Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow, members of the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, staff members and friends joined owners Jessica and Peter Ciofrone in celebrating the 10th anniversary and expansion of ‘Bounce The Salon by Bridal Rush’ on July 20. Located at 148 Mariners Way in the heart of the Village, the salon offers hair and makeup for all formal occasions with a specialty in bridal events with on-location, destination and in studio appointments. For more information, call 631-331-7221 or visit www.bridalrush.com.
From left, Store Manager Emely Acosta, 7th Precinct Inspector William Doherty, Legislator Sarah Anker, and District Manager Rachel Gregory at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Photo courtesy of Leg. Anker's office
On July 27th, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker attended the ALDI grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for their new location in Rocky Point in the Crossroads Plaza East at 75 Route 25A.
“The Rocky Point ALDI will be a tremendous addition to our community,” said Legislator Anker. “Their commitment to fresh produce and affordable pricing means that we will have more options for local, healthy food choices.”
Legislator Anker greeted the crowd before the grand opening, thanking them for attending and coming out for the ceremony. She also assisted the Store Manager Emely Acosta with the ribbon cutting. After, Legislator Anker and her Chief of Staff Dorothy Cavalier greeted patrons in the store and spoke with District Manager Rachel Gregory about the company’s commitment to sustainability and affordability. This is the 13th ALDI store on Long Island.
“ALDI-exclusive brands make up 90% of what we offer, many of them being award winners! We removed certified synthetic colors from all of our exclusive brand food products opting to use plant-based color ingredients, such as beet juice, paprika and turmeric,” said Chris Daniels, Division Vice President. “These reformulated products are the exact same high-quality and taste shoppers expect from ALDI-exclusive brands. We look forward to providing Rocky Point shoppers with unmatched value on all of our quality food and products.”
Stuart B. Almer, President and CEO, Gurwin Healthcare System, and 2023 Gurwin Celebration Gala Honoree Arthur Katz
Attendees of the 2023 Gurwin Celebration Gala. Photo courtesy of Gurwin
Chair of the Board of Directors Bert Brodsky speaks at the 2023 Gurwin Celebration Gala
Attendees of the 2023 Gurwin Celebration Gala. Photo courtesy of Gurwin
Attendees of the 2023 Gurwin Celebration Gala. Photo courtesy of Gurwin
More than 200 people attended the annual Gurwin Healthcare System Celebration Gala at The Royalton on the Greens in Melville recently, honoring individuals who have made a significant impact in the Gurwin Community.
“We celebrate our community members, staff, board members, and those who have worked tirelessly to spread Gurwin’s mission of providing the highest quality health care services in a warm, loving, secure and dignified environment,” said Stuart B. Almer, President and CEO of Gurwin Healthcare System.
Arthur Katz, Founder of Knockout Pest Control, Inc. was the recipient of the 2023 Corporate Honoree Award. Mr. Katz has been a longtime advocate and supporter of Gurwin since the original nursing home welcomed its first resident in 1988.
In addition, the Joseph Gurwin Award was presented posthumously to five past board members, individuals who exemplify the qualities of leadership, vision, passion, philanthropy, and the ability to inspire others. Harriet Becker, Rosalyn C. Gordon, Alfred W. Levy, Howard L. Phillips and Lawrence J. Simon all were instrumental in building Gurwin’s vision that shaped the organization’s growth over the past 35 years.
“We honor Arthur, Harriet, Roz, Al, Howard and Larry as partners who have helped us succeed along our journey of serving thousands of residents and their families over more than 3 decades,” said Bert Brodsky, Chair of the Board of Directors at Gurwin Healthcare System.
“We are proud to celebrate our achievements as a community, remember the legacies of those who are no longer with us, and look forward to caring for generations well into the future.”
Fresh Water Pearl Flower Earrings by Jeanette Leonard
For the month of August, the Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook Village is showcasing the work of beach glass and jewelry designer Jeanette Leonard.
