Repair Café Heading to Glen Head & Middle Island

The Repair Café is Coming to Hauppauge & Huntington

In a time where buying something new often comes before fixing what we have, The Repair Cafe is a great place to get advice, offer your expertise, and be inspired! There are no guarantees, but a promise to try. Many find the experience itself worth the effort. Folks involved are excited to announce that the next ones will be held:

Hauppauge: 
When: Saturday August 1, @ 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Where: Hauppauge Public Library, 1373 Veterans Memorial Highway Ste. 1, Hauppauge, NY 11788
More Information: Click Here
 
Huntington: 
When: Saturday August 8, @ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Huntington Public Library (Village), 338 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743
More Information: Click Here

Want to Help?

Are you handy with machines? Electronics? Even a needle & thread?

Would you share this knowledge with the community? Help keep folks from throwing good things into landfills? Maybe just help folks save a few dollars? Come with your kids and teach them, come to teach others, or just come to learn and make new friends?

We imagine The Repair Café  would be an EXCELLENT service project for Scouts, and really anyone who wants to promote the fine art of giving things a second chance at life. Help make the world little thriftier and more self-reliant.

The best way to get in touch is through the Repair Cafe Long Island Facebook Page. You may also contact Laurie at starflexp@aol.com to learn more!!!

Get involved in The Repair Café!

Laurie Explains

You don’t have to be mechanical. Everybody can teach or help with something.

Said Laurie: “The more volunteers, the faster folks can get things repaired. People need to be able to bring their own tools. We get a lot of TVs and lamps and small electronics. We also could use people who are good with furniture, clothing/textiles (with sewing machine), more people for jewelry, anyone for watches and clocks, and other miscellaneous things (last time we had an ironing board, bicycle, a small statue that needed to be glued back together…).

We could also make space for a mental health person who would take time to listen to folks who just have a need to talk, or anyone who can do massage (sure, we can ‘fix’ people, too!).

Anyone who’d like to do some small DIY demos like how to sew on a button, darn a sock, rewire a lamp… Join us!

Learn More!

Check out The Repair Café Long Island on Facebook. Just scroll through the images there and look at these folks helping each other and learning so much together. Oh my goodness!

For years now, Laurie Farber of Starflower Experiences has made it part of her mission to help people fix things rather than just throw them out. Starting in Wyandanch, they built on the idea and carried it through covid. A natural partner, libraries which already work to provide communities with a number of educative resources, allow her to use to their space to strengthen their peoples capability. They’ve been to Huntington before, as well as a number of locations across Long Island. Anyone willing to volunteer and help the program is greatly appreciated!
 

Additional Events Will Be Held

August 15 – Bayshore Brightwaters Library 11:00 – 3:00

September 19 – Shelter Rock Library 1:00 – 4:00

November 7 – Copiague Public Library 11:30 – 3:30

February 27, 2027 – Harborfields Public Library 1:00 – 4:00

March 13, 2027 – South Huntington Public Library 1:00 – 4:00

Photos of Repair Cafe’s across Long Island. Photo Credit: Laurie Farber.

Repair Café Heading to Glen Head & Middle Island

The Repair Café is Coming to Middle Island & Glen Head

In a time where buying something new often comes before fixing what we have, The Repair Cafe is a great place to get advice, offer your expertise, and be inspired! There are no guarantees, but a promise to try. Many find the experience itself worth the effort. Folks involved are excited to announce that the next one will be held:

Glen Head: 
When: Saturday June 13 @ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Where: Gold Coast Library, 146 Glen Head Rd, Glen Head, NY 11545
More Information: Click Here

Middle Island 
When: Saturday June 20 @ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Longwood Public Library, 800 Middle Country Rd, Middle Island, NY 11953
More Information: Click Here

Want to Help?

Are you handy with machines? Electronics? Even a needle & thread?

Would you share this knowledge with the community? Help keep folks from throwing good things into landfills? Maybe just help folks save a few dollars? Come with your kids and teach them, come to teach others, or just come to learn and make new friends?

We imagine The Repair Café  would be an EXCELLENT service project for Scouts, and really anyone who wants to promote the fine art of giving things a second chance at life. Help make the world little thriftier and more self-reliant.

