Community

Susie Q

MEET SUSIE Q!

Susie Q

This week’s featured shelter pet is Susie Q, a 10-year-old female Calico who arrived at the Smithtown Animal Shelter after her human companion passed away. 

Susie Q loved her dad so much, and it is taking her some time to open up to new humans. While she certainly has a shy side and likes her alone time, she is very loving and sweet to people she’s comfortable with. She happily lived with two other cats in the past, so she can be adopted into a house with other feline siblings. 

This sweetheart would do best in a patient and quiet home without any children. If you would like to meet Susie Q, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting.

The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor 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.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

Trustee Lauren Sheprow, above, is a declared candidate for Port Jefferson Village mayor. Photo courtesy Sheprow

The candidate pool for this year’s mayoral election in the Village of Port Jefferson just doubled in size, with trustee Lauren Sheprow now entering the race.

Seven-term incumbent Mayor Margot Garant announced her retirement from the village government in February and has since secured the Democratic Party’s nomination for Town of Brookhaven supervisor. To fill the open seat, Deputy Mayor Kathianne Snaden was first to announce her candidacy. Sheprow is now the second.

In an exclusive interview, Sheprow confirmed her candidacy, stating that she has canvassed village residents who have expressed general interest in a new direction for village government.

“They would like to see a turn of the page for their village,” Sheprow said. “As I contemplated that, and as I had a perspective on how the government runs over the past eight or nine months as a trustee, I started recognizing opportunities for a new vision.”

If elected, she would be the second member of her family to occupy the office, her father Hal having served six terms as mayor from 1977 to 1991.

Sheprow joined the Port Jefferson Board of Trustees in July, unseating four-term incumbent trustee Bruce Miller. Before entering the board, she had spent 16 years as the chief media relations officer at Stony Brook University and before that four years as the public relations director at Mather Hospital.

Sheprow suggested her experiences within the SBU and Mather administrations directly apply to that of the village. “They have very similar departments as the village has, only on a larger scale,” the trustee said. “I think I can bring a lot of that experience to our village to help it run more efficiently and effectively.”

Since entering the board, Sheprow has taken on several assignments, serving as the village’s communications commissioner and as trustee liaison for both recreation and the food and beverage lessee at Port Jefferson Country Club. 

For Sheprow, expanding use of the country club’s restaurant and catering facility would remain a priority. She said village organizations such as the Parks & Recreation Advisory Council and the Social/Hospitality Task Force are working to “help guide the lessee to create a more engaging membership experience,” adding, “I’ve seen some developments in that area, and as the season comes upon us, we’ll see the outcomes of that work.”

Sheprow and Snaden are currently the only two declared candidates for mayor. Incumbent trustee Stan Loucks and former village clerk Bob Juliano are both running for trustee.

Election Day will take place Tuesday, June 20.

From left, Dr. Eric Cioe Peña, Dr. Anas Sawas, Abit Soylu, Amen Alhadi, Dr. Onat Akin, the Consul General of the Republic of Turkey Reyhan Ozgur, Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling, and Dr. Banu Aygun stand next to medical supplies earmarked for Turkey and Syria. Photo courtesy of Northwell Health

Standing with medical providers of Turkish and Syrian descent, Michael J. Dowling, Northwell Health’s president and CEO, announced on March 3 that the health system is sending 22 pallets of needed medical and disaster relief supplies to the devastated regions after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6 that claimed more than 48,000 lives and left millions displaced.

With Reyhan Ozgur, Consul General of the Republic of Turkey, on hand at Northwell’s Integrated Distribution Center in Bethpage, this announcement comes a day shy of the one-year anniversary of Northwell sending humanitarian relief supplies in support of health providers in Ukraine at the start of a war waged by Russian forces. 

“We’re all part of one global family,” said Dowling. “And when there’s one part of the family in severe distress, we as a health care organization have to be concerned about people in other parts of the world.”

As with Ukraine relief, Northwell is working with longstanding partner Medshare to transport supplies from New York into the affected regions. In addition, Northwell’s Center for Global Health (CGH) is networking with local leaders on the ground to fund relief efforts where they’ll make the greatest impact.

“We are gathering specialized supplies that are difficult to procure locally, things like dialysis kits, trauma supplies that are now already strained in Europe because of the war in Ukraine,” said Eric Cioe Peña, MD, director of the CGH, who’s helping spearhead these efforts.

