Halloween is enjoyed by people of all ages, but few get a bigger kick out of the holiday than children. There are costumes to be worn, time spent with friends and the opportunity to collect free candy and other treats. Although Halloween can be a fun time, the Children’s Safety Network warns that it’s also a time when accidents can happen. According to the CSN, the most dangerous day for child pedestrians is Halloween, with two times as many child pedestrians dying on Halloween compared to other days. It is essential to prioritize safety on Halloween, and following these guidelines can help.
• Make sure costumes are short. Costumes that drag on the floor are tripping hazards, which can lead to injury. Be sure that costumes do not cover the feet or drag on the ground.
• Trick-or-treat in groups. Children are safer in numbers due to the increased visibility of a crowd and because, if something happens, others can call for help. Parents can use their discretion on what age they feel is mature enough to let children go out alone. Until then, children should be accompanied by adults.
• Improve visibility. It’s important to be seen while trick-or-treating, and that can be achieved by making sure costumes and trick-or-treat bags feature reflective tape. Trick-or-treaters also can carry flashlights or glow sticks to improve visibility, and stick to areas with streetlights if going out after dark.
• Stay on sidewalks. Whenever possible, trick-or-treaters should stick to the sidewalks and avoid walking on the roads. This may not always be possible in neighborhoods without sidewalks, where parents and youngsters must be especially careful.
• Eat before trick-or-treating. A meal or snack before trick-or-treating can reduce the tendency to fill up on candy while out and about. All candy and other treats should be inspected by an adult before it is eaten.
• Keep pets locked away. Animals can become skittish when there are many people loitering outside of homes or ringing doorbells. Keep pets in a quiet room away from the action to prevent them from getting loose, injured or scared enough to bite or scratch someone.
• Avoid masks that obstruct vision. It can be hard to see peripherally with a mask on, so avoid costumes with masks that compromise vision.
• Test out makeup beforehand. All makeup used for costumes should be tested for allergic reactions prior to use. Heed the warnings on packaging and avoid putting makeup too close to the eyes or lips.
These are some safety strategies designed to keep Halloween fun and incident-free this year.
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
19th Annual Halloweekend at Hoyt Farm. Photo courtesy of Town of Smithtown
Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve hosted its highly anticipated 19th Annual Halloweekend on Oct. 19 and 20. The beloved event, which has become a cornerstone of the Smithtown community, attracted approximately 2000 residents over the two-day celebration.
As one of the town’s most popular annual events, Halloweekend traditionally sells out without the need for advertising, and this year was no exception.
Families delighted in the array of seasonal activities that transformed the nature preserve into a spooktacular wonderland. From games and prizes to live entertainment, delicious fall fare, and an array of food options, there was no shortage of fun for attendees.
“My grandkids talk about this event all month long beforehand. They don’t want to leave the preserve at the end of the day and neither do I if I’m being completely honest. Jeff Gumin and his amazing team at Hoyt Farm devote months of planning, preparation, building and implementing Halloweekend each year. They put every ounce of heart and soul into treating everyone, like a member of their family. They truly manage to outdo the previous year every year… it’s a real testament to how much they adore caring for the preserve and the guests who visit,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.
Every year, the dedicated team at Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve creates a magical atmosphere filled with classic Halloween fun. From hayrides and pumpkin picking to spooky games, face painting, crafts, scavenger hunts, and an unforgettable haunted house, the event has something for everyone. Staff members join in the festivities, donning themed costumes to greet children and parents alike, many of whom arrive dressed in their own Halloween best.
The staff at Hoyt Farm prides themselves on making Halloweekend a memorable experience for all who attend. Their mission is simple: to create a festival where adults can feel like kids again, and children can transform into superheroes, mythical creatures, or whatever their imaginations dream up.
The Hoyt Farm Halloweekend is exclusive to Smithtown residents, offering a wide variety of games, crafts, and entertainment that bring the community together each fall.
For more information about Hoyt Farm, please visit them online or call 631-543-7804.
On October 19, Town Councilman Neil A. Manzella (left), Town Clerk Kevin J. LaValle (second from right), NYS Senator Dean Murray (second from left), and Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (right) were joined by over 550 Middle Country Youth Civic Association members for some early Halloween fun at Brookhaven Town’s Centereach Pool.
