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there, but said Meehan has “a nice sense of what Port Jeff is supposed to be about.” “He just sees it as, these are his kids,” Butera said. Early on in Meehan’s time in Port Jefferson, there was an issue with one of the bus routes and it was running late. Brennan said the principal “got on the bus, rode the bus around the route and reassured the parents at every stop about why they were late and what happened.” That leadership instinct is not something that can be taught, Brennan said. “Tom has … what I call ‘horse sense’ about what school administration is about.” One initiative Meehan started in the elementary school is a safety patrol for the fifth-graders to teach them responsibility. Among their activities, they help with dismissal, making sure younger kids get onto the school buses. School board member Ellen Boehm, a former district employee, said it gives the kids a sense that “what they did was important.” And for the less outgoing kids, she added, “He built them up during their time as a safety leader.” Meehan, a longtime volunteer for the Port Jefferson Fire Department, was also responsible for starting the tradition of elementary school kids singing at the fire department’s annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony. Brennan said the experience is significant for the kids who attend, and they’ve been able to see Meehan in uniform a few times. It’s “important to see adults have other roles in the community,” she said. Christian Neubert has worked alongside Meehan both in the school district, where he is a music teacher, and as a volunteer for the Port Jefferson Fire Department. He said the 9/11 ceremony is not the only way Meehan bridges the

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Elementary school principal does what is best for the kids and his community Tom Meehan is the kind of principal who would give a child the clothes off his back — literally. When he saw an Edna Louise Spear Elementary School student was not wearing a jacket, the Port Jefferson principal took off the one he had on and gave it to the boy to wear home. “He understands that it’s about the kids — that they’re the priority,” school board President Kathleen Brennan said, adding that Meehan goes “above the call of duty to make sure kids get what they need.” For his dedication to Port Jefferson’s kids and the greater community, Tom Meehan is the Port Times Record’s Person of the Year. Meehan was hired for the 201112 school year, originally on an interim basis. District officials expected to hire a permanent elementary principal, but soon found the best choice was right under their noses. Tony Butera, a longtime kindergarten teacher at Edna Louise Spear, has worked under a bunch of principals in his time

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Above Meehan, far right, poses with singers from the elementary school at the fire department’s annual 9/11 memorial ceremony in September.

school and the department — he also gets firefighters involved in the school’s evacuation drills, and some high school kids now in the junior firefighter program had Meehan as a principal and look up to him at the firehouse. Neubert, a lieutenant, noted Meehan is still qualified to fight fires inside buildings, despite being older than most guys who do that, since the physical requirements are high. As a testament to his fitness, Meehan can be seen walking to school every morning, Neubert said, and students and teachers can sometimes catch a glimpse of him walking the school halls “in his suit and hiking boots.” That’s not the only place they can see him. He’s at his students’ sports games and all around the village. During the Charles Dickens Festival earlier this month, Superintendent Ken Bossert said, he watched his students perform and then roasted marshmallows with them. “He is just everywhere at all times,” Bossert said. “All the kids know him and love him.” Well, almost everywhere: “Mr. Meehan is rarely in his office,” Neubert said, because he frequently drops into classrooms

around the school. Meehan has joined Neubert’s class a few times to share musical facts he knows, which the kids loved. “In their minds, Mr. Meehan knows everything,” Neubert said. That goes for sports too. A physical education teacher was once absent and a swimming class at the end of the day needed a qualified teacher or it would have been canceled. Meehan, a certified lifeguard, didn’t want to disappoint the kids, Bossert said, so he went home to get his swimsuit and taught the class. Bossert said he was the “first principal that they ever saw in the water.” According to a letter the superintendent wrote, nominating Meehan as a Person of the Year, “He was dry and back in his dress suit in time for dismissal.” Meehan has helped kids on an individual basis as well. Bossert described a time when Meehan pulled some strings with the Long Island Rail Road on behalf of a special needs student who had “a fascination with trains,” and the child was able to conduct a train between the Port Jefferson to Stony Brook stations. He also brings gifts to kids during

the holidays when he knows their families can’t afford them. Those close to him said he knows every child’s name and if one needs extra attention, Butera said, “he’ll find ways throughout the day of stopping by” to check on that student. But his subtle approach to offering that extra attention puts the kids at ease, Boehm said. She described it as, “Hey, I’m here, and we’ll take care of this together.” Around the hallways, Meehan is also known for his sense of humor, cracking jokes with kids and dressing up as Mario for Halloween, making him more approachable. “He has such a great rapport” with all the parents, the staff and the kids, and everyone in the community knows who he is, said Sean Leister, the assistant superintendent for business. Usually that kind of reverence comes with someone who’s been in his position for 20 years, Leister said, but Meehan’s attained it in five. Even so, he doesn’t take credit for most of what he does. “He’s not the kind of guy that likes any limelight or fanfare,” Boehm said. “He would never make a big deal about what he was doing.”

PAGE A2 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • December 31, 2015

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The Port Times Record is proud to continue an annual tradition of honoring members of the community who have contributed in a significant manner to its residents and institutions during the past year. These are the people who go the extra mile to improve the quality of our lives. In these pages, we salute their achievements. We also realize that these men and women are not unique. They are symbolic of the many who devote their efforts to the good of our hometowns. We salute them all and thank them for their service to the community we all love. Two years ago, we changed the format of how we honor our People of the Year. Now we have one edition for each of the three towns we cover — Brookhaven, Smithtown and Huntington — combining winners from multiple papers. We also eliminated the categories we previously used to organize the winners, such as medicine, sports or the arts, as we found that they were limiting us in how we were able to honor people. Every winner is simply a person of the

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PAGE A4 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • December 31, 2015

Former head coach lends hand on and off the court By GiSelle BaRkley

Just keep shooting. That’s what Kevin Foley used to tell the players on the Suffolk County Community College women’s basketball team. And encouraging them to never give up wasn’t just a message for between the paint — it went for when they were off the court as well. Even his retirement as the women’s basketball head coach earlier in 2015 didn’t stop Foley from continuing to support his players — he returned to SCCC as the institution’s athletic director that same year. That is why Kevin Foley is a 2015 Port Times Record Person of the Year. Vice President of Student Affairs Christopher Adams said Foley has worked at the college nearly 37 years as a professor and member of the school’s athletic department. While Adams described Foley as dedicated and passionate, he said it’s his overall approach to life that resonates with him. “He’s very big on success in the classroom and the athletic fields.” Adams said Foley instilled important life lessons into all of his players: You’ll be successful if you’re a “good sport” who follows the rules. Foley was like a father figure for some of his players in his 19 years of coaching, those close to him said. Former SCCC student and basketball player Colleen Quinn

above, Foley watches a basketball game from the sidelines.

said she remembers Foley differently from other coaches she had when growing up. As a high school student, Quinn said she always felt like she wasn’t doing well on the basketball court. “I only really had a few coaches to compare him to, and those coaches were similar [to one another],” Quinn said. “Now that I’m an adult and I can look at how [Foley] handled [coaching] and how he managed his team ... you’ve got to kill yourself to prove anything to him [because] he already sees what your potential

Photo from Kerry Swanson

is and he’ll nurture it.” Quinn played for Foley when she attended the college in 1997, graduating from SCCC two years later. Quinn, of Middle Island, was a senior in high school when Foley approached her after watching her play a game at the college. She didn’t plan on playing basketball at the college level before Foley spoke to her. But Foley helped her, and many students just like her. SCCC’s Athletics and Intramurals Coordinator Kerry Swanson met Foley 20

years ago when she was one of his players. Swanson attended the college in the early to mid-1990s. She admitted that she was unsure of what she was doing with her life and Foley helped steer her in the right direction. According to Swanson, Foley has a knack for helping those who are lost find their way, regardless of who they are or his relationship with them. “He tries to connect with people on some level. If he can go out of his way for someone, he just goes out of his way,” Swanson said about the current athletic director. Adams said Foley also put the college on the map, as many SCCC sports teams have improved under his leadership. He’s also earned several awards on multiple occasions, including the NATYCAA Cup, otherwise known as the Pepsi Cup; the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup; the Mickey Crowley Metropolitan Officials Sportsmanship award; and the Joe DeBonis Sportsmanship Award. The college received this regional award 12 times in the past two decades. He also celebrated his 400th career win earlier in 2015, along with several other awards for his work as a professor. In honor of Foley and all his achievements on and off the court, SCCC will rename the basketball court on the school’s Ammerman Campus in Selden after him. Continued on page A22

