Amityville SD Launches Community Survey
To Gather Input On New Mascot
As the Amityville Union Free School District begins the process of identifying a new mascot, it has launched a survey for all community residents to offer input. The district encourages all residents, faculty, staff and students to participate in the survey which will help to identify those values and themes that the district’s new mascot should represent. The district is open to all suggestions
and looks forward to the community’s input. The survey will remain open until Friday, Dec. 13. Links to the survey can be found on the district’s website, www. amityvilleschools.org and are also listed below: English Survey: https://forms.gle/ s1QWXtzPhceHDQ6bA Spanish Survey: https://forms.gle/ E1zFb4skDDAcZCT68
Autism And Children
According to the National Autism Association, autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability that affects the normal development of the brain in various areas. Those areas include social interaction, communication skills and cognitive function. Autism generally appears before a child reaches his or her third birthday, and the NAA notes it is diagnosed four times as often in boys than it is in girls. Roughly 40 percent of children with autism do not speak, but parents whose children speak between the ages of
12 and 18 months should know that such youngsters can still ultimately be diagnosed with autism. In such instances, the NAA notes that children lose the words they previously learned. Incidences of autism appear to be on the rise, though the reasons for that remain unclear. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of autism had risen to one in every 59 children by 2018. That’s twice as great as the rate in 2004, when the CDC reported one in 125 children were diagnosed with autism.
NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS
MONDAY-FRIDAY. THROUGH DEC 16th
9:00AM-4:30PM TOY DRIVE
Town of Babylon Councilman Terence McSweeney would like to encourage your participation in his Toy Drive. Please Drop off a new & unwrapped toy, book or game at Babylon Town Hall Lobby, 200 East Sunrise Hwy. in Lindenhurst, to help bring the joy of the holiday season to those less fortunate. This annul event in run in collaboration with the U.S. Marine Corps., who distribute the items to children in need. For more information, please call 631-957-3081
THURSDAY, NOV. 28th THANKSGIVING DAY
9:30AM-12:30PM
OYSTER BAY TURKEY TROT BY THE BAY
The Longest Consecutive Turkey Trot in the Tri-State. All Proceeds go to Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary. Start Line: 36 Audrey Ave. Oyster Bay. For more information, please call 516-531-3323, Brendan Dagan.
9:15AM-12:00PM
MASSAPEQUA TURKEY TROT 5K Thanksgiving Day November 28, 8:30AM Fun Run - 9:15AM 5K Start Rain or Shine. John J Burns Park 4990 Merrick Road in Massapequa. Additional race information can be found at http:// www.massapequaturkeytrot.com
HOLIDAYS
3rd - Daylight Savings Time Ends
5th - Election Day
11th - Veterans Day
28th - Thanksgiving
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 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
SATURDAY, NOV. 30th
9:00AM-4:00PM CRAFT & VENDOR MARKET
St. Bernard Craft & Vendor Market, 3100 Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown. Fresh Wreaths, Christmas Decorations, Sports Memorablia, Candles, Baked Goods... and so much more! For more information, please call 516-731-4220 or parish@stbernardchurch.org
12:00NOON-5:00PM WANTAGH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WINTER WONDERLAND
The Sixth Annual Wantagh Chamber of Commerce Winter Wonderland is graciously sponsored by the John Theissen Children's Foundation. Vendors, Food Trucks, Holiday Crafts and Treats, Santa Claus, The Grinch, Entertainment, Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting and more. Location: Wantagh Preservation Society, 1700 Wantagh Ave. in Wantagh. For more information, visit info@wantaghchamber.com or call 516-679-0100
UPCOMING DECEMBER EVENTS
SUNDAY, DEC. 1st
WINTER ON WELLWOOD
Rain date: December 8 Lindenhurst Village Square Park and Gazebo
12:00 - 3:00 PM - Santa in the Park and FREE Carousel
