ELIJA (Empowering Long Island’s Journey through Autism) officially opened its marketplace at ELIJA Farm, paving the way to employment and a pathway to adulthood for individuals with autism.
The marketplace will be staffed by individuals with autism, that ELIJA hires from funds raised during its Pave the Way to Employment campaign, which will continue through Mother’s Day. This exciting new venture will increase and enrich vocational training beyond current farming operations. Employees will learn how to prepare and store food, develop customer service and learn other skills that will get them ready for future work opportunities and assist them with living independently.
ELIJA Founder and CEO Deb Thivierge led the ribbon cutting, and was joined by ELIJA Board President Joann Scanlon, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr., New York State Senator Mario Mattera and Assemblyman Steve Stern, Suffolk County Legislators Steve Flotteron, Rebecca Sanin and Tom Donnelly, Huntington Town Clerk Andrew Raia, Highway Superintendent Andre Sorrentino, Huntington Deputy Town Supervisor John McCarron, and Kelly Smith on behalf of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce. Also in attendance were representatives from the offices of District Attorney Ray Tierney, Congressmen Nick LaLota and Andrew Garbarino, and Huntington Councilwoman Theresa Mari.
A press conference to recognize and celebrate April as Autism Acceptance, Awareness and Action month, immediately followed, with remarks delivered from Thivierge and her son Jason, a 25-year old with autism that inspired ELIJA, County Executive Romaine, Sheriff Toulon and Legislator Donnelly.
In addition to creating meaningful employment opportunities, ELIJA prides itself on supporting individuals with autism throughout their lifespan and educating persons responsible for their care.
The ELIJA Foundation and ELIJA’s Transitional Programs and Services (TPS) will be hosting an inaugural conference on pathways to independence for individuals with autism, at Hofstra University on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 8:00am to 5:00pm. A network of experts will connect families for housing and employment initiatives, and talk about a variety of topics, including but not limited to transition processes, self-direction, housing, special needs trusts, and guardianship.
If you are an advocate, educator, agency, school professional, family member or other individual, navigating the pathway from school services to adulthood, then this conference is for you!
“We are chipping away at the estimated 80% unemployment rate amongst individuals with autism, one person at a time,” said Debora Thivierge, Founder and CEO of ELIJA. “We all play a vital role throughout their lifespan, helping them to develop skills and preparing them for adulthood, so they can live independently.”
ELIJA Farm is located at 43 Foxhurst Road in South Huntington. For more information, call (631) 423-2379 or visit www.elijafarm.org.
ASCE Metropolitan Student Symposium at SBU. Photo by Rigoberto Burgueno
Stony Brook University’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) hosted its 2024 ASCE Metropolitan Student Symposium from April 12 to 14.
Attendees from New Jersey and New York included approximately 270 students from 13 universities who convened over a weekend of design events. In addition to a myriad of design competitions, the symposium also hosted several pop-up workshops facilitated by ASCE professional members and a networking event with donors.
The Stony Brook University ASCE Chapter competed in five competitions: taking first place in the Land Surveying competition; second place in the Construction Institute competition; and third place in the Steel Bridge competition. In addition, the Stony Brook University ASCE chapter took home an honorable mention for the New York State Council 2023 ASCE Student Chapter Award.
Read more and see a photo gallery from the symposium at the Stony Brook University Department of Civil Engineering website.
Don’t let Mother’s Day pass by as just another day on the calendar. Make this year’s celebration a true ode to the moms in your life with some extra special touches.
Give her flowers
Flowers are a timeless Mother’s Day gift for a reason. They provide pops of color on dining room tables, kitchen counters, end tables or even nightstands. Consider mom’s favorite spot in the house and place them within eyeshot for a frequent reminder of how much she’s appreciated.
Create a personalized card
Add a special final touch to an already memorable morning with a thoughtful card and handwritten message. Get the kids involved and create a card from scratch with construction paper, colored pencils, markers and more for a homemade gift she’ll cherish. If you didn’t fall from the artistic tree, don’t fret — a store bought card means all the same when paired with a heartfelt message that conveys your love.
