Northport residents gathered along Main Street, Monday, May 30, to cheer on the veterans, volunteer firefighters, Scouts and more who marched from Laurel Avenue School to Northport Village Park. The parade, organized by the Northport American Legion Post 694, honored those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
After the parade, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the park.
Students are scared, and they’re not going to take it anymore.
Students Demand Action, an organization affiliated with Everytown/Moms Demand Action, planned a national school walkout for May 26 in response to the May 24 shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 students and two teachers lost their lives.
More than two dozen Kings Park High School students and over 200 Northport High School students joined in on the national event.
The local walkouts included speeches about the gun violence prevention movement, and the reading of the names of the Texas victims. A moment of silence followed the speeches.
The Kings Park students circulated a petition in 2018 when they were in William T. Rogers Middle School in response to the tragedy in Parkland, Florida, according to a statement from the group of students.
“We were angry that this didn’t end with Parkland,” the statement read. “That this didn’t end with Sandy Hook. That this didn’t end with Columbine. That children still have to fear going to school and that we still need to have national walkout events to protest the epidemic of gun violence in our country.”
Among the Kings Park students was senior Isabella Lenarduzzi. During a phone interview, she said she was angry after hearing about the Texas shooting and felt as if she needed to do something. When she saw the post from Students Demand Action, she reached out to her friend Jesse Gunnell, and they created a group chat with fellow students to come up with ideas about what they could do.
“People are really angry about it,” Lenarduzzi said, “Angry and passionate about it, too.”
She said parents, teachers and administrators were supportive of the students’ decisions, and they weren’t reprimanded by school personnel. She added that the teenagers stayed within the school’s courtyard to remain safe.
Hallie Schorr, a junior at Northport High School, said Northport parents, teachers and administrators were also supportive, and the students were outside for about 20 minutes.
She said she decided to participate because she’s scared for the country, herself and her father who works in a different school.
“It’s just terrifying,” she said. “I just wanted to be able to show my support and to let my school know that there are people in school who are really, really scared and want to make change.”
Schorr said she feels fortunate that she lives in a school district that is able to incorporate several security measures to protect students and staff members.
“I do feel safe in school, but it’s, I don’t know, it’s scary,” she said. “What if this happens?”
Residents lined Route 25A in Setauket for the return of the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30. The parade could not be held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
The event kicked off at Setauket Village Green, and elected officials, Scouts, volunteer firefighters, the Ward Melville High School band and more started marching down Main Street and then headed east down Route 25A.
The parade ended at Setauket Veterans Memorial Park on Shore Road for a wreath-laying ceremony hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3054. In attendance was Hank Ryon, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
‘Remember those who served before.
Remember those who are no more.
Remember those who serve today.
Remember them all on Memorial Day.’
— Emily Toma
Centerport
The Centerport Fire Department will host a Memorial Day Parade on May 30 at 10 a.m. from Centershore Road, Harrison Drive, east on Mill Dam Road Centerport, southeast on Prospect Road, south on Little Neck Road. Ends at 9 Park Circle, Centerport followed by a ceremony at the memorial monuments in the park. 631-261-5916
Commack
VFW Elwood-Commack Post 9263 hosts a Memorial Day parade on May 30 at 10 a.m. Kick off is at the Home Depot parking lot at the intersection of Larkfield Road and Jericho Turnpike and head east on Jericho Turnpike to junction at Veterans Highway to Cannon Park for a ceremony. 631-368-9463
East Northport
Father Judge Council Knights of Columbus hosts the East Northport Memorial Day Parade with kick off on May 30 at 12:15 p.m. at Clay Pitts and Larkfield roads and proceed to John Walsh Memorial Park adjacent to Northport-East Northport Library. 631-262-1891
Greenlawn
Organized by the Greenlawn Fire Department, a Memorial Day parade will kick off on May 30 at 9 a.m. on East Maple Road, south on Broadway to Greenlawn Memorial Park, at the corner of Pulaski Road and Broadway. 631-261-9106
Kings Park
The 96th annual Kings Park Memorial Day Parade, sponsored by American Legion Post 944, will be held on May 30 at 9 a.m. Kick off is at the RJO School at Old Dock Road and Church Street to the Veterans Plaza at Route 25A for flag ceremonies. 631-269-4140
Northport
Organized by the Northport American Legion Post 694, the parade will begin at 10 a.m. on May 30 at Laurel Avenue School and proceed to the Northport Village Park. 631-261-4424
Huntington
The Town of Huntington will host a Memorial Day Wreath Ceremony on May 29 at Veterans Plaza on the front lawn of Huntington Town Hall at 100 Main Street at noon. Patriotic music will be performed by the Northport High School Choir. 631-351-3012
On May 30, a Memorial Day parade organized by Nathan Hale VFW Post 1469 and American Legion Post 360 will commence at 10 a.m. at West Neck Road and Gerard Street and head east on Main Street to Stewart Avenue in Huntington. 631-421-0535
Port Jefferson
On May 30, American Legion Wilson Ritch Post 432 will be performing a Memorial Day ceremony honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces at Port Jefferson Memorial Park, West Broadway, Port Jefferson. Call 631-473-9774 for the time.
