A Greenport man reported an identity theft incident to police April 30. The man said that around April 27, he received an invoice from PSEG stating that he owed the utility $4,268.33 in unpaid electric bills for a residence in Mastic Beach. The man told police he was unfamiliar with this address and that an unknown person must have opened the account with his information. He contacted PSEG to report the incident. PSEG requested a police report.

• Last Wednesday, an employee of Cross Sound Ferry in Orient reported a person being disrespectful to staff who left the parking lot traveling westbound. An officer located the driver, who said he became frustrated because staff gave him conflicting information on how to get onto a vessel. He was told he was no longer welcome at the ferry.

• A 69-year-old Southold man told police Friday that he experienced identity theft. He said he was contacted by a bank and told an unknown person attempted to open a credit card with his information and attempted to use approximately $6,000. He was also contacted by Zelle, who told the man that an unknown person attempted to open a Zelle account with his information and attempted to withdraw approximately $3,500. Both Goldman Sachs and Zelle have frozen the accounts in question and requested a police report. The man suffered no financial loss. 

• On Friday, a 77-year-old Greenport woman reported to police that her identity had been stolen. She said her Bank of America account had been hacked and $4,000 was taken from her checking account. She said an unknown person attempted to purchase two iPhones and three Zelle transactions, totaling $3,500. The woman told police that Bank of America’s fraud department requested a police report.

• A Mattituck man told police Friday than an unknown man entered his residence and stole property. A man matching a provided description was located at a residence on Pacific Street in Mattituck. The male was identified as Maryn Arias Gregorio, 49, of Mattituck and was placed under arrest and transported to Southold Town Police headquarters for processing.

Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.

The post Blotter: Man banned from Orient Ferry appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and we’ll devote space here to pay them tribute. Fathers, you have to wait until June, but we won’t forget you, either.

At this time of year, we remember the story a friend told us about her mother, who hated to be taken to lunch on Mother’s Day. “I don’t want to be sitting there with some old dolls with corsages pinned to their dresses,” the mother said, “with people who forget them for the rest of the year.”

Funny, yes, but what is undeniably serious are the challenges 21st-century parents face, problems that only 20 years ago were unimaginable.

It’s no revelation that every generation looks back with envy at what seems an easier time to raise children. Past generations didn’t have to cope with head-spinning technological advances and methods of communication multiplying almost by the hour. This causes  many current parents to wonder if all the wizardry their children possess that provides  instant access to others isn’t really just another tool to sell them things they don’t need and construct increased walls of isolation between them and the real, living, breathing world.

Our new age is one in which  hand-sized electronic tyrants bring children media at 100 mps every minute of every day. But some things don’t change. The challenges of meeting the high cost of food, clothes and education are front and center for those who care for children. The mothers who are steadfast in their roles have always understood that rising to those challenges will bring rewards for their hard work.

Coordinating their children’s education and keeping a household functioning smoothly  has sent all parents — mostly mothers — into a whirlwind of days and nights that start early and never stop. Many mothers are by themselves in shouldering the responsibility for keeping a family together and helping young ones navigate the uncertainties and fears of childhood. 

According to 2022 data from the U.S. Census, one in three American children, or 24 million young people, live with single parents, 80% of whom are mothers. But even with two adults raising kids, both are more likely to work outside the home than in times past.

Close to home, we find many mothers struggling. Statistics from the New York State Community Action Association show  that in Suffolk County, 20% of families with a woman as head of a household with children are living in poverty.

This is a time to count blessings, and celebrate the women who have set us on a path to a good life. But it’s also a time to consider the mothers who are struggling to keep their children healthy in every aspect of life. We can remember them through our local charities, and during election season, where we can learn if candidates care or are even aware of those building the foundations of our future and will pledge to put in place policies that will help the caretakers.

And so, it’s time to celebrate — and Americans don’t stint when it comes to making sure mothers have a special day. According to the National Retail Federation, $33.5 billion will be spent on this Sunday’s festivities, which will make Mom smile, but also help local businesses and restaurants.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Times Review Media Group.

The post Editorial: Mother’s Day 2024: A time to salute — and support appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

SOUTHOLD

These protests are not antisemitism

As a Jewish American who has been to Israel twice, I fully support the professors and students of SUNY/Stony Brook and other campuses who have demonstrated against the complicity of the United States, and the actions of the IDF in its bombing campaigns against civilian targets in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 25,000 Palestinian women and children, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. A dissenting Jewish professor, among others, was arrested, put in jail, his phone confiscated and treated rudely by campus security.

It is in no way antisemitic to protest against the abominable actions of Netanyahu and the IDF. And no excuses for Hamas’ terrorism either, but the fact is 80% of the population of Gaza — 1.7 million people — consists of refugees and their descendants who fled or were displaced following Israel’s War of Independence and subsequent wars.

Finally, I am disappointed that I have not seen so much as a whimper of protest from clergy or, for that matter almost anyone, about what has happened in The Suffolk Times. I’m sorry, I have to write how I feel. 

Harry Katz

The post Letter to the editor: These protests are not antisemitism appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Here are the headlines for May 13, 2024.

THE SUFFOLK TIMES

Claudio’s new parking app sparks debate on Facebook

Meet Ceili, Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library’s therapy dog

RIVERHEAD NEWS-REVIEW

Last of the East End’s cobblers planning to close

School districts weigh in on the ‘Do No Harm’ Regents exam debate

SHELTER ISLAND REPORTER

The new world of motherhood: Story and Shelter Island Reporter podcast

NORTHFORKER

Heroes and Horses: Calverton’s Warrior Ranch is a respite for equines and veterans alike

SOUTHFORKER

Garden of Glad: Find some inner peace, and maybe a little magic, at Madoo

The daily update is a briefing on what’s happening across the North Fork and Shelter Island.

