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Actor Laura Dern, center, with 'Common Ground' directors Rebecca Harrell Tickell and Josh Tickell.

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, regenerative agriculture “describes holistic farming systems that, among other benefits, improve water and air quality, enhance ecosystem biodiversity, produce nutrient-dense food, and store carbon to help mitigate the effects of climate change. These farm systems are designed to work in harmony with nature, while also maintaining and improving economic viability.” Regenerative agriculture includes practices like no-tillage, planting cover crops, reducing chemical use, and planned grazing. 

In 2017, Josh Tickell published Kiss the Ground: How the Food You Eat Can Reverse Climate Change, Heal Your Body, & Ultimately Save Our World. The book purports that climate change is reversible through changing diets based on harvests from soil-nourishing, regenerative agriculture. 

Tickell (along with Rebecca Harrell Tickell) produced and directed the documentary Kiss the Ground (2020), which explored the issues raised in the book. The film shares interviews with farmers, scientists, and environmentalists. The focus is the power of healthy soil and its healing powers for humanity and the earth as a whole. Narrated by Woody Harrelson, the film features the well-known {model/ U.N. Good Will Ambassador Gisele Bünchden, NFL quarterback Tom Brady, etc.) along with authors and environmentalists. Kiss the Ground was lauded for its good intentions but received criticism for an often simplistic approach to the solution, especially concerning climate change. 

The follow-up, Common Ground, which launched globally on Amazon Prime on April 22 in honor of Earth Day, covers some of the same territory, with a spotlight on preservation of the soil. Again, central is the importance of properly cultivating the soil through regenerative agriculture. 

Common Ground opens with a letter “written” by various celebrities. Each is presented with a sonorous voiceover steeped in gravitas. The letter ends with, “It’s a matter of life and death.” If the information presented in Common Ground is even twenty percent accurate, this dark statement is harbinger of long-term and perhaps irrevocable damage. The film begins with a detailed explanation of regenerative agriculture, comparing it to the other less environmentally-friendly approaches. 

The film is most interesting and effective when it addresses agribusiness issues driving the market. Following the money trail exposes the private sector’s influences on government and education, with money filtered through land grant universities. Larger corporations have suppressed scientists and pressured the USDA, influencing the Farm Bill and driving subsidies into soy, wheat, and corn—all commodity crops. Agribusiness possesses the largest lobbying industry with twenty-three registered lobbyists for every member of Congress.

An exploration of the rise of industrial farming in post-World War II highlights the uses of chemicals in the forms of pesticides and toxic herbicides, labeled “the Green Revolution.” Most notably, Monsanto Company’s glyphosate product, Roundup, led to the 1980s genetically engineered crops—“ready grains”—that could resist Roundup. Gradually, revelations held Roundup responsible for damaging the health of thousands, leading to multiple successful lawsuits. (Monsanto sold the company to the German Bayer AG for sixty-three billion dollars.)

Common Ground gives a bleak picture of the small farmer who lives in hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt. The Farm Bill Cycle of Debt is a cyclical trap of the system dictating what (and how) to grow, boosting corporate profits, consumer illness, and farmers’ debt. Suicide rates among farmers are five times higher than the general population. Additionally, Common Ground touches on the racial disparity in farming, with the system showing an overwhelmingly biased preference towards white people. The discriminatory nature of the industry has only increased over the years.

While the film emphasizes much of the negative, it celebrates those who have succeeded in abandoning industrial farming. The alternatives are shown to have health and economic benefits—all linked back to regenerative agriculture.

The tone and style—and much of the documentary—shift from dark shadows to pastoral sunshine to peripatetic imagery. At times, Common Ground feels like clumsy public service announcements; at other points, it plays with the jarring cuts of a music video, with blaring, on-the-nose lyrics. The “behind the scenes” look at the stars — Laura Dern, Jason Momoa, Woody Harrelson, Ian Somerhalder, Donald Glover, Rosario Dawson, and many others recording their narratives is oddly and ineffectively “meta.” But Common Ground is well-paced and presents a clear path to transformation. 

Documentaries habitually select their focus as the greatest existential threat. Whether AI, plastics, water pollution, corporate manipulation, or conspicuous consumption, each sees its topic as the direst and the most important to be solved. Many point to the destruction of the environment, but each selects a different “demon” as the most dangerous. Common Ground is no different in this respect, and therefore, even in its specificity, it lands as a generic call-to-arms (or farms, as the case may be).

“The quality of what you eat determines the quality of your health. And a living soil is where it all begins.” While it might not convert the doubters, Common Ground is another reminder that through commitment and collaboration, environmental change is possible. 

The documentary is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

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The Farmingville Historical Society hosts a Civil War Encampment at the Bald Hill Schoolhouse on May 3.
Thursday May 1

Strictly Sinatra at The Jazz Loft

The Jazz Loft Big Band, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents Strictly Sinatra! with vocalist Pete Caldera today and May 2 at 7 p.m. and May 3 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. $40 admission with senior, student and child discounts. To order, visit www.thejazzloft.org. 631-751-1895

Long Island Guitar Festival

The 33rd annual Long Island Guitar Festival continues tonight at The Setauket Presbyterian Church, 5 Caroline Ave., Setauket with a concert featuring Hao Yang from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and runs through May 4. For a schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit www.ligfest.net.

Friday May 2

Strictly Sinatra at The Jazz Loft

See May 1 listing.

Long Island Guitar Festival

See May 1 listing.

Dress for Success Spring Sale

Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville presents a Dress for Success Spring Sale and Mother’s Day raffles from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Take part in an excess inventory sale with great deals on new and gently loved clothes, shoes, handbags and jewelry. Call 631-451-TOWN for more info.

Stevie GB & The Retirement Village People in concert

Join Celebrate St. James for a concert at the St. James Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James at 8 p.m. Get ready to laugh, sing, and groove as Stevie GB & The Retirement Village People take the stage for a fun musical event like no other! Enjoy hilarious original song parodies blended with classic rock, pop, and show tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s — it’s the ultimate throwback party! Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door and includes refreshments. Call 631-984-0201 for more information.

Saturday May 3

Strictly Sinatra at The Jazz Loft

See May 1 listing.

Long Island Guitar Festival

See May 1 listing.

Antiques & Garden Weekend

Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson hosts the Port Jefferson Historical Society’s 17th annual Antiques and Garden Weekend at the Port Jefferson Village Center today and May 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring over 20 quality antique dealers offering estate and antique jewelry, artwork, memorabilia, antiques, retro items, collectibles, vintage garden items and a Suwassett Garden Club Plant Boutique. Admission is $6. www.portjeffhistorical.org

Arbor Day at Avalon Park

Join the Village of Head of the Harbor, along with its Tree Committee, for their annual Arbor in The Harbor event at Avalon Nature Preserve’s Barn, 60 Shep Jones Lane, St. James from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees can enjoy a demonstration on how to plant and care for trees and protect them from deer, take part in a native species identification tour and receive a free sapling tree to take home and plant (while supplies last). Rain date is May 4.

Earth Day Celebration

Town of Huntington hosts a family-friendly Earth Day celebration at Manor Farm Park, 210 Manor Road, Huntington from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees can enjoy arts & crafts, Touch a Truck, live music, a marine touch tank, beekeeping demonstrations, storytime, giveaways and much more. Free. 631-351-3175

Community Shred Day

Time for some spring cleaning! Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket will hold a Community Shred Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A shredding truck from A Shred Away, Inc. will be in the library’s parking lot for on-site shredding of personal documents. There is a limit of 5 boxes or bags. Please no plastic, carbon paper, hanging files, red well folders, cardboard, newspapers, or magazines. Clips and staples are fine. No registration required. Open to both residents and nonresidents. Questions? Email [email protected].

I Love My Park Day

Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station seeks volunteers to participate in an outdoor spring clean up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of a state-wide initiative to maintain parks. Activities will include raking, weeding, pruning, planting and clean up. Please bring your own tools. Free lunch, t-shirt and volunteer certification will be provided. To register, visit www.waltwhitman.org.

Spring Craft Fair

Integrity Church, 1 Old Dock Road, Yaphank presents its annual outdoor Spring Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop for Mother’s Day gifts from over 90 vendors. Rain date is May 10. 631-840-7823

Long Island Game Farm ribbon cutting

Join the Long Island Game Farm, 254 Chapman Blvd., Manorville in celebrating their 55th anniversary year with day long festivities  at 10 a.m. Led by Master of Ceremonies Doug Geed, the day will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony of the Woodland Trail, a universal access trail suitable for wheelchairs. The ribbon cutting will open Woodland Trail for the start of the Trail Trot & Animal Antics, a non-competitive run/walk through the trail followed by animal inspired challenges for the children. In addition, the day will include an Open House where guests will meet the Game Farm Team, Camp Counselors, and partners to learn about what’s new at the Game Farm this year; kids craft activities by Macaroni Kid; performances by local songwriters and the Eastport South Manor Junior High Orchestra; Game Farm Director Greg Drossel will lead groups on a Woodland Trail Walk; artist Tonito Valderrama will invite attendees to participate in the creation of The Great Nest of Life Installation Project; Boy Scout Sam Zvolensky will show his Eagle Award Project, a sensory garden at the Game Farm;  Scouts Adalia Haas and Summer Realander will talk about her Gold Award projects they are each working on, and of course visit with the many unique animals that call the Game Farm home. Discounted admission for the day is $15 per person,  children under age 2 are free. Registration for the Trail Trot for youth, 3-12yrs is in advance and includes admission to the Game Farm and a commemorative t-shirt. For more information, call 631-878-6644 or visit www.longislandgamefarm.com.

