South Bay's Neighbor
Santa’s Mailboxes Have Arrived In Town Offices
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board announce that children can send their ‘holiday wish list’ directly to Old St. Nick at the North Pole through a special network of Santa’s Mailboxes which arrived in Town facilities from the North Pole. Mailboxes will accept letters now through Monday, December 16th. The Town of Oyster Bay will forward letters to Santa at the North Pole. Letters received by Monday, December 16th with a legible name and return address will be answered by Santa before the holiday. No postage is necessary. Colorful red mailboxes will be accessible during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.) at the following locations: Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa Ice Skating Center, 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage For more information about Santa’s Mailboxes, call (516) 624-6380 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com.
Did You Know?
Only certain veterans can get the complete comprehensive caregiver benefit package through the VA. DAV (Disabled American Veterans) is working to change these laws and correct this inequity. Many Americans are asking their legislators where they stand on the issue.
Celebrating 10 Years
Congratulations to Shelley Siemsen, the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce Office Manager, on her 10th Anniversary with the Chamber. Shelley always goes above and beyond for the Chamber and their members. She is incredibly dedicated and always puts her heart into everything that she does. They are incredibly lucky to have her and send her their sincere appreciation.
BLACK FRIDAY NAME BRAND JEANS
Center Stage Music Center’s 5th Anniversary
CENTER STAGE MUSIC CENTER’S 5TH ANNIVERSARY - The Massapequa Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated Center Stage Music Center’s 5th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Massapequa Park location. The event marked a significant milestone for the business, which has become a beloved part of the community, offering music lessons and fostering creativity for local musicians of all ages. The event was attended by Massapequa Park Chamber President Robin Hepworth, Treasurer Karen Gawrych, Chamber Board member Isabelle Rapacciuolo, Chantel Rapacciuolo, Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Tom Hand, and Center Stage employees, who came together to celebrate the music center’s success and growth. Owners Veronica McCormick and Angela Munro, who founded Center Stage Music Center in 2019, were on hand to cut the ribbon and thank the community for their support over the years.
NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS
MONDAY-FRIDAY.
THROUGH DEC 16th
9:00AM-4:30PM
TOY DRIVE
Town of Babylon Councilman Terence McSweeney would like to encourage your participation in his Toy Drive. Please Drop off a new & unwrapped toy, book or game at Babylon Town Hall Lobby, 200 East Sunrise Hwy. in Lindenhurst, to help bring the joy of the holiday season to those less fortunate. This annul event in run in collaboration with the U.S. Marine Corps., who distribute the items to children in need. For more information, please call 631-957-3081
THURSDAY, NOV. 28th
THANKSGIVING DAY
9:30AM-12:30PM
OYSTER BAY TURKEY TROT BY THE BAY
The Longest Consecutive Turkey Trot in the Tri-State. All Proceeds go to Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary. Start Line: 36 Audrey Ave. Oyster Bay. For more information, please call 516-531-3323, Brendan Dagan.
9:15AM-12:00PM
MASSAPEQUA TURKEY TROT 5K Thanksgiving Day November 28, 8:30AM Fun Run - 9:15AM 5K Start Rain or Shine. John J Burns Park 4990 Merrick Road in Massapequa. Additional race information can be found at http:// www.massapequaturkeytrot.com
HOLIDAYS
3rd - Daylight Savings Time Ends
5th - Election Day
11th - Veterans Day
28th - Thanksgiving
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
SATURDAY, NOV. 30th
9:00AM-4:00PM CRAFT & VENDOR MARKET
St. Bernard Craft & Vendor Market, 3100 Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown. Fresh Wreaths, Christmas Decorations, Sports Memorablia, Candles, Baked Goods... and so much more! For more information, please call 516-731-4220 or parish@stbernardchurch.org
12:00NOON-5:00PM
WANTAGH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WINTER WONDERLAND
