The Times of Middle Country - October 27, 2022

Photo courtesy MCCSD

Middle Country students celebrate Unity Day

Students across the Middle Country Central School District sported orange in honor of Unity Day.

This day is organized nationwide by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and is celebrated as a signature event for bullying prevention month.

“Unity Day is a day to raise awareness for our students to promote solidary amongst each other and to stand against bullying,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “It was inspiring to see schools in our District celebrate Unity Day in their own special way

and students, faculty, and staff sporting orange attire in a unified message of togetherness.”

Students created unity chains out of orange construction paper to drape across the hallways as a symbol of togetherness and to show that they are linked. Students talked about bullying, how to stand up to bullying and how to get help to fight back against bullying.

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

Law Office of Tara A.

Overwhelmed?

Newfield High School students present their unity chain.

Photo courtesy MCCSD

Unity Drive Pre-K students wearing orange for Unity Day.

Photo courtesy MCCSD

Area doctors urge caution amid viral triple threat this fall and winter

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

This fall and winter, several infections have their sights set on your lungs.

Amid threats from diseases that affect other organ systems, three of them — COVID-19, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus — can and often do attack the lungs.

While the current strain of COVID isn’t as lethal as the original, the virus continues to mutate, leading to new strains and, potentially, to different strains later this fall.

At the same time, the flu and RSV have been waiting for an opening after COVID protections like masks also kept them at bay during 2020 and 2021.

“How bad is the winter going to be?” asked Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. “It will be based on more [COVID] variants coming through, with a strong flu season, which is never something you want to see.”

The number of cases of respiratory illnesses like RSV and the flu has been lower in the last few years. The lack of exposure to those viruses, however, may give them an opening for a stronger return in the population.

These viruses “didn’t paddle along for a while,” Nachman said. “Now, they are paddling furiously. Everyone is seeing them.”

People’s immune systems may not be prepared for the threat from these recurring viruses.

When people arrive at the hospital, health care officials often see the same symptoms, with coughing and sneezing.

“It could be one, two or three” causes at the same time, Nachman said.

The combination of contracting more than one virus at the same time could lead to prolonged and painful illnesses.

COVID reality

Much as people would like to return to a pre-pandemic reality, the SARS-CoV2 virus not only continues to infect people, but it also remains something of an evasive target, with mutations leading to new variants.

While area hospitals don’t test for the specific COVID strain when patients are sick, doctors expect that some of the people who have contracted the disease have the modern variants.

“Undoubtedly, many cases that are coming to our Emergency Department are due to the new Omicron sub-variants,” said Dr. Sunil Dhuper, chief medical officer at Port Jefferson’s St. Charles Hospital. “Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that Omicron BA.5 cases are trending downwards and the cases due to the sub-variants are on the rise.”

Symptoms of the newer variants are similar to others, with fever, chills, cough, runny nose, fatigue, muscle or body aches,

shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, sore throat, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, Dhuper explained.

Doctors said it was difficult to gauge how effective the new bivalent COVID vaccines are against the latest strains.

The latest booster may “not be active against all the coming variants,” explained Dr. Phillip Nizza, attending infectious disease physician at St. Charles Hospital.

The new booster was designed to enhance the reaction to the BA.4 and BA.5 variants.

“We don’t have enough data” to determine the effectiveness of the booster against current and future threats, Nachman said. “How effective it will be depends” on differences between the booster and the strain someone contracts.

Still, the vaccine is likely to provide some benefits, doctors said.

“The purpose of the vaccine is to attenuate the symptoms from the virus and reduce the severity of illness, hospitalizations

and/or death,” Dhuper wrote. “And I think the vaccines would be very successful in accomplishing that objective.”

Even for people who have been infected recently with COVID, Nachman urged people to get a booster.

The combination of an infection and a booster

“Is always better than not getting a vaccine,” Nachman said. “You should get a vaccine. The timing is tricky” and could involve getting a dose two weeks after contracting the virus or waiting.

The viral threat during the December holidays, in particular, is higher, so Nachman urges being as immunized as possible before then.

With people not wearing masks and not even testing for the virus even when they get sick, Nachman suggested that it’s “highly likely” the country will see new variants by the spring.

Nachman urged people to take steps to protect themselves, which includes eating well, exercising, receiving the latest vaccination

and limiting exposure, particularly for those who might be vulnerable.

“Take care of yourself,” Nachman urged.

At Stony Brook University Hospital, the wards are busy, with a steady stream of patients coming in, receiving treatment and getting discharged, Nachman said.

“We’re seeing a lot of other viral illnesses,” she added.

She sees a ramp-up in RSV, which she doesn’t expect to peak until Thanksgiving.

Dhuper remains concerned about viral threats this fall and winter.

“We do anticipate a worse flu season this year as the herd immunity is at a lower level,” he wrote. “People should get their flu shots sooner rather than later as that is the only primary protection we have to offer. People with comorbidities should particularly be concerned as the likelihood of severe illness, hospitalization and even death could be higher without the protection from the vaccine.”

While Nizza hasn’t seen any major spike in the flu yet, he suggested in an email that “now would be a good time to get vaccinated.”

Got all that? Good, now, when you’re outside, far from other people and you want to give your lungs a break, take a deep, cleansing breath. Other times? Protect your health and the health of your family and community.

Doctors suggest getting immunized before the holiday gathering season begin. Stock photo from Metro

‘The purpose of the vaccine is to attenuate the symptoms from the virus and reduce the severity of illness, hospitalizations and/or death.’

— Dr. Sunil Dhuper

LEGAL NOTICE

The Annual Financial Report is hereby made by the Middle Country Central School District, Town of Brookhaven, New York for fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. Pursuant to Section 1721 of the Education Law.

