Arts & Entertainment

Participants will be painting this image.

The Reboli Center for Art & History, 604 Main St., Stony Brook hosts an Autumn Paint Party on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Join instructor Linda Davison Mathues in completing a painting in the style of Joseph Reboli. The subject matter for the evening will be Autumn Colors. The cost to attend is $45, all materials are included and no experience is necessary. Frames for your finished canvas will be available for purchase and refreshments and snacks will be served. Registration required by calling 631-751-7707. 

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Image from USPS

Celebrating the stunning symmetry of snowflakes as fall departs and winter begins, the U.S. Postal Service issues the Winter Whimsy stamps. With four intricate designs evoking winter flurries, there’s magic in the air and on seasonal cards and letters.

Each Forever stamp in the block of four includes a design in white, contrasted against a solid color background — navy blue, teal, tan or dark blue-green — and surrounded by small white dots in digitally rendered artwork that is simple and bold, yet sophisticated.

The designs evoke not only snowflakes but also a popular seasonal craft — the fun activity of cutting folded paper with scissors, then opening it up to reveal a delicate, symmetrical design. Paper “snowflakes” are often four- or eight-sided — it is easier for young hands to fold paper into quarters or eighths than into sixths. Paper snowflakes are made by children of all ages and at all levels of intricacy, making homemade snowflakes a fun classic activity for all.

Greg Breeding, an art director for the Postal Service, supervised the project. Bailey Sullivan designed and illustrated the stamps.

The Winter Whimsy stamps are being issued in booklets of 20. They will always be equal to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

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Photo from Brandpoint

Do you find that your health and fitness take a back seat during the fall and winter months? As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to make healthy choices that support your well-being.

Instead of throwing in the towel, get ahead of the sluggishness of the colder months by taking proactive steps to prioritize wellness. Check out these five expert tips that can help you thrive this fall and winter with ease.

Set a smart routine

One of the best ways to set yourself up for health and fitness success during fall and winter is by establishing and maintaining a routine. For example, waking up and going to sleep at the same time each day can help ensure you’re getting enough rest every day.

That said, new routines can be hard to get into at the beginning. To help you toward your goal, set alarms and reminders on your phone or other devices to remind you when to go to bed and wake up. You can do the same to remind you to get some exercise and any other health and fitness goals you may have.

Caffeinate (wisely)

Caffeine can provide a needed boost of energy to start your morning on the right foot or help you stay focused during the afternoon. However, be careful how much caffeine you ingest. Too much caffeine can make you jittery and can disrupt your sleep patterns, leading to tiredness, stress and anxiety.

Instead of reaching for a cup of Joe or an energy drink, consider an exact or more controlled delivery and vitamin packed option like AdvoCare’s Spark powdered energy supplement. Each sugar-free stick pack offers 120 milligrams of caffeine, b vitamins and minerals that enhance mental focus and elevate energy levels. Available online or at CVS in 12 delicious flavors, Spark is your convenient and flavorful solution for sustained energy at home or on the go. To learn more, visit advocare.com/BrandptSpark.

Get moving

Even during the colder months, it’s important to move your body every day. The weather may prevent you from going on a walk or jogging outside, but you can still engage in an indoor workout for daily exercise.

Any activity will do. If you’re a social butterfly, a dance or group fitness class can make working out more fun, which may make it easier to do more consistently. If you want to pair exercise with mindfulness and meditation, yoga may be more your speed. Don’t worry if you can’t fit in an hour of exercise every day. Any amount of physical activity is better than none and help you feel better.

Double down on nutrition and immune support

Eating a balanced diet with a variety of nutrient-rich foods is key to maintaining your health and wellness. A well-rounded diet is especially important during fall and winter to boost your immunity during flu season. However, even the most balanced diets have nutritional gaps, so consider adding a nutritional supplement to your daily routine.

You could take pill supplements, but a convenient and tasty way to support your nutrition and immune system is with Spark. In addition to a moderate dose of caffeine, each dose contains vitamins A, B, C and E, zinc, copper, chromium and other vitamins that support a healthy immune system.

