January 11, 2023 Massapequa

Pravato Reminds Residents To Avoid Penalties By Paying General Taxes Prior To February 10th

Oyster Bay Town Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato reminds residents that the First Half of the 2023 General Tax Levy was due on January 1st, but can be paid without penalty through February 10th. Please be certain to sign your check, payable to Jeffrey P. Pravato, Receiver of Taxes. Indicate your property’s S.D. Code, Section, Block, Lot, and Phone number on the check.

“The Town of Oyster Bay did not raise taxes for 2023, however, the General Tax bill also includes amounts for Nassau County and special districts. New York State Laws allows my office to provide taxpayers with a 40-day penalty free period from the date the tax is due during which payment may be made without penalty,” added Receiver Pravato. “After the 40 days, State Law requires a one percent penalty be added for each month the tax remains unpaid, retroactive to January 1st. Don’t delay, make your payment before February 10th and ensure you aren’t paying more out

of pocket than you need to.”

Taxes can be paid inperson at Town Hall North (74 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay) and at Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa) daily from 9:00am to 4:45pm to assist residents and accept payments with either a check, cash or credit card.* Both indoor offices and walkup outdoor windows are staffed to assist the public. On February 9th and 10th, both offices will be open from 8:00am to 6:00pm. When paying in person, residents are reminded to bring the entire tax bill. Drop Boxes have been installed at both Town Hall North and Town Hall South for residents to make payments when the Tax Office is closed.

Residents who prefer to mail in their payments should send them to the Office of the Receiver of Taxes, 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, N.Y. 117711539. Please be certain to sign your check, and make it payable to Jeffrey P. Pravato, Receiver of Taxes. Indicate your property’s

S.D. Code, Section, Block, Lot and phone number on the check, along with your payment stub. Residents should NOT write on, fold, staple or otherwise deface the tax stub as it can cause the computer system to reject the payment.

Taxpayers can access 2023 General Tax information at www. oysterbaytown.com. Residents may view tax bills, print out a hard copy, or pay taxes with an ACH check payment using a checking account for a service fee of $1.75 cents*, or by credit card for a much higher fee* charged by the credit card companies. *Town of Oyster Bay receives no portion of this fee.

For more information on property taxes and/or payments, residents may call at (516) 624-6400 or email receiveroftaxes@ oysterbay-ny.gov. Callers are requested to have the school district, section, block and lot numbers of the property in question available. This information is listed on the tax bill and on the property deed.

EMILIE

Female kitten. Cute and adorable with green eyes.

BARNEY

5-7 year old male. Gentle soul. Looking for a family to love.

FORREST

Handsome young male. A gentle giant and very affectionate.

GINGER

Female kitten. Very sweet and playful with personality.

SABRIE

Young female who recently had kittens. Quiet and unassuming.

SUZZIE

2 year old female. Shih Tzu mix. Kind, social and just the right amount of silly.

DUFFY

Less than a year old male. Energetic and playful. Loves everyone he meets.

BRIE

5 year old female. Labrador mix. Smart and affectionate.

GIA 8 year old female. Full of life with lots of energy and happiness to share.

FERGIE

7 year old female. Pit mix. Gentle and well mannered. A perfect partner.

TAZ

2 year old male. Energetic ball of mush that loves to play.

ROWDY

6 month old male. Pit mix. Sweet natured and affectionate boy.

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for January is Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

www.pal-o-mine.org

Pal-O-Mine

Equestrian is a local non-profit organization that began in 1995 as a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. They grew from having two programs, eight horses and 80 students per week to 11 programs, 25 horses and 400 students per week - and they continue to grow today!

“Our mission has been, and continues to be, to provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing,” said Lisa Gatti, Founder and CEO of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian. “We proudly serve individuals with disabilities, those who have been abused or neglected, the military and the impoverished.”

Their location in Islandia offers an unequaled setting for equestrian activities, with a 20-stall barn on 13 acres, handicapped accessible bathrooms, a 100’ x 120’ indoor arena with state-of-the-art-footing and a rider hoisting system, 3 outdoor riding arenas, classrooms, accessible playground, a greenhouse and a wellness center.

