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Celebrating the season in Northport
Traditions old and new enliven the holidays in the historic village
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Winterfest, the month-long celebration sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, kicks off in Northport on Nov. 27 with a tree lighting in the village park, as carolers stroll down Main Street. Shopkeepers pull out all the stops with elaborately decorated windows. Visitors will enjoy seeing miniature themed trees which mark the entrance to each store. For example, the tree by Main Street Optician is decorated with glitter-covered eye glasses, tiny eye charts which say Merry Christmas and in the past eyeball ornaments. The parking meters in town, in keeping with the festive tone, are done up like candy canes.
In addition to Winterfest, there will also be many events, both old and new, sponsored by other organizations that will keep visitors in the holiday spirit throughout December.
House tour
The Northport Historical Society will present its annual holiday house tour, "Homes for the Holidays," which showcases an eclectic mix of area homes charmingly decorated for the season, on Sunday, Dec. 13, from noon to 4 pm.
According to chairwoman Candace Hamilton, guests will tour one of Northport's grandest "painted ladies" — a circa 1895 three-story Victorian which has been lovingly restored. Highlights include a "funeral bay" window and a back parlor fireplace. Also on view will be a circa 1837 farmhouse which served as a parsonage and a pub during its long history. Boasting the best of the past and the present, original features include wide plank floors, beamed ceilings and a fireplace. New additions include a fabulous gourmet kitchen.
Tickets ($25 for members, $30 for non-members) are available at the museum, 215 Main St., Northport, or by calling 757-9859. Advance reservations are suggested.
Opera Night
Those who wish to usher in the holidays with arias and art songs will be delighted with two operatic extravaganzas. The much anticipated Opera Night on Dec. 4 kicks off with piano solos at 7:30 pm at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 270 Main St, Northport. The first annual Christmas party hosted by the Northport's Sons of Italy on Dec. 12 also celebrates "Christmas at the Opera."
According to Opera Night founder/director Isabella Eredita Johnson, singers will regale the audience with Christmas carols and sing-a-longs, and will dress in costume for the arias. All are welcome to attend the party, which will be held at St. Philip Neri Church, 15 Prospect Ave., Northport, from 6 to 10 pm. Tickets, which include dinner and entertainment, are $35. For information, contact Eredita Johnson at vivaldi222@aol.com.
As an added treat, there will be a nine-foot long concert piano at both events, thanks to the generosity of the Steinway & Sons Gallery located in Melville.
Holiday windows
While Manhattan has long been known for its glitzy, animated holiday windows, for the first time Northport will boast a large scale display in keeping with the spirit of the picturesque village with a storied past.
The exhibit, "There's No Place Like Northport, Now and Then," presented by the Northport Historical Society and the Northport Arts Coalition, adorns the windows of the storefront that once housed the GAP. The two organizations worked in tandem with talented local photographers to create an eye-catching display which has been stopping passersby in their tracks.
In addition to viewing sepia-toned images of Northport on loan from the historical society and posters which celebrate Northport Arts Coalition events, onlookers will experience Northport as seen through the eyes of John Ellsworth, Herb Knopp, Richard Podlesney, Burt Reminick, Susan Kaffana, Jennifer Lau, Laura Purschke, Alan Pearlman and Richard Ritter.
NAC executive director Lauren Paige is thrilled that the idea that she bandied about with village trustee Henry Tobin has finally come to fruition and is so in keeping with the holiday spirit.
"Everyone came together — the village, the museum and the local photographers who are NAC members. It is an incredible demonstration of good will, and we are grateful that Aria Atai, the store's owner, graciously let us use this space," Paige said.
Holiday fair
Gift-giving is so much a part of the holiday season, and for those looking for the unique, the 16th annual DECA Holiday Fair just might be the thing.
The show is a longtime venture between DECA, the Northport High School business club and DePasquale Shows, a Selden firm which coordinates fundraising events for nonprofits.
DECA members get hands-on experience by working at the refreshments concession stand and helping vendors set up and break down their booths, with proceeds from the event funding club trips.
Cathy DePasquale, who coordinates the fair with husband, Mike, said that the event is a good fit for the village known for its penchant for the arts.
The show, one of the largest of its kind on Long Island, showcases the wares of 200 artisans from across the tri-state area, making it the perfect place to pick up unusual handcrafted gifts, she indicated.
The cornucopia of exceptional offerings will include Nicaraguan pottery, organic beauty products and spa soaps, eclectic bird houses, Northport calendars and more, DePasquale said.
Artist Jo-Ann Corretti, known for her striking paintings of Northport, will be showing off her new "dreamscape" photographs which she color-enhances for added vibrancy and dimension.
Marsha Scherer who has been turning heads with jewelry made from fused dichroic glass, will also be on hand.
"Each piece I create is one-of-a-kind and the buyer will be wearing or giving a unique piece of jewelry," Scherer said of these miniature works of art. "I specialize in doing textured fusing because I like the 3-D effect. If you love the iridescence of opals, you'll love dichroic glass."
Among the photographers will be Susan Kaffana of East Northport, who has been making whimsical note-cards showcasing nature's bounty. Her photos include flowers, swans, deer and other endearing creatures.
DePasquale also expects that the Italian leather handbags sporting renowned photographers' images which can be viewed at Nancy Lucia's booth to create quite a buzz.
Noted children's author/illustrator Helena Clare Pittman will be on hand to meet visitors and personalize books for holiday gift-giving.
"Helena is an accomplished artist and a remarkable storyteller. Her book, 'A Grain of Rice,' has been used as part of the elementary school curriculum," DePasquale said.
The DECA Holiday Fair will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13 from 10 am to 5 pm at Northport High School, 154 Laurel Hill Road. For information, visit depasqualeshows.com.
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