The Times of Huntington-Northport - December 22, 2016

THE TimEs of Huntington, Northport & East Northport huntington • huntington bay • greenlawn • halesite • lloyd harbor • cold spring harbor • northport • east northport • Fort salonga west • asharoken • eaton’s neck • centerport

Vol. 13, No. 37

December 22, 2016

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Students do the robot Huntington kids excel with coding lessons

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Holiday Memories special feature ALSO: New Year’s Eve events and Menorah lightings on the North Shore, review of ‘Rogue One’

Christmas comes early

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Families in need go shopping for free gifts — story A7

Photo from Mallory Kerley

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PAGE A2 • TIMES HUNTINGTON & NORTHPORTS • DECEMBER 22, 2016

Bellone: Prepare yourself and your home for winter weather

By Alex Petroski alex@tbrnewspapers.com It’s often called the most wonderful time of the year, but whoever coined that phrase must have been a fan of freezing temperatures. With a mild fall finally giving way to traditional winter weather over the past week, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D) wants residents to make sure they protect themselves, their homes, their loved ones and their pets from the dangers presented by the harsh conditions.

“Although no amount of preparations can prepare us for a natural disaster, we have taken the necessary steps to ensure that Suffolk County is prepared to handle routine inclement weather conditions,” Bellone said at a press conference Dec. 15, where he was joined by Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini and other county officials. “We have been extremely fortunate this winter, but looking at forecasts, it appears our luck is running out.

Now is the time for our residents to make sure they take the necessary precautions to protect themselves.”

Bellone suggested several precautions Suffolk County residents should take to ensure safety and avoid inconveniences during the winter months, including running water to prevent pipes from freezing; keeping portable heaters on flat surfaces and away from flammable objects; driving with caution even without the presence of precipitation; checking on loved ones, especially the elderly; watching for some of the signs of hypothermia, like confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion and slurred speech; keeping pets indoors; and disconnecting hoses from exterior lines.

Bellone has partnered with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless to collect new or gently used winter jackets for those in need. Coats can be donated at county facilities across Suffolk.

Residents can contact the county’s Tem-

Photo from Bellone’s office

suffolk County executive steve Bellone and other county officials warn residents of winter weather dangers for people, homes and pets.

porary Housing Assistance Unit at 631854-9547 or the Department of Social Services Home Energy Assistance Program at 631-854-9100 in the event they run out of fuel to heat their home or require emergency burner repair.

The county executive also detailed options for the homeless during times when temperatures can plummet to the point of presenting deadly consequences. Sheltering assistance is available at Suffolk County service centers located in Deer Park, Coram, Hauppauge and Riverhead, and the county also implemented a Safe Beds Program to provide residents in need with warm shelter during the winter. More information about these programs can be found on the county’s website at www.suffolkcountyny.gov.

“Nobody should be left out in this dangerously cold spell,” Bellone said.

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 • TIMES HUNTINGTON & NORTHPORTS • PAGE A3

Huntington students find success with robotics lessons

By Kevin Redding kevin@tbrnewspapers.com Huntington students taught the community a thing or two about computer science and coding at a board of education meeting Dec. 12.

Sixth-grader Sarah Crowin, along with fifth-graders Samantha McGloin, Ben Edgar McNerney and Uma Shtrom, showed those in attendance how they were able to make “math move” and come to life in creating their own mazes and games.

They explained how this new passion has helped them in other areas.

McGloin, a student at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School, said coding helped her become a better problem solver.

“When you’re coding, it’s all trial and error,” she said at the meeting. “If something doesn’t work, there’s no pop-up explaining what to do ... you have to know your lines of code and what you wrote to see what you did wrong and learn from it. It helps with perseverance because you have to work on something and there’s no such thing as overnight success.”

She said coding has taught her to put all of her effort into something — otherwise it won’t work out the way you want it to.

Shtrom, also a student at Jack Abrams, said coding changed the way she thinks.

“When I see video games like Minecraft or Temple Run, I think about the coding conditions behind the game,” she said. “Coding had also helped me to better understand math concepts ... like grid coordinates ... x and y coordinates ... and angles.”

Back in October, students at Woodhull Intermediate School and the STEM Magnet School started using the platform called kidOYO, or Kid On Your Own, in the classroom to create coding scripts and explore learning outcomes in the fields of computer science, engineering and entrepreneurship education.

This program, which Huntington has implemented in grades kindergarten through eighth, encourages students to demonstrate knowledge and problem solving skills through various programming tools.

Students of all ages within the district are able to access kidOYO from home as well as school, and so far they said they’ve been excited to learn and utilize this new language of code.

“It’s wonderful to see students engaged in this,” Christine Lofaro, a Huntington Response to Intervention math teacher, and

LEGALS

18Block Construction Company, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 10/25/2016. Office located in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC: 223 Wall Street # 186, Huntington NY 11743. Company will perform Commercial & Residential Construction.

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Photo by Kevin Redding

Huntington middle school students smile with math teachers Christine Lofaro, far left, and Susan Llanes, far right. one of the facilitators of the program said.

She said even though not all the students participating in the program are necessarily heavy academic students in terms of math and science, they love to do this and it’s never a chore to get them involved.

“I was in a kindergarten class on Friday and was thinking, “How am I going to do this with kindergarten students?” she said.

“They were totally in it, totally in the game and excited, right from the get go.”

She and fellow Huntington RTI math teacher Susan Llanes had the opportunity to attend the “kidOYO Summer Experience” at Stony Brook University for three days in July and while there, they trained alongside computer science instructors and learned a lot about the benefits of the program, especially for young students.

