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N E W S P A P E R

VOLUME FIFTEEN, ISSUE 52

20 PAGES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014 MELVILLE

The Paramount Spotlight

Piranha Smuggler Pleads Guilty Melville man brought in nearly 40,000 from Hong Kong

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Psychic medium John Edward, of Huntington, appears at The Paramount on Feb. 25 and again in May.

JohnEdward PsychedFor Paramount

By Luann Dallojacono ldallojacono@longislandernews.com

When Karen Acompora lost her 14year-old son, it was psychic medium John Edward who gave her the answers she was looking for.

It was the summer of 2000, and Louis Acompora, of Northport, had died tragically a few months earlier from a condition known as commotio cordis after taking a blow to his chest while playing lacrosse. His mother had heard about Edward, a psychic medium from Huntington whose reputation had grown so much that he had been given his own TV show on the Sci-Fi channel.

Acompora and her family soon found themselves sitting in the audience for a taping of Edward’s show, “Crossing Over with John Edward,” during which the medium (Continued on page A15)

A Melville man will be fined in April after pleading guilty in federal court last week to smuggling nearly 40,000 piranhas into the United States during a two-year span.

Joel Rakower, owner of Jamaica, Queens-based Transship Discounts Ltd., entered the guilty plea Jan. 29, admitting that he violated the Lacey Act by buying piranhas from a Hong Kong tropical fish supplier and importing them to Queens by presenting falsified packing labels to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service inspectors.

“Rakower flouted federal laws meant to protect people and the environment from the illegal trade in wildlife species,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Robert G. Dreher, of the Environment

Piranhas are considered extremely aggressive and territorial, posing great risk should they escape into water systems. and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “Mislabeling imported wildlife presents dangers to the public and the environment and we will continue to prosecute these cases.”

Scheduled to be sentenced

April 24, Rakower agreed to pay a $3,000 fine. His company will be on probation for two years, pay $35,000 in fines and another $35,000 in restitution to the State of New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation

Division of Law Enforcement.

Federal officials said that in March 2011, shortly after New York City banned the sale and distribution of piranhas, Rakower instructed his foreign supplier to label the piranhas on packing lists as silver tetras, a common and unaggressive aquarium fish. During that time, he smuggled in 39,548 piranhas, valued at approximately $37,376, which he then sold in several states.

Federal officials only recovered about 850 of the piranhas, a South American freshwater river fish described by experts as “extremely aggressive and territorial, feeding on insects, fish and larger prey such as amphibians, reptiles and mammals.” Twenty-five states have banned or regulated piranhas because of the risk posed should they escape into native water systems.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

New Home For Long Islander News Long Islander News has returned to Huntington village.

In the news group’s new office, the reporters now have a bird’s eye view from the top floor of 14 Wall St. “What better place for a news office than in the middle of it all?” said James V. Kelly, publisher of the news group, which includes The LongIslander, founded in 1838 by poet Walt Whitman. “We love the space and are excited to continue to grow Walt Whitman’s legacy from our new home.”

On Saturday, Keith Verderber and a dozen movers from Astro Moving & Storage, an Allied Van Lines agent, did the heavy lifting as Long Islander News, along with Kelly’s consulting firm, JVKelly Group, relocated

from 145 East Main St. The building was home to the consulting firm for five years, and to Long Islander News for only a few months. The news group, which also publishes the Half Hollow Hills Newspaper and the Record, moved there from 149 Main St., just outside the village, when Kelly acquired the paper.

The group had been at the 149 Main location for six years, but before that was a staple in the busy downtown.

For many years, as Long Islander Newspapers, the company was headquartered in the space above what is now Rosa’s Pizza, on the corner of Main Street and Clinton Avenue; the building was known as the Long-Islander Building for a century. It later

It’s moving time! The Long Islander News crew stands in front of the moving truck at their new home on Wall Street. moved across the street, to 322 Main St. The 14 Wall St. loft became available when Work Market, a startup that runs an online marketplace for contractors

and freelancers, outgrew the space. The company was featured last month as one of Forbes’ Top 25 Most Promising Companies in America.

IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Melville Duo Charged With Bank Robbery A5

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A2 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014

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Photos/New York State Division Of Military Affairs

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Huntington Station Man To Compete In Winter Olympics Matthew Mortensen a member of U.S. luge team

By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com

A sergeant in the U.S. Army, Huntington Station native Matthew Mortensen will represent his country in a different uniform this winter, as a member of the U.S. luge team in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Mortensen’s 16-year uphill battle to join the men’s doubles Olympic team has finally paid off. Mortensen will compete alongside fellow Army athlete Preston Griffall in the Feb. 12 Doubles Run 1, scheduled to take place at 6:15 p.m.

Mortensen, 28, fell in love with the sport of ice luging when he was just 11 years old, according to the National Guard Bureau of the Department of Defense. The St. Dominic’s High School graduate said he remembers developing an affinity for the elusive sport when he was a child, when his father worked for a company that sponsored the U.S. luge team.

With a dream realized, Mortensen accompanied his father on a trip for luge team tryouts and has nursed his passion for the sport ever since.

For many years Mortensen has had his

sights set high, with a spot on the U.S. Olympic team as his ultimate prize. Fastforward 16 years later to Park City, Utah, when Mortensen and Griffall placed ninth in the December 2013 Viessmann Luge World Cup and won silver medals for their combined time of 1:20.080.

“It’s unbelievable,” Mortensen said in an interview with the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs. “I get emotional thinking about it. It’s been almost 17 years that I’ve been working toward this point, and for it to finally happen is like a dream come true.”

(Continued on page A15)

Matthew Mortensen, top, a sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard, participates in a luge drill, preparing for the Olympic games in Sochi, Russia.

Matt Mortensen, who grew up in Huntington Station, is prepareing the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014 • A3 Photo by Ross McTyre

Plows make their way down Huntington’s Main Street on Tuesday. Schools were closed as were most area businesses as a winter storm dropped more than 8 inches in the area.

HALF HOLLOW HILLS

Half Hollow Hills Wakes Up To Snow Huntington town residents woke up on Monday to a scene straight out of a snow globe.

The Half Hollow Hills School District announced a district-wide school closure on its website at 5:24 a.m. on Feb. 3, “due to the anticipated severe weather and dangerous road conditions.”

The third major snowfall this year, Melville saw a snowfall accumulation of more than 8 inches as of Monday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

According to Huntington town spokesman A.J. Carter, Supervisor Frank Petrone did not declare a snow emergency because the plows were out before the snow started and the community had already been warned of the inclement weather.

“The plows were out early, and moving constantly as the snow came down,” Carter said.

Superintendent of Highways Peter Gunther said Monday night that crews had been at work since 3:30 a.m. to battle the accumulating snowfall. A total of 91 town trucks, drawn from the highway, public safety and general services departments,

responded to the snow, as did nearly 150 outside contractors and 10 payloaders.

With the wet, heavy snow, technique is important, he said.

“That’s why it’s so important to do the curbs first and then push the middle of the roads out,” Gunther said. “It gives you more room to push the snow at the ends.”

With more snow having been predicted for Wednesday and Saturday, according to early forecasts, Gunther urged residents not to shovel or clear snow from their properties into the street. Throwing snow into the street, he said, is illegal and puts workers attempting to clear the streets in unnecessary peril.

“When you push it out and hit that big snow mount in the middle of the street, it could cause you to lose control of the vehicle,” he said.

Andrew Hees, a junior at Half Hollow Hills High School East, welcomed the day off.

“I’m glad that I found out before I went out to the bus stop,” said Hees, who was glad to have the extra day to work on his English assignment.

Though this could mean losing a scheduled vacation day, he’s not worried. After all, it’s “still a day off from school.”

Leanne Strom, who teaches orchestra at Half Hollow Hills High School East, said

Long Islander News Photo/Danny Schrafel

By Arielle Dollinger adollinger@longislandernews.com

In Melville, plows approach a snowy Route 110 Monday morning. that she is not concerned about losing a vacation day on Memorial Day weekend either.

“I would rather lose a vacation day than put myself in an unsafe situation,” she said.

“I have two young daughters at home and

spending the day cuddled by the fire and building snowmen did my heart some good.

Snow days force us all to slow down.”

Danny Schrafel contributed to this report.

MELVILLE

Cops: Woman Stole Purses From Senior Shoppers’ Carts

By Danny Schrafel

dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Two Melville residents are accused of targeting elderly women in a recent series of purse-snatchings from area supermarket shopping carts.

Heather Gallagher, 31, is accused of snatching purses from patrons at the Melville Waldbaum’s at 1:50 p.m. Jan. 25; at Best Yet supermarket in Huntington Station at 4:44 p.m. Jan. 14; and at the Elwood Stop and Shop supermarket on Jericho Turnpike Jan. 8. Security cameras caught her on tape with the purse she allegedly stole, and police distributed those images to the public on Jan. 29.

Alexander Giaime, 21, is accused of aiding her in the Elwood and Huntington Station shopping cart pursesnatchings.

Gallagher is also accused of robbing a Broad Hollow

Road Sunoco station twice within a two-day span. She and a co-conspirator allegedly stole money from the cash register at 12:30 a.m. Jan. 30. Gallagher is accused of making a return visit to take money from the register at 2 p.m. Jan. 31.

In the Melville and Elwood grand larceny cases, Gallagher is accused of fourth-degree grand larceny as a hate crime because police allege that she targeted seniors. In the Huntington Station case, she is accused of fourth-degree grand larceny for allegedly stealing a credit card.

Gallagher also faces scofflaw charges on outstanding driving violations that date back to April and July 2007, according to online court records. She was ordered held on $500 cash and $1,000 bond by Judge Paul Hensley Feb. 1. She is due back in court Feb. 6.

Giaime, who posted $20,000 bond Feb. 1, also faces an outstanding petit larceny charge from Dec. 16, 2013.

He is due back in court Feb. 18.

Security footage allegedly caught Heather Gallagher, of Melville, in the act of stealing purses from seniors at local supermarkets, according to police.

A4 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014

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POLICE REPORT Compiled by Danny Schrafel

Dear Mother Nature: I Surrender

Spitting Mad With Road Rage

Define ‘wintry mix’, please… As I write this on Helmets up… to the National Football League, Monday, with about a half-a-foot of snow having just which set a record Sunday night. You would think that fallen on Huntington, there’s supposed to be another 6 in the midst of a 43-8 blowout of the Denver Broncos inches or so of what we in the business call “wintry by the Seattle Seahawks, people mix” on the way for Wednesday might start flipping over to the – snow, sleet, freezing rain, ice, IN THE KNOW Puppy Bowl or something, the works. Just dandy, if you ask WITH AUNT ROSIE right? Not the case, it seems – it me. Then, to finish it off and tie turns out 111.5 million it into a nice little wintry bow – there’s a possibility of Americans tuned in for the more snow this weekend, right on schedule to mark the Super Bowl. Not only is that is the best viewership in anniversary of last year’s blizzard when we had about the game’s history, it’s also the most-watched two feet of snow dumped on our heads. Mother Nature American television event in history, proving once and – may I call you mom? – what have we done to for all that lopsided sports matches can be plenty aggrieve you? How may we atone? Because if this is entertaining, too. your way of getting even, I officially surrender.

