The Smithtown News - November 30, 2017

Our  Town - St. James, November 2017

by Michelle Centamore, The Smithtown News

by Natalie Weinstein, Allied ASID
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​I spent the Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) holidays at home this year.  I was not lonely even thought I was away from my family.  I spent a lovely evening with old and dear friends and had a different experience at services with Chabad of Stony Brook.  After nearly 40 years affiliated with a rather liberal congregation, sitting on the women’s side of the auditorium was definitely different, but not unenjoyable.

​For me, the prayer book was a welcome thing to hold in my hand even if I don’t do it as often as I’d like, but the most memorable part of welcoming in the New Year, 5777, and the “birthday of the world” was Rabbi Chaim Grossbaum’s messages.  With his booming (no microphone) voice and boundless energy and enthusiasm, he captured his audience the moment he began.
While he was speaking to us, his Jewish congregation, his messages were universal and, oh so timely. Perhaps that’s why I wanted to share a part that resonated so well with me. He spoke about a man, Aaron Feurestein, then 90, who had a family company, Malden Mills, in the small town of Laurence, Massachusetts which employed over 1800 of the town’s people.
One night, a massive fire destroyed the factory, and instead of taking the insurance money and leaving his workers high and dry, he decided to rebuild, and while he was doing so, he paid all his employees for 90 days and extended their benefits for 180 at a cost of $25 million.  An unusual business man, for sure, he put his workers and the community before personal gain.  Some called him a moral hero, maybe the Yiddish word which has become “universalized” would apply – a “mensch”.  President Clinton honored him, but I’m sure others called him a fool.
Feurestein studied Talmud (the teachings of the Torah) every day and he applied the lessons he learned to his life and work.  We, in this last month, have heard about or witnessed the powerful destructive force of “Mother Nature” and the destructive threats of those who would obliterate our way of life.  Yet people have come forward to help rebuild in the wake of devastation and have spoken out against aggressors.  Winston Churchill, Rabbi Grossbaum reminded us, was one.  As a young politician many thought his career was over when he blanked out giving an early speech and faced disgrace.  Yet he became the voice of the people against the Nazi threat as they demanded the surrender of Great Britain.  His one voice gave courage to his country as he uttered the famous words – “We shall fight on the beaches, in the fields and in the streets and hills.  We shall never surrender.”
So while the world may need fixing, there are and will always be “fixers”.  The message for me (and perhaps I can pass it on to you) is to try to be a “fixer” in some small way in our town and community, with our friends and neighbors, and our own dear families.
            Thank you, Rabbi Grossbaum, for helping me start the New Year in the right frame of mind

~ Natalie Weinstein, Co-chair

An excerpt from the St. James Historical Calendar

Thank you so much for being a part of a St. James Renaissance!  Our unique and special town has an auspicious history - but it has so much more.  It has spirit and pride and a desire to look back while looking forward. It has young and growing families, valued seniors, those who have been here for generations, and those who have just chosen to live and work in our wonderful hamlet because of who we are and what we stand for.

Our treasures are many as "St. Jamsers".  We are a living history community.  Buildings still stand, as you will see in our commemorative calendar, and are a reminder today of the blessings of small town life and the importance of preserving our heritage.   We were the go-to "most happening" town in the early 20th century.  Vaudeville lived alongside serious theatre and the New York political scene came to St. James along with artist, architects, playwrights and authors, musicians and composers.

Happily, in the year 2017, the town has become energized.  Activities and events were planned and the town showed its spirit and support once again as the new civic association was born.  Through their efforts, Celebrate St. James: Past - Present - Future  was founded as a not for profit entity.  It's mission is to "preserve and celebrate St. Jame's rich history and inspire an appreciation and knowledge of the arts in our community."

Your support of the keepsake calendar is the first of many endeavors to bring forth our illustrious history.  We will tell the St. James story to our children and grandchildren and they will tell it to theirs.  We will learn together, joyfully, and experience the past in ways that will enable us to look back in wonder as we look forward in a world where our town is truly a precious jewel - a place in which we are fortunate to live and work.

So here's to new beginnings and wonderful adventures into the past - and many thanks to our generous sponsors for making the printing of this calendar possible.  Won't you join us - with your donations - your ideas and involvement - and your participation in coming events.  Here's to St. James!

