Yearly Archives: 2023

METRO photo

By Matthew Kearns, DVM

Dr. Matthew Kearns

I commonly get this question around this time of year — “What can I give my pet (usually my dog) for all the fireworks before, during and after July 4th?” 

Keep in mind that the fear of loud noises is a natural, instinctive behavior in dogs and cats telling them to seek shelter temporarily, alerting them to potential predators in the area, etc. However, I agree that when a pet is over sensitive to this noise stimulus to the point where they cower, shake, pace, urinate/defecate in the house, destroy furniture, or even try to climb on your lap (not too good if you own a Great Dane), it becomes a big problem.

Supplements: Alpha-casozepine, L-theanine (green tea extract), aromatherapy (lavender, chamomile), CBD are the safest but also have the widest range of efficacy. Owner feedback ranges from “just what the doctor ordered” to “I wasted my money.” My advice is it’s great to try these but have a backup plan.

Over The Counter Medications: The only over the counter medication that has been evaluated for sedation is diphenhydramine (Benadryl®). Diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness but I have found that is more effective for dogs that suffer from motion sickness during travel than sedation. My advice is the same. Have a backup plan.

Anti-depressants and SSRIs: These medications can be quite effective the mainstay of anti-depressants in veterinary medicine is a tricyclic anti-depressant (TCA) called clomipramine (Clomicalm®). The mainstay of selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) is fluoxetine (Prozac®). The problem is these medications can take a minimum of three weeks and sometimes up to 8 weeks to get to steady therapeutic levels. That means starting before Memorial Day and most pet owners (myself included) do not think that far ahead.

Benzodiazepines: This medication has been studied extensively for all sorts of anxiety and phobias in dogs. I have been less than impressed with the results with the use of benzodiazepines alone. Benzodiazepines are designed to be used in conjunction with a TCA or SSRI where the TCA/SSRI is a maintenance medication and the benzodiazepine is situational. 

Phenothiazines: Phenothiazines are tranquilizers and the most widely used phenothiazine tranquilizer in veterinary medicine is acepromazine. Acepromazine is wonderful if one is looking to keep them still (and not destroy the house) but it does not address phobias or anxiety. I do prescribe it routinely around the 4th of July because it works so well in a “real time” basis but I do not recommend as a long-term medication. 

Dexmedetomidine:  This medication is the newest kid on the block. Initially used for sedation prior to procedures dexmedetomidine (Sileo®) is now used treat anxiety on a short-term basis similar to acepromazine.  

There are choices for sedating our dogs for noise phobias this July 4th. Please check with your veterinarian to determine which is both effective and safe for your dog. Have a happy and safe holiday. 

Dr. Kearns practices veterinary medicine from his Port Jefferson office and is pictured with his son Matthew and his dog Jasmine. 

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Suffolk County police car. File photo
Suffolk County Police on June 8 arrested a man who allegedly owned and operated a functioning drug manufacturing laboratory in Ronkonkoma.

Fifth Precinct Patrol officers and Canine Section officers responded to a report of a burglary at Quantitative Laboratories, located at 1850 Pond Road, at approximately 3:30 a.m. While searching the premises for the burglars, officers discovered equipment and chemicals consistent with the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Following an investigation by Fifth Squad detectives, Arson Section detectives and Narcotics Section detectives, with the assistance of members of the New York State Police and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Matthew Leshinsky, the owner and operator of Quantitative Laboratories, was arrested. Significant quantities of solid and liquid methamphetamine, ketamine and cocaine were confiscated from the premises, along with approximately $40,000 in cash.

Leshinsky, 23, of Levittown, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Degree, five counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree and Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine 3rd Degree.

Speakers at the “Africa: The Human Cradle" International Conference paying Tribute to Richard E. Leakey” on June 5. Photo by John Griffin/Stony Brook University

By Daniel Dunaief

Combative, loyal, determined, consequential, energetic and courageous. These are just a few of the many traits paleoanthropologists and others shared to describe the late Richard Leakey at the “Africa: The Human Cradle” memorial conference at Stony Brook University this week.

The founder of the Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya, Leakey, who partnered with SBU and received 34 grants from National Geographic over the course of his decades in science, was a part of nearly every presentation and discussion on the first day of the week-long event which closes tomorrow, June 9.

From left, Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis with Louise Leakey on June 5. Photo by John Griffin/Stony Brook University

Held at the Charles B. Wang Center on the main campus, the conference brought together luminaries in the field who interlaced stories about their science in Africa with anecdotes — many of them humorous — about Leakey. Marilyn and Jim Simons, whose Simons Foundation announced last week that it was donating $500 million to the university, attended the entire slate of speakers on the first day.

