Community

File photo by Heidi Sutton/TBR News Media

The Port Jefferson Village Board met on Monday, Oct. 3, for an afternoon packed with important business. 

Business meeting

Mayor Margot Garant

For its first order of business, the board unanimously approved a bond anticipation note to finance construction for improvements at the Old Homestead/Oakwood Road recharge basin. The BAN will enable construction to begin without the village having to draw from its operating budget. 

This project, according to Mayor Margot Garant, is primarily subsidized through a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Administration. 

“We’re still waiting for the grant to come in from FEMA, but we have to pay the bill,” Garant said. “Hopefully, that money comes in before the end of the year.”

The board approved Garant’s appointment of Shane Henry to the Architectural Review Committee. Deputy Mayor Kathianne Snaden, trustee liaison to ARC, anticipated Henry’s expected contributions to the committee.

“He’s young, enthusiastic, and he wants to get more involved,” Snaden said. “I think he will be a great addition.” Garant added that she is looking forward to drawing from Henry’s contracting and historic preservation background.

Deputy Mayor Kathianne Snaden

With trustee Lauren Sheprow voting “no,” the village board approved a 4-1 resolution for the 2023 rate increases for the Port Jefferson Country Club. Stan Loucks, trustee liaison to the country club, said these rate increases are based upon a unanimous recommendation from the Country Club Management Advisory Committee. 

The rate increases, according to Loucks, will enable the country club to make renovations to bunkers, improvements to cart paths and cover other unforeseen expenses.

“The rates that have been presented will increase our revenue by $100,000,” Loucks said. “That is an … increase in the overall budget, which I feel — I hope — is adequate.”

Defending her vote against the resolution, Sheprow expressed uneasiness about membership rate increases. She advocated exploring and exhausting other options for raising revenue before placing added costs on members.

“When I was the chair of the CCMAC, I did not agree with raising membership rates because I felt like there was an opportunity to find new revenue … without putting the revenue on the backs of the members,” Sheprow said. “We’re playing on this product that isn’t the A-plus product that it’s been. It’s kind of a C-level product, and we’re asking our members to come back next year and pay more for something that they don’t have yet.”

General meeting

Trustee Stan Loucks

After a brief interim for an executive session, the trustees moved upstairs for the general meeting. During that time frame, there were several exchanges between the public and the village government.

Chief of code enforcement Fred Leute reminded residents to drive carefully on village streets as schools are again in session. He also reported a speeding issue on Brook Road near the high school. “Brook Road is not a road you want to go fast on,” he said. “When you go down that hill, slow down.”

A Suffolk County Police Department representative told Port Jefferson residents to remain alert to the ongoing crime trends of catalytic converter thefts and phone call scams. 

During her report, Sheprow announced that she would present findings from her internal communications audit at a future meeting. She also reported that the Country Club Social/Hospitality Task Force has already met several times and is working with the restaurant management of The Waterview to “create a more welcoming, accessible and fun environment up at the country club.”

Trustee Rebecca Kassay reported that she is continuing to coordinate with Snaden on a “complete streets concept” for Port Jefferson.

Trustee Rebecca Kassay

“I am highly recommending that the village looks into investing into a study, which can be anywhere between $30,000 and $80,000,” Kassay said. “This would be something that benefits all residents. It would assess how to make the village more walkable and potentially more bikeable as well.”

Loucks gave an update from the parks department regarding removing vessels from village racks. “The vessels need to be removed by November 1,” he said. 

Snaden announced her effort to coordinate more closely with the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and the Port Jefferson Business Improvement District.

“We’re going to have quarterly meetings moving forward just to make sure that everyone is on the same page with their activities and their events,” the deputy mayor said. “We can all collaborate and bounce ideas off each other, let each other know what we’re all doing.”

Garant gave a detailed report on several significant initiatives within the village government. There are ongoing discussions about giving a proper name to Station Street, a block in Upper Port opening later this month. 

Trustee Lauren Sheprow

“There will be a conversation about what we should call this new street as the new gateway to Port Jefferson,” the mayor said. “We do have a ribbon-cutting on the calendar for October 26 … It will be a great new start to a total revitalization of Upper Port.”

Bids for an upper wall to stabilize the East Beach bluff are due this Friday, Oct. 7. Garant announced that once the board has the final cost estimates, it will decide whether to approve the upper wall or retreat inland. For more on this local issue, see The Port Times Record’s story, “Port Jeff mayor estimates $3M for upper wall, trustees debate erosion mitigation strategy at village country club,” Sept. 29 edition, also tbrnewsmedia.com.

During the public comment portion at the end of the meeting, village resident Michael Mart advised the board to consider the future instead of the past when deciding upon the East Beach bluff.