It is not surprising that Leonard, who grew up on the North Shore in Lloyd Harbor and now resides on the South Shore in Blue Point, has found a passion in designing jewelry from nature’s beach glass.
Hand Drilled Beach Pottery Necklace by Jeanette Leonard
A graduate of FIT, Leonard received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and focused on women’s tailoring (coats and suits) and knitwear. She spent a semester in England studying knitwear. Jeanette worked in Manhattan for ten years as a technical designer and then as a fashion designer. During this time, she would design and embellish tops for women. She frequented the bead stores and started making jewelry.
Leonard began wire-wrapping sea glass after a friend found a piece of sea glass and asked her to make a piece of jewelry for his girlfriend. After a period of trial and error, she successfully mastered the art of wire wrapping beach glass into jewelry.
“I am inspired by the ocean and the treasures found there. I find natural things most beautiful just the way they are in their natural state. To create pieces from fresh water pearl, genuine sea glass, beach pottery, shells and coral gives me an easy jumping off point for my designs. I love the colors that sea glass can be, I love the frosted look the ocean turns into, I love the iridescent luster that pearl and shells have. For me the imperfect is perfect,” she said.
Wire Wrapped Sea Glass Necklace by Jeanette Leonard
Leonard sources her beach glass and pearls form some Long Island beaches, mostly brown, white and green, but the blue and other unusual colors are purchased online. The driftwood is also from Long Island beaches and some is bought in California.
“As an artist, it means a great deal to be on display at the Reboli Center and to be the Artist of the Month!”
Leonard is the founder of Blue Harbor Jewelry and, the Gallery Director at the Bay Area Friends of the Fine Arts (BAFA) in Sayville, where she arranges for artists or groups to exhibit their work each month. She also sells her jewelry at art shows.
“This is the first time that the Reboli Center is offering beach glass jewelry at the Design Shop and it is a perfect fit, as we are located on Stony Brook Harbor. Jeanette’s designs are beautiful and the pieces so exquisite, we are thrilled to exhibit her work during August,” said Lois Reboli, founder and president of the Reboli Center.
The Reboli Center for Art and History, located at 64 Main Street, Stony Brook, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information please call 631-752-7707 or visit www.rebolicenter.org.
Mather Hospital, 75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson was rated as high-performing in four adult specialties and two procedures and conditions by U.S News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best Hospitals rankings. Mather was rated as high performing in:
Gastroenterology & GI surgery
Geriatrics
Orthopedics
Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
Heart Failure
Kidney Failure
Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital was ranked No. 1 in the state and in the top 20 hospitals in the nation. Two other Northwell hospitals placed in the top 10 in state rankings, and dozens of programs across the health system were highly ranked. Overall, eight Northwell hospitals were ranked among the best in New York. North Shore University Hospital tied for the best hospital in the state. Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan was ranked No. 5, and Long Island Jewish Medical Center tied for No. 6.
Now in its 34th year, Best Hospitals evaluates hospitals in more than 30 medical and surgical services, with the objective of providing patients with data-driven decision tools. U.S. News said that to keep pace with consumers’ needs and the ever-evolving landscape of health care, several refinements are reflected in the 2023-2024 Best Hospitals rankings and ratings.
The 2023-2024 rankings highlight 484 Best Regional Hospitals that deliver high-quality treatment across many areas of care. Of those, 22 hospitals are named to a national Honor Roll for demonstrating exceptional breadth of excellence across clinical specialties.
This year's event will raise funds for the ongoing restoration of the Stony Brook Grist Mill. Photo courtesy of WMHO
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization has announced a new self-guided stroll, the Stony Brook Grist Mill Audio Experience.
The Stony Brook Grist Mill Audio Experience is $3 and can be accessed at anytime, anywhere. To start your tour, scan QR codes outside of the mill, or visit audio.stonybrookvillage.com.
