An estimated 90% of agencies that serve people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities are struggling with staffing of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). One of the main contributing factors to this shortage is the high employee separation rate, which ranges from 30% to 40% within the first year of employment.   The DSP is on the […]

Thomas McGann passed away on October 19 at his adopted home in Dunedin, Florida. He was 85 years old. Tom had a distinguished career with the U.S. Coast Guard, taking pride in his service during the Vietnam War. He was also one of the original “Maguire boys,” part of a trio that purchased Maguire’s restaurant […]

Broadway legend and Hollywood star Tony Roberts passed away on February 7, 2025. His father, Ken Roberts; his mother, Norma; and later his stepmother, Sydelle, whom Ken married after Norma died, became my dear friends. Ken was a Golden Age radio announcer whose career spanned decades. The Roberts family owned a summer house in Ocean […]

Patchogue Village trustee Joe Keyes, who had enthusiastically celebrated his St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal status at the James Joyce Pub and Restaurant just weeks prior, passed away on March 10 at the age of 73 due to a heart attack. Ruland Funeral Home conducted his wake, and the First Baptist Church of Patchogue held […]

Michael Braceland Smith’s world is occupied in an 18-by-75-foot studio located in an East Patchogue strip mall. Gorgeous frame samples hang on a wall, then warrens stuffed with an art gallery, equipment, paint cans, brushes, and creations in progress spill out from every twist and turn, separated by hanging plastic panels to keep the dust […]

The master photographer koitz (spelled with a lower-case “k”) is well-known on Fire Island as the author of Gay Fire Island. He also collaborated with documentarian Parker Sargent on the production of In the Meat Rack, which has earned acclaim at multiple LGBTQ+ film festivals. Upon sight of him in New York City, with a […]

WEEKEND of JUNE 13 Artist Tour of Cherry Grove and Dune Fund Silent Auction A Silent Auction benefiting the Cherry Grove Dune Fund at the Community House from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a self-guided walking tour of artists’ home studios on Saturday and Sunday. Original artworks are for sale at a reasonable cost. […]

Warren Boyd Wexler was “the postcard guy.” Every Fire Island community had at least one store or gift shop that stocked its shelves with his engaging images of white-tailed deer and other wildlife found on Fire Island. His work did not go unnoticed by me; the first time I made contact with him was strictly […]

With summer soon on the way, we wanted to produce something a little special in our most recent edition of Great South Bay News (GSBN). Our Summer Preview issue offers something for everyone.   First and foremost, we focus on events happening this summer. Our Community Calendar features a range of activities, including concerts, garden […]

The work of Susan Ann Thornton, founder of the Artist Tour of Cherry Grove, graces our cover this issue. This year, it will take place on the weekend of June 13, starting with a Silent Auction benefiting Dune Fund at the Community House from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a self-guided walking tour of […]

A gala evening was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Homecoming Queen. Panzi was officially crowned Homecoming Queen 2025, as she was in 1976 and 1977. Ginger Snap and Donna Piranha served as MCs. 17 former Homecoming Queens were also present. There was laughter, fun, and a sense of camp throughout the evening. […]