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#404 Sistaaahs! Photo by Rita J. Egan
#301 Kidnap Mr. Sandy Claws. Photo by Rita J. Egan
#200 Billy Ghoul. Photo by Rita J. Egan
#300 The Headless Horseman. Photo by Rita J. Egan
#204 Bride of Beetlejuice. Photo by Rita J. Egan
#214 Gingy. Photo by Rita J. Egan

Time to vote! Above are just a few of the 43 unique and creative scarecrows of all shapes, sizes and characters that line the walkways througout the Stony Brook Village Center for the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s 34th Annual Scarecrow Competition. 

You have until Friday, October 25 to vote for your favorite in three categories: Professional, Adults/Family, and Children. Winning scarecrows will win cash prizes based on the number of votes they receive from the public. Ballots can be found in all the shops and restaurants. Once completed, ballots can be returned to any shop to be counted in for voting. Winners will be announced at the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s 34th Annual Halloween Festival on Oct. 31.

This year’s event is generously sponsored by Suffolk Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy, Green Towers Group, Apple Bank, Dr. Rocco Morelli, and Dr. Robert Quilty.

 For more information, call 631-751-2244.

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Stock photo

By Michael Christodoulou

Michael Christodoulou

You can find several ways to make charitable gifts — but if you’re looking for a method that can provide multiple tax benefits, along with an efficient platform for giving year after year, you might want to consider a donor-advised fund.

Once you open a donor-advised fund (DAF), you can contribute many types of assets, including cash, publicly traded stocks, bonds, CDs or non-cash items such as closely held business interests, art or collectibles. You can then decide how to invest the money, possibly following a strategy suggested by the DAF sponsor organization you’ve selected. The next step involves choosing which charities to support, how often to provide support (such as once a year) and how much to give each time. You’re essentially free to direct the money to any charities you like, provided they’re IRS-approved charitable organizations.

Now, let’s look at the possible tax advantages offered by a DAF:

IMMEDIATE TAX DEDUCTION

A few years ago, changes in tax laws resulted in a vastly increased standard deduction, which, in turn, led to far fewer people itemizing on their tax returns and having less incentive, at least from a tax standpoint, to contribute to charities. But if you don’t typically give enough each year to itemize deductions, you could combine several years’ worth of giving into one contribution to a DAF and take a larger deduction in that tax year. And you can claim that deduction, even though the DAF may distribute funds to charities over several years.

TAX-FREE GROWTH OF EARNINGS

Once you contribute an asset to a DAF, any earnings growth is not taxable to you, the DAF or the charitable groups that receive grants from the DAF. 

AVOIDANCE OF CAPITAL GAINS TAXES

When you donate appreciated stocks or other investments — or for that matter, virtually any appreciated asset — to a DAF, you can avoid paying the capital gains taxes that would otherwise be due if you were to simply sell the asset and then donate the proceeds to charitable organizations. Plus, by receiving the appreciated asset, rather than the proceeds from a sale, the charitable groups can gain more from your contribution. And you can also take a tax deduction for your donation. 

While these potential tax benefits can certainly make a DAF an attractive method of charitable giving, you should be aware of some potential tradeoffs. Once you contribute assets to a DAF, that gift is irrevocable, and you can’t access the money for any reason other than charitable giving. Also, your investment options are limited to what’s available in the DAF program you’ve chosen. And DAFs can incur administrative costs in addition to the fees charged on the underlying investments.  

You may want to consult with your financial professional about other potential benefits and tradeoffs of DAFs and whether a DAF can help you with your charitable giving goals. Also, different DAF sponsors offer different features, so you will want to do some comparisons. And because DAFs can have such significant implications for your tax situation, you should consult with your tax professional before taking action.

If a DAF is appropriate for your situation, though, consider it carefully — it might be a good way to support your charitable giving efforts for years to come. 

Michael Christodoulou, ChFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS® is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Stony Brook, Member SIPC.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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Max the Vanderbilt cat. Photo by Ed Clampitt
Max the Vanderbilt cat. Photo by Ed Clampitt
Max the Vanderbilt cat. Photo by Ed Clampitt
Max the Vanderbilt cat. Photo by Ed Clampitt

Ellen Mason, a volunteer at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport, has reported that Max,  the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum cat who greeted visitors at the gatehouse for years, has passed away. Below is a poem she wrote in his honor. 

