The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for its new chamber partner, Hook & Ladder Party Company, on June 27.
Owners Robert and Rose Rodriguez (center) cut the ribbon with Port Jefferson Village Mayor Margot Garant and Port Jefferson Chamber President Joy Pipe surrounded by family, friends and chamber members.Their full-scale fire engine truck was parked outside the chamber’s office for full display and a state of the art Firefighter Simulator was set up and visitors could help to extinguish a simulated fire. Hospitality was provided in the chamber’s office.
Hook & Ladder Party Company specializes in educational programs for schools, camps, libraries, children’s birthday parties and special events on Long Island.Children learn about fire safety, dress in firefighter gear, compete in a firefighter obstacle course challenge, use a fire extinguisher to put out a simulated fire and take part in a bucket brigade relay race.All activities can be adapted for indoor or outdoor programs.
Formore information, call 631-236-8443 or visit www.hookandladderparty.com.
Three Village residents join the members of the Setauket Fire department June 23. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Longtime Setauket Fire Department volunteers William Engels, Thomas Hart and William Siegal. Photo by Bob O'Rourk
Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Valerie Cartright and Supervisor Ed Romaine present the fire department with a town proclamation. Photo by Bob O'Rourk
Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn presents commissioner Jay Gardiner and Chief of Department Paul Rodier with a county proclamation. Photo by Bob O' Rourk
Ex-Chief William Engels, with over 50 years of Setauket Fire Department service, cuts the ribbon, with help from member of the board Capt. Kevin Yoos, Chairman Jay Gardiner, 49-year member Thomas Hart, William Siegal, Chief Paul Rodier, 1st Assistant Chief Scott Gressin and 2nd Assistant Chief Richard Leute. Photo by Bob O'Rourk
Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Valerie Cartright, district Chairman Jay Gardiner, Chief Paul Rodier, Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine and 2nd Assistant Chief Scott Gressin. Photo by Bob O'Rourk
Chief Paul Rodier, 1st Assistant Chief Scott Gressin, 2nd Assistant Chief Richard Leute, and 3rd Assistant Chief Timothy Devine take in the grand opening event. Photo by Bob O'Rourk
Richard Wiederman leads the Setauket Elementary School band at the grand opening firehouse event. Photo by Bob O'Rourk
The Setauket Fire Department’s Engine Company #1 firehouse is officially up and running.
Hundreds of residents, along with Setauket fire commissioners, legislators and volunteer firefighters, both local and neighboring, were on hand to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the renovated firehouse on the corner of Main Street and Old Town Road June 23.
Jay Gardiner, fire commissioner and chairman of the board, said the department has been serving the community for 108 years.
“Today we mark a milestone in that history as the beautiful new building you see in front of you is a reaffirmation of our commitment to this community, as well as a symbol of the dedication we have to the mission of the Setauket Fire Department, which is to ensure the protection of life and property to our residents,” Gardiner said.
The Setauket Fire Department, which also includes stations on Arrowhead Lane and Nicolls Road, has nearly 200 volunteers, career staff and support personnel who serve an estimated 95,000 people during the day and 26,000 residents in the evening, Gardiner said.
The fire district, which has its headquarters at Hulse Road, also covers Stony Brook University and its hospital in an about 28-square-mile area.
The fire commissioner said the new 23,000-square-foot Main Street facility includes solar heated water, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation heating/cooling system, a large meeting room, training room and bunk rooms for overnight crews, while the entire building is Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.
“This structure is modern, yet it maintains the historical integrity of our building, complete with the brickwork matching the original building which faces 25A,” he said.
The original southeast corner that was once an asphalt parking lot, he said, is now a green space “to enjoy the view of the historical center of our town.” Gardiner said the fire department hopes the large glacial erratic rock that now sits on the green space will become a new landmark, and he joked that it was a “custom import” found during the excavation of the property.
