The Village Times Herald - February 25, 2021

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VILLAGE TIMES HERALD

S TO N Y B R O O K • O L D F I E L D • S T R O N G’S N E C K • S E TAU K E T • E A S T S E TAU K E T • S O U T H S E TAU K E T • P O Q U OT T • S TO N Y B R O O K U N I V E R S I T Y

Vol. 46, No. 1

February 25, 2021

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Calm after the storm Sighs of relief

Suffolk County residents share their experiences getting the COVID-19 vaccine

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A Potpourri of Art heads to Port Jefferson Village Center B1 SPACE RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBER ADDRESS

Last week’s snowstorm created a few more inches of snow and left beautiful winter scenes in its wake, from Stony Brook’s All Souls Church to Setauket’s Emma S. Clark Memorial Library.

Left photo by Daniel Kerr; right photo by Lisa DeVerna

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PAGE A2 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

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Town Fundraising auction for open door exchange

CARPET • RUGS • HARDWOOD andersontuftex.com

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Open Door Exchange — a local organization that gives furniture to people in need — will hold an online fundraising auction from 9 a.m. Thursday, February 25 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 5.

The fundraiser called Furnishing Hope will end with a virtual live party Saturday, March 6 at 7 p.m.

The auction features baskets, experiences for individuals and families — such as a backyard acoustic concert or a kayak tour or S’mores Night by the campfire — and gift cards. The party is an evening of familyfriendly games and activities including music and live announcements of auction winners.

Fundraiser events are free but registration is required. To register, visit the Open Door Exchange website at www.opendoorexchange. org and click on the event registration tabs on the home page. A link will be emailed to you.

Open Door Exchange accepts donations of gently-used furniture from the public and

Open Door Exchange accepts donations of gently-used furniture at its Port Jefferson Station warehouse. Photo from Open Door Exchange Facebook page

gives it to those who can’t afford to buy home furnishings. The ODE warehouse is in Port Jefferson Station. For more information on how to give or receive furniture, call 631-7510176 or email office@opendoorexchange.org.

ODE is a ministry of the Setauket Presbyterian Church, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The VILLAGE TIMES HERALD (USPS 004-808) is published Thursdays by TBR News Media, 185 Route 25A, Setauket, NY 11733. Periodicals postage paid at Setauket, NY and additional mailing offices. Subscription price $59 annually. Leah S. Dunaief, Publisher. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

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FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A3

County

Vaccinated folks talk the process, hopes for the future

BY RITA J. EGAN AND JULIANNE MOSHER RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM, JULIANNE@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM With last week’s announcement that Suffolk County Community College in Selden will be the county’s third mass-vaccination site, in addition to the SCCC campuses in Brentwood and Riverhead, more people are itching to get their shots.

Many, who over the last several months expressed discontent with the vaccination process, were finally able to get their appointments.

Mary McCarthy, a 98-year-old Sound Beach resident, was anticipating her shot. Earlier this week, she got her first injection.

“It didn’t hurt a bit,” she said. “I feel fine.

No aftershock or anything, and I hope after the shots we’ll get back to normal so I can go see my friends again.”

The senior said she is most excited to get back with her group, where in pre-COVID times, they’d play cards every week.

Her granddaughter helped McCarthy set up the appointment at Walgreens in Medford. Her second shot will be 28 days from the first round,

closer to home in the Miller Place location.

She has advice for people who might be skeptical.

“Don’t be afraid,” she said. “It didn’t hurt a bit, and you’ll feel better knowing that you won’t get anything else.”

Three Village resident Stefanie Werner went to the vaccination site at Stony Brook University with her 81-year-old father. As a teacher, who also has an underlying heart condition, Werner was also able to get the vaccine.

“Even though booking our appointments was stressful and nerve-racking, the actual experience was anything but,” she said. “The site is extremely well organized, with all aspects, from check-in to our 15-minute postobservation, coordinated and easy to follow.”

Werner commended the individuals working at the SBU location “from the officer at the entrance, to the members of the National Guard guiding the outside check-in — out in the snow no less — to the RNs at the registration desk and the vaccinators who were friendly and comforting, all while plunging a needle swiftly and painlessly into our arms.”

“These people are the frontline to our return to normalcy,” she said. “They are deserving of recognition for their hard work and empathy as we continue our ascent out of this pandemic.”

Due to her health problems, Werner said she has been vigilant during the pandemic.

“I honestly don’t think I am going to change my ways much after the second dose, especially with all the new variants and the fact that my daughter is in school five days,” she said. “There are still too many unknowns, and I absolutely feel more people should be vaccinated before I return to some semblance of my old normal. It’s my hope that people maintain COVID protocols until our safety and security is more certain.”

Adam Fisher of Port Jefferson Station also headed to the university with his wife where they “deeply appreciate the perfect organization. Our thanks to the person or persons who organized this program and all the people who staffed the site. The people were helpful, cheerful and welcoming. The shot itself was painless.”

He said the entire process went well and was a smooth process.

“From start to finish we were guided through it,” he said. “The staff was helpful, cheerful, welcoming — they could not have been nicer.

The vaccination itself was painless — the most pain-free injection I ever had.”

Fisher said he felt “absolutely fine,” with the exception of a mild headache that two Tylenol tablets fixed.

“I urge everyone to be vaccinated,” he said, adding that after their second shots, the couple are looking most forward to being together

Above, Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis, Stony Brook Medicine Vice President for Health System Clinical Programs and Strategy Dr. Margaret McGovern, 25,000 COVID-19 Vaccine recipient and Southampton resident Veronica Lang with her husband James, SBU mascot Wolfie, and Lisa Santeramo, assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs.

Below, Mary McCarthy, of Sound Beach, received her vaccine at Walgreens in Medford. Photo above from Stony Brook Medicine, photo below from Kevin McCarthy

with their children and grandchildren again.

On Feb. 18, the university announced it reached 25,000 people with vaccinations within one month since the first vaccines were shipped for the general public.

“The fight against COVID-19 has been a difficult and long one, but SUNY campuses have remained steady each step of the way as the target has moved in beating back the pandemic,” said State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras in a statement.

“I thank Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis and her leadership team for making this effort a priority, and for ensuring that Long Islanders have the protection they need to end this pandemic.”

The new SCCC site will add about 8,000 more vaccines as of this week.

Paul Guttenberg, of Commack, is about to turn 52. As an EMT/driver for the Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps, he was able to get the vaccine and has already received both doses at the Long Island Ducks stadium through the Northwell Health program.

“I had no side effects other than a sore arm and was tired for about one day,” he said, adding it was the same for both times.

Guttenberg, who is a sales rep in field sales, said he would like to return to a normal work schedule. He is also looking forward to traveling again and seeing his family, including his parents who live in Cincinnati, Ohio, “without fear of getting others sick with COVID.”

“What would make me happy is to see 80% or more of this country get vaccinated and put an end to this pandemic,” he said.

Tara Shobin, 45, of Smithtown, was able to get the vaccine because she’s a teacher.

She received her first dose of the Moderna vaccine Feb. 6.

“I was lucky enough to have my cousin let me know that appointments were available at Nassau Community College which was only available to teachers,” Shobin said.