Manage stress

Stress is an inevitable part of life. Some stress can even be positive when managed properly to help motivate you to achieve your goals or meet a deadline. However, prolonged periods of stress can negatively affect your physical and mental health. For example, you may find that when you’re stressed you adopt poor eating and sleeping habits.

Try out different stress management strategies to keep your stress in check. Mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises or journaling can help ground you after a long day at work or before a big event. Incorporating self-care moments throughout the day, like taking a bath or reading in a quiet and cozy space, can also help you manage your stress.

Good health and fitness don’t happen by accident. Using these five tips, and with the support of your healthcare provider, you can invest in well-being and stay healthy and active all fall and winter long.

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Photo from Statepoint

Even the most skilled cybersecurity expert can fall prey to today’s incredibly sophisticated phishing attempts.

Phishing can take place in a variety of ways, but recognizing these “lures” is a powerful way to defang cybercriminals:

Phishing: Traditional phishing comes in the form of a fraudulent email that encourages recipients to click on a link and provide personal data. Often the subject lines are designed to entice the receiver with an interesting headline, timely topic or urgent request.

Smishing: An attacker sends a text prompting the recipient to click a link or call a number for more information. If the link is clicked, the user downloads malicious software to their phone.

Vishing: An attacker uses the telephone–or voice–to gain access to sensitive information for financial gain. The criminal usually poses as someone they are not, such as another employee, technical support person or someone representing a government agency.

Quishing: An attacker creates a fake QR code and uses it to direct victims to a malicious website that prompts them to enter their personal or financial information.

Ultimately, the easiest way for a cybercriminal to steal your information is to trick you into sharing it. Their fraudulent communications will often look official and appear to have come from a trusted source. However, there are warning signs to watch out for. Pause and ask yourself the following questions before responding:

Do you know the person who sent you the message? The source of an email or text can easily be forged, making it seem that a request is coming from someone you know. If something seems off or if the sender is asking for money or personal information, contact them through a different channel than the original message to confirm the message came from them.

Does the message create a sense of urgency? Criminals will often try to rush you into making an unwise decision. An example of such a message may read, “confirm your login details in the next 24 hours using the link below or your account will be suspended.” Always take the time necessary to think through your response and confirm legitimacy.

Does the offer seem too good to be true? Treat any messages announcing you’ve won money, a prize or the opportunity to purchase an item at a significant discount as suspicious.

Does the message ask you to click on a link or open an attachment? Be particularly wary of emails from people or organizations you don’t know urging you to click on a link or open an attachment. Doing so can lead to malware being installed on your device.

Does the telephone call ask for personal or financial account information? If you receive a call that just doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Hang up and call the customer service line from their official company website.

Does the message ask you to scan a QR code? As QR codes become more common in daily transactions, utilize these tips when scanning a code:

• First, check to determine that the QR code has not been tampered with, such as a sticker placed on top of the original code.

• Check the URL to make sure the code is sending you to the intended site and that the site looks authentic. Look for typos or misplaced letters.

• Exercise caution when entering information on a site accessed via a QR code and avoid making payments; manually enter a secure URL to complete a payment.

• Do not download an app from a QR code. Instead, search for the app via your device’s app store.

• If you receive a QR code from someone you know, reach out to them through a known number or address to verify that they sent you the code.

To learn more about cybersecurity best practices, visit PNC Bank’s Security & Privacy Center at pnc.com.

Don’t assume your tech savviness will protect you from today’s cybercrimes. In the face of increasingly sophisticated scams, an ounce of prevention can go a long way in helping you to protect yourself. (StatePoint)

Metro photo
Addressing sleep apnea can avert serious health consequences

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Quality sleep feels like it can be elusive these days. Yet, our physical and mental wellbeing depends on getting restful sleep. For those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it can be particularly challenging.

Sleep apnea is defined as an abnormal breathing pause that occurs at least five times an hour while sleeping. While there are many potential causes, the most common is airway obstruction. Some estimates suggest that about 39 million people suffer from sleep apnea in the United States (1).

OSA diagnoses are classified in tiers from mild to severe. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) estimates that roughly 80 percent of moderate and severe OSA sufferers are undiagnosed.

