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MOUNT SINAI • MILLER PLACE • SOUND BEACH • ROCKY POINT • SHOREHAM • WADING RIVER
Vol. 32, No. 22
December 22, 2016
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Hawat remains commissioner Incumbent elected to fourth fiveyear term in Miller Place
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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’
Delivering smiles to doorsteps
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Local toy drive hand-delivers gifts to cancer patients — A3 Photo by KT Leung
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PAGE A2 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • DECEMBER 22, 2016
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The VILLAGE BEACON RECORD (USPS 004-808) is published Thursdays by TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWSPAPERS, 185 Route 25A, Setauket, NY 11733. Periodicals postage paid at Setauket, NY and additional mailing offices. Subscription price $49 annually. Leah S. Dunaief, Publisher. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.
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IN THE FOOD COURT
DECEMBER 22, 2016 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A3
Miller Place toy drive supports sick children By Kevin Redding kevin@tbrnewspapers.com Coram resident Ashley Leung put the drive in toy drive for the second year in a row. Last year, Leung, 24, wanted to brighten up the holidays for kids who have cancer and other life-threatening illnesses in the community, so she collaborated with some local good Samaritans to create the Kids Need More Toy Drive to go above and beyond to make a difference in children’s lives. Once all donated gifts were collected at the drop-off station at Corrective Chiropractic in Miller Place, they were loaded up in a fully decorated “holiday cheer bus” and brought directly to the door steps of kids and families in need by Santa — played by Leung’s uncle and local chiropractor Michael Carnes — and a group of volunteer “elves.”
Leung said it was important to her that the delivery was personal. “We wanted to donate to the children in the area, but also be the ones to deliver those gifts because there’s a lot of different toy drives in New York and nationwide, but no one really knows where the toys go,” she said. “We wanted to document everything ... so for every toy donated, we gave a picture to the donors showing them ‘this is where your donation went.’” For the second annual Kids Need More toy drive, Leung, Santa and his elves headed back on the bus Dec. 18 for an even bigger and better night of giving. Leung said this year a total of five buses were launched, as opposed to two last year — two in Suffolk County, two in Nassau and one in New Jersey. The volunteer turnout also increased. The Suffolk buses, for instance, had a total of 40 parents, friends, family and even former cancer patients on board this year, compared to eight to 10 on each bus last year. Hundreds of gifts were donated by members of the community — everything from Disney Infinity games for PlayStation 3 to stuffed animals and hats. A blue and black mountain bike was donated anonymously and raffled off to a 15-year-old patient. Young girls especially loved receiving Cancer Barbie. The hairless doll comes with different wigs they’re able to swap out and serves as an inspiration for those undergoing chemotherapy. The girls see a doll that looks like them and suddenly don’t feel different, Leung said. Many of the kids went home from the hospital just to see Santa.
Photos by KT Leung
Above, a family shows off the new gifts Santa, played by Michael Carnes, delivered. Left, Santa spreads some holiday cheer throughout Suffolk County. “We made a really big difference,” she said. “I think the kids we visited this year truly appreciated us visiting them. We really kept the holiday spirit going; I think the kids we saw were honestly shocked.” Leung’s charity venture spring boarded while she was attending St. Joseph’s College. A professor told her about Camp Adventure, a week-long sleepaway camp on Shelter Island for kids diagnosed with cancer, which remains Long Island’s only camp of its kind. She was excited to get involved
and wanted to immediately. The year she joined the summer program — which now serves the East Coast and tristate area — as a camp counselor, the organization found itself without funding. The American Cancer Society had been providing funds for the camp since 1990, but suddenly had to stop in 2013, so a dedicated group of Camp Adventure volunteers began Kids Need More to parent the camp and ensure its longevity.
