Huntington weekly 04 06 17

Y L k e e W n o t g n i t n u H Lacing Up

2, 2017 APRIL 6-1

YOUR WEEKLY GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN HUNTINGTON TOWNSHIP

E D I S N I Greenlawn Filmmaker MUSIC

Rock To The Sounds Of Buffet, Chesney 3

History To Make

Photography Pulitzer-winning Photojournalist Shows Off Work 5

the foodies Black & Blue And Yummy All Over

6

health Spotlight On: Autism Awareness

9 Nina Kuscsik recounts historic Boston Marathon run

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2 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

POLICE REPORT Compiled by Jano Tantongco

Spring Has Sprung

False ID To Steal

Thank goodness… that I came into the office on Monday and it was nearly 60 degrees! I would not have stood for another week of cold weather.

ple to show their support by wearing the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon, either as a pin on your shirt, a magnet on your car, a badge on your blog, or even your Facebook profile IN THE KNOW picture. We here at the local Whitman’s natural WITH AUNT ROSIE level are also trying our best health advice… Several isto raise awareness. Check out sues ago, one of our reporters the March 2017 Health & Wellness section inwrote about the discovery of a lost serial novel side this week’s Huntington Weekly. The secpublished by Walt Whitman under a penname. tion shines a spotlight on autism awareness Another work of Whitman’s previously discovwith a story about a local father and daughter ered by enterprising digital researcher Zachary who are documenting their journey via social Turpin was entitled “Manly Health & Training: media.

To Teach the Science of a Sound and Beautiful Body.” This work outlines many practices for Calling all potential journalists… I’ve robust health, including one that has gained been asked to, once again, put the word out some ground today: taking cold showers. Acthat Long Islander News is now accepting apcording to a 2015 article from Fast Company, plication for summer internships. High school cold showers can help treat depression, stimuand college students can take advantage of late fat-burning and have been used by athletes working side-by-side (quite literally) with our like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James to recover editor and reporters to learn what being a news after intense workouts by reducing inflammahound is all about. Interns are treated just like tion. Of this practice, Whitman wrote, “the regular reporters, and their stories often land tonic and sanitary effects of cold water are too on the front page. It’s a great way to gain expoprecious to be foregone.” Modern-day advosure to the industry or amass clips for future cates tend to say that a fully cold shower is not college or job applications. Don’t be a fool (I’m necessary to reap the benefits. To give it a shot, trying to stick with a theme here) – email intry simply turning the knob to “cold” for about fo@longislandernews.com for more informa30 seconds at the end of your normal shower tion. Who knows where it could lead? routine. If anything, it’s sure to wake you up!

Raising awareness… Did you know April marks Autism Awareness Month? Around a quarter century ago, the Autism Society launched the nationwide effort to promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all. A symbol of the effort is the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon, which is regarded as the most recognized symbol of the autism community. The society is asking peo-

(Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have comments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening in your neck of the woods, write to me today and let me know the latest. To contact me, drop a line to Aunt Rosie, c/o The Long-Islander, 14 Wall Street, Huntington NY 11743. Or try the e-mail at aunt.rosieli@gmail.com)

Photo Of The Week Wrestling Through Obstacles

QUOTE OF THE WEEK Rocco Furgiuele Photo/NorthportEast Northport School District

“We came from a 100-percent Italian background.

We will feed you.”

Black & Blue Masters Land And Sea, PAGE 6

East Northport Middle School’s eighth-grade wrestling team recently met with motivational speaker Rohan Murphy, who was born with deformed legs. Murphy spoke to students about his positive outlook on life and his successful wrestling career in high school and at Penn State University.

A 39-year-old Brooklyn woman allegedly used false credit card information to obtain a credit card to steal more than $3,000 in merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue at the Walt Whitman Shops between 4:30-6:30 p.m. on March 29, according to Suffolk police. She was charged with third-degree grand larceny.

Bounty Of Drugs Suffolk police said a 26-year-old Massapequa Park man was arrested in Huntington Station for allegedly possessing drugs and an illegal knife during a traffic stop at around 6:40 p.m. on March 29.

Police said he had a type of steroid and marijuana, as well as the weapon. He was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourthdegree criminal possession of a weapon, fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Robbed And Shot Suffolk police said a man was robbed and shot at around 2:30 a.m. on March 26 on West Carver Street in Huntington. He told police he was hit from behind by three suspects who said they were armed, who took jewelry from his neck. They also shot him in the arm and stole more items from him. He was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital.

Disorder After Midnight A 40-year-old Plainview man was arrested by Suffolk police for allegedly being disorderly and refusing to comply with an order to leave at around 12:20 a.m. on March 25 at the intersection of Main Street and West Neck Road in Huntington, according to police. Police said he had also struck someone during this incident. He was charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree harassment.

Home Burgled Suffolk police said an unknown person or persons broke the side garage door of a residence on Francis Drive in Greenlawn at some time between 8 a.m.-1:50 p.m. on March 29.

They entered the bedroom and stole money and electronics.

James V. Kelly CEO Peter Sloggatt Publisher/Managing Editor Jamie Austin Chief Operating Officer Andrew Wroblewski Editor Jano Tantongco Janee Law Staff Writers Copyright © 2017 by Long Islander News. Each issue of the The Long-Islander and all contents thereof are copyrighted by Long Islander. None of the contents or articles may be reproduced in any forum or medium without the advance express written permission of the publisher.

Infringement hereof is a violation of the Copyright laws.

Pat Mellon Joanne Hutchins Sean Austin Account Executives

Barbara Fiore Art Department / Production Kaitlyn Maier Manager of Administration

14 Wall St., Huntington, New York 11743 631.427.7000 LongIslanderNews.com

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

APRIL 6-12, 2017 • 3

MUSIC Summer Fun A Bit Early SPOTLIGHT

By Janee Law jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Jimmy Kenny and The Pirate Beach Band is primed to be welcomed back to The Paramount tomorrow night after lighting up the stage with a sold out show in January.

The band is a beach party tribute to country music greats Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and The Zac Brown Band.

Paul Cuthbert, also known as Jimmy Kenny, lead vocalist and acoustic guitar player, said the theme the band takes away from these artists and their recordings is the beach lifestyle.

“The whole combination of the three artists has led to success of the band because it’s targeted to that par-

ticular fan base, which is a fan base that loves to sing along and enjoy adult beverages and hanging out at the beach,” Cuthbert added.

Performing as a band for six years, Cuthbert and his bandmates have steered away from the country band billing, instead embracing the moniker of an “Americana band.”

“Even though two of the primary artists that we cover are country artists, we select and pull particular tracks from their catalog for the mix,” Cuthbert said.

For the performance at The Paramount, the audience can expect to hear Zac Brown Band songs like “Chicken Fried,” “Knee Deep” and “Colder Weather;” Jimmy Buffett songs like “Margaritaville,” “Volcano” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise;” and Kenny Chesney songs like “Setting the World on Fire,” “Summertime” and “I Go Back.”

With his company, Rock Beach Music Co., Cuthbert said Jimmy

The Jimmy Kenny & The Pirate Beach Band is set to play another fun-filled performance at The Paramount on April 7.

Kenny and The Pirate Beach Band is made up of various musicians who have previously played together in corporate and tribute bands.

“I just developed this primary act as a way for us to kind of go into this lifestyle,” Cuthbert said. “I was able to create the right mix.”

With eight members, including Cuthbert, the band is also made up of Colleen Angerami (AKA Lady Colleen) on lead and backing vocals; Luis Rios on lead guitar and backing vocals; Frank Stainkamp on keyboards and backing vocals; Yan Izquierdo on the fiddle; Mike

Vecchione on drums; Dan Prine on bass; and Lyndon Achee on steel drums.

“The true essence and the formula of success for this band is staying true to the artists and the theme,” Cuthbert said. “It’s not even about us as performers. It’s about the music. It’s about the songs. And it ultimately is about the fans, because they love it and we know that they love it.”

Tomorrow night’s show is set to begin at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets ($15-$35) are available at the box office or at Paramountny.com.

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

history

By Janee Law jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Nina Kuscsik was 15 years old when she witnessed Roger Bannister run a mile in under four minutes. She was astounded by the accomplishment, so she decided to make one of her own.

That day, she went up to the track at Brooklyn’s Wingate High School and ran one lap in 85 seconds. But the current Huntington Station resident didn’t stop there.

Less than a decade later, Kuscsik laced up for the Boston Marathon in 1969, when women weren’t officially allowed to run in the race.

“It was frustrating” heading into the race, Kuscsik said. “I had been into other sports, and the women didn’t run as long of a distance as the men.”

She thought to herself, “I’m an adult, I don’t have to take this anymore. I have to get these things changed.”

Kuscsik, now 78, went on to do just that.

Following her historic participation in the Boston Marathon, Kuscsik was instrumental in influencing the U.S. Amateur Athletic Association to increase its maximum distance for sanctioned women’s races in 1971.

