FMC: Here’s the Thing about Political Debates

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by Jaci Clement, CEO & Executive Director, Fair Media Council

LONG ISLAND, NY – Finally. After years of outsized spectacle theatre masquerading as political debate in this country, the modest staging for the Cuomo-Nixon debate at Hofstra University provided the perfect backdrop to witness a journalistic renaissance.

Debates aren’t supposed to be about hooplah and merchandising. They’re supposed to be about questions, asked by journalists who press for direct answers. CBS2’s Maurice DuBois and Marcia Kramer did just that, and accomplished far more.

By now, you’ve seen enough news coverage of the debate to know it was spirited. Yet, despite a raucous audience and continuous interruptions, DuBois seamlessly guided the debate at a controlled pace. He and Kramer asked question after question, gleaned from what New Yorkers wanted to know. When empty soundbites and political spin filled the air, they asked the same question again. Sometimes, even a third time. And they got answers.

Political debates throughout the age of political correctness have treaded lightly on how far should a journalist go in his or her questioning before it appears disrespectful. That all-important follow-up question to be asked an evasive (or clearly lying) candidate? It’s hovered on extinction during the last few election cycles. Along with it, fact checking seldom reported for duty, too. Things got even worse after those town hall-style events came along, featuring pre-approved audience members asking pre-approved questions. Perhaps this is where we hit rock bottom. After all, It used to be the actual television format that was blamed for low quality debates.

Back to the issue of respect: At this moment in time, with the press as the “enemy of the people” campaign continues to garner headlines and fill Twitter feeds, it was imperative that DuBois and Kramer illustrate how repeated questioning does not equate to disrespect. Rather, it highlighted journalism for its importance and succeeded in bringing meaning to the exercise of political debating.

That’s something that’s been missing for a very long time and it’s here, in local and statewide races, where local news — which outranks national news on credibility scales — must lead the way in the rebirth of a better brand of journalism for America.

FMC: Tips for Becoming Media Savvy

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by Jaci Clement, CEO & Executive Director, Fair Media Council

LONG ISLAND, NY – If the news of the day is making you talk back to the TV and curse whenever your phone dings, it’s time for an intervention.

Here’s the thing about news: It should be informing and inspiring you, not polarizing you and your friends (whether real or imagined on Facebook). News should be what you turn to in order to help build a better life, make smarter decisions, and provide a greater understanding of the world right now. Stories in the news should open your mind and your heart.

But, we’re living in a time when news has changed dramatically from what you remember as a kid. Technology changes and evolves, and it takes the news business with it. What we’re left with at the moment is a highly fragmented media landscape that requires some effort to plow through it, and the time to find the sources worthy of your time and your mind. Here’s what you need to know.

From Left to Right, Inside and Out

To get the full picture, use a variety of news outlets. Today’s heightened political atmosphere has people turning to news outlets that lean their way — which is ok, but you need to challenge your own thoughts. Otherwise, what’s the point of life? The classic standard here is: If you watch Fox News Channel, then watch CNN, too. Go ahead, compare and contrast. Now, thanks to the internet, there are loads more news outlets that cater to the splintering of ideologies, so add those in, too. In general: Get news from the left and the right, and from points in between.

Don’t stop there. You also want to get news from inside the country, as well as from outside the country. Inside: Think PBS, NPR, Voice of America. Outside: BBC, Al Jazeera, France 24 — the list here can be endless, thanks to the internet and cable packages with loads of channels you’ve probably never found much use for — until now.

Use a Variety of News

Just like a food diet, a healthy media diet encourages the use of different news outlets to feed your brain with different stories, ideas, sources, and opinions. Be sure to switch up your news sources often. If you’re like a lot of people and rely on your Twitter feed to bring you the day’s news, make it a point to routinely add more news sources.

Do Your Research

Here’s the good thing about America: Anyone with a broadband connection may now be a news outlet. Here’s the bad thing about America: Anyone with a broadband connection may now be a news outlet.

Take a moment to find out what company owns the news outlet you’re using, as well as their own stated purpose. Most websites offer an “About” link. Be sure to check that out, so you know what to expect from them.

Sources Over Headlines

The thing about technology is, it has trained us to click on headlines without much regard for the source. Before you invest your time in reading an article or watching a video, check the source. Many established media outlets are mimicked online by fake news sites, so it’s important to check closely. Here are a few tips on that.

News Before Opinion

Reporting the news and talking about the news are two entirely different endeavors. Prioritize your time by focusing on news reports, first and foremost, before you turn to talk, commentary, op.eds., letters or analysis pieces.

Why? The former gives you the facts. The latter gives you a persuasive argument for choosing a side. This is where polarization comes in. A classic complaint about Fox News Channel, in general, is that it’s “faux news” or simply, biased. A couple of things to that point: The bulk of the Fox News schedule is comprised of talk shows, not news reporting. (A look at the weekend schedule showed 16 hours of talk shows in a 24-hour block.) The idea that cable channels are “all news” is a dated one: CNN airs documentaries and even food shows now.

Watch whatever you like, but know what you’re watching.

News. It’s a Tricky Thing.

People use the term “news” rather generically, much akin to the way people say, “I need a Kleenex” when they mean a “tissue,” or “Make a Xerox” instead of a “copy.”

For our purposes, we define news as reporting factual information. Nothing more, nothing less.

In the Battle of Local vs. National, Make Time for Both

Another misconception about today’s news is that one news outlet will bring you everything you need to know. Long gone are the days you could read the daily paper and leave it at that. The state of the news industry today has diminished newsrooms and resources for reporting — no surprise, you know that — which has resulted in management pivoting on their products. What’s happening here in real time: News outlets are choosing their sweet spots and focusing their energies on where they find themselves most effective. For instance, The New York Times has cut local news reporting to reallocate resources to focus on national news reporting.

What does this mean to you? Change your habits to accommodate the changing product offerings of the news outlets. Read your local community newspapers for news impacting your backyard. (People unfairly regard local newspapers or online news sites as “insignificant” when, in reality, local news covers the issues closest to you. The size of a news outlet has nothing to do with its impact.)

Remember, too, democracy begins in your backyard, which is what local news covers. National news guards the front door of the country. You need both to understand what’s happening.

