In recognition of Italian American Heritage Month, the Town Board honored three Italian American leaders who have made an impact on our community. Congrats to Joseph Verdicchio, Sabrina Savino and Thom Lupo! “I commend Joseph Verdicchio, Sabrina Savino and Thom Lupo for their recognition as exemplary Italian American leaders who have profoundly changed our community for the better,” Councilman Anthony Manetta said. “Their dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to service exemplify the values we hold dear, and their contributions continue to inspire us all.”
Welcome To Fall: 12 Tips For The 12 Weeks Of Autumn
By JoAnn Cilla
JOANN CILLA
2.
Thousands Of Students Receive Vital School Supplies Through United Way Of Long Island’s
United Way of Long Island celebrated its 16th Annual Stuff-A-Bus school supply distribution in partnership with Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc., delivering over $50,000 worth of essential school supplies to elementary students across Nassau and Suffolk counties. This initiative ensures that students from all communities are equipped with the vital tools they need for academic success.
This year, the event saw tremendous success, special thanks to United Way’s Young Professionals Network, which raised $20,000 to support the program through their annual Cornhole Tournament and Networking Event. In addition, throughout August, United Way of Long Island, alongside local companies, collected essential school supplies for local students.
On September 13, 2024, volunteers from National Grid and Zebra Technologies generously donated their time to pack school buses with boxes filled with school supplies including backpacks, pens, pencils, markers, folders, index cards, glue sticks, and more and delivered them to students in Brentwood and Central Islip school districts. Their assistance with distribution ensured that thousands of local students are prepared for the school year ahead.
Theresa Regnante, president and CEO of United Way of Long Island, said, “When we provide quality supplies to our students, we alleviate financial burdens and allow them to focus on learning. United Way is extremely grateful to all our supporters and collaborators that help make Stuff-A-Bus a reality.”
“At National Grid serving our customers
and community comes naturally, but to work with United Way and partner in Stuff A Bus to be able to support students help set them off into the school year the right way is really, truly an honor,” said Victor Vientos, director of engineering at National Grid.
Several organizations and school districts received supplies from United Way of Long Island to prepare students for the academic year ahead including; ABBA Leadership, Community Development Corporation of Long Island, Colonial Youth, Hicksville Boys & Girls Club, Housing Help, Mineola Ministries, Nassau County Office of Youth Services, Pride for Youth, Pronto of Long Island, Rescue Angel, Restoration Revival, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, SCO Family Services, The Retreat, Wings of Empowerment, Wyandanch Homes & Property, YouthBuild Long Island, and Brentwood, Central Islip, Copiague, Hicksville, PatchogueMedford, Uniondale, Valley
Stream, and Westbury school districts.
Stuff-A-Bus had over 40 contributing companies and lead supporters which includes: Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc.; Esquire Bank; Local 338 RWDSU UFCW; Green Acres; National Grid; National Grid Ventures; RXR; Merchants Insurance Group; and Sheehan Accountants & Advisors. Young Professionals Network lead supporters of Stuff-A-Bus: Bulovas Restoration Inc.; Bethpage Federal Credit Union; The Mosquito Guido; Gas Tec Plumbing and Heating; SK Pool Care; Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C.; Flushing Bank; Clear View Building Services; Borg Insurance Agency & Associates; and G-Rock Handcovers Inc.
United Way of Long Island’s Stuff-A-Bus program is part of a broader effort to strengthen education, a key pillar in the organization’s mission to promote financial stability and opportunity for all. Since 2008, StuffA-Bus has delivered over 1 million back-to-school supplies to children. By
providing vital supplies, Stuff-A-Bus aims to set students up with the
proper tools for academic success while increasing the economic opportunity
of students’ families. To learn more about StuffA-Bus, visit https://www. unitedwayli.org/stuff-bus. About United Way of Long Island United Way of Long Island advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on three key building blocks: health, education, and financial stability. United Way invests in community partnerships to help our most vulnerable and at-risk residents through organizations and programs that grant equitable access to resources and services across the region. For more information about United Way of Long Island, please visit www. unitedwayli.org, call 2.1.1 or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Babylon Village Book Battle Team
Librarian Catherine Frank coached a team “The Braintrust” to represent Babylon Public Library at the Suffolk County Book Battle. Students read books and met weekly over the summer to prepare for the battle. Out of 29 libraries, they came in 5th. Most importantly, they supported each other and were successful. They had so much fun that the students coordinated presenting their trophy to Ms. Catherine Frank for being such an amazing coach! From left to right: Dominic Davila, Juliet Gimberlein, Kelsea O’Hara, Lilly Murphy, Leah Skarulis, Elliott Brunjes, Ciara Weisbecker, Ms. Catherine Frank, and Caleb Gonzalez
Books Are On The Menu
Belmont Elementary School students in the North Babylon School District sampled many books at a recent “book tasting” event during the last week of September.
