More than 30 Seaford High School students are striving to make meaningful contributions to the world as participants in the Science Research program. Led by teachers Lilly Alaimo and Alexis Charles, there are 31 students in three levels of the class, and they are working toward various competitions later this year. Pictured: Seaford High School students in the Level 3 Science Research class, joined by teachers Alexis Charles, seated left, and Lilly Alaimo, seated right. Photo courtesy of the Seaford School District
Visionary Seaford Art Teacher Receives Regional Award
Nurturing the creativity of students for more than two decades, Seaford Harbor Elementary School art teacher Christine Donnelly’s efforts have certainly been noticed.
On Oct. 9, she received the Established Educator Award from the Nassau County Art Supervisors Association.
The award honors an art educator who is committed to giving back, advocates for the advancement of the arts, and is active in his or her own artistic profession.
“Christine not only checks all of those boxes, but brings a tremendous amount of joy into her classroom,” said Seaford’s Coordinator of Fine and Applied Arts Dr. Patrick Kennedy, who nominated her for the award. “She has transformed her classroom into a studio for children where they
guide their own learning through student choice.”
Ms. Donnelly began her career in Seaford in 1998 as an elementary classroom teacher at Manor School, and has taught art at Harbor since 2001. She hold a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Hofstra University, a master’s degree in education from Dowling College and administrative certification from Stony Brook University.
In 2018, Ms. Donnelly transformed her art classroom into an art studio by adopting the Teaching for Artistic Behavior philosophy. Students take ownership of their art by selecting the materials they want to work with, choosing their supplies from different stations such as collage, drawing, painting and sculpting.
Ms. Donnelly said that the
Seaford Harbor Elementary School art teacher Christine Donnelly was recently honored with the Established Educator Award from the Nassau County Art Supervisors Association. She was nominated by Coordinator of Fine and Applied Arts Dr. Patrick Kennedy. Photo courtesy of the Seaford School District
approach creates greater engagement as students don’t just learn how to create art, but how to be artists.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Donnelly is a member
of the Art League of Long Island and was recently named to the organization’s board of directors. She presents
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Visionary Seaford Art Teacher
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Did You Know?
“I’m incredibly honored and flattered to be recognized by the Art Supervisors Association,” said Ms. Donnelly, who was among only three honorees this year. “It’s really important for my students to come to a safe space, express themselves and
choice.”
workshops through the Art Supervisors Association, is in a creative partnership with the Kasher Gallery in Northport where she also leads art workshops, and recently exhibited her cyanotype alternate photography pieces at the Gallery North art show and music festival.
When making a holiday shopping list and checking it twice, shoppers may want to put more emphasis on experiential gifts over material items. A recent survey from GetYourGuide found 51 percent of people prefer some type of travel, 40 percent want to attend a show, 30 percent prefer outdoor activities, and 27 percent want to visit museums. The data is showing more and more people are choosing to share experiences and create meaningful memories with the people they love rather than offering material gifts. The desire for experiential gifts is strong among millennials and Gen Z.
State Utilities is a major oil dealer on Long Island providing heating fuel to residents and businesses in Nassau and Suffolk County; we offer on-line fuel ordering, delivery, and full service heating oil contracts.
State Utilities takes pride in supplying fuel you need to heat your home and/or office to the comfort level you desire. Winter can be long and brutal, and should your burner fail to start it can become a crucial disaster. It is comforting to have full service during this disruption by contacting us by telephone or Email, no matter what the weather outside.
Celebrating 74 years in business, we are grateful to the many generations of loyal customers who have entrusted State Utilities with their
comfort. Thank
Mailboxes From North Pole Have Arrived In Town Offices
letters through
15th. The Town of Oyster Bay will forward letters to Santa at the North Pole. Letters received by Monday, December 15th with a legible name and return address will be answered by Santa before the holiday. No postage is necessary. Colorful red mailboxes will be accessible during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.) at the
following locations:
• Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay
• Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa
• Ice Skating Center, 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage For more information about Santa’s Mailboxes, call (516) 624-6380 or visit www. oysterbaytown.com
SUNDAY, DEC. 7th
DECEMBER HAPPENINGS
SATURDAY, DEC. 6th
9:00AM
HOT CHOCOLATE 5K RUN/WALK
This year marks 20 years of Seaford community spirit! A great morning of fun, fitness, and neighbors coming together. Hosted by the Seaford Wellness Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Tax ID #11-3612034) dedicated to promoting wellness and community pride throughout Seaford. Location: Seaford High School, 1575 Seamans Neck Road in Seaford. For more information, please contact Michael DiSilvio, 516-384-8536
9:00AM-NOON
CHRISTMAS WREATH SALE
Amityville Kiwanis Club will be selling Christmas wreaths at the Kiwanis Park parking lot on Broadway in Amityville. Beautiful, thick and decorated with handmade bows for only $27.00. Call and order yours today 516-449-4571. Free delivery! All proceeds benefit the Amityville Community Fund.
