Ward Melville football edges Longwood Lions

by Bill Landon - November 22, 2024

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By Bill Landon

No. 3 seed Ward Melville came calling on No. 2 seed, Longwood Lions, in Friday night’s Suffolk Division I football semifinals. It was a ground-and-pound battle where the Patriots nipped the Lions 14-7, punching their ticket to Saturday night’s championship final at Stony Brook University.

Longwood opened the scoring in the second quarter with a 29-yard breakaway run by Kalen Percer, but the Patriots answered in the closing seconds of the half when Joey Karpowicz plowed into the end zone on short yardage to knot the game at 7-7. Six minutes into the fourth quarter, Ward Melville running back Joey Benedetto, who piled up 186 rushing yards, punched one in on a four-yard run, and Ethan Jargo’s kick split the uprights for the 14-7 final.

Ward Melville (9-1) will square off against William Floyd (9-1) in the Suffolk Division I championship game at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased here: gofan.co/app/school/NYSPHSAAXI

Creating connections at Wading River Elementary School’s Holiday Craft Fair

by Bill Landon - November 22, 2024

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By Bill Landon

The 2nd annual Holiday Craft Fair at Wading River Elementary School took place Saturday, Nov. 16. The event was hosted by Wildcats Helping the Arts and Music (WHAM), a fundraising event featuring local vendors, crafts, food items, snacks and raffles for a day of family fun.

WHAM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit booster club supporting fine and performing arts in the Shoreham-Wading River Central School District. The organization, comprising parents and students, in collaboration with teachers and administrators, is dedicated to fostering and enhancing music, as well as visual and performing arts programs for students in grades K-12.

“This is a true community event with our PTA’s involvement. We have community members coming to shop from local, neighborhood vendors,” said event organizer Colette Grosso. “It brings people together and it helps support our booster club.”

For more information on WHAM, visit swrwham.org.

Ward Melville Patriots celebrate a season of sports excellence

by Steven Zaitz - November 22, 2024

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By Steven Zaitz

Undefeated seasons, long winning streaks and milestones? Check, check, and check.

Suffolk County crowns, Long Island championships, New York State supremacy and dominating dynasties? Yes, we’ve got those too.

It has been an unprecedented, exhilarating and ultra-successful fall season for the entire Ward Melville Patriot athletic program in 2024 — and the green and gold are not even close to being done.

In what stands as one of the most impressive athletic dynasties in New York State history, the Ward Melville Lady Patriot girls soccer program won its third straight New York State Championship on Nov. 17. The team traveled to SUNY Cortland and defeated upstate Arlington 1-0 in the tournament’s final match. Senior goalkeeper Kate Ronzoni made a lunging save on a penalty kick in the dying moments of regulation to preserve the win while Adriana Victoriano scored the game’s only goal in the 62nd minute. The Lady Patriots now boast a 63-game unbeaten streak and finished 2024 with a sparkling 20-0-1 record.

Both the boys and girls volleyball teams will compete in their respective State Championship tournaments after winning Long Island titles.

The boys secured their second consecutive Long Island Championship by defeating Massapequa in a five-set marathon in East Meadow on Nov. 15. They were led by senior Kyle Fagan, who earlier this fall recorded the 1,000th kill of his high school career. Now, the team heads to Albany to face upstate powers such as Penfield and Shenendehowa. After falling in the round-robin stage last year, the boys hope for a different result in 2024 bolstered by the valuable experience gained in 2023.

Fagan, who will attend Penn State next year, appreciates being part of Ward Melville’s winning tradition.

“It’s really cool being a part of a program that is so successful across the board. By being part of this program, it sets the expectation of excellence which I believe pushes its athletes and teams to work harder and do better. And so far, most teams have lived up to or exceeded these expectations,” he said.

The girls volleyball team will compete for a state title in Glens Falls this weekend against yet-to-be-determined opponents. Senior Emma Bradshaw, a Gettysburg College commit, led the team to victory over Plainview-Old Bethpage last week in Wantagh with 22 kills. The Lady Patriots dropped the first set, 22-25, but rallied to sweep the next three, 25-18, 25-23 and 25-20, earning a trip upstate. They remain flawless at 20-0 this season.

