Sept. 2, 1993

Businesspeople had two words to describe the summer of 1993: “Absolutely fantastic.”  A healthy combination of good weather and signs of a slight economic recovery left the North Fork business community in high spirits 25 years ago.

Aug. 31, 1978

Forty years ago, the arrival of brig Unicorn in Greenport made front-page news.

Called by many the most beautiful sailing vessel in the world, the ship was used as the slave ship in the record-breaking television production of Roots. The brig Unicorn has many other movie credits to its record, including Pirates of the Caribbean.

Sept. 6, 1968

Fifty years ago, the Suffolk Times wrote, “The Village of Greenport and the entire North Fork experienced the greatest Labor Day travel in its history.” We reported hundreds of yachts and thousands of vacationers visited the area for the long weekend.

Sept. 4, 1953

The old St. Agnes Hall in Greenport was being demolished 65 years ago. The 100-year-old landmark was replaced by the new St. Agnes Auditorium and parish center in the spring of 1953. The old Duvall Hall on Shelter Island was also in the process of being torn down at the time.

Sept. 2, 1943

A gas shortage threatened farms prior to harvest 75 years ago.

“Harvesting operations on Suffolk farms will be brought virtually to a standstill and the movement of crops to metropolitan markets seriously impeded if the gasoline famine is not broken within the next few days,” the Suffolk Times wrote.

Photo caption: The brig Unicorn in Greenport in 1978. (Suffolk Times, file photo)

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For the first time in the program’s 82-year history, the Mattituck High School boys soccer team finished below .500 last year.

The Tuckers completed a disappointing 6-12 season after falling to eventual state champion Center Moriches in the Suffolk County Class B final, 6-0.

Head coach Will Hayes hopes not to finish under water again. Mattituck, which endured an injury-riddled season, has seven starters returning who played in that championship game.

“We were forced to throw our younger players in the cauldron and see how they turned out,” Hayes said. “We became a battle-scarred squad.”

Still, Hayes will rely on three seniors who have fought a few battles themselves — goalkeeper James Jacobs, center back-central midfielder Bryce Grathwohl and midfielder-forward Alp Kilinic.

Jacobs has started virtually every Tuckers match — he’s at 52 and counting — since the first game of his freshman year. “I don’t know what the record is for games in goal at Mattituck, but he probably has it,” Hayes said.

They’ll get support from junior midfielder-forward Jack Burkhardt, the younger brother of David Burkhardt, who once tallied 25 goals in a season for Mattituck, senior central midfielder Charles Bordsen, who can play several positions, and center back Chris Nicholson. Nicholson missed eight games last year with an injury before emerging as an impact player down the stretch.

The Tuckers were placed in League VII with Class C and D teams. For the first time in years, they won’t tussle with their eternal rival, Center Moriches (League VI), for league supremacy. They will meet in a non-league road encounter on Sept. 17.

“It will be a good barometer for both schools,” Hayes said.

Andrew Sadowski, the dean of Suffolk boys soccer coaches, enters his 25th year as Southold head coach (277-128-21) cautiously optimistic. As coach of a perennial playoff team that has won nine county titles since he took over in 1994, Sadowski’s goals are modest.

“My first goal is to be competitive and qualify for the playoffs,” he said. “I don’t want the boys to look too far ahead. You have to earn it.”

Sadowski’s main concern is finding someone who can find the back of the net on a regular basis to replace the graduated Ryan Hermann (21 goals). One leading candidate is junior forward Joe Silvestro (nine goals).

Perhaps Sadowski will find some goals from senior midfielders Joe Hayes, Joe Baumann and Von Carsten. His defense is well fortified with junior goalkeeper Cole Brigham, who started as a sophomore, and junior defenders Tyler Woodhull and Stephen Schill.

The First Settlers (14-3-1), who will call a new artificial turf field home this season, should be bolstered by the return of senior defender Devin Quinones, who had put his energy toward playing tennis last year, and junior midfielder-forward Max Pasko.

“I think he missed playing with his friends,” Sadowski said of Quinones. “Glad to have him back.”

As they have in recent years, the Settlers have used dancing in their preseason routine, which could help them in the long run. “A tremendous amount of cardio work goes into it,” Sadowski said, adding that it helps with the players’ agility as well. “We try to keep it fun for them.”

Greenport (10-7) is primed for a big season as the Porters lost only one starter from its Suffolk Class C semifinal side.

“The program is ready to take off,” head coach Sean Charters said.

Three impact players returning for their senior season as captains are expected to be role models and leaders — striker William Chapeton (18 goals, two assists), defender Jason Cruz and midfielder Jacob Kahn.

Junior midfielder David Pineda (12 goals), senior midfielder Mateo Arias (four goals), senior forward-midfielder Jaxan Swann (three goals) and sophomore forward-midfielder Kevin Azama (three goals) should add to what could become a potent attack.

Midfielder Chris Kucynski, a transfer from Bishop McGann-Mercy, is versatile; he can play anywhere.

“We played really well,” Charters said of last season. “Our record needs to improve. Last year we made the playoffs. We need to grind out a couple of more wins. The intensity needs to come up in games a little more.”

Before his team tackles League VII foes, Charters has decided to challenge the Porters against larger schools. After scrimmaging at Riverhead (Class AA) yesterday, Greenport will meet Westhampton Beach (Class A) in a scrimmage today and host Rocky Point (Class A) in a non-league season opener Friday at 10 a.m. The Porters visit Class AA state finalist Half Hollow Hills West on Monday at 10 a.m.

“I told the guys I wanted to get them a pretty good match,” Charters said of Hills West. “Go out there, give it all you’ve got. Learn how these guys play. They’ve been to the championship game before.”

Photo caption: Senior goalkeeper James Jacobs has started virtually every match for Mattituck — 52 — since the first game of his freshman year. (Credit: Garret Meade)

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Defending NASCAR Modified champion Tom Rogers Jr. of Riverhead and his race team had to virtually rebuild their car after a hard crash on Aug. 22. The car wasn’t finished until 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Later that night, Rogers went out and rewarded his hard-working group by sweeping the Twin 50 NASCAR Modified events at Riverhead Raceway Saturday evening. The victories were the 50th and 51st of his career, moving him to second on the track’s all-time win list that is led by Charlie Jarzombek with 63 wins.

Rogers’ victory in the first 50-lapper momentarily tied him with Jim Malone Sr. for victories. Kyle Soper of Manorville made a pass for second on Lap 36 stand up for a runner-up finish. John Fortin Sr. of Holtsville was third, Eddie Brunnhoelzl III of Levittown fourth and Dave Brigati of Calverton fifth.

