Half Hiollow Hills Newspaper - November 29, 2012

HALF HOLLOW HILLS Copyright © 2012 Long Islander Newspapers, LLC

Online at www.LongIslanderNews.com VOLUME FIFTEEN, ISSUE 38

N E W S P A P E R 24 PAGES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

DIX HILLS

Holiday Spirit Riding High In Parade Half Hollow Hills photos/Danny Schrafel

All aboard the float! Holiday cheer was in the air on Saturday as thousands flocked to Huntington village for the lighted parade. Among the participants was the Dix Hills Fire Department, which brought the classic “A Christmas Story” to life on its float, left. At right, a Dix Hills firefighter works the crowd from atop a fire truck with an assist from Santa.

DIX HILLS

Toy Drive Hoping To Wind Up After Sandy After delayed start for fundraising efforts, Dix Hills drive kicks into high gear jbirzon@longislandernews.com

What started out as a young girl’s dream of helping others has blossomed into an annual toy drive that alleviates the burden of holiday purchases for families in need.

The “Sunshine Toy Drive,” which usually collects donations starting in early November, faces unforeseen challenges this year in promoting their fundraising initiative. Hurricane Sandy delayed the drive, and organizers Victoria, 14, and mother Hope Plumitallo are advocating for families more now than ever before. The Plumitallos have widened their initiative to include not only families throughout the Huntington area, but also to residents of the South Shore who were devastated by Sandy.

The Sunshine Toy Drive, which has collected from 500-1,000 toys in past years, accepts new, unwrapped toys in their original packaging for children ages 1-15, as well as non-specific, holi-

day-neutral wrapping paper.

Offset by the hurricane, the drive only had about 100 toys to donate as of Nov. 26. Donations this year are being accepted until Dec. 14, with a “shopping” event for needy families the next day, on Dec. 15. Some schools in the area are collecting donations for the drive, and the Dix Hills Fire Department (next to the Northern State Parkway) is the sole donations drop-off spot.

Six years ago, as a fourth-grader at Otsego Elementary, Victoria Plumitallo and her classmates received a lesson on the importance of giving during the holiday season. The lesson resonated with Victoria, who took the message outside of the classroom and began pushing her parents, Michael and Hope Plumitallo, to help her help others.

The dream for Victoria, or as her father calls her, “Sunshine,” materialized into what is now an annual toy drive, bringing happiness to the homes of neighbors and children Victoria will (Continued on page A22)

Photo by Hope Plumitallo

By Jacqueline Birzon

Dix Hills’ Victoria Plumitallo sits with hundreds of toy donations from the Sunshine Toy Drive in December 2010. Delayed this year after Superstorm Sandy, drive organizers are making a massive push for donations.

THE FOODIES DO

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Holiday Cheer Lights Up Huntington Half Hollow Hills photos/Danny Schrafel

Huntington’s Michael Weiser Sr. accompanies his son Michael Jr. to his first Huntington Holiday Parade.

With dozens of fire departments, non-profit organizations and local business on display before their eyes, thousands of onlookers kicked off the 2012 holiday season in Huntington village.

Elected officials, led by Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone, lit trees at the end of Wall Street, at Park Avenue and Pulaski Road, at Town Hall and at the Village Green Saturday night after the parade concluded. When it came time for prizes for the best floats, the Girl Scouts won the nonprofit prize, while Huntington Jeep won the corporate division and Huntington Manor Fire Department took the title for fire departments.

With the original holiday tree destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, Petrone thanked local fire departments for finding a suitable replacement on the fly.

“They found a tree on someone’s property that was over, and now it stands tall, bringing in the holiday season,” Petrone said.

The Huntington Chief ’s Council, the Huntington and Huntington Manor Fire Departments, the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and the Huntington and Huntington Station BIDs sponsored the parade.

-SCHRAFEL

Santa and the missus make their grand entrance, escorted by the Northport Fire Department.

The Commack Fire Department keeps tradition alive by decorating and manning the Hess Truck.

A float full of penguins – members of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce bring their “Happy Feet” to Main Street.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Anchors Up On The Holiday Season Half Hollow Hills photos/Danny Schrafel

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Dozens of vessels paraded through Huntington Harbor on Black Friday to bring nautical holiday cheer to thousands of onlookers.

Co-organizers Laurell Frein and Pam Setchell, president of the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society, said while the number of participants declined from year-to-year – there were 43 boats last year, but just shy of 40 this year – many were new participants. Setchell said there were many late entries to the parade, including five the day of the event.

“The really cool thing is that we have a lot of new people that are really energized. The spirit is there, and we’re really happy about it because we’ve all had a couple of rough weeks here with the hurricane,” she said.

The Lighthouse Preservation Society raised money through entry fees and special parade parties at homes, yacht clubs and restaurants along the Harbor, and Cub Scouts and food trucks that sold glow sticks and refreshments to onlookers contributed to the cause.

Before the parade, Setchell said the group had raised $83,000 of $250,000

Boats of all shapes and sizes set the harbor aglow with as many holiday lights as their generators could handle. they need to earn a matching grant from the State of New York. Those funds will be dedicated to repairing the lighthouse’s granite riprap. She said they have about another year to complete the task.

“We’re getting there,” she said. “We need to keep it rolling.”

With the new participants and those laid up by the hurricane, 2013 could be a banner year.

“It’s just a lot of fun. People want to get their boats out one last time, want to decorate them for the holiday season and get together with people who share their love of the water,” Councilwoman Susan Berland said.

It’s a barge full of Santas! Coneys Marine’s illuminated, water-spewing spectacular was full of holiday cheer on Huntington Harbor Friday.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 • A3

DIX HILLS

PD: Abandoned Boat Near LIE For 3 Weeks Photo by Steve Silverman

The question remains: Who knew about the abandoned boat off the Long Island Expressway before a car crashed into it?

The boat was sitting on a trailer and off to the side of the South Service Road, when a silver Mazda sedan hit it late on Nov. 20. The force of the collision knocked the boat off the trailer and caused the car to flip, landing upright.

The Dix Hills Fire Department dispatched an ambulance and heavy rescue truck, taking the male driver to Good Samaritan Hospital with minor injuries.

But multiple emergency response sources confirmed the boat had been marked as abandoned and to be picked up. What has yet to be determined, is just who marked it.

A Suffolk County Police spokesman

said they were aware of a boat near the South Service Road for approximately three weeks. It was far enough off the road, he said, that it should not have been a hazard to motorists.

The police spokesman suggested it was tagged by the Town of Huntington for pickup, which town spokesman A.J. Carter refuted. Carter said they were not aware of the boat until the accident occurred. He added that it was scheduled to be taken away on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Suffolk County Sheriff deputies were patrolling the road until police resumed patrols on Nov. 21. A spokeswoman for Chief Mike Sharkey said they had no records of the boat, let alone the accident.

-KOEHLER

A silver Mazda sedan struck this parked abandoned boat on the South Service Road.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Mediocre Returns For Local Shopping Push Small Business Saturday drives growth in some neighborhoods, quiet in others

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Saturday marked the third year American Express urged its members to buy locally, but the results through the Town of Huntington were mixed.

Book-ended by Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday encourages customers to shop in their downtowns. Created in 2010, American Express card members can register online and gain rewards, like bonus points or money, for shopping at participating locations.

Several parts of town reported that Small Business Saturday was largely a bust. Melville Chamber of Commerce President Mike DeLuise and Cold Spring Harbor BID President Tom Hogan both said their members saw minimal, if any, increases in sales.

“The biggest shopping day of the year

is Friday, after Thanksgiving. This was the day after that. It seems illogical to expect a surge in sales from the preceding day,” Hogan said.

Debi Triola, owner of Fashions in Flowers and second vice president of the Northport Chamber of Commerce, also said Saturday was not particularly better for businesses along Route 25A in Northport.

But even though they failed to reap the benefits, all three praised Small Business Saturday for the message it spreads.

“I think the whole advertising campaign makes a difference. That helps,” Triola said.

DeLuise said every dollar spent in local stores is multiplied six times; the merchant takes profits and pays employees who in turn spend that money locally.

“Every dollar you spend locally only helps us to grow stronger as a community,” he said, adding that buying locally

helps create strong community foundations in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

It isn’t just American Express-accepting merchants or card members who benefit from Small Business Saturday.

Melissa Wawrzonek, owner of Northport-based Clipper Ship Tea Company, does not take that credit card, but she saw a substantial increase in business.

“It was more than we expected. A lot of people were excited about supporting their local communities, which was nice to hear,” Wawrzonek said.

Many customers, she said, were unaware of American Express’ involvement, only alert of the fact they were supposed to shop locally on that day.

Clipper Ship opened for an additional three hours on Saturday, which helped them turn a very profitable Small Business Saturday. While last year’s rivaled their 2011 Black Friday, Wawrzonek said this year’s Small Business Saturday ex-

MELVILLE/HUNTINGTON STATION

Winter Market Moves To Abrams

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

The popular winter market at Sweet Hollow Hall in Melville has a new home in the heart of Huntington Station.

Starting Dec. 2, G&G Winter Markets will open their third season by setting up shop in the gymnasium at Jack Abrams School, located at 50 Tower St. in Huntington Station. Featuring local and organic produce from four Long Island farms, using season extension and hydroponic growing techniques, artisanal breads, cheese, dairy, fresh pasta and more, G&G’s mission is to allow consumers to “meet the face behind the food” and support local growers.

The market is scheduled to run every Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through

April 28.

“It is going to be a wonderful season full of new beginnings,” Lona Graepel, the market organizer, said. “With many of the vendors sourcing ingredients from the New York region this is good news for local producers as well as the community.”

Their Northport farmer’s market, scheduled for 11 a.m.-3 p.m. each Saturday from Jan. 5-March 30, will continue in its third year at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

Graepel said Jack Abrams is a perfect location. Located off the 110 corridor, just minutes from Huntington village, it’s a large, bright and well-maintained space that gives the market room to grow. G&G started the first Winter Farmer’s Market on Long Island in 2009-2010, and had been hosting a winter market at Sweet Hollow

Hall in West Hills County Park for the last two years. “[Jack Abrams is] a space that will allow the market to grow significantly and easily accommodate craft tables for children, live music by local musicians, and a place for the whole community to reconnect in a family-friendly atmosphere, while at the same time supporting local farmers and budding local entrepreneurs,” Graepel said.

Cooking demonstrations, talks by local authors, and other presentations will be a feature of this market. A cooking demonstration by Derrick Prince from FOX’s second season of “Master Chef ” is already lined up, with a date to be announced in the future.

For more details on vendors, visit G&G Winter Farmer’s Market’s website at: www.winterfarmersmarketlongisland.com

ceeded their Black Friday.

But it wasn’t just the tea company who did well over the weekend. Wawrzonek said pedestrians meandered about downtown Northport all day. Main Street Café established its own event.

Gathering people in the bar at 3 p.m., they visited several different stores.

And once the shopping ended, Wawrzonek said many customers ditched their merchandise in cars, grabbed a bite to eat in the nearby restaurants and then attended the Leg Lamp lighting.

“It’s the most shopping activity I’ve seen on Main Street for quite a while, probably since the last holiday season,” she said.

In Huntington village, Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce ChairElect Larry Kushnick said he was worried customers wouldn’t spend money after Sandy and the ensuing cleanup sucked up so much money. But on Monday afternoon, Kushnick said there was no shortage of people in town, likely supplemented by the annual holiday parade that evening.

