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A STEP BACK IN TIME Take part in a rare tour of the historic Brewster House in Setauket on Oct. 19 as part of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s ‘Fall for All ‘fundraiser.
Thursday Oct. 17

Ghastly Ghosts in the Garden

Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook presents Ghastly Ghosts in Garden today, Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. Join them, if you dare, for a frightfully good time in their Inside/Out Garden. This event includes audiovisual lighting effects, low visibility, and fog. You should not enter if you are easily frightened or sensitive to loud noise or crowds. Free. 631-588-5024

History of PJS, Terryville Lecture

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station presents ‘What’s In a Name? History of Port Jefferson Station and Terryville” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Join Jack Smith to explore 150 years of local history in the areas of Cumsewogue, Terryville, Echo, and Port Jefferson Station with photos, maps, and more. To reserve your seat, call 631-928-1212 or visit www.cplib.org

Friday Oct. 18

Ghastly Ghosts in the Garden

See Oct.17 listing.

Harbor Haunts Walking Tour

Join the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St.. Cold Spring Harbor for a Harbor Haunts Walking Tour today and Oct. 19 at 4:30 p.m. 

Explore Cold Spring Harbor’s ghostly side with fascinating tales of mishaps and historic hauntings on Main Street. Recommended for adults and kids ages 8+. $15 per person. To register, visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Spooky Lantern Tour

Miller Place-Mount Sinai Historical Society, 75 North Country Road, Miller Place presents a Spooky Lantern Tour, a not too scary walking tour featuring the haunted history of Miller Place today, Oct. 19, 25 and 26 at 5:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. $20 per person. Advance registration required at www.mpmshistoricalsociety.org.

Third Friday at the Reboli

The Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook continues its Third Friday series with an Art Talk with New York photographer, Mike McLaughlin at 6:30 p.m. McLaughlin will enlighten guests the evolution of his art and photographic process from North Fork Landscapes and Manhattan City Scapes to his Architectural Extraction and East End Extraction series. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. Free. No reservations required. 631-751-7707

Setauket Art Reception

Mary Jane van Zeijts’ Studio 268, at 268 Main St., Setauket invites the community to an opening reception for its Wonderful Wednesday Night Women of Studio 268 Art Show at 7 p.m. The exhibit features the art of women artists in a range of mediums including oil, collage, watercolor, pastels and photography. Artwork will be available for purchase and one will be raffled off with proceeds to be donated to the Three Village School District Food Pantry. Refreshments will be served. The show will run through Nov. 9. Viewing hours are Saturdays noon to 3 p.m. or by appointment. 631-220-4529.

Baroque Concert at the LIM

Join the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook as they celebrate 25 years of WSHU’s Sunday Baroque series with a concert featuring The Sylvan Trio, an ensemble comprised of program host and flutist Suzanne Bona, cellist Josh Aerie, and pianist Greg Kostraba in the Carriage Museum’s Gillespie Room at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 at www.longislandmuseum.org.

Haunted Hollow Fundraiser

Baiting Hollow Scout Camp, 1774 Sound Ave., Calverton will host a Haunted Trail and Haunted House tonight, Oct. 19, 25 and 26 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Prepare yourself for a night filled with spine-tingling frights and eerie sights! Admission is $20 per person at www.sccbsa.org/hollowhaunted

Saturday Oct. 19

Ghastly Ghosts in the Garden

See Oct.17 listing.

Harbor Haunts Walking Tour

See Oct.18 listing.

Spooky Lantern Tour

See Oct.18 listing.

Haunted Hollow Fundraiser

See Oct.18 listing.

Outdoor Country Auction 

Going once, going twice, sold! The Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson will hold its 36th annual outdoor Country Auction on the grounds of the Mather House Museum, 115 Prospect St., Port Jefferson at 9:30 a.m. with a preview at 9 a.m. Many unique items. Free parking at school parking lot on High Street. Lunch available for purchase. Rain or shine. 631-473-2665, www.portjeffhistorical.org

Yard Sale Fundraiser

Wading River Historical Society will hold  their annual Yard Sale on the lawn of the History House, 300 North Country Road, Wading River by the Duck Ponds from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lots of treasures! Rain date is Oct. 20. 631-929-4082

Baiting Holloween Fall Festival

Baiting Hollow Scout Camp, 1774 Sound Ave., Calverton presents a Baiting Holloween Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy hay rides, trunk-or-treat, pumpkin patch, pumpkin painting, crafts, bounce house and more. Tickets are $8 adults, $15 children ages 5 to 15, ages 4 and under free. Rain date is Oct. 26. www.sccbsa.org/holloween

‘Fall for All’ house tour fundraiser

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) will host house tours of the historic Brewster House, 25 Brewster Lane, Setauket from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Step back in time at the Brewster House tavern and inn, where guests will engage with historic characters in an immersive, family-friendly experience. Enjoy colonial crafts, activities, and entertaining skits, alongside guided tours by knowledgeable docents. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children. To register, call WMHO at 631-751-2244.

Fall Harvest Festival

St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Main Street, Huntington invites the community to its annual Fall Harvest Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring holiday boutiques, silent auction, baked goods, raffle baskets, white elephant, antiques and fabulous finds, casual and professional thrift shop, handcrafted items. The festival will be followed by a free gospel concert at 4 p.m. 631-427-1752, stjohnshuntington.org

Trunk or Treat at the Pool

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

Port Jefferson Harvest Fest 

The Village of Port Jefferson hosts its annual Harvest Fest throughout the village today and Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with live music, country line dancing, pirate scavenger hunt, tractor-pull hayrides, children’s activities, costumed dog parade on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on East Main Street, scarecrow walk, pumpkin patch, chowder crawl on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (fee) and much more. 631-473-4724, portjeff.com

Porsche Car Show

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will host a car show by Metro NY Porsche Club of America on the Great Lawn from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m Rain date is Oct. 20. Visitors pay only museum admission of $10 adults, $9 students and seniors, $7 children 12 and under, which includes estate-grounds access.  www.vanderbiltmuseum.org

Superheroes of the Sky

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents Superheroes of the Sky from 11 a.m. to noon. Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds the Center’s Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about a Bald Eagle, Turkey Vultures, owls, hawks and many more. $10 adults, $5 children under the age of 12. www.sweetbriarnc.org

Homemakers Special Showcase

You’re invited! Suffolk County Homemaker’s Council will present a Special Showcase at the Coram Firehouse, Station #1, 303 Middle Country Road, Coram from noon to 4 p.m. with craft and home demonstrations, raffle baskets, free giveaways, a food truck, and voting for an up-cycled craft project. All proceeds benefit Blessings in a Backpack and scholarship fund. 631-302-5309

Halloween Party and Trunk or Treat

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

Black Poetry Day Celebration

Preservation Long Island and the Town of Huntington African American Historic Designation Council have partnered to celebrate Black Poetry Day and the 313th Birthday of Long Island writer Jupiter Hammon, America’s first published Black poet. The free event will take place at Joseph Lloyd Manor, 1 Lloyd Lane, Lloyd Harbor at 2 p.m. and will include tours of the historic house, a poetry reading by author David Mills and refreshments in the garden overlooking Lloyd Harbor. To reserve free tickets, visit www.preservationlongisland.org.

Haunted Hayrides

They’re baaaaack! Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket will offer Haunted Hayrides tonight and Oct. 20 starting at 6 p.m. Get ready for a thrilling tractor ride through the haunted woods where friendly frights and magical moments await! This adventure is designed to be just spooky enough to send shivers down your spine! *The first hour of each night will be kid friendly hayrides. Tickets are $12 per person. To register, visit www.bennersfarm.com. 631-689-8172

Godfathers of Comedy Night

In partnership with Governors Comedy Club, the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents a Godfathers of Comedy Italian Comedy Night at 8 p.m. Line-up includes Mike Vecchione, Vinny D’Agostino, Debbie D’Amore and Pork Chopz as emcee. Tickets are $40 per person at www.smithtownpac.org. 

