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Thursday, September 24, 2026 ~ Volume 138 ~ Issue Number 45 ~ $1.00
MacArthur Area’s Economic Potential on the Map By Matt Meduri
By Matt Meduri The MacArthur Business Alliance (MBA) has been keen on gauging exactly the economic footprint in central Suffolk led by MacArthur Airport (ISP). That prerogative was manifested Tuesday evening with the unveiling of their long-studied economic impact statement (EIS). The study was performed by Camoin Associates, a Virginia-based economic development consulting firm, in conjunction with the MBA, Town of Islip Economic Development, and Suffolk County’s Economic Development Corporation. Chris Coluccio, President of the MBA, said that while the EIS was two years in the making, for him, it’s been about a decade since he first moved his office to the Ronkonkoma area. Continued on page 5
Islip MacArthur Airport and the surrounding areas (Credit - wikimedia commons, Jaro Nemčok)
SPAC Returns to Roots with New Marquee By Matt Meduri The Smithtown Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is headquartered in the historic theatre on Main Street in Smithtown hamlet. In the heart of a downtown that is undergoing a monumental revitalization, the SPAC has made the prudent decision to return to historic roots rather than going for the commonplace modern look. The building itself is also getting a facelift, and the marquee is perhaps the most ambitious start. After a year of the old marquee having been taken down, the new one was officially unveiled last Thursday. It’s designed as a modern interpretation of the original marquee, which was removed by United Artists in the late 1970s. “This was never about simply putting a new electronic sign on the building. We wanted to bring the light back to Main Street by restoring a part of the theatre that had been lost for nearly 50 years,” said Michael Mucciolo, President of the SPAC Board of Directors. Continued on page 10
SPAC returns to historic roots with a new marquee (Credit - Town of Smithtown)
FULL STORIES ON:
Safety Drill on the Bay Page 3
Harbor Day School Opens Expansion Page 12
Ground Breaks on Vet Dogs Facility Page 15
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Messenger Papers Thursday, September 24, 2026
Messenger Papers Papers Inc. Inc.
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. Islip Farmers Market at Town Hall: Every Saturday, 7:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. Suffolk County Farmers Market at the H. Lee Dennison Building: Thursdays through October 1, 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. Tiny Tots – “Nature Discoveries”: Every Thursday, 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. through September at Nissequogue River State Park Intro to Wilderness Survival (Adult Program): Saturday, September 26, 9:45a.m. to 12:00p.m. Natural History Tour (Adult Programs): Sunday, September 27, 10:30a.m. to 12:00p.m. at Nissequogue River State Park.
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, September 26 & Sunday September 27, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Passport Through Parks (Family Program): Sunday, September 27, 10:00a.m to 12:00p.m. at Robert Moses State Park. Shark Extravaganza: Wednesday, September 30, 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. at Connetquot River State Park. 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. Deadline is September 25.
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Town News Thursday, September 24, 2026
Harbormasters Lead Multi-Agency Search-andRescue Exercise on Smithtown Bay marine and aviation assets, search patterns, victim location, vessel coordination and simulated victim recovery and extraction procedures. “I am deeply grateful to our first responders for their service, their sacrifice and their commitment to one another,” said Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park). “Our Harbormasters, Public Safety personnel, volunteer firefighters, law enforcement and emergency-response partners train relentlessly because when someone is in danger, whether it is on land or sea… every second matters. This exercise is a powerful reflection of who we are as a community: prepared, united and unwavering in our responsibility to keep our residents safe.” Training scenarios were designed to prepare responders for a range of emergencies on Smithtown’s waterways, including boating incidents, persons in the water, missing-swimmer searches and marine emergencies occurring during severe weather or reduced operating conditions. The coordinated exercise also provided participating agencies with an opportunity to evaluate response times, communications and interoperability under realistic conditions. Thursday’s exercise marked the second largescale marine emergency drill conducted on Smithtown Bay this summer. In August, the Town participated in a separate interagency exercise with the Stony Brook, Setauket and Port Jefferson Fire Departments, along with military aviation and rescue personnel. That training included Pararescue personnel from the 103rd
Credit -Town of Smithtown
On Thursday evening, September 17, 2026, Smithtown Bay served as the operational area for a large-scale, multi-agency search-and-rescue (SAR) training exercise coordinated by the Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety Harbormasters Office, with shoreside operations staged from the Kings Park Bluff. Beginning at approximately 5:00p.m., Smithtown Harbormasters coordinated a series of scenariobased marine rescue evolutions alongside the United States Coast Guard, Suffolk County Police Department Marine Bureau, and the Kings Park, Nesconset and Smithtown Fire Departments. “When an emergency happens on the water, time is of the essence in our response, there is no time to figure out how we are going to work together—that coordination has to be established long before the call comes in,” said Thomas Lohmann, Director of Public Safety. “Exercises like this give our Harbormasters, fire departments, police departments and federal partners the opportunity to train side by side, test communications and sharpen the response procedures that ultimately save lives. I am incredibly proud of our Public Safety team and grateful to every agency that committed its personnel, equipment and time to making this training possible.” An Army National Guard helicopter from Army Aviation Support Facility No. 1 at Long Island MacArthur Airport also participated in coordinated air-and-surface operations. The exercise was designed to test interagency communications, incident command and control, rapid deployment of
Rescue Squadron, who conducted helicopter-supported air-sea rescue evolutions designed to strengthen coordination between aviation crews, marine units and local emergency responders. Together, these exercises allow participating agencies to evaluate the personnel, equipment, communications systems, response protocols and mutual-aid resources necessary to effectively manage emergencies throughout Smithtown Bay. Marine emergencies can develop rapidly and often require multiple agencies to operate together under challenging conditions. Interoperability, disciplined incident command, continuous training and a coordinated rapid response are critical to protecting both the public and the first responders working to bring them safely home.
SMITHTOWN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1966 60TH CLASS REUNION OCTOBER 13-15, 2026 ST. JAMES, NY IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REGISTRATION FORM VIA E-MAIL, PLEASE CONTACT: JANE SCHOLZ JUHLIN 402-640-2444 (CALL OR TEXT) or E-MAIL janejuhlin@gmail.com DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 25TH!
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Suffolk Matters Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Long-Time Suffolk Dems Chair Hangs on in High-Stakes Showdown
By Matt Meduri argued in his own statement that he took the fall to protect politicallyappointed jobs at Suffolk OTB/ Jake’s 58. In the end, Schaffer prevailed over Quigley after 12 rounds of voting that lasted over 3 hours. He won 113,010 votes to Quigley’s 84,234 - about a 14-point margin. “Now, we need to be united and pivot to our greater mission as Democrats - to defeat all Republicans this November,” wrote Team Schaffer on social media after the race was called. “We have truly accomplished so much in these 10 months - imagine what more we can and will do,” wrote Quigley on social media. “Let’s keep working our neighborhoods to get out the vote
this November. Our communities need us.” Schaffer swept his hometown of Babylon, while Quigley easily locked up her home town of Southold and neighboring Shelter Island. Quigley came close in Smithtown and parts of Brookhaven, while she narrowly won Islip. Schaffer took Southampton by a surprisingly large margin, as well as the bluest township in the county, East Hampton. All eyes now look to November, where Democrats hope to retain national momentum in what’s shaping up to be a bad year for the GOP. Some delegates The Messenger spoke with expressed concern that the “blue wave” they’re hoping for in Suffolk might have been stunted by a drawn-out and bitter fight for control of the committee. Credit - Matt Meduri
party furious with Schaffer’s leadership over the years, owing mostly to a nearcomplete collapse of the Democratic brand in Suffolk. Schaffer attributed that atrophy to poor national and state standings of the Democratic Party amidst a 2023 red wave that delivered Suffolk Republicans control of the County Executive seat and a supermajority in the County Legislature simultaneously for the first time since 1996. The ultimate fire that arguably lit the party into chaos was a deal gone wrong between Schaffer and County Republicans and Conservatives that saw the Democrats’ County Clerk seat abandon the race for a judgeship on the Conservative line. That candidate, Anthony Portesy (D-Huntington), (Credit - Team KCQ)
The Suffolk County Democratic Committee drew thousands of attendees to its convention on Tuesday night at the Huntington Hilton in Melville to keep the party, more or less, where it is or go in a different direction. Suffolk Democrats ultimately chose to retain Chairman Rich Schaffer (D-North Babylon) (pictured far right) over Southold Democratic Chair Kathryn Casey Quigley (D-Southold) (pictured right) after months of tense intraparty fighting. Schaffer, who also serves as Babylon Town Supervisor, had not faced a serious chairmanship challenge in his 26 years on the job. Quigley, who’s served as Southold Chair since 2017, represented an insurgent, progressive wing of the
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Thursday, September 24, 2026
MacArthur Area’s Economic Potential on the Map “I drive around this area and think, ‘what a gem we have on Long Island,’” said Coluccio (pictured right). “I think we can make this probably the greatest industrial area in all of New York if we all come together and understand what an asset we have here.” The area in question is the immediate 5-mile radius around the airport, which runs from the north side of Sunrise Highway to Railroad Avenue and west to the Connetquot River. The bordering communities in the greater area include East Patchogue to Oakdale along the south shore, Farmingville to Smithtown hamlet in the north, as well as Holtsville, Islip Terrace, North Great River, and parts of Central Islip and Islandia. Veterans Highway (NY-454) is considered the main corridor, while the airport is the anchor and the LIRR Ronkonkoma station is a reliable bolster. Key Findings The study found that about 40,000 direct jobs are based in the area, while the indirect impact is closer to 80,000 jobs across the Island. That accounts for $7 billion in salary earnings and $20 billion in sales. The study also noted a “one-to-one” multiplier: for every job in the district, the area supports another job elsewhere on Long Island. The impact doesn’t stop on the Island, however, as the study found that nearly $23 billion in sales across the state are supported by businesses within just the immediate area around the airport. The anchor of the district, the airport itself, is also heralded in the study as one of the key assets that make the business district one of the most unique in the state. With 6 airlines and 16 nonstop destinations, the airport served over 1.6 million passengers in 2025. Last year, ISP was named the second-best small airport in the country in the USA Today 10Best Survey. Long Island’s regional airport is currently in the lead; voting ends Monday, October 5. The airport makes the district the only business area in Suffolk County with direct airport, rail, and interstate access, along with close proximity to routes to New York City and the Hamptons. The “innovation ecosystem,” as the study describes it, consists of institutions that directly benefit from the district. Those stakeholders include Stony Brook University, Northwell Health & NYU Langone, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Farmingdale State College, Suffolk County College, and St. Joseph’s University in Patchogue.