“This car needed a ton of work, more than most know,” Rogers said. “But my team, my sponsors and my family all stepped up putting in long hours.”

While it was the inside groove that Rogers utilized in his first race victory, the second race saw him find success on the top side of the track. Rogers passed Brigati and Fortin for the lead off a turn starting the eighth lap and held it to the end. “Anyone who knows me knows that I like the outside better,” he said.

Soper motored in second and was followed by Fortin, Dylan Slepian of Dix Hills and John Fortin Jr. of Holtsville.

After feeling as though he gave one away last Wednesday night, Chris Turbush of Wading River came back on a mission to win a 25-lap Late Model feature event, a milestone 10th of his career and second of the season. Soper was second and Jeremy McDermott of Riverhead placed third.

Owen Grennan of Glen Cove was first in a 35-lap Crate Modified feature. The non-stop affair saw Jack Orlando of Calverton second and Michael Rutkoski of Mattituck drive from a seventh starting spot to finish third.

With his car still on the shelf from a mid-season crash, Tom Ferrara of Patchogue won a 15-lap Figure Eight race in a borrowed vehicle. Taking advantage of a rare pole starting spot, Ferrara picked up the 13th win of his career, tying him with Bill Steen for 11th on the all-time list. Vinny Delaney of Holtsville was second and Tom Rogers Jr. third.

Sometimes racing is all about being in the right place at the right time. That was the case for first-time Blunderbust winner Cody Triola of Bay Shore. Following a crash on Lap 6, Triola found himself leading the race. He drove onto victory, followed by Jim Laird Jr. of Riverhead and Timmy Mulqueen of Levittown.

A Super Pro Truck 20-lap race was won by Mark Stewart of Riverhead, his 17th career win. Dave Brigati of Calverton was second and Lou Maestri of Deer Park third.

Legend Race Car driver Ed Cheslak of Rocky Point won his first career 20-lapper. Championship leader Jim Sylvester of Massapequa made his way to a second-place finish. Riely O’Keefe of Islip was a career-best third.

Zeh, Fuller triumph Sunday

The second half of the Labor Day racing weekend at Riverhead Raceway was completed Sunday afternoon with Eric Zeh of Selden scoring his fourth Street Stock win of 2018 in a thrilling 40-lap affair. Steve Fuller of Manorville won a 30-lap Mini Stock race.

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Wednesday marked the first day of school for Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District, with children at Cutchogue East Elementary filing into classes under the direction of assistant principal Ilana Finnegan.

Expected changes in the Mattituck-Cutchogue School District have been announced at Board of Education meetings throughout the year. Most notable among them is the presence of a new superintendent, Jill Gierasch. 

Back to School: Here is what’s new as classes begin this week

Among their courses, students learned how to code at Cutchogue East Elementary School last year. In the new year, the district will continue to offer those courses.

Photo caption: Students headed off the school bus and into the classroom Wednesday morning. (Rachel Siford photo)

See more photos below:

Staff helped students off the bus. (Rachel Siford photo)

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A Riverhead man was arrested Tuesday in connection to two recent burglaries at Greenport businesses.

Southold Town Police arrested Juan Lopez, 44, on two felony burglary charges for robberies that occurred at Front Street Station and the Parapsychology Foundation last week.

Both businesses took to social media following the incidents. Front Street Station owner Sharon Sailor wrote on Facebook that her business was broken into around 1 a.m. last Thursday night and is now taking extra precautions in light of what happened.

“We have been being ultra careful,” Ms. Sailor said in an interview. “This is the first time anything like this has happened. We have had to change things — the way we close at night and leaving extra lights on. It is a terrible thing … you’re looking at everyone and thinking, could that be the person?”

Southold Town police had said the incidents at Front Street Station and the Parapsychology Foundation were related and Tuesday Mr. Lopez was arrested for the robberies. He was held for arraignment, police said.

Other East End businesses have also reported thefts in recent weeks.

The entrance sign at Lavender by the Bay was stolen last week. (Courtesy photo)

The large wooden sign that marked the entrance to Lavender by the Bay in East Marion was stolen overnight last Thursday, according to its owners. Lavender by the Bay vice president Chanan Rozenbaum, said security footage showed two people walking off with the sign around midnight.

A temporary sign was installed in its place over the weekend and the owners are in the process of improving their security following the incident.

“We are updating our cameras for better visibility,” Mr. Rozenbaum said. “We’re more aware of our surroundings [now].”

On Monday morning, Chris Dowling, owner of One Love Beach — located roughly three miles from Lavender by the Bay — shared security video of a woman believed to be shoplifting at the Main Street store over Labor Day weekend.

“Hopefully someone will recognize her and justice will be served. It’s not easy running a retail business year round in this town and this person just took food off our plates and shoes off my son,” his post stated. “We are done accepting apologies from people we catch in the act. Everyone going forward will be prosecuted. We are pressing charges no matter how small an item was stolen. We are done.”

The owners of Tea and Tchotchkes on Front Street also shared a snapshot from their security camera depicting a woman taking an ornamental log from outside the business on the night of Aug. 20.

“I am shocked,” owner Brittany Calvert told the Suffolk Times Tuesday. “We always had a camera, but now I am going to have to put up a sign in the window that says, ‘Smile, you’re on camera.’”

At the start of the summer season in 2017, Greenport business owners created a network through the app WhatsApp to share information about possible crimes, such as shoplifting and passing counterfeit money. Police can monitor the app.

Southold Police Chief Martin Flatley said the app is still in use and geared more toward quickly sharing information on crimes committed while a business is open. The most recent string of burglaries has occurred mostly during overnight hours, he said.

cmurray@timesreview.com

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Reese Thompson is back, wrist and all.

Some pain accompanied the Southold High School sophomore’s first competitive tennis match in a year, but the way she played and the result she attained must have helped lessen it.

Thompson’s 2017 season was cut short after only a couple of weeks because of a puzzling injury to her right wrist.

“I actually went to several doctors because no one knew what was going on,” she said, noting she first felt pain on the outer edge of the wrist and then in another spot on the wrist closer to the thumb.

At first, she was told she couldn’t play for four weeks, and after that was continually told her she couldn’t play. It was determined that she had a cyst in the wrist, but because of her young age, an operation was ruled out. Anti-inflammatory medication, which she still takes, was prescribed. She was done for the season.

“It was pretty hard because I really do love playing tennis and I just had to watch someone else take my spot,” she said.

Thompson’s plans to play this past winter were aborted because of the injury, but she returned to Southold/Greenport’s preseason practices this summer, eager to give it a go.

“She’s been solid since she came back after that first week of knocking off the rust,” said coach Mike Carver.

But the real test didn’t come until Southold’s season opener Wednesday.

