if there is one near you.

Congressman LaLota, since you have not objected to any of these cuts, I have to think that you support them. Therefore, anyone who needs help making any change to their Social Security should get in touch with you for help. Perhaps you have not realized that many of the people in your district are senior citizens, many of whom need their Social Security checks to make it through the month. Many of them do not have computers, and, if they do, they do not know how to do many things on the computer. Many of them no longer drive nor do they have someone who can take them to a Social Security office.

I have to ask if you have tried to find out how people in your district feel about all these changes. People who voted for you expected that you were going to make their lives easier, not harder, and by supporting these changes, everyone’s life is a lot harder.

So, Congressman LaLota, how are you going to help these people in your district?

Ernestine Franco

Sound Beach

BESS  estimates

In his letter of March 27 George Altemose makes a valid point that solar power on Long Island is too variable to be able to provide 100% of our needs so backup power of some kind is needed. However, his analysis of the number of homes that could be serviced by a 8.75 MW solar facility coupled to a battery facility (battery  energy storage system) contrasts with my personal experience. 

Using the time period that includes his use of August  2024 (I am billed on a two-month cycle) my two-month total usage was 1,123 kwh or an average of 780 watts contrasted to his home average use of 2,747 watts (both include use of air conditioning).  He makes a questionable assumption that the power requirement would double from the average when air conditioning is turned on for 4 hours and used that condition, not the average use, as a basis for need.  If our home use was typical, the number of homes that could be covered by BESS is larger than their calculation, not smaller.

Of course, there are many factors that will impact use of power, but one very noticeable change we noticed was the drop in energy usage with our conversion to heat pump air conditioning, which is much more efficient and quieter than other forms and can also provide heat when needed. 

Peter Bond

Stony Brook

Fact checking: ‘Reconfiguration is the right decision for 3V schools,’ appeared on March 20th

To my knowledge, not a single member of the Three Village community petitioned for grade restructuring. Restructuring is an administration-driven initiative that was pushed forward through the ‘Strategic Plan Committee’ meetings. Because many parents became concerned that this plan would make start times even worse than the current dismal state, it was primarily these parents who turned up and closely followed the restructuring meetings. Their main concern was that the restructuring, as initially planned, would have moved the 9th grade students to a 7:05am start time from the current 7:40 start time. This is obviously the exact opposite of what most parents wanted.

 As of my writing, the proposed budget simply maintains the status quo for the 9th grade student start times. This is appropriate, given that these students are the ones most affected by the restructuring at the secondary level. It is also in alignment with 15 years of recommendations from the community and relevant committees.

The request for later start times is not a new-found concern but a long-standing one rooted in over 30 years of research and backed by leading U.S. medical organizations. Locally, a 2019 petition urging the Three Village school Board and administration to adopt healthier start times obtained 1,700 signatures within days, a remarkable response. Dismissing this long-held goal as a “sudden desire” or “utterly useless” disregards medical evidence and years of parent advocacy.

The claim that teenagers will “fall asleep from boredom” if devices are removed is counterfactual for the many parents who have witnessed their children struggle to meet developmental sleep requirements, despite implementing good sleep hygiene habits. 

Barbara Rosati,

Dept. of Physiology

Stony Brook University

To the Board of Education and Administration of the Three Village Central School District

As we near school budget season, and the conversations increase in intensity and severity regarding where our money is allotted for the 2025-2026 school year, here are the top nominees for talking points in Three Village.

1. The upcoming reconfiguration

This is a change, decades in the making, that is being made through due diligence and circumspection for what is best for all Three Village students.  Those who continue to dissent and rail against this 21st century change choose to remain ignorant to the negative effects our current model spews on our student population and the positive monetary savings the district will reap.  The opportunities that will be offered to our sixth and ninth graders outweigh any and all possible repercussions that may befall them.  Imagine a world full of clubs and classes that they would not receive in their current placement and try to ignore the rantings of those who chose to deny the simple fact that our beloved Three Village needs a facelift. Moving on.

2. Start times

Stop the madness!  No matter what the supposed science says, a 30-minute change to our start times is an utter waste of over $1million and will not make one bit of difference.  If parents are so concerned with their children’s sleep habits, perhaps they should take the devices out of their little darling’s hands and tell them to go to bed.  I, and MANY others, are not willing to see class sizes rise and programs disappear so that kids can have an extra 30 minutes on their phones instead of in the classroom.  Think about the detriments there before we spend a million dollars of the budget to cover transportation costs rather than having educators in classes.  Are we willing to see the possible failure of the budget for this nonsense?

