South Bay's Neighbor
Photo courtesy of Deer Park School District
These two moms opened a spa. It had one big, beautiful effect on
Mery and Sindy always knew they wanted to open a spa to bring beauty to customers. Little did they know it would have the same effect on the community. And Business First was there. We provided $23,000 in grants to help with much-needed renovations so Mery and Sindy could bring their vision to life.* Now, not only does their spa impact clients in a beautiful way, it gives the community an economic lift as well.
*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.
Learn more about how we’re helping communities thrive. psegliny.com/revitalization
Mery Seminario and Sindy Catalan, ISSI Beauty Spa, Port Washington
United States Navy Blue Angels To Headline The 2026 FourLeaf Air Show At Jones Beach
FourLeaf Federal Credit Union and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, are very pleased to once again welcome the United States Navy Blue Angels as headliners for the 2026 FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach. The announcement was made at the annual International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Convention in Las Vegas.
The 2026 FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach will take place over the Fourth of July weekend as part of the nation’s Semiquincentennial (250th) celebration of the United States, as announced by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul. The FourLeaf Air Show will take place on Sunday, July 5th and Monday, July 6th, with a practice day on Friday, July 3rd. The annual Jones Beach Fireworks Spectacular will once again light up the sky on Saturday, July 4th.
“The 2026 FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach will be a spectacular tribute to America’s
Prom is much more than a dance. It is a rite of passage and a memorable component of the high school experience. The few hours spent dancing and socializing at a catering hall or other venue will be the centerpiece of prom night, but often there is more to the festivities. Increasingly, students incorporate preprom events and after-prom adventures, during which additional memories are made.
Getting ready
Many young women enjoy prepping for the prom together. This presents a chance to work on each others’ hair and makeup, and ensure that the finishing touches are all set. Depending on the school, some students may have an early dismissal on the schedule so prom-goers have ample time to get ready. It’s possible to meet at a spa, salon or someone’s
250 years of freedom, courage, and innovation,” said Linda Armyn, President and CEO of FourLeaf Federal Credit Union.
“We’re proud to continue a tradition that unites families, honors those who serve, and reminds us all what it means to be part of this great nation.
With the Blue Angels leading an all-star lineup of military and civilian performers, we’re excited to present a thrilling air show showcasing the very best of American excellence.”
Additional performers announced at ICAS include: the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. Civilian teams also set to perform in 2026 include: the current reigning Air Masters Cup Series champion and current Sky Grand Prix Champion, Aarron Deliu; the American Airpower Museum Warbirds; and the Farmingdale State College Flying Rams. The full 2026 lineup will continue to
be updated and announced.
“The FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach is one of the most anticipated events of the summer, and this year’s celebration will be our biggest and most meaningful yet. It’s a chance for families to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, honor our heroes, and enjoy an unforgettable display of aviation excellence right here on Long Island,” said George Gorman, Regional Director, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The United States Navy Blue Angels headlined the very first air show at Jones Beach in 2004 and will return to Long Island to headline next year’s special Semiquincentennial show. This will be the Blue Angels’ 11th headliner performance for what has grown into one of the most respected air shows in the country. The last time the Blue Angels performed, in 2024, over 459,000 people attended the show over the three-day period.
Prom Expands Beyond The Dance
house to put together the perfect prom aesthetic. This is a busy day, so it’s always a good idea to pre-book prom treatments well in advance to ensure that beauty professionals will be free and able to accommodate groups.
Pre-prom gathering
Pre-prom get-togethers are all about looking good before the dancing (and sweating) occurs. This is the time when friends gather to take photos with their closest group of besties. Typically, one student who has a home with a scenic backyard hosts the pre-prom mixer. Light snacks, photo opportunities with balloons and backdrops are the norm. It can be a nice touch to have a parents’ station with some snacks and beverages so that parents can mingle and grab their own photos as well. The pre-prom gathering also is a way to facilitate easy transport to the prom.
Groups can coordinate vans, party buses or limos to stop at this centralized location.
Prom after-party
Once the last song is played and the lights come on at the prom venue, it may seem like the night is done. But this is not quite the case for those who want the fun to continue. After-prom events tend to fall into two distinct camps: the schoolsanctioned option and the private party.
The school event may feature things like inflatables, food, casino-type games, and more music. Some are lock-in events where students stay until morning, helping to keep people off the road in the wee hours.
