Smithtown SD - Congratulates Siemens Competition Regional Finalist Sanjay Palat and Semi-Finalist Angelina Seffens

HSE Research Program Coordinator Maria Trinkle, Sanjay Palat, SHS East Principal Ed ThompsonCongratulations to Sanjay Palat, a senior in Smithtown High School East’s Science Research Program coordinated by Ms. Maria (Zeitlin) Trinkle. In a press release issued on October 22, Sanjay is one of 94 students nationally, and one of only 13 students to place as a Regional Finalist in New York State.  Over 1400 projects were submitted to Siemens. Sanjay’s Project titled “Differentiation and Behavior of Dental Pulp Stem Cells in Hydrogel Scaffolds of Various Stiffnesses,” was conducted at Stony Brook University under the mentorship of Dr. Miriam Rafailovich. According to the Siemens Foundation, “The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology recognizes remarkable talent early on, fostering individual growth for high school students who are willing to challenge themselves through science research. Through this competition, students have an opportunity to achieve national recognition for science research projects that they complete in high school. It is administered by The College Board and funded by the Siemens Foundation.” Sanjay’s project was a team effort with another student, Daryl Chang, from California. The two will compete at Carnegie Mellon University on the weekend of November 20.  According to Ms. (Zeitlin) Trinkle, Sanjay is a talented research student who has a natural gift for science. He has worked diligently to accomplish this wonderful achievement.

HSW Research Program Coordinator Dr. Joanne Figueiredo, Angelina Seffens, HSW Principal John CoadyAngelina Seffens has been named a Siemens Semi-Finalist.  Angelina worked with Rebecca Klahr from Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway.  The girls did their work at Stony Brook University under the guidance of Dr. Marcia Simon and Dr. Miriam Rafailovich.  Angelina has been a member of High School West’s Science Research Program under the direction of Dr. Joanne Figueiredo since her Sophomore year.  Her study is entitled “Single Cell Detection of Cancer and Ultraviolet Radiation Damage.”   The idea for Angelina’s project is based on changes that occur in cells as they progress towards cancer.  In order to study this progression, the properties of cells and their surroundings were analyzed using Atomic Force Microscopy.  Angelina and Rebecca found that cancer cells are softer than normal cells and that the extracellular matrix of cancer cells is harder than that of normal cells.  They then looked at the effects of Ultra violet light on both cancer and normal skin-type cells.  The data that they obtained indicates that UVA radiation has a large effect on these cellular properties and therefore on cellular mechanics.  This work may have important implications in providing a method for detecting cancer at the single cell level.

Here Comes Halloween...

By Erica Jackson

This weekend, there are numerous events around town to spook and thrill children and adults alike.

For the Kiddies:

• The Nesconset Library will be hosting a costume parade on Friday, October 29.  Children can strut their stuff in their costumes from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 on the grounds of the library. The free event, called the Ooogie Boogie Halloween Parade, is for children ages 2-5.  Aside from the parade, there were be various trick or treat stations.

• Sweetbriar Nature Center is celebrating this halloween with its 10th annual Spooktacular event on Friday night from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

According to Nancy Adornett, program coordinator, families can learn about spooky, nocturnal animals and take a walk through one of Sweetbriar’s two spooky trails.

The first of the trails was created with young children, ages 4-7, in mind.  Along the trail, children will meet characters dressed as nocturnal animals.  A second trail, is led by a storyteller, who will tell the children a scary legend.  

The fee for the program is $5 per person and families are asked to bring flashlights for the trail walks.

• A halloween parade along Lake Avenue will take place on Sunday at 12:30. The St. James Chamber of Commerce is hosting the costume parade that will start at the Capital one Bank at the corner of Woodlawn and Lake Avenues.  

• Deepwells Farm County Park is featuring a “Not Too Scary” haunted house all weekend long. The haunted house is open Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday, October 31 following the St. James costume parade. 

• Wicks Farm will be open all weekend with lots to do for families, according to Cathy Wicks, co-owner of the farm.

