Busloads of immigrants are arriving in New York City regularly, sent from the border by the Texas governor. He doesn’t know what to do with so many, but we do. We up here in the northeast can use a lot of help, to judge from the omnipresent “Help Wanted” signs.
Of course, the newcomers cannot fit into communities seamlessly, functioning in any and every job. First, they need food, housing and perhaps medical care. Their children need to be registered for school. The parents have to be interviewed to determine their skills and preferences for work. To us, it would seem there are a number of jobs that they might fill fairly quickly even if they come with no special training, and especially if they have the benefit of a translator on the work premises or on the phone.
Restaurants in particular seem to be in need of additional help. Some positions there need energy and elbow grease, like busing tables, washing dishes and keeping the rooms clean. The same might be said for other parts of the hospitality and entertainment industries, like hotels and theaters. Hospitals need additional hands for cleaning and helping patients. Businesses and offices must be kept clean and neat. The same for private homes.
Of great need is childcare, which in effect is a universal job but one for which applicants would have to be carefully screened. There is $7 billion of public funding available for childcare from New York State, but only some 12% of those who might qualify are aware of the program. An intense information campaign has been proposed to get the word out, and once there is a greater response, more caretakers will need to be retained and trained. The money is there to pay them.
New York City has long been the gateway to America for immigrants. And America has long been the promised land for those fleeing persecution, political chaos or even war at home, or those hoping to better themselves and especially their children in a country that offers opportunity.
We are a nation peopled by immigrants. While some families can brag about their long lineage here in America, the point is that at some time, ancestors came here from somewhere else, unless they are Native Americans. And the striving of immigrants to succeed and fit in has helped our country to succeed. Imagine what it must take to pull up roots, leave behind everything you know and those you love, and travel, in some instances great distances along perhaps dangerous routes, to come to America. Many don’t speak English. Others never make it here.
To do so must take great courage, determination and ambition. These are skills we need. And we need people. In addition to the evidence of Help Wanted signs, we know that our birth rate is dropping. More and more couples are opting not to have children, whether because of the expense, (some $300,000 per child today), the challenge of climate change or any other reasons.
We have a checkered history at best when it comes to welcoming immigrants. When I was growing up in New York City, for example, Puerto Ricans were arriving in substantial numbers. They were generally disparaged, accused of taking “American” jobs and causing crime. Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story” is a fairly accurate depiction set to music. Newcomers have had to elbow their way into the country, largely because they start out being culturally different, and differences are often feared.
My neighborhood as I was growing up, Yorkville, was largely populated by Germans. Restaurants advertised various krauts and wiener schnitzel. Beer halls lined East 86th Street, with polka music spilling onto the sidewalk, luring in passersby. Some residents, who had arrived generations earlier, made fun of them and their accents. Then in my teen years, the Germans moved up and out to the suburbs and elsewhere and were replaced by Hungarians, and the restaurant “specials” signs now offered “veal paprikash.” Again the same cycle.
New York City renews itself with its immigrants. So does America. We need them to remain us.
Learn all about dragonflies at Caleb Smith State Park on Sept. 3. Pixabay photo
PROGRAMS
Summer STEM Workshop
Join the Long Island Explorium, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson for a Summer STEM Workshop on Sept. 2 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Participants in grades 2 to 6 will engage in interactive, hands-on nature-based learning within the picturesque harbor and beachfront of the Village of Port Jefferson and the sensory, native plant, and rain gardens of the Explorium as their outdoor classrooms. $25 per child. Drop-off is allowed for children ages 7 and above. Pre-registration is required by visiting www.longislandexplorium.org. For more information, call 331-3277.
Lantern Walk
Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, King Parkhosts an End of Summer Lantern Walk for families on Sept. 2 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Have you ever wanted to explore the park after dark? Now is your chance! Join park staff for a night-themed walk, with the ambiance of lanterns. With any luck, you might be able to observe some of the park’s nocturnal animal residents. $4 per person. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com andsearch #NatureEdventure.
Dragonfly Safari
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown presents a family program, Dragonfly Safari, on Sept. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Did you know dragonflies love to eat mosquitoes? Discover the dragonfly’s beautiful colors, life-cycle, and fascinating behaviors and enjoy outdoor observation of these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat. $4 per person. Advance registration required by calling 265-1054.
Fall Crafternoons
Drop by the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor through the month of September to enjoy seasonal, self-serve crafts in their workshop. Free with admission of $6 adults, $5 kids and seniors. Questions? Call 367-3418.
FILM
‘Spirited Away’
The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema For Kids series with a screening ofSpirited Away on Sept. 4 at noon. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children. Call 423-7610 for more information.
