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It's June and summer will be here before we know it! We've gathered local getaway suggestions, a list of upcoming events you won't want to miss and much more. We hope you find time to flip through these pages and enjoy our June Issue. Plus, don't miss our current contest, where you can win passes to Six Flags®! Looking to advertise? This magazine is published monthly in print and online. Contact us for more information today.
UPCOMING EVENTS this June & beyond
National BBQ Festival at Eisenhower Park
1899 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow
June 13, 14 & 15 • Times vary per day
Enjoy mouthwatering eats, live entertainment and family-friendly fun at this one-of-a-kind event. Featuring top pitmasters from across the nation, serving up award-winning barbecue alongside craft brews, this is not something to miss!
Father’s Day Festival at Harbes
Family Farm & Vineyard
175 Sound Avenue, Mattituck
June 14 & 15 • 10 am - 6 pm
Take dad out east for a memorable Father’s Day celebration. Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard in Mattituck is hosting this annual festival, featuring a musical hayride tour of their 100acre farm, pig races, sports games, live music and so much more.
2025 Antiques, Vintage & Collectibles Show
677 West Montauk Hwy., Bay Shore
June 15 • 10 am - 4 pm
Visit Sagtikos Manor for this special event, featuring over 30 vendors and browse tools, jewelry, garden pieces, memorabilia, glassware and more.
Empire State Fair at Nassau Coliseum
1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale
June 27 - July 13 • Times vary per day
Bring the whole family to one of Long Island’s biggest fairs! Taking place over several days and offering action-packed fun for all, this fair features more than 100 rides and attractions, food, free shows and more.
Fireworks Spectacular at Jones Beach
1 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh
Juy 4 • 9:30 pm
Head to Jones Beach State Park for a fireworks extravaganza! This year, WALK 97.5 FM and KJOY98.3 FM will simulcast music during the fireworks presentation. Patriotism will be on display as the national holiday is celebrated.
Long Island Nostalgia Fest
94 Union Street, Mineola
July 11 & 12 • 2 pm - 9 pm
Wish it was the 90s again? You’ll love this event! A skateboard competition, 90s jams, nostalgia bars and retro shops are just some of what will be featured at this unique festival.
Simple Tips For Flavorful Grilling
Grillingis sometimes described as an art form. Many skilled grillmasters are a testament to that assertion, and it’s apparent to anyone who enjoys grilled foods that some who man the grill have a knack for producing flavorful dishes. Though grilling requires a little trial and error on the path to becoming a go-to grillmaster, there are some simple strategies anyone can employ to produce more flavorful finished products.
• Dry rub foods before putting them on the grill. Grilling enthusiasts may debate if a dry rub or a marinade is best for grilled foods, and that back-and-forth may never produce a definitive answer. The choice of dry rub or marinade is ultimately up to the cook, but a dry rub can be more convenient
because it can be applied shortly before foods are placed on the grill without sacrificing flavor. Many recipes call for foods to marinate for several hours or even overnight. Both dry rubs and marinades can improve the flavor profile, but the former can do so without too much planning ahead of time. Dry rubs also tend to be made with ingredients such as salt, pepper and brown sugar that many people already have at home, adding to the convenience of this approach that can enhance flavor without too much effort.
• Oil the grates before cooking. Similar to utilizing a dry rub when cooking, oiling the grill grates can add flavor and make grilling more convenient.
a grill grate. The oil applied to the grate can add some additional flavor, and also create a nonstick surface that ensures food is not torn apart while it cooks over an open flame.
• Bring meat to room temperature. One of the keys to successful grilling is to ensure foods cook evenly. Prior to grilling meat, take the meat out of the refrigerator roughly 20 to 30 minutes before you intend to put it over a flame. This allows the meat to reach room temperature, which in turn increases the likelihood it will cook evenly.
• Cook with wood.
