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feels as if we just begun 2025, but Valentine's Day is right around the corner! We hope your year has been off to a great start and we're excited to bring you another issue, filled with editorial throughout. Flip through the pages for local news, a delight recipe perfect for Valentine's Day and so much more. Looking to advertise? Contact us today at 631.226.2636 or via email at info@longislandmediagroup.com. We thank you for your loyal readership.
www.longislandmediagroup.com
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—George Karatzas, James Cress Florist, Smithtown
Unoccupied business spaces are an opportunity to help bring vitality to downtown areas. For George Karatzas, owner of James Cress Florist, staying downtown was a priority, but costs were prohibitive. Then George applied for our Vacant Space Revival Program, which has provided $2,462 in bill credits to help offset his overhead.* And Smithtown continues to have a business that brings warmth and charm to the area. It’s a beautiful thing to see come together—just like George’s floral arrangements
How can we help support your small business? psegliny.com/businessfirst *Incentives,
and
Five Ice Skating Rinks The Whole Family Can Enjoy
Ice skating rinks can offer excitement and adventure as you test your skating skills with your whole family. This winter, consider bundling up the kids and heading to one of these rinks to have some fun!
Marjorie R. Post Community Park Ice Rink
451 Unqua Road, Massapequa Park
This beloved outdoor ice skating rink attracts people from surrounding neighborhoods and offers reasonable is one to see, but hurry, the rink will be closing for the season on February 23.
This unique and memorable skating facility is open all year and is home to large two rinks. They also have an Ice Rink Pro Shop, which stocks a wide variety of equipment and supplies, ranging from laces to dresses.
Superior
Ice Rink
270 Indian Head Road, Kings Park
The McGuigan family has owned and operated this rink since 1972. They pride themselves on being a destination the entire family can
enjoy! Additionally, they will be offering a Learn to Skate program this March and April.
Buckskill Winter Club
178 Buckskill Rd, East Hampton
Buckskill Winter Club offers a wide array of family activities including public ice skating and skate rentals and junior and adult ice hockey programs. They have a cozy club house, where you can warm up by a fire and watch the action on the ice with a cup of hot soup or European hot chocolate from their full service snack bar.
The Rinx at Harborfront Park
101-A E Broadway, Port Jeferson
This rink is convienantly located in the village of Port Jefferson, close to many eateries and shops. Whether you want to take one of their skating lessons or just enjoy being on the ice with your loved ones, consider heading to this beautiful destination by the water.
The Ice Rink at Clark Gillies Arena
575 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills
Town Clerk Andrew Raia To Perform
Valentine’s Day 2025 Marriage Ceremonies
Huntington Town Clerk Andrew P. Raia will be performing his annual Valentine’s Day Marriage Marathon as the Town’s Marriage Officer on Valentine’s Day, from 9am-4pm, Friday, February 14, 2025 by appointment in the Town Board Room at Huntington Town Hall, 100 Main Street, Huntington.
“Love is in the air once again at Huntington Town Hall this Valentine’s Day,” said Town Clerk Andrew Raia. “It is an honor and a privilege to join two people in a lifetime of love and commitment and it’s the part of my job that is the most heartwarming.”
Mr. Raia will perform ceremonies from 9am-4pm
Winter Senior Advocate Schedules
SuffolkLegislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is pleased to inform Babylon and Huntington residents about the local Suffolk County Office for the Aging Winter 2025 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.
4385 Spangle Drive, North Babylon: Tuesdays, January 28, February 25 & March 25, 12 – 3:30 pm
• West Babylon Library, 211 Route 109, West Babylon: Thursday, March 27, 10 am – 12 pm
• Wyandanch Senior Nutrition, 28 Wyandanch Avenue, Wyandanch: Wednesdays, February 19 & March 12, 10 am – 1 pm
In Huntington, they will be visiting the following:
in the Town Board Room by appointment; there is no charge to the couple for the ceremony and their guests are welcome to attend the reception. To make an appointment, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at (631) 351-3216 or email araia@ huntingtonny.gov.