Private after-parties run the gamut of classic house parties to diner hangouts to destination trips. In many regions of the country, it is a tradition to head to a beach house, a cabin or a hotel in
a hot spot for the remainder of the prom evening and potentially the weekend. Students and parents must carefully weigh the pros and cons of these types of parties, and make every endeavor to keep participants safe. Some hotels will not allow bookings to underage
patrons, so that also is a consideration. Families may want to establish pacts that hold students to certain behavior standards, such as avoiding alcohol, drugs and intimate encounters at prom after-parties. The after-party requires a level of responsibility and trust on
the part of all involved. Prom has evolved to be an all-day event that mixes the getting ready stage with preprom photo opportunities, the dance, and then the after-event. This maximizes the chances for memories that will last a lifetime.
Benefits Of Leisure Activities
High School Students Connect Mindfulness And Nature During Arboretum Visit
Deer Park High School students enrolled in the Mindfulness Matters ELA elective course continue to explore the vital connection between mental well-being and the world around us with a recent visit to the historic Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay. Teacher Christine DiProperzio arranged the experience, and students moved beyond the classroom to engage in sensory exploration to
ground the mind and foster a deeper appreciation for the environment. By focusing on their five senses, participants practiced being fully present while navigating the arboretum’s diverse landscape.
Students participated in guided meditation and journaling sessions, as well as a nature-focused scavenger hunt that encouraged sharp focus and curiosity about the local flora. Each student was able
to bring back soil and seeds to begin cultivating their own vegetable and flower gardens.
“This visit really showed the importance of managing daily stressors and reconnecting with nature, providing our students with tools to cultivate a lasting sense of balance,” Director of ELA, Reading and Library Justin Uliano said.
Leisure activities may be widely viewed as fun ways to fill up free time, but the benefits of leisure activities extend beyond beating boredom. An analysis published in the journal BBA Molecular Basis of Disease found that leisure activities have a positive impact on cognitive function and dementia. The analysis, conducted by researchers with the Aging Research Center in Stockholm who examined various studies regarding the relationship between certain activities and cognitive function, defined leisure activity as the voluntary use of free time for activities outside the home. After retirement, leisure time constitutes a large part of many retirees’ lives, and finding ways to fill that time is more beneficial than merely avoiding boredom. The researchers behind the study concluded that the existing research is insufficient to draw any firm conclusions regarding the effects of certain types of leisure activities on the risk for dementia and cognitive decline, though they did note that multi-domain cognitive training has the potential to improve cognitive function in healthy older adults and slow decline in affected individuals. A multi-domain approach to cognitive training involves memory, reasoning, problemsolving, and map reading, among other activities. Aging adults who embrace activities that require the use of such skills may find that they’re not only finding stimulating ways to fill their free time, but increasing their chances of long-term cognitive health as well.
Photo courtesy of Deer Park School District
2026 Picnic Pavilion Reservations
For Long Island State Parks
Are you interested in renting a picnic pavilion this summer at one of your Long Island State Parks? Reservations are open on the New York State Parks Reserve America website or by calling 1-800-456-2267. There are no in-person reservations. All picnic pavilion reservations must be made online or by calling Reserve America directly. Reservable picnic pavilions are located at the following Long Island State Parks for the 2026 season, with the following restrictions:
• Belmont Lake State Park, North Babylon
o No sound systems / DJ’s / amplified sound
o No buses on holidays Memorial Day to Labor Day
o No generators permitted
• Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale
o No electricity
• Heckscher State Park, East Islip
• Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead
o No generators permitted
• Orient Beach State Park, Orient
o No buses on weekends
• Sunken Meadow State Park, Kings Park (Field # 4)
o No pony rides, inflatables, sound systems / DJ’s / amplified sound
• Valley Stream State Park, Valley Stream
o No sound systems / DJ’s / amplified sound
o No buses on weekends and holidays Memorial Day to Labor Day
After you have successfully reserved a pavilion, you can then apply for an add-on permit to enhance your reservation. Applications for add-on permits, which include sound system / DJ’s / amplified sound, pony
rides, buses, inflatables, food trucks, or alcohol, can be found within the 2026 Group Picnic Application. Applications must be received at least 14 days prior to your reservation date.
For additional information, please call the Regional Permit Office at 631-321-3770. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visits annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.
Five Ways To Honor The Real Meaning Of Memorial Day
Memorial Day often is celebrated with the excitement of a long weekend and the prospect of firing up the grill for a backyard barbecue. But Memorial Day also is a time to reflect on the men and women who gave their lives to defend American freedom.
Memorial Day was established to honor individuals who died while serving the United States in the Armed Forces and the
holiday is a time to reflect on the sacrifices of the fallen heroes who dedicated and lost their lives in the pursuit of service. The following are some ways to honor those sacrifices this Memorial Day.