They immediately brainstormed how they were going to bring this back to their school.

Lofaro and Llanes emailed principals and the district’s Director of Elementary

Notice of formation of 166 35 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/7/2016. Office location, County of Suffolk. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 241 Barton Ave., Melville, NY 11747. Purpose: any lawful act 672 12/22 6x thn

Notice of formation of DG LIST SOURCE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/14/2016. Office location, County of Suffolk. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o Daniel Gale, Sotheby’s International Realty, 36 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724. Purpose: any lawful act 673 12/22 6x thn

‘Right now, there’s no expectation in our schools that students should even have a basic understanding of these concepts, even though they’re driving a large part of our society.’

— Marybeth robinette

Mathematics Marybeth Robinette about how to roll this out as soon as school was back in session in the fall.

Robinette said every 21st century student should have a chance to learn about algorithms, how to make an app, and learn how the internet works, just as they should know what photosynthesis and H2O are.

“Right now, there’s no expectation in our schools that students should even have a basic understanding of these concepts, even though they’re driving a large part of our society,” said Robinette.

The director of elementary mathematics said computer science is foundational and affects every field in residents’ lives.

Notice of formation of Eliot Lonardo LLC. Arts of Org. with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/13/16. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC: 3 Bernice Ct. Huntington Station, NY 11746 .Purpose:Any lawful purpose.

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Whether it’s navigation systems on the road or computing breakthroughs in health care, every single day ,the trend of coding is growing in every single industry.

She explained that right now computing jobs are the number one source of new wages in the U.S. “There are more than 500,000 job openings [in this field], but we’re not graduating kids from college with computer science degrees,” Robinette said.

“One of the reasons is that kids don’t really know how computers work and think it’s really difficult and scary. But through kidOYO ... we’re showing that all kids can participate in this.”

Notice of formation of JOM INVESTORS, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/8/2016. Office location, County of Suffolk. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 18 Emerald Ave., Huntington Sta., NY 11746.

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Notice of Formation of Haydon LLC Arts of Org filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/13/16. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC at 29D Little Neck Rd., Centerport, NY 11721. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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PAGE A4 • TIMES HUNTINGTON & NORTHPORTS • DECEMBER 22, 2016

Northport board approves bond with athletic facility upgrades

By Victoria Espinoza Victoria@tbrnewspapers.com

photo by Victoria Espinoza

superintendent robert Banzer, left, and school board president, andrew rapiejko, right, listen to resident comment on the bond referendum.

Northport-East Northport school board members approved an almost $40 million bond referendum to improve school facilities and classroom space, infrastructure and athletic facilities during a Dec. 14 meeting.

The bond includes a $2 million plan for a new stadium and track at the high school, as well as a new turf field and the creation of security vestibules at every school in the district.

All schools in the districts will undergo improvements through the bond, with projects like bathroom reconstructions, classroom improvements, sink and countertop replacements, and sidewalk and paving improvements.

Northport and East Northport middle schools athletic fields will also receive upgrades including replacing of the tracks, and improving of fields. The most costly improvements are set for Northport High School, where more than $16 million will be spent on athletic upgrades, science lab reconstruction and more.

At the meeting residents expressed concern with the creation of turf fields, citing health issues with the turf infill.

“Has there been any considerations for the potential health risks with turf burns, body fluids on the field, and joint injury in young athletes?” Tom Fischer, an East Northport resident asked at the meeting. “There is also an issue of artificial turf fields heating up substantially, and September this year was beastly hot. I really can’t imagine high school football players fully clad in that field-generated heat. That would certainly increase the risk of heat exhaustion.”

Trustee Regina Pisacani, who headed the Athletic Facilities Citizens Advisory Committee, the group which surveyed the school’s athletic fields and made suggestions for upgrades, said there were many debates on turf.

“The committee had a lot of different turf companies come in and we had a couple physical therapists who had concerns about the turf,” she said. “You can find articles for both sides of the coin. You can find articles that say there are significant injuries on turf and natural grass.”

Paul Klimuszko, director of physical education, athletics and health at Northport said students are not allowed to play if it’s too hot outside. Section XI athletics forbids schools from allowing players outside once it reaches 95 on the heat index.

“Once Section XI calls a heat advisory, there’s not playing on any of the fields,” he said. “You know I’ve never seen a heat advisory that says not on the turf but still on the grass. Once it gets to a certain temperature it’s no activities.”

When Northport resident Carl Lick asked for a definite plan from the board on the type of turf the district plans on using, he added, “Asbestos was safe until it wasn’t safe.

Smoking was safe until it wasn’t safe. I think we have to err on the side of safety.”

Board President Andrew Rapiejko said the turf fields are a small amount of the whole bond referendum, and the board doesn’t plan on going into the nitty-gritty details of every part of the bond at this point.

“So the details of exactly which fill we are going to use, we’re not going to decide right away because I think there is a lot to that,” he said. “What the board at this point needs to look at is the cost, when it comes time for the decision of what kind of infill we will use. I believe the board wants to and will get input and discussions on the type of fill. We want the safest choice of course for our students.”

The bond had been discussed for several months leading up to last week’s vote, and input was taken from residents, special committees, board members, administrators and more. The scope of work was approved unanimously, and the bond will go to a community vote in February 2017.

