South Bay's Neighbor
8-Year-Old Mason Maier Signs Honorary Contract
To Be A “Met For A Day”
It’s been a long road from Cohen Children’s Medical Center to home plate, but 8-year-old Mason Maier, of Massapequa, LI, made the “Amazin’s” even more so when he signed an honorary contract to become a “Met for a Day.”
After joining the New York Mets during Spring Training earlier this year, Mason’s dream to join his favorite team came true when, flanked by his parents and his favorite nurse, he signed an honorary, one-day contract with the Mets.
All of this was a far cry from the frightened child, who in mid-June 2019, began to suffer from unexplained fevers for long period of time. His mother, Laura Maier, remembered that he became increasingly lethargic, ate very little and bruised easily.
In August of this year, his
parents brought him to the emergency department at Cohen Children’s Medical Center. A battery of tests revealed that Mason was living with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). To fight the disease, Mason underwent three years of chemotherapy; he also had to endure multiple hospital stays caused by infections or low white blood cell counts.
Mason has been deemed in remission for more than one year. He is now, according to his parents, a happy little boy who loves school, his friends, and, of course, the NY Mets.
“We want to thank all the wonderful members of Mason’s care team at Cohen Children’s for helping Mason on his medical journey,” said Ms. Maier. “And, of course, thank you to the Mets for making this dream come true. Baseball has always
been a big part of Mason’s life and we’re so grateful that he gets to be here today with his favorite team.”
Donovan Mitchell, senior director of DEI and Community Relations for the Mets, was present for the honorary contract signing. As he presented the document to Mason, he said, “As a token of our appreciation and for what you’ve gone through, we’d like to present you with a one-day contract.”
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As soon as it became “official,” Mason quickly swapped his Cohen Children’s cap for a Mets cap. When asked how he felt, Mason replied, “I’m excited to be a Met.”
A Summer Of Memories At Massapequa’s Recreation Program
Whether they’re running around on the playground, making crafts or enjoying a special event, it’s a summer of great memories for the hundreds of children participating in the Massapequa School District’s Summer Recreation program.
Joining them in the fun are their high school and college-age counselors, who look after each group. Summer Recreation this year runs from July 1 to Aug. 2 at all six elementary schools, and students can sign up for select weeks or the full program.
During a typical day, each group rotates among different stations. There
are sports in the gym and on the fields, playground time, an arts and crafts room, a game room, movie room, and snack and lunch time. There are also special events throughout the summer such as carnival day, Mad Science assemblies and dressup theme days. Fairfield Elementary School’s camp had a visit from Islanders mascot Sparky the Dragon.
At East Lake Elementary School, children in the extended school year program are invited to Summer Recreation’s special events, like the blue and gold Olympics.
Madison Sugamele, an incoming fourth grader
at Fairfield Elementary School, is participating in Summer Recreation for the second year and is doing all five weeks.
“I can meet new friends before the school year starts,” she said. “There’s a lot of good activities and one of my favorites is art. I also like playing basketball.”
Owen Martin, who will be in fifth grade at Unqua Elementary School, has been coming to the camp every summer of his childhood. He loves playing sports and getting to know the counselors.
“They’re nice and respectful and they make sure we have fun,” Owen said.
Many of the counselors have long ties to the program, like John O’Fee at Unqua, a rising junior who attended the program as a child. He remembers the positive impact that the counselors had on his Summer Recreation experience and wants to do the same for today’s students.
“You get to have great relationships with the kids,” John said, adding that he loves getting to know their individual personalities.
Sophia Vidal, a counselor for the second straight year at Fairfield, is working with a group of girls who are starting kindergarten in the fall. Knowing that Summer
Recreation is their first prolonged experience in Massapequa schools makes it even more important to ensure they are having a good time.
“I really like working with the kids,” she said. “They’re really sweet, very welcoming, excited to be here and eager to make new friends.”
Sophia, who is considering becoming a teacher, said that being a counselor is a great experience. Her favorite activity is art, because she can sit with the children in her group in a relaxed setting, have conversations and really get to know them.
Christopher Kiernan, the camp director at Fairfield, emphasized the importance of strong relationships between the campers and the counselors. The children look up to the high school and college students as role models, so it is important for them to be friendly and responsible.