Various online grilling experts and forums advise using a silicone brush to apply an oil with a high smoke point (the smoke point is the temperature at which the oil will begin to smoke). The online grilling resource 4thegrill.com notes that corn (smoke point 450 F) and peanut oil (440 F) are better than extra virgin olive oil (410 F) when oiling
The culinary experts at Williams-Sonoma note that wood can be used to add flavor to grilled foods. Williams-Sonoma recommends soaking wood chips, herbs, or grapevine cuttings for 30 minutes and then draining before using with a charcoal grill. Avoid soaking wood or aromatics when grilling on a gas grill, as doing so can make it difficult to ignite the grill.
Grilling is a skill that anyone can develop over time. But even novices can employ a few strategies to increase the flavor profile of their next meal cooked over an open flame.
Celebrate Father’s Day In Unique Ways
Father’s Day is a celebration of dads near and far. Falling on the third Sunday of June each year, Father’s Day presents an opportunity for families to come together and put the spotlight on fathers who work tirelessly for their children and provide them with love and support. Father’s Day also is a chance to honor the men who serve as father figures or play special roles in people’s lives. It’s easy for families to fall into a routine when it comes to celebrating Father’s Day. Certainly dinner and gift-giving is traditional, but there are additional ways to provide Dad with the day he deserves. Explore these creative options.
Set up a scavenger hunt Drag out the suspense of Dad getting his Father’s Day gift by hiding it and requiring him to go through a series of clues to find it. When writing up the clue cards, spouses and children can reference particularly happy moments or things around the house that are representative of Dad’s love. For example, a clue may read, “Here’s where we like to snuggle together to watch our favorite show.”
Take it outdoors
June weather tends to be pleasant, and that means Father’s Day celebrations can be held outside. Everyone can select a spot that Dad loves to visit, whether it’s a hiking trail or a local park, and then plan activities around the chosen location.
Go on an adventure
Father’s Day can be spent engaging in something the family has never tried before that may be exciting for Dad. Maybe he’s always wanted to
go off-roading on quads or try his skills at hatchet-throwing?
The family can get together and choose an activity Dad will find engaging and that everyone can enjoy.
Make it a beach day
Dad might just want a break from the hectic pace of life on Father’s Day. This is the perfect opportunity to head oceanside. For those who don’t live by the coast, a river or lakefront spot can be an ideal alternative. Frequently
these are touristy areas, so it could be relatively easy to find an eatery where everyone can make a reservation for lunch or dinner after enjoying a relaxing day with waves lapping the shore.
Father’s Day Around The World
Manycountries around the world celebrate Father’s Day, but not all of them do so in June. The most common date for Father’s Day celebrations is the third Sunday of June, when the U.S. and Canada celebrate the holiday. In 2025, that day will be June 15th. Many European countries with sizable Catholic populations, such as Spain, Italy and Portugal, celebrate Father’s Day on March 19th, which is known as St. Joseph’s Day on the Catholic liturgical calendar. St. Joseph was the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ, so he is widely recognized as the patron saint of fathers. In Scandinavian countries, Father’s Day is the second Sunday in November, which many believe to be an attempt to boost the economy during a month when retail businesses are not particularly busy. In Germany, Father’s Day is tied to Ascension Day, which comes on the fortieth day of Easter. Australia and New Zealand celebrate dads on the first Sunday of September, while Brazil celebrates Father’s Day on the second Sunday of August. No matter when Father’s Day falls, the holiday marks a great time to show dads just how special and loved they are.
Math Olympiad Competition And Celebration
Patchogue-Medford School
District recently hosted the inaugural PatchogueMedford Middle School
Math Olympiad Competition and Celebration. Over eighty sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students from
Did You Know?
TheAmerican Academy of Dermatology recommends that parents avoid exposing babies younger than six months to the sun's rays. Infants should be kept in the shade as much as possible and dressed in lightweight and long sleeves, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. The AAD also notes, sunscreen use should be avoided in babies younger than six months. Children six months and older can use a broadspectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. These sunscreens should be applied to all areas that are not covered by clothing, and reapplied approximately every two hours (or as often as the product label indicates).
the District’s three middle schools—Oregon Middle School, Saxton Middle School, and South Ocean Middle School—participated in the final math olympiad competition of the season at Saxton Middle School.