The best way to get in touch is through the Repair Cafe Long Island Facebook Page. You may also contact Laurie at starflexp@aol.com to learn more!!!

Get involved in The Repair Café!

Laurie Explains

You don’t have to be mechanical. Everybody can teach or help with something.

Said Laurie: “The more volunteers, the faster folks can get things repaired. People need to be able to bring their own tools. We get a lot of TVs and lamps and small electronics. We also could use people who are good with furniture, clothing/textiles (with sewing machine), more people for jewelry, anyone for watches and clocks, and other miscellaneous things (last time we had an ironing board, bicycle, a small statue that needed to be glued back together…).

We could also make space for a mental health person who would take time to listen to folks who just have a need to talk, or anyone who can do massage (sure, we can ‘fix’ people, too!).

Anyone who’d like to do some small DIY demos like how to sew on a button, darn a sock, rewire a lamp… Join us!

Learn More!

Check out The Repair Café Long Island on Facebook. Just scroll through the images there and look at these folks helping each other and learning so much together. Oh my goodness!

For years now, Laurie Farber of Starflower Experiences has made it part of her mission to help people fix things rather than just throw them out. Starting in Wyandanch, they built on the idea and carried it through covid. A natural partner, libraries which already work to provide communities with a number of educative resources, allow her to use to their space to strengthen their peoples capability. They’ve been to Huntington before, as well as a number of locations across Long Island. Anyone willing to volunteer and help the program is greatly appreciated!
 

Additional Events Will Be Held

August 1 – Hauppauge Public Library 11:30 – 3:30
August 8 – Huntington Public Library (Main) 10:00 – 2:00
August 15 – Bayshore Brightwaters Library 11:00 – 3:00

September 19 – Shelter Rock Library 1:00 – 4:00

November 7 – Copiague Public Library 11:30 – 3:30
February 27, 2027 – Harborfields Public Library 1:00 – 4:00
March 13, 2027 – South Huntington Public Library 1:00 – 4:00

Photos of Repair Cafe’s across Long Island. Photo Credit: Laurie Farber.

Repair Café Heading to Sayville

The Repair Café is Coming to Sayville

In a time where buying something new often comes before fixing what we have, The Repair Cafe is a great place to get advice, offer your expertise, and be inspired! There are no guarantees, but a promise to try. Many find the experience itself worth the effort. Folks involved are excited to announce that the next one will be held:

When: May 9, 12pm-3pm 
Where: Sayville Public Library, 88 Green Ave, Sayville, NY 11792

Want to Help?

Are you handy with machines? Electronics? Even a needle & thread?

Would you share this knowledge with the community? Help keep folks from throwing good things into landfills? Maybe just help folks save a few dollars? Come with your kids and teach them, come to teach others, or just come to learn and make new friends?

We imagine The Repair Café  would be an EXCELLENT service project for Scouts, and really anyone who wants to promote the fine art of giving things a second chance at life. Help make the world little thriftier and more self-reliant.

The best way to get in touch is through the Repair Cafe Long Island Facebook Page. You may also contact Laurie at starflexp@aol.com to learn more!!!

Get involved in The Repair Café!

Laurie Explains

You don’t have to be mechanical. Everybody can teach or help with something.

Said Laurie: “The more volunteers, the faster folks can get things repaired. People need to be able to bring their own tools. We get a lot of TVs and lamps and small electronics. We also could use people who are good with furniture, clothing/textiles (with sewing machine), more people for jewelry, anyone for watches and clocks, and other miscellaneous things (last time we had an ironing board, bicycle, a small statue that needed to be glued back together…).

We could also make space for a mental health person who would take time to listen to folks who just have a need to talk, or anyone who can do massage (sure, we can ‘fix’ people, too!).

Anyone who’d like to do some small DIY demos like how to sew on a button, darn a sock, rewire a lamp… Join us!

Learn More!

Check out The Repair Café Long Island on Facebook. Just scroll through the images there and look at these folks helping each other and learning so much together. Oh my goodness!

