Arts & Entertainment

Wendy Pearson Photo by Michael Anthony Wells

Stony Brook University has named Wendy Pearson as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, effective Nov. 1. Most recently, Pearson served as the Senior Advisor to the Provost at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. 

Pearson will report to Stony Brook President Maurie McInnis and work in close partnership with campus leaders and partners to identify and advance Stony Brook’s institutional priorities. Important goals include ensuring implementation and assessment of the recently completed strategic plan, taking the lead in developing an overall plan for our Southampton campus, and assisting in supporting SBU’s work as anchor institution for The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in New York City.

“Wendy has a proven track record of both convening key stakeholders on and beyond campus while connecting them to accomplish the wider strategic vision that moves priorities forward,” said President McInnis. “We’re so pleased to have her leadership involvement with the New York Climate Exchange, and her extensive experience in higher education will help us focus and align our planning on the pillars that the university needs to best commit resources to benefit our community.”

Pearson’s previous roles at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa include academic affairs program officer in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, where she managed program review and the development and modification of academic programs, and special projects manager for the School of Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Studies. She also served as program coordinator in the Center for Peace & Conflict Studies/Detroit Council for World Affairs at Wayne State University, coordinating curriculum development and Japan study tours for public school teachers.

“I am honored to join this dynamic community of scholars and innovators,” said Pearson. “Leaving Hawai‘i for New York represents an exciting new chapter, and I am eager to contribute to the remarkable progress and bold initiatives of Stony Brook University. I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to turn shared vision into reality, to drive positive change, and to make a lasting impact.” 

Photo from Long Island Repair Cafe Facebook
A Column Promoting a More Earth-Friendly Lifestyle

By John L. Turner

John Turner

Visit a Repair Café! 

All too often in our throwaway society an appliance that no longer functions is thrown away and a new one purchased. Setting aside the fact there really is no “away” on our planet, many items can be readily fixed or repaired, preventing the item from taking up space at the local landfill. Enter the Repair Café which has a neat mission: “To transform our throwaway society one item at a time.” 

As their website indicates, Repair Cafés are meeting places where you can bring an item that needs repair to local volunteers who have the expertise to fix them. There is a cost for a replacement part, but the labor is provided for free. There are 191 Repair Cafés in the United States and nearly 2,500 cafés worldwide, most of which are in Europe. 

What types of items can be fixed? A partial list includes jewelry, clothing, various tools (including those which need sharpening), lamps, many types of small appliances, some furniture such as chairs, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, and toys.   

While the main office for Long Island Repair Café (they have a Facebook page) is at 1424 Straight Path in Wyandanch, run by Starflower Experiences, an environmental educational organization, volunteers host repair cafés throughout Long Island. The main office can be reached at (516) 938-6152. 

If you don’t want to visit a local Repair Café, the website: repaircafe.org/en/community/repair-guides/ has more than 60,000 video guides illustrating how to repair a particular item. With the convenient availability of actual and virtual repair capabilities at your beckon call, it’s easier to follow their motto: “Toss It? No way — Repair Cafe.”

A resident of Setauket, author John 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.

 

METRO photo

By Fr. Francis Pizzarelli

Father Frank Pizzarelliather Frank

These are painfully polarizing times. The recent behavior in Washington D.C. is a disgrace. The language used by some of our public officials is reprehensible. Our former president continues to act in public with language that is clearly unpresidential and not respectful. Who should the next generation look up to?

The power of positive example is clearly missing. In the past, no matter what your political affiliation, you could always have civil conversation. No matter what your political side, both sides could work together for the common good.

The blatant lies, manipulative dialogue, lack of truth and destructive ad hominem attacks make us look weak and foolish on the international stage. In simple terms, it is an embarrassment.

The weaponization of religion is even more disturbing. It is shocking that all major faith traditions including my own have remained so silent in all that is happening. This silence borders on the immoral. By this silence, they are complicit!

Many of us in the trenches are concerned about the next generation. What kind of example are we setting for them? Many talk about their moral compass being broken; I think our moral compass is destroyed.

Our schools are not being allowed to educate. Non-educators are butting in and infecting our curriculum with half-truths; some schools are being forced to rewrite American history.

Meanwhile, too many are blinded to the impact that the two years of the pandemic have had on our children’s development. Their basic academic skills are not on level. Many of their critical thinking skills are weak, and in some cases totally lacking.

However, what I find most disturbing is our children’s tendency to isolate and their fear of human connections. I have seen all of this firsthand in all of my freshman; many of them are exceptionally bright but very impaired.