“This was an amazing event that showcased our scholars’ mathematical prowess and encouraged District unity,” said Patchogue-Medford School District Superintendent Dr. Donna Jones. “After the remarkable success of the inaugural gathering, the District looks forward to hosting this event each year.”
Students worked diligently on each math problem, utilizing the knowledge and skills they developed in their courses. A celebratory pizza party followed the competition,
honoring the students’ dedication, hard work, and mathematical skills.
“Much gratitude is owed to the math olympiad team advisors, who have done an outstanding job guiding our teams this season: Laura Dilandro, Jessica Guerra, Eleni Mattheos, Alanna McClancy, Adam Warshaw, and Lauren Wolf,” said Lou Stellato, Director of Secondary STEM, Math, and Science. “Director of Elementary STEM Dr. Tania Dalley and I would also like to thank Tom Anello, Jessica Purcher, Tom Whaley, and Catherine Fabian for their help organizing this event, and Saxton Middle School Principal Dr. JoAnn Luisa and Assistant Principal Dr. Christopher Kelly for hosting the competition at Saxton.”
Take Your Fourth Of July Burgers Up A Notch
Fourth of July celebrations often take place in the backyard by the grill, and this year marks a perfect opportunity to expand your culinary repertoire. This recipe for “Best Burger With Blue Cheese Butter” courtesy of Eric Treuille and Birgit Erath’s “Grilling” (DK Publishing) offers a new take on a backyard barbecue staple
Best Burger With Blue Cheese Butter
Serves 4
1 pound ground chuck steak
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 1⁄2-inch slices blue cheese butter
4 sesame hamburger buns, halved
Directions:
Combine ground steak with salt and pepper. Divide into 4 equal-sized pieces and gently shape into 4 burgers about 1-inch-thick. Grill burgers and warm buns according to instructions below. Top burgers with butter and serve hot in sesame buns.
Outdoor cooking:
Grill over hot coals for 3 minutes per side for rare, 4 minutes per side for medium rare, or 5 minutes per side for well done. Place buns cut side down on grill until warm and lightly golden, 1 minute.
Indoor cooking:
Preheat a ridged cast-iron grill pan over high heat. Cook for 3 minutes per side for rare, 4 minutes per side for medium rare, or 5 minutes per side for well done. Place buns cut side down on grill pan until warm lightly golden, 1 minute.
Blue-Cheese Butter
Makes 15 servings
16 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces (1 cup crumbled) blue cheese
2 teaspoons black pepper
Directions:
Place ingredients in a food processor or blender; pulse until well blended. Wrap in foil. Place in the freezer until hard, about 45 minutes. To serve, roll back foil and cut into 1⁄2inch slices. When slicing from frozen, warm the knife under hot water first. After slicing, always tightly rewrap the unused flavored butter roll in the foil before returning to refrigerator or freezer.
Best Burger Variations
• Herbed Burger: Add 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 crushed garlic clove and 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion to the ground steak.
• Spicy Burger: Add 1⁄2 teaspoon tabasco, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard to the ground steak.
Think ahead:
Shape burgers up to 1 day in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Cooks’ Note: Overhandling the meat when shaping will result in a tough, dry burger. To guarantee a juicy burger, handle the meat as little as possible.
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ROSE HILL VINEYARDS & INN
Spend the night at this memorable bed and breakfast, located on 22 acres. Their beatifully restored, historic farmhouse features 4 guest bedrooms and there are over 40 vineyards within
Photo courtesy of Discover Long Island
Photo courtesy of Discover Long Island
Photo courtesy of Discover Long Island
Noteworthy July Fourth Celebrations Across The United States
JulyFourth is a day of celebration across the United States. The Fourth of July commemorates American independence and millions of people throughout the country celebrate the
day with family and friends. Communities host their own celebrations on July Fourth. Some celebrations are relatively simple, while others are must-see events for any patriot. The following are
some of the more noteworthy Fourth of July celebrations that will entertain millions in person or on television this year.
