Huntington Blue Devils bag Smithtown East Bulls

by Bill Landon - December 16, 2021

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It was the Huntington Blue Devils defense that kept the Bulls at bay at Smithtown High School East where East trailed 33-7 at the half time break. Huntington coasted in the second half to notch a 48-20 victory in the League III matchup Dec. 14.

Huntington senior forward Emily Plachta led the way for the Blue Devils with seven field goals a triple and three from the line for 20 points, teammates Gianna Forte banked nine and Junie Nosile battled in the paint for six points. Smithtown East juniors Darcy DeBenedittis and Josie Lent scored four points apiece for the Bulls.

The win lifts Huntington to 3-0 in league play, 6-0 overall. The loss drops Smithtown East to 1-2 in league, 1-4 overall. Both teams are back in action Dec. 17 when Smithtown East has a road game against Copiague at 4 p.m. and Huntington hosts Hills East with a 5 p.m. start.

Residents take a holiday walk down the avenue in St. James

by Rita J. Egan - December 15, 2021

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On the evening of Saturday, Dec. 11, a couple of hundred shoppers checked out the stores along Lake Avenue in St. James.

The inaugural Lake Avenue Winter Walk was organized by Erica Rinear. The longtime St. James resident said she wanted to show support for local businesses that have suffered during the pandemic and through roadwork on the roadway. She added she was able to pull off the event thanks to the help of volunteers and the cooperation of the local businesses, many that stayed open later than usual for the walk that ran from 6 to 9 p.m.

Besides shopping, attendees enjoyed raffles, musical performances, free hot cocoa and snacks, a giant Jenga game and more.

Ward Melville Patriots pummel T-Birds

by Bill Landon - December 15, 2021

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It was all Julia Greek for the Patriots in a League II matchup at home against Connetquot where the junior point guard hit four out of five three-pointers in the first eight minutes of play to put Ward Melville up 21 points. With a 30-point lead to open the fourth quarter, Ward Melville head coach Jamie Edson spelled his starters and flushed the Patriot bench, where 12 different plays scored in the 61-22 rout.

Greek tallied six treys, four field goals and a free throw for a team high 27 points in the Patriots’ league opener Dec 13. Ward Melville junior Gianna Hogan netted seven points, and seniore Siena Hart and freshman Emma Bradshaw banked four points apiece. The win lifts the Patriots to 1-0 in league 4-1 overall in this early season.

Ward Melville retakes the court with a road game against Lindenhurst Dec. 17 with a 5 p.m. start.

Rocky Point lacrosse players’ clothing drive a success

by Rich Acritelli - December 14, 2021

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The Rocky Point Boy’s Lacrosse Program collected over 300 bags of clothes, shoes, blankets and other donations to support our local communities.

Families of players from kindergarten to alumni dropped off donations to spread holiday cheer and to give back to the community that they care about.

Player volunteers who helped during collection included: Colton Feinberg , Kyle Moore, Will Levonick, Jack Fredriksen, Justin Hachmann, Keith Hilts, Nate Aiello, Brogan Casper, Dj Xavier, Brennan Protosow, John-Ryan Torreblanca, John Tringone and Mason Pina.

The project was organized by the Rocky Point Lacrosse Booster Club parents’ group.

Destination: North Pole — Letters collected for Santa during Miller Place event

by Heidi Sutton - December 12, 2021

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The Miller Place-Mount Sinai Historical Society hosted its annual Visit with Mailman Mark event on the grounds of the historic 1720 William Miller House on Dec. 5.

Children eagerly lined up in front of the building that once served as the area’s original post office to greet Mailman Mark and give him their letter to Santa who promised that they would all receive letters back from the North Pole before Christmas.

The well-attended event also featured a vintage fire truck complete with a Dalmatian mascot named Sparky, holiday crafts, story time, raffle baskets and delicious holiday cookies.

Proceeds from the event will be used for the preservation and restoration of the William Miller House, the oldest home in Miller Place.

— All photos by Heidi Sutton

Cayla’s Column: A holiday party for wildlife

by Cayla Rosenhagen - December 10, 2021

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By Cayla Rosenhagen

What do you get when you combine a fun, learning experience full of incredible creatures with a festive, homemade craft fair? Magic and fun for the whole family!

