Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau Rescue Endangered Sea Turtle

Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau assisted in the rescue of an endangered sea turtle in the Long Island Sound last night.

Marine Bureau Police Officers David Goldstein and Matthew Funaro, while on routine patrol in the Long Island Sound, received information from a pleasure boat via the VHF radio, that a very large sea turtle was entangled in the lines of several lobster pots one mile north of Mount Sinai Harbor, at 8:40 p.m. The officers located the turtle approximately ten minutes later, and it appeared to be in distress and having difficulty breathing. The officers maneuvered their boat, M-Delta, into position and attempted to free the turtle from the lines. They managed to free one of its flippers, but due to the turtle’s size and agitated state, they were unable to remove the remaining lines.

The officers requested assistance from Marine Bureau Police Officers Michael Cappiello and Matthew Wargas, of M-Bravo, who transported personnel from the Riverhead Foundation’s Rescue Program from the shore to the scene. Using lights, cutting tools and poles, Julika Wocial, Riverhead Foundation’s Rescue Program Supervisor and Kimberly Durham, Rescue Program Director, worked with the Marine Bureau officers for over three hours and eventually freed the turtle. Wocial and Durham stated that the turtle was a Leatherback sea turtle, at least 6 feet long, and weighed an estimated 1000 pounds. They also reported this particular species is on the endangered list and that the sea turtle was a female of breeding age, making the rescue extremely important. It was reported that once freed, the turtle appeared to calm down, and it swam away on its own without further incident.

The Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau encourages all boaters to immediately report any sightings of stranded or entangled marine life so that a similar, positive outcome can be achieved.

Smithtown’s Horizons Center Has A New Home on Main Street

By Chad Kushins

For six long years, Smithtown Horizons Counseling and Education Center has had to struggle to help residents in need of their unique services – drug and substance abuse recovery, education about the nature of addiction, or sometimes just a sympathetic ear for those suffering from an addicted family member or friend.  This week, however, the town’s sole beacon of hope for recovery finds its own light at the end of a dark tunnel, as the Center makes its new and improved home on Smithtown’s Main Street.

Aside from the practical nature of setting up camp in the heart of town, Horizons’ new address of 161 East Main Street also offers a symbolic symbol of strength, understanding, and tolerance to all visitors who drive down the town’s busiest thoroughfare.  Originally existing in Town Hall upon its inception in 1979, Horizons eventually moved to its most-recognized location at 124 West Main Street in 1986. 

According to Horizons Director Elaine Economopoulos, that location was, even then, small in size and inadequate in meeting the needs of its visitors. 

“If you’ve ever been in there,” Economopoulos told Smithtown Matters, “then you’ll know that the quarters were very, very tight.  “We were very limited on space and it was inadequate in running our programs and groups – and there are many different types of groups that we offer.  We had to color-code everything as far as, ‘Okay, so your group session is here today, and next time you’ll be in this room.’  It was very tight and that made daily operations difficult.”

Economopoulos continued, “We really needed the space in order to provide ample services.  We had been leaning on the community for a very long time – running groups in the Dennison Building in Hauppauge, the Kings Park Resource Room for alliance meetings, borrowing other departments’ conference rooms – things like that.  We were forced to be all over the place.”

Economopoulos has been a part of the Horizons program since its origins in 1979, beginning as a senior counselor and clinical supervisor and eventually becoming the program’s director in 1984.  Horizons, while never in danger of closing down its town-sanctioned practice, was still forced to make compromises in its programs and group sessions offered, prompting its director and staff to seek out a new location as far back as 2007. 

“Of course, people were very kind in allowing us to use their space,” Economopoulos continued, “but that still means that their needs take priority.  And with a move like this, it involved the town and the county and state, so it became a matter of getting all the many ducks lined up … We’re fully affiliated with the town as a town program, but we also exist through state and county grants.”

