The TIMES of Middle Country
Serving Centereach • Selden • Northern Lake Grove Volume 4, No. 46
March 5, 2009
75¢
LI demands bigger slice A rally to protest state education aid cuts by Gov. David Paterson was hosted by Long Island’s state Senate delegation on Saturday in Ellsworth Allen Park in Farmingdale. Hundreds of residents voiced their opposition to the governor’s plan just one day
after Paterson, at a middle school in Holbrook, announced that no cuts would be forthcoming in the 2009-10 state allocation to L.I. schools thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — the federal stimulus plan signed into law by President
Barack Obama last month (see page A3). The governor’s original plan called for $147 million in cuts to school districts in Suffolk and Nassau counties. Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport), seen on the park stage to the left in the blue
windbreaker, spoke at a rally Wednesday at Stony Brook University protesting increases in tuition at state schools that Paterson was directing to the general fund instead of to the SUNY budget. Photo courtesy of Sen. Carl Marcellino
Amphitheater ambitions Brookhaven-sponsored entertainment is back on the books BY LEE LUTZ leelutz@tbrnewspapers.com
Newfield takes DC And other Selden civic news, A2
Even though the Town Board zeroed out its funding last fall, Brookhaven’s amphitheater at Bald Hill in Farmingville will host shows this year after all. An agreement approved at last Thursday’s Town Board meeting between Brookhaven and Jim Faith, a Port Jefferson promoter who has managed the venue since 2003, calls for Faith to book “three major concert events,” solicit sponsorships and advertisers to generate revenue, and seek users to rent the facility and its parking area to further offset operating costs. Brookhaven’s 2009 budget, adopted in November of 2008, had included no funds to operate
the amphitheater this year. According to town sources the outdoor venue has cost Brookhaven taxpayers millions of dollars over the past several years. Supporters of the new arrangement claim the town will not lose money and Faith said he hopes “to break even,” if all goes very well. “The taxpayers have put millions into this,” Faith told the board last week. “It’s time to turn that around.” “In the past we’ve operated as a community resource,” said Councilwoman Kathy Walsh at the board meeting, “not a revenue generator.” Figures from Brookhaven indicate that revenues at the amphitheater have averaged less than $460,000 over the past two years, yet the Continued on page A6
Women’s quest for equality
State championships loom for MC sprinters
And at LIM, ‘A Shared Aesthetic’ debuts
Miles Lewis and Mike Dixon tuned up for title meet at Eastern States meet last Tuesday
Page B1
Sports, Page A5
Where the North Shore clicks: www.northshoreoflongisland.com
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The Selden Civic Association received dents from Stagecoach Elementary school in February a first-hand account of the in- in Selden who started a Go Green Club. auguration of President Barack Obama. It was initiated by an environmentally Newfield High School 12th-grade minded fourth-grade student named government teachers Ms. Klein and Mr. Brian last school year, after he came to Latham represented a contingent of fac- the civic for help on starting an environulty and about 40 students who attended mental club. Civic leaders enlisted the Obama’s inauguration in Washington, help of the Stagecoach principal, and let the school know the association is availD.C., on January 20. able to work with them or This was a historic advocate for them. Brian event that the teachers, adtook the civic up on its ofministrators and students fer: He has asked members will never forget, they said. to work with him at the Describing the experience annual Great Brookhaven were Newfield seniors Cleanup in April. The club Amanda Furcall and Niwants to choose an area to cole Montrone. clean up and be responBoth teens spoke with sible for maintaining. great excitement and pride The civic group also about their trip. discussed repainting the They said they will Welcome to Selden signs never forget the images with the school district’s of thousands of AmeriBY DEBBIE FELBER chosen color of red. cans with pride for their January marks the time country and “hopeful for SELDEN CIVIC ASSOCIATION to join or resubscribe for change.” They also menmembership in the Selden tioned that they could not believe how millions of attendees fit Civic Association with a donation of $10 into the city as soon as the new president per family. Visit www.seldencivic.org. The Middle Country Smart Growth started to speak. They also told of meeting with their congressman, Rep. Tim Bishop Coalition will hold a community event (D-Southampton) and remarked on his on March 21, from 11 am to 3 pm at the Middle Country Public Library in generosity with his time. The civic association also hosted stu- Centereach.
