Yearly Archives: 2025

By Bill Landon

The Bulls of Smithtown West girl’s lacrosse made short work of Mattituck in a home game April 22,  peppering the scoreboard with 9 unanswered goals in the first 12 minutes of play before the Tuckers managed to get on the scoreboard. 

Three minutes into the second quarter the Bulls advantage grew to 10 goals, triggering the running clock rule that remained in effect the rest of the way.

The Bulls outplayed their visitors to capture an 18-6 victory in the Division II matchup.

Junior attack Alyssa Lorefice topped the scoring charts for the Bulls, dishing out 8 assists along with her scoring shot, teammates Kate Theofield split the pipes 5 times and Jolie Schiavo netted 4.

Maribella Marciano had a quiet night in net stopping 3.

The win lifts the Bulls to 9-1 with six games remaining before post season play begins.

 — Photos by Bill Landon 

Mint Julep. Pixabay photo

By Bob Lipinski

Bob Lipinski

The word julep can be traced back over 600 years and stems from the Arabic julab or Persian jul-ab, meaning “rosewater.” The term has been referenced in English literature as early as 1400, originally referring to “a syrup composed solely of water and sugar.” Prior to the founding of America, mint and sugar were already being combined with distilled spirits. Julep is also spelled julip in parts of the United States.

The mint julep has roots in Virginia. Englishman John Davis described the drink in his 1803 book “Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States” as “a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint steeped in it, taken by Virginians of a morning.” The true Southern-style mint julep coincided with the discovery of Kentucky bourbon whiskey around the late 1700s. It is speculated that prior to bourbon, rum, brandy and especially peach brandy were used.

The Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville reports that the mint julep became Churchill Downs’ (named after John and Henry Churchill) signature drink in 1938, the year they began serving it in souvenir glasses for 75 cents. The limited supply glasses became extremely popular and were coveted by collectors until 1974, when retail stores began selling the glasses in honor of the Derby’s 100th anniversary on May 17, 1875. The Kentucky Derby reports there are 120,000 mint juleps sold during the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby each year.

Another name for a small mint julep is a “smash;” a drink made from bourbon whiskey, or other distilled spirits, mixed with sugar and mint, which dates to the 1840s.

Some lovers of the mint julep were Edgar Allan Poe, U.S. Senator Henry Clay from Kentucky, and U.S. Presidents John Tyler and Theodore Roosevelt.

Mint Julip

Mint julep. Pexels photo

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon superfine sugar

3 to 4 sprigs of spearmint

1/2 teaspoon cool water

3 to 4 ounces bourbon whiskey

Crushed ice

Directions:

Place the superfine sugar into a shallow dish and add mint, barely covering this with water. Lightly crush the mint leaves and rub them around the rim of a julep glass and discard. Fill the cup 3/4 full of crushed ice and bourbon. Then add the crushed mint, sugar, and water mixture, and stir. On top of this, place several sprigs of mint dusted with powdered sugar. Wait about 30 seconds and all at once the cup or glass will become encrusted with a layer of white frost. Sip and 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].

By Julianne Mosher

SomeBUNNY should go see the most perfect springtime show now playing at Port Jefferson’s Theatre Three right away. The Adventures of Peter Rabbit might be geared for kids, but audiences of all ages will smile from ear to ear by the end of the hour-long show. 

Written by Jeffrey Sanzel and Brent Erlanson, the musical opened last week during Spring Break and will run through May 10. With original music by Kevin F. Story, the musical is based loosely on the beloved characters from The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.

The show starts off in the cute and cozy cottage home of Mrs. Rabbit (Elizabeth Ladd) and her three adorable bunnies — Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail (Cassidy Rose O’Brien, Julia Rose Albino and Katy Snair). There is, however, a fourth bunny, Peter (Ryan Worrell), who is a bit of a troublemaker, especially if he gets together with his cousin Benjamin Bunny (Ryan Van Nostrand). 

The two boys can’t stay away from the next door farm of Mr. and Mrs. McGregor’s garden (Louisa Bikowski and Liam Marsigliano), which is full of all of their favorite veggies to eat (or steal). Soon enough, Mr. McGregor, who’s “a meanie with a temper like a bear,” spies Peter and Benjamin sneaking tastes of lettuce, cucumbers and carrots and begins to plot his revenge. 

Interactive and exciting for the little ones in the crowd, there is always something to look at. For example, you may see Peter, his three sisters and their cousin run through the aisles, take a seat in the audience and even chat with you throughout the show. 

Colleen Britt directs a small cast of eight, but with a large level of talent. Worrell and Van Nostrand shine in the comedic roles of Peter and Benjamin. O’Brien, Albino and Snair are great additions with their timely, goody-two-shoes one liners and, of course, Mrs. Rabbit is equally as lovable. And even though they’re the antagonists as the farmers, you’ll still have a soft spot for Bikowski and Marsigliano, too. 