Aside from pick-your-own pumpkins, Wicks Farm offers hay rides, pony rides and halloween displays, including its 30-foot witch, which has become a local landmark.

The farm is also featuring two spooky, haunted mazes that are open during the day as well as in the evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00p.m.

“You have to know your child,” said Wicks, in talking about which maze children should enter.  While actors will not touch participates, she said the scarier of the two mazes does feature some “surprises” that may not be appropriate for some children.

Wicks’ pumpkin patch is free, but there are fees to participate in the other events. Prices start at $10 per person.

• A Safe Halloween event will take place at both Smithtown High School East and Smithtown High School West on Friday between 3:30 and 7:00 p.m. The event for students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. 

The program, called Spooky Hallways, will feature, halloween-themed crafts, spooky storytelling, an obstacle course and an Art Honor Society haunted house. 

Students are asked to come in costume and bring a donation of a nonperishable food items.

For Adults 

• This is not your typical haunted house: The Smithtown Arts Council is featuring two, upscale spooky productions this halloween weekend at the Mills Pond House in St. James. On October 29, productions of Qualla: Origins of the Undead can be seen at 6:00p.m., 7:45p.m., and 9:00p.m. The production, written by Greg Cioffi, a Long Island native, takes viewers back to victorian era England to chronicle the birth of zombies. The second production, which will be shown on Saturday, October 30 at 6:00p.m., 7:45p.m. and 9:30p.m. is a blend of comedy and horror.  It takes viewers on an entertaining journey into purgatory where Salvatore Rizzo &ldquothe Deadfather&rdquo is trying to rebuild his mafia.

Also at the Mills Pond House is a Midnight Oils Art Exhibition, featuring fine art of frightening subject matters.

Krista Biedenbach, program coordinator, says both productions are must-see thrills.

• To tour Smithtown’s most haunted spot on halloween stop in at Katie’s Bar on Main Street.  The bar, which will host a host a halloween party on Sunday night, has been featured on A&E channel’s Paranormal State.  The ghostbusters from the show deemed Katie’s a haunted location and found paranormal phenomena at the site.  The ghost, who is said to haunt the bar, is named, “Charlie.”  

“I will be at the bar giving tours and showing videos and answering questions about the ghost,” said Brian Karppinen, owner of Katie’s.  “People should come down and say hello to Charlie the Ghost.  He loves the attention.”  

Commack Issues Warning On Alcohol-Energy Drinks

The Commack Coalition of Caring would like all parents to be aware of these new alcohol-energy drinks. Some go under the name of Joose and Four Loko.

These energy drinks are marketed with the intent of appealing to underage drinkers. Senator Charles Schumer is calling for an investigation by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. These alcohol-energy drinks are packaged in colorful cans to resemble non-alcoholic energy drinks and fail to prominently disclose their alcohol content-which can be up to 12 percent volume.

 Some colleges have already banned all students from having these beverages in their possession, regardless of their ages.

We are encouraging all parents to be aware of the dangers of these alcohol-energy drinks.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Dr. John Kelly – Commack Coalition Director 912-2122

Debbie Virga – Commack Coalition Coordinator – 858-3623

Guilty Plea In The Death Of Courtney Snipes

Guilty plea in fatal hit and run

 

A Stony Brook woman who struck and killed an 11 year old girl in Smithtown last while driving high on heroin pleaded guilty at a scheduled court conference today to manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident and driving while impaired by drugs.

 

Maureen Lambert, 21, of Parish Court, will be sentenced to four to twelve years in prison by Judge Stephen Braslow on December 8.

 

Lambert bought and took heroin in the hour before she struck and killed 11-year-old Courtney Snipes on East Main Street in Smithtown.

 

Toxicology tests of the defendant’s blood taken when she surrendered to police approximately 28 hours following the hit and run showed traces of morphine consistent with recent heroin use.

And The Honorees Are - Kathleen Albrecht, Bradley Harris, Gail Hessel, Hauppauge HS Senior Adam Mildon

By Erica Jackson

(See Bio and photo of each honoree on the people in the news pg.)