“Rather than put all of our efforts into saving the past, please look forward to creating the future that we might want here,” he said. “And in doing that, I think it’s important the residents have an opportunity to express their views on the final decision, and maybe even, like with the school board [proposed capital bond projects], have an opportunity to vote on the final decision.”

To watch the full video of the general meeting, visit the village’s official YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bwpxXtRxmA

By Barbara Anne Kirshner

High adventure, edge of your seat excitement, mesmerizing with mythology sprinkled in, that’s The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, currently receiving its Long Island premiere at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center.

Anyone in their teens knows Rick Riordan’s popular 2005 YA novel with similarities to a Harry Potteresque quest, but instead of wizards and wands, Percy must face mythological creatures and Zeus’ lightning bolt. 

The theatrical version, with music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki and book by Joe Tracz, was adapted from Riordan’s first novel in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series about a boy who discovers he is a demigod possessing magical powers. 

The musical opened Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in 2014 as a one-hour show receiving positive reviews before heading into a national tour, then returned to the Lucille Lortel Theatre in 2017 this time with an augmented script. It debuted on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on October 16, 2019 and ran through January 5, 2020. A 2010 film preceded the musical and presently, a television series is in the works for Disney+.

When the president of the board at SCPA, Michael Mucciolo, was asked why such an innovative yet unfamiliar show to many adults was chosen for their season opener, his response was the hope for the future of theatre lies in attracting both youngsters and adults. From the size of the audience at the time of this review, it seems Mucciolo was right. The house was crowded with eager youngsters accompanied by parents who became fans if the enthusiastic standing ovation at curtain was any indication.

The technical aspects of this magical adventure are impressive. From lighting designer Chris Creevy’s strategically placed strobes to flashes of white lights to mood reds combined with sound designer Jacques St. Louis’ thunderous effects and echoes, each detail builds suspense. The set, constructed by Keith Blum, Jacques St. Louis and Michael Mucciolo, with an upstage screen that projected at once stars then fire, then swirls of smoke, then a silhouette of a tree against an orange sky adds intensity to scenes. 

A particularly thrilling projection was of a Minotaur (half bull, half man) attacking Percy, his friend, Grover, and killing Percy’s mom, Sally. To avenge her death, Percy kills the Minotaur and the projection has this monster keel over and disappear. Additionally, a scaffolding with levels gives flexibility with set changes.

Director Robbie Torres keeps the pace electric assisted by a talented cast with strong voices and playing multiple characters. In the lead role of Percy Jackson, Jason Steven Kopp captivates as the troubled teen with ADHD and dyslexia who is always getting into trouble. Percy was raised by a loving mom, a mean stepdad and wonders about the natural father he never met. 

In a sudden revelation, Percy discovers he is the son of Poseidon, and thus begins his quest with two of his pals to find the lightning bolt that will prevent war between the gods. With innocent eyes that reach out and spirited vocals, Kopp sends chills especially when he challenges “bring on the monsters, bring on the real world.” Though this is a fantasy, the message that your differences may be blessings in disguise that help you rise up and be strong is very real.

When Percy kills the Minotaur, he is knocked unconscious only to wake in a land called Camp Half-Blood, a place for children who are half mortals just like him. It is revealed that his friend, Grover (Cyd Rosenberg), is a satyr, a Greek goat-like protector. Grover remains at Percy’s side through his quest. Also joining them is Annabeth (Lorelai Mucciolo), a daughter of Athena, a strong leader offering Percy direction. Rosenberg and Mucciolo sparkle with robust voices and heartfelt performances. 

A campy moment happens when Clarisse, one of the demigods at Camp Blood, (Mairead Camas) tries to harm Percy, but he is saved when the toilet he is hiding in sprays her with water. Camas with a glint in her eye makes for a menacing villain. 

Peter J. Osterman is dynamic, taking on several roles including Percy’s Latin teacher Mr. Brunner who assists him at several pivotal points and is frightfully delightful as Auntie Em. In the role of Percy’s mother Sally, Ayana Franck gives a tour de force performance. Her vocals reminiscent of Aretha Franklin are powerful and her portrayal as the mother who will do anything even sacrifice herself for her son is gripping.

Rounding out the cast is David Reyes as Luke the son of Hermes who entices Percy to go on the quest that will take him to the Underworld where he will find his mom. Reyes turns in a polished performance with his smooth stage presence and compelling vocals. But is his character friend or foe? Only time will tell.

Assisting in visual effects are the fantastic costumes by Carmela Newman including Grover’s fur appendages for legs, a specter draped in white gauze wings outlined with electric lights and Auntie Em’s green satin robe trimmed in black fur. Julie Stewart’s choreography keeps the energy high and the action is enhanced by thrilling sword play sequences compliments of Heather Legnosky. In addition to directing the show, Robbie Torres takes on musical direction orchestrating an exuberant audio track accompaniment.

SPAC’s action-packed The Lightning Thief grasps you right from the start and doesn’t let go until the final note is sung. This is truly a feast for the entire family. 

The Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical through Oct. 29. Tickets are $40, $35 seniors, $25 students. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.

Photo by Aidan Johnson
By Aidan Johnson

Sea shanty singers from around the globe were called from the briny deep to perform at the 2nd annual Port Jefferson Sea Shanty & Maritime Music Festival on Saturday, Oct. 1. 

Performer Monti Babson of “Pirates at Large”

While the event was due to be held outside at Harborfront Park, it was moved to inside the Village Center due to inclement weather. Yet this was no issue for the singers, as they still gave delightful and entertaining performances.

Amy Tuttle, program director for the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council and creator of the festival, wanted to give sea shanty singers a place to share their talent. 

“Last year, there were some sea shanty singers from Mystic Seaport [Connecticut], and Mystic had discontinued their sea shanty [festival], so those shanty singers were distressed and sad that they had no place to play,” Tuttle shared. “And I said Port Jefferson has a very rich and interesting shipbuilding history — come here.”

Over a matter of a couple of months, GPJAC was able to put together the inaugural Port Jeff sea shanty festival. After seeing that the event was successful, the arts council decided to hold it annually.

Performers Bob Conroy and Bill Grau of “Stout”

Shanty singers came from afar to participate in the festival, including Connecticut, New Jersey and England. “They’ve come from all over to perform in this festival,” Tuttle said.

The performers aren’t the only ones excited about sea shanties. TikTok has thrown the genre into the spotlight amongst the youth, especially with the song “The Wellerman.” 

“I know during the pandemic it was a thing on TikTok, and a lot of the kids were experimenting with different things and writing their own music, which was fabulous,” Tuttle said. “We thought, how fun would it be to get some of the [original] singers to come and do sea shanties here.”

Many of the performers have had several decades of experience with sea shanties under their belt. Maria Fairchild started off playing the piano as a child before moving on to the guitar and eventually the banjo. She also has performed in multiple bands for more than 30 years. Adam Becherer, with whom Fairchild performed, grew up with the bluegrass scene in South Street Seaport in Manhattan thanks to his father being in a bluegrass band. 

Performers Adam Becherer and Maria Fairchild

Both Fairchild and Becherer feel an attraction toward folk music. “I like the history of it,” Fairchild said. “I also like that the melodies are … different from modern music, and there’s something really ancient that I’m attracted to.” Becherer added, “I love the collaborative nature of it. I love getting together with people who you don’t necessarily know, but there’s like a common language of tunes that people can get together and play.”

Despite the weather, the music festival went off without a hitch. Tuttle, along with GPJAC, is planning on having a tavern setting next year, in which people can learn how to sing and play the songs. 

Currently, the arts council is presenting its Port Jefferson Documentary Series, with screenings taking place throughout the fall. For more information, visit www.gpjac.org.

— Photos by Aidan Johnson

IT'S RAINING MEATBALLS The Cinema Arts Centre will screen 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' on Oct. 9.
PROGRAMS

Thankful Thursday at the Vanderbilt

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its Thankful Thursdays series on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. Join them for a family-friendly planetarium show titled STARS: The Powerhouses of the Universe narrated by Mark Hamill followed by a look through a telescope at the night sky (weather permitting). Free but registration is required by visiting www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. For more info, call 854-5579.

Fall Art Project

In coordination with the Long Island Fall Festival at Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington, kids of all ages are invited to create a fall-themed art project on the Heckscher Museum’s terrace on Oct. 9 from noon to 5 p.m. If weather is inclement, activity will be held inside the Museum. Free. Call 380-3230.

Kids Creatures of the Night

(Rescheduled from Oct. 1) Join Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown for a “not so dark” kid friendly Creatures of the Night event on Oct. 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Meet nighttime animals, hear a story about some nocturnal animals, and take a short walk in the woods to see where creatures of the night make their homes. Please bring a picnic blanket to watch the animal presentations and story. Cost is $10 per child/ $5 per adult. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org.

Find these spooky skulls during a scavenger hunt at the Whaling Museum through Oct. 23.

Skull Scavenger Hunt

In anticipation of Halloween, the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor will offer a Skull Scavenger Hunt during gallery hours, Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Oct. 23. Hunt for papier-mache skulls around the museum in this seasonal, spooky scavenger hunt. Find them all and win a piece of candy! Free with admission of $6 adults, $5 kids/seniors. Call 367-3418.

