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By Serena Carpino

On Saturday, June 14, the Setauket Fire Department held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the latest expansion of their 9/11 memorial, located at Station 3 on Nicolls Road. The memorial now includes the names of the first responders who passed away due to the health conditions caused by toxins at ground zero. This latest addition to the memorial was led by Girl Scout Sara Bally of Troop 227 as a part of her Gold Award project.

The ceremony was a special time for first responders, family members and other community members to remember and reflect on the heroic actions of the victims of 9/11. Speakers at the service also highlighted the importance of honoring the victims who died later due to their exposure to chemicals and harmful debris. 

At the beginning of the service, they remarked on the necessity of the memorial’s expansion to include these first responders. Setauket Fire Department Chief Charles Regulinski said, “We affirm what we have always known: that the sacrifices are no less significant, their courage no less profound. They are heroes in every sense of the word. This space, these names etched into stone, is not just a place to mourn. It’s a place to remember. A place to learn.”

Bally, whose stepfather, Paul DiBiase, has been a member of the department for 34 years, also commented on the necessity of the memorial. She noted, “This memorial is more than just a collection of names. It’s a permanent reminder of the bravery, sacrifice and enduring legacy of those who selflessly served our community.” Bally, who has been a member of the Girl Scouts for 13 years, first had the idea to expand the memorial when she and DiBiase ran the Tunnels to Towers 4k. 

“It’s crucial to me that these individuals, who continued to suffer and ultimately sacrificed their lives in the aftermath of that day, receive the recognition and honor they so rightly deserve alongside those lost on 9/11 itself,” she said. 

Thus, planning for the memorial’s expansion began. In addition to meeting with the fire department and local businesses, Bally and her team fundraised with a spaghetti dinner. As an aspiring art teacher, Bally was particular about the design, as she wanted the expansion to be symbolic and intentional. Ultimately, she decided to surround the existing memorial with pillars of stone. The names of all of the first responders from the tri-state area who lost their lives due to 9/11-related illnesses were to be etched into the pillars. These names were read aloud at the ceremony on Saturday. 

The near two-year-long process has since inspired several Boy Scouts from local troops to further contribute to the memorial. Plans have already been made to add benches, water features and turf to the space. 

Several local politicians were also present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Suffolk County Legislator Steve Engelbright (D-Setauket), Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico (R) and Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook). 

In his speech, Engelbright noted that county leaders had “hoped when [they] dedicated this memorial that the young people of this community would carry forward [and continue to ensure that] what happened on 9/11 would not be forgotten.” He also thanked the Scouts who contributed to the memorial for bringing everyone together. 

To conclude the ceremony, speakers again underscored the sacrifices of the first responders and the necessity of coming together in remembrance. “We will continue to honor [the fallen],” Regulinski said. “Not just in stone and ceremony, but with action, compassion and remembrance. May this standing memorial be a place of peace, pride and enduring respect for all those we’ve lost and all those who continue to carry their legacy.”

The expansion of the memorial was made possible with the help of several local organizations, including O Sole Mio Italian Restaurant, Olde Towne Gardens and the Three Village Dads. The list of benefactors is continuing to grow. 

The annual Elementary Science Fair Competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory on June 7 showcased a range of hypotheses students set out to test by following the scientific method.

Students presented questions inspired by their everyday lives, their interests, and timely topics in science. This year’s project titles included, “Alexa, Do my Homework!” “Does Taylor Swift Help Make my Dog Less Anxious?” “How Does the Air Pressure of a Soccer Ball Affect how far it Travels When Kicked?” and “Words Matter: How Encouragement Affects Performance.”

Brookhaven Lab scientists and local teachers volunteered to judge 258 projects and award the top spots and honorable mentions for each grade level, from kindergarten to sixth grade. The competition also included a Judges’ Choice award for creative questions.

“Our Elementary Science Fair is all about celebrating students’ first steps in STEM and providing positive memories that will inspire them as they consider future career paths,” said Daniel Trieu, competition co-coordinator and educational programs representative with Brookhaven Lab’s Office of Workforce Development and Science Education (WDSE). WDSE provides educational opportunities that highlight the Lab’s research initiatives, preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers.