Chili and snow boots… It seems like whenever However… the snow did time itself conveniently to Peter Demidovich gets the gang together for chili, allow one thing to proceed fairly smoothly – our move Mother Nature decides to garnish the stuff with into a new office! That’s right: Long Islander News and snow! This Saturday marks the third annual chili JVKelly Group, after a brief residence together at 145 cook-off at the Elks Lodge in Huntington, a East Main St., have moved back to the heart of Huntington fundraiser in support of the Nickolas Demidovich village (remember the days above Rosa’s, and then across Memorial Fund. Unfortunately, if the weather doesthe street?) into a second-story space at 14 Wall St. It was n’t shape up, and fast, we might be busier digging all hands on deck this Saturday as the gang unloaded fur- out than noshing on homemade chili for the second niture, computers, files and more chairs than you could straight year. Yes, more snow is possible this shake a stick at (seriously – what are we going to do with Saturday, but that being said, don’t expect a few feet that many chairs?). It’s a little rough-looking at the of snow to stop these hardy folks from hosting the moment, but give us a week to move in and it’s really event. Last year a handful simply dug out, brought going to be the bee’s knees – it’s a really wonderful space, their chili and had a grand old time at the lodge anyI tell you. And it’s nice being back in the village – nothing way. On the upswing – if it doesn’t snow too much, beats the moment when somebody ambles through the chili would really hit the spot after shoveling out in front door and says, “Hey kid – I got a story for ya!” So I the February cold. It’s for a great cause – to help hope you’ll come by and visit our new digs. send disadvantaged Boy Scouts to camp and get the full scouting experience – so cut us a break, would One foot in front of the other… As much as I ya please? For more information, call 631-683-4871, like the new space, there are two little itty-bitty draw- email peterd1@optonline.net, or keep an eye on backs, but I can certainly live with them. The first? their Facebook page by searching for “3rd annual There’s no parking lot – all on-the-street parking, so chili cookoff.” you’ve got to be crafty to get a good spot. The other?

It’s a hike up to the second floor! I counted precisely (Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have com23 steps (and a landing for good measure) on the way ments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening in your up to the loft, so it’s a bit of a hike for a more… sea- neck of the woods, write to me today and let me know soned, shall we say… woman like myself. The the latest. To contact me, drop a line to Aunt Rosie, c/o upswing? My legs will be in the best shape that I can The Long-Islander, 14 Wall Street, Huntington NY remember if I visit regularly!

11743. Or try the e-mail at aunt.rosieli@gmail.com)

Apartment Burglarized An apartment on Avalon Court Drive in Melville was burglarized Jan. 30. Police were called at noon after someone broke a front window, forced the home’s front door open and stole jewelry and electronics.

In A Hurry, Dear?

A suspected burglar was in such a rush to get away Jan. 28 that he foiled his great escape by smacking into a car on Ryder Avenue in Dix Hills. Police said that at 6:38 p.m., the man hit a woman’s car as he was fleeing, causing damage to her front fender.

Food Fight!

Cops were called to Half Hollow Hills High School West Jan. 31 several days after an alleged lunch-hour assault occurred. According to the complainant, they were shoved from behind in the school’s cafeteria at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 28. The incident is still under investigation and no arrest has been made.

Rear-Entry Burglar Strikes Burglars struck a Wildwood Drive home at 6:42 p.m.

Jan. 28. Officials said that two men broke a rear glass window and stole jewelry from the residence.

Thieves Make Off With Jewels A Dix Hills family returned home at 6 a.m. Jan. 27 to a most unpleasant surprise. The Seaman Neck Road residents told police that they found their rear sliding door broken and that men’s and women’s jewelry had been stolen from their home.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK JOHN EDWARD

PICTURE THIS PHOTO BY ROSS McTYRE

Police were called to southbound Deer Park Avenue Jan. 31 just before 2 p.m. after a bout of road rage escalated out of control. The complainant said it all got started after a man driving by her yelled at her to “get off the phone” and made an obscene gesture at her. However, the woman told police she wasn’t talking on her phone, and when she and the man met again at a red light at the intersection with Kenmore Street, she decided to let the man know that he was wrong. She decided to plead her case to the man by getting out of her car and walking up to his car to confront him. That’s when he yelled at her to get away and shortly after punched her and spat on her, police said.

These Crooks Have Expensive Taste A Dix Hills resident called Suffolk County police at 9 a.m. Jan. 26 after their car had been burglarized at the Smith Haven Mall. The thieves made off with a MacBook Pro, a Gucci belt and Michael Kors heels.

What A Steal!

Mark Stevens of the Huntington Highway Department gives a thumbs up after plowing the streets Monday morning. Stevens said the department expected to work through the evening to clear and sand the streets.

‘I’m not important. I’m just the phone.’

Edward Psyched To Play The Paramount, PAGE 1

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He said that he bought it at a garage sale – but police say he got a five-finger discount. A 52-year-old Dix Hills man was arrested on a count of criminal possession of stolen property and issuing a false written statement to police Jan. 26 after he was found in possession of a 1973 mini Rupp Roadster 2 minibike which had been reported stolen Jan. 14. He told police that he bought the bike at a garage sale, but the cops didn’t buy his explanation.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014 • A5

MELVILLE

Pair Arrested In Robbery Spree Police say men, motivated by drug habit, burglarized 9 banks across Long Island

By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com

Two men were arrested outside their Melville apartment last week in connection with a spree of nine robberies that authorities say was motivated by a drug habit.

Adam Baron, 18 and Jamie Ramirez, 25, were arrested Jan. 29. Police said the pair allegedly robbed nine different banks, six in Nassau and three in Suffolk County, in one month. Police also accused the two men of a failed attempt to rob one bank in Nassau County.

Suffolk police however have yet to come forward with details about the three robberies in Long Island’s eastern region.

Authorities cuffed the pair without incident outside of the Avalon Apartment complex in Melville, where officers said they shared an apartment—and an alleged drug habit.

Police, according to Nassau County Police Det. Sgt. John Giambrone, connected the nine separate crimes after a pattern in how the crimes were executed became evident.

“When you see individuals as active as these guys were, it’s usually indicative of some type of addiction… We believe this was drug fueled,” Giambrone said at a news conference last week.

Their drug of choice, detectives added, ap-

peared to be heroin, as well as others.

According to Nassau County police, Baron and Ramirez would enter banks with a demand note that had “the same wording each time” and implied the man holding the note had a gun. Officers said that in most of the robberies, one of the men would sit in a rental car—in one case, a white U-Haul pickup truck with Arizona license plates— while the other carried out the robbery.

The notes used in the robberies, Giambrone said, “indicated the individuals had a gun,” but no weapon was ever shown.

Baron is charged with robbing three banks on his own, including Bethpage Federal Credit Union in Westbury on Dec. 26, 2013; a TD Bank in Rockville Centre on Jan. 13; and the Jan. 28 robbery of a Chase Bank on Main Street in Farmingdale. In total, Baron is charged with five counts of robbery in the second degree and one count of robbery in the second degree for an attempt.

Ramirez, also charged in the attempted robbery, faces two counts of robbery in the second degree and robbery in the third degree. Police said that Ramirez carried out a Jan. 17 robbery of a Chase Bank in North Bellmore on his own, but is also charged in three other robberies — one on Jan. 23 in Plainview and two others that day in Merrick — along with Baron.

Both men pled not guilty at arraignment last Thursday at Nassau County First District

Adam Baron

Jamie Ramirez

Court in Hempstead. A judge set bail for Ramirez at $2 million and for Baron, $1.5 million, cash or bond.

Baron and Ramirez appeared in front of a judge for a second time on Monday, when the case was adjourned and bail conditions remained the same. According to online records, Ramirez was scheduled to appear in court again on Wednesday, but the outcome

was not available by press time on Monday.

Matthew Tuhoy, Baron’s Hauppaugebased attorney in the case, did not return calls for comment on Monday. Court records show Ramirez is being represented by Legal Aid. Sources said 18-year-old Baron was adopted when he was a child by a Melville family and has a history of drug abuse.

MELVILLE

McDonald’s Ready To Double Down Zoning board poised to issue special permit, variances for twin drive-through

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

The Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals appears ready to award key variances to McDonald’s USA to clear the way for the construction of a double drive-through restaurant on Route 110 in Melville.

The board did not vote on issuing parking and sign variances and a special use permit for the proposal, which calls for a 4,388 square-foot drive-in restaurant on the southern half of a 2.33-acre parcel on northbound Broad Hollow Road/Route 110, about 750 feet south of Ruland Road.

Instead, the board kept the hearing open so that McDonald’s USA can submit revised traffic-flow plans before they give the all-clear.

“I think you get the impression that we think your experts and you have made out

the proofs necessary to the granting of the permit,” ZBA Chairman Chris Modelewski said. “We just want to see that, and make it part of the record, and then perhaps discuss with counsel the conditions and covenants we would place on the approval.”

The unique double drive-through setup is designed to increase the speed of service while meeting a shift in demand toward drive-in orders. Traffic engineer John Harter, of Hauppauge-based Atlantic Traffic & Design Engineers, said that 70 percent of customers during the peak lunch hour use the drive-through.

While McDonald’s is seeking a substantial parking variance – their plans call for 47 stalls while town code calls for 126 – engineer Eric Meyer, of Hauppaugebased Bohler Engineering, said that will be plenty of parking. A similarly-sized restaurant built on the northwest corner of

Fifth Avenue and the Southern State Parkway in Bay Shore, he said, features a dual drive-through and is adequately served by just 40 parking spots.

Attorney John Farrell, who is representing McDonald’s in the request, said that if property owner FMP Holdings decided to develop the remaining land to the north, they would pursue a subdivision.

“The way we’ve laid out the site, if the lot were subdivided, we would not require any additional relief from this board,” Farrell said. “It depends on what they’re going to develop on the other site. I believe their intent is to develop something they can fit in without any variances, but I can’t speak to that because I don’t know what the application is, standing here right now.”

Should a subdivision come to fruition, a cross-access easement, which would allow McDonald’s customers to drive di-

rectly into the new northern parcel’s parking lot, would be included, Farrell said.

Asked by Modelewski about the feasibility of making a similar cross-easement with the nearby Costco store, Farrell said that was unlikely to happen.

“We’ve been in discussions with Costco… They went to their landlord and came back with terms that they would not disclose to us, but they indicate it was beyond the realm of possibility to enter into a cross-access agreement,” he said.

Real estate expert John Breslin agreed that a cross-access easement between Costco and McDonald’s would make sense.

“It seems, in both cases, to help the other property. They complement one another,” he said.