What are we doing to address these concerns? Too often we get lost in the weeds and forget about our most valuable treasure — the next generation. I have seen firsthand their untapped talent and giftedness.

Our schools are the center of most of our communities. We need to work harder at supporting them fiscally and emotionally. We need to hold them accountable but we also need to allow them to educate our children and provide all of the support resources that are critical for our children’s holistic development, academically, socially and spiritually.

Education is one of our most vital resources that needs to be strengthened and supported. We need to invest in more creative ways to support our students to become the best version of themselves. They are our invaluable future.

Father Francis Pizzarelli, SMM, LCSW-R, ACSW, DCSW, is the director of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.

'Music of the Birds'

By John L. Turner

John Turner

From time to time I’m asked a variation of the following question: What bird-nature-environmental books did I enjoy reading or am currently reading?  This got me thinking — why not share the Nature Matters column to explore some of my favorite books on aspects of nature including a first article on birds. So beginning with this column focused on birds, future articles will focus on what I think are broader important and worthwhile books on nature and our relationship with it including numerous environmental struggles, the personalities involved in these struggles, and broader issues of planetary sustainability.

Tens of millions of Americans have an interest in birds, an interest that ranges from  mild to downright intense. Many authors have catered to this, producing thousands of books on a wide variety of bird related topics — bird identification (a future column itself on guides), migration, feathers, coloration, adventures to see birds, how to be a better birder, bird song, bird flight, the history of ornithology and birding, and conservation issues, to name a few. Hundreds of more technical books on birds have been written on such topics as evolution, anatomy and physiology, and mating systems.

So the following are a few of the books on birds I recommend you consider cracking the covers of: 

There are a number of books that are overviews of the avian world that should serve as the core of any bird library. Birds & People by Mark Cocker is an example. It is a tome,  coming in at 591 pages, and as you might guess is exhaustive in its treatment — covering all of the world’s bird families with the author providing fascinating information about each bird group with an emphasis on human interactions, folklore, and cultural significance.  

Another book that has a slightly different format but is richly informative is The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior (numerous authors). It, too, discusses the unique qualities of different bird families but before the family discussion has five chapters that delve into great detail about Flight, Form, and Function; Origins, Evolution, and Classification; Behavior; Habitats and Distributions; and Populations and Conservation. If I were able to recommend only one book for your nightstand to increase the breadth and depth of your knowledge about birds it would be this book.      

Yet another book in this genre — a comprehensive overview of birds — is Kenn Kaufman’s Lives of North American Birds. Here the author focuses at the species level rather than the family, providing basic and important information about various aspects of specific birds’ life histories such as diets and habitats used.  Also worth your consideration is the comprehensive species guide — Pete Dunne’s Essential Field Guide Companion.

Shore birds — sandpipers, plovers, and the like — are one of my favorite groups of birds and they have been the focus of a number of books. Two classics are Peter Matthiessen’s The Wind Birds and Fred Bodsworth’s Last of the Curlews, a story about the sickening demise of the Eskimo Curlew, a bird once common on Long Island but now believed extinct due to the rapaciousness of uncontrolled sport and market hunting. Perhaps these books can be secured on eBay or at a used bookstore.  

The World of the Shorebirds by Harry Thurston is another worthwhile addition to your bird library replete with stunning photographs of shorebirds and the wetland habitats they frequent.

More recently, the red knot, a plump robin-colored shorebird which has declined precipitously in abundance, has been the subject of a few books including Moonbird by Phillip Hoose, The Flight of the Red Knot by Brian Harrington, and The Narrow Edge by Deborah Cramer. The first book chronicles the life of a single red knot that has lived long enough during its annual migrations to have traveled the distance to the moon and halfway back, the second a straightforward overview of the species, and the last book exploring the relationship between red knots and horseshoe crabs, the eggs of which the bird depends upon on its northbound journeys in the Spring.      

If bird intelligence is of interest to you The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman should be on your mandatory reading list. As the title suggests this book covers many fascinating aspects of bird intelligence and memory. Take, for example, the Clark’s Nutcracker, a western species, that can successfully find tens of thousands of seeds its cached scattered across several square miles, displaying memory prowess that put ours to shame.   

The Bird Way is another book by Ackerman which probes the ways in which birds talk, work, think, and play. It contains one of the most startling things I’ve ever read about bird behavior: apparently some Australian raptors (e.g. hawks and eagles), knowing how it is easier to capture animals fleeing from a wildfire, are known to pick up smoldering sticks and drop them away from a fire in an effort to expand or start a fire!     

