Obituary: Joann Brandi
Ben Vitale

With great sadness I must report the passing of one of the founding members of the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch, in Patchogue Village… Joann Brandi! If you enjoy the quality of life that you currently have here in Patchogue Village, you can thank Joann for that! Twenty-five years ago, Patchogue Village was not a desirable place to live! Joann and her Neighborhood Watch, tirelessly worked with the police department, village officials, and the Patchogue Village public safety department to identify undesirable activity… and It worked! Our village is now a wonderful place to live!

The following obituary was sent to me, by the Brandi family, for publication in Joann’s home town; Patchogue NY.

On November 1, All Saint’s Day, Joann Stella Brandi, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, dearest friend to many, and a living saint to those who knew and loved her, was called home to God at age 71.

Born and raised Joann C. Stella in the Village of Bellport, she graduated from Bellport High School in 1965 with honors, while receiving the home economic award for the top student in the field. Her love for cooking, baking and making her own clothes as a young girl was carried on throughout her life as a mother and grandmother. She attended Suffolk County Community College and received a degree in Secretarial Science, which landed her a job as a secretary to Brookhaven Supervisor Charles Barraud.

After several years, she returned to college to earn her Master's Degree in Elementary Education at Adelphi University. Receiving an offer to teach in the Sachem school district at the elementary level, she declined when she discovered she would be expecting her first child in January of the following year. The principal told her she could work until January and then stop to have her first child. Her reply was that it was not in the best interest of the children to get attached to a teacher and then have her leave them at mid-year, so she declined the offer. That was her way, always thinking of others over herself.

She raised three children, Justine, Joseph and Jeffrey before turning back to the workforce. Another teaching offer was also declined, this time to stay home to take care of her ailing parents. Finally, she accepted a position to teach preschool at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel only because she would be off on Fridays, allowing her to run her parents to various doctor appointments. Again, always putting others first. She went on to teach at Mt. Carmel for over 20 years.

Her love for her children was unquestionable, and her greatest enjoyment was to be with her ten grandchildren who gave her unconditional love. Growing up without a grandmother was something she always missed, so she wanted to make sure her ten grandchildren would not be deprived of the opportunity. On each child’s birthday, she would design a poster-sized birthday card which took her days to hand craft. Pictures, drawings and stickers of their favorite characters and hobbies were featured, along with a picture album containing over 100 photos she had taken throughout the year, as well as a hand-written story expressing her deep love and affection. 

She made every holiday the most love-filled, special and memorable events. Easter saw huge baskets filled with goodies, toys and clothing along with a 300 egg hunt and the making of her special Easter bread. Christmas was her favorite, as Santa would visit her house with ten huge bags of toys that she shopped for throughout the season.

As a member and past chairperson of the Village of Patchogue Architectural Review Board for over 17 years, she was very proud and dedicated to serve her village with her artistic talents and creative vision. She was responsible for many suggestions on the various signs and building exteriors that exist throughout the village today. A member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, Columbiettes, she was instrumental in numerous fundraisers and charitable events, raising countless funds for worthy causes. She also served as an election inspector for the Suffolk County Board of Elections for the past 40 years.

A strong religious woman who attended mass everyday, she found her greatest joys from the little things in life. Never without her trademark radiant smile and the most positive attitude, her aim was to always please others over herself. Her faith was her strength, and her family was her life. The most beautiful and unique woman who made everyone she came into contact with feel special and loved.

The woman they called “Nanny” will be greatly missed.

 Also published in Patchogue Patch :   https://patch.com/new-york/patchogue/obituary-joann-brandi 

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Block Party On Northridge Street Patchogue

Ben Vitale

Our thanks to Vicki Fleming, for planning the first annual Northridge Street Block Party. Vicki personally delivered letters to every house on Northridge Street, on three separate occasions, suggesting that we have a block party. A committee was formed and an organizational meeting was held.

One of our neighbors whose name is Joe Wood, set up his drums on the front lawn, and allowed the children to play “a real set of drums.” We all know that children love to play, “a real set of drums!” 

Children we're everywhere! LOL! The group applied for a permit to have this party, because the road had to be closed. The village of Patchogue provided wooden barricades and Northridge Street was closed from 12 noon to 8 PM. On Saturday Sept. 22, 2018.

Everyone brought food items to a central location at Victoria Antoine’s house.  Every resident contributed money to pay for the DJ. The committee selected the “All Island Disk Jockey” to preside over this event. I was impressed with their ability to deal with the children. They provided holla hoops, and instructed them as to how to play many games.

Two young children were driving a toy electric Jeep vehicle. Opinion:  I was totally amazed… they were actually driving their electric vehicle, as if it were a Drivers Ed class! I couldn't believe that these children drove their mini Jeep vehicle better than 99 percent of the drivers I encounter on the Long Island Expressway! LOL! Opinion:  A few more children were driving their toy electric scooters, They too were driving with the skill of an adult! The children were free to do what they wanted to do, because the road was closed to traffic at both ends. No cars!

Another neighbor provided a Cotton Candy machine. Now what child could say no to Cotton Candy.

One of our neighbors Dennis provided a bounce house for the children… they just loved to play in it!

