Kids

The Middle Country Public Library in Centereach is hosting its Youth Abilities Day: A Special Needs Resource Fair. Pictured above, children participating in one of the library’s family events. Photo courtesy MCPL

The Middle Country Public Library in Centereach is hosting its Youth Abilities Day: A Special Needs Resource Fair on Friday, April 28, from 4-7 p.m., at 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach. This event is provided in partnership with Stony Brook University’s Occupational Therapy students and Middle Country Special Education PTA.

Youth Abilities Day is free and open to all. The fair features approximately 20 organizations representing a wide array of specialties, including sports, music, baking, healthcare, therapies and more. 

The Super Mario Bros. characters will be available for photos during the event, along with a space to unwind in a sensory room. The library’s Flashing Fingers Sign Language Club will perform at 6 p.m. 

Youth Abilities Day is about helping individuals with disabilities and their families find the right resources to enrich lives. MCPL strives to provide a diverse array of educational and recreational resources for patrons of different backgrounds, abilities, ages and interests to ensure that the library has something for everyone. 

For more information about the fair, contact the youth services department at Middle Country Public Library at 631-585-9393 ext. 559. Pre-registration is encouraged over the phone or on the library’s website, www.mcplibrary.org.

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School robotics team. Photo courtesy PJSD

Members of the Earl L. Vandermeulen High School robotics team took part in the recent FIRST competition at Hofstra University, putting their knowledge to the test against 50 other New York high school teams and six international teams from as far as India and Taiwan. 

This year, Port Jefferson was joined by Mount Sinai High School students. Their combined efforts helped the team make it to the final rounds to place seventh overall — an extremely challenging event to win, given the level of international competition. 

Students used their math, science and engineering abilities and took months to design and build their robot, following strict rules, limited resources and an intense time limit. The teams were challenged to raise funds, design a brand, hone teamwork skills and program their industrial-size robots to play a complex field game against like-minded competitors.

“We call FIRST Robotics Competition the ultimate sport for the mind,” Port Jefferson’s technology and engineering teacher and robotics team adviser Brian Chalmers said. “Applying skills learned in the classroom during competition is always a positive opportunity for our students. It’s as close to real-world engineering as a student can get.” 

He added, “We are proud of our students and grateful for our professional volunteer mentors who shared their time and talents to guide these students to success.”

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Tri-M Music Honor Society students. Photo courtesy PJSD

The Earl L. Vandermeulen High School Chapter 2172 of the Tri-M Music Honor Society hosted its 16th annual honors recital and induction on April 4. 

This year’s inductees are students Thales Cheng, Caitlin Dickhuth, Kenneth Dixon-Lanza, Mari Fukuto, Iris He, Andi Kelly, Kay Moran, Fiona Reichers, Samantha Reichers, Alice Snyder, Emily Snyder, Kristina Shterengas and Madison Testa. 

Requirements needed to become a member of Tri-M are based on the society’s five points of distinction: scholarship, character, cooperation, leadership and service.

'Spring is heralded by cherry blossom and an annual carnival at Mt. Sinai’s Heritage Park.'Photo by Elisa Hendrey taken on April 13, 2023.

Once again, Newton Shows is partnering with the North Shore Youth Council (NSYC) to present its “Fling into Spring” community carnival at Heritage Park located at 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road in Mount Sinai from Friday to Sunday, April 14 to 16.

“The Newton Shows carnivals at Heritage Park are always looked forward to and bring much enjoyment to people of all ages,” said Robert Woods, Executive Director, NSYC. “We are honored to continue providing these and other experiences for our North Shore communities.”

The complete dates and times for the event are as follows:

  • Friday, April 14 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 15 from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 16 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Children and adults can check out an array of exciting rides such as Traffic Jam, Airshow, Puppy Roll, Samba Balloon, Happy Swing, Super Slide, Crazy Bus, Round Up, Tornado, Sizzler, Cliffhanger, Giant “Expo Wheel,” Pharaoh’s Fury, and Super Shot. (Please visit the website https://newtonshows.magicmoneyllc.com/MagicMoney_Web/ETicket/EventDetails/21 for height requirements before going on any ride. Some rides do not allow single riders or open-toed footwear.)

