Holiday Big Book Dec. 7, 2017

INSIDE Gingerbread House Contest Winners B2 Holiday Season A Season Of Giving B3 Boat Parade Returns With A Splash B4 The Importance Of Shopping Small B10 A Special Section To

t n u O l o Pul Secti s Thi

B2• DECEMBER 7-13, 2017

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Winners Of Huntington’s Tastiest Holiday Contest

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Contestants, including the winners, in the Third Annual Gingerbread House Competition are now on display in Huntington Town Hall.

Bakers around town entered the competition and six finalists were chosen to be displayed at The Paramount in Huntington village during the Huntington Village Parade and Festival last month.

Many of the thousands who packed Huntington for the parade and festival voted on their favorite, and the winners were announced during the tree lighting. They are: • First place: Kelly Ann Sullivan (house no. 4) • Second place: John Maffei (house no. 6) • Third place: Kerry Barbell (house no. 3)

The first place-winning gingerbread house by Kelly Ann Sullivan.

Second placewinner by John Maffei.

Third place-winner

by Kerry Barbell.

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A Season Of Giving Photo courtesy of Melissa Doktofsky

Santa joins forces with the volunteers for Toys for Hope charity in Huntington to distribute toys to local children during the holiday season.

By Connor Beach cbeach@longislandergroup.com

The holiday season is a time during which many people try to find a way to help those less fortunate. Nonprofits, government officials and religious groups all offer ways to volunteer or make charitable donations. Almsgiving can take many forms, and there are numerous opportunities throughout Huntington that embrace the spirit of giving.

Legislator Steve Stern (D- Dix Hills) is offering constituents the opportunity to donate new or gently used winter clothing and blankets to support the Hauppauge-based charity Every Child’s Dream that provides support for Long Island families in need.

Coats, sweaters, sweatshirts and blankets can be dropped off at Stern’s Huntington office located at 1842 East Jericho Turnpike. Donations will be accepted through Tuesday, Dec. 12 from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

“In these challenging times, many of our neighbors are struggling and are having difficulty making ends meet. There is no better way to help share the spirit of the season,” Stern said.

The St. Hugh of Lincoln church located at 21 East 9th St., Huntington Station operates a food pantry through the church’s parish outreach program.

The food bank is designed to assist local residents who are struggling financially, and may be in need of emer-

gency food supplies.

The pantry hours are Monday- Friday from 10 a.m.- 12 noon and 1-3 p.m. Donations can be made at St. Hugh’s during the parish outreach hours; for more information about the food pantry call 631-271-8986.

Since 1994, the Huntington-based charity Toys for Hope has provided an outlet where those wishing to give back during the holiday season can volunteer both their time and financial resources.

Toys for Hope’s Founder Melissa Doktofsky said that the charity operates year round, but that efforts really get intensified during the holiday season.

“We’re doing brand new toy, clothes and household item collections, and every week we do distributions all throughout Huntington,” Doktofsky said. “All these programs are year round, but now we a just so ramped up because during the holiday season alone we help 67,000 people.”

Now is the time of year that the organization needs the most volunteers and donations, according to Doktofsky. On Dec. 19 Toys for Hope donates shopping bags full of toys to 350 children in need during an event at Oheka Castle in Huntington.

Those looking to volunteer or donate can visit toysforhope.org for more information. Doktofsky said, “The community has really embraced us; we are giving more and more in Huntington, and we would like to keep receiving donations so we can continue to give.”

DECEMBER 7-13, 2017 • B3

B4 • DECEMBER 7-13, 2017

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Photos courtesy of Pam Setchell

Boat Parade Makes Splash In Return

Community members covered their boats in holiday lights to participate in this year’s Huntington Lighthouse Boat Parade.

Ian and Allison Milligan’s Nightmare Before Christmas-themed boat won Best in Show at this year’s Huntington Lighthouse Boat Parade.

Participants in the Huntington Lighthouse Boat Parade brought a tropical Christmas to Huntington Harbor for the event.

