The parents and their nine adoptees gathered in the main part of the aquarium to hear remarks from local officials, judges, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, and special guests the Hebert family, who adopted a daughter from foster care last year.

“For our family, that’s why [adoption] is rooted in faith. We believe that true joy doesn’t come from material goods, but from giving one’s self away,” said Justin Hebert. 

While adoptions are taking place throughout the year, the adoption day event is extra special, with facepainting, pictures with a Disney princess and a children’s book author on hand signing their books. There is a private room where the judge presides over each family’s adoption proceedings, and then the families are invited to a breakfast banquet.

“I want to thank my adoptive parents for helping me on my very stressful journey and making my life better,” Lily Hebert said. 

The families also gain access to the aquarium during the celebration, so they are able to enjoy the exhibits in private, making the experience even more special. Custom t-shirts were also available to the children and their adoptive families. 

There were surprise guest appearances from Long Island Ducks mascot QuackerJack and therapy dogs from the Suffolk County Police Department.

Children in attendance each received specially embroidered backpacks donated by Jockey as part of its Being Family Foundation. The backpacks were filled with stuffed animals, toys and other mementos as parting gifts for the kids.

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(Credit: courtesy)

The purpose of the qualified and eligible public hearing is for the applicant to provide evidence it has the necessary qualifications, expertise and, most importantly, the financial wherewithal to serve as the master developer and complete this extensive project.

Joseph Petrocelli, head of the 70-year-old family-run construction firm, has been credited for his previous contributions to Riverhead’s downtown revitalization, from the Long Island Aquarium to Hyatt Place East End to Treasure Cove Resort Marina. His construction company has also worked to preserve three historic buildings on Main Street, including East Lawn House, Howell House and the Preston House.

The Riverhead Town Board approved a resolution in April 2022 designating J. Petrocelli as master developer for the Town Square project. If it is deemed the qualified and eligible sponsor by the Town Board, the $2.65 million sale of three East Main Street properties to the company would be approved without competitive bidding.

The buildings at 117 and 121 East Main St. were demolished by the town in 2022, and 127 East Main St., where Craft’D eatery resides, may be acquired through eminent domain proceedings to allow for the construction of a five-story, 78,000-square-foot mixed-used building with up to 76 hotel rooms and 12 condominium units, along with restaurant and retail space and 12 underground parking stalls.

In a breakdown of its Riverhead Town Square Development budget summary, J. Petrocelli estimated the total project costs for the hotel would be $32.6 million, which includes the $2.65 million for land acquisition, $26 million in hard construction costs, $3.36 million for architectural and engineering work and other soft costs, as well as $603,000 in contingency.

A construction loan of $19.6 million, $12 million in developer equity and the $1 million Restore NY Grant awarded to J. Petrocelli in 2024 would cover these costs, according to the company’s presentation. Mr. Petrocelli said his company would coordinate with the town to create a Recommended Action Plan, or RAP, detailing plans for the development; set up a project team; and hold regular meetings to stay on track with established goals and milestones. The site plan process can also begin within 60 days of the study period.

If granted approval by the town, Mr. Petrocelli said he is looking to start the project as early as November. In the agreement, J. Petrocelli would be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Town Square development for 10 years at a rate of $150,000 per year.

“Activation is the key word of the whole [Town] Square project … because we need to hand-pick and go after clients or people that will fill our space, that are going to create that activation,” Mr. Petrocelli said. “We’ve come a long way — I appreciate the opportunity to come here once again. [Let’s] try to make Riverhead great again.”

Alongside Mr. Petrocelli were his attorney, Eric Russo, leading the presentation; Long Island Aquarium executive director Brian DeLuca; Huntington-based architect Andrew Giambertone; Hyatt hotel manager Steve Schoeder; and Kevin Walsh, who would serve as chief engineer for the project. His nephews, John and James Petrocelli, also offered the public insight on the company’s history and overall mission.

