Spring Seasons 2024 - Edition One

Spring is here! This season is one that often brings upon feelings of hope and new beginings. Whether you're looking to jump into spring cleaning or head out for a day of fun, we have you covered with informative editorial throughout. Plus, don't miss our reader conest, which gives you a chance to win tickets to the Long Island Aquarium! Looking to advertise? Seasons® Magazine is published ten times a year in print and online. Contact us for more information today.

Spring Happenings

By Natalie Raccuglia

As the cold weather comes to an end and the sun slips through April’s showers, you might be wondering how you can fill your weekends with fun-filled activities. From family fun at the farm, to a commemorative celebration in honor of spring, rest assured– we got you covered!

Tulip Festival: Now-May 10th

Weekdays 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Weekends 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Waterdrinker Farm

663 Wading River Road, Manorville, NY 11949 www.water-drinker.com

Experience the beauty of spring with nearly 500,000 tulips and other blooming bulbs at Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden. Celebrate the tulip at the farm’s annual Tulip Festival, with photo-ops that pay homage to the flower’s Dutch roots, including oversized wooden shoes, a windmill, and more. The Manorville location also offers lawn games, an obstacle course, cornhole, and various farm animals. Leashed dogs are welcome. Purchase weekday tickets online, while weekend tickets are only available for purchase at the gate only. The Tulip Festival will also be held at their Waterdrinker North Fork location at 4560 Sound Ave., Riverhead.

Spring Appreciation Day: April 20th

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization

97 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790

www.stonybrookvillage.com

Join the Ward Melville Heritage Organization and Stony Brook Village for a lively celebration of spring at the village center. This day-long festival offers a variety of activities for the whole family, including live music, games, and a petting zoo. The Steppin’ Out Petting Zoo are set up in front of D.K. Brothers, allowing children to interact with a variety of animals from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Car enthusiasts can enjoy the Mustang Shelby Club of Long Island car show from 11am to 3pm in the parking lot behind the Post Office. Live music by Brenda and Burke will entertain the crowd with original and cover songs in

R&B, Roots, Blues, and Contemporary Acoustic genres at the Stony Brook Post Office from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Additionally the Ward Melville Heritage Organization Youth Corp will be hosting a scavenger hunt for a chance to win (2) Discovery Wetlands cruise tickets. Don’t miss the opening of the Stony Brook Grist Mill for the season. In case of rain, the event will be held on April 21st.

Spring Farm Festival: April 20th

12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Smithtown Historical Society

239 E. Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787

www.smithtownhistorical.org

Prepare for a delightful day of farm-fresh entertainment. Experience the charm of spring on the farm with adorable animals, playful sheep, and mesmerizing spinners. Join the Smithtown Historical Society for a day filled with joy, laughter, and the lively essence of the season. This special festival offers something for everyone, including kids’ crafts, pony rides, a petting zoo, live music, traditional craft demonstrations, a historic farmhouse tour, food and craft vendors, face painting, and more. Leashed dogs are welcome to join in the fun. General admission is $7, and tickets can be purchased online or at the information booth on the day of the event. Rain date is April 21st.

Sakura Matsuri - Cherry Blossom Festival: April 21st

12:00 p.m.

Charles B. Wang Center

100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11790

www.thewangcenter.org

Celebrate the arrival of spring on Long Island with the blooming of Sakura (cherry blossoms) and a vibrant showcase of Japanese culture at the Wang Center. Immerse yourself in a day of enchanting activities including Koto performances, traditional Japanese dances, martial arts demonstrations, bonsai workshops, calligraphy sessions, ikebana flower arranging, tea workshops, manga drawing, origami, kimono dress-ups, and cosplay for all ages. Feel free to come dressed as your favorite manga character. Tickets can be purchased online for $30 for general admission, $20 for students and seniors, and $10 for children ages 6-12. Children ages 5 and under enter for free. Admission includes access to all film viewings, workshops, and theatre presentations.

Arbor Day Family Festival: April 27th - April 28th

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Planting Fields Arboretum

1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay, NY 11771

www.plantingfields.org

Visit the Planting Fields Arboretum for a day filled with family-friendly activities celebrating the significance of trees and fostering environmental conservation. Enjoy thrilling tree climbing adventures, engaging children’s activities, and live music, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Hosted by the Planting Fields Foundation and New York State Parks, this one-day celebration guarantees a fun-filled day for the whole family. Please be aware that tree climbing activities are subject to weather conditions. For more information, contact Lara Solomon, Programs and Events Coordinator, at lsolomon@plantingfields.org or 516-922-8686.

