Join the Harmony Cafe for a "Meet & Greet" on Wednesday, October 24th at Rooster's Cafe in Bellport. Come learn about the mission of the "Harmony Cafe" at this "Pay-What-You-Can" dinner event, featuring music by Pauline Salotti. You must RSVP by October 22nd to attend! Click here for more information.

It's that time of year again! The Bellport Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to the Annual Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treating event on Saturday, October 27th! After the parade, all kids are welcome to take part in the Annual Trick-Or-Treat down Main Street, in participating shops. Line up at the Bellport Fire House by 11:30am if you want to be part of the Parade.  Click here for more information.

The Bellport Brookhaven Historical Society presents a talk by Jai Imbrey on the publication of the new book, "Mosques, Splendors of Islam" on Saturday, October 27th. The evening will begin at 5:00pm with a presentation, followed by a book signing and wine and cheese reception at 6:00pm.  Click here for more information.

New Letters to the Editor have been posted.  Click here for more information.

Join St. James Episcopal Church for "Whine & Wings," a fundraiser to support the mission and ministry of their church. The event will be held on Saturday, November 3rd from 6:00pm-8:00pm. In addition to chicken wings, a variety of beverages, salads and vegetarian fare will be offered. Join them and have fun while whining in a playful, fun tone about the weather, sports, politics, the economy or whatever else you may wish!  Click here for more information.

The New York Times recently ran a very informative article regarding the upcoming Midterm Elections that we’d like to share with you. The article tries to answer the questions below. At the end, you’ll find a link to the article itself which contains the answers to these questions.

The New York Times, Oct. 2, 2018, Everything You Need to Know for the Midterm Elections

• When are the midterms?
• What’s at stake in Washington?
• What about outside of Washington?
• Who’s going to win the House?
• If Democrats take the House, what happens?
• If Republicans keep the House, what happens?
• How many House seats do Democrats need to pick up to take over the House?
• How do they get there?
•How many Americans live in competitive congressional districts?
• Which states have the most competitive House races?
• Does my vote matter?
• Can I vote early?
• How late can I register? Where do I vote?
• Will my vote be safe?
• What role is social media playing in the midterms?
• What is Facebook doing differently?
• How does the special counsel investigation affect the midterms?
• What kinds of policy discussions have dominated races?
• Do Democrats have a chance to take the Senate, too?
• Which Republican-held seats must the Democrats win to have any shot at capturing the Senate?
• If the House and Senate split, what are the odds of any major legislation getting passed for two years?
• What sort of Republican candidates made it through the primaries?
• Is it really the “Year of the Woman”?
• What candidates are making Democrats excited?
• What candidates are making Republicans excited?
• Who can make history this year?
• Have scandals affected the House outlook at all?
• Is it common for a president to defend those accused of crimes on political grounds?
• Which Washington power players stand to lose the most on Election Day?
• Are there ballot measures worth watching?
• Are the midterms just a referendum on Mr. Trump?
• Is Mr. Trump a boon or a liability for Republican candidates?
• Can I trust the polls?
• O.K., the midterms end and then what?

Click here for the full article.  

An award of $10.025 million in State funding has allowed the Suffolk County Department of Health Services to increase the amounts of grants to homeowners who choose to replace their existing cesspools or septic systems with new Innovative/Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has announced. As part of an expansion of the County’s own Septic Improvement Program (SIP), homeowners who qualify under guidelines of the State Septic System Replacement Fund may be eligible to receive as much as $20,000 in combined County and State funding, according to the County Executive. The additional funding will make it less expensive for homeowners to voluntarily replace aging and failing cesspools with state-of-the-art technologies that significantly improve treatment, extend system life, and enhance safety.

“As the County continues its historic work to improve water quality, New York State has recognized Suffolk as the leading county statewide in the battle to reduce nitrogen pollution by awarding us 70 percent of the first year’s allocation under the State Septic Replacement Program,” said Bellone. “As I have said many times, replacing cesspools and septic systems is critical if we are to improve water quality, but it will never work unless we can make it affordable for homeowners. The County’s own program was an important step in the right direction, but the addition of this state funding will make it even easier for homeowners to replace their existing system with one designed to better protect the environment.”

Under the County’s Septic Improvement Program, homeowners can qualify for grants of up to $10,000 to replace their systems with new technologies which have been pilot tested and approved for use under the County’s Reclaim Our Water initiative. Under the State’s program approved in 2018, state funding can be added to local grants, making homeowners eligible for as much as $20,000 in combined County and State funding. The average cost of a system installed under the County program since it began is just under $22,000.

“The use of County and State grant funding can save homeowners who must replace their existing systems thousands of dollars, making it much more affordable to upgrade to a new IA system,” said Bellone. “Suffolk County is thankful to Governor Cuomo for his leadership in helping to make this state funding available, and for his strong support of our efforts to improve water quality.”

