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Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road Huntington Station invites the community to a free Birds of Prey program on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. Presented by Sweetbriar Nature Center, experience meeting owls, falcons and hawks and learn about the adaptations that help these awesome birds survive. Learn how humans are part of the picture, and how we can help. Appropriate for ages 7 and up. *Registration is not required

For more information, call 631-427-5240 or visit www.waltwhitman.org.

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The Town of Smithtown Horizons Counseling & Education Center and Town of Smithtown Public Safety are recognizing Recovery Month with a free NARCAN training event and a Medication Take Back event for the community. Training and medication collection will take place on Friday, September 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Horizons Counseling & Education Center, in the Community Room located at 161 East Main Street, Smithtown. NARCAN kits and resources will be provided. For Medication Take Back; kindly remove the prescription from the container and place in a Ziplock bag.
“Offering events such as NARCAN training and Medication Take Back to our residents is a proactive approach to assist in combating the nationwide opioid crisis. NARCAN training is an invaluable life-saving skill for everyone and anyone to learn. Don’t think to yourself, I’ll never need this skill… you simply just never know! Accidental overdoses on prescription drugs can easily happen to an elderly person living alone or to a family member suffering from dementia,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.
“Recovery is characterized by continual growth and improvement in one’s health and wellness and managing setbacks. Because setbacks are a natural part of life, resilience becomes a key component of recovery. At Horizons we believe treating the whole person is a key point in recovery. We try to empower our clients through education about their disease and help them to grow in their lives and recovery. Giving our clients the tools needed to recover offers them the freedom to make their own choices, we have the strength to break free from the chains of our past and pave our own path towards a better future,” said Madi Makboulian, Director of Town of Smithtown Drug and Alcohol Counseling Services.
Space is limited and on a first come first serve basis. Residents can reserve space by contacting Horizons Counseling & Education Center at (631) 360-7578, via email at [email protected]

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Pictured outside of the Legislature from left to right are Deputy Commissioner Anne Marie Sexton, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta, Employee of the Month Andrea Esposito, Commissioner John Imhof and Assistant Facilities Manager Wylie Loukou. Photo from Leg. Trotta's office

The Suffolk County Department of Social Services (DSS) has implemented a new program where it recognizes the job performance of its employees by designating an “Employee of the Month.”

Andrea Esposito, who lives in Kings Park, which is part of Legislator Trotta’s legislative district, received the award for the Employee of the Month for April. Andrea is an Office Assistant in Facilities Management, a position she has had for over two years. During that time, she has demonstrated that she is a consummate employee who does her job while also assisting another Division. In addition, Andrea is noted for being conscientious and courteous to her coworkers and clients.

“I am proud to congratulate and thank Andrea for her tremendous work ethic and commend the new Commissioner of DSS, John Imhof, for implementing this recognition program,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.

 

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Eric Roberts

By Julianne Mosher

Academy Award nominated actor Eric Roberts’ first memoir is being released this month and he is kicking off his book tour on Long Island. 

Part of the famous Roberts family (including his sister Julia and daughter Emma), the 68-year-old actor is publishing his first memoir, Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far next week. To celebrate, he has chosen the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington as his first stop on the tour. 

“This is the first appearance that he’s making as the book is being released so we’re really honored and delighted he would choose us,” said Jud Newborn, Emmy Award-winning producer of special programs at the Centre. “It’s wonderful to be appreciated.” 

On Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. the evening will start with a screening of the 1985 film Runaway Train followed by a discussion with the actor, audience Q&A, gala book signing and reception featuring food and live jazz music by New York Times-acclaimed guitarist Mike Soloway. 

The film, which stars Roberts, Jon Voight, and Rebecca DeMornay, tells the story of two convicts who escape a prison in snowy Alaska, battling the desolate landscape until they board an empty train — only to discover that the engineer has had a heart attack as the train accelerates out of control.

Roberts was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the film and it is rarely screened in a live setting, Newborn said. 

“Eric Roberts is actually one of the most prolific actors in the world,” he added. “I was dumbfounded when I read that he was in more than 700 films.”