Mr. Petrocelli said he is in talks with three international chain hotel brands that are interested in the Main Street project. The fifth floor of the proposed hotel will consist of 12 condominium units, ranging from studios to two-bedrooms, and dedicated parking for condo owners would be below a portion of the building, with access to Heidi Behr Way.

On the topic of parking, once the proposed First Street parking garage is completed, guests of the hotel would be able to park there. In the interim, Mr. Petrocelli said parking will be made available to guests behind The Suffolk.

In its projected revenue performance, the company has predicted a steady growth of economic revenue from the hotel project — from $5.2 million at 72% occupancy in its first year to $6.2 million at 78% occupancy by year 10.

In addition to the hotel portion, the Town Square project in its entirety has five other components: the upper and lower Town Square, including a proposed playground and splashpad; the amphitheater; “complete streets” or streetscapes; and a parking garage. This initiative is possible thanks to multiple funding grants the town has obtained over the years, including a $24 million federal RAISE grant and a $10 million state Downtown Revitalization grant.  

Two historic East End Arts Council buildings at 133 and 141 East Main St. will be raised and ultimately repositioned to make room for the “sustainable and flood-resilient amphitheater” on a portion of those parcels. The property’s grading will be changed to protect the campus from flooding and EEA will temporarily operate out of 206 Griffing Ave. during this construction period.

Mr. Giambertone said the hotel project building was designed with flooding in mind, which is why it is slated to be at a level 13 elevation, where the current Peconic riverfront is at a level 4.

Severals letters were submitted in support of naming J. Petrocelli the master developer of the Town Square project, from the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce, the Riverhead Rotary, Larry Oxman of the Long Island Science Center, Discover Long Island, Jerry and the Mermaid restaurant and East End Arts. The company’s accountant, Liberty Mutual, and TD Bank also provided bonding and other financial information to boost credibility.

Joseph Yaiullo, curator and cofounder of the Long Island Aquarium, said he experienced “being in the trenches” with Mr. Petrocelli when they were trying to get the aquarium off the ground, and said that without his vision, artistry and dedication, “there would be no Long Island Aquarium.”

Richard Wines, chair of the town’s Landmarks Preservation Committee, voiced his support for Mr. Petrocelli and the repositioning of the historic East End Arts buildings.

“We see this as a very positive way to enhance the historic fabric of downtown Riverhead,” Mr. Wines said. “I think this project has the ability to enhance [East End Arts], by slightly shifting the buildings, giving them a little more air [and] getting them up out of the flood plain.”

Those who came up to the podium to express concerns or opposition to the hotel project posed questions about any potential burdens to the taxpayers and the company’s option to apply for Riverhead IDA tax abatements and requested an extended public hearing to 30 days.

“The information that has just been presented does not allow us an opportunity to ask questions and have discussion and dialogue, which is part of what a public hearing on qualified and eligible should be about,” said Angela DeVito of South Jamesport. “What we will be able to do is write in comments, but not ask questions, so that we can act in a reasonable and responsible manner as residents of this town.”

Riverhead Town Supervisor Tim Hubbard said the open comment period will run for 10 days and end on Friday, Aug. 1. The full presentation from J. Petrocelli Development Associates is now live on the Riverhead Town website.

The post J. Petrocelli makes its case for Town Square master developer appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

“We have four boy names selected as options and four girl names as options. The boy names are all nut names because their grandfather, Peanut, was our first otter on habitat,” said Darlene Puntillo, marketing director for the aquarium. “[And for the girls,] their grandmother was named Jelly, so we picked fruit names in her honor.”

Visitors who wish to catch a glimpse of the pups have a 50/50 chance to see them in the outdoor part of the habitat, as the staff is keeping them separated from their father temporarily. “Right now, the mom and the pups are separated from the dad, Stark, just until the pups learn how to swim, for their safety,” said Ms. Puntillo. “We anticipate they’ll learn to swim within the next couple of weeks, and then they’ll be out on habitat, probably every day. Until that point, they’re alternating.” 

To cast your vote to name the pups, visit www.longislandaquarium.com/exhibits/otter-falls/ every day between now and Mother’s Day. 