Breaking news

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 • TIMES HUNTINGTON & NORTHPORTS • PAGE A5

Bikers deliver Christmas spirit to children in need

By Kevin Redding kevin@tbrnewspapers.com Santa Claus swapped his signature red hat for a black helmet and led hundreds of bikers from Babylon Town Hall to Wading River Dec. 4 to kick-start the holiday season for children and young adults in need.

For the past 30 years, the staff members and young residents at Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York have welcomed the Long Island Harley Owners Group to their Wading River campus for what has become Long Island’s oldest toy run.

The group bands together with other motorcycle clubs across Long Island to deliver gifts to the children of the not-forprofit charity organization.

“I’m very thankful,” said Russell, 15, of Syosset. “They come out and they use their time, and play with us and do different things with us on their own time when they could be sitting at home.”

There are approximately 100 students between the ages 10 and 21 living on the Little Flower campus in cottage-style homes. Most of them are there primarily for educational purposes. The students are special education children with a variety of challenges who are referred to the organization by local school districts.

Bob Brinka, director of the Long Island Harley Owners Group, said what keeps the group coming back year after year are the smiles on the children’s faces.

“Doing this for kids that don’t have a lot

is really important to us ... this is the one that’s most dear to our hearts,” Brinka said.

“We look forward to making people’s lives a lot nicer and giving the kids something they don’t have. Because we have, we can give.”

He said this year the group had 276 registered motorcycles for the ride plus another 30 that joined them along their route.

Those at Little Flower watched in glee as bikers arrived in traditional fashion to the campus. The parade of Christmas-decorated bikes roared down a long driveway, each one equipped with a pile of gifts all donated by members. They brought everything from giant stuffed teddy bears to skateboards and remote control cars.

Maureen Fox, vice president of external relations for Little Flower, said for the kids, the event is all about the “spectacle” of seeing the bikers arrive.

The event went inside to the gym on campus, where children were excited to hop on stage and meet with Santa, played by Harley Owners Group member Nick Klopsis, and choose from the big pile of gifts. Chili and drinks were available, as well as holidaythemed entertainment. Some members joined children on stage to perform impromptu choir bell renditions of Christmas songs.

Thom Kister, a 12-year Harley Owners Group member, pointed out a beaming girl carrying a teddy bear off the stage and said he bought the gift three months prior to the event.

“It’s all about the kids and seeing their faces on the stage,” Kister said. “And when we do the procession, coming up, just hav-

Photo by Kevin Redding

Chris evel, center, and other members of the Harley Owners group smile at the event. ing everybody out there waving really fills you up and makes you feel good. This is so different from everything else we do because it’s open to all the biking community.

We love it and we love doing it.”

Chris Evel, a member of 30 years and an East Northport resident, echoed Kister’s sentiment.

“Nobody helps the community like the bikers,” he said. “Whatever [the kids] need, that’s what we’re here for. It could be anywhere on Long Island — we’ll be there to help.”

According to Fox, before the bikers hop back on their motorcycles and hit the road,

some of them deliver gifts directly to the developmentally disabled residents on campus who are unable to get to the gym.

Alex, 16, of Bellmore, said the entire month of December is special for him and the rest of the children at Little Flower.

“It’s a nice thing that [the Harley Owners Group] do because it’s all volunteer ... they didn’t have to come here,” he said.

“This month is probably the best month for everybody here because we had the Christmas tree lighting a few days ago, and then next week we have a party, so all the kids are happy that we’re doing this.”

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PAGE A6 • TIMES HUNTINGTON & NORTHPORTS • DECEMBER 22, 2016

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We’ll feature our readers’ pet photos in the Leisure Section of all 6 weekly newspapers.

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Above and below, the Jeep after the Northern State Parkway crash.

Photos by Steve Silverman

Fatal car crash in Dix Hills

By VictoriA ESPiNozA victoria@tbrnewspapers.com The Dix Hills Fire Department responded to a fatal car crash in Dix Hills Dec. 17.

The crash took place on the Northern State Parkway east of Wolf Hill Road near the Dix Hills Road overpass, at about 1 p.m., according to the fire department.

Dix Hills firefighters used heavy rescue extrication tools to remove the two occupants trapped in an overturned Jeep that struck a tree. Both patients were

transported to Huntington Hospital by the Dix Hills Rescue Squad.

According to New York State Police, Thomas Hardy, 22, was driving the Jeep when he lost control of the vehicle. The East Northport resident was pronounce dead at the hospital later that day. The passenger in the vehicle was treated for his injuries and is in stable condition.

About 40 firefighters and rescue personnel were on the scene with five trucks, three ambulances and paramedic responder units, under the direction of Third Assistant Chief Joe Williamson.

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 • TIMES HUNTINGTON & NORTHPORTS • PAGE A7

photos from Mallory Kerley

above and below, kids pick out christmas gifts at target in commack Dec. 14.

Local nonprofits buy Christmas gifts for struggling families

By Victoria Espinoza victoria@tbrnewspapers.com

pact,” he said.

According to Theresa Regnante, president and CEO of United Way of Long IsFor a few families struggling to make land, this is the second year the two nonends meet this Christmas, local organiza- profits have joined together to organize the tions got together to ensure there would be event. presents under the tree.

“We wanted these kids to be able to United Way of Long Island, a nonprofit celebrate the holidays, and have the joy of based in Deer Park, and Make it Count opening gifts that they wanted,” she said Foundation, a nonprofit based in West Is- in an email. “Jon Reese has been a fantaslip, worked together to donate funds so tic partner in other areas of our mission, that children and their families were able and coming together to help kids during to search through Target the holiday season in Commack and choose ‘Families are working was a perfect fit. We any gifts they wanted for hard to give [their kids] have the connections Christmas this year. They to the partner agenwere also given holiday the best life possible, and cies who work with treats as they shopped. Kids this event allows those families across Long ran through the aisles of Island, and they had Target Dec. 14, browsing parents and guardians the funds to donate the Barbie dolls, Nerf guns, to brighten the holiday to help them afand other toys they could ford the gifts. It was take home to make the holi- season just a bit more.’ an easy to decision day special.