By Janee Law jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society brought back its Huntington Lighthouse Boat Parade this year, featuring boats and homes along Huntington Harbor decked in festive holiday decorations.

Held on Nov. 24, this was the sixth year the event took place since it began. It was canceled last year due to the lighthouse’s ongoing restoration project.

Pam Setchell, president of the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society, said the parade was a success, with 10 awards given out

Several participants went home with awards for their creative boat decorations in the Huntington Lighthouse Boat Parade.

Frosty the Snowman was found cruising on a sailboat during this year’s Huntington Lighthouse Boat Parade.

to those who participated. The awards party was held at Honu Kitchen & Cocktails.

The winners included Ian and Allison Milligan for Best in Show; Ed Carr for Best Sailboat; Greg Sulgar for Best Powerboat; Joseph M. McMenoman for Best Music & Animation; Kieran Glackin for Most Outrageous; Peter Doogan for Cutest Boat; Rick and Maria Lella for Best Home; the Flood family for Most Creative; and Matt Joyce for Most Elegant.

A new award this year, Situation Normal, All Fouled Up (S.N.A.F.U.), was presented to Charlie Vaccaro and his crew.

This year’s Huntington Lighthouse Boat Parade featured everything Christmas, with holiday lights and Santa Claus inflatables.

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Pro boxer and Greenlawn native Chris Algieri is getting back into the ring.

This time, however, it’ll be for charity as part of Title Boxing Club of Syosset’s Boxing For Barks event on Saturday.

At the 170 Michael Drive gym, Algieri, a self-professed dog lover, will be available for a meet and greet beginning at 11:30 a.m. and then there will be a boxing workout from 12 noon-1 p.m.

The event is co-hosted by Title Boxing and Dylan’s Candy BarN, the nonprofit offshoot of Dylan’s Candy Bar that is dedicated to supporting the work of animal rescue organizations.

All of the funds raised during the event will go towards efforts sponsored by Dylan’s Candy BarN to rebuild an animal shelter in Puerto Rico that was decimated by hurricane Maria.

“This is a great opportunity to help out our furry friends who were left homeless and abandoned by the tragedy in Puerto Rico,” Algieri said in an emailed statement.

Devon Francis, executive director of Dylan’s Candy BarN Animal Foundation, added, “Our goal is to raise as much money as possible to help re-

Photo/Facebook

Algieri Boxing For Barks

Chris Algieri build El Faro de los Animales in Humacao, Puerto Rico which was devastated by Hurricane Maria.”

Tickets for the meet and greet with Algieri are $50. Tickets for both the meet and greet and boxing workout are $75 and space is limited.

Visit Dylanscandybar.ejoinme.org/boxing for more info.

-BEACH

DECEMBER 7-13, 2017 • B5

B6 • DECEMBER 7-13, 2017

HOLIDAY GUIDE

By Janee Law jlaw@longislandergroup.com

The holidays can be stressful with shopping for gifts and planning holiday parties, but dressing up your home can be a cinch as farms and nurseries across make buying decorations and trees a breeze. Here are some of the many farms and nurseries looking to help take the edge off this holiday season.

Elwood Pumpkin and Christmas Tree Farm 1500 E Jericho Turnpike, Huntington 631-368-8626 Elwoodpumpkinfarm.com Elwood Pumpkin and Christmas Tree Farm is the place to be for those interested in personally cutting down a fresh Christmas tree. With that, customers must bring their own handsaw to the farm. The 22-acre farm will also offer pre-cut Fraser fir trees for customers looking for an easier experience. Along with Frasier Fir, the farm is also selling Douglas fir, Turkish fir, blue spruce, and Norway spruce. Trees are priced by the foot, offering sizes from 6 feet-20 feet. The farm doesn’t accept credit cards. In addition to trees, customers can also purchase wreaths and garlands to spruce up their home for the holiday season. The farm started its tree sales on Nov. 24 and will continue until Dec. 24. To cut your own trees, customers must do so from 3 p.m. to dark during weekdays and 10 a.m. to dark during weekends.