“Through this grant funding from New York State, Suffolk residents will be able to match the investment and commitment our county has already made to improving water quality,” said Majority Leader Kara Hahn, Chairwoman of the Legislature’s Environment, Planning and Agriculture Committee. “We all want to do right by our environment, but that obligation tends to wain the more significant the burden. With this additional funding, homeowners will have even greater incentive to replace antiquated cesspools and septic systems and find further proof that protecting our water won’t come at a unsustainable cost.”

Suffolk County has created an easy-to-use electronic application process for homeowners who qualify to apply. For more information, visit www.reclaimourwater.info.

Deborah L. Galligan broker/ owner of Swan Realty Corp would like to welcome Marylou Benincase, LSA (top) and Nicole Giacobbe, LSA (bottom) to the Swan Realty team! Click here for more information.

For almost two years, you’ve been able to depend on us to publish Bellport Village Legal Notices within minutes of their being released by Village Hall. We took this responsibility very seriously and dropped everything so as to work on publishing a new Legal Notice when it arrived. We realize how important “transparency” in Village Government is, and for that reason, we felt that publishing and maintaining an archive of current and past Village Legal Notices was an important service we could provide to you, our readers. Without warning or explanation, Village Hall has for some reason decided to no longer publish Bellport Village Legal Notices on Bellport.com. Click here for more information.

Planning and Shopping for Thanksgiving: 3 hours
Preparing and Cooking for Thanksgiving: 8 hours
Cleaning up after Thanksgiving: 2 hours
Calling the Bellport Country Club @ 631.286.4227: 60 seconds!

Why spend time shopping, cooking and cleaning this Thanksgiving when you can spend all of that time with your family and friends? The Bellport Country Club will prepare a Thanksgiving feast that will leave your bellies full and faces smiling! An 18-20lb Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Stuffing, Candied Yams, Grilled Vegetables, Gravy, Apple and Pumpkin Pies, Cranberry Dressing, Dinner Rolls and Scones! Availability is limited and this great meal will sell-out!  Click here for more information.

Swan Realty has posted a home for sale in Brookhaven Hamlet. This is your opportunity to enjoy a beautiful, two-story, NEW CONSTRUCTION home on a wooded, private property. If you or someone you know is looking for a new home, be sure to check it out! Click here for more information.

Booking a holiday party? Look no further than the Bellport Country Club! Enjoy a great evening out with either a gourmet buffet reception or a sit-down dinner; all in a fantastic holiday atmosphere!  Click here for more information.

Eileen Green Realty has posted homes for sale in Bellport Village and Brookhaven Hamlet. If you or someone you know is looking for a new home, be sure to check them out! Click here for more information.

Playcrafters Theatre Company will present “The Rainmaker," by N. Richard Nash this Fall at the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Bellport Area, 471 Atlantic Ave., Bellport. The show runs two weekends, November 2-4 and 9-11. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm. The cast includes: Matt Boose, Joseph Cavagnet, Michael Cerevella, Flo Federman, George A. Loizides, Derek McLaughlin, and Mark Santaromita. The performance will be directed by Catherine Clyne.

On the dry and dusty western plains during a severe drought, a mysterious man appears at the Curry farm proclaiming that he can bring rain. Each family member’s life is profoundly touched by this charismatic stranger, especially Lizzie Curry, who learns that hopes and dreams are not just fairy tales.

Although described as a romantic comedy, The Rainmaker is much more than that. It is the story of a family brought back from despair when they take a risk and have faith in the outcome. It is the story of how a hopeless situation can be transformed by finding the power and strength that lies within us. Click here for more information.

Long Island Stories is an opportunity for local authors, or authors who write about Long Island events and places, to share their work with our local community. Richard Weissmann recently sent us his latest story, "The End," which received a "Judge's Choice Award" from Dan's Papers this past August!  Click here for more information.

Back by popular demand, Village Yoga will be adding a "Yoga on the Mat" class on Monday afternoons from 4:30pm-5:30pm beginning on Monday, September 24th. If you've been wanting to join a yoga class, this is a great opportunity to try this dynamic gentle and relaxing practice! Classes are held at Christ Church, 64 South Country Road in Bellport.  Click here for more information.

Our "Summer Photo Contest" really captured the beauty of Bellport in the summer! There were so many amazing photos submitted for the contest! Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo. If you didn't have a chance to submit a photo for this contest, don't worry. We'll have a brand new themed contest coming soon and we hope that you'll participate! So please hold your new photo submissions until then. We'd like to congratulate Lynda Wagner for submitting the winning photograph!   Click here for a larger version of the winning photo.