Immersing themselves in the story of the most fully operational mill on Long Island, participants will learn about the 320+ year-old Stony Brook Grist Mill from its construction to today. Discovering the mill’s history, tour-goers will learn of the structure’s construction, owners, operators, its surprising role as one of Long Island’s “firsts” and more.
Located at 100 Harbor Road in Stony Brook Village, the grist mill is listed on the National and New York State Register of Historic Places.
The Stony Brook Grist Mill Audio Experience is the second audio tour offered by Stony Brook Village. Currently, the FREE Stony Brook Audio Experience has 14 stops, and covers the history and the quirky stories from the Three Village Inn’s original residents to the entire development of Stony Brook Village Center. It is recommended that participants of the experience begin at the recently restored Hercules Pavilion.
Additional stories will be added soon, including the T. Bayles Minuse Mill Pond Park, and the Country House Restaurant (c.1710). To start a tour, scan QR codes throughout the village, or visit audio.stonybrookvillage.com.
To learn more about events and activities in Stony Brook Village Center, please visit stonybrookvillage.com or call 631-751-2244.
The Port Jefferson Rotary Club and “Call Brian” Senior Services will sponsor a Friends of the Pantry Food, Personal Care Items & Back to School Drive for the Open Cupboard Pantry at Infant Jesus Church, 110 Hawkins St., Port Jefferson on Sunday, August 6 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Currently the pantry is in extreme need of juice, pancake mix (complete), pancake syrup, macaroni & cheese, pasta, pasta sauce, canned tuna, canned chicken, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, Maseca flour, cooking oil, Chef Boyardee canned meals, cereal, jelly, hot chocolate, evaporated milk, almond milk, canned mixed vegetables, coffee and healthy snacks.
They are also in need of personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner and size 6 diapers and back to school items including mechanical pencils, blue and black pens, post-it notes, dry erase markers and lined 3×5 index cards. Grocery store gift cards and cash also accepted.
Please help them help those in need during these difficult times. For more information, call 631-938-6464.
The tour and demonstrations at Canon Americas headquarters provided insight into AMLOS and Kokomo software as well as education regarding the industry. Photo courtesy of Canon U.S.A.
The tour and demonstrations at Canon Americas headquarters provided insight into AMLOS and Kokomo software as well as education regarding the industry. Photo courtesy of Canon U.S.A.
The tour and demonstrations at Canon Americas headquarters provided insight into AMLOS and Kokomo software as well as education regarding the industry. Photo courtesy of Canon U.S.A.
In a continued effort to support higher education and make an impact on the local community, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, hosted students from Stony Brook University onJuly 19 at its Canon Americas headquarters in Melville.
The group of 35 international students, who are enrolled in a master of science in technology management (MSTM) program, were provided a tour of the showroom. A demonstration followed for AMLOS (Activate My Line of Sight), a software-and-camera product suite designed to provide a new level of engagement for collaboration across multiple locations using the power of Canon’s image processing technology, along with hand gesture controls.
Students also saw the Kokomo software — Canon’s first application for a virtual reality (VR) platform1 that enables face-to-face communication in a virtual space with live-action video using easy-to-use equipment — with a presentation that closed the live event.
Canon’s guest speakers also provided information about Canon U.S.A., Inc.’s contribution to the industry and addressed questions from students.
“The presentation was outstanding and the students were impressed at how the Canon representatives were able to take complex situations and technology and explain it in a straight-forward and clear manner,” said Robert Ettl, a Stony Brook professor of marketing who attended the event. “It was amazing to see all the developments in the consumer and industrial markets and our students learned a lot from our trip to Canon.”
As part of their degree requirements, students earn six of the 36 total credits required at the New York Residence Program at Stony Brook University during their three weeks visiting the Empire State from South Korea. The program is in its 22nd year.
The collaboration between Canon and Stony Brook continues a strong connection that includes Canon’s annual sponsorship of the Japan Center Essay Competition Awards Ceremony, which honors students for work that demonstrates their awareness and understanding of the Japanese culture.
