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Thursday, October 1, 2026 ~ Volume 71 ~ Issue Number 50 ~ $1.00
Ducks Season!
LI Wins 2026 Atlantic League Championship By Matt Meduri Long Island’s very own baseball team clinched the 2026 Atlantic League Championship Series. Better yet, the Flock swept the best-of-series, defeating the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 7-2 in Game Three last Friday night at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip. The win marks the Ducks’ fifth Atlantic League Championship in franchise history, having previously won the titles in 2004, 2012, 2013, and 2019. The Ducks also ended the 2026 season, their twenty-sixth season of play, by winning the most games in the Atlantic League during the regular season (80). Continued on page 23
QuackerJack was named Mascot of the Year for the 5th time. (Credit - Matt Meduri)
FULL STORIES ON:
Polls Show Varying Leads for Hochul Page 4
Candidates Vie for Eighth Assembly District Page 12-13
Rainbow forms over Central Islip as the Ducks bring home the trophy. (Credit - Tim Walz)
Brentwood Names Top of Class Page 15
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Messenger Papers Thursday, October 1, 2026
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AUTUMN EVENTS Sayville Farmers Market at the Islip Grange: Every Saturday until November, 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. Port Jefferson Farmers Market: Every Sunday until November, 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. Antiques and Yard Sale at Olish Farms Over 45 Families Selling in Covered Greenhouse (RAIN OR SHINE) Hot Food & More 75 Eastport Manor Rd, Eastport Saturday, October 3 & Sunday October 4, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pitch & Putt Tournament at Robert Moses State Park: Open to first 72 registrants. Tee-off is 10:00a.m. on Sunday, October 4. Rain date for Sunday, October 11. Entry fee is $40 per person, $160 per foursome.
Passport Through Parks (Family Program): Sunday, October 4, 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. at Cold Spring Harbor State Park. Let’s Go Camping: Wednesday, October 14, 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. at Connetquot River State Park. Seashore Circular (Adult Program): Sunday, October 11, 9:45a.m. to 1:15p.m. at Caumsett State Park. Pumpkin Carving (Family Program): Sunday, October 25, 10:30a.m to 12:30a.m. at Nissequogue River State Park. 13th Annual Great Jack-O’-Lantern Sail: Saturday, October 24, 3:00p.m. to 6:30p.m. at Belmont State Park.
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On The Campaign Trail Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Two Polls Show Opposing Governor Races in Home Stretch Credit - Matt Meduri
As of press time, there’s just over a month until the 2026 midterms. To start the October home stretch, two highly-respected pollsters released surveys showing different scenarios in the November election, both of which were surprising in distinct ways. Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) continues to lead Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) in the polls as she seeks a second full term. In 2022, Hochul won her first full term over thenCongressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) by just over 6 points.
also increased to +1 from -1 last month. Blakeman’s favorability rating slid from +7 last month, his highest such rating yet in the Siena surveys, to +1. However, a larger total of voters provided answers to this question, indicating a Siena College boost in name recognition. The Siena College is one Voters remain less familiar of the top-rated pollsters with Blakeman than Hochul nationally, and they found does; Hochul’s favorability sits the slimmer lead for Hochul at 48%, Blakeman’s at 35%. Siena pollster Steven between the two surveys. Hochul is up 50%-41% (+9) Greenberg said in a press over two-term Executive release that their poll this Blakeman, slightly worse for time four years ago wasn’t as rosy for Zeldin. “At this time four years ago, Hochul led Lee Zeldin 17 points,54-37%, before going on to win by six points.” Has the “right stuff” Blakeman is doing a better job to be Governor: with Republicans Hochul 47%-42% (+5), (88%) than Blakeman 40%-40% Hochul is with Democrats (81%), Not “in touch” with while Blakeman average New Yorkers: continues to lead Hochul 46%-39% (+7), Independents 44%Blakeman 41%-35% (+6) 39% (+5), practically unchanged from last month. “Gets things done:” Hochul leads Hochul 47%-39% (+6), in New York City Blakeman 35%-34% (+1) +34 and Long Island +2, while Blakeman Source: Siena College Poll, leads Upstate +3. September 11-17; 1,144 LV, MoE +/-4.2% Despite the relatively slim lead, nearly two-thirds the incumbent compared to of voters think she will win her August lead of 49%-39% re-election, including 61% of Independents and nearly one(+10). The Governor’s third of Republicans. However, favorability rating, however, only 39% of Independents increased slightly. Last month, plan to vote for her. Half of likely voters it was 46%-49% (-3), compared President Donald to 48%-46% (+2) this month. think (R-FL) endorsing Her job approval rating Trump
How Voters View the Candidates
Blakeman is negative for his campaign, including 49% of Independents and 24% of Republicans. On the other hand, those same voters think New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s (D-Astoria) endorsement of Hochul is positive for hers, including 40% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.
Credit - Matt Meduri
By Matt Meduri
An enthusiasm gap appears in this poll, as 29% are “very enthusiastic” to vote for Hochul, while 51% are “somewhat enthusiastic. For Blakeman, 51% and 37%, respectively. Most partisan voters are locked; over 75% of Democrats say they’re “not likely at all” to change their minds before Election Day, compared to 83% of Quinnipiac University Blakeman’s voters. Just 9% of voters are least “somewhat Another respected pollster likely” to have second found Hochul with a much collective 75% of Democrats thoughts before hitting the more robust 58%-39% (+19) are at least “somewhat polls. lead over Blakeman. Hochul satisfied” with the direction For President Trump, and Blakeman retain nearly of the State, compared to his job approval sits at 29%all of their respective parties’ just 33% of Independents. 66% (-37); his favorability is 54% of Independents 30%-63% (-33). Voters aged voters, while Independents are narrowly breaking for do not think Hochul has 18-34 are the sourest on “good leadership skills,” Trump, with 70% viewing him Hochul 51%-45% (+6). Quinnipiac found the while only 37% think the unfavorably. Those same Governor’s favorability rating same of Blakeman. 34% voters (62%) view Mamdani at +3, while Blakeman’s rating of Independents believe favorably than all other age does have demographics. Independents sits at -6. However, 34% of Blakeman respondents “haven’t break even on Mamdani heard enough” about (38%). him to cast an opinion. The University also Quinnipiac found polled the ratings Hochul’s job approval of Senators Kirsten rating at 48%-44% (+4). Gillibrand (D-Albany) Hochul is galvanizing and Chuck Schumer 64% of voters aged (D-Park Slope). For Cost of Living: Hochul 66%, 18-34, while 56% of Gillibrand, 41% of voters Blakeman 30% middle-aged voters 35to 33% (+8) approve of 49 are backing her. Her her work, with 26% not Economy: Hochul 66%, narrowest margin is offering an opinion. Blakeman 30% among voters aged 50Schumer’s is much worse 64, which is 54%, and at 36%-54% (-18). Among she has 60% of the 65+ Democrats, 56% approve Yes/No “Cares about needs/ vote. She leads in the of Schumer’s work, with problems of people city +43; the suburbs, 33% disapproving. like them:” Hochul +3, +14. Mayor Mamdani Blakeman -8 Over 60% of voters has a +10 favorability also rank Hochul rating, according to “Good leadership skills:” better to deal with the Quinnipiac. CongressHochul +3, Blakeman -4 economy and cost of woman Alexandria living, separately, and Ocasio-Cortez (D-East over 80% trust her Elmhurst), frequently Honest: Hochul +2 more with healthcare. cited a 2028 presidential (12% no opinion), Blakeman Hochul remains hopeful or successor -6 (30% no opinion) heavily underwater to Schumer, is +5 with the same bloc, in favorability. The Source: Quinnipiac University poll -16. Independents also Democratic Socialists September 17-20; 1,026LV, MoE +/-4.1%. disapprove by a -13 of America (DSA) margin of her job as are underwater in governor, including 10% of favorability - 29%-43% (-14). “good leadership skills.” The Make America Great Democrats. The more lopsided Independents view Blakeman Again Movement (MAGA) is figures come in general slightly better to grow the also underwater, 29%-62% satisfaction with the state economy (+6), lower the cost (-33). of the State. Only 6% of living (+4), handle taxes The Quinnipiac University describe themselves as “very (+8), handle immigration poll was conducted from satisfied,” compared to a (+12). They also view Hochul September 17-20 among combined 54% who are least better at handling AI data 1,026 likely New York voters. “somewhat dissatisfied.” A centers (+19). The margin of error is +/-4.1%.
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Thursday, October 1, 2026
Senate: A Democratic Sweep? By Matt Meduri There’s no sugar-coating the month of September for the GOP. Rough polling, fundraising problems, and some sobering triaging of their options is making the possibility of a Democratic sweep more likely. The battleground has materialized into something more akin to 2018, although institutional roadblocks remain. Overall, the GOP’s strategy at this point is to save their double-digit Trump states from flipping blue to narrowly preserve what would be a nominal majority in 2027. This is likely to be our last forecast update for the Senate before we put all our cards on the table. Florida (Likely R to Leans R): The problem for the GOP isn’t that Florida is returning to a competitive baseline, at least not necessarily. It’s that the national environment is so problematic, and Miami, long a local hotbed for Republican politics, is showing troubling signs for the GOP’s newfound base in the state. Despite Trump having become the first Republican to win Miami-Dade County in a presidential race since 1988, they elected their first Democratic mayor in about 30 years in 2025, and congressional Republicans in the area are openly breaking with Trump to save their seats. We think the Republicans retain Florida, but not by the commanding 2024 margins. If Democrats win Florida, they’re not only on track to win the Senate, but to stage a blowout of historic proportions. Idaho (Safe R to Likely R): This is perhaps the most surprising call for us. Idaho is one of the reddest states in the country. No Democrat has won a Senate race in Idaho since the legendary Frank Church (D-ID), chair of the Church Committee after Watergate, won his last term in 1974. For the GOP in 2026, the problem isn’t a Democrat; it’s an Independent. Todd Achilles, a Republican-turned-Democrat-turnedIndependent who represented parts of Boise in the state legislature, is making a serious play against three-term Senator Jim Risch (R). Risch has been in elected office since 1974 and is perhaps one of the Senate’s most obscure members. Achilles, on the other hand, represents a growing dissatisfaction among Republican voters with the Trump Administration, particularly on the Iran War. Achilles himself is a Persian Gulf Veteran and his latest campaign ad is being hailed as one of the best in recent memory. The Democratic nominee dropped out to improve Achilles’ chances. It’s difficult for us to see this state really be “in play,” but Risch is barely polling above 50%, meaning many libertarian-leaning voters, the norm in Idaho, are at least considering it. Moreover, Trump’s approval continues to crater across the country. In Idaho, a Trump +33 state in 2024, he’s treading water in approval ratings right now. If anything, Risch might see a significant swing against him, but perhaps not enough for what would be the most stunning upset of the night. Iowa (Tilts R to Toss Up): Of the four states seen as Democrats’ best path forward, Iowa was generally seen as the last. On paper, this should be an easier flip for Democrats, but working-class voters aren’t snapping back to the Democrats like some have expected. Iowa’s northwestern corner is also its culturally conservative anchor that complicates Democrats’ floor. Iowa Republicans are taking note of Trump’s abysmal numbers. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R, IA-02) recently aired ads calling on Trump to end the Iran War. She’s campaigning for the open seat against Josh Turek (D), a state representative from Des Moines who enjoys support from economic populist organizations and figures. If anything, we think Hinson narrowly holds onto this seat, but we can no longer rule out Turek. This is a full-fledged toss up, as more reputable pollsters continue to find this seat within the margin of error. This one will come down purely to economics, and Trump’s approval rating in Iowa is -19, which is a far cry from his +13 margin in 2024. Another factor in this race: this is the first open Senate seat in Iowa held concurrently with an open governor’s seat since 1968. In other words, it’s a jump-ball environment where Turek might get some coattails from the governor’s race, which we think is obviously leaning towards the Democrats. Kansas (Likely R to Leans R): We initially pushed Kansas off the map when it seemed Democrats wouldn’t get a top recruit. Enter Adam Hamilton (D), a pastor and church founder who initially planned to run as an Independent and won the August primary in a semi-upset.