Lynda has won a $25 Gift Certificate to Peter's on the Green. Located by the 9th hole at the Bellport Country Club, "Peter's on the green" offers great food in a comfortable and inviting setting. They take pride in preparing all of their menu items from fresh, high quality ingredients resulting in a dining experience that we're certain you'll enjoy!

Eileen Green Realty has posted a home for sale in Bellport Village. This gracious, turn-of-the-century, three story home is in the heart of Bellport Village South. If you or someone you know is looking for a new home, be sure to check it out! Click here for more information.

Swan Realty has posted a home for sale in Bellport Village. This sprawling four bedroom, 2 bathroom ranch is situated on 1/2 an acre on a cul-de-sac. If you or someone you know is looking for a new home, be sure to check it out! Click here for more information.

A new Classified Ad has been posted for a home improvement business based in Bellport that is looking to hire.  Click here for more information.

The Bellport High School Class of 2008 will hold their 10 year reunion at The Tap Room in Patchogue on Saturday, December 22nd from 6:00pm-9:00pm. This event is only for graduates of the class of 2008. Tickets are available via EventBrite until December 1st. Click here for more information.

A new Classified Ad has been posted looking for a new part-time preschool teacher at the Bellport Methodist Preschool.  Click here for more information.

In a nutshell, planning ahead is good. It’s good outside of a nutshell, too. Early this year you had a plan. You were going to get out in the yard and make it look as good as that annoying guy down the block. The one with the next to perfect lawn and the great shrubs. But, weather happens. And school stuff. And family stuff. And the hot weather.

At last, the weather breaks! Then comes back-to-school, dance classes, sports, holidays, snow and, before you know it, you’re waiting for Spring again so you can get out in the yard and finally DO something. Or, you could consult us at Jason Crane Landscaping NOW and work up a plan.  Click here for more information.

Swan Realty has posted homes for sale in East Patchogue and Blue Point. If you or someone you know is looking for a new home, be sure to check them out! Click here for more information.

All of our kids are wearing backpacks to school that are actually considered fashion statements these days. You see some millennials wearing them at events that don’t even warrant a backpack, but are worn because they are perceived as a cool piece of apparel. But are you aware of the hidden dangers behind these backpacks and the long term effects they have on our bodies?

This article is meant to educate both children and adults about buying the right backpack and how to adjust it correctly for the best fit and to reduce the stress it can put on your shoulders, neck, and back.  Click here for more information.

Have you been thinking about a new landscape project for your home, but haven’t gotten around to doing anything about it yet? It’s time! A new pool, outdoor kitchen, or even an outdoor fireplace are all possible and Designscapes of Long Island will be glad to help! Click here for more information.

The South Country Library has released its list of events for September and October. Registration for adult programs is immediate and ongoing unless otherwise noted. Registration for September children's programs starts Saturday, September 1st at 9:30am. October children's program registration starts Monday, October 1st at 9:30am. Click here for descriptions of the upcoming programs.

On August 13, 2018, Associate Village Justice, Kerri N. Lechtrecker, dismissed the lawsuit brought by Bellport Village against Village Resident Robert Hermus. Here’s what happened... Click here for more information.

The following information was surprisingly difficult to gather. Many hours went into compiling, checking and crosschecking the information. However, because the information was so difficult to come by, we can’t be 100% sure of our sources or its accuracy. We strongly suggest you do some checking of your own if any of this information pertains to you.

New York State Primary Election Dates

Friday, August 24, Deadline for voter registration for State/Local Primary

Thursday, September 6, Deadline to postmark an application to vote absentee in the State/Local Primary.

Wednesday, September 12, Last day to apply in person for an Absentee Ballot for the State/Local Primary, if previously registered.

Wednesday, September 12, Deadline to postmark an absentee ballot for the State/Local Primary. The county board must receive the absentee ballot no later than September 20.

Thursday, September 13, Deadline for Absentee Ballot to be received in person.

State/Local Primary Election September 13


New York State Local & General Election Dates

Friday, October 5, Deadline to transmit Military voters' absentee ballots for State/Local offices and proposals, per Federal court order.

Friday, October 12, Deadline for the Board of Elections to receive an application for an in person registration to vote in the State/Local General Election. If honorably discharged from the military or have become a naturalized citizen since October 12, you may register in person at the board of elections up until October 27.

Friday, October 12, Last day to postmark an application to register to vote in the State/Local General election. The Board of Elections must receive the application by October 17.

Friday, October 12, Deadline for the Board of Elections to receive an application for a Military/Special Federal absentee ballot, if not previously registered.

Saturday, October 27, Deadline for the Board of Elections to receive an application for a Military/Special absentee ballot for the State/Local General Election, if not previously registered.

Tuesday, October 30, Deadline to postmark an application or letter of application to vote absentee in the State/Local General Election.

