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Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta with Eagle Scout Thomas Patrick Jacino at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Photo courtesy of Leg. Trotta's office

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta attended the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Thomas Patrick Jacino of Troop 539 on Friday, April 18, at the American Legion in Kings Park.

For his Eagle Scout Project, Thomas led a team to renovate, update and construct a specialized training center for the members of the Kings Park Fire Department to train with their self-contained breathing apparatus. He dedicated over 400 hours to this project to ensure it would make a lasting impact on the department and the community.

Moreover, Thomas recently applied to join the Kings Park Volunteer Fire Department and will be officially appointed on April 28, 2025. His family is extremely proud of his dedication and commitment to scouting and firefighting.

“Becoming an Eagle Scout is a testament to your strong character and management skills and is something that you have accomplished while still a teenager. This recognition will stay with you for the rest of your life,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta. “Your project and acceptance into the Kings Park Fire Department are very impressive and we will expect great things from you in the future,” added Legislator Trotta.

 

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Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie in still from Sabbath Queen. 2024. Sandi Simcha DuBowski. Image courtesy of Roco Films
The Long Island Jewish Film Festival is returning to the Cinema Arts Centre for its third year! The festival will span six days, May 1st – May 6th, and present a selection of films at the forefront of Jewish cultural storytelling. The festival will feature films that include innovative documentaries, riveting dramas, and hilarious comedy, all curated by David Schwartz, Curator at large at the Museum of the Moving Image, who will also host filmmaker interviews and audience discussions after many of the festival’s screenings.

The Long Island Jewish Film Festival was organized to help celebrate the rich cultural traditions and history of the Jewish community in America and abroad.

The festival will begin on Thursday, May 1st with a screening of the powerful documentary, Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire, with the second day of the festival focusing on the recently rediscovered and restored drama, The Heiresses.

The third day of the festival will feature screenings of three films: the fascinating documentaries Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round & Janis Ian: Breaking Silence, as well as the new biopic Midas Man, on Beatles manager Brian Epstein.

Sunday, the fourth day of the festival, will feature a screening and discussion of the documentary Ada: My Mother the Architect, in addition to a showing of the hilarious comedy Bad Shabbos, and an encore screening of The Heiresses. Monday will feature repeat screenings of both Midas Man & Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire, and the festival will conclude with a screening & discussion program highlighting the documentary film, Sabbath Queen.

There will be encore screenings for most of the films featured on Friday & Saturday for those who observe Shabbat. Tickets are $16 per film, $10 members.

The Films:
Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire
Thursday, May 1 at 7 PM
With editor/producer Michael Chomet in person
& Monday, May 5 at 7 PM
With director Oren Rudavsky in person
Eighty years after his liberation from Buchenwald, we seek to understand the man behind the searing memoir Night. Told largely through his own words and eloquent voice, Elie Wiesel: Soul on Fire seeks to penetrate to the heart of the known and unknown Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) – his passions, his conflicts and his legacy as one of the most public survivors of the Holocaust. With unique access to archives, interviews and employing hand painted animation, the film illuminates Wiesel’s biography as a survivor, writer, teacher and public figure. (2024, 87 mins)

The Heiresses
Friday, May 2 at 7 PM
& Sunday, May 4 at 7 PM
Isabelle Huppert stars in this recently rediscovered and restored drama from Hungarian filmmaker Márta Mészáros. Huppert plays Irèn, a young Jewish seamstress in 1936 Budapest, who is recruited by the wealthy Szilvia (Lili Monori), to conceive a baby with her military officer husband so that Szilvia can inherit her father’s fortune. Meanwhile, the rise of Nazism has begun to poison Hungary’s ruling classes, complicating Irèn’s entrée into high society. Laying bare the complicated processes of class, motherhood, inheritance, and fascism. (1980, 100 mins)

Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round
Saturday, May 3 at 1 PM
When five Howard University students sat on a segregated Maryland carousel in 1960, the arrests made headlines. When the largely Jewish community living near the amusement park joined the Black students in picketing, the first organized interracial civil rights protest in US history was born, eventually leading to the creation of the Freedom Riders. With never-before seen footage, and immersive storytelling by Emmy-award winning director Ilana Trachtman, four living protesters rescue this untold story, revealing the price, and the power, of heeding the impulse to activism. (2024, 89 mins)

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence
Saturday, May 3 at 4 PM
& Tuesday, May 6 at 4 PM
With prerecorded interview with director Varda Bar-Kar
At the height of the Civil Rights movement, Janis Ian, a Jewish teenage singer-songwriter from New Jersey became a sensation after releasing a hit song about an interracial relationship, “Society’s Child.” Ian would go on to jam with Hendrix, party with Janis Joplin, and play duets with Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. But she also had to work to overcome the stigma of her debut, homophobia, industry misogyny, and serious illness. With access to Ian’s music, archive, collaborators, and music journalists, this in-depth documentary chronicles the singer’s epic life journey. (2024, 114 mins)

