CANDLELIGHT VIGIL IN REMEMBRANCE OF COUNCILMAN CHRIS CARINI
On November 24, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads attended a poignant Candlelight Vigil to celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of our friend and neighbor Councilman Christopher Carini. Senator Rhoads said, “As an elected official and as a friend, I don’t know that I’ve ever met someone who was more passionate or took more enjoyment out of helping his neighbors and trying to make his community better than Chris.” The Senator also offered a special thanks to the Seaford Chamber Of Commerce, Seaford Harbor & Manor PTAs, PTSA, Booster Club, and SEPTA for organizing this touching remembrance for the community.
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Remembrance
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL - On November 24, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads attended a poignant Candlelight Vigil to celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of our friend and neighbor Councilman Christopher Carini. Senator Rhoads said, “As an elected official and as a friend, I don’t know that I’ve ever met someone who was more passionate or took more enjoyment out of helping his neighbors and trying to make his community better than Chris.” The Senator also offered a special thanks to the Seaford Chamber Of Commerce, Seaford Harbor & Manor PTAs, PTSA, Booster Club, and SEPTA for organizing this touching remembrance for the community.
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Superb Seaford Musicians Share Talents Beyond The Classroom
The Seaford School District announces that 28 student-musicians have been selected to perform in this year’s All-County festival, hosted by the Nassau Music Educators Association. The AllCounty festival will take place from Jan. 8-19.
Students from grades 5 through 12, who are carefully selected by NMEA based on their NYSSMA solo performances and teacher recommendations, are invited to attend.
Seaford’s 28 participants will perform alongside Nassau County’s most
accomplished student. Rehearsals will be held at schools throughout the county and concert performances take place at the LIU Post Tilles Center. The district congratulates the following All-County musicians:
Seaford High School – Band: Madelyn Boyon (flute), Brian Karaman (Bb clarinet) and Brandon Siegel (tenor saxophone); Chorus: Emma Baldwin, Brandon Bombardier, Isabella Grace, Corinne Gustavson, Dylan Malone, Alexia Mohammed and Molly Restivo.
Seaford Middle School – Band: Samantha Juan (French horn) and Logan Siegel (Bb clarinet); Chorus: Lily Boyon, Cadan Calderaro, Chris Falta, Leanne Gregorek, Peyton Hujber, Gia Lennon and Sky Schoenberger.
Seaford Harbor Elementary School –Band: Maeve Carloni (alto saxophone); Chorus: Logan Rackow, Caroline Restivo and Guiliana Romano.
Seaford Manor Elementary School –Band: Eliza Bevilacqua (trombone) and Eric Henriquez (trumpet);
Several Seaford High School student musicians have received musical accolades including selection to the All-County music festival and the eVoco mixed ensemble. They were joined by music teachers Yvonne Bendzlowicz, Chris Coniglio and Dr. Anthony Romeo. Photos courtesy of the Seaford School District
Chorus: Penelope Brooks, Krystalia Paraskevopoulos and Kendall Wasnenius.
The students achieved this accomplishment under the direction of Seaford music faculty Richard Adams, Yvonne Bendzlowicz, Pamela Brinkman, Nicholas Coacci, Chris Coniglio, Amanda Ferguson, Daniel Kruger, Charlotte Loake, Dr. Anthony Romeo II, Barbara Sherwin and Kayla Sorensen, and Coordinator of Fine and Applied Arts Dr. Patrick Kennedy.
“Congratulations to the 28 talented Seaford
students who have been accepted into All-County,” Dr. Kennedy said. “This recognition highlights the dedication and skill of our young musicians. I’d also like to commend our music teachers for their guidance in helping these students succeed. This achievement reflects the strength of our music program and our community’s commitment to fostering creativity and excellence.”
Additionally, three high school singers were selected to participate with the eVoco Voice Collective, a Long Island-
based choir. Corinne Gustavson (soprano), Matthew Sabatino (bass) and Emily Salce (alto) performed alongside an award-winning collection of singers in the eVoco mixed ensemble show, “Celestial” on Nov. 3 at St. Peter’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Bay Shore. Under the direction of Dr. David Fryling, the experience gave them a unique opportunity to rehearse and perform, while making connections to both professional musicians and other high school singers.
Seaford Middle School music teachers Barbara Sherwin and Nicholas Coacci congratulated this year’s All-County musicians.
Seaford Manor Elementary School band teacher Daniel Krueger recognized the students who will perform at the January 2024 NMEA All-County festival.
Coordinator of Fine and Applied Arts, Dr. Patrick Kennedy and music teacher Kayla Sorensen recognized Seaford Harbor Elementary School’s All-County musicians.