​Get the daily update delivered straight to your inbox every weekday by subscribing to our newsletter.

The post Daily Update: Claudio’s new parking app sparks debate on Facebook appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

A new digital parking app in use at the parking lot behind Claudio’s in Greenport had the community buzzing last week — with more questions than answers. Greenport Deputy Mayor Mary Bess Phillips and former Southold Supervisor Scott Russell were among those who weighed in.

“Much discussion of Claudio’s decision to use [the] AirGarage app to create further income from their parking lot,” Ms. Phillips posted on the “Let’s Talk Village of Greenport” Facebook page. “Simple really — their private parking lot, charging for the space and collecting the violation fee goes into their checking account. Going by the photo — I do not see a sign that states ‘for Claudio’s customers only.’ Maybe I missed it….”

In a follow up interview last week, Ms. Phillips said that she had been responding to a previous post about the parking lot app, which had generated dozens of responses. She said that she had been too busy to look into the matter further. “I’ll be honest with you,” she said. “I haven’t had a chance to delve into it any further than asking questions.”

Mr. Russell responded to Ms. Phillips’ initial post with some questions of his own.

“The Town Code requires that a business have a certain number of parking spaces for its customers,” he wrote. “There are differing requirements for the amount of spaces needed based on the type of business it is. This requirement would prohibit those businesses from restricting the parking such as charging fees. Most codes throughout [New York State] have similar, common sense code requirements. Does the Village Code have the same requirements? If so, would restricting parking through fees be in violation of those?”

“The questions you have in your post are the same as mine,” Mr. Russell added. “Will be asking.”

Mr. Russell declined to comment beyond what he had posted online.

Another commenter, Zoning Board of Appeals member John Saladino, said, “Claudio’s providing parking for a fee for their customers is one thing. Claudio’s operating a public parking lot for a fee seems to be outside the terms of their site plan. Also, as per Village Code, [p]ublic parking lots are not a permitted use in the [Waterfront Commercial district].”

More than a dozen others have since commented in response to Ms. Phillips’ original post, including several who questioned if Claudio’s even owns the parking lot.

Greenport Mayor Kevin Stuessi said Tuesday that the village received “an amended site plan application from Claudio’s yesterday, which should cover all of their property, including current and proposed uses as requested.”

He said Claudio’s management is scheduled to appear before the village planning board on May 31, “to review all current ‘as built’ uses and any potential new ones for any needed approvals. As for this current parking system they just installed, village counsel is currently reviewing in advance of this meeting.”

Jonathan Abbott, who runs events and marketing for Claudio’s, said in an interview that the only thing that has changed since last year is the form in which the parking payment is taken.

In the past, parking attendants collected $10 fees to park on the lot. Now payment is made through the automated app.

“We’ve always charged for parking,” Mr. Abbott said. “Back in the day they did validate the parking and then refund the money, but since we’ve owned the place, since 2018, we’ve never validated parking.”

He said this summer, using the AirGarage app, drivers will be charged $3.50 per hour with a maximum fee of $15 per day, and the restaurant will validate 50% of the ticket charge for Claudio’s patrons. Last summer drivers were charged $10 to park.

“So you’re actually paying less than you were last year if you dine at the restaurant,” he said.

He said the restaurant loses money on the parking lot each year, even after charging for summer parking.

“This is not a money grab.” 

As for ownership of the lot itself — which he said counts  about 100 parking spaces – Mr. Abbott said there was a “big long history of Claudio’s using that parking lot for their customers.

“I’m not totally clear on whether they own that parking lot or not. Nobody seems to know so far as I’ve been able to determine. But it was something that nobody really thought twice about because they’re also providing much needed public parking.”

In the summer of 2002, after a car drove into the Greenport harbor, killing two people, the village commissioned a legal opinion on ownership of the wharf upon which Claudio’s sits, including a boat landing on the east side of the property.

The attorneys concluded that “it is our opinion that the property on which the public landing in question is located is presently owned by [Bill] Claudio, and that ownership is subject to the ‘free use’ by the public of the village landing on the east side of said wharf. This language does not serve to confer any rights to the Village, as a corporate body, to regulate or control the public landing.”

The post Claudio’s new parking app sparks debate on Facebook appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Monday, May 13, is a special day for Cutchogue New Suffolk Free Library’s furry friend, a golden doodle named Ceili, who turns another year older.

Ceili, soon to be 7, has been a therapy dog at Cutchogue New Suffolk Library for five years, according to her owner, Cutchogue resident Marla Koster.

“It’s just such a fun and wonderful program,” Ms. Koster said. “She loves to go to the library, if I have her in the car and I stop at the library and it’s not a day for her to go in, she gets very upset, she cries because she wants to go in, she wants to go and see all her friends at the library.”

Kids get to read to Ceili at the library year-round, according to the head of youth services, Mignon Osmer.

“Sometimes, she comes once a month, sometimes she comes twice a month, it really depends on the signup that we have,” Ms. Osmer said. “She’s very gentle with the kids, she’s a hypoallergenic dog, so there’s no issue with any type of allergies.”

Young readers can bring a book of their own or borrow one from the library, and each participant is allotted a 15-minute reading session with Ceili.

“If there are no other children signed up or if somebody doesn’t show, they just take the next person’s spot,” Ms. Osmer said.

Ceili is very popular with the community and has a lot of repeat customers eager to read with her, according to Ms. Osmer.

Prior to Ceili’s arrival, an Italian greyhound and two great Danes would travel from Ronkonkoma for the reading program, but the long commute made it difficult to continue that service. Ms. Koster’s daughter, Bonnie Zelner, told the library about Ceili.