THEATER
‘Knuffle Bunny’
From Aug. 5 to Sept. 3, the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East Main St., Smithtown will present Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical from Aug. 5 to Sept. 3. Trixie, her father, and her favorite stuffed bunny set off on a trip to the laundromat. The trip brings wonder, excitement and joy to the lively toddler until she realizes that she has lost Knuffle Bunny. Filled with adventure, song and dancing laundry, it’s the perfect show for a family-friendly outing! Tickets are $18. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.
‘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. from Sept. 24 to 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.
‘Kooky Spooky Halloween’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 2022-2023 children’s theater season with A Kooky Spooky Halloween, a merry musical about a ghost who’s afraid of the dark, from Oct. 8 to 22 with a sensory sensitive performance on Oct. 9 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. On this journey to find spook-tacular promise, Abner and company learn the power of helping others. Hilarious hijinks and a message of cooperation highlight this delightful musical for the entire family. All tickets are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
India Pagan at Stony Brook University with her parents at graduation.
By Daniel Dunaief
With sneakers on her feet and a ball in her hand, India Pagan will circle the globe in a landmark year.
India Pagan Photo from tStony Brook University
First, she earned a Master’s Degree in coaching at Stony Brook University, completing a five-year stint in which she also received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. After a brief journey home to New London, Connecticut to visit with her family and celebrate, she and her family took a long-awaited cruise to Honduras and Mexico.
Now, the 6-foot,1-inch power forward, who completed a distinguished basketball career at Stony Brook, is practicing with the Puerto Rican National team, with whom she also traveled to the Olympics last year in Tokyo. Pagan and the team will travel to Serbia for a scrimmage and then to Australia to play in the World Cup.
But that’s not the end of her journey. After the World Cup, Pagan, 23, will fulfill a professional goal, as she signed a one-year contract to play professional basketball in Germany with the BC Pharmaserv Dolphins in Marburg, Germany. North of Frankfurt and east of Dusseldorf, Marburg is home to the Marburger Schloss (Marburg castle) and numerous medieval churches.
“It’s always been my dream to play overseas, so it’s a dream come true,” said Pagan, who is listed as a starter for the Division 1 German team. “To get paid to do what I love is really cool.”
The reality of becoming a professional basketball player started to sink in after she told family members she had signed a contract. When she shared the news with her mother Carmen Pagan, her mom “flipped out,” Pagan recalled. Her sisters Melody and Taina and family friends were similarly excited and “freaked out” about Pagan becoming a professional basketball player.
Reaching such a dream requires familial “teamwork,” said Carmen Pagan. “Any family member that is part of that group, everybody has to be committed to be there and support the child in different ways,” including emotionally, financially and academically.
When Pagan started playing basketball at the age of 11, the family made a “huge commitment” that included missing a “lot of birthdays, and a lot of family functions. We were always on the road, traveling throughout the United States” said India’s father Moises Pagan, who credits his daughter’s willingness to seize any opportunity to play as a catalyst for her basketball career.
One Friday night years ago, India received a call about a high school showcase in Queens. Despite heavy rush hour traffic and a five-hour commitment, she “didn’t even twitch,” he recalled. She said, “Dad, I want to go.” That’s where Stony Brook’s previous basketball head coach Caroline McCombs, who led the team from 2014 to 2021, saw her play.
Pagan is one of a few former Seawolf women to become a professional basketball player, joining Kaela Hilaire and Shania “Shorty” Johnson, who have also played in Europe.
Professional connection
After a solid showcase following her season, Pagan received numerous offers from agents to represent her. Choosing an agent was “like picking a school all over again,” she said. “I just had to see who was the right fit.”
Pagan selected Stephanie Stanley, president and founder of Merit Management Group who also represents one of Pagan’s favorite WNBA players, Washington Mystics Guard Natasha Cloud. That, however, was only one of several reasons she chose Stanley. The down-to-Earth Pagan thought Stanley was “like an old auntie. She had me laughing.”
Stanley, whose clients sometimes call “Momma Steph,” said she appreciated Pagan because she “likes players who hustle, play hard and look like they’re having fun out there on the court.”
Stanley also offered advice about the kinds of things to be prepared for when playing overseas. A team told one of Stanley’s clients they would provide transportation. When the player arrived, the team gave her a bicycle. “Lesson learned,” laughed Stanley. The player, however, realized that everyone used bicycles to get around in the country and appreciated the chance to lose a few pounds by pedaling back and forth to practice.
Another client had a choice of prepared meals or a financial allowance for food. The player sent Stanley pictures of food neither of them could identify. Stanley said these rookie contracts cover the cost of living and playing basketball. Rookies are “going to learn how to budget,” she said.
