"Marathon Maniacs" Commack Teacher Completing 50-States Marathon Goal

Running for Kids: Middle School Teacher Competes in All 50 States

Catalina, Ca. MarathonNYC MarathonCommack Middle School Social Studies teacher, Chris Boundy, will complete his goal of running a marathon in all 50 states in October. State #50, his 70th marathon, is the Hartford Marathon in Connecticut on Saturday, October 10.

Disney Marathon“When I started the 50-states goal in 2011, I wanted to make it more than just a personal accomplishment. So I decided it was also an opportunity to raise funds for a worthwhile cause.  So far, I have raised $1,425 for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  My goal is to reach at least $2,500 ($50 per state)* by the time I finish Connecticut this weekend.  Running marathons may not be easy, but it is nothing compared to what people go through every day when they are fighting cancer. “

Pikes Peak MarathonPikes Peak MarathonChris is a member of the Marathon Maniacs, a club for “folks that do crazy numbers of marathons.” He started running sporadically to control his weight. “As a kid I was very out of shape and overweight. I dreaded doing the mile for gym class, and running it under the required 12 minutes was a challenge!” In 2005, Chris ran his first half marathon, and then completed the New York City Marathon later that same year.  “After finishing the states I still plan to run marathons consistently.  I will focus on doing more international races as well as some closer to home that I haven’t had the chance to hit yet.”

The eighth grade social studies classes are planning a fundraiser to help Chris achieve his fundraising goal. Colleagues in the Commack School District have also helped by sponsoring him via a direct donation to St. Jude at http://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=3392410&fr_id=31900&pg=personal.

* Mr. Boundy has now raised $2,800 exceeding his goal by $300. He continues to fundraise for St. Jude hoping to raise $3,500 or $50 for each marathon he has participated in.  

Caleb Smith's 2nd Annual Park Festival A Huge Success!

Article and photos by Carole Paquette

(click on photos)

Park Festival a Huge Success

Olivia Murphy, 5, of Commack enjoys a rest with her dad Brian after getting her face-painted with stars.Teagan Milroy, 6, and Charlotte Maffetone, 5, show off their dreamcatchers made with the help of Carol Tokosh, center.Payton Collins,2, of Kings Park studies a colonial game while twin sister, Parker, 2, [left] looks for something else.Kevin See, 10, of East Fishkill, NY, was a pro with the colonial game of keeping a hoop going with a stick. Kevin came to the festival with his grandmother Anne Wieland of Selden.

More than 500 visitors of all ages spent the day at the Friends of Caleb Smith State Park Preserve’s Second Annual Fall Festival on Sunday, September 27.  

Sydney Wong, 11, of Kings Park finds a more modern use for the colonial hoops.Becca Shapiro, 9, of Nesconset tries to get the stick into the hoop.Anna Shapiro, 8, is determined to get the ball in a cup.Peyton Gribbin, 9, and Corinne Cusati,8, play Shut-the-Box game. Children fished on the peninsula at Willow Pond under the guidance of Friends members; played Colonial and Native American games; had their faces painted; and made dreamcatchers and potpourri sachets at the craft table, where they also decorated free pumpkins. Adults joined in and occasionally could be seen playing Nine Pins at the Colonial games table, then sauntering off to see the antique cars, a fly-fishing demonstration by Fred Thorner of Trout Unlimited, and the Three Bees Aviary exhibit to see the bees and learn about making honey. Long Island Falconers drew a big crowd with their birds, as did naturalists Eric Powers and Jan Polinchak, and groups leading nature walks. At the rear of the Caleb Smith House, tables were set up under a tent for festival attendees to relax and enjoy lunch as musicians played traditional songs on the banjo, mandolin and accordian. 

Shake-Up At Suffolk County Board Of Elections

Without notice. In a move that surprised almost everyone, Smithtown Republican Committee Chairman William Ellis, deputy commissioner of elections at the Suffolk County Board of Elections and Suffolk Conservative Party Secretary Michael A. Torres, a senior assistant commissioner at the Suffolk County Board of Elections, were fired from their positions Friday morning.  No one seems to know why they were fired but almost everyone has an opinion. 

