The Village Times Herald - December 8, 2022

PHOTO BY HEIDI SUTTON

Thousands crowd Stony Brook Village Center for holiday event

BY RITA J. EGAN

Stony Brook Village Center was buzzing with holiday activities on Sunday, Dec. 4. Thousands of residents from the Three Village and surrounding communities attended the 43rd Annual Holiday Festival presented by The Ward Melville Heritage Organization.

Santa was on the scene in the afternoon to take children’s requests and pose for photos in front of the Stony Brook Post Office. Attendees also strolled through the shopping center to listen to music, visit the petting zoo in front of Rustic Loft and enjoy a performance from the Roseland School of Dance students.

The holiday celebration featured the Legends & Spies Puppet Parade led by the Ward Melville High School marching band. Handlers marched through the shopping center with giant puppets

depicting local famous people, including Culper spies Anna Smith Strong, Caleb Brewster and Benjamin Tallmadge as well as philanthropists Ward and Dorothy Melville.

The night was capped off with a tree lighting on The Village Green with a countdown led by Santa Claus. Following the tree lighting, Santa Claus gave a recap of the gifts children asked for that day at the WMHO Holiday Thank You Party. He said he’s always surprised that among the more modern items requested, children still ask for classic toys such as trucks, and on Sunday, he said 18 boys and girls asked for yo-yos.

He said the funniest encounter of the day was when a girl told him she wanted a toy dog, loud enough so her mother could hear. She then whispered to Santa and said, “I really want a live one, but please don’t tell my mom.”

— Photos by Rita J. Egan

Suffolk County grapples with shortage of pediatric amoxicillin

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Like the rest of the state and country, Suffolk County is grappling with a shortage of pediatric amoxicillin, the drug most often used to treat bacterial infections such as strep throat and ear infections.

In the last few weeks, parents have gone to their local pharmacies, only to find that the liquid form of the medicine that’s suitable for their children is out of stock.

“There is a shortage,” said Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, who estimates that the medicine isn’t available about half the time the hospital prescribes it. “We worry that it’s going to continue to happen.”

As more children are around their friends and family before and during the holidays “it’s going to get worse,” she added.

This, doctors said, is not a Long Island or even a New York state problem. It’s national.

Nachman’s granddaughter needed amoxicillin in Florida. Her daughter drove around from pharmacy to pharmacy until she found one that had the medicine.

Doctors suggested that a number of factors

have contributed to the shortage. For starters, some urgent care centers and doctors around the country are prescribing amoxicillin when children have viral infections. The medicine not only isn’t helping with sore throats or other viral symptoms, but it also isn’t as available for the children who have bacterial infections.

Nachman urges parents to make sure their children have an infection for which amoxicillin or any other drug works before picking it up from the pharmacy.

“When the pediatrician does a viral test and you get a positive, you know what it is,” she said. “When they do a throat swab for strep and it’s negative, you know what it’s not.”

Nachman told parents to ask whoever is prescribing antibiotics like amoxicillin if their children really need the medicine.

“If there is a silver lining, it’s forcing clinicians to try not to over prescribe it,” said Dr. James Cavanaugh, director of Pediatrics at Port Jefferson’s St. Charles Hospital.

Finally, the stock of amoxicillin is low nationally.

For parents, the effect of the shortage has ranged from the expected anxiety over a limited resource to an awareness of a new reality.

Indeed, earlier this year, parents struggled to find baby formula.

“They are accepting of it, given the

climate we’ve been in with formula,” Cavanaugh said. “Parents are unfortunately getting used to it.”

Other infections

With viruses like respiratory syncytial virus, the flu, and COVID-19 prevalent and increasing in communities around Long Island, children and adults are increasingly getting sick and exhibiting the kind of general symptoms that could be viral or bacterial.

Stony Brook Children’s Hospital continues to have a steady stream of patients.

“We were full before Thanksgiving, full on Thanksgiving and full after Thanksgiving,” Nachman said. “As soon as a bed opens, another child comes in.”

While strep throat is easy to diagnose, ear infections can be either viral or bacterial.

Pediatric associations offer various guidelines. For children who are 9 and over, parents can do watchful waiting, but for children who are younger, like 4 months old, parents should use antibiotics.

While childhood forms of amoxicillin are limited, adult supplies, in the form of pills and capsules, are not. Children as young as 7 years old can take pills as long as the AMOXICILLIN CONTINUED ON A10

D A N I E L P . L O S Q U A D R O , S U P E R I N T E N D E N T O F H I G H W A Y S , I N V I T E S Y O U T O T H E . . .

The country is experiencing a shortage of pediatric amoxicillin used to treat bacterial infections. Pixabay photo

Suffolk County Legislature launches special committee for cyberattack investigation

BY RAYMOND JANIS EDITOR1@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

County legislators convened at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge on Monday, Dec. 5, announcing the formation of a bipartisan special committee to investigate the recent cyberattack against the county government.

A confirmed ransomware event was first reported in early September. [See story, “Suffolk County cyberattack offers a window into the dangers of the digital age,” Nov. 17, TBR News Media website.] The attack crippled the county’s IT infrastructure, shutting down the system for over a month, with systems slowly coming back online.

The county press release relating to the new committee indicated that, “Information regarding the effects of the attack continues to be made public, including the admission that the personal information of as many as 470,000 residents and 26,000 past and current employees has been stolen by the hackers.”

Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst), presiding officer of the county Legislature, announced the appointment of Legislator Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) as chair of the newly formed special committee. With these two legislators, the rest of the committee will comprise Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), and Legislators Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai), Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches) and Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga).

“The purpose of this committee is to do one thing and one thing only, and that is to find out what happened and how we can prevent that from happening again,” McCaffrey said. The presiding officer described the impact

felt by county officials and residents alike due to the cyber event. He stated that sensitive information of county employees was likely accessed, with many details still unknown.

“There’s been an impact on each and every one of our residents,” he said, adding, “Employees, including myself, have now found out that our Social Security numbers have been compromised. We need to make sure that this doesn’t happen again.”

Piccirillo outlined his priorities and intended goals as chair. He regarded the Legislature as a coequal branch of the county government with a constitutional obligation to conduct oversight activities.

“We’re going to execute our constitutional duty of oversight,” he said. “We passed a procedural motion that we now have subpoena power to call witnesses under oath and bring them in if they refuse to come in.”

The committee chairman added, “I do expect full cooperation from anyone that we ask to come in, but we do have that tool in our toolbox, where if people start to refuse to speak to the Legislature then we can have them here under subpoena.”

Piccirillo maintained that openness and transparency would be necessary to restore government operations and public trust.

“The best disinfectant is sunlight, so we’re

going to open the windows and let the sun in here to shine and make sure that we get the truth,” he said. “We’re going to follow the facts and conduct the thorough investigation that the residents of Suffolk County deserve.”

Richberg detailed the collective shock and disbelief experienced by county officials when reports first circulated of the cybersecurity breach. He said a proper diagnosis of the problems leading up to the attack would help thwart a similar scenario from unfolding.

“I think understanding and diagnosing the problem from the beginning and having a bipartisan approach to asking the questions in the sunlight … is really important,” the minority leader said. “Most importantly, we need full structures for us to move forward, so this doesn’t happen again and that we are appropriately protected from anything that could happen to us in the future.”

In an interview, Anker discussed the gravity of the moment and the importance of the government coordinating its response correctly. “I know we’re spending up to $12 million to address this, if not more,” she said. “We need to get all the experts in the field to address what we’re dealing with and how to best deal with it.”

Anker also addressed the criminal nature of this cyber intrusion and the need to grasp

cybercrime trends and criminal culture online.

“The dark web, that’s where all of this stuff is happening,” the county legislator said. “It’s the Wild, Wild West of our times, and if we don’t address that in a more aggressive way, it’s going to ripple throughout our country.”

While the committee’s work is just getting underway, McCaffrey said the process will culminate in a report detailing its findings. “We expect to be able to roll this out and tell a good story about what happened from beginning to end,” he said.

At podium, Suffolk County Legislator Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), minority leader of the county Legislature, during a press event at the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge announcing a bipartisan special committee investigating the September ransomware attack against the county government. Below, Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai), who is a member of this special committee. Photos by Raymond Janis

‘The best disinfectant is sunlight, so we’re going to open the windows and let the sun in here to shine and make sure that we get the truth.’

