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TBR’s Kids’ Mother’s Day Contest winners announced

by Heidi Sutton - May 12, 2017

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Charles Jantzen of Setauket with his mom Leah. Photo by Heidi Sutton

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Thanks to all the children who entered Times Beacon Record News Media’s annual Mother’s Day contest. Congratulations to Kris, Tristan and Jamie Kozikowski of Port Jefferson, Charles Jantzen of Setauket and Jasmine Camilleri of Sound Beach for being this year’s winners and receiving a family-four pack of movie tickets to the Port Jefferson Cinemas in Port Jefferson Station. All other entries will be printed in Kids Times over the next few weeks. Happy Mother’s Day!

Moms are magnificent

Of an outstanding family

Trying to be more awesome

Helping me with homework

Enthusiastic about loving me

Ready for a challenge

By Jasmine Camilleri, age 10, Sound Beach

Mama is pure magic.

Of all the moms in the world, so glad she is mine.

Thank you mama for everything you do for me.

Happy hearted is my mama with our family!

Enchanted like a fairy is my mama.

Rainbows, unicorns and everything awesome reminds me of mama.

By Kris Kozikowski, age 6, Port Jefferson

Many years ago Mom carried me in her belly.

Once I was born, a big feeling of love came out with me.

To this day, she has taught me and fed me.

Halo’s are usually above her head, she is my angel-hero.

Easily she has extra love to go around between us 4.

Really, really, really and I’m not kidding, the best coolest mom ever!

By Tristan Kozikowski, age 8, Port Jefferson

Magic. My mom is pure magic.

One and only mother for me.

True like the sky.

Heroic like Super Mom.

Easy-going as easy can be.

Respectful. She is very respectful and real.

By Jamie Kozikowski, age 10, Port Jefferson

Marvelous

Open-minded

Terrific

Happy

Energetic

Responsible

By Charles Jantzen, age 7, Setauket

Winners of 3rd annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award honored

by Heidi Sutton - May 5, 2017

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Helen Stack Shein — Assemblyman Steve Englebright, center, with the winners, from left, Cassidy Oliver, Eliana Sasson, Katie Zhao and Nicole Freeley. Photo from Emma Clark Library

On April 27, Emma Clark Library, the family of the late Helen Stein Shack, local elected officials, representatives from the Three Village Central School district and guests from the community gathered to honor the winners of the third annual Helen Stein Shack Picture Book Award.

First Prize Winner Eliana Sasson (grades 7 – 9 category) accepting her check from Karen Shack Reid. Photo from Emma Clark Library

Library Director Ted Gutmann, along with the family of Helen Stein Shack, presented all of the winners’ books — bound and added to the library’s Local Focus Collection — along with $400 scholarships to first-prize winners Eliana Sasson (“We Can Still Be Friends!”) and Katie Zhao (“Claire and Her Bear”)and $100 check for second-prize winners Nicole Freeley (“Sammy the Sock Monkey”) and Cassidy Oliver (“Color Your World”).

Karen Shack Reid, daughter of the late Helen Stein Shack, explained how the endowment was started. “My brother had suggested we needed to do something in Mommy’s memory … we threw around some suggestions, kind of talked about it, reached out to my nieces and my nephews … got a lot of great ideas. That’s how supportive this family is. My oldest nephew, my sister’s son, is a librarian, and he said, ‘Why don’t we do something at Emma S. Clark Library that Zafta — that’s grandma in Hebrew — loves so much? … that just fit.”

First Prize Winner Katie Zhao (grades 10 – 12 category) accepting her check from Karen Shack Reid. Photo from Emma Clark Library

Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) spoke at the event, and the winners also received certificates from Senator John Flanagan (R-East Northport), Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket) and Councilwoman Valerie Cartright (D-Port Jefferson Station). Library Board President Linda Josephs, along with Trustees Deborah Blair and Richard Russell, were there to congratulate the winners and Three Village Central School District President of the Board of Education William Connors, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services Kevin Scanlon, Ward Melville High School Librarian April Hatcher and Gelinas Junior High School Librarian Nicole Connelly were all in attendance.

The Book Contest called for teens in grades 7 through 12 who live in the Three Village Central School District to create a children’s picture book. Each entry could be the work of a single author/illustrator or a collaborative effort of an author and an illustrator. The contest was divided into two grade categories, grades 7 through 9 and grades 10 through 12, with one first-prize winner and one second-prize winner selected from each group. This award is given in memory of Helen Stein Shack by her family.

