November 9, 2022 Massapequa Park

Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca announced that residents who wish to deter any potential doorto-door solicitors and peddlers can obtain a free, waterproof, vinyl ‘No Soliciting’ sticker through the Town Clerk’s Office.

Town Clerk LaMarca stated, “Now more

than ever, our Town residents wish to remain unbothered at home by the potential nuisance of door-to-door peddlers. My office offers free ‘No Soliciting’ stickers to homeowners as a way to set clear boundaries with anyone approaching your home looking to do unwanted business. Contact us today for a

free sticker.”

Town Clerk LaMarca further cautioned residents to remember a few simple guidelines to help avoid any potential pitfalls of being taken in by a fast-talking peddler or solicitor. Residents are advised to check for a current Town-issued photo identification badge prior to doing any

business with a door-todoor peddler. Photo ID issued by the Town Clerk’s Office is a good form of protection because it is issued only after an indepth background check of the individual has been made and full disclosure of the nature of their business is provided.

While nonprofit organizations are not

required by law to have permits, Town Clerk LaMarca has urged these organizations to inform his office about when and where their members will be soliciting, with the information then forwarded to the local police precinct, along with the solicitor’s names. This provides residents with another

way of checking any official status a solicitor may have.

To obtain a free, waterproof, vinyl ‘No Soliciting’ sticker, please call (516) 6246333, and visit the www. oysterbaytown.com for further information on services offered by the Oyster Bay Town Clerk.

It started with a parade, it ended with a football game, and throughout it all there was lots of spirit. Massapequa High School’s homecoming celebration on Oct. 8 was lively as students, staff and community members came

’Pequa Pride Is Strong On Homecoming Day

together to celebrate ’Pequa Pride.

The parade began near Massapequa Park Village Hall, and spectators lined Park Boulevard as marchers made their way south to the high school. A military

color guard led the parade, which also included board of education trustees and administrators, the high school marching band, cheerleaders, kickline team and students from the classes of 2023, 2024,

2025 and 2026 with their handmade, movie-themed banners.

Steadily, the bleachers filled up in anticipation of the football game, featuring the Massapequa Chiefs against the Oceanside Sailors. Senior Day festivities took place beforehand, as 12th grade members of the football, cheerleading and kickline times were honored at midfield with their parents.

As game time approached, the Massapequa Mustangs youth football team charged onto the field, with the Chiefs varsity field following right behind them under a blue and gold balloon arch. Once they were lined up on the home side of the field, junior Cooper Arbisi sang the national anthem, and

students from the American Sign Language program at the high school signed along.

The Chief Nation section was thunderous throughout the game, with students in their Massapequa gear cheering on their Chiefs, leading chants like “Let’s Go Pe-Qua” and banging their inflatable thundersticks.

Halftime festivities featured the marching band show, with music based on the “Halloween movies.” The musicians were accompanied by the Color Guard in a dynamic show that drew lots of cheers when they wrapped up with Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” That was followed by well-choreographed performances from the cheerleaders and Chiefettes

kickline team.

Also during halftime, Principal Barbara Lowell and Ames Campus Principal Tania Willman introduced the class courts and senior homecoming royalty. Students voted on classmates they considered the best representatives of their class, their school and the Massapequa community. The class courts featured freshmen Nicholas Brennan and Kyra Florio-Marinello, sophomores Gabriel Gomez, Mark Powell and Domenica Rasi, and juniors Ashlee Kazan, Robbie Morana Jessica Popowich. The senior class royalty was Brendan Alyward, Amelia Caselnova, Leonard Li, Madison Lowery and Zachary Russo.

