CLOSE
Kids

by -
0 655
FIND YOUR INSPIRATION Drop by Long Island Museum's Studio to create a work of art inspired by the museum's exhibitions on June 8.

PROGRAMS

Animals have Dads Too!

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park hosts a Tiny Tots program, Animals Have Dads Too!, on June 6 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Enjoy short walks, stories, dances, animal visitors, and crafts. For children ages 3 to 5. $4 per child. Advance registration required by calling 631-269-4333.

First Steps Into Nature 

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents First Steps Into Nature: Wonderful Wildlife for children ages 2 to 4 on June 7 at 9:30 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

Open Farm Day

Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket will hold an Open Farm Day on June 8 from noon to 4 p.m. Hold baby bunnies/chicks, visit and feed barnyard friends, swing on the big swing, and more! Bring a snack and have a picnic. Come play, come learn! No reservations required. Admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors and children. 631-689-8172

Second Saturdays in the Studio

Visit the art studio at the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook on June 8 between 1 and 4 p.m. for a hands-on activity. Create a unique work of art inspired by the exhibitions on view. Discover artists in the museum’s Power of Two exhibition who used printmaking methods to create their artwork. Find your inspiration in prints from Helen Frankenthaler, Lee Krasner and James Brooks and create your own masterpiece using gelli-print techniques. All supplies are provided. Children under 16 must have an adult with them. Free with admission to the museum. 631-751-0066

Jewelry Making Workshop

Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to drop by Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket for a jewelry making workshop on June 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. Make beaded bracelets or necklaces with teen volunteers. Free and open to all. Questions? Email [email protected]

THEATER

‘The Mystery of the Missing Ever After’

“Where in the world is our happy ending?” Stories collide and mysteries abound as three great princesses come together to solve The Mystery of the Missing Ever After at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from May 25 to June 15. A slipper, a spinning wheel, and a red, red rose are all clues in this hilarious new musical! All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Seussical the Musical’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its children’s theater with Seussical the Musical from June 1 to June 30. “Oh the Thinks You Can Think!” Dive into the colorful world of Dr. Seuss as The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who sets off to save a speck of dust containing The Whos from destruction. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, imagination, loyalty, and community are challenged and emerge victorious. Tickets are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. See review on page B27.

FILM

‘Freaky Friday’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of Freaky Friday on June 9 at noon. Dr. Tess Coleman and her teenage daughter Anna have one thing in common: they don’t relate to each other on anything. Then one Friday night they find themselves trapped inside each other’s body. Literally forced to walk in each other’s shoes, will they gain respect and understanding for the other’s point of view? Tickets are $13 adults, $5 children 12 and under. www.cinemaartscentre.org.

by -
0 976
Lenny Bruno Farms hosts its 3rd annual strawberry festival on June 8 and 9.

Save the date! Lenny Bruno Farms, 740 Wading River Road, Manorville will hold their third annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Festival-goers can look forward to exploring a wide variety of offerings, including mouthwatering treats from food trucks and artisan vendors, live music face painting, miniature pony rides, and engaging activities for children, teens, and adults. The jumbo garden games add an extra layer of fun for families to enjoy together. Admission to the festival area is $10 per person. Children 2 and under are free. 

For those looking to get their hands on the freshest strawberries, the strawberry u-pick area offers an additional adventure. Admission to the u-pick area is $10 per person, which includes one pint of strawberries. Visitors can also enjoy a scenic hayride to the u-pick area, providing unique photo opportunities for families and friends to capture cherished memories.

“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors to our 3rd annual Strawberry Festival,” said Dominick Bruno, owner at Lenny Bruno Farms. “This event is a celebration of all things strawberry, and we’re excited to offer a range of activities and experiences for our guests to enjoy. From live music to strawberry picking, there’s something for everyone to savor.”

The farm will host a series of events through the Fall including a Sweet Summerfest on Aug. 3 and 4. For a full line-up, visit www.LennyBrunoFarms.com/events.

More festivals ….

St. James Strawberry Festival

St. James Episcopal Church, 490 North Country Road, St. James will host their annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Featuring raffle baskets, baked goods, garden table, lunch, antiques, Grandpa’s Garage, children’s activities, church and cemetery tours and, of course, strawberry treats! 631-584-5560

Mattituck Strawberry Festival

The 69th annual Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Festival, 1105 North Road, Mattituck will be held on June 12 and 13 from 5 to 10 p.m., June 14 from 5 to 11 p.m., June 15 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and June 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Highlights include strawberry shortcake, strawberries dipped in chocolate, live music, crowning of the Strawberry Queen, over 100 arts and craft vendors, carnival rides, food and fireworks on June 14, 15 and 16 (weather permitting). Admission varies based on festival days. www.mattituckstrawberryfestival.com

Rocky Point Strawberry Festival 

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 716 Route 25A, Rocky Point presents their annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with craft vendors, delicious food and desserts, bake sale, HUGE Tag Sale, gift basket raffles, and children’s activities. 631-744-9355

Pick Your Own Strawberries..