Leakey was “one of the most important paleoanthropologists of our time,” Maurie McInnis, President of Stony Brook, said in opening remarks. His impact “can be felt across our campus and across the world.”

In an interview, former Stony Brook President Shirley Kenney, who helped bring Leakey to the university, suggested that he “put us into the elite of that whole research field.”

Leakey stubbornly entered his parents Mary and Louis’s chosen fields when he dropped out of high school, eager to make discoveries on his own and to contribute to his native Kenya.

In 1968, during a meeting at the National Geographic headquarters, Leakey “lobbied the committee to divert funding from his father’s money” to his own research, Jill Tiefenthaler, National Geographic CEO, said during her presentation.

‘Sitting on a knife edge’

Like Leakey, however, these scientists looked deep into the past to understand the lives of early humans, our distant ancestors and other organisms while looking for lessons that might help with the present and the future.

Dino Martins, Chief Executive Officer of the Turkana Basin Institute and Lecturer in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, suggested that Leakey was driven by a sense of “childlike wonder” and a need to know “where we are, where we’re coming from and where we’re going.”

Leakey suggested that the extremely hot climate in Kenya was a potential model to understand how ancestral humans survived in hotter conditions, which are becoming increasingly prevalent amid global warming.

“There are many parallels in the past” in terms of extreme environments, Louise Leakey, director of public education and outreach for the Turkana Basin Institute and Richard and Meave Leakey’s daughter, said in an interview. “We’re sitting on this knife edge of really dramatic change now.” 

In addition to encouraging science in Africa, Leakey also believed in engaging with students and researchers from a range of backgrounds and experiences. He wanted to ensure that people from every continent had an opportunity to join the ranks of scientists.

When presenting his research on Homo naledi, an extinct human with a brain a third the size of modern humans from South Africa who created burial sites and left behind etchings on a cave wall, Lee Berger, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, explained that he wished Leakey “had seen this and I think he would have been really angry with me.”

Words from a devoted daughter

In the final presentation of the first day, Louise Leakey shared memories of her upbringing and her father.

Among many pictures of her father and his discoveries over the years, Louise shared one in which she highlighted a pipe in the corner of the photo.  She believed her father “rarely smoked it” but liked to pose with it in photos.

Louise Leakey speaks at the memorial conference for her father on June 5. Photo by John Griffin/Stony Brook University

Louise Leakey recalled how one of her father’s partners, Kamoya Kimeu, proved a valuable partner in the search for fossils. When Kimeu died soon after Richard Leakey, Kimeu’s daughter Jennifer reached out to Louise to raise money for his funeral.

Louise Leakey has since learned that Jennifer never saw her father searching for fossils in the field. Rather, she learned all about his exploits when her mother read his letters each night to her before she went to bed.

A second generation of the two families is working together, as Jennifer has joined Louise in some of her fossil hunting work. The two daughters are also creating a comic strip, in many languages, that depicts the two of them hunting for fossils.

Leakey believes Jennifer Kimeu will serve as an inspiration to other Kenyans.

On the east side of Lake Turkana, Leakey and her team recently discovered the new head of a fossil. Before his death, her father said it was “time you found new skull.” Richard Leakey was right.

By Colleen Merlo, LMSW

Colleen Merlo

One need not look very far to know that we are facing a mental health crisis. CDC data shows that youth are reporting high rates of poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and a recently published report by the Surgeon General declared loneliness an epidemic.

For many Long Islanders, these findings are not merely statistics or verbiage. This crisis is affecting their daily lives. It may show up with a child pleased to not attend school, or through a decline in the cognitive health of an aging parent. Many of us are feeling a rawness that we cannot quite put to words, nevertheless we know it is there. For some of us it shows up as irritability and angst; others are walking around feeling exhausted.

Living through a pandemic has changed all of us and the way we think about mental health, and left us less resilient as a society. On the bright side, the pandemic has been a catalyst for increased discussion about mental health. We need to make sure this trend continues. In the past, when people thought about mental health, the topic took a myopic view that focused on illness.  While mental illnesses are common, widespread, and can affect anyone (around half of people in the U.S. will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition at some point in their life), this view left many people overlooking mental health and wellness, and the ways we can foster community mental health. 

Every day we have a chance to focus on emotional wellness and incorporate tools into our lives. We also have an opportunity to better recognize and respond to mental distress. An important first step is to learn common warning signs for mental health conditions or crises and how to respond.  Mental Health First Aid training takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder.

Understanding the risk factors for a mental health condition can be more difficult when it’s your own mental health. Take time to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to see if you see a pattern that may be caused by a mental health condition. Here are some questions to get you started:

• Have things that used to feel easy started feeling difficult?

• Does the idea of doing simple daily tasks now feel really, really hard?

