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Preliminary election results as of Nov. 2

by TBR Staff - November 2, 2021

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Polls closed at 9 p.m. and TBR News Media will update the results throughout the night.

The following are not the final election tallies, as the Suffolk County Board of Elections still has to count all absentee ballots starting. All current results can possibly change in the next few weeks, and those finding themselves in even moderately close races could see a shift.

As of 12:30 a.m:

Suffolk County District Attorney

Tim Sini (D) – 108277 votes 42.69%

Ray Tierney (R) – 145292 votes 57.28%

Suffolk County Sheriff

Errol Toulon Jr. (D) – 135162 votes 54.39%

William Amato (R) – 113285 votes 45.58%

Suffolk County Legislator, 6th District:

Sarah Anker (D) – 7141 votes

Brendan Sweeney (R) – 8329 votes

Suffolk County Legislator, 5th District:

Kara Hahn (D) – 7582votes

Salvatore Isabella (R) – 7508 votes

Suffolk County Legislator, 4th District:

Dawn Marie Sharrock (D) – 3066 votes

Nicholas Caracappa (R) – 7702 votes

Suffolk County Legislator, 16th District:

Susan Berland (D) – 5640 votes

Manuel Esteban (R) – 6165 votes

Suffolk County Legislator, 12th District:

Leslie Kennedy (R) – 6754 votes

Mike Sidekaris (D) – 2411 votes

Suffolk County Legislator, 13th District:

Rob Trotta (R) – 5761 votes

Kevin Mulholland (D) – 2564 votes

Michael Simonelli (C) – 2675 votes

Suffolk County Legislator, 18th District:

Mark Cuthbertson (D) – 9765 votes

Stephanie Bontempi (R) – 11419 votes

Brookhaven town clerk:

Donna Lent (R) – 54085 votes 67.89%

Ira Costell (D) – 25546 votes 32.07%

Huntington supervisor:

Rebecca Sanin (D) – 17782 votes 39.90%

Edmund Smyth (R) – 25057 votes 56.22%

Eugene Cook (Stop LIPA) – 1727 votes 3.87%

Huntington town council member – two seats:

Jen Hebert (D) – 18174 votes 21.01%

Joseph Schramm (D) – 17171 votes 19.85%

Dave Bennardo (R) – 26300 votes 30.41%

Salvatore Ferro (R) – 24835 votes 28.71%

Huntington superintendent of highways:

Kevin Orelli (D) – 19338 votes 43.39%

Andre Sorrentino (R) – 25216 votes 59.58%

Smithtown town supervisor:

Ed Wehrheim (R) – 20446 votes 75.01%

Maria Scheuring (D) – 6806 votes 24.97%

Smithtown town council member – two seats:

Thomas McCarthy (R) – 19753 votes 37.31%

Lynne Nowick (R) – 19833 votes 37.46%

Dylan Rice (D) – 6965 votes 13.16%

Marc Etts (D) – 6378 votes 12.05%

Smithtown town clerk:

Vincent Puleo (R) – 18537 votes 99.80%

Smithtown superintendent of highways:

Robert Murphy (R) – 22231 votes 99.80 %

St. Charles Hospital offers veterans smiles and more

by Daniel Dunaief - November 2, 2021

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stcharlesrogovitzsurfing — Rogovitz with his son Gene and his grandson Gavin surfing at Gilgo Beach in Babylon. Photo from Rogovitz

Charles Rogovitz hopes to get bottom dentures so he can relieve the stomach pain he gets from partially chewed food and can eat an apple again. Todd Warren needs to have a root canal to become eligible for a new kidney.

Rogovitz and Warren are two of the veterans who will attend free Port Jefferson-based St. Charles Hospital’s “Give Vets a Smile” clinic on Nov. 3.

The event, which has become biannual this year and is fully booked, will provide dental care for 20 to 25 veterans.

Currently sponsored by a grant from Mother Cabrini Foundation, St. Charles has been providing an annual dental clinic for veterans since 2016.

“Our goal is to reach out to the [veterans] who do not have traditional insurance through employers,” and who “fall through the cracks,” Dr. Keri Logan, director in the Department of Dentistry at St. Charles, explained in an email. “That includes veterans who are not 100% disabled and perhaps make too much money for Medicaid, those that are homeless and the like.”

St. Charles hopes to “get as much done for them as possible,” which means that appointments typically include a visit with a hygienist as well as a dentist, Dr. Logan added.