The Smithtown resident said when she showed up for her Feb. 6 appointment, she waited no more than five minutes.

“As I was waiting, I was holding back tears because I finally could see an end to this horrible virus,” she said.

After getting the shot, Shobin was told to go to the waiting room for 15 minutes so she could be monitored. She said she felt fine until the next day but her reaction was mild.

“I had a very sore arm and a slight headache,” she said.

Shobin said she’s looking forward to life returning to normal and doing things with her family, which includes her husband and two children, such as going on vacation, visiting museums and socializing.

“It crushes me to see my children’s life hindered so much,” she said. “I try to help people get appointments if I can. I can’t wait to see this horrible virus behind us. Let’s crush this virus!”

PAGE A4 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

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FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A5

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PAGE A6 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Town

P.J. Harbour Club takes over former Due Baci space

BY JULIANNE MOSHER JULIANNE@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM A new Italian steakhouse with innovative cuisine is coming to Port Jefferson village, and it all started because of two friends playing golf.

Joe Guerra, of Port Jefferson, and Michael Russell met about a year ago at the Port Jefferson Country Club. While the two were playing, they got to talking — they decided to become business partners and open up a restaurant.

And that’s how the P.J. Harbour Club was born.

Guerra has over 40 years of restaurant, hotel, catering and club experience locally and globally.

He studied at the Culinary Institute of America and received classical training — so when he retired from the industry, not too long ago, he just wanted to play golf.

“And then he convinced me to come back,” he laughed, gesturing at Russell.

Russell, an East Setauket native, worked for several major Wall Street firms and said has been a partner and investor for restaurants throughout his career. When Guerra mentioned opening a new space, the active community member — who retired in April — said, “Why not?”

“It got exciting because of Joe and his experience,” Russell said. “We get along.”

It took about nine months to negotiate the

building that once was the home to The Graceful Rose and, as of more recently, Due Baci. The Italian restaurant closed its doors shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, in January of last year.

Last week, the two were able to start renovating the space and make it their own.

“We hit the ground running,” Guerra said.

“Since last week, we’ve already done a lot of changes in the place, kitchen-wise, and are going through the permit process.”

The goal is to be a friendly place where everyone in the neighborhood can get together while enjoying good food and a glass of wine.

“People are excited because they know us,” Guerra added. “It’s going to be gathering place where our old friends, our current friends and the new friends that we’re going to be making in the area can meet.”

And the two want to complement the other restaurants throughout the village. They don’t want to compete.

“We know a lot of the people that own the restaurants in the village and they’re all doing a great job,” Russell said. “We’re just a little bit different. Our intention is to be different.”

The restaurant that sits on the second level of 154 W Broadway will bring classic and unique entrees to customers, in a trendy, but comfortable, setting.

Joe Guerra, left, and Michael Russell, right, are preparing to open up a new Italian steakhouse in the village. Photo by Julianne Mosher

Along with the minor cosmetic renovations, Russell said they will be adding dining banquettes to sit in, with photos of Port Jefferson’s history along the walls.

“It’s just something that we wanted to do —

it’s not something that we needed to do,” Russell said. “I think that that’s the difference — we want to do this so that the public will really enjoy it.”

The P.J. Harbour Club is anticipating an early spring opening.

Ray Manzoni named new ALS Ride for Life president

BY JULIANNE MOSHER JULIANNE@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM The ALS Ride for Life board of directors unanimously appointed Ray Manzoni as president of the organization.

Manzoni, of Miller Place and proprietor of Manzoni Real Estate located in Mount Sinai, replaces Chris Pendergast, a beloved community member and founder of the nonprofit, who died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in October after a 28-year-long battle.

But Manzoni said Pendergast’s legacy will live on, and he’ll be there to help see the organization through.

When ALS Ride for Life was incorporated back in 1997, Manzoni stood alongside Pendergast — a man he became good friends with.

“We had been friends for years before he was diagnosed. Then he sucked me in and here I am 28 years later,” he laughed. “I knew him well. I knew his mind. He taught me well.”

While Pendergast was still alive and spreading awareness on ALS (often referred to as Lou Gehrig disease), the new president

served on the board of directors, eventually — and currently — as board chairman.

“Chris was a nationally known leader in the world of ALS,” Manzoni said. “I was proud to be his friend. I look forward to continuing his mission and that of our organization toward providing patient services, awareness and supporting research so that a cure can one day be found.”

ALS Ride for Life started when Pendergast embarked on a ride with his electric scooter from Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to Washington, D.C., 22 years ago to raise awareness about the disease and raise funds for research. After a few years, the ride was contained to New York state — from Riverhead to the Bronx — where participants stop by schools along the way that take part in the organization’s presentations throughout the school year.

Pendergast, a Miller Place resident and former Northport elementary teacher, had lived with the disease for 28 years. When doctors diagnosed him, they thought he only had a few years to live. He lived to be 71.

Pendergast became an icon and symbol

Ray Manzoni Photo from ALS Ride for Life

for the North Shore for never giving up.

Even as he lost the ability to speak and

had to communicate with an eye-to-speech device, his determination never seemed to relent. Just this year, Pendergast, alongside his wife Christine, released the book “Blink Spoken Here: Tales from a Journey to Within” about his life since his diagnosis in 1993.

The ALS Ride for Life organization has raised over $10 million for advocacy and research. Their yearly Ride for Life trips were later accompanied by visits to close to 90 school districts on Long Island.

“His story still resonates,” Manzoni said.

“ALS is not gone.”

The new president is looking forward to keeping Pendergast’s legacy alive.

“We fortunately have this great team,” he said. “We held it all together and are refining in these COVID times.”

Known to visit schools and give presentations on the disease, the group had to change shape to get their word out, while adhering to coronavirus guidelines. But he is asking people to continue supporting their local nonprofits.

“The kids want this, administrators want this,” he said.

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A7

Health

Fauci disappointed with ‘counterproductive’ political response to COVID

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM Looking back on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, expressed his frustration with the reaction to recommended safety measures.

“Public health issues got entangled in the profound divisiveness in our society,” Fauci said in a public discussion with the College of William & Mary president, Katherine Rowe, last week.

“When you’re dealing with a common enemy, which is the virus, it is very counterproductive to be divisive over virtually everything you do.”

Fauci was frustrated that wearing a mask became a political statement, calling that “ridiculous” and suggesting that it “accounted for a less-than-optimal response that this country had.”

The disagreements were based “not on facts and science, but on political differences,” he said. In the next year, however, Fauci expressed hope that the country would have the virus under control and that it would eventually no longer threaten public health.

“I believe we’re going to get there within this calendar year,” Fauci said on the William & Mary call. “The problem is that a global pandemic requires a global response and if we don’t

participate as [have] the other developed nations in the EU and in the U.K. and Canada and Australia, if we don’t participate in a program, in COVAX, that helps provide vaccines for the developing world ... our problem will never go away.”

Indeed, last week, President Joe Biden (D) pledged $4 billion to the COVAX program at the G7 meeting.

Fauci pushed an initial estimate back for the time when vaccines for the virus would be available broadly to the United States population.

“One of the disappointments, which made me change [the] estimate, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which we anticipated would be coming in significant quantities in March and April, we learned that they will not have significant quantities until likely May and June,” Fauci said.