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With support from Bank of America, Discover Long Island and Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, the quarter-century festivities begin in early April and run for 25 weeks through September.

Each activity will showcase the aquarium’s rich history and vibrant future — all while tipping a hat to 25 years of marine education, conservation, family entertainment and its unique role in helping anchor downtown Riverhead’s still-evolving revitalization.

Back in the mid-1990s, co-founder James Bissett III, a boater, scuba diver and owner of Bissett Nursey Corp., wondered why a region surrounded by water had no place to showcase its ubiquitous connection to the sea. He originally had his sights set on Port Jefferson, but environmental and space concerns led developers to Riverhead.

When he purchased Treasure Cove Marina in 1994, Mr. Bissett saw its potential to attract visitors from all over the region. Overall, it took about eight years for his vision for the Atlantis aquarium to go from concept to construction, with shovels breaking ground in 1999 on a 3.2-acre parcel on the Peconic River.

Atlantis Marine World Aquarium opened a year later, in June 2000, featuring a 20,000-gallon main tank and several side exhibitions that played to the theme of the legendary lost city of Atlantis. In 2011, a decade after its opening, a long-planned Hyatt Place hotel opened next door, and the facility changed its name to the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center.

“We’re honored to celebrate this milestone with our community, guests and staff who have supported us every step of the way,” LI Aquarium Executive Director Bryan DeLuca said in a statement. “Our 25th Anniversary is not just about reflecting on the past, but also about looking ahead to the next 25 years of innovation, inspiration and impact.”

Below are some highlights from the months-long celebration:

• $25 Admission for all visitors on the 25th day of each month.
• A Coupon Sheet that includes more than $125 worth of savings on various items and activities for $25.
• Commemorative Swag Bags containing the coupon sheet and other items that will be distributed to the first 25 families and groups who visit the aquarium on the 25th of each month from April through September.
• Discounted interactive experiences all summer long, including rides on the Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat and Snorkel Adventure sessions.
• Weekly giveaways both in person and on the LI Aquarium’s social media platforms.
• Then & Now photo contest recreating friend and family photos originally taken at the aquarium. All submissions will be entered for a chance to win free admission and have the photos featured on the aquarium’s social media pages.
• Special Vendor Days with exclusive giveaways and special offers from LI Aquarium partners.
• Call for artists to submit aquatic-themed works for a judged art show with cash prizes, to take place during the LI Aquarium’s Member Birthday Party in June. For more information on how to submit works, visit www.longislandaquarium.com/art.
• Aquarium Member Birthday Party on Wednesday, June 25 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., featuring fun activities, prizes and one grand-prize 25-Year Couples Membership.

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At six weeks, the yet-to-be named pups are just beginning to open their eyes and move on their own. Up until this point, they have been completely dependent on their mother’s care, with Flo carrying them by the scruff. She will begin teaching them how to swim when the pups are around three months old. 

“They are basically kind of helpless for almost eight weeks,” said director of animal training Candyce Paparo. “[Now] they’re going to start progressing a little bit quicker. So Flo moves them where she wants them and where she’s comfortable. She did choose to go outside onto the habitat today, and she chose to bring them out with her.”

River otters have an interesting quirk of biology when it comes to reproducing: implantation in the uterus of their embryos takes place around 300 days after fertilization.

“The actual gestation is around like 60 to 70 days,” Ms. Paparo said, adding that the pair bred more than a year ago. “So I think it’s a fun fact that [Stark and Flo] didn’t mate this year, but [around] two months ago she had pups.”

While several species are able to delay births to await more favorable environmental conditions, this is a feature of every river otter pregnancy.

“As far as science has always told us, and what researchers have found … river otters always delay implantation,” said Ms. Paparo.

Once they are fully grown — around age two — the new pups will be relocated to other aquatic facilities around the country, because the habitat at the aquarium is too small to support six adult otters. 

In the meantime, visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the new pups can see them at the Long Island Aquarium’s river otter exhibit.

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Westhampton Beach-based graphic designer Matt Senie sells ads to local businesses and later sells the custom-made board games to municipalities and regions in the tri-state area.

