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Eye on the Street

Eye on the street: The first American pope

by TBR Staff - May 20, 2025

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Pope_Leo_XIV_7 — Pope Leo XIV. Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons

By Luciana Hayes

On May 8, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected and chose the name Pope Leo XIV after a two-day conclave. He is the first American pope. But with any change comes controversy, especially when there is conflict between tradition and modernization. What do locals think of this new pope?

TBR News Media tackles this question by asking Long Islanders to share their opinions about recently elected Pope Leo XIV.

Nicole Connelly

Nicole Connelly looks forward to seeing a pope from the same city as her, Chicago, and one that enjoys tennis as much as she. While this is a simple validation, it leads her to feel a connection to the new pope because of it.

Thomas Worthington

Based on the information received, Thomas Worthington thinks Pope Leo XIV will continue the work of Pope Francis. In addition, Pope Leo XIV seems to be a good humanitarian who supports marginalized individuals. Worthington says, “He appears to be looking out for the underdogs in the world.”

Anonymous, East Setauket

This resident reflects on the matter by explaining how she thinks Pope Leo XIV will effectively enforce Catholic tradition, while still maintaining a more humane aspect that previous popes lacked. She also feels that many American Catholics can relate to him because of his nationality. “He has shown he’s a very human person with his enthusiasm for baseball,” Moody explains.

Jeanine Lewis, Holbrook

When asked about Pope Leo XIV, Jeanine Lewis responded, “I like him because he has a very kind smile and he’s a people person. You can see he connects with the people.” Another quality Lewis appreciates from the pope is his ability to keep Catholic traditions, but modify some of them to fit modern times.

Layla Fayed, East Setauket

Layla Fayed welcomes the new pope with cautious optimism in hopes to see him successfully modernize church doctrine. She looks to Pope Leo XIV to allow female leadership in the Catholic Church and openness toward the LGBTQ+ community. Fayed states, “overall, his papacy will be closely observed for how seriously it regards equality and inclusivity.

Eye on the Street: Mother’s Day memories

by TBR Staff - May 18, 2025

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Laurel_and_Dylan_Gallo — Laurel and Dylan Gallo. Photo by Joshua Kim

By Joshua Kim

This Mother’s Day, locals reflected on the role their mothers have played in their lives; from attending sports games to dispensing unforgettable advice, these matriarchs shaped who their children are today.

TBR News Media asked community members, “What is your favorite memory with your mother?

Laurel and Dylan Gallo, Centereach

Laurel remembers going to Cedar Beach with her mother, people-watching and shopping together. Her son

Dylan recalled recently going to see Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats at Madison Square Garden withher, sipping margaritas together in their booth. “We got to hear all our favorite songs that we grew up listening to together, and I don’t think I’m ever gonna forget it.”

Alex Andre, Hempstead

Alex’s fondest memory of his mother was going out for food together before he went to Germany for the Army.

Thomas and Flynn, St. James

Flynn’s favorite memory was going to Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor water park, together with his mom. His brother Thomas also shared his favorite memory: “probably the day when I was born!”

Nekki Lang, Southbury, Conn.

This former Long Islander’s favorite memory with her mother was trekking up to Vermont to visit after her mother had moved off of Long Island.

Jace Mas, Port Jefferson Station

While checking people out at The Frigate, Jace shared his favorite memory: coming off the mat at his wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu matches and seeing his mom cheering him on.

Mashal Siddiqui, Centereach

Mashal recalled going to the beach as a family when her brothers were young. She said the time she spent with her family then was her favorite memory with her mother.

Ryan, Mount Sinai

Ryan’s absolute favorite memory with his mom was going to Universal Studios with her. His sister’s favorite memory is a secret.

Jake and Shannon Chant, Middle Island

Shannon’s favorite memory with her mother is going on vacation with her and getting one-on-one time together. Her son Jake’s favorite memory, similarly, is visiting the beaches of Nantucket with her.

— All photos by Joshua Kim

Eye on the street: How did you meet your partner?

by TBR Staff - February 14, 2025

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By Luciana Hayes

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about love, it’s also about stories. But are stories really like the ones we see in movies and read in books?

This Valentine’s Day TBR News Media chose to ask the people of Long Island about the moment they fell in love and took a better look at the movies of peoples’ lives

Pamela and Vincent Giglio of Northport

Pamela and Vincent met in August, 1977 at a club called the Penrod in East Meadow when “disco was really big”. After parting ways, they then ran into each other again three weeks later at another club and the rest is history. They will be celebrating their 45th anniversary this summer and will be spending this Valentine’s day with their new grandchild.