Maintaining A Lawn Routinely Roamed By Pets

Vibrant,

green lawns can draw attention to any landscape. Many homeowners toil for hours each week to ensure their lawns are pristine or invest in lawn care services to help maintain a yard if they do not have the time to do so themselves. While many treatments can be applied to lawns to help them thrive, animal waste is not among them. Pet owners who aspire to have beautiful lawns have to take a few extra steps to ensure lawns can persevere despite the presence of furry companions.

Reseed with a damage-resistant grass

There are many different types of grass, and some are more resilient than others. Tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and Bermuda grass are just some of the grass varieties that can capably handle pet traffic. If replacing the entire lawn is not possible, consider reseeding or addressing the areas that pets frequent.

Strengthen the root system

It may be tempting to cut the lawn short, particularly if dogs or cats like to nibble on long blades of grass, but that approach could be doing the lawn a disservice. According to The Home Depot, letting the lawn grow to at least three inches will keep moisture in the soil and prevent evaporation. That moisture will

strengthen the roots, creating a healthier lawn.

Create pet paths

Various materials can be used in these high-traffic areas to minimize the sights and signs of pet traffic. Mulch or crushed stone can establish these pet highways and look like intended features.

Set boundaries

Pet urine contains high levels of nitrogen, which can burn grass and turn it brown. It’s not possible to water down urine or pick up solid waste immediately every time a pet goes outdoors, so designate a pet-friendly spot for potty time. Use fencing or a dog run to separate this area and help mitigate “land mines” all over the lawn. Fencing also can keep pets out of vegetable gardens and away from potentially toxic plants.

Avoid chemical lawn treatments

When pets use the yard and rest on the lawn, you’ll need to eliminate products that can be harmful to them. Choose allnatural fertilizers and weed and pest preventatives.

Look for alternatives

If maintaining a lawn with pets seems like an uphill battle, consider swapping out your landscape with a variety of materials. Scale back on grass, and incorporate groundcover, hardscape materials like pea gravel, or extend the patio. Artificial turf also is an option, as it won’t brown and wither. Some turf products can even be quickly and thoroughly cleaned with water.

It takes trial and error for pet parents to protect their lawns from the effects of having furry friends playing in the yard.

Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA) is awarding 15 fully paid music scholarships to its four-week Summer Arts Academy to students with a passion for music— whether it be singing, playing an instrument, or producing music. These scholarships are provided with funding support by The Joel Foundation.

Located on LIHSA’s Syosset Campus, the Summer Arts Academy, which runs in partnership with Hofstra University’s Continuing Education, offers aspiring youngsters (grades 5-12) a one-of-a-kind opportunity to develop their skills as musicians and performers. The program takes place from June 27-July 26, 2024, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., weekdays. Scholarships are awarded based on merit. Interested students must submit an audition video and application by May 10, 2024. For details on how to apply and audition, visit: www.longislandhigh schoolforthearts.org/admissions/summer-musicscholarship/.

For questions, email Jerry Nobile at jnobile@nasboces. org, or visit www.longisland highschoolforthearts.org/ summer/ for more information.

About

LIHSA

– Celebrating 50 years!

Long Island High for the Arts offers emerging artists the opportunity to explore and refine their talents in a oneof-a-kind, expert apprentice, arts-centered community. Nestled in Syosset, NY, students learn in a safe and supportive environment where they can pursue their artistic passion and discover who they are as individuals and as artists. For more information, visit www. LongIslandHighSchoolForTheArts.org.

About Nassau BOCES

A vital regional resource, Nassau BOCES offers stateof-the-art programs for learners of all ages and abilities as well as cost-effective services for school districts and municipalities. They empower students to achieve their maximum potential in alternative, artistic, outdoor, special education, virtual, and career and technical environments. They offer adult education programs that are vital to improving the Long Island regional economy. In addition, our technology services form the backbone of many school districts’ infrastructures. As the county’s educational leader in implementing the state’s reform efforts, they are helping to shape the future of education. To learn more, visit www. nassauboces.org, like them on Facebook and follow on Instagram.

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Spring Cleaning Tips And Tricks

Spring is a time of year when change is in the air. Trees are budding, plants are flowering, and homes laden with dark or heavy fabrics and clutter could use some lightening up. Spring cleaning projects are popular this time of year as residents take inventory of their living spaces and aim to declutter, clean and increase efficiency. Some people find the prospect of getting organized overwhelming. Here are some tips that can help anyone master spring cleaning.