Among those who spoke before the ribbon cutting was Paul Rodier, chief of department, who thanked the members and their families for their support, especially those who belong to Engine Company #1.
“You guys went without a building for about three years,” he said. “A lot of cold nights to stand by with no heat, plastic chairs.”
State Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) complimented the fire district for reaching out to the community when it came to renovating and adding on to the building.
“This is a triumph,” Englebright said. “What we’re really looking at is protection and security for our community that deserves both. We are looking at a monument to the creative cooperation between our civics and our fire service. This is in the heart of a historic district, so I really want to salute the fire department and fire district for working to make sure that the essence of this place, this place of Setauket, is reflected in the architecture and in the materials that this building is constructed of. Well done and thank you.”
Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket), Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) and town Councilwoman Valerie Cartright (D-Port Jefferson Station) were also in attendance to present the fire department with proclamations.
“Today we’re looking at a building that some people said, ‘Well, it costs a lot of money,’ but 50 years from now we’ll look back and say what a wise decision was made to invest in a building that provides fire services and ambulance services to all the people in the Setauket area,” Romaine said.
After the speeches, William Engels, a 50-year veteran, cut the ribbon surrounded by his fellow firefighters, and the new alarm was sounded. The Setauket Elementary School band also performed during the event, and residents were invited to tour the new facility and to discuss volunteer opportunities with firefighters.
To view more photos from the event, visit www.tbrnewsmedia.com.
Izzo family leads Long Island into New York’s green energy future. Photo by Donna Deedy
After the Izzo family leased their 26-acre Kings Park property to the Town of Smithtown for a landfill during the 70s’, the place was declared uninhabitable. Today, the site is revered as Long Island’s largest solar farm over a landfill.
The 4-megawatt project was showcased on June 20 with a ribbon cutting ceremony, an event that unexpectedly coincided with New York State’s sweeping new clean energy legislation promising to become carbon neutral by 2050.
“This is all about what good this site can do for years to come,” said Robert Izzo, Jr.
Read more about the Izzo project and New York’s clean energy initiative in next week’s issues of Times Beacon Record newspapers
The new Village Chabad is on Nicolls Road in East Setauket. Photo by Stacey Heber
With decades of history in the Three Village area, a religious organization is ready to flourish in a new venue.
A view of the front entrance of the new Village Chabad on Nicolls Road. Photo by Stacey Heber
Nestled on Nicolls Road, a new building designed by Natalie Weinstein & Associates of St James is near completion for Chabad at Stony Brook which currently works out of Lake Grove. A ribbon cutting will be held June 23 to mark the beginning of a new era for the organization with a larger home for those it serves to gather in, along with a new moniker — Village Chabad.
The original name, Chabad at Stony Brook, came about 32 years ago when Rabbi Chaim Grossbaum and Rivkie Grossbaum, co-directors, moved from New Jersey and first worked with Stony Brook University students. Soon, the Chabad services extended beyond the school and into the Three Village community and surrounding areas, with a synagogue, preschool, Hebrew and elementary schools, activities for children and adult education.
“Thirty-two years ago, it started with the university, but over the years it developed into a vast array of broad programming,” said Grossbaum’s son Rabbi Motti Grossbaum, program director.
During a recent tour of the new building, the Grossbaums, who provide services with Rabbi Shalom Ber Cohen, director of education, said the Chabad outgrew its space in Lake Grove. Many programs had to be held at places such as the Bates House in Setauket, the Holiday Inn Express at Stony Brook and many other rentable spaces in the Three Village area due to lack of space.
“We were literally bursting at the seams there, which is why when we had to rent larger venues for community functions we rented up here in the Three Village area,” Motti Grossbaum said.
Chaim Grossbaum likened the new building to a village where everything a Jewish family needs would be under one roof. Like the Lake Grove location, Rivkie Grossbaum, preschool director; Chanie Cohen, program coordinator; Chaya Grossbaum, camp coordinator; and Rivka Itzhaky, secretary and accounts payable/receivable, will join the rabbis.