TOY DRIVE continued on page A7
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PAGE A4 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • DECEMBER 22, 2016
Cote family gets new lease on life By Desirée Keegan desiree@tbrnewspapers.com The Cotes are home for the holidays. On Dec. 14, the owners of the 11th home for returning veterans, Glen and Renée Cote, received the keys to their new home, just in time for 7-year-old Zachary Cote to enjoy his first Christmas in Miller Place. The house would not have been made possible if it wasn’t for Rocky Point VFW Post 6429 Commander Joe Cognitore and developer and owner of Landmark Properties Mark Baisch. The Cote family was chosen after Baisch heard Zachary was diagnosed with Grade 4 medulloblastoma, brain cancer, in June 2014, and endured 42 rounds of radiation and nine months of intense chemotherapy, until he was diagnosed with acute intermittent porphyria. His mother suffers from the same rare and painful metabolic disorder that requires expensive biweekly treatments, which she has undergone for 14 years at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital. If that wasn’t enough, Zachary’s father, who was a U.S. Army combat medic from 1988 to 1992 and specialized in deployment training and immunization for a bulk of army medics in the Gulf War, suffered an on-the-job injury that disabled him. The family had lived in a home in Sound Beach, until March, when the Cotes were told they were being evicted because the landlord had let the home fall into foreclosure. The goal was to get the Cotes into the home on Helme Avenue before Christmas. “To make this happen in the four months that we had is pretty monumental,” Baisch said before handing over the keys. “This house is complete. It isn’t like we have to come back and still do some stuff. The flooring is finished, everything’s done, it’s painted. This house is ready for them to move in. In fact, I intend for the Cotes to sleep here tonight.” The family did sleep there that night and have been enjoying their new home. Especially Zachary, who was already making use of the small crawl space under the stairway in the basement. He said he’ll turn it into a play room for his new friends. “It’s an incredible feeling; it’s overwhelming to know that this day is here upon us,” Glen Cote said during move-in day. “It seems so surreal. Until the movers got there this morning, it was just like ‘they’re actually here and they’re putting our stuff in the truck.’ It’s such a blessing [and] I couldn’t ask for anything better.” The family is excited to celebrate its first holidays in the new home, but Zachary’s parents are even more thankful for the fact that their son will be able to remain in the school district that they said has taken such great care of him. To be able to do that for the Cotes warms Baisch’s heart. “What we’re able to do for these families is so good that it would be hard for me to think about not doing this,” he said. “Nobody feels happier than me right now. It’s a wonderful feeling.” At the end of the celebration, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) just had one final thing to tell the family as it walked through its new front door: Welcome home. Kevin Redding contributed reporting Photos by Kevin redding
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renée, Zachary and glen Cote, on left, are the 11th family to receive a home from Joe Cognitore and Mark Baisch through their veteran program. They moved into their new home in Miller Place, above, last week.
DECEMBER 22, 2016 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A5
Result: Hawat beats out Schneider for second time By Kevin Redding kevin@tbrnewspapers.com Miller Place residents voted against change Dec. 13 when they took to the fire district and cast their vote in the commissioner race. Carol Hawat, who has served in her position since 2001 on the board of fire commissioners, won her fourth five-year term with 242 votes against her challenger Guy Schneider, a lifelong firefighter in the community, who received 71 votes, according to Miller Place Fire District. This is the second time Hawat beat out Schneider, who ran against the incumbent in 2011. Schneider could not be reached for comment.
A full-time EMT supervisor at the Rocky Point Fire Department, Hawat has been an advocate for bringing more ambulatory services to the Miller Place community since she was first elected to the position. Her extensive background in the EMS field has been a much-needed skill set, with 60 percent of the district’s total calls requiring urgent medical care, whether for those involved in motor vehicle accidents or in-home injuries, among others. Hawat said she hoped to continue serving as commissioner because she considers herself the voice for the medical portion of the community. She said providing people with good quality care has been a lifelong passion. “I feel like I make a difference,” she said. “I was raised to not walk by somebody who needs help … [I] help whoever needs it. ... When I go on calls to a person’s house, they’re at their worst, they’re in pain, they’re worried, they’re scared … and to be able to help them, provide a friendly face and comfort and get them through that and bring them treatment, is very rewarding.” Under Hawat’s leadership, the district provides top-of-the-line medical equipment, such as blood-pressure monitors, and 24/7 advanced life-support care — lifesaving protocols that extend support for its patients until hospital medical treatment is available. She said she’s helped supply whatever has been needed in the district, from new ambulances to fire trucks. Rocky Point District Manager Edwin Brooks, who has known Hawat for many years as EMT supervisor, said it’s clear
File photo above by Kevin Redding; file photo left from Carol Hawat
Carol Hawat, on left, has been voted to serve Miller Place Fire district for a fourth consecutive five-year term. she’s the right person for the position. “She’s very conscientious, very dedicated to her job, she’s hardworking and she cares,” he said. “Obviously she won by almost a 3-1 margin, so she must be doing her job. She’s been commissioner for quite a while.” Josh Hagermann, Miller Place department chief, said Hawat is good for the community. “I think she’ll [continue to] do well at the job she was elected for, and she’ll be helpful to the community,” he said. “She’s a very likable person.” Hawat holds numerous CPR seminars
at local schools and community centers to provide more education and awareness on what to do in emergency situations, and moving forward, she aims to do something similar to help stop the frequency of heroin overdoses in the area. “I’m looking to be able to do classes on my own and go out there and provide more awareness of the drugs, educate people on how to know if someone is involved and provide Narcan [an opiate antidote] training at schools,” she said. “We have Narcan in the ambulance already.” Her new five-year term begins Jan. 1, and will run through Dec. 31, 2021.
