Learn all about dragonflies at Caleb Smith State Park on Sept. 3. Pixabay photo
PROGRAMS
Summer STEM Workshop
Join the Long Island Explorium, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson for a Summer STEM Workshop on Sept. 2 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Participants in grades 2 to 6 will engage in interactive, hands-on nature-based learning within the picturesque harbor and beachfront of the Village of Port Jefferson and the sensory, native plant, and rain gardens of the Explorium as their outdoor classrooms. $25 per child. Drop-off is allowed for children ages 7 and above. Pre-registration is required by visiting www.longislandexplorium.org. For more information, call 331-3277.
Lantern Walk
Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, King Parkhosts an End of Summer Lantern Walk for families on Sept. 2 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Have you ever wanted to explore the park after dark? Now is your chance! Join park staff for a night-themed walk, with the ambiance of lanterns. With any luck, you might be able to observe some of the park’s nocturnal animal residents. $4 per person. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com andsearch #NatureEdventure.
Dragonfly Safari
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown presents a family program, Dragonfly Safari, on Sept. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Did you know dragonflies love to eat mosquitoes? Discover the dragonfly’s beautiful colors, life-cycle, and fascinating behaviors and enjoy outdoor observation of these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat. $4 per person. Advance registration required by calling 265-1054.
Fall Crafternoons
Drop by the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor through the month of September to enjoy seasonal, self-serve crafts in their workshop. Free with admission of $6 adults, $5 kids and seniors. Questions? Call 367-3418.
FILM
‘Spirited Away’
The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema For Kids series with a screening ofSpirited Away on Sept. 4 at noon. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Hayao Miyazaki’s wondrous fantasy adventure is a dazzling masterpiece from one of the most celebrated filmmakers in the history of animation. Overflowing with imaginative creatures and thrilling storytelling, Spirited Away became a worldwide smash hit, and is one of the most critically-acclaimed films of all time. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children. Call 423-7610 for more information.
THEATER
‘Knuffle Bunny’
From Aug. 5 to Sept. 3, the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East Main St., Smithtown will present Mo Willems’ Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical from Aug. 5 to Sept. 3. Trixie, her father, and her favorite stuffed bunny set off on a trip to the laundromat. The trip brings wonder, excitement and joy to the lively toddler until she realizes that she has lost Knuffle Bunny. Filled with adventure, song and dancing laundry, it’s the perfect show for a family-friendly outing! Tickets are $18. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.
‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’
John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its children’s theater season with Disney’s Beauty and the BeastJr. on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. from Sept. 24 to Oct. 30. This Disney love story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the hideous Beast, a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved the curse will end. If he does not learn his lesson before the last enchanted rose petal falls, he and his household of enchanted objects will be doomed for all eternity. Enjoy the songs we all love such as “Be Our Guest” and “Tale as Old as Time.” All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘Kooky Spooky Halloween’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 2022-2023 children’s theater season with A Kooky Spooky Halloween, a merry musical about a ghost who’s afraid of the dark, from Oct. 8 to 22 with a sensory sensitive performance on Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. Recently graduated spirit Abner Perkins is assigned to the Aberdeen Boarding House — known for its spectral sightings and terrific toast. Here, Abner finds himself cast into a company of its wacky residents. When his secret is revealed, he is forced to leave his haunted home and set-off on a quest with his newly found friends. On this journey to find spook-tacular promise, Abner and company learn the power of helping others. Hilarious hijinks and a message of cooperation highlight this delightful musical for the entire family. All tickets are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
India Pagan at Stony Brook University with her parents at graduation.
By Daniel Dunaief
With sneakers on her feet and a ball in her hand, India Pagan will circle the globe in a landmark year.
India Pagan Photo from tStony Brook University
First, she earned a Master’s Degree in coaching at Stony Brook University, completing a five-year stint in which she also received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. After a brief journey home to New London, Connecticut to visit with her family and celebrate, she and her family took a long-awaited cruise to Honduras and Mexico.
Now, the 6-foot,1-inch power forward, who completed a distinguished basketball career at Stony Brook, is practicing with the Puerto Rican National team, with whom she also traveled to the Olympics last year in Tokyo. Pagan and the team will travel to Serbia for a scrimmage and then to Australia to play in the World Cup.
