ELCA Tells Holy Cross Thank You But Not Possible

The following is a statement from The New York Metropolitan Synod – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Lutheran Synod advises Holy Cross that access to federal funding for “Safe Haven” makes prompt action doubtful

Commack - Holy Cross Lutheran ChurchThe New York Metropolitan Synod – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) strongly supports efforts to assist refugee children from war-torn areas and life-threatening environments in reuniting them with family members now situated in our nation.  The synod supports the federal Safe Haven for Children program with action and prayer. 

The synod is currently partnering with Lutheran Social Services of New York (LSSNY) to identify and suggest potential sites within the New York Metropolitan region where final transitional housing sites for minimal stays, probably maximum 10-15 day durations, can be located nearest to the re-connected families for children. 

While this issue has already raised questions, concerns, support and opposition without a formal proposal before an appropriate authorizing body at one location, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Commack, the reality is that the timeline for application and approval for federal funding available at this time to utilize this space for a safe haven cannot be met.

The synod commends the local congregation for exercising its authority to explore new ministries, particularly those of social justice.  However, as Holy Cross is anticipating congregational and pastoral leadership changes within the coming months, the synod suggests the congregation enter into a period of transitional discernment to pray and study how its viability and future ministry programs moving forward may best be beneficial for its members, the surrounding community and the world. 

This issue remains of enormous importance to the synod. Recently, New York Bishop Robert A. Rimbo, a leader of Lutheran Immigration Relief Services (LIRS), traveled to our nation’s capital to lobby our congressional leaders to provide greater services for those seeking asylum.   LIRS’s principles for immigration reform include providing a roadmap to citizenship to undocumented immigrants, ensuring enforcement measures are humane and just, protecting families from separation, promoting integration of vulnerable migrants, and protecting U.S. and migrant workers.

People In The News - Commack's Samantha Sclafani, Ashley Ferraro And Matt Rafanelli - Making Hospitalized Children Smile!

By Dana Klosner

(click on photos to enlarge)

Commack High School alumni Samantha Sclafani 19,  Ashley Ferraro, 18 and Matt Rafanelli, 19, have combined their love of fantasy, musical theater and kids to create “Characters with a Cause,” a volunteer group that brings the joy of fairy tales to hospitalized children and fundraisers throughout Long Island and the New York area.

The group dons the costumes inspired by Disney, popular fairy tales, superheroes and pirates and will go to the hospital rooms of sick children, some terminally ill and bring gifts, like coloring books, crayons and nail polish, just to see the smiles on their faces.

“We love fairy tale stories and the joy that brings,” said Sclafani who did all the high school musicals with Ferraro and Rafanelli. “We thought, ‘How cool would it be to bring the joy of fairy tales to hospitals?’ Children in hospitals can’t go to theme parks to meet their favorite characters, so we wanted to bring their favorite characters to them. In addition to that, we get donations from loved ones and supporters and the hospitals provide us with a wish list of what the children want. Then we personally give the presents to the kids. We want to promote smiles, hope and healing through fairy tale characters.”

The group hand makes their costumes. They make sure they are soft, not fragile or frilly and nothing can fall off in the hospital.

“We have fun making the costumes and we alter our costumes based on hospital dress code,” Sclafani said. “When we start from scratch it can take up to two weeks to complete a costume, so these things have to be booked months in advance.”

The group has been together and been involved in fundraisers doing “meet and greets” with kids for about a year now. They appeared at a fundraiser for Contractors for Kids. They will be visiting hospitals for the first time on August 19 and 20. The group has been contracted to perform at Stony Brook Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital.

“They came to me with awareness that the needs of sick children are different than those of well children,” said Joan Alpers, Child Life Specialist at Good Samaritan Hospital. “Sick children are naturally frightened by the hospital setting. They (Characters with a Cause) were aware that hospitalized children don’t feel well and they need to be reassured and soothed as opposed to entertained.”

“There’s something about having a child’s favorite character come through,” said Mike Attard, Child Life Specialist at Stony Brook Hospital. “It puts a sparkle in their eyes.”

Sclafani is hoping the visits at these two hospitals are the start of something bigger. 

“We really want to spread the joy over the holidays and bring gifts to the children that they possibly wouldn’t get due to medical bills,” she said. “We don’t want them to suffer because of their illness. We want to strive to take the worry off parents around the holidays. We want the kids and their parents to see that there are people out there who really care about them. We want to take away that sickness for a moment. We want them to forget about their struggle and give them a reason to smile. We want them to feel this is their special day – they are the special guest and we’re so excited to meet them.”

“We want to give a big thank you to all who have supported us,” Sclafani said.
They have supported and inspired us to keep spreading smiles.” 

This is a volunteer organization. They are not a non-profit foundation so donations are not tax deductible. If you are interested in donating go to www.youcaring.com/characterswithacause.