This year, the Councilman transformed his automobile trunk into the classic “Fix-it-Felix” Arcade and the Town Clerk portrayed the “Karate Kid” character, “Daniel LaRusso,” with his car trunk themed from the hit movie. Both trunks were filled with goodies for the enthusiastic “Trick or Treaters.”
Dozens of car trunks at the weekend event were changed into Halloween attractions with Town officials and
their staff handing out candy and toys to the youngsters all dressed in their pre-Halloween costumes.
Councilman Manzella and the Civic Association said the event “never disappoints!”
A Column Promoting a More Earth-Friendly Lifestyle
By John L. Turner
John Turner
As Halloween nears, countless front porches in neighborhoods throughout the North Shore will be adorned with pumpkins of many shapes, sizes and expressions. But soon, following Halloween but perhaps lasting until Thanksgiving, their use as ornaments to frighten, amuse, and delight will end and homeowners are faced with what to do with them. Nationally, this is no small issue, as the United States Department of Agriculture notes about one billion pounds of pumpkins are thrown away each fall.
If you’re looking for a more environmentally beneficial alternative than putting pumpkins in your curbside trash where they can cause methane production problems, you can:
1) Compost your pumpkins (breaking them into smaller pieces accelerates the composting process);
2) If there’s a farm, petting zoo, or a neighbor with chickens, bring them your pumpkins to nourish their animals;
3) Leave the pumpkins in a back corner to feed squirrels and other backyard wildlife through the cold season; or
4) Consume them! Puree the flesh for soup, pie or pumpkin bread and roast and salt the seeds (high in several minerals).
By following one of these practices you’ll conclude your celebration of the fall holiday season in a way that also celebrates the planet!
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.
Halloween Pet Parade 2024. Photo from Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation
Halloween Pet Parade 2024. Photo from Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation
Halloween Pet Parade 2024. Photo from Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation
Halloween Pet Parade 2024. Photo from Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation
Halloween Pet Parade 2024. Photo from Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation
Residents of Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Commack were all smiles as staff brought their furry companions to strut their stuff in their first annual Halloween Dog Parade, complete with costumes, treats and wagging tails!
“We are so excited to host our first annual Halloween Dog Parade for our residents,” said Nicole Hopper, Director of Therapeutic Recreation at the 460-bed facility. “Not only did the parade make our residents smile, but also it made them reminisce about growing up with their own pets. Pet therapy is extremely beneficial, and we look forward to continuing our pet therapy programs here at Gurwin.”
The parade took place in the Gurwin Center’s Simon Rainbow Room, where a dozen four-legged friends of Gurwin staff were dolled up in creative Halloween attire. With Hopper serving as the MC, the dogs, along with their owners, were able to flaunt their costumes down the makeshift runway with Gurwin residents flanking both sides.
Costumes included Wonder Woman, The Incredibles, Elvis, a shark, a pirate and a Beanie Baby, and treats were waiting for the pups including Halloween spooky snacks and pup cups!
“I very much enjoyed the parade because it was so nice to see the Gurwin staff with their dogs,” said Nina Klanke, Gurwin Center resident. “I myself had two dogs that were Cocker Spaniels, and they were so much fun and great company. Being at the parade today reminded me of the happy memories that I made with my own dogs.”
Children can trick or treat at the Stony Brook Village Center during the Ward Melville Heritage Organization's annual Halloween Festival on Oct. 31. Photo from WMHO
By Heidi Sutton
Halloween is such a fun time of year. Whether you like to go on a haunted hayride, a spooky walk, join a parade or go trick or treating, here are 31 Halloween events on the North Shore to enjoy. Happy Halloween!
Calverton
Haunted Hollow Fundraiser
Baiting Hollow Scout Camp, 1774 Sound Ave., Calverton will host a Haunted Trail and Haunted House on Oct. 25 and 26 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Prepare yourself for a night filled with spine-tingling frights and eerie sights! Admission is $20 per person at www.sccbsa.org/hollowhaunted.
Centerport
Halloween Boo at the Museum
The Vanderbilt Museum Education Department, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents Halloween Boo at the Museum on Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Young children in Preschool with an adult are invited to hear a museum educator read a Halloween book and then make a craft project inspired by the story. Cost is $20 per child. Register at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. 631-854-5552.