Time is extended until 7 p.m. throughout the week for those interested in picking up pre-cut trees.

Weekends also include a visit from Santa Claus to get local families excited for the holiday season.

Long Islander News photo/Janee Law

Farms, Nurseries Offer Holiday Decor wreaths, garlands, roping, planters with mixed greens, cemetery pieces, poinsettias, kissing balls, holiday decorations for the home and more. In addition, Bemiss said the nursery also offers a delivery service and even decorates people’s homes for them. Bemiss said her goal is to keep customers in the holiday spirit. “I really try to keep it happy and try to fill people’s needs.” The nursery is open seven days a week, 9 a.m.7 p.m., with Santa Claus stopping by on the weekends.

Bob and Donna Bemiss, owners of Oakwood Road Nursery, offer customers a variety of holiday décor, including planters with mixed greens.

Oakwood Road Nursery 223 Oakwood Road, Huntington 631-673-0555 Oakwoodroadnursery.com Oakwood Road Nursery has been serving the Huntington community for 52 years. With its trees coming in from Canada, the nursery offers trees like Balsam fir, Marin Blue Balsam fir, regular sheared balsam fir, noble fir, and Fraser fir. They also sell fake trees as well. Depending on the size, which range between 3 feet-15 feet, prices for trees start at $20 and can go up to $185, co-owner Donna Bemiss said. The 3-acre nursery also offers a variety of hand-decorated

Prianti Farms 47 E Deer Park Road, Dix Hills 631-499-0772 Priantifarmsinc.com Prianti Farms in Dix Hills never limits its offerings during the holiday season. Established in 1924, the farm began selling Christmas trees in 1929, offering real pre-cut trees, such as Colorado blue spruce, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, Balsam fir, Concolor fir, and Canaan fir. Tree sizes run from tabletops to as big as 15 feet.

With tabletops at $19.98, precut trees are $24.98 and up, depending on the size. In addition to selling trees, the farm sells a variety of holiday décor for the interior and exterior of the home, from wreaths, garlands, Christmas lights, poinsettias, and more. Holiday hours for the farm are Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Tilden Lane Farm 48 Wyckoff St., Greenlawn Tildenlanefarm.com Customers must act quickly if they want to shop for their Christmas tree at Tilden Lane Farm, with this weekend being the end of their season. “More people want to put their tree up starting Thanksgiving so we (Continued on page B9)

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DECEMBER 7-13, 2017 • B7

By Janee Law jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Pre-professional and professional dancers from several dance studios across Long Island will take over stages this holiday season to perform the classic holiday ballet story of “The Nutcracker.”

Ohman School of Ballet & New York Dance Theatre 60 Calvert Ave., Commack 631-462-6266 Ohmanballet.org Ohman School of Ballet and New York Dance Theatre will be hosting its 36th annual production of “The Nutcracker.” Under the direction of former New York City Ballet soloist Frank Ohman, the theatre will perform “The Nutcracker” at Hofstra University’s John Cranford Adams Playhouse. With a cast of 80 performers from ages 5 and older, special guest artists this year include Brittany Pollack, as the Sugarplum Fairy, and Daniel Ulbricht, as the Cavalier, of the New York City Ballet. The performance will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 12 noon and 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 17 at 12 noon and 5 p.m. Tickets are $42, and $32 for seniors 65 and older and children 12 and under, and can be purchased at Ohmanballet.org or by calling 631-462-0964.

Photo by Frank Ohman School of Ballet

Experience The Classic: ‘The Nutcracker’

Ohman School of Ballet and New York Dance Theatre will be hosting its 36th Annual production of “The Nutcracker” at Hofstra University’s John Cranford Adams Playhouse.

