HUNTINGTON, NY – June 19, 2026
Knicks excitement across Huntington helped support a local charity fundraiser, residents received important reminders ahead of the June 23 primary election, and this week’s Neighborhood Watch segment focused on trusting your instincts when something doesn’t feel right. The episode also highlighted upcoming community events, local efforts to protect pollinators, emergency preparedness advice, and a Charity Spotlight featuring the Huntington Camera Club as it celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Huntington Matters continues its weekly YouTube Live podcast series to keep residents informed about what’s happening across the Town of Huntington from public safety updates to real conversations happening between neighbors.
Hosted by June Margolin, Dana Richter, and Diane Schaber, the Weekly Update connects residents from Cold Spring Harbor to Commack, Asharoken to Melville, and everywhere in between.
This week’s episode also featured upcoming Juneteenth and Pride celebrations, community events and fundraisers happening across Huntington, reminders about Early Voting ahead of Primary Election Day, and opportunities for residents to get involved with local organizations and programs throughout the Town.
👇 Watch the full episode below and please subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Community Partner Spotlight
A special thank you to Vincent Bianco Law for supporting this episode of the Huntington Matters Weekly Update. If you’ve received a traffic ticket, are dealing with a suspended license, criminal charges, or have questions about New York’s updated point system, visit VincentBiancoLaw.com to schedule a free consultation.
What’s Happening Around Huntington
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 23, and Huntington Matters continues its effort to help residents learn about the candidates seeking office before casting their ballots. Residents can look up their candidate, then watch the Huntington Matters candidate interview series before voting in the June 23 primary.
Also highlighted this week were Juneteenth celebrations in Heckscher Park, Northport PrideFest, the Brian Matthew Plante Memorial Blood Drive, the Huntington Farmers Market, an affordable housing panel discussion, the St. Anthony’s Family Feast and Festival, and the grand opening of John’s Crazy Socks’ first retail store in Huntington.
Residents can find details for these events and many more on the Huntington Matters Community Calendar at HuntingtonMatters.com.
Hot Topics from Huntington Matters Community Forum
Signarama created Knicks-themed signs for local fans, and neighbors picking them up were encouraged to make donations to Helping Hand Rescue Mission. What started as a celebration of the team’s success ultimately raised more than $10,000 to help local residents in need. Yet another example that Huntington has the Best. Neighbors. Ever.
Knicks fans also enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at the championship parade in New York City thanks to Town of Huntington Deputy Superintendent of Highways Walter Edwards. He shared photos and experiences from the celebration, giving local fans a glimpse of the excitement and chaos surrounding the team’s historic run.
Another popular discussion centered on a message from local beekeeper Rob Schwartz, who encouraged residents to think twice before spraying pesticides when they discover bees or other stinging insects on their property.
Schwartz explained that pollinators play a critical role in local ecosystems and that many bee, hornet, and wasp colonies can often be safely relocated rather than destroyed. He also noted that he is available to safely remove and relocate colonies when possible, providing homeowners with an alternative to extermination. The conversation focused on alternatives to pesticides and ways residents can address stinging insect concerns while minimizing unnecessary harm to beneficial species.
We also shared this week’s “What Do You Think?” discussion question:
Name one thing that you have done that you don’t think anyone else in the group has done.
Our answers ranged from working for a circus and getting lost in Russia to being Guy Lombardi’s special guest, along with plenty of other unusual experiences that sparked laughter and conversation.
How about you? Name one thing that you’ve done that you don’t think anyone else in the group has done. Let us know in the comments.
Neighborhood Watch: Trusting Your Instincts
This week’s Neighborhood Watch segment was inspired by a recent incident involving a teenage girl who trusted her instincts, took action, got away, and called for help.
The discussion focused on a simple but important message: if someone is following you, persistently bothering you, making you uncomfortable, or causing you to fear for your safety, take that feeling seriously.
Residents were encouraged to pay attention to their surroundings, note their location and direction of travel, gather identifying details if possible, and call 911 if they genuinely feel unsafe. The 911 Operator will stay on the phone with you while Police are dispatched to provide support and investigate. The team also discussed the importance of moving toward populated areas, seeking help from nearby businesses, and drawing attention to yourself when necessary.
Another reminder: you never have to be polite to someone who is making you feel unsafe. Your safety matters more than someone’s feelings.
The overall takeaway was simple: trust your instincts, ask for help when you need it, and don’t worry about being embarrassed when your safety is on the line.
Emergency Preparedness
This week’s preparedness tip focused on an inexpensive item many people already have in their kitchen: baking soda.
Diane Schaber explained that baking soda can serve a variety of purposes during emergencies, from personal hygiene and cleaning to odor control and other household needs. Because it is inexpensive, stores well, and has multiple uses, she encouraged residents to consider adding a box to their emergency supplies.
Charity Spotlight: Huntington Camera Club
This week’s Charity Spotlight was presented by Dana Richter, who highlighted the Huntington Camera Club as it celebrates its 60th anniversary of helping photographers learn, improve their skills, and connect with others who share a passion for photography.
Dana has been a member of the club for 12 years, serves on its Board of Directors, and has earned the distinction of Master Photographer. Drawing from her own experience, she spoke about the educational opportunities, friendships, and mentorship that have helped make the organization a fixture in the local photography community for six decades.
The club welcomes photographers of all skill levels, from beginners using smartphones to experienced photographers working with professional equipment. Members participate in educational programs, competitions, workshops, field trips, and mentoring opportunities designed to help everyone improve their photography. Dana emphasized that one of the club’s greatest strengths is the willingness of experienced members to help newcomers learn and grow.
Beyond photography, the club is also known for giving back to the community through volunteer projects, charitable initiatives, and partnerships with local organizations. The Huntington Camera Club meets at the Huntington Public Library and welcomes new members interested in learning more about photography, meeting fellow enthusiasts, and becoming part of a local organization that has served the community for 60 years.
Residents interested in learning more are encouraged to attend a meeting or reach out to Dana Richter at dana@huntingtonmatters.com with questions about membership and getting involved.
Connect with and Support Huntington Matters
For more than 11 years, Huntington Matters has grown from what the hosts jokingly described during the livestream as an “ambitious volunteer project” into a full-time community resource hub serving residents across the Town of Huntington.
What began as volunteer work for 8 years has grown into a full-time hyperlocal media platform serving Huntington through HuntingtonMatters.com‘s Community Calendar, Business Directory, The Common Thread magazine, Huntington Matters Community Forum, Instagram, TikTok, and regular YouTube Live updates. Despite that growth, the mission has remained the same for more than 11 years – connecting neighbors, supporting local businesses, sharing information, advocating for the community, and strengthening Huntington through engagement and communication.
If what Huntington Matters does resonates with you, please support Huntington Matters by purchasing official “Best. Neighbors. Ever.” merchandise, making a donation, subscribing to the YouTube channel, or sharing our content with friends and neighbors.
Local businesses looking to reach Huntington residents can partner with Huntington Matters through advertising opportunities designed to help businesses get noticed, stay visible, and build trust with neighbors across the Town of Huntington.
To advertise, submit a tip, or suggest a topic, email info@huntingtonmatters.com.
Please note: Events are removed from the Community Calendar approximately three months after the event date, so some older links may no longer be active.