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PAGE A6 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • DECEMBER 22, 2016
A driver smiles as she realizes she’s being pulled over by Santa Claus.
Photo from SCPD
Suffolk drivers pulled over by Santa By Alex PetroSki alex@tbrnewspapers.com License, registration and wish list please. Suffolk County Police Officer Alberto Acevedo made several traffic stops throughout Patchogue this weekend, though drivers were surprised with a holiday plot twist. “Good morning; I’m Santa Claus from the Fifth Precinct,” Officer Acevedo explained as drivers’ faces lit up. The officer, dressed as Santa, gave drivers holiday cheer and smiles instead of tickets. In the passenger seat of a Suffolk County Police vehicle, Officer Acevedo picked families to pull over with Officer Brianne Yarborough by his side. Together, they gave away several Target gift cards and candy to
unsuspecting drivers. “I was getting yelled at at first, then, I noticed it was Santa,” said John Campbell, of Patchogue. Campbell said the traffic stop made his family very happy. “It’s a good start to Christmas and with our son in the car; it’s great.” The officers also enjoyed the un-routine traffic stops. “For once it’s a great feeling to pull cars over,” Yarborough said. “A lot of times we pull them over and we’re the bearer of bad news. To see the faces of these children, you can’t beat that.” Acevedo explained in full Santa garb. “We’re dropping them a $50 gift card to Target just to say Merry Christmas from the Police Department,” he said. “It’s nice to see the kids eyes light up and the smiles on their faces; it’s fantastic.”
Defensive driving classes will be held in Shoreham and Mount Sinai.
File photo
Sign up for defensive driving 152396
As part of his ongoing efforts to keep Brookhaven Town motorists safe on the roadways, Superintendent of Highways Dan Losquadro (R) announced upcoming defensive driving classes. In conjunction with American Safety Inc., the Town of Brookhaven will be hosting several classes at its local recreation centers and Brookhaven Town Hall. Residents are encouraged to choose the time and location that is most convenient for them. All classes are held in two three-hour sessions or one six-hour session; participants taking the two three-hour sessions must attend both classes to receive their certificate of completion. In addition to saving motorists money on insurance, completion of the course, which provides professional advice on how to avoid accidents, entitles participants to remove up to four points off of their driver’s license.
Classes will be held at the following locations and on the following dates: •Robert Reid Recreation Center, on Defense Hill Road in Shoreham, Jan. 10 and March 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 631-744-2601 to register for one of the classes. •Rose Caracappa Senior Center, located at 739 Route 25A in Mount Sinai Jan. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 631-476-6449. •New Village Recreation Center, located at 20 Wireless Road in Centereach Feb. 7 and Feb. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each night. Call 631-732-2338 to register. •Town Hall, located at 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville Feb. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 631-363-3770 to register. Class size is limited. The cost is $25 for those 55 and over and veterans and $40 for residents/nonresidents. Participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to class with either cash or two blank checks.
DECEMBER 22, 2016 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A7
Photos by KY Leung
Above, children rush out of their homes in excitement to see what Santa brought. Right, local volunteers for the Kids Need More toy drive smile in front of one of the buses as it drops off gifts to the homes of local children.
