October 30, 2024 Massapequa by Long Island Media Group

Bay's Neighb

STUDENTS BRING THE SPIRIT, CHIEFS BRING THE WIN

The Massapequa Chiefs took the field for their homecoming game against the Port Washington Vikings on Oct. 19. It was a 35-19 win for the home team. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

BRIDGES PROGRAM

Do you know a young adult ages 15-25 struggling with substance misuse and mental health issues? Connect them with YES Community Counseling Center’s BRIDGES Program for FREE counseling and support services in our ofﬁce, remote or in the community.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

• Consultation

• Individual & Family Counseling

• Life Transition Support

• Recovery Support

Connect with us to schedule a FREE Discovery Call in person or on Zoom!

• Medication Evaluation

• Smoking/Vaping Cessation

• Sober Curious Groups & More!

• Services In English & Spanish

Town Announces Scholarship Fund In Memory Of Fallen NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller Fundraiser Scheduled For November 20th At Mulcahy’s

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato joined with NYPD officials and representatives from St. Mary’s High School to announce a scholarship fund in memory of Detective Jonathan Diller, who was tragically murdered in the line of duty in March, leaving behind wife Stephanie and a young child. Supervisor Saladino, alongside Stephane Diller, acknowledged Larry Weinberger, president of MGD Realty, for spearheading the scholarship initiative and contributing the first $5,000 to get it off the ground.

“The Town of Oyster Bay never forgets its hometown heroes, and Officer Diller sacrificed his life because of his bravery and undeterred commitment to serving

the public and keeping us safe,” said Supervisor Saladino. “He will forever be remembered as a hometown hero, and the Detective Jonathan Diller Scholarship Fund launched today will ensure people will forever remember him.”

A 2010 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, Jonathan learned the importance of values, service, community and respect while achieving academic success. This well-rounded education was important to him and led him to a career in law enforcement. Stephanie and her family want others to have the same opportunity that Jonathan did at St. Mary’s, which led to the creation of this scholarship initiative.

Officials invited the public to help them reach the goal of $100,000 by attending

a charitable fundraising event at Mulcahy’s on Wednesday, November

20th at 6:30pm, to help make this scholarship fund an even greater success.

Local businesses are also invited to participate in the scholarship fund by calling MGD Realty at (516) 4091800 in advance to make arrangements.

All-State Festival Beckons For Massapequa Musicians

The musical abilities of 10 Massapequa High School students were recognized statewide with their selection as participants or alternates to honors ensembles at the New York State School Music Association’s 2024 festival.

Two musicians will share their instrumental talents

at NYSSMA’s annual AllState winter conference.

Trumpet player Austin Benedict was named to the wind ensemble, while his brother, Tyler Benedict, will play violin with the string orchestra.

Eight vocalists were also recognized. Isabella Corigliano and Giavanna

Pizzo, both sopranos, and Stephanie Guida, alto, will perform with the mixed chorus. Alto singers Chloe Legate and Emily Ogurick are joining the treble chorus. Luciana DiLibereto, Tiffany Gfrerer and Sofia Maran are alternates for the chorus.

All-State ensembles

represent the top music students from across the state. Solo auditions before NYSSMA-certified adjudicators took place in the spring before final selections were made. This year’s music festival will take place from Dec. 5-8 in Rochester and will include workshops, a keynote

address and ensemble performances.

“We are honored to have 10 students recognized as All-State musicians, a shining moment for the Massapequa music department,” said Vincent Green, director of fine and performing arts. “Their selection as participants

or alternates for NYSSMA honors ensembles reflects their hard work, commitment and love of music. This is also a testament to our highly dedicated music faculty, who have fostered their musical abilities and passion from elementary school through high school.”

Ten students from Massapequa High School were named NYSSMA All-State musicians, including seven festival participants and three alternates. They were congratulated by Superintendent Dr. William Brennan, Director of Fine and Performing Arts Vincent Green, Principal Barbara Lowell and their music teachers. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District

Town Partners With Community Group To Collect Peanut Butter Residents Invited To ‘Spread

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Tom Hand announce that the Town will partner with the Massapequa Farmingdale Men’s Club to host a Peanut Butter Collection Drive. Residents are invited to donate new, unopened and sealed peanut butter to help replenish local food pantries and support families in need. Drop-off containers are located at Town Halls North and South, as well as at the Town Ice Skating Center. Alternative butters, including sun butters, almond butters and cookie butters, as well as jelly, are also accepted.