Many books have been written about birds and their singing prowess. One of my favorites is Lang Elliot’s Music of the Birds: A Celebration of Bird Song. Besides containing many beautiful color photographs and highly informative text on the function of song, the difference between calls and songs, and how song has inspired humans for millennia, etc., the book comes with a CD filled with bird songs, calls, and the famous “dawn chorus.” 

Three outstanding books on bird migration, definitely worth your time, are A Season on the Wind by Kenn Kaufman and A World on the Wing and Living on the Wind by Scott Weidensaul. In these books the two authors document their experiences traveling around the world trying to better understand the fascinating movement of migratory birds. Songbird Journeys by Miyoko Chu is another enjoyable book on this topic.  

If the global movement of birds excites you then Eye of the Albatross by Carl Safina is a most worthwhile read.  An outstanding nature writer, Safina chronicles the travels and travails of Amelia, a wide-ranging albatross; besides learning about albatross migration and biology and aspects of the ocean environment, Amelia is a “window” for understanding the struggles all wildlife face on a planet being increasingly usurped by humans.   

Two very different books by Bridget Stutchbury are worthy reads: Silence of the Songbirds and The Private Lives of Birds: A Scientist Reveals the Intricacies of Avian Social Life. The former discusses the threats facing birds in today’s wounded world while the latter focuses on how birds interact.  

Back to Peter Matthiessen, we have his delightful overview of the world’s cranes in The Birds of Heaven. An added bonus are the beautiful paintings by Robert Bateman. The author travels around the world learning about this iconic and charismatic group of birds including the two species native to North America — Whooping and Sandhill Cranes.   

Lastly, if you’d like to see a current, real world example of bird evolution happening before your very eyes I invite you to read The Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner, for which the author won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize. In this fine book the author documents the extensive studies of Peter and Rosemary Grant, who have spent their lives documenting changes to the various finches (and their bills) that live in the Galapagos Islands located off the west coast of South America and made famous by Charles Darwin.    

As Long Island turns away from summer and colder weather arrives, driving most of us indoors, why not explore the fascinating avian worlds presented in these books (and many others not covered here!) All you need is a glass of wine, a comfortable chair, and a curious mind.  

A resident of Setauket, author John 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.

Brown Butter Pierogies with Roasted Sweet Potatoe

By Heidi Sutton

Cooler days call for comforting flavors the entire family can enjoy at the dinner table like roasted veggies paired with hearty favorites like cheesy pierogies  followed by an apple crisp paired with pears and walnuts that provide a sense of warmth and coziness. Make this autumn one to remember by creating new meals and memories along the way.

Brown Butter Pierogies with Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Recipe courtesy of Culinary.net

Brown Butter Pierogies with
Roasted Sweet Potatoes

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1 bag (1.6 pounds) cheese pierogies 

2 cups sweet potato cubes

1 tablespoon olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste 

4 tablespoons salted butter

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 cup pecans

fresh thyme leaves, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Toss sweet potato cubes in olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste, and spread in even layer on baking sheet. Roast 25-30 minutes, tossing about halfway through, until potatoes are fork tender. 

In medium skillet over medium heat, brown butter 5-10 minutes. Avoid smoking or burning. Remove from heat. Allow to cool about 5 minutes then whisk in balsamic vinegar and lemon juice.

In large saucepan, bring water to boil. Cook pierogies according to package directions, about 3 minutes. Drain and toss in brown butter sauce. Add roasted sweet potatoes and pecans to brown butter pierogies and toss gently to coat. Top with fresh thyme leaves before serving.

Apple Pear Walnut Crisp

Recipe courtesy of Culinary.net

Apple Pear Walnut Crisp

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

Walnut Crisp Topping:

1 1/2  cups California walnuts, divided

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup butter, chilled and sliced into 1-tablespoon pieces

 

Apple Pear Filling:

3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices

2 D’Anjou pears, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices

1/2  cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8  teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lemon juice

ice cream (optional)

caramel sauce (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

To make walnut crisp topping: In food processor, pulse 1 cup walnuts until finely ground. In small bowl, combine ground walnuts, flour, brown sugar, oats and cinnamon. Cut butter into mixture until coarse crumb forms. Coarsely chop remaining walnuts and stir into crumb mixture until incorporated. Set aside.

To make apple pear filling: Preheat oven to 350 F. In bowl, toss apples, pears, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and lemon juice. Place fruit mixture in bottom of 10-inch cast-iron pan or baking dish. Sprinkle walnut crisp topping mixture over fruit. Bake 45 minutes, or until fruit mixture is hot and bubbly and topping is golden brown. Top with ice cream and caramel sauce, if desired.