St. James
A Memorial Day Parade organized by Sgt. John W. Cooke VFW Post 395 will be held on May 30 at 10 a.m. The parade steps off at the corner of Lake Avenue and Woodlawn Avenue and proceeds to St. James Elementary School for a ceremony. 631-862-7965
Setauket
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3054 will hold its annual Three Village Memorial Day Parade in Setauket on May 30 at 11 a.m. Parade starts at the corner of Main Street and Route 25A with an opening ceremony at the Village Green across from the library and a closing ceremony at Memorial Park along Route 25A. 631-751-5541
Smithtown
The Smithtown Fire Department will host a Memorial Day Parade on May 30 at noon. Kickoff is at the corner of Main Street and Singer Lane, continuing west on Main Street to Town Hall. 631-360-7620
Sound Beach
The Sound Beach Civic Association hosts a Memorial Day service at Veterans Memorial Park, New York Ave., Sound Beach on May 30 at noon. 631-744-6952
Stony Brook
VFW Post 3054 will host a Memorial Day ceremony at the Stony Brook Harbor Memorial (near Stony Brook Fire Department) on Main Street in Stony Brook Village on May 30 at 9 a.m. 631-751-5541
— Compiled by Heidi Sutton
Perfect score
Congratulations to the 2022 Level 4 Downstate Champions from Apex Gymnastics located in St. James, owned by Robert Wing.
The Level 4 team is coached by Erin Nicholson and Kayla Smith. The Meet was May 7 and was held at SUSA Smithtown. A special congratulations to their two individual Champs Chloe Young (1st Place Floor) and Drew Varrichio (1st place Uneven bars).
Pictured: Alexa Arnold, Angelina Calabrese, Maleeya Cohen, Sophia Frederick, Caroline Hunt, Mia Ruby Judex, Anna Longo, Hayden Rose Smith, Kayla Sozio, Ellie Sturm, Dylan Taliercio, Shelby Tappin, Reagan Tucci, Drew Varrichio and Chloe Young.
Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R,C,I-Riverhead) hosted her annual ‘Women of Distinction’ event, recognizing several accomplished women across the 2nd Assembly District for their work and actions for their communities. Giglio has long been a champion of women’s exceptionalism in professional development and all fields of work, so she views events like these as a welcome celebration for the outstanding work women have done.
“I truly love this annual event, and the opportunity to celebrate the great women of the 2nd Assembly District is really special,” Giglio said. “I want to thank the 25 women who we were thrilled to honor for coming out and joining us in this celebration of excellence.”
The 25 women who were honored at the event are: Yvette Aguiar, Sarah Anker, Marilyn Banks-Winter, Jane Bonner, Diane Burke, Jennifer Carlson, Norma Corwin, Kathryn Curran, Lisa Meyer Fertal, Mary Ann Fox, Sharon Frew-Byrne, Denise Gluck, Charlene Johnson, Catherine Kent, Joanne Leibold, Joni Lupis, Alisa McMorris, Joy O’Shaughnessy, Ina Pollifrone-Visich, Bernadette Pupilla, Bea Ruberto, Alice Steinbrecher, Keri Stromski, Danielle Willsey, and Tracy Wood.
