Dear Friends,

Thank you to everyone who supported CMEE's Family Fair fundraiser last month. You helped to make it the biggest one yet! During the Fair, I was particularly grateful to receive a $78.32 donation from Ryan Falk who is six years old and had raised the money by selling lemonade at his sister Lindsay's softball games this summer.

The revenue Ryan generated is amazing (I asked him to consider joining CMEE's fundraising staff after he graduates from college in sixteen years) but what makes his efforts especially important is that he isn't alone. Unlike a generation ago, kids are more actively engaging in philanthropy today and Ryan joins his sister Lindsay, as well as Zach Barzilay and Alex Sidorsky who have recently organized donations to CMEE. As you know, children care deeply about the wider world. And all over the country, they are making a difference by setting up "Lemon-Aid" stands and donating some or all of the proceeds to causes as diverse as sustaining museums, protecting clean drinking water, fighting cancer, and helping animals. Kids love feeling needed and useful in their communities and by running a Lemonade stand, they build self-esteem, develop a sense of belonging, and learn leadership, financial literacy, and organizational skills. If there is a cause or issue (particularly one facing the East End) that is important to your children, I hope you'll share it on our Facebook page.

If you're interested in tips for a good lemonade recipe or how to set up your own lemonade stand, you'll find them in this issue of the CMEE E-News! You can also read about the programs we're presenting in partnership this month: Along with the East Hampton Historical Society, CMEE is presenting a Family Picnic at Mulford Farm on Monday August 8. We're teaming up with Dylan's Candy Bar on two sweet programs at CMEE this month. For children interested in helping animals, we're organizing an Adopt-a-thon with the Southampton Animal Shelter on August 17. Starting August 9 in our outdoor amphitheater, we're featuring three terrific musical performances as part of our "Twirligig Tuesday" series. Read below for more details about these and other great happenings at CMEE! And remember, we're still collecting suggestions to name the John Deere tractor at CMEE!

Sincerely,

Stephen Long

Executive Director

Please join us for a Family Picnic to benefit CMEE and the East Hampton Historical Society on Monday, August 8 from 5 to 8pm at Mulford Farm in East Hampton.   

Tickets are $25 per adult and $15 per child. Sponsorships are available.  

To register, visit CMEE's website or call 631-537-8250. 

At 11am on Saturday, August 13, take a candy road trip at CMEE with Dylan's Candy Bar, as you learn more about the sweetest candies from across the United States . Discover each candies history and experience the delicious tastes of a variety of candy from the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Northwest, and West regions.

In this "Get Creative" workshop on Saturday, August 20 at 10am, your child can make her or his favorite landmark, fantastical building, or your own home out of wood, papier mache, cardboard, paint, and recycled materials.

Empire State Building and Chrysler Building by members of the Soloviev family

$5 for Members and $17 for Non-Members, which includes Museum admission. Call (631) 537-8250 to register.

This program is fully or partially funded by the Suffolk County Chief Executive's Office. 

CMEE and Dylan's Candy Bar are throwing the sweetest parties in town. Add the Dylan's Candy Bar upgrade package to your next CMEE celebration to make all your candy dreams come true. When combining treats, pizza, candy crafts, and games at CMEE, every party is guaranteed to be a sweet success!

Photo taken at a July 16th Birthday Party at CMEE.

To book your party, call CMEE at (631) 537-8250. 

The final meeting of the CMEE Moms Book Club is August 24 at 8pm when the moms will be reading The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles.  Finishing the book isn't intended to be stressful, so if you can't read every word or if you've read it already, you're still welcome to attend. To register, visit CMEE's website or call 631-537-8250. The meeting place will be emailed to you after you register.

Our "CMEE Daily Special" has really taken off!

A different, fun, drop-in activity every day at 1pm, Monday through Saturday!

Make CMEE your after-lunch (or pre-nap!) destination, or escape the heat, and join in for some summer-themed active and creative fun.

Here's just a sample of some of the art activities: Rock Creatures, Sail Boats, Sea Shell Art, Flower Bouquets -- plus Bubbles, Sprinklers, and lots of other surprises in the mix!

Call (631) 537-8250 to see what the "Daily Special" is or just stop on by!