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The cast of 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Cinderella' at Theatre Three. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

By Heidi Sutton

Theatre Three closes its 2022-2023 children’s theater season with a most fitting choice, an original musical retelling of the  timeless fairytale Cinderella.

With book by Douglas Quattrock with Jeffrey Sanzel and music and lyrics by Quattrock, the rags-to-riches story combines Charles Perrault’s classic story with Mark Twain’s The Prince & the Pauper with lots of hilarious twists and turns along the way.

Charles Perrault (Steven Uihlein) serves as narrator as well as “squire to the sire” and transports audiences to the palace of King Charming (Jason Furnari) who wishes for his son Prince Charming (Sean Amato) to get married and take over the kingdom so he can retire. He decides to host a royal ball and invites all eligible maidens.

The squire delivers the invitations to the home of Cinderella (Danielle Pafundi) who is forced to cook and clean for her stepmother Lady Jaclyn (Louisa Bikowski) and stepsisters Gwendolyn (Kaitlyn Jehle) and Madeline (Samantha Fierro) and be at their beck and call. When Cinderella asks if she can go to the ball, her stepmother tells her she has to do all her chores first, including washing the cat (do they even have a cat?), but we all know how that turns out. 

Left behind while the meanies go to the ball, Cinderella is visited by her fairy godmother (“I don’t mean to be rude but where have you been?!”), Angelica (Heather Van Velsor), who uses her magic to whip up a beautiful dress and carriage and sends Cinderella on her way.

Meanwhile, the prince hatches a plan to switch places with the squire in hopes of meeting a girl who “really likes me for me.” Things go haywire at the ball, thanks to the spoiled stepsisters, and it ends before Cinderella can get there. When she finally arrives, Cinderella is greeted by a squire (the prince) who asks her to dance because “the band is paid till 1 a.m.” Will she  accept his invitation and waltz the night away? Will they live happily ever after?

Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, the lively show is perfectly executed with a clever script and all of the wonderful scenes we have come to love overflowing with singing, dancing and lots of magic.

Each actor has his/her chance to shine with solos and duets. Accompanied on piano by Douglas J. Quattrock with choreography by Sari Feldman, the songs are sweet and endearing theawith special mention to “Hey There, Charming,” “Please, Mother, Please!” and “If the Shoe Fits,” “A Girl Like Me (and a Boy Like You)” and “Here in Your Arms.”

The costumes, designed by the uber-talented Jason Allyn, are exquisite, especially Cinderella’s dress which received gasps from the audience when it was first seen, and the lighting and special effects are simply magical.

If you’re looking for something to do with the kids this weekend, Theatre Three’s Cinderella fits the “shoe” perfectly. Costumes are encouraged. Meet the cast in the lobby after the show for a keepsake photo.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Cinderella through June 17 with a sensory sensitive performance on June 4 at 11 a.m. All seats are $10. For more information or to order, call the box office at 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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File photo

A cloud of mystery hangs over Stony Brook University and Suffolk County municipalities as Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) contemplates whether to house asylum seekers at state university campuses.

Spectrum News NY1 reported last week the governor was exploring housing asylum seekers entering the state across three SUNY campuses, including SBU. The governor’s office has yet to clarify its plans as of press time.

New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead) said she has been in contact with the governor’s office. According to Giglio’s contact there, Marissa Espinoza, the proposal to house asylum seekers at SBU “is not happening.”

New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, left, and Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine. File photos by Raymond Janis

“I’m hoping that that’s not the plan because we really need those dorms for students,” Giglio said. “The taxpayers just can’t afford to take care of more people. We can barely afford to take care of our veterans and homeless.”

In the face of uncertainty and preparing for the prospect of new migrants, Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine (R) also expressed apprehensions about the proposed plans.

Though acknowledging the town does not have jurisdiction over state property, the Brookhaven supervisor referred to potential movements of asylum seekers into SBU as “probably a mistake.”

“I’m concerned about the impact on the school district,” Romaine told TBR News Media in an exclusive interview. “Twenty to 30 years ago, you had single men coming up here and sending money back home. Now, they’re coming up as a family.”

He added, “I’m concerned about the impact that would have on the Three Village school district which, to my understanding, is laying off teachers this school year.”

Ivan Larios, manager of organizing and strategy for the Long Island branch of the New York Immigration Coalition, has been among a vocal group of immigration proponents advocating that Suffolk County welcomes asylum seekers. [See story, “Republican lawmakers, immigration advocates clash over asylum seekers,” May 25, TBR News Media.]

In a phone interview, he outlined the reasons for considering asylum requests, appealing to policymakers on humanitarian grounds.