Turano takes Three Village history to another level By SuSan RiSoli

Setauket resident Frank Turano delves deeply into local history. He uncovers compelling stories of everyday people and brings those tales to life for the rest of us to share. For that reason, and for his ongoing service to the Three Village Historical Society as board member and past president, Turano is one of the Port Times Record’s People of the Year. Beverly Tyler, the society’s historian, has known Turano since the early 1970s and described Turano’s leadership in unearthing details about Chicken Hill, the area of Route 25A around the current-day Setauket Methodist Church. It was once a thriving community of immigrants who helped each other make a new life in America. An exhibit about Chicken Hill is on display at the society’s headquarters in Setauket. Tyler said Turano, who is manager of the Chicken Hill project and curator of the exhibit, led the search for the community’s almost-forgotten past and wrote a successful funding proposal to create the exhibit. “He’s there almost every single weekend, to give tours of the exhibit,” Tyler said. He and Turano traveled in September to the annual meeting of the American Association for State and Local History, where the Chicken Hill exhibit received

the association’s highest distinction, the Award of Merit. Karen Martin, archivist for the Historical Society, said Turano leads the organization’s Rhodes Committee. At the group’s weekly meetings in the Emma Clark Public Library, Martin said, Turano facilitates the group’s far-ranging and free-wheeling conversations about the history of our area, and then mines the discussions for ideas to dig into. “The big names, like the Ward Melvilles, make the headlines,” Martin said. “But Frank also wants to know about everyone who lived in a community, the everyday person, the guy who owned the general store.” If a historical topic comes up in a Rhodes committee meeting, Turano “wants to know all the details. He’ll say, ‘Who’s going to know about this? Let’s give them a call.’” Turano also volunteers for the Society’s annual Candlelight House Tour every December, Martin said. He explains the history of houses on the tour, and in general “he loves to give presentations.” Local resident Hub Edwards, who has worked with Turano on many history projects, said, “If people want to know history, they should listen to him. He goes to great lengths to get the true story of a project, with no shortcuts.” Edwards said Turano is always featured in the Historical Society’s annual “Spirits” tour of local graveyards, dressed

Photo from Beverly Tyler

Frank Turano leads an interactive discussion delving into the history of Three Village.

as one of the historical figures highlighted by the tour. Turano also frequently writes scripts for the tour’s performances. Turano’s daughter Alyssa said her father is now combing through the archives of the Long Island Museum. He’s working on an exploration of the Long Island whaleship-building industry, she said, “focusing on Mr. Cooper, one specific whaleship builder who lived in the 1800s.” Turano is finding out about Cooper’s life by reading his diaries and looking over ship construction work logs. Alyssa said her father has been excitedly sharing stories with her and his

friends, about the buried gems of history he is finding. “Not everyone appreciates history in the way that he does,” she said. “It’s very inspiring. When you are so passionate about history, you can make it come alive again.” Her father is committed to finding out as much as he can about local history, she said, because he believes strongly that “not all of these people have had their stories told.” And he has told her that “it’s better to know the back story, so you can know how your community has changed throughout time.”

December 31, 2015 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A5

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PAGE A6 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • December 31, 2015

Setauket Harbor group a force for good

By Phil Corso

They’ve covered a lot of ground — and water — in their first year, but members of the Setauket Harbor Task Force are only getting started. The all-volunteer Setauket Harbor Task Force, led by residents and cofounders Laurie Vetere and George Hoffman, held its first general meeting on Oct. 29 of 2014, and meetings have grown to host nearly 100 residents. Since the first meeting, members of the group have become a known force for North Shore environmentalism, and their efforts have washed upon the shores of civic leaders, elected officials and beyond. The group has spent the past year studying the harbor, influencing the public debate surrounding it and garnering public support for its preservation and sustainability. For their contributions to the North Shore’s environmental discussion, members of the Setauket Harbor Task Force have been named 2015 Village Times Herald People of the Year. On the ground level, civic members in the Setauket and Stony Brook communities have become big fans of the Setauket Harbor Task Force and have continuously teamed up with the group to help promote its mission of preserving the communities’ waterways. Shawn Nuzzo, president of the Civic Association of the Setaukets and Stony Brook, said he stood behind the Task Force’s work with hopes that it could help bring back a strong and vibrant Long Island economy based on the sustainable harvesting of coastal shorelines. “We have a sordid and shameful history of polluting our Long Island waterways,” Nuzzo said. “For years, scientists and environmentalists have been warning of the harmful effects of nitrogen and other contaminants in our water. But it is only relatively recently that the politicians have begun discussing remediating the situation, thanks in part to advocacy groups like the Setauket Har-

bor Task Force.” The Task Force has been hosting regular walking tours of the harbor and its surrounding environmental beauties with hopes of reminding the community just how important it is to maintain. Some of the group’s key concerns have included making sure the town pays attention to the road runoff retention basin that forms near the inlet at Setauket Harbor and maintaining park property just to the west of the area’s footbridge. The Task Force also launched its first Setauket Harbor Day, back in September — a free event held at the Shore Road dock, established to inspire the community to join the Force in its efforts to clean and preserve the harbor. Since the group’s inception, members have been working hand-in-hand with elected officials from various levels of government, and so far their messages have been heard loud and clear. State Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) has been a consistent voice in the North Shore’s environmental discussion, having held previous positions as a geologist and biologist before becoming a public servant. And with his expertise, Englebright referred to the Setauket Harbor Task Force as the epicenter of community pride that has made a tremendous impact on the North Shore. “We have a sense of purpose now to work between our civic community and the town and the state — it’s just wonderful,” he said. “I guess everybody would hope that government would do all of this on its own, but the additional attention and focus being brought by citizens who have taken this initiative on is just terrific. So my sense is that by establishing the Setauket Harbor Task Force, and providing a forum where issues that relate to the overall health of the ecosystem in our harbor can be discussed, we have a matter of focus.” The group has received support from Brookhaven officials as well. Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) said the Task Force represented the best

of Brookhaven. “These are citizens coming together and recognizing a common problem and looking to make a positive difference,” Romaine said. “We are prepared to spend money to enact some of the things they are trying to achieve. This is a commitment and what helps us is that we have partners on the local level — people who step up to the plate.” Town Councilwoman Valerie Cartright (D-Port Jefferson Station) echoed the same sentiments after spending the year working closely with the Task Force. “The formation of the Setauket Harbor Task Force is a significant step in addressing some of the environmental concerns in the area,” she said. “It is a vehicle for the community to work together to assist in preserving our harbor and improving our water quality. I thank the members of the Task Force for all of

their hard work to bring awareness of the needs of the Harbor to the community. I had the privilege of attending the first Setauket Harbor Day this past summer, which I believe was a success, as it was both entertaining and educational.” Looking ahead, Englebright said he’d hope to see the group follow through in working with the Town of Brookhaven to see what kinds of progress can be achieved in addressing road runoff issues and restoring the ecological balance of some of the most disrupted areas along the harbor. “The fact that the town is planning to dredge the basin is, in part, a response to the initiative of local citizens,” Englebright said. “That partnership is really all too rare, and it’s ideally what government should be doing. I hope the town continues to realize that this is a wonderful and promising partnership.”

File photos

Top, a view of setauket harbor. Bottom, members of the setauket harbor Task Force work alongside government officials near the water earlier this year.

December 31, 2015 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A7

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PAGE A8 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • December 31, 2015

Librarian keeps Three Village informed By Giselle Barkley

She is the librarian’s librarian and one of Emma S. Clark Memorial Library’s longest-serving employees. Throughout her 30 years at the East Setauket library, reference librarian Carolyn Emerson, 61, can find almost anything, her colleagues said. But it’s her involvement with the library and caring attitude that’s made her an intricate part of the library and the community, and that is why the Village Times Herald selected her as a Person of the Year in 2015. Every other Wednesday, this softspoken librarian has organized the library’s senior bus program, which transports to the library senior residents who would otherwise be unable to go to the library. Although she didn’t start the program, Emerson took over the program to help these seniors. She also used her position at the library and her knowledge of Three Village history to organize and create programs like last year’s Culper Spy Day, which paid homage to the community’s ties to spy rings during the Revolutionary War. On June 20, 2014, the library held its first Culper Spy Day program, where residents could learn about the Revolutionary War, the Culper Spy Ring and its ties to Long Island. Three Village Historian Bev Tyler, of Three Village Historical Society, helped organize the event and said Emerson established a user-friendly site to spread the word about the spy ring throughout the community. “She’s a very community-oriented [person] and easy to work with,” Tyler said. “She really makes the library a good common resource for more than just books and videos, but also history.”

Her efforts to inform the community stemmed from a desire to share her vast array of knowledge with others and help those in need, those close to her said. And her hard work is not only for the bigger programs, but also for little tasks that accompany her title as a reference librarian in Emma S. Clark’s Adult section. “Whenever anybody comes up to the reference desk, she just gives it 110 percent,” said co-worker Jennifer Mullen, the public relations manager and community outreach librarian. “She doesn’t stop looking until she finds it either, and everybody appreciates that. She digs deep.” Mullen met Emerson a little more than 10 years ago. They worked sideby-side as reference librarians. Now, Mullen works alongside Teen Services Librarian Nanette Feder, who also commended Emerson for her insight on art, local history and literature, and

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LaValle makes lasting impact on North Shore By Daniel Dunaief

Quality health care and, to hear state Sen. Ken LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) describe it, home cooking are good for the body, mind, soul and community. That’s the argument the Republican senator has been making for years on behalf of the Stony Brook University medical center and its hospital. After the university lost out earlier this year on a partnership with Peconic Bay Medical Center, which agreed to team up with North Shore-LIJ Health System, the longtime local senator has continued his unflagging support of Stony Brook, particularly with John T. Mather Memorial Hospital. “If we think of a wheel, the hub of a wheel, and the local community hospitals are its spokes,” LaValle said, referring to Stony Brook as that hub in the center. “This is my vision and one that I think is good for the people I represent” to allow them to have the “best quality health care” close to home. For his consistent and long-term efforts to lend the support of his office to an important area institution, and for the passion and dedication he has shown to the residents of the region for close to four decades, LaValle is a Port Times Record Person of the Year. Stony Brook officials appreciated LaValle’s work on their behalf and suggested that he played a seminal role in keeping their ongoing relationship with Southampton

Hospital on track. “It took perseverance to continue to push the Southampton relationship with Stony Brook through,” said Reuven Pasternak, the CEO of Stony Brook University Hospital. “He was absolutely critical in keeping those discussions going and seeing them to fruition.” Pasternak said LaValle also facilitated a connection with Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport. The senator has been “a big supporter” of that relationship, Pasternak said. “He’s always made himself available to speak to people in Albany.” LaValle was instrumental in the building of the new Medicine and Research Translation building, a 240,000-square foot facility that is expected to be completed in 2016. Kenneth Kaushansky, the dean of the School of Medicine and the senior vice president of health sciences, said LaValle helped secure critical state financing. LaValle identified $45 million that was earmarked for a law school at Stony Brook that was never built that he “was able get reallocated,” Kaushansky said. “The state support for MART was hugely dependent on the senator.” Kaushansky said he and LaValle have regular discussions about any potential issues that arise. If things aren’t proceeding the way the university would like, LaValle “always volunteers to help put them back on track.”