Hamilton is a unique candidate and is probably more in line with socially conservative Kansas than the many Democrats he defeated in the primary and can probably improve their baseline in a blue-trending state. We continue to believe the Sunflower State will be a more elastic battleground by the next decade, as suburban Kansas City and college town shifts are making that a closer reality. Senator Marshall, an OBGYN by trade, was also dogged during September following a New York Times investigation. It was revealed he filed debt-collection lawsuits against more than 700 former patients during his career. This resulted in at least 81 patient arrests, while patients were charged an 18% interest rate on their medical debts. Hamilton also released an ad featuring a former patient of Marshall’s who said she was arrested while pregnant over a missed $50 payment. Marshall was booed at the Kansas State Fair after the revelations. In a year like 2026, a state like Kansas could be within 5 points, but that very likely means the Republican wins. No Democrat has won a Senate race in Kansas since 1932, the longest such streak for either party in any state on the Senate level. It would be a monumental upheaval for the Democrats in any election year, but 2026 is perhaps their best shot. Two respected pollsters have found Hamilton leading, albeit within the margin of error, and while polling in Kansas is generally scarce, Marshall isn’t in a better position this time when he won his first term by just under 12 points in 2020. We’ll check back in on this one. If Marshall retakes even a slim lead in the polls, we could chalk up Hamilton’s current leads to the recency of the medical revelations. If Marshall hasn’t recovered by Election Day, it could mean the scandal is dragging him down. For context, Trump’s approval in Kansas is +3 - a far cry from his +16 win in 2024. Michigan (Toss Up to Tilts D): This is the marquee race of the cycle. An open seat in a former-blue, Rust Belt battleground; an establishment, warhawk Republican (Mike Rogers) who has been calling for a war with Iran for 20 years versus an outsider populist (Abdul El-Sayed); economics, transparency, Israel are the top issues. In other words, it’s all there. El-Sayed dispatched Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D) in the June primary in what was seen as a repudiation of the Democratic establishment, albeit after a brutal campaign. Rogers, who came up just short in 2024 in the closest Senate race in Michigan history, has had a head start on the campaign trail. We figured we’d leave this a Toss Up until Election Day, but ElSayed now has leads of about 3 points in all the major aggregates. While still within the margin of error of most surveys, that’s an unmistakable advantage for a populist Democrat in the bluest of the three Rust Belt battlegrounds where Trump’s approval rating is -25. Michigan is a state Democrats should be able to hold in a slightly-blue midterm year, let alone a blue wave year. The flashpoint race will probably see him underperform the generic Democrat, but a win is a win.
Republicans have not won a Senate race in the Wolverine State since 1994. South Carolina (Likely R to Leans R): We had toyed with shifting this race to a more competitive category last month, but opted for a wait-and-see approach. Well, we’ve waited and we’ve seen. The late Senator Lindsey Graham’s (R) baby sister, Darline Graham (R), will probably underperform here. The late Graham’s July passing certainly shook up the race, but it did allow pediatrician Annie Andrews (D) to remain steadfast in the campaign. Darline Graham has been tracked with minor leads, even among Republican pollsters, in the Palmetto State. A good amount remains undecided, and we anticipate they will break for Graham. However, South Carolina, while consistently red, is a “high floor, low ceiling” state for Democrats. They routinely get beaten here, but rarely blown out of the water. There’s a path to making this a singledigit race, if anything to siphon GOP resources from other states. Andrews has also raked in $10 million, signaling some grassroots support for her in this Trump +17 state. His approval rating is now -8. No Democrat has won a Senate race in South Carolina since 1998. South Dakota (Safe R to Likely R): This is another ambitious call. South Dakota was once the seat of Democratic strength in Washington. Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D) in the early W. Bush years and the mavericky Tim Johnson (D) both hailed from the Mount Rushmore State. Since the mid-2010s, the Democratic brand has been lost in South Dakota, and Trump pulled out a +29 win in 2024. Now, his approval rating is just +4. Senator Mike Rounds (R), hardly a well-known figure in the upper chamber, is running for a third term against Independent military officer Brian Bengs. Democrats, as they did in Nebraska and Idaho, suspended their campaigns after winning the nominations to give the Independents a better shot. Rounds has the fundraising edge, but Bengs is signalling some grassroots support. Polling has also reflected Bengs in a decent position, although we take these with a bigger grain of salt than we do the Idaho polls. The South Dakota polls have been partisan or campaign-sponsored. Still, with Trump being the massive drag he is, and if we think “Likely R” is an appropriate rating for Idaho, a redder state than South Dakota, we could see this as a site for a notable margin slip. Here’s the Count We now see Democrats favored in more seats than the GOP, 48 to 47. There are five Toss Ups, all held by Republicans. We still only see North Carolina as the only flip, towards Democrats. Democrats need a net gain of 4 seats to flip control of the Senate. Democrats currently lead in polling aggregates in all five Toss Ups: Alaska, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, and Texas.
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Editorial Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Dueling Polls in NY Gov Race. Which One is Right?
Two polls this week show Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) in a definitive lead for re-election. However, the Quinnipiac University poll shows her +19, more than triple her 2022 margin, and the Siena College poll shows just +9, her slimmest lead yet in one of the nation’s top-rated pollsters. So, who’s on the money? In interpreting the relative data, we find that at this point in the race four years ago, Hochul led then-Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) by +17. Siena finds more Republicans rallying around Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) than Democrats are around Hochul. Hochul has a decent lead in New York City, while Blakeman is narrowly carrying Long Island and Upstate. Right there, we think New York probably remains in flux. While not a fullyfledged battleground - not yet, at least - it does seem that Democrats’ ceiling in New York is far below what it was last decade. Moreover, only 39% of Independents plan to vote for Hochul, a stark disparity for an incumbent who’s been at least treading water in the approval ratings all year. Voters, however, view President Trump’s endorsement of Blakeman as a netnegative, while they view Mayor Mamdani’s endorsement of Hochul as a netpositive. To us, this signals that economic populism is in and here to stay. The outsiders might be willing to bite the bullet for Hochul if it means deteriorating the establishment wing of their party even further. Quinnipiac, despite finding much rosier results for Hochul, presents some troubling crosstabs. Hochul is underwater with Independents by -13, while more than half of respondents say they are least “somewhat dissatisfied” with the way the state is being run. Independents are also siding with Blakeman on the
economy, taxes, and immigration. The enthusiasm gap is also interesting, especially when most generic ballot polls find Democrats much more enthusiastic to vote in the midterms than Republicans are. In New York, less than 30% are “very enthusiastic” to vote for Hochul, while 51% are “somewhat enthusiastic.” For Blakeman, 51% are “very enthusiastic,” compared to 37% “somewhat.” There’s an important weight to be addressed here: Hochul has a much larger basket of votes to choose from, whereas Blakeman is getting most of his support from Republicans, who are outnumbered by both registered Democrats and Independents (Blanks). But on a rainy day, Blakeman probably gets more of his voters to the polls than Hochul does with hers. If Democratic voters see Mamdani’s proximity to Hochul as a positive, we imagine some of those voters think Hochul is merely a means to an end until the progressive machine eventually chews her up and spits her out, but they might not race to the polls to save her margins. All in all, we think Siena is probably leaning closer to the actual margin; we’d be surprised to see Hochul win closer to 20 points. And that’s due to the crosstabs and some obvious enthusiasm issues. In the home stretch of the election, there’s probably more predictive value to these polls than usual. Voters are making up their minds at this time, so the last rounds of polls will be crucial to watch. While Hochul might be primed for a second term, we continue to believe New York is in a political vacuum. We think the Empire State swings left this year with the national environment, but we doubt the Democrats’ ceiling fully recovers.
Cornell Case Shows a Nation’s Soul Rot The harrowing case of a gang rape of a 20-year-old Jane Doe at Cornell University has justifiably infuriated the nation. While it occurred in 2024, the case has been reopened and more details are emerging. Jane Doe alleged she was pressured into consuming ketamine and alcohol, leaving her completely incapacitated, as she was subjected to a brutal, hours-long sexual assault by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity. The frat bros then documented the assault on Snapchat, bragged about it on campus, and even advertised the opportunity for other men on campus. Cornell has now agreed to an independent outside investigation due to pressure from Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg). The most infuriating aspect of this case is that Cornell University Police conducted the investigation and the Tompkins County District Attorney declined to file any criminal charges or conduct arrests. D.A. Matthew Van Houten said the evidence that’s come forward now paints a much different picture than what was presented in 2024. Two men were expelled, two men were suspended for two semesters, one student graduated before a punishment could be finalized, two others were found to be not responsible under the university’s code. Worse yet, several of them were required to write essays as part of their internal punishments. Apparently, the penalty for drugging and raping a 20-year-old college girl and advertising her incapacitated body on social media for other guys to get some action is merely a writing assignment. There’s no way to justify or excuse such a heinous and heartless act, and Cornell deserves every ounce of retribution they get. However, we think this is much more complex than what some on social media are making it out to be. We think this is an unfortunate amalgamation of the rotting of a nation’s soul. The Scourge of Porn A classically liberal society says that much of what’s done in the home doesn’t need to be regulated or publicized. In most cases, we’re inclined to agree, and while we don’t think bans on pornography would be effective, it’s important to address the elephant in the room. Something as casual and as accessible as pornography has done immense damage to our society. A much more deviant version of Hollywood, it inaccurately portrays one of the main cruxes of the human experience. It’s been a contentious issue for decades. Fast-forward to the present, where iPads have been raising children for the last ten years or so, with just about every inch of the Internet accessible at the touch of a button or swipe of the finger, kids don’t have to go out of their way to find things they shouldn’t
be seeing. Kids are exposed to adult content - sexual, gore, irreverence - at earlier ages now, and the parents are too busy trying to make ends meet in a country where life has become unreasonably difficult. It’s no one’s immediate “fault,” but the society at-large has effectively sanctioned it through the “my house, my bedroom” argument. This nation has done a great disservice to young men and women who have not only had their perceptions of life twisted, but their perceptions of right and wrong tragically skewed. We’re sad to say something like the Cornell case isn’t all too surprising, and while hedonism is one of the most ancient concepts, we do believe there is a moral rot in this country that allows such cases to subsist. Gender Wars - Mad at the Wrong Person Unsurprisingly, the social media commentary has devolved between men vs. women. The gender wars have been, in our opinion, a carefully concocted series of propaganda to make men and women find their differences to be points of contention rather than junctions of cooperation. That groundwork has been laid for quite some time. Now, in cases like this, the anathema is as palpable as it is instant. Yet, in our view, it still misses the mark. There’s no dancing around the topic that women need to be wary of men and that the inverse of that scenario, while extant, are relatively few and far between. But that’s just what the powers that be want. As long as everything is a giant shouting match, the root of the problem cannot be uncovered and red lines continue to be drawn. Where are the Parents? As we said before, the parents are in arguably the toughest situation of any modern American parent. But are we to believe that these Cornell men simply had a lapse in judgement, that they’re “good boys” deep down, and that “my son would never?” There seems to be a tragic disconnect between objective reality and household reality, and we think the parents in this case deserve some of the blame. It seems absurd to think that such a heinous act needs to be spelled out as morally and wholly wrong, but it also seems absurd to think that this was inevitable. It’s impossible to speculate exactly how these boys were brought up, but somewhere along the way, they were failed by people who ought to have known better. And now, those boys have failed themselves and the Jane Doe who we can only hope can find the path to a normal, healed life as quickly as possible. The United States is in economic, international, and domestic troubles. But the top problem among them, in our view, the U.S. has lost its soul.
Op-Ed Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
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Thursday, October 1, 2026
Young Long Islanders Want Single-Family Homes By Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo This week, Newsday published a poll showing that single-family homes are significantly preferred by Suffolk County residents over multi-family housing and apartments. This is an issue that I have previously faced harsh criticism for by holding the position that single-family homes should be built to give young people the ability to build equity and generational wealth and start a family on Long Island. 0 recent poll conducted with Siena showed that 63% of all Long Island voters believe County officials should do more to encourage the development of single-family housing. This number changes drastically to 87% when looking at voters between 18 and
34 years old, demonstrating the sentiment of the next generation of Long Islanders who would like to achieve the American Dream. Young Long Islanders are struggling with a housing market in which the media price of a single-family home in Suffolk County reached a record $760,000 in August. They are increasingly being told that the answer is simply to build more unaffordable luxury apartments. Building equity and owning your property is a fundamental American principle. While we should have a robust conversation about different housing options, the numbers are clear that residents want single-family homes and want to retain the suburban way of life. This is why I will continue
to advocate for a more affordable Suffolk County. Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) has represented the Eighth District in the Suffolk County Legislature since 2020. The Eighth District includes Bayport, Bohemia, Holbrook, Oakdale, Sayville, West Sayville within Islip Town, and parts of Holtsville within Brookhaven Town. Piccirillo has served as Presiding Officer of the Legislature since 2026. The Eighth District office is located at 1609 Grundy Avenue in Holbrook and can be reached at 631-854-9611.
Why Is Suffolk Bonding for Settlements When It Has So Much Money in Reserves? By Ed Kelly | Long Island Life & Politics The good news is that Suffolk County is going to be returning money paid by individuals who got socked with excessive illegal fines under the now-abandoned red light camera program. After a judge ruled that the county had improperly tacked on additional fees to the standard fines for those violating the redlight law, the County owned up and settled by agreeing to remit $60 million to those who overpaid.