Magic Of Lights Drive - Through Experience Illuminates
The Imagination During The Holiday Season
Magic of Lights, the family-friendly, drivethrough holiday lights festival, is celebrating the grandest holiday of the year with a dazzling, sparkling, and twinkling series of magical light displays in a 2.5-mile drive-through experience, the longest and brightest ever, at both Long Island’s Jones Beach State Park and at Holmdel’s PNC Bank Arts Center running nightly through January 4. Inside the comfort of their own vehicle, guests will enjoy Magic of Lights’ classic holiday favorites including Winter Wonderland, the 12 Days of Christmas, Toyland, festive Elves and Reindeer Road.
In addition to the 200 foot long Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, there will also be other new light tunnels to delight and amaze.
Other illuminated displays include the 32-foot-tall animated Mattel’s Waving Christmas Barbie®, Prehistoric Christmas featuring life sized dinosaurs celebrating the season, and the legendary BIGFOOT® Monster Truck. Created with over two million sparkling lights, Magic of Lights is a nostalgic and festive event everyone will enjoy. The Toyota Holiday Village, which allows guests to walk through a magical out-of-car area
featuring Santa Photos, refreshments, and other holiday activities, will also return at both locations. A new augmented reality feature will be introduced this year as well to make the magical experience even more interactive, with details set to be released in November.
“We are excited to return Magic of Lights to both the Long Island and Holmdel communities for as its become a part of the local annual holiday tradition,” says Ken Hudgens, CEO of Family Entertainment Holdings, LLC. “Our innovative creative team has designed a drive-through
holiday wonderland light experience that promises to dazzle and delight guests of all ages.”
The Magic of Lights uses the latest CAD technology and is hand-crafted at the Magic of Lights warehouse in Medina, OH, then, transported to Long Island. The displays combine for more than 10 miles of LED lighting across all presentations, in the trees, and on the buildings. There are 10 different colors of LED bulbs used. The highest scene is 32feet tall, and the longest is several hundred feet long. The steel displays are designed, bent, cut, and welded into about 800 frames combined in different configurations to create each show’s giant winter holiday scenes.
Magic of Lights is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. (dusk) until 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. (dusk) until 11 p.m. For dates, times,
and ticket availability, visit magicoflights. com. Admission is $30 in advance or $35 at the gate on weekdays and $30 in advance or $40 at the gate on weekends through November. Price is based per car. Special pricing is available for limousines and buses. Group ticket rates are available. Tickets are available through TicketMaster.com.
At Jones Beach, Magic of Lights is supported by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and presented by Flagstar. Further, a portion of every Jones Beach entry ticket sold will support Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Foundation for Long Island State Parks Inc.
Guests are encouraged to share their favorite Magic of Lights pictures!
Facebook: @ magicoflightsjonesbeach
Facebook: @ MagicOfLightsNewJersey
Instagram: @
TheMagicOfLights
Magic of Lights is produced in partnership between Family Entertainment Live and Live Nation.
About Family Entertainment Live
Family Entertainment Holdings, LLC is a diversified, entertainment holding company that develops family-oriented live events including Magic of Lights ®, an outdoor holiday lights drive-through experience produced at venues throughout North America and Hot Wheels® Monster Trucks Live, showcasing a toys-to-life show of Mattel’s legendary Hot Wheels Monster Trucks show presented across North America, Europe and elsewhere internationally. The Company is headquartered in New York, NY. For more information visit familyentertainmentlive. com.
CLUES ACROSS
1. Thou __ do it
6. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.)
9. Brainstem part
13. Town in New York state
14. Little (Spanish)
15. Continent
16. Retch
17. Short-billed rails
18. Small period of time (abbr.)
19. Confused
21. A team needs one
22. Woman in ancient times
23. Republican Party
CLUES DOWN
1. One-time Aaron Rodgers target
2. Wings
3. Overly studious person
4. They protect your valuables
5. The Volunteer State
6. Non-hydraulic cement
7. Horse mackerel
8. Jackson and Diddley are two
9. Splendid displays
10. Mountain in NE Greece
11. A daughter or your brother or sister
12. German surname
14. Having more than one husband at a time
24. Spanish be 25. “The Godfather” character Johnny 28. Not around 29. City in Zambia
31. A type of beginning 33. Numb 36. Gurus
38. Small, gray-headed crow 39. Vehicle type 41. Disorders
44. One point east of southeast 45. Indian soldier 46. Tree type
48. Midway between south and southeast
17. Romanian city 20. Energy 21. Makes less hot
23. Gas diffusion electrode
25. Former CIA
26. Set an example for others
27. Support of a particular person
29. One from the Big Apple
30. Mountain range
32. Violate the sanctity of something 34. Supervises flying
35. Talks
37. Persian male given name 40. Born of
49. It cools your home 51. Corn comes on it
52. Ship’s deck 54. A way to bake 56. Improvised 60. Butterfly genus 61. Baseball fields have them 62. Designated space 63. Discharge 64. Two of something 65. Once more 66. Part of your face 67. Tax collector 68. Cassia tree
42. Forcibly take one’s possessions
43. Discounts
47. Knockouts
49. Posh Colorado destination 50. Form of therapy 52. British rock band 53. Type of virus (abbr.) 55. The U. of Miami mascot is one
Volcanic crater 57. Middle Eastern nation
Sinn __, Irish organization 59. Ethiopian lake
Bits per inch (abbr.)
