Kings Park's Mike Gerver Goes International With "Cree Churrs"

Mike Gerver

By Dana Klosner

(click on photos to enlarge)

Kings Park native, Mike Gerver, 20, loves puns, loves animals and loves drawing. He has combined those three passions into an internationally published cartoon called “Cree Churrs.” It’s a single panel, colorful cartoon featuring animals and wildlife with jokes that are a play on words. His work has been seen in Newsday, as an ad for an art show he was featured in, The Livingston County News and Australian Wildlife Magazine.

Gerver is currently a student at SUNY Geneseo where he is studying mathematics. His creativity stems from his parents, he said.

“My mom is very artistic and my dad loves to draw cartoons,” Gerver said.

He started at a young age. 

“I first started drawing cartoons when I was around eight,” he said. “It used to be my passion when I was little. But then I grew up and started doing other things. I play music and cartooning was put on a back burner. Then about two years ago I was up in the attic and saw my drawings. I started the comic in January 2013.” 

He originally had his comic published in the Geneseo student newspaper called Lamron. He soon had a paid gig at the local daily paper The Livingston County News. 

He was featured in an art show at The Old Town Arts and Crafts Guild in Cutchogue where his work was displayed alongside well-known artist Don Duga, who was the animator of “Frosty the Snowman.”  Duga has also done work for Sesame Street and MTV, Gerver said. 

 “Wildlife has always been a big part of my life,” said Gerver who enjoyed family trips to Yellowstone when he was a child. “I like the feeling you get when you’re in nature.”

The process of cartooning is like meditation, he said. He also enjoys the happiness it brings to his readers.

“When you read the newspaper it’s all about the turmoil in the world,” he said. “The comics bring a gleam of happiness. It brings people back to when they were young.”

As a mathematics major, Gerver said, cartooning doesn’t really fit in.

“It’s a hobby that unexpectedly took off. It was always a side project. I will always do it as long as it’s fun.”

Ultimately he says he would like to use his comic to raise awareness and money for various environmental projects. It has already been featured online on the “Save the Whales” Facebook page.

Gerver is devoted to his work.

“Each comic takes one to two hours from joke to completion,” he said. “I create two comics a week. So I spend about four hours a week on it. But I don’t count the time. It’s just fun for me.”

But in some ways it does fit in to his mathematics lifestyle.

“My dad writes math textbooks,” he said. “I illustrated the last textbook with animals and math jokes. I’m doing one now.”

And Gerver can only hope that maybe one day “Cree Churrs” will be a nationally syndicated cartoon. 

“I hope to have it turn into a career,” he said. “I sent it to some syndicates a few weeks ago. It’s a side project that I hope to develop into something bigger.”

His hometown of Kings Park conjures lots of warm feelings for Gerver. 

“It small, but there’s enough here to keep you entertained,” he said. “I love Sunken Meadow State Park and the Bluff. I love the small town feel. I love going into a restaurant and people know you and remember your order. It’s been said that it’s the North Shore’s greatest little secret and I agree with that.” 

Gerver’s work will be displayed at the Nesconset branch of the Smithtown Library from July 1-July 14. It will then go to the Smithtown Library Main Branch from August 3-August 17. 

You can view his work at www.facebook.com/creechurrs

The Future Is Theirs - Commack HS Award Winning Students Explain Research Projects To Rotarians

Photo by Arthur Olmstead: From left to right: Dr. Philip Facquet III, Rotary Club President; Dr. Barbara Kruger, CHS Science Mentor; Justin Cheung, Joshua Zweig, Anthony Bisulco, science research competition winners; Dr. Fred Kruger, CHS Science Mentor.

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Three award winning students in the Commack High School Science Research Program were invited to the Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club meeting to present and discuss their science research projects to the assembled group. Each student presented his research details and explained how his investigation can/will contribute to the improvement of our everyday life. Each of these young men translated complex scientific details into language that all present could understand.