This led women officially being permitted to compete in marathons, a

Long Islander News photo/Janee Law

Runner Recalls Career, Advocacy

Nina Kuscsik reminisces of her time as a long-distance runner and advocate for women to compete in marathon races. move that began with the 1972 Boston Marathon.

That year, Kuscsik ran in the race and became its first official female winner with a time of 3:10:26.

Also in 1972, she co-founded the Crazylegs Mini Marathon in Central Park, an all-women road race, that’s now called the New York Mini 10K. She did it with Kathrine Switzer, a longtime friend and the first woman to ever run in the Boston Marathon, and New York City Marathon coDirector Fred Lebow.

(Continued on page 23)

Photo provided by Kathrine Switzer

4 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

Nina Kuscsik (no. 1) and Kathrine Switzer (no. 2) get ready to start the Crazylegs Mini Marathon in 1972, the first all-women’s road race, which they coorganized, along with New York City Marathon co-director Fred Lebow.

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

art Photojournalist Documents Injustice As “Explorer Of Light” Long Islander News photo/Jano Tantongco

By Jano Tantongco jtantongco@longislandergroup.com

Photo/Stephanie Sinclair/“Too Young to Wed”

The work of Pulitzer Prize-winning documentary photographer Stephanie Sinclair has unveiled the widespread practice of child marriage, and inspired by what she witnessed, she formed a nonprofit to help end the practice.

Documentary photography, Stephanie Sinclair, above, presented her images, including the photo to the left, and experiences traveling as she compiled her groundbreaking photo series that documented the widespread practice of child marriage.

Sinclair visited the Canon U.S.A. headquarters in Melville on Thursday to share her passion and experiences as part of Canon’s Women in Leadership Levels program, an employee group within the company dedicated to women’s empowerment.

“The goal of my work is to empower girls through teaching, teaching them photography, through empowering them by sharing their stories, and through telling the world what they’re going through,” Sinclair said.

She traveled to Kenya last year to host workshops for girls who escaped child marriage to learn photography.

“It’s like a type of art therapy. A lot of the girls that I’m dealing with have been through traumatic situations,” she said. “So, they’re getting to create.

They’re creating, they’re learning, they’re discussing women’s issues.”

Shooting for National Geographic, she published her series, “Too Young To Wed,” in 2011, the result of eight years of exploration into the practice in India, Yemen, Afghanistan, Nepal and Ethiopia. These children, Sinclair said, often encounter sexual abuse, lives of hardship and a lack of opportunity.

Then, in 2012, she started nonprofit Too Young To Wed (Tooyoungtowed.org) to create a visual record of evidence for the practice and to push awareness of the issue to ultimately eradicate it.

She started this work in 2003, after

meeting girls in a burn ward in Afghanistan who had set themselves on fire after being married off as children.

Sinclair found her start working as a photojournalist for the Chicago Tribune, where she was part of a team that uncovered problems in the airline industry, which won them a Pulitzer Prize in 2000. She was later assigned to cover the war in Iraq, and eventually became a freelancer and has been traveling ever since.

Her other recent work has included capturing the polygamist Mormon families of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Utah to going to Nepal to document their worship of a child as a living goddess. She’s also in the midst of working on a series documenting the lives of those with albinism in India.

Sinclair is also one of Canon’s “Explorers of Light,” and is one among a team of master photographers spanning realms of fine art, commercial, wedding and documentary.

Dan Neri, manager of the Explorers of Light program and marketing specialist, called them an “incredible talent pool.” He said he’s gotten close with the 40 photographers on the team, including Sinclair. He’ll advise caution and ask for periodic check-in emails when she inevitably sets off to travel.

Neri added that these photographers are “colleagues, but they also become friends.”

APRIL 6-12, 2017 • 5

6 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

the foodies

By Jano Tantongco jtantongco@longislandergroup.com

The warm, inviting atmosphere of Black & Blue Seafood Chophouse hints at the fantastic offerings, from both land and sea.

Stepping into the main dining area in the early evening, diners encounter the aromas of prime surf and turf that waft into the room, while candles are lit to pave way toward a memorable evening.

Rocco Furgiuele, general manager, said that Black & Blue prides itself on being “guest-forward.”

“We really got this place to be a really good, neighborhood friendly restaurant. There’s a little bit for everybody,” he said. “You’re going to get treated like you really are part of that family.”

The Huntington village restaurant has been open for nearly a decade, and Furgiuele came on board as man-

The P.E.I. Mussels stand for Prince Edward Island mussels, are available with either white wine garlic sauce or fra diavolo, giving way to mussels that are truly tender, robust and just a bit herbal.

Long Islander News photos/Jano Tantongco

Black & Blue Masters Land And Sea

The Party In A Glass mixes up into a fish bowl vanilla and chocolate gelato, caramel, chocolate, toffee sauce, brownies, mini marshmallows, berries, Oreos and whipped cream.

The Pork Chop special plates a rich pork chop, Yukon potato, asparagus, corn fricassee, caramelized onion, with a drizzle of balsamic glaze as a delightful balance of sweet and savory tones. ager four years ago. But he has been working for his uncle and Black & Blue owner, Luigi Aloe, since he was 15 years old. Aloe also owns Munday’s diner, also in the village.

“We come from a 100-percent Italian background. We will feed you,” Furgiuele said of the family affair. “Hospitality is really grand, and we enjoy it, this is why we’re here. Without the guests, without you, we couldn’t be here.”

The P.E.I. Mussels ($12) stand for Prince Edward Island mussels, which come from the island bearing the same name off the east coast of Canada. Cooked to perfection in white wine garlic sauce (also available with fra diavolo sauce), the mussels were truly tender, full of robust, almost herbal flavor.

The Filet & Gorgonzola Fondue ($11 for one, $20 for two, $38 for

The Filet & Gorgonzola Fondue brings together hearty filet mignon and toasty focaccia with a richly flavored gorgonzola sauce, which is kept warm and gooey by a candle lit underneath it.

four and $56 for six) is a small feast, featuring a hearty, slightly bitter gorgonzola served with succulent filet mignon and foccacia bread bites. The tangy cheese excellently dresses both the filet and the focaccia, and is kept warm and gooey by a candle lit underneath it.

Moving on to the Cajun Dusted Yellowfin Tuna ($28), it was a delicious pairing of stir fried rice, seaweed salad, pickled ginger and wasabi aioli.

The tuna was seared, but stays rare inside, balancing the best of both worlds. The savory rice provided an ideal backdrop for the light and springy seaweed salad, all topped with refreshing ginger.

The Pork Chop special (previously available on the Dine Huntington prix fixe menu) plated a rich pork chop, Yukon potato, asparagus, corn fricassee, caramelized onion, with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. A slight sweetness from the onions and glaze tempered the powerful, satisfying cut of pork.

All the while, the potato, asparagus and corn formed a tasty medley as a side.

For dessert, the Party In A Glass ($16) mixes up into a fish bowl vanilla and chocolate gelato, caramel, chocolate, toffee sauce, brownies, mini marshmallows, berries, Oreos and whipped cream. Served with a larger spoon, this is a dessert for champions. Very shareable, it has something for everyone, yet it avoids being too busy, while the fresh fruits help balance the dessert’s decadence.

For a finely crafted cocktail, look no further than Black & Blue’s mixologists behind the bar.

The Cucumber Martini ($12) blends together New Amsterdam Citrus vodka, muddled cucumbers, mint, lemon and lime, served up for a cooling and refreshing drink.

Take a trip to the tropical with the Coconut Martini ($12) features Svedka vodka, splash of Malibu rum, Coco Lopez cream of coconut, coconut shavings, served up. The shavings add just enough texture to an otherwise elegantly smooth cocktail.

The Fig Sparkler ($14) mixes up Figenza Vodka, sparkling rosé and fresh lime for a refreshing, bubbly experience that pairs well with steak.

Our Mojito ($14) is served with muddled mint, also available with fresh strawberries, raspberries or blueberries. The berries add a welcome infusion of fresh flavors that elevate this drink.

Furgiuele called Black & Blue’s ingrained status in the village “something we’re really proud of.”

Hinting at the future, he said that the menu will soon expand to add “a little bit lighter” kind of cuisine.

Black & Blue Seafood Chophouse 65 Wall St., Huntington village 631-385-9255 Blackandbluehuntington.com Cuisine: Surf and turf steakhouse Atmosphere: Laid back and intimate Price: Moderate to expensive Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

H S I D E D SI

FRUIT FOR KIDS: The Stop and Shop at 60 Wall St., Huntington offers free, fresh fruit for children ages 10 and under. There was a basket with free oranges and bananas inside near the front entrance of the supermarket last week.

Free, fresh fruit was available for kids ages 10 and under at the Huntington Stop and Shop last week.