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PAGE A2 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • March 05, 2009
Selden civic session: Tales, cleanups, visions
Middle Country School District scheduled to receive $2.9M over 2 years from federal stimulus plan BY JENNIFER CHOI jenchoi@tbrnewspapers.com
Long Island school districts no longer face over $157 million in state aid cuts thanks to an infusion of federal funds, Gov. David Paterson said Friday during a visit to Sequoya Middle School in Holtsville. Joined by Rep. Tim Bishop (DSouthampton) and state Sen. Brian Foley (D-Blue Point), Paterson announced that money from the federal economic stimulus package would help restore state education funding to 2008-09 levels. The governor, who had proposed reducing school aid in light of the recent economic crisis, said education must be a priority because it is an “important aspect of how our country grows.” According to information provided by Bishop’s office, the proposed cuts in next year’s state budget would have cost Suffolk County over $96 million and Nassau County more than $60 million in education funding. “Every cut we made to school districts, we will restore in this budget process,” Paterson said. Some of the federal funding will be dedicated to community colleges, state universities and higher education loan programs, he added. Addressing an auditorium crowded with students and faculty, the governor noted that there are four ways to gain $1 million: by chance, personal effort, marrying a millionaire and education.
Photo by Jennifer Choi
Gov. David Paterson with Sachem middle school students Friday said his announced aid cuts have been restored by the federal stimulus package.
The first three scenarios are possible but unlikely, according to Paterson, so education is the only sure way to a “greater quality of lifestyle.” “Knowing priority” is imperative in both government and schools, Paterson continued, thanking Bishop for his efforts to free up an additional $2.48 billion in federal education aid for New York schools over a two-year period. If California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the “governator,” he noted, Rep.
Bishop is the “stimulator.” “Behind every economic statistic is a human story,” Bishop said. “This is a solution to a very vexing problem.” The additional federal funding will allow Long Island schools to maintain their quality of education and staff, he said, which means there will be “no dreams shattered.” Bishop, a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, also noted in a written release, “This is a huge
victory for every Long Islander. This will benefit our community by helping keep down property taxes and keeping our educators employed. These funds give us two years of breathing room, but it’s not a license to spend. This is a time to make smart decisions and plan for the future.” Foley, a former Suffolk County legislator and Brookhaven Town supervisor in his first year as state senator, said officials from the federal and state levels are “working together for a common cause.” This is “history lessons being played out in real life,” Foley explained to the students, adding “It’s a fine time to be in public service.” Paterson then noted that the American people have “pulled together” through many tragedies in the past and said, “The more we pull together, the stronger we’ll come out of this difficult time.” Sachem Superintendent of Schools Charles Murphy, whose district is currently operating under a $279 million budget, said, “Running a school district on limited funding is very challenging indeed.” Thanks to the federal recovery funding, Sachem is slated to receive an estimated $3.2 million in additional education aid over a twoyear period, while the neighboring Middle Country and Three Village school districts are scheduled to receive an extra $2.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
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March 05, 2009 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A3
Gov. Paterson announces school aid restoration
SUNY Plattsburgh dean’s list The following Centereach residents were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2008 semester at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh: Erin Keenan and Matthew Rosenberg. To be eligible for the dean’s list, a student must achieve a minimum 3.5 semester grade point average with at least 12 credit hours.
Malik named to merit list at Oxford College Suleman Malik of Selden, son of Usman Malik and Naghmana Malik, was named to the merit list of Oxford College, the two-year liberal arts division of Emory University located in Oxford, Ga., for the 2008 fall semester. Students must earn a grade point average of 3.0 or higher during the previous semester to be named to the merit list.
Binghamton University dean’s list
Picture perfect Prize-winning photographs were recognized recently as part of the “It’s Suffolk Time, Make it Your Time” campaign to promote local tourism and the economy. Pictured with Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy (center) and their award-winning photos are (from left) Darlene Rotolo of Patchogue, Joann Balnis of Central Islip, grand prize winner Ron Ondrovic of Calverton and Jack Scotto of Huntington Station.
Centereach residents Samantha J. Chiofolo, Michael J. Fatscher, Michael B. Paluch, Alexander S. Paolano, Anh N. Ung, Lani Weintraub and Charles J. Weiselberg have been placed on the dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement during the fall semester at SUNY Binghamton University’s Harpur College of Arts and Sciences. The criteria for the dean’s honors list include a minimum grade point average of 3.5.