Roberts grew up in Georgia, spending most of his teens away from his mother and sisters and instead stayed with his controlling father, a grifter jealous of his early success. At age 17, he moved to New York to pursue acting, where he worked and partied with future legends like Christopher Walken, Mickey Rourke, John Malkovich, Bruce Willis and Robin Williams.

His big break came when he was cast in “King of the Gypsies,” becoming one of the hottest stars of the era. While his younger sister, Julia, has held a career based on her “squeaky clean, girl next door” persona, Roberts has had a life and career filled with ups and downs including arrests, drug addiction and a near-death car accident. 

Newborn, who will be moderating the discussion, said that people are drawn to these events because the Centre brings in guests who can speak to the concerns and interests of people — and have been since it was opened in 1973.

“It’s going to be a lovely evening and another special Cinema Arts Centre event which we’re famous for,” he said. “We bring in such astounding artists, it’s really mind boggling.”

Roberts’ memoir is said to show a candid look inside his life discussing the ups and downs of his career, his stormy relationship with Julia and how he confronted his demons with the help of his wife, Eliza. Written with New York Times bestselling author Sam Kashner, this memoir plans to have people talking.

“I think our guests are going to be surprised,” Newborn said. “I’ve always found Eric Roberts to be compelling and unconventional in a way that is so intriguing … He has appeared in every kind of medium you can imagine; film, TV, music videos, voice over work and he’s a character actor.”

Tickets for the event are $52 for the public and $42 for members. It includes the film screening, a copy of the memoir that will be signed by Roberts in person, and the reception. To order, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org or click here.

Other celebrity guests scheduled for appearances at the Cinema Arts Centre this fall include director Barry Sonnenfeld on Oct. 8, actor George Takei on Oct. 15; Moon Unit Zappa (daughter of Frank Zappa) on Oct. 27; and actor Tim Matheson on Nov. 12. For further information, call 631-423-7610.

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A scene from the 10th annual Culper Spy Day. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo
A scene from the 10th annual Culper Spy Day. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo
A scene from the 10th annual Culper Spy Day. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo
A scene from the 10th annual Culper Spy Day. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo
A scene from the 10th annual Culper Spy Day. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo
A scene from the 10th annual Culper Spy Day. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo
A scene from the 10th annual Culper Spy Day. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo
A scene from the 10th annual Culper Spy Day. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo
A scene from the 10th annual Culper Spy Day. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo
A scene from the 10th annual Culper Spy Day. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

By Toni-Elena Gallo

The Three Village Historical Society held its 10th annual Culper Spy Day Sept. 7, creating an event of fun and history for all who attended.

The day was cloudy and a bit rainy, but families were not deterred as they ventured out to learn about the area’s rich, revolutionary story.

The Culper Spy Ring was what was to become America’s first web of espionage. The information relayed along this tri-state route, was instrumental in George Washington’s victory during the Revolutionary War.

In front of the Three Village Historical Society headquarters, visitors could stop by the tents of George Washington and his Huntington militia, as well as the red coats.

“Here we have a cartridge box, for ammunition. It would hold paper cartridges, filled with gunpowder for the musket balls. A powder horn, carved from a cow’s, also held gunpowder in battle,” said Vinny, a member of the “Continental Army” all decked-out in authentic-styled period clothing.

At another station, a daughter and mother listened intently as a woman dressed as Anna Smith Strong — a woman notable for using her laundry line as a secret signal system, to communicate with fellow Culper spies — explained the intricacies of key players Robert Townsend, Austin Roe, Caleb Brewster and Benjamin Tallmadge’s system of providing Gen. Washington with vital intel in Westchester.

According to “Strong,” Townsend would create messages in invisible ink, to be distributed in his Manhattan shop, which would, then, be picked up by Setauket tavern owner, Austin Roe. Setauket farmer, Abraham Woodhull, would correspond with Roe, and from there, Brewster would take the information across the Sound, into Connecticut. Lastly, Tallmadge, the ringleader, would ride on horseback to wherever Washington was stationed — whether it was upstate New York or New Jersey.

Throughout the festival, historical meals, such as succotash, which is a type of stew, originated by Native Americans and added onto by colonial settlers, were available to be sampled. But, for those in the mood for some modern-day treats, those were on hand, as well.

