Thousands Attend LI Vigil for Charlie Kirk
By Matt Meduri
Last week saw perhaps one of the most historic events of the century, the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The conservative activist was just 31 when he was shot and killed in Utah while conducting his trademark “Prove Me Wrong” series in which he invited and promoted open political debate and discourse on college campuses through his organization Turning Point USA.
Kirk founded Turning Point at the age of 18 in his garage, steadily growing it into a massive movement that spans nearly 2,000 college and high school campuses nationwide and himself into an avatar not just for young conservatives, but for Christian ideals as well.
Continued on page 4
Smithtown Remembers 9/11
By Matt Meduri
Members of the Smithtown community gathered last Thursday, September 11, to commemorate the twenty-fourth anniversary of perhaps the darkest day in American history and to remember the many Smithtonians who lost their lives that day.
The annual ceremony was held at Tide Park - also known as 9/11 Park - on Main Street in Smithtown. “Our conversations are poisoned by anger, our politics by division. We demonize those on the other side and we tear them down,” said Rabbi Mendel Teldon of Shabbat Commack.
Continued on page 15
The Long Island Loud Majority (LILM) held candlelight vigil for Kirk Saturday night at the LIRR Station in Seaford with several thousand attendees. (Credit - Matt Meduri)
Thursday, September 18, 2025
FALL EVENTS
Port Jefferson Summer Farmers Market at Harborfront Park
Every Saturday and Sunday, May 18-November 28 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Islip Farmers Market at Town Hall
Every Saturday June 7 - November 22 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Bay Gardens 4th Annual Family Country Festival
80 Montauk Hwy, East Moriches Sunday, September 21 at 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
Grooves on the Green in Ronkonkoma
Every other Wednesday until September 24 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Goatman’s Haunted House Museum in Manorville
Every Saturday and Sunday until November, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
San Gennaro Feast at Lenny Bruno Farms
September 20, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Thrift Bazaar at Olish Farms at 75 Eastport Manor Rd., Eastport in Covered Greenhouses
September 27 & 28, Rain or Shine 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The Little Farm Pumpkin Succulent Centerpiece Workshop at 413 Montauk Hwy., Eastport Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 PM
Antiques & Collectibles
Flea Market Workshop at Lighthouse Commons Shopping Center in Oakdale Sunday, September 27 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Wading River-Shoreham Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival
September 28, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Comedy Night at the Seaport Diner
September 28, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
PUBLISHER
Raheem Soto
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Matt Meduri
STAFF REPORTERS Cait Crudden
ART PRODUCTION
MANAGER
Sergio A. Fabbri
GRAPHIC DESIGN Colin Herr
CONTRIBUTORS
PJ Balzer
Ashley Pavlakis
Madison Warren
OFFICE MANAGER & ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE
Kim Revere
PROOFREADER
Giavanna Rudilosso
SOCIAL MEDIA
Madison Warren
Tim Walz
DELIVERY PERSONNEL
PJ Balzer
Joe Cuminale
WHERE TO FIND OUR PAPER
COMMACK
Bagel Chalet
Bagel Toasterie (Mayfair Shopping Center)
Candlelight Diner
HAUPPAUGE
Hauppauge Palace • Shop Rite (Smithtown Bypass)
KINGS PARK
3 Sons Deli • Bagel City Company
Kings Park Card Shop
Kings Park Manor • Linda’s Pizza
LIRR Kings Park Train Station Park Bakery • Raleigh Poultry Farm
LAKE GROVE
Lake Grove Village Hall
RONKONKOMA
718 Slice Pizzeria (719 Hawkins Ave)
SMITHTOWN
American Legion
Hot Bagels • LIRR Smithtown Train Station
Maureen’s Kitchen • Millennium Diner
Smithtown Bagels
Smithtown Seniors Center
Smithtown Town Hall Stop & Shop • Sweetwaters
ST. JAMES
50% Cards Store (Lake Avenue)
7 Eleven (356 Lake Avenue) Lake Ave Deli
LIRR St. James Train Station
HAUPPAUGE:
Challenge Your Mind for Adults- September 18, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Farmer’s Market Pop-Up- September 24, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
COMMACK:
Pawsitive Reading Grades K-5September 23, 5:30 PM
NESCONSET:
Creation Station
- September 20, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
KINGS PARK:
Game Day - September 22, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Baby Playground
- September 23, 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM
SACHEM:
Music & Art K-2September 18, 4:45 PM to 5:30 PM Pumpkin Time (2-5 years)September 22, 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM & 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
AT THE SACHEM BUILDING
from front cover
In Memoriam Thousands Attend Long Island Vigil for Charlie Kirk
Kirk’s movement is credited with reshaping the Republican Party into a populist movement and has been deemed influential to the 2016 and 2024 elections of President Donald Trump (R-FL).
The Long Island Loud Majority (LILM) held a candlelight vigil for Kirk on Saturday night at the LIRR Station in Seaford, where at least several thousand attendees descended on the parking lot to pay their respects and pray for the nation.
An opening prayer was given by Susan Weingarten of the Huntington Northport Smithtown Patriots, while attendees held photos of Kirk, signs with Bible verses, and solemn, yet determined, expressions.
“Charlie Kirk was a man of God. He loved his family, our country, engaging with young people all across our great nation and challenging them on their ideals,” said Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) (pictured left)
“He would allow the people who disagreed with him to come to the front of the line to express their views, and he would have a peaceful exchange back and forth with young people all across our great country.”
LaLota said that “political violence is meant to quiet our voices”, but noted the stark contrast in how conservatives are handling such a tragedy.
“We’re not rioting in the streets. We’re not burning things down. Your peaceful presence here today gives Long Island and our great nation an inspiration that while Charlie Kirk may not be of this world anymore, that his spirit carries on in each and every one of us here,” said LaLota.
LaLota asked attendees to pray for the United States, “keep the faith, and be peaceful.”
Former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) (pictured right) took the microphone after LaLota.
“What I love about the legacy of Charlie Kirk is that he embraced the youth of this nation. Unfortunately, college campuses throughout this nation have become petri dishes of hate,” said D’Esposito. “But Charlie Kirk made it his mission to march into the lion’s den and to embrace the young men and women of this nation. Very often, that generation is criticized for living their life in their phone and their tablet by only communicating by text message and emojis. He went to college campuses and he made American youth talk again.”
D’Esposito added that Kirk made the youth talk about “things that matter”, but did so peacefully.
“He always brought the people who disagreed with him most to the front because he wanted to answer their questions,” said D’Esposito. “Someone tried to silence that voice, but little do they know the wildfire that they have started. Continue to share the message of Charlie Kirk and continue always to be a proud, proud, proud American.”
State Senator Steve Rhoads (R-Bellmore) (pictured right) spoke of Kirk not only as an “unapologetic American”, but as “unapologetically religious.”
“There is a power, confidence, and a peace that comes from the knowledge that we are here for a greater purpose,” said Rhoads. “That we are here to serve something and someone greater than ourselves. While the left may take shots at us and try to silence us, we know that we cannot be silenced.”
Rhoads added that Kirk was “about empowering people, letting people know that you have a role to play, that you have a voice that needs to be heard, that liberty, freedom, and good in the world needs to be defended from evil.”
Rhoads shared an anecdote that he learned in his first-grade catechism class, wherein an old man walks down a beach littered with starfish and notices a boy throwing them one by one into the ocean. The old man says that just one little boy cannot make a difference, but the boy replies, “I made a difference to that one.”
“The power of individuals together in a group - that movement is all of us,” said Rhoads. “Let’s gather up those starfish. Let’s join together and save this country and restore decency to our conversations.”
Kevin Smith, co-founder and president of LILM (pictured right), said that he had met Kirk in Tampa, Florida, just two months ago. Smith was asked by Kirk to be an ambassador for Turning Point.
“It was one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Smith. “He knew what was happening out here in our little corner of the world.”
Smith spoke directly to the young people in attendance specifically, telling them, “It’s up to you to preserve the values that came before you. If you want to honor Charlie Kirk and keep his memory alive, get involved.”
Smith said that he, elected officials, and other activists who host forums and rallies are regularly afraid of violence, but that they won’t cave.
“They want us afraid. That want us quiet. They want us in fear. And all of you coming out tonight are telling them that you will not stop, that you cannot stop,” said Smith, adding that Kirk’s influence and intellect likely would have resulted in his candidacy for president at some point.
Smith then announced the launching of the Long Island Young Republican Club, open to high school and college students, as well as adults in their twenties and thirties.
“You may have killed the messenger, but you will never kill the message,” said Smith.
Thousands of candles, cell phone lights, and American flags then lit up the Seaford LIRR parking lot, followed by a crowd rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc. Continued
Photo by Matt Meduri
Suffolk Matters
September 18, 2025
Newsday Pulls Insensitive Charlie Kirk Political Cartoon
By Matt Meduri
The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has shocked the world and generated a myriad of responses.
Newsday, the only daily paper for all of Long Island and a massive digital source, ran a political cartoon on Page A16 of their September 13, 2025, edition showing a tent with the words “Charlie Kirk” emblazoned on the top. The front of the stage reads “Turning Point USA”, with an arrow pointing up to an empty chair with a blood stain on the wall behind it. The banner across the top of the tent reads “Prove Me Wrong.”
The cartoon generated significant controversy with calls from Suffolk County Republican Committee Chairman Jesse Garcia (R-Ridge) calling for a boycott of Newsday, saying Long Island’s only daily paper “crossed a line.”
“By publishing a vile cartoon about the political assassination of Charlie Kirk, the paper has mocked tragedy, stoked division, and poured gasoline on the flames of political violence,” said Garcia in a statement. “This isn’t journalism. It’s a reckless, partisan attack that blames the victim, silences free speech, and shames everything this country should stand for.”
Chairman Garcia added the following list of demands, “effective immediately”:
“Remove the cartoon from all platforms; terminate the artist’s contract. Anyone who traffics in hateful imagery has no place in a newsroom,” said Garcia. “Own up and apologize to the Kirk family, to Newsday’s readers, and to every American who still believes in freedom of speech.”
Garcia subsequently called for a boycott of the paper from advertisers and subscribers alike until and unless the demands were met.
“Silence is complicity.”
Newsday’s editorial page editor, Rita Ciolli, released a statement on the matter.
“A syndicated cartoon about the shooting of Charlie Kirk was selected for Saturday’s roundup to illustrate the nation’s challenge in confronting political violence,” said Ciolli in a statement. “Cartoonist Chip Bok uses the name of Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, and theme of his Utah event - ‘Prove Me Wrong’ - to suggest that Kirk’s assassination might be a turning point for healing our nation’s divide. Unfortunately, some readers found the imagery insensitive. Instead of generating debate, it inflamed emotions. We regret the upset it caused.”