Check out these locations for your next dining experience Photo/Instagram/NewYorkPanini

NEW PANINI IN TOWN: There are a few new panini in Huntington village. New York Panini (9 Wall St., Huntington) recently introduced a pair of specialty mac ‘n’ cheese panini ($10.95). The first is served on ciabatta with cheddar mac ‘n’ cheese, breaded chicken cutlet and buffalo sauce. The other is also served up on ciabatta, but the mac ‘n’ cheese is mixed with pieces of bacon and topped off with honey barbecue sauce. There’s also a plain cheddar mac ‘n’ cheese panini available for $9.95. New York Panini also recently introduced a “Townie Tuesday” promotion. Each Tuesday, the restaurant will be launching a new menu item inspired by creations made by customers over the last eight years. Last week’s was “The Verrazano,” which featured breaded chicken cutlet, fresh homemade mozzarella and vodka sauce on ciabatta bread.

APRIL 6-12, 2017 • 7

318 Main Street, Huntington (631) 427-4466 (GINO) www.ginospizzeriahuntington.com

New York Panini in Huntington village recently introduced two specialty mac ‘n’ cheese panini.

WINE DINNER: The wine of New York Islanders legend Pat LaFontaine will be poured as part of a three-course, prix-fixed dinner at Prime An American Kitchen & Bar on Friday. The 117 New York Ave. restaurant in Huntington is offering up the menu, paired with offerings of LaFontaine’s winery, Three Monkeys, for $125 (not including tax and tip). The first course is a chili spiced shrimp with English pea risotto and Meyer lemon served with Three Monkeys’ 2013 Dutton Ranch Illume Chardonnay. For the second choice, diners can choose between a grilled Wagyu beef tenderloin served with potato puree, morels and asparagus, or a pan-seared Chilean turbot served with the same sides.

The second course will be paired with Three Monkeys’ 2014 Pinot Line pinot noir. To top it all off, dessert is a warm chocolate cake with hazelnut gelato and blackberrycabernet syrup that’s paired with a 2008 Reverb cabernet blend. For information, or to make a reservation, call 631-385-1515.

NEW DQ COMING: Dairy Queen is coming to East Northport. The fast food and ice cream chain announced late last month that it plans to soon open up at 4005 Jericho Turnpike.

The location is primed to join the three other DQ locations on Long Island, including one at 321 W Jericho Turnpike in Huntington.

460 Gerard Street, Huntington Village (631) 824-6350 pomodoro@longisland.com

12 Gerard Street, Huntington (631) 549-5300 macssteakhouse.com 55 Wall Street, Huntington (631) 421-4122 bistrocassis.com 23 Wall Street A., Huntington (631) 603-3600 cafebuenosaires.net

Attention Restaurants Want to see your business advertised here? cALL Long Islander News today for more info!

631-427-7000

8 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

art Getting To Know L.I.’s ‘Best Young Artists’

By Sean Austin saustin@longislandergroup.com

“Pearl,” by Alexandra Cartwright, of Northport High School.

The top awards for the Long Island’s Best: Young Artists exhibit at Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington were recently announced.

Several of the award winners hail from the Town of Huntington.

Of the 387 students from 56 high schools across Long Island who entered the competition, 84 were chosen to be a part of the gallery, which will be on display at the museum through April 9.

In addition to having their work displayed in the museum, many students also earned scholarships.

Quinn Blackburn, a Huntington High School junior, earned the Renzo S. Bianchi Scholarship for his photograph, “Infinity.”

“The Walk,” by Ava Xu, of Cold Spring Harbor High School.

He said the eyes are one of his favorite parts of his piece.

“I like the eyes... the galaxy surrounding the eyes and how they encapsulate her face,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn began his art career a few years ago as a high school freshman.

“I started using Photoshop in ninth grade and ever since I’ve been obsessed with it,” he said.

“Everywhere I go I like to take pictures. It brings me joy.”

Ava Xu, a senior at Cold Spring Harbor High School, earned the Huntington Fine Arts Honorable

Mention for her oil painting, “The Walk.”

She said the use of colors in the painting is one of her favorite aspects of it.

“I like the background to be abstract and not detailed,” she said of the piece.

Art is something that Xu has always seemed to have an interest in, she said.

As a kindergartener she took a liking to art, and then when she moved up to middle school she began to learn how to put that interest to work.

Her parents were strong backers, (Continued on page 23)

presents

Health&wellness March 2017

Spotlight On:

Autism Awareness

INSIDE Is Funding For Cold Spring Harbor Labs In Danger?

10 Pool Of Ideas To Help Kids Drink More Water 12 Ways To Fix ‘Leaky Syndrum’ 15 Gut Syndrome’ Local Pols, Experts Talk Health Care At Panel 16 Father, daughter embark on autism journey, document it through Facebook 14

health & wellness

10 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

By Jano Tantongco jtantongco@longislandergroup.com

The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory may suffer a blow to its research capabilities, in light of proposed federal budget cuts to a major source of the lab’s funding, the National Institute of Health.

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget preview, known as “America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again,” has targeted the NIH for a $5.8 billion cut, which would reduce its budget to $25.9 billion.

Dr. Bruce Stillman, CEO and president of the lab, said in a statement the institution’s overall research funding was about $100 million in 2016. Around half of that came from competing for federal grants from agencies, including NIH. The remainder of the funds, he said, come from a mixture of endowment and philanthropic sources,

including several local, Long Island sources.

“We are grateful for the support that we receive directly from this community, especially as we confront the political challenges to scientific progress coming from Washington, D.C.,” Stillman said.

“The Trump Administration’s proposed 18 percent real dollar cut to the NIH budget would have a devastating effect on biomedical research at CSHL and across the entire country.”

Since 2004, Congress’ failure to act has diminished the capabilities of the NIH, Stillman added, pointing to a 20 percent inflation-adjusted decline in the agency’s budget since that time.

He said researchers are now “receiving less money to perform work that costs much more to do,” in light of rapid increases in the cost of research in the “genome age.”

As one of the nation’s few Cancer Centers designated by the National Cancer Institute, Stillman said, half of

the lab’s research funding focuses on understanding the various types of cancer and strategies for diagnosis and treatment.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the medical and healthcare crises that we face as a nation today can only be solved by continued progress in scientific research to understand the biological underpinnings of diseases that plague us,” Stillman added.

As a concrete example of the lab’s work, Stillman cited the development of a drug known as Spinraza, a recently FDA-approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, a rare neurological disease.

“Children right here on Long Island are benefiting from this drug today!”

Stillman stated.

He said the idea for the drug came about when CSHL researchers realized about a decade ago that they could use RNA splicing to fix a genetic defect that caused the disease. This discovery, Stillman stated, was a result

Photo/Gina Motisi/CSHL

Lab CEO Decries Potential Federal Cuts

Dr. Bruce Stillman, CEO and president of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, is seen discussing an experiment with fellow scientists at the cancer research laboratory. of NIH funding, with the development of the drug made possible through both public and private funding.

Trump’s full budget is expected to be released in May, according to published reports.

If the cuts come to fruition, Stillman said CSHL’s endowment would need to be doubled, something that would be “very difficult to achieve,” with private funding becoming “increasingly critical.”

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

APRIL 6-12, 2017 • 11

health & wellness

12 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

Pool Of Ideas To Help Kids Drink More Water

By Alexandra Zendrian The long-held advice about drinking eight glasses of water a day can seem daunting. And for children, it may be especially unappealing compared to slurping soda or other sugary beverages. Texting kids throughout the day to remind them to drink eight glasses of water didn’t help them achieve that goal, according to a Journal of the American Medical Association study. So, what works when it comes to getting your kids to drink more water?

Water is an important resource for our bodies. It helps regulate temperature, get rid of waste and protect joints, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Not only is it tough to turn away the temptation of sugary beverages, but for anyone constantly on the go, it is hard to balance the amount of caffeine they take in (which can dehy-

An interesting water bottle can help children drink more water, according to medical officials. drate) with enough water to rehydrate.

“Dehydration can sap a kid’s energy,” said Stephanie Schiff, RDN, registered dietitian at Huntington Walk-In

Urgent Care Centers

Hospital. “If they’re not drinking enough, then fatigue and lightheadedness can set in, much as it would if they were hungry. And workouts are not as productive – if they occur at all.”

A child can be caught in a vicious cycle of dehydration, exhaustion, followed by drinking a caffeinated beverage to combat the fatigue. That drink only makes them feel more dehydrated and tired.

While water can seem unappealing and sometimes boring to the juice-box crowd, here are some ways to get children to drink more water: • Try infused water. “This is also very popular and can add extra vitamins and flush toxins from your system the way regular water can’t,” said Eric Sieden, director of food and nutritional services at Glen Cove, Syosset and Plainview hospitals.

• Put a lemon wedge in your water.

Sieden said a wedge can last for 12 hours before it needs to be discarded.