Looking back on 2022, Pal-O-Mine logged 4,250 hours of Volunteer Hours and 86,400 Client Contact Hours. “2022 was about inspiring one another to reach common goals and emerging stronger,” said Lisa. “Our volunteers are an integral part of the day to day

operations at Pal-O-Mine. We all work together to serve our clients the best we can.”

They also aded four new animals to their gang; three horses and a Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog, Luca who is a natural at his job of watching over the herd. Bubba, one of the horses was generously donated to them by the Morris Family. He is an amazing lesson horse and is a client favorite in their equine yoga program. Another one of the horses is Alana, a pro at teaching new students to ride independently. Lastly, Sunflower is their newest horse, which is enjoying to learn about all the different programs held at Pal-O-Mine.

“2023

If you would like more information about getting involved with this organization, please call 631-348-1389 or visit www.pal-o-mine.org.

will be a year of physical growth with our new educational center and treatment clinic, as well as spiritual growth by continuing to serve the many who need our 13 acre farm and herd to help them heal from trauma, grow in personal strength and learn new things to brighten their future.”

Supervisor Saladino Swears In Massapequa Water District Commissioner

be sure to contact them for all of your shower door needs.

MINEOLA 140 Jericho Tpke. 516-833-7909 • 516-833-7910 Email: Rightnow7@aol.com Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm Saturday 10am-5pm Closed Sunday & Monday

MASSAPEQUA 4183-4185 Merrick Rd. 516-26-GLASS • 516-264-0321 Fax: 631-264-3186 Monday-Friday 10am-6pm Saturday 10am-5pm Closed Sunday www.The-ShowerDoor.com 407897N011123

MASSAPEQUA WATER DISTRICT COMMISSIONER - Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino administered the Oath of Office to Massapequa Water District Commissioner Raymond Averna, who was elected to a 5th term on Wednesday, December 13th. Pictured from left to right are: Massapequa Water Commissioner Michael Mazzola, Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Maria Averna (wife of Raymond Averna), Massapequa Water Commissioner Raymond Averna, and Massapequa Water Commissioner Thomas McCarthy. “Keeping our water supply safe and plentiful is of the utmost importance for all water districts, and Massapequa is fortunate to have top-level professionals serving as Commissioners,” Supervisor Saladino stated. “Commissioner Averna has always exhibited a tremendous dedication to his community and shows that his top priority is protecting the well-being of residents I congratulate Raymond on his re-election.”

Catholic School

Seaford, NY

Mass Attendance and Daily Prayer

Mass Attendance and Daily Prayer

Formal STREAM Instruction in our newly renovated, state of the art Makerspace

Formal STREAM Instruction in our newly renovated, state of the art Makerspace

Living Environment and Algebra Regents

Living Environment and Algebra Regents

National Junior Honor Society and Student Council

National Junior Honor Society and Student Council

Middle School Sports including Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Cross Country, Bowling, Cheer, Softball, and Baseball

Middle School Sports including Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Cross Country, Bowling, Cheer, Softball, and Baseball

Extended Care Program to assist Working Parents (Grades N-8)

Extended Care Program to assist Working Parents (Grades N-8)

Spanish Grades K-8 Choir, Art, and Music Band Grades 1-8 Drama Club

Spanish Grades K-8 Choir, Art, and Music Band Grades 1-8 Drama Club

After School Enrichment Clubs Grades K-8 Field Trips in support of Curriculum

After School Enrichment Clubs Grades K-8 Field Trips in support of Curriculum

"Sending our daughter to St. William's is a decision my husband and I can feel good about every day. We know that from the moment we drop her off to the moment she comes back home, she is loved, safe, supported, and challenged. We have been welcomed with open arms into a community that shares our values. We know that sending our daughter to SWS will set her up for success – academically, socially, and spiritually- for the rest of her life. It’s the best gift we can give her."

"Sending our daughter to St. William's is a decision my husband and I can feel good about every day. We know that from the moment we drop her off to the moment she comes back home, she is loved, safe, supported, and challenged. We have been welcomed with open arms into a community that shares our values. We know that sending our daughter to SWS will set her up for success – academically, socially, and spiritually- for the rest of her life. It’s the best gift we can give her."