Please note:
• Marriage Ceremonies: A marriage ceremony may only take place 24 hours after the issuance of a marriage license (more information); vow renewals do not require a waiting period.
• Domestic Partnership Registry: Find more information on requirements for a Domestic Partnership Registry.
“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 winter, Senior Advocates will be visiting the following locations in the Town of Babylon:
• Deer Park Library, 44 Lake Avenue, Deer Park: Friday, March 21, 9 – 11 am
• North Amityville Nutrition Center, 48-C Cedar Road, Amityville: Wednesdays, February 19 & March 19, 10 am – 1 pm
• Rainbow Center, 293 Buffalo Avenue, Lindenhurst: Wednesday, March 5, 8:30 – 11:00 am
• Tanner Park Senior Nutrition, 2 Tanner Park, Copiague: Wednesday March 12, 8:30 am – 1 pm
• Spangle Drive Center,
• Huntington Senior Nutrition Center, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington: Wednesdays, February 19 & March 19, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
• Paumanack Village 5 & 6, 100 Adriatic Drive, Melville: Thursdays, February 27 & March 27, 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.”
A Valentine’s Day Dessert Whipped Up In An Unusual Way
Decadent
treats and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand. Couples typically exchange gifts on Valentine’s Day, and those gifts are often accompanied by something sweet. A survey from Statista found that 44 percent of respondents intended to purchase candy and sweets for their significant other on Valentine’s Day. That made candy and sweets the most popular Valentine’s Day gift by a considerable margin, well above the likes of other February 14th favorites like greeting cards (33 percent) and flowers (32 percent).Romantic dinners still have a place at the Valentine’s Day table, as the Statista survey found that 29 percent of respondents intended to sit down for a romantic meal as part of their celebration. Homemade desserts can be a great way to show that special someone just how much they’re loved. If cooks want to employ the element of surprise, then this recipe for “Ginger Cake” from Will Budiaman’s “The Essential Kamado Grill Cookbook” (Rockridge Press) won’t disappoint. Firing up the grill is sure to pique a loved one’s interest, and the slightly spicy finished product marks a departure from more traditional desserts.
Ginger Cake
Serves 8
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cubed, plus more for the pan, at room temperature
2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
4 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 2⁄3 cups packed light brown sugar
4 large eggs
1⁄2 cup whole milk
Directions:
1. Bring the grill to 350 F with the cooking grate and heat deflector installed. Butter the bottom and sides of a 10inch cast iron skillet.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, ginger, and salt.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes.
4. Reduce the speed to medium-low and add the eggs one at a time. Mix for 1 to 2 minutes or until light tan in color.
5. With the machine running, add the milk.
6. Add the flour mixture, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed, until fully incorporated. Transfer to the skillet.
7. Put the skillet on the grate. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Put on a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Cooking tip:
Cutting butter into small cubes and arranging them in a single layer will help them soften more quickly.
Start Off Valentine’s Day With Breakfast
Valentine’s Day is about expressing love for special people in your life. One way to do so is to pamper that person as much as possible. That can mean starting the day off with delicious breakfast in bed.Muffins can be prepared in advance and are easy to enjoy in hand for a breakfast that involves lounging and love. “Blackberry Crunch Muffins” marry coffee cake and muffin elements and tart berries for something that is equal parts breakfast and dessert. What better idea for Valentine’s Day? Try this recipe, courtesy of “Lord Honey Traditional Southern Recipes with a Country Bling Twist” (Pelican Pulishing) by Chef Jason Smith.
