Westchester Family - March 2019 by Schneps Media

162 Fabulous March Activities March 2019

WestchesterFamily.com

The

Party issue

How to throw a super-duper party

Countdown to

Summer Camp planning made easy

Why the Tooth Fairy Didn’t Come One mom’s answer

our

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Guide

Meet the Camp Directors

At Oasis I will... Play, Learn & Grow

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100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle, NY • 914.632.8836 • www.td.edu March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

contents

March 2019 volume twenty-nine | number 3

features

Super-Duper Birthday Bash Birthdays are milestones that mark another year of growing, another year of change. But for many parents, these milestones are more like millstones when faced with the daunting task of putting together their child’s birthday party. Here are 10 tips to help.

Guide to planning the perfect celebration

18 Living Coral 20 Venues: A Marvelous

WESTCHESTERFAMILY.COM

THE

Party ISSUE

Family Activities for March

37 Top Pick: Ajijaak on Turtle Island 40

Countdown to

SUMMER

bar/bat

mitzvah GUIDE TO PLANNING THE PERFECT CELEBRATION

A MARVELOUS MITZVAH

Why the Tooth Fairy Didn’t Come

TIPS FROM THE PROS Perfect planning

FABULOUS FAVORS Great to give, great to get

LIVING CORAL Color of the year

on the cover 12

Party Feature

Countdown to Summer

Tooth Fairy

Cover Photo: Getty Images

Westchester Family | March 2019

47 Movie Madness 48 City Picks

advertising 14 Party Directory 25 Bar/Bat Mitzvah Listings

Coming Next Month

OUR

Meet the Camp Directors

46 #Get Crafty

28 Meet the Camp Directors

ONE MOM’S ANSWER

BAR/BAT MITZVAH GUIDE

44 Sweet Time of Year

Great venues to choose from

28 Meet the Camp Directors

Camp planning made easy

Editor’s Pick: WHUD Family Fun Festival

42 Editor’s Pick: 9th Annual Think For for Kids

37 March Activities

How to throw a super-duper party

10 Reasons why the Tooth Fairy Did Not Come Last Night

calendar

22 Tips from the Pros 24 Fabulous Favors

MARCH 2019

The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum

50 Last word

Mitzvah

162 FABULOUS MARCH ACTIVITIES

Understanding Natural Cycle IVF

36 LET’S GO

It may be cold outside and camp may be far from your mind, but if you are considering camp for this summer — or even 2020 — there are ways to research and plan. Read this handy timeline for planning every aspect of camp — from the search process to drop-off day.

mitzvah

6 Editor’s Note 8 Events & Offers 10 Bits & Pieces 34 ASK THE SPECIALIST

Counting Down to Summer

bar/bat

departments

Special Needs Directory Our April issue highlights articles and resources for children with special needs. Learn about the importance of gross motor skills in childhood development and a directory of special needs educational and recreational programs as well as support services for families. The National Jazz Museum in Harlem With a mission to preserve, promote and present, this Smithsonian affiliate and relatively new museum, offers year-round educational programs for students of all ages. Read our family-tested review. Plus … Westchester Family’s awardwinning searchable calendar for families and much more! Look for it starting March 22!

March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

editor’s note President and Publisher Victoria Schneps-Yunis CEO and Co-Publisher Joshua Schneps Westchester Family WestchesterFamily.com Publisher Clifford Luster cluster@schnepsmedia.com co-Publisher/Editor Jean Sheff edit@westchesterfamily.com Calendar Editor Andrea White calendar@westchesterfamily.com ADVERTISING SALES Account Managers LynnMarie Hanley lynnmarie.hanley@westchesterfamily.com Nina Spiegelman nina.spiegelman@westchesterfamily.com

It’s All Good I’m the first one to admit that parenting can be challenging. Planning a birthday party, a bar/bat mitzvah or choosing a summer camp used to sound so easy, until I had to do it myself. The waters were fraught with so many decisions to make – and what if I my choices were wrong? Fear not. That’s what we’re here for – to help you get through the tricky times. Read “Super Duper Birthday Bash” by Denise Yearian for insight into how to create a super birthday party for your child. In our Bar/Bat Mitzvah Guide you’ll find plenty of tips for planning your event. We cover venues, favors, and tips from the pros. Because summer is nipping at our heels, make sure to glean the advice in “Counting Down to Summer.” Jess Michaels keeps you on target to make important camp decisions in a timely manner.

There’s even help with sticky situations. Katy M. Clark shares her hard-earned parental wisdom in “10 Reasons Why the Tooth Fairy Did Not Come Last Night.” Once you learn to laugh at yourself, parenting gets a whole lot easier. Don’t forget to check out our Calendar of Events. Andrea White has gathered some great March events. From the circus and musical theater workshops to up-close-and-personal animal meetups and maple sugaring outings - there’s something for everyone and every age.

PRODUctION Art Director Leah Mitch production@schnepsmedia.com Production Staff Arthur Arutyunov Daria Avvento Gardy Charles John Napoli Marcos Ramos Connie Sulsenti DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION Roberto Palacios 718-260-4531

Please recycle this magazine.

Have fun, Jean Sheff Co-publisher, Editor

Now Hiring Westchester Family is looking to hire a print and digital Sales Representa tive. If you are smart, can handle rejection, are a good communicator, are detail-oriented, are a time management pro, and are very reliable this job may be for you. Flexible hours. Email Jean.Sheff@WestchesterFamily.com with a brief note explaining what you can bring to this opportunity.

Westchester Family (ISSN 1043-6774) is published monthly by Queens Family Media LLC. Please note that the advertisements in this magazine are paid for by the advertisers, which allows this magazine to be free to the consumer. Limit of one free copy per reader. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products or services are endorsed by the Publisher. All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising are available on an equal opportunity basis. Editorial submissions are welcome.

Westchester Family 1 Metrotech Center Brooklyn NY 11201

Feedback 6

Share your feedback and ideas! Email us at edit@WestchesterFamily.com.

Westchester Family | March 2019

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

N E W Y O R K R A C I N G & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

There is no better way to celebrate your kids party than with our: THRILLING GO KART RACING | EXCITING BOWLING MASSIVE ARCADE | IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL REALITY info@gpny.com | 914-358-3616 â&#x20AC;¢ 333 North Bedford Road | Mount Kisco, NY

GPNY.COM March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

events & offers Our March Contests PAWsome Collection Enter to win the PAWsome Collection, three action-packed PAW Patrol DVDs are rolled into one special collection! Providing hours of fun-filled adventures with Ryder and the pups, the collection repackages PAW Patrol: Sports Day, PAW Patrol: Meet Everest and PAW Patrol: Marshall and Chase on the Case in one fur-filled collection. Retail value, $27.99. Contest ends March 22, 2019. Enter now at WestchesterFamily.com/PAW.

Grand Prix Fun Cards Enter to win two (2) Family-Four Packs of Grand Prix Fun Cards! Entertain the kids for hours at the arcade and see what other fun activities Grand Prix has to offer including inflatables, bowling and car racing. Retail value, $40. Contest ends March 22, 2019. Enter now at WestchesterFamily.com/GrandPrix.

100.7 WHUD Presents a Brand New Family Fun Festival A fun-filled day for the entire family is coming to Westchester County! The largest free kids event is coming to Pace University’s Goldstein Fitness Center on Saturday, March 23rd from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be plenty of activities for all members of the family to enjoy! You’ll have the opportunity to play with small and friendly animals, support live and local entertainment, and kids can enjoy obstacle courses and inflatables from Party Time Rentals while parents have the opportunity to scope out several educational vendors. Make sure to stop by the Westchester Family booth and say hello! And keep in mind the Hillside Food Outreach will be accepting non-perishable food donations throughout the day. Some of your favorite WHUD jocks – Mike & Kacey, Tom Furci, Andy Bale and Susan Browning will be broadcasting live on-air from the Family Fun Festival. Do your kids have a passion for radio? Stop by WHUD’s very own kids radio station! Plus, make sure to enter for a chance to win a brand new Nintendo Switch! Admission for kids under 13 is free, adults $10. Family Fun Festival, Goldstein Health, Fitness & Recreation Center, Pace University, 861 Bedford Road, Pleasantville. wdud.com.

Westchester Family | March 2019

MAKE

BROADWAY PART OF

YOUR FAMILY

The Broadway League brings you fantastic FAMILY OFFERS this winter.

Visit

WWW.FAMILIES.BROADWAY

for more information.

Participating shows*:

Aladdin Anastasia The Band’s Visit Beautiful: The Carole King Musical The Cher Show Kinky Boots Chicago The Musical Come From Away King Kong Frozen Kiss Me, Kate The Lion King My Fair Lady The Phantom of the Opera The Prom Waitress Wicked (*Shows subject to change and availability.)

.ORG

BROADWAY

THE #1 STEM CAMP

FOR AGES 7–19

From coding and game dev to robotics and design, your child will develop in-demand skills and ignite lifelong passions—all in a fun, inclusive environment. Choose from 50+ innovative courses and join our community of over 400,000 alumni. Get ready for the best summer ever!

,JY F GWTHMZWJ FSI ƴSI F HFRU SJFW ^TZ

March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

bits & pieces Spring Cleaning for Parents

The dream of taking your child to experience the ultimate magic of a Broadway show is now within reach for so many more families. Thanks to the Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway theater industry, special family four-pack offers make theater-going uncomplicated and economical. Browse through the offers at www.Families.Broadway to enjoy live theater together with your family. As of press time ticket offers were available for many shows including: Aladdin; Anastasia; The Band’s Visit; Beautiful - The Carole King Musical; The Cher Show; Chicago; Come From Away; Frozen; King Kong; Kinky Boots; Kiss Me, Kate; The Lion King; My Fair Lady; The Phantom of the Opera; The Prom; Waitress; and Wicked.

Turn off the vacuum and listen up. Julie Morgenstern, queen of organizing, has written the ultimate instruction manual that time-stretched parents have been craving for generations. This spring freshen up your parenting style and reap the benefits. Time to Parent: Organizing Your Life to Bring Out the Best in Your Child and You (Henry Holt Paperbacks; 2018; $18) includes: • A framework that distills the responsibilities of parenting into quadrants, helping you balance your tiime • Practical techniques to stay present and focused. • Research-backed insights on how short bursts of undivided attention (five to 15 minutes) can transform your child’s life and yours. • Permission to take personal time without feeling guilty, and case studies that show how important self-care is and how to make time for it.

Calling All Cookie Monsters

Revisit Your Resolution

There’s a new way for all cookie monsters to get their fix and it’s so good. Milk N Cookies, a new cookie café and cereal bar, actually offers a Cookie Monster cookie. Owners Simon Dursunian and George Spirou take a blue sugar cookie and bake it with a gooey chocolate chip cookie inside! Yummy! Other stuffed choices include an oatmeal raisin cookie stuffed with apple pie, and a unicorn cookie stuffed with strawberry cheesecake. They also specialize in cereal infused milkshakes and soft-serve ice cream that can be topped with kid-favorite cereals. Cookie flavors rotate each day and they make some 40 different flavors! Milk N Cookies, 270 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck. 914-630-7276.

If your New Year’s resolution included losing weight, exercising more or getting in overall better shape, but you haven’t quite found the motivation to do so, consider this. Life Time Athletic Chappaqua, a new 42,000-square-foot “athletic resort” has Parents Jen and Mike Bensimon, of White Plains, with opened its doors at 480 their daughter, Chloe, at the Life Time Athletic Chappaqua grand opening. Bedford Road in the Chappaqua Crossings complex. This highly personalized, group GTX and Alpha Training plus luxury approach to health and more than 200 pieces of cardio and wellness with a host of amenities on resistance training equipment. There’s two floors might just give you the also a cafe and spa. Parents will like boost you need. the Kids Academy, for kids ages three There are dedicated studios for months to 11 years old. group fitness, cycle, yoga, and Pilates For more information, call 914-296programming; one-on-one and small 6000 or visit lifetime.life.

Make Broadway Part of the Family

Westchester Family | March 2019

Designed for parents with children of all ages and at all stages, Time To Parent solves the universal problem of how to manage the conflicting priorities of the parenting years while creating quality time with your kids and for yourself. Sold on Amazon and in bookstores. juliemorgenstern.com/time-to-parent

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Touro Dental Health, the educational training facility of the Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College, is dedicated to conducting important educational and clinical research, while providing excellent dental health services to the public.