• Have you lost interest in activities and hobbies you used to enjoy?

• Do you feel irritated, possibly to the point of lashing out at people you care about? 

• Have you withdrawn from family, friends, or society?

• Are you increasing your use of drugs or alcohol?

If you are concerned about your mental health, there are several options available. You are not alone — help is out there, and recovery is possible. It may be hard to talk about your concerns, but simply acknowledging to yourself that you’re struggling is a really big step.

Taking a screening at http://mhaw.org/get-involved/online-screening/ can help you to better understand what you are experiencing and get helpful resources. After that, consider talking to someone you trust about your results, and seek out a professional to find the support you need.  

A phone call to the Association for Mental Health and Wellness can help link you to support, services, workshops, and trainings. Call MHAW at 631-471-7242 ext. 2. While you may not need this information today, knowing the basics about mental health will mean you’re prepared if you ever need it.

Colleen Merlo, LMSW, is a  the Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Mental Health and Wellness in Ronkonkoma.

*This article first appeared in TBR News Media’s supplement Focus on Health on May 25, 2023.

Welcome to the 18th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home! 

Meet Donnie

With a name meaning “ruler of the world” (aren’t all Chihuahuas?), this two-year-old fellow is Donnie, currently up for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. Witty and intelligent, he’s the perfect partner to have by your side for family trivia night, ensuring your team will come out on top. Always ready for an adventure, he’s hoping to be included in all your plans, adding an element of fun to everything you do together. Loving and loyal, he would be a great addition to most any household, so don’t delay…stop by Little Shelter to meet Donnie and let the games begin! 631-368-8770, ext. 21

Meet Levy

The name Levy is associated with unity and loyalty, a fitting description for any canine! This two-year-old Terrier mix recently arrived at Little Shelter in Huntington via the Passage to Freedom Program. While still finding his footing, he is getting braver every day, trusting that his best life is just around the corner. Looking for a family that will be patient with his progress, he knows that he has a lot to offer someone that will give him time to acclimate, provide him with a sense of stability and already has another dog to give him confidence and show him the ropes. Once he opens up, you’ll discover that he is smart, funny, affectionate and the perfect copilot for all your travels and adventures. Stop by to meet this handsome young lad and leave with a best friend! 631-368-8770, ext. 21

Meet Wilbur

This tall drink of water is Wilbur. In the prime of his life, he’s a six-year-old Terrier mix at Little Shelter in Huntington who’s looking for a forever home and a brand new start. Described by the kennel staff as “spunky”, he loves toys and has a playful, outgoing personality. Enthusiastic about treats, he’s perfected the “good sit”, hoping you’ll be generous with a tasty tidbit as well as your praise. Always happy to see you, he often does a little tippy toe dance to convey his excitement…everyone deserves such a greeting upon entering a room! Simply the best, Wilbur is the one that will steal your heart. 631-368-8770, ext. 21

Meet Joey Biscuits

This outgoing and playful man is Joey Biscuits, a 2.5 year old grey tabby up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.  Full of love and energy Joey is extremely outgoing and will go up to just about any person he meets. Joey has an affinity for escape which is what landed him in the shelter and needs a home that will provide him with plenty of enrichment. He is far too friendly and lacks a healthy sense of fear; going outside would end badly for him. He would be a wonderful addition to any family. Come meet him today! 631-360-7575 

Meet Winslet

Winslet is a tabby & white cat who was rescued from Georgia and is now at Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton waiting for his furever home. He is very affectionate and vocal to the people he loves. He has been described as a big teddy bear of a cat! If you’re looking for a cat who adores his human company, Winslet may be for you. Come on in today and meet him and some of his kitty friends. 631-727-5731, ext.

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Little Shelter Raffle

Take part in Little Shelter’s 32nd semi-annual Mercedez-Benz Raffle 2023 and help them rescue homeless animals! Tickets are $100 each and only 800 tickets will be sold. The winner will drive away in an A Class Mercedes-Benz or choose $25,000 cash. The drawing will be held on Saturday, June 24 at 3 p.m. Ticket holder need not be present to win. Visit www.littleshelter.org for more information.

Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of July 13.

Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.

 

Varela Band

First United Methodist Church, 603 Main Street, Port Jefferson hosts a Varela Band Reunion Concert on Friday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) After 43 years, the long-anticipated reunion concert will feature the beloved and popular ensemble that performed to great acclaim during the 70s and 80s. The British record label BBE just released the Varela Band song “Come And Take Me By The Hand” on their album collection “Once Again We Are The Children Of The Sun…” just in time for the concert. Tickets are $25 in advance at www.gpjac.org/special-concerts, $30 at the door (cash only).