Give her the day off
Whether she’s the culinary expert of the home or cooking is usually a team effort, make sure her morning is one of rest and relaxation while you handle kitchen duties from prep to cleanup. There may be no better way to start Mother’s Day than serving Mom some breakfast in bed. A homemade meal before Mom even gets out of bed can set the right tone for a day that celebrates all mothers have done and continue to do for their children.
If Mom loves a traditional hearty morning meal, this recipe for “Mixed Berry French Toast” courtesy of Taste of Home is sure to please.
Whisk together the first 6 ingredients. Place bread cubes in a 13 x 9-inch or 3-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour egg mixture over top. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Remove berries from freezer and French toast from refrigerator and let stand while oven heats. Bake French toast, covered, 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, cut butter into brown sugar until crumbly. Top French toast with berries; sprinkle with brown sugar mixture. Bake, uncovered, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. If desired, dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve with syrup.
National Grid is joining Island Harvest Food Bank, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), and the United States Postal Service (USPS) as the presenting sponsor of the annual Stamp Out Hunger® food drive, the nation’s largest single-day food collection campaign.
The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is on Saturday, May 11 and all Long Island residents are encouraged to leave non-perishable food donations by their mailbox for their letter carrier to collect. All food collected in Nassau and Suffolk counties will benefit Island Harvest by providing supplemental food support to more than 300,000 Long Islanders who face hunger and food insecurity, including nearly one-third of those who are children.
“Contributing to Stamp Out Hunger is simple,” says Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest. Just leave nonperishable food items in a bag next to your mailbox before the regularly scheduled mail delivery on Saturday, May 11. Then, your USPS letter carrier will do the rest to help ensure that it gets onto the tables of our Long Island neighbors in need.”
“As an Island Harvest Board member, ending hunger on Long Island is not just a goal, it’s a mission we’re committed to achieving,” said Ross Turrini, COO, New York Gas, National Grid and Island Harvest Board Member. “National Grid is proud to be the presenting sponsor of Stamp Out Hunger and a steadfast supporter for over two decades. We are continuing that commitment next week; we will have 50 volunteers sorting food to be distributed to the community. Together we can make a difference.”
Nonperishable food items needed include canned goods, cereal, pasta, rice, boxed juices, and shelf-stable milk (please, no food or juices in glass containers). In addition, personal care items such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and disposable diapers are gratefully accepted. All donations collected will help replenish Island Harvest’s network of food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs in communities throughout Long Island.
“Even if it’s a can of soup or a box of cereal, every donation, no matter the size, will help countless Long Islanders who may be struggling to put food on their tables,” explains Ms. Shubin Dresner, who noted that the food bank distributed 16 million pounds of food in 2023, a 64% increase over 2019 (pre-pandemic levels). “We are counting on the generosity of our neighbors who can spare a little extra to help make this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive one of the most successful.”
Since its inception in 1993, Stamp Out Hunger has collected more than 1.75 billion pounds of food in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to help address the issue of hunger in America.
“The National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 6000 and the United States Postal Service are excited to once again partner with Island Harvest for this year’s Stamp Out Hunger food collection,” said Tom Siesto, Executive Vice President, NALC Branch 6000. “The members of Branch 6000 and the employees of the United States Postal Service often see firsthand the widespread issue of food insecurity on Long Island and are thrilled to take part in this very important campaign and give back to the local communities that they serve.”
“Our letter carriers stand ready to Stamp Out Hunger on Long Island. We are thrilled to be working with Island Harvest Food Bank and National Association of Letter Carriers to join the mission and ensure every resident has access to a meal,” said the Postal Service’s District Manager John Tortorice.
This year’s Stamp Out Hunger collection campaign on Long Island is generously supported by presenting sponsor National Grid, lead sponsor JPMorgan Chase & Co., and major sponsors Allstate, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Dime Community Bank, Empire Automotive Group, Nonna’s Garden, Rheem ProPartner, and Stop & Shop, and supporting partners College Hunks Moving, College Hunks Hauling Junk, Amazon, and Steel Equities. All donations to Stamp Out Hunger are tax-deductible because all the food collected benefits Island Harvest, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Gabrielle Pouchelon with technician Sam Liebman.
Photo by Constance Brukin/CSHL
By Daniel Dunaief
Gabrielle Pouchelon doesn’t need to answer the age-old debate about heredity vs. environment. When it comes to the development of the brain, she’s studying the response both to sensory cues and genetics.