“It was a good idea to tie it into the parade. The parade was moved an hour later so more people had time to shop,” he said.

However, Book Revue owner Robert Klein challenged that comment, saying the parade hindered their Small Business Saturday. The independent book store hosted Tony Bennett over the weekend, and Klein said he sold more books later that night and on Sunday than while the singer was present.

“They [the parades] don’t help the merchants. Maybe it’s good for the town overall, I don’t know,” he added.

Marsh’s owner Chris Mitchell was reluctant to criticize the parade, confirming he was closed by the time Saturday’s parade began and praising any effort to bring in more customers. However, he also failed to see specific benefits from Small Business Saturday.

The entire weekend was very good for Marsh’s he explained, although Friday and Monday both yielded better numbers.

“I didn’t hear our clients talking about it,” Mitchell said.

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POLICE REPORT Compiled by Mike Koehler

Step Into Christmas

Someone Trying To Get In?

Yuletide tunes… equal brain-dead driving? Bear

whoever miles and miles away? Some merchants around town really make the effort to keep their with me here. It seems like just about a week and a prices competitive, so please, if it’s at all feasible half ago, people started driving a whole heck of a lot and cost-effective to skip the worse – you know, that ChristInternet and visit your local mastime, I’ve-gotta-be-thereIN THE KNOW merchants.

One thing’s for 10-minutes-ago, frantic moWITH AUNT ROSIE sure, your gift will be the toring. And I think I know most unique of them all! why. The traffic picked up about a week ago, and I figured at first it was just everybody coming out afOne last humbug… I’ve been wrestling with the ter being stir-crazy from Sandy and able to get gas presence of Christmas in the Thanksgiving Day paagain. But I think it’s something different. Now, this rade and everything following it. I guess the unspois purely anecdotal – but the quality of driver safety ken rule is that if it’s after the parade, anything regreatly deteriorated almost precisely at the same lated to the winter holiday season is approved. But time the Christmas songs started playing on the raThursday was only Nov. 22. That left eight more dio. It’s almost as if there’s a teeny-tiny “panic” butdays of November, plus another eight until ton in some people’s heads that gets hit with a malHanukkah and another 25 until Christmas. This let as soon as they hear Karen Carpenter sing “Mercomes on top of stores stocking Christmas trees ry Christmas, Darling” the first time. That, or it’s since late October. At least I wasn’t one of the many the more logical solution that people are frazzled busting their butts to get the parade in gear. I can’t over Thanksgiving dinner and gathering all the fiximagine how desensitized I’d become to the holiings for that. I don’t know. I like my version better, days if I was working on floats for weeks, probably personally. months, before.

Not to sound dated… and I always hate to start Surprise! The holiday season is upon us and yet a column with, “back in MY day…” but gosh darn it, I’m still looking at the October page of my calendar.

I am. Back in MY day, if Elkin’s opened on ThanksNot only did Sandy eviscerate homes and power giving Thursday, they would have been ridden out lines for many, but the ensuing cleanup and recovery of town on a stick! Now, I know much has imsucked up Halloween and most of November. I proved since those days gone by, but one thing I wouldn’t be shocked if LIPA was still a hot topic by simply cannot bear is the thought of door-busters New Year’s. But the Town of Huntington was fortuon Thanksgiving Day. When do those people runnate to avoid the worst that Sandy brought, somening the stores get to… I don’t know… have Thanksthing I’m sure many reflected on at Thanksgiving giving dinner with their families? Now, I’m fully dinner. Now before you blink and the 2012 holiday aware that consumers and their desire to do a bit of season is just a fond memory, stop and take a moshopping on Thursday drove that change. But I ment to help your neighbor, even if they’re on the have a new idea for next year – eat on Thursday, south shore, in New York City or on the Jersey shore. sleep off the food coma for most of Friday and start shopping on Small Business Saturday. Deal?

Speaking of small businesses… I implore you to try and remember to buy local this season. Now I know, I know – it’s not the easiest, most convenient thing to do, nor is it the cheapest, but don’t you love the idea of money staying in your community and going to your neighbors instead of some big-box

PET OF THE WEEK ROXY GALLAGHER

(Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have comments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening in your neck of the woods, write to me today and let me know the latest. To contact me, drop a line to Aunt Rosie, c/o The Long-Islander, 149 Main Street, Huntington NY 11743. Or try the e-mail at aunt.rosieli@gmail.com)

QUOTE OF THE WEEK MARK RAMPMEYER

A Huntington resident called Suffolk County police on Nov. 23 to report damage to their home. The front door had been damaged sometime the day before.

Tooled Up Over Theft A Melville resident called Suffolk County police on Nov. 23 to report a major theft. The complainant said someone had taken assorted tools from their home.

Robbers Attack, Steal Chains A Huntington Station man was arrested on Nov. 22 in connection with a robbery. Suffolk police said the victim was sitting in his car when two people approached him. They punched him and stole two chains from around his neck. The 26-year-old was charged with second-degree robbery.

Keep It Out Of Sight Suffolk police responded to the Walt Whitman Shops about a theft at a nearby restaurant. The complainant said someone broke the side window of their 2003 Volkswagen and stole a pocketbook.

Throw It In The Trunk Suffolk police were dispatched to an elementary school in Dix Hills about a theft on Nov. 20. The complainant said someone broke the rear driver’s side window on their 2003 Tahoe and made off with a pocketbook.

PD: Salesman Takes Five-Finger Discount An Amityville man was arrested in connection with a theft at a South Huntington store on Nov. 19. The 19year-old allegedly was an employee of the store and stealing merchandise. He was charged with grand larceny.

Not Going Anywhere Soon A Huntington Station resident called Suffolk County police on Nov. 19 to report criminal mischief. The responding officer found tires slashed on a Buick LeSabre.

Vodka Thief Caught By Camera Northport Village police responded to Fort Salonga Road on Nov. 19 about a possible theft. The complainant said they had video footage of an unknown man stealing a bottle of Grey Goose vodka. The subject was described as white, in his 50s and standing at 5 foot 10 inches. The complainant said he was a regular and may live in the area. The case was forwarded to a detective, as well as to neighboring police departments.

Police said a name has emerged in their investigation, but have not revealed the identity.

One of the Gallagher household chickens, Roxy sure has personality. About 6 months old, she jumped up on the table as one of the Gallaghers read The LongIslander, as if she was waiting for her turn to read the paper.

“Sandy really got a bunch of us down for a while. I think getting out of the house and having an opportunity to go somewhere and escape for just a couple of hours is just what we need.”

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Suffolk police were dispatched to Melville on Nov. 18 after getting a report of assault. The complainant said their 16-year-old son was standing on a sidewalk when he was shoved from behind.

A New Kind Of Christmas Carol, PAGE A9

HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER

Hopefully It Wasn’t Into Traffic

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

BPA Ban For Receipts Clears Early Hurdle

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

A proposal to ban the use of paper containing BPA in printing cash register receipts is headed to the county legislature’s health committee Thursday.

After a Nov. 20 hearing at the Suffolk County Legislature, the Safer Sales Slip Act, sponsored by Legislator Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) was closed and assigned to the Nov. 29 meeting of the health committee, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at the William H. Rogers Legislative Building in Hauppauge.

The county should ban the use of BPAladen thermal paper, Stern has argued, because the coating can easily transfer onto anything it touches, including human skin, exposing consumers who commonly handle the receipts as well as employees, many in food services or retail, who commonly distribute them during their workday.

Karen Miller, founding president of the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, read comments from Philip Landrigan, dean for Global Health of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in support of Stern’s law as a vital step to protect children’s health.

“There is an urgent need to invest in primary prevention strategies today to ensure the health of future generations to come,” she read. “This legislation has the potential to reduce exposure, and thus protect women and children, born and unborn, by eliminating a widespread source of BPA exposure.”

“When we know of great danger to our family, we must address the issue headon,” Miller said.

Since the 1960s, BPA has been used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. These hard, clear plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as some water bottles and food cans. The resins are also used to protect foods from microbial and other contamination by coating the inside of metal products, such as food cans.

Tests in animals indicate the potential for adverse affects following the ingestion of BPA, including: neurobehavioral disorders, including hyperactivity and learning disorders, disorders of the prostate and uterus, links to heart disease, abnormal liver function and diabetes and increased susceptibility to breast and prostate cancer.

The law has gained support from cancer advocates across Long Island, including Laura Weinberg, president of the Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition. She said Stern’s proposal would keep the county at the vanguard of public health legislation.

“Your legislature was a national champion of protecting public health in 2009 by banning BPA in children’s products, while setting a precedent for the entire country,” she said. “We hope you’ll set a precedent once again by banning it as an ingredient in the widespread usage of thermal cash receipts.”

In their place, she suggested electronic receipts, like those in use by Macy’s, Lowe’s and other major retailers; and reaching out to green chemists to develop environmentally friendly alternatives.

Elsa Ford, president of the Brentwood Bay Shore Breast Cancer Coalition, said the law would help protect public health.

“It’s simple – take the toxins out of our pathways,” she said.

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THE AFTERMATH OF SANDY

AEventOne-Stop Shop For Sandy Recovery brings town officials, builders and banks under one roof to assist homeowners Half Hollow Hills photo/Danny Schrafel

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Builders, bankers, town officials and small business advocates will all be under the same roof next Thursday to help Huntington residents as they recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Hurricane Sandy Recovery Night, scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Nov. 29, will be guided by three Rs: helping homeowners repair, restore and rebuild, Councilman Mark Cuthbertson said.

“We want to make this process as simple as possible,” he said. “People have finished, or are in their process of talking to their insurance company about how they make a claim, how they go about doing this restoration, which is why we put this event together this night where people can come together and ask questions.”

The town’s Building Department will be on hand at Hurricane Sandy Recovery Night to answer questions and to process permit applications and issue them as early as that night. Petrone announced after Hurricane Sandy that the building permit process for Sandy-related permits would be streamlined, and all permit fees for storm-related repairs would be waived.

Supervisor Frank Petrone said the event will provide hands-on, fast-acting and comprehensive assistance for town

Councilman Mark Cuthbertson explains details of Nov. 29’s Hurricane Sandy Recovery Night at Town Hall as backers and Town Board colleagues look on. residents, and credited Cuthbertson with coming up with the concept.

“People are going to come in and get assisted right here. It’s not assistance to come. It’s assistance that night, and that’s going to be unique, I think,” he said.

“This program is a great opportunity to have a one-stop shop for everyone… to have one location where all of those things can be dealt with at the same time,” Councilwoman Susan Berland said.

The town is also partnering with the

Long Island Builders Institute (LIBI) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). LIBI and NARI will offer advice about choosing contractors, assessing competing bids from contractors and to answer specific questions. Gold Coast Bank will on hand to offer advice about financing possibilities both for homeowners and businesses.

The town will also work with the Huntington, Melville and East Northport chambers of commerce to promote

recovery efforts for businesses; they will also work with the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency, which has established a program to grant sales tax relief to small businesses.

Councilman Mark Mayoka said the event would build on a previous seminar hosted last week by the town’s Small Business Resource and Recovery Center aimed at small business owners. He urged affected town residents to watch the seminar – and to get a FEMA application in now to be in the running for disaster relief aid.

