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'Poquott Beach'
‘Boy Juggler’ by Paul Edelson

Through the month of June, the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket presents an art exhibit titled Mostly Still Life by Paul Jay Edelson.

This exhibit includes paintings from late 2019 through the present. There is a range of subject matter, including landscapes and seascapes, all in an abstract style with strong imagery and intense color.

Recognized at the 2014 Gallery North Outdoor Art Show for his “Outstanding Paintings in Oil,” the top prize in that category, Edelson also won awards presented by the North Shore Art Guild (2016, 2020), the Southold Historical Society (2017, 2018) and the Mills Pond Gallery (2020). In Fall 2017 he was awarded “Best in Show” by the Long Island Museum (LIM) for his painting “Yellowstone Bison.”

The exhibit is on view during library hours. For more information, call 631-941-4080.

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Strictly Business. Photo by Miranda Gatewood

Business people know the power of networking; the power of connecting face-to-face with potential clients, partners, and mentors. While the Miller Center at the Middle Country Public Library has been offering virtual networking for the business community since the pandemic began, nothing beats connecting face to face. Which is why they are excited to be hosting Strictly Business: Back to Business outdoors and in person on Tuesday, June 8. 

Strictly Business. Photo by Miranda Gatewood

Sal DiVincenzo of the Miller Business Center acknowledges the struggles of the local small business community. “Networking is the lifeblood of small businesses. The opportunity to personally interact with potential customers is something every salesperson knows is fundamental to building business and relationships. The pandemic literally put barriers between customers and businesses.” 

The Director of the library, Sophia Serlis-McPhillips continued this sentiment. “The mission of the library’s Miller Business Center has always been to promote economic development on Long Island. This mission has been continuing virtually for more than a year. We are happy to bring business owners and professionals together again at the in-person Strictly Business.” 

An initiative of the Middle Country Library Foundation and held in partnership with the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce and the Brookhaven Chambers of Commerce Coalition (BCCC), Strictly Business is a vehicle to promote economic development and encourage chamber of commerce participation in Brookhaven and the surrounding areas.  

“More than ten years ago the BCCC wanted to give back more to the small businesses they represented in the Town of Brookhaven. With this initiative, they collaborated with the Miller Business Center to create Strictly Business. Over time this annual event has grown with more vendors and networking opportunities for our business partners,” says Barbara Ransome, BCCC President. 

Participants missed having this opportunity last year and response to the announcement of an in-person event has been overwhelmingly positive.  Many of the businesses that signed up to exhibit in 2020 were eager to be a part of the event and there is even a waitlist to exhibit. 

Lenore Paprocky, president of the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce noted, “I know a lot of business owners are excited about meeting in person.” She continued that they are looking most forward to “re-connecting and networking with other local businesses and the community.”

Attendees to this free event will have the opportunity to meet and network with 50 exhibitors made up of a wide-array of local businesses and entrepreneurs. While primarily a business-to-business networking opportunity, the community is encouraged to attend and shop local as a way to support the small business community. There will be photo ops throughout the day and a chance to win a raffle prize. 

“The BCCC is grateful to support the Miller Center, that acts as an essential resource for our most important commodity … small businesses,” said Ransome.  

Discover local businesses at the Strictly Business: Back to Business event at the Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd, Centereach on June 8 (rain date June 15) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For further information, call 631-585-9393

Participating exhibitors:
Strictly Business.  Photo by Miranda Gatewood

Venture Sponsor

Flushing Bank

Entrepreneur Sponsor

Synergy Wealth Strategies

Mentor Sponsor

Pure Mammography

Partner Sponsors

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP

Holiday Inn Express – Stony Brook

SafeGuard Print & Promo

Media Sponsor

Times Beacon Record News Media

 

Anchor Business Group, LLC

Bay Harbour Insurance Agency

BESTech Education

Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Co.

Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce Coalition

Burner Law Group, P.C.

CardHop Inc.

Caring People Home Health Care

CBMS Consulting Services

Central Staff Services

Conference Associates Inc.

