March 6, 2024 East Islip

Calling All 2024 Seniors

Hershey’s Ice Cream in West Islip is hosting a prom attire giveaway!

Come down to Hershey’s Ice Cream in West Islip to enter yourself or someone

you know. All seniors from any town are welcome to enter for the chance to win a prom dress or suit valued at a maximum of $400. The winner will be chosen live

on Facebook! Deadline to enter is April 1st. 470 Union Blvd., West Islip, NY 11795, *One Entry Per Day*

Environmental Scholarships Offered

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.

Legislator Donnelly And County Office For The Aging Announce Islip Winter Senior Advocate Schedule

Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is pleased to inform Islip residents about the local Suffolk County Office for the Aging Winter 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.

“This is an excellent chance for senior citizens to get the assistance and information they need by connecting with the 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.”

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

the Aging at (631) 8538200.

“For more than three decades, the Suffolk County Office for the Aging has been providing full and troublefree access to critical services,” Donnelly said. “I am glad to see their great professional community outreach program continue and hope that every senior

PUBLISHER

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ASSISTANT

Patty Franks

PRODUCTION

Josh Marlowe

MARKETING

Diana Lambert

Dorrine Lambert

ADMIN

Natalie Raccuglia

GRAPHIC

Victoria Kokolakis

Stephan Schulze

PROOFREADING

Kerry Mastrobuoni

Nicole

Bonnie

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Noelle

In the coming months, Senior Advocates will be visiting the following locations in the Town of Islip:

• Bay Shore Library, 1 S. Country Road, Brightwaters: Friday, March 15, 10 am – 12 pm

• Bishop McGann Housing, 200 Bishop McGann Drive, Central Islip: Monday, March 25, 10 am – 12 pm

• Brentwood Senior Nutrition, 16 Second Avenue, Brentwood: Wednesday, March 20, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

• Connetquot Library, 760 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia: Thursday, March 7, 2:30 – 4:30 pm

• Islip Library, 71 Monell Avenue, Islip: Monday, March 11, 10 am – 12 pm

February 15, 1 – 4:30 pm

• West Islip Senior Center, 90 Higbie Lane, West Islip: Thursday, March 14, 10 am – 12 pm Advocates assist

Suffolk County Office for

use of it.”

Legislator Flotteron Recognizes AOH, Division 7 Annual John P. Reilly Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Honorees

JOHN P. REILLY MEMORIAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY HONOREES

- Legislator

Steven J. Flotteron recognized this year’s Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), Division 7 Annual John P. Reilly Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Dinner/Sashing of Grand Marshals honoree Shawn O’Neil and Ladies Aide honoree Mary C. Phalen at Captain Bill’s Restaurant in Bay Shore.

Legislator Steven J. Flotteron recognized this year’s Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), Division 7 Annual John P. Reilly Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Dinner/ Sashing of Grand Marshals honoree Shawn O’Neil and Ladies Aide honoree Mary C. Phalen at Captain Bill’s Restaurant in Bay Shore.

O’Neil was raised in East Islip and he has been a life-long member of the AOH Division 7 serving as the Mission and Charities Chairman, the Color Guard and bass drummer with the Roisin Dubh Pipe Band. He later became the Treasurer and currently serves today. In addition, he served on several committees such

as; the Finance Chairman, assisted in the Community Children Christmas Party, Queen of Hearts, Athletic Club, acted in one of Larry Wolf’s plays, Past President of the Division, currently is the President of the Local Hibernians Inc. and was a Past Hibernian of the Year. He was also active in the community, coaching all his children in CYO Basketball, Little League of the Islips, East Islip Soccer and Summer Basketball.

Phalen has been an East Islip resident for the past 62 years. She was involved with St. Mary’s Rosary Altar Society (RAS) working on various committees and fundraisers including running the Parish

Christmas Fair and became President of the RAS and was honored with their Annual Service Award at their Fall Festival Dance in 2005 and later joined the East Islip Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. In addition, she became a religious education teacher working with 2nd graders preparing them for their first communion as well as being a Cub Scout Den Leader while her son was in Cub Scouts. She later joined the Ladies AOH, became active in committees, joined the Celtic Degree Team and was the team’s Narrator and she is still actively involved with them.

February is National Black History Month… an opportunity for all residents to celebrate and acknowledge the numerous contributions of their neighbors, volunteers and professionals from the Black community who help to enrich the Town every day.

As Rosa Parks once said, “Each person must live their lives as a model for others.” In that spirit, the Islip Town Board celebrated by highlighting the outstanding members of the Town whose lives and careers serve as a model in the community.

The Town recognized Marine Corps Veteran and retired NYPD Officer, Axel Dodson.

