The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO)’s Annual Halloween Festival returns on Monday, October 31 from 2pm to 5pm for its 32nd year with music from WALK 97.5, trick-or-treating throughout Stony Brook Village Center, dancing and games for children, Scarecrow Competition announcements at 4pm and a Halloween parade, led by Monster Merlin! This event is FREE.
STONY BROOK, NY – September 2, 2022; Join the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) in a new walking tour experience, Unwind & Uncork History: The Story of Wine & the Stony Brook Grist Mill on Friday, September 30 at 3pm. $25 per person, includes bottle of authentic Catawba wine from Lake Side Emotions Wine Boutique and program. All participants must be 21 or older. Registration required.
In this walking tour experience, tour-goers will “uncork” the stories of the Stony Brook Grist Mill (c. 1751), the sight of Long Island’s very first vineyard. This will include a tour of the Stony Brook Grist Mill, the scandalous story of Edward Kane, his Lakeside Wine Company, and a brief lesson on wine. The tour will begin at Tranquility Park (also known as T. Bayles Minuse Mill Pond Park) across from the Stony Brook Grist Mill, and will end at Lake Side Emotions Wine Boutique, which gained its name from Kane’s Lakeside Wine Company.
To learn more about the Unwind & Uncork History program, to register and to learn more about the WMHO, call (631)751-2244.
STONY BROOK, NY – August 31, 2022; Join the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) in rediscovering the lives of Long Island’s 19th century free Black, Native-Black, and Black-White people on Saturday, September 24 at their in-person program, William Sidney Mount and Long Island’s Free People of Color at the Brewster House. Two sessions, 1:00pm – 2:30 and 2:30pm – 4:00pm. $8 per person. Books are available for purchase. Limited seats available, registration required.
The Three Villages may be the only community in America with a world-famous hometown artist who painted people of color during the mid-1800s. The Brewster House (c. 1665) was the focus of Mount’s Long Island Farmhouses now hanging in the Metropolitan Museum of art, and it is believed that many of the people featured in Mount’s work lived on the property and worked for the Brewster family.
Presenting ground-breaking research, authors Katherine Kirkpatrick and Vivian Nicholson-Mueller will reveal the names and life stories of the agricultural laborers, domestic workers and musicians who posed for Mount from their book The Art of William Sidney Mount: Long Island People of Color on Canvas. This event will also highlight co-author Vivian Nicholson-Muller who is a descendant of Andrew Brewster, the model who posed for The Bone Player. After a presentation, participants are encouraged to ask questions and are invited to tour the historic Brewster House (c. 1665), owned by the WMHO.
Register by calling the Ward Melville Heritage Organization at 631-751-2244.
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s 32nd Annual Scarecrow Competition is back! Register as an individual, group or professional and create a scarecrow masterpiece. First place winners will receive a cash prize. Registration and entry fee of $30 due by Friday, September 23rd.
Vote for your favorite scarecrows between October 1 and October 26. Ballots can be found in all shops and eateries in Stony Brook Village and must be returned to shops no later than October 26th to be counted. Winners will be notified on Friday, October 28th by 5pm and will be announced during the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Halloween Festival on October 31st.
Registration for this event is required. You can pick up a registration form at any of the shops in Stony Brook Village, or you can download it digitally by clicking HERE!
To enter this competition, please return the completed registration form to the Ward Melville Heritage Organization – P.O. Box 572, Stony Brook, NY 11790, with the entry fee of $30.
For more information on the Scarecrow Competition, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) or the Halloween Festival, please call the WMHO at 631-751-2244.
LONG ISLAND MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT HALL OF FAME EXTENDS WMHO’S SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Crowds for the WMHO’s Summer Concert Series on the Village Green.
STONY BROOK, NY: August 9, 2022 – The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) is proud to announce an extension to their Annual Summer Concert Series on the Village Green to include a concert with the Sound Symphony on August 28th at 7pm. This is a FREE concert sponsored by the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF). Ernie Canadeo, LIMEHOF Chairman, will make exciting announcements about the Hall of Fame and the red carpet grand opening in November.
