May 7, 2025 Wantagh by Long Island Media Group

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE Kiwanis Club Of Wantagh

Wantagh Spring Festival Coming Soon - May 17, 2025

10 AM to 5PM

(Rain Date May 31, 2025)

By Deb Colton

The Kiwanis Club of Wantagh has been working hard to make this year’s festival the best one ever. For months we have been sharing insights into what to expect this year. Finally, the time is here to put on sundresses, shorts, sandals, and sneakers, sweep your hair up into a ponytail and get ready for some fun games, fabulous eats, and lots of community spirit!

The annual festival could not continue to grow without the generous sponsors from the local community. So many of our local shops, organizations, community members, restaurants, and the wide array of businesses that we have here in Wantagh make this fun day possible for family and friends. We thank you all in advance for your ongoing support of our community and the Kiwanis Club of Wantagh.

When you come down this year to the event located at the Wantagh LIRR station

between Beech Street and Oakland Avenue, you will travel through a road map of delicious, fun, and exciting experiences. Entering the Festival Fun Path from the west will be the Town of Hempstead’s Showmobile where the DJ will be set up to keep tunes flowing all day. This will also be where the Show Stompin’ Irish Dancers will perform to delight the crowd again this year. These dancers of all ages are amazing to watch and if you have ever tried Irish dancing, you know that the feet appear to be disconnected from the dancer’s body which is part of the fascination and beauty of the art.

Next, along the Festival Fun Path you will find a wide selection of food trucks, but these are not the food trucks of our childhood. These are indeed delectable mobile restaurants that serve tantalizing feasts for the taste buds. The scent of crispy and sweet foods will make your mouth water as

you approach.

Moving further east, craft vendors of many kinds will have their creations available. I like to start my holiday shopping at this event! Vendors run the length of the Festival Fun Path offering handmade items for your home, jewelry, treats for your pets, food items and much more. Every year there is something new and exciting.

Continuing along Festival Fun Path you will discover the New York Islanders Shot Booth that will test the skill of players of all ages. There will also be an exotic animal pen with some fascinating critters to see and learn about. There may also be some special surprises along the path!

A few years ago, the Community Corridor started to offer local organizations a free place to show what they are involved with in Wantagh, to answer questions and inspire local residents to donate some time to a cause that is close

to them.

The Wantagh High School Kiwanis Key Club will return this year to offer Storytime for children during the festival. This is a wonderful place to recharge and relax while the kids are entertained with readings done by local high school students. Storytime was a huge favorite of younger kids and their parents last year. Seeing the high school readers so involved with the younger children is a wonderful reminder of how nurturing our Wantagh youth are.

As you travel down the Festival Fun Path there will be members of the Wantagh Fire Department with apparatus and some of the tools they use to protect our community. The Fire Department is such a vital part of Wantagh. This is a wonderful place to stop by and thank our first responders for their dedication to our safety. This offers a unique opportunity

to learn more about how firefighters train and the insanely cool tools they use.

Junior Firefighters are the first step to becoming a first responder and it is never too early to plant the seed of community participation. Children’s eyes jump wide open seeing the big red rigs.

This year the festival will have a unique driving simulator provided by the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Foundation. KPTC has two locations on Long Island, Cohens Children’s Medical Center, and Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. The simulator is a valuable experience that is being used to help drivers of all ages better understand how distracted driving can affect safety in and outside a vehicle. This fun piece of equipment carries a serious reminder, making it clear how critical seconds matter when driving and the importance of always being aware.

No festival would be

complete without a bountiful assortment of inflatables that give so much joy to kids of all ages. Colorful and filled with fun, the inflatables give the kids a chance to expend lots of energy in a safe environment.

Nearby don’t miss the ice cream truck. Make sure to pick up a free ticket at the Kiwanis Club of Wantagh booth for free ice cream for children twelve and under. Five hundred free ice cream delights will be given out to the first 500 children that attend the festival.

With music, entertainment, games, food, shopping, and some education all we need now is a wonderful sunny day to make Wantagh the place to be on May 17th. Come and join us for the day as Wantagh welcomes in another delightful warm weather season with family and friends! https://www.facebook.com/ KiwanisClubOfWantagh. See you at the festival!!

