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HERALD ROUNDTABLE SEN. ALEXIS WEIK Page 3 VOL. 74 NO. 41
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OCTOBER 17-23, 2024
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Copiague’s Rigaud Destime pursues basketball dream Athlete tries out for Long Island Nets By NIKO SCARLATOS Correspondent
Photo Credit/Herald
Apple Festival and Conklin House Steering Committee coordinators Karen Petz, Jeanne Kugler, Sean Goodwin and Debbie Basile.
An evening of art at Conklin House Community reaching out to help family By CHRISTIE LEIGH BABIRAD cbabirad@liherald.com Babylon Village hosted an art reception at the historic Nathaniel Conklin House on Fri., Oct. 4. The event, organized by the Conklin House Steering Committee with support from the Village of Babylon, showcased artwork exclusively from local artists. Guests enjoyed artisanal displays of cheese, crackers, and fruit, along with a selection of wines, as they explored first-level rooms adorned with a diverse collection of paintings and photography. Approximately 46 local artists, ranging from teens to octogenarians, participated in the reception. Karen Petz, coordinator for the Conklin House Steering Committee, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, calling it a commu-
nity highlight. “I love art; it’s the expression of life to me, and this event enables me to see how other people look at the world,” she said. Petz thanked the village, the mayor, and the trustees for their support, stating, “We couldn’t do this without them.” Al Ruggeri, co-chair of the Conklin House Steering Committee and a participating artist, praised the event for highlighting local talent in painting and photography. He appreciated that the artwork was not judged, allowing attendees to simply enjoy it. Sean Goodwin, a committee member, noted the event’s appeal to adults and mentioned a related festival for children scheduled for the following day. Local artists expressed their gratitude for CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
For many young boys, growing up to be a professional basketball player is a cherished dream. Copiague’s Rigaud Destime recently took a significant step toward that goal by trying out for the Long Island Nets, the Brooklyn Nets’ affiliate in the NBA G League. Raised in Copiague, Destime played basketball at the College of Staten Island, where he helped his team win a conference championship as a freshman. Although his sophomore season ended with a loss in the conference title game, he earned a spot on the All-Conference Tournament team. After completing his four years at Staten Island, Destime traveled to Madrid, where he earned a master’s degree while playing basketball at the semiprofessional level. “That was a great experience for me,” he said. “I loved every second of my time in Madrid.” Upon returning to the United States, Destime’s passion for basketball remained strong. When he learned of the Long Island Nets’ tryouts, he seized the opportunity. “I think it went well,” Destime said. “The coaching staff runs a great program that allows us to showcase our talent, so I’m glad I
was given the chance.” Pursuing a dream that many consider unrealistic is challenging, but Destime encourages young athletes not to be deterred. “My advice to kids with sports dreams is to work smarter, not harder,” he said. “Talent is not always everything. Be disciplined and ask the right questions.” He also emphasized the importance of overcoming fear. “Do not be afraid to put yourself out there,” he said. “You never know, you might find yourself in a room that you didn’t think you would be in.” Making the Long Island Nets and making an impact on the team is within reach. Last year, Kameron Hankerson, a tryout participant, played in 28 games for Long Island during the 2022-23 season and competed for Brooklyn in the Las Vegas Summer League. Craig Randall II also rose from tryouts to training camp, eventually being named the G League’s Most Improved Player. Destime’s pursuit of his lifelong dream is inspiring, making him an easy player to root for. Regardless of whether he lands a spot on the 2024-25 Long Island Nets roster, his efforts have not gone unnoticed in his hometown of Copiague.