Arts & Entertainment

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Poinsettias and their rich red, white or variegated color schemes are the ideal backdrop for Christmas celebrations. In fact, poinsettias are among the most popular decorative flowers during the holiday season. According to the 2013 USDA Floriculture Statistics report, poinsettias accounted for about one-quarter (23 percent) of all flowering potted plant sales that year. Roughly 34 million poinsettia plants are sold in a given season.

Indigenous to Central America, the plant was introduced to North America in the 1820s when Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, brought the red-and-green plant back with him from a trip abroad. While millions of poinsettias will be purchased for the holiday season, many mistakenly think their utility ends once New Year’s Day has come and gone. But with proper care poinsettia plants can continue to thrive and bring warmth and beauty to a home long after the holiday decorations have been tucked away.

• Choose a hearty plant. Experts with the University of Vermont Extension Department of Plant and Soil Science say that many people mistake the plant’s leaves for its flowers. The red, white or pink bracts are actually modified leaves. The flowers of the plant are the yellow clustered buds in the center called “cyathia.” Choose poinsettia plants that have buds which are, ideally, not yet open.

• Keep the temperature consistent. Poinsettias prefer a room temperature between 60 and 68 F during the day and 10 degrees cooler at night. Humidity levels between 20 and 50 percent are ideal. Group plants on water-filled trays full of pebbles to help increase humidity levels.

• Place near sunlight. The United Kingdom-based Perrywood floral company advises placing poinsettia plants near a bright windowsill but not in direct sunlight. Do not let a poinsettia touch cold window panes. • Avoid drafts. The plants are sensitive to drafts and changes in temperature. So it’s best to keep poinsettias away from drafty doors, windows, radiators, or fireplaces.

• Don’t drown the roots. Wait until the surface of the compost dries out before watering the plant anew. Also, the decorative foil wrapper that covers pots can trap water and lead to root rot. Remove it or poke holes in the bottom to allow for drainage.

• Cut back plants. Come mid-March, cut back the plant by half to encourage new shoots, suggests the University of Illinois Extension. The plants also can be placed outside in the spring after the risk of frost has passed. Bring poinsettias back in around mid-September to early October to force them to bloom again.

Local Soccer youth pose with Town Clerk Vincent Puloe, Town Councilman Tom Lohmann, Town Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo, Coach James Malone, League Sponsor Robert Draper, Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, Coach Dave Phaff and Executive Board-Registrar Tracy Bordanaro.

On Nov. 20, Town officials hand delivered two proclamations to SB Athletico and Middle Country Soccer Club for their efforts in fundraising and donating approximately 350 Thanksgiving meals to Veterans at the Northport VA. The soccer leagues raised funds to purchase and deliver 350 cornish hens and holiday staples, which they delivered to the Northport VA on Nov. 23. Each dinner included a family photo and a letter, written by the soccer players to a veteran thanking them for their service to the county.

Town Clerk Vincent Puloe, Town Councilman Tom Lohmann, Town Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo, Coach James Malone, League Sponsor Robert Draper, Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, Coach Dave Phaff and Executive Board-Registrar Tracy Bordanaro.

“I was humbled to learn that our local youth devoted their downtime to proactively fundraise and deliver Thanksgiving feasts to the brave men and women who swore to protect our great Nation. I want to commend the coaches, league leadership and parents as well. Teaching our youth to honor, respect and care for our Veterans is more than philanthropic. It is character building, and speaks volumes about the integrity and commitment which these young people exhibit in leading by example,” said Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

Supervisor Wehrheim along with Town Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo, Town Councilman Tom Lohmann and Town Clerk Vincent Puleo, surprised soccer players, parents and coaches during a Saturday morning practice, presenting the two leagues with the proclamations. The Thanksgiving fundraiser was orchestrated and managed by the league sponsor; Robert Draper of Draper Asset Management, Coach James Malone, Coach Dave Phaff and Executive Board-Registrar Tracy Bordanaro. Peter Kinzie of Mercep Brothers in St James volunteered to both contribute and assist the leagues with purchasing the goods at cost, to help maximize the number of meals delivered.

