April 17, 2024 East Islip

IS IT A STROKE?

WHAT TO KNOW & WHERE TO GO

BE FAST to recognize stroke symptoms and get help immediately—because prompt treatment is crucial.

At Northwell's South Shore University Hospital, our 24/7 team of experts—and prestigious Comprehensive Stroke Center certification—mean we can effectively treat even the most complex stroke events within minutes. So recovery is within reach.

Northwell.edu /BEFAST

BALANCE off?

EYESIGHT changes?

FACE drooping?

ARM weakness?

SPEECH difficulty?

TIME to call 911, if “yes” to any of the above.

April Happenings

Make a submission! Events must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date and will run free of charge on a space available basis. For more info, call 631.226.2636 x211 or send events to natalieraccuglia@longislandmediagroup.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 19

7:00PM

AUCTION/TRIVIA NIGHT

The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Blue Door Boutique is sponsoring an auction/trivia night at the school auditorium, 240 South Wellwood Avenue, Lindenhurst. There will be a fun-filled night of trivia and exciting auctions. Admission$5 and includes an auction paddle, entrance to the trivia quiz. Admission tickets are available at the door. Please email gtonness@optonline.net for more information.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

10:30AM

GARDENING CLASS

A series of gardening classes created to address everything that's going on in your garden at the time of the class. Held at Organics Today Farm in East Islip. Visit OT Farm on Facebook for more information or text 631-480-6497.

MONDAY, APRIL 22

4:00PM-8:30PM

BLOOD DRIVE

Held at the Amityville Fire Department, 55 West Oak Street, in the Meeting Room. For more information or to schedule your appointment visit their website, at nybc.org or call 800.933.BLOOD.

TUESDAY, APRIL 23

7:00PM

REPUBLIC AIRPORT MEETING

The next public meeting of the Republic Airport Commission will be held at 7150 Republic Airport, Rm 201, Farmingdale NY. Please call 631-752-7707 x6109 or email, info@republicairport.net for more information.

THURSDAY, APRIL 25

7:15PM-10:30PM

JINGO

The Constantino Brumidi Lodge n Deer Park presents JINGO, a fun spin on traditional bingo where bingo balls are replaced with music beats. Doors open at 6:30 PM $30 per person Includes: 1 JINGO packet, crayons or markers on the table,dessert, coffee/tea, cash bar, and door prize. For tickets or more information call 631-943-3622.

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

8:30PM

DRIVE-IN MOVIE

A charity drive-in movie, screening Back To The Future, at Costello's Ace Hardware in Copiague. Attend for a donation of any amount. Proceeds benefit Kids Need More, helping families coping with life-threatening illnesses. Just show up or reserve your parking spot on their website at kidsneedmore.org/movie.

9:00AM GARAGE SALE

The Seaford Historical Society Garage Sale will be held at the Seaford Historical Society Museum in Seaford, rain date is Sunday April 28. From furniture, frames to tolls, toys and toasters-everything is priced to sell. Don't miss these steals and deals. Something for everyone. For more information email mapfannon@verizon.net.

10:00AM-2:00PM

ANNUAL SPRING YARD SALE

For the past ten years, the members of the Islip United Methodist Church have held a huge, church-wide garage sale to raise money for their various mission projects. This year,

the event will be held at the Islip United Methodist Church, in Islip. There will be lots of items available. For more information, please call 631-581-7663.

10:00AM-2:00PM

SPRING BOOK SALE

Sponsored by the Friends of the Lindenhurst Library, with a preview for current Friends of the Lindenhurst Library from 9:00am10:00am. Anyone may sign up for membership at the Sale. The address is One Lee Avenue, Lindenhurst NY 11757. For more information visit their website, lindenhurstlibrary.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 28

3:00PM

SWINGING WITH THE RAT PACK

Swing with the Rat Pack and experience a musical extravaganza that brings to life the magic of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. Enjoy the captivating performance at the Bayway Arts Center in East Islip. Book your tickets now at baywayartscenter.com or please call 631-581-2700.

MONDAY, APRIL 29

1:00PM-4:00PM

EARTH DAY CLEANUP

The Levittown Community Council is hosting an earth day cleanup at Veterans Memorial Park in Levittownn. This is a free event. Levittown families, organizations and business groups are welcome to participate as they clean up various locations throughout Levittown. Adult supervision is required for all groups. For more information email levittowncouncil@yahoo.com.

East Islip HS Students

Lead Discussions At Student Forum

East Islip High School junior Anna Franchi and senior Kiley Nolan, accompanied by teacher Kate Boucher, recently attended the Long Island Regional Student Forum, held at Western Suffolk BOCES. The pair were two of 100 students representing 40 Long Island school districts.

The goal of the conference was to offer participating students an opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas about important issues that impact their schools, their communities and themselves. East Islip’s students were participants last year, so for the 2024 forum, they served as table facilitators and led some of the important discussions of the day. The five topics discussed during the day

– School/Life Balance, Mental Health, Real World Learning, School Environment and Social Issues/Connections – were all student-driven, based on a survey sent out to over 16,000 Long Island students and intended to encourage students to speak about issues that directly affect them and give them the opportunity to have their voices be heard. The information discussed at the forum will be shared with the New York State Education Department and school district administration in across Long Island.