The statement, however, was followed by an apology from Newsday in a much lengthier statement. The paper also removed the cartoon from its platforms.
“On Saturday, Newsday published a syndicated editorial cartoon referring to the assassination of Charlie Kirk that was insensitive and offensive,” a statement from Newsday’s leadership read on Sunday evening. “We deeply regret this mistake and sincerely apologize to the family of Charlie Kirk and to all. We made an error in judgement. The carton has been removed from our digital platforms.”
The statement continues by summarizing Newsday’s interpretation of the cartoon, in which they said that the theme of Kirk’s Utah event – “Prove Me Wrong” – suggested that his assassination “might be a turning point for healing our nation’s divide.”
“The imagery was inappropriate and should never have been published in Newsday.”
In response to the apology, Chairman Garcia made another statement in acceptance.
“Newsday has publicly acknowledged its mistake, apologized to the Kirk family, its readers, and the broader public, and removed the cartoon from its platforms,” said Garcia. “I accept this apology. We recognize that owning up to such an egregious errors is not easy, and we hope this moment serves as a reminder to every newsroom in America that words and images matter.”
Garcia added that Kirk was a “man of faith, family, and country”, and that “his tragic loss should never be trivialized.”
“But we can commit ourselves to ensuring his tragic and senseless death is not used as fuel for more hate. We can, and must, choose unity over violence, civility over cruelty, and respect over mockery,” said Garcia. “Our nation is stronger when we remember that despite our differences, we are all Americans.”
“That is the only way forward.”
Ronkonkoma, Lake Ronkonkoma, & Lake Grove
Open Forum hosted by Legislator Kennedy
All State, Local, and Federal Elected Officials Representing Ronkonkoma, Lake Ronkonkoma, & Lake Grove Are Invited
Open to the public and public participation is encouraged!
A forum to voice criticisms, concerns, and thoughts regarding Ronkonkoma, Lake Ronkonkoma, & Lake Grove to your elected officials
September 29th , 2025, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Lake Ronkonkoma Fire District
177 Portion Road
Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
(Corner Building on Hawkins & Portion)
We’ve Come to a ‘Turning Point’ for the USA
“When you tear out a man’s tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you’re only telling the world that you fear what he might say.” - George R. R. Martin, A Clash of Kings
Last Wednesday was a Turning Point for the USA.
It’s safe to say the entire country, even the world, stopped. Even our office here at The Messenger came to a grinding halt. We knew what we were watching in real time and we, like many others, felt the pits in our stomachs expand.
We were still going to print the moment it happened. We contemplated an editorial, but instead included as many details as we could get from our primary sources.
But the week between the last issue and this issue of The Messenger, we’ve had time to think. We’ve had time to let this fully marinate, witness the reactions and responses, and let the dust settle a little.
September 10, 2025, will be forever remembered as one of the most historic days in the history of our republic - the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The charismatic speaker and political influencer was not only one of the most prominent conservative voices, but across the entire political floor in general. Perhaps no one - on the right, left, or center - had the reach that he did.
That’s why this is so heavy.
This wasn’t a rogue gunman committing a mass shooting because of a policy disagreement. This was a coordinated, concerted assassination of the single-most influential political speaker of our time.
At just eighteen years of age, Kirk founded Turning Point USA in his garage. Aimed at galvanizing the younger populations with constitutional values, the nonprofit became an empire that spans nearly 1,200 college and high school campuses in the United States as well as overseas.
The influence of Kirk and his organization cannot be understated. Many credit him with helping fundamentally restructure the GOP into a populist, big tent party, as well as helping elect President Donald Trump (R-FL) twice.
At just thirty-one years of age, Kirk was assassinated by a single bullet, fired from a hunting rifle, in the middle of a debate on gun violence. The venue was held outdoors on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, and attended by a couple thousand spectators. Kirk’s presence on campus was reportedly widely accepted by the college and its community, with the event having sold out nearly instantly.
death.
The two are not the same.
The Turning Point for the USA comes now. You can either identify with the side that is snidely jubilant, or you can side with the rest of the country who at the very least understand the totality of this moment. You didn’t have to love or even remotely agree with Charlie Kirk, but the common person understands what this means for the future of our civil discourse, our individual liberties, and our nation as a whole.
We’re not blowing this out of proportion either. Head to Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok and see just how much evil is in our world. There are thousands of legitimate posts that show the pleased reactions to this news. It’s not just those who disagreed with him; it’s those who intend to be snide, condescending, or take some sort of moral high ground by twisting Kirk’s words to seemingly justify or at least rationalize his assassination.
Kirk has also been widely considered not just an influencer, but a diplomat. Some conservatives didn’t agree with everything he said, but at least they recognized him as someone who promoted cordial, open-floor debate and shook hands with opponents. If people can justify violence against someone like that, they can justify violence against anyone.
This is not what happens in this country. We would be just as shockedand frankly, broken - if this happened to anyone on the political spectrum. From the worst to the best, the most conservative to the most liberal, this is not what happens in our country.
What exactly is that Turning Point? It’s difficult to prognosticate. We hope it’s for the better, but we didn’t think it could go this far.
All that we know for sure is that this is a different country now. And to make matters even worse, the very moment of Kirk’s death was instantaneously broadcasted to the entire world within a matter of minutes - the first tragedy of this magnitude and with gigantic ramifications spread in the modern age of the Internet and social media.
Instead of asking what exactly that Turning Point is, we ask, what else will it take?
What else will it take for people to turn down the temperature? What else will it take to make us realize this isn’t worth it? It wasn’t an election. It wasn’t riots and demonstrations. It wasn’t a worldwide pandemic. It wasn’t a “summer of love” in which some of our cities burned to the ground. It wasn’t a Capitol riot. It wasn’t two assassination attempts of a president, one of them being damn-near fatal. It wasn’t a stunning political comeback.
Op-Ed
There Is No Place for Political Violence in America
By Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay
The appalling assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk shook the nation to its core and must be a wake-up call to all Americans. Political violence is a dire threat to us all, and endangers Americans everywhere, regardless of where they live or what they believe. For the sake of our families, our children and future generations of Americans, we cannot tolerate it under any circumstances.
Charlie Kirk was a father, a husband, a devout Christian, and someone who loved his country. He held strong opinions on controversial topics and actively engaged in conversations with those who disagreed with his perspectives. That was his right, and his appearances on college campuses embodied a core component of American democracy—civil discourse.
But one’s stance on controversial policies should never amount to a death sentence. Charlie Kirk once said, “What we have to get back to is being able to have a reasonable disagreement where violence is not an option.” I encourage all Americans to stand united in the face of the violence and choose unity, not vengeance, compassion, not cruelty.
We are at a crossroads today. Political temperatures and tensions are running extremely high, fueled in large part by rhetoric that is not just blatantly false, but highly dangerous. The images of the events in Utah were shocking beyond words. And the vile reactions seen online, coming from radical leftists publicly celebrating the death of Charlie Kirk, show how deranged some have become and the significant challenges we have in front of us.
It is our duty as Americans to find a way to overcome them together. We must not let this heinous act spark further division of an increasingly
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fractured electorate. We must not allow violence to continue to escalate in the name of ideology.
Charlie Kirk’s wife and children must find a way forward without him. That’s what political violence does; it brings nothing but endless pain, suffering and despair to all in its wake. It is a disgraceful means to an end, and we have all seen firsthand the devastation it brings to families, communities and countries.
Today, as you go about your business at home, in school or at work, remember what makes America so special: We are a nation full of diverse ideas and opinions, and they make us stronger. We have a tremendous capacity to set aside our differences and confront hatred united as Americans. We did it after 9/11, and, unfortunately, today we must do it again. I am calling on all New Yorkers to put peace and understanding ahead of hatred and anger. I believe that is the only way forward after this week’s tragic events.
If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 19 Canalview Mall, Fulton, NY 13069 and by email at barclay@nyassembly.gov. You may also find me, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, on Facebook or X at @ WillBarclay.
Assemblyman Will Barclay (R-Pulaski) is the Assembly Minority Leader and has represented the 120th Assembly District since 2003. The 120th District contains most of Oswego County and parts of Cayuga and Jefferson counties.
Why Charlie?
By Joe Cardinale
The assassination of Charlie Kirk has rocked the foundation of Democracy and free speech. A senseless, radical, and cowardly act that has people young and old asking, “why?”
Why Charlie? A spirited, witty, confident patriot whose entire life platform was to restore core values to a country he loved so dearly. His love of God, family, and country was so strong and genuine, that he was willing to put it all on the line just to create an honest and open dialogue within a lost generation - his generation. For years, we all sat back and watched the political circus in this country chip away at our Godgiven rights and it became acceptable - acceptable and perpetrated by those who allowed the indoctrination of our youth within the walls of the universities that force-fed them dangerous and biased curriculums.
Not Charlie.
He stood up and actually did something about it. He started a movement that many never saw coming. When his vision became an undisputed reality and success, the smart ones embraced it, and the dangerous ones plotted against it. Charlie always stayed focused and on point. He had a God-given talent of challenging the immoral majority within these institutions and gave our youth the opportunity to make their own decisions and choose their own paths in life. He inspired them and never gave up on them.
As a society, we did.
He listened when society turned a deaf ear to the cries of those who deep down wanted something to believe in and fight for. I admire Charlie. He taught old dogs new tricks. I would sit up late at night and either watch or listen to him debate and dismantle baseless theories or comments in a way that only he could with truth, knowledge, and a smile. He never made anyone feel foolish; they did that themselves. We all owe Charlie the respect and dignity of ensuring his dream continues to shape generations to come.
So, why Charlie?
Simply because he was a clear and present danger to a corrupt system that was way too comfortable telling people how to live their lives. He was pure at heart, humble, and had a genuine love of people. Knowledge in the wrong hands creates turmoil, in Charlie’s hands it created the movement of a lifetime.
That’s why Charlie.
Joe Cardinale (C-Amityville) is an Executive Board Member of the Town of Babylon Conservative Party. He ran for New York’s Twelfth Assembly District in 2024.
By Nancy Vallarella
Long Island Locavore
Pumpkin and Apple for Fall Celebrations
Two Festive Desserts to Celebrate Fall on Long Island
Fall on Long Island is a magical season, when weekend attention shifts from sandy beaches to cozy farms and bustling harvest festivals. Families flock to local orchards for apple picking, wander through pumpkin patches, and sip hot cider as the crisp air carries the scent of cinnamon and falling leaves.
Two desserts perfectly capture this season of cozy flavors: Pumpkin Panna Cotta and Apple Pie Tacos.
• Pumpkin Panna Cotta is an elegant, make-ahead dessert, silky smooth and infused with warm pumpkin spice.