• Freeze a water bottle overnight to use throughout the day. Water can seem more exciting when it’s colder, Sieden said. So, if parents freeze their children’s water bottles overnight, it can remain cold through most of the school day.

• Pick a water bottle that seems exciting to your child. “Have them choose one with their favorite sports team, hobby or color,” said Schiff.

“Some water bottles are collapsible, so they can be easily stored when empty.”

Schiff also noted that there are water bottles with infusers built in them so parents and children can decide on fruits or other elements to flavor their water.

One way for parents to tell if a child is hydrated enough is through their urine. It should be a light yellow color if they are drinking enough water.

Try one or all of these strategies to make drinking water more enjoyable – and healthy – for your kids.

New Hires At Huntington Hospital

Serving Long Island for over 25 years

All Ages Welcome

WWW.MEDICENTERNY.COM OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Huntington Location: 234 West Jericho Turnpike (1/4 Mile West of Rte 110) Huntington Station, NY 11746 Phone: 631-423-5400 Fax: 631-423-5423

Northport Location: 399 Fort Salonga Road (Rte 25A) Northport, NY 11768 Phone: 631-757-5400 Fax: 631-757-4178

Robert E. Scully, MD, FACP Medical Director

C O V E R ING ALL GENERAL ME DICAL CARE I NCLUDING : •FLU • R E S P I RATORY INFECTIO NS •EKG • O N - S ITE STATE- OF-THE-ART X-RAYS AND LAB • SP O R TS INJURI ES • SI N U SITI S • B O A R D CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS • S P R A I NS & STRAINS • R A S H ES & SKIN INFECT IO NS • P H Y S I CAL EXAM S • U R I N ARY TRACT INFECTIONS • A S T H MA TREATMENT • SC H O OL & WORK PHYSICALS • B A C K PAIN

Pictured above, starting from top left, are: Christopher Anselmi, MD; Dennis Bernardini, MD; Michael Dannenberg, MD; Scott Flugman, MD; and Ernest Vomero, MD.

• PRE- OPERATIVE CLEAR A N C E • FEVER • STD DIAGNOSIS & TRE AT M E N T • HIGH BLOOD PRESSUR E S C RE E N I N G • CHOLESTEROL SCREENI N G • FRACTURE DIA GNOSIS • MINOR SURGERY AND L A C E RAT I O N R E PA I R • ON SITE LAB • TRAVEL MEDICI NE •IMMIGRATION PHYSIC A L S •MRO SERVICES ...AND MANY MORE .

MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED : BLUE CROSS/ BLUE SHEILD • MEDICARE • AETNA • EMPIRE PLAN • 1199 • HUMANA • GHI • HIP • CIGNA • UNITED HEALTH CARE • OXFORD • WORKER ’S COMP. ...AND MANY MORE .

Est. 1990

Five dermatology and critical care medicine physicians have joined Huntington Hospital’s staff.

Michael Dannenberg, MD, director of dermatology at the hospital, and Scott Flugman, MD, a dermatologist, are now part of Northwell Health Physician Partners, a group which spans more than 100 medical specialties.

Dannenberg and Flugman will work out of offices at 177 Main St., Huntington.

Critical care medicine physicians

Christopher Anselmi, MD; Dennis Bernardini, MD; and Ernest Vomero, MD, have also joined Northwell Health Physician Partners. They are at 175 East Main St., Huntington.

“The Huntington community and Northwell Health will greatly benefit from these physicians’ expertise and we are excited to have them join the staff at Huntington Hospital,” said Gerard Brogan, Jr., MD, executive director of Huntington Hospital.

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

APRIL 6-12, 2017 • 13

health & wellness

14 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

A Journey Of Unconditional Love jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Steve Stone said his proudest moment of being the father of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder was when his daughter, Olivia Jane Stone, learned how to ride a bike last year.

“When I let my hands go and she was finally on her own riding that bike, it was the proudest moment of my life,” said Stone, of Halesite, 51.

He continued, “That was probably the most backbreaking effort I ever endured in my life, but she got it. She and I created a certain amount of independence for her where now she can jump on her bike and I can jump on my bike, and we ride our bikes together, daddy and daughter. I treasure that.”

Since Olivia, 9, was diagnosed with ASD at age 2, Stone has been on a crusade to find her the best therapies and treatments. On this mission, Stone has also taken a significant role in educating and raising awareness in the community by starting up a Facebook page, “Olivia’s Journey,” in January. There, the father and daughter chronicle their daily triumphs and struggles.

“I want people to share my experience, which I’ll always look at as a positive no matter what,” Stone said.

“She’s taught me more about myself probably more than I will ever be able to teach her.”

After seven years of research, Stone recently discovered Plainviewbased Center for Integrative and Innovative Therapies, a center that specializes in extensive testing to research the underlying cause of each patient’s condition.

“It’s all functional medicine, nothing invasive, and it’s all about really the relationship between the gut and the brain,” Stone said. “It’s proper nutrition, as well as the right equipment that needs to be used in order for proper brain stimulation because that’s really where the spectrum disorder stems from, nutrients that are not being metabolically processed correctly going through the gut and up to the brain.”

After some extensive testing, Olivia recently started the nutrition phase of the therapy. She’s currently on an “elimination and addition

diet,” which tries to balance what’s “going on inside her from a nutritional standpoint,” Stone said. This will go on for three weeks, he added, based on recommendations by CIIT. Within the first week of changing Olivia’s dietary habits, Stone said he’s already seeing results.

“The biggest change is she’s not stimming as much as she used to,” he added.

“Her attention span is much better. Not perfect. But I have seen an immediate jump in that.”

After that, Stone said, is the brain stimulation phase, which targets sight, sound and motion.

In the meantime, Stone continues to chronicle and share their story through social media, while staying active with Olivia throughout the week.

“I want people to share my experience, which I’ll always look at as a positive no matter what type of negatives happen because whatever negatives happen ends up turning into some type of positive for me,” Stone said. “She’s taught me more about myself probably more than I will ever be able to teach her.”

As a fourth grader in Flower Hill Primary School in Huntington, Olivia is enrolled in a 12-1-3 self-contained class. She receives speech therapy and occupational therapy. After school, Stone and Olivia spend time at public parks, where Olivia can typically be found on the merry-go-round, her favorite Father Steve Stone and daughter Olivia Jane Stone, who has autism, are chronicling their ride. journey with the disorder through Facebook page Olivia’s Journey.

Her favorite day of the week is Sunday. She calls progress and be the best Olivia she With that, Stone added, with strugthem “Sundays with daddy.” Olivia can be, she has to be able to under- gle comes triumph on their journey of and Stone spend the entire day stand proper play, proper language unconditional love. together from as early as 9 a.m. to get and communication with other chil“It’s all about reaching certain milebreakfast, and not returning home dren,” otherwise she’ll have trouble stones and I don’t care how long it until hours later after activities like making friends, Stone said. And “she’s takes as long as she reaches it,” he said. going to the park, or visiting the not going to be able to progress to a “Once she does reach it, the feeling I Long Island Children’s Museum or level where she could potentially be get is better than any feeling that a parLong Island Aquarium in Riverhead. self-sufficient at a much later age, and ent gets with their child because of the “In order for her to be able to that’s a fear of mine. difficulty and patience that it took.”

Long Islander News photo/Janee Law

By Janee Law

health & wellness

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

APRIL 6-12, 2017 • 15

What Are Prebiotics?

By Keith M. Oshan, M.D. info@longislandergroup.com

The digestive tract (stomach, small and large intestine) has long been known to be an important part of the immune system, and its role to support overall wellness of the body.

What were once thought to be strange diets and unusual foods are now considered beneficial for digestive health. We will discuss some of the more common (and palatable) ones in a moment.

What do we mean by digestive “health?” Simply stated, digestive health is when there is the proper ratio of “good” to “bad” bacteria. When we take a course of antibiotics, which almost all of us have taken at some point in our lives, we not only kill the infecting bacteria, but also kill the good bacteria in our gut. This allows the bad bacteria to thrive and upsets our digestive system from helping to fight or even eradicate some types of arthritis, many autoimmune conditions, and some skin conditions.

The term “leaky gut syndrome” has become more common in discussing digestive issues. When the balance in our digestive tract is disrupted, the

lining of the stomach and intestine “leak” and allow the body to absorb toxins and unwanted proteins into the circulation. These toxins and proteins can cause, or make worse, many of our chronic conditions.

So how do we attempt to help fix our leaky gut?

This is where prebiotics have their significance. The best way to understand the function of prebiotics is to understand probiotics. Most of use eat yogurt in one way or another. Yogurt is our main source of probiotics, which are the good bacteria (lactobacillus). Think of prebiotics as food for the probiotics. By feeding the good bacteria, we enable them to regain their power over the bad

bacteria and return the system to a more normal state, helping to fix the leaky gut.

