The greatest season in Mattituck girls basketball history has been in the books since early March. But the accolades keep rolling in. 

Two Mattituck players received all-state honors following an official announcement Tuesday morning by the New York State Sportswriters Association. Senior Katie Hoeg was fourth team all-state for Class B and her teammate Liz Dwyer, a sophomore, was ninth team.

It was the first time the Tuckers had an all-state player since 2010 when Stephenie Pisacano was honored on the seventh team. It was the first time the Tuckers had two players honored in the same year since at least 2005, which is as far back as records go on the NYSSA website.

Hoeg and Dwyer helped lead the Tuckers to a 20-3 season that saw the team capture the first county and Long Island titles in program history. The Tuckers won League VII for their fifth league title and first since 2010.

It was Hoeg and Dwyer who often carried the scoring load for Mattituck. Dwyer led the team with 18.5 points per game along with 7.7 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.6 blocks. In the team’s regional final loss against Marlboro, she scored a team-high 28 points.

Hoeg averaged 13.3 points per game along with 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.6 steals and 2 blocks. The University of North Carolina-bound Hoeg has led the girls lacrosse team to an 8-3 record so far this spring now to follow up her stellar winter season.

Last month, the all-state boys team was announced and Mattituck senior Joe Tardif was selected as an 11th team player for Class B following a season where he averaged 16.6 points per game.

• See the complete list of all-state players here.

Photo Caption: Mattituck sophomore Liz Dwyer and senior Katie Hoeg both earned all-state honors. (Credit: Garret Meade)

Virginia A. Schmitz of Cutchogue died May 2 at her home. She was 97.

The daughter of Sebastian and Elizabeth Yosca, she was born April 15, 1919, in Queens.

Virginia worked as a bookkeeper/clerk with American Title Company in Riverhead. She was active in several local organizations, including the Mothers’ Club at Sacred Heart School; the Marian Council Columbiettes, for which she was a past president and secretary; and the Cutchogue Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, for which she was past president.

Virginia enjoyed crafts and gardening. Family members said her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the “light of her life.”

Predeceased by her husband, Arthur, in 2001, Virginia is survived by her children, Virginia (Richard) Dries of Maine, Barbara (Steve) Schott of East Marion and William (Nancy) of Coram; her sister-in-law, Anne Yosca of Virginia; her grandchildren, Kristin, Rick, Bill, Stephen, Kevin, Elissa, Kerri, Tracy and Nicole; and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors  Thursday, May 5, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. A funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, May 6, at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Cutchogue.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice.

This is a paid notice. 

The outside of the town’s recreation center is in good shape, according to government liaison officer Denis Noncarrow.

As for the flooring, tables and chairs inside? That’s another story.

Mr. Noncarrow and Jeff Standish, the town’s director of public works, pitched buying new furniture and flooring for the recreation center at a Town Board work session Tuesday, saying the interior of the building has been worn down from constant use.

“These chairs are shot. These tables are shot,” Mr. Standish said. Some of the tables were being kept around just to be used for parts, he added.

The building was last touched up in 2007, Mr. Noncarrow said, and doesn’t need any structural work. Even the floors, which could be replaced in the renovation, would not have to be torn up; workers could lay new flooring over the existing one, Mr. Standish said.

Town Councilman William Ruland agreed renovations were needed, saying that “everything has a lifespan.” Mr. Noncarrow and Mr. Standish asked the Town Board to consider spending block grant or budget money next year to pay for the renovations.

The total cost of the project has yet to be determined, Mr. Standish said.

psquire@timesreview.com

Photo: Jeff Standish, left, and Denis Noncarrow addressing the Town Board on Tuesday. (Credit: Paul Squire)

Southold Town police officer Garrett Lake has been named the department’s top DWI-catching cop.

Mr. Lake, along with 22 other officers and sheriffs across Suffolk County, were honored Tuesday at Suffolk County Community College for making the most drunken driving arrests in their departments.

This is the first time Mr. Lake has received the honor.

“It is extremely important to us that motorists who are driving while intoxicated are stopped,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said.  “DWI tragedies don’t just affect those involved, they impact the families of victims as well.  Suffolk County will not tolerate drunk driving on our roadways.  We are committed to arresting anyone who chooses to drink and then get behind the wheel of a car, endangering the lives of others.”

Police in Suffolk County made more than 15,000 DWI arrests in the past 3 years, officials said.

Other local cops honored Tuesday include five-time winner Riverhead Town police officer Timothy Murphy, Shelter Island officer Christopher Drake, who was also honored last year, and Southampton Town officer Keith Phillips.

nsmith@timesreview.com

Photo: From left, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Southold Town police officer Garrett Lake and police chief Martin Flatley. (Credit: Courtesy)

Fifteen wins, no losses.

Who wouldn’t like a record like that? It’s a powerful statement coming from Southold, the only undefeated high school baseball team in Suffolk County.

With five games remaining in the regular season, Southold is approaching a rarity: an unbeaten record heading into the playoffs.

“It’s obviously a great feeling,” coach Mike Carver said in a phone interview Tuesday night following the team’s indoor practice. “It makes you feel good about your team. I knew the team was a solid team, but to be 15 and 0 really says something. You have to be good to win that many games.”

Southold, which reached the New York State Class C semifinals last year for the first time, has the pitching, with a starting staff of Pat McFarland (5-0), Dylan Clausen (4-0) and Greg Gehring.

“Early in the season, our pitching compensated for the lack of runs we were getting in some of those games,” Carver said. “That’s the name of the game. Good pitching beats good hitting. It really does.”