Civil War Encampment

Farmingville Historical Society hosts a Civil War Encampment at the Bald Hill School House, 507 Horseblock Road, Farmingville from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the 30th Virginia Infantry, Co. B and the 67th New York, Co. K. Featuring period food demonstrations, Civil War music, musket firing, drills, and tours of the one room schoolhouse. Free. www.farmingvillehistoricalsociety.org

Craft Fair at The Shoppes

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River kicks off their Craft Fair Weekends today and May 4 form 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop from local craft vendors as well as all The Shoppes have to offer. Bring the kids for fun activities including a bounce house and carousel. 631-846-2372

Basket Auction

St. Anselm’s Episcopal Church, 4 Woodville Road, Shoreham invites the community to a Basket Auction fundraiser at 4 p.m. $20 entrance fee includes a sheet of 20 tickets, coffee, tea and cake.  Proceeds will benefit Hope Children’s Fund. For more information, call 631-744-7730.

Artist Reception

The Brick Clay Studio & Gallery, 2 Flowerfield, Suites 57 & 60, St. James invites the community to an artist’s reception for  the new works of Ana Sanchez, multi-media artist, naturalist, painter and ceramicist from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Sanchez’s work will be on view through June 1.  833-The-Brick

Saturdays at Six Concert

All Souls Church, 61 Main Street, Stony Brook continues its Saturdays at Six concert series with Serenade Duo featuring flutist Michelle LaPorte and guitarist Gerry Saulter who will share music of the world with their warm stage presence and engaging performances of culturally diverse repertoire. The program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Free. 631-655-7798

Night at the Races

Join the Selden Fire Department, 44 Woodmere Place, Selden for a Night at the Races from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. $10 ticket purchase includes door prizes, complimentary beer, soda, wine and food, and one free bet. 631-732-1041.

CFVO Dinner Dance

The Coalition of Fraternal and Veteran Organizations (CFVO) will hold their 11th annual Dinner Dance at the Moose Lodge,  37 Crystal Brook Hollow Road, Mount Sinai from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. $50 per person includes a buffet dinner, limited open bar and entertainment. For more information, call 631-473-9774 or 631-928-4490.

U2 Tribute Concert

The Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents 2U: The U2 Tribute in concert at 8 p.m. 2U faithfully recreates a U2 live show in every way. Their hit songs are performed to utter perfection, identical to the way you remember hearing them on your radio. Tickets are $42. To order, call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

Paul Taylor Dance heads to SBU

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook closes its Spring season with a performance by the Paul Taylor Dance Company on the Main Stage at 8 p.m. Under the artistic direction of Michael Novak, this acclaimed modern dance company presents timeless classics, exciting new works, and historical masterpieces. Tickets range from $47 to $66. To order, call 631-632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com. 

Sunday May 4

Long Island Guitar Festival

See May 1 listing.

Antiques & Garden Weekend

See May 3 listing.

Craft Fair at The Shoppes

See May 3 listing.

Community Blood Drive

VFW Post 4927, 34 Lamport Ave. Port Jefferson Station will host a New York Blood Center Community Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome. To make an appointment, call  1-800-933-2566. 

Spring Vendor & Craft Fair

Polish American Independent Ladies of Port Jefferson Auxiliary will hold their annual Spring Vendor & Craft Fair at the Polish Hall, 35 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The indoor/outdoor event will feature many craft vendors, cash bar and food. Free admission. 516-383-3456

Mt. Sinai Barn Sale

Temple Beth Emeth, 52 Mt. Sinai Ave., Mt. Sinai will hold ts first Thrift Barn Sale of the year from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shop for clothing, household items, jewelry, books, toys and more. 631-928-4103

Sheep to Shawl Festival

Huntington Historical Society invites the community to its annual Sheep to Shawl Festival at the Dr. Daniel W. Kissam House, 434 Park Ave., Huntington from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors can enjoy live sheep sheering demonstrations, old fashioned games, historic crafting demonstrations, traditional music, house tours, refreshments and more! Free admission.  631-427-7045

Muster Day at the Arsenal

After the Sheep to Shawl Festival, head across the street for Muster Day at the Arsenal, 425 Park Ave., Huntington from noon to 4 p.m. Featuring tours of the 18th century building, military drills, firing of a cannon, vendors, crafting demonstrations and more. Free admission, www.huntingtonmilitia.com.

Sundays at the Society

Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport welcomes author Thomas Maier to its Sundays at the Society event at 1 p.m. Maier will discuss his new book, The Invisible Spy: Churchill’s Rockefeller Center Spy Ring followed by a book signing. Tickets are $15, $12 members. To register, visit www.northporthistorical.org.

Silver Chords Concert

Join the Silver Chords for a free choral concert at the Moose Lodge, 631 Pulaski Road, Greenlawn at 2 p.m. Titled Look at the World, the program includes  songs by Joni Mitchell and John Rutter featuring “What a Wonderful World,” “Smile,” and highlights from Wicked along with raffle baskets and refreshments. 631-235-3593

Spring Rummage Sale

Temple Beth El, 660 Park Ave., Huntington will hold a Spring Rummage Sale today from 2 pm. to 5 p.m. and May 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (bag day). Shop for clothing, jewelry, small household goods, tools, toys, art, CDs and DVDs. 631-680-6824

Karen Bella in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook  presents a concert by the Karen Bella from 3 to 4 p.m. The event is free with general admission ticket purchase. 631-689-5888, www.limusichalloffame.org

Monday May 5

Spring Rummage Sale

See May 4 listing.

Municipal Clerks’ Week Open House

Huntington Town Clerk and Records Management Officer Andrew Raia invites everyone to get a history of Huntington as the town celebrates Municipal Clerks’ Week with an open house at Town Hall, 100 Main St., Huntington from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. today through May 8. Visitors can view the town’s old records chest, old maps, the statue of American Hero Nathan Hale, the town’s ID dating 1666, Native American deeds, and other interesting documents. Tours are free. 631-351-3035

Tuesday May 6

Municipal Clerks’ Week Open House

See May 5 listing.

Farmingdale College Plant Sale 

Farmingdale State College, 2350 Route 110, Farmingdale will hold its annual Plant Sale today through May 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature a wide assortment of flowering plants, vegetables, herbs, perennials, tropical plants, houseplants, and succulents in parking lot #2 adjacent to the Teaching Gardens and University Police. Please bring your own cart or wagon. 

Strictly Business Trade Show

The 17th annual Strictly Business trade show will take place at the Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees have the opportunity to enter a raffle for the chance to win a $250 gift card. Admission is free and there is ample free parking. For more information, call 631-585-9393 x216.

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a concert by singer and guitarist Scotto at 11 a.m. Bagels and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Board  ‘Walk’  Your Way to Wellness

Health professionals from St. Catherine of Siena Hospital will be available at Sunken Meadow State Park’s boardwalk in Kings Park tonight, May 13, 20 and 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to discuss heart health, healthy eating, weight management, breast health, stroke prevention, skin cancer and Lyme disease prevention tips. Free blood pressure screenings and free giveaways. To learn more, call 631-870-3444.

Whale of a Mom online lecture

Being a whale mom is no easy task! Join the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum for a virtual talk at 7 p.m. to explore what makes these creatures not only the biggest, but some of the best mothers in the ocean. Free. To register, visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Wednesday May 7

Municipal Clerks’ Week Open House

See May 5 listing.

Farmingdale College Plant Sale

See May 6 listing.

Suffolk County Job Fair

Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook hosts a Community Job Fair from 10 a.m. to noon. Co-sponsored by the Suffolk County One Stop Employment Center, the event will feature representatives from over 20 companies including Ideal Home Care, Swan Lake Rehabilitation, American Regent, Stony Brook University Hospital, Family Service League, Allegiant Home Care, Stony Brook University, NYSP, Jefferson’s Ferry, Arrow Security, SCO Family of Services, Urban League of Westchester County, Inc., East/West Industries, 311 Call Center, Aides At Home, Long Island Community Hospital, A Gentle Touch Senior Home Care, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, YAI, Suffolk County HR, SeniorCare Companions Home Companion Services of New York, Inc, Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace, Transitional Services of Long Island and Haven House/Bridges. Bring your resume and dress for success. No registration required. For more information, call the 631-853-6600.