“We’re thrilled,” Ms. Osmer said.

Ms. Koster worked as a microbiologist at Plum Island for more than 36 years and when she retired, she knew she wanted to get involved with therapy dogs.

“I knew I wanted to do something with my time once I was retired and I thought that getting a dog that would be a therapy dog that I could take to hospitals and things like that would be a good thing to do,” she said.

After some research Ms. Koster decided on the golden doodle breed because of their kind disposition. She adopted Ceili at nine weeks old.

“We went through training out here with a couple of different trainers,” Ms. Koster said of Ceili’s therapy certification. “I also did training with her at PetSmart which was a very nice program.

“It’s just a way to give back to the community,” Ms. Koster said. “It’s a great way to just connect with other people.”

For more information on the reading program, visit Cutchogue New Suffolk Library’s website at cutchoguelibrary.org or contact the library at 631-734-6360.

“Any way that you can promote children and literacy and reading so that they don’t feel uncomfortable, they don’t feel like they’re being judged,” Ms. Osmer said, “that’s a very good thing.” 

The post Meet Ceili, Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library’s therapy dog appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Adrienne A. Fuchs of Cutchogue passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024. She was 78.

The family will receive friends Thursday, May 16 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck, officiated by Father Michael Bartholomew. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.

The post Adrienne A. Fuchs appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Southold Police responded to a call early Sunday morning about a pickup truck that crashed into a tree on Route 48 in Southold, which left the driver and two passengers seriously injured.

After an investigation, the driver Nicholas Grathwohl, 21, of Peconic was placed under arrest for DWI and transported to SUNY Stony Brook Hospital.

The two passengers were taken to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries, the severity of which is currently unknown.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The post Three people seriously injured in pre-dawn Southold crash appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Louisa F. Panagopoulos of East Marion died May 10, 2024, at the age of 96.

The family will receive visitors from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by the funeral liturgy at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, at the Dormition of Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 111 St. Andrews Road, Southampton. Father Constantine Lazarakis will officiate.

Interment will follow at Sterling Cemetery in Greenport.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 or to East End Threshold Singers at Threshold Choir, P.O. Box 8496, Santa Rosa, CA 95407.

DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home is assisting the family.

The post Louisa F. Panagopoulos appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Here are the headlines for May 14, 2024.

THE SUFFOLK TIMES

Photos: Peconic Landing John May Mile and 5K

Three people seriously injured in pre-dawn Southold crash

RIVERHEAD NEWS-REVIEW

Popular Calverton Tex-Mex eatery changes hands

Blue Waves and Wildcats gear up for playoffs

SHELTER ISLAND REPORTER

Shelter Island School baseball team sweeps doubleheader at Fiske Field

NORTHFORKER

Northforker Wine Club: Borghese Vineyard & Winery’s 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

SOUTHFORKER

No finer diner: The Islander still knows how you like your eggs

The daily update is a briefing on what’s happening across the North Fork and Shelter Island.

​Get the daily update delivered straight to your inbox every weekday by subscribing to our newsletter.

The post Daily Update: Photos of the Peconic Landing John May Mile and 5k appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Participants ran, walked — and at least one cruised — across the finish line at the John May Mile and 5K fundraiser at Peconic Landing Saturday morning.

The event, now in its 18th year, raised $24,730 for the Greenport Fire Department.

(Jeremey Garretson photos)

According to an event release, the John May Mile and 5K is open to runners and walkers of all ages and fitness abilities and features both a relaxed, mile-long walk and a more challenging 3.1-mile run.

Nicholas Berglin of Hampton Bays placed first in a heat of 119 runners with a time of 17:02.30. Jack May of Guilford, Vt., Tom Goldberg of Westbury, Daniel Rivas of Greenport and Bryan Knipfing of Southold all finished their runs in under 20 minutes.

Ema Tufekcic of New York City was the first woman to cross the finish line in the 5K Open with a time of 25:16.48. Daphne Matalene of New York City and Jill Schroeder of Cutchogue followed close behind, finishing within the 25-minute mark as well.

Greenport Mayor Kevin Stuessi, Southold Town Councilman Brian Mealy and Peconic Landing’s President and CEO Robert J. Syron, with Peconic Landing’s Chief Operating Officer Gregory Garrett were on hand during the awards ceremony to present the Greenport Fire Department with the funds raised. Former Greenport Mayor George Hubbard was also presented with a proclamation for his support of the North Fork senior community.

“Over the course of his tenure as Mayor and throughout his 16 years on the Village Board, Mayor Hubbard has played an enormous role in supporting the older adults here at Peconic Landing and in the greater community,” said Mr. Syron. “With over 45 years of service to the Greenport Fire Department, he has undoubtedly touched many lives and left a mark on our community. We thank you Mayor Hubbard for your unwavering dedication to Greenport and to the older adults that call this special village home.”

The post John May Mile and 5K at Peconic Landing raises more than $24K for local fire department appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Earlier this year, cobbler Fred Ruvolo said he didn’t want too many people to know that he would be closing the Village Cobbler Shoppe on Griffing Avenue on June 29. He feared there would be a last minute deluge of customers.

But that plan didn’t pan out. 

“It’s out,” Mr. Ruvolo said Saturday, as he held a cardboard box packed with nine pairs of shoes that a customer dropped off earlier in the day. 

“The word has been getting out and a lot of people are upset,” Mr. Ruvolo said, adding that he preferred to deliver the news to customers in person rather than hanging up a sign.

“It’s not an easy thing for me to retire,” he said. “I’ve spent my entire adult life here. This has been my community, and the place where all my friends are. I have a lot of good memories.”

