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Stony Brook, NY – The Ward Melville Heritage Organization will connect 6 to 9 year olds to nature with an educational and fun program by Tepee Ted of the Traveling Wilderness Museum, Tuesday, February 20 through Thursday, February 22 from 10 am to Noon each day.

Taking place inside WMHO’s Educational and Cultural Center in the Stony Brook Village Center, students will enjoy an interactive experience including proper use of bows and arrow, the role story-telling played in Native American experience and other hands on activities with deer skins and bones. Children can experience being inside his tepee structure (a dwelling commonly used year-round by the North American Plains Indians) as they learn how Native children gained the skills and knowledge necessary to live comfortable lives in the wilderness. Indian drums, games and jewelry created from, wood, shells and beads complete the adventure.

The cost is $90 pp for all 3 days (per day pricing is $35 pp.)  Advance reservations are required and there is a 10 person minimum.  For additional information or to reserve call 631-751-2244.

WMHO PRESENTS ITS ANNUAL CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Stony Brook, NY – The Ward Melville Heritage Organization will host its Annual Chinese New Year Celebration on Sunday, February 11 from 1 to 4 pm at its Educational and Cultural Center in the Stony Brook Village Center.  To usher in the “Year of the Dog” the event will feature performances demonstrating many of the rich traditions and rituals observed during this festive celebration.

Sponsored by Sterling National Bank, the program is sure to transport visitors to “the land of the rising sun” with a kick-off performance by Authentic Shaolin Kung Fu who will wow the audience with a martial arts demonstration as well as the dramatic nine-foot Chinese folk art Lion Dance. The strutting lions are believed to bring good luck to everyone they meet. Visitors will also be entertained by the unique sounds of Manhattan Taiko, blending ancient Japanese drums with modern movement and spirit, and the Long Island Chinese Dance Group who will present the moving art of Chinese dance. A Year of the Dog Children’s Craft Activity will immediately follow the performances.

Advance reservations are required. The fee is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and children under 12 (incl. craft activity). For reservations and additional information, call 631-689-5888.

Running Scared, Running Free:  Escape to the Promised Land

Back by Popular Demand for Black History Month

Stony Brook, NY – In honor of Black History Month Long Islanders can truly celebrate the meaning of freedom with WMHO’s acclaimed Running Scared, Running Free:  Escape to the Promised Land. These riveting live theatrical performances, held over 150 years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, will be a poignant experience about the power of the human spirit and Long Island’s connection to the Underground Railroad.

Sponsored by Empire National Bank, Running Scared, Running Free is an interactive production based on research compiled by The Ward Melville Heritage Organization on the movement of escaping slaves from the south to Long Island and north to Canada. A St. George Production, the drama is set in the mid-1850s and is told through the eyes of “Dorcas,” a female slave fleeing South Carolina. The production shows how Native Americans, Quakers, free blacks and abolitionists assisted in the Underground Railroad through the fascinating use of secret codes in quilt patterns as a vital means of communication. It is estimated that at least 30,000 slaves, and potentially more than 100,000, escaped to Canada via the Underground Railroad.

Performances will take place on selected dates between February 1 – 28 at WMHO’s Educational & Cultural Center, 97P Main Street in Stony Brook Village at 10 am and Noon. Program costs are $12 pp (adults); $12 per student (up to 35 students); $8 per student (over 35 students); Distance learning: $250 per class connection (IP and ISPN connectivity); In-school performance: $1500.  The program is aligned to meet National and New York State Common Core Standards and BOCES Arts-in-Education reimbursable.

For reservations and further information call 631-751-2244 or visit wmho.org.

Stony Brook, NY – If you’re looking for a fun night of mystery and mayhem, then mark your calendars for Friday, February 2, and be part of Now You See It, Now You Don’t, where you can become a private eye for the evening.

