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Sponsored by Northwell Health and PSEG Long Island

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will thank veterans and active military personnel and their families for their extraordinary service, on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 12, 13 and 14 from noon to 4 p.m.

The Museum will offer them free general admission plus guided Mansion tours and Planetarium shows. (Veterans’ proof of military service, or active-duty military ID required for complimentary guest admission.)

Veterans Day – which commemorates the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918 that signaled the end of World War I, known as Armistice Day – honors veterans of all wars.

The Vanderbilt salutes veterans and active military personnel in honor of the Vanderbilt family’s 132-year participation in U.S. military history – from the War of 1812 through World War II. William K. Vanderbilt II (1878-1944), an accomplished sailor and yachtsman, served in the Navy during World War I and later was a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

In 1941, the U.S. government had purchased Mr. Vanderbilt’s Sikorsky amphibious plane for wartime duty. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the horrific destruction of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific fleet, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought Mr. Vanderbilt’s support to help defend the nation.

Mr. Vanderbilt gave his 264-foot yacht Alva to the Navy, which converted it to a gunboat, the USS Plymouth. (Before the war, he moored the Alva near the mansion, in Northport Bay.) The Plymouth was sunk by a torpedo from a German U-boat on August 4, 1943.

*Please note starting Monday, November 8th, the Mansion, Museum, and Planetarium will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Please bring a Mask: Face Coverings Required Indoors for All Visitors Ages 2+

For more information, call 631-854-5579 or visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Photo courtesy of Stony Brook Athletics

Nine distinguished Seawolves were enshrined in the Stony Brook Rita & Kurt Eppenstein Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 22. The Hall of Fame ceremony honored the induction classes of 2020 and 2021, at Island Federal Arena, as the inductees were celebrated for their outstanding contributions to Stony Brook athletics.

The class of 2021 included William Carmona ’16 (Baseball) and Joe Castiglie ’79  (Men’s Basketball Coach). Seven inductees composed the class of 2020 as Tommy Brenton ’12, ’13 (Men’s Basketball), Michael Crooks ’06 (Men’s Tennis), Bryan Dougher ’12 (Men’s Basketball), Paul Dudzick ’72 (Coach/Administrator), Kathy Koshansky (Head Athletic Trainer), Jenny Payne (Simpkins) ’03, ’07 (Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country, and Aden Smith ’03 (Football) all were inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday evening.

“This is always one of my favorite nights of the year. Celebrating our history and those who helped to shape it makes the Hall of Fame induction event so incredibly special. The lasting impact of our nine new Hall of Famers can’t be overstated, and I’m beyond excited to honor their legacy,” said Stony Brook Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron.

The Athletics Hall of Fame began in 1991 with the induction of its first members. On October 20, 2007, the Hall of Fame was dedicated as the Rita & Kurt Eppenstein Athletics Hall of Fame to honor the memory of Rita and Kurt Eppenstein, two quintessential New Yorkers whose lives serve as a higher lesson in ethics, character, and perseverance, and who sacrificed much to enable their son to graduate from college and law school and to enjoy the opportunities and experiences that flowed from their own American dream. Their son, Ted Eppenstein ’68, was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in the fourth class to be inducted in 1994.

Class of 2021:
William Carmona ’16, Baseball: William Carmona helped the Stony Brook baseball team shock the world and reach the College World Series in 2012. Carmona then was drafted in the 11th round by the Philadelphia Phillies that June and played three seasons of professional baseball. At his induction date, Carmona continued to sit atop the Stony Brook record book with 255 hits. He also ranked second in doubles (65), eighth in homers (24), fourth in RBI (161), and 10th in runs (143). His .380 career batting average ranked third in the program’s Division I era. Carmona was named a Louisville Slugger and ABCA Third Team All-American as well as the Most Outstanding Player of the Coral Gables Regional during his junior season in 2012. He drove in a program single-season record 73 runs that year. The previous season as a sophomore, he became the first America East player in 13 years named a Louisville Slugger First Team All-American. He also became the first-ever Seawolf to be named the America East Player of the Year.

Joe Castiglie, Men’s Basketball Coach, 1984-1991: Joe Castiglie served as men’s basketball head coach from 1984 to 1991, during which he posted a 138-56 record and led the team to a pair of Division III East Regionals. As a student-athlete at Stony Brook, he captained the 1977-78 team that reached the Final Four. Castiglie played 71 games during his Stony Brook undergraduate career from 1975 through ’78. He tallied 139 points, 125 assists, 35 rebounds, and shot 49.5 percent from the field.

Class of 2020:
Tommy Brenton ’12, ’13, Men’s Basketball:
Brenton graduated as the program’s all-time leader in rebounds and steals and the program’s Division I leader in assists. He earned the Lefty Driesell National Defensive Player of the Year award as a senior in 2013, becoming the first Seawolves basketball player to win a national award. He also was the America East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for the 2012-13 season — only the conference’s second player ever to win both awards in the same season. Brenton played professionally in the Japan Basketball League from his graduation through 2017.

