Local students had their first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Their parents happily saw them off, and the kids were excited to catch up with all of their friends on the bus, and in the parking lot.
North Shore students head back to school
Home Village Times Herald
NEVER FORGET: North Shore communities commemorate 9/11
Twenty-three years ago, the United States changed forever when hijacked jetliners crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania. At Ground Zero in New York City, the traditional reading of names of each victim will begin at 8:30 a.m. this year at the 9/11 Memorial and the following ceremonies will be held on the North Shore to honor the thousands of lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001, a day that will live forever in our hearts.
Centereach
The Centereach Fire Department, 9 South Washington Ave., Centereach invites the community to join them on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. for its annual 9/11 Memorial Services and candle lighting ceremony. 631-588-8652
Commack
The Commack School District will present A Night of Reflection in remembrance of 9/11 at the Commack High School football field, 1 Scholar Lane, Commack on Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. Call 631-912-2000.
Coram
Join the Coram Fire Department, 202 Middle Country Road, Coram for a remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. 631-732-5733.
East Northport
The East Northport Fire Department, 1 Ninth Ave., East Northport will host a 9/11 candlelight vigil memorial service with neighboring fire departments on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. 631-261-0360
Hauppauge
The Hauppauge Fire Department, 855 Wheeler Road, Hauppauge will host a Remembrance Ceremony at its 9/11 Memorial on Sept 11 at 7 p.m. featuring the Hauppauge High School choir. 631-265-2499
Huntington
Town of Huntington officials will host a ceremony at the 9/11 memorial at Heckscher Park at the corner of Prime Ave. and Main Street, Huntington on Sept. 7 at noon. 631-351-3012
Mount Sinai
The Mt. Sinai Fire Department will host a 9/11 memorial ceremony at its headquarters, 746 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mt. Sinai on Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. 631-473-2418
Nesconset
The 9/11 Responders Remembered Park, 316 Smithtown Blvd., Nesconset will host its annual memorial service and naming ceremony on Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. 631-724-3320
Port Jefferson
— The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Vigiano Brothers Lodge 3436 invite the community to join them for a candlelight remembrance of 9/11 at Harborfront Park, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. Candles and refreshments will be provided. 631-928-7489
— The Port Jefferson Fire Department, 115 Maple Ave., Port Jefferson will hold a 9/11 memorial service on Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. 631-473-8910
Rocky Point
The Rocky Point Fire Department will host a ceremony at the 9/11 Community Memorial, at the corner of Route 25A and Tesla Street in Shoreham, on Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. 631-744-410
Selden
The Selden Fire Department, 44 Woodmere Place will host a 9/11 remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. 631-732-1234
Setauket
The Setauket Fire Department will conduct a 9/11 memorial ceremony at the Hook and Ladder Company 1, Station 3, 394 Nicolls Road, Setauket on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. followed by refreshments in the firehouse. Call 631-941-4900, ext. 1043
Smithtown
The Town of Smithtown will hold a Remembrance ceremony at 9/11 Memorial Park, located on Main Street (North Side) between Bank Street and Landing Avenue, Smithtown on Sept. 11 at 3 p.m. 631-360-7600
Stony Brook
To honor and remember the 21 Stony Brook University alumni who died on 9/11, all members of the community are invited to visit the Memorial Arch near the University’s Humanities Building, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook for quiet contemplation and reflection on Sept. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The campus chimes will ring 21 times at 8:46 am. 631-632-6330, [email protected]
Sound Beach
The Sound Beach Fire Department, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach will hold its annual Service of Remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. 631-744-4994
— Compiled by Heidi Sutton
Three Village Rotary to host Light Up Main Street fundraiser
Mark your calendars! Three Village Rotary will host a Light Up Main Street fundraiser at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The evening will feature live music, food, drinks and raffles. All proceeds will go towards funding lighting up Main Street in Setauket for the holidays. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to make a difference while having a great time! Ticket includes one complimentary drink, food, coffee and dessert. To purchase, visit threevillagerotary.eventbrite.com.
The event is sponsored by The Bench, Main Street Properties, Revival by Toast, Makenzie Moeller of Howard Hanna Coach Realtors, Grace Leyhane of Howard Hanna Coach Realtors, Sweet Mama’s Restaurant, Invaiatura, and Relancer Capital. For more information, call 631-988-9564.