After the shock

Disaster relief efforts in Turkey and Syria have been continually plagued by high-magnitude aftershocks in already devastated areas, with the most recent 5.6 magnitude on Feb. 27, compounding the crisis.

Northwell has once again aligned with international relief partners, such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) — more commonly known in the U.S. as Doctors Without Borders — to provide direct medical care to survivors and people in need of basic care. The Northwell Health Turkey-Syria relief fund was also created to bring direct equitable financial support to the disaster areas.

This was welcomed news to Abit Soylu, a paramedic with Northwell’s Center for Emergency Medical Services, whose family lives in Turkey. Soylu lost his cousin and her son when their home collapsed in the initial quake.

“It’s hard for me because I’m not there and I’m heartbroken here not being able to help them,” he said. “It took five days for them to find them in the rubble.”

Mr. Soylu was joined by Amen Alhadi, a flight paramedic with Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) who has family in Syria and Anas Sawas, MD, an emergency medicine physician at Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson, who spoke about the limited humanitarian access into Syria from the civil war, now strained by the earthquake.

Also at the event were Onat Akin, MD, a Northwell pathologist with family in Turkey, and Banu Aygun MD, a pediatric oncologist at Cohen Children’s Medical Center. The two discussed the medical risks children face in that region due to the lack of access to care and clean water. Scabies and cholera can spread quickly and other illness from lack of vaccinations.

“Aside from losing their homes, their schools, their friends, some of them are unfortunately orphans,” Dr. Aygun said. “The physical scars are very big, but the psychological scars are much deeper.”

“We’re a culturally dynamic health system,” Dr. Cioe Peña said. “Like in Ukraine, working with MSF and our teammates that hail from these regions will help us build sustainable relationships to get materials and funds to the right place and care for more people.” 

Disaster 24/7 on-call: 

In the weeks that followed the invasion of Ukraine, Northwell Health deployed its integrated telehealth service to provide 24/7 assistance to health care providers to consult and offer guidance on civilian and military patient care. The program has provided more than 350 consults to clinicians caring for patients of blast injury and gunfire, to women with perinatal care needs and patients awaiting organ transplant.

Northwell looks to deploy this same strategy in Turkey and Syria and offer 24/7 access to complement medical care there. “When we launched this program, we quickly realized that using this as a peer-to-peer platform offered the most benefit and impact to the medical community in Ukraine,” said Dr. Cioe Peña.

“We have an obligation and responsibility. It’s part of the culture of Northwell: Any time anyone is in trouble — whether it’s domestic or overseas — we do our best to help,” added Dowling. “If we have the ability and the resources to help — and we obviously have the will — then we should help. That’s why we’re in the health care business. … It’s something we’ve always done, it’s something we always do.”

To donate and support the Northwell Health CGH Turkey/Relief fund visit: https://support.northwell.edu/center-for-global-health

WORLD OF PURE IMAGINATION Catch a screening of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory at the Cinema Arts Centre this Sunday.
PROGRAMS

Egg Hunts at the Hatchery

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor will host egg hunts on March 18, 19, 25, 26, April 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8 in 20 minute sessions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for children up to the age of 6 years old. Tickets are $12 per participating child, $5 “helper siblings” ages 7 to 12, $6 seniors, and $7 adults. To register, visit www.cshfishhatchery.org or call 516-692-6768. 

Winter Scavenger Hunt

Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown hosts a Winter Scavenger on March 18 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. This fun-filled winter family program will keep you entertained while you search the trails for some of the natural and silly things on a scavenger hunt list. $4 per person. Advance registration required by calling 265-1054.

Stories, Shamrocks and Dance

Join Celebrate St. James at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James for Stories, Shamrocks and Dance, a fun-filled afternoon with Irish tales, a dance performance, a shamrock craft and snacks on March 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. For grades K through 5. Donation $20 first adult and child $10 each additional child and/or adult. To register, visit www.celebratestjames.org.

Ssssensational Ssssnakes

Slither on over to Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown to see a selection of several ssssensational serpents on March 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. Learn about a snake’s unique adaptations through games and other participatory activities. Create a cool snake craft to take home. Best for families with children over the age of 5. Fee is $10/child and $5 for adults. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org.

Brain Awareness Day 

Long Island Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson hosts a Brain Awareness Day with Stony Brook University’s Department of Neurobiology and Behavior on March 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. Learn all about how our brain processes tastes and odors! Representatives from SBU will be on site with exciting, hands-on activities for kids to learn about the incredible powers of our brains! This is an outdoor event. Free. Call 331-3277.