Reacting to a question from William & Mary Student Assembly president, Anthony Joseph, Fauci said, “Somebody like yourself, a young person, will likely have to wait until May.” In response to a question about whether a vaccinated individual could be a carrier for COVID-19, Fauci said it is a “theoretical possibility — how likely that is, we do not know.”

The vaccination might prevent someone from showing clinical signs of the disease, but it might not keep someone from being a carrier.

He recommends people who have received the vaccine continue to wear a mask when they’re in the presence of people who have not been vaccinated, to prevent the possibility of infecting someone else.

New York State vaccinations

Snowstorms throughout the country this winter have disrupted the process of distributing vaccines.

New York State Department of Health said facilities where people scheduled appointments will connect with them before and during storms.

“As has been the case for past postponements, if any vaccine appointments at state-run sites are impacted by winter weather, they will be rescheduled over the following seven days,” a DOH spokesman said in a statement. “New Yorkers with appointments scheduled will receive an email or text message to reschedule their vaccination.”

Each resident who received a first dose at a state-run site will get a reminder email 24 hours before their second dose appointment.

When residents of the Empire State receive their first shot, they are required to schedule a second dose during that appointment.

Anyone who missed their appointment for a second shot should contact the call center to

reschedule, if possible.

The state is required to keep a second dose on hand up to 42 days after a first shot, even though people who receive the Pfizer vaccine should get their second dose three weeks after the first shot and those who get the Moderna vaccine should return four weeks later. After 42 days, the state site can give the vaccine to someone else.

New York State requires all providers to keep a daily list of standby eligible people, in the event that an appointment opens up.

“As soon as providers are aware that there are more doses than people to be vaccinated, standby eligible individuals should be called, or other steps must be taken to bring additional eligible recipients to the facility or clinic before the acceptable use period expires,” the Health Department said in a statement.

Recognizing that the vaccination process can go awry during storms, providers can administer the vaccine to other public facing employees if extra doses remain at the end of a clinic and no one from a priority population can arrive before the doses expire.

As an example, the DOH suggested that commercial pharmacists who had already vaccinated eligible residents can offer VACCINE CONTINUED ON A14

Kindergarten Registration for the 2021-2022 School Year The Three Village Central School District offers a full-day kindergarten program for district residents. In order to be admitted to Kindergarten in September, a child must be five years of age, on or before December 1st, during the school year in which they enter kindergarten.

A proof of residency (a lease, deed, tax bill or signed contract) must be provided, along with the child’s original birth certificate, and a copy of their immunization records at the time of registration.

Children must registered with the Registrar’s Office at the North Country Administration Center prior to Kindergarten screening.

The registration process has been moved online and can be started at the Student Registration page of the Three Village website.

Choose Student Registration under the “District” drop down menu, or type the following address into a browser: http://www.threevillagecsd.org/parents_and_community/student_registration.

Additional information can be obtained by calling the Registrar’s office at 631–730–4555.

This year’s Kindergarten Screening dates are: SETAUKET: 5/10 - 5/11 MINNESAUKE: 5/12 - 5/13 ARROWHEAD: 5/14 - 5/17 NASSAKEAG: 5/18 - 5/19 MOUNT: 5/20 - 5/21

Kindergarten Screening information is located on the Three Village CSD website under the kindergarten tab.

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PAGE A8 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Movers and Shakers

Port Jefferson brothers launch Anchor East clothing line

BY JULIANNE MOSHER JULIANNE@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM Two Port Jefferson Station brothers used quarantine to create something special — a new clothing brand they’re calling Anchor East.

Phil and Patrick O’Brien are finalizing the unisex T-shirt, hoodie and hat brand that could create a community of people who love Long Island, by aligning their platform with several causes.

Born and raised in Port Jeff Station, the family became integrated in the community, also owning O’Brien Insurance Agency on Main Street in the village. Phil, now an insurance agent, works out of the offices that his father started up there nearly 15 years ago.

When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in March, he was at home with a lot of free time.

Like many throughout the COVID crisis, he decided to start dabbling in a hobby — graphic design.

He began throwing around ideas with his brother about things he always wanted to accomplish — one of them being to create an apparel brand.

“I wanted to make something that was a very local thing that all the locals know about,” he said.

His brother, Patrick, got let go from his employer at the same time, so that’s when the two decided they could “make something good out of a bad situation.” They called Anchor East their passion project.

“We’ve always wanted to work together and now it was almost like we had a clean slate,” Phil said. “The way that everything came together was just so organic. He’s my best friend and

having the opportunity to work together, while also giving back, is important to both of us.”

It isn’t about making money, Phil said. They are choosing to give back to two different groups from the proceeds of their sales.

Growing up, Patrick was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, so he knew that he’d want to donate to diabetes associations and research.

“My entire life, the things that were important to me were the companies that would donate or do something in return, which back then obviously, wasn’t many,” he said. “So, us being able to create a company to do that for me and my story was crucial.”

But their charity doesn’t stop there. Both brothers grew up on the water, and are raising their kids there, too. They said they want Anchor East to become a movement, where people in the community can come together and clean up local beaches — like Pirate’s Cove, which they frequent with their family.

“We have this local company now that people can see,” Phil said. “We’re here to help and we want to give back. We want to clean up the local beaches because this is our home.”

They said they’d like for their beach cleanups to become an annual and well-known event every summer. They’re also hoping to open up a storefront for the brand Down Port.

“I think that’s really important to us,” Phil said. “Being a part of the community, specifically Port Jeff, where we were born and raised.”

Patrick now lives in Coram. Phil is raising his family in Port Jeff Station, and his wife is a teacher at Port Jefferson high school.

“Between the beach cleanups and the diabetes associations that we want to work with,

Phil O’Brien (left) and his brother Patrick show off their soon-to-be-launched apperal company, Anchor East, with their slogan, ’No suits, just sand.’ Photo by Julianne Mosher

I think that we have something really special, and it’s something that we’ve talked about that we would love to give to our children one day,” Phil said. “We want them to see how important it is to give back when you’re in a position to do so.”

Patrick said that since they began the project early in quarantine, they haven’t stopped planning.

“Doing something like this with my brother, someone who I trust and love more than anything in the world, with the mission that we have was an explosion,” he said. “We haven’t stopped since March.”

Their planning for Anchor East was fullspeed ahead in July, when the duo spent the summer working on different designs and logos.

On Jan. 18, they launched their social media accounts, teasing what merchandise would soon be released.

The brand’s website is now being finalized.

Anchor East is expected to have a spring opening.

“Showing people that we care, we want to clean up our beaches, take a step forward to make a difference, and to be able to give back to my disease which hundreds of thousands of people around the world are dealing with,” Patrick said, “We want to show them this is our mission and we’re not doing this for a paycheck.

We’re doing it for the benefit of Long Island.”

Anchor East will be launching soon, but for now you can keep an eye out on their brand by following them on Instagram @AnchorEast or on Facebook.

Stony Brook resident helps restaurants stay safe with no-touch menus

BY KIMBERLY BROWN DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM Restaurants are finding new ways to keep their patrons safe.

While many provide traditional plastic menus, which could potentially harbor unwanted bacteria, some customers find it one more reason to deter them from eating out.

