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Brookhaven Councilmembers Bonner and Kornreich speak with Sunshine Alternative Education Center students

by Press Release - October 21, 2024

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On October 18, Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner (back row, fifth from right) and Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (kneeling at right) visited the Sunshine Alternative Education Center (SAEC) in Port Jefferson Station to speak with the students about their roles on the Brookhaven Town Council. Also pictured is Dr. Carol Carter (second from right) Administrator/Prevention Professional.

The mission of the SAEC is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for all children and families that is designed to build self-esteem and positive social skills, empower youth to make healthy choices and decisions, prevent or reduce substance abuse and violence, and strengthen connections between families, schools and communities. Sunshine Prevention Center provides a variety of prevention-focused programs and services to the youth and families in Suffolk County.

For more information, go to www.sunshinepreventionctr.org.

Running for Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook University Hospital

by TBR Staff - October 20, 2024

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StartofRace — The start of the race. Photo by Matt Tisdell

By Matt Tisdell

More than 250 Long Islanders gathered at Stony Brook University on Sunday to participate in Anthony’s Red Shoe FUNd Run in support of the widespread fundraising effort for the $30 million Ronald McDonald House, which is set to be built next to Stony Brook University Hospital.

Lisa Muratori, a professor at the Stony Brook University School of Health Professions, led the event, which was held in honor of her nephew Anthony Petrocelli, who passed away in 2019, at 16 years old, after fighting ewing sarcoma for two years. Dr. Muratori’s family relied upon the Ronald McDonald House room in the children’s hospital during his time spent in the hospital, and they got involved with the charity after his passing with hopes that the hospital would expand from its current two rooms to a larger entity.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro chapter plans to open the 60,000-square-foot building, containing 30 suites, by the end of 2026, with the house’s official groundbreaking event occurring this past May. The first of its kind in Suffolk County, the house will host the families of those being cared for in the children’s hospital free of charge, with amenities like daily meals, laundry facilities, full pantries, and a gym provided during their stays.

“The Ronald McDonald House isn’t just a place to stay, it’s a place where families can find comfort, hope, and a sense of normalcy during incredibly difficult hard times,” Stacy Gropack, Dean of the School of Health Professions said before the race.

Lisa Muratori and Family. Photo by Matt Tisdell

“Whether you’re running, walking, cheering or volunteering, we appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts. Every step you take brings us closer to making sure that we can achieve the goals of the Ronald McDonald House and getting one on campus.”

Participants either ran in the 5k race or walked in a one-mile lap around the campus, with entry to the race costing $40 for the 5k, $30 for the one-mile and $20 for Stony Brook students. All in attendance were eligible for post-run raffles, with prizes ranging from T-shirts to gift cards, and were able to grab breakfast and lunch from food trucks surrounding the Student Activity Center for free.

Felipe Garcia, a 42-year-old long-distance runner from Port Jefferson Station, won first place in the 5k race with a time of 19 minutes and 30 seconds. He and his housemate, Lennie Nemerovsky, a 69-year-old retired pharmacist, previously attended the Head of the Harbor race held in April by the Ronald McDonald House Charities in St. James.

Stacy Gropack speaks at the event. Photo by Matt Tisdell

“We try to support the good intentions of the school to build a place for the parents of sick children to have a place to stay,” Nemerovsky said.

Muratori was pleased with the turnout and looks forward to the upcoming construction of the Ronald McDonald House. “We had a huge number of people, we raised a lot of money and everyone had a great time, we couldn’t be happier,” Muratori said after the race. “

We’re going to break ground and should be open by the end of 2026, so Suffolk County, take a look, we’re going to have a great big Ronald McDonald House right here on the Stony Brook campus.”

Matt Tisdell is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism Working Newsroom program for students and local media.

Theatre Three to host spooky night of Halloween magic

by Melissa Arnold - October 18, 2024

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Theatre Three magic show — 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.

Sweetbriar Nature Center scares the masses at their Halloween Spooktacular

by Toni-Elena Gallo - October 18, 2024

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By Toni-Elena Gallo

Ghoulies, ghosties and other Halloween creepies spooked patrons for an evening of fun and excitement, at Sweetbriar Nature Center’s Oct. 12th Halloween Spooktacular. Guests to the Smithtown grounds enjoyed eerie animal presentations, a ghostly garden, creepy crafts, scary stories, a night walk as well as fall-favorite snacks!