According to Economopoulos, the ball really got rolling after she sent off a new grant proposal for further rent money.  In a case of both necessity and perseverance, her request led to approval for a complete relocation.  “From that point on, I was able to go to the state and express what our true needs were,” she added.  “So, we started off looking for a place to rent that the state would be willing to fund, but then when it came down to what kinds of renovations we would need, it didn’t make sense to invest in renovated a place that you’re only renting.  And that turned the whole project into ‘Let’s look for a place to purchase,’ which was better than we could have hoped.”

With the initial goal of finding a suitable location to rent, Economopoulos was aided by various town departments in researching available spaces.  “We looked at a number of buildings,” said Economopoulos, “and [161 East Main Street] really seemed like the most opportune one.  It’s right on Main Street, which means that driving, bus services, and the train station are all nearby, and when we learned that there was the possibility of purchasing, the project just grew from there.”

In preparing for the move, Horizons was aided by other town departments – the such as the Engineering Department, the Town Attorney’s Office, and the Parks Department – all of which worked with Horizons in getting both the red tape completed and in overseeing the renovations to the building.  Economopoulos added, “It was great to have all of the departments working so closely … the Building Department worked with us, Public Safety worked with us.  It was really a team effort.”

Thanks to that “team effort” and the auspices of Smithtown, Suffolk County, and New York State, Horizons was able to get its move completed in time to re-open by July 30, although an official “Grand Opening” is planned for September,  a date is yet to be announced.  For those hoping to see the new Horizons Center, or for additional information on their services, hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and Fridays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; the office may be reached at 631-360-7578 or at www.smithtowninfo.com/HorizonsCounseling/

Horizons Counseling and Education Center is a non-profit agency providing professional adolescent and adult counseling, prevention services, and parenting workshops for the Smithtown community. It serves residents facing substance abuse problems and other damaging addictions and all services are confidential. Daytime and evening counseling groups are available by appointment only. Fees are based on a sliding scale and private insurance is accepted.

SCPD - Local Store Clerks Sold Alcohol To Minors

Suffolk County Police arrested three clerks and a customer during a state liquor authority check at convenience stores in Huntington Station, Commack and East Northport last night.

Officers from the Second Precinct Crime Section and Community Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) conducted a New York State Liquor Authority checks at six convenience stores, between 9:15 pm. and 11:15 p.m. Three of the stores failed inspection and sold alcoholic beverages to undercover agents.

The following clerks were arrested and charged with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child, 1^st Degree:

• ·         Bhupinder Singh, 21, working at BP Gas Station, located at 272 East Route 25, Huntington Station
• ·        Cengiz Hurol, 49, working at U.S. Petroleum Gas Station (Heaven Fruit Quick Stop) located at 6077 East Route 25, Commack
• ·         Ekran Boynuince, 50, working at Food Star, located at 304 Larkfield Road, East Northport

Three additional businesses were inspected and refused to sell alcoholic beverages to the underage agent:

• ·         Deli Cigar Center, located at 217 Walt Whitman Road, South Huntington
• ·         Northport Metro Mart, located at 670 Fort Salonga Road, Northport
• ·         24-7 Convenience Store, located at 10 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station

At 24-7 Convenience Store, a customer inside the store at the time of the inspection, offered to purchase alcohol for the underage agent. Jose Santos, 30, was arrested and charged with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child, 1^st Degree.

Singh,  Huntington Station, Hurol,  Ronkonkoma, Boynuince, East Northport and Santos, Huntington Station, will appear at First District Court in Central Islip on September 25. 

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

Four Fire Departments Respond to Smithtown Pet Store Blaze

70 animals rescued while departments stress proper safety

By Chad Kushins

Five separate local fire departments responded to a major fire in Smithtown yesterday afternoon, extinguishing a blaze above the Pick of the Litter pet store that found 70 animals rescued and five dead.  The fire – which began just before noon on July 23^rd and saw the first response team arriving at 11:55am – also prompted a press conference, which immediately followed rescue teams’ successful efforts to put it out in a matter of minutes.

“The chief cause for concern in getting each and every animal out that we could was the factor of smoke inhalation,” said Smithtown’s Second Assistant Fire Chief Tim Murphy, who was also one of the earliest responders to the scene.  “It appeared that the fire actually started above the pet store, in a private apartment, and we found more animals up there.”