Englebright remarked to the winners, “It was an extraordinary level of creativity that you brought to this, and you will continue to show that as you develop your own adult lives and careers, which is part of the genius of this family’s gift: to make an investment into young people like this.”

Heckscher Park gears up for annual Tulip Festival

by Heidi Sutton - May 4, 2017

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Tulip Festival 1 — ‘Orange Flame’ by Richard Dolce, last year’s first-place winner in the Tulip Festival’s photography contest. Photo from Town of Huntington

What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than with a Tulip Festival? The natural beauty of the historic Heckscher Park will once again serve as the backdrop for the Town of Huntington’s highly anticipated signature spring tradition this Sunday, May 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Now in its 17th year, the event was the brainchild of Councilman Mark Cuthbertson (D).

“The 17th Annual Huntington Tulip Festival is a free event that has something for the whole family to enjoy. There is live entertainment throughout the afternoon on the Chapin Rainbow Stage, booths with hands-on activities for children and thousands of colorful tulips throughout the park,” said Cuthbertson, adding, “So please stop by Heckscher Park and enjoy the festivities.”

Janice Bruckner will perform on the Chapin Rainbow Stage at 2 p.m. Photo from Town of Huntington

In addition to the festivities, the Heckscher Museum of Art will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. offering a special reduced pricing of $2 per person (members and children under 10 free!). Docents will be in the galleries leading tours beginning at 2 p.m. Enjoy the museum’s exhibitions Thaddeus Holownia: Walden Revisited, Earth Muse: Art and the Environment and The Art of Narrative: Timeless Tales and Visual Vignettes.

Since its inception, Huntington’s Tulip Festival has also included an annual photo contest. Entries by amateur and professional photographers will be juried to select the images most evocative of the beauty and family orientation of the festival and must be postmarked or received by July 31. Prize-winning images will be used in festival publicity.

Entertainment schedule

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Student Art Contest. Building up to the festival was an art contest for area students organized by the Huntington Arts Council. Award-winning work will be displayed near the Rainbow Chapin Stage.

Noon to 4 p.m. — Springtime Is for the Birds Art Workshop. Feathers will fly when children of all ages are invited to create colorful, mixed-media birds to celebrate spring on the terrace of the Heckscher Museum. In the event of inclement weather, activities will take place in the museum.

Noon to 12:45 p.m. — Children’s Music with Mike Soloway. Soloway is a teacher and performer of children’s music residing in Huntington. His children’s recordings include the “Moving With Mike” series, the “Preschool Action Song” series in addition to the albums “Hungry for Manners” and “School Bus Songs.”

Inkarayku will perform on the Chapin Rainbow Stage at 1 p.m. Photo from Town of Huntington

1 to 1:45 p.m. — Inkarayku: Journey Through the Andes. An interactive children’s concert, Journey through the Andes takes children on a musical journey through the Andes Mountains, starting in northern Ecuador and ending in Bolivia. The concert features a storytelling narrative, singing along games and group dancing. Inkarayku members use large floor maps, theatrical costumes and props to transport youngsters to another time and place, giving them a one of kind educational experience.

2 to 3 p.m. — Songs & Puppetry with Janice Buckner. Buckner is one of the nation’s top performing artists for children. She tours nationally and has appeared on radio and television, as well as over 4,000 schools and concert halls. Buckner entertains audiences of all ages with her voice, guitars, puppets and her knowledge of Sign Language for the Deaf. She is noted for her voice, her creativity and the outstanding quality of her lyrics.

4 p.m. — Festival Closes. Museum exhibits on view until 5 p.m.

For more information regarding the Tulip Festival or if you would like to volunteer for the day, please call 631-351-3099.

Northport preschoolers dig and decorate for Mother Earth

by Victoria Espinoza - April 27, 2017

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Little-Sprouts-Preschool-Earth-Day-2017_01w — Little Sprout students smile and plant flowers in a Northport park for Earth Day. Photo from Amy Dolce

By Victoria Espinoza

Students at Little Sprouts Preschool in Northport helped Earth Day blossom this year with a school project.

Amy Dolce, director at Little Sprouts, said she wanted to top the events she did last year with her students, which was also her first year as director.

“Last year we hatched butterflies in the school and released them on Earth Day, and we had a picnic in the park, but this time I wanted to do more,” Dolce said in a phone interview.

Dolce said she got in contact with William Forster at Northport Village Parks Department and asked if it would be possible to plant flowers somewhere in Cow Harbor Park.

Forster, the senior groundskeeper for Northport Village, said he and his colleagues help out with projects like this for Eagle Scouts, Girl Scouts and other groups, and he and colleague Kevin Kenney were happy to help with this one.

Little Sprout students smile and plant flowers in a Northport park for Earth Day. Photo from Amy Dolce

“It was fun to do,” he said in a phone interview. “We had some cobblestones lying around and we found a spot that was kind of bare [in the park] and we make our soil ourselves, from the foliage and leaves we collect in the fall. It worked out really nice. It’s looking awesome; they did a wonderful job.”

Dolce was grateful for the help Forster provided.

“Willy met me at the park the next day to try and find the right spot to plant some flowers,” Dolce said. “He was so nice; he ended up making us a flower bed and providing the soil for our project.”

Dolce and her students slipped on their rain gear last Friday morning and headed down to the park from their school at the Trinity Episcopal Church on Main Street in the village.

“Our three- and four-year-olds took turns planting pansies and enjoying a snack on the blanket,” she said. “Afterwards they played in the park — it was just a really fun day.”

She said the kids had a lot of fun, and weren’t afraid to get to work in the dirt.

“They loved it — until they found a worm,” Dolce said with a laugh. “One young girl dropped her shovel as soon as she found a worm.”

Little Sprout student and director Amy Dolce smile and plant flowers in a Northport park for Earth Day. Photo from Amy Dolce

The director said her favorite part was when she heard the following Monday morning how the kids had all gone down with their families to check on their flowers during the weekend at “Cookie Park,” the nickname they’ve given Cow Harbor Park after its proximity to Copenhagen Bakery.

“It brings a little ownership to the community and a sense of unity,” she said. “It was really a lovely experience. Now their flowers will always be there. They all live in the area, so they can continually check on them.”

Dolce said the idea has inspired her to start planning a fall trip back to their flower box to plant mums, as well as continuing this tradition for Earth Day next year.

“This was about teaching them to be good to Mother Earth,” Dolce said. “But I really loved seeing the camaraderie. These kids will now always have their flowers at Cookie Park.”

Stony Brook Grist Mill opens for the season

by Heidi Sutton - April 20, 2017

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The historic Stony Brook Grist Mill (circa 1751), Harbor Road, Stony Brook Village will officially open for the season on April 22 from noon to 4 p.m. and will be open every weekend through October. Visitors will enjoy a demonstration by a miller dressed in period clothing who will grind corn into grain just as it has been done since 1751 as well as visit a charming country store. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children under 12. For more information, visit www.stonybrookvillage.com or call 631-751-2244.

Whaling Museum to host 2nd annual SOUND-OFF event

by Heidi Sutton - April 19, 2017

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The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor will be hosting its 2nd annual indoor-outdoor event, SOUND-OFF, to help protect the Long Island Sound on Sunday, April 23 from noon to 4 p.m., with activities for all ages including science experiments, water monitoring, a touch tank and more! Bring the whole family to spend a day in picturesque Cold Spring Harbor Village engaging with leaders in the field of conservation to learn how to protect our local waters.

A family attends last year’s SOUND-OFF event. Photo from Whaling Museum

Funded in part by a grant from Long Island Sound Futures Fund, The Whaling Museum will engage people who live and work in the communities surrounding the Sound to foster a new generation of advocates and caretakers. Since 2005, the Futures Fund has provided millions of dollars for hundreds of projects to protect and preserve this critical ecosystem, restoring valuable habitats and treating and cleaning polluted waters.

The Long Island Sound is an amazing natural resource providing economic and recreational benefits to millions of people while also providing habitat for more than 1,200 invertebrates, 170 species of fish and dozens of species of migratory birds.

The main objective of SOUND-OFF is to help visitors understand, protect and advocate for the Sound by promoting a greater awareness of people’s impacts on the Sound’s health, either directly or indirectly. Visitors will leave the event with a stronger understanding of our relationship with the Sound, including gaining knowledge to help monitor its water quality and wildlife inhabitants, and practical ways to contribute to a cleaner Sound.

A little boy touches a crab at last year’s event. File photo

“The Long Island Sound is an essential economic and environmental treasure in need of careful stewardship to protect its integrity,” said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos.

