Just one of the many views along the Knolls Park walking trails in East Northport We rely on your support to share good news! Become a supporting member today. It was the first time I’ve spoken to a deer a female holding firm in the middle of the trail and not breaking for a second her eye contact with me was chewing on some leaves as I neared the end of my nature walk in Knolls Park in East Northport I’ve been “popping” into Knolls Park for years: during my daughter’s soccer practice or on a solo jaunt while listening to my favorite podcast Every time I am left grateful for this little slice of nature right here in my backyard Every time I see or smell or encounter something new – a snake a small mammal’s skull I have yet to identity Part of the Veterans Park complex on Bellerose Avenue Knolls Park was acquired by both Suffolk County and the Town of Huntington in December 2000 County Land Preservation Partnership and Drinking Water Protection programs Formerly a part of the Northport Veterans Administration property the land was proposed for a 61-lot housing development before the town and county acquired it In the southernmost portion of the park are the neighborhood’s popular turf fields used both competitively and recreationally by community residents local sports teams and numerous sports leagues The rest of the site has trails that wind through the property and connect with neighboring Meadowlark Park There’s over nine miles of hiking trails on the property Shorter trails are available in Knolls Park for those interested in leisurely walks If you enter the park from the back parking lot (behind the turf fields) this area of the park was named after a beloved Bellerose Avenue Elementary School counselor killed by a drunk driver while on her way home from watching the Northport girls basketball team compete in the county playoffs I often go this way when in search of a shorter hike – there is a choice of two mostly forested loops that trace part of the school’s perimeter and Heading north will bring you more options of trails and terrains I tend to overly romanticize my trips into nature; I’m desperate like that If you’re imaginative and in need of an escape you’ll easily be able to envision yourself away from it all here on a wide sandy trail with open grassland or a narrow dirt trail surrounded by trees The trails are marked and fairly easy to navigate (though I know some people who started at Vets and ended up in Meadowlark Park by Middleville Road) you only need to follow the voices of children playing sports or coaches blowing whistles to find your way back The few times I’ve confused north and south On the days I prefer to take a longer hike I’ll walk north and then west – the biggest loop abuts backyards and residential streets before winding back past the turf fields (where I had my friendly run-in with the deer) and up a quick but challenging hill that opens up to the grass playing field behind Vet Park’s pickleball courts ready to pick up your kid from practice or tackle your day of work or the laundry or food shopping Length: 3.6 miles Acreage: 83Terrain: Mostly flat a challenging hill if you choose itNoise levels: Minimal to medium (local kids playing trucks passing)Parking: Super easy and plentiful in the back lot of Veterans Park (on Bellerose Avenue in East Northport) Ticks tips or feedback about your favorite walks in the woods to joanne@northportjournal.com A map of Knolls Park and the Barbara Frost Trail, provided by the Town of Huntington in its trails guide Get the latest news delivered to your inbox Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates Tranquil Spa at 165 Larkfield Road in East Northport A raid at an East Northport massage parlor ended with a man and a woman in cuffs Suffolk County Police announced on Wednesday Officers from the Second Precinct Investigative Unit assisted by the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Building Department descended on Tranquil Spa at 165 Larkfield Road after a wave of community complaints police said they found something else entirely was charged with two counts of Unauthorized Practice of a Profession was charged with Promoting Prostitution 4th Degree and Criminal Nuisance 2nd Degree Both were issued Desk Appearance Tickets and are due back in First District Court in Central Islip at a later date Town officials also hit the business with multiple summonses and code violations This raid comes as Suffolk police recently cracked down on two other massage parlors in Brookhaven — making three arrests in one day on the same road. Read more about those busts here Executive Circle Awards Sign up for your daily digest of Long Island Business News Listen to this article Long Island Business News has announced that it has chosen this year’s winn[...] The financial landscape of Long Island continues to evolve through the leadership of the remarkable [...] Long Island’s business landscape contains a remarkable tapestry of organizations that have stood t[...] Celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month by showcasing the extraordinary wo[...] Listen to this article Lorraine Gregory Communications will be holding a blood drive at its Edgewood[...] Long Island lost 3,100 construction jobs year-over-year in March ending a 12-month streak of gains,[...] Kids Empire and My Gym are opening at Mayfair Shopping Center in Commack Chick-fil-A opens its 12th Long Island location in East Meadow creating 80 jobs and supporting loca[...] Realty Three plans $120M South Village at Station Crossings with 273 rentals Amazon plans to purchase 26.7 acres of Massapequa’s Sunrise Mall site to build a new South Shore d[...] Our mission at Long Island Business News is to be the vital business news and advertising source to Long Island’s most influential readers Get our free LIBN e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions 2025 at 9:22 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A man and woman were arrested when Tranquil Spa in East Northport was raided NY — A man and woman were arrested during a massage parlor raid in East Northport on Wednesday with the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Building Department was charged with two counts of unauthorized practice of a profession and two counts of prostitution was charged with fourth-degree promoting prostitution and second-degree criminal nuisance Both Li and Zhang were issued desk appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date The Town of Huntington issued several summonses and violations to the business Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2025 at 9:45 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A plow was stolen in East Northport sometime between Feb (Courtesy of Suffolk County Crime Stoppers)EAST NORTHPORT NY — Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is seeking the public's help finding the person or people who stole a plow in East Northport in February The thief or thieves are wanted for grand larceny Police ask anyone with information to reach Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and leave an anonymous tip via phone call at 1-800-220-TIPS, using a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com A cash reward is offered for information that leads to an arrest 2024 at 10:58 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Andrew Reid decorates his East Northport home using discarded Christmas lights he is collecting donations for Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro’s new facility at Stony Brook Hospital NY — One man's trash is another teenager's treasure has a passion for holiday lights and a knack for fixing things he has combined those loves by taking discarded holiday lights and decorations and adding them to his light display at 14 Oxbow Court Reid has added a wrinkle: collecting donations for the Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro’s new facility at Stony