Michael Crooks ’06, Men’s Tennis: Crooks is the singles, doubles, and total wins leader in the history of Stony Brook men’s tennis. He was a four-time All-America East selection. He never lost a conference tournament singles match during his four-year collegiate career. Crooks currently works as a technology consultant and software engineer in London.

Bryan Dougher ’12, Men’s Basketball: A four-year starter at point guard, Dougher graduated as the all-time leading scorer in the program’s Division I era. He also owns a school record of 337 three-pointers. He earned a spot on the America East All-Rookie Team in 2009 and was a three-time All-America East selection. Dougher led the Seawolves to consecutive America East Regular Season Championships. He played professionally in Australia. Dougher went on to work on the basketball staffs at Stony Brook and Rutgers, and currently is an assistant coach at Fairfield.

Paul Dudzick ’72, Coach/Administrator, 1968-2003: Dudzick founded and coached the Stony Brook crew, women’s cross country, and women’s tennis teams and launched the department’s Hall of Fame. His roles also included serving as men’s Athletic Director from 1983 through 1991, NCAA compliance coordinator, and associate professor of physical education. He coordinated the elevation of the program from Division III to Division I.

Kathy Koshansky, Head Athletic Trainer, 1983-2011: The first full-time athletic trainer in program history, Koshansky also was a pioneer. She also became the first woman to be a head certified athletic trainer in Stony Brook football history. She also served as a tenured associate professor and received the prestigious President’s and Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching in 1989. Koshansky was inducted into the New York State Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in 2011 for her commitment to the athletic training profession.

Jenny Payne (Simpkins) ’03, ’07, Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country: Payne was the first NCAA Division I qualifier in the cross country program’s history. She also became the program’s first D-I All-American and first America East Champion, winning the indoor 5000 meters in Boston in 2002. She was a recipient of the NCAA’s postgraduate scholarship the following year. Payne last year joined the government in Lilburn, Ga., as assistant city manager.

Aden Smith ’03, Football: A two-year captain and linebacker, Smith owns the top two single-season tackle totals in program history — 140 in 2002 and 112 in 2001. His 323 career tackles are the most in school history. His accolades include second-team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-American honors as a senior. Smith is the varsity football coach at Shoreham-Wading River High School.

The 2019 cast of 'Frosty'. Photo from the Engeman

He’s back! The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Frosty from Nov. 21 to Jan. 2, 2022. Join Jenny and Frosty on their chilly adventures as they try to save the town of Chillsville from mean old Ethel Pierpot and her evil machine that will melt all the snow. Jenny calls on her Mom, the mayor, and all of you to help her save her home, get Frosty to the North Pole, and make this holiday season a Winter Wonderland for one and all! All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

MEET JULIE!

Julie

This week’s shelter pet is Julie, currently up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.

This gorgeous medium haired lady is estimated to be around 2 years old. Julie’s dad passed away and her mom left her behind when she moved on. This beauty can be as sassy as she is sweet. She does prefer to be the only cat in your life, but has lived with a small dog. Will you be her hero? 

If you would like to meet this sweetheart, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting, which includes a Meet and Greet Room. 

The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Shelter operating hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.smithtownanimalshelter.com.

American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244 Veterans Day 2019
In commemoration of Veterans Day 2021, American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244 will conduct its annual Veterans Day Observance Thursday, November 11th, at 11 a.m. at Greenlawn Memorial Park, at the corner of Pulaski Rd. and Broadway in Greenlawn.

The ceremony, which has been conducted annually since 1943 by the Greenlawn Post, will be attended by many veterans, government officials and members of the public. This is the only Veterans Day ceremony in the Town of Huntington to take place on the actual date of Veterans Day.

Veterans Day is intended to honor all our military veterans. There are around 19 million U.S. veterans as of this year, according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, representing less than 10% of the total U.S. adult population.

American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244 meets the second Wednesday of every month at St. Joseph Council Knights of Columbus, 24 Boulevard Ave. Greenlawn.

For more information, call 516-458-7881 or e-mail [email protected].

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Calling all job seekers! East Northport Public Library, 185 Larkfield Road, East Northport will host a Job Fair by Suffolk County One-Stop Employment Center on Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. Companies from several different industries will be available to discuss job opportunities. Bring your resume and dress for success. To register, call 631-261-6930 or visit www.nenpl.org.

Ribbon cutting event for Island Rheumatology and Osteoporosis. Photo from Larry Mikorenda

Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich joined Dr. Sanjay Godhwani for the grand opening of Island Rheumatology and Osteoporosis, PC, 10 Roosevelt Avenue in Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 9. The celebration included a ribbon cutting and presentation of a certificate of congratulations. 