This two-hour interactive Mystery Dinner Theatre setting combines food, wine and drama that is sure to leave you guessing and laughing until the end.  Guests will take their seats and become part of the action as they work together to assemble clues, interrogate suspects and solve the heist of the Lickety Split Diamond. One lucky guest will also be ensured taking home their very own piece of fine jewelry as the winner of the free raffle.

The fun takes place from 7 pm – 9 pm at WMHO’s Educational & Cultural Center, 97P Main Street in the Stony Brook Village Center.  Admission is $75 pp and includes a buffet dinner, wine, dessert, coffee and tea.  Call 631-689-5888 for reservations which are a must.

For additional information and ongoing events, visit www.stonybrookvillage.com

Stony Brook, NY – Stony Brook Hamlet is located in New York, on the North Shore of Long Island, just 60 miles from Manhattan.  Stony Brook Village Center, created in 1941, is considered the first planned business community in the United States, and will make its mark on December 1 as the first community in the country to accept China’s leading mobile wallet payment platforms.  Alipay and WeChat Pay account for 90% of the Chinese mobile payment market share with over 1 billion active users.

The majority of establishments in this quaint, historic village, as well as its environs, have partnered with CITCON, a cross-border mobile payment leader to accept Alipay and WeChat via CITCON’s smart mobile point-of-sale (mPOS), easy-to-integrate API and software products to provide the most preferred payment options for Chinese consumers. “We are thrilled to partner with Stony Brook Village and make it the first community in the U.S. to accept Alipay and WeChat Pay.” said Chuck Huang, Founder and CEO of CITCON, “Mobile payment is the future of commerce, and by accepting the most preferred payment options for Chinese travelers makes it easy for businesses to provide a delightful experience and engage with millions of Chinese consumers.”

Alipay, the world’s largest mobile and online payment platform, provides in-store payment service in more than 30 countries across the world; and WeChat Pay, a fully integrated payment solution within WeChat, the world’s most popular mobile social communications service with 980 million active users envisions and innovates new ways for people to connect, communicate and share. CITCON’s payment solutions enable cross-border payments for Chinese consumers to purchase goods and services overseas in Chinese Yuan and for merchants to be settled in local currencies.  Adding these payment options allows merchants to gain the opportunity to better service the Chinese traveler, and tap into an even larger revenue stream from one billion Chinese consumers who are the largest spenders, and the fastest growing traveler segment to North America.

China is the largest market for U.S. travel and tourism goods and services and astronomical growth is anticipated in the next few years.  Six million Chinese tourists are expected to visit the U.S. by the year 2020.

Discover Long Island’s President and CEO, Kristen Jarnagin says, “Chinese travelers are changing the scope of the international tourism market and Long Island is not only excited to welcome them but prepared to provide them with an experience steeped in convenience and ease that they are accustomed to.  This new advancement, combined with our destination’s diverse assets and proximity to New York City, gives Long Island an unmatched competitive edge in luring the lucrative Chinese visitor.”

WMHO has spearheaded this effort with ALON Marketing Group to bring together 30 organizations including restaurants, hotels, retail services, attractions and transportation to offer these services.  IN ADDITION, THROUGH THE PURCHASE OF A STONY BROOK VILLAGE CENTER GIFT CERTIFICATE AT WMHO’S EDUCATIONAL & CULTURAL CENTER OR THEIR MANAGEMENT OFFICE, 111 MAIN STREET IN STONY BROOK, Asian customers can also make purchases at:  Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University, Chico’s, LOFT, Crabtree & Evelyn, Brew Cheese, Wish, Roseland School of Dance, MensRoom Barber, Village Coffee Market, Lake Side Emotions Wine Boutique and WMHO Heritage Gift Shop. This will accommodate Asian Long Island residents and Stony Brook University faculty and students. The Asian population, as it stands today, is 16% in a one mile radius of the Stony Brook Village Center.  Gloria Rocchio, President of The Ward Melville Heritage Organization says, “Stony Brook is an international community.  Partnering with Ali Pay and We Chat Pay provides the Asian resident and visitor with a familiar way of payment and makes the area Asian-friendly.”