Brook Hospital Reid said he already knew people would be interested in driving by his family's home to see the dazzling display that repurposed lights and decorations could be turned into "They're going to hear about a 19-year-old doing it and saving these things 'Everybody's going to want to donate to something,'" Reid told Patch "They would be more inclined to donate to a charity." Reid said he chose Ronald McDonald House because of the new house being built in Stony Brook so people will be more inclined to donate to it," Reid said "I wanted to help out the community even more by raising money for kids with illnesses." People can support Reid's fundraiser by bringing cash when they visit his house He is also collecting broken or working decorations that people may not want anymore All proceeds are going straight to the foundation The display features an arrangement of more than 500 restored holiday decorations Reid spotted discarded holiday decorations during his runs and decided to breathe new life into them It started when Reid fixed a tinfoil-horned unicorn It has since blossomed into an annual tradition where he playfully competes with his siblings to collect abandoned decorations carefully refurbished and rewired for safety range from reindeer to polar bears and even a custom-made Minnie Mouse decorating a tree More than 75 percent of the family basement is dedicated to storing these decorations which Reid meticulously dismantles and reassembles each season Reid's most special new addition this year is his "Misfit Tree" — a tree he found on the curb He hopes to grow the tree over several years and add more and more homemade decor to it The "Misfit Tree" has a purpose for Reid's recycling too: He wants children to donate their homemade decorations so everyone can see them on the tree Reid said he wants children to "think outside the box" and foster community connection at the same time While any decor left outside would have to withstand the weather Reid hopes children will drop off their items and return to see them He is also collecting broken tree ornaments People are encouraged to drop off their unwanted tree ornaments in a bin placed outside the home (Caracara Mexican Grill)Caracara Mexican Grill has opened in East Northport NY — Caracara Mexican Grill recently opened in East Northport — its second location The restaurant is at 564-566 Larkfield Road who founded Caracara in Farmingdale in June 2011 have teamed up with their long-time friend "We're real excited," Kathreptis told Patch "We like the [East Northport] area tremendously It's kind of center between the East Northport It looks like there's a need for Mexican in that area The restaurant is located in the strip center where Lidl Grocery Store and Hummel Bakery are Caracara Mexican Grill aspires to be a friendly upscale restaurant serving modern and traditional Mexican cuisine featuring a tequila lounge and a party room for up to 55 guests The ownership team had been planning an expansion into East Northport for years but it was delayed because of some issues experienced during the coronavirus pandemic the time was right for Caracara to "go to another location and spread our magic," he said Wilson has been the chef at Caracara since it first opened in Farmingdale "He's been with us for 14 years," Kathreptis said Kathreptis asked potential customers in the area to try Caracara at its new digs "We do our best to make sure that you're enjoying your experience," he said "We have very good food in a great setting served by people who want to please you." Caracara offers Margarita Mondays; Taco Tuesdays; Sangria Wednesdays; its Two-Course Special Menu Sunday through Wednesday; and Happy Hour Monday through Friday 4 to 6 p.m with reduced prices on drinks and appetizers It will serve brunch specials at its East Northport location on Saturdays and Sundays There are menu choices of traditional and Mexican brunch items in addition to dinner items We look forward to the opportunity to meet as many people as we can in East Northport." Takeout is available through the Caracara website for pick up or delivery Caracara features more than 75 types of tequila The restaurant is known for its fresh guacamole prepared table-side trendy Mexican dishes such as shrimp tamale 2025 at 9:31 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}At the April 10 meeting of the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District Board of Education Candice Brodie as the new assistant superintendent for learning and teaching (Courtesy of the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District)NORTHPORT Candice Brodie was appointed as the new assistant superintendent for learning and teaching of the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District Brodie was appointed at the district's board of education meeting held Thursday who is slated to retire at the end of the school year after nine years in the role Brodie joins Northport-East Northport with "extensive administrative experience," according to the district She currently serves as the assistant superintendent for human resources in the Cold Spring Harbor School District she served as the principal of Lindenhurst High School for five years where she led professional development initiatives implemented data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes and oversaw the development of new courses and graduation pathways ensuring equity and access in advanced-level courses Brodie was the assistant principal for instruction at Baldwin High School curriculum development and instructional technology integration she has held leadership roles as the supervisor of secondary social studies in Baldwin and as the coordinator of the International Baccalaureate Program at North Shore High School Brodie has "demonstrated a commitment to fostering academic excellence promoting equitable opportunities and strengthening community engagement," according to the district Brodie will be a welcome addition to Northport-East Northport," Superintendent of Schools Dr "She brings great experiences with her and has a belief system that fits well with the values of this community and the future-focused system that we are building It was a thorough process and a strong pool We are very fortunate to be adding a person of her quality to our team." Brodie earned a doctoral degree in administration and instructional leadership from St John’s University and post-master’s advanced certificates in school building leadership and school district leadership from The College of Saint Rose as well as a master of arts degree in secondary social studies education from Queens College She earned a bachelor of arts degree in communication and rhetoric with a minor in history from the University at Albany "I am so happy and excited to join the Northport-East Northport school community in July," Brodie said "The work of learning and teaching truly has my heart and has been the core of my administrative career I look forward to collaborating with the entire team to offer students the best programs and experiences from kindergarten to their senior year." 2024 at 9:02 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Aldi as pictured in Lindenhurst Aldi is set to open in East Northport on Dec The first 100 Aldi customers will receive a gift card as part of the ALDI Golden Ticket gift card giveaway program Click here to read the full story on Huntington Now This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page NY — Two East Northport sisters turned their love for all things reality television stationery and gifts into a designer business who earned fine art and graphic design degrees from Adelphi University six years apart in their parents' Northport Village home in March 2020 before they both moved to East Northport The Romano sisters were born and raised in Queens and have a love for everything handmade we loved creating beautiful things," Lisa told