Radam Schwartz on organ; David F. Gibson, drums; Bryan Carrot, vibraphone; Mike Lee, tenor sax. Hammond B3 Organist and Jazz pianist, has built his reputation over the last 35 years playing with such great musicians as Arthur and Red Prysock, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Al Hibler, David Fathead Newman, Russell Malone, Cecil Brooks III and Jimmy Ford. He continues to make music history today playing with renowned artists, Bill Saxton, Iron City, The Spirit of Life Ensemble and many others.
Costanzo performs music from the Swing Era, to the Rat Pack Stylings of the 1950’s and 60’s, with a smattering of tunes from classic TV and film, to create a unique, fun experience for our dedicated fans.
Jazz 101: Who Is Louis Jordan? $10 ALL, no discounts. Tix limit 20. Noted author John Broven will be the speaker.
Danny Bacher
Friday, November 15 at 7 p.m.
Louis Jordan Tribute
Danny Bacher, Vocal & Alto Sax; Tom Manuel, Trumpet; Rich Iacona, Piano; Eric Kay, Tenor Sax; Jon Mele, Drums; Steve Salerno, Guitar
Tickets: $30, $25, $20
Champian Fulton
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.
Champian Fulton Trio
A Jazz pianist and vocalist for more than 20 years, she has released 18 albums as a leader and has performed in more than 25 countries, both in concert and on TV. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including Album of the Year in the NYC Jazz Record (2018, 2020, 2023) and Pianist and Vocalist of the Year (2019) by Hot House Magazine. She regularly appears in both the Jazz Journalist Awards and Downbeats Rising Star Critics Poll.
Stony Brook University, a SUNY flagship institution, is partnering with Suffolk County Community College to support a “Seawolves at Suffolk” program. The program provides Suffolk students with a transfer pathway that moves them from admission, to academic and social engagement with the university, and through transfer and graduation from Stony Brook.
Seawolves at Suffolk
Recently, Stony Brook University received a $500,000 Innovation Driven by Evidence and Advanced Strategies (IDEAS) grant from American Talent Initiative (ATI) College Excellence Program (CEP) and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The grant aims to amplify the power and potential of transfer students from lower income communities through high impact experiences, research-centered opportunities, and the development of workforce-ready skills. The university is partnering with neighboring SUNY Suffolk to support these initiatives.
“Seawolves at Suffolk” centers around an accelerated on-ramp to a paid summer research/internship opportunity with Stony Brook researchers in the summer prior to students transferring to the university. This is complemented by providing:
unique workshops
earlier access to university campus life
supported student leadership pipelines
comprehensive advising support with university advisors at SUNY Suffolk
priority course registration
mini-grants to take upper-division courses at Stony Brook before transferring
additional wrap-around support from success specialists and career coaches
Within this innovative program, selected students who have been referred to SUNY Suffolk from Stony Brook University will be part of a cohort of students who begin their studies at SUNY Suffolk, with a shared goal of becoming a Seawolf. SUNY Suffolk is the largest community college in the SUNY system and sister institution to Stony Brook University. By beginning their studies at SUNY Suffolk, and meeting certain transfer milestones, students in the program will be guaranteed entry into select Stony Brook University programs, including Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, English, Psychology, and more.
SUNY Suffolk transfers hundreds of students per year to Stony Brook University, far more than any other community college. Together, the two institutions maintain a strong and ongoing partnership in areas ranging from National Science Foundation research projects to internships at Brookhaven National Laboratories.
“Thanks to Bloomberg Philanthropies, accepted transfer students from Suffolk County Community College are already a part of the Stony Brook University community prior to their first day of classes,” said Interim Stony Brook President Richard L. McCormick. “This grant, awarded by the American Talent Initiative, allows us to expand our commitment to social mobility while providing transfer students with paid experiential learning, academic advising, and career counseling opportunities.”
“SUNY Suffolk has always prepared our graduates for success at elite colleges and universities like Stony Brook. With support from the American Talent Initiative grant, we will provide Suffolk students with an accelerated pathway to engagement at SBU, as well as experiential learning. This partnership allows us to support even more deserving Long Island students and families to live, learn and stay on Long Island,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College.
