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Yearly Archives: 2024

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Kristina Lomakina from the amazing Bingo Troupe balances on a tightrope with a chair during a recent performance. Photo courtesy of Circus Vazquez

Circus Vazquez, America’s largest family-owned big top circus, is bringing its thrilling new 2024 production to the Walt Whitman Shops, 160 Walt Whitman Road,  Huntington Station from November 1 to 11. 

Blending the modern with the traditional, and featuring a brand new cast of extraordinary circus superstars, Circus Vazquez presents unforgettable entertainment that is fun for all ages. It’s distinctive climate-controlled blue and white tent is the largest of its kind currently touring the U.S.

For 55 years, Circus Vazquez has entertained several generations of families with an awe-inspiring, death-defying, hilarious, authentic, and affordable circus experience. This year’s show carries on that legacy and is one not to be missed.

For the 2024 Tour, the Vazquez family searched around the world to assemble a stellar cast of international talent. 

Boris Nikishkin, from Russia, has been entertaining and amusing audiences since he was four years old, and now this award-winning clown, comedian and acrobat will make his American debut, a long-held dream of his. 

Hailing from Guinea, Africa, the Bone Breakers quartet present unbelievable body-bending flexibility unlike anything you’ve ever seen while Columbia’s Duo Vanegas, Ricardo and Alejandro, are daredevils who defy gravity on the Wheel of Wonder, a rotating device reaching over 30 feet in height in one of the most thrilling of all circus acts. 

Featuring Olympian Natalia Kapitonova, the Liazeed Angels are a unique troupe of athletes that bring high-quality gymnastics to the circus ring in their Circus Vazquez debut. 

Duo Marruffo from Brazil present an athletic display of handbalancing and strength and from Kiev, Ukraine, the Bingo Troupe present a distinct high-energy mix of dance and acrobatic performances. 

Fourth generation Vazquez family members also step into the spotlight. Jose Alberto Vazquez is a true juggling virtuoso with over two decades of experience showcasing his jaw-dropping skills. Siblings Jan and Carolina Vazquez deliver a thrilling performance of juggling and balance on the rolla bolla, a traditional circus apparatus that takes years to master. The magnificent Circus Vazquez Band provides a scintillating soundtrack to each act. After the show, the audiences is invited to meet some of the circus stars.

Weekday performances are set for 7 p.m. while Saturday and Sunday performances are scheduled for 1 p.m, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Discounted tickets and additional information are available at www.CircusVazquez.com. Senior/military/handicap rates available online.  Tickets will also be available in person at the box office beginning opening day.

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19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown

Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve hosted its highly anticipated 19th Annual Halloweekend on Oct. 19 and 20. The beloved event, which has become a cornerstone of the Smithtown community, attracted approximately 2000 residents over the two-day celebration.

As one of the town’s most popular annual events, Halloweekend traditionally sells out without the need for advertising, and this year was no exception.

Families delighted in the array of seasonal activities that transformed the nature preserve into a spooktacular wonderland. From games and prizes to live entertainment, delicious fall fare, and an array of food options, there was no shortage of fun for attendees.

“My grandkids talk about this event all month long beforehand. They don’t want to leave the preserve at the end of the day and neither do I if I’m being completely honest. Jeff Gumin and his amazing team at Hoyt Farm devote months of planning, preparation, building and implementing Halloweekend each year. They put every ounce of heart and soul into treating everyone, like a member of their family. They truly manage to outdo the previous year every year… it’s a real testament to how much they adore caring for the preserve and the guests who visit,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

Every year, the dedicated team at Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve creates a magical atmosphere filled with classic Halloween fun. From hayrides and pumpkin picking to spooky games, face painting, crafts, scavenger hunts, and an unforgettable haunted house, the event has something for everyone. Staff members join in the festivities, donning themed costumes to greet children and parents alike, many of whom arrive dressed in their own Halloween best.

The staff at Hoyt Farm prides themselves on making Halloweekend a memorable experience for all who attend. Their mission is simple: to create a festival where adults can feel like kids again, and children can transform into superheroes, mythical creatures, or whatever their imaginations dream up.

The Hoyt Farm Halloweekend is exclusive to Smithtown residents, offering a wide variety of games, crafts, and entertainment that bring the community together each fall.

For more information about Hoyt Farm, please visit them online or call 631-543-7804.

