Arts & Lifestyles - March 2, 2023

Photos by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three

All we do is all for you.

We don’t just conduct clinical trials, we create them. All so Kali can keep trying new things.

Every pioneering innovation. Every preventive screening. Every specialized care team. Every welcoming smile. Every genetic counseling session. Every treatment option. Every clinical trial. Every personal connection. Every commitment. Every reason for hope. Every new beginning. At Stony Brook Cancer Center, all we do is all for you.

sbmstrong.org/cancercare

Compassion and kindness lives on

PLAIN TALK

The world is so polarized. Our nation is so divided; hatred is so infectious these days. So, when one comes upon compassion and kindness, it causes you to stop and think!

when I go into New York City to teach. Most recently, I was so taken with people’s kindness. Someone offered me a seat on the crowded subway, another held the door and wanted to assist me. Pretty amazing since when I don’t dress like a priest, I look like a homeless man!

BY FATHER FRANCIS PIZZARELLI

Being an avid downhill skier, I never fall and I am always careful but last ski season on my last run I took a terrible fall and slid down half the mountain with both skis on. I finally stopped was able to get up and maneuver down. When I got to the back of the mountain my right knee hurt but I didn’t pay any attention to it.

The week before Thanksgiving as I was walking down the staircase of the cottage I live in at Little Portion Friary in Mount Sinai, my right leg gave out and I took a tumble. I was told that my meniscus was shot probably because of the fall last season and I now tore a tendon in my right knee. I had emergency surgery and was placed in a brace.

Since that surgery, I’ve been wearing a brace on my right knee. I’ve taken 75 people to Israel and teach at two universities every week. I’m not always dressed as a priest

Over the last year many of you have reached out to me about a homeless young man who is usually found begging on Route 347. He’s a heroin addict; for more than a year he has been living on the streets and in the woods. A number of times I’ve reached out to him to offer food, clothing, shelter and treatment; each time he politely told me he was not ready.

Unbeknown to me, a recovering heroin addict who is in my employ has been helping him every day for more than a year by bringing him food and water. He found out where he was living and also brought him a sleeping bag and blankets when it was cold. Every day he checked on this young man for a year, always encouraging him to get treatment.

Finally, after a year of compassion on the part of my employee the young man finally agreed to go to St. Charles detox and entered long-term treatment after that. Two months ago, he entered Hope Academy and has committed himself to 18 months of longterm treatment. Compassion and kindness made all the difference!

Father Francis Pizzarelli, SMM, LCSW-R, ACSW, DCSW, is the director of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.

METRO photo

We Help You Navigate To Optimal Health

What Do We Treat?

Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Obesity, Migraine, Autoimmune Disease (Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Psoriasis...), Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Stomach Issues, Constipation, Diarrhea, Chronic Kidney Disease, Thyroid Issues, Asthma/Allergies, IBS, GERD (Reflux), Cancer, Gout, Kidney Stones, Uveitis, Macular Degeneration, Sarcoidosis, Long Covid, and many more...

What Are Patients Saying?

Reversing Diabetes

My relatives all died from diabetes or the complications of the disease by the age of 57. I was on 4 diabetes medications including insulin when I started with Dr. Dunaief at age 55, but now I am on none. Plus, the numbness in my feet is gone and I am able to move my toes much better.

Male, age 60

Reversing High Blood Pressure

I have been suffering from high blood pressure for years. Now the numbers are within the optimal ranges because of the changes in foods. The cardiologist in Florida said that I no longer need to be on blood pressure medications.

Female, age 73

Reversing Heart Disease

Since working with Dr. Dunaief, I have been able to reverse my heart disease. I had substantial decrease in plaque buildup in my neck arteries as shown on carotid Doppler. My cardiologist said he was really impressed that he could no longer find inflammation associated with the disease. I am also excited that my cholesterol improved and was able to stop my medication.

Male, age 70

David Dunaief, M.D. Clinician, Researcher, Author and Speaker

How do we build a healthier gut?

MEDICAL COMPASS

Every human carries in its body a microbiome, consisting of bacteria, viruses and single-cell eukaryotes. Our relationship to these organisms is complex, and much of it is still only loosely understood. What we do know, however, is that these trillions of microorganisms have key roles in our healthy functioning.

BY DAVID DUNAIEF, MD

The microbiome is found throughout our bodies, including the skin, the eyes and the gut. Here, we’re going to focus on the gut, where the majority of our microbiome resides. The microbiome has been getting a lot of attention of late, because of its possible role in preventing and promoting diseases. Among these are obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s, and infectious diseases, such as colitis.

The Human Microbiome Project

Like the Human Genome Project, which mapped our genes, the Human Microbiome Project, funded by the National Institutes of Health from 2007 to 2016, sought to map and sequence the composition and diversity of these gut organisms and to prompt future research. Already, there have been some enlightening preliminary studies.

What affects the microbiome?

Drugs, such as antibiotics, can wipe out microbial diversity, at least in the short term. Also, lifestyle modifications, such as diet, can have a positive or negative impact. Microbiome diversity also may be significantly different in distinct geographic locations throughout the world.

The microbiome and obesity

Many obese patients continually struggle to lose weight. Obese and overweight patients now outnumber malnourished individuals worldwide (1).

For a long time, the paradigm for weight loss had been to cut calories. However, extreme low-calorie diets were not having a long-term impact. It turns out that our guts, dominated by bacteria, may play important roles in obesity and weight loss, determining whether we gain or lose weight.

The results from a study involving human twins and mice are fascinating (2). In each pair of human twins, one was obese and the other was lean. Gut bacteria from obese twins was transplanted into thin mice. The result: the thin mice became obese. However, when the lean human twins’ gut bacteria were transplanted to thin mice, the mice remained thin.

By pairing sets of human twins, one obese and one thin in each set, with mice that were identical to each other and raised in a sterile setting, researchers limited the confounding effects of environment and genetics on weight.

The most intriguing part of the study compared the effects of diet and gut bacteria. When the mice who had received gut transplants from obese twins were provided gut bacteria from thin twins and given fruit- and vegetable-rich, low-fat diet tablets, they lost significant weight. Interestingly, they only lost weight when on a good diet. The authors believe this suggests that an effective diet may alter the microbiome of obese patients, helping them lose weight. These are exciting, but preliminary, results. It is not clear yet which bacteria may be contributing these effects.

This suggests that gut bacteria diversity may be a crucial piece of the weight-loss puzzle.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can be disabling, with patients typically suffering from significant morning stiffness, joint soreness and joint breakdown. What if gut bacteria influenced RA risk? In a study, the gut bacteria in mice that were made susceptible to RA by deletion of certain genes (HLADR genes) were compared to those who were more resistant to developing RA (3). Researchers found that the RA-susceptible

mice had a predominance of Clostridium bacteria and that those resistant to RA were dominated by bacteria such as bifidobacteria and Porphyromonadaceae species. The significance is that the bacteria in the RA-resistant mice are known for their antiinflammatory effects.

Can you counteract antibiotics’ negative effects?

Many have gastrointestinal upset while taking antibiotics, because antibiotics don’t differentiate between good and bad bacteria when they go to work.

One way to counteract these negative effects is to take a probiotic during and after your course of antibiotics. I recommend Renew Life’s 30-50 billion units once a day, two hours after an antibiotic dose and continuing once a day for 14 days after you have finished your prescription. If you really want to ratchet up the protection, you can take one dose of probiotics two hours after every antibiotic dose.

Although nobody can say what the ideal gut bacteria should consist of, we do know a few things that can help you. Diet and other lifestyle considerations, such as eating and sleeping patterns or their disruptions, seem to be important to the composition and diversity of gut bacteria (4). Studies have already demonstrated prebiotic effects of fiber and significant short-term changes to the microbiome when eating fruits, vegetables, and plant fiber. The research is continuing, but we’ve learned a lot already that may help us tackle obesity and autoimmune disorders.

References:

(1) “The Evolution of Obesity”; Johns Hopkins University Press; 2009. (2) Science. 2013;341:1241214. (3) PLoS One. 2012;7:e36095. (4) Nutrients. 2019 Dec;11(12):2862.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd. com or consult your personal physician.

The microbiome may have an impact on susceptibility to autoimmune diseases

Gut bacteria diversity may be a crucial piece of the weight-loss puzzle.

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Vendors Wanted

■ Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket seeks vendors for its annual Community Wide Yard & Antiques Sale on May 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Rain date May 21) Each 10x10 space is available for patrons to rent to sell their own garage sale/flea market/thrift shop items. Fee is $40, $25 for TVHS members. For more information or to register, call 631-751-3730 or visit www.tvhs.org.

■ Art League of Long Island, 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills is accepting applications for its 53rd annual Art in the Park at Heckscher Park in Huntington on June 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The juried show is open to all artists, crafts people, photographers and printmakers. Original art work only. Deadline to register is May 15. For more information, visit www.artleagueli.org.

■ Hallockville Musem Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead seeks vendors for its annual Fleece & Fiber Festival on May 20 (rain date May 21) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring fiber arts and crafts by independent artisans. Deadline to register is April 15. To apply, visit hallockville.org/fiberfest/

■ Vendor applications are now available for the Three Village Farmers and Artisan Market on the grounds of the Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket each Friday from May 26 to Sept. 1 from 3 to 7 p.m. and Sept. 8 to Oct. 27 from 2 to 6 p.m. The market features produce, crafts, food trucks, live music and more. Market fee is $550 for 10x10 space for 22 weeks, $50 for one day pop-up. For further details, visit www.tvhs.org or email market@tvhs.org.

■ Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce seeks vendors for its 11th annual Farmingville Street Fair between Leeds Blvd. and Warren Ave. on June 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Deadline is May 10. For an application, visit www.farmingvillestreetfair.com.

■ Kings Park Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for businesses, non-profits and community organizations for its 45th annual Kings Park Day on June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at www.kingsparkli.com.. Gift, craft and food vendors can register at www.depasmarket.com.

Send

(631) 751-6620

www.staffordassociates.com

Can you bene t from new RMD age limit?

RMD age — 73 or 75 — so the additional time may not mean much to you. But if you can afford to wait until you must start taking RMDs, what issues should you consider?

BY MICHAEL CHRISTODOULOU

When you’re working, you may spend decades contributing to retirement accounts such as your 401(k) and IRA. Once you’re retired, though, you’ll likely need to begin withdrawing from these accounts to help pay for your living expenses. In fact, you’ll be required to take money from them at a certain age — but that age requirement is changing, and it could lead to changes in your financial strategy.

Let’s look at some background behind this development. You put in pre-tax dollars to a traditional IRA and 401(k), so your contributions can lower your taxable income and your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis. Eventually, though, you must take withdrawals from these accounts or face tax penalties. (A Roth IRA does not have the withdrawal requirement; you can essentially keep the money intact as long as you choose.)

As part of the SECURE Act 2.0 of 2022, the age at which you must take these withdrawals — technically called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — has increased from 72 to 73. So, if you turn 72 in 2023, you now have another year before you’re required to take RMDs.

The SECURE Act 2.0 also mandates that, in 2033, the RMD age will increase again — to 75 — so, depending on your current age, you may have even more time to plan for the effects of RMDs. Of course, you may need to start taking withdrawals from your retirement accounts before you reach either

Perhaps the most important one is taxes. Your RMDs, which are based on your life expectancy and account balances, are considered taxable income in the year in which you accept the money. If you have sizable amounts in your traditional IRA and 401(k), these RMDs could be large enough to bump you into a higher tax bracket, leading to greater taxation of Social Security benefits and a Medicare surcharge. So, the ability to delay taking RMDs can be beneficial from a tax standpoint, at least for a time. On the other hand, by delaying RMDs, you might eventually have to take bigger taxable withdrawals from your accounts that may have larger balances because they’ve had more time to potentially grow.

You could address the issue of taxable withdrawals by converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA before you’re faced with RMDs — and now, you have more time to do so. Roth IRAs have no RMDs, and since a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars, your withdrawals are tax free, provided you don’t begin taking them until you’re at least 59½ and you’ve had your account at least five years. Again, though, taxes are the issue — any pre-tax dollars you convert from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA will be taxable in the year of the conversion. To reduce this tax hit, you could space out the conversion over several years.