Toy Drive Continued from page A3 Kids Need More Camp Adventure is completely free for all kids and siblings who want to attend and involves everything from a day camp, to peer mentoring programs and visits to children’s hospitals. It even partners with a volunteer pilot organization called Patient AirLift Services that flies patients living in rural areas who need specialized treatment to centers and hospital appointments. For the last two years, PALS has flown kids who live outside of Long Island — like those in Ohio, New Jersey and even in Albany — to the camp for free. When Leung was working in the Corrective Chiropractic office last year, she began talking to her uncle about wanting to do something to give back to the community, and a partnership with Kids Need More to donate to children in the area seemed like a no-brainer. According to Melissa Firnes, the founder of Kids Need More, the event has “snowballed” and served 200 kids while making lots of stops. “These kids love it,” Firnes said. “We show up to their house for caroling and things like that. It’s simple, but very nice.” She said what matters most is that the organization isn’t asking families to leave their homes. “We’re actually coming to them, and I think that matters a lot to them,” she said. “It’s hard for [the families] to get around when there’s somebody sick in the family. Kids come out to the bus and choose a gift from the volunteer elves.” She said Leung is willing to do anything Kids Need More needs to be successful, which makes her stand out. “[Leung] is really great at being the cheermeister for the kids and being all enthusiastic, but is also willing to do all the legwork and logistics that’s needed in putting together the toy drive,” Firnes said. “She’s been such a big part of the organization and has now brought her whole family into it, which is really special too.” Carnes, who brings Santa to life for the kids, said it’s a wonderful feeling to be able to touch people’s hearts and directly impact their lives. “Children really thought I was Santa when I came up and they would give me a hug and say ‘thank you Santa,’” Carnes said. “Some of these children don’t have much and some families barely have anything, so to bring joy to people is just amazing … it’s the spirit of the holidays.” He said he believes we can all use more happiness in the world. Jaime Pacheco, PALS outreach coordinator and cheer bus volunteer, said the toy drive prides itself on the fact that it’s not about the gift you’re getting, but the time spent with people and the emotional support they provide. Leung said the toy drive continues to be the best day of her life. “Just getting off that bus — and some of these kids don’t even know we’re coming — they see Santa at their front door, and they’re just completely shocked,” she said. ”I think that’s the best thing we can give them.”
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PAGE A8 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • DECEMBER 22, 2016
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DECEMBER 22, 2016 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • 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 because you realize people always tell you there’s going to be advances, there’s going to be this and that in — Greg Durso 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,
‘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. for one second, wavered in his personality 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 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • DECEMBER 22, 2016
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DECEMBER 22, 2016 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A11
PeoPle
King Kullen shows it cares
Photo from King Kullen
King Kullen Co-President Brian C. Cullen, left, and his brother, James A. Cullen Memorial Fund Director Thomas K. Cullen, right, present a $100,000 check to Little Flower Executive Director Corrine Hammons.
King Kullen’s 34th annual James A. Cullen Memorial Golf Outing raised $100,000 for Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York. The not-for-profit organization finds adoptive and foster homes for children on Long Island and in New York City. King Kullen Co-President Brian C. Cullen said he and his brothers started the annual golf outing more than three decades ago to pay tribute to their father, James A. Cullen, and to support Little Flower’s foster care and adoption services. “Since then, King Kullen has raised well over $3 million for Little Flower,” Cullen said. “We are extremely proud of this accomplishment and King Kullen’s role in supporting Little Flower Children and Family Services in their important mission.” Little Flower Executive Director Corinne
Hammons said many children and families have been helped thanks to King Kullen and its close circle of family and friends. “Whether at our residences or at homes where Little Flower places children with caring parents, we are able to continue our mission as a result of the hands-on involvement of Brian, Tom and James Cullen, and the many King Kullen employees who contribute their time each year,” she said. “The golf outing remains a great success that directly benefits the children of Little Flower.” Members of the Cullen family are personally involved in Little Flower and have actively supported many programs, including the construction of eight cottages that provide a residential setting for more than 100 children and teenagers at Little Flower’s Wading River location.
Photo from Sarah Anker’s office
Members of Mount Sinai’s Students Against Destructive Decisions Club present their donations to Christmas Magic Long Island.
