Smithtown Dish – small bites of foodie news

By Nancy Vallarella 

S U M M E R  C O NT E S T S

Bartenders from Montauk to Manhattan are currently competing in Edible’s Great Summer Cocktail Contest. Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000 and a trunk full of bartending tools and glassware.

Butera’s bartender and Smithtown resident Ryan O’Toole is competing with his entry Strawberry Hendrick’s Fizz Float & The Cooler. For the recipes and to vote: 

http://contest.ediblemanhattan.com/bartender/ryan-otoole/

Fairway Market Lake Grove Grand Opening Giveaway – Opening late July, Fairway Market, Lake Grove is giving away one $1,000 gift card, four V.I.P. tickets to the Grand Opening, four bags of Fairway coffee and four Best of Fairway gift baskets. To enter:

https://www.facebook.com/FairwayMarket?v=app_610925878965605&app_data=gaReferrerOverride%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252F 

The Nesconset Farmer’s Market is giving away one copy of the Hampton’s and Long Island Homegrown Cookbook signed by the author. On Saturdays, between 9am - 1:00pm during the month of July, stop by the market  manager’s booth and sign up by providing your name and email.  Winner will be announced on July 26^th. 

Theater Review - "Mary Poppins"

THEATER REVIEW

“Mary Poppins”

Produced by: The Gateway Theater – Bellport - Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur

The year 1964 saw an amazing event in motion pictures. Julie Andrews (with a hefty assist from Dick Van Dyke) introduced a beloved idol to children the world over—her name, of course, is ‘Mary Poppins,’ and the magical nanny endeared herself instantly to moviegoers of all ages. It was hardly surprising, then, that London’s West End ultimately produced a stage version in 2004 … or that Broadway followed with its own rendition in November, 2006.

Now Long Island’s marvelous Gateway Theater has also adapted the Disney film for the stage … and the result at the historic Patchogue Theater is (in the unique Mary Poppins vernacular) ‘Supercali-fragilistic-expiali-docious!’

When reviewing ‘Singin’ In the Rain’ last year, we had reservations whether the famed ‘downpour’ scene of that show’s title could be convincingly done in the beautiful old Patchogue showplace where it (like this production) was presented. We needn’t have worried. The puddly, splashy segment was as well delivered on stage as it had been in the Gene Kelly film.

But could The Gateway match that torrential triumph in mystic Mary’s ‘flying’ sequence, wherein she’s borne aloft by an umbrella endowed with magic carpet capabilities? After all, surviving an artificial rain storm might be one thing—flying above a sold-out audience in Suffolk County’s largest theater is something else again!

But don’t be concerned, dear patrons. The Gateway’s Mary Poppins flies as if born to soar aloft … and one comes away from the performance convinced that there’s no theatrical special effect this production company can’t pull off when they put their minds to it.

Naturally, the gliding parasol sequence, though a cute touch in this enchanting show, is hardly the sum and substance of the iconic musical. The songs make this play what it is. Numbers like ‘A Spoonful of Sugar,’ ‘Feed The Birds,’ (Walt Disney’s favorite song) and the Academy Award winning ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’ have become classics that spin readily from the mouths of youngsters (and yes, adults too) the world over.

Gail Bennett in this extravaganza’s title role is blessed with a lovely voice and stage presence, and she is ably supported by the multi-talented Tony Mansker. He plays Bert, her loyal chimney-sweep friend who, as the lovable cockney-voiced narrator, expertly keeps things moving along. In fact everyone in the superb cast sings, dances and (yes) flies flawlessly, making this ‘Mary Poppins’ yet another in a long list of winning Gateway spectaculars.

Kudos are in order for Director, Shaun Kerrison; Set Designer, Christine Peters, and Choreographer, Lisa Stevens. Child actors Alison Cordaro alternating with Thea Flanzer … and Ethan Eisenberg spelling Nolan Lyons … are absolutely delightful as the often-obstreperous children in the story. And of course, we mustn’t forget the folks who gave that little black umbrella so much lifting power.

Finally, this reviewer, an admitted sucker for colorful period costumes in lavishly lit musicals, was blown away by Rachel Berchtold’s stunning outfits combined with the exquisite lighting design of Kim Hanson. The overall effect is absolutely breathtaking, and a fitting 50^th birthday present for the ever-young Mary Poppins.

The musical runs through July 19^th. Do yourself a favor—call: 631-286-1133

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Award-winning Smithtown writer Jeb Ladouceur is the author of eight novels, and his theater reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. In Ladouceur’s next thriller, “Harvest” due in late summer, an American doctor is forced to perform illegal surgeries for a gang of vital organ traffickers in The Balkans.