The festival took place at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown on December 4. I arrived with my family a little after dusk, eager to see the rescue animals and browse the tents full of artwork and handicrafts. Vendors’ booths were spread out across the lawn, sparkling with colorful fairy lights and candles, and decked with festive garlands.

Smiling festival-goers walked around sipping hot chocolate, visiting the shops, and meeting the ambassador animals, accompanied by friendly and knowledgeable Sweetbriar volunteers. The upbeat music of local ska and pop-punk cover band Crisis Crayons contributed to the cheerful atmosphere.

Many of the vendors I met with sold nature-related goods and artwork. For instance, Audra Donroe is an art teacher and creator from Northport. Her vibrant and stunning display of work ranged from original artwork and prints to postcards and ornaments utilizing natural imagery such as owls and plant life. She grew up coming to Sweetbriar and has been vending for 4 years. “Any chance I have to bring awareness and support to Sweetbriar, I gladly do it,” she says.

I also visited a booth selling organic, homemade elderberry syrup. It was run by the business’s founders, Connor and Tommy, aged 7 and 9, and their parents. I spoke with their mother, Michelle Biddle, who explained that elderberry is a natural remedy for cold and allergy symptoms.

Other vendors included Once Upon A Favor, who were selling irresistibly aromatic bath bombs, soaps, and candles, and Beast Makers, who sold one-of-a-kind jewelry and occult items made out of ethically sourced animal bones and antlers.

Throughout the event, volunteers from the Center gave presentations about some of the animals who are permanent residents there. Guests met Opal the Virginia Opossum, Seven of Nine the Barred Owl, Stitch the Red-tailed Hawk, Nebula the Barn Owl, and more. Sweetbriar provides care for over 100 animals. For many of them, Sweetbriar is their forever home as they cannot be released back into the wild due to their injuries.

According to Sweetbriar’s program coordinator, Veronica Sayers, the Holiday Party is an annual event that has taken place for around 40 years. Veronica explained that vendors pay a fee to take part in the event, and the proceeds go towards food and other vital resources for the animals Sweetbriar rehabilitates and cares for.

The event itself was free for visitors, although donations were appreciated. If you are interested in donating to help support the Center’s work and the animals in their care, please see their website for more details on how to do so. Other ways to show your support include spreading the word about Sweetbriar and attending their upcoming events. These include the Owl Prowl on December 9, weekly yoga classes, and the Superheroes of the Sky raptor event on January 1st.

Come visit Sweetbriar and be mesmerized by the incredible animals yourself! The Nature Center and Preserve at 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call 631-979-6344 or visit sweetbriarnc.org.

Cayla Rosenhagen is a local high school student who enjoys capturing the unique charm of the community through photography and journalism. She serves on the board of directors for the Four Harbors Audubon Society and Brookhaven’s Youth Board, and is the founder and coordinator of Beach Bucket Brigade, a community outreach program dedicated to environmental awareness, engagement, and education. She is also an avid birder, hiker, and artist who is concurrently enrolled in college, pursuing a degree in teaching.

Theatre Talk with Lily Tamburo from ‘Annie Live!’

by Rita J. Egan - December 10, 2021

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By Rita J. Egan

For one young North Shore resident, the last few months have been like a dream.On Thursday, Dec. 2, one of the actresses playing an orphan in NBC’s Annie Live! was Lily Tamburo of East Setauket. The 11-year-old has been acting for years and has graced the stage at The John W. Engeman Theater in Northport as the young orphan Molly in Annie in 2017, Ivanka in Once in 2018 and Amanda Thripp in Matilda in 2019.

She was watching her favorite movie Mamma Mia! when she found out she got the role in Annie Live!

“I was literally crying when I heard that I got the part, because I really didn’t think that I would even get that far,” Lily said.

The role is her first in a television production. Lily was ready to return to Broadway in the musical Mrs. Doubtfire. Before COVID-19 restrictions shut Broadway down, Lily had appeared in the ensemble in the three previews of the show and was also the understudy for the role of Natalie Hillard.

