Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) recently selected and honored Dr. Peggy Margetson, DNP, WHNP-BC, an accomplished nurse practitioner and advocate for women’s health, as his 2025 Healthcare Hero.
Dr. Margetson, known to many as “Dr. Peggy,” is a dynamic leader and trailblazer dedicated to advancing equity, access, and compassionate care. A Board-Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, she has more than a decade of clinical expertise in preventive medicine, obstetrics, and gynecological care, with a focus on PCOS, menopause, and sexual health. She is the visionary Founder and CEO of Trust Women’s Healthcare, which operates locations in Deer Park and Brooklyn. Under her leadership, the practice delivers personalized, culturally responsive care to women at every stage of life, with the mission to ensure every woman feels seen, heard and empowered.
Dr. Margetson holds a doctorate, as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees, in nursing, serves on multiple healthcare boards and has collaborated with universities to develop Maternal Health Certificate programs to improve care for new mothers. A sought-after speaker, she shares her expertise at national conferences and public forums, and her work has been featured in ABC’s Here and Now, Forbes Health, Essence, The Baltimore Times, Rolling Out Magazine, Femi Magazine, We Talk Weekly and many other leading publications. She resides in Dix Hills.
“Dr. Peggy is a superb example of dedication, vision and compassion in healthcare,” said Legislator Donnelly. “Her commitment to making quality women’s health services accessible and her leadership in advancing maternal care are truly inspiring. On behalf of the 17th Legislative District and all of Suffolk County, I am proud to recognize her as my Healthcare Hero.”
To acknowledge and honor healthcare workers who inspire the entire community with their exceptional service and selfless contributions, the Suffolk County Legislature passed a resolution in 2021 designating June as “Healthcare Heroes Month.” Each Legislator selects one person as their Healthcare Hero, and their accomplishments are read into the record. This year’s honorees were recognized at the June 3 General Meeting.
Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly, pictured left, presents a proclamation to Dr. Peggy Margetson, DNP, WHNP-BC, as his Healthcare Hero for 2025 at a General Meeting of the Legislature.
OUTDOOR living living A rundown on decking materials
Decksare centerpieces of many backyard retreats, and these spaces can add value to properties. According to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, the average return on investment (ROI) of a deck is between 60 and 70 percent, and some homeowners may recoup as much as 80 percent of their investment in a new deck.
Certain factors can affect how much value a deck adds, including the material from which the deck was made. Homeowners have different options in regard to materials when they are considering building a new deck.
Pressure-treated wood
Wood has been a staple building material for as long as trees have been hewn for construction. Pressure-treated wood is a popular decking option. The wood is chemically treated and put into a pressure chamber to reinforce it and delay deterioration. Pressure-treated wood decks are popular because they are cost-effective to build. Many homeowners also find the natural wood aesthetic to their liking in a backyard environment. While pressure-treated wood decks are among the first considerations, homeowners should realize that they require regular upkeep, such as sanding,
staining and sealing to maintain appearance and durability. Although treated for longevity, pressuretreated wood decks are not indestructible and may crack and warp, with eventual replacement after 15 years, according to Timber Tech. Composite
Composite decking is made from a blend of wood fibers and plastic. Moisture Shield Composite Decking says the ratio of wood fibers to plastic
varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Since it often is made from recycled materials, composite decking is considered an eco-friendly choice. This decking material is designed to be lowmaintenance and durable. Composite decking lasts longer than natural wood and does not require sanding, staining and sealing to stay in top form. It also resists rot and insect damage. These benefits come with a higher cost than wood, and the material also can get hot underfoot if the deck is a darker color.
PVC
PVC decking is an alternative to other types of deck materials. It is made entirely from plastic, setting it apart from composite, which has natural wood fibers in it.
Similar to composite, PVC comes with a higher initial cost than wood decks. But that can pay for itself over time since PVC is durable and essentially maintenance-free. Decks & Docks says PVC is a good material to use in water-prone areas. Some are designed to be slip-resistant and can mimic the look of real wood.
Homeowners have many choices when choosing deck materials, making it possible to find an ideal option that aligns with their lifestyles and budgets.
