November 2, 2022 North Massapequa

Anthony Napolitano

Broker/Owner Mobile: 516-807-4315

Office: 516-798-4200

anapolitano78@gmail.com

2ND ANNUAL WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARDS CEREMONY - Assemblyman Michael

(Massapequa Park) recently celebrated eighteen extraordinary women from the 9th Assembly District at

2nd Annual Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony. Pictured: Back Row (L-R): Cher Lepre, Melissa Matassa, Kim Poulos Lieberz, Jenny Hespeler, Assemblyman Durso, Beverly Hermalyn, Janice Talento, Billie Jo Vozza, Nicole Zuvich, Maria “Vickie” Calderon; Front Row (L-R): Melanie Duffy, Nancy Donohue, Dr. Mary Koslap-Petraco, Debra DiClerico, Joan Caliendo, Deirdrea Renwick. Not

Maria Pecorale, Niamh McLoughlin Peters, Liza Zdenek.

Screenings

North Shore Vascular Surgery

New York can learn about their

for

osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening. Amityville Masonic Lodge will host this community event on 11/17/2022. The site is located at 14 Avon Pl in Amityville.

can

•

level of plaque buildup in your arteries, related to risk for

disease, stroke and overall

health.

• Narrowing of the

arteries of your

called

Arterial

Screenings are affordable and convenient. Free parking is also available. Special package pricing starts at $159, but consultants will work with you to create a package that is right for you based on your age and risk factors. Call 1-877-237-1287 or visit our website at www. lifelinescreening.com. Preregistration is required.

Let

know about your honors, awards, promotions and other announcements. They are always welcome. Photos can be emailed as well. Send them to editorial@ longislandmediagroup. com.

Helping You Help Others

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for November is Association for Mental Health and Wellness

On Friday, November 11, Long Islanders join all Americans to mark Veterans Day, a day to honor those who’ve served our country and protected our freedoms.

In this spirit, our Charity of the Month for November is one of Long Island’s leading advocates for the interests of our veterans, the Ronkonkoma-based Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW).

While MHAW serves all residents in Suffolk County by offering comprehensive services and advocacy that focus on mental health as well as overall health and wellness, the organization places a major focus on assisting Suffolk County’s veteran population.

MHAW provides a high-level of support for our community’s veterans regarding affordable housing, medical and mental health assistance, reintegration skills, and other necessary supportive services. MHAW truly serves a surprisingly large number of veterans.

Home to more than 800,000 veterans, New York State has the fifth-highest veteran population of any state nationwide, and some 72,000 veterans reside in Suffolk County, the most of any county in the Empire State. Indeed, that Suffolk County figure is 18 percent higher than the number for Erie County, which ranks number two.

Sadly, our country’s veteran population, which includes our local veterans, face substantial mental health challenges.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the rate of major depression among military veterans is five times as high as

that of civilians, and the rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is nearly 15 times higher.

Left untreated, these invisible wounds can have devastating effects on veterans and their families. According to the RAND Center, a non-profit, public policy, research organization, people affected with depression, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury can exhibit higher rates of other unhealthy behaviors, higher rates of physical health issues, and higher rates of suicide than those who are not affected.

MHAW tackles these challenges facing veterans in several strategic ways. In future columns this month, we’ll explore four of their standout initiatives: One significant component of MHAW’s veterans services is the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project, named after an Army medic from Mt. Sinai who succumbed to PTSD upon his return from Iraq. A second element is MHAW’s work in providing permanent housing with support services to veterans. A third program is called Supportive Services for Veteran Families, which functions in partnership with EOC of Suffolk, Inc. And a fourth component are MHAW’s food pantries and its efforts to battle food insecurity

If you are a veteran, if you know a veteran in need, or if you just want to lend a hand, MHAW encourages you to contact them at (631) 471-7242 x1502 or email mleis@mhaw.org.

Together, let’s help our veterans. MHAW urges you to step forward and support the valiant veterans living right here in our community, and to help them live fulfilling lives.

FLOWER

1 year old female.

TRAEH

10 year old female. Outgoing and friendly. Bonded with sister, Nevaeh.

NEVAEH

10 year old female. Gentle and playful. Bonded with sister, Traeh.

MADISON 5 year old female. Lots

PEARL AND ABRIL

Bonded pair. Playmates who

WESLEY

HERCULES

out

2 year old male. Terrier mix. Friendly and shy at

11 years young male. Jack Russell. A courageous spirit and a positive attitude.

SELMA AND PATRICIA

10 years yong. Shih-tzu mixes. Two peas in a pod. “Sisters” at heart.