MASSAPEQUA HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME - Massapequa

Superintendent Dr. William Brennan met with students in the Chief Nation section before the start of the homecoming football game on Oct. 8. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

MOVIE-THEMED BANNER - The senior class showcased its movie-themed banner in the homecoming parade. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

THE MARCHING BAND PERFORMED - The Massapequa High School marching band performed its 2022 show based on music from the “Halloween” movies. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

STUDENTS IN THE CLASS COURTS AND SENIOR ROYALTY CONGRATULATED - High school Principal Barbara Lowell, left, and Ames Campus Principal Tania Willman, second from left, congratulated students in the class courts and senior royalty. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

A SPIRITED PERFORMANCE AT HALFTIME - The cheerleaders put on a spirited performance at halftime. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

SILVER AWARD RECIPIENT SARAH AMIAGA OF TROOP 2380 HONORED

- Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino honored Nassau County Girl Scout Sarah Amiaga for achieving her Silver Award in scouting. Sarah is dedicated to Massapequa Troop 2380, and her project involved creating a brochure for the Town of Oyster Bay regarding tips for first-time dog owners. Thanks to Sarah’s amazing efforts, the brochure is now available for residents to review at the Town’s Animal Shelter. Supervisor Saladino congratulated Sarah, and presented her with a citation for making a significant and positive impact in the community.

MAXIMUM

FEE

playing

Sandlot Note for 6 year olds: Must have played 1 year of documented t-ball. Player should be capable of hitting a pitched ball, otherwise t-ball is recommended

AA Note for 8’s: Rating will be reviewed, ratings will dictate placement regarding this request

AA Note for 10’s: A player based on ability can be placed in AA upon parent request

Majors Note for 11’s: For 11’s not drafted into the Majors, they will be placed in AAA despite registering for Majors... An 11 year old registering for Majors is a request and placement will be determined at Draft...

Juniors Note: 90 foot baseball... 13 & 14 year olds.

Veteran Award Recipient For Canine Companions Honored

We’d like to salute World War II and Korean War veteran Peter Finocchio, whom wwe are honoring at our annual Salute Independence 2022 Veterans Day event on November 9th in New Hyde Park, New York.

Peter Finocchio was 16 years old when he, with his parents’ permission, enlisted in the United States Merchant Marines. He served two years as a Seaman during WWII, sailing cargo ships that carried gasoline, oil, ammunition, guns, food and medicine to England, France and Belgium.

Peter’s second introduction into his military life began when North Korea invaded South Korea in June 1950. He was drafted at the age of 22 and inducted into the U.S. Army for basic training. He was assigned to the 297th Quartermasters and was sent overseas to Pusan, South Korea. The name of his ship was called “Victory.”

Peter managed a warehouse operation, supplying the 3rd Division on the front lines. The 297th Company was housed in Tent City during the winter with temperatures forty degrees below zero. They used oil burners to heat their tents, but never had oil. Instead, they used wood, paper, car oil and anything that would burn. They slept on cots and wore all their clothes to try and stay warm. They were allowed to take a shower after 3 months.

Peter remembers those nights being dangerous and scary. “The Koreans had a scare tactic that kept men up all night when it was their watch. They called it, ‘Bed-Check Charlie.’ A fighter plane would fly over the U.S. troops and drop one bomb per night,” Peter remembers.

Peter was released from the army with an honorable discharge, and he displays his medals at home that he so proudly earned. He put himself through college and was employed in the Insurance

Industry in NYC until his retirement. He was a Casualty Manager and Vice President with several Market Leading Companies throughout his career.

He is blessed with three children Diane, Elaine and Peter and five grandchildren, Alyssa, Daniel, Tyler, Peter and Kathryn.

More and more, we see military veterans returning home with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result of the rise in cases, Canine Companions began their initiative in 2018 in order to support veterans in their day to day life. Canine Companions unites service dogs with their appropriate military veterans. The service dogs are trained by Canine Companions to perform physical tasks that help veterans live their lives independently. These tasks include, retrieving an item that was dropped, opening a door, picking up prosthetics, and even aiding in hearing loss by

drawing attention to sounds. Service dogs provide personal companionship for individuals who may face challenges when returning home from duty. While the future might seem unsteady, Canine Companions hope their service dogs will empower veterans towards physical independence and emotional stability.

To learn more about our Veterans Initiative program, visit: canine.org/veterans

Helping You Help Others

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for November is Association for Mental Health and Wellness

Since Veterans Day occurs in November, our Charity of the Month is one of Suffolk County’s foremost advocates for the interests of our veterans, the Ronkonkoma-based Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW).

