Arts & Entertainment

Pixabay photo

By Britt Burner, Esq.

Britt Burner Esq.

Joan, a 70-year-old woman, visits an elder law attorney and says that her biggest concern is making sure that her house is protected should she need nursing home care. She has two children and wants to make sure they are able to inherit the house after her death. However, Joan also points out that both of her children live out of state with no intention of returning. While they are both married, neither has children. J

oan is hoping that grandchildren will come along soon and knows that if they do, there is a good chance she may want to sell the house and relocate to be near her growing family. Joan is looking for a solution that gives protection to her largest asset, her home, while also providing flexibility in case she decides to move.

Protecting one’s home in a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is a common planning tool and probably the best option for Joan. The MAPT is an irrevocable trust, meaning that it cannot be revoked unless the creator of the trust, Joan, and the beneficiaries agree. Joan’s children can be the trustees ,but Joan can retain the right to remove them from this position, as well as the right to change the ultimate beneficiaries of the trust. During her life, Joan can also keep the exclusive right to occupy the premises and will be responsible for the property’s maintenance, upkeep and taxes, thus not placing any additional burden upon her children.

Fast forward 5 years and Joan gets the grandkids she has been hoping for and her daughter asks her to move closer to help out. Joan loves the idea, but what about her house?

The trustees can sell the house in the name of the MAPT. Joan’s children, as trustees, will be responsible to handle the sale including signing the listing agreement, contract of sale, and closing documents. Just as if Joan had kept the house in her own name, a $250,000 exclusion from capital gains tax will apply.

The proceeds of the sale must be deposited in a bank account in the name of the trust; the trust sold the house therefore the trust gets the proceeds. From there, the trust can purchase a new house to serve as Joan’s primary residence with the same rules as the prior residence. The protection for Medicaid purposes goes back to when Joan initially put her first house into the trust, so no new clock is set since the assets never left the trust. 

If Joan decides to move in with her daughter, the assets can be left in cash or invested within the trust. Depending on how the trust is written, Joan can receive the income generated by those assets. However, in no case may Joan have access to principal from trust assets. When speaking with the elder law attorney, Joan should be upfront about the potential for a move so her concerns can be addressed. 

It may make sense, if Joan knows what state she is likely to end up in, for an elder law attorney in the second state to review a draft of the trust to make sure maximum protection can be provided whether Joan ends up needing services from Medicaid in that state.

Britt Burner, Esq. is a Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. focusing her practice areas on Estate Planning and Elder Law. Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. serves clients from New York City to the east end of Long Island with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan and East Hampton.

JUST KEEP SWIMMING Catch a screening of 'Finding Nemo' with Dad at the Cinema Arts Centre on June 15.
PROGRAMS

First Steps Into Nature 

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents First Steps Into Nature for children ages 2 to 4 on June 13, June 20 and June 27 at 9:30 a.m. Little ones will learn about nature through hands on interaction, music, crafts, stories, play and more. $20 per child per class. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Art Explorers Club

Start your weekend with art! The Heckscher Museum, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington presents Art Explorer’s Club: Underwater Treasures for ages 5 to 10 on June 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Students will explore the ocean through a sea-inspired book, using it as a springboard for creativity. They will design and sculpt their own sea creature, bringing it to life with paint and personalized accessories. To further enrich the experience, students will also write a short story featuring their unique creation. $5 per family. Register at www.heckscher.org.

Summer Splash Workshop

Celebrate St. James Cultural Arts Center, 176 2nd Street, St. James presents a Summer Splash children’s art workshop on June 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Children ages 5 to 12 will use various art techniques including drawing, painting, collage and printmaking to craft their very own one-of-a-kind summer-themed masterpiece. $40 per child includes all materials. To register, visit www.celebratestjamesorg. 631-984-0201

Father’s Day Painting Workshop

The Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield, Suite 6 & 9, St. James presents an in-studio Father’s Day workshop for children ages 6 to 12 on June 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Learn how to paint an awesome monster truck painting for Dad or that special Dad in your life with step-by-step instruction from Miss Linda. $55 per child includes an 11″ by 14″ canvas and all art supplies. To register, visit theatelieratflowerfield.org. 631-250-9009.

Second Saturdays at the LIM

The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook continues its Second Saturdays in the Studio series on June 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Families are welcome to join educators in the LIM studio and participate in a hands-on activity or art project inspired by the Triumph of Nature exhibition and decorate a small flower pot. Take home seeds to watch botanical beauty bloom from the outside and within. No registration required. Included with museum admission. 631-751-0066

Crafternoon at the Library

Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket will host a Crafternoon for children ages 3 to 12 (with their grown-up) on June 14. Stop in anytime between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to create a work of art with recycled materials. No registration required. Bring a friend! Questions? Email [email protected]

Story & Craft with Nana Carol

The Next Chapter bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington hosts a Story and Craft event with Nana Carol on June 16 at 10:30 a.m. Free. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008