For more information on how to tour the trails of the Culper Spy Ring, visit www.tvhs.org.

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New principal, John Holownia, in front of Ward Melville High School. Courtesy John Holownia

By Mallie Jane Kim

For Ward Melville High School’s new principal John Holownia, the first week of the 2024-25 school year has been a bit surreal — he grew up attending Three Village schools and graduated from Ward Melville in 1999. 

“It has been fantastic,” he said. “It’s not something I ever imagined when I was a high school student walking around the hallways.”

Holownia returns to his old stomping grounds after serving as an assistant principal at Shoreham-Wading River High School since 2019, and before that as a special education teacher in the Comsewogue school district.

It’s not his first time returning to his home turf, he said, as he coached football at Ward Melville for a few years as a young adult in the early 2000s after earning his bachelor’s degree in English literature from Princeton University. Returning mid-career as the high school principal, though, is a whole different ball game.

“My biggest priority right now is to just learn,” Holownia said, pointing to the high school’s reputation for excellence and his desire to keep it that way. “The most important thing I can do is learn how things work here and how things have been done in the past, and get a real feel for what has made Ward Melville such a successful place.” 

Holownia replaces acting principal Paul Gold, an assistant principal who stepped in last November after the previous principal, William Bernhard, was reassigned. Gold has since retired.

Superintendent of Schools Kevin Scanlon, who was a social studies teacher at the high school during the years Holownia attended, said he looks forward to the new principal’s successful administration.

“John will be a tremendous asset to Ward Melville High School,” Scanlon said in an email.

Holownia is already thinking ahead to the structural changes the district has planned for 2025-26. The plan is for sixth grade to move up from the elementary schools into the junior high schools, and for ninth grade to move into Ward Melville, making it a four-year high school. 

District staff and administrators have been working out over the past year the adjustments and structural modifications necessary for the high school to accommodate adding an academic grade level.

“Certainly that’s going to need to be well-coordinated,” Holownia said. “We’ll be putting all those programs and things in place to make sure we’re ready for that change.”

But for now, he’s focused on acclimating to the current set of students under his purview. 

Three Village Board of Education officially appointed Holownia to his position April 3, and he’s been working in the building since July 1. He has enjoyed seeing staff and students filling the corridors after a quiet summer of preparation, he said. 

“The energy in the building really comes from the kids,” Holownia said. “It’s been exciting, and definitely a great start to the year.”

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COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON
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Brooke Raber from the service line, for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON
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Photo by Bill Landon
Michaela Legge with a kill shot for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON
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Izzy Ruehle from the service line. Photo by Bill Landon. COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON
Ward Melville’s Keira Kenny with a kill shot for the Patriots in a home game Saturday afternoon. Photo by Bill Landon COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON

By Bill Landon

The Ward Melville girls volleyball squad finished last year’s regular season , atop the League I leaderboard.

With several core players returning, on Sept. 4, the Patriots opened their 2024 campaign with a 3-0 sweep of William Floyd, and followed it up with another dominant performance at home, that Saturday. The Patriots’ attack was overwhelming, as they blanked Central Islip 25-7, 25-8, 25-2. 

Ward Melville maintained the momentum by beating their hosts, Walt Whitman, 3-0, Sept. 9.

— Photos by Bill Landon

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Jefferson’s Ferry resident and gardener Mark Saidens shared the bounty of his garden during a Garden Showcase on Aug. 16. Photo courtesy of Jefferson's Ferry

‘The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.’ — Alfred Austin

By Elissa Gargone

Elissa Gargone

Since it was founded in 2001, Jefferson’s Ferry residents have enthusiastically gardened, whether in their apartments, their patios, in the yards of their cottages or in a number of garden beds provided by Jefferson’s Ferry for resident use. Over the years, the demand for growing space has increased. Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield has worked with the resident Garden Committee to help bring their wishes to fruition. Today, 36 elevated beds tended by Independent Living residents overflow with a variety of flowers, vegetables and herbs. Elevated beds are easier on the gardeners’ backs and knees, and are accessible to residents who use wheelchairs. 

Additional gardens can be found within the interior gardens and greenspaces of Jefferson’s Ferry Health Center residences. Of the dozen boxes within the interior garden, roughly half are used by residents as part of the recreational therapy program.  