For years now, Laurie Farber of Starflower Experiences has made it part of her mission to help people fix things rather than just throw them out. Starting in Wyandanch, they built on the idea and carried it through covid. A natural partner, libraries which already work to provide communities with a number of educative resources, allow her to use to their space to strengthen their peoples capability. They’ve been to Huntington before, as well as a number of locations across Long Island. Anyone willing to volunteer and help the program is greatly appreciated!
 

Additional Events Will Be Held

June 20 – Longwood Public Library 10:00 – 2:00
August 1 – Hauppauge Public Library 11:30 – 3:30
August 8 – Huntington Public Library (Main) 10:00 – 2:00
August 15 – Bayshore Brightwaters Library 11:00 – 3:00
November 7 – Copiague Public Library 11:30 – 3:30
Feb 27, 2027 Harborfields Public Library 1:00 – 4:00
March 13, 2027 – South Huntington Public Library 1:00 – 4:00

Photos of Repair Cafe’s across Long Island. Photo Credit: Laurie Farber.

At Wit’s End: Seemed to Help

A note from wit’s end. I don’t know if they read it, but they act like they understand. Grateful. ~ by Katheryn Laible

I have three creative, curious, active children. They are mostly grown now, but my goodness! That was a lot. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

For a long time, the biggest thing was just keeping them all physically alive. Soon enough, though, they seemed to more or less get a basic sense of what that entailed for themselves, and really leaned into the social emotional aspects of things. Oh my goodness.

One day at my wit’s end…after days and days of starting out days intending to be patient and wise, and ending days like the mom from “Malcolm in the Middle,” screaming, frustrated and hardly rising above their levels.

I sat.

I took breaths.

I grabbed a marker and paper. 

I wrote something like this…I think I have the original somewhere…not sure if this is it…
But I wrote it. I stormed down the hallway. I plastered it to the wall:

**STOP**
What’s Happening? 

How am I reacting? 

How are my actions influencing others to act? 

Am I making things

Better? or Worse? 

What will I do now?

Make it better!!!

I glared. I stormed out. I let them steep a while.

I don’t know if they read it or if they remember it, or remember myself how things went immediately after, but to this day they seem to act like they think about it; like they get the logic of kind, constructive empathy in an ecosystem, and they choose to improve the environment. It’s a lot nicer and more enriching this way. I enjoy their company and they appreciate each other. It seems to reverberate around them.

I am grateful. 

Hope it helps.

May God Bless Everyone.

Honoring Firefly’s Light: Love you, Jim

Photo of Jim outside our old location soon after our tremendous effort to build the gallery by Katheryn Laible

Thank you, Joanne Kountourakis of the Northport Journal for this beautiful article about Jim Darcy, who passed on at the very beginning of March. Jim was a founding Firefly and a dear friend to most everyone he met. One of our brightest, most enthusiastic lights, Jim embodied this institution’s very heart and soul. We are all better people for having known him.

There is more to say than I can bring myself to right now. A true artist’s’ artist, Jim exemplified creativity and determined optimism. He served as a testament to the fact that the toughest men in the world are also the kindest. His stories were incredible. His enthusiasm contagious. We miss him dearly, and seek to ensure that the spirit he imbued us with fills the hearts and minds of creatives evermore.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held April 26, from 2-5pm at The Firefly Artists, 90 Main St., Northport

A SCHOLARSHIP FUND has been established, reflecting Jim’s deep belief in the power of the arts and his passion for encouraging people to pursue their creative interests.

A CALL FOR DARCY ART: As part of the celebration, and in hopes that some may be so kind as to allow the family to make digital copies, we are inviting owners of Jim Darcy artworks to show them in our windows for the last two weeks of April.

Please email events@thefireflyartists.com to inquire.

The First Clue We Were Friends

Life With Jim

I was grateful to get to do a solo show at Moksha Cafe (formerly Portofino) in Northport that was dedicated to Jim. In writing about that we shared a little bit about what it was like to be his friend. 

Oh, my dear, dear friend. How blessed are we to have had Jim Darcy in our lives? Sweet, funny sailor. Survivor of so many things. There was poetry, plants…so many birds. Chipmunks who came when you called. Never without a new and amazing story. Would that we could have painted for as many hours as you wanted. It would have been time well spent. Thank you for being such a marvelous friend. We are all better people for having known you. 

