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HALF HOLLOW HILLS Copyright © 2014 Long Islander Newspapers, LLC

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N E W S P A P E R

VOLUME SIXTEEN, ISSUE 17

24 PAGES

THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014

The Paramount Spotlight

Robert Earl Keen, the godfather of Americana, plays The Paramount on Saturday, June 7.

Americana On The Bill

(Continued on page A22)

Site plans for a new TD Bank in Melville, which the town’s Planning Board voted to approve on May 28.

MELVILLE

Town Rosy On TD’s New Branch

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Huntington’s Planning Board has approved a site plan that will clear the way for a new TD Bank in Melville.

The planning board voted unanimously May 28 to approve site plans for the 2,560 square-foot bank, which is to be built in

place of The Rosewood Inn and an adjacent building on Route 110.

Before the affirmative vote came, the board hammered out on final dispute over a pylon sign along Route 110.

The condition requires a free-standing pylon sign, to be situated along Broad Hollow Road/Route 110, to be no greater than 12 feet in height, and must be sub-

mitted to the town’s senior sign inspector prior to approval. Town code provides for up to 16 feet in height.

That final tweak came months after the planning board hashed out traffic concerns related to the proposed bank. Then, TD agreed to revise plans in order to allow a second dedicated drive-through lane, (Continued on page A21) Long Islander News photo/Arielle Dollinger

They do things big in Texas. Robert Earl Keen included.

In the 30 years since the release of his debut album, “No Kinda Dancer,” Keen has recorded 18 albums, had his songs covered by the likes of Lyle Lovett, The Highwaymen, George Strait, Nanci Griffith and The Dixie Chicks. He’s played thousands of concerts before hundreds of thousands of fans. He’s so popular in his home state of Texas, he was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012 alongside Lovett and Townes Van Zandt.

From humble beginnings on the Texas folk scene, Keen has blazed a trail that’s earned him living-legend status in Americana, a style of music that incorporates several native genres, including blues, folk, country, bluegrass and R&B. And though Keen has never worn his Texas heart on his sleeve, he’s long been regarded as one

DIX HILLS

President Replaced

By Arielle Dollinger adollinger@longislandergroup.com

Stanley G. Cohen made his last public appearance as president of Five Towns College at the school’s May 24 commencement ceremony.

Three days earlier, the Five Towns College Board of Trustees named Dr. Susan Barr the school’s acting interim president.

“We have every confidence in Dr. Barr’s ability to lead the institution and to carry the torch of leadership forward as she takes the reins of the College,” said Board (Continued on page A21)

Stanley G. Cohen made his last public appearance as president of Five Towns College at the school’s 40th Annual Commencement exercise.

IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

Hot Cars Take Over Saint Anthony’s A7

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014 • A3

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Flap Over Judges Divides Allies GOP chair accuses Conservative leader of breaking District Court endorsement pact

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Huntington’s Republican Committee chairwoman is vowing to primary the Conservative District Court slate after accusing the party’s leader of breaking a deal to support a Republican candidate this year and instead striking a cross-endorsement deal with the Democrats.

Chairwoman Toni Tepe said Monday that Conservative chair Frank Tinari “overstepped his bounds” and agreed to endorse, for the district court bench, Democrats James Matthews and Patricia Flynn, both of Northport, in exchange for Democratic backing of Conservative incumbent Paul Hensley, of Northport.

Democratic chairwoman Mary Collins said the deal also includes a future endorsement of a Conservative judicial candidate. Initially, Republicans suggested a cross-endorsement deal that would essentially ensure a Democrat, Republican Steve Hackeling and Conservative Paul Hensely would return to the bench for another six years.

“But when I spoke to the Conservatives, they were more generous – they offered two for two,” Collins said, allowing Matthews and Flynn to run on a slate with Hensely. The second endorsement would come in a future race.

Tinari denied such a deal with Tepe, stat-

Pictured in happier political times, Huntington GOP chair Toni Tepe, second from left, joins Conservative chair Frank Tinari, far right, in celebrating the election of Superintendent of Highways Peter Gunther, left, and Supreme Court Justice David Reilly, third from left, on election night 2013. The two leaders are now at odds over District Court endorsements. ing that “there’s no future endorsements on the table that I’m aware of.” Regardless, however, Tepe said that a Republican was due the seat.

“That seat was not his to give away, and the Republican Party is offended by the fact that he would renege on an agreement,” Tepe said.

That arrangement, Tepe said, is rooted in an agreement they struck four years ago,

when Justice Jerry Asher was elevated from the District Court to the Supreme Court bench in 2010. Tepe said Tinari approached her and asked her to support Conservative John Andrew Kay for the Asher vacancy. She said she agreed, but with a condition.

“I agreed to do that, with a commitment from Frank Tinari that whenever Kay left the bench, that seat returns to the Republi-

can Party,” she said.

Tinari denied Monday that any such agreement was in place.

“That’s not my understanding,” he said.

In response to the Democratic-Conservative line, Tepe vowed to primary the Conservatives with a Republican slate including incumbent Justice Hackeling, of Lloyd Harbor, Northport Village Justice Paul Sezner and attorney Walter Long, of Dix Hills.

The Conservative chairman said he is prepared to fend off a Republican challenge.

“With the judicial races, anyone can run a primary. We’re prepared to get our signatures. We’re prepared to get our slate elected,” he said.

Meanwhile, with Matthews, Flynn, Hensely and Hackeling all circulating Independence party petitions – Senzer and Long haven’t made up their minds yet, Tepe said – a second primary seems likely as well.

While Collins intimated that the Independents are backing the Democratic-Conservative slate, the Independents weren’t so firm.

Independence Party Chairman Ken Bayne explained that that since no WilsonPakula, or authorization given by a political party for a non-party member to run on their slate, is needed in a judicial race, the party won’t weigh in until the dust settles and a primary field is set.

MELVILLE

Thieves Sought In Jewel Heist

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Second Squad detectives are seeking the public’s help to track down two men who stole jewelry from a Melville store on April 14.

Police said two males entered Whitman Jewelry and Coins, located at 552 Walt Whitman Road, and stole a gold chain link with an oval sapphire pendant.

Surveillance video captured images of the men and their getaway vehicle, which police described as an older model white van with roof racks on top.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information can call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

DIX HILLS

Manhole Covers Stolen From Park

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Police are probing the theft of three manhole covers last week at Otsego Park in Dix Hills, Suffolk County police said.

According to a police report, the suspect in the theft stole the covers from the town park’s parking lot at 8 a.m. May 27. The police call came in the next day.

Park amenities include 10 ball fields, four batting cages, a concessions stand and bathrooms, as well as a playground, tennis courts, basketball courts and a roller rink. The Half Hollow Hills Little League plays many home games at the park.

Town spokesman A.J. Carter said the manhole covers cost $108 apiece and were replaced “immediately, within the hour” by General Services employees.

“The Highway Department keeps them in stock, which is where General Services got these replacements,” he said.

Carter said that while the town does not keep statistics on manhole cover thefts, “it has happened before.”

Anyone with information about the theft, which is being investigated as a grand larceny case, can anonymously call Suffolk County CrimeStoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS (8477).

HUNTINGTON VILLAGE

Town ‘Quarters’ Parking Meters Got a quarter in your pocket?

That’ll do you just fine once again if you need to park in Huntington village for a spell.

Town officials late last week reintroduced the option to pay by the quarter for parking. Consistent with the new parking rates, a quarter will get 15 minutes on New York Avenue and Main Street “prime parking,” while the same will buy 30 minutes at the rest of the metered parking in town.

Town spokesman A.J. Carter confirmed that the new option went live Thursday, May 29.

One month earlier, on April 28, the town increased parking in prime areas to $1 an hour, and 50 cents per hour elsewhere in town, up from a quarter per hour everywhere.

At the same time, they implemented a 1-hour minimum, which merchants and consumers criticized as detrimental to local businesses, especially ones that rely on quick transactions and short stays.

Following that outcry, town officials decided to introduce the short-term parking payment option ahead of a scheduled three-month assessment.

The one-hour minimum, however, remains in effect when you pay for parking with your credit card.

Parking rules also changed to allow for a maximum of three hours of parking in the same spot, and metering hours were also changed to 10 a.m.-8 p.m. from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

A4 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014

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POLICE REPORT Compiled by Danny Schrafel

Bottoms Up? Not Yet

A Crook Who Likes To Cuddle?

Drinking to your skin health… Could the drink with videos available through a QR code on each sign for those of you smartphone-equipped folks. I just of the summer be sunblock? Doubtful, but it may be started noticing them around town, and it’s a nice litsome day. I stumbled on a story about this guy who tle change of pace as you’re claims to have invented a new type of sunblock. muddling along and discover a There’s one itty-bitty differIN THE KNOW little bit of poetry to brighten a ence, though – you don’t WITH AUNT ROSIE moment in your day. Do you slather this stuff on. You drink have a favorite? Tell me where it! Before you start gagging at it is because I’d love to see it the thought of guzzling skin cream, Osmosis Skinmyself. care’s UV Neutralizer Harmonized Water uses purified water “imprinted with unique vibrational waves Lawn-front seating, anyone? If it’s summer, it which isolate out the precise frequencies needed to must be time for the town’s annual array of Movies protect you from UV rays,” according to a press reon the Lawn. Hosted by Councilman Mark Cuthbertlease. A container of 3.38 oz. will set ya back 30 son for the 11th year (I didn’t think he was old bucks, and you take 2 mL at a time in 2 oz. of water, enough to be around that long!) this year’s selections which is supposed to give you three hours of coverhas something for everybody. Starting on June 30 age. Now, before you get your hopes inordinately with “Frozen” at Heckscher Park, the shows continue high and start chugging the stuff before frolicking in on July 10 at Crab Meadow Beach for a showing of the sun, do know that none of this has been tested by “Rocky II” and a sandcastle-building contest to prethe Food and Drug Administration, so I would still cede the film. Another drive-in is scheduled at Crab recommend protecting yourself the old-fashioned Meadow on July 24 with “Back To The Future” – and way for now and calling the buddy system into effect an array of DeLoreans will be on display, thanks to to get the really tricky parts of your back. But can the LI DeLorean Club. The series winds up at Peter you imagine? The bottles of sun block would be gone Nelson Park in South Huntington Aug. 18 with a from beaches forever, replaced with… measuring showing of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” All spoons? This might take a while for me to get used movies begin at darkness, and if I were you, I’d pack to, after all… Thank goodness it’ll be a few years belawn chairs (for the drive-ins too, in case the lot fills fore they perfect it. up early.) And if the weather stinks, the show will go on – at Elwood’s James H. Boyd Intermediate This might take a while… Thankfully, for the School, where showtime is 7:30 p.m. Check sun-sensitive friends of mine who are interested in www.huntingtonny.gov throughout the season for upthis topic, the June 17 hearing regarding The Seasons dates, or call Councilman Mark Cuthbertson at 631at Elwood, proposed to be built at Oak Tree Dairy, 351-3112. will be held indoors at Town Hall. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. that Tuesday, but I’d get there early – my Thanks, dad… It’s just around the corner – Fapeople are telling me the place is going to be packed, ther’s Day is on June 15, and it’s high time to start packed, packed. Wear something comfortable and planning for dear ol’ dad. I’d love to hear about what bring a cup of coffee if you’re in it for the long haul. makes your dad stand out, what makes him unique, or just a funny story you’ll never forget. Send them Poetry on the post… Yes, those haiku poems my way for next week’s paper and I’d love to feature you’ve seen nailed to the lampposts to and fro in a few words of wisdom about your pop.

Huntington village are supposed to be there. A product of the SPARKBOOM young artists project, Huntington’s Public Art Initiative, in collaboration with the (Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have comHuntington Cultural Affairs Institute, solicited haiku ments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening in your and graphics from Long Island artists ages 18-34, all neck of the woods, write to me today and let me know to do with aspects of life and living in Huntington. Of the latest. To contact me, drop a line to Aunt Rosie, those, a handful were chosen and posted on street c/o The Long-Islander, 14 Wall Street, Huntington NY signs, utility poles and other locales throughout town, QUOTE OF THE WEEK MICHAEL PEPERNO

BABY FACES MEN (AND WOMEN) WORKING

A Dix Hills homeowner called the cops May 24 to report a burglary. Police said that sometime between May 18 and May 24, someone stole a TV, a comforter and bed pillow from their Seaman Neck Road residence.

An Open Door To Your Stuff A Dix Hills home was burglarized May 28. Police said that, at 10 a.m., a sticky-fingered crook made his or her way through the unlocked front door of a Balsam Drive home and stole jewelry, including an array of gold tuxedo stud buttons, cuff links, bracelets, rings and a watch.

Wheels Up A 19-year-old Wyandanch male was arrested May 28 on petit larceny charges. Police said the man allegedly stole a bicycle from the Estee Lauder warehouse on South Service Road in Melville.

All Flat Police are investigating a criminal mischief complaint in Dix Hills. Officers responded to Nielson Street on May 21 after a homeowner called to report that two tires had been punctured the day before at 5:30 p.m. on their 2013 Honda. A gas cap was also removed.

A Hit, A Run And A Cuff A 33-year-old West Babylon man was charged with DWI and fleeing the scene of an accident with an injury on May 26. Police said that the man was driving a 2006 Ford on Deer Park Avenue in Dix Hills at 5:15 a.m. when he was in a motor vehicle accident. However, he left without exchanging information. Police later tacked on a DWI charge after tracking him down.

