Half Hollow Hills Newspaper - April 5, 2012

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HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWS FOR THE DIX HILLS AND MELVILLE COMMUNITIES

N E W S P A P E R

Copyright © 2012 Long Islander Newspapers, LLC.

Online at www.LongIslanderNews.com VOLUME FIFTEEN, ISSUE 3

24 PAGES

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012

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A2 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON Half Hollow Hills photos/Stephanie DeLuca

About 100 Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, veterans and representatives of different organizations stood in the rain with their umbrellas to support James Byler and his family.

Breaking Ground On Home Fit For Hero Ceremony and parade kick off renovations for house of local Marine injured overseas

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

A few drops of water from Mother Nature didn’t rain on U.S. Marine First Lieutenant James Byler’s parade.

Building Homes for Heroes – a nonprofit that provides individuals, corporations and others with an opportunity to help severely wounded and disabled veterans – marched down Broadview Drive with about 100 residents holding American flags during a groundbreaking ceremony and parade on March 31 to kick off the renovations for the Marine’s Huntington home.

Byler, 26, went into the Marines after graduating from Purdue College. Two months into his service, he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) while navigating his troops through Northern Helman Province in Afghanistan. The Huntington High School graduate lost both of his legs and both pinky fingers.

In good spirits at the ceremony, Byler sat in a wooden chair wearing plaid shorts, a black, red and white sweatshirt and black leather jacket, alongside his father, Phil Byler; mother, Janet Byler, a science teacher at Northport High School; Andy Pujol, president and founder of Building Homes for Heroes; and Councilman Mark Mayoka, who played an active role in helping to fundraise for the Marine.

Janet Byler opened the ceremony with a prayer.

“There’s a message in the Bible that is printed on the dog tags of many of the Marines and it helped me as well through the challenges of the last few years,” she said. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For the Lord, our God, will be with you wherever you go.”

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, veterans and representatives of different organizations stood in the rain with their umbrellas to support the Marine.

“It was on a cold day like this over a year ago when I met James… and the throngs of people who came out to wel-

U.S. Marine First Lieutenant James Byler is in good sprits during the groundbreaking ceremony on March 31, along with his mother Janet, a science teacher at Northport High School; his father, Phil; and Huntington Councilman Mark Mayoka. come him is just a testament of the people of Long Island and the people of Huntington,” Mayoka said. “James appreciated that and it gave me an idea that we needed to do something more.”

There are many renovations in store for the Byler home. The home’s single-car

garage will be widened so James can pull out of his car with either his wheelchair or on his prosthetic legs. A ramp will also be built in the garage that leads into his bedroom.

James’ the bedroom will be transformed into a suite, with a seating area

and a handicap accessible bathroom. He will also have an additional entrance built on the side of his house.

“Every time I come home, it’s a hassle to get in and out of the front door and it’s a huge pain,” James, a Huntington High (Continued on page A3)

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 • A3

Renovations begin on Marine’s home

SOUTH HUNTINGTON

Half Hollow Hills photos/Stephanie DeLuca

Saint Anthony’s Supporting The Troops High school to host 5K run to benefit U.S Marine James Byler

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

James Byler shows his appreciation for what Andy Pujol, president and founder of Building Homes for Heroes, and his volunteers have done for him and his family.

(Continued from page A2)

School graduate, said. “It’s very frustrating sometimes when something so small really defeats you.”

James was all smiles during the ceremony along with his parents. His mother and father helped him up to the podium so he could tell the community how much he appreciates their support since he was injured.

“Pretty much from day one, the support has been completely overwhelming. I didn’t expect any of it,” James said. “To come home to this, to people not only saying, ‘Welcome home’ but, ‘I want to build you a house, I want to make sure

your life is OK and take care of you,’ how could you not recover and get back on your feet?”

There will be a special section on the Building Home for Heroes website, buildinghomesforheroes.org, thanking everyone involved with the project. They are hoping to complete the project the weekend before July 4, and there will be a banner with supporters’ names hung on Byler home.

Volunteers from Building Homes for Heroes also gave James a $500 gift card to Disney since he left for vacation that night with his girlfriend.

The Boy Scouts marched down Broadview Drive for James Byler’s parade prior to the groundbreaking ceremony.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Marine’s Life A New Kind Of Normal sdeluca@longislandernews.com

Every year, on Oct. 17, the day he stepped on the IED that took out his legs and pinkies, Marine James Byler celebrates the fact that he is still alive. He gathers with his friends and has a beer or two.

“It’s another form of birthday for me,” the Huntington native said.

It’s been about a year and a half since the first lieutenant was severely injured overseas, but Byler is taking it one day at a time to get his life back to normal.

The Marine, 26, is staying at the Walter Reed National Military Center in Bethesda, Md., where he finished his physical therapy.

Byler even learned how to drive and got a car retrofitted with hand controls about a year ago. He said it took him about 30 seconds to figure out how to work the gears.

“Surprisingly, it was easy to learn. It’s basically another gear shifter I got in my consol. So you push forward for break and back for gas,” he said, noting it reminded him of driving a boat.

Byler has an internship with the National Security Agency to keep himself

occupied until he is discharged in the next two months. He said he should be home around the time Building Homes for Heroes completes renovations on his family’s Huntington home to make it more accessible for him.

“It’s a weird feeling [to come back home]. I’ve been a Marine for such a long time now,” he said. “It’s awesome to know that when I come home from now on it’s not going to be a frustrating battle to come through the front door.”

Byler said since his home is not currently handicap accessible, it’s difficult to do the easiest tasks, like walking up the stairs, and he sometimes feels defeated. However, he is an upbeat and positive person trying to move forward rather than dwelling on the past.

Byler said he is excited to start the next chapter of his life. He hopes to start school in September to earn a MBA for sales and trading. If he doesn’t get in this year, he plans to go back the following fall.

“I like the atmosphere of Wall Street. It’s very high stress,” he said. “I went to a trading school and everyone’s yelling and it’s stressful. I said, ‘I miss this. It’s just like being in the military.’”

Half Hollow Hills photo/Stephanie DeLuca

By Stephanie DeLuca

James Byler, flanked by his mother and Councilman Mark Mayoka, is adapting to life after losing both of his legs.

When John Feinberg, a senior at St. Anthony’s High School, heard about U.S. Marine First Lieutenant James Byler’s story, he knew he wanted to help raise money to renovate his home.

As the president of the high school’s Support Our Troops club, Feinberg decided to host a 5K charity run to raise funds for Building Homes for Heroes – a nonprofit that provides individuals, corporations and others with an opportunity to help severely wounded and disabled veterans – on May 20 at the high school, located at 275 Wolf Hill Road in South Huntington.

“One of my friends who was on the Support Our Troops board, he heard from someone else about James Byler and we wanted to see what we could do for him,” Feinberg said. “I spoke with [Huntington Councilman] Mark Mayoka who was supportive of him… After that, I’ve been doing most of the planning.”

The race will begin at St. Anthony’s, continue down New York Avenue and Old Country Road, and end back at the school. Awards will be given out to winners in different age categories.

Raffles and prizes will be given out the day of the event, including New York Islander tickets, a New York Jets laser-etched football with every 2011 player’s signature, and gift cards to local restaurants.

A wine tasting at a vineyard in Eastern Long Island will also be raffled off as well as the ultimate grand prize – a four-pack of Disney ParkHopper tickets that can be used at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and Disney Animal Kingdom.

The event will also have a barbeque. The Como Brothers Band, made up of St. Anthony’s alumni, will perform the Star-Spangled Banner and a couple of their own songs.

“I’m hoping people come out and show support to a great veteran,” Feinberg said.

Participants can register online at www.sot5k.org. Online registration prior to the event is $30. Runners can also register the day of the event for $40. Registration opens at 2:30 p.m. and closes at 3:10 p.m. Discounts of $15 for military personnel and $5 for students will be offered.

A4 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • MARCH 1, 2012

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POLICE REPORT Compiled by Mike Koehler

A Study In Abstract Driving

Is That Really Mischief?

U-turns now legal? I think it’s fair to say that

have fewer complaints about sleep troubles and daytime fatigue than any other age group. This appeople do not always follow the rules of the road, parently offsets previous reports that one’s total and my friend Mary most definitely agrees. She amount of sleep decreases wrote me a letter about a few with age, and that older rule breakers she encountered IN THE KNOW adults experience less highrecently, who made U-turns in WITH AUNT ROSIE quality sleep. I don’t know the middle of the street! Mary about you, but as the years writes: “My husband and I were having lunch at go on, I feel like I sleep less Bistro Cassis, sitting outside – Five cars make Uand less even though I need it more and more. I do turns in front of us, one car even going over the take more naps now than ever before, so maybe that curb, missing my husband by barely one foot! One is my problem. But I have such trouble falling our way home to Cold Spring Harbor, we counted asleep, and I wake up hours before I want to! I’m four more U-turns (mid-block). Are U-turns legal going to volunteer for the next study. However, renow? They used to be illegal!” Mary, I’m not aware searches say the study’s findings suggest the oftenof any rule now making U-turns legal, but I suspect reported increase in sleep problems as we age is reit’s just drivers being too lazy to turn around propally a “non-linear phenomenon,” mediated by facerly, or too much in a rush to care. It really doesn’t tors other than aging – like depression, the female take that long to obey the rules of the road, does it? sex, etc. So, maybe the problem is me.

And if not for the sheer legality of it, perhaps drivers can be convinced if nothing more than so people No open flames, please… I stopped by the ofcan eat on the sidewalk in peace, without fear of fice recently to pick up a few papers and say hello to getting hit by a car. some of the staff when I noticed the unmistakable odor of gasoline. Not wanting to be impolite, I reMake way for ducks… Just like the book, fowl frained from commenting, but the smell continued seem to have found friends in Huntington. Sure, to permeate into my nostrils. Finally I just blurted there are plenty of traffic foul-ups because a gaggle it out, and was met with a surprisingly simple anof Canadian geese decide to cross the road, but swer. One of our reporters had stopped to gas up what about that traffic sign on Orchard Place? By his car in the morning, and stopped to help an eldthe intersection with Prime Avenue, it looks like erly woman – makes me feel young and spry – fill someone installed a homemade duck crossing sign. her car with gas. Unfortunately she kept her grip on The sign itself looks legit, except for all of the yellow the handle as she removed the nozzle, spraying touchup paint, although it seems remarkably short. gasoline like a summertime hose fight. Our reporter If a homeowner did post this sign, are they allowed said he helped her stop the gas, pay and safely drive to? Can you put a traffic sign on the edge of your off. Apparently his leather shoes soaked in some of property without getting a visit from the boys in the gas, because everybody in the office noticed it blue? hours later. Now I have an answer to many houseKeeping me up at night… I don’t normally dis- hold dilemmas, but I was at a loss when he asked how to get rid of the odor. Any suggestions? agree with science – I have tremendous respect for those who study the physics of this world – but a recent study and I just do not line up. A study pub(Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have comlished in the journal “Sleep” (doesn’t it seem like ments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening in your they have a journal for everything?) got a lot of meneck of the woods, write to me today and let me know the latest. To contact me, drop a line to Aunt Rosie, c/o dia attention last month for reporting that sleep The Long-Islander, 149 Main Street, Huntington NY may actually improve with age. The study of 11743. Or try the e-mail at aunt.rosieli@gmail.com) 150,000 Americans found that people in their 80s

Send a photo of your pre-school age child or your favorite pet along with a brief anecdotal background and we’ll consider it for “Baby Faces” or “Pet Faces.” For babies, include baby’s full name, date of birth, hometown and names of parents and grandparents. For pets, please include the pet’s name, age, hometown and breed, if applicable. Send to info@longislandernews.com or mail it to: Baby of the Week or Pet of the Week, c/o Long-Islander, 149 Main St., Huntington, NY 11743. Please include a daytime phone number for verification purposes.

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Poof, Your Rims Are Gone A Dix Hills resident called Suffolk County police on March 28 about a grand larceny. The complainant said someone took the rims and tires off their Nissan Maxima while it was parked in the street the day before.

Another Reason To Lock Your Doors A Dix Hills resident called Suffolk County police on March 28 about a grand larceny. The complainant said someone took their pocketbook out of an unlocked Acura that was parked in the driveway. Gift cards and money were inside.

That’s An Unpleasant Surprise A Huntington-based cabinetry company called Suffolk County police to complain about graffiti on March 26. A company representative said it occurred the day prior.

So Was It An Attempted Burglary?

Suffolk police were dispatched to a South Huntington apartment about a reported burglary on March 26. The responding officer found the door damaged.

Let The Fresh Air In Suffolk police were dispatched to a South Huntington school on March 26. District employees said someone broke a glass window in a door at the middle school.

Not So Sweet Revenge

“Unity in the community should be a way of life, not just a conference day.”

