A team in a boat called the Wing Ding races in the "Quick 'n' Dirty" boat build race Sunday in Port Jefferson. Photo by Alex Petroski
Scenes from the 2018 Quick & Dirty boat build in Port Jefferson Aug. 12. Photo by Kyle Barr
Boaters compete in the Quick 'n' Dirty Boat Build Aug. 13. Photo by Kevin Redding
Competitors prepare for the Quick 'n' Dirty Boat Build Aug. 13. Photo by Kevin Redding
Competitors prepare for the Quick 'n' Dirty Boat Build Aug. 13. Photo by Kevin Redding
Boats are painted according to selected themes before the Quick 'n' Dirty Boat Build race Aug. 13. Photo by Kevin Redding
The winning boat at the Quick 'n' Dirty Boat Build Aug. 13. Photo by Kevin Redding
Boats are painted according to selected themes before the Quick 'n' Dirty Boat Build race Aug. 13. Photo by Kevin Redding
Competitors prepare for the Quick 'n' Dirty Boat Build Aug. 13. Photo by Kevin Redding
A team in a shark-themed boat races in the "Quick 'n' Dirty" boat build race Sunday in Port Jefferson. Photo by Alex Petroski
The Sikaflex Quick & Dirty Boat Build Competition, sponsored by the Sika Corporation and hosted by the Long IslandSeaport and Eco Center, seeks boat building/race teams for its 10th annual event to be held at the Harborfront Park, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson on Aug. 28 and 29 (rescheduled from Aug. 21 and 22).
Boats will be built on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., painted on Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon and then take part in a race the same day at 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place and original design. For more information and for an application, call Leonard at 631-689-8293 or email [email protected].
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR AUG. 28 and 29 DUE TO THE WEATHER.
By Kimberly Brown
This weekend bring your friends and family to Port Jefferson Harbor to experience the legendary and captivating Sikaflex “Quick and Dirty” Boat Building Competition.
Sponsored by the Sika Corporation, a supplier of marine adhesives and sealants,the event provides would-be boat designers and builders a chance to showcase their creative skills and talents.
Photo by Alex Petroski
Hosted by the Long Island Seaport and Eco Center (LISEC), the tenth annual competition will be held over a two-day period, Aug. 21 and 22. On Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., visitors can watch two-member teams, who are working under a time limit of five hours, build their boats in the parking lot of Harborfront Park next to Bayles Boat Shop.
“It’s great to be back,” said Len Carolan, the event’s coordinator. “This year we have about ten teams, so it seems like everyone is ready to get out there and have some fun again and that’s what it’s meant to be about.”
The challenge? Not only do the contestants have to finish constructing their makeshift boat within a few hours, but they are also expected to assemble it using a mere supply of plywood, plastic cable ties, and Sikaflex sealant — no nails or screws allowed!
On Sunday from 9 a.m to noon, the teams will finish painting their masterpieces, covering the boat in fun designs, and patterns. Finally, at 2 p.m, the teams will race each other in Port Jefferson Harbor to compete for first prize.
“I think the time limit is what keeps some people away from trying because they’re thinking ‘How could we build a boat in five hours?’ but it gets done and always turns out great,” Carolan said.
Teams ranking in first, second, and third place will receive trophies for their boat racing success, but there will also be a prize for the team that has the most original design. Following the award ceremony, LISEC will raffle off a special item made at the Bayles Boat Shop. “We thought we should do something a little different for the raffle this year, so we built a 14-foot stand-up paddle board at the shop,” Carolan said. “We have one team that builds a different raffle boat each year — next year we will have a 16-foot canoe.”
Tickets for the raffle range between $5 and $20 and the paddle board will be on display throughout the weekend.
According to Carolan, the “Quick and Dirty” boat race is still welcoming teams to join in on the fun. The entry fee is $100 and each team must seek a sponsor, or sponsor themselves. Local businesses are encouraged to sponsor this annual event.
For more information on how to participate, visit www.lisec.org or contact Len Carolan at [email protected].
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO OCTOBER 24 DUE TO THE WEATHER.
The Mustang and Shelby Club of Long Island will present its annual Mustang Car Show at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson Sunday, Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cars from 1965 to present will be on view inside and outside the center. Free admission. For more information, call 631-371-1432 or 631-802-2160.
"Long Island Cars" Car Show & Swap Meet returns to Flowerfield Fairground in Saint James this Sunday, bringing together hot rods, muscle cars, antiques and custom automobiles like this 1956 Oldsmobile. Photo by Phyllis Aquino / Courtesy of Long Island Cars
Update: DUE TO THE THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER ON SUN AUG 22, LONG ISLAND CARS HAS RESCHEDULED THEIR CAR SHOW FOR SUNDAY AUGUST 29TH.