Photo from Town of Brookhaven
Mount Sinai students are generous The Students Against Destructive Decisions Club at Mount Sinai High School partnered with Christmas Magic to bring holiday cheer to local families in need. Recently, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) joined the SADD club for the Christmas Magic dinner, where members presented gifts to less fortunate. The SADD club, led by teacher advisors John McHugh and John Wilson, has participated in Christmas Magic for the past 14 years. This year, the club raised $8,000 at the Annual Turkey Trot held in November, and Optimum Community, as part of its Charity Champions program, also contributed $1,250, which brought the school’s donation total to $9,250. Students used fundraising monies to help purchase gifts on a list provided by the organization. All gifts went toward local families. “I would like to thank all the students in-
volved in the SADD Club and Christmas Magic for their altruism and dedication to others,” Anker said. “It very easy to lose ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, but I commend the Mount Sinai SADD Club members who are true role models for thinking of their neighbors in need and for lending a helping hand.” Christmas Magic is a not-for-profit organization that was founded by Charlie Russo, a local attorney from Port Jefferson, in 1990. The goal of the organization is to provide holiday generosity and spirit to needy Long Islanders. Russo attended the dinner to thank the students and encourage continued philanthropic efforts by the school. This year, Christmas Magic will help over 11,000 children across Nassau and Suffolk counties. For more information, visit www. Christmasmagicli.org.
From left, VFW member Tom Sullivan, Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner, VFW Post 6249 Commander Joe Cognitore and Susan Sullivan enjoy the festivities.
Rocky Point VFW hosts annual children’s Christmas party On Dec. 10, Councilwoman Jane Bonner (C-Rocky Point) joined members of the Rocky Point VFW Post 6249 to celebrate the holidays at the organization’s annual children’s Christmas party. The party included refreshments and fun with entertainment by the Rocky Point High School Singing Santas, a clown and a guest appearance by Santa Claus himself.
From Our Family to You And Your Family, We Hope Your Holiday is Filled With Plenty of Warmth, Love, Cheer and Happiness.
Photo from Shoreham-Wading River school district
Little angels: To make the
Merry Christmas ©153296
holiday season bright for local families in need, students in the Miller Avenue and Wading River schools participated in an Angel Gift program. Together, the schools’ students collected over 150 gifts that were requested by families in need. The Salvation Army will distribute all of the donated gifts. Pictured are Miller Avenue students Shealyn Varbero, Brayden Lewis and Madison Herr, who helped collect and bag gifts for the needy families.
Bonner thanked Commander Joe Cognitore not just for what his post does during the holidays but for the help it provides the community all year long. “The holidays are best when spent with family and friends, and that’s what the VFW Christmas party is all about,” Bonner said. “The highlight of the party is seeing the children’s faces when Santa Claus makes his entrance.”
Rocky Point Funeral Home
631-744-9000
603 Route 25A Rocky Point, NY 11778 www.rockypointfuneralhome.com
PAGE A12 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • DECEMBER 22, 2016
CARPET • AREA RUGS • HARDWOOD • LAMINATE • VINYL HUNTER DOUGLAS WINDOW FASHIONS
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year! FROM ALL OF US AT CAPPY’S
PUBLIC NOTICE Shoreham-Wading River School Kindergarten Registration Kindergarten registration for Shoreham-Wading River Central School District residents for the 2017-2018 school year will be held at MILLER AVENUE SCHOOL from 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. from: Monday, January 9, 2017 – Friday, January 13, 2017 If you have a child who will be five (5) years of age on or before December 1, 2017, please obtain a registration packet from the District Office or online @ www.swrschools. org (Navigate to Our District, Child Enrollment). This packet should be completed prior to your registration meeting at the district office. Late registrants (after 1/13/17) must contact District Office for an appointment. Complete registration instructions can be found on the SWR website or by calling District Office at 631-821-8100. You must register if you plan to have your child attend kindergarten in 2017-2018! 674 12/22 1x vbr PUBLIC NOTICE
Lic # 18-817H.I. 144430
631-473-2600 • 440 Main Street, Port Jefferson CappysCarpets.com • Mon.-Fri. 9-6 • Thurs. 9-8 • Sat. 9:30-5
LEGALS Notice of formation of Barkley Consulting Group, LLC. Article of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on October 14, 2016. Office located in Suffolk County. BRL Patent Services, LLC., P.O. Box 309, 29 Chase Rd., Scarsdale, NY 10583 has been designated for service of process. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 596 11/24 6x vbr Notice of formation of Simply Healthy Nutrition LLC. Arts of Org. filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/12/2016 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: 8 Dogwood Road, Rocky Point, NY 11778. Purpose: Nutrition Counseling. 631 12/8 6x vbr Legal Notice:
Offices are open and available for payment at Town Hall during the following hours: Regular office hours are 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday thru Friday • Friday, December 23rd 9am – 12pm • Monday, December 26th Closed • Friday, December 30th 9am- 12pm • Monday, January 2nd Closed • Tuesday, January 10th 8am – 8pm Announcing Convenient, Secure, 24/7 Online Account Access and Payment Center. To Sign Up, Please Visit; www.brookhaven.org/departments/receiveroftaxes.aspx LOUIS J. MARCOCCIA December 1, 2016 BROOKHAVEN TOWN RECEIVER OF TAXES One Independence Hill, Suite 110 Farmingville, NY 11738-2149 631-451-9009 632 12/22 1x tmc,vbr,vth,ptr