Patch "We kept ourselves busy creating storybooks and stationery long before we became the proud owners of a 1900s era letterpress machine "We decided to jump into the stationery business when it became obvious so many of our passions were aligned from crafting one of a kind centerpieces for baby showers or designing a luxurious wedding suite for a contemporary couple we felt the pull to combine forces," Lisa said When the sisters founded their business just before the coronavirus pandemic shutdowns began they specialized in bespoke wedding stationery all wedding and events came to a halt due to COVID shutting down venues for the foreseeable future," Lisa said we were watching our favorite episodes of 'The Real Housewives,' 'Summer House,' and '90 Day Fiance.'" because of health officials' recommendations to stay indoors people were unable to shop in stores for gifts and greetings cards the Romanos launched their own greeting card line inspired by their favorite reality television scenes and every other celebration that calls for a greeting card The sisters currently have a general card line while maintaining their Reality TV line They also have a line of gifts they craft in their studio The sisters' best sellers include their suncatcher stickers which have gone viral on social media multiple times since they "cast the most amazing rainbows when put onto windows in direct sunlight," Lisa said "This helped us gain traction on social media and build our amazing audience of over 120K followers across platforms helps us connect with so many people through our products," she said People can purchase Haven Print Co. goods on the sisters' website has rejoined the industry — the Romanos create bespoke stationery and acrylic signage for every bride's needs "We love making bar signs for couple's signature drinks especially when the couple insists on having their pets featured on the signage because then we get to draw them!" Lisa said The sisters work out of their East Northport home with Michelle's daughter The sisters love connecting with people through their products "I love getting emails and comments from customers about how something as simple as the rainbows from our suncatcher stickers make them and their family happy," Lisa said "Or when someone says they were intimidated by wedding planning and decor and how easy the process of purchasing custom signage with us is; how happy their children feel seeing their artwork on display with our magnets; and how our custom dog tags bring out their pets personality We both of course love working with each other but I think we can both agree our favorite 'coworker' is Michelle’s daughter but even more so to get to spend every day with her before 2024 at 9:34 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Check out some Christmas lights in the Northport-East Northport area NY — Patch asked readers to submit photos of their homes decorated for the Christmas season Here are some of the best in the Northport-East Northport area 2024 at 10:03 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Two women were arrested when Suffolk police raided Welian International Inc NY — Two women were arrested during a raid at an East Northport massage parlor on Tuesday were each charged with unauthorized practice of a profession and prostitution Zhang was additionally charged with second-degree criminal nuisance Zhang and Higinio were both issued desk appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date The Town of Huntington issued several violations to the business Full-day UPK providers such as Island Kids (pictured) currently receive $5,400 per UPK student from a NYS grant which is less than what the school charges for annual tuition The district is currently covering the shortfall a topic discussed at the February 13 BOE meeting Funding for the Northport-East Northport district’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program was a topic of concern at the February 13 board of education (BOE) meeting where officials discussed financial challenges and constraints related to the New York State grant currently funding most of the program Annual tuition to enroll in the UPK program costs more than the state-allotted $5,400 per student requiring the district to cover the shortfall the district spent $50,000 to fill the gap but there is growing concern about rising costs “We have an allocation of $1,222,972 for 220 seats,” Superintendent of Schools Dr adding that 182 students are currently enrolled in the program “We have to return the money for the 38 unused seats and cannot use that to subsidize the actual cost of the program nor can our providers charge tuition above the $5,400,” Moyer explained The superintendent described the issue as unsustainable and problematic for all districts on Long Island While some districts in other areas of the state receive more grant funding per student—even though the cost of living is lower in those regions—most districts struggle to cover the costs of the program with the grant alone where the issue was first discussed in public Trustee Larry Licopoli said that the board and community need to decide whether the district should continue supplementing the non-mandated UPK program with taxpayer money I’m the biggest supporter of pre-K—I’d love to have a 3-21 [years old] public education system—but the fact of the matter is that in some respects we legally can’t even spend money on kids that we’re not responsible for educating unless we ask the public for their permission to spend X amount of dollars for kids in preschool,” Licopoli said Licopoli raised concerns that the community was unaware of the $50,000 spent on the program this year calling the lack of transparency problematic we have to be really clear that we are allocating public money for something we’re not mandated or required to do,” he said Moyer noted that superintendents across the state are growing increasingly frustrated with the UPK funding structure we have not been very successful,” he explained Even though the state grant provides over $1.2 million for UPK it can only be spent on the number of students enrolled at $5,400 per student Any unspent funds revert to the state and cannot be used to offset additional UPK costs “They try to make it sound like the schools are getting all of this money even though we can only spend so much of it,” Moyer said adding that costs for the UPK providers are steadily increasing and many can’t pay their teachers enough pays over $176,000 per year in rent to the district for its space in the Brosnan building with annual 3% increases as per their contract Assistant Superintendent of Business Robert Howard said that UPK providers are unable to pay teachers and staff appropriate rates for early childhood education and are therefore running into a quality of education and service issue “They want to maintain a high quality of service but the system is going to break,” he said The providers “aren’t crying wolf,” he added and have been tightening their belt for a number of years but it has now reached the point of breaking Howard said that these complaints have been brought to the state directly and officials responded that the grant was designed as seed money with the expectation that districts would eventually pick up additional costs “This is the time to act in terms of advocacy and conversations with our representatives,” Howard said To listen to the discussion on UPK funding during the February 13 board of education meeting, click here; the conversation begins at 2:30:00 2024 at 1:13 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Aaron Hall was seriously injured in a collision in Commack while riding his motorcycle on Oct NY — The community is rallying to support an East Northport man who was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash in Commack earlier this month Aaron Hall, 25, was involved in a collision with a car making a left turn onto