State Assemblyman Steve Englebright said LaValle deserves recognition for his work on behalf of Stony Brook and all the area hospitals. “He is firmly supportive of Stony Brook’s role and mission, as well as for all the hospitals in our community,” Englebright (DSetauket) said. LaValle suggested his role as chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education gives him an opportunity to advocate on behalf of the SBU medical school. His chairmanship provides “a vehicle to be able to work with other people in the state university system and within state agencies,” he said. The approximately 129 students in each medical school class contribute to area health care while they pursue their education, LaValle said. “That is one of the very first helping points for the university,” LaValle said. “It’s being able to fulfill the education of their medical students. There are also people doing their clinical work and residencies.” LaValle is contributing to Stony Brook’s effort to secure a longer-term connection with Mather. He cited numerous such two-way benefits for a potential longer-term alliance. Stony Brook can provide services that “will save Mather a lot of money,” LaValle said. For patients of the two hospitals, the quality and convenience are also a win-

File photo by Barbara Donlon

State Sen. Ken laValle works with north Shore elected officials and residents to ensure the community, and greater long island region, have quality health care.

ning combination. “If someone needs cardiac care, it is a hop, skip and a jump to get that care,” LaValle said. “They don’t have to be helicoptered some place or drive a long time distance.” Kaushansky appreciated the support from the senator. “He’s doing everything he can,” LAVALLE continued on page A12

Stony Brook researchers on front lines of medicine

File photo

yusuf Hannun, abive is constantly working to improve their team of dedicated researchers with the hopes of curing complicated diseases. By Daniel Dunaief

They have a sense of urgency that motivates those around them to push for better results. In fighting against diseases that kill millions of people every year, they are doing what they’ve done from the time they left their home country of Lebanon until they arrived at Stony Brook three years ago: they are supporting their colleagues, recruiting top talent from around the world, and encouraging their staff to train and encourage the next generation of researchers. Yusuf Hannun, the director of the Can-

cer Center at Stony Brook, and Lina Obeid, the dean for research, continue to build a deep and talented team, adding researchers focused on curing diseases while also developing the next generation of Stony Brook scientists. Times Beacon Record Newspapers recognizes Hannun and Obeid as People of the Year for their day-to-day leadership, their discoveries in their labs, and their focus on the future of science at Stony Brook. “In terms of what they are building at Stony Brook, their vision is to grow that Cancer Center into a NCI-designated Can-

cer Center,” said Gerard Blobe, a professor of medicine and the research director at the Division of Medical Oncology at Duke University Medical Center who earned his Ph.D. in Hannun’s lab more than 20 years ago. They want to make it a “force in clinical care and research and training. They have a mission up there and I have no doubt that they’ll accomplish it.” Indeed, Blobe said the National Cancer Institute designation is just the “icing on the cake” that enables the center to seek funding for some projects. What’s more important, he said, is “what they will accomplish by getting that prize,” in building and developing Stony Brook’s research abilities. Scientists in the same field as Hannun were quick to praise his achievements and innovation. Discoveries by Hannun about sphingolipids, which are molecules that are involved in a range of roles, including cell division, differentiation and cell death, provided key insights. Hannun “pushed the field into the modern age,” said Tony Futerman, the Joseph Meyerhoff professorial chair of biochemistry at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. “He’s been innovative for 30 years in the field. He’s undoubtedly, if not the leader, then a leader. It’s fair to say the same about” Obeid. In her lab, Obeid, who is the dean for research and a professor of medicine at the

Stony Brook School of Medicine, is exploring the role of enzymes that control molecules that are involved in cell growth and others that play a role in cell death or differentiation. While Futerman is a competitor to Hannun in some respects, he suggested that Hannun has been instrumental in the careers of many other scientists, developing talented and dedicated researchers who have also made significant contributions. “They are excellent mentors of younger people,” he said. “There’s a whole school of former post docs who went on to get independent positions. This speaks to their mentorship. They both have the same attitude: they push young people into leadership positions.” Indeed, those who have worked for Obeid and Hannun in the past suggested that they offered the kind of guidance, discipline and approach that was applicable in and outside the lab. “Part of [Hannun’s] success is he’s very good at planning,” said Supriya Jayadev, who was a graduate student in Hannun’s lab at Duke and is now the executive director of Clallam Mosaic in Port Angeles, Washington. “He plans out an experiment such that it works the first time.” Corinne Linardic was Hannun’s first graduate student. She said someone cautioned her about the risks of joining a new RESEARCHERS continued on page A12

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Kaushansky said. LaValle has “been a strong proponent of getting us and Mather to work together for the benefit” of the patient population in the area. Kaushansky cited several other benefits to Mather of an ongoing and deeper connection with Stony Brook, including support for Mather’s stroke center with back-up cerebral artery intervention, and support for their radiology department. While a deeper connection with Mather would be mutually beneficial for the hospitals, LaValle suggested, it would also create an important level of convenience for patients. “I have started with the premise that patient care closest to home is

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lab. Her first meeting with him, however, quickly allayed her concerns. “I remember him saying, ‘It’s important not to look where the light is, but to try to look into the dark and turn the light on,’” she said. “I thought that was very brave.” Linardic, who is now an associate professor of pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine, recalled how they were working on a compound called ceramide. Whenever they gave it to cells, the cells died. At first, they thought maybe they were doing something wrong in their experiments. Eventually, Hannun helped her understand that ceramide was activating a form of programmed cell death. “It wasn’t a mistake or a technical disaster,” Linardic said. “We had to reframe the question.” The result was something she described as “profound.” Linardic said she felt fortunate to work with Obeid, who had a similar unbiased view of the work. “It was extraordinary to have a female mentor as well,” Linardic said. She and

the best care for the patient,” LaValle said. “The families can interact and it’s convenient. We are focused in a way to ensure that the quality of health care is at its maximum.” From the leaders through the rank and file, Stony Brook health care professionals appreciate LaValle’s support. “If anybody were to ask a person working in the dialysis unit, ‘Of all the politicians in the state of New York, who do you think is the strongest advocate for Stony Brook Medical School and Stony Brook University Hospital?’ most of them would say Ken LaValle,” said Kaushansky. Pasternak, who considers LaValle a friend, called him sincere in his beliefs. “It’s not the politics that drives him,” Pasternak said. “It’s his passion for the region and the people in the region.”

her colleagues felt fortunate to be welcomed into Hannun and Obeid’s family, where they were not only offering guidance on their careers, but also were caring for their young triplets at home. Linardic, Blobe and Jayadev started just around the time the triplets were born. They were “raising three biological children and three graduate students at the same time,” said Linardic. While they have come a long way from the beginning of their careers and their family, Hannun and Obeid have kept a consistent focus on the potential clinical benefits of their research. “They get the translational aspects,” Futerman said. “When [Hannun] moved to Stony Brook to head the Cancer Center, that was one of the aims for his move, to be in a position where he can apply basic science to translational research.” Futerman said there was “no question in my mind” that Hannun and Obeid deserve recognition in the Long Island community and the scientific community. “They are considered leaders,” Futerman said. “They contribute a lot to the academic community.”

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December 31, 2015 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A13

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PAGE A14 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • December 31, 2015

Port Jeff Rotary member gives time to make the world better By Elana Glowatz

Jumping out of a plane, mentoring younger people and planting flowers are all in a day’s work for Ed DiNunzio. He’s officially the head of membership for the Port Jefferson Rotary but he has worn many more hats during his years with the service organization, filling in wherever he can to make his community a better place to live. For selflessly dedicating his endless energy to serving his neighbors, DiNunzio is a Port Times Record Person of the Year. One of DiNunzio’s biggest roles is in the Gift of Life program, which started in Suffolk County 40 years ago — but has expanded through Rotary International — and provides lifesaving heart procedures to children around the globe. The Person of the Year has been involved since the beginning, Port Jefferson Rotary member Debbie Engelhardt said, using his skills as a lawyer to help it get organized and off the ground. Suffolk Rotary clubs have most recently raised funds and brought a 4-year-old girl to Long Island from Kosovo, for a surgery to repair a nickel-sized hole in her heart called an atrial septal defect. Gift of Life also works to provide medical staff in other countries with equipment and training to

above, Ed Dinunzio skydives for a Gift of life fundraiser.

perform such procedures, so children will not have to travel so far for treatment in the future. DiNunzio has gone to extremes for the program. He once raised money for Gift of

Life by skydiving. “That was a great thing that he did personally,” fellow Rotarian Dennis Brennan said, noting the physical risk involved in jumping out of a plane for charity. “That

Photo from Debbie Engelhardt

was a large sacrifice on his part to do that.” Each jumper in that fundraising effort was supposed to bring in $1,500 but DiNunzio collected $2,150 for Gift of Life. DINUNZIO continued on page A22

Rybak’s got your back Social ministry director tirelessly helps needy in area By RachEl SifoRD

Vicki Rybak has been serving the Long Island community for more than a decade, known by her friends and coworkers as one of the busiest and most resourceful people they know. As the director of social ministry and outreach for Infant Jesus R.C. Church in Port Jefferson, Rybak has gone above and beyond her job description. For that reason, she has been named a Port Times Record Person of the Year.