The fielding has been sharp and the offense has picked up after a slow introduction to the season with Gehring, Clausen, McFarland and Noah Mina leading the way.

One of the biggest personnel moves Carver has made this season was inserting Clausen and Mina in center field, depending on who is pitching, to help shore up the outfield. “That was a major change and a very dramatic change,” Carver said. “We saw a difference right away.”

Another change involved his two catchers, Greg Gehring and Shane Zimmer. Gehring, a senior, volunteered to play elsewhere and has been positioned at first base and third base when not pitching.

“That meant a lot to me and really said a lot about Greg,” Carver said. “He said, ‘Coach, put me where you got to put me to make the team better.’ ”

Those tweaks made a difference as the team’s hitting picked up.

“The biggest difference between now and the beginning of the season is we’re hitting the ball more,” Carver said. “We’re scoring runs.”

The First Settlers have won in all sorts of ways. They have triumphed in four one-run games.

Southold has clinched a playoff berth and the No. 1 seed in Suffolk Class C. The First Settlers are bidding for what would be their fifth league title in 14 years under Carver.

Should Southold win its remaining games against Bishop McGann-Mercy, Mattituck, Babylon, Center Moriches and Southampton, it would be 20-0, leaving Carver with 200 career wins on the nose.

But would entering the playoffs without a loss make him uncomfortable?

Not at all.

“I would love to be 20 and 0 next week,” he said. “If we stay undefeated, great; if not, we’re in great shape.”

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Southold second baseman Joe Hayes collecting a ground ball in a game against Greenport. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk, file)

Southampton Town police arrested a Mattituck man for stealing a car in Flanders last Wednesday.

Thomas Dougherty, 30, was found to be in possession of a 2015 Chrysler 200 around 5:25 p.m. during an investigation of a previous assault, police said.

The car was reported stolen Jan. 20 from Enterprise Rental Car, which is based in Hempstead.

Mr. Dougherty was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a felony.

He was previously charged with petit larceny in April after taking items from Walmart on Route 58, according to a prior Riverhead News-Review article.

Greenport School District’s garden will soon be growing thanks to a $10,000 grant from Seeds of Change.

After excelling in a voting round, Greenport advanced to the top 50 school and community gardens vying for 24 awards. Two school gardens and two community gardens will each receive $20,000 grants, and ten school and ten community gardens were awarded $10,000.

“Winning this grant will go a long way towards providing fresh, healthy produce for our students and community,” Superintendent David Gamberg said. “It will help make a positive impact on the diets and attitudes toward eating for everyone. It will also help provide enriching learning opportunities in all subject areas from science and art, to math and literacy.”

He also has said the garden will be accompanied by a summer camp program and that there are plans to create informational brochures, mailings, how-to videos and cooking classes. The garden will be larger than the current one located behind the school and will be relocated off to the side of the front of the building.

Mr. Gamberg said that out of the 12 school grant recipients only one other winner was from New York — a school in Long Island City.

Seeds of Change was founded in 1989 by a group of gardens looking to make organically grown seeds available to gardeners and farmers while preserving heirloom seed varieties that were in danger of being lost due to modern agricultural advances and continues to carry out this goal

nsmith@timesreview.com

Nominees for the 14th Annual Teeny Awards, which showcase the best in local high school theater, were announced Wednesday morning.

Winners will be announced at a formal awards ceremony on Sunday, June 5, at Shoreham-Wading River High School where radio personality Walker Vreeland will serve as host.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Student tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. A red carpet event will be held at 1:30 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. ceremony.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://eastendarts.org/programs/teeny-awards.html

All of the nominees are listed alphabetically below:

MUSICAL

Supporting Male in a Musical

• Frank Bademci in the role of Angel in “Rent“ at East Hampton

• Rodrigo Barros in the role of Aldopho in “The Drowsy Chaperone “ at Shelter Island

• Alex Bowe in the role of Lord Farquaad  in “Shrek“ at Riverhead

• Christiaan Padavan in the role of Luther Billis in “South Pacific” at Hampton Bays

• Brendan Powell in the role of Rapunzel’s Prince in “Into the Woods” at Pierson

• Matthew Schiavoni in the role of Cinderella’s Prince in “Into the Woods” at Pierson

• Connor Vaccariello in the role of Mr. Banks in “Mary Poppins“ at Southold

Supporting Female in a Musical

• Sirena Lee Carney in the role of Cinderella in “Into the Woods” at Pierson

• Shelby Dufton in the role of Chava in “Fiddler on the Roof“ at Mattituck

• Gwyn Foley in the role of Yente in “Fiddler on the Roof“ at Mattituck

• Elisa Ivey in the role of Motormouth Mabelle in “Hairspray” at Southampton

• Colleen Kelly in the role of Hodel in “Fiddler on the Roof“ at Mattituck

• Leah Kerensky Tzeitel in “Fiddler on the Roof“ at Mattituck

• Anna Schiavoni in the role of Little Red in “Into the Woods” at Pierson

Lead Male in a Musical

• Gage Bennett in the role of Bert in “Mary Poppins” at Southold

• Will Garrison in the role of Robert Martin in “The Drowsy Chaperone“ at Shelter Island

• Denis Hartnett in the role of The Baker in “Into the Woods” at Pierson

• Edward Hennessey in the role of Frederic in “Pirates of Penzance“ at Westhampton Beach

• Tyler Moran in the role of Prince Christopher in “Cinderella“ at Longwood

• Leland Qua in the role of Pirate King in “Pirates of Penzance“ at Westhampton Beach