• Observe the National Moment of Remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance is an annual one-minute moment of silence that takes place at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. Established by Congress in 2000, this unifying moment encourages Americans to pause their activities and reflect on the high cost of freedom. The time is significant, as it is a period when most people are enjoying Memorial Day festivities that were made possible by the sacrifices of Armed Forces personnel.
• Honor the American flag. Memorial Day features a unique flag protocol. To properly honor the fallen, the flag should be flown at half-staff until noon. Afterwards, it should be raised to the top of the staff for the remainder of the day, according to the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. The transition marks the nation’s mourning in
MEMORIAL DAY
May 25th, 2026
the morning hours and then the legacy of fallen veterans later in the afternoon.
• Coordinate flag placement for cemeteries. Organizations like Flags for Fallen Vets and scouting groups make an effort to place small American flags at the grave sites of deceased veterans. Many cemeteries feature sections exclusively for veterans. Similarly, families can visit cemeteries and leave a penny or a stone on the headstone of a veteran, which shows others that someone visited to pay their respects.
• Talk to the next generation. To ensure that the memories of fallen soldiers do not fade into obscurity, living veterans can speak with youth about their service experiences and those of their fallen friends. Schools or local municipalities can organize speaking engagements.
Memorial Day is much more than sales at the furniture store or a day spent manning the grill. It is a day to remember and honor service members who never made it home.
MAY HAPPENINGS
THURSDAY, MAY 21st, thru MONDAY, MAY 25th, Midway hours: 4:00PM10:00PM Thursday, 4:00PM11:00PM Friday, NOON11:00 PM Saturday - Sunday, NOON-10:00PM Monday (Memorial Day)
LEVITTOWN CARNIVAL
At the Levittown Center, 2999 Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown. Enjoy thrilling midway rides and games and tasty carnival eats for the whole family at this annual Memorial Day weekend event sponsored by the Levittown Chamber of Commerce. Admission and parking are free. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult age 21+. Please check the website for event updates before attending, dreamlandamusements.com. For more information, call 866-666-3247
THURSDAY, MAY 21st, thru MONDAY, MAY 25th, Midway hours: 5:00-10:00PM Thursday, 5:00PM-11:00PM Friday, NOON-11:00PM Saturday-Sunday, 1:00PM10:00PM Monday (Memorial Day).
MERRICK TRAIN STATION CARNIVAL At Merrick LIRR Station, 2099 Sunrise Hwy. in Merrick. Experience the sights, sounds and aromas of the electrifying midway over Memorial Day weekend with exciting rides and games for all ages and tantalizing carnival cuisine. Event admission and parking are free. For more information, call 866-666-3247
SATURDAY, MAY 23rd
11:00AM-5:00PM
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 information, please call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
GREAT AMERICAN FOOD AND CRAFT FESTIVAL
At P & A Park, 21 Pearsall Avenue in Deer Park. The Great American Food & Craft Festival brings together delicious eats, handcrafted goods, and creative makers for a fun-filled outdoor celebration of local flavor and artistry. Interested in learning more about the event or want to apply to be a vendor? Check out this site at https://www.staysaltedinc. com/events/the-great-american-foodcraft-festival, or call 631-431-7080
SATURDAY, May 23rd, thru SUNDAY, May 24th
10:00AM-5:00PM
SMITHTOWN SPRING CRAFT FAIR at Smithtown Village Historical Society grounds, 211 East Main Street in Smithtown. Smithtown Spring Craft Fair will be held on the picturesque Smithtown historical society grounds. Featuring 100 local craft and gift vendors, food trucks, and live music. Free parking and admission. For more information, please call 631-885-1267
SATURDAY, May 23rd, thru SUNDAY, May 24th
12:00PM-6:00PM SALUTE 250 Jones Beach State Park, 1 Ocean Parkway in Wantagh. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce Salute 250 . The Memorial Day Weekend celebration will feature a Revolutionary War Re-enactment Village, festival activities, a musical performance and our first-ever Grand Finale Drone Show! Located in Field
3.5, the Re-enactment village will have colonial cooking, historical exhibits, colonial crafting, George Washington on horseback, and much more! On Sunday, the festivities turn up a notch with children’s activities and inflatables over at the West Bathhouse from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. A musical patriotic tribute to our military will commence at the Central Mall Bandshell from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, leading up to the Drone Show on Central Mall’s Beachfront at 9:00pm!A $10 vehicle use feewill be in effect and all event activities will be free. For more information, please call 631-321-3510
SATURDAY, MAY 30th
8:00AM-1:00PM
MULTI-FAMILY INDOOR YARD SALE Food, Thrift Shop, Antiques and so much more! Grace United Methodist Church, 515 S. Wellwood Ave. in Lindenhurst. For more information, please call 631-226-8690
SUNDAY, MAY 31st
Doors open: 1:00 PM Games start: 2:00 PM SUPERMARKET BINGO & CHINESE AUCTION
Our Lady of Lourdes School Auditorium, 855 Carmans Rd. in Massapequa Park. Admission: $25 per adult (18+ only), cash or check (payable to OLI Columbiettes) Limited seating—buy tickets early. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus & Columbiettes (Our Lady of the Island Council) For more information, please call Joan Donovan: 516659-6519 | jdonovan17@aol.com, Diane Esposito: 516445-9128, diane. esposito.mpk@gmail.com
On April 28th, the Lindenhurst Community Cares Coalition participated in DEA National Fentanyl Awareness Day at Lindenhurst High School and we couldn’t be more proud of the student who made it happen.
