Community

HEIGH-HO! How many dwarfs can you name? Meet all seven at Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs now playing at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre three Productions, Inc.

PROGRAMS

Sensational Strawberries

Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, Setauket will hold a workshop titled Sensational Strawberries for children ages 4 to 12 on June 11 and again on June 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. Take a hike to the strawberry fields, pick ripe fruit and make delicious goodies to take home. Learn how to transform strawberries into jam, ice cream, cupcakes and more! $40 per child. To register, call 689-8172 or visit www.bennersfarm.com.

Get Outdoors & Get Together Day

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park hosts a Get Outdoors & Get Together Day on June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a puppet show with children’s entertainer Steve Petra and his friends Big Mouth Gus, Pedro the Gargling Piranha Fish, Antoinette and Krusty the Stale Donut for magic, music and fun, tour the Nature Center with an environmental educator who will speak with children about our natural environment. The beach will be open for swimming. Refreshments will be available at the main concession. Call 269-4333 for more info.

Marsh Meander

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a family program, Marsh Meander, on June 12 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. From snails and crabs, to fish and birds, life in the marsh is in full swing! Bring your water shoes and observe some summertime marsh dwellers in their natural habitat! $4 per person. To register, visit Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.

THEATER

‘Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs on June 4, 11 and 18 at 11 a.m. with a sensory sensitive performance on June 12 at 11 a.m. Join them for a hysterical retelling of a wonderful story with a vain Queen, a Magic Mirror, a Witch, a handsome Prince, a Princess with skin as white as snow, and seven Dwarfs guaranteed to keep you laughing from start to finish. Costumes encouraged. All seats are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Pinkalicious The Musical’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its children’s theater season with Pinkalicious The Musical from May 28 to July 3. Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe — a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. Tickets are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. See review on page B35.

Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’

The Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid from July 2 to July 24. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea. All seats are $25. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org or call 724-3700

Huntington Adventure Camp

New! Children ages 7 to 12 are invited to visit a different cultural museum in Huntington each day during the week of June 27 to July 1 from 9 a.m. to noon to create amazing projects and explore local history and art. Family, friends, and caretakers are invited to the Heckscher Museum on July 1 at 11:30 a.m. for a special free reception to celebrate their accomplishments.

Schedule:

June 27: Huntington Historical Society

June 28: Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium

June 29: The Whaling Museum

June 30: Heckscher Museum of Art

July 1: Adventure Celebration @ Heckscher Museum

Fee is $220 per child, $200 members. To register, visit www.heckscher.org or call 631-380-3230.

 

By Heidi Sutton

What’s your favorite color? If the answer is pink, then you should run, not walk, to the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport to catch a truly wonderful production of Pinkalicious the Musical. 

Based on the popular children’s book by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann, the show tells the story of a little girl named Pinkalicious Pinkerton who loves the color pink (“It’s a color like no other!”) and is obsessed with pink cupcakes.

Despite her parent’s warnings, Pinkalicious overindulges on the sugary delights and wakes up the next day pink from head to toe. The doctor diagnoses her with pinkititis and in order to keep it from becoming worse she has to eat healthy green foods. But Pinkalicious just can’t stop eating those cupcakes, and when she wakes up the second morning, she’s turned red. She realizes the only way out of this predicament is to follow doctor’s orders. But is it too late? Will she be red forever?

Directed by Danny Meglio with choreography by Jillian Sharpe, the show is an instant hit thanks to a talented cast of five who tackle this fast-paced script with ease. 

Perfectly cast in the role of Pinkalicious, Emilie Goodrich embraces her inner child to bring this colorful, energetic character to life and sparkles on stage. The other members of the family, the organized Mrs. Pinkerton (the delightful Kassie Kueffne), the busy Mr. Pinkerton (an incredible Justin Autz), and overlooked brother Peter (the multi-talented Jae Hughes) along with best friend Alison (the amazing Kara Vito), play multiple roles throughout the show with unbounded enthusiasm.

What’s special about this show is that each actor has a chance to shine with a solo, from Goodrich’s lovely “When Dreams Come True,” to Kueffne’s lullaby “You Get Just What You Get,” Vito’s “Pinkititis,” Jae Hughes’ heartfelt “I Got the Pink Blues,” and Autz in the “Finale.”