“We are proud to partner with this great organization to help ‘spread the love’ and stock local food pantry shelves with this very popular product,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Peanut butter has a long shelf life, provides many nutrients and doesn’t require refrigeration, making it among the most highly requested items from local food banks. We thank the Massapequa Farmingdale Men’s Club for again putting our local communities first with another wonderful initiative to help others.”

The Massapequa Farmingdale Men’s Club mission is to provide and encourage involvement in education, charitable and social programs for the men of local communities, and to support the local and wider community with activities and contributions.

“The Massapequa-Farmingdale Men’s Club has been

The Love’ To Help Stock Local Food Pantries

assisting local foodbanks for more than five years, and we’re supporting their efforts by helping to collect food, fill shelves and feed the hungry,” said Councilman Hand.

The Peanut Butter Collection Drive will run through November 15th. Drop off bins are located during regular business hours at Town Hall North (54 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay), Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa) and the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center (1001 Stewart Ave, Bethpage).

“Our organization has worked to help the local and greater community for several years, and we are thrilled to once again partner with the Town of Oyster Bay to supply this much-needed item to local food pantries,” said Tom Sabellico, president and founder of the Men’s Club. “We’ve run many successful food drive and have found over the years that local food banks like peanut butter thanks to it being easy to use, it keeps a long time, provides a variety of nutrients, is high in protection and is enjoyed by all age groups.”

For more information about the Massapequa Farmingdale Men’s Club and their mission, visit www. massapequafarmingdalemensclub.com. For more information about the Peanut Butter Collection Drive and other Town programs, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com or call (516) 624-6380.

NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS

THROUGH OCT. 31st

2:30PM-6:30 PM

PUMPKIN PATCH

A Giant Pumpkin Patch at St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 29 Brooksite Drive, in Smithtown. Many unique and regular pumpkins, all sizes. for more informtion, please see website: https://www.sthomasofcanterbury. net, or call 631-265-4520.

SATURDAY, NOV. 2nd

10:00AM-4:00PM

CRAFT AND VENDOR FAIR

AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary 18 will be having a craft and vendor fair. 50/50 ~ Raffes ~ Cake Sale. Admission is Free ~INSIDE EVENT~ Amvets Post #18, 141 Carleton Ave. in East Islip. For more information or to request a space please contact: Gloria Morck 631-277-9842, cell 516-885-1410 email gcm42@aol.com

SATURDAY, NOV. 2nd

12:00AM-5:00PM

SUNDAY, NOV. 3rd

9:00AM-3:45PM LONG ISLAND

CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW

Starkie Bros. Garden Center , 721 Main Street in Farmingdale will again be the site of the Long Island Chrysanthemum Show. Awards presentation will begin at 3:45 pm. Some blooms will be available to the public for a small donation to the Long Island Chrysanthemum Society. For more information, please visit: www.limums.org, or call John Capobianco 516-263-2717

HOLIDAYS

3rd - Daylight Savings Time Ends

5th - Election Day

11th - Veterans Day

28th - Thanksgiving

MAKE A SUBMISSION!

Events must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date and will run free of charge on a space available basis. For more info, call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com

SUNDAY, NOV. 3rd

12:00AM-5:00PM

PSYCHIC & HOLISTIC

WELLNESS EVENT

Free Admission. Fire Island Vines 17

E. Main Street in Bayshore. 6 of LI ﬁnest Psychics, 12 Holistic Wellness Vendors and Healers. Food and Beverages available for purchase. For more information, please call Diane 516-639-6903 Empowered Path Expos.

THURSDAY, NOV. 7th

7:00PM

LINDENHURST

EVENING HOMEMAKERS GROUP

Join Lindenhurst Evening Homemakers Group at the North Amityville Senior Center 48 Cedar Rd. in Amityville (off of New Hwy.) Open to all 18 years old & up. New members should arrive 15 min. early. For more information, please call Lisa LeBrie at 516-413-7467

SATURDAY, NOV. 9th

10:00AM-3:00PM

VETERAN'S BENEFITS SYMPOSIUM

Sgt . John Sardiello Post 1634 of the American Legion, 10 Bruce Street in West Babylon. Breakfast & Lunch Served. Open to all veterans and/or their families seeking information and services. Need Information, call 631-669-3931, secretary.post1634@ gmail.com