In the bigger picture, Stanley said the overseas market, particularly with Americans no longer comfortable playing in Russia amid the imprisonment and nine-year sentence of Brittney Griner, is having a “rough year.” Players who might have played for a top tier Russian team are heading to Turkey, Italy, Spain or France. The dislocation is affecting leagues around the world at every level. “Any player that signed now is impressive,” Stanley said. “It’s a rough year.”
Stanley added that rookies typically sign for one year in any league as players look to advance to more competitive leagues where they might also earn more money.
Pagan, who will be sharing an apartment with three other players when she arrives in Germany a day or so before the team’s first game, is excited for the opportunity and feels like the team and coach Patrick Unger, who lived in the United States for a year, support her. Unger has reached out to her on FaceTime.
At the same time, the team, which consists of several German players, includes players who speak English. The team pays for utilities, housing and transportation and is providing money for groceries.
While Pagan is excited to get on the floor and start playing with her new teammates, she knows she needs to contribute. “I have to prove myself,” she said.
SBU contributions
India Pagan Photo from the Pagan family
If Pagan finds the same kind of success in professional basketball that she had at the college level, she could be starting a promising career. She ranks eighth on the all-time scoring list at Stony Brook University, second in career field goal percentage and eighth in total rebounds.
Ashley Langford, head coach of a Seawolves team that won the America East conference championship last year in her debut season, was pleased for Pagan. “It’s awesome,” Langford said. “It’s what she’s been striving for her whole career.”
Langford appreciated the contributions on and off the court that Pagan made and the work her former basketball stand out put into enhancing her game. On the court, Pagan was “always really skilled,” said Langford. In the last year, she asserted herself more physically, moving closer to the basket and drawing contact from defenders, Langford said. She enjoyed watching Pagan show emotion on the court, flexing after she created contact and heading to the free throw line for a chance at a conventional three pointer.
Off the court, Langford admired the leadership role Pagan took in welcoming newer teammates, showing them around campus, offering advice about college athletics and helping them feel like a part of the Seawolves family and basketball program.“That’s not me or anyone else telling her, ‘You need to connect with freshman.’ That’s her doing it on her own. That’s who she is. She wants everyone to do well,” said Langford.
Pagan encouraged her new teammates to snack because players don’t always have time for a structured meal and encouraged them to “use academic advisors wisely,” she said. “They’re there for a reason.”
While Pagan is excited about the next stage in her life, she is grateful for the time and opportunities she had at Stony Brook. “Eventually, that chapter had to end,” she said. The Stony Brook team will “always be a family.”
Growing fame
Pagan, who joined the Puerto Rican women’s team at the delayed 2020 Olympics last year in Tokyo, has started to develop an international fan following. Recently, she was at a WalMart in Puerto Rico and someone walked up to her and asked to take a picture with her. While Pagan was born and raised in Connecticut, she plays for Puerto Rico because both her parents are from Puerto Rico.
Shewas also recently eating at a Chili’s restaurant with her teammates when an interview she did appeared on TV screens around the restaurant. “The waiter was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s you,’” Pagan said. Her teammates enjoyed the excitement.
Pagan has also received and responded to messages in German on social media. Once her professional season starts in Germany, Pagan will be far from home, where her parents can’t take the Bridgeport or Orient Point ferry to come see her the way they did at Stony Brook, a place the entire family still feels at home.
Indeed, one of the more emotionally challenging moments during her world-traveling basketball journey occurred when she played in Chile for three weeks. At 17, Pagan found it difficult to be so far from family, Moises Pagan recalled. That experience prepared her for her current plan to travel to Germany. “It makes the transition [to Germany] so much easier,” he said. FaceTime and a commitment to basketball have allowed Pagan to focus on her sport. “She just wants to make everyone proud, playing the game she loves,” he added
This week’s shelter pet is Prince Charles, a mellow, multi-colored rooster currently up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.
Charles was emaciated, stress molting and looking pretty ragged and worn when he was found as a stray in July.He had no energy ad barely made any noise. With just some time and nutrition, this man is thriving and vocal and ready for a flock to call his own.
If you would like to meetPrince Charles, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him 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.
FLY ME TO THE MOON
Join the Heckscher Museum and the Vanderbilt Planetarium for a special collaboration on Sept. 8.
Ongoing
Stone Bridge Nighthawk Watch
Every evening through Oct. 6, from 5:30 p.m. until dusk, the Four Harbors Audubon Society will be tallying migrating Common Nighthawks to better understand nighthawk population trends. Join them at the stone bridge at Frank Melville Memorial Park, One Old Field Road, Setauket to witness nighthawks as they pass over during their migratory journey to their wintering grounds in Brazil and Argentina. Visit www.4has.org for further details.