Most risk factors for OSA are modifiable. They include excess weight or obesity, alcohol use, smoking, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) (2). 

How do you know what to look for?

OSA symptoms include daytime fatigue, loud snoring, breathing cessation observed by another, impaired concentration, and morning headaches. While these are significant quality of life issues, OSA is also associated with an array of more serious health consequences, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and depression.

Fortunately, there is an array of treatment options, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, oral appliances, positional sleep therapy, and lifestyle modifications.

Sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease risk

In a study of 1,116 women over a six-year duration, cardiovascular mortality risk increased in a linear fashion with the severity of OSA (3). For those with mild-to-moderate untreated sleep apnea, there was a 60 percent increased risk of death; for those in the severe group, this risk jumped to 250 percent. However, the good news is that treating patients with CPAP decreased their risk by 81 percent for mild-to-moderate patients and 45 percent for severe OSA patients.

Another study of 1,500 men with a 10-year follow-up showed similar risks of cardiovascular disease with sleep apnea and benefits from CPAP treatment (4). The authors concluded that severe sleep apnea increases the risk of nonfatal and fatal cardiovascular events, and CPAP was effective in curbing these occurrences.

In a third study, this time involving the elderly, OSA increased the risk of cardiovascular death in mild-to-moderate patients and in those with severe OSA by 38 and 125 percent, respectively (5). But, as in the previous studies, CPAP decreased the risk in both groups significantly. In the elderly, an increased risk of falls, cognitive decline and difficult-to-control high blood pressure may be signs of OSA.

OSA and cancer risk

There have been conflicting study results about the associations between OSA and cancer risk. To reconcile these, a 2023 study of over 62,000 patients in Sweden were followed. Researchers found that OSA was associated with cancer prevalence, independent of other confounding factors (6). 

In a previous study of sleep apnea patients under age 65, researchers also showed an increased risk of cancer (7). The greater the percentage of time patients spend in hypoxia (low oxygen) at night, the greater the risk. The authors believe that intermittent low levels of oxygen, caused by the many frequent short bouts of breathing cessation, may be responsible for the development of tumors and their subsequent growth.

OSA and male sexual function

Erectile dysfunction (ED) may also be associated with OSA and, like other outcomes, CPAP may decrease this incidence. This was demonstrated in a small study involving 92 men with ED (8). The surprising aspects of this study were that, at baseline, the participants were overweight, not obese, on average and were only 45 years old. In those with mild OSA, CPAP had a beneficial effect in more than 50 percent of the men. For those with moderate and severe OSA, the effect was still significant, though not as robust, at 29 and 27 percent, respectively.

Other studies have varying results, depending on the age and existing health challenges of study participants. Researchers have suggested that other underlying health problems may be the cause in some patient populations.

Can diet help with OSA?

For some of my patients, their goal is to discontinue their CPAP. Diet may be an alternative to CPAP, or it may be used in combination with CPAP to improve results.

In a small study of those with moderate-to-severe OSA, a low-energy diet showed positive results. A low-energy diet implies a low-calorie approach, such as a diet that is plant-based and nutrient-rich. In the study, almost 50 percent of those who followed this type of diet were able to discontinue CPAP (9). The results endured for at least one year.

If you think you are suffering from sleep apnea, you should be evaluated at a sleep lab and follow up with your physician.

References:

(1) ncoa.org. (2) Diseases. 2021 Dec; 9(4): 88. (3) Ann Intern Med. 2012 Jan 17;156(2):115-122. (4) Lancet. 2005 Mar 19-25;365(9464):1046-1053. (5) Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012;186(9):909-916. (6) BMJ Open. 2023; 13(3): e064501. (7) Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012 Nov. 15. (8) Sleep. 2012;35:A0574. (9) BMJ. 2011;342:d3017.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

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Janice. Photo courtesy of Brandpoint

For Janice, health and fitness were always priorities. Growing up in Jamaica, she’d been a sprinter for her high school track team. After moving to the U.S. in her mid-20s, she built a successful career in sales while raising two young children. Although she was busy, she maintained a healthy and active lifestyle. In fact, other than having slightly elevated blood pressure, she was the picture of good health.

