Save the date! Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, Inc., a private, not for profit organization providing a comprehensive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing for children and adults with disabilities, will hold its third annual Derby Stakes on Friday, May 6 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Unlike last year’s virtual event, this year’s Derby Stakes will be a live event at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, 829Old Nichols Road, Islandia.
“We are so excited to bring our popular live Derby Stakes back for the enjoyment of Long Islanders,” said Pal-O-Mine Equestrian founder and CEO Lisa Gatti. “It is a wonderful family event in the fresh outdoors where people of all ages can enjoy watching our horses and staff compete in several fun races. In the program, we emulate the real Derby experience, from the trumpeter signaling the start of the races to a real life jockey announcing the horses and the outriders as they enter the arena. The winners are showered with ribbons and a wreath of flowers.”
The Derby Stakes will feature Pal-O-Mine’s staff riding its horses in six competitive races that showcase both the herd’s versatility and the riders’ talent as horsemen and women. Among them will be a “Seattle Slow” walking race and a “Smoky Jones” canter race. Pre-race activities include interactive farm games, hat contest, paddock walk, craft fair and a photo booth. This year ‘s event will also have a Parade of Breeds showcasing many unique breeds of horses that Pal-O-Mine uses in their program.
Admission is $10 per person (under 5 are free) and all donations from the event will go to supporting the care of the Pal-O-Mine herd of therapy horses. In addition to making a donation, there are sponsorship opportunities for Long Island families, businesses, associations, and civic groups. Call Tessa at 631-348-1389 for more information.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, yet it is one of the most preventable types of cancer. For 2021, the National Cancer Institute reported nearly 150,000 new cases diagnosed with approximately 53,000 fatalities. Affecting men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, colorectal cancer is most often found in people age 50 and older.
One of the biggest challenges physicians face when discussing colorectal cancer is debunking myths surrounding identifying and treating the disease. Catholic Health Gastroenterologist Kanika Kaur, MD, addressed what she commonly hears from patients.
Myth: There is nothing I can do to lessen my risk of colon cancer.
Fact: There is a lot people can do to reduce their risk of colon cancer. A diet low in red meat and processed meat, high in fruits and vegetables is very important. Smoking is a well-known risk factor for colon cancer along with many other cancers. Also, regular exercise may reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer. The single biggest modifiable risk factor for colorectal cancer is failure to be screened. Colorectal cancers develop from pre-cancerous polyps, which are growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. Screenings detect and allow doctors to remove polyps before they become cancerous.Colonoscopy with polyp removal reduces the risk of developed colon cancer by up to 90%
Myth: Colorectal cancer is fatal.
Fact: Colorectal cancer is highly treatable, especially when detected early. More than 90% of patients with a localized cancer that is confined to the colon or rectum are alive five years after diagnosis. Sadly, about only one-third of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an early stage. A majority of cases are identified when the disease has spread beyond the wall of the colon or rectum and to other parts of the body. This decreases the chances of the cancer being cured.
Myth: I should only have a screening if I have symptoms.
Fact: This is false. The reality is that early colorectal cancer usually has no symptoms. This is why it is important to get screened. It is recommended all men and women age 45 and older should have a screening. Those with a personal or family history of colon cancer, a history of inflammatory bowel disease and those with symptoms such as rectal bleeding are considered at high risk and may need to be screened before the age of 45. Additionally, women with a personal or family history of ovarian, endometrial or breast cancer may also need to be screened at an earlier age.
Myth: Only those with a family history of colon cancer are at risk.
Fact: Nearly three-quarters of all new colorectal cancer cancers are with individuals with no known risk factors for the disease.
Myth: Colorectal cancer affects only older, white men.
Fact: Colorectal cancer impacts men and women. Additionally, people of color are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in its advanced stages, suggesting that they may require colon cancer screening at a younger age.
Myth: A colonoscopy is a difficult procedure.
Fact: A colonoscopy is not painful. The most unpleasant part of the procedure is the preparation that is required the day before the exam. But this is important as an inadequate prep may lead to missed findings such as polyps or a need to repeat the procedure.
Myth: Finding a colon or rectal polyp means I have cancer and need surgery.
Fact: A polyp is a pre-cancerous lesion that, if not treated, can progress to cancer. If polyps are detected early and removed before they can progress, colon cancer can be prevented. Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy have been shown to prevent deaths from colon cancer – a fact that has been well demonstrated over time. Most polyps are treated by removing them during the colonoscopy. Even large polyps can be removed without surgery.
More information on Catholic Health’s comprehensive colorectal cancer and digestive health services may be found by visiting chsli.org. To find a Catholic Health physician near you, please call (866) MY-LI-DOC.
About Catholic Health
Catholic Health is an integrated system encompassing some of the region’s finest health and human services agencies. The health system has 16,000 employees, six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a home health service, hospice and a network of physician practices.
This week’s featured shelter pet is Darcy who is available for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. This sweetheart was found by a good Samaritan as a stray. She is estimated to be around two years old and is spayed.
“We do not know what happened to make Darcy find herself homeless, but we know she desperately wants a family of her own.She loves to get affection and would prefer a quiet home with other quiet demeanor pets,” said Smithtown Animal Shelter Supervisor Leigh Wixson.
If you would like to meet Darcy, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only).
For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.smithtownanimalshelter.com.
With gas prices continuing to surge, another roadblock for the hard-hit tourism industry as well as eager, pent-up travelers, Discover Long Island, the region’s official destination marketing organization has announced a new campaign to highlight the many unique car-free, walkable destinations across Long Island – easily accessible by the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and other mass-transit. To launch the campaign, the tourism organization has unveiled 10 top picks for tire-less travel experiences that should be on everyone’s 2022 bucket list – from the famous car-free beach haven Fire Island to a fairy-tale colonial village and more. Long Island’s car-free destinations are featured on www.DiscoverLongIsland.com/LIRR – a one-stop-shop for tire-less travel information.
With New York currently the most booked U.S. destination for Summer 2022 travel, the campaign aims at inspiring the region’s expected tidal wave of visitors to explore the wide range of attractions across Long Island– Manhattan’s easily accessible beachfront backyard. Additionally, the campaign encourages locals and all visitors alike to take advantage of these affordable travel opportunities without the worry of car-rental shortages or skyrocketing gas prices and discover hidden gems, open space oases, and iconic landmarks, right off an LIRR stop.