Top Industries in the Area 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Aerospace National Defense Commercial Aviation Testing Pharmaceuticals and Nutrition Medical Technology Advanced Manufacturing Technology Engineering and Environmental Science
Around just 3,500 establishments employ the 40,000 people within the district. Most of those are construction, retail trade, and professional, scientific, and technical services. Health care, social assistance, accommodation and food services, manufacturing, wholesale trade, finance and insurance, and even waste services were all found to be some of the area’s major employers. The lion’s share of each of those categories are small businesses those with less than 5 employees each. The market is responding and is ready for more. Station Yards’ overhaul of the Ronkonkoma LIRR hub has greatly improved aesthetics and quality of life - and another phase is underway - while Islip officials are looking to expand the airport, improve connectivity with the train station, and create more economic engines in the hub. Individual polls and focus groups performed for the study show that most respondents would like to see a convention or conference center. In equal standing in the polls, respondents would enjoy airport expansion or enhanced airport services and beautification and modernization of the NY-454 corridor. A life science, research, and innovation hub, often pitched as the hopeful primary economic driver around the airport, respondents say, would be just as preferable as improved rail services, such as Amtrak, for regional connectivity. The lowest-placing item on that hypothetical list was expanded and higher-quality hotels, but demand for it exists, nonetheless. Challenges do exist, however, but they consist of expanded sewer capacity and transportation infrastructure, a shared land use-development vision between all stakeholders and government partners, and balancing expansion with volume carefully. Richard Zapolski, Islip’s former Planning Commissioner, outlined some of the notable contributions to American history, culture, and everyday life that the district produces. “Inside the buildings most of us drive by every day, people are designing, engineering, manufacturing, and testing some of the most sophisticated technology in the world,” said Zapolski. Aerospace is a notable top of the list, as Long Island itself has deep roots in early space exploration and the Moon Landing. Businesses in the area design systems for astronauts’ safety. In national defense, Zapolski said companies like East/West Industries are part of the defense supply chain, including jets, helicopters, weapons, and electronics. Components for the Apache and Black Hawk helicopters and F16 jets are made right in the heart of Suffolk. Commercial aviation is number-three. Banner Metalcraft is one in the aviation supply chain, making structural parts of Boeing, Sikorsky, and Gulfstream aircrafts. “The next time you’re sitting in an airplane, look around. Some of what keeps that aircraft flying might have a connection to right here in Islip.” Number four is the testing industry, which primarily consists of testing aircraft in events of lightning storms, electromagnetic pulses, and other events. Weapons up to .50 caliber are also tested by companies like Retlif Testing
Laboratories in Ronkonkoma. Pharmaceutical and nutrition are substantiated by companies like Nature’s Bounty, of Bohemia, which Zapolski says “grew into a global vibrant powerhouse.” These manufacturers make vitamines, melatonin, products for hair, skin, and nails, as well as sports supplements and mouthwash. “There’s a good chance something in your medicine cabinet has a Long Island story behind it.” Medical technology accounts for a good chunk of the area’s business. Qosina, of Ronkonkoma, supplies more than 5,000 components used to build medical devices. Advanced manufacturing in the area accounts for some of the nascent technology and energy generation. These businesses, like Ronkonkoma’s Sigma Aerospace Metals, experiment with super alloys to withstand extreme conditions, not only building the parts, but supplying the “exotic” materials required. Technology involved in “real-time data, rugged computing, and sophisticated electronics” is also at home near ISP. Zebra Technologies, of Holtsville, notably provides the NFL’s nextgen statistics. Engineering and environmental science are in full swing in the district, PW Grosser, of Bohemia, being a notable example. These firms study geology, groundwater, coastal resiliency, and infrastructure challenges on a daily basis. What They’re Saying Elected Officials for the State, County, and Town governments are all-in on helping the area realize its true economic potential. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) (pictured left) said that the ISP area “outpaces” even the Hauppauge Industrial Park, the second-largest such park in the nation behind Silicon Valley. “There is so much more we can do [for the identity of the area],” said Romaine. The County has issued an RFP on the 48 acres that they own just north of the airport adjacent to the Ronkonkoma LIRR station. “This is confirming everything we knew in our hearts how important this area is to the economy of Suffolk County,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip) (pictured right). She mentioned that even Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg), who toured the airport in February alongside a $150 million check for infrastructure improvement, recognized the economic engine ISP is. Assemblyman Doug Smith (R-Holbrook) (pictured left) acknowledged that many local officials grew up in the vicinity of the airport and used it for travel regularly. He also credited Supervisor Carpenter, who is serving out her last term, saying, “no one has done more for this airport.” “It’s a great time to invest, it’s a great time to expand!” said Smith. Islip Town Councilman John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville), whose district includes the airport itself, worked at the airport in the mid-1990s and says it’s “booming and hustling” just like it was in its heyday. “We’re going to make sure that our district keeps our kids here [with] good, high-paying jobs,” said Lorenzo (pictured left). “This place is special.”
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Editorial Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Fly MacArthur…and Vote for it Too! Long Island’s very own MacArthur Airport (ISP) is perhaps in its most transformational stage yet. The airport’s expansion speaks for itself. Headlines in our paper, as well as many others, cover the steady drip of new routes the facility offers, and each new carrier - now up to 6 - is welcomed in appropriate fashion. In its roughest period yet, the airport was averaging about 6 flights per day. Now, the airport offers up to nearly 40 flights per day for over 1.5 million passengers each year. MacArthur is more than just Suffolk’s own regional airport and an attractive alternative to trekking into the city to simply go on vacation. It’s an economic engine whose full potential has not yet been realized. The MacArthur Business Alliance (MBA) made a significant undertaking in commissioning an economic impact statement (EIS), essentially a formal gauge of an area’s total economic footprint and what exactly the region wants, needs, and can accommodate. It’s the necessary first step in forming a cohesive, long-term master plan for an area with the size and scope of ISP’s, and there’s perhaps no other business district that’s coming online quite as the MacArthur Hub is. We were stunned to see the sheer economic value for which ISP is the anchor: $7 billion in annual salaries, 40,000 direct jobs within the 5-mile radius of the airport, and $20 billion in revenue each year. Moreover, the rest of Suffolk and the Island enjoy the fruits of ISP’s hegemony, as does New York State at large. It’s not a massive surprise, but to see the impact quantified and the suspicions confirmed opens the door on possibilities. The future of the airport itself is regularly in the newscycle, especially regarding the debate between a new north terminal and expanding the south terminal. While challenges are present in both, we think expanding the existing terminal and rebuilding the currently dormant west wing is the more pragmatic approach, but no stakeholder here is looking to destroy what has been meticulously cultivated over the years. Supervisor Angie Carpenter
(R-West Islip) and company on the Town Board deserve immense credit for seeing a vision some found unthinkable, and ISP Commissioner Rob Schneider and his team are probably some of the most influential movers and shakers on the Island at present, we find, especially in light of the economic value the airport possesses. Supporting small businesses is a no-brainer, and many of them not only dot the landscape just outside the airport, but they’re big players in national sectors like aerospace, defense, pharmaceuticals, and advanced technologies. To think that the heart of Suffolk and the beloved airport could be such a boon to innovation and significance is an honor unto itself. But supporting local small businesses is only part of the puzzle, now more than ever in light of the economic study. We urge our readers to support the airport itself. While there’s no sign of its growth slowing down, we think now is the time to hit the accelerator even harder. We can perfectly understand why air travel might become less common in the coming months, or even years, due to the impending oil/energy crisis - some parts exacerbated by President Trump, other parts exacerbated by New York’s counterintuitive energy policies - but for when travel is in the budget or otherwise necessary, try Islip first. Moreover, we’re anticipating a strong finish for the airport in the USA Today 10Best Survey. ISP placed third in 2024 and second last year. The people in the engine room of one of Suffolk’s foremost economic powerhouses earnestly and understandably want a first-place finish this year. We’re pleased to report that ISP is currently leading the charge among 20 other small airports around the country. This isn’t a one-person-one-vote scenario; you can vote once a day for any of the 20 contending facilities - although we find it difficult to imagine Suffolk residents voting for any other airport than Islip. We fully endorse a once-a-day vote for ISP as the best small airport in the nation. Such recognition would be the icing on the cake for the business district at such a pivotal moment in its history.
The Press Sticks Together in a Stunning Rebuke President Donald Trump’s (R-FL) controversial and unprecedented decision to ban certain members of the White House press pool is even too much for outlets sympathetic to the president’s agenda to bear. While Trump’s decision stands unparalleled in scope, it’s not the first time a president has tried to strong-arm a news organization off White House grounds. In 2009, President Barack Obama (D-IL) attempted to bar Fox News from a Treasury press pool, claiming they were not a legitimate organization. When other outlets refused to participate without Fox, Obama backed down. In the early 1970s, post-Watergate, President Richard Nixon (R-CA) did narrow The Washington Post’s freedom to the grounds of and around the White House, as opposed to setting foot in the building, but their credentials were never fully repealed. Enter Donald Trump, who in 2017 tried to revoke CNN’s Jim Acosta’s credentials. That move was overturned by the courts. In 2025, Trump limited the Associated Press’ access to certain spaces. They were excluded from locales like Air Force One and the Oval Office. No exact parallel exists for Trump’s latest move, which we don’t think the courts will allow. Moreover, in solidarity with CNN, MSNOW, and Politico, practically the entire digital and print legacy media pool, including Fox, are now striking. Newsmax, while not joining the White House blackout, has publicly opposed Trump’s decision. Here’s the President’s own words on his logic for this decision: “Because they’re fake news…You get so tired of reading and seeing fake news…It’s really just cumulative stories over the last few years. You get sick of it… They purposely write negative news.” How succinct. One could argue that many legacy media outlets are highly critical of Trump, maybe to a point where their coverage is too subjective. In 2017, many of Trump’s supporters agreed that the media was “fake news,” not because they leaned
liberal at-large, but because they worked to obfuscate the facts and hide the real damage that the Washington Industrial Complex has inflicted on the American way of life. Trump banning these three liberal outlets is a much different ballgame, however. We can understand a politician turning oneself off to certain outlets for flippantly biased coverage, but not at the expense of constitutional rights infringements or sacrificing one’s own ability to write the narratives they wish to see in print. The bigger issue for Trump, in our view, isn’t that these outlets are pathologically covering his administration negatively. It’s that his administration is largely viewed negatively by ordinary people. The latest Civiqs poll averages have Trump above water in approval rating in just 9 states. He won 31 in the 2024 election. For comparison, he left office in 2012 with a net-positive approval rating in 16 states - not stellar, but not disastrous like his current marks are. The current RealClearPolitics average has Trump’s approval at -21, the worst this term so far and not far below his worst rating of his first term. In our view, media blackouts can only work when a person cuts him/herself off from any interaction with said outlet, not by dismissing outlets en masse for perceived coverage. Trump could have simply done a better job the last two years and maybe the coverage wouldn’t be nearly as negative as it deserves to be. History doesn’t always repeat, but it certainly does rhyme, and news outlets understand this type of solidarity implicitly. They joined Fox when Obama tried to kick them out in 2009, and Fox is joining the liberal outlets when Trump is trying to dispel them now. At face value, a narrative should be much more feared when one only side is granted the privilege of even having a shot at writing it.
