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 

Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! (Left click "Comments," below) *Our Thanks to Google/ Blogger for Hosting Our Site.

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!

Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! (Left click "Comments," below) *Our Thanks to Google/ Blogger for Hosting Our Site.

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.. 

Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! (Left click "Comments," below) *Our Thanks to Google/ Blogger for Hosting Our Site.

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!

Please leave a comment... 
No registration required! 
Please leave a comment... 
No registration required! 
Please leave a comment... No registration required! (Left click "Comments," below) *Our Thanks to Google/ Blogger for Hosting Our Site.

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

Please leave a comment... No registration required!

Please leave a comment... No registration required!

Please leave a comment... No registration required!

 Left click "Comments," below)

 *Our Thanks to Google/ Blogger for Hosting Our Site.

Innocent looking Christmas Tree

Ben Vitale

This Innocent looking Christmas tree is not so innocent! This year our holiday season started out the way it should start, if we were in “Santaland.”  For the first time in over 50 years it was snowing when we bought our Christmas tree! “Oh how Christmassy!” LOL! What could be better than that? Snowing while buying a Christmas tree! Wow! My wife Marie and I were wallowing in the spirit of Christmas, as we were buying our Christmas tree! “It’s snowing!” “It’s snowing!”

When we decided which tree to buy, we called an attendant who would normally wrap the tree and tie it on top of my car! As soon as we told the attendant that we decided to buy one of his lovely 12 foot Christmas trees I suddenly saw an expression that radiated fear, on the attendant face! He said… “Oh … You are going to have to wait until the other men come back from lunch… I can’t deal with that tree by myself! I then told the attendant that I could help him! The attendant dropped the tree to the ground and we had to put the Christmas tree on a rolling cart! To my amazement both of us could not lift the tree onto the rolling cart… we had to slide it onto the cart! Hummm! In all of the years that I have been on this planet, I have never seen or dealt with a Christmas tree that was that heavy!

I asked the attendant why the tree was so heavy, and he told me that the tree was full of ice and snow! I guessed that the tree that we had just purchased weighed about 500 pounds! No wonder we couldn’t lift it! LOL!

After just a few minutes, the Christmas tree swat team came back to work, after their lunch break! The task at hand is to get my Christmas tree that was full of ice and snow, on top of my SUV! Thank God that I have roof racks! LOL!  The Christmas tree swat team rolled the tree over to my car! Three muscle bound young man were needed to get my Christmas tree on top of my SUV! As I watched I could see their arms trembling from the heavy load, but they finally got it on top of my car!

The next task at hand was for two senior citizens to duplicate the power and force of three young men! “Ya Kidding me!” LOL! Marie and I had to use engineering techniques to, lift our Christmas tree! Please look at photo number two and three… What is that strange rope hanging from the back of the tree? To put it into simple terms, we needed the mechanical advantage of a Block and Tackle, to get our Christmas Tree mounted in its stand!

I’m sure that my innocent looking Christmas tree, is laughing at us! LOL! If you look carefully at photo number one, you might be able to see the tree with a big sneaky smile! LOL! After the tree was mounted and decorated Marie and I, the two senior citizens, were also smiling back at our tree! LOL! We beat the show, ice, muscle, and brawn, using science and technology! LOL! Have a very merry Christmas! We will! We are still smiling at our Christmas tree, and our Christmas tree is smiling back bat us!  LOL 

Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! (Left click "Comments," below) *Our Thanks to Google/ Blogger for Hosting Our Site.

Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts Announces New Executive Leadership 
Ben Vitale (From press release)
Photo credit: Benny Migliorino 

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (LONG ISLAND) - June 1, 2017 - Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts (PTPA) has named Gary Hygom, producing director, Bay Street Theater of Sag Harbor, as its new executive director and appointed Christopher Capobianco, current PTPA board member, as the new chairperson of the board of directors. Capobianco will replace current Board Chairperson Barbara Kane, who has served more than 10 years on the theater board. Gary Hygom, who will report to the board of directors, will assume his position as executive director on June 5. Capobianco assumes his new role immediately. Together they will work to lead Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts in a new creative direction.

Gary Hygom brings a new vision to Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, after 20 years of working at the 299-seat Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, where he was the producing director. At Bay Street Theater, Hygom was responsible for developing innovative programming, such as a classic American film series featuring special celebrity guests like Julie Andrews, Alec Baldwin, Lauren Bacall and Eli Wallach to name a few, interviewed by renowned film critic Jeffrey Lyons.

Gary Hygom said: "I could not be more excited to take on this wonderful new challenge, creating new programming and working within a diverse and vibrant community." He continued, "I look forward to collaborating with the board of directors, building on their 19 years of success and establishing this beautiful venue as a major performing arts center."

In 2004, Hygom needed to shift creative directions at Bay Street Theater. He took a fading cabaret series on Monday nights and replaced it with a headline comedy series featuring up-and-coming comedians. Some of those comedians, like Zach Galifianakis and Amy Schumer, later went on to become comedy gold and have since appeared in numerous Hollywood blockbusters like "The Hangover" film series and "Trainwreck." Hygom has also been credited with bringing live music back to Bay Street Theater. He has attracted everyone from local musicians to G.E. Smith and Roger Waters.

