On Oct. 3rd at noon legislators from Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Nassau and Suffolk counties will gather for the Sixth Annual Legislative Reception at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. The event is held annually to recognize the legislators from the counties served for their exemplary compassion and support for the families. "With all the kindness that the legislators have shown toward the House, this is the least we can do to thank them for their continued support for the children," said Patricia Donnelly, Legislative Representative. The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island is a 'home-away-from home' for families who are caring for seriously ill children undergoing medical treatment in area hospitals. Located on the campus of Schneider Children's Hospital, the House accommodates families in a warm and supportive environment.

An infants and children's clothing drive will be held at Gloria Dei Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Collecting clothing from infant to size 14 and all types of baby essentials such as baby monitors, cribs, car seats, etc. Also accepted are children's books. Want to donate but can't get there?

Items will be picked up, just call 610-9666. Donations will be made to Lutheran Social Services. Gloria Dei Church is located at 600 New Hyde Park Road, New Hyde Park. Expanded list is on ClickitsOnline.com.

On Oct. 4, from noon to 4 p.m., NASA's 50th anniversary and World Astronomy Day will be celebrated at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Children of all ages will be able to see the evening sky inside the Cradle's Star Lab and also participate in Sun Spotting (weather permitting) with members of the Amateur Observers Society. "NASA's 50th Anniversary and World Astronomy Day combine for a very special day at the museum," said Todd Richman, Cradle board chair. "Families can come and have a great deal of fun while learning about the space program, which is a big part of the museum's collection." Fly Me to the Moon, the new IMAX film that tells the story of a bunch of intrepid flies who stow away on the first Apollo mission, is also the theme of a number of "out of this world" family activities including Inter-Planetary Twister and Flyswatter Badminton. Plus, for the NASA's 50th birthday you'll be able to have a piece of birthday cake. Activities are free with museum admission. The Cradle of Aviation Museum is home to one of the largest collections of air and spacecraft in the region. Over 75 air and spacecraft are displayed in eight museum galleries, which will guide you through over 100 years of aviation history. The museum is located on Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Museum Row in the Garden City/Uniondale area. The Cradle is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 am. to 5 p.m., as well as holiday Mondays. The Cradle also serves as the home of Long Island's only Giant Screen IMAX Dome Theater, which is open seven days a week. For information call 572-4111 or log onto www.cradleofaviation.org. Local growers will be showing off their prize dahlias at Mid Island Dahlia Society's last flower show of the year. It will be held at The Burns Conference Center, Planting Fields Arboretum, Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay on Saturday, October 4th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, October 5th from noon- 5 p.m. Free admission with Planting Fields $6 parking fee. For more information call (516) 799-5391 or visit www.plantingfields.org. The Irish American Society of Nassau, Queens and Suffolk, 297 Willis Avenue, Mineola will hold its Harvest Moon Ball featuring music by The Andy Healy Band. Master of Ceremonies is Tony Jackson and honorees for the evening are Lillian Bilhorn, Margaret Christman, Dan Donnelly and Michael Quinn. Cocktails start at 6 p.m. with an open bar all evening, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. catered by The Bellport Country Club. Donation is $80 per person. Reservations required. Black tie optional. For reservations and further information, please call 742-8080. Westbury Friends Meeting presents the 55 annual Quaker Fair from 11am to 4 pm. Baked goods, live music, plant sale, hot dogs and chili, gently used items for sale, fun and games for the children. 