Have you reset all your clocks yet? Somehow I always miss one and discover it sometime in January. At least with this week’s time change you will be early. 

The Oysterponds Historical Society is seeking donations of artificial Christmas trees (and, a la the three bears, not too big and not too small). The plan is to have them decorated by “local celebrities” and then auction them off at the winter benefit. If you have one of these gems, please get in touch at oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org or 323-2480.

Greenport High School’s DECA Club will sponsor a french toast breakfast at the Townsend Manor this Sunday, Nov. 9, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children under 12. Proceeds will help defray the cost of transportation for competitions and career education field trips. For more info, call Martha Tuthill at 323-2763.

In honor of Veterans Day, this Sunday, Nov. 9, Orient United Methodist and Orient Congregational churches will celebrate services together at the Methodist church. They will follow a long tradition of inviting the Southold NJROTC unit to participate and a special anthem will be sung. All are invited.

Speaking of the Congregational Church, the Rev. Ann Van Cleef and husband, Bob, have embraced the concept of gypsy and are taking full advantage of Ann’s sabbatical. They recently returned from a two-week adventure in Morocco, where they slept in tents under the stars, rode camels and thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality of the first country that acknowledged the United States. One thing that stood out for them were the exceptionally vibrant and fresh vegetables for sale at the outdoor markets. They were here long enough for Ann to write a few more pages on her thesis and then took off again for more fun experiences. Travel safe, friends.

St. Agnes Church has “reset” Sunday Mass to the winter schedule of 8 and 10 a.m. Take note so you aren’t an hour early or an hour late.

The East Marion Community Association will hold a “Story Saturday” on Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon (coffee and goodies at 9:30) where stories that help define the hamlet’s history will be shared. George Koch, son of a St. Thomas Home camper, will talk about how summers in East Marion influenced his family and his career choices. He will be followed by George Giannaris, a descendant of Greek immigrants, with “Ferry Tales” about renting cottages and establishing the well-known and popular Hellenic Restaurant. All are welcome.

There’s still time to sign up for San Simeon’s fundraising trip to either Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun casino on Monday, Nov. 17. Tickets are $30. To reserve, call Paula Thorp at 477-2392 or San Simeon at 477-2110.

Floyd Memorial Library in Greenport will host a book launch and talk Friday, Nov. 8, at 3 p.m., with the author of “Get Paused,” a survival story with photographs. Sounds like another great program at a facility we’re all grateful to have. Check the website at Floydmemoriallibrary.org. It will be worth the visit.

Prayers for Jennifer Woznick, East Marion “kid” and OPU graduate, now of Joshua, Tex., who is hopefully on the mend after some very serious recent surgery. Mom Anna did what mothers do and flew south to administer lots of TLC to her firstborn. Oysterponds wishes her a speedy recovery.

Emily Halligan reported in on Halloween from Billings, Mont., and bragged that gas there was $3.09 a gallon. That got me observing and inquiring. The cheapest gas down here in the Sunshine State was $2.53 at a Sam’s Club. Can you top that? It’s encouraging to see the prices drop. I’ll try to bring some cheap gas and sunshine when I return in a few weeks. Until then, keep warm.

Contact Oysterponds columnist Carol Gillooly at medinnov@aol.com or 323-3899.

Congressman-elect Lee Zeldin addresses his supporters at the Suffolk County GOP gala at Emporium in Patchogue Tuesday. (Credit: John Griffin)

“Every election is like a job interview,” Mitch McConnell, the Republican senator from Kentucky and likely Senate majority leader, said in his acceptance speech Tuesday. This year, Democrats weren’t hired for lots of jobs.

Notably for East Enders, Lee Zeldin knocked off six-term incumbent Democrat Tim Bishop in the 1st Congressional District race.

In the back-and-forth, push-and-pull of national politics, Democrats were not only unable to mobilize and get out the vote for their candidates, Republicans were able to inspire their base and convince many in the middle that the left had gone too far. None of this was too surprising for a mid-term election under a second-term president, but whatever the reasons, Republicans earned most of the available spots in 2014.

The specific issues that will take center stage in the wake of the Republicans’ domination on Tuesday remain to be defined. Mr. Zeldin, in his own acceptance speech, mentioned that “every good idea” the Republicans have had in recent years has been stopped by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Also on opinion:

• Featured Letter: Opposition to United Terminal is NIMBY-ism at its worst

• Suffolk Closeup: Long Island’s role in American Revolution

• Cartoon: See this week’s Paw Print

“Now those bills are going to Barack Obama’s desk,” he said. Unfortunately for Mr. Zeldin — and the American public, who is paying Congress to move the nation forward — many of those bills will probably be vetoed and, unable to secure the necessary two-thirds vote in Congress to override, will eventually die. At least, based on the atmosphere we’re seeing in Washington these days, that’s what can be expected.

There’s plenty of blame to go around for the current state of affairs in the nation’s capital, but now both sides have the chance to surprise us. Republican leaders in Congress won’t be able to get much done without compromise. The same goes for the president himself, who was elected twice based, at least in part, on a platform of “hope and change.” This will be a true test to see if he can work across the aisle, push through gridlock and help change partisan politics between the government’s executive and legislative branches.

Whether either side really wants to get anything done — or just tear the other side down for their own benefit — remains to be seen. If recent history is any indicator, we won’t be holding our breath for much progress over the next two years.