LongIslandCars will present their “Super Swap Sunday” Car Show and Swap Meet on Sunday, August 22 at Flowerfield Fairgrounds on Route 25A in Saint James from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a rain date of Aug. 29.
Once a turn of the century flower farm, the Fairgrounds will be filled with classic and collectible automobiles including show cars from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, one-of-a-kind custom cars, antiques, exotics, street rods, muscle cars and imports. Show cars will be competing in 50 classes for coveted “LongIslandCars” impressive trophies.
The event will also include a signature swap meet with well stocked vendors offering older parts, literature and accessories for swap and sale. If you are looking for those rare car parts to complete your custom or collectible car, this is the event you’ll find them. If you are looking to buy a dream car, check out the car for sale section where owners will be selling cars directly to the public. You’ll experience live music by “The Fugitives”, fun fair food and more.
Flowerfield Fairgrounds is located on Route 25A in St. James. L.I.E. 62 North, take Nicolls Rd (Rte 97) North to the end, make a left /west on Route 25A for 2 miles (GPS coordinates: Ashleigh Dr & North Country Rd, 11780).
Admission is $10 adults, 12 years and under are free; free parking. Follow CDC mask and soclal distance guidance for entry. Show or sell your collectible car with admission. Judged cars and vendors register at the gate between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. For more information, call 631-567-5898 or visit www.LongIslandCars.com.
Lovers of all things Greek will gather at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson this weekend when the church hosts its 59th annual Greek Festival on Friday, Aug. 20 from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 21 from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 22 from noon to 10 p.m. The event will feature carnival rides, a variety of vendors, fireworks, church tours, live music, dancing and of course, traditional culinary delights.
Authentic mouth-watering foods such as gyros, tiropita (cheese pie), souvlaki, and spanakopita (spinach pie) will be served up, along with sweet desserts such as galaktoboureko, koulourakia, baklava and loukoumades, a fried dough pastry favorite.
One of the main attractions at the festival is the over-the-top sweepstakes that the church holds. This year 200 prizes will be awarded from cars — a 2022 Mercedes Benz GLC 300 W4 is first prize — to a trip to Greece, cash prizes; Xbox; New York Giants tickets; a10-inch iPad; a 24″ Smart TV, gift cards and much more. Tickets for the sweepstakes are $100 each, limited to 3,999 tickets — meaning that one out of 20 will win a prize. The drawing will be held on Oct. 10 at 5 p.m.
Fireworks will be held on Friday and Saturday nights at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. Free shuttle buses will pick up attendees from Ward Melville High School, 380 Old Town Road, East Setauket to transport them to festival on Saturday and Sunday only. Parking is also available at BASF Corporation across the street from the church. Admission to the festival is $2 requested donation per person.
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption is located at 430 Sheep Pasture Road in Port Jefferson. For more information, call the church office at 631-473-0894 or visit www.portjeffgreekfest.com.
Volunteers at a previous Dickens Festival in Port Jefferson line up for the Giant Puppet Parade. Photo by Heidi Sutton
Hear ye! Hear ye! Casting of “street characters” for the 25th annual Port Jefferson Charles Dickens Festival on Dec. 4 and 5 is currently underway. Adults, teens and children are needed for scripted scenes and improv as well as some singing and dancing. No experience necessary. Participants have the option of joining for a portion of the festival weekend or for the long haul for the rehearsals and scenes. An informational meeting will be held on August 24 at 7 p.m. at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson. For more information, email Karen at [email protected].
Save the date! Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson hosts the 15th annual Long Island Comedy Festival on Friday, Aug. 27 and Saturday, Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. Hosted by Paul Anthony, Friday’s comedians include John Santo, Aiko Tanaka, Eric Haft and Chris Roach. Saturday’s comedic line-up includes Talia Reese, Dennis Rooney, Mark DeMayo and Richie Byrne. Tickets are $35 per person per show. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 380 Nicolls Road, E. Setauket will present an African Drumming Circle in September.Sharon Pataky and Tracy Hamilton will be teaching a 12- week semester of 1 hour classes (in person and zoom) on Friday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
There are many benefits from learning the African drum (djembe and dunun). Being in a communal drum circle reduces anxiety, reduces stress and gives one a feeling of connection with those around you. The drum is a vehicle for different kinds of transformation. It can transform an emotional state from one of anger, sadness or conflictintoa state or feeling of well-being.
For more information about drum purchasing, tuition information and class schedule, call Linda at 631-543 0337 or email [email protected].