Cruise Night at The Shoppes

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River hosts a Cruise Night Car Show tonight and every Wednesday through October from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit the Shoppes, enjoy a bite to eat and then check out the fine array of classic cars in the parking lot. 631-929-3500

Caregiver Conference

Cona Elder Law will host its 9th annual Caregiver Conference, “Rewiring & Retiring Well on Long Island: The Secret Ingredients No One Talks About” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Long Island. 598 Broadhollow Rd, Melville. This conference offers a unique opportunity for older adults and caregivers to connect with industry professionals, explore valuable resources, and gain insights into various aspects of elder care. Moderated by Jennifer B. Cona, Esq., the event will feature a presentations, panel discussions, an Exhibitor Expo with over 30 elder care industry sponsors and exhibitors and more. Food and beverages will be served and admission is free. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com.

ArtTalk at the Atelier

Join the Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield, Suite 9, St. James for an ArtTalk and reception with Dino Rinaldi from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The artist will discuss his latest artwork on display in his solo exhibition, Inside and Outside the Box. Also available on Zoom. To register, visit www.theatelieratflowerfield.org. 631-250-9009

HHS Gardening Workshop

Huntington Historical Society presents a gardening workshop at the Conklin Barn, 2 High St., Huntington from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Grab your favorite inspirational magazines and Pinterest boards ad have some fun preparing your garden for Spring/summer 2025! Join Jess Seilheimer from Dahlias and Dreams for a 90-minute workshop on planning (and planting) your dream garden. Whether you have sun or shade or are a beginner or intermediate gardener, these easy-to-implement 6 tips will go the distance with you, year after year! The workshop will include a 45-minute presentation + 45 minutes of inspirational vision boarding for your dream garden! All supplies are included. $40 per person, $35 members. Register at www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Thursday May 8

Municipal Clerks’ Week Open House

See May 5 listing.

Farmingdale College Plant Sale

See May 6 listing.

Bald Hill Fair

The Bald Hill Fair returns to the Catholic Health Amphitheater, 1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville tonight through May 18. Hours are Monday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. , Saturdays from noon to 11 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 10 p.m. Featuring the Victoria Circus, World of Wonders Oddity Show, a Big Bee transforming robot, lots of carnival rides with fireworks by Grucci on May 10 and May 17 at dusk. For ticket information, visit www.baldhillfair.com.

Crafts & Cocktails

The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor continues its Crafts & Cocktails series at 6:30 p.m. Discover the history of wet and dry felting as you learn how to sculpt with wool in this needle felting workshop. Explore whalebone tools made by whalers for their loved ones. Sip on a Tipsy Turtle cocktail or mocktail while you transform wool fibers into an adorable sea turtle. $35 per person, $25 members. To register, visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

SCCC Spring Concert

The Music Department of Suffolk County Community College, 533 College Road, Selden presents a Spring Concert featuring orchestra, guitar ensemble, the Suffolk Singers and College Choir at the Shea Theatre, Islip Arts Building, at 7 p.m. Free and open to all. No tickets required. 631-451-4163

Vanderbilt Lecture

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its lecture series with A Vanishing New York: Ruins Across the Empire State from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Photographer and author John Lazzaro will explore abandoned sites in  New York and puts their individual stories in the larger context of New York’s historical legacy. Tickets are $10, free for members. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Film

Long Island Jewish Film Festival

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington presents the 3rd annual The Long Island Jewish Film Festival from May 1 to May 6. The festival will feature films that include innovative documentaries, riveting dramas, and hilarious comedy, all curated by David Schwartz, Curator at large at the Museum of the Moving Image, who will also host filmmaker interviews and audience discussions after many of the festival’s screenings. Tickets are $16 per film, $10 members. For a full schedule, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’

In celebration of it 50th anniversary, Monty Python and the Holy Grail will return to select theaters nationwide on Sunday, May 4 and May 7, courtesy of Fathom Entertainment. This cult classic comedy from the Monty Python team loosely follows the legend of King Arthur, along with his squire and his Knights of the Round Table, as they embark on a fearless quest in search of the elusive Holy Grail. For participating theaters, visit www.fathomevents.com. 

‘We Want the Funk’

In partnership with Independent Lens, the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council will host an Indie Lens Pop-Up screening of the documentary We Want the Funk by Stanley Nelson at Middle Country Public Library, 575 Middle Country Road, Selden on May 4 at 2 p.m. The film is a syncopated voyage through the history of funk music, from early roots to 1970s urban funk and beyond and will be followed by a short live funk music band performance and discussion on how the genre is still influential today. Free but registration is required by visiting www.gpjac.org.

Theater

‘Wait Until Dark’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage season with Wait Until Dark from April 18 to May 11. Jeffrey Hatcher’s gripping new adaptation of Frederick Knott’s classic sets the action in 1944 Greenwich Village. Susan, a woman who recently lost her vision, is imperiled by con men searching for a mysterious doll. Trapped in her apartment, Susan draws on new depths of resourcefulness as the story builds to its extraordinary, breath-taking conclusion. Contains adult situations. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘South Pacific’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Main Stage season with South Pacific from May 15 to June 29. This beloved musical takes place on a South Pacific island during World War II where two love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. With songs such as “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” “Younger Than Spring-time,” and “There Is Nothin’ Like A Dame,” South Pacific’s lush score contains some of the best songs ever written by Rodgers & Hammerstein. For more information and to order, call 631-261-2900 or go to www.engemantheater.com.

Class Reunions

— Ward Melville High School Class of 1975 will hold its 50 year reunion at St George Golf & Country Club in East Setauket on June 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $126.00 per person includes hors d’oeuvres, Prime Rib buffet dinner and open bar. Contact Cary Fichtner-Vu  at 703-861-8259 or [email protected] for tickets by June 2. No walk-ins.

CALENDAR DEADLINE  is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to [email protected]. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.

 

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A mourning cloak butterfly. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

By John L. Turner

John Turner

Strolling up a slight incline on a trail pockmarked with pebbles the oak forest fell steeply away to my right. The warm spring air on this day in late April was most pleasant and welcome and I paused for a moment to bask in the warmth of a circle of sunlight reaching the ground through a small break in the tree canopy, happy winter was in the rear view mirror. 

Numerous Flowering Dogwood trees were in blossom in the forest, adding a splash of white and pink to the understory, their flowers reminding me of a grouping of water lilies floating fifteen feet in the air, although they were at eye level because of the falling slope. 

And suddenly movement — a butterfly is sailing toward me down the trail, turns in a half circle and lands in a foot square patch of sunlight with wings open, facing away so that its dark wings have the best angle to absorb the warmth the shaft of sunlight offered. A mourning cloak, a butterfly with a three inch wingspan, has joined my morning, an identification I make easily and instantly due to its highly distinctive coloration, which is unlike any other butterfly in eastern North America. 

The mourning cloak, so named because its dark brown body with a pale yellow band along the outer wing margin is reminiscent of the attire once worn during funerals and other somber occasions, is a stunningly beautiful insect. 

The derivation of the scientific name is a different story; Nymphalis antiopa relates to arcane Greek mythology. The brown of the body and wings is rich walnut in color and toward the wing edge numerous purplish-blue oval dots are patterned within a narrow band of black, this band adjacent to the aforementioned yellow band at the wing margin. Dark flecking is sprinkled throughout the yellow. Four small yellow wedges are positioned along the leading edge of the wings. Two prominent dark colored antennae project from the butterfly’s head, forming a classic letter vee.

The underside of the wings are as drab as the upper wings are showy. This adaptation helps the mourning cloak blend in on tree bark or leaf litter if it falls to the ground and plays dead, as it sometimes does to avoid predation. If it decides instead to flee it can erupt fast, emitting an unusual clicking sound (which I’ve never heard) which reportedly disturbs birds.  

The mourning cloak is typically the first butterfly to emerge in the spring because it overwinters as an adult; no need for springtime pupation and metamorphosis as with other butterflies. Adults spend the winter in surprising fashion — hibernating beneath flaking tree bark, in tree cavities and in the cracks of larger rocks. They are able to survive the winter because they have “antifreeze” in their blood and cells — sugar compounds (glycerols) which lower the temperature at which the insect would freeze. Once it emerges it rapidly shivers its flight muscles helping the butterfly to warm up. Its dense hairlike bristles help to hold the muscle-generated heat inside.  

Another surprise in a butterfly with several surprises is that, once it emerges, it doesn’t depend upon, or much utilize flowers and their sugary nectar, although the species will occasionally visit them. Rather, they depend upon tree sap, the moisture and sugar in fallen fruits, the sweet exudate of aphids, mud puddles, even animal dung. Due to the fact this butterfly came out of pupation last summer means it is — as far as insects go — a long lived insect, having a lifespan as much as ten to twelve months. 