However, Chris Zenaty, CEO of No Touch Orders, has found a solution to the problem — a no-touch menu to be viewed on one’s mobile device.

A resident of Stony Brook, Zenaty’s local business is based on ordering through QR codes, which have aided restaurants in promoting a safe dining experience.

The affordable, cloud-based POS system comes with everything an owner may need.

All that’s required for setting up is one-to-

two spare hours, a Wi-Fi printer and a kiosk.

“The technology that they’re using here hasn’t been changed in 10 years, so it’s up to small innovative companies, like ourselves, to come up with new ideas and technologies,” Zenaty said.

Customers need only to scan the unique QR code on the table with their cellphone camera, pull up the menu, order and even pay through the system. Zenaty’s ingenuity has given customers and businesses the option of a completely touch-free experience while dining.

“I thought maybe not everyone wants to touch the menus, and everyone uses smartphones for everything, so why not just look at the menu while you’re waiting there?” he said.

With the help of Jeremy Herrmann, a computer science major at Stony Brook University, and Bob Pearson, a physics

teacher at Patchogue-Medford High School, Zenaty was able to bring his unique coding system to life in just two years. He plans to expand his company in the near future.

No Touch Orders QR readers can be found around New York City, and closer to home on the North Shore.

Zenaty said that Bagel Express in Setauket and Pentimento Restaurant in Stony Brook Village have been utilizing his service.

“We started locally because we have a lot of support out here, but I’d like to bring this to different Bagel Express in Setauket is among the restaurants using the no-touch menus created by Chris Zenaty. Photo by Kimberly Brown states,” he said.

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A9

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PAGE A10 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

County

The last responders, funeral homes adapt during pandemic

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM They worked considerably longer hours, sometimes alongside people who came to help from other parts of the state during a time of need. They buried their own family members, sometimes urging out-of-state relatives to stay where they were. They counted the number of people who entered their funeral homes, making sure they complied with changing rules about the number of people allowed at the time.

And, as with many other businesses, funeral directors maneuvered through the challenges of procuring personal protective equipment and supplies during the difficult and tragic early months of the pandemic.

Funeral homes, which have sometimes been described as the “last responders,” have had to react to changing state regulations, protecting the families of those who come to pay their final respects — and their own staffs.

During prepandemic times, “we might have had three or four wakes at one time,” said Fred Bryant, president of East Setauket-based Bryant Funeral Home. “That doesn’t happen now.”

Bryant converted three rooms into one large room, which made it possible to have 50 percent of their capacity.

Sergio Benites, managing partner at Bryant Funeral Home, said the business has allowed between 80 and 90 people at a time in the facility.

Like other public gathering places, funeral homes initially could have up to 10 people.

Over time, as the number of infections, hospitalizations and deaths declined, the state, through Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s (D) office, relaxed regulations, first increasing the limit to 33 percent of capacity and then raising that to

the current 50 percent.

Even with the higher capacities, funeral home directors have sometimes asked people to wait for someone to leave the facility before allowing new people to enter.

“It happened more than several times,” said Michael Connell, who runs the M.A. Connell Funeral Home in Huntington Station which was started by his grandfather in 1923, five years after the Spanish flu pandemic. As with many other funeral homes during COVID-19, M.A. Connell has had mourners wait in line in the parking lot.

“When we reach our number, we make an announcement inside,” Connell said.

Indeed, funeral directors have received guidance from several organizations during the pandemic.

“It is encouraged that folks paying respects keep the time in the chapel to a minimum,” wrote Michael Gorton Jr., president of the Nassau-Suffolk Funeral Directors Association, in an email. “Pay your respects, offer condolences, have a comfortable conversation and be considerate of those who may be waiting to come in and pay respects. Because of capacity limits, there could be people waiting outside the building.”

During the worst of the pandemic, Gorton, who is a licensed funeral director at McManusLorey Funeral Home in Medford, said funeral directors from outside Long Island came to the area to help.

“The governor’s office allowed us to ‘deputize agents’ and allow nonlicensed people to help us with transfers as long as they were under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director,” Gorton added.

Funeral directors appreciate how mourners

Funeral service personnel at one of the Moloney Funeral Home locations wait for family to arrive for a drive-thru viewing, one of the ways to give mourners a chance to say last goodbyes during COVID-19. Below, a family gathers under an outdoor committal tent at one of the Moloney Funeral Home locations awaiting the completion of the cremation for their relative. Photos from Moloney Family Funeral Homes

have understood the circumstances of the pandemic and have shortened the time they spend on site.

“People are tending to come and go at a faster rate,” said Peter Moloney, co-owner of Moloney Family Funeral Homes, which has eight locations, including in Port Jefferson Station and Hauppauge. “People are aware of the fact that other people may want to come in.”

Some families have chosen to reduce the number of people who attend funerals, asking relatives who might be coming in from out of state to join the service through live streaming.

When Connell’s mother Betty Ann died in May, he said his family went through the same difficult decision that hundreds of other families have had to make.

“We decided we weren’t even going to have a public wake,” Connell said. “We had 10 people attend [who were all] immediate family.”

The Connells spent an hour visiting at the funeral home, had a short prayer service and then went to the graveside. Some people met the family in the parking lot and followed in the procession, without getting out of their cars at the cemetery.

Connell’s father, John, who had been married to his wife for close to 60 years, visited with his grandchildren, in a socially distanced setting, at his house.

Like many others, Connell has not set a date for a celebration and memorial for his mother’s life.

“Until we know we’re home free [with the virus], we’re not going to start the planning process,” he said.

Benites said Bryant Funeral Home still has about a dozen families that have postponed a larger event for their loved ones.

“They still aren’t ready” for any larger or more elaborate gathering as a part of a memorializing event,” Benites said. “When they’re ready, we’ll go back and try to give them a celebration of life.”

At times, grieving families have also had to wait to hold a service until close members of the family either have recovered from quarantine or have tested negative for COVID-19.

Benites said around three to five families are waiting for their next of kin to finish quarantine before they hold a service.

While these funeral homes are accustomed to thorough cleaning efforts, directors and owners said they have also complied with rules regarding disinfecting their sites between visits.

Funeral homes, some of which have held services for more than one member of the same family over the past year during the pandemic, have provided their customers and visitors with help managing their grief.

“We have more grief literature available to families during this time,” Moloney said. “The COVID pandemic has been very disruptive to the grief process. We’re all aware of the fact that people are grieving differently today.”

After all the challenges of the pandemic, funeral directors anticipate that more residents on Long Island and throughout the country will likely consider preplanning funerals.

“After we go through COVID, there will be a more obvious increase in the numbers of preplanned funerals,” Benites said.

Obituaries

Thirteen Suffolk County Community College students, including Patricia Moore from South Setauket, have been awarded prestigious and highly competitive internships at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and are collaborating with renowned scientists and engineers on some of the labs most advanced and emerging research and projects.

Attending Suffolk full time, Moore is majoring in engineering and collaborating on the development and fabrication of Low-Gain Avalanche Detectors with her mentor at BNL. “Securing a BNL internship is a highly competitive process and our success here proves that a Suffolk County Community College education allows our students to compete and succeed against anyone,” Patricia Moore of South Setauket said Suffolk County Community College Interim Photo from SCCC President Louis Petrizzo.

