Strawberry season marks the beginning of so many wonderful things on Long Island — longer days, warmer weather, the promise of summer … and Father’s Day. Bright red throughout and still warm from the sun, freshly picked strawberries are flavorful and sweet. If some strawberries make it home after picking them out east, try making one of these delicious pies for that special man in your life.
Fresh Strawberry Pie
Recipe adapted from Pillsbury
YIELD: Makes one pie
INGREDIENTS:
1 pie crust
6 cups whole fresh strawberries
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup water
sliced strawberries
1 cup sweetened whipped cream
DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350 F. Press pie crust into 9-inch glass pie pan. Bake 9-11 minutes, or until lightly browned. Completely cool pie crust, approximately 30 minutes. In blender, crush strawberries to make 1 cup.
In saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Add crushed strawberries and water. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Cool to room temperature. Arrange sliced strawberries in cooled crust. Pour cooked strawberry mixture evenly over strawberries. Refrigerate for 3 hours. Top with whipped cream before serving.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
YIELD: Makes one pie
INGREDIENTS:
1 pie crust, parbaked and cooled
1/4 cup heavy cream
8 ounces whipped cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup water
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 pound strawberries, hulled and halved or quartered if large
2 tablespoons sugar
DIRECTIONS:
Filling: In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the heavy cream for about 5 minutes until fluffy and soft peaks form. Add the cream cheese and powdered sugar and continue to beat until smooth and combined.
Strawberries: Whisk together the water and cornstarch. Heat a skillet to medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add the berries, sugar, and cornstarch mixture. Stir until the mixture bubbles and thickens, then turn the heat off. Let the berries cool slightly.
Scoop the cream cheese filling into the prepared pie crust. Use a spoon or spatula to scrape some of the filling up the sides of the crust, essentially lining the crust with the cream cheese mixture. Fill the crust/cream cheese mixture with the still-warm strawberries, mounding them up in the center of the pie.
Chill the strawberry cream cheese pie for at least 2 hours, preferably 4 hours or more. To serve, slice the pie straight from the fridge and enjoy cold or at room temperature.
A Froglog can save countless animals from drowning.
A Column Promoting a More Earth-friendly Lifestyle
By John L. Turner
John Turner
Countless numbers of wild animals, from chipmunks and mice to raccoons and skunks drown in in-ground pools every year unable to climb out of the water along the pool edge. (Two chipmunks unfortunately drowned in my pool last year the first day I uncovered the pool and before I had placed several water exiting devices I had in the shed). Smaller reptiles and amphibians drown too.
There are products you can buy to minimize the chance of wildlife drowning in your pool. They are installed or placed on the edge of the pool and serve as a ramp to allow for animals to climb out. Two products come to mind: 1) Skamper-ramp, for larger animals such as mammals (and your pets!) and 2) Froglogs, effective for smaller animals. Even knotted nylon rope hanging into the water can help smaller mammals escape. Four to six Froglogs or rope are recommended for the average size pool (I placed eight of these to be extra safe).
With these devices in place you can have greater piece of mind knowing your pool is only a place for fun and relaxation!
A resident of Setauket, John Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.
Warm weather means outdoor events, picnics, beaches, and, of course, plenty of chilled beer and wine. Some of the most enjoyable wines to drink during warm weather are rosés, most of which are light-bodied and off-dry, often with a “spritz” of bubbles. Because of the lightness of body and mildness of taste, most rosé wines should be served lightly chilled, not cold.
Rosé wines are usually made by keeping the skins of the red grapes in contact with the juice for a few hours until the desired color is attained. Often, rosé wines are blends of two or more red grapes, which add additional flavor. Recently, I tasted an assortment of rosé wines from around the world that are great for entertaining this summer.
2021 Castello Monaci, “Kreos” Rosé, Negroamaro, Salento, Italy. Floral bouquet with flavors of raspberries, plums, citrus, and cherries. Dry, with hints of tangerine, orange peel, and mint. Pair it with a cold chicken salad containing cilantro.
2021 “Dove Hunt Dog,” Rosé, California: (Blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Gamay grapes) Light-bodied and fragrant with a bouquet of cherries and strawberries. Fruity with citrus and red apple overtones. Great label for dog lovers.
