The Town of Brookhaven will offer Hula Hooping classes at West Meadow Beach, Trustees Road, Stony Brook this summer. Classes are for beginners or the more experienced “hoopers”! Beginners will learn basic fundamentals to keep the hoop up while spinning and dancing in and out of their hoops. More experienced students will learn some advanced skills and tricks. Enjoy one of the many beautiful beaches in Brookhaven while having fun and burning calories! *Weather permitting*
Classes will be held on Wednesdays, Aug. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and Sept. 7 from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Fee is $40 per 6-week session. Pre-register by Monday, Aug. 1 by calling 631-363-5193.
West Meadow Beach at low tide. Photo by Beverly C. Tyler
West Meadow Beach in Stony Brook is closed to bathing due to the finding of bacteria at levels in excess of acceptable criteria. The announcement was made in a press release from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services on June 1.
According to Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gregson Pigott, bathing in bacteria-contaminated water can result in gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.
The beach will reopen when further testing reveals that the bacteria have subsided to acceptable levels.
For the latest information on affected beaches, call the Bathing Beach HOTLINE at 852-5822 or contact the Department’s Office of Ecology at 852-5760 during normal business hours.
Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich with the new glass recycling bin. Photo from Town of Brookhaven
New location is Town’s 13th glass drop off site
As a result of such a positive response to the Town of Brookhaven’s glass recycling program, Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich announced that the Department of Recycling and Sustainable Materials Management (RSMM) has expanded the glass recycling drop-off locations. The new glass drop-off site is in the parking lot of the Town’s West Meadow Beach, 100 Trustees Road in Stony Brook.
The glass recycling drop-off locations in the Town of Brookhaven are:
Center Moriches Library 235 Montauk Highway, Center Moriches
Setauket Fire Department 394 Nicolls Rd, East Setauket
West Meadow Beach 100 Trustees Road, Stony Brook
Go to www.BrookhavenNY.gov/recycle for more information about the Town’s Recycling program, including the Curbside Recycling Schedule, Acceptable Recycling Materials Guide and Special Recycling Events.
This incredible photo was taken by Maria Hoffman of Setauket at West Meadow Beach in Stony Brook on Aug. 20, 2017 and was published as TBR News Media’s Photo of the Week on Sept. 21. A wonderful friend to the paper, she will remain forever in our hearts
Dennis Whittam of Port Jefferson Station snapped this incredible photo of a pair of ospreys at West Meadow Beach in Stony Brook earlier this week. He writes, ‘The ospreys have returned to Long Island and are working on their nests as they prepare for future chicks.’
Jay Gao of Stony Brook snapped these incredible shots on Dec. 31, 2021 from Crane Neck Point Beach. He writes, ‘My wife and I were taking a walk from West Meadow Beach in the afternoon. When we arrived the rocky area near Crane Neck Point, to our surprise, we saw several harbor seals resting on the rocks. It was low tide, so I could get close enough to take these photos.’
Pictured with the West Meadow beach clean-up volunteers are, from left, co-founder of the Pollution Prevention Passport program, Cayla Rosenhagen; Town of Brookhaven Department of General Services Executive Assistant, Frank Petrignani; Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; program co-founder, Iris Rosenhagen; Brookhaven Town Youth Board Chair Charlotte Pressley (third from right); Supervisor Ed Romaine (second from right) and Town of Brookhaven Environmental Educator, Nicole Pocchaire (right). Photo by Raina Angelier
By Cayla Rosenhagen
Cayla Rosenhagen
In the words of Dr. Jane Goodall, “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.”
Environmental awareness is critical in creating widespread care for the nature that surrounds us. And when we care, we are driven to protect.
A press conference was held on August 18 at West Meadow Beach in Stony Brook to announce the launch of Brookhaven Town’s new environmental conservation program for all ages. The event, preceded by a beach clean-up with over fifty volunteers, celebrated a novel way for locals to get involved in protecting and appreciating the natural beauty our town has to offer.
Members of Brookhaven’s Youth Board, including myself, joined Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, and town environmental educator Nicole Pocchiare at the beach to kick off the Pollution Prevention Passport initiative.
The Passport program encourages community members to visit Brookhaven’s many parks and beaches and record their travels in their very own document of travel. Additionally, it fosters environmental stewardship by supporting and suggesting eco-friendly decisions and collecting litter.
Inside the passport, participants will find pages to tally the kinds of litter they have found, to document and illustrate their experiences, and record the conservation efforts they have made during their outings. A map featuring an inspiring list of Brookhaven’s abundant parks and beaches can be found in the back of the passport.
After filling in the passport, it can be submitted to the Town for a “Stamp of Stewardship,” as recognition for the participant’s contribution to protecting Brookhaven’s green spaces.