Treat Mom To A Classic Pasta Dish

Moms often work tirelessly to care for their families, with many juggling careers and time spent at home. It’s a balance that is sometimes tricky to manage, and at times mothers need to have their loads lightened. Children or spouses who learn to cook can take some pressure off of Mom. Mother’s Day is a prime opportunity for other members of the household to spend time in the kitchen. Pasta dishes generally are easy to prepare and can feed a crowd. Such is the case with this recipe for “Carbonara” from “Rachael Ray: Memories and Meals From a Sweet and Savory Life” (Ballantine Books) by Rachael Ray.

Carbonara

Serves 4

1⁄4 cup approximately EVOO

1⁄3 pound chunk of meaty pancetta or guanciale, cut into 1⁄4-inch dice

4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced or chopped

1 1⁄2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper

1 cup white wine

6 large egg yolks

1 cup grated Pecorino Romano, plus more to pass

Salt

1 pound bucatini or spaghetti

1⁄2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (a fat handful of leaves)

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta.

In a large, deep skillet over medium heat, heat the EVOO, four turns of the pan. Add the pancetta or guanciale and render for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and pepper and stir 1 minute more. Add the wine and reduce by half (about 7 minutes), then reduce the heat to low.

In a medium bowl, combine the egg yolks and grated cheeses to the liberally salted boiling water and cook to 1 minute less than al dente per the package recommendation.

Remove about 11⁄4 cups of starchy cooking water from the pot and whisk it into the egg yolks in a steady stream to temper them. Reserve an extra 1⁄2 cup of starchy water just in case.

Drain the pasta or transfer it with a spider or tongs to the pan with the pancetta and garlic. Remove the pan from the heat and add the tempered egg yolks and parsley. Toss to combine. If the sauce seems too thin, return the heat to the lowest setting and, stirring constantly for 2 to 4 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Add salt to taste.

Note: Many recipes for this dish include heavy cream. Such recipes may be delicious, but they’re not authentic. The creamy consistency here comes from tempering the eggs and emulsifying them with oil, cheese and cooking water.

Senator Rhoads Applauds Inspirational Teens Who Raised Over $839K To Fight Blood Cancer

New York State Senator Steve Rhoads proudly celebrated the remarkable young leaders honored at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Student Visionaries of the Year Ceremony. These driven and compassionate teens from across Long Island raised an awe-inspiring $839,336 to support the fight against blood cancer. Senator Rhoads gave special recognition to outstanding teams from Senate District 5—including Division Avenue High School, Plainview-Old Bethpage High School, East Meadow School District, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, and Wantagh High School. A heartfelt congratulations to Wantagh’s “Warriors for a Cure,” who earned the prestigious Student Visionaries of the Year title with an extraordinary $118,240 raised! Their determination, generosity, and leadership are a shining example of the power of youth to change the world.

7 Ways To Honor Active Military And Veterans

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. In 2023, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated there were 15.8 million veterans in the U.S. In Canada, the 2021 Census of Population found that 97,625 Canadians were serving in the Canadian Armed Forces while 461,240 Canadians were characterized as veterans.

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.

• Donate to a nonprofit that supports veterans. Many charities do important work to bridge the gap in

care or services needed by veterans or active military members. Using hardearned dollars to fund these nonprofits is money well spent.

• 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 shortstaffed 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. Honoring veterans and other military personnel doesn’t have to be difficult. Beyond a simple “thank you,” there are many steps people can take to show their gratitude to active military personnel and veterans.

by The Original Salpino of Wantagh, N. Babylon & Dix Hills

MOTHER’S DAY DINNER

ANTIPASTO (Choose one)

•Hand Made Mozzarella Caprese

•Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail (35-40 Pieces)

• Traditional Antipasto Platter

FIRST COURSE (Choose one)

•Penne alla Vodka

•Farfalle Primavera

•Baked Ziti

•Stuffed Shells

• Orecchiette Broccoli Rabe & Sausage

MAIN COURSE

(Choose one)

• Pan-seared Norwegian Salmon with Seasonal Sautéed Veggies

•Chicken Marsala

•Chicken Francese

•Eggplant Parmigiana

•Pork Chop Caprese

•Steak Pizzaiola

Package also includes one dozen dinner rolls. Orders must be placed by May 9th.