• Greg Sheryll in the role of Tevye in “Fiddler on the Roof” at Mattituck

Lead Female in a Musical

• Olivia Auperlee in the role of Witch in “Into the Woods” at Pierson

• Ella Baldwin in the role of Princess Fiona in “Shrek” at Riverhead

• Kelly Cooligan in the role of Woman in Chair in “The Drowsy Chaperone” at Shelter Island

• Hallie Della-Volpe in the role of Tracy Turnblad in “Hairspray” at Southampton

• Ashley Hilary in the role of Mary Poppins in “Mary Poppins” at Southold

• Katie Lemmen, in the role of  Mary Poppins in “Mary Poppins” at Center Moriches

• Reilly Rose Schombs in the role of Jack in “Into the Woods” at Pierson

PLAY

Supporting Female in a Play

• Bridgett Comiskey in the role of Will Hayes in “Shakespeare in Hollywood” at Greenport/Southold

• Anna Cornell in the role of Leyna in “Fools” at Longwood

• Olivia Geppel in the role of Tilly in “The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds” at McGann-Mercy

• Raven Janoski in the role of Karli Merriweather in “The Election” at Mattituck

• Cait Jacobs in the role of Ruth in “The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds” at McGann-Mercy

• Cassidy O’Brien in the role of Sophia in “Fools” at Longwood

Supporting Male in a Play

• Edward Hennessey in the role of Father Drobney in “Don’t Drink the Water” at Westhampton Beach

• Nick Macaluso in the role of the Doctor in “Fools” at Longwood

• Jackson Parli in the role of Kilroy in “Don’t Drink the Water” at Westhampton Beach

• Matthew Schiavoni in the role of Dr. Einstein in “Arsenic & Old Lace” at Pierson

• Eddie Ward in the role of Max Reinhardt in “Shakespeare in Hollywood” at Greenport/Southold

Lead Female in a Play

• Claire Beaver in the role of Marion Hollander in “Don’t Drink the Water” at Westhampton Beach

• Gwyn Foley in the role of Kyli in “The Election” at Mattituck

• Ginger Hughes in the role of Puck in “Shakespeare in Hollywood“ at Greenport/Southold

• Colleen Kelly in the role of Christy Martin in “The Election” at Mattituck

• Grace Lukachinski in the role of Beatrice in “The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds” at McGann-Mercy

• Reilly Rose Schombs in the role of Aunt Abby in “Arsenic & Old Lace” at Pierson

Lead Male in a Play

• Nicholas Auletti in the role of Walter Hollander in “Don’t Drink the Water” at Westhampton Beach

• Denis Hartnett in the role of Mortimer in “Arsenic & Old Lace” at Pierson

• Brendan Martin in the role of Leon in “Fools” at Longwood

• Daniel Qua in the role of Axel Magee in “Don’t Drink the Water”  at Westhampton Beach

• Ryann Shuford in the role of Mark Davenport in “The Election” at Mattituck

• Connor Vacariello in the role of Oberon in “Shakespeare in Hollywood” at Greenport/Southold

ONE-ACT PLAY       

Outstanding Female in a One-Act Play

• Sophia Beck in the role of Mrs. Q in “No Dogs Allowed” at Ross School

• Emily Clasen in the role of Rhonda in “Almost Maine” at Shoreham-Wading River

• Alexandra Meli in the role of Marci in “Almost Maine” at Shoreham-Wading River

• Katie Morgan in the role of Angela in “Lunchtime” and in the role of Herself in “Thank You So Much For Stopping” at Ross School

Outstanding Male in a One-Act Play

• Anthony DeVita in the role of East in “Almost Maine” at Shoreham-Wading River

• Zachary Fischer in the role of Phil in “Almost Maine” at Shoreham-Wading River

• James Logan in the role of Steve in “Almost Maine” at Shoreham-Wading River

• Alec McCarthy  in the role of Chad in “Almost Maine” at Shoreham-Wading River

• Christian Minarik in the role of Randy in “Almost Maine” at Shoreham-Wading River

• Bernardo Sa in the role of Man in “Lunchtime” at Ross School

OUTSTANDING STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY

• Claire Beaver, Sarah Beaver, Kristen Brockmiller, Molly Magee for “Pirates of Penzance” at Westhampton Beach

• Paige Eckert for “Delovely” and “All Through the Night” in “Anything Goes” at Shoreham-Wading River

ORIGINAL PLAYBILL AND POSTER DESIGN

• Eve Bishop and Ella Parker and Shanti Escalante DeMattei for “Arsenic & Old Lace” at Pierson

• Gianna Gregorio for “Rent” at East Hampton

• Nestor Menjivar for “Mary Poppins” at Southold

• Aliyah Phelps for “Bye Bye Birdie” at Riverhead

• Michelle Rinaldi for “Into the Woods” at Pierson

OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS

• Sarah Fogarty for her role as Sasha the girlfriend in “The Election” at Mattituck

• Emily Hallock for her role as Milky White in “Into the Woods” at Pierson

• Casey Lewis for her role as Bird Woman in “Mary Poppins” at Center Moriches

• Alexis Ochi for various roles in “South Pacific” at Hampton Bays

• Meg Pickerell for her role as Miss Andrews in “Mary Poppins” at Southold

• Cecelia Scheuer for her role as Penny Pingleton in “Hairspray” at Southampton

JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARD

• Longwood High School for its production of “Cinderella.”