By Julianne Mosher

Theatre Three was brimming with excitement last Saturday morning as families with young children came to celebrate the spookiest season with the return of a local favorite, A Kooky Spooky Halloween. 

Written by Jeffrey Sanzel and Steve McCoy, it tells the story of a kind ghost named Abner Perkins (Steven Uihlein) who has just graduated from Haunting High School and has been assigned to be the spooksperson for Ma Aberdeen’s Boarding House (known for being the most haunted house in Harrison Corner USA and for having the best toast!) as its last ghost has retired. Along with his classmates, he’s given his diploma and his medallion of invisibility, and is sent off to work. 

While at the boarding house gearing up for his first shift, Abner tells his best friend, a witch named Lavinda (Cassidy Rose O’Brien), his deepest, darkest secret – he’s afraid of the dark and he’s not sure how he’ll be able to haunt Ma Aberdeen and her guests. Luckily, Lavinda is a great friend, and she hands him a nightlight and a helping hand to help boost his confidence. 

But lurking around the corner is one of Abner’s classmates, a fellow ghost named Dora Pike (Josie McSwane) who is jealous that Abner was assigned the boarding housed that she so desperately wanted to haunt. Acting like a bit of a bully, she steals his nightlight, his medallion (that he needs for his hauntings!) and rushes off. 

Luckily, Ma Aberdeen (Ginger Dalton) and her boarders, the Petersons — Paul (Liam Marsigliano), Penelope (Gina Lardi) and their son Pip (Sean Amato) — and Kit Garret (Julia Albino), a girl who “just came from a small town to a big city with a suitcase in her hand and hope in her heart,” are ready to help Abner get his medallion back and undo a spell the spiteful Dora Pike put on the boarders, despite being afraid of him at first. 

Let the shenanigans ensue. For a full hour, with a 15-minute intermission, we watch the story unfold while learning more about Abner and all his new friends. 

With colorful costumes and catchy songs, (the one about toast will be stuck in your head for days), this production directed by Jeffrey Sanzel is an adorably perfect way to start the Halloween season. Kids of all ages will love the silly personalities on stage, and parents will appreciate the “punny” jokes that are sprinkled throughout acts one and two. 

But not only does it provide big smiles and a good laugh, the message of friendship and acceptance is something every family will enjoy the holiday. Costumes are encouraged for audience members and the entire cast waits in the lobby on your way out for a keepsake photo.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents A Kooky Spooky Halloween through Oct. 21. Children’s theater continues with Barnaby Saves Christmas from Nov. 18 to Dec. 30 and Jack and the Beanstalk from Jan. 20 to Feb. 3. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook University men’s soccer team took down the Charleston Cougars, 1-0, on the road on Oct. 7. Jonas Bickus tallied the lone goal of the contest, his team-leading sixth of the season, and Edmond Kaiser registered a second consecutive shutout, stopping all four shots he faced.

It was a quiet start to a physical contest in South Carolina, though Stony Brook had multiple opportunities offensively early on. Three consecutive corner kicks in the opening 10 minutes did not lead to a shot by the Seawolves, but later tries from Caleb Danquah and Bickus missed the mark. It was a chance in transition that would lead to the game’s lone goal.

Following a red card issued to a Charleston player, who took down a Stony Brook attacker just outside the box as he got behind the defense, the Seawolves opened the scoring. Lorenzo Selini rolled a short pass to Bickus, who blasted a right-footed shot off the fingertips of the keeper and into the right side of the net to put the Seawolves on top 1-0. The Cougars would take the ensuing kickoff down a man and at a disadvantage in the scoring column as well.

The score held heading into the second half and it would hold for the remainder of the match. Stony Brook continued to move forward in the second half, even as time dwindled. Offensively, the Seawolves had multiple scoring chances to put the game away, but could not convert. Defensively, Stony Brook held strong and did not allow Charleston to possess much or create many chances in the offensive third. 

The team returned home to host Le Moyne on Oct. 11. The score was not available as of press time.

The team celebrates their victory after Sunday's game. Photo fron SBU Athletics

The Stony Brook volleyball team grabbed its sixth win in a row after defeating the Hampton Lady Pirates in straight sets (25-18, 25-12, 25-12) on Oct. 8 at Holland Hall, Hampton University in Hampton, VA.

The Seawolves’ offense was paced by Kali Moore, who finished with a team-high 12 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .385, and by Abby Stanwood, who had 10 kills while hitting .563. Defensively, the squad had two players reach double figures in digs as Leoni Kunz had 13 and Julia Patsos tallied 12. 

SET 1: The Seawolves won the first point and never trailed to win the first set 25-18. Stony Brook led by as many as nine points at 18-9 after a kill by Moore before ultimately finishing off the set. 

