July 30, 2025 Massapequa by Long Island Media Group

South Bay's Neighbor

MASSAPEQUA CHAMBER ENJOYS A GREAT NIGHT AT PARK AFTER DARK

The Chamber of Commerce of the Massapequa’s had a fantastic time participating in the Park After Dark event in the Village of Massapequa Park. Chamber members were proud to be part of this vibrant community gathering, meeting with residents and local businesses while hosting an informational table filled with giveaways and smiles.

“RARE”

GREAT FOR SMALLER GATHERINGS! Feeds 12 people and includes the following:

INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

• Pino’s Famous Cheese & Parsley Sausage Ring

• USDA Prime Marinated London Broil

• 12 USDA Prime Sirloin Sliders

• 12 USDA GRADE A Chicken Skewers

•

“WELL-DONE”

An impressive 6 protein package featuring filet mignon, shrimp kebabs & more!

INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

• Pino’s Famous Cheese & Parsley Sausage

• Pino’s Famous Slow Cooked Marinated Baby Back Ribs

• USDA Black Angus Filet Mignon Steaks

• Boar’s Head Hot Dogs, All Natural CHOICE OF:

USDA Prime Sirloin Burgers or USDA Grade A Chicken Burgers

USDA Prime Sirloin Steak Skewers or All Natural Jumbo Shrimp Kebabs

CHOOSE THREE SIDES:

FAMOUS HOMEMADE • Macaroni Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad PACKAGE

Steak Skewers

• Marinated Pino’s Famous Slow Cooked Marinated Baby Back Ribs

• Sugar Sweet Local Corn On The Cob

Popular Arts Camp Keeps Growing In Massapequa

It’s rarely business as usual for the Massapequa School District’s Summer Fine Arts camp. This year, the program added several new courses, saw increased participation and embraced more digital tools.

Jessica Wyman, coordinator of the fiveweek camp, said there were 576 registrants this year

along with 30 teachers, 39 student assistants and two college assistants. There were 60 one- and two-week course offerings in music, theater and visual arts. The program, which runs July 7-Aug. 8 at Massapequa High School, is held in partnership with Nassau BOCES.

Many of the traditional courses are back such as beginner and intermediate band and orchestra lessons, musical theater workshops, and art classes in drawing,

“It’s been fantastic,” Ms. Wyman said. “We have a lot of very talented students across the board and what’s cool is to watch their growth across only a few days.”

painting, sculpture and mixed media. A Young Artist Explorers camp returned for the second year, giving younger elementary students a chance to learn different techniques while emulating the work of noted artists like Keith Haring and Wassily Kandinsky.

In a new summer dance

camp, students learned various dance styles and techniques, and were introduced to multiple music genres. Music Theory for All was also added this year, in which students explored the structure and analysis of music creation, then made their own 16-measure solo pieces.

Rising seventh grader Niall MacLeod, who is a percussionist in the band, enrolled in Music Theory along with three other courses this summer – Introduction to Improvisation, Jazz Band and Rock Band.

“I was looking at all of

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Popular Arts Camp Keeps Growing In Massapequa

the camps and they were all really interesting, so I wanted to do as many as I could,” Niall said. “I really like doing anything with music and learning new things that make me a better musician.”

Ninth grader Loris Chen took the Ceramic Glazing Techniques class, during

which she made projects such as bowls, mugs, plates and vases.

“It was interesting and I’ve never done anything like this,” she said. “Seeing the results is always so cool.”

Paul Leone, the ceramics class teacher, said that students are able to complete very in-depth

projects in the course, which meets three hours a day for a week. After sculpting, their pieces are placed in a kiln overnight and ready for glazing the next day.

In addition to traditional art classes, there are several technology focused classes. In the new Canva Digital Art course,

Band with teacher Gary Loock gave students a chance to explore more complex music.

students designed board games and graphic novels from scratch. They learned how to overlap layers, add graphics and images and create their own characters. The Fashion Design course is now done entirely on iPads, which students designing clothing for models on ProCreate.

Ms. Wyman said that many of the ideas for new courses come from the district’s art and music teachers. She said they are encouraged to bring ideas for topics that aren’t typically covered during the school year.

Each music and theater camp ends with a performance for families, while every art class culminates with an exhibit.

Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District

“Most of our camps are because the people teaching them are passionate about that subject or medium,” she said.

Jazz

Students worked on glazing techniques in Paul Leone’s ceramics camp.

Step

DESIGN DESIGN STUDIO

JULY HAPPENINGS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30th

10:00AM-12:00PM

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

At Emma Clark Library 120 Main Street in Setauket. For families with children up to 5th grade. Free Event. Check out vehicles from different community organizations. In the case of inclement weather, please call Emma Clark Library ahead of time: 631.941.4080. Questions? Email kids@emmaclark.org

2:00PM

FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

At the Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park, Great River. Buddy Merriam will be performng. For more information visit Isliparts.org, or call 631-888-3525

5:30PM-7:30PM

TEENS DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

at the Babylon Public Library 24 S. Carll Ave.