Photo Credit:  WMHO

About THE WARD MELVILLE HERITAGE ORGANIZATION

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO), founded in 1939, is a privately funded not-for-profit corporation.  The Stony Brook Village Center, known to be the first planned business community created in the United States, is located at Main Street on Stony Brook Harbor.  WMHO and the Stony Brook Village Center is the creation of philanthropist Ward Melville. Its many unique features include a sweeping village green and crescent shaped design. In its early years the American Institute of Architects hosted an annual conference in Stony Brook to study his creation.  The mechanical eagle on the Post Office pediment flaps its wings every hour on the hour from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily as it has done for over 75 years welcoming thousands of visitors to its specialty shops, restaurants, attractions and hotels.  Ward Melville donated the land that Stony Brook University stands on today. WMHO owns and maintains numerous historic structures and environmentally sensitive areas in Stony Brook, New York.  Thousands visit each year to participate in community arts and cultural enrichment events offered by WMHO such as outdoor festivals, wetlands cruises, musical theatre performances, Chinese New Year celebrations and Customer Appreciation Day festivities.  WMHO also owns and oversees various historic properties in Stony Brook, Setauket and Head of the Harbor, New York that are on the New York State and National Register of Historic Places.  They are available by appoint for tours and special programs.  Visit www.stonybrookvillage.com.

About CITCON

Silicon Valley-based CITCON is the mobile payment solution leader for merchants to accept the fast-growing mobile wallets at the global scale. In North America, CITCON is the first and largest authorized merchant acquirer for WeChat Pay and Alipay, two of the most popular mobile wallet providers in the world with over 1 billion active users and over $800 billion mobile payment volume.  CITCON provides both in-store, and mobile / web / E-commerce payment solutions for thousands of merchants including renowned brands such as DFS, Pacific Gateway, China Unicom, YamiBuy among others, covering a wide variety of business sectors such as Retail, Hotel, Food & Beverage, Transportation, Entertainment Education and E-commerce. CITCON was founded by Chuck Huang, a mobile payment veteran with over 10 years’ experience in financial services and payment industries in both China and the US. CITCON management team consists of payment and technology veterans from VISA, PayPal, eBay, Uber, JD, Western Union. CITCON is backed by top notch Silicon Valley venture capital firms and received strategic investments from two public-traded multi-billion-dollar technology companies in China. For more information, please visit http://www.citcon.com/.

Stony Brook University 2017 Demographics Data

• 3,143 of non resident alien students are Asian (out of 4,685)
• More than half of the international students come from Asian countries

Alipay & We Chat Pay Participants

Restaurants

• Pentimento Restaurant

Phone Number: 631-689-7755

Contact Name: Dennis Young

Email: Info@PentimentoRestaurant.com

Address:  89 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Crazy Beans

Phone Number: 631-675-6964

Contact Name: Callie Martino

Email: CrazyBeansrestaurant@gmail.com

Address:  97 A&B Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Sweet Mama’s

Phone Number: 631-512-0479

Contact Name: Marios Patatinis

Email: sb@sweetmamas.com

Address:  121 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Fratellis Italian Eatery

Phone Number: 631-751-4445

Contact Name: Claude Cardin

Email: ClaudeC@Fratellis.me

Address:  77 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Robinsons Tea Room

Phone Number: 631-873-6516

Contact Name: Danielle Munoz

Email: Robinsonstearoom@gmail.com

Address:  97E Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Mirabelle Restaurant & Tavern at Three Village Inn

Phone Number: 516-551-9727

Contact Name: Dan Laffitte

Email: Dan@lessings.com

Address:  150 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• The Country House Restaurant