SUNY Geneseo dean’s list The State University of New York at Geneseo has announced its dean’s list for the fall semester 2008. To be on the list, a student must have achieved a 3.4 grade point average while taking at least 12 credit hours. Students on the list from this area are: Erin Bean and Lauren Healy from Centereach, Sarah Freeze from Lake Grove and Lisa Bonanni from Selden.
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Obituary Rosemary Savona Rosemary A. Savona, 58 years old of Shirley, died Feb. 7. She was born May 11, 1950 in New York City, the daughter of the Ann and the late James Buonconsiglio. Mrs. Savona is survived by her daughters, Audenzia of Shirley and Ann Marie; one grandchild; her brother, James Buonconsiglio; and
her mother, Ann Buonconsiglio. She was preceded in death by her husband, Matteo. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Judes RC Church Feb. 11. Interment followed in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram. Arrangements were entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket.
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PAGE A4 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • March 05, 2009
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Lewis, Dixon compete in Eastern States meet BOYS’ TRACK BY ROBERT LEUNER katsports@tbrnewspapers.com
Middle Country runners Miles Lewis and Mike Dixon competed in their final tune-up meet last Tuesday before they take on competitors at the New York State indoor track and field championships this weekend. Running at the 72nd Eastern States championships at the Armory in New York City against runners from Maine to Virginia, Lewis took a respectful fi ft h place in the 55-meter dash and third place in the 200-meter dash while Dixon was ninth in the 800-meter run. This weekend Lewis will compete in the 55-meter dash only. One year ago Lewis finished 11th in the state competition. “I wasn’t as strong as I am this year,” said Lewis. “I’m definitely a lot better this year. This year I’m jogging the times that I ran last year.” Last Tuesday Lewis turned in a 6.58 in the 55-meter dash after running a 6.44 in the semifi nals and a 6.48 in the time trials. In the 200-meter dash Lewis clocked in with a 22.39. “That’s about right for him,” said Middle Country head coach Mike Soto. “It was the first time that he’s run an open 200 and he thinks that he could run it faster. It was a tough race to run because he drew lane one which is so banked.” But by the time the 55-meter final began Lewis had already competed in three races without much time in between to rest. “I think those three races before really fatigued him,” Soto said. “I got out of the blocks okay,” said Lewis. “But my legs just wouldn’t move as fast as they could have. I was the only person also running the 200 and I tried to save some of my energy in the earlier races for the 200.” Lewis, who has won just about every race he’s entered this year and is currently ranked second in the state, says he’s ready to move on from last week’s disappointment. “I’m going to try and forget about what happened at the
Armory. “I’ll try and forget what happened and try to run faster this weekend,” Lewis said. “I want to run my best time ever and take home the gold.” Although he has yet to decide on a college to attend next fall, Lewis is giving the University of Virginia serious consideration and will make a final determination when he visits the campus later this month. The University of Rhode Island, Binghamton State University and Long Island University are other options too. Meanwhile, Dixon, who has spent much of the indoor season recovering from an injury, turned in a
decent performance in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:52. “It was okay,” said Soto. “But he’s been hurt with a pulled hamstring injury for half the season. It was his first race in a long time and it was the first time when it didn’t have an effect on his stride. He just didn’t have the strength to run a sub-two-minute race which is what you really want to do.” Hopefully, the time leading up to this weekend’s state meet will further heal the ailing runner. It is expected that Dixon will run either the 600- or 800-meter leg of the medley relay.
-PROUDIt’s kind of hard to find too many things to get excited about these days. Everything is pretty tough both business-wise and personally for lots of people in our community and around the world. Of course, it would be nice if the media would stop pounding everyone over the head with negative news over and over again. It’s becoming a selffulfilling prophecy. But we felt pretty good the other day when, after announcing some pretty tough financial results for the end of the year, Ford still sees no need to ask for government loans. In fact the CEO of Ford Motor Company said “Right now, I think with everything planned in the fiscal and monetary policy, I am very comfortable that we are going to start to turn things around through the second half of the year.” This doesn’t mean that Ford isn’t using lines of credit. But they have done it the old-fashioned way; they went out to banks and found financing. Ford is doing it! Ford is finding a way to make it through these hard times. This is the type of auto manufacturer that wants people to feel confident when buying one of their products. With all that being said, Ford is putting out GREAT vehicles! Our new Ford vehicles are safe (more top safety-rated vehicles than any other manufacturer), high quality (now in a virtual tie with Toyota and Honda), good looking and fun to drive. In fact, Ford GAINED market share in the last three months of 2008. And there’s a lot more coming soon! Ford has said that, despite the economic challenges out there, they’re not pulling back on the most important thing of all; product. We are proud to be a Ford dealer and we feel fortunate to be part of such a great community! The entire Ford network is pulling together to bring the best products and services to you, our customer. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, I hope you at least stop by and check out all of our award winning Ford line up. Thank you for your time and attention! We hope to see you soon! ©83772
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Mike Dixon is just getting back into the swing of things after taking some time off with a hamstring injury.