SALAD (Choose one)

• Spinach & Goat Cheese

•Giardinastro

•Garden

•Caesar

DESSERT (Choose one)

•Fresh Fruit Bowl

•10 Large Cannoli

CALL AND PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!

Available at Salpino Wantagh, North Babylon & Dix Hills.

• Wide Selection Of Trusted Brands Offering Options For All Price Points

• Expansive Showroom To See And Select Materials For Your Upcoming Project

• In-House Designer Available To Assist With Material Selection And Provide 3d Renderings

• Dedicated Project Manager Assigned To Oversee Each Renovation From Start To Finish

Two dozen pieces by Wantagh High School artists were featured in the All-County art exhibit, which was held in March at Herricks High School and hosted by the Nassau County Art Supervisors Association. Students were recognized for their talents at the April 3 board of education meeting.

This year’s All-County artists were:

Wantagh High School: Victoria Chen, Haley Fahey, Ellen Jablonski, Juliana Messina (two pieces), Lexi Merting, Alexander Michaelides, Maximus Naglieri, Samantha Nilsson, Ava Pasqua, Ryan Rice, Mia Rispoli and Dylan Yannelli.

Wantagh Middle School: Zoe Choe, Alyssa Kimball, Marissa Mostransky, Grace Pak and Ava Zampini.

Forest Lake Elementary School: Xander Abel.

Mandalay Elementary School: Francesca Caruso and Julia Schmidt.

Wantagh Elementary School: Penelope Ambroise, Aviana

Amendolare and Daniella Mendes.

Each art teacher was able to submit three student pieces to the show. This year’s honored work included drawings, paintings, photographs and mixed-media pieces. Wantagh’s art teachers include Laura Capozzi, Natalie Douglas, Laura

DuBois, Jaclyn Gentilesco, Keith Hunter, Taylor Potish and Jamie RashFlynn.

“Our art program continues to thrive,”

Superintendent John McNamara said. “We have such a dedicated art staff.”

Kelly Jones, director of fine and performing arts and business, announced

each student and handed out certificates. All of the pieces were displayed on the wall of the gymnasium behind the board of education.

“There’s some incredible talent in Wantagh,” Ms. Jones said, “and we’re so proud of our artists.”

Photo courtesy of the Wantagh School District

“Back The Blue” Ribbon Giveaway Unites Community To Honor 100 Years Of Nassau County Police Service

On Saturday, April 26, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads proudly hosted the Back the Blue Blue Ribbon Giveaway at Wantagh High School in recognition of the Nassau County Police Department’s 100th Anniversary. Community members were invited to “Drive up. Pick up a blue ribbon. Hang it with pride.” And that’s exactly what hundreds did—gathering in a show of support for the brave men and women in law enforcement. Participants

received blue ribbons to display on their homes, businesses, or trees, creating a visible message of unity and appreciation ahead of the Department’s historic centennial parade. Hundreds of yards of ribbon were distributed during the event, which was organized in partnership with Legislator Michael Giangregorio, Assemblyman Dave McDonough, Councilman Chris Schneider, Legislator John Ferretti, Project Thank A Cop, Miss Wantagh, and

Wantagh High School.

“This isn’t just about ribbons—it’s about respect, gratitude, and standing shoulder to shoulder with the heroes who keep our communities safe,” said Senator Rhoads. “The Nassau County Police Department has served with honor for 100 years, helping make Nassau the safest county in America. Their sacrifice and courage deserve more than a thank you—they deserve our full support. Events like this are a powerful reminder to our officers that they are

not alone—we stand with them and back the blue.”

Andy Fox, founder of Project Thank A Cop, shared, “Project Thank A Cop is grateful for the opportunity to have worked with New York State Senator Steve Rhoads on this amazing initiative to show support for police officers during the Nassau County Police Department’s hundred-year celebration. Steve has been an integral part of our group since the beginning. We are proud to call him a friend, knowing that he backs the

blue.”