But that’s not the end of her journey. After the World Cup, Pagan, 23, will fulfill a professional goal, as she signed a one-year contract to play professional basketball in Germany with the BC Pharmaserv Dolphins in Marburg, Germany. North of Frankfurt and east of Dusseldorf, Marburg is home to the Marburger Schloss (Marburg castle) and numerous medieval churches.
“It’s always been my dream to play overseas, so it’s a dream come true,” said Pagan, who is listed as a starter for the Division 1 German team. “To get paid to do what I love is really cool.”
The reality of becoming a professional basketball player started to sink in after she told family members she had signed a contract. When she shared the news with her mother Carmen Pagan, her mom “flipped out,” Pagan recalled. Her sisters Melody and Taina and family friends were similarly excited and “freaked out” about Pagan becoming a professional basketball player.
Reaching such a dream requires familial “teamwork,” said Carmen Pagan. “Any family member that is part of that group, everybody has to be committed to be there and support the child in different ways,” including emotionally, financially and academically.
When Pagan started playing basketball at the age of 11, the family made a “huge commitment” that included missing a “lot of birthdays, and a lot of family functions. We were always on the road, traveling throughout the United States” said India’s father Moises Pagan, who credits his daughter’s willingness to seize any opportunity to play as a catalyst for her basketball career.
One Friday night years ago, India received a call about a high school showcase in Queens. Despite heavy rush hour traffic and a five-hour commitment, she “didn’t even twitch,” he recalled. She said, “Dad, I want to go.” That’s where Stony Brook’s previous basketball head coach Caroline McCombs, who led the team from 2014 to 2021, saw her play.
Pagan is one of a few former Seawolf women to become a professional basketball player, joining Kaela Hilaire and Shania “Shorty” Johnson, who have also played in Europe.
Professional connection
After a solid showcase following her season, Pagan received numerous offers from agents to represent her. Choosing an agent was “like picking a school all over again,” she said. “I just had to see who was the right fit.”
Pagan selected Stephanie Stanley, president and founder of Merit Management Group who also represents one of Pagan’s favorite WNBA players, Washington Mystics Guard Natasha Cloud. That, however, was only one of several reasons she chose Stanley. The down-to-Earth Pagan thought Stanley was “like an old auntie. She had me laughing.”
Stanley, whose clients sometimes call “Momma Steph,” said she appreciated Pagan because she “likes players who hustle, play hard and look like they’re having fun out there on the court.”
Stanley also offered advice about the kinds of things to be prepared for when playing overseas. A team told one of Stanley’s clients they would provide transportation. When the player arrived, the team gave her a bicycle. “Lesson learned,” laughed Stanley. The player, however, realized that everyone used bicycles to get around in the country and appreciated the chance to lose a few pounds by pedaling back and forth to practice.
Another client had a choice of prepared meals or a financial allowance for food. The player sent Stanley pictures of food neither of them could identify. Stanley said these rookie contracts cover the cost of living and playing basketball. Rookies are “going to learn how to budget,” she said.
In the bigger picture, Stanley said the overseas market, particularly with Americans no longer comfortable playing in Russia amid the imprisonment and nine-year sentence of Brittney Griner, is having a “rough year.” Players who might have played for a top tier Russian team are heading to Turkey, Italy, Spain or France. The dislocation is affecting leagues around the world at every level. “Any player that signed now is impressive,” Stanley said. “It’s a rough year.”
Stanley added that rookies typically sign for one year in any league as players look to advance to more competitive leagues where they might also earn more money.
Pagan, who will be sharing an apartment with three other players when she arrives in Germany a day or so before the team’s first game, is excited for the opportunity and feels like the team and coach Patrick Unger, who lived in the United States for a year, support her. Unger has reached out to her on FaceTime.
At the same time, the team, which consists of several German players, includes players who speak English. The team pays for utilities, housing and transportation and is providing money for groceries.
While Pagan is excited to get on the floor and start playing with her new teammates, she knows she needs to contribute. “I have to prove myself,” she said.
SBU contributions
India Pagan Photo from the Pagan family
If Pagan finds the same kind of success in professional basketball that she had at the college level, she could be starting a promising career. She ranks eighth on the all-time scoring list at Stony Brook University, second in career field goal percentage and eighth in total rebounds.
Ashley Langford, head coach of a Seawolves team that won the America East conference championship last year in her debut season, was pleased for Pagan. “It’s awesome,” Langford said. “It’s what she’s been striving for her whole career.”
