HALF HOLLOW HILLS Copyright © 2014 Long Islander News
Online at www.LongIslanderNews.com
VOL. 16, ISSUE 40
NEWSPAPER 28 PAGES
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2014 HALF HOLLOW HILLS
The Paramount Spotlight
PD Probes Hills East Bomb Threat By Arielle Dollinger adollinger@longislandergroup.com
Robert Davi performs Sinatra’s songbook at The Paramount Nov. 23.
Robert Davi Tackles Sinatra’s Songbook By Ellen Sterling intern@longislandergroup.com
The adjectives – tough, gentle, tender, intense and fierce, among them – that have been used to describe Robert Davi reflect his talent and versatility. But, in the end only two adjectives are necessary – passion and pride. And he’ll bring both to The Paramount stage Nov. 23 as he performs selections from the Sinatra (Continued on page A23)
Emailed bomb threats to Half Hollow Hills High School East provoked bag checks, heightened security and an extension of the first quarter marking period, as detailed in a series of emails sent to parents last week. The threats came in anonymous Nov. 6 emails to both the school district and the Suffolk County Police Department. “im gonna blow up hills east tmrw at 9am; F— AMERICA; F— YOU; DON’T TRY TO STOP ME; YOU WILL ALL DIE,” the threat sent to the school districts reads, in part. “F— AMERICA; I AM BOMBING HALF HOLLOW HILLS EAST TOMORROW AT 9PM SHARPP,” the threat sent to police reads, in part. Police searched the building on Thursday, as did “a team of explosive detecting dogs,” according to an email from Hills East officials; all students entered the school through its main entrance and had their bags searched. The bomb threat marks the second to the district in a three-week span; the first, directed toward Hills West, was discovered written on the wall of a school bathroom during the week of Oct. 13. Though school remained in session on both Thursday and Friday, emails to parents on Thursday said that all tests and quizzes to be given Friday would be rescheduled for Monday – thereby extending
Long Islander News photo/Arielle Dollinger
Incident comes three weeks after Hills West was targeted
Suffolk Police investigated a bomb threat at Half Hollow Hills High School East, which has resulted in reinforced security protocols in the building. the marking period to Monday, Nov. 10 – and that all activities after 6 p.m. on Thursday were canceled. “I feel the email we got saying tests and quizzes were canceled made it an easy choice not to send [my son] to school on Friday,” said Dix Hills resident Nancy Kenigsberg, whose son is a senior at Hills East. “It’s almost as if they were telling us to keep our kids home.” On Thursday, Hills East Principal Jeffrey Woodberry made an announcement to tell faculty and staff to check their emails, one student said. A few minutes later, she said,
the emergency bell rang and everyone went outside to stand in the drizzle. Another student said that he did not know about the bomb threat either when he and his classmates were told to wait outside. The students were outside for about 20 minutes, he estimated. “I knew it wasn’t just a fire drill because of the police,” he said. He was not worried, he said, because the scenario was familiar: “The same thing happened at West a few weeks ago,” he said. In an email to parents, Woodber(Continued on page A23)
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A3
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com
A pair of requests for state and federal agencies to investigate ethics concerns at Huntington Town Hall was ratified during a town board meeting last week. The first resolution, sponsored by Councilman Gene Cook, calls for the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York to lead a federal probe. A second, backed by Councilwoman Susan Berland, appeals to the New York State Comptroller’s office. Both were adopted unanimously Nov. 6. Cook said it brought him “great pain” to push for a federal investigation, but the councilman said published reports of alleged ethics violations and interconnections between the town ethics board’s members, counsel and the town board left him no choice. “I think it’s important to show the people that we are an honest group,” Cook said. Those reports began Oct. 5 when Newsday reported that Councilman Mark Cuthbertson had worked with Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius on a series of court-appointed foreclosure receiverships, but failed to disclose the tangential relationship before voting on a resolution to rezone Melius’ property. Cuthbertson was exonerated Oct. 20 by the ethics board, but the body urged him to disclose similar relationships in the future. “Any agency that looks into this matter will find that the board of ethics rendered a decision that is valid and based on the merits of the case that was brought forth,” Cuthbertson said Thursday. While there was some disagreement over whether the state or feder-
Long Islander News photo/Danny Schrafel
Town Board Backs Requests For Ethics Probes
Councilwoman Susan Berland and Councilman Gene Cook’s resolutions to call for outside scrutiny of the town’s ethics code were approved unanimously Nov. 6. al branch should conduct an investigation, the board ultimately ratified both unanimously. “An investigative body doesn’t wait for resolutions to come from us to investigate,” Councilwoman Tracey Edwards, who seconded Cook’s motion, said. “However, I will be voting for this because I think we need to do something just to move forward.” But town attorney Cindy Elan Mangano said Cook’s request refers the case to an office which deals in penal law. “The matters presented in this resolution are not something I would refer to the Eastern Attorney’s office,” she said. She recommended reaching out to the State Comptroller’s office
for “guidance and advice.” She also stressed that all residents, including members of the town’s ethics board, have a First Amendment right to make campaign contributions as a form of protected political speech. Berland said her resolution would “provide for the strengthening of our ethics code, which I believe is what we all want.” Her resolution directs the town attorney to “confer with all authorities and experts,” including the Comptroller’s Division of Local Government and School Accountability, and then return with findings on how best to strengthen the town’s code of ethics and ensure compliance. Petrone said Berland’s resolution
was necessary to ensure some action was taken. The supervisor said the most important outcome will likely be recommendations from the Comptroller’s office on how to best finetune the town ethics code. Although he voted for both resolutions, Petrone believes the request to the state comptroller is the proper approach. “If the second resolution was not put on, you would have had a resolution that went up to the feds, who are not probably dealing with ethics concerns – they’re dealing with criminality,” Petrone said. “Then there would have been nothing. This here provides the opportunity basically to make sure there is some kind of review.”
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POLICE REPORT Compiled by Danny Schrafel
Beauty In Bloom
Empty-Handed Burglars
Hidden beauty... Now don’t get me wrong, annual Project TOY, which provides parents who are struggling finanI don’t think it’s a secret to anyone that Huntcially with toys and ington is beautiful – but, to me at least, much of gifts so they may proit is hidden beneath the surface. Have you seen vide a happy holiday the Seminary of the ImmacuIN THE KNOW for their children. late Conception in Lloyd HarWITH AUNT ROSIE They need money to bor? Gorgeous, simply gormake this happen – geous. Caumsett State Park aland, of course, they so tops my list; I feel that not many people have need lots of new, unhad the chance to witness the park’s beauty with opened toys. Last year they served nearly 1,100 their own two eyes – but it’s something that abfamilies, I’m told, and need continues to grow. solutely needs to be seen in order to be believed. Visit http://fsl-li.org to learn more and find out Heck, even the drive up to Caumsett is immacuwhere you can make a contribution. late with the Sound on one side of the road and Lloyd Harbor on the other. That’s enough of my Three dollar deal… How about those gas secret spots though; write me if you have some prices? I never thought I’d have a chance to fuel of your own! up the ol’ Buick for less than $3 a gallon ever Salute our veterans… I think our town real- again, but sure enough, the prices have come down again. Why are they coming down? Who ly does a nice job of honoring our veterans, esknows? I’ve been gassing up cars for a long time pecially in November. Between the flag disand I still can’t figure out for the life of me what plays, VA ceremonies and various dedication drives the market up and down. All I know is events, I hope our veterans feel loved and apprethat I’m grateful. Just don’t forget to pay cash, ciated. One of the greatest things I saw this year, and if you pay by credit, make sure you know however, was all the drawings by Southdown what you’re paying when you swipe. students hanging in the windows of village merchants! The beautiful crayon creations depict thankful messages to vets, accented by red, (Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you white and blue in every shape and shade. Thank have comments, ideas, or tips about what’s hapyou, students, for sharing your art with us! pening in your neck of the woods, write to me today and let me know the latest. To contact me, And treasure our youth… While you’re drop a line to Aunt Rosie, c/o The Long-Islander, starting to fill up with yuletide tidings, make 14 Wall Street, Huntington NY 11743. Or try the sure to put those to good use to help others. e-mail at aunt.rosieli@gmail.com) Family Service League is well underway in its
PICTURE THIS SANCTUARY
Suffolk County cops responded to a Huntington Station medical office Nov. 6 on a most unusual harassment complaint. The complainant alleges a man, at 2:55 p.m., hit him in the head with his prosthetic leg. Huntington Community First Aid Squad responded; the complainant did not press charges.
That’s Sharp A Huntington Station man, 37, faces menacing charges after he allegedly pulled a knife on someone he was having an argument with at a diner on Broad Hollow Road in Melville. The incident occurred at 12:50 a.m.; he was arrested shortly thereafter.
Smashing! Cops were called to a Bagatelle Road home in Dix Hills at 11 a.m. Nov. 3 after a burglary attempt was reported. Police said someone smashed in the front door; it doesn’t appear anything was stolen, however.
Window Entry
A picture-perfect fall setting can be found at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Lloyd Harbor. Call for tour information and take in autumn. Pictured, the loggia.
“The ancestors of Walt’s parents, Louisa Van Velsor and Walt Whitman, Sr., date back 200 years on Long Island. If your name is Van Velsor, Brush, Scudder, Ketcham, Platt or Hewlett, you may be related to Walt.”
Photo by Luann Dallojacono
Whitman Family Bible Comes Home, PAGE A9
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A Melville home was burglarized Nov. 4. Police said that, at 11 a.m., someone came in through a window of the Treeview Drive home and stole jewelry.
Speed Demon A Dix Hills man, 25, was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Police say he was speeding along in a 2006 Ferrari westbound on Route 25 at Elwood Road when they pulled him over at 10:10 a.m.
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Getting A Leg Up
QUOTE OF THE WEEK CYNTHIA SHOR
HALF HOLLOW HILLS
CITY
Suffolk County police were called to a Sweet Water Court home in Dix Hills Nov. 3 after someone broke into their home at approximately 7:20 p.m. However, nothing was reported stolen.
expires
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A5
MELVILLE
Churchgoer Killed Crossing Main Street Long Islander News photo/Danny Schrafel
By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com
Huntington village’s Vincent Butler, Jr. was crossing West Main Street near Scudder Place at approximately 6:55 a.m. Oct. 30, as he did six mornings a week. Butler, 75, who lived in the Huntington Village Co-Op apartments on Nathan Hale Drive, was headed to 7:15 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, Father Steven Donnelly said. He usually got to church five minutes before 7; on Sundays, he would go to services at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Melville, where he was deeply involved and had earned the St. Agnes Medal of Service a year earlier. But at 6:55 a.m. Oct. 30, Butler didn’t come walking into St. Pat’s, Donnelly said. “A woman came running into the church, screaming, ‘Oh my God, oh my God – I hit somebody,’” Donnelly said. The priest rushed out to Main Street, where Butler Jr. had just been struck by a 2007 Honda Accord headed eastbound on West Main Street, ac-
Vincent Butler died after being hit by a car on Main Street Oct. 30, police said. cording to Suffolk County police. Two people were tending to the gravely injured man, Donnelly said. Butler, who was rushed to Huntington Hospital, succumbed to his in-
juries about 13 hours later. “He was a wonderful, wonderful man – well-liked by everybody. We’re saddened by his passing, that’s for sure,” Donnelly said. “It
was very, very tough. Butler had lived on Nathan Hale Drive for several years, Donnelly said. Harry Perepeluk, the business manager at St. Elizabeth’s Church, said Wednesday that Butler, a former Chase employee, was “very good with computers and numbers” and set up computer programs for the church in years past. He last saw Butler two weeks before he died during a meeting of the church’s seniors group. “He was a true gentleman. He was an elegant man in many ways. Very quiet, and just a really very, very decent person in addition to everything else,” Perpeluk said. Butler is survived by his son, John and his wife Christina; daughter, Christine A. Besser and her husband Glen; as well as two grandchildren; his sister, Kathleen Scott; and brother Michael V. Butler. His brother William I. Butler predeceased him. A funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 3 at St. Elizabeth Church, with arrangements by M.A. Connell Funeral Home.