Ella Stevens, Executive Director of Miss Wantagh, added, “The Little Miss Wantagh’s and the Miss Wantagh Junior Club were thrilled to be part of Senator Rhoads’ Blue Ribbon Giveaway. Giving back to the community and working with other organizations is what we do, and we were honored to be called upon for this great event.”

The Back the Blue Blue Ribbon Giveaway served not only as a ribbon distribution, but also as a

heartfelt reminder of the sacrifices made daily by law enforcement officers across Nassau County. The event marked a moment of unity, pride, and gratitude for a century of dedicated service. Senator Rhoads also extended his sincere thanks to all the volunteers and community partners who helped make the event a success, noting that their time, energy, and commitment were essential to bringing the community together in support of our police.

Lee Road Students Perform At Statewide Music Festival

Fifteen students at Lee Road Elementary School in the Levittown School District participated in this year’s New York State School Music Association Festival. Instrumental and choral music teachers Helen Papayannakos and Angela Spera helped the young musicians prepare for their performance over several weeks. Each student performed a challenging piece in front of judges. Ms. Papayannakos and Mrs. Spera expressed their pride in their students, whose auditions resulted in excellent ratings. Photo courtesy Levittown Public Schools

Poetry Lovers Spread The Word At Literacy Celebration

Wantagh Middle School’s Word on the Street literacy celebration hit a milestone on April 10, as it officially reached a decade. The 10th annual event to mark National Poetry Month featured more than two dozen presentations during the evening showcase.

Readers included students, teachers and administrators. There were mostly solo performances as well as a handful of duets. They could

share existing poems or read original pieces. Works from noted poets like Robert Frost and Shel Silverstein were read. Many eighth graders also picked pieces from a book used during a class poetry unit, “Inside Out and Back Again” by Thanhha Lai. Sixth grade teacher Tom Vereline, a regular at Word on the Street who will be retiring in June, read “Home,” anThe event was organized by English

teacher Chrissie Hult, who said that the goal is to spread appreciation of the written word. Eighth graders Giada Petrillo and Valentina Rodriguez-Beltran were the emcees, and Emily McHale opened the program by singing the national anthem. Guests enjoyed pizza and cookies during the show in the lower cafeteria which was transformed to have a café vibe.

United States Air Force Thunderbirds To Headline The Fourleaf 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 taking place on Saturday, May 24, 2025, and Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Bethpage Federal Credit Union has been the title sponsor of our local air show since its inception in 2004, building on its history as the credit union founded by employees of Grumman Aerospace who built many of the aircrafts flown in the show over the years. Bethpage recently rebranded to become FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, making this year’s show the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach.

Additional military performers for the 2025 show include: the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the United States Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, the United States Navy F-35C Demo Team, the United State Navy Rhino Demo Team, the United States Navy EA-18G Growler Demo Team, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the 106th Rescue Wing NY Air National Guard; and the 105th Airlift Wing unit of the New York Air National Guard.

Civilian teams set to perform, include: the American Airpower

Museum Warbirds; current reigning Air Masters Cup Series champion and current Sky Grand Prix Champion, Aarron Deliu; Warbird Thunder featuring the North American SNJ Texan, a former WWII Navy Advanced Training Aircraft; the Farmingdale State College Flying Rams; and Long Island’s own David Windmiller.

“We are thrilled to welcome the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as this year’s headliners and look forward to an amazing show by all our performers,” said George Gorman, Regional Director, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation. “Every year more and more people come to our show, which has over the past 20 years become one of the most wellrespected and well attended air shows in the country. It has become a great tradition for Long Island to honor our military and veterans and kick off the summer at Jones Beach.”

This year’s show will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds’ 10th appearance as headliners. Last year, over 459,000 people attended the 20th Anniversary Show over the three-day period, making it the most highly attended air show to date.

Returning again for the 2025 show is the FourLeaf Air Show Mobile App. Fans can text ‘Airshow’ to 516842-4400 to download the app for performer and

sponsor information, a site map, helpful FAQs to help prepare you for the show, and more to come. The mobile app will be available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store later this month.

The FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach is sponsored by FourLeaf Federal Credit Union; New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Natural Heritage Trust; The Foundation for Long Island State Parks; Newsday; WABC-TV Channel 7; Connoisseur Media Long Island; News 12 Long Island; Catholic Health; PSEG Long Island; Optimum; Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum; the New York Islanders; and Jones Beach Brewery. The show can be heard in its entirety on WHLI 1100 AM and 104.7 FM.