Visitors flock to Heckscher Park for 30th annual Long Island Fall Festival

by Jennifer Donatelli - October 17, 2024

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By Jennifer Donatelli

It was a beautiful autumn weekend for families and friends attending the Long Island Fall Festival in Huntington last weekend. The four-day, free event took place at Heckscher Park during Columbus Day weekend from Oct. 12 to 14, kicking off the festivities with live music and a world-class carnival on Friday night.

The largest of its kind in the Northeast and now in its 30th year, the Long Island Fall Festival has become the premier event for family fun. Filled with excitement at every turn, the carnival featured thrilling rides, games and classic carnival food.

Hundreds of vendors lined Madison and Prime Streets, adjacent to Heckscher Park, as well as around the pond and inside the park grounds. The Local Craft Beer and Wine Tent showcased beverages sourced locally from Six Harbors Brewing Company in Huntington.

The annual event attracts tens of thousands of people from all over Long Island and the Tri-State area. It even boasts an international food court serving a wide variety of options from classic festival fare to global cuisines.

For those who love to shop, the festival’s marketplace featured more than 300 vendors selling everything from handmade crafts to baked goods, jewelry and unique gifts. For many vendors, it was their first foray at the festival.

Ivan Reiter, owner of The Barking Biscuit, which makes all-natural dog treats, personalized cookies, birthday cakes and wedding favors, said he heard many great things about the festival and decided to participate this year.

Mr. Reiter’s business started as a hobby during COVID when everyone was getting dogs and has since expanded. He explained, “We got our name out, started small, and went from a small tent at events to a trailer, and now we’re in a bus!”

One of the most sought-after vendors was Sugaring NYC, a franchise company that makes scrubs from brown sugar, lemon and water, creating an alternative to using hot wax for hair removal. Owner Carolina Costa shared that she even uses it on her hands to get rid of age spots.

“You can also use the scrubs in the shower or mix them in with your body wash for deep exfoliation in the comfort of your own home,” she explained.

Cathy O’Connor of Northport came with a friend to shop and sample some craft beers. She ended up purchasing scrubs, soap and jewelry from various vendors. Ms. O’Connor thinks the festival is “the best way to support local businesses, find one-of-a-kind treasures and spend the day with family and friends.”

For those who don’t like to cook, The Spice Cabinet sold hand-blended spices and herbs in ready-to-cook packets complete with ingredients and directions. The owner, who goes solely by Jean, explained that everything needed is in the bag.

“You just have to boil water. It’s great for people on the go who need a quick and easy meal or for college students who don’t have time to cook,” she said.

Highlights from the weekend included a Columbus Day parade, a meatball-eating contest and a magic show for children. Live performances on the Harry Chapin Rainbow Stage featured dance numbers by students from Laura’s Yoga and Fitness in Huntington and high schoolers from the Long Island School for the Arts in Syosset. Kids also enjoyed free art activities at the Heckscher Museum’s terrace.

In addition to on-street parking, visitors to the festival were allowed to park for free at the Huntington LIRR station and take a $2 round-trip shuttle bus to the park.

For more information or to get involved in next year’s Long Island Fall Festival as a volunteer or vendor, visit www.lifallfestival.com.

Kids Korner: Oct. 17 to 24, 2024

by Heidi Sutton - October 16, 2024

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PURE IMAGINATION Catch a screening of 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' at the Cinema Arts Centre on Oct. 20.