According to Murphy, when firefighters entered the above-located apartment building – whose residents were made photo - Smithtown Fire Departmentanonymous as the investigation continues – they were quick to spot a few small dogs and cats cowering under tables and furniture, frightened by the flames around them.  As the firefighters continued to rescue as many of the pet store’s animal inventory as possible, a large hole was also strategically cut into the building’s roof for additional ventilation. 

“That was a common practice for a fire like this one,” Murphy told Smithtown Matters.  “The main concerns for the animals were the fire itself, but also inhalation of smoke and carbon monoxide … It’s a factor that can incapacitate people and animals very quickly if the smoke isn’t lead out of the building.  We immediately carved the hole in the roof to work as a large chimney.”

Joined by the Kings Park, Nesconset, and Saint James Fire Departments, Murphy and Smithtown Fire Chief John Hansen were able to prevent massive smoke inhalation by the animals and extinguish the blaze itself in only a matter of minutes.  According to the department, one resident was hospitalized as a result of the fire – an unidentified male in his 20s who, not only lives near to the scene, but was credited as the fire citizen to call and report the fire.  All rescued animals were safely detained by Smithtown Animal Control. 

Located at 105 East Main Street, Pick of the Litter has been in for business for fifteen years, yet changed hands in March of this year and is currently owned and operated by Saint James resident Elizabeth Persico.  According to Tim Murphy, although the fire is “suspected as being accidental,” the Smithtown Fire Marshal is currently conducting an ongoing investigation.

Smithtown's History - Alice Throckmorton McLean

 LIVES, LOVES AND LAMENTS OF THE PEOPLE OF ST. JAMES

“Alice Throckmorton McLean, a remarkable lady whose spirit lives on….”          

by Bradley Harris, Smithtown Historian (originally printed in Our Town)

This article is about Alice Throckmorton McLean, a remarkable lady who made St. James her home from 1919 until 1944.

            Alice Throckmorton McLean was truly a remarkable lady.  She “was a child of the gilded age and lived a privileged life within the wealthiest American social circles.”  She spent her childhood in New York City and on her father’s farm estate in South Kortright in upstate N.Y.   She was home schooled and taught by tutors.  As a young girl, she spent much of her time travelling with her father and learning the ins and outs of the business world.  By the time she was in her twenties, she was married and the mother of two boys, helping her father with the running of his upstate farm and carefully nurturing her children.  With her divorce at age 33, Alice Mclean moved to St. James where, throughout the 1920’s and 30’s, she led the life of a wealthy socialite spending her time riding, participating in fox hunts, horse shows, and polo matches.  Then with the approach of World War II, Alice McLean became the founder, organizer and president of the American Women’s Voluntary Services, a highly successful volunteer organization that grew to include 325,000 women across America dedicated to helping the war effort by providing material aid, assistance and information to the armed forces and civilians during the war years.  Her work with the AWVS and the contribution it made during the war is Alice McLean’s legacy to us all, and shows what one “resourceful, energetic and tenacious American patriot” can do to help others in time of need.  (“Alice Throckmorton McLean,” Harbor in the News, ttp://www.harborcountrydayschool.org/page.cfm?p=532)      

            “Born in New York City on March 8, 1886,” Alice was the youngest of the three daughters of an American millionaire, James McLean, and his wife, Sara Throckmorton.  (Barbara Van Liew, Head-of the-Harbor: A Journey Through Time, published by Main Road Books, Inc., Laurel, N.Y., 2005, p.162.)  James McLean  was Vice President of the Board of  the Phelps Dodge Corporation, then “one of the three biggest American copper companies,” and he amassed a considerable fortune.  Since the McLeans did not have a son, James McLean treated Alice as the son he never had, and arbitrarily decided to make his third daughter heir of the fortune he acquired through the copper industry.  For Alice, this meant that she would learn to do many things that young girls would not normally be expected to learn.  (“Profiles: Ladies in Uniform,” The New Yorker, July 4, 1942, p.21-29.)