• Create a plan. Make a checklist and establish a cleaning plan of attack. Focus on areas that are not regularly cleaned, as they probably need a little attention.

• Assemble your cleaning kit. Spring cleaning can be slowed down considerably if you don’t have all of your equipment at the ready. Items to have on hand include an all-purpose cleaner, concentrated cleaner, microfiber cloths, paper towels, mop, vacuum, dusters, and a squeegee. Adjust your equipment based on the task at hand.

• Curate your cleaning playlist. Create a playlist with songs that will get you moving and motivated to clean.

• Work from top to bottom. Work efficiently by cleaning shelves, ceiling fans and other elevated items first, as dust and debris will trickle down and need to be cleaned next.

• Purchase or rent a carpet cleaner. According to the experts at Clean That Up, carpets help filter indoor air by trapping debris and allergens. By deep cleaning carpets, homeowners can improve the indoor air quality of their homes. Use a carpet cleaner on a warm, dry day so that windows can be opened and cross breezes will help dry the damp rug.

• Clean windows. Wash windows inside and out and utilize their screens to help brighten indoors spaces.

• Deep clean the kitchen. Clean out and disinfect the refrigerator by wiping it down with warm water and baking soda or a vinegar-and-water solution. While in the kitchen, set the oven to the self-clean function so it becomes cleaner as well.

Homeowners also can focus on cleaning curtains (including shower curtains), steam-cleaning upholstery, removing clutter from closets, cleaning out the dryer vent and duct tubing, wiping inside kitchen drawers, and vacuuming under beds and other furniture. Spring cleaning can bring the revitalizing nature of this beloved time of year into your home.

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Whetherone places a dollop in tea or drizzles some in a yogurt smoothie, honey is the sweet finish that can make various foods and beverages taste that much better. In fact, honey is perhaps Mother Nature’s most natural sweetener. While honey in any form can provide its share of healthy offerings, raw honey — which is unprocessed and taken straight from a honeycomb — may be even healthier than the alternatives. According to a recent report in Medical News Today, some people believe that processing honey, removes many of its natural beneficial elements, but honey taken straight from the beehive contains bee pollen, bee propolis and scores of antioxidants.

Individuals interested in trying raw, local honey should consider buying it from a trusted local producer. For those who need

more convincing, the following are five beneficial properties of raw honey.

1. Antioxidants: Raw honey contains plant chemicals that act as antioxidants. Healthline says some types of honey have as many antioxidants as fruits and vegetables, which can protect the body from free radicals that damage cells.

2. Antimicrobial/antifungal properties: Raw honey has antimicrobial properties that could kill certain bacteria, says the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. That is perhaps why honey long has been used as a natural salve for wounds. Honey can soothe a sore throat, and it also can attack bacteria in the throat responsible for certain illnesses. Healthline says raw honey also has been studied for its use against certain Candida-related infections.

3. Allergy relief: Raw, local honey is made from local flowers and flowering plants. By ingesting raw, local honey regularly, a person is taking in small, manageable doses of allergens from their area, which can help build up an immunity to these allergens over time.

4. Digestive relief: Raw honey has been studied for use in treatment for H. pylori bacteria, a common cause of stomach ulcers. Raw honey also may help people overcome diarrhea. Honey contains prebiotics, which nourish good bacteria that live in the gut.

Cheese Egg And Casserole, A Brunch Staple

On lazy weekend mornings or when entertaining a crowd, it may be more fitting to serve brunch rather than breakfast or lunch. Brunch enables guests or family members to sleep in a little later. Plus the filling combination of menu items can keep people satisfied until dinner later on in the evening. The recipes for “Farmhouse Skillet” from “Lord Honey Traditional Southern Recipes with a Country Bling Twist” (Pelican Publishing) by Chef Jason Smith, puts together a blend of savory ingredients into an egg casserole that can be a winner on any brunch table.

Farmhouse Skillet

Serves 8-10

1 pound bacon, diced

2 cups cubed cooked ham

1⁄2 pound breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled

1 small purple onion, diced

1⁄2 red bell pepper, diced

1⁄2 yellow bell pepper diced

10 eggs, beaten

1⁄2 cup heavy cream

1 20-ounce package frozen shredded hash browns, or tater tots, thawed

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a very large cast-iron skillet (12-inch or larger), over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Then add the ham and sausage and stir.

Add the onions and peppers, and sauté for 5 minutes, always stirring.

In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and heavy cream.

Stir the hash browns into the skillet, and add salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until hash browns start to brown. Remove from heat.

Add the egg mixture, top with cheese, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.