By Karen Wolitzer
Fret not...I've got some great ideas of things to do and places to go. Hopefully, one of them will be just right for you.Nautical Cruise Lines, in Freeport, is having two Mother's Day Cruises. On The Nautical Belle they're serving a buffet style dinner and on The Nautical Princess there will be a sit-down dinner. There will be hors d'oeurves, dessert, an open bar and a DJ so you and mom can dance the day away on either cruise. The Nautical Belle sets sail at 12:30 p.m. and returns at 4 p.m. The Nautical Princess sails from 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy the view as you cruise around Long Island. For more information call 623-5712.For those of you who would rather keep your feet on dry land, I have many more wonderful ideas. How about a relaxing day at Old Westbury Gardens? Spend the day strolling through the glorious formal gardens; sitting in the shade near the West Pond or East Lake; touring the magnificent Westbury House mansion and enjoying the romantic period wedding exhibit, elegant antique English furniture and exquisite fine art and collectibles; dreaming to classical music; or relaxing at the Cafe in the Woods over a delicious lunch. Located at 71 Old Westbury Road in Old Westbury, you can't go wrong surrounding mom with flowers. For more information call 333-0048.If flowers and water aren't your thing...how about Gospel music? Westbury Music Fair is hosting GOSPELFEST 2003 on May 10 and 11. Among the many contestants competing are returning winners from 2002, Soloist Michael Davis from Central Islip and Praise Dance performers, Glory from Levittown. 2003 Long Island finalists include the Joshua Generation Choir from Bellport, Sounds of Unity from Central Islip, On Stage Praise Dancers from Westbury, poet Thedia Darnel from Roosevelt, Soloists Kim Castro from East Patchogue, and Jazmin McDaniel from Hempstead, to name but a few. Come listen to the gospel choir music, watch the step and praise dancing, and check out the Christian rapping and poetry! The show begins at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.If you think mom would just like to sit back and be entertained, why not take her to Molloy College to see
Jekyll and Hyde, the smash hit musical. Based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson,
Jekyll and Hyde tells the story of a brilliant doctor and his awful alter ego who terrorizes late 19th century London. The lush, romantic musical score contains the hit songs
This is the Moment and
Someone Like You. For show times and ticket prices call (631) 581-2700. Molloy college is located at 1000 Hempstead Avenue in Rockville Centre.If mom happens to have little ones running around, then perhaps the choice for you is The Long Island Children's Museum. They're hosting their 3rd Annual Folk Arts Festival from May 10 to June 21.The theme of this year's Festival, the traditional building arts, is a celebration of talents that are too frequently taken for granted, that are becoming rare and sometimes even endangered. Like most folk art, many of the building arts are passed down within the family, the community or through apprenticeships, and there will be examples of all at the Museum. On May 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. you can watch Joe Misiakiewicz and assistants, rug makers demonstrate traditional patterns on one loom and you can try your skill on a second. You and the kids can also make small hand-made rug samplers in a related workshop. Pre-registration is required, so call now. Programs are free with Museum admission. For more information call 224-5844.If none of these ideas are for you...you can always buy her roses and make her dinner at home. And be sure to tell her how much you appreciate her. Happy Mother's Day!