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Photo courtesy of Councilman Manzella's office

On October 19, Town Councilman Neil A. Manzella (left), Town Clerk Kevin J. LaValle (second from right), NYS Senator Dean Murray (second from left), and Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (right) were joined by over 550 Middle Country Youth Civic Association members for some early Halloween fun at Brookhaven Town’s Centereach Pool.

This year, the Councilman transformed his automobile trunk into the classic “Fix-it-Felix” Arcade and the Town Clerk portrayed the “Karate Kid” character, “Daniel LaRusso,” with his car trunk themed from the hit movie. Both trunks were filled with goodies for the enthusiastic “Trick or Treaters.”

Dozens of car trunks at the weekend event were changed into Halloween attractions with Town officials and
their staff handing out candy and toys to the youngsters all dressed in their pre-Halloween costumes.
Councilman Manzella and the Civic Association said the event “never disappoints!”

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Photo courtesy of StatePoint

Foot ulcers develop in about 15% of the 25 million Americans living with diabetes and are a top cause of hospitalization. These ulcers can lead to serious complications, such as infection and amputation. According to foot and ankle surgeons, there are steps you can take to prevent complications and keep your feet healthy, as well as breakthrough treatments that are saving limbs, restoring mobility and improving lives.

“The majority of lower-extremity amputations are preceded by a reoccurring foot sore or an ulcer that won’t heal,” says John S. Steinberg, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and a Fellow Member and Past President of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). “Patients do best when they take charge of their foot health with the help of a foot and ankle surgeon.”

The surgeon members of ACFAS are sharing some important insights into preventing foot ulcers associated with diabetes and treating them if they do occur.

Make these precautions part of your foot care routine:

• Inspect feet daily using a flashlight and mirror to see the bottoms of your feet.

• Moisturize dry, cracking feet to prevent sores. Use powder to control moisture that can result in blisters.

• To prevent injury, wear protective, well-fitting shoes and socks at all times, even in the house. Change socks daily and more often if your feet get wet or sweaty. Avoid socks with holes or seams. Sometimes diabetic shoes are prescribed to avoid pressure and rubbing on the feet.

• Get regular foot exams from a foot and ankle surgeon, which can reduce amputation risk by 45-85%. The surgeon can also screen feet for loss of protective sensation.

• Manage your diabetes. Out-of-control blood sugar levels can lead to nerve cell damage, making it harder to detect foot problems.

Look for telltale signs that an ulcer may be developing:

• Swelling. The foot or ankle may look puffy or engorged and larger than the other.

• Temperature. Cold feet might mean a circulatory issue, whereas hot feet might mean infection.

• Color changes. Redness and even other colors might appear before an ulcer forms.

• Calluses. If a callus changes colors or develops dark, “dried blood” colored spots, it may be time to have a foot and ankle surgeon offer a proper diagnosis.

Ask your foot and ankle surgeon about innovative treatments:

If you do experience a non-healing ulcer, talk to your foot and ankle surgeon right away about innovative technologies that stimulate healing.

Groundbreaking approaches include stem cell therapy, the use of bioengineered skin substitutes to accelerate growth of healthy skin, and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to promote healing and enable healthy, new tissue to grow. Today, foot and ankle surgeons rarely do a skin graft without NPWT. Skin grafting for foot ulcers has also advanced. Surgeons now use advanced reconstructive surgery and grafting techniques to promote wound healing and decrease wound recurrence.

The success rate of these advanced therapies is high, providing substantial improvement over treatments of the not-too-distant past, when doctors would clean and bandage the wound and hope for the best.

“Thanks to the many advances in diabetic foot care, patients today are having simpler surgeries, avoiding amputations, and getting back to everyday life sooner than ever before,” says Dr. Steinberg.

For more information or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. (StatePoint)

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Legislator Bontempi with Ms. Patricia Taylor’s Civics’ Class, at Harborfields High School in Greenlawn.
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Legislator Bontempi with Ms. Patricia Taylor’s Civics’ Class, at Harborfields High School in Greenlawn.
Legislator Bontempi with Ms. Patricia Taylor’s Civics’ Class, at Harborfields High School in Greenlawn.

On October 21, Suffolk County Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R – 18th L.D.) visited Harborfields High School, where she spoke with students in Ms. Taylor’s Civics class.

