2025 Smart Growth Summit

For decades now, Vision Long Island has made a huge difference in our communities, connecting great people and generally helping all sorts of folks wrap their heads around the challenges and opportunities to improve our built environment on LI. Their 2025 Smart Growth Summit is happening Friday, December 5, 2025 from 8am-2pm.

You can get a preview here. The event will feature over 1,000 local community, business and government, downtown revitalization and community development leaders. There will be nearly 20 workshops, 100 speakers, a trade show, and a Youth Summit. The breakfast “State of the Towns and Villages” and luncheon alone are worth the program price. 

EVENT DETAILS
When: Friday, December 5, 2025, 8am-2pm
Where: Crest Hollow Country Club, 8325 Jericho Tpke, Woodbury, NY
Tickets: Available here

This is a great way to get an in-depth, inside scoop on important local issues, including infrastructure, redevelopment, energy, human needs, small business, walkability, transportation and more.

The LI Smart Growth movement generally attracts great people who care about the future of our communities. For an idea of the quality of folks who attend, check out these in-depth interviews hosted by Eric Alexander featuring a broad range of local leaders. You can also check out Vision’s YouTube channel to see important discussions they’ve hosted in the past, as well as people, projects and policies that they have highlighted. 

It’s really valuable stuff. Best to come check out what they’re talking about now

Huntington Art Center: Art, Framing, Community

This is an advertisement for the Huntington Art Center, 7 Wall Street, Huntington, 631-423-6010. A custom picture framing and art gallery in the heart of Huntington Village. They’ve been designing fine frames since 1957.

Huntington Art Center services include custom picture framing, photo and painting restoration, custom made mirrors, digital imaging with retouching and editing, photo frames, local and national art for sale, art scanning and giclee printing as well as prints and posters for sale. You can get your images on canvas, acrylic, metal, and all kinds of papers. They will even print photos from your phone and frame them for you. 

There is jewelry, lovely fine art and craft works…perfect things to give that folks are sure to treasure. 

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a collector, or someone looking for a unique and meaningful gift, Huntington Art Center in Huntington, NY is here to inspire. Stop by today to experience their collection, meet the artists, and discover how their custom framing can elevate your art to a new level. 

They love to help you find that perfect piece.

A Map of the Huntington Art Walk from earlier this year. All great places to visit any time!

A History of Community Service

While the Village is blessed with all sorts of entities who contribute to the cultural life of Huntington, and who have been regularly taking the concept of “Art Walk” to the next level, The Huntington Art Center is a place where it all started. They have long been central to nurturing this annual event, and remain to this day the best place to find out what and when all is going on. 

A photo of Wendy Curtis in her beautiful new Wall St., Huntington Shop

Wendy Curtis inside their Wall Street location. 

Our Own Experience

Huntington Art Center used to be much more tucked away. At a time when I felt like I knew every corner of The Village, discovering it was delightful. I was just starting out as a fine art photographer, and looking at frames and art in ways I never had before. They say when the student is ready the teacher appears, right? I guess that’s why, after a lifetime of wandering the streets of Huntington, it was then I found the then-tucked away shop that had served the Village of Huntington since 1957.

Wendy was thoughtful and enlightening. I had so many questions! I’m not sure when I found out she was a regular reader of the newsletter – or if maybe that same day I discovered her was the first time she found me, too. I also had no idea that she was a major creative spirit behind Huntington’s Art Walks.

What I did know, instantly, was that this place was grounded in love of art and craftsmanship. It was a beautiful shop, for the frames alone, but it was also …. An art gallery…. Almost like a secret gallery…

Just knowing it existed made me smile.

Now! Now, I smile to think this frame shop is where it should be: Right on Wall Street in Huntington where anyone can see it. Inside is a gorgeous selection of frames as well as local and national art; a beautiful gallery that can frame whatever you need.  

Go see!

Artistry Framing: Quality, Craftsmanship, Care

This is an advertisement for Artistry Framing, 32-30 Cain Drive Brentwood, NY 11717, 631-231-5900, info@artistryframing.com. Archival Custom Framing.