Storytime Under the Stars

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents Storytime Under the Stars for children ages 2 and up on March 19 from 6 to 7 p.m. A live narrator at the front of the theater will read from selected picture books, with pages projected onto the Planetarium dome for families to enjoy the illustrations and follow along. All children are invited to wear their comfiest pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animals. Admission fee is $8 per person and $6 for members. Register at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

THEATER

‘Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz’

Join Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson for an unforgettable trip down the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz from Feb. 22 to March 18. Dorothy Gale is whisked away by a tornado to that magical land that lies just Over the Rainbow. Follow Dorothy and her friends the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion as they encounter challenges and celebrate friendship. Featuring an original score, the show is a delightful reminder that “there’s no place like home!” All seats are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Finding Nemo Jr.

The Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Finding Nemo Jr. from April 1 to 8. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo Jr. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure. All seats are $25. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Seussical the Musical’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Seussical the Musical from April 1 to 30. “Oh the Thinks You Can Think!” Dive into the colorful world of Dr. Seuss as The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who sets off to save a speck of dust containing The Whos from destruction. All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

FILM

‘Willy Wonka’

The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! Series with a screening of Willy Wonka &The Chocolate Factory on March 19 at noon. The last of five coveted “golden tickets” falls into the hands of a sweet boy named Charlie. He and his grandpa then get a tour of the strangest chocolate factory in the world.  Rated G. Tickets are $12, $5 children 12 and under. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

Temperatures were low but spirits were high at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in St. James on Saturday, March 11.

Residents from across both shores headed to Lake Avenue this weekend to eat, drink and be merry. The hamlet’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade featured floats, the local Irish step dance team, kids from the Smithtown Bulldogs youth football league and leprechauns galore.

Kicking off the parade was Grand Marshal Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R), as he sported a bright green hat leading other elected officials, including Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D), right center, and State Sen. Mario Mattera (R-Saint James), below right.

While many parade participants were Smithtown-based, the event also welcomed fire departments from Northport, Stony Brook and Babylon.

From left, George Eli, Stefan Pallotta and Brooke Morabito star in 'Tape' at Suffolk County Community College in Selden through March 19. Photo by Julianne Mosher/TBR News Media

By Julianne Mosher

The stage at Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Campus in Selden transforms this week into a basic motel room set in Lansing, Michigan. 

From the moment the lights dim, we are brought back to the glory days of three friends from high school who haven’t seen each other in a decade. But instead of a happy reunion, things turn dark, secrets are spilled, and the plot thickens with a conversation that is just as important now as it was nearly 25 years ago – sexual assault. 

Tape is a 1999 play written by Stephen Belber, first produced at the Actors Theatre of Louisville as part of the 2000 Humana Festival of New American Plays. In 2001, it became a film, starring Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard and Uma Thurman. 

From left, George Eli, Brooke Morabito and Stefan Pallotta star in ‘Tape’ at Suffolk County Community College in Selden through March 19. Photo by Julianne Mosher/TBR News Media

Directed by Steven Lantz-Gefroh, the three-character ensemble piece is set within the confines of a tawdry motor lodge in Michigan. After 10 years apart, three former friends (and lovers) come together to play out the unresolved drama of their final days in high school. 

Intrigued, the audience watches through the one-act play as layers of denial are slowly peeled away. Suspense builds as each character is provoked into revealing his or her true nature and motivation — full of plot twists. Mesmerized, we are drawn into their lives as they choose which cards to play and which cards to hold.

Starring SCCC students Stefan Pallotta (as Vince, a drug dealing volunteer firefighter), George Eli (as Jon, a filmmaker who is the reason the former friends are in the same room), and Brooke Morabito (Amy, the girl in the middle and a local assistant district attorney), the three on stage together collaborate so well that watchers can see, and feel, the emotion in front of them. 

Pallotta’s quick witted responses (and stellar dance moves) show promise for his future — he’s graduating this upcoming semester to study acting. The audience deeply empathizes with Morabito, who plays a victim of assault, as she performs her tale of that night and how she overcame it so well that viewers are left speechless. As a graduating senior, as well, she too has a bright future ahead. 

Eli’s performance of antagonist of the story is so impressive, it’s hard to dislike his character. This performance of Tape is so good, you’ll forget that you’re sitting inside a college theater.