North Shore Studio of Dance 2 Melville Road, Huntington Station 631-549-0777 Northshoredance.net The Maguire Theater at State University of New York at Old Westbury will also feature a local dance studio, North Shore Studio of Dance, for its Nutcracker performance this weekend. This is the sixth time North Shore has hosted this production, with performances every other year.

Danielle Kimmins, director of North Shore dance and former Radio City Rockette, said that, before the production, dancers will perform holiday themed routines. The production

is directed by Megan Paterniani, a former member of the Long Island Ballet, and will star principal dancer Dion Wilson, as the Drosselmeyer and the Cavalier. Kimmins said her expectations for the performance is to entertain audiences and get them into the holiday spirit. “I also want my dancers to have a wonderful experience on stage and to enjoy the art of performing,” she added. Ranging in ages from 6-17, 60 performers will take over the stage at Maguire Theater for four performances at 223 Store Hill Road, Old Westbury. Performances are Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets ($26) are available at

the studio, or over the phone.

Posey School of Dance 57 Main St., Northport 631-757-2700 Poseyschool.com Posey Dance Repertory Co., of Posey School of Dance in Northport, will continue its holiday tradition with its third annual performance of the Northport Nutcracker Ballet. Unlike many Nutcracker performances, Posey’s production will be authentic to Northport, Elsa Posey, president of the school and former member of the New York City Ballet, said. “All (Continued on page B9)

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B8 • DECEMBER 7-13, 2017

The Dix Hills Fire Department escort Santa and his Sleigh through the streets for the enjoyment of local residents.

Operation: Santa’s Coming To Town

By Connor Beach cbeach@longislandergroup.com

It’s a holiday tradition for many neighborhoods throughout the Town of Huntington, and it’s happening again this year. Santa Claus is coming to town on the back of a fire truck.

Eleven fire departments from Cold Spring Harbor to Commack will be delivering toys, candy and holiday cheer to the kids and kids at heart in their respective districts. Listen for the sirens and look for the flashing lights to get a picture with Santa. If you want to make sure that you are ready to greet Santa when he comes past your house, take a look at the list below to see when the volunteers from your local fire department will be host-

ing St. Nick.

Centerport Fire Department Saturday, Dec. 23 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Keep an eye out for the “Santa Stops Here” signs that are posted around the district to make sure you get a chance to see Santa.

Cold Spring Harbor Fire Department Sunday, Dec. 17 beginning at 9 a.m.

Commack Fire Department Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 16 from 9 a.m.-12 noon.

Dix Hills Fire Department Company #3 will be visiting the Station 1 area on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 4-8 p.m.

Company #1 will be visiting the Station 2 area on Saturday, Dec 16 from 3-7 p.m.

Company #2 will visit the Headquarters area on Sunday, Dec. 17 from 12 noon- 4 p.m.

East Northport Fire Department Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Eaton’s Neck Fire Department Saturday, Dec. 16 beginning at 2 p.m.

Greenlawn Fire Department Sunday, Dec. 17 from 3-8 p.m.

Halesite Fire Department Saturday, Dec. 23 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Huntington Manor Fire Department Saturday, Dec. 16 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Melville Fire Department Saturday, Dec. 16 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Northport Fire Department Saturday, Dec. 16 from 12 noon-8 p.m.

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HOLIDAY GUIDE

Find your holiday decor

Donna Bemiss, co-owner of Oakwood Road Nursery. made wreaths. “Families and the kids get a big kick out of walking around the farm, picking out their tree and helping to cut it down,” Tilden said. “It’s the whole experience of being outside, where people bring their dogs and they have a good time and make a day of it.”

Hours for Saturday-Sunday are 9 a.m.3 p.m.