The FourLeaf Air Show is free to the public, but the standard $10.00 vehicle use fee will be collected each day upon entry to the State Park. For 2025 NYS Empire Pass Card holders, there is no vehicle use fee charge. For up-to-date information about this year’s show, please 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 631-3213510.

Citizen Preparedness Corps Training Program

Senator Steve Rhoads, Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz & Legislator Rose Marie Walker to Host Citizen Preparedness Training with NY National Guard in Bethpage.

With severe weather events and natural disasters becoming more frequent, New Yorkers are encouraged to be proactive and prepared. Senator Steve Rhoads, Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, and Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, in partnership with the New York National Guard, will host a Citizen Preparedness Corps Training Program to help residents prepare for, respond to, and

recover from emergencies and disasters. Participants will receive expert guidance on developing family emergency plans, assembling emergency supply kits, and other critical preparedness skills. Each participating family will receive a FREE Citizen Preparedness Starter Kit.

WHEN: Saturday, May 17, 2025, 2:00 PM WHERE: Bethpage Public Library, 47 Powell Avenue in Bethpage

REGISTRATION: Pre-registration is required. Residents can register online at: https://pspapps.dhses.ny.gov/ CitizenPreparednessCorps/views/registrant/ add.xhtml?lang=en&eventId=118

Learn The Meanings Behind Popular Mother’s Day Flowers

Mother’s Day is a time to express love and appreciation for mothers, sentiments that are often expressed with gifts. Flowers are a popular present to bestow on Mother’s Day, as they can brighten a room and bring a sweet aroma to any household.

While any flowers may ultimately suffice on Mother’s Day, gift givers may want to select flowers for Mom that convey specific messages. The language of flowers has been recognized for centuries. Though perhaps not as heralded as it once was, flower symbolism persists to this day. Here’s a look at some of the meanings behind certain types of flowers to help guide Mother’s Day gifting.

• Amaryllis: These plants start as bulbs and are naturally springblooming flowers. The name comes from the Greek word “amarysso,”

Certain times of year inspire more travel than others. Memorial Day weekend certainly fits that bill. AAA estimated 44 million people traveled during Memorial Day weekend in 2024, and that popularity is at least in part due to the holiday’s reputation as the unofficial beginning to summer.

A Memorial Day weekend getaway can be just what people need to get into the summer swing of things. With summer set to kick off, even if only unofficially, travelers can consider these tips to make the most of this popular time to travel.

• Book early. Whether Memorial Day weekend travelers are flying or traveling by bus or train, it’s important to book reservations as early as possible. Flights on popular travel weekends fill up quickly, so booking early can increase the

which means “to sparkle,” and they symbolize pride.

• Aster: These daisy-like flowers are delicatelooking perennials. Asters make great gifts because they symbolize love and daintiness.

• Begonia: There are more than 2,000 types of begonias, and the flower symbolizes deep thoughts. Begonias were made famous by French horticulturist Michel Bégon, who thought the blooms looked like beautiful girls.

• Bleeding heart: These flowers are red and pink blossoms that look like the perfect heart shape with a teardrop at the bottom. They’re beautiful and symbolic of love and affection.

• Buttercup: These are associated with youthfulness and cheerfulness and can call to mind childhood days spent picking buttercups

and holding them under chins to reveal that you like butter. The flower is known for its beauty and innocent charm.

• Camellia (white): White camellias stand for purity and innocence, but they also symbolize admiration and respect. Camellias make beautiful additions to any bouquet.

• Daisy: Daisies are happy-looking flowers, and according to Norse mythology they represent motherhood and children.

• Delphinium: Delphiniums come in pink, white and blue varieties and embody youth and renewal. They’re a good pick if you want to convey a continued or renewed affection for a person.

• Tulip: Tulips with an orange hue are thought to represent understanding and appreciation. They can express appreciation for Mom or another special

person. Yellow tulips symbolize happiness, while pink tulips are symbolic of love. Red

blooms should be reserved for sweethearts. Various flowers symbolize feelings people want to express to their mothers, grandmothers and other special women on Mother’s Day.