Assemblywoman Giglio represents the 2nd Assembly District, which consists of the North Fork of Long Island, portions of the town of Brookhaven, and the towns of Riverhead and Southold. Her District Office can be reached at 30 West Main Street, Suite 103, Riverhead, NY 11901, or by phone at 631-727-0204.
Stony Brook University has named Patrick M. Lloyd, DDS, MS, as Dean of the School of Dental Medicine (SDM). Lloyd’s appointment, effective July 1, was announced by Hal Paz, MD, executive vice president of health sciences at Stony Brook University and chief executive officer, Stony Brook University Medicine. Lloyd joins Stony Brook after a decade spent as the dean of the College of Dentistry at Ohio State University.
Dr. Lloyd succeeds Margaret M. McGovern, MD, PhD, who was named Interim Dean of the School of Dental Medicine on Dec. 1, 2021. While at Ohio State some of Lloyd’s accomplishments included increasing college funding support for student research, forming a college-wide workgroup to identify priorities and develop strategies to improve the school’s environment, and initiating the CARE (Commitment to Access Resources and Education) program aimed at recruiting and supporting dental students from underserved communities in Ohio, and oversaw the planning, design, and fund raising for a ninety-five million dollar expansion and renovation of the college’s clinical and administrative facilities.
Dr. Lloyd is an international lecturer on a variety of issues related to geriatric dentistry and has published widely on treatment strategies for the aged dental patient. His diverse clinical experience includes private practice in prosthodontics with an emphasis on care of the older adult and educating and training students in the area of special patient care.
Dr. Lloyd is a graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry and earned his specialty certificate in prosthodontics from the V.A. Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as a master of science from the Graduate School of Marquette University. After completing his specialty training, Lloyd served as chief of dental geriatrics and directed a fellowship in geriatric dentistry at the Milwaukee V.A. Medical Center.
In 1985, he was appointed to serve as national coordinator for geriatric dental programs for the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 1992, he joined the faculty at Marquette University, where he was head of the Special Patient Care Clinic. He held that position for four years before being named executive officer of the Department of Family Dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 1996. In 2004, Dr. Lloyd was named dean at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry before heading to Ohio State University, where he has been the dean of the College of Dentistry since 2011.
“Dr. Lloyd’s vision and extraordinary experience positions him well to lead the next era of Stony Brook’s School of Dental Medicine and build upon the School’s focus to advance its dental education, research, patient care, and service to the community,” said Dr. Paz. “He has the strategic acumen and leadership skills to ensure we meet the highest professional standards, provide the best education and training experiences to our students and residents, and high-quality care for our patients.”
By Barbara Anne Kirshner
You are cordially invited
To the destination wedding
Of Sophie and Sky
At a Greek Island inn.
BUT before Sophie can walk down the aisle, there is a mystery that must be solved.
Theatre Three has done it again and in grand style with the lighthearted musical comedy, Mamma Mia! The Musical featuring the songs of Swedish pop sensation, ABBA.
The band, under the direction of accomplished Jeffrey Hoffman, starts the joyful festivities with an overture of ABBA catchy hits. Even if you weren’t alive when this 70’s rock group was big, the songs are infectious and sure to delight all age groups.
Producer Judy Craymer is credited with introducing the idea for this show to ABBA Swedish songwriters and members of the original band, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, in 1983. British playwright Catherine Johnson was brought onboard to weave a story around these much-loved hit tunes and Mamma Mia! was born.
The show was an international sensation including productions at London’s West End and Broadway. It holds the distinction of being the eighth longest-running musical in West End history and 18th longest running musical on Broadway where it opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on October 18, 2001, and ran through September 12, 2015.
The story revolves around Sophie who discovers her mother Donna’s old diary only to find entries describing that twenty-one years ago she was intimate with three men, — Sam Carmichael, Bill Austin and Harry Bright — at this island paradise that she now owns. One of these three men is Sophie’s father, but which?
Sophie, who is about to get married, has visions of her father walking her down the aisle, so she sends invitations addressing them from her mother, but not letting Donna know what she has done. She feels certain that the moment she sets eyes on the men, she will know her father. The men accept and the plot is filled with comedic and emotional twists and turns when they show up at Donna’s Greek Island inn.