GENERAL FUND

BALANCE 7/1/21 29,619,901

REVENUES

Real property taxes $133,957,365

Other tax items 15,353,275

Charges for services 441,846

Use of money and property 90,499

Sale of property and compensation for loss 186,651

Premium on TAN obligations 320,595

Miscellaneous 1,933,064

Federal and State sources 98,019,707

TOTAL REVENUES 250,303,002

EXPENDITURES

General support 24,498,759

Instruction 133,118,186

Pupil transportation 16,582,318

Employee benefits 63,003,106

Debt service - principal 14,432,681

Debt service - Interest 4,109,972

TOTAL EXPENDITURES 255,745,022

Operating transfers in 6,109,130 Operating transfers (out) (398,138)

BALANCE 6/30/22 $29,888,873

SPECIAL AID FUND

BALANCE 7/1/21 $15,084

REVENUES

State sources 5,995,758

Federal sources 15,933,355 Local sources 18,625

TOTAL REVENUES 21,947,738

EXPENDITURES

Instruction 15,534,817

Pupil transportation 690,231

TOTAL EXPENDITURES 16,225,048

Operating

BALANCE 6/30/22

SCHOOL LUNCH FUND BALANCE 7/1/21

REVENUES

Use of money

sources

sources

EXPENDITURES

Cost of sales 4,875,483

TOTAL EXPENDITURES 4,875,483

Operating transfers in 665

BALANCE 6/30/22 1,803,670$

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIAL REVENUE FUND

BALANCE 7/1/21 $1,160,832 REVENUES

Charges for Services 540,333 Use of money and property 407 Miscellaneous 30,100

TOTAL REVENUES 570,840

EXPENDITURES

Instruction 515,461

TOTAL EXPENDITURES 515,461

BALANCE 6/30/22 $1,216,211

DEBT SERVICE FUND

BALANCE 7/1/21 $155,423 REVENUES

Bond premium revenueUse of money and property 1,944

TOTAL REVENUES 1,944

EXPENDITURES

Debt service - principalOperating transfers out -

TOTAL EXPENDITURES 0

BALANCE 6/30/22 $157,367

CAPITAL FUND BALANCE 7/1/21 $9,676,484 REVENUES

Bond proceeds State sources 1,452,427 Other revenue-Enery Performance Contract2,391,840

TOTAL REVENUES 3,844,267

EXPENDITURES

Capital outlay 8,891,004

TOTAL EXPENDITURES 8,891,004 Operating transfers out 0 Operating transfers in 0

BALANCE 6/30/22 $4,629,747

The full text of the Annual Report as filed with the State Education Department is available for public inspection at the Office of the District Clerk, Administration building, 8-43rd Street, Centereach, NY 11720, during normal business hours.

By order of the Board of Education

TOTAL

Middle Country Central School District Dr. Beth Rella Assistant Superintendent for Business

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Police seek driver of fatal hit and run Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the driver whose vehicle struck two pedestrians, one fatally, in Coram earlier this month.

A vehicle traveling westbound on Granny Road struck two 13-year-old siblings who were walking in a bike lane on Oct. 12 at 7:25 p.m. One of the teens, Tyler Phillips, pictured above, died of his injuries on Oct. 15. His sister, Krystal Randolph, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Following further investigation, detectives believe the vehicle that fled the scene was a darkcolored 2005 to 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle’s front passenger headlight is damaged and there is damage to the front passenger bumper. The side view front passenger mirror is broken.

The Crime Stoppers fast cash reward is up to $5,000 and will be issued within seven days of an arrest.

Two men killed in Miller Place crash

Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed two men in Miller Place on Oct. 24.

Victoria Graham was driving a 2019 Kia Sedona eastbound on Route 25A, east of Park Avenue, when she attempted to make a U-turn in the vehicle and was struck by a westbound 2011 Audi convertible coupe at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The driver of the Audi, Victor Lanzotti, 32, of Rocky Point, and his passenger, Raymond Neff, 37, of Mount Sinai, were pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Graham, 35, of Shirley, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of non-lifethreatening injuries.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652

— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON

Missing Ronkonkoma girl

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to locate a 12-year-old Ronkonkoma girl who was reported missing last week. Madeline RiveraCordon was last seen leaving her residence on Pond Road on Oct. 19 at approximately 7 p.m. Detectives believe she might be in Brentwood, Central Islip or Patchogue. Madeline is Hispanic, 4 feet 8 inches tall, and approximately 80 pounds. She has brown eyes and brown hair. Detectives are asking anyone with information on her location to call 911 or Fourth Squad detectives at 631-854-8452.

Arrest made in catalytic converter theft

Suffolk County Police arrested a Medford man for allegedly stealing two catalytic converters from a vehicle in a parking lot in Rocky Point on Oct. 22 at 9 a.m.

A man with a saw and a catalytic converter was walking in the parking lot of 576 Route 25A at 9 a.m. when the owner of a nearby business observed the man. The witness chased the suspect until he entered the Rocky Point State Pine Barrens Preserve. Seventh Precinct Patrol Units, Aviation and Canine Sections responded. It was determined two catalytic converters had been stolen from a box truck. After a three hour search, Canine Police Officer Matthew Dewitt and his canine, Champ, located Daniel Labbe, 42, hiding in the woods.

Seventh Squad detectives charged Labbe with Grand Larceny 4th Degree, Auto Stripping 2nd Degree, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, Possession of Burglar’s Tools and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th Degree.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

Have you seen Madeline? Photo from SCPD

Tyler Phillips Photo from SCPD

New leaders on campus: SBU trio shares their hopes and perspective

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Stony Brook University has welcomed a trio of new leaders to its campus over the last several months. Provost Carl Lejuez, Vice President for Marketing and Communications William Warren, and Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Jed Shivers recently shared their goals for Stony Brook and their excitement at joining a flagship university for the State University of New York educational system.

Provost Lejuez

As provost, Carl Lejuez is responsible for the faculty, staff and students at Stony Brook University.

Lejuez, who has asked that people call him by his first name instead of trying to pronounce his last name — which, by the way, is Lejh way— makes a concerted effort to forge connections on campus.

“Whenever I introduce myself, I don’t say, ‘Provost,’” he said. “I say, ‘Professor in the Department of Psychology.’ I don’t believe I can be a credible leader of the faculty if there’s not a sense of sitting in their shoes and understanding the implications of the strategic and practical decisions we make.”

Lejuez, who grew up in Secaucus, New Jersey, earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Emory University and his Master of Arts and PhD in clinical psychology from the University of West Virginia.

As a first-generation college student, Lejuez feels inspired by the opportunity for students to come through a place with world-class research in an environment that cares about student success.

For first-generation students, in particular, he recognizes the need to forge connections with professors.