CHICKEN 56.00 100.00

LINGUINE WITH WHITE CLAM SAUCE 61.00 110.00

LINGUINE WITH RED CLAM SAUCE 61.00 110.00

BAKED ZITI

PENNE ANTIONIO

SAUSAGE & PEPPER PIZZAIOLA

MUSSELS MARINARA

100.00

110.00

110.00

90.00

CALAMARI MARINARA 66.00 120.00

CHICKEN MARSALA 66.00 110.00

CHICKEN

CHICKEN

EGGPLANT

EGGPLANT

Your Vote Is Your Voice

By Lisa Scott President of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County

As a member of the League of Women Voters (LWV), a 102 year old nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, this is my “busy season.” With my LWV colleagues, all volunteers, I speak to groups, answer countless questions, organize and moderate debates, and write articles; all as outreach during election season. Additionally, we encourage all citizens to vote responsibly in every election in which they are eligible, whether that be fire districts, libraries, school districts, local, state or federal. Your vote is your voice and I urge you to use it this Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th. Below is some significant information to keep in mind:

• Be sure you are registered to vote prior to heading to the polls.

• Because of redistricting, mandated by the US Constitution after the (2020) census, some of your district numbers may have changed! You can find your polling place easily on the NYS Board of Elections (BOE) website at www.voterlookup. elections.ny.gov. If you don’t have access to the internet, go to your local public library, where you can find assistance to get on one of their computers. Your information is private.

• You may have applied for an absentee ballot. If you plan to vote this way, the same website allows you to track your ballot to be sure it’s been received and will be counted by your county’s BOE. With a new tracking system now in place, if you have applied for an absentee ballot, but you decide you’d rather vote in person, you will not be able to cast your vote in a machine during early voting or on Election Day. Instead, you’ll be given an “affidavit ballot” and the BOE will check your records

to confirm whether or not your absentee ballot was received. This is to ensure no one’s vote is counted twice.

• This year you’ll be voting for your local member of the House of Representatives, one US Senator, NYS Governor and Lt. Governor and your local member of the NYS Senate and NYS Assembly. In Suffolk County, you’ll also vote for County Comptroller and County Clerk. There may be some local races on the ballot too.

• There is a NYS Environmental Bond proposition on the back of your ballot. If approved, this would allow the NYS Comptroller to issue and sell $4.2million in bonds to be used to fund environmental protection, natural restoration, resiliency, and clean energy projects. This is not a tax, investors buy NYS bonds.

• Suffolk County also has a countywide proposition clarifying the wording of the term limits law and four Suffolk townships have local propositions too. Nassau does not have a county proposition on this year’s ballot.

Please plan ahead; learn about the candidates and know what’s on your ballot. You can visit www.vote411. org, enter your address (no need for your name or personal info) and you will see the offices, candidates, and propositions that will be on the ballot. All candidates were sent questions and given the opportunity to answer them on the site; sometimes candidates refuse to respond, this is indicated. No one ever should be too busy, too disinterested or even too frustrated to vote. Your vote is your hard-earned right, but also your obligation as an American citizen.

Important Contact Information:

Suffolk County Board of Elections: 631-852-4500

Nassau County Board of Elections: 516-571-2411

NORTH MASSAPEQUA

BAY’S

NORTH MASSAPEQUASOUTH BAY’S

MASSAPEQUA

Managing Stress And Anxiety

Everyone

stress

in this stressful time this may be a good resource for them: https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/ prepare/managing-stressanxiety.html

New Dean At Massapequa’s Berner Is A Familiar Face

Kristen Meoli, a speech therapist in the Massapequa School District for the past seven years, has been named dean of students at Berner Middle School.

Ms. Meoli has worked as a speech-language pathologist at six of Massapequa’s nine schools, including Massapequa High School’s main and Ames campuses, the middle school, and East Lake, Lockhart and Unqua elementary schools. For three years, she served as co-adviser of Berner’s student council and also worked with the Challenger sports program.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology from LIU C.W. Post, a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Adelphi University and an educational leadership

certificate from Stony Brook University. Ms. Meoli worked as an administrative intern with Massapequa’s extended school year program from 2019 to 2021, and was a member of Berner’s Shared-Decision Making Committee.

In her new role as one of Berner’s two dean of students, Ms. Meoli has been working primarily with sixth graders to support their transition to middle school, helping them feel comfortable in their new environment and encouraging them to get involved. She strives to be “present and visible” so students know she is a resource for them and available when they need someone to talk to about a problem or concern, or to share a success.

“My main priorities are to foster open lines of communication between school and home, to utilize my special education and behavioral management experience to support all of our students, and provide social-emotional learning opportunities when working with students during disciplinary events,” Ms. Meoli said.

ANSWERS:

Massapequa Board Members Recognized For Their Dedication

In recognition of their tireless dedication to the youth of Massapequa Public Schools, the board of education was thanked during the Oct. 20 business meeting.

To mark the occasion of School Board Recognition Week, which is celebrated this year from Oct. 17-21, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. William Brennan and students came together and shared their thanks.

In a specially-made video, several students from throughout Massapequa schools recognized board member’s commitment to ensuring the best education and for providing a wide selection of sports, clubs and extracurricular

activities for students.

“People forget the position of a school board member isn’t a paid one,” Dr. Brennan said. “You’re in charge of making tough decisions in the best interest of our students. Thank you for your service, your leadership and your support.”