Memorial Day Weekend Travel Tips

chances flyers will be able to depart and return at the time of their choosing. The same goes for bus and train travel. Lodging also can fill up quickly, so book hotel reservations or reserve stays through sites such as Airbnb as early as possible. Booking early can help travelers ensure they aren’t shut out of their desired destination, and it also can save money, as rates tend to go up the closer one gets to the travel weekend.

• Time your travel. Memorial Day weekend motorists might want to get on the road before the sun rises. Leaving early, when there are fewer cars on the road, reduces the chances of being caught in a traffic jam. If pre-dawn is simply too early, AAA indicates it’s best for Thursday and Friday travelers to be on the road prior to

11 a.m. Leaving after 7 p.m. on Thursday or 8 p.m. on Friday is best for those who must travel at night. Travelers taking to the air or the rails might also benefit by leaving on Thursday and/or returning on the Tuesday after Memorial Day to reduce time spent in crowded airports or train stations.

• Expect delays. Travel delays can be stressful, but they’re nearly inevitable during peak travel periods like Memorial Day weekend.

Parents traveling with young children can plan for travel delays by packing extra snacks and downloading extra entertainment onto kids’ tablets. Adults traveling without children can build delays into their itineraries and consider them before booking dining or entertainment reservations on the day of their arrival.

• Limit luggage. Memorial Day weekend tends to feature ample sunshine and warm weather, which makes it easier to travel light. Air travelers can

pack just a carry-on so they don’t have to wait at the luggage carousel or worry about potentially lost bags. Car and train travelers also can pack light so they have more room to maneuver. Memorial Day weekend is a busy time to travel. A handful of strategies can make this year’s travels a little more manageable.

Will Your Spirit Live On?

Will our spirits live on after we pass?

For one Wantagh native, the answer might be ‘yes’ - but we’ll let you decide

As tumultuous waves battered the shores of Jones Beach and their spray mingled with the stormy winds, William McCabe stood unwavering, with camera in hand. This was his passion - a passion that began as a teenager and carried him through decades of life, love, and loss.

William McCabe began his photo journey as a teenager when he learned to develop black-and-white film. Later in life, he became a Detective for the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, where he attended the Nikon School of Photography as part of his training. After retiring from the NYPD, William traveled across Long Island to capture images, although his favorite spots were in the Wantagh area, like Jones Beach, Green Island, and Mill Pond. While he started with film, he embraced the shift to digital photography in the late 1990s.

With his Nikon D750, William adored capturing a wide range of images, from the turbulence of storm waves to Wantagh’s eerie pandemic calm. In William’s words, he drew inspiration from “anyone that likes my pictures” and often donated prints to charities like the Drug Awareness Program sponsored by the Elks Lodge.

Sadly, William passed away last year, survived by his children, daughters-in-law

for his keen eye and ability to capture the essence of Wantagh’s natural beauty and vibrant community life.

Even after his passing, William’s legacy continues to inspire and resonate.

In his recent winning photos, he captured a wide range of beauty including a subtle depiction of a Wantagh winter fury, a serene sunset on Green Island and Wantagh’s energetic marching band. These images not only highlight William’s technical skill but also his deep connection to the local community.

William McCabe’s photographs are more than just images; they are windows into his soul, each one a testament to the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind. His spirit lives on, not just in the memories of those who knew him, but in every frame, every scene, and every stormy wave that he captured with his lens.

Fortunately, William left behind a wealth of captivating submissions, ensuring that his remarkable work will continue to grace the contest and inspire the community. You haven’t seen the last of him.

and grandchildren. But that’s not the end of William’s story. The Wantagh community honored his memory by posthumously

awarding him the prestigious “Photo of the Month” recognition for January, March and April of this year. William was known

To explore William’s award-winning images, please Google “Wantagh Photo Contest”.

William McCabe (second from right) proudly displays a Trophy commemorating his 10th win in the Wantagh Photo Contest back in 2022. Also in the photo are local reporter Kate Nalepinski (left), Senator (then Legislator) Steve Rhoads (second from left) and Matt Susco (right) President of the Wantagh Preservation Society.