Axel Dodson has dedicated his life as a guardian to all we hold dear. Axel has served 6 years within the Marines Corps and over a year and a half with the New York Army National Guard’s “Fighting 69” Infantry.

During his military service, Axel served a yearlong deployment in Iraq, and upon his retirement from the military, began a decade-long career within the New York City Police Department, serving valiantly as a patrolman.

While on a vacation along with his brother in Atlanta, Georgia, Axel would once again answer the call to serve as a hero, when observing a young woman attempting to set fire to the historic childhood home of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Thanks to the quick efforts of he and his brother, the arsonist was stopped, apprehended, and the historic home of Dr. King was saved.

In addition to Mr. Dodson, the Town also honored the following residents below, who unfortunately were unable to attend due to the weather.

Kelly Schaeffer

Kelly Schaeffer was born and raised in Central Islip, and graduated from Central Islip High School

Town Board Recognizes Black History Month

before beginning a decadelong career working as an educator and advocate for those with disabilities.

In her early career, Kelly worked at Eastern Suffolk BOCES and for the Town of Islip’s Division of Handicapped Services.

Having left to travel abroad, Kelly moved back to Central Islip in 2007 to raise her family, and in 2008, began serving on the Suffolk County Board of Elections. For 15 years she has helped curate and establish curriculums to educate, train and certify Suffolk County’s 4,000+ election inspectors. She also coordinates outreach visits to local high schools and community organizations throughout the county, providing educational resources on voter requirements, registration, and the voting process.

In 2016, Kelly founded KindSight Coaching, providing personal development and group programs to empower the public to excel, grow and conquer limiting beliefs and behaviors. As a life coach, she has authored two books, and her third book is nearing completion.

Kelly has truly done it all, and has served to make her community a better place while doing it.

Dr. Teresa J. Bryant.

Dr. Teresa Jeanette Bryant, a Central Islip native and retired nurse, is the founder of Global Leaders Outreach Network Inc., where she has helped foster local and global education scholarship opportunities.

Under Teresa’s leadership, the organization has adopted two schools in Ghana, and has built computer labs for students. Through her continued ministry work, Teresa has also provided motivational and directional speeches at detention centers and schools for women abroad in Suriname, Curacao, Aruba, as well as French Guyana.

As a Global Outreach Coordinator for the Kindest Hearts Foundation, Teresa has also raised funds to build a school and medical center in Haiti, and currently serves as the CEO of JPL Associates, where she focuses on counseling and consulting, and has been recognized by Psychology Today as a leading certified counselor.

Through it all, Dr. Teresa Bryant has remained actively involved with many local community organizations, and serves currently as: Chairperson of the Islip Town Women in NAACP, Long Island Regional Chairperson for Women in NAACP; 3rd Vice President of the Islip Town NAACP; Treasurer of the Central Islip Civic Association; Treasurer of the Central Islip/Islandia Rotary Club; Rotarian of the Islip Town Rotary Club (serving as the Executive Board Member and Literacy Chair); and serves as the Director for Gift of Life Rotary International.

Conrad B. Johnson.

Lifelong resident of the Town of Islip, Conrad Johnson graduated Bay Shore High School in 1976, before going on to attend Nassau County and Suffolk County Community Colleges.

In 1980, under the encouragement from Suffolk County Police Detective John Thomas, and Police Officer Robert Belliteri, Conrad began working with the Suffolk County Police Department as a Community Service Aide. In this role, he would travel to local schools providing education to students on a range of health and safety topics including: avoiding strangers, drug awareness, and the like. Conrad was also involved with outreach programs for local civic associations as well as local churches, to inform residents on the issues most impacting their community.

In 1985, Conrad entered

the Suffolk County Police Academy, and upon his graduation, served in the Second Precinct. As an officer within the Suffolk County Police Department, Conrad served the Narcotics Division, First Precinct Uniform Patrol Division, as well as the Third Precinct’s Crime Section, where he served until retiring.

Conrad has dedicated over 33 years to the protection and service of the community, and as a longtime resident of Brentwood, serves the community still.

“Congratulations to all our honorees, and thank you for the hard work each of you do to enrich our community day after

day. We are proud to live alongside such devoted hard-working neighbors, proud to recognize Black History this month, and encourage all to celebrate our diverse neighbors each and every month throughout the year,” said Islip Supervisor, Angie Carpenter.

ULTRA

4 year old Boxer mix. Quickwitted with a good sense of humor. Curious about life.

ZERO Senior boy that is happy and sweet. He would make a wonderful companion.

DAISY Playful girl who enjoys a good game of fetch and likes to go on walks.

ZACH & ZOE

11 year old bonded pair. Like a married couple, they finish eachothers sentences.

ALEXIS

Young female who had kittens, seeks her forever home.

ARIEL Young female, very friendly and likes attention, would make a good companion.