Justin, Anthony, and Joshua have received recognition locally, regionally, and at the national and international levels.

Justin Cheung’s project, Gold Nanoparticles: Efficient Synthesis of Catalytically Active Nanoparticles using a One-Pot Method, also took fourth place at Intel’s International Science and Engineering Fair(ISEF) in Los Angeles. His project involved synthesizing non-spherical gold nanoparticles for possible use in targeting drug delivery to specific areas in the body.

Anthony Bisulco’s research led to the development of an early warning notification system of incoming solar flares titled:  Development of a Practical Notification System to Identify Solar Disturbances. Anthony earned a trip to the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, National Level, in Washington, DC,  to present his research. Also, he received the American Radio Relay League $2000 Scholarship toward his college education.

Joshua Zweig spent last summer working on his project: Classification of Abnormalities in 3-Dimesional Mammograms via an Artificial Neural Network.  He developed an artificial intelligence diagnostic system that greatly improves the detection rate of breast cancer in 3D mammograms, created on his computers in his bedroom and the high school’s research lab. He took third place at ISEF (Computer Science) and also won two special awards; the Ashtavadhani Vidwan Ambati Subbaraya Chetty Foundation Award for a student who has a project that shows outstanding creativity, ingenuity, and has the potential to alleviate world problems, and the World Economic Forum Future Scientist Award for projects that are directed towards helping humanity. This award is an all-expense paid trip to attend the World Economic Forum in Tien Jin, China in the fall.

Murphy - Norah And The Smithtown Animal Shelter

By Chris Biancaniello

Not many pups can say they’ve had to go through the trials and tribulations that Murphy has- his owner left Murphyhim in the care of the Smithtown Animal Shelter upon eviction from their home. Murphy, a 2-½ year old Shepherd Beagle mix, was given a full work-up by a local veterinarian who found he was suffering from advanced Lyme’s disease, bladder stones, and the painful effects of both. Due to the advanced Lyme’s disease, Murphy’s hind leg joints were swollen to the point that it made it difficult for him to walk.

Luckily for my new friend, Lyme’s disease in dogs is treatable and is not going to get the best of him. Thanks to the people of Kings Park & Smithtown, the Animal Shelter was able to raise over $1,500 for Murphy’s required bladder surgery at Kings Park Day. This brings Murphy one step closer to finding a new home and chasing Frisbees.

Stories like these are not uncommon for the staff at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. They have an entire wall dedicated to success stories. The wall is lined with pictures of dogs and cats all having found forever homes and loving owners. Their successes aren’t going unnoticed, as Supervisor Pat Vecchio has recently proposed building a new facility replacing the current shelter, located on Middle Country Road. 

Recently there have been complaints made about the conditions at the shelter. Supervisor Vecchio believes that the allegations of mistreatment are more of a space issue, rather than a staff issue stating that, “[Director Beatty] would have an easier time if he had more space in the building. It’s not a terrible place, but it needs more.” He also noted the fact that even the hallways were lined with animal cages. The proposal was met with a surprising amount of agreement by the oft-gridlocked board. 

It’s not hard to see that they’re quickly running out of space. The facility is a temporary home for roughly 100 cats and up to 24 dogs at a time, as well as an array of other animals including chickens, pheasants, and even a group of Peking ducklings that were abandoned in Gibbs Pond. The prospect of a new facility is exciting to Director George Beatty. His hope is that the current facility, which was built in the 50’s, could be replaced by one immediately behind the existing building in order to facilitate a more seamless transition between shelters. “Companion animals are held in high esteem by the community, and the community expects their shelter to do the same,” says Beatty. “We’ve made do with what we’ve had, but by current standards it’s not acceptable.” 

Amongst other things, the hope is that the new facility would have space for an actual Cat infirmary; the current space for the cat infirmary was once an employee break room that had to be given up. Now, the 13x11 foot office serves as a break room, animal inspection area, a workspace for the eight full time employees, and numerous other tasks due to the lack of space in the facility. 