• Apple Pie Tacos bring a playful twist to a classic favorite—crispy cinnamon-sugar taco shells filled with tender spiced apples and finished with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Together, they strike the perfect balance between sophistication and fun, making them ideal for harvest parties, or a cozy night in after a day of apple picking and pumpkin hunting. Whether you’re satisfying a pumpkin spice craving or craving the nostalgic taste of apple pie, these desserts will make your autumn celebrations unforgettable.
Pumpkin Panna Cotta
Ingredients:
Yield: (6) 5-ounce servings
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 2 ¼ teaspoons gelatin powder
• ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Directions:
1. Bloom the Gelatin:
Pour the cold milk into a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin powder evenly over the top. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes until it absorbs the milk and forms a gel-like texture. This step ensures a smooth, lump-free panna cotta.
2. Make the Pumpkin Base:
In a small saucepan, whisk together the whipping cream, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice until smooth. Heat the mixture over low-medium heat, bringing it to
a gentle simmer. Once small bubbles form around the edges, stir in the bloomed gelatin mixture, whisking until it is completely dissolved.
3. Chill and Set:
Pour the mixture into individual serving glasses or ramekins. Refrigerate for at least 60 minutes, or until set. The panna cotta should be firm to the touch yet have a slight, elegant wobble when moved.
Notes & Variations
• Classic Vanilla Panna Cotta:
Follow the same steps but omit the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spices. Bloom 2 ¼ teaspoons gelatin in 1 ¼ cups whole milk. Heat 1 ¼ cups whipping cream with 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, then whisk in the bloomed gelatin mixture.
• Create Layers:
For a beautiful presentation, alternate layers of pumpkin and vanilla panna cotta (see bottom photo).
• Use small bowls filled with rice to prop your serving glasses at an angle.
• Pour in one flavor, chill for 30 minutes, then rotate the glass and pour in the next layer.
• Continue until you’ve built your desired pattern. (Note: Layered panna cotta doubles the total amount of dessert.)
• Gelatin Alternatives:
For plant-based gelatin use agar-agar, a gelling agent made from red seaweed.
• Agar-agar is stronger than gelatin, so you’ll need ¼ to ½ teaspoon agar-agar for this recipe.
• Zen Principle Grass-Fed gelatin was used for this recipe, but conventional Knox gelatin or agar-agar both, work well.
Serving Suggestions
Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, crushed ginger snaps or amaretti cookies for crunch. For an extra touch of local flavor, drizzle with a spoonful of Long Island honey or maple syrup sourced locally.
Ingredients:
Apple Pie Tacos
Yield: 12 tacos
For the Apple Filling -
• 4 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (use local varieties like Honeycrisp or Cortland)
• 2 Tbs butter
• 1/3 c brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water (to thicken)
For the Taco Shells -
• 3 burrito size tortilla shells cut into (12) 4-inch circles
• ½ c sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ c melted butter
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 ask a question, DM @lilocavore495 on Instagram or email lilocavore495@gmail.com. Happy cooking!
Directions:
1. Prepare the Apple Filling:
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
• Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook until the apples begin to soften, about 8–10 minutes.
• Stir in the cornstarch-water mixture and cook for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
2. Make the Taco Shells:
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Combine sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
• Brush each tortilla with melted butter, then coat both sides in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
• Flip a muffin tin upside down and place folded tortillas between the cups to form a taco shape.
• Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Cool completely before filling.
3. Assemble the Tacos:
• Spoon warm apple filling into each taco shell.
• Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Make Ahead:
Prepare the apple filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before serving.
• Bake tortillas and cover with butter and cinnamon sugar the day before. Store cooled tortilla shells in a tin.
CreditNancy Vallarella
This Week Today
Thursday, September 18, 2025
National, State, and Local Temperature Checks
By Matt Meduri
National
The dust continues to settle after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The suspect in custody is twentytwo-year-old Tyler James Robinson, who was turned in by his father. He was held without bail and made his first court appearance on Tuesday. The FBI has said that DNA found on the towel wrapping the suspected rifle matches that of Robinson’s.
President Donald Trump (RFL) (pictured right) posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
A motive for Robinson is still unclear, as some say he grew up in a conservative Utah household but held more liberal ideologies.
The event has captured the world, with millions rallying and holding vigils across the U.S., Europe, and even Russia. Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded in 2018, has, according to reports, received over 32,000 inquiries in the two days following Kirk’s assassination to start new campus chapters. The organization currently has 900 official college chapters and around 1,200 high school chapters.
left behind solidly-blue districts. VA11 was no exception and Republicans were not considered at all likely to flip it.
The House quorum now rests at 219R-213D.
On the 2026 campaign trail, the GOP has landed a top recruit to replace Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and has arguably given the party a leg up in retaining a Senate seat that could develop into a competitive race.
Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R, IA-01) has declared her candidacy for the open Hawkeye State seat. Hinson flipped IA-01 red in 2020, ousting freshman Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (D) and whittling down the Democratic majority against all expectations that year. Hinson was reelected by a comfortable nine-point margin in 2022 and handily re-elected in 2024 by a sixteen-point margin. The seat covers the northeastern region of Iowa and includes Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and Dubuque.
is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support.”
Hochul said that she shared her priorities with the Assemblyman, “making it very clear” that the NYPD should have “every resource to keep our streets and subways safe.” Hochul wrote that Mamdani agrees. The governor mentioned jointly combatting the rise of antisemitism, keeping and attracting businesses to NYC, and lowering income taxes for middleclass families and making school meals for free for all students - all points on which the two agree.
“I didn’t leave my conversations with Mr. Mamdani aligned with him on every issue,” said Hochul in her op-ed. “But I am confident that he has the courage, urgency and optimism New York City needs to lead it through the challenges of this moment.”
Mamdani thanked Hochul for her endorsement on X.
Meanwhile, in political news, a vacant U.S. House seat was filled last Tuesday.
The late Congressman Gerry Connolly (D, VA-11) passed away in May, leaving the Northern Virginia seat vacant. As of 2023, the suburban Washington district had one of the highest median incomes in the nation at $150,000. Connolly was first elected in 2008 and won his 2024 re-election by over thirty points.
In the 1990s and until Connolly’s 2008 election, the district was solidly Republican. Connolly flipped the open seat that year by a little over ten points. He won a razor-thin re-election in the 2010 red tsunami, but began winning big in 2016, the first time he ran unopposed.
The seat was filled last week by member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors James Walkinshaw (D), who was elected with almost 75% of the vote to Stewart Whitson’s (R) 25%.
The result is considered a slight overperformance for Democrats. Walkinshaw outran Connolly’s 2024 margin by about eight points.
The result also restores Democrats’ House caucus slightly. Two of the three remaining vacancies were opened by Democrats who passed away. Both Congressman Sylvester Turner (D, TX-18) and Raul Grijalva (D, AZ-07)
Hinson, 42, represents a possible lift in the floor of conceivable support to defend Iowa’s Senate seat next year. Republicans are all but poised to retain their control of the upper chamber by virtue of fundamentals at hand, but keeping their majority workable means mitigating losses as much as possible.
Iowa, while a markedly redder state now than it ever has been in the modern era, still has a quirky brand of politics, one in which Democrats staging an upset there isn’t entirely off the table.
State
Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY), after much reticence on the subject, has endorsed Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria) (pictured right) for New York City Mayor.
“I’m grateful for the Governor’s support in unifying our party, her resolve in standing up to Trump, and her focus on making New York affordable. I look forward to the great work we will accomplish together,” he wrote.
President Trump has called the endorsement “shocking.”
The move comes after months of Democratic grappling over whether the self-proclaimed socialist is the right choice to lead the Big Apple out of a field of four major candidates.
“We’ve had our disagreements. But in our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family,” said Hochul in a New York Times op-ed. “I heard a leader who
communist,” said Stefanik during an appearance on Fox and Friends. “The reality is Kathy Hochul owns Zohran Mamdani’s position to defund the police, to abolish our law enforcement, to abolish prisons, to abolish private health care insurance, to decriminalize sex workers. It is outrageous.”
Mamdani continues to have a healthy lead in the polls, with former Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-Sutton Place) trailing behind by double-digits in second. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa (R-Upper East Side) are vying for third. Cuomo lost the June primary to Mamdani and ran instead as an Independent. Adams did not seek his party’s line this year and is also running as an Independent.
The latest poll is from Quinnipiac University, dated September 4-8, and polled 967 likely NYC voters. Mamdani leads +22, with 45% of the vote to Cuomo’s 23%. Sliwa clocks in at third with 15% to Adams’ 12%.
“This is a rather shocking development, and a very bad one for New York City. How can such a thing happen?” wrote Trump on Truth Social. “Washington will be watching this situation very closely. No reason to be sending good money after bad!”
Hochul has responded by saying that by Trump “inserting himself into our local election, trying to put his thumb on the scale, and clearing the field for his designated choice [for mayor] put me over the top” to endorse Mamdani,” according to ABC 7. Hochul’s op-ed also speaks of joining with Mamdani to “stand up and fight back against Mr. Trump.”
Meanwhile, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R, NY-21), who has all but announced her candidacy against Hochul in next year’s gubernatorial election, has slammed Hochul over her endorsement.
“Well, Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America, and it was only a matter of time before she bent the knee for this raging antisemite
Local
The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) has rescinded its Stage 1 Water Alert for all customers.
The alert was issued on July 23 due to the high temperatures and drought that drove water demand to “elevated levels”, according to the SCWA in a statement. SCWA water storage tanks reached low levels during the period, which raised concerns of “maintaining adequate water pressure, including pressure needed to support fire response.”
Customers reportedly did their part by limiting lawn irrigation and other nonessential uses.
“We are grateful to our customers for taking this alert seriously and reducing their water usage,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz (pictured above left) “This collective effort ensured that we could maintain system reliability during one of the most challenging stretches of the summer.”
The SCWA continues to remind residents of an odd/even lawn watering schedule, wherein homes with odd-numbered street addresses should water only on odd-numbered calendar days, and the even-numbered addresses should water only on evennumbered calendar days. The SCWA is monitoring water levels closely, as last year, they maintained summer-like pumping levels into October.
The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) placed Suffolk County on drought watch in August.
Vote for ISP as the Best Small Airport in America
Voting began last week for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Small Airport. This is the fifth nomination for Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP).
“For the past four years, Long Island MacArthur Airport has risen up the list of the best small airports in the U.S. with last year’s #3 spot shining as our best showing to date,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip).
“This year we want all of Long Island to show its pride of place and support for more air service by voting every day through October 6. With your help we can hopefully capture the #1 position this year!” Carpenter said.