FEATHER Cute and adorable female willing to share toys with the right person/family.

SHEEBA

Young female tortie looking for her BFF. BUSTER

7 year old male. Affectionate boy that adores children and delights in playtime.

COOKIE Senior sweetheart with all the spunk. She is sweet, social and full of love.

GINGER

1-2 year old female. Always up for some fun, she is a playful and happy girl.

KENZO

3-4 year old female. Happy, goofy girl who loves people. She is sweet and social.

BROOKHAVEN ANIMAL SHELTER

March Happenings

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6

6:00PM-7:30PM

PARENTING A SECOND TIME AROUND

An 8 week program for grandparents or other caregivers being held at Sunshine Prevention Center in Port Jefferson Station. This workshop will consist of discipline and guidance, care for oneself as caregiver, rebuilding a family, living with teens, legal issues and advocacy. Babysitting is provided as needed but MUST pre-register. No Fees. For more info call 631-476-3099.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9

9:00AM-4:00PM

THE NEW SEAFORD GUN SHOW

Held at the Seaford American Legion on Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th (9AM-3PM). Admission is $10, kids under 12 are free with a parent or guardian. For further information, please call 516-221-7380.

4:30PM-7:30PM

ST. PATRICK'S DAY DINNER

The First Presbyterian Church of Greenlawn is hosting a St. Patrick's Day Dinner. It's $30 per person and includes a corned beef and cabbage dinner with potatoes, carrots, irish soda bread, beverages, coffee and dessert. The Mulvahill-Lynch School Irish Dancers will be performing. Call Priscilla to reserve your seat and arrange pre-payment. RSVP by March 1st. Call 631-379-4889 for more information.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

10:00AM-5:00PM

WELLNESS EXPO

Held at the Holiday Inn in Holtsville. Free admission. Free raffles, 14 psychics, 35 wellness vendors and healers, 15 minute psychic readings for

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.

$40. Cash preferred. For more info call Diane 516-639-6903.

11:00AM-5:00PM

BLOOD DRIVE

Hosted by East Islip High School student, Brandon Rizzuto and New York Blood Center and will be held at the Bay Shore mall. Student donors will receive 3 hours of community service. Donors are eligible to win a $150 gift card raffle. For more information, call Dana at 631-766-3501.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

9:00AM-4:30PM

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESOURCE CENTER EDUCATION CONFERENCE

Join an interactive panel of family caregivers who will discuss the challenges and rewards of caregiving, what they have learned, and what they wish they knew at the beginning. During a Q &A, they will talk with listeners and address questions from the audience. For more information call 631-580-5100 or vsiit their website at www.adrcinc.org/ec2024.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16

11:30AM-1:00PM BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY

Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lindenhurst is hosting a bereavement ministry group that will continue until May 18th on Saturdays. Registration is required. If interested please call Linda Arpino at 631-592-1062 or email forubabe77@aol.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 17

2:00PM

JOURNEY–CROSS & CRUCIFIXION

Creative Ministries presents Journey–Cross & Crucifixion. Presented at Saints Cyril & Methodius in Deer Park. For more information visit their website

at www.CMPAC.com or call them at 631-218-2810.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19

8:30AM

BUS TRIP TO WIND CREEK BETHLEHEM

The Joseph Barry Columbiettes, the auxiliary for the Knights of Columbus, is sponsoring a bus trip to Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, PA. $55 per person, which includes the driver’s tip. For reservations, please call Barbara at 516-935-5576. Make checks payable to Joseph Barry Columbiettes.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

9:30AM BEREAVEMENT GROUP

A new bereavement group is now forming at Our Lady of Grace Church in West Babylon beginning on March 23 and will end on May 18 on Saturdays. For more information call John Laszewski at 631-874-0210 or Fran Kish at 631-587-1578.

7:30PM

BABYLON CHORALE CONCERT

The Babylon Chorale presents: Handel`s `Messiah` Parts II and III With professional soloists and orchestra. Held at St. Peter’s By-TheSea Episcopal Church in Bay Shore. To purchase tickets online or for more info, visit www.babylonchorale.org or email info@babylonchorale.org.

MONDAY, MARCH 25

7:30PM

BABYLON CHORALE AUDITIONS

The Babylon Chorale will hold auditions on March 25th and April 1st at Sisters of St. Joseph Brentwood Campus. Email info@babylonchorale.org for more information.

Military Caregiving

(NAPSI)—A new program offered by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation provides veteran caregivers with trained professionals to perform daily tasks, including housekeeping, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and grooming. For more information about military caregiving and available services, visit hiddenheroes.org/respite.

Buccaneers Take Second At Kris McDonald Wrestling Tournament

Islip High School’s varsity wrestlers recently captured second place at the team’s own Kris McDonald Wrestling Tournament.