Thompson, wearing a brace on the wrist, played — and played through pain. She overcame a 3-0 deficit in the second set to defeat Center Moriches senior Madison Hujber in second singles, 6-2, 7-5, in the Suffolk County League VIII opener for both teams at Southold High School.

“Reese was definitely the story of the day,” Carver said. “I think she stepped up and rose to the occasion.”

Thompson’s victory was part of a 5-2 triumph by the First Settlers.

Afterward, Thompson applied an ice bag to the troublesome wrist. “My first day back, I was very nervous,” she said. “I really didn’t think I could do it, and my wrist started to hurt really bad.”

How did the wrist feel after the match?

“It’s really sore,” she said.

Thompson described it as a paralyzing pain and said this was the most it has bothered her since the start of preseason practice last month. “Sometimes it almost brings me to tears,” she said.

Thompson said when she lost the first three games of the second set, “I was probably ready to give up, but obviously I can’t do that so I just had to keep battling it through.”

Carver was mightily impressed by what he saw from her. “That was the best I’ve seen Reese play,” he said. “She stuck with it. She didn’t let it go to that third set. She’s got a lot of potential. She’s a great athlete. She’s only going to get better and better.”

Southold’s first singles player, freshman Natalie Kopala, also began her season on the right foot, finishing senior Hannah Tebbens, 6-0, 6-1, in 42 minutes. A crosswind caused difficulties for Kopala on her high ball toss, accounting for her 53-percent rate on first serves. But her 19 winners (to five for Tebbens) made up for that.

Kopala, who has a tennis court at her home, showed her shot-making ability, including the best of the day, a cross-court beauty to close out the fifth game of the second set.

Kopala said she’s hitting the ball harder and is being more aggressive. “The more you play, the better you get,” she said.

Southold’s third doubles team of Allie Boyle and Liz Garcia provided the clinching fourth team point. They beat Leigh McMahon and Savannah O’Brien, 6-4, 6-2.

An all-freshmen fourth singles match saw Southold’s Ellie Alloway prevail in the twilight, 6-4, 7-5 over Alyssa Marano.

The only three-setter of the day went Southold’s way. Danielle Henry and Julia Mejsak were 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 winners over Carolyn Estes and Nya Pemberton at second doubles.

Center Moriches’ two points came from third singles and first doubles. Kaylee Walsh upended Kaia Rothman, 6-3, 6-4. The pairing of Emma Brennan and Nicole Weinhofer downed Hannah DeSimone and Cassie Vaccariello, 6-0, 6-3.

It was a big day for Thompson and the Settlers, who would love to have her for the entire season.

Thompson said she thinks she’ll be OK with the wrist, if not entirely comfortable. “When I have that brace on, it’s not as bad, like I don’t feel the pain as much, but when I take it off, I really do feel it.”

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Southold/Greenport sophomore Reese Thompson played — and won — her first match since being sidelined by a cyst in her right wrist early last season. (Credit: Bob Liepa)

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How Tara Scully ended up on the Democratic Party primary ballot for Suffolk County Surrogate Court is a far more important issue than who will next serve on that bench.

In late June, Ms. Scully, an attorney and registered Republican, answered what amounted to a “help wanted” ad posted by Newsday’s editorial board. This remarkable editorial called for someone to run for Surrogate Court who was not handpicked by party bosses in a backroom deal that put forward an approved candidate to be rubber-stamped on Election Day by voters who don’t know any better.

The bosses of the Democrat, Republican, Conservative and Independence parties care principally about power and patronage. The taxpayers and the integrity of the county court system are not uppermost in their minds. They — not you — will determine who gets on the bench. They want it this way because, in Surrogate Court, for example, the person they pick is then in a position to hand out highly lucrative appointments to lawyers favored by the party.

These party leaders do not operate idea factories. They don’t sit around discussing ways to improve life on Long Island or make government more efficient, honest and transparent. Essentially, they operate employment agencies. Their methods are corrupt, undemocratic and insulting to voters.

This deal-making is how the political gravy train works. Parties that seem to have strong differences cynically merge into a single mega-party to put the people they want in key positions. The party leaders win before a single vote is cast — and voters haven’t a clue.

Ms. Scully, in answering Newsday’s call and gathering signatures on her own to get on the primary ballot, poses a serious challenge to this system.

This column is not an endorsement of one candidate over the other. It is about the processof selecting judges and how Ms. Scully’s effort threatens to disrupt years of corrupt deal-making. There is a right and a wrong here, and the voting public needs to understand how they are being played.

It’s a long-standing practice for the bosses of the key parties to arrange cross-endorsement deals that deny voters the chance to make meaningful and independent decisions on judgeships. The names they choose are on the ballot. How — and why — they got there is not the voters’ business. Fill in the circle and go home.

For several years, the choreographers of cross-endorsement deals included one Edward Walsh, former head of the Conservative Party, who is currently serving a two-year sentence for wire fraud and theft of government services related to his “job” in the Suffolk County Sheriff’s department.

During his tenure with the Conservatives, Mr. Walsh was considered a key player in arranging judicial cross-endorsements. His conviction made him the poster boy for Long Island public figures who have nothing but contempt for the taxpayers who unknowingly finance their machinations. He was not alone; he was just the one who got caught.

Another key player in the picking of judges has been Frank MacKay of the Suffolk Independence Party. In February, Newsday reported that Mr. MacKay has earned six-figures as an employee of Gary Melius’ Oheka Castle in Huntington, which Newsday reported has been the operations hub for the Independence Party.

This small party has outsized political influence: A dozen candidates ran in 2012 for Supreme Court. The top six vote-getters who won judgeships all had Independence Party support. That’s the reason candidates want its backing.

Tara Scully ran unsuccessfully for District Court in 2015 and lost by less than 200 votes to the Democrat-endorsed candidate, who also had Conservative Party support. Newsday reported in March 2016 that former Republican county legislator — and convicted felon — Fred Towle had suggested to Ms. Scully before the party bosses made their selections that she make a $2,000 “contribution” to the Conservative Party. Stressing his close friendship with Mr. Walsh, Mr. Towle also requested a $10,000 “consulting” fee for himself. She refused.

“Towards the end of September 2015, I went to a meeting and Fred Towle was there,” Ms. Scully said in an interview on Monday. “He told me he wanted a $5,000 consulting fee. That would guarantee that the Conservatives did not endorse the Democrat. If he came through with Conservative backing I’d owe him $5,000 more. The $2,000 would go directly to the Conservative Party.

“I was so green at that point,” she added. “The whole thing made me sick to my stomach.”

On Aug. 1, Mr. Towle pleaded guilty in federal court to tax evasion on unreported business income. He could spend up to three years in prison.