Whether it be a Picasso oil, Warhol print, treasured memento, or your child’s most recent watercolor, your art is precious to you and you want to display it at its best while at the same time protect it from environmental damage. Conservation framing can preserve artwork for generations, while improper framing can do irreparable harm.

The craftsmen at Artistry Framing have over sixty combined years of experience framing the rarest, most treasured artworks in the world. They use the highest quality conservation materials to protect your artworks from UV damage, humidity, airborne contaminates and chemical reactions.

They service galleries, museums, corporate exhibitors and select private collectors. Clients include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum of Art, Atelier Mourlot, DTR Modern Galleries, Peter Findlay Gallery, David Benrimon Gallery, Gary Bruder Fine Art, The New Gallery of Modern Art, Taglialatella Galleries, the Hotel Monopol in Lucerne, and the Hotel Edelweiss in Sils Maria, Switzerland.

Our Own Experience

Artistry’s Drigo Morin is my Managing Partner at The Firefly,  and among my dearest friends. A major reason why I like him so much is that I’ve worked with him through 1000 different challenges, and every time he comes through with grace, skill and a great sense of humor. 

Many of our artists use Drigo, especially when it really matters. If you know exactly what you require, he can find it. If you have no idea what you’re doing, it’s no problem. Whether helping a young artist to get established, or assisting a high-end collector in caring for a valuable investment, the service is invariably excellent.

He’s a dang fine painter, too. Commissions welcome.

Northport Storytelling Event: Fear

"Storytelling to Light Up Hearts & Minds"

Inspired by The Moth Radio Hour, Elizabeth Alexander has been crafting live story telling events, creating opportunities for the community to connect and to be inspired. There’s a beautiful story about it in the Northport Journal. 
 
Moth-style storytelling is a genre of personal narrative stories about an experience that took place in the storyteller’s life. The stories are crafted, planned, and told (not read) before a live audience. It’s a wonderful art form that allows folks to connect at a very human level.
 
These Northport Village Storytelling events are super fun and a wonderful way to get to know our neighbors and build community. We were thrilled to get to host one at The Firefly last year and are excited for this next one!
 
You can follow them on Facebook, and check out their website: www.northportvillagestorytelling.com.

Details on the Next Event

This next event will feature both beginning storytellers folks with a bit more practice, including Michael Ien Cohen- filmmaker of the documentary Humanity Stoked. – Here’s the trailer. 
Does the theme inspire a tale, but you also fear you won’t be up to it when the time comes? Last minutes bids are invited, so come on down and see how you feel! If you put your name in the hat, you may be picked to share a 5-minute tale that reflects the theme.
 
Theme: Fear – True Stories of an Emotion with the Power to Motivate or Freeze
When: Friday, October 10th. Doors open at 7pm. Event begins at 7:30
Where:  St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 270 Main St, Northport 
Tickets: Tickets cost $20. To purchase, please venmo @nptstorytelling
For More Info: Email Northportvillagestorytelling@gmail.com.
 
 

Basic Guidelines for Storytelling

Basic Guidelines for Storytelling: 1. Tell story in 5-10 minutes 2. Story to be told, not read 3. Base story on theme: coincidences 4. Craft your story 5. Story must be about a personal experience. 6. No stand-up comedy acts or rants

We are sure they are already dreaming of the next event, and always looking for story tellers. They might even offer another class to help folks learn this fine art. Here are their basic guidelines, so you can start thinking about that!

1. Tell story in 5-12 minutes

2. Your story is to be told, not read

3. Base your story on the theme: Hope

4. Craft your story

5. Story must be about a personal experience.

6. No stand-up comedy acts or rants

To sign-up, and become a Storyteller: Call or Text Liz at (631) 375-4144 or email at Northportvillagestorytelling@gmail.com.

YOUR Picks: Favorite Local Shops

"Thank you for shopping local" photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again! Please shop local and keep the magic that is our beautiful downtowns alive!