So much love to your beautiful family, and to all who love you so. I’m sure they’re having a great big party up there. May we ever feel your spirit close. Sure gonna miss you and your indomitable spirit. Thank you for hanging out as long as you did. 

Love you, Jim.

Repair Café Heading to Wyandanch!

The Repair Café is Coming to Wyandanch

In a time where buying something new often comes before fixing what we have, The Repair Cafe is a great place to get advice, learn a thing or two, and be inspired! There are no guarantees, but a promise to try. Many find the experience itself worth the effort. Folks involved are excited to announce that the next one will be held:

When: March 28, 10am-2pm 
Where: Wyandanch Public Library, 14 S 20th St, Wyandanch, NY 11798

 

Want to Help?

Are you handy with machines? Electronics? Even a needle & thread?

Would you share this knowledge with the community? Help keep folks from throwing good things into landfills? Maybe just help folks save a few dollars? Come with your kids and teach them, come to teach others, or just come to learn and make new friends?

We imagine The Repair Café  would be an EXCELLENT service project for Scouts, and really anyone who wants to promote the fine art of giving things a second chance at life. Help make the world little thriftier and more self-reliant.

The best way to get in touch is through the Repair Cafe Long Island Facebook Page. You may also contact Laurie at starflexp@aol.com to learn more!!!

Get involved in The Repair Café!

Laurie Explains

You don’t have to be mechanical. Everybody can teach or help with something.

Said Laurie: “The more volunteers, the faster folks can get things repaired. People need to be able to bring their own tools. We get a lot of TVs and lamps and small electronics. We also could use people who are good with furniture, clothing/textiles (with sewing machine), more people for jewelry, anyone for watches and clocks, and other miscellaneous things (last time we had an ironing board, bicycle, a small statue that needed to be glued back together…).

We could also make space for a mental health person who would take time to listen to folks who just have a need to talk, or anyone who can do massage (sure, we can ‘fix’ people, too!).

Anyone who’d like to do some small DIY demos like how to sew on a button, darn a sock, rewire a lamp… Join us!

Learn More!

Check out The Repair Café Long Island on Facebook. Just scroll through the images there and look at these folks helping each other and learning so much together. Oh my goodness!

For years now, Laurie Farber of Starflower Experiences has made it part of her mission to help people fix things rather than just throw them out. Starting in Wyandanch, they built on the idea and carried it through covid. A natural partner, libraries which already work to provide communities with a number of educative resources, allow her to use to their space to strengthen their peoples capability. They’ve been to Huntington before, as well as a number of locations across Long Island. Anyone willing to volunteer and help the program is greatly appreciated!
 
Additional events will be held:
April 18 – Lindenhurst Public Library
April 25 – Town of Huntington Earth Day at Elwood Park
April 25 – Bryant Library, Roslyn 1:00 – 4:00
May 9 – Sayville Public Library 12:00 – 3:00
June 20 – Longwood Public Library 10:00 – 2:00
August 8 – Huntington Public Library (Main) 10:00 – 2:00
Feb 27, 2027 Harborfields Public Library  1:00 – 4:00
All reactions:
2

Photos of Repair Cafe’s across Long Island. Photo Credit: Laurie Farber.

Repair Café Huntington Station!

The Repair Café is Coming to Huntington Station

In a time where buying something new often comes before fixing what we have, The Repair Cafe is a great place to get advice, learn a thing or two, and be inspired! There are no guarantees, but a promise to try. Many find the experience itself worth the effort. Folks involved are excited to announce that the next one will be held:

When: Saturday, January 24th, 2026 from 10am-2pm
Where: Huntington Public Library Station Branch, 1335 New York Ave, Huntington Station

Want to Help?

Are you handy with machines? Electronics? Even a needle & thread?

Would you share this knowledge with the community? Help keep folks from throwing good things into landfills? Maybe just help folks save a few dollars? Come with your kids and teach them, come to teach others, or just come to learn and make new friends?