“The LIRR serves as a crucial transportation artery for Long Island and remains key to our economy and recovering tourism industry – underscored by our nation’s growing gas crisis. Thanks to the LIRR and a network of ferries filled with nostalgia, no car is needed to have a bucket-list Long Island getaway featuring an award-winning wine country, historic waterfront downtowns and much more,” said Kristen Jarnagin Reynolds, President & CEO of DiscoverLong Island. “With a 600% increase in domestic travel bookings since January, we’re seeing a hunger for new experiences and no hassle travel and LongIsland provides ideal opportunities for both. Visitors and locals alike can seamlessly explore the many wonders and hidden gems right outside New York City that will make you feel a world away.”
“With spring around the corner, and summer not too far behind, why not plan to ditch the car and the traffic and ride the LIRR,” said Catherine Rinaldi, LIRR Interim President. “The LIRR is safe, reliable, and ready to take you to all the many great outdoor activities, beaches, parks and wineries that LongIsland has to offer.”
The campaign will include robust promotion of attractions and destinations accessible by mass transit across Discover Long Island’s 10 prolific social media accounts, consumer newsletters, Insider’s Blog, The Long Island Tea podcast and more. As part of their longstanding partnership, the MTA will cross promote Discover Long Island’s car-free experiences and continue to work closely with the tourism organization to develop and promote Long Islandgetaway packages. See the MTA’s current deals on daytrip destinations, outdoor activities and events, HERE.
Additionally, the campaign will highlight Long Island hoteliers that offer their guests free shuttle services to ensure a seamless transportation experience, recently featured in the MTA Away article 8 Carefree (and Car-Free) Overnight Escapes on Long Island.
For access to exclusive deals at the small businesses and attractions throughout the downtown communities highlighted, including Fire Island, Long Beach, Huntington, Port Washington, Greenport, and Riverhead, visitors and residents can download the Discover Long Island’s free Downtown Deals Travel Pass.
Fire Island: A World-Famous Car-Free Haven
The barrier island of Fire Island sits just off the coast of Long Island’s southern shoreline and is accessible only by ferry, which visitors can catch with a quick shuttle from the Sayville or Patchogue LIRR stop. Locals and visitors travel around by foot, bike, wagon, and golf cart at this car-free beach haven. The 32-mile long island is known for its pristine beaches, a relaxing ambiance, vibrant restaurants and nightlife and for being one of the world’s most popular LGBTQ+ destinations. Fire Island consists of 17 unique resort communities including private homes and overnight accommodations. Climb 182 steps to the top of the historic Fire Island Lighthouse, take a guided canoe tour through the Salt Marsh, enjoy public marinas for boating and fishing, camp at Watch Hill, or spend the day at one of the lifeguarded beaches. Find unique gifts and keepsakes at Hanalei and Kula’s boutique in Ocean Beach. Be sure to stop by CJ’s, home of the rocket fuel for a sip of Fire Island’s famed specialty drink.
Gold Coast: Bring a Bike for a Gilded Age Excursion
Long Island’s historic Gold Coast is home to stunning grand estates set against pristine gardens and shimmering coastlines. Tour the mansions of the Roaring Twenties where industry tycoons (including the Vanderbilts and Guggenheims) reigned supreme and served as the inspiration behind The Great Gatsby. Stay overnight at the luxurious Oheka Castle, often serving as a set for major Hollywood productions. Take the LIRR to Port Washington, Oyster Bay, and Port Jefferson to easily access eight Long Island estates for a Gilded Age experience, some of which include Sands Point Preserve, Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, Planting Fields, Old Westbury Gardens and more. Note that some locations require a short walk, bike ride (bring yours on the train), or rideshare from the station. More details are available HERE.
Experience the Seaside Charm of Port Jefferson
Throughout this walkable village right off the LIRR, the salty sea breeze fills boutiques, wine glasses chime from open-air bistros and the marina sunset greets families as they stroll by Ralph’s Famous Italian ices. Stay overnight at Danford’s Hotel & Marina – the nautical New England style retreat has waterfront views of the Long Island Sound and dockside dinning. There is much to explore in this coastal gem. Take a photo with Long Island’s angel wings and take a serene outdoor instagrammable walk at the McAllister Park Pirate’s Cove. Dinner options are as diverse as Long Island’s landscape and include traditional East Coast eats at PJ’s Lobster House, SaGhar for Indian cuisine with a Western twist, Prohibition Kitchen for a New American menu in a trendy atmosphere and more. Don’t miss Roots Kava Bar for a custom tea blend and ancient rituals.
Discover the New England Style Stony Brook Village – The Epicenter of the Culper Spy Ring
Visitors will be transported back in time as they take a ride share from the LIRR station toStony Brook Village, a waterfront shopping district in a Colonial New England setting complete with white clapboard buildings. Fun fact: Stony Brook was the epicenter of The Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolution, made famous by AMC’s hit drama TURN. President George Washington traveled to the area in 1790 by horse-drawn carriage to thank Long Island supporters and the spy ring for their help in winning the war. Stay overnight at the historic Three Village Inn built in 1907 which has six cottages named after Revolutionary War spies that overlook the harbor. While here, visitors can tour the Stony Brook Grist Mill used by farmers throughout the 18th – 20th centuries. Grab a kayak from Stony Brook Harbor Kayak and Paddle Board rentals for a unique water tour of the historic mills. For a hands-on activity, Stony Brook Chocolate offers workshops for customers to make seasonal artisanal chocolate creations. Check out the The Jazz Loft for some after dinner entertainment. To explore what’s beyond the village car-free, Stony Brookside Bed & Bike Inn offers complimentary bikes to all their guests.
