Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a group of people who allegedly stole merchandise from a Medford store this month.
Three females and a male entered Target, located at 2975 Horseblock Road, on January 7 at approximately 9 p.m. The group allegedly placed approximately $1200 worth of merchandise into a shopping cart. Two of the women distracted security personnel while the man and third woman fled the store with the merchandise.
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.
Mayor Margot Garant analyzes coastal engineering drawings during a public meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Port Jefferson Village Hall. Photo by Raymond Janis
The Village of Port Jefferson Board of Trustees convened Tuesday, Jan. 17. The board tackled a range of subjects from upcoming coastal engineering projects to a rideshare service and school district facilities.
A proposed westerly wall
Mayor Margot Garant reported a development to the coastal engineering plans at the East Beach bluff, where erosion threatens the village-owned Port Jefferson Country Club’s clubhouse facility.
With $3.75 million in federal funds secured for an upland wall to protect the building [See story, “Schumer secures funds for upper wall at PJCC …” The Port Times Record, Jan. 12], the mayor announced her team is exploring ways to finalize its upland plans.
A proposed “westerly wall,” originally pitched as an add-on extension to the upper wall to accommodate racket sports, is now recommended as a possible erosion mitigation strategy. Huntington Station-based engineering firm GEI Consultants “did confirm that they definitely feel we need to do both the main wall and the extension wall,” Garant said.
The village board put the upper wall projects to bid in October, announcing the cost projections the following month. The upper wall bid came back at approximately $3.3 million, with the combined upper wall and westerly wall project costing roughly $4.5 million.
Considering which option is most suitable for the village, Garant outlined why she favors constructing the westerly wall: “I believe that putting that second wall in there, now unequivocally, if somebody else is paying 75% of that cost, I think the westerly wall should go in,” she said.
Forecasting how to organize the racket sports facilities once the westerly wall is complete, Garant suggested it will be a problematic decision-making calculus regarding which racket sports to prioritize.
“We may be wanting to install more than three pickleball courts because the demand is so high and trying to get maybe an instructional court, and maybe just have the two [tennis] courts in the back,” she said. “We have to figure out when, how, where, timing, materials, cost. It’s complicated.”
She added, “The good news is we’re going to be building a wall. I think that saves a major resource for this community. I think it allows us to reinstate a racket ball campus. And I think it gives us a reasonable timeline to come up with an alternate plan, god forbid in 20 years, we need to have something different in place.”
Ridesharing service
Deputy Mayor Kathianne Snaden and Kevin Wood, director of economic development, parking administrator and communications committee head, jointly presented on a rideshare project.
The benefits of the plan, as Snaden explained, are threefold: to offer residents easy access to downtown Port Jefferson, provide a safe means of return travel to their homes and ease traffic congestion.
“I think we have something that’s really going to work for the residents of Port Jefferson,” the deputy mayor said, adding that the goal is “to get them downtown, to save parking for the tourists and others, and to come down, have a nice evening and get home safely.”
Wood worked out how the village would implement such a rideshare program. “The plan that you have in front of you would be to combine world-class, Uber-like software with a black car service to be exclusively used and designed for Port Jefferson residents,” he said.
Offering a rough sketch of his vision, Wood said the service would operate Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. The village government would administer the software, which would be geofenced for Port Jefferson, meaning requests outside the 11777 zip code could not be possible. “If somebody wanted to go to Smith Haven Mall, they can’t,” Wood said.
He proposed that rides could start at $5 per person and $12.50 for groups of three to seven people. These figures could be subject to change as the village would adjust the software and set its rates based on the community’s needs.
“The beautiful part about this is that if we find that $5 is literally not enough money or too much money, I think we have some leeway there and could change this stuff on a dime,” Wood said. “We can change things on demand. We can make new group rates. We could do special event rates.”
Village attorney Brian Egan inquired whether this program could create centralized drop-off locations for riders, preventing clutter of village roads and safety hazards from stopped vehicles. Responding, Wood said the village could train drivers to drop off and pick up riders to minimize these risks.
Garant put her support behind the effort, saying this will benefit residents who wish to access their downtown amid its busy season. “We all, I’ll speak for myself, feel we’re getting snowed out in the middle of the summertime,” the mayor said. “You can’t get down here, so I think this is going to be something that I’m really excited about.”
