Businesses Serve Local Residents Without Power After Irene

Olivia Swanson, of Wantagh, was planning to celebrate her 10th birthday today with her family and her friend, Charlotte Coleman at Adventureland Amusement Park.

Hurricane Irene, however, left the amusement park without power and spoiled her plans.

As an alternative, Swanson celebrated her day at the in Bellmore and said she could not have been happier.

"It's good we decided to come but, it's bad we could not go to those other places,"she said.

Coleman's mother suggested the Swansons go to Creative Corner.

Lynda Joyce, one of the owners of Creative Corner said that she was happy she could be a help to those without power.

"We had a delayed opening, but we realized that we might be the go-to place," she said. "We have power and air so we knew this would be a place for people without power to come."

Swanson and her family have been without power since Sunday-the day that Hurricane Irene hit and the day Swanson's mother, Melissa planned to have birthday party for Olivia.

"She was very upset, so we had a hurricane party," Melissa Swanson said. "We played games with lots of candles lit, and there were about eight kids there."

She said she wanted her daughter to enjoy her birthday despite the destruction Irene left in her path.

The also served as a haven to residents.

"A lot of people have come and have called because we have power," said Priscilla, who runs the theatre. "People have called particularly about children's movie showtimes because they need something to do with the kids."

Earlier today, Olivia Swanson laughed with her mother and her father, Joseph as she painted a ceramic picture frame bright yellow.

Around 11:30 a.m., Melissa Swanson said Olivia's day was far from over.

"We are going to find a place where I can buy her cake because I could not make one last night and we are going to find a place with power that we take her for dinner."

Olivia said that she was "very happy" with how she celebrated her day.

"This will probably be the birthday that I will always remember," she said.