Prebiotics are a great source of insoluble fiber. Some of foods high in prebiotics are partially green (semi-ripe) bananas, dandelion greens, raw and cooked onions, raw asparagus and raw leeks. These can be incorporated on salads or in smoothies.

Keith M. Oshan, M.D., is a graduate of Louisiana School of Medicine. He has worked as a staff anesthesiologist at Winthrop University Hospital and, most recently, North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.

health & wellness

16 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

By Janee Law jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Suffolk Legislator William “Doc” Spencer, M.D., (D-Centerport) and several fellow legislators at on the legislature’s health committee recently assembled a panel of experts to discuss local concerns with health care.

The panel was prompted by the U.S. Congress presenting the American Health Care Act (AHCA) bill, which, if approved, would have repealed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Although the bill was withdrawn on March 24, Spencer deemed it necessary to get feedback from professionals in the healthcare community.

“Health care is front and center and is a national interest,” Spencer said.

Professionals on the panel included Dr. James Tomarken, commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services; Colette Knuth, Ph.D., policy analyst and president of the Huntington

Long Islander News photo/Janee Law

Legislature Talks Health Care Concerns

Suffolk County Legislator William “Doc” Spencer recently held a panel of experts to discuss concerns in the county regarding health care at the Suffolk County Health Committee.

League of Women Voters; Pat Bishop Kelly, Suffolk County Board of Health member and member of the Board of Advisors for the American Cancer Society; and Kathy Giffuni, RN, nurse and manager of the Dolan Family Health Center.

When it comes to health care, Giffuni said, her patients are with the possibility of losing their insurance.

“To address their fear is real,” Giffuni said. “I think it’s important for everybody to know that a great part of our population here in Suffolk

County will be affected.”

With the implementation of the ACA, Giffuni said, self-paying patients used to make up 29 percent, but now they’re 21 percent.

“There has been an effect and my patients have been able to access care, not just primary care, but specialty care, community care, and programs that they couldn’t access before,” she said. “I think it’s important to understand the laws when they come forward, especially the ones that will affect certain populations, and to be able to guide patients accordingly.”

According to Knuth, concerns of a potential change at the federal level include impacts on quality, access to and cost of health insurance.

After the panel discussion, Spencer said the discussion could play a significant in helping the legislature prepare for any possible future changes, and “to make a smooth transition and to minimize anyone from being displaced or having unnecessary pain and suffering.”

Five Habits That Make Allergies Worse This year sneezes, coughs and sniffles may have started sooner than ever before thanks to a freakishly warm winter that caused flowers, trees and plants to bloom weeks earlier than expected. That yellow blanket of pollen outside developed faster and thicker this year because of the earlier arrival of those spring-like temps and the early warmth could make for a very long pollen season, especially for people who suffer from horrible seasonal allergies.

That’s why doctors at American Family Care have identified the “Top 5 Habits That Make Your Allergies Worse.” These habits can also aggravate symptoms even for those who have never had allergies before.

“More and more people come in thinking they have a cold, but in many cases it is an allergy attack, even if they’ve never had allergies before,” said Dr. Jeremy Allen, a board certified family practitioner at American Family Care. “It is always best to get checked out by a physician so you know exactly what kind

Medical experts say that, this year, sneezes, coughs and sniffles caused by allergies may have started sooner than ever before. of condition you are dealing with because a battle with seasonal allergies can last as long as there is exposure.”

1. Drinking Alcohol: An extra glass of wine at dinner could irritate existing allergies. A Danish study found every additional alcoholic drink in a week, increased the risk of seasonal allergies by 3 percent. The researchers suspect the bacteria and

yeast in the alcohol produce histamines and cause a stuffy nose or itchy eyes.

2. Making the bed: Dust mites love to put down roots in bedding and mattresses. At night, moisture from body sweat helps keep the little critters alive. When the bed is made in the morning, those pesky bugs get tucked in and cannot escape. Airing out sheets can make it harder for

allergens and bedbugs to stay alive.

3. Wearing contact lenses: In some cases, lenses can trap pollen against the surface of the eye. This can be an even bigger issue for anyone who is already suffering from red, itchy eye triggered by seasonal allergies.

4. Eating certain fruits and vegetables: Many are raised to think eating veggies is a good thing.

Researchers with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found proteins in certain foods can cause ragweed sufferers to end up with an itchy mouth. The experts say bananas, melons as well as tomatoes can cause a cross-reaction.

5. Using the dishwasher: A Swedish study published in the journal Pediatrics found children do not develop as many allergies if they eat off a hand washed dishes rather than plates or bowls cleaned in a dishwasher. Researchers found automated dishwashers kill so much bacteria children cannot build up an immunity.

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

APRIL 6-12, 2017 • 17

business Spotlight On

Huntington Businesses

By Carrie Parker info@longislandergroup.com

Art galleries are sprinkled up and down Main Street in Northport, but there is one that, quite literally, stands apart from the rest.

Haven Gallery, opened in June of 2015 by husband and wife team Erica Berkowitz and Joseph Weinreb, is tucked in the Carriage House, a historic brick building set slightly back from Northport’s main drag.

The setting reinforces Haven’s divergence from the nautical paintings and decorative canvases found elsewhere in town.

“We definitely show work that’s a bit edgier,” Berkowitz, 31, said, though she personally doesn’t see it that way.

Still, the genre is very new to the artsy harborside village.

Haven’s two-floor gallery showcases works with touches of fantasy or surrealism. Emerging and established artists from around the world create paintings, drawings and sculptures for new exhibitions each month, often looking to illustration, comics and sci-fi for inspiration.

Each exhibition begins with a public reception featuring food and drink from local businesses. The artists are regularly in attendance as well.

Haven Gallery brings the village a

taste of New York City’s diverse art scene, minus the expensive and laborious trek. And Northport was an obvious choice to place their art gallery, Berkowitz said, with its strolling culture and arts-focused community.

Berkowitz hopes their selection of art leaves a mark on those who visit.

“We’re not afraid to make people feel a bit too much, maybe feel something a bit sad or a bit haunting,” Berkowitz said. “Sadness, horror, anger, happiness - all those feelings are part of being a human. And I think that they shouldn’t be sequestered but should be shared.”

Berkowitz has had an extensive career working in or directing Manhattan and Long Island galleries.

But she said she never wanted to own her own gallery because the “pressure is incredible.”

But Weinreb, a successful selftaught artist a degree in graphic design, insisted they try.

“I just knew it would work out because I know how hard she works and how much she cares about everything,” Weinreb, 32, said. “Something inside me just said to do it.”

Opening a gallery is the hardest thing she’s ever done, Berkowitz said, but nothing’s been more rewarding.

“It’s something we strongly believe in,” Berkowitz said, “not just for the sake of selling art and allowing artists to have a career by curating but also through education and providing culture.”

Berkowitz and Weinreb, who currently reside in Levittown, are looking forward to moving to Northport later this month, make an optimal team for the gallery. Berkowitz directs the business and sales aspects while

Long Islander News photo/Carrie Parker

Northport Art Gallery Breaks the Mold

Husband and wife team Erica Berkowitz and Joseph Weinreb are the co-owners of Haven Gallery, located in the historic Carriage House on Main Street in Northport.

Weinreb offers an artist’s perspective on transactions. With complementary skills, Berkowitz and Weinreb are able to facilitate between artists and customers in town or across the globe.

While Haven’s inventory may be a bit out of some people’s comfort zones, the gallery has been wellreceived, Weinreb said.

“People have been very happy when they come in here, which is really nice, to offer them something that has not been offered to them yet,” Berkowitz said.

Education is an important part of Haven’s mission. Berkowitz, with degrees in art history and contempoPhoto courtesy of Jacqueline Weinreb

Haven Gallery’s second floor houses last month’s History of Art exhibit.

rary art, loves sharing her knowledge and giving “someone experience and perspective that they may not have access to.”

Berkowitz said she hopes to encourage kids who don’t realize that there is a future in the arts if they are willing to work hard.

Their next show, “Mythos,” begins Saturday and runs through May 7.

Work by artists such as Andi Soto, Rebecca Yanovskaya, and Weinreb himself will reflect themes of humanity, mythology and storytelling.

Haven currently shares the Carriage House with Ameriprise Financial, who Berkowitz and Weinreb said are “the best neighbors in the world.” But if there was a viable opportunity in the future, they would love to have the whole building be an art space.

“It’s really inspiring to be surrounded by all the art and everything we love,” Weinreb said. “We feel very lucky to be able to do it as our job.”