Blackberry Crunch Muffins
Serves 12
2 1⁄4 cups self-rising flour
1 cup white sugar
1⁄4 cup brown sugar
1⁄2 cup canola oil
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3⁄4 cup full-fat buttermilk
1 1⁄2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
Zest of 1 lime
Crunch topping
1⁄2 cup white sugar
1⁄4 cup brown sugar, packed
1⁄2 cup self-rising flour
1⁄2 cup quick-cook oats
1⁄4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts
5 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Juice of 1 lime
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease or line a 12-hole muffin tin.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and sugars. Add the oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk, and stir to combine.
In a small bowl, toss the blackberries with 1 tablespoon flour, then add the berries and zest to the batter and lightly fold them in.
Place the crunch topping ingredients in a bowl and mix with a fork until large crumbles form.
Divide the batter evenly into the muffin tin, and sprinkle tops with crunch mixture.
Bake for 22 to 28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack. Place the glaze ingredients in a bowl and whisk until combined. Drizzle over cooled muffins.
Cozy Up To These Romantic Films This Valentine’s Day
Anumberof people feel that nothing beats a quiet evening in with the one you love on Valentine’s Day. Watching a romantic film together can be a way to cap the night off. There are plenty of films that focus on Valentine’s Day or have a larger romantic theme. Such movies are ideal for date nights and the ultimate date night: Valentine’s Day.
• “Valentine’s Day” (2010): This aptly titled film takes place on — you guessed it — February 14th. It has a who’s who cast of well-known actors like Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine and Bradley Cooper. Various storylines intersect among the characters as Los Angeles residents work their way through the highs and lows of love on Valentine’s Day.
• “Kate & Leopold” (2001): While rom-com fans are used to seeing Meg Ryan teamed up with Tom Hanks, in this tale she’s paired with Hugh Jackman. Jackman is a duke from 1876 who inadvertently finds himself traveling through time to modern-day New York City, where he meets a plucky advertising executive. The two clash before they discover feelings for each other.
• “The Princess Bride” (1987): This movie has withstood the test of time. It has a little bit of everything: swordfights, revenge, a giant, and, of course, a heartwarming love story at its core.
• “The Wedding Singer” (1998): Despite coming out in the 1990s, this film brings on all the campy 1980’s nostalgia, including a hit soundtrack of favorite songs from that decade. Although not everyone is a fan of Adam Sandler’s comedic antics, this movie is less slapstick and more heartfelt. It’s one of a few where Sandler has paired with Drew Barrymore in
the lead roles. Check out “50 First Dates” if you want a fun Sandler-Barrymore double feature.
• “Love, Simon” (2018): In this movie, Simon, a high school student, hasn’t yet come out to his friends and family, but has been exploring a budding romance with an anonymous boy online. The big reveal of that boy’s identity is a moment of anticipation.
• “Pride and Prejudice” (2005): Jane Austen’s classic novel has undergone many interpretations on the silver screen. The 2005 version starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen as Elizabeth and Darcy is a fan favorite. With its beautiful tableaus and enchanting soundtrack, viewers can’t help but root for this unlikely couple.
• “Always Be My Maybe” (2019): This Netflix original movie has Ali Wong and Randall Park playing former childhood best friends with some unfinished business. When they are reunited as adults on different paths, will they find a connection? Keanu Reeves has a guest cameo.
• “Chocolat” (2000): A mysterious French woman and her young daughter open a chocolate shop in a remote place where villagers are afraid of change. Her confections seemingly have magical powers to fix the ills of people, if only the shopkeeper can lure the stubborn to give them a taste. Johnny Depp stars as a love interest.
• “Notting Hill” (1999): If Meg Ryan is the queen of rom-coms, Hugh Grant may be the king. In this movie, an unassuming British book shop owner gets cast into the limelight when a famous American actress played by Julia Roberts hides in the stacks and eventually becomes more than just a customer.
Did You Know?
