WMHO Presents Diwale – The Festival of Lights!
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – On Sunday, November 3 at 1 pm the Ward Melville Heritage Organization will host the Hindu Diwali Festival of Lights celebration at their Educational & Cultural Center.
Performances include Nartan Rang Dance Academy of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. They have performed at the United Nations, Madison Square Garden, Stony Brook University, Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. With their colorful costumes they will showcase various styles and genres of the Indian dance. Tamil Academy will also perform traditional Parai Drumming with ITPA’s NY-Parai-Group – used in ancient times to warn citizens about upcoming war, during festivals and at special celebrations.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a joyous Hindu festival, held in October or November. It is particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and marks the beginning of the fiscal year in India. It is India’s largest and most important holiday of the year. The festival is so named from the lamps that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the light that protects them from spiritual darkness. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains all over the world. “Stony Brook is one of the most diverse communities on Long Island, and we want to celebrate that diversity” said Gloria Rocchio, President of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization. “We would like to thank everyone in advance for making this event successful and wish you all a very Happy Diwali.”
All guests will be welcome to enjoy food tastings by The Curry Club. Cost is $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and children under 12. Call 631-689-5888 for additional information and reservations. The event is partially sponsored by RJG Consulting Group, Walmart and Apple Bank
Congratulations to our Long Island’s Got Talent Winners!
(pictured above from left to right: Katie Rahl, Judge Matt Whitaker, Jugde Kate Zimmers; Claire Lindsey; Judge Jared Feldman; Madison Borchers)
This past Friday night seven Long Island students anxiously awaited their names to be called so they could begin their performances in front of family, friends and fellow music lovers. In the end, only three would be recognized as first, second and third place. After an hour and a half of these talented contestants performing their hearts out, the moment they had been waiting for came. In first place, Madison Borchers of Port Jefferson; in second place, Katie Rahl of Patchogue Village; and in third place, Claire Lindsey of Centerport.
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization would like to thank all of the 2019 contestants, from preliminaries and summer concerts to the finale.
“Courageous Women of the Revolutionary War” Tours
Stony Brook, NY – Coming out of the shadows of history are four “Courageous Women of the Revolutionary War” who will be showcased at one day only, first of its kind live theatrical performances at four of Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s (WMHO) historic properties September 28 from 10 am to 4 pm (rain date September 29). This will be the first time these historic homes have all been open at the same time. The critical roles women played during the war and the rich history of the Three Village area will be featured as well. Each of these sites is listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places and has its own connection to the American Revolution.
Based on historical literature and oral histories from the Three Village area, the general public will be invited to take a guided tour on a journey back in time to the years that also helped spearhead the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Visitors will be greeted by a character in the first person who will explain her personal fears and tribulations learning to survive during the war. At The Thompson House, c. 1709 guests will meet Doctor Samuel Thompson’s wife, Phoebe Thompson; Rebecca Mills Brewster, wife of Joseph Brewster (cousin of Spy Ring member, Caleb Brewster) will be at The Brewster House, c. 1665; a Grist Mill “Dusty” at the Stony Brook Grist Mill, c. 1751 and Ruth Mills, the wife of Culper Spy, Jonas Hawkins will be at The Mount House, c. 1725. These live performances will take place in the middle of the conflict, forcing guests to consider, “What would you do during these treacherous times?” The British have taken hold of Long Island. Many husbands and young men are arrested and enslaved on prison boats in New York Harbor. Innocent boys are forced into service for the British Army. Wives, mothers and daughters are alone, protecting their children and property.
There will be three tours: 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm and guests will be transported to the performances by trolley. Each tour will be 1 ½ hours long. The cost will be $40 pp. The mission of the program, made possible by a grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, is to inspire and educate the public about the contributions of these valiant women while fostering an appreciation of the Three Village region and its cultural heritage. Kathryn M. Curran, Executive Director of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation said, “We view this educational program as a model and resource for other historical organizations to use to engage the public. This event brings the historic homes to life.” Gloria Rocchio, President of WMHO says, “We are very thankful to the Gardiner Foundation for giving us the opportunity to share our vision that we’ve had for so long with the general public.”
For reservations and further information call 631-751-2244.
Ward Melville High School Alumni Celebrate Special Reunion in the Wetlands
Stony Brook, NY – For the last 50 years students have been taking summer courses at the first marine biology center in Stony Brook, founded by a pioneer in the marine science field, Dr. Erwin J. Ernst. Some of Dr. Ernst’s original students, and long-time friends from Ward Melville High School, celebrated their 1969 class reunion aboard WMHO’s “Discovery” Wetlands Cruise which meandered through the 88-acre wetlands preserve and past the Ernst Marine Conservation Center, the very place where their interest in the sciences was first awakened by Dr. Ernst 50 years before.
Programs at the center, which houses two classrooms, touch tanks, microscopes and distance learning equipment, are still offered today teaching children of all ages the “wonders of the wetlands.” For information on future programs, call 631-751-2244.
Photo Credit: Rosanne Buscemi
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