Three Village Holiday Electric Parade returns Dec. 12

by Heidi Sutton - December 9, 2021

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It’s back!!! The Three Village Holiday Electric Parade returns to Setauket on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. Celebrating its 25th year, the parade will take place along Main Street/ Route 25A and feature festive holiday floats to kick off the season. Presented by the Stony Brook Rotary Club, this year’s Grand Marshal will be David Prestia. The Setauket Firehouse will host pre-parade festivities at 4 p.m. with music and performances by Ward Melville High School Students and Shine Dance Studio with complementary cookies, hot chocolate, candy canes and glow sticks. Visit 3Vholidayparade.com for further information.

Huzzah! Dickens Festival comes back to Port Jeff

by Julianne Mosher - December 9, 2021

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The 25th annual Charles Dickens Festival drew in hundreds with Port Jefferson village transforming into the Dickensian era last weekend.

After a halt in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the community was able to travel back in time (again) decked out in their most festive attire.

“It’s just such a wonderful destination for the holidays,” said County Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket). “It’s unique, it’s special and it’s great thing for businesses.”

Characters like the dusty chimney sweeps, Father Christmas, Dickens Mayor, the Town Crier and of course, Scrooge, performed on the village streets and posed for photo ops with visitors and residents, alike.

The festivities began on Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. with a parade down East Main Street, headed by village officials and former mayor Jeanne Garant and concluded Sunday night.

“We are so proud and grateful that we can bring back this great tradition to the village,” said Mayor Margot Garant. “Not only does it bring an economic boost to our merchants and kick off the holiday season, but it brings good will and merriment to all. I am proud to carry on this tradition and keep it alive in hearts for all near and far.”

— All photos by Julianne Mosher

Village kicks off Dickens weekend with lantern dedication, resident’s night ice skating

by Julianne Mosher - December 9, 2021

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On Friday, Dec. 3, village officials gathered at two lanterns on Main Street to remember Nan Guzzetta and Bradley Charles Collins.

Across the street from her home and costume shop, a lantern was named for Guzzetta who passed away earlier this year.

Guzzetta was a well-known and beloved costumer who dressed local actors and was instrumental with her involvement in the Dickens Festival.

“I will always look up at that porch and wave to Nan every time I pass that building,” said Mayor Margot Garant.

The group then headed outside the Chase Bank on Main Street to honor Collins, who also recently passed away.

After the dedications, residents stopped into the Village Center for hot chocolate, cookies and ice skating. Santa also made an appearance on his sleigh for photos.

— All photos by Julianne Mosher

Staller Center’s Instrument Petting Zoo visits Stony Brook Children’s Hospital

by Press Release - December 9, 2021

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On Dec. 3, musicians from the Stony Brook Music Department’s Instrument Petting Zoo caroled throughout the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital spreading holiday cheer and joy to the children, families and staff, thanks to funding provided by Island Federal.

The Staller Center’s Instrument Petting Zoo is a program which helps the Staller Center for the Arts reach out to the community and share live interactive musical experiences for young people.

“To be able to spend time at the Children’s Hospital and see the smiles on the kids faces and the tears of joy in the parents eyes as the musicians performed holiday music was emotional, but we’re so happy we were able to come together and collaborate in this way,” said Paul Newland, the Staller Center’s Outreach Director. “We are grateful to Island Federal who helped provide the support for this initiative and we’re already planning more musical visits.”

Ward Melville’s Ribaudo’s buzzer beater

by Bill Landon - December 8, 2021

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The Patriots of Ward Melville trailed almost the entire game, at one point down by 11 points, in a non-league road game against Sachem North. The Patriots tied the game at 41-41 with less than a minute left in regulation when Tommy Ribaudo’s three-pointer at the final buzzer gave the Patriots their only lead in the game when it mattered most, a 44-41 victory in a thriller Tuesday night, Dec. 7.

The win lifts the Patriots to 3-0 with another non-league matchup before they begin league play with a road game against Connetquot Dec. 14. Game time is 6:45 p.m.

Pictured clockwise from above left, Ward Melville senior Tommy Engel from the free throw line; senior center Josh Horvath goes to the rim; senior Tommy Ribaudo gets mobbed by teammates after his buzzer-beater trey won the game for the Patriots; senior Michael Dargan drives the baseline; and Engel drives the baseline.

Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber hosts drive-thru Santa

by Julianne Mosher - December 8, 2021

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To help maintain social distancing, but still with the holiday spirit, the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce hosted their second drive-thru Santa visit and letter drop off on Saturday, Dec. 4.

President Jennifer Dzvonar said that for decades, the chamber has hosted Santa at the Port Jefferson Station Train Car. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 they opted for a drive-thru visit, instead.

During the free event, kids were able to unroll their car windows, say hello to the man in red — who waited in his sleigh— and then pull their cars to a mailbox where they drooped letters to the North Pole.

“Last year everyone raved about the drive-thru, and everyone seems to enjoy it,” Dzvonar said.

Raffle tickets were also sold to help the chamber’s flag fund.

— All photos by Julianne Mosher

Stony Brook holiday favorite returns

by Rita J. Egan - December 6, 2021

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Hundreds filled Stony Brook Village Center Sunday, Dec. 5, for the return of some old favorites.

Last year The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Annual Holiday Festival had to be scaled back due to COVID-19 restrictions, and there were no visits with santa, parade and various activities. This year the event returned in full force for the 42nd year. From noon to 6 p.m., the shopping center was filled with activities including performances, music from WALK 97.5, a petting zoo and more.

Attendees were able to stop by Wiggs Opticians to see the holiday train display in the storefront window, and children could visit Santa sitting in front of the post office to take photos and tell him what they wanted this holiday season. This year, Santa sat behind a plexiglass shield to protect him from getting sick.

At 2:15 p.m., a parade led by the Ward Melville High School Band featured the annual Legends & Spies Puppet Procession that included the likenesses of former prominent Three Village residents such as Ward and Dorothy Melville, Anna Smith Strong and William Sidney Mount.

Later in the day, Santa got aboard a holiday float to begin the tree-lighting ceremony and cap off the night on a festive note.

Smithtown Historical Society hosts annual Heritage Country Christmas

by Rita J. Egan - December 6, 2021

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For the second year in the row, the Smithtown Historical Society had to scale down its Heritage Country Christmas event due to COVID-19. However, there was still plenty for the hundreds of attendees to enjoy on Saturday, Dec. 4.

The historical society grounds were filled with vendors, reenactors, musicians and more. Santa was also on hand to hear children’s gift requests and have photos taken with him. While the society didn’t offer their usual house tours, a train show and crafts were hosted inside its buildings for a break from the cold, while the barn housed the wreath raffle and some music.

Smithtown chamber presents town’s first ice skating event

by Rita J. Egan - December 6, 2021

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The Smithtown Chamber of Commerce kicked off the holiday season when it hosted the town’s first Ice Skating Rink on Main Street event Saturday, Dec. 4.

From 2 to 7 p.m., families skated on a temporary 24-by-60-feet rink in The Village of the Branch parking lot. The Smithtown Fire Department escorted Santa Claus to the event, and the day also included food vendors, music by DJ Paul and more.

According to a press release from the chamber, the goal of the ice skating event was “to bring our residents and families back to Main Street and enjoy all that Smithtown offers.” The hope was that families would take advantage of the day out, and eat or shop locally after skating.

Smithtown’s Ice Skating Rink program was partially funded by grants from Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and county legislators, Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) and Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga), with sponsorships from Ed Wehrheim (R), town supervisor, and several local businesses, according to the chamber.

Smithtown residents usher in the holiday season

by Rita J. Egan - December 3, 2021

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The Town of Smithtown hosted its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Town Hall on the evening of Dec.1.

The holiday event included choruses and kickline teams from local schools, a visit from Santa, snacks and more before elected town officials started the countdown to light Smithtown’s Christmas tree.

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Archives

Three Village Holiday Electric Parade returns Dec. 12

Huzzah! Dickens Festival comes back to Port Jeff

Village kicks off Dickens weekend with lantern dedication, resident’s night ice skating

Staller Center’s Instrument Petting Zoo visits Stony Brook Children’s Hospital

Ward Melville’s Ribaudo’s buzzer beater

Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber hosts drive-thru Santa

Stony Brook holiday favorite returns

Smithtown Historical Society hosts annual Heritage Country Christmas

Smithtown chamber presents town’s first ice skating event

Smithtown residents usher in the holiday season

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