Sticky Fingers At The Office A 25-year-old Farmingville woman was arrested on a burglary charge May 23. Police said that she stole money from an office building on Broad Hollow Road in Melville on May 16 at approximately 7:54 p.m.

Smash And Grab A crook in Melville smashed a car window and stole a purse from the front seat of a 2014 Kia on May 25. Police said that the incident happened on Half Hollow Road at 10:50 p.m., when someone smashed the front passenger window of the vehicle and took a pocketbook with a credit card from inside the car.

Blurred Lines

On Saturday, May 24, employees of Melville-based design and consulting firm H2M architects + engineers participated in Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk’s Sponsor for a Day program in Mastic Beach. The volunteer work was accompanied by a $2,500 donation.

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A 29-year-old Melville resident was arrested on a DWI rap in Huntington Station May 24. Police said that the man was pulled over at the intersection of Route 110 and Academy Place after he was observed driving a 2006 Chevrolet rather poorly, swerving through lanes. Police then determined during the stop that he was drunk.

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Linda Sporn, of Huntington, lost her son to drug addiction two years ago. On May 27 she ventured to Stimson Middle School to help prevent other parents from going through a similar tragedy.

Steve Chassman, clinical director for the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, speaks on the physiological and psychological effects of drugs at Stimson Middle School on May 27.

HUNTINGTON STATION

‘We Don’t Want To Lose One Kid’ South Huntington parents, students look for answers to Long Island’s drug problem

By Andrew Wroblewski awroblewski@longislandergroup.com

Drug addiction turns homes into war zones.

That’s the message Linda Sporn, associate of development and communications for the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD), led with on May 27 as parents and students gathered at Stimson Middle School.

“As a parent, when you find out that you’re dealing with heroin you are quickly immersed in a vat of hot oil,” Sporn, of Huntington, said after the Heroin Community Awareness Summit, hosted by the South Huntington School District.

“You’ve got to get them help and often they don’t want the help right away, so now you’re dealing with timing.”

Can you get them help?

Will they survive until you get them help?

Will they go for help?

Will they stay with the help?

These are all questions that Sporn had to ask herself when she discovered her son, Jake, was addicted to heroin.

While Sporn was eventually successful in finding Jake the help he needed, it wasn’t enough to save his life. The 20-yearold, and former Plainview High School student, died in 2012 after eight months of being clean, his mother said.

“He used one more time and that was it,” Sporn said.

In order to help prevent other parents from going through the horrors that Sporn did, the school district gathered a few willing to speak on the recent surge

of drugs – most prominently, heroin – that has swept through Long Island and its school districts.

“A lot of parents started calling us about some of things they’ve been reading… [and] really wanted more information and wanted to see what the school could provide, so Jacqueline Harris, the deputy superintendent, really got involved with a committee of parents within the district to try and establish a night like tonight,” Edwin Smith, principal of Stimson Middle School, said. “The way we’ve been saying it the last couple of months is if we can save one life, we’ve done what we wanted to do.”

Headlining the summit were Matthew Pisani, executive director of Clean Slate Living, DEA Agent Charles Bernard, and Steve Chassman, clinical director for LICADD, each of whom contributed to the conversation by informing parents and kids where drugs come from and how they affect people.

“As a concerned parent… trying to raise kids and teach them the right things, you have to be really your own little detective,” said Dara DiGiovanni, who attended the summit with one of her three children, Joseph. “It starts with just a drink or a joint… It’s a crazy situation out there.”

To hammer home the sentiment of prevention, Harris took to the microphone to close out the night.

“From Memorial Day to sometime around the end of September are the 100 deadliest days,” Harris said. “We’re here on day number two… Our goal: We do not want to lose one kid this spring or summer.”

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014 • A5

Bu A sin tt es ent s O io w n, ne rs ..

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Annual Guide To Annual Guide

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HUNTINGTON 2014 It's time for the Annual Guide To Huntington. This is one issue that you definitely don't want to miss!

This special section focuses on the businesses and professionals that make up the community – from the thriving restaurant trade to giants of industry – all of which call the Town of Huntington home.

The Annual Guide To Huntington will be an insert to The Long-Islander, The Record and The Half Hollow Hills Newspaper.

Reserve your ad space today.

I N C LU D E D W I T H YO U R A DV E RT I S E M E N T :

• Placement on the Honor Roll of Businesses and

Professionals.

• Your location on a centerspread map.

• Editorial write-up about your business

Final Reservation Date is June 18, 2014 Publication Date: June 26 2014

Don’t miss this great edition Published in The Long Islander, The Record & The Half Hollow Hills Newspaper

Reserve your space today!

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014 • A7

Long Islander News photos/Danny Schrafel

Starting Saturday, June 14th Commack Fire Department showcases its 1921 Ford Model A fire truck. At the wheel is Antique Committee chairman Ed Monahan; to his right is his son, Matthew, a volunteer firefighter; Commack commissioner Pat Fazio and volunteer firefighter Chris Ciaccio.

Father’s Day Weekend GIANT FLUKE 7:00am-11:00am 12:00pm-4:00pm 4:30-8:30pm

North Shore Fishing for Giant Fluke CAPTAIN JAMES SCHNEIDER

631-651-8235 www.JamesJosephFishing.com 1 New York Avenue (Off Rte. 110 - Behind Halesite Fire Dept.)

Look For Us On Facebook West Islip’s Tony Arcese receives the Best in Show trophy from Sue Ciano for his 1954 Cadillac Series 62 convertible.

SOUTH HUNTINGTON

Car Enthusiasts Rev Up To Support Police Families

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Hundreds enjoyed a day of fun in the sun perusing classic cars at St. Anthony’s High School Sunday to support the families of police officers killed in the line of duty.

The show, hosted by the Police Surgeons Benevolent Association and sponsored by the Centurion Cruisers Car Club, drew approximately 150 entries, many of which were classic American muscle cars.

An array of Corvettes, as well as soupedup modern Camaros and a smattering of vintage imports were also on display.

“It’s the most popular,” co-organizer Michael Peperno, of East Northport, who launched the event with his neighbor, dentist Dr. Ray Mascolo, said. “People like old Americana, muscle cars.”

Peperno and Mascolo launched the car show five years ago as a way to raise money in support of police families who recently suffered a death in the line of duty.

This year’s event raised money for the New York Metro chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) Metro New York chapter, which was launched two years ago.

The best in show trophy, awarded to the owner of a pristine white 1954 Cadillac

Series 62 convertible, was presented by Sue Ciano, whose husband Glen, a Suffolk County police officer, was killed in Commack in February 2009 while assisting a fellow officer. His patrol car was struck by a vehicle making a left turn onto Commack Road from Vanderbilt Parkway. The force of the collision sent the patrol car off the road and into a utility pole.

The patrol car burst into flames, killing Officer Ciano.

Sue Ciano, who is currently vice president of the chapter, is also a founding member of the New York Metro chapter of COPS, and said the organization provides valuable services to families, as well as their own, through peer-to-peer contact.

“It actually supports us in a sense.

We’re able to give the families hope that things can be better, and that has helped us as survivors to be able to do that,” she said.

Entry fees for the car show were the major revenue generator for the event, along with Italian ice sales by the East Northport-based Father Thomas A. Judge chapter of the Knights of Columbus; and a concession stand operated by the St. Anthony’s High School Fathers’ Guild.

Melville-based State Farm agent Brian Gill underwrote the insurance for the event, Mascolo said.

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Opinion

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letters to: The Editor, Half Hollo w Hills Ne wspaper, 14 Wa Huntingto ll Street, n, New Yo rk 11743 or email us at info@long islanderne ws.com

‘Not the types set up by the printer return their impression, the meaning, the main concern.’

Arm Yourself There is a war going on, and it’s taking our dicts seeking in-patient treatment; pharmaceuchildren. tical companies have flooded the market with There is a war going on, and the battleground super-powered prescription narcotic drugs and keeps expanding. opiates; insurance bureaucrats are getting in beThere is a war going on, and it’s good to see tween doctors and their patients. Perhaps our our schools and community members joining in biggest problem at the moment: heroin is cheap the fight. and plentiful when opiate pills become too exMemorial Day kicks off the dreaded “100 pensive for addicts.

Deadliest Days” for teens, and while the phrase Pair that with the psychological makeup of a pertains to driving – from Memorial Day teenager, for whom defiance is normal, and you through Labor Day in 2012, nearly 1,000 peo- have a “perfect storm” on your hands, our ple were killed in crashes involving friend Steven Pinto, director of teen drivers, and more than 550 of EDITORIAL operations at The Life Center in those killed were teens, according to Huntington, has said.

National Highway Traffic Safety AdministraThat is why talking about the problem is so tion data – the summer also marks a time when important. Burying our heads in the sand, reteenagers are more likely to participate in recre- fusing to report what we are seeing in our ational drug and alcohol use, whether at parties, schools, and not being honest about the severibarbecues, festivals or beaches. ty of the issue helps no one. If we are ever goThe drug use – and heroin use in particular – ing to take on this problem, we have to do it is the one that seems to be on community mem- whole-heartedly, openly, and quickly. We combers’ minds at the moment. In the past few mend these agencies for not being afraid to talk months, panel discussions on substance-abuse about the problem, and parents who want to edawareness have drawn hundreds of parents – ucate both themselves and their children. Next and more importantly, their children – looking it will be up to our elected officials to do what for information on how to stop the drug epi- they can legislatively. demic.

Want to get involved? Another event comes What’s more, the hosts of these panels range today, Thursday, June 5, when Cold Spring from schools to libraries and independent agen- Harbor High School hosts “The Anonymous cies, showing that we’re all in this together. In People” writer and director Greg Williams, March, the Cold Spring Harbor Library & En- who will participate in a panel discussion “Not vironmental Center hosted “Start the Conversa- My Child: The Many Faces of Alcohol & Drug tion… Save a Life.” In May, the Northport Use and Abuse.” The panel brings back familDrug and Alcohol Task Force took charge, put- iar faces, both of whom have spoken on various ting a microphone in front of young, recovering panels across town: Steve Chassman, LCSW, addicts willing to share their stories. And last from the Long Island Council on Alcoholism week, the South Huntington School District and Drug Dependence; and Steve Pinto. Karen hosted a panel specifically about heroin, and Curtin, New York regional alumni director of held it at a middle school.

The Caron Foundation, joins them for the 7 The messages that emerge are all the same: p.m. presentation. there are not enough beds for recovering adLet’s get this message out – together.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Use Your Vote or Lose It DEAR EDITOR: On April 8, the Huntington Public Library held a vote on its annual budget of $8.8 million. There are 34,000 residents in the Huntington Library District, the vast majority of whom are adults of voting age. The number of votes cast on April 8 was a mere 524.

Considering that an average of

about 1,000 patrons pass through the library’s doors each day, it is likely that many people who were actually in the library that day and walked right by the polling place didn’t even bother to vote. Most residents probably didn't even know there was a vote.

Holding the library election all by itself on a seemingly random day in April, instead of at the same time as the school budget

vote, as in many other districts, almost guarantees a low turnout.

Even so, considering that the library has 28,000 active patrons with library cards, 524 votes is pathetic.

Not that the school district fares much better. By comparison, the nearly 2,000 people who got themselves to the polls for the school budget vote on May 20 seem like a veritable throng, but the sad fact is that they rep-

resent fewer than 10 percent of the voting-age population of the school district. Even a large majority of those with the greatest vested interest in the outcome – parents with kids currently in school – didn't cast a ballot. Sadly, this is pretty typical across Long Island and the rest of the state.

So the question for my fellow citizens is this: If we don't vote, in what way exactly are we living in a democracy? I am reminded of the quote, generally attributed to Mark Twain, that a person who does not read great books has no advantage over the person who cannot read them. Likewise, a person who lives in America but does not exercise the right to vote has no advantage over the person who lives in an undemocratic part of the world where voting is simply not an option.

Voting on our school or library budget is one of the only forms of direct democracy open to us. In almost every other respect, our form of government is republican, i.e., our elected representatives make all the decisions for us. If the percentage of people who vote falls somewhere between the number who believe humans are descended from space aliens and the number who have a positive opinion of Congress, then why are we bothering to hold these elections at all?

This is not an argument in favor of disenfranchising anyone, merely an acknowledgement of the reality that the voters have already disenfranchised themselves.

It costs thousands of dollars to hold a public vote. Districts have to rent voting machines, print

Peter Sloggatt

N E W S P A P E R

Associate Publisher/Managing Editor

Copyright © 2014 by Long Islander News, publishers of The Long-Islander, The Record and Half Hollow Hills Newspaper. Each issue of the The Long-Islander and all contents thereof are copyrighted by Long Islander. None of the contents or articles may be reproduced in any forum or medium without the advance express written permission of the publisher. Infringement hereof is a violation of the Copyright laws.

BARRY EDELSON Huntington

Correction In last week’s Spotlight article on Village East Gifted, it was incorrectly stated that Ms. Phillips has a doctorate from Columbia University. Rather, she is doctoral certified, and Columbia is not her alma mater.

Furthermore, in 2013 she opened locations not only in Westbury, but Great Neck as well. She has noted that Marine Biology is no longer part of her regular teaching curriculum.

James V. Kelly Publisher/CEO

HALF HOLLOW HILLS Serving the communities of: Dix Hills, Melville and the Half Hollow Hills Central School District.