During the peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the soccer players at SB Athletico were deeply involved in giving back to hospitals, nursing homes and healthcare facilities in the area. In between online soccer training, the families of SB Athletico actively fundraised and collected monetary donations. They then purchased supplies from struggling small businesses, cooked and delivered family style meals to hospitals, and nursing homes. The leagues have recently created a new program; TOPSoccer within Middle Country Children’s Soccer club. This program is devoted solely to children with physical, mental or behavioral disabilities, providing them with an environment that is fun and pressure-free to enjoy the game of soccer

Photos from Town of Smithtown

The Long Island Gay Men's Chorus

There’s nothing like a holiday TV special for unforgettable songs and memories – and the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus (LIGMC) is celebrating the season by dusting off the songbook for concerts brimming with yuletide classics.

Featuring legendary musical favorites from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and more, LIGMC’s “Home for the Holiday Special” concerts are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 at Saint Francis Episcopal Church, 1692 Bellmore Ave., North Bellmore, and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington. Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase at the door or online at www.ligmc.org.

“There’s no getting around the fact that the last few years have been very challenging for so many people. However, such during turbulent times, traditions have been a source of great comfort,” Bradley Meek, President of the LIGMC Board of Directors, said. “That is why the iconic holiday specials we’ve enjoyed throughout the years resonated so deeply with our members and provided the spark of inspiration for choosing the songs we look forward to performing.”

The 16-member LIGMC returned to the concert stage on Oct. 23 with the standing-room-only “Be Our Guest! A Magical Disney Cabaret” at Sayville VFW Post 433, marking the group’s first live performance since February 2020. LIGMC will continue to observe Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for indoor gatherings during performances.

“Since resuming our rehearsals in September, it has been an absolute joy to work with such a dedicated and enthusiastic group of returning members and new singers,” LIGMC Artistic Director Jeanette Cooper said. “We hope you’ll be able to join us and ‘tune in’ for what promises to be a very special series of performances!”

Contact the Chorus at [email protected] for additional details.

Historic Longwood Estate, Longwood Road and Smith Road, Ridge,  presents a special holiday program, Old-Fashioned Sleigh Rides & Hot Cocoa, for children ages 12 and under on Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Explore the grounds of the estate with an old fashioned sleigh ride, view two large train displays and enjoy roasted chestnuts and popcorn on an open fire. Children can visit with Santa (don’t forget your letter!) and have family members take photos. The Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for children in need through their INTERFACE program. $5 per child. To register, call 631-924-1820.

Click here for a here sneak peak of the train display: IMG_8101

Book trailers are the latest rage being used to grab the attention of potential readers who rely on social media for their news. Just like movie previews, an eye-catching trailer can jump start a book’s title recognition, broaden its audience, and pump-up sales.

“We live in a visual culture where people connect through imagery,” said author, Jerry Mikorenda. “With the pandemic limiting social interaction, I needed something that could viscerally connect readers to my novel on an emotive level.”

That book, The Whaler’s Daughter (Regal House Publishing), a historical seafaring novel, complicated the visual storytelling.

“To convey the story in a meaningful way, I needed experienced outdoor videographers,” added Mikorenda. “I thought nearby Five Towns College has a Visual Arts program with students looking for real life experience in producing the kind of scenes my trailer needed. It seemed like a good match.”

The result is an evocative, two-minute video shot on Long Island; acted, and produced by Long Island students.

“For me, the most rewarding part was seeing how these young artists embraced the material and the extra effort they put into bringing the story to life,” added the author. “I hope it gave them a glimpse into the business side of the Arts.”

You can watch the book trailer for The Whaler’s Daughter by clicking on the YouTube link below. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urEJWXPbI2c

The Whaler’s Daughter takes place in 1910 on a whaling station in New South Wales, Australia, where twelve-year-old Savannah Dawson lives with her widowed father. The story is about unexpressed grief, and how friendship can turn revenge into repentance, anger to empathy, and hurt into hopefulness.

Author’s Bio: Jerry’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Herald, The Gotham Center History Blog, and the 2010 Encyclopedia of New York City. His biography America’s First Freedom Rider: Elizabeth Jennings, Chester A. Arthur, and the Early Fight for Civil Rights was published in 2020. His short stories have appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, BULL, Cowboy Jamboree, and Gravel Magazine as well as other journals. His historical novel, The Whaler’s Daughter was published this fall.