Gabrielle Pouchelon. Photo courtesy of CSHL
An Assistant Professor who joined Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in March of 2022, Pouchelon studies the interplay between sensory and neuromodulatory inputs and genetic programs in circuit maturation. She also studies other neuromodulatory inputs, usually associated with states of adulthood, which could control development.
A combination of genetics and environment shapes the way neurons connect in a healthy brain. In people who develop non-neurotypical behaviors, through autism, schizophrenia or other conditions, the development of neurological connections and architecture is likely different.
Researchers have associated genes of susceptibility with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Scientists believe environmental cues provide the brain with activity that interact with these genetic components.
“We are trying to understand whether we can [intervene] earlier that can have different outcomes at later times,” said Pouchelon. “We are studying ways to intervene with these transient processes and examine whether dysfunctions associated with the disorders are improved.”
During critical periods of development, the brain has a high level of plasticity, where various inputs can alter neurons and their connections. This not only involves building connections, but sometimes breaking them down and rebuilding other ones. As people age, that plasticity decreases, which is why children learn faster than adults in areas such as the acquisition and development of language skills.
While the timing of critical periods is less well-defined in humans and language is a complex function, the ability to learn new languages at a young age reflects the high plasticity of the brain.
Scientists are studying language processes, which are specific to humans, with functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Pouchelon, who isn’t studying language skills, hopes that understanding the architecture of developing brains and how they respond to sensory and neuromodulatory cues could shed light on the studies performed in humans. Since behavioral therapy and pharmaceutical treatments can help children with autism, she believes understanding how external cues affect genetic elements could uncover drug targets to alleviate symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders at an early age.
Neurons & the environment
From left, technician Sam Liebman, Gabrielle Pouchelon and postdoctoral researcher Dimitri Dumontier. Photo courtesy of Gabrielle Pouchelon
In her lab, which currently includes three researchers but she expects to double within a month, Pouchelon uses sophisticated tools to target not only the effect of the environment, but also to look at the specific neurons that transmit information.
She is trying to “understand at a very precise level what a sensory input means and what are the neurons that integrate that sensory input.”
Sam Liebman, who became a technician in Pouchelon’s lab two years ago after graduating from the University of Vermont, appreciates the work they’re doing and her mentorship.
The lab is “unique and special” because he has that “close relationship” in what is now a smaller lab with Pouchelon, Liebman said.
Growing up in Huntington, Liebman, who hopes to go to graduate school in the fall of 2025, came to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory for field trips in middle school and high school.
“I idolized this place and this campus,” said Liebman.
Pouchelon has asked for Liebman’s opinion on potential candidates to join the lab, even summer interns.
Fragile X Syndrome
Most of the work Pouchelon conducts is done on animal models. She is mainly studying animals with a mutation linked to Fragile X Syndrome.
In Fragile X Syndrome, which can affect boys and girls, children can have developmental delays, learning disabilities and social and behavioral problems. Boys, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, typically have some degree of intellectual disability, while girls can have normal intelligence or some degree of intellectual disability.
Other models for autism exist, such as genetic mutations in the gene Shank3. “We are trying to utilize these models to apply what we understand of development in brains that are healthy and compare them” to the mutated models, Pouchelon explained.
While clinical trials are exploring receptors as drug targets for Fragile X Syndrome, she hopes to find new ones that are selective in early stages of the disease to modify their use depending on the stages of development.
An annoying nerd
Born and raised in Paris, France to a family that showed considerably more artistic talent than she, Pouchelon struggled with games she and her sisters played when they listened to music on the radio and they had to guess the composer.
“I was the one always losing,” said Pouchelon. Her family, including her two older sisters who currently live in France, knew “way more about art and history than I did. I was the nerd scientist.”
When she was young, she was curious and asked a lot of “annoying questions” because she was interested in the “mystery of everything.” In high school, she became interested in the brain.
Pouchelon, who isn’t actively searching for French food but finds the baguettes at the Duck Island Bakery exceptional, lives on the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory campus with her husband Djeckby “DJ” Joseph, a naturalized American citizen originally from Haiti who works in law enforcement at the VA Hospital in Manhattan, and their two-year old son Theo.