I consider myself to be more critical than “Alex Ehente, the coffee bean inspector.” Vicki and the committee did a world class job! As a very critical outside observer i would give Vicki and the committee a ten!

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118^TH US OPEN at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Ben Vitale
(Photo Credit Ben Vitale)

I attended the US OPEN, and would like to share a few of my observations with you. I smiled when I saw Phil Mickelson, intentionally violate the rules of Golf, by hitting a moving ball to make it stay on the green. It was obvious that he was disgusted with the condition of course. From a spectators standpoint…  I was dismayed to see the golf balls roll off of the green and just keep rolling for 100 feet. If the USGA likes challenging golf courses, they should have the next US open on Mount Everest! But the services of Sherpas would be needed, instead of caddies! LOL! Everyone would be forced to carry a bag of coca leaves, for altitude sickness! LOL!

   

I couldn’t think of a better person to make a political statement about the condition of the golf course than Phil Mickelson. The USGA dared not disqualify him for his actions… I would be the first one to display my displeasure! You don’t mess with everybody’s friend Phil Mickelson! LOL!

My party of four purchased tickets to the Trophy Tent! It is a good idea to purchase tickets to one of the specialty tents, just to have a place to get out of the sun, relax, and watch the monitors in an air conditioned environment. The USGA placed volunteers at many locations to help those attending have a positive experience. I was very impresses with a volunteer who serviced the trophy tent.  A volunteer worker whose name is Michelle Burt, helped my party of four, feel like royalty!

I attended the competition with my wife and two sons… we all agree that the event was spectacular! It is worth attending at any cost!

The logistics of this event was outstanding! Special Long Island Rail Road trains were used to shuttle thousands of people from Penn Station, and Eastern Long island, to this event. Complimentary parking was provided at Francis S. Gabreski Airport. 90 deluxe fully equipped deluxe motor coaches, from four states, were used to shuttle the many guests to the event location in Southampton, NY. The Police did a great job at directing traffic. The US OPEN staff did a great job at opening and closing walking paths across the Fairways.

I would rate this event as five star handicapped friendly. A Mobility Scooter Tent was located in Fan Central, for fans with disabilities, compliments of the USGA and Pride Mobility. Actually anyone who could not normally walk three to four miles might consider using a scooter. They had many scooters that were available.

The only thing that was missing was temporary street signs, showing the locations of the various venues. Otherwise the event was fantastic, and I will be attending the next US OPEN when it returns to the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, in Southampton, Long Island, New York.. 

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How To Fix Our Senate And Congress
Ben Vitale

It is obvious that nothing can be accomplished in our Senate and Congress! May I suggest sending 25 crates of tea to the British, with a letter of apology! The Republicans can then move into the House of Commons and the House of Lords! LOL! All female representatives must wear hats, and all male reps must wear wigs! LOL!

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Women And Wilderness Survival: Could You Survive?

Ben Vitale

It appears that society seems to favor the male population when it comes to survival training. Young boys are encouraged to join the Boy Scouts in order to learn skills that society believes all males should learn. One of those skills is survival training.

Recently a friend of mine’s daughter was convinced by her girl friend to go hiking in the mountains. The proposed hike was supposed to be an afternoon hike that only lasted a few hours. The females were planning on being home by three PM. The actual names of the hikers are irrelevant… I am being intentionally ambiguous, to protect the identity of the young ladies.

Many hours passed by and the young ladies were not able to find the trail that would have brought them back home. The sun set and it was getting cold! They did not have extra clothes or survival reflective blankets. They soon learned that it is not easy to start a fire with materials that are available in the woods. They were not able to start a fire.

Their situation soon became critical, and they began to shiver from the cold! Hypothermia was now a real possibility and threat!  Fortunately the young ladies saw a camp fire in the distance and walked up to that location. A family was comping there and was able to help the females with the supplies they needed. The girls spent the night next to the camp fire. The females arrived safely at home the next day.

The girls brought three items with them, a pocket knife, matches and a compass. That was all they had. This article is not intended to be a survival guide… one must consult a survival expert in order to learn that skill. A camper should carry about 30 survival items in order to have a reasonable chance at survival.

I cannot understand why survival skills are taught primarily to males and not to females. I met a woman who is a Girl Scout leader. We started to talk about survival skills in the girl scouts, and I soon was advised that survival skills were not taught to females in the Girl Scouts. I can’t understand the rationale behind this… a female can get lost in the woods just as easily as a male can! The women told me that she wanted to provide survival training to the girl scouts, but was prohibited from doing so. The reason… Insurance! I was very surprised when the Girl Scout leader told me that many girls want to join the Boy Scouts because of the survival training.

I personally believe that all females should be versed at survival skills just as most men are! I see this as a casual shortcoming of our society. Females are often stereotyped as being delicate! Women are not delicate and are absolutely capable of learning these survival skills!  

Please follow the link below, after you finish reading this article. The link presents some of the survival equipment that is usually carried when in the woods. I also carry one additional item… a pocked map GPS with plenty of spare batteries! Do yourself a big favor and talk to a person who is versed in survival skills! Could you survive?

https://www.wildernesscollege.com/survival-gear-list.html

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