June 12, 2024 Massapequa

South Bay's Neighbor

MASSAPEQUA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STREET FAIR

A great day was had at the Annual Massapequa Chamber of Commerce Street Fair on Sunday, June 2, 2024.

to Past President and dear friend, Tony Ventiera. There were 128 vendors! Thank you to all who came

businesses and the Chamber. Photo courtesy of Robin Hepworth

EAST MEADOW 2379 6TH STREEET $1,388,000 Build, 10 Rms, 4 Bdrms, 2 Fbths100X100 Lot. Beautiful Master Suite, Huge EIK, Great Home for Entertaining. Diane Keegan,

Pvt Beach, Boat Dock, Sea Plane Ramp. Matt Shane, Licensed NYS RE Assoc. Broker 516-279-8828

Spaces, plus 2 Bdrm, Apt. Property Sale. BROOK STRATHMORE GATE OVER 55 $385,990 PENDING Spacious 6 Rms, 2 Bdrms, 1.5 Bths, LiV/Din Rm, EIK, Porch, Patio, Pets, Amenities.

COMING

FRANKLIN SQUARE 14 ROOM COLONIAL $898,800 Oversized Property, 7 Bdrms, 3 Fbths, Possible M/D w Proper Permits, Att. Garage, Fin Bsmt with OSE. Richard M. Shane,

Licensed NYS RE Salesperson

Diane Morabito Keegan, Licensed NYS

Massapequa Celebrates Retiring, Newly Tenured Staff

With more than 1,100 years of service to the Massapequa School District, 37 retirees were honored prior to the board of education meeting on May 23. The annual retirement ceremony celebrates administrators, faculty and staff for their professionalism and commitment to students.

Superintendent Dr.

William Brennan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the retirees and wished them the best as they begin new chapters in their lives. He noted that their unwavering commitment has made Massapequa schools even better.

Service time for the retirees spanned from eight years in the district to 39 years. They included

administrators, teachers, nurses, social workers, teaching assistants and monitors, as well as clerical, facilities and food service staff.

“We thank you for your years of service and passion for education,” Board of Education President Kerry Wachter said.

This year’s retirees are Theresa Belmonte,

BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZED RETIREES - The Massapequa Board of Education recognized its retirees at a ceremony prior to the May 23 business meeting.

Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

LONG ISLAND MEDIA GROUP

PUBLISHER

Jeff Lambert

ASSISTANT TO THE

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION

Joe Lambert

Edward Rodriguez

Patty Franks ADMINISTRATION

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Josh Marlowe

MANAGING

EDITOR

Felicia Edwards

MARKETING MANAGER

Noelle Lambert

ACCOUNT

EXECUTIVES

Carol Link

Bob Liquorie

Nicole Sims

Kim Volz

Teri Tinkler

Diana Lambert

Dorrine Lambert

ADMIN & EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Natalie Raccuglia

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Victoria Kokolakis

Stephan Schulze

PROOFREADING

Kerry Mastrobuoni

Bonnie Schifano

Lucille Moran

Terry Rydyzynski

Noelle Lambert

SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Debra Cerar, Mary Elizabeth Delaney, Terry DeLilla, Eileen DeMarco, Hollyann DiMarco, Susan Femminella, Geraldine Fursa, Frank Gergenti, Ann Marie Giarratano, Jodie Insinga, Claudia Keller, Randi Kohanim, Barbara Korenstein, Jill Korwan, Roberta Lobody, Claire Merz, Jane Milbach, Joseph O’Connor, Kathleen

O’Hara, Gary O’Leary, William Pollock, Hernan Penafiel, Michael Quigley, Lucille Robertson, Shari Roessler, Kathryn Rood, Joseph Schmalenberger, John Schmitt, Kenneth Schmitz, Nicholas Sessa, Tomia Smith, Jeanne Squillante, Kathleen Stanwise, Robert Tuohey, Kathleen Voigt and Joanne Waters.

It was also a celebration of staff members who have been with the district only a few years. During the business meeting, the Massapequa Board of Education granted tenure to 44 educators including administrators, faculty members and teaching assistants.

BOARD OF EDUCATION GRANTED TENURE - The board granted tenure to 44 administrators, faculty and staff. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

Garage Door

Community Pools To Open Daily Beginning June 22nd

Beware

Numbers or Other Locations. Please call us for high quality service and installations, by our in-house technicians.