“Congratulations to Dr. Sanjay Godhwani and his wife Puja on creating a beautiful space that will promote wellness throughout our community. Upon meeting Dr. Godhwani I quickly recognized his commitment to high-quality care and passion for his profession. I wish him nothing but success at his new location,” said Councilmember Korneich. For more information, call 631-886-2844 or visit www.islandrheumatology.com.

A scene from last year's ceremony. Photo by Lina Weingarten/2020

The public is invited to join Town of Huntington officials, the Huntington Veterans Advisory Board, New York State and Suffolk County officials for a Veterans Day Ceremony on Sunday, November 7 at 11 a.m. on Veterans Plaza on the front lawn of Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main Street, Huntington, to honor veterans of the Town of Huntington and across our Nation.

Veterans Day 2021 commemorates the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Located at Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb was initially dedicated by the Army on Armistice Day, November 11, 1921, with the burial of an unknown service member from World War I. Over the past century, additional unknowns have been buried at the Tomb, and the site has become a people’s memorial that inspires reflection on service, valor, sacrifice and mourning.

2021 also marks the 80th anniversary of the bombing on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Veterans Advisory Board member Mortimer Roberts, a World War II veteran, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The World War II Memorial on Veterans Plaza now displays 365 new names added at a special ceremony on October 3, 2021 after a years-long outreach effort to properly recognize all Huntington residents who served in World War II. The names on the memorial now total 6,365.

The ceremony will feature patriotic music and take place on Veterans Plaza amid the American flag display known as the “Field of Honor,” as well as a 30-foot American flag displayed between fire trucks from the Huntington Fire Department and Huntington Manor Fire Department.

Refreshments donated by Buttercooky Bakery and Dunkin Donuts will be served after the ceremony. South Huntington Cub Scout Pack 406 volunteers will be assisting with program distribution.

The Kiwanis Club of Huntington is sponsoring a “Field of Honor” of American flags on display at Huntington Town Hall. 3’x5’ American flags are mounted on 8’ poles surrounding Veterans Plaza on the front lawn of Huntington Town Hall. Each flag has its own custom-printed gold ribbon personalized and dedicated to each veteran honoree. Flags can be purchased at BuyAFlag.org for $35. Flags were assembled in early September 2021 and will be taken down in December 2021. Net proceeds benefit veterans’ and children’s causes in Huntington.

Event: 

DATE:            Sunday, November 7, 2021

TIME:             11:00 a.m.

PLACE:           Veterans Plaza, Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main Street, Huntington

(Front lawn of Town Hall, park in lot and walk through building) 

For information about the Veterans Day Ceremony, please call 631-351-3012 or [email protected]

The Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook presents its winter holiday exhibit, “Celebrate the Season,” from Nov. 4 through Jan. 23, 2022. 

The show will feature the artwork of a variety of artists, including paintings by the late artist, Joseph Reboli, the Setauket-based artist for whom the Center is named. 

Participating artists include Mireille Bellajonas, Lucille Betti-Nash, Grainne de Buitlear, Al Candia, Donna Crinnian, Julie Doczi, David Ebner, Pamela Herbst, Tyler Hughes, Melissa Imossi, Joanne Liff, John Mansueto, Esther Marie, Jim Molloy, Dan O’Sullivan, Vicki Sawyer, Gia Schifano, Carl Siege, Jodi Stills, Angela Stratton, Mike Stanko, Ty Stroudsberg, Joseph Reboli, Doug Reina, Corinne Tousey, Hal Usher, Mary Jane van Zeijts, Marlene Weinstein, Charles Wildbank, and Patricia Yantz. 

“We are thrilled to have so many Long Island artists in the show,” said Lois Reboli, a founder of the Reboli Center.

In addition, the Reboli Center’s Design Shop will once again be the envy of Santa’s workshop as it is decorated for the holidays and filled with beautiful and handcrafted gifts for people of all ages. In the seasonally-festive shop, you will find jewelry, felted ornaments, artisan crafts, art books, children’s toys, scarves, mittens, hats, prints and more. Reboli gift certificates are also available in any denomination. Free gift wrapping is available while you enjoy the holiday spirit at the Center.

The Reboli Center is located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook, and is open Tuesday  to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 5pm. Admission is free. For more information, please call 631-751-7707. 

Be sure to visit the Center’s website at www.ReboliCenter.org for holiday hours, pop-up shops and special events.

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Fall back this weekend

It’s almost time to turn back the clocks. The end of daylight saving time is coming — and along with it, an extra hour of sleep. The seasonal time change occurs Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2 a.m., according to Farmer’s Almanac. The return of standard time means the sun will rise a little earlier, and that it’ll be dark by the time most people get out of work for the day. Daylight saving time begins again on Sunday, March 13, 2022.