Community members enjoyed a blast to the past during the annual Country Fair hosted by the Miller Place-Mount Sinai Historical Society Oct. 15-16.
The program was held at the historical society’s c. 1720 headquarters, located within the area’s historic district on North Country Road. Outside, live music played as the society’s volunteers educated the crowds of spectators.
In a vivid recreation of an era without running water or electricity, some prepared baked goods and stews over an open flame, offering spectators a taste of history. Others brought out toy sets, reliving the pastimes of their local forebears.
Antoinette Donato, vice president of MPMSHS, was overjoyed by the number of community members who turned out throughout the day. She described the event’s purpose and its place in honoring the region’s history.
“We share a step back in time with the community,” she said. “We have demonstrators who demonstrate old crafts from years and years ago that no longer exist. We have our barn open, which is full of historical artifacts.” She added, “We feel it’s really important to share this experience with the community. It’s an opportunity to share what early America was like.”
Mark Sternberg, a local historian who specializes in the American Revolution, was among those who joined the festivities. In an interview, Sternberg shared the unique place Miller Place occupied during the Revolutionary War.
“There were patriots here, loyalists here, but there is definitely a huge amount of Revolutionary War history here,” he said.
At this historic site in Miller Place, Sternberg described the experience of being transported through time. He emphasized the need to preserve historical artifacts and structures, and celebrate local customs — all a function of the historical society.
“It’s tough when you don’t have a touch point,” Sternberg said. “The saving of these historic structures is one key way of connecting to history, giving people an idea of imagining the event happening there.”
He added, “What’s great about this area is a lot of these houses are exactly where they were initially, so you can also position the whole landscape as tying into how you would imagine that place being throughout history.”
Donato believes that events such as these keep local history alive, making it engaging and entertaining for the next generation. She also stated that there is no substitute for the immersive experience offered through the fair.
“You can read about it in a book, look it up on Facebook and Google it, but there is nothing like coming here and seeing it in person,” she said.
Catch a screening of 'Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle' at the Cinema Arts Centre on Oct. 23.
PROGRAMS
A to Z Scavenger Hunt
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor will hold a Scavenger Hunt on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hunt around the Hatchery & Aquarium in search of a different item starting with each letter of the alphabet. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. Call 516-692-6768.
Happy Halloween
Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park hosts a Tint Tots program, Happy Halloween, on Oct. 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 am. Children ages 3 to 5 and their parents will connect with nature through short walks, animal visitoris and a Halloween-inspired craft. $4 per child. Call 269-4333 to register.
Skull Scavenger Hunt
In anticipation of Halloween, the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor will offer a Skull Scavenger Hunt during gallery hours, Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Oct. 23. Hunt for papier-mache skulls around the museum in this seasonal, spooky scavenger hunt. Find them all and win a piece of candy! Free with admission of $6 adults, $5 kids/seniors. Call 367-3418 for more information.
Patriots & Poultices
Save the date! Ward Melville Heritage Organization presents a family fun experience at the Thompson House (1709), 91 North Country Road, Setauket on Nov. 5. Can you help Dr. Thompason find clues, elude the British, create authentic cures and escape to Connecticut? Interact with artifacts, explore the history of the American Revolution and the power of medicine while helping Dr. Thompson treat his most ailing patients. Sessions will be held at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. $10 per person, $7 per child 12 and under. Registration is required by calling 751-2244.
THEATER
‘A Kooky Spooky Halloween’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents A Kooky Spooky Halloween, a merry musical about a ghost who’s afraid of the dark, on Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. Recently graduated spirit Abner Perkins is assigned to the Aberdeen Boarding House — known for its spectral sightings and terrific toast. Here, Abner finds himself cast into a company of its wacky residents. When his secret is revealed, he is forced to leave his haunted home and set-off on a quest with his newly found friends. All tickets are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’
John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its children’s theater season with Disney’s Beauty and the BeastJr. on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. through Oct. 30. This Disney love story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the hideous Beast, a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved the curse will end. If he does not learn his lesson before the last enchanted rose petal falls, he and his household of enchanted objects will be doomed for all eternity. Enjoy the songs we all love such as “Be Our Guest” and “Tale as Old as Time.” All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
FILM
‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’
Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids series with a screening of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle on Oct. 23 at noon. The tables are turned as four teenagers in detention are sucked into the world of Jumanji. When they discover an old video game console with a game they’ve never heard of, they are immediately thrust into the game’s jungle setting, into the bodies of their avatars. They’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, or they’ll be stuck in the game forever… Rated PG-13. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children ages 12 and under. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
*See more events for this week in our Halloween calendar on this website.