“We got [The Suffolk] theater involved,” he said. “The Riverhead Moose Lodge in on the game. The [Riverhead] Rotary is on the game. The civic groups were all in. The Riverhead BID was all about it.”

He said the Long Island Aquarium bought up all four railroads on the board.

“People gravitate towards the railroads,” Mr. Senie said. “They like to own them. They usually hold on to them as long as they can before they become bankrupt.”

Mr. Senie made his final “Riverheadopoly” sale at a recent local art show where he met new East End Arts executive director Wendy Weiss. “She was the last sale,” he said.

Businesses like Riverhead’s Richmond Realty Corps “were really excited about giving them out as gifts,” Mr. Senie said. “East End Catering is on the board.”

Revco Lighting & Electric Supply bought — you guessed it — The Electric Company space. Mr. Senie said that the new Peconic Hockey Rink at Veterans Memorial Park snagged the iconic “Boardwalk” slot on the game board.

“They were one of the first [businesses] to sign up,” he said.

The new game is the first new edition of “Riverheadopoly” in two decades, and the third since 1989. 

The first game Mr. Senie created was for East Hampton in the late 1980s. From there, he made games for towns all over the tristate area, including Huntington, Northport, Sayville and numerous Connecticut towns, along with the Hamptons and Long Island as a whole. “There are four Montauk games since 1989,” he said.

In 1932, Charles Darrow created Monopoly based on an earlier, very similar board game called The Landlord Game, created by anti-monopolist Lizzie Magie, who patented the concept in 1904. In 1935, Parker Brothers bought the copyright to Monopoly and Mr. Darrow became the nation’s first millionaire game designer. When the company learned his game was based on The Landlord Game, they snapped up the patent for that game, too.

Since its 1935 debut, Parker Brothers has sold more than 275 million games — nearly twice what the nearest competitors, Scrabble and Clue, have sold.

“We’re very pleased to have the quality of businesses we have,” Mr. Senie said of the new edition of “Riverheadopoly.”

Fans of Riverhead can purchase a copy of the game in local stores or on Mr. Senie’s website.

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“How about making it 8 feet long, Bryan?” Mr. Fishman asked. “No, it’s not big enough,” Mr. DeLuca replied. Even 10 feet didn’t do the trick, so Mr. Fishman suggested 12 feet. “No, I want 14 feet,” came the response.

That turned out to be the magic number, and after 1,400 hours of designing, scaling up, engineering, melting, molding and welding stainless steel and colored acrylic, a shimmering greenish-blue turtle statue, seemingly swimming in steel sea grass, was unveiled June 10 at the front of the aquarium.

“We both work full time so it was a lot of evenings and weekends to finish the turtle,” said Mr. Fishman.

“This amazing turtle honors and pays tribute to the great work that the [New York] Marine Rescue Center does in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing endangered turtles back into our local waters,” Mr, DeLuca said at a press conference marking the event, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Endangered Species Act and the U.S. Postal Service’s release of the “Protect Sea Turtle” stamps series, designed to raise awareness about the six sea turtle species found in U.S. waters.

“We’ve rescued over 3,200 sea turtles since we opened,” said Maxine Montello, NYMRC’s executive director. “This turtle represents the four types of turtles in our area: leatherback, green, sea and Kemp’s Ridley. Our goal is to educate the public about the importance of protecting them.”

Mr. Fishman explained the sculpture’s challenging construction. “All the pieces were custom made; every single one had to be secured with steel, which took about four to five hours for each piece,” he said. Illuminating the massive turtle from the inside so the fixtures weren’t visible through the plexiglass was also time-consuming. The oversized installation will join other aquatic sculptures in Milton L. Burns Park on Peconic Avenue as part of Reflextions Riverhead, “a walkable interactive experience” along the riverfront.

Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Baiting Hollow) was present at the unveiling and pointed out that “people driving by the park will say, ‘What’s that?’ and they’ll want to go into the park and see it.”