Sidewalk Chalk Mosaics

Join the Walt Whitman Birthplace Museum, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station for a Sidewalk Chalk Mosaics workshop on June 18 from 11 a.m. to noon. Children ages 3 to 5 will explore different materials and techniques while having fun $15 per child. To register, visit www.waltwhitman.org. 631-427-5240

Fish Scavenger Hunt

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor will hold a Fish Scavenger Hunt on June 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn about fish that live in New York as you explore the hatchery and solve the riddles. Included with admission of $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. 516-692-6768

Shake, Rattle and Roll

In honor of Juneteenth, the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor presents Shake, Rattle and Roll on June 19. Drop by between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to  explore how West African music influenced American sailors’ work songs at sea. Create your own sistrum, a traditional instrument using shells! Admission fee plus $10 per particIpant. 631-367-3418

THEATER

‘Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs’

Join Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson for a hysterical musical retelling of the wonderful story Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs from May 31 to June 21. Come on down for this daffy tale with a Queen, a Witch, a Princess with skin as white as snow, and seven crazy dwarfs that are guaranteed to keep you laughing from start to finish. Tickets are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com

‘The Little Mermaid Jr’

Ready for an under the sea adventure? Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. from July 12 to Aug. 17. In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking. Tickets are $26.50. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Madagascar: A Musical Adventure’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Madagascar: A Musical Adventure from July 19 to Aug. 24. Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto your stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime.  Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure follows all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. Tickets are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

‘The Fantasmix’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its children’s theater with The Fantasmix: A Superhero Journey Begins! from July 11 to July 26 with a sensory friendly performance on July 13 at 11 a.m. Come help the world’s newest superheroes — Lightning and Bolt — as they embark on an epic journey to save our planet — and all its water! The electrifying brother-and-sister duo discovers that together, they have what it takes to save the world. Tickets are $15. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

FILM

‘Finding Nemo’

As part of its Cinema for Kids series, the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will screen Finding Nemo on Father’s Day, June 15 at noon. An adventurous young clownfish is unexpectedly taken from his Great Barrier Reef home to a dentist’s office aquarium. It’s up to his worrisome father Marlin and his friendly but forgetful regal blue tang fish Dory to bring Nemo home —meeting vegetarian sharks, surfer dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish, hungry seagulls, and more along the way. Rated G. Tickets are $13 adults, $5 kids. www.cinemaartscentre.org. 

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PROOF THAT AGE IS JUST A NUMBER The hip hop musical ‘Half Time’ returns to Theatre Three this weekend. Photo by Steve Ayle/ShowbizShots
Thursday June 12

Stony Brook Village Walking Tour

Ward Melville Heritage Organization presents The Tales Untold Walking Tour today and June 13 at 11 a.m. and again at 3:30 p.m. Take a journey back in time and uncover the untold stories of the historic women of Stony Brook. You may have visited these landmarks before, but you’ve likely never heard the inspiring tales of the extraordinary women who helped shape this community. This hour-long walking tour will begin at T. Bayles Minuse Mill Pond Park and take you to other historic village landmarks, revealing tales you’ve likely never heard before. Tickets are $15 per person. To register, call 631-751-2244.

Sts. Philip & James Family Festival

Saints Philip & James R.C. Church, One Carow Place, St. James will hold their 28th annual Family Festival today and June 13 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., June 14 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and June 15 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This family friendly annual festival features exciting carnival rides for all ages by Newton Shows, delicious festival eats and carnival treats, games and  prizes, and fun for the entire family. Free admission, pay-one-price rides or individual rides. 631-584-5454 Discounted POP bracelets available at www.newtonshows.com. 

Goat and Alpaca Yoga

The Smithtown Historical Society, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown will host a 45 minute session of yoga with friendly, interactive goats and alpaca near the Frank Brush Barn 2 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m courtesy of by Steppin’ Out Ponies and Petting Zoo. The classes continue on June 23, July 7, July 23, Aug. 5, Aug. 18 and Sept. 11, weather permitting. Tickets are $35 per person via Eventbrite.com. Please bring a mat & towel. For more information, call 631-265-6768.

Pete Mancini in Concert

Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Ave., Northport in collaboration with the Northport Arts Council welcome Pete Mancini in concert at 7 p.m. The show will focus on hit songs from the Laurel Canyon era. Open to all. To register, call 631-261-6930.

Sounds on the Sound

The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce presents Sounds on the Sound, a sunset cruise on the Port Jefferson Ferry, 102 West Broadway, Port Jefferson, featuring a concert by the Just Sixties Band from 6:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. $40 general admission includes one drink ticket for wine, beer or featured cocktail. For ages 21 and over. To order, call 631-473-1414.

Friday June 13

Sts. Philip & James Family Festival

See June 12 listing.

Stony Brook Village Walking Tour

See June 12 listing.

Hallockville Spring Tea

Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead will hold their annual Spring Tea at 1 p.m. Join them for a lovely afternoon of delectable savories, sweets, and assorted teas in the historic Naugles Barn. This year’s speaker is professor and former board member Susan Babkes who will explore the role of women in the American Revolution. Reserved seating, $45 per person. To register, visit www.hallockville.org. 631-298-5292.