SUNDAY, NOV. 10th

9:00AM-2:00PM

OPERATION ENDURING CARE

BENEFIT CAR SHOW

Hosted by the Centurion Cruisers

Car Club and American legion Post 1244 Greenlawn - Remembering our Veterans. Walt Whitman High School 301 West Hills Road in Huntington Station. They are collecting donations to beneﬁt in-patients and Community living Centers at the Northport V.A. Hospital, United Beacon House shelter and other transition and rehabilitation programs. For more info contact: Hank 516-650-9095 or Charlie 917-337-2234

SATURDAY, NOV. 16th

9:00AM-11:00AM

SANTAPOGUE CREEK DEFENDER CLEAN UP Santapogue Creek Defender Clean Up/West Babylon in collaboration with Babylon Rotary. Meet up is in old K-mart parking lot, Montauk Highway (across from Aldi). Gloves and bags to be provided. Please wear weather appropriate clothing. Volunteer here https:// savethegreatsouthbay.org/ volunteer/

10:00AM-1:30PM

WANTAGH KIWANIS FOOD DRIVE HUNGER affects people in EVERY community of ALL ages throughout the YEAR. Please join us at the King Kullen on Wantagh Ave. in Wantagh. Locally Beneﬁtting: St. Francis Food Pantry & St. Jude Episcopal Food Pantry - Wantagh. For more information, please call Marlena Schein 516-297-2772

LONG ISLAND MEDIA GROUP

NEIGHBORS’ PETS PLACE

Students Bring The Spirit, Chiefs Bring The Win At Homecoming

A touchdown within the first minute set off raucous cheering in the Chief Nation section that rarely let up, as Massapequa cruised to a 35-19 win over Port Washington for the annual homecoming football game on Oct. 19.

The warm and sunny afternoon was a stark contrast from last year and ensured that the day’s festivities would go unimpeded. The annual parade went from Massapequa Park Village Hall to Massapequa High School, featuring the pep band, cheerleaders, class banners, homecoming

royalty and several student clubs, in addition to the board of education and administration.

Fans cheered as the Chiefs took the field for their midafternoon matchup against the Vikings, entering between two blue and gold balloon towers. Senior Isabella Corigliano sang the national anthem while students from the high school’s American Sign Language program signed along. Throughout the game, the pep band played from the bleachers while the cheerleaders and color guard raised spirit from

the track.

Halftime included performances by the varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders, as well as the Chiefettes dance team, as well as the introduction of the homecoming court.

The senior royalty were Christian Marmo, Kaia Muller, Jake Rodriguez and Emily Sullivan. Rounding out the court were juniors Nicholas Brennan and Sophia Dalton, sophomores Jackson Crudele and Rhyan O’Leary and freshmen Kate Friedrich, Jada Maroldo, Allison McMenamin, Matthew Oweis, Alex Sloves and Jocelyn Vandenberg.

The Massapequa Chiefs took the field for their homecoming game against the Port Washington Vikings on Oct. 19. It was a 35-19 win for the home team. Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District

Homecoming was the culmination of a weeklong celebration, that included themed dress-up days for the entire district as well as the inaugural homecoming dance for students in grades 10-12.

The homecoming court was introduced at halftime, which included the senior royalty as well as freshmen, sophomore and junior honorees.

The senior class displayed their banner in the homecoming parade.

Superintendent Dr. William Brennan met with students in the Chief Nation cheering section.

Isabella Corigliano sang the national anthem, which was also signed by students from the ASL program.

MASSAPEQUA COAST LITTLE LEAGUE

Registration

For

MCLL Can Only Be Done In Person

Birch Lane Elementary School (41 Birch Lane, Massapequa Park)

Sat. Nov 2 (9:30am-11:00am) • Thurs. Nov 7 (7:30pm-9:00pm) Tues. Nov 12 (7:30pm-9:00pm) • Thus. Nov 14 (7:30pm-9:00pm)

WHERE: WHO:

For boys/girls interested in BASEBALL. Players MUST be 4 prior to Sept. 1, 2025 and cannot be older than 16 prior to Sept. 1, 2025 to be eligible for our program

REG FEES FOR PLAYERS RESIDING OR ATTENDING A SCHOOL SOUTH OF SUNRISE HIGHWAY IN MASSAPEQUA/MASSAPEQUA PARK BOUNDARIES

MAXIMUM FEE PER FAMILY FOR SPRING REGISTRATION IS $350

Checks (Payable To MCLL) Or Cash Only

OUT OF BOUNDRY RESIDENTS, REGISTRATION FEE IS $500 PER PLAYER. NEW PLAYERS TO PROGRAM MUST PRODUCE A COPY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE & SCHOOL VERIFICATION FOR MCLL RECORDS

Players who HAVE NOT participated in the Coast League during one of our Spring Seasons in the past, MUST provide an original Raised Seal Birth Certiﬁcate.