Lantz-Gefroh said that although the play was written almost three decades ago, the topic is still important today — and that is why people should come see it this weekend.

“We have come no distance with this subject matter in over 30 years,” he said. “[This show] helps people realize the mistakes they’ve made in their lives that they need to fix — if they can.”

Morabito said that playing Amy was a cathartic experience for herself.

“Amy is the character that speaks for all the victims of sexual assault who get to see this play and she enacts revenge,” she explained. “She gets to close the door on what happened that night and what happened in the motel room, and leave it all behind.”

Eli added he was grateful to perform alongside Pallotta and Morabito for an important cause.

Tape spreads a lot of awareness and shows us that anyone can be a victim or anyone can be an aggressor,” he said. 

Tape continues on March 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., and March 19 at 2 p.m. at Theatre 119 in the Islip Arts Building at the Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Campus, 533 College Road, Selden. Rated R for mature content. 

Theater continues at SCCC Selden with William Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors from April 13 to 23.

General admission is $14, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger is $10. Suffolk students with a current ID receive one free ticket. For tickets, call 631-451-4163.

Julianne Mosher is an adjunct professor at Suffolk County Community College and a 2013 graduate of the school.

Celtic Apothecary

A Celtic-themed boutique opened in Port Jefferson on March 15. Located at 128 Main Street in the former Thomas Kinkade Gallery spot, Celtic Apothecary will sell hand poured soy organic candles, body products for women and men, home goods, natural cleaners and farmers markets favorites. Products can also be ordered online. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, visit www.celticapothecary.com.

Pictured above, from left to right: Port Jefferson Civic Association’s outreach officer Kathleen McLane; civic president Ana Hozyainova; Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; civic vice president Holly Fils-Aime; treasurer Marilyn Damaskos; and secretary Carol Macys Fox. Photo by Raymond Janis

Leaders of the newly reconfigured Port Jefferson Civic Association formally entered their posts during a swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, March 8, and went straight to work during the first official executive board meeting.

Ceremony

Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) officiated over the ceremony, swearing the newly elected civic leaders into their positions at the outset of the meeting. Kornreich, who had previously served as president of the Three Village Civic Association, outlined the value that civic groups can add to a community.

“I can tell you, as an elected, that the role of the civic is incredibly important because we want to get a sense of what the community thinks,” he said. “Your electeds in the village, and for things related to the Town of Brookhaven, we’re going to come to you.”

He added, “It’s a big responsibility because you have to reach out and be representatives of your community, and I’m very grateful to you all for stepping up to take this important responsibility.”

He then presented each officer with a town proclamation. The executive board is represented by civic president Ana Hozyainova, vice president Holly Fils-Aime, secretary Carol Macys Fox, treasurer Marilyn Damaskos and outreach officer Kathleen McLane.

Priority

Following the ceremony, the board quickly got moving, detailing the local issues it would prioritize. Based on a vote among the body, the most significant priority for the civic will be to advocate for voter input on major construction projects within the village. 

The second will be to enhance walkability and calm traffic while referring to the village’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan to guide new development.

Third on the list is advocating for villagewide oversight and enforcement over planting and clearing. And the final item is creating a close partnership with the village Conservation Advisory Committee to preserve open space.

“Part of the reason why the civic association was created is because we found, as individual citizens, very little traction when engaging with trustees on those individual issues,” said Hozyainova. “Coming together as a formal association, we hope that we can start that conversation in a more fruitful way.”

Strategy

To work toward implementing the civic’s collective goals and vision, the executive board brought in backup. Sal Pitti, vice president of the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Civic Association, and Kornreich sat in on the executive board meeting, offering the newly installed leaders techniques for dealing with local government.

Pitti emphasized the value of high turnout and a growing body. “Get numbers on your side,” he said. “The more people you have on your side, the more they’re going to listen,” adding, “There’s always power in numbers.”

Pitti also recommended working to accomplish small tasks to help grow resident interest in the civic. “Get yourself a high school liaison, like we have at our meetings,” he said. “We have one of the kids at the high school telling people about events.” This method, he maintained, fosters interest from parents and boosts turnout at monthly meetings.

One of the core areas of concern among the PJCA body, according to Hozyainova, is the issue of coastal erosion at East Beach, which has endangered the restaurant and catering facility at the Port Jefferson Country Club.