Mr. Ruvolo is 73 years old and his cobbler shop has been in Riverhead for 53 years. He said his fingers are starting to hurt from working so much. 

Mr. Ruvolo has drawn customers from all over Long Island. He gets good reviews online, too. 

“This place is GREAT,” the first response on the website YELP stated.

“He is honest and does a great job,” the next one said.

And he didn’t just fix shoes.

“I’ve fixed all kinds of things,” Mr. Ruvolo said. “Mainly shoe repair but also luggage, horse stuff, car parts and zippers and stuff for the fire department. I used to make the buckets for the bucket brigade for the fire department,” he said.

Regarding retirement he said, “I’m getting old. It’s time to move on.” 

Mr. Ruvolo recalled his first shop in Riverhead. 

“Fenimore Meyer was my first landlord when I came into downtown,” he said, referring to the owner of a department store in Riverhead years ago. “He allowed me to be in business.” 

Mr. Meyer charged $85 a month in rent. Mr. Ruvolo said he couldn’t afford that but could afford $65 a month. 

Mr. Meyer responded, “$65 and when you do well I will raise your rent,” Mr. Ruvolo recalled. 

He said he was going to miss Riverhead. Mr. Ruvolo doesn’t live in Riverhead despite working there so long. 

“I’m the last East End shoemaker there is,” he said. “There isn’t another shoe repair shop from here to Orient and Montauk. I draw people from both forks and from the west of me,” he said. 

“It will be bittersweet,” Mr. Ruvolo said. “Riverhead has been so good to me.”

The post The East End’s last cobbler planning to close appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Here are the headlines for May 15, 2024.

THE SUFFOLK TIMES

The East End’s last cobbler planning to close

Makers guild keeps basket weaving craft alive

RIVERHEAD NEWS-REVIEW

East End Guild keeps basket weaving craft alive

North Fork volunteers gather to build 20 beds for kids in need

SHELTER ISLAND REPORTER

Fire at Léon 1909 restaurant

NORTHFORKER

Dream Day: Enjoy the Great South Bay in Patchogue

SOUTHFORKER

Cook This Now! Lemon and thyme roasted striped bass

The daily update is a briefing on what’s happening across the North Fork and Shelter Island.

​Get the daily update delivered straight to your inbox every weekday by subscribing to our newsletter.

The post Daily Update: The East End’s last cobbler planning to close appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Some do it for the artistry, some for the challenge and others to keep their hands busy. But it was apparent at a recent meeting of the Basket Weavers Guild of Eastern Long Island that all its members have one common goal: keeping the craft alive on the North Fork.

A dedicated group of 10 women gathered recently in Riverhead at Hallock State Park Preserve, teaching each other new weaving patterns and showing off their latest accomplishments. They worked on tables piled with reeds, barks and canes that were transformed into hand-crafted baskets. 

At each monthly guild meeting, the show-and-tell portion reveals recent creations of patterns and colors and coiled, spiraled and braided designs. Fellow weavers showed support with “oohs” and responses of “wow, that’s beautiful” and “very amazing.” 

Several of the women had just returned from a basket weaving convention in Connecticut, eager to share their new skills and tips. “At the conventions, we’re usually weaving for five days straight,” said Carol Losquadro of Southold, projects manager for the weavers guild. 

Deborah Wetzel photos

Then their attention shifted to the reeds that were in the process of becoming baskets. This Saturday, May 18, at the Fleece and Fiber Festival at Hallockville Museum Farm, guild members will sell their handiwork and demonstrate basket weaving to young attendees in the hope they also become passionate about the craft.

“We weave all year and Fleece and Fiber will be our first show of the year,” said Ms. Losquadro whose dexterity and expertise has been honed over 30 years. Fellow weaver Deborah Conrardy, also of Southold, added, “Baskets are the earliest form of fiber material used for dishes and other uses.”

Years ago, weavers grew their own materials, but this group was using plants from as far away as Southeast Asia. The fibers are cut to various thicknesses and soaked in water to make them pliable and easier for the hands and fingers to manipulate. “It’s a hobby, but it’s also addictive,” said Kathy Gavey, who comes east from Ronkonkoma to be with her fellow weaving buddies. “It’s good therapy and camaraderie,” she added.

Instead of shopping for holiday and birthday gifts, several guild members give their family and friends handmade baskets. “ ‘Oh, you made that!’ is usually the happy response I get,” Ms. Conrardy said, “and I know people really appreciate how much goes into what I’ve made.”

After 25 years of basket weaving and “still learning new techniques,” guild president and treasurer Tina Pearsall of Port Jefferson Station is looking forward to this year’s festival, which has rain date of Sunday, May 19. 

“It’s a great opportunity for us to sell what we make, and we hope to get people to join our group,” she said. “Usually, the guild sells between 30 and 40 baskets at the festival.” Their best year, she noted, was right before COVID when they sold 86 baskets, as well as Christmas ornaments.

“My hands are achy, but I’m really impressed with the work these ladies have produced,” said first-timer Gayle Ratcliffe of Hampton Bays. “I’m always looking for a new adventure, and the instructors here are excellent; so kind.”

The weavers guild welcomes new members and can be reached at basketguildeast@gmail.com or on their Facebook page facebook.com/BWGELI.

The post Makers guild keeps basket weaving craft alive appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

On Sunday morning, under gray spring skies, the North Fork Polar Bears took their final weekly plunge of the season before heading into summer ice-olation.

The intrepid band of cold plunge enthusiasts who meet at an Orient beach each Sunday morning from mid-October until mid-May was founded in 2020 with just three people. By New Year’s Day, 2021, there were 10. Now more there are more than 140 Polar Bears on the group’s lively WhatsApp channel, an extensive email list for those who are curious but are not yet ready to dive in (Northforkpolarbears@gmail.com) and an Instagram account with more than 1200 followers.