3. Security

Earlier this school year three Village had a fright.  A gun got into our high school and the situation was handled smoothly and transparently. However the resounding outcry that followed was even more disturbing.  Now we have a call to arm our security guards, despite the fact that extensive research has shown that armed guards have actually induced more violence in schools.  I am staunchly against allowing anyone to carry a firearm either in or around our schools as I do not believe, under any circumstances, that this will assist in dissuading someone who wants to commit a violent act on school property.  I appreciate the comprehensive work that has been done by Mr. Blaum and his team and I trust that the system they are currently implementing will keep our children safe while in school. Regardless of any former law enforcement experience, school security guards do not need to be armed, particularly if response times to tense situations are not improved.

4. Incidents of hate

Thank you, Dr. Scanlon for acknowledging that Three Village has a problem, although it is extremely disconcerting to know that it has gotten this far.  In our district we have had several antisemitic occurrences. We are very lucky that none of them have involved violence.  I sincerely hope that the administration and the board are working together to create a plan that will address all of the issues that are on the increase, particularly in the current environment that exists throughout our country.  When teaching kindness and compassion, as well as common courtesy and respect, there is no amount too high if it erases the feelings of hatred toward any fellow students.

Let’s get it together three Village and regain our standing in our awesome 2025-2026 middle school model.  We have so much to look forward to!

Stefanie Werner

East Setauket

I am ready to work for you as your trustee

I’m excited to share that I’m running for reelection for Port Jefferson village trustee. Over 24 years ago, Kelly and I made the decision to raise our family here in Port Jefferson, and it has truly been the perfect place to call home. Our children, Victoria and Stephen, have grown up here, and we’ve watched this village become an even more wonderful community with every passing year.

It has been a true honor to serve as your trustee for the past two years, and as deputy mayor for the past year. During this time, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many dedicated and talented people – from the team at Village Hall to volunteers who serve on committees like the Conservancy, Parks & Recreation, Tree Committee, Conservation Advisory Council and the Committee for Coastal Erosion. What I’ve come to appreciate is how much stronger we are when we work together to improve our village. I’ve always strived to listen, learn, and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.

With over 30 years in municipal government, including 18 years as the village clerk/administrator here in Port Jefferson, I’ve gained experience working alongside a wonderful staff, 10 mayors and many trustees. Through countless meetings, challenges and successes, I’ve learned what it takes to help a village prosper, and I’m committed to using that knowledge to make Port Jefferson even better.

There are still important opportunities ahead that we must address, like the stabilization of the bluff at the Port Jefferson Country Club, the future of the Power Plant and managing the growth of apartments. These issues require thoughtful leadership, and I believe my experience, ability to collaborate and passion for our community make me well-suited to help guide Port Jefferson forward.

Two years ago, I promised that I would always be available to listen to your concerns and ideas. I’ve kept that promise with my “Saturday Sit-Down” sessions, where I meet informally with residents to chat about village matters. My personal cell phone number is on my business cards and in my emails, and I encourage you to reach out to me. I’m here to listen, help, and be part of the solutions that make our village the best it can be.

I hope I can count on your support on June 17. Together, we’ll continue to make Port Jefferson the wonderful community that we all cherish.

Bob Juliano

Port Jefferson

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METRO photo

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

While a little bit of stress in one’s life can be a good thing, enabling high performance, for the most part, stress is a negative I try to reduce for myself as I get older. It took me many years before I even realized what stress was. It didn’t occur to me to think I was stressed the night before a big test or having to give a talk at the front of the class in junior high school. I just knew I first had to spend a long time in the bathroom. 

No one I knew then, teachers, students, or my parents, even used the word “stress.” Today it is frequently discussed, along with how to manage it. Schools of techniques have been developed concerning stress management, such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga.

What exactly is stress?

Stress is defined by the World Health Organization as “a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well being.”

Here is what I have found to be stressors in my life and what I have done to mitigate them.

One of the most obvious and perhaps the simplest to reduce is time pressure. Being late in my early years—for an appointment or with a delivery of a product or service —might have set me up, I am sure, for a possible ulcer later in life. While sometimes being late cannot be helped, we are lucky enough to live in an age where we can reach out and tell the person who is waiting for us that we are running behind, and when they can expect to see us. That takes away a great deal of stress. Three cheers for cell phones.