We are concerned, however, that the County has decided to bond this settlement, thereby incurring a huge amount of interest on the payment. This type of bonding has been commonplace over the years, where unexpected settlements would strain the county budget, but that was well before the county became the beneficiary of $700 million in federal grants during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The County is flush with more money in
reserves than at any point in memory. It is why some, including this columnist, advised against the county raising the sales tax to pay for sewer and cesspool improvements. We were all for those improvements but believed the money could’ve been tapped from these reserves. The County raised the sales tax, while claiming that the reserves would remain available to help pay off settlements such as the red-light camera debacle. Well, here we
are and we have a higher sales tax while still borrowing money to pay off the settlement. We respectfully submit that the County reconsider its decision to bond the settlement. This settlement is a one-shot expenditure. It’s better to use the reserves on a one-shot than on recurring expenditures that require that funding every year thereafter. Ed Kelly is a board member of the Center for Cost Effective Government.
Can This Lawn Proposal Save Our Drinking Water? By Steve Levy | Long Island Life & Politics An idea floated by our Center for Cost Effective Government would provide incentives for homeowners and businesses on Long Island to switch to lawns that require less watering and less fertilizer. On Long Island, we love our lawns. A wellwatered and manicured layer of sod always looks great, but it can be resource-intensive. Our lawns require heavy maintenance, which can include using huge amounts of water. With rising water bills on Long Island, any opportunity to save money would be a welcome addition Then there is the environmental impact of using massive quantities of fertilizer that are used to support our charming green lawns in front of our single-family homes. For many, these lawns are emblematic of the American dream, a piece of post-war suburbia heaven. Traditionally, Long Islanders tend to use Kentucky bluegrass seeding, which is kelly green, flush and pleasant on the eye, but it also requires a great deal of watering and fertilizer. Tall fescue grass, on the other hand, requires about 33% less nitrogen fertilizer than Kentucky bluegrass, needing roughly two to three pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet annually compared to higher-input lawns. Tall fescue generally requires about one to 1.5 inches of water per week, which is roughly
25% less water than Kentucky bluegrass. It also handles heavy use and wears much better than fine fescues or Kentucky bluegrass. It grows well in various soil types found across the region and tolerates moderate shade. Berkshire Botanical Garden notes that alternative seeds such as creeping red, hard fescue, and chewing fescue can be used to reduce fertilizing needs by one-half. This is the case because, while Kentucky bluegrass has roots of four to eight inches, the fescue grass has roots going much deeper — up to two to three feet to tap water in the ground. The North and South Rivers Watershed Association notes that watering a one-acre lawn with just one inch of water consumes 26,000 gallons — more than it takes to fill a standard 16×32-foot swimming pool. So, how do we change our culture here in Long Island to begin a transition to the more environmentally friendly grass seed? The answer is the same way we promote change in other areas — create monetary incentives. The city of Redlands, California, provides monetary incentives for the more environmentally friendly lawns. The Water Conservation rebate gives the homeowner $1 per square foot of grass that is replaced with drought-tolerant or irrigation-less landscaping,
up to $1,000. The rebate comes back to you as a credit right off your water bill. The program involves a pre-inspection, and a post-inspection confirms the work and releases the credit. Why not have a similar kind of incentive put in place through the Suffolk County Water Authority or through the county’s sewer and cesspool program that was passed via a referendum in 2024? Communities that pool together and convert a certain percentage of their lawns to the new turf could become eligible for further credits, thereby spurring a more “we are all in this together” movement. And to start it all off, municipalities can serve as role models by taking the lead by transitioning to these more environmentally appropriate grasses. We realize this isn’t for everyone. Some people just love their Kentucky bluegrass. And that’s why it shouldn’t be a mandate. Yet, incentives never hurt anyone. The Department of Environmental Conservation is shortly going to hold hearings on ways to reduce fertilizers on Long Island. How about starting with this turf-friendly tax credit? Steve Levy is Executive Director of the Center for Cost Effective Government,
a fiscally conservative think tank. He served as Suffolk County Executive, as a NYS Assemblyman, and host of “On the Right Side Podcast.” He can be reached at Costeffectivegov@ gmail.com. This op-ed originally ran in Long Island Life & Politics. For more from LILP, visit them online at lilifepolitics.com.
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Small Business Spotlight Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Prestige Comics and Records
By Diane Caudullo Sometimes, we say, “what is old is new again,” but what about the things that are just…continuous? Things that never go out of style, like comics, superheroes, and good people making their dreams a reality. Someone like Chris Mandemaker, having grown up in Smithtown, now living in Commack, has just opened a storefront in the North Gate Shopping Center at 1139-7 Jericho Turnpike, in Commack. His store, Prestige Comics and Records, is where you can find an eclectic but solid selection of comics, posters, mini figurines, LEGOs, games, music albums, and more. He has dreamed of this since childhood. As a kid, when his parents were trying to encourage him to read more, his dad, Charles, pulled out some comics that he himself had always loved reading over the years. Turns out, Charles had developed a love of comics from his mother and was now hoping to share the same with his son. Chris, like so many others, took a real liking to the stories of Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern. As he grew, he loved the creative aspect of how the story never ends and pointed out that Batman, created for DC Comics as part of the Detective Comics series, has had a new story come out every month since 1939. Clearly, the love of all things superheroes and comics, separate or combined, is widespread across generations as evidenced by ComicCon (Comic Conventions) being held in every major American city. New York had the first Comic Con in 1964. Now, every October, the streets of New York City in and around the Jacob Javits Center are riddled with people in full-blown costumes, and Chris will be there. A little closer to home, there is an annual CradleCon, a version of Comic Con held at our own Cradle of Aviation in Garden City. Taking that big leap into opening a storefront came after ten years of buying and selling online and doing pop-ups at street fairs, Chris truly enjoys the interactions with other aficionados. Currently, the buzz everyone is talking about is a series on HBO titled Lanterns, based on the DC Comics Green Lantern, which has opened the door and invited in many new fans to join seasoned fans and has even introduced new Lanterns. All this is perfectly fine with him, as Green Lantern happens to be one of Chris’s all-time favorites. And the demand has stayed steady out there, as seen at the box offices of the never-ending stream of DC and Marvel movies. People just can’t get enough of them. Chris, himself may be a superhero in the making. He has many comics in his store, and when we hear the word “collectibles,” we automatically think “rare” or “expensive.” But for Chris, it is more about
sharing his love for the superheroes and their stories that never end. Chris has an extensive collection of comics down the middle of his store, and many customers peruse them as if they are on a scavenger hunt looking for the exact one that makes their collection complete. But the best part of this central focus of the store is the price. Every comic book in that section is only $1.00, and if that wasn’t already an unbelievable deal, Chris offers bulk discounts. Twenty books for only $10 and fifty books for only $20, proving that the ultimate goal for Chris is to share the story.
Intending to make the store more than just a great place to shop, Chris has plans to have Trivia Nights with prizes and special events that tie into Halloween and other holidays. He wants to welcome, celebrate and be an integral part of the pop culture community as well as the overall community. Stop in and check out the new Prestige Comics and Records! Prestige Comics and Records is located at 1139-7 Jericho Turnpike in Commack and can be reached at (934) 221-0247.
This Week Today Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
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Thursday, October 1, 2026
National, State, and Local Temperature Checks By Matt Meduri National
Second Degree Larceny and are due for sentencing on December 14. On the campaign trail, Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) has raised more than $8.5 million in the September 2026 filing period. It brings the total up to $33 million in cash on hand for Hochul’s re-election campaign. Friends for Kathy Hochul ended this period with $18.5 million in the bank. The New York State Democratic Party ended its period with more than $15 million on hand, according to Long Island Life & Politics. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) has raised more than $8 million in contributions.
Local The damage from this weekend’s nor’easter is still being assessed, according to various officials with whom The Messenger spoke. As of Monday night, PSE&G Long Island stated the storm caused more than 128,000 power outages. As of press time, power has been restored to 99% of customers. Crews continue to work in 16-hour shifts until power is restored to every customer. PSE&G reported the damage as “extensive,” with more than 2,000 fallen trees and branches that affected electric work.
Credit - Town of Smithtown
State
A beached boat in Nissequogue
A downed tree in Coram Credit - Suffolk County Legislature
Two brothers have pleaded guilty in defrauding the State’s Medicaid program to the tune of $1.6 million. Jawad and Junaid Choudhary, both of Clifton Park, will pay full restitution, according to Comptroller Tom DiNapoli (D-Great Neck Plaza). In October 2024, State Police contacted DiNapoli’s office regarding several related Medicaid providers who were allegedly submitting fake bills to the program. The investigation found that three transportation companies, A1 Rides, Inc., NY Jet Transport, Inc., and Ride to Recovery Corp., allegedly stole more than $1.6 million from Medicaid. Junaid Choudhary, the owner of A1 Rides, submitted over $1 million in false claims to the Medicaid Program. Jawad Choudhary, owner of NY Jet, submitted over $400,000 in false claims. Both submitted their claims from 2021 through 2025. The investigation found that the two brothers billed the program by claiming payment for individual rides, which were unauthorized group rides, as well as for rides that never occurred. The investigation also alleges that the brothers paid kickbacks to the patients. The money was then used by the brothers for mortgage and credit card payments, cash withdrawals, and personal and business bank accounts. “The defendants in this case were bilking the state and lying about services provided to those who truly rely on Medicaid funding to live a healthy life,” said Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon (D). Acting Medicaid Inspector General Frank Walsh delivered a stern message to those seeking to defraud Medicaid, “You will be held accountable.” Both defendants pleaded guilty to
Credit - Matt Meduri
Iran insisted over the weekend that diplomacy is the only way to solve its conflict with the U.S. and Israel. President Donald Trump (R-FL) rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait or Hormuz and cease hostilities. Iran’s place was submitted to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last week in New York City, with Qatar serving as the mediators. “They want to make a deal to open the Hormuz Strait immediately because they’re losing so badly,” Trump told reporters at the White House. Iran’s army commander, Amir Hatam, has said, “If Iran cannot trade, if Iran cannot live, no one will be able to trade or live,” as reported by Iranian media. U.S. Envoy to the U.N. Michael Waltz (RFL) said the U.S. rejected Iran’s proposal because it required the lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets. Waltz added that the U.S. needs a “good faith” negotiation from Iran that they will end their nuclear program. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, a member of the Liberal Party from Ontario, told The New York Times that he and his government have reviewed contingency plans for a U.S. invasion. Carney cautioned that he described a U.S. military intervention as an “extreme tail risk,” but has nonetheless called it “risk management.” The revelation comes as tensions between the U.S. and Canada continue to escalate amidst a tit-for-tat trade war. Extended U.S. presence in the Danish territory of Greenland reached success this week. President Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed a trilateral security agreement at the UNGA in New York. The deal amends the 1951 U.S.-Denmark defense pact. It allows for the U.S. to expand the existing Pituffik Space Base and build two new major military bases in Greenland. The pact also explicitly reaffirms the territorial sovereignty over the world’s largest island, and reaffirms that it does, in fact, belong to the Danes. Pituffik Space Base sits in the far northwestern corner of the territory. Built in 1943, it is the northernmost Department of Defense (War) installation in the world. The base is crucial in missile warnings, missile defense, and space surveillance missions. The Arctic Circle has been seen as an emerging world battleground. The trilateral agreement also bars nonNATO countries, specifically Russia and China, from establishing military facilities or making sensitive infrastructure investments on the island without unanimous consent from the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland. The pact has no expiration date and stipulates that if Greenland ever does become an independent nation, the state of Greenland must remain in NATO and honor existing defense obligations. Trump is turning heads for his comments on Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea. Trump said that Kim can retain his nuclear weapons program because “he [Kim] likes me.”
On the election front, President Trump’s poll numbers continue to decline to historic lows. The Wall Street Journal’s latest poll of 1,500 registered voters shows Trump at just 37% approval - the lowest for any president heading into a midterm since 1990. Republicans on the campaign trail continue to distance themselves from Trump’s latest prerogatives, namely mass deportations and the Iran War. Mike Rogers (R-MI, who is running for Senate in Michigan in perhaps the marquee race of the cycle, former Congressman Tom Tiffany (R-WI), who is running for governor of Wisconsin, and outgoing Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) are all breaking with the President as they seek to avert disaster in this year’s midterms. Trump’s in-person campaign schedule for the coming week is dedicated to shoring up Republicans’ odds in deep-red states. Trump is set to visit Alabama, Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas. A stop in Grand Island, Nebraska, was added to his itinerary on Tuesday. The RealClearPolitics generic ballot average finds Democrats with a cycle-high lead of 8.4% - the exact final margin of the House popular vote in the 2018 midterms that net Democrats 40 seats in the House. At this point in the 2018 cycle, Democrats were on or about 8 points ahead in the generic ballot. Their peak then, however, was a 13-point lead in December 2017.
