Native Garden and Ecolandscaping Resources

Bee on Aster by Katheryn Laible

Recently Updated! A few years ago now, I started reaching out to friends and collecting resources that we are pleased to share with you!

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Firefly Lights: April 29, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

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

The Gift of Art 
Hive Exhibition Tomorrow: “Cross Pollination”
Call to Artists: 5th Annual Works on Paper
Coming Soon: A Celebration of Young Artists
Exhibition Schedule
Honoring the Life of Firefly Jim Darcy
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

Below: Works by Fireflies Helen Towey, Rebecca Bahr, Rachel Kalina & Kate Sydney, and Lisa Federici
COME. BREATHE. SAVOR
Find That Perfect Thing

We have gifts for Mom and your favorite grad, sweet little treasures and very special things. 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 local artists creating. We deeply appreciate your support, and are honored when our work enhances your life and that of those around you. Enjoy the blossoming! 

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

Subscribe To The Synchronicity Newsletter

Happy Earth Day! Native Plant Sale, Forestalling Fauna

Photo of Nicole Tamaro, Matt Goreman and Sara Abbass at the 2nd Annual Northport Native Garden Initiative Plant Sale

Happy Earth Day! Order plants from the Northport Native Garden Initiative by May 10th! Learn more here, including how to forestall the furry folks who might eat them before they establish!

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Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day!

Independent Book Store Day logo provided by the American Booksellers Association

With World Book Day happening April 23 and Independent Bookstore Day arriving on Sunday April 26, it’s a good time to remember to shop local. In local bookstores, you often see current events on one side, immortal stories that have entertained for 500 hundred years on another, and in the middle series of books that tell tales of how we got from the old to the new.

At Northport Books, down by the Firefly, they are getting started Thursday night! (See flyer below). At Theodore’s Books of Oyster Bay, another local book store we know well, events will be held with authors from the 26th to the 29th. They will also have a number of exclusive items on sale. Details can be found at their website.

We love watching the extraordinary child of Book Revue, The Next Chapter develop. While sad to see Finley’s gone, we are excited to learn about Published in this great article by Melissa Farrell of Going Local LI 

Below, please see an incomplete list of these and other local book stores. We encourage you to check out their websites and see if they will be hosting events. If not, go check them out anyways. Book stores are a treasure from winter to summer and back again. Some bookstores may not be listed. We’d love to learn about your favorites! 

List of Book Stores, ordered by hamlet: 

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.

Behind the Scenes Tour of the Coltrane Home!

Photo of the Coltrane Home by Joshua Scott

Tour the Coltrane Home!

Did you know that John Coltrane wrote his masterwork, “A Love Supreme” in Dix Hills? That his wife, Alice, produced three albums in the home they shared there?

These were exceptionally talented people, whom many have compared to the genius of Einstein. They were also deeply spiritual folks who, in John’s words, lived to be “a force for good.” We are very excited to hear about this “exclusive behind-the-scenes Preservation in Progress Tour” of the home, guided by Huntington Town Historian Robert Hughes and Coltrane Home Founder Steve Fulgoni. There, you can learn a whole lot more! 

When: Saturday, May 3, 2025, 11am
Where: The John & Alice Coltrane Home, Dix Hills, NY (Directions Provided Upon Registration)
Tickets: $30 General Admission, $25 for Preservation Long Island Members and Young Preservationists To Register:
For More Info and to Register:  Visit the Preservation Long Island Website

 

A Little Background

Over 20 years ago, now, Steve Fulgoni realized where the Coltrane house was, just as it was being scheduled for demolition. He partnered with all who were willing – family, fellow musicians and fans, local historians and more – to save it from destruction.

Once the building was spared the bulldozer, this group of ardent volunteers realized they now had a much bigger job to do. In the decades since, they have made tremendous progress, both on the home and in building awareness and appreciation of these jazz and spiritual legends.

You can read about the home, the Coltrane legacy and more on the website dedicated to this project.

Press Coverage

I am grateful to a motley crew of dedicated volunteers, including Friends of the Coltrane Home in Dix Hills Board Members and Coltrane family members who help each other stay apprised of news coverage. Here are some clippings:

•   This NYS Music Studio article by Robert Tellerman shares his experience In Conversation with Michelle Coltrane: Remembering Alice Coltrane Ahead of ‘Cosmic Music‘ which is happening May 16 at Carnegie Hall!