— ANTHONY PICCIRILLO

following incidents have been

Medford teen arrested for threatening LGBTQ classmates

Suffolk County Police arrested a Medford teenager on Dec. 6 after she allegedly threatened LGBTQ students at her Holtsville high school last week. A 14-year-old female Eastern Suffolk BOCES Sequoya High School student allegedly texted derogatory comments regarding members of the LGBTQ community to another 14-year-old student on Dec. 1. She then sent messages threatening to kill or injure LGBTQ people at the school, as well as every girl at the school. Following an investigation, the teen was arrested by Hate Crimes Unit detectives at the Fifth Precinct and charged with Aggravated Harassment 2nd Degree as a Hate Crime, a felony, and Making a Threat of Mass Harm.

Man found dead off Smith Point Park

Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the apparent drowning death of a man who was reported missing on Nov. 18 and located off of Smith Point County Park on Nov. 30. Pierre Morris, an employee of H&L Contracting of Hauppauge, was working on a boat at Smith Point Marina when he is believed to have gone overboard on Nov. 18 and was reported missing by a coworker at approximately 3:20 p.m. that day. Marine Bureau officers were called to Smith Point County Park at approximately 11:40 a.m. on Nov. 30 after a man, who has been positively identified as Morris, was found unresponsive off East Concourse. Morris, 45, of Far Rockaway, was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives are asking anyone with information to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392.

Medford man arrested for catalytic converter theft

Suffolk County Police arrested a Medford man on Dec. 5 for allegedly stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked outside of a Shirley residence the same day. Seventh Precinct officers responded to a 911 call reporting a man stealing a catalytic converter from a neighbor’s truck on Decator Ave. at 11:52 a.m. The man fled the scene prior to police arrival, but a minivan matching the suspect’s vehicle description was located a short time later. The driver, Jason Labbe, 45, of Medford was arrested without incident. He was charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, Possession of Burglar’s Tools, and two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th Degree.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Wanted for South Setauket Larceny

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a man who allegedly stole three Cricut press machines from Target, located at 265 Pond Path in South Setauket, on Nov. 17 at 11:20 a.m.

Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run crash

Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are investigating a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian in Ronkonkoma on Dec. 5. A man was lying in the roadway of the LIE Exit 60E off ramp when he was struck by at least one vehicle, which then fled the scene, at approximately 8 p.m. The victim, Robert Twiford, 61, of Melville, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Major Case Unit Detectives at 631-852-6553.

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

The

reported by Suffolk County Police:

Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk’s two party leaders dissect midterm election results

In Suffolk County, I think voters were clear in demonstrating that they had great concerns about some of the issues out of Albany, issues revolving around public safety, law enforcement and affordability. I think [Republican gubernatorial nominee U.S. Rep.] Lee Zeldin [R-NY1] spoke to that, and that’s why you had the results you had where I think he gathered about 59% of the [Suffolk] vote.

We, the Democratic Party, need to do a better job on messaging. The governor [Kathy Hochul

BY RAYMOND JANIS EDITOR1@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

In a year of narrow margins of victory and

slim majorities in the U.S. House and Senate, Republicans made steady gains in Suffolk County. Following

this outcome, TBR News Media spoke independently with Rich Schaffer and Jesse Garcia, respective

What is your initial reaction to this year’s midterm election results?

(D)] delivered record amounts of state aid for education, and nobody even knew about it. The governor delivered record amounts of infrastructure monies that fixed the LIE and various roads throughout the county, and nobody knew about it. The governor held up the state budget to have tweaks made to the bail reform and criminal justice issues that were passed by the Legislature earlier this year, and nobody knew about it. I think we failed at our messaging, and the Republicans did a better job on that.

I can’t speak to the county numbers because I don’t have all of them, but I’ve been looking at the Babylon numbers because I’m an elected official in Babylon.

We underperformed in terms of turnout. Republicans had their normal turnout in Babylon. Blanks [i.e., those not registered with any party]

I don’t know if it’s changing, but I would say that it’s always going to be a moderate to conservative place. The enrollment numbers are pretty much even, Democrat to Republican, and then there’s another third who are independent, blanks.

You are seeing ticket splitting because Democrats are getting elected in various places. If there’s an answer to your question about changing, I would say that Suffolk County voters are voting in a more

and Democrats had about 10% to 15% less turnout than we would normally have in a gubernatorial election year. That alone speaks to my answer to the first question, messaging. And two, in terms of turning out people who would normally turn out for us, we didn’t do a good job doing that. We have to find out why they didn’t turn out.

moderate to conservative way, whether they be a registered Democrat, Republican or not registered with any party. And maybe that’s to say that registration doesn’t determine how someone’s going to vote.

I think they’re going to come out and they’re going to vote based on how they feel about the particular issues of the day, and if you haven’t done your job on messaging then you’re not going to win that battle.

Absolutely. I think any time you make voting more accessible, you’re going to get a better response from people. We were always champions of communicating with people who are on permanent absentee [ballot status], those who are in nursing homes or who are not able to get out and vote physically.

Keep in mind, if someone requests a

More direct communication. I’ve told our party members that we have to get back to doing doorto-door. Obviously, COVID really knocked the you-know-what out of that. People have just given up on talking to people in an office, relying on text messages and emails. Mailings have kind of even dropped down now. It’s become who can get their message out on TikTok and Instagram.

I think people have become immune to that because they’re just pounded all day long with

ballot early, or with early voting as much as 10 days out, you have to kind of move up your communications schedule so that you don’t lose the opportunity to communicate with those people and have an impact. If there’s a change in strategy, it’s probably moving up the communication schedule and doing it earlier.

social media and technology, so I think we have to get back to more direct, one-on-one social interaction. The local election year next year, 2023, is a great year to do that because turnout does drop in ‘23 with a smaller group of people to communicate with.

I think it’s important to do that and to get the party people to do that, because that’s the best way to have an impact on getting your people out and getting people to buy into your message.

chairmen of the Suffolk Democratic and Republican committees, for their views on the local outcome.

I’m very proud of the reaction of the voters of Suffolk County and of the hard work of the Suffolk County Republican Committee members involved here. This is a process that began in the cold, wintery nights of February. It culminated with the night we call our Super Bowl, with a successful election night.

Our goal was to deliver 60% of the vote for Lee Zeldin. We did, we gave him a plurality of 100,000 votes. I couldn’t be more proud of the

Pictured below, Rich Schaffer (left) and Jesse Garcia (right). Left photo from Babylon Town website; right file photo from Suffolk GOP

We always set very lofty goals for ourselves. In my time as chairman of the Republican Party here in Suffolk County, in every election cycle we have flipped a blue seat. I have great confidence in this

efforts we put in in Suffolk County, Long Island and throughout the state. Because of our efforts, we knocked off a 40-year Democratic incumbent lawmaker [state Assemblyman Steve Englebright, previously a Suffolk County legislator (Setauket)] and we came very close in two other seats, AD-11 and the 4th Senatorial District.

All in all, it was a very successful night. More importantly, it was a successful night for the voters of Suffolk County.

committee. When we set our minds to a goal, we meet them. On Nov. 9 and 10, we were in our headquarters plotting out the next election cycle and setting goals there for our town and our county.

I think that it’s changing in a way that we are utilizing Republican governance as the proper way to govern at the town level, the county level, or the state and federal levels. I use our supervisors throughout the town, our Republican supervisors with Republican majorities, to show the voters that there’s a different way to govern, and I think that way is now being responded to.

Even deep blue seats in the strongholds of the Democratic Party — whether it be Babylon Town

or in the 1st [Council] District of Brookhaven — we have had historic victories this year. While we’ve had successes at the townwide level, this year we finally broke through that ceiling and were successful at the [state] level by defeating Assemblyman Englebright.

I believe that the voter trends that we’re seeing are the results of the political infrastructure, on one hand. On the other hand, residents are recognizing the difference between Republican and Democratic governance.

I made a commitment to our leaders, to our candidates, our elected officials, our committee people and to the voters of Suffolk County that I will adapt.

I will make sure that this party has the wherewithal to adapt to any and all shenanigans on the electoral side set forth by the Democratic majority in Albany.

We continue to do that on an annual basis, and this year — unlike in previous years — the absentee ballots were not as disastrous.

As I said, I adapt each and every year our tactics, our approach and our strategies to any electoral shenanigans that the Democrats in Albany put into place.