A flooded NY-25 in Port Jefferson Village
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Islip Matters Thursday, October 1, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Bohemia’s Airport Diner Serves it Up Retro-Style By PJ Balzer Just a stone’s throw away from MacArthur Airport (ISP) in Islip is a longtime establishment that both locals and travelers love to frequent. Since 1975, the Airport Diner on Veterans Highway (NY-454) in Bohemia has been offering traditional diner food with a side of that great hospitality that we all know and love. The diner was opened in 1975 by Simon Hiones and clearly built in the style of a traditional Greek-American New York diner. At that time, it was open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The diner’s food, ambiance, eye-catching aesthetics, and convenient hours quickly made it a beloved destination. It was hard to find a parking spot at any time of the day, especially due to its proximity to the airport. From the moment this diner cut the ribbon and opened its doors for the first time, the focus was on operating with a strong feeling of family and local community. Simon eventually passed the keys to the Airport Diner to his son, Peter Hiones. Peter continues to run the business with the same traditions and service in mind to this day. Longtime customers note that the diner has reliably served the area for decades, with many local families having frequented the establishment for multiple decades now. It’s a meeting spot for families, clubs, teams and friends. This diner specifically is well known on Long Island for its retro decor and authentic vintage charm. There are dozens of one-time classic Long Island diners that have closed or drastically altered their business models over the decades. The Airport Diner has purposely maintained its identity. It is well known for its extensive menu, traditional comfort food, and a very distinct layout with a large dining room, plenty of original booth seating and a greeting/ counter area. I deliver The Messenger to this establishment on a weekly basis and I can first hand tell you this: when you walk into the Airport Diner, there’s an ambiance that’s inviting and undeniable. It’s the young ladies’ friendly faces as they
Supervisor Carpenter Named Grand Marshal of L.I. Columbus Day Parade Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) has been selected to serve as one of the Grand Marshals of the 2026 Long Island Columbus Day Weekend Parade, hosted by the Long Island Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America Districts I and II. “It is a tremendous honor to be named a Grand Marshal of this year’s Long Island Columbus Day Weekend Parade,” said Supervisor Carpenter. “This celebration provides a wonderful opportunity for families and neighbors from across Long Island to come together, celebrate Italian-American heritage and recognize the many contributions Italian Americans have made to our communities.” Joining Supervisor Carpenter as Grand Marshals will be OSDIA State President Arthur Spera, OSDIA State First Lady Joanne Spera, National OSDIA President Thomas Lupo, OSDIA State Chaplain the Rev. Fr. Anthony Saliba, and North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jen DeSena (R-Manhasset). The parade will feature floats, banners, music and other attractions. All groups are invited to attend and march. Following the parade, a community festival featuring entertainment and family-friendly festivities will be held at the Constantino Brumidi Lodge No. 2211, located at 2075 Deer Park Avenue in Deer Park. The parade will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in Deer Park. Festivities will begin with breakfast at 11:00a.m. at the Deer Park Lake Avenue Firehouse, followed by a program at noon and the parade kickoff at 1:00p.m. For additional parade information, contact Keith Wilson at 516-633-1435.
welcome you and show you to your table. There’s a distinct smell of an oldfashioned diner like this one that brings you back to simpler days that are long past. In the glass pastry showcase that you walk past on the way to your table, there’s every cake and pastry that you’d expect to see at a traditional Long Island diner. How do you choose just one? “The Matzo Ball Soup and French Onion Soup were wonderful. The Pastrami and Swiss on toasted rye was great, as was the BLT. Service was great! Had breakfast there in April 2026. Wonderful breakfast! The Eggs Florentine were phenomenal, and the French Toast was awesome. Service was great, I highly recommend it.” -Terri The Airport Diner is located at 3760 Veterans Memorial Highway in Bohemia and can be reached at 631-585-8404. The Diner is open 7 days a week from 6:00a.m. to 12:00a.m. They’re open for dining, take-out, and delivery.
New President and CEO at Discover Long Island Suffolk County Legislator Steven J. Flotteron (R-Brightwaters) recently met with Discover Long Island’s new President and CEO Sharon Wyman and Director of Advocacy & Stewardship Ed Carr to discuss the many projects, programs, attractions, and landscapes that make Suffolk County such a special place to live, work, and raise a family. Ms. Wyman has been part of Discover Long Island for nearly 25 years, bringing invaluable experience and passion for the region.
Theatre & the Arts Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
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Thursday, October 1, 2026
Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome to Theatre Three’s Riveting Revival of
‘Cabaret!’
By Cindi Sansone-Braff Credit - Steve Cruz, ShotbyCruz
Step inside Theatre Three in Port Jefferson, and you’re no longer on Long Island. You’ve been transported to Berlin, during the brief respite between two World Wars. The source material for “Cabaret” was Christopher Isherwood’s 1939 semi-autobiographical novel “Goodbye to Berlin,” written in a journalistic, observational style. Isherwood’s novel opens with the sentence, “I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking.” As a nod to that iconic line, in 1951 John Van Druten adapted Isherwood’s popular book into the Broadway hit “I Am a Camera.” Librettist Joe Masteroff adapted that play into the musical “Cabaret,” with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Directed and produced by Harold Prince, with choreography by Ron Field, the Broadway production starred the legendary Joel Grey as the Emcee. It ran for 1,165 performances and won eight Tony Awards. In yet another incarnation of Isherwood’s iconic novel, Bob Fosse’s acclaimed 1972 film adaptation won eight Academy Awards. Under Jeffrey Sanzel’s deft direction and meticulous attention to every dramatic detail, the theater itself becomes a time machine. From the moment you enter the Mainstage, you’re awestruck by Randall Parsons’ intimate nightclub set design. Your eyes fall on the large, illuminated marquee: Kit on the top line; Kat on the next; Klub below that. Then you notice the three vertical Ks. The image jolts you from 1929 to 1966, when “Cabaret” premiered at New York City’s Broadhurst Theatre at the height of America’s Civil Rights Movement. That spine-chilling initialism for the Ku Klux Klan was intentionally used by Masteroff to draw a parallel between the rising Fascism and anti-Semitism in 1930s Germany and the systemic racism confronting black Americans in the United States. Before your mind can fully absorb that connection, your eyes fall on the rows of glowing theater bulbs that barely illuminate the stark, shadowy interior. A staircase and balconies dominate the otherwise
bare stage. Then, almost imperceptibly, the den of iniquity comes alive as the Kit Kat Boys and Girls emerge, becoming part of the stage’s visual architecture. Your gaze is drawn to Jason Allyn’s flesh-baring costumes: black corsets, garters, fishnet stockings, and form-fitting black leather pants. The atmosphere is seductive, edgy, provocative, and just a little dangerous. Steve Barile, Jr.’s evocative lighting draws you in as the Kit Kat Club performers stealthily leave the stage and spill into the aisles, moving closer to the audience. In an instant, you’re no longer a voyeur peering into a Berlin nightclub. You’re inside it. You look away, lest they come too close for comfort. All this irresistible intrigue happens before the show even begins! Enter the ringmaster of this bizarre little universe of Berlin Bohemians: The Emcee, belting out “Willkommen” and inviting you to leave your troubles outside. A memorable onstage moment was watching the captivating William Stokes portray the Emcee, flamboyantly bedecked and prancing across the stage, enticing you to stop being a Peeping Tom, get off the sidelines, and become an initiate in this intoxicating world of debauchery. The Emcee is the master of gallows humor, as he addresses the undercurrent of sadomasochism that permeates the show with a tongue-in-cheek reference to spanking while he cradles a scantily clad Kit Kat Girl. Act II opens with a bang, with Stokes at the center of a fabulous “Kick Line.” During the saucy show tune “Don’t Tell Mama,” we meet the infamous British performer Sally Bowles, ravishingly portrayed by Theatre Three veteran Sari Feldman, who looks striking in her redand-black costume and immediately stands out as the club’s glamorous, volatile star. Josie McSwane’s sultry choreography mesmerized the audience as Sally and the Kit Kat Girls strutted their stuff, offering a taste of what’s to come. Feldman is a triple threat throughout the show, demonstrating her stellar acting, dancing, and singing. Her breathtaking renditions of “Maybe This Time” and “Cabaret” were worth the price of admission.
Jason Furnari delivered an awardworthy performance as Clifford Bradshaw, an American writer who travels to Berlin in search of inspiration for his novel and is drawn into the glittering, decadent world of the Kit Kat Klub. There, Clifford becomes involved with Sally, who embraces champagne, cocaine, cigarettes, and the club’s carefree spirit, oblivious to the growing danger posed by Nazism. Furnari and Feldman’s delightfully playful duet, “Perfectly Marvelous,” was one of the show’s highlights. The musical’s other central love story centers on Fräulein Schneider, the pragmatic German boardinghouse proprietor, and Herr Schultz, a kind Jewish fruit shop owner. Phyllis March was perfectly cast as Fräulein Schneider, a strong-willed, stern, and highly determined woman. March’s two solos, “So What?” and “What Would You Do?”, were delivered with the right blend of heartfelt emotion and sad resignation. Douglas Quattrock brought quiet dignity, gentleness, and joy to the role of Herr Schultz. Quattrock and March’s beautiful rendition of the wistful, warmhearted waltz “Married,” accompanied by Rachel Geiser’s magnificent vocals as the Chanteuse, was among the show’s most poignant moments. Other standout performers were Steven Uihlein as Ernst Ludwig, Rachel Geiser as Fräulein Kost, and Bryan Bowie as Max. The multi-talented Kit Kat Klub ensemble features Angie Barrientos as Fritzie, Maria Cutaia as Frenchie, Melina Piervencenti as Helga, Erin Plitt as Lulu, Haley Saunders as Rosie, Michelle Su as Texas, Ruben Fernandez as Hans, Edward Martinez as Victor, Zac Thompson as Herman, and Kiernan Urso as Bobby. Theatre Three’s spectacular production of “Cabaret,” featuring a superb live band led by Jeffrey Hoffman and stunning sound design by Tim Haggerty, delivers a fully immersive theatrical experience that left the audience stunned by its dramatic finale. After a moment of profound silence, the crowd rose for a sustained standing ovation that continued as the actors exited the stage. “What good is sitting alone in your room?” Come to the “Cabaret” at Theatre Three. The production runs through October 25. For tickets, call the box office at 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree. com. The production contains adult language and situations and may not be suitable for all audiences. Cindi Sansone-Braff is an awardwinning playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of “Grant Me a Higher Love,” “Why Good People Can’t Leave Bad Relationships,” and “Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic.” She won the 2026 Press Club of Long Island Media Award in the Narrative Arts category for outstanding journalism.
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Candidate Spotlight Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Lynn Trupiano O’Keefe By Matt Meduri Candidate: Lynn Trupiano-O’Keefe Residence: Kings Park Occupation: Retired nuclear medicine technologist Office Sought: New York State Assembly, District 8 (AD-08) Prior Elected Office: None Lines: Democratic Notable Endorsements: NYSUT, Planned Parenthood, Moms for Gun Safety Lynn Trupiano-O’Keefe is making her first run for public office for the Eighth Assembly District, which includes the entire Town of Smithtown, the Village of Islandia, and parts of Hauppauge. Trupiano-O’Keefe sat down with The Messenger for this candidate spotlight interview. Q: What is your professional background and how does it equip you for the Assembly? A: Being in the medical profession for 36 years, I’ve seen a lot. I was the supervisor of the Nuclear Medicine Department at St. Johns, the lead tech at NYU, and I worked in an office for over 20 years as a lead tech in nuclear medicine. Nuclear medicine is the injection of radio isotopes for imaging and diagnostics. We would look at the function of every organ in your body - thyroid, kidneys, heart, liver, brain. Now, we’re
able to target cancer with nuclear medicine. You inject the isotope and it doesn’t affect the cells outside the cancer. I work to keep my certification. I started at Suffolk Community College’s nursing program. My neighbor at the time said the VA hospital has a nuclear/ radiology program. They accepted 8 people each year; 4 of us graduated. It was a tough program - 2-year vocational, hands-on. It’s sad they don’t have it anymore. We need vocational programs. It was a very interesting career. I’ve been through a lot in my own life. My first husband died of stomach cancer in 2001. We dealt with health insurance issues and beyond. We went to Washington, D.C., for a specialized surgery out-of-network, and I ended up with liens on my house from one of the hospitals. Number one, I lost the love of my life, and then my life savings and home. My friends and family were my safety net. I had to work, raise my family, and eventually remarry, but my real passion is healthcare. I’ve seen the ins and outs. I retired from NYU in 2022. I’ve always wanted to do something to get involved in politics, to try to do something about healthcare, what’s happening with our hospitals, and the cuts to Medicare/Medicaid. When I lost my husband 25 years ago, we were out-of-network, even though preexisting conditions were the same. It was a big deal that we couldn’t switch our carrier and have better insurance.