“We were delighted to host the students from Stony Brook University and provide information about our industry and Canon’s exciting initiatives,” said Lisa Chung,director, talent acquisition, university relations and diversity and inclusion at Canon U.S.A., Inc.
“Teaching about our proud history with a tour of our showroom – and providing live demonstrations of AMLOS and Kokomo — helped reinforce our commitment to higher education, collaborative solutions and virtual reality and hopefully provided strong insights into the industry for those interested in developing their professional skills,” she said.
Heather Banoub, Assistant Director of Communications for the Office of Government and Community Affairs at New York University (NYU), has been appointed Assistant Vice President of Community Relations for Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine.
Effective July 27, Banoub will lead Stony Brook’s efforts to engage with surrounding communities and collaborate with local organizations. She will also manage marketing and personnel for the University and Hospital Community Relations Office.
“Heather’s deep background in community relations and her solutions-focused ability to engage on and off campus partners around the issues that matter to the broader community will make her an excellent addition to our campus community,” said Judy Greiman, Chief Deputy to the President/Senior Vice President for Government and Community Relations. “Please join me in congratulating Heather and welcoming her to our campus.”
Banoub’s accomplishments during her nine years at NYU include generating an outreach framework and standards for construction that enabled renovations in more than 2,000 faculty apartments, serving as the primary spokesperson for the campus’ physical expansion plan that included construction of academic space, faculty and student housing, a new athletic facility and public open spaces, and developing the Urban Farm Lab, an experimental classroom for urban agriculture studies that was approved by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Banoub has also worked in government and nonprofit agencies, which included serving as a community liaison and caseworker for Congressman Gary L. Ackerman. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, politics and law from Binghamton University and a Master of Public Administration in public and nonprofit management from NYU, where she spent nine months as a project associate focused on advocacy process improvements with the United Nations’ NGO Working Group on Women, Peace, and Security.
Banoub’s arrival follows the retirement of her predecessor, Joan Dickinson, who contributed more than a decade of service to Stony Brook and will continue teaching in the Honors College while leading the university’s efforts this year to bring back its popular CommUniversity Day which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23.
TAKE A BOW: Above, the winners of this year's Stony Brook Film Festival. Photo from Staller Center.
THE BASICS OF LOVE
2023 CLOSING NIGHT SHORT
CHIPPER
2023 JURY AWARD FOR BEST SHORT
STUCK
2023 AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT
FRIENDS FROM HOME
2023 SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING
FRIENDS FROM HOME
2023 SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING
WHERE THE ROAD LEADS
2023 SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING
YES REPEAT NO
2023 JURY AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE
Winners of this year's Stony Brook Film Festival with festival founder Alan Inkles. Photo from Staller Center
The 28th annual Stony Brook Film Festival, presented by Island Federal Credit Union, wrapped up with a Closing Night Awards Ceremony on July 29.The evening recognized the outstanding new independent films screened at the festival, which was held at Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University from July 20 to 29.
With hundreds of artists creating 36 films from 26 countries, the Stony Brook Film Festival became a hub for some of the best filmmakers working today, a meeting ground for favorite actors and rising stars, and a showcase of new masterpieces. Of those 36 films, 11 received awards.
Yes Repeat No, a challenging and engaging meta masterpiece, won the Jury Award for Best Feature. Director Michael Moshe Dahan was in attendance for both the screening and to receive his award. “Thank you to all of the people who believe in human rights and democracy all over the world … and to all the people who want to make difficult material all over the world because finding the questions to ask is sometimes harder than getting the answers,” Dahan said in his acceptance speech.
Two feature films won the audience’s hearts, resulting in two winners for this year’s Audience Choice Award for Best Feature: The Grandson, a charged thriller that boasts “revenge is a dish best served old,” and First Snow of Summer, a masterfully shot and magical romance in a whimsical setting, came out on top.