“It would bring the community together as a village,” he said. “Whether they’re coming for the elementary school or coming for a holiday party, they’re coming home. They’re coming for prayer services or simply to relax with a friend over a cup of coffee. It’s the same home.”
The 13,000-square-foot Village Chabad sits on 8.8 acres of property, and 2.8 acres of it has been developed with a wooded buffer. There are classrooms, study rooms, a sanctuary, offices, a conference room, backyard, patio and a room that can hold 200 for events such as bat and bar mitzvahs and holiday dinners.
“This has been a community effort of many people who have stepped up and catapulted this whole project to happen.”
— Chaim Grossbaum
The rabbis said the new location would make it easier to serve the Jewish community who reside close to and on the North Shore. Many who attend services and activities at the Chabad are residents in the Three Village school district as well as Smithtown and Port Jefferson. The Chabad is open to anyone of the Jewish faith of any affiliation or background and membership is not required.
“The concept of Village Chabad is the wholesomeness that the Jewish community needs will be here,” Chaim Grossbaum said.
While the Chabad still holds a mortgage with Gold Coast Bank for the $5 million project, the rabbis said a number of sponsors, both big and small, stepped up to fund parts of the new building, including lead donors Edward and Vivian Merrin, owners of The Merrin Gallery in New York City, whose contribution kicked off the donations. Opportunities are still available for sponsorship as the Chabad hopes to finish a kitchen, install a playground for their school and a swimming pool for summer camp.
“This has been a community effort of many people who have stepped up and catapulted this whole project to happen,” Chaim Grossbaum said.
In addition to the rabbis, those who have attended services and events are looking forward to their new home. Cheryl and Bruce Singer, of Stony Brook, who have been involved with the Chabad for approximately four years, are among them.
“We look forward to having a modern building that provides a central hub for the Jewish community to learn, gather, worship, celebrate and participate in social and cultural events for all ages,” Cheryl Singer said.
Jennifer O’Brien, an insurance agent in Smithtown who travels to the Chabad from Hauppauge, said it has been nice to see it expand.
“Their new location looks like it will be the most upscale synagogue in our area as the floor plans are impressive to say the least,” O’Brien said. “My children loved attending Hebrew school at their former location in Lake Grove, and we are so excited for all that the grand opening and new accommodating space will offer a synagogue, school and camp.”
Andy Polan, president of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce, said the new building “shows that our Jewish community is vibrant and growing.”
“It was Chabad’s outreach that inspired me to become more engaged with my Judaism and to take on leadership roles in our Jewish community,” Polan said. “These are experiences that will impact me forever.”
Motti Grossbaum said the Chabad currently serves about 500 active families and the move gives the Chabad the opportunity to benefit many more residents.
“We’re part of people’s lives, and we’re trying to bring meaning and purpose and to remind people that beyond the chaos of our day-to-day life, we all have a collective mission to make the world a better place every day,” Motti Grossbaum said.
The ribbon cutting will be held June 23 at 1 p.m. at the new building located at 360 Nicolls Road, East Setauket. Registration is required by visiting www.myvillagechabad.com.
On May 24, the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for the main Law Office of Heather N. Kaplan, Esq., located at 84 Nesconset Hwy., Suite 2, in Port Jefferson Station. A second office is located in Garden City.
Pictured above, Heather Kaplan, center, with husband Joshua and their three children Julia, Lily and Charlotte cut the ribbon under the business’ sign surrounded by family member Andrea Freundlinger; Chamber President Joy Pipe of East End Shirt Co.; chamber members Tess Son of Digital Marketing Consultant and Nancy Bradley of People’s United Bank; and law firm staff members Brittany Garavelli, Diane Ferrette, Ali Kaplan and Amanda Caponi.
Specializing in New York State worker’s compensations claims, Kaplan is an accomplished litigator and has achieved excellent results at the Workers’ Compensation Board, New York Supreme Court and at the Appellate Courts.
