May 21, 2025 North Babylon by Long Island Media Group

South Bay's Neighbor

Photo courtesy of North Babylon School District

New York Blood Center Issues Urgent Call

New York Blood Center

(NYBC) has issued an urgent call for blood donations, especially from those with types O+ and O- blood. The current supply of Oblood, the universal blood type used in emergencies, has dropped to a critically low two-day level, and overall collections are nearly 20% below hospital demand. NYBC expects to collect only about 6,500 donations this week, falling approximately 1,600

donations short of what is needed to maintain a safe and stable blood supply in New York.

Spring travel, school breaks, and packed calendars have kept regular donors away—leaving donation levels dangerously low at a time when they should be ramping up. Each year, more than 56,000 traumas are reported in New York State, most occurring between May and September when accidents,

car crashes, and violent injuries rise dramatically. Blood transfusions are often needed to treat traumas, and a spike in traumatic accidents can cause a strain on the blood supply.

Type O+ is the most common blood type, representing nearly 40% of the U.S. population. Type O- is the universal blood type and is commonly used in emergency settings. A shortage of both types,

both locally and nationally, poses serious concerns for our healthcare system, and the need for donors is critical.

“Spring can be an exciting season with warmer weather on the way and fun holiday celebrations, but it’s also a critical time of year for the blood supply,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Vice President at New York Blood Center.

“As we start to build our inventory ahead of the

trauma-heavy summer season, the need is more urgent than ever. We’re calling on our community, especially type O donors, to roll up their sleeves and make a donation today. Your blood donation could be the lifeline that ensures our hospitals are ready to face any emergency that comes their way.”

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food

and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit nybc.org or call 800.688.0900.

To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-9332566 or visit nybc.org. Can’t donate blood? You can still make a lifesaving impact by supporting NYBC’s mission through financial contributions or volunteering your time.

MAY HAPPENINGS

THURSDAY, MAY 22

THRU MONDAY, MAY 26

4:00-10:00PM THURS., 4:00-11:00PM FRI., NOON-11:00 PM

SATURDAY - SUNDAY, 1:00-10:00PM MONDAY (Memorial Day)

LEVITTOWN CARNIVAL

Enjoy midway fun for the whole family over Memorial Day weekend at this annual event sponsored by the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, featuring thrilling rides and games for all ages and favorite fair food. Admission and parking are free. For more information, please call 866-666-3247 or visit Levittown Carnival

THURSDAY, MAY 22

THRU MONDAY, MAY 26

5:00-10:00PM THURS., 5:00-11:00PM FRI., NOON-11:00 PM

SATURDAY - SUNDAY, 1:00-10:00PM MONDAY (Memorial Day)

MERRICK TRAIN STATION CARNIVAL

Experience the sights, sounds and aromas of the electrifying midway with exciting rides and games for all ages and a variety of tantalizing carnival cuisine. Admission and parking are free. For more information, please call 866-6663247 or visit Merrick Train Station Carnival≠

SATURDAY, MAY 24

THRU SUNDAY, MAY 25

10:00AM-3:00PM

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 info, call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com

2025 JONES BEACH AIR SHOW

FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, New York State’s largest credit union, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, are pleased to announce that the United States Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the 2025 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach. Free Admission ($10 parking) For up-to-date information, visit www.fourleafairshow.com or https://www.facebook.com/ FourLeafAirShow/ and https://www. instagram.com/fourleafairshow/, or contact the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Regional Office, Recreation Department at 631-321-3510.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28th

6:00PM

MYSTERY BINGO

The Memorare Columbiettes are hosting a Mystery Bingo evening. Doors open at 6pm. $35 per person includes 8 games of bingo, wine, soda, snacks and dessert. Mystery clues lead to winners' prizes. Rafﬂes, 50/50 and lotto board chances will also be available for purhase. Memorare Council, 2183 Jackson Ave. Seaford, NY 11783 For tickets and information call: Kathy LoFrese 516-221-1398 or Lisa Koening 516-826-5751

SATURDAY, MAY 31st

10:00AM Registration

12:30PM Start 4th ANNUAL 5K CROSS COUNTRY

RUN/WALK

VFW Post 6249 Joseph P. Dwyer Weekend Race Event. Rain or Shine. Proceeds to beneﬁt the Joseph Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project. Rocky Point HS, 82 Rocky Point, Yaphank Road. Register: strongislandrunningclub.com. For more information, please call the VFW 631-744-9106 or 631873-8272. vfw6249@yahoo.com. Donations welcome!