“You must register with FEMA before Dec. 31 in order to be eligible,” Mayoka said. “Before you do anything, register with FEMA. It’s imperative.”

Petrone said he and Councilwoman Susan Berland would be collaborating on efforts to replenish the shelves of area food pantries, many of which were tapped out after supplying food for town warming stations in the weeks following Sandy.

“A lot of people went without. A lot of people are in need, and we need to work together as a town to build these food banks back up,” Berland said. She encouraged residents attending this Friday’s annual downtown holiday parade to bring non-perishable foods with them, which they can donate along the parade route.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 • A7

CENTERPORT

Vanderbilt Revitalization Plan Floated Public-private partnership model calls for grander vision for museum, new facilities

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

The Vanderbilt Museum’s board is revisiting a revitalization plan that, if implemented, would add a restaurant, an amphitheater, an expanded Educational and Arts Center and more to the historic property.

In his Sept. 19 president’s report, Vanderbilt Board President Ron Beattie said it was vital for the museum to adopt a sustainability plan.

Beattie’s proposal contains similar threads to one he presented in early 2011, and another plan offered in December 2010 by Robert Pilnick, except it does not include $25 million in funding from Suffolk County.

Facing the expiration of the HotelMotel Tax in December 2014 – which brings in hundreds of thousands in revenue every year – and a cash-strapped county, the Vanderbilt must think big and create bold public-private partnerships to thrive, Beattie said.

“We know we’re not going to get that $25 million anymore,” Beattie said.

“What we need to do is, we need to think bigger, and we need to create even more venues in order to just get to that same level.”

The proposed venues include: a yearround, high-end catering facility, built into a hillside under the lawn area behind the mansion; an amphitheater, with a covered stage, to be built in a

The board of the Vanderbilt Museum is considering a sustainability plan to expand the services the museum provides. natural gully; and a conference center and resort, built into the side of the hill below the planetarium, with rooms terraced on the side of the hill heading toward the waterfront.

The concept is designed to promote synergy, Beattie explained, so that each new venue will cohesively build an audience for the other and pay their fair share of infrastructure improvements

and ongoing maintenance, allowing the Vanderbilt to become completely financially sustainable.

Under the plan, the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium’s educational mission would expand to become an Educational and Arts Center. That would include a new welcome center in a galleria to be built on the southeast wall of the planetarium and an educational

center built into the side of a hill adjacent to the proposed galleria. New features would include a gift shop, Willie K’s Cosmic Café, classroom and exhibit space, a NASA Space Lab Camp and an observatory, administrative offices and a climate-controlled curatorial lab. The building would be LEED-certified.

The sustainability plan also recommends restoring the Seaplane Hangar as a destination restaurant. Generator, tool and work buildings on the southwest of the planetarium are being eyed to create the Suffolk County Automotive Museum, which was previously located in Southampton.

A final touch, according to the plan, is a waterfront esplanade, which will provide waterfront access to the Vanderbilt, by ferry, water taxi service and transient boat slips, when docks and seaplane ramps created by William K. Vanderbilt are recreated. The property would gain nature trails and hiking paths on the southeast promontory; a long-term goal is to make the property an arboretum.

To address potential traffic concerns, shuttle service from off-site parking lots is being considered, as is requiring group tours to arrive by bus.

Constructing a cell tower on the property, which was met with stiff public opposition when first presented in summer 2011, would still be under consideration.

(Continued on page A22)

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Opinion

Sen

d letters to The Editor, : Half Hollow H il ls N ewspaper, 149 M Huntington ain Street, , New Y or e-mail us ork 11743 at info@long islanderne ws.com

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

Spend At Home For The Holidays When did it become OK to take time real estate, so property values may fail to from the workday to shop on one’s employ- reach their full potential. er’s time?

When you spend locally, the opposite is That apparently is what online retailers true. Downtown retailers, even chain were not only encouraging but banking on stores, employ local people and generate with their “Cyber Monday” sales and deals. tax revenues. Sales tax, payroll taxes and The third in a trifecta of hyped up pro- property taxes generate money for local motions to kick off the holiday season, Cy- government; online sales generate revber Monday follows the box-store feeding enues in other states, sometimes other frenzy, Black Friday, and the more recently countries. instituted Small Business Saturday, when We have long been advocates for shopholiday shoppers are encouraged to ping locally, not only during head downtown and shop locally. EDITORIAL the holiday season but all year On Cyber Monday, the deals are on long. A few dollars saved on a the internet and except for a few dollars purchase simply doesn’t outweigh the bensaved by individual consumers, there’s lit- efits to your own community when you do tle or no benefit to the local economy. your spending close to home. And dollars The lost productivity of employees who spent here tend to be re-spent here, generspend time surfing the internet on compa- ating further benefits. ny time is the least of it. Unless you count This year especially, with the region still UPS employees, internet sales do nothing reeling from the effects of Hurricane to create local jobs. They don’t generate tax Sandy, shoppers should keep in mind the revenues, and they create no demand for benefits of shopping locally.

consideration, and allowing us to serve you.

NORTHPORT-EAST NORTHPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES

The Heart Of Huntington

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We Supplied Goodies, They Supplied Power DEAR EDITOR: Thank you CC Power from Kallaska, Michigan.

We live on a court in Greenlawn so we certainly understand that we weren’t a priority in opening the roads or restoring power in the aftermath of Sandy. We do, however, have 5through 90-year-olds who were trying to survive without heat, electricity and phones.

After eight days with no sign of LIPA or the Town of Huntington, we had already cleared the road ourselves, and a truck from CC Power of Michigan appeared. They explained that they had just received the workorder for our court that morning. We told them of the 90year-olds and he said, “You just became a priority.”

They worked that day and through the nor’easter, the next day we all were up and running.

We supplied the hot chocolate, coffee and goodies; they supplied the power. They took the time to explain what was needed and what we had to do when power was restored. Not only

were they helpful and courteous, they were very reassuming in what had become a stressful situation.

Thank you CC Power; we are most grateful.

GAIL GRONBACK AND THE NEIGHBORS OF AROSA COURT

Greenlawn

A Safe Haven DEAR EDITOR: The trustees of the NorthportEast Northport Public Library wish to express their gratitude to the staff for providing a place of warmth and comfort for many in the community when the East Northport building was re-opened on Nov. 1 after Hurricane Sandy’s devastation.

Under the leadership of Director James Olney and Assistant Director Nancy Morcerf, more than 4,300 people came to the building for lighting, warmth, charging stations, camaraderie, and a warm cup of coffee or cocoa.

Staff from the Northport building (which remained

HALF HOLLOW HILLS N E W S P A P E R

Serving the communities of: Dix Hills, Melville and the Half Hollow Hills Central School District.

Founded in 1996 by James Koutsis Copyright © 2012 by Long Islander Newspapers, publishers of The Long-Islander, The Record, Northport Journal and Half Hollow Hills Newspaper. Each issue of the The Half Hollow Hills Newspaper and all contents thereof are copyrighted by Long Islander, LLC. 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.

closed awaiting power restoration for nearly two weeks) joined the East Northport staff to serve capacity numbers of patrons. One patron referred to the library as a sanctuary.

The staff ran the fireplace daily, ran out of most of our warm food supplies at the café, and used every chair, power strip, outlet and table available to provide some level of comfort.

However, they were never short of smiles, kind words, and listening ears as patrons reached out eager to share stories and seek information about returning to somewhat normal lives.

Library staff showed a selection of family-friendly movies, old friends reunited and new friendships were formed, and the hopeful sign of power restored to homes was evident as chairs became empty and the congestion in the parking lot eased. The most important connection made at our library during those post-storm days was the human connection.

The trustees and the staff also want to thank the community for seeing the library as a safe haven and showing us your resilience and neighborly

DEAR EDITOR: The past few weeks have presented extraordinary challenges in our community due to Superstorm Sandy. I have been warmed by the spirit of kindness and generosity that I have observed.

During this week of giving thanks, I would like to acknowledge and thank some of the businesses and organizations in our community who gave generously during and after the storm.

Food for the out-of-town linemen was provided by Junior’s of Halesite, Southdown Kitchen, Prime, Caruso’s of Halesite, Healy’s Inn, Buffalo Grille, the Ritz Café, Copenhagen Bakery, Maroni’s of Northport, Jellyfish of Centerport, A Rise Above, Reinwald’s Bakery, Bagel Works, V&F Country Market, and Restaurant Joanina. Lodging was provided by the Centerport, Cold Spring Harbor, East Northport, Eatons Neck, Greenlawn, Halesite, Huntington and Huntington Manor Fire Departments, as well as the Chalet Motor Inn and the Northport American Legion.

The Huntington Bulldogs Football League suspended the rest of their season to donate the remainder of their funds to the Sandy relief effort. The Paramount collected food for Long Island Cares, hosted a blood drive for the Long

Michael Schenkler Publisher

Mike Koehler Danny Schrafel Jacqueline Birzon Reporters

WILLIAM R. SPENCER

Suffolk County Legislator 18th LD

Peter Sloggatt Associate Publisher/Managing Editor

Luann Dallojacono Editor Ian Blanco Dan Conroy Production/ Art Department

Island Blood Center, hosted a benefit concert with proceeds going to the Long Island Red Cross, gave free ice, and set up a warming and charging station with free beverages to assist individuals and families for the duration of the crisis.

The Cold Spring Harbor/Huntington Soccer Club, consisting of about 1,100 members, hosted a charity golf tournament and collected and donated 100 large bags filled with food, cleaning supplies, and warm weather clothing to the Family Service League and the Manor Field Family Center. The Young Leaders rented a U-Haul truck and parked it at Huntington High School for two days until it was packed full with food, clothes, toys and furniture. They delivered some of the food to local shelters and the balance of the food and other items were also donated to the Family Service League to be given to local families in need.

I recognize that many other organizations, businesses, fire departments and individuals worked, and continue to work, tirelessly to help those affected by Superstorm Sandy. Please join me in thanking those that I have missed here.

I am so proud to be your legislator and part of this extraordinary community. My family and I wish you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving. Please continue to keep all of the people affected by Superstorm Sandy in your thoughts and prayers.

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149 Main Street, Huntington, New York 11743 631.427.7000

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 • A9

Life&Style THEATER

It’s A New Kind Of Christmas Carol

By Alessandra Malito amalito@longislandernews.com

The ghosts of the past, present and future show Ebenezer Scrooge the beauty of a happy life and the audience the fun of experiencing new adaptation in the John W. Engeman Theater’s “A Christmas Carol.”

The classic story by Charles Dickens is as much of a tradition during the holiday season as a lighted tree and wrapped presents. However, Engeman’s 2012 production, which opened Nov. 20, has its own twist.

Director Mark Rampmeyer said he decided to do this new twist after seeing a production of “A Christmas Carol” at Alley Theater in Houston, Texas.

“I was swept away with how different and unique it was,” he said. “I have been running ideas through my head since the moment we announced it for this season.”

Rampmeyer, who started dancing in fifth grade and joined the drama club a year later, is not new to “A Christmas Carol,” and hasn't been for quite some time.

But he felt like he was when he saw it in Houston.

“I was quickly proven wrong when, in the first few minutes of the show, I was

surrounded with various specters and enthralled with all the visual effects,” he said. “It really felt like I was watching the piece for the very first time.”