Elected officials, Ward Melville Heritage Organization board members and philanthropists Harlan and Olivia Fischer announced the restoration of Stony Brook’s Hercules. Photo from WMHO;
A Long Island landmark is looking more vibrant.
The Hercules figurehead near Stony Brook Harbor. Photo by Rita J. Egan
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization debuted the restored Hercules figurehead at a press conference on Oct. 14. Recently, philanthropists Harlan and Olivia Fischer, of Head of the Harbor, noticed the figurehead needed restoration and decided to sponsor its renovation.
WMHO board members thanked the Fischers and the work crew from ART of NYC & Long Island who restored the piece located in the Hercules Pavilion overlooking Stony Brook Harbor, across from the Village Center. The Holbrook-based company was retained for the restoration, which included cleaning, sanding and replastering before repairing, painting and varnishing the landmark.
Richard Rugen, WMHO chairman, said, “It’s a work in progress, but [the Fischers] are actually going to take care of the rest of the pavilion as well.”
Additional work will be done on the weather-beaten pavilion in the near future, including roof work and painting.
Harlan Fischer, president of Branch Financial Services, moved his offices from Smithtown to Setauket in 2020. Every day he passes through the village on his way to work and back, he said, and appreciates how lovely Stony Brook village is. He asked WMHO president Gloria Rocchio if she thought the renovation would be a worthwhile project, and she agreed.
“When we make contributions to places, we like to see the results of it,” he said. The Fischers are also donors to The Jazz Loft and sponsor a monthly concert series at the music venue and museum.
The full-color Hercules carving, located in Stony Brook since 1951, features the head and shoulders of the Greek demigod — known for his exceptional strength — draped in a lion’s skin. The bust was once the USS Ohio’s figurehead. The ship was the first to be launched from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1820.
Rugen said the figurehead was saved when the ship was decommissioned, destroyed and sunk in Greenport Harbor in 1884. It was bought by the Aldrich family of Aquebogue for $10 at the time, and from the late 1800s until the early 1950s it sat at the Canoe Place Inn in Hampton Bays after the owner, Miles Carpenter, purchased it for $15. Ward Melville bought it from the inn to be placed in Stony Brook.
Brenda Sinclair Berntson, president of Hampton Bays Historical Society, said when Hercules was located at the inn, it was popular for young women to kiss his forehead, believing that the person would be married within the year.
She said the figurehead wasn’t in the best condition, rotting and termite-ridden when it was brought to Stony Brook.
“We’re very glad that Ward Melville had the foresight and saved it,” she said.
Danielle Parisi, business development manager of ART of NYC & Long Island, said as someone who grew up and still lives in Stony Brook, it was an honor to work on the project. Parisi’s co-worker, art restorer Jessie Kefalas, said in walking by the figurehead in the past it was obvious something needed to be done. There was significant damage including the rotting of the chest of Hercules, which is constructed of plaster and wood.
Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) was also in attendance and commented on the efforts.
“We’ve seen projects like this before, and so often it’s because of the community spirit ofordinary residents who love where they live or business people who reinvest in their community,” he said.
State Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) called WMHO “one of the custodians of our heritage.”
He added that places such as the pavilion are in danger due to rising sea levels brought on by climate change, and the spot around the structure has experienced flooding after significant rain events. In the future, he said, the Hercules Pavilion could possibly be raised to protect it further, and when such a plan comes to fruition he pledged a $125,000 matching state grant to help with the costs.
ALL MUSCLE
Flowerfields Fairgrounds in Saint James hosts a Fall Car Show & Swap Meet on Oct. 23. Come view show cars like this custom 1966 Plymouth Sport Fury. Photo from Long Islnd Cars
*See more events on our Halloween calendar on this website.
Ongoing
Fall Art Walk
From Oct. 17 to Nov. 1, over 30 participating businesses along Main Street and East Main Street in the Village of Port Jefferson will display original artwork by local artists for public viewing in their front windows. The event is sponsored by the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Night Herons. Maps are available at participating businesses and at the chamber office, 118 West Broadway, Port Jefferson. For more information, call 473-1414.