A6 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014
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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
How Did Huntington Residents Vote in 2014? By D. Schrafel & A. Dollinger dschrafel@longislandergroup.com
If it were up to Town of Huntington residents, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo would not have been reelected, according to unofficial results provided by the Suffolk County Board of Elections last week. Huntington voters would have preferred Republican Rob Astorino, the Westchester county executive, who gained 23,125 votes in the town, about 200 more votes that the Democratic incumbent Cuomo. The results are in Long Islander News photo/Arielle Dollinger
Jim Gaughran concedes the race for County Comptroller to John Kennedy in Islandia on Nov 4.
line with the rest of county voters; in Suffolk, Astorino received 48.68 percent of the vote, while Cuomo netted 47.48 percent. Statewide, however, Cuomo received 52.65 percent of the vote compared with 39.39 percent for Astorino, according to unofficial state board of elections results. Similarly, in the race for state attorney general, Huntington residents picked Republican John Cahill, who earned 24,661 votes (51.42 percent), compared to Democratic incumbent Eric Schneiderman, with 22,201 votes (46.29 percent). Cahill edged out Schneiderman county-wide as well, netting 50.59 percent of the vote in Suffolk compared to Schneiderman’s 47.1 percent. Statewide, however, Schneiderman pulled ahead with 52.79 percent of the vote compared to Cahill’s 39.29 percent, according to state board of elections results. Huntington residents were of the same mindset as county and state voters in choosing to reelect State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. In local elections, Huntington voters matched up with county voters in electing Legislator John Kennedy county comptroller. Kennedy, a Republican, received 22,926 (50.78 percent) votes in the Town of Huntington,
defeating James Gaughran, a Democrat from Eaton’s Neck, who received 22,223 votes (49.22 percent). In Suffolk, Kennedy received 53.17 percent of the vote compared to Gaughran’s 46.79 percent. Gaughran, a Democrat, came into the race with more money, more bal-
lot lines and more time than his opponent. Kennedy jumped into the race when John Jay LaValle, the county’s GOP leader, declined the party’s nomination in July. In a jubilant victory speech at county GOP election headquarters in (Continued on page A23)
Huntington Township Election Results *asterisk denotes election winner
Gaughran (D)
GOVERNOR (34.2% turnout) Astorino/Moss (R) 23,125 *Cuomo/Hochul (D) 22,901 Hawkins/Jones (Green) 1793 McDermott/Edes (Libert.) 182 Cohn/Kalotee (Sapient) 91
48.08% 47.62% 3.73% 0.38% 0.19%
STATE COMPTROLLER (34%) *DiNapoli (D) 24,146 Antonacci (R) 22,633 Porletti (Green) 893 Clifton (Libertarian) 331
50.3% 47.15% 1.86% 0.69%
ATTORNEY GENERAL (33.96%) Cahill (R) 24,661 *Schneiderman (D) 22,201 Jimenez (Green) 765 Person (Libertarian) 331
22,223
49.22%
3rd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT (35.87%) *Israel (D) 25,614 53.23% Lally (R) 22,506 46.77% STATE SENATE (2nd District) (35.09%) *Flanagan (R) 7,530 66.23% Lombardi (D) 3,839 33.77% STATE SENATE (5th SD) (36.09%) *Marcellino (R) 22,469 62.68% B. Kennedy (D) 12,895 35.97 Bowman (Libertarian) 485 1.35% STATE ASSEMBLY (10th AD) (33.02%) *Lupinacci (R) 16,358 63% Feeney Jr. (D) 9,608 37%
51.42% 46.29% 1.6% 0.69%
STATE ASSEMBLY (12th AD) (27.53%) *Raia 17,085 100%
COUNTY COMPTROLLER (31.57%) *J. Kennedy (R) 22,926 50.78%
Source – unofficial results from Suffolk County Board of Elections
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Board Approves $188.9M Budget For 2015 Tax increase would amount to about $65 per home on average, town says By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com
A $188.9-milllion general fund budget proposed for 2015 by Supervisor Frank Petrone was ratified asis by the Huntington Town Board last week. In a series of 4-1 votes on Nov. 6, the board also approved the town’s $13-million capital budget and assessment rolls for the Huntington and Centerport Sewer Districts. Councilman Gene Cook voted against each one. Petrone said the budget ratified last week was the outcome of “a balancing act” between taxes, town reserves and services. The tax increase would amount to about $65 per Huntington home on average; an anticipated tax rebate to taxpayers in municipalities that have continually adhered to the state tax cap is expected to soften that increase, Petrone said.
Some residents, however, continued to criticize the decision to raise taxes. “LILCO’s going up, railroad’s going up, subway’s going up, bridges are going up. My pay is not going up. So you have to deal with what you’ve got,” Huntington’s Jim Darcy said. “I have to deal with what I have. You have to manage your house.” Meanwhile, Dix Hills resident Harold Friedman questioned town spending on two new parks – $2 million for the Burrs Lane Park at the former Erb Farm in Dix Hills, and $1.75 million for Sweet Hollow Park in Melville – and said funds could be better earmarked. “You already have 33 parks, eight beaches, two golf courses, an ice rink and countless trails,” he said. “You also have county parks and state parks… You don’t need 35 parks. Then you need somebody to manage all the parks.”
Petrone stressed that most of the funds for those parks come from the EOSPA Bond Act, a $15-million earmark drawn from town taxes that was last approved by voters in 2008. But Huntington’s Andy Scanlon said that didn’t matter; it’s all taxpayer money. “There is not an open well where you can keep coming to taxpayers to pay for all these things. Even though it might sound good that we need an extra park, I agree – we have plenty. There are parks everywhere,” he said. Petrone defended the tax increase in the 2015 budget as modest and necessary, noting that the town has paired the tax increase and spending cuts to maintain services as-is for 2015. “It gets to a point where you’re either cutting drastically services, and people don’t want that… or you modestly raise it [taxes] to provide the same levels of services. And
that’s basically what happened,” Petrone said. While in previous years the town has dipped into reserves to stave off tax hikes, that wasn’t an option this year, Petrone said, because if town reserves get too low, that could lead to the town’s bond rating being downgraded, making borrowing more expensive. The town will use savings accrued from a retirement incentive approved last month, which will allow any employee who is 55 years old before March 31, 2015 and who has worked for the town for eight consecutive years full-time, to resign before March 31, 2015 and receive full medical for themselves and their spouse. “This will help bring dollars in to bring our reserves back to another level so that we stabilize and we’re not going to be in a situation next year [where] there’s going to be a tax increase,” Petrone said.
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A7
DIX HILLS
Teen Accused Of Impersonating Police Officer By Andrew Wroblewski awroblewski@longislandergroup.com
An 18-year-old was arrested Nov. 6 after responding to a domestic incident while pretending to be a police officer. On Sept. 15, Suffolk County police said, 18year-old Max Sapirman responded to a domestic incident at a Dix Hills residence. Sapirman’s girlfriend’s mother allegedly told the couple that he was a police officer, and he showed up that night to the couple’s home to ease the situation. The next night, Sapirman contacted the wife and informed her that he had to enter her home once again to question her and her husband; he did just that. Then, on Sept. 20, Sapirman visited the residence for questioning one final time, police said. But last week, the wife found out that Sapirman is not a Suffolk County police officer, and never has been. He was arrested last week at his Deer Park home and charged with three counts
of criminal impersonation in the second degree. According to police, Sapirman twice ordered the husband to leave the Dix Hills premises for the night and asked the wife if she wanted to have her husband arrested multiple times – she declined. Police said they recovered a T-shirt, a baseball hat and long sleeve shirt with the Suffolk County Police Department’s patch and insignia from Sapirman’s home; these were not standard issue articles of clothing for Suffolk police officers. Sapirman was held overnight at the Second Precinct Nov. 6 and was arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Friday. Sapirman did not return requests for comment before press time Monday. The investigation is ongoing. Police are asking for any others who may have been fooled by Sapirman to contact the Second Squad at 631-8548252.
Max Sapirman, inset, is not a Suffolk County police officer, but is pictured here wearing clothing with the department’s insignia on it – he was arrested on Nov. 6.
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Petrone: Single-Stream Recycling Coming Despite delay, supervisor says town is committed to making the switch By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com
Despite a delay in inking an intermunicipal agreement with neighboring Smithtown, Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone stressed that soon, residents will not have to separate their recyclables. Petrone attributed the delay in bringing single-stream recycling to Huntington to “concerns with their labor contracts” in Smithtown, as well as a push by the town’s current carting contractor to pursue a singlestream contract. “They [Smithtown] have concerns with their labor contracts in terms of
the number of employees, will they need more employees – that’s theirs to work out. At the same time, our contractor is saying, ‘I want to sit down with you and take a stab at a single-stream.’” Smithtown Town Attorney Matt Jakubowski said Friday the issue is related to re-assigning union workers. “We’re reassigning some of those people into the division that’s going to be the single-stream for us. Some of the personnel changes we needed CSEA to sign off on,” Jakubowski said. The supervisor, however, said it will all be resolved by Dec. 9’s board meeting, and if it’s done soon
enough, he may call a special board meeting to ratify the contract with Smithtown. “We will be going with the single stream,” Petrone said. The town board set a Dec. 9 hearing, scheduled for 7 p.m., for legislation aimed at amending town code to mandate single-stream recycling. That agreement would call for shipping Huntington’s intermingled recyclable waste to the Old Northport Road facility in Kings Park. From there, Smithtown, under an inter-municipal deal of their own with Brookhaven, would ship Huntington and Smithtown recyclables to Brookhaven.
MELVILLE
PD: Pedestrian Killed Crossing Route 110 The pedestrian victim of a fatal Melville car crash last Wednesday night remains unidentified as of press time on Monday, police said. The male pedestrian was crossing Broadhollow Road south of Spagnoli Road at 11:15 p.m., police said, when he was hit by a 2010 Acura MDX driven by North Massapequa resident Joseph Zucchero.
Melville Fire Department First Assistant Chief Jason Bernfeld said the man was discovered in the right southbound lane of Route 110, in front of a KFC restaurant not far from the Hilton Long Island. “He had pretty obvious heavy trauma” to the upper torso, Bernfeld said. The pedestrian, who was trans-
ported by the Melville Fire Department ambulance, was pronounced dead at North Shore University Hospital at Plainview, police said. Bernfeld said that the stretch near the accident site has been site of several fatal incidents in which pedestrians were hit by cars. Zuccher, 28, was not injured. -DOLLINGER
However, Huntington’s Glenn Gordon told the town board Nov. 6 he “adamantly opposes” singlestream recycling, arguing it would cost the town more money and “deteriorate” co-mingled recyclables, possibly leading to more being buried or incinerated. Separated recycling, which the town currently utilizes, is working well and should continue, he said. “It [single-stream] might increase the rate of recycling, but the recycling is contaminated… There will also be an increase in the tipping fee… Who’s going to pay for that?” he said. But Petrone said that neither contamination nor increased costs are going to be problems. The town expects to break even – or perhaps increase recycling revenues – under single-stream recycling because of an anticipated increase in the amount of recycling. Brookhaven township, which went to single-stream last year, has seen a nearly 25 percent increase in the volume of recyclables, Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, a proponent of the change, said. “When it’s picked up at the curb it’s brought to a facility and source separated. I don’t know how really the contamination… would really be a factor,” he told Gordon. “In the long run, it brings more waste into a recycling stream rather than burning it.”