Reports
Egan updated the board on the ongoing negotiations with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The village is attempting to reclassify the Port Jefferson Clean Solid Waste Landfill as a transfer station, enabling the continued procedure of branch and leaf pickup services. [See story, “Garbage grief: PJ Village and DEC clash over landfill permit,” The Port Times Record, Dec. 1].
“I do think we have — at least with the DEC senior administrative staff — a very receptive ear,” he said. Referring to the permit dispute with DEC, he added, “I think we’ll have a cooperative resolution to it, and I am cautiously optimistic.”
Trustee Lauren Sheprow used her report to discuss a forthcoming capital bond at Port Jefferson School District. “The school district is looking at floating another bond in May,” she said.
Citing an article in Newsday, Sheprow said approximately 80% of federal COVID-19 relief funds have yet to be spent by public schools statewide. “$14 billion has not been used yet,” she said. “There’s $14 billion issued to New York State in COVID relief,” adding that the heating and ventilation systems proposed by PJSD may qualify under COVID relief conditions.
Sheprow added she might pitch her ideas to the school board during its upcoming meeting Tuesday, Jan. 24. She encouraged her fellow board members to attend.
Snaden reported on a meeting with the Port Jefferson Business Improvement District and the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. This year’s iteration of the Port Jefferson Ice Festival, hosted by the BID on Jan. 28 and 29, will feature 27 ice sculptures at various storefronts and other locations throughout Port Jeff.
Trustee Stan Loucks reported on winter projects at PJCC. He said 188 members have already signed up for this year as of the time of this meeting. Trustee Rebecca Kassay was absent and did not deliver a report by proxy.
The board of trustees will meet again Monday, Feb. 6, with a scheduled public hearing to amend the village code concerning dogs and other animals.
FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC: Pianist Doris Anne McMullen joins vocalists Ron and Julie Anne Meixsell for a concert at the Unitarian Fellowship in East Setauket on Jan. 22.
Thursday Jan. 19
Community Outreach Bus
The Catholic Health Community Mobile Outreach Bus will be in the Emma Clark Library’s parking lot, 120 Main St., Setauket from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registered nurses will provide blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, and glucose screenings along with patient education and referrals as needed. Free flu vaccinations will be offered as well. The last screening will begin at 1:45 p.m. No appointments are necessary, there are no fees, and insurance is not required. Open to all. Questions? Email [email protected] or call 941-4080.
Vanderbilt lecture
Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its Climate Change and Ecology lectures series with a presentation by Dr. Becca Franks titled What the Fishes Taught Us at 7 p.m. A leading scholar in animal welfare studies, Franks will speak about the concept of dignity and its role in thinking through our relationships with the non-human world. Tickets are $10, free for members, at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Friday Jan. 20
Third Friday at the Reboli
Join the Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St. Stony Brook for an engaging Third Friday Art Talk with local artisan, environmentalist and engineer Shamma Murphy from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Murphy will enlighten guests to the world of needle felting, how she sources sustainable materials, different types of fibers and will also provide a demonstration of her craft. The talk will be followed by a Q&A with the audience. Light refreshments will be served. Free. No reservations required. For more information, call 751-7707.
Saturday Jan. 21
Wine tasting event
Wines by Nature, 5786 Route 25A, Suite 1, Wading River at The Shoppes at East Wind will hold a wine tasting event from 1 to 4 p.m. Come meet the hardest to find and smallest wineries on the North Fork, in one room. They operate under the radar but they have outstanding quality and interesting origin stories. No tasting rooms, no scores or awards, no celebrity endorsement….Just great people making great wine. Featuring the owners and wine makers of Farrm Vineyards, Reilly Cellars, Montauk Daisy, Leo Family Wines, Onabay Vineyards, and North Cliff Vineyards. For more information, call 886-2800.
Sunday Jan. 22
Port Jefferson Farmers Market
The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market kicks off today at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will be held every Sunday through April 30. For more information, call 473-4778.
Huntington Farmers Market
The John J. Flanagan Center, 423 Park Ave., Huntington hosts the Huntington Winter Farmers Market every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through March with over 40 vendors plus guest vendors. Visit www.longislandfarmersmarkets.com.