STAGE MANAGERS RECOGNITION

• Axel Alanis from East Hampton: “Rent”

• Meg Atkinson-Barnes from Pierson: “Arsenic & Old Lace”

• Sam Basel from Southold: “Mary Poppins”

• Sam Basel from Greenport/Southold Drama: “Shakespeare in Hollywood”

• Shannon Colfer from Greenport: “Oliver!”

• Shannon Colfer from Greenport/Southold Drama: “Shakespeare in Hollywood”

• Christina Curico from McGann-Mercy: “The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds,” “The Game’s Afoot,” and “Josephine and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”

• Shane Factora from Longwood: “Fools” and “Cinderella”

• Amanda Gallagher, Technician, from Longwood: “Fools” and “Cinderella”

• Gaby Gonzalez from Mattituck: “The Election”

• Christen Heine from Pierson: “Into the Woods”

• Garrick Hughes, Assistant, from Greenport: “Oliver!”

• Garrick Hughes, Assistant, from Greenport/Southold Drama: “Shakespeare in Hollywood”

• Jennifer Luckingham from Hampton Bays: “South Pacific”

• Nadzia Kempski from Ross School: “One Acts”

• Courtney Kinsella from Pierson: “Arsenic & Old Lace”

• Hunter Mancuso, co-crew chief from Longwood: “Fools” & “Cinderella”

• Meaghan McDonough, technician from Longwood: “Fools” & “Cinderella”

• Kyra Mears from Shoreham-Wading River: “Anything Goes” & “Almost Maine”

• Caroline Morgan from Shoreham-Wading River: “Almost Maine”

• Anthony Navas from Center Moriches: “Mary Poppins”

• Ella Knibb from Pierson: “Into the Woods”

• Kyle Oak from Riverhead: “Shrek” and “Bye Bye Birdie”

• Catherine Penn from Westhampton Beach: “Pirates of Penzance” and “Don’t Drink the Water”

• Gabriela Reyes, technician from Longwood: “Fools” and “Cinderella”

• Philip Rossillo, crew chief from Longwood: “Fools” and “Cinderella”

• Kimberly Sheer from Mattituck: “Fiddler on the Roof”

• Ethan Sisson from Greenport/Southold Drama: “Shakespeare in Hollywood”

• Ethan Sisson from Southold: “Mary Poppins”

• Mary Steinbrecher from Shoreham-Wading River: “Anything Goes”

• Kerrie Vila from Pierson: “Arsenic & Old Lace”

LIGHTING DESIGN

• Paul Anderson from Pierson: “Into the Woods” and “Arsenic and Old Lace”

• Michael Carey from Longwood: “Fools” and “Cinderella”

• Alec Giufurta from Southampton: “Hairspray”

SOUND DESIGN

• Jessica Reyes from Longwood: “Fools” and “Cinderella”

COSTUME DESIGN

• Abby Koeppel from Shoreham-Wading River: “Anything Goes” and “Almost Maine”

STUDENT ASSISTANT DIRECTORS

• Hailey Krauss from Center Moriches: “Mary Poppins”

• Katie Morgan from Ross School: “So Tell Me About This Guy”

• Cassie Nine from Mattituck: “Fiddler on the Roof”

• Hannah Oswalt from Center Moriches: “Mary Poppins”

• Erin Pfister from Center Moriches: “Mary Poppins”

• Mary Kate Wilson from Mattituck: “Fiddler on the Roof”

STUDENT PRODUCER RECOGNITION

• Ava Gaines from Mattituck

Photo: Greg Sheryll, as Tevye, sings ‘Tradition’ during a rehearsal for the Matittuck Musical Theater Company’s production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at Mattituck High School. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder)

Here are the classifieds for Dec. 6, 2014. If you are interested in placing an ad, please call Karen, 631-354-8029 or email kcullen@timesreview.com.

Suffolk Times Service Directory: May 5, 2016

At Tuesday night’s Town Board meeting, Southold’s tree committee announced the winners of its annual Arbor Day poster contest, for which local students design and draw posters and fliers promoting conservation.

The winning poster was created by Hannah Taggart, a sixth-grader at Southold Elementary School.

Honorable mentions were awarded to New Suffolk sixth-grader Robert Cooper, Oysterponds fifth-grader Skylar Mysliborski, fifth-grader Claire Paetzel from Cutchogue East and Mary Surprenant, a fifth-grader on Fishers Island.

The poster contest was started years ago to teach children “how important it is to keep our community green,” said committee chairman David Cichanowicz.

Established in 1978, the Southold tree committee works to keep trees along streets and on public grounds to “preserve and enhance the beauty of the environment for the benefit of its citizens and future generations.”

Each of the winners received a gift card and a Town Board certificate.

“The entire community greatly appreciates your efforts to inspire others to plant, nurture and celebrate trees in Southold Town,” said Town Board member Jill Doherty, tree committee liaison.

Mr. Cichanowicz said a tree would be planted in Hannah’s honor at her school on Friday.

psquire@timesreview.com

Meetings of Suffolk County Legislature committees aren’t glamorous, attention-grabbing or particularly well attended. Nevertheless, they’re one of those events newspapers typically cover.

We can understand the sparse attendance. People have lives to live — jobs to go to, bills to pay and children to spend time with.

But there’s an important reason to make time to attend the Legislature’s health committee meeting at 2 p.m. today, Thursday, May 5, at the County Center in Riverside.

After rejecting a similar measure last year, the Legislature decided to hold some of its committee meetings — two out of 16 — at the County Center. Last year’s rejection was ridiculous, fueled by nothing more than western legislators’ desire to save themselves the time and trouble of traveling to Riverside instead of Hauppauge to hear what the public had to say.