sponsored by Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce (Photos with Santa ends at 2:30 PM) 12:00 - 5:00 PM - Christmas Kindl Market, Community Wreath Display, Interactive Story-walk, Ice Sculptor & Carolers
4:30 PM - Holiday Parade Followed by Village Gazebo Tree Lighting
5:00PM
ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 210 So. Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst, celebrates the First Sunday of Advent with Scriptures and beautiful music led by the adult choir, youth choir, cantors, and instrumentalists. Reception to follow in the School Auditorium. Join us as we prepare for the coming of Christ into our hearts. For more information, please call 631-226-7725
SATURDAY, DEC. 7TH
10:00AM-3:00PM
ST. MARK'S CHRISTMAS FAIR
754 Montauk Highway (across from the Oconee Diner) in Islip. The fair is held in the office building’s Gathering Place. Santa, Decorated Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Ornaments, Toys, Craft Items, Jewelry, Cookie Walk, Raffles, Sweepstakes, Bake Table. December is a very busy time for Santa–but he’ll be at the Fair from around 11:00 to 12:30. For more information, please call 631-581-4950, https://stmarksislip. org
Overlook Beach Gets A Dramatic Pre-Thanksgiving Makeover
This Thanksgiving, the Town of Babylon is serving up more than turkey—it’s delivering a major restoration to Overlook Beach. Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer and Town of Babylon officials unveiled a monumental effort to replenish the eroded coastline and prepare Overlook Beach for a triumphant summer 2025.
Benefits Of Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way for individuals to strengthen their communities, but it also can be a unique way for individuals to improve their own overall happiness. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies examined 70,000 participants, each of whom received surveys that asked questions regarding their volunteering habits and mental health.The study found that, when compared to those who did not volunteer, people who had volunteered in the previous 12 months were more satisfied with their lives and gave their overall health higher ratings.
The frequency of giving back to one’s community also may affect just how much volunteering affects mental health. Study participants who volunteered at least once per month rated their mental health even higher than those who volunteered but did so infrequently.
Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer explains the Town's efforts to support Overlook Beach's triumphant summer 2025
Holiday Coloring Contest!
Music Courses
Music courses can have a profound impact on students, potentially helping them perform better in other subjects. A recent study from the American Psychological Association found that high school students who take music courses score significantly better on exams in subjects like math and science than their nonmusical peers. The improved academic performance was more pronounced among students who learned to play an instrument rather than vocal music. The researchers behind
the study examined the records of more than 112,000 students in British Columbia. Among the students whose records were studied, 13 percent had participated in at least one music course in grade 10, 11 or 12. Researchers discovered that, on average, children who learned to play a musical instrument for many years and ultimately played in a high school band or orchestra were the equivalent of roughly one academic year ahead of their peers in regard to their English, mathematics and science skills.
EXOTIC WAREHOUSE
Celebrating our 15th Year in Copiague
L
L
L
board rice noodle with basil, onion, scallion & bell peppers (Choice of chicken or beef)
L 4. Lar Nard ............................. $10.25
Stir-fried broad rice noodles topped with chicken or beef & Chinese broccoli in brown gravy
L 5. Mee Ga-Thi $10.25
Spicy stir-fried coconut noodle with chicken, baby shrimp, pepper, mushroom, bean sprouts & basil
L 6. Pad Wooson $11.95
Stir fried clear noodles with shrimp, shitake mushroom, tomatoes & vegetables
L 7. Khao Pad Supparot $10.25 (Pineapple Coconut Fried Rice) Coconut fried rice with chicken topped with ground peanuts & fried onions.