Dr. Logan explained that veterans who do not have insurance or the means to go to a dentist regularly for routine cleanings and treatment have an increased incidence of cavities, infections and/or periodontal disease.

The event is in memory of Mark Cherches, who spent 57 years at St. Charles Hospital’s Dental Clinic and played a key role in bringing Give Veterans a Smile day to the hospital.

Dr. Cherches “heard of this from another facility a few years back and he was instrumental in giving us the idea,” Dr. Logan explained.

St. Charles is hosting the event at the Stephen B. Gold Dental Clinic.

Ruth Gold, wife of the late Stephen Gold, who was a pediatric dentist and for whom the clinic is named, appreciates the fact that the clinic is expanding with outreach programs to help the community.

The daughter of World War II veteran Milton Kalish, Gold is thankful for members of the armed forces who are “defending our country.”

Gold added that her husband would be “pleased” with the effort. “These are people who wouldn’t ordinarily go out to get their teeth checked, so this is very important.”

Rogovitz

Indeed, Rogovitz hasn’t been to a dentist in a quarter of a century.

A retired contractor who was a sergeant in the Marine Corps in Vietnam in 1967, 1968 and 1969, Rogovitz has lost his bottom teeth over the years, pulling them out when they come loose.

A resident of Babylon Village, Rogovitz has visited dentists, who estimated that it would cost $2,400 and about eight months to provide dentures for his lower jaw. He also needs dentures on his upper jaw.

“I’m hoping for the best,” Rogovitz said. “Worst comes to worst, I’ll get a lower denture and I’ll be able to masticate my food properly and not have stomach issues.”

Rogovitz has circled Nov. 3 on his calendar with highlighter in multiple colors.

The retired marine has been eating soft foods.

Rogovitz owes his life to his son Gene, who urged him to see a doctor for a general checkup in 2016. The doctor found early stage prostate cancer, which is in remission.

Rogovitz is convinced he developed cancer during his service in Vietnam, when he was given a bag of defoliant and was told to rip it open and scatter it in the grass.

In addition, he lay in fields sprayed with Agent Orange.

Despite his health battles, Rogovitz, who calls himself a “young 74,” enjoys surfing with his son and his nine-year-old grandson, Gavin.

In addition to biting into an apple, which he hasn’t done in about 12 years, he hopes to chew on an ear of corn on the cob.

Warren

A veteran of the Navy who went on three deployments during Desert Storm, Warren has received dialysis three days a week for over 18 months.

Warren, whose rank was Petty Officer 2nd Class E5, would like to join the list for a kidney transplant.

“You have to be cleared by all these departments first,” said Warren, who is a resident of Bay Shore. “One of them is dental.”

Unable to do much walking in part because of his kidney and in part because of his congestive heart failure, Warren can’t join the organ recipient list until he has root canal.

“All of that is holding me up,” Warren said. “I have to get this root canal to get this kidney transplant.”

While St. Charles Hospital can’t guarantee any specific treatment, the dental clinic does offer root canal work as a part of that day’s free dental service for veterans.

Warren, who is 53, has sole custody of his nine-year-old son, Malachi.

An athlete in high school who played basketball and soccer and ran track, Warren is limited in what he can do with his son in his current condition.

Warren had two teeth extracted at the Veterans Administration and is also hoping to fill that hole. When he drinks, he sometimes struggles to control the flow of liquid, causing him to choke on soda or water.

“I’m trying to do the best I can” with the missing teeth in the bottom of his mouth and the need for a root canal in the top, he said.

On behalf of himself and other veterans, Warren is grateful to St. Charles Hospital.

“I appreciate what they’re doing,” Warren said. “Let’s take care of the vets who were willing to put their lives on the line for this country.”

Connetquot T-Birds pickoff Ward Melville Patriots

by Bill Landon - November 1, 2021

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The Patriots of Ward Melville, the No.3 seed in girls volleyball, enjoyed a bye week in the Class AA playoff bracket when they faced Connetquot, the No. 6 seed, at home Oct. 27.

The rest didn’t help as the T-Birds eliminated Ward Melville in three straight sets. The Patriots led by eight points in the opener before Connetquot nipped away and tied the game at 14 before winning it, 25-23. The Patriots fell flat in the second match falling, 25-14, and staring at the brink of elimination. The T-Birds finished what they started by winning the third set, 25-21, to advance to the semi-final round Oct. 29.

Ward Melville concluded their 2021 campaign with a 11-1 League I record and 14-2 overall.