Notice of Formation of NEEL HOLDINGS LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/12/2016. Office Location: Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 2 Medical Drive, Ste B,
Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 656 12/15 6x vbr NOTICE OF ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AND FIRST MEETING OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE MILLER PLACE FIRE DISTRICT FOR 2017
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the MT. SINAI FIRE DISTRICT has scheduled the Organizational Meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at the firehouse located at 746 Mt. Sinai Coram Road, Mt. Sinai, New York 11766. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the First Regular Meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the MT. SINAI FIRE DISTRICT for the calendar year 2017 shall
669 12/22 1x vbr
Marianne Waterbury, Secretary 680 12/22 1x vbr Invitation to Bidders BOARD OF EDUCATION Shoreham-Wading River Central School District PUBLIC NOTICE: is hereby given for separate sealed bids for: Window and Door Replacement at Shoreham-Wading River High School and Prodell Middle School. Bids will be received by the School District Purchasing Agent, on January 11, 2017 at 3:00 P.M. prevailing time at the District Office, 250B RT 25A Shoreham, NY 11786. The District Office hours are 8AM to 4PM, Monday thru Friday. All bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in the standard fashion at said time and place. The Contract Documents may be examined at the Office of the Architect, BBS Architects, Landscape Architects and Engineers, P.C., 244 East Main Street, Patchogue New York, (631-475-0349); however the Contract Documents may only be obtained thru the Office of REV, 330 Route 17A Suite #2, Goshen New York 10924 (877-272-0216) beginning on December 22, 2016. Complete digital sets of Contract Documents shall be obtained online (with a free user account) as a download for a non-refundable fee of Forty-Nine ($49.00) Dollars at the following websites: www. bbsprojects.com or www.usinglesspaper.com under ‘public projects’. Optionally, in lieu of digital copies, hard copies may be obtained directly from
The Contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder or the proposals will be rejected within 45 days of the date of opening proposals. Bids shall be subject, however, to the discretionary right reserved by the School District to waive any informalities, accept or reject any alternatives, reject any proposals and to advertise for new proposals, if in its opinion the best interest of the School District will thereby be promoted. Each bidder may not withdraw his bid within 45 days after the formal opening thereof. A bidder may withdraw his bid only in writing and prior to the bid opening date. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION Shoreham-Wading River C.S.D. Janice M. Seus, District Clerk Dated: December 15, 2016 691 12/22 1x vbr
E-mail your text to: legals@tbrnewspapers.com For additional information please call 631.751.7744
PROOFREADER Times Beacon Record News Media needs part-time proofreaders to work in the Setauket office. Must be available days and/or evenings. Proofreading and computer experience a plus.
Dated: Miller Place, New York December 12, 2016
Janet Staufer, District Secretary
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MT. SINAI FIRE DISTRICT
Deadline is 12 noon, Friday 1 week prior to publication date.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Organizational Meeting for the calendar year 2017 of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Miller Place Fire District in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 6:00 P.M. at the Main Firehouse of the Miller Place Fire District, 12 Miller Place Road, Miller Place. NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN, that the First Regular Meeting for the calendar year 2017 of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Miller Place Fire District in the Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New York, will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 6:30 P.M. at the Main Firehouse of the Miller Place Fire District, 12 Miller Place Road, Miller Place.
By order of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Miller Place Fire District
Dated: December 14, 2016 Mt. Sinai, New York
REV upon a deposit of One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars for each complete set. Checks for deposits shall be made payable to the DISTRICT, SHOREHAM-WADING RIVER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT and may be uncertified. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered plan holders via email and will be available at the above referenced websites. Any bidder requiring documents to be shipped shall make arrangements with the printer and pay for all packaging and shipping costs. Plan holders who have obtained hard copies of the bid documents will need to make the determination if hard copies of the addenda are required for their use, and coordinate directly with the printer for hard copies of addenda to be issued. There will be no charge for registered plan holders to obtain hard copies of the bid addenda. The bid deposit for hard copies will be returned upon receipt of plans and specifications, in good condition, within thirty days after bid date, except for the lowest responsible bidder, whose check will be forfeited upon the award of the contract.
