Mr. Zaleski played Santa for the fifth straight year with the hope of helping every student in need receive a gift during the holiday season. As a 31-year member of Riverhead’s highway department, Mr. Zaleski said he is happy to use his longtime municipal status as a platform to give back to those in need. He was reelected highway superintendent this November.

“It’s really a good thing,” Mr. Zaleski said. “And I’m very humbled, because every year it grows more and more.”

His son Ryan attended school in Riverhead, and Roanoke Avenue Elementary principal Thomas Payton left an indelible mark on Mr. Zaleski as an attentive school administrator. 

“Mr. Payton would literally wait for my son and walk him in to school every day,” Mr. Zaleski said. “So I never forgot something like that.”

The principal keeps a list of local children in need throughout Riverhead’s grade schools—including Aquebogue, Riley Avenue, Roanoke Avenue and Phillips Avenue—and helps distribute the toys throughout the district. 

“[They] make sure all of the children in need get something,” Mr. Zaleski said. 

Roanoke Avenue Elementary School assistant principal Andrea Lopez told the Riverhead News-Review the school is “extremely grateful” for Mr. Zaleski’s generosity. When dropping off toys Monday afternoon, Ms. Lopez couldn’t help but notice the big smile on Mr. Zaleski’s face.

“Receiving all of this for our families and our parents, it really makes their holiday,” she said. “It’s the most gracious thing that he could do. You know things are tight nowadays, and it lifts up the spirits of everybody and makes that bridge between our school and the community that much tighter.”

When collecting the toys, Mr. Zaleski asks that people donate a variety of toys for students in grades 1 through 4—dolls, trucks, board games, paint sets, you name it. This year, roughly 500 toys were donated by community members with the help of Riverhead Moose Lodge 1742, All Suffolk Car Clubs and Fink’s Country Farm.

The toy donation is accompanied by an annual 5K that Mr. Zaleski runs—something residents are likely familiar with from his years of running in town. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Zaleski ran a 5K to support healthcare workers and has run several others in support of local food banks since. 

Mr. Zaleski consistently goes above and beyond for his community, with over a decade of educational, interactive elementary school visits displaying highway department equipment like snow plows and dump trucks. His efforts earned him and the Riverhead Highway Department the Riverhead News-Review’s 2024 Public Servant of the Year award. 

“It’s just all ‘do good to feel good,’” Mr. Zaleski said of his efforts. “That’s basically my motto.”

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He was born March 7, 1951 to Helen Sophie Troyan and William Bernard Raffel, and lived most of his life on the North Fork. In his early years he attended Northville School and worked on his Uncle Peter’s farm. He especially loved driving tractors as a child and plowing and planting, and always had a big vegetable garden.

He graduated from Riverhead High School in 1969 and to his parent’s surprise, enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years. His motto always was “semper paratus,” always ready. He later made his living on the bay, scalloping, taught by his Uncle Bill. He met his wife, Maria (née Berdinka) of 49 years during this time. Maria remembered meeting this “kind, strong, handsome man” who worked on a boat in the extreme weather. She was “hooked immediately.” Jim and Maria married in 1976. Their children, Emily Maria Fossum, of Sante Fe, New Mexico, and Simon Peter Raffel, of Ferndale, Michigan, were welcomed joyfully following.

Jim went on to work at the Plum Island Ferry, Port Jefferson Ferry and also on the tugboats on the eastern seaboard. He loved hiking, going to the mountains, fixing things, nature and just going out and anchoring up in the bay. He had a deep, quiet faith and mass was a priority. He was a devoted husband, father, uncle and neighbor.

Besides his wife, son and daughter; Jim also leaves his sister Irene McCarthy of Ridge, N.Y. and his brother Eddie (Joanne) of Riverhead. He was predeceased by his brother William “Sammy” Raffel (Mary) in October of this year. He also leaves behind his godchild and niece Annie Raffel of Calverton, and many nieces and nephews.

The family received friends on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. The Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, officiated by Father Michael Bartholomew. Interment followed at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue, where the U.S. Coast Guard thanked Jim with a Military Honors Service graveside, followed by a prayer led by Father Mike.

Although this is a time of unspeakable sorrow for his family and those who loved Jim, we are comforted that his suffering is over, and we pray that he is in a place of light, happiness and peace with the Lord forever. His life was a gift to us all. Thank you from his family for all the kindness shown over this past year and with his passing.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the North Fork Parish Outreach, Post Office Box 584, Greenport, NY 11944 would be appreciated.

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She was the beloved wife of the late Martin J. Waters, with whom she shared 60 wonderful years of marriage before his passing in 2012. Born in Astoria, Queens, she was the daughter of the late George and Catherine (Flood) Maley. Mary made her home in East Greenwich in 2018, bringing with her a warm spirit, an artist’s touch, and a deep devotion to her family.