             A wealthy man, Mr. McLean was an avid horseman.  He loved to ride and play polo, and as his daughter grew up, he taught her to do the same.  Alice became such a “dedicated rider,” she not only played polo, but learned “to drive horses in tandem and four-in-hand.”  Alice displayed her polo skills when she played with the men of the Smithtown Polo Club, and she displayed her horsemanship skills as a participant in the annual Smithtown Horse Shows.  Driving four horses abreast was no mean feat for a woman but she became an expert.  (Barbara F. Van Liew, op. cit., p. 164.)

            Alice “was educated privately” and “as a young woman, she was her father’s constant companion, accompanying him on trips throughout the U.S. and also to Europe and the Far East.  She learned to speak fluent French, German and Italian.”  This sophisticated young lady became quite  a catch in the marriage market, and at the young age of seventeen, Alice married Edward (Ned) Laroque Tinker, a Poquott lawyer who founded the Tinker National Bank.  They had two children named Edward and James.  Unfortunately, the marriage did not last, and by 1919, Alice and Edward had separated and divorced.  Alice and her two boys moved in with her parents.  (Barbara F. Van Liew, op. cit., 163.)

            The McLeans owned several homes.  James McLean inherited his father’s 1500 acre farm with a “huge handsome mansion” in South Kortright, Delaware County, in upstate New York.  In New York City, the McLeans occupied “their New York townhouse on East Fifty-fifth Street,” and on Long Island, the McLeans owned another large house with 50 acres of property in St. James.  (“Profiles: Ladies in Uniform,” The New Yorker, op. cit., p.21-29.)  The house in St. James that they purchased from William Minott in 1916, was a large wooden frame house, sheathed in white clapboards, that had been built by Mr. Minott as a summer home in 1910.  One of the first additions that Mr. McLean made to this house in St. James was a stable with 13 stalls that was constructed in close proximity to the main house, close enough so that Mr. Mclean could look out his bedroom window and see his horses standing in their stalls.  It was this house that in 1919 Mr. and Mrs. McLean gave to their daughter Alice with “their love and affection” after selling the house and property to her for “one dollar.”  Alice brought her two sons to live in this house in St. James.  Alice was determined to regain her independence and her parents helped her to do so by giving her the house.  She demonstrated her freedom by re-assuming her maiden name McLean and by legally changing her sons’ names to McLean as well.  From 1919 on, Alice McLean Tinker was known as Alice McLean.  (Barbara Van Liew, op. cit., 163.)

            When her father and mother passed away, Alice inherited the McLean family fortune and the house and farm in South Kortright.  She also inherited her father’s string of horses.  It is said that she owned over “100 horses at one time, polo ponies, driving horses, jumpers.”  In the 1920’s, Alice McLean “was an active member of both the Smithtown and Meadow Brook Hunts and was the only woman on the local polo team.”  From 1922 to 1924, Alice was chosen as “Master of the Hunt.”  When she rode in the hunts, Alice wore a “Roman habit with a top hat and veil tight across her face.”  Her interest in the hunts led her to keep a number of dogs.  She had “forty or so dogs – boxers, whippets, greyhounds, and family pets.”  She kept these horses and dogs in the “barns, kennels, and stables” on the 50 acres of her estate.  “The present-day ‘Barn Yesterday’ was where” Alice kept her many of her animals including her sheep and cows.  (Barbara Van Liew, op. cit., p. 164.)

            Sometime around 1924, Alice McLean purchased the Lawson House on the corner of Three Sisters Road and North Country Road with the hope that the Prince of Wales would stay there during his official visit to America in 1924. To make her own home more attractive and appealing to the Prince of Wales, Alice had her house remodeled, “adding a brick exterior to give it the appearance of ‘an English country house.’”  She even had “a ballroom constructed south of her mansion” to provide the Prince with a suitable place to dance.  Unfortunately, Alice was disappointed and the Prince of Wales never did come to St. James.  (Barbara Van Liew, op. cit., p. 163.)