Ms. Scully’s experience in that rigged election motivated her to take up Newsday’s challenge and pursue the Surrogate Court seat. The editorial asked for someone “with a backbone to resist pressure from party bosses to reward cronies and donors with big fees.” Stepping into this fray, she gathered 6,000 signatures in just two weeks to get on the ballot.

As a result, a carefully orchestrated nine-judge cross-endorsement deal, helped along by longtime Suffolk Democratic Party boss Rich Schaffer, fell apart. One casualty was Marian Tinari, the bosses’ designated Surrogate Court nominee. Faced with having to run a primary, she withdrew from the race.

Her husband, Frank, heads the county Conservative Party. In her place, the Conservative Party named Family Court Judge Deborah Poulos for surrogate.

Ms. Scully, daughter of Peter Scully, a top aide to Democratic Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, already had the Republican line for surrogate. She petitioned her way onto the Democratic ballot to protest cross-endorsement deals. Her actions were in direct defiance of Mr. Schaffer, whose support of such deals strongly suggests he has no core principles worth fighting for.

The Democratic primary is Sept. 13. Ms. Scully’s opponent, Theresa Whelan, is the party’s anointed choice for Surrogate Court. It is worth noting that, as Newsday reported July 20, Ms. Whelan’s mother had a top post at the patronage trough that is the Suffolk Board of Elections, and was close to former Democratic party boss Dominick Baranello. Ms. Whelan’s husband, Thomas, is a Supreme Court judge and a close ally of Mr. MacKay, whose Independence Party has also endorsed her for surrogate.

Those, then, are the chess pieces on the board. While the game afoot here is obvious to political insiders, others naively jump to support their party’s designated candidate. Last week, the Southold Town Democratic Committee endorsed Ms. Whelan for surrogate. They should have thought about that more.

What is most likely going on here is some high-stakes maneuvering by the parties, described last week in a statement from former Democratic Suffolk legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher, who recently lost her bid to run against incumbent Lee Zeldin in the 1st Congressional District.

“This rigged process is like a bad movie that plays over and over and we know based on experience what to expect,” she wrote.

This is what Ms. Viloria-Fisher predicts: “At the judicial convention in September, party bosses will nominate the current Conservative candidate for Suffolk Surrogate [Deborah Poulos] for a different judgeship so that she can vacate the Conservative line in the race [for that seat]. Once that has been accomplished, and having fooled many Democratic voters into supporting Whelan in the Democratic primary based solely on party enrollment, the party bosses will probably designate Whelan as the Conservative Party candidate. ”

That, she noted, would make Ms. Whelan “the designated Democrat-Conservative-Independence candidate, and restore the cross-endorsement deal that blew up in the first place. ”

Some consider Ms. Scully a Republican masquerading as a Democrat and, for that reason, will cast knee-jerk votes in next week’s primary for Ms. Whelan. But Democratic voters who make that decision based solely on party affiliation are being fooled and are perpetuating a scheme that is undemocratic and benefits only the bosses.

So what should Democratic voters do on Sept. 13?

For Ms. Viloria-Fisher, the answer is clear: Don’t vote for the Democratic candidate supported by the party leaders.

“I will vote my conscience,” she said. “That means I will support Tara Scully because she got on the ballot on her own; she got those petitions signed herself.

“There is a lot of money at stake here,” she said, adding that she considers the Democratic Party working with the Conservative Party a “betrayal.”

“Many court-appointed cases are very lucrative. Tara Scully is pushing back. I have her word she will continue to push back.

“We need the New York State Legislature to act on why it is that judges are picked by party bosses and not the people,” Ms. Viloria-Fisher said. “We have to give it back to the people. I am going to vote against the machine.”

The author is the executive editor of Times Review Media Group. He can be reached at swick@timesreview.com.

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For Marty and Ted Griffin, taking over the family business wasn’t a convenience, but a necessity.

“It was right in the middle of the Vietnam War. Dad died at 45, I was only 13,” Ted recalled solemnly last week, shortly after closing on the sale of their iconic family garage. “It was a trying time.”

Their father, Lou, started out with a Flying A gas station on Main Road in Mattituck in 1957, now a BP station. Two years later, the tenacious proprietor and mechanic built the repair shop, Lou’s Service Station, at the corner of Sound Avenue and Pacific Street in Mattituck. “It got busier and busier and busier, so he had to go bigger and bigger, and built this place.”

The brothers spent their summer days hanging around the shop, learning the value of hard work from their father. Years ago, the rear building used to house buses for the Mattituck School District — all five of them.

“Part of our chores growing up was getting the buses clean, gassing them up, and getting them running in the wintertime so when the drivers got here, they’d be ready to go with the heat,” Ted said.

Tragedy struck in 1968, when Lou died suddenly, leaving behind his wife, Justyna, and two teenage sons.

“When he passed, we kind of had to learn as we go,” Marty said. The following year, after finishing automotive school, 19-year-old Marty began working and managing the shop full-time.

Ted joined his brother in the early 1980s, after attending BOCES and working briefly at other auto shops.

“The family talked me into coming here,” he said.

Now, after nearly 60 years in business, the family is saying goodbye.

“I’m getting old and we really had nobody to keep the family business going,” said Marty, who turns 69 this month.

His son had worked at the shop before taking a job on Plum Island.

“We didn’t hold him back,” Marty said. “He grabbed the opportunity.”

In a changing industry, it was time, the brothers agreed. As cars continue to evolve and become more high-tech and computerized, customers gravitate more and more toward bringing their vehicles to dealerships. Years ago, anything that needed to be fixed on a car could be done at a shop, Marty said.

Lou’s Service Station in Mattituck will close this month. (Tara Smith photo)

“We’ve done well keeping up with it, but it’s going to explode shortly with electric cars,” Marty said.

“And cars with no drivers,” Ted added. “We’re still doing business the way Dad and Mom did it.”

There are no computers in the shop: receipts are still handwritten, jazz plays over a staticky radio, a landline telephone rings steadily and print newspapers and magazines still invite waiting customers to flip through them while waiting for their car to be serviced. Sixty years of spare parts crowd workbenches in their garage that offers olfactory snapshots of grit, gasoline and decades of elbow grease.

Marty plans to retire and split his time between Connecticut and Ormond Beach, Fla.

“My wife [Tanya] and I are big into modified racing. And I don’t want to see snow anymore,” he said.

Ted, 63, has no plans to stop working.

“I’m just gonna take a deep breath and go from there,” he said.

They may not miss the grueling, 12-hour days but both said they would miss their loyal customers.

One customer has been with them since the beginning, Ted said.

“He started with Dad in ’57 and he still comes to us. He’s devastated.”

