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Ward Melville Heritage Organization

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Front row L to R: Michael Ardolino, Assistant Secretary, Three Village Chamber of Commerce (3VC); Martha Stansbury, Treasurer, 3VC; Jane Taylor, Executive Director, 3VC; Honorable Jonathan Kornreich, Councilman, Town of Brookhaven; Dr. Richard Rugen, Chairman, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO); Daniel and Michaella Bussey, Managers, Robinson’s Tea Room; Donna and Michael Aliperti, Proprietors, Robinson’s Tea Room; Gloria Rocchio, President, WMHO; Honorable Daniel J. Panico, Deputy Supervisor and Councilman, Town of Brookhaven; Honorable Ed Flood, Assemblyman, New York State; Nicole Sarno, Director, 3VC; Susie Kaiserman, Director, 3VC. Back row L to R: Mary Van Tuyl, Trustee, WMHO; Chuck Lohman, Trustee, WMHO; Andy Skitmore, Trustee, WMHO; Charles Napoli, Trustee, WMHO. Photo courtesy of WMHO
Front row L to R: Martha Stansbury, Treasurer, Three Village Chamber of Commerce (3VC); Jane Taylor, Executive Director, 3VC; Michael Ardolino, Assistant Secretary, 3VC; Honorable Jonathan Kornreich, Councilman, Town of Brookhaven; Dr. Richard Rugen, Chairman, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO); Jeff Norwood, Proprietor, Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions (CCTS); Honorable Daniel J. Panico, Deputy Supervisor and Councilman, Town of Brookhaven; Gloria Rocchio, President, WMHO; Honorable Ed Flood, Assemblyman, New York State; Nicole Sarno, Director, 3VC; Susie Kaiserman, Director, 3VC. Back row L to R: Bill Keenan, Manager, CCTS; Mary Van Tuyl, Trustee, WMHO; Charles Napoli, Trustee, WMHO; Chuck Lohman, Trustee, WMHO; Andy Skitmore, Trustee, WMHO. Photo courtesy of WMHO
Front row L to R: Martha Stansbury, Treasurer, Three Village Chamber of Commerce (3VC); Jane Taylor, Executive Director, 3VC; Michael Ardolino, Assistant Secretary, 3VC; Kim Bryant, Legislative Aid for Kara Hahn; Honorable Jonathan Kornreich, Councilman, Town of Brookhaven; Dr. Richard Rugen, Chairman, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO); David Striffler, Proprietor, Schnitzels; Tim and Callie Martino, Proprietors, Schnitzels; Honorable Daniel J. Panico, Deputy Supervisor and Councilman, Town of Brookhaven; Gloria Rocchio, President, WMHO; Honorable Ed Flood, Assemblyman, New York State; Nicole Sarno, Director, 3VC; Susie Kaiserman, Director, 3VC. Back row L to R: Mary Van Tuyl, Trustee, WMHO; Chuck Lohman, Trustee, WMHO; Terrence Krapf, Manager, Schnitzels; Lou Di Rico, Executive Head Chef, Schnitzels; Lexi Davis, Manager, Schnitzels; Chris Richey, Trustee, WMHO; Charles Napoli, Trustee, WMHO; Andy Skitmore, Trustee, WMHO. Photo courtesy of WMHO

It is said that all good things come in threes and the The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO)’s  event on June 13 was no exception as it hosted ribbon cuttings for Stony Brook Village Center establishments Robinson’s Tea Room, Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions, and Schnitzels.

The celebratory events were attended by Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Town of Brookhaven Deputy Supervisor and Councilman Dan Panico; NYS Assemblyman Ed Flood; Kim Bryant, Legislative Aid for Suffolk County Leg. Kara Hahn; WMHO President Gloria Rocchio; WMHO Chairman Dr. Richard Rugen; WMHO trustees; and members of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce.

Robinson’s Tea Room is under new ownership by Donna and Michael Aliperti. The eatery continues to serve English high teas, light bites and more. Robinson’s Tea Room is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 631-751-1232. They are located in Inner Court at 97E Main Street in Stony Brook Village.

Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions owned by Jeff Norwood suffered a fire in February. After four months, the shop and showroom are reopen. One of the only shops in the state of New York that specializes in astronomy, photography and more, Camera Concepts and Telescope Solutions also offer a variety of cameras, telescopes, binoculars and children’s educational toys and activities. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The shop is located in Market Square at 85 Main Street in Stony Brook Village. For more information, call 631-475-1118.

Schnitzels is the newest eatery in Stony Brook Village, occupying the former Grist Mill Eatery. A collaborative concept between Crazy Beans & Brew Cheese, the restaurant will offer an all-day menu that will feature German bratwurst and pretzels, different variations of schnitzel with other fun dishes. They will be serving eggs for breakfast, lunch sandwiches, dinner appetizers with share plates, and entrees, all available for take-out. They will have a beer and wine list that will include German style beers and local craft beer on tap. 

