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METRO photo

Mother’s Day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May. Since 1914, when it was officially recognized as a national holiday by President Woodrow Wilson, families have been gathering to celebrate mothers, and celebrations typically include thoughtful gifts. 

The role of mother can be a challenging job. Even though people strive to give moms the accolades they deserve, oftentimes mothers don’t get enough credit or attention. That all changes on Mother’s Day, when Mom is in the spotlight. 

Although there is no way to completely pay mothers back for their selfless actions and unwavering love, these gifts can help them feel that much more special.

Special meal: According to a survey by the National Restaurant Association, around 48 percent of people make plans to visit restaurants on Mother’s Day. Since Mother’s Day is so busy for restaurants, it is wise to book reservations early to ensure you get on the list, particularly if there is a specific restaurant Mom wants to visit.

Flowers: Anna Jarvis is credited with starting the push for a national day of recognition for mothers. Jarvis incorporated carnations into the holiday. If you plan to gift Mom a bouquet of flowers, add some carnations to the mix as a subtle nod to the founder of Mother’s Day. An outdoor hanging basket or houseplant is also a nice gift.

Time: Various pronouncements state that 90 percent of the time parents spend with their children happens during their first 18 years of those youngsters’ lives. As children get older, they naturally spend much less time with Mom and Dad, as they are spreading their wings and finding their place in the world. Offering your time as an older child can be the best gift of all on Mother’s Day. Do something Mom loves, and do it together. That can be engaging in a hobby she enjoys, attending a theater show, a movie, or concert, taking a walk through the park, or even planning to cook her a meal on a night apart from Mother’s Day.

Gift of pampering: Mothers have a lot going on in their lives, and most of it involves helping others. Your Mom’s needs and whims likely take a back seat to the demands she places on herself, and that can change on Mother’s Day. Treat Mom to gifts that prioritize rest and relaxation. Put together a gift package that includes a massage, hair styling and a manicure at a local salon. Maybe Mom has been interested in trying acupuncture or an aromatherapy treatment to ease stress?

 Mother’s Day offers an opportunity to turn all attention towards Mom and treat her to various amenities and gifts.

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Benner's Farm Easter egg hunt 2025. Photo by Greg Catalano
Benner's Farm Easter egg hunt 2025. Photo by Greg Catalano
Benner's Farm Easter egg hunt 2025. Photo by Greg Catalano
Benner's Farm Easter egg hunt 2025. Photo by Greg Catalano
Benner's Farm Easter egg hunt 2025. Photo by Greg Catalano
Benner's Farm Easter egg hunt 2025. Photo by Greg Catalano
Benner's Farm Easter egg hunt 2025. Photo by Greg Catalano
Benner's Farm Easter egg hunt 2025. Photo by Greg Catalano

By Greg Catalano

Benner’s Farm in East Setauket hosted easter egg hunts on April 18, 19 and 20. Children, baskets in hand, enjoyed the beautiful weather as they eagerly searched for the hidden eggs, toured the working farm and met the Easter Bunny.

– Photos by Greg Catalano

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A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa
A scene from the Smithtown Historical Society's 2025 Easter Festival. Photo by Sabrina Artusa

By Sabrina Artusa

On a warm and sunny April 19, families gathered at the Smithtown Historical Society for an Easter egg hunt, live music, crafts and a petting zoo. 

Food trucks parked on the grounds and, during breaks from the scavenger hunt or racing in the mini trucks, children sat in the shade and enjoyed an ice cream. Sheep, ponies, goats and llamas received much attention from the curious children. Adults perused craft booths that vendors set up next to a small stage, where the band Perfect Strangers covered the classics. 

Children in their Easter best sat next to the Easter bunny and posed for pictures. Bunny ears bobbed across the expansive grounds as children ran from one activity to the next, enjoying the fresh air and Easter festivities. 

— Photos by Sabrina Artusa

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Photo courtesy of ECLI-VIBES

On Saturday, April 12, ECLI-VIBES invited clients to celebrate Easter at its office in Islandia. Thanks to a heartwarming donation of 200 Easter baskets from community members, 93 families impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, or abuse were able to enjoy the event with their families, allowing each child to pick out their own Easter basket.

Photo courtesy of ECLI-VIBES

“The Easter event deeply touched me. Everything was done with care and kindness, which meant a lot to me and my daughter. It inspired me to want to give back in some way, even if I can only do a little. Knowing people are doing this kind of good work gives me hope,” said an ECLI-VIBES client.

Children also participated in different activities and photo opportunities, like other ECLI-VIBES events. Families attending enjoyed Easter-themed snacks, face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny, therapy dogs, and a planting activity. Volunteers and ECLI-VIBES staff were present to help these families experience the joy of spring.

“The joy displayed by these families illuminated the building,” shared Bilingual Senior Coordinator Danielle Gorman. “It was wonderful to see all the families engaged in the planned activities and excited to choose their Easter baskets.”