“It took an army to build the turtle,” she added, gesturing to the politicians and town workers in attendance.

Ms. Giglio specifically thanked Suffolk County Legislator Catherine Stark, Riverhead Supervisor Tim Hubbard and community development director Dawn Thomas for their help in securing the $200,000 grant needed to create the sculpture.

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American Legion Post 273, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2476 and their auxiliaries are hosting a Veterans Day ceremony at the World War I monument at Court and West Main streets in Riverhead. According to Bob Robesch, adjutant of American Legion Post 273, the annual event will include an opening prayer by local clergy, short presentations by commanders of the VFW and Legion, wreath presentations by the posts and their auxiliaries, a performance of taps and a traditional rifle volley. 

The ceremony starts at 11 a.m. They will begin assembling at the granite monument by 10:45 a.m., Mr. Robesch said, and the ceremony should conclude around 11:30 a.m. The American Legion Hall on Hubbard Avenue will host a gathering with refreshments after the ceremony.

In Southold Town, Mattituck American Legion Post 861 invites the public to attend its Veterans Day services Saturday at 11 a.m. around the monument in front of the post, at the corner of Wickham Avenue and Pike Street. 

Commander Dave DeFriest of Griswold-Terry-Glover Post 803 said the American Legion will conduct a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on Saturday at 51655 Main Road, Southold. He said the color guard with flags will open the ceremony. Speeches will be given by Commander DeFriest, past commander Charles Sanders and Joan Cochran, president of the ladies auxiliary. Members of the local high school Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) will gather in formation on the legion lawn. The event will be held outside, weather permitting. 

Later that evening, starting at 7 p.m., the Riverhead Elks Lodge will present a “Rockin’ for the Vets” concert. This year’s lineup includes the Pamela Betti Band, Joe Hampton & the Kingpins and Bingo Bango. The shindig goes down at 1239 East Main St., Riverhead. Tickets are $20 and include live music, hors d’oeuvres and 50/50 raffle.

Pamela Betti of the Pamela Betti Band said, “David Wellen approached me a number of years ago to have my band play, and I jumped on the opportunity to participate. My father was a Korean War vet and Purple Heart recipient and his brothers were in World War II. I believe strongly about supporting our veterans. My best friend and harmonica player, Mark Fowler — a Long Island music legend — was in Vietnam, so it’s so important for us to show our support any way we can. Freedom isn’t free and I’m grateful to our troops.”

On Sunday, Nov. 12, the No Doubt World Famous Riverhead Community Band will present its fall concert honoring America and its veterans at the Pulaski Street School auditorium, 300 Pulaski St., Riverhead. The music starts at 2 p.m. and will be the opening performance of band’s 2023-24 concert season. The set includes patriotic tunes, holiday selections and a salute to the Armed Forces.

The Long Island Aquarium celebrates veterans and their families Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11. Veterans are offered free admission, with half-price entry for their families. Veterans must show valid identification, be present and purchase tickets in person. 

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Earlier this month, George Luce won his 17th and final American Power Boat Association national championship in Wakefield, Mich. in the “Mod,” or modified category — for super-light, custom-made boats powered by refitted commercial fishing boat engines that have been modified for greater speed.

“When I started the season, I said, ‘Win, lose or draw, this is my last year. But I would really like to win one more national,’ ” Mr. Luce, 61, said in an interview last week. “If I had won last year, I probably would have retired.”

Yet of his 17 national championships over 40 years, he said this year’s win was easily the sweetest.

“It was the best feeling I ever had in boat racing,” he said. “It was really, really special.”

Long Island Aquarium executive director Bryan DeLuca is among Mr. Luce’s friends and admirers.

“When you see a boat built from scratch, from raw wood, and then watch it come together, it’s pretty unbelievable,” Mr. DeLuca said. “The ability and the skill set to do both: the motor side of things, and to build the boat, that’s not easy … He’s been doing it for an incredibly long time and he’s tremendously talented.”

Mr. DeLuca said he’s proud of his friend.