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March 05, 2009 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A5
SPORTS
PAGE A6 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • March 05, 2009
EDITORIAL
OPINION
Substance, please
Election fraud in Suffolk
Time is flying out the window for Brookhaven supervisor candidates as the March 31 election approaches. Along with time, we fear substantive debate is increasingly scarce in both the Lesko and Mazzei campaigns. To capture the voter’s attention at a time when Brookhavenites are undoubtedly distracted by issues that eclipse local government — a global recession which may have cost their jobs, repeated bank bailouts plus two wars at their expense, to name a few — town Republicans and Democrats are spending their limited time and resources on name dropping and flashy catch phrases. In one corner, Democrat Mark Lesko’s acolytes are personally calling the electorate. When they actually get an interested resident to pick up the phone, however, they don’t take the opportunity to discuss Lesko’s platform. Instead, one campaigner this past weekend bid voters to be on the lookout for an endorsement by none other than President Barack Obama. The Lesko campaign officially says there is no planned endorsement by Obama, and add it’s highly unlikely that he would come to Brookhaven to campaign or give Lesko a shout out at a national press conference on the economy. In the other corner, Republican Tim Mazzei has dug deep in his war chest to blanket the town with signs, flyers and newspaper ads that say little beyond the cryptic, “Believe in Brookhaven.” Well, most residents on the receiving end have, no doubt, little difficulty believing in a public entity that taxes their pocketbooks twice a year. But reasons why they should believe that Republicans and their majority leader are worthy of continued support are left off the ads and press releases in favor of praising, for example, a campaign volunteer of the month. While such antics exhaust the local party’s campaign funds for seemingly little gain, they also shortchange Brookhaven voters. Residents need to know how each candidate plans to run the town as efficiently as possible. Taxpayers deserve to know how the candidates plan, for example, to balance the desire to preserve open space with the need to keep taxes in check as their constituents navigate the economic decline. Brookhavenites must be told how the supervisor hopefuls will prevent partisan politics from needlessly laying off the town’s experienced technocrats and slowing decisionmaking to a halt. If the town candidates are serious about governing honestly and effectively, they should make that evident in their campaigns.
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 for confirmation. Email letters to mctimes@tbrnewspapers.com or mail them to The Times of Middle Country, PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.
TO THE EDITOR: As a Vietnam veteran I look back on our country’s fight for freedom in the last century and am not satisfied with the altruistic goals that will never be reached simply because politics, greed and yourweapons-are-bigger-than-my-weapons mentality has taken precedence over Democracy. Well, in Suffolk County that same mentality has taken away the rights of the voters when through political cronyism, patronage and my-party-is-better-than-your-party attitudes our system of checks and balances, fairness and ethics have gone into the waste stream. How is it possible that through cross endorsements we wind up with only one candidate on the ballot? How can that be called an election? And how can candidates and elected officials sit idly by and do nothing when they see first hand that these types of elections are ripe
with collusion, fraud and quid pro quo provisions that would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law if the perpetrators were members of organized crime and fell under the RICO statutes. It is time that the general public come forward, say “enough” and call for federal and state investigations into political corruption emanating in our town, village and county elections. Then they should continue up the political food chain seeking investigations of state and federal election violators which would also include those judgeships that have received party nominations and endorsements that may be ruling on the very same cases that they should have recused themselves from because of personal biases and obvious conflicts of interests. Our election process is in jeopardy. And in Suffolk County, election fraud can only be continued if the foxes watching the hen house are allowed to get away with the crime even as it is being committed right before our eyes. Is there nobody out there that cares, or will
this type of injustice be allowed to continue unchecked — resulting in the continued erosion of democracy as once we knew it. Mike De Paoli South Setauket
Don’t support divisive candidate TO THE EDITOR: These are critical times, when Democrats and Republicans should work together on both national and local levels. Tim Mazzei and his fellow party Republican town council members have only been a negative force, working for their own interests rather than for the improvement of Brookhaven Township. If he is a liability on the town touncil, imagine what he could be as our town supervisor! Join me by voting for Mark Lesko and responsible local government. Edward Mackey Myers Lake Ronkonkoma
Courtesy Brookhaven Town
Brookhaven Amphitheater at Bald Hill in Farmingville.