Students ‘Got The Power’, PAGE A10

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Suffolk police received a complaint about grand larceny in connection with a Huntington Station bank on March 29. A credit/debit card was stolen and used for illicit purchases.

Northport Village police were dispatched to Burt Avenue on March 24 about a disturbance. The anonymous complainant said an “unregistered motorcyclist” was riding and creating a disturbance. The responding officer searched the area, with no results. No further police action was necessary.

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Cops Searching For ‘Unregistered Motorcyclist’

QUOTE OF THE WEEK ROBERT GOLDMAN

HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER

A Huntington Station resident called Suffolk County police on March 30 to report criminal mischief. The complainant said someone punctured the tires, damaged the windshield and dented a quarter panel on their 2007 Nissan. The vehicle was parked in the driveway at the time.

expires

A resident called Northport Village police on March 24 about damage to her vehicle. She told police that someone threw eggs at her house and poured chocolate syrup on two vehicles parked in her driveway some time between March 2 and March 24. She accused her neighbor, saying her daughter and a younger neighbor had a verbal confrontation. The responding officer spoke with the neighbors, who denied any involvement.

The complainant refused to file charges until she spoke with her husband.

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HUNTINGTON STATION

Nordstrom Coming To 110 Discount store will replace vacant Toys ‘R’ Us

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

A new tenant has been found to replace one of two corporate presences on Route 110.

Nordstrom Rack will occupy the former home of Toys ‘R’ Us in the Huntington Shopping Center.

“We think it’s a terrific center,” Nordstrom spokeswoman Kendall Ault said.

Nordstrom Rack is the “off-price” store in the Nordstrom family. The new 36,000 square-foot store will carry merchandise from the company’s other stores and website at discounted prices.

Ault confirmed the new store is expected to open this fall.

“We think Nordstrom Rack is a best-inclass retailer and will provide the fashion and brand savvy shoppers [want] with a fantastic retail experience in their new location at Huntington Shopping Center,” said Wendy Seher, vice president with landlord Federal Realty Investment Trust.

The previous tenant, Toys ‘R’ Us, left in January. Barnes & Noble was also in the shopping center until that location closed on Dec. 31, 2011.

Allegations of rent hikes and unreasonable demands by the landlord have circulated, which supposedly forced the other tenants out. Phone messages left with Federal Realty were not returned and Ault declined to comment on their new landlord’s prior tenants.

MELVILLE

FDs Win Equipment Grant FEMA gives $791K for breathing apparatus Photo by Steve Silverman

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

The federal government has come through in a big way for five Long Island fire departments – three of them in the Town of Huntington.

U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced March 31 they had secured $791,600 through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for the Smithtown, Halesite, Kings Park, Melville and Centerport Fire Districts. The money will be used to buy about 125 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), additional air tanks and individual masks. All of the equipment is required by federal guidelines.

Melville Fire Department Chief Michael Carrieri said this grant would allow them to replace their SCBAs with state-of-the art units.

“All of our firefighters will be able to use the most up-to-date SCBAs,” Carrieri said.

The new units include technological improvements, he added, which prevent cross-contamination, help locate downed firefighters, and update the wearer on current air supplies through an LED “heads-up” display in the face piece. The units also allow firefighters to quickly aid breathing in a crisis through a “buddy breathing” system.

“The technology is so much greater –

Melville Fire Department volunteers use breathing apparatuses as they respond to a fire. The department is one of five on Long Island that will be able to update their equipment thanks to a federal grant. far more advanced than the packs we currently have,” Centerport Chief Andrew Stevenson added. “It’s still the same concepts and models, and ours work fine the way they are, but they [the new pieces] have so many more advances in the new technology that will help us even more in the future.”

The new equipment also has benefits that will be realized before a volunteer responds to a fire, Halesite Chief Andrew Magerle noted.

“We won’t have to teach somebody one way on one thing and a different way on another,” he said.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 • A5

A6 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Cook Calls For Town Hall Audit Supervisor Petrone fires back at ‘far-fetched, disgraceful’ claim

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Following the announcement that Comptroller Tracy Yogman would be leaving her post April 20, a member of the town board has asked state and county officials to audit Huntington’s finances.

Town spokesman A.J. Carter confirmed Yogman’s departure on March 27; Supervisor Frank Petrone made a formal announcement the next day. A search for Yogman’s successor will begin immediately. In the meantime, deputy comptroller Andrew Persich will head the office.

Following the announcement of Yogman’s departure, Cook said he filed a petition with State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s offices, as well as Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota, seeking a full audit of the town’s books. Cook said such a probe hasn’t happened in 15 years and is long overdue.

“When I heard about her resigning [last Monday], I felt it was proper for the state to come in and audit all the books,” Cook said. “There were a bunch of things going on that I was concerned with, and I was sort of surprised Tracy would leave a position so early.”

Chief amongst those concerns was the flow of information from the comptroller’s office, Cook said. He added that he would introduce a resolution at the next town board meeting that would hire an outside accounting firm to conduct a full

audit of the town’s finances.

Petrone fired back Monday, angrily calling the allegations of “criminality and whatever else” far-fetched, disgraceful and “gamesmanship without a play card.”

“People are grappling just to create some kind of havoc for whatever reason.

They’re never happy that the town’s finances are in good shape, the taxes are in good shape and the debt service is in good shape,” Petrone said. “They’re not going to be happy until they are personally responsible for a downgrade in a bond rating… that’s one of the things that the agencies don’t like – when there’s inconsistency in leadership.”

Petrone challenged Cook to quantify his allegations at the next town board workshop, and the supervisor vowed to challenge the councilman in executive session. As to why Yogman left, Petrone said her former employer was courting her for a higher-paying, more prestigious position.

“I’m upset over this. I really believe that it’s so unfounded. You just have to look at our financial history and anyone with or without a financial background could attest to the fact that the town is in good financial shape,” Petrone said. “Bring it up – bring these allegations up. Never have we heard any of these allegations.”

Councilman Mark Mayoka said he had similar concerns, particularly the amount of notice Yogman gave and the timing of her departure. Mayoka said the town’s annual audit has not been completed. State

law, he said, requires the town’s audit report to be filed within 120 days of the end of a fiscal year. He has also criticized Yogman for filing the town’s triennial highway, capital and general fund reports late during his term.

Despite Mayoka and Yogman’s frequent clashes over the operation of the comptroller’s office, the councilman said it would have been useful for her to stay on to lead the town’s financial office in the midst of tough times.

“To abandon the ship at this point in time when you’re most needed is very concerning,” he said.

Petrone replied that the town has consistently complied with state due dates for the triennial and annual reports, and a series of audits have produced consistently strong results. As to Yogman’s presence during audit, the supervisor said the audit is conducted by accounting firm Israeloff, Trattner & Co., and her departure will not disrupt that.

“A comptroller can come and go and you’ll still have your outside auditing firm throughout the year,” he said.

Along with Petrone, Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and Councilwoman Susan Berland were decidedly more optimistic about Yogman’s performance as comptroller. In wishing her well in her new position, Petrone lauded her “sound counsel and fiscal management,” which helped the town win awards for financial practices, and keep a AAA bond rating.

“All Huntington taxpayers have benefited

Councilman Gene Cook’s call for state and county officials to audit the Town of Huntington’s finances following the departure of Comptroller Tracy Yogman evoked a heated response from Supervisor Frank Petrone from Tracy’s efforts to help me control spending so that taxes remain low, even as services remain high,” Petrone said.

Cuthbertson credited Yogman for helping the town grapple with tough financial times.

“She has helped steer the ship in a very challenging financial climate, and helped us to maintain our bond rating and our level of fiscal stability. In part, credit is due to her for that,” he said.

“She got an incredible offer from a notfor-profit she was at before, and I think she’s done a fine job for the town. I wish her the best in her future endeavors,” Councilwoman Susan Berland added.

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Dangerous ‘Fake Pot’ Banned By State Prohibits sale of synthetic cannabinoids

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

The label on the package says “not for human consumption.” Sold under names like Spike, Spice and K2, many customers take this supposed incense and burn it like marijuana.

That’s because it’s supposed to be marijuana.

Synthetic cannabinoids – drugs that mimic the effect of THC in marijuana – were widely available in the Town of Huntington until recently. New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav R. Shah banned the drugs on March 28.

Not surprisingly, that was welcome news to some like Anthony Ferrandino, a drug and alcohol counselor in the Northport-East Northport School District and co-chair of the Northport Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force. ”Any drug that’s mood-altering and a teenager can get their hands on is dangerous,” Ferrandino said. “Their brains are still developing. It’s the last push physiologically. Whenever you enter a chemical into the body, it affects brain development.”

But the decision also received support from one unlikely source. A manager at Huntington Station-based Gotham Smoke & Novelty Shop, who only identified himself as Mike, said he was thrilled to stop selling synthetic marijuana.

“I don’t want to sell this stuff anyway. I had no choice. If I had 10 stores around me and nine were selling, I had no choice,” he said.

Synthetic marijuana is made with different drugs and chemicals, none approved by the FDA. The DEA actually banned some cannabinoids for six months last March, but different recipes hit the streets.

According to the state health department, synthetic cannabinoids have been linked to severe adverse reactions, including death and acute renal failure, as well as side effects like: tachycardia (increased heart rate), paranoid behavior, agitation and irritability, nausea and vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, headache, hypertension, electrolyte abnormalities, seizures and loss of consciousness.

When used as an alternative to mari-

juana, the synthetic drugs were consumed in much the same way, through pipes, wrapping papers and bongs.

Ferrandino said he’s heard about synthetic marijuana from students for about five years. And during that time, he’s heard some stories that sounded “dangerous.” Reactions to the drug, the counselor added, ranged from becoming hyper to becoming mellow to hallucinating.

“I heard a lot of students saying they got bad reactions from it,” Ferrandino said, noting he heard there were varying strengths available.

The problem, according to the head shop manager, was that cheap, low-quality synthetic marijuana was hitting the streets.

“You’ve got real companies and fake companies. Why it got crazy is that you have real guys selling it for $10 and fake guys selling it for $1,” Mike said. “At least the real ones, they tell you and they give you a lab report of the ingredients of what you use.”

According to published reports, teenagers consuming the synthetic drugs have suffered seizures, blackouts, severe anxiety, paranoia and heart attacks. The drugs have also been linked to a number of deaths.

The DEA temporarily classified synthetic cannabinoids as a Schedule I controlled substance last March because they have no accepted medical use and do have a high potential for abuse. Natural marijuana is also a Schedule I substance, as are drugs like peyote, MDMA (Ecstasy) and heroin.

The statewide ban went into effect immediately, although the public has 15 days to dispute the decision.

In the meantime, Mike wasn’t worried so much about losing customers, as other businesses continuing to sell the drugs under the counter.

“They will do some raids, hopefully soon,” he said.

Ferrandino advised parents to keep an eye out for erratic behavior, a possible sign that children are using synthetic cannabinoids. It’s still too early to determine what the next popular drug will be, he added, although staples like natural marijuana, alcohol and prescription drugs are still a major problem.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 • A7

A8 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012

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Opinion

Sen

d letters to The Editor, : Half Hollow 149 Main S Hills Newspaper, treet, Huntington , New York 11743 or e-m info@long ail us at islanderne ws.com

‘Not the types set up by the printer return their impression, the meaning, the main concern.’

Last Chance Readers of The Long Islander’s Half Hol- mail for free. low Hills Newspaper, this really is your last Not to worry, though. You still have sevchance. eral options.

For more than 15 years, it has been our You may subscribe; for just $21 a year the pleasure to bring news of the Dix Hills and newspaper will be delivered to your mailMelville communities to your mailboxes. box, same as always.

We have learned much about the commuYou may pick up free copies; the paper will nities and the people who make it special, be available for free at a growing list of locaand we take seriously the responsibilities tions throughout town. Find out where on that come with serving as a conduit of news. page one of this week’s paper so that next We have strived to be responsible, open- Thursday you won’t be left in the dark. (And minded and balanced. We have when you stop by an area busitried hard to do right by our readers. EDITORIAL ness to pick up your free paper, We have stood by your sides when tell them the Long Islander’s situations threatened the quality of life; Half Hollow Hills Newspaper sent you). championed for causes important to you; Finally, you may go digital. Register to recelebrated the accomplishments of your ceive the newspaper in an appropriate elecchildren in school; and cheered them on at tronic format to read on your PC, Mac, Little League games, on high school teams smartphone or iPhone at www.HalfHoland beyond. lowNews.com.

Not that we don’t plan to continue, but Whatever option you choose, don’t delay. for you to continue enjoying your weekly Thousands have already made their choicnewspaper will take some action on your es. If you are not yet one of them, do it now part. We can no longer provide delivery by so you don’t miss a minute of news.