Photo courtesy of ECVLI-VIBES

ECLI-VIBES intentionally offers a unique experience that goes beyond traditional human services. Nevertheless, the organization aims to create memorable family experiences through holiday drives and events. This year’s Easter celebration featured themed photoshoots, animal interactions, and creativity-focused, hands-on activities.

“We could simply provide these families with an Easter basket and send them on their way. However, we love to create personal and engaging activities that will create lasting memories for them. We have seen that introducing activities brings more smiles and offers these families a sense of normalcy,” said Assistant Coordinator Gina Ocello.

Some families who signed up for the Easter event could not attend because of the weather. They will be contacted to pick up their baskets separately.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing violence or abuse, call the ECLI-VIBES 24-hour hope line at (631) 360-3606. To learn more about ECLI-VIBES and the services they provide, visit www.eclivibes.org.

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About ECLI-VIBES

ECLI-VIBES is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking and empower individuals to break free from the cycle of violence and abuse and achieve independence. They provide services such as a 24-hour hope line, counseling programs, advocacy assistance, legal assistance, a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) program, housing programs, and a fully-stocked community food pantry. To learn more about ECLI-VIBES and how you can get involved, please visit www.eclivibes.org.

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A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher
A scene from the 2025 Port Jefferson Easter Parade. Photo by Julianne Mosher

By Julianne Mosher

It was an egg-cellent time for all. 

With a weekend of sunshine and warm temperatures, Saturday, April 19 was the perfect day to search for some eggs throughout Port Jefferson’s Harborfront Park. 

The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce’s annual Easter parade and egg hunt was even more egg-citing this year thanks to hundreds of families who came out to participate. Starting at noon, moms, dads, grandparents and their little ones lined up outside Theatre Three and marched down Main Street in their best Easter attire with baskets in hand with the hopes of finding as many plastic eggs as they could.

Leading the group were members of the chamber and Port Jefferson’s favorite Easter Bunny, Barbara Ransome, director of operations for the chamber. The parade finished up at the Port Jefferson Village Center where tables were set up to trade in found eggs for different prizes and bins to recycle the eggs for next year’s event — an effort to continue being sustainable to the planet. 

While the lines were long to hand in the eggs, the line to take a picture with the Easter Bunny was equally as lengthy with kids of all ages ready to smile. 

— Photos by Julianne Mosher

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Rev. Fr. Andrew Garnett 

Each spring, as daffodils bloom and days grow longer, Christians around the world gather to celebrate the most profound and joyful day in our faith: Easter. This holy day marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead—an event that transformed history, shattered despair and opened the gates of hope for all humanity. For followers of Jesus, Easter is not simply a commemorative holiday; it is the heartbeat of our faith, a celebration of life conquering death, love triumphing over hate, and divine mercy extending to all people.

In the Christian story, Jesus, the Son of God, is crucified—an innocent man executed by the powers of his day. His death was brutal, and for his followers, it seemed the end of everything they had hoped for. But then, on the third day, something happened that no one expected: Jesus rose from the grave. He appeared to his friends, not with vengeance or judgment, but with peace on his lips and love in his wounds. The resurrection of Jesus is not just about his life continuing—it is about a new kind of life that breaks into the world. It is God’s promise that sin, suffering, and death will never have the final word.

Easter proclaims that God is doing something new, not just in the life of Jesus, but in our lives as well. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work among us, bringing hope in our despair, light in our darkness and courage in our fear. In a world still plagued by division, violence, loneliness and injustice, Easter is a bold declaration that love is stronger than hate and that life will always rise again.

For the Episcopal Church, Easter is not only a theological truth but also an invitation to live differently. We believe in a risen Christ who welcomed the outcast, forgave his enemies, and broke bread with the stranger. We seek to follow in his way by practicing a radical welcome—one that mirrors the wide embrace of the empty tomb.

In our congregations, you’ll find people of every background, race, political view, orientation and identity. We believe that God’s table is big enough for everyone. Whether you are a lifelong Christian, someone who’s been away from church for years, or someone who has never stepped into a church before, you are welcome here. Not just tolerated—welcomed, honored and loved.

The Episcopal Church does not claim to have all the answers, but we are committed to asking the right questions in the community. We read Scripture thoughtfully, take tradition seriously and engage with the world with compassion and humility. We hold a faithful tension between being traditional and having a modern approach. We do this not because it’s easy, but because we believe it’s faithful to the radical love Jesus showed on Easter morning.

In this season of renewal, many are searching for meaning, connection and hope. Easter meets us in that longing and reminds us that no matter how lost or weary we feel, resurrection is possible. There is no grave too deep, no failure too final, no sorrow too heavy for the risen Christ to meet us there and lift us up. Easter is not only about what happened long ago in a garden tomb; it’s about what God is still doing—here and now—in the lives of real people and communities.