There are also so many wonderful moments in the show. At one point the family goes to the doctor’s office on a pink four seat bicycle. On the way back home, they take a detour through the aisles of the theater to go to a park with a real slide. While at the park Pinkalicious is surrounded by a bee, a bird and two butterflies who are attracted to her pink color in the cute number “Buzz Off.”  Another time, Pinkalicious has a dream about pink cupcakes who all of a sudden walk out of the refrigerator and start singing and dancing. Great stuff.

Pinkalicious is more than a story about eating your vegetables. It is about the power of communication, the love of family and the affirmation that a little pink goes a long way. Don’t miss this one. 

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Pinkalicious The Musical through July 3. All seats are $20. For more information or to order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. speaks at the 2019 Sandy Hook Promise Gala. Photo from Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office

By Donna Deedy

People are calling for reform after the recent onslaught of mass shootings that included an elementary school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 young children and two teachers were gunned down in their classroom with an automatic assault rifle.

“We’re seeing an absolute epidemic and the loss and slaughter of innocence and it has to stop,” said New York State Assemblyman Steven Englebright (D-Setauket). Corporate greed, he said, has mixed into a movement that has become very confused. “People are identifying with weapons.”

Englebright pointed out Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) response to the latest school tragedy. According to a June 6 press release, she “signed a landmark legislative package to immediately strengthen the state’s gun laws, close critical loopholes exposed by shooters in Buffalo and Uvalde and protect New Yorkers from the scourge of gun violence.”

What exactly can a person do to reverse the gun violence epidemic that is plaguing the nation?  

The nonprofit group Sandy Hook Promise has outlined a comprehensive response to that very question. Founded by some of the parents whose first graders were murdered in their Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012, the group has taken a holistic approach to the situation and they say they are leading out of love. Their programs combine community awareness and mental health research with effective prevention strategies, while separately advocating for sensible, bipartisan gun safety policies. 

“Take your heartache, your fear, your anger and sadness, and channel them into action,” said Nicole Hockley and Mark Barden, co-founders and CEOs of Sandy Hook Promise, who each lost a son in the Newtown tragedy. “We must take action today and every day until this epidemic of violence ends.”

So far, more than 14 million people and 23,000 schools nationwide have participated in Sandy Hook Promise programs, according to their website, which has led to 115,000 anonymous tips and reportedly resulted in 321 confirmed lives saved with crisis interventions.

Here in Suffolk County, Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. (D) launched Sandy Hook Promise’s Know the Signs initiative in 2018, his first year in office. 

“After the shooting in Parkland, Florida, I made school safety a priority for the Sheriff’s Office,” Toulon said.

Over the last few years, county officers have trained more than 30,000 students, teachers and staff with Sandy Hook’s methods. Miller Place, East Islip, Central Islip, Lindenhurst and Bridgehampton are a few school districts that have participated in the program.

Toulon said he’s proud to have partnered with the Sandy Hook foundation and encourages more people to participate in its lifesaving movement. 

“Now, more than ever, programs like Sandy Hook Promise are needed as school threats are on the rise,” he said.

TBR News Media reached out to few school districts in our circulation area for comments on their programs. Through their public relations firm, Smithtown Central School District preferred not participate in the story but it posts position papers on mental health and social and emotional learning on the district’s website. Three Village said it is not affiliated with Sandy Hook Promise. We did not receive a response to follow-up questions about their programs before press deadlines. 

Sandy Hook Promise encourages anyone interested in pursuing community support for its programs to become a “promise leader” by registering on its website. 

Here’s a brief overview of Sandy Hook Promise programs:

There are four distinct programs developed by educators with expertise in curriculum development. All of it is accessible in person or online via Sandy Hook Promise’s Learning Center at no cost. Their award-winning programs include lesson plans, activities, games and discussion guides. Anyone who registers on the group’s website, www.sandyhookpromise.org, can access the charity’s free digital library that includes training sessions. The Start with Hello and Say Something programs both fall under the umbrella of the organization’s Know the Signs program. 

Start with Hello 

Start with Hello teaches children and youth how to minimize social isolation and empathize with others to create a more socially inclusive and connected culture. That lesson is explained in three steps: 1. See someone alone; 2. Reach out and help; 3. Start with Hello. 

Say Something

Experts say that people who are at risk of hurting themselves or others often show warning signs before they carry out an act of violence. Sandy Hook Promises trains middle school and high school students to spot these signs and do something about it. This program also follows a three-step approach: 1. Recognize the signs of someone at risk, especially on social media; 2. Act immediately and take it seriously; 3. Learn how to intervene by telling a trusted adult or by using the program’s anonymous reporting system. 