“She is a last resort for a lot of people,” said Debbie Engelhardt, director of the Comsewogue Public Library and a Port Jefferson Rotary Club member. The Rotary Club works closely with Rybak and the church. One of their biggest collaborations is on The Open Cupboard at the church, a food pantry for needy Long Islanders that the Rotary donates to. According to Engelhardt, one in eight on Long Island currently need help from food banks. RYBAK continued on page A26

File photo

from left: Rotarian Jackie Brown, Vicki Rybak, St. charles hospital’s Marilyn fabbricante, Rotarian Debbie Englehardt and backpack program sponsor Katharine coen carry backpacks for donation. Right, Vicki Rybak, far right, poses with the Rev. Patrick Riegger and Rotarians Sharon Brennan and Jackie Brown as infant Jesus R.c. church accepts a Rotary donation to its food pantry.

December 31, 2015 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A15

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PAGE A16 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • December 31, 2015

Josephine Lunde keeps presents coming all year long By Giselle Barkley

Josephine Lunde never gives up. More than a decade ago, Lunde started volunteering with the Town of Brookhaven’s annual Toy Drive. Her need to help Brookhaven residents landed her a fulltime position at Brookhaven’s Youth Bureau two years ago, and because of her ongoing efforts to helping others, she has been named a 2015 Times Beacon Record Person of the Year. “She was full time anyway,” said Maria Polack, secretary to the tax assessor for Brookhaven Town Star Exemption. “She does the work of like five men, for real.” Polack met Lunde 15 years ago when Lunde started volunteering at the Town of Brookhaven. When it comes to helping others, Lunde’s work ethic is second to none. On many occasions, Lunde stayed up all hours of the night into the early morning to work on her many fundraising events. Lunde doesn’t only help organize Brookhaven’s Toy Drive, which helps around 7,000 children around the holidays, she organizes a variety of events, including food drives, school supply drives, clothing drives, volunteer programs for senior citizen and the prom dress program, to name a few. Lunde has led the prom program for around three years, according to Diana Weir, commissioner of Brookhaven’s

Housing and Human Services department. The event allows girls from families in need to select prom attire from dresses to purses, shoes and more. Schools allow their students to attend the event by appointment. Lunde started staying after hours to accommodate students and their families who couldn’t get a dress during the program’s daytime hours. Weir said Lunde’s dedication and desire to spend as much time as possible makes this Medford resident more special. “She will never complain,” Weir said. “She never says boo.” While every child who registers for the prom dress program gets special attention, Polack remembers Lunde going above and beyond for one high school student who thought she was too overweight to attend her prom. Lunde didn’t only get her a dress, she organized for the student to get her nails and hair done. “The determination in Josie is bigger than both of us when she makes up her mind that she’s going to help somebody,” Polack said. Superintendent of Highways Dan Losquadro (R) said Lunde is one who focuses her attention on those in need in the community, especially those who don’t always want to ask for help. “A lot of those folks that she works with are people who are very proud, and who might not otherwise seek assistance.

File photo

above, Josephine lunde poses with Brookhaven Town supervisor ed romaine during a back-to-school drive.

These things have gotten really expensive,” Losquadro said about Lunde and buying gifts around the holidays. Lunde’s son Mike said his mother has always been one to help others but, almost to a fault. “She doesn’t think of herself,” he said. When Mike was a child, his mother was a den mother for his Boy Scout troop, and took on other responsibilities when her kids were getting older. Regardless of her accomplishments, Lunde likes to stay in the background.

But whether she’s in the forefront at an event or working behind the scenes, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) said the Town is very happy to have her. “Someone like her really adds to what it means to be a part of a town,” Romaine said. “She’s the heart of Brookhaven because she takes the heart of all the problems and tries to make them better … we should have more people like her in this world. If we did, it’d be a much better place.”

County sheriff reduces return rate of inmates By ClayTon Collier

Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco has worked diligently over the last nine years going above and beyond what’s asked of his position. His creation and development of the Youth Re-Entry Task Force, a program created to rehabilitate youth inmates, among his other initiatives, has earned him the distinction of a 2015 Times Beacon Record Newspapers Person of the Year. “The sheriff has truly changed the culture of corrections in Suffolk County, and has put particular emphasis on rehabilitation of incarcerated youth,” said Kristin MacKay, director of public relations for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. “He has been at the forefront of the fight to eliminate state mandates for new county jail construction, which saved the county’s taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.” Though you wouldn’t know it from speaking with him, DeMarco did not initially intend to go into law enforcement. A Ronkonkoma native, DeMarco went to St. John’s University, graduating with a degree in economics in 1991. “I always had an interest in law enforcement,” DeMarco said. “But I didn’t think it was going to be my career.” After two years working in the financial industry in New York City, DeMarco transitioned into law enforcement, becoming a

Photo from Kristin MacKay

above, DeMarco is reducing the rate of recidivism in county jails.

deputy sheriff for Suffolk County in 1994. DeMarco took to the job quickly. “I think I have the best job in the world, I really do,” he said. “I love coming to work everyday. I love what I do.” DeMarco was named Suffolk County sheriff in 2006 and became the first uniformed member of the Sheriff’s Office to be elected sheriff, and one of the youngest sheriffs ever elected in Suffolk County. From the beginning of his tenure, De-

Marco said he has made working with youth inmates a priority of his administration. In 2011, DeMarco began assembling the partners needed for an undertaking like the Youth Re-Entry Task Force. “We needed partners on the outside in order to make this a success,” DeMarco said. “We needed housing. … We also had to find not-for-profits that were willing to come into the correctional facilities and do some counseling: drug counseling, anger management, life skill counseling, vocational counseling, all types of stuff to fill our program, so when they leave the facilities they actually have the tools to succeed instead of just warehousing them in a correctional facility where you’re not giving them any tools and they’re going to fail.” Among the most essential resources DeMarco and his administration found was housing for youths in Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson and Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch in Riverhead. Thaddaeus Hill, executive director of Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch — created and named in memory of his older brother — said the program has seen great success, highlighted by the 50 percent drop in recidivism among youths that enter the program. “Sheriff DeMarco has pioneered programs that few in this country have had the courage to take on,” Hill said. “He looks at the big picture beyond the walls of his jail and that has allowed him to make a sig-

nificant impact on the lives of many young people on Long Island.” Another key component was EasternSuffolk BOCES to incorporate education into the program. Barbara Egloff, divisional administrator for Eastern Suffolk BOCES and Oversight of the Jail Education Program and Career, Technical and Adult Education, said DeMarco has effectively used the strengths of all of his partnerships to make the program a success. “It is inspiring to work with Sheriff DeMarco,” Egloff said. “He has instilled the importance of effective collaboration to all who have the opportunity to work with him.” Suffolk County Court Judge Fernando Camacho, who heads the County’s Felony Youth Part, a program created in conjunction with Sheriff DeMarco, said it is rare to come across a sheriff so dedicated to creating better lives for his inmates after they have served their time. “I’ve worked in criminal justice my entire professional career, over 30 years, and I’ve worked with a lot of individuals running correctional facilities, and I can honestly say I’ve run across somebody who’s actually bringing in social workers and service providers into his jail to help young people to identify what the issues are, and to try to come up with solutions,” Camacho said. Camacho said it is important to work with youth inmates to improve their situatDEMARCO continued on page A20

December 31, 2015 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A17

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Harborfields school district residents voted in favor of $11.7 million in districtwide capital improvements, while also mowing down a $1.9 million plan to add turf fields. The proposals were presented to the public in two separate propositions in a referendum vote held on Tuesday. Proposition No. 1, the districtwide upgrades, received 1,248 yes votes and 573 no

PAGE A18 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • December 31, 2015