A number of projects pulled in family and friends, including four-legged ones. Kindergarten student Savanna Stidd of Riley Avenue Elementary School wondered, “Am I really my dog’s best friend?” and found that her pup named Penny ran to her the fastest when called over. Her favorite part of the process? “I got to play with my dog,” she said.

Some students combined science and art, exploring how different types of music play into plant growth, whether music affects the way we draw, and which conditions contribute to the perfect place to hang their paintings. Others asked questions about food, including a project that tested which substance best mummified apples — complete with a life-size display prop mummy — and another that investigated why a student’s favorite ice cream flavor, chocolate, melts quickly in the summer.

Overall, the Science Fair is a chance to highlight students’ curiosity about the scientific process.

“My favorite part about being at the Science Fair is looking at my Science Fair project and seeing how hard I worked for it,” said Elijah David, a third grader from Coram Elementary School who conducted an experiment to see which liquids dissolved different types of candy the fastest. 

Students who earned first place in their grade level received medals and ribbons, along with banners to hang at their school to recognize the achievement. All participants received a ribbon in recognition of having won their grade-level competition at their school. Brookhaven Lab and Teachers Federal Credit Union sponsored the competition.

Science Fair awards

The following students earned first place in their grade level: 

◆ Kindergartner Athena Corso, Lincoln  Avenue Elementary School in Sayville for  “Don’t Wake a Sleeping Baby.”

◆ First grader John Jantzen, Sunrise Drive Elementary School in Sayville for “Electromagnet Avenue.”

◆ Second grader Christopher Calvanese, Pines Elementary School in Smithtown for “Monkey Bars or Ouchy Scars: Which playground surface absorbs the most impact?” 

◆ Third grader Erios Pikramenos, Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School in Rocky Point for “Lami vs. Eddy.”

◆ Fourth grader Lyla Drucker, Tamarac Elementary in Holtsville for “Upcycled Seed Paper.” 

◆ Fifth grader Taran Sathish Kumar, Pines Elementary School in Smithtown for “Waste to Blaze: Which Eco-Briquette Burns the Best.” 

◆ Sixth grader Luke Dinsman, Northport Middle School in Northport for “Defeating Drought: Can Hydrogels Help?” 

Judges’ choice

Kindergarten: Nate Doherty, Miller Avenue School in Shoreham

First Grade: Jack Gottesman, Tamarac Elementary School in Holtsville

Second Grade: Indie Crooke, Hampton Bays Elementary School in Hampton Bays

Third Grade: Colton Christian, Dayton Avenue School in Manorville

Fourth Grade: Mabel Gross, Dayton Avenue School in Manorville

Fifth Grade: Morgan Proscia, Sunrise Drive Elementary School in Sayville

Honorable mentions

Kindergarten: Arjun Yelika, Laurel Hill School in East Setauket; Savanna Stidd, Riley Avenue Elementary School in Calverton; and Peyton Lauten, Frank J. Carasiti Elementary in Rocky Point

First Grade: Grady McHugh, Pines Elementary School in Smithtown; and Cecilia Singh, Edna Louise Spear Elementary in Port Jefferson

Second Grade: Maggie Ruddick, Ridge Elementary School in Ridge; Rudhvin Maheshkumar, Bretton Woods Elementary School in Hauppauge; and Nathan Kenny, Hiawatha Elementary in Lake Ronkonkoma

Third Grade: Emilia Rutigliano, Tamarac Elementary in Holtsville; Adalynn Bishop, Raynor Country Day School in Speonk; George Miyagishi, Park View Elementary School in Kings Park; Christopher Powell, Fifth Avenue School in East Northport; and Siena Roseto, Cutchogue East Elementary School in Cutchogue.

Fourth Grade: Kate Unterstein, Cutchogue East Elementary School in Cutchogue; Myles Savage, RCK Elementary School in Islip Terrace; Lily Argyros, Bretton Woods Elementary School in Hauppauge; Vincent Calvanese, Pines Elementary School in Smithtown; and Ruby Tafflock, Ocean Avenue School in Northport. 

Fifth Grade: Sofia Balcells, Raynor Country Day School in Speonk; and Ashleigh Bruno, Northport Middle School in Northport.

Sixth Grade: William Zeiger, Peconic Community School in Cutchogue; and Colette Breig, William T. Rogers Middle School in Kings Park.