— Theresa regnanTe to make to put this “Helping children in event together.” need is priceless,” Jon Reese, president of Families had to be nominated to partake the Make It Count Foundation said in an in the event, and Regnante said other local email. “I feel it is not only our responsibil- nonprofits helped in the selection process. ity, it is an honor. Especially this time of “We connected with Long Island Head year, when we celebrate life and hope.”

Start, United Veterans Beacon House, and Reese said Make It Count has worked Family Service League, who are all partner with United Way of Long Island in the past agencies of ours, and asked them to nomion home renovations, health and commu- nate families who could use some extra nity programs, and backpacks filled with holiday cheer to take part in the shopping school supplies. spree, as well as families who are part of “We feel that when the Make It Count our VetsBuild and YouthBuild programs,” Foundation and the United Way of Long Is- she said. “Target generously let us utilize land partner, we are able to leverage each their break room space and provided treats other’s resources and make a greater im- to the children before giving them a tour

of the toy department. It was a fabulous effort all around.”

Regnante shared what makes the event special to her.

“The best part of an event like this is seeing the smiles on the children’s faces as they pick up that toy they’ve been asking for for months, and knowing that they can take it home that night,” she said. “You have to remember, most of these children have only the basic necessities and rarely do they have the opportunity to get things that bring them true joy. Their families are working hard to give them the best life possible, and

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this event allows those parents and guardians to brighten the holiday season just a bit more. The holiday season is supposed to be filled with happiness, but it isn’t that way for those who are struggling.”

She said she watched a mother and her son go through the check-out line, and as they were walking out the door, he yelled out, “I feel like Christmas is here early!” as if he couldn’t believe he was actually allowed to leave the store with his new toys.

“Watching this little boy literally skip out the door warmed my heart,” she said.

PAGE A8 • TIMES HUNTINGTON & NORTHPORTS • DECEMBER 22, 2016

PEOPLE

Gingerbread con struction

Photos from Harborfields school district

First-graders at Fifth Avenue Elementary School in the Northport school district invited family members into their classrooms on Dec. 14 for a holiday activity. Students created their own gingerbread houses with the help of their loved ones.

Each student had a gingerbread house kit made of foam pieces and decorations, which they assembled and decorated to their liking.

The whole first grade participates in this activity every holiday season.

The kits are used so that students can save their house as a keepsake for as long as they want, unlike with food pieces.

OBITUARIES Aurora Miranda

Aurora Miranda, 91 years young, of Huntington, died Dec. 10.

She was the loving mother of Guillermina, Alicia, Hugo, Angelica and Jacqueline Acosta and Elizabeth Ghiddella and fond grandmother of 23.

Arrangements were entrusted to Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral Home in Northport, where a funeral service was held. Interment was at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale.

An online guest book is available at www.nthfh.com

Barbara J. Seaman

Barbara J. Seaman, of Northport, died Dec. 6.

She was the beloved wife of George; loving mother of Christina and her husband Ethan Meixsell and Cathleen and her husband Doug Strafer; and cherished yiayia of Evangeline Hope Meixsell.

Arrangements were entrusted to Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral Home in Northport. A funeral service was celebrated with Rev. Robert R. Schoepflin officiating. Entombment followed at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

Donations in her memory to the American Stroke Foundation, 6405 Metcalf Ave., Suite 214, Overland Park, KS 66202, or www.americanstroke.org, would be appreciated.

An online guest book is available at www.nthfh.com.

Letitia Evans

Letitia “Letty” Evans, of Northport, formerly of Wantagh, died suddenly Nov. 28, in her 73rd year.

She was the loving mother of Kim Gulemi (Tom) and Lori McCue (Michael); adored grandmother of Megan, Jake, Max, Emily, Ross and Ally; and fond sister of Bill Ziegler (Diana). Letitia is pre-

deceased by her longtime companion, Donald P. Irwin, and is survived by his children, Jody, Susan, Donald Jr., Cindy and their families.

Arrangements were entrusted to Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral Home in Northport. A funeral service was held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Northport.

Interment followed at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens.

An online guest book is available at www.nthfh.com.

James Maier Sr.

James Maier, 87, of East Northport, died Dec. 6.

He was born Dec. 10, 1928, in Brooklyn to John and Mary Maier. He was one of six children. He graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School in Cypress Hills and did coursework at Pratt Institute. He enlisted in the Army in 1948, serving in Germany and France before returning to the U.S. in 1952.

James married the former Dorothy Berry in 1955 and the couple moved to East Northport in 1962. He was an assistant Scoutmaster, baseball coach and second baseman on a softball team of neighborhood dads.

Maier is survived by his wife Dorothy; sons, Thomas, James P. Jr. and William; daughters, Diane Sadenwater and Nancy Macari; 13 grandchildren, Brian, Andrew, Patricia, Brittany, Taylor, Daniel, Jennifer, Reade, Kaitlyn, William Jr., Sarah, Lindsey and Timothy; two brothers, John and Gerard; and a sister Patricia.

Arrangements were entrusted to Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral Home in Northport. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in East Northport. Burial followed at Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn.