Cold Spring Harbor
Haunted Hatchery
Calling all ghosts and goblins, spiders and bones … Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor will host a Haunted Hatchery on Oct. 26 from 2 to 5 p.m. Families are welcome to join them for a not-so-scary Haunted Hatchery. Trick-or-Treat your way through their outdoor grounds. Admission fee is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. 516-692-6768, www.cshfishhatchery.org
Commack
Trunk-N-Treat
Commack United Methodist Church, 486 Townline Road, Commack presents its 6th annualTrunk-N-Treat event on Oct. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. Children can trick or treat for candy at festively decorated car trunks and enjoy games, crafts and activities. Free. 631-499-7310
East Setauket
Trunk or Treats
◆ Messiah Lutheran Church, 465 Pond Path, East Setauket hosts a Trunk or Treat on the front lawn on Oct. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. Free. 631-751-1775
◆ Three Village Church, 322 Main St., East Setauket presents a Trunk or Treat Fall Festival on Oct. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. Enjoy decorated car trunks to “trick or treat” through, bounce house, face painting, games and more. Free. 631-941-3670
Spooky Walk
Setauket Fire Department, 394 Nicolls Road, East Setauket hosts its third annual Spooky Walk on Oct. 26 from 6 to 10 p.m. Come down for some family fun and trick or treating! Free, Rain date is Oct. 27. 631-941-4900
Haunted Hayrides
They’re baaaaack! Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket will offer Haunted Hayrides on Oct. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. Get ready for a thrilling tractor ride through the haunted woods where friendly frights and magical moments await! This adventure is designed to be just spooky enough to send shivers down your spine! *The first hour of each night will be kid friendly. Tickets are $12 per person. To register, visit www.bennersfarm.com. 631-689-8172
Farmingdale
The Haunted Hangar Halloween Party returns to the American Airpower Museum on Oct. 26.
Haunted Hangar Halloween Party
American Airpower Museum, 1230 New Highway, Hangar 3, Farmingdale presents a Haunted Hangar Halloween Party, Fright Takes Flight, on Oct 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. complete with a haunted house with spooky warbirds, and ghosts, witches, and goblins! Enjoy a tour of a haunted bomber, take part in a costume contest, and dare to enter the maze of terror at this family friendly event. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and veterans, $10 for children ages 5 to 12. 631-293-6398
Farmingville
Trick or Treat Trail
Join the Farmingville Historical Society on Oct. 26 for a Trick or Treat Trail at Farmingville Hills County Park, 503 Horseblock Road, Farmingville from noon to 2 p.m. Come in costume and trick or treat along a trail while learning about the history of candy. Fill your bag with real, full-size candy treats. The entry fee is $15 per trick or treater. Parents are welcome to escort their children without paying. All Trick or Treaters must pre-register at www.farmingvillehistoricalsociety.org
Haunted Firehouse
Farmingville Fire Department, 1080 Portion Road, Farmingville presents a Haunted Firehouse on Oct. 25, 26, 27 and 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. Visitors will step into a world of horror where the firehouse transforms into a haunted haven of the macabre. Tickets are $15 per person at www.longislandhauntedfirehouse.org. A Not So Scary event will be held on Oct. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission for that event is $20 per family (up to 6 people), cash only.
Hauppauge
Trick or Treat at the Library
Hauppauge Public Library, 1373 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge invites the community to trick or treat in their parking lot on Oct. 25 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Community members will be decorating their trunks in fun and spooky themes and will pass out candy to trick or treaters. The library will also have snacks, games, crafts, and other activities. Free and open to all. 631-979-1600.
Huntington
Trunk or Treat
Town of Huntington presents its 2nd annual Trunk or Treat at the Cinema Arts Centre parking lot, 423 Park Ave., Huntington on Oct. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. This free event will feature candy, music, a trunk design contest, and more.