Supervisor Joseph Saladino announced that all Town of Oyster Bay community pools will open for the season beginning on Saturday, June 22nd. The Town of Oyster Bay operates five pool facilities, including Bethpage Community Park, Marjorie Post Community Park, Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, and a saltwater pool at Tappen Beach in Glenwood Landing.

Day, Monday, September 2nd will be 11am to 7pm daily, weather permitting. Additionally, extended hours until 8pm, will be offered as follows (weather permitting) at the following locations on the following schedule:

Monday: SyossetWoodbury

Tuesday: Plainview-Old Bethpage

Wednesday: Bethpage

Thursday: Marjorie R. Post

Fridays: ALL pools open late including Tappen

Applications to register for swimming lessons will be available at each facility, with four swim lesson sessions available to choose from.

“The warm, sunny days of summer are nearly upon us and all residents are welcome to join us for a swim all summer long,” Supervisor Saladino said. “Town Pool memberships offer families and senior citizens access to many great amenities, including upgraded restrooms, pool deck furniture, picnic benches and sunshades.”

Pool hours from Saturday, June 22nd through Labor

Pool memberships can be obtained at each park location. Memberships are available at community park pools for both park district residents and nonpark district residents. Daily admission rates, nanny memberships and group access are also available. In addition to the great new amenities at our facilities, the Town is offering swimming lessons at local pools to members age five and older.

The Town will also offer a swim team this summer at outdoor pools located in Syosset-Woodbury Community Park and Marjorie R. Post Community Park in Massapequa. Town of Oyster Bay residents aged 6 to 16 are eligible to register for the swim program. Practices will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, from 9:30am to 10:30am beginning Monday, July 1st. Swim meets will be held Saturday mornings and class meets will be held Tuesday afternoons. Schedules will be distributed the first week of practice.

For more information, including membership rates, and schedules for swim lessons, please visit www. oysterbaytown.com/pools.

Science Students Lauded At Research Symposium

Scientific knowledge was on the menu in the Massapequa High School cafeteria on May 22, as board of education trustees, administrators, teachers, students and parents gathered for the annual Science Research

Symposium. The evening event began in the auditorium where select high school students talked about their research topics and findings. Then it was off to the cafeteria, where students from

the high school, Ames Campus and Berner Middle School science research classes displayed their posterboard presentations.

This year’s symposium featured 52 unique research projects and

represented the hard work of more than 100 students, as they could work either independently or in a team. Research topics spanned numerous scientific fields and concepts, and reflected personal areas of interest

were

In The Spotlight Highlighting Local Businesses

for the students.

“The symposium is an opportunity for the community to come together and marvel at the work that our students are doing, under the guidance of their talented science research teachers,” said Daniel Mezzafonte, the 6-12 supervisor of science.

Mr. Mezzafonte noted that for many students, particularly those in the upper-level research classes at the high school, their projects represented several years of work. He commended them on their confidence and poise as they discussed their projects with guests at the symposium.

“They have such a command of very technical information,” he said.

Several of the projects also reflected the district’s partnerships with scientific agencies, including Brookhaven National Laboratory and Cold Spring Harbor

Laboratory. Many scientists from those labs served as expert mentors for Massapequa students. Students completed their research under the guidance of science research teachers Dr. Paul Hesleitner at the high school, August Eberling at Ames and Karen Calabrese at Berner.

Senior Krish Patel, a five-year member of the science research program, had high praise for his teachers, whose guidance helped him narrow broader areas of interest to specific research topics.

Over the years, he worked on projects in the areas of biology, chemistry and psychology.

“I liked completing a variety of science experiments,” he said of his involvement in the research program.

“I love science, so this opportunity to explore all different fields was important to me.”

Pigs on a Wing in Lindenhurst is a family owned and operated Southern BBQ & Comfort food Restaurant.

Owners Kurt and Shonte recently took over the store next to them to offer a new dining experience with highdefinition projectors to showcase all the big sporting events. You can now sit down, watch the game, and have a cold beer if desired. Kurt and Shonte have been serving the Lindenhurst Community as a team for over 9 years with takeout and delivery services which they were awarded first place in the 2022 Bethpage Best of Long Island Soul Food & Southern Restaurant Category.