550 Post Avenue, Westbury, corner of Post Avenue and Jericho Turnpike. The regular meeting of the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park Board of Education will take place at the Manor Oaks School. The board will meet first at 6:00 p.m. as the audit committee and will then meet in executive session to discuss personnel matters. Then at 8 p.m. the board will return to the public portion of the meeting. All are invited to attend. Manor Oaks School is located at 1950 Hillside Avenue, New Hyde Park. The Nassau North Shore Christian Women's Club cordially invites all women to its Trash to Treasure Luncheon. The luncheon will be held on Oct. 7 at 11:30 a.m. at the George Washington Manor restaurant on Old Northern Boulevard, Roslyn. The cost of the luncheon is $17. The special feature will be Eleanor Brake who will share some of the treasures she has found at tag/garage sales. Eleanor Brake will also tell her secret about the priceless possessions available to all of us. Brake is a retired RN with a great sense of humor. Special music will be presented by Rosemarie Ferrar. For reservations or information call Jane Voss at 742-0861 or Alice Russo at 248-9726 by Sept. 26. Cancellations are essential. The regular meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the New Hyde Park Fire District will be held at 8 p.m. at the Headquarters Fire House, 1555 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park. The Long Island Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in collaboration with Winthrop-University Hospital Division of Oncology & Hematology is offering a free patient support group. These meetings are facilitated by an oncology nurse and social worker. The group will meet from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Winthrop Hospital's lower level conference room. At the Hillside United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 2801 Hillside Avenue, corner of Heywood Street, New Hyde Park, come to a Country Hoedown Dance from 8 to 10 p.m. No dance experience is necessary. Dance lessons provided and demonstrated. Sing-along with a banjo playing folk singer. Casual attire. Free coffee, cake and beverages served after the dance. Girls meet boys, boys meet girls. swing your partners and promenade. Singles, couples and families are all welcome, Only $6 per adult, $5 for seniors and children under are 12 free. For further information, please call the church at 741-5148. The AARP Village Chapter No. 5183 will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Clinton Martin Park, New Hyde Park. New members are invited. Must have a national AARP membership. For further information, please call 248-0594. The New Hyde park Day Chapter of the Nassau County Homemakers Council will hold its regular business meeting at 11 a.m. at the Marcus Christ Hall, on the grounds of the New Hyde Park Village Hall, corner of New Hyde Park Road and Jericho Turnpike. The Hillside Library Board of Trustees will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the library, 155 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park. Boy Scout Troop No. 200, serving the youth of the Willistons for more than 40 years, will be operating its Annual Flea market (raindate Oct. 19) from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gazebo on Hillside Avenue and Liberty Avenue (opposite Mr. Jay) A major troop fundraiser for the year and will feature assorted merchandise along with recycled goods and antiques. Baked goods, bagels, hot dogs, coffee and soda available. Vendor spaces available at $35 per municipal parking space. For further information, please call Jim at 646-385-0447. The Irish American Society will hold a Ceili at 297 Willis Avenue, Mineola to begin 8 p.m. Donation is $15 and will feature Pete Kelly's Premier Ceili Band. Coffee, tea and Irish Soda bread will be served and the bar will be open. For further information or for reservations, please call 746-9392. The Cellini Lodge will present a program entitled, "That's Amore" at 2 p.m.Clinton Martin Park Recreation Center, corner of New Hyde Park Road and Marcus Avenue, New Hyde Park. Admission is free. For further information, please call 746-7140. The First Presbyterian Church of New Hyde Park, 16 South 9th Street, will hold its Food, Fun and Fellowship Night. A roast beef dinner will be served at 6 p.m. followed by bingo. The donation is $14 for adults and $7 for children under 12. Call the church office at 354-5013 for further information or tickets. The Herricks Community Players will open its fall show, Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers tonight at 8 p.m. on the Herricks Community Theater stage, 999 Herricks Road, New Hyde Park. Tickets are on sale now for a cost of $20 for adults, $17 for senior citizens and $15 for students and children, for the production on the Herricks Theater stage. Dates for the production are Oct. 24 and 25; Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.; and on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 at 3 p.m. For reservations or for further information, please call 741-7509. The Irish American Center, 207 Willis Avenue, Mineola, will hold its Halloween Dance, featuring the Tommy Muvihill Band, to begin at 9 p.m. Donation is $15. Costumes are requested and there will be prizes for the best costume. For reservations for a "howling" good night, please call 746-9392. The Cill Cais Players will present two one act comedies at the Irish American Society of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens, 297 Willis Avenue, Mineola. On Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.-Spreading The News by Lady Gregory and The Paper Hangers by Seamus Burke. Both shows are directed by Pat Rooney. For further information and for tickets please call 746-9392. Donation is $20 .