The football team advanced to the county final after two playoff wins. The Patriots will take a short trip to LaValle Stadium at Stony Brook University to face the William Floyd Colonials. The Colonials, talented and determined, are still smarting from a 21-20 loss to Ward Melville earlier this season. In that game, Floyd coach Paul Longo opted to go for a two-point conversion with no time left, but Ward Melville’s defense forced an incompletion, handing Floyd its only loss of the year and setting off joyous bedlam at Ward Melville stadium.

The Patriots reached the county final by defeating Longwood 14-7 last Friday, despite being dominated by the Lions in the regular season matchup 35-7. Sophomore quarterback Hudson Philbrick has been a key contributor this season, throwing 14 touchdown passes against seven interceptions. Excluding the loss to Longwood, the Patriots’ defense has held opponents to 14 points or fewer in seven of nine games this season.

While on the subject of football and game days, the cheer squad traveled to Hudson Valley Community College in Troy earlier this month and won a New York State Class A title in the Game Day Cheer competition, improving on its second-place finish in 2023. They earned the Suffolk County Championship in Game Day the previous week, outperforming local competition at Sachem North High School. Chalk up another county and state title for Patriot Nation.

The boys cross-country team also made history, capturing the Suffolk County Championship at Sunken Meadow for the first time in 51 years. Seven runners advanced to the state finals in Queensbury, just south of Lake George. Senior Jon Seyfert led the way, finishing 12th in the 5K race with a time of 15:41.70 while teammate Anthony Anatol placed 22nd with a time of 15:51.20. Andrew Senf, Matteo Ritieni, Tim Brown and Matt Fumai also represented the green and gold. Elizabeth Wright qualified on the girls’ side, finishing 45th overall in 19:13.80.

The Patriot field hockey team, a perennial powerhouse, made headlines by defeating the dynastic Northport Lady Tigers in the Suffolk semi-finals 1-0. Peyton Phillips scored the game-winning penalty stroke in the final minute, marking the first time in five years Ward Melville eliminated Northport in the playoffs. The Lady Patriots ultimately fell to Sachem East 1-0 in the county final. But they have made it to the Suffolk County finals for five consecutive years.

If you’re keeping score, that’s two state championships with two more pending, five Suffolk County championships and the football team aiming for a sixth. Add a program-wide winning percentage exceeding 90% and Ward Melville High School has firmly established itself as Long Island’s premier athletic powerhouse this fall.

“There has definitely been a buzz around the school and the community,“ said Ward Melville Athletic Director Kevin Finnerty. “We’ve been very successful over the years and many of our teams succeed year after year, but this year has been exceptional. We have great support from the community and the school district but most importantly our coaching staff. We have a very passionate and experienced coaching staff and they take a lot of pride in what they do.”

So far in 2024, Patriot Nation has countless reasons to be proud.

Engeman Theater’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ is a sweet adventure on stage

by Julianne Mosher - November 21, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

Oompa Loompa doopity-doo, here is another theater review for you.

The Engeman Theater’s latest production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is as sweet as candy and will have you itching for more sugar by the end of it.

Directed by Drew Humphrey and choreographed by Mandy Modic, the show has similarities between the other Wonka films, but this is entirely its own.

We meet Willy Wonka (Cooper Grodin) who discloses to the audience that he is looking for someone to take over his candy factory. He’s going to hold a genius marketing campaign of placing five Golden Tickets in his famous Wonka bars with a grand prize of visiting the factory, while also working incognito as a candy store salesman, watching the winners revealed on television one by one.

At his store, Wonka meets Charlie Bucket (Matthew Eby), a young boy with a big imagination and very little money. Coming from poverty, he lives in a shack with his single mother (Sarah Colt), and his four grandparents (Steven Bidwell, Caroline Eby, Zoe Gillis and Howard Pinhasik) who all sleep in one bed and haven’t emerged from it in decades.

Grandpa Joe (Pinhasik), who is also Charlie’s best friend, used to work at the factory many years ago. He instilled his love for chocolate and fills the young boy’s head with stories from the good old days. But because of their lack of wealth, Charlie gets just one chocolate bar a year for his birthday.