Since last year’s award, Long Island MacArthur Airport has enjoyed significant success with air service development, adding three new air carriers – Avelo Airlines, CapeAir, and JetBlue.
“We hope the visibility and support for ISP will help us secure even more air service including new destinations,” said Long Island MacArthur Airport Commissioner Rob Schneider. “We’ve also gained larger, more modern aircraft on many routes. With the six airlines combined, we will now have 17 nonstop destinations. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase our airport and our island on a national stage,” Schneider added.
It’s easy to vote each day for Long Island MacArthur Airport using this quick link or by scanning this QR Code:
There is no scrolling or registering or filling out forms required. It just takes one easy click for Long Islanders to show their support for their hometown airport.
In addition to growing its air service and boosting its marketing initiatives, ISP has upgraded both the terminal and airfield to
provide a better customer experience, more comfort and enhanced security including taxiway improvements, ticket counter updates, perimeter fencing, and TSA equipment upgrades.
Long Island MacArthur Airport has also been recognized by numerous publications and community groups including Discover Long Island’s Tourism Trailblazer Award in December of 2024 and a nomination for HIA-LI’s 2025 Business Achievement Awards.
“The ongoing success of this airport, including new routes and airlines, depends on the active support of our loyal customers, local businesses, and community organizations,” said Islip Town Councilman John Lorenzo (C-West Sayville). “This is a time for all of Long Island to come together to gain recognition for our airport and community. When we unite, amazing things happen,” he added.
Additionally, the airport will be pulling in customers and community via social media, encouraging everyone to create a ten-to-fifteen-second video about what they love about our area with the theme “You’re a real Long Islander if…”
Kings Park Heritage Museum’s
‘Irish Heritage Night’
The Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum is bringing back its “Cultural Night” programming starting with its popular “Irish Heritage Night” on Friday, September 26 at 7:00p.m.
Sponsored by the Kevin Barry Div. 3 Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, the museum invites the community to enjoy an evening of music and performances celebrating rich Irish culture.
an evening of fun!
The Kings Park Heritage Museum will be open for tours starting at 6pm. Come learn about the history of our historic hamlet.
Visitors are asked to please enter the museum by using the entrance through the RJO Building, 99 Old Dock Road in Kings Park. The performances will be held in the auditorium.
There will be light refreshments served in the cafeteria afterwards. Admission to “Irish Heritage Night” is free, but donations are always gladly accepted. Please come enjoy
The Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum has been working to educate and enlighten students and the community about the long and storied history of Kings Park and its residents for over 25 years. It was founded by retired KPHS English/ History teacher Leo P. Ostebo, along with dedicated members of the community, the school district and students, and it is the only school/community managed museum in the United States. The museum has received many awards that attest to its commitment to the community, and we are thankful to all the volunteers and donors who have kept it going. Please plan a visit soon or see our website: KPHeritageMuseum.net
“We expect to see a lot of local pride, creativity and perspectives with these short videos that will link to the 10Best voting,” said Supervisor Carpenter. “From Billy Joel fans to oyster farmers to sports teams and community groups, this is a way to get local residents and businesses involved in the effort, showcase Long Island, and energize daily voting. You can check our social media accounts for details,” she added.
Former Long Island residents and customers around the world who enjoy using Long Island MacArthur Airport and support us are also welcome to vote.
Important Estate Planning Tax Topics: Capital Gains
By Wayne R. Carrabus, Esq.
During my estate planning consultations, there are certain tax topics that routinely come up that require some level of explanation or clarification. There is often some confusion about how certain taxes work, and whether a certain tax will apply in a particular case. In this article, I will cover what I perceive as one of the most common taxes that come up, and what to consider while establishing an estate plan. The tax to be covered: the Capital Gains Tax.
Capital Gains Tax
The capital gains tax is a tax applied to the gain in value that an assets experiences while being owned by a person. Capital gains are calculated by subtracting the cost basis of an asset (i.e. the purchase price plus capital expenditures), from either the current fair market value, in the case of unrealized capital gains, or the price at which the asset is sold, in the case of realized capital gains. We tend to focus on realized gains since those result in an actual tax obligation for an individual taxpayer. However, keeping a record of unrealized capital gains is important so there are no surprises when an asset is transferred or sold.
Realized vs. Unrealized Capital Gains
To illustrate realized versus unrealized capital gains, assume Person A bought a home on January 1, 1990, for $100,000.00 (this is the cost basis). Then assume that on January 1, 2025, the fair market value of the home is $500,000.00.
• Scenario #1: If Person A continues to own the home, then as of January 1, 2025, there is an unrealized capital gain of $400,000.00.
• Scenario #2: If Person A sells the home on January 1, 2025, for fair market value, there is a realized capital gain of $400,000.
Under Scenario #1, there is no taxable event because the capital gains are unrealized. Under Scenario #2, there is a potential tax obligation created because the capital gains became realized upon the sale of the home.
Capital Gains: An Estate Planning Consideration
In the context of estate planning, many of my clients are focused on the succession of ownership of their assets. Almost all our clients want their assets to be passed on to their loved ones. In most cases, it is the older generations (grandparents and parents)
who wish to pass the assets they spent their lives accumulating, to the younger generations (children and grandchildren).
When it comes to assets passing from one person to another through an estate plan, there are two main ways in which the transfers are effectuated: (1) by gift, or (2) by inheritance. There are many things to consider when contemplating the method of transfer, but the impact of the capital gains tax should be at the top of the list. This is especially true for those who purchased assets, like a home, many years ago, and after years of appreciation, are walking around with significant unrealized capital gains.
Although there may be certain benefits to making gifts during your lifetime, from a capital gains perspective, it is almost always more advantageous to transfer assets as an inheritance. And the reason is, the “step-up” in basis. With a gift, the recipient, or donee, keeps the donor’s basis. With an inheritance, the donee gets a step-up in basis, which is the fair market value on the date of the donor’s death. The step-up in basis is provided for under 26 U.S. Code §1014, and to put it another way, the step-up in basis is a way to eliminate existing unrealized capital gains when a transfer is effectuated.
Using the same assumptions in the example above, consider the following scenarios:
• Scenario #1: If Person A gifts the home to Person B on January 1, 2025, then Person B’s basis in the home remains $100,000.00.
• Scenario #2: If Person A passes away on January 1, 2025, and Person B inherits the home, then Person B’s basis in the home is $500,000.00.
You can see that there is quite a difference in the capital gains impact between the scenarios. In Scenario #1, because Person B gets the same basis as Person A, Person B has an unrealized capital gain of $400,000.00 as soon as the home is received. In Scenario #2, Person B gets the home free of any unrealized capital gains because of the step-up in basis. To take this example a step further, if Person B sells the home for $500,000.00 immediately after receiving it, under Scenario #1, Person B would have a realized capital gain $400,000.00, and under Scenario #2, Person B would have no capital gain.
Now that we know it is best, at least from a capital gains perspective, to inherit property that has appreciated, it is helpful to understand
some of the ways in which assets can be transferred that qualify for the step-up in basis under §1014. Generally, any transfer that is triggered as a result of the owner’s death is considered an inheritance. An asset received by the beneficiary of a decedent’s probate estate or certain types of trusts is classified as an inheritance. There are also certain types of real property deeds, like a life estate deed, for example, that can transfer real property as an inheritance for §1014 purposes.
Keep in mind, real property is not the only asset class to which the capital gains tax is applied. Any asset that experiences appreciation is subject to the capital gains tax. The capital gains tax can apply to stocks and securities, cryptocurrencies, artwork, and precious metals, just to name a few.
Although inheriting is generally more favourable from a capital gains perspective, there may be other considerations that make gifting an asset the right choice in a particular case. If you are interested in better understanding estate planning options that address your concerns and achieve your goals, which may include minimizing or eliminating capital gains taxes for your heirs, you should consult with an experienced Estate Planning Attorney.
Wayne R. Carrabus, Esq., C.P.A, at Futterman, Lanza, LLP with offices in Smithtown, Bay Shore, Melville and Garden City, NY, and clients throughout metro New York. He concentrates his practice on Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Medicaid Applications, Estate Planning, Probate and Estate Administration, and Estate Taxes.
Futterman Lanza, LLP, is located at 50 NY-111 Suite 314 in Village of the Branch and can be reached at (631) 979-4300.
Comprehensive Spine Care in Smithtown
New Center for Spine and Orthopaedics at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown has created a new Center for Spine and Orthopaedics, welcoming Long Island Spine Specialists, PC, a team of five orthopedic spinal surgeons and three physiatrists specializing in interventional pain management.
With this team’s clinical experience in all types of spinal conditions, including chronic and injury-related conditions, patients now have access to expert spine and pain care tailored to their needs.
Spine Surgery
Thomas Dowling Jr., MD
Sushil Basra, MD
Thomas Dowling III, MD
Christopher Frendo, DO
Laurence Mermelstein, MD Interventional Pain Management
Arjang Abbasi, DO
Neal Frauwirth, MD
Joseph Sanelli, DO
In Loving Memory
Hon. Jerry GarGuilo
(october 29, 1950 – September 13, 2025)
He was a Titan among Giants... Even as a young child, I remember the Scales of Justice on display in our home. My father’s love affair with the U.S. Constitution and the laws that define this nation began long before I was born and only grew stronger with time. In his courtroom, the words “In God We Trust” adorned the great wall behind his bench — a fitting tribute, given his devotion to St. Francis of Assisi, who believed that divine law and the salvation of all souls were above civil law. My father was incredibly religious. He was also incredibly predictable… with the exception of how he left this earth.
Every morning, by 4:30 a.m., the smell of his coffee filled the house like an alarm clock. And if that didn’t wake you up, his loud televisions, Sid in the Morning on the radio, and his booming exit out the door certainly did. He was the first one at the gym, a regular at 7-Eleven in St. James by 7:00a.m., and out the door for work by 8:00. Saturday evening meant Mass. Sunday night meant Life, Liberty & Levin at 8:00p.m.
My dad knew the importance of laughter, especially when life was stressful. In his courtroom, he understood that empathy and humanity always came first. The law was beautiful — but only if the people who stood before it left feeling the same way. He cracked
cheered me on as I swam across the Long Island Sound. I will miss his Avanti cigars — which were everywhere. I will miss covering for him with Mom and picking up the chewed gum he left on the counters. I will cherish the stories he told me about his grandparents, so often that I grew up emulating his grandmother. I will miss the way he’d sit quietly while everyone else talked over one another, and then — just when we expected him to say something profound — he’d say something ridiculous, like how the Wicked Witch of the West got a bad rap because “I’d be mad too if someone dropped a house on my sister.” And we would all stop talking and laugh with him.