As we continue to battle against the coronavirus and approach flu season, it’s imperative that we know the facts about the vax. This Tuesday, August 17, join experts from Stony Brook Medicine as they discuss the importance of and science behind vaccines during a LIVE virtual event. Our experts will dispel misconceptions and address concerns surrounding key vaccinations, including those for COVID-19, the flu, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
The ongoing pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for healthcare providers and patients. A recent study showed a 71% drop in healthcare visits for 7 to 17-year-olds, when critical vaccines like Tdap, HPV, and meningitis are given. The HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls at age 11 or 12 because it works best when given before exposure to HPV. It can be given as early as age nine, and through age 26 for both men and women, if they did not get vaccinated when they were younger. The vaccine is safe with more than 270 million doses having been given worldwide since 2006. Even though the HPV vaccine can prevent many cancers caused by HPV infection, nearly half of adolescents in New York State are not getting the vaccine as recommended.
Every year in New York, nearly 2,600 people are diagnosed with cancer caused by HPV. To help educate those across Long Island about the importance of HPV vaccination for cancer prevention in adolescents, the Stony Brook University Cancer Center received a grant funded by the New York State Department of Health and Health Research Inc. This allows Stony Brook, the first and only institution on Long Island to be part of the Cancer Prevention in Action (CPIA) program, an opportunity to further promote the importance of the HPV vaccine as cancer prevention.
Sharon Nachman, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Dean for Research at the Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University & Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
PANELISTS:
Jill Cioffi, MD, FAAP, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University and Medical Director of Ambulatory Primary Care Pediatrics, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
Lauren Ng, DO, FAAP, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University and Primary Care Pediatrics, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
This program is supported with funding from the State of New York. The views expressed in this educational event and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the State.
The Port Jeff Hill Climb has been postponed to Sept. 30. Photo by Bob Savage
By Tara Mae
What’s old is new again as Port Jefferson’s Hill Climb returns on Saturday, August 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Continuing in the tradition of the 1910, 1911, and 1925 Port Jefferson hill climbs, this event is an historic tribute that features an antique car parade with about 50 automobiles and a photo exhibit at the Port Jefferson Village Center.
File photo
“This is a celebration of the history of the hill climbs,” said Bob Laravie, a Port Jefferson Conservancy board member. “The parade starts at the Port Jefferson Village Center, goes up East Broadway hill and hits Belle Terre Road, turns onto North Country Road, and heads back to Main Street, and East Main Street.”
The parade concludes when they circle back to the Village Center where visitors can view prints of historic photographs by Spooner and Wells. Primarily images of the 1910 Port Jefferson Hill Climb, they are shown courtesy of the Detroit Public Library which now houses them in its collection.
Hill climbing is one of the oldest forms of motorsports, with the first one taking place in France in 1897. Generally, rather than race each other, cars race the clock as they ascend a peak. Port Jefferson’s version is arguably more a combination of parade and car show rather than a traditional hill climb.
As each vehicle joins the parade route, the announcer will provide insight and details about the car, its history, and its owner. The cars are driven to a height of about 2,000 feet before beginning their descents.
Participants were recruited from car clubs and car shows, according to Laravie, who is showing the electric car replica he constructed, a Baker Torpedo Kid. The primary requirement for the entries is that they are at least 74 years old, although there are some exceptions.
“My car is modified for actual hill climbing,” explained Laravie. “I built a replica/tribute to a 1903 electric racecar and they let me in the event …”
In 1910, the Port Jefferson Automobile Club sponsored the first Port Jefferson Hill Climb to promote its cars. “Port Jefferson was a good location for a hill climb; you didn’t need a track or tremendous spectator control. There was a very good turnout the first two years,” Laravie said. A commemorative hill climb was held in 1925. The modern incarnation has been held periodically for the past 50 years and run every 5 years since 2000. Scheduled for 2020, the event was postponed due to the pandemic.
“It is a great piece of Long Island automotive history,” said Howard Kroplick, of East Hills, who is returning for his third Port Jefferson hill climb, having participated in 2010 and 2015. This year, Kroplick will be driving the “Black Beast,” a restored racecar that won the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cup races and was in the first Indy 500.
“The hill climb has a kind of a legacy about the beginnings of automotive history, not only on Long Island but throughout the United States. We respect history by participating in this event. Also, it’s a lot of fun. It gives [drivers and spectators] the opportunity to utilize these cars and see them in action; most car shows are really stationary,” added Kroplick.
Sponsored by the Port Jefferson Conservancy, East End Shirt Company, Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry, Blacktop Yacht Club and the Village of Port Jefferson, the Port Jefferson Hill Climb is free to the public with a rain date of Aug. 21. For more information, please call 631-965-0797.
Please note: Parking at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson is reserved for the hill climb’s participants; other public lots are available to spectators.
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