Smithtown's 350th Anniversary Parade Set For Saturday, September 26th, 2015

Smithtown Plans Sesquarcentennial Parade

Smithtown 350 Foundation, Inc. is organizing a parade to celebrate the 350^th anniversary of Smithtown’s founding in 1665. Currently, the foundation is reaching out to community civic, cultural, and school organizations who would like to take part in this celebration. The parade is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 26, 2015 with a step off time at noon. Its theme is “Celebrating Smithtown’s Past!” In an effort to highlight Smithtown’s 350 years of rich heritage, the foundation is requesting participants to be costumed in clothing that reflects their culture and history.  At the conclusion of the parade, floats and participants will gather on the grounds of the New York Avenue School Building. Prizes will be awarded in various categories including Best Costumed Group, Best Creative Float, and much more.

If you or your organization would like to participate in this historic event please visit the foundation’s website at www.smithtown350foundation.org for a downloadable application. Completed applications may be mailed to Smithtown 350 Foundation, P.O. Box 350, Smithtown New York 11787. Deadline for submissions are July 1, 2015. email smithtown350@gmail for further information. 

 Participant Parade Application

Historic Churches In Smithtown Will Open To The Public Sunday, May 17 In Honor Of Smithtown's 350th Anniversary

Smithtown Church History Day

Click on photos to enlarge

As part of Smithtown’s 350th Anniversary celebration, the Smithtown 350^th Anniversary Committee is recognizing the role religion played in Smithtown’s history.  Sunday, May 17th has been designated as Smithtown Church History Day.  Many of the historic houses of worship have accepted the 350 Foundation’s invitation to participate in the day. This is a unique opportunity to see the inside of many of the Houses of Worship that you pass as you travel throughout Smithtown. For many people in Smithtown, this day will provide the first opportunity to learn of other religions and to discover the differences and similarities to their own faith.  It is hoped that this Church History Day will build tolerance and understanding among all faiths and promote interest in Smithtown’s many historic churches. 

Churches participating in Smithtown Religious History Day on Sunday, May 17, 2015: 

Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Church – Edgewater Avenue, Smithtown

Visitors are welcome to attend our regular Sunday Divine Liturgy at 11:15am. An open house and guided tours of the Church will follow from 1:00 - 5:00 pm.

 Smithtown United Methodist Church – 230 Middle Country Road, Smithtown

The church will be open from 12:30 - 3:30pm on May 17^th for tours of the church. Additional activities are being planned and light refreshments will be available.

 St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church - 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown

Public is welcome to attend 8am and 10 am services and to stay for coffee after each service. From 12 noon - 2pm, volunteers will provide brochures and tours of the church and gardens. There will be a demonstration of how to use the Meditation Labyrinth.  A DVD presentation about the church history will be available.  Refreshments will be served in the Church Hall.

Smithtown First Prebysterian Church -“The Church on the Corner” of Middle Country Road and North Country Road 

Founded by Richard Smythe in 1675, the Church on the Corner invites you to explore the beauty, fun, history and mission of Smithtown’s oldest church. The Presbyterian Church, or the Old Meeting House as it is known, was built in 1827 and will be open to visitors throughout the afternoon of Sunday, May 17^th.  Many other activities are planned for Church History Day: 

• • Tours of the Church will be conducted from 1 pm and continue throughout most of the afternoon. DVDs on the Church and its history will be shown in the Narthex. Light refreshments and lunch will be available in the Parish Hall.
• • Family activities will take place on the Church lawn throughout the afternoon, including dances around the Maypole.
• • At 1:30 pm, the Pipe Organ in the Old Meeting House will be played. 
• • At 2 pm, Town Historian Brad Harris will talk about the first church that was erected on the NW corner of Middle Country Road and North Country Road.
• • From 2:30-2:50, the Bell Choir and the Sanctuary Choir will present some heavenly music in the Old Meeting House.
• • At 3:15, Dr. Lavandera will present a short concert of “wonderful piano” music in the Parish Hall.
• • And from 4:00 to 4:20, the Bell Choir and the Sanctuary Choir will again create heavenly music in the Old Meeting House. 