NorahThe staff at the shelter deal with their fair share of heartbreak as well. Perhaps the most recent example of this has been the addition of Nora, a Shih Tzu, who was found in such poor condition that her hair was in knots tight enough to pull on her skin. Unfortunately for Nora, this was perhaps the least of her issues. Nora needed a number of tumors and growths removed, and has a condition that prevents her from creating tears to moisten her eyes thus leaving her ability to see in question. For this condition she’ll require eye drops twice a day for the rest of her life. All this after having spent two months at an animal hospital. Nora is an extreme case of neglect, but one that the staff at the shelter is equipped to deal with; now all they need is a facility that can do the same. 

Smithtown Animal Shelter & Adoption Center  - 410 East Main St. Smithtown, NY 11787 - (631) 360-7575 Email: sasac@tosgov.com

Update on Monday, July 7, 2014 at 10:40AM by .

The Smithtown Animal Shelter is very happy to report that both Nora and Murphy have been adopted.

Sunken Meadow State Park - 1,200 Acres Of Fun Is Getting An Update

By Dana Klosner

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Sunken Meadow State Park is a 1,200 acre beach front park. If you’ve been to Sunken Meadow you know it offers loads of amenities. These include bike trails, bridle trails, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, paddle boarding, fishing-including night time fishing permits, a 27 hole golf course, picnic areas with barbeque grill and pits, hiking trails, playgrounds, playing fields for softball, volleyball and soccer. In the off-season it is frequently used by cross country runners. Local high schools hold major meets and practice meets at the park, according to park director, Jeff Mason. It is open sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. The golf course is open year round. Lessing’s caterers have a hall overlooking the beach. Tee to Green runs golf pro shop at the clubhouse where they rent golf carts and have a driving range. Boces Scope runs environment programs with educational learning labs for school groups. They also run an environmental camp in the summer. For more information on the camp or to set up an environmental program call Doug Schmid at 631-269-4343. Schmid oversees Caleb Smith State Park Preserve and the Connetquot River State Park as well as Sunken Meadow State Park. 

If you’ve been to Sunken Meadow recently you also may know they are undergoing renovations. They started with important infrastructure improvements. Now in phase II of the project that started last year, work continues. 

 During Phase II, which started a few weeks ago and is set to take about a year, a number of more visible projects will happen. The bathrooms at the Field One Bath House, including the shower rooms will all be remodeled. This will take place during the off season when the bathrooms are closed anyway, because they are not heated. There will also be the construction of an environmental display and classroom area. 

Emergency services will be moved from the East Side of the bath house to the West side where a new office space is being built. This is being built where the stockade area is next to the bath house. When it is completed there will be a ramp to lead up to the boardwalk for public access to the park police. 

“We will have all emergency service personnel on one side at the back of the stockade gate near the traffic circle,” Mason said. “This way it doesn’t affect public access to the beach or boardwalk.”

The park office will be moved two doors down, remaining on the East side of the bath house. 

“We’re moving it to a bigger space,” Mason said. “The space they have now is tiny and when we’re busy selling lots of Empire Passports it’s really too small.” 

There will also be a lifeguard break room area added.  

 “As far as lengthening the boardwalk, I’m not sure if something’s going to happen,” Mason said. “We haven’t really talked about that.” 

This is all part of a master plan that was discussed during a public hearing the year of Superstorm Sandy, Mason said.

Sunken Meadow State Park is located in Kings Park, Smithtown.

Sunken Meadow Pkwy, Kings Park, NY 11754 (631) 269-4333

How Do You Say Thank You? Take Them Fishing - Soldiers On The Sound 6th Annual Fishing Tournament

(Click on photos to enlarge - photos p.biancaniello)

How do you say thank you to people who put their life on the line serving in the United States military? If you are a member of the Smithtown Bay Yacht Club (SBYC),  you might just invite them out on your boat for a day of boating and a fishing competition.

