Nissequogue River State Park Foundation's Regatta On The River 2024

Regatta on the River 2024 is now part of Nissequogue River State Park’s (NRSP) history. It occurred on Saturday, September 14th, at 8:00 am under an outstanding blue sky, perfect air temperature and the beautiful River. (photos available at ourstatepark.org)

2024 marked the triumphant return of the Regatta on the River event, postponed for four years due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of group activities. Regatta on The River was the brainchild of Foundation president John McQuaid. Previous regattas were organized by the NRSPF’s (Nissequogue River State Park Foundation) student board, but with students graduating and moving on, the regatta was at risk. However, John McQuaid,  never gave up his desire to reestablish the event he considers his favorite at the park. This year, with the board’s support, plans for the regatta began, and soon, like-minded people joined with the foundation to make the regatta a reality.

This year’s Regatta was dedicated to the memory of “Captain Jack Hessel,” a Kings Park resident who was oneCaptain Jack Hessel of the co-founders of the NRSPF. Captain Jack was an avid boater who was a presence in every organization that promoted quality of life issues in Kings Park. He was a member of the Kings Park Civic Association, Kings Park Community Association, and a Board member of the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce. He often donated trips on his sailboat as raffle gifts for fundraising. Jack and his wife, Gail, frequently walked through the parkFive Mile Winners and chatted with visitors.

David Faverio winner single kayaker 10 mileThe Regatta was a resounding success. Over 53 vessels were divided into recreational and competitive groups, with the majority being recreational paddling a 5 mile course.  Six kayaks competed on the 10-mile course, and Smithtown resident David Faverio took First Place. Leo Nugent (12) was the first individual youth kayaker to finish and Vincent Troccoli (11) won the costumed Kayaker category.

This year’s regatta was special in many ways. It was a return to normalcy after the horror of COVID. It was a way to honor Jack Hessel for all his work and an opportunity for people to gather and celebrate the beauty of the Nissequogue River. Participants were diverse, representing all age groups and family structures. Some Double kayak winnerswere in kayaks, some were in canoes, and some were paddleboarders. Some were people who were seeing the river for the first time, and others were returnees. Everyone was in agreement the Nissequogue River is beautiful!

The mission of the NRSPF is to protect and advocate for the park. All funds raised go to improvements at the park. McQuaid invites the public to join the foundation, visit the park, participate in events and help the Nissequogue River State Park reach its potential.

Regatta on the River would not have been possible without the wonderful volunteers and the generous sponsors. IGA-Ft.Salonga and Larkfield, Nissequoque River Kayak and Canoe Rentals, Smithtown Matters, The Smithtown News, HIRSCH Fuels, Gaio’s, LE Advisors Scott Israel, Flynn Insurance, Smithtown Bagels, 1-800- Water Damage, Isla + Wolf Beauty, NYS Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, Dorothy Chanin, Paul & Kris Micciche, Sandy Trehy, Elaine & Bill Turley, Pat & Tom Biancaniello. 

Special recognition to boat safety patrol Lou and Anthony Puleo, John and Matt McQuaid, Smithtown Bay Constable, Commack Ambulance and Chris Thompson and the staff at the Nissequogue River State Park.

Remember to visit OURSTATEPARK.ORG to learn more about the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation and its most significant fundraiser of the year, the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot and Fun Run.

Dunkin' Celebrates Next Generation Store With Free Coffee And Donut

Dunkin’ brings next generation store to Suffolk County

Newly remodeled restaurant in Smithtown celebrates grand reopening with free coffee and donut giveaway

SMITHTOWN, N.Y. (September 13, 2024) - Residents who live and work in Smithtown can now experience Dunkin’s next generation store design at 560 Smithtown Bypass.

To celebrate the grand reopening, Dunkin’ is offering all guests at its restaurant at 560 Smithtown Bypass a free medium hot or iced coffee and a donut from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 19*. 

Additionally, all guests will be able to spin a prize wheel to win free Dunkin’ merchandise from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., while supplies last. 

Dunkin’ franchisee Scott Campbell of Metro Franchising will commemorate the occasion with a $2,500 donation to The Viscardi Center. The Viscardi Center is a non-profit organization that educates, employs, and empowers children, adults, and veterans with disabilities or similar needs, so they can all discover the love of learning, the power of work, the freedom of independent living, and the self-confidence to fulfill their dreams.

“We are excited to unveil our newly remodeled restaurant to residents of Smithtown and the surrounding community,” said Campbell. “Additionally, we are proud to support The Viscardi Center with this $2,500 donation, and to underscore an organization that provides impactful support and resources to the local community.”

A check presentation and grand reopening ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. 

The 2,000-square-foot Dunkin’ employs 20 crew members and is open daily from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. 