Grounds and Sounds Concert

Grounds and Sounds Cafe, UUFSB, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket hosts a concert featuring Dan Pelletier at 8:15 p.m. The evening  begins with an Open Mic at 7:30 p.m. (signup at 7 p.m.) Tickets are $20 per person, available in advance at www.groundsandsounds.org or at the door. For more information, call 631-751-0297.

Saturday June 14

Sts. Philip & James Family Festival

See June 12 listing.

Pet-A-Palooza at Little Shelter

Join Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center, 33 Warner Road, Huntington for its annual Pet-A-Palooza fundraiser celebration today and June 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featuring a huge Chinese auction, games for kids, face painting, BBQ, Blessing of the Animals service on June 15 at 3 p.m., “Dogs on Parade” dog contest, doggie swimsuit contest and many animals for adoption. Meet Anna and Raven from WALK 97.5 FM on June 14. 631-368-8770, www.littleshelter.org

Rocky Point Strawberry Festival 

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 716 Route 25A, Rocky Point presents their annual Strawberry Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with craft vendors, delicious food and desserts, bbq, bake sale, huge Tag Sale, gift basket raffles, and children’s games and activities. 631-744-9355

Hallockville Barn Sale

Join Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead for a day of treasure hunting at their Barn Sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. You’ll find lots of items to choose from—antiques, home goods, tools, books, vintage treasures, and much more. All proceeds support Hallockville’s educational programs and historic preservation efforts. 631-298-5292

Kings Park Day

Kings Park Chamber of Commerce will host  the 47th annual Kings Park Day street fair with rides, games, music, live performances along Main Street and over 100 local food trucks, crafters, artists, and vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the municipal lot 2 Main Street, Kings Park. Find gifts for Father’s Day, vast array of food trucks, children’s activities, crafts, clothing, seasonal decor, and artisanal foods. 631-885-1267, 631-269-7678

Foodie Fest and Craft Fair – This event has been postponed to July 12.

Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mt. Sinai hosts the 2nd annual Foodie Fest and Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join them for a fun day of shopping, supporting local businesses, and community spirit! 631-403-4846 

CSHL Walking Tour

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor will host a guided walking tour of the campus from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn about the historic and modern architecture, the Nobel legacy, and the advanced cancer, neuroscience, and plant research taking place at the lab. Fee is $9.31 per person. To register, visit www.cshl.edu. 516-367-8844.

Community Blood Drive

Terryville Fire Department, 19 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station will hold a blood drive  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All donors will be entered into a raffle to win one of four free tickets to their annual family carnival which will be held from July 23 to July 27 this year, a $25 value. Call 631-473-1224 for more info.

British Car Show – This show has been postponed. New date TBA.

In conjunction with their current exhibit, Getting There, the Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook presents a British Car Show in their parking lot from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring a stunning collection of both classic and contemporary vehicles. Rain date is June 15. 631-751-0077.

Second Saturdays Poetry Reading

All Souls Church, 61 Main St., Stony Brook presents at Poetry Reading via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Featured poet will be  Sheri Lynn. An open reading will follow; all are welcome to read one of their own poems.  For more information, call 631-655-7798.  Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/

Sherwood-Jayne House Tours

Sherwood-Jayne Farm House (c. 1730), 55 Old Post Road, Setauket will be open for tours at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., courtesy of Preservation Long Island. This guided tour explores the first and second floors of the house. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 ages 10 to 18, free for children ages 9 and under. To reserve your spot, visit www.preservationlongisland.org/tours/.

The Brick Artist’s Reception

Join The Brick Clay Studio & Gallery, located at 2 Flowerfield, Suites 57&60 in Saint James, for an opening reception for the works of Astrid Wimmer from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wimmer emphasizes clean and honest shapes in her work, ranging from sturdy vessels to delicate bowls. Light refreshments will be served.  The exhibit will be on view through June 30.  833-The-Brick

Saturdays at Six Concert

All Souls Church, 61 Main Street, Stony Brook continues its Saturdays at Six concert series with  the Whitman String Trio. The group was founded at Stony Brook University in 2015 and has been performing professionally throughout Long Island ever since. This group includes Joenne Dumitrascu (violin), Stephen Gorgone (viola), and Craig Mehler (violoncello) performing works by Beethoven and Dohnányi. The program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Free. 631-655-7798

Northport Pridefest

Village of Northport will present their 3rd annual Pridefest celebration from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Northport Village Park.  Attendees can expect to once more enjoy the music, listen to guest speakers, stroll among the vendor tents and visit the Northport Historical Society’s Northport Pride Exhibit. Free. www.northportpridefest.com

LIGMC Concert

The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Broadway – Our Way,” featuring generation-spanning musical theater favorites at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 at www.ligmc.org/concerts and at the door.