Director Jeffrey Sanzel has done a masterful job casting this show and the results are sheer perfection.
Cassidy Rose O’Brien’s Sophie is adorable with a rich vibrato that wraps around songs like I Have a Dream. O’Brien and Eric J. Hughes, as her fiancé Sky, have great chemistry. One cute bit has Sky and his pals maneuvering scuba flippers as they team up with O’Brien on Lay All Your Love on Me showing how silly, playful and sexy these two are together.
Steve Corbellini as Donna’s special love Sam delivers a heartfelt performance that crescendos in his duet with Christina Muens (Donna) on S.O.S. Dennis Setteducati is hysterical as the never married adventurer and writer, Bill. His duet with Rosie on Take a Chance on Me is a madcap whirlwind as choreographed by Sari Feldman who can always be counted on to tell stories through dance. Andrew Boza’s Harry is reminiscent of a Monty Python character with his humorous British affects.
To add a fine dose of humor to the plot, Donna has invited her best friends with whom she was once in a girl group called Donna and the Dynamos. When these women arrive, the three have a grand reunion as they reminisce over former exploits.
There is the rich Tanya (Stephanie Moreau), who has been married three times, and the breezy Rosie (Lori Beth Belkin) who has never married. These three women are the centerpiece of the show adding much hilarity through their impeccable comedic timing and exuberant renditions of songs like Dancing Queen, Chiquita, and Super Trouper. Muens is fabulous as Donna with her powerhouse voice that sends chills especially in the standout The Winner Takes It All.
The cast is accompanied by a lively ensemble that infuses the stage with song and dance.
Costumes by Ronald Green III help illustrate the personalities of the characters from Bill’s Indiana Jones style hunting hat to Tanya’s elegantly flowing outfits to the flashy silver disco dresses of Donna and the Dynamos to all that glitter.
Randall Parsons’ scenic design cleverly glides from the main inn to a bedroom and back again while lighting design by Robert Henderson, Jr. accentuates the moods with well-placed neon columns illuminating assorted colors.
The finale is exhilarating with Donna, Tanya and Rosie joined by Sam, Bill and Harry appearing in colorful ABBA inspired costumes and accompanied by the entire company draped in sequins. They invite the audience to a dance party featuring the songs Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen and Waterloo.
For an effervescent evening of theatre, get swept into the world of ABBA music at Donna’s fun Greek island resort in Mamma Mia!, playing now through June 25 at Theatre Three, 412 Main Street in Port Jefferson. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and up. Please note this show contains adult themes and situations. For more information or to order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com
POSTSCRIPT:
I first saw Mamma Mia! in 2003 at Mandalay Bay Hotel when I was visiting my uncle who lived in Las Vegas. It was such a magical production brimming with energy and spirit that I couldn’t wait to take my niece and nephew to see the Broadway production, but to my surprise, I left the Winter Garden Theatre disappointed. I am happy to say that Theatre Three’s production has the spirit and energy that so enchanted me in Vegas. If you love musical theatre, you must catch this show. You will leave the theatre smiling, dancing to the beat and singing.
The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police:
Commack
■ A man and a woman entered HomeGoods on Henry Street in Commack on May 20 and allegedly stole assorted bedding valued at $320.
■ Bunty’s Jewelry on Commack Road in Commack was burglarized on May 16 and over $3,000 worth of jewelry was stolen. Entry was gained by breaking in the rear door.
■ Target located on Veterans Memorial Highway in Commack reported a shoplifter on May 15. A man allegedly stole five printers valued at $1265.
■ A 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Mega Cab was stolen from the parking lot of Walmart on Crooked Hill Road in Commack on May 15. The vehicle was valued at $15,000.
■ HomeSense on Henry Street in Commack reported a petit larceny on May 15. Two women allegedly stole nine sets of window curtains valued at $450.
■ ShopRite on Garet Place in Commack reported that two men loaded up three shopping carts with assorted food items and allegedly left the store without paying. The items were valued at $1500.