We’re going to continue doing what we’re doing. We’re going to expand and grow our coalitions. We’re going to learn from the successes we had in 2022. Those areas that we think we can improve upon, we will.

My goal right now is to reelect the incumbents in Brookhaven Town, in my

capacity as Brookhaven Town [Republican Committee] chairman.

And then to set my sights on the county executive’s seat, filling it with a Republican for the first time in 20 years, and to expand and maintain the Republican majority elected last year [in the county Legislature].

Did your party meet expectations?

Based on these results, how is voting behavior in Suffolk County changing?

Has your party altered its political strategy with respect to voting by mail? Do you foresee mail-in ballots playing a greater role in the future?

What does your party have to do to win over more voters?

The Honorable Judge Stuart Namm, former Stony Brook attorney, dies at 89

SUBMITTED BY THE NAMM FAMILY

The Honorable Judge Stuart Namm passed peacefully at the age of 89 on Nov. 30.

All who were blessed to be touched by Stuart know him as a distinguished veteran of the Korean War, courageous courtroom advocate for the less fortunate, and proud public servant with a keen wit and dynamic personality. His nicknames included Stu, The Judge, and Mensch on the Bench, but his most cherished names were Grandpa and Dad.

Stuart was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn, on Oct. 17, 1933, to the late Lillian Kramer Namm and Paul Namm. He was a star lacrosse player and passionate participant in the arts while attending The City College of New York. He fell in love with his teenage sweetheart, Lenore Rhona Abelson, and married her in 1954. They were married for 42 years until her passing in 1996, and were the parents to three children: Gary, Keith and Suzanne. Drafted into the U.S. Army, he was in the Special Forces Ranger Program where he served 20 months as a first lieutenant in Korea. Upon his return to the United States, he began The Brooklyn Law School Night Program while working fulltime for Equitable Life then the Federal Trade Commission as attorney examiner in Manhattan.

Stuart moved east to Long Island and opened

his law practice in Stony Brook before joining the firm of Baranello, Block & Namm. Stuart built a sterling reputation as a masterful trial attorney focused on criminal court defense work. In 1975, Stuart was elected to the New York state bench where he served for 17 years. During his tenure, Stuart observed horrific, systemic patterns of corruption across the Suffolk County Judicial System. Told to turn a blind eye, Stuart boldly called upon two consecutive New York state governors to commence investigative commissions. While Stuart did the right thing, he was devastated to not be renominated. All his corruption allegations were proven true, igniting many years of greatly needed clean-up in the Suffolk County Judicial System.

Astonishing accounts of his time on the bench are published in his highly acclaimed book: “The Perverted Pursuit of Justice in the State of New York.” Moving to Hampstead, North Carolina, Stuart was the creator and producer of several original documentaries including “Men of Truth and Courage in a ‘Forgotten War’: The 17th Infantry Regiment in Korea,” “The Serial Killers,” “A Question of Guilt,” and other legal broadcast content. Stuart received many honors during his lifetime — notably, he was the first national recipient of The American Bar Association’s Justice Thurgood Marshall Award in recognition of long-term contributions to the advancement

of civil rights, civil liberties and human rights in our nation. Stuart is an honorary lifetime member of the NAACP and the recipient of The New York State Bar Association’s David S. Michaels Memorial Award for promoting integrity in the criminal court system. Stuart was a naturalist, gifted photographer, and world adventurer on six continents. Committed to staying fit, he was

a life-long competitive athlete: he won National Senior Games awards at ages 72 and 73 in tennis, swimming, cycling and tap dancing.

Stuart is survived by his loving family who cherish his incredible renaissance life including Nancy Namm, his wife of 26 years of Hampstead, North Carolina; three children, Gary Namm of Tampa, Florida; Keith Namm of Charleston, South Carolina; and Suzanne Wolonick and her husband Richard of Pinehurst, North Carolina.

He has the blessing of six grandchildren: Rachel Correia and her husband Kevin, of Milford, New Hampshire; David Namm and his wife Annalise of Irvine, California; Joshua Wolonick of Los Angeles, California; Jason Wolonick and his wife Leila of Durham, North Carolina; Julia Namm of New York, New York; and Rebecca Parker and her husband Logan of Apopka, Florida. Additionally, Stuart has four great grandchildren. Stuart is also survived by two siblings: Sandra Rosen Hurwitz of Plantation, Florida, and Dr. Joel Namm and his wife Joanne of Yardley, Pennsylvania.

Stuart Namm’s funeral services will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made directly in honor of Judge Namm to The University Of North Carolina Cancer Center, which was instrumental in helping Stuart beat Stage 4 cancer. Donations can be made at the following link: give.unc.edu/gift/namm.

The Honorable Judge Stuart Namm

Rediscovered audio tapes and conversation give a glimpse into local history

BY BEVERLY C. TYLER DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

“We used to get vegetables … over there across from the Methodist Church … that is where all of us used to live … Jersey Avenue … ran off 25A and there was a settlement there on both sides of Jersey Avenue … The water was bad. This is what they said. That was the reason why they decided to move the people out … A whole street full of people out — could be put out with no place for them to go.”

HISTORY CLOSE AT HAND

The above is a portion of a rediscovered 1987 oral history cassette tape containing an interview with Christian Avenue resident Ethel Lewis (1908-1993). The oral history portion used here was published in the May 1988 “Three Village Historian,” journal of the Three Village Historical Society. Ethel Duvall Lewis and her husband Howard moved from Brooklyn to East Setauket in 1921.

These oral history tapes, among boxes of preserved cassette tapes, were brought to light by Long Island Library Resources Council Project Archivist Robert Anen, who has been working this year archiving and preserving historical collections on Long Island. The LILRC Accessing Archives Pilot Project has had Anen working at Southold Historical Museum, Long Island Maritime Museum, Northport-East Northport Public Library and now at Three Village Historical Society.

Finding something you didn’t know existed is fun and exciting. It starts you on an invigorating search to find out more, at least it did for me when oral history tapes from the last three decades of the 20th century were discovered — or more accurately rediscovered — this month in the archives of the Three Village Historical Society. I knew that oral history recording had been made by Stony Brook University theater professor Glenda Dickerson and her students in the 1980s, but I

didn’t know any had been preserved in society archives. In fact, I was told by Dickerson that the recordings had been lost when they were sent out to be combined with video recordings into a permanent record of the project “Eel Catching in Setauket: A Living Library — The African American, Christian Avenue Community.” Most of the audio and video recordings that formed the basis for the exhibit and performances of “Eel Catching in Setauket — A Living Portrait of a Community, Past and Present,” at the university theater, in June of 1988, were lost. However, a few tapes exist and are now in the process of being transcribed. Personally, talking this week to 92-year-old Carlton “Hubble” Edwards, helped give me a more visual picture of the area called Chicken Hill than even the cassette tapes provided.

Residents of the area known as Chicken Hill, who lived in rental homes along both sides of Jersey Avenue, moved out in the 1950s. Hub Edwards noted, “Quite a few different families lived there. Most of them [factory houses] were old, you know — they had been there a long time, and not in good condition. They had no running water, they had back houses. When industry came in, they started putting inside bathrooms and running water. A lot of the houses were run down.”

In 1934, Hub and his family had moved to a three-story apartment house with running water that was along South Jersey Avenue, where Apple Bank is today. Later, Hub and his wife Nellie lived in the same apartment house for two or three years after they were married. Hub said, “When we had a chance to move to Christian Avenue we did.”

By the time Hub and Nellie moved, many of the families who had lived on Chicken Hill moved to other parts of the town, dissolving the community that had existed. Hub noted that both Black and white people had lived together along both sides of Jersey Avenue until “some moved to Port Jefferson, to Gordon Heights,

to Centereach and some to Bellport.” Hub laughed when he said he used to play marbles out in front of the brick building that now sits along South Jersey Ave.

“It was an empty field for a long time and carnivals were held there.”

Over the past year, the Three Village Historical Society’s Education Committee has been working to expand the reach of the exhibit “Chicken Hill, A Community Lost to Time.” The first step is to develop education programs for schools and the public. The rediscovered tapes and their transcripts will definitely be helpful in this effort. In many ways, the oral history and stories about the African American community along Setauket’s Christian Avenue and the history and stories about the

community of Chicken Hill along Route 25A in Setauket are tied together. The society will work with the Three Village Community Trust which has moved and restored three houses used by the African American and immigrant rubber factory workers on Chicken Hill. Bringing the stories of the people who live on Christian Avenue and those who lived and worked on Chicken Hill into one of the homes that existed there will enliven and provide additional context to the story of a community lost to time.