Maple Sugaring Workshop
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington hosts a Maple Sugaring workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This interactive program, geared for the average adult, will teach you how to identify and tap a maple tree so you can make real maple syrup at home. You will also learn the culture, historical, economical, and scientific background of this uniquely American Craft. Very short walk. Not recommended for children. $4 per person, Call 423-1770 for reservations.189635
Living History program
Celebrate St. James continues its Living History Series at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St.,Second Floor, St. James with Alice Roosevelt Longworth, the only daughter of Teddy Roosevelt, as portrayed by actress Kim Hanley of the American Historical Theater, at 1 p.m. Tickets are $25, $20 members. To order, visit www.celebratestjames.org.
Historical Society reception – Just added!
Huntington Historical Society invites a=the community to an opening reception for its latest exhibit, “120 Anniversary of the Huntington Historical Society: Our Founding Mothers & Origin of Our Collections 1903-2023” at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St., Huntington from 2 to 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free. Call 427-7045.
Author Chat
The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor will host an Author Chat with Nelson Simon at 2 p.m. Dive into a discussion with the author of Soul of the Hurricane: The Perfect Storm and an Accidental Sailor as he talks about his harrowing tale of sailing into the perfect storm on a Norwegian Schooner. Listen as he shares about the experience in person, reads from his book and answers questions about the dangerous ride. Followed by a book signing. Free with admission fee. No reservations needed. For more information, call 367-3418.
Forever Simon & Garfunkel
Join the Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Ave., Northport in celebrating the best-selling duo in rock ‘n’ roll history at 2 p.m. Acclaimed pop craftsmen and master entertainers Sean Altman and Jack Skuller lead the audience through Simon and Garfunkel’s teenage roots, their early success as a groovy folk act,and their global dominance as hitmakers. Enjoy listening to Mr. Altman and Mr. Skuller’s precise harmonies as they recreate songs such as “The Sound of Silence”, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, “Mrs. Robinson”, “Kodachrome”, and many others. Open to all. To register, call 261-6930.
Le Petit Salon de Musique concert
Le Petit Salon de Musique at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket welcomes vocalist duo Ron and Julie Anne Meixsell, with pianist Doris Anne McMullen in concert at 2 p.m. The program will include operatic selections, German lieder and art songs, as well as a second act of classic Broadway. Tickets are $20 in advance at www.lepetitsalon.org/, $25 at the door; seniors $20, $10 for ages 17 and under.Call 751-0297 for group pricing of 10 or more.
The Mary Lamond Band in concert
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook will host a concert by The Mary Lamont Band from 3 to 4 p.m. Free with admission to the museum. For more information, call 689-5888 or visit www.limusichalloffame.org.
Monday Jan. 23
TVHS lecture
Three Village Historical Society presents its first lecture of the year at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket at 7 p.m. Titled Saving a Piece of Our History, The Hawkins House, historian Beverly C. Tyler will discuss how the circa 1720-1740 Samuel Hawkins House, home to the farming families and Patriots of two wars, was saved from demolition in 1993, or was it? The story of the 273 years of the home of the Hawkins and Matusky families and why we must continue to save the structures that illustrate our history and define our communities. Suggested donation, free for members. Lecture is also available online via Zoom if preferred. Register at www.tvhs.org.
Tuesday Jan. 24
NSJC Social Club event
North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station welcomes music entertainer and singer Tom Lucca to the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Lucca grew up in Dix Hills and has performed as a soloist in numerous concerts around New York City. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee among other refreshments will be served. $5 per person, $3 members. Call 928-3737 for more information.
Ring Making Workshop
Join the Huntington Historical Society for a fun evening of jewelry making at the Conklin Barn, 2 High St., Huntington from 6 to 8:30 p.m. This workshop will be an intro to silver smithing with artist Jennifer Salta owner of Unmarked Industries. You will learn how to cut, file and solder your very own silver ring. Each person will leave with a completed piece at the end of the night. All tools and materials will be supplied. $65 per person, $60 members. To register, visit www.huntingtonhistorical.org or call 427-7045, ext. 401.
PJS/T Civic Association meeting
The Port Jeff. Station Terryville Civic Association will hold its monthly meeting at Comsewogue Public Library , 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station at 7 p.m. Topics discussed will include civic reports/updates, SCPD Cope officer, high school liaison and library reports, community concerns and the recent developments at Lawrence Aviation. Visit www.pjstca.org.