“We are concerned about paying for a wall that might or might not survive the next few years,” Hozyainova said. She continued by saying that the village government has yet to comprehensively consider managed retreat away from the bluff.

Pitti recommended that the civic association establish new connections within the village so that important public announcements do not go unnoticed by residents. “Try to set up a new system working with the village, that they advise you directly when all these things happen,” he said.

Hozyainova suggested many of the decision-making processes and responsibilities within the village government tend to be consolidated within just a few hands. “A lot of decisions are made without extensive consultation, and very few people ask questions,” the PJCA president said.

To rectify this issue, Kornreich advised the board to forge tighter working relationships with village board members to develop more collaborative exchanges between elected officials and the public.

“Building those relationships with trustees is vitally important,” the councilmember said.

He added that educating civic members on local issues is another responsibility to promote a better-informed civic body and public. “Educate your members,” Kornreich said, adding, “You educate your members so that they understand” the local issues at stake.

Kornreich also mentioned that disseminating important information to the village would be another key function of civic leadership. This, he added, is especially important when it comes to advertising the civic to community members.

Pitti said one of the best investments for PJSTCA has been its website, which he said represents a vital organ for getting the message across to the public. 

“That’s how we get our information out,” he said. “People come and join us there all the time. They love to see what’s going on in the community.”

Needle felt bunny and chick by Shamma Murphy.

Join the Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook this Sunday, March 19 for a spring-themed Needle Felting Workshop from 10:30 a.m. to noon. For a registration fee of $50, you will have the opportunity to needle felt your very own springtime critter under the guidance of Shamma Murphy, the Center’s January 2023 featured Artisan of the Month.

Students will work with a selection of pre-prepared, fine and sustainably sourced wool. All needed materials will be provided in the cost of registration. All experience levels are welcome. Suitable for ages 12 and up. Registration is limited to 15 participants, so be sure to register soon to reserve your space by calling 631-751-7707 or visit www.rebolicenter.org.

The award-winning documentayr A House Made of Splinters will be screened at John F. Kennedy Middle School on March 20.
Thursday March 16

Free Health Screenings

Visit Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for free blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, and glucose screenings provided by a registered nurse from Catholic Health from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to all ages 18 and older. No registration required. Questions? Call 631-928-1212.

Stony Brook Walking Tour

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization in Stony Brook will host a walking tour titled “Against the Grain” at 10:30 a.m. and again at  2:30 p.m. While participants stroll, their guide will share stories recognizing the women who helped shape Stony Brook Village into what it is today. Tours will leave from the Stony Brook Grist Mill, 100 Harbor Road, Stony Brook. Rain date is March 17. Fee is $12 per person. Advance reservations required by calling 751-2244.

Vanderbilt lecture

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents a special lecture titled The Rescue Effect: The Key to Saving Life on Earth on global warming and nature’s inherent resilience with guest speaker Michael Mehta Webster reveals the science behind nature’s resilience at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, free for members. Register at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

An evening of jazz

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook welcomes Rich Iacona’s Bad Little Big Band, featuring vocalist Madeline Kole in concert at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students and $15 children at www.thejazzloft.org.

Friday March 17

Third Friday at the Reboli

The Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook continues its Third Friday series at 6:30 p.m. with a screening of the short documentary Betsy’s World which shines a new light on Andrew Wyeth’s greatest works. Shot in the rooms, fields, and private islands that have served as subject, muse, and home to the Wyeths, and featuring rare interviews with both Wyeth sons, Jamie and Nicky. A Q&A will follow. Free. Questions? Call 751-7707.

Wintertide concert

The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson continues  its  Wintertide concert series from 7 to 8 p.m with a Celtic Evening with Gerry Mckeveny and the Serpent & The Fiddle (Instrumentals steeped in Gaelic traditions) in the Sail Loft Room on the third floor. $5 donation at the door. Questions? Call 473-4778.

Saturday March 18

Birdwatch-Architecture Tours

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will offer an early morning Birdwatch and Architecture Tour with the Vanderbilt’s director of curatorial affairs at 8 a.m. Participants will enjoy the unique opportunity to view the Vanderbilt estate in the early dawn hours, when the grounds are still closed but the birds are active. Sturdy hiking footwear is strongly suggested. Participants are asked to bring their own binoculars. Tickets are $12 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Shoreham Garden Club Meeting

Wading River Congregational Church, 2057 North Country Road, Wading River will host a meeting by the Shoreham-Wading River Garden Club at 10 a.m. The meeting will feature a special program  titled The Native Wildflower Garden at Hallock State Park Preserve: A one hour power point presentation/talk by Mary Laura Lamont. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Quilting Day at Hallockville

Join the Hallockville Museum Farm’s Sound Avenue Stitchers, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead in celebrating National Quilting Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring along your current needlework, learn to make a hand-foundation pieced log cabin block, or browse the museum’s new quilting/crafting library. Participants will also be exploring one of the collection quilts for a Spring/Summer re-creation project. Bring your lunch, tea and sweets provided. No registration required.