Halloween at the Heckscher
Families are invited to celebrate Halloween at the Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington on Oct. 27 and Oct. 31 from noon to 5 p.m. Create a spooktacular art activity, make a haunted Digital Action painting, and take home a festive treat! Free admission. Costumes encouraged. Free. 631-380-3230, www.heckscher.org
Halloween Costume Parade
The annual Downtown “Hauntington” Village Halloween Costume Parade returns to the Town of Huntington on Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. Sponsored by Town of Huntington, Councilwoman Joan Cergol, Dr. Dave Bennardo, and the Huntington Village BID. Line-up at the Huntington Post Office, 55 Gerard St., Huntington for a parade. Trick or treat at designated village merchants before and after the parade. Free. 631-351-3173
Lake Grove
Halloween at Smith Haven Mall
Join the Smith Haven Mall, Moriches Road, Lake Grove for a spooktacular, fun trick-or-treating for all the little ghouls and goblins on Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (while supplies last*) If you want to know what retailers and restaurants may have tricks or treats for the little ones on Halloween, keep and eye out for the pumpkin in their windows. Free. 631-724-1433
Miller Place
Spooky Lantern Walking Tour
The Miller Place Mount Sinai Historical Society, 75 North Country Road, Miller Place presents its annual Spooky Lantern Tour, a not-too-scary walking tour of the haunted history of Miller Place, on Oct. 25 and 26 at 5:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. A guide from the MPMS Historical Society who will regale you with all the spooky stories surrounding this pre-Revolutionary War town. Bring a lantern or flashlight and wear comfortable shoes. For ages 10 and up. $20 per person. Advance registration required at www.mpmshistoricalsociety.org.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt
The Miller Place Mount Sinai Historical Society, 75 North Country Road, Miller Place will hold a Halloween Candy Scavenger Hunt on Oct. 31 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., a historic way to celebrate the spooky season with friends and family. Visit the historic William Miller Hours, post office, barn and the schoolhouse to grab some treats! This is a free event while supplies last. 631-476-5742
Northport
Howl-Ween Pet Pawrade
Suffolk County Legislator Stephanie Bontempi, Village of Northport Mayor Donna Koch, and the Northport Farmers’ Market will be hosting the Howl-Ween Pet Pawrade in Northport Village Park on Oct. 26 at 9 a.m. Bring your furry friends dressed in their best Halloween costumes to join the fun and have a chance to win a prize!
The parade lineup will meet in the Village Park behind the basketball court. The parade route will proceed around the playground and will end by the Farmers’ Market, where vendors and volunteers will judge the pet costumes. Winners will receive prizes donated by local pet stores and will have their pets highlighted on social media. Free. Rain date is Nov. 2. 631-854-4500
Port Jefferson Station
Boo-wl Tastic Halloween Party
Port Jeff Bowl, 31 Chereb Lane, Port Jefferson Station will hold a Boo-wl Tastic Halloween Party on Oct. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. $30 per person includes two hours of bowling with shoes, cosmic bowling with Halloween theme and music, goodie bag for each child, kids costume parade and contest. Reserve online at www.portjeffbowl.com.
Rocky Point
Trunk or Treat
The North Shore Youth Council and the Rocky Point PTA present its annual Trunk Or Treat! event at the Joseph A. Edgar School, 525 Route 25A, Rocky Point on Oct. 27 from 2 to 5 p.m. with decorated cars and trunks, candy and non-edible treats, face painting, crafts and photo prop. Costumes encouraged. Free.
St. James
Halloween painting workshop
Discover your inner artist! The Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield, Suite 6 and 9, St. Jameshosts a kids painting workshop on Saturday Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. No tricks, just treats with Miss Linda as she teaches you how to paint this yummy Halloween ice cream painting step by step. $55 per child includes an 11×14 canvas and art supplies. To register, visit www.theatelieratflowerfield.org. For more info, call 631-250-9009.
