North Fork News

Riverhead Supervisor Wants Your Input

Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith announced she will hold a “Listening Tour,” designed to give town residents who are not able to attend regularly scheduled town board meetings an opportunity to discuss issues of importance to them in a town hall setting.

The first session will take place on Monday, February 11, at the Riverhead Senior Center at 60 Shade Tree Lane in Aquebogue; the second will be held on Tuesday, February 12, at the Wading River Congregational Church at 2057 North Country Road; and the third session will take place on Wednesday, February 13, at the Riverhead Free Library at 330 Court Street in Riverhead. All the sessions will begin at 6 PM.

For more information, call the supervisor’s office at 631-727-3200.

Riverhead Animal Shelter Grant

The North Fork Animal Welfare League has received $500,000 from the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund.

The organization plans to use the grant money to make necessary upgrades to comply with the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ regulations at the new
Riverhead Town Animal Shelter.

The league is one of six municipal shelters that received the $500,000 grant, which is the highest amount allotted in NFAWL’s municipal sheltering category. It is designed to help municipal animal shelters enhance their animal care capabilities and increase adoptions.

The funding will go directly toward Phase One of the $2.8 million project, which will include construction of isolation care units, adoption suites, and other amenities. The renovations will also allow the shelter to rescue cats, which will be a first for the town. In the past month, the organization has been alerted to the presence of two separate unmanaged feral cat colonies, consisting of more than 350 cats.

“We are elated that our local and state elected officials recognize that companion animals are a growing priority to their constituents,” said executive director Gillian Pultz. “This grant reflects their commitment.”

Historical Society Activities

The Suffolk County Historical Society Museum in Riverhead will host “Book & Bottle: African Genealogy” with Sandi Brewster-Walker on Saturday, February 16, at 1 PM.

Attendees can learn about African American family history research. Light refreshments and admission to current exhibitions will be included. The event is free for members and $5 for non-members. To reserve a place, call 631-727-2881, ext. 100.

The museum is also running several exhibitions, including “The Silver Screens of Suffolk: Celebrating the History of Film: 1900s to 1960s,” which traces the history of film, and casts light
on early production studios on Long
Island. “The Long Island Express: Remembering the 1938 Hurricane” exhibition is also on display, which features historic photographs, newspaper reports, stories of personal experiences, and artifacts salvaged from the wreckage of the 1938 hurricane.

Mattituck-Laurel Library Programs

The Mattituck-Laurel Library is offering a full roster of programs throughout February.

The library will hold “Lego K&1” on Thursday, February 7, at 4 PM. Children in kindergarten and first grade can use library Legos to design their own creations, then see them on display. The library will also have “Toddler Time” for children ages 13 to 24 months on Friday, February 8, at 10 AM, with informal play time and a circle time of rhymes, finger plays, and action songs. The events are free, but registration is required.

A Teen Advisory Board will convene on Thursday, February 7, at 5:30 PM. Teenage members of the community can voice their opinions about teen library programs. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

The library will host a cooking demo on Friday, February 8, at 6 PM. Robert Dell’Amore will demonstrate how to prepare a Spanish style stew with grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, sausage, green olives, and a splash of wine, served with toasted cumin seed flavored rice. Registration is required and there is a $5 fee.

There will be a Library Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, February 11, at 6 PM, which is open to the public.

For more information, log on to www.mattitucklaurellibrary.org.

Learn About Telescopes

The Custer Observatory in Southold will hold an informational presentation on telescopes on Saturday, February 9, at 7 PM.

Ed Anderson, a member of the Astronomical Society of Long Island and of the Custer Institute, will discuss easy ways to find galaxies, star clusters, nebula, and more with a telescope.

After the presentation, Anderson will demonstrate how a computer-assisted GoTo scope works, as well as how to find celestial objects with a phone app and AltAz coordinates.

Custer will provide telescopes for attendees to use. Anderson will also open the ASLI dome, behind Custer, which houses a 14-inch Meade LX200 computerized telescope for attendees to try. Stargazing will follow, if the weather permits. A $5 donation is suggested.

Compiled by Genevieve M. Kotz