During her visit, Legislator Bontempi delivered an engaging presentation on the role of the Suffolk County Legislature. She explained the responsibilities of a Suffolk County Legislator, provided insight into her day-to-day work, discussed water quality initiatives and legislation on this year’s election ballot, as well as highlighted various community outreach programs offered by her office. Legislator Bontempi also guided students through the legislative process, from the inception of an idea to its passage as law.

The discussion included an opportunity for students to express their thoughts on school policies, such as the controversial “No Cell Phones in Class” rule. Legislator Bontempi encouraged students to think critically about how policies are formed, getting involved, and how they can influence their community.

“The students were incredibly thoughtful and engaged. It’s inspiring to see young people so interested in the civic process and government as a whole,” said Legislator Bontempi. “Their perspectives on policymaking are invaluable, as they will shape the future of our communities.”

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Stock photo

AARP New York is helping New Yorkers understand the options they have in this year’s election through a voter resource page with important information voters can use, including dates and deadlines, recent voting changes, and different ways people can cast their ballot. By making the voting process more accessible, this voter resource can encourage more people to get out to the polls this year.  

The AARP New York webpage – www.aarp.org/nyvotes – details all the dates New Yorkers need to know including when to register by, when early voting will take place, and when absentee ballots must be submitted. It also provides resources for people to check their registration status, learn how to request an early mail or absentee ballot, and find out more about the positions that will be up for election this year statewide.  

The site and resources are free to access for all, not only AARP members, making it a one-stop shop for anyone to reference and share with others. The information is written in clear, easy-to-understand language. The webpage is also available in Spanish at www.aarp.org/nyvota.  

Voters 50 and over are the driving force behind every election. AARP New York is calling on all candidates to pay attention to the issues that matter to them and their families. They’re not just voting; they’re grappling with the everyday challenges that come with caring for parents, siblings and other loved ones, and protecting their hard-earned Social Security. 

In the spirit of empowering voters, AARP New York has compiled a list of questions for constituents to ask candidates to learn their plans to tackle issues important to people 50 and over, including supporting family caregivers, bringing down the high costs of prescription drugs, protecting Social Security and fighting financial exploitation. This list can be found here.  

AARP New York is committed to keeping people informed and engaged in the voting process with these voting resources, along with other events and programming, including voter education tele-town halls and candidate forums throughout the state.  

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Pixabay photo
A Column Promoting a More Earth-Friendly Lifestyle

By John L. Turner

John Turner

As Halloween nears, countless front porches in neighborhoods throughout the North Shore will be adorned with pumpkins of many shapes, sizes and expressions. But soon, following Halloween but perhaps lasting until Thanksgiving, their use as ornaments to frighten, amuse, and delight will end and homeowners are faced with what to do with them. Nationally, this is no small issue, as the United States Department of Agriculture notes about one billion pounds of pumpkins are thrown away each fall. 

If you’re looking for a more environmentally beneficial alternative than putting pumpkins in your curbside trash where they can cause methane production problems, you can: 

1) Compost your pumpkins (breaking them into smaller pieces accelerates the composting process); 

2) If there’s a farm, petting zoo, or a neighbor with chickens, bring them your pumpkins to nourish their animals;

3) Leave the pumpkins in a back corner to feed squirrels and other backyard wildlife through the cold season; or

4) Consume them! Puree the flesh for soup, pie or pumpkin bread and roast and salt the seeds (high in several minerals).    

By following one of these practices you’ll conclude your celebration of the fall holiday season in a way that also celebrates the planet! 

A resident of Setauket, author John L. Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.

 

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Keepers of the Light portrayed by Rebecca Van Der Bogart, Haley Ogle, Caterina Vacchi Suzzi and Karen Wexler. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe
Rob Von Bernewitz leading the first tour. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe
Bianca Dresch as Mary Satterly Rowland & Aneka Carsten as Etta Rowland. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe
Bianca Dresch as Mary Satterly Rowland and Aneka Carsten as her daughter Etta. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe
From left, Steve Healy as Captain Benjamin Jones; Elizabeth Marra as Mary Swift Jones; and Chris De Francis as Egbert Bull Smith. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe
Top row from left, Holly Brainard, George Fear, Steve Healy, David Phyfe' second row, from left, Karen Lynch, Caterina Vacchi Suzzi, Ed Mcnamara, Chris De Francis, Morton Rosen, George Overin, Stephanie Carsten, Bianca Dresch; front row, from left, Haley Ogle, Karen Wexler, Rebecca Van Der Bogart, Aneka Carsten, Elizabeth Marra, and Rebecca Kassay. Photo by Kimberly Phyfe

By Kimberly Phyfe

The Three Village Historical Society (TVHS) celebrated its 30th Annual Spirits Graveyard Tour on Oct. 19.  The sold out event, titled Revolutionary Women: Living History/ Sharing Her Story, honored local women from as far back as 300 years ago who were revolutionary in their time.