Beverly C. Tyler is a Three Village Historical Society historian and author of books available from the society at 93 North Country Road, Setauket. For more information, call 631751-3730. or visit www.tvhs.org.

AMOXICILLIN

Continued from A4

milligrams of the pills to the kilograms of the child’s weight are appropriate for the dosage.

Nachman said Stony Brook Children’s Hospital has been doing a lot more calling to pharmacies near where patients live to ensure they have amoxicillin.

“That takes extra time,” she said. Those efforts could mean that families may have to wait longer in the emergency room.

The amoxicillin shortage can be worse for families that don’t have cars.

“How are they getting their prescriptions filled?” Nachman asked. “This is just one more worry.”

Alternatives

Area doctors and pharmacists suggested that there are alternatives to the pediatric form of amoxicillin. Children who are old enough and meet weight requirements can take a pill.

Alternatively, with careful medical guidance, parents can open up the right dose for capsules and mix it with applesauce or some other foods, according to the American Association of Pediatrics.

Doctors can also prescribe other broad spectrum antibiotics, such as augmentin and omnicef.

Using these other antibiotics, however, increases the risk of developing antibiotic resistant infections later.

“The next infection may be harder to treat,” Cavanaugh said.

These other antibiotics also may eliminate some of the good bacteria in the gut, causing diarrhea.

As doctors have increasingly prescribed some of these other medicines, pharmacies have seen the supply of alternatives decrease as well.

“Everyone follows the same algorithm” in prescribing medicine, which means the demand for other prescriptions is increasing, Cavanaugh added.

Immune boost

Doctors said children can enhance their overall health and immune systems with healthy eating and sleeping habits and by making sure they are up to date with available preventive measures.

“Get vaccinated,” Cavanaugh said. He also urged good hand washing routines.

Cavanaugh added that children exposed to cigarette smoke in a house are also at a higher risk of ear infection. As for what constitutes enough sleep for a child, doctors recommend between eight and nine hours per night. That, doctors said, is tough to get for children who sleep with a cell phone near their beds.

Left, Three Village Historical Society Director Mari Irizarry and Long Island Library Resources Council Project Archivist Robert Anen with the archival box containing the audio tapes from Glenda Dickerson’s Eel Catching in Setauket project. Above, Hub Edwards’ picture is among the photos at The Chicken Hill Exhibit. Photos from Beverly C. Tyler

Todaro unchallenged in Setauket fire commissioner race

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

When residents of the Setauket Fire District vote on Tuesday, Dec. 13, for fire commissioner, they will find one candidate on the ballot for a five-year term.

Current fire commissioner Anthony Todaro is running unchallenged to retain his seat on the board, and he said first and foremost on his mind is recruiting and retaining more volunteers.

He joined the department in 1999 and became certified as a firefighter and EMT. Since then he has been a lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, chief of department and has served on the board of directors. After leaving the chief’s office in 2014, he has been the department safety officer.

The 43-year-old has lived in Setauket for more than 30 years. He is married to a lifelong Setauket resident and is the father of two boys, 9 and 3.

Todaro started his career as a first responder at Stony Brook University Hospital where he was an emergency medical technician with the hospital’s EMS team. He later transferred to the university’s Environmental Health and Safety as a campus fire marshal.

For the past 13 years, he has been the senior fire marshal with the Town of Brookhaven’s Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Prevention.

Todaro answered a few questions in an email about why he chose to run for another term.

the firefighters and EMTs. As a board we have provided our responders with the best possible gear, equipment, vehicles and facilities while staying under the tax cap and keeping an eye on spending.

I am running for reelection because I feel there is more work to be done and that I can contribute to helping the department and my community. I currently enjoy working with my fellow fire commissioners and feel that we work well together as a board.

Is there an issue within the district that you would like to tackle?

One of the issues that we need to address as a board is recruiting and retaining more volunteers. Our community is blessed with dedicated and skilled volunteers who respond to calls at all hours of the day. These volunteers give so much of their time to serve their community while balancing their own careers and family obligations, but it is becoming more difficult. Volunteering is down nationally, and call volume continues to rise. Additional training requirements have increased over the years that add to the time volunteers have to devote to the department including new hazards faced in modern building construction, new technologies such as lithium-ion batteries and stored energy facilities and how to respond to these incidents, newer vehicle designs that require special knowledge during motor vehicle accidents and of course COVID just to name a few.

Todaro added that anyone interested in joining the Setauket Fire Department can visit www. setauketfd.com for more information. “I did almost 24 years ago, and it’s been an amazing experience,” he said.

Setauket FD election day

Residents of the Setauket Fire District duly registered with the Suffolk County Board of Elections as of Nov. 21 are eligible to vote in the Tuesday, Dec. 13, election. Voters can cast their ballots between 2 and 9 p.m. at the firehouse located at 394 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook.

The five-year fire commissioner term commences on Jan. 1, 2023, and ends on Dec. 31, 2027.

Stony Brook FD fire commissioner race

Like the Setauket Fire Commissioner race, Stony Brook Fire District has one candidate for one position. Current fire commissioner Brian McAllister will look to retain his seat for a fiveyear term beginning Jan. 1, 2023, and terminating on Dec. 31, 2027.

Voters in the Stony Brook Fire District who have registered with the Suffolk County Board of Elections on or before Nov. 21 are eligible to vote.

Voting will take place Tuesday, Dec. 13, between 2 and 9 p.m. at Station 2, located at 1410 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook.

TBR News Media was unable to reach McAllister before our deadline. We invite him and other fire commissioners to contact us in the future. We are always open to profiles on local fire commissioners to introduce them to the community and to educate our readers on the latest happenings in our fire departments and districts.

I was elected fire commissioner five years ago and as a board we have accomplished a lot in that time frame. We have seen the opening of our new Main Street firehouse; we have upgraded our communications infrastructure and purchased new radio equipment; computers for the apparatus (MDTs); and we have purchased new fire apparatus and ambulances and currently have a new ladder truck on order. We have upgraded equipment such as battery-operated extrication equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus (air packs) and personal protective equipment for

How would you go about it?

A few years ago, we added part-time career firefighters in addition to our career EMTs and paramedics. This was not done to replace the volunteers but to shoulder some of the burden and help during the daytime when typically most members are working, and response was limited. The chief’s office is working hard to get the most out of the membership and it’s the board of fire commissioners responsibility to assist the chief’s office and provide them with the tools needed to accomplish their mission.

Why did you decide to run for commissioner again?

Fire commissioner Anthony Todaro is running unopposed in the upcoming election. Photo from Todaro

WMHO, elected officials honor state Assemblyman Englebright

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

After a day of holiday activities in Stony Brook Village Center Sunday, Dec. 4, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization held its Holiday Thank You Party at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

WMHO board members honored state Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) during the reception. Englebright, who has served in the elected position since 1992, was defeated by Edward Flood (R-Port Jefferson) this past election.

On hand to pay tribute to Englebright were state Sen. Mario Mattera (R-St. James), county Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket), Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine (R), Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) and Head of the Harbor Mayor Douglas Dahlgard.

Romaine, who has known Englebright since they both were county legislators, said the assemblyman’s “vision wasn’t about only today, it was tomorrow and what came after tomorrow.” The supervisor applauded Englebright for being a steward of the environment, especially regarding his efforts to preserve the Long Island Pine Barrens.

Mattera presented Englebright with a proclamation and described the assemblyman as a mentor and “an amazing person.” He said he will miss Englebright who always worked across party lines.

“When working with great people like Steve Englebright, you know you’ll get the job done,” Mattera said. “You know it’s going to be good for the community. Look at the community. Look what’s been done and saved because of his efforts.”

Hahn called Englebright the “heart of our community.”

“We’ve always known you’ve worked to build a legacy and to train champions on the environment,” she said. “There are so many individuals who have learned so much from you about the importance of our spaces here, of our sense of place, of our history and our cultural heartbeat, and this community is great because of you.”

Dahlgard said regarding environmental issues in the village, he could always count on Englebright.

“He didn’t say, ‘Well, you’re in Smithtown.’ He came right over and helped out.”

Kornreich credited Englebright’s leadership and stewardship for the good things in the area. He said after the assemblyman leaves office many local organizations will feel the impact, even though he is certain Englebright will still

be involved in the community.