The Smithtown Dunkin’ features the brand’s new restaurant design with a modern atmosphere, innovative technologies and exciting elements, including: 

• Modern Design: The openness, colors and materials used in the design help to create an approachable, positive and energetic environment.
• Premium Pours: Dunkin’s signature cold beverages are now available through an innovative tap system serving eight consistently cold beverages such as coffees, iced teas, cold brew coffee and nitro infused cold brew coffee. Crew members will also use top-quality flavor-maximizing espresso machines to make hand-crafted drinks to order.
• Dunkin’ on Demand: With fully integrated digital kiosks coming in the near future, guests will be able to choose to order with or without the help of a crew member. Dunkin’ has also introduced an area dedicated to mobile pickups, so that members of the Dunkin’ Rewards program who order ahead via Dunkin’s Mobile App can get in and out of the restaurant faster than ever before.
• Increased Energy Efficiency: The new Dunkin’ is a DD Green Achievement™ restaurant, which is designed to save 25% more energy compared to a standard Dunkin’ restaurant.

*No Pur Nec. Open to New York residents in the Smithtown area, ends 9/19/24. While supplies last, limit one per guest, limited time offer, available only at 560 Smithtown Bypass, Smithtown, NY, 11787 on 9/19/24. 

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Dunkin’

Dunkin’, founded in 1950, is the largest coffee and donuts brand in the United States, with more than 13,700 restaurants in nearly 40 global markets. Dunkin’ is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit DunkinDonuts.com and InspireBrands.com.

DEC's "Summit September" NY Lands Photo Contest

Contest Accepting Photo Submissions through Sept. 30

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today announced the September 2024 Love Our New York Lands photo contest. September’s theme is “Summit September” to help increase awareness of principles and guidelines that encourage safe, accessible, respectful, and sustainable use of public lands heading into the fall season.  

“During Summit September, DEC is encouraging New Yorkers to get outside and enjoy the outdoors and the special places they love,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “New York State is home to a wide range of lands and sites, scenic peaks and summits, providing ample opportunities to take a break from day-to-day challenges and connect with nature. During their outdoor adventures this month, DEC is encouraging New Yorkers to capture images that reflect safely and responsibly reaching their personal summits, in whatever form that may take.” 

New York State has a wide range of opportunities to get outside and enjoy activities year-round, including birding and wildlife viewing; warm-weather adventures such as swimming, biking, and horseback riding; cold-weather pursuits such as skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling; and challenging adventures like geocaching or rock and ice climbing. For accessible recreation, check out DEC’s Accessible Recreation destinations webpage. 

The Love Our New York Lands campaign, launched in 2020 by DEC and the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, encourages all users of State-owned lands to recognize that these lands are shared by ALL of us, our families, and our neighbors, and we all need to take care of them. The campaign includes guidance on Leave No Trace™ principles so that visitors can do their part to help ensure these special places are protected for future generations. Love Our New York Lands encourages visitors to be respectful of other visitors in these shared spaces. Visitors are asked to share trails, treat people with kindness, and leave things as they found them for others to enjoy. Visitors are encouraged to think of themselves as responsible for helping protect these irreplaceable destinations for future generations. More information is available on DEC’s website.   

Five winning pictures will be chosen that feature creative shots of the public enjoying outdoor activities on public lands all across New York State. Prizes will be awarded to the winning entries. Photos will be judged on the following criteria: originality; artistic composition; technical quality; and whether the photograph showcases people enjoying New York’s outdoor activities safely and responsibly.  

Summit September submissions should be emailed to social@dec.ny.gov by Sept. 30, with the subject line Summit September, the full name of the submitter, the State land or site where the image was taken (if applicable), and the submitter’s Instagram/social media handle as appropriate.   

DEC encourages New Yorkers to join the State’s ongoing efforts to protect lands and resources for generations to come by minimizing impacts, carrying out what they carry in, and encouraging others to care for our shared lands, as well. 

New Yorkers can take action to give back: 

• Participate in one of DEC’s Love Our New York Lands Stewardship Days, including the last stewardship day in 2024, scheduled for Sept. 28; 

• Get involved with local trail crews to help build and maintain trail systems nearby, and Adopt a Trailhead;

• Take a Leave No TraceTM workshop or become a Leave No Trace^TM educator; 

• Apply for a stewardship position in the Catskills or Adirondacks; 

• Explore becoming an Assistant Forest Ranger; and 

• Volunteer with one of DEC’s many natural resource programs. 

August Contest Winner 
DEC’s Love Our New York Lands August “Accessible Recreation” theme highlighted the importance of removing barriers for New Yorkers of all ages and abilities. The winning photo depicts an adaptive hike for people with mobility impairment, submitted by Scott Trager.