Budd, Longo lead fight to keep North Shore off drugs across the Island. “It just seemed that so many people were Tracey Budd’s son died of a heroin over- inboxing me and asking me for help,” she dose in September 2012. said. “I created the page so we could have One year later, Budd, of Rocky Point, was a centralized area where we share inforasked to speak at the North Shore Youth mation, and organize meetings where the Council. Since then, she’s ended up on a group could all meet up. I also organized public service announcement, “Not My meetings once a month so we could to teach Child,” that’s shown in high schools and people about advocacy.” middle schools along the North Shore, aidHaving a 12-year-old daughter, residents ing her in becoming an advocate for drug like Cristina Dimou attended the meetings abuse prevention and rehabilitation. She to begin to gather information on the issue. also teamed up with another mother, DebAbout one week ago, someone Dimou bie Longo, of Miller Place, and the two have knows suffered an unexpected overdose, become advocates for prevention and reha- she said. She immediately reached out to bilitation along the North Shore. Budd asking for guidance. It is because of their hard work and dedi“She gave me three phone numbers tellcation to fighting this issue on Long Island ing me who to call for what and even gave that they are 2015 Times me websites of rehabiliBeacon Record Newspa- ‘It takes a lot of guts to tation centers,” she said. pers People of the Year. checks up on me evcome out in the open and “She “I made the decision ery day, asking me if I’m not to be ashamed of do this and help people. okay and what’s going on. how he passed away,” There are a lot of people I don’t know her personBudd said. “Just from ally, but she had a sense speaking that one time hurting out there.’ of urgency and a willingat North Shore Youth — Sheila littler ness to help. I think that Council, it was so very speaks volumes.” healing for me, and so many things have Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sicome from that and taken me in a direc- nai) said with Budd’s outspokenness and tion that I never thought I’d be in, but it Longo’s long-standing knowledge of the seems like it’s my calling.” issue, they’ll be successful in their efforts. Janene Gentile, a drug and alcohol “These women put their energy, their counselor and executive director of the anger, their frustration, their sorrow into North Shore Youth Council, helped work something that is helpful to the commuon that PSA. nity,” she said. “I think they’re going to do “It was very powerful,” she said. “It was amazing work.” walking her through her grief. She has a lot Longo has been involved in advocacy of courage.” across the Island for the last five years, after Budd, who is also a member of Families her son suffered an overdose 10 years ago. in Support of Treatment, pulled together as Since then, her son has recovered, and curmuch information as she could, and this rently lives in Los Angeles as a director of past October, created a Facebook page — marketing for a rehabilitation center. North Shore Drug Awareness Advocates She said she found sending her son out — pooling together families from Rocky of state helped him recover, because once he Point, Miller Place, Mount Sinai and Shore- was done with his treatment, he wasn’t goham-Wading River to spread the word ing back to seeing the same people he knew about the rising concern over dangerous when he was using. drugs, like heroin, growing in popularity But she too has been involved in outBy Desirée Keegan

Photo above from Tracey Budd; photo below from Facebook

above, Tracey Budd poses for a photo with her son Kevin norris, who died of a heroin overdose in 2012. Below, Debbie Longo speaks at a Dan’s Foundation for recovery event.

reach and drug abuse prevention, aside from being to co-administrator of Budd’s Facebook page. “I get a call just about every day from a parent saying they have a kid that’s addicted and they don’t know what to do,” she said. “We’re losing kids left and right. We’re losing a generation is what we’re losing.” Longo is a part of a 501(c)3 not-for-profit program, Steered Straight, which spreads prevention in schools. Recovered addict Michael DeLeon leads the program. “You can hear a pin drop in the auditorium, that’s how dynamic of a speaker he is,” she said. “I can’t tell you how many kids come up to us at the end of the program and say, ‘I have a problem.’” Longo was the chapter coordinator for New York State for a website called The Addict’s Mom, and is currently the head of Before the Petals Fall, Magnolia Addiction Support’s New York chapter. She is a 12-step yoga teacher to recovering addicts, and does post-traumatic stress disorder programs to help those dealing with grief. As a retired nurse, Longo said she thought she’d know where to turn when she found out her son was an addict, but said she really didn’t know what to do. “There was such a bad stigma about addiction that you didn’t want to talk about it — you kind of suffered in silence,” she said. “If I was a nurse and had these contacts and didn’t know what to do, the average mother may have no idea. I’m trying to open the community up to what we have here on the North Shore.” Longo has helped mothers like Sheila “Terry” Littler, of Rocky Point, whose son is a second-time recovering heroin addict. Currently, he is three months sober. Knowing about treatment and where to get help, because it was something that started for her 13 years ago, Littler reached out to Longo for mental support. “It was nice to have somebody else that’s gone through it to talk to, to know you’re not alone,” Littler said. “But at the same

time, it’s sad that I’m not alone.” When her son relapsed after being four-and-a-half years sober, she reached out to Budd. “It takes a lot of guts to come out in the open and do this and help people,” she said. “There are a lot of hurting people out there.” She recently reached out to Longo about a friend of her son, who is a drug user, and the two were calling each other back and forth to find ways to overcome addiction. “She cared to take the time to help me,” she said. “She spent a whole day doing that with me — that’s dedication right there.” With the contacts Longo’s made with support centers and prevention agencies and Budd’s relationship with the county after creating the PSA, the two are teaming up to use their resources to form a coalition based on the Facebook page. It was also have the same name. It’s in its early stages, but the hope is to help spread awareness about prevention through schools. As part of a coalition, Budd said, you can also apply for grants, which she hopes will help fund the spread of their advocacy. “I felt Tracey was on the same path that I was on,” Longo said. “She is as tenacious as I am in what we’re trying to do.” Longo said that she and Budd are trying to be vigilantes and have started narcan training classes, like ones they’ve previously hosted in Miller Place and East Setauket, to continue to help fight the Island’s drug addiction problem. “I think together we’re a good team,” Budd said. “To me, you have a choice. You can either dig your head in the sand and be embarrassed that your child is an addict, or you can be proactive and say, ‘Enough of this, let’s help each other.’ When you speak to another parent that’s going through it, there’s a bond that you automatically create. In a way, I feel like my son is right there with me, helping these families. It’s very important to me, and I’m never going to stop doing it.”

December 31, 2015 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A19

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PAGE A20 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • December 31, 2015

Commack volunteer spruces up North Shore Seven Cents Club cleans community’s common spots throughout successful inaugural year, volunteers say

By Kevin Redding

Along Crooked Hill Road in Commack, garbage bags are piled up and filled with everything from fast-food wrappers to plastic cups and glass bottles. Tires, hubcaps, license plates and various construction materials are leaned up against a wooden post. Only an hour or two prior, all these items were littered over the roads, sidewalks and grass. However, thanks to 73-year-old retired Commack resident Ed Mikell, the founder of the Seven Cents Club of Commack — a volunteer group of young people and retirees alike — the community can enjoy something scarcely seen when traveling through any town: cleanliness. For all of his work cleaning up Commack, Mikell was named a 2015 Times of Smithtown Person of the Year. It all started when Mikell was cleaning a bus stop, where he discovered seven cents on the ground. “My father [is] super energetic,” said Ed’s daughter and cleanup volunteer Jennifer Mikell. “He’s been retired for eight years and in his retirement he’s really done a lot to help others, whether it’s helping people balance their finances and figure out their own retirement, or helping out a local charity group that he works at a couple days a week.” She explained that her father was frustrated that so many areas in his town had become so uncared for and unclean for so long.

demarco Continued from page A16

ions upon leaving the jail. “Rather than putting them Upstate for three years and forgetting about them, we’re actually thinking about it in a different way,” Camacho said. “Let’s see if we can figure out why this kid got in trouble, and let’s see if we can put a plan in place

“He wants to make the difference that nobody else is making.” On Sept. 21, 2014, Mikell first took it upon himself to clean up an “unofficial” bus stop on Crooked Hill Road simply because he didn’t want people to have to stand in garbage. He went home, equipped himself with pails and some tools and went to work. Using an abandoned shopping cart that had been turned sideways so people at the bus stop could sit down, Mikell filled up his pail four times, threw the garbage in the shopping cart, and wheeled it across the street to toss in a dumpster. After making the bus stop pristine, Mikell reached out to the supervisor of Smithtown along with other Suffolk County representatives for some help, as he had become driven to clean up his neighborhood. A year later, Mikell has rallied together a small group of determined volunteers and has partnered with Suffolk County’s AdoptA-Highway Program to secure cleanups on Crooked Hill Road up to its intersection with Commack Road. The unofficial bus stop now has a white bench and a brown garbage can marked “7 Cents Club of Commack” placed alongside it. “This is something that I thought would be a nice thing to do for the community,” Mikell said. “I’m just doing my part, [and] doing what I can as opposed to not doing something. I’m not marching and championing causes and all that stuff, but this is something I could put my hands around,

and maybe make a difference. Abraham Lincoln once said ‘I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives …’ and that’s on the letterhead for the Seven Cents Club.” The place in which Mikell lives has not ignored his efforts. Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset), who was among those first contacted by Mikell, sees him as “the epitome of a good citizen.” “He takes a bad situation and makes it better,” Kennedy said. “Instead of sitting around doing nothing in retirement, this man created something. He called the county to get the garbage picked up, he dealt with the town and he did everything that was needed. Who wants to live in ‘pigginess?’ I don’t think he had any other reason for doing it, other than to make something

that’s going to give this kid an opportunity to break out of the cycle and get back on track.” As DeMarco explains, the program’s numbers speak for themselves. “Nationally, the average inmate has an 83 percent chance of returning,” DeMarco said. “The kids that come through our program have a 23 percent chance of coming back; that’s a big difference.” Overall, the program contributes

to lowering the number of inmates in county jails, allowing DeMarco to prevent the costly undertaking of additional facilities. “It doesn’t cost us any more to provide these services to the youth in this facility, but the return we get is that they don’t come back to the facility and we lower the jail population, and that has enabled us not to build more jail cells; a huge cost to the taxpayers.”