Tuesday, October 30, Deadline for the Board of Elections to receive a Military/Special State/Local Federal absentee application, if by mail and previously registered.

Monday, November 5, Deadline to apply in person to vote absentee in the State/Local General Election.

Monday, November 5, Deadline to apply personally for a Military/Special State/Local Federal ballot, if previously registered.

Monday, November 5, Deadline to postmark an absentee State/Local General Election ballot. The county board must receive the absentee ballot no later than November 13.

Monday, November 5, Deadline to postmark a Military/Special State/Local Federal ballot. The Board of Elections must receive it by November 19.

Tuesday, November 6, Last day to deliver an absentee State/Local General Election ballot in person to a county board, by the time polls close on Election Day.

Tuesday, November 6, 6:00am to 9:00pm, State/Local General Election

For the 6th year in a row, Bellport.com has been selected by Constant Contact to receive their coveted "All Star Award" for 2017. Every spring, Constant Contact selects their All Star Award recipients for the prior year. With over 5 million customers, Constant Contact has been a leader in email marketing since 1995 and is one of the leading communications companies designed to help small businesses and non-profits communicate with the world. Click here for more information.

The Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center will celebrate all year long with special, free and discounted adoption promotional events. All adoptions during the special events will include free neuter or spay, vaccinations, microchip, license, heartworm test, flea and fecal. The normal adoption fees are $137 for a dog and $125 for a cat.

The 2018 special adoption events are:
• March 16-18 Irish I Had A Home… Free adoptions for dogs and cats
• April 1-8 Adoption Egg-stravaganza… Free adoptions during Easter week
• May 1-31 Cinco de Gato… Free cat adoptions during the entire month
• June 1-30 Dog Days of Summer… Free dog and cat adoptions all month long
• July 14 Celebrate Furry Freedom Event… Free adoptions attractions, food, music
• August 1- 31 Summer Loving… Discounted $65 dog and cat adoption fees all month long
• Sept. 1-30 Back To School… Free adoptions for “School Age” dogs and cats (4 ears and up)
• Oct. 1-31 Adopterfest… Free adoptions the month of October and our adoption event
• Nov. 1-30 Adopt a Senior Pet Month… Free adoptions for cats and dogs 6 years or older
• Nov. 23 Black Friday Event… Discounted $65 adoptions for black dogs and cats
• Dec. 1-31 Home for the Holidays… Discounted $65 adoptions all month long

Those who are interested in adopting a dog or cat should visit the Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. It is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, please call 631-451-6950 or visit the Animal Shelter website.

For 14 years now, we’ve put a lot of time and effort into keeping you informed. There’s hardly a major event, and most of the minor ones too, in the South Country area that we don’t cover for you. Even our paid advertising, which helps pay the bills, keeps you informed as to what our local shops, restaurants, and businesses are up to.

We know how much our readers look forward to our emailing to the community every Tuesday morning. It’s a quick way for you to make sure you don’t miss a significant event in the coming week, but did you notice that we’ve also started to publish the Village’s Legal Notices? You no longer have to wade through page after page of incy, wincy, tiny type trying to figure out if any of it pertains to you. We even include mention of new Legal Notices in our weekly emailing so that you won’t miss them.

The bottom line is, we need your support if we’re to continue publishing Bellport.com. We’d like you to subscribe for just 10 cents a day, that’s only $36.50 for the entire year, 2018, to help keep Bellport.com going. If you can afford $50 or $100 for the year, that’s great, but if you can only afford $25, that’s fine too. As a “Thank You,” if you do subscribe for $36.50 or more for the year, you’ll receive FREE Classified Ad Services for the year, including photos. If you place just one Classified Ad during the year, this service alone will pay for your subscription!

Please CLICK HERE for information on becoming a Bellport.com Subscriber for 2018.

We're starting something new in our weekly email blasts... a "Featured Photo of the Week!" Your photo could be featured at the top of one of our weekly email blasts! If you have a photo you'd like us to consider featuring, email it to us. Be sure to sign up for our weekly email blasts to see if your photo has been chosen!

Placing an ad in the Bellport.com Classifieds works! Take a look at two letters we recently received from readers who had posted Classified Ads:

"Thank you for posting a photo of a beagle and our request for a sitter. We received many calls and found a lovely couple in Bellport Village to care for our beagle Molly. Many thanks and you can now remove the posting under pet sitting." - Mary and Tom

"Once again, with the help of bellport.com we have been successful in our efforts. This time we placed an ad for help in caring for our garden. Once again bellport.com made it a successful move. So please discontinue our ad. What would we ever do without you?" Best regards, Elaine

Place your classified ad today! Don't forget- Classified ads are FREE for Bellport.com Subscribers!

Click here to submit your own ad.