TVHS Director Mari Irizarry commented on the staying power of three decades of this event. “We are so proud that the Spirits Tour has been running for thirty years, and grateful that the community continues to come out to enjoy this event! There is no shortage of incredible stories to tell of the people who lived, worked, died, and are buried here. With over three hundred years of history, there is something new to discover every time we put on a show!”

All eight scenes of the humorous, honest, and often heart-breaking women and men portrayed on the Spirits Tour were real people who lived in Setauket at one point in their lives. The majority of them are buried at Setauket Presbyterian Church or Caroline Episcopal Church, where the walking tour takes place every year.

As you wander Three Village and explore the historic sites, inspiration is everywhere. The theme for Revolutionary Women came up as traditionally, a woman’s place in history was in relation to the men around her. The Society wanted to give these women a chance to tell their own stories, many of them in their own words.

Rebecca Kassay was a first time actor in this year’s tour who wishes that everyone knew “that the spirits being portrayed were real people whose dynamic lives shaped the community we know and love today, and the Spirits Tour is a rare opportunity to hear their stories.”

When asked why she chose to get involved for the first time, Kassay stated “I’m grateful to be a part of the TVHS’s innovative efforts to bring history to life for audiences of all ages, connecting our past to our present, which helps to build a stronger future for our community.”

Elizabeth Marra is another first time actor on the Spirits Tour who noted that “our area is renowned for the contributions of local men in our revolutionary and seafaring history, but there were such beautiful, poignant, and inspiring women that history has forgotten. I enjoyed getting to know all of their stories.”

Marra spoke about her character that “the young woman I got to play, Mary Swift Jones — she was one of the first Americans (not just women) to see China and Japan. It was fascinating to think of the scale of the experience she must have had and how that must have sat with locals, especially for her time and being such a young woman.”

Mary Swift Jones and her husband, Captain Benjamin Jones, are both laid to rest at Setauket Presbyterian Church. Rob Von Bernewitz, long time tour guide and chair of the Cemetery Committee at TVHS, cleaned Mary’s headstone with permission for the special occasion.

While there were fresh faces joining the Tour this year, there were several long standing actors and guides who have been around for all three decades! Morton Rosen “has been performing in the tour ever since it was started 30 years ago! I have portrayed men who lived in our community in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Each time I learn something new that makes me proud to live in Setauket and it is a pleasure to share that pride with those who visit our spirits. It is so important for everyone to know that what we call history was generated by the people who lived here and created the stories we celebrate today.” Rosen portrayed Captain Gilbert Floyd in a scene with his granddaughter, Blanche Dominick played by Suzanne Velazquez.

George Overin has been part of the Spirits Tour since 2017. This year, he was Thomas Hodgkins, uncle of Emma S. Clark. “So many people came up to talk to me after the tour who love the library, but didn’t know anything about Emma, her uncle who founded it in her honor, or Emma’s revolutionary generosity in helping others! The Three Village Historical Society seeks to answer questions we maybe haven’t even thought to ask — and they do it all with knowledge, compassion, and by creating wonderfully memorable experiences!”

An incredibly special touch this year was the inclusion of the four female lighthouse keepers at Old Field Point Lighthouse. The Society worked with Old Field Point in 2023 to assist Trustee Rebecca Van Der Bogart on getting the lighthouse on the National Register of Historic Places. In the Spirits Tour, Van Der Bogart herself portrayed Elizabeth Shoemaker — the first female lighthouse keeper not only at Old Field Point, but in New York State history! Haley Ogle portrayed the longest serving female lighthouse keeper, Betsy Smith, along with Caterina Vacchi Suzzi as Mary Foster, and Karen Wexler as Amelia Jayne.