Op-Ed Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
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Thursday, September 24, 2026
The Graham Sanctions Act: A Victory for Peace Through Strength By Congressman Nick LaLota As a Navy veteran who served our country overseas, I believe America must maintain the world’s strongest military, stand with our allies, and protect our national interests. But that doesn’t mean sending our sons and daughters into every conflict around the world. America should not be an interventionist nation. We should be a nation that deters wars before they start through military strength, effective diplomacy, and credible economic pressure. The Obama and Biden Administrations, more focused on appeasement and wokeness than demonstrating strength, failed to deter our adversaries. Russia seized Crimea under Obama and launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine under Biden, while Iran accelerated its nuclear enrichment program. These developments underscore why America needs a foreign policy grounded in peace through strength, not weakness that invites aggression. That is why I voted for the bipartisan Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which President Trump recently signed into law. The legislation strengthens sanctions on Russian officials, banks, energy
companies, and those helping Vladimir Putin evade existing sanctions. It also gives President Trump additional tools to impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy and financing Putin’s war machine. These are powerful tools for confronting aggression without putting U.S. troops in harm’s way. Putin has banned me from entering Russia because of my outspoken opposition to his aggression. I consider that a badge of honor. But confronting Putin cannot be America’s responsibility alone. President Trump has been right to demand that our NATO allies contribute more to our collective defense. For too long, U.S. taxpayers have carried a disproportionate share of the burden of protecting Europe. Countries like Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania deserve recognition for investing heavily in their own defense. They understand the threat posed by Putin and are putting their money where their mouths are. Germany has made significant progress, but it and Spain must continue increasing their contributions to meet NATO’s growing defense requirements. Every member of the alliance must
contribute its fair share. America should lead NATO, not bankroll it alone. A stronger NATO, with European allies taking greater responsibility for their own security, allows America to remain engaged in the world without bearing every burden or fighting every battle. We can support Ukraine’s sovereignty, strengthen NATO, and confront Putin through economic and diplomatic pressure without committing U.S. troops to another foreign war. This is not isolationism. nor is it a blank check for foreign intervention. It is a recognition that America’s military power is most effective when it deters aggression, our allies share responsibility, and our adversaries understand that threatening our interests carries consequences. As someone who has worn our nation’s uniform, I know the responsibility that comes with decisions about war and peace. Our service members deserve a foreign policy that takes their sacrifice seriously and exhausts other means of protecting our national interests before putting them in harm’s way. A strong America. A stronger NATO. Fewer wars. That is peace through strength.
Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) is a Navy veteran and represents New York’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2023. NY-01 contains the entire towns of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Smithtown, Southampton, Southold, most of the Town of Huntington, and the northern half of the Town of Brookhaven. The First District office is located at 515 Hauppauge Road, Suite 3B, in Hauppauge, and can be reached at 631-289-1097. Mobile office hours are held on Thursdays from 1:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. at 109 King Road in Rocky Point.
If Young Families Can’t Afford Long Island, We Have a Bigger Problem By Jack Cutrone I hear a version of the same story far too often. Someone grew up on Long Island. Their parents are here. Their friends are here. Maybe they volunteer with the local fire department, coach a youth team or work for a local business. They get married, start thinking about children and eventually begin looking for a house. Then reality hits: they wonder whether they can actually afford to stay. That should concern all of us. This is not simply a real estate problem; it is a community problem. Suffolk County’s median single-family sale price reached $760,000 in August, according to OneKey MLS, compared with $710,000 a year earlier. Behind those numbers are real families trying to make decisions about their future. When young people leave Long Island because they cannot afford housing, we lose more than potential homeowners. We lose future volunteer firefighters. We lose teachers. We lose nurses. We lose small-business owners. We lose the people who would eventually coach Little League, join civic associations and raise the next generation in the communities where they themselves grew up. There is no easy solution. Land is limited. Construction is expensive, property taxes are significant,
and infrastructure matters. Long Island residents understandably care about protecting the character of their neighborhoods. Those concerns should not be dismissed, but neither should the concerns of a 30-year-old couple wondering whether the only way to buy their first house is to leave New York. We need more balance. For decades, the classic American starter home was exactly that—a start. It might have had two or three bedrooms. It might have been 1,200 or 1,500 square feet. The kitchen was not perfect. The bathroom was not something you would see on HGTV. But a working family could buy it, improve it over time, and build a life there. Today, we need to ask whether enough of that type of housing is being created. New construction frequently targets higher price points because land, labor, materials, and regulatory costs make smaller projects difficult to pencil out. Meanwhile, existing starter homes become increasingly valuable because so many buyers are competing for them. The result is predictable: prices rise. That is why I believe our housing conversation needs to become more practical.
Where does it make sense to allow smaller homes? Where can vacant or obsolete commercial properties be reconsidered? Where can downtown housing work? Can seniors who want to downsize find appropriate housing in the communities they already call home? Can we make approval processes faster and more predictable while still protecting residents and the environment? Those are more productive questions than simply arguing over whether we are “pro-development” or “antidevelopment.” Housing decisions should be made carefully. Nobody is arguing that every open piece of land should be covered with houses. Infrastructure needs to support growth. Traffic, schools, sewers and wastewater treatment, water quality, and community character all matter. But affordability matters too. The danger is believing we can freeze Long Island exactly as it is and somehow make housing cheaper at the same time. Those goals are difficult to reconcile. When there are more people who want homes than there are homes available, prices face upward pressure. We see that every week in the real estate market. Well-priced entry-level homes can attract immediate attention because
the number of people looking for them is often greater than the number available. We should want our children and grandchildren to have the option of remaining near us. They may choose to move somewhere else, and that is fine, but being priced out is not much of a choice. Long Island has spent generations building strong communities. The next challenge is making sure another generation can afford to become part of them. Jack Cutrone is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Patriot Real Properties and a Military Relocation Professional serving buyers and sellers across Suffolk and Nassau counties.
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Small Business Spotlight Thursday, September 24, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Andy Battiloro - Absolute Performance
By Diane Caudullo Absolute Performance Auto Repair has been a mainstay in Bohemia and is about to celebrate its 40th year in business. Located at 50-3 Feldland Street, Andy Battiloro is the mechanic you keep. His lengthy list of customers are all repeat customers, and more than just two or three times repeat, but years-long customers - decades-long customers, even. While The Messenger stayed for about two hours or so to talk with Andy, there was a constant flow of people in and out of his lobby. Every one of them came in with the energy of seeing a close friend. You could see the familiarity each one, and you Keithwith Groshans realized Andy knew and cared about them all. He knew who was packing up for their yearly trip down to Florida for the winter. He knew who couldn’t wait an extra day for their car because they had no other way to get to work. He spoke about the young man who had just left and is now the second generation of a family of customers. Andy has many customers like that - the parents, then the kids, and even some grandkids. Andy has had many occasions, feeling humbled and honored, where people sitting in the lobby waiting while their car is serviced will even ask him for advice, about cars, yes, but also about life in general. That is a true sign of trust and respect, and he is happy to chat, as he says his usual workweek is full of laughs and a real connection to people. His sincere interest is more than just having them in a safe-to-drive car. Andy’s passion for cars started very young while growing up in Smithtown. He would see neighbors working on cars and go to watch and ask questions. He was the kid hanging out at home taking apart transistor radios and rebuilding them. At only age 10, Andy built his own minibike. When neighbors were throwing away their broken lawnmowers, Andy would take them and get them running again. He tinkered with anything mechanical he could find, and by age 14 he had rebuilt his first engine. He read up on what he could, but much of learning was simply hands-on experience. Learning to isolate issues, he grew up believing that if “man made it, then man could fix it.” His persistence was simply that, knowing if he worked on it methodically, he could always figure it out. Somewhere in those young years, Andy just knew this would be his chosen field of work, but even more so, he also dreamed of owning his own shop. Owning his own business was always part of the plan.
This business essentially started in his driveway in Smithtown. He worked on cars there, and little by little, more people came to him for help. At one point, as he was getting older, he took a job at a car stereo place, but he found himself always being asked to work on the cars of his colleagues, so that pushed him to formalize the operation by setting up shop at the Bohemia location. And just like people finding him in his driveway, people continue to flock to Andy just based on hearing about him from someone else. Andy stated that he has never needed to advertise. People who went to him spoke highly of him, and his business grew by word of mouth alone. Andy takes great pride in his reputation. He has a few core beliefs that he feels carried him to his success. Most importantly, he treats the customers’ money as if it were his own. He tells each customer what must be done now, but also what they’ll need soon so they can plan ahead. Planning ahead also helps his customers to avoid their small issues from becoming larger ones. He is known for his honesty and his work ethic. Some may even refer to him as “5-star Andy” based on all of his stellar reviews. One woman couldn’t say enough; she came to Andy over 30 years ago because of a work neighbor who referred her to Andy. Andy told her he could certainly fix her car, but she shouldn’t have to pay him for it. He would help her get it back to the dealer and told her that it should be covered for free due to a recall. And it was. She was unaware of any recall and would never have known. Andy, in that one moment, earned a customer, her family, and their future company’s entire fleet, for life. Absolute Performance has, over the years, had become a family business. Both his sons, Michael and Andrew, have worked there, coming into their own under their dad’s tutelage. Michael has worked there in the past, and Andrew is there currently. Andrew, also entrepreneurial, has added additional value to the shop by offering car detailing services. Living on the Island, we can all appreciate how important our cars are to our everyday life. So, having a relationship with a mechanic you truly trust is invaluable. Absolute Performance can be reached at 631-563-9137. They handle all cars, foreign or domestic, and their favorites are older and classic cars.