He is working toward making that happen for his viewers in Northport this year.

“Long Islanders have been through a lot lately,” Rampmeyer said. “Sandy really got a bunch of us down for a while. I think getting out of the house and having an opportunity to go somewhere and escape for just a couple of hours is just what we need.”

Rampmeyer directed “42nd Street” last year. He also directs for the children's theater.

The size of the theater makes for a truly intimate viewing of the play, leaving the audience feeling as if they are right there in the room with Scrooge when he is visited by the three ghosts.

The costumes and set for the show are beautiful, sticking to the time period of the original story.

“The show is touching and exhilarating,” Rampmeyer said. “It is a perfect night out for a family and loved ones. You can come in and warm your toes with hot chocolate or a cocktail from the bar and warm your soul with a really funny retelling of a familiar holiday tale.”

Wilbur Edwin Henry as Ebenezer Scrooge talks to child actor Ryan Goldfarb in Engeman Theater’s “A Christmas Carol.”

Tickets are $65 and can be purchased by calling 631-261-2900, by visiting www.engemantheater.com, or at the En-

geman Theater Box Office at 250 Main St., Northport.

Nicole Brems contributed to this article.

PERFORMING ARTS

A Winter Festival Of Performances In Dix Hills Performing Arts Center presents exciting lineup, from children’s show to guitar extravaganza November and December bring a jampacked schedule of music and theatrical entertainment to the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center, from comedy and music to a children’s show and guitar festival.

The Winter Festival of Performances includes comedian David Brenner, productions of “The Jungle Book,” holiday concerts, “The Mostly Barbershop” a cappella show, and the always popular Guitar Extravaganza, this season titled “How High the Moon,” featuring a tribute to guitarist and inventor Les Paul.

December will feature children’s theater performances of “The Jungle Book,” based on Rudyard Kipling’s famous fable that is said to have inspired the founding of the Cub Scouts. Performances will be on Dec. 1, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10.

On Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m., the center presents an “Evening of Jazz” with the Five Towns College Orchestra and Five Towns College Swing Band under the direction of Demetrius Spaneus at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

On Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., a winter concert will feature the Five Towns College Concert Pops conducted by Dean Karahalis and the Five Towns College Chorus directed by Jeffrey Lipton. Tickets are $10.

On Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., “The Mostly Barbershop” a cappella show will feature the Five Towns College Men’s and

In addition to performances, on display at the reception for the Guitar Extravaganza will be vintage Gibson Les Paul guitars and guitar memorabilia from the 1950s and 1960s.

Women’s A Cappella Chorus, the Five Towns College Barbershop Quartets, The Long Island Sound, and other top regional groups, singing popular music exploring the diversity of cultures and musical genres. Tickets are $10.

On Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m., David Brenner takes the stage with “What’s So Funny?” featuring a host of up-and-coming young comedians. He is producing the show, merging some of the best young talent with his own experience. Brenner’s career began with his debut National TV appearance on “The Tonight Show,” where he went on to make the most appearances of any guest on the show – 158 in total. He continued to be the most frequent talk

show guest of any entertainer, as confirmed in “The Book of List 2.” Today, Brenner’s act is primarily based on “very” current events and news, and he is recognized as a political pundit, appearing on TV News shows. Tickets are $30 and $25.

On Dec. 9 at 2 p.m., the center presents the latest installment in its Great American Songbook series. Directed by Arnie Gruber, “The Great American Songbook” tells the story of the first 50 years of American popular music. The night will include romantic songs with the Five Towns College Rising Stars who touch and inspire audiences time and again.

Tickets are $10.

A free show on Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. will fea-

ture the Five Towns College Jazz Ensembles with students performing jazz from many time periods and styles from the first 100 years of jazz, performing repertoire from the blues, American Songbook standards, pieces from the early formative years of jazz/dixieland and BeBop, mainstream jazz, fusion, and contemporary jazz.

On Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m., the center will present a holiday concert with the Five Towns College Chamber Orchestra conducted by Mathew Pierce, the Five Towns College Choir directed by Jeffery Lipton, and the Five Towns College Vocal Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Stephen Gleason. Tickets are $10.

On Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m., the Guitar Extravaganza returns with a “How High the Moon” tribute to the late Les Paul, named after his historic single recording with his wife, Mary Ford, and his top two inventions – the solid body electric guitar and multitrack recording. Under the musical direction of Professor Peter Rogine, the event will feature soloists, small groups, vocalists and the large Five Towns College guitar ensembles. On display at the Meet-the-Artists Reception will be vintage Gibson Les Paul guitars and guitar memorabilia from the 1950s and 1960s. Tickets are $10.

The Dix Hills Performing Arts Center is located at Five Towns College, 305 North Service Road, Dix Hills. Call 631-656-2148 or visit online at www.DHPAC.org.

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WHEATLEY HEIGHTS

Portrait Of Usdan Founder Donated An oil portrait of the late Suzanne Lemberg Usdan, a founding trustee of the Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, has been donated to the center. Painted by internationally known artist Norman Blackwell, it commemorates the 10th anniversary of her death.

The portrait was donated by Jerrold Ross, a former trustee of the center and its longtime president. Ross is dean of the Department of Education at St. John’s University in Queens, and academic vice president of the university’s Staten Island campus.

“We are thrilled to have this beautiful portrait honoring our beloved founding trustee. Its donation reminds us of Dr. Ross’s continuous dedication and commitment to the children of the New York metropolitan area, and we are grateful to him for this most imaginative and generous gift,” said Usdan Executive Director Dale Lewis. “Mrs. Usdan and Dr. Ross, together with their colleague Andrew McKinley, created this vibrant arts education center unique in the United States, where, for 45 years, more than 60,000 young people have experienced life changing summers of immersion in the visual and performing arts.”

Suzanne Usdan was the daughter of the philanthropist Samuel Lemberg, who named the center for her. As presi-

dent of the Lemberg Foundation, she dedicated her life to providing opportunities for students and young professionals to express themselves through the arts. A graduate of Bennington College, she served on the boards of the Lincoln Center Institute, the Whitney Museum, and the Usdan Center. The art museum at Bennington College bears her name, as do the student centers at Brandeis and Wesleyan Universities.

Artist Norman Blackwell is the recipient of many honors for his work, which has been shown in art galleries throughout the world. His paintings are in the collections of celebrities and royal families in several countries. Blackwell received his art education at Savannah High School, The University of Georgia, UCLA and The University of Cincinnati, and he was the first gallery director at the Savannah College of Art and Design, the University For Creative Careers (SCAD), which also has branches in Atlanta and Hong Kong.

Jerrold Ross is a nationally recognized leader in higher education policy and practice. He was Usdan's founding educational coordinator, and subsequently the board's longest-serving president (1968-2004). During the center's formative years, he worked (Continued on page A11)

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Dr. Jerrold Ross and Usdan Center Executive Director Dale Lewis in front of new portrait of Suzanne Usdan, painted by Normal Blackwell.

Portrait donated (Continued from page A10)

closely with McKinley to create Usdan's educational plan, and in recent years has collaborated with Lewis to expand the center's curriculum. He the former president of the New York College of Music, director of New York's Town Hall, and chairman of the Department of Music and Music Education and head of the Division of Arts and Arts Education at New York University.

Presently he chairs the Arts Education

Advisory Committee of the Department of Education of the New York City Schools. He continues to serve Usdan Center as a member of the board of trustees.

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, whose alumni include actors Natalie Portman and Olivia Thirlby and singers Jane Monheit and Mariah Carey, has introduced the arts to more than 60,000 tri-state area children since its founding in 1968.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 • A11

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All About Americana

By Danny, Betty, Karen & Pat foodie@longislandernews.com

Shleby Poole and her husband, chef Harry Poole, will celebrate seven years at Jackson’s in February, sticking to a mantra of straightforward American cooking all the while.

“We don’t try to fancy it up – it’s good cooking,” Shelby explains.

Complete with a vintage gas pump and images of Americana, the cozy surroundings carry forth that all-American vibe and create a comfortable atmosphere, even on a packed Saturday night.

We started with fresh chips served with zesty, thick black bean dip before diving into some appetizers. Asian-style Crispy Fried Calamari ($11) was a big hit with our table, including an ardent calamari skeptic. Milk-soaked, tender squid is paired with crunchy, flash-fried covering and dressed with a zingy Asian Kung Pao sauce.

The soup of the day – a butternut squash seafood soup – pairs tender morsels of the sea’s best with a warm, homey base. And prepared with topquality beef, the Roadside Sliders ($9), topped with sweet sautéed onions and cheese, offer an enticing glimpse into Jackson’s deep burger selection.

Entrees are impressive. Bourbon Street Jambalaya ($20) is a Jackson’s staple, boasting savory chicken, shrimp, Andouille sausage, fried banana and Creole rice in a tempting medley that brings New Orleans to your plate. Seafaring souls will enjoy sesame-crusted Ahi Tuna ($23), pairing sushi-grade tuna that’s delightfully pan-seared with a

Take a different spin on calamari with this Kung Pao-inspired version that won over a calamari skeptic at our table in a big way. sweet soy glaze juxtaposed with nutty sesame and poppy. Check out the wasabi whipped potatoes, too, which bring the ever-so-slight tingle to your taste buds at the finish. The traditional potatoes boast a balanced, enticing garlic note.

Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will

Jackson’s 6005 Jericho Turnpike, Commack 631-462-0822 www.jacksonsrestaurant.net Atmosphere: Comfortable Americana Cuisine: Straightforward home cooking Price: Apps $7-12; Salads and sandwiches $10-16; Entrees $17-22 Hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30 a.m.10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

Manager Ryan Ullah offers up, front, Pear Tree and Rainbow Cookie martinis, two grown-up delights from their well-stocked bar. enjoy the house-made Veggie Burger ($12), a hearty, flavorful creation bursting with pepper and legumes. From the grill, the marinated Skirt Steak ($23) is tender, paired with sautéed onions and pan-seared spinach. And the everchanging ravioli brought us a delightful lobster and crab selection, paired with spicy morsels and fresh shrimp dressed in a rich Cajun cream sauce.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with artful

martinis like the sprinkle-adorned Rainbow Cookie and the sophisticated Pear Tree martini. Non-drinkers have throwbacks like milkshakes and classic chocolate egg creams to delight it. And for dessert, the French Toast, a crispy, toasty delight of thick challah bread, whipped cream, sprinkles and Bananas Foster is a knockout – just another reminder that like any other American classic, eating well never goes out of fashion.

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DINE HUNTINGTON.COM

By DineHuntington.com Foodie@longislandernews.com

GREAT CHEFS EVENT SET: Over forty of Long Island’s top restaurants and chefs are bringing their signature dishes to Family Service League’s 20th Annual Great Chefs event, benefitting those affected by Superstorm Sandy. Join in an afternoon of delicious food, enjoy wines from around the world and live music on Sunday, December 2, 2-5 p.m. at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Among the first to present a chef ’s tasting as a fundraiser, Family Service League still sets the standard with their Great Chef ’s event. The dining capital of Long Island – Huntington – is well represented at the event with some or the area’s top restaurants. Fabio Machado’s Reststar Hospitality Group, whose Huntington restaurants include Bistro Cassis, Café Buenos Aires and Bin 56, will receive the Restaurateur of the Year award. Other honorees for this year’s event are: North Shore LIJ Hospital President and CEO Michael Dowling, and State Assemblyman Phil Ramos. To purchase tickets contact Jennie Sandler-Fiocca at 631-427-3700 x255, or visit www.fsl-li.org for more information.