The ZBA could award the special use permit and variances to McDonald’s USA as early as this Thursday.

HALF HOLLOW HILLS

Five Towns Has Eye On School Hills Will Close

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

The president of Five Towns College in Dix Hills said the academic arts institution is interested in possibly utilizing one of the elementary schools the Half Hollow Hills School District will close next school year.

In a phone interview Jan. 24, Five Towns President Stanley Cohen said the college has an interest in leasing space at either Chestnut Hill or Forest Park Elementary Schools, which the

Hills Board of Education voted to close due to declining enrollment in the 2014-2015 school year.

Cohen said many things are still up in the air and the college has not directly communicated its interest in leasing space to the school board. College officials are still unsure about exactly which property they will look to lease, he added.

“We have not communicated that yet to the board because we are waiting for the dust to settle. We do have an interest in one building but we don’t know

which one,” Cohen said.

Half Hollow Hills Board of Education President James Ptucha said Monday that ongoing talks about possible leases are confidential and nothing definitive will be decided until the end of the current school year. “[The district is] Absolutely looking to lease the properties in their entirety.

We don’t want to do it piecemeal.

There are interested parties but all conversations are ongoing and…confidential,” Ptucha said.

Five Towns College took over the

former Burrs Lane Jr. High School in 1990 when the Half Hollow Hills district decided to close the school, also because of a trend of declining enrollment.

Five Towns is located at the North Service Road in Dix Hills, just 2 miles from Chestnut Hill Elementary School and 3.5 miles from Forest Park Elementary on Deforest Road.

The school district will save roughly $3 million from closing the two schools, mostly from staff and security cuts, district officials have said.

A6 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014

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HUNTINGTON STATION

‘Freddie The Shoemaker’ Dies Legendary Huntington Station cobbler Freddie Sforza was 99

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Alfred Sforza Sr., whose career spanning nearly 80 years in the shoe repair business earned him the nickname “Freddie the Shoemaker” and established him as a larger-than-life link to Huntington Station’s brightest years, has died following a sudden illness, his family said.

Sforza Sr., of Huntington Station, died Jan. 26 at age 99 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. His son Alfred Sforza Jr. said the family discovered Sforza Sr.’s cancer after his father fell earlier this month.

“It was a real big shock,” he said.

Best known to locals as “Freddie the Shoemaker,” Sforza Sr. was honored this fall as a grand marshal at this year’s Huntington Awareness Day alongside Golden Gloves boxer Charlie Gumbs, a Huntington native, who died Jan. 4.

Wherever he went, Sforza Sr., also referred to by many as the “mayor of Huntington Station,” ensured his shoe repair shop was a hub for the community – a place for debating politics over coffee and bagels in the morning; a place for cops to warm up in the winter and get a shoeshine.

Barber Neil Annuziato, who first met Sforza Sr. when they were neighboring business owners in Huntington Station more than 50 years ago, said Wednesday that his old friend was a well-liked man who was entrenched in the community.

“He was quite a guy – a real nice guy,”

Annuziato, who shared a storefront with Sforza Sr. until about a year ago, said.

“He would do almost anything for you.

He was very well-liked because he was straightforward.”

Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia, who first became a client of Sforza Sr. in the early 1960s as a young executive, recalled his quick wit and sharp mind.

“It was amazing how he ran his shop.

You never got a receipt for your shoes. He would put some kind of a number on the back of the shoe as to what had to be done, and he put them on the shelf,” she said.

“I’m sure he treated everybody else the same way… I would come in for my shoes and I would say, ‘navy blue,’ and he would say, ‘I know, I know,’ and go directly to the shoes and give me the shoes. It was amazing how he handled that.”

Sforza Sr. was born July 13, 1914 in Brooklyn. His first introduction to Huntington Station was through frequent summertime visits to his sister’s home. But when his brother-in-law Mike Aurricchio died suddenly in February 1934, however, his sister asked him to come to Huntington Station to run his shoe-repair business.

So a month later, Freddie’s Shoe Repair was born at 1157 New York Ave. Later, when the building was sold, he moved a few doors down to 1169 New York Ave., where he remained through 1966. Then, urban renewal resulted in the leveling much of Huntington Station, and he relocated his shop to 308 New York Ave. in Huntington village, where he shared space

with Annuziato.

Staying active at the shop was good for Freddie, his son Alfred Sforza, Jr. said in September.

“He goes down there to see everybody,” Sforza Jr. said at the time. “Just to be there, go back and forth. He’s a people person.”

Sforza Sr. was also known for his generous spirit. During World War II, the shop, filled with photos of Huntington’s fighting men, became a virtual shrine to the men overseas and a place to get updates about their efforts. One of his favorite turns of phrase, his son said, was “no charge.”

The shop also was the setting for a love connection. Lena Bifulco came into the store to have her pocketbook fixed in 1934, and Sforza Sr. was smitten. They were married Nov. 29, 1936. They were wed for nearly 72 years when she died in September 2008.

Another great love was baseball. Sforza Sr. managed a local softball team and would often dash off to Manor Field to play a pick-up game. He was a diehard Brooklyn Dodgers fan and rejoiced when they beat the Yankees in the 1955 World Series; however, he never forgave them for moving to Los Angeles, his son said, and switched to rooting for the Mets instead.

In addition to his son, Sforza Sr. is survived by his grandchildren, Dr. Anthony Sforza and wife Jennifer, Debra Smith and her husband Peter, and Sharon Buehrig and husband Phill; and

Alfred Sforza Sr., best known as “Freddie the Shoemaker,” waves outside his 308 New York Avenue storefront. The Huntington Station fixture died Jan. 26 after a brief illness at age 99. six great-grandchildren.

Visitation was at M.A Connell Funeral Home and a funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church in Huntington, where Sforza Sr. was an usher for more than 50 years.

Sforza Jr. said the outpouring of support has been gratifying, and that his family has been “inundated” with phone calls.

“It’s nice to know that people felt that way about him,” he said.

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Village: Help Us First With Water Issues Long Islander News archives photo

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Nitrogen, a familiar adversary to Huntington Town officials, has been named public enemy no. 1 in Suffolk County’s quest to push back against deteriorating water quality throughout the county, and Northport Village officials are angling for additional county aid to combat the problem in their harbor.

During a telephone town hall meeting held Jan. 29, County Executive Steve Bellone said that five criteria will determine eligibility for additional county funding for sewer system expansions.

In addition to nitrogen pollution, location will be a key factor in deciding who gets funded. Bellone said that priority areas include: those that are adjacent to New York State DEC-designated “impaired bodies of water” like the Long Island Sound; those where groundwater runs off rapidly into local bays and harbors; those areas where groundwater contributes to the 50-year supply for public water wells; and those where the depth to groundwater is 10 feet or less.

Based on those criteria, Northport Deputy Mayor Henry Tobin said his village is a prime candidate for such aid, and the municipality is preparing a proposal that they will “turn in as soon as possible.”

“We meet all the criteria for priority as described by County Executive Bellone, and we intend to apply for funds in order to make our harbor, bay and the Sound even cleaner and healthier than it will be after the current upgrades to our wastewater treatment system are completed,” Tobin said.

The wastewater treatment plant is currently undergoing a $9-million overhaul, which is designed to reduce nitrogen emissions in order to comply with state mandates. The county has secured more than $4.6 million in funding for the project so far through a combination of a state pass-through grant and the county’s sewer infrastructure committee.

The tele-town hall followed the Jan. 23 release of an updated Executive Summary of Suffolk County’s Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan, which states that the primary sources of nitrogen pollution are residential septic systems and cesspools, which serve more than 70 percent of Suffolk County homes.

“Nitrogen… are the principal culprits that spur hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, dimunation of sea and shell fisheries and degradation of our protective natural infrastructure – wetlands and seagrass beds that act as wave and storm surge buffers,” the report reads.

Bellone has ordered the county departments of health, public works and economic development to define criteria that identify the most critical parcels in preserving the county’s water quality. That data will be used to prioritize parcels to be targeted for remediation.

According to Bellone’s report, nitrogen has reached critically high levels, resulting in negative impacts on drinking, recreational waterways and wetlands. Nitrogen has plagued Huntington and Northport harbors in recent years, decimating the local shellfishing industries, forcing fre-

Stormwater drains into the harbor at the foot of Main Street in Northport, compromising water quality. quent beach closings due to poor water quality, and causing a public health risk by dangerous algal blooms that can cause severe illness or death.

Jackie Martin, commodore of the Greater Huntington Council of Yacht and Boating Clubs, said those factors create an image that discourages tourists and local boaters alike.

“The whole perception that our waters and waterways may not be clean is not attractive to people who spend the majority of their summer of free time engaged in water sports,” she said. “They have an uncomfortable feeling.”

The report states that some of those impacts have reached local drinking water. In Northport and East Northport, nitrate levels measured in untreated water from existing Suffolk County Water Authority wells have ranged from 8 mg/L to 12 mg/L. Suffolk County Water Authority Chairman Jim Gaughran said that while the public water supply is safe, the biggest concern consumers should have is escalating costs if conditions do not improve – or get worse.

“The costs will become astronomical if we don’t do something to reduce the levels of nitrates,” he said.

Martin said addressing nitrogen runoff caused by home cesspools and septic systems will be critical toward stabilizing and reducing nitrogen levels. Advances in septic systems could provide the most immediate, cost-effective impact, she added.

However, Legislator Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) and others are hopeful that the updated water quality report will provide a catalyst toward expanding the county’s sewer system.

The cost will be sizable. Back in 1969, when Suffolk County established the Southwest Sewer District, the county bonded $226 million for the $291,750,000 project. However, Stern argued the costs will be greater if the county’s sewer system is not expanded.

“In the past it has been too easy to blame the lack of progress on cost because this growing concern always seemed like it was far off in the future, but this report proves that this is no longer the case and to continue to put it off is no longer acceptable,” Stern said.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014 • A7

A8 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014

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Opinion

Sen

d letters to The Editor, : Half Hollo wH 14 Wall Str ills Newspaper, eet, Huntingto n, New Yo rk 11743 or e info@long mail us at islanderne ws.com

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

Protect Our Water, Our Future That lush green lawn looks great in front of Clean waterways are vital to maintaining a your house, but it’s no good for our water supply. healthy ecosystem that supports shellfish and A recently released update to Suffolk County’s fishing industries, and also to our important Comprehensive Water Resources Management tourism industry.

Plan has identified nitrogen as public enemy While municipalities are jockeying for funds, number one when it comes to proit’s equally important to keep in mind tecting the Island’s waterways and that the adequate sewerage is vital to water supplies. Nitrogen leaching EDITORIAL economic development. Development from septic tanks and carried in projects – whether they be for comstormwater runoff causes hypoxia – a lack of mercial space, residential or both – depend on oxygen – in waterways, spurring algae blooms having sewerage in place. In our neck of the and endangering shellfish. It also endangers pub- woods, the potential of developing the 110 corrilic drinking water supplies. dor could be severely hamstrung if sewerage is Reducing nitrogen levels will be a priority and inadequate. a key consideration for county officials in disAs Legislator Steve Stern points out, the uptributing available funds to municipalities for up- dated water quality report should also be a catagrading wastewater treatment facilities and other lyst for taking a look at the county’s sewer sysprojects. tem with an eye toward expansion. It’s not inexClean drinking water obviously is critical. pensive, but it’s critical to the county’s economy.