When thinking about delaying RMDs or doing a Roth IRA conversion to avoid RMDs, you’ll need to consult with your tax advisor. But the new RMD age limits do give you more flexibility in these areas, so think carefully about how you might benefit from the added time.

Michael Christodoulou, ChFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS® is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Stony Brook. Member SIPC.

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COMINGS AND GOINGS

Savoca, Bisania promoted at SBU

Dr. Marianna

Savoca has been appointed the Associate Vice President for Career Readiness and Experiential Education at Stony Brook University. Since joining Stony Brook in 1997, Savoca has provided exemplary leadership for the integration of career readiness and experiential education into the fabric of the campus in support of student success.

Curry Club at SāGhar celebrates one year anniversary in Port Jefferson

The Curry Club at SāGhar, 111 West Broadway, Port Jefferson celebrated its one year anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony, cake and champagne on Feb. 7.

The event was attended by members of the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce (PJCC), Port Jefferson Station-Terryville

Chamber of Commerce, elected officials, family and friends.

Owners Kiran and Kulwant Wadhwa and Indu Kaur were presented with proclamations from Suffolk County Legislature Kara Hahn and Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich.

Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association

The Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association, a nonprofit organization with a mission to preserve the history of the communities of Greenlawn and Centerport, has announced the selection of Claudia Fortunato-Napolitano as its new Executive Director.

Ms. Fortunato-Napolitano officially assumed the role on February 6. Deanne Rathke is retiring after having held the position for 20 years.

“We are very pleased to announce Claudia as the new Director,” reported Deanne. “Its time to pass the job along to the next generation. Claudia’s skill set will help bring about new members and programs to the organization. In addition she has a lifelong passion for local history having been born and raised in the Huntington area”

Claudia holds a BA in History, and a MA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in American History, both awarded by Manhattanville College. Previous positions include Executive Director of the Huntington Historical Society and Assistant Historian at the Town Of Huntington.

“I am honored to serve as the Executive Director and thrilled to serve the members

Pictured from left, President of the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber Jennifer Dzvonar; PJCC 1st VPStu Vincent; PJCC President Mary Joy Pipe; Leg. Kara Hahn; owners Kiran Wadhwa, Kulwant Wadhwa and Indu Kaur; Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; and PJCC Director Loretta Criscuoli.

announces new Executive Director

In this expanded role, the Port Jefferson resident will continue to oversee the Career Center and the new Center for Service Learning & Community Service, launched this year. She will assume more leadership of divisional initiatives in fundraising, staff development, and academic partnerships. She will also continue her work with the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and CELT on faculty leadership development initiatives.

Dr. Marisa Bisiani has been appointed the Associate Vice President for Health, Wellness, and Prevention Services at Stony Brook University.

Bisiani has been an instrumental leader in Student Affairs since she began working at Stony Brook. In this expanded role, Bisiani will continue to oversee teams in Counseling & Psychological Services, Center for Prevention & Outreach, Recreation & Wellness, Student Accessibility Support Center, and Student Health Services. The Miller Place resident will also work closely with the Division of Human Resources, including Healthier U and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), supporting broader health and wellness initiatives for West campus employees.

of the community,’ remarked Ms. FortunatoNapolitano. “Deanne is a wonderful role model, and as Director Emeritus she will be a valuable asset for furthering our research, expanding our public programs, educational workshops, and exhibits.”

The mission of the Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association is to research, collect,

record and preserve artifacts, photographs, fine arts, and ephemera of Greenlawn & Centerport. In addition, they promote the preservation of historic structures and maintain a historic Suydam homestead and John Gardiner Farm to provide the public with an opportunity to learn about early life on Long Island.

Last Tuesday Morning on LI to close Dallas-based discount home goods retailer Tuesday Morning has announced plans to close more than half its stores, including the one in Greenlawn Plaza, 773 Pulaski Road, Greenlawn which is the last one on Long Island. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February. While an official closing date was not named, the business's website says it is "closing soon."

From left, Claudia Fortunato-Napolitano, Executive Director; Deanne Rathke, Director Emeritus; and Alexandra Leverton, President of the Board of Trustees. Photo courtesy of the Greenlawn-Centerport Historcial Association

Dr. Marianna Savoca

Dr. Marisa Bisiani

Photo from PJCC

Directions: Fill in the blank squares in the grid, making sure that every row, column and 3-by-3 box includes all digits 1 through 9.

Answers to last week's SUDOKU

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Board

1. G in mg

5. Medicinal amt.

8. Say no

11. Popular Scotch mixer

12. Country dance formation

13. List of candidates

15. Certain battery component

16. Exclamation of sorrow

17. *"The Game of Unspeakable Fun"

18. *"Fascinating two-handed strategy game"

20. Dutch cheese

21. Not quite right 22. *"I thee ____" 23. CrËme de ____ 26. Where Japan is 30. Part of circumference

31. Threatened Asian or African odd-toed ungulate

34. Ready for picking 35. Reasons to sue

37. Romanian money 38. English county

39. Popular Arabic name 40. Lemon, in Paris

42. Latissimus dorsi, for short

43. Angola's southern neighbor

45. Dairy farm glands

47. Relax, or ____ out

48. Brooke or John Jacob, of New York

50. USPS delivery

52. *Cards against what?

55. Medicinal plant with purple berries

56. Bug-eyed

57. Tiny bottle

59. a.k.a. jumping bone

60. Plucked string instrument

61. Makes a mistake

62. *"____ Day," desirable square in The Game of Life

63. Bard's before 64. Rip apart

Answers to last week's puzzle: At the Supermarket

CLUES DOWN

1. Govt. property org.

2. Fabled fliers

3. Mine passage

4. India's Chennai, pre-1996

5. Flooring choice, pl.

6. Hose woes

7. 100 centavos in Mexico

8. Rum cake

9. Particle in A-bomb

10. What's-old-is-new-again prefix

12. Somewhat late

13. Be at the helm

14. *Not chutes

19. #39 Across, pl.

22. Is no longer

23. *Trade, build, settle this island

24. Oenophile's concern

25. Curtain fabric

26. *Connect how many?

27. Theater passage

28. Asparagus unit

29. Written works

32. Hipbones

33. Butterfly catcher

36. *Like pursuit of no vital importance

38. "____ ____ a high note"

40. A Camel, for short

41. Result of equipment failure

44. The beauty of the ball?

46. Morgan Freeman in "Driving Miss Daisy," e.g. 48. Sign of bad news

49. Inflict a blow

50. Supernatural life force

51. Drunkard, slangily

52. Exhibiting good health

53. Swing seat, sometimes

54. Knitter's supply

55. Tree fluid

58. Dropped drug, acr. Answers

Port Jefferson Documentary Series kicks off spring season March 6

BY TARA MAE

Documentaries are artistic passion put into practice. They require the fervor and drive not only of subjects and crew but also of those who seek to share their stories.

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series (PJDS) has been honoring and matching such moxie since 2005 and advances the plot this season with the seven films on its spring roster. Held at 7 p.m. on every Monday in March, from the 6th to 27th; April 10 and 17; and May 22, each showing is followed by a Q&A session featuring either the director or producer of the project.

Emceed by Tom Needham, executive producer and host of “Sounds of Film” on WUSB, the Series is a labor of love for all involved, giving both filmmakers and festival organizers the opportunity to revisit what initially drew them to these stories and share it with an attentive public.

“I like seeing the films again. With most of these films, we have been working on arranging the screenings for at least 3 months. I really do enjoy being in the audience, seeing the films again, thinking about them for the Q&A, and noticing what the audience reacts to. And then, meeting the documentarians and hearing their stories is one of the most exciting parts of the whole process,” said PJDS co-director Lyn Boland.

This season starts with Dr. Tony Fauci, which explores the professional and private life of a man striving not to be blinded by the spotlight as he does his job.

Immediate Family highlights the harmonies of five star session musicians whose notes, if not their names, are famous.

A House Made of Splinters chronicles the efforts of intrepid social workers on the front lines of the war in Eastern Ukraine as they endeavor to create an orphanage oasis for children displaced by war and woe.

Lift illuminates the invisible story of homelessness in America through the experiences of a group of young homeless and home-insecure ballet dancers who are selected to study their craft at the New York Theater Ballet.

Bobi Wine: The People’s President traces the career evolution of a man from musician to politician as he heralds the opposition to Uganda’s 35-year regime.

Lastly, Unfinished Business offers an inside look at the creation and legacy of the WNBA, as exemplified through the champion New York Liberty’s dramatic 2021 season.

“We try to balance it between serious and entertaining documentaries,” explained PJDS co-director Wendy Feinberg.

Screenings, held either at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson or John F. Kennedy Middle School in Port Jefferson Station, are arranged and organized by PJDS’s co-directors: Boland, Feinberg, and Barbara Sverd. Known as the “Film Ladies,” they are dedicated both to spotlighting the art form of documentary filmmaking and the often lesser-known stories that they champion.

“When I choose a film to be reviewed by the film board, I feel it must tell a story, have an emotional connection and appeal to a general audience. When I view a documentary for the first time, regardless of its subject matter, I want to feel like I am taking a class and learning something new,” Sverd said. “The greatest pleasure is sharing this experience with our audience and having the director, producer or someone from the film there for the Q&A to enhance the learning experience.”

Such an opportunity for more informed dialogue is part of the appeal for the documentarians as well; it acts as an avenue for deeper understanding between audience and artist.

“A smaller series or festival offers a unique and intimate connection with those who come to a theater and watch your film. It's not about the publicity, or agents, or distributors. It brings us, as filmmakers, back to the fundamental reason we made this work: to listen for an answer back,” said David Peterson, director of Lift.

In addition to personal, there are also practical reasons that the PJDS and other such events are vital to the endurance of documentaries, a genre that generally has

far less star power and thus less funding than its cinema siblings.

“These films would never have a chance if it was not for festivals and documentary series…to get distribution is really hard. That is where PJDS and other festivals can help. You have to show distributors that you have an audience,” said Denny Tedesco, director and executive producer of Immediate Family

After each viewing, audience members are given the opportunity to rate the documentary: Excellent, Very Good, Good, or Poor. At the end of the season, the votes are tallied and the Audience Award winner is announced.

The members of the Film Board, which in addition to Boland, Feinberg, and Sverd, includes Honey Katz, Lynn, and Lorie Rothstein, then chip in money to donate to an organization of the winning director’s choosing.

Sponsored the Greater Port JeffersonNorthern Brookhaven Arts Council, Maggio Environmental, Port Jeff Storage, Inc., and Covati and Janhsen, CPAs, with funding from Suffolk County, PJDS is seeking volunteers to assist with screenings, marketing, and social media.

Theatre Three is located at 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson. John F. Kennedy Middle School is located at 200 Jayne Blvd, Port Jefferson Station.

A season pass for all seven documentaries is $56; single tickets are $10 online or at the door. To purchase passes, tickets, or for more information, visit www. portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

Film Schedule:

■ The season begins with a screening of Dr. Tony Fauci at Theatre Three on March 6. This intimate film chronicles Fauci at home, in his office and in the corridors of power as he battles the ongoing COVID19 pandemic and the political onslaught that upends his life and calls into question his 50-year career as the United States of America’s leading advocate for public health. Guest speaker is Director Mark Mannucci. Sponsored by Danfords Hotel & Marina and The Waterview at Port Jefferson Country Club.

■ Immedicate Family will be screened at Theatre Three on March 13. If you listen to 1970s pop music, you’ve undoubtedly heard these guys play, but do you know their names? The documentary highlights five talented men—Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, Waddy Wachtel and Steve Postell—who shunned the spotlight for themselves, yet enjoyed decades of success as session musicians on iconic tracks. Guest speaker is Director Denny Tedesco. Sponsored by Danfords Hotel & Marina and The Waterview at Port Jefferson Country Club.