Pictured from left, Akhil Kolanti, Kent Christian, Professor Lance Snead, Professor David Sprouster, Saima Haque, and Mingxi Ouyang. Photo by Lance Snead
Funding Part of DOE Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Program to Enable Commercial Fusion Energy
Stony Brook University has been selected to receive $2,500,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
The funding is part of the Creating Hardened And Durable fusion first Wall Incorporating Centralized Knowledge (CHADWICK) program. This program is focused on researching and developing new, advanced materials and manufacturing techniques to enhance the durability of the “first wall” in a fusion power plant (where energy is derived from a process called fusion). That first wall is the critical armor that surrounds the fusion reactor’s core plasma.
“The CHADWICK program represents an extraordinary opportunity for our Department and Stony Brook University to contribute to the future of sustainable energy by developing materials that can withstand the extreme conditions of fusion power,” said Dilip Gersappe, chair, Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering. “This pioneering work led by Professor Snead could lead to transformative advancements in the durability and efficiency of fusion power plants.”
Under this program Professor Lance Snead will work with Co-Principal Investigator Professor David Sprouster, also from the Materials Science and Engineering Department, and collaborators from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, the Massachusetts of Technology, and the Sandia National Laboratory.
Through the CHADWICK program, Stony Brook University will increase the ductility, thermal conductivity, and irradiation resistance of ceramic materials through second phase additives into low activation ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTC). In the past, ceramics materials have not been seriously considered for fusion power applications due to their brittle nature and rapid loss in thermal conductivity under irradiation. The successful development of more relevant ceramic materials for use as fusion first wall armor under excessive temperature and irradiation damage would represent a significant technological step forward.
A model of the bark Modesta, Capt. Rowland’s last command. Mary sailed on the 'Modesta' to exotic ports in Africa, the Mediterranean and South America. Photo courtesy of Bev Tyler
By Beverly C. Tyler
“I manage to go on shore more or less in every port and learn the different manners and customs of different nations and the works of God and man, both nature and art. I find much to amuse, edify and interest us, and see what so many travelers pay large sums for, while Henry makes a living and the brig is our hotel and even what is much better, our home.” — Mary Rowland, January 1873
In the graveyard of Setauket Presbyterian Church, near the center rear, lie the graves of Captain Henry L. Rowland (1827-1876) and his wife, Mary Satterly Rowland (1832-1908). The couple’s farm was situated south of their final resting place, between Main Street and Setauket Harbor. Today, Setauket School faces what was once the Rowland farm.
Children of Capt. Henry and Mary Satterly Rowland – Woodhull, Mary Emma and Henrietta.
Mary is one of the women featured in the Three Village Historical Society’s Spirits cemetery tour. Her life, like that of many women who lived in the area and traveled the world, remains largely unknown. A portion of Mary’s tumultueous sea adventures is documented in the book “Hen Frigates” by New Zealander Joan Druett.
“At 4 a.m., tacking on shore,” Mary Rowland wrote in 1856, “the vessel was rolling and pitching badly.” Everything below was “upside down, and there is no rest or peace to be had. Worst of all, one could hardly keep in bed, especially on one tack; when I sit down, I must of necessity take the floor for a sofa.”
Despite the hardships, Henry and Mary spent over 20 years living aboard three different sailing ships that traveled the world, carrying cargo from port to port. The couple’s children grew up on these ships, built in East Setauket, and one of them, Woodhull, was born on board.
“The captain’s wife gave birth to a child,” reads the logbook entry of the brig Thomas W. Rowland for October 21, 1857, near the island of Abaco. Mary Rowland’s two daughters, Henrietta and Mary Emma, were sent between decks with their dolls to play while Henry delivered the baby boy, christened Woodhull.