Letters to the editor are welcomed by Long Islander News. We reserve the right to edit in the interest of space and clarity. All letters must be handsigned and they must include an address and daytime telephone number for verification.

Personal attacks and letters considered in poor taste will not be printed. We cannot publish every letter we receive due to space limitations.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Settle!

DEAR EDITOR: In 1988, the federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals found that the Town of Huntington had violated the Fair Housing Act and faulted the town for its shortage of affordable rental housing.

Since 2000, the town has had to deal with numerous 903 Complaints to the Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding violation of the Fair Housing Act at Ruland Road by discriminating against affordable family housing. In addition, in 2002, a federal suit was begun

by Fair Housing in Huntington over the town’s refusal to build promised affordable family housing at the Ruland site in Melville.

Recently a town spokesman, A.J. Carter, acknowledged that $400,000 has been spent on legal fees by the town on the Ruland Road case since 2009. Carter’s statement on the costs does not include legal fees racked up between 2002 and 2009. The total cost in legal fees for this Ruland case could already be approaching $1 million. And now the town board has rejected a settlement and the case is scheduled for Feb. 19. Then, we can expect these fees to escalate for another two

years or more.

Who is paying for all this?

You, the town taxpayer! Despite its own lawyers arranging settlements in 2007 and 2013, the town board has opted to continue to fight to block affordable family housing at Ruland Road. And the board has show itself willing tin many other instances to resort to expensive litigation.

It is time for the town to accept a settlement for desperately needed affordable rental housing at Ruland Knolls. We are tired of paying large sums for political considerations while not getting the housing we need.

CHARLES KERNER Huntington

Community Of Cooperation DEAR EDITOR: It has been both an honor and pleasure to serve as your Northport Village mayor for the past eight years. This March I will once again be seeking your support as I run for re-election. As I reflect back on my tenure as your mayor and look ahead to the next four years, I’d like to highlight some of the accomplishments we have made as a community.

HALF HOLLOW HILLS

When I first ran for mayor in 2006, I promised to lead Northport back to sound financial footing while preserving the village charm that we all love. I am extremely proud to say that the village board and I have piloted our community through six years of some of the worst economic times since the Great Depression – without making cuts to valuable village services or compromising the safety of village residents. We have worked together as a team and taken a practical and prudent approach to dealing with aging infrastructure, stricter environmental regulations and increasing pension costs. We also had to, literally, weather the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy and provide the necessary manpower to clean up the streets and make villagewide repairs. Throughout this time, village residents remained safe and we expediently filed for, and received, $600,000 in federal disaster money to keep our financial house in order. For a small village, I am always proud of the professionalism that our village employees, police and volunteer firefighters display – especially during times of crisis.

I am honored that you have put your trust in me and that there has been an ongoing, two-

way conversation between residents and the village board. The benefits of this mutual communication has been a renaissance of sorts on Main Street with outdoor dining, the Farmer’s Market and Tuesday “Family Nights” bringing new people into the village and engaging our own local families. While Wall Street mismanagement created a national recession impacting many downtown areas, we actually looked to our Main Street to spur local commerce and unite the community in a positive way.

I have continued to work with other government entities to find ways of reducing village costs and enhancing the services needed to preserve our quality of life.

Recently, talks with state and county legislators resulted in the procurement of a $6.2-million grant through the help of Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. This important funding will allow us to carry out federally mandated updates to our wastewater treatment plant with little taxpayer money. The condition of our roads and sidewalks are an ongoing concern and we maintain a prioritized list which we address as co-funds become available from both New York State and the federal government. The

James V. Kelly Publisher/CEO

process can be frustrating since it is very slow going – but the savings are substantial for the village. Additionally, my fellow board members and I have successfully negotiated fair contracts with our union employees that not only save taxpayer money, but also maintain morale and lead to a more enthusiastic work force.

On the home front, the historic preservation legislation I promoted during my first term as mayor was enacted in February of 2010, and to date there have been no objections or appeals from homeowners who have made improvements to their historic homes.

In many ways, the mayor sets the tone for the village board and I hope that during the last eight years, you believe I have done a good job at keeping things civil, cooperative and productive in our village. I think that our current “community of cooperation” will be a very important issue to consider as village residents go to the polls in March. I respectfully ask for your support and hope you will feel free to contact me with your concerns and comments during the upcoming mayoral campaign.

GEORGE J. DOLL, JR. Northport Mayor

Peter Sloggatt Associate Publisher/Managing Editor

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 © 2014 by Long Islander News, publishers of The Long-Islander, The Record and Half Hollow Hills Newspaper. Each issue of the The Long-Islander and all contents thereof are copyrighted by Long Islander. None of the contents or articles may be reproduced in any forum or medium without the advance express written permission of the publisher. Infringement hereof is a violation of the Copyright laws.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014 • A9

Life&Style ART

Love... It’s ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’

By Arielle Dollinger

His second submission “shows a close up of two elephants in a gentle embrace as one of them has a single tear flowing from their eye.”

“I wanted people to see the hurt and feel the pain of a majestic animal who should be roaming the wild instead of doing tricks within a tent for our amusement,” the artist said.

Jessica Valentin-Flomberg lives a bit closer to Ripe Art Gallery. The Medford native lives in Oakdale and is submitting pieces to the Valentine’s Day show for the first time.

“I love Cherie and I love the community that she creates with all the Ripe artists,” Valentin-Flomberg said. “We might not necessarily be what you would think of when you think of Long Island artists. A lot of us aren’t painters of landscapes and beaches and stuff like that.”

Valentin-Flomberg is submitting one piece that shows a clown in a casket, based on mental illness, loss and the grief related to her late husband’s death. The piece is heavy, but playful and colorful. She is also submitting a piece that makes a statement about animal abuse, and possibly another that makes a statement about patient treatment in the psychological and psychiatric community.

Sometimes, she said, patients are treated without much respect, like clowns.

Other artists plan to submit pieces depicting trapeze artists, side show acts and, of course, more clowns.

The opening reception will take place on Friday, Feb. 14 from 7-10p.m. in the barn. The submission deadline is Feb. 11.

The submission fee is $25 for one piece and $35 for two pieces. For more information, visit ripeartgal.com.

adollinger@longislandernews.com

As Valentine’s Day approaches, it’s time for you to decide whether you’re more afraid of clowns or of being alone.

If you’ve chosen the latter, you may consider venturing out to Ripe Art Gallery’s eighth annual Valentine’s Day group show, “A RIPE Circus.”

The Feb. 14 opening night party for the Huntington gallery’s open-submission show will feature art from both local and not-so-local artists, as well as two DJs, a fire hooper, a smattering of clowns and other performers.

“I’m hoping that this is kind of like, [a] circus but maybe a little naughty or scary,” said gallery owner and curator Cherie Via Rexer.

She has not yet received any submissions – those will come in between Feb. 7 and 11 – but some of her artists have sent photos of the work they plan to submit.

“I’m seeing everything from clowns to more abstract kind of stuff, some sideshow-type pieces, so it should be fun,” she said. “Historically I’ve gotten anywhere from 40 to 70 artists for these shows, so I don’t know what to expect until they start rolling in.”

This show will be the first at Ripe Art’s new gallery location, a 3-acre property at 1028 Park Ave. in Huntington that was once a nursery and is now home to a recently-rebuilt barn that hosts the gallery, a boutique that sells almost exclusively handmade products and a frame shop.

Rexer chose the theme having seen pho-

Circus-themed artwork, above, by Keith Tobolski to be considered for Ripe Art’s exhibit, opening on Feb. 14. At left, artist Lisa Argenteri’s planned submission the gallery’s circus-themed Valentine’s Day show. tographs of a circus-themed gallery opening out west.

“It looked like a super fun party,” she said. Rexer said that there is a possibility that some people will show up in “weird bondage dress,” and that there will be a sort of “freak factor.”

Last year, the theme was “Love Stinks.”

But the show is more than just a super fun party or a group commiseration; it is an opportunity for Rexer to meet new artists and for new artists to gain gallery exposure.

“The theory behind the whole thing is showing the love back to the whole artist community, because I wouldn’t be anything if I didn’t have the support of the local artists,” Rexer said. “Also I like to

give everybody something to do on Valentine’s Day, because Valentine’s Day can be a very lonely holiday.”

Though the gallery seems to have local appeal, one of its regular artists is no longer local.

Anthony Zummo shipped his pieces from Nova Scotia. Zummo is originally from West Babylon, but relocates frequently. He has anchored his art on Long Island, he said in an email.

Zummo has submitted two canvas paintings, called “Pagliacci Mugshot” and “The Worst Show on Earth.”

“Pagliacci Mugshot,” he said, “depicts a murderous clown after being caught by the police and having his mugshot photo taken.”

VALENTINE’S DAY

Town Hall’s Cupid Returns To Active Duty dschrafel@longislandernews.com

For the first time in three years, Huntington Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia will make her long-awaited return to a familiar post this Valentine’s Day. After being sidelined in consecutive years by surgery, Raia will again host the town’s Valentine’s Day wedding marathon – her first since 2011 and 17th overall since 1995. This year marks her 25th anniversary as a marriage officer, and she’s wed nearly 600 couples in that time.

“I really enjoy doing it and I missed doing it,” Raia said.

The town board room, where the ceremonies are performed, will be transformed into a magical wonderland for “love’s greatest holiday” thanks to the generosity of local bakers, florists, supermarkets, pharmacies and photographers.

This year’s will be a “mini-marathon,” the town clerk said. Instead of 16 weddings, Raia, who is still on the mend from foot surgery, will do eight ceremonies to

give her ample time between them to rest.

That allowance was a concession by her surgeon, who warned her that she’d still be hurting after being on her feet so much so recently after surgery.

“Just to let you know, you’re going to be suffering that night, so plan to take the next day off,” Raia recalled being told, with a laugh.

The town clerk said the annual tradition began in 1995 by “a fluke accident.”

“Years and years ago, there used to be a promotional company that gave samples of various products for newborns, and they also used to give the gift bags to town clerks who issued the marriage licenses,” she said.

The town clerk’s office would then sift through those products and give packages filled with newlywed-suitable products to couples who just got their marriage licenses.

But before Valentine’s Day 1995, Raia was thrown a curveball, one that sparked the beginnings of a new tradition.

“A woman came to me and said, you know, for whatever reason, we’re not going to be doing this anymore,” Raia said. “But we have some ideas because

Long Islander News photo/archives

By Danny Schrafel

Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia, pictured with a newlywed couple in 2011, hosts her Valentine’s Day marathon at Town Hall Feb. 14.