“People are coming here because they’re running away from persecution, political unrest and violence,” he said. “Immigrants are already a part of our community, and they make Long Island richer and better.”

Giglio contended that Suffolk County is ill-prepared for the challenges of providing services to asylum seekers.

“We have people that are living in the woods in encampments across the street from our parks,” the assemblywoman said. “Our hospitals are not ready for it, the need for services that we can’t provide. We can barely take care of the homeless people we have now.”

Romaine, who is running for Suffolk County executive in November’s election, when asked whether the county is prepared for an influx of new migrants, said “no.”

“I sympathize with asylum seekers,” Romaine said, “But I am concerned about migrants coming to this country without adequate preparation, and I don’t believe we have adequate preparation.”

“We believe elected officials should be working in finding solutions instead of saying, ‘No, we can’t take more people.’”

— Ivan Larios

Larios suggested arguments advanced against asylum seekers can be deceptive. He maintained that asylum seekers are not diverting public resources and attention from already-vulnerable communities across the state. 

“There are rumors that asylum seekers have displaced veterans or homeless people in other localities around the state, but these are lies,” the immigration advocate said. “These are lies that have been perpetrated to create division.”

But, he added, “There are issues taking place with, for example, housing, but … we believe elected officials should be working in finding solutions instead of saying, ‘No, we can’t take more people.’”

Meanwhile, County Executive Steve Bellone (D) issued an emergency order, May 26, regarding the continuing asylum-seeker crisis. In a press release he said, “Today, I issued an emergency order as New York City continues to grapple with a shortage of available housing options for families and individuals fleeing desperate circumstances and legally seeking asylum. We remain supportive of Governor Hochul’s coordinated and humane approach to addressing this crisis and this emergency order serves to protect the local communities from bearing any costs associated with the potential arrival of asylum seekers.”

The emergency order repeats the county’s calls “for a coordinated approach in which New York State will serve as the lead agency, working to identify potential federal and state sites to temporarily house asylum seekers,” the release added.

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The Port Jefferson Rotary Club and “Call Brian” Senior Services will sponsor a Friends of the Pantry Food and Personal Care Items Drive at the Open Cupboard Pantry at Infant Jesus Church, 110 Hawkins St., Port Jefferson on Sunday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Currently the pantry is in extreme need of juice, pancake mix (complete), pancake syrup, mac & cheese, pasta, pasta sauce, condiments, Maseca flour, cooking oil, cereal, oatmeal, canned fruit, canned mixed vegetables, coffee, tea and healthy snacks.

They are also in need of personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner, feminine products, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, toilet paper, baby wipes, Enfamil formula ad baby lotion. Grocery store gift cards and cash also accepted. For more information, call 631-938-6464.

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METRO photo

Caroline Episcopal Church, 1 Dyke Road, Setauket hosts a free ongoing support group for caregivers, Caring for the Caregivers, every 2nd and 4th week of the month via Zoom from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Facilitated by a licensed social worker, the group is non-disease specific, non-sectarian (non-religious), confidential, open-to-all, and ongoing. A person is welcome to participate once or regularly. For more information, please call 631-428-0902.

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Mount Sinai senior midfielder Jake Spallina takes possession. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai senior goalie Brayden Wilcken with a stop. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River goalie Jaden Galfano with one of his 15 saves. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai senior attackman Cole Marsala rips a shot on goal. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River attack Alex Kershis fires at the cage. Photo by Bill Landon
Loose ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River attack Alec Gregorek uncorks a shot. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Steven Cain looks for a cutter. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River attack Alec Gregorek fires at the cage. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai senior goalie Brayden Wilcken with a save. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai senior attack Christian Colantonio rips a shot. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcats smell victory. Photo by Bill Landon
Mount Sinai senior midfielder Jake Spallina wins at “X.” Photo by Bill Landon
Photo by Bill Landon
Less than a minute left. Photo by Bill Landon
Wildcats WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
The Shoreham-Wading River Wildcats, the Suffolk County Class C Champions. Photo by Bill Landon
Champs. Photo by Bill Landon

Having lost to the Mustangs 11-7 earlier in the season, the Shoreham-Wading River Wildcats had a score to settle when they went head-to-head with Mount Sinai in the Suffolk Class C championship at Stony Brook University Tuesday afternoon, May 30. Mount Sinai, the no. 1 seed at 17-0, hadn’t tasted defeat all season. The Wildcats would change that when they jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the closing minutes of the third quarter.