During the American Civil War, Captain Henry Rowland’s bark Glenwood sailed under sealed orders, with its destination (Pensacola, to deliver supplies to the troops) unknown until the orders were opened. The voyage south was traumatic; the vessel was struck twice by lightning, resulting in the death of one crew member. Mary’s youngest child, Willie, fell ill with yellow fever as they neared Pensacola Bay. All night, as they lay hove to near Santa Rosa Island, she fought for her son’s life while cannonballs from Confederate and Union gunships screamed overhead. When the battle was over, the Glenwood had survived unscathed but the little boy was dead.
Cover of “Hen Frigates” by Joan Druett
The diaries, journals, letters and artifacts of Setauket wives Mary Satterly Rowland, Mary Swift Jones and Ellen Elizabeth Jones, along with the logbooks of their captain husbands, are part of the collection at the Three Village Historical Society. These materials, donated by local residents and relatives, provide valuable insight into the lives of women at sea aboard wooden commercial ships. These women, along with their children in many cases, traveled the world with their husbands and fathers. Their experiences are part of the many stories told in the Society’s exhibition, “The Sailing Circle: 19th Century Seafaring Women from New York.”
The two Marys are featured in Hen Frigates along with many other women and children whose adventures make for fascinating reading. They are also included in the exhibit catalog The Sailing Circle, available in the society gift shop.
“Hen Frigates” by Joan Druett, available at the Emma S. Clark Library, is a seafaring book packed with intriguing details about shipboard life during the 19th century, when wooden ships and their crews journeyed along the North American coast and around the world. More than just a book about families at sea, Hen Frigates covers in dramatic detail the growth of American maritime commerce in the 19th century.
One of the most interesting aspects of local history is its connections to larger realms of people and events. Our community is linked in many ways to our region, nation and the world—a reality that has persisted throughout our history. The Three Village community is wonderfully rich in both natural and man-made resources that illustrate and exemplify these connections.
Beverly Tyler is an author and the historian for the Three Village Historical Society, located at 93 North Country Road, Setauket. Visit www.tvhs.org for more information.
With deer rutting season upon us, it’s crucial to remember that while these creatures nibbling on our properties or suddenly running in front of our vehicles can be irritating, they were here first.
Tens of thousands of deer call our Island home. This delicate ecosystem relies on their presence — perhaps not an overabundance, but a presence nonetheless. They influence the types of trees and vegetation that grow here by selectively browsing certain plants, meaning they eat some species more than others. They also contribute to overall biodiversity.
If we’re concerned about our gardens, we can try fencing, netting or chicken wire around problematic areas. If a deer runs toward our car at night, we should stay calm and do our best to drive straight, brake firmly and blow the horn, protecting both the vehicle’s passengers and the deer. Above all, we must not feed them. Not only is it dangerous to the deer’s health, but it also increases elopement rates and puts us in harm’s way. Deer may be gentle but can become aggressive when approached. If they learn that food is available in a specific area, they’ll return with friends, perpetuating a cycle of overpopulation in densely populated areas.
While the Island’s abundance of deer can be a nuisance, rutting — or mating season — is a natural part of this species’ biological function. They have added beauty and importance to our region since the days of our Setalcott predecessors.
They aren’t trying to hurt us or harm our land; they are simply following their instincts.
So let’s remain calm this rutting season. There are only two months of this hyperactivity among our deer, after which everything will return to business as usual.
Keepers of the Light portrayed by Rebecca Van Der Bogart, Haley Ogle, Caterina Vacchi Suzzi and Karen Wexler. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe
Rob Von Bernewitz leading the first tour. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe
Bianca Dresch as Mary Satterly Rowland & Aneka Carsten as Etta Rowland. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe
Bianca Dresch as Mary Satterly Rowland and Aneka Carsten as her daughter Etta. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe
From left, Steve Healy as Captain Benjamin Jones; Elizabeth Marra as Mary Swift Jones; and Chris De Francis as Egbert Bull Smith. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe
Top row from left, Holly Brainard, George Fear, Steve Healy, David Phyfe' second row, from left, Karen Lynch, Caterina Vacchi Suzzi, Ed Mcnamara, Chris De Francis, Morton Rosen, George Overin, Stephanie Carsten, Bianca Dresch; front row, from left, Haley Ogle, Karen Wexler, Rebecca Van Der Bogart, Aneka Carsten, Elizabeth Marra, and Rebecca Kassay. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe
By Kimberly Phyfe
The Three Village Historical Society (TVHS) celebrated its 30th Annual Spirits Graveyard Tour on Oct. 19.The sold out event, titled Revolutionary Women: Living History/ Sharing Her Story, honored local women from as far back as 300 years ago who were revolutionary in their time.