The Grandson‘s director Kristóf Deák could not be at the Festival to accept his award but remarked, “I couldn’t be happier that The Grandson won the audience award at this year’s Stony Brook Film Festival. I feel a special connection to U.S. audiences since my short film Sing won the Academy Award in 2017. That film’s festival journey also began with audience awards, and for a filmmaker like me who makes his films for audiences, first and foremost, it remains the most important praise.”
“Because it may lead to discussions about how we treat the elderly in our society, I hope [The Grandson]is a testament to how we should never ‘write them off’ as useless. I want to thank my wonderful cast, crew, co-writer, and wife for making this film with me,” said Deák
First Snow of Summer, in its North American premiere, was another beautiful and poignant film from German Sales Team, Picture Tree International. Festival Founder and Director Alan Inkles has been working with Founder/Co-Managing Director of Picture Tree, Andreas Rothbauer, for several years and this is the second consecutive year one of their films has won the Audience Choice Award, with last year’s biting dark comedy, Contra, taking home the same prize.
“You can feel the warmth and genuineness of this new German film, and the audience in our full house screening of First Snow of Summer obviously agreed … the film has a ‘fantasy-like Amelie’ feel to it, and is ripe for a U.S. theatrical run,” said Inkles after the awards ceremony. “One of our goals with the Festival is to get these independent films in front of distributors to help reach larger audiences throughout America,” he added, and said he plans to continue working with Andreas to make that happen.
The Spirit of Independent Filmmaking is awarded to filmmakers that utilize a uniquely indie lens to bring their incredible stories to life. A first in the Festival’s history, this category was awarded to two different features: Friends From Home, a quietly hilarious cross-country odyssey by New York filmmakers, and Where the Road Leads, a Serbian film about a sleepy village brought to life with subtle humor and masterfully directed.
“If you told us we would be watching our film on a 40-foot-screen, we wouldn’t have believed you, and this was awesome,” said Mike Koslov of Friends From Home. “We just tried to make a film as honest and close to the heart as we could,” said Joe Blank, co-writer and director of the film. Both flew in from LA for their screening and the awards ceremony.
Director Nina Ognjanovic traveled from Serbia to be here in person for her screening of Where the Road Leads and for the awards ceremony. Ognjanovic praised the film festival at the ceremony for showing her film to over 400 attendees and for recognizing her work.
The Jury Award for Best Short went to Chipper, while the Audience Award for Best Short went to Stuck.
Director and lead actor of Chipper, Shaun MacLean, and Jayson Warner Smith, respectively, were both in attendance at the awards ceremony, with Shaun attending earlier during the Festival for his screening and leading a lively Q&A. Shoval Chiprut and Daniel Brushin from Stuck flew in from Israel and were present for both their screening and the awards ceremony.
Opening Night Feature Award went to Sea of Time; Closing Night Feature Award went to Divertimento; Open Night Short Award went to The Red Suitcase and The Basics of Love received an forClosing Night Short.
In addition to Island Federal’s generous support as presenting sponsor, additional sponsors for the Stony Brook Film Festival included Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP; Suffolk County; Altice Media; and WLIW/PBS.
During the Festival, the Staller Center announced its exciting Fall 2023 Live Performing Arts season which kicks off on Sept. 5 with Corinne Bailey Rae, Pat Metheny on Sept. 23, Tara McNeill and Alexander Bernstein on Sept. 30, Disney Pixar Coco Live-to-Film concert on Oct. 9, Emerson String Quartet’s farewell concert on Oct. 14, Ballet Hispanico on Oct. 21, Jessica Vosk on Oct. 28, Evan + Zane on Nov. 3, iLuminated on Nov. 5, Tom Segura on Nov. 11, LeAnn Rimes on Nov. 18, Cat Kid Comic Club Musical on Nov. 19, Starry Nights chamber music concert on Nov. 29, Isaac Mizrahi on Dec. 1, Jane Monheit on Dec. 9, and concludes with GALA 2024 on March 9 with special guest Leslie Odom, Jr. For tickets and more information, visit www.stallercenter.com.
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