Science Fair Expo

While the project showcase was underway, science fair participants and their families also visited the Science Fair Expo, which featured information about Brookhaven Lab, science demonstrations, and hands-on activities related to physics, nanoscale science, and more.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. For more info, visit science.energy.gov.

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the pair who stole from a Commack store in April.

Two men entered Harbor Freight, located at 116 Veterans Memorial Highway, on April 12 at 6:59 p.m. and allegedly stole a generator. The generator was valued at approximately $1,800.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Suffolk County Police arrested two employees on June 18 for allegedly selling cannabis products at an East Northport store.

In response to community complaints, Second Precinct Investigative Unit officers executed a search warrant at Oasis Smoke Shop, located at 38 Laurel Road and seized marijuana, THC marijuana vapes, large quantities of flavor vape products as well as a large quantity of THC products and more than $10,000 in cash.

Two employees of the store, Alexis Cruz and Juan Daniel Veliz Hernandez were arrested. Cruz, 22, of Huntington Station, was charged with alleged Sale of Cannabis without a License, three counts of Unlawful Sale of Cannabis and Criminal Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd Degree. Juan Veliz Hernandez, 24, of East Northport, was charged with alleged Sale of Cannabis without a License, and Unlawful Sale of Cannabis.

The New York State Office of Cannabis Management sealed the business and changed the locks. The Town of Huntington issued 4 combined building and fire violations and is conducting an investigation into the business. NYS Office of Cannabis Management Enforcement Unit, Town of Huntington Ordinance Inspector and the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal assisted in the investigation. The two men were issued Desk Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on July 8.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who stole property from a vehicle in Coram this week.

A man was captured on video entering an unlocked vehicle on Grady Lane on June 11 and stealing a wallet containing a New York State driver license and debit cards.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

 

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fifth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who burglarized a business in Medford this week.

A man broke the glass door and entered Kelly’s Cards & Gifts, located at 1699 Route 112, on June 14 at approximately 3:40 a.m. The suspect, who was wearing a yellow hooded sweatshirt with the word AERO on the front, arrived at the location on a bicycle and was wearing a black backpack. The man fled with cash.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

By Beverly C. Tyler

Driving along Main Street in Port Jefferson, turn east onto East Main Street and bear right at the historic Biddle fountain reproduction onto Prospect Street. On your left at number 115  is the home of the Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson in the John R. Mather house and grounds. Mather was a famous shipbuilder in Port Jefferson and a descendant of local shipbuilders. He built the home in the 1840s and added the present front of the house in the 1860s. His son John T. Mather bequeathed funds to create a community hospital. The J.T. Mather Memorial Hospital opened on New Year’s Eve 1929.

My wife Barbara and I were welcomed to the house by guide Cathy Duffy who began with the 1860s parlor filled with period pieces, maritime paintings and artifacts. The next room, listed as the library, includes a wonderful collection of half-hull models used as one of the first steps in ship design and construction. One of these half-hull models is of the schooner yacht “Wanderer” which was built in East Setauket in 1857 and became an infamous slaver, transporting more than 600 enslaved Africans from the west coast of Africa to Jekyll Island, Georgia in 1858.

In the next room, in a case labeled “Recent Acquisitions” is a painting of the “Wanderer.” This room, guide Duffy noted, is the main exhibit room for the 2025 exhibit “Treasures From Our Attic.” The “treasures” here also include hand-made quilts, costumes, samplers, and three dresses. The most interesting item was a paper dress made for an 1876 masquerade party. The dress was constructed from current issues of Harper’s Weekly and was worn by the party hostess, Mrs. James E. Bayles. Engraved pictures showing scenes of the day decorated almost every inch of space on her dress. The other two dresses are a wedding dress and a Campfire Girl’s uniform labeled “Woodgatherers.” It includes a beaded necklace of “badges” earned.

The grounds and buildings include a tool shed with maritime tools and artifacts, the Dr. R. Sherman Mills general store and post office, and a replica of a sail loft on the lower level. The archival building includes a large collection of documents and photographs which is available to researchers by appointment. 

For me, the number one attraction on the grounds is the Spinney Clock Building, which was added to the property in 2000. Inside are more than 200 magnificent clocks donated to the historical society by Tex Spinney. The collection ranges from tall grandfather clocks to mantle clocks with beautiful hand-painted scenes. A grandfather clock, made by Tiffany, is nine feet six inches high with a fully carved case. A black marble astronomical clock includes a barometer and calendar and a mouse clock strikes “hickory, dickory, dock.” Volunteer clock enthusiasts from the Spinney Clock Collector’s Guild maintain the collection and offer classes in the care and repair of antique and newer timepieces.