My dad would be upset that he didn’t have more time with us — in fact, he’s probably really annoyed that certain people outlived him. But I know he’s also seeking out those he wished to meet: Jesus first and foremost, Sinatra second, maybe Plato, and he’s definitely excited to talk philosophy with Charlie Kirk.
Most of all, he’s reunited with his parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles — and he is experiencing the joy of eternity with them. He always reminded us of one unshakable rule of faith: if even one person loves you on earth, God loves you and will embrace you in Heaven. By that measure, my father is surrounded by boundless love, because he was cherished by so many.
So, as you mourn my father — the husband, brother, uncle, mentor, colleague, the Judge, or his favorite title of all… Pop! — don’t dwell in sadness. He’d want you to laugh together. Don’t get me wrong, he’s enjoying the pomp and circumstance, but he would want you to honor him by being decent to one another. Be the lawyer who cares for your clients. Be the judge who doesn’t judge people. Be a faithful husband, wife, friend, or partner. And above all, believe in a higher power.
One of our last conversations was about how desensitized society
The Necessary Standard for American Education
U.S. Senate Special and Select Committees
By Matt Meduri
We’ve reviewed all of the standing - permanent - committees of the United States Senate. Now, we’ll pivot to the select committees of the upper chamber as well as its one special committee.
What is a Select or Special Committee?
A select committee of the United States Congress is a committee appointed for a specific function or scope that is usually beyond its typical capacity of a standing committee. Such a body is created by a resolution that outlines the scope of its oversight and its vested authorities therein. These committees are often investigative rather than legislative, although some do have the authority to draft and weigh legislation. The committee is given a shelf life when it’s formed, with the expiration often falling on the completion of its predetermined functions. These committees’ lifespans, however, can be renewed. Some select committees in both the House and Senate are treated as standing committees and are seen as permanent bodies; they continue from one session of Congress to the next. The Senate Indian Affairs Committee, which we reviewed last week, is a select committee, although the word “select” is no longer in its formal title.
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.
Watergate, and the September 11 attacks. The committee was dissolved in 2016.
Select Committee on Ethics
This committee was first established in 1965 as the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct. Dissolved in 1966, it was replaced by its current iteration in 1977.
referred to as the Church Committee after its Chair, Senator Frank Church (D-ID). The committee investigated intelligence abuses around Operation MKULTRA, COINTELPRO, Family Jewels, Project SHAMROCK, and Operation Mockingbird.
The committee is charged with performing an annual review of the intelligence budget submitted by the president. It also drafts legislation for appropriations for civilian and military agencies that are a part of the intelligence community. These bodies include the Office of Director of National Intelligence, the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the NSA, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the intelligence-related aspects of the Department of State, the FBI, the Department of Treasury, and the Department of Energy.
The committee also makes recommendations to the Senate Armed Services Committee for intelligencerelated aspects of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
Select committees were once more common in the earlier days of the republic. In fact, the House relied almost entirely on these bodies for much of the legislative work. Committees were created to carry out specific functions and then terminated when said functions were completed. The first committee ever established by Congress was a select committee to prepare standing rules and orders of House proceedings. It was created during the First Congress on April 2, 1789, and was dissolved just five days after that.
The House created about 600 select committees during the first two-year session. By the Third Congress (1793-1795), Congress had three standing committees but about 350 select committees.
The U.S. Senate, on the other hand, did not introduce standing committees until 1816.
While most select committees were often responsible for a specific slice of the legislative job, some held broader and heavily impactful responsibilities. One such select committee drafted the Missouri Compromise in 1821. The committee existed for just one week. The Missouri Compromise is generally seen as one of the major catalysts of the Civil War in attempting to define free states from slave states upon admission.
In recent years, the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was formed in 2007 and dissolved in 2011. The House Select Committee on Benghazi was formed in 2014 to investigate the 2012 attack on the American embassy in Benghazi, Libya, that saw the deaths of Ambassador Chris Stevens, U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Office Sean Smith, and two CIA contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty.
That select committee is considered one of the costliest and most partisan congressional investigations in history, and its lifespan was longer than the select committees that were charged with investigating the attack on Pearl Harbor, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (D-MA),
The committee operates strictly under the Constitution, Senate rules, and general law. Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 of the Constitution states, “Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.”
Further rules stipulate what constitutes such behavior. The committee has jurisdiction over Senators’ financial disclosure reports, alternative employment, gifts to superiors and federal employees, foreign gifts and decorations, and unauthorized disclosure of intelligence. The committee operates primarily under the Code of Ethics for Government Service (1958), the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act (2007), and the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act (2012).
The committee is structured pursuant to Senate Rule 25, in that it is limited to six members and equally divided between the two parties. Either party can veto any action taken by the committee.
Unlike other committees, the minority party’s highest-ranking member on the committee is called the Vice Chair, not the Ranking Member.
James Lankford (R-OK) serves as Chair, while Chris Coons (D-DE) serves as Vice Chair. Notable chairs of this committee include John C. Stennis (D-MS), Adlai Stevenson III (D-IL), Ted Stevens (R-AK), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Harry Reid (D-NV), George Voinovich (R-OH), and Barbara Boxer (D-CA).
Select Committee on Intelligence
This committee oversees the U.S. Intelligence Community and its related federal agencies and bureaus. It was established in 1976 in the wake of the Church Committee.
The Church Committee was a select committee that in 1975 was charged with investigating abuses by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The committee was formally called the Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities, but is colloquially
The committee is composed of fifteen members, with eight seats reserved for one majority and one minority member from the following standing committees: Appropriations, Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Judiciary. The other seven seats are composed of four majority members and three minority members. The Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate at-large are non-voting ex officio members of the committee. The same status applies to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on Armed Services if they are not already members of the select committee.
The committee is divided 9R-8D, with one Independent caucusing with the Democrats. Tom Cotton (R-AR) serves as Chair and Mark Warner (D-VA) serves as Vice Chair. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) serves on this committee and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) serves as an ex officio member.
Notable chairs include Barry Goldwater (R-AZ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Marco Rubio (R-FL).
Special Committee on Aging
This committee was established in 1961 as a select committee but became a standing committee in 1977. It retains its name as it has no legislative authority but instead studies issues facing older citizens, especially in the vein of Social Security and Medicare.
Before Medicare was started in 1965, this body was charged with studying healthcare and insurance coverage for older Americans, including, but not limited to, nursing home conditions, age discrimination, and pricing of prescription drugs. The committee also has oversight of the Medicare program, Social Security, and the Older Americans Act. The committee submits its findings as legislative recommendations to the full Senate. The committee also publishes educational materials to “assist older adults and operates a toll-free fraud hotline that offers support to families victimized by con artists and tracks national trends,” according to their website.
The committee is divided 8R-6D. Rick Scott (R-FL) serves as Chair and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) serves as Ranking Member.
Smithtown Matters
from front cover
Smithtown Remembers 9/11
“When hatred boils over into violence, that cannot be the society we build, that cannot be the legacy that we leave. The Bible calls us to lead differently, to lift the conversation, to demand respect for every person, especially when we disagree.”
Rabbi Mendel advised attendees to “be the person” who says “let’s refocus and be positive.”
“After twenty-four years, it never gets any easier,” said Don Lynch, Chief Fire Marshall for the Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (FRES), as he began reading the names of the victims. A bell toll accompanied each name. Names were read by elected officials and community members alike.
“To all of our first responders and to the families of 2,507 civilians, 72 law enforcement officers, 343 firefighters, and 55 military personnel who were killed in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania; to the thousands of 9/11 responders who have since battled illness and given their lives;
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
A recent issue of The Messenger featured a story bearing the headline, “Trotta and Dems Form Alliance for Supervisor’s Race.”
The wildly misleading headline and sweeping mischaracterizations that followed, assert that I am aligned with Smithtown Democrats in a bid to become Smithtown Supervisor. To be clear, I am a Republican. I have not formed any alliance with the Smithtown Democratic Party, nor am I actively campaigning for any elected position. The Messenger did get it right in the final sentence of the article stating that I am not endorsing any candidates.
I have spent the past eleven-anda-half years fighting for Smithtown taxpayers and continue to do so. My record speaks for itself, and feeble attempts by the Supervisor and others to paint me as a socialist or not fiscally conservative are laughable. Last week, I appeared to speak in opposition to the Suffolk Industrial Development Agency (IDA) handing out taxpayer dollars in the form of tax breaks to help facilitate the overblown Tanzi apartment development in Kings Park. No other Republican showed up to oppose this misuse of taxpayer dollars. Perhaps local Republican officials
to the 7,085 U.S. soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom; and to the 15,533 wounded in action since that day, we make this solemn vowSmithtown will always honor you,” said Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park) (pictured left top)
“We will stand beside your loved ones. This is how we keep your memories alive.”
Trader Joe’s of Lake Grove donated dozens of roses to be placed at the memorial waterfall. The ceremony was coordinated by the Town of
were busy spending the $30,000 in campaign contributions received from the Long Island Builders Association, whose president happens to be the developer of the Kings Park project. Ironically, some Democrats appeared to speak against the $2 million tax break the developer ultimately received.
I am aligned with those who want to protect the character of our community and prevent the reckless urbanization of Smithtown and handouts of taxpayer dollars to millionaire developers. I welcome anyone, regardless of party affiliation, who will stand with me, in opposing the irresponsible projects being pushed through by the Town, such as the three-story apartment development being built on less than half an acre in a shopping center parking lot. If the Smithtown Democratic Party has now decided to embrace my way of thinking and initiate a write-in campaign on my behalf, they are certainly free to do so, although it is not something I have sought out. It’s a shame that local Democrats are now acting more like Republicans than Republicans are.
Sincerely, Legislator Robert Trotta (R-Fort Salonga)
Smithtown and the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce, with help from the Smithtown Fire Department. Law enforcement officials from the Suffolk County Police Department were also present, as were local business owners and the entire Town Board.
Suffolk County District Court Judge, Fourth District, Hon. John Zollo (R-Smithtown) (pictured left bottom) closed the ceremony with a rendition of “God Bless the USA”, with the wellknown superimposition of the lyric, “from Smithtown to L.A.”
Every Thursday
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 Smithtown, New York, for the fifty-two weeks ending October 14, 2021. Raheem Soto deposes and says that he 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 Raheem Soto of East Quogue, 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 1,212 paid mailed subscriptions and 0 sales through dealers, carriers, street vendors, counter sales for a total of 1,212. Free distribution outside the mail is 650 for a total distribution of 1,862. I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete.
Publisher Raheem Soto 9/18/2025
16 Local History
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Killed in Action from Lake Ronkonkoma
By Ellyn Okvist, B.Sc.