Phone Number: 631-751-3332

Contact Name: Bob Willemstyn

Email: Countryhouse1710@verizon.net

Address:  1175 Route 25A P.O. Box 271, Stony Brook, NY 11790

Accommodations

• Three Village Inn

Phone Number: 631-751-0555

Contact Name: Dan Laffitte

Email: Dan@lessings.com

Address:  150 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Holiday Inn Express Stony Brook

Phone Number: 631-471-8000

Contact Name: Denean Lane

Email: Denean@stonybrookny.hiexpress.com

Address:  3131 Nesconset Hwy, Centereach, NY 11720

• Stony Brookside Bed & Bike

Phone Number: 631-675-0393

Contact Name: Elyse Buchman

Email: info@thestonybrookside.com

Address:  48 Main St, Stony Brook, NY 11790

Attractions

• Stony Brook Village Center

Phone Number: 631-751-2244

Contact Name:  Marie Gilberti

Email: mgilberti@wmho.org

Address:  111 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• The Ward Melville Heritage Organization

Phone Number: 631-689-5888

Contact Name:  Gloria Rocchio

Email: grocchio@wmho.org

Address:   111 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Stony Brook Harbor Kayak and Paddle Board Rentals

Phone Number: 631-631-834-3130

Contact Name: Nick Barbera

Email: SBHarborrentals@gmail.com

Address:  51 Shore Rd, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Long Island Museum

Phone Number: 631-751-0066

Contact Name: Neil Watson

Email: Mail@longislandmuseum.org

Address:  1200 NY-25A, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Whisper Vineyards

Phone Number: 631-257-5222

Contact Name: Laura Gallagher

Email: Info@whispervineyards.com

Address:  485 Edgewood Ave., Saint James, NY 11780

• The Jazz Loft

Phone Number: 631-751-1895

Contact Name: Tom Manuel

Email: info@thejazzloft.org

Address:  275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook, NY 11790

Retail

• Chocolate Works Stony Brook

Phone Number: 631-697-4395

Contact Name: Chris Daniels

Email: Chocolateworks@StonyBrook.com

Address:  143 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Cottontails

Phone Number: 631-689-9147

Contact Name: Julie McGuire

Email: Cottontailsstonybrook@gmail.com

Address:  113A Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions

Phone Number: 631-475-1118

Contact Name: Jeff Norwood

Email: Camcon102@gmail.com

Address:  85 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Mint

Contact Name:  Nora Lynn

Email: shopmintstonybrook@gmail.com

Address:  119 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• The Crushed Olive

Phone Number: 828-485-8635

Contact Name: Mona Rossero

Email: info@thecrushedolive.com

Address:  133 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Rocky Point  Jewelers West

Phone Number: 631-751-3751

Contact Name: Linda Mammina

Email: info@rockypointjewelers.com

Address:  137 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

Services

• Village Florist & Events

Phone Number: 516-459-2344

Contact Name: Amanda Haggquist

Email: Amanda@villagefloristevents.com

Address:  135 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Blue Salon and Spa

Phone Number: 631-944-2996

Contact Name: Cathleen Hansen

Email: Bluesalonspa97@gmail.com

Address:  97D Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Harbor Cleaners

Phone Number: 631-751-0106

Contact Name: Sue Chang

Email: KYungSookc@gmail.com

Address: 73 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• KAH Fitness

Phone Number: 631-751-6680

Contact Name: Kimberly Harris

Email: kahppt@gmail.com

Address:  97F Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Cervo Design

Phone Number: 631-364-9600

Contact Name: Andrea Cervo

Email: Archdesign.ny@gmail.com

Address: 145 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• WatersEdge Dental

Phone Number: 631-751-0099

Contact Name: Dr. Morelli

Email: Rmorelli2@gmail.com

Address: 97 Main Street Suite M, Stony Brook, NY 11790

• Wiggs Opticians Inc.