Tricycle in Concert

The Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council presents a Spring concert at First United Methodist Church,  603 East Main St., Port Jefferson featuring music by Tricyle — Andrew, Cole and Andie Fortier — at 7:30 p.m. Join them for a night of music, love, family and friends. Advance seating only. Tickets are $30 adults, $20 students at www.gpjac.org.

Sunday June 15

Sts. Philip & James Family Festival

See June 12 listing.

Pet-A-Palooza at Little Shelter

See June 14 listing.

Sound Symphony Concert

Comsewogue High School, 565 Bicycle Path, Port Jefferson Station hosts a concert by the Sound Symphony Orchestra at 2 p.m. Directed by Maestro Dorothy Savitch, the program will feature works by Gershwin, Litzt, Shaw and Stravinsky. Tickets (cash) are $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students, free for children under 12 at the door. www.soundsymphony.org

Paul Graf  in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook  presents a concert by Paul Graf from 3 to 4 p.m. The event is free with general admission ticket purchase. 631-689-5888, www.limusichalloffame.org

Monday June 16

Country Line Dancing

Celebrate St. James presents Country Line Dance lessons with Natalie at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 2nd St., St. James from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Come learn the hottest dances! $15 per person at the door. Please RSVP at  www.celebratestjames.org. 631-601-5109

Tuesday June 17

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a discussion by Rachel Callard and Elizabeth Hatkin from the Developmental Disabilities Institute who will discuss “Exploring Autism” at 11 a.m. Bagels and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Anne Frank Memorial Ceremony

Join the Town of Huntington for their 14th annual Anne Frank Memorial Ceremony at Arboretum Park, 48 Threepence Drive, Melville from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. with guest speaker and Holocaust survivor Celina Kohn and music by Toby Tobias. In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place at Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main St., Huntington. 631-351-3000

Comedy Night at the Engeman

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its special events series with a night of comedy at 8 p.m. Come have some laughs, enjoy some cocktails and listen to some very funny comedians. Tickets are $45. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Wednesday June 18

 SHS Lecture

Smithtown Historical Society will present How to Prepare for A Personal Emergency in the Frank Brush Barn, 211 East Main St., Smithtown from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. with Christine Shiebler, Esq. Learn how to store your personal information, organize your financial records and more. Lunch will be served. Free. To RSVP, call 631-979-4300. 

Cruise Night at The Shoppes

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River hosts a Cruise Night Car Show tonight and every Wednesday through October from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit the Shoppes, enjoy a bite to eat and then check out the fine array of classic cars in the parking lot. 631-929-3500

Visiting National Parks

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station presents a lecture, Visiting National Parks, from 7 p.m to 8:30 p.m. Get tips to navigate America’s greatest natural resource with Bill and Caleb Binnie, who have visited more than 270 national parks in 49 of the 50 states. Open to all. To register, call 631-928-1212 or visit www.cplib.org.

Hard Luck Café concert

Singer-songwriters Louie Lou Louis, Alex Radus and Tina Ross will share the stage during the Folk Music Society of Huntington’s monthly Hard Luck Café concert series at the Cinema Arts Centre’s Sky Room Cafe, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington from 8 pm to 10 p.m. An open mic at 7 pm, for which sign-up is at 6:30 p.m., precedes the concert. Tickets are $25 ($20 for Cinema Arts Centre/FMSH members) and may be purchased online through the evening of the show.

Thursday June 19

No events listed for this day.

Film

Friday the 13th’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington presents a screening of  Friday the 13th on June 13 a 7 p.m. Terror and suspense abound in this 24-hour nightmare of blood. Camp Crystal Lake has been shuttered for over 20 years due to several vicious and unsolved murders. The camp’s new owner and seven young counselors are readying the property for reopening despite warnings of a “death curse” by local residents. The curse proves true on Friday the 13th as one by one each of the counselors is stalked by a violent killer. This film is widely acclaimed for its horrifying and creative murder sequences. Featuring Zoom Q&A with screenwriter, Victor Miller. Tickets are $16, $10 members. www.cinemaartscentre.org

Theater

‘South Pacific’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Main Stage season with South Pacific from May 15 to June 29. This beloved musical takes place on a South Pacific island during World War II where two love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. With songs such as “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” “Younger Than Spring-time,” and “There Is Nothin’ Like A Dame,” South Pacific’s lush score contains some of the best songs ever written by Rodgers & Hammerstein. For more information and to order, call 631-261-2900 or go to www.engemantheater.com.

‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’

The Carriage House Players at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in  Centerport continues their 36th annual Shakespeare in the Courtyard Festival with Midsummer Night’s Dream from June 1 to June 29. Performances are held on the Vanderbilt mansion courtyard stage on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and children under age 12. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. 516-557-1207

‘Half Time’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson closes its 45th Mainstage season with Half Time from May 24 to June 22. The incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who audition to dance at half time for a major basketball team and have three things in common: they love to dance, they have something to prove, and they are all over 60 years old! Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Farmers Markets

Hauppauge

New! The Suffolk County Farmers Market at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge will be open to the public every Thursday at the facility’s north parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 2. 631-853-2047

Huntington

Elm Street parking lot at 228 Main St., Huntington on Sundays from June 1 through Nov. 23 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 631-944-2661

Lake Grove

Southwestern quadrant of Smith Haven Mall parking lot along Middle Country Road year-round on Saturdays (pickles, honey) and full market with vendors on Sundays. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. 516-444-1280

Northport

Cow Harbor Park parking lot, at the corner of Main Street and Woodbine Ave. in Northport on Saturdays from June 7 through Nov. 22 (except Sept. 20) from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 631-662-7244

Port Jefferson 

Harborfront Park, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from May 18 through Nov. 23. 631-802-2160

St. James

St. James Lutheran Church, 230 2nd Ave., St. James hosts a farmers market in its parking lot every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 31 through October 25. 631-403-7711

Setauket

Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket on Fridays from May 16 through September (except Sept. 19) from 3 to 7 p.m. and October from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. 631-751-3730

Class Reunions

Ward Melville High School Class of 1975 will hold their 50 year reunion at St George Golf & Country Club in East Setauket on June 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $126.00 per person includes hors d’oeuvres, Prime Rib buffet dinner and open bar. Contact Cary Fichtner-Vu  at 703-861-8259 or [email protected] for tickets by June 2. No walk-ins. 

Rocky Point High School Class of 1975 will hold their 50 year reunion at East Wind in Wading River on September 12 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. $150.00 per person includes  reception, hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, open bar and dessert. Contact Andrea at 631-774-2474 or [email protected]

CALENDAR DEADLINE  is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to [email protected]. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.

 

Captain Corcoran (Chris Jurak, left) is shocked to learn that his daughter Josephine (Kara Vertucci) has fallen in love with common sailor Ralph Rackstraw (Aaron Mor) in a scene from the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island’s 2025 production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore.  (Photo by Delaney R. Page.  Copyright 2025 The Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island.)

H.M.S. Pinafore, the classic comic opera that made Gilbert & Sullivan world famous almost 150 years ago, returns to Long Island in the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island’s all-new 2025 production, coming to the Star Playhouse at Suffolk Y/JCC on Sunday, June 29 at 3 p.m., in a full production with orchestra and chorus.

Little Buttercup (Delaney R. Page) flirts with Captain Corcoran (Chris Jurak) in a scene from the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island’s 2025 production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore.  (Photo by Delaney R. Page.  Copyright 2025 The Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island.)

H.M.S. Pinafore—which debuted in 1878, with book and lyrics by W.S. Gilbert and music by Arthur Sullivan—is among the most beloved of all the Gilbert & Sullivan operas, with its combination of sparkling lyrics, beautiful music and satirical dialogue.  The current production is the Light Opera Company’s first since 2015.

The comical plot centers on the love story of Josephine, the Captain’s heart-driven daughter, who is torn between devotion and duty. She is betrothed to the wealthy, high-ranking politician Sir Joseph Porter, First Lord of the Navy (a post equivalent to the American Secretary of the Navy), but her heart yearns for the lowly, earnest and strangely eloquent sailor, Ralph Rackstraw. As the sinister Dick Deadeye warns them, love across the boundaries of rank is unheard of, but will he take measures to thwart the lovers? The love story is mirrored by the cheerful shipboard saleswoman Little Buttercup, who hints at a dark secret and a furtive love of her own. Can the Captain steer this ship safely through this maelstrom of emotion?

Anne Elise Teeling of Brooklyn sings Josephine and Aaron Mor of Forest Hills sings Ralph. Chris Jurak of Hempstead is Captain Corcoran, with Chris Diamond of Glen Cove as the supercilious Sir Joseph.  Ian Joyal of New Hyde Park plays the scheming Dick Deadeye, with Henry Horstmann of Lindenhurst as the good-natured Bos’n’s mate, and David Aubrey of Great Neck as the phlegmatic Carpenter’s Mate. Delaney R. Page of Lynbrook plays the secretive Little Buttercup, with Mary DeMarco Lee of Huntington as Sir Joseph’s bumptious Cousin Hebe. The director is David Macaluso and the music director is Northport’s Isabella Eredita Johnson, with Michael C. Haigler conducting.

H.M.S. Pinafore is buoyant,” says Macaluso, a Gilbert & Sullivan expert who has been seen frequently with the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players and other companies. “It has an effervescent story with heart, and our talented cast brings these colorful characters to life through a trove of quintessential G&S songs. H.M.S. Pinafore was a global phenomenon when it premiered, and its combination of exciting music and comic wit have charmed audiences for 147 years, it’s as bright as ever. We’re having a great time polishing this gem.”

The score for HMS Pinafore is full of classics, ranging from Sir Joseph’s self-congratulatory “When I Was a Lad” to the Captain’s strutting “I Am the Captain of the Pinafore,” with its famous “What, never?  Well, hardly ever!” refrain.  There’s Ralph’s captivating “A Maiden Fair to See,” Josephine’s thrilling scena “The Hours Creep on Apace” and sailors’ close-harmony trio, “A British Tar Is a Soaring Soul” – not to mention Buttercup’s signature “I’m Called Little Buttercup” and the Bos’n’s patriotic “He Is an Englishman.”