These close bonds help “take what’s happening in the classroom, which may be esoteric knowledge, and turn it into a passion and understanding,” providing students with the opportunity to see how what they’re learning in a textbook applies to the world.

He wants to expand the scope and reach of these hands-on experiences for students, while recognizing “how much goes into it from faculty and staff,” he said.

Lejuez believes the ability of professors to conduct extraordinary and groundbreaking research should dovetail with their commitment to being accomplished educators.

“We are setting the expectation from the start,” he said. “When you are tenured here, when you are progressing and doing well, you are excellent in both research and teaching.”

Stony Brook has a Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching that provides support for professors who may need polishing or improvement in inspiring and educating students.

Stony Brook looks closely at student evaluations, while also examining other data in assessing its teachers.

Lejuez, who recently served as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Connecticut, supports strong and growing areas for the university, including clinical psychology, quantum information systems, and climate science, among others.

“These are areas that Stony Brook has a real opportunity to develop and part of my role has been thinking about how do we identify incredibly strong areas and areas that are able to emerge that way and fuse it with growing fields,” he said.

Lejuez believes in academic excellence and in diversity and equity.

He hopes to broaden the range of countries and regions from which the university is recruiting students and faculty.

Lejuez describes Stony Brook as “one of the best kept secrets of public universities,” ranking first in the state in public schools, according to the 2022-2023 US News and World Report ranking.

“Our goal is now to remove the best kept secret part,” Lejuez said.

Raising SB’s profile

This is where William Warren, vice president for Marketing and Communications, comes in.

Warren has worked in numerous corporate and academic jobs, including most recently as the chief marketing and communications officer at the University of Utah.

Warren hopes to raise “the profile of Stony Brook and really claim the sort of credit and attention this institution deserves,” he said.

Previously at Coca Cola, among others, Warren welcomes the opportunity to support Stony Brook.

“You want a challenge that’s exciting and doable,” he said. “That means having a fabulous thing to market that is possibly undervalued.”

Warren divides marketing into earned and paid media. For the former, he hopes to do the hard work of building relationships with national reporters, who can spread the word about the achievements and experts available at Stony Brook.

Warren plans to continue to work with regional and local reporters, while engaging in an ongoing effort to share the Stony Brook story, including publicizing initiatives such as the Simons Stem Scholars Program that supports minority students entering the scientific fields.

As for the paid piece, Warren sees opportunities in several dimensions.

“The great thing about the paid marketing campaign is that it’s adaptable to all kinds of purposes,” he said. “Student recruitment can use the campaign to get the right students. We can use the campaign to help us recruit great faculty.” It can also be adapted to “attract more donor support.”

Any marketing effort, however, needs to remain grounded in truth.

“You want to go out there with a message that resonates and that faculty will see and say, ‘That’s what we offer,’” Warren said. “We are not blowing smoke.”

A marketing campaign includes a host of elements, such as the best execution and photography that supports the message.

An evolved campaign could include a new slogan for the school.

The “Coke is it” campaign reinforces the idea of authenticity, as consumers can be sure it is “exactly what you think it is,” Warren said. “It never disappoints. It’s always consistent and is part of the American culture.”

In developing a slogan for Stony Brook, which Warren said is less important than the message behind it, he wants to hone in on the handful of characteristics that capture the personality of the university.

In reflecting on the differences between commercial and academic marketing, Warren noticed that academics tend to be more skeptical.

“You have to work to make them allies,” he said.

Outside of his marketing role, Warren, who had initially pursued a PhD in history at Rice University, shared an interest in teaching. At the University of Utah, he taught an American economic history class and, at some point, would also consider teaching at Stony Brook.

Since arriving on Long Island, Warren has enjoyed kayaking. He is also a former violinist and enjoys the opportunity to relax with music.

A return to the Northeast

After over four years as vice president for finance and operations/ chief operating officer at the University of North Dakota, Jed Shivers is returning to the Northeast, which is similar to the cultural and environmental feel of his childhood home in Storrs, Connecticut.

Shivers, who is senior vice president for finance and administration at Stony Brook, enjoys walking through the quad and in wooded areas around campus.

After living in the plains, which has “its own beauty,” Shivers appreciates the SB campus, which has “more trees,” and includes a view of the fall foliage outside his office window in the Administration Building.

Ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges of his job, Shivers said the university community is preparing a strategic plan for the next five years or so, which he will follow with a campus master plan.

In preparing for that plan, he is working with a firm that will survey all research space on campus and determine its current functional use, occupants and intensity of use.

He is also focusing on facilities that assist with the delivery of education and is hoping to conduct a similar survey of educational spaces.

To provide managers and executives with actionable financial information, the university is also engaged in a process to improve its business systems in human resources, budgeting, accounting and financial management.

With a “ high rate of system failures around campus” creating a “significant problem” for the university, the building and infrastructure at Stony Brook are all aging at the same time, Shivers said.

Campus Planning, Design and Construction and Campus Operations and Maintenance work constantly to deal with these issues and fix problems as quickly as they can, Shivers added.

The immediate need for deferred maintenance issues is over $1.5 billion, which dwarfs any campus close to comparable size in the SUNY system.

The SUNY Construction Fund and SUNY leadership has provided funds to alleviate a small but substantial part of those critical issues, he said. The university is also engaged in conversations with the Construction Fund and the Division of Budget on ways to use funds for optimal results.

Shivers was delighted for the chance to “get into a place where president [Maurie Mcinnis] was forming her team,” he said. He saw this opportunity as a chance to be a part of leadership “on a ground floor-ish kind of a way.”

He embraces the challenge of working through the SUNY system.

Consistent with mandates from McInnis since her arrival, Shivers would like to create a consolidated financial statement for Stony Brook and all its affiliated entities.

In addition to enjoying his strolls through the quad, Shivers has appreciated the opportunity to join other sports and school enthusiasts in supporting college teams and cultural life on campus. He and his wife Sandee have been married for almost 30 years.

Outside of work, Shivers said he does “everything badly,” but is enthusiastic about it. That includes golf, tennis, skiing and bike riding. To get in shape for the 100-mile North Fork ride, which he’s never done, he has started riding his indoor bike close to five days per week.