Hopefully the president and Congress — including newcomers like Mr. Zeldin — can work together instead of in conflict. We’ll see.

Gary Joyce of Aquebogue (left) and Ed Densieski of Riverhead sort through a catch. They said they often throw away more empty scallop shells than healthy keepers. (Credit: Carrie Miller)

Early Monday morning, under cover of darkness and beneath a star-lit sky, Ed Densieski and Gary Joyce boarded their custom-outfitted boat, dressed head to toe in vibrant all-weather gear.

Unfazed by the blustery chill, the pair headed out through Southold Bay, with Brick Cove Marina at their backs.

It was the start of their 16th scalloping season and, as Mr. Densieski said, “There’s only one opening day.” 

Plenty of salt spray and one 15-minute boat ride later, the duo began checking the time.

“You can’t start before 6:23,” explained Mr. Joyce, a 65-year-old Aquebogue resident, noting the official time of sunrise.

Eight minutes later, four scalloping dredges hit the water.

“What’s better than this,” said Mr. Densieski, 54, of Riverhead as he leaned on the throttle, moving the boat and the dredges along with it.

The 2014 scalloping season had begun.

Famous for its sweet and tender meat and unique winged hinge, the Atlantic bay scallop is a fixture in the East End fishing landscape.

• Five facts about scallops

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, commercial fishermen were harvesting an average of 300,000 pounds of scallop meat annually between 1966 and 1984, contributing to over $4 million a year to the state economy.

During that time, the Peconic Estuary accounted for 25 percent of all bay scallops harvested in the United States, according to The Nature Conservancy.

• See five scallop recipes from North Fork chef John Ross

The abundance of fresh shellfish supported nearly 100 pop-up scallop shops, which dotted roadways across the East End, longtime bayman Charlie Harvey, 74 of Greenport, recalled.

Mr. Harvey still makes a living off nearby bay waters.

“My father ran a big scallop shop down at the end of Sixth Street in Greenport. Boats could come right into the bulkhead,” he said. “There sure was a lot of people doing it … and back in them days we sailed, we didn’t use power [boats]. You had to depend on the wind.”

But the summers from 1985 to 1987, and again in 1995, brought change, as a harmful overgrowth of algae known as “brown tide” choked Peconic Bay waters of oxygen, killing the shellfish and eelgrass that were unable to escape it.

“[Brown tide] hit so heavy you couldn’t even see through it,” Mr. Harvey said. “When I pulled them out of the water, all the scallops had died.

“I can remember my father going out on opening day and coming in with just three-quarters of a bushel of scallops. And that was a whole day’s work.”

During the years from 1996 to 2007, according to state DEC data, commercial anglers harvested an average of only 3,333 pounds of scallop meat — about 1 percent of historical catch averages.

Mr. Harvey said he and many others who had made a life on bay waters were forced to seek jobs on land.

“A lot of people went in different directions because you could not make enough,” he said. He went into construction and, while he still goes scalloping, this year’s season will be delayed for him as he focuses on conch, otherwise known as whelk, a sea snail that has realized a growth in demand in Europe and Asia.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Map.

• The scallop can be found in bays from Cape Cod to the Gulf of Mexico and even in Nova Scotia. Locally, bay scallops are found mostly in the Peconics, Great South Bay, Moriches Bay and Shinnecock Bay. 

(Credit: Stony Brook University)

• Bay scallops were nearly driven to extinction due to “brown tide” algal blooms that affected bay waters from 1985 to 1987 and again in 1995. Because bay scallops live for just 18 to 22 months and reproduce only once, they are particularly susceptible to population fluctuations. 

Suffolk health department workers have done extensive groundwater testing near the former Grumman plant in Calverton. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch, file)

In an attempt to further safeguard funding for Suffolk County’s Drinking Water Protection Program, County legislators have proposed a new law to ensure certain federal reimbursements for fund expenditures are deposited back into the program.

According to Legislator Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk), a portion of Drinking Water Protection Program money goes toward paying the salaries of certain county employees, positions that are also eligible for state and federal reimbursements.

Mr. Schneiderman said when reimbursed, those monies are deposited into the county’s general fund — not the portion of the Drinking Water Protection Program that funded them — which is known as Fund 477.

“I found out that when we’re getting the money back, that it was going to the general fund,” he said. “I felt as a matter of principle, if a position was funded with water quality money, any benefit that came back should go back into that initiative.”

The proposal was introduced at Wednesday’s Legislature meeting, one day after voters passed a referendum ending a more than three-year legal battle between county lawmakers and environmental advocates who were looking to restore $30 million which had been taken from the county’s Drinking Water Protection Program for other purposes to help balance the county’s budget.

Mr. Schneiderman said certain positions are eligible for up to a 37 percent salary reimbursement through state and federal grants, which nets an estimated $300,000 a year that should be put back in the fund.

“It is a significant amount of money that could fund all kinds of projects — reducing pollutants entering storm drains, helping fund updated septic systems, or funding scientific studies,” he said. “In my mind, the fund is entitled to the reimbursement.”

Robert DeLuca, president of the Group for the East End said “one of the things we really want to take a better look at is what’s going on with the 477 Fund.”

Mr. DeLuca said the majority of monies in the fund are used to pay for the salaries of county workers, many of whom are helping to manage water quality through testing and infrastructure maintenance.