Phone Number: 621-553-6747

Contact Name: Paul Mastrorocco

Email: Brookhavenopt@optonline.net

Address: 125 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

Transportation

• Mark of Elegance

Phone Number: 631-582-4180

Contact Name: Marc Weinstein

Email: Info@marcofelegance.com

Address: 1717 Motor Pkwy, Hauppauge, NY 11788

Stony Brook, NY – If you’re looking for live musical theatre right in your own back yard, Stony Brook Village is the place to be.  Performances in tribute to the lives of Linda Ronstadt and Olivia Newton-John open November 19 at WMHO’s Educational & Cultural Center and run through January 10.

The musical-comedy shows will not only be entertaining but compelling as they touch on the very dramatic lives and careers of these iconic stars.  Also included will be a high-tea luncheon in a beautifully decorated seasonal setting.  The talented cast will be Emily Tafur as Linda Ronstadt, Cierra Ervin as Olivia Newton-John and Darren St. George as Danny DeLuca.

This year is the 15^th Anniversary of WMHO’s partnership with St. George Productions who put on these tribute performances. The Cultural Center is located at 97P Main Street, Stony Brook Village. Advance reservations are required.  General Admission is $48; seniors and children under 15 are $45; groups of 20 or more are $40 pp. Performances take place Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 11:30 am and Sundays at 12:30 pm.  Performance dates are November 19, 25, 26, 29, 30, December 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16 (11:30 am and a special 7 pm evening performance), 17, 20, 21; January 3, 4, 6, 7, 10

For reservations and further information call 631-689-5888 or visit stonybrookvillage.com.

Stony Brook, NY – Here come the puppets! 2017 will mark 38 years The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) has hosted its magical Holiday Festival in Stony Brook Village.  This year’s event, taking place Sunday, December 3, is sure to amaze visitors with the addition of 14 foot giant puppets created by renowned artists.

Local legends and the very beginning of espionage in the United States are part of the fiber and culture of the Three Village area, and they will be celebrated in dramatic fashion through this art.   The “Legends and Spies” Puppet Procession through Stony Brook Village will bring this history to life in the form of Ward and Dorothy Melville, visionary philant hropists and WMHO founders and Caleb Brewster and Benjamin Tallmadge, members of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring. Shipbuilder Captain Jonas Smith, who owned the Hallock Homestead (now the Three Village Inn), and is thought to be Long Island’s first millionaire, will also march with this illustrious group.

The procession of puppets, led by Tom Manuel, President and Founder of The Jazz Loft and a New Orleans Brass Band will begin at 2:15 pm at the Stony Brook Fire Department in the Harbor Crescent section of the Village. WMHO Youth Corps families have volunteered their time to be “puppet handlers.”  Additional festivities starting at 1 pm include live music with WALK Radio, carolers, a holiday train display at the Cultural Center December 3 through 29 (private showings available), Wiggs Opticians Holiday Windows and, of course, Santa who arrives on a Stony Brook Fire Department antique truck at 2 pm to hear children’s wishes until 5 pm.  He returns in dramatic style at 5:30 pm atop the Stony Brook Fire Department’s 3,000 light float for the annual tree lighting. 

There is also the Promenade of Trees competition where families and community members decorate some 60 holiday trees which are on display through January 2.  The public votes for the winner who will receive a $150 Stony Brook Village Gift Certificate usable in all shops and restaurants.

Major event sponsors are Audi Smithtown, Lexus of Smithtown, Softheon, Damianos Realty Group, Ford of Smithtown and Bethpage Federal Credit Union.  Public funding provided by Suffolk County.

For additional information call 631-751-2244 or visit www.stonybrookvillage.com.

Long Island’s Got Talent Finals this Friday, November 3

Stony Brook, NY – Each year students across Long Island get the opportunity to show off amazing skills in WMHO’s Annual Long Island’s Got Talent competition.  Come see the best of the best that Long Island has to offer as the winners are chosen Friday, November 3 at 6:30 pm at the Educational & Cultural Center in Stony Brook Village.