But East End residents often have a different take on issues from those living in western Suffolk. Hosting meetings in Riverside makes it easier for them to voice those opinions.

On the health committee’s agenda this afternoon is a bill the county is considering to ban plastic bags. Both Southampton and East Hampton towns — following the lead of several villages within their boundaries — have had plastic bag bans in place for years. Southold and Riverhead’s supervisors have both deferred to the county on the issue, saying a town-by-town approach wouldn’t be appropriate.

As far as we’ve heard, the plastic bag bans in Southampton and East Hampton have had little to no effect on those towns’ economies. Residents and businesses have both adapted. It’s now up to legislators to tackle the issue head-on and adopt a resolution that will ban single-use plastic bags throughout Suffolk County.

At a meeting in Hauppauge last month, health committee chair Dr. William Spencer (D-Huntington) tabled a resolution on the proposal, saying County Executive Steve Bellone’s office still had concerns about the bill and he wanted to make sure it was ready for approval before putting it to a committee vote.

Today’s health committee meeting gives East End residents a chance to weigh in on the matter. Whether they support the bill or not — and this newspaper does support it — the opportunity to be heard by the county Legislature is something residents should do their best to take advantage of.

On the surface, a health committee’s decision about a single piece of proposed legislation may not seem like the biggest news of the day. But when you consider the long-term environmental damage plastic bags cause, it could be very big news indeed. So make an effort to participate and have your say on whether this piece of legislation passes.

Credit: Mike Mozart/Flickr

When Southold’s Dave Kubiak was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011, he admitted to The Suffolk Times that it might be a little unusual he has a New York Yankees logo tattooed on the inside of his left arm.

Now that doesn’t matter much. The right-handed reliever is a member of the Yankees organization.

The hometown team purchased Kubiak’s contract Wednesday from the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League, where he was playing for the first time this season. He will now report to Double-A Trenton of the Eastern League, Blue Fish officials said.

“Kubiak has proven to be an extremely reliable reliever,” said Paul Herrmann, Bluefish senior director of baseball operations and public relations, in a statement. “We are very happy for David and may the force be with him.”

Kubiak had made five appearances with the Bluefish, collecting a 3.17 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 11.1 innings pitched.

The 26-year-old made his professional debut in 2011 after being selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 36th round of the MLB Draft, appearing with two Rookie-level teams. Since 2012 he has played in Independent baseball.

The 6-foot-6-inch Southold High School and SUNY-Albany product boasts a 2.28 ERA in three Independent seasons.

In his 15 appearances with the Rays organization in 2011 he had a 3.24 ERA, recording two wins and 36 strikeouts in 25 innings.

Kubiak’s new team, the Trenton Thunder of the Eastern League, was rained out Wednesday. The team plays at the Akron Rubberducks Thursday before returning home for a three-game series against the Harrisburg Senators this weekend. The Senators are the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.

Kubiak joins top-10 Yankees prospects Dustin Fowler and Tyler Wade on the Thunder roster. He is the first of two North Fork natives to be drafted by the Rays in recent years. Mattituck graduate Steven Ascher is also pitching in relief in Double-A for the Montgomery Biscuits of the Southern League — a Rays affiliate.

gparpan@timesreview.com

Photo Credit: Bridgeport Blue Fish

Here are the classifieds for May 5, 2016. If you are interested in placing an ad, please call Karen, 631-354-8029 or email kcullen@timesreview.com.

Times Review classifieds: May 5, 2016

‘May already?’ I think I heard that a few dozen times last week at work. Time seems to be going quickly. Remember when we were kids and you felt like a week was too long and a month was forever?

A belated happy 85th birthday wish goes to Claire Borelli, who celebrated April 25, and to Jewell Gonzalez, formerly of Southold, and Josh Robinson, who celebrated May 2. Others celebrating are: Gina Anasagasti, who turns 18, May 5; Ed Baumann Jr., May 6; Emily Portillo, May 10; triplets Tristan, Kyle and Aaron Davis, May 11; Ed Baumann Sr., May 12; David Kloepfer, May 14; Bridget Rymer and my husband, Jim, who turns 50, May 15 (please feel free to rib him about it); Pete Kelly, May 16; and my son, Jack, who turns 16, May 17.

Those 26 excited Southold High School sophomores who left for Europe April 20 have arrived home after seeing many beautiful sites. The weather varied: one day 70 degrees, the next snow! Thanks go out to the chaperones: Mr. and Mrs. Baglivi, Mrs. Grathwohl, Ms. Derrigan, and of course, the teacher who has made it happen year after year, Mr. Santiago.

The SHS Robotics Team arrived home Sunday. It may not have turned out as the students and advisers all hoped, but they truly made a name for themselves at the world competition. While they were eliminated at the quarter finals, Southold Robotics Team R.I.C.E. finished the competition in the top 8 percent of the WORLD! Well done! Special thanks to Christine Schade, who managed to arrange travel for the team with only three weeks’ notice, her co-adviser, Bob Gammon, as well as the many adult volunteers.