Fly-Casting Clinic

Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown offers a Trout Unlimited Fly-Casting clinic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn the art of fly-casting as well as fly-tying, safety techniques and conservation. The clinic also offers participants, who must be 16 years and older, tips on equipment and tackle needs. Reservations are required to participate. Call 265-1054 for more info.

Art League Open House

Join the Art League of Long Island, 107 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills for an Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn about their year-round classes and summer programs with live art demos, hands-on activities, and free art kits to the first 100 visitors. Free. Visit www.artleagueli.org.

Irish Luck on the Farm

Rescheduled from March 11. The Smithtown Historical Society will hold its annual Irish Luck on the Farm event at the Roseneath Cottage, 239 Middle Country Road, Smithtown from noon to 4 p.m. Experience fun for all ages with a walk-through petting zoo, traditional Irish step dancing performances, and other celebrations of Irish heritage. Entry fee is $5 per person. Questions? Call 265-6768.

Port Jefferson Chili Crawl

Join the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce for a Chili Crawl with over 10 participating restaurants from 1 to 4 p.m. with horse & carriage rides, custom classic cars throughout the Village, live music and more. Rain date is March 25. Tickets are $25. To order, visit www.portjeffchamber.com.

St. Patrick’s Dinner Celebration

Celebrate St. James hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Celebration at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy a traditional Irish dinner buffet, musical performance by Paul Henry, a special appearance by Niall O’Leary Music & Dance and raffle baskets. Ticket are $45 per person. To register, visit www.celebratestjames.org or call 984-0201.

Pub Nite in Northport

Join the Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport for their annual Pub Nite from 6 to 10 p.m. featuring live Irish music by O’McSkis Regulars, dinner provided by The Shipwreck Diner, and trivia hosted by Curator & Trivia Master Terry Reid. Ages 21+ only. Tickets are $70, $60 members at www.northporthistorical.org.

Storm Large in concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook presents Storm Large in concert at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall. A force to be reckoned with, the singer returns for her third outing at the Staller Center, poised to blow the audience away with her “ intoxicating and unmissable cocktail of power and vulnerability.” Tickets range from $42 to $58. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.

Irish Comedy Night

The Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown hosts an evening of Irish Comedy in partnership with Governors Comedy Clubs at 8 p.m. with Richie Byrne, Tim Gage, Debbie D’Amore and Pat O’Rourke. Tickets are $45 per person and includes open bar of wine and beer. Visit www.smithtownpac.org to reserve your seat.

Sunday March 19

Needle Felting Workshop

Join the Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook this Sunday, March 19 for a spring-themed Needle Felting Workshop from 10:30 a.m. to noon. For a registration fee of $50, you will have the opportunity to needle felt your very own springtime critter under the guidance of Shamma Murphy, the Center’s January 2023 featured Artisan of the Month. Students will work with a selection of pre-prepared, fine and sustainably sourced wool. All needed materials will be provided in the cost of registration. All experience levels are welcome. Suitable for ages 12 and up. Registration is limited to 15 participants, so be sure to register soon to reserve your space by calling 631-751-7707 or visit www.rebolicenter.org.

History of Caumsett Hike

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington will host a History of Caumsett Hike from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On this hilly, moderately long walk (approx. 2 miles) you will study the park’s social, economic, architectural, and political history. Adults only. $4 per person. Advance registration required by calling 423-1770.

Lucky 10 Vendor Market

Huntington Moose Lodge, 631 Pulaski Road in Greenlawn will host a Lucky 10 Vendor Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop from over 25 unique local vendors with lots of handmade items — Candles, jewelry, pet items, clothing, picture frames, crystals, beauty/bath products and so much more. Great gifts for Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, teachers, etc. Free admission. 