“This loss in this last election is a bitter one for the community, because I think that your knowledge, your access to the levers of power in Albany — to have lost access to that power and knowledge is going to be a blow to the community that we’re going to have to bear, and we’re going to have to figure out a lot of things about how to move on without you being in that seat,” the councilmember said.

Englebright said the honor was meaningful to him as he considers Ward Melville one of the founders of the modern community along with ornithologist and the late Three Village resident Robert Cushman Murphy. He called them his heroes and described WMHO as “the manifestation of Melville’s spirit.”

The assemblyman, who was surprised by the reception in his honor, thanked everyone in attendance, including his staff members.

“Our work isn’t done,” he said. “We have a lot more to do, and I’m still on top of it.”

Trail renamed to honor Englebright

BY JOHN BROVEN

On Tuesday evening, Dec. 6, George Hoffman hosted an event at the Neighborhood House, Setauket, where residents, environmentalists, members of local organizations and politicians gave thanks to Steve Englebright for his 39

years of service to the Three Village area as county legislator and state assemblyman. The highlight, which visibly affected Englebright, was the naming of the Greenway trail by Herb Mones on behalf of the Three Village Community Trust board as The Steve Englebright Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway.

Congratulations

State Assemblyman Steve Englebright, above, was surprised by a reception in his honor. The Ward Melville Heritage Organization organized the event and presented him with a plaque to thank him for his work in the Three Village community. Photo by Rita J. Egan

State Assemblyman Steve Englebright and Setauket Fire Commissioner Sue Meyers were married on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. in Babylon Park. The two tied the knot after 11 years of dating. Gerry Compitello, Babylon Town Clerk, officiated the ceremony. Photo from Sue Meyers

The Three Village Community Trust announced Tuesday that the Greenway trail will now be named The Steve Englebright Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway. Photo from Englebright’s office

Ward Melville 54 Lindenhurst 27

Patriots pickoff Lindenhurst

BY BILL LANDON DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Ward Melville set the tone of the game early, nearly shutting out Lindenhurst in the first eight minutes of play as the Patriots found their rhythm and outpaced their visitors, 54-27, in a non-league home game Dec. 2.

Ward Melville junior Tyler Jean-Noel led the way for the Patriots with four field goals and two free throws for 10 points. Ben Sano

added eight, along with Brady Reyling and Luke Chitkara, netting 7 points apiece.

It was the Patriots’ second victory in as many games to launch their 2022-23 campaign. The team retakes the court when they host Connetquot to begin league play Dec. 12. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Pictured clockwise from above, Ward Melville junior Tyler Jean-Noel takes flight; Patriots senior Lorenzo Velez in traffic; and rebound.

— Photos by Bill Landon

LEGALS

OLDFIELD2023 ELECCIÓNDELAVILLADE

resolucionesconrespectoal unánimelassiguientes 2022,adoptódeforma martes8denoviembrede convocadayrealizadael dedichajuntadebidamente NuevaYork,enunareunión Field,condadodeSuffolk, deIncorporatedVilladeOld LaJuntadeFideicomisarios

registrodetodaslaspersonaselegiblesparavotary

2023: realizarseel21demarzode eleccióndelalocalidada loscargosaocuparenla

localidadparalas díaderegistroenla SERESUELVE quenohabrá

eleccionesdelaVillade

conformidadconlaSubdivisión3delaSección15-118

delaLeydeElecciones;y

paravotar;y deSuffolkseránelegibles JuntaElectoraldelcondado registradasparavotarenla sololaspersonas TAMBIÉNSERESUELVE que

TAMBIÉNSERESUELVE que

aperturaycierredelas 2023;queloshorariosde martes21demarzode Placeendichalocalidadel ubicadoen207OldField caboenKeeper’sCottage, NuevaYork,sellevaráa Field,condadodeSuffolk, deIncorporatedVilladeOld lapróximaeleccióngeneral

ylas9:00p.m.respectivamente;yque,

abiertasparavotaryelegir lasurnaspermanecerán nuevehorasconsecutivas, durantedichoperíodode

candidatosparalossiguientescargos: Dos

años. paraunmandatodedos fideicomisarios,cadauno

SecretariadelaVilla AdrienneKessel

11925012/81xvth

NOTICEOF

BOARDOF PUBLICHEARING

14,2022 (2NDFLOOR WEDNESDAY,

AUDITORIUM)COMMENCING AT2:00P.M. ATONE

seránentrelas12:00p.m. urnasdedichaelección ACCORDANCEWITHOPEN

STREAMEDOVERTHE

033000) hottub.(0200276000400

INDEPENDENCEHILL,FARMINGVILLE,N.Y.ANDIN

INTERNETAThttp:// brookhaventownny.igm2. com/Citizens/Default.aspx,

WILLCOMMENCEAT4P.M. THEFOLLOWINGCASES

VILLAGETIMESHERALD

26.MatthewTito,6LincolnSt.,E.Setauket,NY.

Location:WestsideofLincolnSt.329.48’Southof

FranklinAve.,E.Setauket.

MEETINGSLAW,SAIDPUBLICHEARINGWILLBELIVE 11979012/81xvth

Ln.,E.Setauket,NY.Location:WestsideofHareLn.

107.03’NorthofLynxLn.,

E.Setauket.Applicantrequestsminimumandtotal

015000) addition.(0200158000200 proposed2storyresidence sideyardvariancesfor

BOARD. THEDISCRETIONOFTHE CASESWILLBEHEARDAT

CHAIRMAN PAULM.DECHANCE

32.JohnTiziani,16Hare tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com • tbrnewsmedia.com

Automobiles/Trucks

Vans/Rec Vehicles

***AAA***AUTOBUYERSHighestCashPaid,AllYears/Conditions,WEVISITYOU,Or Donate,TaxDeduct+Cash. DMVID#1303199.CallLUKE 516-VAN-CARS.516-297-2277

DONATEYOURCARTO BREASTCANCERRESEARCH RECOVERY!TaxDeductionReceiptGivenUponPick-up,Free Towing.501CCharity. 631-988-9043 breastcancerresearchrecovery. org

JUNKCARSBOUGHT! We’llBeatAnyPrice. Call631-500-1015. SEEDISPLAYADFORMOREINFORMATION.

TOPCASHPAIDFORALL TRUCKS,CARS,&VANS. Highestpricespaidforfixable vehicles.CallMark 631-258-7919. SEEDISPLAY ADFORMOREINFORMATION.

Auto Services

DRIVEOUTBREASTCANCER Donateacartoday,Thebenefits ofdonatingyourcarorboat,Fast FreePickup,24hrResponse, TaxDeduction,EasyToDo,Call 24/7855-905-4755.

Boat/Marine

OUTBOARDMOTORS

19577.5hpJohnsonand1958 10hpEvinrudewithpressure tank,bothworkwell,Johnsonis mint,accessoriesincluded$500 firm516-901-8804.

Health, Fitness & Beauty

ATTENTIONVIAGRAUSERS: Generic100mgbluepillsor generic20mgyellowpills.Get 45plus5free$99+S/H.Call Today.877-707-5523

Musical Instruments

BLUESMANPIANOTUNING

Certifiedpianotechnician, 631-681-9723, bluesmanpianotuning@gmail. com, www.bluesmanpianotuning.com

GUITARINSTRUCTION-Intelligent,focused,empathic instructionforguitar,bass,all frettedinstruments.Allstyles, levels.Setauketstudio.Coyote Music(631)721-5004

Novenas

PRAYERTOTHE

BLESSEDVIRGIN (NeverKnownToFail)

Oh,mostbeautifulflowerofMt. Carmel,fruitfulvine,splendorof heaven,blessedmotherofthe SonofGod,immaculatevirgin, assistmeinmynecessity.Oh starofthesea,helpme&show meherein,youaremymother. OhHolyMary,MotherofGod, QueenofHeavenandEarth,I humblybeseechyoufromthe bottomofmyhearttosuccorme inthisnecessityTherearenone whocanwithstandyourpower. Ohshowmehereinyouaremy mother.OhMaryconceived withoutsin,prayforuswho haverecoursetothee. (3times).OhHolyMary,Iplace thiscauseinyourhands. (3times).HolySpirit,youwho solveallproblems,lightallroads sothatIcanobtainmygoals. Yougavemethedivinegiftto forgiveandforgetallevilagainst me,andthatinallinstancesof mylife,youarewithme.Iwant inthisshortprayertothankyou forallthingsasyouconfirm onceagainthatIneverwantto beseparatedfromyouineternal glory.Thankyouforyourmercy towardmeandmine.Thankyou HolySpiritandSt.Jude. Thepersonmustsaythisprayer 3consecutivedays.Therequest willbegranted.Thisprayermust bepublishedafterthefavorhas beengranted.N.G.