Sunday Oct. 20

Port Jefferson Harvest Fest

See Oct. 19 listing.

Haunted Hayrides

See Oct. 19 listing.

Antique Show & Flea Market

Moose Lodge, 37 Crystal Brook Hollow Road, Mount Sinai will host an indoor/outdoor Antique Show & Flea Market from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featuring over 60 vendors offering antique signs, toys, advertising, ephemera, jewelry, militaria, sports, collectables, and tons of other treasures.  Sponsored by Greenhouse Antiques in Saint James. 631-434-5369

Car Show and Swap Meet

Flowerfield Fairgrounds, Route 25A, St. James hosts a Fall Harvest Car Show and Swap Meet by Long Island Cars from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Street rods, classics, muscle cars, antiques, exotics, imports and collectible cars on display. Vendors selling parts and accessories, plus a variety of cars for sale by owners. Admission is $10, under 12 years free. Rain date is Oct 27. 631-567-5898, www.longislandcars.com

Dog Days at the Farm

Calling all dog lovers! Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Road, Yaphank hosts Dog Days at the Farm from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet dog rescues, try out a variety of dog sports (agility, rally, scentwork, etc), learn about therapy dogs, canine good citizen, trick and farm dog certifications, play games, pick a pumpkin, costume contest, take a wagon ride and do barks and crafts. Dogs must be up to date on their rabies vaccination (proof required at entrance) and leashed. Admission is $15 per dog, $5 per person. 631-852-4600

Huntington Apple Festival

The annual Apple Festival is back on the grounds of the Dr. Daniel Kissam House, 434 Park Ave., Huntington from noon to 4 p.m., courtesy of the Huntington Historical Society. Enjoy traditional games, seasonal crafts, live music, fall foods, house tours and historical demonstrations by costumed interpreters. The Museum Shop will also be open. Free admission. 631-427-7045

Fall Muster at the Arsenal

The Huntington Militia will present a Fall Muster at the Huntington Arsenal, 425 Park Avenue, Huntington during the Huntington Apple Festival from noon to 4 p.m. See history come to life as the militia recreates a typical 1775 militia muster at the Arsenal and Village Green. See musket and cannon firings, 18th century crafts, trades, music and cooking. Free. 631-223-8017

Halloween Hayride 

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

The Dance Mechanics in Concert

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station presents The Dance Mechanics in concert from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Enjoy nothing but “Good Times” with this high energy band that will have you on your feet and singing along to your favorite dance, funk and R&B hits. Open to all. To reserve your seat, call 631-928-1212 or visit www.cplib.org

LITMA Contradance

The Long Island Traditional Music Association will hold a Contradance at the Smithtown Historical Society’s Frank Brush Barn, 211 East Main St., Smithtown at 2 p.m. with basic instruction at 1:45 p.m. Jim Gregory will Call and music will be by the Wild Thistle Band. Admission is $15 adults, $10 members, $7.50 students, children under 16 free with paid adult. 631-369-7854

KaiChen Cheng in Concert

Le Petit Salon de Musique, located at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket kicks off its 2024-2025 season with a flute concert by KaiChen Cheng at 2 p.m. Cheng is an active soloist, chamber musician, and passionate educator and the Outreach Program Artist at the Staller Center of Arts and Chamber Music Instructor of the Community Chamber Music Program at Stony Brook University. Tickets are Tickets in advance and at the door are $20 adults, $15 students, $10 for ages 12 yrs old and under. 631-751-0297

Ridotto Concert

Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington presents a Ridotto concert featuring pianist Saskia Giorgini in concert at 4 p.m. Program includes Haydn Sonata 37, Liszt Benediction and Consolations, Debussy “Images” and works by Rachmaninov. Tickets are $35 adults, $30 seniors, $25 members, $12 students. For reservations, call 631-385-0373. www.ridotto.org

Owl Prowl at Sweetbriar

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents an Owl Prowl from 6 to 8 p.m. Meet and learn about some of the Center’s resident owls and then embark on a walk into the darkness to enjoy the night and call some owls. Meet behind the main house and check in. Wear bug spray and bring a flashlight just in case. Open to families with children ages 5 and up. $20 per person. Register at www.sweetbriarnc.org.

Monday Oct. 21

Living World Lecture

The Ecology and Evolution Department at Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook continues its Living World lecture series with “Should the Mill Pond Be Rebuilt? Reconnecting Severed Threads” with guest speaker John F. TurnerDivision of Land Management for the Town of Brookhaven, in the Javits Lecture Center, Room 111 on the West Campus on Monday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. The event is free. For more information, call 631-632-8600.

TVHS Lecture

Three Village Historical Society continues its lecture series at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket at 7 p.m. Alyssa Guitierrez will discuss her book, Buried Long Island: History Set In Stone, a photographic collection that showcases the full scope of historical Long Island funeral practices during the colonial and early American period, from elaborately carved headstones imported and installed before the United States gained independence, to the modest fieldstone markers of individuals whose names are lost. Free. Pre-registration encouraged at www.tvhs.org.

Tuesday Oct. 22

NSJC Social Club Event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a ballroom dance instruction with Norma Granofsky in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Come learn the basic steps to your favorite dances. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Wednesday Oct. 23

Walking Tour/Pub Crawl

Huntington Historical Society hosts a Walking Tour & Pub Crawl from 6 to 9 p.m. Town of Huntington Historian, Robert C. Hughes will guide you through the notable buildings and events in the history of Huntington Village. Along the way participants will stop at local establishments, (with a great history or in a historic building) to enjoy some refreshments before continuing the tour. Tour Begins at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St., Huntington. $25 per person, drinks not included. To register, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Thursday Oct. 24

Native American Drumming

All Souls Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook hosts a Native American Drumming Meditation from 7 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

Murder Mystery Night at T3

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents a Murder Mystery Night fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. Step into the world of ‘Panic At The Speakeasy,’ where anything can happen at a 1920s club run by a notorious mobster. Can you solve the mystery before the club gets raided? Enjoy an evening of interactive fun, filled with improvisation, comedy, and a bit of musical flair. Costumes are strongly encouraged, so come dressed in your best 1920s speakeasy attire and be part of the action—gather clues, ask questions, and maybe even find yourself as a suspect! Tickets are $100 per person and includes 1 drink ticket and hors d’oeuvres. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Theater

‘Matilda The Musical’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 54th season with Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical from Sept. 14 to Oct. 20. Matilda is a courageous little girl with astonishing wit, a vivid imagination, and psychokinetic powers. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, the unique and unforgettable show is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl on an extraordinary journey! Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12, $25 Wednesday matinees. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit  www.theatrethree.com.

‘She Kills Monsters’

Minstrel Players presents Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters at Houghton Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport on Oct. 19 and 26 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 20 and 27 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. To order, call 516-361-7232

‘Clue’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents the hilarious musical Clue from Sept. 12 to Oct. 27. Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, the farce-meets-murder mystery begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Clue is the comedy whodunit that will leave you in stitches as they try to figure out…who did it, where, and with what! Tickets range from $85 to $95. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘Night of the Living Dead’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Night of the Living Dead from Oct. 5 to 27. Fall out from a satellite probe shot to Venus returns to Earth carrying a mysterious radiation that transforms the unburied dead into flesh-eating zombies. Seven people trapped in an isolated farmhouse, held hostage by the ravenous ghouls, begin to turn on each other as the dead encroach. A gripping terror-filled monochromatic play that brings all the fright of the cult classic to life. *This production is recommended for audiences high school age and up. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors and $25 students. To order, visit smithtownpac.org.

‘Mostly True Things’

(mostly) TRUE THINGS, a game wrapped in a storytelling show that features true stories and a game celebrates 10 years of performances at The Performing Arts Studio, 224 E. Main St., Port Jefferson on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. with stories on the themes Anniversary or 10! Featured performers include Jessica Piscatelli Robinson, Adam Grundfest, Sean Brown, Rita Rigano and Jude Treder-Wolff. Tickets are $20 online at www.mostlytruethings.com, $25 at the door (cash only).