“The museum’s major goal is to help visitors make informed decisions about our marine environment, and ultimately adopt behaviors to better protect it,” said Nomi Dayan, the museum’s executive director. “Taking place in the spring season, this event is poised to have an impact through the rest of the summer months as Long Islanders get ready to hit the beaches, spend time on boats, and fertilize their lawns,” she added.

Local conservation groups will be on-site to host workshops, conduct experiments and educate the public, including The Waterfront Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society, Friends of Wildlife and Jump In! Water Campaign. There will be environmental craft stations for children as well as a “Travel the Sound” passport to follow around the museum stations to help children decide on their own Pledge for the Sound.

Admission is free and includes all activities. Held rain or shine. For more information, call 631-367-3418 or visit www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Theater Review: ‘The Adventures of Peter Rabbit’ blooms in Port Jefferson

by Heidi Sutton - April 19, 2017

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Peter Rabbit 2017 — Photo by Peter Lanscombe, Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

By Heidi Sutton

The entire company. Photo by Peter Lanscombe, Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

Spring has finally arrived to the Village of Port Jefferson — the tulips, the daffodils, even the Bradford pear trees are in full bloom. Spring in the village also signals the arrival of another perennial favorite, “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit,” at Theatre Three. Written by Jeffrey E. Sanzel and the late Brent Erlanson and suggested by the characters created by Beatrix Potter, this adorable children’s musical has become an annual tradition for many families in the area.

Directed by Sanzel, the story follows the mischievous adventures of Peter Rabbit, played by Dylan Robert Poulos, and his cousin Benjamin Bunny, played by Steven Uihlein, as they sneak into Mr. McGregor’s garden again and again to steal his vegetables.

Caitlin Nofi, Beth Whitford and Melanie Acampora play good little bunnies Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-Tail who spend most of their time searching for their wayward brother Peter. Jessica Contino is terrific as Mrs. Rabbit, playing the role with just the right amount of strictness.

Andrew Lenahan, last seen in “Raggedy Ann & Andy,” tackles the role of Mr. McGregor and does a fine job while Emily Gates shines as Mrs. McGregor. The two draw the most laughs from the parents when Gates says “We’re friends, aren’t we?” and Lenahan answers, “Are we? I thought we were married.”

A scene from ‘The Adventures of Peter Rabbit.’ Photo by Peter Lanscombe, Theatre Three Productions, Inc.

The set is sparse, with a few props including a scarecrow, a few signs, a table and a trap door for a rabbit hole but let your imagination fly and you will see a mouthwatering garden full of parsley, cucumbers, tomatoes, string beans and lettuce that can be very tempting for a little rabbit. The costumes, designed by Teresa Matteson, are on point, from the farmer’s overalls to the little white tails on the rabbits with brand new dresses for Flopsy, Mopsy ad Cotton-Tail in soft shades of yellow, pink and purple.

With fresh choreography by Sari Feldman, the musical numbers, accompanied on piano by Steve McCoy, are all fun and hip, especially “One More Time Around,” “Run, Peter, Run!” and “Peter’s Socks,” and the audience is treated to an encore performance of all the songs in a finale mega mix.

The show is action-packed with several chase scenes through the aisles, a Mission-Impossible-inspired heist to retrieve Peter’s socks and shoes and vest and jacket and hat from a scarecrow erected by Mr. McGregor, acrobatics (courtesy of Poulos) and audience participation. Throw in some singing and dancing and Theatre Three has a bona fide hit. So gather up all your good little bunnies and hop over to Theatre Three for a real spring treat.

Souvenir bunnies in various colors are sold during intermission, and booster seats are available. Meet the entire cast in the lobby after the show for photos.

Theatre Three, located at 412 Main St., in Port Jefferson will present “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit” through May 6 with a sensory-friendly performance on April 23. Children’s Theater will continue with “The Princess & the Pea” from May 27 to June 10, “Aladdin & the Lamp” from July 7 to Aug. 10 and “The Frog Prince” from Aug. 4 to 12. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Annual Easter Parade and egg hunt hops down Main Street in Port Jeff

by Alex Petroski - April 17, 2017

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The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce hosted its 19th annual Easter Parade down Main Street in the Village, followed by an egg hunt in Harborfront Park Easter Sunday, April 16. Hundreds of kids and their parents scoured the park for eggs to fill their baskets, and later posed for photos with the Easter Bunny.

Spring and Easter Hoppenings on the North Shore

by Heidi Sutton - April 14, 2017

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Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

The Youth Group at St. Joseph’s Church, 59 Church St., Kings Park will host its annual Easter egg hunt on April 15 at 10 a.m. followed by a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny in Travis Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $6 for adults and children ages 3 and up. For tickets, call 656-8991.