Nursing—One Day at a Time—for 44 Years - Dottie Schultz

For Dottie Schutlz,10-weeks of psychiatric rounding while in nursing school could have been the module that halted her chance of ever becoming the “baby nurse” she dreamed of since she was just a little girl, playing with her dolls.

In 1968, as a student at St. Clare’s School of Nursing, situated just walking distance from her apartment, Dottie had a second chance of fulfilling her first career passion. Years prior, Dottie, started a four year nursing program after graduating high school at the age of 17. A year and a half later, she fell in love, married and started a family. However, the nursing bug was still one that she thought of and when she learned that St. Clare’s School of Nursing offered an intense two-year program, she weighed her options and decided that working at the phone company, while a good job, was not satisfying for her.

At the age of 28, with the support of her husband and mother, she took on the challenge—after all, during those years, married women with 3 children to care for, did not typically juggle home and career. Dottie was on her way to becoming a new era woman. After passing the entrance exam, nursing school was on her radar, until she learned that she might have to participate in a 10-week away tour at the Psychiatric Hospital in Central Islip, during  the final year of the program, more than 40 miles from her Manhattan home. After sitting in orientation, she felt defeated, because there was no way she could complete the 10-week tour away from home. She had other responsibilities—her family. She went to the registrar with the intention of withdrawing from the program, and it was the woman there that said there was a strong chance the tour would be moved to a closer hospital, which would offer a commuting option, as opposed to 10 full weeks away from her family. The woman at the registrar’s office also gave Dottie advice that she still keeps with her until this day, “take it one day at a time”.  Comforted by this new possibility, without further hesitation, Dottie excelled in her courses and managed life at home. She even sat for her licensed practical nurse (LPN) exam midway through the program, which she passed with high marks. Things were going very well and her dream of nursing was promising.

The last year of the program was underway and Dottie learned there would be no change to the psychiatric tour in Central Islip. With anxiety and tears in her eyes, Dottie went to her mother, who was helping her with the three children, to tell her for the second time, that she was not going to be finishing nursing school. And with the most consoling voice her mother said, “Don’t you worry, everything will be fine—I will take care of the kids until Bill comes home at night.” She said that was something she never forgets. “I did it, and I was finally able to make my mother so proud,” said Dottie.

In 1970, Dottie started working as a registered nurse at St. Clare’s Clinic. She worked in several units from allergy, gynecology and surgical to name a few, but her love for pediatrics is where she flourished. She moved to Holbrook with her family and worked as a nurse manager of pediatrics at Smithtown General Hospital. She fulfilled the same role at the medical center as nurse manager of pediatrics for a few years and eventually transitioned to the maternity department as a staff nurse, where she has been for more than 14 years.

“Pediatrics was a whole different ball game—you had children who had all sorts of alignments—so the transition to the maternity department was an adjustment,” said Dottie. “I have always liked pediatrics—you are like an investigator with the doctors trying to figure out what is going on with the patient—I loved the challenged, but I have also loved working in maternity as well.”

Every nurse has a different story of how they become to be the “compassionate care giver”—Dottie’s is one that leaves you encouraged with a sense of perseverance and balance. She never gave up on her passion to nurse, found a love in pediatrics, a fulfilling career, loving wife and proud mother of three children, one of which is also a nurse.  “If I did not have such a supportive mother and husband, 10-weeks could have changed the course of my life,” said Dottie.

The Ridge resident will retire on August 1, 2014, after 44 years of nursing. She is sad to be leaving the maternity department, she says it is bittersweet, but is looking forward to spending time with her husband and children, traveling and organizing the house. She passes on the same words of encouragement that has and continues to help her throughout her career and life, “take it one day at a time”.

For more information about St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center, please call (631) 870-3444.

An Act Of Love - KP's Jill Glazer Fundraises To Save Kaleidoscope

By Dana Klosner

Jill GlazerJill Glazer, a recent Kings Park High School graduate and former Editor-in-Chief of Kaleidoscope Magazine has a goal. She wants to keep Kaleidoscope Magazine a viable entity for the next school year. Kaleidoscope has been recognized for the past four years as a top-ranked high school magazine by American Scholastic Press Association.

The literary arts magazine has about 25-30 students working as staff members, but the entire school body is welcome to submit art, photography, poetry or short stories. 

The magazine, which recently published its 37^th issue, comes out annually in February.

However, due to budget cuts, the school board had been concerned that this is a program that might be cut. 