Schnitzels will be open seven days a week. Their soft opening will begin Tuesday, June 27 and their hours until grand opening will be Monday through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The eatery is located in Market Square at 77 Main Street in Stony Brook Village. For more information, call 631-675-1478.

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The community gathers for free outdoor concerts at the Stony Brook Village Center every summer.

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMOH) has announced the long awaited return of the Summer Concert Series on the Village Green. These free concerts will take place in front the Stony Brook Post Office at 7 p.m. on Sundays from July 9 to August 20.

Performances include: Just Sixties, the longest running sixties tribute band in the United States, on July 9; Country Rhythms, a country music line dance instruction group, on July 16; Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks, the premier barroom troubadour and house band, on July 23; The Rustlers, a high energy group performing southern rock songs on July 30; The Bob and Tony Band, Covering your favorite hits of the 50s, 60s, 70s & beyond on August 6.; The Equity Brass Band, a six piece ensemble performing in the tradition of the New Orleans Brass Bands on August 13; and the Long Island Sound Symphony, an orchestra comprising of about 50 pieces, will perform a combination of light classical songs, movie themes and Broadway tunes on August 20. In the case of rain, the concerts will be cancelled.

The 2023 Summer Concerts Series on the Village Green is made possible by the following sponsors: Tantillo Auto Group, Camco Services of NY, Inc., Realty Three LLC., and Michael Ardolino – Realty Connect USA.

For more information, call 631-751-2244 or visit www.wmho.org.

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From left, Dr. Richard Rugen, Chairman, WMHO; Gloria Rocchio, President, WMHO; Chris Richey, Trustee, WMHO; Dr. Taylor Evans, Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences; Kathleen Mich, Trustee, WMHO; Deborah Boudreau, Education Director, WMHO; Charles Napoli, Trustee, WMHO. In attendance virtually: Jamie Parker, The Fullwood Foundation; Nicole Sarno, Business Manager Director, Business Banking, Webster Bank; Jon Dilley, President, Mill River Wetland Committee. Not pictured: The Frey Family Foundation. Photo from WMHO

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) hosted its third Long  Island Sound Connections Summit last week. This virtual, hands-on collaborative learning program connects  students across Long Island Sound and allows them to conduct their own research to better understand the water  systems in their environment.  

Long Island Sound Connections is the first program to connect both shores with students from New York and  Connecticut — with virtual class check-ins, “summits” where students present their findings, an ongoing collection of  data, and an analysis on that information. The Long Island Sound Connections program was designed to help  students learn about the Long Island Sound and to inspire them to become ‘citizen scientists’ and protect their  environment. The program is offered via distance learning from the WMHO’s Erwin J. Ernst Marine Conservation  Center (EMCC), where students have front row seats to one of the most pristine natural resources in New York  State.  

Dr. Taylor Evans and WMHO Education Director Deborah Boudreau sharing information with classes about different species (such as horse shoe crabs) that have survived in the Long Island Sound, some for over 445 million years. Photo from WMHO.

WMHO collaborated with Stony Brook University’s Ecology and Evolution Distinguished Professor Jeffrey  Levinton, and Dr. Taylor Evans of Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences to  develop a system of data collection parameters for monitoring and analyzing West Meadow Creek’s water quality  and species counts. 

Professor Levinton and Dr. Evans will continue to support WMHO in developing this  multipronged project that seeks to educate the public by providing data representing the creek’s health over time to  the public and researchers. They will also assist participating classes to in continuing to learn about the Long Island  Sound environment on an ongoing basis.  

The third “summit” of classes in this program was between Ms. Michelle Miller and Ms. Doreen Barry’s 6th grade  Science class from Selden Middle School and Ms. Jess Castoro’s 6th grade Science class from Achievement First  Bridgeport Academy Middle School, who worked in collaboration with Mill River Wetland Committee. 

The 2023  “summit” participants have been researching the Sound for six months, and with assistance from professionals in the  field, have learned the environmental impact of industrialization, recent achievements on mitigating the effects, and  how to utilize their data in the future by monitoring the Sound. 

Each class created specialized newscasts to showcase  their findings on the relationships between water quality, animal and plant species, and even with human impact. In  this cross sectional study of the Sound, students compared and contrasted their two environments (suburban and  urban) and presented it to their partner class. 

In addition, the study is longitudinal and seeks to track changes over  time. Data will be added into the WMHOs software to create a data map and timeline to assist environmental  researchers of all ages to understand and appreciate similarities and differences across the Long Island Sound.  

With grants provided by the Fullwood Foundation, the Frey Family Foundation and Webster Bank, this program  was offered to participating classes free of charge. All costs associated with the program were sponsored by these  organizations.  