Smithtown Landing Methodist Church - Landing Ave 

The little church in the Landing will be open for tours from 10am - 2pm on Sunday, May 17^th, Church History Day.  Members of the Ladies Auxillary will be presenting the history of the church and as well as providing back-ground information about founders of the church who are buried in the little cemetery on the grounds. Presenters will be in period clothing.

St James United Methodist Church – 532 Moriches Road, St. James

See the interior of this church, originally built in 1869, destroyed by fire and then rebuilt in 1899. The stained glass windows in this church are awe inspiring. The Church will be open Sunday afternoon for tours and a historical booklet about the church will be available to visitors.

 Trinity AME Church - 229 New York Avenue (corner of Wildwood)

On Church History Day, the church will open its doors at 12 noon and remain open until 2pm. Brochures detailing the history of the church and its pastors will be distributed. Light refreshments will be served. We invite the community to come in and meet and greet with us..

Hauppauge United Methodist Church – 473 Townline Road, Hauppauge

On Church History Day, this historic church founded in 1806, is open for worship services 9 am. All are welcome in the church where the parishioners consider themselves to be the “Small Church with a Big Heart.”

• • From 2pm to 3pm, there will be tours of Church where you can learn more about the fascinating history of this church. 
• • From 3pm to 4 pm, tour the old Hauppauge burying grounds behind the church with graves dating back to the Revolutionary War.  

St. James Episcopal Church - 490 North Country Rd., Saint James

“A friendly, community church that welcomes everyone for worship. service, education, fellowship, and fun.” On Church History Day, Sunday May 17^th, worship Services will be held at 8 am and 9:30 am to which everyone is invited.  An open house will follow from 12 noon until 4pm planned activities include: 

• • Guided tours of the Church see the Tiffany stained glass windows and historic plaques commemorating the lives of some of St. James earliest residents.
• • Guided tours of the historic cemetery that includes the graves of many Smith family members as well as the grave of Stanford White.
• • A display of historic photos and documents in the parish hall that offers an opportunity to learn more about the church, its history, and the history of Smithtown. 
• • There will also be a picnic lunch (open to all) featuring hotdogs, apple pie and other goodies. 
• • For more info call 584-5560 or visit www.stjamesstjames.org 

St. Joseph’s Church - 59 Church St., Kings Park - The oldest Catholic Church in the area will be hosting a choral recital at 3pm immediately followed by hospitality at Travis Hall.

Author Jeb Ladouceur Sets Record At Huntington's Book Revue

Big Tuesday Night Crowd Hails Author’s Newest Thriller - 

Photos by Debbie Lange Fifer

Jeb Ladouceur at Huntington Book Revue - Book Revue sold their entire stock of copies at the conclusion of the highly successful event.A standing room crowd was on hand at Huntington’s famed Book Revue on Tuesday night, April 28th. The Occasion was local author Jeb Ladouceur’s tenth appearance. No other author has conducted as many events in Book Revue’s long history. Ladouceur signed copies and spoke about his latest thriller, “The Quantum Syndrome” and specifically, the way it was once thought to be lost, but was remarkably retrieved through computer technology.

Honored during the landmark book signing (L to R) are local authors in widely differing genres, Judith Carrick, Werner Reich, Marguerite Zangrillo, Russell Reball, Ladouceur, Rob Von Bernewitz, Charlene Knadle, Walt Fifer, and Dina Santorelli.Ladouceur took the occasion to recognize the literary and artistic achievements of a number of his friends and associates involved in writing as well as the performing arts. Each was given an inscribed award commemorating their contribution to the arts in general.