L 8. Pad Ruom Mitt $10.25
House special stir-fried mixed vegetables & tofu with basil & chili paste
L 9. Ma Khue Puag (Eggplant) ...... $10.25
Eggplant stir-fried in sweet chili sauce & lime leaves
L 10. Tua Yau (String Beans) $10.25
String beans stir-fried with dried tofu, scallions, garlic & soybean
L 11. Pad Nor Mai (Asparagus) $10.25
Asparagus with bamboo shoots, shitake mushroom in brown sauce
ENTREES SERVED WITH RICE
L 17. Gai Pad Bai Ga Prow ......... $11.50
(Spicy Basil Chicken)
Spicy basil chicken with pepper, onion and chili pepper
L17A. Mango Chicken
$11.50
Mango, red onions, pepper, sweet pea pod, chicken, sweet and sour.
L17B. Garlic Chicken
$11.50
Chicken stir-fried with Shitake mushrooms, scallions & bamboo shoots.
L 18. Gai Pat Prik King ...............
$11.50
(Chicken with String Bean)
Chicken stir-fried with string bean, basil, chili paste & soy bean.
L 19. Gai Kana
(Chicken with Chinese Broccoli)
CURRY SERVED WITH RICE
L 12. Gaeng Keo Wahn Plak ...... $11.25
Mixed vegetables with green curry in coconut milk
L 13. Gaeng Keo Wahn (Green Curry)$11.25
Green curry with chicken or beef, pepper, eggplants, basil & coconut milk
L 14. Gaeng Masman ................. $11.25
Masman curry with coconut milk, onions, potatoes & peanuts (Chicken or Beef)
L 15. Gaeng Panang (Panang Curry) $11.25 Panang curry with chicken or beef with basil, lime leaf, pepper & coconut milk
L 16. Gaeng Goong Sapparod $11.95 (Pineapple Curry Shrimp) Panang curry shrimp with string bean, pepper, bamboo shoots,
$11.50
Sauteed chicken with Chinese broccoli & baby corn.
L19A. Peanut Chicken
$11.50
Chicken with carrot, red onion, pepper, sweet pea pod, peanut and brown sauce.
L 20. Gai Pad Kieng (Ginger Chicken)
$11.50
Chicken stir-fried with young ginger, black fungus, scallions, bell pepper, onion, bamboo shoots, carrot, baby corn in a ginger sauce.
L 21. Gai Pad Prik Haeng
(Cashew Chicken)
$11.50
Chicken stir-fried with mushroom, bell pepper, bamboo shoots & dry hot pepper.
L 22. Gai Pad Nor Mai
(Chicken or Beef with Asparagus)
$11.50
Chicken or beef sauteed with asparagus with shitake mushroom in oyster sauce.
Come One, Come All... Two Days to Shop Small!
Garage Door
Ribbon Cutting - Broadway Supreme Convenience Shop
RIBBON CUTTING - BROADWAY SUPREME CONVENIENCE SHOP - The Amityville Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Broadway Supreme Convenience Shop at 191A Broadway in Amityville, across from the Gazebo. On hand for the occasion were owner Johnnie, TOB Supervisor Rich Schaffer, TOB Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez, TOB Town Clerk Gerry Compitello, Amityville Mayor Dennis Siry, Amityville Chamber of Commerce Secretary Jennifer Ronzo, Chamber Directors Jared Garcia, Rich Griffin, Bob Liquorie, and Chamber Members Pat Brennan and Sara Lowell. Photo courtesy of TOB Photographer Steve Gravano
Fall Senior Advocate Schedules
Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is pleased to inform Babylon and Huntington residents about the local Suffolk County Office for the Aging Fall 2024 Senior Advocate Schedule. Senior advocates are County representatives who come out into the community and assist seniors with information gathering, completion of eligibility or recertification applications and referrals to appropriate community agencies.
“It is so important for us to provide our senior citizens with the assistance and information they need in ways that are most convenient to them. These visits allow our seniors to connect with our County’s senior advocates right in their own communities,” said Legislator Donnelly. “I hope all those interested in the services that the Suffolk County Office for the Aging provides will take advantage of this opportunity.”