All Major Stories Are Local to Somewhere

Local news outlets are the ones with the boots on the ground and ready access to the right sources. So when a big story breaks that you are interested in, Google to find the local news outlets in the area.

For instance, when the tragedy at Sandy Hook happened, the community news sources in the area of Newtown were airing and publishing news updates that were running as much as two hours ahead of national news outlets.

Fact vs. Opinion

Being able to distinguish the difference between fact and opinion is the basic foundation needed to successfully navigate today’s complicated media landscape, yet studies tell us this is a real weakness in our culture. Some say as many as one out of two college graduates can’t distinguish between fact and opinion; others say as much as 70 percent of the America population struggles with this. Before you react to news, ask yourself if it’s a fact or opinion. Hand-in-hand with this advice: Pay attention to labels.

The news media does divide news into sections and offers a table of contents or programming schedule. Pay attention to those labels to help guide you through the products.

A big problem in the news media today is that it doesn’t have a standardized labeling method like movies do. Technology has made media converge into multimedia offerings for the use of the consumer, but inside a news outlet, newspaper people still think of themselves as a newspaper. Same with radio, TV, cable and magazines. The industry hasn’t yet found the strength of joining together to create a true user experience that’s simple and streamlined.

Until that happens, you have to do the work.

Read More than You Watch

Written stories, whether in print or online, give you more depth and details than radio and TV stories. Think of written stories as the first place to first get your news, then turn to radio and TV for updates on that news.

Today, the typical television news story runs about two minutes long. A radio report? About 35 seconds. These formats can’t tell you everything you need to know, that’s why you need to read.
Why are the formats so short? That’s how long you’re willing to pay attention.

No One Story Tells the Whole Story

One news story on a particular topic doesn’t tell the whole story. Think of a news story as something more along the lines as one slice of a pie, and you need to see how other news outlets are covering the story in order to get the full pie.

Now, I ask you: What other diet encourages you with pie? -:)

Museum of American Armor Announces Lawrence Trivigno of Bethpage Federal Credit Union Appointed to Board

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(Long Island, NY) President and founder of the Museum of American Armor, Lawrence Kadish, has announced that Lawrence Trivigno, Assistant Vice President of Business Development for Bethpage Federal Credit Union, has been appointed to serve on the museum’s board. He joins former New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Ed Blumenfeld of BDG, Ltd., Michael Polimeni of Polimeni International, Frederick Daum of PSEG Long Island, Michael Sapraicone of Squad Security, Steve Napolitano of Amtrust Title Insurance Company, Rev. Calvin Butts, president of SUNY at Old Westbury, and Reese Dameron, Esq., an attorney with the New York law firm of Boies Schiller Flexner LLP.

Lawrence Trivigno. Photo Credit: Jim Lennon.

Lawrence is a graduate of SUNY Farmingdale with a degree in Computer Programming & Information Systems and is currently pursuing an additional degree in communications. A Deer Park resident, he is active in a broad range of volunteer organizations that underscore his personal commitment to worthy causes and the support his employer, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, offers to organizations across the region.

Museum trustee Michael Sapraicone stated, “Lawrence and Bethpage Federal Credit Union (BFCU) represent the powerful corporate commitment our region has to honoring the courage and valor of our veterans. We are delighted to welcome him to the board so that we may be assured of continuing to expand our role as a destination for families to learn more about their own citizen soldiers and to serve as an educational center for our thousands of annual visitors.”

Mr. Trivigno said, “I am deeply honored to be associated with a museum that has breathed life into our American military heritage and the family history of so many New Yorkers. I believe we have a responsibility to keep their individual stories alive and this institution has effectively harnessed armor vehicles for the purpose of achieving that goal. Having participated in one of its programs I know firsthand just how effective it is in fulfilling its mission, and I look forward to building on that success.”

The Museum of American Armor at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, is a living tribute to every American who has worn the uniform and those who continue to defend our nation today. Its collection includes World War II tanks, artillery, armored cars and weapons that broke the back of the Axis powers over seventy years ago.

It is open Wednesday through Sunday, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults; $8 for children 5 – 12 (under 5 admitted free); and $8 for seniors, volunteer firefighters and veterans. Admission provides visitors with access to both the armor museum and the adjacent Old Bethpage Village Restoration. More information can be found at www.museumofamericanarmor.org and on Facebook.

Are Suffolk Residents Defacing Their License Plates to Beat Red Light Cameras?

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(Long Island, NY) In response to growing negative sentiment against Suffolk County’s infamous red light camera program, local residents  and businesses may be taking matters into their own hands in an attempt to find a way around having their vehicles identified – and fined – by the cameras.

In 2009, 50 automated red light cameras were installed in intersections throughout Suffolk County, with the idea being that motorists who flagrantly violated the law by continuing onward when the signal was against them would be caught and appropriately punished for their actions; that is, they would have their license plates photographed and would later receive an $80 fine in the mail.

On paper, it’s a solid plan – after all, countless accidents, injuries, and deaths can be attributed to people who run red lights – but some Suffolk residents started noticing that they were receiving fines issued via the red light camera system that they felt were unfair.

Some tickets were issued because a driver may have made a right on red without waiting long enough before doing so, or because a yellow light was allegedly shortened in an intersection, forcing the driver to either try and beat the red or chance setting up a rear-end collision with the car behind them by slamming on their brakes.

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More than one bus has had its plate defaced. Photo Credit: Eric of Northport.

Soon, allegations were thrown about that the red light camera system was more a cash-grab on the part of Suffolk County then any real measure to improve safety on the roads, something that County Executive Steve Bellone and multiple Legislators – including Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory (D-Amityville) and Legislator Rob Calarco (D-Patchogue) – have denied. However, some lawmakers, such as Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga), have come out publically against the cameras, and some residents – such as the infamous “Red Light Robin Hood” Stephen Ruth of Centereach – have claimed that the cameras are causing more accidents than they prevent.

Ruth has thus far been arrested by Suffolk authorities twice after having sabotaged numerous cameras in order to get his message out, and while his actions have not inspired any copycats as of now, it appears that some residents and businesses may be attempting to combat the cameras in a lower-profile manner.

Eric, a concerned citizen from the Northport area recently contacted LongIsland.com, having emailed us pictures of what he described as a growing phenomenon he’s noticed on Suffolk roadways in his area – vehicles, including passenger cars and even school buses, whose license plates have the appearance of having been deliberately defaced in such a way as to render them illegible, with paint seemingly stripped or scraped off of numbers and letters.