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Opinion Send letters to:
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The Edito r,
The Half H Newspap ollow Hills er, 14 Wall S treet, Huntingto n, New Y ork 11743 or email u s at info@lon gislander group.co m
A Solid Idea To Improve Recycling The town board this week will vote trash on the next pickup day. on a proposal that would significantly Such mix-ups will be a thing of the change the town’s recycling program. past under a plan to move the town to Not to worry… it will be an im- single stream recycling. Under that sceprovement. nario, there would still be a single reUnder a proposal before the board, cycling day each week, but the materiresidents will no longer be al would no longer have to required to separate their pa- EDITORIAL be separated. per, glass and plastic recyWhat’s the benefit? Acclables for collection. Currently, paper cording to Brookhaven, the switch to is picked up on a separate day from single-stream recycling in their town glass and plastics, requiring residents resulted in a greater volume of recykeep track of which recyclables are be- clables being processed, presumably ing picked up on which day. because residents found it easier. In the OK, so it’s not rocket science, but case of Huntington, the town will get a we’ve all had the experience of finding lower price per pound than it does at a stack of papers or bin of glass and present, but increased volume is likely plastics left behind by the carters be- to more than make up the difference. cause they were put out on the wrong And that’s the most important part. Beday. And some of the less conscientious cause anything that saves recyclables of us just might have thrown the whole from heading to the incinerator is a mess into a bag and put it out with the positive.
you as County Comptroller. Our county still faces significant financial challenges, and I commit to you that I will use all my energy and effort to insure that your tax dollars are being spent properly, and for the intended purpose. As many have said, the bulldog will be the watchdog. For that opportunity, I am most grateful. As always, I am only a phone call away, and will certainly see you out on the trail, whether at a blood drive, Gold Star award, ice cream social, or at the many fundraisers for worthy causes that we support. Thanks again, and stay tuned.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Thank You For Your Faith DEAR EDITOR: To all of the citizens of Suffolk County, and to the citizens who went to the polls on Nov. 4, I wish to state my heartfelt thanks, and to express my sense of humbleness and appreciation for putting your faith and trust in electing me as Suffolk County’s next Comptroller. I have been honored to be the legislator for the 12th Legislative District for these past 10 years, and
have always done my best to be a strong advocate for the district and for all of Suffolk’s citizens. Along with my team, including more then 60 interns, we have worked to address issues such as groundwater flooding, improvements at Lake Ronkonkoma, construction of safe areas for our law enforcement to conduct important vehicle safety inspections, preservation and improvement of the Suffolk County Fire Academy, or simply assisting a senior citizen in accessing their HEAP heating benefit. We have suc-
cessfully resolved more than 2000 constituent cases in our time here in the legislature, and have had the privilege to recognize over 100 Eagle Scouts. It has always been my firm belief that hard work, perseverance and dedication will withstand any amount of mudslinging, lies or misstatements that some in politics have a penchant to stoop to. You have proven my beliefs correct, and for that I thank you. I have been proud to be your legislator, and eagerly look forward to serving
JOHN KENNEDY JR. Suffolk County Comptroller-Elect
I’ll Keep Fighting For You DEAR EDITOR: I wanted to take this opportunity to express my most sincere gratitude to the residents of the 12th Assembly District for their overwhelming support over the past 12 years. During my tenure within the New York State Assem-
HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER
Copyright © 2014 by Long Islander News, publishers of The Long-Islander, The Record and Half Hollow Hills Newspaper. Each issue of the The Long-Islander and all contents thereof are copyrighted by Long Islander. None of the contents or articles may be reproduced in any forum or medium without the advance express written permission of the publisher. Infringement hereof is a violation of the Copyright laws.
ANDREW RAIA Assemblyman, 12th AD East Northport
James V. Kelly Publisher/CEO Peter Sloggatt
Associate Publisher/Managing Editor Serving the communities of: Dix Hills, Melville and the Half Hollow Hills Central School District. Founded in 1996 by James Koutsis
bly I have always considered the needs of the 12th Assembly District residents as my top priority, and the outpouring support I received on [Election Day] indicated their strong approval of the work I have done as their representative in Albany. Moving forward, I am eager to return to the Capitol to begin tackling difficult issues that affect the residents of the 12th Assembly District. I have outlined my agenda for the next legislative session, including my plans for battling the heroin epidemic, local economic development initiatives, and the ever-rising energy/utility rates for Long Islanders. I will continue my work in Albany to ensure the 12th Assembly District remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Thank you to the residents of Huntington, Babylon, and Islip for your unwavering support, and I look forward to representing our great community during the 2015-2016 legislative sessions.
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A9
Life&Style HISTORY
Whitman Family Bible Comes Home Birthplace Association will unveil keepsake during Nov. 14 ceremony By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com
A bible that has been in the family of Walt Whitman’s sister since 1878 is coming home to the iconic poet’s Huntington Station birthplace Friday. Then, the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association will unveil the recently-donated Whitman Family Bible during a 2 p.m. ceremony at the Whitman Birthplace and Interpretive Center on Old Walt Whitman Road. Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone will preside over the unveiling. The bible was donated by Natalie Swertfager Pearson, of Sarasota, Fla., widow of Walter Whitman Swertfager. Natalie’s husband was a great-great-great grandson of Mary Elizabeth Whitman, Walt’s sister. Cynthia Shor, the executive director of the Birthplace Association, thanked Swertfager Pearson for the donation and invited Whitman descendents to attend the unveiling. “The ancestors of Walt’s parents, Louisa Van Velsor and Walt Whitman, Sr., date back 200
years on Long Island,” she said. “If your name is Van Velsor, Brush, Scudder, Ketcham, Platt or Hewlett, you may be related to Walt.” “I am thrilled and at peace to donate this bible that has been kept by many generations,” Natalie Swertfager Pearson said upon her donation. “Kept for this purpose, to have it go back to the homestead where Walt was born; it seems a fitting place to preserve his heritage and lineage for generations yet to come.” Whitman’s sister, Mary Elizabeth Whitman received the bible from Walt as a Christmas gift in 1878. On two interior pages, Walt inscribed their immediate family births, marriages and deaths up to that time. Mary Elizabeth lived on the North Fork of Long Island in Greenport, and Walt often went out to visit with her. The event is free and open to the public. Whitman “personator” Darrel Blaine Ford will be on hand, and Mary Nagin will perform Whitman era music. Light refreshments and tours of the historic Whitman Birthplace, built in 1810 by Whitman’s father, will be offered. For more information, visit www.waltwhitman.org or call 631427-5240.
Natalie Swertfager Pearson donated the family Bible of Walt Whitman’s sister, Mary Elizabeth Whitman, to the Whitman Birthplace Association. It will be unveiled Friday during a ceremony.
FILM
Cinema Arts Alumni’s LI Homecoming By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com
For filmmaker J.C. Calciano, Friday night was a true homecoming when he returned to the Cinema Arts Centre for the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Not only did his family and friends pack the theater to root him on as he screened his third film, a gay romantic comedy called “The 10-Year Plan,” he was returning to the community theater where he was a film projectionist in the early 1980s. And he was returning, as some gay press has put it, as the “king of LGBT romantic comedies.” “This theater was where I was a projectionist where I was in film school when I was 18 years old. It’s really an emotional thing to come back and be in a theater where you were working and you’re watching
movies thinking, ‘One day,’” he said. After becoming choked up, he quipped, “I’ll do my best to get through this without bawling.” “The 10-Year Plan” tells the tale of Myles (Jack Turner), a hopeless romantic whose overzealous pursuit of a husband leads him to constantly strike out. At age 25, he strikes a deal with his best friend Brody (Michael Hamilton) that, if neither is in a relationship 10 years on, they’ll pair up. During a Q&A session following the screening, which anchored the first night of the four-day event over the weekend, Calciano gave some insights into the world of independent film. Resourcefulness in particular is key, he said, noting they filmed most scenes in the same house. The film cost about $80,000 to make, he said. “It was two six-day weeks of filming,” Calciano said, calling the pace “break-neck.” Actor Adam Bucci,
whose character Hunter is featured heavily in the second half of the movie, filmed for just one day. The script took about eight months to write, which was followed by a month of prep and just 12 days of filming. Calciano also nearly booked Lily Tomlin to play Myles’ eccentric neighbor, but the arrangement fell through at the last minute; however, actor Michael Rothhaar went to town. “He was my happy accident,” Calciano said. Calciano said the film’s plot is inspired by friends who actually struck that bargain – except the ending turned out differently than in the movie than it did in real life. “Reality isn’t as good as the movies,” he teased.
Writer-director J.C. Calciano, Cinema Arts Centre alum from his film school days, showed his latest feature, “The 10-Year Plan,” Friday during the center’s hosing of the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
A10 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014
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VETERANS APPRECIATION
Bronze, Silver, Purple: Army Vet Had Them All Lt. Arthur Sloggatt: Father, artist recognized as part of the ‘Field of Honor’ By Peter Sloggatt psloggatt@longislandergroup.com
Growing up, I thought every kid’s dad had a drawer full of Army medals. As a child, I liked to nose around in the top drawer of my father’s dresser. It was full of exotic things, like tie bars and cufflinks, old watches, coins from foreign countries, dog tags and Army medals. There was a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. I liked to take them from their black presentation boxes, feel their weight and run a finger along their sculpted outlines. Dad also kept his Army helmet sitting around. It had two bullet holes in it. One in the front where a sniper’s bullet went in; the other, a jagged one in the back where the bullet made its exit. It turns out not every kid’s dad came home with medals. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I grasped the significance of those medals. I was at a ceremony hosted by our local congressman to award World War II service medals to several hundred veterans. In the program listing their names, there were symbols next to some: one asterisk marked bronze medal recipients; two asterisks, silver medal recipients. There was not a lot of either. My dad, Lt. Arthur Hastings Sloggatt, was a tank commander with Company A, 781st Tank Division. The division, formed in 1942 at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, helped develop modern tank warfare. While still stateside, they tested tanks, giving feedback on the pros and cons of various prototypes. Their reports resulted in the mass-production of the Sherman M4A3 medium tank as well as the development of tank-supported infantry tactics. The 781st arrived in Europe in October 1944, landing at the port of Marseille in France, just as Patton’s SeventhArmy was poised to enter Germany. The job was to push through the Nazi-held Maginot line fortresses, break through the Siegfried line and cross the Rhine to take the city of Manheim, a heavily-defended industrial city. Their first stop was Bitche, a medieval fortress in France that had never been breached. It fell to a relentless pounding of artillery.
Lt. Arthur Sloggatt, far right, and fellow recipients of the Silver Star medal, lower left, from the 781st Tank Battalion. Meanwhile, A Company was attached to the 399th regiment of the 100th Infantry in an attack on the town of Lemberg just to the south, an operation that saw most of the company awarded the Bronze Star. If that’s where dad picked up his, I don’t know. Because like many of his generation, he did not speak much of the war. He came home, got a job, started a family, put the medals in his top drawer and put the war behind him. What I have learned of my father’s service comes from recently declassified military documents, a unit history on the 781st, and a recently published book, “Duty Before Self,” which details the 781st and its role in tank warfare. It was through this book that I learned for the first time of the circumstances behind my father being awarded the Silver Star, the third highest military award the nation can give.
It was late in the war – May, 1945 – and Company A hooked up with elements of the 10th Armored Division advancing on the town of Schongau when they hit a pocket of resistance. Author John Mitzel recounts: “2nd Lt. Arthur Sloggatt was advancing as the lead tank with his combat team when they encountered small-arms fire and fire from an SP gun. Lt. Sloggatt dismounted from his tank, and ignoring the hail of bullets, went forward on foot to recon the situation. Despite being wounded by small arms fire, from his lead position he directed the fire from his section and succeeded in knocking out the SP gun.” Once they were able to advance and secure the situation, “It was a surprise to find that the defenders were trying to protect two battalions of horse-drawn artillery, which surrendered along with 100 POWs,” Mitzel wrote. “For his bravery, Lt. Sloggatt was awarded the Silver Star, and he also got a Purple Heart.”
So, my dad was a badass. It was news to me. When I knew him, he’d traded his tank for a station wagon and his rifle for a pen. A talented artist, he first went to work as one of Robert Ripley’s artists producing the “Ripley’s Believe it or Not” cartoon panels, and later became a political cartoonist for the New York Daily Mirror. He and my mom, the former Dorothea Green, had married during the war and after their first child died in infancy, they considered every child a gift. In all, they raised nine of us. I was the last, and just three years old when the Mirror folded. Dad managed to keep us clothed and fed while working as a freelance artist for nearly 10 years after that before eventually taking a job as a corporate director. Like so many members of what journalist Dan Rather called the “greatest generation,” my father did what he had to, no doubt witnessing terrible things, but left the war behind to raise a family and build a great nation.