This Week Today Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
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Thursday, September 24, 2026
National, State, and Local Temperature Checks By Matt Meduri National
State A House Democrat endorsed a Hudson Valley Republican, which has been seen as disrespect to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D, NY-08) on his own turf. Congressman Jared Golden (D, ME02) endorsed Congressman Mike Lawler (R-Pearl River). Golden published his endorsement in an op-ed for The Journal News, a local paper based in Lawler’s Westchester-Rockland district. Lawler is generally seen as one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the House. He is one of three House Republicans who were re-elected in 2024 despite Kamala
Harris (D-CA0 winning those districts in the concurrent presidential race. Golden, arguably the most conservative House Democrat, is not running for re-election in his highly-competitive upstate Maine seat. Like Lawler, Golden represents a crossover seat, in that Trump won the district the same night it re-elected Golden. “He would rather pass a bill with the other party than score a point against it,” wrote Golden of Lawler. Golden praised Lawler’s support for small businesses, even those not in his own district. “Lobster traps, union rights and health insurance do not have much in common, except that on all three, Lawler chose to solve the problem rather than campaign on it,” said Golden. “We have real adversaries in this world, and they are not our fellow citizens. When candidates for office tell voters that the gravest danger to this country is other Americans and the leaders they elect, that is radical talk, and it is the same politics of fear I have refused to practice for my entire career.” Leader Jeffries decried the Maine iconoclast’s endorsement in a race crucial to Jeffries’ likely wielding of the Speaker’s gavel in January. “This smoke and mirrors ploy will do nothing to change the outcome of the race. The election will be decided by the people of Westchester and the lower Hudson Valley,” said Jeffries. In other state news, the gubernatorial debate between Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R-Atlantic Beach) is set for October 13 at 7:00p.m. The televised debate, also the only debate for this race, will be aired on Spectrum News NY1 live from their Big Apple office. Local The Suffolk County Legislature honored volunteer firefighters for the month of September (pictured below). The select group represents thousands of first responders across Suffolk’s 228
fire departments. “With each fire or emergency, these volunteers demonstrate not only their technical training and proficiency but their caring and commitment for our communities, as these men and women respond every day, at all hours, to protect property and save lives,” said Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville). Piccirillo honored Jason Reimo, who has served with the Holbrook F.D. since joining the Juniors program in 1990. He became a fully-fledged member in 1995 and was assigned to Eagle Engine Company 2. In 2006, he was elected as Lieutenant and served as Captain of the Eagle Engine Company from 2008 to 2009. “After leaving the captain’s office, he remained active on the company training committee and was awarded the Fredrick Brace Training Award for 2010 and 2018. In 2023, he was installed as 2nd Assistant Chief and now serves as 1st Assistant Chief of the Department,” said Piccirillo. The ceremony’s host was Legislator Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue), who serves as the Chair of the Legislature’s Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services and Preparedness Committee. Thorne nominated Henry Rotermund, of the Medford Fire Department. Rotermund has also served as a first responder with Brookhaven Ambulance and South Country Ambulance. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) honored Eastport Fire Chief Virginia Massey-Haughn. Honorees include: Matthew Jakubowsky, Wading River F.D.; Rob Essay, Southampton; Michael Malone, Mastic; Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R-Medford), Medford; Robert Murphy, Setauket; the Yaphank Fire Department; Ken Bradbury, Deer Park; Brian Shea, East Islip; John Ippolito, Jr., East Islip; Daniel Madden, Nesconset; Angelo Sanzeri, Commack; Peter Daniele, West Babylon; Kevin Spillane, East Farmingdale; Stanley Sadowski, Greenlawn; Michael Palmo, Deer Park; and David Caputo, Greenlawn. Credit - Suffolk County Legislature
Tensions continue in the Middle East, as President Donald Trump (R-FL) threatened to “annihilate” the Iranian government at the UN General Assembly. Iran, on the other hand, has proposed a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. lifts its blockades and sanctions. U.S. sanctions on Iran include pressuring other countries to cut off economic lifelines for Tehran. Iraqi airports were notified to stop accessing Iranian aircraft on Tuesday to comply with U.S. sanctions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (R-SC) has pledged to “shut down” all Iranian airlines worldwide as of Wednesday in what he and the administration view as a play to force Iran to make concessions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R-FL) has maintained American support for Saudi Arabia amid fighting with the Houthis, an Iranian proxy in Yemen that last week took control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait that connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. At the UN General Assembly, foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt have all pledged support for Saudi Arabia as the Houthis have been accused of attempting a drone attack near Mecca, the birthplace of and holiest city in Islam, although the Houthis have denied this. The ministers also stated their support for the legitimate Yemeni government, as well as an independent Palestine under the 1967 borders. High-profile congressional Republicans are publicly breaking with the president on key parts of his agenda while on the campaign trail. Congresswoman María Elvira Salzar (R, FL-27), who has represented a southern Miami district since 2021, aired an ad pushing back on the administration’s immigration enforcement. Some political observers see this as a canary in the coal mine for Republicans’ efforts to retain the gubernatorial and Senate seats up for grabs in November. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R, IA-02), who is running for the open Senate race in Iowa, also publicly broke with Trump over the Iran War. Two impeachment inquiries swirled around Capitol Hill this week, one of President Trump and the other of Department of Defense (War) Secretary Pete Hegseth (R-TN). Congressman Al Green (D, TX-09) saw his eighth floor vote-attempt since 2017 to impeach Trump failed this week in a 232147 vote of the House. Charges alleged by Green primarily consisted of the Trump Administration’s aggressive deportation agenda and a cover-up of civilian deaths therein. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D, NY08) led 46 Democrats to vote “Present,” along with Congressman Thomas Massie (R, KY-04). 213 Republicans were joined by 18 Democrats in halting the impeachment filing.
Jeffries and leading House Democrats said the investigative basis for impeachment had not been fulfilled, while House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R, MN-06) called the impeachment effort itself “political obstruction.” Meanwhile, Massie filed his own eight articles of impeachment against Secretary Hegseth for violating the War Powers Resolution of 1973 and carrying out unauthorized military strikes in Yemen, among other charges. Since Massie introduced the bill as a privileged measure, Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) decision to adjourn session one day early leaves the bill paused until the House reconvenes after Election Day. Massie, along with his top ally in the House, Congressman Ro Khanna (D, CA-17) have introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, as they argue the Department of Justice is still withholding over 3 million unredacted files. The discharge petition has secured 218 signatures to force a House vote. Nearly all House Democrats signed. Nancy Mace (R, SC-01), Ralph Norman (R, SC05), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R, PA-01) are the only Republicans who signed the petition. A discharge petition is a parliamentary maneuver to force a vote on a piece of legislation without the blessing of House leadership. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) are the leading Senate sponsors. No vote will be taken on this until after Congress reconvenes after the elections. President Trump made a controversial decision this week to ban reporters from CNN, MSNOW, and Politico from the White House, labelling them “fake news.” The Department of Justice has defended the move in court filings, citing national security concerns. That has led to the White House press pool boycotting covering the president. That unprecedented coalition includes FOX News, ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Reuters, and Getty Images. That has led to a blackout of legacy cable media coverage and the lack of audio/video infrastructure at the White House. Staffers have aired videos of the president during would-be typically press events, albeit with virtually no audio.
Smithtown Matters
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Thursday, September 24, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Continued from front cover
SPAC Returns to Roots with New Marquee
“The design is rooted in the original marquee, but we were able to recreate that classic theatre look using modern LED and neon-style technology that will serve the community for many years to come.” The new feature intends to “look at home” on the theatre that first opened ints doors in 1933, while also providing the “visibility, flexibility and efficiency of a 21stcentury installation,” according to SPAC. The installation features two large, traffic-facing LED displays, about 10x3 feet, which provides about 60 square feet of digital display space. “The digital displays give SPAC significantly greater flexibility to promote theatrical productions, concerts, educational programs, community events and nonprofit initiatives while creating new opportunities to recognize community partners and supporters,” according to SPAC. Since SPAC, a non-profit, bought the building March 2022, revitalization has been underway. The theatre qualified with County grants in late 2023, which has seen the theatre’s exterior siding, seating, flooring, office spaces, carpeting, HVAC systems, plumbing, theatrical lighting, and sound systems all “significantly upgraded or replaced to meet the needs of modern audiences, artists, and the community” all while preserving its original character and charm. ““That balance is extremely important to us. We don’t want to turn a historic theatre into a modern building that happens to be old. We want it to remain unmistakably the same theatre generations of Smithtown residents have known, just better equipped to serve the next generation,” said Mucciolo. “...when you walk into the theatre, you can still see the craftsmanship, details and personality that were part of the renowned Rambusch design.” The theatre’s metamorphosis is also part of the broader revitalization of Smithtown’s three business districts, chief among them, perhaps, Smithtown hamlet itself. The marquee is part of multiple projects totaling nearly $500,000, already in addition to more than $600,000 of improvements already made since SPAC purchased the building almost five years ago. “For nearly a century, this theatre has been the heart of Main Street. Restoring the marquee gives the building its light back and restores something important that it lost decades ago, while also making a very visible investment in the future of downtown Smithtown,” said Mucciolo. “As a nonprofit organization, every dollar we generate goes back into our theatre, our programming and our community. Whether someone is seeing their first show, a child is stepping onto our stage for
PUBLIC NOTICE STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP Statement required by the Act of August 24. 1912, as Amended by the Acts of March 3,1933, and July 2, 1946 (Title 39, United States Code, Section 233) showing the ownership, management, and circulation of the The Smithtown Messenger published weekly at Ronkonkoma, New York, for the fifty-two weeks ending September 17, 2026. Diane Caudullo deposes and says that she is the publisher and Matt Meduri is editor of the The Smithtown Messenger and that the following is to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the circulation of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, as amended by the Act of March 3, 1933 embodied in Section 537. Postal Laws and Regulations to wit: That the name and address of the Publisher is Diane Caudullo of Centereach, New York. That the officer of the corporation President James Cotgreave of Smithtown, New York; that the average number of copies sold or distributed through the mails or otherwise each week to paid subscribers during the twelve months preceding the date shown above is 1010 paid mailed subscriptions and 0 sales through dealers, carriers, street vendors, counter sales for a total of 1010. Free distribution outside the mail is 540 for a total distribution of 1,550. I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Publisher Diane Caudullo 9/24/2026
the first time, an artist is performing here, or someone is simply driving down Main Street and seeing the marquee illuminated, we want people to feel that this is their Performing Arts Center.” SPAC serves thousands of residents each year through live theatre, concerts, comedy, movies, dance recitals, special events, and theatre education programs for grades K-12. “The Smithtown Performing Arts Center is truly the anchor of Main Street,” said Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park). “It brings families into our downtown, supports our restaurants and small businesses, and gives Smithtown a cultural destination we can all be proud of. Michael Mucciolo and this dedicated board have done an extraordinary job preserving the historic character of this theater while giving it everything it needs to thrive for generations to come. This marquee beautifully honors the theater’s past while lighting the way for its future. And the programming here is incredible—if you haven’t come out to see a show or brought your children to experience one of their productions, don’t walk, run. Support this iconic theater.” Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James) called the new marquee a “great sign of the renewal of downtown Smithtown.” “A cornerstone of the region since 1932, this magnificent marquee serves as a symbol of the regrowth Supervisor Wehrheim and the entire Town Board have been delivering to Smithtown residents and will stand as a beacon to attract visitors,” said Mattera.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
11
Thursday, September 24, 2026
From Orchard to Holiday Table: Three Delicious Ways to Celebrate LI Apples By Nancy Vallarella Earlier this month, we went to the orchard. This month, we’re heading to the kitchen. Apple season may begin with a trip to one of Long Island’s local farms but bringing home that bag of freshly picked apples is only the beginning. With Thanksgiving and the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to put our local harvest to work. Apple pie will always have a place on the holiday table, but there are so many other delicious possibilities. I’ve chosen three recipes that take the humble apple from a casual fall morning to an Old-World afternoon treat and, finally, an elegant holiday dessert: Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts, German Apple Cake with Sour Cream, and an Apple Frangipane Tart. The secret is choosing the right apple for the job.
Holiday Morning: Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts
There is something about the smell of apples and cinnamon that immediately says fall. Add a cup of coffee or warm cider and you have a pretty perfect October morning. These baked donuts capture much of what we love about the cider donuts we bring home from the farm stand but freshly made apple sauce goes right into the batter. Baking rather than frying also makes them easy to prepare at home. Macoun and Cortland are my picks here. Macoun brings wonderful fragrance and sweetness, while Cortland has a slight tartness that works beautifully with cinnamon.
3/4 cup milk 1 Tbs pure vanilla extract For the topping: 4 Tbs unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon or pie spice o 1. Preheat the oven to 400 . Grease two donut pans with butter or baking spray. Set aside. 2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, apple pie spice, and salt until combined. Set aside. 3. In another mixing bowl, whisk together the applesauce, olive oil, milk, and vanilla until smooth and combined. 4. Fold the applesauce mixture into the dry ingredients, until just mixed and no streaks of flour remain. 5. Transfer the batter to a large piping bag (or a Ziploc bag), snip off the corner, and pipe the batter into the donut pans. Each donut mold can be filled by half for a modest donut. Just about to the top for a mega donut. 6. Bake until golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center of each donut comes out clean, for about 10-12 minutes. 7. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a baking rack to cool. 8. When the donuts are cool enough to handle (15 minutes or so), add the melted butter and cinnamon-sugar mixture to two small shallow bowls. 9. Dip each donut in the melted butter followed by the sugar topping until wellcoated. LIL Tip: Save the cinnamon-sugar coating until shortly before serving so the outside stays beautifully textured. For homemade apple sauce – use 3 small or 2 large McIntosh, Macoun, Cortland or Mutsu apples peeled and small diced. Add 1/4 cup water over medium heat. Simmer until soft and mash with a potato masher. Add water if needed.