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and we could give you a 2-pound box of Russell Stover candies to give to every couple that got their marriage license.”

Coincidentally, the saleswoman was making that pitch while a local photographer was in the town clerk’s office, and the photographer offered to take pictures of the newlywed couples who tied the knot and

give them prints. From there, Raia reached out to bakeries and flower shops to complete the experience, and the concept of the wedding marathon was born.

“It just seemed to mushroom – wouldn’t it be nice if we got some more bakeries, some more florists to dress up the room a little more, little gifts for each of the couples in addition to what I purchase for them?” Raia said.

Traditions established in 1995 remain in place today. Each couple receives a printed copy of “Marriage Is A Promise Of Love,” a poem by Eugene O’Neill with which Raia concludes every ceremony.

And the couples’ gratitude for a most unique wedding opportunity remains strong.

“It was so well received by the couples because it was a surprise to them,” she said of the first in 1995. “And it’s very heartwarming when you have some people who can’t really afford anything and they could invite whoever they wanted – that’s their only reception.”

For more information – or to make an appointment to wed your loved one – call 631-351-3216.

A10 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014

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e i d o Fo THE

SECTION

DINEHUNTINGTON .COM

Meet Me At Meehan’s

By Jackie & Danny foodies@longislandernews.com

When a friend asks you to meet them at Meehan’s, always say yes, as you will be in for much more than that dark beer and burger you were expecting. From comfort foods like mac and cheese to upscale lipsmackers like tuna tartare, this Irish-style pub has transformed into a melting pot for foodies.

After a semi-extensive renovation last fall, Meehan’s of Huntington on New York Avenue in Huntington village touts a brand new, sleeker entranceway marked with tall, narrow glass doorways and a more open, modern seating area in the front. Meehan’s Oak Room disappeared during the renovation, being taken over by what is now Acacia. But what Meehan’s lost in space it makes up for in aesthetics, as well as some additions to their traditional menu.

With some friendly service and a smile,

we eagerly started off with a mix of memorable appetizers. At the top of our list were the Oysters Rockefeller ($12).

Served six oysters per plate, this tasty seafood app comes smothered in a spinach and gorgonzola cream sauce. Plated with just the right amount of salt, Meehan’s turns this seafood classic into a comfort food in a league all its own.

The tuna tartare ($12) was another unconventional appetizer, but we’re not complaining. The neatly sliced Ahi tuna is tossed in a spicy peanut sauce and is layered on top of thin slices of cucumber along with diced avocado and thin strips of crabmeat, and is topped with crispy shallots drizzled in wasabi aioli. This plate, stacked with fresh, smooth ingredients, impressed us.

We also ordered the short rib empanadas ($12), a surprising marriage between pork and pastry. The sliced, pulled short rib is used as a filling and is tossed with mush-

The Shrimp Cognac, which we ordered off the specials menu, goes down smooth, and that risotto keeps your fork coming back for seconds. rooms, onions and peas sautéed in a cabernet truffle demi glaze.

Moving on to the main event at this cozy eatery, we opted for an array of entrees from the both the main and specials menu.

Almost on reflex, these foodies eagerly and unanimously agreed on the mac and cheese ($13). This delicious helping of elbow pasta, served in a zesty, spicy four cheese sauce topped and baked with a panko bacon crust will have you shamelessly going back for seconds.

Switching over to the specials menu, the Shrimp Cognac ($20) also scored high (Continued on page A11)

The beautifully plated short ribs, served with sautéed vegetables and mashed potatoes, are sure to please the cold and hungry.

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Meehan’s does it right (Continued from page A10)

marks in the flavor category. Plated with shallots, prosciutto, and touch of cream and served with a flavorful crabmeat risotto and sautéed spinach on the side, this elegantly prepared dish is sure to please.

Finishing up with a portion of short ribs ($21), which comes coated in a savory Guinness au jus gravy with mashed pota-

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014 • A11

Side Dish

toes and sautéed vegetables, we were eager to polish off this dish. After the first bite, we didn’t need any convincing.

A long-standing staple of New York Avenue’s restaurant row, Meehan’s of Huntington offers diners a casual, low-key atmosphere that is versatile and lends itself to any type of dining, or drinking, event.

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DINEHUNTINGTON .COM TRUFFLES, ANYONE? When it comes to an Foodie photos/Danny Schrafel

evening of fine dining, Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar (117 New York Ave., Huntington 631-385-1515 restaurantprime.com) doesn’t fool around. Exhibit A: This Friday’s $175 p.p. Black Winter Truffle Dinner. The five-course affair features hamachi nigiri to start with black truffle and caviar; roasted chestnut agnolotti, with celery root puree and fresh shaved black winter truffles. Follow that with Chilean Turbot with black trumpet mushrooms, melted leeks, fingerling potatoes and winter truffles; then make way for the main event, a dry-aged Prime NY Strip, with truffle-crusted potatoes, baby turnips, Brussels sprouts and truffled bordelaise. Finish with Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam, an award-winning triple cream cheese from Northern California paired with fresh honeycomb, quince paste, truffle and pine nut brittle. Advanced registration is a must, so visit their website and book your seat today.

FIVE FILMS FOR FOODIES: An evening

The colorful tuna tartare, topped with crispy shallots in a wasabi aioli, is as rich in texture as it is in flavor.

highlighting local food, the people who produce it, and the difference it can make is coming up Feb. 16 at the Cinema Arts Centre. Each film will be paired with a featured food from the film, prepared by iEat Green and Slow Food Huntington, along with a guest speaker, to provide a local, seasonal and informative feast. The films (and

the dishes) include: “Growing Farmers” (miso vegetable chowder); “Letting Salt Just Be Salt” (roasted vegetables with sea salt); “The Secret Life of Beef” and “Divine Brine” (Veggie sliders with grass-fed beef meatballs served with Divine Brine pickles); “A Pasta Story” (homemade pasta pomodoro by Mascali-Larkfield Pasta in East Northport) and “Greyston Bakery” (Greyston’s brownies with Ben and Jerry’s ice cream). Tickets are $40 for members, $50 for the public. $55 at the door. Visit http://www.cinemaartscentre.org/event/lo ng-island-film-and-food-feast to book yours.

That’s Amore!Sal Baldanza and the crew at Mr. Sausage (3 Union Place, Huntington 631271-3836) are hard at work making red, heart-shaped ravioli for those who want to spend Valentine’s Day impressing their loved ones in the kitchen. Stop by and tell them the Foodies sent you!

A12 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Finally, A Little Slice Of Heaven After nearly two-year wait, Massa’s CoalFired Pizza opens in Huntington village Long Islander News photo/Danny Schrafel

Devin Massa displays a classic Massa’s margherita pie fresh out of the oven Sunday night.

Massa’s Coal Fired Brick Oven Pizzeria opened its doors Friday after a lengthy build-out.

Spotlight On

Huntington Businesses

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

They say good things come to those who wait – and in the case of Massa’s Coal Fired Brick Oven Pizzeria, it was nearly two years before they could write the latest chapter in their family’s 80-plus-year tradition of pizza-making prowess.

Massa’s, which opened its doors Friday at 345 Main St. in Huntington village, facing the Gerard Street municipal lot, was located in Huntington Station along Jericho Turnpike from 2003 until about three years ago, when the family pulled up stakes in the spring of 2012 with plans to enter the downtown village. However, it took nearly two years to get everything in order – but at long last, the restaurant opened its doors.

Opening in Huntington village has always been a goal, said manager Devin Massa.

“Huntington village is a good area for pizza,” she said.

The Massa’s pizza tradition lends itself to a family with high-profile roots in Brooklyn. Massa said that it all started when Patsy Lancieri learned the craft working at Lombardi’s in Little Italy. He ultimately branched out to open Patsy’s Pizzeria in East Harlem in 1933.

There, Patsy Grimaldi – Massa’s uncle – worked for decades, starting by waiting tables in 1941 at age 10. He ultimately opened his own Patsy’s Pizzeria – with the

blessing of Lancieri’s widow – in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1990. He sold the restaurant and the name, then called Patsy Grimaldi’s, in 1998. However, when the new owner of Grimaldi’s moved one door down, Patsy Grimaldi returned to his original space and opened a new coal-fired pizzeria called Juliana’s in 2012.

The road to Huntington may have taken many twists and turns, but it produced a wealth of experience that lends itself to a one-of-a-kind pie that the Massa family is now serving in Huntington village.

Their cozy Italian eatery specializes in Margherita pies – they don’t sell by the slice – with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes prepared in a handmade coal-fired oven that cooks at a heat of about 900 degrees.

If you’re worried about a long wait, fear not – the unique oven produces a classic thin-crust, well-done pie in three to five minutes. Patrons who eat in, either in a small dining room or at the bar, can watch their pizza be crafted in front of them thanks to an open-air layout for the pizza kitchen.

Even in a market filled with pizzerias and patrons loyal to each, Massa said her family is confident they’ll make their own mark in town.

“We are a lot different from other places,” she said.

Massa’ Coal Fired Brick Oven Pizzeria 345 Main Street [facing the Gerard Street lot] Huntington village

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HUNTINGTON OPEN HOUSES

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DIX HILLS

27 Hearthstone Dr Bedrooms 6 Baths 3 Price $724,900 Taxes $20,500 Open House 2/9 2:00pm-3:30pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 631-360-1900

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014 • A13

Address Beds Baths Price Taxes Date 7 Wedgewood Dr 5 4 $829,000 $22,012 2/6 6 Martha Ct 4 3 $419,900 $12,513 2/8 37 Bernard Ln 3 2 $424,900 $10,621 2/8 19 S Hollow Rd 5 4 $859,000 $20,699 2/8 12 Gorham Ln 5 5 $879,000 $30,951 2/8 21 B Hart Pl 3 4 $1,150,000 $24,319 2/8 3 Goldsmith Ave 3 2 $339,000 $10,904 2/9 226 Cleveland Dr 2 1 $405,000 $6,036 2/9 1024 Madeira Blvd 2 2 $519,900 $4,255 2/9 25 Raines St 4 2 $525,000 $10,698 2/9 1 Dolores Ln 4 3 $579,000 $14,175 2/9 280 Marlin St 4 3 $630,000 $11,954 2/9 6 Carriage Ct 4 4 $669,000 $13,649 2/9 27 Hearthstone Dr 6 3 $724,900 $20,500 2/9 5 Norma Ln 5 5 $999,900 $21,940 2/9 2 White Cap Ct 5 3 $1,349,000 $20,128 2/9 11 Harbor Hill Dr 5 5 $2,395,000 N/A 2/9

Time Broker 12:30pm-2:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1:00pm-3:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12:00pm-3:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12:00pm-2:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12:30pm-2:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1:00pm-3:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2:00pm-4:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12:00pm-2:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1:00pm-3:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12:00pm-2:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1:00pm-3:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1:00pm-3:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1:00pm-3:00pm Realty Connect USA LLC 2:00pm-3:30pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12:00pm-2:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12:00pm-2:00pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 1:30pm-3:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Phone 631-427-9100 631-757-7272 631-499-1000 631-863-9800 631-673-6800 631-673-4444 631-427-1200 631-427-1200 631-673-4444 631-757-7272 631-757-4000 631-673-4444 888-236-6319 631-360-1900 631-673-6800 631-692-6770 631-549-4400

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NEWS

A14 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014

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P U Z Z L E CRYPTOQUIP

RSAO GZQ CZIJA WZHA HZIDGW MZ W B AO K D N ZO F BAIYZK ZC MYHA YO D CIYFYK R DY M YO F I Z Z H , D I A GZQ JZZNYOF GZQI AANW? Today’s Cryptoquip clue: G equals Y ©2010 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Answer to Changing Into A Man

P u bl i s h e d Ja nu a r y 3 0 , 2 0 1 4

ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S CRYPTOQUIP FAMOUS FILM IN WHICH A PUPREME RULER SCRATCHES ITCHES BETWEEN HIS SHOULDER BLADES: “THE EMPEROR STOKES BACK.” Published January 30, 2014 ©2010 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

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PA G E

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Medium is psyched (Continued from page A1)

connects people with loved ones who have passed on.