Mary was gifted in many ways—an accomplished and thoughtful knitter, a talented home cook whose meals brought family together, and a creative soul who found joy in painting. She was a devoted caregiver to her loved ones over the years, including her mother, husband, brother and any family member in need. Her faith in God, quiet strength, gentle humor, and loving nature enriched the lives of all who knew her.

She leaves behind her cherished children: Mary Ann (late Robert) Moeller, Gerry (and beloved daughter-in-law Joanne) Waters, Commander Peter Waters, U.S. Navy (Ret.), and Paul S. Waters. Mary was the proud grandmother of Allison, Brian, Matthew, Kathleen, Kerrilyn, and Jacqueline, and the delighted great-grandmother of Tessa and Annikah. She was also the loving sister of the late Rev. George G. Maley, O.P.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, Dec. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. Graveside services will immediately follow at Saint Patrick’s R.C. Cemetery in Southold, officiated by Father Abraham Thannickal, where Mary will be laid to rest beside her late husband Martin.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to Hope Health Hospice & Palliative Care, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.

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However, the port of Sag Harbor was busier, meaning that the railroad would have more variables to deal with when it came to scheduling. Greenport was the most advantageous jumping-off point for passengers coming from New York City on their way to Boston. 

“We like to say, that Greenport was the reason for the Long Island Railroad,” said Don Fisher, president of the Railroad Museum of Long Island.

Greenport has a deeper, wider harbor that allowed steamships in and out to Connecticut more easily. Most importantly, to get to Sag Harbor, you had to go over Shinnecock Canal, which at that time was essentially a tidal swamp where water would pass between the Peconic Bay and Southampton Bay. 


“It was marshy, you would have had to bridge it over. That cost a lot of money. Also, you didn’t have the metallurgy and stuff in the early 1800s. That’s why we’re coming down Long Island anyway, because you couldn’t get across the rivers in Connecticut,” said Mr. Fisher. “At that point, we didn’t have the resources, knowledge, or the metallurgy to build bridges. We didn’t have the Portland cement to put proper piers to get across those rivers.” 

Before engineering advancements in metal and cement, it wasn’t possible to build bridges strong enough to support the weight of the trains. In order to connect points south with New England and create a corridor for both passengers and commerce, the Long Island Rail Road chose to run along the center of the island and up to Greenport. On July 27, 1844, the Greenport line began operation.

“And for five or six years, the Long Island Railroad, after it was formed, those people made a lot of money because it was the fastest way to get from New York to Boston. So you get on a boat, go across on a ferry boat to Brooklyn, you’d get on the train, and in three hours, you would be out there on the dock,” Mr. Fisher said.

Greenport had a four-bay engine house, a hostler engine, freight houses and a turntable. The train ran right out onto the dock so that boats could unload directly into the cars.

“They got fresh oysters from out here every day. You’re going to be sending out perishables, you needed to be able to ice them down. The oysters would be put into boxes or barrels at the time, and they put ice on top of their oysters to keep them chilled. The railroad made it not only economically feasible, but physically feasible to move these perishables, because you could put it on the train in less than three hours it was in the city,” said Mr. Fisher. “The truck would run up to the train depot there in Greenport, and they would ice in on top of the oysters and the fish and then transport the stuff in.”

The freight house serves as the eastern outpost for the Railroad Museum and the turntable is still there. The dock still stands, with the old station serving as the East End Maritime Museum. Ownership of the line has changed hands several times, first from the MTA to Suffolk County and then to the village of Greenport.

Sag Harbor eventually got its own railroad connection, but not until 1870 — more than two decades after Greenport’s line opened. The Sag Harbor branch served as the South Fork’s eastern terminus for 25 years until expansion pushed further east to Montauk in 1895.

The village’s station was rebuilt in 1909 and saw various uses, including transporting torpedoes to the wharf for testing during World War I. The branch was abandoned in 1939.

“The importance of Greenport cannot be downplayed because it was the reason for the law on the railroad,” said Mr. Fisher. “It was an important site for maintenance and preparing the trains to go back to the city the next day. It’s where the people could come and get on a train and get on their way to Boston.”

See more in the Keeping track of history series:

Wading River Station

Calverton Station

Manorville Station

Riverhead Station

North Fork stations

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Long Ireland Beer Company, a fixture at 817 Pulaski St. since 2011, will be closing its doors on Dec. 31. 

The brewery’s owners announced the decision Saturday, Dec. 13 on social media, expressing sadness and thanking the beer-quaffing public for its support over the past 14 years.