Haven Gallery 155 Main St., Suite 4, Carriage House Square, Northport Village 631-757-0500 Havenartgallery.com

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

s s e n i s bu Renovated Coliseum To Host Local Sandwich Shop Photo/Nassau County

18 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

Pictured above, from left, are: Kevan Abrahams, minority leader, Nassau Legislature; Brett Yormark, CEO, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment; Dmitry Razumov, chairman, BSE and CEO, Onexim Group; Nassau Executive Edward Mangano; Bruce Ratner, executive chairman, Forest City Ratner Co.; Andrew Kaplan, NYCB executive vice president; Norma Gonsalves, presiding officer, Nassau Legislature; and Frank Colon, president, United Veterans Organization The newly-renovated Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum was unveiled on Friday, and a local sandwich shop has signed on to serve up sandwiches there.

Nassau officials cut the ribbon at the coliseum, which underwent a $165 million renovation and was set to officially open on Wednesday with a Billy Joel concert.

Through its Long Island Taste program, the coliseum will offer food and beverages from local restaurants and vendors, including Roast Sandwich House, which has a Melville location.

The program is modeled after Brooklyn Taste of Barclays Center,

and overseen by Levy Restaurants.

The Hempstead venue has around 1,500 employees, who have been trained by Disney Institute, the business advisory arm of The Walt Disney Company.

A formal dedication of the venue’s new memorial is slated for Saturday.

Veterans from all branches of the armed forces are expected to attend the event. The memorial, a dark granite oval on the southeast corner of the plaza, features water flowing along its surface, with a monument emerging at the center, where National Grid will honor the veterans with an eternal flame.

Melville Attorney Admitted To Practice At U.S. Top Court Melissa Negrin-Wiener, elder law attorney and partner at Melvillebased Genser Dubow Genser & Cona, was recently admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sponsored by Yashar, the attorney and judges’ chapter of Hadassah, Negrin-Wieneer was sworn in to the court in Washington, D.C. along with 11 other attorneys from New York, Texas, Illinois and California.

“Admission to the United States Supreme Court is an honor and a privilege,” said Negrin-Wiener, of Smithtown. “It makes me feel proud to be a part of something that is truly the foundation of our country’s legal system.”

At GDGC, Negrin-Wiener manages the government benefits department, concentrating her practice in

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, left, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, is pictured with Melissa NegrinWiener, Esq., elder law attorney and partner at Melville-baseGDGC. Medicaid planning, asset protection planning, disability matters, guardianships, estate planning and Veterans benefits.

She earned her Juris Doctor from Hofstra University and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, politics and law from Binghamton University.

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

APRIL 6-12, 2017 • 19

Ch am be r St af f Ellen O’Brien, Exec. Di rector Courtney Bynoe, Assoc.

Exec. Director www.huntingtonchamber .com

Networking Breakfast At Prime’s Harbor Club Join the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, April 25, 7:30-10 a.m. for networking opportunities and an informative presentation for small businesses.

The meeting is presented by the Eastern Region of the US Chamber of Commerce, of which the Huntington Chamber is an active member, and offers attendees a summary of their programs and services. The breakfast will be held at

the Harbor Club at Prime (95 New York Ave., Halesite).

The speaker, Allison Dembeck, executive director of Congressional and Public Affairs will lead the conversation and engage the audience focusing on be the US. Chamber’s 2017 growth agenda and how it ties to local business as well as the high cost of doing business for small businesses on Long Island.

The breakfast is $45 for chamber

Chamber Member Spotlight Energy Fitness is coming to Huntington and we are excited to start transforming everybody in the community. Our industry leading team of Energy trainers are ready to motivate, educate, and take your fitness to the next level.

We’re the perfect hybrid of the ultimate training facility and a state of the art fitness club. We feature our signature Energy Elite one-on-one Personal Training and Energy Strong Team Training. We have found that people need three components to succeed in reaching their goals and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Motivation, accountability and diversity. The way we deliver that, and how we differ from traditional gyms, is by including a minimum one time per week with a personal trainer in all of our membership programs.

Whether you’re one-on-one, with a team, or flying solo, our 45-minute signature Energy workouts are guaranteed to keep you motivated and transform you into a fat burning machine!

Energy Fitness was started 15 years ago in St. James, and has since grown to Fort Salonga, Miller Place and now Huntington. A few brothers and best friends took on a failing gym with nothing but a couple of bucks and a vision to change the fitness industry. We noticed a big gap between the services and diversity big clubs offered and the connection and environment small studios provided.

We soon realized that these were the ingredients for the Premiere Fitness Experience.

For more info, call 631-9230606 or visit Energyfitness.com.

members and $60 for future members.

Register on the chamber’s website, Huntingtonchamber.com, or by calling 631-423-6100.

Thank you to the sponsors who make the March breakfast possible: Huntington Hospital – Northwell Health, Newsday, Bridgehampton National Bank, digho image marketing, Len Marks Photography and Advanced Sound Company.

Upcoming Chamber Events April 12, 4-6 p.m. – Shred Day, hosted by the chamber’s Green Committee, will be at the chamber’s buildings (164 Main St., Huntington). It’s free for chamber members April 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Young Professionals Business Blender at Cinema Arts Centre (423 Park Ave., Huntington) sponsored by Schanker and Hochberg, P.C. April 26, 6-8 p.m. – Pathways to Success presented by the chamber’s Veteran and Education Committees at the Cinema Arts Center’s Sky Room Café (423 Park Ave., Huntington). Light refreshments will be served and there will be a free presentation for veterans seeking to further career opportunities

Attention Chamber Members This, and the spaces below, are now open for advertisements by Huntington Chamber members.

Call 631-427-7000 to speak with a representative today.

! e r e H d A r u o Y

20 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

TH UR SDA Y

C O M M U N I T Y

Doc’s Listening Tour

Calendar

Suffolk Legislator William “Doc” Spencer continues his listening tour across town on Thursday, April 6, when he’ll be at Cold Spring Harbor Library (95 Harbor Road) from 7-8:30 p.m. Come share concerns, find solutions to pressing issues and participate in community discussion. Call 631-854-4500 for more info.

FRIDAY Heart And Soul

Singer-songwriter Claudia Jacobs will perform at the Heckscher Museum of Art (2 Prime Ave., Huntington) on Friday, April 7. Drawing from blues, folk, Americana, rock, R&B and jazz styles, Jacobs will perform at 7 p.m., following a tea tasting with tea specialist Nicole Basso at 5:30 p.m. As part of the First Friday Series, admission is free. Call 631-351-3250 or visit Heckscher.org for more details.

SATURDAY Gown Collection

The Long Island Volunteer Center, working with Nassau Community College Marketing & Fashion students, will be collecting new and gently-used prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses and accessories (including dressy shoes, evening bags and costume jewelry) for the 23rd Annual Prom Boutique. The first collection will be at St. Anthony’s High School (275 Wolf Hill Road, South Huntington) on Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 516-564-5482 for more info.

Yoga Workshop

Body & Soul Yoga Center (52B Wall St., Huntington) will host an Iyengar Yoga workshop with certified instructor Rebecca Lerner on Saturday, April 8.

The one-day intensive will feature two sessions: balances, inversions and backbends from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and seated twists and forward bends from 3-5 p.m. Cost per session is $45 for members, $50 nonmembers. Please call 631-385-4664 or visit Bodyandsoulcenter.net to register.

SUNDAY Young Artists Exhibition

Sunday, April 9 is the last chance to see the “Long Island’s Best” exhibition at The Heckscher Museum (2 Prime Ave., Huntington). At the closing reception from 4-5 p.m., celebrate the phenomenal artwork by Long Island high school students that has been on display since March. The Grumbacher Visitors Choice Award winner will be announced and exhibiting students may pick up their artwork at 5 p.m. Call 631-351-3250 or visit Heckscher.org for more details.

MONDAY Crafternoon

Children ages 3 years through fifth

Yoga Workshop Body & Soul Yoga Center (52B Wall St., Huntington) will host an Iyengar Yoga workshop with certified instructor Rebecca Lerner on Saturday, April 8. The one-day intensive will feature two sessions: balances, inversions and backbends from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and seated twists and forward bends from 3-5 p.m. Cost per session is $45 for members, $50 nonmembers.

Please call 631-385-4664 or visit Bodyandsoulcenter.net to register. grade are welcome to drop in any time, 1-3 p.m., at the main branch at the Huntington Public Library (338 Main St., Huntington) for some imaginative artsy fun. For Huntington Library cardholders only. Call 631-427-5165 or visit thehuntingtonlibrary.org to register.

TUESDAY Drum Jam

Try a fun and energetic drum jam/workshop with drummer Richie Guerrero and special guests at the Spirit of Huntington Art Center (2 Melville Road North, Huntington Station) on Tuesday, April 11, 7 p.m.

Create ensemble rhythms with less talk and more jamming! All levels welcome. Suggested donation $10. Call 631-470-9620 to register.

WEDNESDAY Weaving And Wine-ing

The Huntington Historical Society is hosting another “Weaving with Wine” night on Wednesday, April 12, 6-8:30 p.m. at Conklin Barn (2 High St., Huntington). Bring your wine, learn the ancient art of weaving, and enjoy refreshments. Cost is $35 for members, $40 nonmembers. Contact Wendy Andersen at 631-427-7045 ext.