Old-World Comfort: German Apple Cake with Sour Cream
Baked Apple Cinnamon Donuts Ingredients (Makes 12): For the donuts: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1-1/2 tsp apple pie spice 1/2 tsp Kosher salt 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce* 1/4 cup olive oil
The next recipe takes our Long Island apples on a little trip to Germany. German Apfelkuchen comes in many forms, but this version combines a tender pastry base, layers of sliced apples and a creamy sour-cream custard. It isn’t overly sweet, allowing the apples to remain the star. This is the cake I envision sitting on the kitchen table when friends or family stop by during the holidays. Put on a pot of coffee, dust the cake with confectioners’ sugar and let everyone help themselves. Ingredients (Serves 10–12): For the pastry 1.5 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla extract For the apples 4 medium apples 1 Tbs fresh lemon juice 2 Tbs granulated sugar 1 tsp cinnamon For the sour cream topping 1.5 cup sour cream 2 large eggs 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 Tbs all-purpose flour Pinch of salt Confectioners’ sugar for serving Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan. 1. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light. Beat in the egg and vanilla, then gradually incorporate the flour mixture to form a soft dough. 2. Press the dough across the bottom and approximately one inch up the sides of the prepared pan. 3. Peel, core and thinly slice the apples. Toss with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon and arrange them in overlapping layers over the pastry. 4. Whisk together sour cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla, flour, and salt until smooth. Pour over the apples. 5. Bake for 50–60 minutes, until the apples are tender and the sour-cream layer is set and lightly golden. Cool completely and refrigerate for at least two hours before removing the spring form ring. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving. LIL Apple Pick: Try Cortland, Empire or Mutsu—or mix two varieties. Combining a sweeter apple with a tart one gives the cake much more interesting flavor. Better yet, make this one the day before. It slices beautifully after an overnight rest in the refrigerator.
The Holiday Showstopper: Apple Frangipane Tart Now it’s time to dress up our apples. Frangipane sounds complicated, but don’t let the French name intimidate you. It’s essentially a rich almond filling made with butter, sugar, egg and ground almonds. Add a buttery pastry crust and carefully arranged slices of local apple, and something wonderful happens in the oven. The almond filling puffs around the fruit while the apple edges become tender and golden. This is the dessert I’d bring to the Thanksgiving table. Ingredients (Serves 8–10): For the pastry 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 1/4 tsp salt 8 tsp unsalted butter, softened 1 large egg yolk 1–2 tsp cold water, if needed For the frangipane 6 Tbs unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 cup almond flour 1 Tbs all-purpose flour 1 large egg 1/2 tsp almond extract Pinch of salt For the apples 2–3 firm apples 1 tsp fresh lemon juice 1 Tbs granulated sugar 2 Tbs apricot preserves 1 tsp water Preheat oven to 375°F. 1. Combine flour, confectioners’ sugar and salt. Work in the butter and egg yolk until a soft pastry forms, adding a teaspoon or two of cold water only if needed. 2. Press into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, beat butter and sugar until light. Add almond flour, flour, egg, almond extract and salt and mix until smooth. 4. Spread the frangipane evenly over the chilled crust. 5. Core the apples and slice very thinly. Toss gently with lemon juice and arrange the slices in overlapping circles over the frangipane. Sprinkle lightly with sugar. 6. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the frangipane is puffed and golden and the apples are tender. 7. Warm the apricot preserves with one teaspoon of water and brush over the warm apples. That simple glaze gives the tart its beautiful pastry-shop shine. LIL Apple Pick: Cortland or Mutsu. Both have enough structure to hold their shape, while their slight acidity balances the rich almond filling.
Make Room for the Apple Created by Nancy Vallarella, who brings farm-fresh recipes and local food knowledge to Long Island through farmers’ markets, demos, and more. For more recipes or to connect: DM @lilocavore495 on Instagram or email lilocavore495@gmail.com
Pumpkin gets plenty of attention this time of year, but before it takes over every coffee, muffin and holiday dessert, let’s make some room for New York’s state fruit. Buy an extra bag of local apples now. Store them unwashed in the refrigerator, where the cool temperature will help preserve their
crispness far longer than the fruit bowl on your counter. Then put them to work. Bake cinnamon apple donuts for a leisurely Sunday breakfast. Make the German apple cake a day before family arrives and serve it with afternoon coffee. And when it’s your turn to bring dessert to Thanksgiving, walk in carrying
that glossy apple frangipane tart. Sometimes eating locally doesn’t require reinventing what we cook. It simply means looking at what’s growing around us and giving it a place at the table. Pick local. Cook seasonally. And this holiday season, save a little room for the apple.
Credit - Nancy Vallarella
Long Island Locavore
12
School Highlights Thursday, September 24, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Harbor Country Opens New Wing for STEAM, Interdisciplinary Programs
Harbor Country Day School, a private school serving approximately 160 students from pre-school through eighth grade, celebrated the opening of its new Academic Wing at its St. James campus which will enhance its interdisciplinary offerings in STEAM, humanities, and the arts. The three-story, 11,841-square-foot Academic Wing is the highlight of the school’s ongoing $8.5 million campus renovation project and adds 11 learning spaces for all grades and new Upper School classrooms for grades 5-8. Shared spaces include a library, Music Learning Center, STEAM Center, art studio, Convocation Hall, and performance space. “This new academic wing represents an extraordinary investment in Harbor’s future and a powerful expression of support from our community,” said Cynthia Wong Lippe, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Generations of Harbor families have believed deeply in this school, and it is incredibly meaningful to see that commitment reflected in the spaces that will serve our students for generations to come.” Funding for the campus renovation – which also includes an upgraded dining area, infrastructure improvements and an accessible elevator serving the existing and new wing – was raised privately by current and former Harbor Country families, alumni and trustees. “This is one of the most significant investments in Harbor’s nearly 70-year history,” said Garrett Bergen, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. “These new and upgraded spaces will allow us to expand our curriculum and create new opportunities for students, particularly in STEAM and the performing arts.” Harbor Country Day School was founded in 1958 with 38 students by a small group of devoted parents who transformed a historic North Shore estate known as Tulip Knoll into classrooms. Over the years, the school added adjacent property for athletic fields and today sites an idyllic 11-acre campus in the village of Head of the Harbor, primarily serving families in Smithtown and Three Village along Suffolk County’s North Shore. Along with its Preschool through eighth-grade educational programs, the school runs an annual Summer Day Camp program at the campus for Pre-K, K-5th and 6-9th graders. “Having had a child continuously enrolled at Harbor Country Day School since my oldest was in kindergarten more than a decade ago, I’ve had the unique privilege of watching this school grow, evolve, and embrace change while remaining true to the values that make Harbor so special. I’ve also had the pleasure of watching this new wing go from a concept on paper to a beautiful reality. We’ve lived through the construction, the changes, the pivots, and all of the patience and perseverance it took to see this vision through,” said parent Christine Mellert. “The result is something truly special. The new wing is a beautiful, modern addition to our campus that reflects the growing vision and ethos of Harbor and creates new possibilities for our children. The opportunities it will provide for STEAM education and
the fine and performing arts are incredibly exciting. Harbor has always been a small school with a mighty vision, and this new wing feels like a wonderful expression of that. It is a testament to what can happen when a community has the patience, perseverance, and belief to see a big idea through—and our students will benefit from that vision for years to come.” “Harbor Country Day School has been part of the fabric of this community for nearly 70 years, built from the very beginning by families who believed deeply in giving children a place to learn, grow and discover who they can become,” said Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park). “This beautiful new academic wing carries that same spirit forward. It represents an extraordinary investment not only in education, but in creativity, opportunity, accessibility and the future of every student who will walk through these doors. I commend Harbor’s families, alumni, trustees, faculty and supporters for coming together to make this vision a reality. What they have built here will inspire generations of young people to remain curious, think boldly and grow into confident leaders. On behalf of the Town of Smithtown, I am proud to congratulate the entire Harbor Country Day School community on this remarkable milestone.” “Strong schools are an important part of what makes Suffolk County a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Harbor Country Day School’s investment in this new Academic Wing reflects a commitment to educational excellence and to preparing young people with the skills, confidence, and curiosity they will need to contribute to Suffolk County and beyond,” said County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches).
School Highlights Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
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HSE Student Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist The Smithtown Central School District announced that High School East’s Yuran Tang has been named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. “I had confidence that I could get it, but it feels better to know,” Yuran said. The National Merit Scholarship Program is a nonprofit organization that awards scholarship to high school seniors annually. Semifinalists are chosen based on preliminary SAT scores. Finalists will be chosen based on an essay written by the student, a recommendation from a high school official, and grades and SAT scores that align with the student’s PSAT score.
Lifesaving Moment at Smithtown High School East Soccer Game
A routine afternoon on the soccer field turned into a medical emergency on Sept. 16, when a referee suddenly collapsed during a JV girls soccer game at Smithtown High School East. What happened next was a powerful example of teamwork, preparation and community as Smithtown parents, coaches and an athletic trainer worked together with the East Islip residents to provide lifesaving care. “In a matter of seconds, an extraordinary team effort swung into action,” said Smithtown High School East Principal, Paul McNeil. About 30 minutes into the game, the official suddenly went down, leaving players, coaches and spectators stunned. Among those who rushed to help was Smithtown parent Jennifer Carney, who was at the game taking photographs. A volunteer EMT with the St. James Fire Department, Carney quickly ran to do chest compressions and was joined by head coach Amanda Valente and athletic trainer, Kelsey McCulley who retrieved the school’s automated external defibrillator (AED). They assessed the referee, applied the AED pads and delivered a shock when the device indicated it was needed. “A bunch of us ran over and we just started CPR and we got the AED out, placed the pads on him, noticed his rhythm was off, and we shocked him,” Carney said. The coordinated response continued until additional emergency personnel arrived. The incident underscored the importance of having trained personnel and emergency equipment on school grounds.
