December 21, 2022 - January 3, 2023 Suffolk Zone 2

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Smith Haven Mall Hosts First Of Its Kind Christmas Village Experience For The Holiday Season

Smith Haven Mall has been converted into a winter wonderland, with a state-of-the-art Christmas village for shoppers to experience at Christmas House Long Island. A tenroom portion of the shopping center will be transformed by Hollywood and Broadway set designers, utilizing the latest lighting and digital technology to depict festive and contemporary holiday scenes. This is the first year that Smithhaven Mall, one of the State’s largest shopping centers, is hosting Christmas House, which is open for visitors now through early January.

Christmas House brings guests through the holidays of yesteryear

and today, with imagery depicting various Christmas settings, ranging from the North Pole with indoor snow and Santa’s Workshop,- to sets designed to replicate iconic movie scenes from Elf, Harry Potter, and the Nightmare Before Christmas, among other films. Modern LED lighting helps guide the tours through various settings, with screens, fireplaces, and Christmas trees, where guests are encouraged to snap selfies and Christmas Pictures.

This year’s fully indoor exhibit also features two new additions to the Christmas House repertoire, including a complete replica of Blockbuster Video, where guests can relive the

memorable moments of selecting a holiday film on VHS tapes, and a Harry Potter Christmas, where guests will be brought to the halls of Hogwarts decorated for the holiday as is depicted often in the films.

For admission, guests can reserve days and times at www.ChristmasHouse LongIsland.com with adult tickets costing $24.99 and children ages three-to-ten for $19.99. Children under the age of three are admitted free of charge, for weekdays, with weekends (Fri.Sun.) priced at $27.99 for Adults and $19.99 for children. It is expected that nearly 100,000 local residents will visit Christmas House this year throughout the holiday season.

Smithtown/Hauppauge Swim Team Honored

SMITHTOWN/HAUPPAUGE SWIM TEAM HONORED - The state champion Smithtown/Hauppauge swim team was honored on Tuesday, Nov. 22 by the Suffolk County Legislature. The girls won the team state title on Nov. 19 and also had three State Championship first place winners. 200 Medley Relay: Sofia Burns, Madison Dominger and Sarah Lucca and Leah Treglia. 400 Freestyle Relay: Sofia Burns, Madison Dominger, Leah Treglia and MaryGrace Waring. 100 Backstroke: Leah Treglia This is the first girl’s state championship in Smithtown High School athletics history. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD

High School East Artwork In The Community

Smithtown High School East students and their families proudly attended The Calderone Arts Center Art reception this past weekend, highlighting the student’s work.

Students from Mrs. Smalley’s, Mr. Lauto’s, and Ms. Shanian’s classes had their artwork displayed. A quartet of music students

who had met at the Usdan summer camp for the arts provided uplifting jazz tunes to enrich this festive event.

Ms. Natalie Weinstein, owner of Calderone Arts Center, spoke at this event, highlighting the history of the Calderone Theater and all the wonderful opportunities that lay

ahead for artists of all ages to work and perform at the Center.

HS East principal Robert Rose said how impressed he was by all the artwork he saw at his first art reception, and how creative the students are.

The pieces will be displayed until early January.

Local Artist Finds New Success

Kristen Hadjoglou, a local artist from Eastport, New York, truly offers something different to the marketplace. Her signature personalized hand-made coloring books are what really launched her career as an artist, but she has expanded to offer various other products as well.

“I was born an artist,” said Kristen. “I always knew that growing up. I attended Rhode Island School of Design, where I earned a Bachelors of Fine Art in Painting. From there, I worked in multiple industries where I was able to express myself creatively. Life surprisingly led me into obtaining a career as a Financial Advisor, which has been very fulfilling since helping others is something I’ve always been passionate about.” However, Hadjoglou never lost her passion for the arts.

As a long-time Eastport resident, she grew attached to many of the local businesses and what made the town so unique. “One day I drew a few pictures on a couple of pages as a gift for our local general store, and it quickly turned into an entire hand-drawn coloring book, which spotlighted the main destinations in the town. What started as a fun project

I worked on in my downtime turned into something that ended up being sold in local businesses and even on Amazon. People love to open up a physical book and see visuals that bring back special memories, and I love being a part of that.”