This season the North Fork Polar Bears have seen their highest numbers ever, said Dafydd Snowdon-Jones, who founded the group with his partner Patricia Garcia-Gomez.

“Last year, we’d get maybe 10 or 12 people each Sunday morning, he said. “This winter we’ve had up to 30 people on Sunday at 10 o’clock, religiously.

“But it’s also about the relationships that came out of this,” he continued. “There are lots of new friendships where people never would have met because they’re in different circles. Even physical relationships — there are now several couples that were born out of the Polar Bears that never would have met. So you create a community, and it’s the birth of something special.”

Mr. Snowdon-Jones said that there’s nearly always a curious new recruit each week.

“New polar bears are born all the time.” (This seaon’s new converts include this reporter.)

Mr. Snowdon-Jones attributes the success of the rapidly-expanding group to cold water immersion itself.

“I guess it’s contagious. People are curious. They say, ‘I wonder what that’s like.’ And at some point, they’ll meet someone who’s like, ‘I’ve done that. You’ll love it.’ And that’s all they need. They come prepared, they go in and it’s just life-changing.”

With its growing numbers, the group is branching out and giving back.

In early 2023, the Polar Bears held a cold plunge fundraiser for Southold-based CAST [Center for Advocacy, Support and Transformation] that drew more than 200 swimmers and raised $50,000.

This year’s fundraiser at the Silver Sands Motel and Beach Bungalows in Greenport — which added the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Back to the Bays marine program as a beneficiary along with CAST — raised nearly $100,000.

That success is allowing the group to “give back to the water that we all enjoy so much,” as Ms. Garcia-Gomez put it.

“We’re scouting locations now, but this summer we’ll have a North Fork Polar Bears-dedicated marine site of ocean restoration, and by late summer we’ll be able to plant eel grass. We’ll add more and more restoration each year.”

Eel grass cleans coastal waters by absorbing nutrients and trapping fine sediment, supports marine life, produces oxygen and absorbs climate-warming carbon, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts.  

Ms. Garcia-Gomez has big plans ahead for the group’s charitable work.

“This year, our money is research and planting. Next year, we’ll go beyond planting and then maybe get into cultivating seafood like oysters and scallops and sea horses.”

Another welcome new addition this season to the weekly ritual is a portable sauna, which pulls right up to the beach — allowing group members to alternate between cold plunges and hot sauna visits. Bunji Box Saunas, a local, family-owned which rents out the mobile units, has been donating one of their wood-burning cedar barrel saunas to the Polar Bears once a month.

“Everybody just loves it,” Mr. Snowdon-Jones said.

The Bunji Box sauna has also been turning up for a little-known subset of the North Fork Polar Bears, comprised of a group of women who night swim under full moons.

“I love night swimming and I love swimming under full moons,” Mr. Garcia-Gomez said. “And I love saunas and I love rituals, where I get to have women come together, especially women that I want to bond with. I’ve done it twice already but I want to do it every full moon from now on through the whole year.

“I love the contrast of the cold, which is constricting, and the hot, which is expanding — and then you just get this magical feeling throughout your body.”

The post North Fork Polar Bears wrap up season with record numbers appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Listings prepared for Times Review Media Group by Suffolk Vision Inc., dated March 15, 2024.

AQUEBOGUE (11931)

• Kim Young to Maria Salguero & Jenifer Cruz,178 Main Road (600-85-2-2) (R) $375,000

BAITING HOLLOW (11933)

• Jon Fahey to Octagon 79 LLC, 79 Sandy Court (600-14-3-2) (R) $729,000

• Kosta & George Theodosopoulos & Peggy Goumakos to Gillyan & Kevin McCabe, 10 Midland Street (600-13-4-10) (R) $400,000

CUTCHOGUE (11935)

• Rimor Development LLC to Jeffrey & Deborah Marshal, 40 Harvest Pointe Lane (1000-102.01-2-41) (R) $990,000 

FISHERS ISLAND (06390)

• William & Heidi Driscoll to William Morgan, East Main Road (1000-4-3-6.002) (V) $875,000 

• Meyer Family Trust to Hay Harbor Club Inc, 528 Avenue B (1000-6-2-16.003) (R) $650,000

GREENPORT (11944)

• Estate of William Kranker to Kathleen & Michael Lofrese, 248 5th Avenue (1001-4-8-1) (R) $565,000

LAUREL (11948)

• Ellen Wagner to Brian & Jillian Gerson, 6825 Peconic Bay Blvd (1000-126-10-17) (R) $905,000 

MATTITUCK (11952)

• Estate of Kathy McMahon to M & M Volpe LLC, 1815 Marlene Lane (1000-144-3-9) (R) $950,000 

• Vasilios & Stavroula Kapetanakos to peonk Land Development LLC, 520 Zena Road (1000-106-2-43.002) (V) $450,000

RIVERHEAD (11901)

• 712 Sound Shore LLC to Michael & Mary Palucci, 712 Sound Shore Road (600-7-3-20.003) (R) $1,400,000

• Dorothy Mullen Trust to David Betts & Charlene Kagel-Betts, 99 Star Flower Row (600-18-5-9) (R) $865,000 

• PMC Equities LLC to 613 Roanoke Ave LLC, 613 Roanoke Avenue (600-126-1-54) (R) $520,000

•  Laurence Scudder to Abner Arias,150 Prospect Place (600-127-6-8.005) (R) $500,000

• Joyce Hartmann to Sundrop LLC, 3921 Sound Avenue (600-18-2-5.014) (V) $285,000 

SHELTER ISLAND (11964)