I’m a mother of 5 children in a blended family. I’ve run many fundraisers. I helped with Maggie’s Mission (started when my cousin’s daughter passed of cancer in 2017), which has raised over $1M for Sloane Kettering. I ran a fundraiser for a young man here in Smithtown who was one of the first young people to get surgery for severe Tourette’s Syndrome. We raised enough money since it wasn’t covered by insurance because it wasn’t approved by the FDA. He’s living a normal beautiful life today. I’m a regular person, I’m not a rocket scientist, but I think my passion for helping people and wanting to hear them out. That’s what I bring to the table. Q: What is the state of the State in your opinion? A: Overall, we’re having a tough time. I would love to see the NY Health Act passed and would love to work on affordability. Healthcare, affordability, stability are the big three. Our children are leaving Long Island. I have 5 adult children; 3 are still living with me, and 2 of them each work two jobs and they have Bachelor’s/Master’s. All my sons’ friends have moved out of state. I want to keep families together. Healthcare is number one, and having healthcare attached to your job is very unfair. You might have a great job, great insurance, and are working a 40-hour week, but don’t have great insurance. Healthcare is a passion of mine. I would really love to do something with that. I want to get on any committee having to do with health and mental health, get together with the other Assembly members, and get this NY Health Act passed. The Health Act is like the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), which is one of the best in the country. It’s modeled after that. On Medicaid, I would like to have forensic accountants look at where we’re spending our money. We absolutely need to look into fraud. For the most part, we’re seeing the cuts. The hospitals and these big insurance conglomerates are becoming empires. I’d like to break up the monopolies. They have too much power. The cuts coming down in 2027 will be catastrophic to our hospitals. St. Catherine’s lost their maternity ward three years ago. I worked in this hospital about 30 years ago. I went there recently with a friend who had an eye injury. St. Catherine’s doesn’t have an ophthalmologist. Our local hospitals are feeling it with the cuts. I think we’re cutting things in the wrong places. My parents are in their 80s, and they’re having a tough time as well. They’re on Medicare, but they don’t have dental. My father got $6000 dental bill. The trade-off was repairing their refrigerator instead of buying a new one because he couldn’t afford it with the dental bill. Q: What are your objectives for AD-08? A: I want to start something with housing to initiate a habitat for the young workforce. We should be training people to work in the communities they live in. We need options for young people to stay on Long Island. Single-family homes are good and I’d love to see apartments. Central Islip has a lottery to get into some of the developments; I would like to see more of that. But let’s not overbuild either, I don’t want to see communities ravaged by these huge buildings that don’t look right. People get upset when they see too much development. We
have a lot of buildings we’re not using. We’re talking about using these existing buildings that are empty, making them into apartments, using the infrastructure we already have. That’s a great choice for the young workforce. I would also like them to be more accessible so parents can live with them if they need. We do need to cut red tape: variances, paperwork, fines. I want to make it easier for kids or aging parents who stay with people. There needs to be regulation so it doesn’t go haywire. The building in Kings Park, owned by Tony Tanzi, I don’t think my kids working two jobs could afford to stay there on their own. I think they’re very expensive. Again, with the lottery system in Central Islip, you’d be lucky to get in. They also have financial advisors sit down with young people who consult them on if they can afford the apartment as well. I was recently at the LGBTQ office in Hauppauge, and they were saying a lot of people are living out of their cars. Community outreach is also important. Many people I speak to don’t know what an assemblymember does or who it is. When I mention my opponent’s name, they know his name, but don’t know him or what he does. I’d love community outreach, I’d like to do outreach with young people monthly to get a temperature check on how things are going in the community. Q: If elected, you’d be part of the majority, which has been unpopular in recent years. How do you plan to differentiate yourself? A: I go with my heart, not always with the party. I’m always going to vote where I feel it’s right. If there’s something I disagree with, you’ll hear it from me. My husband and son are police officers; the State went too far with bail reform. We do need bail reform, but I think we went too far. Judges need to have more discretion, but if someone does something horrific, they get out because they have money. There is a need for bail reform, but we went a bit too far with it. Q: What’s your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic? A: “Health is your wealth.” I also love the poem on the Statue of Liberty’s tablet. Anytime I see that quote, I get the chills. My grandfather came here from British Guiana and he had the Statue of Liberty tattooed on him. Q: How do you like to connect with your community and what do you like to do in your spare time? A: I love walking the boardwalk at Sunken Meadow; I usually meet new people there. The local shops are great - Odds & Ends, Terry’s and the people there work really hard. I’m a local at heart, always in Kings Park. I get my hair cut in Kings Park, I get my nails done in Kings Park. And I get to see how everyone is doing and how things are going. In my spare time, I love gardening. I had a nice vegetable garden this summer. I love being with my family and kids, and we love Lake Placid. It’s one of my favorite places to be. A Sunday dinner with my parents and kids, that brings me the most joy. The Messenger thanks Lynn TrupianoO’Keefe for her time for this interview.
Candidate Spotlight Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick
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By Matt Meduri Candidate: Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick Residence: St. James Office: New York State Assembly, District Eight (AD-08) First Elected: 2002 Party Lines: Republican, Conservative Committees: Agriculture; Banks; Higher Education; Housing (Ranking Member); Ways and Means. Long an icon in the Town of Smithtown, and frequently regarded as the Assembly’s most conservative member, Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick is running for a thirteenth term. Assemblyman Fitzpatrick sat down with The Messenger for this candidate spotlight interview. Q: What is the state of the State in your view? A: This State has some very serious spending problems. Newsday this week had a story that municipalities are “bracing for impact” with the Tier 6 pension reforms. Any talk of affordability from anyone who voted for that is pure nonsense. We’re talking about affordability that the Democrats want - free healthcare, Medicare for all - yet they don’t say how they’re going to pay for it. Our healthcare system needs fixing, not replacement with socialized medicine. In addition, the city is looking at a $13B deficit next year, per The New York Post, not talking at all about reducing spending. From what I read, Mayor Mamdani and his army of influencers are going to put tremendous pressure on the Governor and the Legislature to bail them out again, which will take us to the highest-taxed level in the country. I want to go back to Albany to fight this, be a voice for fiscal sanity. What we need is more democracy, not more Democrats. We are spending beyond our means. The Democrats think they’re going to put the burden on the wealthy. We’ve lost a number of wealthy taxpayers, a tremendous amount of wealth - about $11B. In order to pay for all this, you’ll have to spread the tax burden across many, many levels of income, whether that’s via the income tax or fees. They’ve passed the mother-of-all pension sweeteners that we knew we couldn’t afford, but the teachers’ union wanted it. No one is leaving public employment because the pension is no good; that’s just not happening. There was no reason to do this, and frankly, we cannot afford it. All our municipalities are under fiscal stress. They’re openly talking about how we have to piece the tax cap. The only protection the property taxpayer on Long Island has is the tax cap, and because of what the Albany Democrats have done, the localities are forced to pierce the cap, unless they cut spending. They’ll argue we have to cut services. In economics, there are no solutions, only trade-offs. Under Governor Cuomo during the 2008 crash, we worked to make this system sustainable, and the Democrats have removed the sustainability by sweetening Tier 6. They’re going to break the taxpayer by ‘fixing’ Tier 6. If you are having staffing shortages,
the best way is to raise the compensation, not sweeten the pension. The unions wanted to go back to Tier 4, which we cannot afford, and flex their political muscle to get what they wanted. They led the charge on this campaign. I’ve been advocating for pension reform for years, and for new hires to be given the option to go into defined contributions or benefits plans. I’ve also advocated for getting elected officials out of the defined benefit platform. Elected officials must be out of that system because everyone criticizes the career politicians, but when you have the defined benefits plan, you create the career politicians. I’ve been trying to close that platform for all elected officials from the Governor to the Town Council so that elected officials’ interests are aligned with the taxpayers’ interests. Right now, they’re aligned with the public employee unions. You’re asking legislators to vote against their own financial interests. You’re going to see a very tough budget season next year, and the City has no interest in reducing its spending and cutting expenses. We will be bankrupt in very short order. I have family in London, Italy, and Mexico, three countries with national health insurance programs. All three programs are not very popular in their home countries because socialized healthcare simply doesn’t work. You can’t satisfy the needs and demands. You need a patient-directed system and market mechanisms to create incentives for patients and create more competition in the medical marketplace. Right now, you have big corporate entities - Northwell and others - who are controlling the system. The patient isn’t given a choice. The patient has to be put back in charge. Q: What have been some of your statewide prerogatives the last two years? A: I continue to talk about University of New York (UNY) rebranding. The Governor has expressed interest in this. The SUNY people understand something needs to be done. Because of the declining birthrate and the demographic trend, we have fewer students going into college, fewer students graduating from high school, but the largest university system in the country. We must do something, and rebranding is the first thing we must do to create a better brand to attract prospective students from across the country to fill seats across the 64 campuses. SUNY is not a strong brand. It’s like a supermarket brand; we need to become a national brand to be more attractive. The schools are doing their own thing, there’s no uniformity, and everyone’s going in a different direction. There’s strength in unity, and we’ve got to unify these campuses under national brands. When you’ve got a shrinking market, you have to improve your game. The first step is rebranding. That gets peoples’ attention. The State is already leveraging the New York brand beautifully for tourism - I “Heart” NY. We need to do this for higher education institutions that attract students from across the country, and because we have fewer of them, we’ve got to be better than anyone else. The
students themselves love this idea. They’d rather see UNY on their diplomas. But it’s like trying to turn an oil tanker; it doesn’t turn on a dime. I’m also working to protect our water supply, and we need to stop the lunacy with the State’s energy policy, the all-electric mandates and natural gas eliminations. We’ve reduced refining capacity around the country due to green policies during the Biden Administration. There are social problems too. The City smells like pot, and gambling has expanded. Jake’s 58 is raking money in hand over foot, yet you don’t see any impact on your tax bill. None of it seems to be reducing taxes at all; it’s getting spent. Now, they want to double the size of the casino. Sports betting is very concerning to people in our district. The young male demographic is very susceptible to that. Those are revenues being raised to pay for their prerogatives. Elected leaders have to start cutting spending and being realistic. You can’t satisfy everyone. Creating growth is very difficult because of the tax picture. I’m proud of my voting record. I’ve not supported a lot of the spending on the budget vote. We’ve got to get this state more purple, not more blue. It’s already a deeper shade of blue than it needs to be. Q: What have you been able to deliver for AD-08 in the last two years? A: We’ve brought capital funding to libraries, school districts, we’re helping our Vets organizations, and we’re helping our food banks. We’ve been able to bring some important resources home. We’ve provided the funding to move the Blyndeburgh Dam forward. The actual work is done at the County level with the contractors, but the State has done its part. They’re committed to following through on this. Redeveloping our downtowns has been very important as well. Sewer capacity protects groundwater, creating opportunity for development in Smithtown’s three business districts: Smithtown, St. James, and Kings Park. The communities that are thriving right now are all close to railroad stations, but they all have people living in the downtowns with disposable income to spend on hospitality and goods. Station Yards, Huntington, Farmingdale, and Patchogue are good examples. Smithtown’s three districts are moving along well. Concerns about transit-oriented development (TOD) are overhyped. Reduce the price, increase the supply. We need more housing at different levels, but one of the problems is when you look at the tax burden due to the State spending, that’s distorting the economics of home building as well. It’s very hard to build starter homes because the land is so pricey, and land is in such limited supply. Redevelopment is the key. Smithtown is 85% developed, the other 15% is parkland. TOD has been encouraged by the State and the Town is in on the joint effort. One of the problems of people coming out here is because the city is becoming unlivable. Q: How do you view the party shifts and where can your caucus improve their strategy? A: First, there’s no such thing as
Democratic Socialists. These are socialists/ communists, and there will likely be twice the number of them in the Assembly after this election. They’re mostly from the city. They’re not going there to cut spending. They’re going to increase spending and taxes to pay for them, which will accelerate the exodus of people and wealth. NYC is looking at a $13B deficit; they’re not cutting any spending. Major businesses are looking to leave. Where do they think they’re coming up with all the money to pay for what they want? They’re looking to raise taxes. There aren’t enough wealthy people and there isn’t enough wealth to cover the whole bill. They want to skew the Census because power is shifting from the blue states to red states for a better quality of life and lower cost of living. We need to have some serious discussions with our constituents about what all of this costs. Tier 6 was never broken; it didn’t need to be fixed. Everyone is going to ask for carve-outs, relief from this, and I’m not voting to change the tax cap one iota. The law, when it was signed by Cuomo, allowed municipalities to pierce the tax cap. They have to be honest with their constituents. Smithtown and Islip had to pierce their caps, and might have to again because of Tier 6. Albany did that to you. Again, we have to create a more patient-centered system instead of a corporate system. We need Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) where people pay up to a certain amount to pay for basic care out of their HSAs and allow them to keep what they don’t spend to roll over into the next year. Medicare for All means tremendous pressure to increase scope of benefits offered and not able to pay for all this because there won’t be enough money to pay for services that people want. Q: What’s your favorite quote, motto, or work ethic? A: “There are no solutions, only tradeoffs.” - Thomas Sowell. A great economist and someone I admire a lot. Q: How do you like to connect with your community and what do you do in your spare time? A: Being out and about. I go to a lot of events, and I’m the last guy out of church on Sunday just from talking to everyone. When I go to the supermarket, I get stopped more often than you’d think. And with phone calls and emails, connecting with people is very easy in today’s world. I have two grandchildren in London, my wife has family in Italy and Mexico. We do like to travel to visit family, and travel broadens your perspective. I love reading the press wherever I am. I had foreign roommates in college, and that’s where I got the travel bug. In fact, met my wife through one of my roommates and we were married in Mexico. The Messenger thanks Assemblyman Fitzpatrick for his time for this interview.