Our Max, the Vanderbilt Cat

A sad day has fallen,

Enshrouded in gray.

Cherished and honored,

Our Max passed away.

Max was our mascot,

Our Vanderbilt cat.

He lived on the grounds,

But was much more than that.

He greeted our patrons

From his perch near the gate,

By the Vanderbilt gatehouse,

Entrance to this estate.

His special companion,

A guard here named Ed,

Brushed Max and loved him,

Making sure he was fed.

He bought Max a house

For those cold wintry days,

Where he snuggled inside,

Staring with his cat gaze.

Max lived life to the max,

Living up to his name.

For the guards at the gatehouse,

It just won’t be the same.

— By Ellen Mason, Stony Brook

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The cast of 'The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon' Photo by Julianne Mosher
The cast of 'The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon' Photo by Julianne Mosher
The cast of 'The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon' Photo by Julianne Mosher
The cast of 'The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon' Photo by Julianne Mosher
The cast of 'The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon' Photo by Julianne Mosher
The cast of 'The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon' Photo by Julianne Mosher
The cast of 'The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon' Photo by Julianne Mosher
The cast of 'The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon' Photo by Julianne Mosher

By Julianne Mosher

Not all fairy tales have a happy ending despite what “the mouse” wants you to think.

Don Zolidis’ The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon is Suffolk County Community College’s latest production at Theatre 119 located on the Ammerman Campus in Selden. The show recreates all 209 fairy tales written by the Brothers Grimm including Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and more. But don’t expect the fairy Godmother to make an appearance or for the characters to break into song — this isn’t a Disney show.

When the red curtain opens, we’re introduced to two narrators, River Monastero and Krystian Karwowski. Dressed in the most whimsical costumes (from designer Andrew Wittkamper), the two attempt to tell the fables and tales combined into one giant story in a fast-paced and super clever extravaganza. Both have a way of sharing the tales with a great presence on stage.

Directed by Bryan Kimmelman, the show has no intermission, which means the audience gets a full hour-and-a-half of a hysterically fun (and sometimes improved) show that is different than anything else you’ve ever seen before.

Set in various fairy tale locations, the story begins with a dirt-poor girl who makes three deals with the devil, a witch, and Rumpelstiltskin. The girl meets a prince, falls in love, finds riches and has a baby (who ends up being an angsty teenage Rapunzel dressed in her leather jacket and cell phone in hand). We learn that Rapunzel’s grandmother was actually Gretel (of Hansel and Gretel) and from there on several fables and fairy tales intertwine into one large hodgepodge of silly, chaos, magic and randomness. 

The show features modern and exaggerated humor, and the actors add modern interpretations to the stories — for example a sassy fashion show where the stage turns into a catwalk to prove who really is the fairest of them all. 

The talented students of SCCC play multiple parts — a feat that proves difficult considering the show is so quickly paced. Karwowski shines playing the narrator (along with the devil and as dwarf number 2), while other actors including Nicholas Maggipinto  (the actor, Hansel, Johannes), John Woolard (dirt merchant prince, prince number 2), Isabella Romero (Snow White, the enchantress), Kite Harrison (witch number 2, Rumpelstiltskin), Christina Keller (Plinkie Plie, Rapunzel), Aiden Gomez (the king, dwarf number 1, heckling audience member), Mia Lombardi (the girl, Gretel, Cinderella) and Mollie Sebor (the witch, the talking raven and the queen) show off their talent by switching characters not only by act, but within the same scene. 

You might want to brush up on your Grimm’s fairy tales, though, because they also delve into some of the more obscure stories like Lean Lisa and The Devil’s Grandmother. The narrators often break the fourth wall, so be prepared to get involved as you are expected to help prevent Hansel and Gretel from going into the witch’s house by yelling, “don’t go in there!” anytime they make a poor decision (as one does in any good horror movie).

You’ll laugh your gold slippers off (no, not glass slippers … again, this isn’t Disney), so be sure to check this show out. 

The Theatres at Suffolk County Community College present The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon in Theatre 119, Islip Arts Building, SCCC Ammerman, 533 College Road, Selden on Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. and on Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. General admission is $15, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger $10. SCCC students with current ID are offered one free ticket. To order, please call the box office at 631-451-4163.