“There’s something for everyone,” Macaluso concludes. “The real secret isn’t what Buttercup reveals at the end, the real secret is the way Gilbert and Sullivan seem to come together so closely that it’s as if the show was penned by one person.  H.M.S. Pinafore has been a favorite with American audiences since the day it premiered on these shores, and I think it always will be.”

H.M.S. Pinafore will be presented on Sunday, June 29 at 3 p.m. at the Star Playhouse at Suffolk Y/JCC, at 74 Hauppauge Road in Commack.

Admission is $35 for adults at the door (seniors/students $30), $30 for adults in advance (seniors/students $25).  For further information, call (516) 619-7415 or visit https://gaslocoli.org/tickets.

Rich Iacona on piano, directs The Bad Little Big Band. Photo from The Jazz Loft

Richie Iacona’s Bad Little Big Band, a staple at The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook, performs on the third Thursday, every other month with themed shows, featuring the 12-piece band, directed by composer, arranger and pianist Rich Iacona, with vocals by Madeline Kole.

This month, on June 19 at 7 p.m., the band, featuring Madeline Kole, will be presenting a tribute to the music of Charles Strouse, who recently passed away at the age of 96. Strouse wrote the score to Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, All American, Applause, Applause and many more musicals.  The evening’s program will also include the music of George Gershwin.

The Bad Little Big Band was started in 1979 by Iacona, who arranged and composed the band’s repertoire. The group made two recordings in the 1980’s- “Painter of Dreams” and “A Long Way to Go,” which received much airplay and notoriety over the years. Many of the original musicians are still with the group and Iacona has added to the repertoire with many new and fresh compositions. The Bad Little Big Band has featured many great soloists, with Kole being one of the band’s favorites. Fans can look forward to a new collection this year from Iacona.

Tickets for the Jazz Loft Bad Little Big Band performance are $30, $25, $20 $15.  The Jazz Loft is located at 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook. For more information, call 631-751-1895.

Distinguished Professor Arie Kaufman demonstrating two applications in the FlexiCAVE. On the left is a protein volume (inner pivot ~10 degrees, outer pivot ~30 degrees), and on the right side is Submerse application – visualization for extreme weather flooding in urban environments (on a flat FlexiCAVE section). Photo from SBU

Technology Can Be Used in Multiple Areas Including Healthcare, Climate Change, Managing Natural Disasters, Architecture, Urban Planning and Drug Design

Stony Brook University’s Center for Visual Computing has completed construction of the FlexiCAVE—the world’s largest flexible, dynamically reconfigurable high-resolution stereo display facility. Housed on the first floor of the New Computer Science (NCS) building, the FlexiCAVE comprises 40 tiled, high-pixel-density monitors capable of rendering about 83 million pixels, all while physically transforming its shape to support a wide range of scientific and data-driven applications, improving  immersive visualization technology.

“We envisioned a display that would adapt to the data—not the other way around,” said Arie Kaufman, distinguished professor of Computer Science and the principal investigator behind the project. “With FlexiCAVE, we’re enabling researchers to literally shape their workspace to the needs of their analysis.”

Innovative Interaction and Applications

Unlike traditional static visualization walls or even curved displays, the FlexiCAVE is built on a modular architecture with rotatable display columns. The system can seamlessly transition between flat, L-shaped, U-shaped, or semi-circular configurations in real time. These transitions are not only cosmetic.  They directly influence the visualization, the user experience and the type of data interaction enabled.

A custom-built rendering engine powers the design that synchronizes stereo views and dynamically updates visualizations as users physically adjust the screen layout. The team calls this new interaction paradigm —PIVoT, which is an acronym for  Physical Interaction to Virtual Transformation.

“It’s more than a screen. It’s a physical and tangible interface for virtual exploration where users are immersed in the data, and the layout of the FlexiCAVE anchors their sense of whereness, helping them stay oriented as they navigate complex visual spaces,” noted Principal Research Scientist Dr. Saeed Boorboor, co-author of the recently submitted VIS 2025 paper which details the system.

Real-World Applications

Immersive virtual colonoscopy showing on the FlexiCAVE, where radiologists navigate inside the patient’s colon model to locate and analyze polyps (all pivot angles are ~40 degrees). Photo from SBU

The team has already demonstrated real-world applications in many areas including healthcare. For example, virtual colonoscopy shifts the layout from a flat 2D overview of the patient’s colon to a curved immersive 3D endoluminal view (see Figure 2). In medical imaging visualization, radiologists can tangibly move the FlexiCAVE displays to virtually “slice” through brain MRI or abdominal CT scans.

And in situations like in  urban flood simulations, emergency planners can  orient and navigate flooding scenarios spatially by reconfiguring the display (see Figure 1).