Langford appreciated the contributions on and off the court that Pagan made and the work her former basketball stand out put into enhancing her game. On the court, Pagan was “always really skilled,” said Langford. In the last year, she asserted herself more physically, moving closer to the basket and drawing contact from defenders, Langford said. She enjoyed watching Pagan show emotion on the court, flexing after she created contact and heading to the free throw line for a chance at a conventional three pointer.
Off the court, Langford admired the leadership role Pagan took in welcoming newer teammates, showing them around campus, offering advice about college athletics and helping them feel like a part of the Seawolves family and basketball program.“That’s not me or anyone else telling her, ‘You need to connect with freshman.’ That’s her doing it on her own. That’s who she is. She wants everyone to do well,” said Langford.
Pagan encouraged her new teammates to snack because players don’t always have time for a structured meal and encouraged them to “use academic advisors wisely,” she said. “They’re there for a reason.”
While Pagan is excited about the next stage in her life, she is grateful for the time and opportunities she had at Stony Brook. “Eventually, that chapter had to end,” she said. The Stony Brook team will “always be a family.”
Growing fame
Pagan, who joined the Puerto Rican women’s team at the delayed 2020 Olympics last year in Tokyo, has started to develop an international fan following. Recently, she was at a WalMart in Puerto Rico and someone walked up to her and asked to take a picture with her. While Pagan was born and raised in Connecticut, she plays for Puerto Rico because both her parents are from Puerto Rico.
Shewas also recently eating at a Chili’s restaurant with her teammates when an interview she did appeared on TV screens around the restaurant. “The waiter was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s you,’” Pagan said. Her teammates enjoyed the excitement.
Pagan has also received and responded to messages in German on social media. Once her professional season starts in Germany, Pagan will be far from home, where her parents can’t take the Bridgeport or Orient Point ferry to come see her the way they did at Stony Brook, a place the entire family still feels at home.
Indeed, one of the more emotionally challenging moments during her world-traveling basketball journey occurred when she played in Chile for three weeks. At 17, Pagan found it difficult to be so far from family, Moises Pagan recalled. That experience prepared her for her current plan to travel to Germany. “It makes the transition [to Germany] so much easier,” he said. FaceTime and a commitment to basketball have allowed Pagan to focus on her sport. “She just wants to make everyone proud, playing the game she loves,” he added
This week’s shelter pet is Prince Charles, a mellow, multi-colored rooster currently up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.
Charles was emaciated, stress molting and looking pretty ragged and worn when he was found as a stray in July.He had no energy ad barely made any noise. With just some time and nutrition, this man is thriving and vocal and ready for a flock to call his own.
If you would like to meetPrince Charles, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in a domestic setting.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.
FLY ME TO THE MOON
Join the Heckscher Museum and the Vanderbilt Planetarium for a special collaboration on Sept. 8.
Ongoing
Stone Bridge Nighthawk Watch
Every evening through Oct. 6, from 5:30 p.m. until dusk, the Four Harbors Audubon Society will be tallying migrating Common Nighthawks to better understand nighthawk population trends. Join them at the stone bridge at Frank Melville Memorial Park, One Old Field Road, Setauket to witness nighthawks as they pass over during their migratory journey to their wintering grounds in Brazil and Argentina. Visit www.4has.org for further details.
Thursday September 1
An evening of jazz
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents a concert by The Jazz Loft Big Band, a 17 piece big band directed by Jazz Loft Director Tom Manuel, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children. To order, call 751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.
Friday September 2
First Friday at the Heckscher
Celebrate First Friday at the Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Explore the exhibitions during extended viewing hours and enjoy a special performance by singer Roberta Fabiano beginning at 7 p.m. Free. Call 380-3230 for more info.
Walking with Whitman
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station hosts the 12th season of Poetry in Performance: Walking With Whitman tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Writer-in-Residence George Wallace, the event will feature Nicholas Samaras, author of Hands of the Saddlemaker and Bruce Johnson, author of Borderlands and Dreams. Admission fee for this event is $10 and will be collected at the door. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 427-5240.
Happenings on Main Street
The Northport Arts Coalition concludes its Happenings on Main Street series at the Northport Village Park Gazebo at the harbor at 7 p.m. with a performance by Glen Baldwin & Friends of Jazz. Bring seating. Call 827-6827 or visit www.northportarts.org.