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System can be used when students see classmates who are at risk of harming themselves or others. It requires additional training for school district personnel and local law enforcement. It is reportedly the only anonymous reporting system in the U.S. that offers training along with a mobile app, a website and a hotline — exclusively for schools. 

The charity also runs its National Crisis Center that operates 24/7, 365 days a year. Experienced crisis counselors trained in suicide prevention, crisis management and mental health support respond to the tips. 

So far more than 120 school districts participate in this program, along with the states of Pennsylvania and North Carolina. A webform is available for schools and agencies interested in registering for access to this system. 

SAVE Promise Club

Students interested in starting a club or leading a committee within an existing club receive, at no cost, tools from Sandy Hook Promise, so they can plan activities that promote kindness and inclusiveness to instill the value of looking out for one another in their community. The club, called Students Against Violence Everywhere, is supported by a contract with U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe & Supportive Schools and can be accessed from the government’s website:  safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/resources. The initiative reinforces the key messages of the Start with Hello and Say Something programs.  

Gun safety policies

The mission of Sandy Hook Promise is to end school shootings and create a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children. It advocates what it calls sensible, bipartisan gun safety policies to support that goal. They’ve created a sister organization, called an action fund, that works to pass legislation that advances school safety, mental health and gun violence prevention issues. 

“We believe in protecting the second amendment,” said Aimee Thunberg, Sandy Hook Promise’s media contact. “But we support policies that promote safe gun ownership to keep our children and communities safe.”

The group supports the bipartisan background check legislation that recently passed in the House of Representatives, but still needs Senate attention. The organization also supports extreme risk protection orders, or red-flag laws, that allows family and law enforcement to seek the court’s help to temporarily separate people in crisis from firearms. New York State’s red-flag law was implemented in August 2019 with roughly 160 weapons seized in Suffolk County, more than any other county in the state.  The organization also advocates bans on assault-style weapons and limits on high-capacity magazines to prevent more mass shootings.

Anyone who wants to, can get involved to help the Sandy Hook mission. In addition to programs for parents, students, teachers and other youth organizations, Sandy Hook Promise welcomes volunteers to help showcase their programs at community events to build better awareness. 

Otherwise, in response to the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Sandy Hook Promise has compiled a list of very specific things people can do to help end gun violence. It’s available at www.sandyhookpromise.org/blog/gun-violence/what-you-can-do-right-now-to-help-end-gun-violence. 

“Our key message is that gun violence is preventable, and we have actions that every individual can take in their family, community, schools and with politicians,” said Nicole Hockley in a recent blog post.  “Don’t back away. Be part of the solution.”

TBR News Media asks readers who have participated in Sandy Hook Promise programs to email us at [email protected] and let us know about your experience.

From left, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker and Mount Sinai Miller Place Chamber of Commerce President Holly Bottiglieri reviewing Suffolk County Small Business Website Hub. Photo from Leg. Anker's office

Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced the launch of a new website, www.suffolkcountyny.gov/BusinessHub, dedicated to assisting local small businesses and startups. The website, which was developed after the Suffolk County Legislature unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by Legislator Anker, will serve as the county’s center for business development needs and services by providing important information regarding how to start a business, what county, state and federal assistance and pandemic relief programs are available for businesses owners, and resources to help established businesses innovate and grow.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created incredible challenges for small business, and while large corporations have received substantial government support, our small businesses have not been given as many opportunities. This website hub will help to provide our local businesses with easy access to helpful resources including, grant and loan opportunities, potential funding sources, business administration information, small business related rules and regulations, relevant government department contacts, and COVID-19 related guidance information,” said Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker. “I would like to thank Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone for his support, and the Suffolk County Departments of Economic Development and Planning, and Information Technology for their work in developing and launching this much needed resource.”

“As we enter our new normal, we are working to build back stronger than ever and this website will allow us to provide the resources needed to ensure our local small businesses thrive,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “The hub will create a more collaborative effort with local small businesses and will help raise awareness of the many resources available to them.”

In addition to the website hub, the county is developing an Office of Business Development, which will serve to assist business owners with coordinating the various permitting processes required by the Suffolk County Departments of Health Services and Public Works, and if applicable, the New York State Department of Conservation and any other state, federal or local agencies.