Wonka has lived in recluse for many years after a spy tried to steal his recipes, but the campaign becomes an international hit with five children finding the tickets: Augustus Gloop (Oliver Cirelli and Elliot Torbenson), Veruca Salt (London DelVecchio and Elyana Faith Randolph), Violet Beauregarde (Briahna Gribben and Satya Mae Williams), Mike Teavee (Benjamin Corso and Luca Silva) and Charlie.

Spoiled rotten and mean to their parents, Augustus, Veruca, Violet and Mike have far different personalities from the last winner, Charlie, who lucked out finding a candy bar with his last remaining pennies after his birthday bar had no winning ticket.

The five kids and their parents, Mrs. Gloop (Caitlin Burke), Mr. Salt (James Channing), Mr. Beauregarde (Rickens Anantua) and Mrs. Teavee (Molly Samson) along with Grandpa Joe, enter the factory and witness all the magic Wonka has created over the years. Greed and the lack of listening skills from the kids, however, results in some pretty bad outcomes which are narrated by the cleverly created Oompa Loompas (small fabric marionettes attached to the dancers of the ensemble).

A more modern take on the original 1971 film and less creepy than the Tim Burton version from the early 2000s, the Engeman’s version is spectacularly done with a dynamic set, innovative props and gorgeous costumes for the kids and adults, alike. They do a great job transforming the stage into Wonka’s factory from the slums of the Bucket’s household with ease and inside the factory itself is a magical interpretation of what a candy factory ought to be.

You’ll be able to sing along to some well-known favorites like “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination,” with newer bops like “More of Him to Love” (to introduce Augustus), “When Veruca Says” (to introduce Veruca), “The Queen of Pop” (to introduce Violet) and “Little Man of Mine” (for Mike’s character). The second half of the show has the ensemble of Oompa Loompas singing farewell jingles when the kids are taken away to their individual demises.

The talent from not just the adult ensemble but the child cast is excellently done and each actor shines on stage.

Perfect for audiences of all ages, the theater has also created specialty cocktails (for the grownups) made of sweet syrups and candy while also selling Wonka chocolate bars with the chance to win a real Golden Ticket inside with various prizes including season tickets to the theater.

You’re sure to get a sugar high from this show, where dreams and chocolate collide.

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main Street, Northport presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory through Dec. 29. The season continues with Heartbreak Hotel from Jan. 16 to March 2 and Waitress The Musical from March 13 to April 27.

For more information or to order tickets, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

See a sneak preview of the show here.

Plans for vacant Gap building in the Village of Port Jefferson slowly move forward

by Sabrina Artusa - November 21, 2024

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By Sabrina Artusa

The closed-down Gap building in Port Jefferson was purchased in 2023, and plans for the space are starting to take shape.

The Gap store at 100 Arden Place operated for 27 years before closing in 2019, amid a wave of closures by the clothing company due to changes in demand.

A buyer purchased the property in January 2023 for $2.6 million. Although Port Jefferson residents have many ideas about what businesses would thrive in the 10,400-square-foot space, a definitive announcement has not been made by the Port Jefferson Building and Planning Department.

The buyer has not yet submitted an official application and is still in conference with the Port Jefferson Building and Planning Department over their pre-submission, sources say. The pre-submission allows them to propose their business plan informally and receive feedback before submitting a formal application.

The zoning at 100 Arden Place is C1: central commercial, which allows for a variety of retail and personal service stores.

Details have not yet been disclosed by the buyer, the Port Jefferson Building and Planning Department or the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.

The potential uses of a property zoned as C1 are wide, and could include anything from a restaurant to a laundromat.

Port Jefferson Village, a destination filled with independent shops, restaurants and bars, is a tourist hotspot. Many Connecticut residents cross the Long Island Sound to enjoy its attractions. The Gap location is in a prime spot, just in front of a parking lot that is usually full on weekends.

Additionally, several apartment buildings have been built in Port Jefferson and Port Jefferson Village in recent years, providing another customer base that could potentially benefit from a new business in this location.

This story is still developing as the property owner and the Port Jefferson Building and Planning Department continue the submission process. They did not respond to our request for comment as of Nov. 20.