The PRIDE exhibit at the Northport Historical Society runs through June 30. Photo from Northport Historical Society
The PRIDE exhibit at the Northport Historical Society runs through June 30. Photo from Northport Historical Society

In perfect timing with Pride Month, the Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport presents PRIDE!, a pop-up exhibit curated and designed by Marketing and Membership Coordinator John N. Daniello.

The Society’s first LGBT+ exhibit, PRIDE! explores the history of the LGBT+ movement in the United States and Northport. The month-long exhibit is generously sponsored by Northport Copy and features local artist Greg Fox and his comic Kyle’s Bed & Breakfast. The Society welcomes members of Northport’s (and the surrounding areas) LGBT+ community — and their allies — to share their personal stories of Pride.

Viewing hours are Thursday to Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. including during Northport’s Pridefest on June 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Northport Village Park. Admission to the exhibit is free. For more information, visit northporthistorical.org

Catch a screening of 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' at the Cinema Arts Centre on June 11.
PROGRAMS

Bicycle Rodeo

Town of Brookhaven hosts a Bicycle Rodeo at Safety Town, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville on June 10 from 8 a.m. to noon. Children will learn how to safely ride their bikes in a mock-roadway, kid-sized setting. Safety Town features roads with turning lane arrows; a railroad crossing; and two one-way tunnels to teach children the dangers of one-way streets; and timed traffic lights. Participants of all ages will be evaluated and given feedback on their own bicycle-handling abilities, after proper bicycle safety skills are demonstrated. Free. Call 631-451-5335 to reserve your spot.

Pizza & Painting

Celebrate St. James hosts an afternoon of Pizza & Painting at the St. James Calderone Theatre, 176 Second St., St. James on June 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy a pizza lunch and create a painting to take home. $20 first child and adult, $10 additional child/adult. To register, visit www.celebratestjames.org. Call 631-984-0201 for more information.

Crafternoon at the Library

Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to drop by Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket  on June 10 between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. to choose from a potluck of crafts to make and take home. Free and open to all. No registration required. 631-941-4080.

Flag Retirement Ceremony

The Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket will lead a family-friendly, interactive United States Flag Retirement Ceremony at 5 p.m. Girl Scout Troops, BSA Troops, Cub Scout Packs and the community are invited to participate along with members from the Daughters of the Revolution and Veterans of Foreign Wars to learn the steps involved to properly retire the U.S. Flag by fire. 631-751-3730

THEATER

‘Chicago: Teen Edition’

Productions Over the Rainbow presents Chicago: Teen Edition at the Stony Brook School’s Carson Auditorium, 1 Chapman Parkway, Stony Brook on June 9 at 7 p.m. and June 10 at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Rated PG-13. Tickets are $23 at www.potr.org. For more information, call 631-696-6817.

‘Cinderella’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson closes its children’s theatre season with its original retelling of the poor waif Cinderella from May 27 to June 17. The classic love story finds its power in a pumpkin, a palace, a prince and a young girl whose belief in herself can overcome any obstacle. When her Fairy Godmother adds a dash of excitement, the magical possibilities are endless. Don’t miss this musical enchantment for the entire family. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Flat Stanley’

John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley from May 28 to July 2 with a sensory friendly performance on June 10 at 11 a.m. Stanley Lambchop is an ordinary ten-year-old who longs to travel the world and do something amazing! Careful what you wish for, Stanley! One morning, Stanley wakes up really, REALLY flat! In a whirlwind musical travelogue, Stanley scours the globe for a solution to his unusual problem. He’s stamped, posted and mailed from Hollywood to Honolulu and beyond hoping to once again become three dimensional. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

FILM

‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of Fantastic Mr. Fox on June 11 at noon. After 12 years of bucolic bliss, Mr. Fox breaks a promise to his wife and raids the farms of their human neighbors, Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Giving in to his animal instincts endangers not only his marriage but also the lives of his family and their animal friends. When the farmers force Mr. Fox and company deep underground, he has to resort to his natural craftiness to rise above the opposition. Rated PG. Tickets are $12, $5 children 12 and under. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

June is strawberry season on Long Island. File photo by Greg Catalano/TBR News Media

Lenny Bruno Farms, 740 Wading River Road, Manorville will hold their second annual Strawberry Festival this Saturday and Sunday, June 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Festival-goers will enjoy food trucks, live music, artisan vendors, face painting, children and teen activity vendors, toddler play area, petting zoo, jumbo garden games, and more. Visitors can also purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, pies, ice cream, and other delicious fares at the farm. Admission to the festival area is $10 per person. Children 2 and under are free. 

The strawberry u-pick area admission is an additional $10 entry fee and comes with 1 pint of strawberries in combination with a hayride to the u-pick area and unique photo opportunities for families and friends.