TVHS Director Mari Irizarry commented on the staying power of three decades of this event. “We are so proud that the Spirits Tour has been running for thirty years, and grateful that the community continues to come out to enjoy this event! There is no shortage of incredible stories to tell of the people who lived, worked, died, and are buried here. With over three hundred years of history, there is something new to discover every time we put on a show!”
All eight scenes of the humorous, honest, and often heart-breaking women and men portrayed on the Spirits Tour were real people who lived in Setauket at one point in their lives. The majority of them are buried at Setauket Presbyterian Church or Caroline Episcopal Church, where the walking tour takes place every year.
As you wander Three Village and explore the historic sites, inspiration is everywhere. The theme for Revolutionary Women came up as traditionally, a woman’s place in history was in relation to the men around her. The Society wanted to give these women a chance to tell their own stories, many of them in their own words.
Rebecca Kassay was a first time actor in this year’s tour who wishes that everyone knew “that the spirits being portrayed were real people whose dynamic lives shaped the community we know and love today, and the Spirits Tour is a rare opportunity to hear their stories.”
When asked why she chose to get involved for the first time, Kassay stated “I’m grateful to be a part of the TVHS’s innovative efforts to bring history to life for audiences of all ages, connecting our past to our present, which helps to build a stronger future for our community.”
Elizabeth Marra is another first time actor on the Spirits Tour who noted that “our area is renowned for the contributions of local men in our revolutionary and seafaring history, but there were such beautiful, poignant, and inspiring women that history has forgotten. I enjoyed getting to know all of their stories.”
Marra spoke about her character that “the young woman I got to play, Mary Swift Jones — she was one of the first Americans (not just women) to see China and Japan. It was fascinating to think of the scale of the experience she must have had and how that must have sat with locals, especially for her time and being such a young woman.”
Mary Swift Jones and her husband, Captain Benjamin Jones, are both laid to rest at Setauket Presbyterian Church. Rob Von Bernewitz, long time tour guide and chair of the Cemetery Committee at TVHS, cleaned Mary’s headstone with permission for the special occasion.
While there were fresh faces joining the Tour this year, there were several long standing actors and guides who have been around for all three decades! Morton Rosen “has been performing in the tour ever since it was started 30 years ago! I have portrayed men who lived in our community in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Each time I learn something new that makes me proud to live in Setauket and it is a pleasure to share that pride with those who visit our spirits. It is so important for everyone to know that what we call history was generated by the people who lived here and created the stories we celebrate today.” Rosen portrayed Captain Gilbert Floyd in a scene with his granddaughter, Blanche Dominick played by Suzanne Velazquez.
George Overin has been part of the Spirits Tour since 2017. This year, he was Thomas Hodgkins, uncle of Emma S. Clark. “So many people came up to talk to me after the tour who love the library, but didn’t know anything about Emma, her uncle who founded it in her honor, or Emma’s revolutionary generosity in helping others! The Three Village Historical Society seeks to answer questions we maybe haven’t even thought to ask — and they do it all with knowledge, compassion, and by creating wonderfully memorable experiences!”
An incredibly special touch this year was the inclusion of the four female lighthouse keepers at Old Field Point Lighthouse. The Society worked with Old Field Point in 2023 to assist Trustee Rebecca Van Der Bogart on getting the lighthouse on the National Register of Historic Places. In the Spirits Tour, Van Der Bogart herself portrayed Elizabeth Shoemaker — the first female lighthouse keeper not only at Old Field Point, but in New York State history! Haley Ogle portrayed the longest serving female lighthouse keeper, Betsy Smith, along with Caterina Vacchi Suzzi as Mary Foster, and Karen Wexler as Amelia Jayne.