PROGRAMS

First Steps in Nature

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown continues its First Steps in Nature series for ages 2 to 4 on Oct. 18 at 9:30 a.m. with hands-on exciting activities, crafts, stories and much more. Children will gain a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife while having fun. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Lights Out @ The Museum

Lights out! The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor presents Lights Out @ The Museum on Oct. 18 and 19 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tour the museum in the dark! Brave visitors can use provided blacklight flashlights to hunt for glowing skulls hidden in the shadows of the darkened exhibits. Find them all and win a prize! Free with admission. No registration required. 631-367-3418

Wildlife Wonders: Spooky Species

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown continues its Wildlife Wonders series for ages 2 to 4 with a Spooky Species program on Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. An experienced educator will lead your youngster through hands-on exciting activities, crafts, stories and much more! Children will gain a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife while having fun. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Pumpkin Fun

Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket presents a Pumpkin Fun Workshop for ages 4 to 8 on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. Try some pumpkins practically every way. Decorate them, eat them, play pumpkin games and help carve them. Children will leave with a decorated pumpkin. $40 per child. To register, call 631-689-8172.

Trunk or Treat at the Pool

Middle Country Youth Civic and Brookhaven Town Councilman Neil Manzella presents the 3rd annual Trunk or Treat at the Centereach Pool parking lot, 286 Hawkins Road, Centereach on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. Enjoy trick or treating at the decorated cars and enjoy fun games and activities. Free. Rain date is Oct. 20. 631-451-6647

Growing Up Wild

Town of Brookhaven presents a fall nature program, Growing Up Wild, for ages 3 to 6 with a parent/caregiver on Oct. 19 at West Meadow Beach in East Setauket at 10 a.m. and at Cedar Beach Nature Center in Mount Sinai at 2 p.m. Learn about nature and take part in an activity. Halloween costumes encouraged. Free but registration is required by emailing [email protected].

Spooky Saturday at the Farm

Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead presents a Spooky Saturday at the Farm on Oct. 19 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Join them in the spooky Homestead Barn for stories, sweets, crafts and more. Come in costume if you like. $10 per child. To register, visit www.hallockville.org.

Art in the Barn

Walt Whitman Birthplace, Huntington Station continues its Art in Barn series on Oct 19 at 11:30 a.m. Learn about Andy Warhol’s cats! Bring a photo of your favorite pet/animal to draw. For children in Pre K through 3rd grade with parent/guardian. $25 child and guardian, $20 second child. Register at www.waltwhitman.org.

Halloween Hayride

Northport Chamber of Commerce presents the annual Halloween Hayride in Northport Village Park on Oct. 20 from noon to 4 p.m. with hayrides, pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, live music, petting zoo, costume contest & refreshments. Fun for the whole family! Rain date is Oct. 27. 631-754-3905

Make a Fall Greeting Card

During the Port Jeff Harvest Festival on Oct. 19 and 20, the Long Island Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson will offer a Fall Leaf Rubbing Greeting Card activity from 1 to 5 p.m. Free with admission to the museum. 631-331-3277

Halloween Party and Trunk or Treat

Join St. Gerard Majella, 300 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for an All Saints/Halloween Party and Trunk or Treat in the Parish Hall and parking lot on Oct. 19 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Enjoy crafts, cupcake decorating, games, wrap the mummy contest, trunk or treat and more. Admission is a canned good or food pantry donation. Held rain or shine. 631-473-2900

Storytime Under the Stars

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents a special evening of storytelling and stargazing on Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. A live narrator at the front of the theater will bring selected picture books to life, with pages projected onto the Planetarium dome for families to enjoy the illustrations and follow along. Between stories, an astronomy educator will explore seasonal constellations visible from here on Long Island. All children are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and bring their favorite stuffed animal. $8 per person. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Reptile Themed Scavenger Hunt

In honor of Reptile Awareness Day, the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor will hold a reptile themed scavenger hunt on Oct. 20 and 21 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Explore the hatchery and solve the riddles. Free with admission fee of $7 adults, $5 children ages 3 to 12. 516-692-6768

Story & Craft with Nana Carol

The Next Chapter bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington hosts a Story and Craft event with Nana Carol on Oct. 21 at 10:30 a.m. Free. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008

Halloween Scene at the Library

Skele-brate Halloween by coming to a spook-tacular program at Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket on Oct. 23. Families with children up to Grade 6 can enjoy a walk through the Suffolk Libraries Community Bus decorated for Halloween from 3 to 5 p.m. and take part in a Spooky Rock Painting class from 4 to 6 p.m. Open to all. No registration required. Questions? Email [email protected].

A Tiny Tots Halloween!

