On October 19, Town Councilman Neil A. Manzella (left), Town Clerk Kevin J. LaValle (second from right), NYS Senator Dean Murray (second from left), and Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (right) were joined by over 550 Middle Country Youth Civic Association members for some early Halloween fun at Brookhaven Town’s Centereach Pool.
This year, the Councilman transformed his automobile trunk into the classic “Fix-it-Felix” Arcade and the Town Clerk portrayed the “Karate Kid” character, “Daniel LaRusso,” with his car trunk themed from the hit movie. Both trunks were filled with goodies for the enthusiastic “Trick or Treaters.”
Dozens of car trunks at the weekend event were changed into Halloween attractions with Town officials and
their staff handing out candy and toys to the youngsters all dressed in their pre-Halloween costumes.
Councilman Manzella and the Civic Association said the event “never disappoints!”
Collaboration to raise funds for Positively Pink During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Paprocky Motorsports has teamed up with Middle Country Automotive of Selden to launch the “Racing For A Cure” initiative, joining the fight against breast cancer throughout October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This collaboration aims to raise awareness and funds for Positively Pink, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by breast cancer.
On-site at MCA of Selden, key partners came together to promote the campaign. Pictured are Suzanne & Troy Schmidt, Owners of MCA; Alyssa Paprocky, driver of the MCA-sponsored race car; mechanic and local Selden Firefighter Mathew Parrish; Lenore Paprocky, President of the Greater Middle Country Chamber; Councilman Neil Manzella and Legislator Nick Caracappa; and Maria McMullen, founder of Positively Pink. This powerful team is united by a shared mission to make a difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
Throughout October, Middle Country Auto of Selden will run fundraising efforts and with proceeds benefiting Positively Pink’s life-changing programs.
“It’s about the community,” said Troy Schmidt. “We are proud to harness the excitement of motorsports to support such a vital cause. This initiative shows what we can accomplish when we combine passion with purpose. We encourage everyone to stop by MCA and support.”
Maria McMullen, founder of Positively Pink, expressed gratitude for the initiative, saying, “Partnerships like this help us continue our mission of providing vital services to those facing breast cancer. Every dollar raised has a meaningful impact.”
To participate, donate, or learn more about “Racing with a Cause,” visit Middle Country Automotive at 839 Middle Country Road in Selden. All money collected will be matched by MCA. For more information, call 631-698-4455.
Grace Miller, pictured with Councilman Manzella and Town Clerk LaValle, won first place in the women's division this year. Photo courtesy of TOB
Hunter Wilson, pictured with Councilman Manzella and Town Clerk LaValle, won first place in the men's division this year. Photo courtesy of TOB
Runners line up for the 2024 Run the Farm race. Photo courtesy of TOB
On August 10, Town of Brookhaven Councilman Neil Manzella and Town Clerk Kevin LaValle co-hosted the Annual Shoprite Run the Farm 4 Mile Run/Walk to benefit Bethel Hobbs Community Farm in Centereach. Hundreds of runners and spectators attend the Run the Farm 4 Mile Run/Walk each year. This year, over 200 runners participated and more than 350 community members joined the post-race celebrations. Hunter Wilson was the male leader at 21 minutes, 16 seconds and Grace Miller was the female leader at 25 minutes, 31 seconds. Ms. Miller beat her own record from last year.
The historic Bethel Hobbs Community Farm is one of Long Island’s last remaining, all-volunteer farms. Established in 1906, this not-for-profit farm embodies the spirit of giving by donating as much as 90% of its annual harvest to feed those less fortunate. Hobbs Farm raises over 100,000 pounds of food each year which is donated to various food pantries around Long Island.
Councilman Manzella and Town Clerk LaValle thanked the organizers and runners who participated as well as the sponsors, Suffolk County Police Department 6th Precinct; Town of Brookhaven Highway Department; Town of Brookhaven Public Safety; Centereach Fire Department; and the event producers, EliteFeats. They also acknowledged Hobbs Farm owner, Ann Pellegrino, all the dedicated volunteers and vendors who helped make the Shoprite Run the Farm 4 Mile Run/Walk.
They also thanked the event sponsors, including Suffolk County Legislators Leslie Kennedy and Nick Caracappa; ShopRite; New York Blood & Cancer; Pepsi; Bethel AME Church; Middle Country Chamber of Commerce; John T. Mather Memorial Hospital; Stony Brook UUP; Mondelez International; Frito Lay; Team Rita; Island Nursing and Rehab; Techworks; Brooklyn Delights; Bimbo Bakeries; Campbells and Dunkin Donuts.
On July 1, Councilman Neil Manzella (second from right) presented a compost tumbler to Edith Randazzo of Centereach (second from left), one of six winners of the Town of Brookhaven’s “Compost Tumbler Giveaway.”
Entries for the Compost Tumbler Giveaway were collected at pop-up outreach tables throughout the Town with a winner selected from each Town Council District. Over the past six weeks, the outreach tables were set up at community events, supermarkets, and at special Town recycling events. At these tables, Town of Brookhaven representatives hand out information about recycling and waste reduction.
Visit the BrookhavenNY.gov for more information about recycling in the Town of Brookhaven. Also pictured are Edith’s husband, Robert Randazzo (left) and Zachary Sicardi (right), Town of Brookhaven Recycling Educator.