Echoes of Asia: A celebration of music, dance and song at Kings Park Heritage Museum

by Jennifer Donatelli - November 21, 2024

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By Jennifer Donatelli

The Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum, located inside Ralph J. Osgood Intermediate School (RJO) in Kings Park, came alive on Nov. 15 for the museum’s second annual Asian Heritage Night. The event transformed the space into a celebration of culture, showcasing the talents of Asian dancers, musicians and singers in a night dedicated to community and connection.

This free event featured 14 performances by local artists and community groups, highlighting the beauty and diversity of Asian cultures. Through music and dance, the evening brought together tradition, creativity and a spirit of cultural exchange.

“The melodies tell stories, the rhythm sparks joy and the movements convey the depth of character,” said Joseph Piacentino Jr., media director for the Kings Park Heritage Museum. Museum Director Sal Iraci echoed this sentiment, calling the performances “a connection of beauty and tradition to the power of creativity.”

Among the highlights was a vibrant Bollywood performance by three young dancers from Rhythm Dance Academy in Stony Brook. Bollywood, a colorful and energetic style popularized by Indian cinema, blends classical Indian, rustic and folk dances with lively music.

Local student performers also shone. Eighth grader Arianna Yang from Stony Brook captivated the audience with her solo performance of “Beautiful,” sung entirely in Chinese. Yang shared that the song, with its harmonious melodies and inspiring lyrics, represents “the simple joys of life.” She added, “Sharing my singing with others brings me great joy.”

The Infant Jesus Prayer Group of Nassau Dance Troupe performed the Filipino folk dance “Polka sa Nayon,” a lively polka that reflects a mix of cultural influences. Member Jane Rupa described their rehearsals as moments of camaraderie, filled with “food, fun and laughter.”

Community appreciation for the event was palpable. Kings Park resident Kalbana Bhanbari, originally from Nepal, called the performances “inspiring, amazing and moving.”

The Long Island Chinese Dance Group, based in Stony Brook, also contributed to the program. Their Tibetan-inspired performance conveyed themes of endurance, harmony and resilience, capturing the essence of life in the snowy Tibetan mountains. “It is a cultural expression that honors the spirit of the people who live in these areas,” explained dancer Ming Lu.

Dr. Yan Yu, a professor of applied mathematics at Stony Brook University and organizer of the evening, said many of the performers were from the local community. “As immigrants, we like to showcase our culture and bring our heritage to the United States,” she said.

The Nepali Team Dance Group, featuring three sisters aged 4 to 9, delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Maitighar,” a classic folk song from the 1966 Nepali film of the same name.The song’s title, which translates to “maternal home,” captures the event’s celebration of cultural pride and tradition while honoring the performers appreciation for the American way of life. Meanwhile, the Philippine Line Dance troupe wowed the crowd with a cha-cha performance, reflecting the shared cultural ties between the Philippines and the United States.

The evening also honored community leaders. Agnes and Duanfeng He, attendees from Stony Brook, called the event “a celebration of Asian-American cultures.” Mr. He said, “We are so proud to be American.”

The night concluded with a performance of “You Raise Me Up,” led by Dr. Yu and the Stony Brook Chorus, a group of professors, scientists and researchers united by their love of vocal music. “We benefit so much from being American, and this is our way of giving back,” Yu said.

The Leo B. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum, the only school community-managed museum in the United States, continues to fulfill its mission of preserving the town’s historic past and educating the community through events like Heritage Night. Independently run by volunteers and donations, the museum is open for tours during school days after 4 p.m. or by appointment.

For more information on upcoming events, from the Kings Park Heritage Museum, visit kpheritagemuseum.net.

Wanted for alleged Patchogue Petit Larceny

Police & Fire

by Press Release - November 21, 2024

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fifth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly stole merchandise from a Patchogue store.

A woman allegedly stole a Breville coffee machine, valued at approximately $300, from Home Goods, located at 499-1 Sunrise Highway, on October 30 at 11:20 a.m.

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.

Hospice of Suffolk honors loved ones through annual tree-lighting ceremony

by Jennifer Donatelli - November 21, 2024

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By Jennifer Donatelli

The Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk (VNSHS) hosted its 34th annual Hospice Trees of Light ceremony on Nov. 17, honoring the memories of loved ones lost in the past year.