SET 2: After their win in the first set, Stony Brook put itself on the cusp of a sweep with a dominating 25-12 victory in set number two. The Seawolves took control of the set lead early on at 2-1 following a kill by Lauren Schmitz, and went on to score 10 of the first 12 points as five different-student athletes recorded a kill. To finish the set, Stony Brook opened its biggest lead of the stanza, 13 points, totaling 20 kills in the process.

SET 3: Stony Brook then ended the match with a victory in set number three to secure the sweep. The Seawolves led from the opening point on in the set to earn a 25-12 victory. The squad ended on a high note following the kill by Katie Hickey, claiming its biggest lead, 13 points, to close out the set. The Stony Brook offense also got a boost from three aces in the stanza, including two from Patsos. 

“I thought we came out a little slow today but picked up our aggressiveness on offense, especially in transition to earn our points. I’m proud of our group for coming in focused this week. We have an important stretch coming up and I’m excited to continue to get better with this team,” said head coach Kristin Belzung. 

The team returns to the court next weekend when they host Delaware University at Pritchard Gymnasium for a matchup on Saturday at 11 a.m., and Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.

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COMING OF AGE Port Jefferson Documentary Series presents a screening of ‘Between the Rains’ at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 16. Photo from PJDS
Thursday 12

Cirque Italia in Lake Grove

Cirque Italia opens under the white and blue big top tent at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove tonight at 7:30 and runs through Oct. 15. The show takes place weekdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. This high-octane show features master jugglers, low wire fanatics, dazzling contortion, wild trampoline antics, and even a wheel of death! Suitable for all ages. For tickets and more information, visit the box office on site or go to www.cirqueitalia.com. 

Friday 13

Cirque Italia in Lake Grove

See Oct. 12 listing.

Grounds and Sounds Concert

Grounds and Sounds Cafe at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 380 Nicolls Road, E. Setauket will host a concert featuring singer-songwriter Caroline Doctorow with musical guest Russ Seeger with doors open and sign-up for open mic at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person, available in advance at www.groundsandsounds.org or at the door. 631-751-0297.

Saturday 14

Cirque Italia in Lake Grove

See Oct. 12 listing.

Outdoor Country Auction 

Going once, going twice, sold! The Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson will hold its 35th annual outdoor Country Auction on the grounds of the Mather House Museum, 115 Prospect St., Port Jefferson at 9:30 a.m. with a preview at 9 a.m. Items this year include 1870s corner cupboard w/key, framed paintings and prints, hand blown  green glass bowl, trunks, clocks, art glass, linens, silk scarf collection,  baskets, fossils, quilts, garden items, antique iron French bulldog, 1940s  croquet set, children’s toys, lamps, vintage brass calculator, marble and brass desk set, and many more unique items. Free parking at school parking lot on High Street. Lunch available for purchase. Rain or shine. 631-473-2665, www.portjeffhistorical.org

Fall Bazaar

St. James Episcopal Church, 490 North Country Road, St. James will hold its annual Fall Bazaar from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with vendors, raffle baskets, bakery items, children’s games and crafts and more. 631-584-5560

Fall Family Festival

Sunshine Prevention Center, 468 Boyle Road, Selden will host its 1st annual Fall Family Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with vendor tables—crafts, business and agency exhibitors, fun activities, including bouncy houses, raffles and silent auction items—all in the name of “fun for a cause.” Rain date is Oct. 15. 631-476-3099 

Latin Heritage Festival

In celebration of Latin Heritage Month, the Art League of Long Island, 107 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills hosts the 2nd annual LatinX Heritage Festival from 10 am. to 5 p.m. Enjoy a gallery show featuring NY Latinx Artists, a panel talk with Latinx Leaders, multicultural vendor market and live entertainment. 631-462-5400

Christmas in October Craft Fair – This event has been moved to Oct. 21

The annual Christmas in October Village Craft Fair will be held on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring over 100d craft vendors, live music, food trucks, pumpkins, mums, hot cider and donuts. Free admission. Rain date is Oct. 21. 631-846-1459

Miller Place Country Fair – This event has been postponed to October 28 and 29

The Miller Place-Mount Sinai Historical Society will host its annual Country Fair on the grounds of the William Miller House, 75 North Country Road Miller Place today and Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This fun event will feature historic re-enactments , live music, historic walking tours, a traveling wilderness, museum, and more. $10 donation includes a tour of the historic William Miller House (c. 1720). Call 631-476-5742 or visit www.mpmshistoricalsociety.org.