Read the full story online at www.tbrnewsmedia.com.

9250

predeceased by his father Liviu three months ago. He is survived by his wife, Madalina, daughter Alexandra, mother Teodora, sister Anca, brother-in-law Gratian, nephew Andy, mother-in-law Geta and many loving cousins.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket. Visit www.bryantfh.com to sign the online guest book.

Michael G. Buckley Michael G. Buckley, of East Setauket, died Dec. 17, 2020.

Michael was born Aug. 15, 1963, in Rockville Centre and was an equity trader.

He was the loving father of Gwyneth and Jack; beloved son of Carole Buckley and of the late James; and cherished brother of James Jr. and his wife Cyna, Maureen Vetter and her husband Shawn, and of his twin Patrick, along with many other family and friends.

Services were held at St. James R.C. Church Dec. 23, 2020. Interment followed at the churchyard cemetery.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket. Visit www. bryantfh.com to sign the online guest book.

Gail Mary Smith On Jan. 30, Gail Mary Smith, loving wife, mother and grandmother passed away at age 72.

Gail was born on Aug. 27, 1948 in Port Jefferson to John and Joan Kerwin. A Stony Brook resident, she was married for 53 years to David A. Smith.

They raised two daughters, Dawn and Lynnann, and one son JD. Gail had the love for all. A smile that could brighten life on the darkest of days.

The love of walking around town and stopping to talk to all. The love of being the best wife, mother and friend.

Gail was preceded in death by her father, her mother, her brother Ronald and her sister Dianne. She is survived by her husband David: her three children, Dawn, Lynnann and JD; her brother Richard and sister Carol; and grandchildren Erin, Theresa, Conner, Alyssa, Parker and Emily.

Arrangements were entrusted to Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket. Interment was held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Stony Brook.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests to make a donation in Gail’s name to Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, stonybrookchildrens.org.

SCCC students awarded paid research internships at BNL

$

3,900

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June E. Lehnert June E. Lehnert, 82 years old of Stony Brook, died Dec. 4, 2020. She was born June 27, 1938, in the Bronx to Mary and William Maloney.

June, a retired payroll accountant for Sweezy Oil, was part of the Consolation ministry. She enjoyed quilting and spending time with her family.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Maureen and her husband Brian; grandchildren James (Lindsay), Kevin (Kim) and Matthew; and great grandchildren Cecilia and Olivia, along with many other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband William in 2005.

Services were held at St. James R.C. Church in Setauket Dec. 7, 2020. Interment followed in the churchyard cemetery.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Home of Setauket. Visit www. bryantfh.com to sign the online guest book.

Contributions made to the Stony Brook’s Children Hospital in memory of her would be appreciated.

Horia Vlase Horia Vlase, 56, died Dec. 6 at his home in St. James, surrounded by his family.

He was born March 31, 1964, in Brasov, Romania, to Liviu and Teodora Vlase. He attended elementary and high school in Brasov and went on to medical school in Timisoara, Romania, from which he graduated in 1990. There he met his future wife, Madalin, in 1989. They got married July 17, 1993, and soon after that he obtained a medical research fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

His wife followed him in 1994 and since then they built a beautiful and happy home in New York.

Their daughter Alexandra was born in 2002 and soon after that they moved to Long Island where Horia practiced as nephrologist on the North Shore of Long Island. He was the most loving father and husband, a dedicated physician caring deeply for his patients.

He had passion for music, sports and travel. He enjoyed playing guitar and delighted family and friends with songs.

He loved cycling, swimming and skiing.

He was the happiest when he rode his bicycle along the Long Island Sound to see the sunset at West Meadow Beach. He was

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A11

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PAGE A12 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

History Close at Hand

Postal service was essential communication in Three Village area

BY BEVERLY C. TYLER DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM Communication with the colony of Connecticut was essential when Setauket was first settled in 1655, as the English settlement of Brookhaven Town was under their jurisdiction. However, the only way to communicate in those early years was by messenger or by sending a representative from Setauket to New Haven or a few years later to Hartford. In 1664, the English, under the Duke of York, took over New York from the Dutch and joined Long Island to New York instead of Connecticut. As a result, communication concerning the operation of Brookhaven Town government became the responsibility of the Royal Governor in New York City. However, despite a number of attempts to implement a system that would serve all the colonies, it was not until more than a century later that the postal service became an integral part of the communications network.

A postal system existed in Massachusetts as early as 1639. In 1672, New York Governor Francis Lovelace established service between New York and Boston over what later became the Boston Post Road. Benjamin Franklin was appointed as Postmaster General for the British Colonies in America in 1753 and served until 1774 when he was dismissed by

the crown. Franklin was again appointed by the Continental Congress to be the head of the postal system in 1775 and served for 15 months. He is credited with the establishment of a sound postal system. The United States postal system was created when Samuel Osgood was appointed as the first Postmaster General on September 26, 1789.

The first postmaster in Setauket was Zachariah Hawkins. Zachariah was a direct descendent of Zachariah Hawkins (16391699), who was one of the first settlers in Setauket. According to the records of the National Archives, he was appointed Oct. 1, 1801, by President Thomas Jefferson and served until March 24, 1807. As detailed in the Hawkins genealogy, Zachariah was born in 1776 at Middle Island. He married in 1800 and lived in Setauket during the years that he served as postmaster. He then moved to Port Jefferson where he kept a store.

It was quite common to appoint as postmaster the local general store owner. This early procedure seems to have been followed in Setauket so Zachariah may have run a general store in Setauket before moving to Port Jefferson.

During his years in Setauket, Zachariah and his wife Charry Yarrington had three children. After they moved to Port Jefferson, six more children were born, the last in 1818.

Zachariah lived there until his death in 1853 at the age of 76.

Jonas Hawkins’ post office, general store and ordinary at the corner of North Country Road — now Route 25A — and Stony Brook Road. Photos by Beverly C. Tyler

The second postmaster for Setauket was Jonas afternoon pay 10/ for a gallon of rum get 10 oz Hawkins, uncle to genre artist William Sidney Peruvian Bark pay 3/11.” Dr. Thompson often Mount, who ran a store and “ordinary” in Stony sent his son as noted in 1801, “February 17 – Brook. Jonas, a second cousin to postmaster Saturday ... Franklin rides of Major Hawkins and Zachariah’s father, was appointed March 24, said they informed him that ten gentlemen from 1807, and reappointed Boston had purchased April 1, 1811. He served Eaton’s Neck and had as postmaster until 1816. given 10,000 pounds In the early years of the for it to build a city on.”

United States, there was The Jonas Hawkins only one postmaster for Store and Ordinary was both Setauket and Stony not only a post office, Brook. During the years but a place to receive the that Jonas Hawkins was news of the day. postmaster, the Setauket Jonas Hawkins post office was actually served as postmaster in Stony Brook. It was until 1816 when he was not until 1826 that Stony succeeded by Benjamin Brook had its own Franklin Thompson, postmaster appointed. who as a young man —Dr. Samuel Thompson had often visited his Jonas Hawkins was an easy choice to store. Jonas Hawkins serve as postmaster. died April 24, 1817. It In addition to running a general store, he seems quite appropriate to have an individual, had served in the Revolutionary War and named after the first head of the American had been a courier with the Culper Spy Postal system Benjamin Franklin, as the third Ring during the war. His general store was postmaster of Setauket and Stony Brook. frequented by the residents of both Setauket Beverly C. Tyler is the Three Village and Stony Brook.