This fall, Senior Advocates will be visiting the following
locations in the Town of Babylon:
• North Amityville Nutrition Center, 48-C Cedar Road, Amityville: Wednesday, December 18, 10 am – 1 pm
• Rainbow Center, 293 Buffalo Avenue, Lindenhurst: Wednesday, December 4, 8:30 – 11:00 am
• Tanner Park Senior Nutrition, 2 Tanner Park, Copiague: Wednesday, December 11, 8:30 am – 1 pm
• Spangle Drive Center, 4385 Spangle Drive, North Babylon: Tuesday, December 17, 12 – 3:30 pm
• Wyandanch Senior Nutrition, 28 Wyandanch Avenue, Wyandanch: Wednesday, December 4, 8:30 am – 1 pm
In Huntington, they will be visiting the following:
• Huntington Senior Nutrition Center, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington: Wednesday, December 18, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
• Paumanack Village 5 & 6,
100 Adriatic Drive, Melville: Thursday, December 26, 8:30 am – 12 pm; residents only
Advocates assist with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as food stamps), Medicare Savings Program and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications. They also can provide information on Medicare, answer questions and make recommendations and referrals. For more information about available services or directions to any of these locations, please call the Suffolk County Office for the Aging at (631) 853-8200.
“For more than three decades, the Suffolk County Office for the Aging has been providing full and trouble-free access to critical services,” Donnelly said. “I am glad to see their great professional community outreach program continue and hope that every senior resident will make full use of it.”
CLUES ACROSS
1. Long piece of squared timber
5. Emaciation
10. “Bewitched” boss Larry
14. Combining form meaning “different”
15. Current unit equal to 10 amperes
16. Older
17. Large, stocky lizard
18. Ringworm
19. Actor Pitt
20. Indian hand clash cymbals
22. Data at rest
23. Jeweled headdress
24. Indicators of when stories were written
27. Check
CLUES DOWN
1. Piece of felted material
2. Ancient Greek City
3. Aquatic plant
4. Potentially harmful fungus (Brit. sp.)
5. Body art (slang)
6. One who follows the rules
7. Ordinary
8. Honorably retired from assigned duties and retaining one’s title
9. Relaxing space
10. Japanese socks
11. Indian city
12. Rip
13. Icelandic book
30. Cigarette (slang)
31. Arctic explorers (abbr.)
32. Yearly tonnage (abbr.)
35. Delivered a speech
37. A place to bathe
38. Postmen deliver it
39. Surface in geometry
40. More (Spanish)
41. __ and Venzetti
42. Exclamation at the end of a prayer
43. Hawaiian dish
44. Aggressively proud men
45. Fellow
46. Mark Wahlberg comedy
47. Mock
21. Satisfies
23. Where golfers begin
25. Small amount
26. Snag
27. Determine the sum of
28. A distinctive smell
29. Exposed to view
32. Stain or blemish
33. Small loop in embroidery
34. River herring genus
36. Large beer
37. Deep, red-brown sea bream
38. Partner to cheese
40. At a deliberate pace
41. Gurus
43. Of each
48. When you expect to get somewhere
49. Songs
52. Pair of small hand drums
55. Play
56. Sword
60. Evergreens and shrubs genus
61. Filmed
63. Italian Seaport
64. Ancient kingdom near Dead Sea
65. Pores in a leaf
66. U. of Miami mascot is one
67. Snakelike fishes
68. Pretended to be
69. Body part
44. Angry
46. Popular beverage
47. Flower cluster
49. Blocks
50. Those who benefitted from efforts of relatives (slang)
51. Polio vaccine developer
52. A (usually) large and scholarly book
53. Popular soap ingredient
54. NBAer Bradley
57. Popular movie about a pig
58. Musician Clapton
59. Not a sure thing
61. Recipe measurement (abbr.)
62. Father
LONG ISLAND MEDIA GROUP
PUBLISHER
Jeff Lambert
ASSISTANT
Diana Lambert
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Josh Marlowe
MANAGING EDITOR
Felicia Edwards
MARKETING MANAGER
Noelle Lambert
Carol
Bob
Nicole
Kim
Bonnie Schifano
Lucille
Terry Rydyzynski
Noelle
Victoria Kokolakis
Stephan Schulze
PROOFREADING
Kerry Mastrobuoni
565
Book Fairies Celebrates Milestone
Students at Northwest Elementary School in Amityville celebrated a day of reading during a special visit from the Book Fairies on Nov. 14.
