On Our Island: Suffolk County Legislature recognizes women of distinction

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Suffolk County Legislature recognizes women of distinction

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Suffolk County Legislature honored local women for the work they do to better the county and community. One deserving woman is nominated from each of the 18 legislative districts, then an overall countywide honoree is chosen by the Suffolk County Women’s Advisory Commission as the Suffolk County Woman of Distinction. The countywide honoree, Kathy Albrecht of Smithtown, was recognized with a special presentation at a general meeting of the county legislature followed by a luncheon recognizing all 18 honorees with County Executive Ed Romaine at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge.

Learning center celebrates National Read Across America Week

Maryalice Lynch Nazaretian, president of the Woodbury-based SterlingRisk Employee Benefits Group, visited Variety Child Learning Center (VCLC) at its Syosset campus to read to children in VCLC’s universal pre-K classes. Her visit was not just about reading, but also about sharing the joy
of reading. The event was part of National Read Across America Week and National Reading Month, which aims to instill literacy and promote the joy of reading among students of all ages.

Lynch Nazaretian is also being honored for her longtime support of VCLC’s mission at this year’s annual luncheon on Thursday, May 8, at the Crest Hollow Country Club.

Fort Salonga siblings raise funds to honor deceased brother

A Fort Salonga family donated more than $30,660 to support an organization that helped their disabled brother. Throughout the 2024 holiday season, in lieu of gifts, Julia and Ricky Spadalik asked family and friends to donate to Angela’s House in memory of their older brother, Jake Spadalik, who passed away in December 2014.

Jake was diagnosed at a young age with a very rare genetic disease called Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy, which causes fat substances (lipids) to build up on nerves. It affects nerve signals, leading to a gradual loss of muscle control, vision, speech and intellectual development. Throughout Jake’s life, Angela’s House helped provide equipment and care that the family needed to support him. Eventually, Jake was given the opportunity to move into one of the homes that Angela’s House built, where they provided round-the-clock care to him for the remainder of his life.

Suffolk police officers go bowling with local kids in Coram

About 100 Suffolk County kids spent an afternoon bowling with officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s 6th and 7th precincts at Coram Country Lanes. The second annual “Bowling with a Cop,” event was held earlier this month at no cost to the kids. It provided an opportunity for kids to have fun, while getting to know their local police officers in a casual setting.

Hosted by the 6th and 7th precincts, the event was sponsored by the 7th Precinct Community Unity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing joy and connection to those in need.

Several officers went around from lane to lane to spend time with the kids during the event while they bowled and enjoyed pizza and soda.