Historical Society historian and author In 1800, the diary of Dr. Samuel Thompson of books available from the Three Village of Setauket lists one of the many trips to the Historical Society, 93 North Country Rd., Hawkins store. “October 9 – Thursday ... I ride Setauket. For more information, call 631to see Betsey Kelly then to Major Hawkins in the 751-3730 or visit tvhs.org.

‘ ... said they informed him that ten gentlemen from Boston had purchased Eaton’s Neck and had given 10,000 pounds for it to build a city on.’

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A13

Sports

Go to tbrnewsmedia.com for more sports photos



Ward Melville 52 Pat-Med 44

Patriots rebound after Feb. 21 loss

BY RITA J. EGAN RITA@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Photographer John Dielman captured the Ward Melville Patriots boys in their Feb. 23 game against Patchogue-Medford at a home game.

After a 73-49 loss to Brentwood Feb. 21, the Patriots boys basketball team rebounded with a 52-44 win against Patchogue-Medford.

The win put Ward Melville in second place in League I (4-1 in the league and 5-1 overall).

The team will be back on the court Feb. 25 when they travel to Longwood High School.

Pictured clockwise from above, Asher Heilbron, Trevor Dunn, Frank Carroll, Ben Shank, Tommy Engel and Jason Flynn.

— Photos by John Dielman

PAGE A14 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

VACCINE

Connecting Communities and Keeping It Local!

Keeping North Shore Suffolk County Communities Informed and Connected. Subscribe Today and Support Local Journalism, Local Business, Organizations, and Shopping!

Continued from A7

major supply increase from Pfizer and Moderna, nowhere near what we would need to make rapid progress against the 10 million.”

the vaccine to members of the pharmacy department, store clerks, cashiers, stock workers and delivery staff.

“This exception is only for the purpose of ensuring vaccine is not wasted,” the spokesman said.

In remarks on Feb. 9, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) indicated that the supply of vaccines continues to lag well behind the demand.

“We now have about 10 million New Yorkers waiting on 300,000 doses,” Cuomo said. “The supply will only increase when and if Johnson & Johnson is approved. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are ramping up but the ramp-up is relatively slow, so we won’t see a

Stony Brook University, meanwhile, announced that it reached a milestone last week when it distributed its 25,000th vaccine, exactly a month after the site started administering the vaccine. That means the university has vaccinated more than one person per minute for each of the 11 hours it’s been providing shots.

In a statement, President Maurie McInnis said she was “proud of the milestone” and called the effort by the university and Stony Brook Medicine “excellent work.”

SBU Hospital is also assisting in developing point-of-distribution sites in underserved communities on Long Island.

Stony Brook vaccinations

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FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A15

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PAGE A16 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

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FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A17

E M PL OY M E N T / C A R E E R S $18.50 NYC, $17 L.I. up to $13.50 Upstate NY! If you need care from your relative, friend/ neighbor and you have Medicaid, they may be eligible to start taking care of you as personal assistant under NYS Medi c a i d C D PA P r o g r a m . N o Certificates needed.

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Help Wanted COVID VACCINATORS RN/LPN-Stony Brook Flex days/hrs/shifts. Mon-Sun: 7 a m - 7 p m .

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SERV ICES LONG HILL CARPENTRY 45 years experience All phases of home improvement. Old & Historic Restorations. Lic.#H22336/Ins. 631-751-1764 longhill7511764@aol.com

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Licensed and Insured.

Cleaning COME HOME TO A CLEAN HOUSE! Attention to detail is MY PRIORITY. Serving the Three Village Area. Call Jacquie 347-840-0890

SMITHPOINT FENCE. DEER PROBLEM? WE CAN HELP! Wood, PVC, Chain Link, Stockade. Free estimates.

Now offering 12 month interest free financing.

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SWAN COVE LANDSCAPING Lawn Maintenance, Cleanups, Shrub/Tree Pruning, Removals. Landscape Design/ Installation, Ponds/Waterfalls, Stone Walls. Firewood. Free estimates. Lic/Ins.631-6898089

Home Improvement Floor Services/Sales

Decks DECKS ONLY BUILDERS & DESIGNERS Of Outdoor Living By Northern Construction of LI. Decks, Patios/Hardscapes, Pergolas, Outdoor Kitchens and Lighting.

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FINE SANDING & REFINISHING Wood Floor Installations Craig Aliperti, Wood Floors LLC. All work done by owner.

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The

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©102895

Carpentry

citizens-inc.org/careers

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

ALL PHASES OF HOME IMPROVEMENT From attic to your basement, RCJ Construction www.rcjconstruction.com commercial/residential, lic/ins 631-580-4518.

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BLUSTAR CONSTRUCTION The North Shore’s Most Trusted Renovation Experts.

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Suffolk Lic. #48714-H, Ins. See Our Display Ad

SETAUKET LANDSCAPE DESIGN Stone Driveways/Walkways, Walls/Stairs/Patios/Masonry, Brickwork/Repairs Land Clearing/Drainage,Grading/ Excavating. Plantings/Mulch, Rain Gardens.

Steve Antos, 631-689-6082 setauketlandscape.com Serving Three Villages

LAMPS FIXED, $65.

In Home Service!! Handy Howard. My cell 646-996-7628

CALL 751-7744

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PUBLISHER’S EMPLOYMENT NOTICE: All employment advertising in this newspaper is subject to section 296 of the human rights law which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, disability, marital status, sex, age or arrest conviction record or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. Title 29, U.S. Code Chap 630, excludes the Federal Gov’t. from the age discrimination provisions. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for employment which is in violation of the law. Our readers are informed that employment offerings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Help Wanted

©104951

Help Wanted

Place your ad today Call 631.751.7663 or 631.331.1154

Lawn & Landscaping

Landscape Materials Privacy Hedges -SPRING BLOWOUT-5/6ft Green Giant Regular price $199, Now only $69 each. FREE Installation/FREE delivery, Trees are selling fast!

518-536-1367 www. lowcosttreefarm.com SCREENED TOP SOIL Mulch, compost, decorative and driveway stone, concrete pavers, sand/block/portland.

Fertilizer and seed.

JOS. M. TROFFA MATERIALS CORP. 631-928-4665, www.troffa.com

PAGE A18 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Place your ad today Call 631.751.7663 or 631.331.1154

SERV ICES CARL BONGIORNO LANDSCAPE/MASON CONTRACTOR All phases Masonry Work:Stone Walls, Patios, Poolscapes. All phases of Landscaping Design.

Theme Gardens. Residential & Commercial. Lic/Ins. 631-928-2110

Painting/Spackling/ Wallpaper ALL PRO PAINTING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR Power Washing, Staining, Wallpaper Removal. Free estimates. Lic/Ins #19604HI 631-696-8150. Nick

Painting/Spackling/ Wallpaper

Restorations

Painting/Spackling/ Wallpaper

BOB’S PAINTING SERVICE 25 Years Experience.

