and summer are perhaps the busiest times of year for gardeners. However, fall also is a prime time to tend to gardens.
The tree and bare root retailer Bower & Branch advises that soil temperatures in many regions of the country may still be warm enough to encourage root growth well into the start of winter. Furthermore, fall is often the ideal time to plant, fertilize and keep a garden going or to get a head start on next year’s bounty.
Here are some tips to make the most of the fall gardening season.
• Think about fall annuals and bulb planting. Near the end of September, start planting cool-weatherloving pansies and violas for pops of color
as summer flowers fade. Also, it’s a good idea to stock up on bulbs that will bloom in the months to come before they sell out in stores. Wait until the temperatures really cool down before planting them in desired spots for spring sprouts.
• Sow salad seeds. Lettuce, spinach, radishes, and arugula tolerate cooler temperatures. Try new and interesting lettuce varieties and enjoy salads well into the fall season.
• Take inventory of the sun. Positioning a garden carefully means maximizing hours of sunlight, which begin to dwindle in the fall. Experts say gardens grow best in sunny locations that receive six hours of direct sunlight each day. This is where container
gardens can be helpful, as they allow gardeners to move plants into spots that will get ample sunlight.
• Fill in landscaping gaps. Some fall plants can add color around the landscape and brighten up homes to add curb appeal. In addition to pansies and violas, asters, kale and chrysanthemums are fall blooms. Keep in mind that mums can come back year after year. So take them out of those flower pots and get them into the ground. They can be enjoyed next year as well, sprouting in early spring and developing leaves and buds through late summer.
• Clean up unwanted growth. Fall is an ideal time to cut back spent vegetable plants and
get rid of errant weeds. Rather than bagging leaves, mow them with a grass catcher and then add the mix to a vegetable garden as an excellent soil insulator. The nitrogen and carbon will fertilize the soil, enhancing growing possibilities and limiting weed growth.
• Propagate plants in the fall. As temperatures gradually begin to cool, start taking cuttings from perennials, gathering seed pods from azaleas and rhododendrons and dividing hardwood cuttings, says the resource Gardening Know How. Consult with a garden center
or horticulturist on the proper ways to propagate stems using rooting hormone and other techniques.
• Continue to water plants. Water is essential in the fall and winter as roots can still be growing. Gradually reduce watering duration as plants go dormant.
Girl Scouts Of Suffolk County Announce 2025 Holiday Light Show Design Award Winners
The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County (GSSC) today announced the five winners of its annual Holiday Light Show Design Contest. Each winning design will be transformed into a giant light display to be featured in the “Girl Scout Way” section of this year’s Holiday Light Show at Camp Edey this December.
The Holiday Light Show Design Contest invited Girl Scouts to submit original drawings—individually or with their troop—reflecting the theme: “When I think of Girl Scouts, I think of…”. The contest helps showcase the creativity of local Girl Scouts while raising funds that support GSSC programs, camp experiences, and financial assistance for girls across Suffolk County.
The 2025 winners are:
• Penelope Alambra, Smithtown, Troop 358, Brownie
• Ciara Weisbecker, Babylon, SU 14 (Juliette), Senior
“Our Holiday Light Show Design Contest is a perfect example of how Girl Scouts use their creativity and imagination to inspire the community,” said Tammy Severino, President & CEO of Girl Scouts of Suffolk County. “We are proud to showcase these designs and give visitors a chance to see the girls’ ideas brought to life in lights.”
Pictured: Amani Bradley-Coleman, Sienna Lebron, Teresa Cortez, Natalia Ciborowski, Kaylee Jimenez, Kiera Green-Wilson, Maggie Ericson, Bomi Oyewo, Hanmi Oyewo, Lindenhurst, Troop 506, with their winning design. Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts of Suffolk County
Each winner will receive a Holiday Light Show Event Patch, pre-admission to the show for their immediate family to view their design, and a photo opportunity at Camp Edey alongside their illuminated creation.
Launched in 2004, the GSSC Holiday Light Show has become a cherished tradition in Suffolk County. Visitors experience a walkthrough Enchanted Forest at Camp Edey, featuring hundreds of light displays, a giant Christmas tree, photo opportunities, refreshments in the “Chill Zone,” and visits with Santa.