Plus, all of the songs and dances, with special mention to “Run Peter Run” and “Peter’s Socks,” are charming with Douglas J. Quattrock and Jeffrey Hoffman on the keyboards. The final number incorporates all of the songs in a super mega-mix extravaganza.

Costumes by Jason Allyn, from the bunnies’ spring dresses in pink, purple, green and red to their bunny ears and tails, are the carrots on the cake. And wait until you see the lighting and special effects!

Souvenir bunnies in various colors will be sold before the show and during intermission and the entire cast will be in the lobby after the show for a meet-and-greet and photos.

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Theatre Three, 412 Main St. Port Jefferson presents The Adventures of Peter Rabbit at 11 a.m. on April 26, April 27 (sensory-friendly performance), May 3 and May 10. Children’s theater continues with Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs from May 13 to June 21. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

By Sabrina Artusa

On a warm and sunny April 19, families gathered at the Smithtown Historical Society for an Easter egg hunt, live music, crafts and a petting zoo. 

Food trucks parked on the grounds and, during breaks from the scavenger hunt or racing in the mini trucks, children sat in the shade and enjoyed an ice cream. Sheep, ponies, goats and llamas received much attention from the curious children. Adults perused craft booths that vendors set up next to a small stage, where the band Perfect Strangers covered the classics. 

Children in their Easter best sat next to the Easter bunny and posed for pictures. Bunny ears bobbed across the expansive grounds as children ran from one activity to the next, enjoying the fresh air and Easter festivities. 

— Photos by Sabrina Artusa

Due to rain in the forecast for Saturday, the annual Spring Appreciation Day at the Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main St., Stony Brook has been rescheduled to Sunday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. offering a fun-filled afternoon for the whole family.  Visitors can enjoy a variety of entertainment and experiences during this free event, including:

  • Steppin’ Out Ponies & Petting Zoo (1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in front of D.K. Brothers): Children can interact with a variety of friendly animals.
  • Mustang & Shelby Club of Long Island Car Show (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. behind the Post Office): A spectacular display of Mustangs from 1964 to today, including classic models like the Shelby GT500, GT350, and the Boss 302. This event will also celebrate National Mustang Day, as MSCLI kicks off the season with up to 70 Mustangs on display. (MSCLI members must pre-register to participate; for more information, contact[email protected].)
  • Live Music by Brenda & Burke (noon to 4 p.m. at the Stony Brook Post Office): Enjoy an eclectic mix of R&B, Roots, Blues, and Contemporary Acoustic performances.
  • The Ward Melville Heritage Organization Youth Corps (1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Inner Court): Family-friendly scavenger hunt for all to enjoy. One lucky winner will win a Stony Brook Village gift certificate. Other prizes are available for each participant.
  • Stony Brook Fire Department (noon to 3 p.m. behind the Post Office): Meet local firefighters, explore a fire truck up close, and learn about volunteer opportunities. Giveaway items will be available for children and adults.

While enjoying the festivities, visitors can shop the latest spring styles with special deals at participating Stony Brook Village shops and dine at one of seven delicious restaurants in the open-air village center.

Spring Appreciation Day is sponsored by News 12 Long Island, Goldfish Swim School, and Renewal by Andersen. For more information, visit stonybrookvillage.com

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Celebrate the return of Spring and May Day with a painting workshop at The Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield, Suites 6 & 9, St. James on Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Image courtesy of The Atelier at Flowerfield

Did you know that May Day has its roots in astronomy? Traditionally, it was the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice! People around the world celebrate “Bringing in the May,” by gathering cuttings of flowering branches of forsythia, magnolia, redbud, lilac, or other flowering cuttings. At The Atelier, celebrate May Day by painting a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

At this workshop, you will learn about the water-based media Gouache, a method of painting with opaque watercolors. It’s similar to watercolor in that it can be re-wetted and dried to a matte finish, but gouache can give your work dense matte coverage as well as transparent and translucent surfaces just like watercolor. Enjoy learning how to use it both ways, as well as combining techniques to give you a beautiful range of color and pigment density. Your instructor, Beth Drucker, is a Professor, Designer, Artist, Writer, Editor, Instructor and Lecturer. She works in Gouache, Watercolor, Acrylics, Digital Art, Fabric and Fiber.

Ms. Drucker has been an Adjunct Professor of Fashion Design at Nassau Community College for 17 years. Ms. Drucker has worked as an Instructor for The Nassau County Department of Continuing Education, an Adjunct Professor at SUNY F.I.T., Parsons, The New School for Design, The Metropolitan Institute for Design, and (BOCES) The Long Island HS for the Arts. Beth has taught workshops at The Art League of Long Island, The Village Artist, Ripe Art Gallery, Gallery North, and Art and Soul Studio. She is currently judging a show at the suburban art league of Syosset. With Mother’s Day only a week later, what better way to celebrate!

