Michael Hughes SHS West Wrestling Champion

Michael Hughes and Coach Ken LeverichMichael Hughes carved his name in the record books of Smithtown West history late Saturday night at the Times Union Center. The 6-5, 250-pounder put the hold on Austin Coleman of Spencerport and pinned the Rochester senior in 2:30 to capture the state’s 285-pound wrestling crown.  Hughes capped a brilliant senior career at High School West with his 31st pin on his way to a 42-0 record. (click on photo to enlarge)

Kings Park Saint Patrick's Day Parade

Smithtown's Women Chefs/Business Owners

What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown

By Nancy Vallarella

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 15% of chefs and head cooks nationwide are women but more than 50% of restaurants are now owned by women according to the National Restaurant Association.  How does Smithtown stack up?  Let’s take a look at the ladies who cook!

Bold, creative, intuitive and newsworthy are the prominent adjectives that come to mind when researching some of Smithtown’s female restaurant/food business owners.  They are bold in their choices to start businesses during economic down-turns in a highly competitive market.  Creative in the products they produce, but also in how they market those products. They are intuitive in understanding their customer’s needs and keep a pulse on their clientele’s ever changing wants.  So far this year, over a four week period, Newsday printed articles about three of Smithtown’s culinary goddesses and their products.

Mid-January, Chef/ Owner Amphia Holmquist of the Thai House of Smithtown was awarded one of the island’s Top Thai tables and her Siam shrimp took the cover of that Newsday’s explore LI issue.  Just prior to Super Bowl Sunday, Elegant Eating’s Tuscan sandwich made a touchdown in Joan Reminick’s article which profiled some of the finest football fare our island has to offer. Sorry Joan but this was hardly news to Lucille Kelly- Sweet Lucille’sSmithtown residents who have enjoyed Owner Myra Naseem’s cuisine for nearly thirty years. It always tastes as good as it looks no matter what the occasion. What better day than Valentine’s Day for Smithtown’s very own Lucille Kelley, Executive Chef /Owner of Sweet Lucille’s to make a Newsday debut with her crown jewel carrot cake? Congrats ladies!

Always refining the menu and offering a cultural experience on weekend nights, Chef/Owner Liz Keschl of Perfecto Mundo brings music, art and psychic-mediums toLiz Keschl - Perfecto Mundo round out the dining experience. She sets her goals high… the english translation of her restaurant’s name is… perfect world. Meet Psychic-Medium Jeffery Wands, April 15^th at Perfecto Mundo. 

Chutzpah or savvy business prowess - which does culinary goddess of Portuguese cuisine, Luisa Batista Owner of LUSO, possess?  She is moving her highly successful restaurant to the west side of Main Street to the rather large and former location of Sertinos Café and Sizzler. With her thirty years of restaurant experience my money is on savvy business prowess. Smithtown eagerly awaits the transformation of the new location.  You go girl!

Maureen Dernbach, Owner of Maureen’s Kitchen, along with her daughters has been feeding Smithtown breakfast and lunch for 27 years. Their altruism is honored by the Smithtown Children’s Foundation with two scholarships - one each for Smithtown High School East and West students who plan on attending culinary school. - Thank you ladies for cultivating culinary talent within our town.

Maria  Mones of Maria’s Mexican and Latin Cuisine, Kristyn Weiser of Fanny Cakes, Florie Robinson of Florie Finales, Erin Pulito of Crumb Belles , Ellen Bedziner of Yogurtini, Claudia La Grega of Faraday’s of Smithtown, Gloria Marsilio of The Garden Grill, the ladies of Our Kitchen to Yours – Maria, Barbara and Toni…  the list goes on.  Oops - Forgot Gail Nelson of Ocean’s Bounty Seafood and her delectable chowders, chillis, crab cakes and coconut shrimp!!

During the month of March, Smithtown Matters would like to honor several culinary goddesses with individual profiles.  Who would you like to know more about? Post a nomination in the Comments area below or on the What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown’s facebook page 

Remember - Smithtown’s Restaurant Week starts Sunday, March 3^rd!

Smithtown Man Arrested For Stealing Gas From 16 Gas Stations

Walter AmerbachSuffolk County Police arrested a Smithtown man last evening for stealing gasoline from 16 gas stations throughout Suffolk County.

During the past four months, the suspect pulled up to gas station pumps throughout Suffolk County in a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee and asked the attendant to fill the tank. When the tank was full, the suspect drove off without paying.

After a gasoline theft on February 26 at the Wave Gas Station located at 386 Lake Ave. in St. James, Fourth Precinct Crime Section put out a notification with the description and plate number of the vehicle.

A Third Precinct sector car located the vehicle at the Planet Fitness gym, 894A Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore. Walter Amerbach, 21, was taken into custody and transported to the Fourth Precinct. Amerbach, of Smithtown, was charged with 11 counts of Petit Larceny.

He will be arraigned today at First District Court in Central Islip.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

It's On! Vecchio Takes Offense To SC Republican Chair's Comments

Last night, at a Deanna Varricho fundraiser, Councilman Creighton formally announced his intention to  seek the position of Town Supervisor currently held by Republican Supervisor Patrick Vecchio.  Mr. Creighton, who is new to the Republican party, received support from Suffolk County Republican Chairman John J. LaValle. Mr. LaValle made comments regarding the lack of economic development under Smithtown’s current regime.  

The following letter was received by Smithtown Matters.

Friends of Pat Vecchio

P.O. Box 634 Smithtown, N.Y, 11787

Chairman John J. LaValle Suffolk County Republican Committee 1150 Portion Road Suite 2 Holtsville, N.Y., 11742

Chairman John LaValle,

It is mind-boggling that you, with your failed electoral record, have the temerity and audacity to come into Smithtown and endorse a candidate for Town Supervisor and demean the stellar government of our town.

What is especially egregious, is that you have no real standing to articulate anything of value or substance on election matters. Let’s look at your record. The Suffolk County Legislature currently consists of Eleven Democrats, two minor party legislators and only five Republicans, a significant erosion of GOP strength under your watch. In January, your candidate for the county legislature of the First District was trounced in a special election by a Democrat. The Republican Party garnered less than thirty-three percent of the vote in a district that favors Republican enrollment. That is pathetic.

Suffolk County’s two Congressmen are Democrats, as is the County Executive. Your congressional candidate, the carpetbagger Randy Altshuler, was defeated by an overwhelming 11,000 votes in 2012. In short, your support and endorsement of anyone is the “kiss of death.”

I am seeking a 13th term as Town Supervisor of Smithtown, and I do so with a great deal of pride, achievement and fiscal integrity. You had two terms as Supervisor of Brookhaven and you departed while your town was under investigation. The Town of Brookhaven was labeled, “Crookhaven,” during your tenure in office. That sobriquet, unfortunately, has affected the candidacies of too many good and able Republican candidates for any office.

There is one good option for you, and that is resignation. You owe it to the Republican Party of Suffolk County.

Patrick Vecchio