We imagine The Repair Café  would be an EXCELLENT service project for Scouts, and really anyone who wants to promote the fine art of giving things a second chance at life, and to help make the world little thriftier and more self-reliant.

The best way to get in touch is through the Repair Cafe Long Island Facebook Page. You may also contact Laurie at starflexp@aol.com to learn more!!!

Get involved in The Repair Café!

Laurie Explains

You don’t have to be super mechanical. Everybody can teach or help with something.

Said Laurie: “The more volunteers, the faster folks can get things repaired. People need to be able to bring their own tools. We get a lot of TVs and lamps and small electronics. We also could use people who are good with furniture, clothing/textiles (with sewing machine), more people for jewelry, anyone for watches and clocks, and other miscellaneous things (last time we had an ironing board, bicycle, a small statue that needed to be glued back together…).

We could also make space for a mental health person who would take time to listen to folks who just have a need to talk, or anyone who can do massage (sure, we can ‘fix’ people, too!).

Anyone who’d like to do some small DIY demos like how to sew on a button, darn a sock, rewire a lamp… Join us!

Learn More!

Check out The Repair Café Long Island on Facebook. Just scroll through the images there and look at these folks helping each other and learning so much together. Oh my goodness!

For years now, Laurie Farber of Starflower Experiences has made it part of her mission to help people fix things rather than just throw them out. Starting in Wyandanch, they built on the idea and carried it through covid. A natural partner, libraries which already work to provide communities with a number of educative resources, allow her to use to their space to strengthen their peoples capability. They’ve been to Huntington before, as well as a number of locations across Long Island. Anyone willing to volunteer and help the program is greatly appreciated!

Additional events will be held:
February 28 – Harborfields Public Library
March 7 – Uniondale Public Library
March 14 – South Huntington Public Library
March 21 – Comsewogue Public Library
March 28 – Wyandanch Public Library
April 18 – Lindenhurst Public Library
April 25 – Town of Huntington Earth Day @ Manor Farm
June 20 – Longwood Public Library
 

Photos of Repair Cafe’s across Long Island. Photo Credit: Laurie Farber.

An Eagle Rises: A Celebration of Scouting – Thank You for Your Support

Max together with Scoutmasters Brian Zaino and Paco Shum the night of his Eagle Scout Board of Review

Eagle Scout Max Laible together with Scoutmasters Brian Zaino and Paco Shum on the night of the Eagle Scout Board of Review

My Max has been involved in the Scouts since he was first invited to join the Cubs when he was maybe eight or nine. He came home, handed me a flyer and said, “Mom? I think this is me.”

I think he was right! The Scouting program benefited Max tremendously, and while there were certainly challenges along the way, he seemed to enjoy just about every minute of it. I know of nothing else that so effectively provides the hands on, empowering, broadly based, leadership/community stewardship/handiness/survival/basic life skill sets that the Scouts do. It feeds into EVERYTHING he does.

Scouts accomplish more by their 18th birthdays than many do in a lifetime. When teachers would tell me how my child – who struggled with school – consistently showed leadership, responsibility and practical intelligence, I told them I credited the Scouts. The creativity, kindness and thoughtful, intelligent curiosity are all his own, but they’ve been exercised mightily through the Scouts.

He’s HAD to get organized; To Be Prepared.

“A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

A Scout Is...

People notice the Eagle Projects. While they are perhaps the most personal imprints a Scout might make, I will say they are but icing on the cake; a final hurrah in a decade-long journey. By the time a kid does his own project, they’ve participated in MANY service projects. Even more, they’ve taught, they’ve led, they’ve planned and they’ve tested, all while learning the value of being a mindful follower.

An Eagle Scout candidate has deeply considered what it means to care for self and family, as well as how to be a good citizen in their community, their nation, internationally and in society as a whole. They understand a bit of how local government works, and have been led to really think about the Constitution and its Bill of Rights. They’ve had basic, fundamental human values drilled into their heads weekly, and been engaged in regular interviews where they’re asked what these values mean and how they apply them in their daily lives.

The basic mandate is a golden one: They are to “Do a Good Turn Daily.”