FIRST TIME PLAYERS SHOULD ATTEND REGISTRATION FOR JERSEY SIZING

T-Ball Note for 6 year olds: Must play t-ball if ﬁrst year 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.

Seniors Note: Once again, we will play inter-league with the Massapequa International League

Honoring Our Heroes!

The Massapequa Chamber of Commerce proudly presented the Law Enforcement Officers of the Year Awards at the American Legion Massapequa NY Post 1066 on Sept 26th.

Police Officers Nicholas Russo and Christopher Ryder were this year’s

honorees from the 7th Precinct Nassau County Police Department! Their dedication, bravery, and selfless service to our community are truly inspiring. We’re grateful for their tireless efforts to keep us safe.

Tom LoFaso, Secretary

Karen Gawrych, Treasurer

Sal Polito, Second Vice President

Robert Barrett, Past President

Robin Hepworth, President

Steve Parmiter, Board of Directors

Lucrecia Falacara, Board of Directors

Robert Zabbia, Past President

Annette Morreale, Board of Directors

Tim Ryan, Board of Directors

Gary Slavin, Past President

Maria Guzzetta, Board of Directors

Keith Wilson, Past President

Town Recycles Thousands Of Shells From Oyster Festival

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino joined with Town officials to showcase the thousands of oyster shells which were collected during the weekend of the Oyster Festival, which will be recycled through the Town’s Shell Recycling Program. The shells, amounting to roughly four tons, were transported by Town aqua culturists to a curing facility, where they

remain for several months prior to being strategically returned to the harbor to assist in the growth of new shellfish.

“You can’t have the Oyster Festival without oysters, and thousands of residents enjoyed this delicacy during the weekend’s festivities.

Thanks to the Town’s Shell Recycling Program, we can make sure the shells will not go to waste and be recycled

back into our waters.”

The Supervisor explained that shells provide an excellent source of habitat for young shellfish to grow and mature, offering protection from weather conditions and predators.

“It’s amazing what can happen if we just let Mother Nature take its course – which just a little help from us,” Supervisor Saladino said. “These shells

waterways to improve water quality and help with growth of new shellfish.

Supervisor Saladino.

offer great protection from weather conditions, and also help defend growing shellfish from predators. They are essential to our waterways and local marine environment, as they filter water through their feeding mechanisms.”

As just one single shellfish can filter up to 50 gallons of seater per day, environmental initiatives such as this new recycling

program have remained a priority for the Town Board.

“We appreciate everyone in the community and the food vendors who have helped collect shellfish as part of this wonderful program,” said

Councilwoman Johnson.

“This initiative helps us restore the populations in our harbor while improving water quality. It also assists local restaurants toward achieving compliance

requirements with state regulations on food donation and recycling, as well as reducing waste carting expenses.”

Any restaurant owner interested in partnering with the Town on the Shell Recycling Program can visit the Town’s website for more information, at www.oysterbaytown.com/ shellrecycling.

Isabelle Rapacciuolo, Board of Directors

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (right) and Town officials show a sampling of the four tons of oyster shells collected at the Oyster Festival, to be recycled back into the

Shown are Councilwoman Michele Johnson, Receiver Jeff Pravato, Town Clerk Rich LaMarca and

Councilwoman Maier Announces Open House For Town Pre-School Programs

Town of Oyster Bay residents who are interested in enrolling their children in a pre-school program are invited to attend an Open House at one of the Town’s two pre-schools, located in Syosset-Woodbury and Marjorie Post Parks. Town Councilwoman Laura Maier invites parents to the facilities to learn about the popular program available to three-

and four-year-olds in the Town of Oyster Bay.

“As a mother of young children, I know how important the early years of a child’s life can be in their development for the future,”

Councilwoman Maier said.

“The Town’s Pre-School Program offers a positive environment for each student to help and encourage their

love of learning. Teachers focus on making learning and the social experience of the Pre-School Program fun for all children in an effort to make the first years of their education all the more enjoyable.”

Open Houses at Town PreSchool facilities are scheduled as follows:

* Marjorie Post Community Park: Thursday, November 4, 2024 from 6pm to 8pm at 451 Unqua Road, Massapequa

* Syosset-Woodbury Community Park: Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 6pm to 7pm at 7800 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury

For more information on the Town of Oyster Bay PreSchool Program, contact the Massapequa program at (516) 797-5386 or MassapequaPreK@oysterbayny.gov and the Syosset program at (516) 677-5992 or SyossetPreK@oysterbayny.gov<mailto:SyossetPreK@ oysterbay-ny.gov>.