Since then, Kristen started her own company, Underdog Nation, where she sells her coloring books, stickers, clothing items, journals, puzzles and other fun gifts (such as crayons in the shape of people and stars)! With recent success, she is starting to focus more and more on her career as an artist. The best part is that Kristen can make something for any age group to enjoy.

“I recently finished a project with the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, which was a custom coloring book that’s filled with drawings of local businesses. It brought the Chamber Members together in a special way and is being sold around

Patchogue.” Another special project Kristen recently produced is a personalized coloring book that was used by a local fireman’s foundation for fundraising efforts.

“If you dream it, I can probably find a way to make something fun with it,” said Kristen.

“Whether it’s a single page or a full book, everything I draw is by hand in my personal style and reflects how much I care about the project. I’ve been inspired by all things local and historic, and it’s been fun to find a new way to teach kids in our community about local history. Some other projects I’ve worked on came from my love of my Gen X childhood, whether that be vintage toys, movie quotes, thrift shopping or collecting. Each project differs, but I absolutely love what I do, and that means I usually get things done pretty fast! I’m living that dream phrase, ‘If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.’ Looks like I’m almost there.”

If you, your business, Chamber of Commerce, town or the like are interested in more information, please contact Kristen today at 631.245.8090 or kkhudn@ gmail.com.

You can also visit her website at www. underdognation.io.

ARTWORK IN THE COMMUNITY - HSE art on display at Calderone Arts Center. Photos courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Environmental Club at High School

West decorated trees at the high school

material. Photo courtesy of SCSD

By Noelle Lambert

EAC Network is a non-profit organization that

assists

cares for

in need. Their objective is to reach individuals within our community through innovative programs that improve quality of life. They have five service areas:

It’s the holiday season; a time to be jolly. A time particularly for children to be happy. On Wednesday, December 14th, EAC Network stepped up to support children in need on Long Island who otherwise would not have the possibility to celebrate this Holiday season like every child deserves to by hosting a Holiday Shopping Spree at Walmart in Farmingdale.

More than a hundred children and young adults, from 4 to 19 years old, were able to get a $100 gift card to spend on gifts of their choice. The event was organized in collaboration with Bethpage Federal Credit Union (BFCU) who donated $10,000 and Summit Health-CityMD, who donated $5,000.

Malik and Adrian, both 14 years old, were so grateful to be part of the shopping spree. With sparkles in their eyes as they explored the isles at Walmart and admired the different items on the shelves, their first stop was at the electronic game area, where they eagerly looked at different options available. The feeling of gratitude for the possibility to acquire a game or two, along with other items, was palpable.

Volunteers from Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Summit HealthCityMD spent the afternoon with each child to assist them as they purchased gifts.

After picking up a game, with excitement and humility Malik said, “I now have only one item in my cart, but I have what I was looking for and it feels good. It feels great.”

United States. These children are at a much higher risk of incarceration, teenage

pregnancy, substance abuse, lack of self-esteem and of ending up on public assistance. However, EAC Network’s Chance to Advance program works to bring meaningful change to the lives of at-risk children and youth in foster care by providing positive outlooks and enrichment opportunities through oneon-one mentoring as well as life skills workshops and activities, with the goal of assisting, caring and empowering children to take control of their lives.

If you are in need and believe you can benefit from any of EAC Network’s offerings, please contact Robert Stricoff, Chief Development Officer at EAC Network at Robert.Stricoff@eacnetwork.org or 631.433.1662.

Sadly, the number of children in foster care is rising throughout the

EAC Staff & BCFU Volunteers at the Holiday Shopping Spree Sign-In Station at the Holiday Shopping Spree

Schubert’s Beach Clean Up

On Saturday, November 5th, the Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau, Horizons Counseling & Education Center and Youth & Community Alliance had 54 student and parent volunteers, in conjunction with the Parks Department, Public Safety Bay Constables, and Park Rangers, clean up harmful waste left along the shoreline of Schubert’s Beach. This initiative was conducted to help bring community awareness as a part of the Youth Bureau, Horizons Counseling & Education Center, and

Youth & Community Alliance’s efforts to keep the community safe and clean. This event was initially scheduled for October 1st, but was rescheduled. This is the second annual beach clean-up for the group. Last year, volunteers cleaned up Long Beach.

“This was another fantastic turnout from our brightest future leaders within the community.