Carl Lejuez, William Warren and Jed Shivers recently joined the Stony Brook University team. Warren’s photo from Stony Brook University marketing; others from SBU

branches of government, ignored dire warnings from both law enforcement and district attorneys, before passing two laws. One was to institute a cashless bail program. The other raised the age from 16 to 18 for people to be tried as adults.

Judges, forced by statute to put unstable, dangerous people back on the streets have yielded exactly the kind of awful results nonwoke clear thinkers would expect.

Tommy Bailey, a hardworking steamfitter and father of three, was very well regarded in his Brooklyn community. Coming home from work, he was allegedly stabbed to death on a subway train by Alvin Charles. The latter mentioned had been arrested in July 2021 for allegedly stabbing a different straphanger in Brooklyn. Charles was freed on supervised release, only to kill Bailey.

On Oct. 4, Adam Bennefield was arrested on domestic abuse charges, and ordered to stay away from his wife, Keaira. Under state law, based on the charges, the judge was not permitted to require him to post bail. The very next day, while driving her kids to school, Keaira Bennefield, a 30-year-old mother of three, was allegedly murdered by her estranged husband in Buffalo. The grieving family reported she was wearing a bulletproof vest when Adam Bennefield reportedly shot Keaira, right in front of those children.

Raising the age to be tried as an adult to

18 has been a gift to street gangs. They’re recruiting kids as young as 12 into a type of criminal apprenticeship. And why not? That controversial legislation increased the age of criminal prosecution for gun possession … to 18 years old. Meaning kids under that age caught carrying a firearm are headed to family court.

Here’s a powerful example of just how badly this policy has played in the real world. In July 2021, a “major gang war” between ruthless Bronx crews left boys ages 13, 16 and 19 dead within five days. The two youngest had long arrest records including robbery, assault and gun possession.

A law enforcement source is quoted in the New York Post on July 12, 2021, as saying, “The system that purports to help these kids is actually acting as an incubator for future violence.” The 16-year-old “gets caught with guns, goes to kidglove Family Court, and he’s out here walking the streets. The kid gloves ultimately allowed him to get murdered.”

While these types of senseless violent acts seem to have become part of New Yorker’s daily lives, Gov. Kathy Hochul [D] and Democratic lawmakers have shown no interest in holding a special legislative session to fix the mess they’ve made.

Given this kind of arrogant indifference to their constituents’ concerns over New York’s growing culture of violent crime, Kathy and company shouldn’t be surprised if, in a couple of weeks, voters express their great displeasure.

Jim Soviero East Setauket

Only one choice on the ballot on Nov. 8

New Yorkers have important decisions to make in the upcoming election on Nov. 8. Reproductive rights, gun safety and environmental protection are on the ballot. After the violence of Jan. 6, democracy itself is on the line.

For those of us who value environmental protection, access to reproductive health care and the need to have a safe society with less gun violence, there is only one choice on the ballot. We must vote for Democrats and reject Republican candidates, headed up by Trump acolyte Rep. Lee Zeldin running for New York governor. Recent news of texts to former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows show the congressman plotting to contest the 2020 election before it was even called. We cannot have a governor who seeks to overturn elections. We deserve to have fair elections that are also safe. The right-wing extremist attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6 has shown that we can no longer count on that. This is why we must repudiate election deniers like Zeldin at the ballot box on Nov. 8.

We must consider the safety of our planet. Zeldin and other down-ballot candidates continue to point to fossil fuel extraction as the answer to our energy problems, rather than investing in renewable energy that can help mitigate the climate emergency. We cannot have science deniers in office. That is why we must repudiate candidates like Zeldin, and CD 1’s Nick LaLota, who have advocated for

fracking, at the ballot box on Nov. 8. We must also look at gun safety legislation. Zeldin’s record on this is egregious. He has received tens of thousands of campaign dollars from the NRA and voted against common sense measures like universal background checks and reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. But it is not just Zeldin’s record we must examine. Every Suffolk County Republican in the state Legislature voted against raising the age to purchase a semi-automatic weapon, just weeks after the massacres in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas. One cannot claim to be concerned about public safety, and also vote to keep weapons of war on our streets. It is why we must repudiate gun safety opponents at the ballot box on Nov. 8.

Finally, we need politicians who do more than stoke fear and propose real solutions to the problems we face. We cannot frack, incarcerate and deny our way out of the very real challenges we face. When we invest in the social safety net and in renewable resources, our communities are safer for all of us. When we protect reproductive rights, we invest in women’s health care. When we invest in free and fair elections, we are all safer and freer.

Those of us who value safety and freedom must reject the extremist policies of Republican candidates and vote for a future that serves all of us. For these reasons, I will be voting for Democrats on Nov. 8.

Shoshana Hershkowitz South Setauket

At 90, Al Kopcienski reflects upon the value of service

BY RAYMOND JANIS EDITOR1@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

90 years ago this past Sunday, Al

of Miller Place has led a life of uninterrupted service to his community.

sizable extended family flew in from around the country Oct. 22 to honor his life. On this joyous occasion, his daughter Elizabeth Schwartz thought it necessary to look back on her father’s life and reflect upon his achievements.

an interview, Schwartz shared her father’s long commitment to the area. “My dad has been so invested in this community in a very quiet way,” she said. “The community needs to know. We need to remember people who are our unsung heroes.”

Kopcienski’s legacy of community service spans nearly a century. Among his many posts, he served as president of the Mount Sinai School District Board of Education, more than 60 years with the Port Jefferson Rotary Club, and the Miller Place Fire Department where he served as chief from 1967-68.

He lives by the Rotarian motto, “Service above self.” Schwartz said she and her siblings were also raised to follow this ethos.

“We were all raised — all eight of us — were raised with this mantra, ‘Service above self,’ that hard work is good work, that our job is to give to the community,” she said. “It is about community and not always about one person or self.”

Over the past nine decades, Kopcienski has witnessed firsthand the gradual transformation of the area. He said the little farming economy he once knew has gradually become a bustling environment.

“This area was a big farming area, and through the transition of years the farmers have disappeared,” he said. “The farming industry disappeared, and then the developers

came in and started building houses.”

Despite the differences today from the undisturbed landscape Kopcienski knew growing up, he said young people can still derive vital lessons from his generation.

