The Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield, Suite 6 & 9, St. James presents an in-studio, one day kids workshop on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Get ready for the holidays with Miss Linda as she teaches you how to paint this adorable holiday “Merry Kiss-Moose” painting step by step.
$55 per child includes an 11″ by 14″ canvas and all art supplies.
To register, visit theatelieratflowerfield.org or click here. For more information, please call 631-250-9009.
Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-18th L.D.) recognized Eugene Leavy as the Suffolk County Veteran of the Year for the 18th Legislative District during the Suffolk County Legislature’s General Meeting on November 26. Leavy, a resident of East Northport, is a United States Army veteran who served heroically during World War II. The occasion was made even more special as it also marked Eugene’s 99th birthday, which the audience celebrated by singing “Happy Birthday.”
Leavy was a member of the 100th Infantry Division and fought courageously in the Ardennes Offensive, widely known as the Battle of the Bulge. For five grueling weeks during the harsh winter, Eugene and his fellow soldiers endured overwhelming odds as they defended the critical 80-mile American defensive line in the Ardennes Forest, despite being outnumbered and under-equipped. For his bravery, Leavy earned a Combat Infantryman Badge, three campaign ribbons, and the prestigious Bronze Star, awarded after he risked his life to deliver a map and a critical message under heavy enemy fire. By the end of his service, he had attained the rank of Sergeant.
Following the war, Eugene lived in Germany with his wife, a German native, for two years. While there, he worked with the Army Military Government to prevent former Nazi officials from occupying positions of influence. Upon returning to the United States, Eugene and his wife settled down and raised two children.
Even at 99 years old, Eugene continues to inspire those around him. A licensed pilot, he still enjoys flying and often shares his firsthand accounts of World War II with local high school students, offering invaluable lessons on history and sacrifice. He is also a proud grandfather to three grandchildren and a great-grandfather to nine.
“Eugene Leavy embodies the true meaning of service, sacrifice, and resilience,” said Legislator Bontempi. “His contributions during World War II, his commitment to rebuilding in its aftermath, and his dedication to educating future generations are nothing short of extraordinary. It is an honor to recognize him as Legislative District 18’s Suffolk County Veteran of the Year, and I thank him for his enduring service to our country and community. I’d like to also extend my congratulations to all the other district’s honorees and thank them for their service.”
Earl L. Vandermeulen High School students proudly presented an unforgettable performance of William Shakespeare’s timeless classic, “Romeo and Juliet.” This extraordinary production brought the iconic tale of the star-crossed lovers to life, showcasing the impressive talents of over 20 students both on stage and behind the scenes.
Under the direction of Tony Butera, Earl L. Vandermeulen High School’s production of Romeo and Juliet featured a talented cast of students who have been rehearsing since late September, dedicating four to five days per week to perfect their performances. From the passionate balcony scene to the tragic conclusion, students performed Shakespeare’s original dialogue, delivering the powerful emotions and timeless themes of love, fate, and family conflict.
In addition to the acting, students worked behind the scenes as part of the production crew, helping to bring the play to life with sets, costumes, lighting, and sound. The collaborative effort between cast and crew has resulted in a truly dynamic performance that surely captivated the audience.
“As a director, it has been a privilege to watch our students grow both as performers and as individuals throughout this process,” said Mr. Butera. “They’ve not only embraced the beauty and complexity of Shakespeare’s language, but they’ve also taken on challenging physical aspects of the play, including sword fighting with epees and foils for the fight scenes. The level of dedication and commitment from the entire cast and crew has been inspiring, and we’re thrilled to share this production with our community.”
The students who portrayed the iconic roles of Romeo and Juliet, along with the rest of the cast, have worked tirelessly to bring these beloved characters to life. Additionally, some students have even trained in stage combat to perform the thrilling sword fights that are central to the play’s most dramatic moments.
“We’re incredibly proud of the hard work, passion, and creativity that our students have poured into this production,” said Dr. Michael Caravello, Director of Music and Fine Arts. “This show is a testament to the talent and dedication of our students, and we can’t wait to share it with the community.”
For more information regarding the Port Jefferson School District and its students’ many achievements, please visit the District’s website at https://www.portjeffschools.
Linda Loftus (center) from Council District 2 (Rocky Point) recently stopped by Town Hall to pick up her prize as one of six winners of the Town of Brookhaven’s “Brookhaven Recycles Day” Compost Tumbler Giveaway. Also pictured is Councilwoman Jane Bonner (right) and Recycling Educator Zachary Sicardi (left). The online contest was held on Facebook and had entrants pledge to recycle for a chance to win. One winner was selected in each Town Council District. For more information about recycling in the Town of Brookhaven, visit www.BrookhavenNY.gov.
Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation’s Adult Day Care Health Program recently hosted an Art Gala, celebrating the artistic achievements of their program participants. The event showcased their creativity and talents in a stunning display of more than 50 pieces of artwork, ranging from mixed media to pottery and jewelry.
The Program’s main lobby and hallway were transformed into a captivating gallery, featuring acrylic paintings on canvas, watercolors, colored pencil drawings, marker illustrations and an impressive selection of handcrafted pottery and jewelry. Visitors admired the diverse styles and expressions that reflected the enthusiasm and talent of each artist.
In March 2025, selected pieces from Gurwin’s Adult Day Care Health Program’s gala will be showcased in the Commack Public Library’s gallery, bringing this remarkable exhibit to the wider local community.
