FIRST ANNUAL HAMPTONS BOOK FAIR
Presented by the Long Island Authors Group to Benefit Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis

The Hamptons will be hopping this Labor Day weekend with a brand new and exciting event sponsored by the Long Island Authors Group (LIAG). The First Annual Hamptons Book Fair is to take place on Saturday, September 5th at The Parrish Hall of Southampton Hospital from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Meet many of Long Island’s best local authors who will be selling and personalizing their books, while also contributing to a worthy cause.

In 2007, author Kerriann Flanagan Brosky (Ghosts of Long Island, Stories of the Paranormal, Volumes I and II) established the Michael Flanagan Memorial Fund through the Long Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Her father died in 2005 after a sixteen year battle with the devastating illness. A year before her father’s death, Ms. Brosky began a Ladies “Tea” fundraiser at her home which she continues to this day. Due to the success of her event, she worked with the LI Chapter to create the fund which would benefit children afflicted with the disease.

“Many people are unaware that children and teens can get Multiple Sclerosis,” states Ms. Brosky. “It is not just limited to adults.” In an effort to raise even more funds, Ms. Brosky, who is First Vice President of the Long Island Authors Group, has been working with President and LIAG Founder, John Cardone and fellow Board and committee members Anne Surchin and Phil Keith, to create an event which promotes reading, writing and local talent while raising money and awareness for pediatric MS.

The Michael Flanagan Memorial Fund is a restricted fund which provides special equipment/daily living assistance to address the needs of children, as well as scholarship assistance for young adults attending college or approved technical schools. Most recently, it has allowed several children to attend a Teen Adventure Camp which offers a unique opportunity for interaction, social and therapeutic support and team building. The Adventure Camp program is sponsored by the National Pediatric MS Center at Stony Brook University Medical Center which is funded in part by the Long Island Chapter as generated in part by gift through the Michael Flanagan Memorial Fund.

The first three hours of the Book Fair event is “Family Time” - adults mingle with the authors, their children can listen to story books read by local authors in the story telling corner. They’ll be an entertaining magic show featuring Michael Maione, as “the Silly Magician”, and a kid’s face-painter will brighten up everyone’s smile. Former Suffolk County Poet Laureate, Dr. David B. Axelrod will be on hand and invites kids of all ages to learn the ancient art of the Haiku, a Japanese poetic form. The children who write the best haikus will get prizes. The fee for family time is $10 per person, children under 12 are free.

From 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM things get jazzed up for the “Wine Reception” where wine will be provided by local wineries and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Hear short book discussions from several of the authors and have books signed. Pricing for this portion of the event is $25 per person. Ongoing throughout the day and evening is a Hampton’s style silent auction as well as a 50/50 raffle. Bonnie Grice, well-known radio host of WLIU, will be Master of Ceremonies. You can also expect a visit from Hampton’s author and resident Tom Clavin.