Also, please help me update this list of favorite local shops! There are so many wonderful places run by great people out there. They only exist because people like you spend money there.

The list barely scratches the surface, please help add to it!

Continue reading

Shop Local! 2024 Northport Leg Lamp Lighting

How one village gets lit, including a Shopping Guide starring the merchants who light the Northport Leg Lamp!

Continue reading

2024 Smart Growth Summit

For decades now, Vision Long Island has made a huge difference in our communities, connecting great people and generally helping all sorts of folks wrap their heads around the challenges and opportunities to improve our built environment on LI. Their 2024 Smart Growth Summit is happening Friday, December 6, 2024 from 8am-2pm.

The event will feature over 1,000 local community, business and government, downtown revitalization and community development leaders. There will be nearly 20 workshops, 100 speakers, a trade show, and a concurrent Youth Summit. The breakfast “State of the Towns and Villages” session and luncheon alone are worth the program price. 

The full schedule can be viewed on their poster, posted below. Better images are available on  Vision Long Island’s website.

This is a great way to get an in-depth, inside scoop on important local issues, including infrastructure, redevelopment, energy, human needs, small business, walkability, transportation and more.

The LI Smart Growth movement generally attracts great people who care about the future of our communities. For an idea of the quality of folks who attend, check out these in-depth interviews hosted by Eric Alexander featuring a broad range of local leaders. You can also check out Vision’s YouTube channel to see important discussions they’ve hosted in the past, as well as people, projects and policies that they have highlighted. 

It’s really valuable stuff. Best to come check out what they’re talking about now

EVENT DETAILS
When: Friday, December 6. 2024
2024 Smart Growth Summit: 8am-2pm
25th Anniversary Celebration: 2pm-4pm
Where: Crest Hallow Country Club, 8325 Jericho Tpke, Woodbury, NY
Tickets: for each event must be purchased separately. Here is the link to purchase tickets for both events.

Huntington Station BID Debuts New Website, Social Media

Photo of Huntington Station BID Boardmembers

Photo of Huntington Station BID Board Members provided by the Huntington Station BID

A Business Improvement District (BID) is “a geographical area where local stakeholders oversee and fund the maintenance, improvement and promotion of their commercial district.”

There are many BIDS on Long Island that do a great deal in service to our communities. The Huntington Station BID, to me at least, seems to do a little more. There is a sincerity to this BID that I find truly remarkable. I’m pretty sure that had a lot to do with those who established it, including Dee Thompson, who served as its Vice President from its founding until her passing last year. 

I’m even more certain that spirit will endure because of the people who comprise its Board and who show up regularly for their meetings. They care about the community, and they care about each other. Some are, themselves, remarkable stories that I hope to get to tell.

Mission & Vision

From the website:

The Mission of The Huntington Station Business Improvement District Association Inc., (HS BID), is to physically improve our
District by keeping it clean, promoting beautification and safety, and the support of our member businesses.

The Huntington Station BID has been responsible for many improvements within its boundaries such as security cameras, Christmas lights, summer hanging flower baskets, street trash receptacles, support of community activities such as the HS Unity Parade and Festival, beautification and maintenance of the streets and of the parking garage on Broadway. We support store front façade improvements and are a strong lobbying force and a recipient of grants for general improvements to the Huntington Station Community.

Our goal is to enhance the vitality and appeal of the Businesses within Huntington Station. Founded with a commitment to continuous improvement, we are dedicated to fostering a thriving and inviting community environment.

You can read more here.

Follow Them!

They’ve worked really hard to establish communications systems so they can share their work and do even more to serve.

Here is their new website.

Here is their new Facebook Page.

Here is their new Instagram.

Follow them to learn more about their work, and the local businesses and broader community that they exist to serve.

Were You There When it all Began?

Were you involved in the founding of this BID? Do you remember the Huntington Station of way-back when? If so, HS BID Board Secretary Kelly Smith would like to speak with you! Please contact her to share your recollections as she endeavors to piece together the history of this organization and the community it serves. Thanks!