It’s
hard to imagine Valentine’s Day without chocolate, and that association can be traced to a name that is very familiar to people who enjoy sweets on February 14. According to History.com, Richard Cadbury utilized advancements at his family’s chocolate factory in England to produce new varieties of what was then known as “eating chocolate.” Cadbury then began marketing eating chocolates in decorative boxes, and while History.com notes he never patented the heart-shaped box, it’s widely believed Cadbury was the first to create one.
Winter Concert Series
TheNew York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation invites you to warm up from the Winter cold and enjoy the comfort of fine classical music on Sunday afternoons at the Upper Carriage House at Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River, New York.
The 2025 Winter Concert Series performance schedule is as follows:
FEBRUARY 16 – Queensound
Linda Teixeira (Soprano), Helena Kim (Piano)
MARCH 02 – Quintessence
Laura Mole (Violin), Jody Ratner (Viola), Susan Lehr (Cello) Karen Gellert (Double Bass), Elinor Zayas (Piano), Hiroko Nakahara (Guest Violinist)
MARCH 09 – Piano Duo
Elinor Zayas & Karen Baer
March 16 – Cambiata Cello
Duo Paul Finkelstein & Suzanne Mueller
Parking will be limited and on a first come, first served basis throughout the entirety of this concert series. All concerts
begin promptly at 1:00PM. Seating is on first come, first serve basis. The concerts, free to he public, are sponsored by the Islip Arts Council with funding provided by Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Natural Heritage Trust, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
For more information, please call the Islip Arts Council at (631) 888-3525. For information on the day of the concert, please call Bayard Cutting Arboretum at (631) 581-1002.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 80 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.
QueenSound
Interesting Facts About U.S. Presidents
Americans celebrate President’s Day each year in mid-February. Though some may see the holiday, which is celebrated on a Monday, as a great opportunity to book a three-day weekend getaway, others may be inspired to learn about the many men who have held the highest office in the United States. For the latter, the following are some interesting facts about U.S. presidents, courtesy of History.com.
• Founding father and first U.S. president George Washington was a man with many
hobbies, including dog breeding. Alex Hager of the Presidential Pet Museum told History. com that Washington likely developed his passion for dog breeding as a result of his love of fox hunting. Indeed, the American Kennel Club considers Washington the father of the American foxhound. It’s also worth noting Washington’s predilection for giving his dogs humorous names, including Drunkard, Tippler and Sweet Lips.
• The country’s fourth president, James
Madison, was a slight man. Madison was fivefeet-four and weighed just over 100 pounds. Madison might have put on a few additional pounds had he lived to enjoy the snack cake brand Dolly Madison, which was inspired by the fourth president’s wife, Dolley, and introduced in 1937.
• John Quincy Adams might be most recognized as the first man to follow his father and hold the office of the president. However, the sixth president had a notable career even after his time holding the highest office in the land. John Quincy Adams argued before the Supreme Court in a case that freed African captives who had rebelled aboard the slave ship Amistad. That rebellion and its subsequent court case was later dramatized in the 1997 Steven Spielberg film “Amistad,” in which Adams was portrayed by Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins.
• It took some time before the United States had its first American-born president, but that happened upon the election of Martin Van Buren in 1837. Prior to Van Buren’s victory, all presidents had been born before 1776 and were thus British subjects at their time of birth.
• Many Americans fought long and hard to secure the right to vote, but one president never voted until his own name appeared on the ballot. Zachary Taylor, the
nation’s twelfth president, acknowledged he had never voted prior to 1848, the year he was elected president.
• Only two men in U.S. history have been elected to serve non-consecutive terms as president. The first to do so was Grover Cleveland, who served as the nation’s twentysecond and twenty-fourth president. That feat was not replicated until it was pulled off by Donald Trump, who was elected in 2016 as the nation’s forty-fifth president and then again in 2024.
• Some presidents are more soft spoken than others, but perhaps none have been more reserved than the thirtieth president Calvin Coolidge. When a female visitor bet Coolidge that she could get three words out of him, Coolidge simply replied, “You lose.”