Amphitheater
Continued from page A1 resolution sponsored by Councilwoman Jane Bonner (C-Rocky Point) and approved by the Town Board on Feb. 26 anticipates revenue of $553,300 in 2009. Faith told the council members that for “the last several years” he has “not so much been trying to make a profit but build up credibility.” He said managers and promoters have shied away from the venue due to poor management that preceded him. Since the 1980s, when the town’s ski bowl was transformed into the amphitheater, a series of promoters hired by the town reportedly did not deliver on promises for acts and sold tickets for shows that never happened. One eventually pleaded guilty to petty larceny. Faith told the board last week he had already garnered commitments for several events including a flea market and farmers market to rent the parking lot for a total of 65 days, a country fair, and two previously successful events at Bald Hill: a Led Zeppelin philharmonic show and a hippie fest. Faith said he “expects to sell 3,000 tickets at about $35 each” for those two shows alone. He said this week that promoters are now coming to him, proving that his effort to rehabilitate the venue’s reputation is succeeding. Parks Commissioner Ed Morris, sitting next to Faith, told the board one show being considered is a production of the very popular “High School Musical” series.
Faith said some of the recent improvements to the site include the installation of dressing rooms and a box office, and utilizing Ticketmaster for sales. The price for events in 2009 will also include a new $2 per ticket parking fee. Faith also plans eight family movie nights at $5 per car. Bonner characterized the arrangement with Faith as a “public/private partnership,” noting the sponsorship and advertising elements of her resolution. Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld (D-East Setauket) questioned whether Faith’s estimates of revenue were realistic in light of the nationwide economic downturn. “These are very reasonable prices, very palatable,” replied Faith, noting that prices at venues such as Jones Beach and Westbury Music Fair are often two, three or four times higher. “I wish him luck,” Fiore-Rosenfeld said this week, “but his numbers might not add up.” Faith’s new contract with Brookhaven runs from March through December. Out of the amphitheater’s anticipated 2009 revenue, the town will pay him $8,500 per month — down from $10,000 last year — plus an incentive of 8 percent of gross ticket sales if that figure exceeds the cost of putting on the show. The maximum value of the contract is capped at $150,000. The council’s four majority members voted in favor of Bonner’s resolution; Fiore-Rosenfeld and Councilwoman Connie Kepert (D-Middle Island) abstained.
The opinions of columnists and letter writers are their own. They do not speak for the newspaper.
On a windless Florida Sunday morning, as my wife and I returned from a two-mile trudge along the beach, Bizet’s Symphony in C was playing on WXEL, the public radio station that broadcasts out of Fort Lauderdale. Sunday morning — that reflective pause in the week’s activity we are conditioned to take — often draws the mind back through the years, and so it was again. I glanced at the radio, an expensive Bose with four-CD player, but what my mind’s eye saw was a cheap 1950s FM radio, in a garish case of orange plastic, that rested on a table in the Manhattan apartment I shared with my first wife. That long-ago day when I brought it home, the first piece it played happened to be this same soaring Bizet work. We lived then on East End Avenue, and across the street from our front door was Carl Schurz Park, a lovely retreat above FDR Drive and the East River. One summer evening we had gone to the park to hear a free concert — was it the New York Philharmonic? — and the Symphony in C was the featured piece, the first time I’d heard it. I remember that the orchestra was introduced by an impossibly handsome, handsome as any Kennedy, young Republican congressman named John V. Lindsay, who would go on to astonish everyone by getting elected mayor of the city. So that is what the Bizet did for me on this Florida Sunday, take me on a sudden leap backward over 50 years in time, from the sight of a sleek black Bose to the cheap orange box of a definitely low-fidelity radio at the very beginning of the transistor age. It isn’t easy here in South Florida to find a station
playing classical music. The FM airwaves are crowded with stations playing contemporary pop and rock and Latino music, and Evangelical Christian stations with thundering preachers and music that, while it may be spiritually inspiring, is so uninteresting melodically that it’s hard to listen to. There are some four dozen Evangelical stations throughout Florida. (The Christian radio ministers and commentators don’t seem to like our new president very much. I listened raptly one afternoon as a commentator named Janet Porter insisted “Mr. Obama” cannot legally serve as president, as he has never presented a valid birth certificate. “Where is the birth certificate? Where is the birth certificate?” she demanded again and again. She spoke also of a Democratic Party plot to make the FCC remove broadcast licenses of Christian radio stations, and of opposition to the president’s economic stimulus program because of his wicked insertion, since removed, of $200 million for condom distribution. I listened also to the Rev. Harold Camping, who predicts the world will end between May and October 2011. He’s been wrong before, but don’t scoff. Wall Street could yet prove him right.) Coming across the Symphony in C started me thinking of the shaky future facing classical radio stations. At the time when my orange radio was beaming Bizet on East End Avenue, New York City had at least five stations playing classical music around the clock. Now only WQXR, owned by the New York Times, remains, the others having gone over to more profitable conversions as rock or pop stations or, shudder, talk radio.