Those positions are in the Department of Health Services, Department of Public Works and Department of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation, according to the proposal.

“Anything that we can do to restore the integrity of that fund makes sense,” said Mr. DeLuca, who sits on the 477 fund advisory committee. “What’s important for people to realize is how far that funding can go.”

He used the nonprofit’s East End Medication Disposal Program as an example.

With $45,000 provided through the county program, Group for the East End was able to install prescription drop-off containers at seven East End police stations.

Over the past year, just over a ton of medication was collected between the seven locations, helping to cut down on groundwater contamination while improving the safety of the community, according to a release from the nonprofit.

“In terms of the potential, that is a fairly small project that did a lot of good,” he said.

If passed, the law would take effect at the start of 2016, so it would not disrupt budget appropriations for 2015, Mr. Schneiderman said.

A public hearing on the legislation is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18.

cmiller@timesreview.com

Orient Harbor on the opening day of scallop season. (Carrie Miller photo)

It’s an aquatic episode this week on North Fork in the News.

In our first story, reporter Carrie Miller takes us on a scalloping tour as this year’s season opened. She talks with longtime baymen who share their tales of this North Fork tradition.

We also go beneath the waves to meet an unusual visitor who made a rare appearance in Greenport harbor last week: a Northern Right whale. Finally, our editorial board weighs in on the midterm election results.

North Fork in the News, Volume 4

Scalloping — 0:32-8:16
Whale sighting — 8:17-12:49
Our View: Working with or against each other? — 12:50-End

Archive

Joe and Darla Doorhy, with their daughter Carly, at Friday’s ceremony to dedicate a bench in memory of Kaitlyn Doorhy at Cutchogue East Elementary School. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

When Lisa Fox heard the tragic news of Kaitlyn Doorhy’s death in late August, she and the executive board of the Mattituck-Cutchogue Parent-Teacher Association began brainstorming ways to honor the Mattituck woman.

“Not only to honor Kaitlyn, but to honor her family, which has given so much to this community for the last 15 years,” said Ms. Fox, the PTA president.

They decided on the “Kaitlyn Doorhy Memorial Buddy Bench,” which was introduced in a ceremony Friday afternoon at the Cutchogue East Elementary School.

Ms. Doorhy — a 2012 Mattituck High School graduate, honor student, varsity soccer player, accomplished musician, cheerleader, volunteer and 2011 Mattituck Strawberry Queen — died at the age of 20 on Aug. 22 when she was struck by car near her sorority house at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn.

“We can never take away your sadness, but we all embrace you and your family and hope to ease your pain,” Ms. Fox said.

Kaitlyn’s parents, Joe and Darla Doorhy, attended Friday’s ceremony along with their daughter Carly.

“We’re just overwhelmed with the outpouring from the community,” Joe Doorhy said after the ceremony. “It’s a bittersweet day. I can’t thank the people of this community enough for everything they’ve done.”

Ms. Fox said when the PTA was searching for a way to honor Kaitlyn and her family, she discovered the Buddy Bench. A boy in third grade came up with the idea as a way to encourage friendship on the playground, Ms. Fox said.

The boy, identified only as Christian, originally thought his family would be moving to Germany. He saw a bench on a playground there and thought it would be a good idea to encourage friendship at his own school. He ended up not moving to Germany and he convinced his school to get a bench.

“The idea is that, if you don’t have someone to play with or you want someone to talk to, you just sit on the Buddy Bench and a friend will come and talk to you,” said Cutchogue East Principal Kathleen Devine.

“The Buddy Bench is an incredible idea and is exactly what Kaitlyn stood for,” said Molly Waitz, Ms. Doorhy’s friend and fellow 2012 Mattituck High School graduate. She said that in addition to Kaitlyn’s many accomplishments in school, sports and other ventures, she also volunteered at places like Maureen’s Haven, which helps the homeless, and at blood drives.

“She gave more than she received and cared more about others around her than herself,” Ms. Waitz said Friday.

Ms. Fox said the Doorhy family has also given back to the community. Darla is a past president of the PTA and a president of the Friends of Music and Joe is a past president of the athletic booster club, Ms. Fox said.

“The school district owes you a great deal of gratitude,” Ms. Fox told the family. “We hope that this bench will offer you a peaceful place to come and reflect on your happy memories of Kaitlyn and Carly attending school here.”

Friday’s ceremony also featured a flag presentation by the local Cub Scout pack, a presentation by the local Girl Scouts, and a Celtic melody played by Deborhah Guryn on flute and Robert Ozman on piano.

tgannon@timesreview.com

The Buddy Bench was presented to the Doorhy family Friday. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

The Buddy Bench at Cutchogue East Elementary School. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

• Have breakfast with master printmaker Dan Welden at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at The South Street Gallery in Greenport.

Mr. Welden, who’s also a painter and author, will talk about his recent residency at the renowned printing facility in Guanlan, China, and show his work from that time. While there he was a keynote speaker at the Guanlan Print Art Museum, the largest print museum in the world. 

• An art show to benefit the New Suffolk Waterfront Fund will be presented by the Cloud 9 critique group and The South Street Gallery from Nov. 8 to 30 at the Greenport gallery. A reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.

The show and sale feature original paintings by Cloud 9 members Jada Rowland, Dolores Castrucci, Adelaide Amend, Joan Curran, Fran Reichert and Ann McCaughey.