Read a TBR News Media review of the book by Jeffrey Sanzel here.

From left, Town Clerk Vincent Puleo, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital Mary Ellen McCrossen, Senator Mario Mattera, Comptroller John Kennedy, Legislator Leslie Kennedy, Town Councilman Tom McCarthy, Tax Receiver Deanna Varricchio, Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, Lorra Caligiuri, Town Councilman Tom Lohmann, Smithtown Sanitation Supervisor Neal Sheehan, Steven Schmalfuss (Parks), Environmental Director David Barnes, Taylor Silvester (DEW) Urban Forrester Tom Colella, and Marcel Caillat (Parks). Photo from Town of Smithtown

On Tuesday, Nov. 23, State, County and local Smithtown officials joined the community in a ceremonial tree planting at Veterans Memorial (Moriches) Park in St. James, commemorating the 475 residents who have died from COVID-19. The memorial ceremony, hosted by Town Officials, the Department of Environment and Waterways, Town Forresters, and the Parks department was part of a Tree City USA Reward Grant. At the end of the ceremony, Smithtown Sanitation Supervisor Neal Sheehan and his sister Lorra Caligiuri led State and local officials in the tree planting, to honor the memory of their parents.

“I would like to first thank our Environmental Director David Barnes, his Foresters; Tom Colella and Robert Barget, who helped select this Dawn Redwood and our parks team for orchestrating the planting… This Dawn Redwood will grow bigger and more prominent each year. And as the holidays draw near, her beautiful red foliage will serve as a reminder that we will never forget the memory of our loved ones taken by this pandemic. My hope is that it brings you comfort. This Redwood will grow here throughout the generations allowing the memory of all 475 Smithtown Residents to live on forever,” said Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

The memorial tree is a four-inch caliper Dawn Redwood, boasting stunning red foliage in the Fall. The tree was selected by the Department of Environment and Waterways Foresters (certified arborists) under the direction of David Barnes, who is also a renowned Landscape Architect. A plaque unveiling, and name reading ceremony will take place in late Spring of 2022. The memorial plaque will be donated by the Town of Smithtown.

“We were all impacted by the pandemic, whether we lost a loved one or helped a friend grieve. As residents and individuals who serve the community we live in, we wanted to do something to let our town know, we grieve together. This tree is unique, it grows quickly and stands out in an extraordinary manner. The same can be said about the people we loved and lost. This is just one small way we can honor their memory,” said David Barnes, Environmental Protection Director.

The Town of Smithtown has maintained the title of Tree City USA, for 35 years and was recently recognized with a ‘Growth Award’ by the Arbor Day Foundation for Street Tree Care. Since 2020, the Town has inventoried 10,000 street trees, or 20% of the town’s estimated 50,000 total street tree census. The Town of Smithtown has planted 1250 trees since 2019, and has been recognized by the media for proactive management of the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive species which feeds on specific trees.

For questions or more information regarding the town’s forestry program, to request a planting or maintenance please contact the department during office hours at 631-360-7514.

Photos courtesy of Town of Smithtown

'Avalon Reflection' by Joanne Liff

Save the date! Studio 268, 268 Main St. Setauket will host an art show in December featuring a collection of fine art by local artists. This new body of work was completed in the summer and autumn of 2021 and presents the varied interests and applications of artists working both in plein air and in the studio.

The public is invited to view these beautiful pieces (which are available for purchase) at an opening reception on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. or on Sundays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19 from noon to 5 p.m. Proceeds from an art raffle and a percentage from art sales will be donated to The Three Village Central School District food pantries.

For more information, call 631-220-4529.

Photo from Leg. Trotta's office

For several years, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) has been working with Smithtown-based SMM Advertising and Retired Volunteer Services Programs (RSVP) to conduct a winter coat drive to provide coats to various organizations that provide services to people in need or who reside in shelters and could use warm winter clothing. They are collecting gently used or new coats, jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and new socks for infants, children, teens and adult men and women. 

