January 25, 2023 Islip

in Justin Lollo’s class at Islip’s Wing Elementary School continued an annual tradition

back, making 196 bologna sandwiches that were then donated to the Bethany House shelter at St. Patrick Church in Bay Shore. Photo courtesy of Islip School District

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for January is Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

www.pal-o-mine.org

From its inception in 1995, Pal-OMine Equestrian has o ered unprecedented equine assistance programs to individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. Today, as a leader in the industry, this non-profit organization continues to foster growth, learning and healing in 400 students weekly through the power of the horse.

To continue to empower, educate and enrich the community around us, Pal-O-Mine Equestrian has embarked on an Expansion Campaign. This “Race We Will Win” campaign will provide their organization with building renovations, new paddocks and other essentials for their herd, along with additional tools to further enhance their programs.

Looking to get involved? The organization will be o ering various events throughout 2023, some of which are noted below.

•February 15th - 3 month Virtual Hay Drive Fundraiser begins

•May 3rd through May 7th - Annual J-STEP Spring Craft Fair

•May 4th - Stable Spirits Art Show and Auction

Additionally, they are actively looking for new volunteers that are willing to lend a helping hand. “Volunteers are the backbone of PalO-Mine,” said Lisa. “Our mission would not be fulfilled and our work would not be possible without the dedication and e orts of our volunteer team where there is one goal…to facilitate growth, learning and healing through the use of our equine partners in an emotionally and physically safe environment.”

Volunteers at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian can help in the following ways:

•Side-walk in riding lessons

•Groom and walk mini horses and donkeys, as well as care for chickens

•Assist with barn chores, such as cleaning tack and mucking stalls

•Attend and assist with their events

•Help with property enhancement and landscaping

•

•Fundraising

Whether you’re looking for a career in a related field or are just a local resident that’s looking to give back, you can donate your time as a volunteer. They also allow groups to volunteer together, which is a great team-building e ort.

All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age, attend a volunteer orientation (orientations are held every month) and complete a minimum of 8 hours of training. “We want to make sure all our volunteers are fully trained and feel ready to be a part of our team. We appreciate each and every person who gives their time and believes in our mission.”

To learn more about volunteering, please contact their Volunteer Coordinator, Andrea Casey at acasey@ pal-o-mine.org or 631.348.1389. For more information on all that Pal-O-Mine Equestrian o ers, visit www.pal-o-mine. org.

Assist with special projects

East Islip High Schoolers Hone

Networking Skills At Mentor Me Mocktail Party

This year, the East Islip School Business Partnership added a new component to its long-running Mentor Me program, which provides East Islip High School students a firsthand shadow experience in the day and life of a professional. Students are afforded the opportunity to go to work instead of school to experience a career they are interested in pursuing. To help students prepare for the shadow experience, the

new Mentor Me Mocktail Party networking event was added this November.

At this mini event, students honed their speaking skills and learned how to quickly ask career-related questions. Professionals who volunteered to participate included Tom Cilmi of McBride Consultants, Jeanine Amato of Country Village Florist, Allstate agent Stephen Foray, Monica Miranda of Suffolk Transportation, Lisa Lee of the Winter Brothers

Center for Autism, Town of Islip Historian George Munkenbeck, Joseph Gabriel of Joe Gabriel Architecture, Richard Scheinberg of Sunrise Counseling, Joanne Lein of Northwell Health, Casey Krebs of Cetera Investors, Bush Baraka of Grace’s Deli, Chuck Rothbart of Chuck’s Auto Repair and Christopher Nicolini from the Town of Islip.

“This was truly an amazing event,” School Business Partnership coordinator Bridget

Lopiccolo said. “The students were given a professional’s name on an index card, and then had to network the room and find their matched professional. This afforded the students the opportunity to practice their networking skills.

East Islip High School is grateful to have such amazing partnership members that give of their time to assist students in preparing for their future.”