“We are thrilled to host our second annual strawberry festival and welcome visitors to our farm,” said Dominick Bruno. “We are proud to showcase the beauty and bounty of our farm and look forward to sharing our love of farming with the community.” 

The farm will host a series of events through the Fall including a Sunflower Festival on July 15 and 16. For a full line-up, visit www.LennyBrunoFarms.com/events.

More festivals ….

St. James Strawberry Festival

St. James Episcopal Church, 490 North Country Road, St. James will host their annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Featuring strawberry treats, homemade jams, homemade baked goods, vendors, garden table, silent auction, raffle baskets, Grandpa’s Garage, Books and Things, Last Chance Animal Rescue, bounce house and children’s activities, lunch, tours of the church and, of course, Long Island strawberries. Rain date is June 11. Call 631-584-5560 for more information.

Mattituck Strawberry Festival

The 68th annual Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival, 1105 North Road, Mattituck will be held on June 14 and 15 from 5 to 10 p.m., June 16 from 5 to 11 p.m., June 17 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and June 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Highlights include strawberry shortcake, strawberries dipped in chocolate, live music, over 100 arts and craft vendors, carnival rides, food and fireworks on June 15, 16 and 17 (weather permitting). To top it off, all proceeds benefit nonprofits on the North Fork. Admission varies based on festival days. Visit www.mattituckstrawberryfestival.com for more info.

Rocky Point Strawberry Festival 

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 716 Route 25A, Rocky Point presents their annual Strawberry Festival and Church Tag Sale on Saturday, June 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with delicious food and desserts, bake sale, HUGE Tag Sale, gift basket raffles, crafts, local vendors, bounce house and children’s activities. Call 631-744-9355 for further details.   

Pick Your Own Strawberries..

The following farms on the North Shore offer u-pick strawberries in June. Always call before you go to check availability: 

• Lewins Farms, 812 Sound Ave., Calverton, 631-929-4327

• Rottkamp’s Fox Hollow Farm, 2287 Sound Ave., Baiting Hollow, 631-727-1786

• Windy Acres, 3810 Middle Country Road Calverton, 631-727-4554

  Patty’s Berries and Bunches, 410 Sound Ave., Mattituck, 631-655-7996

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A CINDERELLA STORY Catch a special screening of ‘Harry & Snowman’ at the St. James Calderone Theatre on June 9.
Thursday June 8

Centennial Flower Show

Deepwells Mansion, 2 Taylor Lane, St. James hosts a Centenial Flower show, “Sands of Time,” by the North Suffolk Garden Club today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local members as well as members from sister GCA Garden Clubs will be displaying their talents in horticulture, flower arrangement and photography in this juried show. Free admission. www.northsuffolkgardenclub.org. 

Summer Swap Concert – canceled because of poor air quality

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents a free concert on the front lawn of the museum from 6 to 8 p.m. Titled Summer Swap, the concert will feature The Phoenix Big Band. Grab a lawn chair and come on down! Next Summer Swap will be on June 22. 631-751-1895

Whaling Museum lecture

Join the Whaling Museum of Cold Spring Harbor for a virtual lecture titled Gender at Sea at 7 p.m. Explore the intricacies of gender among the crews of whaling and sailing ships. Discover hidden stories and historical photos of women secretly dressed as male mariners, as well as surprising tales of sailors who posed as gals for lighthearted entertainment for their crewmembers. Suggested donation $10. Register at www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.              

Friday June 9

Senior Information Fair

Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Ave., Northport hosts a Senior Information Fair from 10 a.m. to noon. Representatives from Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center, Andrew Heiskell Braille & Talking Books Library, Family Service League-SeniorNet, Northport VAMC, PSEG, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Suffolk County Office of the Aging, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Huntington Adult Day Care & HART Bus System Offices, VISIONS: Services for the Blind, Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk County and more will be at the event. No registration required. 631-261-6930

Spring Tea Fundraiser

Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead hosts a Spring Tea from 1 to 3 p.m. Enjoy the timeless tradition of afternoon tea in the historic Naugles Barn. This annual fundraiser will feature an assortment of delicious savory and sweet finger foods, assorted teas, raffles, and the award-winning author and historian Kerriann Flanagan Brosky. Tickets are $45 per person at www.hallockville.org. 631-298-5292

Varela Band Reunion Concert

First United Methodist Church, 603 Main Street, Port Jefferson hosts a Varela Band Reunion Concert at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) After 43 years, the long-anticipated reunion concert will feature the beloved and popular ensemble that performed to great acclaim during the 70s and 80s. The British record label BBE just released the Varela Band song “Come And Take Me By The Hand” on their album collection “Once Again We Are The Children Of The Sun…” just in time for the concert. Tickets are $25 in advance at www.gpjac.org/special-concerts, $30 at the door (cash only).