5:00PM-8:00PM COMEDY & KARAOKE NIGHT

Tickets $10/pp ~ Sold at the Door (Pizza, Salad, Dessert & Beverages) Featuring; Squeaky Clean Comedienne Pat Shea & Joyful Noise Karaoke with DJ Larry. First Presbyterian Church, 497 Pulaski Rd Greenlawn, NY 11740

EVERY THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY THROUGH MAY 31st

11:00AM-4:00PM UP-CYCLED OCEAN CRAFTS

Explore the wildlife of the Long Island Sound as you create your own using recycled materials in this self-guided activity. Leave your creation with us to be featured in our "Recycled Ecosystem" display. Enjoy coloring information cards to take home with you! Free with Admission. The Whaling Museum & Education Center 301 Main St. Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724. Contact Cristina Ainslie at 631-367-3418

The Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council (NSHC) announces a $2,000 scholarship for college juniors/seniors or post graduate students who are studying Journalism, Marketing/Communications, or Healthcare Administration. (The scholarship is not for clinical-based study.) The Ann Marie Brown Memorial Scholarship honors the late Ann Marie Brown, who served as vice president for government and public relations for the Hospital Council from 1983 to 1993. The scholarship is administered by the Hospital Council’s Communications Committee. Filing deadline is June 20, 2025. For more information and an application go to the NSHC scholarship page or call 631-334-8321.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Hamburgers with Stilton Cheese

Makes 4 servings

For caramelized shallots:

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 1⁄2 lbs. fresh shallots, peeled and sliced Salt, to taste

1 tablespoon sugar

For mushrooms:

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1⁄2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS:

For caramelized shallots:

1. Melt butter with olive oil in a thick-bottomed pan until the oil is shimmering. Add the sliced shallots and stir to coat. Cook, stirring on occasion, for 7 to 10 minutes. Do not let the shallots burn or dry out. Sprinkle the salt and sugar over the shallots.

2. Cook for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently. If shallots seem to be drying out, add a little water or oil to the pan. Shallots should be brown but not burned. Continue to cook and stir; scrape up all the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, until the shallots are a deep, rich, browned color.

For mushrooms:

Melt butter with oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in balsamic vinegar, garlic and mushrooms.

Saute for 20 minutes, or until tender.

LONG ISLAND MEDIA GROUP

PUBLISHER

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PRODUCTION MANAGER

CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION

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ADMINISTRATION

Teri Tinkler

Josh Marlowe GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

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ACCOUNT

EXECUTIVES

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Bob Liquorie

Nicole Sims

Kim Volz

Bonnie Schifano

Lucille Moran

Terry Rydyzynski

Noelle Lambert

SCAN HERE FOR

1 clove of garlic, minced

8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced

For hamburgers:

1 1⁄2 lbs. ground sirloin, chuck or round

Coarse salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

4 slices Stilton cheese

4 hamburger rolls or sandwich rolls

1 tablespoon melted butter

Lettuce leaves

For hamburgers:

1. Moisten your clean hands with cold water and divide the ground beef in 4 equal portions. Form into a ﬂattened ball. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Refrigerate until ready to cook.

3. Prepare the grill and preheat to high. Brush the grill grate with oil.

4. Place the prepared burgers on the hot grill grate. Grill for 5 to 7 minutes per side for medium, or until an instant read thermometer inserted through the side of the burger into the center reaches 160 F.

5. Brush the rolls with melted butter and toast them on the grill for about 45 seconds. Assemble the burgers, with lettuce leaves, Stilton cheese, caramelized shallots, and mushrooms. Serve.

North Babylon Lions & North Babylon Troop 399 Street Clean-up

North Babylon Lions members and North Babylon Troop 399 scouts did a Community Beautification project on Sylvan Road and collected 6 + bags of trash from the side of the road.

Nicolock Unveils New Design Studios: Your Exclusive Destination For Crafting The Perfect Outdoor Space

Nicolock Paving Stones, Retaining Walls and Outdoor Living, a leading manufacturer of premium hardscape solutions, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new Design Studios. These exclusive destinations are meticulously designed to empower homeowners to transform their outdoor living visions into stunning realities, guiding them seamlessly from initial concept to flawless completion.

More than just showrooms, Nicolock Design Studios offers a unique and immersive experience. Homeowners can now fully visualize how Nicolock’s extensive range of products will look installed, fostering confidence and facilitating informed decision-making.

“We understand that creating the perfect outdoor space is a significant investment and a deeply personal endeavor,” says Nino Nicolia, Vice President. “Our new Design Studios are designed to enhance the process, offering a hands-on, personalized experience that ensures our customers are delighted with their choices every step of the way. They will leave our showroom with a computer-generated design including a comprehensive list of products and a directed to an authorized Nicolock dealer.”

The Nicolock Design Studios boast several key features designed to provide an unparalleled customer journey:

• Expansive Showroom: Featuring Nicolock’s topselling products and color blends in realistic, installed

settings. This allows customers to truly see, touch, and experience the quality and beauty of Nicolock’s offerings, eliminating any ambiguity.

• Direct Comparison: Multiple variations of pavers, retaining walls, and other hardscape elements are displayed side-by-side, enabling easy and direct comparison to choose the best options for individual projects.

• In-House On-Staff Designer: Homeowners will have access to Nicolock’s expert in-house designers, providing personalized consultations and design advice to bring their unique visions to life.

• Personalized White Glove Concierge Service: From the moment they step into a Design Studio, customers will receive dedicated, white-glove service, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience throughout their project journey.