Thursday October 20
Outreach bus heads to Setauket
The Catholic Health Community Outreach Bus will be at Emma S. Clark Memorial Library parking lot, 120 Main St., Setauket from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registered nurses will provide blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, and glucose screenings along with patient education and referrals as needed. Free flu vaccinations will be offered by a registered nurse. The last screening will begin at 1:45 p.m. No appointments are necessary, there are no fees, and insurance is not required. No registration necessary. Call 941-4080.
Friday October 21
Paranormal Tour of Wardenclyffe
Tesla Science Center, 5 Randall Road, Shoreham presents a guided tour of Wardenclyffe by Long Island Paranormal Investigators (LIPI) from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. or 9 to 10 p.m. LIPI will conduct a guided tour using their electronic equipment, audio recorders, cameras, and other gadgetry. You’ll discover a new perspective of Wardenclyffe as you investigate Tesla’s transmitting tower base, the site of Wardenclyffe’s train spur, and the outdoor grounds surrounding the lab. Tickets are $66 adults, $63 seniors, $60 youths. To order, visit www.teslasciencenter.org.
Jazz Loft Tour
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook will present an opportunity to take a tour through jazz history, with its What is JAZZ? interactive tour tonight starting at 7 p.m.The tour is comprised of seven stops within the Jazz Loft’s museum and performance space. Each stop in Jazz history is about four minutes, during which patrons will be treated to a brief performance and historical reflection. The entire live music, interactive experience will take about 30 minutes. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, free for ages 5 and under. To order, call 751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.
Vic DiBitetto heads to SBU
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook welcomes stand-up comedian, internet personality, and actor, Vic DiBitetto to the Main Stage at 8 p.m. Performing for over four decades, DiBitetto has established himself as “The Donkey of Comedy,” doling out wildly irreverent takes on the world around him. Born in Brooklyn in the 1960s, DiBitetto’s signature stand up makes an evening with him feel like an evening with your favorite cousin. Ticketsstart at $49. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.
Friday Night Face-Off – just added
Friday Night Face Off, Long Island’s longest running Improv Comedy Show, returns to Theatre Three’s Second Stage, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson tonight at 10:30 p.m. Using audience suggestions, FNFO pits two teams of improvisers against each other in an all-out championship! Recommended for ages16 and up, due to adult content. Tickets are $15 at the door – cash only. Call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com for more information.
Saturday October 22
Harvest Fair
St. John’s Episcopal Church of Huntington, 12 Prospect St., Main Street, Huntington invites the community to a Harvest Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring holiday boutiques, silent auction, baked goods, raffle baskets, white elephant, antiques and fabulous finds, casual and professional thrift shop, handcrafted items. Call 427-1752 or visit www.stjohnshuntington.org.
Outdoor Thrift Market
Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown will hold an outdoor Thrift Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop for antiques, household treasures, collectibles, knick knacks and more. Proceeds will benefit the center’s wildlife rehabilitation. Donations welcome. Questions? Call 901-5911.
Coram FD Fall Craft Fair
The Coram Fire Department, 303 MiddleCountryRoadCoram will hold a Fall Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The indoor event will feature vendors selling handmade crafts, jewelry, clothes, bakedgoods, quilts, assortedgift baskets, Tupperware, makeup, candles t-shirts, designerjackets and much more. Call 732-5733.
Victorian Tea
The Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society hosts its annual Victorian Tea at the Fitz-Greene Hallock Homestead (1888), 2869 Pond Road, Lake Ronkonkoma with two seatings — 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Enjoy a full Victorian Tea lunch, self-guided tour of the house and grounds and door prizes, $30 per person with timed seating. Reservations required by calling 220-6370.
Fall Harvest & Music Festival
Join the Church on the Sound, 335 Oxhead Road, Stony Brook for its annual Fall Harvestand Music Festival from noon to 7 p.m. Enjoy a pumpkin patch, pony rides, petting zoo, food trucks, games, raffles, face painting, kids activities, giant slide, pumpkin painting, photo booth, corn hole, live bands from 3 to 7 p.m., raffles and much more. Free. Call 941-4100.
Harvest Fest
The Village of Port Jefferson hosts its annual Harvest Fest from noon to 5 p.m. with live music, children’s activities, costumed dog parade, pumpkin carving, chowder crawl (fee) and much more. Rain date is Oct. 23. Call 473-4724 or visit www.portjeff.com.