Dix Hills
■ A 2019 Mercedes Benz valued at $30,000 was stolen from a driveway of a residence on Grey Birch Court in Dix Hills on May 20. The car had been left unlocked with the keys inside.
East Setauket
■ Walmart on Nesconset Highway reported a petit larceny on May 20. Two women allegedly filled a shopping cart with miscellaneous items valued at approximately $500 and walked out of the store without paying.
Fort Salonga
■ A 2020 BMW X7 valued at $90,000 was stolen from the driveway of a residence on Milemore Drive on May 17. The key fob had been left inside the vehicle.
Huntington Station
■ Staples on West Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station called the police on May 20 to report that a man and a woman allegedly stole an Epson EcoTank printer worth $550 and a HP Smart Tank printer worth $460.
■ Louis Vuitton on Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station reported a shoplifter on May 20. A woman allegedly stole a handbag valued at $2370.
Kings Park
■ Flynn-Aire Heating and Air Conditioning on Indian Head Road in Kings Park called the police to report that four work vehicles were broken into on May 17. The rear windows were smashed to gain entry and tools valued at $20,000 were stolen.
Lake Grove
■ Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove reported that two women and a man allegedly stole assorted Nike clothing valued at $880.
■ A woman shopping at Trader Joe’s on Nesconset Highway in Lake Grove on May 19 reported that an unknown person stole her purse containing credit cards and cash from her shopping cart.
■ DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse on Middle Country Road in Lake Grove called the police on May to 18 to report that a man and a woman allegedly stole miscellaneous sneakers and footwear valued at approximately $250.
■ Macy’s at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove reported a petit larceny on May 17. Two women and a man allegedly stole 15 miscellaneous clothing items valued at $985.
Mount Sinai
■ A resident on Apricot Lane in Mount Sinai reported that someone entered their unlocked vehicle on May 17 and stole sunglasses and various items valued at $250.
■ A woman visiting Heritage Park on Mount Sinai-Coram Road in Mount Sinai on May 18 reported that her purse containing credit cards and cash was stolen from her car. Someone attempted to use the credit cards at a local Walmart a short time later.
Port Jefferson Station
■ Family Dollar on Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station reported a petit larceny on May 21. Three men and a woman allegedly stole assorted items valued at $50.
■ A resident on Kelsey Avenue in Port Jefferson Station reported that someone cut a lock on their backyard shed and stole power tools valued at approximately $600 on May 21.
■ Verizon Wireless on Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson Station reported that a man allegedly stole an iPhone 13 Pro valued at approximately $1000 by cutting the security cable on May 19.
■ A resident on Homestead Avenue in Port Jefferson Station called the police to report that someone entered their unlocked vehicle on May 19 and stole property worth $120.
■ T.J. Maxx on Nesconset Highway in Port Jefferson Station reported a petit larceny on May 20. A man and a woman allegedly stole assorted bedding and men’s clothing valued at $400.
Rocky Point
■ Kohl’s on Route 25A in Rocky Point reported a shoplifter on May 14. A woman allegedly stole assorted clothing valued at approximately $430.
Selden
■ A resident on Elmwood Avenue in Selden called the police on May 21 to report that someone stole a Ring Home Security Camera from his front porch.
■ A lawnmower and tools valued at approximately $200 were stolen from the backyard of a residence on Mooney Pond Road in Selden on May 16.
South Setauket
■ Target on Pond Path in South Setauket reported a shoplifter on May 19. A man allegedly stole a Keurig coffee maker valued at $110 and eight assorted toys valued at $210.
■ Stop & Shop on Pond Path in South Setauket called the police on May 18 to report a shoplifter. A man allegedly placed 30 miscellaneous food items in his shopping cart and walked out of the store without paying. The merchandise was valued at $325.
■ A man allegedly stole copper wire worth $765 from Home Depot on Pond Path in South Setauket on May 16.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.
— COMPILED BY HEIDI SUTTON
BUSY BIRDS
Ellen Mason of Stony Brook sent this photo in on May 19. She writes, ‘A few weeks ago, a pair of Carolina wrens built a nest in a small gazebo on my porch. This photo captures feeding time. If you look closely, you will see baby’s open beak awaiting lunch. Bravo Mother Nature!
Send your Photo of the Week to [email protected]
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