Emics Elder Care

Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce

Independent Business Women’s Circle

Insight Healing and Wellness

Integrity Expediting

iRUN…

Island Federal

LeTip Port Jefferson

LI Tech Advisors

Lisa Albinowski, Realtor, Coldwell Banker 

Manantial Cleaning Services, Inc.

Miller Business Center

Moxxie

My Mom Knows Best, Inc.

North Isle Wellness Center of Hope

OB Davis Funeral Home

Peconic Landing

People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union 

Pete Marcano – New York Life

ProSysCon Computers

Rocket Juiced Studio

Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce

Soundview Pregnancy Services

Stay Clean Long Island

Suffolk County Women’s Business Enterprise Coalition

Synack Technology Services, Inc.

TAB – The Alternative Board

The Bristal Assisted Living

Three Village Chamber of Commerce

Times Beacon Record News Media

 

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Celia Gordon
Julia Garcia-Diaz
Lea A. Nekrasov
Rebecca Blumenthal

Emma Clark Library board members and staff, the family of the late Helen Stein Shack, elected officials, representatives from the Three Village Central School District, and guests from the community gathered virtually on Monday, April 20, to honor the winners of the 2020 & 2021 Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award.

The Helen Stein Shack Book Contest called for teens in grades 7 through 12 who live in the Three Village Central School District to create a children’s picture book. Each entry could be the work of a single author/illustrator or a collaborative effort between an author and an illustrator.  The contest was divided into two grade categories, grades 7 through 9 and grades 10 through 12, with one First Prize Winner and one Second Prize Winner selected from each group.  

Library Director Ted Gutmann, along with the family of Helen Stein Shack, presented a slideshow celebration highlighting each of the winners and their books. The winners were a mix from Ward Melville High School, Gelinas Junior High School, R.C. Murphy Junior High School and a local homeschool student.  

2020 Winners:

In the grades 7 to 9 category, first prize  went to Celia Gordon (last year an 8th grade homeschooler) for her picture book titled Oliver’s Walk.

First Prize in the grades 10 to 12 category was won by Rebecca Blumenthal (last year an 11th grader at Ward Melville High School) for her book, Your Part.

Second Prize  in the grades 7 to 9 category was awarded to Ricky Herling and Ashton Hopkins (last year both 8th graders at Gelinas Junior High School) for The Knight and the Monster.

Second Prize in the grades 10 to 12 category went to Riley Meckley (last year a 10th grader at Ward Melville High School) for How Tom Talks.

2021 Winners:

In the grades 7 to 9 category, Julia Garcia-Diaz and Lea A. Nekrasov (8th graders at Gelinas Junior High) captured first prize for their picture book titled Alice Helps.

First Prize in the grades 10 to 12 category went to Rebecca Blumenthal (12th grader at Ward Melville High School) for her book titled A New Normal.

Second Prize in the grades 7 to 9 category was won by Matthew Blumenthal, an 8th grader at Murphy Junior High, for Frankie Gets Stuck.

Second Prize for the grades 10 to 12 category was awarded to Matthew Marchese (10th grader at Ward Melville High School) for Peanut’s Passion.

The library had all of the winning entries bound and made into hardcover books. The winners received copies of the books, along with monetary awards from an endowment created by the Shack family ($400 for first prize and $100 for second prize; in a case of two students collaborating on the book together, prizes are split). The winning books will be on display in the Library’s lobby for the month of May, and then they will be added to the Library’s Local Focus Collection.

The community is grateful to the children of the late Mrs. Shack, who have established a substantial endowment with Emma Clark to cover the cost of the awards as a tribute to their mother and her commitment to passing along the importance and joy of reading for generations to come. 

Mrs. Shack’s daughter, Sherry Cleary mentioned, “Our mother knew that a love of reading nurtured children’s souls as well as their brains.”

New York State Senator Mario Mattera was there to congratulate the winners, “I commend everyone for their hard work.” 

Senator Mattera, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, and Councilman Jonathan Kornreich spoke at the event, as well as sent certificates from the state and town to all of the winners. Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn also sent certificates and personalized letters to all of the winners (Legislative Aide Alyssa Turano was in attendance at the ceremony). 

