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Michael Scro

Fr. Thomas Judge Knights of Columbus celebrated its 31st annual St. Anthony’s Family Feast and Festival at Trinity Regional School, 1025 Fifth Ave., East Northport from June 26 to 29. The fun event featured carnival rides, games, food, craft beer, live music by Totally Taylor and a circus show by Cirque Cyber with a firework show on June 28.

 

Scene from the Town of Huntington’s Memorial Day celebration on Sunday, May 26. Photo by Michael Scro

The Town of Huntington hosted a Wreath Laying Ceremony on May 26 at Veterans Plaza on the front lawn of Town Hall on May 26 in commemoration of Memorial Day.  Wreaths were placed to honor fallen service members from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Women Veterans, and the Middle East; Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. 

The ceremony included live patriotic music featuring the Huntington Men’s Chorus, Veteran Color Guard, a Rifle Salute, Taps played on bugle, and Amazing Grace played with Pipe & Drum.  Gold Star Mother Constance Mangano was in attendance, in memory of her son, New York National Guard Spec. Anthony L. Mangano.  

Photos by Michael Scro/Media Origin

 

 

By Michael Scro

The Town of Huntington hosted its 3rd annual Polar Plunge event at Frank P. Petrone Crab Meadow Beach on Sunday, Dec. 10, when well over 100 participants bravely made their way into the frigid water for a worthy cause, helping to raise more than $22,000 for Special Olympic athletes.

With temperatures unseasonably warm — at high 40s, low 50s — on the cloudy December morning, the water was somewhat more tolerable but still sent most plungers into shivers and cold shock as soon as they hit the water.

Town of Huntington Councilman Dave Bennardo (R) thanked everyone for attending, including students from neighboring schools such as Elwood, South Huntington and Northport, highlighting “the real stars of the show being our friends from the Special Olympics.”

John Cronin and his father, Mark, from John’s Crazy Socks, a Farmingdale-based business that sells various themed socks and donates 5% of its earnings to the Special Olympics, co-hosted the event with the town. Bennardo also pointed out that John Cronin has done 10 Polar Plunges, prompting a round of applause.

“John is an inspiration,” Bennardo said. “If he can do all the great things he’s done, we can certainly plunge in the water once for our Special Olympic friends,” adding, “Today, we put aside differences and different sides of the aisle and focus on something that has no downside — taking care of people we love.”

With John Cronin by his father’s side, Mark asked if he was ready to take another plunge, to which he happily replied, “I was born ready.” John and his father also handed participants polar bear-themed socks to help keep them warm after the plunge.

By Michael Scro

Families huddled beneath umbrellas on a rainy Sunday evening to usher in the holiday season.

Kings Park Chamber of Commerce held its Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony Dec. 3 at the hamlet’s Veterans Plaza. Tony Tanzi and Diane Motherway, chamber president and executive director, respectively, emceed the event, thanking everyone for their attendance despite inclement weather.

“We wanted to combine the tree lighting and menorah lighting into one ceremony to show that our community is united,” Tanzi said. “We are so proud of everyone that lives in this community,” adding, “We wish everyone Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.”

Blessings were also given by Cantor Phil Horowitz, from the Kings Park Jewish Center, and the Rev. Vitus Mbamalu, from St. Joseph’s Church in Kings Park, while the William T. Rogers Middle School band performed three songs.

By Michael Scro

Centerport United Methodist Church held its annual Santaport Christmas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 18.

The event featured rooms filled with gifts, crafts and items for sale, a café with homemade food prepared by church members and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus.

Held in the upstairs portion of the church, attendees freely wandered the rooms such as white elephant treasures with houseware and glassware, new and vintage jewelry, children’s crafts and toys, men’s world, which had tools, sporting goods, electronics, and a playroom for kids. There was also a gift basket silent auction.

Santa Claus set up in the main church area with Fenway, a therapy dog who quickly became a favorite among the families and children. The day also featured a book signing of “Raising Betty” by local author Sarah Zagaja.

David Clemens, a church member and organizer of Santaport, and his wife Joan, the church historian, said the church predates the American Revolution. The fair can be traced back to 1959 under its original name, Centerport Sea Fair.

“It’s a wonderful event for the church and our local community,” Clemens said. “All of our food is provided by church members, and all the items are donated.”

Clemens estimated that 60 volunteers were on-site throughout the day and mentioned that the church was a school when it was first built so that they could fill multiple rooms with items and purposes. Centuries later, that design aspiration is still achieved today.

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By Michael Scro

St. James Model Railroad Club held its annual Holiday Open House Train Show at the historic Mills Pond House last weekend, Nov. 17-19, where the basement area houses an elaborately designed display of model trains running around the entire room in a 38-by-48-foot Lionel train layout for families and children to enjoy.

Featuring realistic models of entire towns, mountains, hills, roadways, stores and buildings, and showcasing various figures and decorations, it has 11 trains running simultaneously, with up to 16 trains running per session.

Families brought their little ones to gaze upon the trains speeding by — with some even blowing smoke — behind a plexiglass divider to protect the display models.

Patrick Knetter, the club’s president, said the organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary. 

“Our club was put together by model railroaders for the sake of our members, and our display is open to the public so they can see what model railroading is all about,” he said. “Every year, we add and improve items, and we try to always make it a little bit better.”

All trains and the display’s entire layout are owned by club members. The railroad club was founded in 1983 and has had its permanent installation at the Mills Pond House since 1984.

The historic house dates back to the 19th century.

— Photos by Michael Scro/Media Origin

By Michael Scro 

The Kings Park Veterans Day parade and memorial ceremony took place on Saturday, Nov. 11, where local veterans, first responders, Scouts, Kings Park High School performers, community groups and residents gathered to honor all who have served in the military.