• Washington, D.C.: It should come as no surprise that the capital of the United States hosts an especially aweinspiring Fourth of July celebration. In addition to a concert featuring well-known musical acts on the National Mall, the festivities in the nation’s capital are marked by a fireworks extravaganza that will impress anyone seeking a unique way to celebrate the holiday.
• Boston: Estimates suggest roughly half a million individuals take in the Fourth of July festivities in Boston. A hotbed of patriotism during the American Revolutionary War, Boston embraces that spirit each July with a celebration on the city’s Charles River. The Boston celebration spans two days and includes a popular performance by the Boston Pops.
• Philadelphia: Another city with deep ties to the American Revolutionary War, Philadelphia celebrates the nation’s independence against the backdrop of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is one of the city’s more notable and recognizable buildings. Individuals along both sides of the Delaware River can view the impressive fireworks display.
• San Diego: Notable celebrations of American independence are not exclusive to the eastern portion of the country. The
Big Bay Boom fireworks over San Diego Bay can inspire any patriot, while across the bay on the island of Coronado celebrants can enjoy a parade and familyfriendly concert before settling in for a fireworks show in the evening.
• New York, NY: Perhaps no Fourth of July fireworks celebration is as well-known as the one hosted by the Big Apple. Typically taking place on the East River, the New York City fireworks display can be viewed from various points throughout the city. Individuals looking for a unique way to take in the show can book a spot on a boat sailing in New York harbor.
There’s no shortage of Fourth of July celebrations. In addition to these noteworthy spots to celebrate American independence, the cities of Portland, Ore.; Chicago; San Antonio, Tex.; and Atlantic City, N.J. host their own unique celebrations.
Outdoor Activities
Ideal For Summertime
GeorgeGershwin’s song “Summertime,” from “Porgy and Bess,” offers: Summertime and the livin’ is easy Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high Summer can be a magical season full of fresh air, warm days and nights, blooming flowers, and plenty of opportunities to spend time in the great outdoors. There are so many ways to fill summer days, and people are urged to maximize time spent outdoors during this time of year. Since the sun’s rays can be particularly harmful between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., protective
enjoy. Try flat paths for beginners, and then build up the length and intensity of rides as experience is gained.
• Day at the beach: Some attest there is no more perfect place than the beach on a summer day. The waves lapping the sand, the birds calling in the air, and the sounds of children’s laughter and sunbathers’ chatter all combine to create a relaxing seaside symphony. According to WebMD, the negative ions given off by the ocean can improve mood and add to the calming effect the beach provides.
• Backyard obstacle course: Construct an obstacle course in the backyard that everyone can try. It can include having to jump through tires; climb a jungle gym; run through a sprinkler; and crawl under a low-hung clothesline. Family members can compete to see who can finish the course in the least amount of time.
• Walk a boardwalk: Those lucky to live near a coast can spend an afternoon or evening strolling the boardwalk, enjoying the various fare and fun activities offered. Many boardwalks have games of chance and small rides for kids. Adults may enjoy the restaurants, bars and shops. Of course, no trip to a boardwalk is complete without coming home with some saltwater taffy.
• Hike: In a survey of Americans 18 and older conducted by the National Recreation and Park Association, nearly 50 percent said going for a walk or hike was their favorite outdoor summer activity. Hiking requires very little to get started and can produce numerous opportunities to witness nature and get some exercise.
There’s no limit to the ways people can enjoy the great outdoors when the weather warms up.
clothing and sunscreen is recommended during this time; otherwise, people can engage in outdoor activities during times when the sun is less potent.
Those seeking some summertime recreation inspiration can consider these activities.
• Family bike ride: Explore trails or bike paths in the area in advance, and then prepare bikes for an excursion. Bicycle riding is a great cardiovascular activity that people of all ages and fitness levels can