Town of Brookhaven holds Thanksgiving Food Drive through Nov. 15

by Press Release - November 1, 2021

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Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine has announced that the Youth Bureau INTERFACE Program’s Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive will run from October 15 to November 15. INTERFACE is a partnership between individuals, generous corporate neighbors and the Town of Brookhaven united in a shared effort to provide assistance to Brookhaven’s less fortunate residents all year round.

Supervisor Romaine said, “Every year, our Thanksgiving Food Drive provides healthy holiday meals to families in need throughout Brookhaven Town. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Youth Bureau staff, and volunteers have risen to the challenge by collecting donations are committed to make the holidays.”

“Many families struggle to make ends meet and our Thanksgiving Food Drive eases the stress of how they will pay for Thanksgiving,” said Councilman Michael Loguercio, Town Board Liaison to the Youth Bureau. “Thank you to the Youth Bureau and all the local businesses and residents who contribute to this drive each year.”

Last year’s Thanksgiving Food Drive provided hearty Thanksgiving meals for 956 families in need, feeding a total of 4,342 people. Without the generous contributions received during this drive, this would not have been possible.

Drop off locations for this year’s Thanksgiving Food Drive include:

Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville
Brookhaven Town Highway Department, 1140 Old Town Road in Coram
Brookhaven Town Parks & Recreation Department, 286 Hawkins Road in Centereach
Brookhaven Town Vehicle Control Building, 550 North Ocean Avenue in Patchogue
Coram Fire Department, 303 Middle Country Road in Coram
College 101 Resource Center, 290 Main Street in East Setauket
Rose Caracappa Senior Center, 739 Route 25A in Mount Sinai
Modular Devices, 1 Roned Road in Shirley

Suggested food items for donations include all non-perishables, including, but not limited to canned cranberry sauce, stuffing, canned vegetables, canned sweet or white potatoes, instant mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, soup, jar or canned sauce, pasta, canned pasta, macaroni & cheese, cake mix, icing, pudding, jello, cookie mix, cereal, and juice. Due to refrigeration requirements, the Town cannot accept frozen turkeys. However, residents can donate $10 gift cards from local supermarkets, enabling families to purchase turkeys. For more information about the Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau INTERFACE Program’s Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, call 631-451-8011.

SBU study reveals motor cortex could have larger role in Parkinson’s Disease

by Press Release - October 31, 2021

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The role of neuron and dopamine loss in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) has long been recognized by neuroscientists. However, how dopaminergic modulation affects brain regions involved in the control of voluntary movement remains a subject of investigation.

Researchers in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, used an experimental model to demonstrate that a loss of midbrain dopaminergic centers impairs the ability of the primary motor cortex neurons to transform inputs into appropriate output. The finding, published in eNeuro, supports a new line of research regarding the origins of changes in the motor cortex and its role during PD.

Patients with PD show abnormal activity in the motor cortex, which to date remains difficult to explain. Scientists have proposed that motor cortex dysfunction in PD may come from loss of direct dopaminergic innervation of the cortex, or, alternatively, it could arise as a consequence of basal ganglia pathology.

Dopamine neurons are vital to a healthy brain, but they degenerate in Parkinson’s Disease. This coronal section of the ventral part of the brain visualizes midbrain dopamine neurons in a healthy brain. Green: dopamine neurons. Red: axons from the motor cortex. Blue: all neurons, cell bodies. Image from Olivia Swanson

“Our study shows that the changes in excitability of motor cortex neurons very likely are due to basal ganglia pathology and not loss of direct dopaminergic innervation of the motor cortex,” says Arianna Maffei, PhD, Professor of Neurobiology and Behavior. “The results we showed support the idea that changes in motor cortex activity due to loss of dopamine are very important for the pathophysiology of PD. This adds to our current knowledge and points to the motor cortex as a potential novel site for intervention.”

The research team assessed how the loss of dopamine affects the input/output function of neurons in the motor cortex. They tested three different ways to reduce dopamine signaling to ask how motor cortex dysfunction may arise: 1) Used pharmacology to block the receptors selectively in the motor cortex 2) Injected a toxin that kills dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain to induce basal ganglia pathology, and 3) Used the same toxin to eliminate dopamine neuron axons in the motor cortex to test the possibility that loss of dopaminergic input to the motor cortex may be responsible for its dysfunction.