Wednesday Jan. 25
Estate Plan webinar
Burner Law Group presents a live webinar titled Should I Put My Home in a Trust? at 10:30 a.m. Join Britt Burner, Esq. via Zoom at 10:30 a.m. as discusses how to protect assets, including property and second homes, the ways to reduce and eliminate taxes, and the importance of having a sound estate plan in place. Free. To participate, visit www.burnerlaw.com.
Thursday Jan. 26
Native American Drumming
All Souls Church Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook will hold a Native American Drumming session from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Native American Drumming Meditation is a spiritual healing practice that is thousands of years old. Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Call 655-7798 for more information.
Theater
‘Godspell’
Productions Over the Rainbow (POTR) presents a mainstage production of Godspell at Seneca Middle School, 850 Main St., Holbrook on Jan. 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. For more information or to order, visit www.potr.org or call 696-6817.
‘The Sweet Delilah Swim Club’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage season with The Sweet Delilah Swim Club from Jan. 14 to Feb. 4. This hilarious and touching show features five very different but deeply connected Southern women whose friendships began on their college swim team. Each summer they meet for a reunion at the same beach cottage in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Visiting them on four weekends over thirty-three years, we learn of their lives, loves, and losses. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. See review on page B13.
‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St.. Northport presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels from Jan. 19 to March 5. Con artist Lawrence Jameson is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he enjoys the fruits of his deceptions–that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson, shows up. When the new guy’s lowbrow tactics impinge on his own work, Jameson resolves to get rid of him. Based on the uproarious movie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels boasts a jazzy-pop score by David Yazbek, who also wrote the music for The Full Monty. Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Festival of One-Act Plays
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 24th annual Festival of One-Act Plays from February 25 through March 25 at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre, on the Second Stage. Selected from over 250 submissions world-wide, these seven cutting-edge premieres are guaranteed to entertain and engage. Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, the plays will feature Steve Ayle, Tamralynn Dorsa, Antoine Jones, Brittany Lacey, Phyllis March, Evan Teich, Steven Uihlein, Sean Amato, Ava Andrejko, Angelo DiBiase, Samantha Fierro, Jason Furnari, Melissa Norman, Danielle Pafundi, and Tristan Prin. Please Note: Adult content and language. Parental discretion is advised. All tickets are $20. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Film
ANYTHING BUT SILENT The Cinema Arts Centre presents ‘The Navigator’ starring Buster Keaton on Jan. 24.
‘The Navigator’
As part of its Anything But Silent series, the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington The Navigator on Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. with live organ accompaniment by Ben Model. Buster Keaton’s 1924 masterpiece about a spoiled rich boy and his sweetheart (Kathryn McGuire) who are stranded on an abandoned ocean liner is one his most magical films. Tickets are $17, $12 members. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
* All numbers are in (631) area code unless otherwise noted.
'The faster we swim, the sooner we win!' The cast, from left, Stephanie Moreau, Suzie Dunn, Elizabeth Ladd, Lori Beth Belkin and Tamralynn Dorsa. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Sweet Delilah Swim Club' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Sweet Delilah Swim Club' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
Elizabeth Ladd and Lori Beth Belkin in a scene from the play.
Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Sweet Delilah Swim Club' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Sweet Delilah Swim Club' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Sweet Delilah Swim Club' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Sweet Delilah Swim Club' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
The cast of 'The Sweet Delilah Swim Club' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
By Heidi Sutton
Theatre Three continues its 52nd season with a lovely production of The Sweet Delilah Swim Club. The show opened last Saturday and runs through Feb 4.
Written by Jesse Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, the play features five very different Southern women who begin a friendship on their college swim team and make a pact to get together one weekend in August every year to catch up on their lives. For over 50 years, they meet at the same oceanfront beach cottage, the “Sweet Delilah,” on North Carolina’s Outer Banks for conversation, drinks, dinner and a dip in the ocean.
The audience is treated to four of these reunions — the first is 22 years after their college graduation, the second and third 5 years apart, and a final visit to the cottage before it is to be demolished 23 years later.
Expertly directed by Linda May and armed with a cleverly written script, the cast is superb and put on a beautiful show.
Tamralynn Dorsa is perfect as Sheree Hollinger, the perennial team captain who is always governing the group, from serving healthy mung bean appetizers that the others quickly dispose of in a houseplant, to distributing a written itinerary for the week and even packing her friends’ suitcases.
Stephanie Moreau is incredible as event planner Lexie Richards, the four-time divorcee who has her plastic surgeon on speed dial and is always on the lookout for the next cute guy to come along (think Samantha Jones from Sex in the City).
Lori Beth Belkin plays workaholic (and perhaps alcoholic) Dinah Grayson who has put her successful career as an attorney before her personal life and now has regrets. Armed with a dry martini, her character delivers some of the funniest lines in the show.
We see the most change in Elizabeth Ladd’s character, Jeri Neal McFeeley, aka Sister Mary Esther, who goes from being a nun to a single mother at age 44 and then finds the man of her dreams to spend the rest of her life with.
Suzie Dunn is outstanding as school teacher Vernadette Simms. Bad luck seems to follow her everywhere and she appears in each scene with a different cast. She also shares tales of her dysfunctional family, from an abusive husband to a jailbird son. Her appearance in the last scene suffering from dementia is one of the most poignant in the show.
The set, a cozy beach cottage designed by Randall Parsons; period costumes and wigs by Jason Allyn; and sound effects by Tim Haggerty tie everything together nicely. Grab the girlfriends, a box of tissues, and catch a performance of this hilarious and touching show before it’s gone.
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents The Sweet Delilah Swim Club on the Mainstage through Feb. 4. The season continues with Side By Side By Sondheim from Feb. 18 to March 18, Pride @ Prejudice from April 7 to May 6, and Something Rotten! from May 20 to June 24. Tickets are$35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
A scene from last Saturday's game. Photo by Troy Herring/Stony Brook Athletics
The Stony Brook men’s basketball team (7-11, 3-2 CAA) led for over 32 minutes on Jan. 14 against the North Carolina A&T Aggies (8-11, 3-3 CAA), but ultimately fell, 61-59, at Corbett Sports Centerin Greensboro, NC.
The Seawolves had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, but just did not finish on their final opportunity.
Senior guard Tyler Stephenson-Moore paced the Seawolves in scoring in the game. He dropped 18 points, dished out four assists, and grabbed three rebounds in 39 minutes.
Graduate forward Frankie Policelli totaled his seventh double-double of the season and second in as many games. For the second-straight game he scored 16 points and grabbed 14 boards. Policelli helped Stony Brook get out to a 10-point lead in the first half. He nailed three three pointers in the first frame and had nine points at the break.
The Aggies got off to a great start in the second half. They were led by sophomore guard Kam Woods, who came into the game as the third leading scorer in the CAA. He scored 19 points in 39 minutes. North Carolina A&T also received a 15-point second half effort from redshirt junior forward Marcus Watson.
Then with just over four minutes remaining, Policelli grabbed an offensive rebound and got fouled on his way back up, scoring through contact for the and-one. This extended Stony Brook’s lead, but the Aggies went on a late run.
Stony Brook led 30-26 at halftime but was outscored 35-29 in the second frame.
“Tough one because we led for over 30 minutes. We couldn’t make any big offensive plays down the stretch. We had wide open threes, some post isolations and free throws that we couldn’t convert. It goes without saying that I’m sure the long travel and short rest didn’t help us today. We need a good week of practice as we turn to a Northeastern team that will come in with a chip on their shoulder Thursday night,” said head coach Geno Ford.
The team will return home to face Northeastern, for the second time this season, tonight, Jan. 19. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on FloHoops. Call 631-632-WOLF for tickets.
Anastasia Warren during last Friday's game. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics
The Stony Brook women’s basketball team (10-6, 4-1 CAA) returned to Island Federal Arena on Jan. 13 with a victory against Monmouth (8-8, 3-2 CAA), 69-59. After leading, 47-45, heading into the final frame, the Seawolves went on a 13-3 run to end the game and did not allow a basket for the final 4:50 of the game to secure the victory.
Senior guard Gigi Gonzalez led the Seawolves’ offense with 23 points on 8-of-21 shooting and 7-of-7 from the line. The Floridan captured a career-best eight boards and tallied two assists.
Following a defensive affair in the first quarter by both teams allowing a combined 18 points, Stony Brook found its rhythm as it outscored Monmouth, 17-8, in the second frame to take a 26-18 lead into the break. Gonzalez and junior guard Shamarla King each tallied five points in the final 5:22 of the second quarter and the defense did not allow a point over the stretch to give the Seawolves a 10-0 run heading into the break.
The Hawks did not let up after the break, as they outscored the Seawolves 27-21 in the third quarter.
With Stony Brook holding a 47-45 advantage heading into the final quarter, the Seawolves started to cause havoc on both sides of the floor. After the Hawks cashed in on a three-pointer to give themselves a 51-49 lead, Stony Brook surrender the lead for the remainder of the game following a made jumper by graduate guard Anastasia Warren.
Later in the quarter, Warren knocked down a clutch three-pointer to give the Seawolves a 59-56 lead with 3:14 left to play in the game. On the defensive side of the ball, Stony Brook held the Hawks without a field goal for the final 4:50 and went on to win by the final score of 69-59. Warren and Gonzalez combined for 11 of the team’s final 13 points of the evening to secure the win.
The team returns to the court Jan. 20, as they head to East Greensboro, N.C. to take on North Carolina A&T.
Gracie Weigele of Huntington Station during Saturday's game. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics
Nicolas Lavazoli of Lake Grove during Saturday's game. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics
The Stony Brook women’s track and field earned four top five finishes to highlight its day at the Penn 10-Team Select Invitational at Staten Island’s Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on Jan. 14.
Junior Fiona McLoughlin paced the Seawolves securing a second-place finish in the 3000m with a final time of 9:33.69. Junior Nicole Garcia followed behind McLoughlin crossing the finish line in 9:54.73 to earn a fourth-place finish in the 3000m.
Junior Alexandria Earle adds another top finish to her extensive résumé as she earned a third-place finish in the high jump with a final mark of 1.62m. Graduate Tara Hauff rounded out the top five finishes for Stony Brook with a fourth-place overall finish in the 800m. Hauff clocked in at 2:23.75 which was good for a new indoor personal best.
“Performances were on par with last week, with Fiona’s run in the 3000m probably being the highlight. Each week both teams need to get better, the guys took a bigger step this week than the ladies, but right now small improvements are important too,” said head coach Andy Ronan.
The Stony Brook men’s track and field team also made its mark at the event, bringing home a win in the 200m, 3000m, and the 4x400m relay.
After tying the program record in the 60m dash and earning a second-place finish in the 200m last weekend, senior Patrick Abel kept his hot streak rolling with a first-place finish and a new personal best in the 200m. Abel crossed the line in 22.06.
Graduate Robert Becker kept the momentum going for the Seawolves securing a first-place finish and a new personal best in the 3000m. Senior Shane Henderson crossed the line directly behind Becker in second.
The men’s team ended the meet with a bang, earning a first-place finish in the 4x400m relay. The squad comprised of senior Richmond Boateng, junior Aleks Zdravkovic, sophomore Nicolas Lavazoli and Abel combined for a final time of 3:17.17.
“The guys had a good night; you could see the improvement from last week. Patrick Abel built on his performances from last week to win the 200 and contribute to the 4x400m relay win. Rob and Shane opened their seasons with a strong one, two finish in the 3000m,” said Coach Ronan.
Next up, the teams return to Staten Island for the third weekend in a row when they compete in the Villanova Invite on Jan. 21.
BE INSPIRED Learn about the Lunar New Year with a focus on Chinese culture during the Heckscher Museum's free Winterfest Celebration on Jan. 21. Photos from Heckscher Museum
PROGRAMS
Make Ice Candles
Join the staff at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown for a fun family winter craft on Jan. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Using hot wax and cold ice, participants will create a unique candle to decorate and take home. Appropriate for ages 7 and up. $4 per person. Call 265-1054.
Crafternoons at the library
Stop by Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket on Jan. 21 anytime between 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. for a winter-themed “Crafternoon”! Children ages 3 to 12 welcome (younger kids may need supervision). No registration required. Questions? Call 941-4080.
Winterfest Celebration
The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington hosts a Winterfest Lunar New Year Celebration on Jan. 21 from noon to 5 p.m. Get creative and enjoy a variety of hands-on activities including making a Chinese lantern, origami and a painting, Learn the Lion Dance with Patricia Shih and dance performances by Wendi Weng while you warm up with hot cocoa during this free family event for all ages. Call 380-3230 or visit www.heckscher.org.
Open Play at the Explorium
Join the Long Island Explorium, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson for Open Play on Jan. 21 and 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. with hands-on activities, crafts, and more. Admission is $5 per person, Long Island Explorium members and children under 1 are free. Call 331-3277 for more info.
THEATER
‘The House That Jack Built’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St. Port Jefferson welcomes the New Year with The House That Jack Built, a delightful collection of stories, specially adapted for the youngest audiences from Jan. 21 to Feb. 4 with a sensory sensitive performance on Jan. 22. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm and Aesop’s Fables, the seven stories include The Fisherman and His Wife, Henny Penny, The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse, The Bremen Town Musicians, Stubborn as a Mule, The Lion and the Mouse That Returned a Favor, and The Tortoise and the Hare. This original musical features bold storytelling and a tuneful new score. Tickets are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’
The Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown kicks off the holiday season with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. from Nov. 19 to Jan. 22. The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. All seats are $25. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.
Disney’s ‘Frozen Jr.’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its children’s theater with Disney’s Frozen Jr. on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. from Feb. 4 to March 5. When faced with danger, princesses Anna and Elsa discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. This enchanting musical features all of the memorable songs from the hit Disney film and will thaw even the coldest heart! All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
In honor of its 70th anniversary, the classic William Wyler film Roman Holiday returns to select theaters nationwide on Sunday, Jan. 22 and Wednesday, Jan. 25, courtesy of Fathom Events and Paramount Pictures.
Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in a scene from the film.
The film, starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, won three Academy Awards® — Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Costume Design and Best Writing.
In this timeless classic, Hepburn stars as a modern-day princess who, rebelling against the royal obligations, explores Rome on her own. She soon meets an American newspaperman (Gregory Peck) who pretends ignorance of her true identity in the hopes of obtaining an exclusive story. Naturally, his plan falters as they inevitably fall in love. The film also features Eddie Albert as a carefree cameraman pal.
Fathom’s exclusive celebration of this film includes special insight from film historian and critic Leonard Maltin who takes a look at the multiple Academy Award® winning director William Wyler’s style and approach to what is considered one of the greatest films from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Locally, the film will be screened at Island 16 Cinema de Lux in Holtsville, AMC Stony Brook 17 and Farmingdale Multiplex Cinemas on Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.
To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com.
The Huntington Arts Council recently benefited from a NYS Council on the Artsl grant.
The New York State Council on the Arts recently awarded its Regrowth and Capacity recovery grants to local nonprofits. The grants will help arts and cultural organizations continue to return to pre-pandemic capacity and creation levels by providing monetary relief.
The art community, along with other nonprofits and businesses, was severely impaired by COVID-19 guidelines that had prevented large gatherings of any kind in the early months of the pandemic in 2020. The effects of the lockdown have continued to linger as many people remain hesitant to participate in public events. NYSCA recovery funding efforts are commendable.
Arts organizations that had to furlough staff, cancel programs and cut back their usual offerings may now have a better chance of fully opening their doors again. Canceling programs led to less audience outreach and community support. Grants, such as the ones received from NYSCA, will give organizations the boost they need and, hopefully, remind people that these institutions are essential for community health.
The arts play a vital role in our society. Dance, music, galleries, public works of art and others help us relax; they remind us to take a break from our hectic lifestyles.
News cycles can be disheartening, painting a bleak picture of societies and the future of humanity. Creative works can help us liberate ourselves from these distortions, making sense of the world, improving our quality of lives and elevating moods.
The local economy tends to improve, too, with arts and cultural organizations due to increased consumer purchases and tourism.
Studies have shown that public works of art are beneficial to cities. An illuminated art installation is not only aesthetically pleasing but also can provide needed light along a dark street or path. Public works of art also help community members connect, and people within those municipalities may feel more represented. Art can be used to raise general awareness about various issues, encouraging civic engagement and opening minds.
A building’s mural or art installation in a town may even help to foster pride in one’s neighborhood. Most of all, public art in our local neighborhoods, free cultural programs — whether at an art exhibit or concert at a local park — make these forms of expression accessible to anyone, no matter age or income.
For too long, our communities were isolated as elected officials and medical professionals worked to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, methods of managing the disease left many divided. For a nation and world scarred by isolation and angst, art offers us a path forward and a means to heal.
Many cultural institutions are ready to revitalize themselves. With NYSCA’s Regrowth and Capacity recovery grants, now they can. Let’s take this opportunity to reunite and reconnect through the arts, even if just for a few hours on a weekend day.
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