Signals Now only WQXR remains, the others having gone over to more profitable conversions as rock or pop stations or, shudder, talk radio. BY JOHN MCKINNEY vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com
How long WQXR will remain as a purely classical music outlet is a question. Earnings at The Times, whose daily pages are visibly vacant of advertising, are declining sharply. And its stock price is plummeting. As of last week, you could buy a share of the company for less than the price of the Sunday paper. It is hard to imagine what the greatest city in the world might be like without a single classical music station. (Or the New York Times.) Arch-rival Boston has three classical stations (and the Red Sox). Classical music manages to remain alive in such outposts as Seattle, Sioux Falls, Boise, Atlanta, even in Anchorage and, would you believe, Las Vegas. We shall learn what the future holds for Bizet and the rest.
Togetherness well worth the logistics Vacations are great. Getting back on track after vacation is the pits. I never met anyone who disagreed with either of those statements. As you might be surmising, I have recently returned from a wonderful trip with my children and grandchildren, and I find that I still walk too slowly, talk too slowly, and worst of all, think too slowly. It’s nicely symmetrical that it takes me five vacation days before I finally put down thoughts and responsibilities from the office, and it takes about the same amount of time to pick up the pieces and move forward again — as I try to hang onto that lovely vacation feeling. My family and I attempt this every year, and every year the logistical challenge becomes harder. We have to work out the schedules for my three sons, my three daughters-in-law and now all four of my grandchildren, who range from eighth grade to kindergarten. Thus far the prospect of finding some sunshine and warm beach are sufficient
incentive to tackle the logistics. I’ve been asked by a number of my friends how we manage to get away together — and survive. In theory it sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Surrounded by one’s grown children and grandchildren with no agenda other than to enjoy each other and hang out. Besides the scheduling considerations, there are a couple of important facts to be aware of. For example, while my three sons grew up together, my three daughters-in-law did not. This means that each one is entitled to privacy and to manage her family as she wishes. So in making our reservations, we always make sure that not only are there enough beds for everyone but also that there is enough separate space within which to function. Sharing is great when it is by choice. And having a quiet place to withdraw to at times is a necessity. Another fact is that not everyone wants to do the same activities at the same time
TIMES BEACON RECORD NEWSPAPERS We welcome letters, photographs, comments and story ideas. Send your items to PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733 or email to leelutz@tbrnewspapers.com. Or drop by our news office at 185 Route 25A, Setauket. The opinions of our columnists are not necessarily those of the paper. Times Beacon Record Newspapers are published every Thursday. Address: PO Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Telephone: 631-751-7744 Web • www.northshoreoflongisland.com Contents copyright 2009.