Mount Sinai chipped away at the deficit, drawing within two goals in the final four minutes of play. But the Wildcat defense was able to corral the Mustangs, holding on for the 10-7 victory. With it, they punched their ticket to the Long Island Championship.

Nick Carretta topped the scoring chart for the Mustangs with three goals. Cole Marsala followed with two, and teammates Jake Spallina and Christian Colantonio scored. Mount Sinai goalie Brayden Wilcken had 10 stops in net.

Liam Kershis had the hot stick for the Wildcats with five goals. Seniors Steven Cain and Alec Gregorek scored twice, and Alex Kershis stretched the net. Goalkeeper Jaden Galfano, a junior, had 15 saves between the pipes.

The Wildcats retake the field at Stony Brook Saturday morning, June 3, to face Manhasset for the Long Island Championship title. Gametime is scheduled for 10 a.m.

Tickets can be purchased here.

— Photos by Bill Landon

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A scene from the 2023 Setauket Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Margo Arceri
A scene from the 2023 Veterans Memorial Park wreath laying ceremony. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Shine Dance Studio students at the 2023 Veterans Memorial Park wreath laying ceremony. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Members at the Irving Hart Post at the 2023 Veterans Memorial Park wreath laying ceremony. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Veterans Memorial Park wreath laying ceremony. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Veterans Memorial Park wreath laying ceremony. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Veterans Memorial Park wreath laying ceremony. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Veterans Memorial Park wreath laying ceremony. Photo by Rita J. Egan
State Assemblyman Ed Flood, candidate for Brookhaven's District I Gary Bodenburg and town Councilman Jonathan Kornreich at the 2023 Veterans Memorial Park wreath laying ceremony. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 wreath laying ceremony at the Village Green. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 wreath laying ceremony at the Village Green. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Margo Arceri
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Margo Arceri
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Margo Arceri
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Margo Arceri
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Margo Arceri
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Margo Arceri
A scene from the 2023 Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Margo Arceri

It was a bright and breezy Monday as hundreds lined Route 25A in Setauket to cheer on the annual Memorial Day parade participants.

The event kicked off after a wreath-laying ceremony on the Village Green across from Emma S. Clark Memorial Library.

Veterans, scouts, elected officials, the Ward Melville marching band and more made their way down the parade route, ending with a closing ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on Shore Road and 25A.

Earlier in the day, another ceremony was held at Stony Brook Harbor Memorial near the fire department.

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Leg. Kara Hahn presents Carlton 'Hub' Edwards with a proclamation on May 18. Photo from Leg. Hahn's office

Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket) recently congratulated Carlton “Hub” Edwards, of Setauket, for his induction into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. The organization honored Edwards for his contributions to baseball in Suffolk County during the early days of integration.

Before Edwards was known for his in-depth knowledge of local history and his work with the American Legion Irving Hart Post 1766, the Korean War veteran was a prolific baseball player. As a young man, he made a name for himself in high school and semi-pro baseball. The Brooklyn Dodgers wanted to draft him after they heard about his three no-hitters, which he accomplished playing for his high school team, the Suffolk Giants of Setauket and Setauket Athletic Club. However, he received a draft notice from Uncle Sam at the same time, and his pro baseball dreams ended.

Edwards always remembered his baseball talents were nurtured and fostered in Chicken Hill, the Setauket neighborhood he grew up in. After he returned from Korea, he shared his athletic skills with the young people of Three Village by coaching basketball, another sport he loved and excelled at.

“I’ve known Hub since I was a student in the Three Village School District, and he was a school custodian,” said Legislator Hahn. 

“I have always admired his kindness and immense knowledge of local history but never realized what a prolific baseball player he was. It was a pleasure sitting down with him to learn about his athletic accomplishments. With three no hitters and a personal record of 19 strikeouts in one game, it sounds like he had a wicked pitch arsenal that would frighten most batters he faced. Congratulations to Hub on his induction into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame!”

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Pictured from left, Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Dr. Nikhil Palekar; Brad Straub, Executive Vice President at Greystone; Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield; and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine. Photo from Jefferson's Ferry

The Jefferson’s Ferry’s Foundation’s annual gala this spring marked 18 years of generous support for the Foundation. Jefferson’s Ferry residents and their families, supporters and vendors joined Jefferson’s Ferry management, staff and board members for “Springtime in Paris” to salute the singular lifestyle, vibrant community and peace of mind that are the hallmarks of Jefferson’s Ferry. 

The proceeds from the evening will benefit the Foundation’s “Making Memories Fund,” which will provide supplemental programming for residents of Jefferson’s Ferry’s new Memory Care Wing to include exercise classes, massage therapy, day trips, entertainment and more. The programs will be geared to participants’ interests and capabilities rather than their limitations. The Fund will also support continuing education for staff of the Memory Care Wing, which is set to open later this year.