Art reception in St. James

Celebrate St. James Gallery at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James invites the community to an opening reception of a new juried art exhibit, Celebrating Women & Women’s History, from 1 to 3 p.m. with live music by Lou Mazzaferro and light refreshments. The exhibit runs through April 9. For more info, call 984-0201.

Hungrytown in concert

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to enjoy the vocal harmonies of folk duo Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson as they perform their original songs evoking old school Appalachia at 1:30 p.m. Open to all. Call 928-1212 to reserve your seat. 

Field Journaling program

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a Field Journaling program from 1:30 to 3 p.m.  Explore the park with pencil in hand as you sketch and describe the fascinating natural world that you observe. Practice writing and drawing skills while enjoying science and nature. All levels of experience are welcome, and all materials are provided – but feel free to bring your own. For ages 12 and up. To register, please visit www.EventBrite.com.

Sound Symphony concert

Comsewogue High School, 5656 Bicycle Path, Port Jefferson Station hosts a Sound Symphony Orchestra concert at 2 p.m. Program will include works by Mozart featuring soloist Alexander Liu on piano, Copland and Farrenc. Admission is $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students, children under 12 free, at the door. Visit www.soundsymphony.org.

LITMA Contradance 

Long Island Traditional Music Association will hold a Contradance at the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown at 2 p.m. with basic instruction at 1:45 p.m. Callers will be Sue Gola & Dylan Simpson with music by Dance All Night featuring Maria Fairchild (banjo), Mary Nagin (fiddle), and Max Rowland (Banjo & Concertina) $15 general admission, $10 LITMA Members, students half price, children under 16 FREE with paid adult. For information, call 369-7854.

Le Petit Salon de Musique concert  – PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket hosts a Le Petit Salon de Musique concert featuring soprano Rachel Schutz and pianist Andrea Christie at 2 p.m. Program will include works by Rachmaninoff, Welsh composer Morfydd Owen and American composers Margaret Bonds and Thomas Osborne. Tickets are $20 in advance for adults, $15 for students, $10 children 12 and under at https://lepetitsalon.org/tickets/. For further information, call 751-0297.

Mark Newman in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook will host a concert by Mark Newman from 3 to 4 p.m. Free with admission to the museum. For more information, call 689-5888 or visit www.limusichalloffame.org.

Monday March 20

ReWilding at the Library

Visit Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station to explore sustainable practices such as composting, recycling, use of water and native plants, and changes to your landscape with ReWild Long Island from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Open to all. Call 928-1212 to reserve your seat. 

TVHS lecture

The Three Village Historical Society continues its lecture series at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St. Setauket tonight at 7 p.m. Guest speaker Rob von Bernewitz will present Graveyards and Cemeteries of Long Island: The Setauket Edition. Zoom option also available. Free for members, suggested donation for all others. Visit www.tvhs.org or call 751-3730 for more information.

SHS Spring lecture

The Smithtown Historical Society continues its Spring Lecture Series at the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown at 7 p.m. with a lecture titled Classic Hollywood – Lucille Ball with historian Lawrence Wolff. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free. For more information, call 265-6768.

Avalon Astronomy Event – Just added!

Avalon Nature Preserve in Stony Brook hosts an astronomy event from 8 to 10 p.m. The Observatories at Avalon will be hosting a live observing session (weather permitting) focusing on the planet Mars and various deep sky objects. Parking will be permitted in the barn parking lot on Shep Jones Lane. Pre-registration is not required. For more information, call 689-0619.

Tuesday March 21

Swing Into Spring Jazz Festival

The Jazz Loft & Legislator Karah Hahn presents the annual Swing into Spring! A mini Jazz Festival at the Jazz Loft and throughout Stony Brook Village and East Setaukket from March 21 to 25. There will be exciting music events such as the Collegiate Big Band Brawl, live music at local restaurants & shops, Jazz improv workshop and jam, Carlos Jimenez Mambo Dulcet, Community Jazz Night, Aubrey Johnson Quartet, & more!

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station welcomes Charles Henry, DJ, singer and accomplished pianist in all genres of music in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Enjoy a wonderful of hour of entertainment! Bagels, cream cheese and coffee among other refreshments will be served. $5 per person, $3 members. Call 928-3737 for more information.

Travel Presentation Club

Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket hosts a meeting by the Travel Presentation Club at 7 p.m. Guest speakers Carl Safina and Patricia Paladines will speak about their recent trip to “The Enchanted Islands: Galapagos.” All are welcome. 

