Huntington Local

Glenn McLaughlin and Laura Cianchetta, members of the Marine's family; four Elwood Middle School students; David J. Cenerelli, superintendent of schools, Legis. Steve Stern and David Klecher, principal of Elwood Middle School.
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By Nancy P. Jacobsen

Suffolk County Legis. Steve Stern (D-Huntington), chairman of the Veterans and Seniors Committee, awarded a proclamation to students at the Elwood Middle School for writing get-well letters to Douglas Cianchetta, a young Marine from Suffolk County who sustained serious burns when he stepped on an explosive improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

Douglas is recovering at the Brook Army Medical Center in Texas.

Stern attended a Veteran’s Day assembly at the school and thanked the students for their efforts. “It is important to remember the sacrifices our brave young men and women make in service to our country,” Stern said. “These students have demonstrated that they care about our troops and I am certain that their good wishes and support will lift Douglas’ spirits as he continues to recover. The entire community is very proud of them.” Douglas’ family has requested that future letters and wishes be sent to other soldiers recovering at the Army Medical Center

Anyone wishing to send get-well wishes is encouraged to send letters to Stern’s office to “Any Soldier.” Stern’s office will forward these wishes to the Army Medical Center. Stern’s district office is located at 1842 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743. For additional information, please call (631) 854-5100.

Nancy P. Jacobsen is a legislative aide to Stern.

"Clouds in Johnny's guitar" by Nadine Dumser of Northport.

A Mother's Life photo project

A nine-month workshop for 20 area mothers to document their lives through photography will culminate this weekend with the opening of a month-long show of their work at the South Huntington Public Library.

The project, titled "A Mother's Life," was run by Huntington Station photographer Cynthia Grimm, using a 2008 Decentralization Grant for the Arts that is funded through the New York State Council on the Arts via the Huntington Arts Council. To see some of the photos from the project, click on the box at right.

Grimm described the project as “empowering women from all walks of life and every stage of motherhood to view their role not only as mother, but as woman, provider, and leader.”

The exhibit begins with an opening reception Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.

For more information about a 2009 Mother's Life workshop, visit Grimm’s Web site www.PixelstickPhoto.com or email cynthiagrimm@gmail.com. Her work is also on display exclusively at Artists in the Attic @ Yankee Peddler Antiques, 1038 New York Avenue, Huntington Station.

Here is a previous story on”A Mother’s Life”.

By Lynn Ruvolo

The holidays are quickly approaching and with that, it is generally accompanied by busy times and in some instances a bit stressful. There is shopping to do, cards to write, menus to plan and family and friends to visit. Because of this hectic time, it is also the time of year where we must be extra careful in watching our dollars, personal belongings and even our identity.

For the past decade or so a new variety of criminals, known as identity thieves, has surfaced. Identity thieves look for valuable personal information that belongs to others. This may include bank account, credit card and social security information. For the identity thief, a minimal amount of information can be used to establish a new identity. This allows the criminal to do such things as open bank and credit card accounts, get loans or obtain employment.

“In recent years, identity theft has become one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States,” stated Councilman Stuart Besen, “which is why it is so important to bring this to the attention of the public, especially our senior citizens. It could take months before the victim is made aware of any wrongdoing. In most cases, the victim learns of the crime after he or she receives a letter from a collection agency or is turned down for a loan because of a poor credit rating. Then the victim faces numerous obstacles and must spend hours sorting through the nightmare of reclaiming his or her identity.”

Although we cannot completely prevent identity theft from occurring, we can learn ways in which to minimize the risk of it happening to us. On Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m., Besen, together with Detective Tom Gabriele of the Identity Theft Unit of the Suffolk County Police Department, will be presenting ways on lowering the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. Topics will include credit card skimming, phishing online (cloning legitimate Web pages to illegally garner personal data), securing your personal information wisely and tips to use for secure passwords. This will be held in the Cinema Arts Center, 423 Park Avenue in Huntington. Space is limited, please call 351-3171 to register. The presentation will take approximately one hour.

Lynn Ruvolo works in Huntington Town’s Citizen Services Department.