Deer Park Lions Club Presents Scholarship Award
The Deer Park Lions Club hosted a dinner for high school senior Gabriella Hofacker. Gabriella is the 2025 recipient of the club’s scholarship, which is given every year. She was surrounded by her parents and several members of the Lions Club. The photo shows President Patrick Gillespie presenting her with a scholarship check. Also in the picture are Vice President Geno Bartolini, Secretary Bea Lewanduski, Treasurer Steve Andrich, Lion Gene Murray, and Lion Vincent Pascuale. Gabriella will be attending Iona University. The club congratulates her on this achievement.
OUTDOOR living
Variousthings come to mind when pondering outdoor entertaining. Outdoor living spaces run the gamut from expansive oases with a pool, hot tub and room to lounge to smaller areas with some seating that allows hosts and guests to enjoy some fresh air. One common theme in most outdoor living spaces, regardless of their size, is an area to cook, typically over an open flame.
Grilling is wildly popular. According to the grilling experts at Traeger, roughly 128 million households across the United States owned a grill in 2020. Grills are similarly popular in Canada, where a 2023 poll from Ipsos-Reid found that 78 percent of Canadians own a grill. Outdoor cooking is a staple of life in the U.S. and Canada, and this popular means to meal preparation can be made even more enjoyable with a few simple upgrades to an outdoor living space.
• Natural gas grill: Natural gas grills are designed to be connected with a home’s natural gas line. That can make it more convenient to grill, particularly for people who grill often and do not want to deal with charcoal and propane tanks that require routine trips to a grocery store or other retailer to resupply. With a natural gas grill, cooks can fire up the grill at any time just like they would when using a gas stove indoors.
• Refrigerator: Incorporating a refrigerator into an outdoor living space can make outdoor cooking more convenient. Depending on the size of the appliance, an outdoor refrigerator can store condiments and sauces, saving cooks the trouble of walking back and forth between indoor and outdoor living spaces to gather supplies for cooking. A slightly larger outdoor refrigerator also can be used to store the food that will be cooked on the grill, affording cooks more time to spend outdoors.
• Outdoor pantry: An outdoor living space that incorporates a pantry to store dishes and tools of the barbecuing trade, like spatulas and tongs, can make grill sessions easier for cooks. When planning a new outdoor living space, a pantry can be incorporated into the design. If augmenting an existing space, standalone pantries can provide similar functionality as built-in alternatives.
• Outdoor sink: All those utensils and cooking instruments will ultimately need to be washed. An outdoor sink ensures utensils and tools can be washed and dried outside, saving hosts the trouble of carrying items in at the end of the night only to return them to the outdoor pantry the following morning. An outdoor sink also makes it easier to rinse vegetables before cooking them over an open flame.
• Garden bar: Grilling can be a rewarding but lonely undertaking. Grills often are set away from outdoor dining tables so guests can comfortably converse and eat without being drowned out by the sizzle of the grill or overwhelmed by smoke that can come pouring out when opening the grill lid. A garden bar that’s adjacent to the grill can provide a gathering space for guests and ensure cooks aren’t spending the duration of a gettogether going it alone.
Outdoor cooking is wildly popular, and might prove even more so when incorporating various convenient features into an exterior living space.
OUTDOOR living
What are the three Bs of pool care?
Poolowners know that having a backyard swimming pool requires an investment of time and money, but the rewards can be well worth it. A summer spent floating or diving into crystal blue water is refreshing and energizing when temperatures climb.
Maintaining a clean pool environment may seem like it is relatively straightforward, but there is some effort and expense that comes with achieving sparkling water. Pool owners can familiarize themselves with the three Bs of pool maintenance (which actually can be considered six Bs, but more on that below).
Pool chemistry at its most simple
Pool water has to meet certain criteria to be safe for swimming. The water should feature the correct pH, which is a scale ranging from 0 to 14 that measures how acidic or basic a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower numbers are acidic and higher numbers are alkaline. The Better Health Channel and additional pool maintenance resources recommend maintaining pool water pH between 7.2 and 7.8. This slightly alkaline level ensures chlorine can effectively kill germs, and prevents irritation, cloudy water and scaling.
Next up is the sanitizer used to kill germs in the water and prevent algae and mildew growth. Chlorine and bromine are the most commonly used sanitizers. APEC Water says that chlorine should test at 1 to 3 parts per million (ppm) for pools and hot tubs to effectively disinfect pools. Higher levels may be needed to treat algae blooms.