Significant to the event’s success is art mentor Marcia Tapia, who runs the Love Without Barriers Foundation. For the past two years, Marcia has generously volunteered her time every Thursday morning, guiding Gurwin’s Adult Day Care participants with compassion, patience and exceptional teaching skills. Through her mentorship, participants have gained confidence and refined their artistic techniques, unlocking their creative potential.
The Art Gala also included a heartfelt tribute to one of the program’s most talented artists, Olga Trujillo. Olga’s artwork holds a special place in the program, with one of her pieces featured as the cover of the 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center’s Annual Calendar. All of Olga’s works were beautifully displayed at the event, honoring her memory.
“Our art program is one of the many awe-inspiring activities our participants engage in,” said Jeraldine Fedoriw, LMSW, Chief Adult Day Officer at Gurwin. “We’ve had legally blind individuals create stunning artwork, even when they’ve never done any type of art before. Our Art Gala highlighted their pride in showing their work and the appreciation of their families says it all.”
Attendees left inspired by the passion of the artists from the Gurwin Adult Day Care Program.
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About Gurwin Adult Day Care Program:
The Gurwin Adult Day Care Program, located at Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, is part of the Gurwin Healthcare System and offers a compassionate and supportive environment for individuals in need of daytime care. Designed for seniors and adults with chronic illnesses or disabilities, the program focuses on enhancing quality of life through medical supervision, personalized care plans and engaging activities. Participants receive tailored services, including physical therapy, socialization opportunities, and cognitive stimulation from a team of skilled professionals dedicated to meeting both the medical and emotional needs of participants. The award-winning program is located in Commack, NY, and serves the surrounding communities. For more information, please visit www. gurwin.org/adult-day-health or call 631-715-2520.
Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station,) in partnership with Walt Whitman High School, hosted the first annual Nonprofit Volunteer Opportunities Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 20, bringing together more than 20 nonprofit organizations — including Spirit of Huntington Art Center, Splashes of Hope and Island Harvest — and over 1,000 high school students eager to give back to their community.
Students in grades 9-12 had the opportunity to explore volunteer opportunities with nonprofits spanning diverse causes, from food pantries to environmental advocacy groups. The participating organizations collectively received more than 1,000 volunteer signups, reflecting the enthusiasm and civic spirit of Suffolk County’s youth.
“Bringing together these incredible organizations and the students at Walt Whitman High School is an important step in fostering a culture of service and engagement,” said Sanin, who spearheaded the event. “I’m proud to have organized this fair as a way to connect our future leaders with the nonprofits that do such vital work in our communities. Events like this demonstrate the power of collaboration and the strength of our shared commitment to giving back.”
The fair was held in celebration of Nonprofit Volunteer Appreciation Month, which was officially designated by Legislator Sanin’s legislation, Intro. Res. No. 1463-2024. Passed unanimously by the Suffolk County Legislature on June 25, 2024, the resolution recognizes the indispensable role nonprofits and volunteers play in strengthening Suffolk County.
“This event is a perfect example of what Nonprofit Volunteer Appreciation Month is all about — shining a light on the essential work of nonprofits and inspiring others to get involved,” Sanin added. “I’m grateful to Walt Whitman High School for their partnership and to the organizations who joined us to make this fair such a success.”
Dr. Forohar is a highly respected, board-certified gastroenterologist with more than 25 years of experience. He has been a dedicated healthcare provider to the Smithtown and surrounding communities, offering compassionate and comprehensive care to his patients.
“We are thrilled that Dr. Forohar has joined Stony Brook Medicine Community Medical Group,” said Dr. Olga Aroniadis, Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Stony Brook Medicine. “Dr. Forohar’s partnership enables Stony Brook Medicine Gastroenterology to continue to expand its footprint, allowing us to seamlessly service our community and provide exceptional care to our patients.”
Dr. Forohar received his medical degree from the University of Pécs Medical School in Pécs, Hungary. He then completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Forohar shared, “I have had the pleasure of living in and serving this community for the past 25 years. As my practice has grown and evolved, so has Stony Brook University. Becoming what it is today: a world-class hospital system. By joining Stony Brook Medicine, my patients’ needs are best served right here at home.”
Patients who wish to make an appointment with Farzad Forohar, MD, should call 631-724-5300.
On December 7, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner (in red coat) joined the Sound Beach Civic and other local organizations at the “Adopt-A-Spot New York Avenue” location.
The Councilwoman presented Town of Brookhaven Certificates of Appreciation to the volunteers who help to keep the north shore community clean and trash-free, including Sound Beach Civic Volunteer groups; Boy Scout Troop 204; Girl Scouts of BSA Troop 2019; Martin Streeff (Streeff Tree Experts); Eugene Radenberg (Community Landscaping); Gayle Hessler (Gardens by Gayle); Soundview Garden Club; the Civic Hamlet Beautification Committee; and Sound Beach Civic President, Bea Ruberto (right).
By Heidi Sutton
Savers Thrift Store and Donation Center has announced the grand opening of its newest location at 51 Centereach Mall Drive in Centereach will be on Dec. 12. This is the chain’s 4th store in Suffolk County, along with Medford, Commack and Holbrook.
The 27,000 square foot store, located in the former Modell’s Sporting Goods off Middle Country Road, will partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters Long Island. “Each time you donate items to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island at our store, we pay them for your stuff, providing revenue to help them fund important programs in your community. Our secondhand store is a one-stop shop to drop off your donations and declutter responsibly,” said the release.
On its website, the company, which also goes by the name Value Village in other parts of the United States, says it “is committed to giving reusable items a second chance at life while helping save millions of pounds of clothing and household goods from landfills every year.”
Store hours will be Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the hours for the donation center are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more information, call 631-519-2158 or visit stores.savers.com.
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