Artoberfest in East Setauket
Join Preservation Long Island and the Long Island Museum for an Artoberfest, an afternoon of food, beer, music by Buddy Merriam & Backroads, arts and crafts, and games at the Sherwood-Jayne Farm, 55 Old Post Road, East Setauket from noon to 5 p.m. The event is a celebration of the art of Edward Lange (1846-1912), whose works are currently on view at the Long Island Museum through Dec. 18.Rain date is Oct. 23. Tickets are $20/over 21, $10/under 21, free for ages 5 and under. To order tickets, visit www.preservationlongisland.org. Call 692-4664.
Owl Prowl at the Vanderbilt
Biologist and ranger Eric Powers, co-founder of the Center for Environmental Education & Discovery (CEED), will hold three Owl Prowls on the grounds of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport including tonight, Nov. 12, and Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.. After a presentation on the owls of Long Island, Powers will lead a walk on the estate grounds, during which he will attempt to call in nearby owls. Flashlights are not permitted. Sturdy footwear is recommended as the trail is uneven and it will be dark. Tickets are $12. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Han Qin Projection Event
In collaboration with the Three Village Community Trust, Gallery North will stage an outdoor projection event at the Immigrant Factory Worker Houses, located behind the Bruce House at 148 Main Street in Setauket. This projection event starts at 7 pm and features the unique work of multimedia artist Han Qin. The show will highlight the important experiences of all immigrant groups throughout the history of the Three Village community. Free. Call 751-2676.
Comedy Show fundraiser
American Legion James Ely Miller Post 833, 51 Juniper Ave., Smithtown presents a Comedy Show fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. With comedians by Laugh out Loud Productions, the event will also feature a Chinese auction, 50/50, and light refreshments. All proceeds will be used to support the post’s Building Rehabilitation Project. Tickets are $30 per person. Call724-1804 to order.
Sunday October 23
Fall Car Show – this event has been rescheduled to Oct. 31
Flowerfield Fairgrounds, Route 25A, St. James hosts a Custom & Collectible Car Show by Long Island Cars from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Street rods, classics, muscle cars, antiques, exotics, imports and collectibles plus vendors, cars for sale, music, pumpkin patch for the kids and more. Rain date is Oct. 30. Admission is $10 adults, free for ages 11 and younger. www.longislandcars.com.
Antiques & More — this event has been rescheduled to Nov. 5
Enjoy a day of treasure-hunting at Antiques & More at the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop for kitchenware, pottery, tools, glassware, jewelry, toys, ephemera, china, artwork. Free admission. Call 367-3418 or visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.
Smithtown Fire Prevention Day
The Smithtown Fire Department, 100 Elm Ave., Smithtown invites the community to a Fire Prevention Day from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy fire safety activities for children and adults, participate in a firefighters obstacle course, meet the fire chief, spray a fire hose, see fire trucks and watch fire and rescue demonstrations. Held rain or shine. Questions? Call 631-265-1503.
Sunday Street Concert
WUSB’s Sunday Street series returns to the Long Island Museum’s Gillespie Room in the Carriage Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook at 5 p.m. with a concert titled Nanci & Townes: Remembering Two Texas Troubadours at 5 p.m. Join them for an evening devoted to the songs of Nanci Griffith and Townes Van Zandt. Participating are Gene Casey, Delaney Hafener, Caroline Doctorow, Bryan Gallo, Ray Lambiase, Mary Lamont w/Jim Marchese, Pete Mancini, Dave March, Gerry McKeveny, and Quarter Horse. Tickets are $20 at www.sundaystreet.org.
Seaside Lantern Walk
Join the staff at Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings park for a Seaside Lantern Walk from 6:30 to 8 p.m. See the beach in a whole new light as you round the point of Sunken Meadow State Park with only lanterns to guide the way! Pause along the way for some Long Island historical scary stories! Adult program. To register, please visit EventBrite.com & search #NatureEdventure.
Monday October 24
Art Walk to Ashley Schiff Preserve
To help raise awareness of the Ashley Schiff Preserve on the campus of Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook and the importance of protecting the land, the Zuccaire Gallery, Professor Sharon Pochron, Professor Nobuho Nagasawa’s Socially Engaged Art Seminar, and Stony Brook University’s Environmental Club, Marine Science, and Sunrise SBU club will lead a guided nature art walk to the preserve beginning at the Zuccaire Gallery, first floor Staller Center, from 4 to 5 p.m. Nature-inspired costumes encouraged. All welcome. Call 632-7240.
