🌱 Smithtown Sweetbriar Center Offers Science Programs + Happenings

Happy New Year! Wishing you a healthy and prosperous 2023! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through all the most important things happening locally. Today we have these stories and more:

• Long Island-based real estate investor purchased properties in Commack.
• Smithtown Sweetbriar Center once again offers Science Programs.
• Students are learning how to speak up and more!

But first, today's weather:

Breezy; cloudy, then some sun. High: 55, low: 36.

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Here are the top four stories in Smithtown today:

1. A Long Island-based real estate investor, Mukesh Patel, purchased Commack Motor Inn and an adjacent building for $13.8 million. In an interview with Patch, Patel's representative, Michael Steinberg, said he just walked in and asked if the building was for sale and received a positive response. Read the whole story here. (Patch)
2. Attention parents in the neighborhood, Sweetbriar Center will offer science programs for children aged 6-11 starting in February. The events will be hosted during the school break from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can visit the link I've shared if you are interested in more details. (Sweetbriar Center)
3. Smithtown High School students are learning how to speak up! The Ted Talks course aims to assist the youth in learning how to communicate in different situations. In one of the assignments, participants chose a topic of interest and presented it in PowerPoint. (Smithtown School District)
4. Nearby Events: Emma Clark Library hosts its first drop-in Crafternoon of 2023 on Saturday, Jan. 7. Kiddos aged 3- 12 years old are welcome to stop by between 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. No registration is required. (Mommy Poppins)

Today in Smithtown:

• First Day Hike at Sunken Meadow Park. (10:30 p.m.)
• Suffolk Winter Lantern Festival at Smithtown Historical Society. (5:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• "The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook, announced today two grant awards totaling $50,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the recovery of the nonprofit arts and culture sector." (Three Village Patch)
• A special meeting for the Smithtown Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 6:30 p.m. This event is open to the public and will be held at One North Country Road, n Smithtown. (Smithtown Matters)
• "Long Island has its fair share of ice skating rinks — indoor and out. And we have made sure to keep out the unofficial spots for safety reasons. Feel free to lace up at these spots anytime." (Patch)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Debora Whitehead

About me: Have a story idea? Please get in touch with me! I would love to hear from you! Wife, mom, foodie, traveler, and nature lover.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Smithtown Daily? Contact me at Smithtown@Patch.com.