“While driving on the Northern State while about a year ago, I noticed a lot of license plates damaged. I noticed the paint was coming off, but it didn’t seem to be accidental. Just part of the plate, never the entire plate,” he said. “When I started to see it on buses and on multiple cars in parking lots, I began to get the feeling these were intentional. To date, I’ve seen this on anywhere between 50 to 100 license plates. I started taking pictures of this because it’s not right.”

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A bus with a defaced plate stops in a parking lot. Photo Credit: Eric of Northport.

Eric insists that the most obvious reason people are purported to be doing this is to worm their way out of receiving red light camera tickets; after all, if the camera can’t read a car’s license plate number, it surely can’t send that car’s owner a ticket, can they? But while admitting to not being a fan of the cameras, Eric still feels that damaging your license place opens up additional safety issues for motorists, especially if school bus companies are allowing it to transpire amongst the vehicles in their fleet.

“They are defacing their plates because of the red light cameras. There is a direct correlation. People don’t want to change their habits… they want to blow lights and not get tickets. So, people deface their plates to break the law intentionally,” he said.

“As much as I don’t like the red light cameras, they are damaging state property, the plates, and making our roads even more unsafe. If a person with a defaced license hits me or someone else and drives away, we are more likely not to get the number, and someone gets away with it. Now, the school buses are doing it. Our children are on these buses with people who do not want to follow the law. Do we want these people in charge of our children? What if there is an accident because they feel they can get away with blowing a light and then something happen with your kids on those buses?”

LongIsland.com identified two school bus companies from the pictures supplied by Eric – Acme Bus Lines and Logan Bus Company, neither of which returned phone calls for comment on the condition of the license plates on some of their school buses as of press time.

Maggie Saunders of Hauppauge noted that she’s seen several vehicles on the road in recent weeks that appeared to have been deliberately altered – all in the same exact way as described above – and said trying to beat the red light cameras – a program that she personally believes is working to help prevent road accidents – just creates more problems than it solves.

“All things being equal, people shouldn’t be blowing red lights anyway…if you’re adhering to the posted speed limit and not texting or something else you shouldn’t be doing, you should have ample time to react,” she said. “Vandalizing your own license plate isn’t helping anyone, and actually can cause problems if someone needs to identify a car that was involved in a hit-and-run or something. And I’m sure if a cop saw it, they’d give you a ticket. I’m sure there are laws that cover your plates being legible.”

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It would likely be difficult to read this plate from a distance. Photo Credit: Eric of Northport.

Saunders is actually correct. LongIsland.com spoke with Suffolk County Assistant Police Commissioner Justin S. Meyers, who confirmed that police are aware of the issue – he noted that is it only considered to be a minor problem at the moment – but stressed that any action that renders a license plate illegible, either deliberate or accidental, can get a motorist pulled over and issued a summons.

“Though it is not a prevalent issue, the methods we have encountered to obscure license plates include removing paint or utilizing black electrical tape to purposely change the appearance of the license plate digits; and placing plastic license plate covers over the plates which distort the ability to see the plate information,” he said. “Obscuring the ability to see a license plate in any manner is a violation of section 402.1b of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, which is a traffic infraction. This VTL section also covers plates that are dirty or damaged to an extent where it is difficult to read the plate.”

In the meantime, if you are a motorist and are considering taking a belt sander to your license plate in order to stick it to the man, so to speak, you might want to think twice; not only are theSuffolk Police keeping an eye out for such activity, but citizens such as our tipster Eric are as well.

“As someone who shares the roads with these people, I don’t feel it is safe,” he said. “I have to point this out. Enough is enough.”

This article is an opinion piece that does not necessarily reflect the views of its author, the views of the site itself, or the views of the owners of Long Island Exchange. For more information please view our terms of service.

Long Islanders Attend The 4th Annual PinkTie.org Event at Crest Hollow Country Club

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Woodbury, NY – Almost three thousand Long Islanders attended the 4th Annual PinkTie.org Event at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Pink Tie was founded on the idea of bringing sports, networking and charity together; creating an atmosphere of excitement where people can meet and do business all the while coming together for a great cause.

After the success of their first two annual events, Pink Tie decided to launch a new initiative, PinkTie1000. PinkTie1000 is a 100% pass through organization, with the mission to compel 1,000 professionals to commit to contributing $100/quarter ($400 per year). In turn they will collectively cut a $100,000 check to local charities each quarter.

Long Beach Film Festival Founder Ingrid Dodd and Cognac pose for a photo-op.

PinkTie1000’s core mission is to benefit local organizations, nationwide, in the communities that they serve. Pinktie 1000 is predominately volunteer with zero-to-minimal overhead expenses and administrative fees.

This year’s beneficiary is The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation. The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation has been recognized as the premier organization dedicated to research, education, fellowship and patient care in the fields of oncology and hematology in the Long Island/Tri-State area. The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation is committed to the ultimate goal of eradicating cancer through the research programs it supports. But they also recognize that cancer has a very human face. As a result, 40% of the Foundation’s budget is dedicated to patient care at their four Don Monti Cancer Centers, including the Don Monti Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Unit at North Shore University Hospital. For more information please visit donmontifoundation.org.

Pinktie.org Co-Founder Rich Cave and Cognac.

This year musical performance featured Michael DelGuidice & Big Shot – celebrating the Music of Billy Joel. Past PinkTie.org Events have included sports athletes Jim Leyritz, Dwight “Doc” Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Walter “Clyde” Frazier, Otis “OJ” Anderson, Joe Klecko, Renaldo Snipes, Greg Buttle, Bobby Nystrom, Wesley Walker, Kevin Plawecki, Cecil Fielder, Jeff Beukeboom, Eric Anderson, Ed Kranepool, Buddy Harrelson, Erik Coleman, Brent Sopel and Gary Sheffield

During the gala I was fortunate to speak to Co-founder Rich Cave of Pink Tie.

Cognac: Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here at the Pink Tie gala and I am here with one of the founders or rather should I say the brother of the founder. He is going to tell us what this organization is really all about. Introduce yourself to the camera.