Professor Maffei explains that the idea behind these approaches was to dissect out the circuit mechanisms underlying loss of function in the motor cortex and possibly use these data to better understand PD pathophysiology.

Overall, the research demonstrated that diminished dopamine signaling, whether acute or chronic, has profound effects on the excitability of primary motor cortex neurons.

The authors believe the results should spur additional research that focuses on the primary motor cortex as an additional site of intervention to treat motor symptoms and improve outcomes in PD patients.

TVSD student Joseph Peritore takes part in Great Cycle Challenge

by Press Release - October 31, 2021

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Cycling for a cause

Arrowhead Elementary School student Joseph Peritore once again joined his father’s team this September on a ride to fight childhood cancers by taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge.

With the amazing support from the Three Village community last year, Joseph was able to raise $3,406 for Children’s Cancer Research Fund. This motivated him to ride a total of 53 miles and also earned him the rank of #1 in his age group in the state and top 10 in the nation. This year, he has raised more than $2,290 and has rode more than 20 miles.

Joseph was recently honored by Three Village Central School District Board of Education for his altruistic efforts and is pictured with, from left, Arrowhead Assistant Principal Tanya Hurowitz, Principal Marisa Redden, Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Pedisich and Board of Education President Deanna Bavlnka.

For more information about his work or to donate to Joseph’s team, please visit: https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/JosephPeritore

Happy Halloween from TBR News Media!

by TBR Staff - October 31, 2021

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Witch-ing you a spook-tacular Halloween!

Stony Brook University Hospital named one of America’s 100 best for cardiac and stroke care

by Press Release - October 31, 2021

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0-3 — Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Medicine

According to new research released by Healthgrades, Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) has earned national recognition as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery™, one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention™ for seven consecutive years, one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care™ for eight consecutive years and one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care™ for seven years in a row. Every year, Healthgrades, a leading online resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems, evaluates hospital performance at nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 31 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions.*

“As the new leader of the Stony Brook Medicine healthcare system, I’m delighted by all that Stony Brook University Hospital has accomplished to earn this well-deserved recognition,” said Hal Paz, MD, Executive Vice President, Health Sciences, Stony Brook University. “I’m excited to be part of an organization that is so fully committed to quality patient outcomes, and enhancing the lives of our patients, their families and the community.”

“Being named as one of America’s best year after year shows our staff’s commitment to providing nationally recognized high-quality care to every patient who walks through our doors,” said Carol A. Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, Chief Executive Officer for Stony Brook University Hospital. “These exceptional patient outcomes are a direct result of Stony Brook’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of service.”

“Consumers can feel confident in the America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac and Stroke Care for their commitment to quality care and exceptional outcomes. The recognition helps provide peace of mind when selecting a place for care,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Data Science at Healthgrades.

This year, Stony Brook University Hospital has taken many steps to raise the bar for cardiac care on Long Island. The Stony Brook University Heart Institute opened its Cardiac Catheterization (Cath) and Electrophysiology (EP) Advanced Multifunctional Laboratory, bringing more advanced cardiac diagnosis and treatment to patients. Central to the lab’s operation is the latest-generation image-guided diagnostic and therapeutic imaging system, the Philips Azurion 7, which provides imaging capabilities at ultra-low radiation dose levels — allowing physicians to conduct more complex procedures with greater precision and adding a significant measure of safety for both the patients and medical team. The Heart Institute also added the Center for Advanced Lipid (Cholesterol) Management, the first of its kind in Suffolk County. The center uses testing tailored to each patient to get a complete understanding of inflammatory markers, lipid profile, apolipoprotein B levels and more. From there, Stony Brook experts can develop a cardiac disease prevention and cholesterol management plan.

Stony Brook Medicine continues to operate Long Island’s first and only Mobile Stroke Unit Program, designed to provide specialized, lifesaving care to people within the critical moments of a stroke before they even get to the hospital. This allows for time-sensitive stroke therapies to be administered earlier and for the transport of stroke patients directly to the most appropriate hospital for the level of care they require.