Civics 101
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Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Necessary Standard for American Education The Constitution - Article II, Section 1
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
This column will seek to address the long-forgotten concept of civics and how it relates to American government in general, from the federal level to the local level. This column will explore Constitutional rights, the inner workings of government, the electoral process, and the obligations and privileges of citizens.
By Matt Meduri We continue our Constitution deep dive with Article II, starting with the first of four sections. Section 1 is by far the lengthiest and most technical of Article II. In a Nutshell Article II at-large lays out the rules for the Executive Branch - the presidency. Section 1 in particular establishes the length of the term in office, the Electoral College, presidential succession and vacancy, and the oath of office. Section 1, Clause 1: Formally defines the president as the source of “executive power” in the federal government, sets the term length of four years, and that the president is elected alongside the vice president for the same term. Section 1, Clause 2: This clause establishes the Electoral College. Each state legislature appoints electors to elect the president and vice president. The number of electors is equal to the respective state’s total of Senators and House members. For example, New York has 26 congressional districts (a higher number due to a higher population, as established by Article I, Section 2, Clause 3) and 2 Senators (every state has the same number of Senators, per Article I, Section 3, Clause 1). Therefore, New York has 28 votes in the Electoral College. Clause 2 also prevents federal officeholders from serving as electors, although officeholders at other levels of government can serve as electors. Interesting Note: When you vote for president, you are not voting directly for the president. You are voting for a slate of electors who are sworn to elect their party’s candidate if that candidate wins the popular vote in the state. All major parties submit a slate of electors before the election. This clause also allows the states to choose how their electors are chosen. Since Congress controls the manner in which electors are chosen, they can choose different manners of awarding electoral votes. 48 states use the winner-take-all system, but Nebraska and Maine are the only states to award electoral votes based on presidential popular vote winners in each congressional district. Section 1, Clause 3: Requires that electors meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for a president and vice president. Clause 3 also stipulates that the two candidates cannot be from the same state. The Framers intended this to prevent electors in big states from being swayed for two home-state candidates. Clause 3 requires that the electors’ votes are listed, sealed, and sent directly to the Vice President, who then opens all the documents from the 50 states and reads them aloud in front of the House and Senate. The candidate who receives a majority of total electoral votes becomes president. If no candidate receives a majority, the House of Representatives then selects the president. Interesting Note: This vote is not 1-to-1. Instead, the states vote by House delegation. For example, New York has 26 congressional districts; 19 are held by Democrats, 7 by Republicans. In a scenario where the House picks the president, the New York delegation would vote, but the end result counts as just 1 vote towards a candidate. If New York’s delegation votes for the Democratic candidate in a contested election, that candidate would receive just 1 vote from New York. Clause 3 adds that if no person has a majority even after the House votes, then the House votes again, but with the top-five vote-receivers from the first round advancing in an essential runoff. Clause 3 stipulates that two-thirds of the states’
delegations must be present for these votes and that the presidential winner must have a majority of states opting for them to win. Finally, Clause 3 outlines that the Senate chooses the vice president in a contested election scenario. That vote is taken 1-to-1. The Twelfth Amendment greatly defined these powers after the 1800 election. Section 1, Clause 4: Congress determines the time of choosing the electors - Election Day itself. Congress has Election Day set to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. This clause also includes the day on which electors give their votes in their respective state capitals, which, as of 2022, is set for the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December. Interesting Note: The specific date for Election Day was set in 1845. At the time, most Americans were farmers, and the early November date was amenable between the planting and harvest seasons. Since many had to travel long distances to their polling places, usually the county seat, Tuesday was chosen to allow for the Sunday Sabbath to be observed and for farmers to catch Wednesday, typically a market day. Election Day never falls on November 1, partly because that day is All Saints’ Day, a holy day of obligation for many Catholics, and merchants at the time would settle their books on the first of the month. Lawmakers wanted to avoid any political influence from those economic activities. Section 1, Clause 5: Only natural-born citizens of the United States can hold the office of the president. Clause 5 also requires presidential candidates to be at least 35 years of age and a U.S. resident for at least 14 years. Section 1, Clause 6: The vice president assumes the duties of the president when the president is removed from office, dies, resigns, or has the “inability to discharge” his powers and duties of the office. Congress also has the power to provide a case by law to prove that the president and vice president are not able to carry out the duties of their offices. Congress can then declare a person to serve as president until the next election or until the president is able to return to office in the case of disability. Interesting Note: The 25th Amendment greatly clarified the language in this clause. It was unclear whether the vice president became the president, assuming the office itself, or simply acted as the president, exercising the presidential office while remaining vice president. Section 1, Clause 7: The president is paid for his services. The fixed salary is disbursed at “stated times” and Congress cannot increase or decrease it while the
president is in office. The president also cannot receive any other profits from the federal or state governments while in office. Section 1, Clause 8: This includes the oath of office. Clause 8 requires the president to take the oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The Framers required a verbatim oath as they believed that a personal, spoken commitment could help restrain the president’s personal ambitions and keep his mind on upholding the Constitution. The Framers’ experience with weak government also allowed them to pivot their leaders’ focus to a long-standing document, rather than others in power at the time. This was a noted departure from swearing allegiance to a king, for instance. The Framers, in this Clause, made the president’s allegiance to the document that contains the law of the land. Furthermore, the Framers enshrined this in the Constitution so as to prevent Congress from changing the words over time. In their view, this would have made the president more subservient to a fluctuating Congress, rather than a foundational aspect of American government. This also prevents Congress from watering down the language or by making the oath topical and political. The original draft of the oath was much shorter, just a promise to “faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States.” But James Madison and George Mason added the second half about defending the Constitution. Madison later explained that it was a reference to the Greek Amphicytonic League, an ancient religious association of tribes and city-states. Madison noted that the league failed because they did not have an accountable executive. The Framers hoped to avoid that weakness by making the president responsible to the entire nation. Interesting Note: The words in Clause 8 are the bare minimum required for the oath of office. The words haven’t changed since they were written in 1787. However, the “so help me God” added at the end is of personal preference. It’s entirely traditional rather than constitutionally mandated. Historians debate whether George Washington added the “so help me God” in 1789; contemporary evidence is lacking, while claims first appeared decades later. The earliest evidence of this phrase comes from Chester A. Arthur (R-NY) in 1881, as he was sworn in after the assassination of President James A. Garfield (R-OH). The modern traditional practice was started with Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY).
School Highlights Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Brentwood Announces Class of 2027 Top 10 Scholars
The Brentwood Union Free School District proudly recognized its top 10 academic students in the Class of 2027 at a September 25 luncheon. “Being in the Top 10 is an incredible accomplishment, but it is not the title they leave high school with that will define them. It is what they do with everything they have learned and the impact they make after they leave us,” said Superintendent Wanda Ortiz-Rivera. “This announcement, however, was simply about celebrating them and recognizing the years of hard work, perseverance and dedication that brought them to this moment. Their success also belongs to the teachers, counselors, staff members and families who have supported, encouraged and believed in them along the way.” Listed in descending academic rank order, the top 10 scholars at the high
school’s Sonderling Center are: David Garcia, Noel Escobar, Sarai Canales, Maritza Prescod, Erick Benitez, Mustafa Usman, Danyal Cheema, Nooh Najum, Junia Venmorise, and Allison Martinez. Listed in descending academic rank order, the top 10 scholars at the high school’s Ross Center are: Alexis Hernandez, James Baker, Tarini Rambharose, Amy Rosario, Emely Rosario, Beyonca Gutierrez Rodriguez, Abdiely De La Rosa, Emely Verde, Gisselle Jaime, and Jacqueline Velasquez. These students exemplify dedication, hard work and a passion for learning while reflecting the opportunities available through the district’s postsecondary Graduation PLUS+ initiative, with several of them expected to graduate high school with college credits.
Bay Shore Students Selected for All State Six Bay Shore musicians were selected for NYSSMA All State, one of the highest honors for a student musician in New York State. Each student took part in a rigorous selection process to earn their spot. Connor Flynn (Mixed Chorus), Owen Huber (Wind Ensemble), Siobhan Sheerin (Treble Chorus), and William Emigholz (Symphony Orchestra) were selected as performers. James Huber and Paul Rosales were selected as alternates.
Three West Islip Students Featured in NYSSBA Art Exhibit Three talented 10th grade artists from West Islip High School have been selected to have their artwork featured in the New York State School Boards Association 2026 Student Art Exhibit, sponsored by the New York State Art Teachers Association. The honorees, who were enrolled in Ms. Caulfield’s classes during the 2025-26 school year, are Diana Adames, Regan Lyden and Kayla Henke. Their artwork was selected for inclusion in this year’s virtual exhibit, which showcases outstanding student artwork from elementary and secondary schools across New York State. The annual exhibit provides an opportunity to celebrate student creativity and bring attention to the artistic accomplishments of students with members of local school boards from across the state. School board members attending this year’s NYSSBA Convention can view the artwork during the event from October 22-24 in Buffalo. Since 2020, the exhibit has been presented virtually, allowing student artwork from across New York’s 10 regions to be showcased in an online format. Attendees and the public will continue to have access to the virtual art exhibit through spring 2027. “We are incredibly proud of these three students and the exceptional artwork they created,” said Ms. Caulfield. “It is exciting to see their work recognized and represented alongside talented student artists from across New York State. I am looking forward to seeing the virtual exhibit go live and celebrating their accomplishments.”
Local History
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Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Lake Ronkonkoma’s Ponds By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc. Some may be hidden from view, but there are many ponds in the village of Lake Ronkonkoma. History follows each of the ponds, with different vegetation, wildlife, and original uses. A few of these ponds have limited access, such as a school or private property. Newton Pond can be traced back to 1796, as it was once much larger until the Lake Shore Road was constructed through it to enable easier access to drive around the lake. The Caleb Newton Family had the house on the corner of Old Portion Road and Lake Shore Road which included Newton Pond. It was mainly used to water and feed their farm animals. Most recently, the pond was used for ice hockey by the community. Today, it boasts beautiful foliage and many animals and birds you could not find easily elsewhere. East of Newton Pond, on the left-hand side of Ronkonkoma Avenue just behind the Meadows of Lake Ronkonkoma you will find two small sections of the original Wolf Pond. These two areas were once one pond with the larger Wolf Pond across the street, yet once again it was split in two by road construction. The smaller ponds were known for their frogs and turtles, which somehow would find their way back to the larger pond. We know of a young man who would gather up the frogs and turtles and sell them to Miss Finley who lived in front of the larger Wolf Pond. This was Caleb Newton property. Wolf Pond has its own history, and it is full of environmental promises and nature conservation. The pond has been there for ages and has an ecological distinction fitting our area. A small islandlike center makes the pond even more appealing, and the grounds have a pleasing atmosphere. The wonderful condition of the trails and landscape would make a perfect activity trail. A longtime occupant of Wolf Pond was the “Wolf Pond Monster.” It was identified as a great snapping turtle, known as a “torup.” Judged to be over one hundred years old, and weighing in at thirty-five pounds, its legs were covered with scales as would a prehistoric monster, and with barbs on its tail. When it left the pond, it was said a huge amount of water would drain off its body and was indeed an ugly sight. Its scale-covered head was set with vicious jaws capable of snapping a man’s arm and it could move surprisingly well on land. It was discovered during a drought year, and could be watched snapping up ducks, geese, and any other animal that had the unfortunate fate of crossing his path. Eventually, the authorities decided the Wolf Pond Monster had to be destroyed. Wild Geese, raccoons, turtles, frogs, birds, and small wildlife have established their ecosystems at the site. Wolf Pond Sanctuary was established in 1951 as a memorial for Sumner Newton, a direct descendant of the original Caleb Newton landowner, by the Finlay sisters, Miss Helen and Miss Roberta. It is one of the few beautiful sites kept in a natural state at Lake Ronkonkoma to serve the special needs of birds and small wildlife. In front of Gatelot Avenue School one can find the Bowen Well. This is a confirmed Native American location. The well has never run dry in its known existence. During severe droughts, the white man, up to only 100 years ago, depended on the well for fresh water. Wagons would line up for the opportunity to fill only two barrels in one day. The strict distribution of the water worked well for the community. The exact reason for the State to fill in the fresh water well with concrete is still a mystery.