Brian and Josette Lebowitz of East Setauket

Josette and Brian met on a blind date that was set up by a mutual friend. They married in October of 2019 and will be spending the upcoming holiday with their family.

Taly D. and Leron D. of South Setauket

Taly and Leron met on a Jewish dating website called JDate. The two plan to celebrate this Valentine’s day early and casually.

Mary and Pete Mantia of Patchogue

Mary and Pete met in a supermarket just after Pete had finished serving in Vietnam. They will be spending this Valentine’s day in the city with their family and friends.

Diane and Jeremy Flint of East Setauket

Diane and Jeremy met in the sunshine state of Florida while playing in an adult coed soccer team. They later married in Iceland before moving to Long Island to start a family. They plan on spending Valentine’s day as a family by making heart-shaped pizzas and sweet treats.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Times Beacon Record News Media!

Eye on the Street: Love at first sight?

by Jennifer Donatelli - February 9, 2025

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By Jennifer Donatelli

Valentine’s Day often sparks the age-old debate about whether love at first sight is real or just a romantic notion. Some people swear by it, claiming that an instant connection or an inexplicable bond can form in the blink of an eye. For them, it’s more than just attraction — it’s a deep, immediate understanding or a shared energy that can’t be ignored. Others, however, argue that love is something that builds over time, shaped by experiences, conversations and vulnerability. They believe that true love cannot be rushed, and that the initial spark is often mistaken for infatuation or chemistry.

TBR News Media recently asked Long Islanders what they thought about love at first sight.

Lisa Goldfeder from Babylon

“I don’t believe in love at first sight. You have to get to know someone first, spend time with them, be friends, then the love will come. People who say they believe in love at first sight are more like infatuated to me.”

Lonnie Goldfeder from Babylon

“I believe you can fall in love when you first meet someone. You have that feeling that they’re ‘the one’ and everything else follows.”

Frank Borrero from Huntington

“I believe in love at first sight, but not the kind of love that lasts forever. I love women, so every woman I meet is love at first sight to me. A pair and a spare is my motto.”

Neil Clay from Stony Brook

“I believe in love at first sight. It’s how I met my wife. We both went outside to throw our garbage in the dumpster and I knew from that minute I met my soulmate.”

Lucia Trowe from Huntington

“I definitely think you can fall in love with someone when you first meet them. My husband told me seconds after we met that he loved me and asked me to marry him. We were married 40 years.”

Michael Joseph from Huntington

“I don’t believe in love at first sight unless you’re picking a dog. How can you know you love someone from a chance meeting or look?”

Eye on the Street: Goals for 2025

by TBR Staff - January 18, 2025

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By Katherine Kelton

Welcoming 2025 can mean many different things to different people. Do people still believe in setting goals for the new year, or has this practice become outdated, with goal-setting becoming more or less infrequent?

TBR News Media took to the streets to ask Long Islanders about their New Year’s resolutions to understand this phenomenon across different groups.

Jake Schwarzbard, East Setauket

The Ward Melville High School senior is looking forward to the warmer weather, which will help him stick to his New Year’s resolution of “being on my phone less. “I feel like it is taking up too much of my day. I would like to try doing more activities, like golfing.”

Cara Macedonio, Stony Brook

The Emma Clark Library clerk discussed a few of her resolutions: “Go to the gym is basic, but that was one of them. My resolution is to find a fun job that I like.”

Claire Sloniewsky, Old Field

The senior at Ward Melville shared some of her “several” resolutions, which she wrote down on her phone to remember throughout the year: “One of my main resolutions was to spend more time outside, whether on a daily walk or something more high-impact, like going on a run or looking at nature. I feel more grounded when I do that, and it’s pretty isolating and tiring when I’m inside. Another was to read more. I’m already a pretty big reader, but I want to prioritize it this year.”

Angie Zang, Coram

The elementary school student shared her goal for the year while roasting a marshmallow outside of The Frigate, “I would like to get better at ballet.”

Lindsay Day, Three Village

Another Emma Clark Library clerk shared her goal: “My New Year’s resolution is to make more meals at home instead of dining out.”

Spencer Edelbaum, Three Village

A local Druther’s Coffee frequenter shared his New Year’s resolution, which he states is his permanent goal: “I have a nonprofit called The Spot. I do a lot of helping; I just love a lot of people. I would just continue loving into people’s lives.”