The Edwards Twins return to T3
For a special return engagement, celebrity impersonators The Edwards Twins return to Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jeffersontonight and Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. Remember all the wonderful Variety shows we all grew up on in the 70’s & 80’s? Now is your chance to see them live and re-created by Las Vegas’ number one impersonators of all time. All your favorite legendary Superstars come to life including Sonny & Cher, Billy Joel, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Tom Jones, and many, many more with live vocals. Tickets are $59. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Saturday September 3
The Edwards Twins return to T3
See Sept. 2 listing.
Labor Day Festival
Superior Ice Rink, 270 Indian Head Road, Kings Park hosts a Labor Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Join them for a day of fun with a hockey tournament, food trucks, music, craft fair, farmers market, water slide, bounce house, dunk tank, Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle and Chuck a Duck. Proceeds will be donated to the Silent Night Foundation. Rain date is Sept. 4. Call 269-3900 for further information.
Huntington Lighthouse Music Fest
Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society presents its 13th annual Huntington Lighthouse Music Fest at the Huntington Harbor Lighthouse from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Extraordinary bands of all musical genres will perform fin the middle of the water on top of the lighthouse. There is no fee to attend or registration necessary! Just drop anchor with us and enjoy a day offun, Rain date is Sept. 4. For more information, visit www.lighthousemusicfest.org.
Geneology Workshop
South Huntington Public Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station will host a meeting of the Genealogy Workshop of the Huntington Historical Society at 11 a.m. Speaker Michael Cassara will present a lecture titled Intro to Italian Genealogy. Free event, reservations not required. Questions? Call 427-7045.
Sunday September 4
Caumsett Hike
Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for a Late Summer Seasonal Stroll from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. Witness summer’s slow, subtle change, as she withers and goes to seed during this 1.5 mile hike. Adults only. $4 per person. Advance registration required by calling 423-1770.
Ronkonkoma Street Fair
The Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Labor Day Weekend street fair on Hawkins Road between Portion and Wittridge roads from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featuring more than 200 vendors, live music, children’s rides, arts and crafts, giveaways and much more. Held rain or shine. Free admission. Call 963-2796 or visit www.ronkonkomachamber.com.
Engeman Theater fundraiser
Join the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport for a special fundraiser to benefit Northwell Health’s Huntington Hospital’s Neurosurgery Department at 7 p.m. Broadway and Hollywood stars (and Northport natives) Edie Falco and Chris Messina, will lead a staged reading of Thornton Wilder’s classic American play Our Town along withMarin Ireland, Katie Finneran, Ben Shenkman, Liza Colon-Zayas, Matthew Del Negro, Joe Roseto, Cezar Williams, Darren Goldstein, Kalyne Coleman, and Natalie Seus. Tickets are $200. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Monday September 5
No events listed for this day.
Tuesday September 6
An evening of Goat Yoga
Join the Smithtown Historical Society, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown for a 45 minute session of yoga with friendly, interactive goats from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m courtesy ofby Steppin’ Out Ponies and Petting Zoo. Tickets are $28 per person and all levels of yoga are welcome. Please bring a mat & towel. The first session will be open to children aged 7 to 17, accompanied by a parent or guardian. Registration required via Eventbrite. For more information, call 265-6768.
Wednesday September 7
No events listed for this day.
Thursday September 8
Atelier at Flowerfield art reception
Join the Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield, Suite 6 & 9, St. James for an opening reception of its latest exhibit, Neill Slaughter 50 Year Retrospective, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The show runs Sept. 8 to Oct. 27. Call 250-9009 or visit wwwtheatelieratflowerfield.org for further information.
Huntington Walking Tour
The Huntington Historical Society will host a Centers of Controversy guided walking tour from 6 to 9 p.m. Visits sites in central Huntington that gave rise over the centuries to scandals, lawsuits, and other controversies. Tour ends at Six Harbors Brewing Company. Tickets are $25, $20 members (drinks not included). Tours will begin at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main Street,Huntington. Reservations are required. Call 427-7045 or visit www.huntingtonhistorical.org
Fly Me to the Moon event
The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington in collaboration with the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport present Fly Me to the Moon: An Evening of Art, Music, and Celestial Happenings from 7 to 11 p.m. Begin the evening at The Heckscher exploring the exhibition Moonstruck: Lunar Art from the Collection. Join author and radio host Tom Ryan as he explores how the moon and outer space have inspired musicians since the beginning of recorded history. Travel back in time through sound and film clips, from Frank Sinatra to Bruno Mars, and everyone in between! Next, head to the Vanderbilt Planetarium where telescopes will be available to take in fantastic views of the Moon, the planet Saturn, and other celestial objects in the night’s sky! Enjoy a live, 45-minute talk about the night sky, stars, planets, constellations, and moon in the 60-foot domed planetarium theater, housing one of the finest star projection systems in the world. End the night with an amazing Pink Floyd light show, “Laser Dark Side of the Moon.” Tickets are $35 per person. To register, visit www.heckscher.org.