Civics 101
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Thursday, September 24, 2026
The Necessary Standard for American Education The Constitution - Article I, Part 2
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 In our quest to explain the Constitution line by line, we’re wrapping up Article I this week to discuss the last two sections. Section 9 Section 9, Clause 1: Also known as the Slave Trade Clause, Congress was barred from taking any action to stop the importation of slaves into the country until 1808. However, Congress was allowed to place a tax on the imports at no more than $10 per person. This was part of a broader strategy to gradually phase out slavery while keeping the South from seceding before the nation was fully formed. Once the clause expired in 1808, Congress immediately passed a bill to ban the import of new slaves. Clause 1 is now one of the only inactive clauses in the Constitution. Section 9, Clause 2: The writ of Habeas Corpus is not to be suspended, unless when cases of rebellion or invasion require it. Habeas Corpus, literally meaning “you have the body” in Latin, is a legal order that requires the government to bring a detained person before a judge prior to a sentencing. This acts as a failsafe against arbitrary or illegal detention by the federal government, and it requires the judge to give a legal and valid reason for holding the detainee. Interesting Note: Habeas Corpus has only been suspended four times in history. The first was under Lincoln during the Civil War to detain Confederate sympathizers. This is the only instance in which suspension of Habeas Corpus applied nationwide, and is generally regarded as one of Lincoln’s most controversial decisions. President Ulysses S. Grant (R-OH) did the same in 1871 in South Carolina to suppress violence by the Ku Klux Klan. President Theodore Roosevelt (R-NY) applied this to the thenU.S. territory of the Philippines to quell insurrections during the Philippine-American War. The most recent use was in 1941, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt (D-NY) declared martial law in the Territory of Hawaii following the Pearl Harbor attack. Section 9, Clause 3: Prevents legislative acts that assign guilt and punishment without a trial. Congress cannot act as a judge and jury; only the courts can. This is called a Bill of Attainder. In the same clause, there is the Ex Post Facto law, which states that a punishment can only be levied against an action in accordance with laws on the books at the time the act is committed. A punishment cannot be levied or increased on someone who commits an act before that act is criminalized. Section 9, Clause 4: Known as the Direct Tax Clause, this clause requires that any direct taxes must be apportioned among the states based on their population. It prevents the government from setting a flat national tax rate; the financial burden must match the Census. Interesting Note: In 1895, the Supreme Court ruled that a federal income tax was a “direct tax” and would be unconstitutional. To solve the problem, the states ratified the Sixteenth Amendment in 1913. The amendment gives Congress the power to levy and collect income taxes from any source “without apportionment
among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration.” Section 9, Clause 5: The federal government cannot tax American-made products as they leave the country. This ensures Congress cannot favor one state or region over another. This clause stems from a compromise between the antebellum North and South. The South feared that their cash crops, such as tobacco, would be taxed to benefit the North. Section 9, Clause 6: Congress cannot favor the ports of one state over another and it cannot force vessels traveling from one state to pay duties in another state. Section 9, Clause 7: The federal government cannot withdraw money from the Treasury unless such appropriations are approved by Congress. The federal government must also periodically publish accounting records on such transactions. Interesting Note: This clause is the foundation of Congress’ label of “power of the purse.” Section 9, Clause 8: The United States cannot grant titles of nobility to its citizens. No person holding federal office can, unless approved by Congress, accept any title of nobility and gifts from foreign states. Interesting Note: Benjamin Franklin foresaw a republic that could be influenced by wealthy outsiders. Congress is supposed to act as a checkpoint for foreign gifts and titles. Moreover, while American citizens can receive titles of nobility, they cannot use the titles as it violates this clause the Nobility Clause. Congress has never approved a foreign title of nobility for a federal official. The 11th Congress sought a full ban on foreign nobility titles and an automatic loss of citizenship for anyone who accepts them. The resulting proposed constitutional amendment passed both chambers of Congress but came up just two states short of ratification. Since Congress never set an expiration date on that amendment, the states can technically still take action on it. Some gifts to U.S. leaders, particularly the president, are seen as gestures from foreign leaders. Through the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, Congress has advance consent for officials to keep “minimal value” gifts from foreign officials. The current limit is $525. “High-value gifts,” however, can be accepted by the official being given the gift
so as to not hurt diplomatic relations, but those gifts are immediately seized by the government. Expensive gifts are logged and stored in the National Archives and Records Administration, or the official to whom a high-value gift is given can buy the gift from the U.S. government at the full fair market value. Section 10 Section 10, Clause 1: This clause prevents the states from taking certain actions that the federal government is also prevented from taking. States cannot enter into treaties, alliances, or confederations, they cannot deputize citizens to fight on behalf of the government as a naval fleet or militia (Marque and Reprisal), they cannot mint currency, they cannot grant titles of nobility, and they cannot pass Bills of Attainder or Ex Post Facto laws. Section 10, Clause 2: States cannot impose taxes (duties) on imports or exports without permission from Congress, but they are allowed to charge what is “absolutely necessary” for inspecting goods at ports and borders - usually processing fees. Any extra funds from those charges go straight to the U.S. Treasury. Clause 2 also gives Congress final say on state inspection laws. This clause exists to prevent the states from acting how they did under the Articles of Confederation, the first version of the Constitution that was replaced by the present version in 1789. In that time, states acted more like independent nations. Goods were taxed when they were traveling between states as well, and tariffs were often high so the states could generate revenue. This created economic tensions that necessitated a unified trade prerogative set by the federal government. Section 10, Clause 3: States cannot tax ships based on their size or capacity - “tonnage” - without Congress’ approval. States cannot make alliances with other states or foreign countries without getting Congress’ approval. States cannot declare war or engage war unless they are being invaded and Congress does not have time to act. Finally, states cannot keep standing armies or navies during peace time without congressional approval. The last item does not apply to the National Guard; rather, permanent dedicated state militaries.
Around Town Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
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Guide Dog Foundation, America’s VetDogs Break Ground on New Puppy Development & Visitor Center The Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs today announced a major milestone in their organizations’ history as community leaders, donors, volunteers, program graduates, staff, and friends gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony for the organizations’ new Puppy Development & Visitor Center at their national headquarters campus in Smithtown, New York. The project is receiving significant support from the Town, County, and New York State, including a $1 million grant from Empire State Development.
Preliminary site work is underway on the new 30,000-square-foot facility, the cornerstone of the organizations’ Building for the Future initiative. The center will strengthen the earliest and most critical stages of every future guide, service, and facility dog’s journey while expanding the organizations’ ability to serve more people with disabilities and welcoming the public more deeply into their missions. “This groundbreaking represents much more than the start of construction on a new building. It represents the next chapter of our mission,” said John Miller, president and CEO of Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs. “Every life-changing partnership we create between a person and an assistance dog begins with a puppy. By investing in those critical earliest stages of development while creating a place where people can experience and participate in our mission firsthand, we are building the foundation to serve more people, engage more volunteers and supporters, and strengthen our impact for generations to come.” The new facility will include enhanced puppy development and veterinary spaces, advanced biosecurity features, educational visitor experiences, and a gathering space capable of welcoming more than 300 guests for graduations, mission-focused events, community programs, and indoor training. Over time, the center is expected to help increase the organizations’ capacity by 25%, allowing more individuals with disabilities, including America’s Veterans, active-duty military, and first responders, to receive accredited, custom-trained guide and service dogs completely free of charge. The project represents a significant investment to remain on Long Island while supporting a mission with national reach. “For 80 years, the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs have been changing lives from their home on Long Island, giving people with disabilities — including Veterans and first responders — greater independence, mobility and opportunity,” said Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight. “This new center is an investment not only in the organizations’ future, but in the people, families, and communities they serve in all 50 states. New York State’s support will help these nationally respected organizations grow their impact while keeping jobs, talent and an extraordinary mission rooted right here on Long Island.” The Town of Smithtown, led by Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park), has played an important role
in helping the organizations advance the project and remain in the community they have called home for some 80 years. “This groundbreaking is an exciting milestone not only for the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs, but for the entire Smithtown community,” said Wehrheim, a Vietnam Veteran who served in the U.S. Navy. “For generations, these organizations have carried out extraordinary work from their home here in Smithtown. This new facility will allow that work to grow, bring more visitors and volunteers into our community, and ensure Smithtown remains home to a mission that changes lives throughout the nation.” Long Island Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Linda Armyn and Dr. Kimberly R. Cline said that by “choosing to invest and grow here on Long Island, the organizations are also creating new opportunities for education and community engagement while advancing a mission with national reach.” The facility is being designed by Studio Miers | Chou | Poon Architecture, in collaboration with internationally renowned blind architect and accessibility expert Chris Downey of Architecture for the Blind and Long Island-based bld Architecture, dpc. Construction is being led by TRITEC Real Estate Company. “The Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs have earned a national reputation for changing lives, and this new facility will allow their extraordinary mission to reach even more people beyond Long Island. Helping Veterans and individuals with disabilities live with greater freedom and independence strengthens families, communities, and our nation. I am proud that this life-changing work is happening right here on Long Island, and I look forward to continuing to support their important mission in Congress,” said Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville), a U.S. Navy Veteran. “Suffolk County is proud to be home to organizations whose impact reaches far beyond Long Island,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches). “The Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs provide independence, confidence and opportunity to people with disabilities, including the Veterans and first responders who have given so much in service to others. This new center is an investment in that mission, in our region, and in the thousands of lives that will be touched by the remarkable dogs whose journeys begin here.” The ceremonial groundbreaking kicked off with a special parachute jump from The All-Veteran Group, a professional parachute team and Veteran advocacy organization. Sponsored by America’s VetDogs’ Puppy With a Purpose® partner, Window World, the jump team is led by Mike Elliott, a retired U.S. Army Golden Knights skydiver who famously tandem skydived with former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. The event also featured a special guest appearance by Sully H.W. Bush, the America’s VetDogs service dog who served President Bush (R-TX) and continues his career supporting Veterans and staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as a facility dog.
Theatre & the Arts
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Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Dear Engeman Theater:
You Deserved that Standing Ovation for
‘Dear Evan Hansen’
Credit - John W. Engeman Theater
By Cindi Sansone-Braff The John W. Engeman Theater opened its 2026-2027 Season with a bang, presenting “Dear Evan Hansen,” a Tony Award-winning musical. Let me take a moment to list the 2017 Tony Awards this not-to-be-missed musical received: a whopping six, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actress, and Best Orchestrations. Written by Steven Levenson, with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, “Dear Evan Hansen” premiered in 2015 at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. In 2016, it was produced OffBroadway at Second Stage Theatre before opening on Broadway at the
Music Box Theatre in December 2016, where it ran for 1,678 performances before closing in September 2022. People often claim that being young, being a teenager, is the best time of life, but for anyone who has ever been a teenager and especially for anyone who has ever raised one, you know that statement is surely one for the book of “Old Wives’ Tales!” What makes this show so compelling is that it doesn’t shy away from hot topics like suicide, mental illness, loss, drug abuse, social anxiety, the impact of social media, family dysfunction, alienation, bullying, peer pressure, and the toll these issues take on individuals, families, and society at large. Brilliantly directed by Scott Weinstein, this stellar cast brought their energy, strong acting and vocal skills, and passion for perfection to this mustsee production. Joe Serafini delivered an awardworthy performance as Evan Hansen, a socially anxious high school senior and only child who struggles to connect with his classmates and his mother. He feels like an outsider, always on the sidelines, while everyone else seems to know how to fit in and enjoy life. Serafini showcased his vocals throughout the show, delivering a heartfelt rendition of “Waving Through a Window,” an
emotional pop-rock anthem in which he expresses his sense of isolation and invisibility as the other cast members rush past him, oblivious to his plight. Christina DeCicco was captivating as Heidi Hansen, Evan’s single, devoted, hardworking mother, who loves her son deeply yet is plagued by unrelenting guilt and fears she has somehow failed him. One of the show’s highlights was DeCicco’s spellbinding performance
of the gut-wrenching ballad “So Big/So Small.” Danny Meglio was perfectly cast as Jared Kleinman, Evan’s not-so-friendly friend and accomplice, who brings muchneeded comic relief to the story. Jared has the heart of a mercenary, has mastered the art of gallows humor, and has a mind that moves at the speed of AI, always
calculating, “What’s in it for me?” Jimmy Schumacher delivered a spot-on portrayal of Connor Murphy, a troubled, defiant, disliked, out-of-control teenager known for bullying others and abusing drugs. A round of applause goes to Robin Levine, who choreographed “Sincerely Me,” a darkly comedic, ultrafast-paced pop-rock number featuring Evan, Jared, and Connor. Aquila Sol aced the role of Zoe Murphy, Connor’s sister and Evan’s love interest, who struggles with her complicated relationship with her brother. She refuses to rewrite history and makes a saint out of a brother who made her life a living hell. Maggie Bera was riveting as Cynthia Murphy, Connor and Zoe’s mother, a woman desperate to understand her son’s life and actions, while trying to hold her disintegrating marriage and family together. Ryan M. Hunt gave a standout performance as Larry Murphy, Connor and Zoe’s father, a successful lawyer whose strained relationship with a son he could neither control nor connect with has wreaked havoc on his life and marriage. Hunt has strong vocals, and his nuanced delivery of “To Break in a Glove” was an unforgettable onstage moment. Bera, Hunt, and Sol’s emotionally raw trio, “Requiem,” struck a deep chord with its layered harmonies and a heaping dose of brutal honesty. Arwen-Vira Marsh delivered a noteworthy performance as Alana Beck, an ambitious, enterprising young woman who wants to make a difference. Act I closed on a high note with “You Will Be Found,” which begins as a soft solo backed by a piano ballad and builds into a big production number featuring the entire cast, including the talented ensemble Zac Decker, Chris Donovan, Lily Grubert, Alex Kidder, and Jordan Radis. If you have tweens and teenagers, treat them to this show. Afterward, start a conversation. Talk about the issues, the real ones, the hard ones, the old elephant in the room we were all taught to ignore or sweep under the rug. You’ll all be better off because of it! This thought-provoking musical runs through October 25, 2026. I am praying the Engeman Theater extends the run of “Dear Evan Hansen!” You can buy tickets by calling 631-2612900, visiting engemantheater.com, or going to the John W. Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport. 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.