Founded in 1996 by James Koutsis

ballots, generate poll lists, disseminate information, publish legal notices in the newspaper, pay poll workers, and so on. If nobody cares, then why doesn't New York just allow library and school boards to adopt a budget the way the town, county, state and federal governments do? We don't get to vote for any of those spending plans.

If we don't like what's going on in Albany or Washington, our recourse is to vote out our representatives every other November.

Maybe giving the power of the purse to the library board and the school board, and holding elections for trustees on Election Day, would make voting for those bodies a little more interesting and meaningful.

Then again, maybe turnout would be lousy then, too. But at least we wouldn't have to spend taxpayer money on this annual charade.

Danny Schrafel Arielle Dollinger Reporters

Marnie Ortiz Office Manager / Legal Advertising

NEWS

Luann Dallojacono Editor Angelina Capalbo Account Executive

Ian Blanco Andrea Torres Art Department / Production

14 Wall Street, Huntington, New York 11743 631.427.7000

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014 • A9

Life&Style PERFORMING ARTS

Vocalist, Dancer and Band Take ‘Got Talent?’

Photo by Len Marks Photography

After its first-ever youth-only year, the Huntington Arts Council’s fifth annual “Got Talent? Long Island” competition run came to a close Saturday night, declaring vocalist Kristen Murphy the overall winner.

“The show on Saturday night was the best one yet,” said Huntington Arts Council President Debbi Honorof in a press release. “The level of talent was unsurpassed and the judges expressed their difficulty in choosing the winners.”

Murphy, a 15-year-old St. Anthony’s High School freshman, sang “Popular” – a song written by musical theatre composer Stephen Schwartz for Broadway’s “Wicked” – to earn herself a $1,000 cash award and an opening slot at this year’s Annual Huntington Summer Arts Festival.

She is also a competitive dancer, cheerleader and gymnast.

Fellow dancer Kristina Diaz, 16, received the competition’s “Rising Star” award for her dance to “On The Nature of Daylight.” Diaz attends Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Syosset and dances modern, ballet, pointe and jazz.

The Audience Award went to sevenpiece band “Pursuing JC.” The band, whose members are 11-15 years old, played Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.”

Contestants in the Huntington Arts Council’s fifth annual “Got Talent? Long Island” competition, which featured only youth this year, gather for a photo.

THEATER

Engeman Stages Simon’s ‘Plaza Suite’

By Mary Beth Casper info@longislandernews.com

The 2013-2014 Season at the John W. Engeman Theater proved to be a memorable one. Among the theater’s biggest and brightest hits were the delightful musical revue “Nunsense,” the spectacular Irving Berlin classic “White Christmas,” the riveting drama “Twelve Angry Men” and, most recently, Meredith Wilson’s spectacular “The Music Man.” Those were tough acts to follow for Neil Simon’s classic comedy, “Plaza Suite,” which opened at the Engeman on May 29 and runs through July 13. The play made its Broadway debut in l968. Directed by the legendary Mike Nichols, it starred the brilliant theatrical team of George C. Scott and Maureen Stapleton.

“Plaza Suite” consists of three one-acts which focus on three different couples who occupy a luxury suite at Manhattan’s legendary Plaza Hotel. Initially, it was written with four acts, but one was cut during rehearsals. That act became the basis for Simon’s hilarious l970 film, “The Out of Towners.”

Simon’s “Plaza Suite” is a tightly crafted, hilarious comedy, featuring a myriad of his trademark brilliant oneliners. The first act, “Visitors From Mamaroneck,” also has some very poignant moments that give it the most serious tone of the evening.

Suburbanites Karen and Sam Nash (played by Joan Barber and Michael Scott) take a suite at The Plaza while their house is being painted. Their stay in Suite 719 happens to coincide with what is their 23rd – or, is it their 24th? – anniversary. Suite 719 also happens to be where they spent their honeymoon. Even though their marriage is in tatters, a delightfully wry, witty, Karen is determined to get to the root of the problem and mend the relationship.

Gina Milo steals the show in her scene with Todd Lawson in “Plaza Suite.”

Act Two, “Visitor From Hollywood,” follows the seductive rendezvous of high school sweethearts Jesse Kiplinger (Todd Lawson) and Muriel Tate (Gina Milo) in Suite 719. Jesse, a successful Hollywood producer with three failed marriages under his belt, has invited Muriel, a star struck, apparently innocent, New Jersey housewife to visit him for what he hopes will lead to a brief re-kindling of their youthful romance. Muriel turns out to be more than he’s bargained for, though.

Act Three, “Visitor From Forest Hills,” has the suite occupied by Norma and Roy Hubley (Joan Barber and Michael Scott), whose daughter, Mimsey (Gina Milo), should be exchanging vows with Bordon Eisler (Todd Lawson) in one of the landmark hotel’s ballroom. Instead, she has locked herself in the bathroom of her parents’ suite, refusing to come out and get married, while her mom and dad bicker brutally with one another over who is to blame for their daughter’s problem and how to effectively extricate her from the bathroom.

This “Plaza Suite” never really soars for extended peri-

ods due to possible miscasting and the safe directorial approach taken by Patricia Zaback, known for being an accomplished director.

Milo and Barber consistently hit their marks in each of the roles they portrayed, but Scott may be better suited for drama than comedy. His best work of the evening occurred during the discussion that Sam and Karen Nash have in Act One as they explore what has happened to their marriage. Those moments have audience members empathizing with both husband and wife. Unfortunately, Scott never seems to capture the larger than life, broadly funny characters of either Sam Nash or Roy Hubley that Simon so brilliantly wrote.

Todd Lawson’s portrayal of Jesse Kiplinger in Act Two, playing the character too nicely, seemed in contrast to the way the character is written: a sleazy, overly-cocky Hollywood mogul who initially needs to be in total control of the seduction. As the act goes on, however, it’s Muriel who begins to control the situation in a way that few may have been able to predict. Milo, in a Marlo Thomas “That Girl” wig and costuming, literally steals the show!

Act Three, which most believe to be the funniest of the three, succeeds only if it is performed in the most outrageously farcical manner. Zaback doesn’t seem to give her actors the opportunity to run away with the script, and missing from the scene is slapstick comedy one has come to expect and enjoy. The ludicrous premise of the play – a bride locked in a bathroom, refusing to come out for her wedding, as well as her parents’ outlandish self-absorbed takes on the situation – cries out for a roller coaster of a ride for actors and audience, alike. This production doesn’t deliver that, and such a brilliant season ends without the same, obvious bang we have grown accustomed to.

For ticket information, visit www.engemantheater.com.

The 2014-2015 season kicks off July 24 with Ira Levin’s “Deathtrap.”

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A Midsummer Night’s Music The Paramount live music venue is ringing in its third summer in Huntington village, music to the ears of Long Islanders looking for a fun night – literally. The assortment of shows is impressive, bringing in rock bands like Smash Mouth, all the way to comedy shows with Joan Rivers.

Smash Mouth’s lyric from “All Star”, “You’ll never know if you don’t go,” seems especially fitting for everyone contemplating a night at The Paramount.

Below is a guide to just what exactly Huntington’s own music hub has to offer this summer.

The Paramount Comedy Series: The Plastic Cup Boyz June 6 This comedy trio includes Will “Spank” Horton, Na’im Lynn and Lavar Walker, previously from renowned shows like the Kevin Hart Laugh tour.

Robert Earl Keen June 7 With well over a dozen records to his name, this 58-year-old American singer-songwriter’s vast discography promises a great show.

Buddy Guy June 1 In this special, all reserved seating show, Buddy Guy treats The Paramount audience to American blues guitars and vocals.

Guitar Gods 2014 June 13 This show includes the guitar stylings of Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli John Roth, and Gary Hoey and Bumblefoot. It’s sure to be a showstopper for any rock enthusiast.

Voyage- A Musical Tribute to the band Journey featuring Hugo June 14 Singer Hugo and his band sing the songs of Steve Perry, bringing the crowd back to the ’80s music of Journey.

two straight days in one of the most anticipated shows of the summer.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band and Robert Randolph & The Family Band June 19 Young blues guitarist Kenny Wayne treats the crowd to a fusion of rich blues blended with some rock and roll.

The Paramount Comedy Series: Dana Carvey June 21 Emmy-award winning and former SNL comedian Dana Carvey is known for his hilarious impersonations of political figures like George Bush.

Jessie’s Girl July 11 The lineup includes a team of NYC’s rising pop and rock vocalists, including Jenna O’Gara, Chris Hall, and Mark Rinzel – all paying a tribute to the ’80s.

Dennis DeYoung July 19 A founder of the rock group STYX, DeYoung brings all his talent to a highly anticipated solo act at The Paramount.

Under The Sun 2014 with Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth July 29 This package tour unites Blue Traveler, Sugar Ray, Uncle Kracker and Smash Mouth for the annual celebration of alternative pop rock ’n’ roll.

Trace Adkins August 1 This country superstar, Grammy nominee, and TV personality will be powering through his countless hits on The Paramount stage.

Wild Child- Dave Brocks Doors Experience August 8 Dave Brocks faithfully recreates Jim Morrison both in aesthetics and acoustics.

Summerland Tour with Everclear, Soul Asylum, Eve 6 and Spacehog June 22 This is the third annual ’90s alternative music tour, heralded by Rolling Stone as one of the 10 hottest summer package tours in 2012.

The Paramount Comedy Series: Steven Wright June 27 Academy Award winner Steven Wright is sure not to disappoint with his ironic sense of humor and witty oneliners.

Drive By Truckers & The Hold Steady June 28 Drive By Truckers and The Hold Steady will both be treating Long Island to sounds off their new albums: English Oceans and Teeth Dreams, respectively.

The Go-Go’s July 3 This multiplatinum allfemale American rock band graces Long Island with fun beats and no. 1 hits.

Ted Nugent July 21 Nugent is a multi-platinum artist whose impressive rock and roll career has spanned five decades, and is now bringing his talent to The Paramount.

Bang Your Head Tour With Quiet Riot July 23 This package tour includes Quiet Riot, Faster Pussycat, Bulletboys and even former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke.

Dirty Heads & Pepper with special guest Aer July 24 Dirty Heads are a trio reggae band that will be premiering songs off upcoming album “Sound Of Change.”

The Paramount Comedy Series: Joan Rivers July 25-26 Although the July 25 date is sold out, comedienne Joan Rivers will be entertaining Long Island

Sublime with Rome August 9 This is a musical collaboration with former Sublime member Eric Wilson and singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez, bringing back legendary Sublime songs.

Guided By Voices August 22 Since reforming in 2010, Guided By voices has taken the music scene by storm – and they’re taking on the Paramount as one of the final acts of the summer.

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo August 30 Pat Benatar is a four-time Grammy Award winner. On this special tour she will be performing with her husband Neil Giraldo.

All comedy shows are reserved seating only. For more information, go to paramountny.com.

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Fun For The Whole Family Compiled by Christopher Saudino Photo by Steve Silverman

Get Outside!

First up this year is the St. Anthony’s Family Feast & Festival at 20 Cheshire Place in East Northport, June 25-29. Free admission lets you enjoy fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday, exciting rides, a magic show, an international food court, an entertainment stage, petting zoo and Las Vegas table games. Get your fill at the Zeppole Eating Contest on Friday. Visit http://saintanthonyofpadua.org.

Then get ready for the annual Huntington Manor Fireman’s Fair July 15-19 at Stimson Middle School on Oakwood Road in Huntington Station. The fair is open from 7-11 p.m. on weekdays and 5-11 p.m. on Saturday. The fair features rides, live music, games and fireworks Wednesday through Friday at 9:30 p.m.

Catch the parade on July 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Close out the summer with the Greenlawn Fire Department’s Fireman’s Fair on Labor Day Weekend.

Keep the Education Going!

The Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum (www.cshwhalingmuseum.org) at 301 Main St. is ready to take over your calendar. Take your father or grandfather on Father’s Day to receive free admission. Gift shop items will be 20-percent off for the weekend. Every other Monday at 1:30 p.m., arts and crafts will be available for kids. On June 21, the Dolphin Dance Party begins featuring DJ Mike on the mic from 12-3 p.m. and on June 19, from 7-11 p.m. enjoy a Hawaiian luau.

The Heckscher Museum of Art (www.hechscher.org) in Heckscher Park is cranking it up with a live violin performance by Mathew Pierce on June 6, 7-8:30 p.m. Until Aug. 10, viewers will be able to enjoy exhibits on the Study of Motion and Rhythm and Repetition. On the second Wednesday of each month, enjoy Senior Day from 1:30-5 p.m. where seniors enjoy free admission and other guests gain entrance half off.

Enjoy the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium (www.vanderbiltmuseum.org) in Centerport and its recent $4-million renovation. The revamped planetarium features rock ’n’ roll light shows and a stacked schedule of fun and educational events (plus the comfiest seats money can buy!).

The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery (www.cshfha.org) features a

lively summer camp program, free entrance for dads on Father’s Day, ice cream socials and a turtle and tortoise pageant.

lounge chairs and chaises. Open JuneSeptember. 631-499-8000.

Beacon Of History (And Music!)

Learn About Your Community!

Walt Whitman Birthplace (www.waltwhitman.org) at 246 Old Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station is offering poetry seminars, local art displays and a June 21 SparkBoom Summer Kickoff.

The Huntington Historical Society (www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org) at 209 Main St. features a full slate of events with multiple aquatic Tide Mill Tours, the Historical Pub Crawl on Aug. 21 and Passport to the Past events for kids.