HIGH SCHOOLERS HONE NETWORKING SKILLS - East Islip High School students honed their networking skills at the recent Mentor Me Mocktail Party event. Photos courtesy of East Islip School District

LIPA Announces New Community College Scholarship

Officials from the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) joined with representatives from Nassau Community College and Suffolk County Community College to announce a new community college scholarship program. The LIPA Scholarship is designed to provide education and training for students from households with incomes below the median income of Long Island and the Rockaways (approximately $100,000 for a family of four) living in historically underserved communities.

The LIPA Scholarship is a $350,000 commitment over the next five years to provide 50 full scholarships for students to attend either Nassau Community College or Suffolk County Community College to obtain an associate degree or certificate that will help them pursue a career in the electric utility or clean energy sectors.

This investment is an effort to ensure that our workforce represents all the communities LIPA serves and that all of our customers can participate in the growing career opportunities available in the electric utility and clean energy industry.

Thomas Falcone, Chief Executive Officer of LIPA, said: “Electricity is the clean fuel of the future. Studies predict electricity will provide more than 70 percent of New York’s energy needs by 2050 and that it will be entirely carbon-free. With this growing industry, LIPA’s commitment to fund 50 scholarships at Nassau and Suffolk Community College over the next five years will ensure that our workforce represents all the communities LIPA serves and that all our customers can participate in the fabulous and growing career opportunities available in

the electric sector.”

Dr. Maria Conzatti, Interim President of Nassau Community College, said: “Together with LIPA, Nassau Community College is pleased to meet the workforce development needs of our business partners and the educational aspirations of the Long Island community.”

Dr. Edward T. Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College, said: “The Long Island Power Authority’s generous scholarships will help us recruit and sustain students entering the STEM fields, transforming our workforce and our region’s economy. With this support, LIPA joins the college in bridging our promising students from financial need to the high-need, high-wage disciplines that lead to a rewarding career.”

The curricula offered at Nassau Community College and Suffolk County Community College include courses relevant to the work LIPA does to meet the clean energy goals set by New York’s Climate Act, as well as to fulfill LIPA’s mission of providing clean, reliable, and affordable energy to Long Island and the Rockaways.

The LIPA Scholarship will support income-qualified, graduating high school seniors, allowing them to extend their educational development and enter the utility and clean energy sectors. Participation in the LIPA Scholarship will provide graduates with a competitive edge in applying for employment at LIPA and its contractor, PSEG Long Island, who plan to hire hundreds of entry-level workers over the next five years.

This five-year program will provide annual funding for ten full-time, two-year scholarships for low- to moderateincome students who

reside in disadvantaged communities, as identified by New York’s Climate Justice Working Group, planning to attend Nassau Community College or Suffolk County Community College. Residents of the following communities served by LIPA are eligible for the LIPA Scholarship:

Nassau County

· Westbury Village, New Cassel, Elmont, Hempstead Village, Uniondale, East Meadow, Valley Stream Village, South Valley Stream, Inwood, Oceanside, Roosevelt, Long Beach City, Glen Cove City, and East Massapequa.

Suffolk County

· Huntington Station, East Farmingdale, Wyandanch, West Babylon, North Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst Village, Brentwood, Islandia Village, Bay Shore, North Bay Shore, Central Islip, Ridge, Patchogue Village, Yaphank, Shirley, Mastic, Calverton, Flanders, Westhampton Beach Village, and Tuckahoe.

Queens County

· The Rockaways. Awardees of LIPA’s Scholarship will have the opportunity to:

· Obtain a scholarship toward an associate degree or certificate program at either Nassau Community College or Suffolk County Community College.

· Attend LIPA Workforce Seminars with utility executives and subject matter experts.

· Receive job placement support for available positions at LIPA, PSEG Long Island, and other LIPA contractors and suppliers.

The first recipients of the scholarship are expected to be announced in 2023. To learn more about the program, please visit www. lipower.org.