For more information, call 631-574-2624 or visit www.nyinjuredworker.com.
MAKING HISTORY
Natalie Weinstein, Jack Ader and Arline Goldstein unveil a painting by Goldstein titled ‘Celebrating St. James’ at the ribbon cutting surrounded by local organizations, town council board members, chamber members, local officials and honorees. The painting, which depicts local landmarks including the St. James General Store and the historic Calderone Theater, is currently on view in the front window of the 455 Art Studio at 455 Lake Avenue. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
Artist Kevin McEvoy, director of The Atelier at Flowerfield, paints Assemblyman Michael J. Fitzpatrick’s portrait at the St. James Art Walk last Sunday. Photo courtesy of The Atelier at Flowerfield
An artist from The Atelier at Flowerfield paints a still life at the event. Photo by Donna Deedy
The ribbon is cut at the Lake Avenue Gazebo. Photo by Donna Deedy
Natalie Weinstein and Arline Goldstein speaks at the event. Photo by Donna Deedy
On May 19, Celebrate St James hosted state, county and town officials as well as local residents at the Lake Avenue Gazebo to commemorate an official Cultural Arts District, located along Lake Avenue in the hamlet of St. James.
The event, led by one of the organization’s founding members Natalie Weinstein, included a custom artwork unveiling by local artist Arline Goldstein, a ceremonial toast and ribbon cutting. The not-for-profit organization was also responsible for approaching the Town of Smithtown with the vision of creating a Cultural Arts District along Lake Avenue.
“There has always been something about St. James that has fostered community pride. It was and is a place where people have come together in the past and still do,” said Weinstein. “It is a place where, no matter who we are or what we think, we always share one commonality – we love our hometown.”
Weinstein went on to thank Gary Fitlin, CEO of Gyrodyne; Mario Mattera of Deepwells Farm Historical Society; St. James and Smithtown chamber of commerces; and the Smithtown Historical Society. “They, along with local and state government, realize the economic benefits that a revitalization of St. James would have, not only for Smithtown, but Suffolk County and all of Long Island,” she said.
The Smithtown town board voted unanimously on April 25 to declare an overlay cultural arts district along Lake Avenue in St. James from Route 25A (at the St. James Firehouse) on the north end down to Woodlawn Avenue on the south end, which is intended to highlight the arts, culture and entertainment for residents and visitors alike, creating much needed attractions, tourism and foot traffic along the St. James small business district.
“Thanks to the Town Council and Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, we are on our way to making history! Celebrate St. James is about you – all of you – all who will reap these benefits as you walk down Lake Avenue, sharing a coffee or ice cream, playing a game of chess, joining your friends for a meal or just … sitting on a park bench and enjoying the best of what small town life on ‘Main Street’ was like and will be again,” said Weinstein.
“And we are privileged to make it happen and see it become a wonderful gathering place for us all. We truly look forward to the future, joyfully, as we celebrate our past.”
The ceremony was held in conjunction with Celebrate St. James’ first St. James Art Walk, which featured vendors, art demonstrations and music along Lake Avenue.
Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) asked the crowd of enthusiastic residents to envision the future Lake Avenue as it undergoes a renaissance.
“An artist looks at life around him or her and sees something that most of us can not … They see colors on a blank canvas, they see the finished product looking at a blueprint. They see potential. They see an extraordinary future,” said Wehrheim. “As we cut this ribbon today, I ask that you take a moment, find your inner artist … and imagine the potential.”
Owner Anthony Amen, center, celebrates with his staff, local officials, chamber members and clients last Saturday. Photo by Heidi Sutton
The Mount Sinai-Miller Place Chamber Alliance hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening for Redefine Fitness in Mount Sinai on May 4. The event was attended by friends, family, staff, clients, chamber members and Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point) and Leg. Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai), who presented owner Anthony Amen with Certificates of Congratulations.