Equally
Town Open
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Lou Imbroto announce that the Town’s outdoor ice skating rinks at Marjorie R. Post and SyossetWoodbury Community Parks are open for the season and remain open through Sunday, February 23rd.
“Ice skating is a fun activity for residents of all ages to enjoy, and the Town’s outdoor ice rinks provide the perfect setting to relax, unwind, and take in the wonderful winter
atmosphere,” said Councilman Imbroto. “Our outdoor ice rink facilities are the perfect antidote to combating cabin fever during the winter months, and are the ideal way to help make coping with the cold fun and enjoyable!”
For residents wishing to take advantage of ice skating but do not wish to be outdoors, the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center is open year-round and is located at 1001 Stewart Ave. in Bethpage. Indoor skating is open to the public seven
days a week, with special extended hours on most holidays and school breaks. For a full list of hours, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown. com/ice.
For information on schedules, fees and rink programs, call (516) 797-7990 for the Marjorie Post Park Outdoor Rink or (516) 677-5990 for the Syosset-Woodbury Park Outdoor Rink. All information is available on the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown. com/ice.
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DECEMBER HAPPENINGS
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11th
2:30AM-5:00PM THE HELPING HANDS
35TH ANNUAL TOY DRIVE
The Toy Drive will be held at 944 West Bay drive or the BBEA clubhouse - block of Villa Monaco in West Islip. For more information, please contact contact Jennifergalllozzi@gmail.com or to make a donation visit https://www. paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_ id=Q84FKWW5F42DW
FRIDAY, DEC. 13th
7:30PM
A GILBERT & SULLIVAN CHRISTMAS CAROL
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Islip will bring people together to experience a vibrant performance of “A Christmas Carol,” performed with the music of Gilbert & Sullivan. The production takes place in the church’s Fenton Hall. Presented in tandem with the Islip Arts Council. Proceeds will go to the church’s music ministry. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets, please visit. https:// stmarksislip.org or call 631-581-4950 – or come into the office. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00AM-1:00PM
SATURDAY, DEC. 14TH
10:00AM-3:00PM
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
Islip United Methodist Church will be hosting their Annual Christmas Craft Fair at 350 Main Street in Islip. Lots of Homemade items, Jewelry, Antiques, Raffles, Baked Goods, lunch and so much more. For more information, please call 631-581-7663
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
3:00PM
CONCERT OF SACRED
CHRISTMAS MUSIC
Grace United Methodist Church will be hosting a Concert of Sacred Christmas Music. Featuring soprano soloist Kathryn Wilson. A free-will offering will be taken. Grace United Methodist Church, 515 S. Wellwood Ave. in Lindenhurst. For more information, please call 631-226-8690
4:00PM-10:00PM
FARMINGDALE UGLY SWEATER BAR CRAWL
The Coop Nashville Kitchen Bar and Lounge, 342 Main Street in Farmingdale. Get ready to don your ugliest holiday sweaters and join us for the ultimate festive adventure on December 14th! This is more than just a bar crawl-it's an Ugly Sweater extravaganza where locals and visitors come together to celebrate the holiday season in style. Email: Info@pubcrawls.com
9:30AM-11:00AM
SANTA AND FRIENDS BREAKFAST
United Skates of America
1276 Hicksville Rd. in Seaford. This is a non-skating event that includes a breakfast buffet and a special meeting with Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, Frosty and a Gingerbread Man! Wear your cutest holiday pajamas and have some good old fashioned fun! For more information, please call 516-795-5474
10:30AM-3:00PM
BABYLON CHRISTMAS MARKET
Village Gazebo & Bayman Park
The Babylon Beautification Society is pleased to host this outdoor Christmas Market, featuring over 90 vendors selling fine and unique gifts. Plus, enjoy food and beverages for sale in the Gazebo area. The rain date for the event is December 15. Visit babylonbeautification.org for more information
THROUGH DEC. 31st
8:00AM-6:00PM
CHRISTMAS AT HICKS
Pictures with Santa, every day through December 23. Make sure to bring your own camera for pictures. A walkthrough Christmas story features Santa, his elves and friends as they prepare for the big day! A festive animated story for the young and young at heart! Please bring your donation of a non-perishable food item(s) for Long Island Cares and drop off at the end of your walkthrough. 100 Jericho Turnpike in Westbury. For more information, please call 516-334-0066
THROUGH JAN. 02, 2025
10:00AM-3:00PM
CHRISTMAS HOUSE LONG ISLAND
If you are looking for an exciting and fun, indoor family holiday attraction, Christmas House Long Island is now open daily at the Broadway Commons, 358 N. Broadway in Hicksville. This unique 45+ minute walk-through features interactive and imaginative experiences that will delight people of all ages! For more information, please call 516-878-0273
Santa’s Whiskers 20 to 24 cookies
1 1⁄2 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 12-ounce jar pitted maraschino cherries, strained and stemmed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract
1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
11⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
Directions:
In a stand mixer, with a hand mixer, or by hand, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
Add the cherries, vanilla, almond extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly. Fold into the flour and mix until it forms a crumbly but moist dough. Lay a 16-inch sheet of parchment paper onto the counter. Sprinkle 1 cup of the coconut on th center in a loose rectangle, making sure it does not reach the edge of the parchment. Place the cookie dough on top, flattening a bit with your fingers, and sprinkle the remaining coconut over the top of the dough.