The following farms on the North Shore offer u-pick strawberries in mid-June. Always call before you go to check availability. 

• Anderson Farms, 1890 Roanoke Ave., Riverhead. 631-727-2559 or 631-727-1129

• Hodun Farms, 4070 Middle Country Rd., Calverton. 631-369-3533

• Domaleski Farms, Route 48, Mattituck. 631-734-6886

• Harbes Family Farm, 715 Sound Ave., Mattituck. 631-298-0800

• Wickham’s Fruit Farm, 28700 Rte. 25, Cutchogue. 632-734-6441

• Lewins Farms, 812 Sound Ave., Calverton. 631-929-4327

• Rottkamp’s Fox Hollow Farm, 2287 Sound Ave., Baiting Hollow. 631-727-1786

• Windy Acres, 3810 Middle Country Road, Calverton. 631-727-4554

•  Patty’s Berries and Bunches, 410 Sound Ave., Mattituck. 631-655-7996

• Condzella’s Farm, 6233 North Country Road, Wading River. 631-929-4697

• Golden Acres Organic Farm, 652 Peconic Bay Blvd., Riverhead. 631-722-3302

by -
0 587
Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim visits Mt. Pleasant Elementary School to see its new recyclable garden beds. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Town of Smithtown Supervisor Edward Wehrheim said he was amazed at what’s growing at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School.

“I’m coming back when there are cucumbers to pick,” he told the students.

The Town of Smithtown, Reworld Waste and the Smithtown Central School District teamed up to create the new garden. Kathy Smerechniak, the STEM specialist at Mt. Pleasant, has been working with the student council to nurture plants from seeds under grow lights.

Students have been actively involved in the maintenance of plants and have spent time learning about the life cycle of plants in their science curriculum.

On May 22, Wehrheim, Town Public Information Officer Nicole Garguilo, and Reworld staff visited the garden to see the students’ thriving plants in the garden beds. The vegetables grown in this garden will be donated to the local food pantry.

The garden beds, made from recycled material, were donated by Reworld along with seeds, compost, solar-powered water timers, and an irrigation system. The Town of Smithtown will continue to support Smithtown schools to advocate for additional opportunities at other elementary schools to develop similar projects.

by -
0 745
1 of 19
Briar Rose (Cassidy O'Brien), Snow White (Julia Albino) and Cinderella (Veronica Fox) star in this new musical. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three
Cinderella (Veronica Fox). Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three
Snow White (Julia Albino). Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three
Briar Rose (Cassidy O'Brien). Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three
Sean Amato and Cassidy Rose O'Brien in a scene from the show. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three
Veronica Fox and Sean Amato in a scene from the show. Photo by Steven Uihlein/Theatre Three
A scene from 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
A scene from 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
A scene from 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
A scene from 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
A scene from 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
A scene from 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
A scene from 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
A scene from 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
A scene from 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
A scene from 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
A scene from 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
The cast of 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'
The cast of 'The Mystery of the Missing Ever After'

By Julianne Mosher

What if Snow White, Cinderella and Briar Rose didn’t get their happy endings? Snow White would have been poisoned by the apple, Cinderella forever a maid and Briar Rose would sleep until eternity. These fairy tales have had dozens of interpretations each throughout the years, but one thing is common — there is always a happily ever after. 

But Theatre Three is taking it a step further and switching it up. Making its world premiere, The Mystery of the Missing Ever After, written by Jeffrey Hoffman, Douglas J. Quattrock and Jeffrey Sanzel, brings in a bit of mystery with a lot of original music. 

Directed by Sanzel, the show starts off with what the three princess’ lives looked like after the final chapter closed. Cinderella (Veronica Fox) runs a show emporium, Snow White (Julia Albino) has opened a laundry service with the dwarves and Briar Rose (aka the Sleeping Beauty and played by Cassidy Rose O’Brien) has a successful meditation business, helping other fairytale and folklore creatures calm down. 

They live with their princes, Adrian, Basil and Constantine (all performed by Sean Amato) who each have their own quirky personalities but support their wives. 