So if you’re reading this and wondering if church is for you—if God is for you—know this: the answer is yes. Easter is for you. Grace is for you. The door is open, the light is on, and the feast has been set. Come as you are.

This Easter, may we all encounter the hope that rolls away every stone and find ourselves drawn into the joyful mystery of life made new.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Garnett is the rector of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Northport.

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Easter Mini Cheesecakes

By Heidi Sutton

There’s only one thing that can pry their attention away from the chocolate in the Easter basket: one of these Cheesecake Minis — delicious desserts sure to make everyone’s tastebuds hop, courtesy of Kraft/Heinz.

Easter Cheesecake Minis

Easter Cheesecake Minis

YIELD: Makes 18 servings

INGREDIENTS:  

1-1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup butter, melted

3 packages (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons desiccated unsweetened coconut, toasted

54 speckled chocolate eggs

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 325° F. Mix graham crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and butter; press onto bottoms of 18 paper-lined muffin cups. Beat cream cheese, vanilla and remaining sugar with mixer until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Spoon over crusts. Bake 25 min. or until centers are almost set. Cool and refrigerate for two hours. Top each cheesecake with 1 tablespoon coconut; shape to resemble bird’s nest. Fill with malted milk eggs.

Chocolate-Pomegranate Cheesecake Minis

Chocolate-Pomegranate Cheesecake Minis

YIELD: Makes 24 servings

INGREDIENTS:  

1 and 1/2 cups finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1-1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided

4 packages (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

4 eggs

3/4 cup pomegranate juice

1/3 cup pomegranate seeds, patted dry

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 325°F. Combine cookie crumbs, butter and 2 tablespoons sugar; press onto bottoms of 24 paper-lined muffin pan cups. Beat cream cheese, vanilla and 1 cup of the remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Spoon over crust. Bake 20 min. or until centers are almost set. Cool and refrigerate for 2 hours. 

Meanwhile, bring pomegranate juice and remaining sugar to boil in saucepan; simmer on medium-low heat 15 min. or until thickened, stirring frequently. Cool and then refrigerate until ready to use. 

Spoon pomegranate sauce over cheesecakes just before serving; sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.

Blueberry-topped Cheesecake Minis

Blueberry-topped Cheesecake Minis

YIELD: Makes 18 servings

INGREDIENTS:  

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided

3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

3 packages (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

1 cup whipping cream

2 cups blueberries

1 tablespoon lemon zest

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 325° F. Combine graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and butter; press onto bottoms of 18 paper-lined muffin cups. 

Beat cream cheese, vanilla and remaining sugar with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Spoon over crusts. Bake 25 min. or until centers are almost set. Cool and refrigerate for two hours. Beat whipping cream with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; spread onto cheesecakes. 

Top with blueberries and zest.

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A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon
A scene from the 15th annual Mt. Sinai Fire Department’s Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

The Mt. Sinai Fire Department held its 15th annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Company 1 on Mt. Sinai Coram Road on April 13.  It was a robust turnout with raffles silent auctions and plenty of food where the kids had their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. No one left hungry.

— Photos by Bill Landon

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Rabbi Joshua Gray at Temple Isaiah’s Second Night Community Seder that took place on Sunday evening, April 13. Photo courtesy Rabbi Joshua Gray

By Rabbi Joshua Gray

Rabbi Joshua Gray. Photo by Toni-Elena Gallo

Nothing brings me back to my childhood, gathered around the kids’ table with my brothers and cousins, like the Hillel sandwich. This singular Passover concoction is a mixture of maror (horseradish) and charoset (a sweet apple and nut mixture), packed between two pieces of matzah, or unleavened bread. If your mouth is not immediately watering at the sound of this combination, I don’t think anyone would blame you. It is only after you try this Passover staple that you fully understand the strangely amazing symphony that is the bitter herb dueting with the sweet pieces of apple and wine. All of this occurs between the satisfying crunch of the matzah. I assure you this combination is one that you, and your tastebuds, will never forget. 

Over 70 percent of Jewish people in the United States will attend a Passover, or Pesach, seder this year. The seder (meaning “order”) is a ritual meal, complete with storytelling, song and general togetherness. We use a special book  called a Haggadah to tell the story of the Israelite Exodus from slavery in Egypt, our subsequent opportunity to live as a free people, and the constant desire to reach our promised land, either literally or proverbially. We are told to continue the tradition; to pass down this important story l’dor vador, from generation to generation. Children are an integral part of the ritual, and we all kvell (burst with pride) as our littlest seder-goers muddle through their designated songs and readings. 