Kurt & Shonte have a passion for good quality home cooked food, which they take pride in when offering great products and services to their neighbors, friends and family in the local South Shore communities. Their wide variety menu offers something for the whole family. They specialize in Fried chicken,

wings, smoked fall off the bone ribs, Smoked beef brisket and pork shoulder, just to name a few. Diners love the variety of piled high sandwiches and gourmet burgers cooked to their liking. They know what good quality food tastes like and the difference it makes when being served to their families.

Pigs on a Wing still offer inhouse delivery services to Lindenhurst, Copiague, Amityville, West Babylon and Babylon village. They have expanded that territory by offering delivery services outside of these areas with online ordering through Uber, Grubhub and Door Dash. These companies will deliver up to 10 miles from the physical storefront.

Pigs on a Wing loves the support from this amazing community and they love supporting their fellow neighbors, schools, churches and so many other amazing organizations! With the Big Game coming up this weekend please remember to get your orders in early!

ON A WING

SCIENCE STUDENTS LAUDED AT RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM - Science research teachers August Eberling, Karen Calabrese and Dr. Paul Hesleitner

joined by students from Massapequa High School, the Ames Campus and Berner Middle School at the annual Science Research Symposium on May 22. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

Concerts

Pre-movie

CONCERT SERIES SPONSORS:

Steel Equities, Gold Coast Studios, Extreme Auto Body, Action Auto Wreckers, Complete Basement Systems, The Gucciardo Law Firm, Catholic Health St. Joseph Hospital, Ridgewood Savings Bank and Moe’s Southwest Grill

MOVIE SERIES SPONSORS:

Steel Equities, Gold Coast Studios, Extreme Auto Body, Action Auto Wreckers, Complete Basement Systems, Webster Bank, Northwell Health’s Plainview & Syosset Hospitals, The Gucciardo Law Firm, Long Island Speech, Zorn’s of Bethpage, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Royal Events Princess Parties

June Happenings

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

9:00A.M. to 1:00P.M.

AMITYVILLE FARMER’S MARKET

Opening day Saturday, June 15, continuing every Saturday until October 26. Featuring many familiar vendors and some new ones. Parking is available on the street, and at the municipal parking lot across the street. Continued support of the community is greatly appreciated. For more information, contact the Bay Village Civic Association at bayvillagecivic@aol.com. Interested vendors should contact amityfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

10:00AM-3:00PM

THRIFT SHOP/YARD SALE

St. Patrick's Church in Deer Park is hosting a thrift shop/yard sale. Pack a bag for $5. Many new items in all categories. New and gently used women's, men's, and children's clothing and shoes as well as home goods. Something for everyone! For more info please call 631-242-7530.

7:00pm-9:00pm

JAZZ UNDER THE STARS

Join us for our 2nd annual Jazz Under the Stars at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum, 2030 Wellwood Avenue in Farmingdale. Enjoy an evening among the soft glow of string lights and soothing live jazz music honoring some of the great jazz musicians who are resting peacefully at Pinelawn, including John Coltrane, Count Basie, Lloyd Trotman, and Guy Lombardo and The Royal Canadians. Light refreshments will be served. FREE event for Pinelawn families and the community, registration is required. For more information, please call 631-249-6100, www.Pinelawn.com

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 x211 or send events to natalieraccuglia@longislandmediagroup.com.

7:30PM LIFE - MUSIC OF THE 1970S

Presented by The Babylon Chorale at 666 Albin Ave, West Babylon. $25 for adults, $19 for students and seniors, $10 for children 10 years and under. To purchase tickets online or for more information, please visit their website at www.babylonchorale. org or email them at info@ babylonchorale.org.

Drop off, Any time, All Weekend

HELPING HANDS KIDS MEAL, AND SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

Kids don't get school free lunch during the summer months. They need us! Fill a decorated lunch bag with non perishable kids meals, school supplies, backpacks, kids beach towels, flip flops are also needed. Drop off at the West Islip Firehouse, Dispatch 309, Union Blvd. Please consider a monetary gift https://www.paypal. com/donate?hosted_button_ id=Q84FKWW5F42DW

TUESDAY, JUNE 18

6:00PM

NORTH BABYLON LIBRARY MEETING

The Board of Trustees of the North Babylon Public Library will hold its June meeting in the Library. The public is invited to attend. For more information call 631-669-4020.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

11:00AM

KIDS FUN FARM DAY

Come down to Organics Today Farm, at 169 Washington St. in East Islip, for hay rides, old-fashioned sac races, kids yoga, fun photo cut outs, a honey bee class. Learn how

to build a Worm Farm and more. $25 admission for Parent and 1 Child. For more info visit OT Farm on Facebook or text/call 631-480-6497.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

9:00AM

FEAST OF PENTECOST

The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Pentecost (50 days after Orthodox Easter) will be celebrated by Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey on Sunday, June 23 at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 369 Green Avenue, East Meadow. For more information, call 516-483-3649 or htocem@gmail.com.