2021 “Scott Wild,” Rosé, California: (Blend of Grenache, Merlot, and Napa Gamay {Valdiguié} grapes) Subtle aromas of citrus and summer fruit with a full flavor of red currants, watermelon, and candied cherries.
2020 Mixtrack “L’Original” Rosé, Provence, France: (Blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes) Dry and medium-bodied; drinks like a red wine; fruity and pleasantly tart. Stands up to strong cheeses and grilled meats.
2018 Villa Franciacorta Bokè “Brut Rosé,” Italy: (100% Pinot Noir) Peach-colored; elegant and refined with a light bouquet of raspberries, citrus, and cranberry. Pair it with a dish of prosciutto and melon or burrata drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil.
NV Mirabella Franciacorta “Brut Rosé,” Italy: (Blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc grapes) Very lively in the mouth, with a fruity bouquet with a taste of wild berries, brioche, and red currants. Serve it with smoked salmon, sliced thin.
NV Weingut Wutzl “Frizzante” Brut Rosé, Gobelsburg, Kamptal, Austria: (100% Zweigelt grapes) Salmon-colored with a delightful bouquet of pink roses and peaches. Dry, light, and delicious, with hints of berries and citrus. Perfect for a bowl of chilled watermelon cubes.
2020 Lichtenberger-González, “Muschelkalk Rosé,” Burgenland, Austria: (Blend of Blaufränkisch, Pinot Noir, and Zweigelt grapes) Bright persimmon-colored with a light floral bouquet. Dry, with a flavor of citrus, cherry, cranberry, and yellow plums.
Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He consults and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR [email protected].
On my way to redeem some bottles, involving some brands of craft beer that were thoroughly enjoyable, I did a double take passing by what I thought was a small bit of wind-blown garbage, moved by a gentle breeze, along the curb in a supermarket parking lot. Something about its movement caught my eye though and upon a closer look this was no multi-colored piece of trash but rather was something alive, fluttering weakly against the curb. Bending down to take a closer look I suddenly realized I was staring, improbably, at amale Polyphemus Moth (I could tell it was a male by its quite feathery antennae).
I picked the moth up and moved it out of harm’s way, placing it under a nearby row of shrubs, realizing all I did was buy it a little more time free from a certain death by a car tire orpedestrian foot. Having no mouth with which it can feed (all of its energy is carried over from the caterpillar stage) a trait it shares with related species, its life as an adult is short-lived.
The Polyphemus Moth is one of more than a dozen species of Giant Silk Moths found on Long Island. This family contains some of the largest moths in the world and they range from attractive to beautiful to spectacular.
Take the Polyphemus Moth as an example. Tan colored with bands of peach on the forewings and black on the hind wings, the moth has four eye spots with the two on the hind wings being especially prominent. The center of the eyespots appears cellophane-like and is translucent. The central eyespot gives rise to the species name as it is reminiscent of the eye of the cyclops of Greek mythology with the same common name as the moth.
A Polyphemus Moth. Photo by Carl Safina
The eye spots also play a role in the family name — Saturnidae, as some eye spots have concentric rings like those of the planet Saturn. And as moths go this creature has a huge wingspan, being as much as five inches from the tip of one forewing to the other. Its caterpillars feed on oak trees.
The richly-colored brown, olive, and orange Cecropia moth, with its bright orange body, is slightly larger than the Polyphemus and its eyespots are more in the shape of a comma. They have a purple patch of the tip of each forewing that reminds me of the ghosts in Pac-Man, the popular video game. Cecropia prefer cherry trees as a food plant.
The most tropical looking member of the family is undoubtedly the lime green-colored Luna Moth, a feeder of walnut leaves. The hindwings of the species, also possessing two eye spots, are longer than other Giant Silk Moth members and have a distinctive twist to the two “tails.” The spots on the fore or front wings are smaller, oval and are connected by a line to the purplish/maroon-colored line that runs along the front of the forewing. It is a showstopper!
A non-native Giant Silk moth has been introduced to Long Island — the Ailanthus Silk Moth also known as the Cynthia Moth. It can be seen in areas of the island where Ailanthus trees commonly grow such as Brooklyn and Queens.