Newton’s Pond Our concerns for the future of the well pending possible sale of Gatelot by the Sachem School District has been discussed with the local Native American tribes, who will come forward if the sale seems to be materializing. At the bend in School Street, on the left just after the Brookwood on the Lake Apartments is Round Pond, as it is known today. It holds water most of the season but sometimes gets very low. In the 1940s, local children, led by the Robert, Ray, George, and Bill, the Reilly brothers, would bring a large boat in and float it on the pond and spend many a day sailing. Higher ground is at the Cenacle, the larger pond known as Mooney Pond, adjacent to Sandy Garth (the house) has always sustained its water level through the ups and downs over hundreds of years. Ice skating was permitted by Maude Adams to the
local children, and interestingly enough, there were up to four small ponds where age distribution and ice-skating privileges were upheld. The “bigger” children used Mooney Pond, while the size-order children skated on the size appropriate ponds. This is a verified piece of history as left by many adults recalling those days who followed the rules. Towards the end of the day, Maude Adams and her partner, Louise, would bring out hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies for all children before their walk home. McManniman Pond is located at the bend on Smith Road, on the property of Sachem North High School. The McManniman Homestead was next to it, but now a road runs between the two. Once known as one of the oldest surviving structures in Brookhaven, the MacManniman House was located at 263 Smith Road across from Sachem High School. Built sometime before 1797, it was used by overnight travelers on horse or stagecoach going between New York City and the East End. It had a large carriage house and was set on eight acres at the bend in the road. There is a very old cemetery on the southeast corner of the property, with no gravestones. The gravestones were moved to the southwest corner of the Lake Ronkonkoma Cemetery in the early 1900s to block a proposed highway. At least two of these unmarked graves contain two Revolutionary War soldiers. Although the house belonged to many names, (early 1800s) all owners have been directly related. Unfortunately, the house was destroyed under difficult details. Other documented areas, that once were ponds or swamp land, can be found at Carroll Avenue and Criss Street. This pond, better described as a small lake, was used by the JN Newton Family in their logging business. Lillian Devere’s home, on Hawkins Avenue across from the old Dairy Barn, was built with water in mind. We have detailed photographs of the basement and outer north side which were made with giant cisterns under the house. You may have used the path from Carroll Avenue to the old Bohack parking lot and can remember the wet ground and vegetation. Both of these locations were tied to Carroll and Criss. Any structure from Brunos/ Flanagan’s was marsh land. Across the street A&P/ Beverage Barn was extreme marsh land. The map will show the locations.
Technology News Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
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AI Moves into the Laboratory: Long Island is part of that shift. By Mollie W. Barnett The company behind Claude now has a biology lab. In September, Anthropic said its AI system searched DNA records and identified an unusual enzyme system in viruses that infect bacteria. Human scientists then tested the findings in the company’s Bay Area laboratory. That is a more consequential development than another chatbot update. The model generated a lead. The lab had to find out whether the lead held up in the physical world. Anthropic says the system’s function is still unknown. It has not discovered a new geneediting tool ready for use. This is the idea behind “wet AI”: connect computational predictions to experiments involving actual biological material. The experiment produces measurements, including failures, that can inform the next question. A useful result must survive the bench, not just look persuasive on a screen. There is a human distinction here. Anthropic reports that roughly 950 Claude agents searched sequence data for 21 hours. Its scientists performed all the laboratory work. That is AI accelerating one part of discovery, with people deciding what to test and interpreting what the result means. What is Happening on Long Island? We do not need to look across the country to see the convergence of AI and physical science. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is building shared space for AI and biology research and has launched a BioAI doctoral program. Its larger campus expansion includes NeuroAI, which studies how insights from the brain might improve artificial intelligence. Stony Brook University and Cold Spring Harbor recently described deeper collaboration in genomics, neuroscience and quantitative biology. At Brookhaven National Laboratory, researchers are already
developing automated synthesis and measurement platforms and using autonomous methods to guide experiments in materials science. It is a working example of the same broad logic: instruments generate data, software helps select the next test, and scientists remain accountable for the science. These are related capabilities, not one unified Long Island “AI biology factory.” Cold Spring Harbor’s new BioAI degree is specifically for computational research. Brookhaven’s cited autonomous work is in nanomaterials. The public record does not establish that either is operating Anthropic’s particular biology workflow, much less using living human neurons as computer hardware. Precision matters when the technology is moving this quickly. The Question Behind the Breakthrough Once AI begins to work through laboratories, the strategic asset changes. It is no longer only the model. It is access to instruments, reliable experimental records, skilled scientists and the ability to run another test. A result that cannot be reproduced is poor science and poor training data. Human-derived cells add another layer. Researchers can grow cells from donated tissue to study disease and test treatments. Elsewhere, scientists are experimenting with living neurons
Mollie W. Barnett - is a writer and decision architect who has worked in communications.
connected to electrodes. Those projects are distinct from Anthropic’s announced lab. They do, however, make the questions of consent, reuse and oversight more urgent as biological material becomes part of increasingly automated systems.
The public should be able to ask what a donor agreed to, whether a cell line may be used to train commercial models, who can trace its downstream uses, and who is responsible when a system proposes the next experiment. Those questions belong at the design stage, while the institutions and rules are being built. Long Island has the research institutions, talent and physical infrastructure to help shape this field. The opportunity is real. So is the obligation to keep the human scientist, the donor and the public visible in a process that can otherwise be described as a machine talking to a machine. Reporting sources: Anthropic research announcement | Cold Spring Harbor BioAI program | Stony Brook partnership report | Brookhaven AI research | Cortical Labs CL1 | NIH cell line consent
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Messenger Perspectives Thursday, October 1, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Words Can Kindle or Quench By PJ Balzer
Two weeks ago, my wife and I traveled to Sachem North High School to watch them play William Floyd in football. This game ended up becoming almost instantly infamous. At this game, some Sachem North students made and displayed taunting signs with the opposing players’ girlfriends’ faces on them. Next to the young ladies’ faces were also choice words, words that were purposely demeaning, hurtful, and unnecessary towards young ladies who had nothing to do with the football rivalry. These young ladies were also at this game. The Bible has much to say about our words. Actually, words are one of the topics most addressed throughout both the Old and New Testament. Proverbs suggests, in many different chapters and many different ways, that we both choose our words carefully and use them extremely sparingly. The things we say have a way of shaping our lives and relationships with others. The book of James specifically states that while the tongue is such a small body part compared to the others, that small part has the potential to do great harm. It’s also hard to control, often impulsive and unruly, which can start a great fire that we won’t be able to contain. God, through James’s pen, challenges us and our words in such a practical way that it’s hard to write off. If you’re saying to yourself, “That ancient and outdated book is completely irrelevant today,” I’d make a friendly suggestion that you simply take a look at our present society. Words are much more abundant and being used more flippantly than at any other time in history. From behind a screen and using our words, we label and pummel people we’ve never met. We can defame a stranger’s character without ever having a face-to-face conversation with them. We have our smart phones and comment sections where from our couch we can “really let them have it.” There are so many words this present day and so little thought behind them. Pointing the finger at myself first, I’m as guilty as anyone else on this thoughtless and hurtful words indictment, especially when I was much younger. I unfortunately used my words to destroy other people, specifically my peers. I was the witty and funny kid in the group that could make everyone else laugh.
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My jokes were often made up on the way someone else looked physically, the way they dressed, or something I knew about them. My jokes and fun were always at the expense of someone else, usually someone much weaker than myself. The kid in class who was obviously different, the girl who was morbidly obese, or the person who stood out for the wrong reasons, I know personally about words and signs like these high school kids made up to taunt the opposing team because I was that kid. Anything to make other people laugh, even if it could be really hurtful to someone else. Over the years, I’ve seen the tremendous damage and hurt that words can cause. Many of the kids we picked on are no longer around. Some dropped out of school simply because school was a miserable place for them. Others moved away and never looked back. Some became really troubled kids and troubled adults. I happen to believe that the words of others ended up shaping their self-esteem, future, and lives - just as the Bible said they would. Whether you speak, write, or plaster your words onto a sign at a sports game, at least try to be somewhat mindful of them. Use them wisely and with great temperance. Words can never be fully retracted once the intended target receives them. I always try to put myself in the receiver of my words shoes before I give them out. If you wouldn’t like it done to or said to you, why do it or say it to someone else? While those signs did indeed light a huge fire, both at the game and on the Internet in the days that followed, much wiser people stepped in to use their words to bring peace and a calm to the fire. Words used in a righteous way also have the ability to do great good. May my words, and yours too, offer forgiveness, bring peace and administer healing to every situation we encounter. May our words be a light and small sign of hope in this world that seems to be running in the opposite direction. In the wise words that nearly every mother in America has spoken at some point, “If you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.”
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Overview - AMAC The Association of Mature American Citizens
Three Easy Ways to Reduce Pain at the Pump
AMAC plays a vital role in helping build the services that will enrich the lives of America’s seniors. AMAC Action, a 501 (C)(4) advocates for issues important to AMAC’s membership on Capitol Hill and locally through grassroots activism. To Learn more, visit amac.us
By Stephen Moore | AMAC Contributing Writer
I’ve always argued that the easiest way for families to gauge the health of the economy is to check the daily gas price. Drivers see the 50-foothigh signs in every community in America. They stare us right in the face. I call it the affordability index. In recent weeks, gas prices have hit $4.50 a gallon nationally, and truckers are paying well over $6 a gallon. That’s a bad look with a month to go before midterm elections across the country. These high prices have put consumers in a bad mood. It’s worth mentioning that the average gas price while Donald Trump has been president is lower than the average price under former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. But when it comes to affordability, voters ask: What have you done for me lately? Why aren’t Republicans in Congress doing anything about it? They could reduce gas and diesel prices by well over 50 cents a gallon through three easy reforms. I checked with the experts at the Institute for Energy Research on a plan to lower gas prices, and here’s the plan that would repeal the excessive regulation and taxation of gas and diesel. Step 1. Immediately suspend the renewable energy and ethanol blending requirements at refineries. That saves 31 cents a gallon. There’s no reason we should have to put corn in our gas tank. Step 2. Temporarily suspend the 18-centsa-gallon gas tax and the 24-cents-a-gallon diesel tax. When the gas price falls below $3.50 a gallon, the taxes can be reimposed. Step 3. Permanently repeal the Jones Act, which makes the shipping costs of oil and diesel more expensive by at least 5 cents a gallon. Add up the savings and we’ve just lowered gas and diesel prices by more than 50 cents a gallon. Wait -- there’s more the politicians can do. State gas taxes also add an average of about 33 cents a gallon. State legislators should slash those taxes until the gas price falls when the Middle East supply chains are unclogged. The states with the highest gas taxes are almost all blue states. Californians pay about $1.25 a gallon more than the national average price at the pump because of the state’s onerous regulations and high taxes. The Golden State’s climate change policies alone add almost 50 cents a gallon to the price. This is a high price to pay for virtue signaling. Sorry, Gov. Gavin Newsom. California can’t change the temperature of the planet. The taxes are also way above the national average in Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Yet the governors of these states are first in line to bloviate about the high gas prices that they helped create. Some may complain that gas taxes are a user fee to pay for the roads. That’s generally true, which is why the gas tax repeal should end when the price at the pump falls. Every poll is showing that Americans are most concerned about affordability. Republicans can’t do much about the quagmire of the Middle East. But they can bring prices down here at home starting tomorrow. What are they waiting for?
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The Association of Mature American Citizens represents Americans 50 plus. AMAC is centered on American values, freedom of the individual, free speech, and exercise of religion, equality of opportunity, sanctity of life, rule of law, and love of family, with benefits at all levels.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
O N
S T A G E
SEP 10– OCT 25 U P
N E X T
By William Goldman Based on the Novel by Stephen King
JAN 14–FEB 28 M
NOV 12–DEC 27 C H I L D R E N’S
SEP 26–OCT 25
T H E A T E R
Frosty NOV 21–DEC 27
Bits & Pieces
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WORD OF THE
Week
Etymology: Late 1500s, from Anglo-French odious, from Old French odious; c.1600, from Latin odium “ill-will, hatred, grudge, animosity;” Sources: Merriam-Webster, Etymonline.com.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
SUDOKU
ODIOUS adjective Pronounced: /oh·dee·uhs/ Definition:
arousing or deserving hatred or repugnance.
Example:
“The government corruption was too odious for even the most seasoned insiders.”
Synonyms: abhorrent, objectionable, loathsome Antonyms: attractive, agreeable, pleasant
See bottom left for the answers (please don’t cheat!)
This Week in History October 1, 1888:
October 3, 1990:
Reunification of East Germany and West Germany; the West German flag is raised above the Brandenburg Gate at the stroke of midnight.
WORD WHEEL F
D A
M T
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
October 5, 1978:
O H
Over 30 major nations ratify the Environmental Modification Convention, which prohibits weather warfare that has widespread, long-lasting or severe effects.
October 2, 1957:
“The Bridge on the River Kwai,” directed by David Lean and starring William Holden and Alec Guinness, is released (Academy Awards Best Picture 1958).
National Geographic magazine is published for the first time.
October 7, 1982:
Musical “Cats” opens at Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway, New York City, and runs for nearly 18 years, winning seven Tony Awards and a Grammy.
October 4, 1582:
Last Julian calendar day in Spain, Portugal, and the Papal States. To sync to the Gregorian calendar 10 days are skipped, and the next date is October 15.
October 6, 2021: WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recommends the world’s first malaria vaccine, Mosquirix, for children after a pilot program proves effective in Africa. Source: Onthisday.com.