Coram Civic Meeting
The Coram Civic Association will hold its monthly meeting (Candidates Night) at the Coram Fire Department, Community Room, 303 Middle Country Road, Coram at 7:30 p.m. For info, visit www.CoramCivic.org or call 736-3168.
Tuesday October 25
Tide Mill Tour
The Huntington Historical Society will lead a tour of the Van Wyck-Lefferts Tide Mill, one of the best preserved 18th century tide mills in the country, at 12 p.m. The tour begins with a short boat ride from Gold Star Battalion Beach into Puppy Cove, past waterfront mansions with sightings of egrets, ospreys, and visiting waterfowl. Your guide will explain the workings of the mill with some related social history, and each tour participant will receive a comprehensive, illustrated booklet. Ticket are $20 per person, $15 members. To purchase, call 427-7045 or visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
Meet the Candidates Night
Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station will host a Meet the Candidates night with the Port Jefferson Station/ Terryville Civic Association at 7 p.m. with the two candidates for Congressional District #1. All are welcome to attend this informative meeting. Call 631-928-1212 or visit www.pjstca.org.
Wednesday October 26
Atelier art webinar
Join the Atelier at Flowerfield in St. James for an online lecture titled “Which White is Which? — A Guide to Pigments Practical and Historical Information” from 7 to 9 p.m. Titanium, zinc, lead, flake, cremnitz and silver? All these pigments are white, but what makes them each different? Painter and teacher, Eric Alexander Santoli will be your guide in discussing the world of pigments from white through the rainbow to black. Free. To register, visit www.theatelieratflowerfield.org.
Thursday October 27
Indigenous Art discussion
Stony Brook University’s Zuccaire Gallery will host a panel discussion on Indigenous Art & Environmental Issues at the Staller Center Recital Hall, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook at 4 p.m. Connecting the Drops artists Courtney M. Leonard (Shinnecock) and Erin Genia (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate) discuss their work as it relates to the environment and indigenous issues, in dialogue with Shavonne F. Smith, Environmental Director Shinnecock Nation and Dr. Ellen Pikitch, Endowed Professor of Ocean Conservation Science and Executive Director, Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University.Moderated by Dr. Abena Ampofoa Asare, Associate Professor of Modern African Affairs & History. Free and open to all. Call 632-7240.
Vanderbilt lecture
Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centeport welcomes Robert P. Crease, author and philosopher of science, for an evening lecture on public trust in scientific institutions at 7 p.m. Crease’s lecture will serve as a book launch for his latest publication, The Leak: Politics, Activists, and Loss of Trust at Brookhaven National Laboratory, co-authored with former BNL Director Peter D. Bond. In The Leak, Crease reconstructs the events of 1997, when scientists discovered a small leak of radioactive water near the laboratory’s research reactor. He details how, despite posing no threat to public safety, the discovery sparked public outrage and threatened the existence of the national laboratory. $10 per person. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Native American Drumming
All Souls Church Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook hosts an evening of Native American Drumming from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Call 655-7798 for more information.
Film
‘Rebellion’
The Port Jefferson Documentary series continues with a screening of Rebellion at John F. Kennedy Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd, Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. The film gives us an in-depth look into the global environmental movement, Extinction Rebellion (XR), established in the United Kingdom, from its beginnings in 2018. Guest speaker will be co-director Maia Kenworthy via Zoom. Tickets are $10 at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com or at the door.