Midas Man
Saturday, May 3 at 7 PM
& Monday, May 5 at 4 PM
Brian Epstein is recognized today as the man who signed The Beatles, and in doing so, created the blueprint for music artist management. From his formative years to wild, unprecedented global success and the ensuing chaos as he managed and promoted some of the biggest acts in the world, Midas Man brings to life the untold story of one of the world’s most significant outsiders. (2025, 112 mins)

Ada: My Mother the Architect
Sunday, May 4 at 1 PM
With director Yael Melamede in person
Ada Karmi Melamede is one of the most accomplished female architects in the world, but very little is known about her outside her home country of Israel. Ada – My Mother the Architect is a deeply moving portrait of an extraordinary woman directed by her daughter, filmmaker, and former architect, Yael Melamede. Ada is a true pioneer whose work gave physical form to some of Israel’s highest democratic ideals, most notably in the acclaimed Supreme Court building in Jerusalem, the Open University, and Ben Gurion Airport. (2024, 81 mins)

Bad Shabbos
Sunday, May 4 at 4 PM
Kyra Sedgwick and Cliff “Method Man” Smith lead a hilarious ensemble cast in the award-winning comedy that took home the Audience Award at the 2024 Tribeca FilmFestival. When David and his fiancé Meg gather for his family’s traditional Shabbat dinner on New York’s Upper West Side, things spiral faster than you can say “hamotzi” when an accidental death (or…murder?) derails the evening entirely. With Meg’s devoutly Catholic parents due any moment to meet David’s very Jewish family, soon Shabbat becomes a comedy of biblical proportions. (2024, 84 mins)

Sabbath Queen
Tuesday, May 6 at 7 PM
With director Sandi Dubowski in person
Filmed over 21 years, Sabbath Queen follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s epic journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis including the Chief Rabbis of Israel. He is torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and becomes a drag queen rebel, a queer bio-dad and the founder of Lab/Shul—an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation. (2024, 105 mins)

The Cinema Arts Centre is located at 423 Park Ave., Huntington. Get tickets and find more info here: https://cinemaartscentre.org/long-island-jewish-film…/

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In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Monty Python and the Holy Grail will return to select theaters nationwide on Sunday, May 4, and Wednesday, May 7, courtesy of Fathom Entertainment.

“Fathom Entertainment has prided itself in bringing classic and cult classic films back to the big screen where they deserve to be enjoyed by fans – old and new alike. Few classic comedy films top the great Monty Python and the Holy Grail in terms of legendary status. Fathom is delighted to bring it back to theaters upon its 50th anniversary,” said Ray Nutt, Chief Executive Officer at Fathom Entertainment.

Grossing the highest box-office of any British film in the U.S. when released in 1975, this “cult classic” comedy from the Monty Python team loosely follows the legend of King Arthur (Graham Chapman), along with his squire (Terry Gilliam) and his Knights of the Round Table (John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin), as they embark on a fearless quest in search of the elusive Holy Grail.

Locally, participating theaters include AMC Loews Stony Brook 17, Island 16: Cinema de Lux in Holtsville, Regal Cinemas in Deer Park, Showcase Cinemas de lux in Farmindale and Regal UA in Farmingdale.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at Fathom Entertainment in advance or at participating theater box offices.

 

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Studio 45 ribbon cutting. Photo courtesy of Councilwoman Bonner's office

On Sunday, April 13, Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner attended the grand opening of Studio 45 in Rocky Point, a cardio dance and strength training facility owned by Dr. Kimberly Roff, an Associate Professor at Touro University .

Located at 53D Broadway, the studio offers health and wellness classes featuring a full body workout with cardio dance and teach elements of Yoga, Pilates, and kickboxing blended in as well as additional strength training. “I know the Rocky Point community is passionate about rebuilding and revitalizing Broadway and what a great idea to start a fully woman-owned business there,” said Councilwoman Bonner.

Studio 45 can be reached by calling 631-495-5668 or online at www.studio45rockypoint.com.

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Ryan Smith

Cold Spring Harbor High School proudly congratulates senior Ryan Smith on earning the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon civilian youth by the United States Congress. This esteemed recognition celebrates Ryan’s exceptional commitment to community service, personal development and civic engagement. In addition, Ryan received special distinction as a STEM Star, highlighting his outstanding contributions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Established by Congress in 1979, the Congressional Award is a nonpartisan, voluntary program designed to recognize initiative, achievement and service in America’s youth. Gold Medal recipients must complete a rigorous set of requirements, including a minimum of 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness and a five-day, four-night expedition or exploration to foster cultural awareness and growth.