FILM

‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids series with a screening of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on Oct. 9 at noon. Down-on-his-luck Flint Lockwood creates a mysterious machine that makes clouds rain food to feed the hungry citizens of Chewandswallow. Hailed as a hero at first, Flint must scramble to avert disaster as food of gargantuan proportions rains down. Soon, up to him, the weather girl Sam Sparks and Steve, Flint’s talking monkey assistant, to find a way to put an end to the wild weather before the town’s goose is cooked. Rated PG. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children ages 12 and under. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

THEATER

‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’

John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its children’s theater season with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. from Sept. 24 to Oct. 30. This Disney love story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the hideous Beast, a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved the curse will end. If he does not learn his lesson before the last enchanted rose petal falls, he and his household of enchanted objects will be doomed for all eternity. Enjoy the songs we all love such as “Be Our Guest” and “Tale as Old as Time.” All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘A Kooky Spooky Halloween’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 2022-2023 children’s theater season with A Kooky Spooky Halloween, a merry musical about a ghost who’s afraid of the dark, from Oct. 8 to 22 with a sensory sensitive performance on Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. Recently graduated spirit Abner Perkins is assigned to the Aberdeen Boarding House — known for its spectral sightings and terrific toast. Here, Abner finds himself cast into a company of its wacky residents. When his secret is revealed, he is forced to leave his haunted home and set-off on a quest with his newly found friends. All tickets are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

THE MAKING OF A LEGEND Catch a screening of ‘John Monteleone: The Chisels Are Calling’ at the Cinema Arts Centre on Oct. 8. Photo from CAC
Thursday Oct. 6

Women’s EXPO

Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach presents its 22nd annual Women’s EXPO from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A showcase and a marketplace for Long Island women entrepreneurs, the indoor event will feature over 80 exhibitors who create or distribute a variety of products, including jewelry, pottery, soaps, food and more. The indoor event is a great opportunity to support local women entrepreneurs while shopping for holiday gift giving. Free admission. Call 585-9393, ext. 296 or visit www.womensexpoli.org. 

Fall Art Crawl

Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will host a guided exhibition tour of campus galleries from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tour the Charles B. Wang Center, the Zuccaire Gallery, the Alloway Gallery, the Central Reading Room, and the Simons Center Gallery, visiting each for about 30 minutes. Call 632-7240.

Friday Oct. 7

Columbus Weekend Fair

The Farmingdale Fire Department, 361 Main  St., Farmingdale will hold its annual Columbus Weekend Carnival today from  5 to 11 p.m. Oct 8 and 9 from  noon to 11 p.m. and noon to 7 p.m. on Oct. 10. The event will also feature a street fair along Main Street on Oct. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., live music and  a parade on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. For more information, call 516-249-3710.

Long Island Fall Festival

Time to celebrate the season! The Long Island Fall Festival returns to Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington for Columbus Day weekend today from 5 to 10 p.m., Oct 8 and 9 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brought to you by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Huntington, the event will feature carnival rides, live music, beer garden, international food court and over 300 vendors on Saturday and Sunday. Free admission. Call 423-6100. 

Peking Acrobats heads to SBU

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook welcomes the Peking Acrobats featuring The Shanghai Circus on the Main Stage at 7 p.m. Combining time-honored Chinese music and groundbreaking special effects to create an environment that mirrors the festive pageantry of a Chinese Carnival, The Peking Acrobats are set to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime evening of exuberant entertainment. Tickets range from $39 to $68. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.

Saturday Oct. 8

Columbus Weekend Fair

See Oct. 7 listing.

Long Island Fall Festival

See Oct. 7 listing.

Fall Fair and Car Show

St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown will hold its annual Fall Fair and Car Show from 10 to 4 p.m. with vendors, pumpkin patch, food, basket raffles, music and a car show by the North Fork Cruisers Car Association. Rain date is Oct. 15. For more info, call 631-265-4520 to obtain an application.

Raptor Day at the Vanderbilt

Raptor Day: The Bald Eagles of Centerport will be presented at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. This one-of-a-kind event will feature a live exhibit of rescued raptors, with a bald eagle, golden eagle, owls and  hawks along with activities for children, vendors, raffles and the showing throughout the day of a short movie about the Bald Eagles of Centerport. The event, which will benefit Wildlife in Need of Rescue and Rehabilitation will be held rain or shine in the Vanderbilt Celebration Tent. The event also will support Museum programs. Tickets are $20 adults, $10 children under 12 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Christmas in October Craft Fair

The 3rd Annual Christmas in October Village Craft Fair will be held on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring over 100 all craft all art exhibitors, refreshments and entertainment. Rain date is Oct. 15. Call 846-1459.

Fall Craft Fair

Love crafts? New Village Recreation Center, 20 Wireless Road, Centereach will host a Fall Craft Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come in to browse or buy some of the handmade crafts made by local vendors in Brookhaven. Call 451-5307.

Second Saturdays Poetry

All Souls Church in Stony Brook continues its Second Saturdays Poetry Reading via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Suffolk County Poet Laureate Richard Bronson, the .featured poet will be Joseph Stanton. An open-reading will follow the featured poet; all are welcome to read one of their own poems.  Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/ Call 655-7798.  