The Northport Historical Society (northporthistorical.org) at 215 Main St. in Northport will be hosting many events including a Window Shopping Through Time Exhibit featuring 10 stores that lined Main Street 100 years ago.

Get In Touch With Your Wild Side!

At White Post Animal Farm (www.whitepostfarms.com) at 250 Old Country Road in Melville, kids can see and feed the exotic animals that live there year-round. The farm features a new bird exhibit, a huge petting zoo and monkeys!

Bring a bathing suit because the new water bouncers promise a wet and wild time.

Once a working dairy in the 1800s, the Lewis-Oliver Dairy Farm (lewisoliverfarm.org), located on Burt Avenue in Northport is open dawn till dusk and features a wide range of friendly animals.

Schmitt’s Family Farm (www.schmittfarms.com) at 26 Pinelawn Road in Melville is hosting field trips for kids aged 3-9. Browse their modern greenhouse and enormous collection of decorative and delicious plants. Brighten up the house or start your own garden!

Sun, Surf And Sand If the warm winter and spring is any indication of what’s on tap for this summer, going to the beach will be a very popular past time in the next few months.

The Town of Huntington has eight beaches opened to the residents of Huntington with a purchase of the Seasonal Resident Beach Permit or a Resident Daily Pass, sold at all beaches.

The main beach office is located at Crab Meadow Beach, 631-261-7574.

Or, hit the pool. The Dix Hills Park contains a 50-meter swimming pool with 1/2-meter and a pair of 1-meter diving boards, as well as a deck area with limited

Anyone looking for tee times or more information should call the Crab Meadow course at 631-757-8800, the Northport VA course at 631-261-8000 or the Dix Hills course at 631-271-4788.

Not quite ready to play a full 18 holes?

Heartland Golf Park in Deer Park, features a nine-hole par 3 course. 631-6677400.

Enjoy The Great Outdoors

The Lighthouse Music Fest on the water will draw hundreds of boats on Aug. 30.

The Huntington Lighthouse is a symbol of the Town of Huntington. Originally erected near Lloyd Harbor in 1857, the current lighthouse was built in 1912.

The preservation society offers tours of the historic Huntington Lighthouse throughout the summer. For more information, call 631-421-1985 or visit http://huntingtonlighthouse.org.

And get the boat ready for the Lighthouse Music Fest, scheduled for Aug. 30, expected again to attract thousands of boaters anxious to catch live bands playing on the lighthouse.

Grinds, Jumps and Ollies, Oh My! The Town of Huntington’s state-of-theart skate park at Veterans Memorial Park on Bellerose Avenue in East Northport has a large plaza plus features for beginners, intermediate and advanced skateboarders. Open weather permitting, from noon to dusk weekdays, 10 a.m. to dusk on Saturdays, and noon to dusk on Sundays. Without a town recreation ID card, daily rate is $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Children under 6 not permitted in the park. BMX/Bicycles not permitted at anytime. 631-351-3089.

Located in Greenlawn Park on the corner of Broadway and Cuba Hill Road, the 9,200 square-foot park has grind boxes, wedges, rails, spines, ramps, sub-boxes, quarter pipes, and half pipes ranging up to 8 feet in height. Designed for beginners and advanced rollerbladers, skateboarders and BMX bikers. Open from April to November, 10 a.m. to dusk weekdays and weekends. Admission is free.

Fore!

There are several courses open to the public in the Town of Huntington for both casual and more competitive golfers.

The Dix Hills Country Club on Half Hollow Hill Road and the Northport Golf Course at the VA along Middleville Road each offer nine holes, while the Crab Meadow Golf Course on Waterside Avenue features a full 18 holes.

Edgewood-Oak Brush Plains Preserve is a fantastic site to enjoy the wonders that Mother Nature provides. Edgewood Preserve is currently home to trails and paths that are perfect for hiking, jogging, walking, biking, bird-watching and snowshoeing. Old Commack Road, a paved 1.6mile road, runs north-south and is part of the preserve’s trail network. Commack Road is the best way to access Edgewood.

Caumsett State Park is hardly a secret to Huntington residents, but it certainly is a treasure. Located in Lloyd Neck, 1,500 acres of serene land along the Long Island Sound is available to the public to bike, run or hike. With beautiful buildings created during the “Roaring ’20s,” including the mansion built in 1925, the park is a great place to have a picnic. It’s also just a short stroll down to the beach. It’s a perfect location to cast some fishing lines or build a sand castle with the kids. Located on the park grounds is also the Lloyd Harbor equestrian center.

West Hills County Park, on Sweet Hollow Road, includes hiking, youth group camping, picnicking, playground, bridle paths and a horseback riding facility. Nature trails include the Walt Whitman Trail to Jayne’s Hill, Long Island’s highest peak at an elevation of 400 feet.

Cold Spring Harbor State Park, on Route 25A, provides 40 acres of hilly hiking terrain that offer scenic vistas of the Cold Spring Harbor. The park serves as the northern trailhead of the Nassau Suffolk Greenbelt Trail that extends to Bethpage State Park and the south shore of Nassau County. No fees are collected, and the park and parking field is open year-round, sunrise to sunset.

Visit the Huntington Parks & Recreation Department http://huntingtonny.gov for a complete trails guide.

Family Fun Nights Over in Northport, what started as a failed winter pedestrian mall has turned into the wildly successful Family Fun Nights. Slated for their sixth consecutive year, Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between Gunther’s Tap Room and Skipper’s Pub every Tuesday night in August between 6-9 p.m.

The street fair has traditionally included live music, antique cars, sidewalk sales, scavenger hunts, children’s entertainment and other activities. Businesses not outside typically keep their stores open longer on these nights. Call the Northport Chamber at 631-754-3905 for more information.

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Let Us Entertain You This Summer Live Theater At Engeman The John W. Engeman Theater in Northport brings Broadway to Main Street all summer long. This summer, Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite” – a show that opened on Broadway in February 1968 and closed in October 1970 – will again transport its audience to New York City’s Plaza. The theater kicks off its 2014-2015 season July 24 with Ira Levin’s “Deathtrap.” Visit www.johnwengemantheater.com or contact the Box Office at 631-261-2900.

Middle School on Elwood Road, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, June 30: “Frozen” at Heckscher Park Thursday, July 10: “Rocky II” at Crab Meadow Beach (drive-in) Thursday, July 24: “Back to the Future” at Crab Meadow Beach (drive-in) Monday, Aug. 18: “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” at Peter Nelson Park

Music By The Water Enjoy music by the water at Northport Village Park on Friday evenings (weather permitting), at 7 p.m., May 23-Aug. 29.

Entrance is free, and lawn chairs and blankets are suggested. If you’re an aspiring singer, get ready: July 18 is open mic night.

In addition, the Northport Community Band takes the stage every Thursday, July 4-Aug. 1, at 8:30 p.m. at the Robert W. Krueger Bandshell in Northport Village Park.

Dix Hills Stage Lights Up Look no further than your own backyard for first-class entertainment at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center this summer.

Visit www.dhpac.org, or contact the Box Office at 631-656-2148.

The town’s Movies on the Lawn series starts Monday, June 30 with “Frozen.”

Lights, Camera, Action!

Join the Town of Huntington this summer for their Movies On The Lawn. Four PG-rated Hollywood films will be played free of charge once the sun goes down (8:30-9 p.m.). In the event of inclement weather, all movies will be held at Elwood

George Harrison Tribute with Tom Cavanagh Saturday, June 7, 7:30p.m.

Doo Wop Harmony Night Saturday, June 21, 7:30 p.m.

Comedian Robert Klein Saturday, July 5, 7:30 p.m.

Trebella – The Three Girl Harmonies of Italian & Italian-American Pop Friday, July 11, 7:30 p.m.

Joplin’s Pearl ft. Amber Ferrari Tribute to Legends of Rock & Janis Joplin Saturday, July 12, 7:30p.m.

Remembering Maynard Ferguson with the Give It One Big Band featuring Ryan Resky on Trumpet Friday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.

DISCO FEVER with Disco Unlimited Saturday, July 27, 7:30 p.m.

Julie Budd Friday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.

Abba Girlz Tribbute to ABBA Saturday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.

The Piano Artistry of Judith Alstadter Sunday, July 27, 2 p.m.

Jerry Garcia’s Birthday Celebration with Music of Grateful Dead by Half Step Friday, August 1, 7:30 p.m.

The Hilarious Comedy of Uncle Floyd Saturday, August 2, 7:30 p.m.

Tribute to The Moody Blues Friday, August 8, 7:30 p.m.

Jordan Bennet in “THE SHOW” Saturday, August 9, 7:30 p.m.

Heckscher Stage Heats Up The Huntington Arts Council is prepping for the 49th Annual Huntington Sum-

Israeli-born Ethiopian singer Ester Rada will take the Rainbow Stage on June 29. mer Arts Festival at Heckscher Park. This tradition has grown and each season bringing names from the Broadway stage and local musicians for its weekly concerts.

The festival this year is June 26-Aug. 10, featuring local and national acts. The 2014 festival features including Spanish dance company Sol y Sombra, bilingual Latin folk-cumbia-rock ensemble Moona Luna, and Ethio-Jazz, funk, soul and R&B singer Ester Rada. Festival regulars like the Huntington’s Men’s Chorus and the Huntington Community Band will assume their yearly spots, performing on June 26 and July 2, respectively.

Performances are scheduled for every day, except Mondays, at the Chapin Rainbow Stage. Shows begin at 8:30 p.m., except on Tuesdays – the festival’s Tuesday Family Nights feature shows that start at 7:30p.m.

For information, call the Summer Arts Festival Hotline at 631-271-8423 ext. 5., or visit www.huntingtonarts.org.

‘Summer Camp’ Now In Session

By Andrew Wroblewski awroblewski@longislandergroup.com

Sometimes selecting the right film to play is just as important as creating the film itself.

That’s the motto Brett Sherris, president of Reel Entertainment, Inc., followed when putting together his ninth annual Brett Sherris’ Summer Camp Cinema Film Festival for the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington.

“I started work on this year’s Summer Camp back in November of last year as there were probably 100 to 110 films to consider,” Sherris, 53, of Northport, said.

“I didn’t want to base [Summer Camp] upon what other people thought. In order to get a sense of something, you really have to watch it – you can’t just go by the book; you have to put the time in.”

Sherris’ effort to, as he said, “give back to the community,” has resulted in 24 films that will be shown in pairs every Saturday at 10:30 p.m. during the summer though Aug. 16. General double-feature admission is $13, with a season pass available

for $150. Both prices can be discounted with a Cinema Arts Centre membership.

The festival kicked off on Saturday with a double feature of “Mean Streets,” directed by Martin Scorsese, and “Reservoir Dogs,” directed by Quentin Tarantino.

This year’s schedule consists of films from “directors who have gotten us to where we are today,” Sherris said. “You’ll see material from Howard Hawks all the way up to Christopher Nolan.”

With Summer Camps of previous years consisting of films with campier tones, Sherris said he was a bit nervous to see how this year’s festival would debut.

“Whenever you shift paradigms like this on a program you start to wonder how it’s going to turn out,” Sherris said earlier this week. “But Saturday was wonderful…

The two films showed wonderfully together.”

To top off the festival, on Aug. 23, Sherris and the Cinema Arts Centre will run the “All Night Pay-To-Get-Out Horror Marathon,” which runs from 11 p.m. to around 10 a.m. the next morning. Those who make it all the way through the night

will receive $10 back from their original $35 ticket purchase ($25 for Cinema Arts Centre members) in exchange for their ticket stub.

“I’m literally just trying to put in the best bang for the buck,” Sherris said of the horror marathon. “People bring blankets and pillows – they see some of the movies and sleep through the others.”

Film Festival Schedule June 7 M*A*S*H (1970); Salvador (1986) June 14 The Sugarland Express (1974) Badlands (1973) June 21 Blood Simple (1984) The Maltese Falcon (1941) June 28 Se7en (1995); Memento (2000)

July 5 The Graduate (1967); Harold & Maude (1971) July 12 The 39 Steps (1935); Double Indemnity (1944) July 19 Twentieth Century (1934) The Great McGinty (1940) July 26 Paths of Glory (1957) The Conversation (1974) August 2 A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) 12 Angry Men (1957) August 9 Boogie Nights (1997) Do the Right Thing (1989) August 16 Unforgiven (1992) The Wild Bunch (1969)

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School Notebook

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Compiled by Luann Dallojacono

The Friar Choir went to town last week for a music festival at Disney World.

Showtime For The Friar Choir The St. Anthony's High School Friar Choir left to perform at the 10th Anniversary Disney Music Festival in Orlando, Fla. on May 29 and came back with a gold medal.

On Friday, the singers performed for the judges at the Saratoga Springs Resort Performance Hall and spent the remainder of their time enjoying the fun that can only happen at the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and

EPCOT. At the awards ceremony Saturday evening, the show choir’s months of hard work paid off when the students, along with their directors, Ms. Annmarie Fabricatore and Mr. Greg Wilson, were awarded the Gold Medal Award for Specialty Performance and the Judges Award for Superior Performance. The Outstanding Vocalist Award went to senior Grace O'Neill.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014 • A15 Foodie photos/Danny Schrafel

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Fresh Family Cooking Stars At Mazzar Grill

By Danny & the Foodies foodies@longislandernews.com

Fresh, wholesome food is truly a family affair at the new Mazzar Grill in Halesite.