Not surprising, given its ability to survive frigid temperatures, the mourning cloak is found in temperate and cold regions all across North America, Europe and Asia. In England it’s known as the ‘Camberwell Beauty’; the species was first discovered in England at Camberwell in 1748 and the discoverer, Moses Harris, suggested the name. It also ranges south and is known from Central and South America.   

If the mourning cloak mates, egg laying takes place with the eggs laid on one of a wide range of host plants including  various willows, aspen, birch, hackberry, elm, hawthorn, cottonwood, poplar and mulberry, among others. The eggs are laid in long clusters along the stem near its tip and they are as beautiful as they are geometrically distinctive; they remind me a little of the dome of the U.S. Capitol. I wouldn’t blame you if you stopped reading here and “Google image” the eggs. It’s worth the effort. 

At first, when small, the caterpillars stay together but after going through growth stages known as instars they separate. A mature caterpillar is black with eight orange dots and is heavily spined which, if touched, can irritate the skin. The pupa, the case in which the miracle of metamorphosis occurs, is also spined. On Long Island the butterflies emerge in early to mid-summer and will, if the weather grows hot, aestivate (kind of like hibernation in the summer). Another emergence can occur in the fall.  

As with so many elements of the natural world, butterflies unfortunately are declining in abundance and mourning cloaks are no exception. In a recently published study  measuring population trends of North American butterfly species, the mourning cloak has declined by about 22% over the past quarter century. This alarming decline appears due to a combination of continued widespread pesticide use, climate change, and habitat loss. 

How can you help this iconic harbinger of spring? By foregoing the use of pesticides, leaving on your property standing dead and dying trees with their sheltered protective cavities and sloughing bark, and supporting organizations devoted to butterfly conservation such as the Xerces Society.  

A resident of Setauket, author John L. Turner is a naturalist, conservation co-chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, and Conservation Policy Advocate for the Seatuck Environmental Association.

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METRO photo
The microbiome affects our immune system responses

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

We have been hearing more frequent references to the microbiome recently in health discussions and healthcare marketing. So, what is it, and why is it important to our health?

We each have a microbiome, trillions of microbes that include bacteria, viruses and single-cell eukaryotes that influence our body’s functions. When “good” and “bad” microbes are in balance, we operate without problems. However, when the balance is tipped, often by environmental factors, such as diet, infectious diseases, and antibiotic use, it can make us more susceptible to inflammation, diseases and disorders.

We are going to focus on the gut microbiome, where much of our immune system response lives. Research into the specifics of our microbiome’s role in healthy functioning is still in its infancy. Current research into the microbiome’s effects include its role in obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s, and infectious diseases, such as colitis.

What affects our microbiome?

Lifestyle choices, like diet, can impact your microbiome positively or negatively. Microbiome diversity may vary significantly in different geographic locations throughout the world, because diet and other environmental factors play such a large role.

When we take medications, like antibiotics, we can wipe out our microbial diversity, at least in the short term. This is why antibiotics can cause gastrointestinal upset. Antibiotics don’t differentiate between good and bad bacteria.

One way to counteract an antibiotic’s negative effects is to take a probiotic during and after your course of antibiotics. I recommend taking Renew Life’s 30-50 billion units once a day, two hours after an antibiotic dose and continuing for 14 days after you have finished taking your prescription. If you need more protection, you can take one dose of probiotics two hours after each antibiotic dose.

Does the microbiome affect weight?

Many obese patients continually struggle to lose weight. Obese and overweight patients now outnumber malnourished individuals worldwide (1).

For a long time, the weight loss “solution” had been to reduce caloric intake. However, extreme low-calorie diets were not having a long-term impact. It turns out that our gut microbiome may play important roles in obesity and weight loss, determining whether we gain or lose weight.

The results from a study involving human twins and mice are fascinating (2). In each pair of human twins, one was obese, and the other was lean. Gut bacteria from obese twins was transplanted into thin mice. The result: the thin mice became obese. However, when the lean human twins’ gut bacteria were transplanted to thin mice, the mice remained thin.

By pairing sets of human twins, one obese and one thin in each set, with mice that were identical to each other and raised in a sterile setting, researchers limited the confounding effects of environment and genetics on weight.

The most intriguing part of the study compared the effects of diet and gut bacteria. When the mice who had received gut transplants from obese twins were provided gut bacteria from thin twins and given fruit- and vegetable-rich, low-fat diet tablets, they lost significant weight. Interestingly, they only lost weight when on a good diet. The authors believe this suggests that an effective diet may alter the microbiome of obese patients, helping them lose weight. These are exciting, but preliminary, results. It is not yet clear which bacteria may be contributing to these effects.

Gut bacteria and autoimmune disease

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can be disabling, with patients typically suffering from significant joint soreness and joint breakdown. What if gut bacteria influences RA risk? In a study, the gut bacteria in mice that were made susceptible to RA by deletion of certain genes (HLA-DR genes) were compared to those who were more resistant to developing RA (3). Researchers found that the RA-susceptible mice had a predominance of Clostridium bacteria and that those resistant to RA were dominated by bacteria such as bifidobacteria and Porphyromonadaceae species. The significance is that the bacteria in the RA-resistant mice are known for their anti-inflammatory effects.

Diet and other lifestyle considerations, such as eating and sleeping patterns or their disruptions, can affect the composition and diversity of gut bacteria (4). Studies have already demonstrated prebiotic effects of fiber and significant short-term changes to the microbiome when eating fruits, vegetables, and plant fiber. Others are considering the effects of specific diets on the immune system and development of non-communicable diseases (5).

The promise of personalized medicine that helps individuals identify the perfect mix of microbes for them is still out in the future; however, many preliminary studies suggest important learnings that we can all use.

References:

(1) “The Evolution of Obesity”; Johns Hopkins University Press; 2009. (2) Science. 2013;341:1241214. (3) PLoS One. 2012;7:e36095. (4) Nutrients. 2019 Dec;11(12):2862. (5) Nutrients. 2021 Feb 22;13(2):699.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

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A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
A scene from 'Wait Until Dark' at Theatre Three. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

Reviewed by Rita J. Egan

Theatre Three’s Wait Until Dark cast has theatergoers sitting at the edge of their seats — sometimes even jumping out of them.

Directed by Christine Boehm, the suspense thriller, which was written by Frederick Knott and adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, takes place in the Greenwich Village basement apartment of Susan Hendrix and her husband Sam in 1944. 

The show, which opened on April 18, follows Susan, who recently lost her vision and three con artists searching for a mysterious doll. Audience members soon discover how resourceful she is and learn why sometimes it’s best to wait until dark. 

The play, which originally debuted on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in 1966, was released as a movie in 1967 starring Audrey Hepburn of Breakfast at Tiffany’s fame.

Set designer Randall Parsons has skillfully recreated a small apartment on Theatre Three’s mainstage. The smartly designed set, which includes pieces integral to the plot line, and the theater’s size are perfect for a play such as this, as audience members are easily drawn into the scenes, feeling like they are right there in the room as the story unfolds.

Jessica Mae Murphy, as Susan, is quite convincing as the blind homemaker. She evokes sympathy as she reveals her frustrations and strategically bumps into furniture in earlier scenes. Later in the production, as the character’s senses become keener and she realizes her blindness may be an asset in her current circumstances, Murphy seamlessly conveys the confidence growing in Susan.

Scott Butler plays up the swarminess of the conniving conman Harry Roat Jr. to the point that one can’t help but feel uncomfortable whenever he is on stage. Unsurprisingly, the character turns out to be the most dangerous of the three con artists.

Richard O’Sullivan delivers just how uncomfortable his character Sgt. Carlino is with the situation he has been dragged into. David DiMarzo, as Mike Talman, is so convincing as a sweet and friendly former Marine and friend of Susan’s husband that audience members may feel sorry for him when they discover his ultimate fate despite a story twist that reveals his true identity.

Adriana Mia Como is perfect as the bratty girl Gloria, who lives in the same apartment building as Susan and her husband and, at the same time, she gets across that the character truly cares for Susan. While Eric J. Hughes’ time on stage as Sam was short, he portrayed the character with sweetness and charm.

Theatre Three has proven once again that regional theater is an asset to the community and offering productions such as Wait Until Dark is vital. Plays such as this one and last year’s The Gin Game are a treat since most modern theater lovers have most likely never had the opportunity to see them live on stage.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Wait Until Dark until May 11. Runtime is approximately two hours with a 15-minute intermission. Please note the production contains some adult situations. The season continues with Half Time from May 24 to June 22. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12 and Wednesday matinees. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit theatrethree.com.