I used to be chronically late until I realized what a disservice that was for the person I was meeting, and also to myself, by adding so much pressure to what should be a matter of fact occurrence. Now, I take pleasure in being early, creating a situation in which I can settle in comfortably, study the menu if it is a restaurant, or get rid of some of my emails while I wait. 

Also, I hate to disappoint. As a result, I have learned not to promise or commit until I am absolutely sure I can deliver on my word. And if there is a delay in getting a job done, the sooner I tell the recipient of difficulties, the easier it is to deal positively with expectations.

That goes for declarations. For example, if I insist I will never do such-and-such, and then I wind up having to break my word, it pains everyone. Better just to do without, again, setting up false expectations. 

Then there are the situations where, if I cannot change what is happening, I can change the way I think about the event. 

Example: having a driver abruptly cut me off as I m driving. That could be a stressful moment, but I prefer to consider that the driver might be in some dire need to get somewhere. 

Or, if someone begins to yell at me for some perceived slight, or something we have written in the newspaper, I have to think that person might be having problems at home or some health issue. Which is not to say, I don’t sweep my conscience to determine if I am to blame. Sometimes I am at fault, although I would like to think of myself as Mary Poppins, “practically perfect in every way.” 

Kidding! 

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METRO photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

Even for a family that often lives in fifth gear, this weekend is especially frenetic.

First, on Saturday, we’re going to the wedding for a member of my wife’s extended family. We’ve been looking forward to this for more than a year.

Over 25 years ago, the bride attended our wedding in a white dress that, thanks to my mother in law, matched the one my wife wore. It’s so easy to recall her doe-eyed face when she and her younger brother set a speed record as they raced down the aisle.

We had asked the children on both sides to participate, which they did to the delight of our friends and family.

I’m sure memories of the bride and groom will play through many people’s minds during the wedding. As I sit with my wife, son and daughter, I will likely picture the four-year-old version of the bride, whom I used to throw as high and far as I could from the shallow end into the deep end in my father-in-law’s warm pool.

I’ll hold hands with my wife as we share in the excitement of this ceremony, which marks the beginning of their married life and is an extension of a high school friendship that has turned into something much deeper.

After the ceremony, we will reconnect with extended family, finding out recent details of their lives. We will hug and kiss the amazing grandmother, who has provided unconditional family support since the moment I met her close to 30 years ago.

Our niece will also be a major attraction, as she is the seven-months pregnant matron of honor and is the first member of the next generation on either side of our family who is expecting a child.

And then, ahhh, the dancing! My family will be on the dance floor as long as possible, throwing ourselves around as if we were in some kind of Zumba, aerobics, bodies-in-motion session. 

My shirt will become a much darker color as I sweat through it, and our daughter will somehow know the words to just about every song the band plays.

As the party winds towards its conclusion, we will continue moving and cheering, looking to squeeze every last drop out of this wedding.

The next day, we’ll amble out to a Sunday breakfast and recount some of the excitement from the night before.

But, wait, then there’s part two. We’ll head over to CitiField, where we’ll see my side of the family for a Mets game and, more importantly, celebrate a momentous birthday for our nephew.

We’ll share the excitement of this big birthday as we all become die hard Mets fans for the day, even as we also may share a few memories.

Indeed, when the birthday boy’s brother was born, my girlfriend (now my wife) and I drove to Baltimore. She left earlier than I. My then three-year-old nephew joined us as I walked her to her car.

“Bye, love you,” I said to my wife, kissing her through the rolled down window.

“Bye, love you,” our nephew echoed, standing on his tip toes as he offered an irresistible grin.

We’ll likely compare baseball stories and anecdotes about my nephew who has been married for over a year.

I may even tell the story about a memorable phone call.

His father, who wasn’t a morning person, called me early one Sunday. He asked me about my weekend and my plans for the week. Stupidly, I answered all his questions without thinking of the context for his life.

“Great,” he said, sounding both tired and excited. “Well, guess what?”

I shrugged while he paused either for effect or to take a quick rest.

“You’re an uncle,” he declared.

I jumped out of bed and couldn’t possibly get dressed quickly enough to meet someone I’m as eager to see today and any other day as the day he was born.

While we might wistfully recount such stories, we will also have the incredible gift of family time.Amid all the other times that come and go, we will have a full weekend where we won’t focus on whatever worries us about the world. We will share the joy of staying present, reveling in these magical moments that matter.

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Audrey Hirschmann

Audrey Eleanor Hirschmann passed away at home on Dec. 15, 2024. She lived in Strongs Neck for over 55 years. She is best known and remembered for having worked at the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library for over 40 years, where she was appreciated and loved by co-workers and patrons alike.