Marty added: “You build your whole life around your customers, and they become friends.”

For 35 years, they also serviced the fleet of Southold police vehicles. “Whatever it took to keep them safe and on the road,” Ted said.

Police Chief Martin Flatley said the men became like family to the officers and they’ve maintained the police vehicles as needed and on demand.

“If anyone has earned their retirement, Marty and Teddy Griffin certainly have,” the chief said. “When you must operate a fleet of police vehicles that are on the road 24/7 that cannot afford to be sidelined with mechanical issues, this is huge.”

Chief Flatley said the department is attempting to set up a mechanic’s shop in the town’s Highway Department buildings as a new space for vehicle maintenance.

“This will all be a new venture for us,” he said.

It only took three months to sell, according to Marty.

“The location, that’s what sold the place,” he said.

Joe and Phyllis Morgano, who together own Power Equipment Plus locations in Southampton and East Hampton, will take over Lou’s and transform the space to accommodate their business.

Their stores provide a variety of construction and landscaping equipment for sale and rent. Mr. Morgano said Mattituck is a great location for his expanding business.

“It’s centralized,” he said.

He plans to renovate the footprint of the existing building, and anticipates a spring 2019 opening.

“We’re looking forward to bringing more of a selection to the North Fork,” he said last week. “A place where you can go to rent a rototiller, or simple stuff like carpet cleaner or a snake to clean the drain out,” he said.

The Griffin brothers agree that it was a good fit.

“I think [Joe] is gonna do an excellent job. He’s coming in with new ideas, he’s gonna spruce the place up and I think it’s really gonna be an asset to the whole town,” Marty said.

tsmith@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Marty, left, and Ted Griffin took over Lou’s Service Station after their father, Lou, died suddenly in 1968. (Tara Smith photo) 

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Jack Martilotta sees something over the horizon, and it isn’t the sun setting over Peconic Bay.

No, what the Greenport/Southold/Mattituck coach sees are wins for his high school football team. Wins, actual wins.

Those are something the Porters haven’t experienced since they closed out the 2016 season with a 36-6 trouncing of Southampton/Ross. Last year Greenport was one of four Suffolk County teams (joining Brentwood, Copiague and East Hampton/Bridgehampton) to go 0-8. It was Greenport’s first winless season since 2012.

Now, seeded last in 11-team Suffolk Division IV, Greenport is expecting bigger things in 2018.

Are wins coming?

“Absolutely, without a doubt,” said Martilotta, who has a 21-29 career record in his 10th year as Greenport’s coach. “Last year we knew was going to be a rebuilding year and we did our best to teach them how to properly play.”

This year, Martilotta said, the Porters have “so much more experience. The kids know everything from what a play should look like to what a practice should like. Again, we have high expectations for this upcoming season.”

What is the source of that optimism?

Twelve returning starters and 12 seniors help.

Leading the way is senior All-County middle linebacker Tyrus Smiley and a pair of All-Division players in senior offensive tackle/nose tackle Jude Swann (6-3, 295 pounds) and junior quarterback/defensive back Ahkee Anderson.

“Smiley plays aggressive, he plays tough,” Martilotta said. “He’s got natural athletic ability. He loves playing and he loves playing hard, and that’s what you want as a coach.”

In part because of Smiley, Martilotta said, “The defense is going to be more centered on the linebackers. Because of the crop of kids we have, we feel we’re athletic enough to play a slightly different style.”

The linebacker corps also includes seniors Dante Tramontana, Robert Lechner and Jadyn Ford.

Six other seniors were starters as well last year: wide receiver/defensive back Brandon Clark, wide receiver Sean McElroy, running back/defensive back Shane Kollen and linemen Mike Foote and Emmett Moloney. Junior lineman Tyler Marlborough also started.

Greenport can also count on help from linebacker/fullback Colby Suglia, wide receiver/defensive back Matt Warns, lineman Jon Montgomery-Medina and running back Isiah Johnson.

The Porters plan on returning to old-school Greenport football.

“Greenport is committed to running the football,” Martilotta said. “Honestly, I believe that if we can run the ball inside the tackles we will have success. That’s our plan. We’re not going to try to ‘outfancy’ anybody.”

Greenport, seeking its first playoff berth in five years, is already guaranteed one win by forfeit over East Hampton/Ross, which is not fielding a team.

With Greenport’s low seeding comes a forgiving schedule, on paper at least. Greenport will open the season on Saturday at No. 9 Wyandanch. The first half of Greenport’s schedule presents the Porters with a chance to make a dent in the win column. They will play No. 6 Center Moriches, No. 10 Hampton Bays and No. 8 Southampton/Bridgehampton/Pierson. Things get tougher after that, with games against No. 4 Elwood/John Glenn, No. 5 Bayport-Blue Point and No. 7 Port Jefferson.

Martilotta said he has over 40 players for the varsity and junior varsity teams, some of them bouncing back and forth between the teams.

“Greenport football is on strong footing,” Martilotta said. “I think they play well together and I think that they have high expectations of themselves.”

What would make this season a success for Greenport?

“Honestly, the same thing that makes it a success any other year — taking young men and making them better citizens and better adults,” Martilotta said. “Winning games should be part of that.”

bliepa@timesreview.com

Photo caption: All-County senior Tyrus Smiley, running the ball against Amityville last year, is a big part of Greenport/Southold/Mattituck’s plans this season. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk)

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Laura Rand peacefully passed away on Sept. 3, 2018 surrounded by her family. She was 69.

Born in 1949 and adopted by James and Ruth Davis, Laura decided at an early age that she wanted to devote her life to helping others. She graduated from Queens General Hospital School of Nursing, obtained a nursing science degree at Nassau Community College and did postgraduate work at C.W. Post. She was a prominent nurse in emergency rooms, intensive care units, and pediatric intensive care units across Long Island. In addition, she became the nursing supervisor at Eastern Long Island Hospital and received various awards for her dedication to her work, including the Laura Goodale award in 2001. Laura had a career that lasted over 40 years that was committed to encouraging nurses as well as saving those in need.

Laura will be remembered for her strong humor and her unconditional love for her friends and family. She is survived by her husband Charles; her brother and sister in-law Frank and Susan Davis; her son Shaeumus; daughter Kelly; granddaughter Lizzie; and grandson Tristan.

This is a paid notice.

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Listings prepared for Times Review Media Group by Suffolk Research Service, dated July 9-15, 2018.