When you visit the John Richard Mather house, be sure to pick up the three free “Historic Walking Tour guides that describe the homes, sites, businesses and features of the historic Port Jefferson downtown and harbor areas. Each guide covers a specific concentrated area with a minimum of walking, so enjoy this area, rich in history and beauty.     

Mather’s home, the surrounding museum buildings and the consignment shop are open Wednesday –  Sunday 12-4 P.M. through October 5th.

Beverly Tyler is Three Village Historical Society historian and author of books available from the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Rd., Setauket, NY 11733. Tel: 631-751-3730. WWW.TVHS.org 

Monday, June 9 looked a little different for the Harborfields High School Class of 2025. Instead of their regular schedules, seniors spread out across the greater Greenlawn community to participate in a Day of Service, an event created by Bridget Hickey as part of her Capstone Project for Civics Awareness and Community Action.

Hickey didn’t want the project to be a solo endeavor. She challenged her entire class of 258 students to join her in giving back and they responded in full force.

With support and assistance from Mrs. Patricia Taylor, seniors were assigned one of 13 volunteer sites throughout the community. The Day of Service projects included cleaning up and painting lamp posts on Broadway, designing a mural at the Northport VA Hospital, donating items and crafting with residents of Paumanack Village, collecting food donations and stocking shelves at HACO’s food pantry, and much more. Some chose to serve within the school district itself, collaborating on a project with students at Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School and cooking and crafting alongside students in the Career Transition Class at the high school.

Remarkably, the number of students not participating was smaller than the size of an average class roster.

“I wanted seniors to participate in community service beyond the hours they need for different clubs,” shared  Hickey. “I hoped they would discover a  love for volunteering and feel inspired to stay involved in their communities long after high school.”

Bridget not only encouraged her peers to give back, but she did so in a way that directly reflects the values of the Harborfields Central School District. Harborfields is committed to developing life-long learners with the intellectual, social and emotional skills necessary to achieve success as active citizens within their local community and in an ever-changing diverse global society. Her project exemplifies how student leadership can bring the district’s Strategic Plan to life through meaningful action.

The Day of Service left a lasting impression on the seniors who participated, the staff and students who worked alongside them, and the community members who benefitted from their efforts.

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the female who allegedly damaged property at a Holtsville store.

The person above allegedly knocked over a display of Fireball liquor at Amoco, located at 5556 Express Drive South, on May 31 at approximately midnight.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

Cold Spring Harbor Junior High School eighth graders have dedicated the 2024-25 school year to a “Year of Service” through a series of impactful STEAM projects. These initiatives have focused on giving back to the community and honoring the legacy of teachers and local organizations.

The year kicked off with the Pizza Box Project, where students designed pizza box covers in art classes and shopping bags in technology classes for a fundraising event. The unveiling took place at D’Raimo’s Pizzeria in Huntington on Jan. 22, with all proceeds benefiting victims of the California wildfires.

Eighth grade students also created and painted Adirondack chairs for local businesses and organizations, including the CSH Deli, Anne Brower Nursery School, the Cold Spring Harbor Public Library and Holiday House. In another special partnership, art classes collaborated with Step Ahead Prosthetics to paint 3D prosthetic devices designed to fit American Girl dolls. This initiative promotes inclusivity and celebrates children who are amputees.

Seventh grade STEAM students extended the spirit of service by working with Goosehill, Lloyd Harbor, and West Side Schools to identify classroom needs and design creative projects for donation. Each student group paid tribute to their favorite elementary teachers by replicating favorite classroom activities and learning games. Notable projects included a custom Jenga game for Ms. Wetzyl featuring science facts, as well as puzzles, board games, pop-up books, tic-tac-toe sets, waste baskets, bookshelves, bookends, pencil holders and pillows. Additionally, every child at Goosehill received a personalized, initialed baseball cap.

On June 2, junior high students personally delivered these thoughtful creations during a field trip to the elementary schools. The experience was met with heartfelt gratitude and joy from teachers and students alike, demonstrating the power of collaboration and community spirit.