Photo/Rachael Risinger

Long Islander News photo/Connor Beach

found that business actually starts to taper off by our third weekend,” Bruce Tilden, owner of the farm, said. “That’s a trend that we’ve observed.” The 13.5acre farm has been selling Christmas trees the community for more than 75 years. A family run business since 1793, the farm will be offering fresh cut trees from white spruce, Colorado blue spruce, Norway spruce, Fraser fir, and concolor fir. Its trees are $70 and range 5 feet-12 feet. Tilden said they provide handsaws to customers so they can experience cutting the trees themselves. In addition, they also wrap the tree in netting and assist customers in tying the tree to their vehicle. In addition to selling trees, the farm also offers hand-

Tree Around Town Lit Long Islander News photo/Janee Law

(Continued from page B6)

DECEMBER 7-13, 2017 • B9

Following the tree lighting ceremonies in Huntington and Northport late last month, a couple more trees in town were lit over the weekend. Left, the William Finger Memorial Tree at 2 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor across from the fire department was lit on Saturday night. Right, the Greenlawn Holiday Tree in front of the Harborfields Public Library at 31 Broadway in Greenlawn is lit on Sunday night

Productions of ‘The Nutcracker’ in, around town Photo by North Shore Studio of Dance

(Continued from page B7)

of the actors roles in the ballet are adapted from Northport Village in 1893, which is the year the studio’s building was built,” Posey said. “The scenery on stage depicts the village area and what goes on there so we made it very much hometown.” With a cast of approximately 40 performers, dancers are 3 years old and up. Posey said although there are no professional dancers in the production, all performers are from the local community. The performance will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Northport Middle School, located at 11 Middleville Road, Northport.

Tickets are $25, with infants under 2 years old free, and can be purchased at Tututix.com/poseyschool.

180 E Pulaski Rd, Huntington Station (631) 425-2121

Dancers of the North Shore Studio of Dance will take over the Maguire Theater at State University of New York at Old Westbury this weekend for its performance of “The Nutcracker.”

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Seiskaya Ballet 7 Flowerfield, St. James 631-862-6925 Seiskaya.com There are six showings of Seiskaya Ballet’s take on “The Nutcracker” this season. The ballet company debuted its classic holiday performance in 1995 and has continued it ever since. An international collaboration, the production’s choreography is by world renowned Russian-born choreographer Valia Seiskaya. It features guest artist Nick Coppula and will be held at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center. Showings are Dec. 15, 7 p.m.; Dec. 16, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Dec. 17, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and Dec. 18, 7 p.m. Tickets are $40 for adults, $34 for children and seniors, and $30 per ticket for groups of 20 or more, and can be purchased at Stallercenter.showare.com.

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B10 • DECEMBER 7-13, 2017

By Connor Beach & Janee Law info@longislandergroup.com

Merchants across town are gearing up for the holiday season push, and they’re doing it in ways that set them apart from big box and online retailers.

Small businesses line Main Street in the picturesque downtown of Cold Spring Harbor. Storeowners there said shoppers should look to their local retailers during the holiday season because of their unique selection of items that are hard to find elsewhere.

Pashley Children’s Boutique has been operating at 169 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor for 27 years, said owner Pat Ramsay. Ramsay. She and her daughter, Debbie, work as a team to establish personal relationships with many of their customers, someLong Islander News photo/Janee Law

New York Public Interest Research Group released its 32nd annual Trouble in Toyland report last month, a tool for shoppers to make sure that the gifts they buy this holiday season aren’t dangerous or toxic.

The survey of potentially hazardous toys found that, despite recent progress, consumers must still be wary when shopping for children’s gifts.

The report, available at Nyprig.org, exposes fidget spinners full of lead, inadequately-labeled toys and balloons that pose a choking hazard, and data-collecting toys that may violate children’s privacy and other consumer protection laws.

There’s also a list of toys that have been recalled over the past year.

NYPIRG, an independent, nonpartisan group, also gave several tips for parents and caregivers looking to protect their children, including by reporting unsafe toys and/or toy-related injuries to CPSC at Saferproducts.gov. A full list of tips is available at Toysafetytips.org.

“Our leaders need to do more to protect our youngest consumers from unsafe toys. No child should ever be injured, get sick, or die from playing with a dangerous toy,” said Kevin Dugan, who is NYPIRG’s Long Island regional coordinator.

