What do Superman, James A. Michener, Nat King Cole, and Melissa Gilbert have in common? They are all adopted children. Adoption is not new and has been around since ancient times. But what's new is where people can learn about all things "adoption" in a one-of-a-kind venue called the Adoption Annex.

Located in downtown Roslyn, the Adoption Annex is where local residents can find these well known faces on the "Wall of Fame," a place where many musicians, politicians, actors, businessmen and other famous people are featured because they are adoptive parents, birthparents or adoptees themselves.

Founder Kevin Cohen, an adoption advocate who, himself, was adopted at birth 37 years ago, opened the nonprofit Adoption Annex in October 2004 as a haven for all touched by adoption.

During the weekend of May 21-22, the Annex held its First Annual Adoption Fair to celebrate adoptive families and showcase the establishment. Hundreds of people attended the fair from as far away as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, enjoying the full weekend's events and sharing adoption information and advice.

Elaine McCay, of the Nassau County Executive's Office, presented Kevin Cohen with a citation awarding special commendation to the Adoption Annex "...on the occasion of the first annual adoption fair as they celebrate and educate attending families about the wonderful and comprehensive adoption services available to them in Nassau County."

Kevin Cohen thanked Ms. McCay for the honor of the citation and welcomed all guests small and big to the Adoption Annex's first annual fair.

"I wanted to celebrate blended families," Cohen said. "In honoring that union, we tried to make a happy place where all stuff 'adoption' lives and everyone is represented and feels comfortable. It's my way to pay tribute to my parents who passed away."

"We had a wonderful time at the adoption fair," said Rosemary Weiss, a bio medical engineering assistant at Saint Francis Hospital, who adopted Wenqin, whom she eventually named Zoe Lilly.

"I heard about a story on one of those magazine news shows in September 1995 where British reporters went undercover into China to expose the horrible conditions of abandoned children in China," said Ms. Weiss, a Glen Cove resident. "I felt compelled to do something. When I was married, I had fertility troubles and then divorced. I was nearing 50 and found out I could adopt a child from China through a Minnesota agency. Within a few months, I had a 6-month-old baby girl born in Changshu near Shanghai. Now, she's 9 1/2. It was fate that brought us together." Weiss added, "The Adoption Annex is a wonderful place where people just like us feel comfortable and can find so much information."

The Adoption Fair festivities included appearances by adoption characters Spiderman, Simba, Superman and Annie from Send in the Clowns and activities such as scrap booking and a Once Upon a Toddler class for children and moms.

Prospective and adoptive parents enjoyed discussions like: Dr. George Rogu, pediatrician and founder, www.adoptiondoctors.com and Marc Lerner Ph.D. talking about medical issues and post-traumatic adoption stress, novelist Caroline Leavitt, author of Girls in Trouble and adoptive parent Kim Hahn, founder of Conceive magazine, who shared her road to adoption.

In addition, Adoption Annex Counselor Gary Rosen gave a talk entitled, "Families: Different Isn't Bad or Good," and Carolyn Menafra, Adoption Annex Director of Family Research discussed "To Search or Not to Search?" WBLI radio station broadcast from the site where Apple & Eve donated juice boxes and Annie's Homegrown provided bunny snack crackers for the kids.

"I'm glad we discovered the Adoption Annex. It's the only place of its kind that educates the public about adoption and supports those already affected by it," said Robin Gorman Newman, mother of 2-year-old Seth, adopted at birth with husband Marc. "It's a great resource for people contemplating adoption which can be a challenging when you first begin the process."

Kevin Cohen knew he was special, having been adopted at birth by parents Joan and Michael Cohen. As a corporate attorney, Cohen brings to the table knowledge of law, coupled with his overwhelming need to give back for the good fortune he's benefited from himself. The annex is a "go to" place for the world of adoption that changed the paradigm.

"Annex visitors are adoptive parents, adopted children and adult adoptees, like myself," added Cohen. "We looked into the issue of 'what is a family' and created a place where the blended family is honored."

As the first organization of this type in the United States, the Adoption Annex is a resource of information relating to adoption: How to find agencies, lawyers, and early-intervention therapists, among others. The open and airy loft-like space is filled with books about adoption and even a gift shop with toys like Cabbage Patch dolls. Also available is a line of adoption jewelry including the WovenHearts bracelet: Two open hearts surrounding a triangle, handcrafted of metal mesh with a magnetic clasp and cubic zirconium adjustable charms, celebrating all three sides of the adoption triad.

Soon the Adoption Annex will be offering heritage tours in conjunction with travel agencies so families can tour countries where the children were adopted. They are also launching an "Adoptive Couples Club" where adoptive families meet monthly to mingle, offer support and share in the parenting experience.

Some of the services provided are: Birth Mother Renaissance Program, Counseling, Mentoring Services, Museum and Memorabilia, Collection, Research & Media Center, Reuniting Services, Seminars, Book Signings, Once Upon a Toddler classes, Heritage Trips, Movie Screenings, and Birthday/Adoption Day and Adoption Finalization Parties.

The Adoption Annex welcomes all community support, whether funding or volunteering. If you would like to help, please contact Kevin Cohen at 877-adopt-13 or 621-2107. The Adoption Annex is located at 1446 Old Northern Boulevard in Roslyn. Log on to www.adoptionannex.org/li for directions. The hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed Sundays). Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, Youths to age 18 are admitted for free.