• Lisa Azzato, Cia Comnas and Michael Orsino have joined the East End Arts board of directors.

Ms. Azzato has been practicing law for nearly 25 years. Ms. Comnas is executive managing director for Brown Harris Stevens. Mr. Orsino is executive vice president and chief lending officer for Suffolk County National Bank.

• Photographers Harold Naideau and Steven Schreiber will give a gallery talk at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at Alex Ferrone Photography Gallery in Cuthchogue. The talk is held in conjunction with their exhibit, “The Still Life,” which is on view through Nov. 23.

• An artist’s reception for “Wearable Art,” a retrospective of fiber art by Barbara Ringewald of Cuthchogue, was held Friday, Nov. 7  at Cutchogue New Suffolk Library. The exhibit continues through Dec. 28.

To send arts news, email lsisson@timesreview.com, fax to 298-3287, or mail to Times/Review Newspapers, P.O. Box 1500, Mattituck, NY 11952. Copy deadline: Wednesday at 5 p.m. to appear the following week.

Lois Ross, left, leads the choir at a 2011 practice session of North Fork Chorale. (Credit: file photo)

Members of the North Fork Chorale have never stopped performing in the singing group’s 78 years, with the exception of a time during World War II, when gas rationing made regular rehearsing difficult.

In all that time, attendees at their twice-annual concerts were always treated to a show, put on by their passionate and talent-rich neighbors.

And what shows they’ve been.

“If I don’t look out and see someone wiping away a tear at some point I haven’t really done my job,” Lois Ross, who’s been the Chorale’s director for more than 20 years, told us in a 2013 interview.

But now, the tradition-rich group, which began in 1936 as the Southold Town Choral Society and has grown to a chorus of 80 members from Wading River to Orient, is in danger of folding. Its problems are multi-pronged, but stem mostly from declining membership and, with that, revenue issues.

Its treasurer, Gene Yourch, tells us that a recent community outreach program, coupled with an advertising campaign, yielded few new members. As a newspaper group, we feel it’s our duty to help draw attention to the Chorale’s plight, and tout its value, to help keep this group active for another 78 years.

To keep it simple, here are three things to like about the North Fork Chorale.

• It’s a piece of our history. The group was founded the same year the British Broadcasting Corporation began transmitting the world’s first public television service from London. In other words, TV was still in its infancy.

In a way it’s remarkable the North Fork Chorale has lasted this long, which is even more reason to keep it going.

• It’s inexpensive and not digital. Nowadays, most every form of entertainment either takes place on a glowing screen or costs a bundle of money. This is live entertainment and the members only ask for a relatively nominal donation in the form of ticket sales.

• Kids enjoy it. Believe it or not, young children and teenagers have a keen ability to get lost in a good show. Even if they fight you over putting down their phones and getting out of the car. So next time the family is looking for something to do in the spring or December, check calendar listings for the Chorale’s concerts.

Who knows, watching one of these concerts may even instill in them a passion for singing — or to keep singing.

If you feel motivated to help and it’s not concert season, donations to the North Fork Chorale can be sent to P.O. Box 402, Cutchogue, NY 11935.

The Fishers Island Theater (Grant Parpan photo)

The Fishers Island Theater received some much-needed repairs after the historic building was labeled as a “danger” and temporarily closed over the summer.

During the Southold Town Board’s work session Wednesday, Department of Public Works director Jeff Standish reported that crews had visited the island and made the building structurally safe and it’s now able to reopen to the public.

“It doesn’t look pretty,” he said. “I think we did everything we could… I think the building is safe.”

Crews sealed the building to prevent further water damage and filled in small cracks with silicone and larger cracks with concrete. Workers also removed loose bricks that caused a safety hazard over the summer.

It was brought to the town’s attention in April that some of the building’s bricks were falling off and at that point the town inspected the building and deemed it unsafe, Councilwoman and Fishers Island Justice Louisa Evans previously told The Suffolk Times.

“Some of [the bricks] were hanging over the emergency exit too and they didn’t want someone to get hit so they closed off the building and shut it down until it could be made safe,” she said after the Town Board visited Fishers Island in August. “It is a beautiful building. Unfortunately the building was allowed to get into a state of despair.”

The most recent patchwork is a temporary solution, Mr. Standish said.

Visit the Fishers Island Theater Facebook page

The town is currently working with the Fisher Island Ferry District to figure out a long-term restoration and maintenance plan for the theater, he said. The district manages the theater and other property owned by the town, including the airport and the parade ground.

“What we really want is a building that is safe,” Ms. Evans said Wednesday.

cmurray@timesreview.com

Peconic Community School lower primary student Sawyer Harbin shows the Zimbabwe schoolchildren the doll he bought during a live video conference Friday morning as Tinashe Basa, a nonprofit director, watches on. (Credit: Paul Squire)

“What do you do for fun?” the girl in Aquebogue asked.

“Do you have pets?” the boy in Zimbabwe asked.

“How big is your school?”

“Do you have a garden?”

These questions and more were answered Friday morning when a group of roughly 30 students at the Peconic Community School in Aquebogue met a group of Zimbabwe orphans through a live online video.

The meetup, coordinated by the nonprofit group ZimKids Orphan Trust, was the first time any of the students in Aquebogue had met kids from Africa, as well as the first time the Zimbabwe students had met someone outside their community. The school also hosted Dennis Gaboury, who founded the nonprofit, and its director — Tinashe Basa.