“Working with kids is a rewarding experience,” he said. “For the counselors, it’s kind of like being a teacher, but instead of teaching, it’s recess for six hours a day. They go above and beyond to make sure the kids are safe and having a good time.”
Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District
UNQUA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS
- Unqua Elementary School Summer Recreation participants played a game in which they moved a ball around the 50 states.
SPENDING TIME WITH CAMPERS - Camp volunteer Ryan Workman, second from left, and counselor John O’Fee enjoyed spending time every day with their campers.
AUGUST HAPPENINGS
SATURDAY AUGUST 31
7:30AM-1:00PM RUNNERS EDGE
MAIN STREET MILE
The 21st Annual Runner’s Edge Main Street Mile will begin with a Kid’s Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. on Main Street in Farmingdale, followed by a woman’s one-mile run at 9:00 a.m. and a Men’s one-mile run at 9:30 a.m. Hockey legend Pat LaFontaine will be on hand for the races, as well as a postrace blow-out at The Tap Room in Farmingdale beginning at 11 a.m. ! For more information, please call 516-420-7963
10:00AM-4:00PM END OF SUMMER FESTIVAL
Holy Trinity Orthodox Church at 369 Green Avenue in East Meadow will host its End of Summer Festival (rain or shine). It will feature Ethnic and BBQ foods, live music, kids’ games, flea market, basket raffle, and $1,000 cash prize raffle. Admission is free. For more information, please call 516-483-3649, email htocem@gmail. com or visit www.htocem.org.
2:00PM-5:00PM DAHLIA EXHIBITION AND PHOTO SHOW
The Long Island Dahlia Society will hold its annual Dahlia Exhibition and Photo Show at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Carriage House, 440 Montauk Highway in Great River. Show is free with entry in the park. For further information visit WWW. LongIslandDahlia.org
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
UPCOMING SEPTEMBER EVENTS
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5
7:00PM
LINDENHURST EVENING HOMEMAKERS GROUP
Join Lindenhurst Evening Homemakers Group at the Amityville Senior Center on Cedar St. Open to all members and newcomers 18 years old and up. Meet ups start at 7pm & new members should arrive 15 min. early. For more information, please call Lisa LeBrie at 516-413-7467
SATURDAY, SEPT. 7
6:00PM
QUEENS SOUND PRESENTS: "SONGS BENEATH THE TREES"
Our Lady of Grace Concert Series Presents an evening of serene melodies evoking a world of natural beauty. $10 Suggested Donation. Refreshments will be served. Our Lady of Grace, 666 Albin Ave. in West Babylon. For more information, please call 631-587-5185
SUNDAY, SEPT. 8
9:00AM-4:00PM
36th ANNUAL COPIAGUE KIWANIS CAR SHOW & MARKET PLACE
This event is proudly presented by the Copiague Kiwanis in collaboration with the Town of Babylon and will take place at Tanner Park. Get ready for a day filled with chrome, classic tunes, and family fun. For further questions, Phil Guerra can be contacted directly at 516-647-2754 or via email at philcarshow@optonline.net.
9:30AM 9/11 REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
The Farmingdale United Methodist Church, 407 Main Street, will hold a Remembrance Service on the 23rd anniversary of 9-11. Following the service everyone is invited to honor the day by placing ribbons around the Memorial Tree dedicated to Lt. Christopher P. Sullivan, FDNY, who generously led our Nursery School children in fire safety. All Farmingdale firemen/emergency responders and their families are invited to attend, as is the general public. Please join us.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 12
7:00PM LONG ISLAND IN THE MOVIES
The Seaford Historical Society will host a presentation by Greg Blank about Long Island in the Movies, at the Historical Society Museum. The Museum is located at 3890 Waverly Ave. in Seaford. Members Free. $5 fee for nonmembers. For more information, please call Judy Bongiovi at 516-660-2275
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GENERAL BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP & LOSS OF ADULT CHILD GROUP
The General Support Group is open to anyone who has suffered a loss at least three months prior to the start of the group. The Adult Child Group has a no wait requirement. Pre-registration is required. Seating is limited. The groups will be offered at St. John Nepomucene, 1140 Locust Ave. in Bohemia. Please call to reserve your seat, 631-589-0540, ext. 250.
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Town Receives Highest National Award For Excellence In Financial Reporting
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino announced that the Town received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The recognition, awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA), is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. The Town was praised for its annual comprehensive financial report, and is the only town in the “Large Municipal” category to win the award nationwide.
