Saints Philip and James R.C. Church hosted its annual Family Festival from June 15 to 18. Despite some small periods of rain, the event drew thousands to St. James looking for exciting carnival rides by Newton Shows, treats, games and more.
All photos by Steven Zaitz/TBR News Media
Town of Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Daniel Losquardo (R), along with Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico (R-Manorville) and Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point), unveiled a historical sign Tuesday, June 13, marking the location where the Shoreham Railroad Station once stood.
The sign had been requested by a Miller Avenue Elementary School second-grade class after taking their inaugural walk on the North Shore Rails to Trail last year, wishing to know more about the lost station.
After receiving a letter from this year’s class, headed by teacher Alice Steinbrecher, Losquadro worked with the Wading River and Shoreham historical societies to collect information about the station, coordinating with the town carpentry shop and East End Sign Design, which printed and donated the marker.
“The most important thing I think for young people is to know you can make a difference,” Panico told the class during the unveiling ceremony. “By writing to Superintendent Losquadro, you got this done with the help of your teacher.”
Steinbrecher, in an interview with News 12, described how her class was learning about their community’s history and how it changed over time, along with the Rails to Trails project, which created a public path from the former railroad corridors of the Shoreham train station.
“So I had an idea: Let’s walk to where the train station was, and my own children thought I was crazy,” Steinbrecher said. “They said, ‘Mom, you’re walking to nowhere,’” but now, “We have someplace to actually stop and see some of the history.”
The marker is located near Briarcliff Road and North Country Road just south of the current Rails to Trails.
Each class member was given a certificate of congratulations for their civic participation and contribution to chronicling the area’s local history.
In celebration of World Giraffe Day (June 21), the Long Island Game Farm in Manorville will launch a new kids’ activity pack to encourage education, engagement, and discovery. The first edition will be available the week of Monday, June 19 and centered around World Giraffe Day with a specially designed interactive scavenger hunt. As the game farm is a supporter of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation’s efforts to secure a future for all giraffe populations in the wild, the game farm will also donate a portion of ticket sales that week to the nonprofit organization.
“Connecting people to wildlife is one of our top priorities of the game farm,” shares Long Island Game Farm president Melinda Novak. “These new kids’ activity packs are a way to deepen the connection children and families have with nature through fun yet educational activities. We’re excited to launch with a World Giraffe theme and an interactive scavenger hunt that we hope inspires a greater appreciation of these amazing creatures. At the game farm, we further our own commitment to wildlife by supporting the work of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to save giraffes in Africa.”
BoBo the Giraffe is one of the game farm’s most beloved animals, and just returned this past May. Now, guests can participate in personal encounters to feed BoBo healthy snacks, take photos, and learn more about the species and conservation efforts around the world. Proceeds from this special encounter go towards building a heated giraffe house.
National Family Month & Father’s Day
June is also National Family Month, and the activity packs available for purchase will be an ongoing option for kids to enjoy. Each pack includes an interactive scavenger hunt challenge and tool, game farm pencil, non-perishable snack, and an animal sticker. Staff will also be available throughout the month to take family portraits on guests’ phones and cameras. On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18, dads will receive free admission.
Local Artisan Vendor Market – Saturday, June 24
Long Island Game Farm will launch its first-ever local artisan vendor market featuring planting propagation, wool felting, and floral painting demonstrations, local plant and product sales, and more. The market will be open on Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
As summer approaches, the game farm is planning a number of events including photo contests, “Zookeeper for a Day” contest for kids, and a weekly program for seniors.
Long Island Game Farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the game farm and upcoming programming, visit longislandgamefarm.com.
ABOUT LONG ISLAND GAME FARM
Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park and Children’s Zoo was founded in 1970 by Stanley and Diane Novak. As the largest combined children’s zoo and wildlife park on Long Island, they offer families a natural environment where they can learn about wildlife and animals through education and entertainment. A member of American Association of Zookeepers and Zoological Association of America, the farm is located at 489 Chapman Boulevard, Manorville, New York 11949.