MHAW offers a wide range of support services to Suffolk County veterans by connecting them with affordable housing, medical and mental health assistance, case management, financial and legal referrals, employment assistance programs, and food pantries to help combat food insecurity.

This article in particular focuses on one important component of MHAW’s veteran services, the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project. Named to honor the memory of an Iraq War hero and Army medic from Mt. Sinai who lost his battle with PTSD, the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project is a peer-to-peer initiative offered in collaboration with the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency.

The Dwyer Project serves veterans, service members, and their families with such post-service transitional issues as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury, although a formal diagnosis is not required for participation. They offer weekly peer groups both in person and virtual, and they also host monthly in-person community resource activities as well as a bi-monthly senior veteran group.

The Dwyer Project’s trained “Veteran Peer Mentors” have served in various branches of the Armed Forces and understand the reintegration needs of those who have been in the military, regardless of era or branch of service. This Project accepts all veterans, no matter their discharge status. All group sessions are confidential and anonymous in a safe, and trusting environment, free of judgment.

“Peer specialists are critical allies for our veterans,” says Colleen Merlo, CEO of the Association for Mental Health and Wellness. “They understand what other veterans are going through and can offer

support, advice, and suggestions to enhance recovery-oriented care.”

As described by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, peer support workers are “people who have been successful in the recovery process who help others experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support workers help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse.”

It is a true power to have this type of communication,” said one a local veteran that is involved with The Dwyer Project. “My facilitators are fantastic in organizing programs and ideas for how to help each other. The group is fundamental to what we need. When you get veterans together and get them talking, they can work out their issues. This is one of the most important programs for veterans I have ever seen.”

The Dwyer Project’s free, confidential, peer-to-peer approach has attracted support from both veterans and mental health professionals statewide. In fact, this year’s state budget includes funding for this Project in all 62 counties. Additionally, a national veteran peer initiative is pending in Congress, and it all started here in Suffolk County.

If you are a veteran interested in peer-to-peer support, or if you know a veteran in need, call (516) 807-4952 or email mcorinne@mhaw.org. Also, please visit www.dwyerproject.org for more information.

To every veteran this Veterans Day and always, thank you for your selfless service.

Clothing Donations Needed

Ethical Friends of Children, a program helping needy families on Long Island, seeks clothing (tops, bottoms, pjs, sweaters and socks) in certain sizes.

Specific sizes are: GIRLS: 3-4, 4-5 and 9-10 and BOYS:

7-8 and 9-10. Ethical Friends of Children is an outreach program of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island., established in 1985. “We assist more than 2,500 children and their families

each year by providing them clothing for children from newborn to size 12 as well as infant furniture at no cost,” says Pat Spencer of Port Washington. The “store” –staffed entirely by volunteers – lets families pick out the

things they need, at no cost to them.

Those interested in making contributions of clothing or gift cards, should call Ethical Friends of Children at 516-280-5526 or email efoc@ehsli.org

TILLY

3-4 month old female. A sweet affectionate and purring machine.

BILBO

2 year old Chihuahua. He thrives on attention. Loves to be pet and praised.

RANGER

2 year old male. Becoming more confident and looking for a family to love.

YUMI

1 year old female. Shy girl looking for a loving family to call her own.

MADISON 5 year old female. Lots of love to share and tons of energy.

LILY 7 year old female. Beagle mix. Friendly and personable with everyone.

MIKE

6 years old. Lhasa Apso. Outgoing, friendly, loves to share his toys and treats.

LULU

2 year old female. Doxy mix. A happy and affectionate personality.

The South Farmingdale Water District encourages community members to make food donations this holiday season at the Long Island Cares drop off site at the Water District headquarters.

