Cast Your Vote, Grab a Burger & Preserve History in Suffolk County

Good morning!

We are in the home stretch, today is the last day for early voting. The big day is Tuesday. Make sure you have your vote counted.

-Brian Grant, managing editor, writer

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Vote 2024

Early voting is now underway in Suffolk County, giving residents a convenient way to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Local voters can visit either the South Country Ambulance station at 420 Station Road in Bellport or the Bayport-Bluepoint Public Library at 186 Middle Road in Blue Point. These sites provide accessible, nearby options for voters to avoid Election Day crowds and participate at a time that works best for them.

Early voting hours run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on most days, with extended evening hours on October 31 and November 1. Suffolk County’s Board of Elections encourages voters to take advantage of these extended hours. For more details, including a full schedule and additional locations, residents can visit the Suffolk County Board of Elections website here.

Local Pulse

🍔 A new McDonald’s has opened in Blue Point, taking over the former Burger King’s 40-year-run. While some locals mourn the loss of the community staple, others are excited about the new fast-food option. Greater Long Island

Four historic Long Island sites have each received grants from the New York Landmarks Conservancy to support critical restoration work. The United Methodist Church of Bay Shore, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Amityville, Bellport United Methodist Church, and Ketewamoke DAR Hall in Huntington will share nearly $50,000 for repairs, ranging from tower restoration to roof drainage. These grants are part of a broader $321,000 initiative to preserve New York's historic religious landmarks. New York Landmarks Conservancy.

🔋 Brookhaven officials have given the green light for a new battery storage facility in Patchogue, aiming to support the region’s renewable energy goals by stabilizing electricity supply. Some residents raised concerns about safety and environmental impact, but the facility is expected to provide backup power and help manage peak demand. Newsday

Community Highlights

• The Friends of Lakeview Cemeteries will host a Veterans Day Cemetery Tour on November 11 at 1:00 PM, offering a guided experience at Patchogue’s Waverly Cemetery with highlights of veteran graves dating back to the Revolutionary War. Proceeds from ticket sales, matched by the Robert David Lion Gardner Foundation, will support the professional restoration of veteran graves, including that of Civil War soldier Benjamin Laws Homan. Greater Patchogue Foundation

• Photographer and author John Lazzaro will present A Vanishing New York on November 24, 2024, from 2–4 PM at BBP Library, showcasing his photographic exploration of abandoned buildings and forgotten architecture across New York State. This visual essay captures over 40 sites, from Catskills resorts to Long Island psychiatric centers, each revealing rich histories amid social and cultural change. Bayport-Blue Point Heritage.

• The Village of Patchogue Planning Board will meet on Monday, November 18, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at 14 Baker Street, Patchogue, NY. This monthly meeting discusses local planning and development, with the Work Session and Architectural Advisory Committee starting at 5 PM. For inquiries, call 631-475-4300, option 5.

• Author Candace Bushnell will present True Tales of Sex, Success, and Sex and the City at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on November 8, 2024. This live show offers an intimate look into the stories behind the iconic series and Bushnell's life experiences. For tickets and more information, visit the Patchogue Theatre event page.

• Noche Del Ferxxo is coming to Patchogue, NY, on November 9, 2024, bringing an exciting night of reggaeton and Latin music hits that fans won’t want to miss.

Community Charities

The Abram's Family Fundraiser will take place on November 10, 2024, to support a local hero family who recently lost their home. This event aims to gather the community to provide aid and help the family recover. For details and to support, visit the event page on Patch.

🦃 Lighthouse Mission is preparing to provide Thanksgiving meals for Long Island families in need, inviting donations and volunteers to support their outreach efforts. This annual initiative helps bring holiday cheer to struggling families through food and fellowship. Lighthouse Mission

🥫 JVC Broadcasting is set to host a food drive benefiting Brookhaven Town’s INTERFACE program, which supports families in need. Community members are encouraged to donate non-perishable items to help ensure local families have food for the upcoming holiday season. [Patch]

The Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau’s INTERFACE Program Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive is underway from October 14 to November 15, gathering non-perishable food items and $10 grocery gift cards to provide Thanksgiving meals for families in need. Find out how to donate and view suggested food items here.

Local Sports

• Football 

• Patchogue-Medford forfeit to Sachem East
  Bayport-Blue Point 41 Mt Sinai 10

• Bellport 14 East Islip 40

🎾 In the 2024-25 Girls Tennis Small School division, Bayport triumphed and claimed the championship title. Hosted by Smithtown, the competition saw Bayport excel and finish the season as the top team in the division.

⚽ Bayport-Blue Point’s girls soccer team saw their playoff journey come to an end with a tough loss to Shoreham-Wading River (SWR), who managed to edge them out and secure advancement. The defeat marked Bayport's exit from the postseason.

🏊 Le Moyne’s men's and women's swim and dive teams shined in a commanding victory over Roberts Wesleyan, with Bayport standout Kyle Black turning in key performances to help lead the charge. His efforts contributed significantly to the Dolphins' dominant showing. Le Moyne Athletics

🏃‍♂️ The Springfield College men’s cross country team secured fifth place at the NEWMAC Championships held at Wellesley College’s Nehoiden Golf Club. MIT dominated the event, capturing first with 25 points, continuing their impressive 26-title streak in the 27-year history of NEWMAC. Springfield's top performer was Chris Vayda, finishing 24th with a time of 26:15.1, as the team now sets its sights on the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championships on November 16. [Springfield College Athletics]

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