Mike Kozyrski caught the largest fish of the day.Members of the SBYC hosted their 6th Annual Soldiers on the Sound Fishing Tournament Saturday, June 14th. 55 boats participated carrying 123 service men and women from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard for this year’s tournament. 

Kings Park resident Mark Garry is credited with the idea for Soldiers on the Sound.  Mark was searching for a way to give back to local servicemen and women as a way to say thank you for their service.  Mark joined by SBYC members Skip Hein and Roger Smith determined that a fishing tournament would be more interesting than just a big party. “I decided on a fishing tournament because it was always a stress reliever for me as a Homicide Detective. We don’t want people to forget the service and sacrifices these soldiers make.  These men and women, some married with children, go into harm’s way so we can do what we do here. It can’t be taken for granted,” said Mr. Garry

Team Old SchoolAfter a week of rain, June 14 turned out to be a beautiful sunny day.  Military persons and boaters were treated to breakfast before receiving their boat assignment. T-shirts were distributed and it was off to the boats and the parade from the Marina to the Sound. American flags and Soldier on the Sound flags were affixed to all of the participating boats. Smiles and waves and then into the Sound for the shotgun start around 10am. Two professional fishing teams were in attendance providing fishing advice Team Old School and professional fisherman and author Angelo Peluso.

Captains and crews commenced fishing and by three o’clock boaters began to find their way back to the Yacht Club where they weighed the fish thought to be competitive. Small fish were thrown back into the water. Returning boaters were greeted by a huge American flag provided and displayed by Smithtown and St. James Fire Departments.

Pink LadiesWhen the boaters returned to the Yacht Club a transformation had taken place. A group of women who call themselves the “Pink Ladies” had food, music, and raffles spread out for all the participants to enjoy.

A ‘low county boil’ and catered dishes were provided by Ruland Road Deli located in Melville. The Nassau Police Emerald Pipe Band played, and then came the raffles. 

Every participant was eligible to win raffle prizes donated by local merchants and national corporations. Raffels were distributed, not sold. Team Old School, a professional team of fishermen from Youngsville, NC towed their 22ft SeaPro to Smithtown and provided advice and shared some fishing secrets.  In addition, Team Old School’s sponsors donated two of the day’s grand prizes: Simrad donated a NSS7m Charplotter Fishfinder Combination, and Accurate donated a Fury FX 600N fishing reel.

Other prizes included: vacations, flat screen TV’s, kayaks, fishing poles and reels, Yankee, Mets and Ducks baseball tickets. Over 125 prizes were raffled off. 

The winning fish and fisherman Mike KozyrskiThe winning fish 5 lbs and 14 oz.  was caught by the Rear Commodore of the Smithtown Bay Yacht Club, Mike Kozyrski.   On the boat with Mike were Tech Sgt.Warren Langrock and Mstr. Sgt. Jessica Beall both from the 106th Rescue Wing Air National Guard.  This was Beall’s  first time attending the event which she said was, “a lot of fun”. It was the second Soldiers on the Sound event for Langrock who called it, “a blast, my favorite day.”  Both have nine years left in the military and look forward to attending future events.

Mike Smedley from Team Old School brought his boat, advice and lots of goodies donated by his sponsors. This was Team Old School’s second time attending Soldiers on the Sound in addition to it being a great event he loves the venue.  The beauty of the area and the clear waters make it one of the best places and best events he has participated in.  

“It just keeps getting better and better.” Mark Garry

Soldiers on the Sound is free for all participants. Captains, first mates and Pink Ladies are volunteers.  The event relys on the generous donations of sponsors. The tournament is open to active serviceman and prior registration is required.  Soldiers on the Sound Ltd, is a not for profit organization. If your are interested in making a donation towards the 2015 event, send an email to soldiersonthesound@gmail.com