File photos by Alex Petroski

Left, ed Mikell shows off a clean bus stop in Commack just as his Seven Cents Club launched earlier this year. Above, his newfound club sports its name on a spiffy garbage can in town.

better. We’ll never stop people from littering, [but] truthfully, the difference between last week and the end of what was done this week is noticeable. Really noticeable.” With volunteers from Dix Hills, Centereach and Hauppauge, there are hopes that this group will inspire more towns to have their own Ed Mikell and Seven Cents Club, but it won’t be easy. “That’s a big undertaking,” said Ed Feinberg, a Commack resident and club volunteer. “That would require a lot of time and effort. If I’ve walked away from this with one piece of knowledge it’s that it’s not easy, working your way through the red tape of county government and getting corroboration and information, but Ed’s done it. He’s done it very well.” In the future, DeMarco hopes to expand for additional age groups. The more people he can help, he says, the better. “If someone winds up touching the criminal justice system and they wind up in this facility, and we can find out the underlying reason why this crime was committed,” he said, “we can change that and change their behavior when they get out, we’ve increased public safety, and that’s the goal.”

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dinunzio

eastern region for many years and has opened his home to exchange students from other areas. Between those kids and others from the Northeast who had life-changing experiences overseas through the program, DiNunzio has made an impact on the lives of numerous young people. Engelhardt explained that a lot of them are now grown adults living all over the world, but whenever they are in the area they look up DiNunzio. She said Rotary is about using your life to make the world a better place, and DiNunzio does that. “Everybody’s part of something bigger,” Engelhardt said. “He’s not a child, but he’d be our poster child.” Brennan described DiNunzio’s meticulous nature, which is obvious when the volunteer manages one of the Rotary’s bank accounts. “He watches it like a hawk,” Brennan said. And he is meticulous about his physical fitness too. Brennan said DiNunzio brings an important strength to the Rotary: The club uses a heavy wooden sign when it col-

Continued from page A14

“He’s true blue,” said Engelhardt, who is also the director of the Comsewogue Public Library. “He’s got more energy than basically anybody I know.” Skydiving isn’t the only way DiNunzio brings in funding for Rotary. Engelhardt said the club holds an annual raffle fundraiser in which each member is expected to sell at least 25 tickets, but “without fail, Ed sells over 200 every year.” But it’s not just about the money — between attending to his family in Mount Sinai and his law practice in Port Jefferson, DiNunzio also gives his time. He is heavily involved in the Rotary Youth Exchange program, through which students study abroad and stay with a host family. According to Engelhardt, DiNunzio has lent a hand on an organizational level for the North-

lects food for donation, and “we depend on Ed” to bring it to the collections because he’s the only one who can lift it on his own. Once at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, a Center Moriches camp for kids with disabilities where the Rotary does cleanups and beautification, a group was planting perennials by a flagpole but the ground was hard, making digging difficult. “Old Ed, he just kept going at it,” Brennan said. “He never quit.” Brennan refers to the Person of the Year as “Mr. Rotary” because he has his hand in every program and gives his all. “When he gets involved with something … he puts his whole self into it and the results are easy to see,” he said. “He’s a very caring person and I think that he’s demonstrated that.”

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As a senior attending Seton Hall High School in 1965, Foley averaged 30 points per game. He also received a basketball scholar ship to attend Seton Hall University, where he served as the team’s captain from 1968-69. In 1994, he was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. “He is someone that could have gone anywhere to coach big-time athletics,” Adams said. “He’s been at the college for almost 37 years. That speaks to his dedication and it speaks to his love for our college and for the students.”

December 31, 2015 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A23

Borden a community staple in Kings Park By Miguel BustaMante

It isn’t easy to be more of a principal community participant in Kings Park than Miles Borden — even local history wouldn’t be quite the same without him, seeing as he literally wrote the book on it. “Miles and Charlie [Reichert] are very similar,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga). “They’re both very low-key, but they both [pull a lot of weight] and are able to get things done in the community.” Talking specifically of Borden, Trotta added, “He’s very well respected, just a great guy.” Six generations of the Borden clan have called Kings Park their home, dating as far back as the 19th century, even boasting the founding of the Lucien Memorial United Methodist Church. Borden has, himself, dedicated his personal and professional life to the community he loves. A graduate of Kings Park High School, Class of 1945, Borden, 88, continued his academic career by attaining collegiate degrees from Hofstra University, NYU and Oswego State where, in 1949, his mile relay team set a record time. For his knowledge and efforts, Borden has been named a 2015 Times of Smithtown Person of the Year. Back in Long Island, Borden enjoyed a 34-year career in public education as a schoolteacher then, ultimately, as interim superintendent at the Amityville school district. Throughout his tenure as an educator, Borden found time to volunteer at the Kings Park Fire Department, an endeavor that lasted over 60 years, and ultimately he became president of the department. Borden is also a consummate historian and a major contributor to local history. “He was afraid that the history of Kings Park was going to get washed away with the rain,” said his brother Noel Borden. “Everyone he talked to didn’t know a whole lot about the town because no one had taken the time to write anything about it.” This fear prompted Miles Borden to author five history books:

• “History of the Kings Park Fire Department”; • “The First One Hundred Years (1892-1992): Lucien Memorial United Methodist Church”; • “History of Kings Park in Words and Pictures”; • “History of Our School District Community: Fort Salonga, Kings Park, San Remo”; • “First One Hundred Years, Fire and Emergency Services: History of the Kings Park Fire Department and the Kings Park Fire District.” “He’s made Kings Park history come alive,” said Gail Hessel, a member of Smithtown Historical Society. “People didn’t really think about Kings Park having a history. And he’s even inspired me to write a book.

[Miles] is the kind of person that, if I was working on a book, he would encourage me by saying, ‘Good job.’” Along with his involvement with the fire department, Borden has served on several other local boards, including Suffolk County Parks and Kings Park Heritage Museum, where he is one of the founding members. Now Borden is looking to enjoy his post-retirement years with wife Leona. He has remained a consummate runner and even talks to the community’s youth of the importance of staying fit and active. But don’t be surprised if you still see him hitting the pavement for an early morning jog.

133960

Miles Borden is a major contributor to local history.

File photo

PAGE A24 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • December 31, 2015

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Mission Statement: In faith we come together to celebrate the Eucharist as a Parish Family; and as a Catholic community of faith, we are sent to be Christ to the world around us. Rev. James-Patrick Mannion, Pastor Rev. Daniel Opoku-Mensah, Associate Rev. Jon Fitzgerald, In Residence Weekday Masses: Monday – Saturday 8:00 am Weekend Masses: Saturday Vigil 5:00 pm Sunday 8:00am, 9:30 am (family), 11:30 am (choir), 6:00 pm (Youth) Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Friday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Baptisms: Sundays at 1:30 pm (except during Lent) Reconciliation: Saturdays 4:00 – 4:45 pm or by appointment Anointing Of The Sick: by request Holy Matrimony: contact the office at least 9 months before desired date

CONGREGATIONAL MT. SINAI CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

233 North Country Road, Mt. Sinai • (631) 473–1582 www.mtsinaichurchli.org “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here” Sunday Services at 10 am Sunday School and childcare oﬀered at the 10 am service and open to all infants to 8th grade. Last Sundays of the month: 10 am Welcome Sunday Service A service welcoming those with differing abilities We are an Open and Affirming Congregation.

EPISCOPAL ALL SOULS EPISCOPAL CHURCH “Our little historic church on the hill” across from the Stony Brook Duck Pond

Main Street, Stony Brook • (631) 751–0034

www.allsouls–stonybrook.org • allsoulsepiscopalchurch@verizon.net Please come and welcome our new Priests: The Rev. Dr. Richard Visconti, Priest–In–Charge The Rev. Farrell D. Graves, Priest Associate Sunday Holy Eucharist: 8 and 9:30 am Religious instruction for children follows the 9:30 am Service This is a small eclectic Episcopal congregation that has a personal touch. We welcome all regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey. Walk with us.

CAROLINE CHURCH OF BROOKHAVEN The Rev. Cn. Dr. Richard D. Visconti, Rector The Rev. Farrell Graves, Priest Associate

1 Dyke Road on the Village Green, Setauket Web site: www.carolinechurch.net Parish Office email: office@carolinechurch.net (631) 941–4245

Sunday Services: 8:00 am, 9:30 am and 11:15 am Church School/Child Care at 9:30 am Church School classes now forming. Call 941-4245 for registration Weekday Holy Eucharist’s: Thursday 12:30 pm and First Fri. of the month 7:30 pm (rotating: call Parish Oﬃce for location) Youth, Music and Service Programs oﬀered Let God walk with you as part of our family–friendly community.

To be listed in the Religious Directory, please call 751–7663

127 Barnum Ave., Port Jefferson (631) 473–0273 email: ccoffice@christchurchportjeff.org www.christchurchportjeff.org

Father Anthony DiLorenzo: Priest–In–Charge Sunday Eucharist: 8 am and 10 am/Wednesday 10 in our chapel Sunday School and Nursery at 9:30 am Our ministries: Welcome Inn on Mondays at 5:45 pm AA meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 pm/Prayer Group on Wednesdays at 10:30 am/Bible Study on Thursdays at 10 am. It is the mission of the people of Christ Church to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ and to make his love known to all through our lives and ministry. We at Christ Church are a joyful, welcoming community. Wherever you are in your journey of life we want to be part of it.

EVANGELICAL THREE VILLAGE CHURCH Knowing Christ...Making Him Known

322 Route 25A, East Setauket • (631) 941–3670 www.3vc.org

Lead Pastor Josh Moody Sunday Worship Schedule 9:15 am:Worship Service Sunday School (Pre–K – Adult), Nursery 10:30 am: Bagel/Coﬀee Fellowship 11:00 am: Worship, Nursery, Pre–K, Cornerstone Kids (Gr. K–4) We oﬀer weekly Teen Programs, Small Groups, Women’s Bible Studies (day & evening) & Men’s Bible Study Faith Nursery School for ages 3 & 4 Join us as we celebrate 55 years of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ!

