Sights & Sounds from the Canyon of Heroes

Three sounds from Syosset, New York, the evening of  Saturday, June 13th, 2026:

1. The Buzzer. It is over. The Knicks Win.

2. Mike Breen proclaims his hometown team’s victory.

3. Fireworks from all directions.

Here in Syosset, fireworks erupted from every angle. I’m sure cigar smoke was present, too, but fireworks make a larger announcement.

Three sounds from New York, New York on the late morning of Thursday, June 18th, 2026

1. Laughter. I sat in Washington Square park, drank my coffee, and looked around. We heard the laughter of two women placing their Knicks hats on a stranger’s dogs. To their left were two women wearing older Knicks jerseys, Walt Frazier & Willis. They looked in awe at an infant, laughing at the joy of new life. Across the fountain stood another group of young men draped in similar attire. Their words we couldn’t make out, but the laughter was clear.

2. Joy. The man taking the pictures here was happier than I had ever seen him, and it had little to do with basketball and yet everything to do with the occasion. The joy was contagious, effusive, and knew no boundaries. You could hear it in his voice. It had infected him whole. He was far from alone.

3. Deep Conversation. Two random fathers on the LIRR knew something about each other the moment they sat down. Both were elated by the Knicks victory, and promptly engaged in 45 minutes of meaningful conversation. When one got up and left as the train pulled into Westbury, they still only knew one thing about each other. They were elated by a Knicks victory. For today, that one thing was more than enough.

New Yorkers are generally begrudgingly aware we’re all in this together. On that day, they embraced it.

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Fair Media Council: Annual Summer Boot Camp & Live Media Pitch

Summer Boot Camp & Live Media Pitch

There’s an art and a science to crafting messages in a way that the media will hear and carry forward. On July 15, The Fair Media Council’s Summer Boot Camp will provide an opportunity to learn tricks of the trade, avoid common errors and make sure your news reaches the right audience. 

Once schooled, you will literally get to pitch the media. 

When: Wednesday, July 15, 9am-noon
Where: Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center*
Sponsored by: Northwell Health, Jody Fisher PR, St. Joseph’s University and ACLD
To Learn More and Purchase Tickets: Visit FMC’s website. Members get preferred pricing. 
*No parking fee for ticket holders. Casual dress.

There’s good reason this event sells out: It’s a golden opportunity. Every year, attendees land solid coverage and strengthen their relationships with the media. 

This year’s featured speaker is Jody Fisher of Jody Fisher PR. As a professional with history of generously sharing his wisdom, Jody is quite prepared to help you land your pitch.

The panel of journalists will include:

  • Jennifer Bisram, Reporter, CBS News New York
  • Greg Cergol, Reporter, NBC 4 New York
  • Kepherd Daniel, Editor, Patch.com
  • Cecilia Dowd, Reporter, News 12
  • Sheri Einhorn, Health & Education Reporter, Newsday/NewsdayTV
  • Chantee Lans, Reporter, WABC-TV
Anyone in attendance will have the opportunity to pitch these folk stories and receive their feedback. We learn as much from watching others as we do from pitching ourselves, with the added bonus of getting to learn about the amazing things fellow attendees have going on.

Don’t miss this chance! 

Occupying the Intersection of Media, Influence & Power

The annual Boot Camp is just one way that the Fair Media Council operates at the intersection of media, influence and power. For 45 years, they have been holding news and media accountable while working to create an informed, media-savvy society. The more time goes on, the more important, and broadly applicable their work becomes. 

It’s about transparency, accountability, and credibility, as well as fostering the ability to both convey that and recognize it when we see it. The FMC offers clear eyed, informative commentary, and is known for quality, unscripted conversations with top influencers in news, business and technology. Members have access to a broad array of resources. Intimate educational events feature excellent presenters offering timeless wisdom and latest understandings of our constantly revolutionizing media ecosystem.

Whether it’s considering the current state of affairs or what to make of what’s coming, managing our brands, dealing with PR crises or simply learning how best to get a reporter’s attention, FMC offers thought provoking and practically useful programming.

Get connected. 

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Firefly Lights: July 2, 2026

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

IN THIS ISSUE

Adventure and Delight 
DEADLINE EXTENDED: 5th Annual “Works on Paper”
Reception July 8: “Midsummer Magic”
Call to Artists: “pARTy ’til the Cows Come Home”
Call to Artists: “Abandoned Haunts & Curious Trappings”
Exhibition Schedule: Check Us Out at Mama Chan’s
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

REFRESH YOUR SOUL
Come. Breathe. Savor.

Welcome to Northport Summer. The days are long, the sunsets spectacular. We invite you to come on down, savor the season, and maybe bring something home to remember it by. 

Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

Every purchase helps keep artists creating. We deeply appreciate your support, and are honored when our work enhances your life and that of those around you. Thank you for keeping local art alive!

Above work by Deidre Elzer-Lento. Below works s by Fireflies Audra Donroe, Kate Sydney, Tina Nadeem and Jane McGraw-Teubner

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

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Updated: Honoring the 250th Annivesary of the Declaration of Independence

Above, the Flag of the Town of Huntington is the basis of this logo for  “What Liberty Means to Me,” a project of the Huntington Historical Society that collected reflections, and has served as something of a theme for their year-long celebration. 

