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By Caroline O’Callaghan

It was a sunny day on May 18 for the first Flowerfield car show of the season, which shuffled in droves of visitors. The St. James fairgrounds off Route 25A ceremoniously showcased dozens of modern and vintage vehicles alongside their proud owners, vendors and musicians on its lawns. The car show and swap meet event was one of many held there every year by Long Island Cars. 

Some of those in attendance were auto enthusiasts looking to downsize, like Ken Sitterley, who came there to sell his preloved 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe among other things. Sitterley, who is currently trying to purge his load of around 20 cars, reflected on his time with the Deluxe. “I drove this car for many years, went to different events with it, just as you see it — believe it or not,” said Sitterley. As he spoke, a man purchased the car, “I came out today to sell all this stuff. And I’ve sold the car to this gentleman over here,” Sitterley confirmed. 

Many car owners sparked discussions with one another based on similar interests. Thomas Galicia and Don Heitner parked their muscle cars next to each other and the rest was history. Both of them expressed gratitude for the freedom their cars have brought them as they’ve gotten older. Galicia, who drives a 2017 Dodge Challenger GT, loves its convertible feature. 

“It was the first way I could get back into having a muscle car because I had kids. When my last child got her license, it was time to go back to a two-door car,” said Galicia. He was elated over the unconventional terrain that the fairgrounds provides for car shows.

Galicia continued, “I love Flowerfield, it’s great. It’s nice being able to walk around a grass field as opposed to walking around an “asphalt jungle” where most of these car shows are. When you get to be my age, it’s a lot easier on your knees to walk around in the grass.” 

Heitner, with his 1995 Camaro Z28 6 Speed Convertible, spoke of the beautiful weather at Flowerfield, “Today is one of the best days of the year, and there’s not that many of them that line up with the car shows, so, today’s a good day.” 

Although Heitner said his Camaro is “a little low to the ground,” he doesn’t mind getting in and out of it as it “keeps him young.” 

There were trucks on display as well. Helen and Robert Mayer came with their black 1949 Dodge Pickup decked out in memorabilia from its original era. As it turned out, the truck was a family heirloom for Robert. 

Helen described the valiant history of the truck, “[Robert’s] father bought it new, and his father died back in ‘65. So, it’s been out of the woods for the last 30 years, at least. And we started [rebuilding the truck] at our house over several years ago.” 

She then pointed to a board in the trunk which contained photos of the truck at various phases of its restoration and a description of the Mayer family’s rich history with the vehicle. For Ben Piecora, the Flowerfield car show goes back generations, as his father brought him to the show when he was growing up. “I’m always gonna vote for more car shows. I’ve been coming to Flowerfield since I was little, so I’ve been coming here for about 10 years,” said Piecora. 

Piecora drove his refurbished 1989 Chevrolet Corvette — the same car that his father showed at Flowerfields when he was a child.

By Bill Landon

The Rocky Point boy’s lacrosse team struggled from the opening face off in a road game against Mattituck on May 16 where the Tuckers peppered the scoreboard with eight unanswered goals before the Eagles could answer.

It was Rocky Point attackman Trevor Barrett’s shot on goal the broke the ice for Eagles scoring with five minutes left in the opening half.

Robert Walker’s shot on goal found its mark late in the third quarter but that was all the Eagles could muster in the 10-2 loss in the division II matchup, to conclude their 2025 campaign.

Rocky Point goalie Brogan Casper had his hands full in net with twenty saves on the day.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

Smithtown Township Arts Council has announced that the works of Smithtown artist Lynn Staiano will be on view at Apple Bank of Smithtown, 91 Route 111, Smithtown from May 26 to July 25. The exhibition, part of the Arts Council’s Outreach Gallery Program, may be viewed during regular banking hours Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to a press release.

Lynn Staiano is a self-taught artist who discovered a passion for painting during the pandemic. “Inspired by my late mother, a talented artist who nurtured creativity in our home, I found comfort and purpose in art during a time of global uncertainty. Though I had never formally painted before, I began exploring acrylics, later transitioning to oils, with occasional work in pastel and watercolor mediums,” she said.

The artist is particularly drawn to abandoned or fractured houses, barns, bridges, charming old windows, intriguing doors, and elements of antiquity. 

“I am moved to express well-lived environments; loved, forgotten, and vintage items. I enjoy painting plein air and in the studio, with a focus on landscapes and still life compositions,” she explained.

Staiano’s art has been exhibited in galleries across Long Island. “Committed to continually growing as an artist, I honor my mother’s dream through classes, practice, experimentation, and exploration.”

“STAC is grateful to Apple Bank for its continued support of culture in our communities,” read the release.

By Steven Zaitz

It was a tale of two Taylors.

In a first-round flag football playoff battle, junior quarterback Taylor Mileti of Hauppauge and Taylor Gabel of Deer Park battled on May 19. Mileti and the Lady Eagles came out on top 25-6, as she rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another.