Schools/Instruction/ Tutoring

PIANO-GUITAR-BASS Allages-levels-styles. Manylocalreferences. Recommendedbyallarea schools.TonyMann, 631-473-3443,631-332-6005

Finds Under 50

1LARGE(LIVE)X-MASTREE, willcutandtrim,$50 631-689-9309.

2FRAMEDPICTURESOF BALLETDANCERS (each14”X17”)byFrench impressionistpainter EdgarDegas,only$50Call 631-689-7732.

2WROUGHTIRON planterstands$50.00 631-689-9309

BOOKSHELF.CHERRY (43hX32W).ThreeShelves. ExcellentCondition.$30 (631)751-4563

CHRISTMASTREE VICTORIANSTYLE7plusfoot, needsassemblyandlights, Beautifulwhendecorated, Asking$35,631-864-9273leave message

INTERMATICRAINTIGHT OUTDOORTIMER,Heavyduty, 15Amp/24hour$10 631-941-4425.

LENDJET2-LAVENDER. Boxed,brandnew,duplicategift. $30.00Greatholidaygift. 631-689-8616.

PAIRANTIQUEMATCHING SCROLLEDHEAVYIRON GARDENGATES,28inches high,34incheswide(pair),each $35,solidsinglyorbythepair 631-331-5291.

SNOWSHOVELS$10each Call631-941-4202. LeaveMessage.

Financial Services

AREYOUBEHIND$10kOR MOREONYOURTAXES?Stop wage&banklevies,liens& audits,unfiledtaxreturns,payrollissues,&resolvetaxdebt FAST.Call888-869-5361 (Hours:Mon-Fri7am-5pmPST)

TREESTANDforlivetree 8inchdiameter$10 Call631-941-4202 LeaveMessage.

WIISYSTEM 2handles,5CD’swithmultiple choiceofgames,manual,perfectcondition,sacrifice,$50Call 631-320-1209.

Housesitting Services

TRAVELING? Needsomeonetocheckonyour home? ContactTenderLovingPet Care,LLC.We’remorethanjust pets.Insured/Bonded. 631-675-1938

Miscellaneous

DISHTV$64.99For190Channels+$14.95HighSpeedInternet.FreeInstallation,SmartHD DVRIncluded,FreeVoiceRemote.Somerestrictionsapply. PromoExpires1/21/23. 1-888-609-9405

Miscellaneous

GETDIRECTVFOR$64.99/MO FOR12MONTHSWITH CHOICEPACKAGE.Savean additional$120over1styear. First3monthsofHBOMax, Cinemax,Showtime,Starzand Epixincluded!Directvis#1in CustomerSatisfaction(JD Power&Assoc.)Somerestrictionsapply.Call 1-888-534-6918

WHEELSFORWISHESBENEFITINGMAKE-A-WISH ® NORTHEASTNEWYORK.Your CarDonationsMatterNOW MoreThanEver!FreeVehicle PickUpANYWHERE.We AcceptMostVehiclesRunning orNot.100%TaxDeductible. MinimalToNoHumanContact. Call:(877)798-9474.CarDonationFoundationd/b/aWheels ForWishes.www. wheelsforwishes.org.

Musical Instruments

EMPLOYMENT/CAREERS

Help Wanted

PUBLISHER’SEMPLOYMENTNOTICE:Allemploymentadvertisinginthisnewspaperissubjecttosection296 ofthehumanrightslawwhich makesitillegaltoadvertise anypreference,limitationor discriminationbasedonrace, color,creed,nationalorigin, disability,maritalstatus,sex, ageorarrestconvictionrecord oranintentiontomakeany suchpreference,limitationor discrimination.Title29,U.S. CodeChap630,excludesthe FederalGov’t.fromtheage discriminationprovisions.This newspaperwillnotknowingly acceptanyadvertisingforemploymentwhichisinviolation ofthelaw.Ourreadersareinformedthatemploymentofferingsadvertisedinthisnewspaperareavailableonanequal opportunitybasis.

HIRINGMAILSORTERS

$16.00-$17.00,Pickers/PackersSpringfieldGardens,$17.00. MysteryShoppersAges21-25 $20.00.860LongIslandAve., DeerParkNY631-586-4699

PARTTIMEVILLAGEDEPUTY CLERKPOSITION

TheVillageofPoquottisacceptingresumestofilltheparttime positionofDeputyClerk. Flexibledays,10-12hoursper week.Agreatopportunityfor Poquottresidentslookingfora jobthatisconvenientandsupportsthecommunity. Interestedapplicantscane-mail tcioffi@villageofpoquott.com andincluderesumeifavailable PLEASESEEOURDISPLAY ADFORMOREINFORMATION

DATAENTRYANDWORD PROCESSING

Maintaindatabasebyentering newandupdatedcustomerand accountinformation. CytoGenX,StonyBrook $17FT/PT(Benefits) 631-751-0212.

TRAINONLINETODOMEDICALBILLING!BecomeaMedicalOfficeProfessionalonlineat CTI!GetTrained,Certified& readytoworkinmonths!Call 855-543-6440.(M-F8am-6pm ET).Computerwithinternetis required.

PROGRAM!TrainONLINEto gettheskillstobecomeaCom-

Carpentry

LONGHILLCARPENTRY

45yearsexperience Allphasesofhomeimprovement.Old&HistoricRestorations.Mastercard/VisaLic. #H22336/Ins.631-751-1764 longhill7511764@aol.com

Cesspool Services

MRSEWERMANCESSPOOL

SERVICEAlltypesofcesspoolservicing,allworkguaranteed,familyownedandoperatedsince1985, 631-924-7502. LicensedandInsured.

Clean-Ups

LETSTEVEDOIT

Clean-ups,yards,basements, wholehouse,painting,tree work,localmovingand anythingelse.Totally overwhelmed? CallSteve@631-745-2598, leavemessage.

Exterminating

REACTPESTCONTROLINC.

Wasps,YellowJacketsNesting inyourhome!Protectyourhome beforethosepeskynestsare built. SEEDISPLAYADFOR MOREINFORMATION.

Fences

SMITHPOINTFENCE. DEERPROBLEM?WECAN HELP!Wood,PVC,ChainLink, Stockade.Freeestimates. Nowoffering12monthinterest freefinancing. Commercial/Residential. 70JayneBlvd.,PJS.Lic.37690H/Ins.631-743-9797 www.smithpointfence.com.

Floor Services/Sales

FINESANDING& REFINISHING

WoodFloorInstallations

CraigAliperti,WoodFloorsLLC. Allworkdonebyowner. 30yearsexperience. Lic.#47595-H/Insured. 631-875-5856

Furniture/Restoration/ Repairs

REFINISHING& RESTORATION

Antiquesrestored,repairing recane,reupholstery,touch-ups kitchen,frontdoors,40yrsexp, SAVE$$$,freeestimates. VincentAlfano631-707-1228

Home Improvement

ALLPHASESOF HOMEIMPROVEMENT

Fromattictoyourbasement, RCJConstruction www.rcjconstruction.com commercial/residential,lic/ins 631-580-4518.

BATH&SHOWERUPDATESin

aslittleasONEDAY!Affordable prices-Nopaymentsfor18 months!Lifetimewarranty&professionalinstalls.Senior&MilitaryDiscountsavailable.Call: 866-393-3636

Home Improvement

BLUSTARCONSTRUCTION

TheNorthShore’sMostTrusted RenovationExperts. 631-751-0751

Welovesmalljobstoo! SuffolkLic.#48714-H,Ins. SEEOURDISPLAYADFOR MOREINFORMATION.