In 2021, SBUH received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Award with Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. The award recognizes Stony Brook Medicine’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Stony Brook University Hospital was also recognized by Healthgrades for the following clinical achievements:

America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award for 3 years in a row (2019-2021)
Cardiac Care Excellence Award for 8 years in a row (2015-2022)
Coronary Intervention Excellence Award for 8 years in a row (2015-2022)
Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award for 2 years in a row (2021-2022)
Neuroscience Excellence Award for 7 years in a row (2016-2022)
Stroke Care Excellence Award for 7 years in a row (2016-2022)
Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award for 3 years in a row (2020-2022)

For its analysis, Healthgrades evaluated approximately 45 million Medicare inpatient records for nearly 4,500 short-term acute care hospitals nationwide to assess hospital performance in 31 common conditions and procedures and evaluated outcomes in appendectomy and bariatric surgery using all-payer data provided by 16 states. Healthgrades recognizes a hospital’s quality achievements for cohort-specific performance, specialty area performance, and overall clinical quality. Individual procedure or condition cohorts are designated as 5-star (statistically significantly better than expected), 3-star (not statistically different from expected) and 1-star (statistically significantly worse than expected).

###

About Stony Brook University Hospital:

Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) is Long Island’s premier academic medical center. With 624 beds, SBUH serves as the region’s only tertiary care center and Regional Trauma Center, and is home to the Stony Brook University Heart Institute, Stony Brook University Cancer Center, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute. SBUH also encompasses Suffolk County’s only Level 4 Regional Perinatal Center, state-designated AIDS Center, state-designated Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, state-designated Burn Center, the Christopher Pendergast ALS Center of Excellence and Kidney Transplant Center. It is home of the nation’s first Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Center. To learn more, visit stonybrookmedicine.edu/sbuh.

Cayla’s Column: Three Village Historical Society’s Graveyard Tour

by Cayla Rosenhagen - October 29, 2021

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By Cayla Rosenhagen

After British General Charles Cornwallis famously surrounded during the Battle of Yorktown — the last battle of the American Revolution — he returned home to England. During a dinner party in London, he was questioned about the significant defeat.

“General Washington did not out-battle us,” he replied to the inquiry, “He out-spied us.”

The spies which he referred to were almost certainly the Culper Spy Ring, a network of daring Patriots, many of whom lived here in Setauket, who supplied the Continental Army with invaluable intelligence. Some of its members included Abraham Woodhull, Anna Smith Strong, Caleb Brewster, and Robert Townsend.

The Three Village Historical Society’s Graveyard Tour enveloped me in our community’s rich history as I listened to the heroic tales of these brave spirits and others. On the crisp, autumn evening of October 23, volunteers Rick Melidosian, Pat Galaskas, and Nikkeya Bell led our group of 20 through the cemeteries of the Presbyterian Church of Setauket and the Caroline Church to visit some of the historic figures buried there.

The lantern-lit tour began at dusk as a cool breeze swept through the village. Vibrant autumn foliage and a fleeting shower contributed to the alluring old-world ambiance of the darkening churchyard.

Our guides recounted the extraordinary stories of many Patriot heroes, including the tavern owner and spy, Austin Roe, Long Island’s Paul Revere. During the war, he was a courier who made the 110-mile journey from Setauket to New York City and back on horseback in order to deliver intelligence once a week. The journey was a dangerous one, as the roads he took were full of highwaymen and patrolling British redcoats who would stop and question him. Using the cover of buying supplies for his tavern to dismiss prying questions about his frequent travels, Roe successfully transmitted intelligence from Robert Townsend and passed it along to Abraham Woodhull.

Anecdotes of the courageous Anna Smith Strong captivated the audience as well. She utilized a secret code by hanging petticoats and handkerchiefs on a clothesline to relay vital information from Woodhull to their fellow spy and whaleboat captain Caleb Brewster. Brewster then made the treacherous journey across the Long Island Sound, at the time also known as the Devil’s Belt, to provide intel to General Washington himself. Anna lived in the family manor on Strong’s Neck, only minutes from where the tour was held that evening. In fact, centuries later, her descendants still reside there, guide Pat Galaskas explained.

As the fundraiser came to a close, I spoke with some of the individuals who volunteer with the Three Village Historical Society. Author and TVHS historian Bev Tyler shared what it was like working with the Society for over 45 years. He said the two things he most enjoys about being their historian are “…people who ask lots of questions and are very enthusiastic, and the research.” Tour guide and TVHS volunteer for over 15 years Rick Melidosian most enjoys getting to share his knowledge about history with others.

The Three Village Historical Society is currently looking for volunteer help for various positions, including docents, costumed actors, and guides. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact TVHS Creative Services Manager, Mari Irizarry, at [email protected]. See their Facebook or Instagram pages or visit tvhs.org to find out more about upcoming events and experiencing their museum which recently opened its doors to the public for tours during the week.