With the lights of Broadway shining once again, Mrs. Doubtfire was ready to open, and Lily was set to rejoin the cast. However, to take on the role in Annie, she wouldn’t be able to be in the Broadway play at the same time. She said while in one way choosing one over the other was a difficult decision to make, in another way it was an easy decision to go for Annie.

“I thought it would be a really good opportunity to make new friends and to get that TV experience, and it really was,” she said. “I made the right choice.”

As for the auditions, which were virtual, Lily said everyone tried out for the Annie role first, which eventually went to 12-year-old Celina Smith, and then were called back to audition for a specific character. Her first callback was for Molly/Kate. In the end, she gained the role of Orphan One in the ensemble.

“It didn’t really make a difference to me because I was still in everything that all the other orphans were in [and] still on the screen a lot,” she said.

Besides singing, dancing played a huge part in the role, something Lily said she didn’t have much experience in. “That’s why I was also really surprised when I got the role,” the actress said, adding that being part of the production improved her dancing skills.

The Annie Live! cast rehearsed for seven weeks at various locations in the city until the first run-through of the entire show at Gold Coast Studios in Bethpage, where it was broadcast from on Dec. 2. Despite Lily’s excitement about being part of the show, the cast couldn’t announce their participation until closer to the air date.

Lily shared the TV experience with big names including Harry Connick, Jr. as Daddy Warbucks, Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan, Nicole Scherzinger as Grace Farrell and Tituss Burgess as Rooster Hannigan. She said she wasn’t nervous to be around the actors and singers at all. “All of them are so down to earth,” she said.

Lily added all of them interacted with the young actors through rehearsals. Connick even stopped by one day while the young actors were being tutored and talked to them about music and Mardi Gras, the celebration that takes place in his home state of Louisiana.

Family and friends were on hand the day of the show; some were able to watch the dress rehearsal, while others watched the live show. Lily’s mother, Lauren Zummo, was one of them. The mother said she’s glad that her daughter has had the experiences she has had at Long Island regional theaters, where she added there are many talented child actors.

“They work so hard,” Zummo said. “Sometimes they think, because some people tell them, ‘Oh it’s a waste of time.’ It’s never a waste of time because you just never know.”

She added one of the people who gave Lily a chance was Antoinette DiPietropolo, the director and choreographer of Annie when Lily played the role of Molly at the Engeman Theater. DiPietropolo texted her after the 11-year-old was on TV. Everything came full circle for the mother when she heard from the person who gave her daughter her first chance, Zummo said. The Annie role at the Engeman led to Lily appearing in the national tour of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! in the role of Cindy Lou. The production was also directed and choreographed by DiPietropolo.

“You just need one person to believe in you to keep going to the other positions,” said Zummo.

Lily returned to classes at Setauket Elementary School earlier this week. However, she has been auditioning for various parts including Sarah Silverman’s The Bedwetter.

In the meantime, she is left with the wonderful memories of Annie Live! and the experience that she described as the “time of her life.”

Santa Claus visits historic Longwood Estate

by Press Release - December 9, 2021

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On Dec. 4, Town of Brookhaven Councilman Michael Loguercio was at historic Longwood Estate in Ridge to welcome Santa Claus to the Town’s annual “Santa, Trains, Old Fashion Sleigh Ride and Hot Cocoa” celebration. The traditional holiday event included a meet and greet with Santa for the children and their families, along with a holiday trains display, sleigh rides, popcorn and chestnuts that were “roasted on an open fire.” Hundreds of children and their families attended the celebration as Santa accepted the handwritten letters from each of the kids who took the time to share what they wanted for Christmas this year. Santa arrived in a Ridge Fire Department Fire Police Van driven by his favorite Elf, Councilman Loguercio. Mrs. Claus was in attendance, along with three more of Santa’s elves.

Pictured left to right are Councilman Loguercio; Longwood High School student, Brianna Colon; Santa Claus; Longwood High School student Karah Molloy; Mrs. Claus and Councilman Loguercio’s Chief of Staff, Victoria Molloy.

“I am always honored to host events that provide children and their families some old fashion family fun. As a special helper elf to Santa, the overwhelming happiness of the kids that day really make this so worthwhile year after year. Thank you to Santa, Mrs. Claus and all the other elves that took the day to help Santa and thank you to all the amazing men and women in our Parks Department for all their help in the preparation of this day,” said Councilman Loguercio.

