EAGLE SCOUT TRIPLETS
JULY HAPPENINGS
THURSDAY, JULY 10th
6:15PM-8:00PM EVENING GARDEN VOLUNTEER GROUP
Biweekly Thursday evening garden meet-up. Bring your garden gloves, snacks, and whatever else to our evening garden meetup. Recommended for adults and families with children 12y and up. No cost Meet at the gazabo in the volunteer garden. Bring water or a reusable cup/bottle. Sweetbriar Nature Center - ECSS, 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown. For more information, please call 631-979-6344
SATURDAY, JULY 12th & SUNDAY, JULY 13th
10:00AM-6:00PM LONG BEACH ARTS AND CRAFTS BOARDWALK FESTIVAL
The City of Long Beach Department of Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce that the 2025 Arts and Crafts Boardwalk Festival has returned. Vendor applications are available. All artisans are encouraged to apply! For more information, please call 516-705-7414
THROUGH JULY 13th
5-11PM WEEKDAYS AND NOON-11 PM SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS & JULY 4th
EMPIRE STATE FAIR
This family-fun annual event features a variety of live entertainment, four nights of spectacular Fireworks by Grucci, exciting rides and games for the whole family, and plenty of delicious fair food. For more information, please call 866-666-3247
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
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). emailWantaghmuseum@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
Parents who want to encourage their children to volunteer may find their efforts at doing so are more convincing if they volunteer themselves. A study published in the Journal of Adolescence examined the effects that parents who volunteer and talk about volunteering have on children. Researchers found that the children of volunteers were 27 percent more likely to volunteer than children whose parents did not volunteer. In addition, adolescents were 47 percent more likely to volunteer when their parents volunteered and talked about volunteering with their children.
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
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 631888-9854
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 non-releasable 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
RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Grilled Striper With Cactus And Black Beans
It’s
grilling season, and people are on the lookout for delicious recipes they can easily cook outdoors. Many fall back on tried-and-true favorites because they may be apprehensive about grilling with new ingredients. But grilling is more than just burgers and steaks. In fact, seafood is a great option for the grill, and it cooks up in a snap.The following recipe for “Grilled Striper with Cactus and Black Beans” from “Jon Bonnell’s Texas Favorites” (Gibbs Smith) is a great seafood dish to grill up this summer.
Serves 4
4 fillets wild striped bass, approximately 8 ounces each
1 teaspoon southwestern blend rub
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 cactus paddles (called nopales in Mexican markets)
3 cups Bacon-Laced Black Beans (see below)
1 lemon
DIRECTIONS:
Clean the fish well, removing any bones and scales, and pat dry. Dust each fillet with the rub, then brush each with canola oil just before grilling. Grill over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the fish is cooked through. The time may vary, depending on your grill. Clean the cactus paddles well with a sharp knife, removing any small needles. Grill the cactus over high heat, just tossing it right onto the grill bars — no oil, no seasonings. Once the cactus begins to bubble slightly, turn over and season with a sprinkle of the rub. As soon as both sides are lightly charred and the cactus is bubbling inside, it’s ready to serve. Pull the cactus from the grill and cut into strips. Line a platter with a layer of the cactus and top with the black beans; then lay the
grilled striper on top. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon and serve.
BACON-LACED BLACK BEANS
Serves 8 to 10
1 pound black turtle beans, rinsed under cold water
1 large yellow onion, diced and divided
4 strips bacon, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
DIRECTIONS:
Place the beans and half of the chopped onion in a saucepot with just enough cold water to cover. Soak in the fridge overnight, then simmer for approximately 1 hour (do not drain), just until the beans become soft. Strain the liquid into a separate bowl and keep it for later. In a separate pot, render the bacon, then add the remaining onion and the garlic. Sauté until the onion has softened; then pour the beans and 1 cup of their cooking liquid into the pot. Puree the mix with a stick blender until smooth.
Eagle Scout Triplets
We are incredibly proud of triplets Helaina, Henri, and Henniyah Rivers, the first set of triplets in New York to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout!
Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez, Councilman DuWayne Gregory, Suffolk County Legislator Jason
A. Richberg and Suffolk County Legislator Steve Flotteron - 11th LD recently attended the siblings’ Eagle Scout Court of Honor in West Babylon.
For their projects, Helaina replaced the old flagpole at Brightwaters Village Justice Court,
Henri installed permanent benches for the community to enjoy, and Henniyah designed paving stones and added planter boxes to beautify the court grounds.
These siblings embody service, leadership, and community pride. Let’s show them all our support!
Triplets Helaina, Henri, and Henniyah Rivers, are the first set of triplets in New York to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout! These siblings embody service, leadership, and community pride. Let’s show them all our support!
EXOTIC WAREHOUSE
The Original Salpino of Wantagh, N. Babylon & Dix Hills
By JoAnn Cilla
Thank You Is Still Good Business
Lately, it’s easy to get caught up in how fast business is changing, especially with all the buzz around AI and automation. As I watch these tools transform how we work, market, and connect, I realize that the more we rely on them, the more important it is to remember the things that make us human.
One of those things is the simple act of saying thank you.
