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VIDEO: Retired Riverhead High science teacher plays the blues

GIANNA VOLPE PHOTO | Ron Rothman and Joe Sferlazza playing their guitars at Rothman's art gallery.

Ron Rothman and retired Riverhead High Teacher Joe Sferlazza have been playing guitar for a century between them.

On Wednesday, the duo got together for a blues jam at Rothman’s art gallery in Southold.

Mr. Rothman, owner of Rothman’s Guitars/Dept. Store, Inc. has been holding Wednesday jams in his art gallery space, “on and off going on three years now,” he said.

“It’s nice for people driving by to see guitars,” he said.

His family has owned the business since 1919 and Ron has been involved in its daily operation for 30 years.

Mr. Rothman said “one never knows” who will show up to the jams. On Wednesday, Mr. Sferlazza, a former forensics teacher at Riverhead, was present to play along.

Each of the two men have been playing guitar for about 50 years.

“Ron and I have been playing together regularly for the past 16 years and well over 100 guitars have passed through his hands and mine,” said Mr. Sferlazza, who goes by the nickname “Southold Slim.”

Mr. Rothman said guitars “are one of the more universal instruments there are .. Their appeal spans generations and they’ve made more impact on what’s happened in music in the past 50 years than any other instrument.”

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