St. Thomas Car Show & Fall Fair – This event has been canceled 

St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown presents its annual St. Tom’s Car Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will also feature a Fall Fair with vendors, basket raffles, food, pumpkin patch and music from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. 631-265-4520

Fall Harvest Festival – This event has been postponed to Oct 28

Join the Church on the Sound, 335 Oxhead Road, Stony Brook for its annual Fall Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lots of activities for the whole family! Free. Call 631-941-4100.

All Souls Poetry Reading

The Second Saturdays poetry series returns to All Souls Church in Stony Brook via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Featured poet will be Herb Wahlsteen followed by an open reading. All are welcome to read one of their own poems.  For more information, please call 631-655-7798.  Participants can access the program through the All Souls website.

Health and Wellness Fair – This event has been postponed to January 20, 2024

The Town of Brookhaven will sponsor a Health and Wellness Fair at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will feature representatives from the healthcare industry who will provide valuable information about health insurance, healthcare law and health services available to Brookhaven Town residents. Free. 631-451-TOWN

Vintage European Car Show

Stony Brook Community Church, 216 Christian Ave., Stony Brook hosts the 18th annual Vintage European Sports Car & Motorcycle Display on the front lawn from noon to 4 p.m. with music by The Barking Men and homemade baked goods, pies and mums for sale. Free admission. Rain date is Oct. 15. 516-639-4308

CommUniversity Day – This event has been moved indoors to the Wang Center

Rescheduled from Sept. 23. Enjoy a festival of fun and discovery for all ages at Stony Brook University’s annual CommUniversity Day at the Academic Mall from noon to 4 p.m. with health screenings, Teddy Bear Clinic, fun crafts, duck race, food court, community art projects, giveaways and much more. Free admission. Held rain or shine. www.stonybrook.edu/CommUniversity

Harvest Days on the Farm

Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, E. Setauket invites the community to its Harvest Days on the Farm weekend today and Oct. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. with hay rides, pumpkin picking, pumpkin painting, visits with the farm animals, live music, the Big Swing and children’s acitivities. $10 adults, $8 children and seniors. 631-689-8172

Tesla Expo 

Join the Tesla Science Center, 5 Randall Road, Shoreham for a Tesla Expo from 3 to 9 p.m. A celebration of Nikola Tesla’s life, works, and enduring legacy, the event will delve into the fascinating world of this remarkable innovator and inspire the future generations with exciting exhibits, performances, and presentations. The evening will be topped with a dramatic drone light show dedicated to Nikola Tesla and Wardenclyffe. For ticket information, visit www.teslasciencecenter.org.

Old Burying Ground tour

Join the Huntington Historical Society for an Old Burying Ground  walking tour at 4 p.m. Established soon after the Town’s 1653 founding, Huntington’s earliest public burying ground features stunning folk art and beautiful epitaphs honoring Huntington’s residents and rich history. Tour begins at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St., Huntington .Tickets are $15 adults, $5 children. For reservations, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Book signing with Dee Snider

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook welcomes Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider for a book signing event at 6 p.m. Snider will sign copies of his new book Frats. The book will be on sale at the event. Regular admission prices apply; meet Dee as part of your admission. Enjoy viewing the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame  exhibits throughout the day. 631-689-5888

A Night of Laughs

In partnership with Governor’s Comedy Clubs, the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St. Smithtown will present  a Godfathers of Italian Comedy Night at 8 p.m. Featuring stand-ups Elyse DeLucci, Joe Moffa, Debbie D’Amore and Tony Dabas. $45 per person includes two drinks. www.smithtownpac.org

Sunday 15

Cirque Italia in Lake Grove

See Oct. 12 listing.

Miller Place Country Fair

See Oct. 14 listing.

Harvest Days on the Farm

See Oct. 14 listing.

Oktoberfest 5k Run/Walk

Join the Stony Brook Rotary for its annual Oktoberfest 5k Run/Walk at The Bench Bar & Grill, 1095 Route 25A, Stony Brook at 10 a.m. Registration at 8:30 a.m. German beers, food, live music by Alternate Fred and fun for all ages to follow. To sign up, visit www.thebenchbar.com.

Still Cruisin’ Car Club Show

AMVETS Post 48, 660 Hawkins Ave., Lake Ronkonkoma hosts the Still Cruisin’ 1st annual Fall Car Show on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vintage car show benefitting the AMVETS with a slow drag, muffler rap, and more. Donations accepted. Rain date Oct. 22. 631-732-1231

Penn Fabricators Car Show

Penn Fabricators presents its annual judged Let the Good Times Roll car show at 30 Platinum Court in Medford from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Co-hosted by The Fabulous 50s & 60s, the event will feature vendors, raffles, and music. Rain date is Oct. 22. $20 per vehicle, $5 for spectators. 631-484-2807

Caumsett Hike

Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for a Seashore Circular hike from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walk through fields and woods on your way to Caumsett’s seashore, aabout 4.5 miles, bring drinking water. Adult program. $4 per person. Advance reservations required by calling 631-423- 1770.