Finally, pool owners should be concerned with total alkalinity. Total alkalinity is the water’s ability to buffer against pH fluctuations. Maintaining the right TA means you will not have to adjust pH too often. Products needed
Many chemical products sold at pool stores are designed to maintain the right water balance, and they are highly effective at doing so. However, cost-conscious pool owners may be surprised to find they can use some common household items to adjust their water chemistry. This is where the three Bs come into play.
· Bleach: Sodium hypochlorite, better known as chlorine bleach, is an effective sanitizer. Unlike some other chlorine sources, bleach doesn’t add anything else to the water that can affect the chemistry or conditions, like calcium or stabilizer. Household bleach comes in different strengths. For those using it in pools, select non-scented, non-splashless varieties.
· Baking soda: Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, and it can be used to adjust the water to achieve the correct total alkalinity. Trouble Free Pool advises a TA of around 80 ppm.
· Borax: Borax also is known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate or disodium tetraborate. It is commonly used as a laundry booster and cleaning agent, but is very effective at raising the pH of pool water to an acceptable level. It is the same chemical found in commercial “pH Up” products.
KERNAGHAN
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7:00AM-Community Ride registration
9:00AM-Opening Ceremony + Community Ride Begins COMMUNITY SOLDIER RIDE - BABYLON
The 18th annual event will be dedicated in memory and in honor of Chief John “Jack” Miller for his tireless contributions to the Babylon Soldier Ride for nearly two decades. In addition to Jack fundraising for the Wounded Warrior Project, he was a vital team member in Babylon. Join us for this unique 25-mile cycling event. Ride alongside the brave men and women who served our country in support of their journey to recovery. Show warriors they are never alone. Register at soldierrise.org/babylon. Start Location: Babylon Town Hall, 200 East Sunrise Hwy. Lindenhurst. For more information, please visit https://communityfundraising. woundedwarriorproject.org/ pages/1020?eventID=654
SATURDAY, JULY 19th
10:00AM-4:00PM ANTIQUE CAR SHOW
Wantagh Preservation Society's 4th Annual Antique Car Show.(Rain date Sunday July 20th) Wantagh Preservation Society Museum, 1700 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh. Cars from 1960's & older. Entrance fee $1. Refreshments for sale, 50/50 raffle, music! Go inside Wantagh's 1885 Train Station, Wantagh's 1907 Post office & get your free ticket to board the 1912 Jamaica Parlor car, (Parlor car open from 12 - 2pm). email-
HOLIDAYS
4th - INDEPENDENCE DAY
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 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
Wantaghmuseum@gmail.com (Matt)
6:30PM-10:30PM HAWAIIAN LUAU
Grab your grass skirt & Hawaiian shirt. Brumidi Lodge, Deer Park is hosting a HAWAIIAN LUAU. Hawaiian Style Buffet Dinner, Slushies & soda included, Tiki Bar, Brumidi’s Famous Hawaiian Entertainment DJ Gene & Joanne Spinning in the Music Hut. Raffles & Much More Summer Fun For tickets and more information, please call Anita 631-422-6914. Sons & Daughters of Italy in America 2075 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park.
SUNDAY, JULY 20th
11:00AM-4:00PM
SPIRIT OF SUMMER ART FESTIVAL
Spirit of Huntington Art Center, 2 Melville Rd. N. Huntington Station. A day of celebrating inclusion and diversity in the arts, hand-made goods, community, food trucks, raffles, games, music performances, fun crafts and activities for the whole family! Hosted by the Spirit of Huntington, a non-profit community art center that teaches creative expression classes to all ages and all abilities. Connected with over 500 participants and dozens of local organizations across Long Island. For more information, please call 631-470-9620
MONDAY, JULY 21st
9:00AM-12:00PM
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 36 E. John Street in
Lindenhurst. July 21st through July 25th. Bible lessons, Music, Games, Crafts, Snacks, and more! FREE!! Grades K-6th. Register at https:// saintjohnsvbs.myanswers.com
SATURDAY, JULY 26th
10:00AM-4:00PM
BLOOD DRIVE AT EAST GATE CHURCH
New York Blood Center Blood Drive at East Gate Church, 1150 Hicksville Road in North Massapequa, during the "Christmas in July" Family Fair. For more information, please call 516-731-3553
6:30PM
NIGHT AT THE RACES
Will be held at Wade-Burns VFW 7279, 560 N. Delaware Avenue, Lindenhurst, Doors open 6:30 p.m. Admission $1. For more information, please call 631-888-9854
SUNDAY, JULY 27th
11:00AM-12:30PM
CARING FOR WILDLIFE PROGRAM AND WALK
At Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown, they offer wildlife rehabilitation at their nature center and take care of injured, sick, and orphaned animals. In this presentation participants will meet some of the resident nonreleasable animals, find out their stories, and learn what you can do to help wildlife in our area. If you’re interested in becoming a rehabber this a good first step. For more information, please call 631-979-6344
OUTDOOR living living Must-have features when outfitting an outdoor living space
Outdoorliving spaces are wildly popular.
