East Quogue Mom to Host Turn Off Your Screen Event

In an effort to give back to the community she grew up in, East Quogue resident Sarah Mendenhall-Luhmer has been working on an event that focuses on the National Turn off Your Screens program, which runs from April 30 to May 6.

"It is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time," said Sarah Mendenhall-Luhmer, a mom of two, who home-schools her children. "The idea is to get your children to unplug from technology and plug into the word around them."

To kick-off the week, Mendenhall-Luhmer is hosting a free event on April 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the .

The event, says Mendenhall-Luhmer, who  worked at the church's nursery school before it closed, will feature area children's authors and crafts.

An author herself, Mendenhall-Luhmer says she hopes to make the experience of meeting an author a personal one for children that attend the event.

"They can meet the person behind the magic," said Mendenhall-Luhmer. "The kids can really connect with the writers."

Mendenhall-Luhmer says she has already booked authors, including Michelle Zimmerman with her book, Can't Catch a Butterfly; Natasha Guruleva with her creations from Mushroomland, and Nourish our Kids Inc. with their books about the NOK Rockers.

All of the author's said Mendenhall-Luhmer will have signed copies of their books for sale.

Also, the Riverhead Foundation and the East Quogue Boy Scouts will be on hand.

"It will be interactive," said Mendenhall-Luhmer, noting that participants can bring donations of books that will be given to area charities for children in need.