~ Natalie Weinstein, Co- chair

by Arline Goldstein, Art Director, Studio 455
 
Studio 455 “Celebrates the Arts in St. James “October 8th from 10-5, in Burke Park on Lake Avenue. The event will celebrate the arts with several events; local artists exhibiting their work, a painting event for youngsters, sponsored by Meg and Charlie Shutka of Head of the Harbor. Canvases with pails of colors, red, yellow and blue and paint brushes, will be set up. Kids can paint “whatever they want “. The completed canvases will be exhibited on the white wall of Ed’s Power Tools, on Lake Avenue, across from St James Elementary for all to see.  “Surprise celebrities” who live or were raised in St. James, and are accomplished in a variety of areas will talk and inspire adults and youngsters and sign autographs. The tableaux, “Whistler’s Mother” will be on display with a human portraying Whistler’s mother….and for the most adorable photo op, Jackie Rudman’s  5 year old St. Bernard show dog “Dina, “will be posing for photos with visitors!  Lots going on for a day with the “ARTS “on Lake.
 
Studio 455 is inviting aspiring artists in all age categories to enter a themed contest, “Celebrate St. James, past, present and future”. Creative spirit and imagination in all media and 3 dimensional art is encouraged. Prizes will be awarded, and the art will be judged by visitors to “Art in the Park”.  Age categories are 5-11 year olds, 12- 18, 19-62, and 63 plus. For inspiration, look around town, the business community, the landscape, the harbor, local architecture, our history, and the people. Entries should be submitted the day of the event from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., with your name, age and phone number on the back of the work. You must register to participate in the contest by calling 631-862-6198.
 
For munching throughout the event, “Joel the snack vendor” will be on hand to fill the need for “something sweet”
Studio 455’s Gallery will be open to visitors where you can view the work of photographer Jack Ader and the various works of local artists Donna Gabusi, Arline Goldstein, Richard Merkel and Maryann Vetter Rivers and there will be an Art Scavenger Hunt at Uniquely Natalie where prizes will be awarded.
 
For additional information or to participate kindly call 631-862-6198.

​There were crowds!
There was music!
There was food!
And there were lots of people!
 
And the weather smiled on us at our very first St. James Summer Nights gathering.  The town came out in droves – young couples, families with kids and dogs, teens, seniors and all mixing and mingling, strolling, eating, saying “hi” to neighbors and friends.
 
Some of us came from “across the tracks”, the railroad tracks, that is, with our tents, tables, chairs, art, easels, paints, brushes, water in a bucket – that was Arline Goldstein’s Studio 455’s traveling  water color class ready to give free art lessons to kids and adults, and she did, until dusk came upon us just before nine o’clock.  I was holding court next to her giving free mini design consults and House Magazines and sending people on a scavenger hunt to Uniquely Natalie, our quality consignment store, where my partner, Jack Ader, was awaiting all comers.  Lenny from St. James Jewelers had his jeweler’s glasses ready for free appraisals.  Denise Davis had her table set up next to ours with her beautiful giclees (a process that turns photos into oil painting look-a-likes).
 
On this side of the tracks Anne Carlin from The CraftersTable set up outside her store and said she gave away 150 ornaments during the evening.  Other vendors set up their wares, as well, and one of the fun things for kids was the face painting at the gazebo.
 
A special visitor arrived from the past, the distant past, to smile at all of us.  Her name – Mona Lisa.  She sat behind her picture frame next to Brad Harris, Smithtown historian, who spent the evening happily sharing facts with the folks about the enigmatic Mona and her world famous creator, Leonardo Da Vinci, as people stopped by wondering what was going on.  Mona looked like Mona in the painting, was dressed like Mona and smiled that famous Mona Lisa smile.  Thanks to Arline Goldstein’s handmade duplication of Mona’s garb and Kerry Maher-Weisse and her sister-in-law Melissa’s great make-up artistry, our own Susan from Pet Expressions was the consummate actress, in pose, all night.  She created our very first tableau, a depiction of a famous painting or scene using real actors replicating the art, itself.  The newly formed St. James Historical & Cultural Arts Society, welcomed into the fold by the Community Association of Greater St. James, was introducing the first of many tableaux and other forthcoming historical events and attractions.  Thanks to the vision and hard work of Bill Capurso, Vice President of the Community Association of Greater St. James and the encouragement of Kerry Maher, President, Arline Goldstein and I have undertaken the happy and herculean task of bringing together the many talents of our St. Jamesers to highlight our rich and important history.  As we celebrate our past, we will strive to educate and cultivate an appreciation for what was then in our town.  Our goal is simply to make St. James an historical and cultural arts center for our children, our families, our businesses, ourselves, and for those who come to visit and learn.  Not so simple – but definitely a worthy endeavor which cannot be done without the help of all of you.  We need interested and willing volunteers to join our board.  We need the talents of artists, musicians and those committed to St. James to help with planned activities.  We need to create a website to disseminate information and let the world know we’re here, with many wonderful things to offer.  “We can build it – and we know they will come!”
 
So – thanks to a great committee, the 1st St. James Summer Nights can be looked back on as a success.  Now we look forward to July 12th with anticipation – more folks, more food, more fun – maybe line dancing – maybe another visit from a famous historical character.
 