Annually, for the past seven years, the Smithtown Historical Society has honored three community members for their devoted dedication to the non-profit’s mission of keeping Smithtown’s history alive.  This year is no different.

On Thursday, October 28 the historical society will be honoring Gail Hessel, Kathleen Albrecht and Brad Harris at its annual Heritage Ball at the Watermill for their “commitment to making the historical society and the community better places.”  

Gail Hessel, according to Kiernan Lannon, director of the historical society, will be honored with the society’s Partnership in History Award.  Her work in the Kings Park community has earned her the award, said Lannon.  “She has promoted us to no end in Kings Park.  Anyone who knows who we are in Kings Park knows of us because of Gail,” he said.

Hessel, said Lannon has not only participated at the Kings Park Heritage Museum, but in other Kings Park organizations, such as the Nissequogue River Foundation. She is always, said Lannon, aiming to promote the Smithtown Historical Society.

Hessel is a member of the Smithtown Historical Society’s board of directors and serves as chair of the society’s collections committee.  She is also chair of the society’s Italian Heritage night.

Kathleen Albrecht will be receiving the Rockwell Award for her “commitment to the historical society,” said Lannon. Without Albrecht, the society’s annual heritage country fair would not be as successful as it is.  Lannon said,” That event is our most important in terms of public programming and Cathy has been instrumental in turning it from a small fair to a large, well attended event.”

Albrecht is also, aside from sitting as a member of the historical society’s board of directors, involved in a number of other local organizations, including the Elks Lodge, the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce and the Smithtown Republican Club, where she constantly promotes the Smithtown Historical Society.  “She’s always plugging our events and gets people excited about them,” said Lannon.  “She is important to the historical society.”

This year’s Anna Blydenburg award is being given to Mr. Smithtown, as he is known around town. For the past 27 years, Brad Harris has been unwavering in his support for the historical society.  A board member of the historical society, Harris has been dedicated, giving his time and resources to the success of the historical society. He has written countless books and articles on the town’s history and given numerous lectures.  He is a member of the Smithtown Cemetery Association and the Kings Park Heritage Museum. 

“In terms of helping us promote our mission, no one has done more than Brad. Anything we ask of Brad, he has come through,” said Lannon.  

In addition to the awards, Adam Mildon, a Hauppauge High School senior will be presented with a $1,000 Mildred Smith Scholarship.  In receiving the scholarship, Mildon participated in the historical society’s annual essay contest.

This year’s essay asked students: If all of the town’s historical buildings were going to be demolished and only one could be saved, which would you choose to protect? Mildon presented an essay on the St. James General Store. “He wrote about the general store’s place of feeling and the sense of community that it represents,” said Lannon.

Lannon says it is important for the historical society to honor community members for their support because it is community volunteers who drive the historical society’s mission and educational programs.  

Working with a $430,000 budget, which is mainly driven by donations, the historical society cares for 14 historical structures in the town, eight, which are deeded to the historical society, and six that are owned by the Town of Smithtown. The historical society provides area students with educational opportunities where they can learn about history hands-on through a variety of programs. 

The historical society also has countless historical records and photographs, which Lannon says people frequently ask about.  He said, “We have a lot of people coming in doing genealogy research, looking to see if they are related to the Richard Smith family.”

Events are also highly popular.  Upcoming events include a fall harvest lecture series, which will be held at the brush barn from November 1 to November 8 at 7:30 p.m.; the historical society will also be hosting a holiday lunch-in on Friday, December 3 at 11:00; and on December 4, the heritage Christmas event will kickoff with a wreath contest and holiday decorations adorning the historical structures at 211 Middle Country Road.  The historical society is also working with the Smithtown Rotary Club to present the town’s annual tree lighting on December 5 with a meet and greet with Santa at the brush barn at 5:30.

“We are the gatekeepers of the history and heritage of the town. It is important to remember and learn from the past,” said Lannon.