‘Lawrence of Arabia’
In honor of its 60th anniversary, Lawrence of Arabia starring Peter O’Toole will be screened at the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. with an introduction by Philip Harwood. Tickets are $15. For more info, call 423-7610 or visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
Theater
ROCKIN’ THE BOAT Catch a performance of ‘Guys and Dolls’ at Theatre Three before it leaves the dock. The show closes on Oct. 22. Photo by Brian Hoerger/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
‘Guys and Dolls’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 52nd season with Guys and Dolls through Oct. 22. Considered the perfect musical of Broadway’s Golden Age, this delightful romp gambles in luck and love from Times Square to Havana. High rollers and low characters from Damon Runyon’s mythical New York are joyously presented in Frank Loesser’s bold and brassy score, featuring “Luck Be a Lady,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” An award-winning classic for the entire family! Tickets are $35 adults, $28 senior and students, $20 children ages 5 and up. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Mystic Pizza’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents the new musical comedy, Mystic Pizza, through Oct. 30. Based on the classic 1988 movie starring Julia Roberts, Mystic Pizza charts the lives and loves of three unforgettable waitresses in the harbor town of Mystic, CT. Add in some of the best pop songs of the ‘80s and ‘90s such as “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Addicted To Love,” “Small Town,” “Hold On,” and “Take My Breath Away,” and you have all the ingredients for a romantic comedy–with the works! Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘The Lightning Thief’
The Smithtown Performing Arts Center presents The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical through Oct. 29. As the half-blood son of a Greek god, Percy Jackson has newly-discovered powers he can’t control, a destiny he doesn’t want, and a mythology textbook’s worth of monsters on his trail. When Zeus’s master lightning bolt is stolen and Percy becomes the prime suspect, he has to find and return the bolt to prove his innocence and prevent a war between the gods. Adapted from the best-selling book by Rick Riordan and featuring a thrilling original rock score, the mythical adventureis “worthy of the gods.” Tickets are $40, $35 seniors, $25 students. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org
Vendors Wanted
◆ Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook seeks craft vendors for its Holiday Night Market on Dec. 10 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. For further information, call 631-588-5024.
◆ Art League of Long Island, 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills seeks artists and craftspeople for its 57th annual Holiday Fine Art & Craft Fair on Dec. 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Deadline to apply is Oct. 31. Call 631-462-5400 or visit www.artleagueli.org.
This week’s shelter pet is Zendaya, a beautiful spayed domestic short hair up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. She just turned 1 and is playful, adventurous and a HUGE flirt.
Zendaya
This stunner has Feline Leukemia, so she will need to be the only cat, placed with other positive cats, or Leukemia vaccinated cats.
Cats with leukemia typically live a short life, but they are filled with love to give and deserve the happiest homes to make the most of the time that they have.
If you would like to meet Zendaya, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the driver whose vehicle struck two pedestrians, one fatally, in Coram earlier this month.
A vehicle traveling westbound on Granny Road struck two 13-year-old siblings who were walking in a bike lane on October 12 at 7:25 p.m. One of the teens, Tyler Phillips, pictured above, died of his injuries on October 15. His sister, Krystal Randolph, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Following further investigation, detectives believe the vehicle that fled the scene was a dark- colored 2005 to 2009 Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicle’s front passenger headlight is damaged and there is damage to the front passenger bumper. The side view front passenger mirror is broken.
The Crime Stoppers fast cash reward is up to $5,000 and will be issued within seven days of an arrest.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential/
Voting for the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s 32nd annual Scarecrow Competition has begun! Visit the scarecrows at the Stony Brook Village Center and vote for your favorites with a ballot from any shop through Oct. 26. The winners will be announced at the WMHO’s Halloween Festival on Oct. 31. Photo by Heidi Sutto
Do you suffer from acid reflux/GERD? St. Charles Hospital’s Wisdom Conference Center, 200 Belle Terre Road, Port Jefferson will host a free community lecture on acid reflux on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Presented by Arif Ahmad, MD, FRCS, FACS Director, Acid Reflux and Hiatal Hernia Centers of Excellence at St. Charles Hospital and St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, topics will include why PPI drugs are not always the answer as a treatment option and permanent solutions with minimally invasive anti-reflux surgery procedures.
Followed by a Q&A. Light refreshments will be served and masks are required. To register, please call 631-474-6797.
Portraits of Mrs. Nancy Williamson Smith and her husband Captain Jonas Smith by William Sidney Mount,1836
By Tara Mae
An opportunity to own priceless art is a chance to be part of living history. It does not come without a cost, but it can be worth the expenditure. On Saturday, Oct. 22, starting at noon, South Bay Auctions of East Moriches will offer such a possibility when it auctions off portraits of Captain Jonas Smith and his wife Nancy Williamson Smith of Stony Brook by local 19th century artist William Sidney Mount.
Portrait of Captain Jonas Smith
“Mount is significant to both art and local history. It is not often that his paintings come up for auction,” said Joshua Ruff, Co-Executive Director of the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook which has the largest collection of Mount’s paintings, drawings, correspondence, and archives.