At the competition’s end, Islip’s Max Haynes was named tournament MVP, and Cartier Perez was team MVP for the Buccaneers.

Congratulations to both of these guys, and to the team, which battled hard,” Athletic Director John Sparacio said.

*Top

631-226-2277

BUYING? SELLI NG?

RENTING? Place your ad in the Classifieds. 631-226-2636 Ext. 276

Breast Cancer Survivors Sought For Hotline

The Adelphi NY

Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program is seeking breast cancer survivors, both women and men, throughout New York State to train as volunteers for the hotline. The ZOOM training, each session from 10 am to 1 pm, is being held on four consecutive Mondays beginning March 11 (then March 18, March 25 and April 1) . Volunteers are asked to commit to all four sessions.

The hotline was established in 1980 by women who had been in a support group and wanted to help others. Today it is the oldest breast cancer hotline in the country. Says Lori F, a hotline volunteer since 2022, “It is an indescribable feeling to give hope to someone who feels hopeless.”

Volunteer will receive on-line training in the following areas: community outreach, educational presentations, hotline, speaking engagements, publicity, and fundraising.

For more information and to set up an initial interview, contact social worker Nina Foley at 516877-4315 or email at nfoley@adelphi.edu.

276

Information about the hotline and support program can be found on-line at breast-canceradelphi. edu.

Save Water

The U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program is encouraging home-owners to find and fix leaks to save more than 10 percent on utility bills now and help save water for future generations. For more information and tips about how to save water, visit www.epa.gov/ water sense.

Girls Winter Track Team Captures First-Ever County Championship

The East Islip High School girls winter track team won the Suffolk County girls indoor track and field small school championships on Feb. 4 for the first time in school history. The competition took place at Suffolk Credit Union Arena at Suffolk Community College’s Brentwood campus.

Grace Micali opened up the scoring by winning the triple jump with a jump of over 36 feet. Brianna Tucci won the 1,500-meter racewalk in only her third time competing in the

event, with senior captain Jaclyn Scandale earning sixth place to round out the scoring, Chloe Garatina won the long jump with a jump of more than 17 feet, with Micali right behind her to help secure 18 massive points for East Islip.

Danielle Simonetti impressively ran in three events in 45 minutes, winning the 600-meter race and taking third in the 300-meter. Her times were the fastest in school history outside of her own previous times.

In the relays, the 4x200meter relay team of Carly Amato, Maya Brown, Chloe Garatina and Kaylee Garatina earned a valuable fourth place finish, while East Islip’s 4x400-meter relay team of Danielle Birner, Micali, Simonetti and Danika Tidridge beat the top-ranked team in the state, setting a new county meet record time of 4:04.64.

“Congrats to the entire team on an unbelievable season,” coach John Reynolds said.

Legislator Steven J. Flotteron helped mark the 14th Anniversary of P.S. I Love You Day on February 9th at Beach Street Middle School, Udall Middle School, Robert Moses Middle School, Islip High School and West Islip High School. Co-founders Brooke and Jamie DiPalma established P.S. I Love You Day, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating the stigma around mental health following the suicide of their father. Their mission is to instill hope for those affected by mental illness, fostering a supportive environment and a community where everyone feels welcomed,

loved, and supported.

P.S. I Love You Day is celebrated on the second Friday of February each year. This year's theme is “Love is Meant to be Given”. We encourage all to spread love to the world, others and most importantly, yourself.

This year’s stats are that they reached 330,000 people in 33 states across the US and Canada with more than 650 communities supporting the cause.

Brooke graduated from West Islip High School 10 years ago where she was embraced by the administration and staff after her tragedy. She and her sister turned a tragic

experience into a positive effort to help others going through similar experiences.

As they have done every year to help spread the word, 75 flags hung along Udall and Higbie, north of the High School and they sold more than 500 purple shirts. Brooke, who is a Financial Journalist, took the week off from work to speak on the cause at more than 20 schools this year. Her sister, Jamie is a teacher in Sachem and couldn't tour this year. It has been half of Brooke’s life since she lost her dad 14 years ago. She carries PS I love you throughout every chapter of her life.

dedicated to eradicating the stigma around mental health following the suicide of their father. Their mission is to instill hope for those affected by mental illness, fostering a supportive environment and a community where everyone feels welcomed, loved, and supported. Pictured (LR): Legislator Steven J. Flotteron, Co-founder P.S I Love You Day Broke DiPalma and Business & Distributive Education/Special Education Instructor/Coordinator of Work Based Learning Programs Islip High School Renée DeCrescenzo Clock.

EIHS GIRLS TRACK CHAMPS - The East Islip High School girls winter track team won the Suffolk County girls indoor track and field small school championships on Feb. 4 for the first time in school history. Photo courtesy of East Islip School District