Rich Cave: Sure, I am Rich Cave. My brother Mike Cave founded Pink Tie and I have been blessed to work alongside of him for all these years and grow this from just a startup type of event to what it has become today. It’s really unlike anything else that Long Island has seen. It’s not your average sit down dinner with honorees and awards. It really is experiential. It allows our sponsors to interact with the guests.

Pinktie.org Co-Founder Rich Cave and Cognac.

Yes I see that and I have been having a spectacular time. There is fireworks, there is music, there is an Olympic size built in swimming pool with fireworks behind us…more importantly it’s about this wonderful organization. Tell my audience the history of this wonderful organization.

Rich: Our beneficiary this year is Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation. They have been around forty-three years fighting the fight against Cancer here on Long Island.. .really leading the way in the form of research with Cold Spring Laboratories and treatment and North Shore LIJ and North Well Health Group. We could not ask for a better beneficiary. As a young organization the credibility the organization give us is tremendous.

It’s amazing the work that you people do, you are all so dedicated with this fundraiser. How many people are here tonight?

Teresa Steinberg, Cognac Wellerlane and Jennifer Ravell pose for a photo-op at the Pink Tie Gala.

Rich: Close to 3,000 people here tonight.

Wow 3,000 people… oh my God. That is amazing.

Rich: It’s a very humbling experience.

It is a very humbling experience. I wore my pink tie as you can see and you have your pink tie on. I want you to tell my audience where we can go to find out more information. What is the website?

Rich: The website is PinkTie.org. You can go there and find out more upcoming events. Really the message and the premise of this organization is growing your business by giving back. We are trying to convince other Long Island businesses to look at the dollars they are spending marketing wise, look at the dollars they are spending philanthropically and making sure it goes to the right cause.

Pinktie.org event Publisher Paul Anthony of Affluent New York Magazine and Cognac.

Let me ask you something, your brother… what was the story… his family… his wife… did she suffer from breast cancer?

Rich: No actually our aunt my mom’s younger sister died of breast cancer at forty-nine years old. At the time she had six children, none of them had even graduated high school yet, so it was a traumatic experience for our family and it really made us wake up to wanting to take this large number that we have grown into to give back.

One more time, what is the website?

Rich: PinkTie.org.

Reporter Elisa DeStefano and Cognac.

PinkTie.org has become the backbone of Long Island’s fastest-growing philanthropy movement – a collaborative “go-giving” effort uniting Long Island’s socially conscious professionals to make a difference in their community. Last year’s Event raised $300,000 for the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation and hosted to over 2000 guests. This year attendance is expected to once again raise a monumental amount of funds for the Don Monti Foundation, the leader in cancer research on Long Island for over 40 years. 100% of funds raised will go to the cancer cause!

Decorative Hats Abound at the SSMAC 7th Annual Kentucky Derby Brunch

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Ladies and Gents in their finest attire, hats and bow ties, gathered at the SSMAC’s 7th Annual Kentucky Derby Brunch to support The Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Coast Guard and Airmen’s Club.

The Junior Committee of the Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Coast Guard & Airmen’s Club (SSMAC) cordially invited all to attend its Annual Kentucky Derby Brunch and Viewing Party with the addition of the celebration of the America’s Cup races at their headquarters location on Lexington Avenue.


Devin Markowitz with Cognac

Each year the event includes: catered brunch and tasty desserts, open bar featuring Mint Juleps, brunch cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages and of course a viewing of the day’s America’s Cup and Kentucky Derby races.

Guest arrived wearing seersucker suits, yachting blazers, sundresses, silk cravats, bold bow ties, fascinators, sun hats and their nautical best. Supporters also enjoyed a Kentucky Derby Hat and Bow-Tie Parade for a chance to win best bow-tie (gentleman) or best hat (ladies). The horse race raffle and silent auction were equally fun!


Guests wearing their finest Hats and Fascinators

During the event I had a chance to chat with Maruschka D. Valentin, SSMAC Junior Committee Vice-President.

Cognac: Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here at the SSMAC 7th Annual Kentucky Derby Brunch and I am here with Maruschka Valentin who invited me to this event as she always does every year. This is tremendous, what an event.

Maruschka: Thank you so much Cognac. It’s so wonderful to have you here again at The Soldiers’, Sailors’, Marines’, Coast Guard and Airmen’s Club for our 7th Annual Kentucky Derby Brunch. We are so excited with the turnout. We are expecting 150 people here at this afternoon’s event and everyone seems to be having a great time.

Well it’s a beautiful event. The hats are gorgeous, the women are beautiful, the men are adorable in their bow-ties.

Maruschka: Everyone really brings it. It just makes the event that much more because everyone puts so much effort to their clothing, hair, bow-tie choices so it really is a fun afternoon. I look forward to it every year.

Tell my audience how many years you have been supporting this event?

Maruschka: I am one of the vice presidents of the Junior Committee which is a group of young professionals and I have been involved probably about six years now with the club. We hold different events throughout the year but the Kentucky Derby is our main fundraising event. All of the proceeds goes right back to the club so they can pay for their utilities and also keep the cost low for the men and women who are staying here at the club.


Marushka Valentin with Cognac

This is for the Marines and anyone that is in the armed forces?

Maruschka: Yes, It’s for active duty, off duty, retired military also NYPD and NFDY and the club has been in operation since 1919.

Wow, that’s a long time. Now you have these other events here as well.

Maruschka: Yes

Tell my audience….in the winter time you have a Marine Ball, don’t you do that as well?

Maruschka: In October the main fundraiser for the organization is the Military Ball and each year they honor a different branch of the armed forces. So last year was an army year so I am looking forward to see who we are going to honor this year. As the Junior Committee we do other events throughout the year. We usually have a care package event about twice a year where we team up a branch that is serving overseas. We select different items, toiletries, magazines, gum, different things that they may need and we send several care packages over to them with handwritten notes by some of our members and often times we do parties with the New York Young Republicans Club as well for that event. It’s also one of my favorites and in the past we have had a Halloween party and smaller networking Happy Hours throughout the city. So we do what we can to support. The mission of the club is to serve those that serve our country.


One of our Military Service Men, Nick Youmker

You do a terrific job. You really do. I want you to tell my audience where we can go to support, participate and contribute, what is the website.