■ Next up is A House Made of Splinters at JFK Middle School on March 20. As the war in Eastern Ukraine takes a heavy toll on poor families living near the frontlines, a small group of strong-willed social workers works tirelessly in a special kind of orphanage to create an almost magical safe space for kids to live in while the state decides the fate of the child and family. The film is nominated for a 2023 Oscar in the documentary film category. Guest speaker is Simon Lereng Wilmont, Director via pre-recorded Zoom.

■ I Am Not will be screened at JFK Middle School on March 27. Oren Levy, a young Israeli man, who is an adopted child with Asperger’s, faces challenges adapting. Suddenly, his life changes with the help of the camera, which becomes an extraordinary therapy tool assisting him on a long journey which takes Oren and his family to Guatemala in search of his identity. Guest speaker via Live Zoom will be Ehud Levy, Oren’s father and subject in film. Sponsored by North Shore Jewish Center in Port Jefferson Station and Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook.

PJDS Film Schedule continued on page B10

The award-winning documentayr A House Made of Splinters will be screened at John F. Kennedy Middle School on March 20.

PJDS Film Schedule

Continued from page B9

The Jazz Loft acquires trombonist Jack Teagarden collection

No distance is too far for Jazz Loft

Founder and President Tom Manuel to travel to acquire new Jazz archival collections and memorabilia for the Jazz Loft’s museum. The latest acquisition for the Loft comes from Phoenix, Arizona, where Manuel recently returned with a complete collection from the famed trombonist and singer Jack Teagarden. Teagarden pioneered early Jazz along with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins and Earl “Fatha” Hines.

■ The season continues on April 10 at Theatre Three with Lift which shines a spotlight on the invisible story of homelessness in America through the eyes of a group of young homeless and home-insecure ballet dancers in New York City. The story centers around ballet dancer and mentor Steven Melendez, who was a seven-year-old boy living in a Bronx homeless shelter who had his life turned around when he was the recipient of the New York Theater Ballet (NYTB) Project LIFT’s generosity. Guest speakers will be Director David Petersen and Steven Melendez, Principal Dancer & Artistic Director at the New York Theatre Ballet and subject in the film.

■ Bobi Wine: The People's President heads to JFK Middle School on April 17. Firsttime co-directors Christopher Sharp and journalist Moses Bwayo tell the story of Bobi Wine, the musician-turned-politician leading the opposition to the 35-year regime in Uganda. Withstanding arrests, torture, and violence from the government, Bobi Wine and his wife Barbie risk their own lives and the lives of their children to lead their country towards freedom. Bobi Wine: The People's President is a brave exposition of an authoritarian government that highlights the power of documentary journalism. The film won the Hamptons Film Festival 2022 Best Documentary Audience Award. Guest speaker TBA.

■ Unfinished Business, the final film of the season, heads to Theatre Three on May 22. An intimate look at the formation and legacy of the WNBA, and its flagship team, the New York Liberty’s, dramatic 2021 season, as they play for acceptance, respect, and the future of basketball. The film is named for a song “Unfinished Business” written for the New York Liberty basketball team in 2001 by Joan Jett, a Liberty superfan who appears in the film. Guest speaker is Director Alison Klayman.

For more than 35 years the archives had been in the possession of Jimmy Nicholas, who was entrusted with the collection by Teagarden’s widow Addie Teagarden. The collection includes manuscripts, music from Teagarden’s big band of the 1940’s and small groups with Armstrong from the 1950’s, photos, contracts, personal letters from important figures in the entertainment world, such as Paul Whitman, Bunk Johnson, W.C. Handy, Johnny Mercer, Hugh Hefner, Joe Glasser and countless others.

Some highlights of the collection include Teagarden’s 1940’s Buescher trombone which he received from Jerry Colonna and a very personal letter from Louis Armstrong.

“Due to their close friendship and collaboration over many years, the amount of Armstrong memorabilia is really impressive,” said Manuel. “I am in awe and amazed that the Jazz Loft can present these historic memorabilia. It really is the pinnacle and dream of any museum archive and an absolute honor to be guardians of such an important collection. I am so appreciative to Jimmy Nicholas and his wife Debbie for entrusting us with this

incredibly important piece of Jazz history. There are four people who truly were at the birth of it all and paved the way for what is considered Jazz: Louis Armstrong on trumpet, Coleman Hawkins on tenor saxophone, Earl Hines on piano and Jack Teagarden on trombone.”

Teagarden frequented the Jazz scene in New York extensively over the years both performing in the clubs on and around 52nd Street, as well as the major recording and television studios and theaters.

“It’s nice to have Jack back in New York after all these years,” said Manuel.

The archives have been boxed and interns from Stony Brook University will start digitalizing the items to make them available

to the public within the next few months.

Manuel is hopeful that the remaining items that are in the collection and still held by Mr. Nicholas, will find their way to the Jazz Loft within the next few years, including master acetates of Teagarden recordings, some of which many historians believe are the earliest photos of Teagarden, as well as a very important piece of art which was given to the Teagarden family by the King and Queen of Thailand.

The Jazz Loft is located at 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook. The museum is open Thursdays through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and is FREE. For more information, call 631-751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.

Stony Brook University Professor James Lattimer selected as an AAS Fellow

James Lattimer, distinguished professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences at Stony Brook University, has been selected as a 2023 Fellow of the American Astronomical Society (AAS).

AAS Fellows are recognized for their contributions to the Society and its overarching mission – advancing the science that informs humanity’s understanding of the universe. For his part, Professor Lattimer has made formative discoveries about the structure and evolution of neutron stars.

Professor Lattimer has collaborated with other scientists to develop pioneering simulations of proto-neutron stars and their neutrino emissions, and he also helped enable the use of high-performance numerical simulations by creating the first open-source equation-of-state code and

tables suitable for their application.

Professor Lattimer is the first Stony Brook faculty member selected as an AAS fellow since the inaugural class of 2019. He is also a fellow of the J.S. Guggenheim Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the American Physical Society (APS).

"I am delighted that Jim has been recognized by the recently established AAS fellowship program," said Chang Kee Jung, PhD, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

"Jim is an internationally renowned nuclear

astrophysicist and has already received the prestigious Hans Bethe Prize given by the APS for truly outstanding work in the areas of astrophysics, nuclear physics, nuclear astrophysics, or closely related fields."

A scene from 'Lift.' Photo courtesy of PJDS

Jack Teagarden’s trombone and a letter to Jack Teagarden from Louis Armstrong are just two of the pieces in the collection recently acquired by the Jazz Loft. Photos from The Jazz Loft

James Lattimer File photo from SBU

Theatre Three’s ‘Festival of One-Act Plays’ does not disappoint

BY JULIANNE MOSHER

For 24 years, Theatre Three’s “Festival of One-Act Plays” has been bringing new voices to the not only Port Jefferson, but to all of Long Island.

Festival founder and director Jeffrey Sanzel told the audience on opening night that the festival, which is nearing a quarter-of-a-century next year, received 750 submissions for the 2023 season from all around the world. “I’m expecting 1,000 next year,” he said.

And of those 750 submissions, eight were selected, directed, rehearsed and will now be performed through March 25. Of those eight, none disappoint.

For an-hour-and-a-half, the audience sits quietly, engaged, watching, listening to what the actors have to say. And the lineup is unique — as a viewer, you don’t really know what to expect coming in.

The festival starts off with “Down to the Wire,” written by Julia Everitt, a New York City-based playwright with 37 stage plays to her name. This piece shows us what goes on inside a college dormitory, when a roommate played by Danielle Pafundi is hilariously losing her mind thanks to procrastinating an assignment. And despite what you might think, the play is not about camels.

Then comes “A Citrus Day,” by Mark Cofta, a Pennsylvania-based playwright, who sadly passed away last July. With a minimalist set of just a bus bench and a suitcase, the audience watches two strangers together unearth a dark family secret. While sad and thought-provoking, it reminds you that you just need to make lemonade when life gives us lemons. Performances by Melissa Norman and Tristan Prin are top notch.

Following the more-somber bus stop story is Leslie Dianne’s “Accepting Adina.”

Father Steve Ayle and son Steven Uihlein sit side-by-side in the patriarch's living room, packing away mementos. Together they talk about the mother, Rebecca, and how her illness and assisted living stay is impacting them both. “Accepting Adina” is a tough look at grief, but Ayle’s and Uihlein’s performances are so raw that you feel the sadness, but also the hope of the future, we all feel when a loved one is lost. Tissues are required for this one.

The best performance of the night by far was by Phyllis March in “The Dating Pool.” The scene opens up with Phyllis, 61, standing at a diving board in a dark pool. She’s visited

by her 16-year-old self (Ava Andrejko), then herself at 23 (Samantha Fierro), 36 (Brittany Lacey) and 49 (Tamralyn Dorsa), where present day 61 is reminded of her lost loves of each of those lovers impacted her in that moment. The scene ends with her four former selves encouraging her to take the plunge.

“The Dating Pool,” written by Arianna Rose is a thoughtful piece, and full of laughs, that can relate to any age in the audience.

After a brief intermission, we’re inside an airport with Keith Whalen’s “Unclaimed Baggage” — a hysterically funny look at coming back to the real world after a relaxing trip. Not only does Marvin (but shhh… don’t tell the clerk his name), played by Angelo Dibiase, have to pick up his suitcase and some medicine after a long plane ride, but he has a special encounter with Finn, played by Jason Furnari, who just wants to help.

Another audience favorite was Larry Brenner’s hilarious supernatural dating story

“First Bite.” Here we learn about Wanda’s (Brittany Lacey) past dating history — and let’s just say she has a type — while out to dinner with John (Evan Teich). The scene starts out with a normal looking couple enjoying drinks and each other’s company, until Wanda asks John her place or his? You’re going to laugh a lot, but make sure you leave your garlic at home.

And finally, Mark Loewenstern’s “The Slightly Exaggerated True Story of ‘Civic Virtue’” concludes the show with a fascinating exploration of the intersection of the public eye and the power of art. Based loosely on the famous statue and fountain that once stood in front of New York City Hall in Manhattan, we watch a fast-paced history of architect MacMonnies’ (incredibly played by Antoine Jones) thought process behind sculpting the nude man and two sirens.

We go through nearly two centuries of the public’s opinion on it, how it

moves, and have visits from some wellknown elected officials including Mayor La Guardia, Anthony Weiner and Robert Moses. Not only is it a brief, inside look of a famous piece of art, but it reminds the audience how statues (no matter how sexist, racist or now-deemed inappropriate they may be) are still a part of our history. While you’ll learn from this one, you’re also going to laugh.

Tickets are $20 for the show, plus there’s a cash bar as you walk in. Make sure you visit Theatre Three’s second stage at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre in Port Jefferson this month for a great night out. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you might learn a fact or two about “Civic Virtue” for your next trivia night.

Theatre Three is located at 412 Main St., Port Jefferson. For more information, or to order tickets, call 631-928-9100 or visit www. theatrethree.com.

The cast of Theatre Three's Festival of One-Act Plays

Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

SBU’s Eric Wilberg studies first of its kind ancient crocodile ancestor

SPOTLIGHTING DISCOVERIES AT (1) COLD SPRING HARBOR LAB (2) STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY & (3) BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LAB

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF

The beaches along the southern shore of the United Kingdom have rich and ancient stories to share.

Lizzie Hingley and Paul Turner — friends who met on the beach and started working together in 2016 — are eager to gather clues about the past. Fossil hunters at the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Charmouth in the United Kingdom, which is about a three-hour drive southwest from London, Hingley and Turner discovered fragments of an unusual fossil starting in 2017. “Initially, we just saw random bones,” explained Hingley, who finds, prepares and sells some of the fossils on her website. Some fragments appeared to be a jaw in the clay next to an initial stone block containing multiple bones.

KNOWLEDGE SEEKERS

Nature plays a slow game, drawn out over millions of years, of hide and seek. First, spectacular and elaborate creatures lived hunted, reproduced, and avoided predators millions of years ago. After they died in places like Dorset in the United Kingdom, their bodies became preserved in the muddy, shallow marine environment.

The sediment was then covered over by rock layers and safely preserved.

Fast forward about 185 million years, after waves crashing upon the shore erode those rocks on a beach and expose those fossils.

