Assemblyman James Conte Dies

Organ donation advocate loses battle with lymphoma

On Tuesday, Oct. 16 James Conte, Republican assemblyman of the 10th district in Huntington lost his battle with T-cell lymphoma cancer. He was diagnosed last spring, but in May 2012 Conte had learned that the cancer had spread. He began receiving chemotherapy treatment at Mt. Sinai Hospital.

Just three months ago, Conte formally announced that he would not seek re-election as assemblyman “due to his ongoing battle with cancer and his desire to focus all of his energy on recovering and spend more time with his family and friends.”

Sparks Fly In The Debate Arena

Town hall format and Obama’s performance finds president rebounding in the polls

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, Hofstra University was the site for the second of three debates between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. Hofstra had also hosted a debate between then-Democratic nominee Obama and GOP nominee Sen. John McCain back in 2008, making the school just the second university to host consecutive presidential debates. (St. Louis’ Washington University was the other.)

With Romney scoring what many considered an upset victory over Obama’s decidedly lackluster performance in the first debate, this follow-up was going to be a “deal maker or breaker in this campaign,” according to political pundit Chris Matthews, who spoke at Hofstra the prior week. Shortly after moderator Candy Crowley took the stage at 9 p.m., it was clear both candidates were prepared to come out swinging, making for a lively hour and a half that found roughly 65 million viewers tuning in to the town hall-style debate, according to the Nielsen Ratings.

Farmingdale State College Children’s Center Groundbreaking

Increased capacity responds to needs of parents

Farmingdale State College’s President W. Hubert Keen welcomed approximately 100 guests on Oct. 11 who attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the campus’s Children’s Center, which will be relocated from its existing building. School officials, local politicians, and influential campus and community members gathered at the construction site entrance to symbolically break ground on what will be the new daycare facility.

“The new facility for our Children’s Center will benefit our students, faculty, and staff, and most importantly—the children,” said President Keen.

Nick Tangorra Rocks Farmingdale Columbus Day Fair

Concert draws second largest crowd in fair history

On Friday, Oct. 5, the Farmingdale Fire Department Columbus Day Fair was swarming with teenage girls screaming for Nick Tangorra, 15, and his band members as they rocked the crowd behind the firehouse for what might be the second largest musical performance turnout in the fair’s history since Big Shot performed last.

Vocalist Tangorra, and his bandmates, brother Rafe on drums, Will Aherns on guitar, and Phil Firetog on bass signed autographs for more than two hours before they took the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Anton Newspapers Military Heroes Essay Contest: Robert Gaudiosi Remembers Father’s Commitment To ‘Flying Fortresses’

The following is the essay submitted by Bob Gaudiosi, writing about his father, Carmine Gaudiosi. This is the fourth essay to be printed in the series of essays, which were submitted by our readership for the Anton Newspapers Military Heroes Essay Contest with the American Airpower Museum of East Farmingdale and The Collings Foundation. Essay winners flew in historic aircraft stationed at the American Airpower Museum over the Labor Day weekend.

My father, Carmine Gaudiosi, served with the 390th Bombardment Group of the 8th Army Air Force during World War II. He was stationed on a B-17 base outside of Framingham, England from approximately April 1943 to his discharge in September of 1945. He was a Technical Sergeant (T/Sgt.) with responsibility for the maintenance of B-17s in the 458th Sub-Depot.

Toddler’s Remains Found Buried In Farmingdale Backyard

Mother’s boyfriend considered ‘person of interest’

On Wednesday, Oct. 3 an investigation by Suffolk County Child Protective Services (CPS) was initiated of the health and welfare of a six-year-old child, parented by Robert Rodriguez, 30, and Heather Kowalczik, 29. The initial investigation revealed that another child, Justin Kowalczik, born in 2009, would be approximately three years old, was unaccounted for in the couple’s home.

The Suffolk County CPS investigation into Justin’s whereabouts, led them upstate to enlist the help of Orange County Child Protective Services.

Anton Newspapers Military Heroes Essay Contest: Ronan Glynn And Sam Mantovani Share Stories About Their Grandfathers

The following are two essays submitted by Oyster Bay residents, Ronan Glynn and Sam Mantovani, who each sent in stories about their own grandfathers. These are the third and fourth essays to be printed in the series, which were submitted by our readership for the Anton Newspapers Military Heroes Essay Contest with the American Airpower Museum of East Farmingdale and The Collings Foundation. Essay winners flew in historic aircraft stationed at the American Airpower Museum over the Labor Day weekend.

‘Wine U Design’ Getting Better With Age

From crushing grapes to bottling, patrons are promised the best in ‘fermentertainment’

Normally, Long Islanders pack up their cars and head eastbound on the LIE for a winemaking or tasting experience, but Wine U Design gives aspiring local sommeliers the freedom to create and bottle personalized wines right here in Hicksville. 

The winery opened its doors at 156 Engineers Drive three years ago when co-owners Vincenzo Saulle and Gianni Fabrizi envisioned bringing several generations worth of family tradition to the contemporary corporate world.

Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt Dies

Nassau County Legislature Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt died suddenly on the morning of Oct. 3. According to Ed Ward, spokesperson from the legislator’s office, Schmitt, 62, collapsed while in a budget meeting with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano in the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building and was rushed to Winthrop Hospital. He died at 11:55 a.m.

“Nassau County has lost a dedicated public servant,” said Mangano in a statement. “My wife Linda and I lost a friend of over 20 years. Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt served the residents of Nassau County with great integrity and pride. I had the privilege of serving closely with Peter in the legislature since its creation in 1996, where he distinguished himself as an outspoken advocate for the residents of the 12th Legislative District.”

Anton Newspapers Military Heroes Essay Contest: Sy Buckner Among B-17 Flight Guests

The following is the first half of the essay submitted by Janice Buckner, writing about her father, Sy Buckner of Roslyn Heights. This is the second essay to be printed in the series of essays, which were submitted by our readership for the Anton Newspapers Military Heroes Essay Contest with the American Airpower Museum of East Farmingdale and The Collings Foundation. Essay winners flew in historic aircraft stationed at the American Airpower Museum over the Labor Day weekend.

In the year 1943 my dad was 17 years old and attending the University of Pennsylvania. As soon as he was eligible to serve in the war, he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve. Before being sent overseas he trained as a ball turret gunner down south and was on the lead plane in the last training assignment on Friday, Oct. 13, 1944 when his plane was hit by another fighter plane and both planes went down.