Theatre Three announced the line-up for its 55th season on April 19:

Annie from Sept. 13 to Oct. 19, 2025; A Christmas Carol from Nov. 8 to Dec. 27, 2025; Brighton Beach Memoirs from Jan. 17 to Feb. 8, 2026; Godspell from Feb. 21 to March 22, 2026; The 39 Steps from April 11 to May 3, 2026 and Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein from May 16 to June 21, 2026. Tickets are on sale now.

 

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IN HONOR OF MOTHER EARTH Stony Brook University presents its annual Earthstock Festival on April 25. Photo courtesy of SBU
Thursday April 24

Winds & Whales lecture

Join the Whaling Museum in Cold Spring Harbor for an online lecture, Winds & Whales, at 6 p.m. Rhianna Bozzi from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will speak about recent progress in offshore wind and to sort out fact from fiction when it comes to the effects this development has on local whale populations. Free. $10 donation appreciated. To register, visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Native American Drumming

All Souls Church Rectory, 5 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook hosts an evening of Native American Drumming Meditation from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.  Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Free. 631-655-7798

Vanderbilt Book Talk 

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its lecture series with Dr. John T. Tanacredi, Ph.D., Professor of   Earth and Environmental Sciences and Former Director of CERCOM (Center for Environmental Research and Coastal Oceans Monitoring), at Molloy University, who will give a talk on his latest book, The Redesigned Earth: A Brief Review of Ecology for Engineers, as if the Earth Really Mattered, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. To RSVP, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Next Chapter book signing

Join The Next Chapter Bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington welcomes former New York Mets and author Art Shamsky from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Shamsky will be speaking and signing copies of his book, Mets Stories I Only Tell My Friends. Free admission. www.thenextchapterli.com

Walt Whitman Birthplace lecture

Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station presents a lecture titled How Leaves of Grass Influenced Modern Day Self-Healing at 7 p.m. Museum curator Margaret Guardi and Curator Assistant Derry Schafer will discuss how Whitman’s fan and close friend Dr. Richard Maurice Bucke and his magnum opus Cosmic Consciousness. Tickets are $10. To register, visit www.waltwhitman.org.

An Evening of Comedy

The Comedy Club returns to Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson at 8 p.m. with another outrageous night of live stand-up featuring Paul Anthony, John Larocchia and Joe DeVito. Come early and enjoy a beverage from Griswold’s Bar. Tickets are $40. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Friday April 25

Community Blood Drive

Brookhaven Town Hall 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville will hold a blood drive in the Second Floor auditorium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments preferred but walk-ins welcome. 631-451-6647.

Earthstock Festival at SBU

The signature Earthstock Festival returns to Stony Brook University’s West campus, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with vendors, live music, a duck race, lots of activities and performances. Free and open to all. Visit www.stonybrook.edu/earthstock for more info.

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway

In celebration of Arbor Day, the Town of Brookhaven will hold its annual tree seedling, mulch and compost give away in the South Parking Lot of Brookhaven Town Hall, located at 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The tree seedlings available for pick-up are Red Pine; American Hazelnut; Bear Oak; Hybrid Poplar; Wetland Rose; Bristly Locust; Sand Cherry and Prairie Willow. Free mulch and compost will also be available in bulk — residents must bring shovels and containers to load it into their vehicles. All items will be available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. For more info, call 631-451-TOWN.

Vaudeville in St. James

Join Celebrate St. James, 176 Second St., St. James for a presentation by Christina Hurtado-Pierson titled Vaudeville in St. James at 7 p.m. Through stories, archival materials and historical insight, learn the role of St. James in the story of vaudeville’s rise and legacy. Refreshments will be served, Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Call 631-984-0201 to purchase.

Hawaiian Heritage Night

The Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum, RJO School, 101 Church St., Kings Park presents a Hawaiian/Polynesian Heritage Night at 7 p.m. Join them for a magical night of music and dancing. The museum will be open at 6 p.m. to browse the collection. Free. kpheritagemuseum.net

Friday Night Face Off

Long Island’s longest running Improv Comedy Show, Friday Night Face Off, returns to Theatre Three’s Second Stage, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson tonight at 10:30 p.m. Using audience suggestions, FNFO pits two teams of improvisers against each other in an all-out championship! Recommended for ages 16 and up, due to adult content. Tickets are $15 at the door, cash only. 631-928-9100

Saturday April 26

Spring Craft & Vendor Fair

Time to shop! Comsewogue High School, 565 North Bicycle Path, Port Jefferson Station hosts a Spring Craft & Vendor Fair with over 50 vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. 631-474-8179

Antiques in April

Huntington Historical Society’s annual outdoor Antiques in April sale returns to the Dr. Daniel W. Kissam House, 434 Park Ave., Huntington today and April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring close to 20 antique dealers on the lawn; books, antiques and furniture from the Society’s Barn, and specials from the Antique & Collectibles Shop. Free admission. Held rain or shine. Call 631-427-7045, ext. 401 for more info.

Spring Festival at the Hatchery – This event has been postponed to May 3.

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor presents a Spring Festival fundraiser  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with kid’s fishing, food, music, games, environmental exhibitors and live animal encounters. Rain date is May 3. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. 516-692-6768

Arbor Day Walk

Town of Brookhaven will host an Arbor Day Walk at West Meadow Beach in Stony Brook at 10 a.m. and at Cedar Beach Nature Center in Mount Sinai at 2 p.m. Join them for a closer look at the trees that shape the landscape and support the ecosystem on these beautiful north shore peninsulas. Free but registration required by emailing [email protected].

SBU Spring Vendor Fair

Shop local for your Mother’s Day gifts or get something just for you at a Spring Vendor Fair at the Student Activities Center Plaza at Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Rain date is April 27. 631-632-9912

Model Train Show

Drop by the Smithtown Historical Society’s Frank Brush Barn, 211 East Main St., Smithtown for a Model Train Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring an HO Scale operating layout from Long Island HOTracks. Proceeds go to the Smithtown Historical Society’s maintenance of farm buildings and animal care. Tickets are $5 adults. $3 kids ages 3 to 12 at the door.  631-265-6768

Superheroes of the Sky – This event has been canceled

Join Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Sweetbriar from 11 a.m. to noon for Superheroes of the Sky, a walking tour of the Center’s birds of prey to learn about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about bald eagles, turkey vultures, owls, hawks and many more. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 children. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org.

Earth Day Celebration – This event has been postponed to May 17.

West Hills County Park, Sweet Hollow Road, Melville and Suffolk County Leg. Rebecca Sanin will host an Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a DDR horse show, live poetry readings and music, lawn games, farmers market, food vendors, environmental information booths and free giveaways. No registration required. 631-854-5100

Northport Walking Tour

Join Dan Sheehan of the Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport for a Historic Main Street Walking Tour at 1:30 p.m. Travel back in time as you hear the stories of the people and landmarks that helped shape Northport, including Jack Kerouac, the Northport Oyster Barons, Rum Runners and the Trolley.All ages welcome. $15 per person, $12 members. To register, visit www.northporthistorical.org.

Artist in the Gallery

Visitors to the Building the Ballot Box exhibition at the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook will have the unique opportunity to meet David Bunn Martine, an artist featured in the show, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. His painting, “Shinnecock Ceremony, 18th Century,” is on view in the exhibit. Included with museum admission. 631-751-0066

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

St. James United Methodist Church, 532 Moriches Road, St. James invites the community to a Spaghetti Dinner  and Dollar Auction from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $15 adults and children ages 13 and up, $6 children ages 4 to 12, children ages three and under are free. To reserve your spot, call or text 631-921-0680 or 631-513-7497.

Pop Girlie Party

Attention Swifties and Livies! The Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents a Pop Girlie Party featuring the music of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and others with American Idol Golden Ticket winner Julia Jewel at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $46.50 to $56.50. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.

Sunday April 27

Antiques in April

See April 26 listing.

SWR Earth Day Cleanup

The Wading River Shoreham Chamber of Commerce invites the community to  participate in an Earth Day Clean-up event from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River for a day of environmental stewardship. Supplies will be provided or feel free to bring you own. Community service credits available. Held rain or shine. Register at www.wadingrivershorehamchamber.com.

Fabulous 50s, 60s Car Show

The Fabulous 50s & 60s Nostalgia Car Club presents its annual judged car show at The Maples, 10 Ryerson Ave., Manorville from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featuring classic and muscle cars, hot ruds, customs and more with vendors and music. $20 per vehicle, $5 for spectators. Rain dates is May 3. 631-463-4983 

Spring Appreciation Day

Rescheduled from April 26. Spring Appreciation Day returns to the Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main St., Stony Brook from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a variety of entertainment and experiences during this free event, including Steppin’ Out Ponies & Petting Zoo; Mustang & Shelby Club of Long Island Car Show; live music by Brenda & Burke; a scavenger hunt with the Ward Melville Heritage Organization Youth Corps; and a Stony Brook Fire Department Open House. For more information, visit stonybrookvillage.com.