“John zeroed in on us immediately,” telling Louis’ family all kinds of very specific details about him, Acompora recalled on Monday. “It was amazing and painful.

I want to cry when I talk about it… It was such a good thing for us.”

Now, 14 years, two TV shows, numerous talk show appearances, several books, and a couple of international tours later, Edward is hoping to create that same experience for as many people as possible at The Paramount on Feb. 25, and again on May 7.

Edward, 44, has been a professional psychic medium for 29 years and first came into the public eye around 1997. As his popularity grew, private readings turned into larger and larger group readings, and radio spots turned into television shows. On his show “Crossing Over,” which aired from 2000-2004, he gave readings to audience members. Later, he took to the road in “John Edward Cross Country” on WE tv network. He is the author of several New York Times bestsellers and has made guest appearances on everything from “Larry King Live” to Oprah Winfrey and Anderson Cooper’s talk shows.

Edward says he showed psychic abilities from an early age and would inexplicably know family history and events that happened before he was born. He started truly embracing his talents after some prompting from psychic Lydia Clar.

Those at his Paramount dates can expect something similar to what they saw on “Crossing Over.” Edward will give a lecture, take questions from the audience, and then “just let it go and read as many as possible,” he said.

His focus has always been to deliver messages from the other side, humbly insisting, “I’m not important; I’m just the phone.” It’s the messages that are the biggest takeaways from his events, he said.

“I never want people to see me as en-

tertainment because I don’t want people to miss the message. I want to leave people better than I find them,” Edward said.

Edward found his way to The Paramount only recently, when his friend Mia Michaels in November hosted a master’s dance class. Edward met her at the downtown Huntington theater before they were to grab a bite to eat, and he was instantly taken with the venue’s character.

“I was so impressed by this building,” he said. “It was like stepping into a magical entertainment space. How it felt, that’s what got me… And have you seen the Founder’s Room? Is that not the craziest place?”

Within a few days, he was in talks with The Paramount folks about booking a date – or two, as it turned out.

“I said I want to have this be my new home. It’s in my backyard,” Edward said.

Aptly titled “Coming Home,” his two upcoming Paramount events mark a return to Long Island of sorts, after he stopped holding events at the former Westbury Music Fair a few years ago. The two Huntington dates are part of a tour that runs through October so far and includes stops across the United States as well as England and South Africa.

Looking to the future, Edward said his goal is to create a digital platform for people who want to take the subject seriously.

His website, johnedward.net, is home to the online interactive community “Evolve,” where members are randomly selected for readings, questions, and meet and greets. They also have access to Edward’s weekly web show.

Although Edward grew up in Glen Cove, he has embraced Huntington. How do we know? He loves Tutto Pazzo lasagna and Munday’s, and said there is always time for Little Vincent’s cold cheese pizza.

Catch Edward on Feb. 25 and May 7 at The Paramount. Tickets range from $100$225 and can be purchased at paramountny.com, by calling 631-673-7300, or at the box office at 370 New York Ave. in Huntington.

Ready for the Olympics (Continued from page A2)

Mortensen is member of the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program, which covers active military members’ salaries while allowing them to focus on “honing in” their athletic skills.

Mortensen, a member of the 1156th Engineer Company based in Kingston, N.Y., attributes his success to his dynamic background in the military, athletics and education.

“It’s something that has made me push myself to the absolute maximum of capabilities every year to maximize my chances of attaining my goal of going to the games,” the Olympian said.

A fan of a good adrenaline rush Mortensen said what he loves most about the sport is the speed and the competition that comes with it.

“I like the feeling that my body gets before each and every run when I compete... There is nothing that can quite compare,” the Army sergeant said.

According to Mortensen, a typical day of training for the Olympics includes three hours at the track, a video review of his runs, and two hours in a weight-lifting gym. His year-round training schedule doesn’t slow in the off season, either — in the warmer months Mortensen said he continues to lift weights, run sprints and

use an indoor “refrigerated start facility” that stays iced.

After a nine-year break from the education system, Mortensen recently enrolled as a business communications student at DeVry University.

“My education is def a juggling act,” Mortensen said in a DeVry University interview.

Before moving to Lake Placid four years ago, Mortensen, after graduating high school in 2004, worked in the construction industry and also at the YMCA. He joined the Army National Guard in 2010, the same year he served as an alternate in the 2010 Olympic games in Vancouver, Canada.

A passionate man with a diverse history, Mortensen admitted that while he is a perfectionist in all aspects of his life, he has learned how to stop, look around, and enjoy the ride.

“I am a perfectionist at everything I do.

Even if I go slow in a race, I can come to terms with it if I had good runs. When I have bad runs, I am hard on myself and it affects my attitude. You got to see the world, observe and take part in different cultures and learn so much through the years,” Mortensen said, adding that is an “incredible honor” to represent his country in the Olympic games.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014 • A15

A16 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014 THURSDAY Celebrating Black History

DuWayne Gregory, the first person of color to be elected presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature, will deliver the keynote address at the Town of Huntington’s 27th Annual Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 6. The program, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School, 151 Lowndes Ave., Huntington Station, will also include musical numbers sung by Walt Whitman High School junior Kalif Jones; the Voices of Faith Missionary Youth Choir featuring Peter Marion; the Bethel AME Church Choir; and the Huntington Outreach Ministry.

Poems will be read by Ronald Worrell and Kim Hallman. Admission is free.

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Calendar O M M U N I T Y

Elwood Public Library

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

• Homework Help for grades 1-5 is now available at the library on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Call 631-499-3722 to make an appointment.

Starting A Home Day Care

The Huntington Business Incubator is partnering with La Fuerza Unida Community Development Corp. to offer a Feb. 6 seminar at 6:30 p.m. on starting a home day care business. Admission is free, but an RSVP is required. Call Giovanna at 516-922-8100 or send an email to gramirez@lafuerzacdc.org.

The incubator is located at 1268 New York Ave. in Huntington Station.

Half Hollow Hills Community Library

Break Out The Red

Join the Townwide Fund of Huntington at the Valentine’s Eve Red-Tie Gala on Feb. 13 at Oheka Castle, for an elegant and magical evening of romance, dance and honoring people with big hearts. The gala event is open to the public. Tickets are $200 per person. Visit www.townwidefund.org.

Share Your Life

Every Thursday except holidays, “Sharing Our Lives” at the Women’s Center of Huntington, 125 Main St., Huntington, gives women in the later stages of life a chance to share joys and concerns and in turn receive support and confidentiality. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $10 members/$15 non-members, per session. Advance registration: 631-549-0485.

FRIDAY Thinking About Divorce?

On Feb. 7, there will be an open forum discussion, “Thinking About Divorce,” on the basics of divorce with a focus on how emotions impact a divorce. The presentation will be given in Dix Hills from 7-8:30 p.m. Free, but RSVP to drneil@mindspring.com. Visit DivorceRecoveryRx.com.

Opera Night in Northport

Opera Night returns to Northport Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 270 Main St. $10 suggested donation. www.operanight.org. 631-261-8808.

SATURDAY Live Music

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

SUNDAY Bach To The Beatles

Dr. Carol Weitner presenta an organ recital on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. at St. John’s Church in Cold Spring Harbor, on its magnificent new Casavant organ. The program will include music

by Bach, Franck, Vierne, the Beatles and others. For additional information and directions, visit stjohnscoldspringharbor.org. (Snow date: Feb. 23, 2014). $20 donation, students free.

Chai Center Camp Open House

Get a sneak peek at a summer full of fun and adventure at The Chai Center of Dix Hills, 501 Vanderbilt Parkway. Parents can tour the new building, including the certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom. Open houses will be held Feb. 9, March 9 and April 27, 10:30 a.m. Call 631-351-8672 or visit thechaicenter.com.

Find Your Center

Find inner peace in an ongoing weekly class

Deer Park Library is happy to offer Google Nexus 7 tablets for borrowing. Browse the web, download a book, play games and more with just a touch of your finger. Tablets can be checked out for two weeks on an adult Deer Park library card.

• Join the library’s team for the Advanced Battle of the Books, a countywide book trivia contest for students in grades 9-12.

Participants read three books, then compete in teams against other libraries on March 28.

Team practices begin in January. Call 631586-3000.

What About ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’?

The film that sealed Audrey Hepburn’s reputation as an all-time fashion icon and set the bar for every New York fantasy/romantic comedy to follow, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” screens on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. Then, enjoy chocolates, confections, champagne, wine and live music by harpist Skyla Budd. Take home a long stem rose courtesy of Main Street Nursery and have a romantic photo taken. $15 members/$20 public. 631-423-7611. www.CinemaArtsCentre.org. for beginners and newcomers every Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Dipamkara Meditation Center, 282 New York Ave., Huntington. 631549-1000. www.MeditationOnLongisland.org.

Visits From County Senior Advocates

The Suffolk County Office for the Aging has released its Winter 2014 Senior Advocate Schedule for Huntington. County representatives will provide seniors assistance with food stamps, Medicare savings programs, Medicaid applications, Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications, and more at the following times: Huntington Library, Monday, March 10, 10 a.m.-noon; Huntington Nutrition Center, Wednesdays, Feb. 26 and March 26, 9 a.m.-noon; Paumanack Village I & II (Greenlawn), Tuesdays, Feb. 18 and March 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Paumanack Village V & VI (Melville), Tuesdays, Feb. 11 and March 11, 9 a.m.-noon; and South Huntington Library, Thursday, March 27, 10-11:30 a.m. 631-8538200.

MONDAY 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.