The caliber of talent that participates in this show is evident by the fact that two of the contestants had to drop out – but for a good reason – they have landed roles on Broadway and Radio City.  Don’t miss being there when the winners are chosen from these talented finalists from across Long Island. The cost is only $10 pp and refreshments are served.

• Thomas Foschino, 16 from Bohemia / Vocalist, Guitar
• Paul Foschino, 14 from Bohemia / Vocalist, Piano
• Christy Jean, 15 from Brentwood / Vocalist
• Jessica Nunez, 13 from Wantagh / Vocalist
• Claire Lindsey, 14 from Centerport / Vocalist, Guitar

Makayla Connolly, a 10 year old singer from Northport, was offered the role of “Susan” in White Christmas and will be performing with the Broadway National Tour and singer and pianist, Robert Montano (after going on his first professional audition) was cast in the lead role of “Patrick” in this seasons Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.  He is 14 and from Centereach.

This year’s esteemed panel of judges are Gerry Saulter/Five Towns College Music Department, performance veteran, Ed Decorsia/New York’s Most Dangerous Big Band and Leer Leary (seen and heard in countless TV shows/films, commercials and member of Blackfriars Shakespeare Company, SAG-AFTRA).

For more information visit stonybrookvillage.com or call 631-751-2244.

Stony Brook, NY – Village Florist & Events, formerly known as Lake Grove Village Florist for 9 years, has expanded and relocated to Stony Brook Village. 

Owner, Amanda Hagquist-LaMarian (pictured) will be offering everything from home décor to all-occasion florals including weddings and bridal showers. She will also host a variety of workshops such as Wine & Design on November 1 (Dried Flower Jewelry Making) with wine and snacks and then Holiday Fresh Wreath Making on December 6.

In addition the store will carry greeting cards, custom baskets, balloons, local gifts, silk flowers, candles and plants.  A Grand Opening celebration is planned for November 18 starting at Noon and customers can enjoy refreshments, a DJ, free workshops, raffles such as a Taste of Stony Brook Basket and more. To benefit Island Harvest, bring in cans of food and you can use those as a raffle entry (10 Cans = 10 Raffles, etc!)

Village Florist & Events is located at 135 Main Street in the Harbor Crescent section of picturesque Stony Brook and they can be reached at 631-467-0385.

A Tribute to Erik Halvorsen

Caption L-R:  Laura Huang-Ernst, WMHO Trustee;  Gloria Rocchio, WMHO President; Leif Halvorsen unveiled the plaque in honor of his father Erik Halvorsen; Dr. Richard Rugen, WMHO Chairman; Lilli Halvorsen (daughter of Erik and Britt Halvorsen); Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman, Valerie Cartright; Emilia Retzlaff (friend of the Halvorsen family); Britt Halvorsen (wife of Erik Halvorsen); Liv Halvorsen (daughter of Erik and Britt Halvorsen)

Stony Brook, NY  — Family and friends of Erik Halvorsen, along with Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman, Valerie Cartright and Ward Melville Heritage Organization trustees, came together on the Stony Brook Village Green recently to celebrate his life.  Erik was the former owner of Norse Tree and passed away tragically last November.

Jeff Owen of Owen Brothers, donated a dogwood tree and the Ward Melville Heritage Organization donated a boulder from the historic Mount House with a bronze plaque that reads:

Erik Halvorsen

Our Arborist…He Cared

1971-2016  

“Oak K”

The area selected for the placement of the tree and plaque (next to the Jennie Melville Gardens) was done so not only for its beauty and peacefulness but because of Erik’s help with revitalizing that area and the entire Village Green.  Three Village residents made donations toward the project and their generosity exceeded the original cost.  That balance was given to Erik’s widow, Britt Halvorsen.  There are only three other plaques on the Village Green.  One is dedicated to Jennie Melville and the other two to Ward and Dorothy Melville.