Letters to the editor are welcomed by Long Islander Newspapers. We reserve the right to edit in the interest of space and clarity. All letters must be handsigned and they must include an address and daytime telephone number for verification. Personal attacks and letters considered in poor taste will not be printed. We cannot publish every letter we receive due to space limitations.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Assistants Not Helping DEAR EDITOR: In regard to your article in the March 29, edition, “Hills Cuts Another $2.4 Million from Budget,” while I applaud the Board of Education and Superintendent Fallon for coming up with additional cost cutting measures totaling $2.4 million, I still feel they can do even more to cut additional spending in our top-heavy administration positions.

Numerous people have spoken about this subject, but no convincing answer has been given to the taxpayers as to why we have so many assistant principals and assistant superintendents on our payroll.

Due to the decreasing enrollments in our schools, why is it necessary to keep the same number of assistant principals and assistant superintendents, while justifying eliminating teaching positions?

For 40 years (prior to Superintendent Sheldon Karnilow’s tenure), this district did not have the number of top earners that it has today and our children (including myself ) received a quality education with-

out theses additional positions and additional costs. According to my rough calculations, we should be able to cut at least an additional $1.5 million or more, if we par down these positions that are no longer needed. If we can cut the amount of teachers, secretarial/clerical positions, teacher substitutes, travel and conference expenses for faculty and staff and books, why are these “assistant” positions not being looked at and eliminated?

The taxpayers of this district can no longer bear the brunt of huge salaries and pension plans (along with the perks that results in sick pay accumulations, etc.) to warrant these positions any longer. There are many, many families in this district who have been hit hard by the current recession (or should I say depression) and have had to make great personal sacrifices during these tough economic times. Our property values have plummeted and our taxes have been increased, of which the majority of these taxes are payable to the Half Hollow Hills School District. If we chose to sell our homes, the cost of our taxes hinder those sales.

If the above concerns are not

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addressed by the board and our superintendent, I feel that I will have no other option but to vote no on the upcoming budget vote and to encourage others to do the same.

I implore the board and Superintendent Fallon to consider the above and explain why these cuts should not be addressed and implemented.

SUSAN BURGAZZOLI

Dix Hills

The Country Doctor DEAR EDITOR: It warmed my heart to read that the Huntington Town Board voted to jointly purchase and protect along with Suffolk County the 12-acre parcel of land on Oldfield Road in Greenlawn known as the Carpenter Farm.

My elation was based on my personal and nostalgic memories of Dr. Carpenter himself.

Dr. Carpenter had an office in a tiny cottage on Sunrise Highway in Bay Shore and some of my earliest memories are of periodic visits to his office. It was a rickety place with uneven planked floors, dated wall pa-

pers and fading paint, but it was sparkling clean and, in a unique way, quite charming. I was a sickly child and these visits were relatively frequent and usually involved finger pricks, butt injections and other unsavory (in my opinion) pediatric treatments by the doc.

In spite of the fearsome needles, I actually looked forward to these visits. Dr. Carpenter was every child’s vision of the country family doctor as if created by Norman Rockwell. He always seemed to be wearing a broad and reassuring smile. His hair was meticulously combed and he often wore a natty seersucker suit and colorful tie. His touch was gentle and his laughing eyes glistened through his wire rimmed glasses as he assured me that everything would be just fine… and it always was.

I particularly remember his voice which was quite unique, with a sort of high pitched, gravelly quality that always made me relaxed and comfortable. I remember him being a large, very tall man but I guess all men seem so to a 4-year-old.

Occasionally, when he had no office hours in Bay Shore, he would have us visit him at his home office on Old Field Road in Greenlawn. I remember it being surrounded by farmland and was always eager to explore his barns, water towers and silos after treatments. He always had horses, goats and other assorted farm animals milling around and sometimes, when he wasn’t busy with other patients, acted as our tour guide. It was a rural amuse-

Michael Schenkler Publisher

Mike Koehler Danny Schrafel Stephanie DeLuca Reporters

STEPHEN R. PORPORA

Huntington Bay

Thank You, Newsroom DEAR EDITOR: Thank you for the beautiful article about the renovations being done to our home for James.

The picture of James accompanying the article taken on Memorial Day is one of the best I’ve seen – good job Mike DiRenzo!

The groundbreaking ceremony with all attending was great and the food donated was incredible!

Thanks for everything. The editorial “Home Fit For a Hero” expressed my feelings perfectly – what a great town we have here in Huntington.

May God bless you all for your good work!

JANET BYLER

Huntington

Peter Sloggatt Associate Publisher/Managing Editor

Luann Dallojacono Editor Ian Blanco Production/ Art Department

ment park and I was always excited when my mom announced a pending visit there.

I applaud the efforts of Kate Levine and the Friends of Carpenter Farm, Walter’s widow, Bunny Hoest and the Huntington Town Board and Suffolk County for preserving this lovely parcel of rolling farmland. I hope the site will also show some pictures of the charming farm’s buildings and animals.

Most of all, I hope there will be photos and bios of Dr. Walter Carpenter, who was a kind, gentle, charming and concerned country physician who escorted this grateful little boy into manhood.

Linda Gilbert Office / Legals

Susan Mandel Advertising Director Michele Caro Larry Stahl Account Executives

149 Main Street, Huntington, New York 11743 631.427.7000

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 • A9

Life&Style THEATER

Dark Laughs In ‘True West’ Comedy Bare Bones rehearsing play about dissimilar brothers for April 12 opening day Photo by Jeremy Garver

By Noah Sosnick info@longislandernews.com

Adults looking for some local theatrical fun have to look no further than the Bare Bones Repertory Company.

The Northport-based theater company is slated to bring drama to Northport as they perform Sam Shepard’s “True West.”

The show, which made its debut on Broadway in 1980 with John Malkovich in the starring role, is a dark comedy about two brothers who lead very different lives. This eventually leads to conflict, as the two men return to their mother’s home.

The local rendition, which will star R.J. Meyer, Tim Thieke and Robert Lee Oliver, is a classic dark comedy about a sibling rivalry. Annette Kirk, who plays the mother, said that the show is very unique and special.

“Sam Shepard has a wonderful way with his very taut language. There are no dull moments, it’s very engrossing, and it’s really about human nature,” Kirk said. “The play is really about the dual nature of artists, who balance creativity and figuring out how to make a living.”

The play delves into human nature as it examines the relationship between the brothers, and how they eventually grow jealous of the lives that each other led.

At the beginning, the two brothers could not be more different; one is a successful screenwriter in Hollywood and the other is a drifter and thief.

“One brother has a passion for life, and the other has a socially acceptable life,” Kirk said. “They are extreme opposites, but then they begin to envy each other.”

As the show continues, the two brothers’ relationship undergoes major changes. The show encapsulates many different genres; there is some dark comedy, dark humor and violence, making this a show to leave children at home for.

Performances will take place on 57 Main St. in Northport April 12-14, as well as April 19-21. Each showing of the play will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at brownpapertickets.com.

From left, R.J. Meyer, Tim Thieke and Annette Kirk in Sam Shepards’s dark comedy “True West.”

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

50 Years Of Helping Huntington Charities Townwide Fund planning red-tie affair at Oheka Castle for April 19

By Jasmine Weber info@longislandernews.com

A group of Huntington citizens organized and created the Townwide Fund of Huntington in 1961 to raise money for various local charities. Their initial goal of keeping funds within Huntington succeeded, and in the decades since, they’ve raised more than $10 million for over 20 charities dedicated to helping the patrons of Huntington.

Townwide Fund is a nonprofit organization and relies on their donations to function and continue to donate to the community. Some of their recipients include Girl Scouts of America, the Huntington Chapter of the Red Cross and the Community Youth Agencies of Huntington To celebrate their accomplishments,

the nonprofit is celebrating their 50th anniversary with a gala at Oheka Castle on Thursday, April 19. The red-tie dresscode is essentially similar to black tie, but the red color represents the flame of the fund’s logo.

In addition to the gala, Townwide holds FOCUS direct mail campaigns, a Thanksgiving Day Run, an annual Golf Outing and the St. Patrick’s Run to raise funds.

The gala will honor those who contributed greatly to the fund over the years through their generous donations and philanthropy. Some of these people include former honorees and presidents of the fund. The honorees will receive crystal frames, featuring the Townwide Fund’s logo.

The gala promises to be exciting; President James Powers said people can ex-

pect “cocktails, dinner, and dancing.”

Many people will be staying overnight at the castle.

“We have a harpist, we have a pianist, we have a red carpet and a photographer, and we have a major video presentation of all the honorees,” Powers added.

Northport-based Peter Mazzeo & the Hit Squad will be providing entertainment. The highly energetic band of over one dozen members is one of Long Island’s most famous. They have traveled around the globe to perform, and will be returning to Long Island for the gala.

The party begins at 6 p.m., when they will open up the dance floor and the band will start playing, and will last until 11 p.m. The event is open to the public. Individual tickets are available for $200 or a table of ten is $2000. There

Peter Mazzeo & the Hit Squad will be providing entertainment for the Townwide Fund of Huntington’s 50th anniversary celebration April 19. are multiple sponsorship packages and available ads in the Commemorative Journal. All this can be purchased at www.townwidefundgala.org.

A10 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Building Jerusalem, A Block At A Time Half Hollow Hills photos/Danny Schrafel

Architect Stephen Schwartz gives pointers to some young participants as they put the finishing touches on a building.

A young architect fine-tunes his Lego rendition of the Lion’s Gate.

Families teamed up to build different parts of the Old City, including gates, walls and historic landmarks.

By Danny Schrafel

gregations, hosted the event.

More than 80 landmarks were marked by numbers on the map, which correspond with a guide in the corner of the blueprint. After hearing pointers from architect Stephen W. Schwartz, of Building Blocks Workshops, the children and their families were left to let their imagination do the work as they built houses, walls, towers, gates and more.

“Families from all over Suffolk County are joining together to literally and figuratively build community,” Beth Berman, president of the Central Suffolk Jewish Alliance, said. “We’re building, we’re sharing and it’s a

wonderful feeling to have Jewish people from all over the county come together for one significant event which the children will remember their entire lives.”

In addition to building family bonds, Schwartz, who came from New Jersey for the event, said the purpose of such a program is to build interest in the landmarks, and ultimately, in visiting the city they spent an afternoon constructing with Legos.

UJA-Federation New York provided the grant for the event. The first part of the grant funded the construction of the world’s largest Lego menorah in December.

dschrafel@longislandernews.com

The road to Jerusalem is paved in Legos. At least it was at a special pre-Passover gathering hosted at the Commack Jewish Center Sunday.

Using 60,000 pieces of the iconic building blocks, children ages 8-10 and their siblings and parents sprawled out on a 16-by-16-foot blueprint of the Old City of Jerusalem in an effort to build the world’s largest Lego-block replica of the historic city. The Central Suffolk Jewish Alliance, a group of 12 con-

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Student Leaders ‘Got The Power’ Teens from local high schools learn about diversity, intolerance and compassion at Unity Conference sdeluca@longislandernews.com

“We got the power” was the mantra for the Unity Leadership Conference at the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center on March 30.

A team of Uniteen leaders, adult leaders and professional facilitators brought in about 250 students from Commack, Half Hollow Hills East and West, Brentwood, Bay Shore, Northport and Walt Whitman high schools to educate them on what it means to be a leader in their community with speeches and workshops.

To kick off the event, Chris Kazi Rolle, an educator, entertainer and entrepreneur who was in foster care from a young age, inspired students to be united as one.

Rolle grew up in Nassau, Bahamas and moved to Brooklyn at 14 years old. Since helping people and creating music are his passions, he combined the two to become who he is today. Rolle’s life was also the inspiration behind the movie “The Hip Hop Project,” which was produced by Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah.

As an advocate, Rolle spoke with the students about how they can use their power for the common good.

Rolle said, according to the Oxford dictionary, power is “the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others and the course of events.” He told the students that their power is choice, and they can use that power through their voice.

“I feel honored to be asked to come back for a third time and come share a message with young people and make a difference in a community that I’m not even from,” Rolle said.

The students were enthralled listening

to his message and participated in the conversation through song and Rolle’s video presentation.

Segregation and bullying were hot topics between the students and Rolle. Many students agreed that both happen often in their schools.

“I was bullied as a kid. I’m still bullied and my little brother is being bullied,” one girl said. “Cliques should be done right now. Everyone here should go to their school after this and meet someone they don’t know and shake their hand.”

Students then broke into groups to attend workshops, which included learning about the Holocaust and standing up to intolerance; issues of diversity; learning to help children in Africa; and combating prejudice with compassion.

“I just feel that [the workshop] is very inspirational,” said Carli Rumstein, a senior at Hills West. “Just to talk about how everybody’s different and that if we come together… it will make such a difference.”