Hauppauge, with its sublime regular season record of 15-1, is the second seeded team in Suffolk Bracket B entering the playoffs and Deer Park, that last year won only two games but improved that total to nine in 2025, is seeded seventh.

Despite this, both teams were scoreless after 21 minutes of play. Facing a strong Falcon defense and a strong wind in the first half, Mileti converted a touchdown pass on fourth down from the five-yard line to WR Meghan Goutink with 4:03 left in the first half.  It gave the Eagles a 7-0 lead that they took into the halftime break.

Mileti, with the wind at her back for the second half, sailed a punt that pinned Gabel and the Falcon offense inside their own 10-yard line. Getting the ball back with good field position, Mileti scored on a quarterback draw to make the score 13-0 with 18 minutes left in the game. She would run for 128 yards on the day on 14 carries.

On their next drive, Mileti hit her center Brooke Tarasenko for a 12-yard pass play and then followed Tarasenko’s lead block into the end zone to give Hauppauge a 19-0 edge.

Taylor Gabel, who finished in the top 20 in passing yards in Suffolk this year, engineered a 61-yard drive to make the score 19-6 with just over six minutes to go in the game. It gave Deer Park a flicker of hope.

But that flicker was snuffed out when Mileti scrambled and swerved her way to a 44-yard touchdown run along the right sideline to ice the game.  It was her third rushing score of the game and she was mobbed by her teammates in the end zone.

In addition to her big day on the ground, Mileti was 14 for 22 and 75 yards through the air and had 7 flag pulls on defense.  She also had a long punt return in the second half to set up the Eagles second touchdown.

Goutink had five catches for 22 yards and a touchdown and Tarasenko had four for 40 yards.

Defensive lineman Juliana Krause had three quarterback sacks and another tackle for loss and defensive back Stephanie Braun had seven flag pulls. The Eagles will play third seed Eastport-South Manor on May 22 at Hauppauge in the Suffolk Bracket B semifinal round. Deer Park, who won six games in a row before losing to Kings Park in their regular season finale, finishes with a record of 9-7.

— Photos by Steven Zaitz

On Sunday, May 18, Legislator Rebecca Sanin hosted an Earth Day Celebration at West Hills County Park, bringing together residents, local organizations, and community partners for a day of environmental education, family fun, and sustainability-focused engagement. The event featured a wide range of community sponsors, partners, and vendors, including: Silver Edge Construction, Confident Minds Psychotherapy and Coaching, County Line Hardware, Harbor Paint, Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site, West Hills Neighbors, DDR Farm, Say Cheese Pizza Café, and PSEG.

In addition, the event welcomed a series of organizations that provided educational materials and interactive experiences, including: Long Island Clean Energy Hub, Toxic/Nature Studios, Art League of Long Island, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Decor by Don, PuroClean of Huntington, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County – Marine Department, and the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS). Additional appreciation is extended to the Commack Library and Elwood Library for providing lawn games, and for contributing to a fun and engaging atmosphere for families throughout the day.

“It is truly an inspiration to watch our community gather in support of our home planet,” said Legislator Sanin. “Our earth is the most precious that gift we have, and it is up to all of us to advocate for, respect, and celebrate that gift.”

Now in its second year, Legislator Sanin’s Earth Day Celebration continues to bring the community together in support of local environmental efforts. The event highlighted the role of youth in shaping a sustainable future through the Earth Day Poetry Contest, where student participants expressed their environmental values through powerful creative writing. Legislator Sanin extends her congratulations to winners Abigail Kaloo and Kenji Flores of Walt Whitman High School, and Aleuris Lantigua of Brentwood High School for the creativity and care demonstrated in their poetry submissions.

The event showed a shared commitment to environmental change and the importance of making everyday Earth Day through continued advocacy, education, and sustainable choices.

 

This week’s shelter pet is Riley, a gorgeous, highly intelligent, well-trained, three-year-old, female black shepherd mix at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. She was brought to the animal shelter due to a change in her family’s circumstances. As a result of her broken heart, Riley takes a little extra time to trust new people. However, once she opens up, you will discover what an endearing little charmer she is.

Meeting Riley is an unforgettable experience—her natural beauty is captivating. Winning her endless love, loyalty, and devotion only requires a gentle approach, patience, and understanding. Once she feels safe and cherished, Riley will return that love a hundredfold. When you’ve earned her trust, she reveals her playful “tweenager” side, showing off her ability to perform tricks and commands that are sure to bring endless laughter and joy. Riley is truly a diamond in the rough, just waiting to shine in the right home.

Beautiful Riley is young, healthy, and has a lifetime of cherished memories to share. She would be best suited in a home with no other pets and older children.

If you are interested in meeting Reilly, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in a domestic setting, which includes our Meet and Greet Room, the dog runs, and our Dog Walk trail

The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter, 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown is open 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.