“We have worked endlessly these past years trying to stay afloat, trying to provide a fun and welcoming atmosphere, trying to brew consistently good beer,” the post reads on Facebook. “Even with all of our hard work and dedication — we have come to the reality that it just isn’t enough.”

Suds-loving pals Dan Burke and Greg Martin began brewing beer together in their free time on March 1, 2009. They enjoyed it so much that they quit their day jobs in the heating and air conditioning business and spawned Long Ireland Beer Company two years later.

The pair said New Year’s Eve will be the brewery’s “final hurrah,” adding that they “plan to go out partying as only we can.” 

“Over the next couple of weeks we hope you’ll join us in the tasting room and help us say goodbye on a high note. We have a few fun events left, so if you’ve ever raised a pint with us, made a memory here, or felt like part of our extended beer-loving family — now’s the time to come by and see us,” the post reads.

The company publicly discussed its financial struggles in May, citing declining sales and rising expenses, saying it was difficult to survive and warning that its future was uncertain.

Last month, the company posted an update, saying the community responded and showed immense support. Nonetheless, it wasn’t enough to keep the doors open.

News of the closure prompted an emotional response on social media, drawing nearly 200 comments, many accompanied by crying-face emojis.

“This makes me so sad. We love Long Ireland and have come to feel very ‘at home’ there. We will miss you all so much. We wish you the best of everything going forward,” Ruth Taylor Driscoll wrote.

Irish Crossroads, an Irish gift shop in Sayville, thanked Long Ireland for being “such an important part of the Long Island Irish scene.”

“Pioneers on L.I. for sure, great beer, great vibes, great people! I’m so sorry this (is) the end, I had hoped for a different outcome. Thank you for years of support,” wrote Paul Leone, executive director of the New York State Brewers Association.

Others echoed the sentiment.

“A second family to me, and a second home to many,” wrote Stevie Czelatka. “Sorry to see this. Long live Long Ireland!”

The post Long Ireland Beer Company closing after 14 years in Riverhead appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

Born in Riverhead Feb. 5, 1936, he was the son of John and Ellen (Condjella) Jarzombek. He graduated from Riverhead High School and worked as a local nursery worker.

Predeceased by his parent and siblings Lawrence, George, Robert, Thomas and Rosemary Wysocki, he is survived by his siblings Ellen Sanders of Indiana, Cathy Jarzombek of Riverhead, John of Riverhead, Stanley of Calverton and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 5:30 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. The funeral will be private.

Memorial donations are requested for the American Kidney Foundation.

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Among the 15 victims of the Australia attack was 41-year-old Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a friend Rabbi Hurwitz had known through years of Chabad training in France and Brooklyn.

“He was a joyous, good guy. He was the best of us,” an emotional Rabbi Hurwitz, 38, told The Suffolk Times in an exclusive interview Monday. “A true leader.”

Rabbi Hurwitz — who has led Chabad of North Fork since moving to Mattituck from Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in 2020 — and Rabbi Schlanger forged a bond in their youth, during an incident Rabbi Hurwitz recalled as foreshadowing his friend’s courage.

The two were with a group of religious students in St. Denis, near Paris, when they were chased by a bat-wielding mob while trying to catch the last train.

“Eli was one of the few who didn’t run — he stood up. Even then, he stood up to antisemitism,” Rabbi Hurwitz said.

The news of the deadly assault by a father and son on the other side of the world hit the North Fork hard. Rabbi Hurwitz’s decision to proceed with the menorah lighting triggered support from police, who provided security and even joined in eating sufganiot (jelly donuts) with others who braved the snow-covered sand.

“We have to stand up and stand proud. That’s the only way to deal with this tragedy,” he said. 

The rabbi encouraged participants to wear Stars of David openly, and stressed that “there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We have thousands of Americans scared of their Judaism, especially out here on the North Fork.”

Riverhead resident Mark Alhadeff, 62, initially wrestled with his own fear before attending the Mattituck menorah lighting.

“There was a lot of crying and being in self-defense mode and hiding,” he said, referring to his initial reaction to the terror attack. “Then I said, ‘No, I’m not going to hide.'”

Mr. Alhadeff was emboldened by Rabbi Hurwitz’s words and immediately went on Amazon to order an eight-foot dreidel, which he will place in his front yard.

“It felt weird. We didn’t know what to expect,” Mr. Alhadeff said. “But it was the happiest place you can imagine. Everyone there was saying the same thing: ‘We’re here in defiance.'”

A Pattern of Attacks

The Bondi Beach attack — which left more than 40 injured, including Rabbi Hurwitz’s cousin Pinny, who was shot in the neck — is the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents in Australia. On Dec. 6, 2024, arsonists attacked the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, causing significant damage and injuring a congregant. Rabbi Schlanger’s response at that time would prove prophetic.