KRISTEN MEOLI

BOARD MEMBERS RECOGNIZED - The Massapequa Board of Education was thanked in a video made by students in celebration of School Board Recognition Week. Photo courtesy of Massapequa School District

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but a recent study found drinking tea might keep the cardiologist at bay.

The USDA reported that men and women who drank black tea for three weeks reduced their total and bad

Take Heart With Tea

cholesterol (LDL) levels by an average of 7.5 percent. Researchers concluded that drinking tea may reduce the

risk of coronary heart disease. Antioxidants called flavonoids, found in both green and black teas, are thought to

NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS SERVICE DIRECTORY

be potent weapons in the fight against heart disease. That news may be especially important

for women, given that heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined including breast cancer.

MASSAPEQUA

BAY’S

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE/ HANDYMAN WORKER FULL TIME MONDAY-FRIDAY Main tenance, Repairs/General Upkeep of Buildin gs & Grounds. Mechanically Inclined, Receive & Load Material & Eq uipment. Knowledge of Operating Fo rklift Valid Driver s License Required, Depend ab

Town Collects Blood Donations For Local Hospitals

To help hospitals meet the pressing need for blood, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino partnered with the New York Blood Center to host a blood donation drive at the Hicksville Athletic Center.

“Blood donations are extremely important to help secure necessary blood transfusions for patients. As blood supplies remain critically low, this blood collection drive, one of the largest in our area, was critical for our local hospitals,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Just one pint of blood can save up to three lives. I thank everyone who donated the gift of life at our blood drive.”

To donate blood today, visit https://donate.nybc.org/ donor/schedules/zip for more information and to make an appointment.

Collecting DVDs For U.S. Troops & Children’s Hospitals

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board announced a partnership with Massapequa-based “Big Hy for Heroes” in an effort to collect DVDs for those deployed and serving overseas in the United States Armed Forces as well as movies for children’s hospitals. Donations will be accepted November 1st through November 30th and then delivered to Chaplains, Commanding Officers, Sergeant Majors and Sergeants around the globe to distribute to troops and arrange movie nights this holiday season.

Supervisor Saladino stated, “The Town of Oyster Bay is proud to partner with Big Hy for Heroes for our 5th Annual DVD Collection Drive and send thousands of DVDs to troops serving around the globe as well as to children receiving care in local hospitals. Help support these brave men, women and children by donating DVDs.”

The Big Hy for Heroes organization was founded in 2002 by Massapequa resident and WWII veteran Hyman Strachman who, along with his son Arthur Strachman, personally began sending DVDs to

U.S. troops overseas. Over the years, Big Hy for Heroes has shipped hundreds of thousands of DVDs all around the world, and continues to do so today.

Exciting, suspenseful, comedy and classic DVDs are among the most requested by the troops for movie nights. Children’s movies are needed for local hospitals. Residents can donate DVDs at any of the

following locations: Town Hall North – 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay Town Hall South –977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa

Additionally, letters of gratitude to soldiers and holiday cards for children are also welcome. For more information on the DVD Collection Drive for U.S. Troops and local Children’s Hospitals, please call (516) 624-6380.

TOWN COLLECTS BLOOD DONATIONS -

New York Blood Center Declares Blood Emergency

Help Needed - @ New York Blood Center has issued a blood emergency. The blood supply has dropped from 5 days to a 2-3 day supply, and 1-2 day supply of type O; NYBC warns this

could signal more severe shortages in the weeks ahead. Please sign up to donate at a convenient donation location near you: smarturl.it/NYBC_

Urgent

Supervisor Joseph Saladino (far left), Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato (back center) and Town Clerk Rich LaMarca (far right) join a local resident in donating blood.

Town Sanitation, Recycling Collection Schedules For Election Day & Veterans Day

Oyster Bay Town Councilman Tom Hand reminds residents who

Town

sanitation and S.O.R.T. Recycling

Town

schedules resume as scheduled on Election Day Tuesday, November

8th, but will be modified for Veterans Day, Friday, November 11th.

Election Day Regular collection on Tuesday, November 8th

Veterans Day No sanitation or recycling collection on Friday, November 11th Friday collections will be made on Saturday, November 12th

The Councilman noted that Town offices will be closed on both days, but the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center will be open. The GAP program also does not meet on both days. For more information, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com.

Free Golf For Veterans And Active Duty Military On Veterans Day

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board today announced that the Town will honor veterans and active duty military personnel for their service to our nation with a free day of golf at the Hon. Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course, located at 1 South Woods Road in Woodbury on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11th.

“The brave men and women of our United States Armed Forces put their lives on the line and sacrifice their time to protect our freedoms and democracy,” said Supervisor Saladino. “This is an important way of saying ‘thank you’ and we’re pleased to be able to offer this free round of golf on Veterans Day as a small token of appreciation

for all they’ve done and continue to do for our nation.”

To qualify for this Veterans Day offer, golfers must present proof of Town residency and either

military identification or discharge papers (DD Form 214). For additional information, including to reserve a tee time, please visit www.oysterbaytown. com/golf.

MASSAPEQUA