Each year, the raised-bed gardeners have an opportunity to display the fruits of their labor at a community gathering, and this year was no exception. A special Garden Showcase and Happy Hour celebration was held during the height of the harvest on August 16. Display tables were loaded with bumper crops of summer flowers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, basil, lavender and other herbs, as well as samples of Essie Freilach’s homemade pickles and a Chinese-inspired eggplant dish prepared by Mark Saidens. House plants also got their moment in the sun. Blooming orchids and violets in a variety of colors were in abundance. Resident Laura Lesch displayed a 100-year-old Snake Plant that has been passed down through several generations of her family.  

Anthropologist Margaret Mead famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” 

A cadre of Jefferson’s Ferry residents has taken that sentiment to heart, with a mission to give back to the environment what development has taken away. Since 2018, the Grounds Committee has spearheaded a project to protect the endangered Monarch Butterfly. When the project was proposed to the community, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Management has since expanded the Monarch project to restore native plants and trees to the 50 acre campus with pollinator, bird and aquifer-friendly native plants and trees, particularly in a meadow around its Melo Pond wetland. 

Hoping to obtain outside funding for the expanded project, Grounds Committee member Dorothy Gilbert initiated a grant application to Suffolk County. She was able to involve a diverse group of resident educators, scientists, engineers, construction experts and grant writers to help shape the application. These included a geologist who provided valuable information about soil and the effects of fertilizing, an expert photographer who took pictures during the early work, a resident who was able to get an endorsement for the application from a local government official, and the support of the resident chairs of the Jefferson’s Ferry’s Grounds, Conservation, and Public Affairs committees and the Residents Council.

Jefferson’s Ferry Melo Pond

“We may be the old guard but we are setting an example by doing something that other Long Islanders can do as well — protecting the environment for future generations. We are not wasting our talents after retirement; we want to continue to make a contribution to our community and to society. The new meadowlands include plants vital to important pollinators, including the Monarch Butterfly and other insects and birds. We have planted a variety of native milkweed, which the Monarchs need to reproduce, creating a way station for the them as they migrate south. The meadow provides food and shelter to other native creatures and thrives without the fertilizers and heavy irrigation required for lawns, which is very environmentally friendly to Long Island’s water supply,” said Dorothy Gilbert.

“The Jefferson’s Ferry community, from our management team to our fellow residents, have been immensely supportive of our endeavors, encouraging us every step of the way. There are costs associated with our undertaking, so we have been building the garden beds and the meadows in steps as the budget allows,” added Mark Saidens.

“One of the many things that has always made Jefferson’s Ferry stand out as an extraordinary community is the people who live here,” said Bob Caulfield. “They continue to be active and involved in important social activism. They are environmentally conscious and generous in their charitable donations and volunteerism. They embrace lifelong learning and new ideas and gladly share their talents and wisdom.”

Elissa Gargone is Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Jefferson’s Ferry Life Plan Community in South Setauket.

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Take part in this year's WMHO Scarecrow Competition. Photo courtesy of WMHO

Fall is almost here, and so is the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Annual Scarecrow Competition! This will be the 34th year that the spooky and silly six-foot creations will adorn the pathways of picturesque Stony Brook Village Center for visitors to enjoy while they shop.

Photo courtesy of WMHO

Registration is currently underway to craft and display a one-of-a-kind scarecrow masterpiece. The competition is open to everyone—whether you’re part of a Girl or Boy Scout troop, a local business, a family, or an individual. 

You can pick up a registration form at any of the shops in Stony Brook Village, or visit wmho.org or stonybrookvillage.com to download the form. Return the completed registration form with the entry fee of $30 by Sept. 23.

The public will vote for their favorite scarecrows by picking up a ballot at any of the shops and restaurants at the Stony Brook Village Center from Sept. 30 to Oct. 25 with exciting cash prizes up for grabs. Winners will be announced during the WMHO’s Halloween Festival on Oct. 31. 

For more information, please call the WMHO at 631-751-2244.