Maruschka: The website is ssmaclub.org

In 1919, Mrs. Cornelia Barnes Rogers and Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. with General John J. Pershing founded The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Club. In war and peace, without any U.S. Government funding and supported solely by donations of patriotic Citizens, it has ever since been a “Home Away From Home” for over 2,500,00 men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. We have existed now for over ninety years with our warm, friendly, and safe environment providing hospitality and accommodations for 15,000 Armed Forces personnel annually.


Paul Ervin – Winner of the Bow-Tie Contest

The mission of SSMAC is “To promote the general welfare of men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States and its Allies, and their families, by maintaining and offering club and lodging rooms.”

The American Heart Association Celebrates The 53rd Annual Long Island Heart and Stroke Ball at Oheka Castle

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(Huntington, NY) Physicians, cardiologists and American Heart Association supporters gathered to celebrate the 53rd Annual Long Island Heart And Stroke Ball at Oheka Castle in Huntington on May 5, 2016

The Heart Ball and Auction is an annual social event held to recognize outstanding accomplishments of individuals and companies in the area of cardiovascular science and leadership. The evening included dinner, dancing and a silent auction which offered a bountiful assortment of generously donated items.

Former Boxer and Nuitrionist Chris Algieri with Cognac.

The evening celebrated the work, mission, donors, volunteers, and — most importantly — the lives saved and improved because of everyone’s effort associated with supporting The American Heart Association. The Heart and Stroke Ball is always an engaging evening of fun and passion bringing community and philanthropic leaders together. Last year, the Heart Ball campaign raised just over $71 million nation-wide allowing the organization to fund life-saving research and prevention programs in our community and across the country.

The American Heart Association’s mission is building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. This year 2016 Event Chair was Mr. Philip H. Wachtler from Wahtler Knopf Equities. The 2016 Vice Chair was Adam Silvers, Esq, Managing Partner of Ruskin, Moscou, Faltischek, P.C.

The evening’s honorees included 2016 Cardiovascular Science Award Recipient: Dr. Harold A. Fernandez, Chief of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery of Southside Hospital Northwell Health and 2016 Corporate Leadership Honoree Monte N. Redman, President & CEO of Astoria Financial Corporation and Astoria Bank.

Michele Gevat with Cognac.

Dr. Harold Fernandez’ epic journey brought him from the turbulent violence and drug wars of Medellín, Colombia, to the charm and beauty of the mythic classrooms, libraries, and laboratories of Princeton University and Harvard Medical School. On his way to fulfilling his childhood dream of helping others, he endured many struggles. His is a story of inexhaustible love, unfailing determination and human compassion. It shows that in America all dreams are possible.

During the evening I interviewed the honorees including 2016 Cardiovascular Science Award Recipient: Dr. Harold A. Fernandez, Chief of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery of Southside Hospital. He expressed his gratitude and revealed the importance of exercise and diet to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Cognac: Welcome back darlings I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here at the 53rd Annual Long Island Heart Ball and I am here with Dr. Harold Fernandez. He is one of the honorees here tonight. Can you tell my audience about the award you are receiving tonight.

Dr. Harold Fernandez: This award is the Cardiovascular Science Award. It really means a lot to me because it comes from the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association does a lot of work to really work on diagnosing, preventing and treating heart disease which is what I do as a cardiovascular surgeon. I am the Chief of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery of Southside Hospital so it is really an honor for me to be getting this award tonight.

Now there is an interesting story, it sought of is a wonderful story. It is a dream come true for you here in American for you to be receiving this award, am I correct in saying that?

Dr. Fernandez: That is correct in fact you know it is special because I am here with my parents and my family. My story and my dream of helping other people through medicine was made possible by the fact that I had this chance to come to America. I lived here without documents for many years and I came here in a small boat that came through the Bermuda Triangle.

Wow, and you are from Columbia?

Dr. Fernandez: From Columbia, yes, so I risked my life but I did it for the opportunity to really be in a country where dreams are possible.

And they are, most certainly they are many people have had their dreams come true right here in the good old USA.

Dr. Fernandez: That’s right, in fact I told my son and my daughter all the time that I came here before they build a wall around the United States.

Long Island Heart Ball Honoree Dr. Harold Fernandez with Cognac.

That could happen. Tell my audience as a doctor, as a renowned cardiologist, what should we all do to prevent heart disease? What kind of foods should we eat, what kind of diet should we have, what kind of exercise… what is so vital for us staying alive and not getting heart disease?

Dr. Fernandez: I try to make it simple for my patients. I give them three pieces of advice. The first one is to stay active meaning three or four times a week they should cardiovascular exercise meaning fast walking, may be treadmill, jogging, swimming… keep a really close eye on the weight. Initially I tell them not to concentrate on losing weight but to really concentrate on not gaining weight and the third one is to really watch what they eat particularly avoiding saturated fats and really having a mixed diet. I tell them to keep a notebook where they write down things because a lot of times it is easy to forget what we do and what we don’t do and that way they can sought of look at their notes at the end of the month and see if they are actually doing the exercise and watching their weight.

Is bicycle riding, is that good exercise?

Dr. Fernandez: Excellent.

You know I am a cancer survivor. I had breast cancer so now I try to eat only vegetables and beans.

Dr. Fernandez: There is a video on the Internet called “The Last Heart Attack.” I tell all my patients to watch. It really tells the importance of what we should eat in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Long Island Heart Ball honorees.

Tell my audience where we can all go to prevent heart disease and to find out more information? What is the website of the American Heart Association?

Dr. Fernandez: They can just look up the American Heart Association on any search engine and it will bring you to the American Heart Association Website.

Which is Heart.org?

Dr. Fernandez: That’s right.

I also had the opportunity to speak to 2016 Corporate Leadership Honoree Monte N. Redman, President & CEO of Astoria Financial Corporation and Astoria Bank

Long Island Heart Ball Honoree Monte Redman with Cognac.

Cognac: Tell my audience about this award you are receiving tonight, what does it mean to you?

Mr. Monte Redman: Well it is a very special honor because it represents all 1,500 employees of Astoria Bank. Astoria Bank has been doing this for a number of years… helping AHA by raising funds to do all the things they have to do. We are involved with the “Heart Walk.” We have over one hundred employees walking for funds to support AHA and actually Astoria Bank is in the top corporate sponsor of “Go Red.” We have fundraising at our corporate headquarters and we also do it at the branches. This honor for me is representation of all 1,500 Astoria Bank employees who work very hard for AHA because it is a great organization.