For more information about the WMHO, on the Long Island Sound Connection program, other historic,  environmental and scientific programs that the WMHO offers, please call 631-751-2244 or visit wmho.org. 

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The Stony Brook Post Office by Dino Rinaldi

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization has announced the in-person return of its annual fundraiser, the Summer Soirée. The event will be held on Thursday, June 22 at the newly renovated Three Village Inn in Stony Brook, “where it all began.”

The event will raise funds to support the restoration of the 20’ wooden eagle that is affixed to the pediment above the Stony Brook Post Office. This beloved local and national treasure has flapped its wings every hour on the hour for over 80 years.

Funds raised will also support two new engines for the Discovery Pontoon boat, digitizing Ward Melville’s archives, repairs to the roof at the Brewster House (c.1665), a new exhibit at the Thompson House (c.1709), as well as education programs. 

The benefit will honor community members Katharine Griffiths, Director of Avalon Park and Preserve; Olivia and Harlan Fischer; Sally Lynch, President of Old Field Farm Ltd.; Nicole Sarno, Business Managing Director, Business Banking, Webster Bank; and awarded posthumously, philanthropist Judi Betts. 

One of the highlights of the event will be a live auction where one of the many wonderful items will be a painting of the Stony Brook Post Office by Setauket artist Dino Rinaldi who has been working on creating this beautiful work of art on the Village Green over the last few weeks. 

The WMHO will take phone call bids for the painting from the public until 5 p.m. on June 21. Valued at $1,200, bids for the painting will begin at $400. The successful bidder of the painting will be announced on June 22 and will receive a phone call or email the following day. 

For further information, please call 631-751-2244.

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The Hercules Figurehead at the Hercules Pavilion in Stony Brook Village. Image courtesy of the WMHO
A portrait of Captain Jonas Smith, Long Island’s first millionaire, and his wife, Nancy Williamson by William Sidney Mount. Image courtesy of TBR News Media
The only known photograph of Commander Charles C. Hall of the Polaris Expedition. Image courtesy of Visions of the North

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) will host a walking tour, “Anchors Away!,” on Tuesday June 13 at 4 p.m. and on Wednesday,  June 14 at 10 a.m.

Explore the nautical side of Stony Brook Village’s history with brand new stories during this hour long tour. Investigate the  suspicious death of Commander Charles C. Hall, learn about the Polaris Expedition disaster, hear the tales of the Hercules figurehead’s world-wide journeys, get the full scoop on the Smiths of Stony Brook and more.

Tours leave from the Stony Brook Grist Mill, 100 Harbor Road, Stony Brook. Rain date is June 20. $15 per person. To reserve your spot, call 631-751-2244.  

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Pictured at the Earth Day event, from left, Distinguished Professor Dr. Jeffrey Levinton; Town of Brookaven Supervisor Ed Romaine; WMHO President Gloria Rocchio; Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; former New York Assemblyman Steve Englebright; WMHO Chairman Dr. Richard Rugen; WMHO Trustee Laura Huang-Ernst; and WMHO Education Director Deborah Boudreau. Photo courtesy of WMHO
Megan Frey, Frey Family Foundation speaking about the species inventory and data collection at West Meadow Creek. Image courtesy of the WMHO.
Image of Calanoid captured on microscope courtesy of Megan Frey.
Distinguished Professor Dr. Jeffrey Levinton discussing ways to identify animal and plant species in the wetlands.

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) recently announced the creation of the WMHO West Meadow Field Guide and GCIS Survey. Working hand-in-hand, these creations will allow the public to identify and record environmental and ecological data.

Using the field guide to identify plants and animal species within the preserve, the public can store species and water quality data on the GCIS Survey webpage. The survey will be available soon on the WMHO website (WMHO.org). During preliminary testing, Ms. Megan Frey of the Frey Family Foundation found and recorded calanoid, a microscopic arthropod, within her first sample of wetlands water.

The announcement at the WMHO’s Earth Day event —Wetlands Legacies — at the Dr. Erwin Ernst Marine Conservation Center at West Meadow Creek Preserve on April 22. 

The event included guest speakers Megan Frey and Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolution Dr. Jeffrey Levinton, as well as a specially created drone video of the wetlands habitats by Nathan Levinton. The WMHO Youth Corps led exhibits that educated the public on water quality testing, the species of the area, the expeditions and life of world-renowned naturalist and ornithologist Dr. Robert Cushman Murphy, as well as the environmental challenges of WMHO’s pristine 88-acre wetlands preserve. Murphy, along with Dr. Erwin Ernst and Ward Melville, worked together in 1960 to create the West Meadow Creek Preserve.

Elected officials in attendance included former New York State Assemblyman, Steve Englebright,  Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine and Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, who spoke about the various aspects of Long Island’s ecology and environments, as well as Dr. Murphy’s role in protecting them.  

