2nd Annual Trail Of Truth March To The Sea Brings Powerful Visual Memorial To Long Island Families Braved Rain To Place ‘Tombstones’
In The Sand To Expose The Ongoing Toll Of Fentanyl And The Opioid Epidemic
The rainy and dreary weather on Sunday, September 7 did not deter the more than 50 people who came out for the Second Annual Long Island Trail of Truth – March to the Sea. The shoreline at Robert Moses Beach, Field 5, was transformed into a striking memorial as grieving families from across Long Island carried handcrafted tombstones to the water’s edge. The Second Annual March to the Sea honored lives lost to substance-use related causes and confronts the deadly rise of fentanyl in the local drug supply.
The National Trail of Truth movement was established 10 years ago by Truth Pharm and Trail of Truth founder Alexis Pleus. Alexis also serves on a statewide coalition to End Overdose in NY and she’s the Co-chair for the New York State Harm Reduction Association. She serves on the National Coalition for Harm Reduction Funding and the Opioid Network.
Part public art installation, part healing ceremony, the Trail of
Truth pairs emotion with striking visuals. Participants walked together toward the surf, placing memorial tombstones in the sand against the backdrop of the iconic Fire Island Lighthouse. Each marker had the name and face of a loved one, revealing the staggering scope of loss hidden behind the statistics.
“This is a memorial arts project that memorializes loved ones lost to substance use issues,” said Mia Huese, of Truth Pharm, said. “For many people the making of the tombstones can be an outlet for their grief.”
The National Trail of Truth will take place in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Sept. 27. For more information visit: https://www.trailoftruth. org
Lori Carbonaro, who lost her son Nicholas in 2014, and organized the event, said “The March to the Sea is a safe, non-judgmental place to remember our loved ones, to say their names, to share who they were, who we knew...not
only what happened to them, they were more ...so much more. Hopefully by us being here it will be impactful enough to help those who are still suffering.”
Steve Chassman, Executive Director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug
Dependence (LICADD), said:
“As we remember those lost amid the devastating opioid epidemic, we walk along the shores of Long Island contemplating much needed improvements to public health, empathetic prevention strategies and
more universal access to quality treatment on demand. We remember those loved and lost but continue to voice our support of individuals and families who remain in the struggle of substance use disorder (SUD) in informing them that help is available, Narcan
is accessible and quality resources for treatment exist. These are the universal missions of The Trail of Truth, LICADD, GGT, FIST and all those lending a helping hand in service to others in need.”
For more information about LICADD, visit https://licadd.org
The shoreline at Robert Moses Beach, Field 5, was transformed into a striking memorial as grieving families from across Long Island carried handcrafted tombstones to the water’s edge for the Trail of Truth Second Annual March to the Sea. Photo by Carole Trottere
Photo by Carole Trottere
PSEG Long Island assisted wildlife conservation partners in returning a juvenile osprey to the Oyster Bay nest from where it had been rescued in July.
The young bird was one of three chicks raised by the osprey parents that have nested on the PSEG Long Island-sponsored nesting platform for several years. PSEG Long Island maintains a 24/7 webcam on the nest, which is how the chick’s health problems became known.
After the bird was rescued, it was given a veterinary examination and then placed in the care of Sweetbriar Nature Center, where it spent about five weeks regaining its strength. Once the young osprey demonstrated it could fly on its own, PSEG Long Island provided the equipment and support to wildlife experts as they placed the osprey back in its nest, where food is left
by the osprey parents so their juvenile offspring can eat before fall arrives and the birds migrate south.
“PSEG Long Island is pleased that we were able to play a role in rescuing this young bird and giving it the best chance of thriving in the wild,” said David Lyons, interim president and COO of PSEG Long Island. “We work closely with wildlife conservation partners to protect osprey from highvoltage equipment because good environmental stewardship is part of being strongly involved in the community, and because it also improves reliability for customers.”
In balancing its commitment to the consistent, safe delivery of power for its customers with its commitment to being a good environmental steward, PSEG Long Island installs protective equipment to deter the returning birds
from nesting on electrical equipment, which puts both the raptors and the electrical system in danger. On occasion, it has installed nesting platforms.
Osprey are wild animals that are extremely uncomfortable with human encounters.
Osprey parents have been known to abandon nests with eggs or chicks when they encounter something they perceive as a large predator—like
PSEG Long Island Helps Return Juvenile Osprey
To Nest
humans—in the nest. To avoid imperiling the other two osprey fledglings, wildlife conservation experts advised against any intervention effort until the healthy offspring had shown they could fly on their own.