SBU Faculty Concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will host a faculty recital in the Recital Hall at 7 p.m. Drawing inspiration from his own grandfather’s survival of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Arnaud Sussmann and Michael Stephen Brown will perform works by Jewish composers whose lives were directly impacted by the war. Free and open to all. Call 632-2787 for more info.

Wednesday March 22

Swing Into Spring Jazz Festival

See March 21 listing.

Thursday March 23

Swing Into Spring Jazz Festival

See March 21 listing.

Native American Drumming 

Alls Souls Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook will host a Native American Drumming Meditation workshop from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Call 655-7798 for more information

Theater

‘Side By Side By Sondheim’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage season with Side By Side By Sondheim through March 18 showcasing the early works of Broadway’s greatest composer, Stephen Sondheim. Featuring songs from Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, West Side Story, Gypsy, and many others. Unforgettable songs from this dazzling creator and his collaborators include “Send in the Clowns,” “I’m Still Here,” “Another Hundred People,” “Maria,” “Tonight,” “Anyone Can Whistle,” and “Broadway Baby.” Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Tape’

The Theatre at Suffolk County Community College, Ammerman campus, 533 College Road, Selden presents a production of Tape by Stephen Belber in Theatre 119 in the Islip Arts Building on March 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and March 19 at 2 p.m. After 10 years apart, three disparate people come together to play out the unresolved drama of their final days in high school. Suspense builds as each character is provoked into revealing his or her true nature and motivation as they choose which cards to play and which cards to hold. Mature content. General admission is $14. For tickets, call 451-4163. See review on page B33.

Festival of One-Act Plays

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 24th annual Festival of One-Act Plays through March 25 at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre, on the Second Stage. Selected from over 750 submissions world-wide, these seven cutting-edge premieres are guaranteed to entertain and engage. Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, the plays will feature Steve Ayle, Tamralynn Dorsa, Antoine Jones, Brittany Lacey, Phyllis March, Evan Teich, Steven Uihlein, Sean Amato, Ava Andrejko, Angelo DiBiase, Samantha Fierro, Jason Furnari, Melissa Norman, Danielle Pafundi, and Tristan Prin. Adult content and language. Tickets are $20. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘California Suite’

Star Playhouse at SYJCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack presents Neil Simon’s California Suite on March 18 at 8 p.m. and March 19 at 2 p.m. It is the eve of the Oscars and four different couples are having some type of bad situation all at the same time. Tickets are $32, $25 members, seniors, students. To order, call 462-9800or visit [email protected].

‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’

The swashbuckling musical adventure The Scarlet Pimpernel heads to the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport from March 16 to April 30. Percy Blakeney, a proper Englishman, takes on a sword fighting and dashing double identity as The Scarlet Pimpernel to save French citizens from the blood-hungry guillotine. His exploits soon become the talk of Paris, however, the fanatical Agent Chauvelin will stop at nothing to catch the Pimpernel and send him to the guillotine. With a rousing and passionate score by Frank Wildhorn,  The Scarlet Pimpernel is a thrilling musical! For ticket info, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

‘Seussical’

Mount Sinai High School, 110 North Country Road, Mt. Sinai presents the musical Seussical on March 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. and March 25 at 2 p.m. This special Theater for Young Audiences version of the Broadway hit has been rewritten and streamlined to engage audience members from age 4 to 94. Tickets are $15, $12 seniors and students at www.Ludus.com/MountSinaiPerformingArts. Questions? call 870-2882.

Film

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

Join Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for a viewing of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, starring Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, and Danai Gurira on March 16 at 2 p.m. Call 928-1212 to reserve your seat. 

‘Sunset Boulevard’

Catch a screening of the film noir classic Sunset Boulevard at thee Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington on March 16 at 8 p.m. with a post-film in-theatre Zoom discussion with co-star & author Nancy Olson Livingston, hosted by Professor Foster Hirsch. Tickets are $17, $12 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘A House Made of Splinters’

Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its spring season with a viewing of A House Made of Splinters at John F. Kennedy Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station on March 20 at 7 p.m. As the war in Eastern Ukraine takes a heavy toll on poor families living near the frontlines, a small group of strong-willed social workers works tirelessly in a special kind of orphanage to create an almost magical safe space for kids to live in while the state decides the fate of the child and family. Guest speaker is Director Simon Lereng Wilmont via pre-recorded Zoom. Tickets are $10 at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com or at the door.

* All numbers are in (631) area code unless otherwise noted