Newly appointed PTPA Board Chairperson Christopher Capobianco said:

"The board looks forward to working with Gary as he brings tremendous talent and more than 20 years experience working in theater and the arts to our organization." He added, "This is a big moment for Patchogue Theatre as we seek to expand our reach as a regional performing arts center while continuing to nurture and support the thriving local arts scene here in Patchogue."

Board Chairperson Christopher Capobianco has been involved with Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, since the nonprofit organization's first call for volunteers in 1999. He was asked to join the organization's board of directors in 2005, and soon after that he curated the popular local music series, "Live in the Lobby," which ran for 12 seasons. His passion, and that of his fellow lobby volunteers, made "The Lobby," as it's called, one of the premier intimate venues on Long Island for local original music.

Capobianco also organized the first Patchogue Folk Festival and the first Patchogue Arts Festival. He helped the Patchogue Arts Council (PAC) establish the PAC Lobby Art Gallery and encouraged Worldwide Voices, another nonprofit organization, to bring its local musical theater series "The New Musicals Project" to Patchogue Theatre.

  Photo credit: Benny Migliorino

Also published on: https://patch.com/new-york/patchogue/patchogue-theatre-performing-arts-announces-new-executive-leadership

 
Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! (Left click "Comments," below) *Our Thanks to Google/ Blogger for Hosting Our Site.

Tommy Sullivan Honors our Veterans 
Ben Vitale

Tommy Sullivan, one of the founding members of that famous group "Johnny Mistro and the Brooklyn Bridge," Pays tribute to our veterans on this Memorial Day weekend, by playing a song called "God bless the USA," made famous by Lee Greenwood. 

(Click the arrow below to start the video.)

On Sunday May 28, Tommy Sullivan entertained a very large crowd at the Pindar Winery in Peconic, NY.  Tommy is a veteran himself and was honored to pay tribute to his comrades! The true meaning of Memorial Day is sometimes forgotten because everyone has Barbecues on this holiday weekend! It is obvious by looking at the video, that the true meaning of Memorial Day was not forgotten at this gala event!

Kudos to Tommy Sullivan for supporting the true meaning of Memorial Day!

Also published in Patch online news:  
https://patch.com/new-york/patchogue/tommy-sullivan-honors-our-veterans


Please leave a comment... No registration required!

National Police Week 29th Annual Candlelight Vigils

Ben Vitale

National Police Week is a week-long reflection on those police officers who have fallen in the line of duty. It occurs the second week of May each year. Events are being held nationwide and are supported by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Long Island grassroots organizations are holding local events on Saturday, May 13th at local police stations to pay respect to and to show support of those officers who are working side by side with local residents to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

Judy Pepenella, our neighbor, who is a founding member of the Conservative Society for Action and Grassroots Community Organizer will be presiding over our local National Police Week Vigil.

Date: Saturday, May 13th, 2017

Location: Suffolk County Police Department 5Th Precinct, 125 Waverly Ave, Patchogue, NY 11772

Time: Arrive at 7:45 pm Vigil from 8:00 to 8:30 pm

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

Also published at:  https://patch.com/new-york/patchogue/national-police-week-29th-annual-candlelight-vigils


Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! Please leave a comment... No registration required! (Left click "Comments," below) *Our Thanks to Google/ Blogger for Hosting Our Site.

Entertainers that Force Trump Jokes, on their Customers

Ben Vitale

This week my wife and I attended a show which included four comical performers. The show began with one of the comedians presenting a “Trump joke.” As we know… 50 percent of our population will be offended when a Trump joke is presented, and the other 50 percent will applaud that action.

Before I start I am advising the readers that this article is being written to be intentionally ambiguous! Hummm? Ambiguous! Yes… I am intentionally withholding the names of the performers, and the actual location of that performance. I am trying to focus on an issue and not the performer! It makes no sense to dump the entire blame on a particular entertainer or a particular catering house. The location of eastern Long Island is close enough.

As a result of the two trump jokes, a young lady, who was a complete stranger, came over to me and said… “I am pissed! I spent all this money to get away from all the (b*** s***) of life, and look what this guy does to me… A trump joke! I am pissed!” Actually my wife and I were pissed, as well as the couple that we were at the performance with. So… One joke and five people are angry at the performer!

After the performance was over, the leader of the group was passing his business cards around! Opinion! It appears that the entertainment industry feels like it is OK to Piss-off 50 percent of their audience, and then pass a business card to them! The problem is that an entertainer never knows who is in his audience. In this particular case I have a friend that is in the entertainment industry, and is always looking for entertainment at the right price! I took the entertainers business card and presented it to my friend with a written warning that this group is inclined to present Trump jokes! Is that warning desirable on ones resume? Absolutely not!

I am totally amazed! Entertainers continue to do and say things that their customers do not want to hear! Customers that pay hard earned money, to buy tickets, to attend a performance, expect to be entertained, not upset!

I have seen two mainstream entertainers suddenly disappear from the industry, after engaging in Trump bashing, at their performances! If I owned an entertainment venue I certainly would not hire someone who would disenfranchise 50 percent of the people that paid to see a performance at my establishment.

This article represents my own personal opinion, and perception of this issue ! We really would like to hear what you think about this issue. Is it OK to have entertainers upset their patrons? 

Please leave a comment... No registration required! 
(Left click "Comments," below)