The announcement was held on November 8, 2022 at the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center in Wantagh, an educational facility that LIPA maintains in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

LIPA ANNOUNCES NEW COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP - From left to right: Dr. Edward T. Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College; Thomas Falcone, Chief Executive Officer of LIPA; and Dr. Maria Conzatti, Interim President of Nassau Community College

East Islip Board Of Education Honors Two Accomplished Students

Two accomplished East Islip students – East Islip High School junior Kelsey Kreuscher and East Islip Middle School sixth grader Ava McKiernan – were recognized at a recent East Islip School District’s meeting. They were congratulated by the board and presented with certificates by Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Personnel Paul Manzo.

Kreuscher was honored for becoming the first county champion in the history of the Connetquot/ East Islip girls diving program. She took first place at the Suffolk County Diving Championships on Nov. 2, and placed 14th at the New York State Diving Championships on Nov. 18 in Rochester, earning her All-State honors.

McKiernan was honored for her charitable work as the founder of Ava’s

Wreaths of Joy, which for the last four years, has given back to Long Island veterans for the holidays. She sold more than 150 unique handmade wreaths, raising funds for

her chosen charity this year, Bravo Foxtrot United Veterans, which helps local homeless veterans with permanent housing, food and jobs.

BOE HONORS TWO ACCOMPLISHED STUDENTS - Two accomplished East Islip students – East Islip High School junior Kelsey Kreuscher and East Islip Middle School sixth grader Ava McKiernan – were recognized at a recent East Islip School District’s meeting. Pictured: East Islip Middle School sixth grader Ava McKiernan was recognized at the East Islip School District Board of Education meeting for her charitable work as the founder of Ava’s Wreaths of Joy. Photo courtesy of East Islip School District

First Graders Give Back With Bologna For Bethany House

First graders in Justin Lollo’s class at Islip’s Wing Elementary School continued an annual tradition of goodwill and giving back, making 196 bologna sandwiches that were then donated to the Bethany House shelter at St. Patrick

Church in Bay Shore. As in previous years, Grilli’s Gourmet Deli in Islip donated several pounds of bologna for the students to use in assembling the sandwiches.

“Every year I discuss the importance of being good citizens in our community

with my students,” Lollo said. “One of the ways we can give back to our community is by donating to those who are less fortunate than we are. The purpose of this activity is for students to actively take part in helping to feed the hungry. This was the

Elks Donate Dictionaries

most sandwiches made by one class since I started working at Wing, and my students learned the valuable lesson of doing something good for others and serving those in need in our local community.”

FIRST GRADERS GIVE BACK - First graders in Justin Lollo’s class at Islip’s Wing Elementary School continued an annual tradition of goodwill and giving back, making 196 bologna sandwiches that were then donated to the Bethany House shelter at St. Patrick Church in Bay Shore. Photo courtesy of Islip School District

ELKS DONATE DICTIONARIES - East Islip’s John F. Kennedy Elementary School was the recent recipient of an Islip Elks Club donation of dictionaries for the school’s third graders. Elks representative John Tramposch visited the school to deliver a presentation on dictionaries and hand out a student dictionary to each third-grade class and teacher. “Mr. Tramposch explained how useful and interesting having a dictionary can be,” Principal Deborah Smith said. “The students were all very appreciative.” Photo courtesy of East Islip School District

Islip HS Wrestlers Win Takedown Autism Championship

Local Foundation, Big Mission

The Chloe Belle Foundation is a local non-profit organization started by the family of Chloe. Chloe was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at the age of 25. She underwent countless treatments, but unfortunately the cancer only progressed. It eventually invaded her spine and left her paralyzed and in immense pain. Thirteen months later, Chloe passed away at home beside her family.