Explore the ‘City by the Sea’: Long Beach
With mile after mile of inviting sands, Long Beach certainly lives up to its name. This barrier island community is just 45-minutes from midtown Manhattan. Long Beach is an upbeat coastal retreat with LGBTQ+ pride, a vibrant surfing community, regular beach volleyball, free summer concerts, food trucks, fishing piers and more. This bustling beach town is best known for its iconic 4.5-mile boardwalk rebuilt after Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which is once again teeming with quirky shops, unique and classic eateries, cyclists, runners, and more. Head to Skudin’ Surf School & Shop for surf lessons, board rentals, and other cool gear or snap a picture in front of the Instagrammable Long Beach Osprey Wings. Don’t worry about toting heavy beach gear either, Beach Comfort will deliver rental equipment right on the beach. Stay overnight at the Allegria Hotel, a chic boutique delivering a dose of Miami style that boasts a rooftop pool with breathtaking views of the Atlantic as well as the NYC skyline.|
Port Washington: Easily Accessible by Train or Boat
Step off the LIRR platform into a restaurant-ladden, historic, waterfront destination where history, luxury and serenity intertwine. Reserve a party yacht with Long Island Boat Rentals and take a private tour of Long Island’s North Shore and iconic Manhattan landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. Stop by the Port Salt Cave for a little R&R before heading to a live performance at Landmark on Main Street Theatre. The intimate six-room boutique hotel, Fathoms Hotel & Marina, is conveniently located at the end of the Main Street strip.
Experience the Nautical Mile then Head to the World-famous Jones Beach
Take the train to Freeport and hop on the N.I.C.E Bus to the Nautical Mile. The combination of restaurants and workboats, open-air bars and fish markets, live music and foghorns on the Nautical Mile provides a unique blend of nautical charm and street fair revelry. Visitors can also take the N.I.C.E Bus to the Jones Beach Boardwalk from the Freeport LIRR stop – one of NY State’s greatest escapes. In addition to swimming, surfing, sunbathing, mini golf, fishing piers and more, the boardwalk provides access to WildPlay Adventure Park where visitors can test their limits. Be sure to catch a live a-list performance in the region’s only outdoor amphitheater, Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater.
Explore Huntington Village, a little microcosm of Manhattan
The area where British troops camped following the Battle of Long Island during the American Revolutionary War is today one of the most popular cultural meccas on Long Island. Named by USA Today as one of the best places to view fall foliage, Huntington also boasts a chic downtown with harbor front dining at Prime, local brews from Six Harbor Brewing Co., live entertainment at the nationally acclaimed venue The Paramount, and cultural exhibitions inside the Heckscher Museum of Art which showcases more than 2,500 pieces of American and European artwork dating back to 1534. Revive Health Studio is the place to go for boutique skincare and holistic services like TuneBed sessions or Red-Light Therapy. The Hilton Inn & Suites Downtown Huntington opening this spring is located directly on Main St. and walking distance from beloved attractions.
Head to Riverhead for Family Fun & Local Brews
This bustling downtown not far from the North Fork wine region, is walking distance from the Riverhead LIRR station. Visitors will find an array of amenities inclusive of family-friendly activities, watersports, craft brewery experiences, and even something fascinating for history buffs. Stop by the Long Island Aquarium for hands-on learning about local and world marine life. The fully operational distillery Montauk Distilling Co. is just one of nearly a dozen breweries located on the Riverhead Ale Trail where visitors can take tours, enjoy tasting rooms, and shop for locally made products. The Hotel Indigo East End provides guests with free shuttle services, on-site dinner & drinks, as well as posh rooms and décor.
Greenport: Named by Forbes as One of the 11 Prettiest Towns in America
Located at the tip of Long Island’s North Fork and right off the last stop of the LIRR’s Greenport Branch, is the walkable harbor front village of Greenport, an adorable historic district and marina filled with live music, charming, vintage boutiques, and restaurants with outdoor terraces. Its close proximity to Long Island Wine Country and farmland makes Greenport a visitor favorite. Grab a lobster roll at Claudio’s, a staple of Long Islandsummers and relax with a fresh brew at Greenport Harbor Brewing housed in the town’s original firehouse before a walk around Mitchell Park, where kids can take a spin on a 100-year-old carousel (there’s also ice skating in the park in winter) or learn about the rich maritime heritage of Long Island’s East End at the East End Seaport Museum. Chic boutique hotel, The Menhaden, offers complimentary bicycles and shuttle services for its guests with its exclusive Moke. Guests must arrange for rides in the Moke and can do so by speaking with the hotel’s concierge.
ABOUT DISCOVER LONG ISLAND:
Discover Long Island is the region’s official destination marketing and leadership organization charged with furthering the region’s tourism economy, which saw record-breaking highs in 2019 generating $6.3 billion in visitor spending. The organization ensures Long Island’s coveted quality of life, thriving industries, and dynamic destination offerings are promoted on a global level, furthering economic development, and benefiting residents and businesses throughout the region. Awarded “Best Social Media” in the nation by the U.S. Travel Association, the organization produces engaging content featuring local businesses and attractions for their 10 social media channels which garnered upwards of 10 million views in 2021. Additionally, Discover Long Island hosts a popular YouTube series, Long Island TV, as well as the Long Island Tea podcast. To learn more, please call 631-951-3900 or visit www.DiscoverLongIsland.com.
Medications and lifestyle changescan reduce your risk
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
With all of the attention on infectious disease prevention these past two years, many have lost sight of the risks of heart disease. Despite improvements in the numbers in recent years, heart disease still underpins one in four deaths in the U.S., making it the leading cause of death (1).
Heart disease is on the decline due to a number of factors, including better awareness in lay and medical communities, improved medicines, earlier treatment of risk factors and lifestyle modifications. We are headed in the right direction, but we can do better. Heart disease is something that is eminently preventable.
Reduce your baseline risks
Significant risk factors for heart disease include high cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking. In addition, diabetes, excess weight and excessive alcohol intake increase your risks. Unfortunately, both obesity and diabetes are on the rise. For patients with type 2 diabetes, 70 percent die of cardiovascular causes (2).
Inactivity and the standard American diet, rich in saturated fat and calories, also contribute to heart disease risk (3). The underlying culprit is atherosclerosis, fatty streaks in the arteries.
Another potential risk factor is a resting heart rate greater than 80 beats per minute (bpm). In one study, healthy men and women had 18 and 10 percent increased risks of dying from a heart attack, respectively, for every increase of 10 bpm over 80 (4). A normal resting heart rate is usually between 60 and 100 bpm. Thus, you don’t have to have a racing heart rate, just one that is high-normal. All of these risk factors can be overcome.