This year Jefferson’s Ferry honored Greystone, which has served as the chief consultant for Jefferson’s Ferry’s ambitious expansion project. To accept the award on behalf of Greystone, Brad Straub, Executive Vice President at Greystone, joined the party from Texas.

“Brad has been an invaluable resource and played a leading role in defining how Jefferson’s Ferry can best develop its physical plant, programs and resources to fulfill the current and future needs and desires of our residents,” said Jefferson’s Ferry President and CEO Bob Caulfield. 

“Brad’s expertise and oversight has enabled us to conceptualize and execute a significant expansion and renovation within a reasonable time frame and with the least disruption to our community.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Nikhil Palekar, Director of the Stony Brook University Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Palekar, an expert in the treatment and research of cognitive and mood disorders in older adults, spoke of promising medical advances in the study of cognitive impairment and mood disorders. For more information visit www.jeffersonsferry.org.

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'Shortwing on Acacia' by Diane Motroni. Image courtesy of STAC
'The Last Unicorn' by Joseph Weinreb. Image from STAC
'The Alchemist' by Julia Jenkins. Image from STAC
'Fisherman' by Teresa Cromwell. Image from STAC
'Haberdasher of Old Bethpage'. Image from STAC
'The Messenger' by Tyler Hughes. Image from STAC

Up next at the Smithtown Township Arts Council’s Mills Pond Gallery is Figurative/Narrative, a juried fine art exhibition featuring 58 works from 36 artists from 10 states including CA, FL, MA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, SD, TX, VA and 14 Long Island communities. The show opens June 3.

Through figurative or narrative paintings, artists give shape and character to the stories and people of our lives. Whether real or imagined, their art invites us to connect and engage with their characters and stories. We invite viewers to enjoy the expressions of the portraits or the illustrated scenes and imagine the untold stories of the lives of the subjects.

Exhibition juror Zimou Tan’s exhibit called for entries that celebrate contemporary realism and figurative and narrative paintings. Zimou is an Art Renewal Center Living Master (true masters in the visual arts…training and inspiring the next generation of artists, scholars, and teachers, to protect, preserve and perpetuate traditional painting techniques). Zimou noted that selected artists captured the essence of the human form and communicated compelling stories through their art.

Exhibiting artists include Diana Aliberti, James Xavier Barbour, Joanna Burch, Mónica Carmona, Yen-Ching Chang, Teresa Cromwell, Collin Douma, Christine Dupuis, Andrew Elsten, Ryan Flannery, Connie Gisi, Hank Grebe, Jennifer Hartzler, Gia Horton, Tyler Hughes, Julia Jenkins, Natreka Kelly, Frank Loehr, Avrel Menkes, Drigo Morin, Diane Motroni, Susan Perrish, Kai Lun Qu, William Dunham Reed, Anita Schnirman, Barret Schumacher, Eileen Shaloum, Angela Stratton, Mark Sweeney, Tracy Tekverk, Robert Tuska, Zoë Walker, Joseph Weinreb, Ashley Williams, Ni Zhu and Doug Zider.

Mills Pond Gallery, 660 Route 25A, St. James presents Figurative/Narrative from June 3 to July 1. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. 

The community is invited to an opening reception on June 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. to meet the artists and view their work. For more information, call 631-862-6575, or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

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All photos by Daniel Febrizio

On Memorial Day, May 29, hundreds of Smithtown residents gathered on Main Street to watch the 99th annual Memorial Day Parade marching westbound toward Town Hall where a short ceremony was held.

Parade participants included veterans, volunteer firefighters, high school bands, twirlers, Scouts and more.

After the singing of the National Anthem by a Smithtown West High School student at the ceremony, American Legion Post 833 Commander Bill Coderre said a few words to begin the ceremony. “On this memorial day, we are reminded that the rights and freedoms that we enjoy as Americans are possible in large part because of those who have protected our great nation through military service,” he said.

Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) spoke, reading a Memorial Day speech honoring the lives lost in U.S.-involved wars throughout its history. The piece concluded with, “Remember all that has been sacrificed when you look around at your beautiful families, at your homes, your neighborhoods and your friends. Only then can we truly appreciate the incredible gifts that we have: life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.”

The ceremony concluded with a rendition of “God Bless America” while those in attendance sang along.

Other elected officials that spoke at the ceremony included state Sen. Mario Mattera (R-St. James), Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R-St. James) and Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy (R).

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