In town, we’re introduced to other members of the community including the formerly evil Rumpelstiltskin (Steven Uihlein) who says he changed his ways and now helps children by buying them food and toys. Alice — formerly of Wonderland and played by Louisa Bikowski — now runs a retrieval agency, Alice’s Wonderland Wonders, and her colleague, the White Rabbit (Jason Furnari) struggles with severe anxiety and seeks out help from Briar Rose. 

As the play goes on, the princesses’ start to realize odd things happening — apples appearing out of nowhere, Briar falling asleep at any given moment and Cinderella loses her beautiful blue gown (one of many stunning costumes courtesy of Jason Allyn), transforming into her former self wearing an apron covered in ash. Soon after, their princes begin to forget who they are. That being the final straw, the three then decide that they need to figure out what is going on and why.

Along the way, they meet other favorite characters from different children’s books including Peter Pan (Liam Marsigliano), Little Red Riding Hood (Gina Lardi) and Puss in Boots (Kaitlyn Jehle), just to name a few. 

With the help of families in the audience, the mystery of the stolen happily ever after is solved — and it’s quite the surprise of who’s behind it. 

With a solid score of 12 original songs, written by Hoffman and Quattrock, and performed by this stellar cast, there is something for everyone here. Although it’s caters to young children, parents and older siblings will not be disappointed, either. 

So, get your glass slippers on and head down to Theatre Three in Port Jefferson to see this unique, fun, entertaining and awesome play. Stop by the lobby on your way out for a group photo with the cast.

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents The Mystery of the Missing Ever After through June 15. Costumes are encouraged. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

by -
0 548
1 of 29
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Parade on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Service on May 27. Photos by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Service on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Service on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Service on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan
A scene from the Setauket Memorial Day Service on May 27. Photo by Rita J. Egan

By Rita J. Egan

Despite the threat of rain, the Setauket Memorial Day Parade went on as planned on Monday, May 27.

Hosted by Veterans of Foreign War Post 3054, the event began with a wreath-laying ceremony on the Village Green. After the ceremony, veterans, volunteer firefighters, elected officials, the Ward Melville marching band, Scouts, dancers, twirlers and more marched up Main Street to Route 25A, where hundreds of participants lined the street.

The parade ended with Post 3054 hosting another wreath-laying ceremony at Setauket Veterans Memorial Park on Shore Road and Route 25A.

by -
0 671
BOX TURTLE FUN Take part in Sweetbriar Nature Center's annual Turtle Walk on June 2.
PROGRAMS

Flower Power

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park hosts a Tiny Tots class, Flower Power, on May 30 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children ages 3 to 5 with a parent or caregiver will enjoy short walks, stories, dances, animal visitors, and crafts. $4 per person. $4 per child. 631-269-4333.

Reptile & Amphibian Day

Celebrate Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation Day at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery on June 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Long Island Herpetological Society will bring live exotic reptiles and amphibians and the hatchery’s NYS native reptiles and amphibians will  be on display. Admission fee is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 5 to 12. 516-692-6768

Art in the Barn

Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station presents Art in the Barn, storytime and hands-on art projects for pre-schoolers on June 1 at 11 a.m. The class will be painting and reading “Edward Hopper Summer at the Seashore” by Deborah Lyons.  $15 per child, $13 members. To register, visit waltwhitman.org/events.

Turtle Walk

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents its annual Turtle Walk on June 2 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Help Sweetbriar check its fields for box turtles and enjoy a presentation and craft for the kids. Meet some of the Center’s resident non-releasable turtles too! $10 per person, ages 3 and under free. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Famiily Hour: Dual Language

Heckscher Museum, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington presents a special Family Hour Sunday in both Spanish and English on June 2 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children ages 5 through 10 are invited for a family-friendly art experience with educators Tami Wood and Karina Giménez. Explore works of art in the Museum and create fun art projects! $10 per child, adults free. Registration recommended by visiting www.hecksher.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 June 3 at 10:30 a.m. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008

Animals Have Dads Too!

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park hosts a Tiny Tots program, Animals Have Dads Too!, on June 6 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Enjoy short walks, stories, dances, animal visitors, and crafts. For children ages 3 to 5. $4 per child. Advance registration required by calling 631-269-4333.

THEATER

‘The Mystery of the Missing Ever After’

“Where in the world is our happy ending?” Stories collide and mysteries abound as three great princesses come together to solve The Mystery of the Missing Ever After at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from May 25 to June 15. A slipper, a spinning wheel, and a red, red rose are all clues in this hilarious new musical! All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. See review on page B23.

‘Seussical the Musical’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its children’s theater with Seussical the Musical from June 1 to June 30. “Oh the Thinks You Can Think!” Dive into the colorful world of Dr. Seuss as The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who sets off to save a speck of dust containing The Whos from destruction. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, imagination, loyalty, and community are challenged and emerge victorious. Tickets are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

FILM

‘Muppet Treasure Island’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of Muppet Treasure Island on June 2 at noon. Get ready for hilarity on the high seas with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and all the Muppets in this exciting first-ever action-adventure, inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic pirate tale. Tickets are $13 adults, $5 children 12 and under. www.cinemaartscentre.org.

by -
0 725
Photo from Vanderbilt Museum

Join scientists from Brookhaven Lab for Science in the Community as they discuss the wonders of the universe at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport on Saturday, June 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy hands-on experiences that show the different weights in different planetary gravities, explore craters of the moon, and more!

The Vanderbilt Museum and grounds and Reichert Planetarium will open at 9:30 am and admission will be FREE for all members of the public until 2:00 pm.

Visitors will have access to the grounds as well as exhibits in the Vanderbilt Mansion and Marine Museum.

Seating for the scientific talks and Planetarium shows require reservations. Click on the shows below to reserve your seat. For more information, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

10:00 am

“Vera Rubin Observatory and LuSEE Night”
Scientist Steven Bellavia of Brookhaven Lab’s Collider-Accelerator Department will share his talk about these recent projects (45 minutes).

Reserve Seat

11:00 am

“A Guide to Galactic Cosmic Rays”
Scientist Jessica Gasparik of Brookhaven Lab’s NASA Space Radiation Laboratory will share a talk about galactic cosmic rays (45 minutes).

Reserve Seat

Noon

“Are We All Made of Star Stuff? How Elements and Stars Work”
Scientist Trevor Olsen of Brookhaven Lab’s NASA Space Radiation Laboratory will share a talk about composition of matter and nucleosynthesis (45 minutes).

Reserve Seat

by -
0 459
An international panel of sleep experts including researchers at Stony Brook University formally agree in a consensus statement that reducing pre-bedtime digital media, especially for children and adolescents, will improve sleep health. Getty Images

SBU Professor Lauren Hale Chairs the National Sleep Foundation’s panel that published a consensus statement

Since the smartphone’s emergence in 2007, digital screen time has ballooned in use over the years for children and adults. How use of smartphones and other digital screen devices affects sleep continues to be debated. In a review of 574 peer-reviewed published studies on the issue, an international panel of sleep experts selected by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has drawn up a consensus statement about digital screen use and sleep.

The consensus statement, titled “The Impact of Screen Use on Sleep Health Across the Lifespan: A National Sleep Foundation Consensus Statement,” is published in Sleep Health, the journal of the NSF. They assessed studies on screen time and its effects on sleep including research on children, adolescents, and/or adults.

After an extensive review of this large collection of studies over the course of a year, the panel reached consensus on a number of key points.

They agreed that: 1) In general, screen use impairs sleep health among children and adolescents; 2) The content of screen use before sleep impairs sleep health of children and adolescents, and 3) Behavioral strategies and interventions may attenuate the negative effects of screen use on sleep health.

”Upon review of the current literature, our panel achieved consensus on the importance of reducing pre-bedtime digital media to improve sleep health, especially for children and adolescents,” says Lauren Hale, PhD, Chair of the Consensus Panel and Professor in the Program of Public Health at Stony Brook University, and in the Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook. “We also identified the gaps in the literature and the need for future research.”

The NSF provides recommendations for best practices to reduce the impact of screen use on sleep.

In summary, they suggest:

  • Avoiding stimulating or upsetting material near bedtime
  • Implementing early, regular, and relaxing bedtime routines without screens
  • Setting time limits around screen use, especially in the evening and at night
  • Parents talking with children about how using tech and screens can impact sleep
  • Parents modeling appropriate nighttime screen use for children

“The expert panel examined available scientific evidence, paying close attention to studies that examined whether, how, and for whom screen use might negatively impact sleep health. We found that stimulating content of screen use, particularly at night, has a negative effect on sleep health in young people,” adds NSF Vice President of Research and Scientific Affairs, Joseph Dzierzewski, PhD.

Lauren Hale and three other coauthors on the consensus statement were from Stony Brook University:  Gina Marie Mathew, Isaac Rodriguez, and librarian Jessica A. Koos, who helped identify the published peer-reviewed original research and literature reviews using databases, including the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed, Elsevier’s EMBASE, and Clarivate’s Web of Science.

Insufficient sleep duration is both widespread and associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and depression. Having inconsistent sleep schedules is also associated with adverse health outcomes. For more information about sleep health, see this NSF webpage on Sleep Health Topics.

 

by -
0 504
1 of 4
The Three Village Rotary Club posing with volunteers for a drone video. Photo by Katherine Kelton
A scene from the Three Village Rotary's Family Fun Day.The volunteers plant new grasses for the soil beds. Photo by Katherine Kelton
Rebecca Kassay with Kayla Serina of Avalon Nature Preserve pose over the garden.Photo by Katherine Kelton
A scene from the Three Village Rotary's Family Fun Day. Photo by Katherine Kelton
The kids crafting area. Photo by Katherine Kelton

By Katherine Kelton

The newly-renamed Rotary Club of The Three Villages held its Family Fun Day of Service, Saturday, May 18. The club organized a beach and garden cleanup with bagels and coffee. Painting rocks, making birdhouses, coloring and a scavenger hunt were all available for young kids. 

Rotary member Dan Berger explained, “It’s important to give back to the community for all the good things we’ve received from them.” 

May 18 marked Rotary Day of Service, where more than 800 Rotary clubs across the country held community service events. 

“Our agenda is community service,” Three Village Rotary president, Marios Patatinis, said. The event had two service activities set up: collecting trash from Sand Street Beach in Stony Brook and weeding and planting in the Stony Brook Rotary Memorial Garden, gifted from the club years prior. 

Chris Sokol, another Rotary member, said, “I hope the kids can see the value in certain communities and cleaning the beach and beautifying this area that they enjoy all year long — see the value of serving and giving back.”

As part of the children’s scavenger hunt, they had to complete different tasks on the beach and in the memorial garden to win a free ice cream voucher to Sweet Mama’s, which Patatinis owns. 

The weather was cool and foggy, leaving the beach entirely to the volunteers, yet warm enough to attract families with little ones. Parents and children scoured the beach for trash and dug up dirt in the garden from 10 a.m. until noon.

The event also attracted community members who helped out at the local beach, including Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook). 

For those who worked in the garden area, Avalon Nature Preserve nature initiative coordinator, Kayla Serina, donated plants, tools and expertise. With volunteers, she removed dead grasses and weeds from the area and planted new foliage expected to grow better. 

The event celebrated the Rotary club’s Reboli Center April fundraiser with the presentation of a check to the president of the center, Lois Reboli.

The club hopes to expand its event calendar over the next few months.

“We have an incredibly motivated and committed group of members who take what we do seriously,” Sokol said. 

In June the Rotary club will be sponsoring a mammogram bus for Stony Brook University Hospital. The bus will travel to people who need mammogram testing for a whole day. 

Patatinis indicated that the club is maintaining membership numbers, yet welcomes new members. He invites those interested to stay up to date with events and to “come have lunch with us.” 

Visit www.stonybrookrotary.com for event schedules and more information. 

by -
0 648
1 of 8
Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Girl Scouts
Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Girl Scouts
Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Girl Scouts
Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Girl Scouts
Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Girl Scouts
Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Girl Scouts
Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Girl Scouts
Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Girl Scouts

Approximately 50 girls from The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County (GSSC)  honored Long Island military veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation by planting American Flags at their graves at Calverton National Cemetery on May 25 in advance of Memorial Day.

The annual event is part of the GSSC county-wide Service Unit 48 activities and included girls ages 5 to 16 from Mastic Beach, Shirley and Moriches. 

Many of the girls have been participating in the activity for years.
“As an older Girl Scout it’s important to be a role model for the younger girls and to keep the tradition alive,” said Olivia Philips, of Mastic, who has been planting flags for nearly 10 years. 
“Im proud of the girls that they take the time out,” said Laura Sorgie of Shirley, who is a troop leader and member of Service Unit 48, which organized the event. “So many people think this is just a long holiday weekend for barbecues. I’m so proud of them for coming out here and doing what’s really important.” 
The girls also earned a special “Calverton National Cemetery” patch to wear on their sashes and vests. 
 
About Girl Scouts of Suffolk County 
Since 1968, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County has been committed to building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. With over 15,000 members, they are one of the largest youth-serving agencies in Suffolk County. Girl Scouts helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others. For more information about the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, please call (631) 543-6622 or visit www.gssc.us.
Prev1...262728...185Next Page 27 of 185
TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: [email protected]

Most Viewed

©