During their respective library classes, students
headed to the all-purpose room where tables and chairs were set up to resemble a restaurant.
The event consisted of an appetizer, entrée and dessert featuring three rounds of different books.
As part of the entrée,
bilingual books were offered to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month. Students had time to look at the covers, peruse the books and assess their interest by rating them with a thumbs up or down.
BOOKS ARE ON THE MENU AT BELMONT - Belmont Elementary School held a “book tasting” event featuring three rounds of books to sample. Photo courtesy of North Babylon School District
OCTOBER HAPPENINGS
FRIDAY, OCT. 25th
6:00PM-7:30PM CREATURES OF THE NIGHT
Meet nighttime animals, play a game with prizes, and take a nighttime hike in the woods to see where creatures of the night make their homes. Please bring a picnic blanket to watch the animal presentations. You may want to apply bug spray as well. Cost: $20 per person. Ages: 7y and up. Limited tickets may be available at the door. No refunds for missing the event. Sweetbriar Nature Center - ECSS, 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown. For more information, please call 631-979-6344
SATURDAY, OCT. 26th
10:00AM-1:00PM BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Lindenhurst Memorial Library, One Lee Avenue in Lindenhurst, is sponsoring a Book Sale, with a preview for current Friends of the Lindenhurst Library from 9:00am-10:00am. Anyone may sign up for membership at the sale. For more information, please call 631-957-7755
10:00AM-2:00PM CARS & COFFEE
The South Huntington Public Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road in Huntington Station will be hosting Cars & Coffee. Join the Centurion Cruisers Car Club in the parking lot for a day of classic cars and trucks. Enjoy coffee and meet other car enthusiasts. No entry fee. For more information, please call 631-549-4411
HOLIDAYS
2nd - Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown 11th - Yom Kippur begins at sundown
14th - Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day
31st - Halloween
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
FUEL OIL
10:00AM-4:30PM APPLE FESTIVAL AND SCARECROW CONTEST
Fall in love with Autumn in Islip Town! The beloved Town of Islip Apple Fall Festival returns to the Islip Grange, 10 Broadway Ave. in Sayville. A day of family fun featuring craft vendors, amusement rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, live entertainment, a festival food court, fresh apple desserts and so much more! And don't forget about the Scarecrow contest! Contest begins at 10:30. Rain Date: Oct, 27th. For more information, please call 631-224-5430, www.islipny.gov
1:00PM-3:00PM HOWL-O-WEEN PETS & PARTNERS PARADE
All domestic pets and their owners are welcome! Leashes, Carriers or Pens Please! Costumes for Pets and their Partners are encouraged. Prizes awarded for Best Costume. Free Treats, Raffles, Music, compliments of Levittown's favorite DJ, Tim Aldredge! Bluegrass Lane is one block south of Hempstead Turnpike, 2970 Hempstead Tpk. in Levittown. For more information, please contact LevittownCouncil@yaloo.com
2:00PM-4:00PM
TRUNK OR TREAT
Simpson United Methodist Church, 30 Locust Avenue, in Amityville, is hosting a Trunk or Treat event. Vote for your favorite decorated car. Free Trick or Treating! Please come in costume. For more information, please call Mary at 516-991-8098
SATURDAY, OCT. 26th & SUNDAY, OCT 27th
11:00AM-4:00PM OPEN HOUSE EVENT
Central Operating Lines Model Railroad Club, 50 A Carlough Rd. in Bohemia, is having an Open House. Come see their 1,600 square foot model train. Please bring an unwrapped toy to participate in their holiday toy drive. For more information, please call 631-563-0173
SUNDAY, OCT 27th
3:00PM
BRAHMS' GERMAN REQUIEM
The First Presbyterian Church of Greenlawn will host a performance of Brahms' German Requiem in the church Sanctuary. The performance will benefit the New Organ Fund at The First Presbyterian Church, located at 497 Pulaski Road in Greenlawn. For more information, please call the church office at 631-261-2150, www. greenlawnpresbyterianchurch.org Facebook.com/First-PresbyterianChurch-of-Greenlawn
THROUGH OCT. 31st
SEE BELOW FOR HOURS 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. Mon-Fri: 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Sat: 9 am – 5 pm; Sun: 12:00 pm - 5 pm
Antipasto Choose One
• Traditional Antipasto Platter
• Mozzarella Caprese Platter
First Course Choose One
• Penne Alla Vodka
• Baked Ziti
• Stuffed Shells
• Cavatelli Calabrese
• Lasagna (Meat or Cheese)
• Manicotti
Cornbread Stuffing Choose One
• Crisp Apple & Sausage Meat
• Sauteed Spinach, Onions & Pancetta
*16lb.
