Kids

2nd Annual Sea Glass Fiction Contest underway

The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor in partnership with TBR News Media of Setauket, has announced the launch of the 2nd Annual Sea Glass Fiction Contest. This exciting competition invites students in grades 3-12 from Nassau and Suffolk counties to unleash their creativity by crafting stories inspired by a piece of sea glass chosen by the museum.

The contest challenges participants to imagine a unique journey for the selected sea glass fragment chosen by The Whaling Museum and to weave a captivating tale around it. The winning stories will have the chance to be read at the Sea Glass Festival, a prestigious event celebrating sea glass and its significance in maritime history. This year’s Sea Glass Festival will be held on Sunday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We are excited to see the imaginative stories that students will create for this contest,” said Nomi Dayan, Executive Director at The Whaling Museum. “Sea glass has a way of capturing the imagination, and we can’t wait to read the stories that come out of this unique contest.”

Entries must be submitted electronically through the submission form on The Whaling Museum’s website by April 30. The contest is free to enter, and all works must be original and written solely by the author. Only residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties are eligible to participate.

“We look forward to the opportunity to celebrate and highlight the creative tales of students in the area,” said Daniel Dunaief, a journalist with TBR News Media. “Entrants can envision ways a piece of glass, shaped by water and time, provides a clue in a compelling narrative.” 

Winners will be notified on or about June 1-7, and select winning entries will be eligible for publication in TBR News Media and on The Whaling Museum’s website. TBR will also highlight the winners on their weekly podcast, Pressroom Afterhour. In addition, contest winners will receive complimentary tickets to The Whaling Museum’s Sea Glass Festival, where they will be recognized with a certificate.

“We are grateful to TBR News Media for continuing to partner with us on this contest and helping to bring these young writers’ stories to a wider audience,” added Dayan.

For more information on the Sea Glass Fiction Contest, including guidelines and submission details, please visit cshwhalingmuseum.org/seaglasscontest.

 

Polish American Independent Ladies Auxiliary of Port Jefferson invites the community to join them for Breakfast with the Bunny at the Polish Hall, 35 Jayne Blvd.,  Port Jefferson Station on Sunday, April 13 with two seatings: 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Hop on over for a delicious pancake breakfast, festive fun, a Photo Booth, and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny! Tickets are $20 adults, $10 children ages 6 and up, $2 children ages 5 and under. For tickets go to https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/breakfast-with-the-easter-bunny or call Jennifer at 516-383-3456.

Join Dorothy and Toto for Theatre Three's 'Dorothy's Adventures in Oz' this weekend! Photo courtesy of Theatre Three Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc
PROGRAMS

First Steps Into Nature 

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents First Steps Into Nature for children ages 2 to 4 on March 21 and 28 at 9:30 a.m. Little ones will learn about nature through hands on interaction, music, crafts, stories, play and more. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

World Frog Day

Celebrate World Frog Day at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor on March 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Make a fun frog craft and enjoy frog encounters with special animal guests at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 ages 3 to 12. 516-692-6768

Water Rockets

Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Road, Yaphank presents a class on Water Rockets on March 26 or March 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Learn how rockets fly, build a rocket out of a soda bottle, then go outside and launch it from our custom-built compressed air powered launch pad. You will take your rocket home, along with instructions to build your own launch pad. For ages 6 to 10. $20 per participant. To register, go to https://www.eventcreate.com/e/rockets25. For more information, call 631-852-4600.

Story & Craft with Nana Carol

The Next Chapter bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington hosts a Story and Craft event with Nana Carol on March 24 at 10:30 a.m. Free. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008

Feeding Frenzy

As part of its Pollywog Adventures series, Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor presents Feed Frenzy on March 26 at 11 a.m. Children ages 2 to 5 will enjoy an activity, craft, story and feeding the hungry trout. $20 fee includes admission for the day for one child and one adult. Pre-registration required at www.cshfishhatchery.org. 516-692-6768

THEATER

‘Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz’

Theatre Three, 423 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz from Feb. 19 to March 29. Join them for an unforgettable trip down the Yellow Brick Road as Dorothy Gale is whisked away by a tornado to that magical land that lies just Over the Rainbow. Follow Dorothy and her friends the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion ­as they encounter challenges and celebrate friendship. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical’

Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is Diary of  a Wimpy Kid The Musical from March 22 to April 27. Read the books? Watched the movies? Now experience the musical! Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. But Greg is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe Greg’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg…no way. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

