🌱Fire Island Lighthouse Reopens + Smithtown Principal Greets Students

Good morning, friends! It's me, Debora Whitehead, your host of the Smithtown Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town. Including updates on:

• Fire Island Lighthouse reopens for tours.
• Principal Mary-Kakalos greets students and parents.
• Pet adoption event in the neighborhood and more.

But first, today's weather: Nice with plenty of sunshine. High: 77, Low: 60.

Here are the top four stories in Smithtown today:

1. Good news was brought this week for all who love to hike around the Fire Island Lighthouse! The historic site is open for tours after months of closure due to damages caused by a storm back in March. Visitors can now enjoy climbing the 182 steps to appreciate a great view of Long Island. (LI News 12)
2. Mary-Ellen Kakalos, the new principal of the Smithtown Elementary School, hosted a greeting event at the school's playground on Tuesday to introduce herself and bond with the school community. Kids played in the playground and grabbed snacks and refreshments as they got to know their principal. (Smithtown Patch)
3. For those looking forward to adding a four-legged member to the family and helping a pet in need, the PetSmart location in Nesconset is hosting an adoption event on the first Saturday of September. If you want to take one of their fluffy friends home, get approved here. (Eventbrite)
4. Two charges against Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke have been dropped since his arrest last Tuesday. The arrest was based on sex acts and public lewdness accusations. The investigation started after complaints about inappropriate activities at the Vietnam Memorial Park in Farmingville. (Patch)

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Today in Smithtown:

Thursday, August 31

• Time for Twos at SmithLib — Smithtown. (10 a.m.)
• Thursday Movie of the Week - "Champions" at SmithLib — Commack. (1:30 p.m.)
• Beer Dinner at Garden Grill. (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Smithtown Christian School: "Imagine seeing these cute faces at lunch every day! We need several lunch/recess aides this school year. Hours are 10:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m. daily. Are you an 'on your feet' type person? " (Smithtown Christian School via Facebook)
• Smithtown Historical Society: "Bet you've never seen a bunny with a fancy green mustache. Bugs wants to know if he has something in his little teef." (Smithtown Historical Society via Facebook)
• Straus Historical Society: "Today we finish our back-to-school posts with a focus on the future! The Straus family has a long history of public service and philanthropy, with family members serving in government positions at the federal, state, and local levels." (Straus Historical Society via Facebook)
• Smithtown Library Kids: "Kids went quackers dreaming up their own rubber ducks at the Kings Park Building's DIY Rubber Ducks." (Smithtown Library Kids via Instagram)

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• The North Shore Injury Lawyer — (Visit website)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you all tomorrow for your next update.

— Debora Whitehead

About me: Have a story idea? Please contact me! I would love to hear from you! Wife, mom, foodie, traveler, and nature lover.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Smithtown Patch newsletter? Contact me at Smithtown@Patch.com.