I’d like to thank the Youth & Community Alliance team, our Parks Department, Public Safety Bay Constables & Park Rangers, and most

of all our young student volunteers, who all worked together in this year’s cleanup. These events are vital to encouraging the public to be proactive in keeping our shorelines safe for residents and wildlife alike. I commend the Youth Bureau, Horizons Counseling & Education Center, and Youth & Community Alliance, student volunteers and their parents for going above and beyond to protect and care for our pristine beaches and wildlife habitat at Schubert’s Beach.”Supervisor Ed Wehrheim

With the help of Youth Bureau, Horizons Counseling & Education Center, and Youth & Community Alliance personnel, the students collected trash and recorded any evidence of alcohol, tobacco, vape and drug related waste, including a syringe, to help identify the areas where substance use is taking place. The group also collected litter, discarded fishing equipment, and other household items. The New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force was scheduled to

take part in the October 1st event, but they unfortunately could not make the rescheduled date due to a conflict with their schedule.

“We were lucky enough to have great weather on the day of this rescheduled event. It was actually a PERFECT day for a beach cleanup! Alliance student volunteers and a few of their parents were so enthusiastic and happy to be part of this project. It was a very effective beach cleanup; an educational experience about substance use in that location, and

a wonderful opportunity for students and families to socialize and enjoy a beautiful morning together.” - Janine MarcAnthony, Youth Services Coordinator, Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau To get involved with future Youth Bureau events, apply to become a volunteer with the Smithtown Youth Bureau Volunteer Corps. Complete and submit the online volunteer application form, available on the Youth Bureau website. Adults and students are invited to register.

SCHUBERT’S BEACH CLEAN UP - Pictured: (Town of Smithtown) Youth Bureau, Horizons Counseling and Education Center, and Youth & Community Alliance Student Volunteers.

Annual Gurwin Photo Contest Announced At Gallery-Style Event

The 2022 Annual Gurwin Photo Contest winning photos were revealed recently at the Gurwin Healthcare System’s newly opened Fountaingate Gardens Independent Living Community, in a gallery-style cocktail reception. The renowned contest, now in its 29th year, celebrates the work of amateur photographers from Long Island and around the world; their winning photos adorn the hallways at the 460-bed Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, for the enjoyment of the Center’s residents, staff and visitors.

Thirty-two winners and their guests were feted at the awards ceremony held in the state-of-theart Clubhouse of the new “Life Plan Community,” located on Gurwin’s 36acre Commack campus. This year’s stunning

photos were chosen by judges Tony Lopez (Tony Lopez Photography), Chris Appoldt (Chris Appoldt Photography) and Brandon Klein (The Tiffen Company) from among hundreds of entries in the annual contest. Best-in-Show went to Deidre Elzer-Lento (Huntington, LI) for her photo “Rainbow Over LIPA

Stacks,” and Best-In-Show Runner-Up to Aaron Needle (Merrick, LI) for “Safe!” Additionally, Grand Prize and Honorable Mention winners were chosen for each of 12 categories, plus a Resident/Staff Selection award was presented for photos selected by the residents and employees at Gurwin’s Nursing and

Rehabilitation Center.

The awards ceremony, held for the first time at Fountaingate Gardens, featured a gallery-style display of all winning photographs, beautifully mounted and framed, and displayed throughout the new facility for the more than 70 guests and community residents who attended. Guests enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails prepared by Fountaingate Gardens chef Anthony Trentini, a slideshow presentation of the 2022 prize-winning photos with behindthe-scenes commentary from the winning photographers, and a video montage of past contest winners, plus a tour of the new community.

“The Gurwin Photo Contest and awards ceremony is a highly anticipated event, for both our contest participants,

as well as Gurwin’s residents who will have the opportunity to enjoy the striking photos in our Tiffen Gallery for generations to come,” said Gurwin President and Chief Executive Officer Stuart B. Almer. “We were very pleased to celebrate the winners in person this year and showcase their

Finding Resources For Older Adults

(NAPSI)—If you or someone you care about is an older adult, you should know about the Eldercare Locator. The Eldercare Locator, a public service

of the Administration on Aging, an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living is a nationwide service that connects older adults

and their caregivers with information on aging services.

Callers to the Eldercare Locator receive information about federal,

state and local services such as transportation, inhome supportive services, and health and wellness programs. Information Specialists are there to help

guide callers to the correct resources.

You can call the Eldercare Locator at (800) 677-1116 Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm ET to

talent in high style at our beautiful new independent living community.”