3:00PM

SINATRA & STREISAND

Gene DiNapoli presents the unforgettable music of two of the greatest entertainers of all timeBarbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra with a spectacular performance by Frank Frizalone and Dorian Clara, accompanied by Long Island Sound Big Band at the Bayway Arts Center 265 E. Main St. East Islip, NY 11730. For more information, please call 631-581-2700 or visit https://www. baywayartscenter.com/

THURSDAY, JUNE 27

7:00PM-10:00PM

MUSIC BINGO

Yes Community Counseling Center will host a special fundraiser to support the mental health and wellness of local children. $50 per ticket, includes buffet and bingo. Raffle tickets available at event. For more info, please call 516-799-3203 or visit www.yesccc.org.

Fifteen dance troupes comprised of Long Island kids from Nassau and Suffolk Counties raised more than $15,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro at a “Dance A Thon” held at the South Shore Mall on Saturday, May 19, 2024.

“It’s a good thing we brought our tap shoes! Watching and coordinating

Long Island “Dance A Thon” Raises $15K

For Ronald McDonald House Charities NY

an event where so many incredible dancers took the stage to support Ronald McDonald House Charities was an absolute honor. Their work is so important, and we are proud to support them,” said Anna Zap from the Anna and Raven show.

Dancers from MJ’s House of Dance in Lindenhurst, NY was the top fundraisers in the event, with more than

$6,000 in support. Other top fundraisers included M & T Dance Unlimited of Seaford, NY; Royal Dance Center of Babylon; Gone Dancing from Oyster Bay; and Create Dance of Massapequa. Royal Dance Center featured adult ballroom performers and some schools included teams of child and adult dancing students. The event was organized by Connoisseur

Media.

“We are amazed and so grateful at the showing of support from Connoisseur Media and these fifteen local dance schools,” said Matt Campo, CEO of RMHC NYM. “This will go an extremely long way as we serve thousands of families with sick children every year from our Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park to

the two Family Rooms in Suffolk County. Now that we are building a new Ronald McDonald House in Stony Brook, we are even more energized and appreciative of the community for getting involved in our organization.”

All funds will go to operations at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park, NY and the

Family Rooms at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and Stony Brook NICU. Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro is also constructing a new house near Stony Brook Hospital. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 30 with construction starting later this year.

Science Teacher Joining Massapequa High School Leadership Team

Michael Brzezinski, an experienced science teacher in the Massapequa School District, is joining the administrative team at Massapequa High School on July 1 as the executive assistant to the principal. He is replacing Michael Quigley, who is retiring.

Mr. Brzezinski came to the district in 2005 as a science teacher at Berner Middle School, then moved to the high school in 2006, where he has primarily taught biology, anatomy and physiology, and marine science. He has also taken on several leadership roles including as assistant coach of the varsity lacrosse team, member of the Shared Decision Making Committee and coordinator of the summer recreation program and summer sports skills camps. Earlier this year, he

accompanied two students to the Long Island Regional Student Leadership Forum.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine from LIU Post, a master’s degree in science education from New York University and his administrative certificate from Stony Brook University. The married father of two resides in Huntington.

As Massapequa works to develop its Portrait of a Graduate, Mr. Brzezinski welcomes his expanded leadership role in helping the district fulfill its vision and mission.

“My goal is to support the students, teachers and all of the other stakeholders in our community,” he said. “I will bring a collaborative and cooperative approach, and will have an open-door policy. I’m looking forward to being more involved in the milestone events for our students and giving them the best possible high school experience.”