Yet things changed dramatically for Janice when she reached her mid-40s. Her blood pressure escalated significantly and no longer responded to medication. Her menstrual cycles became unpredictable. Most unsettling of all were the alarming changes in her appearance. Her face swelled and she gained a significant amount of weight around the center of her body. “People asked me if I was on steroids,” Janice recalls. Her legs became emaciated and weak. She developed a fatty hump between the shoulders (buffalo hump) and grew so much facial hair she had to start shaving it. She fought constant lethargy during the day, but then would be unable to sleep during the night.

Looking back, she remembers, “I was constantly stressed out. I didn’t look well, and I didn’t feel well.”

“My blood sugar would just skyrocket.”

Things came to a head one afternoon. Feeling unwell, Janice experienced a dizzy spell and fell while getting out of the shower. Unable to move or see clearly, she was rushed to the emergency room, where her blood sugar was measured at 1,000 mg/dL – a level so high it could trigger a diabetic coma. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and discharged with a new regimen of medications and lifestyle modifications.

Despite following her doctor’s instructions, Janice’s problems persisted. “Even when eating healthy and taking all my meds, my blood sugar would just skyrocket after meals.” She soon learned her kidneys and heart were also being impacted.

“Nobody had bothered to put it all together.”

Janice was on up to 25 different medications, but her symptoms continued, and her frustration grew. “I saw so many doctors – nearly every kind of -ologist you can think of,” she recounts.

One day, a chance conversation with someone else’s healthcare provider led to a breakthrough. After mentioning her health struggles in passing, the doctor suggested she might have Cushing’s syndrome. Janice began to research Cushing’s syndrome (also known as hypercortisolism) and was struck by how similar the symptoms seemed to her own. She found a local endocrinologist, shared her suspicions about Cushing’s syndrome, and a combination of blood tests confirmed her theory: Her cortisol levels were highly elevated. Further testing revealed a growth on her pituitary gland was causing the excess cortisol.

“For so long,” she recalls, “nobody had bothered to put it all together.”

“Finally, I look and feel normal again.”

With her Cushing’s syndrome properly diagnosed, Janice underwent surgery to remove her pituitary growth. Her recovery was difficult, but since receiving treatment she has grown stronger, and her Cushing’s symptoms are better. She remembers feeling that “at last, there was light at the end of the tunnel.”

While Janice’s journey has not been easy, today she is much healthier. She has lost 50 pounds, her hypertension is under control, her blood sugar has returned to normal levels, her kidney function is stable, and she has resumed her active lifestyle.

When speaking with other patients who face similar symptoms, she urges them to be proactive in their care. “A lot of people are walking around with Cushing’s and don’t know it. It’s everyone’s responsibility to educate doctors so they can help new patients.” She cites her own experience as living proof, adding: “Finally, I look and feel normal again. And I’m so grateful.”

If you suspect you may have hypercortisolism or Cushing’s syndrome, talk to your doctor.

This article is the experience of one person and is not medical advice. Consult a medical professional for medical advice, diagnoses or treatment. (BPT)

Just in time for Halloween, the Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery will present its 13th annual student exhibition, Nightmare on Main Street, from Oct. 22 to Nov. 9.

According to HAC’s Executive Director Kieran Johnson, this year’s call to student artists in grades 6 to 12 expanded to new districts across both Nassau and Suffolk counties, resulting in submissions from 19 individual schools. 

Each year the Nightmare on Main Street theme takes a different twist. Juror Candido Crespo inspired the students with the following thought-provoking statement.

“Art is a bridge, where cultural symbols dance between the vibrant hues of joy and the chilling shadows of fear. It reveals the soul of a society. Through its forms, we see celebrations of festivals painted in jubilant colors, yet whispers of anxieties told through stories molded by mythology or etched in ancient monuments. … Using the medium of your choice, create a work that exemplifies your culture as a vibrant tapestry. This tapestry should reflect the joys, fears, and traditions that make your community unique.”

Of the 147 pieces submitted by 103 students, Candido chose 47 pieces to be featured in this year’s show. 

“I’m truly honored to have reviewed such exceptional submissions. All the young artists are incredibly talented and have promising futures. The selected works showcase a remarkable combination of skill, effort, and compelling narratives. I eagerly anticipate seeing the exhibition,” he said.