‘Peter and the Wolf’

Tickets are on sale now for Peter and the Wolf at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook in the Recital Hall on March 30 at noon (3 p.m. performance is sold out). Gather the whole family for an immersive adventure as the Staller Center Outreach Ensemble brings Prokofiev’s beloved children’s classic to life! In this symphonic fairy tale, a lively narrator guides you through a whimsical story, while the orchestra paints vivid scenes with sound. Each instrument represents a unique character within the story, allowing listeners to discover how the orchestra weaves together different musical voices to tell a tale. Conducted by Tommy Wu  and featuring musicians from the Stony Brook Department of Music. Tickets are $31 per person. To order, call 631-632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com

Send your calendar events to [email protected]

 

Photo courtesy of St. James Model Railroad Club

Mark your calendars! The St James Model Railroad Club will host an Open House on Sunday, March 23 at the Mills Pond House, 176 Mills Pond Road, St. James from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This 38’ X 48” Lionel train layout, the result of 42 years of continuing improvements, represents Railroading from the Age of Steam to Present Day with many freight and passenger trains running simultaneously in a scenic, imaginative setting.

Featured are many new additions to the Layout including a New City scene with operating roadway, a Freight yard upgrade and a new power plant & Fire scene. An improved layout guarantees that you will see many trains presented in a detailed, realistic setting.

Children of all ages will enjoy the sights and sounds of this truly impressive event. Suggested donations are $2 for adults, 50 cents for children.

Please note: The St. James Model Railroad club is not handicap accessible. Parking is in the rear of the building.

For further information, call 516-263-9607 or 631-543-8732.

The Smithtown Central School District community came together on March 5 to honor the memory of beloved student, Valerie Kratochvil, who passed away in 2024.

Students and faculty faced off in a “Volley For Val” volleyball tournament at Smithtown High School East, featuring former field hockey and track teammates of Valerie, as well as athletes from Smithtown High School West. 

Valerie was involved in field hockey, track, the club Athletes Helping Athletes and was an All-County musician.  

The Smithtown High School East Chamber Choir started the event with a beautiful rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” East student Maggie Worontzoff addressed those in attendance. “Let’s play today with the same passion and spirit that Valerie had, and let’s carry her spirit with us always,” she said.

A raffle was held with all proceeds benefitting the Kratochvil family.

Children will learn about the environment, animals and plants through crafts and stories during the Pee Wee Gardening classes offered at the Holtsville Ecology Site & Animal Preserve.

In anticipation of Spring, Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro has announced upcoming dates for both pee-wee and adult gardening classes at the Holtsville Ecology Site & Animal Preserve, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville beginning in April.

“In addition to being a great value, these classes are a fun and educational way to welcome Spring,” said Losquadro. “Children will learn about the environment, animals and plants through crafts and stories, while adult participants will learn how to start plants through propagation and create backyard flower arrangements.”

The adult horticulture classes will be held from 10 a.m. until noon on Thursday, April 3, 10, 24, and May 1 and 8. 

Participants in the pee-wee gardening classes, which are for children ages three to five, can choose from two five-week sessions: Tuesday, April 1, 8, 22, 29, and May 6, or Wednesday, April 2, 9, 23, 30, and May 7. Both classes are offered from either 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and cost $50 for a five-week session. 

Registration is available through March 24 at www.BrookhavenNY.gov/RecOnline. For more information, call 631-451-5330.

About 100 Suffolk County kids spent an afternoon bowling with officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s 6th and 7th Precincts at Coram Country Lanes in Coram. The second annual event, entitled “Bowling with a Cop,” was free for the kids and took place on Saturday, March 8.

Hosted by the 6th and 7th precincts, the event was sponsored by the 7th Precinct Community Unity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing joy and connection to children and families in need. “Bowling with a Cop” is designed to give kids the opportunity to have fun while getting to know their local police officers in a casual setting.

“We are trying to build relationships between the police department and the children who grow up around us,” said Officer Stacie Pollio, a School Resource Officer with the 7th Precinct who founded the 7th Precinct Community Unity with three other police officers. “We raise money and then put 100% of the funds back into the community to pay for events like Bowling with a Cop, charter boat fishing trips, pumpkin picking, and others, which are all free for children and their families.”

During Bowling with a Cop, several officers, including Pollio, went around from lane to lane to spend time with the kids. In addition to two games of bowling, the kids were treated to pizza and soft drinks.