•   Here’s a NY Times article by Siddhartha Mitter that offered a reflection on Alice and an exhibition celebrating her at the Hammer Museum in LA in “Alice Coltrane: Artist’s Muse and Sonic Healer“ *

•   This other piece in the NY Times by Mia Jackson talks about an effort to save another home central to John Coltrane, “A New Initiative to Protect Black History starts with Coltrane” *

•    You can learn a little bit about the milestones in getting this home formally recognized and revitalized, as well as about the Suffolk County JumpSMART program in the Long Island Times article “Coltrane Home gets $1.75M from Suffolk County”

•    News 12 had a piece on the grant that features video of the interior of the home: “Suffolk County expected to announce over $1.7 million in funding for John and Alice Coltrane Home in Dix Hills”

•    There’s more detail in this article by John Valenti for Newsday, “Jazz legacy: John & Alice Coltrane Home in Dix Hills to get $1.75M grant for upgrades” *

•   In Newsday, Robert Brodsky published this beautiful, in depth article, complete with video of the home: “John Coltrane and Alice Coltrane home on Long Island undergoes renovation in effort to preserve history” 

•    This article from Clive Young for Mix Online tells more about the Coltranes and the significance of the home, as well as plans for its future, “John Coltrane House Awarded $1.75M to Renovate Home Studio, More”

•    Here’s a little more about the JumpSMART grant from in Long Island.com: “Suffolk County Executive Bellone To Announce Nearly $2 Million In Jumpsmart Funding To The John & Alice Coltrane Home”

•    Here’s a beautiful article from Jeff MacGregor in The Smithsonian magazine, “How John Coltrane’s ‘My Favorite Things’ Changed American Music” 

•    Here’s a 2018 Synchronicity Article entitled, “Notes From Joe” with older clippings collected by Coltrane Volunteer Joe Natter that we published some years ago. Worth a re-read!

* subscription required – or visit your local library!

Some Good Books and Other Resources

One book on John Coltrane that I think musicians, especially, may appreciate is Ascension by Eric Nisenson,

“Nice choice!” said Noah, the salesman in a local bookstore, when I brought it to the counter. He then promptly recommended Coltrane on Coltrane by Chris DeVito and asked me if I knew that the Coltranes had lived around here.

I went home happily and shared my finds with some Coltrane Board Members.

“Chris DeVito’s book, Coltrane on Coltrane is a text version of every Coltrane interview out there,” said Steve, “There are some online audio versions of those interviews where you can hear John talking and really get a feel for who he is.”

A YouTube search reveals a fascinating set of interviews with and about Coltrane

Another board member offered a few of their favorite biographies: Ashley Kahn’s A Love Supreme and what they felt was the best scholarly biography, Lewis Porter’s John Coltrane: His Life and Music. We learned Lewis also has amazing lectures available online in his Deep Dives.

We also refer you to the Half Hollow Hills Library where Coltrane volunteer Ellen Druda, a wonderful, retired librarian has helped create a ‘Coltrane Computer’ with hundreds of images.

It’s all quite enlightening…Enjoy. <3

It’s Garden Time! Always.

2025 Spring Plant Sale at www.northportNGI.org. Order by 5/5. Pickup 5/17

The Northport Native Garden Initiative is ready to take your order for plants that will truly feel at home on your property. Order deadline extended to Thursday, 5/8!

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Fireflies Light Up Everywhere

Above: “Illuminations: Art in Sacred Space” is an amazing show at the Cathedral of the Incarnation that includes a giant replica of the Moon and g great opportunity for artists to come paint!

Follow Firefly Artists throughout Long Island and beyond! We warmly invite you to follow our Facebook and Instagram stories, where we share Firefly and visiting artist posts, and to join our public Facebook Group, “The Firefly Artists Community Square” where our artists post frequently.

We love sharing their artistic adventures and providing this window into the LI art scene! Here are just a few places our Fireflies will be:

Loretta Cerame, Drigo Morin & Silvia Maria Rey • “Sunny Side Up” • 4/6-4/26 • Reception 4/6, 3-5pm • A juried show exploring the inviting hues of yellow • The Art Guild, Elderfields Preserve, 200 Port Washington Blvd, Manhasset

Drigo Morin • “Illuminations: Art in Sacred Space” • 4/12-5/3 • Reception 4/12, 7pm (rsvp required to connect@IncarnationGC.org) • a collaboration with Trinity Community Arts Center, the inaugural exhibition in this newly designated Gallery captures the dynamic interplay of light and artistic expression • https://www.incarnationgc.org/Cathedral of the Incarnation, 36 Cathedral Ave, Garden City

Deidre Elzer-Lento • Visions of Northport and Beyond • 4/12-5/21 • As a travel photographer, painter and multi-media artist Deidre shares her beautiful interpretations of Asharoken, Northport and the world beyond. • Daniel Gale Real Estate, 77 Main Street, Northport

About The Firefly

The Firefly was established in 2011 to create a gallery setting for local artists. The goal was to create a space where artists could meet, collaborate, and sell their beautiful creations.

Over more than a decade, we have had the great privilege of displaying a stunning variety of works by well over 400 artists through our Main Street locations and pop-up galleries. We boast extraordinary talent, while maintaining a very down to earth and supportive atmosphere that is unique on Long Island.

In 2020 we expanded our offerings, creating a “Darcy Arts Center” to feature special exhibitions and classes in addition to the rich selection of works by our resident artists. We are thrilled to continue to develop this in our beautiful new space, right in the center of everything! 

Every time you purchase something from The Firefly Artists you support at least two local artists. Come, experience our beautiful gallery. Bring home that perfect thing to brighten your world or someone else’s.