~ The DeBardelaben Family

~ The DeBardelaben Family

Massapequa’s Lockhart Students Make Wishes Come True

It was another very successful year for the annual Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser at Lockhart Elementary School in the Massapequa School District. Students and staff collectively raised more than $9,500, which will grant wishes to three children.

The 34th annual MakeA-Wish concert on Dec. 23 featured musical performances by the fifth grade band, chorus and orchestra, as well as a holiday sing-along. The musical presentation is traditionally held the day before the holiday break to celebrate the generosity of the Lockhart community. In 34 years, the school

has donated more than $190,000 to Make-A-Wish, including $9,530 this year.

Assistant Principal Louisa Vecchione said that the donation was made possible by small and large acts of kindness. Money was raised from a walk-a-thon, bracelet sale and contributions from families.

“This truly continues to be a community effort,” she said. “We are one little school but our impact has been tremendous.”

The wishes that Lockhart will grant this year are a ski trip to Alaska for a 10-yearold boy, an adaptive play set for the backyard of an 11-year-old girl and a puppy for a 13-year-old

boy. Joan Siedlecki, a wish granter for the foundation, was on hand to accept the donation from Lockhart’s student council.

Diane Bacheller, the student council adviser, said the annual Make-AWish concert is a tradition steeped in the joy and excitement of giving to other people.

Musical performances included Christmas, Hanukkah and winter songs by the orchestra under the direction of Alison Pearl, the band conducted by Nicole Boyle and the chorus led by Kathleen Dyckman and special guest conductor Vincent Green, Massapequa’s director of fine and performing arts.

Student Leaders See Impact Of Food Drive

Following a weeklong food drive in late November, members of the student council at Berner Middle School in the Massapequa School District got to see the impact they made with a trip to a local food pantry.

On Dec. 6, student council officers loaded 15 boxes of nonperishable goods onto a school bus, then took a journey to the Our Lady of Lourdes parish outreach center in Massapequa Park. During the weeklong food drive, Berner students and staff could drop off items when they came to school each day, with collection bins near the

entrances. Student council members promoted the food drive by making flyers, announcements and unloaded the bins each day so there was room for more donations.

Once they arrived at the church, the student council was met by a staff member who explained how the food pantry works and the importance of the donations for families in need. Students brought the boxes of food inside, checked expiration dates and sorted the items. Additionally, they helped organize donations from other people.

“It was a great

experience,” said Teresa Ferreira, the co-adviser of student council along with Denise Robertson. “Students left the facility really feeling like they made a difference because they did. They were active and busy the whole time. The pantry was certainly ready to distribute food after they left.”

Ms. Ferreira added that after returning to Berner, student council members collectively wrote a letter to the outreach center to express their gratitude for the opportunity and also offering future assistance.

SOME OF THE DONATIONS - Berner Middle School student council members, joined by Principal Jason Esposito, Superintendent Dr. William Brennan and coadviser Teresa Ferreira, showed some of the donations that filled 15 boxes during a recent food drive. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

LOADING THE FOOD - Students loaded the food onto a bus to deliver to the Our Lady of Lourdes parish outreach center. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

LOCKHART STUDENTS MAKE WISHES COME TRUE - Lockhart Elementary School raised $9,530 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation this year. From left are Massapequa Superintendent Dr. William Brennan, student council adviser Diane Bacheller, Assistant Principal Louisa Vecchione, wish granter Joan Siedlecki and Board of Education Secretary Gary Baldinger, along with student council officers. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

THE FIFTH GRADE ORCHESTRA PERFORMED - The fifth grade orchestra performed at the 34th annual Make-A-Wish Concert Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

Residents Reminded To Turn

‘Trash Into Cash’

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino joined his colleagues in Town government Councilman Lou Imbroto, Councilwoman Laura Maier and Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato to bring good news to Town residents who receive Town recycling collection. Beginning in January, the Town will return glass to its recycling collection, allowing residents to place plastics, metals and glass all in their yellow collection pail. In addition, officials reminded residents to help turn ‘trash into cash’

by recycling cardboard, which should be bundled and placed beside recycling containers on collection day.