Bits & Pieces Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
NATIONAL The Iranian government has received a U.S. counterproposal to end the war. IRGC leadership has said the only way to cease hostilities for for the U.S. to admit defeat and leave the Middle East. Iran published a “letter to the American people” on Tuesday, urging regime change and offering coexistence if U.S. foreign policy changed. Iran added in their letter that tensions between the two nations began with the CIA-led coup in 1953. The Senate has blocked a bill to set stock-trading limits for congressional members. The nation is furious that 7 Cornell University men were not adequately charged for the alleged drugging and gang rape of a 20-year-old girl. The case has been reopened Secretary of Defense (War) Pete Hegseth (R-TN) appointed Elon Musk to a task force on the future of warfare. Pennsylvania reported its fifth measles-related death this year. President Trump announced plans for a $15B steel plant in Iowa. The Pentagon announced a complete troop withdrawal from Iraq.
STATE A judge ordered NYC to redo the rollout of the tax on high-end second homes. A Brooklyn subway rider was dragged to death after his bag was caught in the doors of an A train. A top-hatted suspect is accused of stabbing three people. Governor Hochul has warned that Trump’s tariffs could add about $1B to the cost of new MTA trains, buses, and subways. A Hasidic man was placed in ICE custody after protesting an Israeli flag in Ramapo. Officials started boring the tunnel for the Hudson Tunnel Project in North Bergen, New Jersey. Governor Hochul’s office says New York had the fastest-growing economy in Q2 of 2026.
LOCAL Former Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) bought a $10M waterfront estate in Remsenburg. Pal-O-Mine Equestrian in Islandia holds their VetsFest on October 11. A Lake Ronkonkoma man has fallen ill with West Nile Virus. Patchogue-Medford’s Tremont Elementary became the eighth school in the nation to open a Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
WORD SEARCH
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Eastport South-Manor Field Hockey Is Firing Offensively Thursday, October 1, 2026
By Ashley Pavlakis The Sharks just keep winning this season on the field. The Eastport-South Manor (ESM) girls’ varsity field hockey team is dominating on the turf and remains undefeated in 2026. The Eastport-South Manor varsity field hockey team is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in Division II. The Sharks are led by 2024 Coach of the Year and sixth-year head coach Ann Naughton. She spent 30 years as a physical education teacher and coach at Smithtown East. Naughton is joined on the sidelines by assistant coach Keira Ettere. ESM won its first Suffolk County title in 2023, defeating Bayport-Blue Point 1-0. They notched their second title in 2025 with a 2-1 overtime win over Harborfields. The Sharks are 8-0-0 in 2026, making them one of four teams in Suffolk County to have a perfect record. Fins are all the way up in Manorville this season; the Sharks have hunted their prey (opponents) so well, outscoring them 37-1 through eight games in 2026. The team is led in scoring by Katelynn Murtha, who’s notched 6g-11a-17pts. “It’s always something that we try to focus on, starting our offensive mindset; putting the ball in the net early, setting a tone. We’ve got a pretty good, experienced athletic group, very coachable. So, it kind of helps the situation,” Naughton told The Messenger. Murtha is a fifth-year starter for the Sharks, specializing as a draw specialist and midfielder. Winning faceoffs is crucial in any sport; securing the ball at the start of play sets the team up to advance down the field. Midfielders in field hockey cover the entire field; they serve as a bridge between the defense and the attackers. Their role is an integral part of play. “Katelynn Murtha, she’s a returning Allstate player. She’s actually going down to Florida to play Division I lacrosse [UCF]. Murtha is just a great athlete; she’s
someone who not only is she a scoring threat, but she distributes the ball so well, has great vision, and is just a super competitive player,” said Naughton Goaltending is on point this season with Kaylee Nicolette and Lily StandordColetti holding it down in the crease for the Sharks. The two have split time in net, defending the crease exceptionally well, saving every scoring attempt except for one. “Kaylee Nicolette is the starting goalie; she’s a sophomore. Nicolette took over the starting role from Madison Heeney last year, who was an All-County goalie. She [Nicoletti] is doing a good job. She’s had a bunch of good saves this year so far and is getting confident. Lily Colletti is her backup,” said Naughton. Three players were named to Newsday’s Top 50 field hockey players for the Sharks this season: Senior Sarah Langdon (D), senior Katelynn Murtha (M), and junior Lexi Quiery (M) Naughton was quick to rattle off some of her key players that bring different skill sets to the table; Kateylnn Murtha, Caitlin Masera, Sarah Langdon, Mina Samarco, and Ella Dragonette. “There are a lot of key players in there, and they know they have the work cut out for them. We won counties last year, and we take everything day by day. We play hard, and the ultimate goal is to get to the playoffs and get back to that county final,” said Naughton. In our conversation, we talked about the connection between field hockey and lacrosse. A handful of Naughton’s Sharks are dual-sport athletes in that regard. “In my experience, because I was a lacrosse coach too, I definitely feel that stick in the hand carries over. Granted, field hockey’s on the ground, more so. But just the decision-making, the footwork, the explosiveness of the athletes, it definitely helps, and it makes them a better field hockey player and a better lacrosse player for sure, 100%.”
Drive to Perfection: Mount Sinai Golf Remains Unbeaten By Ashley Pavlakis Credit - Instagram @mtsinaigolf
Golf is not for everyone, but it’s certainly for the Mustangs. The Mount Sinai boys’ varsity golf team is teeing off and swinging for the greens. They’ve hit the mark and head coach Daniel Tappin is very happy with how the 2026 season is shaping up to be. The Mount Sinai boys’ varsity golf team is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in League VI. The Mustangs are led by head coach Daniel Tappin. The boys are 8-00 with 2 matches left to go in the regular season. The Mustangs have teed off for 8 matches this season and produced eight wins. Things have been working for Tappin’s team so far. They’re playing smart golf and utilizing their strokes wisely. “Three out of our six starters have never played in matches before this year. They were very nervous during our first few matches which led to high scores early in the season. I give our veteran players Jaxon Caruso, Craig Hall, and Dylan Madigan a lot of credit for helping to prepare our younger players to play competitive golf. After the first few matches, the nerves have settled and everyone is playing some of the best golf we have ever had at Mount Sinai,” Tappin told The Messenger.
Golf is mostly mental. If you start getting in your head too much it affects your swing and that ball is lost to the rough. Keeping a positive mindset is something Tappin tries to instill in his players. “I always tell my players to focus on the current shot they are making. They can’t change the past but can control the present. To take a breath to slow their heartbeat. We practice under pressure constantly, so they are used to it and feel confident during matches. Playing with confidence makes a big difference in golf,” said Tappin. Golf is more of an individual sport, but you win as a team. Working together as a team and having that team mentality helps to bring a focus when you’re out on the green. Mount Sinai golf doesn’t lose sight of that.
“Before every match I tell my players that if they happen to play poorly, they are never allowed to quit. They have to battle through adversity. They are playing for their teammates. They never know when their score will be one of the 5 counted towards our team score. Every stroke matters,” said Tappin. Playoffs are on the horizon, and the Mustangs are staying focused on the task ahead. “We had a goal to win our third straight league championship this year. However, we take each match one at a time. We make each stroke one at a time. We have two tough away matches ahead of us playing at two of the tougher courses in our league against very good teams. We have to bring our best to reach our goal,” Tappin said.
Ducks Season! LI Wins 2026
23
Atlantic League Championship Continued from front cover
The Ducks won the Second Half North Division Championship with a 43-20 record and the North Division Championship with a three-game sweep of the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. They finished the league playoffs with a perfect 6-0. Long Island’s five Atlantic League Championships are tied for the second-most in league history. The game unfolded with the Ducks taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on back-to-back RBI doubles by Henry Kusiak (#6) and Jorge Bonifacio (#41) off Blue Crabs’ starter Andrew Thurman. Jacob Robson’s (#2) RBI single up the middle in the fourth and Alsander Womack’s (#32) RBI double to left-center in the fifth extended the Ducks lead to four, according to a release from the ballclub. Wilmer Difo (#29) drove a leadoff solo home run over the right field fence in the seventh inning, giving the Ducks a 5-0 lead. A two-out, two-run double to right by Ezequiel Pagan in the eighth off Ducks’ starter Nick Margevicius (#25) allowed Maryland to bring up the score to 5-2. However, an RBI double by Kole Kaler (#9) and a run-scoring single from Chris Roller (#5) ended Maryland’s prospects to deny the Flock a clean sweep of the championship circuit. Margevicius (2-0) pitched all nine innings, “allowing just two runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out five,” according to the club. He threw 97 pitches in the outing, 79 of which were strikes, and was named the Championship Series Most Valuable Player for his efforts. Thurman (0-1) took the loss, giving up four runs on eight hits and two walks in five innings with five strikeouts. Womack led the Ducks offense with two doubles, an RBI and a run. Difo added two hits, an RBI and two runs, while 2026 Team MVP Bonifacio collected two hits and an RBI. Postseason All-Stars Three Ducks were named to the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs (ALPB) postseason all-star 2026 team. Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio, shortstop Wilmer Difo, and closer Ramon Santos were all selected to the team, as voted on by the league’s member clubs. “Jorge, Wilmer and Ramon each played a vital role in helping us win our fifth Atlantic League Championship,” said Ducks Manager Lew Ford. “All three are very deserving of selection, and we are very proud of them for all they accomplished.” According to the club, Bonifacio put together a “historic” 2026 season for the Ducks, setting “franchise single season records with 30 home runs and 108 RBIs.” In 112 games played, Bonifacio posted a .271 batting average and a .926 OPS along with 112 hits, 95 runs, 28 doubles, four triples, 55 walks and 12 stolen bases. On defense, Bonifaco, 33, didn’t commit a single error in the outfield over 86 games. Defensively, the 33-year-old did not commit a single error over 86 games played in the outfield. Wilmer Difo also made Ducks history this year by setting a new franchise “single season record” with 60 stolen bases – placing him third in that category in the Atlantic League overall. Difo broke the record set by Mel Stocker’s 56 stolen bases set in 2006. Difo, an eight-year MLB veteran, led the Ducks with 88 walks –
second-most in the league behind Hagerstown. He led the Flock with 119 hits and 116 games played. The 34-year-old compiled a .286 batting average, 16 home runs, 68 RBIs, 91 runs, 15 doubles, three triples and an .855 OPS. Finally, Ramon Santos was the league’s top closer in 2026. “His 1.40 ERA, .096 batting average against, 0.83 WHIP and 17.46 strikeouts-pernine-innings ratio led all Atlantic League relievers with 25 or more appearances. Additionally, his 13 saves ranked third in the league. In 36 appearances, the righty totaled 75 strikeouts to 20 walks over 38.2 innings of work, conceding an earned run in just four of his outings. The 32-year-old, who was also selected to the ALPB’s Mid-Season All-Star Team, is now 12-3 with a 0.86 ERA, 33 saves and 188 strikeouts in 100 appearances with the Ducks over the past three seasons.” QuackerJack ‘Mascot of the Year,’ Flock Earns Recognition The Ducks are perhaps best known by their mascot. The venerable QuackerJack was named the Atlantic League’s Mascot of the Year, an honor he’s clinched three other times. He won the first title in 2015 with the award’s debut, and followed it up with 2017 and 2023 recognition. “Thank you to our fellow Atlantic League clubs for selecting QuackerJack and our clubhouse staff for these two honors,” said Ducks General Manager Sean Smith. “It’s tremendously important for our fans off the field and our players and coaches on the field to enjoy a top-notch experience, and both QJ and our clubhouse staff work tirelessly to ensure we live up to that expectation.” QuackerJack has also earned sixteen consecutive Best of Long Island awards. As the Best Long Island Sports Mascot, he serves as President of the Ducks’ Kids Club, presented by FourLeaf Federal Credit Union. QuackerJack makes it a priority to interact with the fans at games and makes frequent appearances at Little League games, holiday parades, hospitals, and many charity events throughout the year. Meanwhile, the Long Island Ducks endcap their outstanding season with another award. They have been chosen as the recipient of the Outstanding Clubhouse Service Award for a third consecutive season. The Outstanding Clubhouse Service Award recognizes the team that “consistently meets and exceeds league clubhouse and umpire dressing room guidelines,” according to the club. Long Island’s Clubhouse Staff is led by Clubhouse Manager Emil Coccaro, who recently completed his twenty-first year with the team. “The lifelong Levittown resident has overseen the clubhouse operations of two Atlantic League All-Star Games, nine Atlantic League Championship Series and numerous additional events held at Fairfield Properties Ballpark during his time with the team. Emil was joined by Assistant Clubhouse Manager Stephen Guadagno-Levin along with several game day staff members.” “To win an Atlantic League Championship and the Outstanding Clubhouse Service Award in the same season is extremely special to me,” said Coccaro. “Receiving this award for the third consecutive season is a tremendous honor. It makes me so proud that our staff’s hard work continues to be recognized by our peers throughout the Atlantic League.”
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