Stony Brook, NY – Do you know what an Antiquarian Horologist is? It’s someone who restores antique timekeeping devices!  You can come and meet the man literally behind the Stony Brook Village Mechanical Eagle, Marshall Irving, who is responsible for taking care of the very intricate mechanisms of this popular landmark, at a free Master Class on May 22 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm.

The massive, original wood carved eagle atop the Stony Brook Post Office is synchronized with a clock inside its dome enabling it to flap its 20 foot wing span each hour on the hour from 8 am to 8 pm daily, as it has done for almost 80 years.  Access to the inner workings of the eagle is an achievement in and of itself as Irving, who recently turned 90 years young, has to navigate through various passageways to work on the beloved attraction.  In addition to the on-the-hour display, Irving added a push-button feature allowing the eagle’s wings to be turned on manually for special occasions.

Hear his fascinating story of growing up on a small farm in Maryland to becoming a Naval Engineer.  Irving attended the Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy where he received a degree in steamship engineering and received a master’s degree in engineering management from Long Island University.  He worked at Dayton T. Brown’s testing lab in Amityville on aircraft and survival and safety gear for the U.S. Navy, and during the Korean War he served aboard the Intrepid as a Lieutenant transporting special weapons through the Mediterranean during two deployments in Europe and the Middle East. 

The event will take place at WMHO’s Educational & Cultural Center located at 97P Main Street in the rear of the Stony Brook Village Center and refreshments will be served.

For further information on Marshall Irving visit http://stonybrookvillagecenterblog.com/a-marshall-irving/ or call 631-689-5888.

Stony Brook, NY –This year marks the 80^th Anniversary of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization founded by its namesake, whose philanthropic works and foresight are legendary. 

 

Ward Melville’s visions for the Stony Brook area included the establishment of a world renowned education institution, Stony Brook University (to which he donated 400 acres of land as well as personal funding); the protection of environmentally sensitive areas; educational and cultural programs and the preservation of historic properties, dating back to the Revolutionary War, for present and future generations to experience.

 

Each year WMHO hosts their “Jewels & Jeans” Gala, their main fundraising event, which will take place on June 19 from 6 pm to 10 pm at Flowerfield in St. James.  A cocktail hour will kick off the evening with entertainment by Tom Manuel and The Jazz Loft All Stars. An exciting night follows with dinner, meeting this year’s Honorees, raffles, a Silent Auction and a Live Auction which includes a Lessing’s Fine Dining Experience for three $300 gift certificates at Mirabelle at Three Village Inn, Sandbar Restaurant and the View Restaurant; Dinner for eight by personal Chef Lance; a four-night stay for 10 at The Dome; a VIP Stargazing Experience at Avalon Park & Preserve and one night ocean view room at Gurney’s Montauk. The fundraising goal for this 80^th Anniversary of the organization will be a net of $80,000.  All proceeds will be used for much needed restorations to three of WMHO’s historic properties, each of which is on the New York State and National Register of Historic Places.  The Brewster House, c. 1665, is in dire need of siding and chimney repairs; The Thompson House, c. 1709, needs extensive restorations to its chimney and The Stony Brook Grist Mill, c. 1751, the most complete working grist mill on Long Island, requires repairs to the very intricate mechanisms that are still in use today. Funds are needed as well to continue producing WMHO’s 70-plus award-winning educational and cultural programs each year. 

For their outstanding achievements to the community, the Jewels & Jeans Honorees this year (pictured left to right) are:

• Katharine Griffiths, Executive Director, Avalon Park & Preserve
• Leah Dunaief, Editor & Publisher, Times Beacon Record Newspapers
• Anna Kerekes, WMHO Trustee
• Andy Polan, President, Three Village Chamber of Commerce

 

For information on tickets, sponsorships, donations visit https://wmho.org/jewels-jeans/ or call 631-751-2244.

PHOTO CREDIT:  WMHO