Morewood Drive around 5 p.m Hall was rushed to the hospital and immediately underwent brain surgery to be treated for complications and multiple brain bleeds Hall is also suffering from two broken wrists Staff of the ICU are running tests to find out if Hall has suffered any other injuries "The goal is to ensure he will be stable," Doyle wrote on the fundraiser "All we know at the moment is that he has a long road to recovery ahead." People can donate to the GoFundMe for Hall here The fundraiser has raised more than $7,500 of its $250K goal as of Tuesday "We are asking that you please consider helping us grow a small piggy bank for Aaron when he needs us the most," Doyle said "Aaron is the sole provider for himself and will not be able to work for the foreseeable future The proceeds are going towards his bills and all medical expenses determined young man who is now fighting for his life 2024 at 12:47 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Check out the Northport-East Northport voter guide for the 2024 elections NY — Voters in Northport-East Northport will head to the polls Tuesday New York State Senate and New York State Assembly are on the ballot People can check their voting status and polling place on the New York state website Early voting is scheduled to run Oct. 26 through Nov. 3. Early voting locations and times can be found here There are 28 early voting locations in Suffolk County Polls on Election Day are slated to be open from 6 a.m The following are the key contested races that will be on the ballot for Northport-East Northport voters House of Representatives — NY's 1st Congressional District ContactDigital Edition/ Legals North shore residents are reporting a huge increase in drone activity - especially at night - when mysterious drones crisscross the night sky and flocks of drones gather - and then hover over a particular house or building - and then zoom away Northport and East Northport have been hotbeds of drone sightings on Long Island - but nothing like the hundreds of drone sitings in New Jersey and not something else," reported Melinda Valdati of Greenlawn on the NextDoor app An East Northport resident reported large groups of drones zooming back and forth over his house Some of the drones have been the size of cars with one New Jersey Sheriff sending up his own commercial-grade drone to follow and track the huge mysterious drones - only for the drones to quickly lose his drone in the dark Governor Kathy Hochul was forced to close Stewart Airport in Westchester as drones were spotted in restricted airspace US Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) accused the Pentagon of “hiding the truth” about the drones, which, he claimed, were coming from an Iranian spy “mothership.”  At least until all three of Iran's Spy Motherships were located still in the Persian Gulf Some cynics declare that it is just like New Jersey in 1938 when Orson Welles scared the nation half to death with the radio drama “The War of the Worlds,” which took place in the Garden State the focus of unexplained and unsettling phenomena moved West where and California led the nation in UFO sightings by people scanning the sky for signs of extraterrestrial life in the TV show “The X-Files,” epitomized their type with his basement office poster declaring: “I want to believe.” there has been many reports of mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey These sightings have sparked concern among residents and local officials concerns which have not been alleyed by the responses of the FBI Here are the key points related to the sighting of drones in the US Northeast: Size and Behavior: Many of the drones reported are described as larger than typical consumer drones—some even likened to the size of SUVs Some of the drones have been reported to display triangular light patterns Some of the sightings report groups of up to eight drones hovering or moving in formation.They often fly in coordinated patterns especially when hovering over sensitive infrastructure such as reservoirs and power lines and sometimes operate with their lights off These drones can fly in challenging weather and remain airborne for hours which suggests advanced technology beyond hobbyist use Impact on Safety: Some drones have disrupted emergency operations was reportedly delayed from transporting a critically injured patient due to the presence of drones in the area Government Responses: Local and state officials have demanded greater transparency and federal action and lawmakers from New York and New Jersey have urged federal agencies like the FAA and DHS to investigate The Biden FBI and DHS claim that none of the sightings have been verified to have been drones at all But critics - from President-elect Donald Trump to the New York Post - dismiss the Biden government flacks as habitual liars “We are supporting local law enforcement in New Jersey with numerous detection methods but have not corroborated any of the reported visual sightings with electronic detection,” US authorities said in a statement it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space.” Speculation and Theories: There are several theories or speculations about the phenomenon Some express concerns about foreign involvement The Pentagon dismissed Congressman Van Drew’s claim “There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States," said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) suggested that the drone sightings may be coming from just one private company that is testing its own experimental drones “Each of these drones have a green light on the right So either the aliens and Iranians are complying with FAA law or it's something else,” stated Kinzinger "You're allowed to fly over military bases and sensitive national security areas small planes and pilots do this all the time and there's no restriction on it." Other experts cite the recent loss of a significant amount of nuclear material from a New Jersey shipping crate and theorize that the drones might be government drones scanning New Jersey and New York for a nuclear radiation signature  an Army research and development facility about 35 miles west of New York City Calls for Action: Lawmakers are pushing for stronger regulations on drones including enhanced tracking technologies and stricter penalties for misuse Some have even suggested grounding all drones temporarily or involving the military to address potential risks Twisted Cow Distillery was named Best Distillery on Long Island in the 2025 Bethpage Best of Long Island Awards NY — Twisted Cow Distillery of East Northport was named Best Distillery on Long Island in the 2025 Bethpage Best of LI Awards John Pawluk, a resident of East Northport, founded and opened Twisted Cow Distillery in November 2022 so that he could be closer to his family and community after many years working as a former CPA and CFO on Wall Street Pawluk said winning the award is "meaningful" because enough people cared to take time out of their lives to vote for Twisted Cow "There's no way we would've done this without multiple people voting many times," Pawluk told Patch I never asked for a single person to vote other than a social media post to make people aware of the opportunity We're just figuring things out and we're doing the best we can we can use to continue to grow and spread the word about the cleanliness the craft and care that goes into the products." Pawluk and his team strive to create the highest quality spirits made from the ingredients and local grains grown in the salt air and sun-fed farms of Long Island’s East End Pawluk said he hopes to release his first bourbon by either the end of 2025 or in 2026 Time is an ingredient of every distilled product Twisted Cow has already been recognized as Long Island's best Pawluk said "horsepower" is the reason for his business's fast start — even if he himself looks at it as a "slow start." "I literally push as hard as