Fall Harvest Festival 

Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, 178 Oxhead Road, Centereach will hold its annual Fall Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy vendors, bouncy houses, tractor ride, food trucks, farm stand and more! Fun for the whole family. Free admission. Rain date is Oct. 9. Call 774-1556 or visit www.hobbsfarm.info.

World  Street Fair

The Turkish American United Coalition, Inc. and the Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce, Inc. hosts the 1st annual World Street Fair  at 1075 Portion Road in Farmingville from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. With over 200 international vendors selling a variety of crafts, toys, jewelry, clothing, accessories and more, attendees will be exposed to various international cultures. Free admission. Call 317-1738.

Riverhead Country Fair

Celebrate the agricultural heritage of Riverhead at the 46th annual Riverhead Country Fair in historic Downtown Riverhead from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take time to enjoy the works of original artists, agricultural and homemaking displays and competitions, entertainers, local merchants, food, amusement rides, petting zoo, business expositions and displays, vendors and more. Call 727-1215 or visit www.riverheadcountryfair.com.

Theatre Three fundraiser

Join Theatre Three in honoring Executive Artistic Director Jeffrey Sanzel at Danfords  On the Sound, 25 East Broadway, Port Jefferson from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, dancing and live entertainment. $150 per person. For tickets, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Dave Matthews tribute concert

JoyRide: A Dave Matthews Celebration will return to perform at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport from 7 to 10 p.m. JoyRide’s seven musicians recreate the experience of a live Dave Matthews Band (DMB) show, complete with violin and horns. Tickets: $30 in advance at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org; $40 at the door. BYO chair and picnic. Doors open at 6 p.m. Call 854-5579.

Sunday Oct. 9

Columbus Weekend Fair

See Oct. 7 listing.

Long Island Fall Festival

See Oct. 7 listing.

Old Time Baseball Game

Come cheer on the Atlantic Base Ball Club on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society, 211 E. Main St.., Smithtown at 11 a.m. A re-creation of the Brooklyn Atlantics, the team plays a historically accurate interpretation of the 19th century game of “base ball.” Call 265-6768 for more information.

Studebaker Car Show

The Studebaker Driver’s Club (Long Island Chapter) will show classic automotive designs in a car shows at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Cars will be displayed on the estate grounds with a spectacular view of Northport Bay. Visitors pay only general Museum admission of $10 adults, $9 seniors and students, and $7 children ages 12 and under. Call 854-5579.

Northport ArtWalk

The Northport Arts Coalition will host an ArtWalk, a free, self-guided tour of the Village of Northport to view artworks from established and emerging artists in diverse locations around the village and its picturesque harbor, from 1 to 5 p.m. Adding to the festive atmosphere will be musical performances by local performers. Visit www.northportarts.org.

Monday Oct. 10

Columbus Weekend Fair

See Oct. 7 listing.

Long Island Fall Festival

See Oct. 7 listing.

Tuesday Oct. 11

Coming Out Day 

Celebrate National Coming Out Day this year with Stony Brook Medicine at the Suffolk County Farm & Education Center, 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank from 4 to 7 p.m with wagon rides, pumpkin picking, crafts, face painting, costume contest, dance party, food trucks and more. Free admission. Call 852-4600.

Historical Society Lecture

The Smithtown Historical Society continues its Fall lecture series at the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown with a presentation titled “A Second Helping: Whining and Dining on Long Island” with Tom Schaudel, a prolific chef with over two dozen restaurants. Coffee and dessert by Osteria Umbra will be served. Free but registration is required by visiting www.eventbrite.com.

Wednesday Oct. 12

Mark Twain Show

Celebrate St. James presents a Mark Twain Show incorporating the writings of Mark Twain, performed by personator Rob Alvey, at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 2nd St., St. James at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25, $20 seniors at www.celebratestjames.org. Call 984-0201.

CAC Open Mic Night

The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington, joins with the Folk Music Society of Huntington in presenting the NorthShore Original Open Mic (NOOM) three Wednesday nights each month in the Cinema’s Sky Room, kicking off tonight at 7 p.m. with sign-up beginning at 6:30 p.m. Free. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

Thursday Oct. 13

Author Talk

Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket will present Stories Light and Dark: An Evening of Jewish Noir from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Join author Kenneth Wishnia and other contributors for a spirited discussion of the diverse themes in the Jewish Noir II anthology. Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event, plus a bonus story collection offered free with each purchase. To register, please call 941-4080. See more on page B23.

Vanderbilt lecture

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will host a presentation titled “Becoming Wild” at 7 p.m. Ecologist and author Carl Safina will speak on the dynamics of animal intelligence and the cultural lives of animals based on his years of field research and from his acclaimed 2020 book Becoming Wild: How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty, and Achieve Peace. Tickets are $10 per person at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. 