In moving from the science wing to the general office, Mr. Brzezinski joins the administrative team of Principal Barbara Lowell, fellow Executive Assistant to the Principal Deja Murphy and deans of students John Musmacker and Kenneth Wing. His responsibilities will include oversight of extracurricular activities, management and administration of Advanced Placement exams, and coordination of major events like homecoming, prom and graduation. He will also take over as chairman of the Shared Decision Making Committee, a group of administrators, teachers, staff, students and parents.

MICHAEL BRZEZINSKI - After spending 19 years in the front of a science classroom, Michael Brzezinski moves into an administrative role as Massapequa High School’s new executive assistant to the principal on July 1. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

Students Celebrate Front-Line Heroes

Fire trucks and police cars awed students, as did the stories from the men and women who ride in those vehicles, as Lockhart Elementary School in the Massapequa School District held its inaugural First Responders Day on May 22.

For the first hour, family members of students who work as firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, doctors, nurses, physician assistants and more visited classrooms to talk about their careers. They shared stories, showed the equipment they use and even had some free goodies for the children.

Then, the entire student body gathered on the back lawn for an exciting program hosted by the Nassau County Police Department. A parade of

vehicles rolled down the blacktop as Commissioner Patrick Ryder introduced different units including the 7th Precinct, emergency services, canine and motorcycle, along with an NYPD mounted unit. The excitement was evident as a helicopter from Nassau’s aviation unit did three circles around Lockhart.

Students then got to visit different stations to see the police vehicles and animal units up close. There was also a station where volunteers from the Massapequa Fire Department showcased the equipment aboard a fire engine, ladder truck and heavy rescue.

Principal Michael DeLuca and Assistant Principal Louisa Vecchione began planning for the

first-time event about five months ago. The idea was sparked by Ms. Vecchione’s sister, whose husband is a police officer. Once the school secured the visit from Nassau County Police, they reached out to families to seek guests for the classroom visits.

Students and staff were able to purchase navy blue “Lockhart Supports Our First Responders” T-shirts to wear. The sale raised more than $900 for the First Responders Foundation.

“We have so many families in Massapequa that are in the role of first responders,” Mr. DeLuca said. “This event is a great way to thank them for their hard work and service.”

Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District

FIRST RESPONDERS DAY - Lockhart Elementary School students met professionals from a variety of emergency services-related fields for the inaugural First Responders Day on May 22.

NYPD MOUNTED UNIT - The NYPD brought horses from its mounted unit to First Responders Day.

Long Island Children’s Museum

(LICM) Unveils New Community Mural

The Long Island Children's Museum (LICM) unveiled a brandnew 1,100-sq-ft public art piece that will serve as the fresh new "face" of the Museum for current and future generations of Long Islanders. Created by artist Viktoriya Basina along with Long Island children during a series of "paint parties" at the Museum over the course of three months, the collaborative process included community conversations with visitors to capture images and themes that reflect the Museum, its audience and Long Island. Feedback was shared during design review workshops before finally the process of painting the panels that make up the mural took place. The installation itself took five days.

Museum president Erika S. Floreska said, "We asked people to share their thoughts on what community means to them

and that's what we wanted the mural to convey. We're incredibly happy with the results of this collaborative community effort."

The unveiling event was attended by local officials including Congressman Anthony D'Esposito (4th CD) along with NYS Assemblyman Edward P. Ra; Nassau County Legislator Thomas McKevitt, Town of North

Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and Michael Reinhart, Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums.

The public art piece is part of LICM's Community Voices Take Shape grant supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation.

LICM UNVEILS NEW COMMUNITY MURAL - Pictured: (Center) artist Viktoriya Basina, LICM president Erika S. Floreska, along with Congressman D’Esposito and other local officials. Photo courtesy of Russell Lippai

Assemblyman Durso Joins Island Harvest Food Bank In Support of Stamp Out Hunger

Assemblyman Michael Durso (R-Massapequa Park) recently joined Island Harvest Food Bank, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), and the United States Postal Service in support of the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive, the nation’s largest single day food collection campaign.

Long Island residents were encouraged to leave non-perishable food donations by their mailbox

for their letter carrier to collect. All food collected in Nassau and Suffolk counties benefited Island Harvest by providing supplemental food support to more than 300,000 Long Islanders who face hunger and food insecurity, including nearly one-third of those who are children.

“Throughout these challenging times, Long Islanders have united to make sure those in need have enough food to eat. It

is a responsibility we share as a community,” said Durso. I would like to thank the USPS and our letter carriers for participating in this important campaign. And a special thanks to all the residents who donated food to help Stamp Out Hunger.”

