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Photo courtesy New York State Parks Department

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) is advising motorists
to be prepared for heavy traffic on Friday, July 4,  between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. near
Governor Alfred E. Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park in Suffolk County.

Motor vehicle traffic on the following state parkways and state and local roadways in close proximity to the site may be affected, including:

• Northern State Parkway
• Sagtikos Parkway
• Southern State Parkway
• Sunken Meadow Parkway

Attendance at Sunken Meadow State Park for past Fourth of July holidays have caused morning and afternoon gridlock and serious traffic disruptions on the aforementioned roadways and tributaries. If possible, avoid Sunken Meadow and Sagtikos Parkways. Possible closings may occur at these locations due to heavy traffic.

Drivers wishing to avoid delays and possible road closures should avoid the Sunken Meadow
Parkway interchanges from mid-morning through late afternoon. Sunken Meadow State Park often fills to capacity. Park visitors may want to consider Heckscher State Park in East Islip as an alternative.

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Up next at the Argyle Theatre, 34 West Main Street in Babylon, is six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man, directed by Evan Pappas, choreographed by David Grindrod, with musical direction by Jonathan Brenner. Performances begin Thursday, July 10 and run through August 31.

The Music Man has been an American institution since it first marched onto Broadway in 1957. With book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, this family-friendly, feel-good musical is packed with rousing marches, heartwarming ballads, barbershop quartets, and a story that’s equal parts funny, romantic, and touching.

Set in River City, Iowa, the show follows fast-talking salesman Harold Hill as he cons the townsfolk into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he has no intention of organizing. But Harold’s schemes hit an unexpected chord when he falls for the town’s skeptical librarian, Marian Paroo—who may just teach him a thing or two about integrity, love, and the transformative power of music.

“The Music Man is joyous, nostalgic, and deeply human,” said Artistic Director and Director Evan Pappas. “It reminds us of the beauty in community and the magic that happens when we believe in something—even if it starts with a bit of mischief.”

The cast is led by Elliott Litherland* (Argyle’s: Beauty and the Beast, Carousel, Opera North) as Harold Hill and Natalie Duncan* (International: The Sound of Music) as Marian Paroo, with Paul J. Hernandez (Disney Cruise: Frozen, Aladdin) as Marcellus Washburn, Steve McCoy* (National Tour: Monty Python’s Spamalot,) as Mayor Shinn, Bevin Bell-Hall (NYC: Swingtime Canteen) as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, Kara Mikula* (Off-Broadway: A Man of No Importance) as Mrs. Paroo, Evan K. Latta (Regional: Something Rotten) as Tommy Djilas, Katie Gwen Morris (Regional: A Christmas Carol: AGSOC) as Zaneeta, Chris Donovan (Argyle’s: Fiddler on the Roof) as Charlie Cowell. The ensemble features Ben Adair(Regional: Cabaret), Carlyn Barenholtz (Argyle’s Fiddler on the Roof), Evan Ellis Blackwell (National Tour: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas), Kyra Lynn Burke (National Tour: GIRLS NIGHT: The Musical, Argyle’s A Christmas Carol), Anna Anhui Chin (The New Jack Cole Dancers), Ollie Cirelli (Argyle’s: Bye Bye Birdie), Maya Jane Galipeau(Regional: West Side Story), Ayaan Geer (Regional: The Polar Express), Ben Hahn (Regional: Bye Bye Birdie), Shea Hager (Regional: The Wedding Singer), Jared Houde (Regional: Hairspray), Tim Hotchkin (NYC: Freedom’s Last Stand), Garrison Hunt (Argyle’s: A Christmas Carol the Musical, Beauty and the Beast), Coulby Jenkins (Regional: Rock of Ages, Argyles Fiddler on the Roof), Miranda Noelle Jones (Regional: No, No, Nanette), Madelynn Justice (Regional: Shrek),  Jessica Mae Murphy (Regional: The Miracle Worker), Tyler Renaud (Argyle’s: A Christmas Carol), with Saki Masuda* (National Tour: The King and I) as Dance Captain/Swing, Jackson Gifford (Regional: Charlie Brown Christmas) as Swing, and Nikki Rinaudo-Concessi (Regional: Argyle’s Mamma Mia!, A Christmas Carol) as Swing.