An Evening of Opera

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 109 Browns Road Huntington hosts an opera concert with Opera Night Long Island at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. $10 donation, students free. 631-261-8808

Grounds and Sounds Concert

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 380 Nicolls Road, E. Setauket hosts a Grounds and Sounds Cafe concert featuring Christine Sweeney and the Dirty Stayouts with sign up for open mic at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 per person in advance at www.groundsandsounds.org or at the door. Light refreshments for sale. 631-751-0297.

Saturday June 10

Spring Plant and Baked Goods Sale

The Shoreham-Wading River Garden Club will hold its annual Spring Plant and Baked Goods Sale at 35 Sound Road, Wading River from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with member-grown perennials and annuals along with delicious home-baked goods. Proceeds will go towards the Club’s annual high school scholarships. 631-987-3733

St. James Strawberry Festival

St. James Episcopal Church, 490 North Country Road, St. James will host their annual Strawberry Festival from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Featuring strawberry treats, homemade jams, homemade baked goods, vendors, garden table, silent auction, raffle baskets, Grandpa’s Garage, Books and Things, Last Chance Animal Rescue, bounce house and children’s activities, lunch, tours of the church and, of course, Long Island strawberries. Rain date is June 11. 631-584-5560

Caumsett Hike

Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for a History of Caumsett Hike from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. On this hilly, moderately long walk (approx. 2 miles), you will study the park’s social economic, architectural, and political history.  Adults only. $4 per person. Reservations required. 631-423-1770.

Butterfly and Bird Festival

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown holds its annual Butterfly and Bird Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will be filled with wildlife presentations, visits to the Butterfly Vivarium, craft vendors, food trucks and performances by Native American dancers and singers from the Shinnecock Nation. $25 per carload. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org.

Manorville Strawberry Festival

Lenny Bruno Farms, 740 Wading River Road, Manorville will hold their second annual Strawberry Festival today and June 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Festival-goers will enjoy food trucks, live music, artisan vendors, face painting, children and teen activity vendors, toddler play area, petting zoo, jumbo garden games, and more. Visitors can also purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, pies, ice cream, and other delicious fares at the farm. Admission to the festival area is $10 per person. Children 2 and under are free. The strawberry u-pick area admission is an additional $10 entry fee and comes with 1 pint of strawberries in combination with a hayride to the u-pick area and unique photo opportunities for families and friends. www.LennyBrunoFarms.com/events.

Second Saturdays Poetry

All Souls Church in Stony Brook continues its Second Saturdays Poetry Series via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Suffolk County Poet Laureate Richard Bronson, the featured poet will be Linda Trott Dickman. An open-reading will follow; all are welcome to read one of their own poems. Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/ 631-655-7798.  

Community Picnic on the Green

Caroline Episcopal Church, 1 Dyke Road, Setauket invites the community to a Picnic on the Setauket Village Green from noon to 4 p.m. Bring your family and friends and enjoy live music by Quarter Horse, Miles to Dayton, The North Folk, and Acoustic Downtime; food trucks Fat Boy BBQ, NahMaStay, and Roxy’s Ice Cream; and outdoor games! Free admission. 631-941-4245

Pride on the Farm

Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank celebrates Pride Month with Pride on the Farm from 4 to 7 p.m. Celebrate Pride with year with your friends and family with wagon rides around the fields, fun crafts, music and dancing, trivia, rainbow treats, unicorn story time, farm animals to visit with and more. Stony Brook Medicine will be on hand to provide educational resources for both youth and adults. This event is free. 631-852-4600

Pride Concert

The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates its 15th anniversary season with a concert at the Unitarian Fellowship, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket tonight at 8 p.m. and at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington on June 11 at 7 p.m. Titled “Why We Sing,” the performance is a wide-spanning musical celebration of the LGBTQ+ community featuring some of the members’ favorites selections from the last 15 years of concerts. Tickets are $25 available online at ligmc.org/concerts and at the door.

Sunday June 11

Pride Concert

See June 10 listing.