Photos of the Week: Labor Day weekend along the North Shore
By Bill Landon
After early morning clouds, the skies cleared and the North Shore was treated to comfortable temperatures under brilliant sunshine with activities for all on Labor Day weekend.
— Photos by Bill Landon
Eye on the Street: Labor Day edition
By Toni-Elena Gallo
Labor Day is a time for families to come together and savor the final moments of summer. It’s one day when adults don’t have to think about working and kids don’t have to worry about the impending first day of school. So, this Labor Day, TBR News Media asked beachgoers at Lake Ronkonkoma how they were enjoying their day off.
Jenny, Corona
Jenny spent the day relaxing in the sand at Lake Ronkonkoma. She sunbathed, while watching her parents try their hand at catching some bass, pumpkinseed and perch. “We definitely take them home to eat. They’re delicious!” she shared. The family was very happy that Lake Ronkonkoma County Park was not too crowded. They were accompanied by their adorable dog, Bruno.
Katherine, Plainview
Katherine and her mother Josephine were looking for something different to do with Katherine’s young son, Michael. So, when “most things weren’t open,” the family decided to head to the lake and have a picnic. “Our dog, Rocky, is enjoying nature and Michael won’t keep his shoes on,” laughed Katherine
James, Ronkonkoma
James’ furry companion, Jake, loved every minute of ripping up his sand-riddled soccer ball. James was joined by family — including a little one who “loves Labor Day” — as they spent their day enjoying the sunshine and breeze.
Ava, East Meadow
Ava arrived with her husband and three kids to embark on a day of fishing. Equipped with their rods and beach chairs, the family was eager to give it a shot.
Diana, Ronkonkoma
Diana was with her two children, and was joined by her best friend, and her son. She said that they “were having a phenomenal day” at Lt. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park, as they took photos near the water. “My son has autism and loves being at the lake. It makes him very happy,” said Diana’s friend.
Emily Augulis, Bohemia
Emily shared that she spent her Saturday in Sag Harbor, with her mother, Milynn. Together, they perused the shops, chatted and admired some of the luxury boats docked in Sag Harbor Bay. “It was a really beautiful way to spend Labor Day Weekend, and [Sag Harbor] is such a nice town,” Emily said.
Maddie Pittigher, San Diego
Maddie spent this Labor Day in San Diego, as she prepares to start her computational biology, doctoral program, in the coming weeks. But, her family provided us with a few thoughts her daughter relayed, about spending her first holiday across the coast. She snorkeled and took in the beauty of the Pacific Ocean.“I had such a beautiful time at the beach. It was a great day to just relax, take time for myself and think about the sacrifices of those who work every day.” Maddie said that if she were back home on the Island, “she would be eating burgers and hot dogs” in her family’s backyard.
Three Village Civic to host community meeting on Setauket Harbor Park Sept. 9
The Three Village Civic Association is hosting a community forum on Monday, September 9 at 7:30 pm at the Setauket Firehouse, 190 Main Street, Setauket to discuss future plans for Setauket Harbor Park.
The current small park in downtown Setauket, which is easily recognizable with its Kiwanis metal bridge spanning the pond, is about to expand with the Town’s recent acquisition of the East Setauket Automotive property. The Town and the Three Village community now have a unique opportunity to create a park that helps to define and revitalize our downtown area.
There will be several speakers at Monday night’s meeting to discuss the park’s redevelopment. Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright, who as the former New York State Assemblyman provided funding to expand and improve the park, will be on hand to share his thoughts on the parkland.
And Joseph Betz, a local architect, professor and former chair of the Department of Architecture & Construction Management at Farmingdale State College, SUNY, will discuss conceptual design solutions to foster a sense of place and community at this site. Professor Betz will also examine the existing architectural and historical characteristics of the Setauket community, as well as other public spaces in the Three Village area, to help foster an understanding of a successful plan for the park’s redevelopment.
Town of Brookhaven Councilmmember Jonathan Kornreich will be in attendance to explain the importance of the park to the future of the Three Village community and his role in creating a new public space for all residents.
The meeting is open to the public and attendance is encouraged to help the civic association and local elected officials to develop plans for the new, expanded harborside park.
For more informatin, call 631 721-5120.