The Military Tribute Banners you find in the village are the talk of Long Island —so many brave Veterans, all full of information and individual service records. You may have even seen the honored individual standing under their banner as their friends and family snap pictures of them— before and after. Their legacy is priceless; where can you find such an admiral group, 464 of them to date, in any other place? Who are these banner holders? They are from Lake Ronkonkoma, at one point or another, and to name a few we have two Generals, a Rough Rider, an Indian war Veteran; four Revolutionary War Veterans; eleven pilots; an abundance of Purle Heart recipients and more.
We will talk about the twenty-three Killed in Action (KIA), local and well known in our village, young, brave, and taken before their time.
NATO defines killed in action (KIA) or a battle casualty as a combatant who is killed outright or who dies as a result of wounds or other injuries before reaching a medical treatment facility or help from comrades.
When browsing through history books, visiting museums, or attending documentaries about war, one frequently comes across the acronym – KIA. But have you ever wondered what that phrase actually means, how it emerged, and how it affects those involved? There is a story behind “KIA”, its evolution, and the significance of this term.
The term “KIA” was initially used in the United States during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Prior to this period, military documentation did not provide specific markings for fallen soldiers. However, as the frequency of combat increased, the need for clear labeling became pressing. Initially, death records included “Killed” or “Died” as categories for fatalities, but this became inadequate to convey the brutal reality of war. Over time, KIA became widely adopted as the standard nomenclature, used universally across military conflicts.
“Are you a hero?” is a question frequently asked of a serviceman. When asked this question, most Veterans will respond with a resounding ‘no.’ The title “Hero” is reserved for those who fell behind;
the men and women who paid the ultimate price and made the greatest sacrifice in the service of our country. I find this distinction made with most Vietnam veterans I have interviewed. They save the term Vietnam for the men that were in the severe fighting battles.
Ackerly, Robert - Revolutionary War
Bosch, John Arthur – Vietnam Carmick, Edward - Civil War Cleary, William T - World War II DiGuardia, Alexander N. -Vietnam Ferguson, William Glen Jr.- Vietnam French, Walter W. - World War I Girardet, David Lloyd - World War II Greene, Charles Richard – Vietnam Hallock, William Merrit -World War I Huff, Frank Calvin – Vietnam
Koeppel, Clifford L. - Korea
LaPardo, Anthony N.- Vietnam
Maher, Paul Ivan – Vietnam
Martin, Albert – Vietnam
Mattera, Gerald - Vietnam
Melhop, David J – Somalia Palazzola, Stephen F. - Vietnam
Ritchie, Damon Ligouri - Vietnam Sandstone, John C.- World War II
Sauer, Eugene G.- World War II
Skolits, Wayne E.- Vietnam Wissig, Edward S.- Vietnam
Killed in Action (KIA) letters
Ritchie, Damon Ligouri - Vietnam
Cleary, William T - World War II
By Mollie Barnett
Artificially Scaling Attacks: The Hidden Costs of AI Gone Wrong
AI is scaling cyber threats as fast as it scales productivity — and most businesses aren’t prepared.
Business leaders love artificial intelligence for good reason. It speeds up work, cuts costs, and makes employees more productive. But there’s a problem hiding beneath all those benefits. AI systems are becoming security nightmares, and most companies have no idea what’s coming.
And it’s not just global corporations. From professional service firms to familyowned manufacturers, regional businesses face the same risks — often with fewer resources to recover when things go wrong. What makes matters worse is that many AI “solution providers” don’t truly understand the technology they’re pushing. They’re offering plug-and-play tools without recognizing the hidden dangers.
The Numbers Tell a Stark Story
AI-related cyber-attacks jumped 312% in 2024. When hackers target AI systems, companies lose an average of $4.7 million per attack — 67% more expensive than regular cyber incidents. Yet 89% of businesses still don’t have proper AI security plans.
Easy AI Tools, Big Problems
The latest trend is something experts call “vibe coding.” These new AI tools let anyone build software applications just by talking to a computer. No programming skills needed. Tools like Cursor AI promise to make workers 1,000% more productive.
But here’s the catch: when everyone can build apps, quality control becomes nearly impossible. Recent studies show that 73% of AI-generated code has security holes. Compare that to human-written code, where only 29% has problems.
The real danger shows up in supply chains. In September 2025, hackers used AI tools to plant malicious code in 18 popular software packages. Over 2.3 billion downloads were affected. The hackers tricked AI systems into redirecting cryptocurrency payments to their own accounts.
“We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how attacks happen,” explains Sarah Chen, cybersecurity director at TechGuard Solutions. “Attackers aren’t just using better tools. They’re using our own AI systems against us.”
Robots That Learn to Break Rules
The scariest new threat comes from AI agents that work on their own. Unlike oldschool computer viruses that follow simple instructions, these systems can think and adapt. They watch how companies defend themselves, then change their attacks in real time.
Traditional security assumes human attackers who work slowly and make mistakes. AI attackers don’t have those limits. They can test thousands of different approaches in minutes and learn from each attempt. Recent tests show AI systems can speed up attacks by 10,000 times compared to human hackers.
Ransomware attacks powered by AI jumped 247% in 2024. These smart attacks work 8 times better than old methods. Companies hit by AI-powered ransomware paid an average of $2.9 million in damages. Regular ransomware attacks only cost $1.1 million on average.
Tricking AI with Clever Words
One of the most successful attack methods involves “prompt injection.” Hackers hide malicious instructions inside normal-looking text that AI systems read. The AI follows these hidden commands without realizing it’s been tricked.
These attacks work surprisingly well. During 2024 testing, prompt injections succeeded 67% of the time. Banks face an average of 1,847 such attempts every month. Success rates for these attacks increased 423% between early 2024 and late 2024.
One recent case involved hackers tricking an AI email system into approving $3.2 million in fake transactions. They hid their commands in what looked like routine business correspondence. The AI followed the hidden instructions and transferred the money.
Malware That Gets Smarter
The most dangerous development is malware that improves itself. Called “selfannealing” malware, these programs study how companies protect themselves and then evolve to get around those defenses. They learn and adapt faster than human security teams can respond.
MOLLIE BARNETT
Companies facing these smart attacks spend an average of $8.3 million to fix the damage. It takes 127 days to clean up the mess, compared to 73 days for regular attacks. Even worse, 34% of these attacks stay hidden for more than six months.
Detection rates remain low. Security systems only catch 23% of adaptive AI attacks, compared to 78% for traditional malware.
Who Pays When AI Goes Bad?
Legal experts say companies are responsible for whatever their AI systems do, even if no human told them to do it. This creates serious liability issues. Insurance claims for AI incidents jumped 289% in 2024, with average payouts reaching $2.1 million per incident.
“The law is clear,” says Michael Torres, a technology attorney with 15 years of AI experience. “If your AI system causes damage, you’re on the hook. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t know it was going to happen.”
Most Companies Aren’t Ready — and Many Are Misled
Despite the growing threats, most businesses treat AI security like regular computer security. This approach doesn’t work. AI systems need special protection because they can act on their own and make decisions without human input.
Only 23% of companies have hired AI security specialists. Yet 78% report being worried about AI-related security problems. The gap between concern and action is dangerous.
What makes it worse is the noise in the marketplace. Countless vendors and consultants are suddenly “AI experts,” but most don’t have the technical depth to understand the risks. General IT providers are rebranding themselves overnight, while offering the same old services under an “AI” label.
For business leaders, that false sense of security may be the biggest risk of all.
The Bottom Line
AI tools offer real benefits, but they come with serious risks. Companies that ignore AI security do so at their own peril. The financial costs keep rising, and the attacks keep getting smarter.
The solution isn’t to avoid AI. That ship has sailed. Instead, businesses — whether multinational or family-owned — need to understand that AI systems require different kinds of protection. They need specialists who understand how autonomous systems can be manipulated and controlled.
As one security expert put it: “You wouldn’t hire a plumber to fix your car engine. Don’t expect regular IT security to handle AI threats.”
The companies that invest in proper AI security now will have a major advantage. Those that don’t may find themselves paying much higher costs later.
AI isn’t just changing the future of business — it’s reshaping the risks today. And it affects everyone, from global corporations to local firms. The smart question isn’t if you’ll use it, but whether you’ll use it wisely — and with the right people at the helm.
Published by Messenger Papers, Inc.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Democrats Get Amnesia on Party’s History of Political Violence
By David Catron Senior Editor of the American Spectator | AMAC Outside Contributor
Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, frauds like former president Barack Obama disingenuously claim that “we don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy.” In reality, we do know – and we know that his killing is just the latest manifestation of Democrat-induced political violence that has been a mainstay in our country since 1856.
That was the year Democrat Representative Preston Brooks attacked and nearly killed Republican Senator Charles Sumner on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Sumner—a founding member of the Republican Party—incurred the wrath of Brooks when he denounced the sack of Lawrence, Kansas, by proslavery Democrats who had invaded from Missouri. This was a precursor to the Civil War, which began when eleven Democrat-dominated states formed the “Confederate States of America,” elected Democrat Jefferson Davis as its President, and fired on Fort Sumter.
After more than 600,000 Americans died in that war, the Democrats continued their tradition of violence by forming paramilitary groups to terrorize and kill black voters who attempted to cast ballots for Republicans. The most notorious of these was the KKK, of course, which was led by Democrat politician turned Confederate cavalry commander Nathan Bedford Forrest. The KKK specialized in murdering Republican politicians, including Republican Rep. James M. Hinds of Arkansas, the first U.S. Congressman to be assassinated while in office.
President Abraham Lincoln was, of course, murdered by John Wilkes Booth three years earlier. Corporate media “fact checkers” and online misinformation sites like Wikipedia have in recent years desperately attempted to revise history to conceal Booth’s political affiliation. FactCheck.org, for example, falsely identified him as a member of the Know-Nothing Party, but that party ceased to exist ten years before he shot Lincoln—when Booth was 15 years old. Booth was a Democrat, plain and simple.
The next president to be assassinated was Republican James Garfield, who was shot by Charles Guiteau in 1881. As with Booth, there has been an obvious attempt to conceal Guiteau’s affinity for the Democrats. Hilariously, Wikipedia lists his political affiliation as “Liberal Republican” while contradicting that claim in its biographical write-up: “Guiteau took an interest in politics and identified with the Democratic Party.” In 1872, he voted for Horace Greeley, who ran on the Democrat presidential ticket against incumbent Republican Ulysses S. Grant – a hated figure amongst Democrats for his role in winning the Civil War and forming the Department of Justice to protect black civil rights and snuff out the first rendition of the KKK.
