Community Corner

Good News: Miracle Docs Reattach Man's Severed Hands

Some stories put a smile on your face. Here's our wrap-up from around northern Suffolk and the East End.

As a local news organization, Patch covers stories of all kinds, from heartbreaking tragedies to nitty-gritty breakdowns of government and school district issues. But some stories are simply inspiring, often showing that at the heart of our communities is a desire to do good. Here are some of the touching headlines from the past seven days.

Docs Reattach Man’s Hands After Accident


A Staten Island man did his best Wednesday to give a thumbs up to Stony Brook University Hospital doctors who reattached both his hands after an industrial accident. Kenneth Klapak, 53, is a sheet metal worker who had both his hands nearly severed off in an accident on May 16 while working for Anron in North Babylon. 

Local Grad Wins Lacrosse Trophy

A Smithtown High School West graduate Rob Pannell ended his college career on a high note by winning the 2013 Tewaaraton Trophy, the premiere award in collegiate lacrosse. 

Pannell accepted the award Thursday night at a ceremony held at the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. Pannell plays mens' lacrosse at Cornell University. 

Playground Wishes Fulfilled

When the Comsewogue elementary schools underwent a re-organization this school year, it was quickly discovered at Clinton Avenue Elementary that there wasn't enough age-appropriate playground equipment to meet the students' needs after becoming a K-2 school only. Principal Toni Bifalco learned about a grant program that local organizations could apply for from Walmart. Recently, the East Setauket Walmart store was able to fulfill the school's need for a new piece of playground equipment by providing a $5,500 grant.

Senior Medals at Intel Science Fair

Commack High School senior Trinity Russell was awarded second place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, one of the most prestigious and competitive science and engineering events in the country. 

It wasn’t her first time to the competition, though. The talented student also won a third place Grand Award, also in animal sciences, in 2012. 

Hauppauge Doctor Offers Free Cancer Screenings

This weather feels like the perfect time to get a tan, but with skin cancer on the rise, one should think twice before baking in the sun. 

In honor of skin cancer/melanoma awareness month, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Hauppauge offered free skin cancer screenings to locals Thursday. 

Better Late Than Never: Cygnet at Town Pond

A cygnet was seen on Tuesday at the East Hampton Village pond, thought the swans are a bit late in introducing this season's babies.

As nice as it is to see one cygnet, it's a bit alarming that there is only one, according to Steven Tekulsky, the unofficial commissioner of swans who keeps Patch informed on the happenings of the swan family each May. 


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