CLUES ACROSS

1. __ Spumante (Italian wine)

5. Highly impressed

11. Pronoun to identify something speciﬁc

12. Uttered in an impassioned way 16. Outﬁts

17. “Westworld” actor Harris

18. Stewed game casserole

19. Indignities inﬂicted on others

24. Blood type

25. Says beneath one’s breath

26. Taxis

27. Transmits genetic information from

CLUES DOWN

1. Open-roofed entrance

2. Japanese religion

3. Dancer’s garments

4. Distributes

5. Yemeni port

6. Spanish doctors

7. It cools your house

8. Engine variant

9. Makes more manageable 10. Days (Spanish)

13. Milliliter

14. Spread out from

DNA to the cytoplasm

28. NFL great Randy

29. Where college students live

30. Brief Yankees sensation Kevin

31. Condiment

33. -frutti

34. Polish city

38. Astronomy unit of distance

39. Romanian village

40. Bears ﬁrst overall pick Williams

43. Irritated

44. Clothing for sale has them

45. One-time world power

49. When you anticipate arriving

15. With two replaceable hydrogen atoms

20. Respectful title for a man

21. Equally

22. Scarlett’s home

23. Big Blue

27. Subway dwellers

29. One-tenth of a liter

30. Central European river 31. Distress signal 32. Expression of sympathy

Bar bill

Football equipment

50. Farm building

51. Organize thoughtfully

53. Detective

54. One who reduces

56. Nursemaids

58. Partner to “Pa”

59. World’s longest river

60. Commemorates

63. Compound

64. The Lannisters and Starks fought for one

65. Email function

35. Dance music 36. Russian river

Mary __, cosmetics

Gym class

Autos 41. Fourth and honorable name in ancient Rome 42. Defeats (abbr.)

Receiver Pravato Announces 40-Day Penalty Free Period

To Pay School Property Taxes

Oyster Bay Town

Receiver of Taxes, Jeffrey P. Pravato, reminds residents that the First Half of the 2024-2025 School Tax Levy is due on October 1st, but can be paid without penalty through November 12th. The Town of Oyster Bay is closed on November 11th in observance of Veteran’s Day.

“New York State Law 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,” Receiver Pravato explained. “After the 40 days, State Law requires a one percent penalty is added for each month the tax remains unpaid, retroactive to October 1st. Don’t delay, make your payment before November 12th and ensure you aren’t paying more out of pocket than you need to.”

The Tax Office is open in both Town Hall North, 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville

Road, Massapequa, daily from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm to assist residents and accept payments with a check, cash or debit/ credit card (for a fee).

Outdoor walkup windows are also available. On November 8th and 12th both offices will be open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. When paying in person, residents are reminded to bring the entire tax bill.

Residents who prefer to mail in their payments should send them to the Office of the Receiver of Taxes, 74 Audrey Avenue,

ANSWERS:

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 school district code, section, block, lot and phone number on the check. All mailed payments must have a United States Postal Service postmark dated on or before November 12th.

Taxpayers also have access to the 2024-2025 School Tax information on our online system via a link on the Town website, www.oysterbaytown. com. Residents may view current tax bills, print out a hard copy, or pay taxes with an ACH check payment for a service fee of $1.75, or by debit/ credit card for a much higher fee charged by the credit card companies. The Town of Oyster Bay receives no portion of this fee.

Receiver Pravato reminds residents that school budgets are set by their local school districts, and the Town

NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS SERVICE DIRECTORY

of Oyster Bay is not involved in that process. Any questions related to School Tax rates and amounts should be addressed to the resident’s school district. The telephone number for each school district is printed on the front of the School Tax bill.

To contact the Receiver of Taxes Office, please call (516) 624-6400 or email receiveroftaxes@ oysterbay-ny.gov.

Residents are requested to have the school district code, section, block and lot numbers of the property in question available. This information is listed on the tax bill and on the property deed.

Sleep Is Restorative And Essential For Children

Sleep is restorative and essential for ensuring our minds and bodys operate at peak capacity, but many kids are not getting enough sleep. According to WebMD, bedtimes have gradually become later as children must contend with social, family and school activities. This is especially true for older children. WebMD says that most 12-year-olds now go to bed around 9 p.m., getting an average of 9 hours of sleep, even though 12 hours is ideal for kids who are 12.