Bayport's Big Game, Library Award, and More!

In This Issue of Patchogue Live Local

🥍Bayport-Blue Point State Semifinals

📚Library Wins Prestigious Award

🛣️Brookhaven Dedicates Avenue

 🤖Robotics Team Shines

🏕️Step into the Life of Civil War Soldiers

🚸Support Lighthouse Mission

 📆 Event Calendar - Be In the Know

Local Sports

Bayport-Blue Point at State Semifinals Today

Bayport-Blue Point now advances to the state semifinals, where they will face Rye at SUNY Albany on Wednesday, June 5th, at 6:30 PM. The team’s previous dominant performance sets a high expectation for the upcoming clash.

Library

Celebrating Innovation: Patchogue-Medford Public Library Wins Prestigious Award

Patchogue-Medford Public Library has been honored as one of the eight recipients of the 2023 John Cotton Dana Award for its outstanding strategic communications efforts. Managed by the American Library Association's Core Division and EBSCO Information Services, this accolade recognizes exceptional public relations in libraries and includes a $10,000 grant from the H.W. Wilson Foundation.

Patchogue-Medford Public Library in New York earned this distinction through its groundbreaking creation of the world’s largest augmented aquarium project. This innovative initiative utilized new technology to craft an interactive experience for library patrons, blending education with engagement in a unique and memorable way.

The project was supported by a multi-media promotional campaign and savvy budgeting, leading to impressive results at its launch. The library staff's strategic long-term thinking means the technology can be leveraged for years to come, maximizing their return on investment and continuing to offer interactive experiences for the community.

This award celebrates the library’s commitment to creativity and forward-thinking in public relations, showcasing how libraries can adapt and thrive in the digital age. The Patchogue-Medford Public Library's achievement serves as an inspiring example of how libraries can effectively engage and enrich their communities through innovative projects.

For more information on the John Cotton Dana Awards and other winners, visit the American Library Association’s website.

Community

Brookhaven Dedicates Avenue

In a heartfelt ceremony on May 23, the Town of Brookhaven dedicated Michigan Avenue in Bellport to Tanya Indrani Bathija, commemorating her legacy and contributions to the community. Tanya, a dedicated volunteer, successful businesswoman, and director at Sunrise Day Camp-Long Island, made a lasting impact through her philanthropy and community involvement.

The event saw the gathering of her family, friends, colleagues, and community members, along with local officials. Tanya's vision and efforts transformed a once-vacant building into a thriving Dunkin Donuts, significantly benefiting the local economy. Her philanthropic work extended to the Boys & Girls Club of the Bellport Area and Sunrise Day Camp, supporting children battling cancer.

Brookhaven Town Councilman Michael Loguercio praised Tanya's generosity and passion for helping others, emphasizing her lasting legacy through ongoing foundation work and community support. Tanya's father, Ben Bathija, and her family continue to honor her memory and contributions, embodying her spirit of giving and resilience.

The ceremony was attended by Suffolk County Legislators Dominick Thorne and Jim Mazzarella, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico, and other notable officials, reflecting the broad appreciation for Tanya's impact on the community.

Schools

Patchogue-Medford High School Robotics Team Shines Internationally

The Patchogue-Medford High School Robotics Team continues to make waves on the international stage with their remarkable achievements this school year. In May, the team secured sixth place at the FIRST Robotics Long Island Regional competition held at Hofstra University. Sponsored by Optimum, the event saw participation from teams worldwide, including Chinese Taipei, France, Turkey, and Canada.

Dr. Donna Jones, Superintendent of the Patchogue-Medford School District, praised the team’s accomplishments, highlighting the district’s commitment to fostering a passion for STEM. "The Patchogue-Medford High School Robotics Team’s accomplishments speak to the passion for STEM throughout our District,” said Dr. Jones. “We are committed to providing exceptional programs that grant our students opportunities to display their creativity and accumulated knowledge and allow them to compete and be victorious on a global stage."

The competition was rich with international collaboration, team building, networking, and STEM exploration. Notably, Patchogue-Medford had the honor of hosting Team 8595 from Chinese Taipei. The students from both teams worked together on projects, eagerly sharing ideas and knowledge, which enriched their learning experiences.

This spring success is part of a series of achievements for the Patchogue-Medford Robotics Team. Earlier in the academic year, the team received a $10,000 grant from Zebra Technologies, a global leader in enterprise visibility and data capture. They also won the Rockwell Automation Creativity Award and the Innovation in Control Award and finished fourth in pool play, serving as the finals alliance captain at the School Business Partnerships of Long Island Regional 2 competition.

Seventh Graders Step into the Life of Civil War Soldiers

On May 31, James Wilson Young Middle School seventh graders from the Bayport-Blue Point School District were transported back in time during the school’s annual Civil War Day. Following their social studies unit on the Civil War, students witnessed a live demonstration as black powder shot from a cannon, filling the air with history.

The event was brought to life by members of the 6th New York Independent Battery, who set up era-appropriate tents and displayed various wartime items. Students had the opportunity to learn about these items before seeing and touching them up close. They tasted hardtack, a dense biscuit that soldiers ate, and felt the texture of authentic wool uniforms and swords. The highlight for many was witnessing the firing of a real cannon.

Sue Brinkman, a member of the 6th New York Independent Battery and the school’s librarian, noted the impact of the immersive experience. “So many kids come up to us and say, ‘Wow, it’s so different to see this in person rather than looking at it in a textbook,’” she said. “To feel the wool, smell the black powder, taste the hardtack is a different kind of experience. The chance for me to talk one-on-one with students dressed as a Union soldier is a different type of learning— it’s active learning.”

This hands-on approach allowed students to engage deeply with history, providing a vivid and memorable understanding of the life of Civil War soldiers. The event underscored the value of experiential learning, bringing the past to life in a way that textbooks alone cannot achieve.

Charity

Support Lighthouse Mission's Summer Bible Camp for Teens

Lighthouse Mission, located at 1543 Montauk Highway in Bellport, NY, is gearing up to send teens from its youth program, Lighthouse Refuge, to Summer Bible Camp. This camp promises an unforgettable experience filled with swimming, rock climbing, and sports.

Each year, the camp provides a safe and enriching environment for teens to explore their faith, build lasting friendships, and develop new skills. However, the cost for camp is about $400 per child, covering travel, supplies, and snacks for the trip.

Lighthouse Mission is calling on the community for support to make this transformative experience possible for as many teens as possible. Donations of any amount are welcome and will directly contribute to covering the camp expenses.

To learn more about the program and to make a donation, please visit (https://www.lighthousemission.com/camp).

Village

June 5th, Moving Road Closures

There will be moving road closures due to patching work on Maiden Lane, Gilbert Street and Laurel Street.

Upcoming Local Events

See our New Event Calendar.

Get notifications for events going on the area. Check out the event calendar at https://patchoguelocal.live/

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