The Sound Symphony, an orchestra comprising of about 50 pieces, will perform a combination of light classical songs, movie themes and Broadway tunes. Additionally, a vocalist will performs opera songs. The Sound Symphony was created in 1984 by Long Island musicians for Long Island communities.
LIMEHOF’s first physical facility is anticipated to open in November of 2022 at the WMHO’s Educational and Cultural Center (ECC). The ECC was designed for interactive programs and events; such as performances, exhibits and classes. In fact, the Great Room on the first floor has 28-foot ceilings. There will be a permanent “Hall of Fame” with plaques and exhibits recognizing the over 100 and growing inductees, as well as areas for a library, classrooms for educational programs and master classes, and a theater. The main exhibit space will contain a rotating exhibit theme, and the layout and first exhibit, “Long Island’s Legendary Club Scene: 1960’s to 1980’s” is currently being designed by world-renowned visual designer Kevin O’Callaghan.
The Summer Concert Series will take place in front of the Stony Brook Post Office in Stony Brook Village, located at 129 Main Street in Stony Brook. For more information on the Summer Concert Series, call the WMHO at (631) 751-2244. For more information on LIMEHOF, visit their website here.
STONY BROOK, NY: June 28, 2022 – The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) will be hosting seven Pop-Up Saturdays (rain dates: Sundays) in Stony Brook Village on Saturdays from July 9 to August 20, from 2pm until 4pm. This family friendly event is filled with animals, magic, music, art and more! Pop-Up Saturdays are free to the public and except where noted, will take place in Stony Brook Village’s Inner Court (by the Rustic Loft and Crazy Beans). Pop-Up Saturdays are a family friendly event series sponsored by Edward Jones in honor of their 100th anniversary throughout 2022!
On July 9th, experience the Magic of Amore from 2pm to 3pm, and North Fork Country Kids Rescue Vixen from 2pm to 4pm. On July 16th, Sweetbriar Nature Center will bring birds of prey and touchable animals from 2pm to 3pm. On July 23, Burke and Brenda will be performing original and cover songs in the genres of R&B, Roots, Blues and Contemporary Acoustic from 2 to 4pm at the Post Office. On July 30, Characatures by Marty Macaluso (no rain date) will visit the village and draw caricatures of individuals and groups from 2pm to 4pm. On August 6, Sweetbriar Nature Center returns with birds of prey and animals to touch from 2pm to 4pm. On August 13, enjoy storytelling and singing by Johnny Cuomo from 2pm to 3pm, enjoy the music of Burke and Brenda at the Post Office from 2pm to 4pm. On August 20, Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center will visit the center with adoptable dogs from 2pm to 4pm and L.I Traditional Tae Kwon Do will host a free Martial Arts class outdoors from 2pm – 3pm. On August 27, the last pop-up Saturday, Charactures by Marty Macaluso (no rain date) will return by popular demand!
Edward Jones is a financial advising service dedicated to making a difference in their clients’ lives and helping them achieve what matters most. Over the last 100 years, Edward Jones has been committed to partnering with communities to create deep relationships that make a lasting impact. Edward Jones is located at 97 Main Street in Stony Brook Village. To learn more about their services, call (631) 444-0179.
To learn more about Pop-Up Saturdays and the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, call (631) 751-2244.
By Barbara Anne Kirshner, from Times Beacon Record, June 22, 2022.
Excitement abounds in Stony Brook Village!
On June 21, the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) and the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) held a press conference in which they announced that they are joining forces by signing a long-term lease to house the LIMEHOF’s first physical facility at the WMHO’s Educational and Cultural Center in Stony Brook Village Center.
This perfect melding brings together two organizations built on highlighting cultural as well as educational elements. The WMHO is rooted in the contributions of Ward Melville to the educational landscape of the Three Village Area. Its Educational and Cultural Center, an impressive white colonial-style building, opened its doors in 2002, offering interactive programs and events, exhibits, and theatrical productions.
