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By Steven Zaitz

Senior attackman Jack Deliberti scored six times to lead Northport boys lacrosse to victory over Huntington in the Suffolk County Division I semi-finals on May 27. The final score was 17-9.

The Tigers, seeded second in Suffolk, used a big third quarter, outscoring the Blue Devils 5-2 and open up a 12-6 lead going into the fourth quarter. Northport goalkeeper Gavin Stabile made several sparkling saves, especially in the second half, to hold off Huntington who had 22 shots on goal. Stabile made 13 saves.

Northport attackman Gavin O’Brien had three goals and four assists and Greyson Cabrera and Logan Cash each had six total points for Northport. Tommy Kline and Jack Kamenstein had two goals apiece for third-seeded Huntington, as Blue Devils goalie Will Fallon made nine saves.

Northport will now get an opportunity to avenge last year’s heartbreaking 9-8 loss to Half Hollow Hill in the Suffolk County final. Hills’ record is a perfect 18-0 this year. Northport is 16-2, with their only conference loss coming at the hands of Hills, 16-14, back on April 30. Huntington ends their year at 14-4.

Hills is led by Anthony Raio, who broke the all-time individual goal-scoring record on Tuesday in a 20-9 victory vs. Smithtown East in the other semi-final game. Raio, a senior, scored six times and now has 271 goals in his career, breaking the record held by Matt Triolo, who is currently a senior at John Glenn High School in the Elwood School District.

The championship game will be played this Saturday, May 31 at East Islip Middle School. 

— All photos by Steve Zaitz

By Michael Scro

Kings Park American Legion Post 944 hosted a Memorial Day parade and ceremony May 26 honoring all U.S. military members who have died serving their country. The patriotic parade of local veterans, police, fire department, Boys and Girls Scouts, Kings Park school district students and friends and families began at the corner of Church Street and Old Dock Road to Main Street and assembled at Veterans Plaza for an emotional and solemn ceremony.

Hosted by American Legion Post 944 Commander Hans Richter, the ceremony featured an opening prayer by Father Peter Dugandzic from St. Joseph’s Church in Kings Park; speeches by Vietnam War Veteran and Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R), U.S. Marine Corps veteran and commander of VFW Post 5796 Eric Burnett, New York State Senator Mario Mattera (R, C, St. James), and a keynote speech by Pastor of CenterPoint Church and Coast Guard veteran Tom Walsh. Over 15 wreaths were laid around the plaza memorial site, and closing prayer by American Legion Post 944 Chaplin John Carman.

Richter read aloud tallies provided by the U.S. government of how many American soldiers have been killed in wars since the American Revolution, including the names of those from Kings Park. Walsh read aloud the world famous Gettysburg Address given by President Abraham Lincoln. Burnett and Mattera both spoke of the importance of Memorial Day for the community and younger generation, and Wehrheim spoke about Daniel Flynn, a close personal friend of his who was killed in the Vietnam War and has Daniel J. Flynn Memorial Park dedicated to his memory and service.

Among those in attendance for the parade and ceremony were past Suffolk County American Legion Commander Ken Dolan, Town of Islip Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo, Smithtown Superintendent of Highways Robert Murphy, Smithtown Parks Department Director Joseph Arico, Kings Park Fire Department Chief Philip Carroll, Suffolk County Legislator Trotta and New York State Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick.

— All photos by Michael Scro/Media Origin

 

Reviewed by Julianne Mosher

“Who wants to see that?” is the second song performed in Theatre Three’s latest mainstage production of Half Time. Well, after you read this review, you’ll definitely want to see it, too. Celebrating its New York premiere, the show tells the story of a group of nine senior citizens who audition, and get into, a hip-hop dance troupe for a New Jersey basketball team. 

Based on a true story documented in the 2008 film, Gotta Dance written, directed and produced by Dori Berinstein, the 2015 stage adaptation premiered at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre and retitled itself in 2018 for its East Coast premiere at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. With a book by Chad Beguelin and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, audiences of all ages will fall in love with the story and its characters.

Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, the show starts off with the ensemble as the New Jersey Cougars (Julia Albino, Will Logan, Melina Piervencenti, Isabella Scarpa, Michelle Shapiro, Katy Snair and Ryan van Nostrand) — which was loosely based on the NJ Nets basketball team. They’re young, they’re hip and they can dance. But then, the group opens up to feature nine sassy seniors who tried out for the team’s latest publicity stunt — a dance troupe called “Nifty Shades of Grey.”

Marci Bing (Muriel), Lisa Greene (Joanne), Mary Ellin Kurtz (Estelle), Denise Lardi (Fran), Phyllis March (Mae), Linda May (Bea), Candace McCready (Dorothy), Nikki Sislian (Camilla) and Jack Seabury (Ron), each bring humor and immense talent to the stage.