Brought to you by:

AQUEBOGUE (11931)

• Beck, A by Heirs to Villas at Roanoke LLC, 15 S Apollo Dr (600-46-2-37), (R), $250,000

• Beck, A by Heirs to Villas at Roanoke II LLC, 21 S Apollo Dr (600-46-2-38.1), (V), $150,000

• Scalera, R & D to Sopolinski, Michal, 92 Trout Brook Ln (600-112-2-18.1), (R), $345,000

BAITING HOLLOW (11933)

• Baiting Hollow Owner to Pugliese, Rose, 1502 Bluffs Dr N, #3301 (600-11.2-1-173), (R), $389,000

• Baiting Hollow Owner to Kestler Jr, Francis, 1413 Bluffs Dr N #3302 (600-11.2-1-174), (R), $400,596

• Baiting Hollow Owner to Montenegro, Galo, 1212 Bluffs Dr N #3308 (600-11.2-1-180), (R), $410,636

CALVERTON (11933)

• Lindquist, P to Goode II, George, 1887 Edwards Ave (600-39-3-10), (R), $275,000

CUTCHOGUE (11935)

• Massimo, E to Garibaldi, Joseph, 4030 Nassau Point Rd (1000-111-8-20), (R), $744,000

EAST MARION (11939)

• Kirschbaum, J & M Trust to Gerazounis, Peter, 2820 Shipyard Ln, Unit 3H (1000-38.2-1-29), (C), $860,000

FLANDERS (11901)

• Swiss Benevolent Soc to Gisiger, Danielle, 178 Point Rd (900-121-1-12), (R), $160,000

• Silva, M to 160 Riverside LLC, 160 Riverside Ave (900-143-1-41), (R), $75,000

• Fialho, M & M by Referee to Citibank N.A., 123 Flanders Blvd (900-145-2-16), (R), $360,000

• Brogan, K & P to Rojas, Roberto, 63 Risa Ct (900-200-1-45.12), (R), $545,000

GREENPORT (11944)

• Samolewski, R & R to 200 Atlantic Ave Realty, 200 Atlantic Ave (1001-2-2-35), (R), $1,060,000

• Varon, F to Shellman, Robert, Stirling Cove Unit 4 (1001-3.1-1-4), (C), $965,000

JAMESPORT (11947)

• Melynis, J to Marino, Phyllis, 38 Big Pond Ln (600-2.1-2-38), (R), $592,500

• Johnson, K by Referee to 37 Herricks Corp, 37 Herricks Ln (600-48-1-9.2), (R), $260,036

• Vecchione, T & T to Devine, Michael, 1226 Peconic Bay Blvd (600-69-3-14), (R), $575,000

MATTITUCK (11952)

• Macari, J to Kellershon, Joseph, 495 Bennetts Pond Ln (1000-113-13-13), (R), $550,000

• Agrigento Trust to Vogelsang, Peter, 1285 Marratooka Ln (1000-115-4-33.3), (R), $535,000

ORIENT (11957)

• Henry, J & S to Mulholland, Henry, 2440 Village Ln (1000-26-1-17.1), (R), $2,050,000

• Strachan, S & K & B Trust to Ruocco, Robert, 310 Narrow River Rd (1000-27-4-9.4), (V), $1,025,000

RIVERHEAD (11901)

• Welter, M to Verderber, John, 86 Sandy Ct (600-15-1-8), (R), $530,000

• Wacik, A by Executors to Lukachinski, Gary, 97 Linda Ln W (600-16-2-4), (R), $4,205,000

• Wiwczar, T & J to Pena, Luis, 30 Gateway East Dr (600-65-4-15.3), (R), $375,000

• Friszolowski, J & D to Maas, Justin, 1864 Osborn Ave (600-80-3-3), (R), $340,000

• McDonough, M & Flaherty to Mayer, Peter, 44 Goose Neck Ln (600-82.1-1-44), (R), $350,000

• Choi, S & C to Ganguzza, Felipe, 44 Forest Dr (600-85-1-10.42), (R), $430,000

• Marrec, A & A to Leon Paiz, Ronal & Junior, 22 Madison St (600-130-2-15), (R), $327,000

SHELTER ISLAND (11964)

• Ittleman, F & E & Ryan to Equity Trust Company, 17 N Midway Rd (700-14-3-72.12), (V), $345,000

SOUTH JAMESPORT (11970)

• Simms, L & Ho, A to Abad, Christopher, 5 Dunlookin Ln (600-92-6-13), (R), $1,950,000

SOUTHOLD (11971)

• Ferrulli, V & G to Kustek, Paul, 1540 Smith Dr S (1000-76-3-5), (R), $725,000

WADING RIVER (11792)

• Deutsche Bank Nat to Schembri, Anthony, 21 Sylvan Pl (600-33-2-22), (R), $270,000

• Lewis, J & M to Hoffmann, Fred, 100 Long Pond Rd (600-95-2-1.6), (R), $432,000

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

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Teresa Schiavoni died  at San Simeon by the Sound in Greenport Aug. 29.

Teresa was born July 21, 1929, in Piedilama, Ascoli Piceno. She married Dominick Schiavoni and traveled with him and his father, Julius, to America on the ship Saturnia, after a journey to Naples. They arrived Dec. 10, 1948.

The couple first lived in Greenport with the senior Schiavonis, where Dominick worked at the family bowling alley. They moved to their own tiny cottage in Greenport after Teresa started working on circuit boards at Hazeltine Corporation in Riverhead, eventually settling in 1960 into a new home, where Teresa remained after Dominick’s death in 1998.

Family members said Teresa was “a dynamo,” and was very proud of her meticulous work on the E2C Hawkeye, the airborne early warning and command and control aircraft operated by the military since 1973. An Italian cook, Teresa would make her own pasta, can her tomatoes, and give lacy pizzelle cookies at Christmas. She was an expert gardener, mulching her leftovers and raising her own food. She insisted on mowing her own lawn until recently, when a generous neighbor took over. Teresa loved her independence and self-sufficiency, but she was also a generous friend and neighbor.

She leaves behind an extended Schiavoni family who had become her American family, including many nieces and nephews. Her last surviving sibling, Adriana, still lives in Ascoli Piceno.

Teresa was a member of St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport. Father Richard Hoerning will perform the graveside service at the church cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m.

Arrangements were in the care of Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport.

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According to Heather Miller, parents of an elementary or middle-school child should put their phones away every weeknight from 6-8 p.m. and devote those hours to their children.

Ms. Miller, a education professional, has written a guide instructing parents on how to make nighttime rituals more meaningful. The plan, divided into four 30-minute blocks, is detailed in her book “Prime Time Parenting: The Two-Hour-a-Day Secret to Raising Great Kids.”

“Two hours is both long and short,” Ms. Miller, who grew up splitting time between Greenport and New York City, said. “Parents ask me, ‘Are you saying I can only spend two hours with my kids and be a good parent?’ And in a weird way I kind of am … You don’t need to spend every minute of the day with your kids and you don’t need to spend every minute of your day with your phone.”