To download and print a passport of your own, or to find out more about the program, please visit brookhavenny.gov/passport.
Cayla Rosenhagen is a local high school student who enjoys capturing the unique charm of the community through photography and journalism. She serves on the board of directors for the Four Harbors Audubon Society and Brookhaven’s Youth Board, and is the founder and coordinator of Beach Bucket Brigade, a community outreach program dedicated to environmental awareness, engagement, and education. She is also an avid birder, hiker, and artist who is concurrently enrolled in college, pursuing a degree in teaching.
Patrick and Phil O’Brien, owners of local brand Anchor East, hosted their second beach cleanup at West Meadow Beach on Sunday.
Photo by Sabrina Artusa
By Sabrina Artusa
Photo by Sabrina Artusa
Phil and Patrick O’Brien, owners of the Port Jefferson Station-based clothing brand Anchor East Apparel, hosted their second beach cleanup at West Meadow Beach on July 18.
The brothers grew up on the water and are heavily involved in the boating community. As a result, they decided to actualize their appreciation for Long Island and the water through their brand.
When they developed the line during the initial COVID-19 lockdown, they knew they wanted to use their brand to promote beach cleanups. Only a couple months after launching their business, they successfully held their second beach cleanup on Sunday.
Phil O’Brien said the idea struck them after his daughter cut her foot on a piece of glass on the beach. They realized that in order to ensure the safety of civilians, the beaches need to be cleaner. Although the beaches might look acceptable, the sand is actually covered in “little things” like discarded ketchup packets and broken beer bottles. “You’d be amazed at how much you find,” he said.
After only four hours, they accumulated a sizable pile of garbage, but not all of it was destined for the trash. The brothers dispatch recyclable material to be remade into bracelets, which they sell for $2 each. They donate 100% of the money made from bracelet sales to the Ocean Conservancy.
Photo by Sabrina Artusa
The O’Briens hope to make the cleanups a regular event, their goal being to hold three every summer. Ultimately, the brothers “plan to keep growing” and host beach cleanups all over Long Island, starting at the East End and making their way west.
Phil O’Brien said he hopes these cleanups will encourage people to more closely observe how they are impacting the beaches.
“We shouldn’t have to have companies promote this,” he said. “People need to be more aware.”
The O’Briens have yet to establish a date for the next cleanup, but are likely going to have another one toward the end of the summer season.
Town Councilman Jonathan Kornreich presents Ted Gutmann, library director, with a proclamation. Photo y Rita J. Egan
Once again, beachgoers can grab a book to go when they visit West Meadow Beach or leave one behind for someone else to enjoy.
Children check out the books at the Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach. Photo by Rita J. Egan
The Little Free Library was returned to the beach June 22 under hazy skies. Built by volunteers from the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library in 2016, the unit, located under the pavilion, was not available last year due to COVID-19.
Town of Brookhaven Councilman Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) and environmental educator Nicole Pocchiare joined library employees for the first day of “take a book, leave a book” at the beach.
“The Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach is just a great opportunity to put books into peoples’ hands,” Kornreich said. “I love the community spirit embodied in those little structures and knowing that favorite books can be shared among neighbors in this way. By the way, when you’re there check out the bottom [of the little library case] — it was constructed from an old wooden library chair.”
The little library is maintained by teen volunteers. On the first day, beachgoers had a few shelves of books to choose from, including classics such as “The Hardy Boy” mysteries and “Harry Potter.”
To borrow a book from the little library, a card is not needed, according to Emma Clark officials. Also, readers do not need to return the books they borrow — if the books are returned, they go back to the unit and not Emma Clark library. Anyone who visits West Meadow Beach can take part in taking or giving a book.
The return of the little library to the beach after COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted is just one change library employees have witnessed.
“Now that most restrictions have been lifted, it’s wonderful to see more and more of our patrons coming in and using the library in person again,” said library director Ted Gutmann. “Since it opened in 1892, the library has seen good times and bad, but through it all it has remained a rock, and this past year and a half showed us that it’s as solid as ever. The return of our Little Free Library at West Meadow Beach is just one example of the growing sense of optimism and normalcy in our community, and highlights our commitment to the importance of books and reading.”
The Emma S. Clark Memorial Library is located at 120 Main St., Setauket.
The Four Harbors Audubon Society hosts a horseshoe crab count at West Meadow Beach Trustees Road, Stony Brook on Saturday, June 5 from 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Join board member Patricia Paladines to count horseshoe crabs along the shore. Learn why these ancient creatures are important to people and other animals. A Town of Brookhaven parking sticker neededor pay at parking meters. Please bring mask or face covering.
Reservations are preferred. Please email Patricia Paladines at [email protected]m.
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