The Sixth Annual Wantagh Chamber of Commerce Winter Wonderland is graciously sponsored by the John Theissen Children's Foundation. Vendors, Food Trucks, Holiday Crafts and Treats, Santa Claus, The Grinch, Entertainment, Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting and more. Location: Wantagh Preservation Society, 1700 Wantagh Ave. in Wantagh. For more information, visit info@wantaghchamber.com or call 516-679-0100
UPCOMING
DECEMBER EVENTS
SUNDAY, DEC. 1st
WINTER ON WELLWOOD
Rain date: December 8
Lindenhurst Village Square Park and Gazebo
12:00 - 3:00 PM - Santa in the Park and FREE Carousel
sponsored by Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce (Photos with Santa ends at 2:30 PM)
12:00 - 5:00 PM - Christmas Kindl Market, Community Wreath Display, Interactive Story-walk, Ice Sculptor & Carolers 4:30 PM - Holiday Parade Followed by Village Gazebo Tree Lighting
5:00PM
ADVENT LESSONS AND CAROLS
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 210 So. Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst, celebrates the First Sunday of Advent with Scriptures and beautiful music led by the adult choir, youth choir, cantors, and instrumentalists. Reception to follow in the School Auditorium. Join us as we prepare for the coming of Christ into our hearts. For more information, please call 631-226-7725
SATURDAY, DEC. 7TH
10:00AM-3:00PM
ST. MARK'S CHRISTMAS FAIR
754 Montauk Highway (across from the Oconee Diner) in Islip. The fair is held in the office building’s Gathering Place. Santa, Decorated Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Ornaments, Toys, Craft Items, Jewelry, Cookie Walk, Raffles, Sweepstakes, Bake Table. December is a very busy time for Santa–but he’ll be at the Fair from around 11:00 to 12:30. For more information, please call 631-581-4950, https://stmarksislip. org
Wantagh Bird Walk
Join the South Shore Audubon Society for a bird walk at Mill Pond Park in Wantagh, starting at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 1 . The Park is on the north side of Merrick Road, 4 blocks west of the Wantagh State Parkway . The group will meet at the gazebo.
Bring binoculars. Walk leaders and other birders and nature enthusiasts will be happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. The bird walk is free of charge.
To register, text your name and contact information to 516 467-9498. Rain, snow or temperature below 25 degrees F will cancel the bird walk. Text regarding questionable conditions.
Save Water
The U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program is encouraging home-owners to find and fix leaks to save more than 10 percent on utility bills now and help save water for future generations. For more information and tips about how to save water, visit www.epa.gov/water sense.
CLUES DOWN
1. Piece of felted material
2. Ancient Greek City
3. Aquatic plant
4. Potentially harmful fungus (Brit. sp.)
5. Body art (slang)
6. One who follows the rules
7. Ordinary
8. Honorably retired from assigned duties and retaining one’s title
9. Relaxing space
10. Japanese socks
11. Indian city
12. Rip
13. Icelandic book
30. Cigarette (slang)
31. Arctic explorers (abbr.)
32. Yearly tonnage (abbr.)
35. Delivered a speech
37. A place to bathe
38. Postmen deliver it
39. Surface in geometry
40. More (Spanish)
41. __ and Venzetti
42. Exclamation at the end of a prayer
43. Hawaiian dish
44. Aggressively proud men
45. Fellow
46. Mark Wahlberg comedy
47. Mock
21. Satisfies
23. Where golfers begin
25. Small amount
26. Snag
27. Determine the sum of
28. A distinctive smell
29. Exposed to view
32. Stain or blemish
33. Small loop in embroidery
34. River herring genus
36. Large beer
37. Deep, red-brown sea bream
38. Partner to cheese
40. At a deliberate pace
41. Gurus
43. Of each
48. When you expect to get somewhere
49. Songs
52. Pair of small hand drums
55. Play
56. Sword
60. Evergreens and shrubs genus
61. Filmed
63. Italian Seaport
64. Ancient kingdom near Dead Sea
65. Pores in a leaf
66. U. of Miami mascot is one
67. Snakelike fishes
68. Pretended to be
69. Body part
44. Angry
46. Popular beverage
47. Flower cluster
49. Blocks
50. Those who benefitted from efforts of relatives (slang)
51. Polio vaccine developer
52. A (usually) large and scholarly book
53. Popular soap ingredient
54. NBAer Bradley
57. Popular movie about a pig
58. Musician Clapton
59. Not a sure thing
61. Recipe measurement (abbr.)
62. Father
Garage Door
Small Business Saturday is November 30th!