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parway, Kings Park presents a Tiny Tots program, Halloween!, on Oct. 24 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children ages 3 to 5 and their parent/caregiver will enjoy short walks, story time, animal visitors, and crafts. $4 cash per child. Reserve your space on www.eventbrite.com

FILM

‘Hocus Pocus’

Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mount Sinai concludes its Movies in the Moonlight series with a screening of Hocus Pocus on Oct. 18. Movie begin at dusk. Bring seating. Presented by the North Shore Youth Council and Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon. 631-403-4846

‘Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave, Huntington continues its Cinema For Kids sereis with a screening of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971) on Oct. 20 at noon. Tickts are $13 adults, $5 children ages 12 and under. www.cinemaartscentre.org

THEATER

‘Rapunzel’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Rapunzel: A Tangled Fairytale from Sept. 28 to Oct. 27. Rapunzel’s sixteenth birthday has come, meaning that she’ll be able to see the outside world for the first time, just as her “mother” promised. Scared to let her go, though, the witch reneges. Lucky for Rapunzel a young Prince happens across her tower. Before the Prince and Rapunzel have their inevitable “happily ever after,” though, they’re going to have to face the wrath of the witch and a few other hilarious obstacles. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit engemantheater.com.

Halloween Princess Party

You’re invited to a special Halloween Princess Party at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown on Oct. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. and Oct. 20 and 27 at 11 a.m. Learn about Halloween traditions from different kingdoms and meet new friends. Costumes encouraged at this royal trick-or-treat! Tickets are $16. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org or call 1-800-595-4849.

‘A Kooky Spooky Halloween’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its children’s theatre season with A Kooky Spooky Halloween from Oct. 5 to 19. Recently graduated spirit Abner Perkins is assigned to the Aberdeen Boarding House — known for its spectral sightings and terrific toast. Here, Abner finds himself cast into a company of its wacky residents. Hilarious hijinks and a message of cooperation highlight this delightful musical for the entire family. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com

Send your calendar events to [email protected]

Storytime Under the Stars returns to Vanderbilt Planetarium Oct. 20

by Press Release - October 16, 2024

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Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents a special evening of storytelling and stargazing for families with young children on Sunday, Oct. 20 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A live narrator at the front of the theater will bring selected picture books to life, with pages projected onto the Planetarium dome for families to enjoy the illustrations and follow along. Between stories, an astronomy educator will explore seasonal constellations visible from here on Long Island. All children are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and bring their favorite stuffed animal.

The admission fee is $8 per person and $6 for members.

To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org or click here.

Town of Smithtown hosts ‘Trunk or Treat’ at Town Hall Oct. 20

by Press Release - October 15, 2024

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Get ready for a spook-tacular afternoon of Halloween fun at the Town of Smithtown’s FREE Trunk or Treat event on Sunday, October 20th, from noon to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at Town Hall.

The event is hosted by the Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau and the Supervisor’s Office, in conjunction with various Town of Smithtown Departments, the Youth Advisory Board, Commack School District, Smithtown Central School District, Smithtown Fire Department, Smithtown Sunrise Rotary Club, Smithtown Performing Arts Center, Smithtown Chamber of Commerce and local businesses; Coldwell Banker American Homes, North Shore Psychological Services, Saladicious, Mathnasium of Smithtown and Children of America. Families are invited to enjoy a festive afternoon of trunk or treating, games, music, and plenty of Halloween fun.

“This type of community event is great fun for all family members. It allows children to get use out of their costumes, while spending a little family time playing games and trick-or-treating in a safe location. We are so excited to bring this to the community this year and grateful to the local businesses, town departments, community members and HS students who have all volunteered to participate.” – Janine Marc-Anthony, Youth Bureau Executive Director.

This festive event offers a fun, safe twist on traditional trick-or-treating, allowing families to celebrate in a community setting without the need to wander through neighborhoods at dusk or in the dark. Often humorously referred to as “Halloween Tailgating,” Trunk or Treat events have become a beloved annual tradition, especially for families with young children.

How It Works: Participating town department, community members and businesses gather in the Town Hall parking lot, decorating their open trunks with creative and spooky themes. Children in costumes can visit each decorated car for treats, play games, and enjoy other Halloween activities—all in one safe, supervised location.