9/11 health program’s lifeline extended amid rising rates of health complications
By Toni-Elena Gallo
A lawyer and former construction worker have banded together to ensure all Sept. 11 victims receive their fair share.
Michael Barasch and John Feal have worked both together and separately for years on behalf of those who suffered health complications as a result of being at or near Ground Zero during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Barasch’s law firm — Barasch & McGarry, located half a mile from the site of the attacks — was instrumental in getting the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 passed. This act was named after former NYPD Detective James Zadroga who died from pulmonary fibrosis caused by inhaling toxins at Ground Zero. This act greatly expanded the number of people in the 9/11 community who could access health benefits.
“Less than 10% of civilians are in [the World Trade Center Health Program] and the reason that we hear most often, when I ask someone with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, why they have not enrolled yet, is that ‘I didn’t know it was for nonresponders,’” Feal said.
“People think it’s just the firefighters and cops who were able to get medical assistance. And, if they did know that they were eligible, they didn’t want to take away ‘from those firefighters and cops, because I was only a teacher at Stuyvesant High School,’ or ‘I was only an office worker at Goldman Sachs.’ They don’t realize that they are entitled to this free health care,” he continued.
The 2015 reauthorization of the act added $4.6 billion to the Victim Compensation Fund, which was originally only in place from its 2001 inception to 2004.
The fund is available to compensate all eligible 9/11 victims for illness, injury or death and anyone else who was in the exposure zone between Sept. 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002.
“They’re entitled to hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation because the government assured us the air was safe to breathe down there, and it wasn’t,” Feal explained.
As for Feal’s individual story, he was a demolition supervisor who developed gangrene and sepsis after an 8,000-pound steel beam crushed his foot during cleanup on Sept. 17, 2001. As a result of his and his friends’ experiences, he established the FealGood Foundation. He played a key role in lobbying Congress to permanently extend and fully fund the Victim Compensation Fund. Their efforts culminated in the passage of the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Compensation Fund Act, in 2019. This law guarantees funding for all eligible VCF claims, through 2090.
And these men are not done fighting yet.
New legislation sought
A bill entitled the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2024, sponsored by a bipartisan group of legislators — including Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congressmen Andrew Garbarino (R-NY2) and Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY4) — is seeking to introduce key changes to the WTC Health Program.
A few of these improvements include adjusting the amount of funding, according to inflation, by about 5% each; having funding reflect changes in the number of individuals enrolled in the program; giving those afflicted moved-up medical appointments; and reallocating unused funds to support ongoing health services, such as Medicare.
The men are also eager to expand the types of mental health professionals authorized to certify mental health conditions for 9/11 responders and survivors.
“Cancer’s the sexy word in the 9/11 community,” Feal said. “But, PTSD should be on everybody’s autopsy and death certificate. In 2005, the Surgeon General said post-traumatic stress disorder is a physical injury. PTSD does not allow you — your immune system — to fight cancers. It’s physical and mental stress on the body. And, we don’t talk about PTSD enough, because cops and firefighters, and all of these macho tattoo, bearded construction workers, don’t like to discuss it, but it’s not a stigma.”
Feal and Barasch have achieved a number of legislative wins and express that they don’t intend to start losing now.
“Now, while we do have enough money until 2027, we don’t want to wait until 2027. We are going to get this bill passed this year. Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, the other advocates — the congressmen from Long Island — I don’t discriminate whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican. I’m 19 for 19 on getting legislation passed, and I’m not about to fail,” Feal explained.
“Tens of thousands of people rely on our help, and the number of people with various types of cancers and illnesses rises by the year,” he added.
Both Feal and Barasch told how the funding they are pursuing will allow more illnesses to be recognized by the health program, as well as help with medical research into the conditions.
According to Barasch, “We lose two clients every day at my firm — all from 9/11 cancers. And, it is so heartbreaking. I’m so frustrated that more people aren’t taking advantage of these two programs, because we take this so personally, and not just because we made all these trips to Washington. Two of my paralegals died of 9/11 illnesses. Four others in my office, including me, are cancer survivors.” (Barasch has been diagnosed with prostate and skin cancer.)
On Sept. 14, Feal will be holding a memorial ceremony at the 9/11 Responders Remembered Park in Nesconset, while Barasch will be speaking at a candlelight vigil in New Jersey located at Liberty State Park, Jersey City.