“We were thrilled to once again work with the men and women in blue on this wonderful community event,” said Joe LaSpina, Vice President of Maple Family Lanes, which owns Coram Country Lanes. “Bowling is a fun activity that brings people of many different ages and backgrounds together, and we enjoyed seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids and officers as they bonded over bowling and pizza.”

 

Parker Hutchinson. Photo courtesy the Hutchinson family

By Joshua Kim

If you want to catch a glimpse of Parker Hutchinson’s fresh, cleanly faded, cut-in-Massapequa hair, you’ll have to act fast. On  St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, with about 12 others, 11-year-old Parker is going to shave off his hair in the auditorium of Port Jefferson High School. 

Parker Hutchinson with his parents

The shaving is part of a fundraising event for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which was brought to Port Jefferson School District by childhood cancer survivor and Port Jefferson High School senior Kyle Martin. Melissa Martin, Kyle’s mother as well as Parker’s kindergarten teacher, described the foundation as “an organization that raises money to help fund children’s cancer research. They try to help children in the area where the money is raised.” 

Kyle, who plans to attend SUNY Geneseo in the fall, hopes to leave Port Jeff’s St. Baldrick’s as his legacy — a way to make a difference while teaching others along the way to stay positive and keep fighting.

People can participate at St. Baldrick’s events in two ways —as shavees and as fundraisers. At the time of writing, in addition to planning to shave his head, Parker has also raised over $2,300 for the foundation, meeting his original goal of $250 more than nine times over. 

He said he’d gotten donations from over 50 people, including seven people who donated over a hundred dollars, through posting on social media and directly asking the people around him, like coaches, friends and family, to help the cause. Paige Hutchinson, Parker’s mom, said that “everyone sees it’s for a good cause, so people have been so generous and willing to donate.”

For the past two years, Port Jefferson Middle School had shown its students a video about St. Baldrick’s encouraging them to join in. This year, Parker, who had fundraised for his sports teams and school before, was convinced; in particular, he remembered the video telling him that every two minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer. He registered for the event as soon as he could. 

The original $250 goal was met in less than a day. Two weeks in, he hit $1,000, texting his mom, “We’re over!” Then, just a few days later, he hit $2,000. The family is hoping to “punch out another thousand” before March 17. Parker only said he was “happy because everyone’s been so supportive” when he saw how the money was coming in. His mom put it a bit more strongly: “He was psyched!” 

But while the support he’s received is exciting, he still says that the event is really about “helping kids who are going through bad stuff to have hope.” 

“If there are kids who don’t even have cancer who shave their heads, [it] can show them they’re not alone and that it’s not embarrassing,” he said.

When the day comes, he’ll walk over with his classmates during their lunch period to the Port Jefferson High School auditorium before noon, where he expects there to be around 500 people: middle and high school students, teachers, parents and community members. Then, he and the 12 other participants will go on stage to have the deed done by local barbers. As for what he’ll do after, Parker said that he’ll “maybe go downtown once the day’s over.” Then, of course, he’ll spend the next few months around school with a hairless head.

“We didn’t tell him to do anything. We didn’t ask him to do anything —it was all his idea. So that’s amazing. And then on the flip-side, it’s been nice to see the support he’s gotten from the folks who are willing to donate,” said his mother.

“The support from the local community has been overwhelming,” added her husband, Pete.

Scene from 2024 St. James St. Patrick's Day Parade. Photo by Rita J. Egan

By Heidi Sutton

St. James will turn shamrock green at the 41st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 15 at 1 p.m. The festive celebration will feature scouts, dance troupes, pipe bands, school bands, floats, fire trucks, antique cars and more.

Presented by the St. James Chamber of Commerce, the parade will step off along Lake Avenue from Woodlawn Avenue to the viewing stand in front of the gazebo ending just before St James Elementary School, rain or shine.

This year’s Grand Marshal Robert J. Murphy, who has made great contributions to the St. James community, will lead the festivities.

Rain date will be March 22.  For more information, call 631-584-8510.

Irish pride continues on the North Shore with a St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 16 in Rocky Point/Miller Place and Farmingdale; and on Sunday, March 23 in Ronkonkoma.