Designed for parents of children aged five to 13, the guide describes each 30-minute block. The first is called “Prime Time Parenting,” and involves getting kids started on their homework and cooking dinner.

‘Prime Time Parenting’ offers tips on homework help, dinnertime and bedtime.

It is here that Ms. Miller’s favorite tip lies — using a timer to motivate children to concentrate on their homework.

A parent would first set a timer for five minutes and tell their child they have to work during that time and not ask the parent any questions. Once the timer goes off, it’s break and question time. She suggests setting the timer for longer as they become accustomed to it to continue developing those skills.

“Try that and you’ll see the child actually does really well and there’s a theatricality to being timed that makes it easier for them to concentrate,” she said. “Also, children have a tendency to ask questions without thinking first. We need them to be independent problem solvers, so this builds those problem solving skills.”

Next is the “Power of the Dinner (Half) Hour,” which details the difference between just sitting at a table together and really engaging with your children during mealtime. From 7 to 7:30 p.m. is “The Homework Hustle” and is focused on answering homework questions and getting your kids through the final stretch.

Then comes the last screen-less half-hour — “Bed, Bath and Beyond.” Lastly, the book also gives pointers for “You Time” and unwinding after putting the kids to bed.

Ms. Miller, 46, began her career in children’s publishing at Scholastic and eventually moved into their maturity program, working with inner city schools. After her experience there she shifted into educational publishing where she created reading programs.

While attending graduate school at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology she was introduced to educational technology, and later did educational technology work in China and France for the United Nations and in India for the National Science Foundation.

Ten years ago she started her own company, LePage-Miller, an education firm based in New York City. She is also the mother of a 25-year-old son, whom she raised as a single parent while attending graduate school.

She said she used a structured process when her son was little, and through her interaction with students in classrooms learned the importance of structure, sleep and decreased screen time.

“Developmentally, routines are critical for small children,” Ms. Miller said. “When children feel they know what’s happening next — this is true all the way from babies to teens — it makes it easier for them to learn because they’re not worrying about what’s happening next. When they have a firm sense of what’s happening next, it frees the brain to focus on other things.”

nsmith@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Heather Miller, a lifelong summer resident of Greenport, recently published a parenting guide. The book details how to make the most of after-school time with your children. (Courtesy photo) 

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Following the end of the polka Friday evening — a longstanding Greenport Band tradition where concertgoers in Mitchell Park drop donations in a beer barrel during the song — director Colin Van Tuyl was about to speak into the microphone to introduce the second half of the evening when he got cut off.

Fellow band member Ann Van Cleef grabbed the microphone and began to speak about Mr. Van Tuyl.

“Larry Sutter was looking through some old programs last weekend and realized that this year marks your 25th year as the conductor of the Greenport Band,” she began.

Ms. Van Cleef, who has been a member of the band since 1996, continued to praise Mr. Van Tuyl crediting his kindness, organizational skills and sense of humor for elevating the band to the next level during his time in charge.

“In 2002 you were named Man of the Year by both The Suffolk Times and by Congregation Tifereth Israel,” she concluded. “But, Colin, for the past 25 years you have been our Man of the Year each and every year.”

A trumpet player, Mr. Van Tuyl joined the band, which his father and brother also played in, at 13 years old in 1964. A version of the band was formed in 1851 and it has played outdoor summer concerts in the village since 1946. In recemt years, the event has been held in Mitchell Park.

The band never rehearses before performances and people can participate as little or as frequently as they please. Ages of current band members range from middle school to 92 years old.

“The thing that impresses me the most is that these musicians — a lot are professionals, like teachers and performers — travel great distances to be out here on a Friday night,” Mr. Van Tuyl said. “It’s very gratifying that they make the effort to come out. It’s certainly fun to play the music and know that most of them can play whatever I pick to play.”

Colin Van Tuyl has been playing trumpet with the Greenport Band since he was 13. (Nicole Smith photo)

He took over the role of conductor in 1993 after Frank Corwin retired. Since then Mr. Van Tuyl has purchased new songs for the band, set up for every concert and assembled folders each week with that night’s songs.

Longtime band members say his efforts have not gone unnoticed. 

“Colin is raising the level of the band,” Ann Mendocha said. “He does an excellent job. He takes it seriously, which is why people take it seriously.”

Clarinet player Harold Nelson, who’s been in the band for 63 years, said Mr. Van Tuyl works the hardest and is a “pretty terrific guy.”

Mr. Van Tuyl received a card signed by the band members and gift cards for Amazon and Elbow East to commemorate the milestone. Band member Dan Creedon also handed out buttons to other band members celebrating Mr. Van Tuyl’s anniversary.

“It was a complete surprise,” he said. “I had no idea they were going to do that … I was just ready to start the second half of the concert and Ann took me by surprise. The card that the band all signed and the gift cards, it was beyond belief. It was very generous.”

nsmith@timesreview.com

Photo caption: Colin Van Tuyl receives a standing ovation at Friday’s Greenport Band concert, during which he was honored for 25 years as the group’s conductor. (Nicole Smith photo) 

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Joseph Peters of Riverhead and Naples, Fla., died at Acadia Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation in Riverhead  Sept. 6. He was 89 years old.

He was born Feb. 3, 1929, in Brooklyn to Charles and Louise Pietromartire, and later attended Bayside High School, St. John’s University and Hunter College, where he received his master’s degree.

From 1953-54, he served as a corporal in the United States Army, where he taught mathematics.

On July 8, 1978, he married Carol Attanasi, and together they made their home in Mattituck for many years.

Joe was a teacher in the Hampton Bays Union Free School District, a communicant and usher at Sacred Heart Parish and a past president of the Mattituck Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife Carol; two children, Lisa, of the Dominican Republic, and Jeffrey, of Hollis, N.H.; two grandchildren, Molly and Nathan; and nieces and nephews in Mattituck, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The family will receive visitors Sunday, Sept. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Sept. 10, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck. Monsignor Joseph W. Staudt will officiate.  Interment, with U.S. Army honors, will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.

This is a paid notice.

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Lydia J. Probe of Southold died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. She was 90.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, Sept. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Sept. 14, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church in Southold, officiated by Father John Barrett.

Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

A complete obituary will follow.

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William W. Wurtz of Cutchogue died at home Sept. 7. He was 77.

The family will receive visitors Monday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue.

Funeral services will take place Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue.

Interment will take place at Calverton National Cemetery.

A complete obituary will follow.

