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In December, our Cinema Arts Centre community lost a beloved and dynamic member of our community, Dr. Davenport “Mike” Plumer who died at the age of 89 after a brief illness. Mike had served on the Cinema Art’s Centre’s Board of Directors since 1994, and as Co-Chair of the Board since 2013. Mike also served as Chair of the Development Committee, leading the fundraising efforts that make our mission and programs possible. So many of us knew Mike’s dedication to the Cinema. His passion for cinema culture and our Cinema community were central to his daily life. He gave us so much of his good work and shared with us generously.

Many people also knew Mike as an educator. He served as Vice-President for Development at the New York Institute of Technology; was on the faculty of the Harvard Graduate School of Education; and had served as an English teacher at Belmont Hill School. He also raised money and interviewed candidates for his alma mater, Dartmouth College.

Mike was also an outstanding athlete. Many people knew his skills as a tennis player, and have fond memories of being bested by him on the courts. He had also coached high school soccer, having had a truly meaningful impact on the young athletes he mentored. He stayed physically active throughout his life.

He loved nature, and if on a nature walk with Mike, he could tell you the name of any tree, flower, or plant along the trail.

Not everyone knows that Mike also had a deep and accomplished life as a poet. Mike’s wife Harriet Spitzer has said that Mike had a “poet’s soul” and that he was always writing a poem in his head. He was a weekly participant at the Long Island Poetry Collective, and in 2013 published a book of poems and photographs with his son Douglas Plumer.

Mike’s “poet’s soul” manifested as kindness, humor, mindfulness, watchfulness, insight, and generosity. His “poet’s soul” touched and heightened every aspect of his life and work, and every person who was fortunate enough to have spent time with him.

Suffolk County Poet Laureate Richard Bronson, MD had known Mike through the Weekly Poetry Collective for years. "I've been thinking about how to characterize Mike as a poet, and it's been very hard," Richard shared. "His style was very lyrical and he was never trying to teach with his poems, rather share his observations."

"He was very devoted to poetry," Richard told us, "and he was very incisive about editing. He was good about listening to other people’s poems and astute in providing feedback."

by Dr. Davenport “Mike” Plumer:

Valentine Moon

This moon, so strong it lifts chicks full-feathered

from their shells, a rough, aggressive moon blazes

black scratches in the snow, silences protector owls

and pushes inexorably into corners, under doors.

None of your moon-June softie mush, this moon will

chase you down, barge into your house, and terrify

your cat while bubbling the paint on your walls, and

flummoxing your computer and its electric brood.

This moon will also bemuse you, transport you from

our quotidian preoccupations while whispering

my song of love in your ear and bathing us

in the palest sweet compelling magic.

"Mike was thoughtful, funny, ethical, and always ready to pitch in when we were in need. As a member of our audience, then a supporter, a friend, and ultimately a board member, Mike has been an essential part of our Cinema family for decades. I can’t think of anyone who has done more for the Cinema, and our community at large, than Mike. His friendship, humor, wisdom, and kindness, will be deeply missed... Good night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." - Dylan Skolnick, CAC Co-Director

"To me, Mike was the Board member you could always count on to do whatever was necessary to keep the Cinema going. He was passionate about the Cinema, and often the “voice of reason” at Board of Directors meetings. His passion and commitment will be missed” - Steven I. Rubin, Chair, CAC Board of Directors

“Mike was a pleasure to work with. He was industrious, creative, collegial, and highly valued the Cinema. He will be deeply missed.” – Sandy Friedman, CAC Board of Directors

“Mike was the person who reached out to me to consider a position on the board. I remember meeting for lunch at Munday's and speaking with him about the Cinema. What struck me about him was his genuine interest in doing right by the Cinema. I thought this person does not have a personal agenda but is in this purely to help this organization. I didn’t think I would take a position if offered but that lunch with Mike changed my mind. I can honestly say that my first impression was not wrong. Mike had always conducted himself with integrity, having the best interests of the Cinema at heart. I hold him in the highest regard, he will be missed.” – Martin Butera, CAC Board of Directors

In addition, Cinema Arts Centre Members and Friends have shared their thoughts and feelings about Mike in our Facebook Group.

The Oyster Farmers & How Oysters Revitalize Native Waters, our fifth installment of our series LI AgriCULTURE: Celebrating Local Foods with the Power of Film, is available free online with pre-recorded ZOOM discussion through February 28 at THIS LINK.

This program is presented by Cinema Arts Centre in partnership with Long Island Oyster Growers Association, ChooseLI and the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning and made possible with support from the Long Island Community Foundation.

The Oyster Farmers: Oysters were once a staple for people in the north east USA, until over harvesting and disease decimated the oysters. Today, a new hope rises through the work of a solitary few: The Oyster Farmers. The feature length documentary, ‘The Oyster Farmers’, explores the plight of the oyster, offering a keyhole view of human impact on the environment. Following the oyster from proliferation, to decimation, to resurgence, the story parallels the presence of the Baymen and Baywomen working the water for the last four centuries. Through a dynamically fluid visual esthetic, the undercurrent of the film's driving force, an ethos of environmental stewardship flows throughout the film. With 90% of seafood imported in the US, the sustainable seafood movement both local and global is in the hand of the Oyster Farmers. They are bringing the bounty- back from seed to farm to plate.

Visit www.chooseli.org/pledge to commit to spending 10% of your weekly food budget on local and independent food goods. Choose LI is a collaborative initiative to raise awareness, advocate and inspire the community to support local and independent businesses by spending 10% of their weekly food allowance on local and seasonal food goods across Suffolk County, Long Island. The vision of Choose LI is to inspire the community to choose goods from local and independent farmers and fishermen to preserve our heritage industries and cultivate a vibrant, diverse and robust economy. Support the growth of a well-nourished community that is unique and resilient by fostering healthy food choices and creating dynamic life experiences.

Our building has been closed for nearly two years—but our community remains strong. During our facility closure, we have continuously provided online screenings and events, including many free programs. We have also provided in-person off-site programs including drive-in movies, and outdoor screenings at local farms. We are working hard on the final stages of our renovation and preparing to welcome you back to our independent community cinema and home away from home, with the daily in-person screenings and events we all miss so much.

As we prepare to rehire staff and plan our slate of independent film programs and cultural events for 2022, it is critical that we keep our annual fund strong. We must reach our goal to raise $160,000 through this campaign.

We have faced many challenges in our history, and we always respond by growing and adapting. Most importantly, we always respond together. The Cinema Arts Centre has had an evolving and positive impact on our community for nearly 50 years, delivering cultural, social, educational, and economic benefits. Thank you for being part of this meaningful work, and part of our Cinema family.

Thank you!

Thanks to Stuart and Ginger Polisner for their historic support of our Real-to-Reel and Creativity Series.

Thanks to Lynn & Jonah Kaufman, Brandywine Living, and Goidel Law Group for their generous support of our 2020 Making Memories Programs.

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