Thursday September 1
An evening of jazz
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents a concert by The Jazz Loft Big Band, a 17 piece big band directed by Jazz Loft Director Tom Manuel, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children. To order, call 751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.
Friday September 2
First Friday at the Heckscher
Celebrate First Friday at the Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Explore the exhibitions during extended viewing hours and enjoy a special performance by singer Roberta Fabiano beginning at 7 p.m. Free. Call 380-3230 for more info.
Walking with Whitman
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station hosts the 12th season of Poetry in Performance: Walking With Whitman tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Writer-in-Residence George Wallace, the event will feature Nicholas Samaras, author of Hands of the Saddlemaker and Bruce Johnson, author of Borderlands and Dreams. Admission fee for this event is $10 and will be collected at the door. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 427-5240.
Happenings on Main Street
The Northport Arts Coalition concludes its Happenings on Main Street series at the Northport Village Park Gazebo at the harbor at 7 p.m. with a performance by Glen Baldwin & Friends of Jazz. Bring seating. Call 827-6827 or visit www.northportarts.org.
The Edwards Twins return to T3
For a special return engagement, celebrity impersonators The Edwards Twins return to Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jeffersontonight and Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. Remember all the wonderful Variety shows we all grew up on in the 70’s & 80’s? Now is your chance to see them live and re-created by Las Vegas’ number one impersonators of all time. All your favorite legendary Superstars come to life including Sonny & Cher, Billy Joel, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Tom Jones, and many, many more with live vocals. Tickets are $59. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Saturday September 3
The Edwards Twins return to T3
See Sept. 2 listing.
Labor Day Festival
Superior Ice Rink, 270 Indian Head Road, Kings Park hosts a Labor Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Join them for a day of fun with a hockey tournament, food trucks, music, craft fair, farmers market, water slide, bounce house, dunk tank, Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle and Chuck a Duck. Proceeds will be donated to the Silent Night Foundation. Rain date is Sept. 4. Call 269-3900 for further information.
Huntington Lighthouse Music Fest
Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society presents its 13th annual Huntington Lighthouse Music Fest at the Huntington Harbor Lighthouse from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Extraordinary bands of all musical genres will perform fin the middle of the water on top of the lighthouse. There is no fee to attend or registration necessary! Just drop anchor with us and enjoy a day offun, Rain date is Sept. 4. For more information, visit www.lighthousemusicfest.org.
Geneology Workshop
South Huntington Public Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station will host a meeting of the Genealogy Workshop of the Huntington Historical Society at 11 a.m. Speaker Michael Cassara will present a lecture titled Intro to Italian Genealogy. Free event, reservations not required. Questions? Call 427-7045.
Sunday September 4
Caumsett Hike
Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for a Late Summer Seasonal Stroll from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. Witness summer’s slow, subtle change, as she withers and goes to seed during this 1.5 mile hike. Adults only. $4 per person. Advance registration required by calling 423-1770.
Ronkonkoma Street Fair
The Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Labor Day Weekend street fair on Hawkins Road between Portion and Wittridge roads from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featuring more than 200 vendors, live music, children’s rides, arts and crafts, giveaways and much more. Held rain or shine. Free admission. Call 963-2796 or visit www.ronkonkomachamber.com.
Engeman Theater fundraiser
Join the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport for a special fundraiser to benefit Northwell Health’s Huntington Hospital’s Neurosurgery Department at 7 p.m. Broadway and Hollywood stars (and Northport natives) Edie Falco and Chris Messina, will lead a staged reading of Thornton Wilder’s classic American play Our Town along withMarin Ireland, Katie Finneran, Ben Shenkman, Liza Colon-Zayas, Matthew Del Negro, Joe Roseto, Cezar Williams, Darren Goldstein, Kalyne Coleman, and Natalie Seus. Tickets are $200. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Monday September 5
No events listed for this day.
Tuesday September 6
An evening of Goat Yoga
Join the Smithtown Historical Society, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown for a 45 minute session of yoga with friendly, interactive goats from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m courtesy ofby Steppin’ Out Ponies and Petting Zoo. Tickets are $28 per person and all levels of yoga are welcome. Please bring a mat & towel. The first session will be open to children aged 7 to 17, accompanied by a parent or guardian. Registration required via Eventbrite. For more information, call 265-6768.
Wednesday September 7
No events listed for this day.
Thursday September 8
Atelier at Flowerfield art reception
Join the Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield, Suite 6 & 9, St. James for an opening reception of its latest exhibit, Neill Slaughter 50 Year Retrospective, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The show runs Sept. 8 to Oct. 27. Call 250-9009 or visit wwwtheatelieratflowerfield.org for further information.