For Merchants, Shopping Small Can Make

Chris Fischer, co-owner of Nalu Dry Goods, said that shopping small keeps local families in business and helps support the community by growing the town.

thing that shoppers won’t get from online retailers, Ramsay said.

“We carry things that you can’t find at the big department stores; we work very hard to bring in items that local people want,” Ramsay said, adding that the store can work one on one with customers to make sure that they leave with exactly the right gift.

Nearby at 123 Main St., Living offers a wide selection of women’s clothing, jewelry, scarves, clutches and other accessories as well as home decor items. Co-owner Liz Schupler said the shop has a variety of pieces that are different from the malls, but she also pointed out the importance of local businesses for the communities in which they operate.

“It’s nostalgic for people to shop in this town,” Schupler said. “It’s good for the community to have a vibrant Main Street with local shops.”

The success of local businesses has created a curb appeal and ambiance that keeps foot traffic pumping through Cold Spring Harbor.

In Huntington village, Jack Schechter, owner of the furniture and interior design shop Just 4 the Home at 12 Wall St., said small businesses provide friendly service and personal interactions.

“It’s warm, it’s comfortable, and we customize our service to the needs of the client, which is important, especially in this business,” Schechter said.

(Continued on page B11)

Long Islander News photo/Connor Beach

Report: Avoid ‘Trouble In Toyland’

HOLIDAY GUIDE

Liz Schupler, owner of Living at 123 Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor, said shopping locally is good for the community.

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Big Difference

DECEMBER 7-13, 2017 • B11

Share Your Good Taste Gift Certificate

Pashley Children’s Boutique in Cold Spring Harbor offers a wide selection of toys and clothing for children.

(Continued from page B10)

Menachem Luchins, owner of Escape Pod Comics in Huntington village, said that the store prides itself on helping customers find the perfect comic for any reader.

“I think that a local shop of any kind brings a varied selection,” Luchins said. “The internet suffers from having too much to choose from and in a store you can get help, especially for a unique item when it comes to gift giving.”

Located at 302 Main St. in Huntington village, this is the fourth year Escape Pod Comics is serving the community for the holiday season and is offering deals throughout December up to Christmas that include both 50 percent off and 30 percent off sections, and blind bags of different comic books.

“We like to help people find great gifts,” Luchins said. “We do pretty well by people and I hope we can continue to do so.”

Towne Boutique, located at 255 Main St., Huntington village, is offering gifts under $25, which include jewelry, hats, scarves and gloves, and 30 percent off its shoes and boots.

Owner Sally Ann Russo said that her store offers services that customers won’t get at a big box store,

including one-on-one customer service, free gift wrapping, and assisting customers by bringing their purchase to their cars.

“It could be very stressful around the holidays and, as much as you want it to be fun, sometimes it’s stressful to buy gifts for everybody,” Russo said. “We try to make it as easy, fun and stress free as possible by offering those services.”

Chris Fischer, co-owner of Nalu Dry Goods in Huntington village, said that shopping small keeps local families in business and helps support the community by growing the town.

Selling accessories for surf, skate, snow and reggae hard goods, the 291 Main St. location in Huntington village is offering buy one get one free for sale items and buy one get one 20-percent off for regular priced items for the holiday season.

With this year being the second holiday season Nalu has spent in the village, Fischer added that he expects the shop to exceed last year’s sales.

Business owners in Northport Village have also joined the ‘shop small’ movement.

Lori Badanes, owner of Einstein’s Attic, said that it’s important to shop small because local stores support the town. She added that the children’s toy store supports the town by donating to local charities and offering free birthday parties to every school.

In addition, it offers quality customer service and free gift wrapping.

For the holiday season, the shop, located at 79 Main St. location in Northport Village, is be staying open until 8 p.m.

Badanes’ goal this season is for her customers to leave the shop happy with their purchase.

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B12 • DECEMBER 7-13, 2017

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