Monte N. Redman is proud to be a part of Astoria Bank’s longstanding commitment to fighting heart disease and its ongoing support for the American Heart Association. As a leading corporate fundraiser for Go Red for Women and a dedicated sponsor and participant in the Long Island Heart Walk, Astoria Bank is passionate about its role in promoting heart healthy living throughout the communities it serves.

Singer Amber Ferrari Performs At The Patchogue Theatre For Her Material Girl Concert

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(Patchogue, NY) Singer, songwriter Amber Ferrari dazzled the audience and lit up the stage like a cosmic star performing her special rendition of Madonna’s Material Girl at the newly renovated Patchogue Theatre this past Saturday, April 30, 2016.

Long Island native Amber Ferrari is a recording artist, musician and actress who takes the stage by storm and her performances astound even the most energized entertainer. Amber electrifies the crowd and dance floors wherever she performs! Ferrari packs an exhilarating and emotional punch into every live performance with covers of Melissa Etheridge, Heart, Janis Joplin and more, as well as her own phenomenal original songs. Her many fans delight knowing that no two shows are ever the same!

Renowned for her distinguished Show “Joplin’s Pearl”, Amber continues to electrify the stage. During the first half of her show she performs the music of some of her favorite artists like Melissa Etheridge, Heart, Pat Benatar, Jefferson Airplane and others (as well as her original music)! The second half of her show is dedicated to the greatest rocker of them all, the legendary Janis Joplin. When she steps out on stage dressed as Janis herself and begins to sing you will feel as if you stepped back in time. With complete command of their styles and with authenticity of the music, even the original artists would find Amber Ferrari and her powerful band a “must-see!”

Amber Ferrari’s new show “Material Girl” which premiered this past Saturday, April 30th, was Exhilarating! During the 1st half of the show, by popular demand, Amber performed some of her favorites, as well as her original music. The second part of the show brought audiences back to the 80’s with the Icon Madonna and the hits that got ya’ dancin’ like “Vogue” and “Holiday.”

Before her performance I sat down backstage with Amber Ferrari as she conveyed her excitement about the show and the release of her new CD “Where Your Wishes Fly.”

Cognac: Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here with Amber Ferrari and she is going to be in concert with the Material Girl and today is releasing a fabulous new CD. Amazing how exciting for you to be opening up right here at the Patchogue Theatre.

Amber: It’s very exciting.

Tell my audience… you started out doing this with Janis Joplin and Melissa Ethridge and now the Material Girl… now you are doing it with Madonna. Tell my audience what inspired you to do a whole show about the Material Girl?

Amber: Well it is actually the second half of the show that is dedicated to Madonna and growing up I used to listen to Madonna all the time in the 80’s… I love her music so I thought it would be a really be a really fun show to put together, and I did and we are doing it at the Patchogue Theatre, and I am very excited!

We are sitting here amongst all these fabulous costumes. How many costumes changes are you going to be doing this evening?

Amber: In set we are going to do a mixture of Journey, Pat Benatar, Heart, Adele, The Who, Aerosmith, The Eurythmics and a few of my originals from the new CD that was released today. I have five costumes and for the Madonna set I believe I have a total of seven costumes.

Actress Helen Proimos, Singer Amber Ferrari, and Cognac.

Seven costumes, oh my God. Can you tell us a little bit about the costumes.

Amber: Well for the first half of the show the costumes… I basically selected something that I envisioned that fits the style of music that I am performing. Some of them I had made from a design that I had in my head. Others I found in stores and altered them to my liking. For the Madonna set I had a few things made that matched her, especially The Material Girl Gown that she wore in the video from Material Girl.

Oh my God that is amazing. Now tell my audience what inspired you to be an entertainer, a performance artist?

Amber: My parents told me I was singing before I could talk and I have always loved music. I also played violin through school and high school. I just love music so I think it was something I was born with and it is in my blood. My father is a drummer and my father is performing with me tonight. My mom use to play the clarinet and sang. She did all the school musicals. It is in my blood.

What was it about Janis Joplin that you wanted to emulate?

Amber: Well Janice… do a Janis show came up… I was asked to be in a show called “Woodstock Mania,” Woodstock Theater in Theater 3 years back. I believe it was in 2006, 2005 even and I didn’t think I could sing Janis Joplin’s music–not a rock and roll voice–I didn’t think I was. I was trained classically as a teenager for a year and a half and I was assured by the musical director of Theater 3 who was also a vocal coach of mine she thought I could do it. So I said “Alright if I can do it I will do it but if I sound terrible I want you to pull me from the show,” and I did it and I ended up getting two show stopping standing ovations after “Piece of My Heart,” and I said I have to do something with this. The show “Joplin’s Pearl” was born from that. My next “Joplin’s Pearl” will be here at the Patchogue Theatre on October 8th.

Yes, I heard how exciting and now you are doing Madonna, the Material Girl.

Amber: Two totally different genres.

Did you ever… of course you could never meet Janis Joplin unfortunately she passed away so many years ago but did you ever meet Madonna personally?

Amber: No I haven’t. I have seen her in concert.

But you have never met her.

Amber: No, never met her.

Wow, well we have to make that happen, don’t we.

Amber: That would be… I have no words… that would be amazing.

You know you look a little bit like her. Do people tell you that?

Amber: No actually they haven’t but that is a huge honor because she is a beautiful woman so thank you.

She certainly is. She is very beautiful and how exciting about this particular CD. Tell my audience about this CD what are we going to be hearing.

Singer Amber Ferrari and Cognac Singer Amber Ferrari and Cognac.

Amber: The CD is entitled “Where Your Wishes Fly,” which is the second track on the CD, it is a ballad. It’s a song–I wrote everything with my husband who is my guitarist, Chris Ferrari–it’s a song about people just getting through everyday life and you know sometimes wanting to leave their 9 to 5 jobs and just dreaming. It’s about people living in other people’s dreams and being where other people’s wishes fly. The lead off track on the CD is called “My Name is (Karma)” and it talks about karma. If you give good karma you get back good karma. If you give bad karma then bad karma is coming back.

