Thanks to Everyone Who Made Our Garden Party so Wonderful!

On Sunday July 28, over 100 local business and civic leaders, Cinema Arts Centre Board Members, CAC Circle of Friends Volunteers, CAC Youth Advisory Board Members, Board and Staff of the Huntington Historical Society, and some of our closest supporters gathered in our Sky Room Cafe and Garden for our annual Circle of Friends Garden Party.

Each year we come together to celebrate the fundraising and outreach work done by our Circle of Friends volunteers. This year, we also had some very special - and historic! - announcements, so we partnered with our friends at the Huntington Historical Society to co-present the event.

After a buffet brunch and live music from Larry Moser and Mary Nagin, sponsored by CAC Board Co-Chair Jude Schanzer, Co-Director Dylan Skolnick opened the program, welcoming our guests and introducing Suffolk County Legislator Stephanie Bontempi and Director of TOH Office of Film & Television Joe Schramm who gave warm remarks about their engagement with the Cinema and the importance of the Cinema to our community.

Dylan then introduced Huntington Historical Society Executive Director Stephanie Gotard. Stephanie shared that it was at the January Thanks-a-Brunch that NYS Assemblyman Steve Stern announced that he had recommended the Cinema Arts Centre to be recognized by the NYS Historic Business Preservation Registry, making this a perfect opportunity for the Cinema Arts Centre and the Huntington Historical Society to celebrate together. She then welcomed Assemblyman Stern for a special presentation.

Assemblyman Stern presented Dylan with a proclamation from the State Assembly on the occasion of the inclusion of the Cinema Arts Centre in the NYS Historic Business Preservation Registry. Assemblyman Stern then shared the news that with his advocacy and assistance, New York State will award the Cinema Arts Centre $125,000 to replace the two digital projectors that still need to be replaced in order to ensure our ability to continue to present film for years to come. 

“I am proud to join with the Cinema Arts Centre at its annual Circle of Friends volunteer recognition Garden Party and to announce that this Huntington institution has been selected to join the NYS Historic Business Preservation Registry, which recognizes institutions that have endured for at least 50 years,” Assemblyman Steve Stern said. “The Cinema Arts Centre continues to enrich our community, and offers unique opportunities for film education and the arts for people young and old alike. I am also pleased to announce a NYS grant for new digital projectors to enhance the film viewing experience for the thousands who treasure the unique environment that only the Cinema Arts Centre offers in our beloved Town of Huntington.”

Dylan then presented the Assemblyman with a certificate of gratitude from all of us at the Cinema Arts Centre.

CAC Board Co-Chair Martin Butera took the podium to thank our Board of Directors, former Board Members including former Co-Chair Steve Rubin, our Youth Advisory Board, and our Circle of Friends. Martin then presented the Dr. Frank B. Siegel Memorial Service Award. This award is given to a Circle of Friends volunteer who has had the deepest impact across the broadest range of activities over the past year. This year's award was given to one of our newest members who really hit the ground running, Glenn Seidman. Glenn worked onsite and offsite doing critical outreach and fundraising work, connecting the Cinema to new financial sponsors, helping to deepen our relationships with local businesses, and helping to bring more visitors and more members to the Cinema.

"Thank you for the honor given to me as the recipient of the Frank B. Siegel Volunteer Service Award," Glenn shared with us. "Before I moved to Huntington twenty years ago, I sadly did not know the Cinema existed! Happily though, I have been a member since moving here, renewing every year. What I have found is that it is not just a movie theater, it is a community of people who have come together around this vital institution. Whenever I speak to people about renewing their membership, I overwhelmingly hear them say that it is like a second home to them and they are happy to renew! All of us need to keep working to make the Cinema Arts Centre a bigger and stronger place for many years to come!"

Dylan then thanked our brunch sponsors and volunteers and introduced Co-Founder and Co-Director Charlotte Sky for closing remarks. Char received a standing ovation.

All of us at the Cinema Arts Centre are so grateful to everyone who made this such a meaningful event.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Circle of Friends.