Students also learned skills to help them understand different experiences and perspectives of others and how to use their creativity to connect with others. “[The workshop] brought a lot of things to my attention that I didn’t know before,” said Joe Connolly, a sophomore at Whitman.

Victoria Ruvolo, a Commack native who currently lives in Lake Ronkonkoma, spoke about her near-death experience in 2004 after a 20-pound turkey was thrown through her car windshield. She documented her struggles through her book entitled, “No Room for Vengeance…in Justice and Healing,” along with her co-author Robert Goldman. In the workshop they led, Ruvolo

Half Hollow Hills photo/ Stephanie DeLuca

By Stephanie DeLuca

Students learned how to use their creativity to connect with others at the Unity Leadership Conference. and Goldman talked about the power of forgiveness.

“I think the way that we’re dealing with bullying today and prejudice today is all wrong,” Goldman said. “I think that the reaction of punishing without dialogue, without focusing on repairing the harm, perpetuates the cycle of violence, and we need to [see] the humanity in our enemy.

That’s what Vicky did.”

At the end of the workshops, there was a panel discussion during which one member of each group shared what they discussed.

“I feel like the conference was really successful listening to the students at the end, so full of emotion and able to articulate what they’ve learned and how they want to bring it back to their communities,” said Kelly Vest, director of community and international relations at the Suffolk Y JCC. Goldman added he would like schools across Long Island to participate in this conference as well.

“I think we need more conferences, and my only disappointment is that there’s not (Continued on page A18)

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 • A11

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Colors Of East Reconnecting With India Stores are filled with imported goods Spotlight On

Huntington Businesses

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Viresh Renjen spent decades working on Wall Street before personnel changes stemming from mergers and acquisitions left the Northport resident with such a bad taste that he decided to retire.

After spending six months accomplishing little, Renjen heeded his wife Chander’s suggestion and entered the retail business. Imports From India opened nine years in Port Jefferson, and Colors of East opened in downtown Northport last month.

“It kept me busy and out of trouble,” Renjen said with a laugh.

The new business is located in Legislator William “Doc” Spencer’s former campaign headquarters on Main Street.

While not large by any stretch, Renjen said, he’s filled the store with more than 1,000 pieces of clothing, jewelry, tapestries, decorations and handicrafts that have all been imported from India.

“It’s presenting a comprehensive reflection of the ethnicity of India. We have products that cover many different

Indian states,” he said. ”Each state is like a country in and of itself.”

Renjen was born in India, but moved to America 45 years ago. Having not visited his native country for some time, the shop owner said his businesses afford the couple a chance to travel to India, along with other locations along the way.

“It gave me an opportunity to go and explore the country,” he said, noting his knowledge of the culture and ability to speak the native language opens doors with business partners. “India has so much to offer.”

Many of the products Colors of East stocks are handmade. Apparel includes embroidery, beads and other unique work, Renjen said, while figurines, statues and other artifacts are created by different Indian artists.

It may be too early to tell as the Northport store has been open but a few weeks, but the owner said the hottest items are apparel. His selection includes casual wear, party wear and formal wear with sizes and designs for nearly everyone.

Much of the clothing is made out of cotton – a favorite fabric of Indians – although silk and other fabrics are available.

Other products, like tapestries and shawls, are also available in wool, pashmina and rayon.

“India is known for fabrics. We get it all done in India. It’s very unique in style,” Renjen said.

Customers will typically find either

Colorful tapestries and apparel on sale at Colors of East are made of fabrics like silk, pashmina, rayon and handwoven cotton. the husband or the wife at the store. The company, Renjen added, was never designed to turn a profit, but rather to be an outlet for the couple.

“We are here to keep ourselves busy and be productive,” he said.

The economic downturn in recent years did hit home for the pair; Renjen noted tourist traffic in Port Jefferson has been down. With Northport, they aimed for a different demographic and hoped the overall market would improve. It didn’t hurt that the store wasn’t far from home either, the owner admitted.

But as many Northport merchants know, the village is very seasonal. While

the summer can bring large crowds to the waterfront, Main Street is often a ghost town during the winter. Between the months on the calendar and status as newcomers, the couple is waiting for customer traffic to pick up.

“Everything considered, we have had a good response,” Renjen said, adding that they have no plans to move in the future. “This is where we will be. It’s a good town and very convenient for us.”

Colors of East 164 Main St., Northport 631-651-5222

A12 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012

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The

Foodie SECTION Foodie photos/Danny Schrafel

Cupcakes, anyone? Jess Kennaugh and Sharon Serrantino from Blondies in Centerport brought scores of miniatures to A Taste of Long Island.

Speed Dating For Foodies

By The Foodies foodie@longislandernews.com

As dozens of restaurants converged on the Larkfield Manor March 29, they hurriedly prepared for the culinary and charitable bonanza that was about to take place.

They were prepping for the hundreds of people who would soon be tasting their dishes during A Taste of Long Island, presented by the East Northport Chamber of Commerce and the Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice of Suffolk. The unique wine, food, spirit and beer tasting event celebrated the Brueggemann family for their 50-plus years of community service.

Staring in Larkfield’s lounge room, Boening Brothers, Vindagra Italian Wines, National Refrescos Imports, Brindge Brands Sales and Ferrarelle Water of Italy handled the drinks. On the food front, Atria showed off their culinary skills and Costco displayed its baked goods and pastries; Elijah Churchill’s dished out its baked clams generously.

Panera Bread, which will soon be setting up shop in Huntington village, had cookies, bread, and its cheddar broccoli soup – rich and flavorful, but not overwhelmingly thick, we might add. And Starbucks provided plenty of coffee to help fight off the looming food coma.

Round two brought us to the Garden Room, where Barefoot, Coppola, J. Lohr, Kunde Wine, Laurel Lake, Spicebox, Yellow Tail and Queens-headquartered ZYR Vodka handled the libations. As an aside – don’t believe vodka can be sweet? Try ZYR on the rocks and you’ll change your mind. And at about $30 for 750 mL, it’s pretty nice to your wallet, too.

Back to the food – Barney’s, Crew Chocolate With a Twist, Jake’s Wayback Burgers, La Villini, Madison’s Grille, Waterside Caterers and Whole Foods dished up their favorites. Combining brie and a sweet fig spread gives people who aren’t brie cheerleaders a way to enjoy the popular French cheese. Fireside Caterers

George McCallion dishes out mac and cheese and other goodies from the Original Fireside Grill. showcased its mac ‘n’ cheese, pulled pork and wildly popular Buffalo wings, proving once again the economic power of sports – they sold 23,000 wings this Super Bowl Sunday thanks to a certain group of gridiron Giants in blue. Crew Kitchen and Bar showed off their crispy duck dumplings, served on a bed of Asian slaw.

The third stop was the Manor Room – (Continued on page A15)

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Side Dish DINE HUNTINGTON.COM

By DineHuntington.com Foodie@longislandernews.com

WE FOUND VITO: We were sad when Viajo’s on East Jericho Turnpike, across from the Pathmark in Dix Hills, closed its doors a few months ago. The Italian eatery, owned by Vito DeFeo of East Northport, was home to one of our Foodies’ favorite dish, Rigatoni Alla Viajo’s, set in a pomodoro wine sauce with pignoli nuts, raisins, spinach, and onions. So you can imagine how delighted we were when Vito emerged from the kitchen at Fratelli Trattoria (455 Commack Road, Suite 996, Deer Park, 631-274-4911, www.fratellitrattoriany.com) located at the Tanger Outlets at the Arches. Fratelli’s has been open for almost three years, and apparently Vito has been there since the beginning. Fratelli’s menu is similar to Viajo’s in many ways – you have your typical pizza, pasta and Italian dishes – but now also includes perfectly grilled panini on ciabatta bread and a selection of wraps. The place is beautiful and trendy, and the food is as good as we remember. The best part? Our pasta dish is back, just under a different name: Rigatoni Alla Fratelli’s.

EASTER ON THE HARBOR: Our favorite waterfront restaurant Prime – An American Kitchen and Bar (117 New York Ave.,

Huntington) will be hosting brunch and dinner on Easter Sunday, April 8.

Brunch, served from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., will feature a live jazz trio and Prime’s stellar brunch menu. Dinner will be served from 3-9 p.m., featuring Prime’s regular dinner menu. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 631-3851515, or can be made online at www.primerestaurant.com or www.opentable.com.

EASTER PRIX-FIXE AT RUVO: Ruvo (63 Broadway, Greenlawn, 631-261-7700, ruvorestaurant.com) is taking reservations for a three-course prix-fixe on Easter Sunday, April 8, served from noon to 7 p.m. Price will be determined by entrée selection. Appetizer choices include: sliced pear, gorgonzola and candied pecan salad, tomato-crab bisque, chilled seafood salad, house-made mozzarella, gorgonzola-stuffed artichokes, lobster ravioli and braised short rib crostini with caramelized onion and horseradish cream. Entrée choices that caught our eye include: veal chop saltimbocca ($50), rosemary-crusted rack of lamb ($50), shrimp fra diavolo with spaghetti ($45); polenta-crusted swordfish ($55) with lobster mashed potatoes, and New York Shell Steak ($55). Dessert options include: warm chocolate hazelnut brownie, among other Italian staples.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 • A13

A14 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012

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Huntington Station Is Rising Huntington People By Joan Cergol A spirited community meeting this week got me thinking about what I could recall about an era in our Town’s history that neither time or events can seemingly erase from the minds of those who lived to see it: 1960s Urban Renewal in Huntington Station, and its unforgiving aftermath.

As a Huntington High School student during the latter part of the seventies, I do recall dropping a lot of babysitting money at the “Big H” shopping center, just steps from Huntington Station’s former downtown business district. The high school’s then open campus policy allowed us to venture to the nearby Big H during lunch period or study halls. A short walk led us to a slice of “real pizza” and to our favorite clothing boutique called Select, or to Martins, Woolworth and Sears. On weekends we headed to the York Theater nestled in the corner of the shopping center. I still remember the excitement of seeing the 1977 blockbuster movie, Star Wars, there.

When I returned home from college in the mid eighties I was saddened to see how the once thriving and popular shopping center had fallen into decline. By the late 1980s the Big H had hit an all-time low. The stores we had once loved were reduced to vacant and vandalized spaces. The departure of longtime anchor tenant Sears was the most sobering indicator that the Big H was truly in trouble. While a Pathmark eventually occupied the space that was once Sears, it struggled too, and eventually closed.

Fortunately, the nineties brought about the successful private redevelopment of the Big H property under the leadership of Huntington Town Supervisor Frank Petrone. What was once an eyesore had now been transformed into a thriving commercial center anchored by national retailers, along with a Town-managed community center that was negotiated as part of the Big H redevelopment plan. The $30 million private sector revival of the Big H marked the Town’s first step in the revitalization of Huntington Station.

By the time I joined Supervisor Petrone’s staff in early 2002, Huntington Station’s continuing revitalization remained at the forefront of his agenda, and the Supervisor assigned me to assist him in advancing those goals, among others. In doing so, I found myself working alongside an administration that was the first to step up and begin the process of addressing the unfulfilled promises of Urban Renewal that preceded them by nearly a half century.

Since then the Town, in response to community input solicited via the Town of Huntington

Economic Development Corporation (EDC), for which I serve as Executive Director, has invested millions in local, state, county and federal grant funds enhancing the New York Avenue streetscape with new curbs, brick sidewalks, decorative streetlights and street trees.

We’ve acquired and developed parcels to create Huntington Station Gateway Park, featuring a community garden. Next in the cue is the transformation of a blighted parking area into what will be known as the Huntington Station pedestrian plaza. It took some years to secure and cobble together grants from various sources to fund these community enhancements, but at last, most of our projects have come out of the ground.

We also responded to residents who asked for a new grocery store and recreational opportunities by cultivating and fast-tracking private sector redevelopments, most recently, the Huntington Station Food Plaza and Station Sports Family Fun Center. In addition to serving the community, these completed projects, among many others, are a clear signal of a municipality’s commitment to Huntington Station using all of the resources local government can bring to bear.

But we know there is much more work to do. The Town and EDC reached a crossroads about one year ago in planning for its next step to approach the restoration of Huntington Station’s downtown business district. Despite our best efforts, individual developers have been reluctant to invest in piecemeal developments at specific sites without the knowledge and confidence of a comprehensive New York Avenue commercial corridor overhaul in the works. No question, times are tough, the economy is still struggling and potential investors are faced with multiple business challenges, not the least of which is a difficult lending environment.

I was born a bit too late to have a clear memory of the Huntington Station downtown along New York Avenue, the heart of which was razed under federal Urban Renewal. But many families, especially longtime Huntington Station residents David and Barbara Campbell, who bought their home on Northridge Street in the fifties, remember it well. Barbara once told me that the realtor highlighted the fact that Huntington Station was under “Urban Renewal” as a major selling feature. When Barbara asked what Urban Renewal was, the realtor could only surmise that whatever it was, it had to be good. After all, isn’t the word “renewal” one that connotes something positive and new? A few years later, the Campbells watched their nearby downtown get bulldozed to the ground and replaced with a parking lot.