Eager to ensure her son benefits from a multicultural identity, Pouchelon speaks to Theo in French. He also attends on campus day care, where he learns English.
As for the decision to come to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Pouchelon, who conducted her PhD research at the University of Geneva in Switzerland and completed her postdoctoral research at New York University and at Harvard Medical School, is thrilled to discuss her work with the talented and collegial staff at the lab.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, which is known internationally for meetings and courses, is an “exciting place” where scientists conduct cutting edge research.
A previous Board Walk Your Way to Wellness event at Sunken Meadow State Park. Photo from Facebook
Health professionals from St. Catherine of Siena Hospital will be available at Sunken Meadow State Park’s boardwalk in Kings Park on Tuesdays, May 14, 21 and 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. to discuss heart health, healthy eating, weight management, breast health, stroke prevention, skin cancer and Lyme disease prevention tips. Free blood pressure screenings and free giveaways. To learn more, call 631-870-3444.
A scene from 'Unfrosted'. Photo courtesy of Netflix
Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel
Oh, for the comedic integrity of Sid and Marty Krofft’s 1971 Lidsville. The creators of H.R. Pufnstuf, The Bugaloos, and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters offered a world populated by talking hats. Compared with Netflix’s Unfrosted, the anthropomorphized Saturday morning toppers were comic gold along the lines of Chaplin, Keaton, and Larry David.
Unfrosted tells the fictional tale of the creation of the Pop-Tart. The premise hinges on the 1963 toaster pastry battle between Kellogg and Post, in Battle Creek, Michigan. Jerry Seinfeld directed, co-wrote, co-produced, and stars as Bob Cabana, a Kellogg executive. So, guess who is responsible for this overbaked, leaden soufflé?
The film attempts to be “ZANY!!!” (Yes: all caps, bold, italics, underlined, and three exclamation marks. Perhaps “zzz-any” would have been a better summation.) Rarely has so much energy and celebrity power been squandered on forced, unfunny material as artificial as Pop-Tarts themselves. Strawberry Pop-Tarts contain less than two percent dried strawberries. Unfrosted contains less than two percent real comedy. (Maybe the film needed an injection of soybean and palm oil with tBHQ for freshness.)
The film’s humor is low-hanging fruit (there are those dried strawberries again). Unfrosted spoofs corporate espionage, the moon landing, awards shows (the Bowl and Spoon Awards), genetic engineering (a ravioli stuffed with Sea Monkeys escapes the lab), the Cuban Missile Crisis, and a dangerous milk syndicate. A benign throughline about disgruntled product mascots, led by Frosted Flakes’ Tony the Tiger, becomes a tasteless and horrifying send-up of January 6.
With witty dialogue including “What are you, some kind of ding dong?” and “Uh-Oh! Spaghetti O’s!” along with punchlines relying on dumpster diving, former Nazi scientists, and high fructose corn syrup, how could they go right? (And just when you think it is over, there is a full-cast song with bloopers and outtakes.)
Seinfeld recruited and sadly misused a first-rate roster. Melissa McCarthy is Donna Stankowski, Cabana’s former cohort who went to NASA. Here, she turns in her standard comedy-for-paycheck performance. Jim Gaffigan blusters as Edsel Kellogg III, playing opposite Amy Schumer’s uncomfortable Marjorie Post. Hugh Grant appears as a version of Hugh Grant as Thurl Ravenscroft, the Shakespearean actor who is the rebellious Tony the Tiger.
For no apparent reason, the research team is composed of Jack LaLanne (James Marsden), Steve Schwinn (Jack McBrayer), Harold von Brauhnut (Thomas Lennon), Chef Boyardee (Bobby Moynihan), and Tom Carvel (Adrian Martinez). Cumulatively, they do not manage more than one-and-a-half dimensions and two-and-a-half laughs.
Most of the starry company feature in a handful of brief scenes. Christian Slater as a smilingly sinister milkman. Bill Burr’s sexed-up John F. Kennedy (with the gratuitous Marilyn Monroe references) is matched by Dean Norris’s Nikita Krushchev, a mumbling version of Bullwinkle and Rocky’s arch-enemy, Boris Badenov. Peter Dinklage is amusing as Harry Friendly, leader of the milk syndicate, and John Slattery and Jon Hamm’s Mad Men ad men are a welcome surprise (until they start pitching, and then it’s back to business as usual). Kyle Dunnigan’s Walter Cronkite presents a decent impersonation, but jokes about Cronkite’s bad marriage (huh?) fall flat. Dozens more fill out the cast in supporting roles and cameos. One hopes everyone was well paid or at least given a good lunch.