Film
‘Jungle Nights’
Join the Four Harbors Audubon Society at the Smithtown Library Main Branch, 1 North Country Road, Smithtown for a Friday Movie Night screening of BBC’s Night on Earth: Jungle Nights on Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Beneath the jungle’s canopy, the night is alive with fantastic beasts, large and small, who use the darkness to socialize, hunt, climb and crawl. Full of cinematic wonders and nocturnal beauty, this series’ new technology lifts night’s veil to reveal the hidden lives of the jungle’s nocturnal creatures. For the budding environmentalist, and also those curious about how nature and the natural world works. Age appropriate from those in middle school to retirees. Free and open to all. Reservations required by calling 766-3075 or 360-2480, ext. 232.
‘Sin City’
The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cult Cafe series with a screening of Sin City on Sept. 3 at 10 p.m. In this quartet of neo-noir tales, a mysterious salesman (Josh Hartnett) narrates a tragic story of co-dependency, while a musclebound vigilante (Mickey Rourke) tears his way through the criminal underworld in search of his lost love (Jaime King). In another part of the city, a grizzled cop (Bruce Willis) foils the ambitions of a child-killer (Nick Stahl), and an ex-prostitute (Brittany Murphy) evades her ex-pimp (Benicio Del Toro) with the help of her new boyfriend, Dwight (Clive Owen). Rated R. Tickets are $7, $5 members. To order, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’
Join Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for a screening ofDownton Abbey: A New Era starring Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, and Michelle Dockery on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. Registration is required by calling 928-1212 or visit www.cplib.org.
Theater
A FINAL TOAST Catch one of the final performances of ‘On Your Feet!’ at the Engeman Theater in Northport. The show closes on Sept. 3. Photo from Engeman Theater
‘On Your Feet!’
Extended! The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan from July 14 to Sept. 3. From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. On Your Feet! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making, and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Get ready to get on your feet, and dance to the smash hits “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” “1-2-3,” “Live For Loving You,” “Conga,” and many more. Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘Henry V’
The Carriage House Players continues its annual Shakespeare Festival at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport with Henry V from Aug. 26 to Sept. 18 on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Performances take place outdoors on stage in the courtyard, where the Spanish-Mediterranean architecture adds a touch of timeless charm and magic. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show and bring your own lawn chair. Inclement weather cancels. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and children ages 12 and under. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
‘Guys and Dolls’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 52nd season with Guys and Dolls from Sept. 17 to Oct. 22. Considered the perfect musical of Broadway’s Golden Age, this delightful romp gambles in luck and love from Times Square to Havana. High rollers and low characters from Damon Runyon’s mythical New York are joyously presented in Frank Loesser’s bold and brassy score, featuring “Luck Be a Lady,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” An award-winning classic for the entire family! Tickets are $35 adults, $28 senior and students, $20 children ages 5 and up. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Mystic Pizza’
Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is the new musical comedy, Mystic Pizza, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 30. Based on the classic 1988 movie starring Julia Roberts, Mystic Pizza charts the lives and loves of three unforgettable waitresses in the harbor town of Mystic, CT. Add in some of the best pop songs of the ‘80s and ‘90s such as “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Addicted To Love,” “Small Town,” “Hold On,” and “Take My Breath Away,” and you have all the ingredients for a romantic comedy–with the works! Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Vendors Wanted
◆ Davis Town Meeting House Society seeks vendors for its Yard Sale & Craft Fair on Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Davis House, 263 Middle Country Rd., Coram. Rain date is Sept. 11. $25 per table. For an application, call Maryanne at 631-804-2256 or email: [email protected].