Help us help others by making a food donation Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm now through December 1, 2022 at the South Farmingdale Water District, located at 40 Langdon Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Top

• Cereals

• Low fat, boxed & non refrigerated milk

• Canned vegetables

• White rice

• Cooking oil

• Pasta, tomato sauce

• Canned meat, poultry, fish

• Peanut butter

• Jelly, jam & spreadable fruit Please – no glass jars

insecurity

high

Long Island,

if you or someone you know

is experiencing a troubling time, call 631–582-FOOD.

Free Golf For Veterans And Active Duty Military On Veterans Day

Oyster Bay Town

Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board today announced that the Town will honor veterans and active duty military personnel for their service to our nation with a free day of golf at the Hon. Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course, located at 1 South Woods Road in Woodbury on Veterans Day, Friday,

November 11th. “The brave men and women of our United States Armed Forces put their lives on the line and sacrifice their time to protect our freedoms and democracy,” said Supervisor Saladino. “This is an important way of saying ‘thank you’ and we’re pleased to be able to offer this free round of golf on Veterans Day as a small

token of appreciation for all they’ve done and continue to do for our nation.”

To qualify for this Veterans Day offer, golfers must present proof of Town residency and either military identification or discharge papers (DD Form 214). For additional information, including to reserve a tee time, please visit www.oysterbaytown. com/golf.

Bravo Foxtrot United Veterans Inc.

Bravo Foxtrot United Veterans Inc. is a new non-profit charitable organization that provides aid to our local homeless veterans. They provide

temporary housing as well as holistic therapy, in hopes to ease their transition for when they reunite with their loved ones and communities. Clothing

donations are graciously accepted. For additional information visit www. bravofoxtrot.org.

Town To Upgrade T-Ball Field At John Burns Park In Massapequa

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilwoman Laura Maier announced that the Town will upgrade the t-ball athletic field at John Burns Park in Massapequa. The Town was awarded grant funding for this project through the New York State and Municipal Facilities Program, which provided $50,000 toward the purchase and installation of this new field.

“My administration secured grant funding to upgrade the t-ball field at little cost to Town taxpayers,” said Supervisor Saladino.

“This improvement enhances the safety and playing experience for young athletes while beautifying our park. It’s a win for the community and our young people.”

As a result of the State grant funds, administered through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, the Town’s portion of the field replacement is estimated at less than $4,300. Synthetic turf fields generally have an approximate useful life of 10 years and are less expensive than the long-term cost of maintaining natural grass and a dirt surface.

Synthetic fields also provide the potential for fewer cancellations of games due to inclement weather, as the field is able to absorb rain storms in a manner that is not possible on a dirt infield.

“Synthetic fields aesthetically improve the look of our local communities and help increase play time for our young athletes,” said Councilwoman Maier. “We are so pleased to keep bringing these great improvements to parks throughout our Town while keeping a close eye on our finances.”

For more information about Town parks, including

upcoming and ongoing programs and events, visit

the Town’s website at www. oysterbaytown.com/parks.

Model Train Show

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Town Clerk Richard LaMarca today announced that Trainville Hobby Depot will host a Model Train Show on Saturday, November 19th and Sunday, November 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hicksville Community Center, located at 28 West Carl Street in Hicksville. The Model Train Show includes operating model layouts coordinated by Trainville

Hobby Depot. Donations are being accepted at the exhibit to support the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum.

“We are pleased to partner with Trainville Hobby Depot, who coordinates or participates in many hobby shows that benefit the fundraising efforts of a sponsoring organization,” said Town Clerk LaMarca. “Assisting groups that not only bring a fun and educational experience to

residents of all ages, but also help preserve our history in understanding the railroad’s role in our heritage, is a great cause.”

Admission in to the exhibit is $5.00, children ages 4-11 years are $3.00 and entry for children under the age of 4 is free. For further information, please visit www.trainville.com or call (516) 433-4444.