Zabie Mustafa, who works full-time as an architect during the week and helps his parents, Frank and Shaokira, on the weekends, launched the Middle Easterninspired eatery six weeks ago with hopes of sharing “fresh and honest,” simplyprepared cuisine, drawing inspiration from their roots in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. The family came to the United States in the late 1970s.

“My parents had great food. My dad learned all these traditions that were passed down in our family,” he explained.

Zabie said his parents did some smallscale catering before opening the restaurant at 106 New York Ave., right across the street from Prime and just up the road from the waterfront.

While the restaurant is primarily designed for grab-and-go dining, stick

around and you’ll hear freshness happen as the sizzle of the grill brings their delicious cuisine to life. Nothing is frozen and nothing is fried, and the focus is on simple, honest ingredients right down to the imported, sugar-cane Coca-Cola sodas in the cooler.

Lentil soup ($5) is an excellent starter – hearty and spicy thanks to chili powder and a touch of jalapeno. The big slices of fresh carrot found within are a nice touch.

Frank says their prepared-to-order Chicken Kebabs ($11.95) are their top seller, and it’s little surprise why. Marinated for 12 hours in garlic, onion, chili powder, a little lemon juice and hot sauce and topped with Middle Eastern sumac, the end result, in a word, is fabulous – the delightfully moist and tender medallions burst with citrusy flavor that alternately hints at teriyaki and sweet barbecue.

On the bone rotisserie chicken ($11.95 whole, $9.95 half, $8.50 breast/wing, $7.50 leg/thigh) offers a similar treatment but with a more pronounced cracked-pep-

Side Dish www.facebook.com/dinehuntington

DINEHUNTINGTON .COM GIDDY UP – Looks like the horsey in the

Food and local fashion rule at Prime this June 24 at their seventh annual Huntington Has Taste.

COUTURE AND CUISINE – With the arrival of

summer also means an event where couture and cuisine meld. Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar (117 New York Ave., Huntington 631-385-1515 restaurantprime.com) will host on June 24 its seventh annual Huntington Has Taste fashion show, featuring the clothing and hair designs of a score of Huntington salons and stores, as well as some of Prime’s finest fare. The event is free, but be sure to RSVP at huntingtonhastaste2014.eventbrite.com; dinner RSVPs are highly recommended.

The place does tend to get crowded for a fashion show, after all. Luxury yachts by Sunseeker will also be on display at the dock, so if you’re eyeing a loaded cabin cruiser, you’ll be in the right place.

window at Rocking Horse Ices & Ice Cream Treatery (112 Main St., Northport 631-651-5610) has a name. Meet Ridley Oliver the Rocking Horse, as dubbed by Magdalena and Alexa. Not only do the young ladies get bragging rights for naming the store’s mascot, Magdalena, the grand prize winner, gets free ice cream for the summer and Alexa, the first-runner up, gets three gratis ice creams at the new shop, opened in April by Commack’s Hal and JoBeth Meltzer.

GLUTEN-FREE GOODNESS – All the crepes

and none of the gluten? Yes, please! That cheery announcement was posted in the window of the Village Creperie Café (335 New York Ave., Huntington, NY 11743 631-423-3057 www.villagecreperie.com).

And with the array of sweet dessert crepes or hearty savory crepes available, you can’t go wrong – especially now.

SMOOTH – Enjoy an all-natural, real-fruit

smoothie this week at Caffe Portofino (249 Main St., Northport 631-262-7656 www.caffeportofino11768.com). Specialties include: blueberry banana, pineapple paradise, northwest berry, and orange carrot ginger, with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It’s just the pick-me-up you need to help enjoy Northport Village in all its splendor this summer.

Zabie and Frank Mustafa display their family’s new Mazzar Grill in Halesite, a simple take-away eatery focusing on fresh, honest cuisine that boasts Middle Eastern flair. per flavor.

Sides include homemade spinach ($5) with red bell pepper, garlic, onion and green onions and cilantro; simple brown basmati rice ($4); sweet spiced black beans; and creamy homemade hummus, ($5) paired with hot naan, and check out the creamy dill sauce, a perfect pairing for the bread or just about anything else.

Even the side salad ($4) is done with attention to detail, evident by the thinsliced cucumbers, shredded greens, fresh tomatoes and feta, topped in a spicy homemade vinaigrette. If you’ve just gotta have fries, Roasted Potato Wedges ($4) stand in admirably, dressed up with a touch of sweet barbecue sauce and dill.

Frank says to keep an eye on their menu, which he expects will change and evolve with some regularity. It’s very simple right now, giving them plenty of

room to expand and explore. And with the great introduction they’ve made, we’re very excited to see what they whip up as time goes on.

Mazzar Grill 106 New York Ave., Halesite 631-470-0756 www.mazzargrill.com (coming soon) Atmosphere: Bright waterfront food stop Cuisine: Fresh skewers and rotisserie chicken to-go Price: Inexpensive Hours: Sunday, noon-8 p.m.; Monday, 2-8 p.m.; Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

A16• THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014

www.LongIslanderNews.com

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HUNTINGTON OPEN HOUSES

Wanttogetyouropenhouseslisted?Getyour listingsforfreeonthispageeveryweekinthe LongIslanderNews.CallAssociatePublisher PeterSloggattat 631-427-7000 orsendan e-mail to psloggatt@longislandernews.com.

MELVILLE

10 Hanford St Bedrooms 3 Baths 2 Price $499,000 Taxes $10,402 Open House 6/7 12:00pm-2:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-921-2262

DIX HILLS

4 Biancardi Pl Bedrooms 5 Baths 4 Price $700,000 Taxes $16,238 Open House 6/7 1:00pm-3:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 631-673-4444

Town Address BedsBaths Price Taxes Melville 277 Round Swamp Rd4 4 $849,000 Melville 28 Treeview Dr 5 3 $849,000 Melville 7 Carry Ln 5 5 $1,395,000 Dix Hills 3 Shetland Ct 5 6 $1,399,000 Fort Salonga 93 A Fort Salonga Rd 4 3 $929,000 Huntington 116 Crooked Hill Rd 3 3 $300,000 Dix Hills 75 Dix Hwy 4 1 $399,000 Huntington Sta 8 Stuart Ct 4 3 $445,000 Huntington 59 Hennessy Dr 4 2 $449,500 Northport 54 Waterside Rd 5 2 $479,000 Greenlawn 100 Cuba Hill Rd 5 4 $499,000 Huntington 126 La Rue Dr 3 2 $499,000 Melville 10 Hanford St 3 2 $499,000 Huntington 5 Cardinal Ct 3 2 $539,000 Northport 309 Waterside Rd 3 2 $589,000 Huntington 10 Alden Ln 3 2 $599,000 Dix Hills 8 Sweet Water Ct 5 3 $649,000 Dix Hills 4 Biancardi Pl 5 4 $700,000 Dix Hills 15 Willard Way 4 3 $727,000 Dix Hills 9 Pineland Ct 4 3 $809,000 Dix Hills 19 Pine Edge Pl 4 3 $849,000 Huntington 5 Southdown Ct 3 3 $899,000 Dix Hills 6 Caterina Ct 4 6 $1,180,000 Huntington 130 Huntington Bay Rd 6 4 $1,999,999 Fort Salonga 30 Allenby Dr 5 6 $2,850,000 Huntington 44 Stillwell St 4 4 $249,000 Huntington 32 Nathan Hale Dr 1 1 $269,000 Huntington 723 Park Ave 4 3 $318,500 Dix Hills 42 Trescott St 4 1 $329,000 Huntington 84 Woodbury Rd 2 2 $395,000 Huntington 67 Kenneth Ave 4 2 $399,000 Huntington 833 Park Ave 3 3 $399,000 Huntington 3 Nevinwood Pl 4 2 $409,000 Dix Hills 15 Ona Ave 4 2 $429,000 Melville 18 Suydam Rd 3 2 $443,000 Huntington 76 Chichester Rd 3 3 $459,000 Melville 43 Northgate Cres 2 3 $499,000

Date $19,549 6/5 $16,731 6/5 $28,969 6/5 $32,104 6/5 $17,672 6/6 $10,800 6/7 $6,152 6/7 $10,400 6/7 $16,757 6/7 $7,937 6/7 $16,805 6/7 $12,559 6/7 $10,402 6/7 $12,128 6/7 $11,461 6/7 $14,641 6/7 $15,668 6/7 $16,238 6/7 $11,919 6/7 $15,380 6/7 $17,975 6/7 $19,354 6/7 $20,066 6/7 $33,290 6/7 $41,917 6/7 $7,576 6/8 $0 6/8 $4,546 6/8 $8,943 6/8 $8,937 6/8 $9,023 6/8 $9,803 6/8 $11,442 6/8 $9,373 6/8 $9,236 6/8 $10,582 6/8 $10,939 6/8

Time Broker 12:00pm-1:30pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12:30pm-2:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12:30pm-2:00pm RE/MAX Beyond 12:30pm-2:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12:00pm-2:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12:00pm-2:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1:00pm-3:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12:00pm-2:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1:00pm-3:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2:30pm-4:30pm Signature Premier Properties 2:00pm-4:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1:00pm-3:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12:00pm-2:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1:00pm-4:00pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 12:00pm-2:00pm Signature Premier Properties 12:00pm-2:00pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 12:00pm-2:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1:00pm-3:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1:00pm-3:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 2:30pm-4:30pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2:30pm-4:30pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1:00pm-3:00pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 12:00pm-1:30pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2:00pm-4:00pm Signature Premier Properties 1:00pm-3:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1:00pm-3:00pm Realty Executives North Shore 12:00pm-2:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2:00pm-4:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1:00pm-3:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2:00pm-4:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2:30pm-4:30pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 11:00am-1:00pm Signature Premier Properties 2:00pm-4:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1:00pm-3:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 2:00pm-4:00pm Signature Premier Properties 2:00pm-4:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1:00pm-3:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Phone 631-499-9191 631-499-9191 631-862-1100 631-499-9191 631-673-4444 631-673-6800 631-499-9191 631-549-4400 631-673-6800 631-673-3700 631-427-1200 631-754-4800 516-921-2262 631-427-6600 631-673-3700 631-692-6770 631-751-6000 631-673-4444 631-427-1200 631-673-6800 631-673-4444 631-427-6600 516-921-2262 631-673-3700 631-757-4000 631-499-4040 631-549-4400 631-863-9800 631-673-4444 631-673-6800 631-261-6800 631-673-3700 631-549-4400 631-427-9100 631-673-3700 631-673-4444 631-261-6800

PHOTOGRAPHY

Highlighting Young Talent Through The Lens

By Kevin Armstrong info@longislandernews.com

Twenty-three years is a long period of time, especially the last 23 years in photography. Back in 1991, photos were taken in multiples of 12, as in 24 or 36 exposures, and if you uttered the word Photoshop, to most people it meant you were going to the store to buy a camera. The concept of using your phone to snap a high-quality photo and post it instantly for the world to see was subject matter for an episode of “Star Trek.”

This was the photography world in which the Huntington Camera Club launched its first ever High School Photography Competition. That year, black and white prints nuanced in the high school darkroom took home all the top honors.

Twenty-three years later, the club hosted the 24th installment of the competition.

Winning images featured what we now call traditional images, plus images that could only be conceived in the mind and brought to life using all the technology that the ensuing two decades have offered.

What has not changed over the years is the creativity and vision inherent in young artists and the dedication of their teachers

The 18 winners and their teachers pose for a photo at the Huntington Camera Club’s annual student photography competition. to guide them and help them hone their skills. New technology, like all other equipment, is a great aid, and advancements in imaging technology has fueled a boom in creativity. No one has been in a better position to benefit from this boom than young photography students.

The club hosted this year’s competition on May 13 at the Elks Lodge in Huntington. That night, a capacity crowd made up of students, family members, teachers and club members were treated to more than 800 images from numerous Long Island high schools. The night concluded with 18 students being awarded merit for their exceptional images entered in three different categories.

When the evening started Anne Gu, Emily Halper, and Malcolm Pierre were but three of the many high school students in attendance. By the end of the evening, they stood alone as the three first-place winners.

Gu, of Syosset High School, submitted an image of a young woman wearing a blue hat gazing out of a window that took top honors in the Something Blue category. It was cited by the judges for its strong use of light and shadow and its multiple interpretations of the theme. Gu’s photograph was also selected as the 2014 Martin Kaufman Best in Show Award.

Halper is a student at Commack High School, and her image took top honors in the energy category. The judges were impressed with the skill at which the image could convey the theme while not being able to figure out what the actual subject matter is or how it was photographed.

Pierre’s entry was the top vote-getter in the open category. His image featured a self-portrait done with a series of flash strobes fired remotely as he performed a kick maneuver creating a surreal image of motion depicting every point of his movement. Pierre is a student at the LA Wilson

Tech School.

Each first-place winner received a digital camera from the competition official sponsor, Nikon, Inc., headquartered in Melville. They also received a $200 check plus other photography related items furnished by Nikon. Second-place winners received $100, and third-place finishers received $50. Monetary support is provided every year by Melville-based Comax Manufacturing Corporation.

Judges also awarded three photographs from each category with an Honorable Mention award. In addition to the three schools mentioned above, the group of 18 winners also included high schools from Northport, Glen Cove, Huntington, Plainview/Old Bethpage, Bayport-Blue Point and Rockville Centre.