Thank you Vanessa And Maddie!
Our youth coalition leaders organized and designed the entire awareness table in the school rotunda, reaching every student who came through during lunch. Interactive activities included the One Pill Can Kill and Real vs. Fake pill recognition display, a sugar scale demonstration showing the terrifyingly small amount of fentanyl that can be lethal, and a prize wheel that kept the energy going all day.
Our team connected one-on-one with students, provided Narcan kits to those who needed them, and shared information about local resources, including our Pizza Box Campaign, which is bringing prevention messaging from middle schoolers through restaurant partners right here in the Town of Babylon.
Thank you to Lindenhurst High School for welcoming us, and to every student who stopped to learn something new.
Hope For The Warriors’ 30x30 Memorial Day Challenge
Registration is open for the Hope For The Warriors 30x30 Memorial Day Challenge, a free virtual wellness event focused on physical and emotional well-being while honoring U.S. service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Hosted by Craig Conover, a Bravo television personality and Hope For The Warriors board council member, the challenge runs May 1–30. Participants commit to at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day for 30 consecutive days. Activities may include walking, running, hiking, swimming, strength training, or dancing.
Individuals and teams can register at hopeforthewarriors.org. Participants may log daily activity through the website to track cumulative progress and earn up to 30 mission points each day. Prizes will be awarded to the top three participants at the conclusion of the challenge.
Participants will receive twice-weekly emails offering motivation, wellness tips, and ideas to support sustained physical and mental health. In addition, signing up for the 30x30 challenge provides access to the Hope For The Warriors’ sports and recreation resource library, which contains exercise demonstrations, healthy eating tips, and mindfulness
Healthy Ideas
(NAPSA)-Not only does exercise help seniors stay healthy, it can help to reduce the cost of care for individuals and their families as well. That’s the word from the experts at SilverSneakers Fitness, a leading fitness program designed for seniors. Learn more at www. SilverSneakers.com.
activities.
“The 30x30 Memorial Day Challenge continues to be a powerful way for people to come together in a meaningful way,” said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and CEO of Hope For The Warriors. “Its virtual format allows participants everywhere to honor our military community through a shared
commitment to wellness and remembrance.”
For more information or to sign up for the Memorial Day 30x30 Wellness Fitness Challenge, visit hopeforthewarriors.org.
To watch Craig Conover’s invitation to join his Hope For The Warriors 30x30 Memorial Day Challenge team, visit instagram.com/p/ DWo3VVPDMNf/?hl=en
About Hope For The Warriors: Hope For The Warriors (HOPE) is a national leader driving transformative change for the post-9/11 U.S. military community (including veterans and active-duty service members as well as military caregivers, spouses and family members, and families of the fallen). At HOPE, our mission is to deliver unparalleled services that uplift individuals and their families as they navigate the complexities of military life. We are committed to fostering resilience and a sense of purpose, ensuring that those who have served our nation will thrive. Together, we forge a strong community that champions courage, commitment, and grit. To learn more or support our mission, visit hopeforthewarriors. org.
Classifieds
THE power of CLAS SIFIED!
TO pl ace an ad in the CLASSIFIED se ctio n, call 631-226-2636, press “2”.
A sales representative will be happy to assist you.
TO pl ace an ad in the CLASSIFIED se ctio n, call 631-226-2636, press “2”. A sales representative will be happy to assist you. GET YOUR AD NOTICED! Ca ll Our Classifi ed Dept. 631-226-2636 press “2”
TO pl ace an ad in the CLASSIFIED se ctio n, call 631-226-2636, press “2”. A sales representative will be happy to assist you.