Chloe left a huge impact on those around her, she prioritized the happiness of others and brought joy wherever she went. The Lindberg Family started this foundation as a way to honor Chloe and continue her work here on earth. The mission of the Chloe Belle Foundation is to support children and young adults who have also been diagnosed with cancer, and offer them the same joy and light that Chloe herself was.

Remi Lindberg, President of The Chloe Belle Foundation said, “We have big goals for the foundation. I want Chloe to live on forever. She deserves

that. Most importantly, I want to bring Chloe’s kindness and love to the world on a large scale.”

The Chloe Belle Foundation will begin selling merchandise starting this February to benefit the foundation. They also will be hosting their annual toy drive in the spring, and will have more information on the event soon.

They will be collaborating with Mario’s Pizzeria in East Northport on February 21, 2023. When customers order on that day and mention The Chloe Belle Foundation, their foundation will receive 20% from the pre-tax sale.

To keep up with The Chloe Belle Foundation or to donate please visit their website at https:// thechloebellefoundation.org or follow them on Instagram @ thechloebellefoundation.

For more information, please reach out to Remi, President of The Chloe Belle Foundation at remilindberg. tcbf@gmail.com

TAKEDOWN AUTISM CHAMPIONSHIP - Islip High School’s varsity wrestling team recently were crowned champions at William Floyd High School’s 15th annual Takedown Autism dual meet tournament. The fundraising tournament benefits the autism advocacy organization, Autism Speaks. Islip’s Bucs went 4-0, beating Bay Shore by a score of 36-27, Glen Cove by 69-6 and Smithtown West by 52-18, then defeating host William Floyd by in the finals by a 40-23 score. Collin Haug was voted the event’s most outstanding wrestler. Photo courtesy of Islip School District

Fundraiser To Support East Islip St. Patrick’s Day Parade Is Set

The Local Hibernians Inc. are pleased to announce that the annual John P. Reilly East Islip St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2023, led by the parade’s Grand Marshal, Tom McHugh, and the Ladies Aide to the Grand Marshal, Patricia Fitzpatrick. The parade will step off at 2:00 pm

from the East Islip Public Library and travel west to the grandstand at St. Mary’s RC Church.

A fundraiser to support the parade will be held on Sunday, February 5, 2023, from 2 PM-5 PM at Harp & Hound in Islip. A $20 donation at the door includes assorted appetizers, live music by J&D Acoustics, and a

cash bar. There will also be raffle baskets and a 50/50 raffle.

For more information about the parade or the fundraiser, you can contact localhibernians@ gmail.com. You can also find us on Instagram & Twitter @eiparade and Facebook: East Islip St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

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With Winter Heating Season Nearing, PSEG Long Island Customers May Be Eligible For Assistance

As winter heating season approaches, PSEG Long Island recognizes that many households are facing challenging times and wants to remind its customers that programs exist to help people struggling with utility bills. There are also many ways they can lower their bills by using energy wisely.

“Everything is more expensive today, and PSEG Long Island continues to work hard to provide our customers with safe, reliable energy at the lowest possible cost,” said Lou DeBrino, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Customer Services. “To help manage energy use and costs, we offer resources, tips and a variety of energy efficiency programs. We also know many of our customers are struggling to pay bills, and we encourage them to reach out to us to enroll in a deferred payment agreement and learn about available financial assistance programs. Colder weather is coming, which will mean higher heating costs. We urge our customers to act now, and we’re here to help.”

The costs associated with purchasing fuel for electric power supply are directly passed through to the customers. With energy costs rising due to global conflict, inflation, and high demand as the winter heating season approaches, PSEG Long Island understands the impact this increased financial burden can have on its customers.

In accordance with a policy established by the LIPA Board of Trustees, a hedging program is in place to reduce the volatility of power supply costs for customers. Hedging provides price stability in case of unforeseen commodity market and weather events that drive up prices. In addition, PSEG Long Island and LIPA work to further mitigate the monthly volatility to customers as costs materialize.