The evening’s activities included a walk around the room review of all submitted images by the competition’s Master of Ceremonies and current club president, Clyde Berger. His goal was to provide the crowd with a small glimpse into the monumental task judges are faced with when they have to turn 800 entries into 18 finalists.

After Clyde’s “walk” the judges spoke in detail about each winning photo, and then prizes and certificates were presented to each winning student by Clyde and a representative from Nikon.

The club already is preparing for the 2015 competition with special events planned to help celebrate the 25th anniversary. The categories for next year will be the same as the very first year: Wheels, Emotion and Open.

If you wish to see all the winning photos, plus event photos of competition night, you can do so by visiting the camera club’s website at www.hccny.org.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014 • A17

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Reporting At New Heights With The Skytypers

By Luann Dallojacono ldallojacono@longislandernews.com

“Are you nervous?” he asks me, after he finishes pulling tight my straps.

I hesitate. I look down at the belts and clips crossing my chest, and realize I can’t tell which are securing me into my seat on the tiny World War II aircraft, and which are strapping the heavy parachute to my back.

“How long have you been doing this?” I ask for the second time.

He tells me he has been flying with the air show team for 25 years, and has been an American Airlines pilot for 24. I exhale.

“OK. Let’s do this!” I say.

Truth be told, I wasn’t nervous, but when you are strapped into a two-person airplane with a wing span of 42-1/2 feet, and have just been taught exactly how to dive out of your seat should something go wrong, you feel like you should think about it a little.

As editor of Long Islander News, I am usually found at my desk in Huntington village or at a networking event. But on May 22, I went off the grid and spent part of my day with pilot Larry Arken, of Northport, owner of the GEICO Skytypers flight squad, for a story.

Yes, this is my job, and I love every minute of it.

Arken and three of his pilots took a few of us media people – my associate publisher, Peter Sloggatt, included – for a ride last week in advance of the Jones Beach Air Show, held every Memorial Day weekend, at which the Skytypers, sponsored by GEICO insurance company, would perform precision flight maneuvers. We each got assigned to a pilot, and I was paired with Arken, the commanding officer and flight lead.

After suiting up, I climb into the plane sporting the no. 1. And when I say climb, I mean that literally. Launching yourself into the seat via a tiny step, no bigger than the ball of my foot and protruding from the side of the plane at a point higher than my waist, is the only way into the 4,954pound aircraft.

I sit in the back seat, separated from my pilot by a dashboard of metal, dials, levers and gauges. The only ones I recognize are one that says fuel and one that is clearly a compass. I hear voices in my helmet, throwing around words like bravo, alpha and roger. When it is my turn to talk, I speak clearly into the microphone. My first words are: “I didn’t tell my mom I am doing this.”

After a few minutes, I am comfortable in my seat on this “pilot-maker,” a nickname for these 1940s era North American SNJ2s – two-seat advanced trainer planes that served as a classroom for most of the Allied pilots who flew during World War II. The planes also flew reconnaissance and bombing missions, Arken said. Only 61 SNJ-2s were manufactured, and only 11 remain to this day. The Skytypers have six.

We roll our way to the runway at Republic Airport, engine screaming. As we turn, I see the rest of our party – planes numbered 2, 4 and 6 and their pilots and passengers – chasing our tail.

“Skytype 1, clear for takeoff.”

Before I have time to think, “That’s us!”, the engine kicks up a notch and we’re off.

My ears pop immediately as we rise above Long Island and head for the south shore.

Our 20-minute tour brought us over familiar landmarks – Pinelawn Cemetery, with its precision headstones, and the Jones Beach Theater, which, from the air,

Larry Arken, of Northport, owner and lead pilot of the GEICO Skytypers, and I pose for a photo after our flight.

Above left: I snap a photo as our friend in plane no. 6 gives us a thumbs up. There are times when these planes fly precision formation where the wingtips overlap, but usually they fly about 5 to 7 feet apart. Above right: I’m suited up and ready for takeoff!

The GEICO Skytypers perform precision flight maneuvers at the Jones Beach Air Show. looks like a terrible idea.

Flying just under the abundant, gray clouds last Thursday, we were just 800 feet high, ripping through the air at 175 miles per hour. The ride is surprisingly quiet and smooth, even when we sink to just 40 feet above the water.

“How high can these things go?” I ask my new friend Larry.

“We get up to about 12,000 feet,” he says into my ear.

Then out of nowhere, plane no. 6 creeps into the corner of my peripheral. Flying not more than 10 feet away from me, wingtip to wingtip, the passenger gives us a thumbs up. I wave back, shocked that they are so close, before realizing plane no. 2 is on the other side of us.

Precision flight maneuvers, of course, bring the planes even closer than this. They sometimes fly wing on top of wing when it comes to performances at air shows.

The Skytypers have been doing air shows with GEICO sponsorship for eight years, but the business of skytyping – writing mas-

sive messages with puffs of smoke in the sky – goes back much further than that.

It all started 35 years ago with Larry’s father, Mort Arken, a former Naval Aviator. Larry took over the business – which now employs 10 pilots in six aircraft – in 1992, and Mort remained a fixture until his death in 2007.

“We’ve had these planes ever since dad started the business,” Larry Arken said.

“He liked these airplanes, but he was a marketing person and he liked the ability to skytype with the airplanes.”

The six planes have been rebuilt numerous times, Arken said. They’ve done the air frames and the engines, and updated the avionics to accommodate cross-country “missions” to air shows in other parts of the nation. Upkeep for the planes is a top priority; there are three full-time mechanics whose only job is to work on the aircrafts.

When the Skytypers aren’t flying in air shows, they are writing messages for the masses in the sky. They can create 25 letters – each the size of the Empire State

Building – in 2 minutes.

“The no. 1 airplane has a computer, and it talks to the other airplanes and tells them when to puff out messages. And when we puff out messages, we make these giant letters in the sky,” Arken said.

A few puffs of smoke came out of planes during our flight – “We made hyphens,” my associate publisher likes to tell people – although from the vantage point of my seat I thought for a moment the engine had exploded and the plane was going down.

Each skytyped message is 2-5 miles long and can be seen within a 20-30 mile radius. Messages range from advertising messages to marriage proposals (which will cost a hopeful fiancé-to-be about $1,800). But the buck doesn’t stop there.

“My father did one for a guy whose girlfriend left him. It said, ‘Pooh bear, come home.’ We don’t know if she ever came home, but that’s one that I remember,” Arken said.

While there is nothing quite like writing messages in the sky, Arken said he likes the air shows because it connects them with people on the ground.

“I love the air shows because it lets us display the airplanes in front of people, and it’s fun to fly with your teammates because they’re my best friends,” Arken said.

It truly seems to be a tight-knit group.

Almost all of the pilots are former military aviators and current airline pilots – “We need the former military background because of the formations, the tactics,” Arken said – and several of them have been with the group since the days of Mort Arken.

“I love the camaraderie. I was in the military, so I was in a squadron,” said Bob Johansen, who splits his residency between Northport and a home in Florida. He has been with the team since Larry’s father headed the business.

“When you fly this long with the same people in the same airplanes in the same position… No matter what’s happening, whether it’s routine or not routine, I know exactly what they’re going to do. It’s mass non-verbal communication that only comes with years and years of operation together,” he said.

And that trust is critical when it comes to precision flying.

“You saw how close we were flying. If there’s a lack of trust, it doesn’t work. You can’t be worried about what somebody else is doing, and especially during an air show with our various maneuvers,” Johansen said.

Despite the mental power it takes to concentrate on the job, it is not without its high. As one of the squadron mates likes to say, it’s like being 8 years old again.

“You just forget about everything else.

During our 18-minute routine, nothing else matters,” Johansen said.

But like all good things, that moment of clarity has an ending, and reality hits once the wheels meet the pavement.

“Then you land, and then everything turns to crap,” Johansen said with a laugh.

“This happens or that happens, and it’s ‘Oh nuts, I wish I was back up there.’”

He’s right. The second we land, thoughts of all the work I still have to do flood my head, and I wish I was back in the air.

“Did you get any good photos?” I ask my associate publisher when we’re back on solid ground.

“I filled my phone with selfies,” he says.

I immediately regret not taking more selfies. Then again, in this business, there’s always the possibility of a next time.

A18 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014 THURSDAY Share Your Life Every Thursday except holidays, “Caring and Sharing,” gives women a chance to share joys and concerns and in turn receive support and confidentiality. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $10 members/$15 non-members, per session. Advance registration: 631-549-0485.

www.LongIslanderNews.com

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Calendar O M M U N I T Y

Chatting About Crab Meadow Councilman Mark Cuthbertson invites residents to attend the “Second” Crab Meadow Watershed Community meeting on June 5, 3-5 p.m. or 7-9 p.m., at The View at Crab Meadow Golf Course, located off of Waterside Avenue in Northport. There will be a short presentation by the town’s contractor, GEI Consultants, on the inroads that have made and to identify the issues and goals in the stewardship plan. For more information or to participate, call 631-3513171 or email MCuthbertson@HuntingtonNY.gov.

Northport-East Northport Public Library

Love the color red and enjoy living it up? The Red Hat women are looking for new members who enjoy going places and making new friends. Their motto: fun, frolic and friendship.

631-271-6470 or flarpp@yahoo.com.

Lenny Lamb Memorial Skateboard Contest Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, The Town of Huntington and the Friends of Long Island Skateboarding present the 7th Annual Lenny Lamb Memorial Skateboard Contest at Veterans Skate Park in East Northport on June 7. The day includes skateboard vendors premiering new products and appearances by Bodega and Paradox Team skaters. Open practice and registration starts at 10 a.m. The contest entry fee is $5. Proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Walt Whitman Shops hosts its first HISday expo for men, a daylong event featuring Long Island’s most man-focused resources and essentials, on Saturday, June 7, 12-6 p.m. The day includes: free health screenings; exhibitors including financial services, wealth management, home remodeling, and sports training; and a golf challenge.

months. Pre-registration required by phone or online: 631-351-8672. www.thechaicenter.com.

Fresh Eats

Free Help For Vets

The Northport Farmers' Market begins its seventh season starting Saturday, June 7 and running every Saturday until Nov. 22, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., rain or shine. Located in the Cow Harbor parking lot at the foot of Main Street, it overlooks beautiful Northport Harbor.

Cold Spring Harbor Library

Every Tuesday from 12-4 p.m. is “Military Appreciation Tuesdays,” when Long Island Cares specifically assists veterans, military personnel and their families at the Hauppauge and Freeport emergency pantries. Appointments can be made by contacting jrosati@licares.org.

95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor. 631-6926820. cshlibrary.org.

• A workshop on how to utilize LinkedIn for networking, job search and career advancement will be held Thursday, June 5, 6:30-8:45 p.m. $30.

• Adult Yoga for all levels is Wednesday, June 11, 10-11 a.m. with Nancy Kelly. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a mat, and register in person at the Information Services desk.

Live Music Live local bands take over Finley's of Greene Street, 43 Greene St., Huntington, every Saturday night at 11 p.m. Join in the fun and food!

SUNDAY Music To Drive By Northport resident Stan Wiest presents his new piano CD, “Music to Drive By,” at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 4000 East Jericho Turnpike, East Northport, on June 8, 2:30 p.m. 631-4620208.

WEDNESDAY Check Out Five Towns Do you qualify for a scholarship? Five Towns College in Dix Hills invites you to stop by during Spring Enrollment Days every Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to find out if you qualify. New and transfer students welcome for on-the-spot evaluations. Application fees will be waived. Five Towns College focuses on audio recording technology, music, music business, theatre arts, filmmaking, mass communication and more. For more information, or to schedule a private tour or visit the next open house, call 631-656-2110 or go to ftc.edu.

Find Your Center Find inner peace in an ongoing weekly class for beginners and newcomers every Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Dipamkara Meditation Center, 282 New York Ave., Huntington. 631549-1000. www.MeditationOnLongisland.org.

MONDAY Argentine Tango Classes Experience the subtle communication between partners as you learn the passionate dance known as the tango. Come dressed to impress (but be comfortable) for classes on Monday nights, 7-9:30 p.m. at Spirit of Huntington Art Center, 2 Melville Road North, Huntington Station. 631-470-9620 or email noconintended@gmail.com. Suggested donation: $10 per person/$15 per couple.

Meet With A Senior Advocate The Suffolk County Office for the Aging brings senior advocates to the Town of Huntington to assist seniors with information gathering, completion of eligibility or recertification applications and referrals to appropriate community agencies. Catch them at: Huntington Nutrition Center, Wednesday, June 25, 9 a.m.noon; Paumanack Village I & II (Greenlawn): Tuesday, June 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Paumanack Village V & VI (Melville): Tuesday, June 10, 9 a.m.-noon. Appointments are encouraged; drop-ins welcome. 631-8538200.

Open Mic Night Play your heart out at an acoustic open mic night every Wednesday at Caffe Portofino, 249 Main St., Northport, 7-10 p.m. www.facebook.com/cafportopenmic.

TUESDAY Power Breakfast Free Mommy And Me Class Sing! Stretch! Dance! Play! Enjoy a fun-filled class that includes parachute play and bubble play and meet other Jewish moms at The Chai Center in Dix Hills. The free class takes place Tuesdays at 10 a.m. For children ages 6-36

31 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-757-4200. harborfieldslibrary.org.

• Learn all the tricks of the trade for babysitting this Thursday, June 5, 4-5 p.m. Students must be entering grades 6-9 in the fall. Call or register online.