Primarily known for his genre paintings, Mount was born in Setauket in 1807 and spent many years living in Stony Brook in between and after brief periods in New York City. He painted the places and people he knew, frequently of the Three Villages. Initially drawn to history painting, which he greatly admired, Mount’s portraiture was not born of his inherent interest in the material but rather a timeless dilemma for so many artists: his other work was not selling and Mount needed to earn a living.
Mount’s first portrait subjects were easily acquired; he initially painted himself and close relatives before offering his services to a better paying public. Among his early patrons were members of the Weeks, Mills, Strong, and Smith families, all of whom have prominent ties to the Three Villages.
Captain Jonas Smith and his wife Nancy Williamson Smith were particularly lucrative commissions. Captain Smith, who owned and operated a fleet of merchant ships that sailed internationally, is considered to be Long Island’s first self-made millionaire.
Their oil portraits were most likely done in Mount’s studio, according to Jean-Paul Napoli, Co-Owner and President of South Bay Auctions. Mount apparently charged Captain Smith $70 for the pair in 1836, the equivalent of about $2000 today, when adjusted for inflation.
Portrait of Mrs. Nancy Williamson Smith
Privately owned, the portraits were obtained by the auction house from a collector who had moved from Long Island to Boston. “The owner felt they should be offered on Long Island where they originated,” said Napoli.
Also up for auction is two portraits by Mount’s brother Shepard Alonzo Mount; a painting of Port Jefferson Harbor by William Moore Davis; two lithographs by Stow Wengenroth; a recently uncovered oil painting by Robert Motherwell; and works by Whitney M. Hubbard, Caroline Bell, Julia Wickham, William Steeple Davis and Joseph Hartranft.
The artwork is available for viewing at no charge from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Oct. 21 and by appointment. “I think this auction has a nice collection of fine art from Long Island and New York artists. Even if you are not interested in acquiring anything, it is an opportunity to see works that will in most cases not be in the public eye after the sale,” Napoli added.
South Bay Auctions is located at 485 Montauk Highway, East Moriches. Participants in the auction may bid in person or live online at www.Invaluable.com and www.LiveAuctioneers.com. Telephone and absentee bidding is also available. For more information, call 631-878-2909.
Recently I was invited to a friend’s house for dinner and as we enjoyed a few appetizers, he served a bottle of a 1998 Australian Chardonnay from a winery I’ve never heard of. The wine was dark yellow and when tasted, it was well past its point of drinkability.
According to my friend, the wine was stored in his temperature-controlled cellar for over 10 years. He was dismayed to learn that some wines need aging, but the vast majority are best drunk when released for sale by the winery.
I explained that there is no precise answer when a wine will be at its peak because wines age at difference paces. The vintage, growing conditions, winemaking and barrel or stainless-steel aging, also plays a part in wine’s ability to age. The aging curve of wine depends on the location and conditions where the wine will be stored. Also, personal taste plays a significant role in the enjoyment of wine. As an example, many people enjoy champagne when first released with its youthful freshness, while others enjoy the more mature, bottle-aged versions.
Vintage charts and vintage reports, often touted by online sources, will provide you with a ballpark idea when the wine will be at its peak. They often say, “drink by this date or hold until that date.”
Wine’s longevity can be attributed to many factors, among them higher acidity, higher alcohol, carbonation, concentrated fruit, sugar (residual), and tannin, which is an antioxidant.
Not all wines are age-worthy, and in fact, most wines available for sale are not. Wines that benefit from years in the bottle (cellar) tend to be more expensive. I generally purchase several bottles of the same wine and after a few years, open one bottle and see if it’s approaching maturing. Then I decide (with some guesswork) when the next bottle should be opened.
Except for most Chardonnay, Riesling, and sweet wines, white wines should be consumed within three years after the vintage. Most red wines are best between four and seven years after the vintage. Red wines that can age much longer than seven years include Amarone della Valpolicella, Barbaresco, Barolo, Bordeaux, Brunello di Montalcino, Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chianti Classico Riserva.
My rule for aging wine is simple. I’d rather open a bottle of a young wine and say, “It tastes good now but will be better in ‘X’ years” rather than opening a bottle of wine aged for many years and say, “It was probably good several years ago, but now it’s over-the-hill!”
Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He consults and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR [email protected].
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