“This award represents a significant accomplishment by our Town and the way we have managed our finances,” said Supervisor Saladino.
“Since taking office, my administration has eliminated $44 million in deficits inherited from the prior administration while producing budget surpluses and earning 9 credit rating upgrades from Wall Street – all while cutting property taxes and repaving more roads than ever before! We’re proud to earn this recognition and will continue practicing fiscal restraint to protect taxpayers.”
The Town’s financial report is judged by an
impartial panel to meet the high standards of the GFOA program, which includes demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.
The GFOA, founded in 1906, represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada deeply involved in planning, financing and implementing thousands of governmental operations in each of their jurisdictions. GFOA’s mission is to advance excellence in public finance.
TOWN RECEIVES HIGHEST NATIONAL AWARD - Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino announced that the Town received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The recognition, awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA), is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Pictured above are Internal Audit Division Head Richard Principe, Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Town Comptroller Steve Ballas of Farmingdale, and Deputy Town Comptroller Christine Wiss of Massapequa Park.
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Massapequa Chamber Of Commerce Teams Up With News 12 And A Few Local Chamber Businesses
The Massapequa Chamber of Commerce recently teamed up with News 12 and a few of our local Chamber businesses to showcase them on the Main Street Massapequa series. Some of the businesses featured was Broadway Gourmet, Sage and Selente Holistic Spa, Ultra Lanes Bowling Alley, Burgerology, Gum Drop Garden and Zona Restaurant. Pictured: News 12 at Zona Restaurant. Pictured left to right, Leah CGilvray, Gianna Hiotis-Catering Manager, News 12 anchor Jenn Seelig, and Olga Langis-Owner of Zona. Photo by Robin Hepworth
Receiver Pravato Advises Late General Taxpayers of Last Chance
To assist property owners who missed the August 12th deadline for paying their 2024 General taxes, Town of Oyster Bay Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato reminds residents that they can still pay the bill September 3rd with the State mandated 2% late payment penalty while avoiding additional interest and fees from accruing on their property.
Late payers should immediately contact the Receiver’s office at (516) 624-6400 if they did not receive a second notification with a delinquent tax bill. Payments postmarked after August 31st cannot be accepted since the collection warrant will have expired. Those payments must be sent to the Nassau County Treasurer at 1 West Street, Mineola, New York 11501.
In September, the Nassau County Treasurer will be mailing notices to all property owners with taxes in arrears.
Receiver Pravato advises homeowners who fall under those circumstances to contact the Nassau County Treasurer at (516) 571-2090 to determine the amount due. They may also visit the Nassau
County Treasurer’s Office at 1 West Street in Mineola.
Receiver Pravato noted, “Taxpayers in the Town of Oyster Bay are already paying some of the highest property taxes in the nation, and I want to make sure that our residents do not pay more out of pocket than they have to.”
Pictured: Ultra Lanes Bowling Alley, Massapequa. From left to right, News 12 anchor Jenn Seelig, Robin Hepworth-Chamber President, Brenda Khabie Owner, Janice Talento-Third Vice President, Sal Polito-Second Vice President, News 12 cameraman.
Pictured: Gum Drop Garden. From left to right, Lauren Nesler, Jenn Seelig, Jacqueline Gaynor.
Free Family Support, Overdose Prevention & Narcan Training Seminars
To help save lives and further combat the ongoing opioid epidemic on Long Island, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino is partnering with Drug Free Long Island, Thomas’ Hope Foundation and Massapequa Park Village Mayor Daniel Pearl to host free Family Support, Overdose Prevention & Narcan Training Seminars on Monday, September 16th and Monday, September 30th at 6:30pm at in the downstairs meeting rooms of Massapequa Park Village Hall, located at 151 Front Street in Massapequa Park. The program will begin at 6pm with a family support group offering support to family members who have lost a loved one or have a loved one struggling with
addiction, followed by a prevention workshop and overdose reversal agent training seminar at 7:30pm.
“We’re addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic on Long Island by offering Support, Overdose Prevention and Narcan Training Seminars for residents to learn the warning signs of drug addiction, obtain information on available treatment options, and learn how to reverse the fatal effects of an opioid overdose by administering a life-saving antidote,” Supervisor Saladino said. “Whether you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or not, we invite you to join us in September for the betterment of our community.”