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A11
VETERANS DAY
Remembrance, Prayer For Peace At Observance Long Islander News photos/ Danny Schrafel Long Islander News photos/Danny Schrafel
Members of the Long Island Youth Choir perform the National Anthem as veterans salute.
Above, the Sloggatt family, including Long Islander News Associate Publisher Peter Sloggatt, holding his father Arthur’s helmet, pays tribute to the family patriarch’s World War II service. Cub Scouts look on during the ceremony. By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com
Tributes to veterans filled Veterans Plaza at Huntington Town Hall Sunday morning as the town paid tribute to those who have served during a wreath-laying ceremony in advance of Veterans Day. Paul Kelly, who serves on the town’s Vietnam Committee of the Veterans Advisory Board and is active in the Nathan Hale VFW Post 1469 in Huntington Station, said veterans are deeply intertwined in the fabric of Huntington. “Today, on Veterans Day weekend 2014, we say thank you to our men and women who have honorably served our country and returned safely home,” he said. “On Veterans Day and every day, we say, ‘Welcome home.’ Thank you for serving our country and our hometown Huntington.” In his invocation, Rabbi Yaakov Saacks, rabbi of the Lubavitch Chai Center in Dix Hills, urged those gathered to pray for “the heroic sons and daughters, who rendered their full measure of devotion on all the farflung battlefields of the world in defense of these United States” and
“blessings for the brave men and women who are fighting for our country today as we speak.” “Sustain the leaders of the coalition in their efforts to remove the dark shadow and fear and terror of ISIS/ISIL, which lurks over the abodes of the peace-loving people,” Saacks said. “Help all our nations of the world realize the cruelty of bloodshed, the futility of terrorism. Inspire them to labor with all their might to banish conflict and strife and to establish world peace.” Tributes at the ceremony honored Arthur Hastings Sloggatt, father of Long Islander News Associate Publisher Peter Sloggatt and a World War II tank commander with Company A 781st battalion. The battalion completed distinguished service in France, Belgium and Germany. Arthur Sloggatt was the namesake of this year’s Kiwanis Club refreshments canteen. Sal T. Tornatore was presented with the Len Totora Jr. award, named after the late Korean War veteran and photographer who operated a Huntington village camera shop until his death in 2010. The ceremony was also used as an
Above: John Martin, of the IBEW Local 25 Pipe and Drum band, performs “Amazing Grace.” Left: Supervisor Frank Petrone presents the Len Totora Jr. award to Sal Tornatore. opportunity to enrich ongoing tributes to Vietnam veterans. Mario Buonpane, of the Northport American Legion Post 694 and chair of the Huntington Veterans Advisory Board, reminded attendees that Vietnam veterans and their families have until the end of the year to submit their loved ones’ names for inclusion on an expanded memorial in the town hall plaza.
Typically, war memorials in the plaza remained open for five years for new names after being installed. However, the Vietnam War memorial was re-opened this year. So far, nearly 200 names have been accepted for the expansion, town spokesman A.J. Carter said. For more information, call Carol Rocco, the town’s Coordinator of Veterans Affairs, at 631-3513012.
A12 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014
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BUSINESS Little Switzerland Dolls + Toys Still Instigating Smiles Spotlight On
Huntington Businesses By Arielle Dollinger adollinger@longislandergroup.com
When she was young and her sister would assume custody of the doll they shared and its accessories, Lily Bergh resolved to have a full doll supply of her own someday. For over three decades now, Bergh has owned and operated her own doll place, Little Switzerland Toys + Dolls – today 70 percent toys and 30 percent dolls, by her estimation – in Huntington village. “Be careful what you wish,” said Bergh, noting that she did not expect her childhood dream to become a reality. Past the glass double doors with weighty silver door pulls is a refuge for board games and tea sets and plastic guns. On the floor near the counter is a wooden box shrouded in the red yarn hair of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls. Steps away, a glass case holds porcelain dolls and
Lily Bergh opened Little Switzerland Toys + Dolls on New York Ave. in 1981 before moving to its current Main Street location. baby dolls and nesting dolls. In 1981, Bergh opened the store on New York Avenue – a location she noticed while passing by one day. She has since moved to her spot on Main Street. In current advertisements, the store boasts the slogan: “Your village toy store, making our kids smile for three generations.” She began with dolls and teddy bears, transitioning to dolls and toys as the market changed, she said. The store sells a service, Bergh said; after helping customers to choose gifts, she wraps them and also offers delivery service. Sometimes, she said, customers will call, give her
a price, and have her pick out gifts for them and ship them out. “I have not gotten one back in 30 years,” she said of her success rate in choosing appropriate gifts. The store’s history is embodied by her customers. Grown women come in and tell her that their mothers bought them their first dolls at the store, she said; recently, a woman in her early 20s told her that she remembered entering the store with quarters and dimes and nickels and leaving with little porcelain dolls. “She would count it and I would say, ‘OK,’ so if she was sometimes short 50 cents… [I would say, ‘Don’t worry about it.’],” Bergh said.
Two years ago, Bergh got recognized on a plane ride to California, en route to visit her son. A girl told her mother, ‘There’s the doll lady,’ Bergh remembers. That “doll lady” was born in eastern Europe to a Hungarian mother and Czech father. She came to America decades ago and has been living in Huntington about 30 years with her husband, a Massapequa native. When she was a child, Bergh would sew dresses and underwear for her dolls from fabric scraps that her mother, a seamstress, gave her. Bergh has her own daughter now, Robin, who began helping her at the store two months ago. Her son produces films in California. Bergh’s store is paradoxically oldfashioned and full of color. Crossing the threshold from sidewalk to carpet is to travel from black-and-white film to the realm of color. Bergh likes to watch as children smile upon entering, she said; she smiles, too.
Little Switzerland Toys + Dolls littleswitzerlanddolls.com 631-549-8743 267 Main St., Huntington
Keeping Young Brain Power In The Town Of Huntington By Andrew Wroblewski awroblewski@longislandergroup.com
For companies like the Huntington-based eGifter, combatting Long Island’s “brain drain” has become a problem, Philip Rugile, human capital strategist for the company, said. How can companies combat this brain drain and keep the talent on Long Island – and more specifically in Huntington? Give people a reason not to leave. “If you find a student who is a good worker and they’re with you working as an intern every summer then, by the time they graduate, if they love you and you love them it’s a seamless transition into employment,” Rugile said. A gifting company with a social and mobile twist, eGifter stresses the need for brains – especially within the “tech arena.” Instead of outsourcing through countries like India,
Rugile said, hiring interns to fill the company’s needs – and, in turn, create ties with potential full-time employees – has become incredibly valuable. So far, through an internship program set up by Accelerate Long Island, eGifter has found more than one intern capable of contributing to the company’s mission. Currently, Rugile said, eGifter is hosting two interns – one a graduate of the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University, the other a master’s graduate from Stony Brook University – that the company hopes will soon be full-time employees. “If we’re lucky one or both of them will like it here and we’ll consider employing them,” Rugile said. But it’s not just eGifter that’s making the push for young talent. The Huntington Station-based professional development company Teq has also been connecting with Long Island students and recent graduates.
“We’ve been leading this push the entire year, but we’ve focused over the last couple of months and started aggressively going after 17 colleges… within a 50-mile square radius of Huntington,” Chris Hickey, president of Teq, said. “We’re trying really hard to not be short term, we’re constantly building relationships with students… We want passionate, eager people right out of college who we can develop in a way that we believe will make them ideal to have in the workforce – [as] opposed to someone who is just happy to have a job and is not being trained by the employer.” Through events like “The Bright Career Path: A Career Services Networking Event” – which Teq hosted in its showroom on Oct. 30, inviting more than 17 colleges – the company has been able get in on the ground floor with people in, or just out of, college. As Hickey said, these people
are eager and less likely to establish negative workplace habits. Since January, Hickey said, Teq has made 69 new hires and 60-65 percent of them are recent college graduates. “Teq is looking to change the way the workforce looks at employment… We want to build a culture where people are constantly learning,” Hickey said. “Managers are giving feedback to employees and rewarding them with economic-based incentives so that they’re not stuck in a world without a career path… That’s what colleges like to see.” Damian Scarfo, CEO of Teq, called this one of the most important pieces of Teq – a “complete program” that offers plenty of areas for employees to learn and improve. However, at Teq – and other Huntington businesses – it’s not just about the college students and graduates; school districts, like South (Continued on page A22)
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A13
BUSINESS Quick Chek Eyes Fertile Huntington Ground By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com
A popular convenience store chain with roots in dairy farming may soon be setting up shop along the bustling Jericho Turnpike corridor in Huntington. The Matrix Investment Group’s proposal for the former site of Tom Rice Buick, nearly 6 acres of land at 305-309 West Jericho Turnpike, calls for construction of a 6,500 square-foot Quick Chek, with four, four-pump gasoline islands, as well as a 40,000 square-foot building to be the site of an L.A. Fitness gym at the rear of the property. A December hearing at Huntington Town Hall will consider the proposal. Quick Chek’s hopes for the Huntington Station site are part of a larger push by the New Jersey-based firm to establish itself on Long Island, Melville-based attorney for the business Keith Brown said. Already, they are working on an 8,900 square-foot store/training facility in
Lake Grove, and are also eyeing the property of the former Northport Ford on Jericho Turnpike. Quick Chek officials said over the summer there are no concrete plans. Quick Chek’s roots are in the rich tradition of dairy farming in the tristate area. The Durling family got its start in 1888 as New Jersey dairy farmers. Then, they began delivering milk to customers; about 75 years later, they launched Quick Chek in 1967 and added fuel sales in the 1980s. Over the years, Brown said, Quick Chek has established itself as being “really unique in its entire customer convenience experience” and a firm that invests heavily in the communities in which they do business. Brown said Quick Chek invests about $6 million into each site and hires 40 to 50 people per store – about 10 per shift. Currently, the privately-held, family-owned firm has over 130 stores in New Jersey and southern New York and employs 3,500.
“This is a really unique use that’s… for the most part, some old dilapidated sites on major thoroughfares in the town and turning them into really nice, profitable, minieconomic engines,” Brown said. Quick Chek typically selects large parcels for their stores, ranging from 1.5 to 2 acres, which allows for spacious parking fields. Inside, the same philosophy applies; the stores are designed to be “warm, inviting and spacious so you’re not turning around and bumping into product,” the attorney explained. They sell prepackaged food and prepare soups, salads and sandwiches, which can be eaten on site at tables inside and outside the store. Size, however, may be an issue in Huntington. Quick Chek’s plans call for 6,500 square feet – more is needed to allow beer sales, Brown said. Huntington Planning Board Chairman Paul Mandelik urged the company to consider downsizing to 4,800 square feet, the national average for a Quick Chek, and possibly do away
with a gasoline pump island. Brown said the large fueling station is designed to drive business to the store and reflects a major overhaul in the gasoline industry. “When you look at the old business model where a repairman could buy a service station, use bays to repair and sell gas out front and make a nice living for his family, those days are long gone because people don’t bring their vehicles to solo mechanics,” he said. The planning board ultimately deferred to the town board, referring the application to them with the directive that they will “rely on the guidance of the town council and the ZBA [Zoning Board of Appeals] as it relates to the size of the building.” Brown told the board Quick Chek is willing to work with the town and eager to open on Jericho Turnpike. “We believe this is going to be a great location,” he said. The town board hearing is set for 7 p.m. on Dec. 9.
Will We Die Out Here Alone? How Far Do You Travel to See your Grandkids? Because Huntington lacks affordable rental housing, our grown children are moving away, breaking up our families. There were 15% fewer 25-to-34 year olds in 2009 than there were in 2000. Why do we spend $300,000 educating our kids, grades K-12, only to see them leave Huntington and Long Island because they can’t find an affordable rental apartment here?