Tickets for the Light Show will go on sale later in the year at https://www. gssc.us/
About Girl Scouts of Suffolk County
Since 1968, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County has been
Kitchen Cabinets: Reface Or Replace?
Thecommitted to building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. With over 15,000 members, they are one of the largest youth-serving agencies in Suffolk County. Girl Scouts helps girls develop their full individual potential, relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect, develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making, and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others. For more information about the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, please call (631) 543-6622 or visit www.gssc.us. Follow Girl Scouts of Suffolk County on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
kitchen is a busy room in many homes. That popularity likely has something to do with why so many homeowners spend sizable sums renovating their kitchens. According to highlights from a recent U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, the median spend on major kitchen remodels grew by 14 percent from the previous year, and minor remodels increased by 25 percent. Spurred on by increased time spent at home during the pandemic, the main impetus for kitchen remodels, according to the study, was that homeowners wanted to make these improvements all along and finally had the time and means to do so.
There are many aspects of a kitchen that homeowners can change. Houzz found 94 percent of renovators either fully or partially replaced cabinets in their improvement plans. Cabinets are a major component of kitchen layouts. Cabinets help
to establish the aesthetic of a kitchen and serve a useful function, providing necessary storage space to ensure the room does not appear cluttered.
Homeowners have different options when it comes to cabinet renovations, and they may need to decide if they need to replace or reface their cabinets.
• Replacement. Cabinet replacement involves removing all of the existing cabinets before new cabinets are leveled and installed. According to the home improvement resource The Spruce, homeowners can expect to pay between $13,000 and $30,000 for contractorgrade cabinets. Cabinet replacement is a good idea when homeowners want to add more cabinet space or create a new layout in the room.
• Refacing. Cabinet refacing is less messy and less disruptive than replacement. All cabinets remain the
same size and in the same location. The cabinet boxes must be in good shape to facilitate a refacing. The process involves the installation of new drawer fronts and cabinet doors, as well as the veneering of the cabinet boxes. New hardware is typically installed as well. The insides of the cabinets typically remain the same. The Spruce says cabinet refacing can be 30 to 50 percent cheaper than a replacement. Most people call in professionals to change their cabinets. Cabinet replacement can be a do-it-yourself job, but it involves measuring and ensuring everything fits and is leveled appropriately. Homeowners who choose to reface their cabinets themselves may opt to paint or restain. Wood veneer or a new door and drawer panel installation can be complicated and is best left to qualified contractors.
Entree:
by The Original Salpino of Wantagh, N. Babylon & Dix
In The Spotlight Highlighting Local Businesses
Elite Dance Studio, 123 N. Wellwood Ave., is celebrating a major milestone—20 years of teaching dance to students ranging from age 2 through high school seniors.
The studio was founded by owner Marie Seaquist, who first opened with two small studios inside Elite Gymnastics in Amityville. What began as a small dream has grown into a thriving family-run business, with Marie’s daughters Sara and Tori and her husband Tim now playing active roles in helping the studio grow and flourish.
Today, Elite operates out of a stateof-the-art complex in the heart of downtown Lindenhurst, featuring four professional studios where students learn, train, and create lasting memories.
Elite Dance Studio is proud to be part of the Lindenhurst community, where local restaurants and businesses have always been welcoming to its students and families. The studio has touched
the lives of countless young dancers, offering them not only technical training but also lifelong friendships.
Reflecting on this milestone, Seaquist shared:
“When I first opened Elite, I never imagined how much it would grow. Starting with just two studios and now seeing our four-studio complex filled with students who are so dedicated and passionate has been a dream come true. Lindenhurst has embraced us from the very beginning, and we are so grateful to be part of such a supportive community.”
As Elite celebrates two decades of dance excellence, it remains committed to fostering creativity, discipline, and community spirit for generations to come. Enrollment for the new season is now open, welcoming students of all ages and levels to become part of the Elite family.
For more information, visit www. elitedanceli.com or call 631-450-4740.