The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization founded in 2004, recognizes, honors and preserves Long Island’s musical heritage. The organization’s educational initiatives include annual scholarships, a concert series, speaker series, and its Hall of Fame with such inductees as Billy Joel, Tony Bennett, Eddie Money, Connie Stevens, Clive Davis and Neil Sedaka. The organization recently expanded its mission to recognize all forms of the arts including, but not limited to, comedy, film, television and theater.
Now that LIMEHOF has joined forces with WMHO, their ambitious collaboration intends to create a physical facility in the Educational and Cultural Center space that will showcase Long Island’s rich and diverse musical and entertainment history. Plans are for exhibits, a permanent “Hall of Fame,” a library, classrooms for educational programs and master classes, and a theater.
Dr. Richard Rugen, chair of board to WMHO said, “We are looking forward to a long partnership with LIMEHOF. Our trustees feel this is a perfect fit with the other not-for-profits located in Stony Brook Village, namely, The Long Island Museum, The Jazz Loft and The Reboli Center.”
“With all the other attributes in Stony Brook Village, such as restaurants, shops, parks, Discovery Boat, kayaks, historic buildings and hotel, this is a perfect addition. The multi-purpose building was constructed to hold exhibits, performances, classes and is wired for distance learning. When I heard that LIMEHOF was looking for a permanent home, I called Ernie Canadeo and the rest is history.” said Gloria D. Rocchio, President of The Ward Melville Heritage Organization.
The festivities were kicked off by the LIHOF 2022 inductees, the band Barnaby Bye, featuring the Alessi brothers, Billy and Bobby, and Mike Ricciardella, treating the audience to a rendition of their song Sea Birds.
Hosting duties went to the LIMEHOF Chairman, Ernie Canadeo, who proudly stated, “I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say there is no place in the country and even in the world that has produced as many extraordinary musical composers or entertainers than Long Island. We have inducted over 100 from every musical genre. Today we are thrilled to announce that we have expanded our mission and our name to include major figures in comedy, film, television and the arts in addition to music. This beautiful building will become the home to honor, respect and preserve LI’s diverse musical and entertainment history and its future.”
He continued, “In addition to a permanent Hall of Fame that will honor all our inductees, we will have 2 changing exhibitions a year. The first will be called LI’s Legendary Club Scene 1960s, 70s and 80s. It will be a tribute to clubs and bands who played on Long Island and created the unbelievable club scene that no one who lives here will ever forget. We expect to draw people from all over with nostalgia for those wonderful days. We are planning a grand opening in November 2022.”
Canadeo then introduced the world-renowned visual designer, Kevin O’Callaghan, who will oversee all things creative.
“I love this community. I am thankful for this opportunity; it is really amazing,” said O’Callaghan. “For this first exhibition, we want to focus on the people, because the people of Long Island are what made so much of this happen. The club scene, the music scene — it all started here. We want to get the stories, the stories behind the musicians and the shows and what people saw and experienced and what it felt like to be in Speaks and what it felt like to be in Hammerheads and what it felt like to see Twisted Sister. It’s amazing; Billy Joel, in his early days, just playing a piano, no band behind him. We want to hear those stories, so we’re reaching out to the public looking for stories, memorabilia. I don’t think there is anything too small that wouldn’t be important in here. We’re going to have a theater upstairs; we’re going to have a library upstairs. It’s going to be educational. I just can’t wait. I’m unbelievably excited!”
It is of special interest to note that the space where the Educational and Cultural Center is located was once the site of the famed Dogwood Hollow built by businessman and philanthropist Ward Melville. It was a 2,000+ seat outdoor amphitheater that hosted greats such as Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Liberace and more between 1955 and 1970.
In deference to this space, Canadeo said, “It was one of the most significant theatres on Long Island and it was right here where this building was built. So, you talk about karma and us being meant to be here; it’s really unbelievable. And if you look at the history, it was one of the first places that had no regard for racial issues. You look back and a lot of the artists here spanned everyone and it’s really a significant space. We are proud that our building is in this space.”