Community and Music Festival

Rescheduled from April 26. Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce presents its 4th annual Community and Music Festival at Elk’s Lodge and McNaughton Park, 41 Horseblock Road, Centereach from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy live music by Foreign Journey, Chris Devine Acoustic and The Band Easy Street; food trucks; craft vendors; beer garden; kids activities and much more. Free admission. 631-681-8708

Motorcycle Show 

Rescheduled from April 26. In conjunction with their current exhibit, Getting There, the Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook presents a Motorcycle Show in their parking lot from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Curated by Nelson Medina, the event will feature custom, classic and unique motorcycles that are sure to impress. Free refreshments and posters will be offered.  631-751-0077

Cherry Blossom Festival

Stony Brook University’s Charles B Wang Center, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook hosts its 25th annual Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom Festival from noon to 5 p.m. Featuring taiko drum performances, koto plays, Japanese traditional dances, martial arts demonstrations, bonsai workshops, calligraphy workshops, ikebana flower arrangement, tea workshops, manga drawing, origami paper folding, kimono dress-ups, and cosplay for all ages. Admission is $30 adults, $20 seniors/students, $10 children ages 6 to 12. 631-698-2467

Earth Day at Sweetbriar

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown invites the community to an Earth Day is Every Day celebration from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Children will meet resident animals, make a craft and go on a scavenger hunt to find out some of the things they can do to help the natural world. Best for families with children over 4 years old. $15 per child, $5 per adults. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org.

Karen Bella in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook  presents a concert by the Karen Bella from 3 to 4 p.m. The event is free with general admission ticket purchase. 631-689-5888, www.limusichalloffame.org

Comedy Night Fundraiser

Farmingville Residents Association hosts a Comedy Night & Chinese Auction fundraiser at Gambino Catering Hall, 2005 Route 112, Medford at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5 p.m. Auction drawing winners will be selected at the show’s conclusion — must be present to win. Tickets are $25 per person. Contains adult content. To order, visit www.farmingvilleresidents.org. For more information, call 631-260-7411. 

Monday April 28

College and Career Fair

Hauppauge High School, 200 Lincoln Blvd., Hauppauge hosts a College and Career Fair from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This event is free and open to all students and parents. College representatives will be on hand to answer questions and offer information. Presented by WSCA. To register ahead of time (optional), visit gotocollegefairs.com.

Nutrition Workshop

Mt. Sinai Congregational Church, 233 North Country Road, Mt. Sinai is hosting Integrative Nutritionist Iman Marghoob for a discussion/demonstration class at 6:30 p.m. in Voorhees Hall. Ms. Marghoob will address Endocrine Disruptors and Supplements.  $20 per person. To register, call 631-473-1582 or email [email protected].  

Tuesday April 29

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to talk by Shari Kopelman about Israel’s emergency medical organization Magen David Adom at 11 a.m. Bagels and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

SBU University Orchestra concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook presents the University Orchestra in concert on the Main Stage at 7:30 p.m. Conducted by Susan Deaver, the program will include Dukas “La Peri” fanfare for brass, Chadwick’s “Jubilee” from Symphonic Sketches, Lovreglio “Fantasia da Concerto on themes from La Traviata” and Holst’s The Planets featuring movements Mars, Venus, Mercury and Jupiter. The featured soloist is clarinetist Maximo Flores. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 students. To order, call 631-632-2787 or visit  www.stallercenter.com.

Wednesday April 30

Cruise Night at The Shoppes

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River hosts a Cruise Night Car Show tonight and every Wednesday through October from 5 to 9 p.m. Visit the Shoppes, enjoy a bite to eat and then check out the fine array of classic cars in the parking lot. 631-929-3500

Goat & Alpaca Yoga

The Smithtown Historical Society, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown will host a 45 minute session of yoga with friendly, interactive goats and alpaca from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m courtesy of  by Steppin’ Out Ponies and Petting Zoo. Tickets are $35 per person via Eventbrite.com. Please bring a mat & towel. For more information, call 631-265-6768.

Harris Becker

Long Island Guitar Festival

The 33rd annual Long Island Guitar Festival kicks off tonight at The Setauket Presbyterian Church, 5 Caroline Ave., Setauket with a concert from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and runs through May 4. Scheduled performers include Raphaella Smits, Hao Yang, Jérémy Jouve, Kithara Duo, Mela Guitar Quartet, Harris Becker & Friends, Nathan Park and more plus master classes and workshops. For a schedule of events, visit www.ligfest.net.

Thursday May 1

Long Island Guitar Festival

See April 30 listing.

Thankful Thursdays at the Vanderbilt

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its Thankful Thursdays series with a free family-friendly planetarium show titled Earth, Moon and Sun at 7 p.m. After the show, an astronomy educator will invite you to look through a telescope at the night sky (weather permitting). Recommended for ages 8 and up. For complimentary tickets, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. 

Strictly Sinatra at The Jazz Loft

The Jazz Loft Big Band, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents Strictly Sinatra! with vocalist Pete Caldera tonight, May 2 and May 3 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. $40 admission with senior, student and child discounts. To order, visit www.thejazzloft.org. 631-751-1895

Film

‘Front Row’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series closes its spring season with Front Row at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main Street, Port Jefferson on April 24 at 7 p.m. The film showcases the Ukrainian National Ballet’s poignant company tour as it performs far from the frontlines and invites a soldier who lost his legs to partake in a singular performance. Followed by a conversation with Stony Brook Professor Juliette Passer, journalist Nataliia Tuiahina and SBU grad student Tetiana Fedotova. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash only) or at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

‘Pink Floyd at Pompeii’

A screening of Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII, the groundbreaking 1972 film directed by Adrian Maben, now digitally re-mastered in 4K from the original 35mm footage with enhanced audio, will be held at  the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington on April 24 at 7:30 p.m. and April 27 at 7 p.m. Set in the haunting ruins of the ancient Roman Amphitheater in Pompeii, it showcases Pink Floyd performing an intimate concert without an audience. The film includes stunning visuals, behind-the-scenes moments, and unforgettable tracks like “Echoes” and “One of These Days” along with additional Abbey Road Studios documentary segments covering the recording of 1973’s The Dark Side of the Moon. Tickets are $18, $12 members. www.cinemaartscentre.org

‘Gotta Dance’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson in collaboration with the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council presents a special screening of the documentary Gotta Dance on April 27 at 7 p.m. The film inspired the musical Half Time, the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who audition to dance at half time for a major basketball team with three things in common — they love to dance, they have something to prove, and they are all over 60 years old. Followed by Jeffrey Sanzel in conversation with director Dori Berinstein (Dirty Dancing). Tickets are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Wicked’

Join Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station to watch Wicked starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jonathan Bailey on April 29 from 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. To reserve your seat, call 631-928-1212 or visit www.cplib.org

Theater

‘Waitress The Musical’

John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Waitress The Musical from March 13 to April 27. Based on the 2007 movie, it tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears she may have to abandon the dream of opening her own pie shop until a baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s handsome new doctor offer her a tempting recipe for happiness. To order, call 631-261-2900 or go to www.engemantheater.com.

‘The Minutes’

North Shore United Methodist Church, 260 Rte. 25A, Wading River presents three performances of The Minutes on April 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. and April 27 at 3 p.m. A comedy by Pulitzer Prize-winning Tracy Letts, the play is written as a city council meeting happening in real time, with a motley crew of community members vying for control and influence.  Presented by Riverhead Faculty and Community Theatre, directed by Huck Hirsch. Tickets $20 adults, $15 students $15 in advance by calling 631-929-6075 or at the door. 

‘Wait Until Dark’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage season with Wait Until Dark from April 18 to May 11. Jeffrey Hatcher’s gripping new adaptation of Frederick Knott’s classic sets the action in 1944 Greenwich Village. Susan, a woman who recently lost her vision, is imperiled by con men searching for a mysterious doll. Trapped in her apartment, Susan draws on new depths of resourcefulness as the story builds to its extraordinary, breath-taking conclusion. Contains adult situations. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’

Suffolk County Community College, 533 College Road, Selden presents Priscilla, Queen of the Desert — The Musical in the Shea Theater in the Islip Arts Building April 17 to 19 and April 23 to 26 at 7:30 p.m. and  April 27 at 2 p.m. Based on the smash-hit movie, the play is the heartwarming, uplifting adventure of three friends, a glamorous Sydney-based performing trio who agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. Featuring hits like “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive,” “Hot Stuff,” “Go West,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” and “I Love The Nightlife.” General admission is $15, veterans and students 16 years of age or younger $10. SCCC students with current ID get one free ticket. To order, call 631-451-4163. S

(mostly) TRUE THINGS 

The Performing Arts Studio, 224 East Main St., Port Jefferson presents a (mostly) TRUE THINGS Storytelling Show on April 26 at 7 p.m. Join them for a compelling evening of true stories – with a twist on the theme GAME ON! Hosted by Jude Treder-Wolff, the show will feature Marc Abbott, Aaron Foss, Cyndi Zaweski, and Jezrie-Mercano-Courtney. Tickets are $20 online at www.mostlytruethings.com, $25 cash at the door.

‘South Pacific’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Main Stage season with South Pacific from May 15 to June 29. This beloved musical takes place on a South Pacific island during World War II where two love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. With songs such as “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” “Younger Than Spring-time,” and “There Is Nothin’ Like A Dame,” South Pacific’s lush score contains some of the best songs ever written by Rodgers & Hammerstein. For more information and to order, call 631-261-2900 or go to www.engemantheater.com.

Class Reunions

— Ward Melville High School Class of 1975 will hold its 50 year reunion at St George Golf & Country Club in East Setauket on June 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $126.00 per person includes hors d’oeuvres, Prime Rib buffet dinner and open bar. Contact Cary Fichtner-Vu  at 703-861-8259 or [email protected] for tickets by June 2. No walk-ins.

Farmers Markets

Huntington Farmers Market

Spirit of Huntington Art Center, 2 Melville Road North, Huntington Station hosts the Long Island Winter Farmers Market every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Jan. 5 through April 27. 631-470-9620

Port Jefferson Farmers Market

The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market returns to the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Jan. 12 through April 27. 631-802-2160

CALENDAR DEADLINE  is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to [email protected]. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.

 

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METRO photo
Sleeping well can have positive long-term effects

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

It’s hard to avoid the flood of advertisements for products — from supplements to “brain games” — that promise to help us avoid cognitive decline as we age. Fear of slowing down cognitively as we age is a big driver of sales, I’m sure.

What do we really know about the brain, though?

We know that head injuries and certain drugs can have negative effects. Many neurological, infectious, and rheumatologic disorders can also have long-term effects. Examples include autoimmune and psychiatric mood disorders, diabetes and heart disease. In these cases, addressing the underlying medical issue is critical. 

Lifestyle choices also make a difference. Several studies suggest that we may be able to help our brains function more effectively by making simple lifestyle changes around our sleep and exercise habits. It’s also possible that taking omega-3s can help.

What is brain clutter?

Are 20-somethings more quick-witted than people over 60? It’s a common societal assumption.

German researchers put this to the test. They found that educated older people tend to have a larger mental database of words and phrases to draw upon when responding to a question (1). When this was factored into their simulation analysis, the difference in terms of age-related cognitive decline was negligible.

However, the more you know, the harder it can be to provide a simple answer to a question, leading to slower processing and response times.

Interestingly, a recent study that analyzed trends from three separate studies of brain health and aging found that older adults’ cognition has been increasing over time (2). The author notes that much of this can be attributed to environmental factors, such as education, healthcare and nutrition. Interestingly, younger adults’ cognition has not changed over the same study periods.

Let’s take a closer look at things we can control in our daily lives.

Regulating sleep

Researchers have identified two specific benefits we receive from sleep: clearing the mind and increased productivity.

For the former, a study done in mice shows that sleep may help the brain remove waste, such as beta-amyloid plaques (3). Excessive plaque buildup in the brain may be a sign of Alzheimer’s. When mice were sleeping, the interstitial space (the space between brain structures) increased by as much as 60 percent.

This allowed the lymphatic system, with its cerebrospinal fluid, to clear out plaques, toxins and other waste that had developed during waking hours. With the enlargement of the interstitial space during sleep, waste removal was quicker and more thorough, because cerebrospinal fluid could reach much farther. A similar effect was seen when the mice were anesthetized.

An Australian study showed that sleep deprivation may have contributed to an almost one percent decline in gross domestic product (4). Why? When people don’t get enough sleep, they are not as productive. They tend to be more irritable, and their concentration may be affected. While we may be able to turn on and off sleepiness in the short term, we can’t do this continually.

One study found that sleep deprivation results were comparable to alcohol impairment (5). Subjects’ response time and accuracy with assigned tasks after 17-19 hours without sleep were the same or worse than their performance when they had a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .05 percent. With more than 19 hours of sleeplessness, performance equaled .1 percent BAC.

Exercise’s impact

One study with rats suggests that a lack of exercise can cause unwanted new brain connections. Rats that were not allowed to exercise were found to have rewired neurons around their medulla, the part of the brain involved in breathing and other involuntary activities. This included more sympathetic (excitatory) stimulus that could lead to increased risk of heart disease (6). 

Among the rats allowed to exercise regularly, there was no unusual wiring, and sympathetic stimuli remained constant. 

An analysis of 98 randomized controlled trials assessing exercise’s cognitive results in older adults, both with and without cognitive impairment, found that a minimum of 52 hours of physical exercise distributed over 25 weeks led to improvements in cognitive function. Physical exercise included aerobic, resistance (strength) training, mind–body exercises, or combinations of these. The authors suggest that, based on the data trends, benefits accumulate over time (7).

Omega-3 fatty acids

The hippocampus is involved in memory and cognitive function. In the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study, results showed that postmenopausal women who were in the highest quartile of measured omega-3 fatty acids had significantly greater brain volume and hippocampal volume than those in the lowest quartile (8). 

Specifically, the researchers looked at the levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in red blood cell membranes. The source of the omega-3 fatty acids was from either fish or supplementation.

While we have a lot to learn about maintaining brain function as we age, it’s comforting to know that we can positively influence it with lifestyle adjustments, including improving our sleep quality, exercising, and ensuring we consume enough omega-3 fatty acids.

References:

(1) Top Cogn Sci. 2014 Jan;6:5-42. (2) Dev Review. 2024 Mar 19 online. (3) Science. 2013 Oct. 18;342:373-377. (4) Sleep. 2006 Mar.;29:299-305. (5) Occup Environ Med. 2000 Oct;57(10):649-55. (6) J Comp Neurol. 2014 Feb. 15;522:499-513. (7) Neurol Clin Pract. 2018 Jun;8(3):257–265. (8) Neurology. 2014;82:435-442.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

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The Battle of Yorktown stamp unveiled by the USPS on April 16.

Together with the U.S. National Park Service, the U.S. Postal Service held a ceremony at Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, MA on April 16 to dedicate its new Battlefields of the American Revolution stamps.

“These stamps celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation and pay tribute to the heroes who fought and sacrificed for American independence,” said Judy de Torok, the Postal Service’s corporate affairs vice president, who served as the stamps’ dedicating official. “We are proud to partner with the National Park Service to commemorate and honor the enduring legacy of these historic battlefields.”

“The National Park Service is honored to host the U.S. Postal Service’s first-day-of-issue ceremony for the Battlefields of the American Revolution stamps,” said Simone Monteleone, Minute Man National Historical Park superintendent. “Having the ceremony at the site of the opening battle of the American Revolution provides another opportunity for visitors to participate in the 250th anniversary.”

Other participants at the ceremony were Paul O’Shaughnessy, master of ceremonies and Friends of Minute Man National Park board president; Kerry Lafleur, Concord, MA, town manager; Steve Bartha, Lexington, MA, town manager; Lt. Col. Geoffrey Love, Massachusetts National Guard historical services director and curator of its museum; Donald Hafner, historian, author and former Boston College professor; Liza Stearns, National Parks of Boston deputy superintendent; and Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County, NY, historian and Saratoga 250th American Revolution Commission chair.

Background

On farm fields and town greens, along countryside byways and city lanes, the people of a new nation — some famous, others forever unknown — committed their lives to American independence. As the United States prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary next year, the Postal Service honors the battlefields where so many sacrificed to make independence possible.

With photographs and historic sites alongside dramatic illustrations of pivotal moments in the American Revolution, this pane of stamps focuses on five turning points in the war: the battles of Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Trenton, Saratoga and Yorktown.

Many of the places and buildings associated with these battles have been preserved or restored as museums, monuments, and national, state, or local parks. As part of the multiyear celebration of America’s 250th birthday, the Postal Service hopes these stamps will inspire the public to visit these and other sites from the Revolutionary era and contemplate the long threads of history that connect us to the first generation of Americans.

Stamp Design

The pane of 15 stamps is arranged in five rows, with each row dedicated to one of the five battles. Each row features a photograph of a site linked to the battle, complemented by a watercolor illustration depicting a scene from that battle.

The Battle of Lexington and Concord is represented by a modern photograph of the Old North Bridge and an illustration showing American militia members retaking the bridge from the withdrawing British on April 19, 1775.

The Battle of Bunker Hill is represented by an illustration showing the second British assault on Breed’s Hill on June 17, 1775, from the perspective of the defending Americans, alongside a photograph of the Bunker Hill Monument in modern-day Boston.