Visually, Unfrosted appears in a Barbie style that seems like a brighter version of Asteroid City or Don’t Worry, Darling—that late 1950s/early 1960s hyper vibrance. Cinematographer William Pope, editor Evan Henke, production designer Clayton Hartley, and costume designer Susan Matheson provide what little style the film achieves.
On April 29, Netflix released a promo explaining that Unfrosted referenced two hundred and twenty-one trademarked breakfast cereals without permission or legal clearance. The promo runs two minutes and thirteen seconds. The film lasts ninety-six minutes. Do yourself a favor: Skip both.
Accepting the award, from left Nina Sangimino Curator at the LIM; Kristin Cuomo, Educator at the LIM; Joshua Ruff, Co-Executive Director at the LIM; and Kelynn Alder, guest curator of the exhibition 'SOMOS/WE ARE: Latinx Artists of Long Island.' Photo courtesy of LIM
The Long Island Museum (LIM), a Smithsonian Affiliate, has announced that it has been awarded the prestigious Engaging Communities Award of Distinction for its groundbreaking exhibition SOMOS/WE ARE: Latinx Artists of Long Island.
Photo courtesy of LIM
The LIM was part of a group of selected museums, museum professionals, industry partners, and legislative leaders that were recognized for their exceptional achievements at MANY’s 2024 annual conference “Giving Voice to Value” in Albany on April 8. The fifteen awards celebrated unique leadership, dedicated community service, transformational visitor experiences, community engagement, and innovative programs that use collections and resources to support museums and to tell stories of everyone who calls New York home.
The Engaging Communities Award of Distinction recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional and resourceful methods in engaging their communities and cultivating new audiences. The LIM’s exhibition, SOMOS/WE ARE, stood out for its immersive approach in showcasing the rich cultural heritage and artistic contributions of the Latinx community on Long Island.
“This was such an important and institution-changing exhibition for us,” says Co-Executive Director, Joshua Ruff. “It helped us collaborate and connect with community partners such as the Latino Arts Council of Long Island. We were able to make some significant new accessions for our art collection from some of the artists involved. And this project confirmed that LIM is a museum dedicated to the history and culture of all people across our region, including the more than 20% of Nassau-Suffolk’s total population that has Hispanic heritage.”
Photo from LIM
On view during the fall of 2023, SOMOS/WE ARE was guest-curated by Mexican-American artist Kelynn Alder and curator Nina Sangimino of the LIM. This collaborative exhibition with associated programming focused on the rich cultural heritage and artistic contributions of the Latinx community on Long Island, featured 82 regional artists and explored their diverse styles, media, personal stories, and familial national origins.
In addition to bilingual exhibition text, the museum’s education staff published a bilingual Family Gallery Guide and offered Spanish language tours, including one for the Long Island Latino Teachers Association which contributed to an increase in school tours from school districts on Long Island with a high percentage of Latinx students, including Hempstead, Springs, Copiague, Tuckahoe, North Babylon, and Brentwood.
The museum also hosted a ¡ESTAMOS! symposium that featured an artist discussion and performances as well as a free Family Fun Day in October which set a record 600 person attendance for Día de los Muertos, many of whom were first-time visitors.
The LIM’s SOMOS/WE ARE: Latinx Artists of Long Island exhibition exemplifies the power of museums to connect, inspire, and celebrate diverse voices and communities. For more information, visit www.longislandmuseum.org.
For the second year in a row, the No. 14 Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team has won the CAA Championship after defeating the No. 2 seed Drexel, 9-6 on May 4. With the win, the Seawolves earn their 11th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, a streak that dates back to the 2013 season and they extended their season-long winning streak to 12 games in a row.
Stony Brook captured its 10th conference championship title in program history (two CAA, eight America East) and won its ninth at home inside Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.