The aforementioned combination of bitter and sweet is no accident. The story of Passover and its rituals are a beautiful part of being Jewish. The message is also a universal one: with freedom comes the responsibility to work toward justice for all people. I always get a bit emotional during our seder when we recite the ten plagues of Egypt; the method by which the hard-hearted Pharaoh finally let the people of Israel go. It is tradition to remove a drop of wine from our cups as we recite aloud each plague. Why do we do this? On a macro level, we recognize that our cups of celebration are never completely full so long as others in the world suffer. The sweetness of freedom from bondage is fused with the bitterness that comes with the knowledge that there is still pain and unrest in our human community. We recognize that while we might be free, there are so many in our world who do not enjoy such self-determination. Individually, we might ask ourselves what could be holding us back from feeling entirely free. What might we be able to let go of that will allow us to live a more meaningful life? 

One of the most important moments in our seder comes as we recite the line: “In every generation each individual is bound to regard themselves as if they had personally gone forth from Egypt.”  Not only do we balance both bitterness and sweetness through the lens of Jewish memory, but we are specifically challenged to put ourselves in the place of those who have gone before us. We grow our empathy for the human family as we build this skill of compassionate curiosity. 

While the goals of Passover are lofty and the rituals might feel a bit baroque, just remember the Hillel sandwich. We are nourished by the tastes from our past as we strive toward a future of justice for all people. On a baser level, Passover evokes memories via taste, smell, song and story. I wish all of you a “Chag Pesach Sameach,” a Happy Passover, and remember, you are always welcome at my table. Try the Hillel sandwich. Trust me.

The author is the Rabbi at Temple Isaiah in Stony Brook.

 

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Photo courtesy of PSEG Long Island

In honor of Earth Day, PSEG Long Island and Suffolk County, in partnership with the PSEG Foundation and the Arbor Day Foundation, will provide more than 230 customers in Suffolk County with a free tree through the Energy-Saving Trees program. The program showcases how planting the right trees in the right location can reduce utility bills and promote ongoing system reliability.

“Earth Day is a time for all of us to remember that we have a part to play in building a greener future,” said David Lyons, PSEG Long Island’s interim president and COO. “Strategically planting trees helps save up to 20% on a home’s summer energy bills once the trees are fully grown, while also improving air quality and reducing storm water runoff for all residents across Long Island and the Rockaways.”

The free energy-saving trees can be reserved at https://get.arborday.org/pseg starting Monday, April 14, until all trees are claimed. The reserved trees will then be available for pick-up on Tuesday, April 22, at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge, from 9 aim, to 12:30 p.m. All reserved trees will be held until noon, when they will become available on a first come, first served basis.

“We continue to identify opportunities to make Suffolk County environmentally sustainable, and planting just one tree can make a difference,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. “We encourage our residents to take part in the PSEGLong Island Energy Saving Trees program and work collaboratively to embrace clean energy and innovative solutions to improve our region’s air quality. Together we will continue to raise awareness and make a difference in Suffolk County.”

“Trees add beauty to neighborhoods, help reduce energy consumption, filter pollutants that negatively affect community health and wellbeing, and provide places of respite, along with many other benefits,” said Calvin Ledford, president of the PSEG Foundation. “The PSEG Foundation is proud to support the Energy-Saving Trees program, which will help provide more than 230 trees to the Suffolk County community. We are excited that our employees can volunteer to be part of this initiative distributing the trees and sharing energy efficiency information and help create a more environmentally sustainable ecosystem across Long Island and the Rockaways.”

The Energy-Saving Trees online tool helps customers estimate the annual energy savings that will result from planting trees in the most strategic location near their homes or businesses. All customers who participate will receive one tree and are expected to care for and plant them in the location provided by the online tool, taking into account utility wires and obstructions. The types of trees offered include red maple, river birch, scarlet oak, flowering dogwood, eastern red cedar and sweetbay magnolia.

PSEG Long Island will also be on site at the H. Lee Dennison Building on April 22 to share information about energy saving and financial assistance programs. In addition, they will distribute reusable shopping bags and free LED lightbulbs to save customers money and energy, and to support the environment. Information, shopping bags and lightbulbs are available to all customers. The Energy-Saving Trees must be reserved ahead of time.

PSEG Long Island will host a similar event in Nassau County on Saturday, April 26.

PSEG Long Island will also be a sponsor of the RISE Earth Day event in the Rockaways on Saturday, May 3, where the company will be giving away 35 trees on a first-come, first-served basis. The event takes place from noon to 3 p.m. at 58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd. in Far Rockaway.

In honor of Earth Day, PSEG Long Island is also offering free Google Nest smart thermostats to customers on its Online Marketplace through April 29.

Serving the community

PSEG Long Island is committed to giving back to the people and communities it serves by actively supporting hundreds of local charity events each year through the company’s Community Partnership Program. For more information on how PSEG Long Island supports the communities it serves, visit psegliny.com/inthecommunity/communitypartnership. 

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