Ospreys build their nests on the tallest structure near a body of water. To proactively monitor its utility poles for osprey nests, PSEG Long Island partners closely with
Group for the East End, a nonprofit organization that has advocated for the protection and preservation of nature on the East End since 1972. Volunteers with the nonprofit conduct their own surveys of the area and share osprey data with the company, which maintains a team dedicated to mitigating risks and relocating nests safely and in accordance with all regulations protecting the wildlife.
According to a 2023 report issued by the Group for the East End, osprey breeding activity on the East End increased by 200% in eight years, with 199 active nests in 2014 growing to 477 in the summer of 2022.
For more information on PSEG Long Island and its environmental stewardship, visit psegliny. com/wildlife.
On Sept. 3, students, faculty and staff members, and district administrators in the Amityville School District were excited to kick off the 2025-2026 school year.
The 2025-2026 School Year Is Underway
There were plenty of familiar faces returning and new ones joining the Amityville school community who were ready to recommit, reconnect and reimagine. Many of the students and teachers kicked off the new year by participating in a variety of team building activities. Additionally, Superintendent of Schools Dr.
Gina Talbert and Mary Stephens, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, visited schools throughout the district to greet teachers and students.
The Amityville School District looks forward to a successful year ahead. the new year.
Northwest Elementary School’s faculty and staff members welcomed students during the first day of school. Photos courtesy of Amityville Union Free School District
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gina Talbert, left, also commended Northeast teacher Ms. Jane Dady, who celebrated her final first day of school.
(StatePoint) While most people picture the beloved honey bee when they think about bees, North America actually has 4,000 species of native bees, many of which are busy right now.
“Throughout spring and summer, these insects dutifully pollinate crops and wildflowers, playing a vital role in fostering healthy ecosystems,” says Clay Bolt, manager of Pollinator Conservation and Great Plains communications, World Wildlife Fund.
According to Bolt, native bee species are beautifully varied in their appearance, behaviors, feeding habits and habitats.
They can be striped, metallic, fuzzy, thin and rotund, in a spectrum of colors. The world’s smallest species—the Euphorb minifairy bee—is only found in southern deserts. At 2 millimeters, it is about as long as a U.S. nickel is thick.
Different bee species fly at different times—early
morning, daytime or night. Many emerge seasonally in spring or summer, while others remain hidden underground for years awaiting summer monsoons. Bees inhabit diverse environments, from cold mountain peaks to beaches. Generalist species visit many flower types, while specialists pollinate only specific flowers. And unlike bumble bees and other hive-dwelling bee species, such as honey bees and stingless bees, over 70% of the world’s bee species are in fact solitary, hardworking moms who quietly nest in overlooked places like decomposing logs and alongside garden paths.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “what is a bee?” you might be surprised to learn that they are vegetarian wasps. However, unlike their wasp relatives, which often feed their young protein in the form of paralyzed insects and the hamburger they might steal from your picnic
table, most bees provide their offspring with protein made from pollen mixed with nectar. The mother bee compacts these materials into a pellet and places it within her nest cavity, lays a single egg atop the mixture, then seals the chamber where the young bee will develop entirely without maternal assistance.
How can you help bees?
Sadly, bees face threats to their survival, but there are steps you can take to help protect them.
Bees need healthy, pesticide-free foods throughout their lives.
This is one of the greatest gifts you can offer these pollinators, especially because parks and gardens often grow flowers that only bloom during peak summer. By planting a variety of plants that flower from early spring through autumn, the number of native bees and other pollinators visiting your garden will increase exponentially.
“Through small acts of kindness, you can transform the lives of these remarkable creatures, while filling your heart with profound hope and wonder as you witness their delicate yet ongoing care of our shared world,” says Bolt.
The recently celebrated World Bee Day also kicked off World Wildlife Fund’s
new “Stories of Hope and Wonder,” an ongoing series that connects people to the wonder of nature and offers hope for a future benefiting both people and wildlife.
Each month, “Stories of Hope and Wonder” will feature a different species overcoming some of nature’s toughest obstacles to ensure its survival. To
access these stories, visit www.worldwildlife.org/ hopeandwonder. Bees are industrious creatures that are essential to vital food systems and healthy ecosystems. While bees are at risk, individuals can make all the difference in their own backyards.