Deepwells Haunted Mansion
Deepwells Farm Historical Society, 2 Taylor Lane, St. James transforms the Deepwells mansion into the spine-chilling splendor of a Deepwells Freak Show for Halloween on Oct. 25, 26, Nov. 1 and 2 from 7 to 10 p.m. This year, history and horror intertwine at the haunted historic estate, now transformed into a peculiar spectacle where all your nightmares come to life. Not suitable for young children. Advance tickets are $30 at www.deepwellshauntedmansion.com, $40 at the door. 631-862-2808
Halloween Parade
The Community Association of Greater St. James presents its annual Halloween Parade on Oct. 27 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at the Gazebo on Lake Avenue dressed in your Halloween best to parade around the park. Free. 631-360-7620
Smithtown
Spooky Woods & Trick O’ Treat
Smithtown Historical Society, 239 East Main St., Smithtown presents a family-friendly Spooky Woods and Trick O’ Treat event on October 25, 26, 27, 30, and 31 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Take a spooktacular walk through a haunted trail, where little ones will have a great time seeing Halloween displays on one side and farm animals on the other. Enjoy trick o’ treating and say hi to craft and food vendors (and maybe some jolly ghosts) at this unique Halloween experience for the entire family. Don’t miss the hayride (additional charge) through the spooky woods! $10 per person, kids under 3 free. 631-265-6768
Stony Brook
Halloween Family Fun Day
Family Fun Day is back at the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook just in time for Halloween! Join them on Oct. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. forpumpkin painting, trick-or-treating, crafts and more. Wear your Halloween costume if you wish. Free admission. 631-751-0066, www.longislandmuseum.org
Halloween Festival
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization hosts its 34th annual Halloween Festival at the Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main St., Stony Brook on Oct. 31 from 2 to 5 p.m. with trick or treating in the shops and restaurants, Halloween parade, games and Monster Mash dancing — wear your best costume! Scarecrow competition winners announced at 3:30 p.m. Free. 631-751-2244, www.wmho.org
Wading River
Safe Trick or Treat at The Shoppes
The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River invites all goblins & ghouls & children dressed in costume to enjoy a safe outdoor Trick or Treating on Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. 631-929-3500
Darkside Haunted House
It’s fear at its finest! Named the 15th “Scariest Haunted House” in the country by TravelandLeisure.com, the Darkside Haunted House, 5184 Route 25A, Wading River is guaranteed to provide spine-tingling thrills that will make your blood run cold. Remaining dates are Oct. 24 to 27, Oct 30 and 31 and Nov. 1 and 2. General admission is $35 per person. Visit www.darksideproductions.com for hours and tickets.
Yaphank
Halloween on the Farm
The Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank presents Halloween on the Farm on Oct. 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Come Trick or Treat at the farm and see what the animals have for you! Treats will be provided at a dozen stations, unlimited wagons rides, kids crafts, corn maze and family games included. Pumpkins can be purchased for an additional cost. Fee is $20 for ages 1 to 18, $10 per adult at the door. Call 631-852-4600 or visit www.ccesuffolk.org for further information
Yaphank
Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank hosts a Truck or Treat event on Oct. 29from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy truck or treating, trick or treating around the farm, crafts, wagon rides, games, farm animal visits, corn maze and more. Costumes encouraged. $15 children ages 1 to 17, $5 adults. Register at www.eventbrite.com. 631-852-4600.
As much as I regret saying this and disappointing my enthusiastic friends, I don’t much care for Halloween. Yes, I admire the creativity that goes into the decorations, the costumes, the stories and the efforts to make great parties. I also like the candy. But there is an undercurrent of something uncontrollable about the holiday, almost as if it is a license that day to egg a garage or knock down a mailbox. The Trick-or-Treat slogan makes me uneasy.
Maybe this is the result of having had those minor but annoying experiences. How many of us, when the next day dawns, look around to see if there is any graffiti on our houses or flat tires on our cars?
I have dear friends who dress up in clever costumes and become those characters for a few hours. It’s fun for many of us, children and adults. My all time favorite was when my friend, John, came as a toilet bowl. And it actually flushed. I love to see small children running through the neighborhood as Batman or Spock, imaginations at play. They tightly clutch their bags of treasure, eyes wide with wonder at being handed treats by someone in the doorway of every house on the block. And it is a chance for costumed adults to play at being children again.
So I guess I have what are called “mixed feelings” about Halloween.
I am not alone in this. There are others who, in the extreme, actually fear the holiday. That fear has a medical term: samhainophobia. Here is the professional definition. “People with this specific phobia feel anxious when they think about or experience anything to do with Halloween. Many people with samhainophobia (sam-HI-noh-phobia) have gone through a past traumatic situation related to Halloween. Exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and hypnotherapy can help overcome samhainophobia…Such anxiety can be caused at the thought of Halloween parties, symbols such as ghosts and spiders and trick-or-treating.”
Symptoms, ranging from mild to extreme, can include dizziness, intense sweating, pale skin, panic attacks, rapid breathing and heart rate, strong feeling of terror, nausea and trembling or shaking. For children who are so triggered, avoiding the dark, not wanting to go to school on Halloween, even not wanting to sleep by themselves can be manifestations of this anxiety disorder.
Samhain comes from the Celtic festival first celebrated by the druids some 2000 years ago. The Celts lived primarily in what is now Ireland, the U.K. and northern France, and they believed that on October 31, the living mingled with the dead. That was the night before the Celtic New Year. The festival included large bonfires, animal sacrifices to please the dead, and costumes of animal skins and heads on the participants.
