Huntington Art Walk is this weekend, Northport’s is next. Plus, LIPAF opens at the Huntington Fall Festival!
Continue readingTwo Art Walks and an Outdoor Gallery
ELIJA FARM
Elija Farm
Ah, ELIJA Farm!
I used to say that when I finally run away, you could find me hiding in Larry Foglia’s perennial gardens, which his family had nurtured for roughly half a century. It’s a remarkably shady spot for a farm, nestled in as one more secret gem among the back roads of Dix Hills. When I learned he was selling the farm, I understood but was really sad. When he actually got excited about the eventual buyer, and the role he and his dear Heather Forest might play in what came next, I took heart.
The people he’d met were Debora Thivierge and Randy Horowitz, special education experts with a passion for sustainable agriculture and experiential learning. Together, with the help of Larry and Heather, they crafted ELIJA Farm, a remarkable CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program that integrates hands on learning opportunities for diverse populations of all abilities.
What has blossomed in the decade since is truly wonderful. I’ve been there for Eagle Projects constructed off-season on quiet days when there’s nothing going on to speak of but chickens overseeing the job. Even then, you can feel the magic of what happens here….
Offerings
You can check out their website, and follow them on Instagram and Facebook. If you’re a teacher looking for a great field trip, they’ve got a page dedicated to that here. They also run a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. Of course, that runs from June until early October, so it’s a little late now, but I’m sure they’ll start taking signups for next year soon! Meanwhile, you can also check out their Market Place, which is open weekdays 9am-3pm, and Saturday 9am-12pm.
As mentioned, there is also an impressive array of classes for folks of all abilities, ranging from farming to toddler time, to baking to physical fitness and sounds baths. Sign me up!
Fall Festival
A great way to visit and get a real feel for this place is to go to their Fall Festival, where they invite you to “Celebrate the end of Long Island’s growing season with a day full of family fun, community spirit and autumn magic!”
What: ELIJA Farm Fall Festival
When: October 24, 2026
Where: 43 Foxhurst Road, Huntington Station NY
What: Farmers market, hayrides, spooky walk, live music, bounce houses, animal pen (yes, you may feed them!), face painting and more.
Visit the event page on their website for important details!
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September is Disaster Preparedness Month: Local Resources
Photo of Superstorm Sandy aftermath by Katheryn Laible
September is National Preparedness Month, an annual national campaign ”to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe.” Thousands of people are harmed by natural disasters each year. The early Fall is known for hurricanes. These and other major storms often come with some warning. Other events, like house, fires will never be expected. The best we can do, both for our family and in service to those who risk their lives to rescue others, is be prepared.
At the very least, when you know something’s going to happen, please listen to the advisories, and stay home when recommended. It’s not a matter of personal bravery, but saving emergency management folks from having to put themselves at risk unnecessarily.
Storm Safety From PSEG
PSEG offers storm safety guidance on it’s website, covering what to do before and after dangerous weather, including special info on floods, wildfires and generator safety. Another resource they offer is a “Critical Care Program” specifically designed to serve individuals with special needs who may literally count on electricity to keep them alive.
County Disaster Preparedness Hubs, Including A Way YOU Can Help
According to Nassau County’s website LIVOAID “is a coalition of non-profit, government, and for-profit organizations in Nassau and Suffolk Counties committed to working together in the areas of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Members of the LIVOAD support each other through their collaborative planning efforts to identify potential needs of disaster victims and develop coordinated and efficient delivery of needed resources and services. Each VOAD member organization maintains its own autonomy while coordinating closely with others in four key areas: Planning for the needs of various populations post disaster.”
On Nassau County’s website as well as on Suffolk County’s you will find a broad array of information on possible hazards, evacuation routes, flood zones, and shelters. They have tips on how to handle these situations with either children, disabled folks, or how to approach disaster as a business owner. You can sign up for emergency alerts, weather alerts, or when the time comes, report damage and request government records.
If you want to advance to the next level of being able to protect your family and neighbors, you might consider joining the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in Nassau or Suffolk County. Nassau has a Facebook page for thatas well. These are federally funded, community based volunteer programs providing special training that prepares citizens to assist emergency responders in the event of disaster, or in providing public education to make our communities more resilient.
Stony Brook University: Emergency Preparedness/Disaster Relief/Humanitarian Assistance Resources
Stony Brook University put together a list of organizations on Long Island, In New York City, and national/international organizations who may help in a disaster.
Check Your Town Website
Individual Towns have their emergency operation centers that offer helpful information specific to those localities as well as more general information. These may include lists of local agencies, food services, and other resources, including tips for folks with pets, businesses, and other sprecific concerns.