Mr. Gaboury said the video chat would help the young students here on the North Fork learn more about other cultures.

Mr. Basa, who joined the nonprofit group as a teenager, said he was excited to take part in the “culture [ex]change.”

Some of the students bought homemade dolls from Zimbabwe (those proceeds will go to the nonprofit) and played games with Mr. Basa, who told them about what life was like where he grew up.

ZimKids helps orphaned and abandoned children in Zimbabwe by providing schooling and vocational training. Mr. Basa himself was mistreated as a child, and nearly poisoned by some of his relatives who didn’t want to care for him.

“That whole time, it was a life lesson to know that there are kids out there going through the same thing,” he said. “I want to help them.”

psquire@timesreview.com

Listings prepared for Times/Review Newspapers by Suffolk Research Service, dated Sept. 9-15, 2014.

AQUEBOGUE (11931)
• Grisafi, P & M to Higgins Housing Initiative, 14 Willow St (600-87-1-8), (V), $85,000

CUTCHOGUE (11935)
• Thompson, A to Smyth, John, 29330 Route 25 (1000-102-6-23.1), (R), $769,000
• Broadwaters Development to Rosasco, Craig, 745 East Rd (1000-110-6-13), (R), $546,500
• Gavazzi, T & Anderer, K to Benkard, Anne, 505 Track Ave (1000-137-1-20), (R), $629,000

FISHERS ISLAND (06390)
• Sednaoui, G & S to Claflin, II, Richard, Off East End Rd (1000-4-7-6), (R), $2,300,000

FLANDERS (11901)
• Tuthill, H to High Tide Realty LLC, 44 Maynard St (900-138-2-22), (R), $80,000
• Route 24 Corp to Bohlen Enterprises LLC, 816 Flanders Rd (900-143-3-49), (R), $120,000
• Espana, F to Sarris, Nancy, 98 Albany Ave (900-144-1-68), (R), $145,000
• Munzel Family LLC to XO Flanders LLC, 60 Suffolk Ave (900-144-1-76), (R), $205,000
• Southampton Comm Hsng to Holloway, Jill, 207 Oak Ave (900-145-1-58), (R), $207,126

GREENPORT (11944)
• Petitto, F & R to Brudie Jr, Donald, 1655 Inlet Pond Rd (1000-33-3-19.21), (R), $1,037,500
• Davis Jr, P to Zito, John, 235 Linnet St (1000-48-2-33.1), (R), $520,000
• Dombrowski, K & Syron, C to Eckstrom, Nicole, 415 Second St (1001-4-2-19), (R), $465,000

MATTITUCK (11952)
• Capital One, N.A. to 9025 Main Road LLC, 9025 Route 25 (1000-122-6-22.1), (C), $1,088,095

RIVERHEAD (11901)
• Vieira, M to Gruberth, Victor, 23 Eight Bells Rd (600-13-4-25), (R), $227,500
• Palmer, K & Pohanis, S to Eyre, John, 10 Linda Ln E (600-15-3-10), (R), $495,000
• Kaufold, F & E by Executor to Villas at Roanoke LLC, Sound Ave (600-17-1-6), (V), $1,617,165
• Naso, R & A to Bellini, Robert, 80 Pennys Rd (600-19-1-17), (R), $380,000
• Giosasi, H to Murphy, Edward, 2303 Augusta Alley (600-64.1-1-39.1), (R), $335,000
• Donoghue, M by Executor to Campo, Gary, 167 Adele Ct (600-82.2-1-167), (R), $415,000
• Rosenthal, R to Higgins Housing Initiative, 11 Willow St (600-87-1-21), (V), $50,000
• Karlin, B & K & H & M to Leon, Jose, 600 Ostrander Ave (600-127-2-14), (R), $255,000

SHELTER ISLAND (11964)
• Lang, G & M to Sorrentino, Francesco, 4 Woodbine Way (700-1-1-80), (V), $350,000
• Karppinen, B to Cincotta, Susan, 9 Jaspa Rd (700-15-2-10), (V), $45,000
• Cincotta DiPaolo et al to Cincotta, Susan, 9 Jaspa Rd (700-15-2-10), (V), $35,000

SOUTHOLD (11971)
• MP Central Realty to Gallacher, Dominic, 670 Smith Dr N (1000-76-2-14), (R), $360,000
• Cappa, R & C to Ponzo, Robert, 410 Brook Ln (1000-79-5-16.5), (R), $885,000

WADING RIVER (11792)
• Turpin, A & D to Heigle, Wayne, 97 Cliff Rd W (600-32-1-37.1), (R), $285,000
• Wiggam, E & Czachur III to Caronia, Matthew, 238 Sylvan Dr (600-33-4-1), (R), $262,650
• Flender, C & K to Sugameli, Vincent, 4 Birch Ln (600-33-5-29), (R), $235,000
• Golfo Development Co to Palmeri, John, 55 21st St (600-53-2-41.7), (R), $319,300
• Agharabi, R & D to Howell, Tamara, 32 W Woodland Dr (600-55-3-1), (R), $443,000
• McGuire, G to Gambella, Gerard, 11 Little Leaf Ct (600-75.1-1-11), (R), $360,000

(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.)