DON’TPAYFORCOVERED HOMEREPAIRSAGAIN! AmericanResidentialWarranty coversALLMAJORSYSTEMS ANDAPPLIANCES.30DAY RISKFREE/$100OFF POPULARPLANS. 833-398-0526

LAMPSFIXED,$65. InHomeService!!Handy Howard.Mycell646-996-7628

Home Repairs/ Construction

LUXDEVELOPMENTGROUP

Historicalrestorations,Extensions&Dormers,Cedarsiding andClapboardinstallation, basementrenovations,kitchen &Bathrooms,doors&windows, finishedcarpentry&moulding Call631-283-2266

SEEOURDISPLAYADFOR MOREINFORMATION

LUXDISASTER RESTORATION24/7 EmergencyCleanupandrestoration,Flood,Sewage,Storm damage,firedamage,basement waterproofingandfinishing,Call 631-287-4700

SEEOURDISPLAYADFOR MOREINFORMATION

Lawn & Landscaping

SETAUKETLANDSCAPE DESIGN

StoneDriveways/Walkways, Walls/Stairs/Patios/Masonry, Brickwork/RepairsLand Clearing/Drainage,Grading/ Excavating.Plantings/Mulch, RainGardens. SteveAntos,631-689-6082 setauketlandscape.com ServingThreeVillages

Painting/Spackling/ Wallpaper

ALLPROPAINTING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR PowerWashing,Staining, WallpaperRemoval.Free estimates.Lic/Ins#19604HI 631-696-8150.Nick

Power Washing

THREEVILLAGEPOWERWASHINGLLC

We’remorethanpowerwashing. Weoffershrinkwrappingforoutdoorfurnitureandboats,snow removalservicesavailable. Threevillagepowerwashing.com 631-678-7313.

SWANCOVE LANDSCAPING

LawnMaintenance,Cleanups,Shrub/TreePruning, Removals.LandscapeDesign/ Installation,Ponds/Waterfalls, StoneWalls.Firewood.Free estimates.Lic/Ins.631-6898089

Landscape Materials

SCREENEDTOPSOIL

Mulch,compost,decorative anddrivewaystone,concrete pavers,sand/block/portland. Fertilizerandseed. JOS.M.TROFFA MATERIALSCORP. 631-928-4665,www.troffa.com

Masonry

CARLBONGIORNO LANDSCAPE/MASON CONTRACTOR

AllphasesMasonryWork:Stone Walls,Patios,Poolscapes.All phasesofLandscapingDesign. ThemeGardens.Residential& Commercial.Lic/Ins. 631-928-2110

BOB’SPAINTINGSERVICE 25YearsExperience. Interior/ExteriorPainting, Spackling,Staining,Wallpaper Removal,StainingandDeck RestorationPowerWashing. FreeEstimates.Lic/Ins.#17981. 631-744-8859

LAROTONDA PAINTING&DESIGN

Interior/exterior,sheetrock repairs,taping/spackling,wallpaperremoval,faux,decorative finishings.Freeestimates.Lic. #53278-H/Ins.RossLaRotonda 631-689-5998

WORTHPAINTING “PAINTINGWITHPRIDE”

Interiors/exteriors.Staining& deckrestoration,powerwashing,wallpaperremoval, sheetrocktape/spackling, carpentry/trimwork.Leadpaint certified.References.Freeestimates.Lic./Ins.SINCE1989 RyanSouthworth. SEEDISPLAYADFORMOREINFO 631-331-5556

Satellite TV

BESTSATELLITETVWITH2 YEARPRICEGUARANTEE, $59.99/mowith190 channelsand3monthsfreepremiummoviechannels,Freenext dayinstallation,Call 888-508-5313

Tree Work

ARBOR-VISTATREECARE

ACOMPLETETREECARE SERVICEdevotedtothecare oftrees.Maintenancepruning, water-viewwork,sun-trimming, elevating,poolareas,storm thinning,largetreeremoval, stumpgrinding.Woodchips. Lic#18902HI.Freeestimates. 631-246-5377

RANDALLBROTHERS

TREESERVICE

Planting,pruning,removals, stumpgrinding.FreeEstimates. Fullyinsured. LIC#50701-H.631-862-9291

Intelligent, focused,

Take it easy this season

Here we are in the midst of the holiday season.

In the Dec. 1 TBR News Media article, “Check in with each other, yourself before approaching holidays, local doctors urge” by Daniel Dunaief, medical professionals stressed the importance of people visiting or calling loved ones and taking note of their moods.

The doctors had additional excellent advice: Check in with yourself during this busy season, too.

The last few weeks may have been overwhelming for many people with preparing the house for company, decorating and ensuring there’s a special gift for everyone.

While stressing about how clean the house is or if it’s decorated enough, sometimes what gets lost in the mayhem is that this is the season when people make more of an effort to gather, to stop for a bit and to catch up. In the grand scheme, our home doesn’t need to look like it’s ready for a photo shoot with Homes & Gardens to spend quality time with our loved ones.

It’s the time of year when we tend to reach out to those who don’t live near us, too. Whether it’s a call, text, letter or card, it is wonderful when we reconnect and take a trip down memory lane.

As for the stress of gift giving, it doesn’t have to get out of control. Following a budget and avoiding charging presents can go a long way regarding our bank balances. In addition to exchanging presents, there are so many ways to show we care.

People can also share their talents or skills by gifting a picture they painted or a poem they wrote. A loved one may need help painting a room or raking the leaves. Why not offer the gift of time?

Sometimes the gift of time is the most cherished present of all, and many people, especially parents and grandparents, would appreciate some one-on-one time put aside for them, whether it involves a free or inexpensive activity or just talking over hot beverages.

There’s a sacred side of this season, too, that sometimes gets lost in the hustle and bustle. Just sitting and thinking of the miracles represented by Christmas and Hanukkah can bring much-needed stress relief.

This time of year should be about hope and starting fresh in the new year. The holidays are a time for joy and laughter, a moment to celebrate the many blessings in life. Materialism and commercialization of the holidays and competing with our neighbors over holiday displays may create unnecessary pressures for us, perverting the meaning of the season.

Here’s to a relaxing holiday season filled with family and friends, from TBR News Media.

Letters to the editor

Zeldin’s successes and Hochul’s take on violent crime

Few political observers would have expected the kind of Republican successes Congressman Lee Zeldin [RNY1] spearheaded in New York state. Flipping four congressional seats was the difference in the GOP’s control of the House. At the state level, Assembly and Senate seats, some “blue” for 30 years, went red. Zeldin’s unrelenting focus on crime and a need to adjust bail and raise the age laws struck a chord with Republicans, Democrats and Independents.

Some of the most influential Dems involved in NY law enforcement found common cause both with Zeldin and, by extension, those who were running downballot races on his ticket. New York City Mayor Eric Adams [D], Albany District Attorney David Soares [D] and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell are some of the more noteworthy names. For excitable racial bean counters, the latter three are all people of color, while many of our successful GOP Long Island candidates, with whom they share a similar noble purpose, are white.

That kind of bipartisan agreement over something so critical should be celebrated by all, especially those who fancy themselves champions of minority communities, suffering the most violence.

Maybe if it had been Gov. Kathy Hochul [D] blazing that trail. But she did not. “Kat” frequently ignored calls from Adams, Soares and Sewell to reconvene the Assembly and address the street crime crisis. Perhaps worse, Hochul was wholly unmoved by pleas from desperate constituents.

Roughly 70 mostly Democratic Latino supermarket owners fed up with shoplifting and deadly threats, met with Hochul early on. But, as Carlos Collado put it, “our complaints fell on deaf ears.” So they held a fundraiser for Zeldin. As Collado said, “We surpassed $80,000 in 48 hours.”

Tammy Hudson suffered a parent’s worst nightmare, after which she publicly blamed Hochul for the murder of her daughter, Keaira Bennefield. The 30-yearold, wearing a bulletproof vest, was fatally shot in front of her three children less than 24 hours after Keaira’s estranged husband was released from custody without bail for allegedly beating her.

Hochul’s cold-hearted response was, “The system absolutely failed her.”

According to Kat, the “system” over which she reigns is the problem, yet she still shows no urgency to fix said system. Recently, Hochul cozied up to

defund-the-police antagonist U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [D-NY14] and the far-left Working Families Party. Subsequently, remarks she’s made prompt speculation that the governor will fold bail reform, judicial discretion and “raise the age” into negotiations over the state budget due April 1. Enough time for another Keaira Bennefield?

Before Election Day, Nov. 8, I wrote, “Given the kind of arrogant indifference to their constituents’ concerns over New York’s growing culture of violent crime Kathy and company shouldn’t be surprised if … voters express their great displeasure.”

Following Zeldin’s lead, energized, concerned voters did exactly that, with more of the same likely if Hochul and her party don’t crack down on crime.