She grew up in Rockville Centre and attended Southside High School as well as The Southern Seminary Junior College for Women, where she majored in merchandising and was an award winning equestrian.

Upon graduating, she worked as a buyer in the bridal department for Lord & Taylor until marrying.  She is predeceased by her husband, William (Bill), to whom she was married in 1952 and passed in 2014, her son William Jr. (Billy) in 1982, and a long line of pampered dogs she and her husband cared for and loved throughout their marriage. She is survived by two daughters, Leslie Baffa of Stony Brook and Nancy Hirschmann of Philadelphia.

A celebration of Audrey’s life will be held April 4 at 5 p.m. in the community room of the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket. All are welcome to attend.

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'Trumpets' by Lori Horowitz

Fragile ecosystems will be on view as Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket presents Lori Horowitz: Undergrowth, from April 3 to May 11.

Undergrowth is Lori Horowitz’s first solo exhibition at Gallery North. The exhibition features mixed media sculptures, reliefs, and photographs. Larger than life carnivorous pitcher plants erupt from a frame immersing the viewer in a unique perspective.

‘Saracenia study 1’ by Lori Horowitz

Inspired by the study of the pristine and precious environment surrounding her family home, Horowitz explores the cycles of nature and the social complexities that threaten the delicate balance. Her works transform photographs into three dimensional compositions in a physically demanding sculptural process that mirrors the competing natural and man- made forces of growth and decay. The resulting botanical and organic forms reflect the often-hidden discourse encompassing the literal and symbolic dangers that threaten a fragile ecosystem. Viewers are invited to explore their connection to nature and the impact of its survival on humanity.

Lori Horowitz is a New York based artist. In addition to her studio art practice, Horowitz has worked as an arts educator, scenic designer, curator and gallerist. Each role has brought new perspectives to the development of her work. Horowitz serves on the Board of Directors for the NY Society of Women Artists and Long Island Craft Guild. Her work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the region.

The community is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, April 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. As a complement to the exhibition, Gallery North will host an ArTalk on Sunday, April 27 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Additional programming will include “Bringing the Woodland Home: Shade Gardening with Native Plants” a presentation by Kimberly Simmen of KMS Gardens on Sunday, April 13 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The exhibition, reception, ArTalk and presentation will be free and open to the public.

This exhibition is generously sponsored the Field Family, Pet ER 24/7, Jefferson’s Ferry, and Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Planning. 

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

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Suffolk County residents can call 311 to report an antisemitic incident. File photo from Steve Bellone’s Flickr page

The Three Village Central School District was the subject of much conjecture and anxious speculation last week after Superintendent Kevin Scanlon released a letter addressing incidents of antisemitism and hate speech at their schools. 

Addressing the problem means admitting there is one: something many would be hesitant to do; Scanlon and other administrators took a bold step, opening themselves up to criticism, in making a move towards change. 

In the letter, Scanlon states that current initiatives aren’t enough to abate hate speech and that more needs to be done to educate both students and employees. “It is evident that the numerous resources, programs and educational opportunities that the district currently provides are not enough,” the letter reads. 

The letter is upsetting as students are still being excluded, bullied or harassed in a place they should feel completely at ease and comfortable and where their identity doesn’t cause conflict or discomfort. 

It is comforting to know the district is tackling these problems aggressively and in spite of potentially opening itself up to “bad publicity.” The Anti-Defamation League records a 200% increase of antisemetic acts from 2023 to 2024—over 10,000 in one year.

Bullying is ubiquitous–a weed within every school– but education and thoughtful programing and training, initiatives Scanlon is suggesting, may be able to help. The rising antisemitism, however, is not normal. A 200% increase is completely unacceptable. In schools, it is possible that these children don’t know what they are saying is hurtful–maybe they are trying to be irreverent and rebellious. Hopefully, the Three Village School District is on track to eradicate hate from its schools–to educate and change the narrative around other religions and to promote curiosity and acceptance rather than blind rejection and alienation. After all, hatred often comes from ignorance and a lack of empathy. It’s hard to hate or bully someone you know, understand and respect. 

Rabbi Aaron Benson from the North Shore Jewish Center in Port Jefferson Station said he tries not to dwell on these acts of antisemitism. “I want the experience of the members of the congregation to be about the positive and joyful and meaningful aspects of Judaism,” Benson said, “and not about the people who say negative and cruel things.”

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