Yearly Archives: 2023

Port Jefferson had its hands full when the Royals hosted the Tornadoes of Harborfields Sept. 21 in a League III matchup where they found themselves down two goals at the halftime break. Harborfields’ junior Alexandra Fiumara found the right corner of the net off a rebound within four minutes followed by Lila Porzio at the 22-minute mark.

The Royals struggled to keep the ball upfield in the second half when Harborfields’ seniors Meaghan Fealy and Alanna Ratti both found the net to close out the game with a 4-0 victory.

Port Jeff goalie Rose Meliker-Hammock had 13 saves on the day and Harborfields’ keeper Keira Collins stopped 3.

The win lifted Harborfields to 5-2 on the season while the Royals fell to 1-5.

– Photos by Bill Landon

METRO photo

The Port Jefferson Rotary Club and “Call Brian” Senior Services will sponsor a Friends of the Pantry Fall Food Drive in front of the Open Cupboard Pantry at Infant Jesus Church, 110 Hawkins St., Port Jefferson on Sunday, Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Currently the pantry is in extreme need of juice, pancake mix (complete), pancake syrup, macaroni & cheese, pasta, pasta sauce, canned tuna, canned chicken ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, Maseca flour, cooking oil, Chef Boyardee meals, cereal, jelly, hot chocolate, evaporated milk, almond milk, coffee, canned fruit and canned mixed vegetables.

They are also in need of personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner, size 6 diapers, feminine products, baby wipes, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Grocery store gift cards and cash also accepted. For more information, call 631-938-6464.

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Megan Suri in a scene from 'It Lives Inside.' Photo courtesy of NEON

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

Director Bishal Dutta has directed nineteen shorts. He has received worldwide acclaim, garnering half a dozen Best Director laurels at various international film festivals. Most recently, Life in Color was an official selection at The American Pavilion Emerging Filmmakers Showcase (2018 Cannes Film Festival). His work has included music videos and broadcast commercials. 

NEON (distributor of the Academy Award-winning Parasite), along with QC Entertainment and Brightlight Pictures, produced Dutta’s first feature, the horror film It Lives Inside. Indian-born Sam (Megan Suri) is a high school student whose goal is assimilation. Her mother, Poorna (Neeru Bajwa), clings to their cultural roots, while her father, Inesh (Vik Sahay), attempts to navigate the two worlds and make peace between mother and daughter.

Megan Suri and Gage Marsh in a scene from ‘It Lives Inside.’ Photo courtesy of NEON

At school, Sam’s childhood friend, Tamira (Mohana Krishnan), is something of an outcast. She comes late to class, wanders the halls, and lurks underneath the bleachers, muttering fiercely and tapping a glass container that never leaves her hands. (Until this point, the film’s subtitle could have been Monster in a Mason Jar.)

Concerned but hesitant to associate with Tamira, Sam confronts her former friend. Tamira attempts to explain the evil within. In the ensuing disagreement, Sam calls her “a psycho” and smashes the jar, releasing the trapped entity. Tamira disappears, and the spirit latches onto Sam.

The rest of the film follows Sam’s arc from the fear of losing her sanity to accepting the reality of the pishacha, a flesh-eating demon. The pishachi, part of Hindu and Buddhist mythologies, feed on dark feelings like anger and hatred. They attack by first isolating the target, then slowly eating the soul. 

In many ways, It Lives Inside is standard monster fare, no different than dozens (hundreds?) of high-school-girl-in-terror movies. (The high school mascot—a bit on-the-nose—is a werewolf.) However, Dutta, who penned the screenplay, presents a unique reflection of the immigrant experience through this unusual horror prism. 

The cultural elements are integral in the storytelling and ultimate resolution. The family celebrates Durga Puja, a holiday paying homage to the Hindu goddess Durga’s victory over the shape-shifting demon Mahishasura. The party offers a glimpse into the community, showing Poorna’s desire to honor her heritage and Sam’s desire to remain outside it. When Dutta shows these pieces, the film comes to life.

The most lingering moment involves the aftermath of a grisly death that Sam witnesses. The neighbors’ faces suggest suspicion, not compassion. Dutta comments boldly and effectively on “immigrant as other,” revealed in the brief visual commentary. This moment speaks more powerfully than a dozen speeches could convey. 

Suri is first-rate as Sam, balancing the character’s struggles, seeming descent into madness, and inner strength. She is the modern Scream Queen: resourceful, smart, and brave; willing to sacrifice everything but her humanity. She manages to make even the weakest dialogue believable. 

Bajwa and Sahay avoid caricatures and find a nice contrast as the parents, both trying to understand and support their child. Gage Marsh is very “boy band” as a quasi-date who meets an inevitable end. Betty Gabriel plays Sam’s teacher, Joyce Dixon, one of those fantasy mentors who never seem to leave school and are always available. We know she is cool because she wears a Berkley sweatshirt (coincidentally, where Dutta teaches film). Gabriel makes the stock character completely real. 

Strangely, the film seems underpopulated. Students barely register; party guests are mere ciphers. 

Sadly, as a horror film, it falls short. The absence of tension is not replaced by any genuine atmosphere or style. The tired tropes—whispering voices, red lights, a journal with dire warnings and disturbing sketches, dreams within dreams—play strictly as clichés, making the short running time seem to plod towards its inevitable and strangely tacit conclusion. Often, it feels like a lesser episode of the 1970s television series Kolchak: the Night Stalker. 

Of the monster itself, it remains invisible for most of the film. Occasionally, Dutta allows a glimpse—mostly a shape in the dark with eyes charged by a pair of old AAA batteries, accompanied by a growl that claims the eeriness of an annoyed Dachshund. The final encounter reveals a refugee from the creature-feature rubber suit brigade. The matinee monster looks slightly less than a Party City Alien or perhaps something ordered out of the back of a comic book. Spikey and mildly reptilian, it elicits no response outside of a mirthless and disappointed chuckle from the anesthetized audience.

If only Dutta had leaned further into the social core, he would have created something memorable. Instead, It Lives Inside remains a rather flabby thriller with a fascinating—but unrealized—potential.

Rated PG-13, the film is now playing in local theaters.

Henry David Thoreau once said, “The world is but a canvas to our imagination.” The latest exhibit at the Mills Pond Gallery, Four Creative Visions, seems to have taken inspiration from that very quote. The beautiful show opens on Sept. 30 and runs through Oct. 20.  

The exhibit features four Long Island artists — Dorothy Fortuna (Smithtown), Lynn Kinsella (Brookhaven), Lynn Staiano (Smithtown), and Robert Wallkam (Port Jefferson) — each sharing their creative voice through a different medium (acrylic, oil, pastel, watercolor) and capturng the landscapes of Long Island and distant destinations, showing us the poetry and beauty in seemingly ordinary places.

Pastel artist Dorothy Fortuna enjoys exploring as she travels in search of new subjects for paintings. “The passion I have for the world around me inspires creativity. Pastel painting and the techniques involved in placing color and blending color then allow me to achieve the sense of water movement or a perspective of the land that can create depth and value, transforming a flat surface into a place we can recognize and relate to,” she explained.

Watercolor artist Lynn Kinsella attended Phoenix School of Design in Manhattan and went on to work in book publishing specializing in layout and illustration. After retirement, she decided to expand her creativity by taking watercolor classes. Kinsella’s watercolor paintings have been exhibited in galleries and juried exhibitions across Long Island. “I paint primarily in watercolor with a focus on nature. I enjoy painting scenes reflective of the local environment,” said Kinsella.

Artist Lynn Staiano is a licensed psychotherapist by day, and a landscape artist in the evenings and weekends. She is a self-taught artist who has always been a lover of the arts. Staiano has developed a passion and talent for painting landscapes using both oils and acrylics. “I observe and appreciate little details in nature; reflections in water, how the sunlight diffuses through the trees, how cloud formations change and how their shadows cover the grass,” she said.

Port Jefferson artist Robert Wallkam has been painting since his college days. He has a broad and interesting background, having received a master’s degree in fine art, studied business, and taught high school art. In addition to his passion for painting, Wallkam enjoys a wide variety of artistic pursuits, most notably landscape architecture, a field which he has worked in for many years. His art has been widely exhibited across Long Island. He has worked in many mediums but currently acrylic is his favorite.

The public is invited to an opening reception for Four Creative Visions on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work. 

The Mills Pond Gallery, 660 Route 25A, St. James is open Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is always free. For more information, call 631-862-6575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

By Bill Landon

[email protected]

It was a rain-soaked field with howling winds at Smithtown East high school when the Bulls had their hands full against the Eagles of West Babylon Saturday afternoon in a Division II matchup. 

West Babylon struck first and often, peppering the scoreboard with 23 points in the 1st quarter, 15 more in the 2nd while holding the Bulls scoreless at the half.

Smithtown East struggled to find traction the rest of the way as West Babylon pulled its starters and flushed their bench to blank the Bulls 38-0.

The win lifts West Babylon to 3-0 on the season while the loss drops the Bulls to 0-3.

Smithtown East retakes the field with a road game against Huntington Friday night at 6 p.m. in search of that elusive first win

— Photos by Bill Landon

 

Suffolk County Police Department 4th Precinct Inspector David Regina updates the Smithtown Town Board on local crime trends during a public meeting Thursday, Sept. 21, at Town Hall. Photo by Raymond Janis

By Raymond Janis

The Smithtown Town Board convened Thursday afternoon, Sept. 21, for a public meeting covering public safety, walkability and downtown revitalization.

Public safety

Suffolk County Police Department 4th Precinct Inspector David Regina delivered the department’s public safety report, alerting the community to ongoing crime trends.

Following a stabbing at Millers Pond in Smithtown [see story, “Man stabbed at Millers Pond in Smithtown,” Aug. 26, TBR News Media], Regina said the victim was transported to a local hospital and has survived his injuries.

“This is an assault that is out of the ordinary for that area,” he said. “I do feel confident in saying that I don’t feel that this is a threat to the area of that community.”

Regina referred to 2023 as “a rough year in the 4th Precinct for fatal motor vehicle crashes,” which he said have “run the gamut between pedestrian, standard motor vehicle crashes, motorcycle crashes, bicycle crashes” and accidents involving scooters.

Reporting on a recent fatal accident on Harned Road in Commack involving the death of Ilona Kaydanov, a 22-year-old pedestrian [see story, “Jogger killed in Commack crash, two others injured,” Aug. 31, TBR News Media], Regina said the 4th Squad had investigated the accident, noting, “There does not appear to be any criminality involved.”

The inspector stressed the need for pedestrians to cross roadways at crosswalks, adding that “pedestrians under New York State law are required to walk or jog against the flow of traffic.”

Purse theft — a local crime phenomenon often involving the theft of one’s credit cards at retail spaces — remains pervasive within the 4th Precinct, Regina said. [See story, “Shopping spree: Thieves targeting handbags, wallets at Suffolk County retail stores,” Aug. 24, TBR News Media.]

He reported that this theft crime variety has occurred primarily around the Smith Haven Mall, advising shoppers to “secure your things securely.”

He noted that multiple incidents have included a co-conspirator, with one criminal creating a diversion while another robs an unsuspecting victim’s shopping cart.

SCPD “were able to identify one suspect, and I’m happy to say we cleared three of those cases last week, and we were able to charge that gentleman with several counts of criminal possession of stolen property,” Regina reported.

Sideshows and street races remain an ongoing crime phenomenon countywide. Regina reported a recent sideshow gathering of 250 cars at the Walmart parking lot on Garet Place in Commack.

“These get very raucous,” he said. “They were throwing fireworks in the direction of the police officers who were responding. These are officer safety concerns for us.”

While the department has moderately succeeded in dispersing some of these sideshow events, the inspector suggested the matter is unresolved.

The Hauppauge Fire Department will host a community gathering on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. at 855 Wheeler Road to discuss the sideshow issue and its community impacts.

Downtown revitalization

Allyson Murray, principal planner in the Smithtown Planning & Community Department, delivered a presentation on a grant application for New York State downtown revitalization funds through the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative and the NY Forward grant programs.

Murray considered Kings Park an ideal candidate for these funds due to its substantial retail and civic spaces, compact size, centrally located Long Island Rail Road station and recent public and private investment.

“The vision is to attract public and private investment to enhance the character of downtown Kings Park,” Murray said, hoping to create “a vibrant and walkable Main Street business district with diverse mixed-use development.”

The proposal seeks to leverage existing community assets, such as the LIRR station, new sewer infrastructure and proximity to major employment centers, such as the Hauppauge Industrial Park and Stony Brook University.

Murray shared a draft list of projects to be included in the application. She encouraged community members to send ideas for other proposals by email to [email protected].

Harned Road proposal

In the wake of the recent roadway fatality, Commack resident Kevin Feit asked the board to consider several pedestrian safety enhancements on Harned Road between Vanderbilt Motor Parkway and Veterans Memorial Highway.

“Currently, there are sidewalks in some sections of Harned Road, but they abruptly end,” Feit indicated. “Where there is no sidewalk, the shoulder is extremely narrow in some places and can be completely taken up by a sewer grate.”

Given these existing conditions, Feit suggested the current roadway to be “impassable for a wheelchair or stroller.” He added that while the speed limit on Harned is 30 mph, vehicles regularly exceed 40 mph due to long stretches between traffic signals.

“Sidewalks would provide several benefits to the community,” he said, among these being public safety, environmental friendliness and walkability to nearby shopping centers and parks.

The Town Board will reconvene Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m.

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By Michael Scro

The Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum held its Irish Night 2023 on Friday, Sept. 22, at the RJO Middle School auditorium, featuring a lively performance by musician Ed Ryan and Irish step dancing by the Mulvihill-Lynch Irish Dancers.

Hosted by Kevin Johnston, chair of Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and representative of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, he welcomed the audience of about 40 to 50 people — many donning Irish clothing.

Ryan played a powerful and entertaining set of Irish songs from “Whisky In The Jar,” “The Black Velvet Band,” “When New York Was Irish,” “Big Strong Man To The Town I Love So Well,” “Danny Boy” and “Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra (That’s An Irish Lullaby).” 

Between songs, he told a variety of age-old Irish jokes, bringing about laughter from the audience and also gave historical background and reference to many of the songs he belted out with his acoustic guitar.

The Mulvihill-Lynch dancers provided a precise and professional level of dancing that wowed the audience from start to finish. Clapping along to the Irish music, the crowd cheered loudly after each dance.

Johnston thanked Ryan and the dancers, and noted that the dance studio was started about 40 years ago by Gerry Mulvihill. Among those in attendance were Debbie Lynch-Webber who ran the dance group and was a student of the founder, as well as Maureen Hanley who was also a former student.

After edging by Miller Place in the first set having to win by two, the Shoreham-Wading River Wildcats lost the second set to make it a new match in the League VI matchup.

Squeezing by the Panthers 25-23 in the third set and rallying in the fourth set, the Wildcats were lucky to escape with the 3-1 victory, 28-26, 18-25, 25-23, 25-18, on the road Sept. 22.

Senior Giorgia Balza led the way for the Wildcats with 13 kills, a pair of aces and 4 blocks, and teammate Caroline Lange had a block with 4 kills.

Setting the pace for the Panthers was Payton Horan with 13 kills, a service ace and 2 digs along with Olivia Honkanen’s 6 kills 3 service aces and 4 digs.

The win lifts the Wildcats to 2-2, leaving the Panthers searching for that elusive first win.

Both teams are back in action Sept. 28 when the Wildcats host Bayport-Blue Point at 4 p.m. and the Panthers have a road game against nearby Mount Sinai. First service is set for 4:30 p.m.

— Photos by Bill Landon

Each year the Adirondack Glassblowing Studio (ADK) produces thousands of gorgeous hand-blown glass pumpkins to create beautiful outdoor fall decor. ADK Glass partners with numerous non-profits nationwide on weekends throughout the fall season. 

During the weekend of September 29 to October 1, ADK Glass and the Town of Smithtown will host a Glass Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser at Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve at 200 New Hwy, Commack from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in support of Nesconset-based Paws of War. 

Attendees at Hoyt Farm will enjoy a walking path lined with straw bales covered with hundreds of colorful glass pumpkins and experience the fall foliage on Hoyt Farm’s Nature Preserve. Twenty percent of proceeds from the weekend event will support Paws of War in furthering their mission of “Helping Both Ends of the Leash.”  

Paws of War is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to train and place service animals and companion dogs to support and provide independence to U.S. military veterans that suffer from the emotional and physical effects of war. 

The organization also provides animal rescue for U.S. troops who have befriended an animal while serving overseas. The organization also serves as a community center where veterans and first responders come together daily to build bonds and support each other. 

For more information about the fundraiser, please visit, http://www.glasspumpkinpatchfundraiser.com/. For more information about Paws of War, visit https://pawsofwar.org/.  

Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

Kali Moore and Leoni Kunz both registered double-doubles to help propel the Stony Brook volleyball team to a 3-0 victory (25-23, 25-23, 25-16) against the College of Charleston Cougars on Sept. 24 at the TD Arena.

The Seawolves were led by the double-doubles from Kunz, who had 11 kills and 15 digs, and Moore, who had 14 kills and 15 digs. Abby Campbell added 10 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Julia Patsos chipped in for 16 digs to go with seven blocks from Campbell. 

Stony Brook opened up an early one set to none lead, taking a nail-biter first set 25-23. The squad grabbed the advantage for good at 24-23 in a set that showcased three lead changes before the Seawolves took over in the second half of the stanza. The Seawolves had a terrific defensive performance from a front row that blocked five Charleston (SC) attacks in the stanza. Campbell tallied two of the final three points for the team after blocking two balls from the Cougars to secure the opening set. 

The Seawolves persevered in a back-and-forth second set to win in the stanza that featured four lead changes and was tied nine times. Neither team led by more than four points along the way. After Charleston cut the deficit to 21-20, Moore tallied two kills and a service-ace to ultimately lead Stony Brook to the third-set victory 25-23.

In the third set, the Seawolves took control of the set early when the score was 4-3 and never looked back to win 25-16. Stony Brook led by as many as 10 points at 22-12 after Ayanna Pierre Louis tallied the ace. The team had a hitting perctange of 0.333 and captured 16 kills to secure the sweep. 

“It feels great to be heading home with this win and even more so because of the way our team responded from yesterdays loss. I thought we came focused and competed as a team. We executed the game plan defensively and that gave us better opportunities to score. Excited to be back home in Pritchard next weekend,” said head coach Kristin Belzung. 

The team returns to the court next weekend when they host North Carolina A&T on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. inside Pritchard Gymnasium.Â