TUESDAY East Woods Open House

31 Yellow Cote Road, Oyster Bay Get to know East Woods School during an Admissions Open House on Feb. 11, 9-11 a.m.

Meet the faculty, visit the state-of-the-art science and technology labs, see the new performing arts studio, and explore the historic 46-acre campus on Yellow Cote Road in Oyster Bay. Registration is not required, but is appreciated. Visit www.eastwoods.org/openhouse, or contact Amanda Laserson at alaserson@eastwoods.org or 516-922-4400, ext. 114. Walk-ins are welcome.

Free Mommy And Me Class

Sing! Stretch! Dance! Play! Enjoy a fun-filled class that includes parachute play and bubble play and meet other Jewish moms at The Chai Center in Dix Hills. The free class takes place

Tuesdays at 10 a.m. For children ages 6-36 months. Pre-registration required by phone or online: 631-351-8672. www.thechaicenter.com.

Free Help For Vets

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

WEDNESDAY Open Mic Night

Play your heart out at an acoustic open mic night every Wednesday at Caffe Portofino, 249 Main St., Northport, 7-10 p.m. www.facebook.com/cafportopenmic.

Power Breakfast

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

AT THE LIBRARIES

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

• Learn about the new health care law and how it affects individuals between the ages of 50-64, as well as Medicare clients on Feb. 6, 2:30 p.m. in Dix Hills. Also discussed will be information on how to access the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Call to register.

• Find out more about “What the #Hashtag?” and other social networking tools on Thursday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. in Dix Hills.

Harborfields Public Library

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

• Harborfields High School students will be at the library on Monday and Thursday afternoons, 4-6 p.m., when school is in session to assist with homework for kids in grades 3-8.

Huntington Public Library

Main Branch: 338 Main St., Huntington. 631427-5165. Station Branch: 1335 New York Ave., Huntington Station.

631-421-5053. www.thehuntingtonlibrary.org.

• New Horizons String Orchestra invites the public to sit in on their rehearsals on Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m.

• Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel including creating, editing and formatting worksheets and formulas on Saturday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m. at the Station branch.

Northport-East Northport Public Library

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

• Celebrate Chinese New Year—the year of the horse—with members of the AsianAmerican Cultural Circle of Unity on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. in Northport.

South Huntington Public Library

145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station.

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

• The Friends of the Library's 50th Anniversary Community Cookbook is now available for sale! It contains recipes contributed by friends and neighbors right here in South Huntington. From Asian Cocktail Meatballs and Hasselback Potatoes to Sauerbraten and Zucchini Bread, there are sure to be recipes that your family will love. $10 at the circulation desk.

Cold Spring Harbor Library

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

• Dr. Alfred V. Sforza and historian Antonia S. Mattheou discuss and sign their book “Around Huntington Village” on Sunday, Feb. 9, 1:30 p.m.

Commack Public Library

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

• Sign up now for a session on downloading eBooks and audiobooks from Live-brary.com, the digital branch of the library. You will learn how to create a username and password, maneuver around the site, download books, work with your eReader or MP3 player, and more on Saturday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m.

Deer Park Public Library

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

• Through a grant from New York State, the

THEATER and FILM Bare Bones Theater

57 Main St., Northport. www.barebonestheater.com. 631-606-0026.

• Bare Bones presents David Lindsay-Abaire’s Tony Award-nominated comedy-drama “Good People” for nine performances on Feb. 1316; 21-23; and March 1-2. Evening performances are at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. on Feb. 16 and 23 and March 2.

Reserved seating tickets are $25.

Cinema Arts Centre

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

• The film that sealed Audrey Hepburn’s reputation as an all-time fashion icon and set the bar for every New York fantasy/romantic comedy to follow, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”

(Continued on page A17)

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screens on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Then, enjoy chocolates, confections, champagne, wine and live music by harpist Skyla Budd. Take home a long stem rose courtesy of Main Street Nursery and have a romantic photo taken. $15 members/$20 public.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2013 • A17

(Continued from page A16)

It’s Psychedelic!

Long Island’s no. 1 ’60s band, Just Sixties, performs a cross-section of songs representing the decade that coined the term “psychedelic” on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2 p.m. at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center, 305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills.

Tickets are $35, $30 and $25. The program will feature a trivia quiz to test the audience’s knowledge of popular toys, TV shows and musical groups. 631-656-2148. www.dhpac.org.

Dix Hills Performing Arts Center

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

• Long Island’s no. 1 ’60s band, Just Sixties, performs a cross-section of songs representing the decade that coined the term “psychedelic” on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2 p.m. Tickets are $35, $30 and $25. The program will feature a trivia quiz to test the audience’s knowledge of popular toys, TV shows and musical groups.

John W. Engeman Theater At Northport

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

• “Other Desert Cities” is the story of a once promising novelist who returns home after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, former leading Republicans, and her eccentric liberal aunt. When the novelist announces she is about to publish a memoir focusing on an explosive chapter in the family's history, the holiday reunion is thrown into turmoil. Shows through March 9.

AUDITIONS & SUBMISSIONS Northport Symphony Orchestra

The Northport Symphony Orchestra seeks new members in all sections. Repertoire ranges from Baroque through classical and romantic to early 20th century. Music Director Richard Hyman is an award-winning music educator and composer. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:30-9 p.m. usually at East Northport Middle School. Email info@northportorchestra.org to arrange an audition. Website: northportorchestra.org.

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITS

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. 631-3513250.

• “Rabble-Rousers: Art, Dissent, and Social Commentary”, on display until March 16, features works from the Permanent Collection by artists who challenged traditional aesthetics, politics, and social norms. Highlights include prints by Whistler, Rauschenberg, John Sloan, Larry Rivers, and May Stevens; photographs by Larry Fink and Garry Winogrand; and paintings by William Beard and George Grosz, among others.

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 permanent exhibit explains the 1930s increase of intolerance, the reduction of human rights, and the lack of intervention that enabled the persecution and mass murder of millions of Jews and others: people with disabilities, Roma and Sinti (Gypsies), Jehovah’s Witnesses, gays and Polish intelligentsia.

Huntington Arts Council

107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. Gallery hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends. 631-462-5400. www.ArtLeagueLI.net.

• Artists from the tri-state area are invited to submit entries to the upcoming juried exhibition “Landscapes: From Metropolis to Arcadia.” Deadline is Feb. 9.

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.

• “Pieces of Yesterday”, an exhibit celebrating Black History Month and featuring paintings of the ’60s, is on display through March 3.

b.j. spoke gallery

Huntington Historical Society

Art League of Long Island

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

• The Artists’ Choice exhibition compares and contrasts artists’ interpretations of subject matter and styles, as gallery members invite artists they respect and admire to show with them. On display through March 2, with a reception Saturday, Feb. 8, 2-5 p.m.

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery

1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor. Open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sundays until 6 p.m.: $6 adults; $4 children 3-12 and seniors over 65; members and children under 3 are free. 516-692-6768. www.cshfha.org.

• Every day in February from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., visitors can practice tying fishing and boating knots at hands-on learning stations throughout the hatchery. On Sundays, specific instruction on different knot tying techniques will be given from 1-3 p.m.

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

279 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor. 631-3673418. www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

• Check the website for camps held during the February school break.

Gallery Thirty Seven

12b School Street, Northport. www.gallerythirtyseven.com.

• Visit Northport’s newest gallery and check out the resident artists.

Heckscher Museum Of Art

2 Prime Ave., Huntington. Museum hours:

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

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

• Exhibit “The Times They Were A-Changing – 1960s & Huntington’s Response” on display at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building.

• Grab your favorite tea cup and sign up now for the Huntington Historical Society’s fourth annual “Tea with Dolly and Me” on Thursday, Feb. 20 and Friday, Feb. 21. Spend the afternoon in the beautifully decorated Conklin Barn with your favorite doll and make an oldfashioned toy while munching on tea and fruit juice, finger sandwiches, fruits and yummy sweets. Call for reservations.

LaMantia Gallery

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

• Following the success of their display of exclusive featuring never-before-seen Dr. Seuss artwork, the gallery displays a permanent collation of estate-authorized art.

9 East Contemporary Art

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

• A unique winter invitational exhibition, “CLAY / PAPER 2014” presents works in clay or on paper by 30 professional artists. On display through March 16.

Northport Historical Society Museum

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

• “Window Shopping Through Time” is a recreation of 10 stores that were located on Main Street and Woodbine Avenue spanning about 100 years, from the 1880s’ Morris City Grocery with their fresh produce and dry goods to the 1980s 5 & 10 with their ribbon and toys. Opening reception Sunday, Feb. 16, 2 p.m.

Ripe Art Gallery

1028 Park Ave., Huntington. TuesdayThursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 2-8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. www.ripeartgal.com.

631-239-1805.

• Ripe Art Gallery is pleased to present their Eighth Annual Valentine’s Day Group Show.

This year’s theme in “A RIPE Circus.” It is an open submission show drawing many local artists, working in all types of mediums, and everyone’s first opportunity to show in the New Gallery in the barn at Rexer’s Crossroads Farm. Submission deadline is Feb. 11.

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

180 Little Neck Road, Centerport. Museum hours through April 15: Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Grounds admission: $7 adults, $6 students with ID and seniors 62 and older, and $3 children 12 and under. Mansion tour, add $5 per person. 631-854-5555. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

• The Arena Players Repertory Company presents “Murder in Green Meadows” by Douglas Post at the Vanderbilt Carriage House Theater, running through Sunday, Feb. 16.

This exciting thriller spins a web of deception, sex and murder as two suburban couples discover their darker sides.

Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $20 on Friday and Sunday, and $25 on Saturday. Call 516-293-0674. 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, ext. 114. www.waltwhitman.org.

• Schedule at a time convenient for your group for high tea and transport yourself back in time as your group experiences High Tea in a private gathering house at the Birthplace. $25/person. 631-427-5240, ext. 113. educator@waltwhitman.org.

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.

• Spend “An Evening With Rob Thomas” of Matchbox 20 fame on Monday, May 5, 8:30 p.m. Tickets now on sale.

DONATIONS WELCOME Help The Troops Call Home

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci’s Huntington Station district office is an official drop-off site for Cell Phones for Soldiers. To help the troops call home by donating your old cell phone, stop by or mail your phone to 1783 New York Ave., Huntington Station, 11746. 631-271-8025.

Supplies For Little Shelter

Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern is collecting supplies for The Little Shelter Animal

Adoption Center in Huntington. The shelter is in need of pet treats, cat and dog toys, kitty litter, cleaning supplies, such as laundry detergent, glass cleaner, paper towels and garbage cans, dog food and wet cat food, AA batteries and bedding. Donations can be dropped off at: 1842 East Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. until March 1. 631-8545100.

VOLUNTEERING Cosmetologists Wanted

Hospice Care Network is seeking New York State-licensed cosmetologists to provide 2-4 haircuts per month for community members facing life-limiting illnesses. Download an application at www.hospicecarenetwork.org or call 516-224-6423.