404 or at Wandersen@huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org to make reservations.

UPCO MING/ ONGOI NG

Earth Day Expo

The Town of Huntington’s 2017 Earth Day Family Expo is set for Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Heckscher Park (2 Prime Ave., Huntington).

Event is rain or shine. Visit Huntingtonny.gov for more info.

LIBRARIES

Library-hosted events and programs

are reserved for cardholders of their respective library unless otherwise noted.

Cold Spring Harbor Library

95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor.

631-692-6820. Cshlibrary.org.

• Grades K-6 are welcome to make beautiful tissue paper flowers on Monday, April 10, 2-3 p.m. Register online.

Commack Public Library

Please note that the 18 Hauppauge Road, Commack location is currently under construction. The temporary location address is 6243 Jericho Turnpike, Commack. Event locations may be affected. Call 631-499-0888. commack.suffolk.lib.ny.us.

• Get fit where you sit with chair yoga on Tuesday, April 11, 1:15-2:15 p.m.

Takes place at Temple Beth David (100 Hauppauge Road, Commack).

Register online.

Deer Park Library

44 Lake Ave., Deer Park. 631-5863000. deerparklibrary.org.

Elwood Public Library

3027 Jericho Turnpike, Elwood. 631499-3722. elwoodlibrary.org.

• St. Francis Hospital Community Outreach will offer free health screenings on Friday, April 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The screenings include a brief cardiac history, blood pressure, simple blood test for cholesterol, and diabetes. Appropriate patient education and referrals will be given as needed for clients above the age of 18. No registration required.

Half Hollow Hills Community Library

Dix Hills: 55 Vanderbilt Parkway. 631421-4530; Melville: 510 Sweet Hollow Road, 631-421-4535. hhhlibrary.org.

• Get fiscally fit on Thursday, April 6, 2-

3:30 p.m. at a presentation by the Foundation for Personal Financial Education. Topics include: Basic Cash Management, Accumulating Wealth, Financial Hurdles, and the Importance of Planning. Register online.

Harborfields Public Library

31 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-7574200. harborfieldslibrary.org • Screening of “Manchester by the Sea” (rated R, 137 minutes) starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler on Friday, April 7, 1:30-4 p.m.

Huntington Public Library

Main branch: 338 Main St., Huntington. 631-427-5165. Station branch: 1335 New York Ave., Huntington Station. 631-421-5053. thehuntingtonlibrary.org.

• Mystery Book Discussion Group (Main Branch): “The Kind Worth Killing” by Peter Swanson on Tuesday, April 18, 2-4 p.m.

Registration required. Open to all.

Books are available at Customer Services desk at either building.

Northport-East Northport Public Library

Northport: 151 Laurel Ave. 631-2616930. (East Northport: 185 Larkfield Road. 631-261-2313. nenpl.org) • Have any books in your home library that you no longer want? Be green and trade them for swap dollars and “purchase” pre-owned, new-to-you books anytime 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 8.

South Huntington Public Library

145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station. 631-549-4411. shpl.info.

• Registration for cardholders begins Saturday, April 8 at 9:30 a.m. for Earth Day Fun (Saturday, April 22, 2:30-3:30 p.m.).

THE ATE R FI LM Cinema Arts Centre

423 Park Ave., Huntington. cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7611.

• Enjoy a hilarious evening of comedy with Alan Zweibel, original SNL writer and best-selling author, and the joyfully irreverent all-gal “Isle of Klezbos” Yiddish music ensemble on Thursday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available online at $42 for members, $52 for nonmembers.

John W. Engeman Theater At Northport

350 Main St., Northport. engemantheater.com. 631-261-2900.

• Jekyll & Hyde runs through Sunday, April 30. Tickets start at $71.

MUSE UMS/ EX HI BI TS

Art League of Long Island

107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills.

Gallery hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends. 631462-5400. ArtLeagueLI.net.

• The Art League presents “Long (Continued on page 21)

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

B. J. Spoke Gallery

299 Main St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 631-5495106. Bjspokegallery.org • A solo exhibition by member artist Bert Winsberg titled “This and That” will be on display April 1-30.

Opening reception on Sunday, April 9, 2-5 p.m.

Cold Spring Harbor Firehouse Museum

84A Main St., Cold Spring Harbor.

631-367-0400. cshfirehousemuseum.org. Open Sat. and Sun., noon to 5 p.m., April through Dec., or for tours, group visits by special appointment at any time.

• Learn about the history of Cold Spring Harbor Volunteer Fire Department through exhibits housed in this circa 1896 firehouse building.

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery

1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor.

Open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sundays until 6 p.m.: $6 adults; $4 children ages 3-12 and seniors over 65; members and children under 3 are free. 516-6926768. Cshfishhatchery.org • Plan ahead for spring break with a number of fun activities during the week of April 10 including Backyards Birds, Nature’s Gardeners, Live Animal Encounter, and more. Visit Cshfishhatchery.org for more details.

279 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor. 631-

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Tuesday-Friday, 12-4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11-5 p.m. (closed Monday). Admission $6 adults, $5 children and seniors.

• Exhibits: If I Were a Whaler explores a whaler’s life for family audiences.

Thar She Blows: Whaling History on Long Island explores one of the region’s most important industries.

14 W. Carver St., Huntington 631-549-

Foto Foto Gallery

0488. fotofotogallery.org. Hours: Wednesday Saturday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Friday 11a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday 12-5.

• Photography by the students of the Knox School on display through Saturday, April 22.

Green River Gallery

117 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor.

Thursday 12 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 631-692-8188.

• Ongoing exhibit of Eric Sloane oil paintings. Some new works from one of the premier Gold coast artists from the mid-20th century.

Heart And Soul

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by Wolfgang Wander

Island Abstraction: 2 Generations” through April 15 with a reception on Sunday, April 12, 2-4 p.m. The exhibit features the abstract artwork of four local artists Stan Brodsky, Frank Wimberley, Peter Galasso, and Laura-Powers-Swiggett.

(Continued from page 20)

APRIL 6-12, 2017 • 21

Singer-songwriter Claudia Jacobs will perform at the Heckscher Museum of Art (2 Prime Ave., Huntington) on Friday, April 7. Drawing from blues, folk, Americana, rock, R&B and jazz styles, Jacobs will perform at 7 p.m., following a tea tasting with tea specialist Nicole Basso at 5:30 p.m. As part of the First Friday Series, admission is free. Call 631-351-3250 or visit Heckscher.org for more details.

Haven Gallery

155 Main St., Suite 4 Carriage House Square Northport. 631-757-0500. havenartgallery.com • Mythos exhibition will be shown Saturday, April 8 through Sunday, May 7 with an opening reception on Saturday, April 8, 6-8 p.m.

Heckscher Museum of Art

2 Prime Ave., Huntington. Museum hours: Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., first Fridays from 4-8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission $6 for adults, $4$6/seniors, and $4-$6/children; members and children under 10 get in free.

631-351-3250.

• “Thaddeus Holownia: Walden Revisited” will be on display Saturday, April 15 through Sunday, July 30. Full-gallery installation pays homage to 19th century American writer Henry David Thoreau.

Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center

Welwyn Preserve, 100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove. Hours: Monday-Friday. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday noon-4 p.m.

516-571-8040, ext. 100. hmtcli.org • The permanent exhibit explains the 1930s increase of intolerance, the reduction of human rights and the lack of intervention that enabled the persecution and mass murder of millions of Jews and others.

Huntington Art Center

11 Wall St., Huntington. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; most Mondays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. 631-423-6010.

• Specializing in custom picture framing, delivery and installation, custom mirrors, blown glass, fine art, photography and more.

Huntington Arts Council

Main Street Petite Gallery: 213 Main St., Huntington.

Gallery hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday noon-4 p.m. 631-2718423. huntingtonarts.org.

• High Arts Showcase XIII: For the 13th year, local students work will be exhibiting works by their junior and senior students. Runs through Saturday, April 22.

Huntington Historical Society

Main office/library: 209 Main St., Huntington. Museums: Conklin Barn, 2 High St.; Kissam House/Museum Shop, 434 Park Ave.; Soldiers &

Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St. 631-427-7045, ext. 401. huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org • The Lunch & Learn Lecture Series continues with President of the Huntington Historical Society Robert “Toby” Kissam on Wednesday, April 19, 12 noon-2 p.m., for “Play Ball.”

Space is limited, so make a reservation at 631-427-7045 ext. 404. $45 for members, $50 for nonmembers, and includes a gourmet threecourse meal at Black and Blue (65 Wall St., Huntington).

Northport Arts Coalition

A non-profit coalition in support of the arts. PO Box 508, Northport. northportarts.org • Joan Aurecchione’s watercolor artwork is on display at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty (77 Main Street, Northport) now through April 15.