Hofstra senior Rachael Hajec hits the high notes at The Jazz Loft
Rachael Hajec, a Hofstra University journalism student, just completed a summer internship at Stony Brook’s famed Jazz Loft. There, she delved into marketing, media relations and all things journalism.
During her internship, Hajec worked on a range of projects, including creating documentaries for The Loft’s social media and website, managing event promotions and producing video and audio packages for the John Monteleone: Art of the Guitar Festival, as well as the Loft School of Jazz Summer Camp. She, also, developed graphics for event promotion, conducted interviews and maintained connections with local businesses and officials for future collaborations.
“There are students who are hard workers and dedicated professionals, and then there are those who embody the intangible,” said The Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel. “Rachel has that intangible quality. It was a joy to work with her, and I’m confident she’s destined for great things.”
Hajec hails from Spartansburg, Pennsylvania, and has been residing in Hempstead for the past four years. She is set to be a senior at Hofstra, this fall, where she has been serving as the Program Director of Music at award-winning radio station 88.7FM WRHU, as a passionate student of The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication.
“Working at The Jazz Loft was one of the most beneficial experiences of my early journalism career,” Hajec said.
Hajec worked under the supervision of The Jazz Loft’s media director Carole Trottere — a woman who served as a mentor to the aspiring journalist.
“Rachael is one of the most creative and enthusiastic interns I’ve ever worked with,” Trottere said. “She brought such energy to her role, and offered many new ideas for marketing our events.”
The Jazz Loft offers internships in public relations, marketing, archival research and stage production. Interested candidates can view opportunities on Handshake.com.
“When I saw the Jazz Loft’s internship listing, I knew I had to apply,” Hajec said.
“The work was rewarding, and the relationships I built…made it even more special. I highly recommend The Jazz Loft to anyone who loves jazz and values a sense of community, and I hope other eager journalists will enjoy their time there as much as I did.”
Staller Center for the Arts announces dazzling Fall 2024 season
By Rita J. Egan
As the air begins to chill, Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts is ready to warm up audiences with a variety of exciting performances with its Fall 2024 season.
Alan Inkles, Staller Center director, said planning a season is similar to putting together a puzzle when deciding who to include and working with the artists’ schedules. He added he and his team like to create a season that is a mixture of newcomers and well-known names, which he feels both challenges and entertains audiences.
Photo courtesy of Staller Center
“What I’ve begun the last couple years is to mix the stars in with what I call discovery shows,” he said. “We’ve got to keep going back to bringing in shows with great, talented people that maybe you might remember them from America’s Got Talent or you may have seen them somewhere. That’s the joy of going to an arts center.”
Among those who have appeared on America’s Got Talent scheduled to perform at the Staller Center are Malevo on Oct. 26 and Jackie Evancho on Nov. 23.
Inkles described Malevo’s show as “high energy.” The dance group from Argentina was a semi-finalist on AGT in 2016. The dancers will perform zapateo, similar to tap dancing, using a type of weapon called boleadora.
Evancho is known for competing as an opera singer and coming in second on AGT in 2010 at the age of 10. Inkles said the artist, now known for singing pop, has created a show that will include opera, pop and Broadway tunes.
“That will be a fun night,” Inkles said. “That’s something different that I like to bring in.”
Among those appearing at the Staller Center this season will be comedian Wanda Sykes (sold out), Tony Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, musician John Pizzarelli and Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque.
The season will kick off on Sept. 15 with the Emerson Legacy Concert Presents the Han-Setzer-Finckel Trio performing the music of Haydn, Beethoven and Dvorak. The trio continues the tradition of the Emerson String Quartet with former members Phil Setzer on violin and David Finckel playing cello, with the addition of pianist Wu Han.
Entertainers perform on the main stage or recital hall depending on the performance. Inkles said on Nov. 13, “It’s going to be a really cool night at the recital hall.” The night will feature viral star Stella Cole, Postmodern Jukebox’s Benny Benack III and tap dancer Jabu Graybeal for Some Enchanted Evening with Stella Cole. The trio will perform Jazz-inspired selections of Broadway hits spanning the decades.
The Peridance Contemporary Dance Company will take on the Staller Main Stage on Nov. 16. “If you like modern dance … if you want to see amazing movement, if you’re taking dance class, there is ballet, there is tap dancing in it,” Inkles said.