I did enjoy Halloween when I was in elementary school and growing up in an apartment building. My mother would let me put together some semblance of a costume, including a bath towel tied cape-like on my back, and I would run around the hallway, ringing door bells and yelling “Trick-or-Treat!” I still remember being amazed when residents who normally kept to themselves would open their doors, smile, and hand me candy or an apple. I knew nothing of Celts and druids, but I was thrilled by the power to awaken neighborly response and be rewarded for my efforts.
Some people, here in the suburbs, may put out scary monsters, faux graveyards, giant spiders crawling across their huge webs, and all manner of spooks on their front lawns. Box stores seem to make as much money at this time of the year as they do at Christmas. The 12 foot skeletons even come with eyes that light up menacingly and audio that episodically screams. While this is a demonstration of decorating artistry, perhaps it is our way of safely laughing at death.
Jewel is up for adoption at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter
Free Animal Shelter Adoptions from October 27-31
The Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center’s 2024 “Howl-o-ween Doggie Costume Parade” will be held on Sunday, October 27 from noon to 3 p.m. Children are encouraged to come in costume, ready for Trick or Treating and photos with the shelter’s costumed canines.
Witness a Husky transformed into a Frog Princess, a“Bulldog Banana Split and the cutest little Yorkie Pumpkin.These lovable, adoptable pups are sure to steal the show. The Barktoberfest celebration includes free adoptions from October 27-31 and include neuter or spay, vaccinations, microchip, license, FIV/FELV tested, flea and fecal.
The Brookhaven Town Animal Shelter and Adoption Center is located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. It is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information, call 631-451-6950 or visit www.Brookhavenny.gov/animalshelter.
Just in time for Halloween, the Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery will present its 13th annual student exhibition, Nightmare on Main Street, from Oct. 22 to Nov. 9.
According to HAC’s Executive Director Kieran Johnson, this year’s call to student artists in grades 6 to 12 expanded to new districts across both Nassau and Suffolk counties, resulting in submissions from 19 individual schools.
Each year the Nightmare on Main Street theme takes a different twist. Juror Candido Crespo inspired the students with the following thought-provoking statement.
“Art is a bridge, where cultural symbols dance between the vibrant hues of joy and the chilling shadows of fear. It reveals the soul of a society. Through its forms, we see celebrations of festivals painted in jubilant colors, yet whispers of anxieties told through stories molded by mythology or etched in ancient monuments. … Using the medium of your choice, create a work that exemplifies your culture as a vibrant tapestry. This tapestry should reflect the joys, fears, and traditions that make your community unique.”
Of the 147 pieces submitted by 103 students, Candido chose 47 pieces to be featured in this year’s show.
“I’m truly honored to have reviewed such exceptional submissions. All the young artists are incredibly talented and have promising futures. The selected works showcase a remarkable combination of skill, effort, and compelling narratives. I eagerly anticipate seeing the exhibition,” he said.
Exhibiting artists include Maxwell Asadourian, Ava Beck, Isabella Bermudez, Eden Bonamassa, Gwen Carfora, Audrey Chen, Jacqueline Chen, Yijia Chen, Maggie Deegan, Shawn Delcasse, Daniela DeLillo, Grace Deng, Pavithra Eswar, Iiyah Fearrington, Madeline Francis, Divya Ganshani, Rebecca Gillon, Alice Hammerquist, Henry Hartmann, Khushpreet Kaur, Yitong Ke, Zahra Khan, Hannah Lee, Wandaly Leo Perez, Caitlin Liu, Liam McGrory-Luikart, Melanie Mejia, Kaitlin Melling, Eva Mena, Amanda Morales, Christopher Murray, Taylor Nappi, Karin Pan, Lillian Pu, Toni Reyes-Sorto, Deanna Santos, Corey Shack, Grace Schoonmaker, Mickayla Sharkey, Kyla Simms, Alivia Stephenson, Maxine Tian, Leah Trope, Thomas Wasylyshyn, Emma Wilck and Sophia Wolinetz.
The remaining 100 pieces of artwork will be featured in the online gallery at www.huntingtonarts.org.
Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery, 213 Main Street, Huntington is open from Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekends TBD. For more information, call 631-271-8423.
From left, magicians Jim Vines and Mike Maione will be at Theatre Three on Halloween night.
By Melissa Arnold
Journalism is exciting for many reasons, but for me, getting to have new experiences tops the list. Last week, I had my mind read over Zoom. That’s a first!
