🌱 Port Jefferson Daily: Sara Anker Wins + Breezy Airways Flights

Morning, neighbors! It's me again, Debora Whitehead, your host of the Port Jefferson Daily.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy with a little snow. High: 38, low: 28.

Here are the top stories today in Port Jefferson:

1. Democratic Suffolk Legis. Sarah Anker has declared victory by 63 votes in the 6th Legislative District, her campaign manager said Monday. On election night, Brendan Sweeney led the race with 8,329 votes to Anker's 7,141, and that of Conservative Anthony DiSimone's 1,488. Anker described herself as "a political anomaly," adding, "Somehow, I've been able to pull through, and the secret is I work very hard in my community." (Port Jefferson Patch)
2. A new airline will begin nonstop service from Long Island MacArthur Airport to Virginia and South Carolina starting in February. Breeze Airways, a low-cost carrier launched by JetBlue founder David Neeleman in 2018 that began flying this year, will become the fourth airline to operate out of the Islip Town-owned airport, joining Southwest, American and Frontier, in a move town officials said will boost the airport's reputation in the New York market. Nonstop flights to the two destinations, Norfolk, Virginia, and Charleston, South Carolina — cities never serviced before by MacArthur — will begin Feb. 18. Round-trip flights are planned two days a week, on Fridays and Mondays, and fares for both destinations will start at $39 one way.(Newsday)
3. Port Jefferson hosted its 25th annual Charles Dickens Festival this past weekend in the downtown. The festival, which happened on both Saturday and Sunday, is run in partnership between Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council and the Village of Port Jefferson. Photographer John Collins of Yellow House Images was on the scene to capture moments from the event. Click on the link to see all the photos. (Greater Long Island)
4. Members of the Port Jefferson School District music department entertained the spectators with seasonal music during various performances at the Charles Dickens Festival in Port Jefferson Village this past weekend. Along with Director of Music and Fine Arts Dr. Michael Caravello and music teachers Christian Neubert, Edward Pisano, Dr. Vanessa Salzman, Christine Tamer and Jeffrey Trelewicz, musical ensembles from all three schools performed holiday favorites at both indoor and outdoor venues at the festival. The unique event was another opportunity for teachers and students to share their talents in a public setting. (Port Jeff School District)

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Today in Port Jefferson:

• Mobile Food Pantry Van (Comsewogue) - Comsewogue Public Library. (10 a.m.)
• STEM Workshop (Comsewogue) - Comsewogue Public Library. (5:30 p.m.)
• Norwood Virtual NSA Meeting - Comsewogue School District. (6:30 p.m.)
• Stained Glass Ornament - Port Jefferson Free Library. (6:30 p.m.)
• Teen Painted Glass - Port Jefferson Free Library. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Greater Port Jeff-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council: "Sat, Dec 18, 7:30 pm | First United Methodist Church, Port Jefferson⁠ Tricycle: The Fortier Family Trio⁠ Join us for our annual celebration of family, friends, music, and love." (Facebook)
• The Smithtown Chamber of Commerce kicked off the holiday season when it hosted the town’s first Ice Skating Rink on Main Street event Saturday, Dec. 4. (tbrnewsmedia.com)
• Ruth’s Chris Steak House, the country’s largest high-end steak chain, is expanding its presence on Long Island with new restaurants in Lake Grove and Melville. The former, which takes over the old Bonefish Grill space at Smith Haven Mall, is scheduled to open today. Ruth’s Chris says that the latter, which will be located in what used to be Bertucci’s on Route 110, is slated for late January. (Newsday)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Events:

• Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty Stony Brook Holiday Boutique. (Dec. 9)
• North Shore Community Band Holiday Concert. (Dec. 10)
• Big Apple Circus is NOW OPEN in New York City! (Dec. 12)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update! If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Debora Whitehead

About me: Debora Whitehead is a dedicated wife and homeschooling mom from Coram, NY. She has a bachelor's degree in Education and loves to teach and write. Her passion for the community reflects on her volunteering work at the "Mariposa Ministry" a nonprofit family assistance program. One of her strongest believes is Jesus Christ and when she is not parenting, teaching or reading, she is writing. One of her favorites quotes is " The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."- Eleanor Roosevelt.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Port Jefferson Daily? You can reach me at PortJefferson@Patch.com.