The Seawolves were fueled by a standout defensive effort en route to victory as they limited the Dragons to just six goals, 15 shots, and eight shots on goal. In addition, the Stony Brook defense forced 18 turnovers and held Drexel’s top scorer Corinne Bednarik to just one goal and a season-high seven turnovers.
After trailing 2-0 midway through the second quarter, Stony Brook senior defender Clare Levy charged towards goal with a full head of steam and found the back of the net for the Seawolves’ first goal of the game. The Stony Brook crowd erupted when Levy scored, and it gave the Seawolves the momentum that it needed to close out the first half.
Drexel took a narrow 3-2 lead into the halftime break after the teams traded goals to close out the second quarter. Stony Brook took control of the game in the second half and used a 6-0 run to take the lead and never looked back.
The run was fueled by five different goal scorers as Ellie Masera (scored twice), graduate attack Kailyn Hart, graduate midfielder Charlotte Verhulst, graduate midfielder Erin MacQuarrie, and graduate attack Morgan Mitchell all tallied goals over the run.
Masera led all players with a game-high three goals to pace the scoring for the Seawolves. Hart registered a pair of goals for her 15th multi-goal performance of the season and 11th in a row. The aforementioned Levy, Verhulst, Mitchell and MacQuarrie all tallied one goal apiece.
Verhulst helped the Seawolves win the battle for the draws as she recorded a season-high seven draw controls, which allowed Stony Brook to out-draw Drexel, 12-5. Masera added a pair of draw controls and set the Seawolves’ single-season record for most draw controls with 136. The senior moved past Kerri McCarthy, who previously held the record with 135 draw controls in 2018.
Defensively, Hines continued her dominance as she caused five more turnovers and she too set a Stony Brook single-season record. With her 60 caused turnovers, Hines moves past Brook Gubitosi (55 in 2017) for the most caused turnovers in a single season in program history.
Four Seawolves earned All-Championship Team honors for their standout play in the tournament. Masera, Verhulst, Hart, and Levy were named members of the All-Championship Team, with Masera taking home the Most Outstanding Performer honor.
Head coach Joe Spallina is now 21-1 in conference tournament games as Stony Brook head coach and the Seawolves have won 20 consecutive conference tournament games under him.
“What a crazy game, right? I’m really happy for our players,” said Coach Spallina postgame. “Drexel came in and played a hard game. … I’m proud of how our players responded. Defensively I thought we were phenomenal the entire game, and I thought we played really good offense. For the seniors to go out with a win at LaValle Stadium, that’s apropos,” he said.
Up next, the team is set to take on MAAC Champion Niagara in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament in Syracuse on May 10, at 2 p.m., as announced during the Selection Show on May 5. The winner of the first round matchup will face No. 3 seeded Syracuse on May 12.
TALE AS OLD AS TIME
Catch a screening of 'Beauty and the Beast' at the Cinema Arts Centre on May 12.
PROGRAMS
Books in the Barn
In partnership with the Smithtown Library, the Smithtown Historical Society will hold aspecial Storytime event for children ages 3 to 5 years old with a parent/caregiver at the Franklin Arthur Barn, 245 E. Main St., Smithtown on May 10 and May 24 from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Come listen to stories about farms animals and then visit the chickens, bunnies, sheep, ponies, and barn cats. Free. Registration required by calling 631-360-2480, ext. 196.
Safety Town in Holtsville will host a Bicycle Rodeo on May 11.
Bicycle Rodeo
On May 11 the Brookhaven Highway Department will host a Bicycle Rodeo at Safety Town, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville from 8 a.m. to noon. Children will learn how to safely ride their bikes in a mock-roadway, kid-sized setting. Participants are required to bring their own helmets and bicycles; both will be inspected for safety. Free but by appointment only; call 631-451-5335 to reserve your spot.
Mother’s Day Craft
Pizza and crafting — the perfect combo to celebrate Mom! Join Celebrate St. James Kids Community at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James on May 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to indulge in tasty pizza and get crafty with special Mother’s Day craft to take home. $15 per person, $10 each additional child. Register at www.celebratestjames.org.