Cayla Rosenhagen is a local high school student who enjoys capturing the unique charm of the community through photography and journalism. She serves on the board of directors for the Four Harbors Audubon Society and Brookhaven’s Youth Board, and is the founder and coordinator of Beach Bucket Brigade, a community outreach program dedicated to environmental awareness, engagement, and education. She is also an avid birder, hiker, and artist who is concurrently enrolled in college, pursuing a degree in teaching.

Artist of the Month: Patricia Yantz

by Irene Ruddock - October 29, 2021

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By Irene Ruddock

Patricia Yantz, a Three Village resident, is known for her acrylic and pastel landscape paintings. A former secondary art teacher at Sachem School District, she is also involved in many community organizations such as the Three Village Historical Society where she was a former president.

Presently, she is a joint coordinator of the Candlelight House Tour, on the Steering Committee for the Long Island Museum, and member of the Three Village Garden Club. She belongs to art organizations such as the Setauket Artists, North Shore Art Guild, LIMarts, and Smithtown Township Art Council. She especially enjoys teaching acrylic and watercolor classes at Ward Melville High School’s Continuing Education Program.

W hen did you first become interested in art?

At an early age I used to watch my father draw wood boats and create his own designs of boats he wanted to build. As I sat next to him, he gave me some drawing paper and I started to draw boats too!

Who were your other role models?

Besides my father, Sister Lucy at Saint Mary’s High School in Manhasset inspired me to pursue art in college. Later in life, I was inspired by our local icon Joe Reboli. I watched as he took a common view, such as a road or mailbox, and transform it into a masterpiece! It was truly magical. Lastly, the person who helped me find my artistic niche was you! My involvement with the Setauket Artists along with your constant encouragement and faith in me has made all the difference.

It is kind of you to say that! Thank you. Why did you choose acrylics and pastels as your medium?

I switched from oil many years ago for health and safety reasons. Also, after my cat walked across my freshly painted oil painting and then walked all over my new rug, I decided it was time for a change!

What feelings do you want to evoke when people see your paintings?

The most important thing I want the people to come away with is a sense of peace. I think color changes the emotion and the feel of a painting, so I often work in warm colors to uplift the viewer.

Where do you like to paint and why?

Living in this beautiful area is a constant source of inspiration to me. Painting it is a natural outgrowth of my environment. I am truly in awe by the stunning sunsets, meandering waterways and lavish landscapes that invoke a sense of place as well as a sense of peace. I am especially drawn to the creek at West Meadow, Avalon Nature Preserve, and Stony Brook Harbor.

How would you describe your work?

I have learned so much about tonal aspects and value which I try to incorporate into my paintings. I try to harmonize or unify colors in terms of light and atmosphere. Yet, I do not use a limited palette, but instead look for atmosphere and temperature when creating.

You have won many awards. Tell us about an award that has meant a lot to you?

I was recently given the incredible award of the 2021 Honored Artist voted on by the Setauket Artists. The artists gave me encouragement, faith, and support over the years which has been a vital part in motivating me to continue this artistic journey.

Why is art important in the world?

I feel art is so important because imagination is the beginning of creating. This creativity engages the mind and enables alternative ways of thinking and seeing. With so much emphasis on critical thinking, creating art makes one think not only critically, but analytically which is often overlooked in today’s world. Art is a bridge where artists can, through their paintings, communicate universally to reach people around the world.

Where can we see your work?

I am currently showing my work at the 41st annual Setauket Artists Exhibition at the Setauket Neighborhood House until November 14th. I will be part of “Celebrate the Season” exhibit at the Reboli Center in Stony Brook, “Deck the Halls” at Gallery North in Setauket, and the “2021 Atelier Invitational” at The Atelier at Flowerfield in St. James. To get in touch with me, you may contact setauketartists.com.

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Preliminary election results as of Nov. 2

As of 12:30 a.m:

St. Charles Hospital offers veterans smiles and more

Connetquot T-Birds pickoff Ward Melville Patriots

Town of Brookhaven holds Thanksgiving Food Drive through Nov. 15

SBU study reveals motor cortex could have larger role in Parkinson’s Disease

TVSD student Joseph Peritore takes part in Great Cycle Challenge

Happy Halloween from TBR News Media!

Witch-ing you a spook-tacular Halloween!

Stony Brook University Hospital named one of America’s 100 best for cardiac and stroke care

Cayla’s Column: Three Village Historical Society’s Graveyard Tour

Artist of the Month: Patricia Yantz

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