• Don’t let arthritis hold you back. Join an arthritis exercise group Thursday, June 5, 1011 a.m. with certified instructor Eden Bennett.

This is a 10-week session with a $25 fee.

Main Branch: 338 Main St., Huntington. 631427-5165. Station Branch: 1335 New York Ave., Huntington Station.

631-421-5053. www thehuntingtonlibrary.org.

• Artist Susan Phillips exhibits “Observations” in the main gallery through June 24.

• Is your fourth- or fifth-grader an aspiring writer? Bring them to the Children Writer’s Workshop on Saturday, June 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the main branch.

Red Is For Passion

It’s HISday

Harborfields Public Library

Huntington Public Library

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

term care on Thursday, June 5, 7-8 p.m. in Dix Hills.

Join business professionals at BNI Executive Referral Exchange’s breakfast networking meeting every Wednesday, 7-8:30 a.m. at the Dix Hills Diner, 1800 Jericho Turnpike, Dix Hills. 631-462-7446.

AT THE LIBRARIES

Commack Public Library 18 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631-4990888. commack.suffolk.lib.ny.us.

• Enjoy a friendly game of bridge or mah-jongg in the Community Room every Friday, from 15:30 p.m.

• Join the library’s weekly Thursday showing of newly released films. All movies begin at 2 p.m. This week’s movie is “Nebraska” (rated R).

Deer Park Public Library 44 Lake Ave., Deer Park. 631-586-3000. deerparklibrary.org.

• Through a grant from New York State, the library offers Google Nexus 7 tablets for borrowing. Browse the web, download a book, play games and more with just a touch of your finger. Tablets can be checked out for two weeks on an adult Deer Park library card.

• Enjoy a Father’s Day walk-in craft on Friday, June 6, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Elwood Public Library 3027 Jericho Turnpike, Elwood. 631-499-3722. www.elwoodlibrary.org.

• Join a three-week yoga program that begins on Friday, June 6, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Register in-person. $12.

• Relax with an afternoon movie on Friday, June 6, 1-3 p.m. Call the library for more information.

Half Hollow Hills Community Library Dix Hills: 55 Vanderbilt Parkway. 631-4214530; Melville: 510 Sweet Hollow Road. 631421-4535. hhhlibrary.org.

• Play bridge with other community members Monday, June 9, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Dix Hills.

Bring game equipment.

• Learn what the latest issues are and how to best protect your assets while obtaining long-

Northport: 151 Laurel Ave. 631-261-6930. East Northport: 185 Larkfield Road. 631-261-2313. www.nenpl.org.

• Brush up on your safe driving with a Defensive Driving course on Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Applications for this insurance reduction safety course are available at both library buildings.

• What are social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube all about?

Find out Monday, June 9, 7-9 p.m. in East Northport.

South Huntington Public Library 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station.

631-549-4411. www.shpl.info.

• Join the library for a Friday Flick on June 6.

The film “Pompeii” beings at 7 p.m.

• Cure the Monday blues with a movie, “The Monuments Men,” at 2:30 p.m. on June 9.

THEATER and FILM Cinema Arts Centre 423 Park Ave., Huntington. www.cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7611.

• Join host Fred Craden for a love story by the singular Spike Jonze and discussion that explores the evolving nature of intimacy in the modern world. It all happens on Sunday, June 8. Bagels are served from 8-10 a.m. with the film “Her Sunday Schmooze” screening at 11 a.m. Admission is $10 for members and $15 for the general public.

• Meet Carol Kane and watch her new film “Clutter” on Monday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is $18 for members and $23 for the general public.

John W. Engeman Theater At Northport 350 Main St., Northport. www.johnwengemantheater.com. 631-261-2900.

• “Plaza Suite” is now on the main stage.

Township Theatre Group At the Helen Butler Hall Theatre at Dominican Village, 565 Albany Ave., Amityville. 631-2139832. www.townshiptheatregroup.org.

• Township Theatre Group presents the screwball comedy “Meet My Husbands,” a hilarious foray into the world of advertising. When a divorced ad executive tries to find a suitable “spouse” to introduce to a client who admires family values, she suddenly winds up with not one, but three husbands instead. All performances feature cabaret-style seating plus a wine/beer bar, June 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. and June 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets $20, student/senior $18.

AUDITIONS/SUBMISSIONS Audition For The Nutcracker Auditions for children’s roles in New York Dance Theatre’s 2014 production of “The Nutcracker” (six performances presented at Hofstra University) will be held on Sunday, June 8 at 1 p.m. at the Frank Ohman School of Ballet in Commack. Children ages 7-14 may attend ($20 audition fee). Advanced dancers on pointe may attend the Saturday, June 7 audition at 1 p.m. The audition fee for

(Continued on page A19)

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014 • A19

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www.rsvpsuffolk.org or call 631-979-9490 ext.12 for more information.

(Continued from page A18) advanced dancers includes a full ballet technique class. Proper ballet attire is required for all ages. You must call ahead for important information, 631-462-6266. www.ohmanballet.org.

It’s HISday Walt Whitman Shops hosts its first HISday expo for men, a daylong event featuring Long Island’s most manfocused resources and essentials, on Saturday, June 7, 12-6 p.m. The day includes: free health screenings; exhibitors including financial services, wealth management, home remodeling, and sports training; and a golf challenge.

Northport Symphony Orchestra The Northport Symphony Orchestra seeks new members in all sections. Repertoire ranges from Baroque through classical and romantic to early 20th century. Music Director Richard Hyman is an award-winning music educator and composer. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:30-9 p.m. usually at East Northport Middle School.

Email info@northportorchestra.org to arrange an audition. Website: northportorchestra.org.

MUSEUMS/EXHIBITS Art League of Long Island 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. Gallery hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends. 631-462-5400. www.ArtLeagueLI.net.

• “A Seduction of Color: The Paintings of Mary Abrams”, opening on Saturday, June 28. A reception for the artist will take place the following day, Sunday, June 29, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Comprising landscapes, harbor views, still life paintings and intimist interiors, the exhibition will be on display through July 13.

b.j. spoke gallery 299 Main St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 631-549-5106. www.bjspokegallery.com.

• Elieen Shaloum’s “Between The Lines,” new works of collage and paintings, and John Macfie’s “My Imagination,” recent acrylic paintings, are on view through June 28, with a reception Saturday, June 7, 6-9 p.m.

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor. Open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sundays until 6 p.m.: $6 adults; $4 children 3-12 and seniors over 65; members and children under 3 are free. 516-692-6768. www.cshfha.org.

• Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation Day and The Turtle & Tortoise Pageant will take place on June 14, with live, exotic reptiles and amphibians presented by the Long Island Herpetological Society. All turtles for the pageant must be registered by 5 p.m. on Monday, June 9.

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum 279 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor. 631-3673418. www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

• Save the date for the Hawaiian Luau on Saturday, July 19, 7-11 p.m.

fotofoto Gallery 14 W. Carver St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Friday 5-8 p.m., Saturday 12-8 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. 631-549-0448. www.fotofotogallery.org.

• “Under the Influence,” a student exhibition, is on display through June 29.

Gallery Thirty Seven 12b School Street, Northport. www.gallerythirtyseven.com.

• Visit Northport’s newest gallery and check out the resident artists.

increase of intolerance, the reduction of human rights, and the lack of intervention that enabled the persecution and mass murder of millions of Jews and others: people with disabilities, Roma and Sinti (Gypsies), Jehovah’s Witnesses, gays and Polish intelligentsia.

Huntington Arts Council Main Street Petite Gallery: 213 Main St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Art in the Art-trium: 25 Melville Park Road, Melville. Gallery Hours: Monday Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. 631-271-8423. www.huntingtonarts.org.

• “A Day on Long Island” is on display at the Main Street gallery through June 16.

Huntington Historical Society Main office/library: 209 Main St., Huntington.

Museums: Conklin Barn, 2 High St.; Kissam House/Museum Shop, 434 Park Ave.; Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St. 631427-7045, ext. 401. www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

• Exhibit “The Times They Were A-Changing – 1960s & Huntington’s Response” on display at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building.

• Hop a boat and tour the Van Wycks-Lefferts Tide Mill, built in 1795, throughout the spring and summer: June 11, 10 a.m.; June 25, 10:15 a.m.; July 14, 1 p.m.; July 28, 12:30 p.m.; Aug. 11, 11:45 a.m.; Aug. 22, 1:45 p.m.; Sept. 8, 10:30 a.m. $10 members/$15 nonmembers. Reservations required.

LaMantia Gallery 127 Main St., Northport Village. 631-754-8414. www.lamantiagallery.com.

• Following the success of their display featuring never-before-seen Dr. Seuss artwork, the gallery displays a permanent collation of estate-authorized art.

Northport Historical Society Museum 215 Main St., Northport. Museum hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 1-4:30 p.m. 631-757-9859. www.northporthistorical.org.

• “Window Shopping Through Time” is a recreation of 10 stores that were located on Main Street and Woodbine Avenue spanning about 100 years, from the 1880s’ Morris City Grocery with their fresh produce and dry goods to the 1980s 5&10 with their ribbon and toys.

Ripe Art Gallery 1028 Park Ave., Huntington. TuesdayThursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 2-8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. www.ripeartgal.com.

631-239-1805.

• Phetus has been on the premises of RIPE, creating new works for the First Day of Summer kickoff event on Saturday, June 21, entitled “Stripped.”

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium Heckscher Museum Of Art 2 Prime Ave., Huntington. Museum hours: Wednesday - Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., first Fridays from 4-8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission $68/adults, $4-6/seniors, and $4-5/children; members and children under 10 free. 631-3513250.

• “Rhythm & Repetition in 20th Century Art,” on view through Aug. 10, focuses on artists who use repeated shapes depicting natural, manmade, or abstract forms as a method to organize their compositions.

Holocaust Memorial And Tolerance Center Welwyn Preserve. 100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove. Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Sat.-Sun.: noon-4 p.m. 516-571-8040 ext. 100. www.holocaust-nassau.org.

• The permanent exhibit explains the 1930s

180 Little Neck Road, Centerport. Museum hours through April 15: Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Grounds admission: $7 adults, $6 students with ID and seniors 62 and older, and $3 children 12 and under. Mansion tour, add $5 per person. 631-854-5555. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

• The planetarium’s new show, “Black Holes: Journey into the Unknown,” has regular showings on Tuesdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Walt Whitman Birthplace 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station. Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. April admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students, and children under 5 are free. 631-427-5240, ext. 114. www.waltwhitman.org.

• Schedule at a time convenient for your group for high tea and transport yourself back in

time as your group experiences High Tea in a private gathering house at the Birthplace. $25/person. 631-427-5240, ext. 113. educator@waltwhitman.org.

MUSIC & DANCE Dix Hills Performing Arts Center Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills. Box Office: 631-656-2148. www.dhpac.org.

• On Saturday, June 7, Tom Cavanaugh as George Harrison with the band Something performs.

The Paramount 370 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-673-7300. www.paramountny.com. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

• Robert Earl Keen performs with special guest Andrea Davidson Saturday, June 7. $26.50$50.

• Tickets go on sale Friday, June 6 at 10 a.m. as Ed Kowalczyk of LIVE Presents: The 20th Anniversary of Throwing Copper on Saturday, Aug. 2.

DONATIOSN WELCOME Help The Troops Call Home Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci’s Huntington Station district office is an official drop-off site for Cell Phones for Soldiers. To help the troops call home by donating your old cell phone, stop by or mail your phone to 1783 New York Ave., Huntington Station, 11746. 631-271-8025.

VOLUNTEERING Cosmetologists Wanted Hospice Care Network is seeking New York State-licensed cosmetologists to provide 2-4 haircuts per month for community members facing life-limiting illnesses. Download an application at www.hospicecarenetwork.org or call 516-224-6423.

Be A Museum Docent The Huntington Historical Society is currently seeking volunteers to train to become Museum Docents at the historic David Conklin Farmhouse Museum. The museum is located at 2 High St. in Huntington village and is a fascinating interpretation of the Colonial, Federal and Victorian time periods. No experience required – an interest in local history is a plus. Training is provided. Call 631-427-7045 ext 403.

Seeking Volunteer Advocates The Family Service League’s Ombudservice Program of Suffolk County is seeking volunteers to train as advocates for nursing home, adult home and assisted living facility residents to help ensure they receive quality care and their rights are protected. 631-427-3700 ext.

240.

Artistically Gifted Needed The Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Commack is seeking artistically gifted volunteers to partner with residents in a new program, “heART to heART” aimed at helping people with varying levels of cognitive ability express themselves through art. Contact Judie at 516-931-5036 or jatlas1@optonline.net.

Don’t Hibernate. Help The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP SUFFOLK) needs adults 55+ to help in organizations throughout Suffolk County. Dozens of opportunities available in this federally funded program for just about any interest or skill. Visit

Friends At Home Looking to earn some community service hours while changing a life? As part of the Friends@Home program, a project of The Ariella's Friendship Circle at the Chai Center in Dix Hills, visit a child with special needs in an environment they are most comfortable: their own homes. Together, bake cookies, play games, create arts and crafts, read books and more. Contact Nati or Sara at 631-351-8672 or fcchaicenter@gmail.com

Be A Friend Of The Bay Friends of the Bay is in need of volunteers who can help convert water quality data, which is currently kept in an excel sheet, into a Microsoft Access database. Assistance is also needed with ArcView GIS, to configure maps of the watershed. Call 516-922-6666 or email info@friendsofthebay.org.

