I brought together members of these organizations with the aim of creating a relaxed social setting for the presentation of folk music on Long Island. We wanted to create an informal space for socializing, a venue for local artists, and the possibility of bringing more well known artists to Long Island. Initially performances were held monthly, but that proved burdensome for our all-volunteer staff, and audiences were smaller in the Summer and near Christmas, so in a few years we dropped the July, August, & December events, but have continued to operate nine months a year at the Ethical Society in Garden City. For many years we met on the 3rd Friday of the month, but when we re-started after a 4-year Covid induced hiatus, we resumed and continue now to hold our coffeehouses on the 1st Friday of each month. 

In January of 2020 we celebrated our 30th anniversary, with Bill Staines cutting a cake, celebrating also his having  performed once each year the entire 30 years. He is surrounded by several of our volunteers, from left to right, Bob Sostack, myself, Marty Stone, Bill Staines, Brandon Hanna, Alice Sprintzen, & Barbara Karyo. Sadly, Bill died of cancer at the end of that year.  

I have served as the Treasurer, with my wife serving as the Volunteer Coordinator. We have had over the years 4 Artistic Coordinators, with Marty Stone doing an excellent job for more than a decade.  Since we resumed after our enforced Covid hiatus, we are fortunate to have as additions to our team, Stu Marcus as our new Artistic Coordinator, Richard Parr as our Technician Extraordinaire, and Mike Kornfeld as our Master of Ceremonies.

For further information, call the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island at 516-741-7304.

Our Times Coffeehouse