Ryan dedicated over three years to meeting these requirements. His accomplishments include work at Northwell Health’s 3D Design and Innovation Lab, where he developed an application to monitor oxygen levels in portable tanks used for patient transport—enhancing both safety and efficiency. To further his knowledge, Ryan pursued advanced studies in computer science, artificial intelligence, and mathematics through summer coursework.

As part of his recognition, Ryan has been invited to attend the 2025 Congressional Award Gold Medal Summit in Washington, D.C., from June 11–13. During the summit, he will engage with Members of Congress, national leaders in business and public service, and fellow Gold Medalists from across the country. His itinerary will include meetings with New York legislators and a formal reception with the Vice President of the United States.

Ryan exemplifies the values of leadership, service and intellectual curiosity. The Cold Spring Harbor Central School District commends him on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to his continued success.

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Mirabelle Restaurant in Stony Brook Village is one of over 90 participating restaurants for Spring Restaurant Week. Photo courtesy of Mirabelle Restaurant

The tri-annual Long Island Restaurant Week is ready to kick off spring with an opportunity to bring customers into Long Island restaurants. Over 90 restaurants on Long Island will participate this year.

In a recent survey sent to diners, over 70% said they are very likely to dine out during Restaurant Week again in the future, and more than 45% said they dine out twice during the promotion.

The Spring edition will take place from Sunday, April 27 to Sunday, May 4, with several prix fixe options. Restaurants may offer a $24 two-course lunch, a $29 three-course dinner menu, a $39 three-course dinner menu and/or a $46 three-course dinner prix fixe. Restaurants may offer one, two or any combination of the four prix fixes during the promotion.

Each participant is required to offer three options per course (appetizer, entrée and dessert) for dinner. Participating restaurants MUST offer the $24 two-course lunch prix fixe, $29, $39 or $46 three-course dinner prix fixe all night every night they are open (or during lunch hours) from Sunday to Sunday, with the exception of Saturday when it may only be offered until 7 p.m.

Back by popular demand, the Gift Card Giveaway returns for the winter promotion and diners have the option to enter to win one of three gift cards to redeemed at a participating restaurant of their choice. To enter to win, diners must visit the Long Island Restaurant Week website before Monday, May 5th at 11:59 p.m. EST and input their information. Winners will be selected on or around Friday, May 9, and will be notified via telephone and/or email.

“On the heels of a very successful Winter Restaurant Week, the spring edition is sure to see more restaurants especially with the seasonal spots opening before the summer season kicks off. Winter Restaurant Week saw over 180 restaurants to choose from and we are expecting even more this spring. As 70% of foodies surveyed have shared that they plan to dine out during restaurant week it’s looking to be a busy week,” shares Nicole Castillo of Long Island Restaurant and Hospitality Group.

For a full list of participants and to view menus, visit www.longislandrestaurantweek.com. 

Long Island Restaurant Week is proudly sponsored by Long Island Restaurant News, Discover Long Island & Newsday. 

On Long Island Restaurant Week

Long Island Restaurant Week is a tri-annual event designed to garner positive publicity and additional business for the region’s restaurants. Since 2006, it has been an annual fall promotion until the first spring Long Island Restaurant Week was launched in April 2011 and then winter was added in January of 2016, due to popular customer and restaurateur demand.

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METRO photo
A Column Promoting a More Earth-Friendly Lifestyle

By John L. Turner

John Turner

I did a double take while reading the following sentence — “It is estimated that each year over one billion pounds of clothes and textiles are disposed of in landfills in New York State,” a fact according to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. That’s a billion with a B! 

Another fact: Each and every American throws away about 68 pounds of clothing each year. And the environmental impacts don’t end there: once in landfill, textile manufacture waste takes 80 to 1000 years to break down, generating about 1.2 billion tons of CO2 annually, polluting waterways and soil systems, and contributing to the growing climate change problem.  

There are ways to lessen these impacts from clothing. An obvious idea is to bring your lightly used but no longer wanted clothes to one of the local thrift stores or give them away to members of the community by posting them on sites like Stony Brook Freecycle for pickup. Similarly, you can donate unwanted clothing by depositing them at drop-off bins. Some local charities like the Salvation Army, Big Brother Big Sister, and Goodwill also accept clothing items. Also recyclable are no longer wanted linens like sheets, bedspreads, and pillow cases.