Choosing which spirits to include every year is a daunting task. First the Society creates a theme, then researches which people would best fit the narrative. Irizarry joked that “if we honored all the women we wanted to, the tour would have been several days long! Choosing which stories to include is a grueling process, and we end up saving many of the spirits for future years.”

The scripts were written and edited by Kimberly Phyfe and researched by TVHS Archives Fellow Kayleigh Smith. The Society invited two professional guest writers for the monologues: Camile Arnone wrote for Amelia Shepard Jones Clay and Stephanie Drewisis wrote for Thomas Hodgkins.

Mary Satterly Rowland’s script was comprised entirely in her own words, from journal entries in the society’s archives. The witch trials of Mary and Ralph Hall and Goody Garlick were shaped by Scott Ferrara’s book, Accused of Witchcraft in New York. 

The scene for Mary Swift Jones was heavily influenced by Bev Tyler’s new book Love and Letters from Japan which included many of Mary’s letters. Tyler will be presenting his book at the Society’s free monthly lecture series on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Setauket Neighborhood House.

The 30th Annual Spirits Graveyard Tour was sponsored by Annmarie’s Farm Stand, Luigi’s Pizzeria, Starbucks, Apple Bank and Stop & Shop in East Setauket. Chamber music was provided by students in the Ward Melville High School orchestra, and traffic assistance was given by the History Honor Society at WMHS. Special contributions were made by the Education Committee: Bev Tyler, Donna Smith, Lindsey Steward-Goldberg, Town of Brookhaven Historian Barbara Russell, and Spirits Tour Committee Chair Janet McCauley.

Three Village Historical Society would especially like to thank Setauket Presbyterian Church and Caroline Episcopal Church for their unwavering support of this sold-out event year after year!

Author Kimberly Phyfe is the Community Engagement Manager at the Three Village Historical Society.

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Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt Museum

Vanderbilt honors First Responders

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will welcome First Responders and their families as guests by offering them free general admission on National First Responders Day, Sunday, October 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. First responders will be asked for ID cards or proof of affiliation. (This includes police, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical service personnel.) 

“We thank and salute the first responders in our communities,” said Elizabeth Wayland-Morgan, Executive Director of the Vanderbilt. “They are our neighbors who respond bravely and immediately every day to protect us.”

For more information, visit vanderbiltmuseum.org.

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Pexels photo

By Bob Lipinski

Bob Lipinski

Anyone who enjoys cooking and creating gourmet dinners or just tinkering around the stove can transform dishes into Epicurean triumphs with wine. Chefs the world over know the value of wine and have been cooking with it daily, transforming the blandest of dishes into tasty treats. By replacing some of the liquid in the recipe with wine, you add another dimension of flavor. After all, wine is about 85 percent water, anyway.

It is not an exaggeration to say that wine will improve almost any dish; and there is nothing mysterious or complicated about using wine in cooking. Most people are reluctant to cook with wine because they don’t know which wines to use, or how to use them. Use a dry white or red wine for cooking, unless otherwise instructed by the recipe.

Cooking with wine won’t get you intoxicated (unless you’re sneaking sips from the open bottle), since heat causes the alcohol to evaporate. Alcohol vaporizes at a lower temperature than water, about 173° F.

To be certain the alcohol has evaporated, reduce the liquid to at least half. You can also pre-reduce the wine in a separate pan. Then you are not fighting time and temperature. This pre-reduced wine can be put in ice cube trays and frozen for future use.

Do not cook with wines that are spoiled. If you wouldn’t drink the wine by itself, then discard it. Using an inferior or spoiled wine risks ruining your ingredients and you make good food taste bad; the “off” flavors are transferred to the dish. Avoid using wines labeled “cooking wines,” because they are of a lower quality and usually contain added salt and potassium.

Pexels photo

There is no need to use an expensive wine for cooking. Inexpensive wines, including “wines in boxes” or “jug wines,” provide the same aroma and balance of flavors as do expensive wines. Wine is only one component in a dish and when it’s cooked, it marries with the other flavors in the food.

Finally, there is only one important objective to be realized, and that is to make a good dish taste even better. That’s what cooking with wine is all about. Experiment! Wine, not expensive to use, adds to your food’s taste, and makes for great table conversation.

Wine creates a relaxed and gracious atmosphere at the table and sets the scene for greater enjoyment of food, no matter how simple the menu may be. And remember to save a glass of wine for yourself to enjoy.

Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He consults and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR [email protected].

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