Why Supporting Local Small Businsesses Matters
The holiday season is a time of year when shopping takes center stage. While online giants and big box retailers seem to be everywhere, offering an endless array of products with the convenience of low prices, small businesses provide a range of benefits that go far beyond the ease of a mouse click or mountains of merchandise. Shopping local retailers is more than just a transactionit is crucial for maintaining the economic foundation of local communities.
Let’s take a look at the many ways it pays to shop small businesses during the holidays and all year long.
· Strengthen the local economy: A large percentage of the money spent at small
businesses stays in the community. That’s because these businesses often are owned and operated by local residents who are invested in the community themselves. Various studies indicate that for every $100 spent at a small business, roughly $70 stays in the community.
· Enhanced customer service: Owners and employees of small businesses have a keen interest in keeping customers happy. They often do so by providing superior customer service. Tailoring recommendations, exhibiting a willingness to accommodate special requests, offering a more engaging shopping experience, and being more friendly and connected with regular customers sets many small businesses apart.
· Support the community: Small businesses serve the community through the products and services they
offer, and many give back in other ways as well. Small, locally owned businesses often sponsor schools, sports teams and charities. This helps foster a sense of belonging in the community.
· Innovative offerings: Small businesses are not beholden to corporate policies or franchise restrictions, so they can more readily bring new life to existing ideas and trends. Small businesses can offer customers different options that larger retailers cannot match.
· Job creation: Small businesses employ a significant percentage of the workforce and frequently provide jobs that might not be available in larger corporate settings. The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy says small businesses have generated 12.9 million net new jobs over the past 25 years, accounting for two out of every three jobs added to the U.S. economy. Keeping residents working helps strengthen local communities.
There are numerous benefits to shopping at small businesses this Small Business Saturday and throughout the year. Such firms help to establish a more resilient, diverse and bustling local community.
Antipasto Choose One
• Traditional Antipasto Platter
• Handmade Mozzarella Caprese Platter
Main Course Choose One
• USDA Prime Stuffed Flank Steak Roast (Raw)
Holiday Feast - Order by Dec. 19 For Christmas Eve Pickup Ready for pickup Tuesday Dec. 24th before 6pm.
• Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
First Course Choose One
• Meat or Cheese Lasagne
• Manicotti
• Stuffed Shells
• Baked Ziti
• Penne alla Vodka
• Linguine Frutti di Mare
• Boar’s Head Sweet Slice Ham (Brown Sugar Glaze)
• All Natural, Hormone Free Center-Cut Stuffed Boneless Pork Roast (Raw)
• Stuffed Flounder Filet
Vegetable Choose Two
• String Bean Almondine
• String Bean Casserole
• Roasted Potato Wedges
Salad Choose One
• Garden or Caesar
• Spinach & Goat cheese w berries
• Eggplant Rollatine or Parmigiana
• Candied Yams
- Sautéed Broccoli
Birch Lane Students Show Their Unity And Heart
Kindness is a year-round expectation for students and Birch Lane Elementary School in the Massapequa School District and one day a year it gets some extra emphasis. The school celebrated World Kindness Day on Nov. 13 with an assembly and recess activities.
Singer and songwriter Jared Campbell visited Birch Lane for a pair of programs that emphasized kindness, compassion and responsibility through sing-alongs. During recess,
students from grades K-4 took a kindness pledge by signing one of the letters in “Unity,” while fifth graders added their names to a large heart. These will hang in the cafeteria along with the words from the past two years, “Kind” and “Include.”
The PTA hosted games that fostered collaboration and cooperation. Students also wrote kind messages and drew cheerful pictures on the blacktop with sidewalk chalk. There was also a Be the “I” in Kind
photo station.
“While we celebrate World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, kindness is something that is celebrated every day at Birch Lane,” Principal Stephen Aspetti said. “Educating children about the importance of kindness and empathy is one of our greatest responsibilities. When we see our students going out of their way to help a classmate, it fills us with pride and reminds us that the efforts we are making are having positive results.”