Film

‘In Search of Balance’

Four Harbors Audubon Society continues its Friday Movie Night series with a screening of In Search of Balance on Oct. 7 at the Smihtown Library, 1 North Country Road, Smithtown from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This inspiring film follows renowned physician, Dr. Daphne Miller, as she seeks answers on how we’ve gone so far off track, health-wise, and how we can climb back to healthy living by reconnecting to the very thing that gives us life: each other, nature, the living planet and the ecosystem. Free. Call 766-3075 or 360-2480, ext. 232 to register.

John Monteleone documentary

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will screen John Monteleone: The Chisels Are Calling, a mesmerizing portrait of one of the world’s greatest instrument builders, on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. This feature-length documentary looks beyond the technical aspects of lutherie and examines the life, passion, talent and unique approach John Monteleone takes to his art. With John Monteleone and filmmaker Trevor Laurence in person and featuring a live Monteleone guitar demonstration by guitarist Steve Salerno. Tickets are $20. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘The Cave of Adullam’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues with a screening of The Cave of Adullam at Theatre Three, 412 Main St. Port Jefferson on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. which focuses on martial arts sensei Jason Wilson and his efforts to help often-troubled black youths from Detroit at the Cave of Adullam Transformational Training Academy that he founded in 2008. Followed by a Q&A with Director Laura Checkoway. Tickets are $10 at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com or at the door. 

Theater

‘Guys and Dolls’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 52nd season with Guys and Dolls from Sept. 17 to Oct. 22. Considered the perfect musical of Broadway’s Golden Age, this delightful romp gambles in luck and love from Times Square to Havana. High rollers and low characters from Damon Runyon’s mythical New York are joyously presented in Frank Loesser’s bold and brassy score, featuring “Luck Be a Lady,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” An award-winning classic for the entire family! Tickets are $35 adults, $28 senior and students, $20 children ages 5 and up. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Mystic Pizza’

Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is the new musical comedy, Mystic Pizza, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 30. Based on the classic 1988 movie starring Julia Roberts, Mystic Pizza charts the lives and loves of three unforgettable waitresses in the harbor town of Mystic, CT. Add in some of the best pop songs of the ‘80s and ‘90s such as “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Addicted To Love,” “Small Town,” “Hold On,” and “Take My Breath Away,” and you have all the ingredients for a romantic comedy–with the works! Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘The Lightning Thief’

The Smithtown Performing Arts Center presents The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical  from Sept. 30 to Oct. 29. As the half-blood son of a Greek god, Percy Jackson has newly-discovered powers he can’t control, a destiny he doesn’t want, and a mythology textbook’s worth of monsters on his trail. When Zeus’s master lightning bolt is stolen and Percy becomes the prime suspect, he has to find and return the bolt to prove his innocence and prevent a war between the gods. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the thief. He must travel to the Underworld and back; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and come to terms with the father who abandoned him. Adapted from the best-selling book by Rick Riordan and featuring a thrilling original rock score, The Lightning Thief is an action-packed mythical adventure “worthy of the gods” Tickets are $40, $35 seniors, $25 students. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org. 

All numbers are in (631) area code unless noted.

Photo from Wang Center

Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will host a Bonsai Workshop in the Skylight Gallery on Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. Titled The Art of Bonsai, the workshop will be led by Robert Mahler of the Long Island Bonsai Society. Learn how to prune, shape, maintainand repot bonsai trees. This event is free  but registration is required by visiting www.stonybrook.edu or by calling 631-632-6353.

Photo courtesy of Netflix

Join Stony Brook Medicine for a free screening of the Oscar-nominated film “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution” followed by a panel discussion via Zoom or in person at Stony Brook University Hospital, Health Sciences Tower, Level 3, Lecture Hall 6, 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook on Thursday, Oct. 6 from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

WHAT:

In October, the U.S. Department of Labor increases awareness of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which celebrates the contributions of America’s workers with disabilities past and present. To recognize NDEAM, Stony Brook Medicine is holding a free film screening and panel discussion of the Sundance Film Festival winning documentary “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.” The film shows how a summer camp experience in the 1970s shaped the disabilities rights movement. Led by Maria Hensley-Spera, LCSWR, Outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Stony Brook Medicine, a paraplegic herself, the event promises to be an engaging, informative, and enlightening evening. Following the screening, the esteemed group of panelists will discuss the film and the lives of people with disabilities today. Participants can attend in person or virtually via zoom.

FILM DESCRIPTION:

In the early 70s, teenagers with disabilities faced a future shaped by isolation, discrimination and institutionalization. Camp Jened, a ramshackle camp “for the handicapped” (a term no longer used) in the Catskills, NY, exploded those confines. Jened was their freewheeling Utopia, a place where campers experienced liberation and full inclusion as human beings. Their bonds endured as many migrated West to Berkeley, California — a hotbed of activism where friends from Camp Jened realized that disruption, civil disobedience, and political participation could change the future for millions. And did.