That is true, I tell people that all the time. If you put something negative out in the universe something negative is going to come back to you.

Amber: Absolutely that is what that song is about. The third song on the track is called “Dreamin’,” that’s great. It’s a rock-dance tune. “Karma” is a heavy rock song. After that there is a song entitled “Long Way” that’s mid tempo rock tune followed by “Can’t Explain” which is a punk rock song and then we put a bonus track on there which is a single that we released last year… gee… it’s like, I don’t know how to describe it–Latin dance rock tune. It’s called “Plastic Passes.”

Well I can’t wait to listen to this music. I want you to tell my audience now that I am talking to you at the Patchogue Theatre… you must have a favorite tune… you must have something favorite that you have sung… some Madonna classic that you really love the most?

Amber: I would have to say my favorite is “Vogue.”

Really, what is it about “Vogue?”

Amber: It is really 1990 but I get away with it because it is so close. I don’t know I just like everything about it. There are so many different parts to it.

We are going to hear that tonight?

Amber: Absolutely.

Where can we go to find out more information about your sexy self?

Amber: You can go to my website AmberFerrari.com and on the website are all my links… Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. etc. Thank you so much, Cognac. You’re wonderful for being here tonight.

I also had a chance to chat with Comedian Ike Avellli who opened the concert and introduced Amber.

Comic Ike Avelli, Publicist Bernie Fabig, and Cognac.

Ike Avelli began his career in 2009 as a last minute fill-in at a Christmas Party doing Stand Up comedy. The sound of laughter sealed the deal, and he would continue to write and perform his own material.
To find out more info please visit his website at IkeAvelli.net.

Gold Coast Bank Sponsors Reception Honoring Dr. Yacov Shamash, VP of Economic Development at SBU

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(East Setauket, NY) The North Shore community gathered together and joined the Time Beacon Record Newspapers Networking Event and Reception honoring Dr. Yacov Shamash Vice President of Economic Development at Stony Brook University on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the Gold Coast Bank in East Setauket, New York.

John C. Tsunis, Esq., Chairman, founder and CEO of Gold Coast Bank was present to introduce notable elected officials and helped in presenting the various citations and awards to Dr. Shamash. Mr. Tsunis founded the law firm of Tsunis Gasparis Lustig Ring & Kenney, LLP, served as Managing Partner through October of 2014 and remains Special Counsel. Additionally, he is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Long Island Hotels LLC. Among many philanthropic endeavors.

Gold Coast members present award to Dr. Yacov Shamash.

Dr. Shamash is Vice President for Economic Development and Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Stony Brook University. As Vice President, a position he has held since 2000, Dr. Shamash supervises the University’s three incubators, two New York State Centers for Advanced Technology, the NYS Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT), the Small Business Development Center, and the workforce development programs of the Center for Emerging Technologies. The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences has over 1,500 undergraduate and 900 graduate students. In 1994 he led the effort by SUNY’s engineering schools to create the highly successful state-wide SPIR program (Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence). During the past ten years, working through the SPIR program, the College has partnered with more than 220 companies to assist them with more than 1,150 projects.

Gold Coast Bank Manager Olga Prado Belleau with Cognac.

Dr. Shamash is a member of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Software & Technology Network (LISTnet) and the Long Island Forum for Technology (LIFT). He serves on the boards of Keytronic, American Medical Alert, Netsmart Technologies, and Invision.com. Prior to joining Stony Brook, Dr. Shamash served as Director of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Washington State University and was responsible for the establishment of a National Science Foundation Industry/University Center for the Design of Analog/Digital Integrated Circuits. He has held faculty positions at Florida Atlantic University, the University of Pennsylvania and Tel Aviv University. A Fellow of the IEEE, he received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Imperial College of Science and Technology in London, England, and has authored more than 130 publications.

Before the award and citation was presented, I sat down with Dr. Yacov Shamash and he expressed his appreciation.

Cognac: Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and we are here at the Gold Coast Bank in Setauket, New York right here on 25A on the North Shore and I am here with Dr. Yakov Shamash, Vice President of Economic Development of Stonybrook University and he is receiving a very wonderful award. I would like to ask you Dr. Dr. Shamash what does this award mean to you?

Dr. Shamash: Well it means a lot… recognition by the business community here on Long Island and in the area… recognition by the bank which is very much appreciated.

There are so many people here tonight that are so happy that you are receiving this award. Can you tell my audience a little bit about this award what it means?

Dr. Shamash: It means a lot to me because a lot of the people that are here… we have worked with over the years. I have been on Long Island for the past twenty five years. I have been working with some of the people that I have seen outside. It brings back great memories but more importantly it is companies that we have worked with that we have helped and they have helped us over the years. These are great partnerships and I very much appreciate the bank doing this because it brings people together and that is very important. This is a community bank and that is what they are trying to do.

Tell my audience exactly what you do for those out there who are unaware.

Dr. Shamash: What we try to do is bring the resources of the University to work with companies, partner with companies to try and promote development of new products We try to help them obtain federal funding to support their work and that we have been doing for many, many years and we will continue to do that.

Cognac Interviews Dr. Shamash Cognac Interviews Dr. Shamash.

Do you have any specific goals for the year coming up for 2016… of course the year is almost half gone. We are half way through it.

Dr. Shamash: Yes we are half way through it. I am looking forward to continuing doing what we are doing. I am looking forward to working with the bank to try and develop relationships between the companies and promote economic growth for Long Island. That is very important to us because in the end we need to create jobs on Long Island. We need to keep the jobs that we have and by working all together leveraging each others resources we can really make things happen.

Absolutely and you know of course that is what Long Island Media is all about. Longisland.com partners with many companies and organizations right here on Long Island. We are a Long Island based website. We are very popular. We are the third most viewed website on Long Island. Can you tell my audience we can go to find our more information about Stonybrook University.

Dr. Shamash: You can certainly go to the website–StonyBrook.edu– and you will see everything about the university: the academic programs and the research programs and all kinds of things that you would want to know about Stony Brook. There is a section also for economic development. There are many programs that we have in economic development. This is an area of the University that helps companies in multiple ways.

My goodness that is wonderful. How many programs do you have at Stony Brook?

Dr. Shamash: We probably have about sixty, seventy undergraduate programs… I don’t know the number exactly but if you add up the masters and PhD’s we probably have a couple of hundred programs.