The event, held at the VNSHS headquarters in Northport, drew community members for an evening of reflection, music and remembrance. Silvia Cota, CEO of VNSHS, addressed the audience, emphasizing that hospice care is about more than medical support.

“It’s about compassion, dignity and the deep connection we share with those nearing the end of their life,” Cota said.

The Northport Pipe and Drum Band performed “Amazing Grace” as hospice volunteers read more than 470 names of individuals honored during the ceremony.

“This was an evening of celebration, joy and remembrance,” said Connie Alexander, director of patient services.

Bonnie Gruber, hospice support services coordinator, described hospice as “a program for those who have a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or fewer,” with the goal of meeting the physical and emotional needs of patients and their families. VNSHS provides bereavement services for the patients families, as well, for up to 13 months after a loved one’s death. Gruber added that preparing for the first holiday season without a loved one can be especially difficult, and that is precisely why VNHS provides events like this during this time of year.

Many attendees spoke of the comfort this tree-lighting ceremony provided. Mary Slappay of Deer Park attended the night for the first time to honor her husband of 35 years.

“The Visiting Nurse Service made the last 24 hours of his life comfortable and peaceful and gave me the tools to cope with his death,” Slappay said.

For others, this was not their first visit to the ceremony. A Kings Park resident. Janice Slott, has attended the event for two years. In 2023, she honored her son Greg Sill, a Smithtown history teacher who died unexpectedly, and this year returned to honor her husband of 53 years.

“I promised myself I was going to come and honor him, and wasn’t going to cry,” Slott said.

Father Edward Sheridan, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in Northport and St. Francis of Assisi in Greenlawn, gave the invocation, calling for unity in prayer. “No matter what our faith is, we pray for those souls who have gone before us to a place of light, happiness and peace,” Sheridan said.

Rabbi Marcey Wagner, who delivered the benediction, spoke about finding hope amid darkness. “Times of darkness can suddenly lead to rebirth when the light of the beautifully lit trees shines through,” Wagner said.

“This time of remembrance is an opportunity to celebrate their lives, the lessons they taught us and the legacies they left in our hearts,” Alexander concluded.

For more information about the Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk visit visitingnurseservice.org.

Shelter Pet of the Week: Lucky

by Heidi Sutton - November 20, 2024

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Adopt Lucky!

This handsome, black-and-white male, labrador mix at the Smithtown Animal Shelter is approximately four years old. Lucky is a golden nugget of joy in search of his four-leaf clover. Sadly, luck was not on his side when he was abandoned by the people who adopted him due to a change in their living situation. Despite his heartbreak, Lucky remains incredibly sweet, loving, and playful. The dedicated team at the Animal Shelter exclaims that this good boy is the most outgoing, friendly pup who loves meeting new people. To say that Lucky is a social butterfly would be an understatement.

Lucky has so much love to give, is full of energy, and can be adopted to a home with children, and likely other pets. He has a penchant for escape, so this is something that his future family will need to keep in mind. Lucky is an absolute crowd-pleasing delight, who would make a wonderful addition to a household looking for a fun-loving companion.

If you are interested in meeting Lucky, please fill out an application and schedule a date/time to properly interact in a domestic setting, which includes a Meet and Greet Room, the dog runs, and a Dog Walk trail.

The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

For more information regarding rescue animals available for adoption visit:. TownofSmithtownAnimalShelter.com

Young minds code their way to STEM skills at Miller Avenue School

by Press Release - November 18, 2024

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Students in kindergarten through second grade at Shoreham-Wading River’s Miller Avenue School participated in an engaging activity that introduced them to computer science as they collaborated to code Indi robot vehicles.

Working in the school library with Eastern Suffolk BOCES Model Schools coach Carrie McGuire and library media specialist Brittany LaValle, the imaginative play-based learning experience empowered students to brainstorm ways to build their own mazes while enhancing computational thinking skills.

“Educationally, I witnessed the highest levels of student engagement in problem-solving as they learned sequential programming through a fun activity,” said Dr. Joe Paolicelli, Shoreham-Wading River’s director of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

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