For more information, call 631-878-6644 or visit longislandgamefarm.com.
By Carole Paquette
Forty-six junior anglers caught a total of 182 fish at the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve’s 19th annual catch-and-release Junior Fishing Tournament held on Saturday, June 10, at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve in Smithtown.
It was a clear day and the Park’s Willow Pond was active with geese, cormorants, turtles and a loud rapping woodpecker as the 46 jubilant young anglers pulled in all types of fish, examined, then released, them. A large colorful Rainbow Trout brought shouts of surprise and a winning trophy for its angler Hunter O’Brien, who had won a prize last year for catching the most fish.
Kevy Doring, 6, of Northport who was one of the morning anglers, was with his grandfather John Mikkelson. Within five minutes of the start of the tournament Kevy had caught two Panfish, one 7-1/4 inches, the other 8 inches. He eventually caught a third.
Co-chairperson Carol Tokosh said “The Junior Angler Tournament is a wonderful event to teach children how to fish and enjoy nature. It’s such a pleasure to see the smiles and reactions of a child when they catch a fish.”
Winners of the three trophies in the morning session, for those ages five to eight, were Christian McFarland, 6, of St. James, who caught 13 fish to win for Most Fish Caught; Dominick Ferrentino, 7, of St. James who won for Largest Pan Fish Caught, for his 8-3/4 inch Pan Fish; and Easton Hodge, 5, of Smithtown, won for the Largest Other Fish Caught, a 10-1/2” Trout.
Winners in the afternoon session, for those ages nine through twelve, were Arabella Siegel, 11, of Smithtown, who caught 17 fish, and won for Most Fish Caught; Ryan Liebold, 12, of Smithtown, won the award for the Largest Pan Fish Caught for his 9-3/4-inch Pan Fish; and Hunter O’Brien, 9, of Port Washington, won for the Largest Other Fish Caught, a 12-1/2 inch Rainbow Trout.
Several lotteries were held during the afternoon. Evelyn Folandro, 6, of Commack won a fishing rod and tackle box donated by the D’Agostino Family in memory of Mike D’Agostino who was one of the co-founders of the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve, and a main contributor to the Junior Angler Fishing Tournament.
Carter LeHanka, 12, of Commack won the Fourth Annual Tom Troccodli Memorial Lottery and received a fishing rod and tackle donated by the Troccoli family. The drawing was held in honor of the late Tom Troccoli of Smithtown who enjoyed fishing and accompanied his grandson at junior angler tournaments. Raffle donors included Camp-Site Sports Shop in Huntington Station, which donated two fishing rods, one for each session, and books about catching bluefish. Carmine Petrone, manager of the fishing department at Camp-Site Sports Shop is a familiar person at the tournament having been one of the judges during these years. Visors that looked like a turtle were also raffled off. Other donors included sponsor The Fisherman magazine which donated the worms, hooks and bobbers.
Robert McCormick from the Diversified Education Curriculum at Stony Brook University made up packets to be put in the goody bags that were given to each angler. The packets contained information about catching fish in New York and Long Island, as well as cards identifying fish that are caught in New York State. Caleb Smith State Park Preserve included information about the park and fishing. Also in the goody bags the Friends group included fun fish-related treats such as puzzles, and goldfish crackers
Tom Tokosh, co-chairperson of the tournament, said “It was a great day. Everyone caught a fish. See you next year.”
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) hosted its third Long Island Sound Connections Summit last week. This virtual, hands-on collaborative learning program connects students across Long Island Sound and allows them to conduct their own research to better understand the water systems in their environment.
Long Island Sound Connections is the first program to connect both shores with students from New York and Connecticut — with virtual class check-ins, “summits” where students present their findings, an ongoing collection of data, and an analysis on that information. The Long Island Sound Connections program was designed to help students learn about the Long Island Sound and to inspire them to become ‘citizen scientists’ and protect their environment. The program is offered via distance learning from the WMHO’s Erwin J. Ernst Marine Conservation Center (EMCC), where students have front row seats to one of the most pristine natural resources in New York State.