The crowd was treated to a tour of the upstairs space that will house the Hall of Fame, exhibits and a small theater. The official ribbon-cutting and public opening of the completed space is scheduled to take place this coming November. For more information and to see artist renderings of the exhibits, visit www.limehof.org.
View the article on Times Beacon Records wesbite HERE.
STONY BROOK, NY: June 10, 2022 – The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) is excited to announce the long awaited return of the Summer Concert Series on the Village Green. These free concerts will take place in front the Stony Brook Post Office at 7pm on Sundays from July 10 to August 21.
Performances include the Precisions, a vintage rock group performing songs from the golden age of rock and roll on July 10; the Rustlers, a high energy group performing classic and contemporary country and rock and roll songs on July 17; the Clusters, a super group performing hits from the 50s through the 80s on July 24; Linda Ipanema, performing traditional jazz songs on July 31; the Brooklyn Bards, performing acoustic traditional Irish music on August 7; the NY Exceptions, a doo-wop band performing songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s on August 14; and Country Rhythms, a country music line dance instruction group on August 21. In the case of rain, the concerts will be cancelled.
The 2022 Summer Concerts Series on the Village Green is made possible by our sponsors: the Tantillo Auto Group, Chevrolet of Smithtown, Realty Connect USA, Team Ardolino and Realty Three LLC.
The WMHO is a 501©3 not-for-profit corporation founded in 1939 by businessman and philanthropist Ward Melville. Inspired by his legacy to preserve historic and environmentally sensitive properties, the WMHO continues to protect and interpret these Long Island treasures. The organization creates interdisciplinary educational and cultural experiences that integrate history, art, theater, music, science, and technology for all ages. The organization owns and manages properties deeded to it by Ward Melville, including the Brewster House (c. 1665), the Thompson House (c. 1709), the Stony Brook Grist Mill (c.1751), which are listed on the state and national register for historic places, the Dr. Erwin Ernst Marine Conservation Center, and the pristine 88-acre wetlands preserve at West Meadow, the 11-acre T. Bayles Minuse Mill Pond and adjacent park, two- acre Upper Pond, and the two-acre Jennie Melville Village Green. To learn more about the WMHO, visit wmho.org or call (631) 751-2244.
Grab your fanciest hat and get off to the races: Stony Brook Village Center is proud to announce Mint Clothing Boutique will be celebrating the release of their first private line of designs at a Belmont Stakes themed Look Book Luncheon. The luncheon will take place at the Three Village Inn on Thursday June 9 at noon until 3pm (rain date: Friday, June 10, same time). As guests enjoy their al fresco lunch, models will stroll through the gardens wearing the private line’s breathable, sustainable and easy-to-wear styles. Tickets for this event are $35 per person and include a three-course prix fix lunch. To reserve your seat, call the Three Village Inn at (631) 751-0555.
Mint Clothing Boutique was created in 2004 by Joanna Mazzella, inspired by the beauty and lifestyle of the North Fork and the Hamptons. The boutique offers a unique collection of beautiful pieces from luxury clothing brands, tailored to create a refreshing shopping experience that highlights the modern woman’s lifestyle. Mint Clothing Boutique is located at 119 Main Street in Stony Brook Village and is open daily 10am to 6pm.
Stony Brook Village is proud to present that the Stony Brook Village Audio Experience is now available and can be enjoyed on your own time and at your own pace!
The experience is FREE to the public and will allow all visitors of Stony Brook Village to immerse themselves in the quirky history and stories of the lifestyle center and some of its surrounding properties. The audio experience is obtained by scanning QR codes throughout the village and is also available at audio.stonybrookvillage.com
Currently, the experience has ten stops, and covers the history and the stories from the Three Village Inn’s original residents to the entire development of Stony Brook Village Center.
It is recommended that participants of the experience begin at the Three Village Inn. Additional stories will be added soon: the Country House (c.1710), the Stony Brook Grist Mill (c.1751) – including the first vineyard on Long Island, and T. Bayles Minuse Mill Pond Park.