By Karen Bloom
The outside beckons. Although the chill is still in the air, get out of the house and celebrate these early days of spring! Here are some ideas to bring on the season.
Old Westbury Gardens
Spring has sprung at Old Westbury Gardens, which is open weekends in April, beginning Saturday, Apr. 4. This is a special year for the renowned Gardens, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
At a ceremony in 1959, Peggie Phipps Boegner, accompanied by Long Island State Park Commissioner Robert Moses and Nassau County Executive, A. Holly Patterson, first welcomed the public to Old Westbury Gardens. During 2009, in addition to the usual varied array of concerts, shows, classes, tours, and events, there will special 50th anniversary celebrations throughout the season.
Meanwhile, it's time to enjoy the Gardens as they begin to show signs of the season. "Visiting the Gardens in April is a special experience," said Vincent Kish, Old Westbury Gardens' Director of Public Relations and Communication. "The weather is still a little brisk and invigorating during long walks on our many trails. Peering through the branches of deciduous trees not yet full of leaves provides unique views of Westbury House, the Thatched Cottage, and the many amazing gardens that are just beginning to bloom."
Flowers, such as daffodil and hyacinth, primrose, English daisy, pansies and wildflowers in the Woodland Walk will be starting to bloom, ready to burst forth, while the fruit trees and other trees and shrubs will be blooming an array of delicate colors. Visitors can enjoy it all at their own pace or on a guided tour.
Poetica Musica, Old Westbury Gardens' chamber music artists-in-residence, embraces spring with their first performance of the 2009 season in Westbury House's Red Ballroom, Apr. 4, at 7:30 p.m. Clarinetist Amy Zoloto, soprano Eleanor Valkenburg, pianist Maria Antonia Garcia, and flutist Barry Crawford, present an intriguing array of 19th and 20th century French compositions. Their program includes Afternoon of a Faun, arranged for clarinet, flute, and piano, Deux Mélodies de Ronsard for flute and voice, and a flute sonata by Fauré. Registration is required. Admission is $25, $20 for students, seniors, and Old Westbury Gardens members. The fee includes admission to the house and grounds and a meet-the-artists dessert reception after the concert. Arrive early for a tour of the house or gardens. A pre-concert talk is offered at 7:30 p.m., with the concert at 8 p.m.
Old Westbury Gardens is located at 71 Old Westbury Rd, Old Westbury. For more information, contact (516) 333-0048 or www.oldwestburygardens.org.
Rabbit Show at Old Bethpage Village
Prize rabbits are the highlight of Old Bethpage Village Restorations's opening weekend, when the Long Island Rabbit Breeders Association Show makes its annual visit. Old Bethpage Village Restoration (OBVR) kick offs its 2009 season on Saturday by welcoming 1,500 prize rabbits to compete for best in class, best in breed and best in show.
The popular and family-friendly show, sponsored by the Long Island Rabbit Breeders Association, is a rite of spring at OBVR, which showcases a variety of breeds, including Belgian Hares, English Angoras, Holland Lops, and New Zealands, among others. The rabbits converge on the the 8,000-square-foot Exhibition Hall, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Exhibition Hall is an accurate reproduction of the original exhibit hall built at the Queens County Agricultural Society Fairgrounds in Mineola in 1866.
"We're very pleased to open the year with this unique and colorful Old Bethpage Village tradition," said Jim McKenna, OBVR site director and curator. "It's a terrific event for families, and lots of fun for kids, but we find that people of all ages have a great time viewing the incredible variety of rabbits." The sight of all those rabbits - ranging size from tiny, little piles of fur to some that are the size of small dog - delight kids and adults alike. "It's a wonderful tradition that is extremely kid-friendly," said McKenna. "Everyone who comes by is fascinated by these gorgeous rabbits. It's a wonderful experience and a great way to welcome spring."
Another sign of spring can be found among the Village's resident farm animals. McKenna is pleased to announce the recent birth of seven baby lambs, who are ready to charm visitors. "It's springtime," he said, "there's much going on here." That includes opening day for the Old Time Baseball League, which will hold its first games of the season on Saturday.
Visit the recreated 19th century village at Round Swamp Rd. in Old Bethpage. For more information, call (516) 572-8400.
Seal Sightings There's still time to see the harbor seals that winter on Long Island as they prepare to journey back to Maine. Join the Riverhad Foundation for a close-up look at Long Island's seal population, on a seal cruise throughout Hempstead Bay.
Sail from Freeport aboard the Captain Lou Fleet to view winter harbor seals throughout Hempstead Bay. A naturalist is on board to discuss biology and seal behavior and other marine life encountered. You may even see a seal pup or two. The outings are offered through Monday, Apr. 13, leaving at 1 p.m., with a 12:30 p.m. boarding time, from 28A Woodcleft Ave. in Freeport.
Rates are $24, $21 seniors, $19 children. Reservations are required. All proceeds support the New York State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program. Call (631) 369-9840 or www.riverheadfoundation.org for reservations and information.
Spring Awakens At Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center
Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center is a vibrant resource for ushering in the season this weekend, with 15 acres of trails and a wide variety of activities. The Center's wondrous woodcock is the star on Saturday, Apr. 4, at a Woodcock Walk at the Hoffman Center. That amazing Woodcock is often found running through the meadow. Join the staff, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in a search for the woodcock and maybe see him show his courtship ritual. $5, $3 members. The walk is held at the Hoffman Center, 6000 Route 25A, in Muttontown.
On Sunday, Apr. 5, welcome the season at the Sanctuary's Spring Awakening. The grounds are coming alive after a long winter sleep. It's time to take a walk on the trails, and see signs of spring, 1-2 p.m. $3, members free. Find the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center at 134 Cove Rd., Oyster Bay. For more information, call (516) 922-3200 or trsac@audubon.org.