I can to the point of physical failure every day," he said "I couldn't do that without the tremendous group of friends Pawluk said he does not know what sets Twisted Cow Distillery apart from other distilleries on Long Island since he does not factor what competing merchants do in to his day-to-day at Twisted Cow He only considers what he could do to the best of his abilities I don't consider what others are doing and make that a determining factor Pawluk pointed to a drink called "Twisted Richter's," which he made thanks to a collaboration with a local farm A rum-based vodka serves as the base of the spirit I don't see anyone else doing it," Pawluk said "I felt we needed to make an agave product." "I'm not trying to compare myself to other distilleries," he said I didn't set out to do it for any other reason than I thought it would be interesting Most reposados are made with a previously used barrels Most reposados use previously used barrels or very light toasted barrels It's meant to bridge a reposado or tequila drinker into a bourbon drinker There are flavors that come together that are very unique." Pawluk also hosts events and raises money for many organizations that support veterans Pawluk's business goals for 2025 are increased sales and making lots of bourbon He intends to make as much bourbon as possible through April he intends to focus the rest of the year on sales and getting his product into stores and people's mouths Twisted Cow Distillery obtained an alcohol day permit that will allow the business to sell its products at fairs and festivals "I really want to use that and get a truck," Pawluk said "I'm trying to get around Long Island and have some fun Create some smiles and create a little buzz around what we're trying to do different." 19-year-old Andrew Reid at his East Northport home which he’s transformed into a winter wonderland with salvaged and refurbished holiday decorations the brilliantly lit brainchild of 19-year-old East Northport resident Andrew Reid has been getting a lot of attention lately – for the sheer size of the holiday display the dozens of refurbished decorations used to create it who is collecting donations for the first Ronald McDonald House in Suffolk County A 2023 graduate and former member of the Northport High School track team Reid salvaged his first holiday decoration – a unicorn – while out for a run four years ago He and his three siblings have since turned that initial find into a competition of sorts each of them picking up decorations otherwise destined for the landfill while out jogging More than 85% of the Oxbow Court display is made of items that were found fixed and refurbished by Reid; even the materials used to restore the old broken or simply forgotten items are secondhand with the goal being not to purchase something new but to “find something that fits,” Reid said old scarf and sunglasses – all have been used to breathe new life into snowmen Many of the characters from “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Island of Misfit Toys” can be found in Reid’s display too including some of the misfits – “outcast” toys with features that are a little different or unexpected are no less valuable than their “typical” counterparts While this isn’t Reid’s first holiday display Restoring the decorations is a yearlong effort when the neighbors see him setting up Christmas lights in the summer Reid’s mom Christine told the Journal; but installing 91,000 lights takes time Reid’s car is decorated with another 1,600 lights he dressed up as Santa and his friend as an elf and drove around town handing out candy canes The attention is nothing Reid shies away from; he’s out on his driveway every night talking to visitors to Misfit Island and loves the smiles he gets when he’s out on the road He likes this idea, he said, because he feels like it’s bringing the community together to support a bigger project. Participants can come back year after year and see their ornament still a part of his display. All are encouraged to come down to 14 Oxbow Court in East Northport and place a homemade and/or repurposed ornament on the tree; just keep in mind that the tree will be left outside so it has to withstand the weather. Reid is also collecting broken or no longer wanted Christmas tree ornaments to use for a future project. Andrew Reid (in Santa hat) greeted a steady stream of visitors to his Misfit Island holiday display this past Friday evening. Get the latest news delivered to your inbox. Copyright ©2025 Northport Journal. All Rights Reserved Variety Child Learning Center (VCLC) will open at Bellerose Avenue Elementary School this July which provides specialized education services is in contract with the district to lease the building through 2035 a nonprofit organization providing specialized services to children from six weeks to eight years of age announced yesterday that it is fully on track to open its facility at Bellerose Avenue Elementary School in the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District this summer VCLC will be opening preschool classes for 3- and 4-year-olds with special needs These special education classes are taught by master’s-degree-level early childhood special education teachers as will child and parent therapy as provided by licensed social workers the school will begin universal pre-kindergarten classes in collaboration with the Northport-East Northport school district There will be both general education classes as well as integrated classes (special class in an integrated setting VCLC is now one of four full-day UPK providers for the Northport-East Northport district for the school year beginning in September 2025 “We are excited to support children with special needs and their families in western Suffolk County Our offerings will include expert and compassionate services that have been the hallmark of VCLC since our founding in 1966,” said Janet Koch “We look forward to nurturing young learners as they begin their educational journey.” All of VCLC’s programs and services are provided by a combination of New York State- licensed and certified teachers students will have the opportunity for indoor and outdoor play and will participate in various specials and performances in music Each classroom is outfitted with state-of-the-art technology for interactive learning; a typical daily schedule will include learning centers and opportunities for social interaction VCLC’s curriculum adheres to the New York State Department of Education’s Pre-Kindergarten Next Generation Learning Standards social studies and social-emotional development in a setting that fosters and nurtures natural-environment learning opportunities for all children according to a press release from the organization Variety Child has schools in Syosset and Levittown For more information about the Northport-East Northport location’s specialized educational offerings The lease agreement between the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District and Variety Child Learning Center for areas of Bellerose Avenue Elementary School was signed by both parties last September. The lease term begins on July 1, 2025 and ends on June 30, 2035. For details on the lease agreement as reported by the Journal in September 2024, click here 2024 at 5:22 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}James King was seriously injured in a crash in East Northport on Saturday morning NY — Three people were injured — one seriously — in a collision in East Northport on Oct The family of the man seriously injured in the crash is raising questions about the nature of the collision The family of James King, 22, told Newsday that they learned about the crash after a Suffolk police officer knocked on their door The officer left an Accident Information Exchange Form listing McGay's father though the officer told the family that Ryan McGay was driving Suffolk police told Patch on Friday that a 2012 