MODERATOR:

  • Elizabeth Bojsza, MFA, Alda-certified facilitator at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science®, Assistant Professor of Practice & program head for the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Communicating Science at the School of Communication and Journalism, Stony Brook University

PANELISTS:

  • Judith E. Heumann, Lifelong advocate and leader of disability rights movement, teacher & author

  • Michelle Nario-Redmond, PhD, Author & Professor of Psychology & Biomedical Humanities, Hiram College

  • Jeanie Waters, Paralympian wheelchair sports athlete and civil rights attorney

  • Brooke Ellison, PhD, MPP, Science, healthcare policy & ethics expert, author & Associate Professor, Stony Brook University

  • Jacob Greene, BFA, Graphic Designer of socks for autism awareness & recent graduate of New York Institute of Technolog

    To learn more visit, https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/disabilitymovement.

    Register to attend in person here.

    Or join via zoom by registering at this link.

Idle Hour, the mansion and estate of William Kissam Vanderbilt (1849-1920), which became Dowling College in 1968 Vanderbilt Museum Archives photo
Gift is Significant Part of Dowling College’s Special Collection

The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum has received the largest donation of archival materials since its inception in 1950. The gift, donated by the Friends of Connetquot River State Park Preserve, includes materials from the former Dowling College and Vanderbilt Historical Society collections, comprising photographs, maps, and written correspondence. The donation marks a significant moment in the broader historical community’s efforts to preserve and promote the heritage of the region.

This donation will aid researchers and historians in forming an understanding of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century Long Island, and it will greatly augment the kinds of programming that can be offered by the Vanderbilt, Suffolk County’s first museum and public park.

Paul Rubery, Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Vanderbilt Museum, and Janet Soley, President of the Friends of Connetquot, worked alongside New York State and Suffolk County officials to determine the best way to preserve the content of these archives for future generations. They established that, because the VanderbiltMuseum aims to interpret the totality of the Vanderbilt family’s contributions to the development of Long Island, Centerport would be the ideal resting place for the wide-ranging collections.

All items donated by the Friends of Connetquot are now being processed and digitized by staff at the Vanderbilt Museum. These measures put to rest what some once regarded as the uncertain fate and future of a vast collection of historical materials assembled in Oakdale by local historians and academic archivists.

Dowling College Materials

Dowling College was established in 1968 at Idle Hour, the former mansionand 900-acre estate built in 1900 for William Kissam Vanderbilt (1849-1920). Vanderbilt was the father of William K. Vanderbilt II (1878-1944), who created the Eagle’s Nest estate, home of the Suffolk County VanderbiltMuseum.

Dowling College’s paper records were in jeopardy when the school ceased operations in 2016. Nearly a year later, its administrative and collegiate archives were transferred to Adelphi College, the college’s former parent institution. This arrangement spoke to Adelphi’s mission and directly benefited the wide network of Dowling alumni in the region. However, certain items were not covered in the original agreement between Adelphi and RSR Consulting, LLC—the company charged with liquidating assets in the bankruptcy proceedings—and those materials were folded into the listing placed up for bankruptcy auction.

The bankruptcy sale of Dowling’s assets was complicated by false starts and unrealized transactions. After the initial deal with Princeton Educational Center failed to transpire, Mercury International, LLC, acquired the property in 2017 for $26.1 million. During Mercury’s ownership, a representative from that company offered boxed materials in good condition to the Friends of Connetquot. For Mercury, the campus property and outbuildings were the primary concern, not the papers still left in many areas of the campus. Mercury ceased ownership of the property in December 2021, when the Chinese state-owned enterprise China Orient Asset Management purchased a majority stake in their parent company for $42 million.

The items given to the Friends of Connetquot—and now, through their donation, to the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum—include the Muriel Vanderbilt, National Dairy, and Peace Haven collections.

Additional Material

Additional sections of the archives donated by Friends of Connetquot were acquired by that organization at auction. The Friends of Connetquot is dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and history of the 3,473-acre State Park Preserve, with the legacy of the South Side Sportsmen’s Club as their primary focus. The Sportsmen’s Club was among the elite social clubs of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century, claiming presidents and titans of business among its membership.

Below are brief descriptions of the collections donated to the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum by the Friends of Connetquot River State Park Preserve. To increase access to public history and stimulate interest in Long Island’s heritage, the Vanderbilt Museum will make them available online in the coming months.

Muriel Vanderbilt Collection: Muriel Vanderbilt was the daughter of William Kissam Vanderbilt II and Virginia Graham Fair. She was an American socialite and an accomplished breeder of thoroughbred racehorses.

The Muriel Vanderbilt collection contains personal photographs and other materials that she donated to Dowling College in 1970. Some collection highlights include wedding and engagement photographs, in which Muriel wears the bridal veil of Marie Antoinette; extensive documentation of horse stables and rodeos; images of family members; and architectural photography of breathtaking estates.