“One of my favorite sayings is ‘rest means rust,’” he said, emphasizing the value of physical movement and manual labor. “The service industry is well organized and has well-paying positions.”

While on the Mount Sinai school board, Kopcienski pushed for expanding opportunities for students pursuing professional trades. While today, many may place higher education at a premium, he still sees the value of these alternative career paths.

“There was a local superintendent of schools that would say, ‘All my kids graduate and go on to college,’” Kopcienski said. “I said to him, ‘What about the poor kid that can’t go on to college? What about the kid who went to BOCES, a trade school, where he spent half the day at school and then learned a trade?’”

He added, “One of the problems we have is that people don’t want to get their hands dirty.”

Even at 90 years old, Kopcienski is still getting his hands dirty today, driving the ambulance for the fire department. He said he receives his fair share of raised eyebrows when arriving on the scene of an emergency.

“They say, ‘That old man’s driving the ambulance?’” he joked. Schwartz interjected, adding, “He comes home and tells us about all of the old people he drives to the hospital. And I said, ‘The old people, like 20 years younger than you, Pop?’ He said, ‘Yeah.’”

Despite the many changes he has observed over time, Kopcienski sees reason for hope. With 24 grandchildren, he now gets his chance to sit back, watch and follow the rising generation as it embarks on its path.

Still, at 90, there appear to be no signs of rust or rest on this lifelong community servant.

upscale

amenities,

with opportunities for lifelong

and recreation to inspire and entertain.

in our pub,

everything that brings

and

needs

right here at home.

Al Kopcienski, right, with his great-grandson in a Miller Place Fire Department Ambulance.

Photo courtesy Elizabeth Schwartz

Halloween Spooktacular music festival arrives at the Train Car Park

BY RAYMOND JANIS EDITOR1@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Two bastions of commerce and culture joined forces on Saturday, Oct. 22, for a night of fright and fun at Port Jefferson Station’s Train Car Park.

The Spooktacular Music Festival was a three-hour production co-hosted by the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce and the local affiliate of the School of Rock, the largest music school franchise nationwide. The event showcased the talents of local student musicians while bringing community members together for a night out.

Tracie and Jaime Smith have owned the Port Jefferson-based franchise of the School of Rock for 12 years. They described the music school as a place connecting like-minded youth with a shared passion for music.

“A lot of the kids that come to the School of Rock don’t quite fit in in public school,” Jaime Smith said. “When they come to our school, they are exactly who they are, and they’re accepted for that, regardless of age, race, it doesn’t matter.” He added, “They all share that common goal of art, and they do a heck of a job expressing that on stage.”

This sentiment held on Saturday night as the student performers entertained hundreds of spectators on the Train Car Park’s main lawn, playing songs across various genres, such as classic rock and punk rock.

Tracie Smith offered her perspective on the evening, saying that the event closely aligned with the music school’s

organizational principles.

“We pride ourselves on getting the kids on stage,” she said. “It’s not just taking a guitar lesson in your basement and never doing anything with it. We get the kids on stage multiple times per year, and they get to rock out,” adding, “It helps them build their confidence and meet other like-minded kids.”

While the School of Rock has held the event in years past, this marked the first year the performance was held at the Train Car Park. Jennifer Dzvonar, president of PJSTCC, was also present during the event and discussed how it all came together.

“We’re trying to get some more community events over here at the Train Car Park, so together we said, ‘Bring it here, and we’ll do it in collaboration with the chamber,’” she said. “We have some chamber members here setting up some tables. It’s open to the community, free admission, and with live music and fun.”

For Dzvonar, this event marks just the next chapter in a string of recent positive developments for the Greater Comsewogue area. According to her, boosting recreational use at the Train Car Park has been the chamber’s priority for years.

Now, with the availability of public funds and political will, those plans are bearing fruit. “We have always been trying to get this up and running,” she said. “Phase one is trying to get the park usable for the community, so they’re going to be making a walking path in here, we’re getting a parking lot and we’re going to get a playground.” She added, “Hopefully, that should be completed by the end of this year. If not, then the beginning of next year.”

After these improvements are executed, the chamber plans to use the historic train car on-site for community tourism. In addition, plans are in place to repurpose some of it as office space, providing chamber members with new headquarters.

“Our vision is coming to fruition finally,” Dzvonar said. “This is exactly what we wanted for the community — a place to come, a place for kids and adults, a place for anybody. Basically, the motto of the chamber is to bring local businesses and the community together. This is a hub for that.”

Jaime and Tracie Smith have observed a gradual shift in the area throughout their time running the music school. For them, the arts will continue to play a central role in the area’s burgeoning cultural renaissance.

“What we’ve seen in the over a decade that we’ve been here is a movement toward families and the arts and a dedication to the community,” Jaime Smith said. “There has been a real movement forward toward creating something different here … and music always brings people together.”

Tracie Smith added to this perspective, touching upon how the COVID-19 pandemic has brought more families from New York City onto Long Island. Given these trends, she sees reason for optimism.

“We’ve seen such a nice bump in our enrollment postCOVID,” she said. “We’ve seen a lot of new families, a lot of resurgences, a lot of people moving from the city to come here, so we’re looking forward to the future for sure.”

— Photos by Raymond Janis

SBU receives $147M in federal funding over eight years to treat WTC responders

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Make a Statement...

As the medical challenges to first responders at the World Trade Center site after the 9/11 attacks increase, Stony Brook University’s treatment program has increased the number of people it helps and, recently, also the federal funds to support efforts to treat people.

HEALTH

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recently awarded the Stony Brook World Trade Center Health and Wellness Program $147 million over an eight-year period to expand patient care and support infrastructure needs.

The SB World Trade Center Health and Wellness program now sees up to 13,000 patients, which is more than double the 6,000 patients it used to see.

“Patients are getting sicker and their diseases are much more complex with a variety of different systems being involved, both psychologically as well as physically,” said Dr. Benjamin Luft, director of the WTC Wellness Program.

Through the work the SB WTC group has conducted, doctors and researchers have demonstrated that diseases and physical and cognitive challenges associated with aging have occurred more rapidly in the WTC population.

At the same time, COVID-19 has also exacerbated conditions related to exposure to the site, with over 20% of this population experiencing lingering symptoms due to the pandemic.