The senior troupe is coached by another aged out dancer, Tara (Tina Ann Aurora), who was fired by her boss, Alison (Colleen Britt) for being too old. Alison is also behind this PR stunt. She thinks it’s a joke and wants to humiliate the group because who would want to see a bunch of old folks dance to hip-hop? Tara believes in them, though, and with the help of Jenny (Cassidy Rose O’Brien) and Kendra (Anna Moceri) of the young Cougarettes, they transform the group into sizzling seniors who can pop, lock and drop it. 

What’s also fun about the show is we learn the backstories of each dancer. May does a great job playing Bea, who’s also Kendra’s grandmother. She’s spunky and opinionated, especially when it comes to Kendra’s relationship with one of the star players, Anthony (Yashaun Harris). They talk about this power dynamic during their car rides and in the song, “Princess.”

The seniors become friends with the younger troupe, too, especially when they are all invited to Hell, the local nightclub. There, we learn that Dorothy has an alter ego, Dottie, who is a confident hip-hop star and idolizes legends like Tupac and Biggie Smalls. McCready does a fantastic job playing the shy kindergarten teacher who ends up being one of the best break dancers on the team. 

But to counteract Hell, the old folks invite the youngins to a sock hop the following week to show them how they used to dance. Ron, who’s the only male member of the team, shows off his skills in “The Prince of Swing” and how he used to attract all the ladies in his youth. This fun number shows off Seabury’s great dancing as he partners with everyone on stage to show off his moves. 

We also learn about Mae’s personal life. One of the older members of the team, her husband is terminally ill and in an emotionally beautiful song, “The Water’s Rise,” she leaves the audience with tears in their eyes by the end.

Adding to the list of swing, tap and hip-hop dancing, Camilla’s “Como No?” brings salsa to the stage. In this number, Sislian lights up the room in her tight red dress singing about her half-her-age lover in an anthem that reminds everyone that age is only a number.

Other highlights include the costume design from Jason Allyn who strategically kept the color scheme of red and black prominent throughout the whole show and the bare set by Randall Parsons that allowed the actors to get their groove on with nothing in the way.

The show impressively closes the theatre’s 54th mainstage season with jokes that will have you laughing from start to finish. For a half-time show, there is a whole lot of talent, so don’t miss this one.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Half Time through June 22. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12, $25 Wednesday matinees. 

After a brief hiatus, Theatre Three kicks off their 55th season with the family favorite musical Annie from Sept. 13 to Oct. 19. For more information or to order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Suffolk County Police have arrested four people for endangering the safety of others and causing a nuisance with fireworks in Hauppauge earlier this month, according to a press release on May 27.

Fourth Precinct Investigative Unit officers began an investigation after receiving numerous complaints regarding fireworks being detonated during the overnight hours in Hauppauge, including an incident reported on May 2 at 4:15 a.m., during which a group of people ignited fireworks in the parking lot of 275 Marcus Boulevard, located within the Hauppauge Industrial Park. The area is in close proximity to residential homes, commercial properties and woods.

The following people were charged with alleged Criminal Nuisance 2nd Degree and Reckless Endangerment of Property:

• Ethan Young, 24, of Port Jefferson, was arrested on May 25

• Ryan Newberg, 26, of Centereach, was arrested on May 21

• Theodore Campbell, 24, of East Setauket, was arrested on May 21

• Mark Posner, 22, of South Setauket, was arrested on May 18.

Posner was additionally charged with Unlawfully Dealing with Fireworks.

They were all issued Desk Appearance Tickets and will be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.Officers are asking anyone with information on similar incidents to call the Fourth Investigative Unit at 631-854-8434.

Elwood-John H. Glenn High School’s production of “Chicago” was recently nominated for 10 Hunting-Tony Awards, including Best Musical Production. The nominations included Nolan Reinhardt for Best Leading Actor in a Musical and Best Male Vocalist, Angelica Viviani for Best Lead Actress in a Musical, Cooper Knorr for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical and Lily Brown for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. 

The annual event is held by the Town of Huntington to celebrate the musical and drama productions of the nine local high schools. At the Hunting-Tony Awards ceremony, held on May 15 at Harborfields High School, cast and crew members from each of the high school productions were in attendance, along with their families. John Glenn senior Nolan Reinhardt secured his third win in a row, taking home the award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. 

“It was a joy to celebrate the hard work of these talented students,” director Brittany Wheeler said. “I am incredibly proud of all our nominees, as well as the entire cast and crew who worked tirelessly to make our production a success.”  