According to Glazer the organization pays for 20% of the magazine for printing. “We asked if we covered 30-40% would we have a better chance. They continuously shot us down.”

Fortunately, many people, including the school board, continue to work to find the funds to keep Kaleidoscope.

Glazer has started a T-Shirt campaign to try to raise money and awareness to get the club reinstated next year. The magazine has been ranked number 1 in the nation for at least the last four years by the American Scholastic Press Association, Glazer said. 

“What we are taking to the superintendent is the fact that it costs $8,000 for printing and we pay up to 20%” The district has to pay a teacher about a $4,000 stipend for supervising the group,” Glazer said. “The board added an extra $2,000 into the budget and said we need $14,000 for Kaleidoscope when we only use $12,000 for a teacher and printing.”

Glazer said she needed to raise $10,000 but mostly her goal is support. She has raised $500 since June 22.

“I love the sense of community within the High School with this magazine,” Glazer said. “It’s about the athlete who writes an amazing poem and it makes the first page. It’s about the girl who never speaks who writes an awesome poem or the kid who is really good at math that turns out to be really good at photography. It’s about seeing everyone who contributes to this magazine, who are not all artists per se, but who make this a gorgeous magazine.”

It turns out this story may have a happy ending. An email from Susan Agruso, Superintendent of Schools shows that she believes Kaleidoscope will be restored.

“During budget development, the Board had to cut spending,” the email reads. [There were] a number of spending reductions for clubs, sports, and music. When identifying these reductions we tried to balance the three areas together across all our schools and ensure that students had other choices if we had to make these cuts. At the budget adoption meeting, we clearly stated that the spending reductions were dollar amounts and that we would be working over the summer to identify alternate ways to realize the savings without having to make these cuts. We have made progress in identifying other savings, and I have every confidence that Kaleidoscope and some other activities will be restored prior to the start of the school year.”

If you would like to support Jill Glazer’s effort to save Kaleidescope by purchasing a t-shirt click here for the link.

There will be an update on this issue at the Board of Education meeting on July 15. 

Construction On Rte. 347 - A Huge Investment By NYS

By Dana Klosner

westbound traffic on Rte. 347 during constructionIf you live in Smithtown you probably have noticed the construction project on NY Route 347 between Route 111 and Mt. Pleasant Road. The project is the second in a series of NY Route 347 corridor projects planned to improve safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians and to reduce travel delays. According to a 2013 press release from Governor Cuomo, the plan calls for transforming NY Route 347 into a modified boulevard and suburban greenway for 15 miles through Smithtown, Islip and Brookhaven.

This is a big project requiring an investment in time and money. According to the Governor’s press release, the project, between NY Route 111 and Mount Pleasant Road, is the largest transportation design-built project on Long Island. 

The history of the project is simple.

The current features of NY 347 are inadequate to handle the significant volumes of motorists and trucks that now use the roadway, which was constructed in the 1960, according to Eileen W. Peters, Public Information Officer for NYS Department of Transportation Long Island, Region 10. In 1969, an average of 48,000 vehicles per day used NY Route 347. Presently there are an estimated 71,000 vehicles per day using this road.

When the stretch between NY Route 111 and Mt. Pleasant Road is completed there will be three full travel lanes in each direction, a multi-use “greenway” for pedestrians and bicyclists, a planted, decorative center median, new high visibility crosswalks, signals and pedestrian countdown timers and LED traffic signals, according to NYSDOT Region 10.  

sound barrier (wall)The first project between the NY Routes 454/347 split and NY Route 111 was completed last year. Work already completed on this second project between NY Route 111 and Mt. Pleasant Road includes the completion of about 50% of the drainage improvement work, clearing of vegetation, relocation of utilities, substantial installation work of sound walls on the north side, some curb work and sound wall construction begun on the south side.

The constuction of sound walls from Rte. 111 to Mt. Pleasant Rd. on the North and South sides has begun.  Eastbound (south side) sound walls end at Plaisted Avenue, and the westbound (north side) sound walls end just west of Mt. Pleasant Rd. and the 7-11 store.

Still to be done includes road widening, installation of center medians similar to the section to the west, construction of the greenway, landscaping, construction of the shared-use path on the south side and sidewalks on the north side, installation of new bio-retention basins on the south side and a “green stop” resting area similar to the section to the west.

To minimize the impact on commuters, lane closures are permitted only at night and during off-peak, midday hours. Access to business is being maintained. 

All of this will cost $30.5 million and will be completed in about one more year.