Historical society news: Founder’s Day tea at the Anne Currie-Bell House will take place Sunday, May 15, from 3 to 4 p.m. Come hear director Karen Lund Rooney give a glimpse into the summer’s exhibition, Samplers. Speaking of the historical society, are you looking for a different shopping experience that helps fund it? Why not check out the Treasure Exchange, located at 54325 Main Road in Southold. Currently, they are open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

North Fork Animal Welfare League will host a talent show Saturday, May 21, from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Crazy Fork restaurant in Mattituck. Students from the four local schools ages 10-14 are welcome to compete. Call 631-298-1100 to register. The top three competitors will win a prize. Advance tickets can be purchased at The Crazy Fork for $20 or at the door the day of the event for $25 for adults and $10 for children under 14. The price includes a dinner of barbecue chicken, hamburgers, pasta and assorted salads. This event helps fund the Southold and Riverhead animal shelters.

Want to help the animal shelter but can’t make it to their event? They’re looking for donations of peanut butter, high-efficiency laundry detergent, leashes, towels, blankets, Dawn liquid dish detergent, Windex, bleach, wet and dry food, copy paper and paper towels. Items can be dropped off at the shelter daily. Need a pickup? Call me at the number at the top of this column and I’ll come get it.

The Southold School Educational Foundation is having their first-ever cash raffle. Tickets are $50, with a $3,000 first prize and four $500 prizes. They can be purchased at Southold Pharmacy, Polywoda Beverage, Robert’s Jewelers, Mullen Motors, Sophie’s and Southold Fish Market. Only 200 tickets to be sold; an invitation to the opening of the “History of Us” display at Southold School is included. Funds will go directly to internal grants for teachers to use to enrich curriculum in Southold schools. The drawing takes place June 10.

The Rotary Clubs of Southold and Greenport recently honored the Southold-Mattituck-Greenport Navy Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps Unit and Major Bill Grigonis at a dinner meeting at Soundview Restaurant. The unit was awarded a Rotary Paul Harris Certificate of Appreciation for its “outstanding community service” and for its many top honors in various NJROTC competitions. Major Grigonis was named as a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his dedicated service to the unit and the community. Congratulations!

My next deadline is Sunday, May 15, by noon. Take time to take stock in the positives of your life — it will make the bumps easier to traverse.

Contact Southold columnist Tina Koslosky at SoutholdTina@aol.com or 631-765-2774.

As his pace car approached the finish line at Riverhead Raceway Monday, Ed Partridge didn’t slow down.

The track’s newest owner whipped around the first turn of the quarter-mile oval and did one quick lap before finally coming to a stop for a scheduled photo shoot.

“Look at him,” remarked his wife and business partner, Connie, as he circled the asphalt. “He just can’t help himself.”

It’s safe to say that as they approach the start of their first season, the Partridges and their nephew and fellow co-owner Tom Gatz, are having fun at the track. Now their mission is to make sure the people of Riverhead and elsewhere in Suffolk County do, too.

Racing fans will notice numerous changes when cars return to the track for a grand-opening racing lineup and fireworks show Saturday night. The ownership group hopes even non-regulars take note of the 64-year-old Riverhead staple this season.

In an effort to attract families to the raceway, Mr. Gatz said he’s been working with the Town of Riverhead to organize a series of events that will enable the new owners to use the property on days when the cars aren’t racing.

Plans are in the works for car shows, a fair, a drive-in movie night and even a haunted house at the raceway. Mr. Partridge said he’d also like to eventually host a concert at the track.

On race nights, fans can also expect to see more of a minor league baseball feel to the events, the owners said, with the addition of T-shirt launchers and a new raceway mascot, which will be unveiled Saturday.

“We have to find ways to get the families involved,” Mr. Gatz said. “They have to be excited about this place and want to come here.”

It takes “new ideas and new blood,” Mr. Partridge added, something he believes the new ownership group represents as longtime regulars running things for the first time.

The Partridges, who own the T.S. Haulers trucking company on Edwards Avenue in Calverton, and Mr. Gatz, a 38-year-old vice president of the Roy H. Reeve Agency in Mattituck, purchased the 24-acre Riverhead Raceway property from longtime owners Jim and Barbara Cromarty for $4 million last August. They are just the third owners of the property since 1955, when an ownership group led by Ed Hawkins of Coram purchased the three-year-old clay track and converted it to asphalt.

The Cromartys, who bought the property in 1984, told the News-Review last year that they had received more than a dozen offers to sell over the years, some even more lucrative than the one they finally accepted. But those offers would have seen the property redeveloped as something other than a raceway.

“There are enough developments around here,” Ms. Cromarty said at the time. “The racetrack is a tradition.”

The Cromartys’ vision for the future of the property isn’t lost on the new owners.

“They sacrificed a lot to keep racing alive on Long Island,” said Mr. Gatz, a Wading River native who now calls Center Moriches home. “The Cromartys turned down offers in excess of three times what we paid for the property. Their commitment to the sport is commendable.”

Mr. Partridge, a lifelong Wading River resident, remembers first attending the raceway with friends as an 11-year-old.

“I loved seeing all the different classes race,” he said. “They had the modified and the sportsman back then too, but I also remember the old jalopies.”

He began working at the raceway in 1970, serving in the pit for legendary Baiting Hollow driver Charlie Jarzombek, who died following an on-track crash at Martinsville Speedway in 1987.

Mr. Partridge has since seen success on NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour as the owner of T.S. Motorsports. In 2013, T.S. Motorsports’ Ryan Preece, then just 23 years old, became the youngest driver to ever win the Whelen Modified Tour championship.

Riverhead Raceway is one of the oldest stock car race tracks in the country, having been built in 1949. It is a one-quarter mile asphalt, high-banked oval which includes a Figure 8 course. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

Mr. Partridge said the T.S. Motorsports team will continue on the tour this season, including two events at Riverhead Raceway on June 25 and Aug. 27.