(*Members of Actors’ Equity Association)

The creative team includes Scenic Design by Elizabeth Olson, Lighting Design by David Sexton, Costume, Wig, Hair & Makeup Design by Amanda Scanze (with assistant Holly Romero), Sound Design by Kimberly O’Loughlin (with Peter Papangelopoulos, Assistant), Props Design by Callie Hester, and Music Coordination by Russell Brown. Daniel Vaughn* serves as Production Stage Manager, with Gabrielle P. Guagenti*, Katelyn Chiappone, and Gabby Duarte as Assistant Stage Managers. Technical Director is Pat Downes. Casting is by Michael Cassara, CSA.

Performance schedule is Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m,  Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.,  Saturday matinees at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets for The Music Man range from $70 to $90 and may be purchased online at www.argyletheatre.com or by calling 631-230-3500.

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Photo courtesy of America's VetDogs

As Independence Day celebrations begin by breaking out the grills, lawn chairs and festive food, America’s VetDogs of Smithtown wants to remind pet owners that fireworks can be scary to your four legged friends and can send them into a panic. With a little planning and the below tips, you can ensure your pets can enjoy the holiday, just as much as you do.

  • Create a safe place for your pet indoors by finding a room or area they are tucked away from loud booms of fireworks, preferably without windows can be helpful. Playing soft music or putting on the TV can help muffle the sounds of fireworks. Draw any blinds or shades to reduce the amount of bright flashes into the room. Remove any items in the room that your pet could chew or ingest, as animals can become destructive when frightened or stressed.
  • Exercise your pet earlier in the day before any planned celebrations. By getting the energy out, they’ll have less to exert if they become anxious during fireworks.
  • Feed your pet their meal an hour or two prior to the firework celebration. This could help them feel relaxed before celebrations begin.
  • Provide appropriate and pet safe distractions by cuddling or playing with them during fireworks. Stuffing a Nylabone or KONG with peanut butter, kibble or pumpkin and freezing it can help divert their attention and focus on licking the toy over the celebrations in the background.
  • Make sure your pet has proper ID. To prevent your pet from going missing, make sure your pet always wears an ID tag with your up-to-date contact information.
  • As a reminder, fireworks can be stressful on veterans suffering from PTSD in your area. Please be considerate of your neighbors by not setting them off late at night or close to their homes.

For more pet care tips, visit vetdogs.org

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The community gathers for free outdoor concerts at the Stony Brook Village Center every summer.
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s much-anticipated Summer Concert Series returns to the Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main St., Stony Brook this weekend. The series kicks off on July 6 at 7 p.m. with a performance by One Step Ahead in front of the Stony Brook Post Office. Following this, the concerts will continue at 7 p.m. every Sunday from July 13 to August 17. Bring seating. In the event of rain, the concerts will be canceled.
Concert lineup:

July 6th – One Step Ahead – One Step Ahead is a high-energy band with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry.

July 13th – The Dance Mechanics – The Dance Mechanics are an extraordinary 12-piece band hailing from Kings Park, NY.

July 20th – The Rustlers – A dynamic group delivering classic and contemporary country and rock and roll hits.

July 27th – NuGroove – NuGroove is a genre-blending band from Long Island that fuses disco, Motown, rock, country, pop, and today’s hits into high-energy mashups.

August 3rd – High Note – High Note plays Reggae, R&B, Rock and Dance music from your favorite bands!

August 10th – Common Ground – Travel back in time with classic hits from the 1980s MTV Generation.

August 17th – Just Sixties Band – Enjoy the timeless tunes of the longest-running sixties tribute band in the United States.

The Summer Concerts are generously sponsored by Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright and the office of Economic Development and Planning and Stony Brook Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals.
For more information, visit wmho.org or contact 631-751-2244.

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Police car stock photo

Suffolk County Police arrested two women on June 30 during a massage parlor raid in East Northport.

In response to community complaints, Second Precinct Investigative Unit officers, in conjunction with
the Human Trafficking Unit, the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Ordinance Inspectors, conducted
an investigation into LJ Garden Spa Inc., located at 2090 Jericho Turnpike, and arrested two employees.

Xia Ji, 48, of Flushing, and Baolian Qin, 49, of Little Neck, were charged with Unauthorized Practice of
a Profession, a felony, and Prostitution, a misdemeanor.

The Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Code Enforcement Inspectors issued several violations and
are conducting a further investigation into the business.

Both women were issued Desk Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District
Court in Central Islip on a later date.

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Photo from SCPD
Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers and Town of Smithtown Harbor Master officers rescued two kayakers who were treading water in the Long Island Sound after their kayak sank on June 30.

Roger Daniel Ramos Galo and Manfredo Garcia fell off a kayak in the Long Island Sound. Galo had a
cell phone in water-proof casing and called 911 at 5:10 p.m. Utilizing information from Galo’s 911 call
and from witnesses, Harbor Master Officers Dylan Harris and Bill Rohr first located the men in the
water and were able to pull Galo, who was wearing a life jacket, from the water at approximately 5:30
p.m. Galo was approximately a mile northeast of Sunken Meadow Beach.

Marine Bureau Officers Joseph Lanzisera and Claudio Barrios, were operating Marine Bravo and
rescued Garcia, who was not wearing a life jacket and was approximately 1⁄2 mile to 3⁄4 of a mile north of Sunken Meadow Beach in Kings Park at approximately 5:30 p.m.

They were both brought to the dock at Kings Park Bluff and checked out by first responders but declined
further medical treatment.

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Gas pump. METRO photo

Gasoline prices are a little lower after a tumultuous week for oil and gas markets that ultimately ended with sharply lower crude oil prices and less pressure on prices at the pump. This is good news for drivers heading into the Fourth of July holiday travel period, as local pump prices remain considerably lower than this time last year.

With virtually all the crude oil price increases stemming from Middle East tensions evaporating from petroleum markets by the middle of last week, the focus for commodities traders shifted to domestic supply and demand readings that show demand for gasoline continues to increase — but supplies remain strong as well.

The Energy Information Administration last week reported a third straight weekly increase in gasoline demand, which rose nearly 400,000 barrels a day over the prior week to 9.1 million barrels per day, in line with expectations for strong demand typically seen in early summer.

That higher demand was a factor in national inventories of gasoline declining by 2.1 million barrels in total, according to the EIA, which might put additional upward pressure on pump prices. But in the Northeast, regional inventories actually increased by just over 2 million barrels, bucking the national trend. Regional supplies are now up 3.2 million barrels over last year and comfortably positioned ahead of the July 4 holiday and the next few peak weeks of the summer driving season.

“Recent geopolitical events showcased the volatile nature of oil and gas markets, but right now supply and demand are the primary factors impacting how much it costs to fill our tanks,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “While regional pump prices are up slightly from a month ago, they remain more than 40 cents lower per gallon than this time last year — great news for those heading out for Fourth of July road trips.”

AAA Northeast’s June 30 survey of fuel prices found the average for a gallon of regular in New York City $3.21, a penny lower than a week ago. The price is 42 cents less than a year ago. Long Island averages $3.13, Connecticut $3.17 and New Jersey also $3.17.

The current national average is down 4 cents from last week averaging $3.18 per gallon. Today’s price is 31 cents lower than last year ($3.49). 

Today, Mississippi and Oklahoma have the lowest prices in the nation at $2.71 and $2.73, respectively. California and Hawaii hold the highest prices in the nation this week at $4.59 and $4.47, respectively.

AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing nearly 6.8 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.  

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Police car. Stock photo

Suffolk County Police Fourth Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that seriously
injured a motorcyclist in Lake Ronkonkoma on June 29.

Enes Hurol was operating a 2014 Triumph 999 motorcycle southbound on Lake Shore Road when he
crashed into the front driver’s side of a southbound 2025 Honda Civic as it was turning left onto Lincoln
Road at approximately 9 p.m.

Hurol, 20, of Ronkonkoma, was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of serious
injuries. The driver of the Honda, Marialena Psaltis, 27, of Ronkonkoma, was not injured. Both vehicles
were impounded for safety checks.

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact the Fourth Squad at 631-854-8452.

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Police car

Suffolk County Police Third Squad detectives are investigating a motor vehicle crash that killed one
pedestrian and critically injured another in Central Islip on June 28.

Giovanni Guzman was driving a 2008 Nissan northbound on Wilson Boulevard when the vehicle struck
two pedestrians who were walking in the roadway, just south of St. Johns Street, at 11:59 p.m. on June
28.