            Even though she was keenly disappointed that the Prince of Wales did not visit her in St. James, Alice McLean made an annual pilgrimage to England, often taking her horses and grooms with her.  It was on one of these trips, with war looming in Europe, that “Ms. McLean was inspired to organize the American Womens Voluntary Services (AWVS).”  Patterned after the British effort of using women volunteers to assist in the war effort, the AWVS taught its volunteers  how to administer First Aid, how to take photographs, read maps, practice conservation, salvage materials, operate military canteens, help with soldier rehabilitation efforts and drive motor transport.  All of these activities were designed to prepare women volunteers for active participation in the coming war effort.  “By the time Pearl Harbor was attacked, Mrs. Mclean’s volunteer organization had 18,000 members with chapters across America.”  Mrs. McLean became the President of AWVS and directed the formation of a local branch of AWVS in Head-of-the-Harbor in St. James.  (Barbara Van Liew, op. cit., p. 164.)

            During the course of the war, women volunteers served as “cryptographers and switchboard operators 1942 New Yorker Magazine - Alice Throckmorton McLeanand served as fire watchers and crop pickers.  AWVS workshops turned out more than one million new and reconditioned articles of clothing for servicemen, hospitals and other users.”  The AWVS also published booklets and taught classes “on clothing repair,” conservation techniques, victory gardening, on salvaging war material and a host of other subjects designed to help the war effort.  The AWVS helped sell war bonds and stamps, and by the end of the war, had sold over “one billion dollars worth of war bonds and stamps.”  By 1945, “the AWVS numbered 325,000 members.” (Barbara Van Liew, op. cit., p. 164.)  

            Much of the work of the AWVS was not funded by the federal government and Mrs. McLean, who remained President throughout the war, “spent much of her personal fortune keeping the AWVS afloat.”  By 1944, “unable to maintain her holding in St. James,” Mrs. McLean relocated to South Kortright in upstate New York” to the property she had inherited from her father’s estate. (Barbara Van Liew, op. cit., p. 165.) Her English country house and 25 acres surrounding it went on the market “at a price of $85.000, but was never sold.”  The brick mansion was vacant for a number of years until the house “was purchased by the Christian Brothers of Ireland as a training school.“  Then in 1956, “several families” from “surrounding North Shore villages from Head of the Harbor to Port Jefferson” joined together to create a local private day school in Mrs. McLean’s former mansion.   Thirty-eight founding families “raised almost $20,000 toward the purchase” of the estate and raised the balance of the purchase price “through pledges and grants.”  In the fall of 1958, the Harbor Country Day School opened its doors to its first 38 students.  (“Harbor Country Day School: A Look Back,” article on the background and history of the school in the Commemorative Journal and 2009-2010 School Calendar that was published in 2009 to commemorate the 50^th Anniversary of the school.)     

            Mrs. McLean lived on the estate in South Kortright until 1948, when “she donated her estate house there to a foundation established to aid Europe’s displaced children.”  She “then moved to Baltimore to live with one of her sons.  She died there on “October 25, 1968 still the President of AWVS.”  (Barbara Van Liew, op. cit., p. 165.)

            Mrs. McLean’s English country house in Head-of-the-Harbor has a new life today as the home of the Harbor Country Day School, a private school that serves some 130 children living throughout Suffolk County.  It is a day school that has nursery, kindergarden, and first through eighth grade classes which meet in the rooms of the mansion.  The original rooms of the house have been expanded and modified to meet the needs of the school children and classrooms occupy the first and second floors of the original house.  In 1967, wings were added to the back of the house adding a gymnasium and a library.  With class sizes that are never larger than 16, Harbor Country Day School offers a warm, homelike setting for the students, and they become much attached to Mrs. McLean’s former home.  Alice McLean would have been pleased to know that her house is now a day school, filled with happy school children.  But she probably knows this, since her ghost has been sighted in various rooms of the mansion watching over the activities that continue in the house today.