This year’s 28-date Riverhead racing schedule also features the always popular School Bus Demolition Derby, three fireworks nights, an Elvis Night and a Monster Trucks event.

Mr. Partridge said the drivers can expect to see an improvement in officiating on racing nights this year with the hiring of new officials and a new race director, Scott Tapley, a Maine resident with no allegiances to any local racing teams. The format will also change from time trials to heat races this year, forcing the drivers with more points in the standings to move ahead from the back of the pack to win, which Mr. Partridge hopes will improve the fan experience.

With those same fans in mind, a number of capital improvement projects were undertaken this winter by Riverhead Raceway staff and general manager Paul Elwood, who’s now in his eighth season. The track’s two food stands were torn down and rebuilt, as were the bathroom facilities.

A beer garden with picnic tables was also put in place to offer fans an area to relax and listen to live music before the races.

“We’re very excited for everyone to see all the improvements,” Ms. Partridge said.

Mr. Partridge noted that Riverhead is the last remaining track on Long Island.

“This is something we really want to keep going for a long time,” he said. “It’s getting a second life.”

gparpan@timesreview.com

Top photo: Riverhead Raceway  owners Connie and Ed Partridge with their nephew Tom Gatz at the NASCAR track Monday afternoon. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

A Mattituck woman with 10 active suspensions on her license was arrested Sunday on a felony charge, Southold Town police said. 

Debrah Pennacchia, 41, was stopped on Bayview Avenue and Cedar Drive in Mattituck for multiple traffic violations at 10:20 p.m., police said. Ms. Pennacchia had a strong odor of alcohol on her breath, slurred speech, glassy eyes and was unsteady on her feet, police said. She failed a standardized field sobriety test and refused a pre-screen breath test, police said.

Police said Ms. Pennacchia had failed to answer a summons out of the Town Justice Court, most recently Nov. 21, 2014.

She was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, a felony, DWI, refusal to submit to a pre-screen breath test and three other traffic violations, police said.

One day earlier, police arrested a Southold woman on similar charges.

Jeannine Feller, 49, was observed traveling westbound on Route 48 in Greenport at 9:34 a.m. Saturday when police said she failed to stay in the lane. Ms. Feller had a suspended driver’s license related to a prior alcohol-related offense, police said.

She failed several roadside sobriety tests and was found to be intoxicated, police said.

She was charged with felony aggravated unlicensed operation and DWI, police said.

Ms. Feller had been arrested for DWI in January as well, according to a prior report.

The last time the issue of making Long Island a separate state was raised, the thought was parodied on The Daily Show, one of the nation’s most-watched late-night TV programs.

But that doesn’t mean the idea is going away.

A bill in the state legislature sponsored by East End state Sen. Ken LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) and South Fork state Assemblyman Fred Thiele (I-Sag Harbor) have co-sponsored a bill that would establish a bi-county commission in Nassau and Suffolk counties to study the feasibility of establishing the state of Long Island, which would be comprised of Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The bill was introduced in January in both houses of the state legislature and is currently in the local governmental subcommittees of the state senate.

However, citing budget issues, the legislative body that governs half of the proposed 51st state might not be on board.

One Wednesday, the Suffolk County legislature’s Government Operations, Personnel, Housing and Information Technology Committee for a second time tabled a resolution requesting the state to approve the bill establishing a bi-county commission to study the feasibility of a Long Island state.

The vote to table, which essentially pushes off a vote to a future meeting, was 3-2, with legislators Robert Calarco (D-Patchogue), Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) and Kara Hahn (D-Setauket) in support of the tabling, and legislators Keven McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) and William Lindsay III (D-Holbrook) opposed.

“For the years 2002-2004, Long Island paid $8.124 billion in state taxes yet only $5.2 billion was returned in direct local aid, tuition assistance, highway aid, pension payments, lottery money, metropolitan transportation authority subsidies and Medicaid payments,” the bill states.

It says the issue should be investigated, a report should be prepared and a referendum held in the two counties. It would create a 24-member commission — 12 people from each county — to submit a study by July 1, 2018 and vote on the issue that fall.

“I like the idea,” Mr. McCaffrey said afterwards.

“We can’t afford it,” Ms. Kennedy said of seceding from New York State. “Yesterday, we have a budget analysis that said we have a structural deficit of at least $184 million from 2014 to 2016. To secede from the state, we’d have to buy all the state parks. Do you know what that would cost? And we’d have to buy every state building and beach. Can we afford this right now? No.”

“We’ll work it out,” Mr. McCaffrey said.

If the county legislative committee had approved the resolution, it would then need to be voted on by the full county legislature.

North Fork Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) is a co-sponsor of the state bill.

“The bill is simply to do an independent study of the feasibility of forming a separate state,” he said.

“It wouldn’t hurt because we have such a different dynamic than the five boroughs and the rest of the state. I actually think its a pretty good idea. I’m happy to sign on, just to see what the feasibility is, to get an idea.”

The legislative intent of the bill states that Nassau and Suffolk counties, combined, are geographically larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware, and its population of 2.8 million people is larger than that of 17 states.

In January, the Mraz family gathered in their Southold home to watch an episode of “Top Chef.” That week’s show held special meaning: It was dedicated to the late chef Gerry Hayden, Mike and Mary Mraz’s longtime friend and business partner. 

One of the challenges in the Bravo series that week, in which Mr. Hayden’s friend celebrity chef Tom Colicchio is lead judge, was for contestants to create a dish in honor of the show’s 10th anniversary. One chef, Amar Santana, whipped up a dish he had learned from his onetime mentor, Mr. Hayden: a butter-poached lobster, sautéed bok choy, tapioca coconut curry and tempura onion rings.