• Anja Schulte-Vogelheim & Thomas Hintermeier to Natalie Schrager, 9 Sunshine Road (700-19-1-64) (R) $1,985,000

SOUTHOLD (11971)

• Christine & Sergio DeAlbuquerque to Michael Linn & Victoria Yeung, 295 Bennetts Lane (1000-70-9-19) (R) $1,100,000 

• Dickinson Family Trust to John Kowal & Vladimir Lensky, 60 Koke Drive (1000-78-6-14) (R) $780,000

WADING RIVER (11792)

• Regina & Robert McGee to Robert & Maria Morea, 25 Maidstone Lane (600-115-1-10.021) (R) $899,000 

• John Anderson & John Ryan to John Hahm, 96 18th Street (600-53-1-25) (R) $419,000

(Key: Tax map numbers = District-Section-Block-Lot; (A) = agriculture; (R) = residential; (V) = vacant property; (C) = commercial; (R&E) = recreation & entertainment; (CS) = community services; (I) = industrial; (PS) = public service; (P) = park land; as determined from assessed values in the current tax rolls.)

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All ages

Sunday, May 19, 9 a.m.: East End Walk and Family Fun Day at RGNY, 6025 Sound Ave., Riverhead. Hosted by Peconic Bay Medical Center and Northwell Health. Registration opens at 9 a.m.; walk begins at 10. With live music, food trucks and kid’s zone. Dog friendly. Register: northwellhealthwalk.com.

Friday, May 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: American Legion Auxiliary annual curbside poppy distribution at American Legion Post 803, 51655 Main Road, Southold.

The arts and crafts

Friday, May 17, 6-8 p.m.: Opening reception for Manhattan to Plum Island: Mysteries of the New York Archipelago, a photography exhibition by Thomas Halaczinsky at Floyd Memorial Library, Greenport. Information: floydmemoriallibrary.org.

Fairs and festivals

Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Fleece and Fiber Festival at Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead. Sheep and alpaca shearing and fiber arts demonstrations, more than 30 vendors, embroidery exhibit and bilingual puppet show. Adults, $10; children 12 and under, free. Rain date: Sunday, May 19. Information: hallockville.org, 631-298-5292.

Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Antiques, Fine Art and Crafts Fair on the grounds of Old Town Arts and Crafts Guild, 28265 Main Road, Cutchogue. Antiques, collectibles, paintings, fiber arts, photography, woodwork, jewelry and more crafts. Rain date: Sunday, May 19. Information: oldtownartsguild.org, oldtownguild@aol.com, 631-734-6382.

Sunday, May 26, noon-5 p.m.: East End Arts Mosaic Street Painting Festival, on Main Street, Riverhead. Live entertainment by EEA bands and local groups, kid’s zone, art and maker vendors, food trucks. Information: eastendarts.org. Rain date: May 27, 2-5 p.m.

Fundraisers

Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: 10th annual Spring Native Plant Sale hosted by North Fork Audubon Society at the Roy Latham Nature Center at Inlet Pond County Park, 65275 Route 48, Greenport. Information: northforkaudubon.org.

Get together

Thursday, May 16, 6 p.m.: Be Our Guest hosted by Greenport Rotary Club at Kontokosta Winery, 825 North Road, Greenport. Complimentary glass of wine and hors d’oeuvres. Information: greenportrotary.org.

Local history

Saturday, May 18, 3 p.m.: Shipwreck and Salvation: the Wreck of the Prince Maurice in 1657 presented by the New Amsterdam History Center at Suffolk County Historical Society, 300 West Main St., Riverhead. Presented by Taya Dubin, project director of Mapping Early New York and Algonkian historical consultant Drew Shuptar-Rayvis. Free. Registration required: 631-727-2881, ext. 100.

Meetings

Thurdsay, May 23, 6-7:30 p.m.: Cutchogue Civic Association meeting: Short-term Rentals: What’s Legal and What’s Not? at Cutchogue New Suffolk Library. With Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski and assistant town attorney Ben Johnson. Information: cutchoguecivicassociation.org.

Music

Sunday, May 19, 2 p.m.: The Earthtones at Mattituck-Laurel Library’s outdoor greenspace. Songs by Neil Young, the Zac Brown Band, the Grateful Dead and more. Bring a lawn chair. Rain moves concert into library’s meeting room. Information: mattitucklaurellibrary.org.

Sunday, May 25, 5 p.m.: Amusing the Strings Rites of Spring Music Festival concert by Yezu Elizabeth Woo, violin and DoYeon Kim, gayageum at Poquatuck Hall, 1160 Village Lane, Orient. Tickets: Rites of Spring members, $30; nonmembers, $40; under 25, free. Information: ritesmusic.org.

Performance

Thursday, May 16, 1 p.m.: Brooklyn Ballet Workshop and Performance at Peconic Landing Auditorium, 1500 Brecknock Road, Greenport. Tickets: $10. peconiclanding.org.

Saturday May 18, 6 p.m.: Calpulli Mexican Dance Company presents the bilingual family show Puebla: the Story of Cinco de Mayo at the Center for Advocacy, Support and Transformation’s Treiber Gathering Hall, 53930 Main Road, Southold. Free. Register: castnorthfork.org.

Volunteer

Saturday, May 18 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m.: Shelter volunteer orientation class hosted by the Town of Southold Emergency Management Committee at Poquatuck Hall, 1160 Skipper’s Lane, Orient. For Orient and East Marion community members. Program introduces and review the skills needed to open and staff a Southold Town Emergency Shelter during a hurricane or other time of need. Free. Register: Don Fisher, n2qhv@arrl.net.