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The Long Island Fall Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. File photo by Sara Megan Walsh

A  beloved tradition is returning to Huntington. The Long Island Fall Festival heads to Heckscher Park for its 30th annual incarnation this Columbus Day weekend. 

The largest of its kind in the Northeast, the Long Island Fall Festival has become the premiere event for family fun. Brought to you by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Huntington, this event attracts tens of thousands of families from all over the New York tri-state area to the 25 acres of beautiful Heckscher Park.

Truly a celebration of community spirit, this weekend event offers something for everyone. Attractions include three stages of live entertainment, a world-class carnival, hundreds of arts and craft vendors, international food courts, beer and wine pavilion, a farmer’s market, and numerous activities and entertainment designed especially for young children.

The festival begins with a carnival and live music on Friday, Oct. 11, from 5 to 10 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 12, and Sunday, Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., attendees can enjoy the carnival, more live music and shop from street vendors. Over 300 merchants will line up along Prime and Madison streets, adjacent to Heckscher Park, as well as around the pond and within the grounds of the park with lots of free giveaways.

On Monday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the festival will offer the carnival and in-park vendors for another day of fall fun. 

Highlights include a Columbus Day Parade on Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a meatball eating contest on Oct. 13 on the Chapin Rainbow Stage at 4 p.m. and for the kids a magic show and illusionist Saturday, Sunday and Monday in the carnival area at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Local Youth Talent on the Chapin Rainbow Stage on Oct. 13 from noon to 3:45 p.m. and free art activities at the Heckscher Museum’s terrace on Oct. 12 and 13 from noon to 4 p.m.

Underwritten completely through corporate sponsorships, admission to the public is FREE. Dogs are welcome.

Heckscher Park is located at 2 Prime Avenue in Huntington. In addition to street parking, attendees can find free parking at the Huntington LIRR station and take a shuttle bus for $2 round trip. 

For more information and to get involved in this year’s Long Island Fall Festival as a volunteer or vendor, call 631-423-6100, or visit www.lifallfestival.com.

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Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Legislature

Small businesses from across Suffolk County were recognized for their critical role as the backbone of the local economy.  Each of the 18 members of the Suffolk County Legislature introduced an honoree from their district at Oct. 1’s General Meeting of the Legislature in the Rose Caracappa Auditorium of the William H. Rogers Legislative Building in Hauppauge.

With this ceremony, the lawmakers honored individual businesses – with fewer than 25 employees—and noted the unique contributions to the community that these businesses and their owners make every day.  The businesses — ranging from restaurants, including pizzerias and delis, to insurance agencies, to local newspapers and salons – were each chosen for their standing within their community and were often cited for their civic and charitable endeavors.

“Our small businesses deserve to be recognized for their part in making Suffolk a thriving and desirable place to live,” said Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey.  “From my district, I am pleased to be able to honor Peter Buccino, the proud owner of Viking Solutions in Lindenhurst since 2015. He started with the company, then named Cardwell Condenser Corporation, just a week after graduating from Copiague High School in 1979. Peter then worked his way up the ladder all the way to taking ownership in 2015.”

“Peter is an active member of the business community locally and across the county. He is the First Vice President of the Copiague Chamber of Commerce, an Executive Board Member of the Lindenhurst Chamber, and a member of the North Babylon and Montauk Chambers. Peter Buccino’s smiling face can be seen at many events in the district. He is a truly a small business success and embodies the spirit of this award,” said McCaffrey.

Across the United States, small businesses employ nearly half the American workforce, representing 43.5% of America’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the US Chamber of Commerce. Suffolk County itself is home to many thousands of small businesses. As a partial measure of the number and variety of small businesses, the Suffolk County Department Labor, Licensing, and Consumer Affairs notes that there are over 15,800 active licenses and registrations for businesses. The wide range of businesses encompasses, for example, appliance repair, painters, electricians, plumbers, sign hangers, precious metal dealers, dry cleaners, and more.