JEWISH CHABAD AT STONY BROOK “Judaism with a smile”

Future site: East side of Nicolls Rd, North of Rte 347 –Next to Fire Dept. Current location: 821 Hawkins Ave., Lake Grove

(631) 585–0521 • (800) My–Torah • www.ChabadSB.com Rabbi Chaim & Rivkie Grossbaum Rabbi Motti & Chaya Grossbaum Rabbi Sholom B. & Chanie Cohen Membership Free •Weekday, Shabbat & Holiday Services Highly acclaimed Torah Tots Preschool • Afternoon Hebrew School Camp Gan Israel • Judaica Publishing Department • Lectures and Seminars • Living Legacy Holiday Programs Jewish Learning Institute Friendship Circle for Special Needs Children • The CTeen Network N’shei Chabad Women’s Club • Cyberspace Library www.ChabadSB.com Chabad at Stony Brook University – Rabbi Adam & Esther Stein

CORAM JEWISH CENTER

Young Israel of Coram 981 Old Town Rd., Coram • (631) 698–3939 YIC.org – YoungIsraelofCoram@gmail.com

RABBI DR. MORDECAI & MARILYN GOLSHEVSKY RABBI SAM & REBECCA GOLSHEVSKY

“THE ETERNAL FLAME–THE ETERNAL LIGHT” Weekly Channel #20 at 11 am Shabbat Morning Services 9 am Free Membership. No building fund. Free Hebrew School. Bar/Bat Mitzvah Shabbat and Holiday Services followed by hot buffet. Adult Education Institute. Women’s Education Group–International Lectures and Torah Study. Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Kaballah Classes. Jewish Holiday Institute. Tutorials for all ages. FREE HEBREW SCHOOL 2015–2016 Details (631)698–3939 Member National Council of Young Israel a world–wide organization. All welcome regardless of knowledge or observance level.

December 31, 2015 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A25

Religious

D irectory

JEWISH

METHODIST

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

NORTH SHORE JEWISH CENTER

BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP AT STONY BROOK

385 Old Town Rd., Port Jefferson Station (631) 928–3737 www.NorthShoreJewishCenter.org Rabbi Aaron Benson

33 Christian Ave/ PO2117 E. Setauket NY 11733 (631)941 3581 Rev. Gregory L. Leonard–Pastor

380 Nicolls Road • between Rte 347 & Rte 25A (631) 751–0297 • www.uufsb.org • oﬃce@uufsb.org

Rev. Margaret H. Allen

Cantor Daniel Kramer, Rabbi Emeritus Howard Hoffman Executive Director Marcie Platkin Services: Daily morning and evening minyan Friday at 8 pm; Saturday 8:45 am and one hour before sundown • Tot Shabbat Family Kehillah • Sisterhood • Men’s Club • Seniors Club • Youth Group Award–winning Religious School • Teen Community Service Program Nursery School • Mommy and Me • Preschool Summer Program Continuing Ed • Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah • Judaica Shop Thrift Shop • Kosher Catering Panel We warmly welcome you to our Jewish home. Come worship, study and enjoy being Jewish with our caring NSJC family. Member United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

COMMACK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

TEMPLE ISAIAH (REFORM)

SETAUKET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

109 Brown’s Road, Huntington, NY 11743 631–427–9547

A warm and caring intergenerational community dedicated to learning, prayer, social action, and friendship.

Rev. Sandra B. Mantz, Pastor

Rev. G. Jude Geiger, Minister

1404 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook • (631) 751–8518 Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel Cantor Michael F. Trachtenberg Emeritus Cantor Scott Harris Rabbi Emeritus Stephen A. Karol Rabbi Emeritus Adam D. Fisher

Member Union for Reform Judaism Sabbath Services Friday 7:30 pm and Saturday 10 am Monthly Family Service • Monthly Tot Shabbat • Religious School Youth Groups • Senior Club • Adult Education • Chavurah Groups • Early AM Studies • Sisterhood • Brotherhood • PT

LUTHERAN–ELCA

Sunday Worship 10:30 am Adult Sunday School 9:30 am Lectionary Reading and Prayer Wed. 12 noon Gospel Choir Tues. 8 pm Praise Choir and Youth Choir 3rd and 4th Fri. 6:30 pm

486 Townline Road, Commack Church Office: (631)499–7310 Fax: (631) 858–0596 www.commack–umc.org • mail@commack–umc.org Rev. Linda Bates–Stepe, Pastor 160 Main Street, Corner of 25A and Main Street East Setauket • (631) 941–4167

www.setauketumc.org • SUMCNY@aol.com Sunday Worship Service & Church School 10 am 10 am Worship with Holy Communion Mary & Martha Circle (Women’s Ministry) monthly on 2nd Tuesday at noon Adult Bible Study Sunday 8 am Prayer Group and Bible Study at the Church Wednesdays 10 am

PRESBYTERIAN SETAUKET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

ST. PAULS LUTHERAN CHURCH

5 Caroline Avenue ~ On the Village Green ~ (631) 941–4271 • www.setauketpresbyterian.org Email: setauketpresbyterian@verizon.net

Rev. Paul A. Downing, Pastor email: pastorpauldowning@yahoo.com • pastors cell: 347–423–3623 church website: wwwStPaulsLCPJS.org Services Sundays – 8:30 am and 10:30 am Holy Communion Bibles and Bagels 9:30 am Sunday School during 10:30 am service Wednesday Evening 7:30 pm – Holy Communion Friday Morning Power of Prayer Hour 10:30 am ~ All are Welcome ~

Join us in Worship at 9:30 am Church School (PreK-7th Grade) at 9:45 am Adult Christian Education Classes at 11 am: Service Opportunities: Open Door Ministry Open House : November 8th Furnishing homes ... Finding hope Openings for MWF Preschool 4’s program 2015–2016 Janet Craig, Director All are welcome to join this vibrant community for worship, music (voice and bell choirs), mission (local, national and international), and fellowship. Call the church office or visit our website for current information on church activities. SPC is a More Light Presbyterian Church and part of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians working toward a church as generous and just as God’s grace.

309 Patchogue Road, Port Jefferson Station (631)473–7157

Rev. Mary Barrett Speers, Pastor Rev. Kate Jones Calone, Assistant Pastor

(minister@uufsb.org) Sunday Service: 10:30 am

Religious Education at UUFSB: Unitarian Universalism accepts wisdom from many sources and offers non-dogmatic religious education for children from 3-18 to foster ethical and spiritual development and knowledge of world religions. Classes Sunday mornings at 10:30 am. Childcare for little ones under three. Senior High Youth Group meetings Sunday evenings. Registration is ongoing. For more information: dre@uufsb.org.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF HUNTINGTON www.uufh.org

(minister@uufh.org) Starr Austin, religious educator (dreuufh@gmail.com) Whoever you are, whomever you love, wherever you are on your life’s journey, you are welcome here. Our services offer a progressive, non-creedal message with room for spiritual seekers. Services and Religious Education each Sunday at 10:30 am Youth Group, Lifespan Religious Education for Adults, Adult and Children’s Choirs Participants in the Huntington Interfaith Housing Initiative Find us on Facebook and Twitter

UNITY UNITY CHURCH OF HEALING LIGHT 203 East Pulaski Rd., Huntington Sta. (631) 385–7180 www.unityhuntingtonny.org

Rev. Saba Mchunguzi

Unity Church of Healing Light is committed to helping people unfold their Christ potential to transform their lives and build spiritual community through worship, education, prayer and service. Sunday Worship & Church School 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Night Prayer Service 7:30 p.m. Sign Language Interpreter at Sunday Service

LUTHERAN–LCMS MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL & DAYCARE 465 Pond Path, East Setauket (631)751-1775 www.messiahny.com

Rev. Charles Bell - Pastor We welcome all to join us for worship & fellowship Sunday Worship Services 8:15am, 9:30am & 11:00am Sunday School at 9:30 am NYS Certified Preschool & Day Care Program Please call for details

To be listed in the Religious Directory, please call 751–7663

To Subscribe: Please Call 631.751.7744 or Subscribe online at www.northshoreoflongisland.com

PAGE A26 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • December 31, 2015

We Pick The Winners:

87.5%

Of The Candidates We Endorsed In The Recent Elections

Won 14 ouT of 16 races

Election 2015

Bellone

Bellone can do it. He demonstrates an understanding of complex issues.

Romaine

Ed Romaine has a solid record of getting things done.

Losquadro

In one of the most tangible litmus tests, Losquadro has remained accessible with his office’s attempts at putting a dent in a backlog of road repaving and repair projects, while also admitting there was no way he could tend to every single one.

Cartright

Cartright’s perspective and life experience is necessary to the Brookhaven Town Board.

Hahn

Hahn is accessible to the people she represents, and her ideas are moving the county in the right direction

Berland

[Berland] has worked to sponsor legislation that’s made a difference, including laws that help put an end to blight and legislation to regulate the invasive bamboo, which can frequently be a nuisance to neighbors.

Cook

Cook’s greatest strength lies in being the sole minority party member on the board, and his willingness to speak up when something fishy is going on, whether he’s right or wrong.