OPENING AND CLOSING: Twisted Vine, which opened earlier this year in the former XO Restaurant on Clinton Avenue, has closed. Keeping the restau-

rant count even, La Notte (15 New Street, Huntington Village 631-6835595 lanotteristorante.com) has opened its doors at the space that oldtime foodies will remember as Orlando’s. The family style Italian eatery dazzled diners during grand opening seatings on Monday. We’ll keep you posted.

FREE KIDS: No, they’re not giving away kids at Andrea’s 25 of Commack (6300 Jericho Turnpike, Commack 631-4867400 andreas25.com), but kids do eat free there on Sundays. You can order one item from the kids menu for each adult entrée ordered, and they get to make their own desserts in the kitchen.

There is a charge for the dessert.

DINING FOR SANDY RELIEF: Many local restaurateurs have been doing their part to keep those effected by superstorm Sandy fueled and fed while they rebuild their neighborhood. Next they’ll be raising some cold hard cash for relief efforts with An Evening of Relief, an evening of wining and dining to benefit Long island victims of Sandy. The event is set for December 10, 5:30-9:30 p.m. at The Carltun at Eisenhower Park. The big guns of the industry are on board, so it promises to be a memorable evening.

Tickets are $75 in advance or $90 at the door.

Purchase online at http://www.eventbrite.com/org/29637 26875

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 • A13

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MUSIC

Taking Back Sunday Performs 10-Year Album Tour Photo by Camille Nolan

By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com

The members of Taking Back Sunday, a Long Island band that formed in 1999, didn’t need a Twitter feed to promote their first album back in 2001. Rather, the album “Tell All Your Friends” handled the promoting in itself.

The band sold out The Paramount theatre on Nov. 21, as part of their TAYF10 tour marking the decade anniversary of that first album.

“That’s literally how we’d hear about good music, mostly by word of mouth from friends. Music was part of our everyday lives, so we’d hoped people would [hear our music] and tell their friends about it,” Shaun Cooper, the band’s bassist said.

The band stopped in Huntington to play one of the last sets on their tour, which comprised of 40 shows throughout the country including two benefit shows for the victims of Hurricane Sandy; 100 percent of the proceeds from their Nov. 16 show in Manhattan were donated to victims in Long Beach.

Bassist Shaun Cooper, drummer Mark O’Connell, and guitarist Eddie Reyes all grew up on the South Shore, which influenced their decision to hold benefit shows for hurricane victims in the area.

Guitarist/vocalist John Nolan is also from Long Island.

“Lot of things have gone on during this tour. Lots of friends and family have been really affected by Sandy… We’re always having the time of our lives no matter what

The members of Taking Back Sunday: (from left) bassist Shaun Cooper, drummer Mark O’Connell, guitarist Eddie Reyes, lead vocals Adam Lazzara and guitarist/vocals John Nolan. else is going on around us, so we hope that translates for the crowd,” Cooper said.

The concert was a night to remember—fans never stopped singing (or screaming) along with lead singer Adam Lazzara, who miraculously climbed up and down the indoor balcony of the theatre and swung his microphone around his neck, an act Cooper said “he has down to a science.”

Cooper said the band’s sound has

transformed a great deal since the band first entered the music scene.

What started as a band of 20-somethings with an “emo” musical sound, now gravitates more toward a rock genre, which, according to Cooper, correlates with lead singer Lazzara’s vocal transformation. Cooper said he started out as a 19-year-old singing in a “yelpie” key, but has matured from experience into a deeper, more mature sound.

Not only has the band’s sound matured, but so, too, have the lyrics.

“I think lyrically our new music is more diverse, and the songs have more of a rock edge. In particular with Adam’s voice, it drastically changed and became so much stronger – he’s really learned how to sing – so I think that made us appeal to a lot better songs that are overall better crafted,” Cooper said.

The band’s development was marked by their third album, “Louder Now” (2006), and their single “Make Damn Sure,” which took the band to a whole other level. Cooper said the track is a “fantastic rock song” that a lot of people can relate to melodically and lyrically, and marked their appeal into a wider range of audience.

Cooper was one of the founding members of the band, however he left the group along with Nolan in 2003 to pursue a “softer” musical sound and formed the band Straylight Run. Cooper and Nolan rejoined Taking Back Sunday in 2010 and resumed their original roles in the lineup.

“After Straylight Run came to an end, I thought I would move on from music and find something else, but got a call from them [Taking Back Sunday] and I figured, ‘I can put off getting a day job for another few years or maybe forever,’ and I had no idea how it would work out,” Cooper said. “But [this tour is] proof that we’re all in the right head and mature enough to understand each other and where were coming from…it’s been nothing but fun every since we got back together.”

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 • A15

Town Address Beds Baths Price Taxes Date Centerport 15 Lone Oak Dr 4 3 $559,000 $11,213 11/29 Northport 21 Oleander Dr 4 3 $649,000 $12,432 11/30 Dix Hills 5 Talman Pl 4 3 $369,000 $10,414 12/1 Huntington 83 Madison St 3 2 $499,000 $11,709 12/1 Huntington 58 Maple Hill Rd 4 3 $725,000 $15,043 12/1 Fort Salonga 48 Brookfield Rd 4 3 $799,900 $15,345 12/1 Melville 50 Honeysuckle Ct 4 4 $925,000 $12,467 12/1 Fort Salonga 11 Marions Ln 3 4 $995,000 $24,226 12/1 Fort Salonga 5 Sleepy Hollow Ct 5 3 $1,199,000 $26,337 12/1 Huntington Sta 21 Aldrich St 3 2 $349,000 $9,530 12/2 Huntington Sta 21 Pickwick Hill Dr 4 2 $350,000 $8,850 12/2 Huntington Sta 265 Crombie St 4 2 $355,000 $8,700 12/2 Huntington Sta 124 E 23rd St 3 3 $359,900 $8,741 12/2 Melville 96 Morley Cir 2 2 $359,999 $3,244 12/2 Melville 96 Morley Cir 2 2 $359,999 $3,244 12/2 Greenlawn 23 Butterfield Dr 4 3 $409,000 $9,863 12/2 E. Northport 621 Larkfield Rd 3 2 $429,000 $10,309 12/2 Northport 23 Westview Rd 4 4 $429,000 $8,298 12/2 Melville 5 Sandgate Pl 3 2 $469,000 $6,803 12/2 E. Northport 4 Elmore Pl 4 3 $495,000 $6,663 12/2 Melville 18 Stiles Dr 5 3 $499,000 $12,049 12/2 Huntington 50 Turtle Cove Ln 4 2 $539,000 $14,702 12/2 Northport 7 Starlit Dr 4 3 $539,000 $11,175 12/2 Dix Hills 6 Blue Spruce Ln 3 3 $579,999 $12,504 12/2 Melville 2495 New York Ave 4 3 $595,000 $4,178 12/2 Huntington 128 Cove Rd 5 4 $599,000 $17,009 12/2 Dix Hills 49 Kendrick Ln 6 4 $659,000 $16,682 12/2 Huntington 35 Dumbarton Dr 3 3 $679,000 $13,687 12/2 Cold Spring Hrbr7 Portland Pl 3 4 $749,000 $14,610 12/2 Dix Hills 21 Cobblers Ln 5 5 $769,000 $17,895 12/2 Greenlawn 117 Darrow Ln 4 4 $769,000 $17,600 12/2 Dix Hills 37 Talisman Dr 5 5 $799,000 $18,300 12/2 Huntington 85 Old Field Rd 4 3 $899,000 $16,214 12/2 Huntington 8 Landing Rd 4 3 $959,000 $19,580 12/2 Centerport 36 Harned Dr 4 3 $1,099,999 $15,376 12/2 Cold Spring Hrbr199 Harbor Rd 4 4 $1,295,000 $21,210 12/2 Greenlawn 34 Clay Pitts Rd 4 1 $369,900 $11,379 12/4 Melville 339 Altessa Blvd 3 3 $1,175,000 $8,400 12/8 Huntington Sta 190 W 21st St 4 2 $329,000 $8,820 12/9 Cold Spring Hrbr553 Woodbury Rd 4 3 $699,000 $14,240 12/9 Huntington 119 Southdown Rd 5 4 $895,000 $20,941 12/9

DIX HILLS

Time Broker 11am-1pm Signature Premier Properties 12:30pm-2pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2pm-4pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12pm-2pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 2pm-4pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-2:30pm Shawn Elliott Luxury Homes 12:30pm-2:30pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12pm-2pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Signature Premier Properties 1pm-3pm Signature Premier Properties 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-2pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12pm-2pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12pm-2pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 11am-1pm Signature Premier Properties 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Realty Connect USA LLC 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 2pm-4pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Signature Premier Properties 2pm-4pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2pm-3:30pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-2pm Signature Premier Properties 2pm-4pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm RE/MAX Beyond 2pm-4pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 1pm-3pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 12:30pm-2pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-2pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 2pm-4pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 2pm-4pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc

Price $980,000

6 Clayton Dr 6 Bedrooms 4.5 Baths Elena Galluzzo 631-774-3333 cell Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

MELVILLE

Price $499,900

MELVILLE

Phone 631-673-3700 631-549-4400 631-499-0500 631-427-6600 631-427-6600 631-757-4000 516-364-4663 631-261-6800 631-261-6800 631-673-3700 631-673-3700 631-757-4000 631-673-6800 516-681-2600 516-681-2600 631-673-3700 631-360-1900 631-757-4000 877-647-1092 516-864-8100 631-427-9100 631-549-4400 631-261-6800 631-499-9191 631-673-3700 631-549-4400 631-499-9191 631-673-6800 631-757-4000 631-673-3700 631-499-1000 631-673-4444 631-862-1100 631-692-6770 631-261-6800 631-692-6770 631-427-9100 516-864-8100 631-427-6600 631-692-6770 631-692-6770

Price $510,000

1 Munson Ct 4 Bedrooms 2.5 Baths Denise Ferrer 516-449-4212 cell Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

NOW HIRING Earn ex tra mone y s ellin g Re al E state in th e Me lvi lle /Di x Hills are a

3 Weinmann Blvd 4 Bedrooms 3 Baths Hector Gavilla 516-526-8557 cell Licensed Real Estate Broker

November 2012 we are opening a new office in Melville on Route 110 with state-of-theart computers and the best Real Estate training for people like you who desire to earn more. You can work part-time or full-time along with experienced agents. Your earning potential can exceed $100k. This is a career that is ideal for anyone who needs flexible hours with a high compensation.

You wi ll e arn a hu ge commis sion for e ve ry prope rty you se ll or re nt .

C all H ector Gavilla 631-482-7052 x700 or send a t ext to 516526-8557 f or a CONFIDENTIAL meetin g about your f utu re as a Real Est at e P rofess ional.

445 Broadhollow Road, Suite 25, Melville 631 870 0952

A16 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 www.LongIslanderNews.com

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

One Pedal At A Time Trainers happy with success of spin center

Indoor cycling coupled with core and strength workouts are all the rage at Break Away Indoor Cycling and Fitness in Huntington.

Spotlight On

Huntington Businesses

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Passion is a good word to describe Break Away Indoor Cycling and Fitness.