Two beautiful, closely related silk moths are the Tulip-tree Silk Moth and the Promethea Moth. The latter species is sexually dimorphic, meaning the male and female look different as they are of “different morphs or forms.” The female is a rich blend of browns with an orange body while the male is a deep charcoal grey with olive to tan borders on both wings. As the name suggests, the former species as a caterpillar feeds on the leaves of the Tulip Tree, a spectacular columnar tree that grows in richer soils along LongIsland’s north shore.
Related to these other Giant Silk Moths is a smaller inhabitant found in the Long Island Pine Barrens — the Eastern Buck Moth. And unlike other giant silk moths, and moths in general, the buck moth is strictly diurnal, flying from late morning through mid-afternoon on days in late September through mid-October. Why the radical difference in lifestyle compared to typical night flying moths?It has to do with living in a fire-prone environment. Unlike other members of the family, buck moths don’t pupate by forming a cocoon that hangs from a branch because it would run the real risk of being destroyed by fire. Rather, the buck moth pupates in an earthen cell underground, out of harm’s way, waiting until the threat of the fire season lessens. This means a shift in emergence to the fall, and since it can get cold at night, buck moths have shifted their active period to the warmer daytime.
In the same subfamily as the buck moth is the beautiful Io Moth. This species too is dimorphic with the female being darker than the male’s bright yellow coloration. Both sexes have large eyespots on their hindwings which are revealed when the forewings are thrown forward by a disturbed moth; suddenly the here-to-fore innocuous insect appears to be the face of a mammal which may deter predation or allow the momentarily confused predator to give enough time for the Io moth to escape.
In yet another subfamily are the remarkable Pine Devil moth, Royal Walnut Moth (whichas a caterpillar is the famous hickory horned devil!), Imperial Moth, three species of oak webworms common in the Pine Barrens, and the Rosy Maple Moth, the color of raspberry and lemon sherbet.
Unfortunately, all of these species have become less common on Long Island with some perhaps on the verge of extirpation (local extinction), done in by a loss of habitat and the widespread use of pesticides. Their rarity, paired with exceptional beauty, makes seeing a member of the Giant Silk moth family a special visual treat. Good luck!
A resident of Setauket, John Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.
New York Cancer & Blood Specialists (NYCBS) has announced the appointments of Paul Kazemier to Senior Vice President of Patient Communications and Kathryn Paliotta to Vice President of Patient Communications.
“Paul’s appointment as Senior Vice President of Patient Communications is a testament to his exceptional leadership in overseeing a team of over 275+ employees and his continued dedication to enhancing patient communication,” said Jeff Vacirca, MD, CEO of NYCBS. “His forward-thinking approach and adaptability to change will enable the organization to achieve improved outcomes for healthcare providers and patients, demonstrating our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our partners, patients, and the community.”
“Kathryn’s dedication and leadership have been invaluable to our organization, and we are thrilled to recognize her contributions with this well-deserved promotion,” said Vacirca. “Her extensive clinical background, coupled with her ability to effectively manage our patient communication departments, has allowed us to provide even better care and support to our patients. We look forward to seeing her continued success in her new role as Vice President of Patient Communications.”
“I am incredibly grateful for this promotion and the opportunity to continue to lead and grow my departments. It means the world to me,” said Kazemier. “My goal is to not only ensure the highest level of patient satisfaction and experience but also to foster an environment where employees can grow within the company and achieve their own success.”
“I am immensely grateful to have found my niche,” Paliotta said. “Working for an organization as diverse as ours has afforded me the privilege to care for patients across various specialties. I have also had the pleasure to learn from an inspiring group of mentors and look forward to growing my career at NYCBS.”
The Suffolk County Legislature has appointed John M. Porchia, III of Wading River to the Board of the Suffolk County Water Authority. The unanimous vote came at the June 6 general meeting of the Legislature. He will serve the remainder of a five-year term that expires on May 28th, 2027. The seat was vacated by Charles Lefkowitz when he was appointed as Chairman of the SCWA Board.
“I am honored to be chosen by the Legislature to serve in this important position and am excited to get to work, serving the customers,” said Porchia. “We live in a great place that I am proud to call my home. We need to keep Suffolk County affordable for everyone and maintaining the already very low rates on our water bills is a part of that. I also know there are huge tasks ahead for SCWA to keep our water free of contaminants and protect our aquifer for future generations. I plan to bring my experience and knowledge to help tackle those challenges.”
Porchia is a practicing personal injury attorney with 20 years of experience. He specializes in motor vehicles accident, premise liability and job site accidents.