◆ Yaphank Historical Society is looking for vendors for its annual Fall Yard sale on Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Hawkins House at 4 Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank. Rain date is Sept 18. Vendor fee is only $10 per spot. No advance reservations necessary. Call 631-924-4803 with questions, or visit www.yaphankhistorical.org.
◆ Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead seeks artisan craft & farmers market vendors for its 41st annual Country Fair on Sept. 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details and an application, visit www.Hallockville.org/countryfair.
◆ Port Jefferson Lions Club seeks vendors for its 1st annual Car Show at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Rain date is Sept. 25) Call Warren at 631-258-6165 for more information.
◆ Caroline Episcopal Church of Setauket is sponsoring a Fall Craft Fair & Barn Sale on the Setauket Village Green (Main St. and Caroline Ave.) on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain date is Sept. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. Limited spaces still available on the Village Green (10’x10’) and covered Carriage Shed (9’x18’). Reserve your spot at www.depasmarket.com. Questions? Call 631-806-4845.
◆ Stony Brook Community Church, 216 Christian Ave., Stony Brook is seeking vendors for its Apple Festival on Oct.1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date Oct. 2). Spots (10’ x 10’) are $40 each; vendors can call or text 631-252-0777 for an application.
◆ Parents of Troop 362 will hold a Craft Fair & Basket Raffle at Hope Lutheran Church, 46 Dare Road, Selden on Oct. 1. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain date Oct. 2). Vendors wanted -— 10’ by 10’ space for $40 donation. To reserve a space, email [email protected].
◆ St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown seeks craft or new merchandise vendors for its Craft Fair and Car Show on Oct. 8 (rain date is Oct. 15 for craft fair only) $50/space. Visit www.stthomasofcanterbury.net or call 631-265-4520 to obtain an application.
◆ Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 716 Route 25a, Rocky Point seeks vendors to be a part of their annual October Festival on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fee for vendor participation of new items, no raffles is $35 per10’ x 10’ space. Must supply own table and chairs. Visit www.thefishchurch.com Festivals and Events page.
Class Reunions
✴Port Jefferson (ELVHS) Class of 1972’s 50th reunion is planned for September 9 and 10. Please spread the word, and visit Facebook page “Port Jefferson(ELVHS) Class of 1972 50th Reunion” for details or e-mail [email protected].
✴Ward Melville High School Class of 1972’s50th reunion is Oct 1. Please spread the word and visit Facebook page “Ward Melville High School Class 72 50th Reunion” for more information and purchasing tickets. For more information, email [email protected] or call 631-928-5684 and leave your name and contact information for any questions
* All numbers are in (631) area code unless otherwise noted.
Can anyone forget sour cream and onion dip, spinach and artichoke dip or clam dip? They all were party staples in my youth, and hackneyed party fare that they are, I still can remember their taste and never turn down a chance to go down memory lane and binge on them whenever they appear at a party. In those days we scooped them with potato chips that inevitably broke and left pieces languishing in the dip, but today there are so many kinds of new chips plus crudités beyond celery and carrots to choose from that I think it’s time to riff on some new dips too. Here are a few somewhat different concoctions.
Goat Cheese with Fresh Herbs Dip
YIELD: Makes 1 1/2 cups
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 pound fresh soft goat cheese
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup snipped fresh chives
2 tablespoons finely chopped flat leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
In a food processor, blend goat cheese, oil and yogurt until smooth; add herbs, salt and pepper and pulse a few times. Transfer to a bowl and serve with bagel chips, toasted baguette slices or crudités.
Baba Ghanoush (Charred Eggplant Dip)
YIELD: Makes 2 cups
INGREDIENTS:
1 head garlic
1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 medium eggplants
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup light tahini
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes
Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
DIRECTIONS:
Place oven rack in top third of oven and preheat broiler. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Slice off top of garlic head and drizzle with a teaspoon of the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then wrap in foil. With a fork, pierce the eggplants all over; place them and the garlic on the foil-lined baking sheet. Broil, turning occasionally, until garlic is soft and eggplant is charred on the outside and very soft on the inside all the way through to the center, about 35 minutes. When cool enough tohandle, cut the eggplant open and scoop out the flesh; place in a colander to drain for about 30 minutes; discard skin; finely chop eggplant ifany strands remain. Pinch or scoop garlic cloves out of their skin and mash them.
In a large bowl, combine them with the remaining olive oil, eggplant pulp and lemon juice and stir vigorously to further break up the pulp as much as possible. Add tahini, lemon juice and more salt and pepper, if desired. Stir vigorously again, transfer to serving dish and garnish with parsley, red pepper flakes and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with pita chips and crudités.