Huntington Township Housing Coalition
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A14 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014
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Pre-Turkey Tradition Returns 29th annual Thanksgiving Day Run to draw thousands before holiday dinner A Huntington Thanksgiving Day tradition returns for its 29th installment when runners take off for the Thanksgiving Day Run in two weeks. Organized by the Townwide Fund of Huntington, the run draws thousands each year. Runners are encouraged to register now for the event, which starts at the American Legion Post 360 in Halesite on Thursday, Nov. 27. The 1K Fun Run begins at 8:30 a.m. and the main run begins at 9 a.m. “The Townwide Fund Thanksgiving Day Run has become a family tradition for so many of our runners, who consider the race just as impor-
tant to their visit home as gathering around the Thanksgiving dinner table. We are hoping for a great turnout again this year, and are very excited about the continuing strong support of our sponsors, volunteers and every member of the community who has made this annual event such a part of the Huntington Thanksgiving tradition,” said Bea Hartigan, who has organized the Townwide Fund fall event since at least 1982, and is known throughout Huntington for her leadership role in the races. The Thanksgiving Day Run is a 4mile turnaround with one hill, while the Fun Run is a .62 mile family
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A15
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run. The event will be measured, timed and managed by Finish Line Road Race Technicians. Results will be posted on www.flrrt.com. To register online, visit www.townwidefund.org – the link to register is on the home page in the news item about the run. Entry forms are also available at the Super Runner's Shop at 355 New York Ave. in Huntington village. Registration is $25 per runner until race day, when it rises to $40. The Fun Run entry fee is $7 per person. Pre-Race check-in and T-shirt pickup is at Super Runner's Shop on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26, from 10 a.m.5:30 p.m. T-shirts will be available only for the first 1,700 who pick up their race materials. Due to reduced parking availability, runners are advised to take Wall Street/West Shore Road north from
Main Street (25-A) and park at the ball fields of Mill Dam Park. For more information on the run or sponsorships, call the Townwide Fund office at 631-629-4950. Sponsorships are available at all levels, except for the Event Sponsor level, and are priced from $150 for a Tshirt sponsorship to the $2,500 Gold Sponsorship. The Townwide Fund of Huntington was founded in 1961 by a group of private citizens who wanted to help local charities raise funds. The organization's essential mission was to keep money raised in Huntington within the community. Now over 50 years and $10 million later, the Townwide Fund continues to infuse local organizations with the support they need to provide vital health and human services to the people of Huntington.
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Foodie photos/Danny Schrafel
A16 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014
DINEHUNTINGTON .COM
‘Localvores’ Reign At Ruvo Restaurant By Danny & Betty foodies@longislandergroup.com
At Ruvo Restaurant, local isn’t a buzz word – it’s a way of life. Everything is made fresh – whether it be salad dressings, desserts, sauces or soups, it’s all made from scratch. “It’s easy to buy soup in a bag – we don’t,” owner Joe DeNicola explained. Among the original “localvores” who embraced farm-to-plate dining, the folks at Ruvo in Greenlawn are still delightfully obsessive about local cuisine – that means ingredients sourced within 100 miles of your
THANKSGIVING AT MAC’S $39 per person 1 p.m.-8 p.m.
Enjoy a special three-course menu with your family at Mac’s (a la carte menu available)
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
plate. For instance, their clams come from Billy Smith, who lives up the block from them on Smith Street and clams in Huntington Harbor. Since opening its doors in December 2001 – they’ve since opened a second in Port Jefferson – Ruvo, named after the region of Italy DeNicola’s family hails from, is a family affair. The artwork of their late father, Jim Sr., populates the walls, many of them landscapes of scenes from back home in Ruvo, located between Bari and Naples. Chef Wilmer Bedoya, who stepped in as Ruvo’s chef after Joe stepped aside – continues the restaurant’s
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• Variety of menu options • Private dining room available
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12 Gerard Street, Huntington Village • 631-549-5300 www.macssteakhouse.com
Ruvo owner Joe DeNicola, chef Wilmer Bedoya and manager Ryan Doino in the homey trappings of the Greenlawn restaurant. overall focus on country Italian cooking in his fall menu, marrying classics and cutting-edge fare. Joe started us off with something old and something new. The old would be Chicken Liver Crostini ($8), which will delight old souls everywhere as he takes his grandma’s chicken liver recipe, kicks it up with a little red pepper and piles it atop crisp crostini and finishes it off with chopped red onion, dried cranberries and pistachios. The new – Long Island Clam Flatbread ($12), featuring Billy Smith’s Huntington clams – is, in a word, divine; a spicy, sweet flavor explosion of crispy bacon, red chilis, wild oregano Fontina and olive oil. Brussels sprouts are put to creative use in Mache & Tart Apple salad ($9), a balanced pairing accented by gorgonzola, candied pecans and citrus vinaigrette. If you’re doing Italian, you must excel at pasta. Cavatelli & Lobster ($28) is a Ruvo classic, and for good reason. The pairing of spinach, white beans, al dente pasta and tender sweet claw meat makes for a splendid plate. Heartier fare shines as well. Classic, thin-pounded Veal Scaloppini ($28) will delight traditionalists with no-fooling fork-tender veal, artichokes, pancetta, spinach and spaghetti in a lemon-pinot grigio sauce. Melt-in-your-mouth molassesbraised Beef Short Ribs ($28) are a sweet treat, accented with onion rings and bright, yet not overwhelming, horseradish mashed potatoes. Shrimp & Scallops ($29) are superb – the
sweet scallops and perfectly grilled shrimp stand out atop delicate risotto perfected by a tomato-saffron broth. Dessert ($7) harkens to tradition as well. Grandma’s Mascarpone Cheesecake is smooth as silk and accented by a honey graham cracker crust and a tart vin santo berry coulis. Semi-sweet Valrhona Chocolate Mousse Cake is decadent, and pipinghot Nutella bread budding, paired with caramelized bananas, is crowned in vanilla bean ice cream. Be sure to visit Ruvo from 4-7 p.m. for happy hour at the bar; it’s a great chance to dig into the deep wine list (20 reds and 10 whites by the glass) at half-off prices. There’s also live music Friday and Saturday nights. And in the off chance that the homey trappings full of unfinished wood and stained glass make you want to move in, fear not – you can bring Ruvo home with you thanks to the market around the corner.
Ruvo 63 Broadway, Greenlawn 631-261-7700 RuvoRestaurant.com Atmosphere: Rustic and homey Cuisine: Classic and cutting-edge Country Italian Price: Moderate Hours: Lunch: Mon-Sat, noon-4 p.m. Dinner: Mon-Thurs 4-9:30 p.m., Fri & Sat 4-10:30 p.m., Sun 4-9 p.m.; Brunch: Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (lunch til 4).
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DINEHUNTINGTON .COM
Time For Thanks AndGreat Beer By Matthew Griffith Owner, President Harbor Beverage Merchants My favorite memories of Thanksgiving are sitting around the dinner table, sharing stories of the past while eating a variety of foods (along with the traditional turkey) and drinking a nice beer that always seemed to pair perfectly with the food that was in front of me. As a beer aficionado, the craft beer surge has been a welcome addition to my Thanksgiving and my palate. During the course of the night, I not only enjoy the great company of my family, friends and great foods, but also a variety of beers that can be paired with different courses. Try a Kolsch beer to start. Kolsch is a light, delicate beer with a gentle fruity and sweet taste. I like to bring my glass of crisp Kolsch outside in the late afternoon when the air is crisp and the leaves are falling and watch the sun set over the water. When dinner is served, switch to a rich, red ale. The red ale is a wellbalanced beer with a toasty malt taste and fruity undertones. I love to watch the head rise on the beer while the sweet potatoes and turkey are passed around the table. The red ale truly complements the traditional meal. After dinner, sit by the fire and introduce one of my favorite rum or bourbon cask beers. These beers take on the characteristics of the cask that it is aged in and are nice sipping beers which provide the warm feelings of holiday cheer. For dessert, there is nothing better than a stout. These dark beers usually have coffee or nutmeg undertones and pair perfectly with the cinnamon in mom’s apple pie. Please stop in to Harbor Beverage and we will direct you to some fine beer choices to complement your meal. We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. Be sure to have a designated driver. Matthew Griffith is owner and president of Harbor Beverage Merchants in Huntington. Visit www.harborbeverage.com
PUT IN YOUR ORDERS: There’s only two weeks until Thanksgiving, and Kerber's Farm (309 West Pulaski Road, Huntington. 631-423-4400 kerbersfarm.com) is ready to help dress your table. The farm is chock full of
THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A17
never-frozen, non-GMO, hormonefree, farm-raised turkeys (only available uncooked) at $4.99 a pound. Kerber’s homemade side dishes include: cranberry compote, turkey gravy, butternut squash soup (all $6 for a small, $12 for a large); whipped sweet potato with marshmallows, mashed potatoes, roasted rosemary potatoes ($14/$30); garden salad, turkey stuffing, roasted Brussels sprouts, green Organic turkey is at Kerber’s Farm. beans with almonds and garlic, and mac & cheese ($16/$32). For dessert, fresh pumpkins, cider, fall pastry pies come in all kind. Orders will be treats, apples and homemade cider taken until Nov. 23. Pickups are Nov. donuts. You can also order all-natural, 25-Nov. 27.
A18 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014
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OPEN HOUSES
Want to get your open houses listed? Get your listings for free on this page every week in Long Islander News papers. Call Associate Publisher Peter Sloggatt at 631-427-7000 or send an e-mail to psloggatt@longislandergroup.com. Town Melville Melville Huntington Huntington Huntington Melville Huntington Huntington Dix Hills Dix Hills Melville Melville Huntington Huntington Huntington Huntington Dix Hills Huntington Dix Hills Huntington Dix Hills Dix Hills
DIX HILLS
3 Daniel Ln Price $769,000 Open House11/15 Coach Real Estate
Address Beds 214 Bagatelle Rd 5 11 Giffard Way 4 12 Walwin Pl 4 10 Vidoni Pl 3 115 Crooked Hill Rd 3 188 Cranberry Ct 4 19 Amherst Ct 4 61 Vineyard Rd 3 3 Daniel Ln 4 9 Jeanine Ct 4 34 Tamara Ct 5 4 Giffard Way 5 21 Robert Dr 2 101 Little Plains Rd 3 1 Cork Pl 3 76 Knollwood Ave 3 33 Arcadia Dr 4 43 Glenna Little Trl 5 89 Stonehurst Ln 4 12 Abbott Dr 4 905 Pear Rd 4 1 Herter Pl 4
Bedrooms 4 Baths 5 Taxes $19,724 12:00pm-2:00pm Assoc Inc 631-587-1700 Baths 3 3 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 3 4 4 2 1 1 2 3 5 3 3 3 3
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DIX HILLS
DIX HILLS
9 Jeanine Ct Bedrooms 4 Baths 3 Price $809,000 Taxes $16,161 Open House 11/15 1:00pm-3:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 631-863-9800
33 Arcadia Dr Bedrooms 4 Baths 3 Price $509,999 Taxes $11,094 Open House 11/16 12:00pm-2:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-354-6500
Taxes $16,960 $21,240 $11,282 $10,147 $11,428 $12,996 $17,043 $15,152 $19,724 $16,161 $17,102 $19,690 $6,714 $9,270 $8,203 $8,411 $11,094 $11,277 $14,124 $11,918 $15,380 $19,409
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Date 12:00pm-1:30pm 12:30pm-2:30pm 12:00pm-1:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 12:00pm-2:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 12:00pm-2:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 12:30pm-2:30pm 2:00pm-4:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 12:00pm-2:00pm 12:00pm-2:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 12:00pm-2:00pm 2:00pm-4:00pm 12:30pm-2:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm
Time Broker Realty Executives North Shore 631-499-4040 Shawn Elliott Luxury Homes 516-364-4663 Signature Premier Properties 631-673-3700 Signature Premier Properties 631-673-3700 Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 631-427-1200 Realty Connect USA LLC 888-236-6319 Coldwell Banker Residential 631-673-4444 Daniel Gale Agency Inc 631-427-6600 Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 631-587-1700 Coldwell Banker Residential 631-863-9800 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 631-499-9191 Coldwell Banker Residential 631-673-4444 Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 631-757-7272 Coldwell Banker Residential 631-673-6800 Signature Premier Properties 631-673-3700 Signature Premier Properties 631-673-3700 Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-354-6500 Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 631-427-1200 Realty Connect USA LLC 877-647-1092 Signature Premier Properties 631-673-3700 Coldwell Banker Residential 631-863-9800 Coldwell Banker Residential 631-673-4444
THEATER
Make Sure You Don’t Feed The Plants! ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ opens at Five Towns College Performing Arts Center Something mean and green is coming to Dix Hills! The award-winning Five Towns College Theatre Division presents the hit musical “Little Shop of Horrors” Thursday, Nov. 20 – Sunday, Nov. 23 at the Five Towns College Performing Arts Center. The musical, based on the 1960 Roger Corman horror-musical film, opened off-Broadway in 1982, and inspired the black comedy hit motion picture of the same name, starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Green and Steve Martin. The musical came back to Broadway in 2003 starring Hunter Foster and Kerry Butler. With a score by Alan Menken and book by Howard Ashman, “Little Shop of Horrors” is a dynamic combination of rock n’ roll, doo wop and Motown music, hilarious comedy, a heartwarming love story, and of course, a man-eating plant. “Little Shop of Horrors” takes the audience back in time to the 1960s to an urban area called Skid Row. There we meet our unlikely hero, Seymour Krelborn, played by Jonathan Moret, who is as down on his luck as anyone could be. He works at a flower shop, where he spends his days pining after his co-worker, the beautiful Audrey, played by
Lauren Coccaro. During “a total eclipse of the sun,” Seymour becomes the owner of a strange and mysterious plant, with an unquenchable thirst for blood. Seymour obliges and the plant thrives and becomes a booming attraction for the flower shop. Seymour must find a way to keep the plant alive, but how far will he go to achieve the fame and fortune he desires, as well as the heart of the woman he loves? The production is directed by Professor Marie Danvers, with musical direction by Dr. Hosun Moon. What if you had an Audrey II that promised you anything you ever wanted? What choices would you make? “Little Shop of Horrors” runs Thursday, Nov. 20, Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, and $15 for seniors and students. The Five Towns College Performing Arts is located at 305 North Service Road, in Dix Hills. To buy tickets and for additional information, you can call the Box Office at 631-656-2148 or visit www.dhpac.org.