There seems to be a consensus among political people that Michael A. Torres was fired as an answer to the Conservative Party’s endorsement of Democrats for judgeships in November.  People seem less certain as to why Bill Ellis was fired. The speculation is that Suffolk County Republican Chairman John J. LaValle was not happy with recent primary results. It is well known that Supervisor Vecchio and Mr. LaValle do not get along. Mr. LaValle supported Robert Creighton over Supervisor Vecchio in the 2013 Republican primary for Town Supervisor. A primary that Vecchio won. The recent September Town Council primary pitted Creighton and Vecchio supported candidate Lisa Inzerillo against each other.  Robert Creighton, supported by Bill Ellis and John LaValle, was ousted from the Republican line by Inzerillo.

Suffolk County Republican Chairman John J. LaValle, in a phone conversation with Smithtown Matters was not forthcoming with an answer to the question why Torres and Ellis were fired. LaValle said that it was his policy not to discuss personnel issues. When asked if the firings were a response to the Conservative Party’s endorsement of Democratic Judge candidates, LaValle was unequivocal with his answer “NO”.  LaValle did not give a direct answer to the question why Ellis was fired but he implied that the party was moving in a different direction. LaValle said he was not prepared at this time to name replacements for the two men.

In a phone conversation Smithtown Town Supervisor Vecchio said he believed “there was an inherent conflict” in Bill Ellis being an appointee at the BOE and Republican Town Leader. Holding both positions said Vecchio, “is wrong because it divides his loyalty between the committee and his position.” Supervisor Vecchio pointed to the 2013 primary, a very contentious primary,  Councilman Creighton changed his party enrollment from Conservative to Republican so he could primary Vecchio. SC Chairman LaValle was very active in his support for Creighton and Ellis was caught between supporting LaValle’s candidate Robert Creighton or Patrick Vecchio, the committee’s chosen candidate. According to Supervisor Vecchio holding the two positions has caused the Smithtown Republicans “irreparable harm.”

49 Smithtown Students Recognized For Excellence

Smithtown Musicians Honored for Excellence

Smithtown High School West student-musicians were selected for All-County, All-State and one All-National honor. Musicians are pictured with teachers Tim Cassera, Joe Cotignola, and Jim Brosnan, HSW Principal John Coady and Michael Mastrangelo, director of fine arts. Based on their outstanding musical talents, 49 Smithtown High School East and Smithtown High School West student-musicians will represent the Smithtown School District at prestigious musical festivals this fall and winter. 

Smithtown High School West piccolo player Melissa Callegari has been selected for inclusion in the National Association for Music Education’s All-National Honors Ensemble. She will perform along with the nation’s most elite student-musicians at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee in late October. 

Students from Smithtown High School East were recognized for their musical abilities by NYSCAME/SCMEA and NYSSMA. Musicians are pictured with teachers Debra Kalabza, Mark Hegreness and Brian McCoy and HSE Principal Edwin Thompson. Fifteen Smithtown HSE and HSW students have been selected for All-State honors as a result of his/her superior score at the NYSSMA solo festival and teacher recommendation. All-State student ensembles will perform at the NYSSMA 2015 Winter Conference in Rochester, New York, from December 3-6. 

Thirty-three students from HSE and HSW were named NYSCAME/SCMEA All-County musicians. Selection to this organization is one of the most prestigious honors in Suffolk County for a student-musician. Students will perform in the NYSCAME/SCMEA All-County Concert in November. For a complete listing of All-County musicians, visit www.smithtown.k12.ny.us. 

Congratulations to the following All-State student-musicians:

Allison Brault – Smithtown High School East  – Soprano II       

Victoria Delgado – Smithtown High School East – Soprano II

Christopher Galloway – Smithtown High School East – Tenor I

John Musumeci – Smithtown High School East – Bass Clarinet

Rachel Saia – Smithtown High School East – Soprano II

Katherine Saslawsky – Smithtown High School East – Flute

Andrew Smith – Smithtown High School East – Baritone Saxophone

Brandon Star – Smithtown High School East –Trumpet

Brendan Volz – Smithtown High School East – Tuba

Cameron Bonhurst – Smithtown High School West – Tenor II

Gabriella Carucci – Smithtown High School West – Alto I

Iryna Dovirak – Smithtown High School West – Alto I

Joseph Feldman – Smithtown High School West – Bass II

Andrew Golub – Smithtown High School West – Tenor Saxophone

Caitlin Unkenholz – Smithtown High School West – Viola

Photo Captions: 

Photos courtesy of the Smithtown Central School District Click on photos to enlarge

Smithtown's 350 Anniversary Parade A Cast Of Thousands And An Audience Of Many More

Best In Show - Whisper VineyardsSmithtown Library - Most CreativeOn the long list of events planned to celebrate Smithtown’s 350th anniversary was a parade down Main Street. Smithtown 350 Foundation members, tasked with planning events for the anniversary celebration, didn’t want just a parade - they wanted a parade of historic proportions. The check list for the parade included bands (lots of bands), banners, floats, costumes, dignitaries, young people, large turnout, awards, a master of ceremony, grand marshal, bulls, horses, antique vehicles, fire departments, SCPD, business, chambers of commerce, service organizations, the oldest and newest in Smithtown, volunteers, sponsorship and great weather. 