Crafternoon at the Library
Join Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket for a Crafternoon on May 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. Create a work of art out of recycled materials. For families with children ages 3 to 12 years old. Supervision may be needed for younger children. Open to all. Questions? Call 631-941-4080 or email [email protected]
Baby Animal Day
Join the Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank for Baby Animal Day on May 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your family and friends to enjoy a day on the farm with baby animals, wagon rides, food trucks, games, touch-a-truck, and more! $15 per person ages 3 and up in advance, $20 per person at the gate. Held rain or shine. For tickets, visit www.eventcreate.com/e/bad24. For more information, call 631-852-4600 or visit www.ccesuffolk.org
Grow and Taste Garden
Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, E. Setauket hosts a children’s workshop for ages 3 to 9, Grow and Taste Garden, on May 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. It’s spring! Time to get your hands dirty and plant some seeds. Children will plant an edible vegetable and flower garden to take home. Pick from the farm’s spring garden and taste what your seeds will grow to be. Followed by a craft and tour of the farm. $40 per child. To register, call 631-689-8172 or visit www.bennersfarm.com.
Touch-a-Truck
Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach hosts a Touch-A-Truck event for families on May 11 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Children can explore various vehicles, sit in the driver’s seat and discover the world of trucks. This unique event will feature large trucks and heavy equipment from law enforcement, fire department, commercial companies, industrial companies and more. Open to all. 631-585-9393
Welcome Back Osprey
Sunken Meadow State Park (Lot 3), Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a family program, Welcome Back Osprey, on May 12 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The Ospreys are back at the park! Go out and find these — and other amazing birds of prey — as they return for the warm summer months. $4 per person. To register, visit www.eventbrite.com.
Story & Craft with Nana Carol
The Next Chapter bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington hosts a Story and Craft event with Nana Carol on May 13 at 10:30 a.m. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008
Safety Town in Holtsville will hold a Teen Driver Safety Program on May 16.
Teen Driver Safety Program
The Brookhaven Highway Department will offer a Teen Driver Safety Program at Safety Town, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville on May 16 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Teenagers 15 and older and their parents are invited to participate in an interactive experience exhibiting the dangers of texting or drinking and driving. Certified instructors with many years of defensive driving and accident investigation experience will talk with participants about the importance of developing safe habits when traveling the roadways. Teens will then use electric cars to complete obstacle courses designed to simulate driving while texting and impaired. Free but by appointment only; call 631-451-5335 to reserve your spot.
Art in the Barn
Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station presents Art in the Barn, storytime and hands-on art projects for pre-schoolers on May 18, 25 and June 1 at 11 a.m. $15 per child, $13 members. To register, visit waltwhitman.org/events.
THEATER
‘Alice in Wonderland’
John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport present’s Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland from March 23 to May 12. Alice takes a tumble down an enchanted rabbit hole to an off-kilter world of mock turtles, dancing flora, punctual rabbits, and mad tea parties. Will Alice be able to find her footing in this bizarre place? More importantly, will she ever figure out how to get home?All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘Willy Wonka’
Community Playhouse of Northport presents Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka at The Brosnan Theater, 158 Laurel Ave., Northport on May 10 at 7:30 p.m. and May 12 at 3 p.m. Character meet and greets will be from 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. at Sunday performance. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 students and seniors. To order, visit www.communityplayhousenorthport.org. 631-683-8444
‘Seussical the Musical’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its children’s theater with Seussical the Musical from May 18 to June 30. “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. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of doubters while guarding an abandoned egg, left to his care. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, imagination, loyalty, and community are challenged and emerge victorious. Tickets are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘The Mystery of the Missing Ever After’
“Where in the world is our happy ending?” Stories collide and mysteries abound as three great princesses come together to solve The Mystery of the Missing Ever After at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from May 25 to June 15. A slipper, a spinning wheel, and a red, red rose are all clues in this hilarious new musical! All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
FILM
‘Beauty and the Beast’
Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of Beauty and the Beast on May 12 at noon. Disney’s beloved modern classic follows spirited, headstrong village girl Belle, who enters the castle of a prince who has fallen under the spell of a wicked enchantress — who has turned him into the hideous Beast until he learns to love and be loved in return. With the help of his enchanted servants, including the matronly Mrs. Potts, Belle begins to draw the cold-hearted Beast out of his isolation.Tickets are $13 adults, $5 children 12 and under. www.cinemaartscentre.org.
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