“The Suffolk County Office of Business Development is truly a “one-stop website” that contains a wealth of information for individuals who are seeking to start or grow a business,” said Holly Bottiglieri, President of the Mt. Sinai-Miller Place Chamber of Commerce. “It provides valuable tools to aid in making educated decisions that include, choosing an industry to open a business, online workshops and all of the logistics to help new and seasoned businesses obtain accurate information to move forward in their business development process”.

The site will also offer an opportunity for local businesses to participate in Suffolk County’s procurement of services and goods. Local businesses will have the ability to more easily access and sign up for county bids and requests for proposals. This includes an emphasis on Minority- and Women- owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), as well as Veteran-owned businesses.

The website hub expands on the work of the county’s Business Recovery Unit (BRU), which County Executive Bellone launched in March of 2020 to serve as a one-stop-shop for businesses in Suffolk County that are looking for pandemic-related assistance. The unit consists of a comprehensive webpage, www.suffolkcountyny.gov/BRU, that continues to be updated with critical resources for businesses, and can be found under the “Pandemic Relief” tab on the new Business Hub website. In addition to the website, residents looking to be connected to the unit can call 311 or email [email protected].

SCPD 6th Precinct Officer Angelica Nebel with brother and sister Samson and Delilah. Photo from Town of Smithtown

The Town of Smithtown Animal Shelter partnered with the Suffolk County Police in the first Adopt with a Cop initiative, a new program where local law enforcement interact with rescue animals to help find deserving pets fur-ever homes. The Adopt with a Cop program is designed to promote shelter adoptions utilizing the Suffolk County Police Department’s vast social media fanbase. On Wednesday, May 25th, Sixth Precinct Police Officer Angelica Nebel reunited with familiar furry friends, met some new ones and had a few laughs with her very proud former colleagues. Officer Angelica Nebel worked for the Smithtown Animal Shelter as a kennel attendant just prior to enrolling in the police academy.

“This is an excellent program and I could not be happier that the SCPD chose our Smithtown Animal Shelter as their first Adopt with a Cop location. Between Instagram and Facebook, the SCPD boasts over 150,000 followers. Sharing our rescue pups, cats and rooster with this fanbase is critical in expanding the reach and possibly finding the perfect home for some of the most incredible creatures you will ever meet.” – Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo

SCPD 6th Precinct Officer Angelica Nebel got a chance to meet and play with brother and sister Samson and Delilah, who were dumped on the grounds of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center after their owner died. Together, with help from Suffolk County Police Department, the Smithtown Animal Shelter hopes to find them a forever home together. However, if the right situation presents itself, both pups may be adopted separately.

The Suffolk County Police Department highlighted an additional two dogs, two cats and a rooster as part of the adoption campaign.

  • Linx, a 2-3 year old well-mannered, housebroken German Shepherd, came to the shelter as a stray and requires a home with a strong alpha leader to meet his physical and mental stimulation needs.
  • The longest shelter resident Angel, who has spent almost half of her 8 years of life at the shelter, needs a home where she can be the only pet and with older human siblings.
  • Feline friends Chloe and Zendaya are two very special cats who are looking for families to care for them and their medical conditions, seizures and feline leukemia, respectively.
  • King James is a stunning black (hamburg) rooster who is new to the shelter. This dapper gentleman would love a home with some new friends.

To learn more about these and many other loving rescues up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter, please visit TownOfSmithtownAnimalShelter.com or call 631-360-7575.

Vendors lined up along Smithtown’s Main Street while attendees filled the street to check out all they had to offer, including music, arts and craft, raffles and food on June 5.

Smithtown Festival Day was presented by the Greater Smithtown Chamber of Commerce Smithtown.

 

Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) 

After three years, the Stony Brook University (SBU) Economic Development  Incubator Showcase returns in full force on Wednesday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to noon at the University’s  Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) building.

More than 60 companies from the university’s incubation system in the areas of biotechnology, energy, IT and food will be on-hand to provide attendees the opportunity to speak with the SBU entrepreneurs and network with business owners, financiers and investors. Please find the list of companies here.

The event is free with pre-registration required and must be completed by June 7.

“The showcase celebrates the entrepreneurial culture built at the university and the individual success of each company at every phase,” said Peter Donnelly, Associate Vice President for Technology Partnerships. “Investors, government officials, attorneys, business services professionals, and the public can meet with Stony Brook incubator companies’ leadership to see first-hand the technologies these entrepreneurs are bringing to the marketplace.”