• Thirty-third president Harry S. Truman’s name is somewhat misleading. The middle initial “S” is not an abbreviation for any particular name, but rather an homage to his grandfathers Anderson Shipp Truman and Solomon Young.
• Richard Nixon, the nation’s thirty-seventh president, was a highly skilled poker player. In fact, during his time serving in the United States Navy during World War II, Nixon won substantial sums of money playing poker, funds he ultimately used to finance his first political campaign.
Over $8 Million Donated To LI Area Historic Organizations
TheRobert David Lion Gardiner Foundation is pleased to announce it has donated a total of $8,098,574 in grants to historic organizations across Long Island and beyond during calendar year 2024. Grant recipients were recognized during two rounds of awards luncheons hosted by the Smithtown Historical Society in June 2024 and Old Westbury Gardens in December 2024. Grants will be used by a variety of Long Island historic sites to fund initiatives ranging from educational programs and exhibitions to publications, scholarships, and construction and renovation projects.
Recipients of the First Round 2024 Grant Awards are:
Association of Public Historians of NYS
Byrd Hoffman Water Mill Foundation
Caumsett Foundation, Inc.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society
Fraunces Tavern Museum
Greater Westhampton Historical Museum
Long Island Children’s Museum
Long Island Library Resource Council, Inc.
- Long Island and NY State History Day
Long Island Museum of American Art
History and Carriages
Long Island Seaport and Eco Center
Montauk Historical Society
New York University
Queens Museum
Waterfront Museum
Whaling Museum & Education Center
Recipients of the Second Round 2024 Grant Awards are:
Friends of Raynham Hall, Inc.
Jewish Historical Society of Long Island
Long Island Library Resource Council, Inc.
– Long Island History Day
Long Island Maritime Museum
Nassau County Museum of Fine Art
New York Historical Society
Sag Harbor History Museum
The Church
The Cooper Union
The following organizations received grants as part of the Gardiner Foundation’s new Challenge Match Grant program. The program recognized each organization’s fundraising efforts by matching up to $10,000 raised for new offerings during 2024.
Conscience Point Shellfish Hatchery, Corp.
Fireboat Firefighters Museum
Friends of Lakeview Cemeteries
Historical Society of Greater Port
Jefferson
Historical Society of Islip Hamlet
Long Beach Historical and Preservation Society
Mattituck Laurel Historical Society
Miller Place Mount Sinai Historical Society
North Sea Community House
Oyster Bay Railroad Museum
Quogue Historical Society
Rocky Point Historical Society and Museum
Victor D’Amico Institute of Art
Wading River Historical Society
The Gardiner Foundation also awarded $1,600 to each of 35 historic organizations for employing young people as part of the 2024 Gardiner Young Scholars Program. To learn more about the program, visit https://www. rdlgfoundation.org/news/77.
“Fulfilling the historic educational vision of Bob Gardiner is a great privilege for our Board and all at the Foundation,” said Kathryn M. Curran, Executive Director of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation.
ABOUT THE ROBERT DAVID LION GARDINER FOUNDATION
The mission of the Foundation is to educate, cultivate and encourage the study and understanding of Long Island and New York’s historic role in the American experience. The Foundation also supports scholarships and historic preservation, including study, stewardship and promotion of Long Island’s historic educational aspects. The Foundation was established by Robert David Lion Gardiner in 1987. Robert David Lion Gardiner was, until his death in August 2004, the 16th Lord of the Manor of Gardiner’s Island, NY. The Island was obtained as part of a royal grant from King Charles I of England in 1639. The Gardiner family and their descendants have owned Gardiner’s Island for 385 years. The Island remains private and is owned and maintained by direct Gardiner descendants to this day. The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation remains inspired by Robert David Lion Gardiner’s personal passion for Long Island and New York history. Since 2015, the Foundation has awarded over $45 million to support historical societies, museums, archives, research, scholarships and renovation, restoration and adaptive reuse of historic sites.
