Upcoming community events in Smithtown, East End

The bureau’s annual “Safe Summer Nights” program plans to hold its first pool party at 6 p.m. on July 15, at the Smithtown Landing Country Club, and will have a scavenger hunt at 6 p.m. on July 30 at Hoyt Farm in Commack.

The free programs are open to children in grades six or higher. Call 631-360-7595 for information.

Courses for youth will be offered throughout the summer on topics such as leadership development, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and baby-sitting. For information, call 631-360-7595 or email youthb@tosgov.com.

The youth bureau and Commack Coalition for Caring will host a series of parenting workshops at Commack United Methodist Church, 486 Townline Rd. The first session is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. July 11; subsequent meetings are scheduled for July 18 and 25, and Aug. 1, 15 and 22.

The program is designed for parents whose children are in middle school. Topics include communication, cooperation and discipline. For information, call 631-858-3623.
— CARL MACGOWAN

The society, dedicated to preserving the craft of boatbuilding, works on building a new boat each year and raffles it off. The money is used to cover the society’s operating costs.

“It’s the biggest boat we ever built,” said Ray Hartjen, society president. “It’s got nine laps on the side.”

That means nine wooden boards overlap each other to form the hull, compared with the four or five boards on smaller boats. The Goeller design was the first dinghy with a mount for a sail, and went into use in the 1920s, Hartjen said.

He said it took an average of four people working twice a week, five hours a day for eight months to finish the dinghy.

The free fair will be held rain or shine at the community boat shop on Bluff Road in Amagansett, next to the East Hampton Marine Museum, which will also have free admission. The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
— MITCHELL FREEDMAN