Choosing which spirits to include every year is a daunting task. First the Society creates a theme, then researches which people would best fit the narrative. Irizarry joked that “if we honored all the women we wanted to, the tour would have been several days long! Choosing which stories to include is a grueling process, and we end up saving many of the spirits for future years.”
The scripts were written and edited by Kimberly Phyfe and researched by TVHS Archives Fellow Kayleigh Smith. The Society invited two professional guest writers for the monologues: Camile Arnone wrote for Amelia Shepard Jones Clay and Stephanie Drewisis wrote for Thomas Hodgkins.
Mary Satterly Rowland’s script was comprised entirely in her own words, from journal entries in the society’s archives. The witch trials of Mary and Ralph Hall and Goody Garlick were shaped by Scott Ferrara’s book, Accused of Witchcraft in New York.
The scene for Mary Swift Jones was heavily influenced by Bev Tyler’s new book Love and Letters from Japan which included many of Mary’s letters. Tyler will be presenting his book at the Society’s free monthly lecture series on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Setauket Neighborhood House.
The 30th Annual Spirits Graveyard Tour was sponsored by Annmarie’s Farm Stand, Luigi’s Pizzeria, Starbucks, Apple Bank and Stop & Shop in East Setauket. Chamber music was provided by students in the Ward Melville High School orchestra, and traffic assistance was given by the History Honor Society at WMHS. Special contributions were made by the Education Committee: Bev Tyler, Donna Smith, Lindsey Steward-Goldberg, Town of Brookhaven Historian Barbara Russell, and Spirits Tour Committee Chair Janet McCauley.
Three Village Historical Society would especially like to thank Setauket Presbyterian Church and Caroline Episcopal Church for their unwavering support of this sold-out event year after year!
Author Kimberly Phyfe is the Community Engagement Manager at the Three Village Historical Society.
Stony Brook University researchers Fusheng Wang and Dr. Richard Rosenthal
By Daniel Dunaief
Health care providers can use all the help they can get amid an ongoing opioid epidemic that claims the lives of 130 Americans each day.
In a cross-disciplinary effort that combines the computer science skills of Fusheng Wang and the clinical knowledge and experience of doctors including Dr. Richard Rosenthal, Stony Brook University is developing an artificial intelligence model that the collaborators hope will predict risk related to opioid use disorder and opioid overdose.
Fusheng Wang
Wang, a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Computer Science at Stony Brook and Rosenthal, a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health in the Renaissance School of Medicine, received a $1.05 million, three-year contract from the independent funding organization Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).
“We have patients, clinical stakeholders, clinician scientists and community-based people within the system of care that have an interest at the table in the development cycle of this AI mechanism from day one,” Rosenthal said. The PCORI required that the scientists identify these stakeholders as a part of the research strategy.
The Stony Brook researchers are combining data from Cerner, a major electronic health record vendor under an institutional data usage agreement, with an awareness of the need to create a program that doctors can use and patients can understand.
Traditional public health studies rely on analyzing incidents that occurred. This approach, however, can be applied to population health management through early interventions, Wang explained.
With artificial intelligence, computer scientists typically plug enormous amounts of data into a model that searches through individual or combined factors and comes up with a prediction through a deep learning process.
The factors, which may be in the hundreds or even more, that contributed to the conclusion about a risk level aren’t always clear, which makes them difficult for doctors to explain and for patients to understand. Many of the factors may not be clinically intuitive.
Deep learning models can provide certain types of information about the prediction, such as a ranking of top factors. These factors, however, may not necessarily be clinically relevant, Wang explained.
To balance the need for data-driven analysis with the desire to create a product that people feel confident using, the scientists plan to become a part of the process.
“We are all going to educate each other,” said Rosenthal. “Patients will tell you what it means to be a patient, to be at the receiving end of some doctors telling them something they don’t know” while each group will share their lived experience.
Each participant will be a student and a teacher. Rosenthal believes this stakeholder in the loop approach will create a tool that is clinically relevant.