Mr. Hayden, who died in September from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, had owned North Fork Table & Inn in Southold since December 2005 with his wife, Claudia Fleming, and the Mraz couple. He was head chef at the restaurant and a three-time James Beard Award nominee.

After watching the “Top Chef” episode, Isaiah Mraz, a sixth-grader at Southold Elementary School, said he became emotional about the loss of his friend and decided to visit the school social worker the following day.

“Mrs. O’Reilly said, ‘Let’s find out a way to represent Gerry, not just be sad and mourn over him. We should find a way to show how important he was,’ ” the 12-year-old recalled. “So we came up with the idea of watching a movie. One of Gerry’s favorite movies was ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,’ so we decided on that.”

Isaiah emailed the idea to Southold Superintendent David Gamberg, who suggested the film be screened in the school’s outdoor amphitheater. A movie night fundraiser is planned for June 10.

Ellen O’Neill, principal at Southold Elementary School, said participants will pay to watch the movie, which will begin around sunset. Proceeds will be donated in Mr. Hayden’s name to Ride for Life. Tickets and the cost of admission is not yet available.

The outdoor amphitheater where the movie night will be held next month. (Credit: Grant Parpan, file)

Created in 1997, Ride For Life is a volunteer charity dedicated to serving the ALS community by creating public awareness, raising money for research and supporting patients and families through patient services, according to its website.

Each May, the organization hosts a 12-day, 100-plus mile wheelchair ride across Long Island and into Manhattan led by Chris Pendergast, a 1966 graduate of Bishop McGann-Mercy High School who has been battling ALS for more than 20 years.

Mr. Pendergast stopped at the Southold School District in 2013 and 2014 and Mr. Hayden joined him on the ride both times, Ms. O’Neill said.

This year, Mr. Pendergast will return to Southold Elementary School the morning of June 10 — not as part of the ride, but to dedicate two apple trees recently planted in the school’s garden: one in honor of Mr. Hayden and the other for KK Haspel, a Southold farmer who died in October 2014.

“We were thinking fruit trees because Gerry likes pears,” Ms. O’Neill said, adding that the trees were planted a few weeks ago. “But [the trees are] apple. It has to be what’s going to grow best here.”

Ms. O’Neill said Ride For Life reached out to her about their desire to donate the trees around the same time Isaiah thought of the idea for a movie fundraiser.

Isaiah, who meets with his mother, Ms. O’Neill and Ms. Fleming periodically to help coordinate both events, said he thinks Mr. Hayden would consider the day “awesome.” His mother agreed.

“He would be humbled because he doesn’t like the attention,” Ms. Mraz said. “But he does love Isaiah.”

Photo Caption: Southold Elementary School student Isaiah Mraz, 12, thought of the idea to honor Gerry Hayden with a movie night next month. (Credit: Nicole Smith)

nsmith@timesreview.com

Suffolk County residents hopeful for a decision regarding a proposed ban on single-use plastic bags at retail stores across the county will have to keep waiting.

During a Thursday meeting at the County Center in Riverside, the Suffolk County Legislature health committee voted unanimously to table a resolution on the bill, which was introduced in early March, but has yet to be voted on since.

“Very hot-topic issue,” said Dr. William Spencer (D-Centerport), who sponsored the legislation. “We have some amendments that we are putting in place which will require us to have a public hearing on this, so we are going to table.”

During the meeting, Dr. Spencer didn’t specify what those amendments entail. Five people, all of whom expressed support for the proposed ban, spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Among them was Nancy Pearson of Southold, a member of the board of directors of the North Fork Audubon Society.

“It is estimated that over one million birds and 100,000 marine animals die unnecessarily each year from plastic debris,” said Ms. Pearson, who noted that plastic bags “do not biodegrade.”

“They photo-degrade, contaminating our soils and waterways by breaking up into smaller and smaller pieces,” she said. “These microscopic pieces never fully disintegrate and in certain areas outcompete plankton as a non-nutrient food source in our world’s oceans.”

Marine scientist Kevin McCallister, founder and president of water quality advocacy group Defend H20, called the number of plastic bags stuck in tree branches and scattered on local beaches “omnipresent.”

“I’m here to say, ‘Don’t let this legislation languish,’” Mr. McAllister told county legislators. “It’s the right thing.”

Since 2014, Southold Town residents have signed petitions and spoken at Town Board meetings to express support for a town-wide ban on plastic bags. In October, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said he would support a town-wide ban if Riverhead Town did too. Critics of the idea have said a town-wide ban would place an unfair burden on business owners, driving customers to stores in neighboring towns with no ban.

Mr. Russell said a countywide ban on single-use plastic bags would be ideal. Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter has echoed that position.

Southampton and East Hampton Towns, as well as several villages within those towns, have enacted bans of single-use plastic bags of their own.

“It’s my understanding that businesses have to purchase these plastic bags — they essentially give them out for free,” said Matt Campbell of Southold, who spoke at Thursday’s meeting. “If I go into places like IGA or supermarkets, IGA sells [reusable bags] for 99 cents.

“It lasts 10, 20, 30 visits to the store,” he added. “To me, it’s at least a breakeven for the stores, if not a cost savings.”

The Suffolk County Legislature health committee will next meet later this month in Hauppauge to discuss the capital budget.

ryoung@timesreview.com

Photo: A discarded plastic bag along Main Road in Mattituck. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)