“The biggest thing he wanted — when he knew he wanted to retire — he wanted to go out a champion. To set that goal at his age and accomplish that goal, it’s heartwarming … And to go out on top — who doesn’t want to do that?”

It took some prying for Mr. Luce, who is humble to a fault, to acknowledge that he’s one of a rare breed of power boat racers who both design and build their own boats as well as build or modify their own engines.

“There’s a handful of guys who build their own boats,” he said. “And there’s a handful of guys that will build their own motors. But most of the time, they have to reach out to somebody else to have that stuff made for them.”

Over the years, Mr. Luce said, he’s built about a dozen boats.

Powerboat racing is like few other motor sports in that it begins with a “flying start” — meaning racers aim to cross the starting line, at full speed, at just the right moment.

“You have to find your way into the pack, and as the race is starting, you have to find yourself a lane and be in the right position when the clock hits zero,” signaling the start of the race, Mr. Luce said.

“If you’re over [the line], you’re disqualified, but if you’re late, you’re not going to make it to the first turn before everybody else. It’s a hard thing to get the timing down for one of these starts, and you don’t always get it.”

For four decades, Mr. Luce competed in the Mod category of racers, which includes commercially designed or homemade boats powered by modified fishing boat engines. “You’re allowed to cut and grind and weld” the engines to improve performance, he explained. “There are guidelines and there is a whole set of rules you have to follow, but you can modify your engines, and that’s what I really enjoy doing.”

He said the 45-mile races — during which boats can reach speeds above 80 mph — are not necessarily as dangerous as they look.

“There’s always an element of danger in it, but it’s relatively safe,” he said. “You’re wearing a lot of safety equipment.”

Mr. Luce’s love for boat engines and boat-building began when he was a young boy, frequenting his grandfather’s hardware store on West Main Street in downtown Riverhead. There he would visit the shop’s mechanic, Pete Kruzon, a powerboat racer who built boat engines in the store’s machine shop.

“He was a very good boat racer and he was a really good mechanic,” Mr. Luce said of Mr. Kruzon, who still lives in Riverhead.

“He’s the one that really introduced me to it. He was a friend of my dad’s, and they worked together and did some racing together when I was very young. And that’s where I initially got drawn to this.”

Mr. Luce bought his first powerboat in his late teens and first competed in the early 1980s in a two-man race in Lowell, Mass.

“We went around a turn and spun the boat out and sunk the thing right there,” he recalled.

By the late 1980s, Mr. Luce was building and racing his own boats.

An avid sportsman, when Mr. Luce perfects a boat design, he’s apt to share it with his competitors.

“One of the things he did was he came up with a boat design that was superior to what [his competitors] had and he shared it with everybody,” said Tom Sutherland, the Mod category chairman for the Michigan-based American Power Boat Association. “So he wasn’t sharing it with people who had no chance of winning the race. He shared it with some pretty good people. He had a design that was safer and faster, and anybody who wanted it, he shared it with them.”

Mr. Luce said he had no choice.

“I had to,” he recalled last week. “Or it would have dominated the class if I had kept it to myself.”

Mr. Luce’s retirement doesn’t mean he’s leaving the national racing circuit behind.

His son, James, who has also won multiple national championships, has been racing since he was a child, his father said.

Mr. Luce said he cherishes their shared love for the sport, but he worries that competitive motor sports in general are on the decline.

The power boat racing circuit, which unfolds each summer on lakes in places such as Alexandria, La., Wakefield, Mich., and Washington State’s Moses Lake is “not that big, and every year it seems to get smaller and smaller.

“[Powerboat racing] is a dying breed, and it’s all kind of disappearing,” he said, noting that he isn’t sure why the sport’s popularity is in decline.

“I think, maybe, people don’t want to work as hard as it takes to put one of these out on the water. It’s a lot of work,” he said. “And I can’t see the expense being a deterrent. But to me, it seems like the spirit of competition is not as strong as it used to be.

“That’s kind of a shame, because competition is what spurs everything to grow, to become better, or last longer. It just makes everything advance. And we don’t have that spirit anymore. It’s going away.”

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