Exhibiting artists include Maxwell Asadourian, Ava Beck, Isabella Bermudez, Eden Bonamassa, Gwen Carfora, Audrey Chen, Jacqueline Chen, Yijia Chen, Maggie Deegan, Shawn Delcasse, Daniela DeLillo, Grace Deng, Pavithra Eswar, Iiyah Fearrington, Madeline Francis, Divya Ganshani, Rebecca Gillon, Alice Hammerquist, Henry Hartmann, Khushpreet Kaur, Yitong Ke, Zahra Khan, Hannah Lee, Wandaly Leo Perez, Caitlin Liu, Liam McGrory-Luikart, Melanie Mejia, Kaitlin Melling, Eva Mena, Amanda Morales, Christopher Murray, Taylor Nappi, Karin Pan, Lillian Pu, Toni Reyes-Sorto, Deanna Santos, Corey Shack, Grace Schoonmaker, Mickayla Sharkey, Kyla Simms, Alivia Stephenson, Maxine Tian, Leah Trope, Thomas Wasylyshyn, Emma Wilck and Sophia Wolinetz. 

The remaining 100 pieces of artwork will be featured in the online gallery at www.huntingtonarts.org.

Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery, 213 Main Street, Huntington is open from Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekends TBD. For more information, call 631-271-8423.

From left, magicians Jim Vines and Mike Maione will be at Theatre Three on Halloween night.

By Melissa Arnold

Journalism is exciting for many reasons, but for me, getting to have new experiences tops the list. Last week, I had my mind read over Zoom. That’s a first!

Magicians Jim Vines and Michael Maione were eager to share some of their gifts with me at the end of my interview about their upcoming shows. 

Vines is an absolute believer in the supernatural, and he said that a spirit could carry information over the many miles between his home and mine.

To demonstrate, Vines scribbled a three-digit number on a mini chalkboard without showing me. He set down his chalk and smiled. “Well, I’m committed now. Open your heart, and ask the spirit to tell you what I’ve written here.”

I played along, but I was nervous about ruining the trick — there are 900 possible three-digit numbers, after all. The odds of guessing correctly were miniscule. I shrugged and said, “I don’t know about this, Jim, but my number is 781.”

He grinned and showed me what he’d written — 781. Stunned, I screamed. 

Maione shook his head. “That was creepy, Jim. I don’t want any spirits around here. Let’s send them away.”

He made a table appear out of thin air, lit a candle with a snap of his fingers, and then wrote the words “Spirit, go home!” on a piece of paper. He held the paper up to the flame, and the words vanished as the candle flickered out.

Spooky? Yes. Fun? Absolutely. 

On Halloween night, Vines and Maione will invite the daring into a 70-minute experience of magic, mystery and history with Haunted Encounters: A Halloween Experience at Theatre Three.

The show is the first of its kind at the Port Jefferson theater. Following the success of their kid-friendly “Silly Sorcery Showcase” over the summer, Director of Development Douglas Quattrock said they hoped to produce a magic show geared more toward adults.

Add in the intimate, close-up setting of their downstairs second stage, the building’s lengthy history and ongoing rumors of hauntings at the theater, and you have the recipe for the perfect Halloween outing.

“A lot of people that work with us here are really of the belief that there are a couple of ghosts that hang around at the theater, including Fred Griswold, who used to run the machine shop,” Quattrock explained. 

As he began to search for magicians to bring in, Mike Maione reached out in hopes of beginning a long-term partnership with Theatre Three.

Maione is both a skilled illusionist and producer of the Parlor of Mystery magic shows that were previously based in Lindenhurst. With Quattrock looking for magicians and Maione seeking a new venue for the Parlor, it was a win-win situation for everyone. They’re now planning to host magic shows several times a year. 

Vines and Maione have very different magical backgrounds, but they share the same earnestness and curiosity about their craft. There’s always something new to learn, they said, and they’re constantly experimenting with new ways to push boundaries and impress a crowd. They became friends about 10 years ago, with Vines making frequent appearances in Parlor of Mystery shows.