“Due to COVID-19, many residents have lost their jobs or have had their hours reduced. As people prepare for the winter and clean out their closets or plan to give a new coat as a gift, it is important for all of us to help our fellow neighbors who need warm coats by contributing to this drive. Many people are still dealing with the impact that the pandemic has had on their lives,” said Leg. Trotta.

Donations of coats and other outerwear may be dropped off at Leg. Trotta’s district office, located 59 Landing Avenue, Suite 1, (Blue Door) in Smithtown, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The coat drive ends January 7, 2022. For directions or questions, please call Legislator Trotta’s office at 631-854-3900.

A puppet of businessman and philanthropist Ward Melville at the Stony Brook Village Holiday Festival's Legends & Spies Puppets Processional. Photo by Heidi Sutton

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO)’s 42nd Annual Holiday Festival will return on Sunday, December 5th from noon to 6 p.m. at the  Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main St., Stony Brook with Santa, performances, displays, activities and more. This is an entirely free event.

Photo from WMHO

The festival will feature music from WALK 97.5 throughout the day, Wiggs Optician’s Holiday Train Display, carolers, a performance from Roseland Dance Studio and a petting zoo. The Bethel AME Choir will be returning to help brighten spirits with a performance.

Children can write letters to Santa and mail them at the Stony Brook Post Office in the red “Mail for Santa” mailbox as soon as November 22. Letters can be mailed to Santa through the season.

WMHO’s Youth Corps Santa Fund fundraiser will include a scavenger hunt with the chance to win Stony Brook Village Center gift certificates, Discovery Cruise tickets and other prizes.  All proceeds will be donated to Long Island Adolescent to benefit children in need over the holidays.

Photo from WMHO

While the festivities are in full swing, festival goers can participate in the Holiday Tree Festival by voting for their favorite trees as they will be decorated that day. Ballots can be found in all establishments in Stony Brook Village. Voting will take place from December 5 to December 20.

At 5:30pm, Santa will arrive on a holiday float, and with some children from the community, will light  the holiday tree on the Village Green.

The sponsors of the 42nd Annual Holiday Festival and the 42nd Annual Holiday Tree Competition are Roosevelt Investments, Damianos Realty Group, GSE Dynamics, LIDL, Central Semiconductor Corp., The Suffolk Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy and Armor Corporation.

For more information about the Holiday Festival, the WMHO Youth Corps Santa Fund or the WMHO, call (631) 751-2244.

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Founded in 1939, WMHO is a not-for-profit corporation that develops and fosters community enrichment through cultural and educational experiences.  WMHO accomplishes this by enhancing and interpreting its historic and environmentally sensitive properties and by utilizing state-of-the-art technology. For more information, please visit www.wmho.org  

Stock photo

The St. James Fire Department Engine Company No. 1 will hold its 2nd annual St. James Community Holiday Gift & Toy Drive-Thru on Saturday, December 4 at Gyrodyne/Flowerfield in St. James from noon to 4 p.m.  Visitors will enter via the entrance on Route 25A.  Donations of an unwrapped toy or gift card are requested.

This year, multiple St. James organizations are collaborating on the event. The organizations are as follows:

St. James Fire Department Engine Co. 1

Celebrate St. James

Troop 7 Boy Scouts

Smithtown High School East Leadership

Smithtown High School East Chamber Choir

Veterans Recovery Coalition

St. James Girl Scouts Troop

St. James Civic Association

Smithtown Food Pantry

Gyrodyne/Flowerfield

Live holiday music will be performed by John Zollo, lead singer of The Dedications, as well as performances by the Smithtown High School East Chamber Choir.

Santa will make an appearance on a Fire Engine with a mailbox handy for children to drop off their letters. All donations will be distributed by the Smithtown Township Emergency Food Pantry to families and children in the community.

Toy donations can also be dropped off at TD Bank, 621 Lake Avenue, St. James, during business hours. Gift cards can be mailed to: St. James Holiday Gift & Toy Drive, c/o Celebrate St. James, 459 Lake Avenue, St. James, NY  11780. In the event of bad weather, the event will be held on Sunday, December 5th.

For more information, call (631) 584-5799.