How Customers Can Lower Their Bills

The most effective thing customers can to do lower their bills is to use electricity more efficiently. Here are some helpful tips:

• Replace inefficient incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs since, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting accounts for about 15% of the electricity used in the home, and LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer.

• Use a programmable thermostat to automatically manage your home’s heating and cooling needs. ENERGY STAR estimates that properly used programmable thermostats can save the average American household about $180 a year. In addition, PSEG Long Island offers rebates on smart thermostats.

• Lower your thermostat by just one degree to potentially reduce your heating bill. Lowering it two degrees during the day and five to 10 degrees at night will save even more.

• Install timers and motion detectors to automatically manage indoor and outdoor lighting and help ensure lights are not on when they’re not needed.

• Ceiling fans can be used to save energy in winter. Setting a fan to rotate clockwise on low pulls cool air toward the ceiling, pushing warm air down into a room.

• Seal windows and doorframes with weather stripping or caulk, and remove or cover window air conditioners to help to prevent drafts that waste energy and money.

• Reduce “phantom power” by using energy efficient power strips or unplugging electronic devices when they’re not in use. Items plugged into outlets use electricity even when they’re turned off.

• Install a high efficiency air source heat pump (ASHP) to lower energy usage, save money and provide greater comfort in cold and hot months. Robust rebates are available from PSEG Long Island’s Home Comfort Program

for ducted ASHP units, ducted geothermal heat pumps and ductless mini split systems. Additionally, PSEG Long Island’s Home Comfort PLUS program offers enhanced rebates for customers who meet certain income qualifications.

• More money-saving ideas and rebate information are available at https:// www.psegliny.com/ saveenergyandmoney/ energystarrebates.

Assistance Available To Those Struggling With Bills

PSEG Long Island wants to work with any customer struggling to pay their bills and help them find a solution. The company encourages anyone with a past-due account balance to call 1-800-490-0025 so a representative can help them develop a deferred payment agreement tailored to the needs of their household.

Additionally, PSEG Long Island wants to make customers aware of the financial assistance programs offered by New York State:

· The New York State Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program: Customers enrolled in PSEG Long Island’s Household Assistance Program will automatically receive a credit toward their arrears as of May 1, 2022, via this new, state-run program. Customers who meet the eligibility requirements and have not yet enrolled in the Household Assistance Program have until Dec. 31, 2022 to enroll in the Household Assistance Program to qualify for this bill credit.

· Customers who have received a payment on their PSEG Long Island account through the New York Stateadministered Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) also qualify for the New York State Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program. As ERAP payments continue to be received, the New York State Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program will remain open through Dec. 31, 2022.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can provide a heating fuel grant to eligible

homeowners and renters depending on income, household size and how they heat their home. A family of four may have a maximum gross monthly income of $5,485 and still qualify for benefits. This benefit is scheduled to open on Nov. 1. For more information, visit https://otda.ny.gov/ programs/heap/.

Emergency HEAP, a subset of the HEAP program, offers eligible customers a grant to help low- and middle-income New Yorkers avoid having their home heating disconnected or exhausting their heating fuel source. This emergency portion of HEAP is scheduled to open on Jan. 3, 2023. If customers are experiencing an emergency, they can apply for this benefit by reaching out to their local Department of Social Services location, which can be found here: https://otda.ny.gov/ programs/heap/contacts/

· For low-income households facing no-heat situations, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is also accepting applications for its heating equipment repair or replacement benefit. Eligible homeowners can now apply for up to $4,000 for repair or $8,000 for replacement of a furnace, boiler or other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the household’s primary heating source working. Additionally, eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment to allow for its safe and efficient operation. Customers can apply for this benefit by reaching out to their local Department of Social Services location, which can be found here: https:// otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/ contacts/

Customers who apply for and receive one of these state or federal benefits are automatically placed on PSEG Long Island’s Household Assistance rate and the residential energy affordability program providing energy efficiency measures and suggestions to help lower consumption.