The WTC first responders have developed chronic sinusitis and a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD).

While these diseases occur in the general population, “the chronicity is unique,” Luft added.

The SB WTC Wellness program will use the funds to hire additional staff with specialties in pulmonology and psychiatry, among other areas, Luft said.

The majority of the work occurs at the Wellness Center’s main facility and clinic in Commack. SB also runs a site in Mineola. The funds will help revamp the Mineola site as well.

The two sites will use updated technologies and will deploy emerging capabilities in telehealth and artificial intelligence to communicate, diagnose and monitor cases.

Federal funds have supported the effort for 18 years, as NIOSH has funded clinical services for WTC patients treated at Stony Brook.

Medical conditions for this population have included post-traumatic stress disorder and respiratory illnesses.

The funding more than doubles the $60 million, five-year award the WTC Wellness Program received in 2017 from NIOSH that had provided support until the end of March of this year. NIOSH had extended the grant for six months until the current funding started at the end of September, Luft said.

Patients have developed a range of cancers, as well as lung issues such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

Additionally, patients are struggling with a variety of mental processing challenges.

“We see a lot of patients who have a variety of cognitive and memory problems,” Luft said.

Luft emphasized that many of the thousands of patients he treats have several health issues simultaneously. By using new technologies, these efforts will enhance the quality of life for people who were on site after the attack.

Luft added that the connection and support from NIOSH have helped support health care for this population.

“The various people at NIOSH are really involved in the program,” he said. “It’s been very satisfying.”

Stony Brook University faculty in public health, psychiatry, pulmonary care, cardiovascular care and neuroscience all take part in ongoing research related to the health issues of WTC responders.

Luft emphasized that the care first responders at the WTC receive tries to be “proactive” with an extensive effort to screen for various diseases, including cancer.

The research and treatment efforts for the WTC population extends to other health care initiatives for people exposed to carcinogens in wars or from other unintentional exposures.The exposure from 911 is similar to those from burn pits, Camp Lejuene and other hazards.

“The toxins are similar,” Luft said.

PEOPLE of the YEAR

Each year, with our readers’ help, we honor the people who have contributed in the communities we serve.

The honorees are profiled in a special edition at the end of the year.

Nominate your choice(s) by emailing desk@tbrnewsmedia.com

Please include your name and contact information, the name and contact information of the individual you’re nominating and why he or she deserves to be a Person of the Year.

WTC responders at Ground Zero, working on the pile in the aftermath of 911. Photo by John Bombace

Stony Brook’s Hercules gets renewed vigor

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

A Long Island landmark is looking more vibrant.

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization debuted the restored Hercules figurehead at a press conference on Oct. 14. Recently, philanthropists Harlan and Olivia Fischer, of Head of the Harbor, noticed the figurehead needed restoration and decided to sponsor its renovation.

WMHO board members thanked the Fischers and the work crew from ART of NYC & Long Island who restored the piece located in the Hercules Pavilion overlooking Stony Brook Harbor, across from the Village Center.

The Holbrook-based company was retained for the restoration, which included cleaning, sanding and replastering before repairing, painting and varnishing the landmark.

Richard Rugen, WMHO chairman, said, “It’s a work in progress, but [the Fischers] are actually going to take care of the rest of the pavilion as well.”

Additional work will be done on the weather-beaten pavilion in the near future, including roof work and painting.

Harlan Fischer, president of Branch Financial Services, moved his offices from Smithtown to Setauket in 2020. Every day he passes through the village on his way to work and back, he said, and appreciates how lovely Stony Brook village is. He asked WMHO president Gloria Rocchio if she thought the renovation would be a worthwhile project, and she agreed.

“When we make contributions to places, we like to see the results of it,” he said. The Fischers are also donors to The Jazz Loft and sponsor a monthly concert series at the music venue and museum.

The full-color Hercules carving, located in Stony Brook since 1951, features the head and shoulders of the Greek demigod — known for his exceptional strength — draped in a lion’s skin. The bust was once the USS Ohio’s figurehead. The ship was the first to be launched from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1820.

Rugen said the figurehead was saved when the ship was decommissioned, destroyed and sunk in Greenport Harbor in 1884. It was bought by the Aldrich family of Aquebogue for $10 at the time, and from the late 1800s until the early 1950s it sat at the Canoe Place Inn in Hampton Bays after the owner, Miles Carpenter, purchased it for $15. Ward Melville bought it from the inn to be placed in Stony Brook.

Brenda Sinclair Berntson, president of Hampton Bays Historical Society, said when Hercules was located at the inn, it was popular for young women to kiss his forehead, believing that the person would be married within the year.

She said the figurehead wasn’t in the best condition, rotting and termite-ridden when it was brought to Stony Brook.

“We’re very glad that Ward Melville had the foresight and saved it,” she said.

Danielle Parisi, business development manager of ART of NYC & Long Island, said as someone who grew up and still lives in Stony Brook, it was an honor to work on the project. Parisi’s co-worker, art restorer Jessie Kefalas, said in walking by the figurehead in the past it was obvious something needed to be done. There was significant damage including the rotting of the chest of Hercules, which is constructed of plaster and wood.

Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) was also in attendance and commented on the efforts.

“We’ve seen projects like this before, and so often it’s because of the community spirit of ordinary residents who love where they live or business people who reinvest in their community,” he said.

State Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) called WMHO “one of the custodians of our heritage.”

He added that places such as the pavilion are in danger due to rising sea levels brought on by climate change, and the spot around the structure has experienced flooding after significant rain events. In the future, he said, the Hercules Pavilion could possibly be raised to protect it further, and when such a plan comes to fruition he pledged a $125,000 matching state grant to help with the costs.

Elected officials, Ward Melville Heritage Organization board members and philanthropists Harlan and Olivia Fischer announced the restoration of Stony Brook’s Hercules. Photo above from WMHO; photo below by Rita J. Egan

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The age of the uninformed voter

Election Day is less than two weeks away, and now is the time for citizens to begin researching their ballots.

When we vote, we are not merely selecting a “D” or “R.” Our representatives are living, breathing creatures with all of the features of ordinary citizens. They possess personality traits, character flaws, preferences, opinions and persuasions.