Cognac Interviews Jim Johnis Cognac Interviews Jim Johnis.

The event was sponsored by the Gold Coast Bank. All banks are not the same although they may initially appear to be. At Gold Coast Bank you’ll experience the difference as soon as you walk through one of our doors. Through their desire to know and understand your business they are readily equipped to respond to your needs: from cash management to credit lines and loans to merchant and payroll services – all of these and more can be scaled to fit your needs as a business on Long Island.

For more information please visit GoldCoastBankNY.com.

Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site Presents Democratic Vistas: Favorite Poem Project

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On Sunday April 17, 2016 the community of Huntington gathered at the Walt Whitman Birthplace for a presentation of Democratic Vistas, Multicultural Voices for the Favorite Poem Project. The Favorite Poem Project was founded by Robert Pinsky after the Library of Congress appointed him US Poet Laureate in 1997. Pinsky put out a nationwide call for Americans to send in their favorite poems. He believed that, contrary to stereotype, Americans from all walks of life do read poetry and particular poems have profound, personal meanings for individuals.

Pinksy’s project ignited a fire that spread the country with communities holding their own Favorite Poem readings. The Library of Congress videotaped for their archives 50 individuals reading their favorite poems. Walt Whitman Birthplace Association was very excited to offer their very own Favorite Poem Project. Robert Pinsky is serving as their 2016 Poet in Residence appearing at the Walt Whitman Birthplace on June 4, 2016.

The Favorite Poem Project – Multicultural Voices is part of the Walt Whitman’s Birthplace Associations 2016 program series. Democratic Vistas: Voices of Democracy is sponsored by the NY Council for the Humanities.

Entertainment Journalist and Emcee Elisa DiStefano with Cognac Wellerlane.

Entertainment Journalist Elisa DiStefano served as Emcee for the event. Elisa DiStefano is versatile host and seasoned award winning featured reporter. With over a decade of experience in live and breaking news, Elisa reports regularly on the red carpet and at celebrity events featuring A-list talent. She covers the Hamptons Summer scene extensively with access to exclusive events. Elisa was voted Best Local TV reporter by the Long Island Press several years running. She has been honored for her work on her weekly animal adoption segment and was also named Humanitarian of the Year by the American Cancer Society. Elisa enjoys volunteering her time to help a variety of causes and hosts many charity events including her own Sneakers and Sandals Beach Ball benefiting local organizations. Ms. DiStefano is a graduate of Boston University College of Communications and Delta Gamma alumni.

Not only did I interview Elisa Di Stefano but I also talked to Executive Director Cynthia Shor of the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association about the meaning and importance of Poetry.

Cognac: Welcome back darlings, I am Cognac Wellerlane and I am here at the Walt Whitman Birthplace a very historical place right here in Huntington, Long Island and I am here with this lovely lady who coordinated this wonderful event today. It’s all about poems. Introduce yourself to the camera darling.

Cynthia: Hi, I am Cynthia Shor, Executive Director of Walt Whitman Birthplace Association and we operate the site for New York State.

Tell my audience about this event this afternoon. What is it really all about?

Cynthia: It’s really all about individuals and everyone has a favorite poem. They may not be poetry lovers but they have just one poem in their heart. This is an example of an event to get those people to share that poetry.

Now I love poetry and I know many wonderful poems but there are a lot of people out there that really do not understand what a poem is. Most people think poems are writings that rhyme but there are some poems that do not rhyme. Can you tell my audience what distinguishes a piece of writing that does not rhyme that becomes a poem.

Cynthia: Well, it’s all about the language. So the language… if it doesn’t rhyme then it has to have other beauty and the beauty can be in the rhythm, it can be in the repetition of the sounds, the repetition of the initial letter and that is what adds the beauty to it. Sometimes there are internal rhymes. So there might be two words next to each other but they don’t rhyme at the end of the line, and so that is the technical skillful part of poetry, and then the other part of poetry like any art is inspiration. So the writer or poet must take the inspiration and channel it through the words using the skills that they can and leave it up to the community of readers to see if it is poetry or not but it doesn’t have to rhyme.

Absolutely and that is why I wanted to speak to you because many people are confused about what a poem should be. Tell my audience briefly about the history behind the Walt Whitman Birthplace.

Cognac Stands next to a portrait of Poet Walt Whitman.

Cynthia: Walt Whitman was born here in this house on this site. The house was built by his father and he was born in 1819 and he lived here until he was four. Being a builder, the elder Whitman–his name was also Walter Whitman–moved the family to Brooklyn where there were new houses going up and he went to Brooklyn and he flipped houses. He was one of the original flippers and Walter grew up in Brooklyn until age eleven and then he went to school–that was the age of compulsory education–and then he went to work. He went to work for a journalist where he furthered his education and the journalist bought him a library card because at that time they weren’t free. It was a public library. So with the library card, called a subscription, like you would join a country club you had to join the library system; he became self educated much like Abraham Lincoln.

How fascinating.

Cynthia: He grew up then and worked for the newspaper and he also went to work for a law firm and being a scribe as an office boy he learned language, he learned law, he learned about ethics, he learned about history and this was at the tender age of eleven, twelve and thirteen. By fourteen and fifteen he was back on Long Island and he became a teacher. He would live in the homes of Long Island and worked as a teacher. He started the newspaper “The Long Islander” which is still in print today and then he began writing a political track. He was actually a journalist before he was a poet.

That’s wonderful thank you so much for telling my audience some of the history of this remarkable place. Can you tell my audience where we can go to learn more information. what is the website?

Cynthia: Come to our website WaltWhitman.org; it’s very easy to remember.

Regina Hunt – Trustee South Country School Board & Library.

In 1819, Walt Whitman was born in a farmhouse in West Hills built by his father circa 1810. The Birthplace was restored in 2001 and it is a fine example of native Long Island craftsmanship. The Birthplace is the only NYS Historic Site on Long Island listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1998, the White House Millennium Council named it an “American Treasure.” In 2007, the Walt Whitman Trail, which begins at the Birthplace, was designated a National Recreational Trail by the US Dept. of the Interior.

Whitman’s collection of poems, Leaves of Grass, stands among the masterpieces of world literature. Scholars have name Whitman the “Poet of Democracy” and “America’s Shakespeare.”

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