— and that applies even to such basics as eating. My middle son and his wife have the younger children, who tend to get up earliest and eat first. My youngest son and his wife do not have children, and when they are on vacation they like to sleep in. But somehow we manage to catch up with one another, even if it means one family’s lunch is another’s breakfast. Or not, and that’s OK too. Again, togetherness is prized when it is by choice, and we have no defined schedules once we arrive. The grandchildren dig in the sand, swim in the ocean and chase each other up and down the beach in high glee. The adults don fins and masks and snorkel over to a nearby reef, where the underwater world is incredibly peaceful and the fish are as outrageously colorful in the sea as birds are in the air. I can see why some people are “birders,” keeping life lists of what species they have seen and which they hope to get a glimpse of. Their marine counterparts buy cards de-
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Leah S. Dunaief GENERAL MANAGER Johness Kuisel EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lee Lutz EDITOR Lee Lutz LEISURE EDITOR Ellen Barcel SPORTS EDITOR Katherine Consorte ONLINE EDITOR Patricia Proven
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Alyssa Cutler EDITORIAL John Broven Jennifer Choi Joseph Darrow Michael Downer Arlene Gross Robert Leuner Patricia Proven Lisa Steuer John Westermann Dave Willinger
Between you and me
We have to work out the schedules for my three sons, my three daughtersin-law and now all four of my grandchildren. picting local tropical fish, mark off which ones they have seen each day and are constantly on the lookout for the others. Fish, unlike birds, do not seem to scatter as you approach them but rather swim with you as you lazily kick along. Maybe they have been trained to look for a handout from the snorklers. One purple guy seemed to swim over to greet us each day. We named him “Pete,” as in, “For Pete’s sake, here he is again!” He had tiny teeth and a fetching smile and seemingly performed for us, fluttering his gills almost like wings and modeling his lithe body, showing us fi rst one side, then the other. We hated to leave him when we returned home, but
PHOTOGRAPHY Alyssa Cutler John Griffin Robert O'Rourk ART AND PRODUCTION DIRECTOR David R. Leaman ART AND PRODUCTION Janet Fortuna Beth Heller Mason Wendy Mercier
BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF vtimes@tbrnewspapers.com
we’re sure he won’t lack for an admiring audience. My family gets together at other times in the year. We tend to have “ganged” birthdays, such as three in the third week of July and two and an anniversary during the third week of August. We also try to visit at holidays if the days fall close to a weekend and there’s enough time for everyone to make the trip. I love it whenever we are all together, but my favorite is the improbable reunion in the sun during winter that somehow we manage each year to pull off.
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kathryn Mandracchia ADVERTISING Mary Chirichella Robin Lemkin Barbara Newman Elizabeth Reuter Laura Satchwill Nancy Solomon Ted Taylor Lynn Tunney Minnie Yancey
CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTOR Ellen Segal BUSINESS MANAGER Sheila Murray CREDIT MANAGER Diane Wattecamps CIRCULATION MANAGER Alyssa Cutler BUSINESS OFFICE Sandi Gross Meg Malangone SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Terri Caruso
March 05, 2009 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A7
On the airwaves, classical music struggles to survive
Class of ‘71 E.L. Vandermeulen High School Port Jefferson, NY
Class of ‘77 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY
Leo Sternlicht
Class of ‘80 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY
Steve Rothstein
Riverhead F/L/M, Owner
Riverhead F/L/M, Sales Mgr.
Class of ‘77 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY
Malcolm Germaine
Riverhead F/L/M, Pre-Owned Sales Mgr.
Class of ‘86 Ward Melville High School East Setauket, NY
Gabriel Tangredi
Marc Donin
Riverhead F/L/M, Sales Associate
Riverhead F/L/M, Finance Manager
With the closing of your local Lincoln/Mercury dealers, you might have concerns about the service and maintenance of your Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. Fear no more! We all grew up here and went to school here, and we all still live here. As good neighbors, we promise that we will pick-up your vehicle from your home or business, have it serviced and return it to you, because as good neighbors, that is the least we can do.
The All New
In-stock Now! RIVERHEAD FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY
2009 Lincoln MKS RIVERHEAD FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY
FREE Oil, Filter and Lube and 29 Point Inspection
Winterize Service
Anti-Freeze Replacement & 12 Point Check
for all North Shore and Smithtown Lincoln/Mercury Customers
Check Hoses/Belts/Fluids, Check For Leaks, Inspect Brakes, Drivetrain and more.
With Your First Service at Riverhead Ford/Lincoln/Mercury
$59.99
Up to 5 quarts of oil, With Coupon only, cannot be combined. Not valid on Diesel Engines. Expires 03/31/2009
Includes up to 2 gallons of Anti-freeze, most Cars & SUV’s. With Coupon only, cannot be combined. Expires 03/31/2009
+ Tax
RIVERHEAD FORD • LINCOLN • MERCURY • SALEEN
Route 58 Riverhead
631-727-2200 One mile East from Tanger Outlet
riverheadfordlm.com
83848
PAGE A8 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • March 05, 2009
You’ve Got People!