5:30PM-7:30PM
TREE LIGHTING
AT THE SEAFORD FIREHOUSE
The Seaford Historical Society with host, at the museum, 3890 Waverly Avenue in Seaford, in conjunction with the Tree lighting at the Seaford Firehouse, an open house. Entertainment and warm apple cider served. For information please contact Judy Bongiovi 516-783-8629
6:00PM
MASSAPEQUA CHRISTMAS TREE AND MENORAH LIGHTING CEREMONY at Klestinec Park on Broadway in Massapequa. Rain Date: Sunday, December 7th. A wonderful community event for the family. For more information, please call 516-541-1443
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 information, please call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
7:00PM
FREE CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Choir of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church of East Meadow presents its Annual Christmas Concert, “An Evening of Lessons and Carols”, featuring choral music of the Orthodox Church and traditional carols from both East and West. It will be also livestreamed on https://www. facebook.com/htocem. Admission and refreshments are free of charge. Church is located at 369 Green Avenue in East Meadow. For more information, please call 516-483-3649, email htocem@gmail.com, or visit Facebook or www.htocem.org.
SATURDAY, DEC. 6th
SUNDAY, DEC. 7th
Tours begin at 10:00AM and leave every fifteen minutes until 2:30PM both days.
HOLIDAY TOURS AT SAGTIKOS MANOR
A magical tour of the toys we once received at Christmas, from the Colonial times to the magic of motion - 1800-1900s Golden Age of Toys, 1900s-1950s - toys of innovation and engineering to present. Reserve your tour online, sagtikosmanor.org, walk-ins welcome day of as space allows, 677 West Montauk Hwy, West Bay Shore, 631.854.0939 For more information: info@sagtikosmanor.org
SATURDAY, DEC. 6th
7:30PM
SUNDAY, DEC. 7th
4:00PM
MARKING MOMENTS: A LESSONS & CAROLS CELEBRATION
The Babylon Chorale presents A concert version of Lessons & Carols with works by Biebel, Hagen berg, & Quartet, along with traditional hymns sung with audience. St. Peter's
By-The-Sea Episcopal Church - 500 South Country Rd. in Bay Shore. To purchase tickets online or for further information, visit their website at www. babylonchorale.org, or email info@ babylonchorale.org
SUNDAY, DEC. 7th
11:00AM-3:00PM
CHILD WELFARE HOLIDAY BRUNCH
The Woman’s Club of Massapequa is holding its annual Child Welfare Holiday Brunch at the Unqua Corinthian Yacht Club in Amityville. Raffle prizes, DJ, and dancing. For more information or reservations please call Antoinette 516-978-4258.
12NOON-5:00PM
2025 HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR
Historical Society of Islip Hamlet's 2025 Holiday House Tour. Several historically and/or architecturally interesting homes will be decorated for the holidays as tour guides in Victorian dress greet you. At the reception there will be light refreshments, a Christmas auction and 50/50 raffle. Please donate a new, unwrapped toy for the John Theissen Children's Foundation. For more information, please call 6312915, www.isliphamlethistory.org.
5:00PM
ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 210 So. Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst, celebrates the Advent Season 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 631226-7725.
Lights Of Hope For The Holidays – Remembrance Ceremony To
YES Community Counseling Center (YESCCC) is hosting Hope for the Holidays Remembrance Ceremony to honor loved ones lost to substance misuse.
This ceremony will take place on Monday, December 8th at 7:00 PM at YESCCC’s Levittown location at 152 Center Lane.
The holidays can be especially difficult when grieving the loss of a loved one. Whether your loss was recent or many years ago, it can be healing to feel supported by others who understand.
Honor Loved Ones Lost To An Overdose
This ceremony is as a way to provide comfort, peace, and hope to those navigating this type of loss during the holiday season.
Family members are invited to bring a small framed photo of their loved one for a candle lighting ceremony. Let’s come together to honor their lives.
For registration visit https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/LightsOfHope2025 or use the QR code.
For more information, contact Kathleen Coletta, LCSW (516) 799-3203 x127 or email at kcoletta@yesccc. org
YES Community Counseling Center is a community based agency providing counseling and prevention services throughout Nassau County. Please visit our website yesccc.org
Town Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks Open For The Season
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Andrew Monteleone announce that the Town’s outdoor ice skating rinks at Marjorie R. Post and SyossetWoodbury Community Parks have officially opened for the season, and remain open through Sunday, March 1st.
“Ice skating is a fun activity for families and residents of all ages to enjoy, especially during the holiday season. The Town’s outdoor ice rinks provide the perfect setting to take in the wonderful winter atmosphere,” said Councilman Monteleone. Public Skating Sessions are available at both outdoor rinks.
For residents wishing to take advantage of ice
skating but do not wish to be outdoors, the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center is open year-round and is located at 1001 Stewart Ave. in Bethpage.
Indoor skating is open to the public seven days a week, with special extended
hours on most holidays and school breaks.
For information on schedules, fees and rink programs at all Town rinks, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com/ ice.
