Stepping Out

Holiday sparkle at the Cradle of Aviation Museum

Long Island Festival of Trees welcomes everyone for some seasonal fun

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The holiday season comes into focus now with the glittery signs all around us. Museum Row in Garden City is always among the spots filled with holiday spirit this time of year, with the Festival of Trees firmly rooted there to kick off some seasonal spectacle, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 25-27.
This popular event at the Cradle of Aviation Museum — now in its 27th year — continues to gather artisans, local entertainers, volunteers and the community to usher in the season. Everyone comes together to share the festive spirit and support the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau, the beneficiary of the event.
As always, the trees stand out throughout the weekend’s festivities. The display of the 38 6 1/2-foot trees and hundreds of 2 1/2 -foot mini-trees commands attention as soon as visitors step into the museum’s grand atrium. Each is adorned with a unique theme, creatively decorated by designers and community groups. Among the highlights, Trainland, in Lynbrook, contributes (what else?) a train-themed tree, which, according to Ken Bianco Sr. (who owns Trainland with his son Ken Bianco Jr.), will enable everyone to relive Christmas memories with “trains, trains, trains.”
“Trains and trees go together,” he says. “The action, the sound, the lights, the smoke — kids can’t take their eyes off them and they are certainly an attention grabber! We are happy to be part of an event that supports the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau too.”
Also gaze upon the festively adorned “A Glamorous Christmas,” designed by Theresa Soto of Flowers by Voegler, in Merrick, among the many trees on display. It’s decorated with plenty of sparkle and bling, including crystal chandeliers, mercury glass reindeer, glittered snowflakes and shiny

icicles.
Other unique creations by community groups and designers include “Life’s A Beach,” from Oceanside’s Margaret Amann and her group known as the Ladybugs. The Theresa Russo Foundation and the Theresa Academy of Performing Arts (TAPA), based in Lido Beach, contributes “I Send You the Rainbow, So That You Can Create the Most Colorful Christmas of All,” featuring colorful ornaments made by TAPA students. Students and faculty were inspired by poet Maya Angelou who said “try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
Nassau Community College’s Fashion Design Club has the season all zipped up — literally. Their tree, titled “All Zipped Up,” is made of all hand-crafted ornaments that, of course, incorporate zippers.
The Homemakers Council of Nassau County is represented with Winter Wonderland,” which includes hundreds of handcrafted snowmen and snowflakes.
Ronna Ross, of the Baldwin Homemakers, always remembers something her dad advised her, “If you have troubles, throw them into the sea.” Ross says she continues to find peace by the sea, explaining that since Christmas is a time for peace, she and her friends decided to created a nautical setting for their tree. “ ‘Christmas by the Sea’ is filled with shells, ships, anchors, pails and lighthouses to be enjoyed by all.”
The glittering display also includes those 200 mini-trees — in different themes, of course — and wreaths, and swags, all accompanied by a gingerbread village of almost 100 original gingerbread creations, cooked up every year by culinary students from BOCES Barry Tech Institute in Westbury. As always, all trees and gingerbread houses — besides being appealing to look at — are for sale.
The festive trees area sparkling backdrop for the many activities that offer holiday merriment for all ages, with entertainment and an always popular holiday marketplace. And, naturally, Santa is around to visit with families throughout the weekend.
The location at the Cradle of Aviation is an added attraction. While there, take the opportunity to explore the many exhibits that celebrate Long Island’s contributions to aviation — from the first flights by rickety biplanes on the Hempstead Plains, to man walking on the Moon. It’s a chance to experience history first-hand.
“I continue to be amazed and so gratified at the generous sharing of time and talent we experience at our annual Festival of Trees event,” says CP Nassau Executive Director Bob McGuire.
“It takes the efforts of so many caring volunteers to make this event come together and on behalf of all at CP Nassau, I offer our most sincere thanks. This spirit of giving is truly what the season is about and the festival brings people of all ages and backgrounds together for a common cause that helps makes the lives of individuals with disabilities better.”
Visitors can enjoy plenty of entertainment throughout weekend, including a performance by Creation, the ensemble of singers who participate in CP Nassau’s Adult Day Treatment Program, familiar to those who have attended one of the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra’s yearly benefit concerts.
Local singers and dancers contribute their talents with varied musical and dance performances, including Baldwin’s Christelle Pascal and Nicolette Kosowski, of Lynbrook, the first place and second place winners of “Nassau Has Talent.” They lead off the entertainment schedule on Friday at 11 a.m.
Among the festival performers, Rockville Centre’s Leggz Ltd. Dance troupe is always a crowd-pleaser, with excerpts from their upcoming holiday production of “The Nutcracker” on Friday and Saturday. Sunday’s entertainment lineup offers a tribute to all things Irish. Rockville Centre’s “Show Stompin” Irish dancers kick off the day, followed by the Gerry Finley Band.
In addition to the usual goings on, the Force will be back with everyone once again in the form of Star Wars re-enactors from the 501st Legion and Empire City Garrison, who will mingle with festival-goers on Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. They will also involve fans in their popular “Blast a Trooper” event that day.
Kids will certainly want to visit with Santa, and, of course, the Festival Marketplace, which includes the Festival Toy Shoppe, is another busy spot. And since it’s all about gingerbread this time of year, the kids will get to decorate a gingerbread cookie with all sorts of delectable trimmings.
The festival has legions of devoted volunteers for whom the event is a longstanding holiday tradition.
Lynbrook resident Anne Schimenti has been part of UCPN’s loyal cadre of supporters for 20 years. “I look forward to volunteering at the annual Festival of Trees as it brings so much joy to all who attend while raising funds for such a worthy organization,” says Schimenti. “It’s amazing to see the amount of generous people who attend with their children to support CP Nassau.” 
 Karen Kiefel, of Valley Stream, is another enthusiastic 20-year volunteer. “As a Festival of Trees volunteer it gives me so much satisfaction to know that all the money raised is going to CP Nassau to support those with disabilities. The festival is a great way to start the season of giving, sharing and caring which brings all people together in the community. It’s a wonderful event to volunteer at and a great family tradition, especially when you know how appreciative CP Nassau is for all the help they get.”
 Amanda Kiefel, of North Merrick, a new mom and volunteer for about seven years shares her thoughts: “Volunteering at the festival is fun and fulfilling. The festival is one of my favorite events because it brings great joy and happiness to families in the community and it raises money for a great cause. It is definitely a humbling and rewarding experience to be part of.”
  And Joan MacNaughton, a Lynbrook resident and director/owner of Leggz Ltd. Dance, adds: “I have been volunteering as the entertainment coordinator for the festival for over 15 years now. I love every minute and all the groups that I work with also tell me how much the experience means to them! We all enjoy what we are doing and are happy to know that we are making a difference for people with disabilities.”

Long Island Festival of Trees
When: Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25-26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15, $10 ages 2-12. Admission includes entry to the festival and the Cradle of Aviation Museum.
Where: Cradle of Aviation Museum, Museum Row, Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Garden City. (516) 378-2000 ext. 648 or www.cradleofaviation.org or www.cpnassau.org.