Eye on the Street: People of the Year 2024

by Jennifer Donatelli - December 29, 2024

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By Jennifer Donatelli

As the year comes to a close, it’s a time to reflect on the individuals who have had a profound impact on our lives. Whether through their kindness, wisdom or unwavering support, people leave an indelible mark, shaping us in ways both big and small.

To round out 2024, TBR News Media took to the streets, asking locals to nominate their Person of the Year. Here are their responses

Dorinda Haberfield, Smithtown

Haberfield nominated her mother, 97-year-old Genevieve Antonucci, as her Person of the Year, because of “everything she has been through in her life.” “She lived through the Great Depression, the loss of her father at a young age, homelessness and having to work to help support the family,” said Haberfield.

“Her perseverance and resilience has been a true inspiration and example of integrity and strong character,” she added.

Lisa Goldfeder, Babylon

When asked to nominate someone as Person of the Year, Goldfeder immediately said Caitlin Clark, the WNBA basketball athlete.

“She single-handedly changed the landscape of women’s basketball, with TV viewership rising over 300%,” Goldfeder said.

Michael Joseph, Halesite

Joseph nominated Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, for his dedication to his country and for “having the courage to put it all in a public memoir.”

Margaret Munsch, Huntington

Munsch nominated her son “because he is my heart, and gives me a purpose for living.”

Gladys Brandow, Oceanside

Brandow’s nomination for Person of the Year is her son Steven, “for being brave, accomplishing his goals and pursuing his dreams,” despite the death of his father as a teenager.

Michelle Mulderrig, Syracuse and Huntington

Mulderrig said she would nominate “anyone who has faced the diagnosis of cancer.:

These people have had to navigate waters they might find themselves drowning in. So for anyone battling cancer and the people it affects around them, you are all heroes to me,” said Mulderrig.

Eye on the Street: Daylight Saving Time

by Katherine Kelton - November 9, 2024

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By Katherine Kelton

Daylight saving time ended on Sunday, Nov. 3, giving Americans an extra hour to enjoy — except in Hawaii and most of Arizona.

On Long Island, this meant an earlier sunrise and saying goodbye to sunsets after 6 p.m. The next day in Port Jefferson, people enjoyed quintessential fall weather on the ferry to Connecticut. TBR News Media asked these passengers: How did you enjoy your extra hour?

Mary Rose and Alan Goldberg, East Setauket

Mary Rose and her husband Alan were in Massachusetts when the “fall back” happened. The pair were visiting their daughter. Even though the two had a “very long conversation the night about falling back and getting that extra hour,” they forgot the day off until they were about to leave their hotel. For them, the extra hour meant time to “sit around and chat, visit our daughter, hang out and be together.”

Monica Landivar, Stamford, Conn.

Monica Landivar, on left, from Stamford, Connecticut, on a day trip to Port Jefferson, shared the practical benefits she enjoyed from daylight saving time: “To be totally and completely honest, it was relaxing. And also, the good thing was that I had extra time to do some work around the house.”

Alenna Lin, Stony Brook University

Alenna Lin, a freshman at Stony Brook University, enjoyed the extra hour to reorientate her schedule. “I spend many hours studying for all my classes, so my sleep schedule naturally gets destroyed, especially after two back-to-back midterms last week,” she said. She could “go to bed an hour early, wake up at a reasonable time and be more awake during lectures.”

Amal Sani, South Setauket

A senior at Ward Melville High School, Amal Sani shared details of her three-day weekend, saying, “I had Monday off for senior skip day, so I had an extra hour and an extra day to do work.” She was sitting in Local’s Cafe in Port Jefferson doing college applications and school work, which she said she has been very occupied with. “Daylight savings was much needed,” she added.

Eye on the Street: Labor Day edition

by Toni-Elena Gallo - September 6, 2024

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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

*From left to right: Diana’s friend. her son and Diana.*

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.

Eye on the Street: The Presidential Debate

by TBR Staff - June 29, 2024

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By Ava Himmelsbach

Among growing anticipation to hear the plans and propositions of the United States presidential candidates, the long-awaited first presidential debate for the 2024 election is scheduled to take place this Thursday, June 27.

With this political face-off right around the corner, TBR had a question for locals: “What topics would you like to see addressed in Thursday’s presidential debate?”

Photos by Ava Himmelsbach

Muriel and Patricia, Smithtown

Muriel and Patricia are interested to see how the candidates will address various relevant topics. “Well, number one is immigration,” Patricia mentioned. “Climate control is important,” Muriel later brought up.

Additionally, Muriel and Patricia shared that they would like to hear about the economy in the presidential debate. They are curious to hear how the candidates will speak about topics such as the housing market, Wall Street and student loans.