In addition, researchers are using FlexiCAVE to experiment with multivariate data visualization, dynamically switching between scatter plots and parallel coordinate plots by physically bending screen segments. This hands-on interaction transforms the way users explore complex datasets. In an early user study, participants preferred the flexibility of the system and reported improved spatial perception over traditional static layouts. Other areas that can be enhanced  include architecture, urban planning, geospatial data, biological systems, drug design, and many others.

Why Now?

As datasets continue to grow in both size and complexity—ranging from volumetric brain scans to climate models—there is a pressing need for immersive tools that allow researchers to explore data from multiple angles and scales. The FlexiCAVE, part of a  growing trend in large high-resolution tiled displays,takes a bold step forward by combining stereoscopy, dynamic curvature, and tangible interaction into one unified system.

With backing from the New York State and Federal agencies, the FlexiCAVE’s development represents years of engineering insight, including customized aluminum framing, inclinometer-equipped hinges, and powerful GPU clusters capable of real-time image updates in a noise-canceling cabinet.

Looking Ahead

While the current version requires manual adjustment of the display columns—a design challenge acknowledged by the team—future updates may introduce motorized column rotation for ease of use. The research group is also exploring new applications in collaborative analytics and adaptable visualization workflows.

“We hope FlexiCAVE becomes a blueprint for the next generation of immersive environments—not only here at Stony Brook, but also globally,” said Professor Kaufman.

 

Pinelawn Memorial Park

Suffolk County Executive Edward Romaine joined Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum in Farmingdale on June 9 to honor its recent recognition as a “Certified Audubon Classic Sanctuary” by Audubon International, the noted New York based not-for-profit, recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Pinelawn is the first cemetery in the world to hold this prestigious certification. In fact, there are only two facilities in the entire nation – Pinelawn and the Osprey Point Golf Course in Boca Raton in Florida – with this distinction.

One of several fountains at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum. Facebook photo

In honor of this achievement, County Executive Romaine proclaimed June 9 as Suffolk County Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum Day.

“Pinelawn is truly a place of great beauty. Everyone here today can understand why the Audubon Society has honored them,” said County Executive Romaine.  “You come here, surrounded by the beautiful trees and flowers, and you are immediately put to rest with a sense of serenity.  Thank you for Pinelawn for what they do for this country, thank you for what they do for our veterans and their families; and congratulations go to the entire team.”

“Our goal is to minimize our impact on the environment while making our grounds a place of peace and beauty for all those who visit,” said Justin Locke, President and CEO, Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum. “We are extremely proud to be the first memorial park to be recognized globally for environmental excellence, and I thank my team for their ongoing commitment to implementing innovative practices that set a new standard in environmental care. This important certification is a testament to our team’s hard work and the legacy we continue to build for the community.”

Audubon International requires strict environmental standards, including adopting design and operations practices consistent with the principles of sustainability, including a strong commitment to energy efficiency, waste reduction and other environmental safekeeping.

“To reach certification as a Certified Classic Sanctuary, Pinelawn needed to demonstrate that it maintains a high degree of environmental standards in a number of areas,” stated Christine Kane, CEO, Audubon International. “These categories included environmental planning, wildlife & habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, and water quality management.”

Specifically, some of Pinelawn’s initiatives that lead to its new status included:

  • Replacing underground fuel tanks with safer, accessible, above-ground alternatives.   
  • Introducing a new, water recycling washdown station for Pinelawn’s fleet of vehicles.  
  • Installing a weather station to optimize its irrigation system and reduce water usage. 
  • Enhancing its wildlife habitat by creating buffer zones and habitat centers. 
  • Continuing its successful on-site community education programming. 

Pinelawn is located at 2030 Wellwood Avenue in Farmingdale. For more information about Pinelawn’s ongoing environmental efforts, please visit pinelawn.com.

This image captures bioprinted structures created with TRACE. Clockwise from the top left: structures mimicking the heart, intestine, kidney, and a vascular tree. Photos by Michael Mak, Xiangyu Gong, and Zixie Liang

A team of biomedical researchers led by Michael Mak, PhD, in the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, has developed a new method of bioprinting physiological materials. Called TRACE (Tunable Rapid Assembly of Collagenous Elements), the method solves previous problems of bioprinting natural materials of the body. It is also a highly versatile biofabrication technique, will help advance drug development and disease modeling, and potentially impact regenerative medicine.

Details of the method are explained in a paper published in Nature Materials.

Bioprinting positions biochemicals, biological materials, and living cells for the generation of bioengineered structures. The process uses biological inks (bioinks) and biomaterials, along with computer-controlled 3D printing techniques, to construct living tissue models used in medical research. While 3D printing technologies are newer to medicine and biomedical research, their applications are prominent in industries such as automotive manufacturing.

Researchers point out that despite the potential of bioprinting, achieving functionality in bioprinted tissues and organs has been challenging because biological cells in traditional bioprinted tissues are unable to perform their natural activities in the body – thus rendering most bioprinted tissues unusable for clinical purposes and advanced medical applications.