Ongoing events

Saturdays through October, 9 a.m.: Tai Chi with Denise Gillies at Mitchell Park, Greenport. Sponsored by Friends of Mitchell Park. Free. No classes June 29, July 27, Aug. 31 or Sept. 21.

Fridays and Sundays: Roller skating at Greenport American Legion, 102 Third St. All-ages All Skate: Fridays, 3-9-p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: $10, includes skates; $5, spectators. greenportamericanlegion.org. 

Wednesdays, 5-9 p.m.: Adult skate for ages 18 and up at Greenport American Legion, 102 Third St. Admission: $10, includes skates; $5, spectators. greenportamericanlegion.org. 

Tuesdays, noon-3:30 p.m.: Bingo at Southold American Legion, 51655 Main Road. 631-765-2276.

Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Docent-led tours at Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead. Tickets: $15, adults; $10, seniors and children. 631-298-5292, hallockville.org.

Saturdays, 7 p.m.-midnight: Stargazing at Custer Observatory, 1115 Main Bayview Road, Southold, weather permitting. Suggested donation: adults, $5; under 12, $3. 631-765-2626, custerobservatory.org.

Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Blacksmithing demonstrations with Tom Barry at Village Blacksmith Shop, 101 Front St., Greenport. 631-477-2100, eastendseaport.org.

Exhibitions

Saturdays and Sundays, noon- 6 p.m. through June 10: In Flower group exhibition curated by Dena Zemsky, with works by Anne Abrons, Louise Crandell, Gary DiPasquale, Garance, Naomi Machado, Ellen Wiener, Dena Zemsky and Arne Svenson at Vine and Sand, 47100 Main Road, Southold. Appointments: 631-620-9253.

Through May: Captured Moments, photography by Hollye Gilbride, at Mattituck-Laurel Library. Information: mattitucklaurellibrary.org.

Through May 12: Heritage and Home: Latin American Artists of the East End at Floyd Memorial Library, Greenport. Information: floydmemoriallibrary.org.

Through October: A Sportsman’s Paradise: Man and Nature in Suffolk County’s Past at Suffolk County Historical Society Museum, 300 West Main St., Riverhead. Assortment of hunting equipment, hand-carved decoys, duck boats, fishing gear, themed toys, clothing, magazines and more. 631-727-2881, suffolkcountyhistoricalsociety.org.

Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Suffolk County: A Timeline Experience at Suffolk County Historical Society Museum, 300 West Main St., Riverhead. Interactive exhibit of artifacts, documents, photos and digital experiences provides a comprehensive timeline of Suffolk County history. 631-727-2881, suffolkcountyhistoricalsociety.org.

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Here are the headlines for May 16, 2024.

THE SUFFOLK TIMES

Benefits of new septic systems impeded by costs

North Fork Polar Bears wrap up season with record numbers

RIVERHEAD NEWS-REVIEW

Hubbard extends housing ban started by predecessor

Charter school expansion plan pivots to portables

SHELTER ISLAND REPORTER

A Day in the Life: Shelter Island’s Sylvester Manor Farm

NORTHFORKER

Weekend Update: Brooklyn Ballet, high-end dive bar and more North Fork fun

SOUTHFORKER

Don’t be a drag — here’s how to do a South Fork weekend in style

The daily update is a briefing on what’s happening across the North Fork and Shelter Island.

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The post Daily Update: Benefits of new septic systems impeded by costs appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

The discussion at last week’s “Septic Savvy Citizens” meeting in Cutchogue was meant to cover the basics of the new Innovative/Alternative (I/A) septic systems: how they work and, more critically, why they are needed to protect groundwater and prevent further nitrogen seepage into the Peconic Bay estuary.

While nearly everyone who attended the meeting spoke in support of such systems, much of the discussion centered on how expensive they are to install, even when factoring in Suffolk County and New York State funding grants.

Present at Cutchogue New Suffolk Free Library were representatives of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Peconic Baykeeper, Group for the East End, Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski and an industry representative.

Peter Topping, executive director of the Hampton Bays-based Peconic Baykeeper, described the septic systems currently in use at thousands of North Fork homes as “outdated” and “an active threat to water quality” because the wastewater inevitably makes its way into the estuary in the form of nitrogen pollution. 

“As more and more of us live out here,” Mr. Topping said, “this has become a serious issue.”

By contrast, the I/A systems “mechanically aerate wastewater and treat the effluent,” he said.

Bob Deluca of Group for the East End said the tens of thousands of homes in Suffolk County that for decades have relied on traditional septic systems have resulted in nitrogen leaching into marine estuaries. 

Mr. Deluca and other speakers said marine systems across the region have been impacted, resulting in algae blooms and loss of shellfish. Rising water temperatures have exacerbated these problems.

“Nitrogen is getting into our water,” he said. “We are telling people [the old systems] are not good enough.”

Mr. Topping, who grew up in Southampton, said the bays were “crystal clear when I was a kid. There was plenty of eel grass and fish. The first brown tide came in the eighties … Now, I’ve seen an increasing number of fish kills in our creeks. We are seeing oxygen levels in our creeks too low to support aquatic life. We are still struggling to get our shellfish back.

“We are continuing to put our waste into the ground,” he added. “We have to get away from this. The waste doesn’t stay there; it gets into our groundwater.”

Julia Priolo of the county department of health services spoke about grants available to offset the costs of the new systems. In December, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $30 million in additional funding for the state’s Septic System Replacement programs, which are managed at the county level. Grant amounts vary based on a variety of factors ranging from the scope of the project to the overall assessed risk of leaving a current system in place. However, several speakers who had received grants and installed new systems said the costs of removing old septic tanks and installing new ones far exceeded the grants funding available.

Ms. Priolo said an estimated 250,000 homes in Suffolk County are still using traditional septic systems. While several in the audience agreed this is a serious environmental issue, many said that — even with grants — the high cost will prevent widespread conversion to the I/A systems.