Join us –you’ll meet some of the nicest people who want to make St. James a great place to live, work and bring up their children with an appreciation of our rich history.
 
Reminders
Farmers Market – Every Saturday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
St. James Lutheran Church 
From now to October 28
 
St. James Summer Nights – Wednesdays, 5-9 pm
First location – July 12 on Lake Avenue in front of St. James Elementary School
Second location – July 26 & August 9 on Lake Avenue between 2nd Street and 3rd Street
 
Yoga at Deepwells – Sundays:  July 16, July 30 & August 6 at 9:00 AM
 
Car Show – Friday, August 18, 5-9 pm (Rain date will be Saturday, August 19)
On Lake Avenue between 5th Street & Woodlawn Avenue
 
For more information about the civic events or membership, please email us:  [email protected]
 
For more information about the St. James Historical & Cultural Arts Society, please email Natalie:  [email protected] or call 631-862-6198

What’s happening and how you can be a part.
 by Natalie Weinstein, Allied ASID, IDS
 
On Wednesday night, June 14th, the St. James Civic Association’s open meeting brought together a variety of St. Jamesers, both property and business owners.  Our town Supervisor, Pat Vecchio, was the guest speaker.  On point and witty, he touted the accomplishments of his administration over the years, and while they are impressive, he distinguished himself best in his eagerness to answer all questions thrown at him candidly and knowledgeably.  
 
The Farmers Market has been welcomed into our town and has, in a short time, become a go-to place on Saturday mornings, not only for fresh produce, local beer and plants, but for greeting friends and neighbors.  Families are beginning to gather and support the town’s revival and stop into local stores as well.  Hooray!  
 
The St. James Summer Nights (four Wednesdays during the summer) will be launched on June 28th from 5pm – 9pm in front of the St. James Elementary School.  It is a not-to-be missed happening with music, food and activities for kids and adults – a great block party.  Our own Arline Goldstein, prominent artist and former president of the Smithtown Arts Council will be giving an outdoor art class which anyone can join along with her students who will be displaying their work created at our Lake Avenue Studio 455.  I will be there happily giving free mini interior design consults to all who bring photos, fabrics and questions, and my pal, Lenny of St. James Jewelers, will be giving free jewelry appraisals.
 
Our highlight of the evening will be the launching of the St. James Has HeART Cultural Arts Program with a tableaux (live model posing as a great master’s painting).  The “actress” is our own Susan, St. James groomer, owner of Pet Expressions and our narrator is well known Smithtown historian, Brad Harris.
 
If you see a man with a camera taking pictures of some St. James historic sites, he’s our own Jack Ader, partner in Uniquely Natalie, our quality home furnishing consignment store, and award winning photographer.  He is donating his time to prepare a 2018 calendar for sale as a fundraiser.  In this project, our historic sites, with their locations and brief history, will be immortalized. 
 
Do you remember the man behind the wonderful historic reenactments and teas at Deepwells some years ago?  Sal St. George of St. George Productions, known and respected playwright and producer of historic recreations will be joining our team as well, and he is excited to not only help us to think outside the box creatively to bring our wonderful history alive, but as he so aptly put it, “build a whole new box”!
 
So the fun has just begun!  We, who live and work here will become more aware and truly appreciate our wonderful history of St. James and the arts.  Many exciting events are planned for the community.  We encourage and welcome all to join.  These endeavors are broad based and span art, theater, music, history, dance and more.  We need and want all who are willing to lend a hand and share their talents.
 
- Do you play a musical instrument?
- Would you like to join a band that will be forming?
- Do you have an interest in theater?
- Do you have some spare time to make phone calls and increase awareness of the civic association?
- Do you have suggestions for activities to enhance the quality of life for our families and community?
- Would you like to join a committee?
 
We welcome all and look forward to the collaboration.
 
WE ARE WAITING FOR YOU!
 
Reminders
 Farmers Market – Every Saturday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
St. James Lutheran Church from now to October 28
 
St. James Summer Nights – Wednesdays, 5-9 pm
First location – June 28 & July 12 on Lake Avenue in front of St. James Elementary School
Second location – July 26 & August 9 on Lake Avenue between 2nd Street and 3rd Street
 
Yoga in the Green at Deepwells – Sundays (Date to be announced)
 
Car Show – Friday, August 18, 5-9 pm (Rain date will be Saturday, August 19)
On Lake Avenue between 5th Street & Woodlawn Avenue
 
For more information or to join us, please email:  [email protected]
​
Natalie Weinstein is President of Natalie Weinstein Design Associates, The Natalie Weinstein Home Decorating Club and Uniquely Natalie, a quality consignment boutique in St. James
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by David Ambro, The Smithtown News