West Babylon Public Library
211 Route 109
West Babylon (631) 669-5445
www.wbpl.us
Nancy Evans, Director
Wednesday, September 10, 10 am-1:30 pm
Sign up is first-come, first-served and free of charge. For more information, call the Nassau Suffolk Hospital Council at 631-435-3000.
OKTOBERFEST
Thursday, September 11, 6:30-8:30 pm
Join Pit Master Brian and recreating the traditional Munich festival.
BUSY PERSON’S BOOK GROUP
7-8:30 pm
Thursday, September 11
Violeta by Isabel Allende
CASUAL CRAFTING KIT
September 15-20
Get crafty in your down time with these monthly kits for adults. Each kit comes with a small DIY craft to be completed at your leisure. West Babylon Card holders only.
CASUAL CRAFTING KIT
September 15-20
Get crafty in your down time with these monthly kits for adults. Each kit
Continued On 14
Just Kids is looking to hire TAs at our 2 Lindenhurst locations!
Benefits & Pay:
Medical Bene ts after 30 days of employment
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance. 401(k), Life insurance, Parental Leave, Paid
Time Off
Position Details:
We are seeking dedicated Teaching Assistants to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for working with children and supporting educators in a classroom setting.
Responsibilities:
• Assist the lead teacher in implementing lesson plans and activities
• Provide support to students with various tasks and assignments
• Supervise children during indoor and outdoor activities
• Help maintain a safe and clean learning environment
Requirements:
• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to communicate positively, effectively, and appropriately with children
• Ability to use clear and understandable written and verbal communication
• Experience working with toddlers, preschoolers, or in a classroom setting is a plus!
• Teaching Assistant - Level Certi cate a plus!
Work Schedule:
Monday to Friday from 8:15am to 2:45pm (Please note certain days will require later dismissal due to necessary professional development training.)
Job Type: Full-Time
Remedies For Creaky Floors
Hardwood
floors are coveted features in many homes.
The National Wood Flooring Association says wood floors are the most environmentally friendly flooring options available. In the United States, the hardwood forests that provide flooring products are growing twice as fast as they are being harvested. Furthermore, wood floors can last for many generations and require fewer raw materials to produce than other flooring options. That means less waste may end up in landfills.
Hardwood floors can endure for decades in a home, but over time those same floors may need some tender loving care to keep them looking good and working as they should. Squeaky floors are a common nuisance that homeowners may experience. Squeaking is often caused by movement and friction between floorboards. Treating the problem involves identifying the underlying issue.
• Loose hardware.
Squeaky floors may be due to the loosening of the hardware holding the floor in place, says The Home Depot. When nails or screws no longer are secured tightly, the boards can rub together. The noise heard is the sound produced by rubbing. Tightening or replacing the hardware can help reduce the squeaking.
• Counter-snap kit method. This Old House says this kit method is a great way to fix squeaks without damaging the floor. Once the source of the squeak is located, drill a 3/32-inch pilot hole through the hardwood flooring. Then insert a screw through the kit’s depth-control fixture and into the pilot hole, and drive it until it automatically snaps off below the wood surface. Follow this up by filling the hole with wood putty that matches the floor color. Once the putty is dry, lightly sand the area to blend.
• Use a shim or shims. Sometimes the floor may squeak because of
a gap between the joists and the subfloor. Filling the gap with a small piece of wood called a shim can help alleviate the gap or gaps.
• Drive up screws. If a squeak is just in one spot, The Home Depot says that you may be able to drive short screws from below into the subfloor.
• Small gaps. For small gaps between boards, sprinkle talcum powder or powdered graphite between squeaky boards to reduce friction. Wood filler applied with a putty knife also may work. For larger gaps, use a liquid filler designed for wood floors.
Homeowners also can visit their local home improvement center for other hardware solutions designed for underfloor repairs to remedy squeaks. Many work from underneath the floor and involve mounting plates or brackets to sure up the floor.
Squeaky floors can be problematic, but noises can be banished with some repair work.
West Babylon Public Library
Continued From 13
comes with a small DIY craft to be completed at your leisure. West Babylon Card holders only.