The three owners have a passion for fitness, passion for the Town of Huntington and passion for their customers.

Partner Alison Murray described Break Away as the only dedicated indoor cycling center in Huntington.

“People who spin, that’s what they do,” Murray said. “They don’t like other types of cardio. They like this.”

Murray and partners Stuart Shepherd and James Walker graduated from the Huntington and Cold Spring Harbor school districts. All three work in the fitness industry and as private trainers.

Murray spent five years working at the Huntington YMCA, teaching spin, step aerobics and anything else they asked.

Huntington, they agreed, lacked a dedicated spin studio. Box gyms offer spinning as a class, Murray said, but it’s hardly the same experience. Box gyms have small rooms with customers just looking for the next available class and a corporate staff running the show.

At Break Away, Murray said they have “a big, beautiful space” for 25 spin bikes.

In addition to Murray, seven instructors bring lots of energy to lead their hundreds of clients through classes. And unlike those gyms, the local business can interact with its customers.

“We hear what people say. They say, ‘We wish this class was spin core,’ and we say, ‘OK, we’ll try it,’” the partner said.

Eschewing mandatory monthly rates at most gyms, Break Away offers its clientele pay-as-you-ride rates. Any single spinning class will run $20, or there are packages with discounts per ride, up to $270 for 20 rides over six months. They

also offer a $119 monthly unlimited package.

“Most people are between the unlimited and the 20-pack,” Murray said.

Break Away does offer some TRX suspension work and circuit training, but the lion's share of their classes are spinning. They offer 60-minute classes of aerobic and strength interval training, as well as a 45-minute cardio ride. Their spin and strength class entails getting on and off the bike to do full-body exercises while burning cardio. They also offer a spin core class, which offers a very intense 40-minute ride followed by matt Pilates and yoga stretching in the next room.

“Cycling takes a lot of core strength to do it properly, but it doesn’t develop core strength,” Murray said of the latter.

Despite intentions to wait for the economy to gain strength before opening, the trio celebrated the business’ grand opening on May 19. They were pleasantly surprised with the results, especially as people often abandon gyms for the great outdoors in warmer weather.

“The summer was OK, and we were picking up in September and even more in October. We were gaining momentum and then nobody else had power. Nobody was spinning for three weeks,” Murray said.

But in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, she added, business is picking up again.

“We’ve got a lot of new faces. We’ve heard there’s a buzz on the street about us,” Murray said.

Just six months as owners of their own spin studio, the trio has hopes of bigger and better things for Break Away. A projection system for virtual rides could be installed in the shorter term, and they may open other venues in the longer term.

“We’re going to bide our time and see what happens,” Murray said.

Break Away Indoor Cycling and Fitness 78 Green St., Huntington 631-271-0078 www.breakawayhuntington.com

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P U Z Z L E CRYPTOQUIP

J T P E F B N LW D C E Y HEFDZD EB EPPZLRJH LZEHSJCB JB E YZLDCB, J’N NZTJBJSZPW HEPP JS E NZSZLRZBS NZSZLLZBS. Today’s Cryptoquip clue: L equals R ©2012 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Answer to Game-Time Decision

P u bl i s h e d N ove m b e r 2 2 , 2 0 1 2

ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S CRYPTOQUIP IF YOU HAVE TRAVELED ON A TRAIN THAT DOES NOT MAKE MANY EXCESSIVE STOPS, I RECKON YOU HAVE EXPRESSED YOURSELF. Published November 22, 2012 ©2012 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

NEW CRYPTOQUIP BOOKS 3 & 4! Send $3.50 for one book or $6.00 for both (check/m.o.) to Cryptoquip Classics Books 3 and 4, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 • A17

PA G E

PREMIER CROSSWORD / By Frank A. Longo CURDISH LANGUAGE

A18 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 www.LongIslanderNews.com THURSDAY Red Is For Passion

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

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Calendar O M M U N I T Y

FRIDAY It’s A Wonderful Musical

St. Hugh Productions presents “It’s a Wonderful Life The Musical” Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.; with a Sunday matinee Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. at St. Hugh Parish Center, corner of New York Avenue and Pulaski Road. Tickets: $15 adults, $10 seniors & kids under 12. For more information call 631427-1606.

Singer-songwriter and social activist Harry Chapin, whose music and humanitarianism inspired many and who resided in Huntington with his family, would be turning 70 in December. The Folk Music Society of Huntington will pay tribute to Harry with a special concert on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Congregational Church of Huntington (30 Washington Drive, Centerport). The concert will be a benefit for WhyHunger, a nonprofit organization launched by Chapin. Headlining will be Harry's daughter Jen Chapin and Long Islandbased folk-rock harmony trio Gathering Time. $30 ($25 for FMSH members). www.fmsh.org.

631-425-2925.

St. Nicholas Bazaar

The annual St. Nicholas Bazaar is Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport, featuring a variety of vendors, crafts, Chinese auction baskets, cookie walk table, thrift shop, Bottle Bonanza, great raffles and more. Have lunch at the cafe and, of course, Santa will be in the house! 631-261-7670.

Get Fit, Help A Family

Fit Body Bootcamp, 586 New York Ave, Huntington, will host a Boot Camp Marathon fundraiser on Dec. 1, in support of a local family that lost their home for a second time since Hurricane Irene last year. $20 per person, features raffles and a three-hour marathon boot camp workout starting at 11 a.m. Call Kathleen Tafti at 516-909-8347.

Breakfast With Santa At The Mall

For the first time, Walt Whitman Shops will host Breakfast with Santa from 8-10 a.m. on Dec. 1, sponsored locally by California Pizza Kitchen, Audi of Huntington, Acura of Huntington and Lexus of Smithtown. $10 per person/free for children under 2. Seating is limited. Reservations accepted at Simon Guest Services. Proceeds to benefit Simon Youth Foundation.

Opera Night

Enjoy a night of opera in Huntington Station on Saturday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m. at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 425 Maplewood Road. $10 suggested donation. www.operanight.org.

631-261-8808.

Half-Off Toy Sale

The Commack Methodist Thrift Shoppe, 486 Townline Road, Commack, holds a half-off toy sale Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 631-499-7310.

Half Hollow Hills Community Library

Holiday Fine Art & Craft Fair in Dix Hills The Art League of Long Island’s annual Holiday Fine Art & Craft Fair is Dec. 1-2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., bringing more than 60 highly-skilled craftspeople and artists together under one roof for your holiday shopping pleasure. Paintings, sculpture, art lamps, woodcraft, ceramics, mosaics, fiber art, photography, jewelry, wearable art, and other unique hand-crafted items made by the artist will be available for sale. Also featuring live art demonstrations, food and drink vendors, and workshops. Admission is free. 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. 631-462-5400. www.ArtLeagueLI.net.

Holiday Boutique

Gurwin Jewish ~ Fay J. Lindner Residences is having a holiday boutique Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 50 Hauppauge Road, Commack.

Venders will be on hand with many gifts for the holidays including jewelry, clothing, handbags, toys, knit items and much more.

Santa Meets With Everyone This Year

Hanukkah Fair

Celebrate the season with a Hanukkah Fair, featuring books, raffles, food, crafts, games and vendors, on Dec. 2, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Kehillath Shalom Synagogue, 58 Goose Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor. 631-3674589. kehillathshalom@optonline.net.

Educational materials and winter coats will be collected.

ingtonlighthouse.org. 631-421-1985.

TUESDAY Business After Hours

Join the Melville Chamber of Commerce for an after-hours networking session on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 6-8 p.m. at Mac’s Steakhouse, 12 Gerard St., Huntington. RSVP to info@melvillechamber.org or 631-777-6260.

Holiday magic has returned to Walt Whitman Shops. From now through Dec. 24, children can be photographed with Santa in Center Court. Returning again this season is the “Cutest Santa Photo Contest,” hosted on Walt Whitman Shops’s Facebook page. In addition, Pet Photo Nights will be held from 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. The Caring Santa event, dedicated to children with special needs, provides a subdued environment to visit Santa from 9-11 a.m. on Dec. 2.

The Suffolk County Chapter of The Embroiderers' Guild of America holds its monthly meeting Nov. 27, 7 p.m. at Half Hollow Hills Library, 55 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills. All level stitchers welcome. Call Pat at 631-423-3738.

Usdan Open House

Melville Chamber Holiday Party

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts (www.usdan.com), the summer arts day camp, hosts a free open house for the 2013 season on Sunday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights. 631643-7900.

MONDAY Seniors, Get Your Questions Answered

Senior Advocates – who provide assistance with food stamps, Medicare savings programs, Medicaid applications and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications – will make stops throughout town over the next two months: • Huntington Nutrition Center: Wednesday, Dec. 20, 9 a.m.-noon; • Paumanack Village I & II (Greenlawn): Tuesday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; • Paumanack Village III & IV (Greenlawn): Thursday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-noon; • Paumanack Village V & VI (Melville): Tuesday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m.-noon. 631-853-8200.

Appointments encouraged, drop-ins welcome.

See The Light

SUNDAY

44 Lake Ave., Deer Park. 631-586-3000. deerparklibrary.org/ • Create a gift of a cheerful chalkboard for your special someone on Friday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Guy Gagliano, owner of the Swan Bakery in Patchogue, returns to share creative and professional tips and decorate a full-sized gingerbread house with you on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. $5.

3027 Jericho Turnpike, Elwood. 631-499-3722. www.elwoodlibrary.org.

• Healing Haven Animal Fund on Monday, Dec. 3 from 6:30-8 p.m.

• Do you give many small gifts to a large number of people? Do you need quick gift exchange ideas? Join Chef Richard in learning how to prepare great economical and fun holiday gifts using food and a little imagination on Tuesday, Dec. 4 from 7-8:45 p.m. Registration required.

SATURDAY Harry Chapin Tribute Concert

Deer Park Public Library

Elwood Public Library

Nominate A Nonprofit

The inaugural Long Island Imagine Awards will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, and nominations are open to acknowledge some of Long Island’s most effective and innovative nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization and located and serve in either Nassau or Suffolk can apply to win $5,000. Visit www.ceriniandassociates.com. Deadline is Nov. 30.

of Renaissance Music.” In the age of Shakespeare, English verse rose to new heights and was set to music by the delicate sounds of the lute and renaissance harp.

Sunday, Dec. 2 from 2-3 p.m.

Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia has organized an exhibit of Huntington Lighthouse artifacts and memorabilia to celebrate its centennial anniversary of The Huntington Lighthouse. The display includes correspondence between the Lighthouse Establishment and Lighthouse Keeper Robert McGlone, and an original painting of the lighthouse, which will be auctioned.

On display in the Town Hall lobby, 100 Main St, Huntington, Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. www.hunt-

Dix Hills: 55 Vanderbilt Parkway. 631-421-4530; Melville: 510 Sweet Hollow Road. 631-421-4535. hhhlibrary.org.

• Join Guy Gagliano from Swan Bakery, as each family gets one large Gingerbread house to decorate together during this sweet program on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 3-4 p.m. at the Melville branch.

• Turkey has been the crossroads of the world since pre-Biblical times. Learn more about Istanbul’s palaces, museums and mosques during a multimedia presentation presented by Carol and Richard Witkover on Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Dix Hills branch.

Harborfields Public Library

31 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-757-4200. harborfieldslibrary.org.