HONOREES by LD:

LD Legislator Small Business Honoree Business Location

  1. Catherine Stark  — Wendy’s Deli in Mattituck

  2. Ann Welker West—  Robins Oysters in Southampton

  3. Jim Mazzarella —  TJs Hero Shop in Mastic Beach

  4. Nick Caracappa — Team Rita (Tsoukaris) in Centereach

  5. Steve Englebright—  Bagel Express in Setauket

  6. Chad Lennon — Personal Fitness in Rocky Point

  7. Dominick Thorne — Greg Mehrhoff State Farm Agency in Bellport

  8. Anthony Piccirillo — Joe’s Pizza and Pasta in Holbrook

  9. Sam Gonzalez—  Gala Foods in Brentwood

10. Trish Bergin — Bellina’s Pizza & Restaurant in East Islip

11. Steve Flotteron — Our Little Italy in West Islip

12. Leslie Kennedy — Maureen’s Kitchen in Smithtown

13. Rob Trotta — The Smithtown News in Smithtown

14. Kevin McCaffrey, PO — Viking Solutions in Lindenhurst

15. Jason Richberg — Valde Ice Cream in Wyandanch

16. Rebecca Sanin — Zaro’s Café in Huntington Station

17. Tom Donnelly — Soto Appearance Enhancement Salon in Deer Park

18. Stephanie Bontempi — Twisted Cow Distillery in East Northport

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Yi-Xian Qin

Yi-Xian Qin recognized by the BMES for his groundbreaking research on bone tissue response

Yi-Xian Qin, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the Renaissance School of Medicine and in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Stony Brook University, will receive the 2025 Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)  Christopher Jacobs Award for Excellence in Leadership.

The annual award, established in 2019, honors the memory and contributions of Christopher R. Jacobs, PhD, co-founder and council member of the Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (CMBE) Special Interest Group (SIG) under BMES. It recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership excellence within the Cell and Molecular Bioengineering community. Leadership is broadly defined and includes efforts in education, service and publication/dissemination of knowledge related to the CMBE field.

Dr. Qin’s expertise and leadership at Stony Brook is broad. He is also Director of the Orthopaedic Bioengineering Research Laboratory and Co-Director of the Institute for Engineering-Driven Medicine.

An innovator whose work in the field of bone research has significantly advanced scientific  understanding of how bone tissue responds and adapts to various functional environments, bone fluid flow and regenerative responses to dynamic stimuli, Dr. Qin has published more than 180 peer-reviewed articles as well as related books and chapters and U.S. patents. His patents encompass groundbreaking technologies such as ultrasound diagnostic imaging, therapeutic applications, and mechanical stimulation for musculoskeletal diseases like osteopenia and fractures. These technologies hold promise in offering numerous clinical benefits and predicting bone loss in microgravity during long-term missions in space.

“It’s a great honor to receive this prestigious award, which allows us to enhance bioengineering and bone tissue regeneration research in mechanotransduction and translation in the Stony Brook community,” says Dr. Qi, a resident of Setauket. He described Dr. Christopher Jacobs as a pioneer in the field of cellular and molecular engineering who discovered the role of primary cilia in bone cells and its role in mechanotransduction for cell differentiation and tissue regeneration.

Dr. Qin will deliver a lecture and be honored with the award at the 2025 BMES CMBE Conference in Carlsbad, California, from January 3 to 6.

He earned both his master’s degree and PhD from Stony Brook University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. His contributions to the field have earned him Fellowship status in several prestigious organizations, including the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the International Academy of Medical and Biological Engineering (IAMBE), and the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). Dr. Qin also serves as Executive Editor-in-Chief for Mechanobiology in Medicine, an Elsevier journal.

Established in 1968, the BMES has more than 6,800 members and is the leading professional society for faculty, students, researchers and industry professionals in biomedical engineering. The mission of the BMES is to promote a collaborative and inclusive community to advance human health through education, discovery and translation.

 

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Caption: Stony Brook University goes car free. Photo by John Griffin/Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University has won this year’s Car Free Day Long Island, with the  highest number of pledges on a college campus, 892 people, who will go car free for at least one trip.

Car Free Day is an international event celebrated in September where people are encouraged to travel car-free, opting to instead ride public transit, a bicycle, travel by carpool, or walk. This year, Car Free Day Long Island was held on September 22, 2024. This was the 12th year Long Island has participated in the event.

Stony Brook University has been participating in Car Free Day Long Island since 2013 with the aim of getting  students, faculty, and staff to participate in alternate ways of traveling to reduce carbon emissions. The event aligns with Stony Brook’s sustainability goals, and also promotes the use of its Wolf Ride Bike Share program and coincides with its recent recognition as a Bike Friendly University. To spread the word this year, coordinators sent out emails to students and employees as well as posted on the Stony Brook University Office of Sustainability’s Instagram.