A sincere thank you can acknowledge a purchase or referral—but it also affirms relationships. A proper thank you says, “I see you. I appreciate you. You matter.” That’s not something AI can replicate—not really. In
today’s digital world, where everyone spends hours each day on their smartphones, human connection is a true differentiator. It’s what helps a local business stand out in a sea of algorithms and automated chat bots.
This summer, local business owners have a
perfect opportunity to deepen relationships with the customers who support them all year long. Here are five meaningful and creative ways to show your appreciation:
1. Host a Customer Appreciation Event – Turn your store or office into a mini summer party. Customers can stop by for food, raffles, and music.
2. Offer Personal Touches
– Slip a handwritten note or surprise freebie into a customer’s bag. A thoughtful gesture can be more memorable than a discount.
3. Give Back in Their Honor
– Make a small donation to a local nonprofit and let customers know it’s thanks to their continued support. Gratitude backed by action
speaks volumes.
4. Create Exclusive Summer Experiences – Invite top clients to a special evening with early access to new items, refreshments, or mini workshops. Make Wthem feel like insiders.
5. Spotlight Loyal Customers – Use social media to celebrate your regulars. A quick photo and a kind word can go a long way in reinforcing relationships. As AI continues to evolve, let’s remember that relationships are the one thing no machine can replicate. Saying thank you is still smart business—and it’s the kind of human connection that keeps communities like ours strong. I look forward to seeing you around town.
Did You Know?
Parents who want to encourage their children to volunteer may find their efforts at doing so are more convincing if they volunteer themselves. A study published in the Journal of Adolescence examined the effects that parents who volunteer and talk about volunteering have on children. Researchers found that the children of volunteers were 27 percent more likely to volunteer than children whose parents did not volunteer. In addition, adolescents were 47 percent more likely to volunteer when their parents volunteered and talked about volunteering with their children.
JOANN CILLA
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West Babylon Public Library
211 Route 109 West Babylon (631) 669-5445
www.wbpl.us Nancy Evans, Director
MEDICAID ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE
Wednesday, July 9
10 am-1:30 pm
Sign up is first-come, firstserved and free of charge. For more information, call the Nassau Suffolk Hospital
Council at 631-435-3000.
LEARN HOW: CANVA POSTER PRINTING
July 9, 6:30-8 pm
Learn how to set-up your own FREE Canva account, which will allow you to create different custom print materials. This class will cover setting up and using Canva then creating a poster to be printed after class to take home. Posters can be made for marketing
purposes, communions, weddings, showers, graduations, photo collages, and more!
DECORATIVE GARDEN
GLOBE DROP IN
Fridays: July 11-25
Drop by the library anytime and check out our garden craft station.
ZUMBA
Fridays: July 11-25, 10:15-11:15 am
Non-refundable fee for the 3-week July session: $6.
PAINT NIGHT: FIREWORK
Monday, July 14, 6:45-8:30 pm
Non-refundable/transferable materials fee: $5.
AGING IN PLACE AT HOME
Tuesday, July 15, 4-5 pm
Now more than ever, older adults are looking to age
at home successfully with proper care in a thriving and familiar environment. Join us as we discuss the importance of basic estate planning documents, the application process for Medicaid, and the latest updates to home care Medicaid in New York.
RED, WHITE, AND BLUE ‘QUE
Thursday, July 17, 6:30-8:30 pm
Join Pit Master Brian for a patriotic menu that includes foods that are (usually) cooked on the smoker and culminates with a “Red, White, and Blueberry” trifle.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY MEETING
Saturday, July 19, 11 am12 pm
$925,000
Just Listed
Babylon
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwords. See this puzzle and its answers at longislandmediagroup.com/wordsearch
JUST LISTED
56 Yacht Club Road, Babylon
OPEN HOUSE
$925,000 | Beds: 5 | Baths: 2 | MLS: #865300
56 Yacht Club Road, Babylon
7/12/25 12pm-2pm
Welcome to this exceptional home in Babylon Village, offering the unique and versatile layout of a mother-daughter set-up with two independent living quarters. This charming property boasts a primary suite on the first floor, featuring 3 bedrooms, a formal dining room, a cozy living room with a fireplace and a kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances, granite counter tops and tile floors, with washer, dryer area. The upstairs unit has a private entrance and large kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances, Granite Tops and separate W/D area with a large L/R, D/R, 2 large bedrooms and a bath. Discover the perfect blend of functionality and style in this attractive motherdaughter home in the heart of Babylon Village.
$925,000 | Beds: 5 | Baths: 2 | MLS: #865300
Welcome to this exceptional home in Babylon Village, o ering the unique and versatile layout of a mother-daughter set-up with two independent living quarters. is charming property boasts a primary suite on the rst oor, featuring 3 bedrooms, a formal dining room, a cozy living room with a replace and a kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances, granite counter tops and tile oors, with washer, dryer area. e upstairs unit has a private entrance and large kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances, Granite Tops and separate W/D area with a large L/R, D/R, 2 large bedrooms and a bath. Discover the perfect blend of functionality and style in this attractive mother -daughter home in the heart of Babylon Village.