Above, the stage at Peace Haven, one of the uses of the Idle Hour estate before it became Dowling College. Vanderbilt Museum Archives photo

Peace Haven Cult: The collection associated with the Peace Haven Cult is among the most unique archives on Long Island. In 1937, a group called the Royal Fraternity of Master Metaphysicians purchased William Kissam Vanderbilt’s Idle Hour and renamed it “Peace Haven.” Founded by James Bernard Schafer, a doctor from North Dakota, the Master Metaphysicians integrated behaviorist psychology, Christian spiritualism, and mediative techniques to achieve certain personal goals. The cult caught the attention of the international press during the custody proceedings over “Baby Jean.”

“Baby Jean” was central to the cult’s ambitions. The Master Metaphysicians informally adopted “Baby Jean” from her mother, a local waitress, and placed her at the center of a grand metaphysical experiment. Schafer maintained that he could give the child eternal life with an exclusively plant-based diet and protection from negative stimuli. The Master Metaphysicians returned “Baby Jean” to her birth parents after less than a year, and her mother eventually filed a legal suit against the cult.

National Dairy Collection: After serving as the headquarters for the Royal Fraternity of Master Metaphysicians, the Idle Hour estate was acquired by National Dairy Research Labs. National Dairy, which would eventually become Kraft Foods, purchased the estate’s mansion, carriage house, and twenty-three acres of land in 1947. The collection features photographs of the interior and exterior of the buildings at the time of sale, extensive documentation of the newly created research laboratories, and some press materials.

Bronco Charlie’s Collection: Bronco Charlie’s was a family restaurant located in Oakdale. Its owner, “Bronco” Charlie Miller, was a revered storyteller who claimed that he was the youngest ever rider on the Pony Express. Although many of his stories were undoubtedly fanciful, his tremendous life was chronicled in a range of print media. Highlights from the Bronco Charlie Collection include plates, menus, photographs, and correspondence.

Artists’ Colony Collection: Founded in 1926 on the grounds of the William Kissam Vanderbilt I’s summer estate, the Idle Hour Artists’ Colony was inspired by other prominent cultural communities like Yaddo, McDowell, and the Barbizon. Lucy Thompson, a socialite and the wife of a wealthy oil merchant from Texas, purchased the property and renovated its stables and outbuildings to accommodate a theater, restaurant, and artist studios. Highlights from the Artists’ Colony Collection include a map of the colony, real estate listings from the 1920s, and a watercolor from one of the original artists.

 

Artist Scott Schneider. Photo by Joseph Peragallo

Sometimes art can be used as a way to raise awareness about issues that affect us in our daily lives. Such is the case with the Art League of Long Island’s latest exhibit, Time’s Running Out: An iPhonography and 3D(isaster) Sculpture Exhibition, which presents a body of digital photographic artwork and trash sculpture highlighting the contrast between nature’s beauty and the environmental pollution and decay found throughout the country, including on Long Island’s roadways, parks, and beaches. 

‘Not A Jellyfish’ by Scott Schneider

Created by Scott Schneider of Toxic/Nature Studios®, the eye-opening show will be on view in the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery from Oct. 1 to 28. 

“Toxic/Nature Studios® features environmental photography that celebrates the majesty of nature and laments its demise, in small moments. Using close-up macro techniques, the photographs express my appreciation for and concern about the environment,” said Schneider. “As we become increasingly distracted by our devices, we tend to overlook small disasters beneath our feet. Likewise, we can fail to notice the beautiful moments present in nature. Beauty can also be found in the rust, decay, and textures of everyday objects.”

Schneider chose to take all photos by  iPhone, “thereby leveraging the power of technology to observe rather than to distract,” he said. The artist then created archival, digital pigment prints using environmentally friendly inks on bamboo paper, which is highly sustainable.

In addition to photographs, the exhibit will also feature a series of sculptural pieces Schneider calls 3D(isasters). “This thought-provoking artwork is designed to challenge the viewer to make sense of the quantity of litter displayed in a #finditfillit container,” he explained.

‘Dead See’ by Scott Schneider

Schneider hopes the exhibit will inspire others to notice the world around them and to take action to preserve its natural beauty. “We can’t do this while plugged in and tuned out,” he said. 

“That’s why I ask viewers to unplug, look around, and get the small picture. By turning off our blinders of technology, and noticing the small detail of a piece of litter, a fallen petal, or an interesting bit of rust, we can then look up and notice the big picture, which is that the world needs our help.”

The community is invited to an opening reception on Oct. 1  from 1 to 3 p.m. Viewing hours through Oct. 28 are Tuesdays and  Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The Art League is located at 107 East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills. For more information call 631-462-5400 or visit www.artleagueli.org.