Eagle Scouts have earned a great deal of merit badges, learning to care for self and others, exploring many potential careers and hobbies, and developing deep practical skills. They’ve actively shaped their own experience as well as that of those who lead and follow them. They’ve fed people, guided them on long journeys, learned to safely wield both fire and an axe, and prepared in case of emergency.

At our last Eagle Court of Honor, another Scoutmaster told about how his own child – not very old at all – was the cool head at the scene of a horrific motorcycle accident. This kid knew just what to do, because he was a Scout.

It’s training for big things, and basic preparation. I came in once to find Max teaching himself to knot a tie via his Scoutbook. This is not the only time I saw him pull out that tome as a general reference for life. In getting to last weekend, Max spent well over 70 nights camping, 77 hours performing public service and hiked many, many miles. He earned over 33 Merit Badges in a broad array of skills ranging from citizenship to life saving, camping to chemistry, animation to welding, physical fitness, family life, personal management…

Cliche as it may be, he can’t seem go anywhere without someone asking him how to tie some kind of knot. 

He can conduct either end of a professional interview and has held increasingly responsible leadership positions for years. He worked on at least 12 Eagle projects and led more than 35 people to build his own.

…and, somehow, that’s just a little bit of it…

“On my honor I will do my best to make my training and example, my rank and my influence count strongly for better Scouting and for better citizen-ship in my Troop in my community and in my contacts with other people. To this I pledge my sacred honor.” ~Excerpt from the Eagle Oath

Eagle Projects

While an Eagle project is really just icing on the cake, it’s no lesser detail.

Eagle Projects must be identified, permitted, coordinated and constructed, ideally with the scout himself leading rather than doing as many aspects as possible. They have to create detailed plans (such that should they fall ill the troop can do the project without them), and rally both financial and volunteer support to realize them. Then, they have to report on how it all went.

I can’t remember all the projects Max has participated in, but I know they’ve ranged from dog playgrounds for local shelters, to endeavors to serve folks with Alzheimer’s and developmental disabilities; from trail markings to improvements to the church that hosts us. In his last year alone Max assisted:

Christian Arroyo in developing really cool bee hotels at Elijah Farm in Dix Hills.
Kyle Montagni in building an amazing outdoor classroom for the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery (I love that we can see this one from the road every time we drive by!)
Ashishpal DeWal in transforming an aging Eagle Project greenhouse into a beautiful new butterfly sanctuary for the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s East Meadow Farm.
 
The full list of Troop 205 Eagles is thus:
2014 Matthew Duggan
2014 Tully Frain
2014 John Edward Zaino
2016 Thomas Clarke
2016 Spencer Gliner
2016 Hayden Dancy
2016 Elizar Alden Aspiras
2018 Jack Mok
2018 Vincent Eng
2018 Marc Huo
2018 Matthew Gavieta
2018 Terence Smith
2018 Andrew Aspiras
2022 Grant Dell’Anno
2022 Christian Arroyo
2023 Kyle Montagni
2023 Ashishpal DeWal
2023 Maxwell Owen Laible
 
Each had a different journey, making deep and unique contributions to the community. So did many other scouts who never made Eagle (only about 6% generally do!), but who will be influenced by their scouting experience for the rest of their lives. Max will tell you each one of them has been important to his own experience as well.
A photo of the educational kiosk, fence and garden Max led over 35 others to build at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor
A photo of the educational kiosk, fence and garden Max led over 35 others to build at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor

Max’s Project: Building an Educational Gateway at the Nassau County Museum of Art

Max’s own project involved building a visual gateway to native grasslands now being restored at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor. We wrote a little bit about this before here and here. The final project included a split rail fence, a kiosk that serves as an outdoor education asset, and a model garden of native plants. We are delighted to report that the plants are now being maintained and expanded upon by a local garden club. 