Mazda crashed at the intersection of Elwood Road and Saratoga Avenue at 12:03 a.m was seriously injured and brought to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip Liu and a 16-year-old girl in the Honda were brought to local hospitals for treatment of minor injuries A news release was not immediately released by the department following the crash Liu was driving an Uber with King as a passenger at the time of the crash did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment on Friday His sister said that the family cannot get answers as to why the accident report listed John McGay as the driver when they have been told that Ryan McGay was driving and allegedly ran a stop sign before striking the Uber The family does not know if a Breathalyzer test was done King works as a security guard with the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office Witnesses told PIX 11 a car "full of teenagers" hit the Uber Lindsey Veni, King's cousin, told Pam Robinson of Huntington Now that King was hospitalized after the crash but his family could not find him for hours until they located him at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip She also told the outlet that police questioned how much King had to drink despite him being a passenger Veni said King was responding to family members' voices and squeezing their hands as of Wednesday King was airlifted to North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset on Wednesday so he could undergo treatment by retina and eye specialists 2024 at 2:46 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}AJ Nuccio of East Northport was born medically fragile His family has entered him in Good Housekeeping magazine's Baby of the Year competition with a $25K prize on the line NY — An East Northport toddler who was born medically fragile is in the quarterfinals of Good Housekeeping's Baby of the Year national competition AJ Nuccio had a "very wild first year" of his has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — the lining of his heart is too thick — wears a helmet 23 hours a day because of having a flat head from laying in the NICU for the first six weeks of his life developed infantile spasms — a form of seizures — at 8 months old and was put on medications that caused him to stop eating He underwent surgery to have a gastrostomy tube placed into his stomach He was evaluated and benchmarked as a 5-month old he’s the happiest little baby and smiles constantly which is why I think most people are so willing to support him," Kristy told Patch "It’s easier to love a happy The winning baby's family would receive $25,000 from the magazine Kristy said the family would use the money toward getting AJ "any services possible." The Nuccios hoped their son would be able to sit up for his first birthday Their new goal is that he can sit up on his own for Christmas but the hours being offered are all when my husband and I work and we are trying to be able to have people come to our house and get services to help AJ sit The magazine's competition is held in support of Baby2Baby, a national nonprofit organization that strives to provide children living in poverty with diapers The contest is not specifically for babies with medical issues like AJ but the Nuccios hope to provide their son with more services if they win The family currently pays for physical therapy and feeding therapy They hope to hire a speech therapist since AJ is completely non-verbal AJ qualifies for early intervention through New York State but a shortage of providers has left the Nuccios without help and AJ has made it through all the group rounds AJ made it to the top 1 percent of the competition People can vote for AJ in the Baby of the Year contest here "AJ has had to endure more than most of us will in a lifetime," Kristy said "AJ has the brightest personality and the happiest disposition He loves to watch 'Good Morning America' every day and laughs every time the hosts on the screen laugh Baby of the Year should recognize AJ because he continues to laugh and smile every day going to four to five doctor appointments each week and being physically ill several times a day due to all the medications and medical problems he has." People can vote once daily for free after validating their identity through Facebook "AJ's community has supported him so tirelessly for the last month through this competition," Nuccio said "It's true when they say it takes a village to raise a child Thank you to everyone who has made it part of their daily routine to vote for AJ every day and thank you to everyone who has donated to support AJ with additional votes He is so lucky to have so many people who care about him colleagues and anyone who was moved by AJ's story enough to support him." but AJ continues to smile at every person who walks past him at the supermarket "Baby of the Year should be a Baby who brings joy to those around them and makes people feel better than they were before they spent time with this boy who smiles and plays with anyone," she said All 18 Legislative District Veteran of the Year honorees including East Northport resident and Suffolk County Veteran of the Year Eugene Leavy (seated East Northport resident Eugene Leavy was recognized as the Suffolk County Veteran of the Year for the 18th Legislative District during the Suffolk County Legislature’s General Meeting on November 26 Leavy is a United States Army veteran who served during World War II The occasion was made even more special as it also marked Eugene’s 99th birthday Leavy was a member of the 100th Infantry Division and fought in the Ardennes Offensive Leavy and his fellow soldiers endured overwhelming odds as they defended the critical 80-mile American defensive line in the Ardennes Forest despite being outnumbered and under-equipped awarded after he risked his life to deliver a map and a critical message under heavy enemy fire he worked with the Army Military Government to prevent former Nazi officials from occupying positions of influence Leavy and his wife settled down and raised two children Leavy continues to inspire those around him he enjoys flying and often shares his firsthand accounts of World War II with local high school students offering valuable lessons on history and sacrifice He is also a proud grandfather to three grandchildren and a great-grandfather to nine “Eugene Leavy embodies the true meaning of service sacrifice and resilience,” said Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-18th L.D.) along with all 18 Legislative District Veteran of the Year honorees his commitment to rebuilding in its aftermath and his dedication to educating future generations are nothing short of extraordinary It is an honor to recognize him as Legislative District 18’s Suffolk County Veteran of the Year and I thank him for his enduring service to our country and community I’d like to also extend my congratulations to all the other district’s honorees and thank them for their service.” 