This event is a joint effort by Stony Brook University’s Centers of Excellence, Centers for Advanced Technology, Long Island High Technology, CEBIP & Calverton Incubators.  Directions to the CEWIT building can be found here.

The Sound Beach Civic Association hosted its annual Memorial Day service at Veterans Memorial Park May 31.

Attendees of the event included New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead), Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point), musicians from Rocky Point High School and veterans representing each branch of the armed services. 

Deacon Bob Mullane, of St. Louis de Montfort R.C. Church, delivered the invocation for the event. “We have gathered here today to remember those who have died in service to this country,” he said. “We commend them for their courage in the face of great odds. As citizens of this great nation, we remember the sacrifices, and those of their families and friends, with deep gratitude.”

Jimmy Henke, a longtime resident of Sound Beach and war hero, raised the American flag during the ceremony. While serving in Vietnam on a reconnaissance mission, his company came under intense enemy fire. After exposing himself to the gunfire, Henke carried a wounded comrade to a medical site. For his valiance in the face of tremendous danger, Henke was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. 

Following him, veterans from each of the armed services raised the flags representing their respective branch of services. Girl Scouts Julianna Gabrielsen and Anna Polyanksi laid the memorial wreaths.

Performances were delivered by students from the music department of Rocky Point school district under the direction of Amy Schecher. Tessa Cunningham, Alexandra Kelly and Brenna Kiernan sang both the national anthem and “God Bless America.” Daniel Curley and Shaun Sander performed “Taps.” 

The event was concluded by a wind rendition of “America the Beautiful,” performed by Shane McDonald, Ryan McDonald, Jasmine Pickenburg, Matthew Liselli, Hannah Gundel, Brayden D’Ambrosio, Piper Rinn, Aneesh Deshpande, Vivian Dorr and Justin Pititto with Curley and Sander.

To learn more about the Sound Beach Civic Association, visit www.soundbeachcivic.org.

— Photos by Raymond Janis

A view of the eroding bluff. Photo from Village of Port Jefferson
Sarah Anker
Suffolk County Legislator, 6th District

Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker, in conjunction with New York Sea Grant, will host a public presentation for homeowners on coastal erosion on June 9 at 7:30 p.m.. The informational session will discuss erosion, the recession of bluffs and shorelines, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and disturbances caused by the changing climate.

“As erosion has impacted many residents in my district, it has become necessary to empower coastal homeowners with the knowledge to stay prepared for any disturbances and changes ahead,” said Legislator Anker. “I would like to thank New York Sea Grant for their partnership as well as their many contributions toward public safety and education throughout their many years of research and service.”

The event will feature speakers from New York Sea Grant, including Elizabeth Hornstein, who specializes in Sustainable and Resilient Communities. She will discuss her work with the Long Island Sound community to anticipate and address erosion caused by the changing climate. In addition, New York State Sea Grant’s Coastal Processes and Hazards Specialist Kathleen Fallon will be presenting on erosion, recession of land, and options for mitigation.

This presentation will be held via Zoom at 7:30pm on Thursday, June 9th. Please use this link https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkcu-qrTgoE9ZJRR7H7KVmGLwF6aTmMXDJ to register for the event. To receive additional information, please call Legislator Anker’s office at 631-854-1600.

Pixabay photo

On Wednesday, June 15, at 6:30 p.m. Suffolk County Legislators Rob Trotta, Manuel Esteban and Stephanie Bontempi will host an Identify Theft Prevention Seminar at the East Northport Public Library, 185 Larkfield Road,  in East Northport.  

Assistant District Attorneys from District Attorney Ray Tierney’s Financial Crimes Bureau will address Identity Theft from an elder abuse point of view focusing on motor vehicle theft, forged documents, insurance fraud, and other acts of identity theft.

As a former Suffolk County Detective, I know first-hand how devastating identity theft can be for our seniors and that they are reluctant targets of such crimes,” said Legislator Trotta. “I encourage everyone to attend as anyone can be an unwilling victim,” Trotta added.

“Anyone can be the victim of ID theft, especially someone who is not equipped with preventive strategies. Hearing from and engaging with ID theft prevention experts is a fantastic way to avoid becoming a victim,” said Legislator Stephanie Bontempi.

Legislator Manuel Esteban Sr. said, “It is my pleasure to partner on another important community program to help our residents.”

The event is free and open to all. The library will be taking reservations via phone at (631) 261-2313 or through its website at https://www.nenpl.org/