Vines became “completely enamored” with the art of illusion at 12 years old when a classmate made an object disappear. Young Jim was gobsmacked, and immediately dove into reading everything the school library offered on magic and the supernatural. He went on to win national competitions, performing on television, off-Broadway and around the world.

For Maione, magic came along in his 40s. His wife had a friend who always brought a little pocket trick with him whenever he would come over for dinner and would show Maione how it worked. After several dinners, Maione had a whole collection of magic tricks, and his wife suggested he do a show for his daughter and her friends when they were young. Maione now focuses on comedic magic and has performed throughout the northeastern U.S. and as a member of the prestigious Magic Circle in London. He’s also a well-known magic lecturer and Youtuber. 

Both men set performing aside for a time to focus on their families and careers, with Vines working in marketing and Maione as a hospital administrator.

“My wife thought the magic thing was just a phase,” Maione joked. “But once you get bit by the bug, it really stays with you.”

Haunted Encounters represents a departure from their usual material.

“We’re trying to bring together some of the spirits floating around Long Island. We’re going to have a good amount of audience participation, and some wonderful stories to tell. The theater is 150 years old and a lot of interesting, sometimes spooky things are said to have happened there,” Maione said.

Vines is hoping for a truly supernatural experience, and urges people to come to the show with an open mind. Anything can happen on Halloween, he said.

“The elements that we’re bringing into this experience are things we don’t do every day,” he added. “We’ll be experimenting with pendulum magic, a little bit of Tarot and all sorts of other fun surprises. Maybe some spirits will come to join us, too.”

Haunted Encounters: A Halloween Magic Experience will be held at Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson on Thursday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. and again 8 p.m. Please note, this show may be frightening for children and is not recommended for those under the age of 13. Parental guidance is encouraged. Tickets are $40. To order, visit www.theatrethree.com or call the Box Office at 631-928-9100. 

Soundview Drive near Robin Road has been hit with extensive storm damage. Photo from Michael Armando

By Julianne Mosher

The plan is to put a spell on you all for a good cause. 

With high-impact storms hitting Long Island over the past year, local communities have been having trouble recovering from wind, water and debris-filled damage. In Rocky Point, the North Shore Beach Property Owners Association (NSBPOA) experienced ruined beaches and access points and roads that need dire repair. 

To raise funds to fix these expensive problems, NSBPOA is hosting a post-Halloween party at their historic clubhouse featuring music from the Resurrection of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins band — the blues artist known for “I Put a Spell on You” — a perfect tune for the spooky holiday bash to be held on Nov. 9.

Michael Armando, a former board member of NSBPOA and the guitarist in the band, said that this Halloween concert is open to the public, not just members of the association. 

“We’re hoping to raise money to repair the damage from the heavy rain we had,” he said. 

Soundview Drive, which is a private road owned by the association, but which is open to the public, was ruined after Long Island was rocked with 10-inch-high flooding in August. The problem, Armando said, is that while the road is private, it is accessible to everyone including buses, garbage trucks, and plows from the Town of Brookhaven. However, since it’s privately funded, the town cannot pay for its repairs or help maintain it. 

“We don’t get help from the town, but they use the roads too,” he said. “Fixing the roads is a public benefit.”

The Resurrection of the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins  Band will perform at the event.

As an added bonus, the party will feature music from The Resurrection of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Band — a tribute project that brings the music of the legendary Screamin’ Jay Hawkins back to life. Armando, who was the original guitarist for the original band in the 70, said that they don’t just perform Hawkins’ music, but they also aim to recreate the wild and theatrical essence of his performances. Other members of the band include Shakar “TheRealShakar” Brumfield on vocals, Tex on saxophone, Andrew Golba on bass and Michael Fox on drums.

NSBPOA is celebrating 96 years, according to vice president Gina Carpenter. She said that in 1928, a New York City newspaper, the New York Daily Mirror, owned undeveloped land between Rocky Point and Miller Place. An advertisement offered subscribers the  opportunity to buy a 20-by 80-foot parcel through the subscription of just $89.50 as a “get away from it all” summer home. 

“People came by train — there was just a dirt road leading up to the bungalows,” she said. 