WMHO collaborated with Stony Brook University’s Ecology and Evolution Distinguished Professor Jeffrey Levinton, and Dr. Taylor Evans of Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences to develop a system of data collection parameters for monitoring and analyzing West Meadow Creek’s water quality and species counts.
Professor Levinton and Dr. Evans will continue to support WMHO in developing this multipronged project that seeks to educate the public by providing data representing the creek’s health over time to the public and researchers. They will also assist participating classes to in continuing to learn about the Long Island Sound environment on an ongoing basis.
The third “summit” of classes in this program was between Ms. Michelle Miller and Ms. Doreen Barry’s 6th grade Science class from Selden Middle School and Ms. Jess Castoro’s 6th grade Science class from Achievement First Bridgeport Academy Middle School, who worked in collaboration with Mill River Wetland Committee.
The 2023 “summit” participants have been researching the Sound for six months, and with assistance from professionals in the field, have learned the environmental impact of industrialization, recent achievements on mitigating the effects, and how to utilize their data in the future by monitoring the Sound.
Each class created specialized newscasts to showcase their findings on the relationships between water quality, animal and plant species, and even with human impact. In this cross sectional study of the Sound, students compared and contrasted their two environments (suburban and urban) and presented it to their partner class.
In addition, the study is longitudinal and seeks to track changes over time. Data will be added into the WMHOs software to create a data map and timeline to assist environmental researchers of all ages to understand and appreciate similarities and differences across the Long Island Sound.
With grants provided by the Fullwood Foundation, the Frey Family Foundation and Webster Bank, this program was offered to participating classes free of charge. All costs associated with the program were sponsored by these organizations.
For more information about the WMHO, on the Long Island Sound Connection program, other historic, environmental and scientific programs that the WMHO offers, please call 631-751-2244 or visit wmho.org.
Sensational Seahorses
Calling kids who like science and art! The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor presents a drop-in program, Sensational Seahorses, on June 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. Come discover the amazing abilities of these ocean creatures and create a colorful oceanscape diorama. to take home. Admission fee + $10. 631-367-3418.
Giant Game and Big Voice Day
Join Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket for Giant Game and Big Voice Day, an afternoon of fun and games on the library’s lawn, on June 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. Try your hand at games such as giant versions of Connect 4, Scrabble, and Checkers, move and balance with Twister, sing your heart out with karaoke or spin the prize wheel! Open to all. No registration required. 631-941-4080
Father’s Day Drop-In Program
Stop by the table in front of the Sunken Meadow Nature Center, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park anytime between noon and 2 p.m. on June 18 for some fun Father’s Day activities and crafts! No reservations are required. 631-269-4333
Marsh Mania
Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a Tiny Tots program, Marsh Mania on June 22 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This program will connect children ages 3 to 5 and their parents with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. $4 per child. To register, visit Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.
Shark Invasion!
Celebrate sharks this summer at the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor, Thursdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Uncover amazing facts about these incredible predators as you hunt for clues in this shark-themed scavenger hunt. Then roll up your sleeves and excavate a genuine shark tooth fossil to take home! Admission fee + $10 participant. 631-367-3418
‘The Lion King’
Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of Disney’s The Lion King (1994) on June 18 at noon. The animated feature follows the adventures of the young lion Simba and his quest to take back his homeland from Scar with the help of his friends Timon and Pumbaa. Rated G. Tickets are $12, $5 children 12 and under. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
‘Cinderella’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson closes its children’s theatre season with an original retelling of the poor waif Cinderella from May 27 to June 17. The classic love story finds its power in a pumpkin, a palace, a prince and a young girl whose belief in herself can overcome any obstacle. When her Fairy Godmother adds a dash of excitement, the magical possibilities are endless. Don’t miss this musical enchantment for the entire family. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Flat Stanley’
John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley from May 28 to July 2. Stanley Lambchop is an ordinary ten-year-old who longs to travel the world and do something amazing! Careful what you wish for, Stanley! One morning, Stanley wakes up really, REALLY flat! In a whirlwind musical travelogue, Stanley scours the globe for a solution to his unusual problem. He’s stamped, posted and mailed from Hollywood to Paris to Honolulu and beyond hoping to once again become three-dimensional. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘Seussical Jr.’
Smithtown Performing Arts Center presents an outdoor production of Seussical Jr. on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown from July 8 to Aug. 17. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in this fantastical musical extravaganza. Tickets are $18 per person. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org
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Long Island’s largest fair heads to Suffolk County Community College, 485 Wicks Road, (Exit 53S off the LIE)
in Brentwood from June 15 to June 25 featuring live music and entertainment for the whole family, exciting midway rides and games, and plenty of tasty carnival eats.
Included with fair admission are tribute band performances and other daily concerts; Saturday night Fireworks by Grucci; the educational Eudora Farms Exotic Petting Zoo; up-close and personal Dinosaur Experience; Houdini-style Escape Explosion; World of Wonders Amazement Show starring sword swallowers, fire eaters, contortionists and other old-time sideshow acts; and the Royal Hanneford Circus featuring edge-of-your-seat high-wire, trapeze and motorcycle thrill shows and more under the big top.
Admission: $5 (free for kids under 36″ tall). Parking is free.
Unlimited ride wristbands (for riders 36″ and taller) are $35 on site Monday – Thursday and $40 Friday – Sunday while supplies last, or online before 5 pm June 15 for $25.
Visit the website for Thursday Carload Nights (admission and rides for $60 per car) and advance savings on ride tickets.
FunFest hours: 5-11 pm weekdays and 3-11 pm Saturday – Sunday. Take Exit 53S off the Long Island Expressway and use the Wicks Road campus entrance. No unaccompanied guests under age 21.
More information: 866-666-FAIR (3247) or LongIslandFunFest.com
By Heidi Sutton
Children’s theater continues at The John W. Engeman Theater with The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. The adorable show, based on the first in a series of books by Jeff Brown, follows the adventures of Stanley Lambchop (Daniel Bishop) who lives with his parents (Michael Fasciano and Suzanne Mason) and his brother Arthur (Jae Hughes). His mailman, Mr Cartero (Patrick McCowen) serves as narrator and introduces Stanley as an average 10-year-old kid who has big dreams.
At bedtime, Stanley and his brother see a falling star and make a wish. While Arthur wishes for an A on his science project, Stanley wishes to travel and “do amazing things the world has never seen before.” In the middle of the night a bulletin board above his bed crashes down on him and flattens him like a pancake.
At first, Stanley and his parents are alarmed and take him to Dr. Dan for an evaluation but he is as perplexed (and confused) as they are. When Stanley goes to school, his classmates tie him to a string and fly him like a kite until he gets stuck in a tree. Then Stanley realizes the advantage of his two-dimensional position and, for the price of a stamp, mails himself in a letter to California to visit a friend.
From there he mails himself to Paris and poses as a painting in the Louvre next to Napoleon and Mona Lisa to catch a sneak thief, and then heads to Hawaii to star as a surfboard in a movie. In the end Stanley realizes that home is the best address but will he remain flat forever?
Directed and choreographed by Danny Meglio, the five talented cast members, playing multiple roles, put on a terrific show. The question on everyone’s mind was how a flat character would appear on stage but the clever costume does the trick.
The song and dance numbers are a delight to watch with special mention to Bishop’s solo “I Wish I Were … A Hero,” “The Funny Sunny Side,” “Talent'” with a great soft-shoe number and Hughes’ heartfelt solo, “Arthur’s Letter.”
With the message to look for a little adventure in everything you do, this imaginative and clever show is flat-out fun. Meet, greet and sign autographs with the cast after the show in the lobby. An autograph page is conveniently located at the back of the program.
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St. Northport presents The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. through July 2 with a sensory friendly performance on June 10 at 11 a.m. Up next is Cinderella from July 22 to Aug. 27. All seats are $20. For more information or to order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
For the 31st consecutive year, Island Federal Credit Union (Island Federal) has awarded college scholarships to graduating seniors from local high schools.