St Matthew’s Craft Fair

St. Matthew’s R.C. Church, 35 North Service Road, Dix Hills invites the community to an outdoor craft fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring over 45 vendors selling home decor, Father’s Day gifts, local honey, jewelry, children’s books and more with food trucks, and over 60 raffle baskets. Free admission. 631-499-8520

Hamlet Community Fair

The Hamlet, 100 Southern Blvd., Nesconset invites the community to a Community Fair from noon to 4 p.m. with food trucks, bounce house, petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, carnival games, DJ, photo booth, classic cars and more, Suggested donation $20 per family. Proceeds benefit Judy’s Run for Stroke Awareness. 631-361-8800

Farmingville Street Fair

Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce hosts the 11th annual Farmingville Street Fair along Portion Rd, between Leeds Blvd and Warren Ave. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come out for an afternoon of fun featuring live music and entertainment, a classic car show, activities for kids and bounce houses, plenty of delicious food, beer garden, and hundreds of vendors specializing in crafts, toys, jewelry, clothing, accessories, and more. 631-317-1738, www.farmingvillestreetfair.com

Psychic and Holistic Wellness Expo

Holiday Inn, 1730 North Ocean Ave., Holtsville hosts a Psychic and Holistic Wellness Expo from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Readings available from a selection of mediums, angel card and tarot card readers along with health and wellness vendors. Free admission. 516-639-6903

Duck Pond Day

The annual Duck Pond Day returns to the downtown Historical district of Wading River at the Wading River Duck Ponds,  2034 North Country Road, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come join this fun-filled street fair that celebrates the community. Featuring over 80 vendors, live music and food trucks. Free admission. 631-886-2559

Midsummer Long Island event

Sons of Norway Loyal Lodge and Swedish Vasa Lodge Lindbergh host a Midsummer Long Island event at Norway Hall 201 7th St., St, James from noon to 4 p.m. Come celebrate the summer solstice the Scandinavian way with a dance around the midsummer pole, authentic Scandinavian food, magic show, face painting, games and live music by Smorgasbandet. $10 adults, children 16 and under free. First 75 people receive a free midsummer wreath. 631-338-8994

Long Island Pride Celebration

The Village of Huntington will host the 2023 Long Island Pride Celebration with a parade with Grand Marshal Ross Matthews along Gerard Street to Main Street to Heckscher Park at 2 Prime Ave., Huntington starting at noon followed by a music festival featuring Crystal Waters at the park through 5 p.m. www.lipride.org

Hip-Hop Concert at the LIMHOF

Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook will celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with a special concert and panel discussion event at 2 p.m. The event will feature legendary stars Son of Bazerk, Kool Rock-Ski (of The Fat Boys), A.J. Rock (of J.V.C. F.O.R.C.E.), DJ Jazzy Jay, DJ Johnny Juice (of Public Enemy), Dinco D and Milo in de Dance (both of Leaders of the New School), and special guest Ralph McDaniels (of Video Music Box), as well as other surprise hip-hop guest artists. Admission fee is $19.50 adults, $17 seniors, $15 students at www.limusichalloffame.org. 631-689-5888 See story on page B17.

Sound Symphony Concert

Comsewogue High School, 565 Bicycle Path, Port Jefferson Station hosts an afternoon concert by the Sound Symphony Orchestra at 2 p.m. Directed by Maestro Dorothy Savitch, the program will include  works by Rachmaninoff, Walker and Verdi with a piano solo by Linden Puccini Runnels. $20 general admission, $15 seniors, $10 students, children under 12 free at the door. www.soundsymphony.org

Monday June 12

Sound Beach Civic Meeting

The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold a meeting at the Sound Beach firehouse, 152 Sound Beac Blvd., Sound Beach at 7:30 p.m. On the agenda is a presentation of the Town of Brookhaven recycling program. All are welcome. 631-744-6952.

Movie Trivia Night at the CAC

Join the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington for a Movie Trivia Night at 8 p.m. Try to answer 50 questions based all around film, actors and actresses, awards, and everything else associated with the world of film. Challenge like-minded film fans in a battle of wits for cash and other prizes. You can form teams, so bring some friends and work together. Feel free to come alone and play solo as well! Hosted by Dan French. Tickets are $10 per person, $7 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7610.

Tuesday June 13

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to an introduction to Israeli dancing by Jill Cohen in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee among other refreshments will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. Call 631-928-3737 for more information.

Nautical Walking Tour

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization will host a walking tour, “Anchors Away!,” today at 4 p.m. and June 14 at 10 a.m. Explore the nautical side of Stony Brook Village’s history with brand new stories during this hour long tour. Investigate the  suspicious death of Commander Charles C. Hall, learn about the Polaris Expedition disaster, hear the tales of the Hercules figurehead’s world-wide journeys, get the full scoop on the Smiths of Stony Brook and more. Tours leave from the Stony Brook Grist Mill, 100 Harbor Road, Stony Brook. Rain date is June 20. $15 per person. To reserve your spot, call 631-751-2244.  