Winning photos and the awards ceremony montage can be viewed at bit.ly/ GurwinPhoto. Visit www. fountaingateli.org to learn more about Gurwin’s elegant new independent living community for active adults.

speak with a knowledgeable Information Specialist, or you can visit the website, www.eldercare.gov to find local resources on a broad range of topics.

Rainbow Over LIPA Stacks by Deidre Elzer-Lento

Safe! by Aaron Needle

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How To Make Christmas Eve Special For Kids

Christmas Eve is viewed differently by different people, even those who live under the same Santa-ready roof. Adults may see Christmas Eve as crunch time when they must prepare food for the next day or set up presents for their children to open in the morning. Children, on the other hand, are focused on Santa’s visit and little else.

Parents naturally want to make Christmastime as special as possible for their children, and that may involve ensuring that Christmas Eve is just as memorable as Christmas Day. The following are some ways to impart more magic on Christmas Eve celebrations.

Read a Christmas story

Watching television or looking at a tablet or mobile phone before bed can be too stimulating when it’s time for children to wind down for bed. Choose a holiday tale or tales that can be read as a Christmas Eve bedtime story. Reciting the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas)” is a great way to set the Christmas Eve mood.

Make A Batch Of ‘Reindeer Dust’

Attend Mass At

Midnight Practicing Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, churches often hold celebrations that may include late-evening or midnight masses that celebrate the birth of Christ when the calendar switches over to December 25. While it does make for a late night, it can be thoughtprovoking for kids and a unique experience, unlike any other.

Bake Fresh Cookies

Children like to leave out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa. That makes Christmas Eve a perfect time to whip up a fresh batch of cookies. Explore different recipes to come up with a unique offering each year.

Why should Santa’s reindeer be left out when it comes to receiving treats? Reindeer dust, made from a combination of oatmeal, rice cereal, dried fruits, and glitter (if desired), is purported to attract Santa’s reindeer and provide them a nibble at the same time. Plus, it’s generally safe for other animals in the yard to eat.

Go Caroling

Caroling may not be the norm, but some families may want to revive it. Close-knit communities can organize family-centric caroling opportunities and roam the cul-de-sacs and other pedestrian-friendly areas singing popular songs.

Christmas Eve is a great time to embrace various traditions that help to make the season even more special.

Local Smithtown Girl Scout Wins Light Show Display Contest

Girl Scouts of Suffolk County (GSSC) are excited to announce the winners of the Girl Scout Holiday Light Show Display Contest. Junior Girl Scout Kayla Nagy from Smithtown has been selected as one of five winners of this year’s display contest. The Girl Scout Holiday Light Show Display Contest is held each year ahead of the Girl Scout Annual Holiday Light Show to select five designs from Girl Scouts to be made into new custom light displays.

“We are so excited for the winner’s designs to be brought to life during this year’s light show,” said Tammy Severino, CEO and President of Girl Scouts of Suffolk County. “With over 80 submissions, it was challenging to choose our winners, as we received so many amazing entries. We thank every Girl Scout who submitted their beautiful designs for this year’s contest.”

This year, the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County received over 80 submissions from individual girls and troops across Suffolk County. Each submission featured a hand-drawn design of the applicant’s newly conceptualized light display idea. The display contest winners will have their designs turned into a light display to be featured as part of “Girl Scout Way,” a special section of the show that features favorites like the Girl Scout Cookie

Junior Girl Scout Kayla Nagy’s Winning Display Contest Design

display and the designs from past winners of the contest.

Girl Scouts of Suffolk County’s annual holiday light show is a drive-through show along a 1.5-mile trail at Smith Point County Park Campgrounds filled with dazzling holiday light displays created by our Girl Scouts, Staff, and members of our communities throughout Suffolk County. The holiday event features more than 100 fun, artistic, holiday-themed displays.

The Girl Scout Holiday Light Show will be open daily through December 30th, excluding December 24th and 25th, from 5 pm to 9 pm. The Enchanted Forest will be open on Saturdays and Sundays

from 5 pm to 9 pm and will run from December 26th to December 30th. Online pricing is available, or tickets can be purchased at the gates with a credit card. For more information, visit https:// www.gssclightshow.com/.

About Girl Scouts of Suffolk County: The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County is one of the largest youthserving agencies on Long Island, serving over 15,000 members dedicated to the mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. For more information about Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, please call (631) 543-6622 or visit www.gssc.us.