Sneaky leprechauns visited Mt. Pleasant Elementary School kindergartners in Smithtown on St. Patrick’s Day. Students found a trail of gold dust, a bit of a mess and shiny gold coins along with a special message. Unfortunately, students found their leprechaun traps empty as they were unable to catch one. Better luck next year.
By Julianne Mosher
Route 25A in Miller Place was decorated in green with thousands of people from across Long Island excited for the 73rd annual Miller Place-Rocky Point St. Patrick’s Day parade.
On Sunday, March 16, the parade route began at Harrison Avenue in Miller Place with local fire departments, school districts and businesses marching east to Broadway in Rocky Point. This year’s co-grand marshals were John and Raymond O’Sullivan, whose father was the grand marshal exactly 60 years ago.
— Photos by Julianne Mosher
Get a head start on your Spring fun this weekend! Adventureland in Farmingdale is gearing up for an exciting expansion with its 2025 Season which kicks off this weekend on March 22 and 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. As it begins its new season, Adventureland remains as popular as ever as a top tourist destination as recognized by Discover Long Island which just released a new video featuring the theme park as part of their Long Island Where You Belong campaign https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaNrGavMvfc
Long Island’s most popular amusement park, offering family fun for everyone since 1962, is offering more value this year, and for the same ticket prices as last year. Earlier this year, the park announced it is freezing its admission rates, group rates, season pass rates, and birthday party rates at the same prices from the 2024 season.
“At a time when everything around us is going up, we are proud and excited to be able to provide our guests this price freeze on admission,” said Jeanine Gentile, Adventureland Park Manager. “We are still making additions to the park, so you will definitely see some great changes for this upcoming season. But one thing that will not be changing is the admission prices for the 2025 season!”
The price freeze is not the only exciting news from Adventureland. For the first time, the amusement park is offering payment plans through FlexPay for online orders of $100 or more. This brand-new option will allow visitors to book tickets and purchase season passes online—now—and conveniently pay over time. Daily tickets and season passes are currently available for purchase online at https://adventureland.us/?keyword=Tickets
Last year, Adventureland announced plans for a multi-year, five-phase $15 million redevelopment. Now currently in phase 2, the amusement park promises a ‘Bigger and Better’ 2025 season, which includes two new outdoor games: ‘Wave Blaster’ and ‘Jungle Run.’ Additionally, plans are in place to install three new concession stands and a third restroom facility. Especially exciting is the highly-anticipated new family ride, ‘Wave Twister,’ scheduled to open later this spring.
Adventureland is located at 2245 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale. For more information, call 631-694-6868 or visit Adventureland.us.
By Heidi Sutton
It’s been 10 years in the making but it was all worth it when the doors to the new Port Jefferson Free Library Teen Center swung open after a ribbon cutting event on March 14. A large crowd, including Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow, New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, and Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, attended the celebration which continued into the evening and at an Open House on March 15.
According to a press release, the library purchased the 1812 Bayles house at 205 East Main Street 10 years ago with plans of turning the former “Scented Cottage” store into a Teen Center which had been operating out of a rental space across the street from the library.
A designated “Safe Space,” the new Teen Center features “multiple small rooms offering teens the ability to browse the library’s book, video and game collections, get homework and college application help, play board and video games, access craft supplies or participate in the busy schedule of program offerings,” according to the release. The Center, which is geared for teens in grades 6-12, also features a 3-D printer, homework stations and laptop computers.
Working with BBS Architecture and Belfor Property Restoration, the library preserved much of the building’s charm, including 5 fireplaces, a beehive oven, the front “Dutch Door,” and the original pine floors. A covered front porch was added after Kate Von der Heyden of the Port Jefferson Historical Society shared historic photos which showed a previously existing Greek Revival-style porch. Amendments include a wheelchair lift and wider doorways.
“The reputation of this institution transcends the boundaries of the village. This is a draw for kids not just in this community but all the surrounding communities. I want to thank you for putting this together and for doing it in such a sensitive way that it maintains the streetscape and the look and feel of the village; it is such a great enhancement,” said Councilmember Kornreich.
“I am so grateful to this library board, to the leadership here and to the community for having the foresight to obtain this historic building, maintain it and renovate so that it can continue to be part of the beating heart of our library system and be a safe, wonderful and fun place for the teens,” said Assemblywoman Kassay.
“… So proud to walk through these doors for the first time and see what’s inside. I want to use it! There’s a nook and cranny for everything. I’m so glad that my nieces and my nephews and their friends will be able to use it as they come through middle school into the high school … It’s an incredible facility and what a great resource for them,” said Mayor Sheprow, who went on to thank Head of Teen Services Sal Filosa and Library Director Jenny Bloom for bringing the Teen Center to fruition.
“Growing from our one-room rental space to multiple rooms with a covered porch offers a variety of spaces for teens to relax, do homework, play games, or create art. We hope they consider the Teen Center to be their new ‘home away from home,” said Filosa.
“The restoration of the Bayles House and development of the new Teen Center has been the dream of a decade of Board Trustees, Staff, and community members, and the Library is very proud to welcome the community to the grand opening, and for teens for generations to come,” added Bloom.
The Teen Center is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Friday from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 631-509-5707.
By Rita J. Egan
Lake Avenue in St. James was a wee bit crowded on Saturday, March 15. Despite an overcast sky, locals, many adorned with green shirts and accessories, came out in droves to watch the hamlet’s 41st annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Hosted by the St. James Chamber of Commerce, the parade was led by Town of Smithtown Superintendent of Highways Robert Murphy, this year’s grand marshal. Elected officials, Scouts, dancers, bands and even some spooky creatures from Deepwell’s Haunted Mansion joined Murphy along the parade route.
Residents along Woodlawn Avenue could also enjoy the parade as participants lined up in and near the Smithtown High School East parking lot and marched up the street before turning onto Lake Avenue and heading toward the St. James train station.
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.
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
‘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
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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.
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