PAINT NIGHT: WHITE PUMPKINS
Tuesday, September 16, 6:45-8:30 pm
Non-refundable/ transferable materials fee: $5.
SUNFLOWER PLATE KIT
September 18-23
Shirley Ruby will instruct you virtually to make your own one-of-a-kind project. A YouTube Link will be provided by the Library. Non-refundable/ transferable materials fee: $5.
NO-BAKE ENERGY BALLS
Homeowners know there’s no shortage of ways to tweak a property. Some homeowners may lament that the work associated with home ownership is never done, but owning a house also provide endless opportunities to upgrade the spaces people call home.
Landscape lighting has become increasingly popular in recent years. That popularity is undoubtedly due to a number of variables, and each highlights a benefit of installing landscape lighting around a property.
• Affordability. Some may think of big budget projects like kitchen remodels or room additions when pondering home renovations. Such projects can have a dramatic impact on
the look and feel of a home, but landscape lighting can be equally transformative at a fraction of the cost of larger undertakings. The home renovation experts at Angi.com estimate the average landscape lighting project costs around $4,000, making affordability a notable benefit of the project.
• Appearance. There’s no denying the aesthetic appeal of a well-lit landscape at night. Landscape lighting can be utilized to draw attention to aweinspiring components of a landscape, whether it’s natural features like gardens and foliage or manmade components like architectural features. Improved appearance can increase curb
appeal, which is often associated with how a home looks during daylight hours. But photographs of a welllit nighttime landscape can impress buyers as well.
• Cost savings. Landscape lighting might help homeowners reduce the cost of their homeowners insurance. Researchers at PolicyGenius.com found that insurance companies typically offer a discount of 2 to 5 percent to homeowners who install a home security system. Insurance providers may offer additional savings to homeowners who pair such systems with landscape lighting, which can be a deterrent to burglars who prefer to operate under a cloak of darkness.
• Safety. Insurance firms
Thursday, September 18, 7-8:30 pm
We’ll learn how to make oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, and savory flavors. These are welcome additions to lunch boxes as well as portable snacks for your autumn hikes.
FRIDAY FLICKS
Movies begin at 1 pm September 19: Bridget Jones: Mad about the Boy (PG-13, 125 min)
American Red Cross
(NAPSI)—The American Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network is a secure, online community that’s both a resource directory and peer support network to militaryaffiliated caregivers. Using evidence-based peer-support programs, caregivers connect, share knowledge, learn new skills, and gain hope. More at redcross.org/ caregivers.
may discount premiums because of landscape lighting because they view it as a deterrent to potential criminals. But landscape lighting also makes moving around a property at night safer for residents and guests. Lighting can be used to illuminate walkways, outdoor living rooms, patios around pools,
and other areas where residents and guests will be walking at night, which can reduce the risk of falls and injuries that may result from such spills.
• ROI. Savvy homeowners consider a renovation’s return on investment before deciding to go forward with a project.
Studies vary, but the National Association of Realtors indicates landscape lighting can recoup as much as 70 percent of homeowners’ investment in the project at resale. When viewed through the lens of ROI, the cost of installing landscape lighting is even less.
West Babylon Public Library Showcases Work Of JHS Student-Artists
The current exhibit features sixth and eighth grade artwork on display in July and August. Ms. Alfano’s eighth grade
West Babylon Junior High School has an ongoing collaboration with the West Babylon Public Library to display K-12 artwork throughout the school year in the children’s section of the library.
classes created flower portraits using colored pencils. Students applied their understanding of primary, secondary and tertiary colors, along with tints and shades.
Students were limited by the use of only primary colors along with black and white to develop their work, pushing their understanding of color theory.
The sixth grade students created animal zentangles using micron pen and watercolor pencils. Students chose an animal that represented them and used a variety of techniques using micron pens and watercolor to create unique pieces with a likeness of their animal. Students learned about mindfulness through zentangle techniques.
Artwork of sixth and eighth graders from West Babylon Junior High School is currently on display in the West Babylon Public Library children’s section. Photos courtesy of West Babylon School District
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Summer Senior Advocate Schedules
Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is pleased to inform Babylon and Huntington residents about the local Suffolk County Office for the Aging Summer 2025 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.