Indeed, in 2017, in a UNESCO World Heritage site where scientists and fossil hunters and paleontologists like 19th century star Mary Anning made key discoveries, archeology enthusiasts

Paul Turner and Lizzie Hingley found the head, backbone and limbs of a creature scientists had imagined, but hadn’t, until then, discovered.

Called a thalattosuchian, which is an ancient sister of modern day crocodile ancestors, this finding extended the timeline of when these coastal marine crocodiles lived.

In late 2019, Dr. Roger Benson, who was then at the University of Oxford, reached out to Pedro Godoy, a postdoctoral researcher at Stony Brook who Benson co-supervised during his PhD, and Eric Wilberg, Assistant Professor at the Department of Anatomical Sciences at Stony Brook University. The team, which included Alan Turner, Professor in the Department of Anatomical Sciences at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook, planned to describe and characterize the fossil.

Benson said he had never met Wilberg before but had “read his work on croc evolution and really admired

his systematic approach.”

This ancient crocodilian creature, which was about six feet long and was likely either a sub adult or an adult, is the first “thalattosuchian fossil complete enough to definitively identify as a member of the group of rocks older than about 180 million years ago,” Wilberg explained. Wilberg, Godoy (who is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sao Paolo), Turner and Benson (who is currently Macaulay Curator of Dinosaur Paleobiology at the American Museum of Natural History), recently published their study on this fossil in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Godoy said that Wilberg is “an expert in this group of animals and it was great working with him on this.” Godoy added that this was an “important finding, which helps us fill a gap in the evolution of thalattosuchians.”

Benson suggested that this fossil provides a glimpse into the origin of thalattosuchians, indicating that the group originated before this fossil. The particular organism is the first discovered in a new species gathered by the two fossil hunters (see related story on right).

The Thalattosuchian group lived until the Early Cretaceous period, about 130 million years ago. These predators likely fed on fish or cephalopods like ancient octopi or squid.

Recently, another team of scientists discovered a thalattosuchian skull in Morocco, which is about five to 10 million years older than the Turnersuchus Wilberg described.

The discoveries “support our prediction that thalattosuchians evolved millions of years earlier —probably in the late Triassic” around 200 million or more years ago, Wilberg added. His analysis determined that the thalattosuchian lineage diverged from its last common ancestor with crocodilerelatives during the Triassic period. Wilberg and other researchers will be on the lookout for additional

specimens which can add details to the understanding of this species. This specimen was missing most of the front of the skull, all of the hindlimb and pelvis and most of the tail.

Specific features

By examining the spinal column and part of the forelimb, Wilberg explained that this species did not have forelimbs that evolved into flippers, like later descendants in the group. It would have been similar in overall body form to living crocodiles, which means that it likely had similar swimming capabilities. The specimen included a couple of partial teeth. Like all living crocodiles, it likely continually replaced its teeth throughout its life. Its bite force would have been less than a similar sized modern crocodile. The modern

crocodylian skull evolved structural reinforcements to allow it to withstand the massive bite forces it generated. Thalattosuchians skulls were “not as well reinforced, so they were probably not able to bite as hard,” Wilberg wrote. It seems likely that the “muscles that generate fast bites were large in this group, so they may have evolved for fast bites to capture smallmoving prey.”

The Turnersuchus probably lived close to the coast in relatively shallow water. Like living crocodiles, it also likely spent time out of the water to bask in the sun (it was also cold blooded) and lay eggs. The climate of the region when this species lived would have been warmer than the current climate of the United Kingdom.

This creature was likely not an apex predator, with larger hunters like

ichthyosaurs, pleiosaurs and probably sharks likely preying on it.

“We don’t have any direct evidence of predation from these groups on thalattosuchians, but it probably happened,” Wilberg added.

This particular fossil, like many other discoveries, has numerous unknowns. The gender of the individual (which scientists often determine by comparing body sizes) is unclear.

This particular find will “continue to be important moving forward in determining how thalattosuchians are related to other fossil crocodiles — every new species discovered is a chance to test existing hypotheses of how they are related to one another” which is important in determining how evolution occurred in the group, Wilberg explained.

Hingley, who lives a ten minute walk from a beach that is also referred to as the Jurassic Coast, said that it’s “very unusual to come across anything with lots of bones in it on the beaches.” She took the find to her workshop, where she used an air abrasive and pneumatic chisel. She noticed it was semi-articulated, which means the bones were arranged in something resembling a natural order.

It took about one and a half years for Hingley and Turner to collect all the pieces of this fossil.

Turner found the first main block, Hingley discovered the jaw next to it, Turner uncovered the next two and she found the last piece.

“It was quite difficult to collect as it was coming out of a huge glacial landscape,” said Hingley. It likely fell out of the cliff 50 years earlier and had been traveling to the front of the slip over the years. “This meant that, although we did try to dig for it, the best way to recover it was to wait for nature to uncover it for us,” she added.

Hingley and Turner visited daily to make sure they didn’t miss any pieces. The Charmouth Heritage Centre staff found a few loose vertebrae and reunited them with the rest of the fossil.

Hingley, who is one of about 15 people who regularly search parts of the seven miles of beaches almost daily, wanted to do more than collect this fossil — she wanted to know its history. Through her network, she found Roger Benson, who was a Professor of Paleobiology at the University of Oxford.

“It was great to work with him and see the scans being done,” she said. “He was

instrumental” in bringing together a team of researchers who could analyze the finding and put it into historical context.

Indeed, Benson reached out to several researchers at Stony Brook University, including his former postdoctoral researcher Pedro Godoy, Assistant Professor Eric Wilberg and Professor Alan Turner (see related story on left) to gather information.

Their work concluded that this was a new species of marine crocodile. The ancient crocodile relative was named Turnersuchus hingleyae after the fossil hunters who discovered it.

“It’s wonderful to have my name go down in history,” said Hingley, who also has a gastropod named after her.

Hingley, who is 35, started looking for fossils when she was six in Dorset, first on family holidays and then at every opportunity she could get. Over the years, she has found ichthyosaur skulls, ammonites measuring half a meter across, shark skin and teeth and numerous blocks containing hundreds of ammonites. When she was eight, she found

a 20 centimeter ichthyosaur jaw, which is still part of her own collection.

Hingley is thrilled with her job, in which “every day is different and you never know what you are going to find or be working on,” she wrote. “I get to spend a lot of time in nature on the beach; the tide changes the beach every day, too.”

Benson described the beaches where Hingley and Turner search for new fossils as a European “pilgrimage for paleontologists.”

Hingley added that the process of erosion, which reveals fossils hidden in the cliffs along the beach, is something of a double edged sword, revealing fossils and threatening to carry them away.

A storm can decimate a beach and destroy fossils when the tide is too high to collect examples of creatures that lived as many as 185 million years ago. At the same time, erosion along the coast, caused by some of these same storms, reveals new fossils.

Walking along the beach, Hingley explained that it is almost incomprehensible to imagine the time scale separating her from the creatures who died so long ago.

The environment on the Jurassic Coast didn’t change much over those millennia.

“It is odd to think that you are collecting from the sea bed when it’s coming out of the cliff many meters above you,” she wrote. “The distance and time that these fossils have travelled to be found is incredible.”

The fossil hunters who lent their names to an ancient crocodile

Above, Lizzie Hingley and Paul Turner (Photo by Lizzie Hingley) left, Lizzie Hingley holding the ichthyosaur jaw she found when she was eight (Photo by Craig Chivers with close-up below (Photo by Lizzie Hingley)

Above, Eric Wilberg in Coyote Buttes, Utah in 2018; right, Turnersuchus hingleyae. Image by Júlia d’Oliveira

Member Artist Showcase exhibit opens at Mills Pond Gallery

Smithtown Township Arts Council’s Mills Pond Gallery highlights the talents of 72 of its artists with its annual Member Artist Showcase exhibit of original fine art for sale from March 4 to April 1.

Exhibiting artists, who hail from 41 communities across Long Island as well as New York City, New Jersey, North Carolina and Maryland, were able to select the work that they wish to display, affording them the opportunity to show public audiences a work that may be new, or something they created experimenting with a new medium or a work they love but have never had an opportunity to exhibit anywhere.

Works were created using a wide variety of mediums including acrylic, bronze, charcoal, etching, graphite, mixed media sculpture, oil, origami, pastel, photography and watercolor.

Participating artists include Marsha Abrams, Ross Barbera, Shain Bard, Ron Becker, Karen Bennett, Kyle Blumenthal, Daniel C. Boyer, Joyce Bressler, Renee

Caine,

Ceraso, Lou Charnon-Deutsch, Rocco Citeno, Donna Corvi, Teresa Cromwell,

Julie Doczi, Jacqueline DuBarry, JoAnne Dumas, Karin Dutra, Paul Edelson, Deidre Elzer-Lento, Ellen Ferrigno, Modern

Fossils, Vivian Gattuso, Joyce Greenbaum, Francesca Guddemi, Michael Hennessey, David Herman, Gia Horton, George Junker, James Kelson, Lynn Kinsella, Myungja Anna Koh, Susan Kozodoy Silkowitz, Paul Mele, Fred Mendelsohn, Patricia Morrison, Karen George Mortimore, Roni Murillo, Annette Napolitano, Gail Neuman, Diane Oliva, Eileen W Palmer, Sean Pollock, Catherine Rezin, Robert Roehrig, Oscar Santiago, Lori Scarlatos, Anita Schnirman, Joan Schwartzman, Kenneth Schwartzman, Hillary Serota Needle, Kathee Shaff Kelson, Stephen Shannon, Gisela Skoglund, Sílvia Soares Boyer, Lynn Staiano, Mike Stanko, Madeline Stare, Angela Stratton, Mark Strodl, Robert Tuska, Nicholas Valentino, Mary Ann Vetter, Pamela Waldroup, Steve Walker, Robert Wallkam, Don Weber, M. Ellen Winter, Patricia Yantz and Theodora Zavala.

The public is invited to an opening reception Saturday March 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work.

Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in Saint James. Hours of operation are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 631-8626575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

Linda Ann Catucci, Karen Celella, Carol

'Shadow's Delight' by Ron Becker will be on view at the Mills Pond Gallery through April 1. Image courtesy of STAC

Three pound cakes worth their weight

BY HEIDI SUTTON

Why is pound cake called pound cake? Recognized as one of the dessert world's most versatile cakes, it is believed to have originated in England in the first half of the 18th century and initially weighed four pounds — a pound of each of four ingredients: flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. These days the recipe has been modified to be a lighter, richer dessert with a prominent butter flavor.

In honor of National Pound Cake Day on March 4, try the following recipes in celebration of the pound cake's long history. They actually taste better the next day, so you can make it ahead. They also freeze beautifully. Whether you like lemon, orange or chocolate, here are three pound cakes worth their weight.

Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake

Recipe courtesy of The Pampered Chef YIELD: Makes 1 cake or 6 mini pound cakes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose our

• 1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar

• 2 tablespoons lemon zest

• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

• 3⁄4 cup (11⁄2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (do not substitute margarine)

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 4 eggs

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Powdered sugar (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray a 10-inch Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine flour, granulated sugar, lemon zest, poppy seeds, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl; mix well. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and cream cheese on high speed of handheld mixer for 1 minute, or until blended (mixture will form a stiff paste).

In a small batter bowl, whisk eggs, milk and vanilla until blended. Add egg mixture to cream cheese mixture in four additions, beating 2 minutes after each addition. (Do not undermix). Pour batter into pan. Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until cake tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan 10 minutes. Loosen cake from sides of pan; carefully invert onto a stackable cooking rack, keeping pan over cake. Cool completely. Place cake on serving platter. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or prepare glaze, if desired.

For glaze: Combine 11⁄2 cups powdered sugar and enough lemon juice to make a thick frosting. Spread glaze over top of cake. Garnish with lemon zest.