Like many, David and Barbara Campbell are still waiting for a reprise of their downtown, as are the hundreds who turned out this week for a community meeting focused on Huntington Station’s future downtown redevelopment. From the podium, I scanned the faces of those in the audience and noted a wide range of emotions: anxiousness, frustration, fear, anger, hope, excitement and

curiosity. Memories of what once was, and what was lost to failed federal policies in the sixties, filled the room.

In addressing the audience, I was energized by the fact that despite the differences of opinion that have fueled heated debates about Huntington Station in other venues, the Town and community have always shared the common goal of seeing its revitalization to completion. I was also thrilled to see unprecedented numbers of people coming out in support of an economic revival of this hamlet.

When I first started working with the Supervisor on his Huntington Station agenda, we were lucky to get 20-30 people in a room to offer input. With the Town’s formation of the Huntington Station B.I.D. in 2003, the circle of special interest expanded into the business sector, but it was still not enough to achieve the widespread community-based traction needed to move mountains. This is no longer our problem.

In recent weeks, there was a misunderstanding relating to the contents of a report that is the result of a year-long market conditions study conducted by consultants under a $100,000 state-funded planning grant. The draft report was a requirement under the Step 1 nomination process of the New York State Brownfields Opportunity Area (BOA) grant program. It enabled the Town to advance to Step 2 to secure an additional $240,000 from the state for continuing planning, community outreach and to study and draw updated market conclusions on a 640-acre area of Huntington Station.

The idea behind the BOA program is to take an area-wide look at regions within the state wherein underutilized parcels have either real or perceived obstacles to redevelopment. In such cases where real environmental issues are discovered, the state and municipality can work together to address them in order to unlock their potential and pave the way for private redevelopment that will both serve the community and boost the tax rolls. In such cases where the development obstacles are found to be perceived, constituting what we suspect will be the majority of instances, the real estate market, economic, demographic and planning data collected can be used to attract and facilitate investment by private developers.

Our community meeting was intended to kick off the Step 2 BOA process, but amid known concerns surrounding the report funded under Step 1, we curtailed what was to be a longer presentation on the technical aspects of the grant program to allow for an extended question and answer period.

As expected, most of the questions focused on the report, and throughout the evening we assured the community that it was, in fact, a draft report of data collected in 2009 along with suggestions in response to that data, and not a plan of action. In the weeks and months ahead, residents will have continuing opportunities through BOA project team small group meetings, EDC meetings, as well as at another larger community forum, to provide

input and better understand the structure and aim of the ongoing BOA grant program.

Many residents spoke during the Q&A period, and we appreciated and logged their input. Some shared their hopes and dreams for Huntington Station. Others told us what they did not want to see, expressed frustrations or made general statements. Three Huntington Town board members were present, among other elected officials, and remained at the meeting for the full two hours to listen to the public commentary.

In addition to individual residents, representatives from the Huntington School District as well as organizations that are civic, ethnic, business, town and faith-based, such as the Huntington Station Action NOW Coalition, the Porter-Trejo Action Network, Huntington Station Latin Quarter, Greater Huntington Civic Association, Huntington NAACP, Huntington Hispanic Task Force, St. Hughes Church, Huntington Station B.I.D. and the Huntington Chamber of Commerce, among others, were present.

The Step 2 kick-off meeting also provided an opportunity to introduce the newest partner at the table, Don Monti and his Renaissance Downtowns, LLC team, as the Town’s selected Master Developer for Huntington Station. Renaissance will soon lease office space at 1266 New York Avenue that is located in the heart of Huntington Station’s commercial corridor. In this way, Renaissance can be closely situated for the ease and convenience of residents seeking information or otherwise looking to get involved. They will also conduct resident input sessions, and other community events, at their Huntington Station satellite office.

Further, for those who are Internet junkies, Renaissance will be rolling out its proprietary “Crowd Source Placemaking” software as another tool to solicit ideas and build community consensus. This initiative involves Renaissance’s launch of a website where virtual community meetings can be held, thoughtful discussions can take place, and resident ideas can be shared and voted upon to warrant further study and action.

Renaissance’s innovative and thoughtful approach to a comprehensive communitydriven redevelopment of Huntington Station’s downtown corridor, marked by “process before plan” has ushered in a new era in our Town’s history. In partnership, the Town and community, now with a master developer at their side prepared to invest millions into Huntington Station, can move forward to achieve the mutual goal of completing the revitalization in a way that we can all be proud of.

We need only look to the overwhelming turnaround of the Big H shopping center to see what is indeed possible when government, community and the private sector work in tandem.

Huntington Station is rising. And, just maybe, when all is said and done, we can finally leave 1960s Urban Renewal at the curb.

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Taste of LI (Continued from page A12)

Larkfield’s largest room. That also meant the largest selection – Absolut Vodka, Devils Cut Bourbon, Hornitos Plata Tequila, Jameson Black Reserve, Malibu Red Rum, Patron Silver Tequila, Pucker Vodka, Ultimate Vodka, XO Dark Chocolate Liqueur, Baiting Hollow, Blue Point Brewing, Peconic Bay, Roanoke and East Coast Specialty provided the cocktails.

Dining delights came from a group of local heavy hitters, like Batata Café, Big Bear Pizzelli, Copenhagen Bakery, Jellyfish, Macadoo’s, Mascali, Nocello Ristorante, Northport Fish & Lobster, Pumpernickel’s, Quetzacoatl, Smok-ABurger and Whale’s Tale. Want some sweet-and-savory chicken mango tacos?

We swung by The Whale’s Tale table. Italian classics? Nocello’s and Big Bear hit the spot every time. And for a trip to classic German– a bit of a rarity in this town, even as restaurant capital of Long Island – Pumpernickel’s delivered like it has for decades, with red cabbage, tender pot roast and melt-in-your-mouth potato dumplings.

Our final stop brought us to the Terrace Room, a relaxing spot to unwind and digest everything – literally and figuratively. But it wouldn’t be A Taste of Long Island without more goodies to feast on.

Brooklyn Brewery, Edna Valley, Ghost Pines and Martha Clara Vineyards did the bar, and Andrea’s 25, Blondies, Clipper Ship Tea Company, Crossroads Café, Filetto’s Restarant, Nonnina Restaurant, The Lark Pub & Grub and Tutto Pazzo did the honors with our plates. It was particularly good to see the ladies from Blondies, surrounded by scores of miniature cupcakes and baked confections –

Crew Kitchen & Bar's crispy duck dumplings were a hit. their red velvet cupcakes are particularly decadent – and with the built-in portion control, how can you go wrong?

After hours of noshing and socializing, the hundreds of diners who attended A Taste of Long Island were all winners.

But they were even bigger winners for another reason – the three charities the event handsomely benefited. Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk, the East Northport Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of East Northport each received a portion of the proceeds of the event, ensuring the work they do for the community day in and day out can continue. And while there might be debates over your favorite restaurant, lending a helping hand is something we can all agree on.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 • A15

A16 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 THURSDAY Flag Box Tour The Greenlawn American Legion, Post #1244 will be bringing its mobile “Old Glory” flag collection box to the following locations: Wood Park School, 15 New Highway, April 2-15; Sawmill Intermediate, 103 New Highway, April 16-20; Commack Middle School, Vanderbilt Parkway, April 23-27; Rolling Hills School, 25 McCulloch Drive, April 30-May 4; Hubbs Administration Bldg., May 7-11.

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Calendar O M M U N I T Y

Women Inspiring Women For four Thursdays – April 12, 19, 26; May 3 – join the Women’s Center of Huntington and explore values, relationships, dreams and hopes, 7-9 p.m. $10 members/$15 non-members, per session. 631-549-0485

Townwide Fund Gala The Townwide Fund of Huntington will celebrate 50 years of supporting Huntington notfor-profits at an anniversary gala fundraiser at Oheka Castle on April 19, honoring those who have made significant contributions to the fund’s success. The party begins at 6 p.m. with piano music and cocktails, followed by a full night of celebration. The night will culminate with a live auction by Clark Gilles, former Townwide Fund Honoree and former Captain of the New York Islanders, of a “Weekend at Oheka” which will include golf, spa, and a hotel suite for two at the landmark castle. $200 per person/table of 10 for $2,000. www.townwidefundgala.org.

FRIDAY

Opera Night Long Island’s best singers take the stage of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on April 6, 7:30 p.m. 270 Main St., Northport. $10 suggested donation. http://isabellajohnson.blogspot.com. 631-261-8808. tation and commentary afterwards from 2-3:30 p.m.; $45 for meditation, commentary, and April 8 retreat. 631-549-1000. www.meditationonlongisland.org.

Live Music Live local bands take over Finley's of Greene Street, 43 Greene St., Huntington, every Saturday night at 11 p.m. Join in the fun and food!

Sock Hop

SUNDAY

TUESDAY

Memorial Set

Free Help For Vets

A memorial honoring the life of Peggy Teufel will be held April 15, 2 p.m. at the Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn. Teufel was instrumental in founding the library and its Friends organization, and many other charitable organizations, including the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Townwide Fund of Huntington, Western Suffolk Girl Scout Council and Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association. She died Dec. 13, 2011 at the age of 91.

Long Island Cares dedicates every Tuesday afternoon from 12-4 p.m. to “Military Appreciation Tuesdays,” specifically assisting veterans, military personnel and their families at the Hauppauge and Freeport emergency pantries. Appointments can be made by contacting jrosati@licares.org.

Party For Military Kids Monster Mini-Golf will host a free party for children of military personnel at their Deer Park location, 410C Commack Road, on April 15, 10 a.m.-noon. RSVP to Beth Delli-Pizzi, Fighting 69th Family Readiness Group, by e-mail at bethdellipizzi@aol.com.

SATURDAY Egg Hunt Join St. Peter's Lutheran Church for its free, annual Community Easter Egg Hunt on April 7, 11 a.m. Bring a basket. 11 Ogden Court, Huntington Station. 631-423 -1013. stpetersli.com

Blessing Empowerment Embark on a guided meditation and receive a Buddha’s inspiring blessings at “The Blessing Empowerment of White Tara” April 7, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with resident teacher Holly McGregor at Dipamkara Meditation Center, 282 New York Ave., Huntington. $25 for the meditation from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; $40 for medi-

Red Is For Passion Love the color red and enjoy living it up? The Red Hat women are looking for new members who enjoy going places and making new friends. Their motto: Fun, Frolic and Friendship. 631-271-6470 or flarpp@yahoo.com.

Long Island’s best singers take the stage of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on April 6, 7:30 p.m. 270 Main St., Northport. $10 suggested donation. http://isabellajohnson.blogspot.com.

631-261-8808.

Baritone Mischa Bouvier, winner of the 2010 Concert Artists Guild International Competition, will perform April 13, 6 p.m. in the Grace Auditorium at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, One Bungtown Road. $20. Call 516-367-8455 to reserve a seat.

workshop geared towards refining and exploring talent April 9, 7-9 p.m. at Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington. Facilitated by members of the Long Island Writer's Guild, each workshop will include a writing exercise, volunteered presentations of individual work, and personalized college-level critiques of presented works. No RSVP required. 631-2711442.

Go back to the ’50s with the Sons of Italy Perry Como Lodge’s Sock Hop on April 14, 7 p.m. at the St. Philip Neri Parish Center, 15 Prospect Ave., Northport. Contact Janet Serrao at 631262-9848.

Opera Night

Music At The Lab

95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor. 631-6926820. cshlibrary.org.

• On display in April, “Bike Works.” Before it was considered important to act on changing the environment, Robert Mielenhausen was creating images utilizing the bicycle. He returns to this subject with a mixed-media tour.

Deer Park Public Library

Where They Can’t See You Cry

The North Shore Civil War Roundtable will host a lecture by one of its own members, Valerie Protopapas, who will discuss “The Gray Ghost and the Lincoln Assassination: Colonel John Mosby’s Involvement in the Death of Abraham Lincoln.” The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. on April 5 at the South Huntington Public Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station. 631-757-8117.

Cold Spring Harbor Library

18 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631-4990888. commack.suffolk.lib.ny.us.

• Enjoy a lively program of music, toys, and games for toddlers. A parent or adult caregiver must remain with the child during this program. Meets Mondays through April 23. 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Join The Chai Center for a weekly dose of thought-provoking practical applications for today’s living based on the weekly Torah portion on Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. 501 Vanderbilt Pkwy, Dix Hills. $7 suggested fee. RSVP required. 631-351-8672. mail@thechaicenter.com.