By Beverly C. Tyler

As the shipbuilding era was ending in Stony Brook and East Setauket in the 1870s, the Long Island Railroad was completing the North Shore Line to Port Jefferson. The coming of the railroad made it possible for people and products to travel quickly overland and opened the Three Village area to tourism, especially from New York City 

Until the railroad came, most travel and commerce to and from Long Island ports was conducted by ship. As the railroad became more efficient and reliable, tourism began to increase, especially during the summer months. Hotels, tourist homes and summer cottages opened in Stony Brook and Setauket, as they did throughout Long Island, to accommodate the influx of visitors. 

By 1902, there were six hotels or tourist homes in Stony Brook and ten in Setauket-East Setauket which offered weekly rates. In Stony Brook, the Pine View House, run by Israel Hawkins, advertised as a family recreation summer boarding house with accommodations for 25 guests. Guests at the Pine View had the use of a beach house at West Meadow Beach.

In East Setauket, Shore Acres was a large boarding house overlooking Setauket Harbor. Shore Acres was run by Mr. and Mrs. William D. Oakes and had 30 rooms and one bathroom with a wash basin in each room. “In the large dining room on Sundays, the meal was usually chicken, slaughtered on Saturday evening, fresh garden vegetables and homemade ice cream.” (Long Island Museum 1981 exhibit Summer at the Shore). Boating and bathing were popular activities during these summers and Shore Acres had its own docks and boats for the use of guests. As noted by Barbara Russell, “Later, Mr. Oakes had a motorboat and would take boarders over to Whitehall Beach to spend afternoons.” (Down the Ways – The Wooden Ship Era) 

In Setauket, the Lakeside House, now the Setauket Neighborhood House, had accommodations for 25 guests at $6.00 to $8.00 per week. The Lakeside House was run by my grandfather Captain Beverly Swift Tyler.

In 1879, he was master and 3/8 owner of the “Willow Harp”. She was a coastal schooner and carried coal from New Jersey to East Setauket. Beginning about the turn of the century, Captain Tyler, who then spent much of his time running the Lakeside House, would take guests on sailing outings on his catboat “Madeline” which was anchored in Setauket Harbor.

After he married my grandmother Edith Griffin in 1912, who first came to Setauket to stay a week at the Lakeside House with her sister Carolyn, she became the Lakeside hostess and manager of the kitchen and boarding house staff. Lucy Hart Keyes, born 1900, commented that she worked at the Lakeside house as a young girl and that Mrs. Tyler was “an easy person to work for.”  

In 1906, my grandfather built the catboat “Setauket” in an area behind the Lakeside House. The “Setauket” was the second boat he built, the first being the “Madeline,” which, according to Roger Tyler, Captain Tyler’s nephew, “was built with the comments and help of friends and neighbors whose advice he took and later regretted. When the ‘Setauket’ was being built and comments were again offered, Captain Tyler this time pointed out that the ‘Madeline’ was their community boat and that he was building the ‘Setauket’ by himself.”

Sailboats and the harbors and inlets of the Three Village area were part of the attractiveness of the community at the turn of the century. Captain Tyler used the “Setauket” to take guests on excursions on the Sound and around Setauket and Port Jefferson Harbors. The “Setauket” was also built to race in local competitions in Port Jefferson Harbor. When the “Setauket” was built, Captain Tyler sold the “Madeline,” which was a fairly good racing catboat. Roger Tyler said that the “Setauket” was raced in Port Jefferson and was a consistent winner against all competition including the “Madeline.” Tyler commented that, “it got to be so that they wouldn’t tell Bev when a race was to be run and a few times he found out about them only just and hour or so before the race, but raced and won anyway.”

The tourism era in Setauket and Stony Brook continued strong until World War I. Captain Tyler sold the Lakeside House to Eversley Childs in 1918. Childs, who – the story goes    only wanted the tourist home for its liquor license, which he transferred to the St. George Golf and Country Club gave the Lakeside House to the community for its use. A number of other tourist homes in the Three Village area continued into the 1930s.  

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. http://www.TVHS.org

Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University honored our fallen heroes at their annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 23.

New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern (AD-10), Chairman of the NYS Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee, gave the Memorial Day keynote address to veterans and residents and then joined other elected officials in honoring the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in our armed forces with the laying of a memorial wreath. The ceremony included a color guard, firing detail, taps memorial, wreath laying ceremony and “tolling of the bells” memorial service.
The event was also attended by New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, New York State Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy, Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon, Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa,  Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Fred S. Sganga, Executive Director of the Long Island State Veterans Home, Joseph Cognitore representing VFW Post 6249 in Rocky Point, other local elected officials, LISVH veterans and residents, and many veteran service organization members.
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The Long Island State Veterans Home at Stony Brook University is a 350 bed skilled nursing facility that also operates a 40-registrant medical model Adult Day Health Care program to care for honorably discharged veterans. Operated under the auspices of Stony Brook Medicine, the LI State Veterans Home is one of a few nursing homes in the country that is fully integrated into the health and educational mission of an academic medical center. Since opening its doors in October 1991, the Long Island State Veterans Home has provided care to more than 15,000 of Long Island’s veterans.  For more information,  call (631) 444-VETS.