His family requests donations in his memory to Beacon House Shelter at

Northport V.A. Hospital, C/O United Veterans Beacon House, P.O. Box 621, Bay Shore, NY 11702.

An online guest book is available at www.nthfh.com.

Philip C. Hammer

Philip C. Hammer, of Greenlawn, died Nov. 26, in his 58th year.

He was the beloved husband of Belinda; loving father of Mark and Katie; adored brother of Barbara Angelovich (Ed) and Valerie Obremski (Jim); and fond uncle of Shannon McLoughlin (Joe), Erin Obremski and Jamie Obremski.

Arrangements were entrusted to Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral Home in Northport. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport. Cremation was private. A reception in the church community room immediately followed the Mass.

His family has requested donations in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center in Huntington.

An online guest book is available at www.nthfh.com.

James Burke

James Burke, 76, of Huntington, died suddenly Dec. 10.

He was the beloved husband of Dorothy (nee Wood) for over 54 years; loving father of Stephanie (Steven) Natalello, Aaron (Nicole Fanelli), Jamie (Daniel) Magnus, Michael (Laura) and Jill (Paul) Rowbo; cherished grandfather of Samantha, Ryan, Jack, Jake, Tyler, Sophia, Emma, John, Sarah, Isabella, Allison and Jed; and dear brother of Patricia Iguchi and Michael.

Arrangements were entrusted to M.A. Connell Funeral Home in Huntington Station. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Church of St. Patrick in

Huntington. Interment followed at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Huntington.

An online guest book is available at www.maconnellfuneralhome.com.

Caroline Bayley

Caroline Bayley, 85, of Huntington Station, died Dec. 11.

She was the beloved wife of Alan; loving mother of Christine Keener (the late Mark), Alan (Nancy), Cathleen Martin (Curtis) and David (Margaret); cherished grandmother of eight; and dear sister of George Mayer (Barbara) and Deborah Lygreen (Kenneth). She is loved and will be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Arrangements were entrusted to M.A. Connell Funeral Home in Huntington Station, where a funeral service was held. Interment followed at Melville Cemetery in Melville.

An online guest book is available at www.maconnellfuneralhome.com.

Liam Boyle

Liam Boyle, 52, of Huntington, died Dec. 14.

He was the beloved husband of Emma; loving father of Kiera, Liam, Declan and Devon; cherished son of William and the late Mary; son-in-law of Dr. Edgar and Sheila Barrett; dear brother of Noreen (Mark), Kathleen (Keith) Danser, Padraic (Beth), Siobhan (Charlie) Costello, Kieran (Tricia), Cormac (Steffani); and brother-in-law of Dorothea (Federico Romero) Barrett, Mickey Broverman and Sophia Barrett. He was loved by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Arrangements were entrusted to M.A. Connell Funeral Home in Huntington Station. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church in Huntington.

His family requests donations to a college fund that will be set up for his children.

DECEMBER 22, 2016 • TIMES HUNTINGTON & NORTHPORTS • PAGE A9

Paralyzed patient walks with help of only clinical trial on LI

By Alex Petroski alex@tbrnewspapers.com Putting one foot in front of the other never looked so inspiring.

A freak sledding accident in Vermont in 2009 left Greg Durso, 31, of Stony Brook unable to use his lower body from his stomach muscles down. With the help of St. Charles Hospital’s rehabilitation center, he stood and walked across a room Dec. 13 in front of his family and dozens of hospital personnel for the first time since his accident.

Durso was aided by a clinical trial product called the Indego exoskeleton, which is a wearable robotic frame.

St. Charles is one of nine hospitals in the United States conducting the clinical trial, and the only one on Long Island.

Durso is the first patient at the hospital to take the technology for a spin.

“It’s just an incredible feeling to be up there and be walking again — putting weight on your legs,” Durso said after his groundbreaking stroll. “Each step is kind of like a leap of faith … a month ago I probably couldn’t have told you I’d be here today, so when I heard about this, I was so happy to have the opportunity to do this.”

Indego is the second FDA-approved exoskeleton device used for lower limbs.

The device weighs about 26 pounds, and requires no backpack or external wires, as other similar devices have in the past. Currently the machine is operated by Durso’s chest muscles, but future incarnations of the device will allow electrical stimulation in the muscles so that a patient’s own legs will make the machine work, according to St. Charles Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medical Director Jennifer Semel. The

FDA gave the machine clearance in March.

“The future is really limitless,” Semel said in an interview. “It’s really exciting to see people who haven’t been able to stand up in several years not only to be at the same height as their peers, but to be able to walk. It’s really uplifting.”

Semel said Durso has been using the device for about a month, and last week required a walker in addition to the exoskeleton to get around. He progressed to crutches for his Dec. 13 walk. Semel said the plan is for Durso to continue using the device for several months to gain a better understanding of the health benefits and the impact it has on a patient’s gait.

“I think I was a little skeptical — Greg Durso because you realize people always tell you there’s going to be advances, there’s going to be this and that in the future,” Durso said. “But when you see this — I actually get up, I actually walk, I gave my sister a hug for the first time in eight years face to face — it’s pretty emotional and empowering, and it’s just exciting to see where the future is going to go with this technology.”

It was an emotional day for the members of the Durso family in attendance. Durso’s older sister, Jessica Giovan, fought back tears trying to describe seeing her brother walk again for the first time in eight years.