More On The Lincoln Assassination

AT THE LIBRARIES

Commack Public Library

Torah Living

In her candid and uplifting memoir, “In the Water They Can’t See You Cry,” international swimming star Amanda Beard reveals the truth about coming of age in the Olympic spotlight, the demons she battled along the way—alcohol abuse, drug abuse, bulimia, cutting and depression—and the newfound happiness that has proved to be her greatest victory. She will appear at Book Revue on April 5, 7 p.m., 313 New York Ave., Huntington. Tammy Walsh, founder of the Northport Community Book Club (Northport Drug & Alcohol Task Force), will moderate a conversation.

class/$25 for six. RSVP to 631-351-8672.

Proceeds goes to the Chai Center Friendship Circle program.

Caregiver Support Group Conducted by Jewish Association Serving the Aging, a caregiver support group meets April 3, 6-7 p.m. at The Bristal, 760 Larkfield Road, East Northport. RSVP recommended; contact Patricia Damm at 631-858-0100 or pdamm@thebristal.com. This group is intended for but not limited to family members and friends of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease and other memory impairments.

WEDNESDAY MONDAY Tips For Business Owners Bats: Fact And Fiction Join the Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society and learn why bats are an important component in the natural world on April 9, 7 p.m. Bill Schutt, PhD, will discuss the natural history of bats, dispel some myths and discuss the threats facing bats around the world. Cold Spring Harbor Library, 95 Harbor Road (Route 25A), Cold Spring Harbor. Visit www.hobaudubon.org for more information.

Aging And Saging Deal with changes in your life with a splash of empathy and humor at the Aging and Saging support group. Meets Mondays except holidays from 10 a.m.-noon at the Women’s Center, 125 Main St., Huntington. 631-549-0485. $10 members, $15 non-members, per session.

Writers’ Workshop Writers of all levels and genres are welcome to participate in a free, informal, two-hour writing

Serious about growing your business? LeTip members are respected professionals who understand how to give and get tips to increase everyone's bottom line. Join them every Wednesday, 7-8:30 a.m. at their weekly morning networking meeting. For more information, contact Dave Muller, 631-831-1921.

RSVP a must.

Power Breakfast Join business professionals at BNI Executive Referral Exchange’s breakfast networking meeting every Wednesday, 7-8:30 a.m. at the Dix Hills Diner, 1800 Jericho Turnpike, Dix Hills. 631-462-7446.

Zumba For A Cause Join instructor Annette Weiss for a great Zumba workout, and help children with autism and special needs at the same time. Classes are held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at the Chai Center, 501 Vanderbilt Pkwy, Dix Hills. $5 a

44 Lake Ave., Deer Park. 631-586-3000. www.deerparklibrary.com.

• With the assistance of career counselor Constance Hallinan Lagan, the free seminar “Thanks For the Pink Slip: The Upside to Being Downsized, Fired, Let Go, Laid Off, Eliminated, Terminated, Etc.” may enable you to transition into the life you have always dreamt about. Monday, April 9, 7-8:30 p.m.

Call 631-586-3000 to register.

Elwood Public Library 3027 Jericho Turnpike, Elwood. 631-4993722. www.elwoodlibrary.org.

• Having trouble with email? Want to learn how to use the Internet? Need personalized help? Call and make an appointment with an expert. Appointments available Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Tuesdays at 3 p.m.

Half Hollow Hills Community Library Dix Hills: 55 Vanderbilt Parkway. 631-4214530; Melville: 510 Sweet Hollow Road. 631421-4535. hhhlibrary.org.

• Learn about the world’s greatest artists who painted in Venice during the 16th Century, beginning with Titian to centuries later with the art of Turner, Sargent, Whistler, and the Impressionists, on Wednesday, April 11, 2 p.m. in Dix Hills.

• Sondheim’s Company broke new ground as a “concept musical” and won him a Tony Award for best score. Meet five married couples and their “pet” bachelor, Bobby, as they explore the good, but mostly bad and ugly aspects of human relationships on Thursday, April 12, 2:30 p.m. in Dix Hills.

Harborfields Public Library 31 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-757-4200. harborfieldslibrary.org.

• The Harborfields High School Fine Arts Exhibition, on display through April 29, showcases talented student artists and photographers from Harborfields High School.

Parents, teachers, students and members of the community are invited to the reception on Monday, April 23, 7 p.m.

Huntington Public Library Main Branch: 338 Main St., Huntington. 631427-5165. Station Branch: 1335 New York Ave., Huntington Station. 631-421-5053. www.thehuntingtonlibrary.org.

• Artist Lisa Ahronee Golub’s “A Visit to the Bronx Zoo” is on display at the Station branch through April 27. Raised in Rome, Italy and Geneva, Switzerland, Golub came to the United States to attend Wellesley College, and later settled in Huntington.

Northport-East Northport Public Library Northport: 151 Laurel Ave. 631-261-6930. East Northport: 185 Larkfield Road. 631-261-2313. www.nenpl.org.

• The Northport Arts Coalition presents “She Said That” on Wednesday, April 11, 7 p.m. in Northport, a celebration of women poets and singer-songwriters hosted by NAC’s Poets-inPort coordinator Mary Jane Tenerelli.

South Huntington Public Library 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station.

631-549-4411. www.shpl.info.

• On the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, Eco-Photo Explorers will take you on a multi-media journey of her maiden and final voyage. The show on April 16. 7-8:30

(Continued on page A17)

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 • A17

(Continued from page A16)

Blessing Empowerment

p.m. will also chronicle the exciting search for the wreck, discuss the technology used to find it and address the controversy regarding the recovery or artifacts from the site.

Embark on a guided meditation and receive a Buddha’s inspiring blessings at “The Blessing Empowerment of White Tara” April 7, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with resident teacher Holly McGregor at Dipamkara Meditation Center, 282 New York Ave., Huntington. $25 for the meditation from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; $40 for meditation and commentary afterwards from 2-3:30 p.m.; $45 for meditation, commentary, and April 8 retreat.

631-549-1000. www.meditationonlongisland.org.

THEATER and FILM Bare Bones Theater at the Posey School, 57 Main St., Northport. www.barebonestheater.com. 1-800-838-3006.

• In Sam Shepard’s dark comedy “True West,” two brothers’ sibling rivalry is both terrifying and hilarious. Runs for six performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, April 1214 and 19-21 at 8 p.m. $20.

Cinema Arts Centre 423 Park Ave., Huntington. www.cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7611.

• Join Scientists Anne Churchland and Rob Martienssen of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory for an entertaining exploration of the science of addiction, followed by Danny Boyle’s classic movie, “Trainspotting,” starring Ewan McGregor on Wednesday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m., part of the Science On Screen series. $9 members/$13 public.

12-4 p.m. 631-549-0448. www.fotofotogallery.com.

• Dis-Integration by Lois Youmans and Femme

by Lauren Weissler now on display.

Heckscher Museum Of Art

350 Main St., Northport. www.johnwengemantheater.com. 631-261-2900.

• Spring musical theater classes begin April 16.

2 Prime Ave., Huntington. Museum hours: Wednesday - Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., first Fridays from 4-8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission $6-8/adults, $46/seniors, and $4-5/children; members and children under 10 free. 631-351-3250.

• “A Way with Words: Text in Art” presents art that includes words, lettering, or numbers as subject, design element, or to convey information. On display through April 15.

• The 16th annual “Long Island’s Best: Young Artists at the Heckscher Museum” exhibition, on view March 31-April 22, features a diverse selection of works by art students in grades 912 from more than 52 public and private schools throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Tilles Center For The Performing Arts

Holocaust Memorial And Tolerance Center

LIU Post Campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. www.tillescenter.org. 516-299-3100.

• Pop culture icon Florence Henderson will showcase her musical and dramatic talent on Friday, April 13, 7:30 ($52) and 9:30 p.m. ($42). This debut performance in the Cabaret at “Club T” series will feature “America’s Favorite TV Mom”, sharing anecdotes and songs from her starring roles on Broadway.

Welwyn Preserve. 100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove. Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Sat.-Sun.: noon-4 p.m. 516-571-8040 ext. 100. www.holocaust-nassau.org.

• “Using the Lessons of the Holocaust to Teach Tolerance,” the center’s permanent exhibit, is now open. Suggested donation: $10 adults/$5 students/$5 seniors.

Dix Hills Performing Arts Center Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills. Box Office: 631-656-2148. www.dhpac.org.

• Enjoy tunes from the Great American Songbook featuring Arnie Gruber and his band on Sunday, April 15, 2 p.m. $10.

John W. Engeman Theater At Northport

Huntington Arts Council

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITS Art League of Long Island 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. Gallery hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends. 631-462-5400. www.ArtLeagueLI.net.

• Featuring the work of three renowned, innovative printmakers from the metropolitan area, “Bebout, Johnson, Welden: Mixed Media Prints” will be on view through April 29.

b.j. spoke gallery 299 Main St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 631-549-5106. www.bjspokegallery.com.

• For the April 1-29 show, Elizabeth Ehrlichman shows watercolors and prints in “Fruitful”; Barbara Grey shows watercolors and collage work in “Ancient Visions”; and gallery artists show a variety of styles and themes in “My Choice I.” Reception Sunday, April 15, 3-6 p.m.

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor. Open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sundays until 6 p.m.: $6 adults; $4 children 3-12 and seniors over 65; members and children under 3 are free. 516-692-6768. www.cshfha.org • Features New York State's largest collection of freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians housed in two aquarium buildings and eight outdoor ponds.

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor. Museum hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $4 adults, $3 seniors, $3 students 5 -18, family $12; military and children under 5 are free.

631-367-3418. www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

• “Right Whales: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” is on display until Labor Day 2012. Thought to be on the brink of extinction, right whales are among the rarest animals on earth.

fotofoto Gallery 14 W. Carver St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Friday 5-8 p.m., Saturday 12-8 p.m., Sunday

Main Street Petite Gallery: 213 Main St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Art in the Art-trium: 25 Melville Park Road, Melville. Gallery Hours: Monday Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. 631-271-8423. www.huntingtonarts.org.

• “Nature’s Bounty” at the Art-trium Gallery runs through April 30.

Huntington Historical Society Main office/library: 209 Main St., Huntington.

Museums: Conklin Barn, 2 High St.; Kissam House/Museum Shop, 434 Park Ave.; Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St. 631427-7045, ext. 401. www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

• Learn about the Town of Huntington’s role in the Civil War in an exhibit at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building.

• The society is sponsoring a trip to the Italian lakes and Greek islands, featuring a sevennight eastern Mediterranean cruise Oct. 3-14.

LaMantia Gallery 127 Main St., Northport Village. 631-754-8414. www.lamantiagallery.com.

• The gallery welcomes back Edward Gordon and introduces Daniel Del Orfano.

9 East Contemporary Art 9 East Carver St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 3-8 p.m. or by appointment. 631662-9459.

• “Earth, Fire and Light,” the works of Hugh McElroy and Richard Vaux, is on display until April 28. This show of recent works represents the pit-fired clay sculptures by McElroy and the nature inspired archetypal lightscapes created using powdered carbon

by Vaux.

Northport Historical Society Museum 215 Main St., Northport. Museum hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 1-4:30 p.m. 631-757-9859. www.northporthistorical.org.

• “50 years of Preserving and Celebrating Northport's History” honors the society's founders and their concerns and activities.

• “History Takes a Vacation,” an educational series, runs Tuesday, April 10-Thursday, April 12, 9:30 a.m.-noon, for students in grades 2-6. $20 per day for members/$25 per day for non-

members/$50 for all three days for members/$65 for non-members. Register by April 3.

Suffolk Y JCC 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631-4629800, ext. 140. Tuesday 1-4 p.m. Admission: $5 per person, $18 per family. Special group programs available. www.suffolkyjcc.org.

• The Alan & Helene Rosenberg Jewish Discovery Museum provides hands-on exhibits and programs for children 3-13 years old and their families, classes and camps.

Now on exhibit: The Alef Bet of Being a Mensch. “Zye a mensch” is a Yiddish saying that means "be a decent, responsible, caring person,” infusing both the best blessing and the best that an educator can wish for his students.

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport. Museum hours: Tuesday-Friday, 12-4 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 12-5 p.m.; closed Mondays except for holiday weeks. Grounds admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors, students, and $3 children under 12. Museum tour, add $5 per person. 631-854-5555. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

• The Arena Players Children Theatre presents the children's classic “Pinocchio” at the Vanderbilt Museum Carriage House Theater, running through April 7. Performances are Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children, and children under 3 are free. Reservations are highly suggested. Call the Arena Players at 516293-0674 or visit ArenaPlayers.org.

Walt Whitman Birthplace 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station. Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors/students, and children under 5 are free. 631-427-5240. www.waltwhitman.org.