SEPTEMBER HAPPENINGS
THURSDAY, SEPT. 25th
6:00PM-7:00PM
PLANT BINGO
Wantagh Public Library, 3285 Park Avenue in Wantagh. Win a plant while enjoying an evening of BINGO fun! Refreshments served after the program. Questions? contact paumanackegc@gmail.com
6:30PM
MUSIC BINGO
at the museum 3890 Waverly Ave. $25 for 2 bingo cards. Bring your own beverage; no outside food allowed. Seaford Historical Society. For more information, please call Judy Bongiovi, 516-783-8629
FRIDAY, SEPT. 26th
2:00PM-5:00PM
ART CRAWL
at Paul W. Zuccaire Gallery, Stony Brook University Campus. Free Event. Stop by any campus-wide art venue on your own schedule! Guided tours offered at specific times at select venues. Participating galleries: Charles B. Wang Center, Paul W. Zuccaire Gallery, Melville Library: Special Collections and Central Reading Room, Simons Center Gallery, Algonquian Library, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Visit SBU Art Crawl for details.
7:00PM
IRISH HERITAGE NIGHT
Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum is bringing back its “Cultural Night” programming starting with its popular “Irish Heritage Night.” Visitors are asked
HOLIDAYS
1st - LABOR DAY
11th - PATRIOT DAY 22nd - FALL BEGINS - ROSH HASHANAH (Begins at sundown)
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 information, please call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
to please enter the museum by using the entrance through the RJO Building, 99 Old Dock Rd., Kings Park. The performances will be held in the auditorium. There will be light refreshments served in the cafeteria afterwards. Admission to “Irish Heritage Night” is free, but donations are always gladly accepted. The Kings Park Heritage Museum will be open for tours starting at 6:00pm. Come learn about the history of our historic hamlet.
8:00PM-10:00PM MOVIE NIGHT AT HARMONY VINEYARDS
Join us for our Drink in Theatre! Movie starts at sunset, please arrive a bit earlier to get seated and order your wine & food. Visit our website to make your reservation. 21 & over. https://harmonyvineyards. com/. Located at 169 Harbor Road in Saint James. *Weather permitting. *This is an outdoor event. Seating is provided. For more information, please call 631-2919900
SATURDAY, SEPT. 27th
10:00AM-4:00PM
DEER PARK FALL CRAFT FAIR at Deer Park Fire department training grounds, 973 Nicolls Rd. in Deer Park. Deer Park Fall Craft Fair features local craft and gift vendors, food trucks, live entertainment. Find fall, Halloween, and Christmas decor and gifts. For more information, please call JR Nichols 631-885-1267
10:00AM-5:00PM
EISENHOWER PARK CRAFT FAIR
Eisenhower Park Field 8, 8 Park Boulevard in East Meadow. Free Event. Famlily shopping fun and a great way to spend the day! For more information, please call 516442-6000
11:30AM-1:00PM
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, OLPH Church in Lindenhurst has a support group to help you through your loss. The group starts on Saturdays, September 27-November 22, 2025. The group is a 9 week commitment and registration is required. A donation of $25 is appreciated. If interested, contact Linda Arpino, 631-592-1062 or email Forubabe77@aol.com OLPH Church is located 210 South Wellwood Ave in Lindenhurst.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 28th
8:30AM-1:00PM
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION 2025 HEART WALK at Jones Beach - Field 1, 1800 Ocean Parkway in Wantagh. Free Event. The Heart Walk is a fun, family-friendly event that brings our community together to get active, raise life-saving funds, and support the mission of the American Heart Association. For more information, please call 800242-8721. https://www2.heart.org/ site/TR/HeartWalk/TR/HeartWalk/ FDA-FoundersAffiliate?fr_ id=12094&pg=entry
Pre-need Information Available
Fans of fall know that few things can beat the crisp, sunny afternoons of October. The early days of the month bring with them comfortable temperatures and beautiful vistas. Summer’s heat and humidity often are things of the past, and time spent
Plan An October Weekend Getaway
outdoors, whether raking leaves or tailgating at a football game, can be quite pleasant.
Early October is home to two holidays: Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which fall this year on
October 13th. That means following the first full week of the month, people in the United States have a chance to enjoy a three-day weekend to soak up all fall has to offer. Here are a few ideas.
Camping and hiking
Take in the awe of fall foliage up close and personal by visiting a rural area or park a short drive away from home. New York City residents, for example, can head to the Catskills, while Chicagoans can head to White Pines State Park. Different regions of the country will showcase their fall colors at other times, and while foliage may be past peak, these two- to three-hour drives can be highly enjoyable.
Fall festivals
Check out the chamber of commerce or visitors’ bureau websites of various cities and towns to see what is being offered relatively close by. Many will put on community fairs, festivals, and the like. Columbus Day also presents a chance to celebrate Italian culture in many places, so Italian food and cultural festivals may be on the docket for those looking for such an excursion.