Make a work of art out of recycled materials at Emma Clark Library's Crafternoon on March 15.
PROGRAMS

First Steps Into Nature 

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents First Steps Into Nature for children ages 2 to 4 on March 14, 21 and 28 at 9:30 a.m. Little ones will learn about nature through hands on interaction, music, crafts, stories, play and more. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Growing Up Wild

Town of Brookhaven continues its Spring nature programs with Growing Up Wild at Cedar Beach Nature Center, 244 Harbor Beach Road, Mt. Sinai on March 15 at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. Children ages 3 to 6 along with a parent/caregiver will explore nature through stories and activities. Free but registration required by emailing [email protected].

Wildlife Wonders

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents Wildlife Wonders: Clever Creatures for ages 2 to 4 on March 15 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor presents a St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt on March 15, 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Complete a scavenger hunt by exploring the Hatchery and solving the riddles. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 ages 3 to 12. 516-692-6768

Little Artists Workshop 

Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station presents a Little Artists Workshop on March 15 at 11:30 a.m. Artist Robert Stenzel will guide young creators in exporing the magic of geometry in art. Using treats and toothpicks, children will build their own Buckminster Fuller-inspired structures from decahedrons to domes! For children in Pre-K through 4th grade. Cost is $20, $15 for members. To register, visit www.waltwhitman.org

Luck O’ The Dolphins Workshop

Join the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor for a Luck O’ The Dolphins Workshop on March 15 at noon and again at 2 p.m. Discover the heartwarming story of Fungie, a wild dolphin who became the lucky mascot of a small village in Ireland. Design a lucky dolphin shrink-art keychain charm. No registration required. Admission fee plus $10 per participant.

Crafternoon at the LIbrary

Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to drop by Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket for a Crafternoon on March 15 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Create a work of art using recycled materials. Open to all. No registration required. Questions? Email [email protected].

Sunday Funday: Ssssensational Ssssnakes

Slither on over to Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown to see a selection of several ssssensational serpents on March 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will meet several snakes and learn about their unique adaptations through games and other participatory activities. Create a cool snake craft to take home. Best for families with children ages 3 to 10. Fee is $15 per child, $5 for adults. Register at www.sweetbriarnc.org.

Storytime Under the Stars

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its  Storytime Under the Stars series on March 16 at 6 p.m. A live narrator at the front of the theater will bring selected picture books to life, with pages projected onto the Planetarium dome so families can enjoy the illustrations and follow along. All children are invited to wear their comfiest pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal. Admission is $8 per person, $6 members. Register at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Story & Craft with Nana Carol

The Next Chapter bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington hosts a Story and Craft event with Nana Carol on March 17 at 10:30 a.m. Free. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008

Spring Rock Painting

Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket presents a Spring Rock Painting workshop on March 18 for children ages 3 to 12 with a grown-up. Stop in anytime between 4:30 and 6 p.m. to decorate rocks to jazz up your garden this spring. No registration required. Bring a friend! Questions? Email [email protected].

Stormy Weather

As part of its Pollywog Adventures series, Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor presents Stormy Weather on March 19 at 11 a.m. Children ages 2 to 5 will enjoy an activity, craft, story and feeding the hungry trout. $20 fee includes admission for the day for one child and one adult. Pre-registration required at www.cshfishhatchery.org. 516-692-6768

Celebrate Spring!

Celebrate the Spring Equinox with the Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society at Cold Spring Harbor Library, 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor on March 19 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Come learn about what our local birds and other native animals do in springtime. Make a fun craft and go for a walk in the woods, weather permitting. For ages 5 to 10 with a caregiver. Free but registration is a must by calling Tess at 631-896-2872.

Growing Green

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a Tiny Tots program, Growing Green, on March 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children ages 3 to 5 will enjoy short walks, story time, animal visitors, and crafts with a parent/caregiver. $4 per child. Reservations taken on www.eventbrite.com.

THEATER

‘Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz’

Catch a performance of ‘Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz’ at Theatre Three this weekend. Photo by Peter Lanscombe/Theatre Three Productions, Inc

Theatre Three, 423 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz from Feb. 19 to March 29. Join them for an unforgettable trip down the Yellow Brick Road as Dorothy Gale is whisked away by a tornado to that magical land that lies just Over the Rainbow. Follow Dorothy and her friends the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion ­as they encounter challenges and celebrate friendship. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Musical’

Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is Diary of  a Wimpy Kid The Musical from March 22 to April 27. Read the books? Watched the movies? Now experience the musical! Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. But Greg is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe Greg’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg…no way. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com

Send your calendar events to [email protected]