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Andrew Stulsky, 46, of New Suffolk was arrested last Wednesday when he was observed operating an unregistered electric moped in New Suffolk, according to Southold Town police. He was then found to be impaired by drugs and was arrested around 3:18 p.m. for driving while ability impaired by drugs.

• Daniel Papa, 48, of Rutherford, N.J., was arrested for aggravated driving while intoxicated Tuesday at 3 a.m., police said.

• Jean Eckardt, 62, of Greenport was arrested for DWI after a crash in Southold around 5 p.m. Saturday, police said. There were no injuries.

• A street sign at Knollwood Lane and another at East Mill Lane was uprooted and removed last Tuesday, police said.

• A Southold woman called the police last Thursday around 9:30 p.m. when she noticed a man laying on her front lawn without a shirt on, police said. Police canvassed the area and located the man, who was intoxicated, and transported him home, the report states.

• A Greenport woman reported her brother’s 1950 Chevrolet pickup truck stolen from his driveway last Thursday, police said. Her brother confirmed on the phone that no one had permission to take it, the report states. 

• Police responded to a Greenport business when a report came in about an unknown female, approximately 40 years old, shoplifting several pieces of clothing on Sunday around 8 p.m., police said. The items she took were valued at over $150, police said.

• A Southold man said multiple fishing poles were stolen off the back of his boat at the Peconic Bay Yacht Club on Monday around 8:53 a.m., police said. The three poles were valued at $900 total, the report states.

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

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This Tuesday marks the 17th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Several events have been planned across the North Fork to honor the lives lost that day. 

The following is a schedule of events:

Tuesday, Sept. 11

4:30 p.m.: The commander of the Southold American Legion Post 803 will present a brief history of 9/11 at the Southold Town Recreation Center in Peconic.

5 p.m.: The 9/11 Committee and the Southold Town Fire Chiefs Council is hosting a remembrance ceremony at Jean Cochran Park on Peconic Lane in Peconic. There will be 2,977 flags available in memory of everyone lost that day for people to place at the park. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a special ceremony held by Southold Town fire departments.

6:15 p.m.: The public is invited to meet at the corner of Park Road (Thomas Kelly Memorial Drive) and Marine Street in Riverhead for a candlelight walk and remembrance service. Attendees will walk to the memorial park at the corner of Sound Ave. and Park Road for a short ceremony. Mr. Kelly was a local resident, who lost his life on 9/11.

Saturday, Sept. 15

Noon: The Greater Jamesport Civic Association and The East End Emerald Society is hosting the first community 9/11 ceremony at the George Young Community Center in Jamesport. All are invited to attend. The East End Emerald Society will be replacing the flag and flagpole and honoring all local veterans. Late Riverhead police officer John Danowski, who has a monument at the memorial ground, will also be honored.

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The highly anticipated debut of the Mattituck/Southold/Greenport girls soccer team turned out to be a rocky one Saturday morning.

After enduring three disappointing postponements (two due to Suffolk County-wide heat alerts and one because of the lack of available officials), the fourth time to play turned out not to be the charm as the team dropped its season opener to Rocky Point, 3-0, at Southold High School.

It was the first game since Mattituck merged with the Southold/Greenport program.

“Just like every other first game, it was messy,” junior goalkeeper Sarah Santacroce said. “But I think we just played as hard as we could and that’s all I could ask for from this team because we haven’t played together. We scrimmaged small-sided in practice, but we never played together against another team.”

MSG — the combined squad doesn’t have a nickname yet — was scheduled to kick off the season against Mount Sinai last Tuesday, but a Suffolk County-wide heat alert forced the game’s postponement. Ditto for Thursday’s game against West Babylon. Officials weren’t available for a game Friday.

“Frustrating because last year we had three games under our belt by this time,” midfielder-forward Jillian Golden said. “It’s very different. I felt frustrated because as a team we work best when we’re keep playing together. I was stir-crazy. Everybody was stir-crazy. We wanted it so badly. Everyone wanted to play. We were done with just practicing and practicing, heat alerts. We just wanted to play.”

Much is expected of this team. Last year Southold/Greenport (14-5) reached the Class C state semifinals for the first time. Mattituck (13-5) traditionally has one of the county’s best Class B girls programs.

But there will be growing pains meshing the programs together. Saturday was the first time the squad performed against another with a full 11-player side.

Photos by Garret Meade

“We just need to play with each other more and get used to how each other plays against another team,” junior midfielder-forward Claire Gatz said. “I think once we get more used to each other we’ll be able to distribute the ball more, keep possession more and work together because we haven’t had that bond yet but we’re going to. We just have to play together more.”

Head coach Chris Golden reminded his team that while it was important to win, the game would not mean anything quantitatively in its quest to reach the Class B tournament because the Eagles are a Class A school. “We won’t see them again,” he said. “The key is the Bs.”

A pair of freshmen made life difficult for the hosts as striker Gianna Amendola set up two goals and midfielder Victoria Curreri scored one and assisted on another for the Eagles. Amendola played more like a senior as she drove the MSG defense crazy with her runs and dribbling, especially on the right side.

She was a part of the first goal with 28 minutes and 15 seconds remaining in the first half. Santacroce was forced to kick away a back pass quickly out of bounds. That set up a throw-in by sophomore defender Emmarose Hanson. The ball eventually went to Amendola, who found Curreri on the left side of the penalty area for a 1-0 lead.

“That was a miscommunication,” said Santacroce, who was outstanding with 16 saves. “We need to go over some situational things. Sometimes things happen. It’s something that we can go over in practice, for sure. The defense talking to each other, working together.”

Rocky Point doubled its advantage with 8:30 left in the half as Clare Levy took advantage of a turnover off a Curreri feed deep in the MSG end. Sophomore Kaleigh Wilgeroth closed out the scoring off an Amendola feed with 17:41 remaining in the match.

MSG’s big guns, Golden and Gatz, had opportunities to score. Gatz, off a Golden pass, was denied by goalkeeper Julia Darby 2:16 into the match and had a volley saved early in the second half. Golden had her chances, including booting a close-range opportunity over the net with 9:12 left in the game.

“If we put one in the net right there, who knows? Maybe its 1-0 or 1-1 at the half,” Chris Golden said.

Golden and Gatz started the game at striker but were moved to the midfield during the first half when MSG struggled there. The team improved as the game went on.

Jillian Golden, who led Long Island goal scorers (33) last year, shrugged off the loss.

“I think we will be a force to be reckoned with, with all the other B schools,” she said. “I think we will be the dominant B and the As are just for fitness and working on things. Of course, I always love to win. We love to win. We don’t to get our heads down on over As. That we are not concerned with.”

Photo caption: The new Mattituck/Southold/Greenport girls soccer team played its first game Saturday. (Credit: Garret Meade)

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