Skiing towns
When the last of the summer tourists depart from ski resort towns and the lull sets in before the winter ski season heats up, visitors to Colorado cities like Aspen, Telluride, or the Vermont city of Stowe can find great deals on hotel stays and dine out at relatively empty restaurants.
Warm weather culture
People who are not ready to part with warm weather can head to Miami. Miami often puts on a huge festival on Columbus Day, and people from all over the world come to enjoy it. There’s fun for all ages, and guests are welcome to arrive in costume.
Indigenous cultures
Individuals looking to learn more about Native Americans may want to travel to the states with the highest populations of Indigenous peoples. These include Alaska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South Dakota, Montana, and North Dakota. It’s likely celebrations will be held in these areas, highlighting their distinct culture and heritage.
Carpenter/Contract or PROFESSIONAL HANDYMA N SERVICES ALL PHASES OF HOME REPAIRS IMPROVEMENT & RENOVATIONS FROM MINOR REPA IRS TO FULL RENOVATION Baths, Kitchens, Floo ring, Inte rior Doors Sh eetrock, Trim, Plumbing Crown Molding, Plumbing, etc. OWNER OP ERATED Licensed/Insured Free Estimates
27th
9 am – 4 pm
Clothes, furniture, baby items, baby clothes, various artwork, jewelry, bedding & much more Somethin g fo r everyone. 3318 Aust in Ave. (cross street –Beech St .)
ACE CONTR ACTING CALL OR TE XT 631 432 3892
Cl ean-Ups / Demoli tion
JUNK REMOVAL
WHOLE HOUSE CLEAN OUTS & MOVE OUTS
BASEMENTS, ATTICS, GARAGES CLEANED OUT
SHEDS,DECKS POOLS, ETC DEMOLISHED AND REMOVE D NO DUMPSTER ON YOUR PROP ERTY WE HAUL EV ERYT HING AWAY
Landscaping COMPLE TE LANDSCAPING & TREE SE RVICES Fall Clean-ups, New Lawn In stallation Sod, Top Soil , Seed Mulch, Aeration Fall Flower Bed, Tree / Shrub
Plan ting, Pruning & Trimming Driveways, Pati os, Pavers, Cobblestone Retaining Wa lls LG Guevara
Landscaping & Tree Service licensed/insured Call Leno 631 365 5853
ALL MASONRY
Amityville Farmer’s Market
The Amityville Farmers Market has returned to its bucolic setting on the lawn next to First United Methodist Church. Located at 25 Broadway (aka Route 110), the lawn provides room for shoppers to stroll around while patronizing the vendors at the Market.
The Market operates on Saturdays from 9 AM – 1 PM through October 25th. Check both the Amityville Farmers Market Facebook and Instagram pages (@amityvillevillage farmersmarket) or the Bay Village Civic Association Facebook page (@ bayvillagecivicassociation) for any updates (weather related or other concerns).
Our amazing farmer (Dobler Farms) is joined by Horman’s Pickles, Baked at Home (Simply Delicious treats), Sal & Jerry’s Breads, Queen Ann Ravioli, and more enticing food and beverage vendors, including Montauk Smoked Fish, AfroGato Coffee, and Jessy’s Empanadas on various dates.
Wonderful craft vendors join them, some on alternating weeks. Stop in to see who is there weekly. You will definitely be pleased!
The Amityville Farmers Market is sponsored by the Bay Village Civic Association in conjunction with FUMC. Parking is available on the street as well as in the municipal parking lot across Broadway.
The Bay Village Civic Association represents the residents of the Village of Amityville. It has conducted a market in the village for fifteen years and thanks the shoppers for their support.
The BVCA offers “Amityville on the Bay” merchandise to purchase for adults and children. Funds raised are utilized for scholarships, local projects, and the support of other community needs.
Also, we have partnered with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless to help restock their pantry on August 16th, September 20th, and October 11th. Please bring toiletry, non-perishable grocery items, or household cleaning goods on these dates. Your efforts and generosity are appreciated.
For more information or to become a vendor, please contact the farmers market manager at amityfarmersmarket@gmail.com. You may also contact the Bay Village Civic Association at bayvillagecivic@ aol.com for more details.
Nutritious School Lunch Ideas For Kids
No two children are the same, but many youngsters share a number of similarities. Few young children enjoy going to bed on time, and many can’t resist a good trampoline. Kids also have a reputation for being picky eaters, which can be challenging for parents tasked with picking and preparing school lunches.
When dining at home, parents know which foods their kids eat and which they push around their plates in the hopes they won’t have to consume them. School lunch is a different scenario altogether, as parents are not around to ensure their youngsters eat a full and nutritious meal. Kids who are picky eaters may not eat any lunch at all. Parents who want to ensure their children get the nutrition they need to do well in school can consider the following school lunch ideas.