In addition, there will be a children’s magic and illusion show Saturday and Sunday at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The carnival will also feature games and food.

Advance tickets, including pay-one-price bracelets, can be purchased at newtonshows.com.

FIEVEL'S ADVENTURE Catch a screening of 'An American Tail' at the Cinema Arts Centre on April 16.
PROGRAMS

Nature Detectives

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor celebrates spring break with Nature Detectives on April 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Become a detective by identifying seeds, learn what plants need to grow and then make your very own seed bombs to take home and plant in your garden. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. For more info, call 516-692-6768.

Live Animal Encounters

Join Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor for Live Animal Encounters on April 14 at 2 p.m. Come see some of the Hatchery’s turtles, frogs and salamanders up close and learn about these amazing creatures that call Long Island home. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. For more info, call 516-692-6768.

Books in the Barn

Smithtown Historical Society’s new Books in the Barn program for ages 3 to 5 with parent/caregiver continues on April 17 and 24  from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Meet at the newly refurbished Franklin O. Arthur Farm, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown to listen to stories about farms, barns and animals. Then visit with the chickens, bunnies, sheep, ponies and barn cats that call the farm home. Free. Open to all. To register, visit www.smithlib.org/children. For more information, call 631-360-2480, ext. 140.

Flower Power

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a Tiny Tots program, Flower Power, on April 20 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This program will connect children and their parents with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. For ages 3 to 5. $4 per child. To register, visit Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure. Questions? Call 631-269-4333.

THEATER

‘Seussical the Musical’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Seussical the Musical on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. through April 30 with a special sensory sensitive performance on April 15.”Oh the Thinks You Can Think!” Dive into the colorful world of Dr. Seuss as The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who sets off to save a speck of dust containing The Whos from destruction. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

‘The Adventures of Peter Rabbit’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off spring with The Adventures of Peter Rabbit from April 5 to 29 with a sensory sensitive performance on April 16 at 11 a.m. Join Peter, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail, Mrs. Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny and the McGregors in this delightful adaption suggested by the characters created by Beatrix Potter, a Theatre Three tradition for spring break. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. See review on page B23.

FILM

‘Ice Age’

Join the Farmingville Chamber of Commerce for an indoor matinee movie screening of the Disney classic Ice Age at Local Church, 1070 Portion Road Farmingville on April 15 at 1 p.m. Admission for the event is $3 per person at the door or at localchurchli.com/events. Proceeds will benefit Angela’s House. For more info, call 631-317-1738.

‘An American Tail’

The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of An American Tail on April 16 at noon. A young mouse named Fievel Mousekewitz and his family emigrate from Russia to the United States by boat after their home is destroyed by cats. During the trip, a fierce storm throws Fievel from the ship, and he loses contact with his family. Luckily, he manages to sail to New York in a bottle. There, he meets new friends who help him search for his loved ones. Rated G. Tickets are $12, $5 children 12 and under. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

By Heidi Sutton

You know its officially Spring when Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail, Mrs. Rabbit and the McGregors arrive at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson for The Adventures of Peter Rabbit. The  adorable show opened last week for spring break and runs through April 29.

Written by Jeffrey Sanzel and the late Brent Erlanson, the original musical is loosely based on one of the best-selling books of all time, The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, and features all of the beloved characters in the story.

The audience is whisked away to the countryside home of Mrs. Rabbit and her four bunnies who live next to Mr. and Mrs. McGregor who spend the day tending to their pride and joy — their garden. 

While Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail listen to their mother by staying inside and doing their chores, Peter Rabbit and his cousin Benjamin Bunny sneak out to steal from their neighbor’s garden again and again to satisfy their insatiable appetite for lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley and string beans. The constant marauding finally wears the farmer’s patience thin and he plots his revenge.