Author Talk and Book Signing

The Bates House, 1 Bates Road Setauket welcomes New York Times Best Selling Author Carl Safina  for an Author Talk at 7 p.m. Safina will be reading from his many bestselling and award-winning books and talk about the work of his not-for-profit organization, The Safina Center, based in Setauket. A book signing will follow. $10 per person. To register, visit www.thebateshouse.org. 631-689-7054

Carole’s Kings in concert

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents a concert by Carole’s Kings, the world’s first all-male Carole King tribute, at 8 p.m. Featuring chart-topping sensations such as “The Locomotion,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” and many more. An expanded set also includes songs by King’s friends and collaborators, including “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” and other hits by epic songwriting duo Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann. Tickets are $45. 631-261-2900, www.engemantheater.com

Wednesday June 14

Nautical Walking Tour

See June 13 listing.

TVHS Flag Retirement Ceremony – this event has been postponed due to the weather. New date TBA

The Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket will lead a family-friendly, interactive United States Flag Retirement Ceremony at 5 p.m. Girl Scout Troops, BSA Troops, Cub Scout Packs and the community are invited to participate along with members from the Daughters of the Revolution and Veterans of Foreign Wars to learn the steps involved to properly retire the U.S. Flag by fire. Call 631-751-3730 for more information.

Thursday June 15

 St. Philip St. James Family Festival 

Saints Philip & James Roman Catholic Church, 1 Carow Place, St. James will host their 2023 Family Festival today from 6 to 10 p.m., June 16 and 17 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. and June 18 from 5 to 9 p.m. This family friendly annual festival features exciting carnival rides for all ages by Newton Shows, delicious festival eats and carnival treats, games and  prizes, and fun for the entire family. Free admission, pay-one-price rides or individual rides. 631-584-5454

Film

‘Harry & Snowman’

Join Celebrate St. James at the Calderone Theatre, 176 Second St., St. James for a screening of Harry & Snowman, a heartfelt documentary about St. James’s own Harry deLeyer and a plow horse that made history by winning the National Horse Show in 1958, on June 9 at 7 p.m. With special guest Anna Marie deLeyer, Harry deLeyer’s youngest daughter. Tickets are $25 per person, $20 members at www.celebratestjames.org. 631-984-0201

Theater

‘The Sound of Music’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is The Sound of Music from May 18 to July 2. The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi,” and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.” Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘Something Rotten!’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage productions with Something Rotten! from May 20 to June 24.  Living in the shadow of Renaissance rock star The Bard, two brothers set out to write the world’s first musical in this hilarious mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first-century Broadway. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being to thine own self be true.Contains adult humor and situations. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and up. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona’

The Carriage House Players continue their 34th annual Summer Shakespeare Festival in the mansion courtyard of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport with The Two Gentlemen of Verona from June 4 to 30. Young Valentine travels to Milan to find his fortune, but instead falls for the fair Silvia, daughter of the Duke. His world is turned upside down when his best friend, Proteus, abandons his love, Julia, in Verona to woo Silvia for himself. With a pair of bumbling servants and a dog, it’s a lively Shakespearean comedy about the complexities of love, lust, and friendship. Tickets are $20, $15 children under 12. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

‘(Mostly) True Things’

The Performing Arts Studio, 224 E. Main St., Port Jefferson presents (Mostly) True Things, a game wrapped in a storytelling show that features true stories with a twist on the theme Out Loud in honor of Pride month, on June 10 at 7 p.m. This show features 4 true stories but 3 of them include subtle little lies. In the second act, the audience questions the storytellers, then votes for the person they think told it straight. Winners get a tote bag, and the whole truth about each story is shared before the end of the evening. Storytellers will include Jude Treder-Wolff, Calvin Cato, Jamie Brickhouse, Rosemary Flanagan and Rev. Yunus Coldman. Tickets are $20 online at Eventbrite or $25 at the door (cash only). Visit www.mostlytruethings.com for more info.

‘Princess Ida’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St. Smithtown hosts a performance of Princess Ida, the classic comic opera by Gilbert & Sullivan, on June 17 at 8 p.m. Presented in an all-new production by the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island, the opera follows Princess Ida who has fled an arranged marriage to the son of King Hildebrand and instead sets up a college for women, where she teaches the then-unthinkable principles of women’s rights and equality for all, regardless of rank, gender, wealth or nationality. Featuring a 23-piece orchestra.  June 17 at 8 p.m.  $30, seniors and students $25. To order tickets, visit  www.gaslocoli.org. 516-619-7415

Class Reunions

Hauppauge High School Class of 1978 will hold its 45th reunion on July 22, 2023 with a reunion party on July 21 and a reunion picnic on July 23. For details, email [email protected].

Ward Melville High School Class of 1973 will hold its 50th reunion at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket on Sept. 9, 2023 from 6 to 11 p.m. For ticket information, contact Tibo Dioguardi at [email protected].

Save the date! Port Jefferson High School Class of 1964 will hold its 60th reunion at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 17, 2024. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected].