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Yearly Archives: 2024

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Photo from Town of Smithtown

Residents are Advised to Apply Here; Deadline is October 7

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced today that new grant funding is available for homeowners who sustained damages from record flooding in Suffolk County on August 18-19. The program, which will be administered by the Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc. designated by the New York Homes and Community Renewal agency, seeks to offer emergency home repair assistance and reimbursement to impacted homeowners.

“Suffolk County experienced a catastrophic storm that impacted thousands of residents who are still recovering,” said Romaine. “As we continue to assess damage and work to provide our communities with relief, I thank our partners in New York State who will provide eligible homeowners with much needed financial assistance.”

Grant funding is available to eligible residents on a first come, first serve basis. Funds allocated under the program will be limited to emergency housing repairs necessary to make the home safe, sanitary and habitable. The program is intended to assist eligible homeowners whose damages were not covered by insurance or other disaster recovery funds. Non-urgent repairs are not eligible.

Under the program guidelines, homeowners must be income eligible, defined as an annual household income equal to or less than 150% of County Area Median Income based on household size.  Homeowners may not qualify for full grant award, and in no event will the total grant award to any single applicant exceed $50,000. Homeowners associations are not eligible.

The deadline to apply is October 7, 2024. Residents are advised to apply here.

Residents with questions or who need additional information are advised to contact the Flood Relief Program at [email protected] or call 631-435-4710.

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Stock photo

By Britt Burner, Esq.

Britt Burner Esq.

Turning 18 is a right of passage. According to New York State law, you are now and adult! With the reward and freedom of adulthood also comes responsibility. 

You may be on a continued education path to college or starting a new job. Some new adults are still receiving monetary and housing support from their families while others find themselves navigating on their own. Either way, on the “adulting to-do list” you should also add the basics of estate planning. Whether you are 18 or 81, there are four key documents you should consider: health care proxy, HIPAA release form, living will, and power of attorney.

Once adulthood is reached, a parent no longer has the authority to make medical decisions on behalf of their child. Since you are no longer under your parents’ care, they do not have an automatic right to access your medical records; no one has that right. It is important to designate who may receive this information if you should become incapacitated and, further, who you want to make medical decisions for you if you cannot do so for yourself. 

A health care proxy allows you to appoint an agent to make medical decisions for you in the event you cannot do so. You must choose a primary agent but can nominate alternates in case your primary is unable or unwilling to act. If you are in the hospital and have not signed a health care proxy, the law has a default regarding who can make medical decisions. Is this who you would choose? 

Beyond the proxy, a HIPAA release form should also be considered. HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It is the law that protects your personal medical information. A HIPAA release authorizes others to obtain your medical information. Executing these documents will ensure that your parent (or whomever you designate to make such medical decisions) will not face resistance when it comes to inquiring about the status of your health or providing care instructions to your doctor.  

In contrast, the power of attorney is a document that has to do with your financial and other non-medical information. This document will name an agent to make financial decisions on your behalf. The power of attorney does not strip you of your financial powers but rather duplicates them so that your agent can act on your behalf. A power of attorney can be beneficial if you need someone to pay a bill, apply for financial aid, or hire a professional, such as an accountant or lawyer. 

You may also want to consider a living will. A living will is a guide to your agents regarding end-of-life decisions, such as whether you want to be kept alive by artificial means if you have an incurable disease or are in a persistent vegetative state. 

Although these are questions that you will hopefully not face for decades, planning for your future is an important way of taking control of your life. The decisions you make today are not set in stone; these documents can be changed at any time. Anyone entering the first phase of adulthood should become familiar with these documents. 

Britt Burner, Esq. is a Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. focusing her practice areas on Estate Planning and Elder Law. Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. serves clients from New York City to the east end of Long Island with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan and East Hampton.

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File photo by Raymond Janis

Applauding Cedar Beach environmental sentiments

I applaud the sentiments of “Trying to enjoy peace at Cedar Beach” in Letters to the Editor, Sept. 5. 

I can’t count how many times I’ve been at the beautiful beaches and parks in our area — as well as parking lots — and felt similar feelings of bewilderment and anger when I see people sitting in their idling cars, often with the windows down. Why run the engine, especially on a beautiful day? It’s a waste of gas and money, and pollutes the air while creating unnecessary noise. 

Perhaps our local leaders can put forth legislation that would fine those who idle their engines beyond the 3-minute limit acceptable by New York State law? Maybe some people don’t grasp the detrimental effects on the environment — not to mention the waste of their own money — but perhaps enforcing legislation and fines would provide a wake-up call. Let’s all enjoy fresh air and nature in peace and quiet, and be considerate of others.

Adriana Lubarsky

East Setauket

Keeping LIRR on track

Port Jefferson commuters should be concerned that the LIRR still needs to reach a state of good repair for existing fleet, stations, elevators, escalators, signals, interlockings, track, power, yards and shops. It also includes more and more stations reaching compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. All maintenance programs for all operating assets also need to be fully funded and completed on time to ensure riders safe uninterrupted reliable service. Since its creation in 1964, the Urban Mass Transit Administration (known since 1991 as the Federal Transit Administration) has provided billions to pay for many of these capital improvements.

The LIRR share of annual FTA grants to the MTA averages 15%. In 2024, this should represent $270 million of $1.8 billion in federal grant funding. The state Department of Transportation provides Statewide Mass Transportation Operating Assistance on an annual basis to the MTA and LIRR. Let us give thanks to both Washington and Albany for continued financial support for our very own LIRR — the nation’s largest commuter railroad.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

Voices of service: the true cost of new nonprofit oversight

Last month, Suffolk County Legislators Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) and Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) sponsored I.R. 1687, a bill that would amend the Suffolk County Code to provide the county more oversight into the internal fiscal operations of nonprofit entities seeking county subsidies and limiting the salaries of nonprofit executives.

I have worked in nonprofit leadership since 2011. Leading a nonprofit is often impossibly difficult. Over half of respondents in a recent survey from the Chronicle of Philanthropy noted that they struggle with a work-life balance. Nearly two-thirds of the nonprofit leaders in the Chronicle’s survey say the country’s polarization — over politics, race and culture — is making their work more difficult.

A third of survey participants say they are likely to leave their current organization in the next two years. Twenty-two percent say they are likely to leave the nonprofit world altogether. Other than retirement, top reasons include salary, the challenge of finding resources and the demands of the job.

I can’t think of any other industry that is on the edge of losing almost 25% of their leadership workforce.

A healthy relationship between nonprofits and their local, state and federal governments brings stronger programming and services to residents. Without the nonprofit sector, the government does not have the infrastructure or systems in place to provide the care we need.

My colleagues and friends who have devoted their life to this work are not money-hungry hoarders. But if our industry is going to recruit competitive talent to lead, we must be able to offer competitive salaries.

Perhaps our county legislators and others like them should rethink opportunities to increase their giving and partnerships so we can actually solve the problems facing nonprofit organizations, rather than attacking the people responsible for working to solve them.

Cindy Morris

Stony Brook

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Sadie Mathers as Matilda and Olivia McGourty as Erica in a scene from the show. Photo by Steve Ayle/Showbizshots
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Jax Segal, Steven Uihlein, Sadie Mathers, Rachel Geiser
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Will Logan, Rachel Geiser, Steven Uihlein, Will Brennan
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Veronica Fox, Saide Mathers, Liam Marsigliano
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Veronica Fox & Liam Marsgiliano
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE The Little Kids
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Steven Uihlein, Jax Segal, Rachel Geiser
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Sadie Mathers as Matilda
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Sadie Mathers and Michelle LaBozzetta
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Revolting Children
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Rachel Geiser, Will Logan
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Liam Marsigliano, Kathleen Han
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Jax Segal, Rachel Geiser, Steven Uihlein, Will Logan
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Sadie Mathers as Matilda
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE Sadie Mathers as Matilda & Company
Matilda the Musical THEATRE THREE clockwise Michelle LaBozzetta, Will Logan, Rachel Geiser, Steven Uihlein, Eric J. Hughes, Josie McSwane, Sadie Mathers, Veronica Fox

By Julianne Mosher

One of the last musical numbers during Theatre Three’s latest production of Matilda the Musical is called “Revolting Children,” but the cast of this show is far from it. 

Based on the beloved book by Roald Dahl and the 1996 movie starring Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito, the musical is a fun and enchanting twist that will make all ages in the audience smile. 

Written by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, Matilda follows the story of a spectacularly smart child who lives in an unhappy home with dimwitted parents. Matilda (played by the extraordinarily talented Sadie Mathers — who is readily on the path to stardom), finds solace in the library where she reads books upon books while also sharing tales she makes up in her head to the local librarian, Mrs. Phelps (Michelle LaBozzetta).

Her family, the Wormwoods, don’t read. In fact, they’re lazy and dumb. Matilda’s father, played by Steven Uihlein, is a crooked car salesman who refuses to acknowledge the young girl as his daughter, and her mother, played by Rachel Geiser, is an amateur ballroom dancer who only cares about her looks — not her family. Matilda has a brother, Michael, played by Jax Segal, who does not speak and stares at the TV throughout the entire show, remote in hand. 

To teach her some discipline, Mr. Wormwood ships Matilda off to a private academy headed by Miss. Trunchbull (Liam Marsigliano), a former Olympian who hates children and wishes for a world without them. Luckily, Matilda and her classmates find comfort knowing their teacher, Miss Honey (Veronica Fox), loves them and tries to make their school days better despite their dreary and frightening walls.

Throughout the play, Matilda shares a tale of an escapologist (Eric J. Hughes) and his wife, the acrobat (Josie McSwane) that she makes up in her head. The characters, however, seem to match with certain people the young girl meets and encounters in her daily life.

Compared to the movie, the musical version of Matilda is set in England so the ensemble needed to not only learn the lyrics to difficult songs, but do it with a cockney accent — the child actors included. The talent of the entire cast is remarkable with its leadership from musical director Jeffrey Hoffman and choreography from Sari Feldman with dance moves and vocal ranges fit for Broadway. 

And if you’re a fan of film, you’ll be surprised with a similar plot but with different twists and turns.

From the campy costumes full of color — minus the school uniforms, of course — (designed by Jason Allyn) to the set design that integrates video using TV monitors framing the stage (Randall Parsons), the attention to detail is nothing short from extraordinary.

So, you better go see this show or else you’ll be thrown in the chokey and give this group of actors the standing ovation they continuously deserve.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Matilda the Musical through Oct. 20. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12, $25 Wednesday matinees. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

All photos by Steve Kyle/Showbizshots

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Pixabay photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

I hadn’t been to Los Angeles in over 30 years. On our trip last week, I traveled with my wife, worked remotely, visited with our nephew, and purchased tickets to attend my first home Dodgers game.

During a visit that only lasted a few days, my wife and I stayed on Eastern Standard Time, which meant we were awake between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. local time and were at work by 7 a.m..

My wife walked across a street to her office and I sat at a desk on the 17th floor of a hotel, laptop in front of me with my cell phone at the ready.

At around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, I felt as if the desk in front of me were shaking.

At first, I figured it had to be some neurological quirk. After all, the older I get, the more inexplicable my sometimes random body signals are to me.

When the desk shook a second time, I made an announcement to the empty room.

“That’s an earthquake!” I declared, as if naming it and knowing what it was gave me some small measure of control. I walked around in circles and wondered what I should grab, where I should go, and what I should do.

I knew my wife was in meetings that morning, but called her immediately anyway.

She picked up in that hushed tone she uses when she’s on a phone or a zoom call.

“What’s happening?” she whispered.

“Did you feel the earthquake?” I asked. “What are you doing about it over there?”

“Earthquake? What earthquake? No,” she said, as she quickly typed into her computer.

Sure enough, within seconds of the quake, she had found something online confirming the event.

“What do you want to do?” she asked. 

I was staring out the window, which probably isn’t the right place to go, and watched people casually walking along the sidewalk, cars navigating through crowded streets and birds flying between the buildings.

“I’m going to call the lobby,” I said. I told her I’d get back to her immediately if there was anything we should do.

“Hi,” I stammered, “is this the front desk?”

“Yes,” the woman said. “How can I help you?”

“I’m on the 17th floor and I just felt an earthquake,” I announced.

Silence. I suspect the woman in the lobby was thinking something along the lines of, “You’re not from around these parts, are you?”

“What should I do?” I asked.

“Oh,” she sighed. “Well, if you’re worried or if things are falling from the ceiling, you can take shelter.”

“Shelter? Where? What should I do?”

“You can go under your desk or wait in a door frame. We also have a communication system on every floor and we can let you know if you need to evacuate.”

“So, what do I do?” I asked again.

“Whatever makes you comfortable,” she sighed. “Can I help you with anything else?”

“No,” I said, hanging up the phone. I grabbed my wallet, put on my shoes, and made sure I had everything I might need. I stood in the middle of the room in earthquake sensing mode. I had become a human seismometer, with my arms out, my feet spread apart and my palms pointing down to sense any vibrations.

I kept checking online, where I read coverage of an earthquake that didn’t seem to have caused any damage.

My wife and I traded texts and decided to continue working.

Later that day, we discussed the quake with friends and strangers, triggering all kinds of stories about earlier quakes and the ones people felt at different times.

I’m sure people in New York don’t hear honking taxis, people in the southeastern United States barely register screeching cicadas, and people in Phoenix somehow adjust to the searing heat.

I don’t think I’ll ever be enough of a Californian or a would-be Californian not to worry about the Earth moving under my feet.

Oh, and I did get to the Dodgers game the night before. The stadium was magnificent, the sushi was remarkably good, and the fans were delighted by the other-worldly performance of Shohei Ohtani, who crushed a home run and stole a base. 

The explosive sounds of a thrilled crowd of close to 50,000, the excitement of people jumping out of their seats, and the celebratory flashing lights were far more familiar than the shaking desk I felt the next morning.

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UNDER THE MOONLIGHT: Catch a free outdoor screening of E.T. The Extraterrestrial at Heritage Park in Mt. Sinai on Sept. 20.
PROGRAMS

The Great Noisy Outdoors

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a Tiny Tots program, The Great Noisy Outdoors, on Sept. 19 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Enjoy short walks, story time, animal visitors, and crafts. For children ages 3 to 5. $4 per child. Reservations taken on www.eventbrite.com.

First Steps in Nature

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown continues its First Steps in Nature series for ages 2 to 4 on Sept. 20 at 9:30 a.m. with hands-on exciting activities, crafts, stories and much more. Children will gain a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife while having fun. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Reclaim the Lost Master Bolt 

Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket invites families with children up to Grade 6 to Reclaim the Lost Master Bolt on Sept. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. Get ready for the launch of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Triple Goddess! Spend some time at Camp Half-Blood and relive some of the memorable moments Percy and the gang have faces in earlier books. No registration required. Questions? Email [email protected]

Exploring Native Plants 

As part of its Learn & Create events, the Long Island Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson presents Exploring Native Plants on Sept. 22 and 29 from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Using leaves from the on-site native plant garden, you’ll create unique leaf rubbings and learn all about the crucial role native plants play in sustaining ecosystems, conserving water, and supporting wildlife. $5 per person plus admission fee of $6 children, $8 adults. 631-331-3277

Story & Craft with Nana Carol

The Next Chapter bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington hosts a Story and Craft event with Nana Carol on Sept. 23 at 10:30 a.m. Free. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008

Apple Workshop

Save the date! Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket presents an Apple Workshop for ages 4 to 8 on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon. Children will learn about Johnny Appleseed, will create a variety of apple goodies to take home and more. $40 per child. To register, call 631-689-8172.

THEATER

‘Rapunzel’

Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is Rapunzel: A Tangled Fairytale from Sept. 28 to Oct. 27. Rapunzel’s sixteenth birthday has come, meaning that she’ll be able to see the outside world for the first time, just as her “mother” promised. Scared to let her go, though, the witch reneges. Lucky for Rapunzel a young Prince happens across her tower. Before the Prince and Rapunzel have their inevitable “happily ever after,” though, they’re going to have to face the wrath of the witch and a few other hilarious obstacles. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit engemantheater.com.

‘Kooky Spooky Halloween’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its children’s theatre season with A Kooky Spooky Halloween from Oct. 5 to 19 with a sensory sensitive performance on Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. Recently graduated spirit Abner Perkins is assigned to the Aberdeen Boarding House — known for its spectral sightings and terrific toast. Here, Abner finds himself cast into a company of its wacky residents. When his secret is revealed, he is forced to leave his haunted home and set-off on a quest with his newly found friends.  Hilarious hijinks and a message of cooperation highlight this delightful musical for the entire family. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

FILM

‘E.T. The Extra Terrestrial’

Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mount Sinai continues its Movies in the Moonlight series with a screening of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on Sept. 20; and Hocus Pocus on Oct. 18. Movies begin at dusk 8:30 p.m. Bring seating. Presented by the North Shore Youth Council and Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon. 631-403-4846

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From left, senior Sophia Anderson, AP art teacher Stefanie DiLorenzo, video production teacher Chris Esser and senior Jeremiah Moody. Not pictured: Hannah Kravets and Rafael Bennett. Photo courtesy of the Three Village Central School District

Two Ward Melville seniors and two recent graduates were recently selected to have their work displayed in the prestigious All-American High School Film Festival.

Congratulations to seniors Sophia Anderson and Jeremiah Moody, and to Ward Melville High School alumni Rafael Bennett and Hannah Kravets.

The AAHSFF is the premier destination for talented high school filmmakers and media arts enthusiasts from around the world. The four students were chosen as Official Selections, which are films that will be screened at the festival from Oct. 18-20. Each year, thousands of films are submitted by student filmmakers from around the globe and the best are selected by a panel of judges as Official Selections. All Official Selections are eligible to be nominated for an award which will be announced on Oct. 20. The festival takes place each year in New York City.

 

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Head coach Billy Cosh high fives #3 Jayden Cook after Saturday's game. Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

Stony Brook put together an impressive comeback Sept. 14, highlighted by a six-yard rushing touchdown from Brandon Boria, to erase a 21-17 third-quarter deficit to take down Fordham in the Bronx, 27-21. 

The Seawolves were led offensively by freshman quarterback Malachi Marshall in the air and the runningback duo of Brandon Boria and Roland Dempster on the ground. Marshall tossed for 268 yards (18-for-36), while Boria finished 65 yards on the ground and his first career touchdown, while Dempster notched 51 yards and his fourth touchdown in the last two games. Tyler Knoop gave the Seawolves a passing touchdown with his seven-yard strike to Jayden Cook.

RJ Lamarre reeled in seven catches for 96 yards. Dez Williams got in on the action in the passing game as well, hauling in three balls for 73 yards. The Seawolves also got 69 yards receiving from Jasiah Williams in the contest.

Rushawn Lawrence paced the Stony Brook defensive effort, collecting five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception. Rudy Silvera added an interception and two pass breakups and Rodney Faulk had 1.0 TFL and one sack in the win. Chayce Chalmers led the way with a team-high nine tackles.

Stony Brook held the Fordham offensive attack in check, allowing the Rams 257 total yards. The Seawolves kept Fordham under 150 yards on both the ground and through the air, allowing 125 passing and 132 rushing yards. The Seawolves hassled the Fordham passing attack all game long, piling up seven sacks and adding two interceptions.

“Defensively, I thought we were outstanding. [Loughridge] is a really good player, he’s a big-time back. It was a great job by the [defense] tackling and making big plays. Our defense kept us in the game. Fordham was a great quality opponent, give credit to them, they’re really well coached. It was a hard-fought battle, we found a way to win and I’m just happy for our players,” head coach Billy Cosh said. 

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COMMUNITY PRIDE The Village of Northport celebrates Cow Harbor Day weekend with a parade on Sunday, Sept. 22 at noon. Photo by Michael Scro/Media Origin
Ongoing

Dino Safari Festival

Walt Whitman Shops, 160 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station will host its 5th annual LuminoCity Dino Safari Festival, featuring exhibits,animatronics with light art, an interactive recreation zone and more, now through Sept. 22. Featuring more than 70  life-size dinosaur displays, food, and an educational area with a safari dig and dino fossil hunt. The show runs Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. For tickets, visit www.luminocityfestival.com or purchase onsite.

Stone Bridge Nighthawk Watch

Four Harbors Audubon Society invites the community to join them for their 8th annual Stone Bridge Nighthawk Watch at Frank Melville Memorial Park, 1 Old Field Road, Setauket every evening through Oct. 6 from 5:30 p.m. until dusk. The group will be tallying migrating Common Nighthawks to better understand nighthawk population trends. Join them at the Stone Bridge to witness nighthawks as they pass over during their migratory journey to their wintering grounds in Brazil and Argentina. Bring binoculars. Visit www.4has.org for further details.

Thursday Sept. 19

Harbor Jazz Festival

The 9th annual Harbor Jazz Festival at The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook continues today through Sept. 21. Each day brings a line-up of jazz greats, including some of the top internationally and nationally recognized talents. All events on Sept. 21 are free and take place on the front lawn of the Jazz Loft and on the Stony Brook Village Green. For a full schedule of events, visit www.thejazzloft.org. 631-751-1895 

Vanderbilt Museum Lecture

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will host a lecture by Ron Schaper on Vanderbilt’s Whale Shark and the Island Life of the Last East Coast Ocean Pound Trap Fishermen from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Schaper, whose uncles caught the 16,000-pound, 32-foot whale shark displayed in the Vanderbilt Museum’s Habitat, will speak about his family and the hundreds of others that made their living as fishermen, and the fascinating history of commercial fishing on Long Island. Tickets are $10, members free. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Music Under the Stars

The MCPL Music Under the Stars summer concert series will take its final bow when The Men of Soul take the stage tonight at 7:30 p.m., at Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd. Centereach. The band will play renditions of classic hits from iconic soul bands of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. This outdoor concert is free and open to all. Bring seating. 631-585-9393.

Eric Roberts at the CAC

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington welcomes Eric Roberts for a book signing of his new memoir, Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far. The evening will start at 7:30 p.m. with a screening of the 1985 film Runaway Train followed by a discussion with the actor, audience Q&A, gala book signing and reception featuring food and live jazz music by New York Times-acclaimed guitarist Mike Soloway. Tickets are $52, $42 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.

Friday Sept. 20

Harbor Jazz Festival

See Sept. 19 listing.

Stony Brook Village Walking Tour

Ward Melville Heritage Organization presents Secrets of Stony Brook Village walking tours at 10:50 a.m. and again at 3:50 p.m. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through beautiful Stony Brook Village while hearing the quirky, real stories of the people who lived here and the landmarks that make it unique. Tickets are $12 per person. To reserve your spot, call 631-751-2244.

The 4 Seasons of John Monteleone

The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook presents a special  i musical event, The Four Seasons of John Monteleone, in the Carriage Museum’s Gillespie Room at 6:30 p.m.  Join them for an unforgettable evening celebrating the artistry of luthier John Monteleone and his season-themed archtop guitars, on loan from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Acclaimed guitarists Anthony Wilson, Chico Pinheiro, Gregg Belisle-Chi, and Steve Cardenas will unite to perform Seasons: A Song Cycle for Guitar Quartet, with a special opening set by Mafalda Minnozzi with guitarist Paul Ricci. Tickets are $45, $40 members. To order, visit www.longislandmuseum.org. 

Third Friday at the Reboli

As part of their Third Friday series, the Reboli Center for Art and History,  64 Main Street, Stony Brook invites art lovers to the opening reception of The Way We See It!  from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with live jazz music by the P.D.P Trio, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Free and open to the public. No RSVP required. 631-751-7707

Irish Heritage Night

The Ancient Order of Hibernians will present a night of Irish Heritage at the Kings Park Heritage Museum, RJO Middle School, 99 Old Dock Road, Kings Park at 7 p.m. Performing for your entertainment will be Ed Ryan, guitarist and singer of Irish songs, comedian Stevie GB, and the Mulvihill Lynch School of Irish Dancers. Admission to this event is free. 631-269-3305

Saturday Sept. 21

Harbor Jazz Festival

See Sept. 19 listing.

Great Cow Harbor Weekend

Village of Northport’s annual Great Cow Harbor Weekend kicks off today at 8:30 a.m. with a 10K race followed by a concert and lighted boat display at Northport Village Park at 8 p.m. The festivities continue on Sept. 22 from noon to 5 p.m. with a parade at noon. Main Street is closed to cars as visitors enjoy carnival rides, games, food, music, arts and craft vendors, sidewalk sales, and a Crazy Boat Race at the harbor at 2 p.m. 631-261-7502, www.cowharborday.com

Port jefferson Beach Cleanup

Coastal Steward hosts a beach cleanup of MacAllister Park, Anchorage Road, Port Jefferson from 8 a.m. to 2 pm. as part of International Coastal Cleanup weekend. www.coastalsteward.org. 

Greenway Trail Cleanup

Three Village Community Trust’s Friends of the Greenway will host a September cleanup of the Port Jefferson Station Greenway Trail, corner of Route 112 and Route 25A, starting at 9 a.m. [email protected]

Antiques, Flea Market & Craft Fair

The Manorville Historical Society will be holding its 34th annual Antiques, Craft Fair and Flea Market at the The Maples Bar & Grill, 10 Ryerson Ave., Manorville from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Antiques, flea market items, handmade crafts and raffle auction. 631-878-8358

Greenlawn Church Fair

First Presbyterian Church, 497 Pulaski Road, Greenlawn will present its annual Church Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature craft vendors, raffles, indoor rummage sale, health fair, live music and a food court with door prizes. Something for everyone! 631-261-2150

CSHL Walking Tour

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor will host a guided walking tour of the campus from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn about the historic and modern architecture, the Nobel legacy, and the advanced cancer, neuroscience, and plant research taking place at the lab. Fee is $7.18 per person. To register, visit www.cshl.edu. 516-367-8844

Gallery North Outdoor Art Show

Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket presents its 57th annual Outdoor Art Show & Music Festival today and Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring some of the finest art and craft from regional artists and artisans with live musical performances, kids activities, as well as delicious food vendors. Awards are granted for best in show for each category, including crafts, fiber art, glass art, jewelry, painting, photography, pottery, printmaking, and more. Free admission. 631-751-2676,  www.gallerynorth.org

Walk with a Doc

Join the Long Island Health Collaborative, AARP Long Island, Stony Brook Medicine, the Suffolk County Office of Minority Health, and the Long Island Sound Study for a Walk with a Doc at Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Guest speakers will include Dr. Anupama Paranandi of Stony Brook Medicine, Adesuwa Watson, Director of Suffolk County DOH’s Office of Minority Health and Jimena Perez-Viscasillas, Long Island Sound Study Outreach Coordinator. Free. Register at www.eventbrite.com.

Brookhaven Country Fair

The Town of Brookhaven’s Country Fair returns to the historic Longwood Estate located on Longwood Road and Smith Road in Ridge today and Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy traditional crafts, vendors, colonial cooking, Revolutionary War and Civil War re-enactments, music by the Ed Travers Band, a medieval gathering, house tours, and children’s activities. Leashed dogs permitted. Held rain or shine. Admission is $5, children 12 and under free. 631-924-1820, brookhavenny.gov

Pickle Festival

Do you love pickles? Then head over to John Gardiner Farm, 900 Park Ave., Greenlawn for its 44th annual Pickle Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy specialty pickles, farmer’s market, craft vendors, baked goods, corn maze, hayrides and a ride on the restored Lollipop Farm train. Admission is $5, free for ages 11 and younger. 631-754-1180, www.greenlawncenterporthistorical.org

Superheroes of the Sky

Join Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive,  Smithtown, for Superheroes of the Sky from 11 a.m. to noon. Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds the Center’s  Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. Fee is $10 adults, $5 children under age 12. To register, visit www. sweetbriarnc.org.

San Gennaro Feast

Lenny Bruno Farms, 740 Wading River Road, Manorville presents its annual San Gennaro Feast today and Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The two day event will celebrate Italian-American culture, delicious cuisine, and the beauty of Long Island’s agricultural heritage. Enjoy a vendor market and food trucks showcasing vegetables straight from Lenny Bruno Farms, pick your own sunflowers, corn maze, farm animals, beer and wine tastings, jumbo garden games and more. $10 per person. www.lennybrunofarms.com/events

German Fall Festival

St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 30 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown presents its 7th annual German Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring brats & beer, food trucks, music, baked goods, craft vendors, pickles, pretzels, hair braiding, children’s games, bounce houses and raffles. Rain date is Sept. 28. Call 265-2288 or visit  standrewsofsmithtown.org

Draw Out! Arts Festival

Join the Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington for its annual Draw Out! Community Arts Festival, a day of creativity, art, music, and family fun for all ages, from noon to 5 p.m. Enjoy watercolor painting in scenic Heckscher Park, create a collage and sketch from a live model, enjoy live music on the terrace by Dead Ahead, artist demonstrations with The Body Politic: Long Island Biennial 2024 exhibiting artists Jeremy Grand and Herold Patrick Alexis and take part in a docent-led tour of the museum’s latest exhibits. Free. No reservations required. 631-380-3230, heckscher.org

Blues on the Harbor Festival

The Port Jefferson Arts Council, Doc Blues, the Long Island Blues Society and WUSB 90.1 present the Cedar Beach Blues on the Harbor Festival at Harborfront Park, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson today from noon to 6 p.m. and Sept. 22 from noon to 5 p.m. Featuring the best of NY Blues musicians. Free admission. www.gpjac.org

Renée Elise Goldsberry in Concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook welcomes Broadway star Renée Elise Goldsberry to the Main Stage at 8 p.m. Known for her Tony Award-winning role as Angelica Schuyler in the Broadway smash hit Hamilton, Goldsberry’s star power shines brightly from Broadway to the big screen. Fans of her earlier Broadway triumphs in Rent and The Color Purple know that Goldsberry brings unmatched energy and passion to every performance. Tickets range from $53 to $96. To order, call 631-632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.

Sunday Sept. 22

Great Cow Harbor Weekend

See Sept. 21 listing.

Gallery North Outdoor Art Show

See Sept. 21 listing.

Brookhaven Country Fair

See Sept. 21 listing.

San Gennaro Feast

See Sept. 21 listing.

Blues on the Harbor Festival

See Sept. 21 listing.

Antique Car Show & House Tour

Step back in time with the Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society as they present an Antique Car Show and a tour of the Fitz-Greene Hallock Homestead, 2869 Pond Road, Lake Ronkonkoma from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a 50/50 raffle and basket auction. $5 donation. 631-588-7599

Over 50 Fair

Hilton Long Island, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville will host the 15th annual Over 50 Fair from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The fair connects adults 50 and older with 25 classes, over 80 exhibitors, a singles lounge, hearing screenings, a live acoustic music showcase, and much more. Tickets are $5 in advance at www.Over50Fair.com, which includes all classes, exhibits, singles lounge, music performances, health screenings, and more. Those who purchase tickets online will receive a raffle ticket at the event for a special door prize raffle. Tickets are also available at the door for $7, free for veterans. 516-621-1446

Psychic Fair 

The Radisson Hotel, 110 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge hosts the Islandwide Psychic Fair, Gift and Craft Show on Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participants include clairvoyants, medums, tarot card readers, angel card readers, palm readers, vendors and more. Free admission, fee for readings. 631-334-0802

Bead and Jewelry Festival

A paradise for wholesalers and crafters alike, the Long Island Bead and Jewelry Festival heads to IBEW Local 25 Banquet Center, 370 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From semi-precious stones to sterling silver, art glass to Venetian glass, pearls to Swarovski crystal, this event has it all and more. Nearly every style of bead and stone imaginable will be available for retail and wholesale purchase. Admission is $5.

Biking History Tour

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington hosts  Biking History Tour from 1 to 3 p.m. Travel through the Preserve’s unique history on a guided biking tour. All participants must bring their own bike. Reservation taken on eventbrite.com. 631-423-1770

Antique Train Car Open House

Port Jefferson Station Terryville Chamber of Commerce will host an Antique Train Car Open House along with an Open Mic and Karaoke at the Train Car Park, corner of Route 112 and Nesconset Highway, Port Jefferson Station at 2 p.m. Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright will discuss the train’s history at the event. Bands and singers welcome. 631-759-8850

Monday Sept. 23

No events listed for this day.

Tuesday Sept. 24

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a presentation by Frank McCoy who will discuss the benefits of physical therapy for seniors in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Sponsored by M&T Bank. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Tap Into Soul Concert

John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Special Events series with Solomon Jaye’s Tap Into Soul at 8 p.m. From “I Feel Good” (James Brown) and “Let’s Stay Together” (Al Green) through “Superstition” (Stevie Wonder) and “September” (Earth, Wind & Fire) to “Shape of You” (Ed Sheeran) and “Uptown Funk” (Bruno Mars), the incredible music featured in this high-energy show (accompanied by Jaye’s frenzy of fast footwork and even some surprise instrumental solos) transports listeners from the 1950s to today in the blink of an eye! Tickets are $45. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Wednesday Sept. 25

Calligraffiti Workshop

Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station presents a Calligraffiti Workshop with Helen Murdock-Prep at 10 a.m. Learn the art of  beautiful handwriting. Using a brush marker, have fun expressing yourself with this cursive lettering form that adds bold graffiti elements to make your words pop. Fee is $50, $40 members. Includes all supplies. To register, visit www.waltwhitman.org. 631-427-5240

Cruise Night at The Shoppes

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River hosts a Cruise Night Car Show every Wednesday through October from 5 to 9 p.m. Visit the Shoppes, enjoy a bite to eat and then check out the fine array of classic cars in the parking lot. 631-929-3500

Thursday Sept. 26

Native American Drumming

All Souls Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook hosts an evening of Native American Drumming Meditation from 7 to 8:45 p.m.  Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Free. 631-655-7798 

Theater

‘Matilda The Musical’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 54th season with Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical from Sept. 14 to Oct. 20. Matilda is a courageous little girl with astonishing wit, a vivid imagination, and psychokinetic powers. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, the unique and unforgettable Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl on an extraordinary journey! Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12, $25 Wednesday matinees. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit  theatrethree.com. See review on page B12.

‘Clue’

Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is the hilarious musical Clue from Sept. 12 to Oct. 27. Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, the farce-meets-murder mystery begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Clue is the comedy whodunit that will leave you in stitches as they try to figure out…who did it, where, and with what! Tickets range from $85 to $95. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit engemantheater.com.

‘(Mostly) True Things

(Mostly) True Things, a game wrapped in a storytelling show that features true stories and a game celebrates 10 years of performances at The Performing Arts Studio, 224 E. Main St. Port Jefferson on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. with stories on the theme Trips — stories about experiences of being “tripped up” by life, tripping and falling, road trips and traveling. Featured performers include Marc L Abbott,  Jean Candiotte, Nina Lesiga, Dawn Borchers and Jude Treder-Wolff, host and creator of the show. Tickets are $20 online, $25 at the door (cash only). 

Northport One-Act Play Festival

St Paul’s United Methodist Church, 270 Main Street, Northport hosts the 15th annual Northport One-Act Play Festival featuring 10 plays from Sept. 27 to 29. Program One (first 5 plays) will be performed on Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m., and Sept. 28 at 2:30 p.m. Program Two (last 5 plays) will be performed on Sept. 28 at  7:30 p.m. and Sept. 29 at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $25 to each of the four festival performances. To order, visit www.northportplays.com or call 631-223-8053.

‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’

Suffolk County Community College, 533 College Road, Selden presents The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, a hilarious, crazy fairy-tale extravaganza, on Oct. 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. in Theatre 119 in the Islip Arts Building. Two narrators attempt to recreate all 209 of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm in a wild, fast-paced extravaganza. To make it more difficult, they attempt to combine them into one gigantic fable using Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and other more obscure stories like Lean Lisa and The Devil’s Grandmother. General admission is $15, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger $10. SCCC students with current ID get one free ticket. To order, call 631-451-4163

‘Night of the Living Dead’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Night of the Living Dead from Oct. 5 to 27. Fall out from a satellite probe shot to Venus returns to Earth carrying a mysterious radiation that transforms the unburied dead into flesh-eating zombies. Seven people trapped in an isolated farmhouse, held hostage by the ravenous ghouls, begin to turn on each other as the dead encroach. A gripping terror-filled monochromatic play that brings all the fright of the cult classic to life. *This production is recommended for audiences high school age and up. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors and $25 students. To order, visit smithtownpac.org.

Film

‘That’s Entertainment’

Cinema Arts Center, 423 Park Ave., Huntington presents a special screening of That’s Entertainment (1974) on Sept. 26 at 1:30 p.m. Presented by AARP Long Island, join hosts Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Jimmy Stewart, Liza Minnelli, Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Taylor, Donald O’Connor, Peter Lawford and Debbie Reynolds in a joyous celebration of MGM musicals! This iconic collection of song, dance, outtakes, and interviews starts with The Broadway Melody of 1929, and takes us up to 1958’s Academy Award-winning Gigi. Featuring scenes from such American musical classics as Singin’ In the Rain, Show Boat and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and a parade of stars, including stars Ginger Rogers, Esther Williams, and Clark Gable. Tickets are $16, 10 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org. 

‘Join or Die’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its Fall 2024 season with a screening of Join or Die at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.  Directors Pete and Rebecca Davis follow the half-century story of the unraveling of America’s social fabric through the journey of legendary Harvard social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking “Bowling Alone” research has illuminated the powerful connection between ordinary community bonds and our health, happiness, economy, and politics. In the spirit of the film’s theme, the Port Jefferson Doc Series will host various local volunteer & civic groups to join in conversation about our community. Please consider bringing a small dessert to share. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students. portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

CALENDAR DEADLINE  is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to [email protected]. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.

Class Reunions

— The 50s classes of Port Jefferson High School will hold a gathering at Detmer Farm, Ridgeway Ave., Setauket on Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. BYOB. To RSVP, call 631-924-4817 or 631-941-4186. 

— 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. Members of the Class of 1963 are invited to join them. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected]. 

— Ward Melville High School Class of 2014 will hold its 10 year reunion at The Waterview, 44 Fairway Drive, Port Jefferson  on Nov. 30 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are  $100 — plus ones allowed. Includes open bar, passed appetizers, and dinner. Please email [email protected] for the link to purchase tickets. 

 

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Grace Kelly in a promotional photo for 'Rear Window' by Paramount Pictures. Wikimedia

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

While England had its favorite Princess Diana, we in America had a princess of our own for years. Many now were born after her death in 1982, but for those of us who remember her, she had terrific charisma. She was Princess of Monaco, her name was Grace Kelly and she came from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Last Saturday marked the anniversary of her death, also like Diana, in a horrible automobile accident on the steep slopes of the French Riviera. She was 52.

Hers was a true fairy tale story until the end.

Unlike many stars of stage and screen, Grace Kelly did not come from a hardscrabble background but was born into a wealthy Irish Catholic family, the third of four children. By all accounts, hers was a handsome household, and she was sent to good schools. Starting her career as an actress at 18, she began with helpful connections. Her uncle was a Pulitzer Prize winner in California and certainly smoothed her way with important introductions.

One well known story about her that came to symbolize her demeanor and rapid rise to success was her early interview with a director. She appeared well dressed and wearing a hat and white gloves. As her mother explained many times in subsequent years to the press, that was what a well brought up young lady wore to an appointment mid-century. Along with her blonde, blue eyed good looks, she carried a finishing school poise wherever she went. That certainly impressed many in Hollywood.

She also impressed the movie world by refusing to sign a long term contract with any of the studios, thus assuring her independence. Initially she found work as a commercial photographer’s model, but then she started getting small parts in movies and quickly moved up. Within a remarkably short, five-year period, she starred in movies with some of Hollywood’s most famous, and virile, leading men, including Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart, Louis Jordan, Stewart Granger and even did a famous duet with Bing Crosby in the movie, “High Society.” She also won an Academy Award for her role in “Country Girl,” in which she had a non-glamorous lead.

Grace Kelly was, by popular accounts, Director Alfred Hitchcock’s favorite actress and his lead in two of his movies. When she was sent to film “To Catch a Thief” on the French Riviera, she was introduced to Prince Rainier III of Monaco, who at the age of 32 was considered one of Europe’s most eligible bachelors. Monaco was known to Americans as a luxurious tourist resort famous for its Monte Carlo Casino. It was, and still is, a small sovereign principality on the Mediterranean, alongside France and close to Italy, ruled by the Grimaldi family since 1297 but only so long as the family produces an heir.

At the time of her marriage in 1956, Kelly was 26, and to the sorrow of many, retired from her acting career. While she was regarded, since she was an American and an actress, with some coolness at first by the Monegasques, they certainly took her into their hearts when she produced the Grimaldi’s first of their three children in 1957. That insured their tax-free status and Monaco’s continuation.

Not unlike Princess Diana, whom she met shortly after Diana’s marriage to Prince Charles, she worked hard on behalf of charities, especially for children. And according to an interview with her son, Albert, in 2014, Kelly was a “hands-on” mom, keeping their home as normal as possible in the midst of glamorous European life. Kelly even insisted on turkey amid Thanksgiving celebrations, neither one of which was common for Europeans.

I met Grace Kelly when I was an early teenager and infatuated with movies. It was an  evening on a Sunday, and I was peering into a shop window on Madison Avenue in the upper 70s in New York City. I don’t remember what I was looking at, but I became aware that there was someone next to me also glancing into the closed shop. I turned to face the woman, who then turned toward me. I knew that face.

“Are you Grace Kelly?”  I asked, thrilled. She had sea blue eyes and fabulous skin, which was so impressive to me in my early acne years.

“Yes,” she said smiling. “I am.” I noted that she had perfect white teeth.

After a moment, during which I froze, she continued smiling and walked uptown, past me.

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