Muhamarra (Roasted Red Pepper Dip)
YIELD: Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
2 red bell peppers
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces chopped toasted walnuts or almonds
1 garlic clove chopped
2 – 3 tablespoons tomato paste
2/3 cup unflavored bread crumbs
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon sumac
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 425 F. Lightly oil a shallow baking dish. Brush peppers with one tablespoon olive oil, place in prepared dish and roast, turning once or twice, until skin is puckered and centers blacken, about half an hour. Place in bowl and cover for 5 to 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, pull and scrape off skin and remove seeds and discard. In bowl of food processor combine pepper pieces, remaining 3 tablespoons oil, nuts, garlic, tomato paste, bread crumbs, molasses, sugar, sumac, salt and pepper and process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate but serve at room temperature with flat bread and crudités.
The Center for Italian Studies at Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook offers Italian classes for the community from October, 2022 to April, 2023. The informal studies program for adults is designed to expose participants to the Italian language and culture. On-line courses using video conferencing and distance learning technologies are offered in Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced Italian; each level offered in a 22-2 hour series of classes (44 hours of instruction). Cost per course is $300. For additional information/registration form, class dates, times and schedule view www.stonybrook.edu/italianstudies or call 631-632-7444.
What is Jazz? Tour takes visitors to seven jazz stops in history
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook, will be presenting two opportunities to take a LIVE tour through jazz history, with its What is JAZZ? Interactive tour on September 10 (starting at 6 p.m.) and October 21 (starting at 7 p.m.). Visitors can arrive at 10-minute intervals-see TICKETS. The tour is comprised of seven stops within the Jazz Loft’s museum and performance space. Each stop in Jazz history is about four minutes, during which patrons will be treated to a brief performance and historical reflection. The entire live music, interactive experience will take about 30 minutes.
Guests begin in the main lobby and are welcomed to America by a lone pianist who introduces them to the BLUES. Each stop is limited to a brief historical reflection and a singular tune leaving guests hungry for more.
As they continue to the Seaman Gallery, inspired by Jazz photography, guests meet a singer who introduces them to the influence of GOSPEL music in Jazz and they hear a melody reminiscent of a tent revival meeting in the deep south.
As the tour continues, we stumble into the Milt Hinton Music Room and are ushered into the birthplace of Jazz, New Orleans as we hear the sounds of EARLY JAZZ presented by banjo/bass duo. Each time warp landing leaves no time for lingering and as the map leads from stop-to-stop patrons head upstairs to the Teddy Charles Room. Transported to the windy city of Chicago and the heyday of the BIG BAND/SWING ERA this stop is fueled by the syncopated vibrations of a clarinet/vibraphone trio reminiscent of Benny Goodman’s unit (the vibraphone, a 1939 Deagan model actually performed with Goodman and is flanked by photos to prove it!).
Six steps up the elevation climbs further to the wow-room and the journey continues as patrons are in the main performance space of the Jazz Loft, an intimate supper club environment complete with a three-tier bandstand reconstructed from the Roseland Ballroom dance floor and the towering 1927 Irving Plaza Ballroom chandelier, fully restored. Bandstand aglow in the history and story of the city that never slept, New York is alive with the energy, pep, vim and verve of BEBOPheralded by a quintet who’s never ceasing and endless energy abounds.
Is there more? YES! Because the story of Jazz is still evolving as told by the singular Avant-guard trombonist in the Loft’s library who shouts and wails the sound of THINGS TO COME and of beyond the now. The tour may seem complete, but this journey of four-minute stops, scheduled so that every group of guests has their own private walk through of the Jazz Loft will certainly leave much to be discussed.
Guests can then proceed to the Basie Garden to enjoy some lingering sounds of LATIN JAZZ to debrief their experience. Patrons can choose from a select list of wines, craft beers, snacks and drinks available for purchase.
Tickets, which are $30, $25 seniors, $20 students and $15 children, can be purchased at TICKETS
For more information, call 631-751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.