Mario Arreola (left) and Shayne Johnson will lead their respective teams into the regional finals Saturday. (Credit: Garret Meade)

One win stands in the way of a trip to Middletown and the state final four for the Mattituck and Southold boys soccer teams. 

The Tuckers and First Settlers will play a doubleheader at Diamond in the Pines in Coram today in the regional semifinals. Mattituck, the Long Island Class B winner, is hosting Rye Neck of Section I at 4 p.m., followed by Southold facing Rhinebeck of Section IX at 6 p.m. Admission for each game is $7.

Rye Neck defeated Highland of Section IX Wednesday, 2-0. Rhinebeck won 3-0 against Schechter of Section I Wednesday.

The winners of each game will advance to next weekend’s final four matchups, which start Nov. 15 at Middletown High School. The state championship games are Nov. 16.

The First Settlers will be facing the third-ranked Class C team in the state in Rhinebeck, which will come into the game with a 17-1 record. Southold won an overtime thriller against Pierson Tuesday to win the county championship.

The Tuckers, currently the top-ranked Class B team in the state, will be facing the fifth-ranked team in Rye Neck, which comes into the game at 13-5-3.

Mattituck has cruised so far in its three playoff wins, including its most recent victory against Nassau champ Wheatley.

Be sure to check back tonight for recaps and photos of both games.

Southold’s Owen Klipstein and Mattituck’s Melanie Pfennig, pictured at last week’s state qualifier, were the top finishers for their teams at Saturday’s state championship. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk)

Mattituck sophomore Melanie Pfennig posted the top time for the Tuckers at Saturday’s cross country state championship at SUNY Canton. 

Pfennig ran 20 minutes 22.1 seconds to finish 34th overall in the Class C race. Mattituck finished seventh as a team. East Aurora was the Class C champion behind first-place finisher Sophia Tasselmyer, who ran 19:07.8.

Mattituck earned a trip to states as a team by winning the state qualifier meet Nov. 1.

The results for the rest of the team Saturday were as follows:

• Kaylee Bergen, senior, 20:44.6
• Audrey Hoeg, junior, 21:55.8
• Sascha Rosin, sophomore, 22:45.2
• Mia Vasile-Cozzo, junior, 23:57.3
• Megan Dinizio, freshman, 24:18.6
• Katie Stumpf, sophomore, 24:22.1.

McGann-Mercy had three girls compete in the Class C race. Junior Meg Tuthill posted the top time for the Monarchs in 21:19.8. Sophomore Devyn O’Brien ran 21:36 and sophomore Kaitlyn Butterfield ran 22:12.5.

In Class D, the Southold boys finished ninth as a team.

Sophomore Owen Klipstein was 40th overall, and the top finisher for the First Settlers, in 17:59.1.

The results for the rest of the team Saturday were as follows:

• Jonathan Rempe, senior, 18:35.2
• Jeremy Rempe, senior, 19:21.6
• Gus Rymer, senior, 20:17.2
• Gregory Quist, senior, 20:37.0
• Christopher Buono, senior, 20:42.0
• Michael Cosmadelis, senior, 21:03.8

See the complete results for all races here.

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FINALS  |  TUCKERS 3, PANTHERS 1

For the second time in three seasons, the Mattituck High School boys soccer team is going to the state final four.

The Tuckers booked a spot in the Class B semifinals in Middletown, N.Y. next week by registering a 3-1 triumph over Rye Neck at Diamond in the Pines in Coram Saturday. 

Mario Arreola set up the Tuckers’ first goal in the opening half and tallied the insurance score in the second half to secure the win. Kaan Ilgin and Paul Hayes also found the back of the net for Mattituck (17-2).

Rhinebeck’s Eric Rodriguez knocks the winning penalty kick beyond the reach of Southold goalkeeper John Charles Funke. (Credit: Garret Meade)

SOUTHEAST REGION CLASS C FINAL | HAWKS 1, FIRST SETTLERS 1 (HAWKS WIN IN PKS, 3-1)

Asked to sum up his Southold High School boys soccer team’s season, coach Andrew Sadowski needed only one sad word. “Short,” he said.

As in too short.

The First Settlers had hoped to extend their season another week with a place in the New York State Class C semifinals, but it wasn’t to be. They were denied by two dreaded words: penalty kicks.

Soccer’s version of Russian roulette denied the First Settlers of a place in the state final four Saturday night when they were defeated, 3-1, in the tiebreaker by Rhinebeck of Section IX in a Southeast Region final. The match went to penalty kicks after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes of soccer at Diamond in the Pines in Coram.

“This was such a great game where both sides really fought hard,” Rhinebeck coach Justin Wiesenthal said. “After such an intense game, it’s really a tough situation for the team that doesn’t pull it out. Fortunately, we were on the right side.”

Ian Katomski, Ryan Euell and Eric Rodriguez converted their penalty kicks in succession and Spencer Hutchins made a save during the tiebreaker for Rhinebeck (18-1), which advances to a state semifinal at Middletown High School on Saturday. The Hawks, who had lost regional finals to Long Island teams the past two years, will be making their first appearance in the state final four.

“We jumped a hurdle,” said Wiesenthal.

The First Settlers (12-6) came within inches of preparing for that trip upstate themselves. Early in the first overtime period, Southold’s Anderson Garcia drove a blazing shot that Hutchins managed to deflect off the crossbar.

“We hit the crossbar,” Sadowski told reporters. “We put three shots at the goalkeeper. It’s been one of the struggles that we’ve been having all year.”

But Sadowski praised the play of his team. “We played outstanding,” he said. “Our defense was fabulous.” Referring to an off-sides trap that led to Rhinebeck being whistled 29 times for off-sides, Sadowski said: “It worked beautiful. They did a great job. I could not have asked them to play any harder, to play any different.”

Southold forward Joseph Worysz was taken aback by Rhinebeck’s continual attempts to beat Southold up the middle with balls sent through the air. “I thought they would play a lot more possession and not more over the top,” he said. “I guess it was the other way around.”

When told of the 29 off-sides calls against Rhinebeck, Southold forward Shayne Johnson said: “I lost count. Our defense stepped up really big today.”

Both goals came in the second half.

A defensive lapse allowed Rhinebeck to pull in front at 46 minutes 44 seconds. A free kick by Aiden McKibbin-Vaughn sent an unmarked Laurence Graziano in on an open path to the goal. Graziano, coming off a hat trick in his previous game, had all the time he needed to shoot past goalkeeper John Charles Funke.

“We went down in many games this year for some silly reason or silly mistake,” Sadowski said. “Today we went down on a silly mistake. We were caught flat-footed.”

Southold’s reply came in the form of a lethal right-footed shot by Worysz, assisted by Garcia, at 62:23. It was the 13th goal of the season for Worysz, who put all three of his shots on goal and had 43 touches.

The goal gave the First Settlers new life.

Wiesenthal spoke highly of Southold, calling it a “great team. We actually came in and really underestimated them. They’re very well-coached. They’re very skilled, very fast; that was the thing that we noticed right off the bat. They’re a very, very fast team, so we had our hands full.”

Both sides had a chance to pull ahead before regulation time ended. Funke came up big with a save after Katomski found the speedy Chris Marvin with a through ball in the 67th minute. Then, following a Worysz corner kick in the 79th minute, the ball bounced out of the penalty area toward Southold’s Ryan DiGregorio, who nailed a shot that deflected wide of the left goal post.

The penalty-kick tiebreaker started well enough for Southold when Sean Moran sent his shot in for a 1-0 lead. But things soon turned Rhinebeck’s way. After Rodriguez netted his attempt for the clincher, the joyous Hawks raced toward their fans to celebrate.

The First Settlers looked devastated. Some hugged each other. Some just squatted. The loss marked the end of a journey for them that actually started in February, with the team not only playing indoor soccer but also playing outdoors on an ice hockey rink.

The disappointment of defeat aside, Johnson said it was fulfilling advancing to the regional final.

“I don’t think anyone on our team should feel unsuccessful after this result because … we are still county champs and made it here,” said Johnson, who led the team with 15 goals this year. “We’re still a family basically. There’s still an upside to it.”

Rhinebeck prevailed despite its off-sides troubles and despite being outshot, 15-6. Regardless, the final result promised the Hawks a happy three-and-a-half-hour bus ride home.

Said Wiesenthal, “We had a good time on the island this year.”

bliepa@timesreview.com

When and how did this happen?

When did we so-called baby boomers become Older Americans, coming up fast on age 70?

Those are questions some male friends of a certain age and I found ourselves asking this past weekend during the course of a men-only getaway to a mountainside retreat in the Adirondacks. (In deference to the concept of equal rights, some of our wives and daughters spent the weekend at health spas elsewhere in the New York Metro area.)

As you might expect, the boys’ weekend discussion covered much familiar territory: old athletic exploits, recent medical appointments, the miracle of children and grandchildren, lost (and found!) loves, varied methods of cooking sausage and the comparative merits of Dewar’s White versus Johnnie Walker Black.

But this Boys’ Weekend in the Wilderness also covered some new ground this year, namely the fact that all seven of us are certifiably old men. Chronologically, at least. But why, then, don’t we act our age?

When our fathers, many of whom served in World War II, were this approximate age, they had been retired for years and had played their last set of tennis some two decades earlier. In our group of seven — which I don’t claim to be representative of anything other than the value of old friends — two are totally retired, three are semi-retired and two are working full-time.

And we are physically active compared to our fathers at the same age. We still play tennis, platform tennis and golf. Two of us row competitively. All of us walk (or jog) and ride our bikes regularly. And, as if to prove that we’re not totally over the hill, the majority of us took a sometimes strenuous two-and-one-half-hour uphill hike on the Lost Pond Trail on Saturday.

In recent times, I also have taken inspiration from a group of my senior tennis buddies. Many of them are in their 70s and a couple are in their 80s. And then there’s 90-something Carl, who not so long ago declined to sit down during change-overs between games or even to take a sip of water during a competitive three-set match in 90-degree heat.

Talk about inspiring. In some ways, we are the Fitbit Generation. Honestly, I don’t think this represents a desperate attempt to forestall old age. It’s just the way we live our lives in this day and age, oh so differently from how our fathers lived theirs. Some day — hopefully in the distant future — I may reassign myself permanently to my Big Leather Chair, but until then I plan to continue to make believe I’m younger than I actually am.

And to heed the sage words of French actor-singer Maurice Chevalier, who, when asked how he approached life in his 80s, replied: Old age isn’t so bad when you consider the alternative. Tennis, anyone? No? Then how about a nap?