Interior/Exterior Painting, Spackling, Staining, Wallpaper Removal, Staining and Deck Restoration Power Washing.

Free Estimates. Lic/Ins. #17981.

631-744-8859 COUNTY-WIDE PAINTING INTERIOR/EXTERIOR Painting/Staining. Quality workmanship. Living and Serving Three Village Area for over 30 years. Lic#37153-H. 631-751-8280

TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 751-7744

101872

Masonry

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Tree Work

LUX DEVELOPMENT GROUP Historical restorations, extensions & dormers, cedar siding & clapboard installation, basements, kitchens,doors & windows, finished carpentry & moulding, SEE OUR DISPLAY AD FOR MORE INFORMATION Call 631-283-2266.

RANDALL BROTHERS TREE SERVICE Planting, pruning, removals, stump grinding. Free Estimates.

Fully insured.

LIC# 50701-H. 631-862-9291

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Insect/ Disease Management.

ASK ABOUT GYPSY MOTH AND TICK SPRAYS Bonded employees. Lic/Ins. #8864HI 631-744-1577

$$$ TOP CASH PAID $$$ Highest prices paid for fixable vehicles.

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PAGE A22 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Editorial

Letter to the Editor

Nostalgic for a lost art I must admit I felt a little melancholy reading Beverly C. Tyler’s wonderful piece “A sentimental Valentine’s Day from days gone by.”

People used to write so thoughtfully to one another. The young man in the story

Stay local

METRO photo

One thing that’s special about a community paper is that we are covering the stuff national or larger media corporations aren’t talking about.

We’re covering your local school sport teams, the stayat-home mom who has become a philanthropist and the new Eagle Scout projects sprouting up around town.

The bigger outlets cover the national news. CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN and FOX — they’re taking care of what the president is doing — not so much the local legislature or town council.

When we receive your letters to the editor, we are thrilled and so appreciative. We absolutely adore that you want to share your opinions with us, and we’re so grateful you trust us with that responsibility. But sometimes we wonder why residents aren’t talking to us about the community. We want to hear more about that.

Our readers are able to see things we reporters don’t see. You are out there, talking with people, seeing things with your own eyes and meeting people who we don’t know exist. We need you to help share those stories.

National politics affect us — we agree, and we feel it, too.

But as we continue into 2021, we ask of you to start sending us more letters that stem from where we live. What are you angry about locally? What do you want to see change here?

What are you most proud of? What needs to be said?

This is your chance as a local citizen to share something on your mind that could potentially make a difference. Local lawmakers read the community papers — President Joe Biden (D) and former President Donald Trump (R) do not.

We love national news, as well, but let’s try — moving forward — that we keep it as close to home as we can.

Remember, our letters are 400 words or less and we edit for A.P. style, which is the standard in most U.S.-based news publications, as well as for libel and good taste. We also ask that our writers provide sources or backup information for the more detailed letters, so we can fact-check the information.

Most of all, remember while letters can serve as a form of public debate, the purpose is to argue the issues, not personally attack an individual.

Shop local. Eat local. Support local. Read local. Write local.

WRITE TO US … We welcome your letters. They should be

no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style and good taste. We do not publish anonymous letters.

Please include a phone number and address for confirmation.

Email letters to rita@tbrnewsmedia.com or mail them to The Village Times Herald, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733.

was gently rejected by a companion via her carefully worded note.

Today he would’ve received a curt text and an unfollow on Instagram. I don’t mean to complain. It’s just the way things are — technology doesn’t go backward.

Just know that your paper inspired me to write sincerely to my valentine instead of signing a Hallmark card and calling it a day. Thank you.

Bryan Edwards St. James

Words matter: Work works better than fight The recent attack on our Capitol and impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump (R) highlight the importance of words and suggest a change in vocabulary that can help us come together for the common good. Trump’s lawyers played a video showing politicians using the word “fight” over and over.

We all do this. We say, “We need to fight” for this or that. But is this really the best way for us to get what we want, individually, or collectively?

George Washington worked hard to bring fighting parties together to form the United States. When we are young, playing in the sandbox, we are taught to

use our words, listen to others, and work it out, instead of fighting. That way, no one gets hurt and everyone gets at least some of what they want.

What if, whenever we are tempted to use the word “fight,” we think about substituting the word “work.” Politicians could say, “We need to work to fix this or that injustice,” or I promise to “work hard for you if elected.” Or, dare I say, “We need to work together across the aisle to make this happen.”

For we citizens, “working things out” almost always leads to a better outcome than fighting. We work on our marriages, friendships, relationships with family

Constitutional or banana republic?

President George Washington said it best in his farewell address to Congress Sept. 19, 1796: “[The spirit of party] serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble[s] the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection.”

This is especially true with one-party control of all branches of government. In his letter to “Friends and Fellow Citizens,” Washington warned that the forces of geographical sectionalism, political factionalism and interference by foreign powers in the nation’s domestic affairs threatened the stability of the Republic.

He envisaged a future which would threaten our constitutional republic.

“Interference by foreign powers in the nation’s domestic affairs” has indeed “threatened the stability of the Republic,” by helping to install a puppet in the White House — marionette would be a more appropriate description — whose strings are being manipulated by various foreign

and domestic factions. Not unlike what happens in a Third World banana republic.

The domestic traitors in an elaborate scheme who enabled the fraudulent electoral process should be indicted and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

With a double standard of justice in our new banana republic that may not happen, but hopefully it will.

If you believe that the result of our recent presidential election wasn’t because of a coup, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I would like to sell you. Evidence?

Check the website hereistheevidence. com for some of what is being presented to the U.S. Supreme Court. To those letter writers who mentioned that many court cases were “thrown out,” those cases weren’t even heard by the county courts (mostly in Democratic-run counties where they were presented).

If this rant seems like another conspiracy theory, well, it’s not a theory. It’s because most of our population is exposed to the “lamestream media.” In a recent editorial, Jan. 14, this paper stated, “Not every

members, or co-workers. Fighting is rarely the best solution.

Yes, we did need to fight to escape from the rule of King George III of Great Britain and Ireland, when our interests were not represented. Afterward, our Founding Fathers worked to create a government designed to enable our individual and common interests, and even created a system of amendments so future generations could work to make it even better. Let’s pass along that torch to create tremendous energy without burning down the house.

Joshua Dunaief, MD Setauket

publication out there is ‘Fake News.’” True.

But about 98 percent is when it comes to political bias. Investigations uncovered that only about nine media moguls ultimately control most of what you read, see and hear; maintaining an agenda-driven monopoly on informational dissemination. That is why, for example, when Peter Bond of Stony Brook mentioned that one of my previous letters “veers away from the truth” (Nov. 26), the real truth was being suppressed and unfortunately he, as well as millions of others, are still exposed to what’s contrived.

The only veering away from the truth, Mr. Bond, is done by the media.

Whether you identify as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, Conservative, Libertarian or anything other than Communist, you should demand that we always have a verified honest election process. As I stated in that previous letter [Nov. 19], “There is only one truth,” and I’ll continue to seek it, rather than be subject to “fake news.”