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Legislators Steve Stern and Jon Cooper with Officers Michael Rosen, Timothy Tonkin, William Moldovan, Ryan West, Mark Collins and Legis. Lou D’Amaro.

By Jamie Fox

Suffolk County Legislators Jon Cooper, Lou D’Amaro and Steven Stern presented proclamations to five local heroes from the Police Department’s Second Precinct on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

The legislators recognized the officers’ valiant efforts, risking their own safety, to save the life of a 70-year-old physically disabled man from his burning home in Huntington Station.

On the evening of Sunday, Oct, 26, neighbors reported a house fire on Armell Street in Huntington Station. They told police that a disabled man was trapped inside the burning home. Second Precinct officers Timothy Tonkin and Mark Collins arrived at the scene and began the rescue, assisted by officers William Moldovan, Michael Rosen and Ryan West.

Tonkin and Collins broke a bedroom window and entered the home, found the man on his bed and were able to carry him to the window and pass him to their fellow officers waiting outside. Tonkin had just returned to duty following an injury he sustained two weeks earlier saving a man’s life from a submerged SUV in Cold Spring Harbor.

Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) said, “It’s important for us to recognize our heroes and it’s my great privilege to recognize five of Suffolk’s finest. These ‘Sunday Night Heroes’ have clearly shown they are willing to risk their own lives to serve others.”

Jamie Fox is a legislative aide to Cooper.

Years ago when Carol Leifer played volleyball, and now when she plays golf, people she doesn’t know often remark, “So, you’re a lefty.”

The Melville resident (and not the comedian of the same name) doesn’t think it’s such a big deal, but she does acknowledge it with her license plate.

By Michael Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Half Hollow Hills High School West lent a helping hand to the Melville Rotary Club last month by helping to distribute 150 turkeys to local needy families for Thanksgiving.

As part of the project, 40 students created handmade cards to accompany the turkeys and packaged the food in bags for delivery to local pantries and church groups.

“It gets them involved in the community,” said social studies teacher Michael Stein, co-adviser of the Interact Club, a community service group. “The younger they get involved, the better.”

A Delightful Quarantine opens at Walt Whitman High School's Performing Arts Center Friday.

By Steve Bartholomew

This weekend, Walt Whitman's Center Stage Productions presents a sharp, witty, warm, and very delightful comedy that follows the lives of a small town's residents and visitors when they find themselves under a sudden house-bound quarantine.

Written by Mark Dunn, A Delightful Quarantine is a heart-warming original comedy/drama about how people react when there's nowhere else to go. Story lines are deftly balanced, and comedy ensues as people are forced to confront their personal issues.

Performances are scheduled for Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6, at 7:30 PM in the Walt Whitman High School Performing Arts Center. A special 2 p.m. matinee will be offered on Sunday. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students/seniors. Senior citizens will enjoy free admission for the Sunday performance.

By Michael Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

A group of 20 members of Commack High School’s Pay It Forward Club performed good deeds last month by raking and bagging leaves at four random homes.

As part of the project, the students left postcards urging the homeowners to use the time they were saved to “pay it forward” and help out someone in their lives.

“Our members have the opportunity to identify challenges in their communities,” said club adviser Rob Raeihle. “This project was fun and did indeed serve those families chosen.”

Patricia Radovich, Donna Robson and Florence Tuzzi

By Danielle Lambert

Three educators from Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School in the Harborfields Central School District recently presented at the 58th annual New York State English Council Conference.

Principal Florence Tuzzi, third-grade teacher Patricia Radovich and literacy coach Donna Robson gave a one-hour workshop about the school’s Balanced Literacy Reading Program. Recognized as a Program of Excellence in 2007, the three were asked to present the award-winning program to other English educators.

In addition, Robson received the NYSEC Educator of Excellence Award for showing a commitment to excellence, innovation and creativity in teaching, mentoring and learning. She was nominated by a colleague for inspiring excellence in students and teachers.

Danielle Lambert handles public relations for the school district.

“Beauty and the Beast’s Magical Christmas” is children’s theater where the audience participates, Saturday, 3 p.m. at the Carriage House Theatre, Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport, $10. For more information, call 631-854-5550, or visit arenaplayers.org.