Originally named Armistice Day to commemorate the ending of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954, passed by Congress and signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower (R). Each year, it is held to honor military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The parade began at the R.J.O. Intermediate School. It concluded at Veterans Plaza in front of the Kings Park Library and 1 Church St. Well over 100 participated during a comfortably crisp, sunny November morning.

The memorial ceremony was held immediately afterward, featuring a moment of remembrance and wreath laying. Speakers included VFW Kings Park 5796 Cmdr. Eric Burnett, American Legion Post 944 Cmdr. Hans Richter, American Legion Post 944 member Phil Barczak and Superintendent of Kings Park Central School District Timothy Eagen.

Burnett acknowledged the branches of the U.S. military, giving a brief historical background of each, and paid tribute as members of some branches in attendance cheered when they were mentioned.

Richter pointed out that this year marks the 100th anniversary of their American Legion Post and spoke about Donald C. Munro, a veteran of World War I for whom the post is named.

“He was a Kings Park resident, served the community as a plumber, and when his nation called for his service in World War I, he answered, and that’s where he died,” Richter said. “Veterans run deep in Kings Park. We have names on our memorial in the plaza going back to the Revolutionary War — it is very humbling.”

Barczak said it is the veterans who have given America its freedom of religion, speech, the press, a right to a fair trial, the right to vote, and it is the veteran “who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and has given us the freedom to proudly wave our flag.”

Eagen spoke about how Kings Park schools teach their youth “the importance of service, and the history and significance of Veterans Day,” where students honor local veterans with meals, letters, hugs, handshakes and saying, “Thank you for your service.”

The wreaths were laid beside the memorial stone at Veterans Plaza, which states, “This monument is dedicated to those who made the supreme sacrifice and to others of our community who served honorably in our country’s wars.”

By Michael Scro 

Greenlawn celebrated Veterans Day with a wreath-laying ceremony at Greenlawn Memorial Park on Saturday, Nov. 11, where a large crowd of local veterans, residents, law enforcement, Scouts and other community groups gathered at 11 a.m. to support the holiday’s tradition.

Originally named Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954, passed by Congress and signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower (R). Each year, it is held to honor military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Hosted by American Legion Greenlawn Post 1244 on a comfortably crisp and sunny November morning, post Cmdr. Trisha Northover said, “To serve is to give, it is to find access to joy.”

“There are many things that come to mind,” Northover added. “We are struggling through conflict, and a new generation will be called up to honor and serve the country. Each person that puts on the uniform knows they can give up their life — it is simply the most honorable thing that one can do.”

1st Vice Cmdr. Carlo Giordano spoke about the programs the American Legion supports, such as the Boys and Girls State, where high school juniors spend a week in July at a college upstate to participate and learn about democratic government and gain leadership experience. Over the course of 15 years, Giordano said Post 1244 has sent over 200 students. The organization also supports Operation Enduring Care, which assists veterans who require assistance due to illness or homelessness.

Giordano concluded by saying, “I am proud to be a veteran, and especially proud to be part of the American Legion.”

The wreaths were laid beside a monument stone at Greenlawn Memorial Park, which has a plaque for American Legion Post 1244 and states, “Dedicated to those who made the supreme sacrifice — Village of Greenlawn 1960.”

The ceremony concluded with the playing of taps.

Scene from the 2023 Long Island Fall Festival. Photo by Media Origin

By Steven Zaitz and Michael Scro

The 29th annual Long Island Fall Festival returned to Heckscher Park in Huntington for the Columbus Day weekend. 

Held from Oct. 6 through 9 and hosted by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Huntington, hundreds flocked to enjoy fall-themed entertainment, vendors from local businesses, live music and an array of rides, food and wine and lively demonstrations for families.

Despite the inclement weather during most of Saturday, Long Islanders were treated to entertainment at the Harry Chapin Stage, a carnival, a variety of food vendors, including a craft beer and wine tent, as well as games and rides for young and old alike.

Performances by the Fat Nicky and the Snacks, Rusty Spur Band, Fleetwood Macked, The Electric Dudes and The Day Trippers  — a Beatles tribute band — headlined the weekend. Many youth and high school-aged acts graced the stage, too, including from the Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts, Munro Music of East Northport and Laura’s Dance & Fitness Studio of Huntington.

As fall weather settles in, the celebration proves each year to be a highlight for Huntington and Long Island, ushering in the crisp weather and keeping spirits alive and well to kick off the 2023 holiday season.

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By  Michael Scro

The Smithtown Historical Society presented its Heritage Country Fair on Sunday, Oct. 8, on 20 acres of preserved land within the Village of the Branch Historic District.

The afternoon featured a festive fall atmosphere of live music, children’s activities such as a petting zoo and face painting, demonstrations of spinning and blacksmithing, historical reenactments of old-time baseball and lassoing, fire trucks and army trucks, hayrides and a variety of vendors from local businesses.

The LITMA Contra Band performed lively and friendly music inside the Frank Brush Barn as attendees danced up and down the barn’s charming antique interior. Hayrides were given along the acres of property, lined with local businesses’ vendor tents selling fall decor and fall-themed treats and gifts. Local historic homes were open to the public for touring.

Demonstrations of lassoing a mock bull were set up for children to watch and practice themselves, as well as players who donned 19th-century-era baseball uniforms and equipment from those days and invited kids to join in.

Live music was also heard in other corners of the property, such as individual acoustic guitars and a three-piece band. Families were entertained with petting animals from the farm, spinning and blacksmithing demonstrations, vintage cars, face painting and painting pumpkins.

The historical society has served the Smithtown community since 1955, and the Heritage County Fair is its grandest event of the year.