All food collected will benefit Island Harvest Food Bank to help Long Islanders struggling to put food on their tables.

IN SUPPORT OF STAMP OUT HUNGER - Pictured: Assemblyman Michael Durso (center) along with Randi Shubin Dresner (President and CEO of Island Harvest), volunteers, and local government representatives.

New Beach Yoga Classes At Sunrise & Sunset

Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh announced that the Town is offering a new 10-week Yoga program at Philip B. Healey Beach at Florence Avenue in Massapequa. Classes are offered Wednesdays throughout the summer, beginning July 10th, for a 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. session.

“The Town is proud to offer residents a variety of programs and services including these new yoga classes which offer great benefits to the mind, body and soul, behind a beautiful beach setting,” said Councilwoman Walsh.

“Yoga builds strength, increases general flexibility and is considered a great stress reliever. Sign up today and use this opportunity to also meet new friends that can last a lifetime!”

Registration is now open and available at www.oysterbaytown.com/ portal. Residents can also sign up on the Town’s new Parks & Recreation App, available by searching ‘Town of Oyster Bay Parks and Recreation’ in the Apple or Google Play Store.

Registration is $60 for Town residents and $70 for non-residents. Please note that the schedule may

Town Launches New ‘Parks & Rec’ Mobile App To Ease Registration For Sports & Programs

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board unveiled a new mobile app today that allows residents to sign up for a variety of sports and recreational programs. The app is available for download through the AppStore and Google Play Store by searching ‘Town of Oyster Bay Parks & Rec,’ and allows residents to set up an account to sign up for year-round recreational opportunities.

“Through this great new Town of Oyster Bay Parks & Rec app, our residents can easily register for their favorite sports and recreation programs with just a few taps on their phones, simplifying the process for all who enjoy recreation in our Town,” said Supervisor Saladino. “This new app helps streamline the registration process and keeps all your favorite activities

Long-Term Care Policy

conveniently in one place. Registration is currently available for golf, marina memberships, night fishing, kayak and rowing rack rentals, and various adult and youth programs including ice hockey, tennis, toddler programs, basketball, and sports & fitness. Residents can also sign up for special events, including runs and walks, tournaments and the Town’s car show. Residents can browse through

available programs, view descriptions and schedules, upload all necessary materials and sign up right on the app.

App users can also optin to receive notifications and stay up to date on all offerings. To view all the new Town of Oyster Bay Parks & Rec app has to offer, visit your AppStore or Google Play store and download it today. For more information, visit www.oysterbaytown.com.

be subject to change and residents are encouraged to inquire about special holiday scheduling. If a session is cancelled due to inclement weather, a make-up session will be attempted. Mats will not be provided, so participants must bring their own Yoga mat. Participants should check with a physician before partaking in any physical fitness program. For more information and for registration availability, contact the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Parks at (516) 797-7945 or email tobparks@oysterbay-ny. gov.

(NAPSI)—In addition to protecting their country, Americans in the armed forces can protect their families with a long-term care policy. Visit LTCFEDS. com/militaryfamily to learn more about the benefits of applying for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program FLTCIP).

Councilman Hand Urges Residents To Give The Gift Of Life

By Donating Blood On June 19th

With hospitals facing a nationwide blood shortage, Oyster Bay Town Councilman Tom Hand invites residents to attend a Blood Collection Drive on Wednesday, June 19th from 1pm to 7pm at the Hicksville Athletic Center, located at 167 S. Broadway in Hicksville.

Councilman Hand stated, “Blood supplies are critically needed for local hospitals to meet the demand and continue saving lives. Please consider participating in this blood drive to help bolster our blood banks and ensure as many people as possible can be helped. Together, we can give the

gift of life though a simple blood donation.”

Appointments are preferred for the Town’s Blood Drive. To qualify as a donor, a person must be between the ages of 17 and 75 years old (16 with parental permission and 76 or older with a doctor’s note), weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood within the last 56 days. Anyone who received a tattoo within the past 12 months is ineligible to donate. It is recommended that donors eat well (low fat) and drink fluids in the days before the Blood Drive. Additionally, all donors will receive a voucher for a free Blizzard

at Dairy Queen.