Last year, the Staller Center debuted a new concept showing a children’s movie. At the same time, a live orchestra performed along to the songs with Disney’s Coco. This year, the arts center will show Disney’s Encanto on Oct. 14, with a Latin band playing the musical score. After the viewing, attendees can meet the band members.
“It gives the kids the opportunity to see a live band as well as a movie,” he said.
Changes through the years
For this year’s fall season, like most performance periods, Inkles and his team began planning two years ago when he started traveling around the country to attend shows featuring various artists to see who would be a good fit for the arts center.
After the COVID-19 shutdowns and venues began to open again, Inkles said a decision was made to have a fall and spring season instead of one long performance period due to people tending to go out less after the pandemic. “People aren’t buying in advance as much or as many shows,” he said.
Regarding post-pandemic, Inkles said that out of the other State University of New York campuses with arts centers, the Staller Center is doing better than others audience-wise, and things are returning to normal. “We’re thriving in a time when a lot of our centers have either closed their doors or are doing much, much less,” he said.
Inkles said it’s vital to have such an arts center on campus grounds. For every show, the center makes at least 100 free tickets available to SBU students who wish to attend a performance. “We want to give these students culture and entertainment that they’ve not seen before,” he said. “It’s growth of the future. If we don’t do this, in 20 years there won’t be art centers. People will just be watching on their phones.”
Inkles added he and his team aim to create shows that are good not just for Long Island but also in general.
“When you come to see a show at the Staller Center, in my mind, it is as good, if not better, because the acoustics are great in the recital hall, or our sound system is better than most theaters on Broadway,” he said. “You need to walk out thinking it’s as good, if not better than something you could see in New York City, and that’s sort of my rule of thumb. I’m not looking for something that is pretty good, I’m looking for something that’s really great.”
Calendar of Event
9/15 — Emerson Legacy Concert at 5 p.m. (RH)
9/21 — Renée Elise Goldsberry at 8 p.m. (MS)
9/28 — John Pizzarelli: Stage & Screen at 8 p.m. (RH)
10/14 — Disney’s ‘Encanto’ Sing-Along at 4 p.m. (MS)
10/18 — Wanda Sykes at 8 p.m. (MS) *Sold out
10/26 — Malevo at 8 p.m. (MS)
10/9 — Cirque Kalabané: Afrique en Cirque at 7 p.m. (MS)
11/13 — Some Enchanted Evening with Stella Cole at 7 p.m. (RH)
11/16 — Peridance Contemporary Dance Company at 8 p.m. (MS)
11/21 — Starry Nights at 7 p.m. (RH)
11/23 — An Evening with Jackie Evancho at 8 p.m. (RH)
11/24 — ‘Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus’ at 3 p.m. (MS)
12/6 — Anthony Nunziata: A Broadway Italian Christmas at 8 p.m. (RH)
12/14 — Caroline Campbell with guest Chloe Flower at 8 p.m. (RH)
RH: Recital Hall
MS: Main Stage
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts is located at 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook. To order tickets, call the box office at 631-632-2787 or visit stallercenter.com.
Letters to the Editor: September 5, 2024
Vote for democracy this November
My car has a single bumper sticker supporting a Democratic candidate. On Sunday, I was driving home from doing some shopping. For the second time in a little over a week, a motorcyclist behind me at a stop light cursed and threatened me.
He called me un-American and threatened to vandalize my car. How can anyone believe that threatening to vandalize someone’s car because of the candidate that they support is consistent with our country’s values?
Neighbors, whatever party you belong to, I beg you this November to vote for the candidate who will protect our democracy. I have to believe that the vast majority of us, regardless of party affiliation, don’t want to live in the sort of country that some motorcyclists would like to create.
Rachel Kreier
Port Jefferson
Balancing restoration with resilience
I join county Legislator Steve Englebright [D-Setauket] in favoring the restoration of the iconic Stony Brook Mill Pond.
As the interim president of the Frank Melville Memorial Foundation, custodians of the dams and Setauket Mill Ponds, I thank Steve for his mention of our ponds and the credit given to our dam’s construction [“Perspective: Restore and protect Stony Brook Mill Pond,” TBR News Media, Aug. 29].