Barbara Thompson and Kevin Thompson, Islip

Barbara Thompson and Kevin Thompson, Former Islip residents now residing in Florida. They hope to hear conversations free of banter and full of respect in the upcoming debate. “There should always be things on the docket regarding our educational systems and our welfare systems, of course,” Kevin noted. “And the subject of firearms, it’s all a very debatable thing, but no one seems to be making any decisions regarding it. They all seem to be fighting over it.” Barbara added that she and Kevin now reside close to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, a place devastated by a mass shooting in 2018. This tragedy has contributed to their attention to the topic of firearm ownership.

Among these concerns and curiosities involving the topic of firearms, Barbara and Kevin also stated that they hope Thursday’s debate includes topics of social security for the future, welfare for the elderly and aid for immigration.

Nancy and Paul

Nancy and Paul highlighted their interest in topics related to immigration and the economy, as well as oil and its sources. They are both curious to see how the subject of the economy will be addressed in the debate. Paul specified that he is interested to hear more about economic changes that may arise under the elected candidate.

Nancy and Paul declined for their picture to be taken or other personal information to be included.

Mike and Kristen, Port Jefferson

Mike emphasized “dealing with foreign affairs” as the primary topic that he hopes is discussed in the debate. He mentioned the need for attention toward the country’s global relations, noting his interest in “strengthening our relationships overseas” and “eliminating the possibilities of going to war.”

“Mental health concerns for everyone should be covered,” added Kristen. They both agreed that access to health care, including care for mental health, should be addressed.

Eye on the Street: Father’s Day

by TBR Staff - June 16, 2024

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By Serena Carpino

Father’s Day is always a special time of the year. Families go out for breakfast at Sweet Mama’s, rent kayaks in the Stony Brook Harbor, play a round of golf at St George’s in Setauket, or continue their own fun traditions.

As Father’s Day approaches, TBR asked local personalities, “What does Father’s Day mean to you? How do you celebrate Father’s Day? What’s the best present you’ve given your father over the years?”

— Photos by Serena Carpino

Eric Rectanus, Stony Brook

Father’s Day is “a way of honoring the person who took care of you. It’s the person who put a roof over your head, made sure you had food in your belly, loved you and cared for you no matter what.” Rectanus, who lost his father last year, said. “Seeing Father’s Day now compared to when I had my dad, I see really what Father’s Day means because I don’t have him anymore. It’s just that person who gives you unconditional love, no matter what you do in life.”

Mario Solis, Stony Brook

“For me, it’s just a time that [my family] can get together, especially with my dad. We don’t have that close of a relationship, so that’s really the only time that I get to spend time with him.”

Solis said that he and his family celebrate Father’s Day with food. “We eat — eat and just spend time together. It’s nothing special but it means a lot to us.” Solis added that the best gift he has given his father was a tool set.

Solis declined for his picture to be taken.

Tatjana Trajkovic, East Setauket

“Father’s Day is a day to celebrate your dad because a lot of us who have dads sometimes take them for granted and don’t realize that some people aren’t as fortunate as us. So, it’s a day to appreciate these special people,” Trajkovic said.

The family celebrates her father and sister as a “two-for-one special” since her sister’s birthday is the same day. “Usually, we get a cake and split it between them,” she said.

Trajkovic will be attending college in the fall and hopes to give her father a meaningful present before she leaves. She explained, “On TikTok there’s a special Father’s Day present that’s trending where you have your dad write down all of his important memories and the best stories of his life. I want him to write all of these in a notebook so that I can carry them to college. That’ll probably be the best gift I’ll ever give him, but I suppose it’ll be a gift for me too.”

Christian McClain, Shoreham

Christian McClain, a student at Shoreham-Wading River High School, said that, to him, “Father’s Day means celebrating and appreciating the love, guidance and support my father has given me throughout my life.”

On Father’s Day, McClain always has baseball tournaments. So, to celebrate his father, he wears light-blue socks and a light-blue wristband. In addition, McClain said that the best gift he ever gave his father “was when my family surprised him with a trip to Italy over the summer.”

Karen Gilmore, Stony Brook

For Father’s Day, Gilmore said that her “daughter gets a present and gives it to him. We usually take him out to dinner or something like that … we like to go to Ragazzi [Italian Kitchen & Bar, in Nesconset].”

This year, Gilmore’s daughter made her dad a nice picture with watercolor in a recent art class. Gilmore said, “She’s really proud that she’s going to give it to him. [It’s important because] it’s something personalized, something that she made, more than just buying something. It’s something that means something from the heart.”

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