Call today! 631-226-2636 631-226-2646

THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experienced Sa les Representatives will assist you. We c an help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, ext. 276

BUYING? SELLI NG? RENTING? Place your ad in the Classifieds. 631-226-2636 Ext. 276

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”

A sales representative will be happy to assist you

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2” A sales representative will be happy to assist you

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2” A sales representative will be happy to assist you

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2” A sales representative will be happy to assist you

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2” A sales representative will be happy to assist you

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2” A sales representative will be happy to assist you

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2” A sales representative will be happy to assist you

6-Year Old Wins “Guess The Weight Of The Pumpkin Contest”

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board congratulate Darren Guo, a 6-yearold Jericho resident, who was the winner of the popular “Guess the Weight of the Pumpkin Contest” at the Town of Oyster Bay 2022 Family Fall & Halloween Festival held at Marjorie R. Post Community Park in Massapequa. Darren predicted that the pumpkin would weigh 128 pounds, which was the closest guess to the actual weight of 126 pounds. Each year, the Festival provides a great opportunity to celebrate Halloween and the fall season with activities that are fun for residents of all ages. The day’s itinerary included pumpkin picking at the Town’s ‘U-Pick’ pumpkin patch, Halloween games and giveaways, inflatables, hay rides, food trucks, and games, such as the “Guess the Weight of the Pumpkin Contest.”

Collecting DVDs For U.S. Troops & Children’s Hospitals

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board announced a partnership with Massapequa-based “Big Hy for Heroes” in an effort to collect DVDs for those deployed and serving overseas in the United States Armed Forces as well as movies for children’s hospitals. Donations will be accepted November 1st through November 30th and then delivered to Chaplains, Commanding Officers, Sergeant Majors and Sergeants around the globe to distribute to troops and arrange movie nights this holiday season.

Supervisor Saladino stated, “The Town of Oyster Bay is proud to partner with Big Hy for Heroes for our 5th Annual DVD Collection Drive and send thousands of DVDs to troops serving around the globe as well as to children receiving care in local hospitals. Help support these brave men, women and children by donating DVDs.”

The Big Hy for Heroes organization was founded in 2002 by Massapequa resident and WWII veteran Hyman Strachman who, along with his son Arthur Strachman, personally began sending DVDs to

U.S. troops overseas. Over the years, Big Hy for Heroes has shipped hundreds of thousands of DVDs all around the world, and continues to do so today.

Exciting, suspenseful, comedy and classic DVDs are among the most requested by the troops for movie nights. Children’s movies are needed for local hospitals. Residents can donate DVDs at any of the

following locations:

Town Hall North – 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay Town Hall South –977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa

Additionally, letters of gratitude to soldiers and holiday cards for children are also welcome. For more information on the DVD Collection Drive for U.S. Troops and local Children’s Hospitals, please call (516) 624-6380.

GUESS THE WEIGHT OF THE PUMPKIN CONTEST

- Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board congratulate Darren Guo, a 6-year-old Jericho resident, who was the winner of the popular “Guess the Weight of the Pumpkin Contest”.

Veterans

(NAPSA)—Some 600 veterans, many of whom are blind, work at National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and its associated agencies across the country, supplying goods and services to the military and the Veterans Administration. Learn more at NIB.org.

Students

And Create On Halloween

Halloween featured costumes, crafts, math and more at McKenna Elementary School in the Massapequa School District.

All classes were invited to the lobby for math stations, such as guessing the number of candy corn in a jar and weighing a pumpkin. Teachers showed six types of candy and asked students to vote on their favorite. Each class

then made a bar graph that reflected the results. Children also used large Frankenstein heads to measure distance between two spots in the hallway.

In class parties, students did Halloween word search puzzles, played Bingo and colored symbols associated with the holiday such as haunted houses, ghosts and pumpkins. Many classes went on ghost hunts around the building. During their art classes, children used construction paper to make fall-themed collages.

Tell Us About It!

Let us know about your honors, awards, promotions and other announcements. They are always welcome. Photos can be emailed as well. Send them to editorial@ longislandmediagroup. com.

KIMBERLY HOLLAND

JOANNE RUSSO

Licensed

Cell: 917-848-3913 Joanne@KimHollandHomes.com

KIMBERLY HOLLAND

Cell: 516-236-6303 Kim@kimhollandhomes.com www.kimhollandhomes.com