Northport Historical Society Museum

215 Main St., Northport. Museum hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 1-4:30 p.m.

631-757-9859. northporthistorical.org.

• For an afternoon of historical fun, take a self-guided walking tour of the Northport’s historic Main Street, Tuesdays-Sundays, 1-4:30 p.m.

Available in the museum shop at $5 per person.

Ripe Art Gallery

1028 Park Ave., Huntington. TuesdayThursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 2-8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. ripeartgal.com. 631-239-1805.

• Enjoy the artwork of Ellen Hallie Schiff & Chris Ann Ambery on Saturday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. Schiff is an award winning abstract artist in New York who has enjoyed years of professional success.

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

180 Little Neck Road, Centerport.

Museum hours: Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Grounds admission: $7 adults, $6 students with ID and seniors 62 and older, and $3 children 12 and under. Mansion tour, add $5 per person. 631-854-5555. vanderbiltmuseum.org.

• Afternoon mansion tours begin in the courtyard of the historic house once owned by William K. Vanderbilt II. Tours are Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for a $5 fee, in addition to the price of admission. Check the museum’s website for listing times.

Walt Whitman Birthplace 246

Old

Walt

Whitman

Road,

Huntington Station.

Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11-4 p.m.

Admission: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 students, and children under 5 are free. 631-427-5240. waltwhitman.org.

• Schedule at a group high tea and transport yourself back in time in a private gathering house at the Birthplace. $25 per person. 631427-5240, ext. 120. teaparty@waltwhitman.org.

MU SI C/ D A N CE

StarLight Coffeehouse

Every third Friday from October to May at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 270 Main Street, Northport. 631-6633038. Shows at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). Tickets vary per artist and are available at Northportarts.org.

• James Maddock will perform Friday, April 21. Gourmet coffee and light refreshments will be available. For more information, call Isabelle at 631-663-3038.

Five Towns College Performing Arts Center

305 North Service Road, Dix Hills, NY 11746. 631-656-2110. FTC.edu.

• Performances of “Once On This Island,” directed by Amy Dolan Fletcher, on Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30. Tickets ($10) available online.

Folk Music Society of Huntington

First Saturdays concerts are held at Congregational Church of Huntington, 30 Washington Dr., Centerport. Other venues as noted. Tickets and info at fmsh.org.

• Ladybird and The End of America, a pair of Philadelphia-based trios — one all female, the other all male – will perform on Thursday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cinema Arts Centre (423 Park Ave., Huntington). Tickets available at the Cinema Arts Centre on the day of the performance.

Prices are $10 for FMSH and Cinema Arts Centre members / $15 for nonmembers.

The Paramount

370 New York Ave., Huntington. 631673-7300. Paramountny.com. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

• Enjoy the best of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown, as well as country favorites, summer pop, reggae and tropical classics on Friday, April 7 at 8 p.m. Show features Jimmy Kenny & The Pirate Beach Band. Tickets are available online ($15-$35).

Send us your listings Submissions must be in by 5 p.m.

10 days prior to publication date.

Send to Community Calendar at 14 Wall Street, Huntington, NY 11743, or e-mail to info@longislandergroup.com

22 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

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LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY

People In The news

Compiled by Andrew Wroblewski

Erykah Davis, of Huntington Station, has been named to the Dean’s List at Iona College in upstate New Rochelle for the fall 2016 semester. Davis, a 2015 Walt Whitman High School grad and sophomore at Iona, is majoring in information systems.

Huntington resident Elfreda Blue is an advocate for healthy living, presenting information across communities about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, including eating and drinking healthy products that promote weight loss and reducing risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.

After enrolling in Hofstra University’s Entrepreneurial

Erykah Davis

Elfreda Blue

Assistance Program in the fall 2016 session, Blue developed a comprehensive business plan for Roy’s Natures Treats, which produces Elan Premium Ginger Beer, an invigorating premium all-natural, hand-crafted, non-alcoholic brew that’s full of flavor and body.

APRIL 6-12, 2017 • 23

Robert Aquilina

She recently participated in the Capital One Bank Business Plan Competition and was awarded third place prize of $1,000.

In addition to Elan Premium Ginger Beer, Elfreda plans to produce additional products that promote healthy living on Long Island.

Huntington Bay resident Robert Aquilina, an executive vice president of The Estée Lauder Companies, has joined The Heckscher Museum of Art Board of Trustees.

Aquilina is a global business executive whose career spans over 35 years in general management, marketing, international business expansion, financial leadership and transformational change management at The Estée Lauder Companies.

He holds an MBA in finance and marketing from New York University, and is on the board of trustees for Baruch College and the Baruch College Weissman Center for International Studies, where he is often a guest speaker and mentors students.

Gallery showing off Long Island’s ‘Best Young Artists’ (Continued from page 8)

she said. Her father, Weixin Xu, is also an artist. That had an impact on her inspiration to become one herself, she said. She also credits her mother, Yan Mao, with helping to push her to take classes to further pursue her passion in art.

Ava Xu said art is something she uses to help her through any rough times in life.

“I usually start to draw when I feel really down,” she said.

Xu also credited one her high school teachers, Christina Oswald, with pushing her to submit her art for the contest.

Alexandra Cartwright, a junior at Northport High School, earned the Achievement Award in Watercolor

for her painting, “Pearl.”

She expressed that the bird featured in her painting is based off a real Albino Raven, which was one of the last four remaining in the world.

She feels her strong imagination helped to inspire her affinity for drawing at a young age.

Unfortunately, due to a heavy schedule in middle school, she was unable to place any focus on art at the time. Once in high school, however, she was able to reignite her passion and begin pursuing art once more.

“I did more serious work, such as painting, not just sketching,” she said.

Cartwright credited her art teacher, Margaret Minardi, with helping to bring her back into the world of art.

“She really helped me grasp art

again and that got me back into doing it, and to come to enjoy making art and appreciate how fun it is,” Cartwright said.

She is unsure where this will lead in life, but added, “I would definitely like to go into art when I grow up because I really do enjoy it.”

She continued, “It is important to have because it helps you to advance as an individual. Instead of just looking at a picture of something, you can understand the deeper meaning.”

These students’ art, along with the art of the 81 other award winners – including “Shannon’s Story,” by Jackie Stevens, of Northport High School – will be on display at the 2 Prime Ave. museum through this Sunday.

“Infinity,” by Quinn Blackburn, of Huntington High School.

Runner recalls career, work to help women join races (Continued from page 4)

Kuscsik said the purpose of the race was to inspire all women, including those who wouldn’t participate in the men’s races, to be active.

“The idea was to encourage women to exercise, and be fit because before that women just got married and had babies,” Kuscsik said.

Kuscsik also ran in the 1972 New York City Marathon, taking first place with a time of 3:08:41. In 1973 she ran again and again finished first with a time of 2:57:07.

Switzer said she’s seemingly always been chasing Kuscsik.

“In her running career, she was always the better runner of the two of us,” Switzer said with a laugh. “When she won Boston I was third. When she won New York I was second. I rarely

beat Nina, let’s put it that way.”

Before running competitively, Kuscsik became New York State’s women’s speed skating, roller-skating champion and bicycling champion in 1957.

That was the same year she graduated from Brooklyn College, where she studied nursing. After nursing school, Kuscsik married, had three children and moved out to Huntington Station in 1965. For 37 years, Kuscsik was a patient representative at Manhattan’s Mount Sinai Hospital before retiring four years ago.

Kuscsik formerly held the women’s record for the annual New York Road Race 50-mile run, which is also held in Central Park. She finished the race with a time of 6:35:53 in 1977.

She was also the first woman to

finish the Empire State Building Run-Up in 1979, 1980 and 1981.

Kuscsik has furthered her advocacy by sitting on the committee that successfully campaigned for the introduction of the women’s marathon category in the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Although she was unable to compete in the race that year, Kuscsik remembers the exciting moment when she watched Joan Benoit win the race in Los Angeles.

With all her hard work advocating for a women’s marathon category in the Olympics, Kuscsik said, watching Benoit cross the finish line was a thrill.

In her running career, Kuscsik competed 80 marathons. She was inducted into the New York Road Runners Hall of Fame in 2012.

Due to a knee replacement surgery

seven years ago, Kuscsik said, her running days have subsided. She does go on 6-mile walks, only running up hills, which she said lessens the pounding on her knees.

“It just makes sense to move your body,” Kuscsik said. “Even for older people, it’s important to use your body, build up your circulation and get your heartbeat up.”

Although Kuscsik will not participate in the race, she will venture to Boston later this month for this year’s marathon, which is slated for April 17. She plans to have a reunion with runners she used to race alongside, including Switzer.

Switzer, of upstate Hudson, 70, plans to run in the marathon. It’ll be the 70th anniversary of when she first ran.

24 • APRIL 6-12, 2017

LONG ISLANDER NEWS • HUNTINGTON WEEKLY