Thank you for your support.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check our website for all the latest updates. Even better, come to our beautiful location, The Old Hardware Store at 90 Main Street, Northport

***NEW SUMMER HOURS***
Mon-Tue 11am-6pm  
Wed-Fri 11am-9pm  
Sat 9am-9pm
Sun 9am-7pm

Firefly Exhibition Schedule

Above: “Food, Glorious Food” is running together with the Community Playhouse of Northport’s showing of “Oliver!”

April 16 – May 13: “Food, Glorious Food” • A show run in coordination with the Community Playhouse of Northport’s production of “Oliver!” • Reception 4/26 3-5pm, featuring performances from Community Playhouse members • Find call for entry here

April 25 – “Firefly Artists Listening Party” • Bring an LP to share or maybe just come hang out. Perhaps bring home some art.

June 1 – June 15: “Selections from Long Island’s Best” • A selection of pieces chosen from the annual celebration of young artists coordinated and hosted by The Heckscher Museum.

June 13: “Come, Follow, Follow Me” book signing • With Firefly Kristen Memoli

June 18 – July 15: “Cross Pollination – Birds, Bees & All That Blooms” • A cross-county, multi-gallery collaborative exhibition with The Hive Market and Gallery. • Receptions June 26 7-9pm (Firefly) and July 10 7-9pm (Hive)

July 18 – August 14: “Works on Paper” • Our annual celebration of art in the raw

August 18 – August 31: “Narratives in Motion – The Evolution of a Storyteller,” a solo show by Jennifer A. Uihlein

September 3 – September 30: “pARTy ‘til the Cows Come Home” • A “moo”-ving show heralding The Great Cow Harbor Day Weekend

October 3 – November 2: “Abandoned Haunts and Curious Trappings” • An exploration of the hauntingly beautiful

November 5 – December 2: “Post It” • An exhibition inspired by The Art of the Postcard

November 29: “Northport Leg Lamp Lighting” • The 20th anniversary of the day a stroke of whimsey launched full-on community tradition.

December 5 – December 31: Firefly Member Show • Details to be announced

All Dates and Events Subject to Change. Stay Tuned for More Details!

About The Firefly

The Firefly was established in 2011 to create a gallery setting for local artists. The goal was to create a space where artists could meet, collaborate, and sell their beautiful creations.

Over more than a decade, we have had the great privilege of displaying a stunning variety of works by well over 400 artists through our Main Street locations and pop-up galleries. We boast extraordinary talent, while maintaining a very down to earth and supportive atmosphere that is unique on Long Island.

In 2020 we expanded our offerings, creating a “Darcy Arts Center” to feature special exhibitions and classes in addition to the rich selection of works by our resident artists. We are thrilled to continue to develop this in our beautiful new space, right in the center of everything! 

Every time you purchase something from The Firefly Artists you support at least two local artists. Come, experience our beautiful gallery. Bring home that perfect thing to brighten your world or someone else’s.

Thank you for your support.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check our website for all the latest updates. Even better, come to our beautiful location, The Old Hardware Store at 90 Main Street, Northport

***NEW SUMMER HOURS***
Mon-Tue 11am-6pm  
Wed-Fri 11am-9pm  
Sat 9am-9pm
Sun 9am-7pm

Call to Artists: Cross Pollination

In honor of National Pollinator Month, The Firefly Artists of Northport and The Hive Market & Gallery of Oyster Bay are offering a two-gallery, bi-county celebration of bees, birds and all that blooms!

Artists from throughout Long Island and the greater region are invited to submit garden- and pollinator-inspired artwork for this juried exhibition. Off-Island is fine, but hand delivery and pickup of works is required.

All original media is acceptable, such as drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, collage, fabric work, glasswork, jewelry and digital media. Maximum frame size is 36” on the longest side. Sculptures must be no larger than 12” in any direction.

Artists may be selected to show works in either or both The Firefly Artists in Northport and Hive Marky & Gallery in Oyster Bay. Prizes will be awarded at each location.

Deadline: May 25
For Details and to Apply: Visit The Firefly Artists website

About The Firefly

The Firefly was established in 2011 to create a gallery setting for local artists. The goal was to create a space where artists could meet, collaborate, and sell their beautiful creations.

Over more than a decade, we have had the great privilege of displaying a stunning variety of works by well over 400 artists through our Main Street locations and pop-up galleries. We boast extraordinary talent, while maintaining a very down to earth and supportive atmosphere that is unique on Long Island.

In 2020 we expanded our offerings, creating a “Darcy Arts Center” to feature special exhibitions and classes in addition to the rich selection of works by our resident artists. We are thrilled to continue to develop this in our beautiful new space, right in the center of everything! 

Every time you purchase something from The Firefly Artists you support at least two local artists. Come, experience our beautiful gallery. Bring home that perfect thing to brighten your world or someone else’s.

Thank you for your support.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check our website for all the latest updates. Even better, come to our beautiful location, The Old Hardware Store at 90 Main Street, Northport

***NEW SUMMER HOURS***
Mon-Tue 11am-6pm  
Wed-Fri 11am-9pm  
Sat 9am-9pm
Sun 9am-7pm