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino added, “It’s quick, easy, and safe to donate a single pint of blood which can save up to three lives. Donating blood at the Hicksville Athletic Center, is an incredible way for all of us to pitch in and give back, to help ease the burden of our Healthcare Heroes as they continue to provide lifesaving efforts.”

For additional information regarding the Town’s Blood Drive, contact (516) 624-6380. To make an appointment to donate at this Blood Drive, sign up today at www.oysterbaytown.com/ blooddrive

Park Restrooms Upgraded To Further Serve Individuals With Disabilities

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board announced a new initiative to enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of Oyster Bay’s parks - the installation of adult changing tables. Designated public restrooms at Allen Park in Farmingdale, Burns Park in Massapequa, and the Town Ice Skating Center in Bethpage now have adult changing tables, and the town plans to install a total of 15 more across various parks.

“Our goal is to make Oyster Bay’s parks more inclusive for everyone,”

Supervisor Saladino said. “By adding adult changing tables to our public restrooms, we are ensuring that individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers can enjoy our parks with dignity and ease. This is just one of many steps we are taking to create an environment where everyone feels welcome.”

In addition to the adult changing tables, several Town parks feature playgrounds and swings designed for individuals with disabilities, as well as play communication boards that facilitate inclusive play for children with speech and language challenges.

The Town plans to install additional adult changing tables at Bethpage Community Park, Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, Marjorie Post Park, Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, TOBAY Beach, and Philip B. Healy Beach. All installations have been funded through the Nassau County Community Development Block Grant Program – not Town tax dollars.

For more information, please call the Town of Oyster Bay Parks Department at (516) 7974128.

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PSEG Long Island Employees Make Donation To Help Protect Power Lines, Wildlife And The Environment From Balloon Hazards

PSEG Long Island employees recently donated $1,000 to Merrick-based Balloon Mission, Inc. a notfor-profit organization that collects discarded balloons in an effort to protect wildlife and the environment.

Balloon safety is important to PSEG Long Island because metallic balloons can be hazardous to overhead electric lines – potentially causing fires and power outages, and also because of the negative effects released balloons can have on the ecosystem.

The donation was made through three of the company’s employee business resource groups (EBRG): GREEN, which is comprised of employee-advocates of clean energy alternatives, LI Environmental Guardians, which supports local efforts to help preserve the earth, and the

Able EBRG, which champions community organizations that help people with disabilities.

The Association for Children with Down Syndrome (ACDS), which serves families of children and adults with disabilities, has been involved with Balloon Mission’s work.

Adults receiving services from ACDS help Balloon Mission by collecting deflated balloons from various balloon drop box locations. The group then practices life skills by sorting and counting the balloons before they are safely and properly discarded.

Balloon Mission will use the PSEG Long Island donation to educate the public through community outreach and balloon collection programs, and by erecting informational signage at area parks and beaches about the dangers of balloon releases.

"We're so grateful for our partnership with PSEG Long Island,” said Cynthia Seibold, founder and executive director of Balloon Mission, Inc. “This donation will help fund our recycling and education programs that raise awareness about the unintended harm balloons have when they're accidentally or purposely let go in the sky. We're pioneering a balloon collection program so people can responsibly enjoy balloons. Once the fun is done, they pop-n-drop balloons in our bins knowing they're keeping animals and the environment safe, while reducing the risk of fires and power outages."

“We are supporting this wonderful organization that is raising awareness about the potential dangers balloons can have on our environment,” said Anna

Keselman, co-president of the PSEG Long Island GREEN EBRG. “We are inspired by Cynthia’s enthusiasm and her organization’s mission to protect turtles, sea life and our lands.”

PSEG Long Island reminds the public that balloons released into the air can become entangled in overhead electric equipment and cause a host of problems. Metallic balloons conduct electricity and resting on an electric line or other electrical equipment could lead to power outages, fire and, possibly, injuries.

Balloons caught on electrical equipment should be reported to PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0075 so a specially trained crew can safely address the issue.

PSEG LONG ISLAND EMPLOYEES MAKE DONATION - Pictured (l-r) behind balloon collection bin are: Cynthia Seibold, of Balloon Mission, Inc. and Michael Voltz, Anna Keselman, Gabriella Scibelli, Saqib Mandi, and Ronan Murphy, representing PSEG Long Island’s GREEN employee business resource group.