Photos from Town of Brookhaven

Staller Center’s spring lineup gives us dance, music, comedy and RENT!

by Melissa Arnold - December 9, 2021

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By Melissa Arnold

There’s nothing quite like the energy of a live performance, especially if it’s been almost two years since your last show.

The Staller Center for the Arts on the campus of Stony Brook University is as eager to welcome audiences back as showgoers are to be there. Following an abbreviated but otherwise successful fall season, their upcoming spring lineup will feature a wide mix of dancing, theatrical performances and comedy.

“I had a lot of theatrical events planned for the fall, but when we scheduled them earlier this year, we had no idea what the rules were going to be for health and safety,” said Alan Inkles, the Staller Center’s director. “So we decided to focus more on bands for the fall and concentrate on theatrical performances in the spring. It’s been smooth, and everyone is just glad to be out and enjoying the theater.”

It’s a special year for the center’s quartet-in-residence. The Emerson String Quartet recently announced they will retire in 2023 after more than 40 years of performing as one of the world’s premier chamber music ensembles. They’ll be presenting two concerts this spring on Jan. 26 and April 18.

For a quarter of a century, the Broadway rock opera Rent has broken down taboos as it chronicles a group of friends fighting poverty, discrimination and addiction in the midst of the AIDS epidemic. This fall the cast kicked off their 25th Anniversary “Farewell Season of Love” tour which will include a performance at the Staller Center on March 3.

“You never know when you’re going to be seeing a show for the last time, and with something as iconic and well-known as Rent, we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to see a wonderful, high-quality touring production,” Inkles said.

Grace, skill and beauty are all on display this season with two unique dance companies. Complexions Ballet Company pushes the boundaries of traditional and contemporary styles while tackling a variety of topics, from current events to diverse cultures and renowned musicians. Look out for “Love Rocks” during the Feb. 5 show, which celebrates the music of Lenny Kravitz.

Dance-illusionists MOMIX return to the Staller Center on April 2 for “Viva MOMIX,” a two-act collection of dance vignettes using light, shadow and props to create stunning effects. The vignettes will take the audience on a magical journey that showcases the greatest moments in the company’s 40-year history.

If you’re looking for something interesting for kids, consider The Queen’s Cartoonists on April 5. These jazz and classical musicians will take you on a crazy romp, playing live music to accompany cartoons projected onscreen above them. The cartoons are from a variety of time periods and countries, allowing audience members of any age to enjoy old classics and new discoveries.

“The Queen’s Cartoonists is a 7 p.m. show, which gives families a chance to enjoy it without staying out too late — it’s always great to introduce kids to live and orchestral music by letting them see it up close,” said Daria Carioscia, Staller’s director of development. “They’ll be performing in our recital hall, which provides a great perspective from wherever you’re sitting, and the cartoons playing behind them will be entertaining and fun for everyone.”

Carioscia also recommends the high-energy, New Orleans jazz sounds of The Hot Sardines on March 19, as well as the May 7 appearance by The Doo Wop Project. If you’ve ever wondered what the music of Jason Mraz and Maroon 5 would sound like if the Jersey Boys sang it, look no further. Both shows are heavy on audience participation, so get ready to sing and dance along. It’s a great time to introduce kids to different genres and eras of music they may have never heard before, she said.

A few more events round out the season:

■ March 12: 2022 Gala, including performances by Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma. Regular tickets are sold out. Become a Gala Supporter to receive VIP tickets.

■ March 30: “Starry Nights,” an evening of music featuring cellist Colin Carr and Stony Brook University musicians

■ April 21: “Queen of the Flute” Carol Wincenc

■ April 22: Comedian, satirist and Grammy nominee David Sedaris

Of course, the Staller Center staff and performers all love to see their shows sold out. But when that’s not possible, they get creative and offer a seat to those who might have never seen a live performance before.

“We’ve been working really hard to fill the theater, and on the nights where we have unsold tickets, we give them away to local school districts, Stony Brook students, and other populations who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to attend,” Carioscia explained. “Ultimately, we want to make the arts accessible to as many people as we can. It’s good for the community, and a full house also changes the energy in an exciting way for our performers.”