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Inaugural Festival to Showcase Talented Young Filmmakers

The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington has announced that it will host the inaugural Long Island Youth Film Festival (LIYFF) from Sept. 20 to 22. This weekend-long event will celebrate the creativity and vision of Long Island’s most promising young filmmakers, with screenings of outstanding documentaries and narrative films, as well as exclusive receptions and educational panels.

Friday, September 20 – The festival kicks off with an inspiring lineup of documentary shorts, highlighting powerful stories crafted by young filmmakers from across the island. Following the screenings, attendees are invited to a Festival Opening Night Reception, offering an opportunity to meet the filmmakers and mingle with other cinema enthusiasts.

Saturday, September 21 – The narrative shorts take center stage, showcasing a diverse collection of stories brought to life by the talented youth of Long Island. The day will culminate in an Awards Ceremony, where the best films will be recognized, followed by a celebratory reception.

Sunday, September 22 – The festival concludes with a day dedicated to feature films outside of competition. In addition to these captivating screenings, attendees can participate in educational panels led by industry professionals and community leaders, designed to provide insights into the filmmaking process and inspire the next generation of filmmakers.

Organized by the Cinema Arts Centre’s Youth Advisory Board, the LIYFF aims to foster a community of young creatives by providing a platform for filmmakers aged 25 and under to showcase their work and connect with peers and industry professionals.

“After the overwhelming feedback the Youth Advisory Board has received in response to smaller film competitions we’ve hosted, it became clear that young filmmakers in our community are in desperate need of a program like the Long Island Youth Film Festival,” said Charlotte Brennan, Festival Coordinator. “The success we’ve found through these events is a testament to the drive, passion, and creativity of LI’s filmmakers. We’re so proud and excited to provide them with a larger platform to showcase their talent and connect with each other.”

The festival received an impressive number of submissions from young filmmakers all across Long Island, ensuring that this event will be a captivating showcase of local talent and a major highlight in the island’s cultural calendar.

“We were blown away by the submissions we received. The amount of talent in our Long Island community of young filmmakers is incredible,” said Ted Cavooris, the Festival Director. “We’re so excited to have the opportunity to screen the wonderful films that are being made by a new generation of creators.”

The Cinema Arts Centre is committed to supporting young filmmakers and film lovers by hosting a variety of youth-oriented programming. Thanks to the efforts of the Youth Advisory Board, initiatives like the LIYFF provide valuable opportunities for young creatives to share their work and connect with the broader film community.

CAC Co-Director Dylan Skolnick said, “The Cinema Arts Centre is so excited to present original films by young, local filmmakers. We’re thrilled to host the Long Island Youth Film Festival, not only to serve up-and-coming artists on Long Island, but also to make these films a part of the continuing conversation with our whole community.”

Festival Day Passes are $60, $50 members and students. 

Individual Day Tickets are $25, $20 members and students. 

You can purchase tickets or find more information about this and other events on the Cinema Arts Centre website: www.cinemaartscentre.org

The Long Island Youth Film Festival (LIYFF) provides an opportunity for young filmmakers from Long Island, NY to share their work through public screenings and promotion through a weekend-long film festival! Submit your films to have a chance to be featured at Long Island’s premier arthouse cinema and be awarded a variety of prizes for your filmmaking achievements! An initiative of the Cinema Arts Centre’s Youth Advisory Board, the LIYFF aims to showcase local filmmakers ages 25 and under from the greater Long Island area and foster a community of young creatives. LIYFF is currently seeking film submissions from youth (ages 25 and under) residing in or creating films on Long Island, New York (Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings Counties) in the following categories: Documentary Short, Documentary Feature, Narrative Short, and Narrative Feature. For more information, please visit filmfreeway.com/liyouthfilmfestival

About Cinema Arts Centre:

The Cinema Arts Centre (CAC) is Long Island’s premiere, year-round, independent and international film showcase and its leading 501(c)3 not-for-profit community cinema. Located on Long Island’s North Shore, just an hour from Manhattan, the CAC is unique in scope and programming, with three state-of-the-art theaters, including a main theater holding nearly 300 seats. Founded by Vic Skolnick, Charlotte Sky and Dylan Skolnick in 1973, the CAC has over 10,000 members and serves approximately 150,000 individuals each year. For more information, please visit https://cinemaartscentre.org

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