A 2024 poll of more than 1,000 homeowners conducted by Thumbtack found that 29 percent of respondents intended to spend as much as $5,000 improving their outdoor spaces in the coming months.
There’s much to gain from upgrading outdoor living spaces. In addition to the improved functionality and additional usage residents get to enjoy when upgrading these spaces, such projects can help to improve resale value. In fact, a 2021 survey of real estate agents conducted by HomeLight found that a new patio provided an average return on investment of 109 percent.
There’s much to gain in both the short- and longterm when upgrading an outdoor living space. The following are a handful of must-have features to make such spaces an even better addition to a home’s existing layout and landscape.
• Multi-functionality: The home renovation experts at This Old House note versatility in an outdoor living space can set a stage for relaxation, entertaining and family activities. Outdoor living spaces tend to be most useful when they’re multifunctional, providing a space where residents can relax on weekend mornings and evenings throughout the week while also offering the potential to entertain crowds during
backyard barbecue season. Homeowners can keep this in mind and prioritize multifunctionality when designing outdoor living spaces.
• Seamless connectivity with interior designs: Though outdoor living areas were long viewed as areas wholly separate from home interiors, that traditional outlook has changed in recent years. In a 2024 survey conducted by Fixr, 78 percent of industry experts noted a coherent indoor-outdoor design was the most popular outdoor living space trend that year. This design
choice suggests an outdoor living space is an extension of the home as opposed to a wholly separate area.
• Comfortable seating: The days of stackable plastic lawn chairs are largely a thing of the past. Modern outdoor living spaces offer comfortable, all-weather seating where residents and guests can gather to relax and engage in conversation. Accent tables to place drinks and other items is another nice touch that can add to the comfortfirst feel of an outdoor space. Modular furniture merits homeowners’ consideration, as such furnishings can be customized and rearranged for each gathering and might prove easier to store for homeowners who will be taking the seating in over the winter.
• Lighting: Of course, summer gatherings in outdoor living spaces have a tendency to continue past sundown. Proper lighting can ensure spaces are safely navigated when the sun goes down. Sufficient lighting also enhances the visual appeal of the space while facilitating conversation when natural light is no longer enough to illuminate a space.
There’s no shortage of ways to create an aweinspiring outdoor living space. Homeowners can start with some must-have features and then build on the spaces as they see fit.
Communication Boards Bring Inclusivity And Connection
A beautiful new chapter of communication and connection has been brought to the elementary playgrounds at Deer Park’s John F. Kennedy Intermediate School, John Quincy Adams Primary School and May Moore Primary School. Rocco’s Voice for Autism, which was founded in 2017 by Sonny Spagnuolo, partnered with the Deer Park Special Education Parent Faculty Club to provide and install inclusive play communication boards to help children with autism to communicate their needs and develop social skills.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this special
day for all of our elementary schools,”
Principal Tammy Alcalde said at May Moore’s joyful June 4 ribbon cutting ceremony. “A big thank you again to Rocco’s Voice and the SEPFC for making this a reality for our students.”
“We thank the SEPFC not only for their generous donation, but for their insight, initiative and unwavering dedication to our students,” Associate Principal Kimberly Essig said. “Their recognition of the need for communication boards on our elementary playgrounds was the spark that helped bring this vision to life. Their advocacy ensures that every child
has a voice and we are so grateful for their partnership. This is more than a donation, it’s a celebration of what is possible when we come together for the benefit of every child.”
“We are super excited about this new addition to our playground,” JQA Principal Christopher Molinelli said. “The communication board will serve as an invaluable tool for many of our students.”
JFK introduced the communication boards to students across all grades on June 11 with a brief and engaging modeling session during recess, led by the school’s speech pathologists.