The third president to be assassinated was Republican William McKinley. (Does anyone detect a pattern here yet?) McKinley was shot in 1901 by Leon Czolgosz, whose biography has also been scrubbed clean of any reference to the Democrats. Depending on the source, he is variously described as a socialist, anti-capitalist, anarchist, and even a disgruntled McKinley voter. A simple internet search on that incongruous claim produced the following result: “Yes, Leon Czolgosz did vote for William McKinley in the 1896 election, but he later became disillusioned.”
Other Republican presidents who have survived assassination attempts include Theodore Roosevelt, (1912), Gerald Ford (1975), Ronald Reagan (1981), and Donald Trump (2024) – all Republicans. Their would-be assassins, we are told by “historians,” were all loners with murky motivations. Similar claims have been made about James Hodgkinson, who opened fire on GOP congressmen who were practicing for a baseball game and nearly killed Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) in 2017, and now Tyler Robinson who has been charged with killing Charlie Kirk.
Here’s a hint on their motives: They all shot Republicans.
Of course, some Democrats have been targets of political violence – most famously President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Senator Robert Kennedy. But on the whole, it is clearly Republicans who have borne the brunt of assassination efforts.
As Jesus of Nazareth put it, “You shall know them by their fruit.” This brings us back to Barack Obama and his claim that violence has no place in our democracy. The truth is that he and countless other Democrats have deliberately normalized violence against Republicans with irresponsible rhetoric. Obama, you will recall, described GOP voters as bitter people who “cling to guns or religion or antipathy
toward people who aren’t like them.” It is no coincidence that Hillary Clinton described Trump supporters as “deplorable” and Joe Biden characterized them as “garbage.”
The point of such rhetoric is to dehumanize their political opponents and their supporters. This is why Kamala Harris openly called Donald Trump a fascist during her failed presidential bid. If you convince weak-minded people that a politician is dangerous to “our democracy,” it justifies violent action against him. Biden told donors five days before Donald Trump was shot in Pennsylvania, “It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.” Even after the first attempt on Trump’s life, former Biden staffer Kate Bedingfield opined on CNN that Democrats should “turn their fire on Donald Trump.”
All of which brings us to Charlie Kirk. He was routinely slandered by Democrats and the corporate media. This poisonous passage
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from The Nation was published after his death: “He was an unrepentant racist, transphobe, homophobe, and misogynist who often wrapped his bigotry in Bible verses because there was no other way to pretend that it was morally correct. He had children, as do many vile people.” This is typical of how he was regularly described in most “news” outlets and by the same Democrats who now claim to deplore the violent act that cut him down.
There is no doubt that such vitriol incites violence, and that is precisely why Democrats and their accomplices in the corporate media deploy it. Despite the crocodile tears shed by some Democrats when Kirk was murdered, his increasingly successful crusade to persuade young people to seriously consider the merits of conservative ideas was a threat to them, and you can bet they are glad he’s gone. They will continue to live up to their party’s bloody legacy.
WORD OF THE Week
Etymology: late 17th century: from French imperméable, or from late Latin impermeabilis, from in- ‘not’ + permeabilis (see permeable).
IMPERMEABLE
adjective
Pronounced: /uhm·pur·mee·uh·bl/
Definition: (sense 1) not allowing fluid to pass through; (sense 2) not liable to be affected by pain or distress; insusceptible or imperturbable.
Example: “The political machine that was once impermeable came crashing down on Election Day.”
Synonyms: dense, impervious, impenetrable
Antonyms: soft, negotiable, elastic
Source: Oxford Languages
H A I L C E R
See how many words you can create. Must have center letter in word and can use letters more than once. 4 letter word minimum.
LEVEL: Easy
See bottom of page for the answers (please don’t cheat!)
September 18, 1947: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officially comes into existence after being established by President Harry Truman (D-MO) (below) in July.
September 24, 1789: U.S. Federal Judiciary Act passes, creating a sixmember Supreme Court.
September 23, 2002: First version of the web browser Mozilla Firefox dubbed Phoenix 0.1 is released to the public.
September 19, 1888:
One of the first known modern beauty contests is held in Spa, Belgium.
September 22, 1920:
Chicago grand jury convenes to investigate charges that eight
players conspired to
September 21, 1915:
English Cecil Chubb buys the English prehistoric monument Stonehenge for £6,600 and later donates it to the British nation.
Ron Dante sang vocals,
By PJ Balzer
The Greatest of Questions May Be This
Just like your phone most likely is, mine is making some sort of noise constantly.
It’s a steady stream of emails, messages on multiple apps, notifications, and texts. Once in a while there’s an actual phone call too. As the quote reads, “I remember the days where the phone was still attached to the wall and humans were still free.”
One evening this past week, I spent some time looking through the general content of the messages I receive. I went through the first ten messages on every platform while trying to draw a conclusion from their overall content. If I had to give you a short conclusion about the majority of my messages, it would be this: most of the messages or notifications consisted of people asking - asking for help with something, some time, a network, advice, or something tangible.
Amongst all of those many messages was one single message that was shining as bright as the sun. It read, “Hey, how can I help out this week? Is there a need in our community, a burden or concern you’re aware of that I can help meet?”
This woman sends me this same message approximately twice a month. She’s what we would consider a “regular person.” There’s no lights or banners around her name. She’s not a public person and definitely doesn’t want to be. She doesn’t want to know who she’s helping and doesn’t want them to know her. It doesn’t matter to her what they look like, where they live, what
they’ve done, or any other outer trappings that we’re all concerned about when it comes to generosity. Once in a while, I send her a photo of the baby she purchased a can of formula for or an elementary school child who she helped with their school snacks for the week. She’s more than content with that but doesn’t ask for it.
Most of her time goes to helping her son who was born with a condition that has completely altered his life and hers also. She’s a full time mom, wife, caregiver, and just a genuinely kind and also broken person. Regardless of her own life that makes many demands on her and needs within her own home, she still sends her personal message twice a month desiring to find a way to help another human - a complete stranger.
Every time I read her message, it’s like breathing in that first crisp October breeze after the humidity finally leaves us, even more so this past week. When her message came through, it was amongst the news and social media full of scary headlines, arguing and furthering division between all of us - graphic scenes, bickering back and forth, and the name calling that has become our normal lives.
In the midst of all of that came the message, “Hey, is there any way I can help someone this week?”
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
- Fred Rogers
Smithtown’s two high school communities recently came together for a moment that was bigger than the game itself. For the first time, the junior varsity field hockey teams from Smithtown High School East and Smithtown High School West staged a “Red, White & Blue” scrimmage, blending competition with commemoration to honor the lives lost on September 11.
The event, organized by High School West coach Sawyer Kessler and High School East coach Katelyn DiDonato, transformed the turf into both an arena for play and a stage for reflection. Players took the field wearing the colors of the flag, and when the final whistle blew, they came together at midfield for a team photo that captured the spirit of the day: rivals turned teammates, united under red, white, and blue.
“It was great having them play each other and come together,” said Coach Kessler. “The girls loved it!”
HSE & HSW JV Field Hockey Teams Honor 9/11 with Red, White & Blue Scrimmage
That sentiment was evident from the sidelines. Families waved American flags, the athletes laughed and encouraged one another, and the usual separation of East red and West navy blurred into a single Smithtown identity. The scrimmage wasn’t about a scoreboard—it was about showing that remembrance can live through action, teamwork, and pride.
The image of the two squads lined up together at midfield will stay with many in the community. In the photo, faces are painted, smiles are wide, and players from both schools kneel shoulder to shoulder. Behind them, the Smithtown West bleachers serve as a backdrop, their “Home of the Bulls” banner reminding everyone that while the district has two campuses, it shares one heart.
For the athletes, many of whom were born years after the attacks of 2001, the scrimmage offered a meaningful way to participate in the promise of “never forget.” By weaving the solemnity of 9/11 remembrance into the joy of sport, the day bridged
generations and gave players a lasting lesson about community responsibility.
The collaboration between the two coaching staffs also underscored the deeper purpose of high school sports. Games are not only opportunities to develop athletic skill, but also to teach lessons about unity, resilience, and respect. Tuesday’s event reflected that philosophy perfectly—two squads preparing for their upcoming seasons while modeling what it means to play with pride and perspective.
As both programs turn back toward their fall schedules, the scrimmage may prove to be more than a one-time experiment. With its strong turnout, powerful symbolism, and enthusiastic response, it has all the makings of a new Smithtown tradition— one that reminds athletes and spectators alike that sometimes the most important victories are measured not in goals or saves, but in the strength of community.
For one afternoon, the East and West junior varsity teams were not opponents. They were teammates in tribute, writing a new chapter in Smithtown athletics where sport and remembrance move forward together.
Long Island Basketball History: Tristan Smith Turns Online Debate Into Community Movement
By
Long Island basketball has always carried a certain pride. From packed high school gyms on Friday nights to college standouts who carried their roots with them into the pros, the Island has produced more than its fair share of hardwood legends. But until recently, there was no single space to gather those memories, share those stories, and debate who belongs on the list of all-time greats.
That changed this past March, when Amityville’s own Tristan Smith (pictured right) turned a spirited online argument into something bigger.
“It started as a debate over the alldecade teams,” Smith recalled. “I wasn’t included on one list, and a lot of my old teammates tagged me saying I should’ve been there. It got me thinking — why don’t we have one place to talk about Long Island basketball history? Everybody’s having these conversations in small pockets. We needed a unified platform.”
the hardwood, he left a permanent mark: two state championships, New York State Class B Player of the Year honors, and the distinction of being the school’s first State Tournament MVP.
So, on March 28, 2025, Smith launched the Long Island Basketball History Facebook page. What began as a spot for trash talk and nostalgia has quickly grown into a hub for thousands of fans, former players, and families across the Island.
From Amityville to the Big Stage
Smith is no stranger to the game’s spotlight. A twosport standout at Amityville High School, Class of 2001, he was recruited in both basketball and football. On
“I was blessed,” Smith said. “Basketball and football gave me so many opportunities, but basketball was my foundation.”
He took his game to St. John’s University and then St. Francis College in Brooklyn, before continuing professionally in the USBL, ABA, and overseas in South America. Today, living in Texas, he trains athletes as a strength and conditioning coach — but his heart, and his memories, remain firmly planted on Long Island’s courts.
More Than Just a Game
To Smith, the Facebook page isn’t just about celebrating jump shots and championships. It’s about showing the next generation what’s possible.
“Basketball is the foundation of this page, but it’s bigger than that,” he explained. “These stories are about perseverance, about people from the same neighborhoods who used the game to build their lives. For young players, it’s a blueprint — the things to follow, and sometimes the things to avoid.”
By spotlighting past players and teams, Smith believes the page gives hope and perspective to kids coming up in the game today.
Building Toward the Future
The vision doesn’t stop at social media. Smith hopes to bring the page “into real life” with in-person events, celebrations, and eventually a nonprofit arm focused on giving back.
