Patchogue Nature Preserve

Ben Vitale

I was relaxing in my living room, and a yellow object caught my eye while looking out of my window. A closer look revealed the yellow object was jumping from branch to branch in the tree that is in my back yard!  I have had visits from the local animals before; could it be Leo the Raccoon, wearing a yellow jacket! LOL!  What is yellow and jumps from branch to branch in a tree? Hummmmm!  Yes! A Squirrel carrying an ear of corn that is almost as big as he is! LOL! I always thought that Squirrels ate acorns, not corn! LOL!

For decades have been having a problem with the local wildlife actually eating through my plastic trash cans, in order to get at the delicious food scraps! My wife Marie is beyond a doubt one of the world’s best Italian cooks; even the local animals know that! LOL! View the following link after you have finished reading this article!  http://patch.com/new-york/patchogue/bp--leo-the-raccoon-loves-italian-food

It gives me great pleasure to introduce the newest addition to the “Patchogue Nature Preserve;” Let’s have a round of applause for Olivia the squirrel, who is now swinging from the branches of my holly tree, while eating corn on the cob! LOL!

I have just been advised of a new addition to the Patchogue Nature Preserve; more details to follow in a separate article! LOL!

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Should Patchogue Village Outlaw Plastic Bags?
 Ben Vitale

I am dismayed at the fact that a group of people have suggested outlawing single use plastic bags in our village. I am not in favor of unilaterally outlawing plastic bags at the expense of our merchants. There is no way of predicting how the general public will respond to the lack of single use plastic bags! My tax money should not be used to make a “green statement;” it should be used to service our village.

I would be in favor of creating an expanded system to deal with recycling plastics, and metals, as opposed to outlawing plastic bags! “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!” Our local merchants have been working very hard to create and maintain the Patchogue that we now enjoy! It is not easy to stay in business! This ban on plastic bags would have the effect of picking the pockets of our merchants, and possibly put a few of them out of business.

Instead of unilaterally outlawing Plastic bags and putting our merchants at a disadvantage, may I suggest an expanded recycling program that will bring money into the village. 

Before you say or do anything, please read the article that is referenced by the link below!  As per the article, re-usable shopping bags present a health hazard. Cross contamination from dirty shopping bags is dangerous to children! Cross contamination from someone else’s dirty shopping bag could contaminate your food!

Please read the article linked below!
https://recipeland.com/news/reusable-grocery-bags-bad-for-e-154

I am not in favor of making my grandchildren sick! All it takes is one drop of liquid from a meat product on a candy bar that might ultimately be handled by a child! Meat products must always be separated from all other food products!

We need recycling of plastic instead of outlawing plastic! The health aspect of this issue may have been overlooked!

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Candlelight Vigil to Support and Honor Our Local Police, May 13, 2015

Ben Vitale

Abstract report from Judy Pepanella , Patchogue,  NY

Location: 5th Precinct , Waverly Avenue, Patchogue, NY

This Vigil event was organized in less than 24 Hours, because of an unexpected health issue of one of the organizers! We had 17 people at the vigil (14 citizens and 3 officers). I saw about six additional people waiting in the parking lot of our Fifth Precinct, Suffolk County Police Department, on Waverly Avenue, Patchogue. A few people left the event prematurely because they did not know that the Vigil was to be held along Waverly Avenue, as opposed to in the PD parking lot!  ​

Many, who attended, came because of the press release that was posted in our neighborhood watch blog, the Maple Avenue Gazette. A few people such as Melanie and her son Nicco (10 years old) stopped by on their way home from the YMCA. ​ ​

One of the officers who stood with us parked his patrol car and put on the flashing lights. Vincent Rasulo, read the list of fallen officers at 8:​35.  We briefly discussed the origins of National Police Wee​k. All have committed to come back again next year and bring more friends.

Judy Pepanella, met leaders of our local Knights of Columbus chapter, and was informed and invited to their event in November, when they do a reading of all local names of the fallen officers, firefighters and military veterans.

 

We hope to see all of you next year at Vigil 2016.