“The board is a really good idea, because if someone is hurt or having a bad day, they can let someone know,” JFK third grader Kristian Quintero said.
“Our students were enthusiastic and eager to explore how the board can enhance communication and inclusivity in their interactions,” JFK Associate Principal Jenny Dixon said. “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to bringing this initiative to life. We look forward to seeing the lasting positive impact it will have on our playground community, fostering meaningful connections and shared understanding among all students.”
May Moore Primary School held a ribbon-cutting
Alzheimer’s Foundation
Of
America
Invites Long Islanders To The Grand Opening Of The New Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will hold a grand opening ceremony for its new Long Island-based AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center (149 Schleigel Boulevard, Amityville, NY 11701), on Thursday, July 24 at 11 am. Residents are invited to attend the ceremonial ribbon cutting and take tours of the center, which provides daily programming for Long Island families affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias, free memory screenings for Long Islanders, and more. RSVP by contacting the center at 631-223-4000.
“Whether it’s free community programs, free memory screenings, and more, the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center is a new, valuable community-
based resource for Long Islanders,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President and CEO. “We invite Long Islanders to help us cut the ribbon on July 24 and see what the new center has to offer.”
Centrally located in Amityville, the 11,500 square foot, state-ofthe-art AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center — the first of its kind on Long Island — is accessible to the nearly 3 million residents of Suffolk and Nassau Counties. The center offers free daily programming to Long Island families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. Community programs include music; creative arts; movement and motion; and brain games. The center also offers free, confidential memory screenings to
Long Islanders of all ages, with no minimum age or insurance prerequisites.
Additional information
about upcoming programs is available at afalongisland.org.
Residents interested
in attending the July 24 ribbon cutting can RSVP by contacting the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz
Education
Robert Frost Celebrates Eighth Graders Moving Up To High School
Deer Park’s Robert Frost Middle School held its moving-up ceremony on June 24, honoring the school’s eighth graders who had achieved graduation and were ready to make the jump to high school this fall. After National Junior Honor Society
President Avery Freda led the Pledge of Allegiance, Student Council President Emily Hofacker addressed and congratulated her classmates to the cheers of proud families gathered in the gymnasium bleachers. Student awards and graduation certificates
were handed out by Principal Dr. Eliana Levey, Associate Principal James Henry and Associate Principal Kevin Quirk before Levey presented the audience with the future Deer Park High School Class of 2029.
Deer Park’s Robert Frost Middle School held its moving-up ceremony on June 24, honoring the school’s eighth graders who had achieved graduation. Photos courtesy of Deer Park School District
Deer Park Seniors Take Trip Down Memory Lane At Primary Schools
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New York Blood Center Issues Urgent Call For Donors As Blood Supply Drops 20% Ahead Of Trauma Season
New York Blood Center (NYBC) has issued an urgent call for blood donations, especially from those with types O+ and O- blood. The current supply of Oblood, the universal blood type used in emergencies, has dropped to a critically low two-day level, and overall collections are nearly 20% below hospital demand. NYBC expects to collect only about 6,500 donations this week, falling approximately 1,600
donations short of what is needed to maintain a safe and stable blood supply in New York.
Spring travel, school breaks, and packed calendars have kept regular donors away—leaving donation levels dangerously low at a time when they should be ramping up. Each year, more than 56,000 traumas are reported in New York State, most occurring between May and September when accidents,
car crashes, and violent injuries rise dramatically. Blood transfusions are often needed to treat traumas, and a spike in traumatic accidents can cause a strain on the blood supply.
Type O+ is the most common blood type, representing nearly 40% of the U.S. population. Type O- is the universal blood type and is commonly used in emergency settings. A shortage of both types,
both locally and nationally, poses serious concerns for our healthcare system, and the need for donors is critical.
“Spring can be an exciting season with warmer weather on the way and fun holiday celebrations, but it’s also a critical time of year for the blood supply,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center.
“As we start to build our inventory ahead of the
trauma-heavy summer season, the need is more urgent than ever. We’re calling on our community, especially type O donors, to roll up their sleeves and make a donation today. Your blood donation could be the lifeline that ensures our hospitals are ready to face any emergency that comes their way.”
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800.688.0900.
To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-9332566 or visit nybc.org. Can’t donate blood? You can still make a lifesaving impact by supporting NYBC’s mission through financial contributions or volunteering your time.