Medication’s role in reducing risk
Cholesterol and blood pressure medications have been credited to some extent with reducing the risk of heart disease. Unfortunately, according to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, only 43.7 percent of those with hypertension have it controlled (5). While the projected reasons are complex, a significant issue among those who are aware they have hypertension is a failure to consistently take prescribed medications, or medication nonadherence.
In terms of lipids, statins have played a key role in primary prevention. Statins are effective at not only lowering lipid levels, including total cholesterol and LDL — the “bad” cholesterol — but also inflammation levels that contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease. The JUPITER trial showed a 55 percent combined reduction in heart disease, stroke and mortality from cardiovascular disease in healthy patients — those with a slightly elevated level of inflammation and normal cholesterol profile — with statins.
The downside of statins is their side effects. Statins have been shown to increase the risk of diabetes in intensive dosing, compared to moderate dosing (6).
Unfortunately, many on statins also suffer from myopathy (muscle pain). I have had a number of patients who have complained of muscle pain and cramps. Their goal is to reduce and ultimately discontinue their statins by following a lifestyle modification plan involving diet and exercise. Lifestyle modification is a powerful ally.
Do lifestyle changes really help?
The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, a prospective (forward-looking) study, investigated 501 healthy men and their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The authors concluded that those who consumed five servings or more of fruits and vegetables daily with <12 percent saturated fat had a 76 percent reduction in their risk of dying from heart disease compared to those who did not (7). The authors theorized that eating more fruits and vegetables helped to displace saturated fats from the diet. These results are impressive and, to achieve them, they only required a modest change in diet.
The Nurses’ Health Study shows that these results are also seen in women, with lifestyle modification reducing the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Many times, this is the first manifestation of heart disease in women. The authors looked at four parameters of lifestyle modification, including a Mediterranean-type diet, exercise, smoking and body mass index. The decrease in SCD that was dose-dependent, meaning the more factors incorporated, the greater the risk reduction. SCD risk was reduced up to 92 percent when all four parameters were followed (8). Thus, it is possible to almost eliminate the risk of SCD for women with lifestyle modifications.
Monitoring your heart disease risk
To monitor your progress, cardiac biomarkers are telling, including inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein, blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index.
In a cohort study of high-risk participants and those with heart disease, patients implemented extensive lifestyle modification: a plant-based, whole foods diet accompanied by exercise and stress management (9). The results showed an improvement in biomarkers, as well as in cognitive function and overall quality of life. Most exciting is that results occurred over a very short period to time — three months from the start of the trial. Many of my patients have experienced similar results.
Ideally, if patient needs to use medications to treat risk factors for heart disease, it should be for the short term. For some patients, it may be appropriate to use medication and lifestyle changes together; for others, lifestyle modifications may be sufficient, as long as patient takes an active role.
By focusing on developing heart-healthy habits, we can improve the likelihood that we will be around for a long time.
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.
Colon Cancer is Preventable, Treatable and Beatable. Early Detection Saves Lives
In support of Colorectal Awareness Month, Northwell Health Peconic Bay Medical Center (PBMC) has adopted the recommendation to lower the minimum age to start colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45 years old. In partnership with the Cancer Services Program of Suffolk County, free screenings can now be administered to those 45 and older, conveniently, and discreetly at home to people who are uninsured, underinsured, or at-risk.
The Colorectal Surgery Program at PBMC has expert surgeons who treat patients with conditions affecting the colon and rectum, intestinal tract and pelvic floor, as well as the anal canal and perianal area. Brett E. Ruffo, MD, colorectal surgeon and Ashanti L. Franklin, colorectal surgeon, lead the program using minimally invasive techniques such as robotic-assisted surgery which offers leading-edge precision for treatment of life-threatening cancers of the colon and rectum.
“Colorectal cancer is traditionally one of the deadliest forms of cancer, but it is treatable and beatable if caught during the early stages before it spreads. Making screenings more accessible at a time when younger people are being diagnosed will save lives,” said Dr. Ruffo. “With timely screenings, we can remove dangerous polyps before they become cancerous. Don’t wait for symptoms to get tested. Recommendations for colorectal cancer screening options vary for individuals. Please discuss with your primary care provider to determine the best option for you and your family.”
The United States Preventive Services Task Force has lowered its recommended age for colorectal cancer screening for people at average risk from age 50 to 45. Recent studies have also found that adults born around 1990 have twice the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer compared to adults born around 1950.
Those with a family history of colorectal cancer or other bowel disease are at a higher risk and may need to begin screening before age 45. According to the National Cancer Institute, other heightened risk factors include obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking.
“I can’t stress enough how important it is for residents of Eastern Suffolk to get back to regular, on-time screenings,” said Maureen O’Connor, director of The Cancer Services Program of Suffolk County. “Talk to your health care provider about your risks for colorectal cancer and your testing options. Regular screening for colorectal cancer can save lives.”
Colorectal screenings are covered at little or no cost by most insurance plans. The Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead and the Cancer Services Program of Suffolk County offer free colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screening to eligible adults who do not have insurance. Call Maureen O’Connor, director of The Cancer Services Program of Suffolk County at (631) 548-6320 for any questions and to find out if you qualify for free cancer screening. Visit http://www.pbmchealth.org for more information.
This is the first in a two-part series on Long Island’s water supply.
When thinking about Long Island’s groundwater supply — its drinking water aquifers — it is helpful to visualize a food you might eat while drinking water — say, a three-tiered, open-faced turkey sandwich — a slice of cheese on top, a juicy, thick tomato disk in the middle, a slice of turkey on the bottom, all resting on a piece of hard, crusty bread.
Well, substitute the Upper Glacial Aquifer for the cheese, the thicker Magothy Aquifer for the tomato, the Lloyd Aquifer for the turkey, and a “basement of bedrock” for the bread and you’ve got Long Island’s tiered groundwater system. It is this collection of groundwater aquifers — these sections of the sandwich — that are the sole source of water for all the uses Long Islanders use water for. Hydrologists estimate there’s about 90 trillion gallons of water contained in Long Island’s groundwater supply.