By all accounts the Foundation did what they set out to do. The parade was historical, it was huge and it was one for the record books. Seventy-one different groups, seventeen floats and 2,200 people marched in the parade. Thousands lined Main St. waving and cheering. There were smiling faces everywhere.

Women’s Sufferage - Most Historic GroupMarchers made their way down Main Street and were greeted by Master of Ceremony, Historian Noel Gish, who announced each group and offered commentary as they passed the reviewing stand. Mr. Gish was joined on the reviewing stand by Bradley Harris and Nissequogue mayor Richard Bull Smith.

Dignitaries included Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio and Town Board members Creighton, McCarthy and Nowick. County Executive Steve Bellone, Congressman Lee Zeldin, NYS Senator Flanagan and Assemblyman Fitzpatrick, Legislators Trotta and Kennedy as well as County Comptroller Kennedy. Judges Sandra Sgroi, Janine Barbera Dalli and John Toomey.

Best Dressed Group: Presbyterian ChurchThe parade’s success is attributable to the Smithtown 350 Foundation’s parade committee Maureen Smilow, Carolyn Borrella, Marianne Howard, Al Hornburger, Lillian Munro, Joann Betts, Annette Kosar, Rich Graztick, William Garthe and Walter Thomas headed by Chairperson Michael Donnelly.  The planning for the parade took almost a full year and was quite challenging. Leadership of the committee changed, the original date was changed from the 19th to the 26th, and the route of the parade was changed from east to west. 

According to Mike Donnelly, everyone who wanted to participate in the historic parade was welcome to do so. “Our goal was to make this parade inclusive and fun.” said Mike. “We reached out to all of our local fire departments and they all participated. We had students from Hauppauge, Kings Park and Smithtown as well as The Knox School, St. Patrick’s, and St. Anthony.”

Best Thematic Float: St. James Chamber of CommerceThere was a tremendous effort to get young people involved. “This event, like everything planned during this anniversary celebration, was an opportunity to present and to educate people about Smithtown’s rich history,” said Town Historian Bradley Harris. 

It was Maureen Smilow who worked the hardest to get the young people involved. For Maureen, a former teacher, it was a challange she gladly accepted. 

“I was involved with contacting the teachers at Smithtown East and West who were responsible for the Social Studies Honor Societies. In turn the teachers selected student volunteers who arrived at the registration area on parade day.   It was hoped that by providing the students with Smithtown 350 t-shirts and the opportunity to assist the marchers in locating their positions, the students would feel connected to this historic event and an appreciation for their Town’s past.  They were very helpful and it was reassuring to the marchers to have their own personal guides during the staging process. We were also very fortunate to have students from 10 schools participate in the parade as either marchers or members of marching bands.  The enthusiasm demonstrated by the students provided a palpable energy that let the older generation know the future of Smithtown was in capable hands.” Stated Maureen Smilow. 

Five trophies were awarded to winners of the float and costume competition. 

The winners were:

        Best in Show:  Whisper Vineyards

        Most Creative Float:  The Smithtown Library

        Best Thematic Float:  St. James Chamber of Commerce

        Best Dressed Group:  Presbyterian Church

        Most Historic Costumes:  Women’s Sufferage Group

Eight school bands all received a trophy “presented in appreciation” for participating in the parade:

        Hauppauge Marching Band

        Smithtown HS West Marching Band

        Smithtown HS East Marching Band

        Kings Park HS Marching Band

        Great Hollow MS Marching Band

        St. Patrick School

        The Knox School

        St. Anthony’s Band

All the Fire Departments also received a trophy for participation.

For Foundation members the parade was not only fun, but also somewhat overwhelming. “No one expected the kind words and thank-you’s that were shouted from the crowd as we walked down Main Street. It was wonderful and appreciated.” Said Joanne Betts and Lillian Munro.

Everyone can agree that the Smithtown 350 Anniversary Parade is one for the history books. 

More photos - Smithtown 350 Parade & Smithtown 350 Parade part II