“The ability to write and express your ideas is going to be such a valuable skill, and I have every confidence that you here who are recipients of this award are destined for great success,” said Councilman Kornreich.

Library Board President Deborah Blair and Vice President Christopher Fletcher were on the Zoom event to virtually applaud the winners. Three Village Central School District Trustee Deanna BavInka, Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich, Gelinas Junior High School Principal Corinne Keane, R.C. Murphy Junior High School Principal Brian Biscari, Gelinas Junior High School English Chair Michelle Hanczor, R.C. Murphy Junior High School English Chair Cathy Duffy, and Ward Melville High School Librarian April Hatcher were all in attendance.

Ms. Cleary, Helen Shack’s daughter, an expert in child development and education as the University Dean in Early Childhood Initiatives at the City University of New York, summed the honor up nicely:

“Every year my siblings and I are overwhelmed at the talent that emerges — it is almost impossible to select winners. We recognize the generosity, wisdom, artistry, and sensitivity each author displays in their book. And this year is no different, except that this year the external forces were very different. Between a global pandemic and some of the most disturbing hate crimes and violence of your young lives, you have shown us there is a reason to hope and to look to the future with optimism. We know that our mother would be so moved by your talent, drive and tenacity — and so are we!”

The Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, located at 120 Main Street in Setauket and on the web at www.emmaclark.org, provides public library service to all residents of the Three Village Central School District.

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Amongst the Middle Country Public Library’s many historical artifacts are a few that explain just how far the area has come from its pastoral roots. The picture and story below a courtesy of a collaborative effort among the librarian staff. 

Baseball is considered America’s pastime, and no more so than in our own backyards. 

A search of local newspapers shows that baseball was played throughout Long Island at least as early as the 1930s. 

Most town fire departments, the Police Athletic League and many local businesses formed teams for fun and friendly competition. The news from the time was filled with the results of these games. 

A June 1, 1934 article in the Suffolk County News noted that the team representing Centereach Fire Department played a home game against Sayville on Decoration Day (now known as Memorial Day), losing a double-header. 

Major support for these games was frequently provided by fundraisers like the dance held on the evening of April 21, 1951 by Centereach’s Tordik-Diederich-Duffield VFW Post 4927. Over 200 people attended to support the backstop fund.

Beyond organized games, popup games would arise. A chance encounter between the team from Centereach and a group of U.S. soldiers who were stationed here for the day was held on the grounds behind Carl’s Tavern. 

The July 26, 1939 edition of The Mid-Island Mail reported that the soldiers defeated Centereach, 6-2.

Carl’s Tavern was located on Middle Country Road in Centereach. In 1939 it was purchased and renamed the Mid Island Tavern, known to locals as the MIT well into the 1908s. It was owned and operated by the Boyle family for over four decades.

In 1940, the Centereach team got off to a great start by defeating Coram 13-1. 

The team consisted of catcher, Lou Corey; first baseman, Bernard Williams; second baseman, Walt Presner; third baseman, Tony Bush; shortstop, Lou Coucinello; leftfielder, Larry Martin; centerfielder, Lou Stohr; rightfielder, Andy Schmidt and Arthur Dhuy. 

The team’s manager was Centereach resident, Arthur Murray, who served as Brookhaven Town Highway Superintendent and the purchasing agent for WPA construction materials. 

The date of this picture and the team name are unknown, but it most likely depicts the Centereach Fire Department Team. 

Do you recognize any of the team members? 

If you can identify any of these players, please reach out to the local history team at Middle Country Public Library at [email protected]. 

We would love to be able to fill in the blanks!

This article was updated on April 7 to correct misinformation

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'Mt Cook' by Judy Contrino
'Rockport' by Cheryl Cass-Zampiva
'Lakebridge in Summer' by Carol Kelly
'Georgia Bridge' by Lucia Alberti
'Coming Home' by Carol Ceraso

By Melissa Arnold

The vast majority of artists will say they are influenced by the work of someone else. Whether it’s a contemporary from their own time or someone from long ago, artists blossom from appreciating and studying others.