The “Little Shop of Horrors” cast – and man-eating plant, Audrey II – take the stage in Dix Hills next week.
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A19
A20 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014
THURSDAY Learn About Modern Pilates
Welcome Greenlawn native Melanie Carminati to East Northport Physical Therapy as she promotes her Vanguard Pilates Program, which combines classical Pilates and evidence-based rehabilitation principles to create a modern form of Pilates. The program is ideal for individuals recovering from injury as well as for preventing future injury. Local physicians and the general public are invited to visit her on Thursday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m. at the East Northport Physical Therapy office at St. Anthony's High School, 275 Wolf Hill Road, South Huntington. RSVP by calling East Northport Physical Therapy at 631-266-4501.
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Calendar O M M U N I T Y
Commack Public Library
18 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631499-0888. commack.suffolk.lib.ny.us. • Enjoy a friendly game of bridge or mahjongg in the Community Room every Friday, from 1-5:30 p.m. • Join the library’s weekly Thursday showing of newly released films; all movies begin at 2 p.m.
NAACP Elections
The NAACP Huntington Branch’s election of officers for the 2015-2016 year will be held at its General Membership Meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20, 7:308:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the South Huntington Public Library. 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station. Call Betty Miller, president, at 631-421-4292 or Beverly Gorham, recording secretary, at 631-421-3415 for more information.
FRIDAY One Man Show
“James Joyce: For All Those Who Hide Away,” a Short Night’s Odyssey from “No to Yes” by Joseph Beck, stars Ed Dennehy. Showing through Nov. 16 at the Conklin Barn, 2 High St., Huntington. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com/event/850607.
SATURDAY Fresh Eats
The Northport Farmers' Market is in its seventh season running every Saturday until Nov. 22, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., rain or shine. Located in the Cow Harbor parking lot at the foot of Main Street, it overlooks beautiful Northport Harbor.
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!
SUNDAY Find Your Center
Find inner peace in an ongoing weekly class for beginners and newcomers every Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Dipamkara Meditation Center, 282 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-549-1000. www.MeditationOnLongisland.org.
MONDAY Argentine Tango Classes
Experience the subtle communication between partners as you learn the passionate dance known as the tango. Come dressed to impress (but be comfortable) for classes on Monday nights, 79:30 p.m. at Spirit of Huntington Art
flight, soaring in the upstairs stairwell of the library. Made from recycled bamboo blinds and rice paper, Valderrama’s work expresses the complex relationships between humankind and nature. On display through Jan. 15, 2015. • Shirley Romaine will present a loving tribute to the late journalist, novelist, screen writer/director, and playwright Nora Ephron on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2 p.m.
Deer Park Public Library
Homegrown String Band in Concert at Half Hollow Hills Community Library Visit the Half Hollow Hills Community Library on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. for some high energy American roots music presented by the Homegrown String Band, a family band proudly carrying on the tradition of families making a joyful sound and sharing it with their friends and neighbors. Sit back and enjoy a rollicking ride through the sounds of American music, and experience the power and joy of music made by a real family band using an assortment of traditional acoustic instruments, including guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, banjo ukulele, mountain dulcimer, harmonica, jawharp, and doumbek. Half Hollow Hills Community Library, 55 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills. 631-421-4535. Center, 2 Melville Road North, Huntington Station. 631-470-9620 or email noconintended@gmail.com. Suggested donation: $10 per person/$15 per couple.
Adult Enrichment Programs
The Harborfields Alumni and Community Education Foundation hosts adult enrichment programs: Beginner Bridge, Wednesdays through Dec. 17 (6:30-8:30 p.m.); Crop Paper Scissors Adult Workshop, Nov. 15, Dec. 13 (9 a.m.-12 p.m.). Info and tickets at www.hacef.org.
tration required by phone or online: 631351-8672. www.thechaicenter.com.
Free Help For Vets
Every Tuesday from 12-4 p.m. is “Military Appreciation Tuesdays,” when Long Island Cares specifically assists veterans, military personnel and their families at the Hauppauge and Freeport emergency pantries. Appointments can be made by contacting jrosati@licares.org.
WEDNESDAY Open Mic Night
TUESDAY T’ai Chi Chih
Experience the serenity and beauty of practicing T’ai Chi Chih together, immersing yourself more fully in the energy of the shared Chi. A complete practice, with soft music in the background, will be led by Karen Lee Kaelin on Nov 18, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Northport. Free, but donations appreciated. Register by email: lee.wholesomeliving@gmail.com or calling Karen at 631-745-2546.
Free Mommy And Me Class
Sing! Stretch! Dance! Play! Enjoy a funfilled class that includes parachute play and bubble play and meet other Jewish moms at The Chai Center in Dix Hills. The free class takes place Tuesdays at 10 a.m. For children ages 6-36 months. Pre-regis-
Play your heart out at an acoustic open mic night every Wednesday at Caffe Portofino, 249 Main St., Northport, 7-10 p.m. www.facebook.com/cafportopenmic. Original songs only.
Power Breakfast
Join business professionals at BNI Executive Referral Exchange’s breakfast networking meeting every Wednesday, 78:30 a.m. at the Dix Hills Diner, 1800 Jericho Turnpike, Dix Hills. 631-4627446.
AT THE LIBRARIES Cold Spring Harbor Library
95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor. 631692-6820. cshlibrary.org. • Tonito Valderram’s exhibit “Flight of Higher Learning” features two birds in
44 Lake Ave., Deer Park. 631-586-3000. deerparklibrary.org. • Through a grant from New York State, the library offers Google Nexus 7 tablets for borrowing. Browse the web, download a book, play games and more with just a touch of your finger. Tablets can be checked out for two weeks on an adult Deer Park library card.
Elwood Public Library
3027 Jericho Turnpike, Elwood. 631-4993722. www.elwoodlibrary.org. • Watch the library’s weekly Friday afternoon movie at 1 p.m. • SeniorNet teaches you how to plan day trips on the Internet on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2 p.m.
Half Hollow Hills Community Library
Dix Hills: 55 Vanderbilt Parkway. 631421-4530; Melville: 510 Sweet Hollow Road. 631-421-4535. hhhlibrary.org. • 3D printing is here! Watch the MakerBot in action for 50 cents of printing for each 30 minutes. For more information, call the Adult Reference Desk. • High-energy American roots music comes to the library on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2 p.m., presented by the Homegrown String Band, a family band proudly carrying on the tradition of families making a joyful sound and sharing it with their friends and neighbors.
Harborfields Public Library
31 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-757-4200. harborfieldslibrary.org. • SeniorNet shows you the best travel apps on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 3:30 p.m. • Teens can join Artistic Director of Long Island Classics Stage Company David Overton in a night of improv on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m.
Huntington Public Library
Main Branch: 338 Main St., Huntington. 631-427-5165. Station Branch: 1335 New York Ave., Huntington Station. 631421-5053. www thehuntingtonlibrary.org. • Op-Ed Fridays are weekly at the main branch. Stop by from 2-5 p.m. and discuss your thoughts on a changing world. Registration is required and light refreshments will be served. • Critically-acclaimed New York saxophonist Daniel Bennett performs a special Long Island CD release at the main branch on Friday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m.
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVERMBER 13, 2014 • A21
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Silent Art Auction
Northport-East Northport Public Library
Northport: 151 Laurel Ave. 631-2616930. East Northport: 185 Larkfield Road. 631-261-2313. www.nenpl.org. • A volunteer from the Health Insurance Information Counseling & Assistance Program (HIICAP) will provide individual counseling to answer your questions about Medicare and supplementary insurance on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 9:30-11:30 a.m. in Northport. • A four-session babysitting program taught by Project Excel is an introduction to babysitting, first-aid, fire safety, and caring for children. You will receive a certificate at the completion of the course. Starts Tuesday, Nov. 18, 4 p.m.
South Huntington Public Library
145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station. 631-549-4411. www.shpl.info. • A representative from the Suffolk County Police Department's 2nd Precinct talks about community policing and answers questions from residents Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m. • Bring on the pancakes! If you have access to a few maple trees, you can make your own maple syrup this coming spring. A program will offer an overview of maple sugaring Monday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
THEATER & FILM Cinema Arts Centre
423 Park Ave., Huntington. www.cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7611. • Host Bill Shelley presents a rollicking night of Rod Stewart hits, highlighting performances from the different stages of Stewart’s career with The Jeff Beck Group, The Faces, and solo, on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rock Legends Live! Series. $10 members/$15 public. • James Franco and Chris O’Dowd star in the hit Broadway production “Of Mice and Men”, filmed by National Theatre Live for the big screen. Screens on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. $20 members/$25 public.
John W. Engeman Theater At Northport
350 Main St., Northport. www.johnwengemantheater.com. 631-261-2900. • Next up on the main stage, “A Christmas Story – The Musical” opens Nov. 20.
Northport Community Theater
At the Brosnan Center Theater, Northport School Admin. Building, 158 Laurel Ave., Northport. www.northportcommunitytheater.org. • To Life! Watch Fiddler on the Roof Nov. 14-15, 21-22, 8 p.m., and Nov. 16, 23, 2 p.m. $25 adults/$20 students and seniors. Call Bette Silver at 631-5970 or email bdsilber@optonline.net to purchase tickets.
AUDITIONS/SUBMISSIONS Northport Symphony Orchestra
The Northport Symphony Orchestra seeks new members in all sections. Repertoire ranges from Baroque through classical and romantic to early 20th cen-
Friday, Nov. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the Huntington Arts Council Main Street Gallery marks the opening of the annual silent art auction, which consists of over 80 pieces of original artwork donated by our member artists. There will also be raffle prizes. Bidding will end on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. during the closing reception (6-8 p.m.). 213 Main St., Huntington. 631-271-8423. www.huntingtonarts.org. Pictured: Young doe in late summer sunset by Shain Bard.
tury. Music Director Richard Hyman is an award-winning music educator and composer. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:30-9 p.m. usually at East Northport Middle School. Email info@northportorchestra.org to arrange an audition. Visit the website at northportorchestra.org.
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. • Paintings, drawings, collage, photography, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, and fiber arts, all handcrafted by student and professional artists will be shown in two parts to accommodate the display of more than 200 works of art. Part One is on display through Nov. 30.