Join us in the library for Dungeons & Dragons! Build a character, choose your weapons, and lay waste to nasty critters with a roll of the dice. New and experienced players welcome! Grades 6-12. Registration required. For more information, please call Erin White 631-669-1624

6:30PM-8:30PM

TAP ROOM GOES PURPLE TO END ALZHEIMER'S

The Alzheimer's Association Long Island Chapter is excited to partner with Tap Room for an awareness

HOLIDAYS

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

event. Tap Room, 206 Main Street in Farmingdale. Enjoy complimentary appetizers while you learn about: Free programs and services provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, the latest updates on Alzheimer’s research and treatments, ways you can get involved in any of our ﬁve Long Island Walks and volunteer Opportunities and valuable resources available. For more information, please call 646-793-4851

6:30PM-10:00PM 2025 WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUMMER SERIES

Eisenhower Park - Field 2, Parking Lot 2, in East Meadow. 7PM StartRain or Shine, 6:30PM Kids Fun Run Start. Long Island Road Running Club's ongoing commitment to quality racing, healthy choices and bringing friends & family together! For more information, please call 516-531-3323

6:30PM STRAWBERRY FIELDS

BEATLES TRIBUTE

The Kiwanis Club of Copiague is hosting a fundraiser on July 30th, a Night of Music, Food and Friends. Amity Harbor Civic, 100 Western Concourse, Amity Harbor. $30 pp, pizza, wings, snacks, beer, wine & soda. Bring a lawn chair. RSVP Gene Murray 917-498-1781, or Mike Greb 631-835-7087

NY Islanders ‘Learn To Play’ Hockey Clinic Coming Soon

Oyster Bay Town Councilman Andrew Monteleone announced recently that a special New York Islanders ‘Learn to Play’ Hockey Clinic is returning to the Town of Oyster for children ages 5 – 9 and includes 8 on-ice training sessions beginning on August 6th. Part of The Future Islanders Program, this ‘Learn to Play’ clinic introduces the game of hockey to young children and serves as a transition program for first-time players interested in house leagues.

THURSDAY, JULY 31st

10:00AM-8:00PM

OLD WESTBURY GARDENS

EXTENDED HOURS

Thursday, July 31, and Friday, August 1 They’re open late tonight —until 8pm! Come stroll the grounds, enjoy golden hour in the gardens, and soak in the beauty of a summer evening at Old Westbury Gardens. 71 Old Westbury Rd. in Old Westbury. For more information, visit info@ oldwestburygardens.org or call 516333-0048

11:00AM-1:00PM

FANTASTICAL SEA BEASTS & WHERE TO FIND THEM

The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St. in Cold Spring Harbor. No Registration Required Fire-breathing beasts! Galloping unicorns! Did you know that many mythic creatures featured in the Harry Potter world started their stories in the sea? For more information, please call 631-367-3418

6:00PM

THURSDAYS ON THE BAY

FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES 88 West Ave. in West Sayville. Thursdays on the Bay takes place at the Scenic Long Island Maritime Museum and is the perfect place to wind down. Bring a chair or a blanket and stay until sunset. 7/31 Tom Cilmi/ Country music. Free parking. For more information visit Isliparts.org, or call 631-888-3525

“We are pleased to partner with the New York Islanders to offer this exciting clinic for children looking to learn the fundamentals of hockey in a fun environment,” said Councilman Monteleone. “This Future Islanders program, taught by former players and coaching staff from the New York Islanders organization, includes hands-on training skills and all necessary equipment in the early stages of learning hockey.” Sessions of the ‘Learn to Play’ clinic will be offered on Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. or Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, located at 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage. The program will run from August 6th through September 25th. Registration is $295 per child and includes full hockey equipment to first time participants (jersey, stick, gloves, helmet, skates, shoulder pads, pants, shin guards, equipment bag.) There will also be special appearances by Isles alumni Arron Asham and Radek Martinek.

Registration is now open and space is limited. For more information, please visit www. newyorkislanders.com/ learntoplay or contact jocelyne.cummings@ newyorkislanders.com or call (516) 501-6764.

Safety Recalls

Millions of drivers across the country are putting themselves and their loved ones at risk by driving vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls.

A staggering 57.7 million vehicles in the U.S.— roughly 1 in 5—have outstanding safety recalls, according to data from CARFAX. (NAPSI)

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Savor A Summer Fruit Salad--Peachy Tomato Salad

Even as summer winds down, there tends to be plenty of time to reap the rewards of backyard gardens and warmweather entertaining. Refreshing salads are favored at such gatherings, and the interesting pairing of peaches and tomatoes makes the most of these fruits when they’re at their peak. Sweet and savory ﬂavors combine in this recipe for “Peachy Tomato Salad” courtesy of “The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook” (Rockridge University Press). This delicious side pairs best with grilled fare.

Serves 2

2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced into wedges

2 ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges

1⁄2 red onion, thinly sliced Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

Toss the peaches, tomatoes and red onion in a large bowl. Season to taste. Add the olive oil and lemon juice, and gently toss. Serve at room temperature.