This could not have happened without folks who cared to help. These included fellow Scouts, returning Eagles, parent leaders, friends, family, teachers, and great neighbors. Some offered guidance. Others, financial support. Some lent tools and gave materials. Many rolled up their sleeves and showed up to get the final job done. In particular, we offer grateful thanks to:

Michael Borra
Sofia Calle
Kenneth Cao
The Ceron Family
Amy Cincotta
The Clarke Family
Greg Dancy
The DeWal Family
Jim Darcy
Matthew Duggan
The Gliner Family
Angelo Guardado
Jean Henning
Danielle Kaplan
The Laible Family
Gail Lamberta
Jennifer Lau

The Lim Family
Katrina Ludwikowski
The Ma Family
The Montagni Family
Craig Mooers
Drigo Morin
Rob Nock
Northport Native Garden Initiative
Gavin Ng
Jamie Pedicini
Adrianna Peres-DaSilva
Riverhead Building Supply
Lizette Sanlés
The Shum Family
Justin Tian
Brian Zaino
Lawrence Zeltzer

There were so many more who contributed to this journey, and comprise a village Max will value for as long as he lives. In his program, Max wrote this: 

“I am more than thankful for the many years of guidance, care, patience, and humor volunteered by the adult and youth leaders in the troop. I am honored to follow, lead, teach and learn from each and every one of them. I am immensely grateful to all who were there for me during my arduous journey. They made every minute worth the experience.  ~ Yours in Scouting, Max”

We are grateful. Thanks.

Rising Eagle: Please Join Max in Serving the Nassau Museum of Art

Photo of Max Laible at the Nassau Museum with one of his favorite sculptures.

An Eagle Project is one last adventure in a decade-long journey. Max, here, is leading creation of a fence, educational kiosk and model native plant garden that will serve as an enriching gateway to newly restored grasslands at the Nassau County Museum of Art.

Continue reading

Repair Café South Huntington!

Repair Café Flyer

The Repair Café is Coming to South Huntington

The Repair Cafe is about repairing broke items together. It’s a great place to get advice, learn a thing or two, and be inspired! There are no guarantees, but a promise to try. Many find the experience itself worth the effort. Folks involved are excited to announce that the next one will be held:

When: Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 1-4pm
Where: South Huntington Public Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Rd, Huntington Station
Want to Help or Learn More? Email starflexp@aol.com
 

Want to Help?

Are you handy? With machines? Electronics? A needle and thread, perhaps?

Would you share this knowledge with others? Just want to keep folks from throwing good things into landfills, maybe help them save a few dollars?  Come with your kids and teach them? Just come to learn and make new friends?

Get involved in The Repair Café!

Learn More!

Check out The Repair Café Long Island on Facebook.

Just scroll through the images there and look at these folks helping each other and learning so much together.

Oh my goodness!

For years now, Laurie Farber of Starflower Experiences has made it part of her mission to help people fix things rather than just throw them out. First efforts in Wyandanch were successful. Then they built on the idea. The concept survived COVID. A natural partner, libraries, LOVE it when she brings her can-do TLC to their spaces. They’ve been to South Huntington before, as well as the Harborfields Library in Greenlawn, Comsewogue in Port Jefferson Station, Copaigue, Lindenhurst, more!
 

She’s got calls coming in for this program Island-wide. Anyone willing to help her answer them is greatly appreciated!

Laurie Explains

You don’t have to be super mechanical. Everybody can teach or help with something.

Said Laurie: “The more volunteers, the faster folks can get things repaired. People need to be able to bring their own tools. We get a lot of TVs and lamps and small electronics. We also could use people who are good with furniture, clothing/textiles (with sewing machine), more people for jewelry, anyone for watches and clocks, and other miscellaneous things (last time we had an ironing board, bicycle, a small statue that needed to be glued back together…).

We could also make space for a mental health person who would take time to listen to folks who just have a need to talk, or anyone who can do massage (sure, we can ‘fix’ people, too!).

Anyone who’d like to do some small DIY demos like how to sew on a button, darn a sock, rewire a lamp… Join us!

Get Involved!

We imagine The Repair Café  would be an EXCELLENT service project for Scouts, and really anyone who wants to promote the fine art of giving things a second chance at life, and to help make the world little thriftier and more self-reliant.

The best way to get in touch is through the Repair Cafe Long Island Facebook Page. You may also contact Laurie at starflexp@aol.com to learn more!!!

Photos of Repair Cafe’s across Long Island. Photo Credit: Laurie Farber.