“Trunk or Treat” events have gained popularity for their convenience, family-friendly atmosphere, and enhanced safety. Parents can enjoy spending quality time with their kids and keep a close eye on them as they move from car to car—an experience that is often more manageable than door-to-door trick-or-treating.

This is a new tradition from the Town of Smithtown, aimed at bringing the community together for an afternoon of fun and festivities that the whole family can enjoy. There will be a canned goods collection set up to help support the Smithtown Food Pantry for those who choose to participate. Every contribution makes a difference. Be sure to mark your calendar and don’t miss out on this exciting Halloween event!

For questions about this event, please contact the Youth Bureau at 631-360-7595.

‘A Kooky Spooky Halloween’ celebrates 7th year at Theatre Three

by Heidi Sutton - October 12, 2024

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Time for witches, ghosts and toast!

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By Heidi Sutton

It’s kooky and it’s spooky and it’s hauntingly good. Now in it’s 7th year, A Kooky Spooky Halloween returns to Theatre Three in Port Jefferson to celebrate one of the most popular holidays of the year.

Written by Jeffrey Sanzel and Steve McCoy, the adorable musical tells the story of Abner the Ghost (Steven Uihlein) who has just graduated from Haunting High School and is assigned to be a spooksperson at Ma Aberdeen’s Boarding House, (known for being the most haunted house in Harrison Corner USA and for having the best toast!) as its last ghost, Baron Von Yost, has recently retired. Abner is given a diploma and a medallion of invisibility and is sent on his way with two rules: never haunt before sunset and never, ever lose your medallion.

But Abner has a shocker of a secret — he’s afraid of the dark! When he confides in his best friend Lavinda the Witch (Cassidy Rose O’Brien) she gifts him a nightlight and promises to help him get settled in. With Lavinda’s help, what could possibly go wrong?

It’s Halloween and Abner arrives at the boarding house just as Ma Aberdeen (Ginger Dalton) and her boarders the Petersons — Paul the periodontist (Liam Marsigliano), Penelope the p.r. professional (Katy Snair) and their daughter Pip (Sarita Alvarado) — and Kit Garret (Julia Albino), a girl who “just came from a small town to a big city with a suitcase in her hand and hope in her heart,” are stuffing goodie bags for trick-or-treaters in the kitchen.

In one of the funniest scenes in the show, Abner tries out a series of spells, making the group stuff the bags in double time, dance, do jumping jacks, sing, spin like a top, quack like a duck and stick to each other. Just as he is about to undo the last spell, fellow graduate ghost with a grudge Dora Pike (Josie McSwane) appears, steals his medallion of invisibility and nightlight and heads to the bottom of Black Ridge Gulch, the deepest, darkest gorge in the entire world (where it’s really, really dark). Now visible, Abner must convince the strangers who are still stuck to each other help him get his medallion back or it will “all fade to black.”

Director Colleen Britt has assembled a terrific cast to tell this hilarious story filled with singing and dancing, action and adventure and tons of Halloween jokes. Ginger Dalton as Ma who makes the toast is especially wonderful. “What kind of toast do you serve? Rye, whole wheat, sourdough, french?” she’s asked. “White. No butter, no jelly … and no jam!” she snaps.

This year’s production has amped up the spookiness with floating ghosts, use of the trap door and more special effects, but don’t worry— it is not scary. The show also makes use of the screens on each end of the stage from the set of ‘Matilda The Musical’ to project images. A nice touch.

Costumes by Jason Allyn in shades of black, orange, purple and sparkly white for the ghosts are the icing on the haunted house cake. Don’t miss this one. You and your kids will have a spooktacular good time. Ghostly pumpkin souveniers will be sold during intermission and costumes are encouraged. Meet the cast in the lobby after the show for photos.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents A Kooky Spooky Halloween through Oct. 19. Children’s theater continues with Barnaby Saves Christmas from Nov. 23 to Dec. 28 and Hansel and Gretel from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Creativity abounds at Stony Brook Village Center’s scarecrow competition

by Heidi Sutton - October 10, 2024

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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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