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The mechanical eagle above the Stony Brook Village post office. File photo/TBR News Media

Atop Stony Brook Village’s post office is the only mechanical eagle in the world that flaps its wings, every hour on the hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Although the eagles wings are still flapping after 82 years of service, the hand-carve wooden fixture is in need of restoration. Funds are being raised by the  501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation  Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) to help the eagle soar once more. 

Stony Brook Village was constructed in 1941 by businessman and philanthropist, Ward Melville. At his own expense, he relocated, demolished, or modified some thirty-five buildings in the downtown area. The enormous undertaking also included the rerouting of roads, the relocation of large trees, and moving one million cubic yards of dirt. Although the construction of the village was impressive, Ward Melville’s centerpiece gem was the 20’ mechanical Stony Brook Eagle.

For generations, visitors of Stony Brook Village have been awed by the eagle’s mechanical movements. Watching the wings of the eagle flap is a childhood memory thousands cherish. Since the inception of fundraising, donations to restore the eagle have come from all over the United States, from coast to coast.

Fundraising efforts by the WMHO include: The Summer Soirée, a fundraising gala with a cocktail hour, dinner and live auction at the historic Three Village Inn on Thursday, June 22, and an online auction beginning May 22, with exciting items such as a real military tank driving experience for 30 people in “The Scorpion” British armored reconnaissance vehicle, a suite for up to 22 people at the Total Mortgage Arena, and an all-inclusive stay for seven nights in a three room, five-star Panamanian boutique inn.

While the primary purpose of the fundraising is to support the restoration of the beloved eagle, any additional funds raised may also support two new engines for the WMHO’s Discovery Pontoon Boat, digitizing Ward Melville’s archives, repairs to the roof at the Brewster House (c. 1665), a new exhibit at the Thompson House (c. 1709) in Setauket, as well as education programs.

Donations are being accepted now. To help support the WMHO in its fundraising efforts, visit wmho.org or call 631-751-2244. Checks can be made payable to the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, and can be sent to P.O. Box 572, Stony Brook, NY 11790. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by the law.

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The Hercules Pavilion in Stony Brook. Photo by Heidi Sutton

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) has announced their next walking tour – “Winter Secrets”, on Wednesday, December 14 at 10:30 a.m.

As participants stroll the walkways of Stony Brook Village with a toasty cup of hot chocolate from Stony Brook Chocolate, they will hear about Stony Brook residents, artifacts and the holiday spirit. Stories include gilded age socialite Alida Emmet’s holiday parties, the year Dorothy Melville saved the holidays, arctic fever and the Polaris whaleboat, finding joy during the holiday season (and beyond) during the Great Depression, and more!

Rain date is Thursday, December 15 at the same time. Reservations required. $15 per person, includes hot chocolate and a complimentary glass of wine with the purchase of an entrée at Mirabelle Restaurant & Tavern at the Three Village Inn. To reserve your spot on the tour and to learn more about the WMHO, call 631-751-2244.

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Stony Brook Grist Mill. Image from WMHO

Didn’t have a chance to tour the Stony Brook Grist Mill this season? You’re in luck! The mill’s season has been extended for one more day!

Tour the Stony Brook Grist Mill, circa 1751, 100 Harbor Road, Stony Brook this Sunday, Nov. 6, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m before it closes for the winter.

Long Island’s most completely equipped working mill, it is listed on the National and New York State Register of Historic Places. Visit the Country Store and watch the miller grind grain into flour just as it was done during the Revolutionary War.

Tickets for the tour are $4 for adults and $2 for children. Cash only.  For additional info, call 631-751-2244.

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Photo from WMHO

Black Friday returns to Stony Brook Village Center on Friday, November 25. Shop Black Friday deals all day long throughout the village, with carolers, live music, and a petting zoo from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., as well as the opening of the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Enjoy carolers throughout the day.

Rocking Horse Farms will be set up in front of the Rustic Loft with a variety of animals for children to pet.  Burke and Brenda will be performing original and cover songs in the genres of R&B, Roots, Blues and Contemporary Acoustic at the Stony Brook Post Office. The Celestial Holiday Carolers will be performing holiday music throughout Market Square (shops between Luca Modern Italian Restaurant and Harbor Cleaners). Black Friday deals will be available all throughout the open-air center. A full list of Black Friday deals and sales will be available online at stonybrookvillage.com mid-November.

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame will be open to the public. The upstairs exhibit space will feature a permanent “Hall of Fame” with plaques and exhibits recognizing the over 100 and growing inductees. The main exhibit space will be the first rotating exhibit “Long Island’s Legendary Club Scene: 1960’s – 1980’s”.

Black Friday in Stony Brook Village is sponsored by News 12. For more information on Black Friday in Stony Brook Village, visit stonybrookvillage.com or call (631) 751-2244.

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