Huntington Walking Tour
The Huntington Historical Society will host a Centers of Controversy guided walking tour from 6 to 9 p.m. Visits sites in central Huntington that gave rise over the centuries to scandals, lawsuits, and other controversies. Tour ends at Six Harbors Brewing Company. Tickets are $25, $20 members (drinks not included). Tours will begin at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main Street,Huntington. Reservations are required. Call 427-7045 or visit www.huntingtonhistorical.org
Fly Me to the Moon event
The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington in collaboration with the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport present Fly Me to the Moon: An Evening of Art, Music, and Celestial Happenings from 7 to 11 p.m. Begin the evening at The Heckscher exploring the exhibition Moonstruck: Lunar Art from the Collection. Join author and radio host Tom Ryan as he explores how the moon and outer space have inspired musicians since the beginning of recorded history. Travel back in time through sound and film clips, from Frank Sinatra to Bruno Mars, and everyone in between! Next, head to the Vanderbilt Planetarium where telescopes will be available to take in fantastic views of the Moon, the planet Saturn, and other celestial objects in the night’s sky! Enjoy a live, 45-minute talk about the night sky, stars, planets, constellations, and moon in the 60-foot domed planetarium theater, housing one of the finest star projection systems in the world. End the night with an amazing Pink Floyd light show, “Laser Dark Side of the Moon.” Tickets are $35 per person. To register, visit www.heckscher.org.
Film
‘Jungle Nights’
Join the Four Harbors Audubon Society at the Smithtown Library Main Branch, 1 North Country Road, Smithtown for a Friday Movie Night screening of BBC’s Night on Earth: Jungle Nights on Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Beneath the jungle’s canopy, the night is alive with fantastic beasts, large and small, who use the darkness to socialize, hunt, climb and crawl. Full of cinematic wonders and nocturnal beauty, this series’ new technology lifts night’s veil to reveal the hidden lives of the jungle’s nocturnal creatures. For the budding environmentalist, and also those curious about how nature and the natural world works. Age appropriate from those in middle school to retirees. Free and open to all. Reservations required by calling 766-3075 or 360-2480, ext. 232.
‘Sin City’
The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cult Cafe series with a screening of Sin City on Sept. 3 at 10 p.m. In this quartet of neo-noir tales, a mysterious salesman (Josh Hartnett) narrates a tragic story of co-dependency, while a musclebound vigilante (Mickey Rourke) tears his way through the criminal underworld in search of his lost love (Jaime King). In another part of the city, a grizzled cop (Bruce Willis) foils the ambitions of a child-killer (Nick Stahl), and an ex-prostitute (Brittany Murphy) evades her ex-pimp (Benicio Del Toro) with the help of her new boyfriend, Dwight (Clive Owen). Rated R. Tickets are $7, $5 members. To order, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’
Join Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for a screening ofDownton Abbey: A New Era starring Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, and Michelle Dockery on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. Registration is required by calling 928-1212 or visit www.cplib.org.
Theater
A FINAL TOAST Catch one of the final performances of ‘On Your Feet!’ at the Engeman Theater in Northport. The show closes on Sept. 3. Photo from Engeman Theater
‘On Your Feet!’
Extended! The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan from July 14 to Sept. 3. From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. On Your Feet! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making, and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Get ready to get on your feet, and dance to the smash hits “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” “1-2-3,” “Live For Loving You,” “Conga,” and many more. Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘Henry V’
The Carriage House Players continues its annual Shakespeare Festival at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport with Henry V from Aug. 26 to Sept. 18 on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Performances take place outdoors on stage in the courtyard, where the Spanish-Mediterranean architecture adds a touch of timeless charm and magic. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show and bring your own lawn chair. Inclement weather cancels. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and children ages 12 and under. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
‘Guys and Dolls’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 52nd season with Guys and Dolls from Sept. 17 to 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’
Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is the new musical comedy, Mystic Pizza, from Sept. 15 to 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.
Vendors Wanted
◆ Davis Town Meeting House Society seeks vendors for its Yard Sale & Craft Fair on Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Davis House, 263 Middle Country Rd., Coram. Rain date is Sept. 11. $25 per table. For an application, call Maryanne at 631-804-2256 or email: [email protected].
◆ Yaphank Historical Society is looking for vendors for its annual Fall Yard sale on Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Hawkins House at 4 Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank. Rain date is Sept 18. Vendor fee is only $10 per spot. No advance reservations necessary. Call 631-924-4803 with questions, or visit www.yaphankhistorical.org.
◆ Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead seeks artisan craft & farmers market vendors for its 41st annual Country Fair on Sept. 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details and an application, visit www.Hallockville.org/countryfair.
◆ Port Jefferson Lions Club seeks vendors for its 1st annual Car Show at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Rain date is Sept. 25) Call Warren at 631-258-6165 for more information.