Massapequa Chamber Enjoys A Great Night At Park After Dark

while hosting an informational table filled with giveaways and smiles.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Mayor Daniel Pearl and the Village Trustees for organizing such a well-attended and enjoyable evening. Events like this truly highlight

the spirit of Massapequa Park and the importance of supporting local initiatives and businesses.

We look forward to participating again and continuing to support the wonderful events that bring our community together!

Sal Polito - 1st Vice President, Scott Wiss, Fran Straw, Madeline Strasser, Robin Hepworth - President, Tina Schiafino - Deputy Mayor, Todd Svec - Village Trustee, and Michael Livingston

Massapequa Coast Teenage All-Star Teams Capture Championships

On June 26th, Massapequa Coast completed the Sweep of the Williamsport All-Star Teams Teenage Divisions for District 31. The 3 Championship Teams from Massapequa Coast now advance to the Long Island Finals for their 3 respective Divisions of play.

The Seniors Williamsport All-Star team Captured the District 31 Championship sweeping their cross town rivals Massapequa International Little League in 2 well played games in the Best of 3 game Championship Series. Team Manager Keith Raleigh and his Coach Frank DelMaestro led the 12 man squad of James Belford, Luca Ciccia, Antonio DelMaestro,

Hunter Kennedy, Robert Meilak, Michael O’Neil, Jack Potucek, James Pramataris, James Raleigh, Nicholas Saporita, Michael Vomero and Jake White. The District Champs now advance to the Long Island Finals..

Coast’s Juniors Williamsport team won the District Championship in a stunning 1-0 victory over

Did You Know?

Scholastic sports can teach student-athletes valuable lessons they take with them for a lifetime, all the while engaging them in the thrill of competition. High school student-athletes may aspire to continue their playing careers in college, but data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association indicates only a small fraction of young people will get that chance. The NCAA reports that roughly eight million students currently participate in high school sports in the United States, while less than half a million athletes compete at the collegiate level. Football is among the most popular sports at both the high school and college level. Though more than one million student-athletes compete in high school football, data from a recent NCAA Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates Report indicates that just a little more than 73,000 played college football during that school year.

Massapequa International. The Juniors All-Star team now advances to the Long Island Finals under Manager Mike Cracco and Assistant Coaches Kurt Amaya and Bryan Garcia..The 14 man roster is Kurt Amaya, Shane Boyle, Louis Cracco, Aidan Devine, Tommy Emrick, Emmett Fallon, Brian Fillinger, Gabriel Garcia,

Anthony Hosle, Justin Muscara, Mason Ricaurte, Jaxson Santiago, Robert Stork and Elijah Summers.. Massapequa Coast Intermediate Williamsport All-Star team defeated their cross town rivals in 2 very tough games 5-3 and 10-6 to capture the District 31 Championship. Team manager Craig Garland and his coaches Coaches Mike Scarry and Charlie Puricelli led the 12 man team comprised of Jacob Burgreen, Brian Diffendale, Matthew Franzese, Michael Johnson, Joseph LaBella, Ryan Love, Charles Puricelli, Keane Rimler, Michael Santopietro, Chase Santoro, Chase Vetro and Jackson Walsh.

The Massapequa School District announces the appointment of two administrators for the 2025-2026 school year.

Yvonne Knott is the district’s new assistant superintendent for human resources and general administration and Katherine Kirscher takes on the role of curriculum associate for world languages and ENL.

Ms. Knott enters her 16th year in the district and was previously the director of information management and data protection officer. She also served as executive assistant to the principal at Massapequa High School and Berner Middle School. Prior to Massapequa, she was an assistant principal of Kings Park High School and spent a decade as a general music teacher in Brentwood.

Massapequa Names Human Resources, World Language Leaders

New administrators in the Massapequa School District for the 2025-2026 school year include Yvonne Knott as assistant superintendent for human resources and general administration, left, and Katherine Kirschner as curriculum associate for world language and ENL. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

belief that people are at the heart of every successful school system.”

Ms. Kirschner comes to Massapequa from the Herricks School District where she was a Spanish teacher for nearly two decades. Over the last eight years, she was also a teacher in the Spanish Language Immersion program, a fully articulated, dual-language program in which students learned content in both English and Spanish. She helped write the program’s seventh, eighth and ninth grade curriculum.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from American University in Spanish studies and secondary education, a master’s

degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages from Queens college and administrative certification from SUNY Plattsburgh. In Massapequa, Ms. Kirschner looks forward to leading a department of committed and dedicated teachers, and experiencing the breadth of cultural events that support the district’s world language learners.

“I’m really enthusiastic and excited about coming to a district with a well-aligned and articulated world language curriculum, and creating global citizens of our students,” she said. “I’m honored and excited to be welcomed into the community.”

She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Kings College, a master’s degree in special education from Dowling College and her administrative certification from the College of New Rochelle.

very important role.

Ms. Knott expressed her gratitude to the Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. William Brennan for entrusting her with this

“I am honored to take on my new role as assistant superintendent for human resources,” Ms. Knott said. “My goals include strengthening recruitment and retention efforts, and fostering an inclusive and positive work environment that supports the success of all. Throughout my career, I have been driven by the