March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

Super-Duper Birthday Bash 10 quick planning tips By Denise Yearian

irthdays are milestones that mark another year of growing, another year of change. But for many parents, these milestones are more like millstones when faced with the daunting task of putting together their child’s birthday party. Here are 10 tips to help. 1. Get your child’s input. Several weeks before your child’s birthday, ask him how he would like to celebrate. Give him parameters based on your time, budget, and preferences. Discuss his interests and determine if the party can be centered on one of these. 2. Consider the options. One way to host a party with your child’s interest is to have the event at home. Should you decide to choose this route, you’ll have two options: do it yourself or hire outside help. If you have the time and desire to give the party yourself, the possibilities are unlimited. 3. Make a manageable guest list. The recommended number of children will depend upon whether the party will be held inside or outdoors. If the weather is nice and you’d like to have it outside, you can easily invite 15 guests. However, if the party is indoors, limit it to no more than 10 children. Some experts suggest using a formula of 1 to 1-1/2 children per your child’s age. For example, if your child is 4 years old, invite 4 to 6 friends; if 8 years old, have 8 to 12 guests. The key is to keep it manageable. 4. Time it right. Unless the party is a

Westchester Family | March 2019

sleepover, keep it to two or three hours (1 and a 1/2 hours for children ages 4 and younger). Make a list of activities you are planning and the approximate length of time each one will take. Remember that a well-planned party allows for both quiet and active play. Guests should be given time to warm up to the setting, release energy during the party, and calm down before heading home. Since the children will be arriving at slightly different times, plan a simple but flexible activity to keep them busy and free you to welcome other arriving guests. 5. Decide on activities. When selecting games, consider the number of children, their ages, and whether the games will be held inside or outdoors. Choose ones that are easy to explain, fun to play, and will involve all the children. Cooperative games are best because they take the spotlight off any one child and focus on the team as a whole. What’s most important is to be flexible. If the children aren’t enjoying themselves, stop, and move on to something else. And always plan more activities than you need. 6. Go for kid-fun grub. When serving food, stick with kid-friendly basics – sandwiches, pizza, veggie strips, and pretzels. If you want to make it festive, cut the sandwiches into interesting shapes, or turn the pizza into a clown face with pepperoni eyes, a cherry tomato nose and a strip of green pepper for the mouth. The cake can be special, too, by allowing the children to decorate their own cupcake. 7. Ease up on decorations. Simple decorations can go a long way. A few helium

balloons and crepe paper can make any room look festive. Choose party favors that are fun, but inexpensive such as a toy related to the party theme or a bag filled with a blend of fun-to-eat but healthy treats. For those wishing to spend a bit more, an activity, such as painting T-shirts or planting flowers in pots, is fun. Most important, be flexible, creative, and stay within your budget. 8. Ask for helping hands. If you are giving the party by yourself, get help on the big day. An extra pair of hands (or two or three!) is essential no matter what age the children are. As you prepare a guest list, ask a few close friends or relatives to come and help. If there are no willing volunteers, hire a teen. Chances are she needs the money and would enjoy the event. 9. Pick a party entertainer. If you want to hire a party entertainer, get references from family, friends, and this magazine. Once you have a few names, call the entertainer and ask the following: • What services do you offer? • What ages do you typically cater to? • Can the party be tailored to a particular theme? • What exactly do you take care of (games, activities, refreshments, cake, invitations, decorations, party favors)? • How long do the parties run? • How much do you charge? • What am I expected to do? • Can I get references? • Do you have an upcoming public event? (Note, since entertainers are often called upon for special library, festival, and fundraising events, this would be a good

opportunity for you and your child to go watch them in action.) 10. Find a facility. If you would prefer to have the party at a local business, call to see if they offer packaged events based on your child’s interest. Because every establishment’s offering is a bit different, get specifics: • How long do parties run? • What activities are included? • Do you provide food and refreshments? • Do you offer free refills on drinks? • Is a cake provided? • What is the minimum/maximum number

of children? • Does a staff member host the party (or do you)? • What is the cost? • Is a deposit required? Before making the final decision, stop by the facility and watch a party underway. How smoothly is it run? Is the facility safe? Is it clean? Are the bathrooms easily accessible? Are the guests enjoying themselves? Is the host or hostess friendly and good with kids? Do the guests have plenty of time to enjoy the activities, or are they rushed from one event to another? Does the food look appealing? By

taking the time to stop by, you’ll learn a lot more about the place than if you just make a phone call. Above all, remember that because your child’s birthday comes only once a year, it deserves recognition. Whatever you choose be sure to make it special. You are, after all, celebrating a milestone - another year of growth, another year of change. Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines, the mother of three children, and grandparent to four grandchildren. March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

party Directory | Special Advertising Supplement

Party Directory Special Advertising Supplement Armonk Indoor Sports Center 205 Business Park Dr., Armonk 914-273-8522 Armonkindoor.com Armonk Indoor Sports Center is a great setting for any gathering, from birthday parties to school reunions to corporate meetings. On the turf field, guests can enjoy games like soccer, flag football, capture-the-flag, and dodgeball. Or you can party on the tennis side, with four courts ensuring that everyone gets ample playing time. For the adult crowd, events range from casual parties to elegant fundraisers. Whatever the occasion, they’ll help make it a memorable one!

Dave’s Cast Of Characters 235-7100 davescast.com Featuring characters, DJs, clowns, magicians, face painters, balloon sculptors, and fun food carts. New: Photo Booths. Featured inflatable rides include: Cliffhanger Slide, Wild One,

Kong’s Revenge & Batman Challenge obstacle courses, Big Kahuna & Wild Rapids water slides, Spiderman Velcro Wall, Castles, 5-in-1’s, Toddler Units, Carnival Games and much, much more.

Dave’s Cast Of Characters 235-7100 davescast.com Dave’s has a wide range of entertainment services, including costumed characters, rides and games designed to turn your party into a memorable event. 100+ current and classic characters look and sound authentic. From ice princesses to superheroes, pirates to tea parties and everything in between, there’s something to delight every child!

Girl AGain Boutique 4 Martine Ave., White Plains 914-358-1460 girlagain.com American Girl fans can indulge their passion - for less at Girl AGain boutique. Find great deals on refurbished AG dolls

Westchester Family | March 2019

including historical characters, Girl of the Year, and Bitty Baby; plus AG furniture, outfits, and accessories. Find new and used AG books and advice books such as The Care and Keeping of You, for girls 8-12. They host fun workshops and birthday parties for girls ages 7+. Girl AGain gift certificates available.

bouncy castle, rings to swing on, air castle, giant air slide and more. Private fun-filled parties and an energetic staff make your child’s birthday a memorable experience. Private one and a half hour parties for ages 3 and up. No experience necessary; all ages have a great time. Party times fill quickly, so book early.

Grand Prix New York

Homefield Bowl

333 North Bedford Road, Mt. Kisco 914-358-3616 gpny.com GPNY is a massive recreational entertainment facility offering indoor go kart racing, arcade/ redemption center and its newest immersive experience; virtual reality gaming! If you want to add more to your party reserve lanes at our state of the art bowling center with private party rooms.

938 Saw Mill River Road, Yonkers 914-969-5592 homefieldbowl.com Homefield Bowl is a fullservice bowling alley featuring open bowl, league bowl for juniors, adults and mixed leagues. Great party packages for kids and adults! Senior programs also available. Call them today to plan your bowling party and more.

ISG Gymnastics Parties Gymcats Gymnastic Center 1 Odell Plaza, Yonkers 965-7676 gymcats.net Trampolines, foam-filled pits,

151 Crotona Ave., Harrison 835-0010 isggymnastics.com Fun, fun, fun! Having a birthday? How about a

Kids Flip for a WORLD CUP

★ Historical Dolls ★ Truly Me Dolls ★ Girl of the Year ★ Bitty Baby ★ Outfits ★ Furniture ★ Books ★ Workshops Wed. & Thurs. 11am – 5pm | Fri. 11am – 7pm Sat. 10am – 5pm | Sun. 11am – 4pm

4 Martine Ave. White Plains | 914-358-1460 | GirlAGain.com

r ty a P s c i t s a n Gym

Today y t r a P r u Book Yo

Call 914-238-4967

 Flip, jump and bounce through our state-of -the-art gymnastics facility with our experienced instructors.  Enjoy a private party room with customized menu choices.  Choose one of our many great packages and themes.  Parents sit back and relax while our instructors and party supervisors do the work!

Custom Themes including

NINJA

are available

Chappaqua · NY www.worldcupgymnastics.com

BIRTHDAY PARTIES All of our Parties are Private. Our interactive staff will make your child’s party a very special one. Obstacle courses, Trampolines, Airslide, Foam Filled Pit, Air Castle & More!

Age 3 & Up. Book Early!

GYMNASTICS CLASSES

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Gymnastics, Trampoline, Air Castle & More All parties are private and our amazing staff will make your party one to remember!

for Beginner thru Advanced

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One Odell Plaza, Yonkers (Exit 9 off Saw Mill River Pkwy)

151 Crotona Ave. Harrison, New York 914-835-0010 • ISGGymnatics.com

(914) 965-7676 | www.Gymcats.net

March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

party Directory | Special Advertising Supplement gymnastics party! No experience necessary. A fun-filled, unique way to celebrate a very special day with 4,000 square feet of fun - all yours. Trapeze bar, trampoline, balance beam, bars, tumbling, rings, bouncy-castle and more are sure to make sure every attendee has a blast! All ages, 1 through teens. Ageappropriate program and equipment. Birthday parties at ISG are always private allowing the birthday child to really enjoy each and everyone of their guests!

Call Carole at 914-232-4843 Email: party@ katonahartcenter.com

Lil Chameleon: Kid’s Resale, Parties & Enrichment

KAC Art Center 40 Radio Circle, Mt. Kisco 914-232-4843 katonahartcenter.com ART Parties for ALL! Work with our party coordinator to create, design, and decorate the perfect party. 1. Choose your date and time. 2. Choose your project: (painting, pottery, jewelrymaking, etc.) 3. Let them handle the rest.

29 Elm St., Tuckahoe 914-346-5148 LilChameleon.com Affordable yet chic parties! Pick the Silver or Gold party package, both with standard inclusions, then select your unique activity. Choose from a puppet or magic show, music & movement, not your usual cupcake decorating or cupcake wars, have a tea party, make slime, party with rainbows & unicorns and more. They create an instaworthy party your family and guests won’t forget. When you’re tired of the usual gym party, celebrate at Lil Chameleon and leave the mess with us. Get ready for extraordinary!

Make-A-Movie Parties 914-533-7294 perryproductions.net Make-A-Movie Parties for

Engaging live music makes the best parties! Our fun performers strum and drum with kids aged 6 months to 6

A High Note Above the Rest!

Ask About Special Needs!

Experienced, Nurturing, Teachers Fun-Filled Classes

children ages 7-12. Katherine Perry, videographer of children’s parties for more than 15 years, supplies costumes, props, improvisational direction and videotaping - you supply the talented actors! Themes include Action Adventure, Rock Video, Talk Show, Wacky News or your child can write their own movie! Call or email today! kperryennis@ yahoo.com

Play Connection in Yorktown Heights, New York has an event venue for every age and any kind of celebration. They leave no detail incomplete because they know that you have a busy schedule. All you have to do is show up and have fun with your guests. Parties options: free play arcade room, personalized video signs, inflatables, pinatas, games, interactive party hosts!

Musical Munchkins

Stepping Stones Museum for Children

771-7000 musicalmunchkins.com Engaging live music makes the best parties! Their fun performers strum and drum with kids aged 6 months to 6 years. Including gathering drums, chikitas, realistic puppets, story-songs, buddy bands, plus dancing scarves, circle and partner games. CD of Munchkin Favorites for birthday child! Favor CDs available at $1 each.

Pine Brook Fitness 130 Rhodes St, New Rochelle 914-636-1019 pinebrookfitness.com Book your next party or event at Pine Brook Fitness and have a celebration to remember. Your party can be hosted at one or a combination of our three facilities (The Rock Club, New Rochelle Racquet Club, The Studios). Large or small, formal or informal, join us for your next party!

Play Connection 650 Lee Blvd., Yorktown Heights 214-4278 localpartyvenue.com

303 West Ave., Norwalk, Conn. 203-899-0606, ext. 208 steppingstonesmuseum.org/ rentals This unique and whimsical venue offers indoor/outdoor options, colorful hands-on exhibits, a 35’x12’ projection screen, interactive floor display, state-of-the-art sound and light displays. Their talented Events and Audio/Visual Team can create amazing customized multimedia graphics to make your event extra special. A party at Stepping Stones isn’t just exciting - it’s unforgettable.

World Cup Gymnastics 160 Hunts Lane, Chappaqua 238-9267 worldcupschools.com Kids flip for World Cup Gymnastics parties. Jump on trampolines and air castles, flip on the Tumble Trak and swing into their foam and ball pits, then settle down in a party room to enjoy more fun. Parents can relax while they do the work! Ask about their new themed parties and special gym for children ages 3 and under

Music, Movement & Friends Age-Specific Curriculum

Celebra ting 30+ yea of makin rs g music and me mories

Online Enrollment!

914-771-7000 16

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Westchester Family | March 2019

ONLY

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bar/bat

mitzvah Guide to planning the perfect celebration

A Marvelous Mitzvah Great venues to choose from

Tips from the Pros Perfect planning

Fabulous Favors Great to give, great to get

Living Coral Color of the year

bar/bat mitzah

Living Coral Find inspiration in the color of the year By Jean Sheff

hen you are planning a special event little details can be huge. So being knowledgeable about the latest trends in entertaining can help you make the right decisions. And to that end there is nothing more basic than color. Color can have a huge impact on your celebration and is often a large part of the planning – from the invitations to the celebrant’s fashion, to the tablecloths and centerpieces. A thematic color can set the mood and tie together the overall style of the event. Color of the year The textile analysts and strategists at the Pantone Color Institute™ have announced the Color of the Year, which serves as a color snapshot of what is taking place in the global culture. “The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today,” says Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. The color for 2019 is Living Coral (PANTONE 16-1546). According to the Institute, this shade is “an animating and lifeaffirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.” Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, says, “Color is an equalizing lens through which we experience our natural and digital realities and this is particularly true for Living Coral. With consumers craving human interaction and social connection, the humanizing and heartening qualities displayed by the convivial Pantone Living Coral hit a responsive chord.” So consider this inspirational shade as you make your plans for your bar/bat celebration as a way to stay in tune with the world. No doubt you will see it everywhere. Jean Sheff is editor of Westchester Family.