“As a chaperone facilitator, working alongside a student facilitator, it was really surprising to hear the students discuss their concerns about what they were experiencing in their

home districts,” Boucher said. “As a veteran educator, the day proved to be a learning experience for me, as well. I learned so much more about the many issues our students face on a dayto-day basis, from actual students. At our table, which focused on Real World Learning, the students discussed the importance of electives and field trips to better understand the world they will be joining after they graduate from high school, and the skills these experiences provide them, which will be helpful as they pursue their postsecondary endeavors. The students of Long Island had so many insightful and valuable suggestions to help us better prepare them for their futures.”

HS STUDENTS LEAD DISCUSSIONS AT STUDENT FORUM - East Islip High School junior Anna Franchi and senior Kiley Nolan participated in the Long Island Regional Student Forum, held at Western Suffolk BOCES. Photo courtesy of East Islip School District

PETS PLACE

2 year old male. Strong and powerful in appearance but a gentle giant at heart.

his sweet and affectionate nature. BATMAN

PUZZLE ANSWERS: Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Support Group On Zoom

The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Program is forming a new online support group for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer within the past 18-months. The group, which is free, will provide the opportunity for people to meet with others, and receive

support. Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom for 6 weeks from May 2nd through June 6, 2024. For more information and to register, call Nina Foley, LMSW at (516) 877-4315.

The Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and

Support Program offers emotional support and resources to people with and/or concerned about breast cancer. To reach the Hotline, which is staffed by volunteers who are breast cancer survivors, call 800-8778077 or online at breastcancer.adelphi.edu. You are not alone.

Mock Trial Team Finishes In Top Eight In Suffolk County

MOCK TRIAL TEAM - East Islip High School’s mock trial team finished in the top eight in the county. Photo courtesy of East Islip School District

East Islip High School’s mock trial team had an exciting and highly successful 2023-2024

season, winning rounds against West Islip, Babylon, Kings Park and Deer Park and qualifying for the

playoffs. They won the Sweet 16 on March 13, then advanced to the Suffolk County quarterfinals on March 20, where East Islip finished in the top eight in the county.

Artist And Educator Is Recognized With Suffolk County’s Champion Of Diversity Award

Legislator

Steven J. Flotteron recognized Margarita Espada, Artist, Educator, Activist as the honoree for Suffolk County’s Champions of Diversity Award for the 11th Legislative District. She is an award-winning performer, educator, cultural maker, researcher, and activist in the fields and studies of physical theater.

The New York State High School Mock Trial Program is an educational competition in which high school students gain firsthand knowledge of law and courtroom procedures while acting as attorneys and witnesses in a criminal trial. East Islip social studies teacher Patsy Lester established the team in 2000 and has coached East Islip every year since with the help of attorney and East Islip resident Brian C. Mitchell. EI graduates who participated in mock trial have gone on to compete in college mock trial for top colleges and universities, and many have gone on to law school and successful careers in law.

Ms. Espada is the Founder and Director of Teatro Experimental Yerbabuja located at the Second Avenue Fire House in Bay Shore, an art organization with the mission to use the arts as a tool for social change. She is part of the faculty at the Department of Women Study at Stony Brook University where she teaches theater and activism. She advocates on the importance of arts and culture for the social and economic well-being of the local and global community. She is a board member for the New York State Dance Force, and a member of the Arts Advisory Council for the Suffolk County Legislature. In addition, she has received numerous awards and proclamations for her leadership, her art and community work including 2021 Faces of Long Island, Newsday, 2018 Martin Luther King Living Legend Award, NAACP Islip, NY, 2018. Her work has been reviewed in the New York Times and by the Associated Press, Newsday, and numerous other media outlets.

Environmental Scholarships Offered

“This was one of the most talented groups I have ever had,” Lester said. “I was so impressed by their performance and couldn’t be prouder if they were state champs. I’m looking forward to next year already. We are especially grateful that Superintendent Manzo and Assistant Superintendent Belz came to watch the playoff round at District Court on March 20.”

The South Shore Audubon Society is offering two $1,000 scholarships for College juniors, seniors, or graduate students earning a degree in the areas of biological or environmental science. This includes wildlife management, forestry, animal behavior, ecology, marine biology, oceanography, mammalogy, ornithology or the field of sustainable and renewable energy. Previous winners have used their scholarships to help purchase

books, to pay for travel expenses to field sites, for specialized equipment or other educational needs.

To be eligible for the Scholarships, applicants must be residents of one of the areas listed at www. ssaudubon.org/areas-weserve.asp and/or attend a college in Nassau or Suffolk County. One scholarship is funded by Evelyn Bishop and her family, and one is funded by Jay Koolpix Applications are available at the South Shore Audubon website, www.ssaudubon.org or

by contacting Professor Betsy Gulotta at 516-5468841, Betsy.Gulotta@ ncc.edu. Applications are due by April 30, 2024, and should be emailed to either Betsy Gulotta, or Betty Borowsky, bborow@optonline.net, or sent by regular mail to Betsy Gulotta, 2 Anding Ave, Merrick, NY 11566.

For more information and for assistance with application forms, do not hesitate to contact Betsy Gulotta or Betty Borowsky at the email addresses above.