Technology News Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
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Thursday, September 24, 2026
Trump Says Whoever Wins ‘Super Intelligence’ Wins. The Rest of Us Still Need Water. The president’s United Nations speech cast AI as a contest for national power. The harder question is what winning means once the technology reaches the systems the public depends on. President Donald Trump (R-FL) used his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to give Artificial Intelligence a new name and place it at the center of a global contest. “Whoever wins super intelligence wins. That’s the group that wins,” said our President. He continued by saying The United States, “totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme of control for the Artificial Intelligence being spoken of so much now — hereinafter officially called ‘Super Intelligence.’” Together, the remarks frame AI as more than a technology or business tool, and it is. The speech made the AI debate explicit the crux of the AI debate: governments and companies are building for advantage even though no one can say with certainty how the technology will develop or where its largest consequences will land. A Race Without a Map Wharton professor Ethan Mollick, who studies innovation and AI, described that uncertainty in a 2024 interview: “Nobody really knows what these systems could do.” He said even the companies developing leading models had been surprised by the effects of systems they released. That does not mean expertise is absent, but it does not live in one space. Scientists understand the models. Engineers understand the computing infrastructure. Cybersecurity specialists understand threats. Utility operators understand their plants. Integrators understand how those parts work together. Architects examine the wider system: its dependencies, lines of authority and effects on the people who rely on it. No one discipline holds the entire system. The big story Tuesday was a president declaring a new global race. On the homefront, the story is an Internet-connected controller at a local water plant. The connection between the two statements is why the speech
Credit - Gemini
By Mollie W. Barnett matters: Artificial Intelligence, or Super Intelligence, becomes public power when it can reach physical systems, and those systems are governed by decisions about access, security, and human authority. The Scary Story Is on Tap Much of the public debate focuses on what an advanced AI might become. A more immediate question is what any capable system can reach once it is connected to infrastructure people use every day. At a water plant, controllers open valves, run pumps, and tell operators what is happening. Those devices need no intelligence of their own to become vulnerable. If they can be reached from outside, a digital intrusion can have physical consequences. On July 30, the FBI and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warned that malicious actors had targeted Internet-facing controllers at water and wastewater utilities in at least seven states. The attackers changed device addresses and passwords, causing operators to lose monitoring and control. Reported effects included pressure loss and flooding. Federal officials told utilities to remove controllers from direct internet exposure, restrict access and preserve their ability to operate the systems manually. The alert did not say AI was used in those attacks. The incidents matter because they show that the pathway to physical disruption already exists. Super intelligence is not required when a controller has been left exposed to the Internet. The federal government is also preparing for AI to become part of critical infrastructure itself. In April, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) began developing a risk framework for AI used in information technology, operational technology and industrial-control systems. NIST researchers Raymond Sheh and Martin Stanley identified the requirements: hardened plantmonitoring systems, fail-safe controls, rigorous testing and human oversight. Their work reflects a basic distinction
that can be lost in discussions about model intelligence. Capability is one question. Authority is another. What can the system reach? What is it permitted to do? Can a human interrupt it? Can the plant continue operating if the model, network or vendor disappears? The machine does not have to wake up. It only has to reach your tap. Why Winning Requires More Than the Strongest Model Trump’s definition of winning concerns national leadership. For the public, the test is broader. An open-weight model can be downloaded and run elsewhere. A closed model remains behind a company’s service, where customers pay for access. Neither structure is automatically safe. The difference is where control sits: A closed system retains a company gate, while an openweight model can continue circulating after the developer releases it. That makes the idea of one permanent winner difficult to sustain. American companies may lead the most expensive frontier while capable models circulate from laboratories in several countries. A nation can lead in model development while depending on supply chains it does not control. It can build enormous computing capacity while leaving its grid, water systems and local governments exposed. The physical demands are already measurable. The Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimated that data centers used 4.7% of all U.S. electricity in 2024. Its 2025 update, led by researchers Sarah Smith and Arman Shehabi,
projects a central estimate of 11.8% by 2030, with a modeled range from 9.5 to 15.3%. The report estimates that data centers could account for one-third of total U.S. electricity-demand growth between 2024 and 2030. Those findings are not an argument against data centers. They establish that the AI race is also an infrastructure story. Decisions about generation, transmission, water, land, and system security will move through public agencies and local communities, even when the intelligence itself is privately owned. A town does not need to own a frontier model to retain authority over its water system. It needs operators who know what is connected, controllers that can be isolated, recovery plans that have been tested and the power to reject systems that cannot fail safely. AI may help operators monitor plants, anticipate failures, and respond to abnormal conditions. Those gains count as progress only if the intelligence strengthens the system without quietly taking control away from the people responsible for it. Trump’s speech gave the race a new name and a simple outcome: Whoever wins super intelligence wins. The systems through which the public will experience that victory are not simple. Presidents leave office. Companies rise and fall. This week’s leading model will be ordinary before the ink dries. The tap will still be there. That is where super intelligence becomes real. A country has not won because one of its companies built the strongest model. It has won only if that intelligence strengthens the systems people depend on without stripping the public of authority over them.
Mollie W. Barnett - is a writer and decision architect who has worked in communications.
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Messenger Perspectives Thursday, September 24, 2026
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Getting a Closer Look By PJ Balzer
This past week, I attended another boys’ varsity soccer game on our home field. I absolutely love the ambiance of the fall soccer season, especially as it’s getting cooler out and the sun is setting earlier each day. I really look forward to this time of year and try to spend the most time outdoors possible. There was a young man at this game who I remembered well from the prior game last week. Everyone in attendance remembered him, I’m sure, especially the high school’s security guards. I could tell immediately that they are familiar with dealing with him inside the school as well. He stands out right away as a troubled kid, really hyper and definitely unruly. He spent a good portion of the soccer game standing up on the bleachers, the same bleachers the rest of us were sitting on. He purposely and loudly taunted the opposing team, taunted their fans and even some of his own classmates who were watching the game too quietly for his liking. He has a personality that is easily able to stir up his peers, stir them towards rowdiness and vulgarity. By halftime, he had a group of kids standing on the bleachers alongside him and yelling. Like mostly everyone else sitting there, I initially looked down upon this young man who probably isn’t older than 15 years old. I kept thinking to myself, “Why isn’t the security removing him from the stands and sending him home?
(631) 269-6421
He’s been a hyperactive nuisance most of the game and he’d be better anywhere else but close to me. Get him out of my sight, out of mind, and stop inconveniencing me.” That was last week’s game. At the most recent game this past week, he was much less unruly but did move the place he was sitting in often. There was a group of young ladies sitting a few rows beneath me, who his friends were apparently friendly with. The last of his many seating choices in the stands was ten feet away from me with this group of young ladies. I was finally able to see him from up close and spent half time observing him. Things usually change when you view people and their lives from up close. The first thing I noticed from up close was a sadness in his eyes surrounded by pronounced black circles underneath. They were hard to miss; I know those circles well. They’re from stress, a lack of good sleep, and probably a lack of good nutrition as well. I know many kids just like him that have those same circles. They live and sleep in chaotic environments with noise happening all night long. There’s no such thing as organic blueberry pancakes waiting for these kids as breakfast in the morning before school. They usually have a small bag of Doritos and whatever breakfast our district offers on the morning food cart. He was much skinnier up close than he looked from a distance. His clothes were fashionable, but I did notice that he had the same outfit on as the last game. From up close, I could see that he had these dirt lines along the seams of his shirt. I know those specific dirt lines as well as I know the dark circles. Those lines aren’t dirt from rolling around in the grass. Those are from being worn repeatedly without being washed. From a distance, I was only able to see a hard and obnoxious teenager that was at the soccer game to cause trouble and stir up the crowd. From up close, I saw a young man that most likely comes from a household where love, care, and individual attention isn’t abundant. Neglect and harshness have probably replaced them. Food and laundry detergent probably aren’t abundant as well. Even if he doesn’t know it, he’s inwardly yearning for attention and for someone to notice him. He wants to be cared for and loved, as we all do. He’s asking for that in the only way he knows. It’s so much more convenient to dislike, label, and write people off from afar. If and when we allow ourselves to get close enough, we may end up getting a view of them with our heart rather than our eyes. When I got into the car after the game was over, I did so with a prayer divinely placed inside my heart that went something like this: “Lord let me see people clearly and not only from my own convenient distance. Help me to see past people’s actions and into their lives. Let me be a part of the solution to this young man’s issues and not the person who spends all my time pointing them out, even if the solution, for now, is just a simple smile.”