“Island Federal’s mission is to help Long Islanders achieve their dreams for themselves and their families. To make college more affordable for local high school graduates, we launched the Island Federal Scholarship Program in 1992,” said Bret W. Sears, President/CEO, Island Federal. “Since its inception, the Island Federal Scholarship Program has awarded more than 363 scholarships totaling $855,000 to local high school graduates. Once again this year, we are proud to provide scholarships to 11 local seniors to help finance their higher education.”
The following is a list of 2023 recipients who will share $50,000 in scholarships:
$10,000 winners: Ashley Burke, Babylon, Babylon High School; Bradley Wyckoff, Levittown, Chaminade High School; and Gemma Cartwright, Huntington, Huntington High School
$2,500 winners: Anna Rostkowski, Oakdale, Connetquot High School; Dominick Trapani, Bellmore, Mepham High School; Kaitlin Stephens, Hauppauge, Hauppauge High School; Liam McGough, Southold, Southold High School; Lily Amato, St. James, Smithtown East High School; Lily Jackett, Port Jefferson, Ward Melville High School; Madison Sosnowski, Farmingdale, Farmingdale High School; and Tabitha Schully, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson High School.
Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker has announced the Suffolk County Summer Concert and Movie Night Series in collaboration with community organizations including North Shore Youth Council, the Longwood Alliance, the Middle Island Civic Association, the Middle Island Fire Department, the Coram Civic Association, the Coram Fire Department, and the Ridge Civic Association.
“The summer community concerts have been instrumental in providing local performances with free-admission concerts across the district,” said Legislator Sarah Anker. “I encourage our residents to attend these concerts that provide a wonderful entertainment venue for all ages. A warm thank you to the community organizations for their partnerships with my office.”
1. North Shore Youth Council Community Movie Night
Showing: ‘Luca’
Date: Friday, July 7th
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: North Shore Heritage Park 633 Mount Sinai Coram Rd, Mount Sinai
2. Middle Island Concert with Longwood Alliance, Middle Island Civic Association and the
Middle Island Fire Department
Featuring: That 70’s Band (Fireworks after show)
Date: Saturday, July 8th
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Old Kmart Parcel Across from Artist Lake, Middle Island
3. Middle Island Concert with Longwood Alliance, Middle Island Civic Association and the
Middle Island Fire Department
Featuring: 45RPM (Firework rain date)
Date: Sunday, July 9th
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Old Kmart Parcel Across from Artist Lake, Middle Island
4. Ridge Civic Association Concert
Featuring: Tradewinds
Date: Saturday, July 15th (rain date July 16th)
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Longwood Estate, Longwood Rd, Ridge
5. North Shore Youth Council Community Movie Night
Showing: ‘Tangled’
Date: Friday, July 21st
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: North Shore Heritage Park 633 Mount Sinai Coram Rd, Mount Sinai
6. North Shore Youth Council Community Concert
Featuring: BonJourney
Date: Friday, August 4th
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: North Shore Heritage Park 633 Mount Sinai Coram Rd, Mount Sinai
7. Middle Island Concert with Longwood Alliance, Middle Island Civic Association and the Middle Island Fire DepartmentFeaturing: Penny Lane
Date: Saturday, August 19th
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Middle Island Fire Dept. 31 Arnold Dr, Middle Island
8. Coram Civic Association and the Coram Fire Department Concert
Featuring: Southbound
Date: Saturday, August 26th (rain date August 28th)
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Middle Island Fire Department, 31 Arnold Dr, Middle Island
9. North Shore Youth Council Concert
Featuring: Mike DelGuidice on tour with Billy Joel
Date: Monday, August 28th (rain date August 30th)
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: St. Anthony’s of Padua Church 614 NY-25A, Rocky Point
There is no charge for admission to the concerts. For more information about the concerts, please contact the office of Legislator Sarah Anker’s office at (631) 854-1600.
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