Troy Gustavson is the former publisher of The Suffolk Times. He can be reached at tgustavson@timesreview.com.

Carolyn Caccese.

Mattituck native Carolyn Caccese was recently named to the New York Super Lawyers “Rising Star” list. Ms. Caccese is an associate with Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP in New York, where she handles primarily medical malpractice cases, with an expertise in nursing home incidents. 

A dean’s list graduate of St. John’s University School of Law, she joined SSK&B in 2004.

According to a press release, candidates for the prestigious “Rising Star” designation must be no older than 40 and have been practicing law for no longer than 10 years.

Everybody gets to the point when they have to make “doo.”

For some, it’s once, maybe twice a day; but for others, it could be just once or twice a week.

It’s not often discussed — as it’s a bit taboo to talk about poop — but it’s probably safe to say that many have wondered if their bowel movements are normal. 

“I think people are very much fixated on their bowels,” said Dr. Joseph Duva, a gastroenterologist with both Eastern Long Island Hospital and Peconic Bay Medical Center.

I sought Dr. Duva’s help for answers to what he feels are the most common queries people have about going the infamous “number two.”

Dr. Duva said the question he hears most often is, “How often should I poop?” His answer: “Whatever you feel comfortable with and is normal for you.

“You don’t have to go every day, as long as you feel comfortable.”

• Click here to read previous health columns

But, he said, it’s important to pay attention to changes in one’s normal patterns — whether it be in frequency, color or consistency — because change may signal a health issue.

“If you’re going every day and now you’re going once a week, that’s a red flag that does deserve some looking into,” he said.

Changes in color are not all that important unless stool becomes black, he explained, which could indicate bleeding in the intestinal tract.

He noted that artificial coloring can also affect stool color, sometimes turning it blue or purple.

The other most common question, he said, is about odor.

“When it comes to smell, people get nervous,” he said. “But poop is supposed to smell.”

The intestines contain trillions of bacteria that aid in digestion, which contribute to the smell, he explained.

“Smelly stool is a good sign that the healthy bacteria is working,” he said.

With the public’s most pressing poop questions answered, Dr. Duva offered up this last piece of advice.

“When nature calls, you should really heed that call,” he said. “It’s OK to hold it a little bit, but if you continue to suppress that feeling, you’re basically retraining your body not to go.”

He said those who hold on too long — which often includes people whose careers don’t often place them next to a bathroom — could later develop issues with constipation.

The keys to keeping your bowels on track, he said, are a heathy diet that is high in fiber, drinking plenty of fluids and getting regular exercise.

Got a health question or column idea? Email Carrie Miller at cmiller@timesreview.com. Follow @carriemiller01

Paul Stoutenburgh was honored on Saturday during a memorial service titled ‘Focus on Paul.’ (Credit: Cyndi Murray)

Paul Stoutenburgh wore lots of hats.

Perhaps best known for his work pioneering conservationism on the North Fork, the celebrated environmentalist most valued his role as a husband, father and friend, his son, Rodger Stoutenburgh, said during a memorial service held for his father Saturday.   

“The greatness of this man could be measured in achievements alone, but that is not enough,” he said. “I believe the true weight of a man is measured by the impact he made on his family. My dad hit a home run in that field.”

More than 100 friends, family members and community leaders came out for the afternoon memorial service, dubbed “Focus on Paul,” at Southold High School. The emotional memorial, named after the “Focus on Nature” column he wrote for 50 years in the Riverhead News-Review and later The Suffolk Times with his wife Barbara, brought tears to the eyes of those in attendance. A montage of photos played for the audience, illustrating Mr. Stoutenburgh the family man — playing with his grandchildren, hugging his wife and smiling with friends.

The longtime Cutchogue resident died at his home in July surrounded by family members at the age of 92.

A shop teacher at Greenport High School, Mr. Stoutenburgh dedicated much of his time to environmental causes.

READ MORE ABOUT PAUL STOUTENBURGH’S LIFE

On Saturday speakers shared stories of how he impacted their lives and the future of the North Fork.

Chelsea Stoutenburgh, Mr. Stoutenburgh’s granddaughter

“The message I have taken away from Pa is that … your efforts make a difference. My Pa treated every plant, person and animal with kindness. My grandparents influenced people to care about the environment on the North Fork.”

Paul Stoutenburgh, Mr. Stoutenburgh’s grandson

“He proved to me that you really can do something for the world. I am proud to be walking in his footsteps.”

Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski

“Paul touched so many lives. When I got out of college, Paul approached me to run for Town trustee. I didn’t know what a Democrat or Republican was because I was a plant science major. But I respected his opinion and started going to the meetings. It was because of Paul’s influence that I got involved. I’ll never forget that. Paul Stoutenburgh changed the culture of environmentalism. His is a life that needs to be remembered and I believe he will.”

Tim Caufield, Peconic Land Trust

“Paul was one of our very first board members who represented the North Fork. He was generous with his time. That was back before there was a Community Preservation Fund or land preservation committee. He had the vision and determination to find a way. And he did. All one needs to do is look at a map of land preservation on the North Fork and you will see Paul. He was a teacher and a mentor. That is how he will be remembered.” 

Rodger Stoutenburgh, Mr. Stoutenburgh’s son

“When you miss him, and I do miss him, all you have to do is walk outside into the wonderful world he helped create.”

cmurray@timesreview.com