Sonic Restaurant Is Coming To Nesconset

New design for the Nesconset Sonic RestaurantSonic restaurant is coming to Smithtown.  According to Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) attorney Paul Hennings the BZA reached a settlement with Sonic franchisee Cinos Smithtown, LLC and property owner Serota Smithtown, LLC on Tuesday, August 12th. The fast food restaurant will be constructed on the southeast corner of Middle Country Road and Alexander Avenue in Nesconset. 

Sonic’s application was denied by the BZA with a three - two vote in November of 2012. In December of 2012 the applicants filed an Article 78 (an article 78 proceeding is used to appeal the decision of a NYS or local agency to the NY courts)  proceeding against the town. In March of 2014 Judge Daniel Martin, in his decision in favor of the applicant, stated that the the town had improperly bowed to community pressure. The BZA filed an appeal and began to evaluate the likelihood of winning the appeal. Negotiations for a settlement began and on August 12th resulted in an acceptable resolution.

During the public hearing residents pointed out how increased noise and traffic would have a negative impact on their community and quality of life. Negotiations lead to modifications as well as the withdrawal of some requested variances. The style of the building was altered and there will not be any flags on the roof of the building.  The amount of signage has decreased and a substantial buffer will be planted along the southern property line as well as a second fence to muffle sounds and to block ambient light.

The town will permit the requested twenty-two speakers but no more than three speakers can be in use at one time at the drive in.

Traffic issues are being addressed by increased security, full access in and a right-turn-only exit from a curb cut on Alexander Avenue. 

The applicant, having received its special exception, may move forward and file a site plan. 

Danielle Cinone, Smithtown And Dana Wachter, Nesconset Finalists In Ms. Long Island 2015

On Sunday, August 10th, during a live competition, Long Island’s newest Queens were crowned!

Photo Credit: Image Nation Photography Danielle Cinone of Smithtown - Second from right Dana Wachter of Nesconset- Far rightCongratulations to… Miss Long Island 2015, Jenna Tirado of Manorville - Miss Long Island Teen 2015, Geena Cardalena of Floral Park

MISS FINALISTS

WINNER:    Miss Long Island 2015, Jenna Tirado of Manorville

1st runner up, Ashley Edwards of West Hempstead

2nd runner up, Danielle Cinone of Smithtown

3rd runner up, Hayley Riesel of Oceanside

4th runner up, Dana Wachter of Nesconset

Miss Photogenic, Jenna Tirado of Manorville

Miss Congeniality, Hayley Riesel of Oceanside

Miss Community, Aja DiLorenzo of Ridge

Directors Award, Sabina Lotlikar of Hicksville

National Pageantry Spirit Award, Dana Wachter of Nesconset

TEEN FINALISTS - WINNER: Miss Long Island Teen 2015, Geena Cardalena of Floral Park

1st runner up, Danielle Harloff of Mt. Sinai

2nd runner up, Katherine Sreckovich of Glen Head

3rd runner up, Julia Frangeskos of East Quogue

4th runner up, Kristen Murphy of Bellmore

Miss Photogenic, Geena Cardalena of Floral Park

Miss Congeniality, Geena Cardalena of Floral Park

Miss Community, Jessica DeStefano of West Islip

Directors Award, Brielle Caturano of Smithtown

The Miss Long Island and Miss Long Island Teen Pageant is comprised of three equally scored phases of competition: interview, swimsuit competition, and evening gown competition. The highest scoring contestants will advance to the Top 10, where they deliver a platform statement to the audience, discussing which cause they would choose to support should they be crowned as Miss Long Island or Miss Long Island Teen. The five highest scoring delegates in that phase of competition will then advance to the Top 5, where they answer an on-stage interview question. 

The winners of the Miss Long Island and Miss Long Island Teen Pageant will advance to compete at Donald Trump’s Miss New York USA and Miss New York Teen USA Pageant in January!

Photo Credit: Image Nation Photography

Burger King Open For Business

Burger King in Smithtown is open for business. The fast food restaurant opened its doors on Tuesday, August 5th.  Mohammad Alam, manager of Burger King’s newest restaurant is pleased with the response which he called “very good”.  The restaurant is located at 942 W. Jericho Tpke.  on the south side of Jericho across from Reliable Tree Service and alongside Cafe’ Havana. 

The buiding was constructed more than five years ago and was expected to houseBurger King staff a Wendy’s. There were issues that lead to the property remaining vacant until earlier this year when DiCanio Management appeared before the Town’s Board of Zoning Appeals to modify a special exception. Calling the property an “eyesore” Mr. DiCanio created an upscale fast food restaurant.

In addition to the standard Burger King menu the popular chicken fries have returned. Burger King’s dining room is open during the week from 6am until 10pm. and the Drive Thru is opened 6am -1am Thursday through Saturday.

Smithtown HSW students give Burger King a thumbs upPeople visiting Burger King during their grand opening will receive their choice of a Burger King crown, pinwheel or balloon. A visit to the restaurant on Monday afternoon revealed that most visitors (mostly adults) were opting for the Burger King crown.