Film

‘Checkpoint Zoo’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its Fall 2024 season with a screening of Checkpoint Zoo at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. In the early days of the Ukraine-Russian war, the Feldman Ecopark, a beloved animal refuge in Ukraine’s second largest city, found itself caught in the crossfire. Against all odds, a courageous team of zookeepers and volunteers risked their lives to embark on a seemingly impossible mission: bringing these innocent creatures to safety. Followed by a panel discussion. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students. www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com. 

‘The Panzi Invasion’

The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook will present a screening of The Panzi Invasion on Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. The documentary film examines the history of the annual Independence Day Invasion of the Fire Island Pines, featuring interviews with several participants from the 1976 invasion. The screening will be followed by a talk and Q&A with Sargent. Free with admission to the museum. 631-751-0066.

‘It’s Basic’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its Fall 2024 season with a screening of It’s Basic at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. When 2020 presidential hopeful Andrew Yang proposed to give every American $1000 in monthly income, it helped bring the issue of Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) to national light. By then, several U.S. cities had already begun GBI pilot programs in which they provided $500 per month to a select group of people for one year. It’s Basic follows the progress of the program. Panel discussion to follow. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students. www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

Class Reunion

Ward Melville High School Class of 2014 will hold its 10 year reunion at The Waterview, 44 Fairway Drive, Port Jefferson  on Nov. 30 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are  $100 — plus ones allowed. Includes open bar, passed appetizers, and dinner. Please email [email protected] for the link to purchase tickets.

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.

 

Photo from Middle Country Chamber of Commerce
Collaboration to raise funds for Positively Pink During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Paprocky Motorsports has teamed up with Middle Country Automotive of Selden to launch the “Racing For A Cure” initiative, joining the fight against breast cancer throughout October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This collaboration aims to raise awareness and funds for Positively Pink, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by breast cancer.

On-site at MCA of Selden, key partners came together to promote the campaign. Pictured are Suzanne & Troy Schmidt, Owners of MCA; Alyssa Paprocky, driver of the MCA-sponsored race car; mechanic and local Selden Firefighter Mathew Parrish; Lenore Paprocky, President of the Greater Middle Country Chamber; Councilman Neil Manzella and Legislator Nick Caracappa; and Maria McMullen, founder of Positively Pink. This powerful team is united by a shared mission to make a difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer.

Throughout October, Middle Country Auto of Selden will run fundraising efforts and with proceeds benefiting Positively Pink’s life-changing programs.

“It’s about the community,” said Troy Schmidt. “We are proud to harness the excitement of motorsports to support such a vital cause. This initiative shows what we can accomplish when we combine passion with purpose. We encourage everyone to stop by MCA and support.”

Maria McMullen, founder of Positively Pink, expressed gratitude for the initiative, saying, “Partnerships like this help us continue our mission of providing vital services to those facing breast cancer. Every dollar raised has a meaningful impact.”

To participate, donate, or learn more about “Racing with a Cause,” visit Middle Country Automotive at 839 Middle Country Road in Selden. All money collected will be matched by MCA. For more information, call 631-698-4455.

 

Time for witches, ghosts and toast!

By Heidi Sutton

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From left, Harlan Fischer, Kristen Domiano, Stephanie Gress, and Michael Brescia. Photo courtesy of Branch Financial Services, Inc.

Branch Financial Services, Inc. of Setauket is celebrating 50 years of serving clients this month. 

President Harlan J. Fischer founded Branch Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment advisor, on Oct. 1, 1974. According to a press release from the financial business, Fischer “is as committed to its success today as he was in those early days of business.”

“As its founder and principal, the mission he set forth for Branch Financial Services, Inc. 50 years ago was simple—to help clients achieve their personal and financial goals,” read the release. “Beyond this mission, Harlan and his staff are committed to providing a level of service that is rare to find today. They are so serious about this that they trademarked ‘You Can’t Hug an 800 Number’ ™ as their motto.”

Fischer said he takes tremendous pride in Branch Financial Services, Inc., its fiduciary status and independence, which he said carries through to every aspect of the business. The office, located at 21 Bennetts Road, is known for looking more like an art gallery full of contemporary sculptures and paintings.

Before moving the office to Setauket in 2020, Branch Financial Services, Inc. was located in Hauppauge for 21 years and Smithtown for 25 years. The financial business has been a member of the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce since 1995 and the Three Village Chamber of Commerce since 2020.

Several clients have been with Fischer for most of his 50-year career, and their children and extended families have become clients in many cases as well.

Mia and Jerry Vogt, of Massapequa, have traveled to Suffolk County for more than 15 years to consult with Fischer.

“Harlan’s approach to financial planning seamlessly blends traditional values with the demands of a fast-paced modern world,” Mia Vogt said. “His commitment to time-honored principles—such as integrity, long-term vision and personal responsibility—provides a solid foundation for navigating today’s complex financial landscape.”

According to the press release, the “team understands the importance of a personal touch in investment. In an era dominated by impersonal, automated services, the firm’s dedication to understanding each client’s unique needs offers a deeply personalized experience. For Harlan and his colleagues, it’s not just about guiding clients through financial decisions, but also about fostering a trusting relationship.”

Fischer’s colleagues currently include Michael Brescia, Kristen Domiano and Stephanie Gress, who have worked beside him and have known him for many years. According to the press release, “He makes it clear to them that he values and appreciates them every day.”

Brescia provides financial and legal services to his Branch Financial Services, Inc. clients, while Gress is a service associate, and Domiano supervises the office administration, compliance and back office for the firm.

While 50 years may sound like a long time to some, Fischer said, “I feel like I’m just getting warmed up.”

Over the years Fischer has served on many boards for professional and arts organizations. He and his wife Olivia have funded several historic restoration projects in the Three Village area, and they sponsor events and public programming. Currently, Fischer serves as Chairman of the Village of Head of the Harbor Planning Board. 

In 2024 alone, he was named a Best in State Wealth Advisor by Forbes and received the Corporate Citzenship Award by the Long Island Business News.

As he reflects on his years in business, the financial advisor is deeply grateful to Bill Weidner, his mentor from early in his career, and the clients of Branch Financial Services, Inc.

“My career journey has been enriched by the wonderful people I have worked with and for through the decades,” Fischer said. “I eagerly look forward to working with everyone for years to come.”

METRO photo
Emphasis put on screening, diet and exercise

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Currently, approximately 30 percent of new cancer diagnoses in women are breast cancer (1). While age is a risk factor for breast cancer, 16 percent of 2024 diagnoses will be in women under age 50.

This October, for Breast Cancer Awareness month, let’s review the latest research on screening, treatments, and prevention strategies.

What are current screening recommendations?

In April 2024, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force expanded their screening recommendations for women of average breast cancer risk. They lowered the recommended start point for mammograms to age 40, continuing every other year through age 74 (2).

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is reviewing their recommendations in light of this USPSTF shift. They currently encourage a process of shared decision-making between patient and physician to determine age and frequency of exams, including whether to begin exams before age 50 or to continue after age 75 (3). Generally, it recommends beginning annual or biennial mammograms starting no later than 50 and continuing until age 75. 

The American Cancer Society’s physician guidelines are to offer a mammogram beginning at age 40 and recommend annual exams from 45 to 54. At age 55 until life expectancy is less than 10 years, they recommend biennial exams (4).

You should consult with your physician to identify your risk profile and plan your regular screening schedule.

Does diet matter?

A small, eight-week randomized control trial of 32 women who had metastatic breast cancer and who were on stable treatment found that the 21 study subjects who ate a whole food, plant-based diet free from added oils and fats lost more weight and reported feeling healthier than the 11 who maintained their current, traditional American diet as part of the control group (5). In addition to losing weight and reporting better emotional well-being and quality of life, they reported less diarrhea and fatigue and experiencing less shortness of breath during activities.