2025 at 3:15 pm ETThe Northport-East Northport Union Free School District raised more than $47K at its annual St (Courtesy of Northport-East Northport School District)Northport-East Northport Union Free School District raised more than $47K at its annual St (Courtesy of Northport-East Northport School District)NORTHPORT NY — The Northport-East Northport Union Free School District raised more than $47K at its annual St staff and community members from across the district in support of childhood cancer research Participants raised money to help fund lifesaving treatments and support for children battling cancer an author and cancer survivor; Karen Paquet a dedicated parent advocate and staff member; and Dr a pediatric hematologist at Stony Brook University Hospital Baldrick’s-funded research on patient care the League of Legendary Heroes recognition was awarded to Northport High School Assistant Principal Dr Terrence Hinson for his exceptional commitment to the cause Several participants were recognized for their years of involvement and fundraising efforts Joey Pizzo and Pierson Prestano earned the title of Squire for three years of participation Karen Paquet and Augustine Stuertz achieved the Knight level for their seven years of dedication John Braun and Nora Nolan were honored as Barons for reaching an incredible 20 years of participation "The district is incredibly proud of all who participated generosity and dedication in making a real difference in the fight against childhood cancer," the district stated 2024 at 4:50 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Dakota Rose pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 3-year-old child while videotaping the abuse and disseminating the video Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Tuesday (Courtesy of Suffolk County District Attorney's Office)EAST NORTHPORT NY — An East Northport man pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 3-year-old child while videotaping the abuse and sharing the video was charged with use of a child in a sexual performance and first-degree sexual abuse "This defendant sexually exploited a young child and thought he could get away with it," Tierney said in a news release "Thanks to the tipster who reported this vile criminal activity to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) this defendant will be held responsible for his crimes and a young victim will be spared from having to testify at trial." the Suffolk County Police Department Digital Forensics Unit received a tip from the NCMEC that that child sexual abuse material was disseminated via social media from a home in East Northport Investigators said they executed a search warrant at Rose's home on March 12 and seized numerous electronic devices They identified both Rose and the toddler from the disseminated video on one of the seized electronic devices Two additional videos of child pornography were found on Rose’s phone and Rose exchanged all three videos with other people through both social media and text messages 14 and is being represented by Scott Zerner Rose is expected to receive a sentence of 7 to 15 years in prison with 10 years of post-releasesupervision 2024 at 12:18 pm ETThe Perles family's 20th annual Halloween Bake Sale is scheduled for Halloween (Greg Perles)The Perles family's 20th annual Halloween Bake Sale is scheduled for Halloween NY — The Perles family's 20th annual Halloween Bake Sale is scheduled for 3:30 p.m The event will be held rain or shine until supplies run out cash and checks made out to the Northport Food Pantry For those who would like to donate prior to the event Any questions can be emailed to bakesale39@gmail.com Zoe Perles, 24, said the event started in 2005 when she and her older sister (aged 7 and 5 at the time) first came up with the idea "It is surreal to know that our little bake sale is turning 20 years old this year," Zoe told Patch "My heart is so full after two decades of watching my friends and community-members gather at Kalmia Street to show their support We could not do this without them and we wouldn’t want to If you are one of the thousands of people that have bought a baked good or donated supplies over the past 20 years said the bake sale started as a single tray of cupcakes on a folding table "I don’t think any of us could have anticipated that it would turn into such a community-wide event 20 years and thousands of dollars later," Dylan said and community members who have helped make this fundraiser possible over the last two decades." A single tray of cupcakes has transitioned into pies Gluten-free and non-dairy treats are available said she loves that she grew up with the bake sale — she was less than a year old when the family started it "It’s absolutely insane to me that this Halloween will be our 20th anniversary," Kyra said "I believe we all have a responsibility to give back and our fundraiser is such a fulfilling way to do that while also connecting with our community." said the 20th anniversary "feels like a time to look back and reflect." "I am so proud of my three daughters who have brought creativity keeping it going through hurdles like Hurricane Sandy and the pandemic without ever missing a year since 2005," Brenner said "I'm also moved that so many people have become invested in this project right along with our family and have made stopping by for some baked goods and conversation and helping the food pantry a part of their own Halloween tradition." Brenner's grandmother always rounded up the dollar amount to the nearest $100 raised That tradition passed from Brenner's grandmother The Dowling and Canfora families logged many hours baking making signs and knocking on doors with the Perles family Brenner's aunt contributes her "famous" chocolate chip cookies and the Perles family's relatives and friends who live out of town send donations East Northport Middle School and Northport High School students have volunteered their time over the years Local businesses donate supplies and hang flyers in their shop windows "Many of our daughters' former teachers come every Halloween," Brenner said a huge shout out to our neighbors on Kalmia Street for their support and contributions and to all of our patrons who come back year after year and prove that we can accomplish good work when a community comes together to care." Businesses that have donated to the cause include: 2024 at 9:34 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Northport​-East Northport Patch readers were most interested in these crime stories Northport-East Northport Patch reports on the crimes that take place in the community from the mundane all the way up to the most severe Here is a look back at five of the biggest crime stories of 2024 A 67-year-old East Northport man was found guilty by a jury of sexually abusing his great niece for years, beginning on her last day of kindergarten, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Wednesday. Read more Two women were arrested during a raid at an East Northport massage parlor on Tuesday, Suffolk police said. Read more A Huntington Station woman and man pleaded guilty to crimes associated with the sex trafficking of a then 14-year-old girl, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Wednesday. Read more An East Northport man pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 3-year-old child while videotaping the abuse and sharing the video, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Tuesday. Read more A gas station attendant was arrested after he was accused of forcibly touching a teenage girl in Huntington Station earlier this week, Suffolk police said. Read more The Northport Leg Lamp Lighting at The Firefly Artists is one of many holiday events coming up this month and into December the Mayor of Northport and local hardware store proprietors stumbled upon an old gag gift the Northport Leg Lamp Lighting has grown to become a beloved community celebration of local talent and the Village’s unique ability to come together over something whimsical – while creating something spectacular the Northport Leg Lamp Lighting event draws roughly 1,500 people to Main Street Community support helps cover event costs like professional lighting and sound enhancing future events and funding local sponsorships and scholarships Contributions from local restaurants for pre- and post-event gatherings as part of a delicious “Taste of Northport” are welcome which also help highlight the “Shop Local” spirit of the season East Northport Holiday Tree LightingTuesday, December 3 at 6pm Clock Tower Park (corner of Bellerose Avenue and Larkfield Road)Join the East Northport Chamber of Commerce for the East Northport Holiday Tree Lighting. Come say hi to Santa, and enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies courtesy of Copenhagen Bakery. Northport Fire Department Santa Run Saturday, December 21, schedule TBDThe Northport Village Santa Run, an annual tradition hosted by the Northport Volunteer Fire Department, transports Santa and his helpers around the Northport Village area all day long (and into the evening!). A schedule with times and locations will be released closer to the run. Northport Menorah Lighting Thursday, December 26, 7 to 8pmJoin the East Northport Jewish Center for an annual tradition that celebrates the Jewish Festival of Lights with song, prayer and the lighting of the menorah.  