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 100^th anniversary throughout 2022!

On July 9^th, experience the Magic of Amore from 2pm to 3pm, and North Fork Country Kids Rescue Vixen from 2pm to 4pm. On July 16^th, 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.

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.

This summer, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO)’s Summer of Science returns to the Edwin Ernst Marine Conservation Center in West Meadow. Three sessions (each a five day program) will run depending on age group from July 18^th to August 19^th. Registration is required for these programs. Depending on the program, cost per child is $275 to $325.

These open-air outdoors programs emphasize hands-on exploration of plant and animals species along the shoreline, student driven research projects, and scavenger hunts to compare & contrast the marsh and sandy beach habitats. Salt Marsh Explorers (ages 6 to 9) runs from July 18^th to the 22^nd, Salt Marsh Detectives (ages 10 to 12) runs from August 15^th to the 19^th. Both programs are $275 per student, start at 10am and end at 1pm. Salt Marsh Scientists (ages 13 to 17) runs from August 1^st to the 5^th , is $325 per student, starts at 10:00am and ends at 2pm.

Click here for the registration form!

To learn more about Summer of Science programs, register your child, and to learn more about the WMHO, call the Ward Melville Heritage Organization office at 631-751-2244.

STONY BROOK, NY – This October, scarecrows will once again line the walkways throughout Stony Brook Village in the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s 31^st Annual Scarecrow Competition! 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 $25 due by Friday, September 24^th.  

Vote for your favorite scarecrows between October 1^st and October 25^th. Ballots can be found in all shops and eateries in Stony Brook Village and must be returned to shops no later than October 25^th to be counted. Winners will be notified on Tuesday, October 26^th by 5pm and will be announced during the Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Halloween Festival on October 29^th.

The sponsors of the 30^th Annual Scarecrow Competition are as follows: The Main Event sponsor – Suffolk Speech, The Black Cauldron sponsor – RJG Group, the Goblins and Ghouls sponsor – Dr. Robert Quilty, Ph.D., and the Candy Corn sponsor – Goldfish Swim School.

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 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 $25.

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.

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization will offer a new Master Class series, “Here for You”, which will take place each month, from January to June. “Here for You” will feature everything that Stony Brook Village has to offer to Long Islanders. Participants will be able to choose the format that is most enjoyable for them – in person or virtually. Subscriptions for the entire series is $85 per person, which includes a “taste kit” from the Crushed Olive, a “Stony Brook Village Booklet” with insider tips from experts in cooking, mindfulness exercises, floral arrangements and photography, and special “hot” deals throughout Stony Brook Village.

Participants will be a part of six content-rich experiences from Stony Brook Village that span across the arts, health, science, history and culture. The monthly series will include virtual tours of Madagascar, South America and Europe, culinary lessons, open-air guided tours of Stony Brook Village, and much more.

The first class of the series will take place on Friday, January 29^th, is titled “The Power of Flowers” and features the Village Florist and Events owner, Amanda Haggquist. In this virtual workshop, participants will utilize a floral arrangement kit, learn about popular winter flowers and arrangement techniques, and discover the origins of flower arranging. This class is available without the seasonal subscription at $20 per person.

Upcoming programs include Mona Rossero, owner of the Crushed Olive, Guy Reuge, the Executive Chef of the Mirabelle Restaurant, primatologist Patricia Wright and her husband, wildlife photographer Noel Rowe, and professional meditation and spirituality guide, Michael Opisso.

To learn more about the “Here for You” series and to register, call the Ward Melville Heritage Organization office at 631-751-2244.