Egg decorating workshop

Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to Studio 455, located at 455 Lake Ave, St. James on April 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. to make Easter crafts including egg decorating and bunny puppets. Fee is $25 and includes all art supplies. For additional information and to reserve a spot, call 862-6198.

Easter Egg Hunt

Caroline Church, 1 Dyke Road, Setauket invites the community to its annual Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on April 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Over 1,000 eggs to find, photos with the Easter Bunny, rabbits to pet, best homemade Easter hat contest and more! For more information, call 941-4245.

Spring Egg Hunt

The St. James Chamber of Commerce invites children from 1 to 10 years old to its 21st annual Spring Egg Hunt on the Deepwells Mansion property, Route 25A and Moriches Road, on April 15 at 1 p.m. (weather permitting). Enjoy pictures with the Easter Bunny and prizes galore. Free. For more information, call 584-8510.

Egg Hunt at the Hatchery

Join the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor for a Spring Egg Hunt on April 15 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. For children up to 8 years of age. Don’t forget your basket! No registration required. Admission is $6 adults, $4 children and seniors, under age 3 free. Questions? Call 516-692-6768.

Easter Egg Hunt

The Three Village Church, 322 Main Street, Setauket will hold an Easter Egg Hunt along with games and activities on April 15 from 10 a.m. to noon. Free! Tickets are available at www.3vc.org. For more information, call 941-3670.

Easter Egg Hunt and Party

Commack United Methodist Church, 486 Townline Road, Commack will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt and Party on April 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with games and crafts. A light lunch will be served followed by a visit from the Easter Bunny. Bring a basket with 6 plastic filled eggs for each child. Free admission. To reserve, call 499-7310.

Easter Egg Hunt on the farm

Join the folks at Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, Setauket for its annual weekend Easter Egg Hunt on April 15 and 16 at 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. Admission is $6 children, $8 adults and includes a ticket for one egg hunt time slot. Egg hunts are separated by age groups: 2- to 4-year-olds, 5- to 7-year-olds, age 8 and up. Bring your own basket or rent one at the farm store. The farm is also open for holding baby bunnies and chicks, visiting the animals and pictures with the Easter Bunny. For more information, call 689-8172 or visit www.bennersfarm.com.

‘The Adventures of Peter Rabbit’

They’re back! Peter, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail, Benjamin Bunny, and the McGregors come to life in “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit” at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson on April 15 at 11 a.m.All seats are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Spring Egg Hunt and Celebration

Sweetbriar Nature Center, located at 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown, welcomes the season with a Spring Egg Hunt and Celebration on April 15 from noon to 4 p.m. Join them for a fun-filled day of face painting, games, stories, wildlife programs, egg hunts, animal presentations and a guest appearance by the Easter Bunny. $15 per child, $5 adults. Questions? Call 979-6344.

Easter Bunny hops into Northport

The Easter Bunny will be visiting downtown Northport Village on April 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. Come on by and say hello! Sponsored by the Northport Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 794-3905.

Easter Parade and Egg Hunt

The Village of Port Jefferson will hold its annual Easter Parade and Egg Hunt on April 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Parade will kick off in front of Theatre Three on Main Street and end at the Harborfront Park on East Broadway. Children ages 2 to 8 are invited for a free egg hunt on the Great Lawn at Harborfront Park at 12:30 p.m. All children will receive a treat. For further details, call 473-1414 or visit www.portjeffchamber.com.

Easter Egg Hunt in Northport

The Village of Northport will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 16 at Northport Village Park at 1 p.m. Rain date is April 23. Sponsored by the Northport/Centerport Lions Club.

A veritable baby barnyard blooms at Benner’s Farm

by TBR Staff - April 14, 2017

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three sheep — Serena the sheep takes a much needed break with her new lambs, Walnut and Catalpa. Photo from Benner's Farm

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Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow in Setauket had quite a busy week as many of their sheep and goats gave birth, with the help of Jean Benner. All of the babies on the farm will be named after trees this year. Campers on Monday morning had the chance to see Oak and Maple being born. Stop by during Easter weekend and say hello. Visitors can hold the baby ducks, rabbits and chickens and feed and pet the farm’s other residents. The farm will be open on weekends from noon to 4 p.m. through May 21. For more information, call 631-689-8172.

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