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Candlelight Vigils to Support and Honor Our Local Police

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

May 13th, 2015

CONTACT: Judy Pepenella

JudyPepNY@gmail.com

Date: May 13th, 2015

Time: Arrive at 8:00 pm, Vigil from 8:30 to 9:00 pm

Location: Patchogue - 5th Precinct 125 Waverly Ave, Patchogue, NY 11772

Members of the Conservative Society for Action, Tea Party of Suffolk County, Long Island Patriots, local community residents and civic associations will stand united on May 13th, 2015 to pay respect and show support to our local police.

“National Police Week was established to pay special recognition to those  officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Last week Officer Brian Moore was laid to rest. This candlelight vigil gives us another opportunity to pay our respects to all officers killed in the line of duty.” said Judy Pepenella, Founding Board member of the Conservative Society for Action

Please wear blue or bring blue ribbon, a flashlight or an led candlelight.

 

This is not a political event, we are not soliciting speakers. This is a grassroots
community event .

Other Candlelight Vigils locations:

Nassau County:
Long Beach Police, 1 W Chester St, Long Beach, NY

Suffolk County:

Huntington - 2nd Precinct 1071 Park Ave, Huntington, NY 11743
Selden - 6th Precinct 400 Middle County Road, Selden, NY 11784
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Patchogue Theatre Gala 2015

Ben Vitale

On Saturday April 25, 2015, the Patchogue Theatre sponsored its first grand Gala. By definition a Gala, is “a social occasion with special entertainments or performances.” This first Gala, which is a fundraising event, was a smashing success!

I believe the Ronan Tynan has appeared at the Patchogue Theatre about eight times; history has proven that the residents of long Island really enjoy his performances. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised at the performance; it was not what I expected! I expected a formal vocal recital, but the performance actually included very pleasant humorous interaction between Ronan Tynan, his world class accompanist, soprano Rebecca Farley, and the audience!

Rebecca Farley is Dr. Ronan Tynan's student at the university of Kentucky. Ronan asked Rebecca Farley, a 24 year old young lady from Kentucky, to perform at our Patchogue Theatre without being given much notice! After listening to her beautiful voice; I do indeed know why Ronan asked Rebecca to perform at our theatre!

Mayor Paul Pontieri and John A Krieger presided over the ceremonial portion of the Gala. Former Mayor Steve Keegan was given a commendation for actually initiating the rebuilding of our Patchogue Theatre during his 1996 through 2000 tenure as mayor of Patchogue Village!

The crowd of about 700 people that attended the Gala made a statement that is loud and clear! Yes we have many restaurants and bars that we all patronize and enjoy, but there is something else! In a village of only 10,000 residents 700 of them voiced their desire to attend events that are classical in nature! Yes Irish music, opera, and classic music, I was pleasantly surprised! Yes…Patchogue residents do indeed appreciate the arts!

I hope that our Patchogue Theatre decides to sponsor other Gala events in the future!

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Residents:

This is an important notification from the Suffolk County Police Department!

MANW

Female knocks on door and lures resident to back yard, while accomplice burglarizes house. Please read!

https://local.nixle.com/alert/5396627/?sub_id=1205369

 

MANW (Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch.)

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Poseidon Once Again Sailing the Seven Seas
Ben Vitale

 

Reminiscent of the 1972 movie the “Poseidon Adventure,” we have our own ship, called the Poseidon in Patchogue River! From Greek mythology, Poseidon is the “God of the sea!” In the 1972 movie the “God” did not do much good; the ship which was named after him was turned upside- down by a rogue wave!

Patchogue River is currently being dredged, to allow for continued boat traffic. The company that is doing the dredging operation named one of its vessels the “Poseidon;” LOL, that is so cool! OK! The “Poseidon” that is performing the dredging operation is not as luxurious as the ship that was in the movie! OK! It is only a barge! LOL!

After seeing the movie, I realized that the God “Poseidon,” does not have a very good track record of protecting ships that are named after him! LOL! The photo above is of the Patchogue River “Poseidon.” As you can see, the stern of the barge is very close to the dock! If I were the Captain of this Barge, I would ponder on the past performance, of the God “Poseidon,” and his track record for protecting ships at sea! Even if the ship was intentionally placed near the dock, I would not trust the God “Poseidon!” LOL! “Look what he allowed to happen in the movie!” LOL!

Our Patchogue “Poseidon,” is located at the Sandspit Marina. You might want to rent the movie; I enjoyed it! LOL!