Our sandwich model described above is not fully accurate in that there is another layer called the Raritan Clay formation separating the Magothy and Lloyd Aquifers. This clay layer, about 200 feet thick, retards water movement (for a number of reasons water moves painfully slow through clay) and is referred to as an aquitard. So, in our sandwich model let’s make the thin but impactive clay formation a layer of mustard or mayonnaise. With the exception of this clay-confining layer, Long Island is essentially a million-acre sandpile whose geology is generally distinguished by subtle changes in the composition, texture, and porosity of its geological materials — varying mixtures of silt, clay, sand, gravel and cobbles which affects rates of water transmissivity or movement.
The basement of bedrock (the bread in our sandwich) that underlies all of Long Island is metamorphic rock estimated to be about 400 million years old. It slants from the northwest to the southeast dipping at about 50 feet to the mile. So, while the thickness of the freshwater aquifers in northwest Queens is only a few hundred feet, it is approximately 2,000 feet thick in western Southampton.
On the North and South Forks and the south shore barrier islands, freshwater doesn’t extend all the way to bedrock as it does in Nassau County and much of western and central Suffolk County. It is shallowest on the barrier islands, the freshwater lens extending down only several dozen feet.
On the North Fork it goes a little deeper before the water becomes salty and it is deepest on the wide South Fork where the freshwater lens extends downward about 550-600 feet. The depth of the aquifer is influenced by how many feet above sea level the water table is. There’s a hydrological formula, called the Ghyben-Herzberg principle, that states for every foot of water above sea level there’s 40 feet of freshwater beneath.
The water in the groundwater aquifers isn’t stored in large subterranean pools or caverns, as it is in some other places in the country with markedly different geology, Rather, the water is situated between the tiny, interstitial spaces existing between the countless sand particles that collectively make up Long Island. Given this, it is not surprising that groundwater flows (under the influence of gravity) slowly downward and sideways (depending where in the aquifer the water is located) moving on the order of just a few feet a day at most but typically in the ballpark of about one foot per day.
It takes dozens to hundreds to thousands of years for water to move through the system, all depending where it first landed on the island’s surface. Water pumped from the seaward edge of the lowest aquifer — the Lloyd Aquifer — may have fallen as rain many years before the beginning of the ancient Greek Empire.
In the late 1970’s several governmental studies helped us to better understand some of the basics as to how the groundwater system works. One of the important takeaways from this research was that it is the middle half to two-thirds of the island that is most important for recharge — this segment is known as the “deep-flow recharge area” because a raindrop that lands here will move vertically downward recharging the vast groundwater supply.
The middle of this area is knows as the “groundwater divide”; a water drop that lands to the south of the divide will move downward and then laterally in a southern direction discharging into one of the south shore bays or the salty groundwater underneath the Atlantic Ocean while a drop to the north will move eventually into Long Island Sound or the sandy sediments beneath it.
Hydrologists have determined that for every square mile of land (640 acres) an average of about two million gallons of rain water lands on the surface with about one million gallons recharging the groundwater supply on a daily basis. What happens to the other one million gallons? It evaporates, runs off into streams and other wetlands, or is taken up by trees and other plants that need it to sustain life processes such as transpiration (a large oak tree needs about 110 gallons of water daily to survive).
In contrast, raindrops that land in locations nearer to the coasts such as in Setauket, northern Smithtown, southern Brookhaven, Babylon, or other places along the north and south shores don’t become part of the vast groundwater reservoir; instead, after percolating into the ground the water moves horizontally, discharging either into a stream that flows to salty water or into the salty groundwater that surrounds Long Island. These landscape segments are referred to as “shallow-flow recharge areas.”
The higher elevations along the Ronkonkoma Moraine (the central spine of Long Island created by glacial action about 40,000 years ago) are also the highest points in the water table although the water table elevation contours are a dampened expression of the land surface. So, in the West Hills region of Huntington where Jayne’s Hill is located, the highest point on Long Island topping out at a little more than 400 feet, the elevation of the water table is about 80 feet above sea level.
Below the water table is the saturated zone and above it the unsaturated zone where air, instead of water, exists in the tiny spaces between the sand particles (in the Jayne’s Hill case the unsaturated zone runs about 320 feet). It is the water (more precisely its weight) in the higher regions of the saturated zones that pushes on the water beneath it, driving water in the lower portions to move at first sideways or laterally and then to upwell into the salty groundwater under the ocean. Due to the weight of the water the freshwater-saltwater interface is actually offshore on both coasts, meaning you could drill from a platform a mile off Jones Beach and tap into freshwater if you were to drill several hundred feet down.
A wetland forms where the land surface and water table intersect. It may be Lake Ronkonkoma, the Nissequogue or Peconic River, or any of the more than one hundred streams that drain the aquifer discharging into bays and harbors around Long Island. So when you’re gazing at the surface of Lake Ronkonkoma you’re looking at the water table — the top of the Long Island groundwater system. Since the water table elevations can change due to varying amounts of rain and snow and pumping by water suppliers these wetlands can be affected; in wet years they may enlarge and discharge more water while in droughts wetlands can largely dry up which happened on Long Island in the 1960’s.
It is clear, given the isolated nature of our water supply — our freshwater bubble surrounded by hostile salt water — that we are captains of our own fate. Our groundwater supply is the only source of water to meet all of our collective needs and wants. There are no magical underground freshwater connections to Connecticut, mainland New York, or New Jersey. We are not tied into, nor is it likely we will ever be able to tap into, New York City’s water supply, provided by the Delaware River and several upstate reservoirs. As the federal Environmental Protection Agency has declared — Long Island is a “sole source aquifer.” To paraphrase the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moyhihan: “Long Islanders all drink from the same well.” Indeed we do.
The next article will detail the quality and quantity problems facing our groundwater supply.
A resident of Setauket, John Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.
As I pottered around my kitchen preparing dinner, the evening news was on the TV. I watched the tragedy in Ukraine unfold with its shattered buildings and shattered lives, deliberate assaults on hospitals and shelters, courage and heroism and knew that for so many Ukrainians, there was no longer a home or a kitchen, where a babushka or young mother stood cooking a batch of varenyky or pirohi (dumplings), chicken kyev, a pot of borscht (beet soup) or holubsti (stuffed cabbage), a pan of nalesniki (cream cheese filled crepes) or deruny (potato pancakes).
Today my friend Svitlana told me that her family has safely escaped to Poland, but for so many innocent victims of this cruel siege by an unhinged Russian egomaniac, there will be no food, no shelter, and for some, no life. I dedicate this column to them and their heroism.
Nalesniki
YIELD: Makes 16 crepes
INGREDIENTS:
Crepes:
5 eggs
1 1/4 cups flour
2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
3 ounces melted unsalted butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Filling:
1 1/2 pounds small curd cottage cheese, rinsed and drained
1/2 pound cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Generously grease a 9” x 13” baking dish. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer beat together the eggs and flour until most of the lumps are gone. With mixer on low speed beat in the milk, then the salt, sugar, butterand oil. Heat a 10” crepe pan or nonstick skillet over low heat. Pour 1/4 cup of prepared batter into pan and tilt to evenly distribute it; when edges are slightly crisp, about one minute, carefully flip the crepe and cook another 30 to 45 seconds, remove, place on plate and repeat with remaining batter.
In a medium-large bowl, beat together the cottage cheese, cream cheese and sugar; place a crepe on a flat surface, spread with a thin layer of cheese mixture and, starting with the end closest to you, tightly roll into a long, thin log; repeat procedure with remaining crepes. Place half of them in baking dish, drizzle with half the butter, then repeat procedure with remaining crepes. Bake about 30 minutes, cut logs in half and serve with jam and tea.
Holubsti
YIELD: Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
12 -16 outer leaves from 1 large head green cabbage
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled, finely grated
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon sugar
One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 3/4 cups water
1 large bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground beef
1/3 cup long grain white rice, pre-cooked for 5 minutes
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
DIRECTIONS:
Fill a large bowl with ice water.In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch the cabbage leaves, one to two minutes, until they are bright green and pliable; carefully place them in ice water, then drain them between several layers of paper towels.
In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat and cook half the onion and all the carrots until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes; add tomato paste and sugar and cook another minute or two, until caramelized. Add tomatoes, water and bay leaf and cook over medium-high heat until reduced by half, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and season.
Meanwhile in a large bowl, combine ground meat, remaining onion and rice; season with salt and pepper and thoroughly combine ingredients. Working one at a time, cut center stem from each cabbage leaf; place two generous tablespoons of meat mixture in center of leaf, fold the sides over and roll up. Place, seam side down in pot, repeat with remaining cabbages leaves and filling and nestle them close together in pot; bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce to medium-low, partially cover and cook about 40 minutes, until done. Remove bay leaf, transfer with cabbage rolls and sauce to bowl or platter and serve hot with sour cream.
The Smithtown Historical Society will host a Model Train Show in the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown on March 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Operating Layouts on display with include the Long Island HOTrack – HO Scale; Frank Kayz Trainz —Surprise; Trainville Hobby Depot — N Scale and more. Admission is $5, $3 for kids 12 and under.Proceeds will benefit the Smithtown Historical Society for the restoration of farm buildings and caring for the animals. For more information, call 524-0529.
Egg Hunt at the Hatchery
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor will host an Egg Hunt for children up to age 6 on March 26-27, April 2-3, 9-10 and 15-16 with 20-minute sessions scheduled between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.. $12 per child, $5 helper siblings ages 7 to 12, $7 adults, $6 seniors. Registration is required. Visit www.cshfishhatchery,org or call 516-692-6768.
Children’s Birding Adventures
Children ages 4 to 10 with a caregiver are invited to join the Four Harbors Audubon Society for a children’s story time, bird walk, and a bird-inspired activity at Frank Melville Memorial Park, 101 Main St., Setauket on March 26 from 1 to 2 p.m. Enjoy some family fun while you learn about our feathered friends.Meet at the entrance to the park behind the post office. Free but registration is required by emailing [email protected]. Rain date is April 2.
Bicycle Rodeo
The Traffic Safety Department for the Town of Brookhaven is hosting a free Bicycle Rodeo on March 26 at Safety Town, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville. The event encourages children to learn how to safely ride their bikes in a mock-roadway, kid-sized setting. Participants will be evaluated and given feedback on their bicycle-handling abilities, after proper bicycle safety skills are demonstrated. Bring your own bicycle and helmet. This event is by appointment only; call 363-3770 to schedule a time to attend.
Gee Golly Geology
The Town of Brookhaven kicks off its Spring Nature Programs at Cedar Beach, 200 Harbor Road, Mount Sinai with Gee Golly Geology on March 26 at 2 p.m. Join them for a geology lesson and guided walk of the peninsula to explore and observe the ever-changing topography that provides the foundation for distinct ecosystems and habitats of the beach and salt marsh. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but registration is required by e-mailing Environmental Educator Nicole Pocchiare at [email protected].
Theater
‘Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the world premiere of Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz from Feb. 23 to March 26. Dorothy Gale is whisked away by a tornado to that magical land that lies just Over the Rainbow. Follow Dorothy and her friends the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion as they encounter challenges and celebrate friendship. This new take on a classic tale features an original score, memorable characters, and fun for the entire family. Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz is a delightful reminder that “there’s no place like home!” All seats are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Madagascar’
Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is Madagascar: A Musical Adventure from April 2 to May 8. Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, Madagascar will leave audiences with no choice but to “Move It, Move It!” All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Disney’s ‘High School Musical Jr.’
We’re all in this together! Disney Channel’s smash hit musical comes to life at the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown in Disney’s High School Musical Jr. from April 15 to May 15. Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High must deal with issues of love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extra curricular activities. The show’s infectious, danceable songs will have you dancing in your seats! All seats are $25. To order, call 724-3700 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.
Long Island Cars kicks off 2022 with a classic car show at Bald Hill in Farmingville on March 27. Photo from LI Cars
Ongoing
TVHS expands hours
The Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket will be open for the spring season on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for exhibit tours of SPIES! and Chicken Hill and gift shop now through May 7. For more information, call 751-3730 or visit www.tvhs.org.
Suffrage exhibit in Port Jefferson
The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson celebrates Women’s History Month with an exhibit on the second floor titled Celebrating Women’s Suffrage and the Timeless Connection of Nan Guzzetta. The exhibit runs through March 31 daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free. For more information, call 802-2160.