I would add to the story, however, when Steve says that we were subjected to the same storm event as the Stony Brook Mill Pond. While it is likely that we shared the same amount of water and climate violence as Stony Brook, we were the beneficiaries of a years-long Save The Ponds campaign in which we lobbied for the installation of the recharge basin at Detmer Farm (thank you, Suffolk County) and a cascade system to slow the runoff of rainwater from Main Street, Old Field Road and Christian Avenue (thank you, Town of Brookhaven) and yes, even Route 25A (thank you, New York State).
While our focus was on restoration of the ponds, the first stop, led by Chuck Hamilton — then a member of our board and a former regional enforcement officer for DEC — was to identify and address root causes. In our case, there was too much road runoff, sand and dirt flowing into our ponds.
Add to this that we have done a series of engineering assessments. The most recent of these was performed by Thomas O’Dwyer of HomePort Engineering who donated his services and was led by Robert Reuter, one of our board members and a past president. Our dam and sluiceway were reinforced under Robert’s oversight within the last two years.
So yes, I vote to restore the Stony Brook Mill Pond, but not without a plan to manage the velocity and volume of water running down 25A and not without a commitment to inspect and maintain the dam itself.
Timothy Glynn
South Setauket
Restoring our roots
I am writing in response to Kurt Johnsen’s enjoyable and nostalgic guest column [“Stony Brook Mill Pond — a warm childhood memoir,” TBR News Media, Aug. 29]. His writing was both informative and captivating.
One can easily picture a somewhat different time in our not-too-distant past. For all that must have changed, much has remained. Three Village continues to share a strong sense of community along with the bucolic landscapes that fill our windshields from school pickups to grocery shopping to visits with friends.
The disasters at the Stony Brook Mill Pond and along Harbor Road are indeed impressive, in the scariest sense, especially when visited in person. Happily there was no loss of human life. Considering our hometown has been unique since the very beginning as explained by Mr. Johnsen, I am hopeful that our sense of place helps us restore what was lost and build something lasting for our children and grandchildren to share with their families and create memories not so different from the ones made nearly 60 years ago.
Mr. Johnsen would also be pleased to know there are wood ducks which frequent the Mill Pond. I do not know if they nest in the boxes he built all those years ago, but it’s not impossible to think his hope-filled project changed the trajectory of this particularly stunning waterfowl.
Rebuilding gives us an opportunity to do something special and future-focused. Thank you for inspiring us.
Craig Beale
Setauke
Trying to enjoy peace at Cedar Beach
People come to the beach for many reasons: fresh air, the scenery or to escape their problems. None of which can be enjoyed with you sitting in your car with the windows rolled up, while you scroll on your phone. It makes no sense! If you don’t want to enjoy all that our wonderful Island has to offer, fine. But, you not only get in your own way, but you ruin it for others.
I’ve gone to Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai to see the sunset several times this summer and without fail there’s someone doing this very thing. With their car running! It’s late in the season, late in the day so it’s not hot and yet people pull in with their windows rolled up.
Unfortunately, I cannot walk to the shore because of health reasons. So I sit on the beach right by the parking lot, away from the noisy Beach Club. I try to enjoy some peace on our beautiful beach.
But I can’t.
I didn’t come here to listen to your engine or to smell your car’s exhaust. So let me ask: Why are you here?
Deniz Yildirim
Port Jeff Station
Come meet Sarah Anker
If you’ve been asked to vote for Sarah Anker as your next New York State senator for District 1 and your answer is that you don’t know who she is, here is your chance to learn more about her.
Come meet Sarah on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 12:30 at The Shoppes at East Wind, Suite T, Wading River. Hear what supporters have to say about her, pick up literature and lawn signs, and eat some pizza. Of course, if you want to help reach out to voters, consider volunteering to help spread Sarah’s message. There’s a lot to be done between now and Nov. 5.
You can help canvas/knock on doors; make phone calls either from home or the office; reach out to your friends or people in your network, sharing with them why they should vote for Sarah; help with voter registration; getting lawn signs to put in your yard; or any other way you can think of to help Sarah become your next state senator.
On Nov. 5 it is crucial that you vote for those national candidates that will secure our democracy. Sarah will work for that goal and so much more. She will do what she’s done as a county legislator — she will have our backs.
So, come meet someone who will protect everyone’s rights. For more information about Sarah, go to her website at www.sarahanker.com. She will continue to put people over politics.
Ernestine Franco
Sound Beach
WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL
We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation. Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733
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