“Redefine Fitness offers personal training and special weight loss programs with a unique approach to guide their clients to reach their goals. The Mount Sinai-Miller Place Chamber Alliance welcomes them to our community and wishes them all the best in their future success,” said JoAnn Klein, membership director for the chamber.
“Leg. Anker and I are major supporters of small businesses. We appreciate you having faith in Mount Sinai and opening up a business here. We wish you all the success in the world,” added Bonner.
“Redefine Fitness offers one on one training, small group training, special needs training. We’re here to help people. We just want to help everyone live happy and healthy lives. We hope to continue and grow,” said Amen. “I just want to thank everyone for their support.”
Located at 5507 Nesconset Highway in the King Kullen Shopping Center, the gym is open Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 631-743-9906 or visit www.redefine-fitness.com.
Long Island based credit union NEFCU formally opened its 19th branch on the Island with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 4. Located at 356 New York Ave., Huntington, the 2,067-square-foot location first opened for business in late January.
The event was attended by a number of NEFCU representatives and local officials including Town of Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci (R) who presented NEFCU President and CEO John Deieso with a Certificate of Recognition.
This marks the second Huntington area branch for the credit union after opening its doors in Huntington Station in 2015 at 721 Jericho Turnpike.
“We’re Long Island born and bred, and we’re continually looking for communities across this hard-working island to put down new roots,” said Deieso. “Suffolk County presents a great opportunity for us, and we’re rapidly making our name known as we move eastward. And we’re finding that existing and new members are attracted to our digital and mobile banking offerings that are augmented by an increased level of personal service.”
In the photo, from left, Jillian Guthman, receiver of taxes, Town of Huntington; Lupinacci; Madeleine Sewell, NEFCU assistant treasurer; Deieso; Councilman Ed Smyth (R); and Michael Varriale, NEFCU branch manager.
Representatives from the Northeast Regional division of Whole Foods held an official bread breaking ceremony (their version of a ribbon cutting) for its new store in Commack on April 3. Located at 120 Veterans Memorial Highway, the new 45,000-square-foot store employs 200 full- and part-time team members and is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Charles Gallagher cuts the ribbon during the grand opening celebration with wife Judith and daughter Megan.
The produce section of the new Shoprite in Port Jefferson Station
An in-store registered dietitian will be available
Charles Gallagher presents a check to Long Island Cares
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6249 receives a check from Charles Gallagher
The exterior of the new store
ShopRite held a grand opening celebration for its newest store, a state-of-the-art, full-service supermarket in Port Jefferson Station, on Friday, March 8. Located at 5145 Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson Station, the 68,000-square-foot supermarket will be operated by the Gallagher family.
During the ribbon cutting, the Gallagher family presented a check for $10,000 to Long Island Cares food bank, as well as $1,000 to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6249, Rocky Point.
The existing retail space was completely renovated to make way for a new ShopRite with a convenient shopping format. The store was outfitted with the latest energy-saving and sustainable technologies, including LED lighting and environmentally friendly, energy-efficient refrigerant systems. The parking lot was refreshed with new landscaping and lighting. The store will employ approximately 250 people, many of them local residents.
An in-store, registered dietitian will provide free nutrition and wellness counseling to customers, associates and the community, and the new store will also offer a large selection of organic, local and gluten-free foods and fresh produce. Expanded gluten-free options are available in grocery, bakery and the frozen aisle, and the store also offers a refrigerated dairy-free section.
“We are very excited to bring ShopRite to Port Jefferson with the opening of this state-of-the-art shopping destination. This new supermarket is committed to providing low prices, outstanding service and health and wellness options to the local community,” said Charles Gallagher, president of Gallagher Family Markets.
Charles and his wife, Judith, who also own and operate the ShopRites in Selden and Lake Ronkonkoma, will be joined by other members of the family in running the new store, which is now open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, call 631-476-5717.
See more photos from the grand opening event at www.tbrnewsmedia.com/arts-lifestyles/.
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