Updated 7/2/26

250 Years Ago, A Bold and Righteous Proclomation Was Made.

This July, we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a mighty document inscribing self-evident truths; truths clear to the enlightened men of the time, and truths standing as guiding principles to those living in these United States ever since. 

In recognizing this arc of freedom, we celebrate the enlightenment ideas coming from not only those of the 18th century (who studied hard the thoughts of those who came before), but also the 19th, 20th and 21st.  We think about the creation of our Constitution, and the robust intellects and passionate hearts whose words and deeds have shaped our enchanting, individualist nation. We pray that folks take interest in the noble ideals in which this county is grounded, and give their best to uphold and strengthen them.

We remember Abraham Lincoln, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and others who led us to realize the natural rights of millions, who led this body of United States to grow closer to its stated founding principals, and who made the idea of “America” an inspiration worldwide.

As we reflect on this poignant moment and the journey here, as well as the depth of the statement that “Freedom is Not Free,” we encourage you to check out various ways our neighbors are honoring the occasion. If you have your own related events to promote, many of these are good places to do that, too!

Events are Happening Everywhere

There’s a lot going on, including lots of art! To start, the Huntington Historical Society is hosting “Revolutionary Incidents in Huntington: Occupation & Resistance” in the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial. John Daniello has put together a seven-month series that has been unfolding at the Huntington Public Library. The Nassau County Museum of Art and the Long Island Museum each have fascinating exhibitions. There’s more….for artists and historians, as well as for folks who care about civics and what it all means today. Lots more. Check it out: 

Huntington Historical Society: Ribbon Cutting for the LI Public Arts Festival 250: The Liberty Trail

According to the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, “This landmark public arts initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence will transform Heckscher Park into an immersive living gallery, bridging the gap between 1776 and 2026 through the power of contemporary art.”
 

This LI Public Arts Festival 250: The Liberty Trail is running  in concert with the Summer Arts Festival. It includes original works from New York State artists. A series of Instagram Reels featuring Huntington Historical Society Executive Director Stephanie Gotard, Huntington Town Historian Robert Hughes and Huntington African American Museum Executive Director Barry Lites explain the inspiration, purpose and perpetual relevance of this project and the Declaration of Independence itself. 

Said Hughes, “The 250th is such a milestone that we think it’s very important that everyone understands not only the ‘who what and where’ of the revolution 250 years ago, but the concepts behind it, such as liberty. The arts are a perfect way…”
 
The LI Public Arts Festival Will Run: July 1 through August 31
The Liberty Trail Ribbon Cutting will Occur: Wednesday, July 8 at 6 pm
Where: Heckscher Park, Prime Ave & Route 25A, Huntington
To Register for the Ribbon Cutting: Visit The Huntington Chamber of Commerce Events Page
 

More at the HHS

As a proud front line of The Revolution, The Huntington Historical Society offers a wealth of other 250-related events, including a way to win prizes by visiting historic sites across Long Island called the “History Hunt Challenge.” You can also find a guided virtual tour of “Huntington’s Revolutionary War Trail” hosted by Town Historian Robert Hughes.

In addition to the Nation’s birthday, they and the Huntington Militia will be celebrating Huntington Independence Day  July 18th from 12-5pm, at the Kissam House. 

Keep an eye on their website for more! 

The Town of Huntington's Liberty 250 Page

More broadly, The Town of Huntington put together a planning committee of local heritage organizations and museums to plan and coordinate exhibits and programs commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As part of this, they have crafted a web page that offers an app on Bloomberg Connects. It provides educational videos, an interactive map of local Revolutionary War sites, and a calendar of events from organizations such as the Walt Whitman Birthplace, Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve, Heckscher Museum, and Huntington Historical Society. We’d love to hear what other Towns are doing!

Suffolk250.org

Exploring a little further afield, Suffolk County has worked with a an impressive array of local museums, cultural organizations, and historical societies to assemble Suffolk250.org, a website that invites you to explore and celebrate our region’s pivotal role in the American Revolution. There, you can find an interactive map of events throughout the county, get a passport book to log your own exploration, view a documentary series, and even sign up to plant a legacy tree.

Nassau County

Nassau County Tourism has put together Nassau County 250: It’s Revolutionary. According to the website, “a curated series of America 250 blogs and features, Nassau County Tourism highlights Revolutionary War landmarks, historic estates, presidential connections, and waterfront villages across the county. Each story is designed to inspire real-world exploration, encouraging you to visit the sites where history happened.” The website also lists events and programs occurring throughout the year. 

Discover Long Island

Last but not least, Discover Long Island, the full region’s one and only destination marketing organization, has its own page, LongIsland250. This, it promotes as “the official guide for commemorating & celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution on Long Island.” Designed to “showcase Long Island’s integral role in the Revolutionary War effort and profound ties to then Gen. George Washington, this site will serve as the ultimate guide for experiencing Long Island’s fascinating wartime history filled with spies and intrigue.”

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A 4th of July Reflection on US

The 4th of July honors the US Declaration of Independence. Its most well-known passage is the foundation upon which the colonists’ grievances were justified and a bold declaration of human rights…

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