AMAC Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Overview - AMAC The Association of Mature American Citizens
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Democrats Are Giving Taxpayer-Funded Cash Payments to Illegal Aliens By Sarah Katherine Sisk | AMAC Contributing Writer As the Trump administration steps up immigration enforcement actions, some Democrat-run localities are now simply giving cash payments to illegal aliens and their families – all funded by American taxpayers. This shocking new development has become just the latest example of liberal politicians putting illegal aliens who have no right to be in the country ahead of American citizens. In the most recent example, during a special September 2 meeting, the Arlington County Board in Arlington, Virginia, voted 4-0 to set aside $50,000 in taxpayer funds for families in which the primary wage earner has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Recipients will receive direct payments of up to $2,000 in the form of debit cards or checks. The news comes following a concentrated enforcement operation in Northern Virginia suburbs around Washington, D.C., in which ICE announced that it had arrested more than 1,300 illegal aliens over the course of just two weeks. At least 400 of those individuals had prior criminal records. Their past crimes included sexual battery, kidnapping, DUI, hit-and-run, identity theft, and robbery. Some were wanted for murder, attempted murder, or rape. The operation also swept up members of gangs like MS-13, 18th Street, and Tren de Aragua, along with Eygner Wilfredo Huezo-Moran, a Salvadoran wanted on a Richmond murder warrant. As one of her first actions after taking office earlier this year, new Virginia Democrat Governor Abigail Spanberger terminated an agreement requiring state and local police to cooperate with ICE on immigration enforcement. Notably, Virginians are already facing higher electricity costs as the state rejoins the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, and various other taxes passed by the Democrat legislature are driving the cost of living higher for families in the Old Dominion. But Democrats in Arlington County apparently believe that cash payouts to illegal aliens are a good use of taxpayer money. As insulting as that is to American citizens, things are even worse in Los Angeles, where the city government is offering up to $15,000 in rent relief to households “impacted by ICE enforcement” – and the money is coming from funds that are supposed to go to wildfire victims. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors had initially identified $10 million for a rent-relief fund to help tenants and landlords harmed by the January 2025 wildfires. Those blazes burned nearly 60 square miles of land, killed more than 30 people, and destroyed more than 16,000 structures. But last September, even as many wildfire victims were still homeless, the board quietly redirected $5 million of that pool to a new “immigration-enforcement hardship category.” The move has drawn fresh scrutiny amid the recent revelations about Arlington County’s similar actions. The program can cover up to six months of rent, capped at $15,000 per rental unit. Eligibility does not require disclosure of any household member’s immigration status. County administrators may ask applicants who cite immigration enforcement for proof of detention, but the guide says those who do not choose to provide it may still qualify under another hardship category. In other words, illegal aliens and their families can absolutely receive this lucrative benefit. Local officials are trying to sell these programs as a humanitarian response to hardship instead of what they really are: direct payments for immigration violations and an abuse of taxpayer money. LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn argued that raids had left many residents afraid to work or leave home. “These are not criminals that this administration is targeting. These are hardworking people we have come to depend on in our community,” she said. Of course, entering the country illegally or overstaying a visa is against the law, so anyone who does
either of those two things is, by definition, a criminal. Democrats can call every raid an attack on “hardworking people.” But why should the household of a detained illegal alien — including cases involving violent criminals — get its own taxpayer-funded relief category while victims of those crimes get nothing from the state? For years, Democrat counties have treated ICE as the problem and illegal aliens as helpless victims to protect. They do whatever they can to make it more difficult for law enforcement to do their job, limiting what sheriffs can tell federal officers and dropping or trimming charges so a conviction does not automatically trigger deportation.
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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.
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
Moreover, Democrats have never offered any such sympathy – much less cash payouts – to the American workers who have been fired or seen their wages slashed after being undercut by cheap illegal labor. Arlington and Los Angeles are previews of the vision Democrats have in mind for the entire country if they win back power. Taxpayers who are already being squeezed to fund countless other wasteful government programs are now being forced to subsidize illegal aliens and their families as part of the liberal “resistance” against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Voters nationwide should keep that in mind as they head to the polls this November.
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
20
WORD OF THE
Week
Etymology: 1660s, from Latin lacrimosus, “tearful, sorrowful, weeping.”
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
SUDOKU
LACHRYMOSE adjective Pronounced: /la·kruh·mows/ Definition:
given to tears or weeping.
Example:
“The tragedy made a normal day a lachrymose one.”
Synonyms: sad, tearful, sentimental Antonyms: beaming, jovial, merry
Sources: Merriam-Webster, Etymonline.com.
See bottom left for the answers (please don’t cheat!)
This Week in History
WORD WHEEL E
N
Black Friday: Panic on Wall Street after investors Jay Gould and James Fisk attempt to corner the gold market.
September 29, 1906:
S See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
C H
British physician Dr. Charles Drysdale warns against the use of tobacco in a letter to The Times newspaper in one of the earliest public health announcements on the dangers of smoking.
U.S. intervenes in Cuba and ousts dictator Estrada Palma.
O
L
September 25, 1878:
September 24, 1869
September 26, 1968:
“Oliver!,” directed by Carol Reed and starring Mark Lester and Ron Moody, premieres in London (Best Picture 1969).
September 28, 1968:
The Beatles’ single “Hey Jude” hits #1 and stays at #1 for nine weeks.
September 30, 1846: September 27, 1822 French scholar Jean-François Champollion announces he has deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphs using the Rosetta Stone.
Anesthetic ether is used for the first time by American dentist Dr. William Morton to extract a tooth. Source: Onthisday.com.
Bits & Pieces Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
NATIONAL An extortion hacking group claimed responsibility for stealing personnel records from the FBI. Diesel hit an all-time record of $6.53 this week. Gas stations in several states are advertising the fuel as out of stock. The White House is reportedly preparing for 90-day diesel export ban. 10-Year Treasury yields soared to 5.11% on Wednesday, the highest since 2007. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the UNGA said Iran will not “bend the knee.” President Trump’s Board of Peace proposed a $2.45 billion blueprint to rebuild Gaza. 17 Democratic Senators urged Trump to pause AI development. A task force announced the removal of 760,000 allegedly fraudulent Obamacare enrollments. Democrats hit a cycle-high lead of 8.5 points in the RCP generic ballot average. J.D. Vance campaigned in the ruby-red state of Kansas this week, signalling growing apprehension for the GOP ahead of the midterms.
STATE A Siena College poll found Governor Hochul +9 over Nassau Executive Blakeman. A Quinnipiac poll found Hochul +19 over Blakeman. The State is temporarily pausing permits for hyperscale data centers to establish guardrails. The State is suing the federal government over canceled offshore wind projects. Mayor Mamdani renewed calls for Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest as the Prime Minister landed in New York for the UNGA.
LOCAL A Bay Shore man was indicted for attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a 65-year-old man. 35 defendants plead guilty in a vehicle theft and title washing ring. A family clinic opened in downtown Smithtown last Thursday. The toll booths to Sunken Meadow State Park were badly damaged after two separate fatal car crashes. Suffolk Community College’s Brentwood, Riverhead, and Selden campuses will be hosting open houses November 8 at 12:00p.m.
WORD SEARCH
21
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Sold / Miller Place $605,000
110WALT WALTWHITMAN WHITMANRD, RD,HUNTINGTON HUNTINGTONSTA ST 110
2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. © 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN© REAL EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. ©ESTATE. 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY © 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. ©110 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. © 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. © 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. WALT WHITMAN RD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NEW YORK 11746. 631.549.7401. © 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. © 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. 110 WALT WHITMAN RD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NEW YORK 11746. 631.549.74 110 WALT WHITMAN RD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NEW YORK 11746. 631.549.7 110WALT WALTWHITMAN WHITMANRD, RD,HUNTINGTON HUNTINGTON STATION, NEWYORK YORKRD, 11746. 631.549.7401. STATION, NEW YORK 11746. 631.549.740 110 STATION, NEW 11746. 631.549.7401. 110 WALT WHITMAN HUNTINGTON
110WALT WALT WHITMAN RD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NEW YORK 11746. 631.549.74 110 110 WALT WHITMAN RD,RD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NEW YORK 11746. 631.549.7401 WHITMAN HUNTINGTON STATION, NEW YORK 11746. 631.549.740
Sold / Hampton Bays $830,000
Sold / Bayport $1,525,000
Sold / Selden $500,000
23
Ducks Invite Students to
Celebrate Good Grades at Ballpark The Long Island Ducks are recognizing the hard work and accomplishments of students across Long Island by inviting them to celebrate their achievements at the ballpark and help cheer on the Ducks during the Atlantic League Championship Series. Beginning Monday, September 21, students of all ages and grade levels can bring a good grade or outstanding mark from a recent test, quiz, project, report card or school assignment to the Ducks Box Office at Fairfield Properties Ballpark and receive one complimentary box seat ticket, a $19 value, to Friday’s Game Three of the Atlantic League Championship Series at 6:35p.m. The Ducks want to recognize the hard work of Long Island students while giving them an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and be part of the excitement of playoff baseball. The promotion is simple: students just need to bring their grade or outstanding mark and present it to a Ducks Box Office representative. No purchase is necessary to receive the complimentary ticket, and each student may receive one ticket. Parents and guardians accompanying the student can also take advantage of a special discounted ticket offer when purchasing tickets with the complimentary student ticket. “We know how hard students work, especially with the recent start of the school year, and we wanted to find a fun way to recognize them for their efforts,” said Ducks General Manager Sean Smith. “They’ve earned the good grades, and now we need them to bring that same energy to the ballpark and help us cheer on the Ducks as we continue our championship run.”
The Good Grades promotion begins Monday, September 21, and continues through game time on Friday, September 25, while supplies last. The Ducks Box Office is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. and on Friday from 10:00a.m. through the end of the game. The Ducks will host Game Three of the Atlantic League Championship Series on Friday, September 25, at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip. First pitch between the Ducks and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs is scheduled for 6:35p.m., with the ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders).
Comsewogue Boys Soccer By Ashley Pavlakis
The Spartans are back on the pitch in 2026 at Comsewogue High School. The varsity boys’ soccer team is performing well in League IV, and they’re winning against powerhouse teams in and out of their league. The Comsewogue varsity boys’ soccer team is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in League IV. The boys are led by head coach Michael Bonura. He’s joined on the sidelines by assistant coach Keith Zoccoli. Bonura is in his second stint with the Spartans; his first was from 1997-2001, and he began his second stint at the helm in 2024. The Spartans have a rich history in terms of winning. Comsewogue is a 13-time League champion, 4-time Suffolk County champion, and 2-time New York State champion. Their most recent win was the Suffolk title in 2024. Comsewogue is one of three schools to claim consecutive New York State titles. Cold Spring Harbor achieved it first in 1993 and 1994, Sachem notched the feat in 1997 and 1998, and Comsewogue most recently did it in 2008 and 2009. The familiarity of being on top has the Spartans hungry to get back on top of the mountain. The boys repping blue and gold have put up five quality outings so far this season. They’ve outscored their opponents 10 to 4, posting two shutouts along the way. The Spartans boast a 5-10 record, putting them in a tie with West Babylon for second in League IV. Since 2022, the Spartans
have consistently posted a winning record. Gio Dicecco is tied for 13th in goal scoring in Suffolk County with five. Comsewogue conquered the Hills, defeating Hills East and West by identical 3-2 scores. The Spartans notched this feat on their home turf, ‘the Coliseum’. Versus Hills West, Comsewogue came from behind in the second half and mounted the comeback with goals from DiCecco (2), and Mueller (1). In the match against Hills East, they got ahead early and closed it out in the second half to complete the Huntington sweep. The Spartans will face Hills West one more time this season before September ends. The Spartans took on the sixth-ranked (NYS Class AA) Smithtown West Bulls on Tuesday night at the Coliseum. The Bulls were one of four teams in Section XI to hold an undefeated record this season. The Spartans went to battle with the Bulls and emerged victorious by the score of 2-1, thus putting an end to the Bulls perfect record. The two will play one another one more time later this season. The moral of the story is that the Comsewogue Spartans have proven their ability to beat anyone this season. The Spartans have “Fear None” inscribed across the back of their jerseys, a motto they’ve chosen for the 2026-27 season. They’ve certainly lived up to expectations so far and look to keep the momentum going with a deep road schedule on the docket.
Smithtown Messenger - Brookhaven Messenger - Islip Messenger - Thursday, September 24, 2026