• At the Young Adult Drawing Workshop, teens in grades 6-12 will be able to draw and pick up some tips and techniques to improve their art work with artist Lilith Jones on Friday, Nov. 30 from 5-6 p.m.

• The third annual Friends of the Library Holiday Craft Fair, featuring more than 30 vendors, is Friday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Huntington Public Library

Celebrate the season with the Melville Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 5, 6-8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Plainview. RSVP to info@melvillechamber.org or call 631-777-6260.

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

• Join New York City dancers who have performed on many prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall, during a Can Can and Cabaret style dance on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 3-4 p.m. at the main branch.

• Find out about “Greening Your Home: How to make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient and save money at the same time,” on Thursday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m. at the main branch. Presented by the Long Island Progressive Coalition. Call 516-541-1006.

Classic Car Show

Northport-East Northport Public Library

Calling All Needleworkers

WEDNESDAY

The Huntington Station Business Improvement District hosts a car show at Station Sports, 25 Depot Road, Huntington Station, from 6:30-8 p.m. every Wednesday.

THEATER and FILM Cold Spring Harbor Library

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

• Do you give many small gifts to a large number of people? Do you need quick gift exchange ideas? Join Chef Richard and learn how to prepare great economical and fun holiday gifts using food and a little imagination on Monday, Dec. 3 from 7-8:45 p.m.

Registration required.

• A monthly book discussion will be held Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. For children in grades 4-6.

Commack Public Library

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

• Create a 20-inch frosty friend out of poster board to greet visitors to your home all winter long with Carmela Quinn on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10:30-11:15 a.m. For children in grades K-2.

• Enjoy “Morrongiello and Young: An Afternoon

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

• Kids can give holiday presents a special touch by creating their own gift bags, boxes, wrapping paper and greeting cards on Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 4-4:45 p.m. at the Northport branch.

• Learn the art of drawing on aluminum with instructor Dona Snow – participants will complete a 5x7 matted engraving suitable for framing on Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 7-9 p.m. at the East Northport branch.

• On display in the East Northport gallery, “Masks in the Sea of Faces” by former Long-Islander graphic artist Sheauwei Pidd shows off her love of colors and mood, as well as movement.

South Huntington Public Library

145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station. 631549-4411. www.shpl.info.

• The library will supply the paper, stickers and scissors, and you supply the creativity. Make a card for someone special for the holidays on Friday, Nov. 30 from 7-8 p.m.

• The North Shore Civil War Roundtable holds its annual Collectors’ Showcase on Thursday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. featuring the private collections of members, including hundreds of items from the Civil War like firearms, items for daily liv-

(Continued on page A19)

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www.LongIslanderNews.com

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 • A19 School), 158 Laurel Avenue, Northport.

Originally scheduled for Nov. 4, the show was postponed due to Hurricane Sandy.

ing, newspapers, magazines and flags.

(Continued from page A18)

Ripe Art Gallery

67 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-807-5296.

Gallery hours: Tuesday - Thursday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday 2-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. www.ripeartgal.com.

• Women’s clothing store Rexer-Parkes presents a special showing of paintings by Ripe Art Gallery artist Maxine Jurow titled “Black Velvet” through February 2013. 35 Gerard St., Huntington.

THEATER and FILM Cinema Arts Centre

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

• The Barr Sinister Jazz Group and the Northport Jazz Band will play live jazz in the Sky Room Cafe to benefit the Vic Skolnick Life of the Cinema Campaign on Friday, Nov. 30 at 9:45 p.m. $10 donation. Wine by Bottles & Cases, food by Whole Foods.

• A powerful and personal documentary about the history and legacy of the Kings Park State Mental Hospital, “Kings Park: Stories from an American Mental Institution” screens Sunday, Dec. 2, 1 p.m. Co-Hosted by the Suffolk County Psychological Association. $10 CAC & SCPA members & Students (w/ID)/$15 Public.

Dix Hills Performing Arts Center

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

• The Winter Festival of Performances begins Dec. 1 with children’s theater performances of “The Jungle Book,” based on Rudyard Kipling’s famous fable that is said to have inspired the founding of the Cub Scouts.

Performances will be on Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. $10.

John W. Engeman Theater At Northport

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

• Celebrate the holiday season with a thrilling new twist on the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.” Michael Wilson’s adaptation is a creative re-telling of Dickens’ classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. Sponsored by North Shore LIJ and running through Jan. 6. $65.

• Christmas has been canceled! Or at least, it will be if Santa can't find a way to guide his sleigh through a fierce blizzard. Fortunately for him, there's “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” showing as part of the Youth Theater Series, through Jan. 6 on weekends and special dates. $15.

The Minstrel Players of Northport

At Houghton Hall - Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport Village. 631-732-2926. www.minstrelplayers.org.

• Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” takes the stage Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. $15 adults/$12 seniors, children.

• Submissions are now being accepted for “It Happened One Act” play festival. Deadline is Jan. 15, 2013. Visit the website for more information.

Tilles Center For The Performing Arts

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

• Internationally-acclaimed singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant will appear Saturday, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. The former lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs will celebrate her extraordinary career, featuring music from her latest album, “Leave Your Sleep.”

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.

Suffolk Y JCC

A Yuletide Family Day Get in the holiday spirit at “A Yuletide Family Day” on Sunday, Dec. 2, 1 p.m., featuring a holiday sing-along, visits with Santa, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas,” crafts and face-painting at the Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station. $7/child, chaperones free. Call 631-427-5240, ext. 113 to register. www.waltwhitman.org. www.ArtLeagueLI.net.

• The annual Holiday Fine Art & Craft Fair is Dec. 1-2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., bringing more than 60 highly-skilled craftspeople and artists together under one roof for your holiday shopping pleasure. Paintings, sculpture, art lamps, woodcraft, ceramics, mosaics, fiber art, photography, jewelry, wearable art, and other unique hand-crafted items made by the artist will be available for sale. Also featuring live art demonstrations, food and drink vendors, and workshops. Admission is free.

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery

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

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

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

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

• Use melted chocolate to create an edible masterpiece for the holidays. Grades 6-12: Sunday, Dec. 2, 3:30 p.m. Seniors: Tuesday, Dec. 4, 1:30 p.m.

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 $68/adults, $4-6/seniors, and $4-5/children; members and children under 10 free. 631-351-3250.

• Enjoy a creative, instructional, and festive evening inspired by the “Absorbed by Color: Art in the 20th Century” exhibition. The evening will begin with an insider’s look at the exhibition followed by a hands-on, collage workshop and tastings and libations, Friday Nov. 30, 7-10 p.m. Members

Photo by Robert Berkowitz/RSBImageWorks.com

Harry Chapin Tribute Concert Singer-songwriter and social activist Harry Chapin, whose music and humanitarianism inspired many and who resided in Huntington with his family, would be turning 70 in December. The Folk Music Society of Huntington will pay tribute to Harry with a special concert on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Congregational Church of Huntington (30 Washington Drive, Centerport). The concert will be a benefit for WhyHunger, a nonprofit organization launched by Chapin. Headlining will be Harry's daughter Jen Chapin and Long Islandbased folk-rock harmony trio Gathering Time. $30 ($25 for FMSH members). www.fmsh.org.

631-425-2925.

$25/Non-Members $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.holocaust-nassau.org.

• The new permanent exhibit explains the 1920s 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.

• An exhibit of photographs and artifacts honoring Abdol-Hossein Sardari, the Iranian envoy stationed in Paris who rescued thousands of Jews from the Nazis, is on display through December.

Huntington Arts Council

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

• “Bold,” featuring artists that grab the viewer with their unique and striking artwork, opens Friday, Nov. 16 with an opening reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Art-Trium including a music performance by Shenole Latimer.

Running through Feb. 25.

• View and bid on over 50 pieces of artwork in the 2012 “Auction on Main,” through Nov. 30.

Huntington Historical Society

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

Museums: Conklin Barn, 2 High St.; Kissam House/Museum Shop, 434 Park Ave.; Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St. 631-4277045, ext. 401. www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

• The annual Historic Holiday House Tour is Dec. 2, featuring five private historic homes in the Town of Huntington that the public will see for the first time. Noon-4 p.m. Tickets are limited.

LaMantia Gallery

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

• Robert Finale presents captivating landscapes and Richard Johnson displays exquisite paintings of the human face and form.

9 East Contemporary Art

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

631-662-9459.

• “Serendipity: A Solo Exhibition,” is a comprehensive show of 2D and 3D works of art by Puneeta Mittal, on view through Dec. 2.

Northport Historical Society Museum

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

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

• The Antiques Show will be held on Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the William J. Brosnan Building (formerly Laurel Avenue

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

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

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

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

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

• The Arena Players Repertory Theatre presents “Cliffhanger” by James Yaffe, opening Friday, Nov. 30. Running through Dec. 23.

Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 on Friday and Sunday, and $25 on Saturday. Call 516-293-0674 or visit www.ArenaPlayers.org.

Walt Whitman Birthplace

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

Admission: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 students, and children under 5 are free. 631-427-5240. www.waltwhitman.org.

• Enjoy an evening of spoken word performance on Saturday, Dec. 1 with poets Andy Clausen and Jonathan Cohen as part of the second season of Walking with Whitman: Poetry in Performance hosted by George Wallace. Meet the Poets reception at 6:15 p.m.; reading 7-9 p.m.

• Join over 30 readers on Sunday, Dec. 2 as they perform original poems inspired by the work of Rumi, Dante, Hafiz, Milton and other luminaries. Reception with the poets at 6:30 p.m.; reading 7-9:30 p.m. Free.

• Get in the holiday spirit at “A Yuletide Family Day” on Sunday, Dec. 2, 1 p.m., featuring a holiday sing-along, visits with Santa, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas,” crafts and face-painting. $7/child, chaperones free.

Call 631-427-5240, ext. 113 to register.

MUSIC & DANCE The Paramount

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

• Tickets now on sale for the Saturday, Jan. 19 concert “A Diva, A Comedian & Broadway for the Children of Huntington Station.”

• Enjoy “An Evening with The Monkees” on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m.

• WALK 97.5 FM presents Daughtry and 3 Doors Down on Monday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.

Ridotto

Concerts with a Touch of Theater. at The Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington. www.ridotto.org. 631-3850373 • Enjoy the “Musical Splendor of Versailles” with Repast Baroque Ensemble and narrator Margaretha Maimone on Sunday, Dec. 2, 4 p.m. $20 general/$18 serniors/$15 members/$10 students.

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

10 days prior to publication date.

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

A20 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 www.LongIslanderNews.com

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 • A21

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

DEADLINE is Friday at 2 p.m. All Categories

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Never received.

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A22 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 www.LongIslanderNews.com

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WRESTLING

Thunderbirds Wrestle For Excellence Advancing leagues, Hills East team prepares to tackle fresh competition Photo by Bill Terzi

By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com

Having advanced into Division I League II bracket for the 2012-2013 winter season, the Half Hollow Hills East varsity wrestling squad could face tough competition. But according to Coach Bill Davey, the Thunderbirds will never turn away from a challenge. If anything, it adds fuel to their fire.

Davey, who started coaching three years ago, said that even though they’re in the early stages, the outlook for the season is promising. The coach said that this season’s turnout has been the largest he’s ever seen despite the demanding nature of the sport.

“My points of emphasis [this season] would have to be the dedication and commitment not only to the team but to wrestling… If you don’t commit yourself 100 percent it makes it tough on not on you but your team,” the coach said.