“I just saw him look so proud and happy,” she said. “He works so hard at everything he does, so to see him put one foot in front of the other, literally, was just unbelievable … the person you see now is the person he has always been. He has not, for one second, wavered in his personal-

‘It’s just an incredible feeling to be up there and be walking again — putting weight on your legs ... each step is kind of like a leap of faith.’

Photo by Alex Petroski

Above, Greg Durso, who is paraplegic, walks at st. Charles Hospital Dec. 13 with help from an indego exoskeleton; Below; Durso, middle, stands with his parents richard and Jean Durso, and his sister, Jessica Giovan, right, at st. Charles Hospital. ity since the accident. In fact, he has only increased his perseverance and his humor, and he lives everyday to make everyone around him feel like it’s okay.”

His dad, Richard Durso, said he couldn’t have imagined he’d be sitting where he was, watching his son walk, when he heard the news of the accident eight years ago.

He credited his son’s positive attitude for keeping him on track. His mom, Jean Durso, called what she saw “unbelievable.”

Durso has competed in Iron Man races and marathons in his life — the former both pre and post accident — and said he hopes to be able to regain some of that lifestyle in the future.

“I love to do athletic things. I mean, it could be anything. I just want to be out there, have fun and live my life the way I want to do it,” he said. “For me that’s enough.”

The Indego devices cost about $80,000 each.

Link: Video of Durso’s walk at St. Charles

PAGE A10 • TIMES HUNTINGTON & NORTHPORTS • DECEMBER 22, 2016

OpiniOn

Letter to the editor

Editorial

File photo

A letter written by Sapphire Perera last week said holiday light decorations could disrupt plant photosynthesis; below Perera.

A thank you to our letter writers Last week, the editorial staff received a letter from a young student in one of our coverage areas. She wrote about the effects of constantly having lighted bulbs on trees during the holiday season can have on outdoor trees. Being able to publish this letter was one of the highlights of our week.

When we were in middle school, our thoughts were preoccupied with sports, friends, relationships and whatever else was “in” at the time. If we had any extra time, it was likely not going to be dedicated to the environment or hometown paper. Of course now, as editors of local papers, we’d like nothing more than for students to feel passionately enough about anything to write their opinions in a letter to the editor.

This letter put a smile on our faces. It made us feel proud of the residents in the areas we cover. We hope — and encourage — more young students to write in with their opinions of local, national and international news.

The age-old saying “young people are the future” has not lost its veracity, and we take great pride in being able to offer all community members, including the youngest ones, the ability to have their voices heard.

Of course, we don’t mean to “diss” the rest of our readers.

We thank everyone who sent their opinions to us this year. A community paper is meant to be a reflection of the community it serves, and we enjoy being able to include as many opinions as possible from our community members.

Thank you for keeping in touch with us in 2016. We look forward to continuing the partnership in 2017. Happy holidays!

Letters … 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 victoria@tbrnewspapers.com or mail them to The Times of Huntington, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

Stock photos

Dealing with the holiday blues As we are in the thick of the holiday season and busy celebrating, I want to reach out to those who are coping with grief. With good cheer all around, those who have suffered a loss may find their heartache to be accentuated and even feel unmotivated to participate in the usual holiday traditions. This lack of motivation may even lead to a sense of guilt, but be kind to yourself and consider some small steps that can be taken to honor your loved one as well as your emotions.

The most important thing is to be patient with yourself.

Grieving does not have an expiration date and often comes in waves. Remember that with time, you will get better at handling the holidays, but until then, permit yourself to mourn.

It is OK to communicate that you’re not in the holiday spirit when invited to dinners or parties; don’t worry about being a downer. If you are undecided, you can take your own transportation so you are free to leave at any time.

Starting a new tradition is a wonderful way to remember your loved one; it is also a powerful healing activity. Perhaps continue a tradition that your loved looked forward to. Or, light a candle and ask everyone to tell a story about the deceased. This dedicated time will allow you and others to open up and share; tears will come, but it’s an instant elixir to heartache.

The gift of giving is also powerful in lifting spirits and healing the heart. Make a donation or volunteer for a cause that relates

to the deceased. You can also buy a gift your loved one would have appreciated and present it to someone who would appreciated it as well. This will certainly bring you some joy.

Lastly, find a way to express your emotions. Whether it is with a friend, family member or therapist; have someone you can lean on as you are grieving.

Remember that you don’t have to always hold it all together; it’s OK to cry.

If you are in need of bereavement counseling, you can contact the Suffolk Bereavement Center at 631-666-6873, ext. 200, or 631-666-6863.

County Legislator William Spencer Centerport

May the peace and love of the holidays be with you throughout the year.

•

With warm regards, from all of us at Times Beacon Record News Media.

DECEMBER 22, 2016 • TIMES HUNTINGTON & NORTHPORTS • PAGE A11

opinion Finding ways to beat the Trumpertime blues

I

’ve heard the phrase numerous times in the last month: What can I do? I’m so upset about X, Y or Trump and I don’t know what to do.

In a world where news of any kind travels incredibly quickly across the globe, it seems that, like it or not, we know about events everywhere. Unfortunately, much of the news we hear about is horrible, filled with hate, anger, frustration, violence, bigotry, racism or other ugly isms.

It’s hard to escape all that

By Daniel Dunaief bad news when it slaps us across the face on the internet, when it comes at us with earnest energy from our TV reporters, and when it shouts from the front, back and everywhere in between

D. None of the above

pages of major national and international newspapers.

I don’t think the answer to the question about how to deal with frustrations or anxieties should be to tune out or to become uninformed. We can’t and shouldn’t try to go back in time because information, much as it might irritate, scare or overwhelm us, allows us to make informed decisions and to remain vigilant about our values.