Art Billadello East Setauket

The opinions of columnists and letter writers are their own. They do not speak for the newspaper.

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • PAGE A23

Opinion

Pondering the ‘found time’ created by the 46th

I

have a surprising amount of “found time” these days.

I still have numerous responsibilities and deadlines, but the time between activities, when I’m walking and talking with my wife, when I’m driving to the supermarket or when I’m preparing dinner, my mind is free of the pattern it had developed over the course of the last four years.

No, I wasn’t training for the D. None Olympics and no, I wasn’t preparing of the above a machine to land

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF on the Red Planet. I was, like so many other people, living my life and reading the headlines.

More often than not, the 45th president of the United States consumed the news cycle.

Periodically, I wrote about him, but, for the most part, despite reading and reacting to the things other people wrote, I recognized that few ideas or thoughts I had were original or even worth printing.

Yet, I found myself reading and reacting with friends and family, pondering whether he was setting new presidential precedents.

While my body hasn’t gone on any distant vacations, except for a relaxing ski weekend, my mind suddenly has more time. Indeed, even when there are headlines about Supreme Court decisions related to the former president, I glance at a few sentences and move on to other things.

So what am I doing with all this found time?

In no particular order, here are a few ways I have reengaged my mind: ■ I’m reading more books. I have had Walter Isaacson’s biography of Ben Franklin next to my bed for a while. I’m now parsing through it more closely, enjoying the reality of an iconic

American, learning about his love for travel and his well-known sense of self worth.

■ I’m thinking about Mars. At first, of course, I couldn’t help wondering how Marvin the Martian from the Bugs Bunny era might react to the Perseverance rover landing next to his home. On a more serious note, I enjoyed the absolutely giddy scene at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where scientists and engineers have been working tirelessly for years for this moment and where they saw and heard sights and sounds from Mars that bring us all closer to the planet’s surface.

■ I’m noticing the lighting around our neighborhood. As we approach spring, the colors of the light have changed, turning ordinary homes into glowing domiciles. If I were selling some of the houses around me, I would take pictures of them during the sunrise and sunset, showing prospective buyers these residences when they are glowing.

■ I’m becoming preoccupied with sports again. I am following the Brooklyn Nets

more closely and, more directly, am excited for the days and weeks ahead when my son might play baseball. In his last year of high school, he has an opportunity to play for his school and himself, if the school and the league are able to get through an entire season during the pandemic.

■ I’m marveling, in a distant and impersonal way, at the turnabout in press coverage. CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post have toned down their Washington criticism, while the New York Post and Fox News seem intent to point out all the flaws and dangers of the new administration. The teeter-totter has tilted in the other direction now, with the New York Post attacking White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki with some of the same concerns that the more liberal papers attacked the previous press secretary.

■ Lastly, I’m listening to everything around me better. The children playing down the street and the returning birds calling to each other in the trees have captured my attention.

My carpet has lots of leafy greens and low cholesterol

I

t seemed like a good idea in the moment.

The clock on the oven read 7:00 p.m., and I wanted to watch the PBS News Hour on Channel 13. But I was also hungry. So I reached into the fridge and took out one of the smoothies I make in advance to last me the week.

This one was in an open top container that I had covered with plastic wrap. I threw the cover in the trash, plunked a straw into the purple drink, Between picked up a coaster you and me to rest the drink on

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF and headed up the stairs to the television in the bedroom.

After switching on the overhead light, I picked up the remote, put the coaster on the

bedside table, settled myself into the adjacent overstuffed chair and reaching over, put the container of smoothie on the coaster. To my horror, the coaster skittered out from under the container, which tipped over and splattered its contents across the carpet, spotting the nearby bedspread, the wall behind me, even the lower slats of the blinds across the room. In an instant, 32 ounces of smoothie lay spread out before me.

“Holy cow!” I yelled. (That’s not what I really yelled, but this is a family newspaper.)

The speed with which I had just ruined the bedroom stunned me. I jumped up, grabbed some towels from the nearby bathroom, and on my hands and knees, breathlessly tried to sop up what had not already soaked into the blue carpet.

Finally, I sat back to stop my panting and to survey the damage. It was awesome what some liquid in a cup could do to an otherwise orderly room. It occurred to me then that this wasn’t just ordinary liquid. This was probably

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the most nutritious contents this carpet could have sucked up. Let me tell you what I put into my smoothie.

First I pour into the Vitamix a cup of soy milk, then one cup of pomegranate juice.

Next I add one banana, then 2 tablespoons of unsweetened chocolate and 2 tablespoons of flax seed meal (not the seeds.) Then comes the good part: 8 ounces of baby bok choy, 8 ounces of baby kale, 2 cups of frozen cherries and 2 1/2 cups of frozen blueberries. The mixer makes all of this into a drink, and I will have one healthy carpet, albeit devilishly stained.

I am able to joke about this because, incredibly, the story has a happy ending. Just as I was sitting in the middle of the floor, about to cry, the phone rang. It was a dear friend, and when I told him what had just happened, he offered to come right over with his shop vacuum and some kind of magic reagent that he loaded into it. He was truly an angel, passing the suction wand over the spill again and again until the original color of the carpet reappeared.

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Leah S. Dunaief GENERAL MANAGER Johness Kuisel MANAGING EDITOR Rita J. Egan EDITOR Rita J. Egan LEISURE EDITOR Heidi Sutton COPY EDITOR John Broven

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kathleen Gobos ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Elizabeth Bongiorno Robin Lemkin Minnie Yancey SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER Kathryn Mandracchia ART AND PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Beth Heller Mason

He then put some kind of absorbent powder over the main body of the spill, to be left there for a couple of days and then vacuumed up.

When I did so, the damaged area was restored to its former pristine condition.

When I look at the carpet now, I think how wonderful it would be if we could just vacuum up whatever unfortunate circumstances had ever befallen us. Imagine having a giant vacuum that could suck away the misery of COVID-19, returning our lives to what we had always thought of as being normal. It could also remove any hurts or regrets, any shadows of past events or unhappy relationships that we might be carrying throughout our lives.

Yes, it is true that we learn from our mistakes and our experiences. But we don’t need all of them to become better people. We certainly didn’t need a novel coronavirus, even if it did teach us that we could order groceries delivered and work from home. We could borrow from Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth, and using our magic vacuum say, “Out, damned spot!”

PRODUCTION Janet Fortuna Sharon Nicholson INTERNET STRATEGY DIRECTOR Rob Alfano CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTOR Sheila Murray CLASSIFIEDS Joann Brady

BUSINESS MANAGER Sandi Gross CIRCULATION MANAGER Courtney Biondo SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Sheila Murray

PAGE A24 • THE VILLAGE TIMES HERALD • FEBRUARY 25, 2021

WANTED! SNOW PLOW CONTRACTORS!

“When it comes to our mission of keeping Town roads safe and passable, the more resources we have to deploy at a moment’s notice, the better. I strongly encourage all qualified snow plow contractors to contact the Highway Department to assist your community in times of bad weather.”

For further information on our competitive rates, please call Linda at the Brookhaven Town Highway Department at (631) 451-9230 or apply in person at 1140 Old Town Road, Coram between the hours of 8:30am and 3:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Daniel P. Losquadro Superintendent of Highways 9390