The staff knows that there is still some understandable concern in the community about crowds and public events, and they are dedicated to helping audiences feel safe. Masks are required in the center, as well as either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. No time frame is required on testing. Additionally, concessions are not being sold at this time to limit the need to remove your mask.

“We recognize that everyone is in their own place regarding what they feel comfortable doing right now. People will come back when they’re ready, and we’re going to be fair with what we’re asking from our audiences as far as safety,” Inkles said.

“It’s been smooth, and everyone is just glad to be out and enjoying the theater. We’ve spent the last 2 years stuck inside at home, watching movies on big screen TVs. We want to give people the energy of live performance, the opportunity to have a night out and spend time together and connect again. You can’t duplicate that experience with Netflix or HBO. There’s nothing else like it.”

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts is located at 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook. Tickets for the Staller Center’s Spring 2022 season are on sale now. A 10 percent discount is offered on all shows through Dec. 12. For more information, visit www.stallercenter.com or call 631-632-ARTS (2787) or email [email protected].

All photos from Staller Center for the Arts.

D. None of the Above: SBU’s Coach Langford discusses women’s basketball’s strong start

by Daniel Dunaief - December 9, 2021

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By Daniel Dunaief

Before each game, the Stony Brook University women’s basketball team meditates.

The pre-game ritual, among other changes and additions first-year Coach Ashley Langford instituted, has worked, as the team has a 7-1 record and sits first in the America East division.

Meditating “calms us and helps us visualize what we want to see in a game,” said India Pagan, a starter for Stony Brook and a graduate student with an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID pandemic.

A standout guard for Tulane University who finished her college career first in assists, Langford appreciates how hard the team has worked and how well they’ve come together.

“Our chemistry has been really good early on, to the point where, sometimes, [I wonder] is it November or is it March?” she said.

With five players averaging double digits in scoring, Stony Brook becomes harder to guard.

“On any given night, we’re moving and sharing the ball,” Langford said. “They are selfless. They don’t care who has the most points.”

While earning a spot in March Madness this year for just the second time in the program’s history would be rewarding, Langford focuses on each game.

“I’m a person that stays in the moment,” Langford said. “As long as we’re getting better, that puts us in a position to win the next game.

To that end, Langford would like the team to continue to improve in its transition defense.

She would like to see the team, which includes starters Earlette Scott, Gigi Gonzalez, Leighah-Amori Wool, Anastasia Warren and Pagan, continue to collect more offensive rebounds.

Langford’s assistant coaches, which includes recruiting coordinator Shireyll Moore, have been searching for players who might join the program as student-athletes.

“We’re in the position we are today because we have pretty good players,” Langford said. “My staff does a lot of this. They are more actively involved in the recruiting” each day.

Stony Brook has signed three current high school seniors and is focusing on juniors.

Before each game, Langford’s assistant coaches watch film of their opponents. They give her a cheat sheet before she watches film as well.

While Langford plans to stick to the team’s strengths, she will add a few wrinkles depending on the insights she gains about her opponents.

In the team’s first loss, Pagan and Warren were unavailable to play for medical reasons.

The team could have gone to Fordham feeling defeated, but the players fought to the end in a game they lost, 71-59.

“They don’t like losing, we don’t like losing,” Langford said. “They have responded well this week.”

The start of a season as head coach has taught Langford several lessons, including pacing herself and, in particular, protecting her voice. She drinks tea all day long and tells her staff to remind her not to yell in practice, because she shouts over the band at games.

In practice, Langford grabs a ball periodically to demonstrate what she’d like to see from her players.

As for her activity during the game, Langford sits only for about the first 30 seconds and then works the sidelines.

Pagan appreciates the work Langford puts in and the way her new coach has improved her game. While she used to get three or four rebounds a game, she’s often snagging 10 or more.

Pagan also sees herself hustling more, particularly after Langford created a drill where the players dive for loose balls.

“Before, I wouldn’t think of diving for a ball. Now, it’s ingrained into my head,” Pagan said. “The hustle doesn’t stop until the whistle blows. You play until you can’t play any more.”

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