Jacinto Santos, 55, of Central Islip, was transported to South Shore University Hospital where he was
pronounced dead. Mauro Zaldivar-Cruz, 38, of Central Islip, was also transported to South Shore
University Hospital where he was admitted in critical condition.Guzman, 26, of Central Islip, was not injured and the Nissan was impounded for a safety check.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this crash to call the Third Squad at 631-854-8352.

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Oliver Aravena: Most Fish Caught Award
Evie Filandro: Most Fish Caught Award
Vincent Suarino: Largest Other Fish Award
Asher Rogienski: Largest Panfish Award
Dillian Dubeau: Largest Other Fish Award
Tom Tokosh
Connor Biddle: Largest Panfish Award pictured with judge Ed Koehler
From left, judge Veronica Belanger, volunteer Mary Belanger, and volunteer Laura Van Tassell
Mikayla Blersch. 1st Fish ever caught
Grady McHugh reeling in a fish
Easton Hodge fishing.

Press release submitted by the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve

Despite the rain, 45 junior anglers participated in the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve Junior Angler Tournament on Saturday, June 7.

The Friends group hosted two catch-and-release fishing competitions at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve in Smithtown. The first session included 5- to 8-year-olds in the morning, and the second in the afternoon, 9- to 12-year-olds.

Throughout the day, the junior anglers caught a total of 35 fish, according to Tom and Carol Tokosh, who run the Junior Angler Tournament every year. The variety of fish included pumpkinseed sunfish, which is a pan fish, and bass.

Morning winners included Evie Filandro for most fish caught, Asher Rogienski for largest panfish, and Vincent Suarino for largest other fish. In the afternoon, Oliver Aravena received the trophy for most fish caught; Connor Biddle won largest panfish; and Dillian Dubeau won largest other fish.

Despite the weather, Tom Tokosh said, “Planning ahead made an enjoyable time for the Junior Anglers and their families.”

Participants in the tournament borrowed rods from the Friends group or brought their own. Tom Tokosh spent time making sure that the rods and reels were ready for the children to use. Carol Tokosh added fishing is a way to spend quality time together, and many families told her they had a fun day of fishing. At one point in the tournament, she asked a child if they caught a fish, and who said “no.”

“I asked if they were having fun, and the response was ‘yes’ with a smile,” Carol Tokosh said. “Many of the children were participants from previous years. There were many children fishing for the first time, and for others, it was the first fish they ever caught. It was wonderful to see the excitement on a child’s face when they caught a fish, and their families were also excited.”

A fishing rod/reel was raffled after each session, which was donated by Campsite Sports Store. In the morning session, a rod/reel and fishing backpack was donated in memory of Mike D’Agostino, who was one of the co-founders of the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve as well as one of the founders of the Junior Angler Tournament and photographer for the tournament. In the afternoon session, the Friends group raffled off a fishing backpack, which was donated in memory of Peter Paquette, the past treasurer of the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve, who was also a judge for the Junior Angler Tournament.

Catherine Hart, founder of Long Island Junior Anglers, brought a few of the new club’s members to the event: Mason (12), Arden (11), Katie (11), Charlie (10) and Henley (5). She described the tournament as “an unforgettable experience for kids and families across Long Island.

“From start to finish, the event was incredibly well-organized and welcoming — thanks to the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve, who truly go above and beyond to create a fun, educational, and supportive environment for young anglers,” she said, adding that such an event was “about more than just catching fish. They’re about getting kids outside, helping them connect with nature, and building confidence through hands-on learning. For many of our junior anglers,this was a highlight of their summer.”

All participants received goodie bags containing information about fishing and the preserve as well as word search puzzles, a park activity book and other fishing items.

Carol and Tom Tokosh said they were grateful for the Caleb Smith State Park Preserve staff for getting the park ready for the tournament and providing the worms for fishing. “We would also like to thank the volunteers from the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve, judges, volunteers, Campsite Sports Shop and Bob from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.” The couple added they are already planning for next year’s event. “Until next year, have fun fishing.”

Children under the age of 15 are welcomed to fish at Willow Pond at Caleb Smith Preserve Park from April through October. For more information, call 631-265-1054. 

— Photos by Carol Tokosh

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