Mak and colleagues hope TRACE will help rectify this problem in future medical research.

“Our method is essentially a novel platform technology that can be used to print wide-ranging tissue and organ types,” says Mak, Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences. “With TRACE, we figured out how to fabricate and manufacture complex user-designable tissue and organ structures via 3D patterning and printing using the body’s natural building blocks, particularly collagen, as bioinks in a highly biocompatible manner and with direct incorporation of living cells,” he explains.

Collagen (especially Collagen Type I) is the most prominent and abundant protein in the human body. It is a key building block in tissues including skin, muscle, bone, tendon, and vital organs such as the heart. Collagen acts as the “glue” to many tissues and organs and is crucial as the body’s natural scaffolding material for holding cells and tissues in place. It also helps direct cells to perform their functions.

According to Mak, because of each of these attributes of collagen in physiological processes, it is a top candidate to be used as a bioink material.

In the paper, titled “Instant Assembly of Collagen for Tissue Engineering and Bioprinting,” the authors explain how with TRACE they can bioprint physiological materials by rapidly accelerating the gelation process of collagen. Their method is mediated by macromolecular crowding, a process in which an inert crowding material is used to speed up the assembly reaction of collagen molecules.

By doing this, they can create tissues composed of the same basic elements as those found inside the body. Then they apply TRACE to generate functional tissues and “mini organs” such as heart chambers.

On the overall results of the work, Mak and his co-authors summarize: “TRACE offers a versatile biofabrication platform, enabling direct 3D printing of physiological materials and living tissues, achieving both structural complexity and biofunctionality. This work broadens the scope of controllable multiscale biofabrication for tissues across various organ systems, using collagen as a key component.”

 

Family ride offerings at FunFest include "The Wheel," the largest Ferris wheel on Long Island at a towering 110 feet tall and with 24 spacious gondola cars, each with a 6-person capacity to accommodate the whole family.
Long Island’s largest fair, Long Island FunFest, returns to Suffolk County Community College, 485 Wicks Road in Brentwood from June 12 to June 22 with Fireworks by Grucci both Saturday nights, family entertainment, exciting midway rides for all ages (including the largest Ferris wheel on Long Island at 110 feet tall), and favorite fair food for every appetite.

Free with admission:

  • Circus Murcia (The Globe of Death motorcycle act, high-wire and aerial performers, jugglers, clowns & more)
  • Big Bee Transforming Robot Car
  • BMX Freestyle Stunt Show
  • The Dinosaur Experience
  • Sandlofer Family Petting Zoo

Fair admission: $5 (free for kids under 36″ tall with a paying adult). Parking is free. Unlimited ride wristbands (for riders 36″ & taller) are $42 on site ($40 cash price) or online before 5 pm Thurs., June 12 for $29 each, 2/$55 or 4/$99.

Ride tickets are also available at FunFest. Online pre-sale special: $45/50 tickets + 1 free ride. (Rides take multiple tickets each.) The online deal is not valid on Thursday Carload Nights, when unlimited rides and admission are $62 per vehicle ($60 cash) for all legally seat-belted occupants.

Fair hours:5-11 pm weekdays and 3-11 pm Saturday – Sunday. Take Exit 53S off the Long Island Expressway and use the Wicks Road campus entrance. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult age 21+.

More information: 866-666-3247 or Long Island FunFest

June is a time of beautiful weather and plentiful celebrations, including graduations, Father’s Day and weddings. Outdoor spaces at these events can be crowded with drones, kites and metallic foil balloons. PSEG Long Island reminds customers that any of these objects can become entangled in overhead electric equipment and cause a host of problems.
 
“While we all want to make our celebrations as fun and memorable as possible, a drone, kite or metallic foil balloon coming into contact with a power line or other electrical equipment could lead to power outages, fire and, possibly, injuries,” said Michael Sullivan, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Electric Operations. “The safety of customers and employees is PSEG Long Island’s No. 1 priority. We want customers to know the risks and take steps to ensure their recreational activities and celebrations are a success.”
 
To mitigate these risks, PSEG Long Island encourages the public to follow these safety guidelines:
 
Power lines
  • Stay at least 200 feet away from power lines or other electrical equipment.
  • NEVER touch a power line. Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon, kite, drone or anything caught in an overhead power line. Report it by contacting PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0075 so a specially trained crew can safely address the issue.
Drones
  • Fly your drone at or below 400 feet.
  • Do not fly in dark, stormy or windy conditions.
  • Read and follow the drone manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the safety of your drone and people around you.
Balloons and kites
  • Never fly kites or balloons in the rain or during an electrical storm.
  • Never cross a road or street while flying a kite or holding a balloon.
  • Kites and Mylar balloons should be kept away from overhead power lines and equipment, and never purposely released into the air.
  • All balloons with helium should be secured to weights that prevent them from floating away.
  • To properly dispose of a Mylar balloon, safely puncture it in several places to release the helium, and discard it in the trash.
For more safety tips and information on reliability initiatives, please visit psegliny.com/SafetyAndReliability.