Be A Host Family Huntington Sanctuary is seeking families or individual adults to become Host Homes, which provide temporary shelter to youth between ages 12-17 who are experiencing a family crisis. Contact Jennifer Petti at 631-2712183 for more information.

Helping Furry Friends Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center is looking for volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of animals. Free training provided. Visit www.littleshelter.com or call 631-368-8770 ext. 204.

Walt Whitman Birthplace If you are interested in literature or history, the Walt Whitman Birthplace has fascinating and rewarding part-time volunteer positions available. Free training provided. 631-427-5420 ext.114.

Helping Runaway Kids Share your ideas and opinions on how Huntington Sanctuary, a program of the Huntington Youth Bureau, can help youth ages 12-21 who run away or who are at risk of running away. The group’s advisory board meets one Thursday a month at 6 p.m. Call 631-2712183.

Eyes For The Blind Suffolk County’s Helen Keller Services is looking for volunteers to visit blind who are homebound to socialize and aid in reading mail, possibly provide transportation. 631-424-0022.

Help American Red Cross The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The Suffolk County Chapter is looking for volunteers to assist in emergency shelters, at fires and natural disasters, with veterans, at community events or at the office. Free trainings provided.

631-924-6700 ext 212.

Time For Meals On Wheels Meals On Wheels of Huntington is in need of men and women to be volunteers, who work in teams, delivering midday meals to shut-ins.

Two hours required, one day a week.

Substitutes also needed to fill in when regular drivers are unavailable. There is also a pressing need for nurses who can volunteer to screen potential clients. Times are flexible.

631-271-5150.

Send us your listings Submissions must be in by 5 p.m. 10 days prior to publication date.

Send to Community Calendar at 14 Wall Street, Huntington, NY 11743, or e-mail to info@longislandernews.com

A20• THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014 • A21

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

One Big Closet At Veronica Rayne Boutique Huntington Businesses

By Arielle Dollinger adollinger@longislandergroup.com

Behind a heavy door, whose wooden frame holds a full-length window wearing a white curtain, exists what Northport storeowner Carlene Afetian calls “basically a big closet.”

Her store, Veronica Rayne Boutique – a name that will, in the coming months, be shortened to Rayne Boutique – is an eclectic oasis of pieces hand-picked by its owner, whose store is named after her daughter.

Ripped jeans and rocker tees hang alongside peasant blouses and party dresses. Table dressings consist of shoes with buckles and zippers and chains.

“I just buy what I like,” said Afetian, wearing a top and shoes she purchased for the store. “I edit my stock well... It’s like a full closet.”

The 11-year-old store offers what appears to be a clean sort of grunge. Soft knits and sweatshirt-material jackets.

Chunky necklaces and chunkier heels. A wire mannequin displays belts of pink

TD clears site plan hurdle for Melville site (Continued from page A1)

which town officials said would reduce potential traffics impacts on Route 110.

Meanwhile, owners of The Rosewood Inn, which will be leveled to make way for the bank, are making plans toward transitioning from the site. A sign at the restaurant notes that the owners’ new restaurant, Wild Rose, is open on New Highway near Republic Airport. A staff member at The Rosewood Inn said in November that the

restaurant still had about three years left on a 15-year lease.

TD’s proposed Melville location is one of three active bank proposals in the works. Others include a bank 460 Pulaski Road in Greenlawn, which is scheduled to open in 2015, and a second at 1941 Jericho Turnpike near Elwood Road, which TD aims to open in 2016. Their newest location in Huntington village opened in August 2013.

Five Towns founder replaced as president (Continued from page A1)

of Trustees Chairwoman Rachel Andoscia on the school’s website. “We know that she is committed to excellence, and that the College will continue its tradition of service to students and the Long Island Community.”

The reason for Cohen’s stepping down is unknown. Cohen, who founded the college in 1972, did not return calls for comment.

Barr has been working at the college since 1990 as a teacher. In 1992, she earned the title of Higher Education Op-

portunity Program Assistant Director.

She took the director position in 1998 and, in 2006, also began to serve as the dean of students.

This past January, Barr became the dean of the college and provost.

“She has an affable demeanor and an ‘open door’ policy for students, faculty, and staff,” reads the announcement of her promotion on the school’s website.

Barr forwarded request for comment to the board of trustees, which did not provide comment by press time on Monday.

Long Islander News photo/Arielle Dollinger

Spotlight On

and blue and brown. The mannequin is a new addition to the store; Afetian bought it at an antique market on Sunday.

As the time of the name change approaches, the store itself will remain the same but Afetian has plans to rebrand.

“Eleven years I've been here, and now it’s just time to freshen up,” she said.

As part of the rebranding process, she will create a new logo and begin blogging regularly.

Her focus now is on American-made brands, like Seattle-based hemp-and-organic-cotton-heavy line Prairie Underground.

Afetian said she ended up with the store almost by happenstance. She studied political science at Stony Brook University. When she realized that she “hated” law school, she started doing graphic design work for designer Donna Karen and eventually found herself as the owner of a clothing shop.

Having worked for Donna Karen, she came to develop a nearly insatiable desire for new items of clothing. At some point, shopping for her wardrobe and working as a personal shopper for others turned into owning a store.

Today, that store has seen three different homes in its 11 years on Northport’s Main Street and is representative of Afetian's personal style. Afetian still provides by-appointment shopping and styling services.

“I think my style's more like a street

Carlene Afetian, owner of Veronica Rayne Boutique on Northport’s Main St., stands outside her store – a space Afetian described as “a big closet.” style,” she said.

For a general idea of the boutique’s style, see the company’s soon-to-be burgeoning social media presence – follow the store’s Instagram page, @Rayne_NY or visit its website, www.rayneboutique.com.

Veronica Rayne Boutique 66 Main Street, Northport Village 631-261-2080 www.rayneboutique.com

C L A S S I F I E D S

A22 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014

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‘Keen’ on Americana sounds at The Paramount (Continued from page A1)

of the Lone Star State’s finest (not to mention top-drawing) singer-songwriters.

Keen was still a relative unknown in 1989 when his second studio album, “West Textures,” was released, but when Texas icon Joe Ely recorded both “The Road Goes on Forever” and “Whenever Kindness Fails” a few years later, Keen’s credentials soared. By the end of the decade, he was a household name in Texas, headlining a millennial New Year’s Eve celebration in Austin that drew some 200,000 people.

Keen, who grew up in southwest Houston, is characterized by Mark Deming in a 2006 Allmusic review of his “Best” album, as “an archetypal Texas singer/songwriter, someone who can mine both laughter and tragedy from life along the dusty margins of life in the Lone Star State...”

He honed his craft on the road at an early age. An avid reader and a sharp student

in high school, he majored in English literature at Texas A&M. But it was his sister who introduced him to the music scene.

“My sister was a couple years younger than I was, and she was like the worldchampion Foosball player of downtown Houston,” Keen explained in a 2011 cover story for LoneStarMusic Magazine. Keen would accompany his sister to the bars where she played, many of which featured singer-songwriters playing both covers and original tunes. He started playing guitar by teaching himself to play classic country covers.

He graduated in 1980 and began writing songs and playing with friends including childhood friend Bryan Duckworth, who would become fiddle player in his band, and Lyle Lovett, with whom Keen would jam on the front porch of a house he was renting. The pair co-wrote “The Front Porch Song” based on those sessions, and

both recorded the song on their debut albums.

Post-college years saw Keen in Austin, playing the nightclubs and music venues.

In 1983, he won the prestigious New Folk competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival.

A move to Nashville failed to produce mainstream success, and after nearly two years he returned to Texas where he released two more albums and built his fan base as part of a triple-bill tour with Texas songwriting legends Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt.

Keen’s signature anthem, “The Road Goes on Forever,” made its first appearance in 1993 when Joe Ely recorded the song along with another Keen song, “Whenever Kindness Fails.” The following year’s “Gringo Honeymoon” (whose title track and light-hearted “Merry Christmas from the Family” also became fan favorites and live staples) and 1996’s “No. 2 Live Din-

ner,” cemented Keen’s reputation as one of the Americana scene’s most popular live draws.

Keen wasn’t thinking big when he set out to make a career as a performer. Maybe it was the Texas in him.

“I always thought that I wanted to play music, and I always knew that you had to get some recognition in order to continue to play music,” Keen said. “But I never thought of it in terms of getting to be a big star. I thought of it in terms of having a really, really good career and writing some good songs, and getting onstage and having a really good time.”

Keen and the band bring the good times to The Paramount on Saturday, June 7, with up and coming singer/songwriter Andrea Davis opening the show. Tickets are $26.50-$50 at the box office, 370 New York Ave., Huntington, or go to paramountny.com.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014 • A23

HillSPORTS SOFTBALL >> HILLS WEST 4, HAUPPAUGE 3

Colts Can’t Be Tamed in Suffolk Championship Hills West wins first Suffolk County softball championship awroblewski@longislandergroup.com

You never take your best player out of the game.

Especially not if her name is Francesca Casalino.

“Never in a million years would I take her out, even if it was 12-0,” Bill Mitaritonna, head coach of Half Hollow Hills West softball, said of his senior ace after she had went down 3-0 in the first two innings on Thursday. “She’s the toughest, mentally strongest player I have ever seen.”

On May 29, though, in the Suffolk Class AA championship against No. 7 Hauppauge (18-7), Casalino looked shaky when she started the game by walking four batters, hitting another, and giving up 3 runs on 3 hits in the first two innings.

“We battled back; that was the key,” Mitaritonna said as he team ultimately prevailed 4-3. “That’s what [Casalino] knows; she knows that she’s got backup and, if she gets down, she knows we’re going to come back.”

The Colts did just that with a 2-out rally in the sixth inning started by sophomore left fielder Renee Pino.

Huge hits by Rose Cipoletti, sophomore right fielder, and Nicole Graber, sophomore shortstop, tied the game at 3 as freshman catcher, Alexandra Parkas, came to the plate. Parkas ripped, what turned out to be, a game-winning RBI double into right field to give No. 3 Hills West (22-3) the lead and its first-ever Suf-

folk County softball championship, according to Mitaritonna.

“I’m so proud that everyone stepped up that inning,” Casalino said of her team’s rally. “It’s been a different girl every game, but with [Pino and Cipoletti] starting it that inning it was huge.”

With the opportunity to close out the game and bring the Colts to victory, Casalino took to the mound in the top of the seventh.

Without much surprise, she succeeded.

“I trusted myself; I have to – I knew that, if I don’t, then [that inning] isn’t going to turn out well,” Casalino said of the seventh inning, where she retired the side in just eight pitches. “I knew that I can do it, I knew I’ve done it before, and I knew my team was right behind me so I had confidence in us and I was just happy to get it done.”

Casalino finished the game with 11 strikeouts, while walking four batters and allowing six hits.

At the plate, Casalino walked all three times she appeared, but was helped out by Graber, who had a huge day at the plate, by taking part in all 4 Hill West runs,while going 2-for-4 with two doubles.

Next up for the Colts: a date with East Meadow (18-2), Nassau County’s champion.

“They have the second best player on the island, Kerri Shapiro,” Mitaritonna said of East Meadow. “[Casalino] is the best and [Shapiro] is the second best so it’s going to be a great matchup.”

Long Islander News photo/Andrew Wroblewski

By Andrew Wroblewski

The Colts of Hills West celebrate the school’s first-ever Suffolk County softball championship on May 29.

BASEBALL >> WEST ISLIP 5, HILLS WEST 0

Hills West Falls In Suffolk Championship Baseball season ends with loss to West Islip awroblewski@longislandergroup.com

The boys of Half Hollow Hills West fought valiantly to make it to the Suffolk County Class AA championship game.

However, in the process, the Colts used up most of the team’s vital pitching resources and ultimately ended their season as they fell, 5-0, to No. 8 West Islip (205) at the Stephen J. Brennan Memorial Field on May 29.

“It’s obviously impossible to win with a zero on the scoreboard,” Tom Migliozzi, head coach for the Colts, said after the game. “We just didn’t hit the ball today.”

No. 2 Hills West (21-5) suffered a big blow last week when it lost junior pitcher Jon Faraci to an injury for the remainder of the season. In Faraci’s absence, the Colts had to use up their ace, Aaron Glickstein, as they faced elimination last week against Commack.

While Hills West prevailed in that game to emerge from Suffolk’s loser’s bracket and then beat West Islip earlier last week to force a winner-take-all game two, the

Colts were ultimately too worn out to seal the deal.

“We made a good run without our regular starting pitching,” Migliozzi said after the Colts’ third game in just as many days. “We were down to our three, four, five guys so, you know, we did the best we could.”

The Colts managed just 5 hits in the game, as they were once again baffled by West Islip’s sophomore ace, James Kory.

When Hills West met West Islip on May 21 in the Suffolk winner’s bracket final, Kory was also dominant as he led West Islip to 2-1 victory while giving up just 3 hits.

On May 29, Kory continued his winning ways as he pitched 7 scoreless innings to remain undefeated on his season, while also ending Hills West’s.

Tom DiGiorgi, a senior, started the game for the Colts and was credited with the loss.

“Overall it was a good season,” Migliozzi said. “We did a lot of positive things, but the negative things obviously came back in the end to haunt us.”

Long Islander News photo/Andrew Wroblewski

By Andrew Wroblewski

Half Hollow Hills West ended its baseball season last Thursday as it fell to West Islip 5-0.

A24 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JUNE 5, 2014

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