Westchester Family | March 2019

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bar/bat mitzah

A Marvelous Mitzvah Our guide to choosing the right venue for your celebration By Jean Sheff

e know that planning a bar or bat mitzvah is an incredibly special time for you and your child. Selecting the right venue for your celebration at is a critical decision, as it will set the tone for so much of the party. And of course the type of venue you choose has a lot to do with the type of event you are planning. Take a look at this list and decide what venue is the best fit for your family. Elegant with Water Views With new owners and a lovely renovation, Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club, offers an elegant waterfront setting The spectacular historic clubhouse, elegant ballroom, tented deck and gardens add class to your special event. Give your guests an amazing view with an event at Chelsea Piers in New York City. Your event background is a stunning panorama of the Hudson River. Guests can take in the New Jersey skyline, see the Statue of Liberty, and marvel at ocean liners and luxury yachts drifting by. Talking about boats, Delmar Greenwich Harbor offers breathtaking views of Greenwich Harbor, the marina, as well as passing yachts and sailboats. Elegant luxury with touches of Southern France and worldclass cuisine make this an elegant choice. Modern & Chic Go for an industrial chic vibe at the Factoria at Charles Point in Peekskill. The 34,000 square-foot, multi-event space includes a well-equipped dance floor plus an outdoor balcony deck, one of the largest in Westchester. In a former warehouse you’ll find the cool Hudson Loft in Irvington, just south of the Gov. Mario Cuomo Bridge. Here guests can enjoy spectacular unobstructed sightlines of the Hudson River - and that stunning new bridge. Club Space If you are looking for a space to make your own consider Life … The Place To Be. With loft-style event rooms that include lounge furniture, projection screens, nightclub

Westchester Family | March 2019

Grand Prix New York in Mt. Kisco offers a variety of sporty options including indoor go kart racing.

lighting and Abagail Kirsch Catering this Ardsley-based venue is everything cool. Coliseum White Plains has sleek down to a science. This family-owned venue provides lounge furnishings, lighting and audio systems including screens, cubbies for personal belongings. They work with exclusive and hip entertainment companies to give you a stylish party. Nightclub style comes alive at Club Infinity in Pleasantville. Ask about their bar/bat packages some of which include a disc jockey, an MC, two motivational party dancers and a video technician. Space + Food Looking for a place that offers catering on-site

to keep things simple, then consider Unique Affair Catering that offers full-service event management and catering at Pleasantville County Club and The Davenport Mansion on the Sound in New Rochelle. Sporty Grand Prix New York in Mt. Kisco is a huge recreational facility that offers a variety of sporty options including indoor go kart racing, arcade/redemption center and its newest immersive experience; virtual reality gaming! There’s also a state-of-the-art bowling center, Spins Bowl! If you are looking for something thrilling, consider celebrating by climbing the walls at The Rock Club at Pine Brook Fitness.

(Left) Coliseum White Plains has cool down to a science. (Right) At the industrial chic Hudson Loft in Irvington guests can enjoy spectacular views of the Hudson River - and the stunning new bridge.

Another option is hitting the courts at The New Rochelle Racquet Club. If you’re jumping for joy, make that your theme at Rockin’ Jump in Yonkers. Their 18,000-square-foot facility has three separate private party rooms. The professional coaching staff at A-Game Sports in New Rochelle will guide the children through the activity of your choosing including everything from soccer, flag football, baseball, softball, dodgeball and relay races.

Have the space, but need the sport? Talon Athletics, specializes in GaGa Pits and protective glove rentals. This is an easy to understand, super active game that kids love. You can make your event even better by adding DJ Gaga to your pit rental. Artsy If your child is more arty then sporty a celebration at City Perch Kitchen + Bar in the iPic Theatre in Dobbs Ferry could be the perfect choice. Watching a great film can be

part of the fun - and imagine what your video will look like up on the big screen! The Jewish Museum in the former Warburg Mansion on Museum Mile in New York City is the ideal setting for families dedicated to an art experience. Guests can enjoy private viewings of exhibitions and you can pick from several excellent caterers, some of which serve Kosher food. Jean Sheff is co-publisher and editor of Westchester Family.

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bar/bat mitzah

Photo by Doublevison Photographers

Lyla, the guest of honor, has a great time with the Hal Prince DJ crew on the light up dance platform!

Tips From the Pros Plan to succeed By Jean Sheff

lanning a bar/bat mitzvah can be overwhelming. Thankfully there are professionals who specialize in helping you make the day everything you want it to be and more. Planning Melisa Imberman, owner of The Event of a Lifetime, has a motto that she lives by – “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” These are wise words from a woman who runs a fullservice event planning company that serves clients in Westchester, New York City and Fairfield, Conn. Imberman says planning a bar/bat mitzvah

Westchester Family | March 2019

is more complicated than planning a wedding. “You are actually planning two events,” she explains. On one hand you have the general celebration with details such as venue, photographer, and music. You also have to contend with details of the kid’s celebration like a logo, theme, favors, and exit treats. “There are a ton of small details,” says Imberman. It is critical you don’t get caught up in the details in the beginning. Planning should start with the big picture. “Setting a budget is critical and should be done before you book any venue or provider,” says Imberman. What many families forget to consider is the importance of timing and the coordination of vendors. “I create a timeline of the day and make sure to review it with all the vendors,” says Imberman. For instance, it’s important to coordinate the caterer and the DJ so the meal isn’t being served as the candle lighting ceremony is taking place. “The event should have an easy flow,” says Imberman. As you fill in the big picture then you can get down to the tiny details like socks for the kids to dance in advises Imberman. Taking care of everything systematically helps to avoid con-

flicts on the day of the event. If you have never planned a bar/bat mitzvah you might not even know all that’s required. Imberman says her clients often tell her that she did things for them that they didn’t even know they needed to do. Picture perfect If there’s another aspect of the day that needs considerable planning it’s creating a photo montage. A highlight of the bar/bat ceremony, the photo montage basically traces the past 13 years of your child’s life. The Montage Maven is a Purchase-based company that specializes in montages for bar/ bat mitzvahs and other events nationwide. Owner Jackie Marek advises her clients not to overthink the project. “There’s no need to get every single family member into the montage,” she says. “Remember your guests are there to honor you and your child, they aren’t looking to see themselves on the screen.” It is important, however, to set aside a good amount of time to sort and organize your images. Marek says allow about three months from the start to the end of the project. To

begin she advises her clients to gather all the photos they think they may want to use in the montage and then sort them by category, such as baby, elementary school, family, friends, and activities. When putting the montage together Marek suggests avoiding a chronological approach. “Chronological montages aren’t really interesting for your guests,” she explains. Marek says the ideal bar/bat montage runs about eight to 10 minutes. Putting the montage together is the art. Marek guides her clients through the process so that the end result is interesting, surprising and memorable. Super sound Nothing can make or break an event faster than music. Every minute you spend selecting and booking the right band, DJ and MC is well worth it. Where do you start? “First get your date and select the venue,” says Jill Prince co-owner with her brother Jay of Hal Prince Music and Entertainment. The family-run, Mt. Kisco and New York Citybased, company was started by their parents more than 50 years ago. To say she knows her music is an understatement. In fact, Hal Prince

is a 2019 Best of Weddings Pick by the knot. Most bar/bat mitzvahs call for a package with DJ, MC (master of ceremony), and motivational dancers. Live bands are also an option. Prince has seen some families do a combination of live music and DJs. “The electric violin is very popular right now,” says Prince. A live musician can play along with a DJ. “It can also be lovely to provide some live music for the adults during cocktail hour,” she adds. It’s a time when the kids are usually enjoying their mock-tails with games and music of their own. Because bands and DJs are contracted well in advance you’ll need long term planning for this. “Start interviewing DJ companies one or two years in advance,” advises Prince. Ask for recommendations from your venue, your party planner, your florist, your family and friends – everyone, and then set up an interview date. Prince says at the interview it’s very important that the DJ and MC show you their demo. You’ll want to se the DJ, MC and even the motivational dancers in action. Also note whether the DJ and MC pay attention when you discuss the tone and pacing you want to create. They

should be good listeners. Once you’ve booked your team there’s still more to do. Prince says parents should prepare a song list for the DJ and the kids should do the same. “It’s important that you each also create a ‘do not play’ list,” she adds. About one month before the celebration Prince highly recommends that you have a meeting with the DJ and MC. “This is the time to carefully go over the order of events and formalities,” says Prince. “And this also gives you a moment to create a rapport with the DJ and MC, which will make everyone more comfortable on event day.” There’s so much you can do to add to the musical experience says Prince. “I’d advise parents to provide dance floor swag for the MC so he can use to them to keep the party going – and light up dance platforms are very popular right now – with kids and adults.” Taking the proper planning time to find the pros that are a perfect fit is important. Remember, these are the pros that will create the entire entertainment environment for your event. Jean Sheff is editor of Westchester Family.

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bar/bat mitzah

Fabulous Favors By Jean Sheff

he bar/bat mitzvah favor has soared in popularity. No pressure right? Where do you start and how do you choose when the choices are endless.

Budget

Because the choices are endless experts contend the best place to start is with your budget. Once you have that determined you can begin to entertain ideas, and favors are available at all price points. Theme

The pros say linking the favor to your theme and logo gives a nice synergy to the event. You’ll need to have a brainstorming session with your child to come up with possible ideas. Again, the choices are endless. Your theme should reflect your child’s personality or point of view. Popular themes include sports, fashion, the arts, candy, rock and roll, a favorite passion (video games anyone), a play on your last name — such as a Cohny Island theme for the Cohn family — or a favorite color or place. Next

Once you have your budget and theme you can decide if your favor should be a wearable item. Some schools frown on kids wearing

the bar/bat mitzvah favor to school on Monday, but that might not be a concern for you. Favorite wearable items are T-Shirts, PJ bottoms, hoodies, socks, hats, towels, flipflops … you name it. Of course you don’t just hand out a T-Shirt it must be emblazoned with your logo or your child’s name to bring it into the theme. That’s where firms like Sayings for You, Inc. come in. Their motto is they can “print anything on anything” which is good because you never know what you’ll choose. Other options

If you don’t want to give clothing, don’t worry. Some families like to give drawstring backpacks, sports blankets, candles, chocolates, or water bottles. And now tech gear has become a desirable giveaway. Consider sticky wallets, wireless charging pads, ear buds, headphones, pop sockets or Bluetooth speakers. Of course these items also get emblazoned with logos and images as well. Have fun with it, let your theme and your child guide you.

Wrap it up

No matter what you choose, presentation counts. You can roll and wrap wearable items with a pretty bow or box it or bag it in something fun. A popcorn bucket, a candy container or colorful takeout boxes are all fun choices. Take a look on Pinterest for some cool ideas. Timeline

No matter what you do, make sure to speak with your vendor about the timeline for your order. We can get very used to Amazon overnight delivery, but personalization takes time. To avoid disappointment be very clear about delivery dates and build in extra time so any unforeseen error or shipping delay can be taken into account and remedied. Favors are fun so make sure to enjoy the process. Your child’s smiling face as they hand out the goodies will be well worth the time invested. Jean Sheff is editor of Westchester Family.

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Westchester Family | March 2019

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Bar/Bat Mitzvah Listings Special Advertising Supplement

Funtime Amusements

Sayings For You, Inc.

914-773-1320 funtimeamusements.net One of the most highly referred event companies in Westchester, Funtime is a one-stop-shop for your event needs. Whether it’s a wedding, company picnic or house party, 40 plus years of experience ensures it will be a great event. They own, operate and maintain their rides, games and equipment for the highest safety. Now celebrating their 25th anniversary! That is why they can say, “Don’t worry, be very happy.”

Party Favors! 845-639-9700 sayingsforyou.com For more than 35 years, Sayings For You has been servicing thousands of satisfied customers nationally. They’ve provided custom imprinted party favors and promotional items without ever missing a deadline. Examples of imprinted items - hoodies, pajama pants, performance shirts, blankets, swell bottles, drawstring bags, T-shirts, playing cards, beach towels, etc. Almost any item you can think of can be imprinted! Their awardwinning art department can imprint “anything on anything.”

Grand Prix New York 333 North Bedford Road, Mt. Kisco 914-358-3616 gpny.com GPNY is a premier private events space to hold your bar/bat mitzvah celebration. They offer complete packages and the ability to customize our space into your dream occasion. From their sunning décor, full-service restaurant, to their thrilling go kart racing, state-of-the-art bowling, and their newest addition of VR experiences. Contact them for a tour.

Pine Brook Fitness 130 Rhodes St., New Rochelle 914-636-1019 pinebrookfitness.com Book your bar/bat mitzvah at Pine Brook fitness and celebrate by climbing the walls at The Rock Club or hitting the courts at The New Rochelle Racquet Club and have a celebration to remember. They can accommodate up to 200 guests. Large or small, formal or informal, join them for your next event!

Stepping Stones Museum for Children 303 West Ave., Norwalk, Conn. 203-899-0606, ext. 208 steppingstonesmuseum.org/rentals This unique and whimsical venue offers indoor/outdoor options, colorful hands-on exhibits, a 35’x12’ projection screen, interactive floor display, state-of-the-art sound and light displays. Their talented Events and Audio/Visual Team can create amazing customized multimedia graphics to make your event extra special. A party at Stepping Stones isn’t just exciting - it’s unforgettable.

The Tallis Lady 201-321-4995 thetallislady.com info@thetallislady.com Find beautiful, handmade and exquisite tallitot and other religious pieces from Lisa Prawer, the Tallis Lady. Whether you are looking for a tallit for a bar or bat mitzvah, tallit clips or a one of a kind kippah, the Tallis Lady has it all. Each piece displays incredible artistry and will be cherished for years.

March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

Counting Down to

Summer A handy timeline for planning every aspect of camp — from the search process to drop-off day

By Jess Michaels

t may be cold outside and camp may be far from your mind, but if you are considering camp for this summer — or even 2020 — there are ways to research and plan for camp throughout the year. The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey, suggests the following month-by-month camp planner with ways to plan for your child’s summer camp experience.

For Summer 2019 February/March Home Visits and Camp Fairs: These are both good ways to get to know a camp director and about a camp program. Ask about the camp’s mission statement and what type of child is successful at camp. Camp Fairs are free events that bring dozens of camps straight to parents, allowing parents to have one-on-one conversations with many camp directors to find out about their camp program. They can be a great way to find out about a few camps all within a short period of time. Check out the New York Family Camp Fairs to meet with camps you may be interested in. Also consider a home visit from the camp director. He or she will come to your home for a visit which allows you to get

Westchester Family | March 2019

to know the director and for the director to get to know your family. April/May Spring Festivals/Open Houses: Many camps host spring festivals and open houses at camp which is another great opportunity to visit the camp and talk to the camp leadership if you haven’t made a camp decision yet. If you’ve decided on a camp already, attending the spring festival is a good way for your child to see the camp again and get acquainted with it before camp begins. Share Positive Messages: As camp approaches, talk to your child about the camp program and the activities he or she will be participating in. Parents should let their child know that they are confident in the child’s ability in having a successful camp experience. It’s also a great time to re-watch the camp video to get your child excited for the amazing summer ahead. Touring: If you are considering camp for 2019, this is a good time to schedule a tour for July or August. Touring during the summer gives families a chance to see camp in action with campers enjoying all the fun activities. A tour also gives you a chance to ask the camp leadership questions while you are in the

camp environment. June Pack Together: If your child is going to overnight camp, pack together. Your child will feel more secure if they know what they are bringing to camp and you can use the time packing together to talk with your child about how much fun camp is going to be. Mail a Letter to Camp: Send a letter to sleepaway camp so your child has a letter the first day they are at camp. Let them know how much fun they are going to have at camp. July/August Camp is finally here!

For Summer 2020 October/November Fall Festivals/Open Houses: Many camps have open houses and fall festivals that offer families a chance to see the camp facilities and get a feel for the camp. It is also a good opportunity for families to get to know the camp director and ask questions about the camp philosophy and program while in the camp setting. Search For A Camp With Your Child: Parents and campers should take time to look

over a camp’s website, social media profiles, and videos. They will give families a sense of what a particular camp is like. Most camp websites have camp photos, videos, virtual tours, and maps which will give parents and children a glimpse of the camp and the camp program. The more involved a child feels in the decision of choosing a camp, the more successful the camp experience will be. Look For Camp Early For Savings: Families who have already decided on a camp for their child shouldn’t wait to register. Many camps offer early bird specials. Registering early can be a real savings for parents and also ensures that your child won’t be shut out of the camp program he or she wants. Ask the camp if they offer payment plans which can make it easier for parents to pay for camp over the year. Some camps also allow you to prepay the camp season and will give you a significant discount. Need Assistance? Renee Flax at the American Camp Association, NY and NJ, is available

year round to offer free, one-on-one advice in helping you find the right camp for your child. Renee will talk to you about your child, what you are looking for in a camp, and offer you a couple of suggestions on camps that would be a good fit for your family. December/January Talk to Friends and Neighbors: It’s great to ask friends where their children go to camp but keep in mind each child is different and while one camp may be good for that child, it might not be the best fit for others. Getting recommendations from friends is a great starting point, but remember to do your own camp research. Talk to Camp Directors: Parents want to make sure they click with the camp director. Speaking with the camp director and asking some key questions is a good way for families to find out about a camp’s philosophy and if it matches your own. Get to know

the camp director through phone calls, correspondence, and in person. Make sure to give the camp director an accurate picture of your child and what your specific goals are for your child’s camp experience. Make Camp Part of the Holidays: Instead of purchasing another toy or electronic device for your child, you can make camp a holiday gift. Prepare Child for Overnights: If you are considering sleepaway camp, schedule sleepovers with friends and relatives and make sure these overnights are successful. If your child felt panicked and needed to come home in the middle of the night, they may not be ready for sleepaway camp.

For more info on camps and camping resources, visit westchesterfamily.com!

March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

Meet the camp Director | Special Advertising Supplement

Meet the Camp Directors Special Advertising Supplement Are you considering a new school, program or activity for your child? If so, it’s important that you learn more about the director. The director sets the tone of the entire organization, shapes the curricula and teaching process and is responsible for the actions of the staff. Let us introduce you to some local directors.

Patrick Letourneau CAMP ARMONK at ARMONK TENNIS CLUB Photo March 2018 546 Bedford Rd., Armonk 914-273-8124 armonktennis.com Patrick Letourneau returns for his third year directing Camp Armonk. Patrick is a math teacher at North Hunterdon High School, as well as the head coach of the boys’ varsity soccer team. He was a standout soccer player at Colgate University and served as a coach at its Youth Soccer Academy.

Anthony Vaglica, Explorer Program Director THE CHAPEL SCHOOL SUMMER 914-337-3202; thechapelschool.org Anthony runs The Chapel School’s Explorer Program for Ages 7-12. He is a Phys. Ed. Teacher, Varsity Head Baseball Coach and Faculty Adviser to the High School Athletic Council at Bronxville Schools, Anthony brings Chapel years of teaching, coaching (soccer, basketball, baseball, cross country and softball) and administrative experience.

Rich Morell

FORMAN SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM

CAMP BIRCH HILL

12 Norfolk Road, Litchfield, Conn. 860-567-1802 formanschool.org Forman School offers a four-week, coed boarding and day program for students entering grades 7-11 who would benefit from our individualized approach to learning. Students discover their learning styles, self-advocacy, research-proven strategies, and executive function skills. Afternoon activities include jewelry making, boat building, athletics, ropes course, theater, horseback riding, fishing, and more. For over 80 years, Forman has focused exclusively on teaching students with learning differences while building specific skills and strategies for success. Our faculty is expressly trained in validated teaching techniques and the latest assistive technologies, bringing to their work the best that experience and science have to offer.

333C Birch Hill Rd., New Durham, N.H. 603-859-4525 campbirchhill.com In the early nineties Rich Morell discovered Camp Birch Hill and fell in love. His vision was to create a place for children to learn about independence, life and friendship. Rich, his family, and his enthusiastic, dedicated staff have been working to realize that vision, while making memories that last a life time ever since.

Co-Directors: Jared Gelb and Phil Rainone / Associate Director: Matt Kaufman / Executive Director: Arthur and Natalie Kessler CAMP RAMAQUOIS 30 Mountain Road., Pomona 845-354-1600 ramaquois.com Their Directors Team has over 180 years of experience directing at Ramaquois. The 44 acres contain: nine heated pools, spray park, seven tennis courts, a five-acre lake, 60+ indoor buildings, gymnastic pavilion, air-conditioned dining room, age-appropriate fields, workshops (ages 3 to15) and optional trip program for grades entering 3rd-10th. Campers develop lasting friendships and new skills.

Westchester Family | March 2019

Chris DelCampo HARVEY CAVALIER SUMMER CAMP 260 Jay St., Katonah harveycavaliercamp.org With more than 40 years in education, Chris, the founder, has been director since the camp’s inception in 1996. Campers create a schedule choosing from more th an 45 activities including theater, dance, music, fine arts, swimming, ice skating, gymnastics, sports, science and more, all taught by professionals in stateof-the-art facilities on the 125-acre campus.

Harvey Cavalier Camp You choose the camp. Your child chooses the fun! A day camp for Pre-K–Grade 9 with over 50 courses from fine arts, theater, science, ice skating, gymnastics, circus arts, sports, technology, swimming, music, and much more! Harvey’s 125-acre campus of open fields and woods provides a perfect setting for an extraordinary summer camp experience. The Harvey School 260 Jay Street, Katonah, NY 914-232-0581 harveycavaliercamp.org

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Meet the camp Director | Special Advertising Supplement

Joseph Piscitelli HOFF-BARTHELSON MUSIC SCHOOL SUMMER ARTS PROGRAM 25 School Lane, Scarsdale 914-723-1169 summerarts@hbms.org Hoff-Barthelson’s Summer Arts Program provides students in 1st - 10th grades multiple opportunities for artistic exploration, fun and friendship. Taught by top-flight faculty, offerings include instrumental classes, chamber music, chorus, large ensembles, visual arts, rock, jazz, musical theatre, and frequent performance opportunities. Programs individually tailored to the needs and interests of each student. July 1- August 2.

Ms. Megen Perkins Hudson Country Montessori School Summer Camp Director 340 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle 914-636-6202 hudsoncountry.org campdirectorny@hudsoncountry.org A different kind of summer camp experience for campers aged 18 months through 12 years old. Hudson Country Montessori has been offering a fun and safe summer camp for over 45 years. In this unique eight-week summer program, campers will have the opportunity to learn about themselves and the natural world around them. Activities

include, swimming (on-premise pool), sports, science, technology, cooking, art, field trips, music, dancing, and more (Indoor/Outdoor activities on three country acres). Their success can be attributed to the team of professional counselors and low counselor-to-camper ratios. Flexible schedules, extended hours (7:30am - 6:00pm), busing, and catered lunch are available. Register Today!

Jodi Rosenwasser Levine JODI’S GYM 25 Hubbels Dr., Mt. Kisco, 244-8811 244 E. 84th St., NYC, 212-772-7633 jodisgym.com Founder/director, Jodi Rosenwasser Levine, fell in love with the sport as a teen and received an athletic scholarship to ISU’s nationally ranked team. She has undergraduate/ graduate degrees in psychology and coaching certifications. Since 1982, the Jodis Gym approach to kids’ fitness has always been age appropriate developmentally sound, positive, safe, noncompetitive and always FUN!

A fun four-week program of strategies, skill building, and executive function growth for bright students who learn differently. July 1–July 26, 2019 • Coed • Boarding & Day • Grades 7-11

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Westchester Family | March 2019

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March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

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Dobbs Ferry 914-712-5054 alla@oasischildren.com Alla has been the camp director for over 10 years. Alla’s passion for camp comes from her own childhood camp memories and the desire to have child have a magical, fun and safe summer. She focuses on programming, safety and service for each family and each child as an individual. Oasis Camp offers a well-rounded and fun summer for 3-15 year olds by providing a mix of swim instruction, arts, athletics and special events, all overseen by professionals who love camp and pride themselves on taking care of each child as if they were their own.

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100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle 914-632-8836 td.edu Founded in 1968, the Summer Challenge has been a source of joy, entertainment, and enlightenment for boys and girls ages 3 to 14. There is a 1:6 counselor-to-camperratio and fully certified summer staff. Lunch, door-to-door transportation included. Starting their 51st year Mon., July 1, 2019. Open House: Sundays, March 10 and April 28, 2019 from 2 to 4 pm.

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Westchester Family | March 2019

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THE MILESTONE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP A fun-filled day camp geared towards ages 2-8 Flexible Scheduling: 2 week minimum, half-day or full-day, and early bird drop off Age appropriate activities include: Soccer, Capoeira, Water Play, Music and an “Early Phonics” Reading Program Call today for a tour or visit our Website at: themilestoneschool.com 914-667-3478 March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

ask the specialist

Understanding Natural Cycle IVF What is it and who is it best for? By Ralf Zimmermann, M.D.

re you considering IVF (in vitro fertilization) as an option to expand your family, but daunted by all the medications traditionally used during the popular fertility treatment? Then natural IVF may be the right option for you. The very first IVF baby, born in 1978, was actually conceived using natural cycle IVF. This type of IVF cycle allows for a naturally selected, mature egg to be retrieved and fertilized using little to no medication. A variation of the procedure, known as natural cycle IVF/M, retrieves not only a woman’s mature egg from her ovary, but immature eggs from smaller follicles. Either way, patients return to their doctor’s office for five to six days of monitoring to determine when ovulation will occur and schedule the retrieval date. Once obtained, the egg is fertilized in the laboratory, allowed to develop in a culture dish for three to five days, and then implanted back into the woman – just like traditional IVF. Natural cycle IVF is extremely similar to standard IVF, but without using large amounts of medications to stimulate the ovary to produce multiple eggs. For some women, this option is more pleasing and may also make better sense from a fertility standpoint. Who chooses natural cycle IVF? Natural cycle IVF can be an optimal choice for patients for several reasons. These include: • You don’t want or can’t take all the medications needed for standard IVF: Certain medical diagnoses require patients to forego taking medications or hormones. Other times, a woman simply doesn’t wish to deal with the regimented schedule of medications, frequent office visits, or the need to introduce many drugs into her body. • You need to complete a cycle in a short time frame: Because natural cycle IVF doesn’t require a great deal of preparation time, it works within a tight turnaround. This can happen when swift treatment of another medical condition doesn’t allow the luxury of time for IVF. • Your previous standard IVF attempts haven’t worked: Even if ovarian stimulation

Westchester Family | March 2019

through traditional IVF has repeatedly failed to produce multiple embryos, natural cycle IVF can give you the opportunity to continue the IVF process. This approach may not necessarily be best for everyone, but your doctor can let you know if it could help you. • Your infertility is due to low- or poorquality sperm: When a woman is otherwise fertile but cannot conceive normally because of her male partner’s infertility, natural cycle IVF may present the most low-tech way to avoid unnecessary ovarian stimulation or the possibility of multiple embryos. Top reasons to choose natural cycle IVF In addition to being nearly drug-free, it is also less expensive than standard IVF. Other benefits include: • No risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: When taking fertility drugs to increase their egg production for IVF, some women experience this unpleasant condition. Symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome include vomiting, diarrhea, pain near the ovaries, dark urine, decreased urination, rapid weight gain and shortness of

breath. • Less monitoring: Standard IVF requires many regularly scheduled office visits for blood tests and ultrasounds. Natural cycle IVF still requires some monitoring, but far less. • Ovarian hyperstimulation isn’t needed: Some women, for religious or other reasons, don’t want to produce excess eggs that may later be discarded. Since natural cycle IVF only uses naturally produced eggs, this isn’t a factor. Natural cycle IVF can be less expensive, less time-consuming and less complicated than standard IVF. If you want to know if natural cycle IVF is a good choice for you, talk to a fertility specialist. Your medical history will be reviewed and you can discuss the pros and cons of natural cycle IVF for your individual circumstances. Ralf Zimmermann, M.D., is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and medical director of Neway Fertility in New York City. He is also on the faculty of Columbia University’s Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. newayfertility.com.

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let’s go The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum By Andrea Worthington

hen you think of fun, you may not think Poughkeepsie, but one visit to this learning center will change all that. Geared toward younger kids, this museum is a great choice for preschoolers because it has a mix of physical and intellectual exhibits, and no age is left out - children don’t have to be readers to try the experiments. Plan your visit The museum is located on the Hudson, just a short walk from the Poughkeepsie train station or a 60 to 90 minute car ride, depending on your starting spot in Westchester. The surrounding area is undergoing a renaissance, and several cute cafés and restaurants can be found just a short drive away. Because our kids kept moving back and forth between physical play in the activity zones and fine motor learning at the smaller science exhibits, we easily spent more than two hours here. We showed up on a Saturday, but during the week you can find special programming such as Toddler Tours or the Home School Club, where for $5 extra your child can complete a science or art project. The snack situation The only food available is inside the “healthy vending machine” with options such as Veggie Straws, crackers, fig bars, milk, and water. There’s a small area with tables to eat, but if you need a full meal you should plan to either pack a lunch or find a local restaurant. Tricks to attend for cheap (or free!) The museum is $10 for everyone over the age of 1, but there are several ways to visit for free. Unfortunately, none of the Westchester County Libraries offer museum passes, but if you are a member of the Westchester Children’s Museum or Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk, you can get up to six tickets at a 50 percent discount. Or show up on the third Saturday of the month between 5 and 8 p.m. for Family Free Nights. Grandma and grandpa go free the second Friday of each month. If you or your partner are active-duty military personnel, the entire family can visit for free during summer months. Or get $2 off admission when you take the train and book a “Getaway” fare on the MTA website. Explore ‘Rivertown’ The museum has two floors of indoor

Westchester Family | March 2019

Photo by Andrea Worthington

Toddlers get engrossed with hands-on play at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum.

permanent exhibits and a seasonal Children’s Garden. The first floor has large areas of pretend play in the exhibit “Rivertown,” with a bakery replica, a fire truck that’s one of the most popular kid hangouts, a construction site with real tools, and an art studio where kids can “paint” on the water wall or make a craft. Next to this area is Caroline’s Baby Park, a shoes-off enclosed space for prewalkers with soft foam climbing blocks, books, and tactile tubes. And more … The Early Learning Junction area is part climbing structure, part train table, and part physics exhibit. Roll the cars on the hilly track and see if they get some air, stuff scarves into the wind tunnels and guess where they’ll go, or crank disks up the conveyer belt, then drop them into the pegboard. After you have completed the downstairs level, head up to a large room of science and physics exhibits that are sure to enchant. Float balls in the wind tunnel, make a life-size sculpture of your hand on the pinboard, control a robotic arm in the Wonderdome, create an obstacle course out of levers, and build with several types of blocks such as KEVA, ThinkerLinkers, and Magna-Tiles. There are many other fun experiments with gravity, motion, weight, and numbers. This is where our kids spent the majority of their time. The second room upstairs is themed for pretend play. Kids can pick out a costume and take to the stage, or get physical on one

of the two climbing structures. A pirate ship play area features a net and slide, or kids can climb the larger structure and jump on the netted catwalk, go through the tunnel, and slide back down. Older kids will love The Storybox, a sensory sand area where children are encouraged to create scenes of a story using animal characters in the sand. Our verdict We love that this museum allows kids to explore physically and mentally with plenty of play structures right next to stellar learning tools such as building blocks and hands-on science exhibits. They never get bored because there’s always something to try or to master. Andrea Worthington owns BabyGotChat.com, a website for Westchester parents featuring resources, advice, and events for young children. When you go … Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum 75 North Water St. Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 845-471-0589 mhcm.org Hours Tuesday - Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open Mondays in July and August and select Holiday Mondays only. Admission $10 adults, $10 children, free under age 1. Parking is free.

calendar

march

By Andrea White

Richard Termine

An important eco-focused story comes to life with brilliant puppetry and indigenous songs and dances at The New Victory Theater.

Ajijaak on Turtle Island Take flight with Ajijaak, a young whooping crane who must face her first migration south. An ensemble of North American First Nations Peoples use visually stunning puppetry, indigenous songs, languages and dance to create this affecting fable about the dangerous effects of climate change on animals and Mother Earth. 7pm March 1, 8; 2pm March 2; Noon & 5pm March 3, 10; 2pm & 7pm March 9. Ages 7 and up. $17 and up. Reservations required. The New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., New York. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

calendar What’s Inside Editor’s Pick: WHUD FAmily Fun Festival �� 40 Editor’S Pick: Think Fit for Kids ��42 Sweet Time of Year �� 44 #GetCrafty ��46 Movie Madness �� 47 City Picks ��48

March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

calendar

March

Friday

● ● ✪ Ajijaak on Turtle Island. See page 37.

Show. Join Mr. B on a journey to a special, colorful, happy underwater world called Bubblelandia. This lavish musical production features dancers and acrobats, original music, fantastic stage effects and, of course, countless bubbles! 7pm. For all ages. $16-$40. Reservations required. The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford, Conn. 203325-4466. palacestamford.org.

● ● Baby Music Time. Introduce your baby to nursery rhymes, sing-a-long songs and familiar classics with singer/ songwriter Flor Bromley. Fridays, 9:45-10:15am. For children 24 months and under. $20 children, $15 sibling. Pre-registration required. Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com. ● Discovery Storytime. Enjoy some great stories and sing fun songs with the librarians before heading over to the library’s new LEGO and TinkerToy tables for half an hour of free playtime. Choose only one session. Adults must be present to help children and monitor the play area. Fridays, 10am or 11:15am. For preschoolers. Reservations not required. Rye Free Reading Room, 1061 Boston Post Rd., Rye. 914-967-0480. ryelibrary.org.

✪ Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS. The jungle is jumpin’ with a jazzy beat in this stage adaptation of the classic Disney animated film. Go on a journey with Mowgli and a host of colorful characters and hear your favorite songs from the movie. Performed by cast of young actors ages 6-12. 7:30pm today; 1pm March 2. For all ages. $12$20. Reservations not required.

✪ Celebrating Dr. Seuss. Time to rhyme in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday! Celebrate the beloved author with stories, snacks and a craft. 11am. For all ages. Pre-registration required. Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St., South Salem. 914-875-9004. lewisborolibrary.org.

A roaring new exhibit on the King of the Dinosaurs opens this month at the American Museum of Natural History.

Yorktown Stage, 1974 Commerce St., Yorktown Heights. 914-9520606. yorktownstage.org.

✪ Evening Howl for Pups of ● ● Exploring Play. Every month features a new theme brought to life for young children through creative and fun movement activities, song, story and a take home project for all. Fridays, 11-11:30am. Ages 2-4. Free with $7 museum admission. Reservations not required. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-4215050. discoverwcm.org.

● ● Toddler Story Time Theatre. A theatrical journey for little ones and adults. Listen

Zhao Chuang; Courtesy of PNSO

to a story and then reenact the themes and characters in this pretend play and make-believe experience. Led by storyteller Flor Bromley. Fridays, 10:3011am. Ages 2-5. $20 children, $15 sibling. Pre-registration required. Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.

Look for our complete calendar of events and activities online at WestchesterFamily.com.

Calendar Submissions & Approvals: For Print: • Send to calendar@westchesterfamily.com. Include: Dates, times, location, address, event description, ages, cost, phone, website. • Information to be considered for the May 2019 calendar must reach us by March 31, 2019.

For Online Calendar: • Visit WestchesterFamily.com. Click the “Post Your Own Event” link beneath the calendar image on our home page and submit your event. Online postings appear approximately 48 hours after approval.

Please call ahead to confirm dates, times and locations of all events.

Saturday

✪ B-The Underwater Bubble

Westchester Family | March 2019

All Ages. Enjoy visiting the wolves during their favorite hour - dusk. Learn about wolf families and discover why March is a magical time for packs in North America. Take a short sunset hike to howl with Ambassador wolves Alawa, Nikai and Zephyr. Treats served. Take flashlights. 5pm today; 5:30pm March 23. For all ages. $16 adults, $13 children under 12. Pre-registration required. Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem. 914-753-2373. nywolf.org.

Key to suggested ages

● baby & me ● toddler ● preschool ● elementary

school

● older kids ✪ families ✖ adults

● ● ✪ Family Saturdays @ The Lab. Learn all about animation with three hands-on media activities. With the help of faculty and staff, budding media-makers explore, discover and create amazing projects. 10:30am-12:30pm. Recommended for ages 3-13. Reservations not required. Jacob Burns Film Center Media Arts Lab, 405 Manville Rd., Pleasantville. 914-773-7663. burnsfilmcenter.org.

✪ First Saturday Art Workshop. Drop in for a handson art workshop led by an arts and crafts specialist. 11am1pm. For all ages. Free with $7 museum admission. Reservations not required. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.

● ✪ Kids’ Workshop: Clock Tray. Build a freestanding clock with easy-to-read numbers, movable hands and a storage tray. Customize it with paint and stickers and use as a learning clock or as a tool to encourage the value of time. 9am-noon. Recommended for ages 5-12 with a parent or caregiver. Pre-registration required. Home Depot stores in Mt. Pleasant, Nanuet, New Rochelle, Port Chester, W. Nyack, Yonkers. homedepot.com.

✪ Maple Sugar Tours. See Sweet Time of Year page 44.

Led by actor and choreographer Michael Fielder. 11am-1:30pm. Ages 7 and up. Pre-registration required. Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, 480 Bedford Rd., Chappaqua. 914-458-5143. chappaquapac.org.

✪ Sugaring at Muscoot. See Sweet Time of Year page 44. ● ● Yes You Can: Empowerment Through Musical Theatre Workshop. Learn about what it takes to make it on stage! A fun and encouraging environment helps budding actors take their performance skills and confidence to the next level.

Sunday March 10 @3pm

Some shadows are more mischievous than others....

Sunday

✪ 9th Annual Think Fit for Kids. See Editor’s Pick page 42.

✪ Cat Video Fest 2019. No need to search YouTube for the best cat videos! Watch a purr-fect compilation of new and classic videos, along with unique submissions. The fest also helps raise money for cats in need. It’s truly the cat’s meow! Noon. For all ages. $15. Reservations not required. Alamo Drafthouse, 2548 Central Park Ave., Yonkers. 914226-3082. drafthouse.com.

✪ Family Art Project: Mapping Histories through Seeds, Beans and Grains. Join Winter Workspace artist Nobutaka Aozaki to map your family history and explore your personal relationships to seed, bean and grain. Make a mosaic with seeds, legumes and grains, and rethink the connection between food, art and family history. 10am-1pm today and March 3. For all ages. Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6-18, children under 6 free. Reservations not required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx. 718549-3200. wavehill.org.

● ● ✪ Saturday Art Project for Families. See #GetCrafty page 46.

Shadow Play

● ● ● Family Sundays: Superhero Puppets & Play House. Make a superhero puppet and create his or her headquarters. Class begins with a demonstration of the art project, which is meant to be done by adult and child. Dress for mess. 3-4pm. Recommended for ages 2-8. Adults free. $30 children, $20 siblings. Preregistration required. Young at Art, 1088 Central Park Ave., Room 216, Scarsdale. 914-723-9229. youngatartworkshop.com.

Next month...

The Triplets of Belleville Saturday, April 20 @8pm

ZLWK RULJLQDO (QFKDQWLQJ DQLPDWHG oOP eight-piece score performed live by the eville band. Orchestre Terrible de Bell

Tickets $20 - $40. Kids’ tickets are always 50% off the regular price!

914-251-6200 www.artscenter.org

“

INGENIOUS BUBBLE WIZARDRY.” -THE NEW YORKER

Telecharge.com or 212.239.6200

For groups or birthdays call 866.642.9849

New World Stages 340 W. 50th St.

GazillionBubbleShow.com G ill llii B bbl Sh March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

calendar

March

✪ Maple Sugaring Party. See

Editor’s Pick

Sweet Time of Year page 44.

✪ Maple Sugaring: Past to Present. History comes alive during a demonstration of the origins of this amazing product. 1pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Rte. 35 and Rte. 121, Cross River. 914-864-7322. friendsoftrailside.org. ✪ Outer Space Purim Carnival at the J. Blast off and explore the galaxy to celebrate Purim! Eat yummy “space” hamantaschen, play carnival games, jump in the “moon” bounce and much more. 1-4pm. For all ages. Free admission. Tickets, wrist bands and lunch available for purchase. Reservations not required. Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave., Stamford, Conn. 203-322-7900. stamfordjcc.org.

✪ Pack Chat for Kids. This is the best introduction to wolves for families with young children. Learn about the important role of wolves in the natural world and why it’s a special time of year for them. Then visit Ambassador Wolves Alawa, Nikai and Zephyr. 11am today and March 24, 31; 2pm March 30. For all ages. $14 adults, $11 children under 12. Pre-registration required. Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem. 914-753-2373. nywolf.org. ✪ Sugaring Sundays. See Sweet

100.7 WHUD Family Fun Festival ✪ Enjoy a day of education and fun for the whole family! Featuring hands-on activities, science experiments, sports, games, inflatables, live entertainment and much more. Be sure to stop by the Westchester Family booth and say hi! 11am-4pm March 23. For all ages. $10 adults, children free. Reservations not required. Goldstein Health, Fitness & Recreation Center at Pace University, 861 Bedford Rd., Pleasantville. whud.com.

Monday

● ● Baby Lap Time. Stories, songs and finger plays for little ones, led by a professional musician/educator. Mondays, 11am. Ages 18 months and under with caregiver. Reservations not required. Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Rd., Katonah. 914-232-3508. katonahlibrary.org. ● Explore Creative Writing. Come and write for fun! No pressure, no testing, no stress. Just relax and write! This is a drop-in program. Mondays, 4-4:45pm. Ages 7-10. Reservations not required. North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Rd. E., Armonk. 914-273-3887. northcastlelibrary. org.

Time of Year page 44.

● ● Toddlers in Science: Countdown to the Planets. An educational adventure that’s out of this world! Hear a short story about the planets, then get a handson sensory ‘experience’ of each one with items such as ice, fans, plasma balls and other engaging materials. Hosted by the Junior League of Pelham. 10am & 11am. Ages 2-5 with an adult. Preregistration required. Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham. jlpelham.org.

● ● Mommy & Toddler Yoga. Stretch and shine with your little one during this playful introduction to yoga using games, songs, stories and more! Mondays, 11-11:30am. Ages 1-4. Reservations not required. North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Rd. E., Armonk. 914-273-3887. northcastlelibrary. org.

Tuesday

● ● Mardi Gras Masks. Use feathers, gems and other

Westchester Family | March 2019

materials to create a personalized mask to celebrate Mardi Gras! 4-4:30pm. Ages 2-5. $20. Pre-registration required. Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.

✪ Mardi Gras Party! Let the good times roll! Make a special Mardi Gras craft, listen to zydeco music and enjoy some traditional treats. 4-5pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill. 914-737-1212. peekskill. org. ● Toddlers’ Tuesday Morning Storytime. Join Barnes & Noble booksellers for a story and coloring activity every week in the Children’s Department. Tuesdays, 11am. For toddlers. Reservations not required. Barnes & Noble, 2614 Central Park Ave., Yonkers. 914-771-6400. barnesandnoble.com.

Wednesday

✖ Critical Insights on Childhood Obesity and Nutrition. Max Gomez of CBS News leads an engaging Q&A discussion with leading Columbia specialists as they share nutritional advice for parents and pediatricians, useful tips for identifying early warning signs of obesity, best treatment

options and more. Lunch and beverages served. 11:15am. For adults. Pre-registration required at Eventbrite. Search Columbia Presbyterian. Renaissance Westchester Hotel, 80 W. Red Oak Ln., West Harrison. 914-937-3800. cpwestchester.org.

✖ How to Raise More Grateful Children. In today’s “selfie” culture, learn how to foster gratitude at any age, from young school-aged children to the teen years, and beyond. Heard in Rye presents this talk with award-winning journalist and TV commentator Jennifer Breheny Wallace. 7pm. For adults. Reservations not required. Rye Neck High School, 300 Hornidge Rd., Mamaroneck. heardinrye.org. ● ● Itsy Bitsy Playgroup. Time to get social - for parents and little ones! Connect with other parents over the joys and bumps of parenthood while engaging your infant/toddler in a group setting through music, motor play and story time. Wednesdays, 10:3011:30am. For parents of infants and toddlers. Reservations not required. Temple Sholom, 300 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich, Conn. 203-869-7191. templesholom.com. ● Young Discoverers. Stimulate curious minds at this weekly science-based “drop-in” program. Simple experiments and craft projects add to the excitement of learning something new. Every month features a new theme. Wednesdays, 1111:30am. For ages 2-5. Free with $7 admission. Reservations not required. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm. org.

Thursday

● ● “Mommy & Me” Mornings at Sur La Table. Learn some new family cooking tips and meet other parents, too! Chef Jessica leads valuable,

hands-on lessons for you and your little one. 9:30am. For ages 18 months-4 years. $29.92 one child and one adult. Reservations required. Sur La Table Ridge Hill, 167 Market St., Yonkers. 914-2072900. ridgehill.com.

✪ Westchester Knicks. See future NBA stars compete on the court at the County Center! The Westchester Knicks, the NBA Development League affiliate of the New York Knicks, wrap up their season this month. Check website for specific opponents. 11am March 7; 7pm March 21. For all ages. $12 and up. Reservations required. Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains. 914995-4050. westchester.gleague. nba.com.

Friday

✪ Cuentos y Canciones. Gather in the Children’s Room for stories and songs in English and Spanish. 10:30am today and March 15, 22. For all ages. Reservations not required. Warner Library, 121 N. Broadway, Tarrytown. 914-631-7734. warnerlibrary.org. ✪ The Spring Baseball Card Show. There’s no chance of striking out at this huge sports card and memorabilia show! With live autograph signings, free packs of cards for kids, free raffle prizes and more, it’s a day of fun. 2-7pm today; 10am-5pm March 9; 10am-4pm March 10. For all ages. $10 adults, children under 12 free. Reservations not required. Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains. 914-995-4050. countycenter.biz.

✪ Wintertime Wonders. Inside the cozy Discovery Center, take a closer look at the wonders of plants and animals in winter. Make animal tracks, explore snowflake shapes, craft a bud necklace and head back into the winter garden with a field notebook to discover the

vital sparks of life that lie just below the surface during this season. Tuesdays - Fridays, 1:30-4:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-4:30pm, until March 18. For all ages. Included in All-Garden Pass. Weekdays: $23 adults, $10 children 2-12; Weekends: $28 adults, $12 children 2-12; children under 2 free. Reservations not required. New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd. at Fordham Rd., Bronx. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

Have Fun and Learn!

Science camp

Hands on Summer Fun!! Eight themes for eight weeks

● ● Workshop: Trace Yourself! Learn techniques for turning a photograph into a sketch. Take a digital photo to work from or have one taken on the day of the workshop. 3:306:30pm. Ages 8 and up. $60. Preregistration required. Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham. 914-738-2525. pelhamartcenter. org.

Saturday

✪ 22nd Annual City of White Plains St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Celebrate all things Irish at this popular parade. Enjoy musical performances and floats, and cheer on the dozens of groups taking part in the parade in the heart of the city. Noon. For all ages. Reservations not required. Downtown White Plains. Check website for parade route. whiteplainssaintpatricksday.com. ✪ Annie. You know the sun’ll come out for everyone’s favorite firecracker orphan! See one of the most beloved musicals in history, with classic songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s a Hard-Knock Life.” Presented by Clocktower Players: Adult Troupe. 7pm today; 2pm March 10, 17; 1pm & 7pm March 16. For all ages. $23-$35 in advance, $26-$38 at the door. Reservations not required. Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main St., Irvington. 914-591-6602. irvingtontheater. com.

✪ The Chappaqua Orchestra:

Spaces a Limitedre

Special Language Programs In Spanish, Japanese, French, Chinese & German

Welcome to the 2019/2020 School Year!

Enroll now in our unique programs • Toddler • Pre-School • Kindergarten-3rd Grade • Challenger Program for Advanced Students • Smart Board Technology • Music • Arts/Crafts • Languages • Reading • Math • Computer • Science • Cultural Awareness • Playground • Toddler Program • Bilingual Teachers • Special Music Programs

• Piano, String Instruments & Percussion Lessons

Model for PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION Extended Hours For Working Parents Director: Dr. Pushpa Jagoda

MAMARONECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Up to 3rd grade OPEN HOUSE Every Wednesday, 9am-12pm 631 W. Boston Post Road (914) 777-1382 NEW ROCHELLE PRIMARY SCHOOL Toddler through K OPEN HOUSE Every Thursday, 9am-12pm 155 Beechmont Drive (914) 636-3461

www.libertymontessorischools.com March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

calendar

March

✪ Creature Connections. From the tiniest insect to the largest tree, everything is connected. Discover how animals and their habitats are linked. Explore the food web, life cycles and predator-prey relationships in this live animal program. Presented by Anthony Cogswell. 1-2:30pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Playland Park, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. friendsofreadwildlifesanctuary. org. ✪ Cumbia for Kids. Stomp your feet, clap and sing along to the varied, rich musical and dance traditions of Colombia. Featuring members of the renowned Folklore Urbano NYC orchestra and Pajarillo Pinta’o Dance Company, with original music and dance. 11am. For all ages. $25. Reservations required. Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown. 914-631-3390. tarrytownmusichall.org. ● Family Art Class: Collage the Moon. See #GetCrafty page 46.

✪ Maple Saturday Sap to Syrup. Come sweeten up your Saturday morning! Watch demonstrations of both traditional and modern methods of making maple syrup. See how trees are tapped, how the sap is collected and boiled down and then taste samples! 10am-1pm.

● Rhyme & Read. Get a head start on reading skills through this innovative program featuring nursery rhymes set to song. 11-11:30am today and March 16. For ages 2-5. Free with $7 museum admission. Space is limited. First-come, first-served. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-4215050. discoverwcm.org.

Editor’s Pick

Together in Music. An interactive and inclusive Family Concert spotlighting the special needs community playing with the orchestra. The concert is a safe space for all, including those with sensory sensitivities. Hang out postconcert for an instrument petting zoo! 4pm. For all ages. $25 adults, $15 children 4-15, lap children free. Reservations required. Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, 480 Bedford Rd., Chappaqua. 914-458-5143. chappaquapac.org.

Courtesy photo

Have fun getting your heart pumping while raising money for a great cause at Club Fit in Briarcliff on March 3.

✪ Storytime in Clay: The Great Race. Come hear professional storyteller Joy Kelly tell the story of The Great Race, an ancient folk tale about the travels of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals to the Jade Emperor to solidify their place in the calendar. 2-3pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Clay Art Center, 40 Beech St., Port Chester. 914-937-2047. clayartcenter.org. ✪ SugarFest 2019. See Sweet Time of Year page 44.

9th Annual Think Fit for Kids ✪ Take part in an afternoon of family fitness and fun while helping raise funds for pediatric brain cancer research. Activities include March Madness basketball skills, archery, Zumba, face painting, carnival games, Mommy & Me activities for little ones and more. Plus, enjoy delicious food samplings from the event’s sponsors. 2-4pm March 3. For all ages. Suggested donation: $50 adults, $25 children. Pre-registration requested. Club Fit Briarcliff, 584 North State Rd., Briarcliff Manor. 914-762-3444. curethekids.org.

✪ Sugaring Off Party. Enjoy winter’s sweet rewards at this celebration with food, music and sugaring demonstrations. Noon-3pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Rte. 35 and Rte. 121, Cross River. 914864-7322. friendsoftrailside.org. ✪ The Tortoise and the Hare.

For all ages. Reservations not required. Lenoir Preserve, 19 Dudley St., Yonkers. 914-9685851. parks.westchestergov.com.

✪ Marvel® Comics Superheroes. Meet Marvel® Comics characters Iron Man, Spider-Man, Black Panther and Captain America at the Aquarium! Don’t forget to take your camera for some super photo opportunities! 10am4:30pm. For all ages. Free with admission. $24.95 adults, $17.95 children 3-12, children under 3 free. Reservations not required. The Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, Conn. 203-

Westchester Family | March 2019

852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org.

● ● ● ✪ RRPH Presents: The Music of Jerry Garcia Band for Kids. The Rock and Roll Playhouse band offers children games, movement, stories and an opportunity to rock out and explore their creativity. Come play to the music of the Jerry Garcia Band. 11:30am & 2pm. For ages 10 and under. $15 in advance, $17 at the door, children under 1 free. Reservations not required. Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, 145 Westchester Ave., Port Chester. 914-937-4126. therockandrollplayhouse.com.

What’s the science behind the fable? Does the hare have a disadvantage? Does persistence have a place in nature? Meet a fleet footed rabbit and one determined tortoise and explore the abilities of these two animals of legend! 11am-noon. For all ages. $8. Pre-registration required. Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining. 914762-2912 x110. teatown.org.

Sunday

● ● ✪ Ajijaak on Turtle Island. See page 37.

✪ Annual St. Patrick’s Open Day. See City Picks page 48.

✪ Brazilian Carnival. Time to celebrate the Carnival festival with colorful costumes and samba music. Dance along to a performance by Samba Novo, then take part in a workshop on mask making. 1:30-3:30pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham. 914-738-2525. pelhamartcenter.org. ✪ Family Art Project: Patch it Up-Nature Heals. Be inspired by nature’s ability to heal. Create patches by making stamps from upcycled styrofoam, then pin them on your favorite jacket or iron them onto clothes that need some love. 10am-1pm. For all ages. Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6-18, children under 6 free. Reservations not required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

on Ice. Help Peter and friends bring the glow back to Neverland in this family-friendly ice dance musical. But beware the swashbuckling pirates ‘round the corner with their big flips, jumps and tricks! 3pm. For all ages. $30 adults, $24 children under 13. Reservations required. Westchester Community College Academic Arts Theater, 75 Grasslands Rd., Valhalla. 914606-6262. sunywcc.edu.

● Science Sunday. Drop in for hands-on science exploration, with a different theme every month. 11:30am-12:15pm. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Free with $7 museum admission. Reservations not required. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-4215050. discoverwcm.org.

Join naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow on a familyfriendly walk through the gardens or woodlands. Severe weather cancels. 1pm. Ages 5 and up with an adult. Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6-18, children under 6 free. Reservations not required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx. 718549-3200. wavehill.org.

● ● ✪ Spring Birding. Explore the gardens and woodlands with naturalist Gabriel Willow on a quest to spot both resident and rare birds as they pass through on their northern journey or settle down for the season. Severe weather cancels. 9:30am. Ages 10 and up with an adult. Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6-18, children under 6 free. Reservations not required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx. 718549-3200. wavehill.org.

● ● ● ✪ Family Tour: Moon Matrix. Tour “The Color of the Moon,” then create your own matrix grid of moon images, photographs and original drawings inspired by what you’ve seen and learned about in the exhibition. 2:30pm. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Admission: $7 adults, $4 children 3-18, children under 3 free. Reservations not required. Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers. 914963-4550. hrm.org.

● ● ✪ Trusty Sidekick Theater Company: Shadow Play. Have you ever wondered what happens to your shadow while you sleep? Follow the playful adventures of Flash and his quest to reunite with his shadow in this multimedia performance. 3pm. Recommended for ages 2-5. $20-$40 adults, $11.25-$21.25 children 16 and under. Reservations required. The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase. 914-251-6200. artscenter.org.

✪ Hugo. See Movie Madness page 47.

● ● ✪ Family Nature Walk.

✪ I.C.E.: Peter Pan & Friends

Monday

● ● Storytime with Mr. Ben. A weekly storytime March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

March

featuring songs and crafts. Mondays, 4pm. Recommended for ages 1-5, but all are welcome. Reservations not required. Barnes & Noble, 3089 E. Main St., Mohegan Lake. 914-528-6275. barnesandnoble.com.

✪ T. rex: The Ultimate Predator. See City Picks page 48.

Tuesday

● ● ✪ Studio Tots: Pinch Pots for Tots. Pinch, pat and play your way to a fun and functional work of art! Craft and decorate a magnificent clay pot using air-dry clay in this exciting hands-on workshop. 10-11am. Ages 2-5 with caregiver. $15. Pre-registration strongly recommended. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, Conn. 203438-4519. aldrichart.org.

Wednesday

● ● DIY Puffy Paint Shamrocks. Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day! Make special puffy paint, cut shamrocks and then paint them green (of course!). 9:45-10:15am. Ages 2-4. $10. Pre-registration required. Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.

Sweet Time of Year

calendar

● ● Storytime for Toddlers. Explore the phases of the moon through music, art, movement and stories. Then create your own moon as a family. 11:30am-noon today and March 27. Ages 1-4. Reservations not required. Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.

✪ Maple Sugaring Party. Celebrate the sweet tradition of maple sugaring! Featuring sap collection demonstrations, depictions of Native American and Colonial-style sugaring sites, porridge making, maple crafts and treats. 11am-3pm March 3. For all ages. $10 in advance, $15 on-site. Reservations not required. Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.

✪ Maple Sugar Tours. Learn how to identify and tap sugar maple trees, discover sugaring techniques, see an evaporator Joanna Reisner in action and try to taste the Enjoy the sweetness of maple sugaring with difference between mapleflavored syrup and the real thing! your sweet ones at events like the Maple Sugar Tours at Hudson Highlands Nature Museum in Choose either “Sugar Bush Tours” Cornwall. (a moderate hike) or “Maple Lane Tours” (perfect for little legs). See website for schedule. 11am-3pm March 2, westmorelandsanctuary.org. 3, 9, 10, 16, 17. For all ages. $10 adults, $8 ✪ Sugaring at Muscoot. Sugarin’ children 3-17, children under 3 free. Preis in full swing at the farm! Visit the sugar registration required. Hudson Highlands house to see how maple sap is turned into Nature Museum Outdoor Discovery syrup. Celebrate the last day of sugarin’ Center, Muser Dr. across from 174 Angola (March 10) with maple treats and music. Rd., Cornwall. 845-534-5506. hhnm.org. Noon-3pm March 2, 3, 9. 1-3pm March ✪ SugarFest 2019. Now in its 14th 10. For all ages. Reservations not required. year! Enjoy a delicious homemade Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 914pancake breakfast served with 100% 864-7286. muscootfarm.org. New York maple syrup, hot sausage and ✪ Sugaring Sundays. Stoke up the fruit. Then learn about the evolution of fire, it’s sugaring time! From tapping to making maple syrup, learn to tap a tree collecting, boiling to bottling, Teatown’s and do a taste test during the “Maple naturalists are in Warren’s Sugar House Sugaring Through the Ages” program. sharing facts and folklore. 1pm, 2pm, 9:30am & 11:30am March 9 and 10. 3pm March 3 and 10. For all ages. $8. For all ages. $15 adults, $7 children Pre-registration required. Teatown Lake under 10. Pre-registration required. Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ossining. 914-762-2912 x110. teatown.org. Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco. 914-666-8448.

discoverwcm.org.

Thursday

● Museum Minis. Meet up in Toddler Beach for songs, movement, stories and plenty of fun. Thursdays, 10:30-11am. Ages 18-24 months. Free with $7 museum admission. Reservations not required. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-421-5050.

● Open Studio for Kids. See #GetCrafty page 46.

Friday

● ● ● All About Families Storytime. See City Picks page 48.

● ● Fish Tales. Enjoy stories,

Westchester Family | March 2019

songs and games for toddlers that encourage their emerging language skills, followed by a play time. Fridays, 10:15-11am. For ages 5 and under with caregiver. Free with admission. $24.95 adults, $17.95 children 3-12, children under 3 free. Reservations not required. Space is limited. The Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, Conn. 203-852-0700.

maritimeaquarium.org.

● Fun with Fluffy Slime. Enjoy a snack, read a book and have fun making this fluffy concoction. 1pm. For preschoolers. Pre-registration required. Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St., South Salem. 914-8759004. lewisborolibrary.org.

✪ The Orchid Show:

March

● ● ✪ Migration Madness!

Singapore. A beautiful tradition is blooming again at the New York Botanical Garden. Step inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory to see mesmerizing tropical orchids in displays that pay homage to Singapore’s achievements in orchid cultivation and conservation as well as garden design. Tuesdays - Sundays, until April 28. Check website for times. For all ages. Check website for price. Reservations required. New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd. at Fordham Rd., Bronx. 718817-8700. nybg.org.

See Movie Madness page 47.

Saturday ● ● Disney’s Frozen

The Musical Workshop. Let it go and learn a song and dance combination from the popular Disney film Frozen. At the end of the workshop, parents and siblings can watch as students perform what they have learned on stage! 11am-1:30pm. Ages 7 and up. Pre-registration required. Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, 480 Bedford Rd., Chappaqua. 914-458-5143. chappaquapac.org.

● ● ✪ Drop-In Clay Class. Play with clay while spending quality time together as a family. Professional ceramic artists guide these themed weekly handbuilding projects. No previous experience necessary! Saturdays, 1-3pm & 3:30-5:30pm. Ages 5 and up. Children under 12 must attend with a guardian enrolled in the class. $30 adults, $20 children 12 and under. Spaces go on sale at the front desk at 10am the day of class. Clay Art Center, 40 Beech St., Port Chester. 914937-2047. clayartcenter.org.

✪ Family Art Project: Springtime Scrolls. What does nature tell you? Join a facilitated walk that reveals different ways we can listen to what nature is telling us about

It’s that time of year when migration begins! Watch for a variety of song birds and learn how to identify a few common local birds. Plus, make a bird feeder to take home to attract feathered friends to your yard! 1pm. Recommended for ages 4 and up. $8. Reservations not required. Rye Nature Center, 873 Boston Post Rd., Rye. 914-9675150. ryenaturecenter.org.

✪ NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. See City Picks page 48. Courtesy photo

Grow your child’s love of art at The Neuberger Museum’s Open Studio on March 14.

#GetCrafty

✪ SuperPower Dogs in IMAX.

calendar

● Family Art Class: Collage the Moon. Use collage materials to create your own imaginary moon with artist Teresa Pereira. 1:30-3pm March 9. Recommended for ages 5-10. Admission: $7 adults, $4 children 3-18, children under 3 free. Reservations not required. Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.

● Open Studio for Kids. Make art inspired by the vivid landscapes of Georgia O’Keeffe! Young artists should wear play clothes or take a smock so they can get extra creative. Snack and juice provided. 3:30-4:45pm March 14. Recommended for ages 5-10, but all are welcome. $15. Preregistration required. Space is limited. Neuberger Museum of Art, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase. 914-251-6100. neuberger.org. ● ● ✪ Saturday Art Project for Families. Create something new and fun as a family. Beginners welcome! Every session focuses on a different project. Crafts include custom sneakers, dog painting and T-shirt tote bag. Check website for schedule. 10am-noon March 9, 16, 30. For ages 6 and up. $40 for parent and child, $10 each additional person. Pre-registration required. Westchester Community College Center for the Arts, 196 Central Ave., White Plains. 914-606-7500. sunywcc.edu.

itself. Create a scroll using upcycled materials to capture the cycles, transformations and wisdom that nature shares in its own way. 10am-1pm today and March 17. For all ages. Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6-18, children under 6 free. Admission is free until noon today. Reservations not

required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

✪ Just Kidding: Jedi Academy. See City Picks page 48.

● ● ✪ Looney Tunes Shorts. See Movie Madness page 47.

✪ Pancake Brunch. Start your day off with stacks of hotcakes and maple syrup, sausages and more. Then visit Warren’s Sugar House to watch a demonstration about how Teatown’s ‘liquid gold’ is produced. Plus, go on a free bird walk after you’ve had your fill of food. 8:30am, 9:45am, 11am, 12:15pm. For all ages. $18 adults, $10 children under 12. Reservations required. Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining. 914-762-2912 x110. teatown.org. ● Rhyme & Read. See March 9. ● ● ● ✪ The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Through the magic of black light and fanciful puppetry, three beloved stories by author and illustrator Eric Carle are brought to luminous life on stage. Stories include “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “Little Cloud” and “The Mixed-Up Chameleon.” 11am & 1:30pm. Ages 3 and up. $20 adults, $15 children. Reservations required. Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln., Mamaroneck. 914-698-0098. emelin.org.

✪ Winter Weekend. Enjoy access to Storm King during the off-season! Explore the sculpture and grounds in the brilliant winter landscape. Dress appropriately for the weather. 11am-4pm today and March 17. For all ages. $18 adults, $8 children 5-18, children 4 and under free. Reservations not

March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

March

required. Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Rd., Mountainville. 845-534-3115. stormking.org.

Sunday ✪ 2019 Rockland St.

Patrick’s Day Parade. It’s the 57th year for this grand parade honoring Irish heritage, hosted by the Rockland County Ancient Order of Hibernians. Join thousands of other revelers, rain or shine. 1:303:30pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Parade leaves from the Pfizer parking lot on N. Middletown Rd., Pearl River. rocklandcountyaoh.com.

City Picks

calendar

✪ The LEGO® Movie™ Days. It’s the ultimate celebration of the new The LEGO® Movie™ 2! Join Emmet, Wyldstyle and the gang for awesome building activities, out-of-this-world character experiences, interactive photo opportunities and more! Sundays - Thursdays, 10am-7pm, Fridays and Saturdays, 10am-9pm, until April 28. For all ages. Admission: $24.95 and up online, $29.95 and up onsite. Children 2 and under free. Reservations not required. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, 39 Fitzgerald St., Yonkers. 866-243-0770. westchester. legolanddiscoverycenter.com.

✪ Annual St. Patrick’s Open Day. Immerse yourself in Ireland’s rich culture with arts and crafts, face painting, soda bread-making demonstrations, live music and dance performances and more. Noon March 10. For all ages. Reservations not required. Irish Arts Center, 553 W. 51st St., New York. 866-811-4111. irishartscenter.org. ✪ Just Kidding: Jedi Academy. Learn the ways of the Jedi and discover the force within through comic antics, physical challenges, magical mayhem and even light saber lessons! 11am March 16. For all ages. $17. Reservations required. Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at W. 94th Street, New York. 212-864-5400. symphonyspace.org.

✪ NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Join in the fun of the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world as it makes its way up Fifth Avenue in the heart of Manhattan. About 150,000 people march, with about two million spectators cheering them on. 11am March 16. For all ages. Reservations not required. Parade begins at Fifth Ave. and 44th St. and ends at 79th St., New York. nycstpatricksparade.org.

● ● ✪ Planetarium Show: We Are Aliens. Is Earth the only planet with life? Could we one day be part of a galactic community? Take an epic ride in the hunt for evidence of alien life. Saturdays and Sundays, 3:30pm. Recommended for ages 8 and up. $5 adults, $3 children 3-18, children under 3 free. Reservations not required. Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers. 914963-4550. hrm.org.

● ● ● All About Families Storytime. What does it mean to be a family? Who is in your family? Hear stories about families, then draw pictures and make puppets of family members! 10:30am March 15. Recommended for ages 6 and under. Reservations not required. Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, 421 E. 61st St., New York. 212838-6878. mvhm.org.

✪ Shababa Palooza - Family Purim Concert. Get decked out in your favorite costume and rock out - Purim style. Rebecca Schoffer and a live Shababa band

Sholom, 300 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich, Conn. 203-869-7191. templesholom.com.

✪ Purim Carnival. Come in costume to this spirited Purim Carnival, featuring games and holiday activities for everyone! 11:30am-1pm. For all ages. See website for price. Reservations not required. Temple

✪ Purim Family Activities & Carnival. Celebrate this happy Jewish holiday with Purim songs, a costume parade, all kinds of games, crafts, a Super Slide and Sports Bounce House and more!

Westchester Family | March 2019

Vitaliy Piltser

Welcome St. Patrick’s Day a little early with festivities at the Irish Art Center’s Open Day on March 10.

bring the story of Purim to life and send your imaginations on a playful musical journey. After the concert, hit up the hamantaschen bar. 10:30am March 17. For all ages. $25. Reservations required. 92Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. at E. 91st St., New York. 212-415-5500. 92y.org.

✪ T. rex: The Ultimate Predator. Forget what you think you know about the King of the Dinosaurs. This special exhibition explores the full tyrannosaur story with life-sized reconstructions at various life stages, real fossils and casts, large-scale video projections, hands-on interactives and an exhilarating virtual reality experience that lets visitors work in a group to assemble a T. rex skeleton. Daily, 10am-5:45pm; beginning March 11. For all ages. Tickets with a special exhibition included start at $28 adults, $16.50 children 2-12, children under 2 free. Reservations not required. American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at W. 79th St., New York. 212-7695200. amnh.org.

Plus, magician Joshy K performs! 10am-1:30pm. For all ages. Check website for price. Reservations not required. Greenburgh Hebrew Center, 515 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry. 914-693-4260. g-h-c.org.

✪ Shababa Palooza - Family Purim Concert. See City Picks page 48.

✪ Spring Sunday Explorers. Early spring means fun and discoveries! Check out animal meet and greets, take a farm tour, take a hike and do an art project and other crafts. Check website for schedule of activities. Sundays, 1-4pm. For all ages. Free with admission. $12 adults, $6 children 4-17, children under

4 free. Reservations not required. Stamford Museum and Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, Conn. 203-322-1646. stamfordmuseum.org.

Monday

✪ Afternoon Studios: Funky Fabrics. Learn new and exciting ways to transform familiar materials in this fabric workshop. Drawing inspiration from exhibiting artist Harmony Hammond, create your own three-dimensional textile masterpieces. 2-4pm. For all ages. $12 adults, children 12 and under free. Reservations not required. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, Conn. 203438-4519. aldrichart.org.

Tuesday

✪ T. rex: The Ultimate Preda-

Movie Madness

March

tor. See City Picks page 48.

● Toddlers’ Tuesday Morning Storytime. See March 5.

Wednesday

✪ U.S. Army Field

Band & Soldiers’ Chorus. Listen to the story of America’s Army during a performance by this renowned concert ensemble. Featuring marches and patriotic favorites, orchestral masterworks, a cappella vocal arrangements, Broadway musicals, opera and much more. 7pm. For all ages. Reservations required. The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford, Conn. 203325-4466. palacestamford.org.

Thursday

✪ Black and White Purim Family Extravaganza. An extreme Purim celebration featuring a performance by Jay the Illusionist! Plus, enjoy an interactive Megillah reading, hamantaschen, a black and white concession stand and more. 5pm. For all ages. $25 family, $10 individual. Reservations

IMAX Corp.

These are no ordinary dogs! See incredible K-9s in action in a new IMAX movie at The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, beginning March 15.

✪ Hugo. This Martin Scorsese film follows the story of Hugo Cabret, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station in 1930s Paris, as he tries to solve a mystery involving his late father and an automaton. Based on the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Rated PG. 1:15pm March 10. For all ages. $12 adults, $10 children 12 and under. Reservations not required. Bedford Playhouse, 633 Old Post Rd., Bedford. 914234-6704. bedfordplayhouse.org. ● ● ✪ Looney Tunes Shorts. A selection of the best slapstick silliness featuring Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Road Runner and the whole Looney Tunes gang. These zany, laugh-out-loud shorts are just what the doc ordered! 11am, 2pm

not required. Chabad of the Rivertowns, 303 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry. 914-693-6100. chabadrt.org.

& 4pm. March 16. Recommended for ages 6 and up. $14 adults, $7.50 children under 13. Reservations not required. Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville. 914-747-5555. burnsfilmcenter.org.

✪ SuperPower Dogs in IMAX. Go on a journey around the globe to meet remarkable dogs that save lives and to discover the powerful bond they share with their human partners. Daily, beginning March 15. 11am, 2pm & 4pm. For all ages. One IMAX movie included with admission. $24.95 adults, $17.95 children 3-12, children under 3 free. Reservations not required. The Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, Conn. 203-852-0700. maritimeaquarium. org.

● ● Exploring Play. See March 1. ● ● Toddler Story Time

✪ Westchester Knicks. See

Theatre. See March 1.

March 7.

calendar

Friday

Saturday

✪ 100.7 WHUD Family Fun

● ● Baby Music Time. See March 1.

Festival. See Editor’s Pick page 40.

● Discovery Storytime. See

✪ Evening Howl for Pups of

March 1.

All Ages. See March 2.

✪ Family Art Project: Design a Re-Wilding Device. Using a mixture of soil, clay and local wildflower seeds, create sculpture as a re-wilding device. Take your sculptures home to place in your garden or somewhere that could use a little more wilderness and watch them transform from art to nature. 10am-1pm today and March 24. For all ages. Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6-18, children under 6 free. Admission is free until noon on Saturday. Reservations not

March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

calendar

March

required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

● ● Free Crafts for Kids. Drop in and make a different craft every week. Materials and templates provided. Saturdays, 11am-3pm. For ages 3 and up. Reservations not required. Lakeshore Learning Store, 969A Central Park Ave., Scarsdale. 914-472-1820. lakeshorelearning.com.

✪ Good Deed of the Month Club. Meet in the Book Nook for a kindness-themed book reading and discussion followed by an art-educator led good deed project. 11am-noon. For all ages. Free with $7 museum admission. Reservations not required. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-4215050. discoverwcm.org.

● Kids Workshop: Polymer Clay Unicorn. Celebrate the arrival of spring with this fun, happy project. Make a unicorn by transforming balls, coils and cones of polymer clay into a oneof-a-kind sculpture. All supplies included. 2-3pm (Ages 5-8) & 3-4pm (Ages 9-12). $20. Preregistration required. The Rye Arts Center, 51 Milton Rd., Rye. 914-967-0700. ryeartscenter.org.

✪ Kids in the Kitchen: Pizza, Pizza! Pizza for dinner and for dessert! Make a traditional pie and a Nutella pie. 12:30pm. For all ages. $70 for adult and child. Preregistration required. Westchester Italian Cultural Center, One Generoso Pope Pl., Tuckahoe. 914771-8700. wiccny.org.

✪ Pancake Breakfast. Celebrate New York’s Maple Weekend with a hearty pancake breakfast, including maple syrup, sausage and bacon from nearby Westchester farms. Then, go down the road to White Oak Farm for a tour of their beautiful sugar house! 9am, 10am, 11am today and March 24, 30, 31. For all ages. $10 adults, $8 children

4-12, children 3 and under free. Reservations required. Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center, 1271 Hanover St., Yorktown Heights. 914-962-2368. hilltophanoverfarm.org.

✪ Wild Animal Presentation. See a variety of live animals and learn all about the amazing critters with Wildlife Educator Anthony Cogswell. 1-2pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Cranberry Lake Preserve, 1609 Old Orchard St., North White Plains. 914-428-1005. parks. westchestergov.com.

914-723-1169. hbms.org.

✪ The Story Pirates Greatest Hits Show. This big, hilarious sketch comedy musical is based entirely on stories written by elementary school students, and part of the show is made up on the spot by the kids in the audience! Sketches run the gamut from kung fu ninja babies fighting crime to cats flying to tickle monsters who rule the world. 3pm. For all ages. $12.50. Reservations required. The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford, Conn. 203-325-4466. palacestamford.org.

of the Bossy Frog Band. Music and fun help kids learn! This program develops memory skills and an ability to recognize patterns and sequences through echo, call and response and add-on songs. 10:30-11am. Ages 1-5. Reservations not required. Harrison Public Library, 2 Bruce Ave., Harrison. 914-835-0324. harrisonpl.org.

● ● Storytime for Toddlers. See March 13.

Thursday

● Museum Minis. See March 14.

✪ Yonkers St. Patrick’s

● ● ✖ Vernal Pool

Parade on McLean Avenue. Irish eyes smile all along McLean Avenue for this annual parade that’s been held since 1956! Free parking is available at Empire City Casino with shuttles to the parade route. 1pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Parade starts at Hyatt and McLean Avenues, Yonkers. yonkersstpatricksparade.org.

Hike. Go on a hike to the farm’s vernal pools in search of wood frogs, salamanders and fairy shrimp. With naturalist Paul Lewis. 1-2pm. Ages 8 and up. Reservations not required. Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 914-864-7286. muscootfarm.org.

● ● Baby Lap Time. See

Sunday

Monday

March 4.

● ● ✪ Animal Adventures: Vital Vultures. Meet Ralph - turkey vulture extraordinaire the newest addition to Teatown’s flock who has a few tricks under his wing! 1-2pm. For families with children 5 and up. $8. Preregistration required. Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining. 914-762-2912 x110. teatown.org.

✪ Pack Chat for Kids. See March 3. ● ● ✪ Peter and the Wolf. The classic musical fable is performed and narrated by the HBMS faculty. A “Meet the Instruments Party” follows the performance, when children can see and try the various instruments used in the concert. Refreshments served. 1:15pm & 3:15pm. Ages 4-9. Reservations required. Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Ln., Scarsdale.

Westchester Family | March 2019

● Explore Creative Writing. See March 4. ● ● Mommy & Toddler Yoga. See March 4.

Tuesday

✪ Spanish Book Fair.

It’s a “Carnaval de Libros” in Mamaroneck. Find authentic and translated Spanish texts for Grades K-5, with a great selection of fiction and non-fiction. Don’t miss Zumba Dancing at 6:30pm as part of Family Night. 3-4:30pm & 5:30-7:30pm. Reservations not required. Mamaroneck Avenue Elementary School, 850 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck. 914-220-3000. mamkschools.org.

Wednesday ● ● Jeffrey Friedberg

✪ SuperPower Dogs in IMAX. See Movie Madness page 47.

Friday

✪ Artful After School. Activities inspired by the art on view pop up around the KMA campus. Get creative and have fun with friends. 3-5pm. For all ages. Free with admission. $10 adults, children under 12 free. Reservations not required. Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St., Katonah. 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org.

✪ STEM-tastic 2019. Gather the family for a night of interesting challenges, hands-on activities, learning and more. Proof that science, technology, engineering and math can really be fun! 6-9pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Hommocks Middle School, 130 Hommocks Rd., Larchmont. lmstemalliance.org. ● ● Stroller Tours. Pop your little one into a stroller and join other parents and caregivers for an interactive tour of the KMA’s current exhibitions. Fussy babies welcome and activities provided for older siblings. 9:30-10:30am. Recommended for adults with children under 18 months. Free with $10 admission. Reservations not required. Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St., Katonah. 914-

March

calendar

Orchids are back at the New York Botanical Garden! Check out this favorite annual event and be wowed by the beauty of these blooms.

232-9555. katonahmuseum.org.

✪ PepsiCo Sculpture

Saturday

● ● ✪ Animals that Lay Eggs. Visit with some of the Nature Center’s resident animals like snakes, turtles and birds and learn how these animals hatch from eggs and change throughout their lives. 1pm. Recommended for ages 3 and up. $8. Reservations not required. Rye Nature Center, 873 Boston Post Rd., Rye. 914-967-5150. ryenaturecenter.org.

● ✖ Ballet Des Amériques’ Evening of Dance. Awardwinning choreographer Carole Alexis and her Ballet des Amériques dance company invite audiences to their studio theater to enjoy a wide variety of dances from the company’s extensive repertoire in an intimate atmosphere. 7pm. For older kids and adults. $20. Reservations required. Ballet des Amériques, 16 King St., Port Chester. 646-7530457. balletdesameriques.com.

Gardens. Art and nature exist in harmony on the grounds of PepsiCo’s headquarters, and now the beautiful Sculpture Gardens are open to the public for the season. Marvel at more than three dozen works by major twentieth century artists as you walk through the carefully tended landscape. Saturdays and Sundays, 10am4pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. PepsiCo Sculpture Gardens, 700 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase. 914-253-3150. pepsico. com/sculpture-gardens.

● ● ● ✪ RRPH Presents: The Music of Bob Marley for Kids. The Rock and Roll Playhouse band offers children games, movement, stories and an opportunity to rock out and explore their creativity. Come play to the music of Bob Marley featuring David Langlois and The Brooklyners. 11:30am & 2pm. For ages 10 and under. $15 in advance, $17 at the door, children under 1 free. Reservations not

required. Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, 145 Westchester Ave., Port Chester. 914-937-4126. therockandrollplayhouse.com.

● ● ✪ Saturday Art Project for Families. See #GetCrafty page 46.

Sunday

✪ Family Art Project: Unfurling Field Journal. Take a walk around Wave Hill and see that flowers are blooming and plants are growing. Take advantage of this wondrous season of growth and make handmade journals-unfurling as flowers do-to document your observations. 10am-1pm. For all ages. Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6-18, children under 6 free. Reservations not required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

✪ The Orchid Show: Singapore. See March 15.

● ● ✪ Planetarium Show: We Are Aliens. See March 17.

✪ Rabbit Day. Learn all about what it takes to raise and care for rabbits and guinea pigs, courtesy of The Rabbiteers 4-H Club. Noon-3pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 914-864-7286. muscootfarm.org. ● ● ✖ Seal-Spotting & Birding Cruises. Journey out onto Long Island Sound in hopes of seeing some of the seals and waterfowl that spend this time of year just off the Aquarium’s shores. Binoculars are provided. 2:30pm. All passengers must be at least 42 inches tall. $29.95. Reservations required. The Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, Conn. 203-8520700. maritimeaquarium.org.

✪ Spring Sunday Explorers. See March 17.

March 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

last word

10 Reasons Why the Tooth Fairy Did Not Come Last Night By Katy M. Clark

t glistened in the soft morning light, the single tear that fell from my 8-year-old daughter’s eye as she stood in our bedroom doorway. “Mommy, she didn’t come!” she breathed despondently. Then that single tear turned into a torrent. Oh, fudge. The Tooth Fairy didn’t come last night. “Uh,” I stammered in reply, elbowing my husband awake. “What happened?” he mumbled. “The Tooth Fairy didn’t come last night,” I replied. “Oh, fudge,” he said. Only he didn’t say fudge. How did we let this happen? Quickly I reviewed the night before. Exhausted by my first Girls’ Night Out in three months, I had gone to bed at 10 p.m. (don’t judge) and left the money with my husband. He simply fell asleep before remembering his Tooth Fairy duties. There were more extenuating circumstances, too. Our daughter’s tooth had been wiggly for just a day. That was extremely short notice vs. those teeth that hang on by a (nasty!) thread for weeks. Plus, it had been months since she’d lost her last tooth. Our son, 12, had long since finished losing his baby teeth. My husband and I were definitely rusty in our duties as well as in the twilight of our Tooth Fairy career. Still, the plain, hard truth was that we blew it. The Tooth Fairy didn’t come. We sprang out of bed, soothing our daughter (and each other) with hugs and reassuring words. There had to be a good reason she didn’t come, we told our daughter. In fact, my husband and I, along with friends, family, and the internet, came up with 10 Reasons Why the Tooth Fairy Did Not Come Last Night: 1. The dew was too heavy. Her wings got wet and she couldn’t fly. 2. The Tooth Fairy was on vacation and the substitute Tooth Fairy didn’t know what she was doing.

Westchester Family | March 2019

3. She couldn’t get to your pillow due to your messy room. 4. Too much traffic. She’ll leave earlier tonight! 5. She was sick. 6. Spreadsheet error. Your tooth was projected to come out on Friday so she wasn’t ready when it came out on Monday. 7. Some Tooth Fairies like snacks. Leave one out tonight and she’ll probably come. 8. Oh, look, she dropped the money on the floor over there. She must have wanted you to keep your tooth as a souvenir. 9. You probably woke up and scared her away, even if you don’t remember doing that. 10. She ran out of money and will be back

tonight. She’s a tiny fairy so she can only carry so much. My daughter seemed to calm down after she spent the day listening to our reasons why the Tooth Fairy did not come. All was made right with the world the following the morning when, hallelujah, the Tooth Fairy did come. Moms and dads, may your Tooth Fairy always remember to come. In case she doesn’t, may you find these reasons to be a lifesaver! Katy M. Clark is a writer who embraces her imperfections as a mom at ExperiencedBadMom.com.

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Have you considered a Catholic education for your child?

It’s time to apply for the 2019 –2020 school year! For Kindergarten and Grades 1–8, Catholic school classes in Westchester and Putnam Counties are filling up fast. Financial Aid is being awarded as funds are available. The earlier qualifying families apply for admissions and financial aid, the better their chances of securing their child’s seat in school and the assistance they may need to help make tuition more affordable.

WESTCHESTER AND PUTNAM COUNTIES: CORPUS CHRISTI – HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL 135 South Regent Street, Port Chester

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ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL 670 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers

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SACRED HEART SCHOOL 59 Wilson Street, Hartsdale

ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL 30 Meadow Avenue, Bronxville

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL 53 Winter Hill Road, Tuckahoe

ST. ANN SCHOOL 40 Brewster Avenue, Yonkers

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL 201 Boulevard, Scarsdale

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