Book Revue Publicist Loren Aliperti introduced Mr. Ladouceur, noting that he is “nationally recognized for his career in Public Relations, Advertising, and Publishing.” Ms. Aliperti went on to point out that prolific writer Ladouceur is a former New York State Senate candidate and a charter member of Governor Mario Cuomo’s Arson Task Force. “He is the founder and Publisher Emeritus of the iconic and broadly circulated Fire News,” she noted, “and is the award-winning author of ten Recognized for their contributions to the performing arts, and specifically excellence in music, are (L to R) Judith Carrick, Ben Mastrocola, Virginia Cardiello, Diane Dunkhase, Ladouceur, Bill Morris, Nancy Darman, and Angie Morris.widely selling novels in his chosen thriller genre.” He is also recognized as a prominent Theater and Book Reviewer, whose critiques appear regularly in a number of leading Long Island newspapers and online publications.

Jeb Ladouceur is a resident of Smithtown, where he has lived with his wife Elizabeth for more than fifty years. His newest thriller is based loosely on the Atlanta Child Murders of the early 80s, but is set in the area the author knows best…eastern Long Island. 

Ladouceur told the large audience that he has already begun work on his forthcoming book. It explores the relationship between Pulitzer Prize winning author Harper Lee (“To Kill A Mockingbird”) and her childhood friend, Truman Capote, noted for the novel “In Cold Blood” the masterpiece on which Lee collaborated. Ladouceur met Capote in Bridgehampton a few years before that famed author’s death in 1984, but has never talked with the reclusive Harper Lee…now 89 and living in Monroeville, Alabama. Ladouceur is writing the book in Truman Capote’s fiction-based-on-fact style, and it promises to be a bombshell he said. “Its premise makes all the sense in the world. I only wish Nelle Lee (Harper is actually her middle name) would talk with me about it, though I certainly respect her right to privacy.”

The novelist can be contacted at JebLadouceur@aol.com or by calling 631-278-5100

Birding Walk At Caleb Smith State Park Preserve

by Carole Paquette

Birding Walk at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve

 Eric Powers with a Great Horned OwlBiologist and outdoorsman Eric Powers will conduct a birding walk at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve on Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown on Saturday, May 9, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Call (631) 366-3288. The free event is part of the 2015 Lecture Series sponsored by the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve, and will involve walking about two miles. Walkers are urged to wear sensible footwear and bring binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens, if they are able.

Having extensively explored the historic Caleb Smith park, “Ranger Eric” - as students know him - will lead attendees to some of his favorite locations to see birds and other wildlife, as well as highlighting plants and freshwater springs, the life-blood of the Park.  

A former park ranger in Colorado, Eric Powers led nature hikes until he joined the US Peace Corps as an environmental education officer for two years. In 2005 he started his dream company “Your Connection to Nature” [YC2N] dedicated to meaningful environmental education programs and eco-tourism. These programs connect classrooms to field studies, and give people a deeper understanding of their local environment. His latest endeavors include a monthly cable TV series about Long Island nature, a Marine Explorers Summer Camp, as well as the original “Quail vs Ticks Project”.  For more information, visit his website at  HYPERLINK “http://www.YC2N.com” www.YC2N.com

For more information about Friends activities, and events, visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.friendsofcalebsmith.org” www.friendsofcalebsmith.org

Restaurant Week-Butera's-Danny Aiello- Cinema Arts Center In Huntington

Left to Right - Laurie and Martin Butera, Danny Aiello, Gary Butera and Nick Zografos.

by Nancy Vallarella

Butera’s kicked off Long Island Restaurant Week and co-hosted a viewing of Bob Giraldi’s film Dinner Rush starring Danny Aiello at the Cinema Arts Center in Huntington. Last night’s attendees stumbled upon a concept that has divided the world of shared culture for hundreds of years - Life Imitating Art? or Art Imitating Life?

Danny Aiello and Director Bob Giraldi (best known for his iconic music video Thriller starring Michael Jackson) conducted an intimate question and answer session post-screening revealing behind the scene details of the movie and their lives. 

Chefs Martin and Gary Butera and Chef Nick Zografos of Butera’s Restaurants expertly executed a tasting that reflected the dishes  portrayed in the film. Old and new school Italian favorites were paired with wines as in the movie and every day at Butera’s Restaurants in Woodbury, Sayville and Smithtown.