◆ Caroline Episcopal Church of Setauket is sponsoring a Fall Craft Fair & Barn Sale on the Setauket Village Green (Main St. and Caroline Ave.) on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain date is Sept. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. Limited spaces still available on the Village Green (10’x10’) and covered Carriage Shed (9’x18’). Reserve your spot at www.depasmarket.com. Questions? Call 631-806-4845.
◆ Stony Brook Community Church, 216 Christian Ave., Stony Brook is seeking vendors for its Apple Festival on Oct.1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date Oct. 2). Spots (10’ x 10’) are $40 each; vendors can call or text 631-252-0777 for an application.
◆ Parents of Troop 362 will hold a Craft Fair & Basket Raffle at Hope Lutheran Church, 46 Dare Road, Selden on Oct. 1. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain date Oct. 2). Vendors wanted -— 10’ by 10’ space for $40 donation. To reserve a space, email [email protected].
◆ St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown seeks craft or new merchandise vendors for its Craft Fair and Car Show on Oct. 8 (rain date is Oct. 15 for craft fair only) $50/space. Visit www.stthomasofcanterbury.net or call 631-265-4520 to obtain an application.
◆ Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 716 Route 25a, Rocky Point seeks vendors to be a part of their annual October Festival on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fee for vendor participation of new items, no raffles is $35 per10’ x 10’ space. Must supply own table and chairs. Visit www.thefishchurch.com Festivals and Events page.
Class Reunions
✴Port Jefferson (ELVHS) Class of 1972’s 50th reunion is planned for September 9 and 10. Please spread the word, and visit Facebook page “Port Jefferson(ELVHS) Class of 1972 50th Reunion” for details or e-mail [email protected].
✴Ward Melville High School Class of 1972’s50th reunion is Oct 1. Please spread the word and visit Facebook page “Ward Melville High School Class 72 50th Reunion” for more information and purchasing tickets. For more information, email [email protected] or call 631-928-5684 and leave your name and contact information for any questions
* All numbers are in (631) area code unless otherwise noted.
Yusuf Hannun is constantly working to improve his team of dedicated researchers with the hopes of curing complicated diseases. File photo
Stony Brook University’s Dr. Yusuf Hannun, an internationally recognized scientist and a leader at the school for a decade, is stepping down as head of the Stony Brook Cancer Center, Dr. Hal Paz, chief executive officer of Stony Brook Medicine announced in an email.
In the email addressed to SBM leaders, Paz thanked Hannun for his leadership, recognizing his contributions to cancer research and to the Stony Brook Cancer Center.
Paz suggested that Hannun would continue to serve as director until the university, which is conducting a national search, finds someone to assume that responsibility.
SBM officials maintained in a statement that the “mission remains the same: to provide our patients with optimal treatment and care.”
Stony Brook is seeking a candidate with “exceptional leadership skills, an illustrious career in cancer research, and who is at the forefront of cancer medicine,” SBM officials added.
Paz shared his gratitude to Hannun for his “dedication to our mission and for shepherding [the cancer center] on the first leg of its journey to attaining [National Cancer Institute] status,” he wrote in his email.
Stony Brook will continue to seek NCI designation. The National Cancer Institute recognizes centers that “meet rigorous standards for transdisciplinary, state-of-the-art research focused on developing new and better approaches to preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer,” according to the NCI web site.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has such a designation.
Paz indicated in the email that Hannun, who has earned numerous accolades and has blazed a trail in the field of sphingolipids, inflammation and cancer therapeutics, would remain as a part of the Stony Brook Medicine faculty.
Hannun previously worked at the Medical University of South Carolina, serving as senior associate dean and distinguished university professor of Biomedical Research and chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for 14 years.
TBR News Media honored the work of Hannun and his late wife, Lina Obeid, in a People of the Year issue in 2015.
Tony Futerman, the Joseph Meyerhoff professor and chair of biochemistry at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, said Hannun “pushed the field into the modern age” and suggested he had been “innovative for 30 years.”
Hannun recruited numerous faculty to Stony Brook since his arrival, many of whom shared their appreciation for the opportunity to work with and for the well-regarded scientist.
Earlier this year, Mehdi Damaghi, assistant professor in the Department of Pathology at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, said he chose Stony Brook because of the depth of cancer sciences, citing the work of Hannun, Laufer Center Director Ken Dill and Pathology Department Chair Ken Shroyer.
Paz wrote that Hannun has been “instrumental in building the infrastructure to support the growth of the [cancer center], and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
Hannun holds numerous National Institutes of Health grants and has an H index of 148, which is “an exceptional metric that evaluates the cumulative impact of an author’s scholarly output and performance.”