This sentiment is held dear by members of the Smithtown Artists Group (SAG), a small network of local artists who gather for creativity and camaraderie alike.

Their friendship began at the main branch of the Smithtown Library, where artists of all backgrounds and skill levels have gathered on Tuesday afternoons to paint, some of them for decades.

“When my kids were in school I ran a lot of arts and crafts programs, and then in their later teens I took a watercolor class,” said Judy Contrino of Stony Brook, who began painting at the library 20 years ago. “Joining the library group was a wonderful experience because there were so many different mediums being used by the people there, and some of them were quite accomplished. I was a self-taught artist. And it’s wonderful to have newcomers improve and show them how they’ve grown. No one is asking you to be Rembrandt — it’s just a place to come, relax and learn from those around you.”

A few years ago, some of the library artists expressed a desire to broaden their horizons and pursue exhibitions. Roughly a dozen people came together to form what is now the Smithtown Artists Group.

With the help of a new website to showcase some of their work online, the group was able to hold exhibits in libraries around Long Island, including Harborfields, Sachem, Kings Park and East Northport. After a long hiatus during the pandemic, they are thrilled to share their work again. Their newest exhibit, A Potpourri of Art, will be on display this spring at the Port Jefferson Village Center.

Featuring more than 80 pieces from 8 artists, the exhibit will feature works done in watercolor, acrylic, oil, colored pencil and more. Each artist has a unique flair and favorite subjects, making it a great fit for art enthusiasts of all kinds.

Carol Kelly of Kings Park spent many years simply appreciating the work of others before trying her own hand at painting. “It wasn’t until I was around 45 that I started learning to paint. I would go to art exhibits and often say, ‘Wouldn’t it be marvelous to be able to create beautiful works of art for other people to enjoy?” she recalled. 

“I started taking watercolor classes, and then some time later saw a listing in my library’s newsletter about the group meeting in Smithtown. I’ve been there for 13 years and enjoy the process of critiquing and learning from one another.”  

Kelly enjoys painting landscapes and scenes from her garden, but occasionally branches out into other subjects, as with a painting of a bird she titled “Looking for Lunch.”

Lucia Alberti of Smithtown has spent the past 10 years painting at the library and was excited to participate in exhibitions with longtime friends in the group. Alberti said that the majority of her work is done in acrylics with a focus on imaginative realism.

“We have a lot of variety in our experiences and what we enjoy doing as artists. Some people teach art and have exhibited before, while others simply enjoy art and being creative,” she said. “We are friends, and we admire one another, which adds another layer of joy to our painting. Getting to do this exhibit together is a very special opportunity.”

The exhibit is a welcome source of joy for the community, too.

“We’re happy to be doing shows again — this is our second exhibit since the pandemic,” said Sue Orifici, head of graphic, archival and special projects at the Port Jefferson Village Center. “There’s a nice mix of art to enjoy in this show and we hope people will stop by and visit.”

Participating artists include Lucia Alberti, Cheryl Cass-Zampiva, Carol Ceraso, Judy Contrino, Ruth Johnson, Carol Kelly, Anita Simmons and Joanie Whalen.

A Potpourri of Art will be on display on the second floor of the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson from March 1 to April 30. Viewing hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. For more information about the exhibit, call the Village Center at 631-802-2160. To learn more about the Smithtown Artists Group, visit http://sagartists.wixsite.com/sagartists.

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Pixabay photo
Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn holds an emergency blood drive on Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 1 to 7 p.m. Blood supplies in the area are very low.
Book your appointment with the New York Blood Center:
https://donate.nybc.org/…/schedules/drive_schedule/277863
Walk-ins may be taken if social distancing allows.
If you have questions about your medical eligibility, call Long Island Blood Services at 1-800-688-0900.
Call the library at 631-757-4200 for more information.

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Photo from Pixabay

Comsewogue Public Library in Port Jefferson Station presents an important online program, COVID-19 and Vaccines: Just the Facts, on Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. 