As a testament to the team’s dedication, Davey said, 15 of his wrestlers went to Cornell University for a team wrestling camp, where they learned skills from trained clinicians such as threetime NCAA Champion Kyle Dake.

The team enters the season with returning All-League wrestlers Matt Haenel, Michael Morris and Josh Sycoff, all of whom are looking to improve their post on the podium this season. All-County wrestler Maleik Henry returns with a “long road ahead of him,” but according to Davey, he is a top contender for a county title, not to mention a trip upstate for the state tournament.

Davey said sophomores Jack Scurti, Kris Krauss and Cameron Byrne have All-League potential, and he looks forward to them making a strong impact on the team and rising to the occasion for TBirds.

Returning varsity juniors include

A member of the Half Hollow Hills East wrestling team takes down his opponent in a tournament during the 2011-2012 season.

Michael Macchia and Joe Longo. The coach said players to watch include Chris Martinez, Nick Cleary, Steven Macchia, Cedric Pompey, Anthonoy Disparra and William Terzi.

Seniors who Davey said are “instrumental” in solidifying the team’s lineup include Connor Quinlan, Ben Dukoff and Joe Long.

Davey said that as a coach, he has tried to build a wrestling community in an effort to emphasize teamwork and cohesion, an effort the boys have responded well to.

“They’ve learned they need to rely on each other to get through the tough workouts, losing a match, and a grueling long season. Our game plan for this sea-

son is to stick to the basics – do what we do best, what we’ve practiced day after day,” Davey said.

The Hills East T-Birds will have their first scrimmage on Dec. 1 against Ward Melville followed by another scrimmage on Dec. 1. Their first tournament will begin on Dec. 7 at Sanford-Calhoun in Merrick.

Vanderbilt public-private plan resurfaces (Continued from page A7)

“Please note that an initiative is underway to construct a cell tower at the Vanderbilt, but this initiative is not include in this plan due to the fact that it would not be built into the topography of the property,” the proposal reads.

Another potential sticking point is a catering contract. Trustee Peter Gunther said he favored the overall vision, but argued the measure would freeze out Thatched Cottage owner Ralph Colamussi, who has been in negations with

the Vanderbilt for the last two years for catering rights for the property.

“The contract that we’re almost done with would be set aside, and maybe open us up to a lawsuit not only here, but the county, for not going through with the contract,” he said.

“We have to move forward with something that’s going to save it overall,” Beattie said. “Everything is on the table when it comes to participation by anybody for any of these other venues. We have no choice to save this place than to

develop a plan for long-term economic sustainability.”

Gunther said the Vanderbilt should sign a contract with Colamussi to cater the property immediately because the economic sustainability plan would take time to get online. The Vanderbilt would need to find financial backers and finalize implementation, he argued.

“I still would like to see that person approved. If we have to change the contract to say that it’s only good for a certain mount, we can do that, but I don’t

think we should throw that person under the bus,” Gunther said.

Trustee Steve Gittelman denied that the proposal constituted throwing Colamussi “under the bus,” and said his catering contract should follow implementation of the overall plan.

“I’m not going to act or I don’t think this board should act to favor a potential vendor who’s been in negotiations,” he said. “We have an obligation to the institution which rises above our potential obligation to Ralph.”

Dix Hills toy drive extends help to South Shore (Continued from page A1)

never meet. Donations are passed on to families who are being aided by local shelters and agencies, such as Pronto of Long Island and Head Start Early Childhood Center for Children, as well as families whom school districts recommended for the program.

This year, due to the time crunch caused by Hurricane Sandy, the drive is also accepting cash or personal checks that the organizers will use to purchase

toys in case the donor doesn’t have the time to shop themselves. Plumitallo said for those who choose to give money, receipts of purchase will be provided via mail.

History and mission aside, what makes the Sunshine Toy Drive even more inspiring is the way the drive is set up.

According to Hope, her daughter Victoria envisioned a drive that would resemble an actual toy-store. Upon re-

ceiving the donations, volunteers will organize the toys in such a fashion that when families come in to select presents, it’s as if they are choosing them from the shelves of your neighborhood toy shop. Then, parents can bring the gifts to the in-house wrapping station before presenting it to their children on the holidays.

The drive is typically held at a local fire department, and families are bused in from the various agencies that repre-

sent them and assess their level of need.

Shoppers are served coffee and cake.

Hope hopes that newcomers from the South Shore enjoy the experience the organizers strive to capture.

“We have no idea how we’re gonna do it, but we’ll get there,” she said.

Those interested in donating should drop donations at the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department at 115 E. Deer Park Road in Dix Hills, or call Hope at 516-807-4044.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 • A23

HillSPORTS GIRLS SOCCER>>NOTRE DAME 0, ST. ANTHONY’S 6 BOYS BASKETBALL

T-Birds Prepare For Flight

By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com

The Half Hollow Hills East boys basketball team is prepared to bring the noise this season.

After ending their League II season last year with an 8-11 overall record (5-9 in league), Coach Peter Basel said a main focus for the Thunderbirds this winter will be team chemistry.

Of 26 hopefuls, 15 were selected to join the Thunderbirds’ winter lineup. The roster includes two transfer students and only five players from last season.

“We want to keep our focus on playing the game from start to finish, more team chemistry and team togetherness,” Basel said.

Basel, who teaches physical education and has coached the basketball team for 11 years, said the players this year are “very athletic,” a natural gift of which he plans to take full advantage.

Fans should keep their eyes peeled for returning junior Mike Simon, who last season came in during the last six games and helped carry the team through the latter portion of the season. Basel said he is looking forward to having Simon on board full time.

Last year, the team lost 6’3’’ Jordan McCrae after he moved out of the district, re-locating because his father played for the New England Patriots. But McCrae has now returned. Basel described him as an overall “good player” and an asset to the team, along with junior point guard Matthew Boyd, who transferred from Hills West.

The team will play six non-league games this season as opposed to last season’s four, which will give them a greater opportunity to hone in on strategy and gage the competition.

The coach is enthusiastic about games against Hills West, who they are slated to play in January, and non-league games against familiar rivals West Islip, Commack and Syosset.

The team held their first scrimmage of the season against Elwood/John Glenn on Nov. 27. The Thunderbirds will hold this first nonleague game at home on Nov. 30 against Smithtown East at 4:30 p.m.

Basel said that this season, consistency will be instrumental to the team’s success.

“We need more chemistry,” he said. “Sometimes we were too far in the hole, so we need to stick with it from start to finish and focus on togetherness.”

Friars Win 20th State Title

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Before the 2012 season began, the Friars lost their starters. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year.

Instead they won the whole thing, again.

Coach Dave Prutting led St. Anthony’s girls soccer to their 20th Catholic League state title in his 25 years with a dominant performance in Buffalo.

“Some people describe our rebuilding years as just reloading. We’ve been very fortunate, at least in my tenure, to attract some top talent in the area,” he said.

Prutting knew his team was young at the beginning of the season, when he focused on learning who his starters were and what they needed to work on. After non-league games with teams from Ohio – who were already into league play while the Friars had yet to start – he began to feel confident.

After a strong season, peaking at the tail end, the Friars coaches and players found themselves isolated in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. School was closed for two weeks, Prutting said, during which the team was not allowed to practice.

They reunited on Tuesday, Nov. 13 for the Long Island Championship against Kellenberg. Practicing two days later, they took their act upstate on Friday, Nov. 16.

St. Anthony’s played Sacred Heart, from Buffalo, in the semifinals on Nov. 17. Despite the 2-0 score, Prutting said his team had significantly more scoring opportunities they didn’t capitalize on.

Friars captains Gabriela Nastasi, Jessica Lukas, Maggie Bill and Sydney Arestivo show off their plaques after winning states on Sunday.

“We only ended up with a 2-0 win, but it was pretty clear after the first few minutes we were dominating the game,” he said.

Jessica Lukas and Tricia Hanley scored for the Friars, while Lukas and Maggie Bill recorded an assist. Goalie Kelly DiGregorio earned 4 saves in the win and her teammate Danielle Maurice made 3 saves.

On Nov. 18, St. Anthony’s decimated Staten Island-based Notre Dame Academy 6-0 in the finals. While Notre Dame

had very few shots on goal, Prutting said he played his entire bench.

Bill scored a goal and 2 assists, while Lukas and Samantha Wargo each recorded a goal and an assist.

Gabriela Nastasi, Sydney Arestivo and Hanley each scored a goal. Kerry McEntyre and Michelle Santangello also earned an assist.

In goal, DiGregorio led the defense with 2 saves. Casandra Davis and Maurice each made 1 save.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Lady Thunderbirds Gearing Up Again Falling short last year, team returns hungry for county title

By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com

For the first time in 10 years, in 2011 the Hills East girls varsity basketball team waltzed onto the courts to play in the Suffolk County playoffs. Coach Chick Hamm said that this year, the game plan is no different.

The team had their first scrimmage against Wyndanch, which according to Hamm was a less-than-challenging start to the pre-season. Hamm said the competition was weak, and didn’t serve as a strong indicator as to where the Lady Thunderbirds stand when it comes to strength.

Scrimmages on the horizon include games against Bellport on Nov. 26, Center Moriches, and Hauppauge.

Hamm said he tried to include teams who were in the playoffs last year in order to ensure a little competition before the team’s first non-league game against Islip on Dec. 3; they then place Dec. 6 against Sachem North, and Shelter Island on Dec. 10. Their first league game will be held at home on Dec. 13 against Northport, who Hamm said, is

a tough team to beat.

Fans can expect to see some familiar faces on the team this season, including senior point guard Ashley Walker, junior guard Julia Gneiser and junior guard/forward Sierra Coleman. The coach said he looks forward to two new players who moved into the district from South Carolina, Maia and Mischa Rivers.

“This season I don’t know what to expect. I think we’ve gotten a little better and we have a team that’s athletic, all we can do is move forward,” the coach said.

In 2011, Hamm’s first year with the TBirds, the team made it to the Suffolk County playoffs and upset Smithtown West, but lost to to Sachem East during the semifinals.

Hamm said that after the team experienced a rotation of several different coaches, he had no idea what to expect.

“I had no idea what happened.

[When I came in,] the program was in shambles, so it was kind of a lot of hard work. You gotta work really hard and get the girls to commit. We’ve got some good guard this year working to-

gether as a system, more as a team and not as individuals. We’re team-oriented, not individually oriented,” Hamm said.

This winter, the Lady Thunderbirds’ top three competitors in the league are Northport, Whitman and Lindenhurst.

Hamm says his girls will be prepared to play tougher this year and aim to upset their top opponents in order to get an early edge.

“Those teams have a lot of kids coming back. We’ll improve but they’re improving too. Whitman has everybody back, all of their starters were juniors, so if we’re better, they’re still [getting] better. So we get to play them twice and it’s important that we upset one of them at least one time,” the coach said.

Hamm said it’s important to take games against weaker teams like Bay Shore and Connetquot seriously to secure as many wins as possible.

“Playoffs [are] always the goal,” Hamm said. “You can’t have a bad game; if you lose to them [a weaker team] you can’t make the playoffs.

You’ve got to beat every team you’re supposed to beat to get there.”

A24 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • NOVEMBER 29, 2012 www.LongIslanderNews.com

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