Supervisor Saladino said, “Residents can help protect the environment and turn trash into cash by recycling glass and cardboard boxes on their regular recycling collection day. In addition to expanding the recycling program to include additional types of plastic, we will also return glass to the recycling stream. The Town of Oyster Bay is committed to being a regional recycling leader

and I thank you in advance for helping us reach that goal.”

Officials also reminded residents to bundle their cardboard and paper products beside their yellow recycling pail, either broken down and placed inside a larger box or bundled with string. Residents can expect to see individual pickups for these items, with separate collections for cardboard from other recycling.

For more information, visit www.oysterbaytown. com or call (516) 6775848.

Oyster Bay Town Councilman Lou Imbroto reminds residents that Town sanitation and S.O.R.T. Recycling collection schedules will be

modified for the Monday, January 16th observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“There will be no sanitation or recycling

collection on Monday, January 16th for residents who normally receive Town service,” Councilman Imbroto said. “Residents who generally receive Town pickup on Mondays will have their collections done the next day, Tuesday, January 17th. Those who usually receive pickup on Tuesdays will be collected on Wednesday, January 18th.”

The Councilman added that Town offices will be closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but parks and skating rinks will be open and offer extended hours. For more information, visit the Town’s website, www.oysterbaytown.com.

It’s another successful year for the annual holiday toy drive at Birch Lane Elementary School in the Massapequa School District. Two weeks into the collection, nearly 300 toys had already been

donated.

The toy drive is organized by the student government, led by advisers Kelsey Downey and Casey Russell. Donations go to the John Theissen Children’s Foundation to support

sick and underprivileged children.

Every morning, students leave toys in holiday bags in each classroom. Then, the Birch Lane elves – fifth grade student government members – go around the

school, collect all of the toys and place them in large bins. Representatives from JTCF came and picked up the donations several times each week.

In addition to toys for children of all ages,

students can also donate gift cards to any store that sells toys.

Fifth grader Ellie Casper said it makes her feel great to help others and that the large number of donations “means that people are

caring about kids in need.”

“I’m glad that we got a lot of toys,” added Blaise Regis, “so we can give them to kids that deserve them and really need them. We’re doing this for a really good cause.”

TOY DRIVE ELVES - Birch Lane’s fifth grade student government members serve as the toy drive elves, picking up the donations from each classroom every day from Dec. 1-20. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

SORTING TOY DONATIONS - Fifth graders Kara Fox and Blaise Regis, joined by student government advisers Casey Russell, left, and Kelsey Downey, helped sort toy donations. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

Public Skating Sessions For Martin Luther King Holiday

Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Laura Maier announced that residents looking for a fun way to spend their Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday can head to one of the Town’s three ice skating facilities, where holiday hours will be in place, offering extended public skating opportunities.

“For a fun, familyfriendly activity, residents

can head to one of the Town’s ice skating rinks –outdoors at Marjorie Post and Syosset-Woodbury Community Parks, and indoors at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center in Bethpage – on Martin Luther King Jr. Day,” said Councilwoman Maier. “All three facilities will be offering special public sessions to provide children who are off from

school with a fun-filled activity.”

On Monday, January 16th, all Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Rinks will be open for public sessions from 1pm-3pm and 4pm6pm. The outdoor ice rinks are located at Marjorie Post Park, Unqua and Merrick Roads in Massapequa, and at Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, 7900 Jericho Turnpike in

Woodbury. The Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center is located within Bethpage Community Park at 1001 Stewart Avenue, in Bethpage.

For more information, including information about the Town’s Youth Ice Hockey Program, figure skating, or general skating sessions, visit www. oysterbaytown.com/ice.

Did You Know?

Supporting small businesses ensures more money stays in the communities those businesses serve. The U.S. Small Business Administration says $48 out of every $100 spent at a small business stays in the community. On the flip side, when a person spends $100 at a big-box store or

a national chain, only $14 remains in the community. Local businesses are more likely to utilize other local businesses, such as banks, service providers and even farms. Small businesses also pay employees, many of whom are local and shop local, thereby keeping even more dollars in their communities.

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KIMBERLY HOLLAND