House Tour & Antique Car Show 

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

Family Fun Fall Festival

Suffolk Y-JCCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack will hold their annual fall festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a petting zoo, inflatables, pumpkin picking and decorating, mini golf, climbing wall, arts and crafts, face painting and much more. $10 suggested donation. 631-462-9800

Huntington Apple Festival

The annual Apple Festival is back on the grounds of the Dr. Daniel Kissam House, 434 Park Ave., Huntington from noon to 4 p.m., courtesy of the Huntington Historical Society. Enjoy traditional games, seasonal crafts, live music, fall foods, house tours and historical demonstrations by costumed interpreters. The Museum Shop will also be open. Free admission. 631-427-7045

Fall Muster at the Arsenal

The Huntington Militia will present a Fall Muster at the Huntington Arsenal, 425 Park Avenue, Huntington during the Huntington Apple Festival from noon to 4 p.m. See history come to life as the militia recreates a typical 1775 militia muster at the Arsenal and Village Green. See musket and cannon firings, 18th century crafts, trades, music and cooking. Free. 631-223-8017

Irish Tea Auction and Raffle

The Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 8/9 invites the community to their 12th annual Irish Tea Auction and Raffle at 2 p.m. at the AOH Division Hall, 80 Magnolia Drive, Selden. Please wear your prettiest hat and bring your favorite tea cup. $20 per person. For tickets, call 631-698-4940.

Fall Rummage Sale

Sisterhood of Temple Beth El, 660 Park Ave., Huntington will hold a Fall Rummage Sale today from 2 to 5 p.m. and Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Bag Day – Everything you can fit in one of supplied bags for $10) featuring clothing, linens/towels, jewelry, small household goods, tools, toys, art, and more. 631-421-5835 x200 | www.tbeli.org

Italian Heritage Lecture

As part of its Living History Series, Celebrate St. James will present a lecture on Italian Heritage with David Setteducati at the former Calderone Theater, 176 Second St., St. James from 2 to 4 p.m. Celebrate Italian heritage with a musical and visual journey. Tickets are $25, $20 members at www.celebratestjames.org. 631-984-0201

Ridotto Concert

Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington hosts a Ridotto concert titled Mozart and Brahms. The Ensemble of the Jeunes Virtuoses de New York performs Brahms’ magnificent Sextet Op. 18 and Mozart’s Quintet for Strings No.3 KV 515, in this season’s opening concert. Tickets are $35 adults $30 seniors, $25 members, $12 students. For reservations, call 631-385-0373 or email [email protected].

Sunday Street Concert

WUSB-FM’s Sunday Street concert series continues at the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook with The Songs of Jimmy Webb in the Carriage Museum’s Gillespie Room at 5 p.m. Featuring: Gene Casey, Caroline Doctorow, Andrew & Cole Fortier, Delaney Hafener, Claudia Jacobs, Brian Kachejian, Ray Lambiase, Pete Mancini, and Tom Moranvening. Tickets are $20 in advance at www.sundaystreet.org or $25 at the door (cash only).

Paranormal Tour at Sweetbriar

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown hosts a Paranormal Tour with a ghost hunt and owl encounter from 6 to 9 p.m. Demonstrations will include a quick introduction to our team followed by a rotation of stations learning different types of theories, how to use equipment, a paranormal investigation on the property, and a raffle. Cost $60 per person. Participation is limited to 13 and older. Register at www.sweetbriarncorg.

Monday 16

TVHS October Lecture 

Three Village Historical Society continues its lecture series at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket at 7 p.m. with Our Island’s Story: The Natural History of Long Island with Dr. Tara Rider. This talk will discuss the features that make Long Island’s geology distinctive and have shaped the peoples who have inhabited this island. From salt marshes and cranberry bogs to hardwood forests and the Hempstead Plains, our Island has been continuously being reshaped and the landscape influences our society today. Free and open to all. To register, visit www.tvhs.org/lecture-series. 631-751-3730

SHS Fall Lecture – just added!