“There’s an opportunity to produce a highly accurate predictive mechanism that is highly acceptable based on transparency,” he said.
To be sure, people involved in this process could deemphasize a factor that doesn’t make sense to them, but that might otherwise increase the predictive accuracy of the developing model.
“This might come at the expense of the performance metric,” Rosenthal said.
Still, he doesn’t think any human correction or rebalancing of various factors will reduce the value of the program. At the same time, he believes the process will likely increase the chances that doctors and patients will react to its prognosis.
A program with a personal touch
Wang created the model the scientists are using and enhancing. He reached out to several physicians, including Director of the Primary Care Track in Internal Medicine Rachel Wong and later, Rosenthal, for his addiction research expertise.
Dr. Richard Rosenthal
Rosenthal started collaborating on grant proposals focused on big data and the opioid epidemic and attending Wang’s graduate student workgroup in 2018.
Wang recognized the value of the clinician’s experience when communicating about these tools.
“Studies show that patients have lots of skepticism about AI,” he explained. Designing a tool that will generate enough information and evidence that a patient can easily use is critical.
The kind of predictions and risk profiles these models forecast could help doctors as they seek the best way to prevent the development of an addiction that could destroy the quality and quantity of their patients’ lives.
“If we can identify early risk before the patient begins to get addicted, that will be extremely helpful,” Wang added.
If opioid use disorder has already started for a patient, the tool also could predict whether a patient has a high chance of ending treatment, which could create worse outcomes.
Refinements to the model will likely include local factors that residents might experience in one area that would be different for populations living in other regions.
Depending on what they learn, this could allow “us to frame our machine learning questions in a more context-dependent population, population-dependent domain,” Rosenthal said.
Opioid-related health problems in the northeast, in places like Long Island, is often tied to the use of cocaine. In the Southwest, the threat from opioids comes from mixing it with stimulants such as methamphetamines, Rosenthal added.
“Localization increases the accuracy and precision” in these models, he said.
Eventually, the model could include a risk dashboard that indicates what kind of preventive measures someone might need to take to protect themselves.
The scientists envision doctors and patients examining the dashboard together. A doctor can explain, using the model and the variable that it includes, how he or she is concerned about a patient, without declaring that the person will have a problem.
“Given these factors, that puts you at greater risk,” said Rosenthal. “We are not saying you’re going to have a problem” but that the potential for an opioid-related health crisis has increased.
Unless someone already has a certain diagnosis, doctors can only discuss probabilities and give sensible recommendations, Rosenthal explained.
They hope the tool they are developing will offer guidance through an understandable process.
“At the end of the day, the machine is never going to make the decision,” said Rosenthal. With the help of the patient, the clinician can and should develop a plan that protects the health of the patient.
“We’re aiming to improve the quality of care for patients,” he said.
Deer rutting may not be a common term to all, but it is important to understand this time of year.
Rutting is a behavioral pattern of deer, in which male deer — bucks — chase does. It is triggered by autumn’s decreasing daylight, which causes an increase in hormones for both bucks and does. The season begins in October and ends in early winter.
According to DMV data compiled by AAA Northeast, 2022’s mating season accounted for nearly 37,000 car crashes in New York state, where an “animal’s actions” was listed as a contributing factor — most of which involved deer. Additionally in 2022, Suffolk County ranked sixth among the state’s 62 counties with the most animal-related crashes, at 1,216. Deer-related crashes in Suffolk can see a significant increase this time of year, often cited as between 50% and 75% higher than other months. Most accidents have been found to occur during afternoon rush hour, as well as dusk.
With over 30,000 deer in Suffolk County alone, North Shore residents are advised to stay especially vigilant when driving down major roadways, such as Route 347, as deer frequently dart out into oncoming traffic.
The NYS Department of Transportation urges drivers to brake firmly, but not swerve if a deer runs in front of your vehicle. Swerving can cause a vehicle-to-vehicle collision, or cause the vehicle to strike a pedestrian or fixed object, such as a tree or utility pole — which reinforces the need for reduced speeds this time of year. Additionally, it is crucial to not approach a wounded deer as it may be frightened and potentially dangerous.