Legal advertisement guidelines
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TO THE TAXPAYERS AND INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, TAKE NOTICE: Louis J. Marcoccia, Receiver of Taxes, in and for the said Town, has received the tax and assessment rolls and warrant for the 2016/2017 Tax Levy and said first half taxes and assessments therein may be paid to the Receiver of Taxes at his office, Brookhaven Town Hall, One Independence Hill, Suite 110, Farmingville, New York 11738-2149 Payments must be postmarked no later than Tuesday January 10th 2017 to avoid
penalty.
MT. SINAI FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN, SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK
be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. at the firehouse located 746 Mt. Sinai Coram Road, Mt. Sinai, New York 11766.
Email cover letter and resume to desiree@tbrnewspapers.com
DECEMBER 22, 2016 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A13
SportS
Photos by Bill landon
Clockwise from above, the Rocky Point cheerleading team performs for the crowd, and gets into various formations during its two-and-a-half-minute routine that earned the Eagles first place.
Eagles continue to soar above competition By Bill landon Rocky Point continues to control the top spot. The Eagles cheerleading team showed why it’s a 13-time regional and three-time national champion when it took to the mat Dec. 18 in the Small School Division I meet. The Eagles competed against 10 other teams and placed first in the event with a flawless two-and-a-half-minute performance that wowed the near-capacity crowd at Comsewogue High School. They were the seventh squad to perform, and took to the mat with a presence. Every tumble was crisp and deliberate, every flip landed in unison and every pyramid was mistake free. The Eagles made it look easy and the girls smiled from ear to ear because they were confident, and genuinely having fun. Rocky Point head coach Anna Spallina said one challenge her team has had to face with the new rules is getting used to the limited number of practices allowed. “We still do the three hours sometimes — it’s hard, but three hours is three hours, they know that they have to come to practice and be serious about their work,” she said. “And we keep the level of pride up there.” She said her girls know the level that they need to uphold, not just for her, but for the judges. “They know that they’re going to be picked apart a lot harder than any other team,” Spallina said, “because they’re looking for them to make a mistake.” Senior Kristin Flatley said that with six years of experience, after landing on the mat for the final time, she thought her team aced the performance. Her teammates erupted into celebration, too,
because they thought the same thing. “I think we nailed everything — we work so hard, we practice three hours every single day, we just have to push it out hard,” she said. “We fight for everything, we’re so strong and we know we have it. We bring that excitement to the mat.” Senior Brittany Reh said her team performed well in every area of the routine. “I’m very proud of my team,” Reh said. “We had a lot of energy and I’m really proud of how we executed.” Spallina told her team that with every competition there’s only one team to beat out on the floor. “We keep telling them that you actually have to beat yourself at every competition, and that’s hard to do,” she said. “Everyone wants to pick off the top dog.” Bailey Klein said her team ends every routine leaving it all out on the mat. “I knew that as soon as the music went on — I looked around and everyone was smiling,” Klein said. “We were having so much fun, we cheer each other on throughout and no one was going to give up.” Rocky Point senior Morganne Nofi said there’s an element of the routine that only comes with time, which is why the girls are seeing such positive results. “I think what helped us today is we walked out on the mat with confidence,” she said. “We didn’t hold back anything, we knew what we were capable of and we did show that today. It’s part of our focus — to have a presence when you walk out on the floor. You can’t describe it, but it’s a strong feeling.” Behind the Eagles were Wantagh, Hauppauge, East Islip and Comsewogue. Rocky Point hits the competition mat again Jan. 8 at Newfield High School at 9 a.m.
PAGE A14 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • DECEMBER 22, 2016
OpiniOn
Editorial
Letter to the editor
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 desiree@tbrnewspapers.com or mail them to The Village Beacon Record, 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 dona-
tion 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 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • PAGE A15
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 Desirée Keegan
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
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PAGE A16 • THE VILLAGE BEACON RECORD • DECEMBER 22, 2016