Events

The organization is hosting a two-part virtual event titled the “New Beginnings Virtual Party and Online Auction” to benefit the restoration & maintenance of the T. Bayles Minuse Mill Pond Park.

This past summer Tropical Storm Isaias winds ravaged the park’s Braille engraved handrails, the borders maintaining the parks gardens, and even the walkways along the pond. ripped through the park, destroying multiple walkway including the railing for the braille garden and uprooted over a dozen trees. This was a place where memories were made for generations – families visited the ducks and birdwatched, had picnics and took special occasion photos.

The auction will run online from Monday, October 19th until Wednesday, December 16th giving guests plenty of time to compete for a good cause. Auction items include exclusive east-end travel packages, rare liquor, fun experiences, and marvelous antiques.

Join us in celebrating this holiday season by bringing beauty and imagination to Stony Brook Village Center!

1. All community organizations, groups, families and individuals are eligible to decorate a tree for the “Holiday Tree Competition” to be on display December 6th through January 4th.

2. A detailed description of the decoration theme and materials to be used must be indicated on the registration form.

3. Registration forms are due by Monday, November 19th.

4. Registrations must be accompanied by a donation of $35 if registered between October 28th and November 15th. Registrations sent in November 16th to November 19th must be accompanied by a $40 donation.

5. Trees will be installed by the Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) in appointed locations throughout the center. Trees will be placed at least 6ft away from one another. Each tree will bear an identification number tag. Trees in the “100 Series” will be placed in Harbor Crescent, trees in the “200 Series” will be placed in Inner Court, and trees in the “300 Series” will be placed in Market Square. WMHO will produce ballots listing each tree and group name that will be available in shops December 4th.

6. Trees are to be decorated Sunday, December 6th. The tree identification number must remain on the tree so that visitors can identify it.

7. TREES MUST BE DECORATED USING NON-PERISHABLE, WEATHER PROOF MATERIALS. (See suggestions) NO FOOD OF ANY KIND MAY BE USED FOR DECORATIONS. This applies to bird feeders and pet food. REMINDER: PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR TREE IS FULL OF ORNAMENTS!

8. TREE DECORATIONS MUST BE FIRMLY SECURED TO WITHSTAND WIND, RAIN AND SNOW OVER A PERIOD OF A MONTH.

9. Tree decorations may be removed Tuesday, January 5th. Any decorations not removed by Friday, January 8th will be discarded.

10. The Ward Melville Heritage Organization has the right to remove decorations that we feel may be offensive to the general public.

RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPANTS:

• Recycled plastic containers Pine cones, sweet gum tree balls, seed pods
• Outdoor ribbon Sea shells Buttons or sequins sewn on fabric
• Pipe cleaners wooden dowels or wood cut into shapes
• Ice cream sticks
• Plastic or wooden beads strung into shapes or fashioned into garland
• Egg cartons
• Tinsel or other shiny metallic products
• Wooden spring clothespins laminated photos or laminated flat paper decorations