The American College of Cardiology has recognized Stony Brook University Hospital as the only hospital on Long Island to have achieved the prestigious Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention & Resuscitation designation in 2022. The designation recognizes the high-level of staff expertise and exceptional integration of the Stony Brook Cardiology Program, Emergency Medical Services and Cardiovascular Surgery Program. The accreditation also recognizes Stony Brook Medicine’s commitment to treating patients with chest pain. Stony Brook University Hospital is the only facility on Long Island to have received this accreditation during back-to-back cycles.
“Our ACC designation affirms that Stony Brook provides the most advanced and timely evidence-based heart attack or cardiac arrest care to the patients in our community,” saysRobert T. Pyo, MD, Director, Interventional Cardiology; Medical Director, Structural Heart Program and Associate Professor, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. “This can only be achieved through the exceptional skill of our cardiac and emergency services teams in offering the best quality emergency cardiac care available anywhere.”
The Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention & Resuscitation designation means that Stony Brook University Hospital is optimally equipped, trained and staffed to care for patients during or after a heart attack or during a sudden cardiac arrest (when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating). Patients arriving at Stony Brook University Hospital’s ER with symptoms of a cardiac emergency are treated according to quality-of-care measures that are proven to achieve better patient outcomes.
Dr. William Lawson, Vice Chair, Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, noted that “Using Stony Brook’s “Code H” protocol, the Stony Brook Heart Institute has reduced the amount of time between a heart attack patient coming into the hospital to the opening and clearing of the blocked arteries with a stent or balloon-tipped catheter (angioplasty) to an average of just 54 minutes. This is a spectacular achievement, being over thirty minutes sooner than the 90 minutes or less specified in American Heart Association guidelines.”
“If you’re having a heart attack, every second counts,” says Julie Mangum, RN, Stony Brook Heart Institute’s Chest Pain Coordinator. “The key is to get treated as quickly as possible so there is less chance of heart muscle damage. Few hospitals can offer the diagnostic testing and the complete array of on-site interventional options that are available at Stony Brook.” In addition, for patients suffering from a cardiac arrest, Stony Brook University Hospital provides a robust hypothermia program that lowers a patient’s body temperature allowing for the best possible chance of meaningful recovery.
Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) available 24/7 every day of the year. In addition, Stony Brook maintains a “No Diversion Policy” for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients which means that at no time are ambulances diverted away from our emergency department.
“By earning this distinguished chest pain center accreditation at Stony Brook, we’re again demonstrating to Long Island that we provide the highest level of cardiac care, even in the most complex cases,” noted Hal Skopicki, MD, PhD, Co-Director, Stony Brook Heart Institute and the Ambassador Charles A. Gargano Chair of Cardiology at Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. “When having a heart attack, It is crucial to immediately seek care from the closest and most skilled facility available. For our community, I’m proud to say, that’s Stony Brook University Hospital.”
For more information about what it means for Stony Brook Heart Institute to be the region’s only accredited Chest Pain Center, visit this link.
About Stony Brook University Heart Institute:
Stony Brook University Heart Institute is located within Stony Brook University Hospital as part of Long Island’s premier university-based medical center. The Heart Institute offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The staff includes full-time and community-based, board-certified cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, as well as specially trained anesthesiologists, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, surgical technologists, perfusionists, and other support staff. Their combined expertise provides state-of-the-art interventional and surgical capabilities in 24-hour cardiac catheterization labs and surgical suites. And while the Heart Institute’s clinical staff offers the latest advances in medicine, its physician-scientists are also actively enhancing knowledge of the heart and blood vessels through basic biomedical studies and clinical research. To learn more, visit www.heart.stonybrookmedicine.edu.
About the American College of Cardiology:
The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its 54,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org.
Hear ye! Hear ye! Casting of “street characters” for the 26th annual Port Jefferson Charles Dickens Festival on Dec. 2, 3 and 4 will be held at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Actors, singers, prop people, dancers, puppet performers and sound people needed. All ages welcome. Costumes are provided and community service hours will be given to students. Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Karen Overin at 631-375-7451 or by email at [email protected].
Lidl has announced that it will open its 23rd store on Long Island on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Located in the Mayfair Shopping Center at 210 E. Jericho Turnpike in Commack, the grocery store will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting at 7:40 a.m. The first 100 customers in line before the ribbon cutting will receive gift cards ranging from $5 to $100 each. Shoppers can also enter to win a $500 Lidl gift card, sample Lidl’s award-winning assortment and take advantage of special giveaways throughout the day, according to the franchise. The 30,000-square-foot store will employ more than 50 people and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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