Thursday, March 24
Swing Into Spring Festival
The Jazz Loft and Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn presents its Swing Into Spring Jazz Festival at different locations throughout Stony Brook and Setauket today through March 27. Performances continue tonight in Stony Brook at The Country House from 6 to 8 p.m. and a The Jazz Loft from 7 to 9:30 p.m. For a full schedule of events, visit www.thejazzloft.org or call 751-1895.
Stony Brook Walking Tour *This event has been moved to March 25
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization will host a walking tour titled “Against the Grain” featuring newly uncovered stories of Stony Brook Village women. Tours will leave from the Stony Brook Grist Mill on Harbor Road at 10:30 a.m. and again at 3:30 p.m. Participants in the walking tour will enjoy at least six entirely new stories about the women of Stony Brook Village, spanning thousands of years. This includes indigenous women; the women of the Revolution; a few scandalous wills; the story of Jennie Melville and her role in the suffrage movement; Alida Emmet and the Center for Twilight Sleep; and Dorothy Melville, the Fairy Godmother of Stony Brook. Tickets are $10 per person, and includes a dessert (with the purchase of an entrée) at Mirabelle Restaurant and Tavern. To reserve your spot, call 751-2244.
Five Ways to Wellness event
The Space at Port Jefferson, 234 Traders Cove, Port Jefferson hosts Five Ways to Wellness, an evening dedicated to pain management, anxiety and sleeplessness, from 6 to 8 p.m. Featuring guest speakers Dee Earle-Browning, Indu Kaur, Elizabeth Martin, Heather Ippolito, Felicia Kasow and Dr. David Gentile with interactive acupuncture, yoga, reiki, hors d’oeuvres and wine. Free but tickets are required by visiting www.eventbrite.com. For further information, call 516-939-8960.
Leading Ladies Trivia Nite!
Join the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum for a Leading Ladies Trivia Nite online at 7 p.m. Test your wits as you explore the lives and work of amazing women who made their marks on the world in film, art, history, science, literature, and music and more in a fun setting! Free to play; $10 donation appreciated in support of the museum’s events. Visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org to register.
Atelier lecture
The Atelier at Flowerfield in St. James will host a free webinar titled Painting En Plein Air: From Ideal to Practice via Zoom at 7 p.m. Painting en plein air was really an ideal for artists like J. M.W. Turner and John Constable, but it became a real credo for artists like Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, John Singer Sargent, Joaquín Sorolla and many others. In this lecture, painter, teacher and art historian Eric Alexander Santoli will cover the history, principles, materials and methods of painting en plein air. To register, call 250-9009 or visit www.theatelieratflowerfield.org.
Friday, March 25
Stony Brook Walking Tour (See March 24 listing)
Friday Night Coffee House
Celebrate St. James continues its Coffee House series at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 2nd. St., St. James tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. The Center will be transformed into a “Coffee House” with easy going eclectic music by Fat Nicky and the Snack featuring Nick Loiodice while in the company of old and new friends. Coffee, tea and treats will be served. Tickets are $20, $15 seniors. To RSVP, call 984-0201 or visit www.celebratestjames.org.
Wintertide Concert
The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson continues its Wintertide Concert Series with the Wine & Cheese All Stars: Kate Corrigan, Cecilia Kirtland, Ray Lambiase and Bob Westcott – veteran singer-songwriters from the wine & cheese cafe heydays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. $5 donation at the door. Call 802-2160 for more information.
Poets in Port
Northport Arts Coalition continues its Poets in Port at the First Presbyterian Church 330 Main Street, Northport and virtually at 7:30 p.m. Featured poet will be Robert McKenna followed by an open reading. Free tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com. For more information, email [email protected].
Friday Night Face-Off
Friday Night Face Off, Long Island’s longest running Improv Comedy Show, 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 ages16 and up, due to adult content. Tickets are $15 at the door only. Call 928-9100 for more information.
Saturday, March 26
Clean up at the Train Car Park
A community clean up will take place at the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce Train Car Park, located at the corner of Rte. 112 and Rte. 347 in Port Jefferson Station, from 9 a.m. to noon.Come help get the Train Car Park spruced up for the Spring and Summer season by trimming brush and branches, clearing any trash, and making sure everything looks great! Continental breakfast will be available inside the train. All groups welcome to participate. Community service hours will be given if needed. Questions? Call 821-1313.
Mindfulness in Nature Walk
Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown will host a Mindfulness in Nature Walk from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m.Experience nature in this slow, mindful practice of forest bathing. Maureen Calamia will lead the walk, share some stories and some interesting facts about our connection to nature. But most of all, you’ll have time to experience it yourself. You can bring a small towel to sit on if you would like for one of the activities. $20 per person. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. For more information, call 979-6344.
The Kennedy Dream Project
As part of the Swing Into Spring Jazz Festival, The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook will present The Kennedy Dream Project, a Jazz Studio Orchestra presentation based on composer Oliver Nelson’s musical tribute to John Fitzgerald Kennedy 55 years ago with new compositions by Tom Manuel, Ray Anderson, Oliver Nelson Jr., Dan Pugach, Peter Coco and Steve Salerno from 7 to 9:30 p.m. A second performance will be held at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook on March 27 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students,$15 children ages 6 and up; children 5 and under free. Visit www.thejazzloft.org to register. Call 751-1895 for more info.
SBU Symphony Orchestra
The Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will host a concert by the Stony Brook Symphony Orchestra on the Main Stage at 8 p.m. Program will include works by Sheila Silver, Richard Strauss, William Walton. Tickets are $20 per person. To order, visit www.stallercenter.com or call 632-2787.
Sunday, March 27
The Kennedy Dream Project
See March 26 listing.
Car Show & Swap Meet
Long Island Cars will kick off the 2022 season with their Super Swap Sunday Car Show & Swap Meet today at the Bald Hill Cultural Center, 1 Ski Lane, Farmingville from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hundreds of classic and collectible automobiles including street rods, muscle cars and antiques will be on display along with a vendor fair, live music by “The Fugitives,” food and refreshments. Admission is $10 per person, under age 12 free. Call 567-5898 or visit www.longislandcars.com.
Huntington Winter Farmers Market
Get your farm fix in the off-season at the Huntington Winter Farmers Market every Sunday through March 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located behind the senior center at 423 Park Ave., Huntington, visitors will find items ranging from hydroponic greens to artisan breads and vegan treats and everything in between. Call 944-2661.
Port Jeff Winter Farmers Market
The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market will be held every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson through April 25. This year’s vendors include Brownies N’ Stuff, Joann’s Desserts, Farm Fresh Potions, Mello Munch Awesome Granola, O Honey Bee Farm, Sweet Melissa Dip, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, Spilt Milk Macarons and many more. For more information, call 802-2160.
Sound Symphony Concert
Comsewogue High School, 565 North Bicycle Path, Port Jefferson Station will host a classic concert by the Sound Symphony Orchestra at 2 p.m. The program will include Dances in the Canebreaks by Florence Price, The Banks of Green Willow by George Butterworth and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1, featuring 2019 Concerto Competition winner William Tang. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 seniors and students, children under 12 free at the door. For more information, visit www.soundsymphony.org.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce invites the community to its 31st annual Ronkonkoma St. Patrick’s Day Parade from 2 to 6 p.m. along Patchogue-Holbrook Road and Portion Road. This year’s Grand Marshal will be Gerry McMenamin. Call 304-6303.
Long Island Museum lecture
As part of its current exhibit, Two Centuries of Long Island Women Artists: 1800-2000, the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook will host a special program titled Lee Krasner in Context in the Carriage Museum’s Gillespie Room at 2 p.m. Helen A. Harrison, historian, author and director of the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center will speak about Lee Krasner, her art and her place among the other female abstractionists working on Long Island in the mid 20th century. Free with museum admission. Call 751-0066 or visit www.longislandmuseum.org.
Flax Pond Lecture
The 17th annual Friends of Flax Pond lecture series kicks off with From Plankton to Whales – Why our local waters are worth protecting with Christopher Paparo at 3 p.m. at the Childs Mansion on Shore Road in Old Field. The presentation will be moderated by Distinguished Service Professor and Oceanographer, Dr Malcolm Bowman. Light refreshments will be served. Please bring a reusable coffee mug to reduce waste. The lecture is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, call 767-6287.
Monday, March 28
SHS Spring Lecture
The Smithtown Historical Society concludes its Spring Lecture Series with a presentation titled Seeking Sanctuary, 125 Years of Synagogues on Long Island, with author and photographer Brad Kolodny in the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown from 7 to 8 p.m. A book signing will follow. Free admission. For more information, call 265-6768.
Audubon lecture
Dr. Brooke Bateman
Four Harbors Audubon Society presents a Zoom lecture titled Birds Are Telling Us It’s Time to Take Action on Climate Change at 7:30 p.m. Over the last 50 years, North America has lost over one quarter of its birds. Join Dr. Brooke Bateman, Director of Climate Science for the National Audubon Society, for a presentation on how future climate change will be one of the greatest threats to birds and how we can implement Natural Climate Solutions to address the climate crises. Free but registration is required by visiting www.4has.org.
Virtual Movie Trivia Night
Do you know a lot about movies? Well here’s your chance to prove it! Join the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington for a virtual Movie Trivia Night at 8 p.m. Hosted by Dan French, the winning team will get up to four CAC Gift Cards (1 per team member) and bragging rights. Tickets are $10 per team, $7 members. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org to register. Questions? Email [email protected].
Tuesday, March 29
No events listed for this day.
Wednesday, March 30
Starry Nights concert
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will present Starry Nights Spring in the Recital Hall at 7 p.m. The Starry Nights concerts at Staller Center have become a well-loved tradition, with artistic director Colin Carr creating unique chamber music programs that bring together world-class musicians from the Stony Brook University Department of Music. The program will include variations of Beethoven’s “Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu” for Piano Trio Opus 121a. Tickets range from $44 to $48. For more information, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.
Thursday, March 31
Native American Drumming
All Souls Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook will host 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. Please call 631-655-7798 for more information.
Theater
‘The Marvelous Wonderettes’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents The Marvelous Wonderettes from Feb. 19 to March 26. This blast-from-the-past musical takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! Featuring over two dozen classic ‘50’s and ‘60’s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” and many more. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and older. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Festival of One-Act Plays
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 23rd annual Festival of One-Act Plays, featuring the world premiere of six new works, at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre, on the Second Stage from Feb. 27 to April. 2. Adult content and language. Parental discretion is advised. Tickets are $20. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘A Bronx Tale’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents A Bronx Tale from March 24 to May 8. Based on Chazz Palminteri’s classic movie, this streetwise musical will take you to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s—where a young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. Featuring a doo-wop score, A Bronx Tale is a story about respect, loyalty, love, and above all else: family. Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. Read the review in next week’s paper!
‘Steel Magnolias’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Steel Magnolias from April 9 to May 7. Come on down to Truvy’s Louisiana beauty shop where six strong women share their hopes and dreams. Beginning on the day of debutante Shelby’s wedding, the play traces this eccentric and lovable cast of characters as they support each other through life’s many challenges. Stop by for some great laughs and unforgettable friendship. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and older. To order, call 928-9100 or visit theatrethree.com.
Shakespeare’s Henry V
Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Campus, 533 College Road, Selden presents Henry V by Shakespeare at the Shea Theatre, Islip Arts Building on April 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and April 24 at 2 p.m. Mature content. General admission is $14, students 16 years of age or younger $9.75, veterans and Suffolk students with current ID receive one free ticket. To order, call 451-4163.
Vendors Wanted
◆ Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, 178 Oxhead Road, Centereach seeks vendors for its Spring Craft Fair on May 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date May 22). $50 for a 10X10 spot. Food trucks also wanted. For more information, email Alex at [email protected].
◆ Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn is looking for craft vendors for its annual outdoor Friends of the Library Craft & Flea Market on May 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. The non-refundable fee for a 10X10 space is $35. To apply, visit www.harborfieldslibrary.org/friends.
◆ The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor seeks antique vendors for its outdoor Spring Antique Sale on May 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For an application, visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org. For more information, call 631-367-3418.
To monitor your progress, cardiac biomarkers are telling, including inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein, blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index.
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