Directed by Steven Uihlein, the cast of 8 is excellent and exemplifies the magic of live theater. Sean Amato and Steven Uihlein take on the characters of Peter and Benjamin, two comedic roles that provide quite a workout as they run through the theater to escape the “mean as a bear” farmer.

Samantha Fierro, Danielle Pafundi and Courtney Gilmore as Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail spend most of their time looking for their wayward brother so he won’t get in trouble by their patient mother (Elizabeth Ladd) and often ask the audience if they have seen him. (“He’s right behind you!”)

Peter and Benjamin seem to be especially naughty and persistent this year and audiences will sympathize with the McGregors, wonderfully played by Liam Marsigliano and Alanna Rose Henriquez. 

With choreography by Sari Feldman, the musical numbers, accompanied on piano by Douglas Quattrock, are terrific, with special mention to “One More Time Around,”  “Run, Peter, Run!” and the hip hop number, “Peter’s Socks.” The final number incorporates all of the songs in a super mega-mix extravaganza.

In a brilliant move, the show takes advantage of the three sets of doors from the current mainstage production, Pride @ Prejudice, which, when opened, always reveals a surprise. Costumes by Jason Allyn are absolutely charming and wait until you see the lighting and special effects!

Souvenir bunnies in various colors will be sold before the show and during intermission and the entire cast will be in the lobby after the show for a meet-and-greet and photos.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St. Port Jefferson presents The Adventures of Peter Rabbit through April 29 with a special sensory sensitive performance on April 16 at 11 a.m. Children’s theater continues with Cinderella from May 27 to June 1, and Goldilocks & the Showbiz Bears from July 7 to 29. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

The event will feature a petting zoo. Photo from WMHO

Do you have a case of spring fever? April is blooming with lots of outside events on the North Shore including The Ward Melville Heritage Organization and Stony Brook Village’s free Spring Appreciation Day which returns on Sunday, April 16 to Stony Brook Village with live music, a car show, a petting zoo and scavenger hunts with prizes from noon to 3 p.m. 

Rocking Horse Farms will be set up in front of the Rustic Loft with a variety of animals for children to pet. The Mustang and Shelby Club of Long Island car show will take place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Post Office with classic Mustangs and the latest Pony cars that Ford has to offer. Automobiles from 1964 to 2022 will be on display, including some special edition Mustangs like the classic Shelby GT500, GT350 and the iconic Boss 302. 

Brenda and Burke will be performing original and cover songs in the genres of R&B, Roots, Blues and Contemporary Acoustic on the steps of the Stony Brook Post Office and The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO)’s Youth Corps will be offering scavenger hunts around Stony Brook Village. Each person to return a completed scavenger hunt will be entered into a raffle to win Discovery Wetlands Cruise tickets. 

Lastly, the Stony Brook Grist Mill (c. 1751) 100 Harbor Road, Stony Brook will be open for tours ($4 for adults, $2 for children, cash only) of the inner mechanical workings and history of the building and shopping in the Country Store from 1 to 4 p.m.

Spring Appreciation Day is sponsored by Goldfish Swim School and Suffolk Speech. For more information, call 631-751-2244.

The Port Jefferson community marked yet another successful Easter Parade this year, with hundreds turning out for the festivities.

Hosted by the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, the parade route started at Theatre Three, working down Main and finishing at Harborfront Park. Once there, a wild frenzy ensued, with children and parents rushing to the park to collect the hidden eggs.

Fun and merriment went all around, the community and chamber capping off another memorable annual Easter tradition.

— Photos by Greg Catalano



Flip Circus heads to the Smith Haven Mall on April 14
Featuring new acts in an intimate big top experience

The circus is coming to town! As part of its 2023 national tour, FL!P Circus will put down stakes at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove from April 14 to 24. The show will celebrate the great American circus tradition and highlight the enduring human spirit. 