Founded in 2012, the Book Fairies gathers new and gently used books and places them into the
hands of eager children living in under-resourced areas across Long Island, New York City, and internationally. At Northwest, students met with members from Book Fairies in the school’s gymnasium to select their own book. Additionally, the
organization celebrated a milestone as they donated their 5,000,000th book.
Second grader Riley Smith became the golden ticket recipient when she selected the book, “Makeda Makes a Birthday Treat” by Olugbemisola Rhuday Perkovich.
Students at Northwest Elementary School in Amityville celebrated a day of reading during a special visit from the Book Fairies on Nov. 14. Photo courtesy of the Amityville Union Free School District
NFPA Urges Extra Caution When Preparing Your Feast
This Thanksgiving
The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) urges added caution when cooking on Thanksgiving Day, by far the leading day of the year for home cooking fires. In 2022, an estimated 1,610 home cooking fires were reported to U.S fire departments on Thanksgiving Day, reflecting a 399 percent increase over the daily average. Between 2018 and 2022, there was an annual average of three and half times more cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day than on a typical day of the year.
“Thanksgiving is a hectic holiday with multiple dishes cooking and baking at the same time, along with guests, entertaining, and other distractions that can make it easy to lose sight of what’s on the stove or in the oven,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “With all these factors at play, it’s no surprise that the number of cooking fires spikes so dramatically on Thanksgiving.”
Overall, cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires and injuries, and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths.
Unattended cooking is the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
“Keeping a close eye on what’s cooking and minimizing the likelihood of getting distracted can greatly reduce the risk of cooking fires,” said Carli. “As simple as these preventative measures may sound, they truly can help ensure that everyone enjoys a festive, fire-free holiday.”
Following are additional tips and recommendations from NFPA to help everyone cook safely on Thanksgiving:
Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention.
When cooking a turkey, remain at home and check it regularly.
Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times.
Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels at least three feet away from the cooking area.
Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can
come in contact with a heat source.
Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If a small grease fire starts, smother the flames by sliding the lid over the pan, then turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time.
For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance.
Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. Hot foods and liquids should be placed away from table and counter edges.
In addition, NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers that use cooking oil, which can cause devastating burns. For a safe alternative, NFPA recommends purchasing a fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant or buying a fryer that does not use oil.
Tell Us About It!
Let us know about your honors, awards, promotions and other announcements. They are always welcome. Photos can be emailed as well. Send them to editorial@ longislandmediagroup.com.
PUZZLE ANSWERS:
Second grader Riley Smith became the golden ticket recipient when she received the 5,000,000th book from the Book Fairies. Photo courtesy of the Amityville Union Free School District
PSEG Long Island Employees Raise More than $700,000
More than 300 PSEG Long Island employees, their family members and friends raised more than $70,000 this year to support the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events. PSEG Long Island’s 11-year financial support for these walks now exceeds $700,000 – raised through employee donations and fundraising activities, along with PSEG Long Island’s commitment as a flagship sponsor of the annual events.
The Nassau event at Jones Beach State Park and Suffolk event at Riverhead’s Grangebel Park included 19 employee teams from PSEG Long Island who supported breast cancer survivors and their caregivers through American Cancer Society programs and services.
PSEG Long Island is committed to giving back to the people and communities it serves by actively supporting many local charity events and activities each year through the company’s Community Partnership Program. For more information on how PSEG Long Island supports the communities it serves, visit psegliny. com/community.