STUDENTS SHOW THEIR UNITY AND HEART - Fifth graders, from left, Nikki Nicolaou, Christian Polanco, Angelo Ottaviano and Naya Raghunath showed the large heart signed by everyone in their grade. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District
BE THE “I” IN KIND - Emma Angelillo stopped by the Be the “I” in Kind photo station. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District
Massapequa Athletes Commit To College Teams With Pride
“This a great day,” Massapequa High School physical education and athletics Chairperson
Brian Rath said to 23 athletes and their parents to open the Nov. 13 signing ceremony. It was the first of two celebrations – a second will be held in the spring – to recognize Chiefs athletes who will continue on at the collegiate level.
The seniors will be playing a variety of sports for colleges and universities both locally and around the country. Martin Voigt, interim director of physical education, health, athletics and recreation, reminded the athletes to go forward with pride and class. Principal Barbara Lowell said this moment is a culmination of their
dedication to sports, academics and the school community.
The district congratulates collegebound athletes from several varsity teams:
Baseball: Christian George, Salve Regina University; Thomas Harding, St. John’s University; Jason Romance, College of Staten Island; Jackson Tucholski, SUNY Maritime; and Vincenzo Della Porta, University of Bridgeport.
Softball: Samantha Portz, Amherst College; Naomi Tesoriere, Wesleyan University; and Madison Tucholski, Roger Williams University.
Boys lacrosse: Joseph Diesso, Adelphi University; Michael Jannotte, Stevens
Institute of Technology; and Matthew Pettis, University at Albany.
Girls lacrosse: Reilly Cereghino, Sacred Heart University; Olivia DeTommaso, Mount St. Mary’s University; Kiersten Farrell, Merrimack College; Paige Garguilo and Micaela Gillis, Jacksonville University; Isabella Grosso, Loyola University Maryland; Cassidy Morrow, Siena College; Jamie Petrullo, Pace University; and Molly Solnick, Mercy University.
Girls soccer: Mackenzie Ferrara, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Dominica Rasi, West Chester University.
Girls volleyball: Shea Ringel, Union College.
ATHLETES COMMIT TO COLLEGE TEAMS - Massapequa High School held its fall signing ceremony for college-bound athletes on Nov. 13. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District
Town Clerk LaMarca Announces Special One-Stop Passport Weekend
Looking To Get Away? Make An Appointment Today!
To help residents looking to obtain new passports, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca announced that his office will offer a special one-stop Passport Weekend on Saturday, December 7th and Sunday, December 8th from 9am to 3pm at both Town Hall North in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South in Massapequa.
“Residents looking to apply for a new passport are invited to visit Town Hall during Passport Weekend to receive assistance,” said Town Clerk LaMarca. “We can help you with organizing your documents, obtaining a photo and submitting the documents for approval.”
Requirements for applying for a passport include:
One 2x2 color photograph with a clear view of the
applicant’s face against a plain white or light colored background. Photos will also be available for $10 at both Town Halls North and South during Passport Weekend.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship – Previously issued undamaged U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth, Naturalization Certificate, or Certificate of Citizenship.
Proof of Identity –Naturalization Certificate, Valid Driver’s License (cannot have been issued or renewed in the last six months), Current Government ID (city, state or federal), Current Military ID (military and dependents).
This service does NOT apply to Adult Renewals
unless your Passport is expired for 5+ years.
Town Clerk LaMarca has offices located at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa. Passport appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 9:30am to 3:30pm, and during this special Passport Weekend. For appointments in Oyster Bay, please call (516) 6246324. For appointments in Massapequa, please call (516) 797-7962.
For information on passport requirements and processing times, as well as instructions for passport renewals, visit www.travel. state.gov.
LONG ISLAND MEDIA GROUP
PSEG Long Island Employees Raise More
More than 300 PSEG Long Island employees, their family members and friends raised more than $70,000 this year to support the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events. PSEG Long Island’s 11-year financial support for these walks now exceeds $700,000 – raised through employee donations and fundraising activities, along with PSEG Long Island’s commitment as a flagship sponsor of the annual events.
The Nassau event at Jones Beach State Park and Suffolk event at Riverhead’s Grangebel Park included 19 employee teams from PSEG Long Island who supported breast cancer survivors and their caregivers through American Cancer Society programs and services.
PSEG Long Island is committed to giving back to the people and communities it serves by actively supporting many local charity events and activities each year through the company’s Community Partnership Program. For more information on how PSEG Long Island supports the communities it serves, visit psegliny.com/community.
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman Tom