• Comprehensive Product Showcase: Explore a wide array of Nicolock products, including pavers for patios, driveways, and walkways, as well as retaining walls, pool decks, fire pits, fireplaces, and materials for outdoor kitchens and grills.

Nicolock believes that experiencing their products firsthand is crucial in the decision-making process. Studies have shown that customers who visit a showroom are significantly more likely to feel confident

in their purchase decision, highlighting the value of this immersive environment.

The new Nicolock Design Studios represent a significant investment in customer experience, underscoring the company’s commitment to building trust and providing exceptional service. Starting May 2025, homeowners in the Huntington area are invited to visit a Nicolock Design Studio at 800 E. Jericho Tpke, Huntington Sta. and embark on the journey to creating their dream outdoor space. Future locations include Seaford and Holbrook scheduled to open in June 2025 as well as three more in the fall.

Visit a Nicolock Design Studio and unlock the potential of your outdoor living.

About Nicolock Paving Stones, Retaining Walls & Outdoor Living

Headquartered in Lindenhurst, NY, Nicolock has been a family-owned-and-operated hardscape manufacturer for over 65 years. The company currently has 8 manufacturing facilities and is growing: Long Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut and their newest location, North Carolina, offering the broadest selection of products and the most vibrant colors in the industry to satisfy every hardscape need. Only Nicolock offers their exclusive paver-shield™ technology, providing surface protection and rich color throughout our pavers for color that will last for generations.

North Babylon Students Commit To College Sports

This spring, 10 student athletes from North Babylon High School committed to playing their respective sports at the collegiate level. Students joined together with family, friends, coaches and administrators to celebrate this accomplishment on May 2.

The North Babylon community is proud of the student athletes and wish them great success as they move on to higher education. Congratulations to the following: William Broger, St. Joseph’s University (lacrosse); Kayla Denino, Queens College (softball); Matthew Gomes, Buffalo State University (soccer); Iya Tabada, St. Joseph’s University (volleyball); Jack Rowland, Sacred Heart University (wrestling); RJ DeJesus, East Stroudsburg University (wrestling); Jasmine McKay, University of New Haven (basketball); Jewara Keahey, Nassau County Community College (football); Peter Banculli, SUNY Maritime (football); and Daniel Martinez, Morrisville State College (football).

Ten North Babylon High School students committed to playing their respective sports at the collegiate level on May 2. Photo courtesy of North Babylon School District

May Is Military Appreciation Month

Memorial Day Is May 26 th

A major portion of the North American population is comprised of people who are actively serving in the Armed Forces or those who once did. USAFacts reports the military included 2,079,142 military personnel and 778,539 civilians as of September 2023. Military men and women work tirelessly and selflessly to defend their countries’ ideals and freedoms. Too often military members do not get the attention and acclaim they deserve.

The month of May, which celebrates Military Appreciation Month as well as Memorial Day, is a perfect time of year to honor those who have served in various ways.

• Improve the community. Veterans want the communities they call home to be the best they can be, and that can be achieved by community members pitching in to improve their towns and cities. Doing something honorable, like establishing a park in honor of veterans, can be a great way to improve a community and honor service personnel at the same time.

• Support veteran-friendly policies. By supporting policies and organizations that prioritize veterans’ rights, individuals are showing veterans they care. Policies that ensure veterans have access to services they need warrant everyone’s support.

• Ask a veteran to be a keynote speaker. Schools or businesses can ask military members to come in and speak to groups about their experiences. Newspapers and other local publications can write about veterans and share their stories.

• Pay respects to the country. A simple way to honor veterans is to embrace and showcase national pride. Flying the country’s flag in front of homes and businesses is a first step. Attending patriotic events, such as parades and memorials, also is a way to honor veterans and others.

• Keep cemeteries clean. Respect the hallowed land that is the final resting place for veterans by volunteering to tidy up around headstones and other markers. On key calendar dates, such as Memorial Day, help with the placement of flags on every veteran’s grave as a token of thanks for their sacrifice.

• Volunteer at a VA hospital. Now more than ever VA hospitals may be short-sta ed and have need of more volunteers to help with various services. Volunteer work can include visiting patients or running recreational activities, both of which can boost the spirits of veterans receiving care.

North Babylon Students Flock To Bulldog Boutique

The hallways of North Babylon High School were abuzz with shopping activity as the school held its annual Bulldog Boutique on May 8. The free boutique offers attire for seniors attending their prom next month.

This year’s boutique was the largest thus far,

featuring racks of formal dresses, suits, shirts, shoes and even accessories.

Donations from community members were plenty this year, according to teacher and organizer Veronica Murphy, thanks to promotion by local media outlets.

Volunteers from the

Bulldog Boutique were on hand to assist shoppers and keep the clothing organized. Once students decided on their picks, they returned home with their selections. The Bulldog Boutique is also open to students during school hours on the second floor of the high school.

Bulldog Boutique at North Babylon

School offered

The

High

prom attire for students on May 8. Photos courtesy of North Babylon School District

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