Get a science-based overview of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 including a discussion on the safety of vaccines, how long immunity may last, and more with Ph.D. pharmacologist Andrew Clair. Open to all. Visit www.cplib.org/a-online-programming/ for information on how to participate in this program. Questions? Call 631-928-1212 and ask for Adult Services.

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The Public Libraries of Suffolk County announced last week that it reached a record-breaking 2.7 million eBook checkouts on Live-brary.com during 2020.  This achievement is no surprise to many, as 2020 lead to the increased growth and importance of library digital lending of eBooks and audiobooks while many buildings were closed due to the global pandemic. Live-brary, consisting of 56 libraries in Suffolk County, is one of 102 public library systems worldwide that surpassed one million checkouts.

The Public Libraries of Suffolk County have been providing readers 24/7 access to eBooks and audiobooks for several years through OverDrive and its award-winning Libby reading app.  Reader interest has grown every year.

“This past year, though difficult, Suffolk libraries have demonstrated their commitment to readers wherever they may be through Live-brary’s eBook and audiobook collections providing much needed access to entertainment and learning opportunities,” said Kevin Verbesey, Director of the Suffolk Cooperative Library System.

The highest circulating title Live-brary readers borrowed through OverDrive in 2020 was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.  The top-circulating genre, romance, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes thrillers, biographies, children/young adult and more.

The top five eBook titles borrowed through Live-brary’s digital collection in 2020:
1. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
2. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
3. American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
4. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
5. Educated by Tara Westover

The top five audiobook titles borrowed through Live-brary’s digital collection in 2020:
1. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
3. Becoming by Michelle Obama
4. American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
5. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

Readers in Suffolk County just need a valid library card to access digital books from Live-brary’s OverDrive-powered digital collection.  Readers can use any major device, including Apple®, Android™, Chromebook™ and Kindle® (US only).  Visit https://live-brary.com/overdrive.com/ or download the Libby app to get started and borrow eBooks and audiobooks anytime, anywhere.

This article first appeared in Prime Times, a supplement of TBR News Media, on Jan. 28, 2021.

 

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Stock photo

Comsewogue Public Library in Port Jefferson Station presents a virtual program, Card Magic for Beginners, on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.  Join professional magician Ari Bisk for an interactive close up sleight of hand card magic show. Following the performance, Ari will teach beginner tricks to perform for your friends and family. Free and open to all. Visit www.cplib.org/a-online-programming/ to register. Questions? Call 928-1212.

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Port Jefferson Free Library will be hosting photographer Harper Bella for her one night only online exhibition “Flower of Honor” on Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 7 to 8 p.m. The show examines the role of black and brown essential workers throughout the uprise of COVID-19 and social injustices across the United States. Centered around New York, this series highlights their experiences and recognizes their efforts in one of the most uncertain times in history.

Harper Bella is an international photographer. Born in Queens, New York to Trinidadian and Barbadian parents, she was raised in Trinidad and Tobago until the age of six, when her family settled in Long Island, New York. Enamored with the arts from an early age, Harper pursued her first degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications at the Fashion Institute of Technology. It was during a black and white film photography course that she knew she found her calling.

Bella graduated from FIT in 2012 and went on to intern for various photographers in New York City. In 2014, she created the Angela Davis-inspired project, “Reflective Souls: Women in Society.” Well received upon release, Harper was given the opportunity to present her work at the Copiague Public Library. Her work has gone on to be exhibited at the Huntington Arts Council. Harper’s photographs have also been featured in KODD and Epsilon Magazine.

From her Caribbean background to travels to over 25 countries, including Vietnam, Germany, and Morocco, a global perspective is at the heart of Harper’s work and life purpose. Harper’s aim is to initiate conversation and spark growth through powerful visuals. She also values community building through amplifying less prominent voices in art.

Harper Bella currently serves as a freelance photographer and a Board of Director for the American Society of Media Photographers, New York City Chapter. To see more of Bella’s work, visit https://www.harperbella.com/

This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Huntington Arts Council.

Free and open to all. To register, visit https://portjefflibrary.org/flowerofhonor

For further information, call 631-473-0022 and ask for adult reference.

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