“It’s obvious where the wastewater is going,” Supervisor Krupski said, adding that creating centralized neighborhood or hamlet-based sewage treatment systems would be “far too expensive.” He also noted that it is far cheaper to preserve open space than to increase housing density.

“Our economy out here is based on our water quality,” he said.

Several speakers pointed out that Suffolk County code specifies when the I/A systems have to be installed. Southold Town attorney Paul DeChance, in an interview, said county regulations require the new systems for all new home construction but added that “certain triggers at a parcel, such as an addition or modification of the structure,” could also require that an I/A system be installed.

Still, several speakers who had installed I/A systems said the costs not covered by grants ran too high. One person said he spent $40,000 on an I/A system for his two-bedroom home. Another said she received three bids to install the system at her home, one of which was as high as $50,000.

The meeting boiled down to two competing realities: the new I/A systems will prevent groundwater pollution, but the high cost will prevent many homeowners from installing them.

The post Benefits of new septic systems impeded by costs appeared first on The Suffolk Times.

Catherine Bosco believes communication is important for all children to able to connect with one another, regardless of whether they speak the same language — or can speak at all.

Ms. Bosco, a registered nurse currently serving as the behavioral health nurse educator and quality coordinator at Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital, resides in Southold with her three children. Her youngest, Avery Moore, 3, has level-three autism and is nonverbal. At home, Avery, his parents and his older siblings — Justin Moore, 11, and Kayleigh Moore, 9 — overcome communication barriers by using a tablet loaded with specialized pictogram- and audio-based software. But outside the home, Ms. Bosco worries that Avery — and other children in the community — endure communication breakdowns. Her concern is rooted not only in Avery’s experiences, but those of her older children as well.

“[My older kids] know [nonverbal methods are the] only way their brother can communicate; however, a lot of other kids don’t understand that,” Ms. Bosco said. “You have to [be able to] understand everybody; everybody is important. When my kids would come home they would tell me, ‘I met some new friends, but I didn’t know what to say because they only spoke Spanish. I wish I knew what to say to them.’ They would have to use Google Translate and it wasn’t right. I realized this is a big issue and we want to make sure that everyone who’s out there can communicate.’” To help all children throughout the town communicate effectively, Ms. Bosco has partnered with the Southold School District to install an augmentative and alternative communication board at the elementary school’s playground. The AAC board will feature dozens of pictogram tiles to which children can point. Each pictogram represents an idea — a person, place, need, want, emotion, action or object — an includes the word it represents, written in both English and Spanish. The board will also feature letters arranged in a standard QWERTY keyboard format, digits zero through nine and a QR code to download an application loaded with other resources to help children and adults communicate nonverbally.

“We can all learn from one another, and having this [board] provides immense support for people in order for them to form the social relationships that they need to have a fulfilling life,” Ms. Bosco said.“I don’t want people to ever feel excluded, even when they’re in public. It’s very isolating when you cannot speak to other people. Having this provides that bridge so now everyone can understand one another and hopefully takes that judgment away.”

Ms. Bosco said the school district has agreed to cover the cost of the board, which she said will be between $2,500 and $3,000. She hopes it can be installed in time for Field Day on Thursday, June 13. When asked about the board via email, Superintendent Anthony Mauro replied that the district is “hoping to have it installed over the summer.”

“The communication board allows all of our students equal access to the different opportunities on our playground,” the superintendent said. “It also provides the ability for them to communicate better with peers while engaging in play. Children learn many valuable skills through play, so providing access to those opportunities is important. All students — regardless of age, developmental level, ability or language level — will have better access to the valuable experiences that elementary students partake in when on the playground.”

Last Tuesday, Ms. Bosco joined Southold Town recreation supervisor Janet Douglass in asking the Town Board to consider installing an AAC board at Tasker Park. They said they believe this location would be idea, as the Peconic Lane park is a brief walk from other town-owned recreation facilities, including the Peconic Pickleball Court and Jean Cochran Park. Ms. Douglass also noted that Tasker Park is the town’s most ADA-friendly outdoor recreation property. The park’s Reichert Family Community ADA Playground features a pour-in-place rubber surface, much softer than traditional surfaces or wood mulch, and its fixtures boast low-lying platforms to enable those with mobility difficulties to use the equipment.

“In addition to the ADA playground, we recently put in an ADAcompliant parking pad,” Ms. Douglass said in a telephone interview. “We’re able to get the people to the playground, but trying to get them to communicate is always a barrier, especially for individuals like Ms. Bosco’s son Avery. This will be one more step to bridge the gap between community members. No longer is there a physical barrier preventing them from coming together, but this will eliminate that communication barrier for our community members.”

The idea was well received by Town Board members. Ms. Bosco is spearheading a grassroots initiative to fund the project.

“There are funds in the park and playground [budget], but they indicated that they are going to raise funds,” Councilwoman Jill Doherty said a few hours after the board’s work session. “We’re ready to supplement any funds that they don’t raise because this is an important thing.”

Once the Southold school and Tasker Park installations are complete, Ms. Bosco envisions more AAC boards throughout the community, including the Greenport School District and other public spaces, such as town beaches.

“The East End needs a lot more resources for families who are going through what we’re going through right now and for the children who are going through this,” Ms. Bosco said. “This is kind of a really nice bridge because we can learn a lot from children who can’t speak and adults who can’t speak. We can learn a lot from each other.”

To learn more or donate to fund the AAC board at Tasker Park, email Ms. Bosco at northforkcommunication@ gmail.com.

The post Southold parent instrumental in schoolyard amenity for better communication appeared first on The Suffolk Times.