Through its Green Energy and Sustainability Initiative, the Town has been “greening-up” its operations and facilities while saving taxpayer money by utilizing new, and more energy efficient technologies and renewable energy sources. All these efforts lower operation costs and reduce Town carbon emissions. By encouraging waste diversion through recycling and composting, the Town can further realize spending and emissions reductions.
Donation is part of Town’s “Greening Brookhaven” Program
On Monday, April 29, Town Councilman Neil Manzella (right) and Town Clerk Kevin LaValle (left) arranged for a truckload of free compost to be delivered to the Sachem Public Library’s “Inside Out” garden.
Located directly across from the library’s main entrance, the garden features an area for large performances and programs, as well as smaller quiet locations where residents can enjoy a children’s story hour, appreciate the beauty of nature, or take a leisurely stroll.
Also pictured are Sachem Public Library Director, Neely McCahey (second from left) and Sachem Public Library Facilities Manager, Anthony Bliss.
For more information about the Sachem Public Library and the “Inside Out Garden,” go to www.SachemLibrary.org. For more information about the Town’s Free Compost and Mulch giveaway, go to www.BrookhavenNY.gov or call 631-451-TOWN (8696).
“Matt would give you the shirt off his back and you always had his support.”
These were the words of Paul LoNigro on the positive qualities of his older brother Matt, who passed away May 10, 2023, at 51 years old. Paul and Matt LoNigro, only two years apart, were inseparable.
Through the support of former neighbor Jeanine Ross and the Daleo, Peck, McFarland, Bach and Kortbus families, the neighbors asked the Town of Brookhaven to add Matt’s name to Biscayne Drive and Comet Road in Selden to honor Matt and the legacy of the neighborhood kids.
Matt LoNigro. Photo courtesy of Rich Acritelli
Paul recalled his father Richie bringing home from their family business, Port Jefferson Sporting Goods, a priceless gift for the LoNigro kids and the local children — they were given defective sports jerseys with “Bombers” imprinted on them.
From that moment, these active kids were known as the Biscayne Bombers as they played numerous hours of kickball and football on this street. This community represented the simpler times of small-town America through the constant activity of these kids on the street.
Decades ago, Richie LoNigro often drove to work from Boyle Road in Selden, over Old Town Road, and onto Terryville Road, when these areas still had farm fields and woods. As Long Island’s housing population grew, Port Jefferson Sporting Goods increased in size to meet the sporting needs of children from Montauk to Manhattan.
Matt spent 22 years working at this store and in the sporting industry along with many of the 11 children of the LoNigro family. He was proud of his Selden roots, was loyal to his friends and at Newfield High School he played soccer, basketball, lacrosse and was the class president. Matt later attended college and played lacrosse at Salisbury University in Maryland, where he met his wife, Julie.
For years, Matt presented unyielding support toward the needs of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson and was a president for the Miller Place lacrosse and booster clubs. At his family’s sporting goods business and later at BSN Sports, Matt thoroughly loved all aspects of lacrosse. He handled the retail and sales of lacrosse items for local, travel, high school and college teams.
Retired St. Anthony’s High School athletic director, Donal F. Buckley, recalled “Matt was an incredibly warm person, who created smiles when working with the staff of this school. He was a master salesman who fully understood all sporting equipment and was an approachable figure who loved talking about all aspects of sports with our staff.”
Over the years, Matt continually learned about lacrosse equipment, uniforms, coaching and the promotion of this sport that he truly loved. Matt advocated for lacrosse through the Police Athletic League and coached numerous Miller Place teams over the last several years to help further this sport.
Town of Brookhaven honor
On April 4, Town of Brookhaven Councilman Neil Manzella (R-Selden) sponsored the request with the support of Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point) for the authorization for the addition of “Matthew G. LoNigro” as an honorary street name between Biscayne Drive and Comet Road in Selden. Bonner believed that “Matt’s impact transcended the playing field, as he instilled invaluable life lessons through sports, cheered on every child with boundless enthusiasm and exemplified the epitome of goodness for our children to emulate. His legacy is etched in the hearts of those he inspired.” The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Matt learned two important lessons from his father: hard work and supporting his community. As a driving force at Hope House, this local organization helped troubled children and it recently named one of its buildings Matt’s House. This special person quietly supported others through the vital programs of Christmas Magic, that provided gifts for underprivileged children during the holidays in different areas of Long Island. In the near future, Matt would eventually take over this large Christmas initiative. When students returned to school, the Backpack Pirates initiative provided supplies to children to donate much-needed items toward their education.
The LoNigro family has a long and proud history of giving back to the community. While Matt passed away far too early, he cemented his legacy of giving back through a myriad of humanitarian efforts to make Long Island a better place.
The Biscayne Bombers will always remember their youthful moments decades ago. As a former member, Matt’s older brother Craig marveled at “all the street sports, break dancing and shoveling driveways of older neighbors.” He added, “Matt brought out the best in all of us in making this into a special place to grow up. Matt was the heartbeat of Biscayne Drive and now his name will forever be linked to a place where so much love and happiness cultivated a unique generation of kids.”