Medical measures of improved health, in addition to weight loss, included reduced insulin resistance and better cholesterol measures. While cancer progression markers did not move significantly in eight weeks, they did show improvement.

The study authors recommend larger and longer follow-up studies to assess the longer-term impact of diet.

What’s the role of exercise?

We know exercise is important in diseases and breast cancer is no exception. An observational trial found that exercise reduced breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women significantly (6). These women exercised moderately; they walked four hours a week over a four-year period. If they exercised previously, five to nine years ago, but not recently, no benefit was seen. The researchers stressed that it is never too late to begin exercise.

Only about one-third of women get the recommended level of exercise every week: 30 minutes for five days a week. Once diagnosed with breast cancer, women tend to exercise less, not more. 

A recently published French study assessed cancer recurrence of over 10,000 women with an average age of 56 who were diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer between 2012 and 2018 (7). The researchers found that pre-menopausal women who completed 90 minutes to five hours of moderate exercise per week before starting treatment for hormone receptor-negative breast cancer had a lower risk of metastatic recurrence than women who didn’t exercise.

We need to expend as much energy and resources emphasizing exercise for prevention as we do screenings.

What about soy?

Soy may actually be beneficial in reducing breast cancer risk. In a meta-analysis, those who consumed more soy saw a significant reduction in breast cancer compared to those who consumed less (8). There was a dose-response curve among three groups: high intake of >20 mg per day, moderate intake of 10 mg and low intake of <5 mg.

Those in the highest group had a 29 percent reduced risk, and those in the moderate group had a 12 percent reduced risk when compared to those who consumed the least. In addition, higher soy intake has been associated with reduced recurrence and increased survival for those previously diagnosed with breast cancer (9). The benefit from soy is thought to come from isoflavones, plant-rich nutrients.

A more recent meta-analysis of six observational studies expanded on these outcomes (10). It concluded that post-menopausal women and women diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer lowered their breast cancer recurrence risk the most by eating 60 mg of soy isoflavones per day, or two-to-three servings. A serving consists of either one cup of soy milk, three ounces of tofu, or one-half cup of cooked soybeans.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a good time to reflect on the importance of mammography and breast self-exams. However, we need to give significantly more attention to prevention of breast cancer and its recurrence. Through potentially more soy intake, as well as a plant-based diet and modest exercise, we may be able to accelerate the trend toward a lower breast cancer incidence or recurrence.

References:

(1)breastcancer.org (2) uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org. (3) acog.org. (4) cancer.org. (5) Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2024 Jun;205(2):257-266. (6) Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2014 Sep;23(9):1893-902. (7) J Clinical Oncology. 2024;42(25). (8) Br J Cancer. 2008; 98:9-14. (9) JAMA. 2009 Dec 9; 302(22): 2437–2443. (10) JNCI Cancer Spectrum, Volume 8, Issue 1, February 2024, pkad104.

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 HAUNTINGLY GOOD TIME Haunted hayrides are back at Benner’s Farm in East Setauket for the next three weekends. File photo by Giselle Barkley/TBR News Media
Thursday Oct. 10

Women’s EXPO

Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach presents its annual Women’s EXPO from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A showcase and a marketplace for Long Island women entrepreneurs, the indoor event will feature over 80 exhibitors who create or distribute a variety of products, including jewelry, pottery, soaps, food and more. The indoor event is a great opportunity to support local women entrepreneurs while shopping for holiday gift giving. Free admission. 631-585-9393, www.womensexpoli.org. 

Vanderbilt Lecture

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road Centerport continues its lecture series with a presentation titled In Levittown’s Shadow: Poverty in America’s Wealthiest Postwar Suburb at 7 p.m. Historian Tim Keogh will  take a nuanced look at the history of suburban development and its connection to impoverished living conditions on Long Island. Tickets are $10 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Candidates Debate

League of Women Voters of Huntington hosts a Candidates Debate at Half Hollow Hills Public Library, 55 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills from 7 to 9 p.m. Hear from candidates for the New York State District 2 race Mario Mattera and Craig Herskowitz. 631-257-7001

Friday Oct. 11

Long Island Fall Festival

Time to celebrate the season! The Long Island Fall Festival returns to Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington for Columbus Day weekend  today from 5 to 10 p.m., Oct. 12 and 13 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hosted by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Huntington. Free admission. 631-423-6100

Grounds & Sounds Concert

Grounds and Sounds Cafe at UUFSB, 380 Nicolls Rd, East Setauket presents a jazz concert by Dr. Dan’s Medicine Show at 8:15 p.m. Long Island jazz wizard Steve Salerno commands the guitar; August Sheehy is on bass; and Dan Weymouth is on piano and vocals. This is a show you will not want to miss! Preceded by an open mic at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 at www.groundsandsounds.org or call 631-751-0297.  

Saturday Oct. 12

Long Island Fall Festival

See Oct. 11 listing.

All Souls Poetry Reading

The Second Saturdays poetry series returns to historic All Souls Church  via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Former Suffolk County Poet Laureate Gladys Henderson will be the featured poet. An open reading will follow; all are welcome to read one of their own poems.  For more information, please call 631-655-7798.  Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/

Open Farm Days

Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket will be open for farm visits today and Oct. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. Take a walk around the farm, visit with the farm animals, take a ride on the Big Swing and enjoy some old fashioned family fun. Admission is $10 adults, $8 children and seniors, 631-689-8172

Haunted Hayrides

They’re baaaaack! Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket will offer Haunted Hayrides tonight and Oct. 13 starting at 6 p.m. Get ready for a thrilling ride through the haunted woods where friendly frights and magical moments await! Hop aboard a tractor as you embark on a whimsical journey through a realm of ghosts, enchanted pumpkins, and creatures lurking in the shadows. Perfect for thrill-seekers, this adventure is designed to be just spooky enough to send shivers down your spine! *The first hour of each night will be kid friendly hayrides. Tickets are $12 per person. To register, visit www.bennersfarm.com. 631-689-8172

Halloween Spooktacular 

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents its popular Halloween Spooktacular from 6 to 9 p.m. All ghoulies, ghosties, and other Halloween creepies are invited for an evening of fun and excitement. Enjoy eerie animal presentations, a ghostly graveyard, creepy games, scary music, vendors and spooky night trails. Best for ghouls ages 7 and up. Rain date is Oct. 13. $20 per person. www.sweetbriarnc.org

Saturdays at Six Concert

Tonight’s Saturdays at Six Concert at All Souls Church, 61 Main Street, Stony Brook will feature Tom Manuel & Gospel Road. The group — Tom Manuel(vocals/cornet), Laura Landor (vocals/flute), Ellis Holmes III (drums), Steve Salerno (guitar), Keenan Zach(bass), and Matt Godfrey(organ) —  brings together a wonderful mix of some of the most impressive performers from the scenes of jazz, bluegrass, country, gospel, and western traditions. The program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Free. 631-655-7798 for more information.

Sunday Oct. 13

Long Island Fall Festival

See Oct. 11 listing.

Open Farm Days

See Oct. 12 listing.

Haunted Hayrides

See Oct. 12 listing.

Riverhead Country Fair

Celebrate the agricultural heritage of Riverhead at the 47th annual Riverhead Country Fair in historic Downtown Riverhead from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take time to enjoy the works of original artists, agricultural and homemaking displays and competitions, entertainers, local merchants, food, amusement rides, petting zoo, business expositions and displays, vendors and more. 631-727-1215, www.riverheadcountryfair.com

Farmingville Fall Fest

Local Church, 1070 Portion Road, Farmingville hosts a Fall Fest from noon to 3 p.m. with food trucks, bounce houses, pumpkin decorating, raffels, a fall-themed craft and more! Admission and activities are free. 631-265-7532

Coming Out Day

Join the Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Road, Yaphank for Coming Out Day from 3 to 5 p.m. Enjoy wagon rides, crafts, pumpkin picking, dance party, karaoke, snacks and so much more. Free admission. 631-852-4600

Author Talk

Celebrate St. James continues its Living History series by welcoming award-winning author and historian Kerriann Flanagan Brosky to the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second Street, St. James at 3 p.m. True crimes have captivated people for centuries, and Long Island has its own chilling history. Brosky will present Historic Crimes of Long Island: Misdeeds from the 1600s to the 1950s. Tickets are $35, $30 members at www.celebratestjames.org or call 631-984-0201.

Monday Oct. 14

Long Island Fall Festival

See Oct. 11 listing.

‘Fall for All’ house tour fundraiser

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) will host a house tour of the historic Thompson House (c. 1709), 91 North Country Road, Setauket at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. Guests will delve into the life of patriot, farmer, and doctor Samuel Thompson and discover the rich history of those who lived and worked in the Thompson House. A special exhibit, “Pharmacy through Time,” created by the WMHO Youth Corps, will showcase the evolution of medicinal remedies. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children,. To register for these events, please call WMHO at 631-751-2244.

Candidate Forum in Sound Beach

Sound Beach Civic Association will host a candidate forum at the Sound Beach Firehouse, 152 Sound Beach Blvd., Sound Beach at 7 p.m. Invited candidates are John Avlon and Nick LaLota, running in the  First U.S. Congressional District,  and Sarah Anker and Anthony Palumbo, running in NYS District 1. The League of Women Voters of Brookhaven will moderate. Questions will be solicited on cards distributed in advance. To be considered, questions must be submitted by 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. 631-744-6952

Movie Trivia Night at the CAC

Join the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington for a Movie Trivia Night at 8 p.m. Try to answer 50 questions based all around film, actors and actresses, awards, and everything else associated with the world of film. Challenge like-minded film fans in a battle of wits for cash and other prizes. You can form teams, so bring some friends and work together. Feel free to come alone and play solo as well! Hosted by Dan French. Tickets are $11 per person, $7 members at cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7610.

Tuesday Oct. 15

NSJC Social Club Event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a special concert featuring singer and guitarist Johnny Whimple in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Listen and dance to some of the great pop music songs. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Ghastly Ghosts in the Garden

Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook presents Ghastly Ghosts in Garden today, Oct. 16, 17, 18 and 19 from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m. Join them, if you dare, for a frightfully good time in their Inside/Out Garden. This event includes audiovisual lighting effects, low visibility, and fog. You should not enter if you are easily frightened or sensitive to loud noise or crowds. Free. 631-588-5024

George Takei at the CAC

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington presents a special evening with legendary actor, author and activist George Takei at 7 p.m. Tickets include a screening of the acclaimed documentary, To Be Takei, his new NY Times bestselling children’s book, My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story, and gala book signing reception with live music by Mike Soloway. Tickets are $75, $60 per person. All proceeds benefit the CAC. www.cinemaartscentre.org

A Band Called Honalee in Concert

John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Special Events series with A Band Called Honalee at 8 p.m. A modern-day folk trio inspired by the music and legacy of Peter, Paul & Mary,  their shows allow audiences to experience this timeless music live onstage once again. Enjoy “Leaving on a Jet Plane,” “Blowing in the Wind,” and of course “Puff The Magic Dragon.” Tickets are $45. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Wednesday Oct. 16

Ghastly Ghosts in the Garden

See Oct. 15 listing.

St. Charles Hospital Lecture

St. Charles Hospital’s Wisdom Conference  Center, 200 Belle Terre Road, Port Jefferson will host a free community lecture titled “Understanding and Managing Back Pain: Strategies for Relief and Prevention” from 6 to 7 p.m. with speakers Dr. Sathish Subbaiah and Dr. Morgan Chen. Free. Light food and refreshments will be served. To register, please call, 631- 474-6797.

Ghost Stories at Hallockville

Award-winning author and historian Kerriann Flanagan Brosky and medium/paranormal investigator Joe Giaquinto will present tales of their ghostly adventures at Hallockville Museum Farm’s Naugles Barn, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Join them as they discuss the research and investigations behind the making of Flanagan Brosky’s latest book, Haunted Long Island Mysteries. Books will be available for purchase and signing following the presentation. Wine and light refreshments will be served. Free but registration is required by visiting www.hallockville.org.

Scott Cook & Pamela Mae in Concert

Scott Cook, an award-winning Canadian prairie roots balladeer, and Pamela Mae, will be the featured artist during the monthly Hard Luck Café concert series at the Cinema Arts Centre’s Sky Room, 423 Park Ave., Huntington at 8 p.m. He will be joined by Pamela Mae on upright bass and backing vocals. An open mic, for which sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m., precedes the concert. Co-presented by the Folk Music Society of Huntington. Tickets are $25, $20 members and may be purchased online at cinemaartscentre.org or at the box office through the evening of the show.

Thursday Oct. 17

Ghastly Ghosts in the Garden

See Oct. 15 listing.

History of PJS, Terryville Lecture

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station presents ‘What’s In a Name? History of Port Jefferson Station and Terryville” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Join Jack Smith to explore 150 years of local history in the areas of Cumsewogue, Terryville, Echo, and Port Jefferson Station with photos, maps, and more. To reserve your seat, call 631-928-1212 or visit www.cplib.org

Theater

‘Matilda The Musical’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 54th season with Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical from Sept. 14 to Oct. 20. Matilda is a courageous little girl with astonishing wit, a vivid imagination, and psychokinetic powers. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, the unique and unforgettable show is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl on an extraordinary journey! Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12, $25 Wednesday matinees. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit  www.theatrethree.com.

‘Clue’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents the hilarious musical Clue from Sept. 12 to Oct. 27. Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, the farce-meets-murder mystery begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Clue is the comedy whodunit that will leave you in stitches as they try to figure out…who did it, where, and with what! Tickets range from $85 to $95. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’

Suffolk County Community College, 533 College Road, Selden presents The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, a hilarious, crazy fairy-tale extravaganza, on Oct. 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. in Theatre 119 in the Islip Arts Building. Two narrators attempt to recreate all 209 of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm in a wild, fast-paced extravaganza. To make it more difficult, they attempt to combine them into one gigantic fable using Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and other more obscure stories like Lean Lisa and The Devil’s Grandmother. 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.

‘Night of the Living Dead’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Night of the Living Dead from Oct. 5 to 27. Fall out from a satellite probe shot to Venus returns to Earth carrying a mysterious radiation that transforms the unburied dead into flesh-eating zombies. Seven people trapped in an isolated farmhouse, held hostage by the ravenous ghouls, begin to turn on each other as the dead encroach. A gripping terror-filled monochromatic play that brings all the fright of the cult classic to life. *This production is recommended for audiences high school age and up. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors and $25 students. To order, visit smithtownpac.org.

‘She Kills Monsters’

Minstrel Players presents Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters at Houghton Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport on Oct. 19 and 26 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 20 and 27 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. To order, call 516-361-7232

‘Mostly True Things’

(mostly) TRUE THINGS, a game wrapped in a storytelling show that features true stories and a game celebrates 10 years of performances at The Performing Arts Studio, 224 E. Main St., Port Jefferson on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. with stories on the themes Anniversary or 10! Featured performers include Jessica Piscatelli Robinson, Adam Grundfest, Sean Brown, Rita Rigano and Jude Treder-Wolff. Tickets are $20 online, $25 at the door (cash only).

Film

‘Invisible Nation’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its Fall 2024 season with a screening of Invisible Nation at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. With unprecedented access to Taiwan’s sitting head of state, director Vanessa Hope investigates the election and tenure of Tsai Ing-wen, the first female president of Taiwan. Thorough, incisive and bristling with tension, Invisible Nation is a living account of Tsai’s tightrope walk as she balances the hopes and dreams of her nation between the colossal geopolitical forces of the U.S. and China. Followed by a Q&A. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students. www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

‘Checkpoint Zoo’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its Fall 2024 season with a screening of Checkpoint Zoo at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. In the early days of the Ukraine-Russian war, the Feldman Ecopark, a beloved animal refuge in Ukraine’s second largest city, found itself caught in the crossfire. With the invading Russian army on one side and the Ukrainian front line on the other, thousands of animals were left trapped with little food and water. Against all odds, a courageous team of zookeepers and volunteers risked their lives to embark on a seemingly impossible mission: bringing these innocent creatures to safety. Followed by a panel discussion. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students. www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com. 

Class Reunions

— Port Jefferson High School Class of 1964 will hold its 60th reunion at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 17. Members of the Class of 1963 are invited to join them. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected]. 

Ward Melville High School Class of 2014 will hold its 10 year reunion at The Waterview, 44 Fairway Drive, Port Jefferson  on Nov. 30 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are  $100 — plus ones allowed. Includes open bar, passed appetizers, and dinner. Please email [email protected] for the link to purchase tickets. 

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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Dietary changes can reduce inflammatory factors

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

The common thread for more than 80 different autoimmune diseases is that the body’s immune system is attacking organs, tissues and cells and causing chronic inflammation (1). Type 1 diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease are among the list of frequently occurring ones. Unfortunately, autoimmune diseases tend to cluster (2). This means that once you have one, you are at high risk for developing others.

Immunosuppressive therapies

Immunosuppressive therapies are the most prevalent treatment for autoimmune issues. As the name suggests, these reduce underlying inflammation by suppressing the immune system and interfering with inflammatory factors.

There are several concerning factors with these treatments.

First, they have substantial side effect profiles. They increase the risks for cancers, opportunistic infections and even death (3). Opportunistic infections can include diseases like tuberculosis and invasive fungal infections.

It makes sense that suppressing the immune system would increase the likelihood of infections. It’s also not surprising that cancer rates would increase, since the immune system helps fend off malignancies. One study showed that after 10 years of therapy, the risk of cancer increased by approximately fourfold with the use of immunosuppressives (4).

Second, these drugs were tested and approved using short-term clinical trials; however, many patients are prescribed these therapies for 20 or more years.

What other possibilities are there to treat autoimmune diseases? Studies are underway that test the efficacy of medical nutrition therapy using bioactive compounds and supplementation. Medical nutrition therapy may have immunomodulatory (immune system regulation) effects on inflammatory factors and on gene expression.

Medical nutrition 

Raising the level of beta-cryptoxanthin, a carotenoid bioactive food component, by a modest amount has a substantial impact in preventing RA. Several studies have also tested dietary interventions in RA treatment (5). Included were fasting followed by a vegetarian diet; a vegan diet; and a Mediterranean diet, among others. All mentioned here showed decreases in inflammatory markers, including c-reactive protein (CRP), and improvements in joint pain and other quality of life issues.

What are the effects of fish oil?

Fish oil may help your immune system by reducing inflammation and improving your blood chemistry, affecting as many as 1,040 genes (6). In a randomized clinical study, 1.8 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation had anti-inflammatory effects, suppressing cell signals and transcription factors (proteins involved with gene expression) that are pro-inflammatory.

In RA patients, fish oil helps suppress cartilage degradative enzymes, while also having an anti-inflammatory effect (7). A typical recommendation is to consume about 2 grams of EPA plus DHA to help regulate the immune system. Don’t take these high doses of fish oil without consulting your doctor, because fish oil can have blood-thinning effects.

Do probiotics help?

Approximately 70 percent of your immune system lives in your gut. Probiotics have immune-modulating effects that decrease inflammation by populating the gut with live beneficial microorganisms. Lactobacillus salvirus and Bifidobacterium longum infantis are two strains that have been shown to have positive effects (8, 9).

In a study with Crohn’s disease patients, L. casei and L. bulgaricus reduced the inflammatory factor TNF-alpha (10). To provide balance, I recommend probiotics with Lactobacillus to my patients, especially with autoimmune diseases that affect the intestines, like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.

Does increasing fiber help?

Fiber has been shown to modulate inflammation by reducing biomarkers, such as CRP. In two separate clinical trials, fiber either reduced or prevented high CRP in patients. In one randomized controlled trial, 30 grams, or about one ounce, of fiber daily from either dietary sources or supplements reduced CRP significantly compared to placebo (11).

In the second trial, which was observational, participants who consumed the highest amount of dietary fiber (greater than 19.5 grams) had reductions in a vast number of inflammatory factors, including CRP, interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and TNF-alpha (12).

Can diet reduce medication needs?

Immune system regulation is complex and involves over 1,000 genes, as well as many biomarkers. Bioactive compounds found in high-nutrient foods and supplements can have a profound impact on your immune system’s regulation and may help reset the immune system. Even in severe cases, bioactive compounds in foods may work in tandem with medications to treat autoimmune diseases more effectively and help reduce dosing of some immunosuppressives, minimizing potential side-effects.

This is not hypothetical. I have seen these effects in my practice, where patients have been able to reduce – or even eliminate – immunosuppressives by altering their diets.

References:

(1) niaid.nih.gov. (2) J Autoimmun. 2007;29(1):1. (3) epocrates.com. (4) J Rheumatol 1999;26(8):1705-1714. (5) Front Nutr. 2017; 4: 52. (6) Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Aug;90(2):415-424. (7) Drugs. 2003;63(9):845-853. (8) Gut. 2003 Jul;52(7):975-980. (9) Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 1999 Jul-Nov;76(1-4):279-292. (10) Gut. 2002;51(5):659. (11) Arch Intern Med. 2007;167(5):502-506. (12) Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010 May 13;7:42.

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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TIME TO BE NEURALYZED! Director Barry Sonnenfeld will be at the Cinema Arts Centre on Oct. 8 for a book signing and a screening of Men in Black.
Ongoing

Stone Bridge Nighthawk Watch

Four Harbors Audubon Society invites the community to join them for their 8th annual Stone Bridge Nighthawk Watch at Frank Melville Memorial Park, 1 Old Field Road, Setauket every evening through Oct. 6 from 5:30 p.m. until dusk. The group will be tallying migrating Common Nighthawks to better understand nighthawk population trends. Join them at the Stone Bridge to witness nighthawks as they pass over during their migratory journey to their wintering grounds in Brazil and Argentina. Bring binoculars. Visit www.4has.org for further details.

Paint Port Pink

Attend events throughout Port Jefferson in October hosted by John T. Mather Memorial Hospital and its community partners as part of a month-long outreach program by the Fortunato Breast Health Center with the mission of raising awareness about breast cancer, sharing information and education and fostering solidarity in the community. www.matherhospital.org/pink

Thursday Oct. 3

Medicaid Enrollment Assistance

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station hosts a Medicaid Enrollment Assistance event for the Aged, Blind and Disabled from 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those 65+, blind, and/or disabled can get assistance enrolling in selected Medicaid programs. First come, first served. Questions? Contact the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council at 631-656-9783 (option 2).

Friday Oct. 4

Sweetbriar Garage Sale

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown hosts an Outdoor Thrift Garage Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. around the double garage in the parking lot. Household items and fun treasures! Money goes back into the wildlife center. 631-979-6344

Saturday Oct. 5

Stony Brook Train Station Cleanup

Join the Three Village Community Trust for their annual Fall Cleanup of the Stony Brook Train Station from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Come help pick up litter, weed landscaped beds, trim bushes and trees and more. Bring gloves and yard tools. 631-942-4558

Library Book Sale

Miller Place Academy Free Library, 162 North Country Road, Miller Place will hold a Book Sale today and Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature a Sunday read-aloud with Krista Legge at 11 a.m., a raffle basket, white elephant sale, teacher discount, free books, and the historical society’s country fair. Cash only please. Rain dates are Oct. 12 and 13.

Fish Hatchery Fall Festival

Rescheduled from Sept. 28. Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor presents its annual Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with environmental exhibitors, kid’s fishing, music, games, live animal encounters, food and more. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children. Rain date is Oct. 5. 516-692-6768

Miller Place Country Fair

The Miller Place-Mount Sinai Historical Society will host its annual Country Fair on the grounds of the William Miller House, 75 North Country Road Miller Place today and Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will historic re-enactments, guest speakers under the pavilion, live music, historic walking tour, children’s games and cornucopia contest, raffles and more. $5 donation includes a tour of the historic William Miller House (c. 1720). Call 631-476-5742 or visit www.mpmshistoricalsociety.org.

Community Shred Day

Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Saturday hosts 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 parking lot for on-site shredding of personal documents. There is a limit of 5 boxes or bags. All paper collected will be recycled at a certified paper mill. Open to all. 631-941-4080

Christmas in October Craft Fair

The 5th annual Christmas in October Village Craft Fair will be held on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring handmade items by local and tri-state artisans including artwork, photography, handcrafted jewelry, home decor, organic body & bath products, wood crafts, gourmet foods and more. Free admission. 631-846-1459

Fall Artisan Market

St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown presents a Fall Artisan Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy a curated craft fair with over 75 vendors, crafts, farmers market goodies, food trucks, pet parade and costume contest, live music, face painting, classic car show, and pumpkin patch. Free admission. 631-265-4520

AMVETS Riders Motorcycle Show

AMVETS Post 48, 660 Hawkins Ave., Lake Ronkonkoma hosts a motorcycle show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with food, raffles, 50/50, vendors and refreshments. Rain date Oct. 6. 631-236-2643

Fall Harvest Festival 

Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, 178 Oxhead Road, Centereach will hold its annual Fall Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy vendors, food trucks, music, basket auction, country line dancing and so much more! Fun for the whole family. Free admission. 631-774-1556, hobbsfarm.info

Fall Harvest Festival 

Join the Church on the Sound, 335 Oxhead Road, Stony Brook for its annual Fall Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lots of activities for the whole family! Free. Call 631-941-4100.

Musician in the Gallery 

Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook presents a Musician in the Gallery event at 1:30 p.m. Enjoy live music by guitarist Howard Emerson performs in the Musical Masterworks gallery on his Monteleone LaCorsa #310. Come explore the beautiful instruments on view while listening to sweet melodies performed by Emerson. This is not a sit-down performance and is intended to accompany your visit to the gallery. Included with museum admission. No registration required. www.longislandmuseum.org

Old Burying Ground Tour

Huntington Historical Society hosts a tour of the Old Burying Ground at 4 p.m. Visit Huntington’s earliest public burying ground established in the 17th century, soon after the town’s founding in 1653.  Enjoy stunning folk art, beautiful epitaphs and learn about Huntington’s rich heritage, including the fascinating story behind Fort Golgotha. Meet outside the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main Street Huntington. Fee is $15 adults, $10 members, $5 children. Masks are required. Rain date is Oct. 6. To register, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Sunday Oct. 6

Library Book Sale

See Oct. 5 listing.

Miller Place Country Fair

See Oct. 5 listing.

Soles for All Souls Race 

Ready, get set, go! All Souls Church, 61 Main St., Stony Brook hosts its 16th annual Soles for All Souls 5K Run/2K Walk starting at 9 a.m. Come race or walk through the beautiful tree lined streets of Stony Brook Village. All proceeds from the race will be dedicated to making the church handicapped accessible. Award ceremony with medal presentations and prizes immediately following race. To register, visit active.com or register on the day of the race at the Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook at 7:30 a.m. 631-655-7798

Thunderbird & Ford Car Show

The Long Island Thunderbird Club and Thunderbird Owners of New York present the 18th annual Thunderbird & All Ford Car Show at the Key Food Shopping Center, 58 Indian Head Rd., Kings Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain date is Oct. 13. Free for spectators. 631-724-3756

Fall into Fun Festival

Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mt. Sinai celebrates the season with a Fall into Fun Festival and Fundraiser on Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy live music, food trucks, craft vendors, outdoor games, kids scavenger hunt, pumpkin patch, face painting, balloon artist, apple pie contest and more. Free admission with a suggested donation of $20 per family. 631-403-4846. 

Art in the Park

Northport Arts Coalition presents its annual Art in the Park event at Northport Village Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring music, dance, poetry, children’s art workshop plus forty artists displaying and selling their original work, this free event in Northport Park is a fun day for the entire family. www.northportarts.org.

Commack Day

Suffolk Y JCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack hosts Commack Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy bounce houses, rock wall, axe-throwing, petting zoo, face painting, more than 110 vendors, live entertainment and more. Held rain or shine. Admission is $10 adults in advance at eventbrite.com, $15 at the door, free for children 10 and under. www.commackday.com

Jaguar Car Show

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will host a car show by Jaguar Drivers of Long Island on the Great Lawn from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain date is Oct. 13. Visitors pay only museum admission of $10 adults, $9 students and seniors, $7 children 12 and under, which includes estate-grounds access.  www.vanderbiltmuseum.org

St. James Day 

St. James Chamber of Commerce presents St. James Day, a street fair along Lake Avenue in St. James (between Woodlawn and Railroad Avenues) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy festival food, music, live entertainment, children’s activities and over 200 vendors. 631-584-8510

Huntington Village Art Walk

The Huntington Village Art Walk, a self-guided tour of the new exhibits at the museums and galleries, in the Village of Huntington, returns today from  noon to 5 p.m. This year’s Art Walk will feature the Huntington Art Center, The Calling Bell, D. Velez Art Gallery,  Huntington Arts Council, Heckscher Museum of Art, digho at Lens Mark Photography, fotofoto gallery, b.j. spoke gallery, The Paramount, Huntington Public Library, and the Huntington Historical Society. Free admission. No registration required. 631-380-3230, www.heckscher.org.

Northport Walking Tour

Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport will present a walking tour of Northport’s historic Main Street at 1 p.m. Join Huntington Town Historian Robert Hughes for a walking tour of Northport’s historic Main Street, highlighting places, people, and stories captured in the paintings of nineteenth-century artist Edward Lange. A reception will follow the tour at the Northport Historical Society.  Tickets are $25 per person at www.northporthistorical.org.

Sunday Street Concert

The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 26A, Stony Brook presents a Sunday Street Concert featuring Willie Nile in the Carriage Museum’s Gillespie Room at 5 p.m. Expect songs and stories from all stages of his rich career, songs from a forthcoming album, along with a couple of well-chosen covers (Dylan, The Clash, maybe even the Ramones). Presented by the LIM, The Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council, and WUSB-FM. Advance tickets are $ 31 at www.sundaystreet.org through Oct. 4, and $35 at the door (cash only). 631-751-0066

Monday Oct. 7

Meet the Candidates Night

Three Village Civic Association invites the community to a Meet the Candidates night and Speakers for Proposition 1 and 2 at the Setauket Fire House, 190 Main St., Setauket at 7 p.m. Hear from Anthony Palumbo, Edward Flood, John Avlon, Sarah Anker and Rebecca Kassay. Refreshments will be served. Please park in the lower lot located off Old Town Road. Also available on Zoom.  www.3vcivic.org

Tuesday Oct. 8

CAC welcomes Barry Sonnenfeld

Legendary Director Barry Sonnenfeld (Get Shorty, The Addams Family, Men in Black Trilogy) returns to the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington at 7:30 p.m. for a screening of Men in Black followed by a discussion, audience Q&A, and a book signing reception for his new book, Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time with live musical entertainment. Tickets are $60, $50 members and include a copy of the book. www.cinemaartscentre.org.

NYC3 in Concert

John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Special Events series with NYC3 at 8 p.m. The baby boomers had the Beatles, groups like ABBA took the 70s by storm, but now it’s time for today’s music to take center stage. Starring three of New York City’s hottest male vocalists, this high-energy concert event delivers phenomenal performances of today’s top hits from artists like Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Shawn Mendes, Usher, and more. Great songs like Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” and Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance” will get your audience up on their feet. Tickets are $45. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Wednesday Oct. 9

Cruise Night Car Show

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River hosts a Cruise Night Car Show 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

Thursday Oct. 10

Women’s EXPO

Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach presents its annual Women’s EXPO from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A showcase and a marketplace for Long Island women entrepreneurs, the indoor event will feature over 80 exhibitors who create or distribute a variety of products, including jewelry, pottery, soaps, food and more. The indoor event is a great opportunity to support local women entrepreneurs while shopping for holiday gift giving. Free admission. 631-585-9393, www.womensexpoli.org. See more on page B11.

Vanderbilt Lecture

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road Centerport continues its lecture series with a presentation titled In Levittown’s Shadow: Poverty in America’s Wealthiest Postwar Suburb at 7 p.m. Historian Tim Keogh will  take a nuanced look at the history of suburban development and its connection to impoverished living conditions on Long Island. Tickets are $10 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Theater

‘Matilda The Musical’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 54th season with Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical from Sept. 14 to Oct. 20. Matilda is a courageous little girl with astonishing wit, a vivid imagination, and psychokinetic powers. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, the unique and unforgettable Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl on an extraordinary journey! Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12, $25 Wednesday matinees. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit  www.theatrethree.com.

‘Clue’

Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is the hilarious musical Clue from Sept. 12 to Oct. 27. Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, the farce-meets-murder mystery begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Clue is the comedy whodunit that will leave you in stitches as they try to figure out…who did it, where, and with what! Tickets range from $85 to $95. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’

Suffolk County Community College, 533 College Road, Selden presents The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, a hilarious, crazy fairy-tale extravaganza, on Oct. 3, 4, 5, 9, 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. in Theatre 119 in the Islip Arts Building. Two narrators attempt to recreate all 209 of the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm in a wild, fast-paced extravaganza. To make it more difficult, they attempt to combine them into one gigantic fable using Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and other more obscure stories like Lean Lisa and The Devil’s Grandmother. 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

‘Night of the Living Dead’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Night of the Living Dead from Oct. 5 to 27. Fall out from a satellite probe shot to Venus returns to Earth carrying a mysterious radiation that transforms the unburied dead into flesh-eating zombies. Seven people trapped in an isolated farmhouse, held hostage by the ravenous ghouls, begin to turn on each other as the dead encroach. A gripping terror-filled monochromatic play that brings all the fright of the cult classic to life. *This production is recommended for audiences high school age and up. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors and $25 students. To order, visit smithtownpac.org.

‘She Kills Monsters’

Minstrel Players presents Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters at Houghton Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport on Oct. 19 and 26 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 20 and 27 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. To order, call 516-361-7232

‘Mostly True Things’

(mostly) TRUE THINGS, a game wrapped in a storytelling show that features true stories and a game celebrates 10 years of performances at The Performing Arts Studio, 224 E. Main St., Port Jefferson on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. with stories on the themes Anniversary or 10! Featured performers include Jessica Piscatelli Robinson, Adam Grundfest, Sean Brown, Rita Rigano and Jude Treder-Wolff. Tickets are $20 online, $25 at the door (cash only).

Film

‘Tower to the People’ 

Presented with the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe, the Cinema Arts Centre, 412 Park Ave., Huntington presents a special screening of Tower to the People, the tragic, yet ultimately inspirational story about Nikola Tesla’ most ambitious experiment for humanity, on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. With post-film Q&A with filmmaker Joe Sikorski in conversation with Jane Alcorn, Board Member at the Tesla Science Center. $25, $20 members. www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’

Rescheduled from July. As part of its Political Film Festival, the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will screen Frank Capra’s iconic film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. With post-film discussion with former congressmen Steve Israel and Peter King.$16 per person, $10 members. www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘Invisible Nation’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its Fall 2024 season with a screening of Invisible Nation at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. With unprecedented access to Taiwan’s sitting head of state, director Vanessa Hope investigates the election and tenure of Tsai Ing-wen, the first female president of Taiwan. Thorough, incisive and bristling with tension, Invisible Nation is a living account of Tsai’s tightrope walk as she balances the hopes and dreams of her nation between the colossal geopolitical forces of the U.S. and China. Followed by a Q&A. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students. www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com. 

Class Reunions

Port Jefferson High School Class of 1964 will hold its 60th reunion at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 17. Members of the Class of 1963 are invited to join them. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected]. 

Ward Melville High School Class of 2014 will hold its 10 year reunion at The Waterview, 44 Fairway Drive, Port Jefferson  on Nov. 30 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are  $100 — plus ones allowed. Includes open bar, passed appetizers, and dinner. Please email [email protected] for the link to purchase tickets. 

A hilarious comedy based on the movie and board game comes to life in Northport

By Julianne Mosher

Not sure what to do next weekend? Well, here’s a clue. 

The John W. Engeman Theater’s latest production of CLUE is a witty murder mystery filled with twists and turns all based on the 1985 film starring Tim Curry that was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game. 

It begins in 1954 at the Boddy Manor, an eerie, isolated mansion where six random guests are invited under unusual circumstances to a dinner party. Welcomed by the butler, Wadsworth (Michael Keyloun) and Yvette, the maid (Arianne Davidow), each guest comes to the door unsure as to why they were invited by the mansion’s owner, Mr. Boddy (Cody Gerszewski).

Each guest is called by a pseudonym for confidentiality: Colonel Mustard (Danny Rothman), Mrs. White (Christina DeCicco), Mrs. Peacock (Thursday Farrar), Mr. Green (Patrick Harvey), Professor Plum (Ken King) and Miss Scarlet (Lauren Weinberg). All from different backgrounds (for example, Mrs. Peacock is wife to a high-profile senator, Mrs. White’s three husbands mysteriously died and Miss Scarlet is a popular Washington D.C. madam), they share one thing — a secret. 

At the start of the evening, the cook of the mansion (Suzanne Mason) brings out dinner and the guests discover they all hold government influence in one form or another. When Mr. Boddy finally arrives, he explains that he is blackmailing the group. Wadsworth is told to call the police and Boddy hands the guests six weapons as “gifts” to kill the butler in order to protect their secrets; a candlestick, rope, lead pipe, wrench, revolver and dagger. 

The theater’s lights go out and a there’s a loud gunshot. Mr. Boddy is dead on the floor. But who did it? 

To figure out who the killer of the group is, they split up and while walking through the mansion are met with all different shenanigans. They’re met with visits from outsiders who are somehow related to people in the house — like the motorist (Gerszewski), a telegram girl (Mason) and a cop (Jeremy McClelland). They end up dead, too.

In just 90 minutes, the board game comes to life on stage with colorful characters leaving the audience wondering who, where and with what.

With a small cast, each actor embodies the characters of the game and movie with perfection. Keyloun’s portrayal of the butler (made famous by Tim Curry in the film) has the audience belly laugh with his wit and expressive skill as he moves across the stage. Other standout performances include Davidow, Rothman, DeCicco, Farrar, Harvey, King, Weinberg, Gerszewski, Mason and McClelland who are hysterical in their own ways; whether it’s Miss Scarlet’s seductive humor or Mr. Green’s silly clumsiness, there was always a smile in the crowd. 

Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and written by Sandy Rustin, the Engeman’s production is directed by Marc Tumminelli. The costume design from Dustin Cross is representative of the characters we’ve seen on the board games’ cards with a 1950s fashionable flair that colors the eerie stage set (designed by Kyle Dixon).

The stage set as the manor is an impressive one. Not only does one feel like they’re in the foyer of the house, but when they need to be in the parlor, the dining room or the den, the stage has doors that open and pull out to the room where the characters are inside. The doors are used often and usually in a campy way.

So, was it Professor Plum with the revolver in the parlor? Or maybe it was Colonel Mustard with the wrench in the hall? One thing is for sure … it should be you with a ticket in hand parked in a seat to watch this fantastic show.

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents CLUE through Oct. 27. The season continues with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Nov. 14 to Dec. 29. Tickets range from $80 to $100 with free valet parking. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.