Dan's Papers - July 18, 2008

A news story in this week's issue of Dan's Papers is very upsetting and demands action on the part of any family that calls the East End its home, or second home. Shockingly, in this area filled with people of great means and high cultural standards, one of the most important institutions for children may close its doors due to lack of funds. The Children's Museum of the East End (CMEE) in Bridgehampton, which opened in October of 2005, may be forced to close down at the end of the summer if it does not raise almost $500,000 to cover its outstanding debt and operating costs. CMEE's monthly loan payment is $20,000, in addition to normal operating costs.

Almost four years ago, my partner and I and our son had just moved here. There was a notice in the paper about an afternoon open house for CMEE. We were so excited about a new space for our son that we didn't hesitate to go. We sat in a trailer across from the site with then-executive director Adrienne Kitaeff and some of the board members, learning about the plans for the museum. We looked at blue prints and were wowed by Kitaeff's description on what would be transpiring. Sure enough, it came to light - from blue print to footprint to footsteps of children in the actual facility.

If you've never been to CMEE and you have a child or two, you're missing one of the most amazing children's museums in the country. The exterior, for starters, is an icon of modern architectural design that reads culture, sophistication and fun. Inside, the exhibits are movie-set quality. There is an enormous boat that kids can play on - top or bottom; a fire truck and full fireman costumes, an old fashioned soda fountain shop, a library, and a rotating exhibit area that has included a fantastic outerspace exhibit where kids could dress like astronauts and explore a space cabin.

Exhibits aside, CMEE also offers amazing classes in everything from art to science to carpentry to theater, for chidren from two-years to high school age. Some current week-long workshops include aviation camp, cooking, collage art, comic strip art, gymnastics, hip hop, recording studio camp for wanna be rock-n-rollers. These are just the summer programs - what's amazing is that CMEE offers dozens of reasonably priced workshops all year long. Our son had a ball in the theater class for little ones, I had a ball teaching a playwriting class to young aspiring authors.

Last summer, CMEE began to do outdoor theater events. I had the special opportunity to present my original dog opera, "Who is Natalie Spoo?" We packed the gorgeous amphitheater for two performances. There were so many positives about the experience. First, 10 local actors had the chance to premiere a new work right here in the Hamptons. We hired local business for sound and other technical needs. Almost 500 people experienced a large-scale (for kid's theater) event with live actors in a beautiful setting.

Most importantly, the production generated revenue for this amazing museum.

I urge members of the community to rally to keep this space alive. Call the museum and speak to Executive Director, Steve Long (631-537-8250) or go to cmee.org. Click on Membership & Support, and it will tell you how to donate.

Let's not lose this incredible family resource for our community. CMEE deserves to have a long healthy life on the East End.