• Make-your-own sandwich: Kids may be more likely to eat a full lunch if they get to put it together themselves. Parents can put all the elements of a tasty sandwich into youngsters’ lunch boxes, but let kids assemble the meal
themselves. Sandwiches are not necessarily the healthiest midday meal, but they are much more nutritious when parents pack whole grain bread, tomatoes, lettuce, and low-sodium deli meat in students’ lunch boxes. If a do-it-yourself sandwich is a nonstarter, consider a DIY taco lunch complete with whole grain tortillas.
• Burrito bowl: A burrito bowl with kidfriendly yet nutritious ingredients is another great school lunch option. Red beans are a good source of fiber and the Harvard Medical School notes all beans are rich in potassium. Fiber is filling, so a burrito bowl that includes fiber-rich ingredients, including red beans but also quinoa or brown rice, can help students avoid late-day hunger pangs that can compromise how they feel and perform in the classroom. Burrito bowls are so tasty that kids may not even realize Mom and Dad have snuck some healthy foods like vegetables into their midday meal.
• Parfait: Parfait has all the
looks of a tasty dessert without the pitfalls of ice cream and other treats. The nutritional value of parfait depends on the ingredients Mom and Dad choose to include. Protein-rich Greek yogurt paired with some fruit and granola makes for a filling and tasty meal that’s also loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber. An insulated and airtight lunch box packed with ice packs can ensure the parfait is still cool come lunchtime.
• Pasta salad: Kids tend to be especially fond of pasta, and parents can use that affinity to their advantage when planning school lunches. A whole-wheat pasta salad with some cherry tomatoes and diced broccoli makes for a nutrient-rich lunch that kids can enjoy. If broccoli figures to raise youngsters’ ire, consider a nutritious substitute, such as shaved cucumber or zucchini. School lunches can be nutritious and still make kids excited to eat their midday meal away from home.
Northeast Elementary School Recognizes Patriot Day
On Sept. 11, kindergartners and teachers at Northeast Elementary School in Amityville celebrated unity and patriotism during Patriot Day.
In recognition of the events of Sept. 11, 2001,
Northeast held a special ceremony as they planted American flags around the school building. Additionally, many of the students wore red, white and blue as they gathered together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Northeast Principal Dr. Pauline Collins also held an assembly in the school’s gymnasium in which she shared an age-appropriate slideshow to educate kindergartners about the Twin Towers.
The American flags are currently planted throughout the school grounds. Photo courtesy of Amityville
Long Islanders Invited To Get Free Memory Screenings
Long Islanders can get free, confidential memory screenings this summer at the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s (AFA) Barbara Rabinowitz Education and Resource Center, located at 149 Schleigel Blvd, in Amityville. Screenings will take place each Wednesday afternoon and are open to everyone, with no minimum age or insurance prerequisites. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 631223-4000.
First Day Of
Prekindergarten
At Northeast Elementary School
On Sept. 15, prekindergarten students at Northeast Elementary School in the Amityville School District kicked off their educational journey during their first day of school.
Teachers, district administrators and Northeast Principal Dr. Pauline Collins greeted each student to celebrate their first year of school. Many of the students, joined by their parents/ guardians, familiarized themselves with the school during pre-K orientation on Sept. 12. The district welcomes its newest learners and looks forward to a successful year ahead.
Early detection of memory impairments is vital. Many different conditions can cause memory issues, including treatable or curable conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, urinary tract infections, sleep apnea, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Even in the case of a
Memory screenings are quick (approximately 10-15 minutes), noninvasive, and consist of a series of questions to gauge memory, language, thinking skills and other cognitive functions. They are similar to other routine health screenings, such as those for blood pressure, cholesterol, and skin checks. Screenings are administered one on one by a qualified professional, and results are confidential and provided immediately at the end of the screening. Results are not a diagnosis, but a memory screening can suggest if someone should see a physician for a full evaluation.
dementia-related illness such as Alzheimer’s, early detection can provide greater opportunity to begin treatments when they are most effective, as well as taking part in a clinical trial. In addition, it affords the person the chance to take advantage of community services, such as support groups and therapeutic programming, which can help maximize quality of life, as well as have a greater say in making legal, financial, and health care decisions.
Residents wishing to get a free memory screening at AFA’s Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center this summer can call the Center at 631223-4000 to schedule an appointment.
Prekindergarten students at Northeast Elementary School in the Amityville School District kicked off their educational journey during their first day of school on Sept. 15. Photos courtesy of Amityville Union Free School District
Union Free School District