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Chazz Sells Out Patchogue Theatre
Ben Vitale

 

On Sunday afternoon, March 8, 2015, "Chazz Palminteri" performed his one man screenplay ”A Bronx Tale” to a sellout crowd at the Patchogue Theatre, Patchogue, NY.  With standing room only, Chazz marveled the crowd with his enactment of his childhood, growing up in the Bronx.  Chazz has performed his screenplay “A Bronx Tale” throughout the country. “A Bronx Tale,” has been , voted the number one show in Las Vegas. 

Sponsored by the Patchogue Knights of Columbus Monseigneur corporation, Joe Brandi along with theatre manager John Ashline and board member Ryan Murphy were able to convince Chazz to take his award winning show to Patchogue. Chazz agreed to perform for the Patchogue Knights of Columbus in support of their charitable endeavors. 

After the show Chazz was presented with a plaque from the K of C, along with a certificate making him an honorary member of Patchogue Knights of Columbus Council 725.  He commented that his father would be proud, as he was a big supporter of the Knights of Columbus.  Chazz was also presented with a proclamation by Mayor Paul Pontieri, on behalf of the Village of Patchogue. 

A plaque was also presented to John Ashline and the Patchogue Theatre for their continued support of the K of C, and all their charitable endeavors.

Pictured above from left to right are: Monseigneur corporation president Joe Brandi, Chazz Palminteri, Mayor Paul Ponteri, and theatre trustee Jack Krieger. 

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Groundhog Causes Multiple Snowstorms

Ben Vitale

 

 

Groundhog Day was Feb. 2, 2015… The groundhog saw his shadowand gave us six more weeks of winter… Unfortunately something went wrong! The groundhog was supposed to stay in his hole until spring but for some reason the Groundhog did indeed leave his “Hole” prematurely; see the photo!

I am speculating that the fumes from my wife’s wonderful cooking may have attracted the Groundhog, and caused him to leave his hole prematurely! My wife was preparing a complete Italian dinner in our kitchen and was also using the kitchen vent fan to clear smoke from a frying pan; this may have caused the problem! I am convinced that the smell from the Italian food saturated the outside air! What Groundhog in his right mind would stay in his subterranean home, when scraps from a delicious Italian meal, would soon be available in the local garbage can! LOL  

I would guess that the Groundhog was indeed responsible for three or four snowstorms that we did not need or want! After I identified the problem I put the Groundhog in a cage and sent him to my brother in Fort Lauderdale Florida! At this time of the year, if this Groundhog sees his shadow, Florida will get six more weeks of lovely balmy weather! LOL

My brother will send the Groundhog back to me next winter; but I will make sure to vent the Kitchen fan on the other side of my house! LOL!

Have you seen a Groundhog on your property?

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Surprise Random Voices in Patchogue 

 Ben Vitale

Last week I had lunch at two of the new Pub/ Restaurants in Patchogue. Everyone around me seemed to be very friendly so I decided to conduct an ad hoc poll; asking the restaurant patrons a question about our village, Patchogue, NY.

I asked the same question to each of seven people who were between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. The Question… “What do you think of the “new Patchogue village?” I was very surprised at what happened! I was only anticipating an answer but I got more than I expected; I got an emotional response! Each of the seven people that I spoke to replied to me with a brilliant display of facial emotion when I asked the question; “what do you think of the new Patchogue village?” OMG! All seven people were actually emotionally attached to Patchogue! I never expected the emotional response from all seven people!

In all cases the “Bars,” “Arts Community,” and the “Patchogue Theatre,” were undeniably the magical Ingredients that when put into a shaker, produced a drink that is second to none! These people, most of which are residents of Patchogue, were very proud to be part of the new Patchogue! I actually saw it in their faces! I could believe it because I feel the same way! My niece who is in her 40s just loves the New Patchogue! She says that our village is once again like it was when she was a teenager; at that time the village was a meeting place, where friends would congregate! I see the “New Patchogue,” as a parallel to what already exists in Germany, France, and Italy; European residents usually go to their respective town square, to socialize.

All of the young people that I spoke to made a comment about the Patchogue Village New Year’s Eve Celebration; they were speechless! 2,200 residents attended this community function. The monumental attendance is beyond a doubt the seal of approval from the younger generation of Patchogue residents!

 Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion, but the opinion of the younger generation carries the most weight! The young residents are indeed the future of Patchogue Village!

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