Orange Juice Pound Cake

YIELD: Makes 1 cake

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 4 eggs

• 1 tablespoon orange peel

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 cups our

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup fresh orange juice

• Powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 10-inch Bundt pan. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Add orange peel and vanilla extract. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with orange juice. Beat 2 more minutes. Spoon batter into pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until cake tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove cake from pan onto rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Mahogany Pound Cake

YIELD: Makes 1 cake

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 1/2 cups our

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 cup (two sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 6 eggs, separated

• 1 cup sour cream

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325 F. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugars and vanilla extract until fluffy. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in sour cream alternately with dry ingredients. In a medium bowl beat egg whites until stiff. Carefully fold into batter until no whites show. Pour batter into a 10-inch greased Bundt pan. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove cake from pan onto rack. Let cool completely before serving.

ONLY ON THE WEB:

Check out the following articles at tbrnewsmedia.com

» Meet the Reboli Center's March Artisan of the Month: John Houle

» The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook announces concert line-up for March

» The Long Island Pet Expo returns to SCCC in Brentwood March 4 and 5

HOROSCOPES OF THE WEEK

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Pisces, your own mind could be your only obstacle this week. Clear this mental hurdle and enjoy the challenges ahead.

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Take a few deep breaths before forging ahead with a plan that you have in mind, Aries. You might need to think things through a little more in the days to come.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, when a new opportunity arises, you may feel like a sh out of water until you get into a routine. After that learning period, things will come more easily.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, do not wait around for change to come. Sometimes you have to get the ball rolling yourself. Put plans in motion and gure out who will join you.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, right now is a big waiting game, and that could have you feeling a bit frustrated. If you are ready for action, take on a hobby or something else to stay busy.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, you may get wind that others are talking about you when you are not around. Remember that all publicity is good publicity. You’re on their minds and that’s important.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, after a few tumultuous months, you nally get into a groove and forge a new path for yourself. You may be surprised by what comes your way.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

You may joke about something that someone else takes very seriously, Libra. Be careful with your words to avoid o ending someone you care about.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

You may have a lot of ideas, Scorpio, but it is essential to gure out funding if those plans are to be put in motion. This includes home improvements.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, it’s time to embrace your love of culture, as you need to start pushing the creative side rather than the analytical one. Visit a museum when time permits.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Opportunity awaits if you know where to look, Capricorn. A new business venture could be right around the corner. Start thinking of ways to get involved.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, the big project is nished and you could not be happier. That pressure may have been weighing you down and now you have more free time.

Famous Birthdays:

March 2 - Rebel Wilson (43); March 3 - Camila Cabello (26); March 4 - Patricia Heaton (65); March 5 - Eva Mendes (49); March 6 - Shaquille O'Neal (51); March 7 - Jenna Fischer (49); March 7 - Rachel Weisz (53); March 8 - Micky Dolenz (78); March 9 - Juliette Binoche (59)

Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake

Photo from WMHO

Thursday 2

An Evening of Jazz

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents the Jazz Loft Big Band in concert from 7 to 9:30 p.m. featuring a 17-piece bit band directed by Tom Manuel. Tickets are $30, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, under 6 years old free. For reservations, visit www.thejazzloft.org. For more info, call 751-1895.

Friday 3

St. Patrick’s Dinner/Dance

In anticipation of the Miller Place-Rocky Point St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 12 at 1 p.m., the Friends of St. Patrick will be honoring this year’s Grand Marshal, Bob Evans, manager of the Rocky Point Stop & Shop, with a dinner/dance at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $70 and include dinner and dancing, a Bag Pipe appearance and cash bar. For more information, call Brian at 790-9061 or Mike at 484-6322.

Wintertide concert

The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson continues its Wintertide concert series from 7 to 8 p.m with a performance by Rob Europe (Country Blues) in the Sail Loft Room on the third floor. $5 donation at the door. Questions? Call 473-4778.

First

Friday at the Heckscher

The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington continues its First Friday series tonight from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Explore the exhibitions during extended viewing hours and enjoy a special performance by Flutissimo! with guest pianist Aglaia Savalas Messina at 7 p.m. Free admission. Call 380-3230 for more info.

Saturday 4

Saltwater Fishing Club Expo

The Ward Melville High School Fishing Club will host the 10th annual Saltwater Fishing Club Expo and Fundraiser at Ward Melville High School, 380 Old Town Road East Setauket from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with over 200 vendors, seminars, raffles. Free admission and parking. For more information, call 730-4900 or visit www.www.wardmelvillefishingclub. com/2023expo.

Polar Plunge

Smithtown Children’s Foundation hosts its annual Polar Plunge fundraiser at the Smithtown Bay Yacht Club, 552 Long Beach Road, St. James at 10 a.m. with registration at 9 a.m. $30 per person, $50 for two. For more info, visit www. smithtownchildrensfoundation.com.

Times ... and dates

March 2 to March 9, 2023

Street, turns onto Church Street, ending down Old Dock Road at the William T. Rogers Middle School. Visit www.kpstpat. com for more info.

Cocktail Hour at the Reboli Center

Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook hosts an exclusive Cocktail Hour, presentation and Q&A with Victoria Wyeth from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The only grandchild of the late Andrew Wyeth and the niece of contemporary realist, Jamie Wyeth, Ms. Wyeth’s presentation will include interspersed discussions of subject matter and technique with direct quotes and anecdotes from her grandfather and uncle. Hors d’oeuvres will be served by Bliss. For tickets, call 751-7707 or visit www. rebolicenter.org.

Sunday 5

Winter Water Walk

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington will host a 4-mile moderately paced Winter Water Walk from 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. to observer winter waterfowl and explore the beach. Bring binoculars. (Long grass possible). Adults only. $4 per person. Advance reservations required by calling 423-1770.

Maple Sugaring Program

Maple Sugaring Day

Join Homestead Arts for a Maple Sugaring Day at Benner’s Farm,56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn about the history of the maple sugaring process with Mr. Benner in the warm barn. Gather sap and see how the trees are tapped, what kind they are, and how to tell them from the other trees in our Long Island woods. Stand in front of the warm fire where the gallons of sap are boiled down to produce the wonderfully sweet, syrup we all enjoy. Taste a maple treat at the maple candy demonstration table. Finally, feast on the finished syrup and hot pancakes made from scratch with some warm hot cocoa! $12 adults, $10 children and seniors at the door. Food and drinks available for purchase. For more info, call 689-8172 or visit www.bennersfarm.com.

Putt and Pub Crawl

The Port Jefferson Rotary Club hosts its 6th annual Winter Golf Classic Putt and Pub Crawl from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Putt nine holes at restaurants in Port Jefferson Village including the Curry Club at SāGhar, Barito Tacos & Cocktails, Gourmet Burger Bistro & Bar, Port Jeff Brewing Company,

RUVO Kitchen and Wine Bar, Tommy’s Place, Billie’s 1890 Saloon, PJ Lobster House and Halfway House at Nantuckets. Registration includes coffee and continental breakfast, 3 free drink tickets, free food at all locations, photo-op, awards ceremony, raffle, light fare, and commemorative gift. For ages 21 and over. To register, visit www. portjeffrotary.org.

Guitar Concert at All Souls

All Souls Church, 61 Main Street, Stony Brook will present the The Becker/Lessard Guitar Duo in concert at 6 p.m. The two musicians have played extensively as a both duo and part of the Artesian Guitar Quartet for over ten years, including concerts in Canada, United States and England. Free. Please bring a can of food to donate to a local food pantry. Call 655-7798 for more information.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Grand Marshal Michael Lacey will lead the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Kings Park with a kickoff at the corner of Pulaski Road and Lou Avenue at noon. The parade, featuring numerous bagpipe bands, floats and hundreds of marching community organizations, will continue down Main

Suffolk County Farm and Education Center, 350 Yaphank Road, Yaphank presents a Maple Sugaring program from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 11 a.m. to noon. Learn about the process of making syrup by helping drill and tap maple trees and hanging buckets to collect the sap. Everyone can watch how the sugaring process happens. Enjoy a wagon ride on the “Syrup Express” for a quick visit to see the farm animals. $15 per person ages 3 and up. To register, visit www.ccesuffolk. org/events. For further information, call 852-4600.

Purim Palooza

Suffolk Y JCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack hosts a Purim Palooza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy bounce houses, games, music, costume contest and more. A carnival for children of all ages. Tickets are $15 per family in advance at www.syjcc.org/ $20 at the door.

Island Hills Chorus Concert

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station hosts a concert titled The Climb at 1:30 p.m. Join the Island Hills Chorus in this musical tribute celebrating women and their struggle to attain equity and recognition in the workplace and the world. Open to all. Call 928-1212 to reserve your seat. *

FIRST FRIDAY AT THE HECKSHER

The Flutissimo! flute quartet heads to the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington for a free concert on March 3. Photo by Michael Krasowitz

Hoyt Farm Maple Sugaring

Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve, 200 New Highway, Commack hosts a Maple Sugaring program today from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Learn about the ancient process of making maple syrup/sugar, which was passed down by the Native Americans to the Colonists. Tickets are $5 per person (cash only.) The class is open to both residents and non-residents. It is recommended that guests arrive by 1 p.m. to register. For more information, call 543-7804.

Women’s History Month Hike

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a Women’s History Month hike from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Ten stations along this self-guided hike through the marsh and woodlands will each feature the achievements of a female environmentalist who has made great contributions to the field of science. To register, please visit EventBrite.com.

Long Island LitFest

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington hosts a Long Island LitFest event at 2:30 p.m. Hosted by supermodel Christie Brinkley, meet writer and model Paulina Porizkova, who will talk about her career, the complexities of womanhood at every age, and her intimate, introspective, and enlightening essay collection, No Filter: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful. This event includes audience Q&A and book signings. Tickets are $45 and includes a copy of Poriskova’s book. To order, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

Ridotto concert

Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington hosts a Ridotto concert featuring Dutch-Italian Pianist Saskia Giorgini at 4 p.m. Winner of the prestigious International Mozart Competition in Salzburg, Saskia Giorgini is also winner of the special Chopin special Prize at the Busoni Piano Competition. She is praised for her “unerring technique, a beautiful and moving sound, a phrasing full of fantasy and a pure musicality.” Program will include Rameau “l’Egyptienne,” Enescu Nocturne, Mozart Sonata K 281, Liszt-Valse Impromptu and Valse Caprice. Tickets are $35, $30 seniors, $25 members, $12 students. For reservations, call 385-0373, or email Ridotto@optonline.net.

Monday 6

No events listed for this day.

Tuesday 7

Purim in the Wild West Lubavitch of the East End, 87 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Coram hosts a Purim in the Wild West event at 5:15 p.m. with a westernthemed Purim dinner, megillah reading,

Jewish country music, costumes and more. Fun for the whole family. $18 adults, $10 per child. To RSVP, visit www.Jewishli.com or call 698-4000.

Wednesday 8

Real Estate Seminar

Join Fran Saer and Alex Goldenberg of Coach Realtors for a free seminar on the Art of Selling Your Home from at the Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Learn about the process of preparing, listing, and selling real estate in deciding whether to Love or List your home for sale. Refreshments, light bites, raffles, and prizes will be included. Free. To register, call 680-8676 or 241-5446. Women at Sea virtual lecture

The Whaling Museum of Cold Spring Harbor hosts a virtual lecture titled Women at Sea at 7 p.m. Explore the fascinating yet little-known lives, stories, and experiences of pioneering 19th century American whaling wives who defied convention. Find out about their diverse experiences around the world through photographs, journal entries, and artifacts. Suggested donation $10. Visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org or call 367-3418 to register.

Thursday 9

Alzheimer’s workshop

The Long Island Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will hold an in-person event called “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” at the Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. This will be an overview of how to recognize the common signs of Alzheimer’s disease; how to approach someone about memory concerns; the importance of early detection and benefits of a diagnosis; possible tests and assessments for the diagnostic process, and Alzheimer’s Association resources. Free. Call 585-9393 to register.

Theater

‘Side By Side By Sondheim’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage season with Side By Side By Sondheim from Feb. 18 to March 18 showcasing the early works of Broadway’s greatest composer, Stephen Sondheim. Featuring songs from Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, West Side Story, Gypsy, and many others. Unforgettable songs from this dazzling creator and his collaborators include “Send in the Clowns,” “I’m Still Here,” “Another Hundred People,” “Maria,” “Tonight,” “Anyone Can Whistle,” and “Broadway Baby.” Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www. theatrethree.com.

‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St.. Northport presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels from Jan. 19 to March 5. Con artist Lawrence Jameson is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he enjoys the fruits of his deceptions–that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson, shows up. When the new guy’s lowbrow tactics impinge on his own work, Jameson resolves to get rid of him. Based on the uproarious movie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels boasts a jazzy-pop score by David Yazbek, who also wrote the music for The Full Monty. Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Festival of One-Act Plays

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 24th annual Festival of OneAct Plays from February 25 through March 25 at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre, on the Second Stage. Selected from over 250 submissions world-wide, these seven cutting-edge premieres are guaranteed to entertain and engage. Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, the plays will feature Steve Ayle, Tamralynn Dorsa, Antoine Jones, Brittany Lacey, Phyllis March, Evan Teich, Steven Uihlein, Sean Amato, Ava Andrejko, Angelo DiBiase, Samantha Fierro, Jason Furnari, Melissa Norman, Danielle Pafundi, and Tristan Prin. Please Note: Adult content and language. All tickets are $20. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www. theatrethree.com. See review on page B11.

‘Tape’

The Theatre at Suffolk County Community College, Ammerman campus, 533 College Road, Selden presents a production of Tape by Stephen Belber in Theatre 119 in the Islip Arts Building on March 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 7:30 p.m. and March 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. After 10 years apart, three disparate people come together to play out the unresolved drama of their final days in high school. Suspense builds as each character is provoked into revealing his or her true nature and motivation as they choose which cards to play and which cards to hold. Mature content. General admission is $14. For tickets, call 451-4163.

‘(Mostly) True Things’

The Performing Arts Studio, 224 E. Main St, Port Jefferson presents (Mostly) True Things, a game wrapped in a storytelling show, on the theme “Bad Match” on March 11 at 7 p.m. The show features 4 true stories but 3 of them include subtle little lies. In the second act, the audience questions the storytellers, then votes for the person they think told it straight. Winners get a tote bag, and the whole truth about each story is shared before the end of the evening. It is a combination of comedy,

heart and community that is truly a unique experience. Hosted by Jude Treder-Wolff, featured storytellers include Jack Canfora, Carla Katz, Vernon Payne, and Sue Barnum. Tickets are $15 online at Eventbrite or $20 at the door (cash only). For more info, visit www.mostlytruethings.com.

‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’

The swashbuckling musical adventure The Scarlet Pimpernel heads to the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport from March 16 to April 30. Percy Blakeney, a proper Englishman, takes on a sword fighting and dashing double identity as The Scarlet Pimpernel to save French citizens from the blood-hungry guillotine. His exploits soon become the talk of Paris, however, the fanatical Agent Chauvelin will stop at nothing to catch the Pimpernel and send him to the guillotine. With a rousing and passionate score by Frank Wildhorn, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a thrilling musical! For ticket info, call 261-2900 or visit www. engemantheater.com.

‘Seussical’

Mount Sinai High School, 110 North Country Road, Mt. Sinai presents the musical Seussical on March 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. and March 25 at 2 p.m. This special Theater for Young Audiences version of the Broadway hit has been rewritten and streamlined to engage audience members from age 4 to 94. Tickets are $15, $12 seniors and students at www.Ludus.com/ MountSinaiPerformingArts. Questions? call 870-2882.

Film

‘The Big Lebowski’

Join the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington for a screening of “The Big Lebowski” Jeff Bridges and John Goodman on March 8 at 7 p.m. All Jeff ‘the Dude’ Lebowski wants to do is go bowling, but when he’s mistaken for LA millionaire big Lebowski and a pair of thugs pee on his rug — “it really tied the room together!” — he’s forced to take action, and so the laziest man in Los Angeles County takes on nihilists, ferrets, and empire tycoons. Introduction by Film Historian Glenn Andreiev. Tickets are $15, $10 members. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

CALENDAR DEADLINE is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to leisure@ tbrnewspapers.com. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.

R eligious D irectory

Catholic

INFANTJESUS ROMANCATHOLICCHURCH

110MyrtleAve.,PortJefferson631-473-0165 Fax631-331-8094 www.www.infantjesus.org

REV.FRANCISLASRADO& PASTOR,ASSOCIATES: REVERENDGREGORYRANNAZZISI,

REV.ROLANDOTICLLASUCA

ParishOutreach:631-331-6145

WeeklyMasses: 7:30am(Monday-Friday)and

WeekendMasses: Saturdayat4:30pm,Sunday 9amintheChurch

intheChurch at7:30am,8:45am(Spanish),10:30am,and5pm 9:00amand12:00pmintheChapel..

SpanishMasses: Sundayat8:45am

TheSacramentofReconciliation remains intheChurch

scheduledonSaturdays12:30-1:15pminthe

lowerchurch.

ST.GERARDMAJELLA ROMANCATHOLICCHURCH

300TerryvilleRoad,PortJeffersonStation 631-473-2900www.stgmajella.org

REV.GREGORYRANNAZZISI,PASTOR

Mass: Saturday5pm

WeekdayMass: 9am Sunday8am,10am&12pm

Confessions: Saturday3:45pm-4:45pm

OfficeHours: Monday-Thursday9am-4:30pm

ThriftShop: Monday-Thursday10am-4pm

andFriday10am-2pm.

BaptismandWedding arrangementscanbe

madebycallingtheParishOffice.

ST.JAMESROMAN CATHOLICCHURCH

429Rt.25A,Setauket Phone:631-941-4141Fax:631-751-6607

ParishOfficeemail:

parish@stjamessetauket.org

REV.ROBERTSCHECKENBACK, REV.ROBERTKUZNIK,PASTOR www.stjamessetauket.org

REV.MIKES.EZEATU, ASSOCIATEPASTOR

SBUHOSPITALCHAPLAIN,INRESIDENCE

OfficeHours:Monday-Friday9amto4pm...

Saturday9am

Bereavement: 631-941-4141X341

FaithFormationOffice:631-941-4141X328

Outreach: 631-941-4141X313

OurDailyBreadSundaySoupKitchen

FoodPantryOpen OpenEveryWednesday To-Goandgroceries opened2-3pm,servinghotmeals

OpenEverySundayfrom2-3pm, from12Noonto2pm

formedbytheGospel.Westrivetorespondto HolySpirit,nourishedbytheEucharistand fullnessoftheKingdomofGod,guidedbythe areapilgrimcommunityjourneyingtowardthe BodyofChristthroughthewatersofBaptism,

Jesusinvitation:tobefaithfulandfruitfuldisciples;tobeaGoodSamaritantoourneighborand

Charity...sothatinJesusname,wemaybea andtobelivingwitnessofFaith,Hopeand enemy;tobestewardsofandforGod’screation

itsdiversities. welcomingcommunity,respectfuloflifeinall

Catholic Traditional Latin Mass

ST.MICHAELTHEARCHANGEL SOCIETYOFSAINTPIUSX

900HorseblockRoad,Farmingville 631-736-6515sspxlongisland.com

SundayMasses at7amand9am

Pleaseconsultsspxlongisland.comforupdates

andcurrentmasstimes.

Christian

ISLANDCHRISTIANCHURCH

400ElwoodRoad,EastNorthport IslandChristian.com 631-822-3000

ST.LOUISDEMONTFORT ROMANCATHOLICCHURCH

75NewYorkAvenue,SoundBeach Parishoffice:631-744-8566; fax631-744-8611

Parishwebsite:

REV.MSGR.CHRISTOPHERJ.HELLER, www.stlouisdm.org

ASSOCIATEPASTORREV.MSGR.DONALD PASTORREV.ALPHONSUSIGBOKWE,

REV.FRANCISPIZZARELLI,S.M.M., HANSON,INRESIDENCE

PARISHASSISTANTREV.HENRYVAS

OfficeHours: Mon.,Tues.,Thurs.:

ClosedonSunday pm; Saturday: 9amto1pm; Wednesday: 9amto8pm; Friday: 9amto4 9amto5pm

MissionStatement:Toproclaimthegoodnews

ofJesusChrist’slovethroughouractiveinvolvementasaparishfamilyinworksof

familysituation.Nomatteryourpracticeoffaith. statusisintheCatholicChurch.Nomatteryour AREWELCOME!Nomatterwhatyourpresent Charity,Faith,Worship,JusticeandMercy.ALL

Nomatteryourpersonalhistory,ageorbackground.YOUareinvited,respectedandlovedat

WeekdayMasses: St.LouisdeMontfort.

MondaythroughFriday8:30amintheChapel

WeekendMasses:SaturdayVigil:5pm

Sunday:7:30am;10:00am;12noon.

Baptisms:MostSundaysat1:30pm.

PleasecontactParishOfficeforanappointment.

Reconciliation:Saturday4-4:45pm

AnointingoftheSick:byrequest. orbyappointment.

HolyMatrimony: ContactParishOfficeatleast

sixmonthsinadvanceofdesireddate.

ReligiousEducation:Contact631-744-9515

ParishOutreach:Contact631-209-0325

PASTORCHRISTOPHERCOATS

ServicesIn-Person+Online SundayMornings

Funreligiouseducationforkidsduring 9AM+11AM

FoodPantry: EverythirdWednesdayofthe checkoutourwebsiteformoredetails ChildrenandYouthprogramsduringtheweek, eachservice

month10:30AM-12PM

Congregational

MT.SINAICONGREGATIONAL UNITEDCHURCHOFCHRIST 233NorthCountryRoad,Mt.Sinai 631-473-1582 www.msucc.org

REV.DR.PHILIPHOBSON

MiddleIsland,N.Y.OurhoursareWednesday helpthoseinneedat643MiddleCountryRoad, TheIslandHeartFoodPantry continuesto oneanother. strivetoliveoutChrist’smessagetolove Throughourworshipandbyouractionswe timethereafter,withRev.PhilHobson. onourYouTubechannelat10am, andany Wewillcontinuetoprovideour onlineservice suggested.” tothepublic “Masksarenotrequired,butare MountSinaiCongregationalChurchisopen

andThursdayfrom2:30-4:30pm.Wearamask

“Nomatterwhoyouareorwhereyouareon andstayincar

GraceandPeace,Rev.Phil life’sjourney,youarewelcomehere.”

Episcopal

MissionStatement:We,theCatholiccommunityoftheThreeVillagearea,formedasthe Sunday: 8amVirtualMorningPrayer orcall631-655-7798

ALLSOULSEPISCOPALCHURCH

Ourlittlehistoricchurchonthehillacrossfrom theStonyBrookDuckPond 61MainStreet,StonyBrook Visitourwebsitewww.allsoulsstonybrook.org

9:30HolyEucharistwithOrganMusic

Tuesday:8:00am

Interdenominational

MorningPrayer

Wednesday:12noon

InterdenominationalRosary

Weareafriendlywelcomingcommunity

forallpeople.

CAROLINEEPISCOPALCHURCH OFSETAUKET

1DykeRoadontheVillageGreen,Setauket Website:www.carolinechurch.net email:office@carolinechurch.net

631-941-4245

REVNICKOLASGRIFFITH

PRIEST-IN-CHARGE

LetGodwalkwithyouaspartofour

family-friendlycommunity.

10:00amThursdays HealingService

5:00pmSaturdays HolyEucharist

8:00am&9:30amSundays

HolyEucharistw/music

CHRISTEPISCOPALCHURCH

127BarnumAve.,PortJefferson 631-473-0273

email:ccoffice@christchurchportjeff.org www.christchurchportjeff.org

Churchofficehours:Tues.-Fri.9am-12pm

Pleasejoinusforour8:00and10:00Sunday

GODBLESSYOU inourChapel.Masksareoptional. Eucharistsandour10:00WednesdayEucharists

FatherAnthonyDiLorenzo

yourjourneyoflifewewanttobepartofit. welcomingcommunity.Whereveryouarein andministry.WeatChristChurchareajoyful, tomakehisloveknowntoallthroughourlives togrowinourrelationshipwithJesusChristand ItisthemissionofthepeopleofChristChurch

ST.JOHN’SEPISCOPALCHURCH

“ToknowChristandtomakeHimknown” Rev.DuncanA.Burns,Rector Rev.JamesE.Reiss,Curate Rev.ClaireD.Mis,Deacon

AlexPryrodny,MusicDirector

&Artist-in-Residence

12ProspectSt,Huntington(631)427-1752

OnMainSt.nexttothelibrary

SundayWorship

8:00am-RiteIHolyEucharist

10:00am-RiteIIHolyChoralEucharist

9:40am-SundaySchool

ThriftShop

12to3pm-Tuesdays,Thursdays&Saturdays

VolunteersWelcome!