“The idea is to connect the community — past players, coaches, fans — and pay it forward,” he said. “We want to reach disadvantaged communities, give kids resources they might not otherwise have, and use basketball as the bridge. At the same time, it’s about adults networking, celebrating one another, and carrying the legacy forward.”
Now Part of The Messenger
That mission is exactly why The Messenger is proud to announce that Long Island Basketball History will now be a featured part of our sports coverage on an ongoing basis. Each week, readers can expect stories, highlights, and throwbacks drawn from Smith’s growing platform — preserving Long Island’s basketball culture while inspiring the next generation.
For Smith, what started with a snub on an all-decade list has turned into a movement to preserve a culture — and now, through The Messenger, to share it with the entire community.
Messenger Sports Staff
The Turf vs. Grass Debate: It’s All In The Shoe
By Ashley Pavlakis
The world of sports is continuing to modernize and evolve each year. Along with that, the outdoor athletic fields are receiving upgrades. Is it grass, or is it turf? The Messenger sat down with New York University Langone Doctor Mark Grossman to discuss the pros and cons and give insight into how athletes are affected by the surface they play on.
“I get to specialize after five years of training. During orthopedic surgery, you specialize in what they call subspecialty, and I did a sports medicine fellowship at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic, which is a famous sports Medicine Center in Los Angeles. We do surgery involving mostly shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles, hips, and, joints, doing what we call arthroscopic surgery, where we use a camera and small incisions to repair structures like tendons and ligaments and linings of the joints,” said Dr. Grossman.
Grass gives off a natural look and feel. With it being a natural surface, it’s known to be softer and mold to the way the earth is shaped. Grass is also typically cooler than synthetic turf in warmer weather. Opposingly, grass isn’t shielded from the effects of wear and tear. Divots, dirt patches, or any sort of obscurity from a perfectly manicured lawn has the potential to wreak havoc on an athlete.
with a bent knee,” said Grossman.
Artificial turf is making its way to the sports world in the form of field upgrades. Turf is said to be more durable and have a longer lifespan than natural grass. Artificial turf is capable of holding up against bad weather and intense activities. For sports, turf provides an even playing field. The surface is level and won’t spring surprises on an athlete while playing on it. Artificial turf can be played on in any weather due to the drainage system in place.
“It’s so funny because they went from a solid turf to this more softer turf, which is made of ground-up tires, but it’s really not so much the surface. The research is really put in the shoe, the ground interface, where people are trying to develop the right shoe. If you wear a heavy-duty cleat on turf, it may grab too much, and that’s when you twist around your knee. So, really wearing the right shoe, a turf cleat when you play on a turf and a regular cleat when you play on the grass is probably the most optimal,” said Grossman.
Shoes are the most important article of “clothing” you can wear to protect your body. Different types of shoes are made for different activities. Finding the right type of cleat that’s comfortable but also cohesive with the playing surface is crucial.
“Although it’s not 100%, because 70% of ACLs are non-contact, so unfortunately, a person ground their foot and twist around their knee. A lot of that research has been put or is being put into what kind of shoe is for the best surface. It’s just not perfect, so we attempt it, but it’s not foolproof,” said Grossman.
Turf cleats are composed of small, dense rubber studs on the bottom that aren’t long enough to dig into the turf, but still long enough to create traction on the field to remain upright.
“We do find that for women, there are preventative things, because there’s a higher incidence, almost eight times more incidence in female ACL injury than in males. We think that getting them to run with more of a knee bend protects them. So, there are strategies or pre-op warms, sort of like what they call a PE program or plyometrics, to kind of get them to bend when they run so that hopefully when they jump, they land more
An article conducted by The Washington Post in 2023 states that since 2021, roughly 90 female soccer players have torn their ACL playing professionally. Female soccer players are two-to-ten times more likely to injure their ACL than their male counterparts, according to Dr. David McAllister, an Orthopedic Surgeon at UCLA.
“If you have a surface that has a little give so you don’t get shin splints and all that, because if you’re running on hard surfaces, then you affect your bones when you run, where they can get stressed. So, you want a little give to protect from stress fractures or stress reactions, but you don’t want it so much that the foot is going to sink in where you’re going to get more traumatic injuries,” said Grossman.
There is no ideal surface, as each offers its own set of benefits and risks. The most important thing an athlete can do is come prepared and know what they’re playing on to best prevent injury.
“They’ve gone through a lot of iterations. It seems that they’ve settled on this tire one [artificial or synthetic]. It still doesn’t prevent all your injuries. I don’t think to my knowledge they have a study to say it’s more or less than the grass,” said Grossman.
Dr. Grossman stressed the importance of having proper footwear throughout the conversation. With limited research on ACL injuries being linked to playing surfaces, he didn’t favor one over the other.
“It’s tough to recommend because I don’t think the data is really out there. The weather can be freezing, and now you’re out on a hard surface in bad weather. You can have a muddy surface on regular grass, and now your cleat can get caught. It’s tough to recommend either. I just recommend having a turf cleat for a turf field and a regular cleat for a regular field. It’s really the interface of the shoe with whatever you’re playing on. I think that’s the thing that people may have to do a little research on what field they’re going to when they’re going away,” said Grossman.
Fortunately, in today’s world, with the technology and research we have, we see a higher success rate for athletes with ACL injuries in terms of being able to play again.
“Most ACL reconstructions, most of our surgeries, thank God, do well. We can’t bat a thousand, but we try to bat as close as possible. But I think that most players, with good surgery and the proper rehab, can get back to the level that they were,” said Grossman.
Savannah Bananas Paint the Borough Yellow in Bronx Takeover
There’s no crying in baseball. If you’re a Savannah Banana, you’re bound to laugh, dance, and put on a show on the field. The Savannah Bananas came to New York over the weekend as part of their 2025 Banana Ball Tour.
The Bananas painted the Bronx yellow as they took over Yankee Stadium for a 7:00p.m. matchup on Saturday and a 3:00p.m. matchup with the Firefighters on Sunday afternoon.
Prior to hitting the field, they visited the set of The Tonight Show on Wednesday to catch up with host Jimmy Fallon.
Bananaland is like a moving circus; it’s packed up and taken on the road. The Bananas set up a merchandise tent, a stage, a Dunkin’ Donuts concession stand, and various team-themed blowups for people to take pictures with at the park across the street from the stadium. The Dad-Bod cheerleaders put on a show on stage prior to the game, interacting with the fans.
Recently, the Bananas have been bringing out special guests to participate in the game on the field. While in San Diego, they brought out renowned ballroom dancer Derek Hough. In Chicago, they brought out Chance the Rapper. New York was no different. The Bananas welcomed special guests all weekend long, starting with Big Time Rush and Joe Torre on Saturday. On Sunday, the Bananas challenged a call, and the ‘umpire’ turned out to be New York Giants legend Eli Manning. Their final guest of the weekend was longtime Yankee Nick Swisher. Swisher stepped up to the plate for the Bananas in the latter half of the game.
Yankee Stadium has a longstanding tradition that began in the 1990s, it’s the “roll call”. The bleacher creatures, located in right field, perform chants for the Yankees’ starting lineup. This is done until each player acknowledges the group. This time, Bald Vinny, the Dad-Bod cheerleaders, and the band took over the section and performed the roll call Savannah Banana style.
yellow tuxedo. His name is Jesse Cole, and he’s the owner and founder of the league. Their umpire is known for his dancing, and his name is Vince Chapman. Their first base coach, Maceo Harrison, will breakdance at the drop of a hat. Dakota Albritton stands at ten feet tall on stilts, something he wears while playing. Reese Alexiades wears a red cape in the outfield and at the plate. Each player on the field has their own quirks and signature antics that add to the excitement Banana Ball brings.
The Bananas performed choreographed dances to two songs, paying homage to New York. Annie the musical’s “It’s a Hard Knock Life” and the Beastie Boys “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”. Choreographed or not, the Bananas were showing off their moves. Why is the game of baseball different in Banana Ball? Well, the rules are tweaked to suit the entertainment factor. For starters, there are eleven rules to be followed to play Banana Ball. Win the inning and you get the point, two-hour time limit, no stepping out, no bunting, batters can steal first, no walks allowed, no mound visits allowed, if a fan catches a foul ball it’s an out, showdown tiebreaker, the Banana Ball challenge rule, and the golden batter rule.
The Savannah Bananas could be compared to the Harlem Globetrotters, but better. They play a style of baseball called ‘Banana Ball’, otherwise known as the fastest game of baseball. The rules are different; there’s choreographed dancing happening on the field while the game is live, and players are walking around on stilts. The possibilities are endless, and the game is fun for everyone, from the players to the fans in the stands.
Banana Ball was established in 2015 by Jesse Cole in Savannah, Georgia. While the beginnings of a startup team were rough, the popularity has taken the world by storm. Having toured the United States playing in minor and major league stadiums, they’ve brought the circus on the road for over 200 games. The Bananas grew from one team into four, now hosting The Firefighters, The Party Animals, and The Texas Tailgaters. Not your typical baseball team names, but that’s what Banana Ball strives to be; different from anything you’ve ever seen before.
It’s not a roster; it’s a cast of characters. The Savannah Bananas have the man in the
Some of those rules are pretty straightforward. As for rule 9, that’s where it gets interesting. Rule 9 states that if the game is tied after the two-hour time limit or 9 innings are completed, they enter a showdown. Three rounds where the hitter must score. Round 1: Pitcher, catcher, and one fielder versus one hitter. Round 2: Pitcher, catcher versus one hitter. Round three: Pitcher, catcher, and one fielder versus one hitter with the bases loaded. The Bananas and the Firefighters took advantage of these rules on Sunday and forced a showdown. Still tied at 3 apiece, the two teams entered a showdown and advanced to round two before the Firefighters emerged victorious.
When the Savannah Bananas aren’t on tour, they’re at Historic Grayson Stadium, otherwise lovingly referred to as Bananaland. The experience is secondto-none, they offer an all-inclusive experience of all you can eat at the concession stands, a variety of banana flavored drinks, and the opportunity to sign the wall right field.
The Bananas have used their social media platforms to cultivate an active and growing presence amongst the fans. After all, it’s not about the game. Scores are being kept of course, but the ultimate goal is to create a memorable experience for everyone in attendance. People might not remember the score or who beat who, but they’ll remember every moment of excitement that may not even have been a homerun or a diving catch, rather a choreographed dance, or a moment of karaoke.
New York got to experience its share of Banana Ball, and it was one for the history books. A sold-out crowd of 49,000 [each] invaded Yankee Stadium for a thrilling weekend of baseball and entertainment at the ballpark. As fans left the stadium, Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” was blasting from the speakers in typical Yankee fashion.