In these last few weeks, we must uncover these traits and determine whether they align with our values. Today, it is not enough to show up to the polls and vote. Here in Suffolk County, we find numerous examples of the popular will being subverted to advance the interests of a powerful few.

Take judicial elections, for example. Party leaders hold enormous power concerning our judges. Through a sequence of dealmaking and compromises — most of which happen behind closed doors and away from the public eye — the party leaders line up all county judgeships through crossendorsements well before the election.

To receive a judgeship and the sweet $185,000 to $211,000 salary that comes with it, our “elected” judges do what they must. They answer to their superiors, who are the political bosses awarding them their seats of power and cushy salaries. Meanwhile, the ordinary citizens — those paying these salaries — get left behind and forgotten.

If we do not research our ballots thoroughly, then our only options this November are those handpicked by the party chieftains. An uninformed citizenry only reinforces this broken electoral system, rendering our elected officials less accountable to the people with each passing election.

A functional, vibrant democracy requires that citizens take an active, rather than passive, role in the electoral process. We must take a deeper plunge into the candidates on our ballots. Who are these people? What are their professional backgrounds? If elected, how will they advance our values and interests?

It is time for the people to take back the reins of power. Let not the political bosses pull our strings as they do the puppets they try to plant in office.

If we want politicians to be accountable to us, we must give our votes much more weight. Blindly voting down a ballot is as pointless and unproductive as not voting at all, especially since ballots also include candidates who have not actively campaigned. No person, regardless of party affiliation, is entitled to our vote.

Next week, TBR News Media will release its election supplement. Read through those articles, and get to know your prospective representatives. Let us break away from the party masters. Let the age of the uninformed voter die a sudden, unceremonious death.

WRITE TO US … We welcome your letters. They should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style and good taste. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include a phone number and address for confirmation. Email letters to: editor1@tbrnewsmedia.com or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

Letters to the Editor

Lost glory

America has been blessed with three precious documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. The security of these documents may be in great danger.

Presently dark clouds of national dissension gather endangering the nation. The republic dwells in a state of sedition endangering our Founders’ constitutional intent.

Our republic miraculously survived the tyranny of Great Britain. Today the state of our nation is in far greater danger as was Troy. Deception was both internal and external.

It must never be forgotten: A nation without borders is a nation no more. Within the annals of history, no republic has ever survived beyond 200 years. The present cracks within our foundation cannot be denied.

Objective truth: There has never been a nation that has offered so much to humanity than America. God bless America.

Leonard J. Henderson Veteran of World War II Port Jefferson Fleming receives support of police organizations

Running for Congress this year in our District 1 are Bridget Fleming, a centrist Democrat, and Nick LaLota, a party-line Republican.

LaLota echoes the standard Republican falsehoods about voter fraud. He seems remarkably indifferent about the threat to American democracy represented by the failed coup of Jan. 6, propelled by these same falsehoods. According to him, it’s just another partisan issue. His campaign website contains not a single word about the effects of climate change, even though rising sea levels, flooding and more powerful hurricanes and nor’easters should concern every Long Islander.

Fleming has made public safety a major concern of hers. This is why she has received the endorsement of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association as well as that of the Police Conference of New York. She is the only Long Island Democrat running for Congress to receive the PBA endorsement. This is because she was a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office for 10 years, a member of the sex crimes prosecution unit and in charge of another unit devoted to attacking fraud in public programs. She’s also dedicated to stopping the flow of highpowered out-of-state guns to New York, which can put more firepower in the hands

of criminals than in the hands of the police. The Suffolk County PBA knows Fleming, a 20-year resident of Long Island, has the dedication and prosecutorial experience to put public safety first.

David Friedman St. James

A resounding ‘no’ vote

I have recently been inundated with political ads courting my vote, from both political parties. One candidate is Republican Lee Zeldin. In his bid for the New York State governor’s office, Congressman Zeldin seeks my “yes” vote. Here is how he voted on issues that are important to me: •Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022: no •Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022: no •Active Shooter Alert Act of 2022: no •Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act: no •Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022: no •Freedom to Vote: John R Lewis Act: no •Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: no •Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2021: no •Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment: no •Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021: no •Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2021: no •George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021: no

And how ironic that Zeldin voted “yes” for reaffirming the House of Representatives’ commitment to the orderly and peaceful transfer of power called for in the Constitution and introduced in the House on Sept. 29, 2020, which passed with 397 “yes” votes. We now know how he changed his position a short time later.

Therefore, Zeldin, you have earned my vote but it is a resounding “no.”

Sue Parker

Stony Brook

claims of fraud would be diminished and freedom of speech fully protected if the following conditions were established.

•First, no candidate for federal office can attain or remain in office until relevant claims of election fraud are resolved either by agreement of the parties or by the courts.

•Next, a fraudulent election claim should be understood to apply to all federal offices and all candidates for federal office on the ballot.

•Should claims of election fraud not be resolved by the start of new terms of office, congressional seats at issue should remain empty until the claims of fraud have been resolved.

•Government should continue only with those fairly elected.

•Should the presidency and vice presidency be at issue, the established order of succession should apply.

•Finally, significant criminal and civil penalties should be established for claims before the courts judged to be so lacking in evidence as to be frivolous or designed to delay the seating of fairly elected candidates to federal office.

I am not a lawyer and these suggestions may be more easily gamed than I realize. If that is so, modify them or suggest others. Do not turn away and later ask “for whom the bell tolls.” John Donne told us “it tolls for thee.”

Forrest McMullen South Setauket

Cheap reelection move by AG James

Possible action plan

The right to freedom of speech is essential to democracy. So, too, is responsible speech. Whether false claims of election fraud are an incitement to imminent lawless action or not, whether those claims are protected speech or not, is a matter on which we may disagree. There should be no disagreement, however, on the damage being done to our democracy by undermining confidence in free and fair elections. I believe the enthusiasm for

The late New York State Attorney General Louis Lefkowitz was a mainstream Republican. He served for 22 years from 1957 to 1979 earning the title “the people’s lawyer.” Today’s state Attorney General Letitia James [D] use of his title “the people’s lawyer” in campaign TV commercials represents consumer fraud. James, with under four years in office, has yet to build a record worthy of this title. Her accomplishments don’t come anywhere close to those of Lefkowitz. Co-opting this title just serves as a cheap reelection television ad sound bite.

