The Messenger Papers

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026, marking a memorable milestone as seniors crossed the stage to receive their diplomas surrounded by family, friends, faculty, staff, and members of the Port Jefferson school community. The commencement ceremony honored the accomplishments, resilience, and dedication of the graduating class while recognizing the lasting impact the students have made throughout their years at Earl L. Vandermeulen High School.

Summer vacations just got a bit “breeze-ier” at MacArthur Airport (ISP). Breeze Airways, a relatively new, low-cost carrier, has just announced its tenth nonstop destination from Islip. Travelers can now embark on a direct flight to Tampa, Florida. Twice-weekly service will kick off on January 6, 2027, and will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Travelers can take advantage of now. Fares currently start at $129 at flybreeze.com.

The Calverton area, while mostly included in the Town of Riverhead, does have a small portion within the Town of Brookhaven. The Peconic River serves as the border between the two municipalities. However, it’s that same river that has been the site of a toxic plume, courtesy of the former Grumman Site on River Road.

Crystal Dunn [Soubrier] hails from New Hyde Park and recently completed an outstanding professional and international soccer career. Dunn was honored for her efforts by the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) when she was inducted into the 2026 Ring of Honor. Dunn, a versatile midfielder, played for both club and country. She played in the NWSL for the Washington Spirit, North Carolina Courage, Portland Thorns, and Gotham FC.

The summer of 2026 has been great for sports overall. We’ve had some really good soccer matches, baseball games and drafts. Several local baseball players have been picked up by major league baseball teams. We hosted a World Cup and the global soccer community has been focused on games being played in our backyard. Last night the MLB All Star game was hosted in neighboring Philadelphia.

Gary Pesko is a household name in the varsity wrestling world. Pesko is the head coach of the Sayville Golden Flashes Varsity Wrestling team. This fall, he will receive the “Lifetime Service to Wrestling” Award from the Downstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Pesko has been at the helm for 31 years and wrestled on the team in 1983 as a student. The level of dedication and commitment to a program is unmatched. Hence why he’s receiving a lifetime service award.

Suffolk County officials are warning of a new scam targeting residents, particularly older residents with large cash reserves. Scammers continue to pose as bankers, creditors, or other seemingly legitimate actors to dupe residents into liquidating their assets into gold. Scammers then promise that their money is safe in gold, except the victims don’t see the precious metal in their hands.

By Joe Cuminale The Babylon American Legion Post #94 decided that America’s 250th birthday needed to be celebrated with style, so they held a multi-parking lot block party. This huge event would also be a fundraiser to help our local Veterans in need.

The William Merritt Hallock Post of the American Legion, Post #155, celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 27, appropriately coinciding with the 250th birthday of the United States’ independence. The American Legion as a nationwide network began in 1919, when Army Lieutenant Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the president’s son, led its founding to bring soldiers together for fellowship and community service. In May 1926, neighboring Legionnaires urged Lake Ronkonkoma Veterans to form their own group.

SMITHTOWN NY – The Cipher Room, Spy Trail Distillery’s new cocktail bar and tasting lounge, officially celebrated its grand opening in downtown Smithtown last week. Community members, local officials, and Smithtown Chamber of Commerce members gathered to welcome the new business, which expands the Ronkonkoma-based distillery’s presence while offering handcrafted cocktails made with its locally distilled spirits.