Trotta

A focused and practical lawmaker, Trotta has served his district – the Town of Smithtown and a small portion of Huntington Town – well in the last two years.

Kennedy

She may be untraditional in her approach, but we feel Leslie Kennedy truly wants to respond to the needs of her constituents and has a firm grasp of the issues to respond accordingly.

Stern

Experience is invaluable, and for that, coupled with his achievements, we say elect Stern to a final term in office.

Spencer

Spencer is a well-organized, caring legislator who has done good things for his constituents.

Anker

Anker’s ear has been easily available to constituents since she took office in 2011 and she takes what she hears to heart.

Bonner

Bonner has proven she is a caring and effective councilwoman. She should be reelected to a fifth term.

Muratore

Suffolk County Legislator Tom Muratore (R-Ronkonkoma) said he doesn’t consider himself a politician but, instead, a man of the people. We agree.

LaValle

We have a feeling LaValle, a Republican who grew up in Middle Country, will only keep getting better as time goes on. He has shown high energy and commitment. [Losing candidates that we endorsed: Wehrheim, Creighton, Luft)

In ThE 45 COmmunITIEs WE sERvE

With Our 6 newspapers and tbrnewsmedia.com

OUR iMPressiVe infLuence

could help Your Business Get More customers! Join our Winning Team advertise With us in Print and online call 631.751.7744 Times Beacon Record News Media Our Business Is Increasing Your Business

Legals Notice of formation of North Country Yoga LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 9/17/15. Office location in Suffolk County. SSNY has been designated for service of pro-

cess. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 87B N Country Rd, Miller Place, NY 11764. 452 11/26 6x tmc

Continued from page A14

“Year-round she is involved in projects like this,” Engelhardt said about Rybak. “She tries to be everything that anyone needs, which can be exhausting. She is helping families from falling through the cracks and they are really fortunate to have someone who has the time and energy to be that person.” Jim Fenton is one of the oldest volunteers at Infant Jesus and has worked with Rybak closely. “Vicki is extremely resourceful when someone comes to her with a problem,” Fenton said. “She has all these phone numbers at her fingertips, and is very compassionate too.” Fenton added that Rybak devotes time to applying for grants to keep the food pantries stocked and keep the equipment working — “all of her own initiative.” “She goes above and beyond what is in her job description,” Fenton added. “There is nothing she won’t do.” Sharon Brennan, another Rotary Club member, shared an anecdote of working with Rybak. Once, a couple went to her office crying because a fire had destroyed everything they owned. “Vicki started making calls immediately, getting them stuff over the phone, getting Christmas presents for their chil-

dren,” Brennan said. “She just goes into high gear and makes stuff happen.” Rybak is involved in many different programs throughout the year, including the Adopt-A-Family program for the holiday season, through which volunteers purchase Christmas presents such as toys and clothes for families who do not have enough money to spend on those items themselves. That project gets a lot of residents and community groups involved, including the Interact Club at Port Jefferson’s Earl L. Vandermeulen High School, right down the road from the church. The Person of the Year also works on a back-to-school project, filling up 150 backpacks with school supplies — such as composition notebooks and pencils — for children at the start of the each new school year, with the help of community donations. “Vicki somewhere, somehow finds a way to help them, no matter what they need,” Laszlo Girhiny, a church member, said about Rybak’s dedication to local people in need. “Hundreds of people have walked through her doors.” If Rybak cannot help people herself, she connects them with other social service agencies so the job can get done. “She has the right attitude and always treats the people she helps with dignity,” Brennan said. “She says everyone has been there one time in their life.”

TImeS BeacoN RecoRd Presents

BRIdGeS A Resource Guide Featuring Stony Brook Medicine and University Offerings for the Community and Shops & Services of the North Shore Business Communities serving Stony Brook Staff

February 25, 2016

To be published at the beginning of the spring semester, Bridges will be distributed to the doctors and healthcare professionals at the hospital and faculty and administrators on campus, as well as inserted into the full run of six Times Beacon Record Newspapers and published with an interactive fully searchable online version on our web site, tbrnewsmedia.com. Included will be hospital updates on the future of healthcare, clinical programs, technologies and healthcare reform as well as university events, exhibits and the schedule of SBU games for the sports season.

In town, our north shore business community will have the opportunity to reach SBU professionals with their products and services.

Published in All 6 Hometown Newspapers • The Village TIMES HERALD • The Village BEACON RECORD • The TIMES of Huntington, Northport & East Northport

• The Port TIMES RECORD • The TIMES of Smithtown • The TIMES of Middle Country

To be part of this issue, reaching readers in a very select audience on the North Shore,

CALL your Sales Representative today at

631.751.7744 For Details and Rates. Deadline January 28

Times Beacon RecoRd

RYBAK

December 31, 2015 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • PAGE A27

CSH Lab continues to test the limits of science It is not typically a group that gets carried away with praise. Often participants work under controlled conditions, testing results, retesting them and waiting for approval from reviewers. Yet members of this group heap unrestrained praise on Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a facility that looks like a picturepostcard, with boats in the background during the summer and a flourish of foliage in the fall. “It’s a wonderful scientific environment,” said Dennis Steindler, senior scientist and director of the Neuroscience and Aging Lab at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. “It represents a very important mecca. It has its own unique environment that fosters creativity and exceptional science.” This year CSHL, which has been home at one point or another to eight Nobel Prize winning scientists, is celebrating its 125th year. For the research center’s contributions and its ongoing commitment to producing top-flight research, The Times of Huntington & Northport awards the staff at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory its People of the Year. Patricia Wright, distinguished service professor of anthropology at Stony Brook University, said CSHL has more than made its mark. “There’s so many things that have

come out of that lab that have changed the world,” she said. “Contributing to the human genome project is an important step that is leading to medical genomics which may, one day, prevent diseases before they happen.” Researchers led by Bruce Stillman — president and chief executive officer of CSHL and a scientist who studies how errors in DNA replication are involved in diseases such as cancer — conduct experiments that may reveal key processes in cancer and autism, branching in plants, neural circuits involved in decision-making and much more. The lab’s research is broken down into five categories: cancer, neuroscience, quantitative biology, plant biology, and bioinformatics-and-genomics. Each of these fields generates research papers every year that not only advance an understanding of basic science, but also offer potential to change the world by taking a novel approach to a disease or increasing plant crop yields. Zachary Lippman, associate professor at Watson School of Biological Sciences at CSHL, published a paper earlier this year in nature genetics in which he identified a set of genes that controls stem-cell production in tomatoes. Mutations in these genes can explain the origin of the beefsteak tomato, which may help breeders fine-tune fruit size in any fruit-bearing crop. Gregory Hannon, adjunct professor and

investigator at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, meanwhile, teamed up with Associate Professor Michael Schatz, among others, to characterize the entire genome for a flatworm found in Italy that can regenerate almost its entire body after an injury. These results, which were published in an edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a scientific journal, can provide a genetic road map to study the worm and its remarkable regeneration abilities. These and many other studies published in high-profile scientific journals build on the work done by researchers such as Nobel Prize winner Barbara McClintock, who discovered transposable elements, or jumping genes, in maize. The people that work at CSHL know, implicitly, that they are “standing on the backs of giants,” said Wright. Founded in 1890, CSHL made seminal discoveries in science, including a study on hybrid vigor by George Harrison Shull, in which crossbred corn produced some 20 percent higher yields than natural pollination. In the 1940s Milislav Demerec, the lab director, discovered that exposing penicillin to X-rays increased the yield of a drug which was important during World War II. Modern researchers who have spent time at CSHL praise the culture and opportunity. “Science has always driven things here,” said Richard McCombie, a professor who has been at CSHL since 1992. When he

moved to an off-campus building, he recalled Stillman said, “It’ll be up to you guys to make sure the new people are imbued with the culture of the lab.” Jan Witkowski, executive director of the Banbury Center at CSHL, said the lab is unique because of its combination of research and education. “One of the most interesting things is this combination of very high level research and very high level of education and communication,” Witkowski said. “There’s no other institute in the world that does both of those things at the level we do it here.” Giselle Barkley contributed reporting.

Photo by Giselle Barkley

after 125 years Cold Spring Harbor laboratory continues to educate its students and conduct research.

145127

By Daniel Dunaief

PAGE A28 • THE TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY • December 31, 2015

From Couch Bound to Beach Bound: Achieving Fitness for the First Time at 50-Plus

Debbie Martel Age: 52 Height: 5’8” Hometown: Hampton Bays, NY Weight Lost: More than 140 pounds Name:

WHY SURGERY: With weight-related diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, I realized that my life would be cut short like my dad’s was. I decided I want to stay around. HER PROGRAM: After researching my options, I chose a gastric sleeve procedure. Dr. Aurora Pryor performed it on July 5, 2012, using five little incisions with no scarring. I was in and out of surgery in an hour and a half, and I only stayed one night in the hospital. And the help I got from the entire Bariatric and Metabolic Weight Loss Center team has been outstanding. RESULTS: I am just about back to my high school weight and can wear jeans again. Even more important, I've gone from taking six medications daily for my health problems to taking none. None! BONUS: Shopping for clothes and walking on the beach are a lot more fun. And I never thought I would say this, but if I don’t exercise, I miss it! BOTTOM LINE: Having bariatric surgery is the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 14061573H

138704

For more information call (631) 444-BARI (2274) or visit bariatrics.stonybrookmedicine.edu