• The Long Island Biennial, a juried exhibition that offers Long Island's contemporary artists an opportunity to share their work, is on display through Nov. 30.
Holocaust Memorial And Tolerance Center
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.holocaustnassau.org. • The permanent exhibit explains the 1930s increase of intolerance, the reduction of human rights, and the lack of intervention that enabled the persecution and mass murder of millions of Jews and others: people with disabilities, Roma and Sinti (Gypsies), Jehovah’s Witnesses, gays and Polish intelligentsia.
Huntington Arts Council
299 Main St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 631-5495106. www.bjspokegallery.com. • Three exhibits are on view through Nov. 23: Mary Abrams – a memorial solo exhibit of her never before displayed drawings and works in process; Cindy Schecter – Reflections from the Small Woods; and Exteriors/Interiors – a members-themed exhibit.
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. 631271-8423. www.huntingtonarts.org. • Friday, Nov. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at the Main Street Gallery marks the opening of the annual silent art auction, which consists of over 80 pieces of original artwork donated by our member artists. There will also be raffle prizes. Bidding will end on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. during the closing reception (6-8 p.m.).
Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum
Huntington Historical Society
b.j. spoke gallery
279 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor. 631367-3418. www.cshwhalingmuseum.org. • Find all the clue answers in the Sailors & Whalers Scavenger Hunt and win a prize. Hosted with the Long Island Maritime Museum. Visit both the Whaling and Maritime museums in November and go on the hunt!
Gallery Thirty Seven
12b School Street, Northport. www.gallerythirtyseven.com. • Through November: Paul Catalanotto polished Fresco artworks; MONDAYS ceramics by Jennifer Fiore and Nina Lalli; John Clement - large-scale, painted steel public sculpture.
Heckscher Museum Of Art
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, $4-6/seniors, and $4-5/children; members and children under 10 free. 631-351-3250.
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. • Exhibit “The Times They Were AChanging – 1960s & Huntington’s Response” on display at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building.
LaMantia Gallery
127 Main St., Northport Village. 631-7548414. www.lamantiagallery.com. • In honor of the 75th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s second book, “The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins,” a special “Hats Off to Dr. Seuss!” exhibition has been mounted. On display through Nov. 30.
Northport Historical Society Museum
215 Main St., Northport. Museum hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 1-4:30 p.m. 631-7579859. www.northporthistorical.org. • “Window Shopping Through Time” is a
recreation of 10 stores that were located on Main Street and Woodbine Avenue spanning about 100 years, from the 1880s’ Morris City Grocery with their fresh produce and dry goods to the 1980s 5&10 with their ribbon and toys.
Ripe Art Gallery
1028 Park Ave., Huntington. TuesdayThursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 2-8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. www.ripeartgal.com. 631-239-1805. • All the way from New Orleans, Sherry Dooley brings her colorful ladies to the walls of the gallery with “What's She Thinking,” opening on Saturday, Nov. 15 with a reception from 7-10 p.m. On display through Dec. 6.
Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
180 Little Neck Road, Centerport. Museum hours through April 15: Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Grounds admission: $7 adults, $6 students with ID and seniors 62 and older, and $3 children 12 and under. Mansion tour, add $5 per person. 631854-5555. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. • The planetarium’s new show, “Black Holes: Journey into the Unknown,” has regular showings on Tuesdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Walt Whitman Birthplace
246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station. Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 students, and children under 5 are free. 631-427-5240. www.waltwhitman.org. • The Walt Whitman Birthplace Association invites the public and Whitman descendants to join the unveiling of the newly donated Whitman Family Bible on Friday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m.
MUSIC & DANCE Five Towns College Performing Arts Center
Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills. Box Office: 631-6562148. www.dhpac.org. • Get ready for “Little Shop of Horrors,” but whatever you do, don’t feed the plants! Shows Thursday, Nov. 20Saturday, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. $18/$15 seniors, students.
The Paramount
370 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-6737300. www.paramountny.com. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. • Catch Meghan Trainor, singer of no. 1 song “All About That Bass,” with special guests Bebe Rexha, Jacquie Lee and more on Thursday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m.
Send us your listings Submissions must be in by 5 p.m. 10 days prior to publication date. Send to Community Calendar at 14 Wall Street, Huntington, NY 11743, or e-mail to info@longislandergroup.com
A22 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014
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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
New Director Takes Helm Of Townwide Fund By Arielle Dollinger adollinger@longislandergroup.com
After her college graduation, Amityville native and eventual Huntington transplant Trish Rongo bought a oneway ticket to Europe. Today, having found her way back to Long Island, she is the new executive director of the Townwide Fund of Huntington, Inc. — a 53-year-old nonprofit organization that works to raise money to benefit local health and human service agencies. “When this opportunity came to work with Townwide Fund, it was a dream come true because it's in line with my personal mission of working to provide vital health and human services to those less fortunate in the community,” she said, noting that she has long been a volunteer with various organizations in the Town of Huntington. “It’s become a passion.” Ostensibly, the work that Rongo did while in Europe — and in the years following her return to the United
States — drastically conThrough her work for the trasts the work she does Townwide Fund, she said, now. her goals are to raise awareShe settled in London ness about what the organifor a while, working on zation does and to “better ilfilm and music videos, unlustrate where our dollars til she came home, took a go.” position at Sports Illustrat“We’re much more fared, worked a series of jobs reaching than people tend to in publishing and real esthink,” she said. “People tate and joined her hustend to assume that A: we’re Trish Rongo band to help market and involved with the governmanage his dental practice. ment because they hear the But really, each of her jobs has been word ‘town,’ or B: that we’re Huntingthe same in nature, she said. ton village-centric, which we’re not.” “Even though it was different jobs, The Townwide Fund raises money it was always the same thing; it’s the through events – the upcoming annual organizing and leading the group and Thanksgiving Day Run, for example, sort of running the process,” Rongo which charges $20 per runner for adsaid. “It’s kind of been me doing the vance registration, $25 for registration same thing, just in different indus- after Nov. 10 and $40 for registration tries.” come race day – and provides grants to Before taking the executive director member agencies throughout the Huntposition at Townwide Fund, Rongo ington township, including areas like served as marketing and development Dix Hills and Melville, she noted. manager at Cold Spring Harbor’s Rongo herself lives in Huntington Whaling Museum & Education Center. with her husband, Huntington village
dentist Richard Rongo, and their three sons. “I just couldn’t be happier and consider myself so blessed to live and work in such a great community,” she said. “It’s a gift.” The Huntington community as a whole is one of “great need,” she said, because of cuts in government spending. “We’re actually more important to these agencies now than we have been in our 50-plus-year history,” Rongo said. “The money we raise kind of fills that gap that’s created by these government cuts.” As executive director, Rongo is the only Townwide Fund staff member — a fact that she said keeps administrative costs “extremely low.” All board members are volunteers. In discussing her own personal mission, Rongo referred to the Townwide Fund mission statement, making note of the organization’s motto: “Money raised in Huntington stays in Huntington.”
DIX HILLS
New Course Contractor
(Continued from page A12)
By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com
Huntington’s Town Board signed off on Thursday on a five-year contract with Integrity Golf Company to manage the Dix Hills and Crab Meadow Golf Courses. Town officials expect a combination of savings and new revenue under the new arrangement to net the town as much as $200,000, according to estimates. Gene Garrote, CEO and Principal of the Winter Garden, Fla.-based company, thanked the community for “embracing us during this whole RFP process” during a public hearing Nov. 6 preceding the vote. Integrity Golf Company will lease, operate and manage the golf course and food and beverage operations at the Crab Meadow Golf Course and operate and manage operations at the Dix Hills Golf Course, taking the helm from Kemper Golf, which had managed the courses since 2004. The contract includes three five-year options, which could carry Integrity to 2034. Under the deal, Integrity will pay the town $62,000, or 10 percent of its gross annual revenue – whichever is greater – to run the town’s golf
Young brain power
Gene Garrote’s Integrity Golf Company will manage the town-owned Dix Hills and Crab Meadow courses for the next five years. courses, with the baseline increasing $2,000 each year until 2019. For the golf course and food and beverage operations at Crab Meadow, they’d pay $45,000/year the first three years and $47,250 in years 4 and 5, or 10 percent of gross revenue. Integrity would also be required to annually commit $25,000, or 1.5 percent of collected revenue to capital improvements. In addition to that commitment, Integrity has proposed building a grill room at the Crab Meadow Clubhouse; renovating the Dix Hills Golf pro shop; installing new carpeting; upgrading Crab Meadow’s locker rooms; installing new golf mats; and improving the Crab Meadow bar and overall lighting and painting.
Huntington, are also finding ways to get their students involved with businesses around town. Jared Bloom, the district’s assistant superintendent for instruction and curriculum, said it’s important for students to know about the opportunities that are available to them with companies “right next door.” With grant money, the presence of Rob Callahan – the college and career ready coach at Walt Whitman High School – and increased ties with Huntington companies, Bloom said, the district has had success getting its students an “in” earlier and earlier. “Exposure. That’s the best way to say it. Exposing students to opportunities, you see light bulbs being set off that they may not have even know existed,” he said. Recently, 15 students of South Huntington made their way to North Shore LIJ where they watched a surgery thanks to Callahan. Of the 15, 14 of them are now interested in pursuing a career in the medical field,
Bloom said. Another student is currently working with Launchpad Huntington – a tech incubator run by eGifter – for 10 hours every week. “If we’re not preparing these students then why would they stay on Long Island? They’re not going to have the skillsets,” Bloom said. “At South Huntington, we’re trying to figure out what those skillsets are and also build opportunities to expand them outside of the school day on a pathway to a really fantastic career opportunity.” Currently, South Huntington is awaiting word on whether it will be awarded a New York State PTech grant, which would allow students to graduate high school with an associate’s degree alongside the mentorship[ of a business sponsor such as Launchpad Huntington. “We feel very lucky that we have these grants and relationships with Huntington businesses,” Bloom said. “For me, it’s just an amazing opportunity to be able to work with these businesses… and I look forward to continuing that.”
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A23
Bomb threat prompts heightened HS East security (Continued from page A1)
ry said that Monday, Nov. 10 would mark the start of several new policies: students can enter through the Main Entrance, the East Office Entrance or
Senior Parking Lot entrance; all school doors will be locked at the start at the school day, “as per current practice;” visitors to the school can enter only through the Main Entrance and
the East Office entrance and must show photo identification; students cannot leave the building during the school day without supervision of school staff and will not be allowed to
walk outside between periods. Woodberry on Monday said through his secretary that he had no comment on the threatening messages and school policies.
Election results for the Town of Huntington (Continued from page A6)
Patchogue, Kennedy vowed to throw open the county’s books in his new role as he thanked supporters. Meanwhile, as Republicans celebrated, Gaughran said he had “no regrets about this race.” 2014 was “a tough Republican year,” he noted, in which the GOP regained control of the U.S. Senate and House alike. “Sometimes you just get a Republican wave coming at you that you can’t do anything about,” Gaughran said.