To those who find the prospect of a Trump presidency terrifying, I suggest reading and understanding the Constitution. That incredibly important document which created our government guaranteed us inalienable rights. We can and should use them, either by speaking to our representatives or by sharing our concerns and observations with the world. Much as the future president might prefer that people not criticize him, we have the right to speak our minds, just as he has the responsibility to lead and represent the nation.

Our system of government has at its core a system of checks and balances.

Sure, having one party in control of two branches of government — and potentially a third with Supreme Court Justice nominations coming down the road — seems daunting. Still, those representatives know they have to answer to the people for their actions, decisions and inactions.

Trump clearly was an independent voice that became stronger through opposition. Other politicians who use that same playbook might also find favor with an electorate seeking an independent voice and a promise of success.

OK, so, what else can we do? Well, we can make our own world a better place. Worried about the environment? Stop sitting at the train station, outside the school or at a track meet while idling your engine. I have waited at train stations for 10 or 15 minutes, in temperatures well below freezing, with my engine off. The car doesn’t get that cold. Besides, I’m dressed for the cold, so I don’t need constant heat.

We can also encourage people to

disagree without shouting, bullying or berating. The internet has unleashed anonymous voices filled with rage, hate and criticism. We can suggest to our friends and to our children that they can disagree without needing to resort to ad hominem attacks.

We can also do what teachers, coaches and parents focus on every day. We can be role models and examples for our children, our nieces and nephews, and our grandchildren. We can take an extra moment to make someone feel better, to give someone the tools for self-expression, or to learn to laugh at himself or herself.

We can’t fix the world by snapping our fingers or by wanting things to be different. We can, however, take small steps to make our communities happier, safer and more welcoming.

As we prepare to make those New Year’s resolutions, let’s include smaller ideas that reflect who we are. If we feel we need to do something, we can and should, whether that’s reading the Constitution or giving someone else a hand, even after the holidays.

A holiday memory: moving forward on the ski slopes

M

y husband and the father of our three sons died 29 years ago just before the holidays. After the funeral and the well-wishers had gone, we went back to our routine lives, my sons to their schools and I to the newspaper, doing the things we were supposed to be doing but in a kind of trance.

Our shock and grief made us sleepwalk each

By Leah S. Dunaief through day, numb to the world. Elsewhere in the newspaper, in the Arts & Lifestyles section, you can find a selection of most vivid memories at holiday time, and they are well worth reading. When asked for mine, my thoughts instantly returned to that dismal time, and I offer them now in the spirit of the letter written to us by county Legislator William “Doc”

Between you and me

Spencer on the opposite page. Perhaps our experience can be of some help for those dealing, at this time of public gaiety, with grievous loss.

My sons were on Christmas break, I had a few days off from work, and as we sat around my husband’s empty chair at the breakfast table, hollow-eyed and lifeless, I got what seemed to be an outrageous idea. “Let’s go skiing,” I said, “up to Vermont.”

My children suddenly focused.

“When?”

“Now. Right now,” I answered, caught up in some kind of frenzy.

“Go pack and we’ll stay for a few days at our favorite inn.”

“Can we afford it?” one of them asked.

“Yes!” I lied, thinking of my credit card. “Yes we can. Now go. We’ll leave as soon as you are ready. I’ll call ahead and make the reservation.”

“Without dad?”

“Yes, without dad. This is something he would want us to do.”

And so we went, inviting the young woman who was to become

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my oldest son’s wife a couple of years later to join us. Now for those of you who don’t ski, I can tell you that it takes your full concentration to navigate a slope, especially in the east, where sections of the trail can unexpectedly have turned to ice. Moguls, rocks, tree roots all have to be avoided, as well as other skiers and snowboarders.

The air is frigid, but we are not cold because we are exercising strenuously and are wearing protective layers of insulated clothing. The sky is deep blue on a perfect ski day, and we seemed to have lucked out with the weather that week. The view from the mountaintop is fantastic, with fallen snow resting lushly on the limbs of the evergreens just below the crest.

We ski in a line, perhaps my oldest son in the lead and I bringing up the rear as we snake our way down, the only sound the swoosh of our skis against the snow as we turn left then right to break our speed. We meet at the bottom, exhilarated from the exercise and the fresh air, and join the lift line to go back up and

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Leah S. Dunaief GENERAL MANAGER Johness Kuisel MANAGING EDITOR Desirée Keegan EDITOR Victoria Espinoza

LEISURE EDITOR Heidi Sutton SPORTS EDITOR Desirée Keegan ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ellen Recker ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kathryn Mandracchia

do it again. And again. Our muscles rejoice, although they will later pay a price for the unexpected movement.

But by then we are in a hot Jacuzzi, pampering each ache before ravenously devouring dinner. We laugh about the day’s individual incidents, the spills, the almost-spills, the gravity defying leaps off the edge of the biggest moguls.

I look around at my family, enjoying their animated conversation.

We are together and we are alive.

For the moment, it feels wonderful, pushing away the grief. That is the way we will move forward now, tightening the circle.

Later there will be tears, coming in gushes at unexpected times, triggered by small reminders, by birthdays and holidays and by nothing at all. Slowly we will become emotionally unfrozen, no longer zombies, our minds finally accepting the new order. With our memories, we will move on because there is no other choice.

And we have. But that bittersweet ski trip, so outlandish an idea then, remains forever in my heart.