View the winning photos on DEC’s Flickr page.

https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases

LIRR Service From Huntington To Port Jeff To Be Temp Suspended For Maintenance

SPERRY TESTING – HUNTINGTON TO PORT JEFFERSON

• From approximately 10:45am to 3:00pm on from Tuesday September 10th until Thursday September 12th, service from Huntington to Port Jefferson will be suspended in both directions due to Sperry Rail Testing.
  • This is part of our annual track maintenance program which ensures our infrastructure is in a state of good repair. 
• This will result in several cancelled trains and we will be providing buses to accommodate our customers. They should allow approximately between approximately 30 to 40 minutes of additional travel time in either direction due to this work. 
• Part of Sperry testing involves catching defects in the rail, and when possible our crews will address these on site. As such, while the Sperry train itself does not cause much noise, any potential remedial work that is undertaken will, so there could be extra noise in the vicinity of our outage. 
• Please see a full list of schedule changes here.

*Work is weather dependent, dates are subject to change to take advantage of favorable conditions 

Fill A Glass With Hope And Fight Hunger With King Kullen

KING KULLEN PARTNERS WITH AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION NORTH EAST TO PROVIDE MILK TO LONG ISLAND CARES FOR HUNGER ACTION MONTH
 Fill a Glass with Hope® program will deliver fresh, nutrient-rich milk to families in need

(September 3, 2024) Hauppauge, NY– September is Hunger Action Month, and King Kullen is joining forces with American Dairy Association North East in support of Fill a Glass with Hope® to provide fresh milk to families in need through Long Island Cares. Inc.- The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank.

The campaign, beginning on September 1 and running through September 30, gives shoppers at King Kullen stores across Long Island an opportunity to donate $1, $3 or $5 at checkout to help make milk available to children and families in their local community. 

According to Long Island Cares, an estimated 221,000 people on Long Island are food insecure, including 65,000 children. Approximately 40% of food-insecure Long Island households are above the poverty level but don’t make enough to keep up with the high cost of living in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, making them ineligible for nutrition assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

“Milk is one of the most requested items at Food Banks, but one of the least donated due to its perishability,” says Robert LaBarbara, Long Island Cares Vice President for Procurement & Supply Chain Oversight. “Without milk in the diet, it is difficult to get the recommended essential nutrients for health. Milk is the top source of calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D in the American diet – nutrients critical to development and growth in children.”

Fill a Glass with Hope® is a joint effort between the American Dairy Association North East, dairy farmers, agriculture partners, and business leaders to help provide fresh milk to families in need through a network of local food banks. Thanks to generous supporters, the program has distributed more than 36 million servings of fresh milk since it began through a network of pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and feeding programs.

“King Kullen is a longtime supporter of Long Island Cares - Harry Chapin Food Bank,” says Tracey Cullen, Senior Vice President – Company Operations and Long Island Cares Board member. “Twice a week, food is collected at nearly all of our King Kullen stores and all Wild by Nature stores and delivered to Long Island Cares’ headquarters and satellite facilities. During Hunger Action Month, we’re focusing on raising money for nutrient-rich milk to help fill a void at food banks.”

“On behalf of dairy farmers throughout the Northeast, we are grateful to corporations like King Kullen who can partner with us and use their resources to make a difference,” says John Chrisman, CEO American Dairy Association North East. “As shoppers purchase a gallon of milk during September, we urge them to consider their neighbors in need and donate to Fill A Glass With Hope® at checkout.”

About King Kullen:
Headquartered in Hauppauge, NY, King Kullen Grocery Co. Inc. is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as America’s first supermarket. Michael J. Cullen opened the doors of King Kullen in 1930. Today, five generations later, King Kullen is still family owned and operated. It remains a leader in the supermarket industry. From that very first store in 1930, King Kullen today operates 27 supermarkets and four Wild by Nature stores across Long Island providing the best service and selection for shoppers in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. For more information, please visit www.kingkullen.com.

About Long Island Cares

Founded by the late Harry Chapin, Long Island Cares brings together all available resources for the benefit of the hungry and food insecure on Long Island and, to the best of our ability, provides for the humanitarian needs of our community. Our goals are to improve food security for families, sponsor programs that help families achieve self-sufficiency, and educate the general public about the causes and consequences of hunger on Long Island. Our vision is A Hunger Free Long Island.  Long Island Cares, Inc. – The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank has a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator as well as earning GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency and is a BBB Accredited Charity Seal Holder. For more information, visit www.licares.org.

About American Dairy Association North East

The American Dairy Association North East (ADANE) is the local affiliate of the National Dairy Council® and the regional consolidation of three promotion organizations, including the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc., Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program. Committed to nutrition education and research-based communications, ADANE provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Funded by dairy checkoff dollars from 9,000 dairy farm families in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and northern Virginia, ADANE works closely with Dairy Management Inc.™ to bring a fully integrated promotion program to the North East region. For more information, visit AmericanDairy.com.