*Fresh raw turkey available to substitute
Vegetable Choose Two
• String Bean Casserole
• Candied Sweet Potatoes
• Mashed Potatoes
• Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• String Bean Almondine
Dessert Choose one
• Homemade Pumpkin Pie or Apple Pie
• Fresh Cut Fruit Bowl
Legislator Tom Donnelly Joins Spangle Drive Seniors For Fall Picnic
Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) recently joined senior citizens in the Town of Babylon at the Spangle Drive Senior Center’s Fall Picnic. Held in North Babylon on Thursday, September 26, the event is one of the regular celebrations put on by the center and is always a festive and exciting day for Babylon seniors.
Under the current direction of Carolyn
Epifane, Spangle Drive Senior Center was founded in 1972 as the first of the now six senior centers in the Town of Babylon. As with all of the centers, it serves as a recreation, socialization and information resource for local residents. This year’s Fall Picnic, moved indoors due to weather, did not stop senior citizens from enjoying good food, games and music.
“It’s always a pleasure
to spend time with our senior community, and the fall picnic at Spangle Drive was a wonderful opportunity to join in celebrating the changing season,” said Legislator Donnelly. “Center Director Carolyn Epifane and her entire staff always do a great job planning and executing programs that keep our seniors active and engaged and this event was no exception. We owe them our thanks everyday!
Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly, pictured third from right, joins from left to right, Cathy Moraglia of North Babylon, Carole Clancy of North Babylon, Senior Center Director Carolyn Epifane, Andrew Garguilo of Lindenhurst and Marion Sutton of West Babylon at the Spangle Drive Senior Center 2024 Fall Picnic on Thursday, September 26 in North Babylon.
This October, supporting breast cancer research is as easy as buying paint. Throughout the month, for every gallon of premium paint sold at Aboff’s Paint stores and online at aboffs.com, the company will generously donate a portion of the proceeds to support breast cancer research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL).
The original Aboff’s Paints Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign raised over $10,000 for CSHL breast cancer research in 2012. In
2023, the two Long Island institutions renewed their partnership and raised over $40,000.
“Breast cancer awareness is near and dear to all of us here at Aboff’s,” said Aboff’s Paints owner and CSHL Corporate Advisory Board member Matthew Aboff. “We are delighted to renew our partnership with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory for October 2024 and hope to make this year’s campaign our most successful yet.”
Family-owned and operated, Aboff’s Paints has been proudly serving
Long Island and the New York region for 95 years. The knowledgeable team of paint experts leverage decades of experience, and with 32 convenient locations across Long Island, they’re on hand to accommodate any residential, commercial, or industrial painting project.
For more information, contact Shayna Bowles at Aboff’s Paints (sbowles@ aboffs.com; 631-427-2008 ext. 153) or Sarah Kitt at CSHL (kitt@cshl.edu; 516367-6808).