Otherwise, Election Night 2014 as it affected Huntington Township brought big wins for incumbents in state and federal races. In addition to selecting candidates, voters weighted in on – and ratified – three statewide ballot measures and two in Suffolk County, one of which approved consolidating the elected office of the Suffolk County Treasurer into that of the Suffolk County Comptroller. In the judicial races, incumbent
Davi sings Sinatra (Continued from page A1)
songbook. “I’ve performed on Long Island before,” he said, “but the Paramount is a real homecoming. It’s my first time in my hometown.” Davi is defined by the passion he brings to his work and his life. A true hyphenate, Davi is a skilled actor (The Goonies, Licence to Kill, The Iceman and 130 other film and television credits), screenwriter, director and singer. At the Long Island International Film Expo, where he received the Long Island Filmmaker Achievement Award in July, he observed, “The creative roots for me were on Long Island.“ His maternal grandfather came from Naples to Connersville, Penn. to Southampton, where was a bootlegger with Marshall Field and Joseph P. Kennedy. He moved to Corona. His paternal grandfather came from Sicily to Astoria. “I’ve been back here a few times, but not for anything major,” Davi said. “I stayed away because my parents died young – at 55 and 56 years old – and my sister Yvonne was murdered by her ex-boyfriend at 20. I stayed away, but the creative roots, the energy that is here in the trees, the smell of the air, the generosity and the spirit of the people that are here, and the encouragement I remember and the America I grew up in were all so important in making me what I am today.” Those creative roots began at home where music was a constant. “I was raised in an Italian Catholic home,” he said. “We looked up to two people – the Pope and Frank Sinatra. Not necessarily in that order.” His first performances came in Half Hollow Hills schools. Miss Alexan-
der, his fourth grade teacher at Half Hollow Hills Elementary School, cast him in his first play and suggested his parents encourage him in the arts. Davi went to Seton Hall High School where he was a member of the award-winning forensics team. That skill with language and advocacy is evident today in his writing and in his many TV appearances discussing current affairs. His pride in his Italian heritage is clear when he performs his show, Davi Sings Sinatra, a show he put together after his CD of the same name was released. He is absolutely not an impersonator. He is himself putting his stamp on the Sinatra songbook. He performed for more than 20,000 people in concerts the last two summers in Eisenhower Park. On Nov. 22 he’ll be at Foxwoods in Connecticut. His pride in his heritage was recognized when Davi was asked to be a grand marshal of this year’s Columbus Day parade in Huntington and, in August, was honored by the Lt. Det. Joseph Petrosino Association in America. “I marveled at and was intrigued by a guy who lives in the world of acting, TV, stage and who never lost touch with his roots and his rich history,” said Robert Fonti, an official in the Petrosino Association. He has so much pride and honor in what being Italian means. I admire him. He carries his heritage as a badge of honor, not as a scarlet letter.” Davi continues making films but, now, is most looking forward to performing back home. He says, “Long Island is a unique place. I live in California. But, here, there’s a loyalty and directness, a sense of a tight-knit community that I love.”
Steve Hackeling was the night’s big winner in the District Court race, leading the pack with 19.16 percent of the vote, or 24,854 ballots to win his third six-year term on the bench. Joining him will be two Democrats from Northport in their first six-year terms. Patricia Grant Flynn finished second behind Hackeling with 23,878 votes, or 18.41 percent of the vote, and Jim Matthews locked up the third seat with 23,342 ballots, or 18 percent. Incumbent Paul Hensley, a Conservative who teamed up with Democrats in the race, finished a distant fourth, with 19,635 votes, or 15.14 percent of the vote. Northport Village Judge Paul Senzer, a Republican, and Dix Hills’ Walter Long rounded out the field. In the race for the Third Congressional District seat, Congressman Steve Israel (D-Huntington) won his eighth two-year term in office with 85,310 votes, or 54.5 percent, of bal-
lots cast in Suffolk, Nassau and Queens. Lloyd Harbor Republican Grant Lally finished with 71,212, or 45.4 percent. State Senators Carl Marcellino (RSyosset) and John Flanagan (R-E. Northport) were each easily re-elected as well in the Fifth and Second senate districts, respectively. Marcellino won with 60.6 percent in the Fifth, while in the Second SD, Flanagan was re-elected with nearly 70 percent of the vote after facing only nominal Democratic opposition. Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R-E. Northport) in the 12th AD had no opposition in his bid for a seventh term. And in the 10th AD, Chad Lupinacci (R-Huntington Station) easily won a second term after defeating Dominick Feeney, Jr. Lupinacci earned over 63 percent of the vote, or 16,838 ballots, to Feeney’s 9,867 votes, or 36.93 percent.
A24 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A25
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A26 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014
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HISTORY
Slave Poet’s Home Becomes Historic Landmark Long Islander News photos/Danny Schrafel
By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com
The 73 West Shore Road home of Jupiter Hammon, America’s first published African-American poet and leading abolitionist whose works led to the end of slavery in New York State, is now a historic town landmark. Huntington’s Town Board unanimously approved the declaration during their Nov. 6 meeting, which followed a July 29 recommendation by the town’s Historic Preservation Commission recommending action to protect the home, which analysts believe was built sometime between 1790 and 1800. Already, the property owner has received zoning variances that would clear the way for subdividing the lot, which would set the historic house on an 8,900 square-foot lot, while improving the remaining 1.1 acre flag lot would be developed with a new home. Not only does the designation highlight African-American history in Huntington– an underserved realm, according to Town Historian Robert Hughes – it shields the home from the wrecking ball. “That is something we should be
The West Neck Road home where trailblazing poet Jupiter Hammon lived his final years as a free man, has been awarded historic landmark status by the town. Georgette Grier-Key, of the Eastville Community Historical in Sag Harbor, speaks Oct. 21 in favor of the designation. very proud of and celebrate. If we can preserve the last home he lived in, that’s very important,” Hughes said, noting that a designation gives the Historic Preservation Commission and the Town Board oversight powers over the home. Georgette Grier-Key, of the Eastville Community Historical Society, an organization dedicated to the preservation of a diverse, historic
working-class community within Sag Harbor, agreed with Hughes during an Oct. 21 public hearing. “This property will signify… that black people do matter and that we were here and we contributed,” she said. The home has historic significance beyond its groundbreaking resident, experts said. Jupiter Hammon, who was born
into slavery in October 1711, was listed as the home’s head of household in the 1800 census, and lived there in Benjamin and Phoebe Hammond’s care until he died there in 1805 at age 94. According to research cited by the commission, Stephen Brown, for whom the home was built, sold the house to Benjamin Hammond, Jupiter’s great-nephew, and Benjamin’s wife Phoebe, for $125 in 1799, which historians say is the earliest known record of land purchased by an African-American in Huntington. Hammon, a devout Christian, gained acclaim as a trailblazing poet; his first published poem, “An Evening Thought,” also known as “An Evening Prayer,” a Dec. 25, 1760 poem which proclaims the power of God and salvation. In 1787, at age 76, Hammon delivered his final work, “An Address to the Negroes in the State of New York,” a speech encouraging young African Americans to seek freedom which he gave to the African Society of New York City. Hammon was freed in the 1790s from slavery, and the Lloyd family left Hammon an orchard on Lloyd Neck as a means of supporting himself after manumission.
Swaping Your Outgrown Sporting Equipment Long Islander News photo/ Andrew Wroblewski
By Andrew Wroblewski awroblewski@longislandergroup.com
Watching their children compete in the sports they love is arguably one of parenthood’s most satisfying feelings. Buying new equipment year after year as those children continue to grow, however, is a different story. “Having four children myself I know they can outgrow [equipment] quickly… In one season, or even growing out of it mid-season… It can be really expensive,” Huntington Councilwoman Susan Berland said. “The ‘Sport Swap’ provides an opportunity to swap something that doesn’t fit anymore for something that does.” Having kicked off the swap on Nov. 3 at the Dix Hills Park Ice Rink, Berland partnered with the Huntington Youth Council to put together the second-annual “Sport Swap” – a slight alteration to the traditional “Skate Swap.” Now, any gently used sporting equipment – not just skating and hockey gear – can be brought to the ice rink in exchange for a voucher to be redeemed on Nov. 22. On that
The Dix Hills Park Ice Rink, pictured, is now accepting gently used sports equipment in return for vouchers to be used as a part of the “Sport Swap” event to be hosted on Nov. 22. day, residents can come back to the rink from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., vouchers in hand, to shop, swap and socialize. Those unable to donate equipment can receive a voucher with a $5 donation per item purchased. “We thought this was an awesome opportunity to give students the chance to, instead of buying new equipment, trade it in for something new,” Rachel
Anszelowicz, a junior at Half Hollow Hills High School East and co-supervisor of the HuntingtonYouth Council, which organized the swap, said. “This is great, not only to help athletes, but to help people who can’t necessarily afford new equipment.” All of the proceeds generated by the Sport Swap will be donated to a charity chosen by the Huntington
Youth Council. “This really gets the community to come together,” Annie Nikunen, deputy supervisor of the youth council and a junior at Northport High School, said. “We [at the youth council] love to be a part of the community and to immersive ourselves with in it… We’re like the voices for our peers, and it’s a great opportunity to help others.” Anszelowicz and Nikunen, both 16 years old, have been a part of the youth council since their freshman years. Founded in 2003 by Berland, the youth council is made up of students from high schools throughout the Town of Huntington that meet twice a month to discuss opportunities for events – like the Sport Swap – to engage the community in local issues. “They’re really an incredible group of kids who are involved in 100 different things and do everything well,” Berland said. “They care about the town and really want to make a difference… It’s important to get them involved with local politics early on so that they realize that they really can make a difference.”
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • A27
A28 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 13, 2014
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HillSPORTS FOOTBALL>> HILLS WEST 27, HILLS EAST 7
‘Super Bowl HHH’ Goes To The Colts Next up for Hills West is home semifinal against Riverhead on Saturday Long Islander News photos/Andrew Wroblewski
Despite a road game, the Half Hollow Hills High School East supporters make it out in full form on Saturday to cheer for the Thunderbirds. Left, Nick DiPietro, a Hills East junior, makes a big grab for the Thunderbirds on Saturday that set up his team’s lone touchdown in the game.
By Andrew Wroblewski awroblewski@longislandergroup.com
While Super Bowl HHH isn’t something the National Football League will ever be promoting, you’d have a hard time convincing the hundreds of fans who made it out to Half Hollow Hills High School West on Saturday that they weren’t witnessing the game of the century. In an historic showdown, Hills West (8-1) welcomed the boys of the Half Hollow Hills High School East football team for just the second gridiron matchup ever between the Colts and Thunderbirds. Dependent on the outcome was a spot in the Suffolk County Division II semifinals. No. 2 Hills West earned just that with a 27-7 win over No. 7 Hills East (5-4). “Obviously it was a little bit more than just a football game, [more] than [just] a playoff game; playing Hills East for the first time [in the play-
offs], there was a lot going into [preparation] during the week,” Colts’ Head Coach Kyle Madden, in his 18th year at the team’s helm, said. “I thought Hills East did a great job in the beginning… But I thought our guys did a good job keeping composed at halftime.” The Thunderbirds came out fighting in the first half and kept the score tied at 7 heading into the break, but it was all Colts from that point on. On Hills West’s opening drive of the third quarter, Alexander Filacouris gave the Colts a lead they would never relinquish with his touchdown run from 2 yards out; it was the sophomore’s second score in the game. From there, the Thunderbirds couldn’t mount a comeback as the offense faltered, generating several punts and a turnover. Colts’ junior running back Lucas DiGiorgi provided the dagger with his two rushing touchdowns in
Above, the crowd for Half Hollow Hills High School West cheers seconds before kickoff on Saturday. Right, sophomore Alexander Filacouris secures a catch for Hills West on Saturday in its playoff win against Hills East. the second half to secure the win. For the Thunderbirds, the loss finishes off their season – but a widely successful season, at that. For the first time since 1998, first-year Head Coach Michael Marrato said, the Thunderbirds found themselves in the playoffs. “It was just an awesome year,” Marrato said. “A great bunch of boys and great senior leadership… To make the playoffs in my first year… I couldn’t be happier with these guys.” When Hills East did find success on Saturday, it came at the hands of senior quarterback Derek Merckling. Capping off a nineminute-long drive that ended in the second quarter, Merckling gave Hills East its only score of the day with a 1-yard touchdown run. Junior running back Nick DiPietro kept that drive alive for Hills East with a nice 21-yard catch off a Merckling pass on a fourth-and-long.
“Our team, you know what, they’re just all heart. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that, out of them or this season,” Marrato said. “I stand by how they played today 100 percent… [And] I’m really looking forward to next year; we’re going to make even more noise.” For the Colts, the playoff run continues on Nov. 15 with a semifinal showdown where Hills West will welcome No. 3 Riverhead (7-2) for a scheduled kickoff at 1 p.m. When the two schools first met this season, on Oct. 1, the Colts took care of the Blue Waves with a decisive 4228 win. Much like he did against Hills East, Filacouris played a big role in the win over Riverhead and will almost assuredly be asked by Madden to do the same in the rematch. “He played quarterback, receiver, running back, defense… returns kicks,” Madden said, “He is probably one of our most important players.”