An H index measures how much other scientists cite a researcher’s work.
“We are grateful that Dr. Hannun will remain in his leadership role as we search for a successor,” SBM officials added.
It was a see-saw battle in the first two sets between cross-town rivals Mount Sinai and Port Jefferson on Tuesday, Aug. 30.
While the Mustangs kept it close in both sets, the Royals, fueled by Erin Henry’s dominant performance from the service line, finished strong and won both.
Mount Sinai rallied in the third set, but the Royals played mistake-free volleyball and swept the match 25-21, 25-22, 25-15 in the opening round of this non-league matchup.
Both teams begin league play Thursday, Sept. 1. Mount Sinai hosts Center Moriches at 5 p.m. and the Royals travel to Pierson/Bridgehampton with a 6:15 p.m. start time.
A view of Stony Brook Harbor from Cordwood Park in Head of the Harbor. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A rally held at Head of the Harbor’s Cordwood Park Aug. 27 combined a bit of history, nature’s beauty and activism in one short hour.
Protesters at the Aug. 27 rally in Head of the Harbor. Photo by Rita J. Egan
The Rally to Block the Docks, organized by Head of the Harbor resident Lisa Davidson, attracted dozens of local residents, environmentalists and Stony Brook University students. Village residents have voiced concerns over the possible construction of a 186-foot dock on private property next to Cordwood Park and the potential of another 200-foot dock a few houses away. The footage includes a combination of permanent and floating docks. A Sept. 6 Village of Nissequogue Planning Board meeting currently has a vote scheduled regarding the 186-foot dock.
Protesters cited among their concerns the 186-foot spoiling the view of Stony Brook Harbor and restricting access to those walking along the beach or using their canoes and kayaks in the water. Many also feel it may encourage other homeowners to build similar private docks, leading to harbor pollution due to more or large boats.
“One property owner should not be allowed to ruin what is cherished and loved by an entire community,” Davidson said.
Among the speakers at the event were state Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket); Kevin McAllister, founder and president of Defend H2O; John Turner, conservation chair of Four Harbors Audubon Society; and Head of the Harbor/Nissequogue historian Leighton Coleman.
Davidson is a member of the Joint Village Coastal Management Commission, a waterfront board of the villages of Head of the Harbor and Nissequogue. She said she recused herself from the commission on the matter of private docks.
“Because after seeing the numerous petitions we get for private docks, I realized that this beautiful bay is in grave danger if we as a community do not come together and take action now before it is too late,” she said.
She encouraged residents to reach out to the Town of Smithtown and New York State Department of Conservation, both of which approve first-phase private dock permits, to prevent future approvals. Davidson said homeowners might argue that they have riparian rights. She said those rights are satisfied when walking in the water or taking a kayak or canoe out on it, and do not include building docks.
Because the harbor is shallow, the dock must be meet DEC requirements that it stands in 3 1/2 feet of water even at low tide, hence the lengths of the proposed docks.
McAllister said, based on his experience, when one dock is built, there tends to be a push for more docks and bigger boats in the body of water, which he said leads to issues in the water such as prop dredging and salinity problems where the water is always cloudy.
Coleman said commerce once took place at the park, which had a negative impact on the harbor.
Head of the Harbor/Nissequogue historian Leighton Coleman talks about the history of the Cordwood Park location. Photo by Rita J. Egan
“We are now standing at the site of what was once an active boatbuilding yard and shipping port, where New York City’s manure was traded for cordwood to fuel the city’s numerous town houses,” the historian said.
He added, eventually, a boatyard’s use of arsenic to cure wood along with human and livestock waste runoff affected the harbor’s health. It was in the 1870s that Smith siblings, descendants of Smithtown’s founder, bought up large parcels of land. The harbor was then used for more leisurely activities, he said, until the 1920s brought to the area “commercial dredging for mining of sand and gravel, and the subdivision of the large estates into developments,” which threatened the waterway’s health once again. This led to the formation of incorporated villages, which in turn created zoning laws to protect the harbor and, in the 1940s, the Stony Brook Harbor Association was created.
“Sadly, the old guard has passed on, and we were left, apparently, with a false sense of security that our harbor’s healthy future was in safe hands, but thankfully as of today I see that we have a new generation of stewards stepping forth,” he said.
In the 1920s and ’30s, when there was dredging of the harbor as well as others on the North Shore, Englebright said, it was important that villages were formed to protect them. He called those who wanted to dredge the waters “essentially gangsters” who were “buying influence” with the towns, and “the towns were selling out the harbors.”
“That is the legacy of this village,” Englebright said. “That’s your birthright. That’s how you came into existence as a municipal jurisdiction in state law. There was no other way at the time to prevent the disposition of the permits by the towns.”