CLUES ACROSS
1. “60 Minutes” network
4. Train line
10. Go quickly
11. Straightforward
12. Canadian province
14. At any rate (abbr.)
15. Genealogy
16. Make changes
18. Utter repeatedly
22. In a way, turned up
23. Type of ship
24. Agents of one’s downfall
CLUES DOWN
1. A place to lounge
2. Skewed views
3. Peacefully
4. Commercial
5. Auxiliary forces
6. Large mollusk
7. Take out again
8. Sharp and forthright
9. Knight (chess)
12. Source of fiber
26. Not out
27. Something to scratch
28. Round water pot
30. Refreshing green fruit (slang)
31. Promotions
34. Primordial matters
36. One-time world power (abbr.)
37. Source of illumination
39. The content of cognition
40. An Arab ruler
41. South Dakota
42. Gnawed at with teeth
48. Hawaiian island
13. Flesh covering some birds’ beaks
17. Energy
19. Night monkeys genus
20. Small, sharp nails
21. Pleasant-smelling liquid
25. Affirms one’s hold
29. CNN’s founder
31. Texans can’t forget it
32. “Oppenheimer” actor Matt
33. Expression
35. Vessel
50. Smaller
51. Of a single person
52. Rigid bracelet
53. Barbary sheep (Fr.)
54. Not even
55. Specific gravity
56. Engage in petty bargaining
58. Boxing’s “GOAT”
59. Split between parties
60. Notable offensive
38. Lacking poetic beauty
41. Tall, swift and slender dog
43. Sports personality Michelle
44. Robber
45. Liquefied natural gas
46. Snakelike fishes
47. The most worthless part of something
49. City in Crimea
56. Bad grades
57. Reichsmark
Welcome To Fall: 12 Tips For The 12 Weeks Of Autumn Advance Care Plans
Continued From 3
3. Rake and Compost Leaves - Instead of throwing those colorful leaves away, compost them! They can become
nourishing soil for your garden next
4. Swap Out Air Filters - As you transition from A/C to heating, replace your HVAC filters. Clean filters mean better air quality and a more efficient system.
5. Inspect the Roof - Check for loose or damaged shingles and get them repaired before winter storms arrive. Your roof is your first line of defense against harsh weather.
6. Prepare Your Garden for Winter - Cut back perennials, mulch garden beds, and plant bulbs for
a beautiful spring bloom. Don’t forget to clean and store garden tools for next year.
7. Clean and Store Outdoor Furniture - Protect your outdoor living space by cleaning and storing furniture properly. Cover items that will remain outside and clean cushions before putting them away.
8. Winterize Sprinklers and Hoses - Drain your garden hoses and sprinkler systems to prevent freezing and damage. Store hoses indoors and consider insulating outdoor faucets.
9. Test Home DetectorsTest smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working properly. Replace any expired batteries to keep your family safe all year.
10. Service the Furnace
- Have your furnace inspected before the first cold snap so that it’s ready for the months ahead. Clean ducts and vents for maximum efficiency.
11. Check Your GuttersAfter the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters and downspouts to prevent clogs and ice dams, which can cause water damage.
12. Organize Your Entryway - With boots, coats, and scarves in rotation, your entryway can quickly become cluttered. Add hooks and baskets to keep things neat and clean.
As we get ready to welcome the upcoming Holidays, may your home be a warm, inviting place where cherished memories are made every day. Happy Fall! I hope to see you around town.
The United States population is rapidly aging. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), by 2030, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will more than double to 71 million older Americans, comprising roughly
20 percent of the U.S. population. With age comes the added burden of dealing with illnesses such as heart failure, dementia and cancer, any one of which can leave you unable to make decisions involving your care.
Unless you have a plan in place, the burden will fall on your family. Protect your loved ones from having to make life and death decisions on your behalf by developing an advance care plan today.
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Fall Senior Advocate Schedules
631-226-2636 Ext. 276
Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is pleased to inform Babylon residents about the local Suffolk County Office for the Aging Fall 2024 Senior Advocate Schedule. Senior advocates are County representatives who come out into the community and assist seniors with information gathering, completion of eligibility or recertification applications and referrals to appropriate community agencies.
This fall, Senior Advocates will be visiting the following locations in the Town of Babylon:
• Deer Park Library, 44 Lake Avenue, Deer Park: Friday, November 1, 9 –11 am
• North Amityville Nutrition Center, 48-C Cedar Road, Amityville: Wednesdays, November 13 & December 18, 10 am – 1 pm
• Rainbow Center, 293 Buffalo Avenue, Lindenhurst: Wednesdays, November 6 & December 4, 8:30 –11:00 am
• Tanner Park Senior Nutrition, 2 Tanner Park, Copiague: Wednesdays, November 13 & December 11, 8:30 am – 1 pm
• Spangle Drive Center, 4385 Spangle Drive, North Babylon: Tuesdays,
October 29, November 26 & December 17, 12 – 3:30 pm
• West Babylon Library, 211 Route 109, West Babylon: Thursday, November 21, 10 am – 12 pm
• Wyandanch Senior Nutrition, 28 Wyandanch Avenue, Wyandanch: Wednesdays, November 6 & December 4, 8:30 am – 1 pm
Advocates assist with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as food stamps), Medicare Savings Program and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications. They also can provide information on Medicare, answer questions and make recommendations and referrals. For more information about available services or directions to any of these locations, please call the Suffolk County Office for the Aging at (631) 853-8200.
“For more than three decades, the Suffolk County Office for the Aging has been providing full and troublefree access to critical services,” Donnelly said. “I am glad to see their great professional community outreach program continue and hope that every senior resident will make full use of it.”