Magicians Jim Vines and Michael Maione were eager to share some of their gifts with me at the end of my interview about their upcoming shows.
Vines is an absolute believer in the supernatural, and he said that a spirit could carry information over the many miles between his home and mine.
To demonstrate, Vines scribbled a three-digit number on a mini chalkboard without showing me. He set down his chalk and smiled. “Well, I’m committed now. Open your heart, and ask the spirit to tell you what I’ve written here.”
I played along, but I was nervous about ruining the trick — there are 900 possible three-digit numbers, after all. The odds of guessing correctly were miniscule. I shrugged and said, “I don’t know about this, Jim, but my number is 781.”
He grinned and showed me what he’d written — 781. Stunned, I screamed.
Maione shook his head. “That was creepy, Jim. I don’t want any spirits around here. Let’s send them away.”
He made a table appear out of thin air, lit a candle with a snap of his fingers, and then wrote the words “Spirit, go home!” on a piece of paper. He held the paper up to the flame, and the words vanished as the candle flickered out.
Spooky? Yes. Fun? Absolutely.
On Halloween night, Vines and Maione will invite the daring into a 70-minute experience of magic, mystery and history with Haunted Encounters: A Halloween Experience at Theatre Three.
The show is the first of its kind at the Port Jefferson theater. Following the success of their kid-friendly “Silly Sorcery Showcase” over the summer, Director of Development Douglas Quattrock said they hoped to produce a magic show geared more toward adults.
Add in the intimate, close-up setting of their downstairs second stage, the building’s lengthy history and ongoing rumors of hauntings at the theater, and you have the recipe for the perfect Halloween outing.
“A lot of people that work with us here are really of the belief that there are a couple of ghosts that hang around at the theater, including Fred Griswold, who used to run the machine shop,” Quattrock explained.
As he began to search for magicians to bring in, Mike Maione reached out in hopes of beginning a long-term partnership with Theatre Three.
Maione is both a skilled illusionist and producer of the Parlor of Mystery magic shows that were previously based in Lindenhurst. With Quattrock looking for magicians and Maione seeking a new venue for the Parlor, it was a win-win situation for everyone. They’re now planning to host magic shows several times a year.
Vines and Maione have very different magical backgrounds, but they share the same earnestness and curiosity about their craft. There’s always something new to learn, they said, and they’re constantly experimenting with new ways to push boundaries and impress a crowd. They became friends about 10 years ago, with Vines making frequent appearances in Parlor of Mystery shows.
Vines became “completely enamored” with the art of illusion at 12 years old when a classmate made an object disappear. Young Jim was gobsmacked, and immediately dove into reading everything the school library offered on magic and the supernatural. He went on to win national competitions, performing on television, off-Broadway and around the world.
For Maione, magic came along in his 40s. His wife had a friend who always brought a little pocket trick with him whenever he would come over for dinner and would show Maione how it worked. After several dinners, Maione had a whole collection of magic tricks, and his wife suggested he do a show for his daughter and her friends when they were young. Maione now focuses on comedic magic and has performed throughout the northeastern U.S. and as a member of the prestigious Magic Circle in London. He’s also a well-known magic lecturer and Youtuber.
Both men set performing aside for a time to focus on their families and careers, with Vines working in marketing and Maione as a hospital administrator.
“My wife thought the magic thing was just a phase,” Maione joked. “But once you get bit by the bug, it really stays with you.”
Haunted Encounters represents a departure from their usual material.
“We’re trying to bring together some of the spirits floating around Long Island. We’re going to have a good amount of audience participation, and some wonderful stories to tell. The theater is 150 years old and a lot of interesting, sometimes spooky things are said to have happened there,” Maione said.
Vines is hoping for a truly supernatural experience, and urges people to come to the show with an open mind. Anything can happen on Halloween, he said.
“The elements that we’re bringing into this experience are things we don’t do every day,” he added. “We’ll be experimenting with pendulum magic, a little bit of Tarot and all sorts of other fun surprises. Maybe some spirits will come to join us, too.”
Haunted Encounters: A Halloween Magic Experience will be held at Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson on Thursday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. and again 8 p.m. Please note, this show may be frightening for children and is not recommended for those under the age of 13. Parental guidance is encouraged. Tickets are $40. To order, visit www.theatrethree.com or call the Box Office at 631-928-9100.
Prev