“Participating in initiatives like Car Free Day Long Island helps to bring awareness to the power of collective action when approaching climate solutions,” said Erin Kluge, sustainability coordinator, from Stony Brook University’s Office of Sustainability, which led the university’s participation. “Incorporating alternative travel options in our routine when possible is one of the many great ways we can help lessen our carbon footprint.”

“A great part of Car Free Day Long Island is that it helps put our reliance on our vehicles into perspective. While the event reduced carbon emissions, the awareness it sparked will continue to have lasting effects,” said Environmental Studies major Max Cruz, ‘25.

Last year, Car Free Day was celebrated in 3,100 cities in 50 countries. The event draws participants in a variety of fields, from interested parties to organizations committing to the pledge. This year, 3,912 Long Islanders pledged to go car free.

Of the organizations involved in the final pledge count, categories included participants from colleges, healthcare, companies, municipalities, libraries, and nonprofits. In the colleges category, Stony Brook out-pledged other participants by four-fold, with NY Tech coming in at 196 pledges and Farmingdale State College with 99 pledges.

 

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Dave Douglas September 27, 2017www.johnabbottphoto.com212-765-2342

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook, offers something for every jazz fan this October, from its weekly jam sessions on Wednesday nights; the Dave Douglas Gifts Quartet playing Billy Strayhorn; and the Willie Steele Quintet for a night of Blues, BBQ and Beer. In addition, The Jazz Loft also presents several nights of its Bright Moments Series, which showcase some of the brightest upcoming talents on the jazz scene. 

Jam sessions and Bright Moments series shows are priced at only $10!

Wednesday, October 16 at 7 p.m.

Jam Session at 7 p.m.    

Jam Sessions are led by Keenan Zach and Jazz musicians of all ages are invited to play on stage along with fellow jazz enthusiasts.

Tickets: $10, $5 after 8 p.m.

 

Thursday, October 17

The Bad Little Big Band at 7 p.m.

The 12-member Bad Little Big Band led by pianist Rich Iacona, and vocalist Madeline Kole accompanies the band.

Tickets: $30 Adult, $25 Senior, $20 Student, $15 Child, FREE Child (5 and under)

 

Friday, October 18 at 7 p.m.

Dave Douglas Gifts Quartet plays Strayhorn

Dave Douglas, trumpet; Goeffrey Keezer, piano; Kate Pass, bass; Ryan Sands, drums.

Tickets: $30 Adult, $25 Senior, $20 Student, $15 Child, FREE Child (5 and under)

 

Saturday, October 19, at. 2 p.m.

BB&B (Blues, BBQ and Beer) Willie Steele Quintet

Includes food, beer section, and music in the Count Basie Garden and front lawn.

$50 all

 

Tuesday, October 22 at 7 p.m.

Bright Moments Series

Alfonso Lama, guitar; Luca Rosenfeld, bass; Zan Teti Kovi, drums

Presenting some of the brightest upcoming talents on the jazz scene

Tickets: $10, $5 for seniors

 

Wednesday, October 23

Jam Session at 7 p.m.    

Jam Sessions are led by Keenan Zach and Jazz musicians of all ages are invited to play on stage along with fellow jazz enthusiasts.

Tickets: $10, $5 after 8 p.m.

 

Thursday, October 24

Interplay Jazz Orchestra at 7 p.m. 

The 17-piece Interplay Jazz Orchestra performs original compositions and arrangements written by band members.

Tickets: $30 Adult, $25 Senior, $20 Student, $15 Child, FREE Child (5 and under)

 

Tuesday, October 29 at 7 p.m.

Bright Moments Series

Zan Tetickovic DMA recital; drums

Presenting some of the brightest upcoming talents on the jazz scene

Tickets: $10, $5 for seniors

 

Wednesday, October 30 at 7 p.m.

Jam Session at 7 p.m.    

Jam Sessions are led by Keenan Zach and Jazz musicians of all ages are invited to play on stage along with fellow jazz enthusiasts.

Tickets: $10, $5 after 8 p.m.

 

For tickets and more information visit https://www.thejazzloft.org or call 631-751-1895.

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