Followuson info@stjohns1745.org*www.stjohns1745.org

Facebook&Instagram@stjohns1745

PLEASE CALL OR VISIT YOUR PLACE OF WORSHIP’S WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE.

Jewish R eligious D irectory

NORTHSHOREJEWISHCENTER

385OldTownRd., PortJeffersonStation 631-928-3737 www.northshorejewishcenter.org

RABBIAARONBENSON

CANTORDANIELKRAMER

EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR

MARCIEPLATKIN

PRINCIPALHEATHERWELKES

YOUTHDIRECTORJENSCHWARTZ

Services: FridayAt8Pm;SaturdayAt9:15am

DailyMorningAndEveningMinyan

CallForTimes.TotShabbatFamilyServices

SisterhoodMen’s

ClubSeniors’ClubYouthGroupContinuingEd

AdultBar/BatMitzvahJudaicaShop

FoodPantryLectureSeriesJewishFilmSeries

NSJCJEWISHLEARNINGCENTER

RELIGIOUSSCHOOL

InnovativeCurriculumAnd

ProgrammingForChildrenAges5-13

ImagineASynagogueThatFeelsLikeHome!

ComeConnectWithUsOnYour

JewishJourney.MemberUnitedSynagogue

OfConservativeJudaism.

TEMPLEISAIAH(REFORM)

1404StonyBrookRoad,StonyBrook 631-751-8518www.tisbny.org

AWarmAndCaring IntergenerationalCommunity

DedicatedToLearning,Prayer,SocialAction,

MemberUnionForReformJudaism andFriendship.

RABBIPAULSIDLOFSKY

CANTORINTERNKALIXJACOBSON

EDUCATIONALDIRECTOR

RABBIPAULSIDLOFSKY,

RABBIEMERITUSSTEPHENA.KAROL

RABBIEMERITUSADAMD.FISHER

CANTOREMERITUS

MICHAELF.TRACHTENBERG

SabbathServices:1stFridayofthemonth6pm,

allotherFridays7:30pmandSaturdayB’nai

servicesat10am

ReligiousSchoolMonthlyFamilyService

MonthlyTotShabbatYouthGroups

AdultEducationSisterhood

BrotherhoodBookClub-More

Lutheran-ELCA

HOPELUTHERANCHURCHAND ANCHORNURSERYSCHOOL

46DareRoad,Selden 631-732-2511

EmergencyNumber516-848-5386

Email:office@hopelutheran.com

Website:www.hopeluth.com

REV.DR.RICHARDO.HILL,PASTOR

DALENEWTON,M.DIV

PASTORALASSISTANT

On Sundays theservicesareat9and10:30a.m.

Alinkforalltheseservicesisonthe

OurFoodPantryisopentoeveryoneon website:www.hopeluth.com.

churchservicesandthroughourwebsite’s Offeringstosupportourministrycanbemadeat amessageonthechurchansweringservice. a.m.-noonorbymakingarrangementsbyleaving food.Also,donationscanbemadefrom11 Thursdaysfrom12:30-2:30p.m.forpickingup

“ShareGod’sMission”page.

Inanyemergency,callthepastorat

516-848-5386

ST.PAUL’SEVANGELICAL LUTHERANCHURCH

309PatchogueRoad

PortJeffersonStation 631-473-2236

e-mailpastorpauldowning@yahoo.com

pastor’scellphoneTextorvoice347-423-3623

www.StPaulsLCPJS.org

ServicesonSundaysareat facebook.com/stpaulselca

8:30and10:30ameachweek

withAdultBibleStudybypastor

betweentheservices

Parkinglotisbehindthechurch.

PleaseenterfromMapleAvenue

Ifyouarenotvaccinatedandboostedplease

Serviceisalsoavailableonfacebookliveatthe wearamask.

churchwebsitefrom8:30am

WednesdayBibleStudy

at9:30amoverzoom

FridayPrayerGroupat10:30liveandoverzoom

WelcomeFriends

providesfreemealsinourparkinglotat1:00pm

onTuesdaysandThursdays

Lutheran-LCMS

MESSIAHLUTHERANCHURCH

465PondPath,EastSetauket 631-751-1775www.messiahny.org

ALLAREWELCOME

PastorNilsNiemeier

AssociatePastorSteveUnger

WednesdayLentWorshipServices

Soupsupper at6pm at7pm(March8,15,22,&29)

SundayMorningWorship

8:30am&11:00am

SundaySchool

Adult&YouthBibleStudy

at9:45am

Formoreinformationortospeaktooneofour

pastorspleasecontactthechurchoffice.

MayGodkeepyousafeandshineHislightand

loveuponyou

Methodist

BETHELAFRICANMETHODIST EPISCOPALCHURCH

33ChristianAve/PO2117,E.Setauket 631-941-3581

REV.LISAWILLIAMSPASTOR

SundayWorship: 10:30Am

AdultSundaySchool9:30Am

LectionaryReadingAndPrayer:

Wed.12Noon

GospelChoir: Tues.8Pm

PraiseChoirAndYouthChoir3rdAnd4thFri.

6:30PM.

SETAUKETUNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH

160MainStreet,Cornerof25Aand MainStreetEastSetauket631-941-4167

REV.STEVENKIM,PASTOR

SundayWorshipService

Indoorat10am

Servicesarestreamedonline

andlivestreamedonFacebook @www.setauketumc.org

HolyCommunion 1stSundayofMonth

MaryMarthaCircle(Women’sMinistry)

Nomatterwhoyouareorwhereyouareonlife’s meetsevery2ndTuesdayeachmonthat1pm

journey,you’rewelcomehere!

STONYBROOKCOMMUNITY CHURCH

UNITEDMETHODIST

REV.CHUCKVANHOUTEN,PASTOR ConnectingpeopletoGod,purpose,andeach

216ChristianAvenue,StonyBrook,NY11790 other!

ChurchOffice:631-751-0574

Email:

stonybrookcommunitychurch@gmail.com

Website:www.stonybrookcommunitychurch.org

SundayWorshipService:11:00am

SundaySchool: 11:00am

HolyCommunion 1stSundayofthemonth prayerandservice. bringpositivechangetotheworldthrough growinourloveforGodandoneanotherandto welcome-aplacetobelong.Ourmissionisto evolvingfamilyoffaithwhereeveryoneis God’sworktogether.Weareaninclusive, outreachforindividualsandfamiliesdoing SBCCisacommunityoflove,learning,and Livestreamlinkavailableonourwebsite

FIRSTPRESBYTERIANCHURCH

OFPORTJEFFERSON

107South/MainStreets631-473-0147

Weareanacceptingandcaringpeople whoinviteyou

toshareinthejourneyoffaithwithus

Email:office@pjpres.org

SundayWorshipService-10am Website:www.pjpres.org

HolyCommunion1stSundayoftheMonth

Hotmeals,groceries&clothingprovidedona

takeoutbasisbyWelcomeFriendson

Wednesday5:00-6:00pm

Callthechurchofficeorvisitourwebsitefor andFridays3:30-5:00pm

NYSCertifiedPreschoolandDaycare currentactivitiesandevents.

ThepurposeofFirstPresbyterianChurchofPort

comforttothoseinneedandhopetothosein visitorsandthecommunityatlarge;toprovide goodnewsofJesusChristwiththecongregation, Jeffersonis,withGod’shelp,tosharethejoy&

despair;andtoseekjusticeforallGod’speople.

SETAUKETPRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

5CarolineAvenue~OntheVillageGreen 631-941-4271 setauketpresbyterian@verizon.net

Celebrating&sharingtheloveofGod

THEREV.DR.JOHANNAMcCUNE Allarewelcome! since1660

THEREV.ASHLEYMcFAUL-ERWIN, LEADPASTORANDHEADOFSTAFF WAGNER

COMMUNITYOUTREACHPASTOR

Worshipwithusin-personSundaysat9:30AM

Masksoptional

Ourserviceisavailablevialive-stream.

WeareaCovenantNetwork,MoreLight& Visitwww.setauketpresbyterian.org

imageofGodandweactivelyengageinmaking WebelieveALLarecreatedinthe Matthew25congregation

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Former SBU basketball standout India Pagan reflects on year in pros

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF

Learning a new basketball system was challenging: learning German was even harder.

For India Pagan, who speaks English and Spanish, communicating with her coach and fans in her first experience in professional basketball after graduating with a Master’s from Stony Brook University proved difficult.

Early in the season, playing for BC Pharmaserv in Marburg, Germany, head coach Patrick Unger spoke to her in English, but he’s “translating it in his head in German,” Pagan said. Sometimes, she took what he said the wrong way.

When Unger said something, Pagan recalled that she “took it in a personal way, which make me get in my head,” she said.

After speaking with Unger, she cleared the air, which helped her understand more of what he wanted.

Pagan lived and worked a continent away from her family in New London, Connecticut, who had been regular visitors and supporters during her college playing days as a member of the Seawolves.

Moises Pagan, India’s father, was grateful for the opportunity to connect with his daughter electronically. “Thank God for FaceTime,” he said. “That helped.”

Off the court, Pagan adjusted to life in a different culture while living in an apartment with three teammates. She and her teammates had some of the typical issues that affect college students who move in with strangers when they first start living life apart from their families.

Some of her teammates were more attentive to cleaning their dishes or buying necessities.

One of Pagan’s biggest frustrations was that she likes to sleep late. Some of her teammates would knock on doors and ask for something in the morning.

“One thing I learned is that when I get another roommate, I’m really going to set boundaries” so that she can get the rest she feels she needs, Pagan said.

In addition, Pagan, whose parents grew up in Puerto Rico and who has a strong cultural and national identity tied to the island territory, found it difficult to purchase the kind of foods she knows she enjoys eating.

Pagan’s parents Moises and Carmen sent their daughter a care package filled with spices and packaged foods. The only problem: it took 28 days to arrive. The parcel “sat in Frankfurt for eight days,” Moises Pagan said. He called the post office in the United States, and representatives said they also saw that the package wasn’t moving, but that there was “nothing they could do.” When the food items finally arrived, India brought a teammate who spoke German with her, to translate.

Amid local and global health concerns, Pagan said the team had its share of illnesses. In her first week in Germany, she was sick. “You have to be kidding me,” she recalled thinking. “I’m sick already and we weren’t even playing games.”

Pagan got the first week off. After that, she said, players on her team passed along a few colds, which weren’t Covid but were still unpleasant.

On the court

While Pagan had an opportunity to play and continue to develop her game, the team didn’t make the playoffs and was heading into the final few weeks of the season with a losing record. “We know we’re a good team,” Pagan said. “The majority of games, we lost by a couple of points. We never found our rhythm this season.”

Pagan went from helping lead the Stony Brook women’s basketball team through successful seasons to debuting on a professional team that struggled to put wins together. “Basketball will always be fun, but losing so many games by five points got really frustrating and obviously isn’t for anyone,” she said.

In addition to receiving ongoing and positive support from her parents, India Pagan also remained in touch with Ashley Langford, who coached Pagan during her final year at Stony Brook.

Quaker R eligious D irectory

Sept.-June,11a.m.;Allarewelcome.

“It’s always great hearing from [Coach Langford],” said Pagan. Langford reminded Pagan that she’s a great player, that she should attack and play her game, and should believe in herself. “Small phrases like that” really helped, Pagan said.