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

 

133 RSOM graduates celebrate during the school’s 51st Convocation; residency training begins in July

The Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) at Stony Brook University celebrated its 51st Convocation on May 19 when 133 graduates received their Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. The newly minted physicians will start their residency training in early July.

A talented and diverse group set to practice medicine in more than 20 specialties – such as residencies related to primary care, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, neurology, radiology, surgery and psychiatry – the RSOM graduates, collectively, will practice at leading hospitals and academic medical centers in New York State and 17 other states. A majority (55 percent) will remain in New York, with nearly 15 percent staying at Stony Brook Medicine.

The need for more physicians in the United States and globally remains high, particularly because of aging populations and the need for physician specialists. With ever increasing new technologies to diagnose and treat diseases, and the emergence of AI and telemedicine, opportunities to further advance Medicine in this 21st Century will expand. New MDs entering the workforce will be a major part of that advancement.

Peter Igarashi, MD, the Knapp Dean of the RSOM and Presider over the Convocation, congratulated the 133 graduates and cited their dedication, perseverance, and achievements during this celebration of their journeys that brought them all to this moment as new physicians.

“Over the last four plus years at the Renaissance School of Medicine, you have received the best medical education that New York State has to offer,” said Dr. Igarashi. “The combination of training in the science and art of medicine and the social determinants of health has prepared you to be doctors, well-equipped for whoever walks in the door.”

Susan M. Wolf, JD, a nationally recognized leader in medicine, law, and ethics, Chair of the Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment & the Life Sciences, Regents Professor, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota, delivered the Convocation Address.

Professor Wolf has devoted her academic career to solving ethical and legal challenges in patient care and biomedical research. Her pioneering work has influenced how medicine approaches end-of-life care, the return of research results and incidental findings, and the ethical integration of technologies like genomics and AI.

She encouraged the students to practice medicine with the highest ethics and to be patient advocates during the caregiving process, helping to empower patients and their decisions in an age when medicine is advancing at a rapid pace even as quality of life and death issues remain paramount.

The 133 new MDs celebrated with each other, RSOM faculty, friends and family members throughout the day. This included a special shout out and a rousing applause from them during the ceremony directed to their parents and loved ones, who sacrificed much time and means throughout the graduates’ medical school journey.

The RSOM Class of 2025 join a long history of the school’s graduates. Since the first graduating class of 1974, the RSOM has issued more than 5,000 MD degrees, more than 600 PhD degrees, and nearly 750 master’s degrees to more than 6,200 graduates.

 

 

After weeks of preparation, fourth and fifth grade orchestra students at Pines Elementary School in the Hauppauge School District welcomed New York City-based composer, teacher and Broadway musician Eric Davis, the composer of one of their concert pieces.

Students first performed for Mr. Davis, showcasing their hard work and interpretation of his piece, “Dark Forest Legend.” Following their performance, Mr. Davis took the baton and led an interactive workshop on his composition. He shared stories about the inspiration behind the song, the narrative he hoped to convey and even how his original title was initially rejected by the publisher.

“It’s always rewarding to watch the students work with the original composer,” said orchestra teacher Tracey DeRose. “Seeing them learn directly from the expert is a delight.”

After the workshop, students asked Mr. Davis questions about the life of a composer.

Students asked thoughtful questions, gaining a deeper understanding of what it takes to create music.

The Middle Country School District Boys Lacrosse team recently hosted its annual “Goals for Giving” fundraiser at Newfield High School, marking another successful year of community spirit and charitable giving. Organized by Regina Giambone, the event rallied widespread support from the district’s athletic department, administration, students, parents, and teams.

“We are incredibly proud of the boys lacrosse team and the entire district community for coming together in support of such a meaningful cause,” said Newfield High School Principal Scott Graviano. “It was great seeing the enthusiasm and joy in the air as everyone represented their teams, schools and Middle Country with pride.”

Funds raised during the event will directly benefit the Middle Country School District’s Special Education Program, with this year’s contributions earmarked for enhancing sensory rooms across the District’s schools by adding new, adaptive equipment.

Supporters showed their enthusiasm and solidarity by purchasing and proudly wearing event T-shirts featuring the official “Goals for Giving” logo, both during the school day and at the evening game. The event also featured a spirited 50/50 raffle and a variety of gift baskets, generously donated by local businesses and community members.

The district extends its heartfelt thanks to all who participated, contributed, and made this event possible. 

For more information regarding the Middle Country Central School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website: https://www.mccsd.net/.

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Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who used a stolen credit card at several stores in May.

A man reported his wallet was stolen from a locker at Gold’s Gym, located at 1 Larkfield Road in East Northport, on the morning of May 10. Later that day, an unknown man used the credit card at several locations, including at Home Depot in Huntington Station.

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.