The overdose reversal
agent known as Narcan is administered through a nasal spray, and is provided by the YES Community Counseling Center at no charge to trainees over the age of 18. Under New York State law, residents can administer Narcan in an attempt to save a life, without fear of liability.
Mayor Daniel Pearl stated, “Through initiatives like this, we can and will continue to save lives and keep families whole. Together with Drug Free Long Island and Thomas’ Hope Foundation, we are strengthening our community in its battle with drug use and working with mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and neighbors to identify warning signs and provide help to those struggling with addiction.”
Town To Upgrade Main Baseball Field At Burns Park
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board announced that major upgrades are coming soon to the 90ft baseball field at John J. Burns Park in Massapequa. The Town of Oyster Bay will upgrade the natural surface infield to a synthetic turf playing area.
“These important upgrades will enhance the overall playing experience for our little leaguers and others who use this field,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Upgrades will be achieved
in the most cost-effective way while bringing added enjoyment to all who use them.”
Artificial turf fields have a general useful life of up to 10 years, however they are less expensive than the long-term cost of maintaining natural grass and a dirt surface. Turf fields also provide the potential for fewer cancellations of games due to inclement weather, as the field is able to absorb rain storms in a manner that is not possible on a fully-dirt infield.
“Replacing the infield with synthetic turf allows for extended play time for athletes and brings a significant upgrade to this beautiful park,” added Supervisor Saladino. “We are pleased to bring these enhancements to the Massapequa community while keeping a watchful eye on our bottom line.”
For more information about Town parks, including local programs and events, visit the Town’s website at www. oysterbaytown.com/parks.
This free Support, Overdose Prevention & Narcan Training Seminar is available to all residents. No prior medical experience is necessary to participate. All trainees will receive a Certificate of Completion. Seating is limited. Please RSVP to Drug Free Long Island by calling (516) 6392386 or emailing info@ drugfreeli.org.
Girl Scouts Of Nassau County Announces First Annual Thin Mint Sprint 5K And Family Fun Walk
Girl Scouts of Nassau County (GSNC) announced that their inaugural Thin Mint Sprint 5K Run and Family Fun Walk, will take place on Saturday, September 15th, 2024 at Jones Beach State Park on Field 1. This event
will offer avid runners, walkers and families a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Jones Beach during Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend, all while raising money for the GSNC Family Partnership giving campaign.
“The Thin Mint Sprint has been something we’ve wanted to have for a while now, and we are excited to finally announce that registration is officially open!” said Rande Bynum, CEO of Girl Scouts Nassau County. “We hope that this event will inspire families to gather in support of empowering the next generation of leaders as they enjoy the beauty of one of New York’s state parks. We hope to see this event become an annual funfilled tradition. Whether it is running in the 5K with friends, walking one mile with your family, or enjoying the activity fair, any participation will help provide girls with experiences that build courage, confidence and character.”
All proceeds from this event will benefit Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s Family Partnership giving campaign to ensure all girls can participate in Girl Scouting regardless of background or economic status to provide for
membership fees, uniform components, books, badges and supplies for girls in need.
The 5K Thin Mint Sprint is open to runners of all ages and will begin at 8:30 a.m. Registrants for the in-person option will receive a Thin Mint Sprint event t-shirt, Thin Mint Sprint finisher medal, Thin Mint Sprint race bib, a timing chip, entry into the family activity fair, and most importantly, a box of Girl Scout Cookies. Those who choose to participate virtually will receive a Thin Mint Sprint event t-shirt and a Thin Mint Sprint finisher medal via mail.
The Family Fun One Mile Walk is open to all ages and will begin at 9:30 a.m. Registrants will receive a Thin Mint Sprint event t-shirt, entry into the family activity fair, and of course, a box of Girl Scout Cookies. The Thin Mint Sprint will help Girl Scouts of Nassau County continue their mission to help build a better world. By participating in the
event, families will give girls the opportunity to discover their passions and make lifelong friendships through the Girl Scouts of Nassau County community. To participate or become an event sponsor of the Thin Mint Sprint, please visit www.gsnc.org/thin-mintsprint.
For more information about Girl Scouts of Nassau County and the many events they hold throughout the year, or to join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate visit www.gsnc.org.
We are Girl Scouts: Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs in Nassau
County, across Long Island, and from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alum, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit www.gsnc.org.
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