“It is so important for us to provide our senior citizens with the assistance and information they need in ways that are most convenient to them. These visits allow our seniors to connect with our County’s senior advocates right in their own communities,” said Legislator Donnelly. “I hope all those interested in the services that the Suffolk County Office for the Aging provides will take advantage of this opportunity.”
This summer, Senior Advocates will be visiting the following locations in the Town of Babylon:
• Deer Park Library, 44 Lake Avenue, Deer
Park: Friday, September 19, 9 – 11 am
• North Amityville Senior Nutrition Center, 48-C Cedar Road, Amityville: Wednesday, September 17, 10 am – 1 pm
• Tanner Park Senior Center, 2 Tanner Park, Copiague: Wednesday, September 10, 8:30 am – 2 pm
• Spangle Drive Senior Center, 4385 Spangle Drive, North Babylon: Tuesday, September 23, 12 – 3 pm
In Huntington, they will be visiting the following:
• Huntington Senior Nutrition Center, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington: Wednesday, September 17, 8:30 am – 2 pm
• Paumanack Village 5 & 6, 100 Adriatic Drive, Melville: Thursday, September 18, 8:30 am – 12 pm; residents only 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.
Did You Know?
There is no definitive age when a child may need to get eyeglasses. However, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus notes that children’s visual systems are still developing during the first 12 years of their life, and during this period wearing glasses can be important for normal vision development. Glasses can help straighten crossed or misaligned eyes, bolster weak vision caused by differences in vision between a child’s eyes, and even protect the stronger eye. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children begin vision screening around age 3 and receive annual screenings each year at ages 4, 5 and 6. After that, screening is recommended when children turn 8, 10, 12, and 15. Of course, parents who begin to suspect their children are having trouble with their vision are urged to take the child to an ophthalmologist once such suspicions arise. Some notable signs include inexplicable declines in academic performance, children sitting closer to the television than they once did and children’s own remarks regarding their vision if they say anything at all.
Signs It’s Time To Replace Gutters
Home improvement projects run the gamut from complex undertakings like room additions to simpler renovations like a new front door. Some home renovations excite homeowners more than others, but all improvements are a way to make a home safer, more comfortable and/or more functional.
A gutter replacement might not inspire the same level of excitement as a room addition or an overhaul of an outdoor living space, but new gutters can help to prevent roof damage and make properties safer by ensuring rain water is directed away from walkways. Homeowners who suspect it might be time for a gutter replacement can look for these signs of fading gutters.
• Cracks or splits. Cracks or splits at the seams of the gutters where two pieces connect is a telltale sign they need to be replaced. Cracks or splits are can slowly lead to separation of gutter pieces, which will lead to leaks. But not all cracks or splits
are found at the seams. In fact, some homes feature seamless gutters, which also can crack or split. Regardless of where they’re found, cracks or splits are a warning signs of fading gutters.
• Rust. Rust is rarely a good sign whether you’re looking at a vehicle or even garden tools. Rust also is a bad sign in relation to gutters. Gutters are painted, and not only for aesthetic purposes. Paint on gutter also serves to protect them from water. When paint begins to flake, gutters will begin to rust and may even produce noticeable rust flakes on the ground below. Rust on gutters and rust flakes beneath them are indicative of gutters that need to be replaced.
• Gutters pulling away from the home. Gutters that appear to be pulling away from the home is a sign that they need to be replaced. Gutters are fastened to a home during installation, which ensures they can withstand rain and water. Over time,
those fasteners can wear down, ultimately leading to gutters that appear to be pulling away from the home. Though gutters can be refastened, eventually they will need to be replaced.
• Pooling water. Pooling water in a gutter may just be a sign that gutters need to be cleaned. However, pooling water on the ground directly beneath gutters indicates they’re not effectively directing water away from the home.
• Water damage inside. A home’s interior might not be the first place homeowners look when inspecting for damaged gutters, but a flooded basement or crawl space could indicate a gutter problem. Gutters and downspouts are designed to direct water away from a home when functioning properly. When that isn’t happening, water can pool beneath the foundation, leading to pooling water and other water damage in basements and crawl spaces.