The cost for this 3-hour workshop, which includes materials, is $95 per person. For your convenience, you may register online or call 631-250-9009.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Donovan Gilmartin drives home the winning run for the Cougars. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Centereach varsity baseball team has struggled to gain traction since opening day, searching for that elusive first win.

Deer Park struck first with a solo shot over the right field fence in the top of the third to take a 1-0 lead. Centereach short stop Anthony Gagliardi made it a new game in the bottom of the sixth when he drove home Nick Scraper to tie the game 1-1

Donovan Gilmartin’s bat delivered redemption for the Cougars in the bottom of the   seventh inning when he drove in the winning run to put a “W” in the win column defeating the visiting Falcons 2-1.

Centereach pitcher Ryan Maida tossed a complete game for his first varsity win, allowing one earned run in the league IV matchup Monday, April 21.

— Photos by Bill Landon 

Photo courtesy of ECLI-VIBES

On Saturday, April 12, ECLI-VIBES invited clients to celebrate Easter at its office in Islandia. Thanks to a heartwarming donation of 200 Easter baskets from community members, 93 families impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, or abuse were able to enjoy the event with their families, allowing each child to pick out their own Easter basket.

Photo courtesy of ECLI-VIBES

“The Easter event deeply touched me. Everything was done with care and kindness, which meant a lot to me and my daughter. It inspired me to want to give back in some way, even if I can only do a little. Knowing people are doing this kind of good work gives me hope,” said an ECLI-VIBES client.

Children also participated in different activities and photo opportunities, like other ECLI-VIBES events. Families attending enjoyed Easter-themed snacks, face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny, therapy dogs, and a planting activity. Volunteers and ECLI-VIBES staff were present to help these families experience the joy of spring.

“The joy displayed by these families illuminated the building,” shared Bilingual Senior Coordinator Danielle Gorman. “It was wonderful to see all the families engaged in the planned activities and excited to choose their Easter baskets.”

Photo courtesy of ECVLI-VIBES

ECLI-VIBES intentionally offers a unique experience that goes beyond traditional human services. Nevertheless, the organization aims to create memorable family experiences through holiday drives and events. This year’s Easter celebration featured themed photoshoots, animal interactions, and creativity-focused, hands-on activities.

“We could simply provide these families with an Easter basket and send them on their way. However, we love to create personal and engaging activities that will create lasting memories for them. We have seen that introducing activities brings more smiles and offers these families a sense of normalcy,” said Assistant Coordinator Gina Ocello.

Some families who signed up for the Easter event could not attend because of the weather. They will be contacted to pick up their baskets separately.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing violence or abuse, call the ECLI-VIBES 24-hour hope line at (631) 360-3606. To learn more about ECLI-VIBES and the services they provide, visit www.eclivibes.org.

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About ECLI-VIBES

ECLI-VIBES is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking and empower individuals to break free from the cycle of violence and abuse and achieve independence. They provide services such as a 24-hour hope line, counseling programs, advocacy assistance, legal assistance, a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) program, housing programs, and a fully-stocked community food pantry. To learn more about ECLI-VIBES and how you can get involved, please visit www.eclivibes.org.

On Thursday, April 17, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. honored John Cronin, founder of John’s Crazy Socks, with the Community Leadership Award in recognition of his hard work and dedication to entrepreneurship and advocacy for individuals with disabilities and neurodiversity. Sheriff Toulon presented the award to John and Mark Cronin during a special visit to their newly opened storefront in Farmingdale, celebrating both John’s business success and his commitment to making a difference.

Each month, Sheriff Toulon presents the Community Leadership Award to Suffolk County residents who go above and beyond to support their communities and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. To nominate someone for the Sheriff Toulon Community Leadership Award, please email: [email protected]

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William Dymond

Suffolk County Police arrested a code enforcement officer on April 16 after he allegedly falsely told a woman he could arrest her for driving while intoxicated but drove her home instead.

William Dymond was working as a Patchogue Village Code Enforcement officer on December 29 when he followed a woman he believed was driving while intoxicated and pulled over her vehicle in front of 482 North Ocean Ave. in Patchogue at approximately 5:20 a.m. Dymond performed field sobriety tests, placed the woman in handcuffs, and escorted her into his code enforcement vehicle. Dymond then drove her to her Centereach home.

Patchogue Village Code Enforcement officials became aware of the incident on March 15 and contacted the Suffolk County Police Department. Code enforcement officers are not authorized to perform DWI arrests.

Dymond, 33, of Medford, was arrested this morning and charged with Falsifying Business Records 1st Degree, a felony, Offering a False Instrument for Filing 1st Degree, a felony, Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd Degree, a misdemeanor, and Official Misconduct, a misdemeanor.

Dymond was terminated from employment last month. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of Dymond is asked to call the Fifth Squad at 631-854-8541.