Correction: An earlier version of this article listed a different date for the Northport Menorah Lighting. That date has since been updated with the correct day and time. international food truck festival and more The East Northport Chamber of Commerce’s biggest fundraiser of the year begins tomorrow an annual festival that attracts tens of thousands of thrill seekers This is the East Northport Festival’s 29th year An ongoing highlight at the event is the festival band stage which over the years has become a music festival in itself with new bands performing all weekend long A recent and highly anticipated addition to the event is an international food truck festival featuring Long Island‘s most popular food vendors Organizers first included the food truck festival in 2022; over 15 trucks are participating this year this time featuring local craft beer favorite Cow Harbor Brewing Co. directly across from the band stage inside John J Walsh Memorial Park at 190 Larkfield Road in East Northport from Friday A festival craft fair with approximately 200 vendors will make way for many shopping opportunities along Larkfield Road on Saturday from 11am to 7pm and Sunday from 11am to 6pm Buzz and Jessie from a Toy Story will make a special appearance for a meet and greet in the Chamber tent over the weekend (Saturday from 12 to 2pm and Sunday from 12 to 1pm The sixth annual donut eating contest is scheduled for Sunday There will be raffles, games of chance and skill, and 16 rides for kids (and adults!) of all ages. A kiosk ticketing system will be in effect, accepting cash (exact change only), credit card, Venmo, Zelle, Apple Pay, etc. Advance sale, pay-one-price, unlimited ride wristbands are also available online for $37 (with fee) or $40 at the door Pre-sale pricing ends at 4pm on Friday September 6th This year also marks the retirement of East Northport Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Loriann Pineo who has been helping organize the festival since 2015 The chamber will celebrate her accomplishments on Saturday Admission to the festival is free. Festival hours are Friday, September 6 from 6 to 11pm, Saturday, September 7 from 11am to 11pm and Sunday, September 11 from 11a to 6pm. For more information about the festival, including ride lists, height requirements, music schedule and more, see the many fliers on the East Northport Chamber’s Facebook page 2025 at 4:16 pm ETBarkfield Road is running a Valentine's Day initiative for shelter dogs through this weekend (Courtesy of Barkfield Road)Barkfield Road is running a Valentine's Day initiative for shelter dogs through this weekend NY — The team at Barkfield Road is keeping shelter dogs in their hearts this Valentine's Day weekend is hosting a "Give a Cookie — Get a Cookie" initiative from Feb For every bakery happy bone treat bought for a shelter pup Barkfield Road will donate a second cookie The first batch of treats was donated to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter on Friday and the Barkfield Road team is set to drop off its second batch to the Huntington Animal Shelter next week "All of us here have our own rescue dogs," Carlstrom told Patch "We always think of them when there's a holiday; we're all getting things for our own dogs Our customers are coming in and getting things for their dogs We're always thinking about the shelter pups who don't have their home We always want them to get something special on days like [Valentine's Day]." Customers are invited to write a special message for the pups on the bags of the treats The Barkfield Road team will be reading them to the pups during drop-off Carlstrom said the initiative has gone "amazing" so far "We had a really great turnout from our customers," she said Barkfield Road also runs a Christmas initiative for shelter dogs: a secret Santa The business works with the shelters in the townships of Hempstead and Huntington "We're always looking to put a spotlight on the local shelters that we work with," Carlstrom said We've been trying to do more initiatives to put a spotlight on them and the dogs there to encourage people to adopt locally." Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters. Click here to download the iPhone app Young Andrew Reid is something of a holiday-time magician Having turned hundreds of discarded decorations into a dazzling spectacle of lights and cheer outside his home in East Northport the 19-year-old has transformed other people’s trash into pure seasonal gold Reid’s holiday lights display — appropriately titled “Misfit Island Christmas Spectacular” — features nearly 100,000 lights and over 500 decorations Reid estimated that 85 percent of his display are “broken discarded and repurposed” decorations that he retrieved from piles of garbage on curbsides He spends much of the year fixing and restoring the items What’s more is that the display at his home at 14 Oxbox Court continues to grow: people drop off used decorations daily and Reid continuously updates his masterpiece [I] usually try to fix things up,” Reid told Fox 5 New York It’s my chill moment of the day.” “I’ve been accepting donations of anyone’s discarded decorations to fix or repurpose and add to next year’s display [so that people can] watch their ‘misfit decoration’ come back to life.” [Click here to sign up for the Greater Long Island newsletter and we’ll keep you posted.] Reid’s Midas touch is helping to raise thousands of dollars for the new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook University raising money for children with illnesses is what motivated him to begin decorating his family’s colonial home four years ago “I wanted to raise money [for] kids with illnesses why not do a display as well and also save things from the landfill at the same time?” Reid Here’s why Dolly from Rudolph was marooned on the Island of Misfit Toys Another unique aspect of Reid’s display is that it is interactive. Reid invites visitors to his walk-thru display to add their own ornaments to the newly introduced Misfit Tree (a discarded Christmas tree left on the side of the road). There’s also an elf hunt that asks kids — and adults — to find the 15 elves hiding among the display. Reid said his light show runs every day through Christmas, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. — even when it rains. He added that he is also accepting outdoor extension cords and timers that are in good condition. “As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure! This is truly a treasure!!” he wrote on Facebook. Reid has been turning plenty of heads with his expansive display, including Fox5 News. Their report is below. This type of over-achieving is nothing new for Reid. As a senior at Northport High School, Reid received the SEPTA Achievement Award, which is presented to students who have demonstrated perseverance in their academic and personal life, sensitivity to the needs of others, and involvement in school and community organizations. A student-athlete who ran on the high school’s track team, Reid also earned the Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk-Helen Strobl Memorial Scholarship, which goes to students who have demonstrated academic achievement and are pursuing a career in the field of nursing. Bekyk hierdie plasing op Instagram 'n Plasing gedeel deur Northport-East Northport UFSD (@nenschools) in East Northport (Facebook) and Andrew Reid (inset Tap here to see what’s happening