ART AND PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Beth Heller Mason INTERNET STRATEGY DIRECTOR Rob Alfano

CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTOR Ellen Segal BUSINESS MANAGER Sandi Gross CREDIT MANAGER Diane Wattecamps CIRCULATION MANAGER Courtney Biondo

PAGE A12 • TIMES HUNTINGTON & NORTHPORTS • DECEMBER 22, 2016

SportS

Three career nights propel Huntington girls The Huntington girls’ basketball team rode career nights by Anna Gulizio, Paige Lennon and Megan Byrnes to a 56-45 victory over visiting Amityville in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium before a crowd of 125 on Dec. 15.

The Blue Devils used a 9-0 first-quarter run to gain the upper hand in the nonleague contest. With the teams tied 7-7 about six minutes into the game, the Blue Devils’ offense exploded, finally running on all cylinders after struggling to score for much of the past two weeks.

After falling to visiting Holy Trinity earlier in the week, 44-39, Huntington was in need of a win, if only for its collective psyche, and the team’s players made sure they got it by doing enough on both ends of the court to hold off hard-charging Amityville.

The Warriors gave the Blue Devils all they could handle, refusing to give up, even when trailing by double digits. Huntington head coach Mike Kaplan used a series of timeouts to break Amityville’s momentum whenever it appeared to be gathering steam.

The Blue Devils led 18-11 after the first quarter and 28-17 at halftime, but no advantage was really safe. Amityville kept coming to keep the score within its reach until the final buzzer sounded.

Gulizio, Lennon and Byrnes spread the wealth. Gulizio and Lennon both dropped 14 points and Byrnes added 13 to pace the Blue Devils. The trio and their teammates moved up and down the court with

confidence. Huntington’s starting five and its reserve players did their part as the team evened its record to 2-2.

Katie Seccafico tallied eight points and senior co-captain Emma Petrizzi, Charlotte Maggio and Nicole Leslie added two points apiece. Petrizzi finished 10 assists and eight rebounds. Torre Palmer scored a point from the free-throw line.

Huntington’s sharp outside shooting drew Amityville’s defense away from under the basket, creating other scoring opportunities for the Blue Devils.

The team carried a 43-34 lead into the final eight minutes, but Amityville made Huntington work for the victory. The Warriors scored at both the halftime and third-quarter buzzers, doing just enough to stay close.

“It was our best all-around game of the season so far,” Kaplan said. “Everyone contributed. If someone wasn’t scoring they were assisting, rebounding or playing great defense. It really was a team effort.”

— Huntington AtHletics Photos from Huntington athletics

left, Anna gulizio moves the ball up the baseline in a previous contest. Right, emma Petrizzi shoots.

Blue Devils put star power on display at track meet The Huntington boys’ indoor track and field team showed it still has plenty of star power as the Blue Devils dominated the St. Anthony’s Christmas Classic Dec. 16.

Huntington won an avalanche of medals as hundreds of athletes from across Long Island battled each other for more than six hours before a standing-roomonly crowd.

“It was a good, early season test for us,” Huntington head coach Ron Wilson said.

Kyree Johnson won the 55-meter dash in 6.55 seconds, which is off the senior’s best time, but was still good enough to outpace a field of 59 sprinters. KeiRon Byrams finished sixth in 7.43.

Lawrence Leake dominated the 300 dash, winning easily in 36.29. Will Vollack took 11th place in 39.77.

Clay Jamison captured the shot put with a toss of 43 feet, 0.75 inches. And Sam Bergman finished second with a throw of 41-09.25. Eric Sands was eighth with an effort that measured 36-08.75.

In other action for the Blue Devils, Shane McGuire finished second in the 1,000 run in a time of 2 minutes, 40.99, a split second behind the first-place finisher. Dan Collins placed fifth in 2:55.19.

Brian Pierre was second in the 55 hurdles in a time of 8.62. Jared Leake placed fourth in the triple jump with a series of leaps measuring 36-01.00. Mark Rafuse placed fifth in the 600 run in a time of 1:30.62.

The 4x200 relay team of Lawrence Leake, Johnson, Byrams and Jared Leake finished first in a time of 1:34.53. The 4x400 team of McGuire, Vollack, Rafuse and Brian Pierre finished first in a time of 3:41.23.

Huntington also placed many of its

Photo from Huntington athletics

Above, KeiRon Byrams (on left) and winner Kyree Johnson (on right) line up for the 55-meter dash finals. left, second-placed sam Bergman hurls the shot put. athletes among the top finishers in the freshman division, including Anthony Joseph who won the freshman 300 dash in a time of 40.89; Mekai Butts (41-03.00) and Gary Barash (35-05.00), who placed first and second, respectively, in the freshman shot put; Jaylen Bush, who captured the freshman 55 hurdles in a time of 10.08 and Justin Stevens finished third in 10.45.

Jason Verville finished second in the freshman 3,200 run in 11:04.06; Nasir Youngblood placed second in the freshman 55 dash in 7.24, a mere 2/100ths of a second off the first place time; John Panos (7.89), Mauricio Flores (7.90) and

Darren Fils-Aime (8.11) placed seventh, eighth and ninth.

Isaiah James (1:38.57) and Brendan Roller (1:39.75) placed second and third, respectively, in the freshman 600 run; and Andrew McKenzie took fourth place in the freshman 1,000 run in a time of 3:05.18.

Huntington runners took second and third place in the freshman 1,600 sprint medley relay. James, Youngblood, Joseph and McKenzie finished second in 4:18.08.

Flores, Bush, Verville and Angel Rubio placed third in 4:24.90.

— Huntington AtHletics