More than 7,600 Stony Brook University students joined the ranks of the university’s accomplished alumni at the Commencement 2025 celebration ceremony, which took place at LaValle Stadium on May 23.

Students from this year’s graduating class were awarded a combined 7,640 degrees and certificate completions. All candidates, with their family and friends, were invited to participate in-person or could watch via livestream.

Degrees were bestowed in the following categories:

  • 4,835 Bachelor’s Degrees
  • 1,950 Master’s Degrees
  • 675 Doctoral and Professional Degrees
  • 280 Certificates

The Class of 2025 officially joined the ranks of more than 225,000 alumni. This class contains students from 65 countries and 46 states, and graduates range in age from 16 – 82 years of age.

Stony Brook University Interim President Richard L. McCormick, Provost Carl Lejuez, and University Deans conferred the degrees to the university students.

Dr. McCormick challenged this year’s graduating class: “Graduates, remember that success is not only about the achievements and milestones you will have as alumni of this great institution. It is about how you treat and support the people around you. Support for one another is so central to Stony Brook culture. You have left Stony Brook a better university than you found it, and that is saying a lot. We’re counting on you to BE the future!”

New York State Assembly Speaker and alumnus Carl E. Heastie also addressed the Stony Brook community.

Student speaker Amira Gbagba, who graduated with a bachelor of science in applied mathematics and statistics shared the following with her fellow graduates: “Statistically speaking, someone in this graduating class is going to do something huge. Maybe even a few of us. A new app, medical breakthrough, billion-dollar startup, [or a] Nobel prize.  And that someone? It could be you. So don’t rush your dreams trying to match someone else’s timeline. Move at your own pace …. if you have a dream, chase it. If you’re unsure what to chase — stay curious. Try things. Ask questions.”

The Undergraduate Student Government collected more than 600 donations totaling $11,800 as part of the Senior Class Gift.

 

 

Approximately 50 girls from The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County (GSSC) honored Long Island military veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice by planting American Flags at their graves at Calverton National Cemetery on May 24.

The annual event sees Girl Scouts install more than 500 flags in just one section of the more than 1,000-acre military cemetery, which is the final resting place for more than 275,000 Veterans from every American conflict. The flag installation is part of the GSSC county-wide Service Unit activities and included girls ages 5 to 16 from Mastic Beach, Shirley, and Moriches.

“We place the flag, we say the names out loud, and we salute the grave,” said Olivia Phillips, 17, of Mastic. “We do it to show that we understand that sacrifice and we wouldn’t be here without them.”

The girls also earned a special “Calverton National Cemetery” patch to wear on their sashes and vests to salute their service.

“It shows how we are honoring the people who are buried here,” said Gabreilla Greco, 11, of Shirley. “If we didn’t do this, I feel like no one would, and it’s important to honor them.”

About Girl Scouts of Suffolk County

Since 1968, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County has been committed to building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. With over 15,000 members, they are one of the largest youth-serving agencies in Suffolk County.  For more information about the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, please call (631) 543-6622 or visit www.gssc.us. Follow Girl Scouts of Suffolk County onFacebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

By Bill Landon

The boy’s lacrosse post season kicked off on May 19 at Ward Melville high school where the Patriots (No. 8) hosted Wm Floyd (No. 9) in a division I matchup where the winner would be decided in the final 3 seconds of the game. 

It was Ward Melville senior Bohdan McLaughlin’s goal with four minutes left in the third quarter that re-tied the game a 4-4. The Patriots rattled off four unanswered goals and looked to break the game wide open with 6 minutes left in regulation. William Floyd had other ideas as the slowly chipped away at the deficit to retie the game 8-8 with 1:25 left.

As the clock marched down to the threat of overtime play, it was Andrew Buscaglia’s stick that decided the game. His shot found its mark for the game winner as time expired, for a Patriot 9-8 victory in the Suffolk class A opener. It was Buscaglia’s fourth goal in the game, courtesy of an assist from McLaughlin, for the win. 

Sophomore goalie Jason Biondi had ten saves in net.

In victory the Patriots advanced to face the (No. 1) seed Half Hollow Hills in a road game on May 22.

— Photos by Bill Landon