When it comes to denim, the website bluejeansgogreen.org provides information on how you can recycle no longer wanted denim jeans by bringing them to a local retailer or through the mail.  

Another great option is to participate in the Town of Brookhaven’s “Dress for Success” program. Lightly worn, nearly-new professional attire can be donated, thereby helping women gain a professional wardrobe, a requirement in some professions. The Dress for Success office number is 631-451-9127.

A resident of Setauket, author John L. Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.

 

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Participants take part in a Goat Yoga class at the Smithtown Historical Society.

The Smithtown Historical Society, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown will host a 45 minute session of yoga with friendly, interactive goats and alpaca near the Frank Brush Barn on Wednesday, April 30 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m courtesy of by Steppin’ Out Ponies and Petting Zoo.

The classes continue on May 15, May 28, June 12, June 12, July 7, July 24 August 5, August 18 and September 11. Tickets are $35 per person via Eventbrite.com. Please bring a mat & towel. For more information, call 631-265-6768.

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A scene from 'The Adventures of Peter Rabbit' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Adventures of Peter Rabbit' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Adventures of Peter Rabbit' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Adventures of Peter Rabbit' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Adventures of Peter Rabbit' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'The Adventures of Peter Rabbit' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
The cast of 'The Adventures of Peter Rabbit' Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

By Julianne Mosher

SomeBUNNY should go see the most perfect springtime show now playing at Port Jefferson’s Theatre Three right away. The Adventures of Peter Rabbit might be geared for kids, but audiences of all ages will smile from ear to ear by the end of the hour-long show. 

Written by Jeffrey Sanzel and Brent Erlanson, the musical opened last week during Spring Break and will run through May 10. With original music by Kevin F. Story, the musical is based loosely on the beloved characters from The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.

The show starts off in the cute and cozy cottage home of Mrs. Rabbit (Elizabeth Ladd) and her three adorable bunnies — Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail (Cassidy Rose O’Brien, Julia Rose Albino and Katy Snair). There is, however, a fourth bunny, Peter (Ryan Worrell), who is a bit of a troublemaker, especially if he gets together with his cousin Benjamin Bunny (Ryan Van Nostrand). 

The two boys can’t stay away from the next door farm of Mr. and Mrs. McGregor’s garden (Louisa Bikowski and Liam Marsigliano), which is full of all of their favorite veggies to eat (or steal). Soon enough, Mr. McGregor, who’s “a meanie with a temper like a bear,” spies Peter and Benjamin sneaking tastes of lettuce, cucumbers and carrots and begins to plot his revenge. 

Interactive and exciting for the little ones in the crowd, there is always something to look at. For example, you may see Peter, his three sisters and their cousin run through the aisles, take a seat in the audience and even chat with you throughout the show. 

Colleen Britt directs a small cast of eight, but with a large level of talent. Worrell and Van Nostrand shine in the comedic roles of Peter and Benjamin. O’Brien, Albino and Snair are great additions with their timely, goody-two-shoes one liners and, of course, Mrs. Rabbit is equally as lovable. And even though they’re the antagonists as the farmers, you’ll still have a soft spot for Bikowski and Marsigliano, too. 

Plus, all of the songs and dances, with special mention to “Run Peter Run” and “Peter’s Socks,” are charming with Douglas J. Quattrock and Jeffrey Hoffman on the keyboards. The final number incorporates all of the songs in a super mega-mix extravaganza.

Costumes by Jason Allyn, from the bunnies’ spring dresses in pink, purple, green and red to their bunny ears and tails, are the carrots on the cake. And wait until you see the lighting and special effects!

Souvenir bunnies in various colors will be sold before the show and during intermission and the entire cast will be in the lobby after the show for a meet-and-greet and photos.

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Theatre Three, 412 Main St. Port Jefferson presents The Adventures of Peter Rabbit at 11 a.m. on April 26, April 27 (sensory-friendly performance), May 3 and May 10. Children’s theater continues with Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs from May 13 to June 21. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

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A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

On a warm and sunny April 19, families gathered at the Smithtown Historical Society for an Easter egg hunt, live music, crafts and a petting zoo. 

Food trucks parked on the grounds and, during breaks from the scavenger hunt or racing in the mini trucks, children sat in the shade and enjoyed an ice cream. Sheep, ponies, goats and llamas received much attention from the curious children. Adults perused craft booths that vendors set up next to a small stage, where the band Perfect Strangers covered the classics. 

Children in their Easter best sat next to the Easter bunny and posed for pictures. Bunny ears bobbed across the expansive grounds as children ran from one activity to the next, enjoying the fresh air and Easter festivities. 

— Photos by Sabrina Artusa

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