Alert 911 if a deer crossing creates a roadblock, as it can become a serious threat to oncoming traffic.
Ironically, with the increased creation of edge habitats, or transition zones between forest and open areas, deer have been provided with abundant food and shelter, dramatically increasing their Suffolk population, as a result. This is among a host of factors which has driven the North Shore’s deer population in recent years, including reduced hunting.
“We don’t have a natural predator for deer, so their numbers are increasing with no control,” Isabel Fernandes, of Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown, said back in 2019. “Also, various towns and communities aren’t allowing hunting.”
In recent years, the villages of Port Jefferson and Belle Terre are two local governments that have considered amping up culling efforts, to reduce deer’s impact on our ecosystem and traffic.
This Election Day, voters face an important ballot question: Proposition 2, the Clean Water referendum. If passed, this measure will fund crucial efforts to protect our drinking water and our bays and harbors from harmful nitrogen pollution. Much of this excess nitrogen comes from outdated cesspool systems in homes throughout Suffolk County.
Flax Pond
Nitrogen pollution is the primary cause of water degradation in our streams and coastal waters, and it also threatens our deep aquifers. Fortunately, there are affordable solutions available to reduce nitrogen pollution, which will allow us to begin restoring local water quality to healthier levels.
As one of the founders of the Setauket Harbor Task Force and someone who has monitored water conditions in Port Jefferson and Setauket harbors for nearly a decade, I’ve witnessed firsthand how nitrogen disrupts the delicate ecological balance in these fragile environments. Nitrogen acts like a steroid in marine systems, fueling excessive seaweed growth and harmful algal blooms. These blooms can lead to fish kills and unsightly seaweed buildup along the shoreline, impacting the quality of our recreational waters. With climate change heating our local waters, we are at greater risk of more frequent algal blooms, which will only exacerbate the problems we are already facing.
Proposition 2 offers a solution: for just 1/8th of a penny in sales tax, we can create a reliable funding source to help homeowners replace their outdated cesspools with modern low-nitrogen systems. This change will significantly reduce nitrogen levels, leading to cleaner water in our harbors and bays.
This Election Day, remember to flip your ballot and vote “Yes” on Prop 2 for clean water and a healthier environment in Suffolk County. Supporting this measure is essential for ensuring that we take the necessary steps to protect our vital water resources for future generations. Together, we can secure a cleaner, safer environment for our community, benefiting both residents and local ecosystems.
Author George Hoffman is a member of the Setauket Harbor Task Force.
Ward Melville forward Adriana Victoriano scores for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Alessandra Victoriano looks to get a shot off for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville girls soccer vs. Sachem East on Oct. 19. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville girls soccer vs. Sachem East on Oct. 19. Photo by Bill Landon
Goalie Kate Ronzoni with another save for Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville girls soccer vs. Sachem East on Oct. 19. Photo by Bill Landon
Maddie Costello heads the ball in a road game against Sachem East. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville girls soccer vs. Sachem East on Oct. 19. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville girls soccer vs. Sachem East on Oct. 19. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville girls soccer vs. Sachem East on Oct. 19. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville girls soccer vs. Sachem East on Oct. 19. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville girls soccer vs. Sachem East on Oct. 19. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
The Patriots of Ward Melville girls soccer team came calling on Sachem East Saturday morning, Oct. 19, with an unblemished League II record 6-0 looking to stay atop the leaderboard just ahead of their opponents, but the Flaming Arrows at 5-1-1 wouldn’t make it easy.
Ward Melville forward Adriana Victoriano broke the ice for the Patriots at the 16-minute mark of first half when she rifled a shot to the back of the net. The lead would not last long when a minute later Sachem East countered to make it 1-1.
Sachem East struck again halfway through the second half, courtesy of a corner kick to take a 2-1 lead, before Victoriano struck again six minutes later to retie the game. Victoriano scored in the closing minutes of the game for a notable hat trick as the Patriots secured a narrow 3-2 victory.
Ward Melville goalkeeper Kate Ronzoni notched four saves.
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