HAVE AN APARTMENT TO RENT?
Place your ad in our Classifieds 631 -2 26- 2636 Ex t. 276
CLASSIFIED GETS RESULTS! Call toda y! 631-226-2636
CLASSIFIED GETS RESULTS! Call toda y! 631-226-2636 631-226-2646
TO pl ace an ad in the CLASSIFIED se ctio n, call 631-226-2636, press “2”.
A sales representative will be happy to assist you.
TO pl ace an ad in the CLASSIFIED se ctio n, call 631-226-2636, press “2”. A sales representative will be happy to assist you.
Ext. 27 6
TO pl ace an ad in the CLASSIFIED se ctio n, call 631-226-2636, press “2”. A sales representative will be happy to assist you.
CHIMNEY
Clea ning & Repair Since 1982 516-766-1666 chimneykinginc.com
JAG MASONRY & LANDS CAPING
Pavers, Patios, Drivew ays, Stoops, Cultured Stone Pool Areas, Etc! Free Estimates. Reasonabl e Prices & Reliable! Lic ensed & Insure d Lic. #59023-H References Avail abl e!
Se Necesitan Albaniles Con O Algo De Experiencia. 516 -532-
Accredit ed Business
COMPLETE MASONR Y SERVICES
CA MBRIDG E PATIO 20' X 20' $5900
• CAMBRIDGE PAVERS.
• BLACKTOP DRIVEWAYS, • CHIMNEY REPAIRS, • PATIOS,
AYS ,
• BLACKTOP DR IV EWAY S,
• PATIOS, •NEW STOOPS & REPAIRS, •P VC FENCE FREE ESTIMATES
LI CENSE/INSURED AMERICAN STONE & CONSTRUCTION CORP CALL 631 960 3368
• NEW STOOPS & REPAIRS, PVC FENCES, FREE ESTIMATES
LICENSED/INSURED HI-65214 JAC BELL MASONRY CALL 631 205 4710
Meet Deer Park’s 2026 Valedictorian And Salutatorian
Deer Park High School’s Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian are Ubaid Iqbal and Jaidyn Schabe, respectively.
Iqbal, an AP Scholar with Distinction, serves as tutoring chair of the National Honor Society, president of the high school’s Newspaper Club, chief financial officer of his College Virtual Enterprises class, and team lead for product strategy for Reflexion and in the Wharton Global Youth Investment competition. Outside the classroom, he is a finance intern at the Town of Babylon Industrial Development Agency and serves as an assistant general manager for his family business Go! Calendars, Games & Toys.
Iqbal will attend the Stern School of Business at New York University, majoring in accounting/ finance.
“I feel awesome, this is definitely one of the most wonderful experiences I have had,”
Iqbal said. “It is the highest accomplishment anybody in my family has ever received. It is one of those experiences I want to take as a stepping point; I don’t want to look at it as my pinnacle, but use it as momentum to keep driving forward and pushing myself to be the best I can be.”
Iqbal had words of encouragement for younger students setting high goals in academic achievement.
“Keep your head up high and just keep putting in the work,”
Iqbal advised. “Just try to be the best that you can, and then if the cards work out right, you might get the position of valedictorian. But even if you don’t, as long as you’re working hard, you’re still going to
succeed in life and that’s all that matters at the end of the day.”
Schabe, an AP Scholar with Distinction and Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program, serves as board of education ex officio student member, Class of 2026 and PEN Society president, DECA vice president of finance, mock trial team covice president, Spanish Honor Society secretary, and a member of National Honor Society and the school’s girls varsity lacrosse team. She is also a Girls Scouts Gold Award recipient, a DECA State Career Conference medalist and DECA Regional Competition trophy winner, and winner of the 2024 Suffolk County Distinguished Youth Award Medal.
Schabe will attend Yale University, majoring in
molecular biophysics and biochemistry with a future goal of medical school.
“It was four years of effort and hard work, and a lot of studying,” Schabe said. “I am definitely proud of it, but I’m also very thankful because it couldn’t have been done without my friends,
family, teachers and everyone who supported me along the way.”
Schabe also offered some advice for underclassmen.
“You’re not going to ace every test or do well at everything,” Schabe said. “But effort does go a long way. At the end of the day, I’m proud of
myself not necessarily because of being the salutatorian, but because I know the title is a result of me putting in my best effort. So, I feel like that it is definitely to always show up and put in your best effort, whether it’s on a sports field or in the classroom.”
Deer Park High School’s Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian are Ubaid Iqbal and Jaidyn Schabe, respectively. Photos courtesy of Deer Park School District
