Rich Bernich

Nassau County

Melanie Gulbas

New York City Metropolitan Area

Levittown

New York

East Meadow

Hicksville

Wantagh-Seaford

Bellmore

Farmingdale

Plainview

Massapequa

Merrick

Freeport

Garden City

Hilton Long Island/Huntington

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT&nbsp;
 
 Open to the public. No professional background required.
 
 Protecting Our Children In The Era of Al and Social Media&nbsp;
 
 Co-hosted by Rebecca Sanin, Suffolk County Legislator &amp; Stacy Pellettieri, LCSW-R, Founder of Long Island Counseling&nbsp;


 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2026&nbsp;
 
 RESERVE YOUR SPOT&nbsp;- <a href="https://luma.com/dnq7v1n7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://luma.com/dnq7v1n7</a> 
 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM&nbsp;
 
 The Huntington Hilton&nbsp;
 
 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, NY 11747&nbsp;


 In Person + Live Streamed&nbsp;
 
 Open to the public. No professional background required.&nbsp;
 
 In person + Live Streamed&nbsp;
 
 Coffee, juice, snacks and pastries available throughout the evening.
 
 Advance registration required. Seating is limited.&nbsp;


 Why This Summit Matters&nbsp;


 Technology is reshaping childhood. This free community summit brings together mental health professionals, educators, policymakers, child-safety and cybersecurity experts, parents and community leaders to examine the impact of Al, social media and digital life on children's mental health, learning, development and safety - and to discuss practical ways communities can reduce harm and help children thrive.&nbsp;


 MENTAL HEALTH &amp; DEVELOPMENT&nbsp;
 
 Featured Speakers&nbsp;
 
 Stacy Pellettieri, LCSW-R&nbsp;


 TECHNOLOGY &amp; CHILD SAFETY&nbsp;
 
 Al, social media, online risks, privacy, emerging technologies and practical protections.&nbsp;
 
 Founder, Long Island Counseling &amp; District Support Services&nbsp;
 
 Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds&nbsp;
 
 President &amp; CEO, Family and Children's Association&nbsp;
 
 David Schwed&nbsp;
 
 Lars Clemensen&nbsp;
 
 Leading Cybersecurity Expert&nbsp;
 
 Superintendent of Schools&nbsp;
 
 Dr. Danielle Gately&nbsp;
 
 Superintendent of Schools&nbsp;
 
 Rebecca Sanin&nbsp;


 POLICY &amp; ADVOCACY&nbsp;
 
 Local policies, legislation, school initiatives and community action that can create healthier environments for children.&nbsp;
 
 Suffolk County Legislator, District 16&nbsp;
 
 Monica R. Martinez&nbsp;
 
 New York State Senator&nbsp;
 
 Errol D. Toulon Jr.&nbsp;
 
 Sheriff of Suffolk County, New York&nbsp;
 
 Michael Fink&nbsp;
 
 Director of Technology; Founder, District Support Services &amp; Student Safety Alert&nbsp;
 
 Dr. Kathleen Hurley&nbsp;
 
 Neuropsychologist and Founder of Sage Psychology&nbsp;


 FOR PARENTS • CAREGIVERS EDUCATORS YOUTH-SERVING PROFESSIONALS GRANDPARENTS COMMUNITY MEMBERS&nbsp;

Local Event: You're Invited to the Childhood Reset Summit 

Suffolk County

Huntington

You're Invited to the Childhood Reset Summit 


    FREE COMMUNITY EVENT 
     
    Open to the public. No professional background required.
     
    Protecting Our Children...

Hardscrabble Theater presents its first-ever One-Act Play Festival, taking place from Friday, October 16th through Sunday,&nbsp;October 18th at its mainstage at St. Thomas Episcopal Church (298 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY). 
 
The ten plays featured in the festival will be performed twice each, once as a matinee and once in the evening at Hardscrabble Theater – located at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 298 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY. Program 1 will be presented on Friday, October 16th at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 17th
at 3:00 p.m. Program 2 will be performed on Saturday, October 17th at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 18th at 3:00 p.m.One of the plays is being directed by actor, radio personality, and Farmingdale native, Rob Bartlett. Familiar to many theatergoers for his great work in the Broadway plays, Little Shop of Horrors, Chicago the Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, and the revival of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple – and most recently as Hercule Poirot in Manes Studio Theatre of Long Island’s production of Murder on the Orient Express. 
Admission is $25&nbsp;to each of the four festival performances ($20 for students, seniors, and first responders). You can reserve tickets for the festival (recommended) by visiting the Hardscrabble Theater website at <a href="https://www.hardscrabbletheater.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">hardscrabbletheater.com</a>. 
 
Note: Individual program tickets are available on the website. Use code: Patch for $5.00 off each ticket. 
 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE 
 Program 1:Friday, October 16th at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 17th at 3:00 p.m. 
Everything’s So Expensive Lately, written by Susan Bachner and directed by Pam Uruburu; featuring Paul DeFilippo, Melissa Fine, and Harrison Grimm: A recently downsized professional and a quirky jewelry maker have someone throw a wrench into their evening dinner date.
·The Luminous Hour, written by Joseph Sherer and directed by John Passadino; featuring Bob Hertz, Bobbie Ruth, and Joseph Sherer: Sometimes the most challenging dreams we may have are when we are awake.
·Dream Date, written by Peter Scarpinato and directed by Amy Nicole; featuring Alicia Spiegel and Meg Coyne: A man meets a beautiful woman through a dating agency, but all is not as it seems.
·Stuck In A Rut, written by Rose Weldon and directed by Stacey Portmore-Davies; featuring Megan Laguna, Morgan Faye Neudel, Beineon Portmore-Davies, Rita Sarli, and Josh Winderman: A gathering of friends leads to some important revelations.
·Soulmates, written by John Passadino and directed by Rob Bartlett; featuring Bob Hertz, John Passadino, Lu-Ann Passadino, and Bobbie Ruth: Certain situations may not always end up being what’s meant to be.
Program 2: Saturday, October 17th
at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 18th
at 3:00 p.m.
·A Little Old For This, written by Keith Whalen and directed by Kathy Becker; featuring Virginia Green, Joe Leary, and Elizabeth Rowe: Trick-or-Treating does not have an age limit.
·Clairevoyant, written by Nathan Christopher and directed by Jim Polen; featuring Alfio DiFranco and Laura Rosenfeld: Two people are trying to see their way through to the end.
·Nowhere Gets Busy This Time Of Year, written by John Blenn and directed by Patrick A. Reilly; featuring Steven Brennan, Michael D'Alto, Bryan Mayer, Renee McClean, and Nancy Walsh: A couple finds themselves in a precarious situation after their second date.
·Clearing Up The Clutter, written by Michelle Giusto and directed by Stanley Katz; featuring John Arthur Battaglia and Gina Marie: Going through old things may lead you to former dreams.
·Solving For The Unknowns, written by Michael Casano and directed by Jo Ann Katz; featuring Michael D'Alto, Renee McClean, and Patrick A. Reilly: A man unexpectedly revisits his old classroom to learn a new lesson.

Local Event: First Annual Hardscrabble Theater One-Act Play Festival

First Annual Hardscrabble Theater One-Act Play...

Hardscrabble Theater presents its first-ever One-Act Play Festival, taking place from Friday, October 16th through...

First Annual Hardscrabble Theater One-Act Play Festival

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Rich Bernich, Neighbor

Posting Activity

You're Invited to the Childhood Reset Summit

First Annual Hardscrabble Theater One-Act Play Festival