Larry Penner Great Neck

New York state’s culture of violent crime

Under one party rule, the quality of life in New York state has suffered a stunning decline over the last three years. The most obvious and unhealthy symptom of this decay is a spike in violent crime.

In 2019 Democrats, controlling all

Editor’s note: There will be no letters to the editor in our Nov. 3 edition. The page that normally features letters will have TBR News Media’s endorsements for the 2022 elections. Our letters page will return Nov. 10.

Our pets do as much, or more, for us as we do for them

before our son had a driver’s license and I had to pick him up from school, I brought the dog in the car. I’d see my son walking from school, head down, shoulders slumped, with the equivalent of a teenage angst enveloping him.

and everything our son did, particularly when he pet our dog’s ears, was welcome and appreciated.

While I know many people love puppies, with their fluffy fur and their playful demeanor, I have become increasingly attached and fond of our dog as he has aged.

And, as my wife has said, the feeling appears to be mutual.

I’m feeling. When I get off the phone after an exasperating call with a customer service representative, he comes wagging over as if to say, “Yeah, that was annoying, but you’ll be fine and I’m still incredibly soft. Don’t you want to check?”

let out (yes, that was a different time). He used to return when he was ready and after he’d visited the neighbors and tended to his physical needs.

None of the above

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF

He’d get to the car, ready to throw himself into the seat next to me, to tell me his day was “fine” or that he “didn’t want to talk about anything,” and then he’d see the dog, wagging and prancing in the back seat and he was helpless against such charm and unbridled joy.

Our dog would throw his head into his hands, letting our son know that anything

When he was younger, our dog rarely came when I called him. He seemed fine with my petting him, but he didn’t go out of his way to get up from a comfortable nap.

But, then, something happened in the last year. Maybe it’s because we’ve traveled to visit family and friends for weddings and we haven’t taken him on each of our trips, or because he suddenly figured out that I feed him, provide water and take him for his necessary walks.

Whatever the case, he’s as happy to see me as I am to see him. At the same time, he’s become increasingly sensitive to the stress

Recently, I contracted COVID-19. My wife, who hasn’t been feeling too well herself, took incredible care of me, picking up food and medicine while I shivered in bed and struggled to swallow through the razor blades dangling in the back of my throat.

In addition to the necessary and helpful support from my wife and brothers, I received encouragement from our dog, who seemed to recognize something was amiss. He came to the side of the bed and leaned his head into my hand. He put his paw up near my arm as well, wagging cautiously and looking into my eyes.

He reminded me of our dog from my childhood. Also, a golden retriever, our earlier dog raced to the kitchen door to be

Do you have a special retreat in the neighborhood?

Last week I wrote about the pleasure of getting away, even for a day, and enjoying the foliage season in lower New England. This time I want to wax rhapsodic (well, in a manner of speaking) about the special places we love here in the neighborhood.

Melville Memorial Park, not far from 25A and my office in Setauket, but nicely hidden from view. Opened in 1937 as a memorial to Frank Melville Jr., it was the brainchild of his wife, Jennie MacConnell Melville, and his son, Ward Melville. While it is privately owned, the park is open for the pleasure of the public every day from sunrise to sunset.

In my junior year of high school, I developed a migraine that limited my ability to see and gave me a horrific headache. At the same time, all physical contact was uncomfortable, from my friend touching my hand to guide me to the nurse to my mother escorting me to the car.

When I returned home, I lay in a dark room, miserable under the searing pain. The dog, who wasn’t used to having me home during the day, stayed in my room all day. He didn’t move or make a sound and, more amazingly, he never tried to touch my hand.

He finally went outside after I got up and felt better. He stood guard all those years ago, just as our pets do now, protecting us against strangers and offering support in our lowest and most emotionally vulnerable moments.

by with their owners. The dogs immediately veered over for a pat, and sometimes the owners lingered for a chat.

It was quite a social affair on a beautiful fall afternoon for dogs and people.

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF

Do you have such a special place? By which, I mean a place you go when you want to enjoy the beauty of the area, where you can sit and relax and let concerns just melt away for a few minutes. Or where you can go to think out troubles peacefully, deciding what to do next. Or maybe, you just want a bucolic walk. One such location for me is the Frank

So who was Frank Melville, you might ask, and how did it happen that a park is dedicated to him?

Frank Melville Jr. started by selling shoes to the residents from his sailboat on a fixed schedule, as he and his family of wife and small children circumnavigated Long Island. Eventually, he founded the Thom McAn brand with J. Franklin McElwain, a New Hampshire shoe manufacturer, exactly one hundred years ago. Their first retail shoe store in New York, selling a few simple styles at a low fixed price, then expanded to hundreds of stores across the US, becoming the largest footwear retailer in the country with 1400 stores. The brand name was eventually bought by Sears 86 years later.

As they grew wealthy, the Melvilles, who lived in Manhattan, bought a second home for themselves in Old Field, and became increasingly philanthropic, donating local land for community benefit, including what is now the campus for Stony Brook University. And it was Ward Melville, who visualized and created Stony Brook Village in 1941, the first outdoor mall in the country, and to this day, a fun daytime destination.

When I walk through the park, which surrounds the duck pond with leafy and varied greenery now changing colors, I marvel at the generosity and vision of the Melville family in fashioning such a jewel for anyone who wishes to enjoy its paved path, picture postcard views and many benches. It is such a place of respite for those of us who work just around the corner and those who come with their dogs from farther away.

Dogs are welcome, as long as their owners pick up after them. We sat on one of the benches last Saturday and called out, “Hello, Dog,” to the various pooches as they walked

One of the people we met as we strolled along was Anita Lago, an energetic woman from Stony Brook who discovered the pond and the park eight years ago and has been coming over to enjoy the swans regularly since then. When she was found cleaning out the stray fishing lines and other detritus that might enmesh the fowl, she was offered a pail and a rake by the foundation that oversees the park and invited to be official. And so, she can be found at water’s edge, when she is not at her full-time job, a hard-working volunteer helping to keep the pond clean and the swans and other fowl safe.

The Frank Melville Memorial Park is supported by donations from a grateful public. It’s that kind of place, one that brings out the best in all of us as it gifts to us all year round.