Langford said she tries to remind all firstyear professional players that there’s a learning curve and that there will be moments they don’t enjoy. “What I tried to tell India, too, is that it’ll get better and stick with it,” she said.

Langford also highlighted how the officiating is different. Players might get called for travels more or less often in one league. She urged Pagan to dominate, which, the coach said, would make it difficult to take her out of the lineup.

“You’ve got to make him play you,” Langford urged.

Personal growth

Pagan felt she grew as a basketball player and as a person. She described the German style of play as “quicker and more physical.”

When a shot went up, her coach wanted everyone to go for a rebound, rather than sending one or two guards back to protect against a fast break on the other end.

“In some respects, I am a better basketball player,” she explained. “I learned some new moves and learned a lot about my game.”

During the season, Pagan and two of her teammates couldn’t go home for Christmas. They visited with their head coach and his family, which included three children. “I was thankful for the family I got to spend time with over here,” Pagan said. She also visited bigger cities, which were over an hour and a half from where she lived, as often as she could.

When she returns home, Pagan is looking forward to visiting with family, eating crab legs and taking a trip to Dunkin’ Donuts.

She has not decided where she’ll play next year and is exploring various options, including joining a Puerto Rican league.

familiesofdiversereligiousandsocialbackgrounds.

Aplacetonurtureyourspiritandhelphealour

India Pagan greets fans after a game in Marburg, Germany. Photo by Stefan Tschersich

SBU SPORTSWEEK

MARCH 2 TO MARCH 8, 2023

IS

Softball slugs past Central Connecticut State in Battle at the Bay

The Stony Brook softball team (4-4, 0-0 CAA) slugged its way past the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils, 8-3, on Feb. 26 in the final day of the Battle at the Bay in Norfolk, VA.

The Seawolves hit two home runs, for a combined five runs, to roll past the Blue Devils. Senior catcher Corinne Badger started the scoring for Stony Brook by slugging her second home run of the weekend. In the top of the first inning, Badger blasted a two-run shot, which drove home junior shortstop Kyra McFarland to make it 2-0.

Stony Brook poured onto its lead in the top of the third inning. Junior center fielder Alicia Orosco led off the inning with bunt single. McFarland followed with a four-pitch walk and the Seawolves had runners on first and second base with no outs. Sophomore left fielder Alyssa Costello stepped up to the plate and smashed a three-run home run to right center to extend the lead to 5-0.

The Seawolves continued their success offensively in the top of the fourth. Senior right fielder Shauna Nuss led off the inning with a walk and Orosco dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Nuss into scoring position. Then, McFarland came up and singled through the right side, driving in Nuss to extend the Seawolves' lead to 6-0.

Central Connecticut State scored threestraight runs to cut the Stony Brook lead to three runs, but the Seawolves would tack on insurance in the top of the seventh. Costello scored on a wild pitch and senior third baseman Brooke Dye drew a walk to drive in Badger. Stony Brook led 8-3, and the score would hold. The Seawolves went 2-1 in the Battle at the Bay.

"I'm proud of our team for our effort today ... We played well in all facets of our game and competed. It's a good team win as we continue our progress," said head coach Megan T. Bryant.

Men's lacrosse secures victory over Sacred Heart 15-12

The Stony Brook men's lacrosse team (2-2) secured its second consecutive victory within three days as it defeated Sacred Heart (0-4), 15-12, at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on Feb. 26. The Seawolves also defeated Air Force, 15-8, on the Island on Feb. 24.

Not only did graduate attacker Jonathan Huber record the first goal of the contest to give Stony Brook a 1-0 lead, but he also added two more goals throughout the game, tallying his 100th career goal with his second make. Huber found the back of the cage off an assist from graduate midfielder Matt Anderson to give the Seawolves a 12-7 lead with 2:36 left to play in the third quarter.

Senior attacker Dylan Pallonetti added four more goals to his stellar weekend. The Stony Brook native also registered a careerhigh tying six goals against Air Force on Friday. Senior attacker Blake Behlen and junior midfielder Noah Armitage followed behind Pallonetti, recording three goals and two goals, respectively.

The Seawolves jumped ahead early, recording the first goal of the contest. However, the Pioneers would answer back with two more. Sacred Heart took a hold of the lead,

2-1, courtesy of back-to-back goals from Carson Spooner and Jake Garb. Stony Brook would fall behind two more times in the first quarter and two more times the squad battled its way back.

The Seawolves took sole possession of the lead, 4-3, with 2:16 remaining in the first quarter when Armitage found the back of the cage off a helper from senior attacker Will Button. Stony Brook would not look back as it would control the lead for the remainder of the game and ultimately take the 15-12 victory.

"It's pretty exhilarating and I am happy to do it as a Seawolf as well," said graduate attacker Jonathan Huber on scoring his 100th career goal. "We are all playing to our strengths and playing well together and getting into a flow on offense," said Huber.

"Men's lacrosse is a very physical game, and we have a lot of guys banged up and when you play a quick turnaround game like this it is just about finding a way. I think we

made enough plays there in the first half, specifically, to guide us through here. We knew it was going to be tough and I think these guys have to continue to have the mindset of this is what it is going to be like at the end of the year; we have to play good lacrosse," said head coach Anthony Gilardi.

TOMORROW

FRIDAY – WEAR RED ON CAMPUS! STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY

#8 Alyssa Costella scored a three-run home run during last Sunday's game. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

#44 Jonathan Huber of Great River celebrates his 100th career goal last Sunday. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

MEET SWEET TEA

Just look at that smile! This week's featured shelter pet is Sweet Tea, fawn and white pitbull mix up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. She is estimated to be around two years old.

SHELTER PET OF THE WEEK

Sweet Tea arrived at the shelter on Feb. 13 after being found wandering busy roads trying desperately to get into passing cars.

This loving girl had signs of having had a recent litter and was a little underweight. She is an energetic and social dog that seems to love anyone that will show her attention and is showing a healthy interest in other dogs as well as cats. She would do best in a household with children ages 13 and older.

If you would like to meet Sweet Tea, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting.

The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country

PROGRAMS

Scrap the Winter Blues Away

THEATER

'Dorothy's Adventures in Oz'

ADOPT ME!

Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown presents a family program, Scrap the Winter Blues Away, on March 4, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Make a keepsake to give as a gift or keep for yourself. Make a nature inspired scrapbook to give as a gift or keep for yourself. Supplies will be provided but feel free to bring pictures and any other special items to add to your pages. $4 per person. Advance reservations required by calling 265-1054.

Code Breakers Scavenger Hunt

New! For the month of March, take part in a Code Breakers Scavenger Hunt at the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor during gallery hours 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Uncover the secrets of maritime communication in this self-guided adventure. Hunt for hidden messages around the museum and decode clues left by mariners, using Morse Code, semaphore, and signal flags. Complete your trail by decorating your own personal flag to take home. For ages 6 and up. Admission fee + $10 participant. Call 367-3418 for more info.

Family Hour Sunday

Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington hosts a Family Hour Sunday on March 5 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children ages 5 through 10 are invited for a familyfriendly art experience with Museum Educator Tami Wood. Explore works of art in the Museum and create fun art projects! $10 per child, adults free. Advance registration recommended by visiting www.heckscher. org. Walk-ins welcome as space allows. For more information, call 380-3230.

Open Play at the Explorium

Join the Long Island Explorium, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson for Open Play on March 4 and 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. with hands-on activities, crafts, and more. Admission is $5 per person, Long Island Explorium members and children under 1 are free. Call 331-3277.

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

Join the staff at Sunken Meadow State Park for In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb, a Tiny Tots program for ages 3 to 5, on March 9 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This program will connect children and their parents with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. $4 per child. Register at www. eventbrite.com.

Join Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson for an unforgettable trip down the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy's Adventures in Oz from Feb. 22 to March 18 with a sensory sensitive performance on Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. Dorothy Gale is whisked away by a tornado to that magical land that lies just Over the Rainbow. Follow Dorothy and her friends the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion as they encounter challenges and celebrate friendship. Featuring an original score and memorable characters, the show is a delightful reminder that "there's no place like home!" All seats are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. See review on page B23.

'Finding Nemo Jr.

The Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Finding Nemo Jr. from April 1 to 8. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo Jr. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure. All seats are $25. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www. smithtownpac.org.

'Seussical the Musical'

The John W. Emgean Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Seussical the Musical from April 1 to 30. "Oh the Thinks You Can Think!” Dive into the colorful world of Dr. Seuss as The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who sets off to save a speck of dust containing The Whos from destruction. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of doubters while guarding an abandoned egg, left to his care. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, imagination, loyalty, and community are challenged and emerge victorious. All seats are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

film

‘Matilda'

The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! Series with a screening of Matilda on March 5 at noon. This film adaptation of a Roald Dahl work tells the story of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), a gifted girl forced to put up with a crude, distant father (Danny DeVito), mother (Rhea Perlman) and Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), the evil principal at Matilda's school. Rated PG. Tickets are $12, $5 children 12 and under. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

All numbers are in (631) area code unless noted.

Photo courtesy of Smithtown Animal Shelter

Follow the yellow brick road to Theatre Three

BY HEIDI SUTTON

Fans of the classic movie The Wizard of Oz will fall in love with Theatre Three's current children's production, Dorothy's Adventures in Oz. Adapted from the stories of L. Frank Baum, the show, written by Jeffrey Sanzel and Douglas J. Quattrock, features an original score, a clever script, and wonderful cast — Samantha Fierro, Danielle Pafundi, Steven Uihlein, Sean Amato, C.J. Russo, Louisa Bikowski, Stephanie Moreau, Liam Marsigliano and Kaitlyn Jehle with a special appearance by Shay Francis Feldman — who bring this magical story to life.

Dorothy Gale, chief editor of her high school newspaper, the Baum Bugle, is busy putting the paper to bed when a fierce storm blows in and knocks her to the ground. When she wakes up, she finds herself in Munchkinland. Her news stand has landed on the Wicked Witch of the East causing her demise, much to the delight of the Munchkins.

When the scary Wicked Witch of the West shows up, Dorothy is protected by Glinda the Good Witch who gives her those famous ruby slippers and sends her down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City to find the Wizard of Oz who can help her get home. Along her

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

journey, Dorothy meets a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tinman who yearns for a heart, and a Lion who longs for courage. The three join her on her quest and the adventure begins.

Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, all of the iconic scenes are here, from the talking apple trees, the enchanted poppies, to meeting the Wizard in the Emerald City, the flying monkeys, the Witch's castle, the Winkies and the melting scene (what a world!). A nice touch is the flawless scene changes — each time Dorothy meets a new friend, they walk through the aisles of the theater (the yellow brick road) as the next scene is set up. The costumes by Jason Allyn are just perfect and the special effects are top notch. And did I mention there is a special surprise with four legs and a tail?

In the end, the show reminds us to be true to our hearts and that there truly is no place like home. Don't miss this one. Stop by the lobby on your way out for a group photo with the cast.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Dorothy's Adventures in Oz through March 18. Running time is 1 hour and 20 minutes with one intermission. Children's theater continues with The Adventures of Peter Rabbit from April 5 to 29 and Cinderella from May 27 to June 17. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-9289100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

VIEW FROM ACROSS THE POND

John Dielman of East Setauket snapped this unique panoramic photo of the frozen pond and Setauket Post Office during a walk at Frank Melville Memorial Park on Feb. 4 using a Canon R6 mirrorless camera with a 24-70 lens. Send your Photo of the Week to leisure@tbrnewspapers.com

The cast of 'Dorothy's Adventures in Oz' Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

STRONGER T GETHER

At Stony Brook and Stony Brook Medicine, we’re proud to usher in another year filled with opportunities to learn, connect and collaborate as we continue to provide a world-class education to our diverse campus community.

We know we are Stronger Together, and that includes partnering with local communities to make great things happen. Together we’ve accomplished so much — from recognition as New York’s flagship university to being named the No. 1 public university in New York by U.S. News & World Report

We also eagerly await the launch of our Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) scholarship program for underrepresented individuals in the fall. And with all our continued e orts and proposed new capital funding and endowments from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, we expect only greater achievements on the horizon.