• “The Spirituality of Poetry: From Walt Whitman to Mary Oliver – The Reading & Writing of Poetry,” facilitated by Annabelle Moseley (WWBA Writer in Residence 2009), takes place the last Sunday in March, April, May and June, 1-3 p.m. $10 (due at first session).

• Children ages 3-11 can enjoy a storytelling performance by Sima Freierman, a mother, teacher and performer, on Saturday, April 21, 1-3 p.m. $8/child, two chaperones free.

MUSIC & DANCE The Paramount 370 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-673-7300. www.paramountny.com. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

• “Fountains of Wayne” takes the stage Friday, May 11.

Ridotto, Concerts with a Touch of Theatre At Old First Church, Route 25A in Huntington.

631-385-0373. www.Ridotto.org.

• “The Boundaries of Eros” explores the many faces of love in Paris around 1900. Featuring songs by Poulenc, Satie, and Hahn, and cello music by Debussy, Faure and Poulenc; with Tammy Hensrud, soprano, Dmitry Volkov, cello, and Svetlana Gorokhovich, piano, on Sunday April 15, 4 p.m. Tickets are $20, $18 (seniors), $15 (members), and $10 (students).

VOLUNTEERING Helping Furry Friends Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center is looking for volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of animals. Free

training provided. Visit www.littleshelter.com or call 631-368-8770 ext. 204.

Walt Whitman Birthplace If you are interested in literature or history, the Walt Whitman Birthplace has fascinating and rewarding part-time volunteer positions available. Free training provided. 631-427-5420 ext.114.

Friends At Home Looking to earn some community service hours while changing a life? As part of the Friends@Home program, a project of The Ariella's Friendship Circle at the Chai Center in Dix Hills, visit a child with special needs in an environment they are most comfortable: their own homes. Together, bake cookies, play games, create arts and crafts, read books and more. Contact Nati or Sara at 631-351-8672 or fcchaicenter@gmail.com

Helping Runaway Kids Share your ideas and opinions on how Huntington Sanctuary, a program of the Huntington Youth Bureau, can help youth ages 12-21 who run away or who are at risk of running away. The group’s advisory board meets one Thursday a month at 6 p.m. Call 631-2712183.

Eyes For The Blind Suffolk County’s Helen Keller Services is looking for volunteers to visit blind who are homebound to socialize and aid in reading mail, possibly provide transportation. 631-424-0022.

Help American Red Cross The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The Suffolk County Chapter is looking for volunteers to assist in emergency shelters, at fires and natural disasters, with veterans, at community events or at the office. Free trainings provided.

631-924-6700 ext 212.

Seeking Volunteer Advocates The Family Service League’s Ombudservice Program of Suffolk County is seeking volunteers to train as advocates for nursing home, adult home and assisted living facility residents to help insure they receive quality care and their rights are protected. 631-427-3700 ext. 240.

Time For Meals On Wheels Meals On Wheels of Huntington is in need of men and women to be volunteers, who work in teams, delivering midday meals to shut-ins.

Two hours required, one day a week.

Substitutes also needed to fill in when regular drivers are unavailable. There is also a pressing need for nurses who can volunteer to screen potential clients. Times are flexible.

631-271-5150.

Nursing/Rehab Center Needs Help Our Lady of Consolation, a 450-bed nursing and rehabilitative care center located at 111 Beach Drive in West Islip, is seeking compassionate individuals willing to volunteer their time as transporters, Eucharistic Ministers, office assistants, recreational therapy assistants and spiritual care companions. Volunteers needed seven days a week, days and evenings. Age 14 and older only. 631-5871600, ext. 8223 or 8228.

Be A Day Care Provider Little Flower Day Care Network is recruiting for those interested in becoming registered New York State Child Day Car providers. Must be 18 years or older. Call 631-929-600 ext. 1239 to arrange for an appointment in your home with a day care social worker.

Voice For The Children Parents for Megan’s Law and the Crime Victims Center are seeking volunteers to assist with general office duties during daytime hours.

Candidates should be positive, energetic and professional with good communication skills.

Resume and three references required. 631689-2672 or fax resume to 631-751-1695.

Send us your listings Submissions must be in by 5 p.m.

10 days prior to publication date.

Send to Community Calendar at 149 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743, or e-mail to info@longislandernews.com

A18 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012

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HUNTINGTON

The famous mural at Finnegan’s Tap Room in Huntington village is getting a makeover. The original artist, who painted the masterpiece 30 years ago, has returned for touchups to help the pub prepare for its 100th anniversary celebration this summer. Know anyone in the mural?

Finnegan’s Celebrates 100 Years sdeluca@longislandernews.com

A local artist strokes his paintbrush across the faded mural depicting more than 100 people sitting at the bar inside Finnegan’s restaurant and tap room in Huntington village. Passersby are transfixed as he transforms the mural from dull to vibrant in a matter of seconds.

One woman stops in her tracks and walks up to the work of art.

“I know someone on this wall,” she says, pointing. “The man right there is my uncle.”

That was the scene last week at Finnegan’s on Wall Street, home to the giant mural of faces that has become somewhat famous in town. The tap room established its mark in the village in 1912, and will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. As a part of the celebration, the owners asked artist Philip Jordan, who painted the mural in 1978, to recolor it.

“The present owners contacted me because I’m the original artist who painted the mural,” Jordan, 57, said. “It’s a memorial for the town and it’s time to fix it up.”

After Jordan, a Huntington native, graduated the Kansas City Art Institute, he wanted to establish himself as an artist and get his name out to the public.

At that time, his brother C.J. worked at Finnegan’s. C.J. asked owner Rusty Pettit if his brother could paint a mural for free.

Jordan’s payment came in the form of

free food and drink from the pub. The owner paid for the high-end sign painter’s enamel, which is very expensive, but because of its high pigmentation it lasts many years.

Pettit and Jordan took Polaroid pictures of Finnegan’s regulars. The concept for the mural was to capture the regulars as they would always be seen at the bar.

For instance, one man sat at the same spot at the bar every day, one man was always holding his favorite drink and another man was constantly filling out crossword puzzles.

There are about 140 people on the mural and about 50 of them have died, Jordan said, including his brother C.J. “The original concept was to have all the regulars at the bar and painted in this caricature fashion. It was just a good idea. I didn’t know how I came up with the idea but I did,” Jordan said. “And now it’s turned into a memorial because it’s 34 years old and a lot of the people are gone.

It’s something that’s a fabric of the town.”

Jordan completed the mural in December 1978. His artwork took about six months to complete. This time around, since the artist is not starting from scratch, he said it will take about three months to retouch the mural with the help of other local artists, including a student from Huntington Fine Arts School.

“I’m very glad that it’s never been really vandalized in all the 30 years. There have been a couple of graffiti marks on it but the kids of the town and the people of the town have respected it all these years

Giving teens power (Continued from page A10)

enough representation from all schools on Long Island everywhere,” Goldman said. “Unity in the community should be a way of life, not just a conference day.”

The Unity Leadership Conference also took place in Brooklyn and Boston, Mass.

National Grid funded all conferences

throughout the northeast.

“We’re just thrilled National Grid Foundation could be sponsoring this and play a little bit of a role to keep this going,” said Bob Keller, president of the National Grid Foundation. “It’s important that we evolve as a society and we no longer have a need for a conference like this.”

Local leads St. Pats run (Continued from page A22)

ipini came in third, fourth and fifth in their age group.

More than 40 volunteers, board members and community members made the run a success with their help, and having an ambulance and crew from the Huntington Community First Aid Squad on site was reassuring to all.

The Townwide Fund of Huntington was founded in 1961 by community leaders who wanted to raise funds for local health and human service agencies. It currently has 20 member agencies serving the needs of those who live and/or work in Huntington.

Results and photos can be found at www.townwidefund.org.

for whatever reason,” he said.

Currently, Jordan works as a decorative artist in Manhattan, where he paints murals in people’s homes, restaurants and catering halls.

Tommy Forte, manager/bartender of Finnegan’s for 22 years, said the unveiling of the mural may be at the beginning of June. Forte wants to document all the faces on the mural and would like anyone who knows of anyone on the wall to come to Finnegan’s, call 631-423-9696 or contact Jordan through their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/FinnegansMural.

The anniversary celebration continues on Saturday, July 28, when Finnegan’s will close Wall Street from Gerard Street to Main Street from 6 to 10 p.m. Forte said he is going to bring back about 25 bartenders, who have worked at the pub dating back to the 1960s, to serve drinks.

There will also be music, bagpipers and Irish dancers. Forte noted they will have a show focusing on the Prohibition era, during which the United States banned the sale, manufacture and transportation of alcohol from 1919 to 1933.

“Finnegan’s was a speakeasy back in the Prohibition days,” Forte said. “They made their own liquor and served it in tea cups.”

Andrew Finnegan was the original owner of the pub. There have been a few owners since then including Finnegan’s son Bill and Pettit. Lessing’s, which owns

Half Hollow Hills photo/Stephanie DeLuca

By Stephanie DeLuca

Artist Philip Jordan retouches the mural at Finnegan’s he painted in 1978 to help the pub celebrate its centennial.

The Library Café in Farmingdale and Maxwell’s in Islip, is the current owner.

“Finnegan’s has been around 100 years. It has been the ‘Cheers’ of Huntington,” Forte said, referring to the Boston bar made popular by the television show. “Good food, good cheer, good people; that’s always been our tradition.”

MELVILLE

Contest To Celebrate Armed Forces Day In recognition of Armed Forces Day in May, Genser Dubow Genser & Cona (GDGC), estate planning and elder law firm based in Melville, is raising awareness of the contributions by veterans with a student essay contest on Long Island.

The contest is open to elementary, middle and high school students.

Three winners will be chosen from each level and awarded a savings bond.

“Because of the work I do with seniors, many of whom are veterans, I hope to give young people an opportunity to think about their love for this country and the immense respect due the Veterans and active military personnel who secure our freedom every day,” said Melissa Negrin-Wiener, partner at GDGC.

Students may choose to write on either of the following topics: What America Means to Me or My Armed Forces Hero.

Essays should be between 500 and 1,000 words and are due by April 20.

They should include: name of school, grade level, telephone number, street address, email address.

Submit the essay via email to Melissa@genserlaw.com or mail it to: Genser Dubow Genser & Cona, 225 Broad Hollow Road, Suite 200, Melville, New York 11747.

For more information, call 631-3905000.

All of the winners will be honored by May 19 at an Armed Forces Day Celebration held at the Huntington Hills Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Melville.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 • A19

‘Play Ball,’ Say CA And Early Years Institute A

Long Island Briefing

By Nancy Rauch Douzinas info@longislandernews.com

What does a $4.4-billion software company have in common with a notfor-profit dedicated to early childhood?

They’re both concerned about the time children are spending watching TV. And they’re doing something about it.

CA Technologies, the Islandia-based software giant, and the Early Years Institute in Plainview are joining thousands of businesses, schools, cultural and community organizations nationwide in sponsoring the second annual ScreenFree Week, running April 30 to May 6.

What’s wrong with kids watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the in-

ternet? Plenty.

First, kids spend way too much time glued to their screens. Children ages 2-6 average four hours a day; older kids more than seven. More screen time leads to decline in school performance, especially reading and comprehension skills. Today kids are six times more likely on a typical day to play a video game than to ride a bike.

Those displaced activities are critical in building kids’ physical, mental and social skills. Research shows that children who spend more time outdoors have longer attention spans than those who consume more TV and video games. And that sedentary viewing—along with all the junk food commercials—greatly increases kids’ risk of obesity.

Most grave are the risks to young children, whose brain growth in the first years of life depends on the quality of their early experiences. Kids need lots of personal interaction. Passive entertainment doesn’t cut it.

That is why the American Academy of Pediatrics says that children under the age of 2 should not be watching TV at all.

Yet by three months, four out of 10 infants are viewing regularly.

Electronics have become the path of least resistance, for kids and their parents. We need to recognize the toll it is taking and start reclaiming some of that screen time for other activities.

Shutting off the screens for a week is a great way to push ourselves into breaking out. Let kids rediscover the pleasure of riding a bike, playing catch and jumping rope. For many kids, it won’t be rediscovery at all. You’d be amazed how many kids today don’t even know how to play hopscotch, much less how to fly a kite.

For indoors at night, experts are big on drawing and coloring. (A recent study compared 4-year-olds who watched SpongeBob for nine minutes with kids who spent the time drawing with crayons.

Following the activities the kids were given a series of tests of executive function; the SpongeBob watchers did significantly worse.) Card games, board games, and party games provide the personal interaction that is just what the pediatrician ordered for social development.

When the week is up, families can keep from getting back in their rut by setting up new guidelines, such as limiting screen use to certain days or times, turning sets off during meals and designating a family time devoted to play.