Here are Town of Huntington and the Town of Oyster Bay. as specific examples. We are particularly fond of this Town of Huntington Emergency Preparedness Handbook. We encourage you to check out what your own municipality is doing.
An Ounce of Prevention...
The better prepared we are, the better off we — and everyone who gives it their best to help out at times like these — will be.
We Will Never Forget…
Like a mantra, we read and republish this piece each 9/11. It’s been years since it was first written. Though the children are older, adults now who have no memory of this day, the sentiment remains the same…
Photo Credit: Colin Hopkins, who was three weeks on the job as an iron worker when the towers fell, and then got to witness the new spire rise to the sky…
Continue readingLet It Shine: The Remarkable Light of Queen Dee – Chapter 1
“Faithful. Steadfast. Immovable. Always abounding in the work,” reflected Reverend Jennings at her passing, “Love and appreciation for this Warrior Queen, our greatest of appreciation. Thank you, God, for Dee Thompson; for her love, for her humility, for her courage, for her endurance, for her dedication, her hope, humor and wit and thank you, God, for Dolores Rose Thompson, God’s good and faithful servant.”
Continue readingUnity Fun Day 2026: Celebrate Community!
Since its beginning back in 2010 when it was held in a parking lot on Route 110 by the train station, the Huntington Unity Parade and Fair has grown to become a regional event, raising awareness of the deep community that exists here, inspiring togetherness and celebrating diversity and solidarity throughout the entire Town. Join them!
Continue readingFirefly Lights: December 5, 2025
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:
Happy Holiday Shopping Season
Apply Today: Beyond Words
THANK YOU! Northport Leg Lamp Lighting and Shopping Guide
Exhibition Schedule
Fireflies Light Up Everywhere
We’ve Been Nominated: Please Vote!
Help Decorate our Tree!
About the Firefly
Fireflies featured below, from the left starting at the top: Steve Caputo, Michael Iacobellis, Cathy Hammerquist & Loretta Cerame
To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.
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Northport Storytelling Event: Busted
"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.
"True, Personal Stories Told Live"
Theme: “Busted”
When: Friday, January 9th. Doors open at 7pm. Event begins at 7:30
Where: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 270 Main St, Northport
Tickets: $20. To purchase, please email to inquire or venmo @nptstorytelling
For more info: Email Northportvillagestorytelling@gmail.com.
Light refreshments will be provided. Profits from ticket sales to support: The Brother Malcolm Daniel Skateboarding Program and the Northport Tiger Marching Band Booster Club Support Fund
Basic Guidelines for Storytelling
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.
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.
Huntington Historical Society Celebrates the Season and 250 Years of Liberty
Images from the Huntington Historical Society’s 2022 Apple Festival by Katheryn Laible
Like most things with them, the About Page of the Huntington Historical Society is fascinating.
Did you know that Theodore Roosevelt spoke at the 250th celebration of the Founding of the Town of Huntington, back in 1903? Did you know it inspired a group of prominent local women to organize a society to “perpetuate an interest in things Historic;……in fact all Historic relics relating to the Town of Huntington since 1653?”
This “Colonial Society”, which later evolved into the Huntington Historical Society at first restricted active membership to women. Eight years later, they let the men get involved. Going gangbusters since, they have protected and interpreted the history of our town and the central Long Island region, maintaining five national register historic properties, stewarding a deep and fascinating collection of artifacts, and hosting a variety of fun and educational events.
Come to the Apple Festival on October 5th!
One of their favorite events is also serving as an incredibly rich addition to the 2025 Fall Huntington Art Walk, happening October 5th. At that time, they warmly invite you to bring the whole family to the historic Kissam House for the 2025 Apple Festival!
There, you may enjoy traditional and seasonal crafts and games, including pumpkin painting. The folk artists, artisans and musicians are wonderful, as are all the neighbors who don costumes and explain how life was way back when. Of course, there are plenty of apples, both fresh and prepared in all sorts of ways. The Museum Shop will be open. It’s so much fun!
Celebrating 250 Years: What Does Liberty Mean to You?
Now, we’re celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In honor, the Historical Society is offering LIBERTY 250. From their website:
“Liberty is one of the inalienable rights specified in the Declaration of Independence.
The Pledge of Allegiance promises Liberty for all.
Patrick Henry demanded Liberty or Death.
Share your thoughts as part of Liberty250 – Huntington’s celebration of 250 years of American Independence.”
They will have a booth at the 2025 “Celebrate Huntington! LI Fall Festival”, happening Columbus Day weekend. They hope you will stop by then and let them know: WHAT DOES LIBERTY MEAN TO YOU?
