Strong National Museum of Play

If you have young children (or even older ones) the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester is the perfect place to take them. I took my two youngest children there last week when they had off from school for their mid-winter break. They had a lot of fun!

This is the only museum in the world that focuses on the importance of play in learning. It is home to the National Toy Home of Fame, which is located on the second level of the museum. A few years ago the museum underwent a multi-million dollar expansion; a butterfly garden was added, along with expanded exhibit space.

One of the newer exhibits is on the Berenstain Bears, which my youngest son just loved. We also spent quite a bit of time in the Fields of Play area, which has all sorts of fun things for kids to do. You can easily spend the whole day here, even two days, if you take the time to look at the antique toys and Americana items that were collected by the late Margaret Strong, who founded the museum in 1968.

Strong Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester 585-263-2700, http://www.museumofplay.org/

Dance classes in Lewiston

Here's some information I thought I'd pass on to people

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2009
FROM: Lewiston Council on the Arts, (716) 754-0166
RE: Gifted and Graceful

Dance Classes for Students With Special Needs

(Lewiston, New York) Lewiston Council on the Arts is pleased to offer ballet classes
for students with special needs. Saturday classes will begin on March 14th through
April 4th, and will be held on the second floor of the beautiful and historic Lewiston Opera
Hall, 732 Center St., Lewiston.

The dance classes are sponsored by Rivershore, Inc. and have been created for special
needs children who can walk without crutches, walkers or wheelchairs and follow multi-step
directions. Under the watchful eye of instructor, Susan Akin, students will enjoy 50 minutes
of elementary ballet and creative interpretation, designed to help them enjoy music, express
themselves through dance and gain musicality and body control.

"We're hoping to fill these classes. There's a little "DIVA" in everyone!" said Ms. Akin.
Participants will need a pair of ballet slippers, leotard and tights, or other comfortable dance
clothes. No jeans or sneakers, please. Parents are encouraged to stay.

Ages 7 - 12 2:00PM, Ages 13 - 21 3:00PM
Cost is $40.00 per student. Pre-registration is required.
For more information: 716-754-0166