Smithtown Historical Society continues its Fall Lecture series at the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St. Smithtown at 7 p.m. with  Long Island Graveyards and Cemeteries. Robert von Bernewitz, Smithtown native and graveyard expert, will present an overview of the types of burial sites… a look at burial markers from the early folk art stone cutters to present day laser etching and information about notable people buried on Long Island. He has visited and photographed over 350 sites on Long Island and will showcase local gravesites in our area. Light refreshments to be served. All lectures are free and open to the public! 631-265-6768.

Sound Beach Civic Meeting

The Sound Beach Civic Association will hold a Meet the Candidates Night at the Sound Beach Firehouse, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach at 7:30 p.m. Invited are candidates for Suffolk County Executive, Town of Brookhaven Supervisor, and TOB Highway Superintendent. For more information call 631-744-6952.

Adele tribute concert

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Special Events series with an Absolute Adele Tribute at 8 p.m. Jennifer Cella delivers a stunningly accurate portrayal of the British songstress and pop icon, and only sings her songs but talks to the audience, explains the origins and backstories to the songs, just as Adele interacts with her audiences at her concerts. Tickets are $45. 631-261-2900, www.engemantheater.com.

Tuesday 17

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a concert by Joe DePiola featuring selections of cabaret music. in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Expect to dance. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Volunteer Fair

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station hosts a Volunteer Fair from 4 to 6 p.m. Drop in to meet representatives from different organizations who will discuss local volunteer opportunities for a variety of ages. No registration required 631-928-1212.

The Travel Presentation Club

The Travel Presentation Club will meet at Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket at 7 p.m. John Colatosti will make a presentation entitled “Travel around the world in 80 days.” All are welcome. Please contact [email protected] for further information.

Wednesday 18

Cruise Night at The Shoppes

Cruise Nights are back at The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River from 5 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Oct. 25. Check out the fine array of classic and coveted automobiles from car enthusiasts from across Long Island in The Shoppes parking lot. 631-929-3500

Gathering Time in Concert CAC

Fock-rock harmony trio Gathering Time is the featured act during the monthly Hard Luck Café concert series at the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington in the Cinema’s Sky Room from 7 to 10 p.m. Co-presented with the Folk Music Society, an open mic, for which sign-up is at 6:30 p.m., precedes the concert. Tickets are $20, $15 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.

Thursday 19

Garden Club Flower Show

Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn will host the Centerport Garden Club’s Small Standard Flower Show “Bewitched” to celebrate the season today from 2 to 8 p.m. and Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suggested donation is $5. 516-527-0517

Film

‘Between the Rains’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues with a screening of Between the Rains at John F. Kennedy Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. Documenting the Turkana-Ngaremara community as they contend with prolonged drought, this visually stunning coming-of-age story follows a young, orphaned man’s journey to adapt to radically changing climate conditions in Northern Kenya. Followed by a Q&A with guest speakers Andrew Harrison Brown via Zoom and Dr. Dino Martins, CEO of the Turkana Basin Institute in person. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash only) or at www.portjeffersondocumentaryseries.com.

Theater

‘The Prom’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 53rd season with The Prom from Sept. 16 to Oct. 21. As the lights dim on four fading Broadway stars, they wildly seek the spotlight. Courting the controversy surrounding a small-town Indiana prom, the quartet invades a community that wants to keep the party straight. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors, $20 students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Rent’ 

Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Jonathan Larson’s Rent from Sept. 16 to Oct. 22. Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, the groundbreaking musical follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians — Roger, Mimi, Tom, Angel, Maureen, Joanne, Benny and Mark — struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors, $28 students. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org. 

‘Beautiful’

Main stage theater continues at the John W. Engeman Theater with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical now extended to Nov. 5. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing success with Tapestry, the show takes you back to where it all began–and takes you on the ride of a lifetime. Featuring such unforgettable classics as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “So Far Away,” and many more. This Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning show is filled with the songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget. Tickets start at $80. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘Antigone Now: A Short Drama’

The Theatres at Suffolk County Community College present Antigone Now: A Short Drama by Melissa Cooper in Theatre 119, Islip Arts Building Suffolk County Community College, 533 College Road, Selden on Oct. 12, 13, 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. In the midst of a bombed-out city still feeling the aftershocks of war, the rebellious and intense Antigone defies her uncle to bury her disgraced brother. This contemporary response to the myth of Antigone brings powerful, modern prose to an ancient and universal story. *Mature Content  General admission: $15, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger $10. For tickets call 631-451-4163.

‘An Inspector Calls’

Minstrel Players, Houghton Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport presents J.B. Priestley’s An Inspector Calls from Oct. 14 to 22. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. To order, call 516-361-7232 or email [email protected].

Class Reunions

Save the date! 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, 2024. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected].