Category Archives: fun

Garden City, NY, USA. Nov. 24, 2018. Peppa Pig walks in atrium of Long Island Festival of Trees holiday event, an annual family fun at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island. All proceeds raised benefit the non-profit charity Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc.

Long Island Festival of Trees 2018

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
November 28, 2018

When did Long Island’s winter holiday season arrive this year, at least for me? 

Garden City, New York, USA. November 24, 2018. The Festival of Trees, an annual family fun holiday event at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, has a free ice skating rink in the atrium. All proceeds raised - including from sale of donated decorated Christmas trees - benefit the non-profit charity Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc., of Long Island.(© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, USA. November 24, 2018. The Long Island Festival of Trees, an annual holiday event at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, has a free ice skating rink in the atrium.(© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Not in October when witch costumes and candy canes debuted in tandem at stores. Not weeks ago when we had our first snow. It was last weekend, when the annual Long Island Festival of Trees opened at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

The atrium had a two-story high, candy-themed Christmas tree, an elf taking visitors’ pictures with Santa, and a free ice skating rink, complete with free skates.

All proceeds raised — including from the sale of uniquely decorated Christmas trees, and Department 56 village porcelain pieces, all donated — benefited the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc.

While admiring a tree decked out as an elegant peacock near the skating rink, I saw Peppa Pig stroll into view. Peppa certainly had a long walk ahead of her through the vast museum if she planned to see all the vendors, events, and decorations… though, alas, no muddy puddles *Snort* 

Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County site: CP Nassau

Long Island Festival of Trees 2018:  PHOTO GALLERY 

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Lindenhurst, New York, USA. September 23, 2018. Closeup of framed The Parlor of Mystery poster handing over mantle, with skull and magic books, on stage set, during Comedy Magic Show presented by The Parlor of Mystery and South Shore Theatre Experience, South Shore Theatre Experience.

Voilà! Ha! Ha! at The Parlor of Mystery

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
September 25, 2018

HINT: Click each photo below to have it ‘magically’ transform!

Lindenhurst, NY, USA. Sept. 23, 2018. Magicians (L-R) R.J. LEWIS, JOE SILKIE, BOB YORBURG, and DAVID ROSENFELD pose after performing in Comedy Magic Show presented by The Parlor of Mystery.  (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Lindenhurst, NY, USA. Sept. 23, 2018. Magicians (L-R) R.J. Lewis, Joe Silkie, Bob Yorburg, and David Rosenfeld pose after performing in Comedy Magic Show presented by The Parlor of Mystery.  (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

“Don’t play Three-card Monte. You can’t win,” was magician Joe Silkie’s sage advice as he introduced his cups and balls sleight of hand during the Comedy Magic Show at The Parlor of Mystery, September 22nd. My advice is: ”Don’t miss seeing a Parlor of Mystery show. You can’t lose.”

Lindenhurst, NY, USA. Sept. 23, 2018. L-R, Magicians Joe Silkie and Bob Yorburg pose after performing in Comedy Magic Show presented by The Parlor of Mystery. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Lindenhurst, NY, USA. Sept. 23, 2018. L-R, Magicians Joe Silkie & Bob Yorburg pose after performing in Comedy Magic Show at The Parlor of Mystery. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Four Magicians & an Audience

The Comedy Magic Show featured Silkie and three other skilled magicians: Bob Yorburg, R.J. Lewis, and David Rosenfeld. 

Bob Yorburg – AKA Professor Phineas FeelGood – has performed magic for decades, including a stint in the 1970’s as a Magician Burger King in shows and commercials. He’s also a master wood carver and restorer.

Yorburg, who introduced me to the Parlor of Mystery years ago, began that night by performing an intricate traditional rope trick for the first time. Later, a twist at the end a trick he did with the help of audience volunteer Anthony was so wickedly funny I laughed out loud loudly.

R.J. Lewis has appeared in the Broadway shows “Barnum” and “The High Rollers,” in Atlantic City casinos, films, Princess Cruises, and at the White House for President Reagan.  (In Saturday’s show, he included impressions of the current and some past U.S. presidents.)

He opened his act with the conjuring equivalent of tap dancing across a high-wire: He performed magic with eerie candlesticks while singing “Magic to Do” from “Pippin.”

Lewis closed – and littered – his set with mesmerizing, fluttering paper butterflies.

David Rosenfeld hails from Long Island and has been a magician and mentalist for 15 years, performing at countless events, plus at small stages well-suited to his close-up magic.

Rosenfeld’s guileless admissions about the improbability – no, impossibility – that he possessed genuine powers of mentalism were both endearing and funny. 

Joe Silkie, the Parlor of Mystery producer, was the magnetic host of the Comedy Magic Show.

Silkie creates magic props and accessories for fellow magicians and magic shows on TV. That night, he delivered puns and fun on large cards and with other eye-catching props. 

Lindenhurst, NY, USA. Sept. 23, 2018. (L-R) Executive Producer Ted Plezia, and magicians RJ Lewis, Joe Silkie, Bob Yorburg, and David Rosenfeld, and Producer Mike Maione pose after Comedy Magic Show presented by The Parlor of Mystery. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Lindenhurst, NY, USA. Sept. 23, 2018. (L-R) Executive Producer Ted Plezia, and magicians RJ Lewis, Joe Silkie, Bob Yorburg, and David Rosenfeld, and Producer Mike Maione pose after Comedy Magic Show at The Parlor of Mystery. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

“Four Magicians & an Audience” could have been the show’s tag line, as a tip of the top hat to the key, hilarious role volunteers played with each of the four magicians at the intimate venue. 

This was the third year in a row I caught a show at the Parlor of Mystery, and I look forward to returning.

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North Merrick, New York, USA. March 31, 2018. Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN flings her arms up high after cutting the yellow tape to start the Egg Hunt at the Annual Eggstravaganza, held at Fraser Park and hosted by North and Central Merrick Civic Association (NCMCA) and Merrick's American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1282. Young children rush to collect eggs in their Easter baskets. (© 2018 Ann Parry, Ann-Parry.com)

Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt at Fraser Park

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
April 3, 2018

Like jelly beans spilling out of cellophane bags, children rushed onto Fraser Park field to hunt for 1,600 eggs during the 16th Annual Eggstravaganza, held Saturday in North Merrick. Though snow was (correctly) predicted for that night, it was sunny, spring-jacket weather the morning of the Egg Hunt.

North Merrick, New York, USA. March 31, 2018. Young children eagerly wait behind yellow tape for start of Easter Egg Hunt at the Annual Eggstravaganza, held at Fraser Park. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

North Merrick, New York, USA. March 31, 2018. Young children eagerly wait behind yellow tape for start of Easter Egg Hunt at the Annual Eggstravaganza, held at Fraser Park. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN officially started the Egg Hunt, and visitors also had the chance to meet and chat with Hempstead Town Supervisor LAURA GILLEN and Hempstead Town Clerk SYLVIA CABANA.

The Eggstravaganza co-hosts were North and Central Merrick Civic Association – which had its new co-presidents SUE MOLLER and LOU CICCONE keeping the event running smoothly – and American Legion Auxiliary 1282, which had President FLORENCE HOFFMAN and many other members manning the Entrance and art activity tables & more.

North Merrick, NY, USA. March 31, 2018. At right, Town of Hempstead Supervisor LAURA GILLEN chucks 8-month-old EMMA HALPERN under the chin, while Emma is held by her mom KELLY HALPERN, as dad MATT HALPERN looks on, at the Annual Eggstravaganza. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

North Merrick, NY, USA. March 31, 2018. At right, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen chucks 8-month-old Emma Halpern under the chin, while Emma is held by her mom Kelly Halpern, as dad Matt Halpern looks on, at the Annual Eggstravaganza. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

North Merrick, NY, USA. March 31, 2018. At center, Hempstead Town Supervisor LAURA GILLEN (in pink coat) and Hempstead Town Clerk SYLVIA CABANA (in brown jacket), pose with members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1282, which was a co-host of event: L-R, SUE MOLLER, FLORENCE HOFFMAN, MATTIA SARACENI, SHARON WILLIAMS, FAY AMBROSINO, and BARBARA BYRNE, at Eggstravaganza held at Fraser Park. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

North Merrick, NY, USA. March 31, 2018. At center, Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen (in pink coat) and Hempstead Town Clerk SYLVIA CABANA (in brown jacket), pose with members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1282, a co-host of event: L-R, Sue Moller, Florence Hoffman, Mattia Saraceni, Sharon Williams, Fay Ambrosino, and Barbara Byrne at Eggstravaganza held at Fraser Park. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Other community leaders at the event included WENDY GARGIULO, President of the North Merrick Board of Education; and ALISON FRANKEL, President of South Bellmore Civic Association (SBCA).

North Merrick, New York, USA. March 31, 2018. Sitting at table, LUCY MURPHY, member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 1282 and (right of her) SUE MOLLER, co-Pres. of NCMCA, and others are at Entrance table to Eggstravaganza at Fraser Park. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

North Merrick, New York, USA. March 31, 2018. Sitting at table, Lucy Murphy, member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 1282 and (right of her) Sue Moller, co-Pres. of NCMCA, and others are at Entrance table to Eggstravaganza at Fraser Park. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Brittany the Balloon Lady, of Balloons by Brittany, was a big hit – including with my grandson and granddaughter who were there with their mom and dad.

North Merrick, NY, USA. March 31, 2018. Back Row, L-R, Hempstead Town Clerk SYLVIA CABANA; BETTY TUCKER (clown) a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1282; Hempstead Town Supervisor LAURA GILLEN; and SUE MOLLER, Co-President of North and Central Merrick Civic Association; pose with Easter Bunny and children at the Annual Eggstravaganza at Fraser Park. (© 2018 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

North Merrick, NY, USA. March 31, 2018. Back Row, L-R, Hempstead Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana; Betty Tucker (clown) a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1282; Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen; and Sue Moller, Co-Pres. of North & Central Merrick Civic Assoc.; pose with Easter Bunny and children at Eggstravaganza at Fraser Park. (© 2018 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

And the Easter Bunny – the furriest special guest at the Eggstravaganza – looked very hoppy to sit on a park bench with children as their parents took photos.

FEATURE PHOTO (at top): North Merrick, New York, USA. March 31, 2018. Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN flings her arms up high after cutting the yellow tape to start the Egg Hunt at the Annual Eggstravaganza, held at Fraser Park and hosted by North and Central Merrick Civic Association (NCMCA) and Merrick’s American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1282. 


Eggstravaganza North Merrick 2018:  PHOTO GALLERY

Facebook:  North and Central Merrick Civic Association

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