“John is going to bring an important perspective to the SCWA Board with his extensive experience,” said SCWA Chairman Lefkowitz. “He has a record of success throughout his professional career, and I am confident he will bring that skill with him to SCWA. I look forward to seeing his contributions to the organization.”
Three Village Community Trust’s Friends of the Greenway will host its monthly cleanup of the Greenway Trail on Saturday, June 17 starting at 9 a.m. in the Port Jefferson Station trailhead parking lot off Route 112 next to Port Jeff Bowl.Come help keep our community gem clean as we get ready for the summer. Questions? Email [email protected].
A potassium-rich diet may help to reduce blood pressure. Stock photo
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
Hypertension, also commonly called “high blood pressure,” is pervasive in the U.S., affecting approximately 47 percent of adults over 18 (1). Since 2017, hypertension severity has been categorized into three stages, each with its recommended treatment regimen.
One of the most interesting shifts with this recategorization was the recategorization of what we used to call “prehypertension” into what we now call “elevated” blood pressure and “hypertension stage 1.”
Elevated blood pressure is defined as systolic blood pressure (the top number) of 120-129 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) of less than 80 mmHg, while Stage 1 includes systolic blood pressure of 130-139 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mmHg (2). A simple chart of all levels can be found on The American Heart Association’s website at www.heart.org.
Both elevated blood pressure and stage 1 hypertension have significant consequences, even though there are often no symptoms. For example, they increase the risks of cardiovascular disease and heart attack dramatically.
In an analysis of the Framingham Heart Study, researchers found a 3.5-fold increase in the risk of heart attack and a 1.7-fold increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease among those with prehypertension (3). This is why it’s crucial to address it, even in these early stages.
Another study, the Women’s Health Initiative, which followed more than 60,000 postmenopausal women for an average of 7.7 years, showed an increase in heart attack deaths, heart attacks and strokes compared to those with normal blood pressure (less than 120/80 mmHg). In the Strong Heart Study, prehypertension independently increased the risk for cardiovascular events at 12 years significantly (4).
The good news is that, over the last decade, new and extended studies have given us better clarity about treatments, stratifying approaches to ensure the best outcomes.
Do you need to treat elevated blood pressure?
In my view, it would be foolish not to treat elevated blood pressure. Updated treatment recommendations, according to the Joint National Commission (JNC) 8, the association responsible for guidelines on the treatment of hypertension, include lifestyle modifications (5).
Lifestyle changes include dietary changes. A Mediterranean-type diet or the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet are both options. It’s important to focus on fruits, vegetables, sodium reduction to a maximum of 1500 mg (2/3 of a teaspoon on a daily basis), exercise, weight loss and no more than moderate amounts of alcohol (1 or fewer drinks for women and 2 or fewer drinks for men on a daily basis) (6).
Some studies have also shown that a diet rich in potassium helps to reduce blood pressure (7). Fortunately, foods like fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes have significant amounts of potassium. However, do not take potassium supplements unless instructed for other reasons by a physician; high potassium can be very dangerous and may precipitate a heart attack.
Some drugmakers advocate for using medication with those who have elevated blood pressure. The Trial of Preventing Hypertension (TROPHY) suggests the use of a hypotensive agent, the blood pressure drug Atacand (candesartan) to treat prehypertensive patients (8)(9). The drug reduced the incidence of hypertension significantly compared to placebo over two years. However, after stopping therapy, the following two years showed only a small benefit over placebo. Still, the authors implied that this may be a plausible treatment. The study was funded by Astra-Zeneca, which makes the drug.
In an editorial, Jay I. Meltze, M.D., a clinical specialist in hypertension at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, noted that the results were interpreted in an unusually favorable way (10).
Elevated blood pressure has been shown to respond well to lifestyle changes – so why add medication when there are no long-term benefits? I don’t recommend treating elevated blood pressure patients with medication. Thankfully, the JNC8 agrees.
Do lifestyle changes help with Stage 1 hypertension?
For those with Stage 1 hypertension, but with a low 10-year risk of cardiovascular events, these same lifestyle modifications should be implemented for three-to-six months. At this point, a reassessment of risk and blood pressure should determine whether the patient should continue with lifestyle changes or needs to be treated with medications (11).
It’s important to note that your risk should be assessed by your physician.
I am encouraged that the role of lifestyle modifications in controlling hypertension has been recognized and is influencing official recommendations. When patients and physicians collaborate on a lifestyle approach that drives improvements, the side effects are only better overall health.
References:
(1) cdc.gov. (2) heart.org. (3) Stroke 2005; 36: 1859–1863. (4) Hypertension 2006;47:410-414. (5) Am Fam Physician. 2014 Oct 1;90(7):503-504. (6) J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018 May, 71 (19) 2176–2198. (7) Archives of Internal Medicine 2001;161:589-593. (8) N Engl J Med. 2006;354:1685-1697. (9) J Am Soc Hypertens. Jan-Feb 2008;2(1):39-43. (10) Am J Hypertens. 2006;19:1098-1100. (11) Hypertension. 2021 Jun;77(6):e58-e67.
Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.
Ali Khosronejad in front of the Santa Maria Cathedral, which is considered the first modern cathedral in Madrid.
By Daniel Dunaief
An approaching weather front brings heavy rains and a storm surge, threatening to inundate homes and businesses with dangerous water and potentially undermining critical infrastructure like bridges.
Once officials figure out the amount of water that will affect an area, they can either send out inspectors to survey the exact damage or they can use models that take time to process and analyze the likely damage.
Ali Khosronejad
Ali Khosronejad, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Stony Brook University, hopes to use artificial intelligence to change that.
Khosronejad recently received $550,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for four years to create a high-fidelity model using artificial intelligence that will predict the flood impact on infrastructure.
The funds, which will be available starting on June 20, will support two PhD students who will work to provide an artificial intelligence-based program that can work on a single laptop at a “fraction of the cost of more advanced modeling approaches,” Khosronejad said during an interview in Madrid, Spain, where he is on sabbatical leave under a Fulbright U.S Senior Scholar Award. He is doing his Fulbright research at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid.
Stony Brook University will also provide some funding for these students, which will help defray the cost of expenses related to traveling and attending conferences and publishing papers.
In the past, Stony Brook has been “quite generous when it comes to supporting graduate students working on federally funded projects,” Khosronejad explained and he hopes that continues with this research.
Khosronejad and his students will work with about 50 different flooding and terrain scenarios, which will cover about 95 percent of extreme flooding. These 50 possibilities will cover a range of waterways, infrastructure, topography, and coastal areas. The researchers will feed data into their high fidelity supercomputing cluster simulations to train artificial intelligence to assess the likely damage from a flood.
As they build the model, Khosronejad explained that they will collect data from floods, feed them into the computer and test how well the computer predicts the kind of flooding that has can cause damage or threaten the stability of structures like bridges. Over the next four years, the team will collect data from the Departments of Transportation in California, Minnesota and New York.
Nearly six years ago, his team attempted to use algorithms available in ChatGPT for some of his AI development. Those algorithms, however, didn’t predict flood flow prediction. He tried to develop new algorithms based on convolutional neural networks. Working with CNN, he attempted to improve its capabilities by including some physics-based constraints.
“We are very enthusiastic about this,” Khosronejad said. “We do think that this opportunity can help us to open up the use of AI for other applications in fluid mechanics” in fields such as renewable energy, contaminant transport predictions in urban areas and biological flow predictions, among others.
Planners working with groups such as the California Department of Transportation could use such a program to emphasize which infrastructure might be endangered.
This analysis could highlight effective mitigation strategies. Artificial intelligence can “provide [planners and strategists] with a tool that is not that expensive, can run on a single laptop, can reproduce lots of scenarios with flooding, to figure out which infrastructure is really in danger,” Khosronejad said.
Specifically, this tool could evaluate the impact of extreme floods on bridge foundations. Floods can remove soil from around the foundation of a bridge, which can cause it to collapse. Civil engineers can strengthen bridge foundations and mitigate the effect of future floods by using riprap, which is a layer of large stones.
This kind of program can reduce the reliance on surveying after a flood, which is expensive and sometimes “logistically impossible and unsafe” to monitor areas like the foundations of bridges, Khosronejad said. He plans to build into the AI program an awareness of the changing climate, so that predictions using it in three or five years can provide an accurate reflection of future conditions.
“Floods are getting more and more extreme” he said. “We realize that floods we feed into the program during training will be different” from the ones that will cause damage in subsequent years.
Floods that had a return period of every 100 years are now happening much more frequently. In one or two decades, such a flood might occur every 10 years.
Adding updated data can allow practitioners to make adjustments to the AI program a decade down the road, he suggested. He and his team will add data every year, which will create a more versatile model.
What it can’t do
While the AI programs will predict the damage to infrastructure from floods, they will not address storm or flood predictions.
“Those are different models, based on the movement of clouds” and other variables, Khosronejad said. “This doesn’t do that: if you give the program a range of flood magnitudes, it will tell you what will happen.”
High fidelity models currently exist that can do what Khosronejad is proposing, although those models require hundreds of CPUs to run for five months. Khosronejad has developed his own in house high fidelity model that is capable of making similar predictions. He has tested it to examine various infrastructures and used it to study various flooding events. These models are expensive, which is why he’s trying to replace them with AI to reduce the cost while maintaining fidelity.
AI, on the other hand, can run on a single CPU and may be able to provide the same result, which will allow people to plan ahead before it happens. The NSF approved the single principal investigator concept two months ago.
Khosronejad has worked with Fotis Sotiropoulos, former Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Stony Brook and current Provost at Virginia Commonwealth University, on this and other projects.
The two have bi-weekly discussions over the weekend to discuss various projects.
Sotiropoulos was “very happy” when Khosronejad told him he received the funds. Although he’s not a part of the project, Sotiropoulos will “provide inputs.”
Sotiropoulos has “deep insights” into fluid mechanics. “When you have him on your side, it always pays off,” Khosronejad said.
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!
Last chance to catch a performance of Cinderella at Theatre Three. The show closes on Saturday.
Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc.
PROGRAMS
Sensational Seahorses
Calling kids who like science and art! The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor presents a drop-in program, Sensational Seahorses, on June 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. Come discover the amazing abilities of these ocean creatures and create a colorful oceanscape diorama. to take home. Admission fee + $10. 631-367-3418.
Giant Game and Big Voice Day
Join Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket for Giant Game and Big Voice Day, an afternoon of fun and games on the library’s lawn, on June 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. Try your hand at games such as giant versions of Connect 4, Scrabble, and Checkers, move and balance with Twister,sing your heart out with karaoke or spin the prize wheel! Open to all. No registration required. 631-941-4080
Father’s Day Drop-In Program
Stop by the table in front of the Sunken Meadow Nature Center, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park anytime between noon and 2 p.m. on June 18 for some fun Father’s Day activities and crafts! No reservations are required. 631-269-4333
Marsh Mania
Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a Tiny Tots program, Marsh Mania on June 22 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This program will connect children ages 3 to 5 and their parents with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. $4 per child. To register, visit Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.
Shark Invasion!
Celebrate sharks this summer at the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor, Thursdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Uncover amazing facts about these incredible predators as you hunt for clues in this shark-themed scavenger hunt. Then roll up your sleeves and excavate a genuine shark tooth fossil to take home! Admission fee + $10 participant. 631-367-3418
FILM
‘The Lion King’
Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of Disney’s The Lion King (1994) on June 18 at noon. The animated feature follows the adventures of the young lion Simba and his quest to take back his homeland from Scar with the help of his friends Timon and Pumbaa. Rated G. Tickets are $12, $5 children 12 and under. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
THEATER
‘Cinderella’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson closes its children’s theatre season with an original retelling of the poor waif Cinderella from May 27 to June 17. The classic love story finds its power in a pumpkin, a palace, a prince and a young girl whose belief in herself can overcome any obstacle. When her Fairy Godmother adds a dash of excitement, the magical possibilities are endless. Don’t miss this musical enchantment for the entire family. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Flat Stanley’
John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley from May 28 to July 2. Stanley Lambchop is an ordinary ten-year-old who longs to travel the world and do something amazing! Careful what you wish for, Stanley! One morning, Stanley wakes up really, REALLY flat! In a whirlwind musical travelogue, Stanley scours the globe for a solution to his unusual problem. He’s stamped, posted and mailed from Hollywood to Paris to Honolulu and beyond hoping to once again become three-dimensional. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘Seussical Jr.’
Smithtown Performing Arts Center presents an outdoor production of Seussical Jr. on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown from July 8 to Aug. 17. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in this fantastical musical extravaganza. Tickets are $18 per person. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org
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