The association came out of the summer season regulars who would help maintain the beaches and who created a sense of community together while they vacationed on the North Shore. Today, Carpenter said the association has over 600 members and it’s open to anyone looking to have access to a small piece of paradise which includes more than a mile of beach, kayaking, fishing and boating. 

That’s why having members in the group is so important, Carpenter said, because “we’re a nonprofit, so when things happen, we’re not eligible for certain grants.”

“It’s a big undertaking maintaining the roads and beaches,” she added. “To rebuild and repair, we heavily rely on donors and fundraising.”

Armando said that anyone can join — members don’t need to live exclusively in Rocky Point. 

“The beach association is an environmentally friendly group that takes care of the beach, the bluff and planting on the bluff,” he said. “Whatever we can get to help will go to the repairs along with all of these other things.”

“This is a hidden gem that not many people know about,” Carpenter said. “An event like this is not only fun, but people can see our clubhouse, get to know some of us and learn more about the association.”

The belated Halloween party fundraiser will benefit the NSBPOA on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at 55 Clubhouse Drive in Rocky Point. Tickets are $40 and the event will have basket raffles, a 50/50 and include a free wine glass voucher. Costumes are welcomed for those still feeling the spooky season. Tickets can be purchased online at northshorebeach.org or at the door. 

Sweet Pea

Welcome to the 34th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home.

Sweet Pea

Meet Sweet Pea

This adorable four-month-old calico kitten at Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton is looking for her forever home. Rescued and ready to share her love, she’s playful and full of personality. If you’re ready to add a furry friend to your family, consider adopting Sweet Pea! Drop by the shelter to meet her today! 631-727-5731

Romeo

Meet Romeo

This star-crossed lover is Romeo, a ten year old Poodle mix up for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. Ready to pledge his loyalty and devotion, he’s outspoken about his feelings, declaring he’s ready to find his soulmate. Full of life, he enjoys walks, harmless kennel gossip, and, of course, treats! With a decade of experience under his collar, he knows the value of friendships and promises to always be a true blue companion. Warm and cuddly, he’s the perfect one to have next to your side on classic movie night or while trying to make sense of Shakespeare. Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? You’ll find this handsome fellow at Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center! 631-368-8770

Cinnamon and Cider

Meet Cinnamon and Cider!

These two 10-month-old purebred Olde English Bulldogs are as sweet as pumpkin pie! They were living outside and were absolutely filthy when they arrived at Save-A-Pet in Port Jefferson Station and immediately were bathed. They were just spayed and completely vetted and are now available for adoption. Super gentle, big girls, Cider (on the left) is black and white while Cinnamon brindle and white. Come meet these precious sisters today! 631-473-6333

Dobby

Meet Dobby

Say hello to Dobby, a lovable Great Dane mix at Brookhaven Animal Shelter who’s around 5 years old and ready to find his forever home. With his impressive size and those delightfully floppy ears, Dobby is the ultimate goofball who’s sure to bring a smile to your face! Dobby came to the shelter as a stray, and now he’s eager to settle into a home where he can be the center of attention. This sweet boy is looking for a place where he can be the only pet—no other animals or kids—so he can soak up all the love and affection you have to offer. He loves playing with tennis balls and stuffed toys and adores belly rubs and he’s always eager for some affection from his people. He’s up to date on all his vaccines, heartworm testing, and has been neutered, so he’s all set to start his new life with you. 631-451-6955

Anxiety and Ennui

Meet Ennui and Anxiety

These adorable kittens having been waiting to be adopted at the Smithtown Animal Shelter since June. Big fans of the movie Inside/Out, the shelter staff has named them Ennui and Anxiety. At 7 months old, this playful brother and sister pair just need time to trust people. They are bonded and the shelter staff would like to see them adopted together if possible. If you are interested in meeting these two cuties, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with them in the Meet and Greet Room. 631-360-7575

BARKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION

From Oct. 27 to 31, the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter, 300 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven offers free adoptions for all dogs and cats from Oct. 27 to 31 which includes neuter or spay, vaccinations, microchip, and license. 

Rescue is a lifestyle. Adopt, don’t shop.

Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of November 14.

Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.