He added, “The Town of Smithtown has sold out the harbor bottom with approving the initial permit for a dock.”
Englebright said the body of water’s bottom is public property and “to give away public property is illegal.”
“It’s an echo of the outrage that led to the creation of these villages,” he said.
While waiting for the rally to begin, Turner said he saw a bald eagle, osprey, snowy egrets and more.
“Any time hiking the harbor, you know that the harbor, from an ecological and biological perspective, it’s just a really vibrant ecosystem,” he said.
Turner added there are several diamondback terrapins in the harbor, too. The DEC has listed the decrease in the animals a concern. They come ashore in June to lay their eggs, Turner said, and a dock could increase human traffic which in turn could have an adverse impact on the terrapins.
“We hope that the villages and the Town of Smithtown will not grant private access to a public trust resource that could ultimately have a really adverse impact upon the harbor,” he said.
Turner added he looked at the Suffolk County GIS viewer and counted approximately 54 properties around the harbor.
“If these are approved, what prevents those other 52 or 50 owners down the road from requesting permits to build docks — docks that are on the same scale as what these are,” he said.
To pay homage to the history of the location, rally organizers served ginger ale and root beer, and the Once Upon a Tyme Barbershop Quartet performed for the attendees at the beginning and end of the rally.
Davidson said she and others have been working on circulating a petition which they will present to the Nissequogue Planning Board on Sept. 6.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate three men who allegedly stole from a Selden store in July.
Three men entered Home Depot, located at 401 Independence Plaza, at approximately 2:45 p.m. on July 25 and allegedly stole multiple items, including light switch dimmers and installation kits. The merchandise was valued at approximately $1,980. They fled in a Honda Accord with tinted windows.
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.
Members of the St. James Fire Department prepare for the 100th anniversary parade. Photo from St. James Fire Department
Members of the Setauket Fire Department were on hand to help the St. James Fire Department celebrate its 100th anniversary on Aug. 27. Photo from Setauket Fire Department
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration. Photo from the St. James Fire Department
Young spectators wait for the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade. Photo by Patricia Busby
Members of the Setauket Fire Department were on hand to help the St. James Fire Department celebrate its 100th anniversary on Aug. 27. Photo from Setauket Fire Department
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration. Photo from the Stony Brook Fire Department
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade. Photo from the St. James Fire Department
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Spectators wait for the St. James 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
The Setauket Fire Department was on hand to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the St. James Fire Department. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration. Photo from the St. James Fire Department
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 27. Photo by Patricia Busby
The Selden and Centereach fire departments were on hand to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the St. James Fire Department. Photo by Rita J. Egan
The Selden and Centereach fire departments were on hand to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the St. James Fire Department. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the St. James Fire Department 100th Anniversary Parade on Aug. 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
The Riverhead Fire Department joined the St. James FD to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Photo by Rita J. Egan
The streets of St. James were filled with volunteer firefighters from across Suffolk and Nassau counties as they turned out to honor the St. James Fire Department’s 100th anniversary on Aug. 27.
Mid-afternoon, first responders from more than 20 departments and their emergency vehicles began lining up at Smithtown High School East and down streets along Woodlawn Avenue for the St. James FD’s 100th anniversary parade. The parade kicked off after 5 p.m., and spectators lined Woodlawn and Lake avenues to cheer the firefighters on.
At the end of the parade, participants and residents gathered at St. James Elementary School for a party that featured a battle of the bands, refreshments, activities and music. The night was capped off with Fireworks by Grucci.
Chief of Department Frank Sapienza said the committee had been working on the event for 10 years. Sapienza, who has been with SJFD for more than 20 years, added, “It was one of the best times I’ve had with the department.”
According to the St. James Fire District’s website, while a department was organized in the hamlet in 1909 as the Eagle Hook & Ladder Co. by T. Edward Ellis, interest in the company declined by the early 1920s.
After a Christmas holiday fire in 1921, residents formed a committee and initiated a drive to raise money for a new firehouse and equipment. The new department was formed on March 8, 1922. The first piece of equipment the committee purchased was a Model T combination pump and ladder. The cost was $1,500, and it was stored in a metal garage at the intersection of North Country Road and Lake Avenue where the firehouse sits today. The property belonged to Lawrence Butler, who donated an engine floor, when the firehouse was built in 1923. Volunteers built the second floor, and an additional wing was added to the building later.
According to the district’s website, in the department’s early days, volunteers would raise money by organizing annual carnivals that would kick off with a parade. The week-long events featured circus and vaudeville acts nightly until 1935 when the fire district was formed and volunteers were no longer responsible for raising money for new equipment.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate three men who allegedly stole from a Selden store in July.
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