The Battle of Trenton is represented by a recent photograph showing the Old Barracks Museum, which housed Hessian and British soldiers in Trenton, NJ, before the Dec. 26, 1776, battle, and an illustration showing George Washington and some of his officers during their daring crossing of the Delaware River prior to the battle.

The Battle of Saratoga is represented by an illustration showing British Lt. Gen. John Burgoyne handing his sword as a symbol of surrender to Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates on Oct. 17, 1777, with men from both sides looking on. Alongside the illustration is a modern photograph of a replica of a British howitzer on the lawn of the visitors’ center at Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater, NY.

The Battle of Yorktown is represented by a modern photograph of two British defenses taken by Americans and their French allies during the autumn 1781 siege in Virginia and reconstructed by the National Park Service — Redoubt 9 in the foreground and Redoubt 10 in the background. Alongside the photograph is an illustration depicting the formal surrender of the British on Oct. 19, 1781.

The title “Battlefields of the American Revolution” appears at the top of the stamp pane. The names and dates of each battle, which encompass the dates of the two British surrenders, appear on the selvage to the right of each row of stamps. In the top right corner of the selvage are the opening words of the first pamphlet in Thomas Paine’s series, “The American Crisis.” Published in December 1776, the pamphlet was read aloud to George Washington’s troops on Dec. 23, 1776, three days before the Battle of Trenton. Inspired to write “The American Crisis” by low civilian morale and the grim state of the Colonial army that winter, Paine hoped to bolster American resolve. He had previously written “Common Sense,” a pamphlet that decried monarchy and made a clear and forceful case for American independence.

Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps, with illustrations by Greg Harlin and photographs by Jon Bilous, Richard Lewis, Tom Morris, Gregory J. Parker and Kevin Stewart.

The Battlefields of the American Revolution stamps are being issued as Forever stamps and will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce rate.

Customers may purchase the stamps through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, first-day-of-issue ceremonies and stamp-inspired products can be found at StampsForever.com.

 

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Charles Hller (Rami Malek) takes revenge after his wife (Rachel Brosnahan) is murdered. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

Revenge is a favored plot devices of the thriller genre. Studios release dozens, if not hundreds, of films each year, drawing from this seemingly endless well. Cinema is populated with tales of the average (usually) man retaliating for the abduction or death of a loved one (spouse/parent/child). The hero, discovering new-found or dormant resources, overcomes evil, destroys their opponents, and allows the audience a vicarious sense of justice. 

Robert Littell worked for many years as a Newsweek journalist during the Cold War, serving as the magazine’s foreign correspondent from 1965 to 1970. Beginning with The Defection of A.J. Lewinter (1973), the award-winning Littell wrote over twenty spy novels, many concerning the CIA and the Soviet Union, the most recent A Plague on Both Your Houses: A Novel in the Shadow of the Russian Mafia (2024). 

Rami Malek in a scene from ‘The Amateur’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios

With Diana Maddox, Littell co-adapted The Amateur (1981) for the screen, starring John Savage and Christopher Plummer. Director James Hawes helms the current remake, with a screenplay by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli. Taking the novel’s basic story but eschewing many of the more interesting details, they have fashioned a by-the-numbers thriller that, for all its drive, never builds momentum. 

Low-key (almost somnambulic) Charles Heller (Rami Malek) works as a CIA cryptographer. His wife, professional photographer Sarah Horowitz (Rachel Brosnahan), travels to London on business. She is taken hostage and murdered during an illegal arms deal gone wrong. 

Grief-stricken, Heller decides to kill the four terrorists. Leveraging information he uncovered about a drone strike cover-up, he blackmails Special Activities Center Director Alex Moore (Holt McCallany) for information. Furious but cornered, Moore buys time by sending Heller for training with Colonel Robert Henderson (Laurence Fishburne). Once in Europe, Heller methodically hunts down his wife’s killers. He teams up briefly with an anonymous source, Inquiline (Caitriona Balfe), but most of his work is done solo, with Heller harnessing his genius rather than his limited physical skills.

The film travels from Paris to Marseilles, Istanbul to Madrid, and finally Constanta (Romania) to the Baltic Sea, where the climax is a low-grade confrontation between Heller and the mastermind, Horst Schiller (Michael Stuhlbarg).

While The Amateur contains little original, the novel touched on a few insightful pieces, particularly connections to the Holocaust. With the story updated to the present, these aspects and one of the most interesting characters, a shadowy figure known as the Professor, have been eliminated. Even Heller’s fascination with the identity of the author of Shakespeare’s plays is absent, leaving Heller a one-note character.

If anything, the film highlights technological change, with a world run by computers and monitored in every corner by thousands of cameras. However, these devices have become central rather than tools for telling the story.

Rami Malek in a scene from ‘The Amateur’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios

Rami Malek rose to prominence with the USA Network’s Mr. Robot, for which he received an Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series. His big-screen work included the Night at the Museum trilogy, Larry Crowne, The Master, and Need for Speed. But his breakout came with his Oscar-winning performance as Queen’s singer-songwriter, Freddie Mercury, in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. 

Malek is unquestionably an unusual and gifted actor, capable of complexity, variety, and style. But his performance as Heller is so subdued as not to register. Except for one beautiful moment when he opens Sarah’s suitcase, he seems to play Heller without a heartbeat. For Malek, The Amateur will be remembered as an in-between film, a bland undertaking contrasting with better and more textured work. 

Brosnahan is relegated to two short scenes, a handful of flashbacks, and a couple of “visions” that do little to show her range or talent. The always watchable Fishburne barely appears; there is a sense that he was shot for expediency, getting his scenes filmed in as few days as possible. 

Balfe is fine as Inquiline but saddled with sharing her history rather than revealing character through action (and the screenplay does her no favors, ignoring the more complicated background introduced in the book). McCallany does the best he can with a stock political villain. It is left to Jon Bernthal, as an operative known as “The Bear,” to provide an off-beat glimmer. 

Unfortunately, The Amateur offers no growth and certainly no catharsis. The resolution lacks a final of energy or surprising revelations. 

The final ten minutes wrap up the big picture, followed by a vaguely uncomfortable exchange meant to be humorous, ending with a simplistic final image unsubtly telegraphed earlier. 

For two hours, everything happens, and nothing happens. The constant movement possesses motivation but no sense of internal purpose. The film is both literally and figuratively bloodless. In the end, The Amateur provides a generic espionage drama with perpetual action but little intrigue.

Rated PG-13, the film is now playing in local theaters.

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'Sweet Dreams, Northport!'

By Melissa Arnold

We’re fortunate on Long Island to have so many beautiful places to explore. Each village has its own personality and unique perks, from popular mainstays to hidden gems.

Author and entrepreneur Tsvetta Kaleynska has traveled all over the world and takes great joy in uncovering the beauty in each new destination she visits. Originally from Bulgaria, the New York City resident wants to instill a love of travel and exploration not just in her own daughters, but in young readers everywhere.

‘Sweet Dreams, Northport!’

Kaleynska has written an independently-published series of Sweet Dreams children’s books and coloring books celebrating some of the world’s greatest cities, including Tokyo, London, and Madrid to name a few. And now, our very own Northport is among them.

“I ended up establishing my roots in [New York City]. After becoming a mom, my family and I began exploring what’s around NYC, and building an appreciation and love for new places and what our area has to offer,” Kaleynska said. “Several years ago, we stumbled upon Northport and instantly fell in love with it. We’ve had the privilege of meeting some of the local community as well, and I was inspired by the people of Northport who truly make this village feel so special.”

The illustrated, rhyming story for early readers says goodnight, one page at a time, to all of Northport’s recognizable landmarks. Main Street, the library and even the John W. Engeman Theater get their own shout-out, along with Eaton’s Neck Lighthouse, Ashroken Beach and Northport Village Park.

Kaleynska also makes a point to honor first responders and teachers, saying goodnight to them as well.

“I wanted to have a dedicated section for these special people and heroes, from our firefighters, policemen, and doctors to all the regular people whose kindness and warmth make Northport a remarkable place,” Kaleynska said.

Computer technology was used to turn photographs of Northport into vibrant and detailed illustrations. It’s easy to feel transported into the scenes and imagine yourself walking down by the harbor or looking into the windows of a shop on Main Street. 

Kaleynska said that each image was carefully crafted to bring Northport to life in a way that feels both familiar and inviting to young readers. And if these places are new to your family, the book offers a great excuse to jump in the car and go exploring.

“As for my favorite memory of Northport, there are so many! But one that stands out is sitting on a bench near the Northport dock with my husband and girls, sharing ice cream and watching the boats go by as the sun sets,” Kaleynska recalled. “Beautiful moments with loved ones like that is what inspires me daily.”

Perfect for toddlers ages 1 to 4, Sweet Dreams, Northport! is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Keep in touch with the latest from Tsvetta Kaleynska on Instagram @tsvetta.

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