“Be more Jewish, act more Jewish and appear more Jewish,” he urged his community after the Melbourne fire, according to Rabbi Hurwitz. “Let’s be proud of who we are. Spread light, spread happiness, spread joy — because that prevails in darkness.”

That same message echoed during the Bondi Beach celebration, before Rabbi Schlanger was killed while leading the community’s Hanukkah by the Sea ceremony.

For Rabbi Hurwitz and his family — his wife, Mushky, and their two children — the story of the Maccabees resisting overwhelming odds resonates more than ever in the wake of the senseless slaughter.

“That’s what Hanukkah is about,” the rabbi said. “Standing up to adversity when you’re outnumbered, being proud of who you are, standing tall and being a bright light that spreads righteousness.

“That’s what Eli would have wanted.”

Chabad of North Fork will hold another Hanukkah celebration on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4:30 p.m. at the Hen-Pecked Husband Farm, 1254 Northville Turnpike in Riverhead.

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The Vibe

The Riverhead joint has a bit of a split-space feel. When you enter the restaurant, venture to the right for the diner-inspired area with bright lights, booths and big round tables. Pull up a chair to the sports bar — best for brunch — right beside the buzzing seating area. To the left it’s moodier, dimly lit and the ultimate setting for a night out at the chic bar serving top-notch espresso martinis, mojitos and other creative cocktails. 

The Food

Options are in abundance on the eatery’s multiple-page menu: loads of drinks, including cocktails, juices, milkshakes and smoothies; and diner classics from breakfast to burgers, soups, salads and American entrees. There is also what sets the restaurant apart — its Hispanic Heritage menu section with breakfast, apps, sides and marvelous mains. 

Colombian Empanadas Although empanadas come in many varieties, these have a heartier composition. The thick corn exterior offers a subtle, buttery crunch, revealing the starchy potato-meat filling — your choice of chicken or beef — that leaves you thoroughly satiated.

Patacones Peconic Imagine an elevated nacho. That’s what you’re getting when you bite into this fried plantain loaded with fresh guac, pico de gallo and your choice of protein including shrimp, skirt steak, shredded beef, chicken or pork cracklings. The latter makes for a wonderful contrast of sweet creaminess on the base and crisp fatty flavor on top, all rounded out by the refreshing pico de gallo. 

Mofongo This traditional Puerto Rican dish is assembled with a creamy garlic sauce served inside a fried-plantain-made bowl. Opt for shrimp, chicken, chicharron or steak, delightfully soaked in the decadent sauce, as the salty flavors balance perfectly against the silky plantain foundation. 

Peruvian Lomo Saltado Stir-fried steak cooked to a just-right medium has a tender, juicy texture and is complemented by the acidic hit of red onions and tomatoes. The main part of the meal speaks for itself, but the addition of French fries and jasmine rice give it a meat-‘n-potatoes base that’s easy to love.   

Peconic Eatery

871 Old Country Road, Riverhead

631-591-0291

@peconiceatery

Hours

Open daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

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Born in Uniondale Aug. 2, 1933, he was the son of James and Alva Mollo. He earned a diploma from Uniondale High School, a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and a master’s degree from Adelphi University. He also served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957, and worked as an engineer with Sperry.

Family say he was a fan of the N.Y. Yankees and Giants and enjoyed playing cards and golf.

Mr. Mollo was predeceased by his first wife, Evelyn, and siblings Maryanne DeSantes and Robert Mollo, and is survived by his wife, Barbara; children Dean Mollo of Commack, Debra Kimmel of Plainview, Theresa Thomas of North Carolina and Donna Polit of Delancy, N.Y.; and six grandchildren.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8:30 p.m. at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18, at 9:15 a.m. at St. John’s Church in Riverhead, with burial following at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

Memorial donations are requested for Covenant House or St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Mont.

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The town will hold its 2026 shotgun hunting lottery at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall to select which hunters can access town property during the state’s special firearms deer season in January, Riverhead officials announced Wednesday, Dec. 10.

The lottery is open only to Riverhead residents and property owners. Hunters must appear in person at the Town Board Room, 4 W. Second St., with a current New York State driver’s license and hunting license.

They must have a valid state hunting license, big game tag and landowner endorsement from the town while hunting on town property. The town does not require a separate town hunting license.

All paperwork will be completed on-site before the lottery begins.

Winners will hunt by lottery-assigned dates and times at designated areas within the Calverton Enterprise Park and at 1751 Sound Avenue in Calverton during the Jan. 4-31 season authorized by the state Department of Environmental Conservation, officials said.

The Town Board authorized the lottery and shotgun hunting on town property at its Dec. 2 meeting.

For more information, contact Karen Occhiogrosso in the town attorney’s office at 631-727-3200, ext. 651, or the town recreation department at ext. 737.

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