Form the dough into a 12- to 14-inch log, about 3 inches thick. Evenly press the coconut around the log and roll to make the log an even cylinder.
Roll the parchment up with the dough inside and twist the ends. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice cookies in 1⁄4- to 1⁄2-inch rounds, place on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, and bake 12 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. Store in an airtight container.
The holiday season doubles as cookie season. Indeed, there’s no shortage of baking opportunities in December. Various cookies make the rounds, and if you are tasked with bringing cookies to a function, you might be interested in something a little different. “Santa’s Whiskers” likely get their name from the coconut on these cookies, which resemble Santa’s beard. Maraschino cherries add some jolly red to the cookies as well, making them perfect for Christmas. Try this recipe from “Butter, Flour, Sugar, Joy” (Sourcebooks) by Danielle Kartes.
Make Holiday Crafting A Family Affair
Families gather frequently during the holiday season as everyone enjoys the feasts and festivities that are synonymous with this time of year. Families often bake and decorate together, as these activities are inclusive of people of all ages.
This time of year also is one for dabbling in creative pursuits. Now is a prime opportunity to bond with children over a table full of paint, glue, beads, and other crafty supplies. The crafts made during the holidays often become cherished mementos that will be regarded fondly for years to come. Here are some ideas to inspire holiday creativity.
Snowman family
Handprint crafts are popular among children. Adults and children can dip their hands into washable white paint and make a handprint stamp on a small canvas, wooden palette or even a terracotta flowerpot. Decorate the white fingerprints with black dots to look like the faces of the snowmen and paint on top hats and scarves. In the years to come, artists can marvel at how small their hand prints once were.
Wine cork reindeer
Repurpose wine corks by crafting adorable little reindeer. Two corks make up the head and the body, and four vertically will comprise the feet. Stick
on googly eyes, and add a small red or black bead for the nose. Pipe cleaners can be bent to form the reindeer’s antlers.
Family garlands
This craft also makes use of handprints. Ask all family members to trace their handprints on different colors of construction paper or card stock. Cut out all of the paper hands, punch holes in the tops and then string a ribbon through. Decorate the Christmas tree or a mantle with this garland.
Miniature Christmas trees
Paint the tips of gathered pine cones with green paint and allow to dry. Add white glitter or paint as “snow.” Glue the pine cones to wine corks that will serve as the tree trunks, and attach a small wooden star to the top of the trees for the finishing touch.
Decoupage ornaments
Purchase wooden or plastic ball ornaments. Cover with small scraps of cut fabric or paper
dipped in craft glue or Mod Podge®, and attach to the ornament in an overlapping fashion. Remember to add a string from which the ornament can be hung on the tree. Allow to dry completely before use.
Paper chain
Advent calendar
Cut strips of paper to make a link for every day of Advent. Advent begins on Sunday, December 1, 2024, and lasts until Christmas. The top link can be any design artists prefer, but those who need a little inspiration can consider a religious symbol, the face of a reindeer, a snowman, or a Christmas tree. Hang the chain and then children can take turns ripping off a link from the bottom each day as they count down to the holiday.
Popsicle stick snowflakes
Paint four popsicle sticks per snowflake in desired colors. Decorate with glue, pompoms, beads, or other trinkets. Add small looped strings to hang the ornaments.
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Bird Walk At Jones Beach West End
Join the South Shore Audubon Society for a bird walk in the west end of Jones Beach State Park on Sunday, December 15. The group will meet at the Jones Beach Coast Guard Station Parking Area. The entrance for the Coast Guard Station and West End Boat Basin is on Bay Drive going west.
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.