Changing settled habits isn’t easy. But a Screen-Free Week could be just the push we need to get kids making healthier use of their time.

Nancy Rauch Douzinas is president of the Rauch Foundation, a family foundation that supports innovative programs centered on children, the environment, and regional leadership. For more information visit www.rauchfoundation.org.

Rauch Foundation is a supporter of the Early Years Institute.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Spring Has Sprung, Both Indoors And Outdoors

Taking photographs of indoor events, like stage productions, can be tricky due to the lighting. With the proper equipment, you can take low-light stage photos, like the one of the finale of “Willy Wonka” by Trinity Regional School in East Northport, left. Or you can head backstage to get photos of everyone getting ready, like in the photo of Grace Ambrose (playing Willy Wonka) with the Oompa Loompas, at right.

Through The Lens

By Kevin Armstrong info@longislandernews.com

Winter is over. If you are someone who enjoys photographing in the snow or the action photos of winter sports, this was not the best winter. You had to make your way to the Canadian border to find and real winter conditions this year. But not to worry; I’m sure there will be a future winter in which Mother Nature provides you ample cold weather photo opportunities.

Spring has sprung. This is a time when many people start to respond to the longer, warmer days. The days become more colorful as vegetation starts to come alive. For many, it triggers the desire to rescue their camera form its winter hibernation.

The first thing you notice about spring is the rapidly changing weather. For a photographer, this creates all sorts of great opportunities – sun, rain, clouds and fog can

all be used effectively to create pleasing photos. Bright cloudy days create the perfect lighting situation for flower photography. Evenly spread light creates a studiolighting effect that allows even the most subtle colors to show, whereas a bright, sunny day produces washed-out colors.

Spring’s biggest attraction is flowers, which is convenient since flowers and photography are made for each other. Photographing flowers is hard work regardless of whether you are an avid botanist looking to spot and catalogue different species, or the type who likes to stroll into your backyard and snap a few photos. I consider myself part of the latter group, since I can’t tell a rose from a tulip. I just try to get a decent photograph when I see a flower that looks interesting.

Serious flower photography requires a good amount of patience and equipment.

The best flower photos require you to get down to the flowers’ level. Photos taken from a top down angle above the bloom are rarely interesting. Keep your flower photos simple and uncluttered; focus on one flower or a small group, and be sure to get in close. Keep your backgrounds clean and free of bright distractions, and maintain a steady hand, which means keeping a small tripod handy.

A bright, cloudy day is a perfect time to bring your camera into your garden. These

cloudy days can also bring a little moisture, especially in the morning as dew. If you like to take close-up photos, early morning dew can make spider webs, leaves or flowers much more interesting.

If you like flowers, make sure to attend the 12th Annual Huntington Tulip Festival on Sunday, May 6 at Hecksher Park. The event runs all day and there is plenty of action and scenery to keep both you and your camera busy. If you get a good photo, be sure to enter the festival’s photography contest. You can download an entry form on the Town of Huntington’s website. Winning photos will be featured in the 2013 festivals promotional materials.

Spring also offers an abundant amount of outdoor sports, such as baseball, soccer and lacrosse, offering excellent opportunities for good, high-action photography. If you’re using a digital SLR camera, remember to bring your long lens and use a wide open aperture to freeze the action. If you are using a compact camera, you will want to set the camera to the sports mode and let the camera handle all the settings – you just worry about getting your favorite athlete in the frame.

A few tips for good sports photography: Keep your background clean of any distracting objects and try panning the camera with your moving subject to create the sense of motion in your photo. If you hap-

pen to get some nice action photos, remember to ask the school or organization if they would like some copies, as they are always looking for good photos of their events and players.

Not all spring photo opportunities are outdoor events. Many take place indoors and are just as photo-worthy. Popular spring indoor events include school theater productions, which are very challenging to photograph correctly. Stage productions are often performed in low, ambient light, making it difficult to freeze the action and minimize motion blur. You also have to move quickly and quietly during performances so as not to be a distraction. This also applies to weddings, another popular indoor spring event.

If you don’t have the proper equipment for low-light stage photos you can always ask permission to head backstage prior to or after the performance to get photos of everyone getting ready. Schools will always be interested in some of your photos for their yearbooks and other activities, so don’t be afraid to ask permission for access.

So now that spring is here with ample photo opportunities abound (both indoor and outdoor), it should be able to keep you busy until summer arrives. Perhaps this year, Mother Nature may have her sights on an early summer if the recent spell of hot weather is any indication.

A20 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012

www.LongIslanderNews.com

P U Z Z L E CRYPTOQUIP

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Today’s Cryptoquip clue: Q equals T ©2012 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Answer to “Isle Say!”

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ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S CRYPTOQUIP I FINALLY HEARD ABOUT THE RESULTS OF YESTERDAY’S EGGCOOKING CONTEST. LOOKS LIKE IT WAS WON BY A WHISKER. Published March 29, 2012 ©2012 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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PA G E

PREMIER CROSSWORD / By Frank A. Longo JOKE TIME JUMBLES

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 • A21

THE LONG-ISLANDER • THE RECORD • NORTHPORT JOURNAL • HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER

DEADLINE is Friday at 2 p.m. All Categories TELEPHONE: (631) 427-7000, FAX: (631) 427-5820 HOURS: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Address: Long Islander Newspapers, Inc., Attn.: Classifieds, 149 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743

HOME SERVICES

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A22 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012

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RUNNING

Dix Hills Runner First In St. Patrick’s Run

Athletes are off an running for the Townwide Fund of Huntington’s 4-mile St. Patrick’s Run. The annual Townwide Fund of Huntington St. Patrick’s Run fell on St. Patrick’s Day this year, and the event was blessed with the same beautiful weather that prevailed for the Huntington Ancient Order of Hibernians’ parade the previous Sunday.

This year, the start/finish area was switched to the opposite end of the scenic

course along Huntington Harbor because of roadwork on Route 110 in the Halesite area. As a result, contestants in the 4-mile race had the challenge of the double hill just before entering Coindre Hall Park for the final dash to the finish.

As it turned out, a beautiful burgundy model C-70 convertible provided by Huntington Voloville not only paced the

runners, but was a great means to get pictures of the race in progress.

There were 416 runners, led by Terrence McElhatton of Dix Hills in 21:20 and young phenom Ryan Udvadia and Jonah Blumstein, all the way from Brooklyn. A frequent participant in the fund’s runs, 71-year-old Barry Aronowski of Greenlawn was the anchor in 1:05:08.

On the distaff side, Christine Kenny came out from the city to sweep in first with a time of 23.50, followed by Heather Williams of Centerport 11 seconds later and then Veronica Alvarado of Baldwin exactly three minutes later.

The Fun Run had a wonderful range of ages and costumes among the entrants with about 75 taking part in the joy of running. The former McKesson Brown Mansion stood sentinel over the finish area that is part of a circular driveway graced with stately old growth trees.

Once the 4-mile event was complete, the front porch was an ideal site for

presentation of awards to the six overall winners and the top three in each age group and gender. The merchandise awards were provided by Super Runner Shop. In addition, the top person in each age group was given a key chain with a cloisinée charm attached, from sponsor Village Jewelers.

The Hartigan High School Challenge only had one school declare an entry.

Therein lies a tale, as they say. When Brian McConnell of Huntington learned that there were no other teams entered, he asked around school and managed to come up with four more lads to comprise one. Three members of Huntington’s track team had already entered as individuals. Brian latched onto fellow fencer/crew member Brent Filipini and they joined Tom Boisclair and Scott Gulizio, who are both familiar with the course, and fellow track member Marc Henry Sanon. Gulizio, Boisclair and Fil(Continued on page A18)

YOUTH BASKETBALL

Travel Team Wins Big

LACROSSE

Catch The Friars On TV Fans of the St. Anthony’s Friars can tune in Saturday for a preview of the St. Anthony’s varsity boys lacrosse team’s season.

MSG Varsity, Cablevision’s television network dedicated to all things high school, will preview on April 7 the Delbarton (N.J.) v. St. Anthony’s matchup, starting at 3 p.m. The coverage will also be available to nonOptimum customers.

“Cablevision’s iO TV and Optimum Online customers have exclusive access to MSG Varsity, which delivers unparalleled coverage of local high school students participating in the activities they love most, from football and lacrosse to band and academics,” said Theresa Chillianis, general manager of MSG Varsity.

“The response to our coverage of lo-

cal students has been tremendous and we’re thrilled to partner with WLNY TV 10/55 to give non-Optimum customers a sample of what they are missing from the tri-state leader on all things high school.”

MSG Varsity’s “Game of the Week” broadcasts will be available on TV 55/10 in the NY Metro Area on the following systems: Verizon FiOS Channel 10; DirecTV Channel 55/893; and DISH Channel 55/8107.

Previews will continue each Saturday in April from 3-5 p.m., when the WLNY TV 10/55 audience can watch “MSG Varsity’s Game of the Week,” featuring high school boys lacrosse game coverage. The preview will include tri-state matchups as well as color commentary and in-game insights from MSG Varsity experts.

A boys travel basketball team from St. Matthew’s in Dix Hills has much to celebrate. The squad won the Seventh Grade Long Island Super League championship on March 28 at the Island Garden in West Hempstead against Long Island Lightning Maline by a final score of 54-51. Pictured with their trophies are: (bottom row, left to right) Daniel Serpe, Jeremy Shuster, Hunter Kaplan; (back row, left to right) Coach Hunt Bresky, Branson Leifer, Jared Hall, Reed Bresky, Brian Golub, Coach Richard Serpe and Andrew Connell.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012 • A23

HillSPORTS GIRLS SOFTBALL

Young Team Stepping Up To The Plate New Varsity coach for Hills East leads young team after 7-12 2011 season Half Hollow Hills photos/ Stephanie DeLuca

Girls softball team practicing their drills on Monday.

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

Half Hollow Hills East’s varsity softball team is young, but head coach Megan Pfaeffle and assistant coach Jacqueline Lucido believe the improvements the girls have made will get them through the season.

The girls ended last season 7-12 in their league. Lucido said they lost two starters last year to graduation and some others did not return from the previous season. This year’s softball team is comprised of three seniors, one freshman and many sophomores.

“Pretty much everyone starting this year is fairly new,” Lucido said. “I guess it’s a good and bad thing that we have such a young team – in the sense that in the years to come they’ll get better – but they are young girls so they’ve been playing against some big kids that have been playing on varsity for four years. A

lot of our girls that are starters have been on varsity for a year, not even.”

This is the first year Pfaeffle is coaching at the varsity level. He coached two years at the junior varsity level.

“They’re coming through. There’s been improvement since the beginning of the season so far,” Pfaeffle said. “We had a couple of games that were kind of rough but we’re seeing the improvements.”

Hills East was on the bottom of the totem pole in League III as of Monday.

The girls fell short in their last game to Smithtown West (9-8) on March 30. Although the girls lost 5-3 during their March 28 game against Centereach, Lucido said they played well and it was a big improvement from the prior games.

“We gave up a few runs that we shouldn’t have [against Centereach], and in Smithtown West we came back and almost beat them. We had a 7-run, bottom-of-the- seventh-inning come-

Senior Julia Bertolino said the girls have great potential to go far this season. back. So we’re definitely moving in the right direction that way,” Lucido said.

The girls fell to East Islip, 14-2, in their first league game on March 27 and lost their first non-league game of the season to Bayport-Blue Point, 10-4, on March 23.

The Thunderbirds will also have more competition this season against Walt Whitman, Smithtown East, Riverhead, Copiague, New Field and Deer Park.

The head coach said they’re looking for good things to come from their freshman pitcher Jessica Leeb as well as third baseman Taylor Russo and center fielder Danielle Bruno. Lucido said catcher Allie Hecht is a key hitter on the team.

In Their Own Words Allie Hecht 18 Junior “We need to practice, play the game and we have to really minimize the errors.”

Catcher

Russo 13 Taylor Sophmore “We need to become closer as a team and really work on communication skills and the parts that we can overachieve in to help us win games.”

“She’s really stepping up behind the plate,” the assistant coach said.

Samantha D’Acunti just transferred from St. Anthony’s and she has stepped up as the team’s pitcher.

Pfaeffle said she would like the girls to have a winning season, but added that seeing the improvements and watching the team grow is a plus.

Lucido said having a young team has its benefits and faults.

“They can start working now and playing together, and hopefully within the next couple of years they’ll start coming into their own,” she said.

The Thunderbirds will head to Whitman on April 10 for their next league game.

How will you overcome the competition this season?

5 Third base

Danielle Bruno Sophmore Center field

“We need to work 110 percent every single game and we can never take a day off.”

Bertolino 17 Julia Senior “I think we have the potential to be a fantastic team.

We have all the assets we just need to communicate better, work together and be a whole rather than individuals.”

Left field

A24 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 5, 2012

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