Be A Museum Docent

The Huntington Historical Society is currently seeking volunteers to train to become Museum Docents at the historic David Conklin Farmhouse Museum. The museum is located at 2 High St. in Huntington village and is a fascinating interpretation of the Colonial, Federal and Victorian time periods. No experience required – an interest in local history is a plus.

Training is provided. Call 631-427-7045 ext 403.

Seeking Volunteer Advocates

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

240.

Artistically Gifted Needed

The Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Commack is seeking artistically gifted volunteers to partner with residents in a new program, “heART to heART” aimed at helping people with varying levels of cognitive ability express themselves through art. Contact Judie at 516-931-5036 or jatlas1@optonline.net.

Don’t Hibernate. Help

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP SUFFOLK) needs adults 55+ to help in organizations throughout Suffolk County. Dozens of opportunities available in this federally funded program for just about any interest or skill. Visit www.rsvpsuffolk.org or call 631-979-9490 ext.12 for more information.

Friends At Home

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

Be A Friend Of The Bay

Friends of the Bay is in need of volunteers who can help convert water quality data, which is currently kept in an excel sheet, into a Microsoft Access database. Assistance is also needed with ArcView GIS, to configure maps of the watershed. Call 516-922-6666 or email info@friendsofthebay.org.

Be A Host Family

Huntington Sanctuary is seeking families or individual adults to become Host Homes, which provide temporary shelter to youth between ages 12-17 who are experiencing a family crisis. Contact Jennifer Petti at 631-2712183 for more information.

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

10 days prior to publication date.

Send to Community Calendar at [New Address], Huntington, NY 11743, or e-mail to info@longislandernews.com

C L A S S I F I E D S

A18 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014

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

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014 • A19

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography And Winter Through The Lens

By Kevin Armstrong info@longislandernews.com

Few things are higher on people’s list of least favorite activities than a stroll outside on a freezing cold, snowy day. Winter is a tough season; it’s cold, wet and grey, with short days followed by long nights. Still, winter has a unique beauty, for most of winter’s landscape is often viewed from the window of a warm living room.

Bears and gophers hibernate for the winter, but your camera does not have to. You can use it to appreciate winter’s photogenic qualities. Photography in extreme conditions can be rewarding, but there are important steps needed to keep both yourself and equipment safe and warm.

A good winter photo needs a good location, and it’s a good idea not to wait until it’s bitter cold and there’s a foot of snow on the ground before you decide where is best to shoot. Make note of good locations throughout the year as you visualize scenes with a fresh blanket of pure white snow. This will save you both time and comfort when the weather turns bad. A fresh blanket of new fallen snow can transform even the most or-

dinary or messy landscape into a tranquil, smooth scene.

Your most important task during a successful cold weather photo excursion is keeping both yourself and your equipment safe and dry. If you are cold and wet, you will not want to be there, and your photo opportunities will be limited by your need of comfort. As a general rule, your equipment can stand about what you can stand when it comes to bad weather. If you prepared properly and it is still too difficult for you to remain outdoors, then it’s probably a good idea not to bring your equipment outside also.

Here on Long Island, we don’t have large mountain peaks to scale for extreme winter photography. However, we do have lots of coastline, which offer its own extreme winter challenges. Salt spray on a blustery winter day at any bay or inlet can be very damaging to equipment and also very uncomfortable.

There are several common sense steps necessary to keep yourself and your equipment safe and warm, but I would like to use the rest of this space to talk about ways you can get great winter photos in bad weather.

Don’t trust your camera meter reading in snow, especially when it is bright and sunny.

Your camera will read this very bright scene and use a much quicker shutter speed. The end result will be an underexposed photo yielding either blue or grey snow. If your camera allows exposure compensation, then opening up an f-stop or two will allow the extra light through to record that very bright scene before you and leave your snow natural white. If your camera does not have exposure compensation but does have scene

mode, use the snow/sand setting to achieve the same result.

Cold weather will sap your batteries of their power much more quickly than normal, so bring extra batteries and keep them warm when not being used. Using a store-bought hand warmer inside your camera bag can provide a few hours of warmth for your batteries.

If your camera lens allows for filter attachments, try using a polarizing filter. A polarizing filter can help reduce glare and create the crisp blue skies that are typical of a sunny winter day.

The best times of day for winter photography are no different than any other season – early morning and the hour before and after dusk. The one exception is right after a clearing snowstorm. A clearing storm can create very dramatic lighting upon the newly fallen snow that is still clinging to everything it touches.

One photo-friendly element of the winter is the all-day-long dramatic lighting, thanks to the sun’s low angle in the sky throughout the winter season. This directional light, even in mid-day, allows for dynamic photos; summer, while more comfortable, never offers this all-day opportunity. Also, winter offers later sunrises which is welcome to those of us that think sunrise is the absolute best time to photograph.

Look for color; winter, with its many shades of grey, lacks color. Color can create dynamic winter photos. Sunrise and sunset will often drape the frozen landscape in golden light. Bright red objects such as ski clothing, an umbrella, or a boat in the harbor can become a striking subject against the

A frozen dock is a great subject for winter photography. backdrop of monochromatic winter landscape.

Winter also offers many close-up photo opportunities. Snowflakes photographed against a dark surface provide proof that no two snowflakes are alike. Frozen water and frost can create beautiful mosaic patterns across glass windows and other surfaces. Ice, with its transparent and reflective properties, makes it a winter photographer’s favorite subject. Check your camera’s manual for the best settings for close-up or macro photography for your camera or lens.

Winter photography is fun and also a challenge, with safety always your first priority.

Icy roads and walkways, bitter cold temperatures and wind chills are but a few of the perils that await any photographer. Those that take the time to properly prepare can expect to be rewarded with images that reflect both the beauty and power of the winter season.

Kevin Armstrong can be reached at kevin@imagesbykevinarmstrong.com.

A20 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 6, 2014

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HillSPORTS BOYS BASKETBALL>>HILLS EAST 52, NORTHPORT 42

Coach: Win Was A ‘Tale Of Two Halves’ Hills East strikes in second-half upset to turn the tables on Northport Long Islander News photo/Jacqueline Birzon

Hills East senior Jordan McCrae takes a shot during last Friday’s game at Northport.

By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com

There’s something about that Northport gym.

“We were amped up, trying to get a win… There’s just something about that gym, it’s some place to play,” Hills East coach Pete Basel said. “We just started out flat, they were getting every rebound, but one good thing is we took two steps backward as we tried to inch closer. They kept us at bay for a while, and then we turned it around.”

The Half Hollow Hills East Thunderbirds (11-1) retaliated at halftime last Friday after the T-Birds overcame a 15-point deficit to turn the tables on Northport, stealing much of the other team’s energy as well as the spotlight.

The T-Birds topped the Tigers 52-42 after rebounding from a 12-point disadvantage at halftime. But when it seemed as though Half Hollow Hills East’s fate had been sealed, in fact, it turned out that the Thunderbirds were just getting started.

Senior guard Mike Simon scored 19 points in the second half of the game, while seniors Jordan McRae scored 9 points and had 13 rebounds; Matt Boyd added 8 points with 8 assists; and junior Justin Fackler scored 7.

“At first, we were kind of just going through the motions out there. I told the guys this wasn’t gonna be easy, you gotta earn this win tonight, and hopefully, it would be a tale of two halves,” Basel told the T-Birds during the halftime break.

Getting back to basics and what they “do best,” Hills East stepped up its defense and prevented Northport from cashing in on rebound shots that cost Hills the advantage in the first half. Writing a new chapter in the second half, many of the players followed Simon’s lead and caught the contagious energy ignited by the team’s captains.

“We weren’t throwing anything up on the board; I haven’t seen anything like it before. They [Northport] just seemed to want it more in the first half, getting every

rebound. My guys were fighting for their lives in the first half…but I told them, we just got one shot,” the coach said.

Simon, Boyd and McRae “started it up” after the first half, the coach said, adding that the trio put the team on their shoulders and led by example on the court.

“They’re ultra quick, athletic and fast, and they – we – just overwhelmed the other team there, mentally and physically,” Basel said.

Hills East scored 39 points in the second half, tripling their halftime point total.

Three days earlier on Jan. 28, the Thunderbirds defeated Sachem North in a landslide of a win, topping their opponent 63-38. Against Sachem North, Hills East scored in the double-digits in every period, but nothing matched their 22-point performance in the first period.

McRae scored 20 points and had 14 rebounds. Simon earned 11 points for Hills East while Fackler and Boyd added 9 points each, with Boyd adding 10 assists and Fackler nabbing 10 rebounds for the T-Birds’ victory.

With just two games left in the regular season, Basel said the Thunderbirds are a sure bet for the Suffolk Class AA Playoffs. The Hills East coach said his team, which will play Central Islip for the League II Championship title on Friday, is guaranteed at least one home court advantage in the upcoming playoff bracket, although he is hoping for two home games.

The boys were scheduled to host Bay Shore on Tuesday night for their last home game of the season, when Basel and the T-Birds will recognized the six departing seniors on the team. Scores from the game were not available by press time.

Hills East is slated to play at Central Islip (10-1) on Feb. 7 for the league title, which the T-Birds hope to win or at the very least, share with the Musketeers, who beat Hills East 68-64 during a Jan. 14 home game. Game time for their second match up of the season is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.

WRESTLING>> HAUPPAUGE 49, HILLS WEST 12

Beautiful Seniors Ceremony Trumps Defeat Hills West gives send-off to eight ‘quality’ seniors info@longislandernews.com

It was a bittersweet night on Jan. 31 for the seniors of Half Hollow Hills West’s varsity wrestling squad, as they took to the mats for their last home game ever.

The Colts celebrated their seniors and all the hard work and dedication they have given their team by announcing the seniors’ names, along with their college of choice and major, at the match against Hauppauge. The seniors were walked to the center of the wrestling mat, where they met their proud parents and were given a plaque for their efforts over the years.

“It’s tough losing eight quality seniors, but the underclassmen that we have are more than capable to step up and wrestle,” Hills West coach Joe Sholtz said.

After the ceremony, the wrestling match begun. The match started with the 132 pound class. Hauppauge won the first two sets, then West answered the next two, but Hauppauge maintained the lead by a score

of 9-7. Hauppauge then dominated West by winning the next eight consecutive sets to lead 40-7.

Hills West showed its heart and willingness to not to give up when Justin Martinez won the 113 pound class with a pin, but the match ended with two more consecutive wins by Hauppauge, giving them the victory at 49-12.

The Colts did have some bright moments, however. Aramis Broadis and Anthony Ferro won their matches. Senior Josiah Cheatham was on top of his game through much of his match, but experienced a heartbreaking defeat when he lost the lead in his set with only three seconds left.

“I think we wrestled well. We came up against good competition. The seniors stepped up and wrestled. We did the best we could tonight,” Sholtz said.

Although the Colts may have lost that night, the ceremony for the seniors will resonate with the wrestlers for many years to come.

Long Islander News photo/Logan Bordiga

By Logan Bordiga

Hills West's Aramis Broadis wrestles toward a 6-5 win.