Jim Soviero East Setauket

Congressman-elect LaLota outlines his priorities

The 118th Congress will convene soon, and I’m honored to be representing you and Long Island as your next congressman.

With my Jan. 3 swearing-in fast approaching, I wanted to share with you some of my top priorities that I hope to champion in the halls of Congress:

• Improving Long Island’s economy by tackling inflation, cutting spending, reducing prices of goods and services like groceries and energy, and restoring our state and local tax deduction.

• Creating a safer nation by fighting crime, supporting our brave law enforcement officers, securing the border and bringing lawbreakers to justice.

• Fighting for more freedoms for Long Islanders by putting parents back in charge of their children’s education and investing in high-quality, affordable and bureaucracy-free health care.

• Holding our government leaders accountable by holding focused hearings on vital issues such as drug trafficking, government

corruption, the Afghanistan withdrawal and making sure that vital services such as Medicare and Social Security are funded and available for Long Islanders young and old.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to bring positive changes to our communities on Long Island. It won’t be easy, but I will work every day to bring these issues front and center.

Nick LaLota Congressman-elect (R-NY1)

Former town clerk responds to Democratic candidate

This letter is regarding the article “Councilman LaValle and Di Santo go head-to-head in Brookhaven clerk special election” in the Dec. 1 edition of The Village Times Herald.

On the whole, Lisa Di Santo viewed Brookhaven as failing in its obligations to promote open government. She cited the Freedom of Information Law request process as needing reform.

“You’d be hard to find an individual who has taken the time to participate in Brookhaven Town government who would tell you that the FOIL process is one of accessibility and accountability, and there’s a serious problem there,” she said. “If a citizen, a taxpayer, can’t access information, then how can the government represent those people?”

It seems that no matter how many times I have relayed that as town clerk I was not the FOIL officer, people vying for the seat always bring this up. FOILs are handled by the law department and are not the responsibility of the town clerk.

The town clerk is the FOIL appeals officer for the town. I challenge anyone to take issue with the way FOIL appeals have been handled by my office.

When vying for the position of town clerk, candidates should educate themselves on the responsibilities of the office and not muddy the waters with nonissues.

Donna Lent

Brookhaven Town Clerk

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

The opinions of columnists and letter writers are their own. They do not speak for the newspaper.

Former

Stock photo

A list of items I would include in a 2022 time capsule

As we round out the second week of December, I’d like to offer some suggestions for a 2022 time capsule.

— A Ukrainian flag. Ukraine, with help from Americans and many other nations, has fended off Russia’s ongoing military assault. The question for 2023 will be whether they can continue to defend the country amid a potential decline in international support.

announced he would be running for president in 2024. A previous ardent supporter of the former president, the Post may be leading the charge in another political direction to find a new standard bearer for the GOP.

— A red dot. Certainly, the Republicans taking over the majority in the house will have important consequences, with numerous investigations and a divided government on the horizon, but Republicans didn’t win as many national elections as anticipated.

that was worse than any flu I’ve ever had. — The number 62. This, yet again, wasn’t the year the New York Yankees won the World Series. Nope, they didn’t even get there, yet again falling, this time without winning a single game, to the Houston Astros. It was, however, a wonderful chase for the American League home run record by Aaron Judge, who just signed a $360 million extension with the Yankees.

— A shark tooth. During the summer, Long Islanders worried about local sharks, who bit several area swimmers. The apex predator, which is always in the area, likely had higher numbers amid a recovery in the numbers of their prey, which are menhaden, also known as bunker fish and, despite the prevalence of the music from the movie “Jaws,” does not include humans.

D.

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF

— A waterlogged dollar. With inflation at decades-high levels, the dollar isn’t buying as much as it had been. — Florida man makes announcement. I would include a copy of the New York Post front page the day after former president Donald Trump, to no one’s surprise,

— A miniature replica of the Supreme Court, with the words Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in front of it. The Supreme Court case, which reversed the Roe v. Wade decision, removed the federal right to an abortion, enabling states to pass new laws and contributing, in part, to smaller midterm wins for Republicans.

On the much smaller personal front: — Throat lozenges. I got COVID-19 for the first time this year and my throat was so painful for a week that I couldn’t talk. The lozenges didn’t work, but they would highlight numerous efforts to reduce pain from a virus

— Wedding bells and a tiny nerf football. For the first time in years, my wife and I attended two family weddings this year. We loved the chance to dance, catch up with relatives, eat great food, and run across a college baseball field with a $7 nerf football we purchased from the hotel lobby store.

— A miniature swamp boat. On one of the more memorable trips to New Orleans to visit our son, my wife and I saw numerous alligators and heard memorable Louisiana tales from Reggie Domangue, whose anecdotes and personal style became the model for the firefly in the Disney movie “The Princess and the Frog.”

— A Good Steer napkin. My favorite restaurant from my childhood closed after 65 years, leaving behind an onion ring void and shuttering the backdrop to numerous happy family outings. If I had a way to retire expressions the way baseball teams retire numbers, I would retire the words “Burger Supreme” on a food version of Monument Park.

— A giant question mark. Scientists throughout Long Island (and the world ) constantly ask important questions. Some researchers will invent technology we may use all day long, like cell phones. Others may make discoveries that lead to life-saving drugs. Let’s celebrate great questions.

It’s not an addiction, exactly, but I do regularly watch “Jeopardy!” So do several of my friends and at least one son and daughter-in-law, who make sure they get home from work just as the television program begins. What is it, you might ask, that makes the program so alluring? There is no love interest, no spy adventure, no murder mystery, no serial episodes to coax one back each weeknight at 7 o’clock.

Well, maybe there is that last aspect.

look at the answers to questions on a big board before them, just as the TV audience does, and as the moderator reads the answer. The first one to hit the buzzer after the moderator stops speaking then get to ask the question the answer poses.

It’s questions and answers in reverse. The questions range across six categories, and of course, each contestant tries for answers in the category most familiar to them. Each answer is worth a certain amount of money, and once in a while, one contestant will respond to all five in a single subject. There is single Jeopardy or part one for the first half, and then Double Jeopardy, in which the answers are worth twice as much.

that is required, the sort found in the card game, Poker. Each person needs a sense of the risk-taking tolerance of the opponents in order to determine how much to wager. Many games are won or lost during Final Jeopardy, on that last detail, alone. The winner is the one with the most money at the end and returns to play the following night until they lose.

persistent winner in a casino. But unlike a casino, there is the broad knowledge of trivia required to play competitively, and that makes for fun in our living rooms. We call out the answers along with the actual contestants, and we become contestants, too, among our group. When one of us has the right answer, the other or others offer congratulations. Most satisfying is when one of us knows the last question at Final Jeopardy, and none of the three on stage does.

That calls for a high-five and a “Wahoo!”

There are three contestants nightly, for those unacquainted with the format, and each stands behind a podium, separated from the one alongside. Each person has a buzzer in hand, and they

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF

But there is more to the half-hour stint than just who-knows-more-about-what. There is also luck involved, because hidden among the answers on the board is a kind of Joker that enables the person, who unknowingly clicks on it and causes it to be revealed, to wager as much of their “earnings” in advance of what has to be answered next. There is also strategy

Now back to the serial appeal. When one contestant wins repeatedly, that person will attract more than the usual interest. He or she, and it is almost always a “he,” will develop a fan club among the viewers, who cheer him on each night from their living rooms. He, of course, cannot hear them, but after an especially long run, that person may become nationally known. In addition to the substantial amount of money they may have earned, sometimes enough to fully fund retirement, there are all sorts of further opportunities for them, like endorsements and sponsorships.

So we tune in to see how our winner is doing with each new night of games, as we might gather around a roulette table with a

“Jeopardy!” was invented by the game show king, Merv Griffin, and premiered in 1964. It had a successful daytime run until 1975, hosted by Art Flemming and running on NBC, until it was deemed no longer of interest. The series was then picked up in 1984 by CBS and hosted by Alex Trebek, and has been on the air five times a week since then. Currently, Ken Jennings has replaced the late Trebek. It airs in various international versions in more than 25 countries. I confess to being a member of the “Jeopardy!” cult.

None of the above

I confess to being a member of the “Jeopardy” cult

Associate Real Estate Broker c.631.741.4262 michaelodwyer@danielgale.com

Associate Real Estate Broker c.631.235.3300 hollybrainard@danielgale.com