Created by the Vazquez family, the big top experience that wowed audiences across the country when it debuted last year will feature fan favorites alongside an assemblage of brand new international acts that are sure to amaze and amuse. 

Clowns, acrobats, jugglers, aerialists and daredevils with the Fl!p Circus are coming to Lake Grove to display their talents. Photo by Eduardo Hernandez/Fl!p Circus

On its debut tour, audiences and critics alike raved about this intimate new circus brand and its energetic show which takes place under a distinctive red and white, 800-seat, climate-controlled big top tent with no seat more than 50 feet from the ring. The front row is so close that those sitting there often find themselves being brought into the ring to be part of the fun!

There is nothing quite like live entertainment and Fl!p Circus celebrates the great American circus tradition that has brought families and friends together to celebrate life and create fun, lasting memories for over 200 years. Audiences are invited to leave their cares behind and enter a world where the laughs are plentiful and the wows only stop when the show ends. 

Ringmaster Arthur Figueroa serves as host of this new circus adventure which will feature audience favorites Stiv and Roni Bello, Italy’s “siblings of silliness”; a trapeze act by Carolina Vazquez; and the Duo Vanegas on the rotating Wheel of Steel. 

Italy’s “siblings of silliness” – Stiv and Roni Bello

The show will also introduce The Bello Sisters, who amazed audiences on America’s Got Talent with their incredible body-bending and handstand skills; the Super Tumblers acrobatic act; the Bingo Troupe featuring a high-energy display of dance, acrobatics and unicycle, and more. The entire production will move to the beat of the live FL!P Circus Band which provides the soundtrack to all the fun. 

Show times are 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and  1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets start at $25 for children and $40 adults with senior/military/handicap discounts available. For tickets and additional information, visit www.FlipCircus.com. Tickets will also be available in person at the box office during each engagement. For more information, call 877-829-7839.

The Lion King. 1994. Walt Disney Pictures. Courtesy of Disney Entertainment & The Walt Disney Company.

A hit since its reopening in 2022, the Cinema Arts Centre’s Cinema for Kids series has continued to draw crowds for its weekly screenings of beloved family films. These affordable showings have been a hit, with recent screenings of family classics such as The GooniesTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesThe NeverEnding Story, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory drawing crowds exceeding 100 people.

This Spring, Cinema for Kids will feature screenings of treasured classics such as The Princess Bride, Steven Spielberg’s E.T.The Muppets Take ManhattanLilo & Stitch, Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, and The Mighty Ducks. The Cinema will also screen Disney’s The Lion King for Father’s Day, and Disney’s Brave for Mother’s Day.

With its Cinema for Kids series, the Cinema Arts Centre hopes to expose a new generation of movie-goers to some of the great animated and family films that were beloved by previous generations and to provide parents with the opportunity to see some of their favorite films back in theaters with their kids. Attendees are encouraged to share suggestions of films they want to see screened.

Upcoming Screenings:

The Prince of Egypt (1998)

Sunday, April 9th at 12PM

An American Tail (1986)

Sunday, April 16th at 12PM

Shrek (2001)

Sunday, April 23rd at 12PM

The Princess Bride (1987)

Sunday, April 30th at 12PM

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Sunday, May 7th at 12PM

Brave (2012)

Mother’s Day Screening!

Sunday, May 14th at 12PM

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Sunday, May 21st at 12PM

The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)

Sunday, May 28th at 12PM

The Dark Crystal (1982)

Sunday, June 4th at 12PM

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Sunday, June 11th at 12PM

The Lion King (1994)

Sunday, June 18th at 12PM

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

Sunday, June 25th at 12PM

Location:

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave, Huntington, NY 11743

Fees:

$12 Public | $7 Cinema Arts Centre Members | $5 for Kids 12 and Under

The Cinema Arts Centre is located at 423 Park Avenue in Huntington. To purchase tickets, visit  www.cinemaartscentre.org